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Two Years Later.... 

                                   I took a long rest on this blog  (picture from our Hawaii trip)

I didn't believe too much would change without this blog, so I decided to ignored it and focus my time on other areas, mostly making new friends in Texas. 

Many changes occurred during the almost 2 years since I've last addressed this blog. We moved to California, I got a nursing job, we got another cat (to entertain the first monster cat), and we enjoyed the very little time we've had together with various travels.  It wasn't until recently that I began to think about this blog and wondering if I should put the time into it again. Though my work schedule is now fairly close to 12hr shifts x 5 days a week, somewhere in my crazy mind I began to think it was a good idea to write here again. So tonight, as I was planning on going to bed, I decided to log on and read through a few of my posts. One thing led to the other and I now find myself typing these very words! 

 Joshua:  Be Strong and Courageous 

I've begun a very slow journey through the Bible, beginning in Genesis and recently finishing Deuteronomy. I  strongly recommending a commentary for the Old Testament  - which I'm personally enjoying J. Vernon McGee's commentary- reading a chapter each day for several chapters then going back and reading through the commentary to help the information sink in. 

Joshua: Chapter 1

You know, I find reading a very difficult task for my ever-wondering mind, but when it comes to the Living Word (Hebrews 4:12), I find myself glued! Especially when it means entering into a new and exciting book... Joshua. 

vs 9. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

God commanded him to be strong and courageous. I cant imagine how overwhelming it would have been to be leading up after Moses. To lead a whole nation to a new land full of warriors ready to kill anyone who tried to take their land ... and, you know, trust that when you're telling everyone its going to be ok, that it really will be. Im sure that's why God kept reassuring Joshua to be strong and courageous, plus he needed to be for the sake of the Israelites. 

Trust in God. Obey His commandments. Be Strong and be Courageous! 

Everyday I have a wrenching gut feeling of going into work. I have no idea what will happen that day and the fear of not knowing enough, not being able to do enough, or not knowing what will happen really gets to me. Everyday I have to pray to God for His peace and strength - and trusting He will get me through.

If God commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous, then we also need to trust in Him under our much more simplistic circumstances.

I hope you can take some encouragement from this, Joshua must have had fear going into this strange unknown.  We can place our trust in Him for our salvation - our strength - our joy - our everything.