Jesus Christ {The Divine God}

I have been slowly reading through the gospel of John. Each day I've been taking a small section and journaling about the character and nature of Jesus Christ. 

As many times as I've read this book, reading in small chunks and really looking at Who Jesus Is has opened my eyes to some vast discoveries; things that I knew, but hadn't really absorbed. I thought I would share one of them with you. 

John 2:13-22
It's the Passover, Jesus has gone to Jerusalem. He finds the temple turned into the local sale barn where all animals needed for sacrifices are being sold, and money changers exchanging money. He makes a whip, drives everyone out, pours out the coins, turns over tables, tells those selling doves to "stop making My Father's house a place of business." 

vs. 18 "The Jews then said to Him, "What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?"

vs. 19 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.""

They, of course, argue the fact that it took 60 years to build the temple and how could He do it in three days? Vs. 21-22 go on to say that Jesus was speaking of the temple of His body and when He was raised, "His disciples remembered that He said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken." (italics mine)

I tried to do a brief summary, with keeping the most important words of Jesus written out as it says in Scripture. As you may have noticed, I took the liberties of bold-facing one word in vs. 19.

I read and reread and read this passage some more. "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."


I'm not always very good at thoroughly explaining my thoughts, and I hope that you can follow me on this one. I believe in the Triune God, the Trinity-that God is Three in One-Father, Son, Holy Spirit. He never ceases to be one of the other three while He manifests Himself as One of them.

In this passage, Jesus is speaking of Himself. He says He will raise Himself up in three days.

Do you see it?

Without those He's speaking to realize what He's saying, He's telling them that He is the Divine, Holy God! 

I have known this. I have believed this for a long time. But not until the other day when I read through this passage did it hit me right between the eyes! 

I cannot express my great joy as the tears roll down my face right now. This is Jesus. To whom I shamelessly bow before. 

He wasn't just a man who walked the earth. 

He is Jesus Christ, the Divine God. 

Cattle Drive and A Walk through Our Wood {Adventures of the Week}

One of my absolute favorite parts of Marty's job is getting to move cows. We had a small cattle drive this week of about five miles. We've begun the gathering of all our herds into one big herd to prepare for calf sale day in November.

Since it was a small herd, we only needed one extra person and recruited our Cousin A. It worked out that I was able to ride, while my mother-in-law kindly watched J and flagged for us. Flagging involves driving a vehicle a fair distance in front of the herd to warn on-coming traffic of a temporary road blockage, the cows. With our area being hilly, this is especially helpful as a semi could come over a hill as we're going up and.....splat. You get the idea. 

I haven't been able to do this in a while as I'm usually the one flagging, or for whatever reason it hasn't worked out. I was very excited to participate in my favorite ranching activity and asked my mother-in-law to take some pictures to prove to the world that I do do more than just keep house. :)

Marty and A making sure her stirrups are at the proper length. Riding with stirrups too short or too long makes for a very uncomfortable and unenjoyable roundup.

Putting the bridal on my beloved, Twilight. She's about 20 years old and is finally slowing down. It's rather sad as she's spent most of her life a spirited and spunky gal. 

A and I heading out.

Bringing the cows under the interstate. As you can see in the background, our state is extremely dry and fires are a huge threat. The land behind you was burned a month ago and threatened three homes, all of which were saved.

A, myself and Marty. I love seeing him on a horse. It makes me excited. That's probably what I was telling him. :)

On another adventure of the week, J and I went for a walk through our woods. Our "homestead" is surrounded by a belt of trees on the north and west side, the "shelter belt." It's very much appreciated when the winds are horrid and the snow deep. When I leave the shelter, it amazes me how much of a difference it makes. I love taking him on adventures there because 1) I really miss Wisconsin in the fall and I can almost pretend I'm there and 2) we love the sound of the leaves crunching beneath our feet. 

"Come on, Mom! This way"

Some areas of exploration involve some tricky moves to get through.

Sticks are perfect to protect Mom from any unfriendly fiends.

Picking "blueberries" to carry through the woods and throw at random objects. :)

Dinner Tonight

Creamy Herbed Chicken on a Brown Rice pilaf with Raisins and Sliced Almonds, topped with Pears 

and Herbed Peas on the side

I tried a new recipe tonight. It was superb! Marty has already requested it again. 
As I was preparing it, the intoxicating scent of shallots and thyme brought many warm and comfortable feelings. I thought since it smelled so wonderful, I would take a few photos to add to my food portfolio.

To Seven Years

Seven years ago today I made a lifetime vow and commitment to this man. 

Some days it seems as though those seven years have flashed by and I am left with all that has been accomplished to show that it hasn't. These seven have not always been easy, in fact, much of it has been hard. It's been hard for me to adjust to this different lifestyle, small community, distance from family. During these seven years I have lost many things, but gained more of what matters.

I have lost the close proximity of my family and gained a oneness with my husband.

I have lost much of myself and gained more of Christ. 

I have lost some independence but gained a companionship that far outweighs. 

I have lost my virginity and gained a bond with one man that our current culture cannot conceive of.

I have lost site of a career outside the home and gained the joyful thrills of motherhood. 

Some days I morn what I have lost, and then I look beyond myself and see what more I have gained.

I am humbled. I am thankful.

Each day I praise the Lord for this incredible man that He's given to me. I wasn't really looking and he just showed up. I wasn't really interested but we developed a friendship that soon caused me to desire more. 

He leads our family. He provides for us. As far as I'm concerned, he is the standard I look to in his occupational field. He is a man of respect and dignity, kindness and truthfulness. He seeks to be careful how he treats people, but also wants to gently challenge them in their thinking that might be misconstrued.

He is a man of prayer and deep thought. He is a humble servant of Jesus Christ. He desires and acts upon a lifetime goal of glorifying the Lord and enjoying Him forever. 

He has taught me much of what the ultimate goal of working should be-not for a paycheck, but to honor the Lord in all aspects.

He is my closest and most trusted friend. He is my husband.

Happy Anniversary, Marty. I love you more each day.

April 2005