Sex, drugs and rocks

Today: Genesis 30-31

I thought yesterday's reading was full of soap opera-style drama. Well, today's chapters describe some stuff that's pretty out there, too.

There's this guy Jacob who has two wives (Rachel and Leah--who happen to be sisters) and two mistresses (his wives' maids). Leah's son finds these things called "mandrakes" that Rachel trades a night with her/their husband to receive. What in the world are "mandrakes" you might ask? I looked up the definition on Google and it turns out that mandrakes are plants that can be used medicinally or as narcotics--so basically Rachel traded a night with her husband for a type of drug. Wow--and I thought Jerry Springer had a lot of drama!

What's interesting throughout this complicated story is once again how God cares about the people involved--He saw their hurt and heard their prayers.

At one point, Jacob and his father-in-law/uncle Laban make a covenant with each other and with God, symbolized by a pile of rocks. God served as a witness, watching over them and protecting them. In the midst of dramatic situations, God cared for His people and made sure they were cared for.

Tomorrow: Genesis: 32-34

There's nothing like...

Today: 2 Timothy

...Fill in the blank.

Some people would say there's nothing like...Baseball. Coldplay. Nintendo Wii. Family. Friends. Golf. Sex. Cake. "Better than sex" cake.

You get the point, right? :)

Today's passage said something different. In 2 Timothy, the apostle Paul tells Timothy that there's nothing like...the Word of God. Here's what it says:

There's nothing like the written Word of God

for showing you the way to salvation

through faith in Christ Jesus.

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed

and useful one way or another—

showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes,

training us to live God's way.

Through the Word we are put together

and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

Personally, this passage solidified why I'm doing this "project" right now...there aren't many things that can provide direction and training that totally shapes us and puts us together. There's nothing like our God and His Word.

Tomorrow: Titus-Philemon