Author Archives: dinahoverlien

Rebellion

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“I have seen these people,” the Lord said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people.”  Exodus 32:9

Our women’s Bible study continues trekking through Exodus with Moses and all those “stiff-necked” Israelites.  That’s a term we don’t hear much anymore.  It means rebellious, stubborn, haughty, unbending, difficult, pig-headed.  The image of an ox unwilling to yield and refusing to put its head through a yoke by stiffening its neck captures the meaning of this word.  I happen to know a few “stiff-necked” people; in fact, I know one really well: me.

But what if I put that rebellious streak to good use?  Instead of rebelling against God and His great goodness, what if I rebelled against evil and sin and all the bad stuff in this world?  What if, when I’m tempted to give in to my flesh, I say, “You can’t make me”?  What if, when I want to fly off the handle and let some hurtful words fly, I say, “Self, I refuse to give in to you”?  What if we were pig-headed and became intensely difficult people for Satan to deal with?  What if our Enemy just got sick of us because of our rebellion against him?  Can you and I be stubbornly committed to following Christ and put that stiff neck to good use? 

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:29-30

Perfection

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“As for God, His way is perfect.”  Psalm 18:30

I like people with crooked teeth.  I enjoy being around women who don’t have a totally “put together” look.  I love my friends who have a few gray hairs and a few extra pounds.  It must be hard to be perfect – it just isn’t my thing. 

That’s why I didn’t mind when Christina Aguilera made a little mistake when singing the National Anthem at the Superbowl.  My goodness, how would any of us do singing a solo in front of 107.5 million people?  In ridiculously high heels, no less?  But this is what poor Christina faced before she even got “home of the brave” out of her mouth:

Christina Aguilera “mangled”, “botched”,  “goofed up”, made a “major mistake”, was a “disaster”, and “screwed up in the worst way”.  Those words must have made her mom mad.  I would have been. 

My younger daughter once sang the National Anthem at a high school football game.  When she finished, there was the usual applause that translated, “Let’s get this game started.”  But my husband and I looked at each other and said, “Wasn’t she great?!  She got a standing ovation!”  Never mind that everybody always stands up for the Star Spangled Banner and the clapping wasn’t really for her so much as for the team running out onto the field.  As parents we tend to see things differently, I guess.  It’s our right.

Mistakes are refreshing, in my book.  Goof ups are endearing.  I hope Christina blew it off.  I hope her mom told her not to listen to all that talk.  I hope we all face the fact that nobody’s perfect, except God. 

He is God and I am not.  What a relief.

Favorites

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Of the twelve disciples, Jesus frequently spent time apart with a trio: Simon, James and John.  The threesome was often chosen to go special places alone with their Teacher.  They were also the only disciples given nicknames:  Simon was tagged “Peter – The Rock” and the brother duo of James and John was labeled “Sons of Thunder”.  I was always under the impression that those three disciples were Jesus’ favorites, but lately I’ve been wondering.  Instead, what if they were the most unpredictable and mischievous and that’s why Jesus kept them close to him at all times?  Perhaps Jesus took them with him up on the mountain because leaving them behind might have caused all kinds of trouble down below.

When my dear hubby was a little boy, his mother kept him very close to her side.  At three years old, little Blake was already entertaining for large church groups, singing “Open Up Your Heart and Let the Son Shine In” and “I Love to Go to Sunday School”.  But as soon as the last note was sung, mom whisked her little performer off the stage before he started in with all manner of shenanigans.  PB* loved working a crowd, even as a toddler.

The story is told about one particular Sunday morning in the four-year old boy’s life.  As his mom was watching from the choir loft and his dad was preaching from the pulpit, the little guy was up to no-good in the pew.  He wasn’t being bad, just distracting the lovely Methodist folks during the sermon.  So Rev. O stopped his message, had his youngest boy come up front, and sat him down on a folding chair facing the congregation until the closing prayer.  An extreme measure, to be sure, and likely to cause intense psychological scarring to most children.  Not so for our little man.  Dad had hoped this would be a discipline that would end all horsing around during church forever.  But PB looked out over that assembly and discovered a rapt audience.  Now instead of a few pews of eyes watching him, he had the attention of the whole place and he was in his glory!  It was the beginning of a long and successful ministry.

Isn’t it funny how the little ones that try us the most, often grow up to do great things?  Is it because we held their hands a little tighter and kept them a little closer?  Did that strong grip plant a sense of security in them?  I think it did for Peter, James and John.  And PB.

*PB – Pastor Blake, my dear hubby

Promised Land

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I have always felt bad that Moses didn’t get to enter the Promised Land.  After all, he did spend 40 grueling years with a bunch of stiff-necked people in a desert.  Because of one little incident, Moses was disqualified and didn’t even get to reach his little toe over into the land of promise.

Evidently when God says, “Speak to the rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water,” and instead you speak to the people (“Listen, you bunch of rebels…”) and hit the rock not once, but twice – you’ve crossed the line.  Moses lost it, and God was dishonored in front of a million Israelites.  Frustration can push you over the edge sometimes.

Just before Moses died, God had him climb a mountain (again) and allowed him a panoramic view of the Promised Land.  Oh, how Moses must have longed to see the 40 year mission to its completion and lead a glorious march into Canaan.  But, a glimpse was all he got.  Which is why my heart skipped a beat when I read Mark 9:4, “And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.”

Jesus had led Peter, James and John up a high mountain.  Suddenly, as Jesus began to transform before their eyes, Moses and Elijah appeared.  And where were they?  Smack dab in the middle of the Promised Land, that’s where!  By God’s grace, Moses finally made it!  Sure, it was 1,400 years later, but how sweet of God to allow Moses to stand on that mount with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

Super-duper Packers!

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Well, I can’t pass up this chance to jump up and down and squeal a few “Yay’s” on behalf of my Green Bay Packers!  There’s nothing more fun in the sports world than being a fan of a championship team!

The Pack and I go way back.  I was conceived the same month Vince Lombardi was hired as head coach in Green Bay.  On the day of my birth, first year coach Lombardi and quarterback Bart Starr lost to the New York Giants 20-3.  I waited to make my entrance until after the game was over.  I was six years old when the Packers won Superbowl I.  All I remember is my grandma dozing in the rocking chair and jumping every time my brothers yelled.

When my oldest son entered 7th grade, I became a serious sports fan.  I realized that if I wanted conversation with my pre-teen it was going to have to be about sports, so I read the sports page every day to educate myself.  Our communication revolved around batting averages and ERAs, but, hey, it was conversation.

And how we loved the glory years with Reggie White and that other guy….Brent somebody.  Yah, his picture came off the refrigerator when he committed football adultry and broke our hearts.  We’re still working through it, obviously.

But today is a new day for Packer fans!  We have a new picture on our refrigerator and a Lombardi trophy is on its way to Wisconsin!

*jumping up and down*   Yay!!!  *jumping up and down*

One Year Old

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I’m throwing a little celebration here on “small drop” today!  One year ago, on February 2nd, this little experiment began and I had no idea what I was doing.   I still don’t know exactly what I’m doing, or if I’m doing it right, or if it’s even worth doing!  I do know my little blog isn’t fancy-schmancy or in league with the big-girl bloggers out there.  But I’m content with a small space to articulate my small thoughts to my small audience!  So, happy birthday, “small drop”!  Let’s see if you survive a second year!

As I hit this milestone, some thanks are in order.  Plus, I’ve been watching those awards shows and have been making up my own acceptance speeches in my head.

Thanks to my son-in-law, Noah, who said to me one January day, “You should have a blog.”  Within a few seconds and a few clickety-clacks on the laptop, a new babe was born!  However, I was extremely intimidated and it took me a month to get enough nerve to publish my first post.

Thanks to my two girls, who encouraged me in so many ways. They assured me that I did, indeed, have something to say, and then told their girlfriends to read their mom’s blog.   However, if my darling daughters were the only ones who ever read this, it would be enough for me. 

Thanks to my son, who put a link on his facebook page to my “This Is Why” post and gave me the thrill of my blogging life when 78 people visited “small drop” in one day.

Thanks to my other son, who allowed me to write about his escapade in “Take Meat Out to the Ballgame”.

Thanks to PB, who doesn’t mind when I sit him down and plop the computer in his lap and say, “Want to read my blog?”  He loves me.

Thanks to my friends who actually stop by on their way to Pioneer Woman,  as well as readers who drop in by accident.  You have no idea how it thrills my heart to know you’ve been by for a visit!

Thanks to my producer, my director and supporting cast…..oops, getting carried away! 

One more:  thanks to God, who was the original Word that became flesh and lived among us for awhile.  And continues to live among us.  Amen!

Up and Down Mt. Sinai

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In the midst of the thunder, lightning and smoke of Exodus 19, there is a rather amusing side story.  I love it when the Bible strikes my funny bone; God does display a great sense of humor from time to time.

In this scene, Moses has led the Israelites to Mt. Sinai, the place God had told Moses at the beginning of his adventure to come and meet up.  Now, Mt. Sinai is no Mt. McKinley, but it was still a good mile and a half hike to the top.  The Israelites set up camp at the base of the mountain and 80 year old Moses started to climb.  He was probably keeping his eye open for any burning bushes during his ascent, since that’s how God spoke to him the last time he was in the vicinity.

Moses “went up to God” (v.3) and sure enough, God had a message for Moses to take to the people.  So, Moses “went back” (v.7) and delivered the message.  Then Moses took the people’s answer “back up to the Lord” (v.8).  God was pleased and gave Moses another message for the people.  After Moses “had gone down” (v.14), it wasn’t long before God “called Moses to the top of the mountain, so Moses went up” (v.20).  Are you picturing this?

Here’s the funny part.  Moses had just made his third trek up Mt. Sinai and God’s first words to him were, “GO DOWN and bring Aaron up” (v.24).  Up and down, up and down, up and down.  Isn’t that just the way it feels sometimes?  But Moses spoke not a grumblin’ word; instead the Scripture says, “So Moses went down” (v.25).

Aside from the fact that Moses must have been in pretty good shape for an 80 year old, what do you think was going through Moses’ mind as he went up and down that mountain three times?  Bible study ladies (and anybody else that wants to chime in) think about it this week and post your comments!

**Please see post titled “Mt. Sinai Mystery” published on October 19, 2012

Don’t Forget Your Parachute

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The other morning, the 5:30 a.m. alarm set off a debate.  It went something like this:

Flesh:  Go ahead and stay in bed for another half hour.  You deserve it.  Besides, it’s still dark, and outside this nice comforter it’s c-c-c-cold.

Spirit:  But I need this time with God. 

Flesh:  You can get time with God later today.  Just nestle down in this warm, soft bed and sleep a little longer.

Spirit:  But I really like to start my day off right with prayer and devos.

Flesh:  Well, you can pray while you’re in bed, can’t you?   Take another fifteen minutes.  It won’t matter that much. 

Then, just as I was beginning to drift into dreamland, a picture burst onto the theater screen of my mind.  I was in an airplane, about to jump (only in my dreams!) and the pilot turned around and said, “Don’t jump without your parachute.”  “Of course,” I thought, “how stupid of me.”  Fully awake, I got up and hustled into the other room.  Flesh almost talked me into jumping into the day without my parachute. 

The Lord upholds all those who fall… Psalm 145:14

Remaining Steady

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“As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.  When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it.  Aaron and Hur held his hands up – one on one side, one on the other – so that his hands remained steady till sunset.”  Exodus 17:11-12

Picture Moses on top of the hill, looking down on his people as they engage in warfare with the fierce Amalekites.  Imagine Moses raising the staff in his hands and seeing his people make advances in the combat.  But his arms get tired; when he puts them down for a moment, the momentum in the valley changes. Suddenly, his team of unseasoned warriors struggle to maintain their hold.  Up goes the staff, and the tide turns again.  But his arms get tired….  and so on and so on.

It’s a good thing Moses thought to bring along two buddies.  This was not a one-man job.  The longer the battle, the more support he needed.  And, oh, how we need each other.  Being faithful in prayer is hard work.  Charles H. Spurgeon wrote, “Joshua never grew weary in the fighting, but Moses did grow weary in the praying; the more spiritual an exercise, the more difficult it is for flesh and blood to maintain it.” 

How many battles have been lost because I have grown weary in prayer?  How many battles have been won because I have remained steady in prayer?  It’s a sobering thought.

There was another hill where a man was seen with arms upraised.  That was where the battle for you and me was won.  Instead of holding a staff, his arms were nailed to it so he couldn’t put them down, until the victory was complete. 

Consider him (Jesus) who endured such oppostion…so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  Hebrews 12:3

Wonderful Wednesdays

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I love Wednesdays.  Let me tell you why. 

Wednesdays are my mornings to sleep a bit later than usual, or get up and have an extra long study/prayer time.  Wednesdays are PB’s day to get up early, take out the garbage and walk the dog.   A few months ago, as I was lolling about in my pjs, my dear hubby surprised me by bringing in a tray with my favorite breakfast: orange juice, coffee and an English muffin with peach jam.  I was amazed!  I was astounded!  All week long I kept telling him how great it was and what a good guy he is.  The next Wednesday, it happened again!  I gave him a hug and a kiss.  English muffins have been coming on Wednesday mornings ever since.  Glory! 

I just wanted you to know what a lucky gal I am.  Plus, going public with this should ensure many lovely breakfast trays in the days to come.  Or maybe it’s the hugs and kisses.  Either way, it’s a pretty good deal.