Dad's Ramblings -- Journaling

"And when an inquiry was made into the matter [of the assassination plot], it was confirmed, and both were hanged on the gallows; and it was written in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king."
 
                                                          Esther 2:23
 
Chronicles – written records – are important. Without written accounts of history, future generations are left in the dark. The Bible is a chronicle of history and faith, and we would be impoverished without it. Leaving a record of our personal lives and our faith will teach and encourage future generations. Call it journaling or blogging, we need to leave a history of our lives in written form to point the way for those who follow.
 
Today's Thought:  Written histories are vital for understanding the present.
 
Have a journaling day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Speaking Up

"In those days, while Mordecai sat within the king's gate, two of the king's eunuchs, Bigthen and Teresh, doorkeepers, became furious and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. So the matter became known to Mordecai, who told Queen Esther, and Esther informed the king in Mordecai's name."
 
                                                     Esther 2:21-22
 
Mordecai was willing to get involved when he saw evil being planned. Being a "whistle-blower" is not easy. It is easier to say, "It's not my problem; I don't want to get involved." I keep quiet out of fear that I will become the victim. But I need to be willing to put my life and reputation on the line when I see wrong being committed, even if I suffer negative consequences. Integrity demands it.
 
Today's Thought: Speaking out against wrong is a matter of integrity.
 
Have an involved day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Accepted By Love

"So Esther was taken to King Ahazuerus, into his royal palace .... The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the other virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti."
 
                                                            Esther 2:16-17
 
King Ahazuerus was only being a human when he chose Esther because of her beauty. Most of us, perhaps unconsciously, choose our closest friends based on whether they are physically attractive or smell good. We tend to, at the best, tolerate those who are not outwardly appealing, and at the worst, we shun them. I'm so glad that God is not like that. I was a stinking, unlovely sinner when Jesus saved me. There was nothing in me that would be beautiful to God. Yet me chose me and accepted me in the beloved, and bestowed on me all the spiritual riches of heaven simply because he loved me (Ephesians 1:3-6). It was only because of his great love for me that I "obtained grace and favor in his sight." Oh, what wonderful love!
 
Today's Thought: True love is not based on physical attractiveness.
 
Have an "accepted" day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- In The Presence of the King

"Thus prepared, each young woman went to the king, and she was given whatever she desired to take with her from the woman's quarters to the king's palace .... Now when the turn came for Esther ... to go to the king, she requested nothing but what Hegai the king's eunuch, the custodian of the women, advised .... So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace .... The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight...."
 
                                                      Esther 2:13, 15, 16a, 17a
 
When Esther's time came to go to see the king, she took only what Hegai suggested. She did not take her own ideas of what was acceptable to the king and found favor in his sight. When my time comes, and I am ushered into the presence of the King, what will I take with me? My own bling-bling – my own accomplishments and my own goodness? Or will I take what pleases the King? I want to find favor in His sight.
 
Today's Thought: When we die, we will take with us only what is eternal.
 
Have a favorable day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Days of Preparation

"Each young woman's turn came to go into King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months preparation according to the regulation for the woman, for the days of their preparation were apportioned: six months with oil and myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women."
 
                                                            Esther 2:12
 
The key word in this verse is "preparation." The future queen of King Ahasuerus did not just rush into his presence without preparation. It took time for her to be made presentable to the king. If this is the case with an earthly king, how much more for the Heavenly King. We often have the attitude that is expressed in the contemporary song that says, "Come, just as you are to worship." It is wrong thinking to believe that we can just come into His presence any old way we feel like it. Even in the Old Testament, the priests had to go through preparations before entering the Holy Place. There was a laver in front of the door to wash themselves. We need to prepare – cleanse – ourselves to enter into His presence. On another level, as the future bride of the King, we are given days here on earth as preparation for Heaven in His presence. He is beauitifying His bride, cleansing and sanctifying her (separating her), "that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish"  (Ephesians 5:27). Some of us need more work than others, but He who has began a good work in us will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). Today is our time of preparation.
 
Today's Thought: We need to prepare ourselves to be in the presence of the King.
 
Have a preparation day. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- The Endless Job of Parenting

"And every day Mordecai paced in front of the court of the women's quarters, to learn of Esther's welfare and what was happening to her."
 
                                                              Esther 2:11
 
Parenting never ceases. Even when the children are out of the nest and there is not a lot the parents can do for them, Mom and Dad still worry (in a good sense of caring). I imagine Mordecai prayed as he paced, "Lord, help and protect Esther today." I wonder how much my parents paced the floor over me.  Even 25-30 years after my own children have left home, there is still a lot of pacing and praying, wondering, "How are the kids doing?" Lord, please bless my children today.
 
Today's Thought: Parenting is an endless job, even after the children leave home.
 
Someone is caring about you today. Love you.
 

Dad's Ramblings -- Finding Favor

"So it was, when the king's command and decree were heard, and when many young women were gathered at Shushan the citadel, under the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was taken to the king's palace into the care of Hegai, the custodian of the women. Now the young woman pleased him, and she obtained his favor."
 
                                                     Esther 2:8-9a
 
There was something about Esther that set her apart from the rest of the young women. Like Daniel who found favor with his caretaker (Daniel 1:9), Hegai was drawn to Esther above the others. Perhaps it was a gentle and quiet spirit. Perhaps it was a servant's heart. Perhaps it was a concern for others. Perhaps it was a calmness and poise that set her above the others. She reminds me of my daughter, Cheryl, whose beautiful spirit attracts people. Whatever it was, she was different. I want that kind of spirit that is attractive to people. My natural flesh is abrasive. But my desire is to "Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me."
 
Today's Thought: Inward beauty will cause a person to find favor with other people.
 
Have a "favorable" day. Love you.