Category is…

Salut! And welcome back to this little space on the internet. 

Sometimes, I don’t quite know how to start a post up and this is one of those moments. But today, I want to talk about categories. I am in the process of deleting and renaming some categories, and I am also in the process of introducing new ones. Although I’ve narrowed it down to 8, they may or may not see the light of day.

I sat on these categories for a while, some as far back as 2017. Yeah, I know, I’m a delinquent. I procrastinate. A lot. 

Adventures in the Kitchen

Yep, that’s a live feed of me in the kitchen trying to cook. I’m enjoying being in the kitchen lately, so I’ll like to share some of the things I’ve been making or simply enjoy eating. 

Arts & Craft

It all started in 2017 when I complied the top ten museums I’ll love to visit and my top 10 favorite paintings. Mind you, these posts are still in drafts after all of these years. I recently found some drawings I did when I used to fan girl over stuff and since I’ve been getting the itch to start again – I have to dust off the rust first – I thought this would make a good category.

The Bible in Prophecy

Prophecies straight from the Bible show what has already been established and what is yet to come. Is there an event called the rapture just before the coming of the One True King? What is the 3rd temple? Who/what is the anti-Christ? These are a few topics I’ll like to explore.

Blast from the Past 

Another category that has been sitting in drafts, withering away since 2017. I had planned to revisit nostalgia through certain TV shows and movies and see if I feel the same way about them. I already have some notes in drafts.

Fairy tale Friday

It all started when I helped a student with a fairy tale thesis and I’ve been meaning to explore the dark world of fairy tales ever since. That is if this category eventually makes the cut.

Lessons from God

This is self-explanatory. God has taught me and has been teaching me so much that I’ll like to share some of the lessons I’ve learned from Him.

Tour Trinidad

I’ve been waiting to launch this category for a while and now, the time is here. This is a subcategory for Travel Tuesday in which I’ll show you around my town. 

What’s Up Weds

Twice a month (or so), we meet in the middle of the week to interact. We’ll discuss non-personal items such as a favorite treat or what we’re currently reading.

And those are the categories I hope to start working on in the right timing. I’ll have to randomly schedule some of these categories in the future for its only one blog and it’s on its way to becoming congested. 

***GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPM are via Google Search (Right-click for original source)

Disclaimer

Advertisement

Book Haul 2020 📚

It’s hard not to buy books when you’re on a book ban, but when they’re books that leave you no choice but to buy them, then why resist?

Yes, yes, it does make me happy! 😃 It might be my first and last of 2020, but it’s book haul time!

The Extraordinary Journeys of Clockwork Charlie by Dave Butler

I got this one for my youngest sister. I don’t know much about this book, but it’s part 1 of a 3-part series. She tends to gravitate towards books for a younger audience and I hope the story in this book will be engaging enough to hold her interest until the last page.

Mi Casa Uptown by Rich Perez

This one was brought for my other sister. Pastor Pérez talks about the importance of love including how to love our neighbor… even when it hurts to do so. It’s part memoir and part sermon that teaches hospitality is at the heart of God as we can see throughout the Bible as early as Genesis. It’s about growing a Christ-like love for everyone. 

Agents of Babylon by Dr. David Jeremiah

I’ve wanted this book for a long while now, so when I saw it, there was no way I was going to not buy it. I’m currently studying Biblical prophecies again and this book is said to explain what was already fulfilled and what is to be fulfilled. However, I must admit that I am skeptical about it, as I am with many books based on Christianity, for many authors seem to misquote the Bible and misrepresent God. Still, I’ll read it at some point.

A Concise Guide to Bible Prophecy by Stan Guthrie

Another prophecy book! This book is said to be great for new Christians as a guide to the prophecies in the Bible. I am not new to prophesy for it’s a topic I studied zealously back then when I was rediscovering the Bible, but this book wouldn’t hurt.

The Devil in Pew Number Seven by Rebecca Nichols Alonzo

This one was an impulse buy. I have no idea what it is about only that a pastor and his young family moved to a church in a small town only to be terrorized by a member who didn’t like the brand of Jesus the pastor was selling. This real-life story is told by the pastor’s oldest daughter. Based on the font, I’m sure Rebecca is not a great storyteller, but I’ll still read it.

Beginnings by Steve Wiens

The author said that this book is not meant to answer all of our questions, but if it does, it will create new questions that will lead the reader on a path of discovery. I’m not here for neither; I just want to make sure that Mr. Wiens stuck to the Word as it is written for he tends to explore what’s holy in humanity. 

Bible Stories: Mini Collection by Miles Kelly

I’m not going to lie. I saw the cover, liked the illustrations, and brought it. Yes, just like that. 

The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan

The only reason why I got this book is due to the fact that I am planning a reread. The narrator defends the story that he’s about to tell of a man named Christian. The story itself is framed as a dream and is told in allegorical style. When I first read it, I rated it a 3 out of 5 overall, for there was some bothersome stuff, but when I read it again – and for good – I hope to put the case to rest. 

Life Promises for Eternity by Randy Alcorn

This book is meant to be read during devotional studies.

God is Holy and We’re Not by R.C.Sproul

Looks like a short and sweet read.

A Bouquet of Favorite Psalms to Inspire Your Soul

This is also to be read during devotional studies. It’s such a beautiful book inside and out!

The Book of Useless Information and The Book of Who Said That?

When I saw these books at my favorite bookstore, I grabbed them up without batting an eye for the covers felt soft to the touch, but they’re books I’ll certainly read for I love the randomness of it!

Although most of those books are based on Christianity, I know that a few of them, if not all, are going to let me down, so I won’t be holding my breath. I’ve been reading a lot lately, two-four books at a time, so I’ll have to wait a while to read any of these, but I look forward to getting around to at least five of them before the year runs out.

***GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPM are via Google Search (Right-click for original source) 

Disclaimer

Genesis XXVI: Jacob learns that Joseph is alive.

In case you missed it:

Bible Study Guide 

Joseph makes himself known

Scripture in focus: Genesis 45 

45:1-3 > Emotionally charged, Joseph breaks down in front of everyone. He orders the Egyptians away from his presence and reveals to his brothers who he truly was. His brethren were sent into a state of shock that they were not able to say anything for a while. They were terrified for he was supposed to be dead years ago! They were probably anticipating the punishment to come thinking Joseph was after revenge. 

45:4-8 > Joseph gives his testimony about God’s divine intervention in his life. He did not hold a grudge or seek revenge for overtime (all the years he spent in Egypt) he realized that he was part of God’s plan to get the children of Israel into Egypt (via the famine) for 400 years. This was the fulfillment of that prophecy. v. 5, 7 & 8: “And God sent me” Joseph acknowledges that God was in control of his life and every situation and because of this, all things worked together for good.

45:9-15 > Joseph tells his brothers to go home and to bring their father to Egypt to seek protection from the famine. In v. 9, he attributes his worldly grandeur, power and wealth to God and not Pharaoh and rightly so. V. 10: the land of Goshen was suitable for cattle, but it was loathed by the Egyptians. It was an Egyptian region not far from the court at Memphis, around the Wadi Tumilat, a valley that was about 40 miles long.

45:16-24 > Pharaoh blessed the sons of Jacob for Joseph’s sake. He was delighted that Joseph’s brothers had come and it had made Joseph so happy. I guess it’s safe to say that the news made the Egyptians happy for they were grateful to Joseph for his plan to keep them alive during the famine. 

45:25 > The boys arrive home safely and I can imagine Jacob’s joy at seeing them.

45:26 > They relate everything to their father and Jacob was speechless at the good news of Joseph being alive for he had been declared dead 22 years ago!

45:27-28 > The band of brothers told Jacob of Joseph’s achievements in Egypt and when he saw the magnificent wagons sent to carry him and his household to Egypt, Jacob’s countenance became cheerful for the son he was depressed over for so long was yet alive and well.  

Jacob and family journeys to Egypt

Scripture in focus: Genesis 46

46:1 > Jacob stopped at Beer-sheba to honor God with sacrifices. Both Abraham (21:33) and Isaac (26:25) had erected altars there.

46:2-3 > God spoke to Jacob regarding the journey to Egypt bringing him assurance through a dream just as He did when Jacob was about to leave the Promised Land (28:12-17). God promised to make a great nation of Jacob in Egypt. Also, Jacob knew about the prophecy given to Abraham telling of the Israelites’ 400 years servitude in Egypt (15:13).

46:4 > “I will go down with thee into Egypt” this promise was enough to silence any fears Jacob might have harbored. After all, God is not limited to one place, He is EVERYWHERE! “I will surely bring thee up again“ This will be fulfilled after Jacob’s death since God is referring to the nation of Israel and not a person (Jacob). Egypt was never meant to be a permanent home for Israel. “and Joseph shall put his hand upon thine eyes” A promise of his beloved son caring for him until his dying day.

46:5 > Being encouraged by the beautiful promises of God, Jacob proceeds with his journey. 

46:6-7 > They arrived in Egypt safe and well. Biblical historians put the date at ca. 1877 B.C.; the Israelites stayed in Egypt for 430 years until the Exodus in 1445 B.C.

46:8-27 > A genealogical register of Jacob’s lineage in Egypt. 70 people grew to be millions at the exodus. It only takes a little for God to work with. In Acts 7:14, it is recorded as 75 people entering Egypt. It is not wrong if you add 5 more sons or grandsons of Joseph born in Egypt according to Bible scholars.

46:28 > Judah, of the Messianic line, was sent ahead to inform Joseph of his father’s arrival and to direct him a meeting place in Goshen for Jacob needed directions to find the area.

46:29 > Father and son are emotionally reunited after over 20 years! Joseph held onto his father for a good while as he wept with joy.

46:30 > After seeing and touching the apple of his eyes, Jacob could now be content to die. But he lived after this emotional reunion 17 more years (47:28).

46:31-34 > Joseph informs his family about his plans to ask Pharaoh for the area of Goshen, a place separate from the mainstream of Egyptian society. Also, Joseph’s father and brethren are shepherds and he is not embarrassed by their occupation. Goshen was abandoned with good pasture. God has already provided the perfect place for His children to dwell in this foreign land. Goshen was also the nearest part of the land to Canaan and perhaps nearer to Joseph who might have dwelled at Heliopolis or On. 

Up next: Joseph meets with Pharaoh and brings his sons to Jacob. 

Additional Notes/Recap

^ The famine lasted for 7 years. When Joseph revealed himself to his brothers in chapter 45, only 2 of the 7 years had come to pass thus far (45:11). These 7 years of famine is like the 7 years of tribulation about to come on earth, and like Joseph, we must be prepared.

^ Go back again to 45:18. Dwell on it. Can you see a type and shadow here in what Joseph was promising his brothers and what Jesus promises His own? Jesus is preparing a place for us (John 14:2-3) and He’ll see to our every need. There will be a river of crystal clear water and a tree that bears fruit every month of the year (Revelation 22:1-2). How can we not want this? Also, reread 45:20. When Joseph’s brethren were told not to use their material things as an excuse to stay in Canaan, I see this as God telling us to leave our earthly things behind if we want to begin a new (and eternal) life with Him. In 45:22, the change of clothes shadows that when we leave this earth, we will put on our white robes of righteousness (Revelation 19:7-8). In v. 24, Joseph warns his brothers to keep a strait path (cross-reference Matthew 7:14). In other words, do not make things of this temporal world cause you to stray.

^ Overall, Chapter 45 is a shadow of beautiful promising things to come!

Reference/Aids

* The Holy Bible 

* bible-studys.org

* blueletterbible.org

* prayer

***GIFs/Images that don’t belong to LPM are via Google Search (Right-click for original source)

Disclaimer