The Queen

The last couple weeks I've been reading in the book of Esther. Then this last weekend we watched a movie about Esther. After watching the movie, I went back to the book of Esther and read through it again, and was pretty fascinated by her boldness. I was also taken up by the love story between her and the King! When the King saw Esther for the first time, he was smitten by her beauty. This is what it says:

The King fell in love with Esther far more than with any of his other women or any of the other virgins--he was totally smitten by her.He placed a royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti. Then the King gave a great banquet for all his nobles and officials--"Esther's banquet." He proclaimed a holiday for all the provinces and handed out gifts with royal generosity.
Esther 2:17

I'm thinking this was a pretty big change for Esther. First of all, she was an orphan girl, then Mordecai adopted her, loved her, and nurtured her. But then, she was taken from his loving home into the Kings harem to be prepared to be presented to the King. She was a Jew, but she kept that little piece of information a secret.
The villain, Haman, was the highest ranking official in the government. He was out to kill the Jews, all of them. Mordecai sent a message to Esther informing her of Haman's motives and giving her the reality check that she would not be immune to his sword. Mordecai wanted Esther to go to the King and ask for the lives of all the Jews to be saved.
Esther knew that if she were to go before the King, uninvited, even with the Kings love for her, he may have her killed. It was forbidden!
But, she prayed, and she fasted, and she knew this was the reason God had given her the crown. It was to save her people.
So, she prepared herself, and she went before the King.  When she got there, I imagine she may have been holding her breath, and praying. Those around her were more than likely very shocked. But, the King saw her, and, he held out the scepter to her and asked her what he could give her, even if she wanted half of the kingdom, then it was hers!  She didn't ask for the lives of her people right then and there, she asked the King, and Haman to come to her quarters for dinner that evening. The King, being intrigued with his beautiful Queen, accepted the invitation.
That evening, the King and Haman showed up for dinner. The King asked Esther what he could do for her, offering half the kingdom again. She, still did not give her request, but asked both him and Haman for dinner again! So, the next night they came again. By this time, Haman was feeling very cocky. He believed he held the kingdom in his hands.
The next night, they met the Queen for dinner and she finally gave her request.  She confessed that she was a Jew, and that Haman would have to kill her as well as all her people! The King was furious.
As all good stories go...Haman the villain, ended up dead. The Jewish people were given the right to fight for their lives, and they killed their enemies. Esther kinda did get half the Kingdom, or so it seemed, for in defending themselves they killed 175,000!
All of this brings me back to God choosing me, and me choosing God. At any cost, what will I choose to kneel before His throne and allow Him to put the crown on my head?  He is smitten with me, He loves me, He died for me, now all I need to do is walk the path!
Jesus, you have given me the entire Kingdom, I have the keys, because You chose me! Say That Again!

The Father's Day

Yesterday was Father's Day. It was a very relaxing day at our house. We stayed home all day. We ate strawberry shortcake for breakfast and for dinner. My husband and my daughter went for a motorcycle ride. My son drove the motorcycle by himself around and around our driveway while my husband and I sat on the porch and watched him. Our grandson played in the tupperware drawer, and scattered blocks all over the kitchen. I read my Bible. My husband worked on his computer. He heard from each of his children, and it meant a lot to him. We spent time just talking, easy talking, enjoying each other. Yesterday was a very nice day, it didn't rush by like a lot of days do, it was slow, and content. I really liked it.
My husband is a good man, he loves God, he loves his family. His children love him, and I love him. He deserves to be honored all the days of his life. I'm happy he had a nice Father's Day!
I want each day of my life to be my Father's Day. I want to relax in His presence and bless Him. I want to always be content in Him and know that with Him each day will go by peacefully in His care. Even when the circumstances are scattered around me, I can rest in Him. He is good all the time.
Father God, Say That Again to me, each day is Your day!

The Cream Puffs

I remember that my grandma made cream puffs when I was younger, actually I think it was only one time, but I really liked them. So, a couple days ago, a friend and I made cream puffs!

 Then we ate them:

We had some with chocolate and some without, I like the chocolate ones the best. They were easy to make and I had a lot of fun making them. I had fun eating them too.
I suppose there will be cream puffs in heaven....
I've been thinking about heaven a lot lately and longing for my place there. Jesus come soon. You are mighty and You are good, I want to be home with Jesus. Until then, I get to enjoy the blessings He gives me like cream puffs on sunny days. Say That Again, Jesus, You bless me with delightful things! I am thankful. Be thankful today.

The Bike Ride

We went on a bike ride.

By the time we gathered all our bikes, and our family, and made our way to the mountain, it was lunch time. So some of us ate lunch. The ride took several hours, because we stopped several times, every few feet! It was fun. The scenery was beautiful.
At the bottom of the hill, we all squeezed into my truck, with all the bikes behind us to drive back up to the top of the hill to get the second car. It was cozy!

The bike ride was our June celebration of two birthdays, Father's Day, and two anniversaries! It's a full and busy month for our family, so we have learned to wrap it all up into one big lovely day!
Thank You Jesus, for blessing me with lovely days, and with my beautiful family. Say That Again, Jesus, You have blessed me with many blessings!

The Wall Builder

This morning I read the book of Nehemiah.  He was the cup bearer for the king, but God told him to go and rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. The wall was falling a part, and Nehemiah admitted that this was depressing to him. The king gave him permission to go, and begin the work.
The enemies began to threaten and worked hard to intimidate Nehemiah and his crew, but he stood firm! In chapter 2, verse 20, he said this:

The God of Heaven will make sure we succeed. We're His servants and we're going to work, rebuilding. You can keep your nose out of it. You get no say in this-Jerusalem's none of your business.

Still, the enemies taunted. So, Nehemiah posted armed guards:

So I stationed armed guards at the most vulnerable places of the wall and assigned people by families with their swords, lances, and bows. After looking things over I stood up and spoke to the nobles, officials, and everyone else: "Don't be afraid of them. Put your minds on the Master, great and awesome, and then fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes."
chapter 4:14

Then He said:

"There's a lot of work going on and we are spread out all along the wall, separated from each other. When you hear the trumpet call, join us there; our God will fight for us."

The wall was finished in 52 days. When all the enemies heard the news that the wall was finished they lost their nerve. They all knew that God was behind the work!
I admire Nehemiah. I like how he heard what God wanted him to do, and he set out to do it. I like how he was able to stand up against his enemies and discern the lies from the truth. I like how he encouraged all the workers and reminded them that God would fight for them.
Today I want to remember that God will help me succeed. I am His servant, and I am rebuilding lives for Him. I don't need to be afraid because my Master is great and awesome. There's a lot of work going on and I know that God is behind it and He will continue to light the path, and fight for me and others.
Say That Again, Jesus, You will fight for me!