I Know that My Redeemer Lives!

This week I read Job 19:23-27. I've been reading and studying Job lately, and knowing the context of this book makes the verses in this section even more powerful. To know that Job wrote this section in the midst of incredible pain and trials provides such a rich context for this section:
"Oh, that my words were recorded,
that they were written on a scroll,
that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead,
or engraved in rock forever!
I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
I myself will see him with my own eyes -
I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!

This has been on my mind the past couple of days, and provides such a powerful hope that no matter what our trials in this life, our Redeemer lives, and will come again. This fit right with today's sermon at church (and I just love when God does that!). We have been talking about Revelation and the second coming of Christ. Today we talked about the hope that we have because of the death and resurrection of Christ. On Friday when Christ was crucified, darkness covered the earth, and there was great pain and despair. But Friday was not the end, and Christ would rise again on Sunday, bringing life and hope to what seemed like a hopeless situation. Our pastor compared this to the trials we have in our lives. It may be Friday in our trials and pain, but Sunday is coming! This gives me such hope to know that no matter what happens on this earth, Christ wins in the end. It's Friday, but Sunday's coming!!!!

This ties right in to another verse I was reading in Hebrews this afternoon. I feel like this verse gives me the strength to hold on to hope during the "Fridays" of life.
"God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie,
we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf."
Hebrews 6: 18-20

My prayer is that God would be the anchor for my soul. That I would hold on to him, no matter what life may bring, knowing that he will come again. "It's Friday, but Sunday's coming!"

Pretending like it's fall

It sure looks like fall out here, but it doesn't feel like it! While all the trees are changing colors, our temperatures have been in the 80's for the past week. It's supposed to cool down on Monday, but until then, I'm just pretending that it's not this hot. Last weekend I went on a pottery tour with a few friends from work. We drove up to the north hills (about 45 minutes away) and spent some time browsing through locally made pottery.



It was a really fun way to spend the afternoon, and the north hills are really beautiful this time of year, even if it's 80 degrees :) We went to 4 different stops, and most places had snacks, beverages, and music. It created a really fun atmosphere.



We saw awesome pottery, gorgeous views, and neat properties. I came home with a couple souvenirs, but the majority of the items were pretty expensive.



In continuing with my "pretend it's fall weather" tradition, I made corn chowder for dinner tonight. My mom found the recipe on Mimi's restaurant website. I am a huge fan of their corn chowder, so I was excited to give it a try. It turned out really well! I made blueberry muffins to go along with it, since that's what I always have at Mimi's.



This book has also consumed an amazing amount of my time this weekend. It is terrific! I highly recommend reading it, in fact, I will probably finish it by the end of the weekend.

Now all I have to do is wait a few more days for the real fall weather to arrive!