Exodus 35
English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio
1 Moses assembled all the congregation of the people of Israel and said to them, “These are the things that the LORD has commanded you to do. 2 Six days work shall be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. 3 You shall kindle no fire in all your dwelling places on the Sabbath day.” 4 Moses said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “This is the thing that the LORD has commanded. 5 Take from among you a contribution to the LORD. Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the LORD's contribution: gold, silver, and bronze; 6 blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen; goats' hair, 7 tanned rams' skins, and goatskins; acacia wood, 8 oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, 9 and onyx stones and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece.Yes. This is Church family. Kicking it all off is my son Alexander looking like Jeddi Warrior Acolyte. I'm almost sure it wasn't the look he was aiming for.... I'm the hooligan in the black t-shirt. Catch me if you can. I wish I could find the photo of Edward as part of the Silent Monks. So...... how is Exodus 35 going to make a memorable difference in your life of Scripture reading??? It is pretty easy. If you compare Exodus 32 - the building of the gold calf - people gave.... gold. In Exodus 35 people gave of..... themselves. Why? Celebrating Jesus as Lord. And became a community going through all kinds of things for 40 years.... or there abouts. (Not meaning to imply that we won't enter God's rest! Rather an analogy of 40 years of soujourning together in life's wilderness!) blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen - that is great and VBS. And the Redeemed Ministry gift bags for women seeking to leave the sex trade. Plus Hobby Lobby is having a buy one get one free sale. Don't forget to buy more yarn for needlepoint kneelers. goats' hair - good. acacia wood - yes, Jim Ferrell, age 82, made our kneelers at the altar rail. oil for the light - if I didn't have Cindy Beaumont (glowing in photo 32 (above the angel photo) with the Holy Spirit - married to Kirk Beaumont- supreme chef and a/c Texas Savior) as my Table Care partner - we never would have oil in the torches, because I have a habit of making a greasy mess with the oil. spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense - fragrance - yes the Sanctuary has a beautiful vanilla fragrance from the candles - but not really - it is the Holy Spirit making community grow and love one another. Suffering through the hard knocks, rejoicing in the glory of living in community but knowing as we grow, we love with deeper roots. skillful craftsman - oh - just a few. And if you want to learn a new talent - just volunteer. We have gardening, carpentry, needlepoint, teaching, copying, cutting paper, computer, photography, moving furniture back and forth, kitchen cleaners, garbage collectors - thank God, painters, vacuumers. Bakers, shoppers, mowers.... we've even painted stained glass. Banner makers, acolyte trainers, clothes washers, singers, pie eaters, and greeters. And many more. the mercy seat, and the veil of the screen - we have street ministers, homeless helpers, apartment ministries, Redeemed ministry and PACN. Pregnancy Assistance Centers. Food Ministries. The list goes on. Pastor ministries. And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD's contribution
~ Here I am Lord. Send me!
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