Marilynn Dawson's Blog, page 8

Status of efforts on "Dressed for Eternity"

Bit of a quick recap on where I'm at with "Dressed for Eternity":
The New Jerusalem's foundations and the 12 Stones of Aaron's breastplate - done
The New Jerusalem's golden streets and gates of pearl - done

Ancient Jewish Bridal Attire - done
Food fit for the Bride of Christ - done

Isaiah 61:3,10-11 More on how God clothes His Bride - done

Spots and Wrinkles - done with a bit of tongue-in-cheek humour at times as we learn about spiritual laundry

Modesty - Time to research and write this one. working topics on the list in this category:

Modest apparel
What this may look like in various cultures
What modesty is
What modesty is not
Dressing in a manner that displays respect for one's self and the opposite gender
Understanding what produces lust in men and why
Understanding what produces lust in women and why
Not seeking attention from others
Not behaving in ways that draw unnecessary attention
Not dressing in ways that draw unnecessary attention
Not accessorizing in ways that draw unnecessary attention

And then I will need to write a conclusion to the whole book. I'm actually surprised at how quickly most of this has come together so far. The hubs over at http://marilynndawson.hubpages.com have been well-received, so that gives me hope for how well the book will be received once it's published.

This last section may be the hardest to put together well.  We'll have to see.  I am now looking for cover image ideas.  Share in the comments if you have any suggestions.

Rough Draft Excerpt from "Dressed for Eternity" Which Hill was David talking about?

Bonnett

The fine linen bonnet reminds us that Christ is our covering, just as we learned in our discussion on ornaments when we discussed the Roman soldier's helmet. One of the definitions of “bonnet” is that of a hill, or high place, or a lifting up.

Psalms 3:3-4 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. 4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.

Psalms 121:1-2 A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

Many teachers and many songwriters have assumed that the hill to which David lifts his eyes in Psalm 121, is not the Hill of the Lord where the Temple stood, but the hills upon which altars to false gods stood instead. They say he is asking a question here, instead of making a statement.

However,what if he's speaking of the hills of Jerusalem? What if it is not aquestion he is asking at all, but a statement instead. In Psalm 3,David says God heard him out of where? God's holy hill! In Psalm121, David lifts his eyes to the Maker of ALL the hills! God isgreater than the groves under which false gods were worshipped. Remember we learned a few pages back that God stamped His initialinto the Jerusalem hills.

Psalms 15:1-2 A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

Psalms 24:3-6 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

Psalms 99:9 Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.
But notice who may worship there? Can an unclean heart worship in God's Holy Hill? Can a man with dirty hands stand in His holy place?

Sadly, eventually the people of Israel thought they could, and God had to bring judgement down on the Levite tribe.

The Gnarled Tree

It's been an interesting past few days to say the least. Two themes over the past week have kept reverberating: Trees, love shown through obedience, and brokenness. I guess that makes three themes. But they have, in various ways, intertwined with each other as tends to be the case when God is showing me things.

This morning's devotional reading in the first half of John 15 intertwined them yet again. We as human beings, are unable to show God we love Him unless we choose to show it through our obedience to the precepts and commands of His Word. This is reiterated in Psalm 1. The person that meditates and delights in God's Word is likened to a tree by a stream, whose leaves never wither and whose fruit is always present. Christ says in John 15, that His Words must remain in us, that apart from Him, we can't do a single meaningful thing for Eternity, but that if we choose to abide in Him, and His Words in us, that we will bear much fruit.

Contrast this now to a thought that was presented Sunday morning by my pastor. Actually it was first presented by Pastor Rick Warren in a TV interview with Piers Morgan this past week. Now let me say from the beginning that I am not a fan of many things Rick has said over the years. My initial and continued impression of his best seller, "Purpose Driven Life" is one of bothered concern. Yes there are some good teachings in that book, but yes there are also some very narcissistic thoughts in there too. At times the book is far too "me-centered" for me to be comfortable with it. So I'm not a raving fan by any means. But he did say something in an interview about how he and his wife are handling the suicide death of their son, that caught my attention. "I'd like to think that even a broken tree can bear fruit". This was voiced due to his son having brought people to Christ and helping many others while he himself struggled with mental illness before his death.

God has spoken to me in the past about the fact that He uses broken vessels. The banner I printed out in 2007 is still on my monitor to this day, and it says, "The Water of Life flows through broken vessels". It is only in our brokenness that the Holy Spirit can have the freedom He needs to live through us to the world around us. A whole person tends to be a prideful person and one who feels they can do anything they put their mind to. While they may indeed be resourceful and capable, they can get in the way of God's purposes for them simply by thinking they have it all together. A broken person doesn't make such lofty aspirations and is in a more humble position to allow the Holy Spirit free reign in their life.

Many of us are like the broken trees. We have spent time in God's Word, we have meditated on His ways, but life has not been kind and branches have been broken. But for this author at least, imagine the surprise when looking back over those difficult times and still seeing fruit for the Kingdom being produced!!! God uses us in the difficult times, in the black times, and in those times when we expect to look back and see nothing but struggle and poor judgement. Such hindsight always fills me with wonder and amazement.

But look at the ancient gnarled tree. Look at it's trunk and the large thick branches. What do you see? Do you see huge gapping scars where other branches were once attached? Do you see growth angles that seem unnatural because of suffering through too many wind storms? But look again. Look at it's twisted, misshapen form again. What it is about that old gnarled tree that makes it so beautiful? Is it not precisely those things that happened to it over the years? Does it not speak of perseverance, of strength, of trials and triumphs? That tree has lived through much. It has suffered through storms and those storms have ripped off branches and caused it to seemingly bend out of shape. But here it stands, thick, strong, and still providing shade to children who play at it's feet in the summertime.

May I grow to be like that tree. Maybe my shape is twisted, a few branches lost leaving gaping scars. But look at the storms God has brought me through. . . and my life isn't over yet. There is more of life yet to be lived. But no matter what life throws at me, may I always be found with my tap root down deep into God's Word, sustaining me through the winds and trials of life, that I may stand strong in the face of adversity.

Perspectives in obedience

My personal devotions this morning had me in the latter half of John 14.  The first verse I read today, and whose thought was repeated throughout that passage, was sharing the concept of showing my love for God through my obedience to His commandments and to His Word.

God has spoken to me at various times about this concept, particularly after I got a bit mildly upset one time that He could hug me, but I couldn't hug Him back.  While I can soak up His affectionate displays to me, the way I am to display my affection for Him is two-fold:

First, I am to choose to spend time with Him every day, both in prayer and in His Word.  A couple does not deepen their love for each other by continually being apart.  They spend time together, sometimes in silence, sometimes one sharing or the other, or both of them discussing what's on their heart together.  There are many things on God's heart, but He can't share them with those who do not bother to take the time to just "be" with Him.  God doesn't like to rush around, He likes unhurried quiet time with just you and Him.

Second, I am not merely to engage in conversation with Him, but actively listen and seek to apply what He's shared to the events and interpersonal encounters every day.  In this manner I show God that I do indeed love Him merely by how I choose to live in accordance with how He's asked me to live.

Encompassing both of these concepts is the heart of gratitude.  I've said it many times before and I'll say it again.  God canNOT resist the heart that truly offers thankful appreciation for all He does in their lives, both in them, around them and through them.  Elsewhere in Scripture we are told to bring our petitions with thanksgiving.  In this passage in John 14, Christ said that the disciples should have rejoiced that He said He was going to the Father.  I think if He hadn't been God, their behaviour would have bewildered Him.  Here Christ was, stating the last part of the Jewish betrothal ceremony, and his disciples are totally blanked out on the thought.  The Jewish bride, out of her love for her bridegroom, gets excited when he goes to his father's house, because she knows he is preparing their special room and will return for her.  Christ was expecting this same anticipation, but apparently didn't get it.

But even as the early members of the Bride of Christ somehow missed what He was saying, Jesus still calls to His Bride today, and looks for those who eagerly await His return, who are looking after their Robe's of Righteousness by staying unspotted from the world, who are reaching out to the lost, who have on the Armor of God and who love their God so deeply that they will literally do anything for Him!

I haven't arrived yet.  I love my unseen Heavenly Bridegroom more deeply now than ever before, but sadly, there are times when I still slip and don't do as I ought to do.  There is still room for heart-felt repentance and moving forward.  

When Research and Scripture Collide: Psalm 1:2-3

Psalms 1:2-3 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Tonight as I was attending the second of five Hearing God seminars graciously granted to Evangel via Southlands Church in Steinbach Manitoba, these were the words God spoke to me.

This is a reminder, not just to me, but to any who will listen, that just as the Olive Tree that grows in rocky, barren places in Israel is green year-round and gives one to two harvests every year, so we, God's children, are offered the ability to be as that tree. The promise is only to those who choose to spend time in God's Word, meditating on it, and truly taking delight in it. For it is when we spend time mulling over the Scriptures that God through the Holy Spirit illuminates them to our hearts, making them applicable to our daily life choices. It is when we allow God's Word to speak to us that the Holy Spirit can be the person He is meant to be in our lives, which is to be a helper, teacher, and guide. As we surrender to the Holy Spirit's role and submit to His teaching and guidance that the Fruit of the Spirit is then able to become present in our lives. The Holy Spirit is represented by Oil, in addition to other metaphors used to describe Him and His ways.

In the ancient days, olive oil was used from baking and cooking to lighting lamps in homes and the Tabernacle. The Oil of the Spirit will be present in our lives when we allow the Word of God to penetrate.

Indeed, we shall be as the Olive Tree whose leaves - which bring healing and peace, shall not wither, and whose Fruit of the Spirit will always be in season. It doesn't matter whether what season we are in, weather plenty or drought, because this tree grows anywhere and actually prefers the ground of dry and broken places of our lives. It is there that the Holy Spirit can reach us, it is there we can put roots down into God's Word, and it is out of that place of barrenness and brokenness, of desert and thirst, that God can fill us to overflowing.

For more on the research I did about Olive Oil, click here:  http://marilynndawson.hubpages.com/_sbnews/hub/Olive-Oil-Food-Fit-for-the-Bride-of-Christ

First and Second research quests complete for latest project

That's right, not only is the preliminary research done for The 12 Stones of Aaron's Breastplate, but the research for Ancient Jewish Bridal Attire is now done as well.  Their links are here:  

http://marilynndawson.hubpages.com/_sbnews/_sbnews/hub/Aarons-Breastplate-The-New-Jerusalem-and-the-Bride-of-Christ

and

http://marilynndawson.hubpages.com/_sbnews/hub/Ancient-Jewish-Bridal-Attire-an-Introduction

I realized there were three more items to research after the attire.  New Jerusalem had two items not covered by the stones, and the bridal adornment has three items not covered by the attire, namely, the food God mentions in Ezekiel 16.

So I have begun that research next.  

As with my first book project,"Becoming the Bride of Christ: A Personal Journey", it appears that some aspects of this new project will appear to repeat itself in some places.  Largely because the next major section of the book will be dealing with some of the spiritual aspects already brought out in tidbits in the previous notes.  Except for one, and that is the Oil of the Spirit.  Part of that discussion will involve the Tabernacle oil.  So that will probably receive the public research treatment along with the others so far.  

The last portion of the project will actually discuss practical applications to the concept of modest dress in the everyday life of the Christian, from casual to formal, from work to party, etc.  I have two sources I'll be using so far, but if my readers have other suggestions as well, I'm all ears.  I will be discussing this from God's point of view, not popular cultural viewpoints in or out of the Church.  So if you have resources or know of resources that care more about what God thinks on the practical subject than what society says is acceptable, those are what I'm really interested in.  The church has allowed itself to be shaped by the world in many modern cultural norms, instead of shaping the culture instead.  So this section won't be aimed at winning popularity contests.  Rather it will seek to give practical application to the principals of modesty in God's Word.

The adventure continues.

Second Round of Research for How God Adorns His Bride - Just over half done

 http://marilynndawson.hubpages.com/_sbnews/_sbnews/hub/Ancient-Jewish-Bridal-Attire-an-Introduction

The above link goes to the introductory article for this second round, where so far, the apparel pieces mentioned in Ezekiel 16 have all been covered.  It's been an interesting journey so far, to say the least.  The surprising element has indeed been the comparison to the Apostle Paul's writing in Ephesians 6 as he discusses the Armour of God, basing it off what the Roman soldiers wore who were with him.

Another surprising element has been the descriptions of the Shulamite woman in Song of Solomon as he describes what up to now had always been thought of as her features.  It may be, that in at least three places, he was describing her bridal attire instead.  

With roughly five more pieces yet to research in this section, only some of these surprising elements have been introduced.

It will definitely be interesting how everything ties together once I finish doing my research and start writing for the book.  Scripture references only alluded to will be quoted, and analogies drawn will be more fully explored.

The previous research dealt with the 12 Stones of Aaron's Breastplate, the New Jerusalem, the 12 Tribes, the 12 Apostles and how it all tied together for the Bride of Christ.  That link is here: http://marilynndawson.hubpages.com/_sbnews/_sbnews/hub/Aarons-Breastplate-The-New-Jerusalem-and-the-Bride-of-Christ 

The two articles not attached to this discussion are gold and pearls:  

http://marilynndawson.hubpages.com/_sbpin/_sbnews/hub/Pearl-The-Gates-of-the-New-Jerusalem

http://marilynndawson.hubpages.com/_sblink/_sbnews/hub/Gold-The-Streets-of-the-New-Jerusalem

When I first signed up at hubpages.com, I created two tech hubs and now one of them is up for the newbie Rising Star Award with voting open till this coming Wednesday.  I'd love it if you'd vote for "Help! My Computer Won't Boot!":  http://hubpages.com/topics/technology/5338  The link is on the left under "Rising Star Candidates".

Once these last five pieces are researched, I'm not sure the next two sections will become hub articles.  But the writing will begin.  It is my hope that the weather where I live cools down enough to have the patio door closed long enough every day to start recording the daily sessions from "Becoming the Bride of Christ: A Personal Journey" too.  If I can get these recordings done with a minimum of street noise, then I will be offering the series as audio books, and offering a paid audio podcast daily version of the study in the new year.

With all these aspirations, I covet your prayers for solid health, and for the finances to pay the bills.  It would be great to have the income coming in as I work to complete these goals.

To that end, if you want to feel like you are helping out in a small way, pass these hubpages links around to your friends and acquaintances who might be interested in the subject matter.  The advertising you see earns me a cut of the site's advertising revenue every day.  Secondly, get your friends to buy my series or my grad gift from Amazon or Deeper Shopping outlets.  Thirdly, and most importantly, pray.  Prayer cover is an amazing thing when directed to the King of the Universe.

So here's to a new week.  Let's see how far I get.

On to the Second Round of Research!

So I spent the latter half of August researching the 12 Stones of Aaron's Breastplate, how they paired up with the 12 foundation stones of the New Jerusalem, and what that means for the Bride of Christ.  You can find that research here:  http://marilynndawson.hubpages.com/_sbnews/hub/Aarons-Breastplate-The-New-Jerusalem-and-the-Bride-of-Christ  Each stone has a link near the introductory article's conclusion.  Each stone's article, below the first block of google ads, has pictorial links going to the next stone, or leading back to the previous stone.  In this way you can travel through all 12 stones.

Now I'm on to the second phase of research.  This time the subject matter is the list of bridal finery spoken of in Ezekiel.  Trying to pull the introductory article together proved as much of a challenge as it was for the 12 stones.  I finally got it written here:  http://marilynndawson.hubpages.com/_sbnews/hub/Ancient-Jewish-Bridal-Attire-an-Introduction

As with the research on the 12 stones, this introductory article on Bridal attire will have a growing list of further article links near the conclusion of the article, until this section is completed.  Comparisons here will be made occasionally with the Armour of God as given in Ephesians.  An observation in Song of Solomon will be of interest as well.

There are two more major areas of research before this book will finally be ready to be written.  I'm still not sure what I'm going to title it, but I'm willing to accept ideas.

The goal of this book will be to examine the various kinds of adornment listed in Scripture and how God uses them in reference to His Bride.  Existing title ideas are:

Dressed for Eternity
The well-dressed Christian
Dress(ed) to Impress: The Question is, Who?
All Dressed Up and Heaven-Bound
Hey Christian, What's in Your Trousseau?!

It is very possible that this book too, like "Becoming the Bride of Christ: A Personal Journey", may turn into a study rather than a book.  We'll have to see.  If that happens, the title might change again.

If you'd like to suggest a title for this book, just leave a comment below.

Back to School, are you ready?

Welcome to another edition of Songdove Books Newsletter

August was a busy month, or so it seemed. The Lazy Days of Summer weren't very lazy around this house. The big reason for that was the discovery of so many schools going back into session so much earlier than I'm used to. The wonderful world of the Internet sometimes opens windows that you weren't expecting, and one of those windows for me has been book marketing. Voicing the desire to engage in "Back to School" sales suddenly landed me among students and teachers telling me that they were going back, in some cases as early as the first full week of August! Needless to say, something had to be done about that!

It was too soon to throw together a Back to School Blog Tour, but in it's place a few spotlights and interviews helped draw attention to my books.

Saturday Spotlight
Thorns
http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.ca/2013/08/saturday-spotlight-becoming-bride-of.html

Featured Author with Lindsey Rietzsch:
http://behindthescenesauthor.blogspot.ca/2013/08/this-weeks-featured-author-marilynn.html

Interview with Soaring Eagle Publicity:
http://soaringeaglepublicity.com/2013/08/interview-with-marilynn-dawson-author-of-moms-little-black-book/

In addition to these mentions, Songdove Books ran a two-week Back to School contest that took place on the author Facebook page as well as on the author blog. Congratulations Amy on winning a free PDF copy of "Mom's Little Black Book: Godly Advice for the High School Graduate".

Lastly on the Back to School theme, is a 20% off sale happening at the author blog (http://songdove.fa-ct.com/wordpress-mu/songdovemusings/) and Storenvy.com storefront (http://songdovebooks.storenvy.com) . Anything in these two locations is 20% off until September 30th. If you buy a copy of "Mom's Little Black Book: Godly Advice for the High School Graduate" from the blog store today or tomorrow (Saturday or Sunday), you'll also get a link to "21 Prayers for Teen Girls" by Shelley Hitz, which is free till Sunday night.

NEW PROJECT!!!

That's right, Songdove Books has embarked on a new writing project! While compiling "Becoming the Bride of Christ: A Personal Journey", the thought would occasionally come to me, "How does God adorn His Bride?" I finally began exploring that this month and you can see the research at Hubpages.com (http://marilynndawson.hubpages.com/_sbnews/hub/Aarons-Breastplate-The-New-Jerusalem-and-the-Bride-of-Christ) . This link will take you through the 12 Stones of Aaron's Breastplate. Clicking my profile link will display the latest hub as well, which at the time this newsletter was written, was the pearly gates of Jerusalem. Gold will be appearing next, following by other references in Scripture of items God uses to adorn His Bride. Once all my research is complete, the actual writing will begin.

Looking Ahead

So what do you have planned for the Fall? Do you have children going back to school? Do you have someone going to college or university? Does Fall represent a return to routine for you? It is my prayer that God will go with you into whatever change is coming, that He will guide you, grant you wisdom, and keep you safe.

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It isn't just Fiction Writers that Do Crazy Things for their Stories!!!

Yes, even us non-fiction writers can find ourselves doing some pretty crazy things in order to get the content we need.

While for some, that has meant spending untold dollars on trips around the world, I've kept my travels online.  Doing so only costs me the monthly invoice for my Internet access, which I'm going to pay anyway due to all the email, work, book promotion, ministry, obtaining news, etc that gets done.  Not to mention my kids, er, young adults use it to watch youtube, play MMO's, and hang out with their friends.  Some would say the online travel then, is free, costing nothing beyond the usual monthly bills.

However you look at it, travel is indeed what I've found myself doing lately!  See I have this new project. . . I finally put an outline together earlier this month of what a book project might entail regarding how God adorns His Bride in the Scriptures.  This involves gathering said Scripture references, then going through each item mentioned, what it's properties are, and what those properties mean to the Bride of Christ.

My first set of travels have centered around the 12 Stones of Aaron's Breastplate and those same stones in the 12 Foundations of the New Jerusalem.  You can track my progress one of two ways:

1) Via the "short list" at Squidoo:  http://www.squidoo.com/the-12-stones-of-aaron-39-s-breastplate-and-the-new-jerusalem

or 2) Travel with me from the beginning of this discussion directly on hubpages here: http://marilynndawson.hubpages.com/_songdovebooks/hub/Aarons-Breastplate-The-New-Jerusalem-and-the-Bride-of-Christ  Just follow the linked hubs across the bottom (as in below a block of google ads and below my copyright notice) to hop from hub to hub till you catch up with me.

I just did the ninth hub today and will add it to the squidoo short list once it's out of "pending" status.

But gathering the info for these hubs has taken me into rather unfamiliar territory.  Those that know me will agree that I hardly EVER wear jewelry!  Even in my younger years, the amount of jewelry I wore was either a bracelet once in a blue moon, or a necklace.  But now I don't even wear those.  Yet here I am, researching precious and semi-precious gem stones!!

I've ended up on Jewish sites, gemologists sites, wikipedia, etc, with an initial total of at least 20 sites just to get my introductory piece written!  It hasn't helped that scholarly consensus is almost nill on much of this!  Everyone has their reasons that may or may not line up with a) how Scripture described the stone, b) which definition of any given Hebrew or Greek word used for the apparent name of the stone, c) which stone was placed where in the breastplate or foundation and whose tribe or apostle was assigned to it.  So the initial write up took two days to research before I could arrive at any conclusion based on a minimum of three agreeing sources per stone, per tribe and per apostle.  

Looking for pictures to go with these studies has been interesting too.  Most of the images come from morguefule.com.  But occasionally I've had to travel elsewhere.  To this point, I've need permission for one photo so far, and attributed two other photos to their sources to keep from being accused of plagiarism.

Who knows where this range of study will take me to next.  As of the time of this note's time/date stamp, I have three stones left to present, then the great pearly gates, and the streets paved with gold.  That will keep me busy for this week.  Then it's on to other passages in Scripture describing other aspects of the Bride's attire.

While I've been at this, two sources related to teaching earthly modesty have come into my hands, so that list is already growing and I am a long distance away from reaching that discussion in my project!  I won't get that far until I start working on the everyday practical application of the Bride's adornment.

So while my daughter studies sword fighting techniques, carding wool, and castle layouts for her novel, I'm virtually traveling the world gathering info on subjects no one would ever have anticipated entering my mind!

Welcome to the crazy changing world of Marilynn Dawson!