October 2008

I found the coolest article on CNN tonight!

“An Israeli archaeologist has discovered what he says is the earliest-known Hebrew text, found on a shard of pottery that dates to the time of King David from the Old Testament, about 3,000 years ago.

Professor Yosef Garfinkel of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem says the inscribed pottery shard — known as an ostracon — was found during excavations of a fortress from the 10th century BC.

Carbon dating of the ostracon, along with pottery analysis, dates the inscription to time of King David, about a millennium earlier than the famous Dead Sea Scrolls, the university said.

The shard contains five lines of text divided by black lines and measures 15 by 15 centimeters, or about 6 inches square.

Archaeologists have yet to decipher the text, but initial interpretation indicates it formed part of a letter and contains the roots of the words “judge,” “slave,” and “king,” according to the university. That may indicate it was a legal text, which archaeologists say would provide insights into Hebrew law, society, and beliefs.

The researchers say the text was clearly written by a trained scribe.

The shard was discovered at the Elah Fortress in Khirbet Qeiyafa, about 20 miles southwest of Jerusalem. The fortress, measuring 2.3 hectares (about 5.7 acres), is the earliest-known fortified city of the biblical period in Israel.

Excavations began there in June. So far, just four percent of the site has been excavated, the university said.

Because the ostracon is similar to that found in other Israelite settlements, and because no pig bones were found at the site, archaeologists say the site was likely part of the Kingdom of Judea. Jewish dietary laws forbid the eating of pork.

Among the artifacts found at the site are more than 100 jar handles bearing distinct impressions which may indicate a link to royal vessels, the university said. Such a large quantity found in such a small area is “unprecedented,” the university said.

The site of Khirbet Qeiyafa is located near the place where the Bible describes the battle between David and Goliath — the Elah Valley, which shares its name with the fortress.

Garfinkel said it is the only site in Israel in which to investigate King David.”

For the rest of the article and to see the pictures, click here.

I love it when archeologists discover things from David’s era. There have been so few – there is a claim that they may have found his palace – but this article claims this is the only site in Israel connected to David. I think the palace, or whatever it is, is still under investigation.

But this is more proof that King David did exist! :)

Last night I had more cause to pray. The day had gone well, and I felt like I’d accomplished a lot. But as evening dawned and I finished up with my last piano student, I was informed by this young girl’s mom that they wouldn’t be back. Her dad, a talented musician, would teach her for now. His work had cut back and he had more time – in other words, due to the economy, they didn’t want to spend the money on lessons he could give to his daughter himself.

I grieved because I really liked this student – she practiced! And she was a sweet, agreeable child and a quick learner. I’ll miss her. I didn’t mind the extra spending money either…

Then my husband came home and handed me a paper from work. He’d been offered early retirement a few months ago and turned it down. They decided to extend the buyout period for two more weeks, giving us the opportunity to rethink our decision. I’d been grateful Randy still has a job. Now they want him to leave sooner than we’d planned and try to live on less. While it’s better than a layoff for sure, it’s still a tough decision.

So I found my quiet place and did some prayer journaling, as I am so often compelled to do these days. Then this morning, I picked up my Bible intending to read about David’s sin with Bathsheba. Instead, I opened to Psalm 37, several underlined passages catching my attention. With all that is going on in our world today, with the upcoming elections, the economy, the war and other concerns around the globe, it is encouraging to remember where our help comes from.

David said:
Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
Instead…
Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
This part is tough…
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil…
The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;
but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming…
for the power of the wicked will be broken,
but the LORD upholds the righteous.
The days of the blameless are known to the LORD,
and their inheritance will endure forever….
If the LORD delights in a man’s way,
he makes his steps firm;
though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread…
Turn from evil and do good;
then you will dwell in the land forever.
For the LORD loves the just
and will not forsake his faithful ones.
They will be protected forever…
Wait for the LORD
and keep his way.…
Consider the blameless, observe the upright;
there is a future for the man of peace.
But all sinners will be destroyed;
the future of the wicked will be cut off.
The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
The LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.
(Bold emphasis mine)

The Psalm is 40 verses, well worth reading, but the point is, God promises to take care of those who take refuge in Him. Ultimately, the wicked will not prevail. It may seem as though they do in this life, and maybe they will for their rather long lifetime. But we all die, and when we enter eternity, we don’t take the power or wealth we’ve accumulated here with us. We go alone or with go with Jesus Christ holding our hand. Salvation, even for the righteous, comes from the Lord. It is not of ourselves.

We can take comfort in these thing during such difficult times. God will protect what we entrust to Him. So whether I have more or less piano students or Randy’s job is unstable or secure, I choose to put my trust in God Most High. I commit my way to Him and delight in Him. He is my only refuge.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious…but in everything pray…

From my earliest church-going memories, I attended prayer meetings. Now, such meetings are rare. Instead we have prayer loops and prayer chains and prayer teams. Sometimes a small group will engage in times of prayer. Sometimes a church provides a prayer room for individuals or groups to gather to pray, to invoke God’s name, to seek His will. But what do we pray for?

Our church has recently added a prayer room with boards on opposite walls where anonymous prayers can be recorded. One wall is meant to offer prayers of praise and thanksgiving, the other prayers of petition and pleading. One is called the Worship Wall, the other, the Wailing Wall. The Western Wall in Jerusalem has been dubbed the Wailing Wall as well, and small papers are wedged into the crevices there with untold number of requests written on them. I remember the many people that came to visit the Wall when we were there, the way they held their prayer books and touched the Wall with reverence. Prayers of petition, even anguish.

Deep within the human spirit lives an innate desire to pray, to reach beyond ourselves to a higher power. But do we really know to whom it is we are praying? And if we do, what is it that we ask of Him?

Some would suggest we should only pray for important things, that we shouldn’t trouble the God of the universe with trivial matters. Others would say that God is not interested in our day-to-day struggles or the intimate details of our lives. Are they right?

When Jesus walked the earth, his disciples asked him to teach them how to pray. I find this interesting because surely they had been taught the law and knew how a man was to approach God. But they’d also seen the examples of their religious leaders whose prayers were about themselves and to themselves more than anything. As they walked with Jesus and saw the way he would rise early, before dawn sometimes, and go to a lonely place to commune with His Father, they must have seen in Him something they wanted. A relationship. A peace with God they couldn’t understand.

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Matthew 6:5-13

So how do we pray in today’s 21st Century? What constitutes everything? (As stated in the verse in Philippians quoted above.) Surely, we wouldn’t dispute that we should pray about big issues like God’s will being done on earth and in our lives as it is in heaven, to find out what work He has for us to do, to receive wisdom for where to live, whom to marry, and other life-changing issues. But does He want to hear prayers for a good parking place, help finding the right clothes, a sick pet, a painful toe, a sore throat, and any and every little detail that crosses our minds? Some would contend that such things border on ridiculous. Some would even say such prayers would offend God Most High.

In my humanness, even I grow weary of prayer requests that seem better suited to private prayers than public requests for others to pray over. We might agree that we should pray for the election and the economy, but who really cares, besides me, whether I have a good hair day or hear from a friend I haven’t been able to reach? Should I ask for such things?

My questions bring me back to the models of Scripture. Jesus told the disciples to pray, “give us this day our daily bread,” leaving me to conclude that our prayers should be daily and concerned with immediate needs. He also reminded us to pray for God’s kingdom to come – a future event – and to be kept from temptation – also a daily struggle, to forgive others – maybe not so daily but probably a frequent thing, and to honor and glorify His Father, also something we should do every day we draw breath.

It seems to me that when Paul told the Philippians in chapter four not to be anxious about anything but to pray about everything, he was really condensing the Lord’s prayer. “Do not be anxious.” So if a situation worries me, be it finding a good parking place so a disabled passenger doesn’t have to walk far, or finding the right clothes for the right price because the budget is tight, or a painful toe because you have a marathon to walk, or a good hair day because you have to make a good impression at an important meeting…in other words, if anything causes me to be anxious, things like what I’m going to eat or drink or put on, or bigger things like God’s will for a future that might scare me, then I need to pray.

If a thing causes me to be anxious, it is a thing worthy of prayer. This may lead some people to pray constantly because they worry all the time. Others may not see a need to pray often at all over little details because nothing bothers them. We are each unique. For those who do not worry easily, they can spend more time praying for others who do.

The point is, God commands us to pray. God desires us to pray. God waits for us to pray. He created our spirits to be able to commune with His in this way.

As a born worrier – a vice I reluctantly admit – I am extremely grateful for those verses in Philippians 4.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

When I bring everything to Him with prayer, petition, and thanksgiving, His peace really does transcend my understanding and guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. I never have to wonder what to pray about. Everything pretty much says it all.

Author Robin Lee Hatcher posted an eye-opening article on her blog today. I clicked the link to read the whole thing and thought the article well-written and thought out. The author, Orson Scott Card (author of Ender’s Game), is a newspaper columnist and a Democrat and in his article he takes both to task. This is highly recommended reading. You can find the article here.

I’m posting the beginning below, but the whole article is well worth the read.

An open letter to the local daily paper — almost every local daily paper in America:

I remember reading All the President’s Men and thinking: That’s journalism. You do what it takes to get the truth and you lay it before the public, because the public has a right to know.

This housing crisis didn’t come out of nowhere. It was not a vague emanation of the evil Bush administration.

It was a direct result of the political decision, back in the late 1990s, to loosen the rules of lending so that home loans would be more accessible to poor people. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were authorized to approve risky loans.

What is a risky loan? It’s a loan that the recipient is likely not to be able to repay.

The goal of this rule change was to help the poor — which especially would help members of minority groups. But how does it help these people to give them a loan that they can’t repay? They get into a house, yes, but when they can’t make the payments, they lose the house — along with their credit rating.

They end up worse off than before.

This was completely foreseeable and in fact many people did foresee it. One political party, in Congress and in the executive branch, tried repeatedly to tighten up the rules. The other party blocked every such attempt and tried to loosen them.

Furthermore, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were making political contributions to the very members of Congress who were allowing them to make irresponsible loans. (Though why quasi-federal agencies were allowed to do so baffles me. It’s as if the Pentagon were allowed to contribute to the political campaigns of Congressmen who support increasing their budget.)

Isn’t there a story here? Doesn’t journalism require that you who produce our daily paper tell the truth about who brought us to a position where the only way to keep confidence in our economy was a $700 billion bailout? Aren’t you supposed to follow the money and see which politicians were benefiting personally from the deregulation of mortgage lending?

I have no doubt that if these facts had pointed to the Republican Party or to John McCain as the guilty parties, you would be treating it as a vast scandal. “Housing-gate,” no doubt. Or “Fannie-gate.”

Instead, it was Senator Christopher Dodd and Congressman Barney Frank, both Democrats, who denied that there were any problems, who refused Bush administration requests to set up a regulatory agency to watch over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and who were still pushing for these agencies to go even further in promoting sub-prime mortgage loans almost up to the minute they failed.

As Thomas Sowell points out in a TownHall.com essay entitled “Do Facts Matter?” “Alan Greenspan warned them four years ago. So did the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers to the President. So did Bush’s Secretary of the Treasury.”

These are facts. This financial crisis was completely preventable. The party that blocked any attempt to prevent it was … the Democratic Party. The party that tried to prevent it was … the Republican Party.

Read the rest of the article here.

Interesting…

Addendum – I happened upon this article about our media coverage of the election. Comes from Investor’s Business Daily. Read their opinion here.

Very interesting indeed…

I’ve done a lot of research online this week – political stuff and health stuff mostly. I decided it was time I started eating better, so Tuesday, after I spent time in the prayer room at church praying for the election, I went shopping for healthy food. I don’t know why I always get excited about eating more whole foods and trying new recipes. Especially recipes that are from my Bible Lands cookbook. I know, I’m weird.

Anyway, I found some cool stuff and also bought the food for Randy’s birthday dinner – we’re celebrating on Saturday. Tuesday I made a bean soup from a mix I had in the house. Okay, so not everything I try is the greatest. This one is not a favorite and won’t be repeated, but I also notice that when I eat whole foods or more proteins and avoid processed foods and refined sugars that I feel better and can eat more and get really hungry come morning. I usually don’t feel hungry when I first wake up.

Yesterday I cheated and used a pre-cooked chicken from Sam’s Club, but it was one of those days. I only have an hour between piano students, so it’s a rushed dinner hour. One of my piano students made me a gift – a carnation ice cream sundae – for Halloween. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a gift for Halloween. Her mom works at a flower shop. It’s so cool! It has been given a place of honor on my kitchen table.

Today I tried two new dishes for dinner – lamb meatloaf made with bulgar and cumin. Very tasty! The sweet potato and banana pecan dish is from a different cookbook. Also quite tasty! And I added a tossed salad. I want to make date cookies – my mom’s recipe made without refined sugar – but tomorrow I’m baking apple pie and making jello and some other things for Randy’s dinner Saturday, so I may wait until next week. We’ll see.

In the process of making the lamb meatloaf tonight, I had to soak the bulgar (which is cracked wheat you can find in specialty stores) in boiling water. So I put water in the kettle and set it to boil. I had too much water in it as it kept spilling onto the stove, so I dumped some out twice, which seemed to fix the problem. But apparently, I still had too much water in the pot because when I went to pour the water over the bulgar I accidentally splashed some onto my hand. Good thing I had a sink with cold water nearby and ice cubes in the freezer. The burn isn’t too bad. In fact, it only hurt for an hour or so. I’m very grateful!

I sent a new proposal to my agent this week, and was thrilled to hear she likes it! Of course, that doesn’t mean it will sell, but it was nice to know she likes my work. Now that the proposal is off my desk, I’ve started to look at Bathsheba’s story again. I’m really looking forward to getting into this one. Of the three books, this is the story I have studied the least. I had originally written Abigail nine years ago, so rewriting it wasn’t a lot of research, at least as far as plot was concerned. And of course, Michal was done when it sold. But Bathsheba will be a new challenge, and I’m so glad that I have the time to do it. I love this series! I’m going to miss it so much when it’s done! David’s life will always be my favorite of the Biblical characters, apart from Jesus.

But, if God wills, I hope to continue writing beyond three books, which is why I worked up another series. I think once I got into it, I would love the next books too! And I hope I have the privilege of telling those tales. But only if God wills.

Which is also the way I’ve been praying for this upcoming election. Suffice it to say, above all, I pray that God, in His Sovereignty, will put the men and women into the positions of government that He deems best. Ultimately, His will is going to prevail, but it is our part to pray for our leaders and those who will become our leaders next year. I need to do more of that.

May God have mercy on this nation and on His people.