Behind your handsome
strong front gate
keep and castle
I beg you wait
For castles can
hold trolls or kings
who knows what yonder
castle brings
You see his outside
strong and lean
but the man who lives there’s
cold and mean
He seems prince-like
at first look
but beyond the cover
lies the book
life is short
unless you’re wed
to the surly troll
and share his bed
Copyright MaryBeth Mullin
2020
Posted in Poem | Tagged marriage advice, Poem on marriage |
Abba, build in me
your beautiful walls
walls of defense
walls of protection
walls to keep out
walls to keep in
Your walls
–Your mitzvot
are my comfort
they remove my anxiety
restore my peace
When the enemy chases me home
–I hide here behind the walls
built from Your promises
Behind and within the walls
I find home
I find rest
I find freedom
I find You
Mary Beth
2022
It is our desire to help you grow in your knowledge of Adonai and His Word. If you are looking for additional information and/or materials, please visit our website at RootedinHisWord.org and our Facebook page.
Posted in Poem | Tagged Building walls with Torah, Poem for Shabbat, Torah as protection |
the wolf came quietly
not announcing
his presence
slowly pressing
strong paw against my windpipe
at first, barely perceptible
slow increase
harder to breathe
harder to think
the voice of self
droning on
self-focus
self-reliance
prone to leave
prone to chaos
prone to self-destruct
louder
incessant
grating
the wolf saw opportunity
came close
closed in
in those close
the voice of close folks
I listened
heard
believed
darkness once at bay
came close
the wolf was near
breath on my neck
down my neck
circling me
waiting
I was far
far away
in my thoughts
taken captive
to the lie
I was his prey
he was stalking
closing in
thoughts scattered
falling through holes
like water through a sieve
I couldn’t make them obey
Christ
my strength was waning
my thoughts were cloudy
the self voice was shouting
darkness was closing in
so hard to keep my head up
so tired
I wanted peace
“Help me, Jesus!”
wolf banished
obliterated
darkness shattered
peace restored
Copyright MaryBeth Mullin 2022
Posted in Poem | Tagged attacks of the enemy, poem of faith, poem of life with God |
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
Psalm 27:4-5 (ESV)
As I meditate on Psalm 27:4-5, I am aware that the psalmist, like me, not only desires, but is seeking holiness–something that only comes from God. Holiness cannot be summoned up or acquired through human effort. It is best understood to be transferred from the holy One, God Himself. To be near God–in His presence–is to have the best chance at holiness.
The psalmist also seeks to see God and inquire of God which speaks to me of communion, of fellowship with God. This also takes place in God’s presence. For the Israelite this would have meant being in the Tabernacle or the Temple where the glory of God resided in ancient Israel.
In Psalm 27:5, the psalmist goes on to speak of the protection of Adonai who “will hide me in the day of trouble.” Then, in what is beautifully intimate imagery, the psalmist says that God “will conceal me under the cover of his tent.” To be in His tent suggest being part of his family, is to be no longer a stranger, no longer alien to the household of God. The final image of the verse is one of protection. “He will lift me high upon a rock,” out of the way of trouble, far from the reach of my adversaries and enemies.
Who is like our God? Only God can extend intimacy to me–intimacy cannot be grabbed for or taken; it must be given, opened to me. Like the psalmist, I desire intimacy with God. To see Him, to be with Him, to speak with Him, to be hidden by Him, to be taken into His family and to be protected by Him. Thank You, Abba, for this offer of intimacy you make to me through the sacrifice of Messiah.
It is our desire to help you grow in your knowledge of Adonai and His Word. If you are looking for additional information and/or materials, please visit our website at RootedinHisWord.org and our Facebook page.
Posted in Devotional | Tagged Lord as a hiding place, Lord as a shelter, Psalm 27:4-5, Psalmist |
Am I ever ascending to Zion?
Am I oft to lift my eyes
and see the glory of Your Splendor
where truth, my treasure lies?
as I on this pilgrim journey
learn to let my burdens go
I take with me only
daily bread and living water
by these provisions I am fed
be my center on this journey
for this world I’ll one day leave
and onto glory of the Father, Son and Spirit
I will cleave
What is this mystery?
How can three be one?
How can I with them unite
Great is the oneness
Great is the sight
as I come my soul uplifted
all my burdens cast aside
My Savior-Father-Spirit-
with me do abide.
I can barely grasp the concepts
My mind is bent on things above
but here I long do sit and ponder
on all my Father gives in love
Copyright MaryBeth Mullin 2022
Posted in Poem | Tagged Jerusalem, pilgrimage, poem of faith, Zion |
Read Numbers Chapter 11
1. What do you learn from the first 2 verses of this chapter?
2. What do you learn about prayer like this prayer of Moses from James 5:16?
3. What are the children of Israel complaining about in the beginning of this chapter?
4. What types of things were the children of Israel doing with the manna?
5. What happens to Moses in Numbers 11:10-15? What does he ask God to do?
6. How does God respond to Moses? What does He promise the people?
7. What concern does Moses raise in Numbers 11:21-22?
8. Copy Numbers 11:23. Meditate on this. Record your thoughts and impressions.
9. What do the following verses teach?
□ Isaiah 59:1
□ Ezekiel 12:25
□ Luke 21:33
10. Describe the events in Numbers 11:24-29. What can you observe from this story?
11. What prophecies of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit are given in the following verses?
□ Ezekiel 36:27
□ Joel 2:28
□ Zechariah 12:10
12. Describe the events that occur in Numbers 11:31-35.
13. What does Psalm 78:26-32 add to this? Psalm 106:14-15
It is our desire to help you grow in your knowledge of Adonai and His Word. If you are looking for additional information and/or materials, please visit our website at RootedinHisWord.org and our Facebook page.
Posted in Bible Study | Tagged Bible study Numbers 11, Moses and God, Numbers chapter 11 |
My earliest memories are of the cross-country course
nibbling the tender, green grass next to my mother
‘Til one day
I was shipped off
separated from all I knew and loved
to run mindless circuits round a dirt track
on a dry, dusty prairie
my legs stretching, muscles growing
but my mind always drifting to the greener grasses
rolling hills
majestic trees
open skies
a wide open path
space to run
With time, I matured, my muscles filled out
I accepted a daily life of repetition–my training
I ran every race with heart
I won more than I lost
I excelled beyond my own expectations
I outran competitors
I ran because it was in me to run
Before I knew it, I was “ready”
I heard my trainer say, “she’s moving up”
My heart leapt
could it be–the open course?
my thoughts filled with the images of my youth
carpets of endless green
the sweetness of the owner’s touch upon my forelock
carrots and apples from His hand
I had accepted the cruelty of my trainer
I did as he directed
I avoided his crop
but still he expressed shallow kindness
small mercies
The cruelty of his crop
his unyielding weight in the saddle
his careless flick of the reins
his cheap grains and marginal hay
I accepted as my lot
I kept my head down
I’d learned to fear
his hidden kicks
his punitive half measures of grain
He didn’t let anyone see
his cruelty, our secret
I rode in the trailer
blind to the road ahead
I rested, trusted
dreamed of my owner’s touch
lush, tender grass
open sky
More stunning than I remembered
the owner’s barns were a palace
huge stalls, wide corridors
fresh, well-bedded stalls
I was happy
But day after day
my trainer lumbered up onto my back
his body heaving and awkward
he led me to the starting gate
He let me start
I’d sprint from the line
my heart full of joy as I sprinted out
then he pulled back the reins
and turned me to do circles
more training
more blows from his crop
I was losing hope of ever running in the long race
the important race
the owner’s race
One morning, my trainer didn’t come
another brought my hay and an apple
He filled my bucket
with the coolest, sweetest water
He brushed me
and saddled me for a run
but not with my work saddle
with a new light-weight racing saddle
it barely registered on my back
He walked me out to the starting line
where many beautiful and fierce horses waited chomping at the bit
pawing the loose dirt
stamping their hooves impatiently
He positioned me in the far gate and left
I waited
nibbling tender blades of sweet grass at my feet
All the horses got strangely quiet
that’s when I saw Him
I couldn’t believe my eyes
dressed in the finest riding gear
Champion of all champions
My owner–handsome, strong, confident
He approached the line of horses
met with a chorus of whinnies
He knew each one–calling them by their names
names He’d given them
I was entranced
I didn’t register when he stopped beside me
He tightened my cinches and adjusted my saddle
I was so still–holding my breath
I couldn’t imagine Him being so close
touching me
He reached up and scratched my neck–just under the ear
I’ll never forget what He whispered,
“Are you ready to run?
“Are you ready to run for Me?
I lifted my head and whinnied with delight
“O Great Master, I shall run for You as none
has ever run before!”
It was a beautiful day,
a thrilling race
My legs stretched out before me
and all those years
heavy saddle, hefty jockey
served me well–making me strong
My Master is the sweetest rider
caring, considerate, yet firm
clear in His instructions
He had allowed my harsh training
to prepare me for this day
the day I would run for Him
under His command
only His words to instruct me
no crop
no bit
just the precious Words of my master
Run!
Run with endurance!
Run with joy!
Run because I made you to run!
Copyright MaryBeth Mullin 2023
Posted in Poem | Tagged Life with God, Poem about God, poem of faith |
Read Numbers 10
1. What do you learn about the silver trumpets from Numbers 10:1-10? When are they to be used?
2. Copy Psalm 81:3 and meditate on it. Record your thoughts and impressions.
3. Where are the children of Israel in Numbers 10:12? Where are they going?
4. What does Moses say to his father-in-law to convince him to travel with them?
5. What does Moses say when the ark sets out? When it rests?
6. The children of Israel were led by God via Moses and by the Pillar of Cloud/Fire. How are we, the children of God to be led according to the new covenant? What do the following verses offer by way of help?
Psalm 23
John 14:17, 26
John 16:13-15
Philippians 4:6-9
It is our desire to help you grow in your knowledge of Adonai and His Word. If you are looking for additional information and/or materials, please visit our website at RootedinHisWord.org and our Facebook page.
Posted in Bible Study | Tagged Bible Study Numbers, Numbers Chapter 10, Pillar fire and cloud |
As a believer in Adonai, I am a communication from God. (2 Corinthians 3:2-3) He writes a letter to me on my heart, but at the same time, He is writing a letter to those around me. It is His love letter to them. I am the ambassador, bringing the message of hope and restoration to them. (2 Corinthians 5:20) The message is His. The heart is His. The life is His. For it is as true of me as it was of the Apostle Paul who wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
As a living epistle, I evidence the completed covenant Adonai made to put His Torah within us, and “write it on [our] hearts.” (Jeremiah 31:33) It is important to remember that despite what it may sometimes appear, my flesh and the adversary have no access to edit the letter Adonai is writing on my heart. He alone is the “author and finisher.” (Hebrews 12:2)
If I accept these assertions of scripture, then I must ask, “What is my life saying?” “What is God saying through me to those around me?” It is also important to ask, “What is God saying to me –what is the content of the letter He is writing on my heart?” The answer may be more than I want–it might be greater than I can understand. Remember that Adonai knows how to write epic stories. He wrote Esther from captive to Queen. He wrote David from shepherd boy to King. He wrote Joseph from slave to second to Pharoah. He wrote Saul from killer to apostle.
Adonai wants to write on our lives that we might seek to know our Author and receive the goodness He has promised. He writes, so that as His epistles, we might be read of all men-as a witness to the manifold glory of God.
It is our desire to help you grow in your knowledge of Adonai and His Word. If you are looking for additional information and/or materials, please visit our website at RootedinHisWord.org and our Facebook page.
Posted in Devotional | Tagged 2 Corinthians 3:2-3, Living Epistles, What is my life saying? |
Read Numbers 8
Read Numbers 9
It is our desire to help you grow in your knowledge of Adonai and His Word. If you are looking for additional information and/or materials, please visit our website at RootedinHisWord.org and our Facebook page.
Posted in Bible Study | Tagged Bible study Numbers 8, Bible Study Numbers 9, Passover, Pillar of cloud and fire |
Rooted and Grounded 