El Chay - The Living God

My soul yearns, yes, even pines and is homesick for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out and sing for joy to the living God.
Psalms 84:2 (AMP)

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In her book, Praying the Names of God, Ann Spangler writes, "This title sets Israel's God apart from the false gods of the surrounding nations. Unlike idols of wood and stone, made by human hands, the Living God is himself Maker of heaven and earth. He alone is the source of life. We live because he lives." (p. 228)

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She further explains this attribute of our God in this way: "Scripture constantly warns against the worship of false gods. The first of the then commandments is itself a proscription against idol worship. The title El Chay, the Living God, empahsize's god's role as Creator of all that is, in contrast with idols made of metal, wood, or stone, which are merely the creations of human hands." (p. 230)

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From Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary we find this definition:

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El - See my post on El as the name of God we studied here. (Strong's Number 410)

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Hebrew Strong's Number: 2416
Hebrew Word: ‏חַי‎
Transliteration: ḥay
Phonetic Pronunciation:khah'ee
Root: from
Cross Reference: TWOT - 644a
Part of Speech:
Vine's Words: Live (To)

Usage Notes:

English Words used in KJV: live 197, life 144, beast 76, alive 31, creature 15, running 7, living thing 6, raw 6, misc 19 [Total Count: 501]

from (chayah); alive; hence raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literal or figurative :- + age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life (-time), live (-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, + merry, multitude, + (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop.—Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

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From the Lexical Aids of the Old Testament, Complete Word Study Old Testament (AMG Publishers):

2416. Chay; this adj. come from chāyāh (2421). Some of its meanings are: living, alive, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live forever, be quickened, revive from sickness, discouragement, or even death; vigorous; fresh, running (water); by the life of, as one lives (as used in oaths and exclamations), livelihood, life, refreshment. The OT places a high value on life and views it as being good. It came from God (Gen. 2:7), but death ensued because of sin. Man was no longer allowed to partake of the tree of life (Gen. 3:22). God is the Source of life (Ps. 36:9, 129:13ff.) and the Lord of life and death (Job 12:10). Chay is a set of experiences, not an abstract principal of vitality which is separate from the body. The Hebrews viewed man holistically, i.e. body, mind [soul, empahsis mine] and spirit were a unified whole. Life was associated with health, prosperity, vitality, etc., while death was the very opposite.

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In the Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament (Victor Books), (p. 821)

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(36:8) Moreover, Eden and Creation are suffested in the next blessings - drink for the river of delights ("delights" is "Eden" in Heb.), and life and light (i.e., understanding, joy, and life) come from God, their Source. So in contrast with the corruptions of the wicked, and obedient believer's life is characterized by security int he Lord, abundant provisioins, life, and understanding in God's presence.

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Now to our Scriptures:

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But the LORD is the true God;

he is the living God, the eternal King.

Jeremiah 10:10a (NIV)

Our living, true, eternal God. He is the source of life, the very breath we breathe and the heartbeat that vibrantly pounds out each footstep, each heartache and each moment of our lives. He is eternal - the source of life, all life is eternal. In Genesis, as we watch the creation of the world unfold one by one, God created and breathes life into each of the living creatures. He crowns His creation with the man and his bride - we are the crown of creation - the finishing touch of life as God created it on earth. He is our source of life, if we are breathing we have a purpose given to us by the Creator of Heaven and Earth.

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"I issue a decree that in every

part of my kingdom

people must fear and

reverence the God of Daniel.

"For he is the living God

and he endures forever;

his kingdom will not be destroyed,

his dominion will never end."

Daniel 6:26 (NIV)

Even pagan kings saw the Living God's hand upon His people. As Daniel was sent into the Lion's Den to be slain, the Living God came and shut up the Lion's mouth. When King Darius returned and found Daniel alive, He declared Daniel's God the Living God, the God who endures forever whose Kingdom will not be destroyed and whose dominion will never end. The God who not only gives life, but preserves and prospers life even in times of great peril. He proves Himself, El Chay, the Living God.

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"Jesus replied, 'Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? 25When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 26Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? 27He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!'" Mark 12:24-37 (NIV)

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Here Jesus is answering the Saducees who question Him about life after the resurrection. He tells them, you read the Scriptures and are learned in "Spiritual" matters, but you concern yourself with temporary conditions. Marriage is not necessary once we are raptured up in the resurrection of the dead. It is not necessary because as a whole, we are the Bride of Christ... We will serve one husband, be united with our Bridegroom - Jesus Christ. He is not the God of the dead, but the living. We are mistaken if we think these earthly concerns and temporary things we contend with on earth are all there is to life. Tonight at my group for bereaved mothers we were talking about our children and one of the mothers looked at pictures and said, "I know that I may be way off here, but that is not your son anymore.... That is not how he is now..."

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I said, "I know. He is better now. He is his best self. All the bad is gone and only the good remains and it is better than it ever would have been here."

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We should not hold onto life here on earth as it is the temporary trappings that distract us from our purpose and the life God has given us to live. How much freer would we be if we simply followed God in a surrendered life rather than running around trying to make our lives work out as we plan hoping God will bless it? Much to ponder here... I'll leave you to your thoughts.

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I want to leave you today with the ultimate expression of our Living God - Emmanuel, God with Us. We will read a chapter from the book of John this day. Note anything the Spirit reveals to you through this passage about our God, El Chay, the Living God. Jesus, that's His name.

As you weigh the Word you might consider what John is saying about the Jesus He met. Examine carefully what John the Baptist says about Him and then consider what Jesus' interaction with those He first called shows us about His life giving nature! Blessings sweet friends... This is a special treat - A Time in the presence of El Chay (The Living God).

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John: Chapter One

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1 In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

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2 He was in the beginning with God.

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3 All things were made through Him,

and without Him nothing was made

that was made.

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4 In Him was life,

and the life was the light of men.

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5 And the light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness did not comprehend it.

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6 There was a man sent from God,

whose name was John.

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7 This man came for a witness,

to bear witness of the Light,

that all through him might believe.

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8 He was not that Light,

but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

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9 That was the true Light

which gives light to every man

coming into the world.

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10 He was in the world,

and the world was made through Him,

and the world did not know Him.

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11 He came to His own,

and His own did not receive Him.

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12 But as many as received Him,

to them He gave the right to become children of God,

to those who believe in His name:

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13 who were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.

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14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,

and we beheld His glory,

the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,

full of grace and truth.

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15 John bore witness of Him

and cried out, saying,

"This was He of whom I said,

'He who comes after me is preferred before me,

for He was before me.' "

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16 And of His fullness we have all received,

and grace for grace.

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17 For the law was given through Moses,

but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

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18 No one has seen God at any time.

The only begotten Son,

who is in the bosom of the Father,

He has declared Him.

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19 Now this is the testimony of John,

when the Jews sent priests and

Levites from Jerusalem to ask him,

"Who are you?"

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20 He confessed,

and did not deny,

but confessed,

"I am not the Christ."

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21 And they asked him,

"What then? Are you Elijah?"

He said, "I am not."

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"Are you the Prophet?"

And he answered, "No."

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22 Then they said to him,

"Who are you,

that we may give an answer to those who sent us?

What do you say about yourself?"

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23 He said:

"I am 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

"Make straight the way of the Lord,"

' as the prophet Isaiah said."

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24 Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees.

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25 And they asked him, saying,

"Why then do you baptize

if you are not the Christ,

nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"

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26 John answered them, saying,

"I baptize with water, but there stands

One among you whom you do not know.

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27 It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me,

whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose."

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28 These things were done in Bethabara

beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

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29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him,

and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away

the sin of the world!

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30 This is He of whom I said,

'After me comes a Man who is preferred before me,

for He was before me.'

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31 I did not know Him;

but that He should be revealed to Israel,

therefore I came baptizing with water."

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32 And John bore witness, saying,

"I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove,

and He remained upon Him.

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33 I did not know Him,

but He who sent me to baptize

with water said to me,

'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending,

and remaining on Him,

this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'

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34 And I have seen and testified

that this is the Son of God."

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35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples.

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36 And looking at Jesus as He walked,

he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!"

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37 The two disciples heard him speak,

and they followed Jesus.

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38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following,

said to them,

"What do you seek?"

They said to Him,

"Rabbi" (which is to say, when translated, Teacher),

"where are You staying?"

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39 He said to them, "Come and see."

They came and saw where He was staying,

and remained with Him that day

(now it was about the tenth hour).

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40 One of the two who heard John speak,

and followed Him, was Andrew,

Simon Peter's brother.

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41 He first found his own brother Simon,

and said to him, "We have found the Messiah"

(which is translated, the Christ).

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42 And he brought him to Jesus.

Now when Jesus looked at him, He said,

"You are Simon the son of Jonah.

You shall be called Cephas" (which is translated, A Stone).

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43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee,

and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me."

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44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida,

the city of Andrew and Peter.

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45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him,

"We have found Him of whom Moses in the law,

and also the prophets, wrote--Jesus of Nazareth,

the son of Joseph."

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46 And Nathanael said to him,

"Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"

Philip said to him, "Come and see."

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47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him,

and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed,

in whom is no deceit!"

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48 Nathanael said to Him,

"How do You know me?"

Jesus answered and said to him,

"Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree,

I saw you."

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49 Nathanael answered and said to Him,

"Rabbi, You are the Son of God!

You are the King of Israel!"

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50 Jesus answered and said to him,

"Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,'

do you believe? You will see greater things than these."

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51 And He said to him,

"Most assuredly, I say to you,

hereafter you shall see heaven open,

and the angels of God ascending and descending

upon the Son of Man."
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(NKJV)

Frazzled...

Okay... So have you ever had so much happening at once you had to check and see if you weren't going in two different directions. If you subtract the baby and add two teenage girls and you pretty much have my life ...


As I watched the early reports on Hurricane Ike I wondered if we would get the call to house evacuees over the week after the hurricane made landfall. However, last Tuesday our family got a call of a different kind. On Wednesday my husband headed down south to help with Hurricane recovery work. Our part is keeping the home fires burning and sacrificing in the area of our budget so that my husband can help restore utilities in the Hurricane ravaged towns.

Granted - my husband gets paid for what he is doing by way of Hurricane recovery. Yet, he is working grueling hours in very poor conditions and we are going to end up spending more than he gets reimbursed for perdium while he is there. I guess it is a good thing my husband's job is not our source. God has a plan and he is faithful. I pray for my husband's spiritual condition while he is away - the long hours and dismal conditions are sure to take their toll at some point. So I ask for prayer for him in so many ways.

He works for a local telephone company and told me that there is enough work there to keep everyone busy (on the telephone side) for about six months. Towns like Baytown, Hitchcock and other Galveston Bay front towns are truly devastated - but are not being talked about much on the news. I stood in line behind a woman who is staying in this area since the hurricane has flooded her house and has her stranded here in town. She said that she needs FEMA help to get a hotel but has not gotten any assistance yet.

We are faced with it everywhere we turn. Our church sent out an email this weekend stating that our church will be a staging facility working with a church in the Hurricane affected area sending volunteers down for four day rotations to gut houses and make it possible for them to be repaired quickly without the threat of mold setting in on the studs and foundation.

I guess, the most troubling thing for me is to think that many people are still missing. My husband reported on Friday that the town they were working in was pretty much wiped out. He saw a couple of D/FW metro area firetrucks pulling up with trailers. They unloaded two "gator" first aid carts with four stretchers each and were accompanied by a police officer with an assault rifle and a can of spray paint. My husband's statment on the scene was bone-chilling for me, "They are about to go in and search for bodies from house to house."

He said - IT IS REALLY BAD. My heart breaks and I asked him how he is dealing with being in a place where he is surrounded by death. He said, "I have a job to do. I try not to think about it too much."

So... I'm praying over these first hand reports, praying for the funds to support two households until my husband's perdium catches up with us in a couple of weeks and praying for protection for everyone who is going down to work and all of those who are hurting over the loss of their home or the loss of their family and friends. May God be merciful and bless them all. Bless them all.

So... I have been a little off since Thursday afternoon. I will get the Names of God caught up Wednesday and post on IOW a week from Tuesday. I am adjusting to my new "single mom" status and realizing how blessed I am to have a husband who helps me so much when he is home.

Mandy Thompson is writing about everyday doers over at her blog. What do these types of reports prompt you to do?

Love to you all and many blessings.

Our Sacred Romance

He is calling to us... Can you hear Him?

He says.... "You are mine, I've paid the Bride's price for you."

He is our Kinsman Redeemer...

He beckons us with His love... "Come to me..."

Dance with me... My Beloved Bride...

Just spend time with me... I am the Bridegroom.

I long to spend time with my Bride.

Did you know He is enthralled with your beauty? (Psalm 45:11)

He loves you lavishly. (1 John 3:1)

Behold the Bridegroom is coming to collect His Bride....

Come Away With Me My Love...

Welcome to the 21st Century...

STOP! Do Not Read any further if you are not interested in Toes, Technology and other various happenings in my life these last few weeks... If you are remotely curious about what Toes and Technology have to do with one another... then you have been WARNED proceed WITH EXTREME CAUTION!

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Okay, ya'll - this is going to sound lame, but I am totally excited about IT!

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I got an MP3 player. Admittedly it is not the fabulously Applish I-Pod, nor is it the trendier Microsoftier Zune... It is a run of the mill, credit card thin 2 GB Samsung MP3 player that I bought after carefully perusing those glass windows under the display case at Wal-Mart. But, I'll get to that in just a minute or so... Right now, I want to tell you about my man. This story will sound like a complaint - but you will get it!

That's my man in the middle with our two sons, Travis (l) and Justin (r)

You see, we had to move at Christmas last year. Like two week's after Thanksgiving and a couple of weeks before Christmas - we found out the week of Thanksgiving the house we were leasing lapsed into foreclosure and had to scramble to find a home and move on short notice. It was wet, cold and frustrating to say the very, very least! My husband was a champ and we got it done in a very orderly and amazing fashion thanks to our families and especially his willingness to fly with me in this crazy thing we call our life... Oh, and did I mention that our car (only vehicle) was also in the shop - getting an engine overhaul to the tune of $1,500. Now, you may be asking what all of this has to do with an MP3 player - but I'm getting there - I promise.

We barely had time to get ourselves unpacked and did no Christmas shopping before Christmas because of the move. We were a bit miserable actually. Through the generosity of a KLTY Christmas Wish giver - our family had a wonderful Christmas... That - five years ago - would have been hard to admit, but today I have seen God move in so many ways that I am just grateful that giving my kids a Christmas is one of them. It blessed us and our hearts to have someone meet us, and have compassion on us.

A friend of my husband's had an extra, brand new MP3 player lying around (Thank You, Steve). And when I mentioned that I was hoping to get my fella' an inexpensive one for Christmas he handed it right on over to me without any hesitation. I have been humbled and blessed by Steve on many occasions, and his generosity has blessed us so many times --- that is another story for another day... Suffice it to say God has blessed us in Steve and his friendship.

So on Christmas, my husband got his Christmas wish. We later talked of getting one for me to use when I go to the Rec Center to work out. I figured it would be better with some awesome praise music just humming in my ears. And so I have waited.

My birthday came and went and not so much as a card came my way - this to me is no surprise. Unless I give my husband the cash in his hand (exact amount, mind you) and a specific item to purchase me as a gift - I don't get one. I asked for Beth's Stepping UP Audio CDs for Christmas and got them because I gave my daughter $40 and a mission for him. I don't know why it is this way, but it is. After 10 years it is not going to change much and so... I have accepted it, sort of.

On my birthday this year, just a few weeks ago, my parents and his parents held my gift until our big Graduation party a couple of days after my birthday. But, on my birthday my friend called and reqested the honor of my presence for a special dinner out with her. My girls both wished me sweetly happy birthday and two week's ago my baby girl made up for her inability to give me a gift by treating me to a pedicure. The elder girl often treats me to lunch or some other novel opporunity - as she did that day. It is kind of sweet how they dote on me. My husband wished me happy birthday as I dropped him off to work and returned home to his usual computer games and sports on television Thursday night. I suppose that I am happy enough that they do not forget all together... and I am, but somehow the overlooking of my birthday, Valentine's Day, Christmas, and Mother's Day every year by my dear husband leaves me upset and aching. I try to prepare but to no avail.

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Taylor and I after the Pedicure two weeks ago...

Feet....

And Faces! Do we look pampered?

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Well this year, Mary planned to take me to dinner and my internet sisters over at the Lifeway Forums also managed to brighten my day with sweet poetry, songs and pictures with CAKE! It was really fabulous. I was viewing my "gifts" while my husband kicked off his shoes in the middle of the living room floor. I looked at him with tears in my eyes and said, "If these ladies whom I have never met take the time to remember my birthday - why can't you?"

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He looked like a scolded two year old and apologized. I told him that I was sorry for having the expectation and being upset when I felt "let down." I agreed not to have expectations anymore... and I let it go.

The other night we somehow landed on the subject of MP3 players and I reminded my husband I was still awaiting the arrival of my own. He laughed.

Tonight we were talking at dinner about something and he suggested we go and look for an MP3 player. I was all about that. He set my limit at $50. I was LIKE WOO HOO! At the store we looked at all of them in the case and I was quite disappointed because I was sure I would destroy anything the size of an I-Pod Shuffle. The only MP3s for less than $50 in the glass display case were 1 GB, reasonable storage and about 1 - 2 inches in length and width. I was somewhat let down.

Then I spotted some "red tag" items in the glass enclosed storage spaces below the display. I started examining them and realized they did indeed have one of adequate size and memory - for $59.99. The reason I could get this one was because there was a particular package marked with a "yellow" sticker - it read, "DISPLAY, take 20% off this price at the register." This sticker was just above the "red tag" marked $59.00 with an original price marked of $99.98. I was pretty excited. They opened the package and I looked at the little sliver of a thing. It looks like this:

Another Picture of My TOTALLY Rockin' Red MP3 Player! (Just Cuz I Can)

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I said, "SOLD." Pulled out the old plastic money card and the man rang me in at $50.88 with tax. Yippee! Yippee! I came home and finished downloading the rest of my worship CDs onto my computer including a wonderful CD that Susan sent me from Bethel Chapel. I uploaded a whole mess of songs and still have more room - but no more songs... :o( - but only for a minute because then I realized I can download the one year Bible readings I hear Tom Dooley do on the radio and then I can fill in any space that might be left over with my favorite Bible teachers! WOO HOO! Can You SAY WOO HOO!
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BTW, I had to take a break in the middle of this post to dye a red (yes, "candy apple" not the unnatural, natural hair color "red") streak in my daughters dark blonde hair. She looks like an Amish "My Little Pony" right now with the dying cap and the foil with the red streaked hair on top of her head. My life is a riot, it is just killing me. Maybe I'll post a picture of the hair art after I get it washed out.

Speaking of Hair Dye! Follow me down this rabbit trail... A few weeks ago I commented about my recent "hair dying" escapades over at the LPM blog. Yes, I actually did dye my hair dark, dark brown and then try highlighting only to get classic brassy orange highlights in a random pattern atop my head. So the next morning, after a midnight trip to Albertson's for another highlighting kit, I tried again only to get lighter more random brassy orange streaks. So that afternoon after a trip to Wal-Greens for a blonde hair dye I set about trying to correct my fiasco. So yes, you did count that as four times in about 36 hours that I applied some sort of color treatment to my hair - Can You SAY LUCKY TO HAVE HAIR? I have ultra conditioned it sense I started this little journey about a month ago. Well, the night before we went to my parents for the Fourth of July - I did it again! Thank the Lord there is no "OOPS" attached. This is my lovely golden blonde hair with it's dark chocolatey undertones. End of Rabbit Trail!...

Okay, so I just arrived with my laptop (in bag), MP3 player and my cell phone ... and a little hair color... into the 21st century - I'm only what a couple of years late really! San Antonio Here I Come! I just can't stand myself right now.

P. S. - My husband totally redeemed himself for the no birthday gift issue. I'm happy as a lark!
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Me, totally please with the events of today!

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And only in the 21st century would it be possible to upload the pictures from my digital camera of my MP3 player, my hair color, my toes and other random pleasantries onto my laptop and then upload those to my blog on the Internet so that all the world would know the kind of cooky things I do with my time and get excited about in real life... Welcome to the 21st century!

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BONUS: And the only thing Toes and Technology have to do with one another as far as I can tell is that I included them in this POST!