Israel Diary #2 Obstacles

     One of my objectives in this journey is to have a room mate. My friend wants to go. He would be ideal since we know each other pretty well. He also gives me a person to discuss each day's events.
     So why is this an obstacle? He is even less likely to raise the money for this trip than I am. Thus, I am still in need of a room mate. If I don't get one, my costs go up.
     I readily admit that I have no control over this problem. I can't help my friend financially. I can't guarantee that another person will be available to be my room mate. This is definitely a God-sized problem.
     That is where faith comes in. I believe that God can help me get past any obstacles in my path. As the writer said in Ephesians, my God's ability far surpasses my imagination (my paraphrase.)

Israel Diary # 1 Faith

     Today we had our first meeting about a trip to Israel. The cost is the most intimidating aspect. I am not particularly affluent. This is the kind of door that only God can open. I can do my part, but I need God to take care of the rest.
     I have three choices here. I can put this trip in God's hands and save for it 'til he opens that door. I could forgo this opportunity and start saving for the next one. Or, I could give it up as a pipe dream. I believe that God would want me to trust him for the answer.
     So, I will save as much as I can. If God chooses not to open the door, then I'll trust that he has a plan for the money. He knows better than I what is in store for me.

Real Life Examples:The Presidential Hymnwriter

     This year I want to expand on my biographical study from last year. It is my intention to find practical applications for Biblical scriptures. I hope we all find this venture to be enlightening.

     With that, let me begin with the origins of  "Send Forth, O God, Thy Light and Truth". This was a late 19th century setting of Psalms 43. It was quite common during that time for Psalms to be turned into hymns. What makes this one uncommon was that it was written in hymn form by our sixth president, John Quincy Adams.

     In fact, he wrote many hymns based on the Psalms. He placed a high priority on reading God's Word. He also had a great love of music and poetry. This, of course, led to his hymn writing. His most famous hymn was "The Hour Glass", but he was partial to "Send Forth...".

     The lesson he drew from this passage was that of hope in the face of opposition from one's enemies. As Christians, we face similar opposition today. Society calls us intolerant bigots and narrow minded. We know that the light of God's truth will defeat this deception. We can rest in that hope. Not hope as the world defines it, but true hope. It is confidence in the future God has planned.