Our exiles’ answer has been presented to the king and he has responded. Let’s hear the rest of the king’s reply:

“Moreover, I hereby decree what you are to do for these elders of the Jews in the construction of the house of God:

 

The expenses of these men are to be fully paid out of the royal treasury, from the revenues of Trans-Euphrates, so that the work will not stop. Whatever is needed – young bulls, rams, male lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, and wheat, salt, wine and oil, as requested by the priests in Jerusalem – must be given them daily without fail, so that they may offer sacrifices pleasing to the God of heaven and pray for the well-being of the king and his sons.

 

Furthermore, I decree that if anyone changes this edict, a beam is to be pulled from his house and he is to be lifted up and impaled on it. And for this crime his house is to be made a pile of rubble. May God, who has caused his Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree or to destroy this temple in Jerusalem.

 

I Darius have decreed it. Let it be carried out with diligence.”

 

(Ezra 6:8-12)

 

Well, the king means business.

I like the “so that” in verse 10: “so that they may offer sacrifices pleasing to the God of heaven and pray for the well-being of the king and his sons.” It is very likely the king is like most at the time who worship many gods and is hoping to appease the Jewish God as well.

 

But what if? What if the God of Jerusalem had captured King Darius? What if he had heard stories of this God of heaven, who has caused his Name to dwell there?

 

After all, how do you get passion for something? Isn’t it usually when you have a deep need and that something fills it?

 

Our church is in Psalms and our pastor has been talking about how every person on this planet, every day, is becoming a better worshiper of something. What we pursue with our thoughts and time and money and investment, we move toward worshiping more thoroughly.

 

This is good news if the object of your worship is worthy of such devotion. And if that object is the God Who made everything out of nothing, sustains it all by His very Word, and will redeem every part of it for His glory one day and for all eternity, you have found what is worthy.

But you know what’s hard? When that thing you know in your head is not worthy of your worship is still a struggle. If you want that next drink more than life itself. If the effort to pull yourself out of bed is too much because the depression has you paralyzed. If the fire-searing pain of betrayal is more real than love or forgiveness.

 

In those moments we need others who have been there. To testify He came through in that moment when your prayers were just a whispered, “help.” When you walked through the fire and He didn’t let you burn. We need those who will show us that any other thing in this world will fail us – must fail us – but He hasn’t for one second let you down.

 

Then we’re all ears. Then we can find the courage to choose. To confess in this moment He is not supreme, but we want to want Him to be. That we’re weak and poor in spirit and have nothing to offer.

 

That’s exactly the kind of person who can use a Savior.

 

And thank the good goodness we have One.

And He provides the strength to help us move toward Him. To intentionally choose to turn our affections to Him and the Truth of His Word and ask Him to help us overcome. To do the right thing until we feel the right thing.

 

And to ask Him to become the all-consuming passion of our hearts.

It is Final Friday time. Support local artists and enjoy exploring our venues.

 

A friend recently visited the Kansas Firefighters Museum with her little one and said it was a pleasure. The workers gave them a guided tour and were so kind.

Did you know about the KPTS Store in the Spice Merchant? They offer books and videos, all proceeds going to support public television.

 

WSU’s Ulrich Museum of Art is hosting a free event this evening beginning at 5:30: Artist Talk: Radcliffe “Ruddy” Rowe. This documentary photographer hopes to change the conversation surrounding race, poverty and identity.

 

Watermark is hosting a book signing this Saturday at 2:00 with Chris Bertogolio’s release The Vanishing Cowboy.

Did you know we are in the last four days of Wichita Restaurant Week? Each participating restaurant boasts their own special menu and price, donating 10% to the Boys and Girls Club. Plus: it showcases our local eateries, including River City Brewing Co., Molino’s Mexican Cuisine, Delano Barbecue Co., and Cafe Bel Ami.

 

Library:

Tonight come to Westlink at 6:30 for Family Fun: Pajama Party.

Friday the 29th, head to Rockwell Branch for The Very Hungry Caterpillar event.

Saturday from 2-4 you can head to Central to learn how to make movies with your smart phone.

And at 2:30 on Saturday you can come to Evergreen Branch for a Frozen Party.

On Tuesday, February 2nd, head to Alford at 2:30 for Mermaids and Silly Fish.

And did you know at Alford on Wednesdays from 10-Noon you can join others learning to knit, crochet, or quilt? Beginners and experienced alike are welcome.

And don’t forget all the different branches’ Storytimes.

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Healthy cart at Costco

Making a mug for small group and enjoying a new tea

Making good use of the icy patio – hockey before school

New favorite artwork – boys’ projects from a friend’s church’s VBS last summer

(Mini) Etch-a-Sketch love

Good chili weather

Homework

Finally read it and officially in love

Get Dad

 

Your 7 Days?

If we were sitting across from each other at my kitchen table, it would be different.

 

I would tell you all the things I won’t put in a blog post about this food challenge. Some personal reasons I’ve never felt better. The way body image and food are such charged topics and the messy history I have with both. How truly scary it is to lose weight and hope it doesn’t also mean losing friends or respect or trust.

 

We would talk about how messed up our culture is on the subject of eating and diets and beauty. How easy it is to stress eat and how bonding it is to talk about ways we’ve blown it. But how gluttony is still not okay with God. I would ask you questions about ways you use food or clothes or humor to hide. Ways it feels scary to change or go against the tide or join the tide if it’s healthier and more God honoring than ignoring it.

 

We would likely share some pain. How we’ve been wounded around this subject. Not because anyone else is in charge of our heart but because we are part of the human race and we aren’t always careful with each other’s sorrow. We’d probably talk about how much we don’t want to compete or compare, no matter how much our culture encourages it. Because no one gets anywhere like that.

 

I would try to hold your truth carefully. I think you would with mine, too. Because we all have something. A place we struggle and a past that visits. He designed it that way, we’d remind ourselves. So we learn to cling to Him.

 

Yeah, it’s about more than food. And it’d be different if we were face to face.

 

“King Darius then issued an order, and they searched in the archives stored in the treasury at Babylon. A scroll was found in the citadel of Ecbatana in the province of Media, and this was written on it:

‘Memorandum:

In the first year of King Cyrus, the king issued a decree concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem:

Let the temple be rebuilt as a place to present sacrifices, and let its foundations be laid. It is to be ninety feet high and ninety feet wide, with three courses of large stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid by the royal treasury. Also, the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, are to be returned to their places in the temple in Jerusalem; they are to be deposited in the house of God.’

Now then, Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and you, their fellow officials of that province, stay away from there. Do not interfere with the work on this temple of God. Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this house of God on its site.”

 

The King has more to say, but that’s quite a bit to digest already.

 

I appreciate how anyone not interested in joining what God is doing should not interfere. But my favorite part of these verses is how it specifies this was a decree “concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem.”

Ultimately, all this was about His Presence and Glory among His people, displayed in the sight of the nations. Oh, He cares deeply about each person involved. He’s so expansive, and His love is no less abounding.

 

But those watching need to know His worth.

 

In Joshua 5:13-14, Joshua is nearing Jericho and has been commanded to take the city. Suddenly “he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked,

‘Are you for us or for our enemies?’

‘Neither,’ he replied, ‘but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.’

 

Something I heard at a conference about this passage has stuck with me:

 

I did not come to take sides. I came to take over.

Does King Darius now wonder about this God in Jerusalem? What are the Trans-Euphrates officials thinking? They will likely be around as the rebuild continues. Will they see a God worthy of the effort as they watch from a distance?

 

Only Yahweh can command praise and it end up being for the ultimate benefit of everyone. When He takes over, taking sides seems pretty useless.

So how about us? As we walk with Him, find Him so utterly trustworthy, and surrender even more to Him, everyone around us benefits. We’re so caught up in stewarding what Peter calls His grace in its various forms that we see little need to compare and compete. Sides become obsolete.

 

And we show a watching world this God of Angel Armies Who makes all our challenges, every bit of sacrifice, worth it.

If you read nothing else, read this:

ICT S.O.S. and the Exploited and Missing Child Unit is hosting Chris Baker, of Ink 180 fame, for a human trafficking awareness event. Along with screening this Emmy-winning documentary, a panel of local experts will be discussing this topic of modern-day slavery. If you’ve been hearing about this issue and wonder why Wichita is a prime location for trafficking, this event is for you. Come to Grace Point Church at 9035 W Central tomorrow night, January 22nd, at 6:00 pm.

Our friend, Jamin Still, will be be hosting a reading of his new book Ellen and the Winter Wolves this Saturday at River Community Church from 4-6 pm. This charming book, written and illustrated by Jamin, needs to be on your coffee table.

Also on January 23rd, head to our friends’ College Hill DQ to celebrate Fan Appreciation Day. Discounts include 1/2 off cakes and novelties.

 

Come to Watermark on Tuesday the 26th for a reading and signing of West of Sunset by Steward O’Nan. Event begins at 6:00 pm.

On Saturday, January 23, Fisch Haus will host an event After Words: art + poetry. Readings will be by Elizabeth Schultz & Catherine Anderson, and Rachel Epp Buller will be available to discuss her art on display.

 

Library:

If you need help registering to vote, come today any time from 2 – 7:30 to Central.

Also at Central, come Saturday the 23rd for a workshop on starting your own business. Register here.

From 2-4 at Central on Saturday, come for the In Our Own Voice: National Alliance on Mental Illness presentation. Two speakers will share their stories and roads to recovery.

Saturday from 2-4 at Westlink, enjoy a LEGO block challenge and make your own creations with friends.

On Sunday from 2:30-3:30, ages 12-17 can make a cozy fleece scarf at Alford. Love these scarves.

If you or someone you know needs help enrolling in health insurance, helpers will be available to assist at Central on Monday the 25th from 11-2.

Come to Linwood Monday at 6 pm to hear Circus Stories.

Then Tuesday, join others at Central to hear about the topic of Human Trafficking, beginning at 11:30 with your brown bag lunch (drinks provided).

 

Have a lovely weekend!

 

I know I already mentioned this, but When Pigs Fly was incredible. They can cater any menu you want – not just BBQ – and offer large portion sizes. Plus, they were so kind.

Fajita fixins

When one has to make a diaroma for school, both make one.

Reading our morning devotional

Listening to morning devos

Snuggles

 

Your 7 Days?

 

{An affiliate link in this post!}

This post will mostly have to do with female stuff. If you are not a female, you have been warned.

I knew the real test for me in this Whole 30 thing would be those few days of the month when I want to eat, well, everything.

And this eating plan, and the resulting calmed addiction, passed my test.

Oh, please don’t hear me say I didn’t want a (pan of) brownie(s). I did. But instead, I ate raisins, drank herbal tea, read a book, and stayed off Pinterest. And I turned to Him because He’s worth anything.

But I do think my husband and children would appreciate my full disclosure right here: I also whined. We played Ticket To Ride last night and I so wanted a Blizzard. We were out of apples. No more raisins. The bananas were still too green. So I played the game crunching on baby carrots. Never has this quote more described my life:

But seriously, the discipline of the previous three weeks helped. And the cravings were significantly less as I hadn’t had sugar (or things like dairy, grains or alcohol, which your body processes like sugar) for a while.

On a more important note: I truly think my mood was more even keel this month. I know I snapped less at the people I love most.

I’m in my final week and have some going forward thoughts if you’re interested. If the above t-shirt more accurately represents your level of interest, I completely understand. Smile.

Planning to slowly add:

Oatmeal and rice

Peanut Butter

Dairy at a minimum (like a splash in my coffee…though I must say I feel very adult enjoying my coffee black these days)

 

And sugar? I plan to take it slowly and really pay attention to things like mood, energy, headaches and sleep. And I want to make it count if I splurge: good chocolate not hidden sugar in salad dressing, for example.

 

We’ll see where I am in a couple of months. Hopefully not back to where I was, but in a realistic, healthy place.

 

Oh, on a positive note: Workouts are pretty amazing these days. Additional protein + no junk = feeling strong. I like that.

 

Okay, anyone have long-term sugar limitations that are working for them? Advice on adding back food groups from any experienced Whole 30ers? I’d love to hear!

Last time we got to read the first part of the Trans-Euphrates officials’ letter to King Darius. The disoriented officials needed to know if they should be stopping the Temple rebuild in Jerusalem. The exiles began to answer about Who they were serving and how captivity had made a rebuild necessary.

 

Let’s read on.

“However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree to rebuild this house of God. He even removed from the temple of Babylon the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to the temple in Babylon.

 

Then King Cyrus gave them to a man named Sheshbazzar, whom he had appointed governor, and he told him, ‘Take these articles and go and deposit them in the temple in Jerusalem. And rebuild the house of God on its site.’ So this Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of the house of God in Jerusalem. From that day to the present it has been under construction but is not yet finished.’

 

Now if it pleases the king, let a search be made in the royal archives of Babylon to see if King Cyrus did in fact issue a decree to rebuild this house of God in Jerusalem. Then let the king send us his decision in this matter.”

 

Ezra 5:13-17

 

I’m kind of liking this built-in recap. I also appreciate how the officials are making sure they have their information correct before they proceed. Then leaving the matter in the king’s hands.

 

Because here’s the thing: There were really two sides in this whole ordeal. The officials ruling now didn’t know of King Cyrus’ orders. Nothing had been happening in Jerusalem for years. Suddenly they hear the temple is being rebuilt – and in earnest – and they aren’t sure what to do. They were doing their job.

 

And our exiles? They had been slacking but now were trying to obey God’s instructions through the prophets.

 

So what do you do in a situation where everyone is wrong and everyone is right?

 

You submit the case to the King.

There have been times when my feelings were telling me I was completely a victim in a situation. I had been doing what I knew to be right when someone else was wrong. And it wasn’t acknowledged. I wanted justice.

 

But what God wanted from me was to own up to 100% of my sin in the situation. 100%. No I’m sorry, but did you see…

 

One hundred percent.

 

I remember in one particular situation (that only Jesus and my hubs know about – in case I know you in real life and you’re curious) it was almost physically painful to bow down to His Authority and repent in a smaller area because I was so sure I was right in a bigger area. But only when I moved toward repentance where needed was He freed up to tenderize my heart and teach me how to rely on Him in conflict.

 

Here is what I’m learning: any area in which I’m tempted to feel like a victim, it is usually because at some level I am thinking, What so-and-so did I would never do.

 

And you know what my faithful Father has done? He has recreated many of those scenarios in my life where I had the opportunity to “never do it” to someone else. And each time, on some level, I didn’t pass my own standards.

He is absolutely committed to making sure we know it is His righteousness, not ours. Not because He’s mean. Not to beat us down.

 

But because we choke on our own self-righteousness otherwise.

 

I know I do. Every time.

 

Rather than pleading our own case, He seems to prefer we submit the case to Him and say, “If it pleases the King, let a search be made…Then let the King send us His decision in this matter.”

Oh, He is good. There will be no incorrect judgments when He is given control. Because He sees all the way into every single person’s heart involved.

 

Please hear my heart as a fellow conflict-learner: pride is often the only thing standing between us and complete liberation.

 

Let’s bow down.

Have you been remembering Winter Wednesdays at the Sedgwick County Zoo? Every Wednesday through February, entrance is only $2.50 per person. Great time to visit if you don’t have a pass this year.

Join the conversation at tonight’s Hack Night with Open Wichita beginning at 5:30 pm at The Labor Party (a brilliant coworking space Downtown). See a list of current projects this organization is tackling here.

 

Watermark is partnering with The Kansas Leadership Center to host a book launch for Ed O’Malley and Amanda Cebula’s new release Your Leadership Edge. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, January 19th at 6:00 pm at the Kansas Leadership Center at 325 E Douglas in Downtown Wichita.

Beginning this Saturday the 16th, Wichita State University’s Ulrich Museum of Art will be showing Visual Justice: The Gordon Parks Photography Collection. Admission is free.

 

The Great Plains Nature Center hosts Naturally Crafty every Tuesday from 10:00 to noon. This free event will provide all the materials you need to create a masterpiece.

 

Ooo: This Monday the 18th is one of the selected days for Free Admission to America’s National Parks. If you’re taking a road trip over the long weekend, consider exploring our nation. For free. (Thanks Wichita On the Cheap)

 

If you join the Wichita YMCA before January 18th, your $50 joiner fee will be waived. Great deal and friendly staff.

 

Library:

Drop in at Alford Branch this afternoon any time from 1:00-2:30 for tech help. Anything from a new device to job applications, technology staff will be available to help you explore.

Alford Branch is hosting a Beach Party tomorrow afternoon from 2:30-3:30. Luau party, games, crafts, and a dream of the beach.

Also on Friday the 15th, head to Angelou from 2-5 to make a harmonica from popsicle sticks, paper, and toothpicks. That sounds interesting.

Saturday the 16th, come to Central at 2:30 so the whole family can recreate famous works of art. Then create original prints of your own.

On Tuesday the 19th, come to Evergreen from 6:30-7:30 pm with the whole family to make rainbows and explore colors.

 

And don’t forget: All branches will be closed on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Day

 

Have a wonderful weekend!