Ever sat down at a piano and just noodled around on the black keys? It's surprisingly easy to make something that sounds...well, musical. That's the magic of the pentatonic scale! I recently discovered I could play a whole song using only the black keys, and it got me thinking about the power and history behind…
Build to Shine
The golden lampstand in the Sanctuary stood as a reminder that Jesus Christ is the light of our world. This is why a small group is a BIG part of our church and so it should be for any Christian community. Isabelle and Keira are sharing how they get together as a small group called CARE group (Christ Attitude Reflected in Everyone) and how this small group is an avenue for them to exercise their faith.
Build to Grow
In the holy place of the Sanctuary there was also a Table of Showbread. Twelve loaves of bread especially baked were to be placed on this table and considered sacred. To many of us, the dining table is the place where family conversation occurs. This is where we catch up and connect with each other over a meal. By God’s provision, the table of showbread was placed in the Sanctuary to remind us that we need Him everyday just like we need to have our meals everyday.
Build to Commune
One of the items in the holy place of the sanctuary is the altar of incense. God instructed Moses to place the altar of incense in front of the veil that separated the holy place from the most holy place “where I will meet with you”, said God. The priest must burn the incense twice daily, each morning and again at twilight. It is most holy to the Lord (Exodus 30:10)
Build to Behold
God commanded Moses to build a bronze basin and place water in it for the priest to wash themselves. This was God’s wonderful provision for our cleansing. As we work together to clean and decorate the new church, we learned a wonderful lesson of cleansing. The old windows were wiped clean so all the natural light can shine into the Sanctuary -- as the curtains and blinds were cleaned and drawn up, the sun shone in and we were in awe. The clean up transformed the whole place. We truly need some cleansing and can be transformed by it.
Together We Build
As we walk into the Sanctuary, the blueprint God gave Moses to build, we would come first into the courtyard. The first item in the courtyard is the altar of burnt offerings. This week we look back at the weekend before the COVID-19 lockdown came into effect. As we spent that Sunday cleaning up the church, we remembered how we were to walk into the courtyard with our sacrifice.
Let Us Build
Our church used to worship at a town hall but during the pandemic we were unable to meet there due to government restrictions. As the town hall was not classified as a place of worship we began to search for a new place, a true place where we could meet when restrictions eased and people of faith could gather. God provided us with a place. Follow our journey as we prepare this place to be a house of God.
Moses
Moses was best known as the leader who brought the Israelites out of Egypt. Thanks to the soundtrack from Disney's Prince of Egypt, Moses' famous line was sung by many children "Let my people go!" For me, the impression of Moses was that he was a friend of God. "Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.", Exodus 33:11
King David
Last week we looked at Samuel, the prophet after God's own heart who would anoint the chosen king of Israel. This week, we look at the man whom Samuel anointed to be the chosen king. A humble shepherd boy who rose to be one of the greatest kings of Israel, David, the man after God's own heart. A great king, loyal friend and an honest man through Joseph's eyes.
Samuel, the Last Judge of Israel
This character study is done by my youngest, Micah. Micah has a brother called Samuel and when I asked him to do a character study, he said, "I would like to study Samuel!" What a great choice, for Samuel was a pivotal point in Israel's history. He was the last judge of Israel before they requested a king. Samuel's life is a testimony of how faithful and godly parents can truly influence the life of a child even when they are not able to be with the child while he/she is growing up. The story of Hannah and Samuel is my motivation to pray for my children without ceasing. He was the inspiration to name our eldest, Samuel. After all, my Samuel was also "asked of God". Read on to hear the story of Samuel through Micah's eyes.
Faith Journal 