OK – back in the saddle again…

But first, one more vacation blog. My dive master’s name was a Hebrew name. On one of the last dives I asked him if he knew the story behind his name.  He knew the Bible story.  I reminded him of the high calling on the life of the man he was named after. He confided in me that he went to church as a youth but had too many questions.

Then he said it was funny I had asked, as his mom had been asking him to go to church with her. Well, we know I was just probably being an answer to prayers his mother was praying. I reminded him that the 5th command promises a long life to those that honor their parents, so he should go to honor her.  He added, “And get some of those questions answered.”  I agreed.

Then he told me he had found peace in diving and seeing God’s creation underwater. I told him about Romans 1:20. Of course the Bible is a much clearer revelation and something we are less likely to misinterpret.  So say a prayer for this young man, that he follows through and does get those answers. I want to be more aware of those divine appointments and have my ear open to the Lord to know just what He would say to them at that point in their journey.

Tomorrow we’ll be back into the daily blog routine and have the answers to the questions on the last 6 commands.

I’ll try to include some dive pictures when my daughter gets some time to send them to me. Diving is a peaceful experience for me too. Watching the world underwater around a reef is so fascinating. The variety of shapes and colors is incredible. It’s like a bunch of worlds all thrown together. Why does the balloon fish hide in front of a giant moray eel? Why don’t those little nurseries of baby fish get gobbled up? How does that reef shark breathe while laying so still for so long? How does the octopus change color? How do dolphins sleep? It’s all so amazing. I’m looking forward to watching that Disney movie on the Oceans.

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I think we are in a vacation rut. We keep going back to the Mayan Riviera as the prices on the all-inclusive packages are just too good to compare with anything else. It’s very safe in this area. The diving is pretty good, and that is what I enjoy most.

We met our grandkids who came a few days before us. They had fun in the kids water park at the resort and on the beach. We also took a day to go snorkeling at Xel Ha. They enjoyed that the most.

This time we stayed at Sandos Caracoal. The staff is fantastic, but since we’ve stayed at a number of other places over the years, this was kind of a step down for us spoiled Americans. There was really no snorkeling from the beach here. The water is too shallow and murky. It’s a great kids beach though. The food at the specialty restaurants was pretty good but the regular buffet was not quite as good as other places we’ve stayed. The power went out twice in our room and without air, this time of year is very hot and muggy. They finally discovered the fan in the bathroom was shorting out so they disabled it. We paid a little more and upgraded to the select club which was definitely worth it. They have internet which I’m using, separate beach area with cool beach beds with shade, and an extra pool and dining area with great service.

Most of the resort is under construction. If we’d have known that we would have chosen Barcelo Palace instead. It has the kids water park, better food and snorkeling, but the total price is a little more.

Best part of the vacation is quality time with the grandkids! The Wallace boys both got their swimming skills vastly improved.  Best of all was reading a very timely book by John Bevere, Under Cover.  It is about authority, something we Americans have such a hard time with. I rarely find a book that is all based on Scripture that teaches me new insights. This one did. I couldn’t stop reading it and will definitely recommend it to the elders and several leaders in the church.  I’ll probably do a sermon or two on it so it will show up later in the blogs – that is, the main points in sermon form.

I also really enjoyed the dive at Sabalos.  Got to see a couple sharks, lots of speckled morays, nice big sea turtle, big crab, and a good variety of tropical fish. I got bit several times by a little tropical fish protecting its nest. I should end the trip with a total of 70 dives, 8 on this trip, a total of over 2 days under water!

Worst part, Montezuma did get his revenge on 5 of us, which wiped us out for a few days. It is very hot and humid and the resort is built around a cenote, or maybe it’s more like a swamp. It’s cool to see the fresh water turtles but not the mosquitoes.  But who can really complain when you are enjoying the Caribbean with grandkids and diving?  Too blessed! Thankful indeed!

At certain times of the year you can get these nice resorts on the beach  for around $100 a day per person which includes all your meals, nice room, airfare and ground transportation. You don’t need to tip as it is supposedly included, but we do. Other than that you can lock your wallet in the room safe. Great service, entertainment, and chance to meet people from all over the world included.

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Exodus 20:18-20

¹⁸ Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off ¹⁹ and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” We have casually gone through the commands of God and for most it’s just more Bible study blogs. But remember, they were hearing the voice of God. The ground was shaking, the mountain was smoking, and God’s voice thundered.

Their response was to ask Moses to be their priest. “You go meet with God and tell us what He says. It’s just too frightening for us!” In one sense, that is what God wanted. (Deuteronomy 5:28[notes1] ) He wanted them to trust Moses was hearing God. He wanted us to see in Moses the need for our Great High Priest, Jesus. He is the one that would make the intimacy God desired with mankind possible, through His death for our sins. Now we can truly become a kingdom of priests. (1Peter 2:9-10[notes2] )

²⁰ Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” Don’t fear but do fear. Don’t fear that God is an angry, judgmental, destroyer of life. He’s not your enemy. He has come to teach you to fear His justice upon sin. It is His love for you that wants you to live in the freedom of His laws. It is His love that desires that your life be free from the consequences of sin. Fear His justice, but don’t fear His intentions toward you. He longs for you to find life in Him. (2Peter 3:9[notes3] ) He longs to be first in your life. He desires to make you His treasure and that you have access to Him at all times. (Matthew 11:28-30[notes4] )

While the people stood back from the mountain, trembling in fear, Moses went into the thick darkness of the cloud and received the words of the covenant. Later, He will go up to receive the tablets carved with the finger of God and receive instructions for the building of the Tabernacle.

The very next instructions are about worship. Through sacrifice the people would look forward to the One who would give them access to God without the fear of judgment. Sacrifice pointed to the need of judgment and the severity of sin. The stones of the altar of worship were not to be chiseled, but natural stone. It pointed to the salvation having nothing to do with man’s work. It would all be of God who would provide the perfect lamb that would take away the sins of the world. (John 1:29[notes5] )

We could never keep these 10 rules. Jesus kept them in our place, and then took the judgment we deserve for breaking God’s basic rules. In accepting what He did for us, we find we have been made right with God. We have access to His throne without fear. We strive to keep the commands because our hearts have been changed. Will you memorize them? Will you meditate upon them?

28 And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken.

[notes2] 1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV)

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

[notes3] 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)

9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

[notes4] Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

[notes5] John 1:29 (ESV)

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

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