Bibledoorajar remembers godly heritage in the face of danger

     I recently had a conversation with a young woman who told me that her ex-husband sent her and her son a letter from the prison where he is incarcerated. He signed the letter with a common skinhead closure which included lightning bolts around his signature. The son was infuriated that he would send a letter to them that reflected such hate for certain peoples. Though young, her son confronted his father. I find this a brave act, but a sad one, that a son would have need to correct his father. The mother and I spoke about how good it was that the son recognized racism at such a young age and
about how sad it was to know this about one's father. I silently prayed that the son would be safe in his father's presence and that as he grew he would continue to condemn his racist behavior.
     When we think of Mordecai being so hated by Haman, it is good to remember his godly heritage. Moses had prophesied over his tribe's (Benjamin) future:
    

       The BELOVED of the Lord shall dwell in

SAFETY by HIM, and the LORD shall

cover him all day long, and he shall

stand between HIS SHOULDERS.

     This is a wonderful heritage because Mordecai and his people are indeed standing in need of covering. Haman is trying everything he knows to do to kill God's people. He consulted the occult (PUR) about a successful date on which the Jews could be killed. The occult spoke: "In the month of Adar on the 13th day, you can successfully annihilate God's people". Haman's confidence soared.

     Another son of Benjamin covers us. We are his beloved because we love Him. We can dwell safely in Him and He will cover us all day long.

Bibledoorajar reflects on spa treatments

"Where can I go to meet with God?

My soul is weak,

My body tired.

Can it be here, 

Can it be now?

I need to find that place again."

I Will Offer Up My Life by Matt Redman

"You have purified yourselves by obeying the truth--1 Peter 1:22

        I have only been to a spa once. When my sick friend arose from her sick bed, she took us (her two friends/caregivers) to a spa in grateful appreciation. We arrived early for our appointment and were ushered into a disrobing room. There we were given lush robes to put on. We stepped into heavenly hot tubs. There, we relaxed and meditated on how wonderful the process and our luxurious surrounding were. I really wasn't in touch with how our bodies were benefiting; I was just basking in the luxury. We ended with a pedicure and beautiful toenail polish. Snacks and drinks were provided in a meditation room to complete our relaxation process. We left declaring that we had found "the place of places"; I said, "How do you keep them down on the farm, after they've found Paris?" While my budget won't allow a full spa treatment, I have often wondered what it would be like to go for the full treatment--massage, facial, salt glows, body wraps, etc. It sounds like an indulgence, and I guess in some ways it is, but the benefits would be wonderful.

      Today, we follow Esther into the spa area. People learned to dip themselves in hot springs thousands of years ago and pursued other treatments. Hegai, the keeper of the women, determined that the candidates destined to come before the king needed such purification. Esther, though a natural beauty, still needed additional beauty treatments. After all, if selected as Queen, she would need to spend sustained time with the king. The queens' would not be a brief relationship where mars might not be noticed. Esther's spa treatment included 6 months of myrrh treatment. Myrrh is a mixture of lavender and frankincense and is usually mixed with oils. Not only is it a wonderful perfume, but it has many external and internal healing properties. After all, no one should come before the king with a "condition." These problems have to be purified.

"Purer yet and purer...

Calmer yet and calmer...

Higher yet and higher, Out of clouds and night;

Nearer yet and nearer, Rising to the light;

Oft these earnest longings swell within my breast;

Yet they inner meaning Ne'er can be expressed."

Purer Yet and Purer from Goethe