Verse of the Day

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.--John 3:16

This is potentially the most well known Bible verse.  It is one of the few verses I knew before I ever considered memorizing scripture.   This verse pretty much sums up why God humbled himself and became man.  I find it is a good verse to have written on my mind and heart; it reminds me that I will not and cannot ever achieve eternal life of my own accord.  

Verse of the Day

Bless the LORD, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name!

Bless the LORD, my soul; do not forget all the gifts of God,

Who pardons all your sins, heals all your ills,

Delivers your life from the pit, surrounds you with love and compassion,

Fills your days with good things; your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalm 103:1-5

I am running a pretty high fever right now so I don't think i am going to expound on my choice for today.  

Verse of the Day

There is no Holy One like the LORD;

there is no Rock like our God.

I Samuel 2:2 (NAB)

Background

    This verse is a portion of Hannah's prayer of praise to the Lord.  She was barren for many years and it pretty much made her miserable.  She prayed fervently one day at the temple promising to dedicate her child to the Lord if only God would give her a son; her praying was so intense that the priest at the temple thought her to be drunk.  She told the priest of her plight and he assures her that God will remember her.

   The next time Hannah and her husband Elkanah have relations with each other, Hannah concieves Samuel.  When Samuel has been born and subsequently weaned, Hannah brings him to the temple, dedicates him to the Lord, and leaves him to be trained up as a priest.  It is during this visit to the temple that Hannah takes the time to thank the Lord for his blessing her with a child and praising him for all that he is.

Personal Relevance

   Recently I have realized a depletion in my trust in the Lord.  I have been looking to the world and others to help be my stability.  Thankfully I have a wonderful fiancé who reminds me that when the going gets tough, I need to take an honest look at my prayer life and adjust as needed.  This verse serves as a good reminder to me that God is my rock, and if I want to be on solid ground I should stop relying on things with foundations made of sand.  I am not saying a perfect prayer life will eradicate all woes and hardships, but it will make them manageable.  Also since Hannah experienced great grief and then through prayer found her relief and found great joy, this verse gives me a measure of hope when I am in doubt.  Hannah also dedicates her joy to the Lord by offering up Samuel to his service.  It reminds me to be thankful and to offer up my joys and successes for the glory of the Lord.

Another beautiful day...

You sons of men, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever. --Daniel 3:82

It was another beautiful day today.  I took a long walk on the beach.  Once I got past the really rocky part, I was able to take my shoes off and walk barefoot in the sand.  Warm sand on my feet is one of those things I find really comforting.  It probably has something to do with the fact that I grew up with a beach down the street.  When the sand got to be unbearably hot I waded in the water a bit.  It was surprisingly not frigid--just cool and soothing on my burning feet.  It was such a peaceful walk.  I find walking in nature to be a good reminder of the beauty of God's creation.  Sometimes I need that reminder more than I would like to admit--today it came with perfect timing.  While I was walking, I was reminded of the prayer in Daniel 3:52-90 when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are invoking all of creation to praise God and how we are all called to take a place in this hymn of praise throughout our lives.

I think they doth protest too much...

If you have ever wondered why the Catholic Bible has more books than Protestant versions, this article is a good way of explaining the validity of both Judith and Tobit.  For all of you Baruch, Wisdom, Maccabee and Sirach fans, I'll try and find something for you.  Also, anyone who loves the extras in Daniel and Esther, I'm working on it.

No longer blind...

The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. --Matthew 11:5

For the past few years my Nana has been blind in one eye.  She originally had an infection in that eye, and when the eye tried to heal itself, it left a calcium deposit that caused her to lose her vision in that eye.  Today she had surgery on her eye to try to scrape away the calcium deposit.  The surgery was successful, and her eyesight has been restored.  Praise the Lord!

Attention All Catholics! Attention All Catholics!

I am yet again posting a Saturday Morning Catechesis  from Rosary Army.  It is about Catholics and how we always claim not to know scripture.  I actually think the first time I quoted the bible in conversation with friends Andie asked me if I was protestant.  Read it.  You will realize just how much scripture you actually know.  Protestants should read this too--just because it is interesting.