tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post9033557681368223428..comments2023-04-27T03:21:21.812-06:00Comments on The Fray of My Heart: Monday Morning Cover to CoverUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-78669007471036879022008-03-13T23:16:00.000-06:002008-03-13T23:16:00.000-06:00I've been talked to by a donkey or two...oh wait.....I've been talked to by a donkey or two...oh wait...that wasn't quite the story...lol.<BR/><BR/>Know what I liked best...Balaam saying ... gee, I didn't know you were there...if I knew, I wouldn't have been such a butthead. Sorry, that may just be the poorest interpretation EVER. Anyway, I was talking to a girlfriend tonight (on the way home from sushi...YUM) about how we talk...as if Christ isn't even with us in the room. I said what do you think Jesus would say if he were right here with us...woa...hold on...was I just Baalam...I didn't know you were there...if I knew...I might not have said those things. I think I might have said "I have sinned, but as long as you're there...ya mind pointing the way for me and my steed...uh...and may I take a picture, my family will never believe this." <BR/><BR/>Heard ya callin', so I thought I'd swing by and say howdy so you can link me up. No worries though...I haven't forgotten you. Just a few more months.<BR/><BR/>Ciao for now!Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07569370237911877839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-79790403763059851862008-03-13T17:55:00.000-06:002008-03-13T17:55:00.000-06:00Laura, thanks so much for your beautiful words by ...Laura, thanks so much for your beautiful words by e-mail and by comment. They sink deep in my soul. You have story so marked with Resurrection.Bev Brandon @ The Frayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14403416688340930011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-16237985231529918472008-03-13T17:52:00.000-06:002008-03-13T17:52:00.000-06:00Teri, I just left a way-too-long comment on your b...Teri, I just left a way-too-long comment on your blog! We would be delighted for you to join our chronological reading group of about 20 of us. The reading plan is listed in my sidebar. Jump in today as we are starting the book of Deuteronomy. Come back on Monday mornings for Cover to Cover. Leave a short/long comment or link us up to your blog if you want to write a Monday post. No commitment. No check-up's. No confessions. Just sweet accountability to read the Bible through this year! All are welcome. And none of us live in the same time, maybe one or two. But we all met through blogging, mostly through the LPM blog. Delighted and privilege to have you! BevBev Brandon @ The Frayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14403416688340930011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-31861640066668444922008-03-13T17:47:00.000-06:002008-03-13T17:47:00.000-06:00Bethanne, I just left a comment back to you...how ...Bethanne, I just left a comment back to you...how right you are. I know I think my indifferent God has showed up and my narcissistic self has to repent of wanting HIM to be like a vending machine for me---self obsessed! He is so beautiful, isn't HE? And when we surrender, His beauty pours out of all of us. Cause it's HIM. His Beauty pours out of you in your humility. I saw Lysa's comment back to you and I smiled---I'm with you!Bev Brandon @ The Frayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14403416688340930011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-49730721042132413822008-03-13T15:14:00.000-06:002008-03-13T15:14:00.000-06:00Bev,Finally, I get to sit down and enjoy your beau...Bev,<BR/>Finally, I get to sit down and enjoy your beautiful words. Your story about leaving your church broke my heart. How sad for you to lose so much. My prayers are going up for you and your family. I know He has a wonderful adventure planned for you. <BR/>I love the story of Balaam and the Donkey. it gets my boys attention every time! thanks for the insights.<BR/>LauraLaurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263995875732832349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-32564701103905951992008-03-13T14:14:00.000-06:002008-03-13T14:14:00.000-06:00Hi Bev,Thank you for such a beautiful comment on m...Hi Bev,<BR/><BR/>Thank you for such a beautiful comment on my blog. Plus, you DO understand the lack of Christian women friends whatever the reason.<BR/><BR/>I heard Beth on Life Today talking about having your 12, and then your 3 like Christ. Being in school and so far from my church, plus, my husband doesn't like group bible studies that meet during the week and I feel with whatever time I have leftover at the end of the day, I should spend it with my family...<BR/><BR/>However, I do miss that. Could I be a part of your Bible study? I am not sure how you are doing it, but I can read up. I still do my own Bible study and quiet time and I would love to have other women to share Bible Study with.<BR/><BR/>So, I would love to invite myself even though I don't know you all in "real world"...:-) Are all of you close by one another?<BR/><BR/>Hope your toe gets better and heals quickly. GOD wanted to slow you down. As Beth would say, "Child, you need to come away with the Father and get some rest"...:-) <BR/><BR/>Love in HIM,<BR/>TeriTeriAnnElizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15834866295066332351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-87285460504902858582008-03-13T13:28:00.000-06:002008-03-13T13:28:00.000-06:00Loved this:"It was my beautiful LORD standing in t...Loved this:<BR/><BR/>"It was my beautiful LORD standing in the middle of my road to oppose me and get my attention" <BR/><BR/>Most of the time we dont think God is so beautiful when HE opposes us....you are truly an inspiration, Bev.BethAnnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238839175341836771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-80535517696639261932008-03-13T09:55:00.000-06:002008-03-13T09:55:00.000-06:00Thank you Angie! Oh I TREASURE your praying for m...Thank you Angie! Oh I TREASURE your praying for me Angie for I don't think I know of many people praying for my family so I am humbled and honored by that. I was really moved by how many times they talked about being facedown. I am doing much better with my toe. Thank you so much Angie! Deeply appreciate your prayers more than I could say.Bev Brandon @ The Frayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14403416688340930011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-39880430060249603142008-03-13T09:49:00.000-06:002008-03-13T09:49:00.000-06:00Hey Josh----well we went from 31 degrees to 76 deg...Hey Josh----well we went from 31 degrees to 76 degrees awful fast. Did it really downpour snow last week?? How's that baby?? Good to hear from you. Thanks for stopping by.Bev Brandon @ The Frayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14403416688340930011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-78608155670502219712008-03-13T09:46:00.000-06:002008-03-13T09:46:00.000-06:00Fran, If truth be told, every one of us fights Him...Fran, If truth be told, every one of us fights Him and what He requires which is everything, nothing held back. I love your wrestling heart and childlike humility. He hears the cries of your heart. He knows your heart. And it is a beautiful one! The enemy got up before you did this morning! And you will continue to walk by faith and honor the God you so adore and love the people you so lavish on like me. Love you to pieces. Praying for you and all of us on this heart journey to find HIM right where we live and deal with our "stuff."---Numbers 33:55.Bev Brandon @ The Frayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14403416688340930011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-30778394762429958922008-03-13T09:41:00.000-06:002008-03-13T09:41:00.000-06:00Annette,You e-mailed me instead of posting a comme...Annette,<BR/>You e-mailed me instead of posting a comment. A beautiful response. You all need to go over to annie's eyes to read Annette's post on Numbers for this week. It is very intriguing, drawing you in to the heart of God. You can tell she wrestles with these words and it's so heartfelt and humble and even harrowing. Great job Annette! I always cling to what you write! Thanks so much! Love You! BevBev Brandon @ The Frayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14403416688340930011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-25679146690137457292008-03-13T09:38:00.001-06:002008-03-13T09:38:00.001-06:00Mary Lou, I prayed for you this week that you woul...Mary Lou, I prayed for you this week that you would trust Him as enough! So what does that look like? I don't know. I do know that your questions are beautiful and yearning and right. I don't know that we can be too needy for it's the best place to be---desperate for Him to come through for us. Thank you so much for your post. Love your heart of praise in midst of it all.Bev Brandon @ The Frayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14403416688340930011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-65176417934649108672008-03-13T09:38:00.000-06:002008-03-13T09:38:00.000-06:00Mary Lou, I prayed for you this week that you woul...Mary Lou, I prayed for you this week that you would trust Him as enough! So what does that look like? I don't know. I do know that your questions are beautiful and yearning and right. I don't know that we can be too needy for it's the best place to be---desperate for Him to come through for us. Thank you so much for your post. Love your heart of praise in midst of it all.Bev Brandon @ The Frayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14403416688340930011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-60267725059735113462008-03-13T09:35:00.000-06:002008-03-13T09:35:00.000-06:00Hey Kristin---always a joy to hear from you!!! "T...Hey Kristin---always a joy to hear from you!!! "The couch didn't move"--haha. I know the feeling, same with me. And I tried to put on a shoe yesterday but all I saw was stars. I'm pretty stable on my foot though. Praying for your stability in HIM and His Word --- Isaiah 33:6 says He is Kristin's stability. So you don't have to get it together....He already has --- we just have to find Him in it. You are always so humble and honest and I love that about you. Hope you are doing well today! Keep on coming back!Bev Brandon @ The Frayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14403416688340930011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-59919995058491549652008-03-13T09:32:00.000-06:002008-03-13T09:32:00.000-06:00Helen, You simply astound me with your writings! ...Helen, You simply astound me with your writings! Thank you so much. How did we ever find you?? You are so precious. I had 2 other people asking me those same questions about Balaam's story...God said don't go, go, don't go...whatever...all I know is that God got Balaam's attention and more importantly He got my attention through my circumstances and through these verses to see that it was my beautiful God standing in my reckless path---and I didn't even know it was reckless. It was just earthbound. And we are meant to co-author our lives for another world not this one. Thanks Helen!Bev Brandon @ The Frayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14403416688340930011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-76376201829313672462008-03-13T09:28:00.000-06:002008-03-13T09:28:00.000-06:00Jean,You may leave AS LONG AS YOUR HEART'S DESIRE ...Jean,<BR/><BR/>You may leave AS LONG AS YOUR HEART'S DESIRE LONG COMMENTS anytime at all. I so look forward to hearing your heart on Monday mornings. I loved Balaam's story too. I had a couple of friends who wanted me to exegete the story better but HEY this is about lingering with God in our hearts and I'm with you. I don't think Balaam's heart was with God so I love your "take" on it. And I am very challenged about how you described Moses life as one of love for the Israelites even when they wanted to get rid of him. And when Moses found out he couldn't enter the Promised Land, he's pointing to Joshua. God was enough for Moses! Thanks so much for stirring us up Jean, as always! See you on ETJ.Bev Brandon @ The Frayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14403416688340930011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-24826442180513352142008-03-12T19:17:00.000-06:002008-03-12T19:17:00.000-06:00How are you feeling, sweet Bev? You've been in my...How are you feeling, sweet Bev? You've been in my prayers! I guess I will keep you there!<BR/>Much love,<BR/>Angie xoxoAngela Baylishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16846369575832747037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-13411173661249191972008-03-12T08:26:00.000-06:002008-03-12T08:26:00.000-06:00Great Story. Take care!Great Story. Take care!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-80051036409216664552008-03-11T20:08:00.000-06:002008-03-11T20:08:00.000-06:00I am still praying for you tonight, Bev! I am sor...I am still praying for you tonight, Bev! I am sorry I didn't comment yesterday to say that I wrote a little bit of what lingered during our readings this week. I want you to know that I am praying "FACEDOWN" for you!<BR/><BR/>You are such an inspiration!<BR/>Love,<BR/>Angie xoxoAngela Baylishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16846369575832747037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-22616832698236003592008-03-11T14:26:00.000-06:002008-03-11T14:26:00.000-06:00Hey darling Bev...How is my sweet friend today on ...Hey darling Bev...<BR/>How is my sweet friend today on this Tuesday afternoon?? I hope your heart is well, your toe is better, and His peace is ON you!!!<BR/><BR/>I just have a quick comment on the whole trust concept...<BR/><BR/>This is a huge obstacle for me.<BR/>I trust Him but probably with only 75% or 85% or maybe a good 90% of my stuff....depending on the day and situation. <BR/><BR/>I'm asking Him to give me a heart that can COMPLETELY trust Him in every single thing that is in my life.....every single person in my life.....every single decision in my life...every financial matter.....every decision....<BR/><BR/>Its hard Bev. My flesh fights it so much. I need to revisit "Believing God" again I think. :)<BR/><BR/>I love ya. Praying for you daily.<BR/>Hugs and blessings~<BR/>FranFranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07463139671535000329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-43781265831220295532008-03-11T11:09:00.000-06:002008-03-11T11:09:00.000-06:00Well, I thought I left you a comment yesterday to ...Well, I thought I left you a comment yesterday to say how much I love your words about Balaam and the story itself, and so many other rich points in the readings this week. I so hope you are feeling better and are resting taking care of yourself. Thank you for taking the time to do this in the midst of feeling so bad! I have a lengthy post over at annie's eyes, too. God is so good through every desert experience!<BR/>www.annieseyes.blogspot.com <BR/><BR/>I love all your comments and how God lingers this week for each of you. He is mighty at work in your lives. Love, Annetteannettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12993065518117027383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-22664670621901716892008-03-11T06:04:00.000-06:002008-03-11T06:04:00.000-06:00Oh, Bev, I am so sorry that your toes has given yo...Oh, Bev, I am so sorry that your toes has given you so much trouble. I just wrote a post which evidently was not supposed to be posted because it didn't get posted. That is a sign to me, that I went and on and on too much. So, I will shorten it..two of your questions really stirred my heart ALL night last night...do I fall facedown when I have no water and do I trust in Him enough. He has me right here with you all and in another study at church on prayer that is right where I need to be for THIS time in my life. I am so humbled by that. I am also way too needy right now and that is breaking my heart. Anyway....those two questions did stir my heart and make me ponder on all I've been reading and they made me really think and much more than that they made me praise Him. Blessings on you and your toe. Once again your words were used by Him to minister to me.Mary Louhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14828003644053286026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-15882320181784147682008-03-10T22:59:00.000-06:002008-03-10T22:59:00.000-06:00Hi Bev. Just stopping by quickly to catch up with...Hi Bev. Just stopping by quickly to catch up with you, and once again have been drawn in by your insights in the cover to cover reading. All these verses are familiar as I studied them a few years ago in BSF with the Life of Moses study. I love what you had to say, and it really struck a chord with me and where my focus has been lately. Please pray for me as my Bible study time lately has felt more like a chore than a joy. Oh, how I want to hear from God, but haven't put forth much effort lately. I know the fault lies with me.<BR/>So sorry to hear about your toe. I actually think I broke mine around Valentine's Day when I caught it on the edge of the couch. The couch didn't move, so don't quite know how I managed that one, but the pain was so great. No fainting here, but lots of limping around for days. One thing my husband (who is a physical therapist) suggested right after it happened was to put a tennis shoe on to walk around. That really helped in the beginning. After a few days it actually felt better to just walk around barefoot, but it did provide some support at first. And remember to ice it often. I'll be praying for a quick recovering for you. Sorry for the long comment. I just love you so!<BR/>~KristinKristinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13095221473283038425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-74114724118497708362008-03-10T22:33:00.000-06:002008-03-10T22:33:00.000-06:00Hi Bev,I must say that I felt a bit lost this morn...Hi Bev,<BR/>I must say that I felt a bit lost this morning coming to your site and not seeing the Cover to Cover logo...although of course I completely understand based on the events of the last few days...but you have taught your gals well...I navigated myself onto a few sites and we carried on...lol. <BR/><BR/>I will have to come back and read your comments related to each question...right now I am picking my chin up off the floor...just your writing about Balaam was huge insight enough...there have always been aspects of that story that I have not fully understood...your illustration from your own life really was helpful...I always seemed to get stuck with the Lord saying don't go and then saying go and then don't go...what? <BR/><BR/>I definitely will be back and read some more when my mind isn't exploding but in a good way...ha!<BR/><BR/>For my thoughts click here<BR/><A HREF="http://helenw13.wordpress.com/" REL="nofollow">A Work of Heart</A>!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4455488815512843904.post-34529808046682013612008-03-10T22:01:00.000-06:002008-03-10T22:01:00.000-06:00I hope this post doesn't end up being too long, th...I hope this post doesn't end up being too long, there is so much I'd like to say, but I will have to leave a lot of it on the cutting room floor!!!!<BR/><BR/>I have to start with the donkey, because I love him/her! The story reminded me of the scripture that says if we don't praise Him, then the rocks would have to cry out. Well, Balaam didn't see the LORD, so the donkey took over for him! I loved it and what I found so humorous was the fact that Balaam carried on a conversation with his donkey like there was nothing strange in that at all. I really don't think he was surprised that his donkey started talking to him.....at least I did not get that idea! If I ever get called "a donkey", I'll remember this creature and say "thank you!" <BR/><BR/> A little more on Balaam....I did not get the idea that he was a willing messenger of the LORD's. He mentioned several times that he could only say what the Lord told him to.....I think that was because somehow he knew that God was not going to let him do otherwise, not because he had any innate "desire" to. In part of Balaam's 2nd oracle he said....."God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, AND I CANNOT CHANGE IT. No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed in Israel. The LORD "THEIR" God is with them; the shout of the King is among them." (I don't get the sense that Balaam considers God his God....he just daggone sight knows that HE IS GOD!!!!<BR/><BR/>OK, now for Moses, I will just try to draw a not so lengthy conclusion to what I love about him. These Israelites caused him to fall face down before His LORD many, many times. He cried out to God for them many, many times. They insulted him and Aaron many, many times. They grumbled and complained and complained and grumbled and Moses got tired of it, but he never stopped loving them. He never stopped giving of himself to those people because His God called him to do it and He loved his God. Because he loved his God, He also loved God's people. I sense he cried out for them out of a sense of love for them, not a sense of duty. When God took Moses up the mountain to show him the land He had given the Israelites, he reminded him that he would not be leading the people in because of the sin he and Aaron committed against God in not honoring Him as holy before the people. Moses' first response (what was recorded, anyway) was for the people. He did not complain, he did not protest and say "but, Lord, it was no big deal", he said "May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all mankind, appoint a man over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD's people will not be like sheep without a shepherd." I see love for the people in those words. And like every other time when Moses interceded for the people, God granted him his desire......why? Because Moses' desire of his heart for the Israelites was so much the desire of God's heart for the Israelites. I also don't think Moses minded one bit not going into the promised land, because he was going someplace a whole lot better! And there'd be no grumbling and complaining where he was going!<BR/><BR/>One more comment, then I'll go to bed! This is one more incident that spoke to me of Moses' humility and his love for the people. When God anointed 70 of Israel's leaders to help Moses there were 2 other men inside the camp that also received the anointing and they prophesied just like the other 70 who were gathered together. A young man ran and told Moses about Eldad and Medad and Joshua spoke up and said "Moses, my lord, stop them!" To which Moses replied "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD's people were prophets and that the LORD would put His spirit on them!" At first, I thought he probably said that because it would make his life a lot easier and then I thought, no, that's not the reason. Moses had a special relationship with his Creator God. When you have a special relationship with your LORD and you talk to Him and He talks to you, you are passionate about wanting others to experience that relationship too. I think Moses wanted the people to know the joy he knew in serving his God.<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>Bev, I love all your thoughts. Thanks so much for doing this for us and praying for us.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08912278593629429832noreply@blogger.com