Genesis 40:9-42:28

Joseph did a great job interpreting the dreams of the cupbearer and the baker -- both good and bad. All he asked was that they remember him. They were both released -- one back to power and one to death -- but Joseph was forgotten. For two more years, he was in prison and no one remembered how he had helped them. Can you imagine? We all know what it's like when we're forgotten ... not included in a big event, not remembered on a birthday, not xxx. For us, it's hurt feelings. But for Joseph, he was in prison ... apart from family, friends and freedom. It's easy to feel alone in there. Yet here was his chance at freedom. But he was forgotten. For 2 years. I would probably have given up. But Joseph just did his job.

And then the king needed to know what a dream meant. No one could tell him. Suddenly Joseph was no longer forgotten.

From the time Joseph was a child, God had prepared him for this moment when Pharoah needed someone to interpret his dreams. He had dreams about his brothers. He had interpreted dreams for others. All of it for this point. God prepares us for things that we don't even know are possible in our lives. But what I love most about this story is how Joseph reacts when Pharaoh tells him that he understands Joseph has this special gift. "Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer." (41:16) No, not me. It's all God. What a picture of humility and a man who understood God's place in his life. No, I can't do anything. But God can do things through me. He always pointed people back to the glory of his God.

Joseph was able to show the king that there was a time of plenty coming and then a time of famine. He told the king how to prepare. And then, what do you know? The king was looking for some wise soul to handle all of that. Who else but the dreamer? God's plan put Joseph in power as the No. 2 guy in all of Egypt. Pretty impressive for the younger brother hated by his family.

And it all came to pass just as God said. Seven years of good times, when they stored up part of the harvest for the future. Then came the famine. Many people were hungry and came to Egypt looking for food. Including Joseph's brothers. Joseph disguises himself while he tries to get some more information from them. Is his father alive? What about their younger brother, the other son of Rachel? I'm not sure why Joseph plays this little game with them. To teach them a lesson? To find out more information before he gives them the shock of their life? The Bible doesn't say. But it does say how emotional this was for Joseph. It shows us that he was man enough to cry over his brothers, even if he didn't show them his tears. Then he sends them back to get his beloved brother.

Genesis 37:25-40:8

What we intend for evil, God can certainly use for good.

Joseph's brothers were looking for a way to harm him when they sold him into slavery. But God had a different plan. Joseph worked hard and had a position of power in the palace. Why? Because Potiphar saw God at work in Joseph's life. He saw that Joseph was blessed. Once Joseph was in charge of the Egyptian's house, Potiphar was also blessed. Well, except for his wife. She had her eye on the handsome Joseph and set out to seduce him. But Joseph was too honorable. Not easy, I'm sure. But he resisted her plans. But you always have to watch out for the scorned woman. She told a few lies and had Joseph put in prison.

Again, evil intentions. But God could use that, too. The chief jailer saw something in Joseph that he liked. So Joseph became in charge of all the prisoners.

I know I'm not as good-natured as Joseph. When I'm wronged, I want to see some justice. My nature is to try to understand why someone has treated me that way. It's taken me a long time for God to show me that He may have a different plan and to be open to it. And that His blessings do not depend on others. Only on God. He can take care of us in any circumstance, whether it's being far away from family or locked in a prison cell. I just need to depend on him like Joseph did.

Genesis 35:1-37:24 Take 2

The Bible tells us that "Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age." I'm sure that's true. But I kind of think Joseph was special, because he was born of Jacob's union with Rachel. It was the living symbol of their love. That may be the romantic in me. But ...

Now I'm sure the other brothers knew this, because dad treated Joseph special. He gave him a coat of many colors. Funny how intense love on one part always strikes hatred into someone else's. Of course, that's probably fear on their part. Fear that they won't be loved, too. Or loved as much. Remember grade school? Whenever two close friends got together, it was loads of fun. Or when it was a great big group. But when it was three people, someone always felt left out. I think that's what happened with the brothers. Each of them wanted to feel special too.

But Joseph's biggest problem was that he shared his dreams with his brothers. And these weren't just Joseph's dreams. These were God's dreams for him. These dreams showed him being in power over his brothers, and the boys didn't take well to that. And then their jealousy and hatred got the best of them, and they plotted their revenge.

They were all set to kill Joseph. Except Reuben. He went along with the crowd, but he planned a way to rescue his little bro. Unfortunately, Joseph was sold into slavery before he could take care of the rescue.

Whenever we share our dreams for our lives, some people react well and others don't. They may not understand why we want to travel around the world. They may be jealous of the attention we get from others. They may wish they had the same dream.

But God didn't give all of us the same dream. Each of us has a different path to travel. But I do hope I can share what's in my heart with others and find something other than jealousy. I hope I can celebrate others' good fortunes. For me, that's the lesson to learn from these sons of Israel. How to embrace the dreamer in all of us. But of course, more on that as the story continues tomorrow.

Genesis 35:1-37:24

Before moving forward, Jacob had to get rid of the past.

He told his household to "burn their idols, wash themselves and put on clean clothing" before going to Bethel. I think about this in my life.

What idols of the past do I need to burn in order to move forward? Some of the sentimental ephemera that I hold on to? Some of the pain that comes when I think about how life didn't turn out the way I planned? Some of the memories of times I've let people down?

All of those memories are good learning opportunities. But the point it to grow and move on. I can't be the me that God intends if I'm dragged down by all those things.

So time to hold a fire and then cleanse myself. God does the same thing. He sometimes puts us through the fire to cleanse us. The fire burns up all the yukky stuff and leaves the pure gold.

On to Bethel.

Genesis 31:43-34:31

Forgiveness is such a beautiful thing.

After 20 years, Jacob is ready to return home. Of course, that means facing the brother who was threatening to kill him when he left. One way or another, we all have to face our past and our mistakes. Jacob was justifiably nervous. He broke his camp into 2 groups in case a large battle ensued. He prepared lots of gifts for his brother. He fought with God for a blessing.

And what happened?

Esau welcomed him with open arms. He was glad to see him. He had found healing from his past grievance and moved on with his life. He could let it go.

But what I love about this story is summed up in this verse. "For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably."

Or as one translation puts it ... the smile of God.

I think forgiveness in our lives gives us a glimpse of God's face. It reminds us of how we're forgiven. And I know it makes Him happy when we duplicate that grace.

What's in your past that you need to let go of? Who do you need to forgive? Make God smile today.

Genesis 30:1-31:42

Jealousy is always so ugly. Especially when it pits two sisters against each other. Sisters are supposed to look out for each other, not fight over some guy. Cause they're almost never worth it. Now I know Jacob was a good guy and he got caught in the middle of a bad situation. He was in love with one and woke up married to the other one. So he married them both. And Laban was selfish enough to trick everyone. So I'd really like to blame all the jealousy on him.

But I can't. Feelings are feelings. We can't always choose how we feel. But we can choose how we'll deal with our feelings.

Just because you're jealousy because your husband loves his other wife more (just one reason I believe in monogamy) doesn't mean you need to act hateful. Neither does your sister having more children than you. Neither does your neighbor having a new landscaped yard. Or someone having a big family when you don't. Or someone having a fabulous job while you're still slaving away. We can take those feelings to God, as Leah did. He understands our feelings and he can help us deal with them before our actions make everyone miserable. He can help us learn not to compare ourselves to others -- only to His plans for us.

How do you handle your feelings?

Genesis 27-29

Today we get the story of the stolen blessing. Before Esau and Jacob were born, Rebekah knew that she was carrying two rival nations, and that the descendants of Esau would serve the descendants of Jacob. But I guess she didn't trust God to work all of that out. Inside, she decided to trick her husband to bring about what God was going to do. That's what I call meddling.

She cooked the goat to taste like wild game, she took the hair and put it on Jacob's hands and neck, and she took some of Esau's clothing for Jacob to wear so he would have the right smell. Her plan worked. Isaac blessed Jacob. But at what cost? Jacob had to run away and never saw his mother again. His brother wanted to kill him. His family was torn apart. He was exiled from his family for a long time. Yeah, wrongdoing always leads to problems. These could have been avoided if Rebekah and Jacob had simply waited on God. How many of my problems can be avoided the same way?

Jacob went to his uncle's and fell in love with Rachel. He worked 7 years for his bride, only to be tricked when he woke up the next morning and the veil was off. To get his true love, it was 7 more years of work. And the two sisters were as divided as Jacob and his brother. I always felt sympathetic for Leah. Don't you think she always felt second-best? Everyone knew how much Jacob loved Rachel. Her dad had to trick someone into marrying her. I'm guessing she felt like nothing she did was ever right. She was always looking for love, except from God, the only one who can fill that hole. She had children, but those didn't bring her husband any closer. And in naming those kids, she gives us some insight into her pain. Biblical names held a lot of meaning -- either something the parents wanted the child to live up to or something that was going on in their lives at the time. Reuban "He has seen my misery." Simeon "one who hears." Levi " being attached" Judah "praise" Only by the fourth child was she able to offer praise to God. Interesting that Jacob's name mean "he grasps the heel" or "the deceiver." How appropriate!

Genesis 24:28-26:35

I can't imagine leaving your family for what is probably forever to marry some guy you had never even seen. Simply because you watered some guys camels. Yet Rebekah did. That's faith -- or else you just need an adventure. I think it's the former one. One thing I noticed was the nose-ring that they gave her. I guess that was the predecessor to the rings that people wear today, but I hadn't really thought about it.

After Abraham died, the Bible says that both Isaac and Ishmael buried him. I was glad to see that the boys put aside their differences to take care of their father. Apparently Abraham mattered a great deal to both of them.

The story then shifts to Isaac and his family. We learn about twins who were very different. Esau was all hairy and liked to hunt. Jacob was smooth and liked to stay at home. Dad favored the hunter; Mom favored the homebody. A definite setup for some division in the family.

Esau wasn't too good with decisions. He traded his birthright for a single meal. And I just don't think lentil stew would be worth that.

After the story of Abimelech, there's one other verse that draws my attention. In v. 35, we see the first in-law problems. Esau's wives made life miserable for Isaac and Rebekah. I wonder from the quick mention if he talked this over with his parents first or just went and did it. I kind of assume the latter if he was marrying pagan women. Different cultures. Different values. That usually means problems.

Genesis 21:22-24:27

God's test. This is always a hard passage for me to read. Even if I know it has a happy ending. I just hate seeing kids in trouble.

It's just hard for me to imagine God asking Abraham to sacrifice his son. I know he did. But I would have been screaming at God. Yet again, Abraham just obeys. Maybe his steps of faith in the past and seeing God's protection and faithfulness toward him had brought him to this point of complete trust. Maybe he was screaming on the inside. Or maybe he had just given his child over to God's care.

I don't think I would have passed this test. But Abraham did. He held nothing back from God. And I'm reminded that God himself faced this same test when His son was put on another altar. He held nothing back for us. And His son wasn't spared.

Abraham's son was, though. The ram for the sacrifice was in the thicket. God does provide.

Don't you wonder, though, how this affected Isaac? We don't know how old he was at this point. Old enough to ask where the sacrifice was, so old enough to understand. But here you are, out with Dad for an adventure, out to worship God. Suddenly you're tied up and put on the altar, Dad comes at you with a knife, and then everything's ok. I would think it would torment the child for years. But we don't hear that. Maybe Isaac learned the same lesson as Dad. That God would provide. And that obedience leads to blessings. Maybe Dad had taught Isaac enough about God at this point that he trusted him completely, too.

What tests do I have to face? How will I respond?

By the way, that finishes week 1. Keep up the good work!

Genesis 18:9-21:21

One of my favorite verses today was Gen. 18:14. "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" A rhetorical question, to be sure. But one that I need to ask myself more. It goes hand in hand with Philippians 4:13. "I can do all things through Christ which strengthenth me." Our power is not in our own hands, but in God's. Too often I think I have to do it all. That self-sufficient side of me makes lists, checks things off and tries to get it all done. But often that becomes overwhelming. And the things I think I can or can't do aren't always accurate. But God knows what I'm capable of. After all, He made me. Sarah thought she was too old for kids. She laughed at God about it. Thought it was a big joke. But the Lord reminded Abraham that He was capable. What's the old saying ... When I think I can't, God can.

The main part of today's reading was the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. A couple of things stood out to me here.
1. What was Lot thinking offering his daughters to these men? (19:7) Ok, I know he was trying to protect his visitors. And he probably knew the men weren't interested in his daughters. But still!
2. We know Lot's wife was wrong in looking back; she turned into salt, after all. But how often are we attracted to the past or the memories we have rather than what's before us? A good reminder to me to live in the moment.

Next Abraham goes back to lying about his "sister" again. Didn't he learn his lesson the last time?!? Apparently not. Even great heroes of faith have their weak spots, I guess.

Genesis 14:14-18:8

Abram to the rescue! He goes after his nephew as we start up today's reading. What interested me was that he had 318 men trained and ready to go. Talk about being prepared for battle! He didn't wait until the bad guys was upon him to get ready. He had done the work ahead of time. I need to be prepared for the battles in my life -- whether they be problems at work or car problems or just day-to-day trials that Mom calls life. I know God will take care of me during those moments. But I need to do some work on the front end so that I am ready to face those problems emotionally, financially or physically.

A lot of today's reading revolves around Abram's desire for a son as heir. God promises that Abram will receive that blessing. Abram's not so sure. Especially as the years go on. And Sarai is getting frustrated. So she decides to take matters into her own hands. Yeah, that never works. When we start trying to fix the problem our own way, we just make things worse. So did Sarai. She has her servant Hagar sleep with Abram, and then gets mad when Hagar gets pregnant. I feel for Hagar sitting in the desert after being mistreated. I would have run away, too. But the angel tells her not to run from her problems. Instead, she must submit to Sarai's authority. What I love about this part of the story is that Hagar refers to God as "the God who sees me." (16:13) I read it as the God who "gets" me. He sees me, He knows me, He understands me -- and He still loves me. What a beautiful picture of grace.

Then we see another of God's promises. And it starts with Abram getting a new name -- Abraham. I, of course, keep thinking of "Father Abraham" when I read this. And yes, I can still remember the words from when I was a kid. Altho maybe not the motions. But the point is Abraham is promised that he will be father of many nations. All the land of Canaan will be his. All Abraham has to do is obey God and have every male in his household circumcised. I'm not sure why God required circumcision. Some commentaries I've read said it could be so that they would be identified as one of God's chosen. The Bible even says they will bear the mark of his everlasting covernant. Another commentary said it could have been for health reasons. But whatever the reason, they would receive God's blessing if they obeyed. Is my obedience key for God's blessing today? I know it must make God smile when we obey. I'd better try to do better at it.

Genesis 11:10-14:13

Today we meet Abram. Here was a man who was told by God that he would become a great nation. I don't know about you, but that would have scared me. I wonder if I would have believed God so easily. Here's this voice just speaking to me. I might be tempted to look for proof. Yet Abram just went. He left his family and everything he knew and went on this adventure with God.

The Bible also shows us Abram's humanity, which is good because I can relate to that being human part. When going into Egypt, Abram was just scared. Scared that the Egyptians would kill him and take his beautiful wife. So what did he do? He lied to them and said Sarai was his sister. Well, I guess it wasn't a total lie. Sarai was his half-sister. But Abram's intent was to deceive the Egyptians.

I think of how often fear causes all of us to do something we know isn't right. But what are we more afraid of -- what people think or what God thinks? I know which one should be more important, but that's not always what I follow. Abram didn't trust in God's protection when he entered Egypt. But God shows us that his protection was still there. Pharoah and his household got really sick, letting Abram and Sarai move on. God is faithful even when we're not.

We also get introduced to Lot today. I'm not so sure about Abram's nephew. He seemed to always want the best for himself without thinking of others. Abram offers him his choice of land when they need to divide their camps. And Lot picks the green pastures with lots of water. Yet sometimes those pastures may look the best, but they're not. In this case, they included the wickedness and temptations of Sodom. Next thing you know, he's a prisoner of war. The lesson for me: Choose what God thinks is best, not just what looks pretty or easy.

Genesis 8-11:9

Today's themes: Noah, God's promises and the tower of Babel.

I'm not sure why the reading plan stops in the middle of a chapter. I guess because that's the end of that story. Kind of odd, tho.

* It was only after the flood that man could eat meat. Mom actually told me that from her Sunday school lesson. I'm not sure why exactly, but that was part of the covenant. Maybe that was supposed to take away man's violent streak. Thoughts?

* Don't go blabbing about people's problems. Ham was cursed because he went and told his brothers about Noah's nakedness instead of covering him up. Actions do speak louder than words in this case.

* When you work together, you can accomplish all sorts of things. Even God was impressed with everyone's efforts, although He knew they couldn't be allowed to continue the tower. There went man's pride thinking he knew best again.

So what are you learning from these readings? Share your thoughts so I don't feel all alone.

Genesis 4-7

Two familiar Bible stories today -- a brother's jealousy in Cain and Abel and Noah and the ark.

A couple of things stood out to me...

1. Cain had a choice. God knew he was angry and confronted him about it. He told him to do what was right and he would be accepted. He must be the master of sin. Yes, it's always knocking at the door. But we don't have to give in to it. Seems like that's true for me, too. Some days it's easy to give in. But then you have to face the consequences. Cain had to face the consequences of his sin, too. He would always be a restless wanderer. Yet God cared enough about him -- despite his sin -- to make sure people wouldn't kill him. God's mark was upon him. God's mark is on us, too. Can others see it?

2. Can you imagine 6 months in an ark with all those smelly animals? I can't go through the barn at the state fair without wrinkling my nose. Yet God tells us it rained for 40 days and nights. Then the ground was flooded for 150 days. Wonder where they scooped all that poop? I can't wait for Noah to tell me what life on that ark was really like.

3. I had always wondered how you'd collect all those animals. Gen. 7:9 says they came to Noah. Now I had always thought that God was big enough to get them there, and this tells us He was. Noah didn't have to work at wrangling all those beasts. Can you picture the lineup? The bears, the monkeys, the tigers, the fleas, the ants ... from big to little, God made sure all of His creation survived the flood.

4. The Bible says that God flooded the earth and started over because of man's violence -- that it grieved Him. Wonder how He feels today? Maybe it's because I'm in the news business and read all the stories, but it seems like we're living in such a violent age today. When I hear the stories about a child killing his fellow classmate or a husband shooting his wife, I just wonder how. How does life get so far out of whack? And how can we help make it better? God's promised no more floods that wipe out the earth. But I pray the violence gets less instead of more.

In the beginning ...

Happy New Year! I hope everyone started their Bible reading today. Although you can still catch up today and not be too far behind.

Today's reading is Gen. 1-3.

I love the story of creation. Maybe it's the artist in me that loves the idea of making stuff -- whether it's a painting, a yummy dessert in the kitchen, or a whole new world out of nothing. I love seeing ideas come to life. And I love the father who showed us how that works -- who took this idea of a personal God who's interested in all of creation and made it be.

He thought of everything -- what we'd eat, how we'd live, what we'd wear. And yet it still wasn't enough for Adam and Eve. That sinful and prideful nature to know more, to be the best, was there at the beginning too.

Yet God still loved us. He sent us away from the garden so we wouldn't find the tree of Life and have to live forever in this sinful state. And He already knew that His son would have to die for us. Another part of His grand plan. He really did think of everything.