17 is the number of the week!
Last Sunday the reading was from Exodus 17. Such a dramatic reading with powerful images and I have been thinking about it all week. I didn't hit me right away but at some point the phrase top of the hill caught my attention. My blog! Way back in 2008 I chose the name because of 2 basic reasons...#1 we live on top of the hill and #2 at this point in my life I am considered middle age or at the top of the hill (not that I will ever think of myself as over the hill). It never occurred to me the image of the top of the hill as being a place of prayer. That has been an inspiration to me this week.
Sunday October 20, 2013
Ex 17:8-13
In those days, Amalek came and waged war against Israel.
Moses, therefore, said to Joshua,
"Pick out certain men,
and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle.
I will be standing on top of the hill
with the staff of God in my hand."
So Joshua did as Moses told him:
he engaged Amalek in battle
after Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur.
As long as Moses kept his hands raised up,
Israel had the better of the fight,
but when he let his hands rest,
Amalek had the better of the fight.
Moses’hands, however, grew tired;
so they put a rock in place for him to sit on.
Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands,
one on one side and one on the other,
so that his hands remained steady till sunset.
And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people
with the edge of the sword
Moses, therefore, said to Joshua,
"Pick out certain men,
and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle.
I will be standing on top of the hill
with the staff of God in my hand."
So Joshua did as Moses told him:
he engaged Amalek in battle
after Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur.
As long as Moses kept his hands raised up,
Israel had the better of the fight,
but when he let his hands rest,
Amalek had the better of the fight.
Moses’hands, however, grew tired;
so they put a rock in place for him to sit on.
Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands,
one on one side and one on the other,
so that his hands remained steady till sunset.
And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people
with the edge of the sword
Happy 17th Birthday John!
It seems like John's birthday week is always a a busy one.
This year it was more of a birthday month. He had some friends over the Friday before his birthday. On his actual birthday he went to school, piano, driver's ed and from there to Steak and Shake with mom and dad and Thomas. We finally were able to celebrate John's birthday with our extended family last night at Granny and Papa's. The windy weather forced us to cancel the bonfire but we had an enjoyable evening visiting and eating grilled hot dogs and all kinds of other delicious food and topped off the evening with confetti cupcakes and Klondike bars!
May God bless you in many special ways this year John.
We love you!
A few photos from our Friday field trip to the McKinley Museum
