I have been catching up the second week of my Esther study today. In the video, week one (not introductory week) Beth warned us that days one, two and three of this week would give our blood reason to boil. She was right. It also gave us reason to reflect. Day Three took me back to age 14, glad it was only in thought!! At 14, I saw myself as ugly with nothing to offer. That opinion did not change for decades and even today I have relapses. I have spent more of my life than you need to know wanting to be beautiful and cursing myself because I was not.

In Esther’s day, only the ‘beautiful’ were considered as candidates worthy to enter the King’s beauty pageant. You will recall he was looking for a Queen. I feel that way about today. Next time you allow yourself to view television, take note of the ads that by their very existence tell us we are inferior unless our bodies are thin, toned and tanned, our hair silky and sexy and our teeth dazzling white. And that’s only a fraction of what’s out there to tell us we do not measure up!! And you know what? I don’t measure up and this side of heaven, I never will. And if I think about it too long I will either become ear smoking angry or binge eating depressed. So we shall not tarry here. I cannot afford either of those options.

Beth reminded me of something in this study that is so very helpful. She said on page 38 of the Esther study work book: “The remainder of our lesson underscores a fact about biblical narrative. God often makes the story line flow uninterrupted — even by interjections of moral judgments.” She explained this to mean that when Father recorded some of these stories for us in Holy Writ, He did not stop the story to tell us that He disagreed with the conduct of the characters.

You see years ago when I studied Esther I thought surely I am reading this wrong. Surely Esther was not part of a harem. Surely the text did not mean that King Xerxes examined these young women up close and personal to decide which one he would make queen. Well, yes he did! Was that God’s idea? NO. And I cannot type that emphatically enough! Can you imagine how those girls felt? Read verse 14 of chapter 2 with me. In the evening she would go in and in the morning she would return to the second harem, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not again go in to the king unless the king delighted in her and she was summoned by name. I’m surprised she was not given a number rather than identifying her by name! Can you imagine the thoughts that bombarded them after their night with the king, being sent away to wait and see if they were ‘beautiful’ enough? Can you imagine being stripped of your virginity by a one night stand? King Xerxes was anything but a king to me. Beth asked us to compare some Scripture; to compare King Xerxes to King Jesus. Here are the texts and my comments:

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Jesus covered me rather than disrobing me. Jesus gave me His righteousness rather than defiling me.

Ephesians 5: 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, 27 That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless].

Jesus gave Himself for me; He cleansed me rather than dirtying me up. And rather than putting me away and calling only for me in the secret of the night, Jesus presents me to the Father as His BRIDE. I am not a one night stand!

Revelation 19: 7- 8 and 16 7 Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has come, and His bride has prepared herself.

8 She has been permitted to dress in fine (radiant) linen, dazzling and white–for the fine linen is (signifies, represents) the righteousness (the upright, just, and godly living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God) of the saints (God’s holy people).

16 And on His garment (robe) and on His thigh He has a name (title) inscribed, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

He dresses me in His Righteousness rather than stripping me for carnal pleasure. He makes me His Bride not a concubine. In Christ we are His Bride, not part of a harem. We have not been summoned to a one night stand but eternity with our King.

You have heard it said beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. To many folks I am not beautiful, often even to myself. But you know what, it is sin for me or for you to think that way.

There are probably other Texts but this one I have found so far.

Psalm 149: 4 For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.

So when I tell you that your are beautiful. It is so. And I am going to practice telling myself it is so.

Father, thank You for Esther; for recording the book for us; for the study You gave Beth to share with us; for the time in eternity that we will be with You and can meet Esther too. Thank You for the rich heritage You have given Israel; for the years You have taken care of them in and out of captivity. Thank You for the years You have taken care of me, in and out of captivity. Thank You that You have a good plan for my life and thank You to You I am beautiful. Thank You that all Your daughters are beautiful to You. Sons too. Help us to know this in our spirits that we may act accordingly.

We are still concerned this morning with these that are listed here. Bernie and Linda, Jacqueline and her sons, particularly Jackson, Darlene and Torkel, Janet and Steve – balance is coming, thank You. In these, there are many great and troubling needs represented. Long standing conditions and brave fights are represented here and that is good and we pray for more blessings for them. We still want to see them healed. Years of protection for our IDOK Troops are represented here and we KNOW it is only Your Grace and Love and we thank You ABBA for this. And we pray again for each of them to be protected today in mind, body and spirit. Some days, at least for parts of days, we are not keenly mindful of the condition of America, but this morning we are praying again for the President and this Administration that You will turn his heart and the hearts of his family and we pray You will turn this Nation to repentance. The Bill passed last week, and even in this we trust You to take care of us. We pray for Your Wisdom and the motivation to apply it in these economic times. Thank You that You are faithful to us in all times and we are safe trusting You. I pray for our IDOKs today; whatever it is that each of them need today I pray they will experience You in full provision. Amen and amen. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Woman of Sadness. Jeanette. Mia and family. Joy and Evan. Gina. Francis T. Cathy T. Cathie R and family. Jacqueline and Sons (River and Jackson) Emily. Walt. Phillip. Margie and Craig. Sandra. Terry and family. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Joan. David T’s Family. Kimberly. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Trisha. Patti’s Family. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Branson. The O’Brien family. Kim and her Fiancee. Jonathan. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Bernie and Linda. Darlene and Torkel. Edie G. Rachel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. Dylan. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn and Family. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. David & Allison. Jeanette and Earl and family. Callie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. Chuck. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Erin. Alan. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Lance. Candance and Family. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Andrew and Daughters. Lee. Sharron and family, Linda and family, Bev and Family, Mollie B. Friends at work.

Public and Private School Teachers.

Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.

Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church.

IDOKs Military Families.

IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Brant W. Christopher R. Joshua M. Brent. Drew. Justin G. Kyle N. Michael K. Sgt. Bozicevich. Bay N. T. Palin. John L. Richard M. Adam M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T.

IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.

Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G.

Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08) http://www.strafford1st.com/page25/page26/page26.html

Military at home – Tim. Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Lyndon A. Jason G. Captain Tran Josh.

The Peace of Israel.

Revival in America.

As I post this it is 66°F and Haze Blowing Widespread Dust in Baghdad, IQ (Airport) & the time there is 4:05 PM AST on February 17, 2009.