Moved

This blog has moved to: aisforadventure.org

I is for Inquire

“So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep.  And David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive.

Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring the ephod here to me.” And Abiathar brought the ephod to David. So David inquired of the LORD, saying, ‘Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?’  And He answered him, ‘Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.’”–1 Samuel 30

The thing that struck me about his section is that when David was in despair he first strengthened himself. After that, he inquired of the Lord what he should do.  

Perhaps, when we are in despair, it isn’t best to ask God what we are supposed to do. Maybe it is best to wait. Maybe it is best to wait for a moment when we are stronger, when we are thinking more clearly–when we have some faith.

G is for Gear

I have accumulated lots of gear over the years. Each type of gear has its own feel and nostalgia.

-My climbing gear clinks a lot and smells like dirt.

-My biking gear is pretty quiet but it smells like chemicals–reminds me of all the time I have spent pedaling up steep gradients. 

-Yesterday I dug under my bed and retrieved my ski gear. My skiing gear rustles a lot and, right now, smells like dust. I hope that changes soon.

Y is for You

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” Psalm 23

In this psalm, David is talking about how God has given him a place of comfort and plenty even in the midst of his enemies. Somewhere where he is safe and has peace, despite the chaos around him.

When David talks about his enemies he might be talking about people who are trying to hurt him—like Saul, or Absalom. However, he also could be speaking of his sins, his faults, or his problems. These are also his enemies. They are constantly surrounding him and hurting him. He seeks the help of God to deliver him.

God gives us a place of comfort and plenty even in the middle of, and despite, our sins and faults.

We should do this for others.

W is for What?

What do I believe?

I was thinking about this question the other day.  

When I was about 20 I had a lot of beliefs, or opinions, on things. Over the past few years, a lot of those beliefs have left me. Strange, but I don’t miss them at all.

Here is a belief I have gained.

Prayer is a gift from God.

I don’t think I can truly pray to God unless he gives me words to speak. Without the working of the Holy Spirit in me, I could not pray. I could not ask Him for anything; I could not praise Him for anything; I could not cry to Him in my distress; I could not talk with Him.

There are times when I can pray, and there are times when I cannot. I have noticed that those times I can pray are the times when I have a faith and trust in God. When I have no faith, I cannot pray.

I believe prayer comes from faith, which is a gift of God.

“My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” Psalm 45

What do you think?