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an example in an OT prophet

Today I spent some time studying in habakkuk. I pulled out the commentary, grabbed my journal, pen and Bible, and prayed for illumination. God revealed to me a sweet example of relationship with Him.

Habakkuk is not like your typical OT prophet. He does not plead with God to with hold his anger from the people of Israel. Instead, He questions God's willingness to delay punishment on the wicked. He shows us that questioning God is acceptable, so long as you do not refuse to trust God and you question in a respectful manner.

Habakkuk begins by questioning God's delay of punishment. God then answers him, promising punishment will soon come. However, Habakkuk still has questions. God's plan was to punish the sinners, through the even more wicked Chaldeans. Habakkuk wonders at this, considering God "cannot look at wrong." Habakkuk questions God with respect and reverence. Then, he decides to wait patiently for God to answer him.

God indeed answers. His answer is one of warning, a warning to the wicked. God warns against a variety of sins and again confirms His plan to unleash His fury and pour out punishment on the wicked. Habakkuk responds with awe and praise towards God. Habakkuk turns from questioning to trust, remembering and stating that God is indeed all-powerful and sovereign. He knows God's way is prefect and believes that His way will prove just.

In these short 3 chapters, Habakkuk demonstrates a few things. He questions respectfully, waits patiently, trusts in God's timing/plan, stands in awe of God's might and power, and then hopes in eternal salvation not temporary circumstances/blessings. This short display reveals that Habakkuk has a sweet and deep relationship with God. He is bold and asks questions of God and after being answered, proclaims God's greatness and rejoices in God's goodness.

My prayer is that God would teach me how and help me become like this. I want to desire to understand God's ways and be satisfied with the answers He reveals to me. And not just satisfied, satisfied with rejoicing and awe. God is indeed a mighty Savior who is willing to be patient with us and at times reveal His plans to us. He wants to give us knowledge, if we ask, and reveal His awesome power to us so that we might glorify Him. What a mighty Savior I serve!

i think this song is pretty

blueberry muffins

recently, in the midst of all my free time, I decided to make some blueberry muffins for a neighbor. knowing i would want to enjoy one as well, i doubled the batch. they were so delicious, i made them again 2 days later. i adapted my recipe from the brown eyed baker. 


2 c all purpose flour
1 T baking powder 
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1 c sugar 
1/2 stick of unsalted butter, melted
8 oz sour cream
a splash of milk
3/4-1 c of fresh, small blueberries 

     first off preheat the oven to 350 degrees. then, i greased my muffin tins (i used 12 regular size) with a bit of butter. next, it's time to begin mixing your ingredients. 

     whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt until combined. if doubling, make sure to use a pretty big bowl. whisk the egg in a separate bowl. add the sugar to the egg and whisk vigorously. pour in the melted butter, while whisking. then add the sour cream and again whisk to combine. at this point you should have a beautiful, creamy yellow mixture. 

     wash your indigo berries and add to the dry ingredients. gently toss just to combine. next, add the sour cream mixture and fold with a rubber spatula until the batter comes together. the batter will be very thick. careful, not to overmix.

    using 2 large metal spoons divide the batter among the muffin cups. bake until the muffins are light golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes, rotating the pan from front to back halfway through the baking time. i made sure to follow this step as my oven does not cook evenly. serve while piping hot with a slab of butter. delicious for a weekend breakfast, afternoon snack, or late night pick me up. enjoy! 

learning and yearning

over the past week or so, i've learned a lot about God. it all began when i quickly became frustrated and angry towards a family member. they had hurt and offended me. it wasn't so different than all the other times, except that there have been all the other times and there was bitterness. hurt and bitterness i had let grow because it was easy. easier to keep going and "look over" the offense than to talk about and work it out. i realized this family member had no idea of their words/actions were so hurtful and that was my fault. yet i decided to keep going anyways. after a few days of feeling hurt and growing more and more angry, i had had it. even after being asked for forgiveness i said no. i was sinfully angry and unwilling to forgive them. it took a day or two, and other family members noticing something was up, before God broke through.

it was sunday morning at church. i wasn't feeling up to going because i had definitely sensed the Holy Spirit's prompting. i knew i had sinned against this person i loved many times. i was discouraged by my lack of ability to quickly forgive and to seek reconciliation. yet, during worship God spoke to me. i felt like there were 3 things i needed to hear that morning.

first i felt God was encouraging me to come freely before Him. my many sins i was so aware of need to be dealt with, and they were... on the cross. i felt encouraged, like He was saying, "my work on the cross is sufficient for you. every sin you've committed and will ever commit is taken care of. your 'performance' is irrelevant. trust in the cross for your salvation." i felt relieved. how kind of God!

then, those thoughts sort of transitioned to realizing how very many times God forgives me for my sins. He graciously and eagerly forgives me for my repeated offenses. when i sin, no matter who it is directed towards, it's ultimately directed towards God. my sins sadden and hurt Him, yet He forgives me. He does not hesitate or let bitterness grow as i had done. he forgave me when i wasn't even asking and He forgives me of sins i don't even realize i commit. how kind of God!

and then we sang of the power of His work on the cross. i realized that, because of the cross, there is hope for my broken relationship with my family member. His power is greater than the power of sin that infiltrates our lives and stains our friendships. i knew that God would heal this close bond and bring reconciliation. again, how kind of God!

i've been taught many of these truths before, yet when they break through my hardened heart once again it feels like new life and refreshing rain have been poured out. i'm so thankful that God is at work in me. while it seems completely harmful to fight and argue and say hurtful things and get hurt, God promises to work all things for good for those that love Him. out of the hurt came greater depths of understanding, joy, and thankfulness, and hopefully soon full reconciliation with my loved family member. thankful for a God who saves and is sovereign!


"but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." romans 5:8