Jaded, Rubies, & Summer's Fall

So what do the three things in the title of this blog have in common? Any guesses? Jewelry line? Nope. Unique names for triplets or animals?? Ummm.. No. Types of stone? Possibly, but not in this case. So what am I talking about?? These are going to be the titles of the 3 books I am going to be writing. Yep. 3. I have been told "you should write a book" so many times I can't keep count. I always brush it off. Well lately, it has been God flat out making sure I realize I am going to write...among the other things he has set for me.

I have been "playing" with the idea for awhile but always just throw it back in the back of my mind. I just can't do that anymore. A few weeks back I went to Jeannie Mayo's NYLC (National Youth Leader's Conference). I went to hear speaker, Pat Schatzline. He was speaking on the "Unqualified." Something I have been dealing with a lot in the last few months and getting into ministry. You ever have those moments where you think, "This is the reason I am here" or "Why this happened?" I had one of those moments while I am listening to him speak. he is hitting every single thing I had been dealing with. It was like someone gave him an exact word-for-word check list. After he was finished he came down to meet and greet. I just wanted to shake his hand and tell him thank you. When I shook his hand and *tried to tell him thank you, tears just streamed from my face. He said, "You are so welcome. He said I don't know your past, your story, or anything about you. I do know that I have a Word for you. you are suppose to write. God wants you to write. Grab a pen and paper and start writing." So see, I can't just brush it off. You may not believe in prophetic word, but I do. And when God is telling you things...you either listen and do or He will make it happen without your willingness.

So anyway, I am stubborn. Ask anyone who knows me well... they will agree. I'm guessing stubborn and strong-willed will come out of their mouths. Haha. So I'm stubborn and I didn't want to believe this prophetic word at first. I mean, I am 30 and my past is very colorful to say the least, that is a lot of writing.. I am already in school to finish my bachelor's degree in christian ministry, a youth leader plus some (meaning I pour into the youth ministry in any way I can), a lead over a Sunday service volunteers, lead 2 small groups and over see 2 more small groups on marriage, help my husband run a health and wellness business (that is really starting to take off - which means more work), and did I mention I have 4 kids? So having the free time to just sit and write or work on a book seems like something that could possibly make me suffocate. So what do I do? I pray. I ask God for specific confirmation and a (read, ONE) title for this so called book. So what does He do, He gives me what I asked for plus some. Not one title but three titles.

Book one will be Jaded. Jaded according to Merriam Webster Dictionary: made dull, apathetic, or cynical by experience or by surfeit. Boy, if you knew my childhood/teen years and the person I WAS. You would get that. It will make perfect sense.

Book two will be Rubies. Did you know Rubies are red and vibrant in color (natural hair color), are extremely strong (only second to diamonds), are often related to themes concerning the essence and vibrancy of life, represents the passion of love, and are treated to improve their (color and) strength. Man, again...God hit this on the head.

Book three will be Summer's Fall. I prayed on this and thought about it like crazy! I could not understand it at all. And just today, seriously...today, it came to me. I fell for Steven Summer of 2010 which lead to what has become an amazing life but has not been easy or without its trials.

So why the blog instead of working on the book. I have to practice! Plus, it's a stress reliever. Who would have thought?!?

Thanks for reading!
Much love & blessings,
Gina

The Pentateuch

The Pentateuch is considered to be the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These are all five considered the Pentateuch for a reason and we will be looking at that reason by examining the relationship these 5 books have to the origin, intended purpose, and bearing on the relationship between God and Israel. 

The Book of Genesis is the first book of the Bible and the Pentateuch. The title Genesis (meaning “beginning” or “origin”) comes from the Greek translation of the Bible (Branson, 2003). This makes sense when you look at Genesis. Genesis is the beginning of our history. It reiterates the origin of our creation and being. Our text says that, "the remainder of the Pentateuch is in a real sense the story of God's visitation of Israel to fulfill His promises to the patriarchs" (Branson, 2003).

So as I am doing research on the relationship of these books, I came across something interesting. One of the authors of the web pages I enjoyed the information on is an "Agnosticism/Atheism Expert." I always say the best way to combat the opposite view is to dig into it! Anyway, back to the subject at hand! One of the subjects that is carried throughout the Books of the Pentateuch is the subject and presence of covenants. A covenant is a contract/treaty/promise between God and humans, either all humans or one specific group. In these Books, God is depicted as making promises to Adam, Eve, Cain, and various others about their own personal futures. God even makes promises to Abraham about the future of all his descendants. God even makes a very detailed covenant with the people of Israel — a covenant with extensive provisions that the people are supposed to obey in exchange for promises of blessings from God. (Cline, 2015). 

The first five books of the Bible are foundational to all of Scripture. They have arguably been ranked as one of the most important portions of the Word of God (Wolf 1991). This is because its theological and historical views are necessary for a better understanding of the rest of the entire Bible. God's revelation about the origin of the world with its emphasis on the creation of man made in the image of God, how sin entered human history and the judgment that followed, and the origin of the nation of Israel and its covenant–relationship to Yahweh, are just some of the subjects that are covered and related throughout these first five books (Decanio, 2010).

One of the best things that really spoke to me and explained the relationship to me of these five important Books was a PDF from a seminary school. It laid it out like this: 

• Genesis has the plan of God
• Exodus has the redemptive power of God
• Leviticus has the person of God
• Numbers has the providence of God/proving God
• Deuteronomy has the principles of God

The over-arching structural theme of the Pentateuch is the Covenant which God establishes between Himself and His people. The gracious Covenant of God is God’s way of leading His people to the New Creation and  is foundational to our understanding of God’s relationship to fallen man (WRS, n.d.).

Resources

• Branson, R. D., Edlin, J., & Green, T. M. (2003). Discovering the Old Testament . Kansas City, Missouri: Beacon Hill Press.
• Cline, A. (2015, January 1). The Pentateuch or the First Five Books of the Bible. Retrieved April 13, 2015, from http://atheism.about.com/od/biblestudyoldtestament1/a/Pentateuch-Bible-Introduction.html
• Wolf, H. (1991). An Introduction to the Old Testament Pentateuch. Chicago: Moody Press.
• DeCanio, F. (2010, June 14). Introduction to the Pentateuch. Retrieved April 13, 2015, from https://bible.org/seriespage/introduction-pentateuch
• WRS.edu (n.d.) Introduction to the Pentateuch. Retrieved April 13, 2015, from http://wrs.edu/Materials_for_Web_Site/Courses/Pentateuch/Genesis_1-11.pdf