Post 209

It was a tragic story.
While the rest of the men were out to battle, King David stayed home. Why wasn't he out at war, too? He had always led them in battle before. David was walking all alone on his roof one evening when he looked out and saw a woman. Bathsheba was her name and he wanted her, so he took her. Then he wanted her to be his wife. So he sent her husband, Uriah, to the front of the battle where he would be quickly killed off by the enemy. When Bathsheba was through mourning for the loss of her husband, David married her. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.

God gave Nathan the prophet a message for David. It was a story that went like this...

There were two men in one city. A rich man, and a poor man. The rich man had very many flocks and herds, but the poor man had nothing--nothing except for one little girl lamb. She had grown up with him and his children. He shared his food and drink with her. He loved his little lamb very much, and would hold her in his arms. She had become like a daughter to him.

The rich man was having a friend over for dinner and had to make a meal for him. But the rich man didn't go to his many, many flocks and find a sheep for dinner. No, he went to the poor man's house and took that little girl lamb. He stole her, killed her, and ate her.

When David heard this, he was very angry. He knew that the rich man had done something terribly wrong to take the poor man's lamb like that. David said, "The man that hath done this thing shall surely die!" Nathan the prophet replied, "Thou art the man!" I can just picture Nathan pointing his finger in David's face and telling him, "YOU ARE THE MAN!" Nathan showed David how God had given him a kingdom, a palace, protection, wives, family, and more, but David had despised these rich blessings and instead taken something that wasn't his: Uriah's wife, Bathsheba.

See, God had blessed David in every way. And God has blessed me and you, too. We have been given a family, a home, God's Holy Word, Godly music, and all we could ever need. Wouldn't it be a shame if we were to despise the blessings that God has given us and take something that isn't ours? Suppose I were to despise the lovely wife God has given me and take another? Or if I chose wicked friends instead of the uplifting friends God has blessed me with? What if I despised the Holy Bible and beautiful Spirit-filled music He has given me, and instead chose the Devil's music and read dirty books or magazines? Or if I rejected the loving Church family God has put me in and took another? Oh, that would be a shame!

David had despised the blessings God had given him and taken something that didn't belong to him. David recognized his sin and did the right thing: he repented. He said, "I have sinned against the Lord!" Although there would still be a consequences, the Lord forgave David's sin.

Have you despised God's blessing, and taken something that wasn't yours to have? If so, do the right thing and admit, "I have sinned against the Lord!" He will forgive and receive you.

The Bible Bee benefit concert

After concert Starbucks outing. God is good!

Eric Burma's baptism...

Church kids. Aren't they cute? ...blessed is the man that has his quiver full of them.

Paul Washer. We went to some meetings where he was preaching. I left with a strong desire to spend every moment for the Lord.

I am thankful for this man of God.

Mrs. Biddinger gave us a baby shower for the Jackson area people...

Hay ride at Coopers...

Leaf fights

Amanda and I were able to go to Pine Ridge Villas and sing and preach.

Some of the church kids came over to see our apartment. I got to read them The HICCUPotamus here.

I've had some wonderful times with the Lord this fall. Out studying His Word, singing, and praying. He is such a blessing to know and love.

Greenfield Village with Piersons, Biddingers, Boomstras, and Bendixens.