When Judah rebelled against God, they were taken captive by Babylon, and the city of Jerusalem was destroyed. After 70 years, God placed it in the heart of Nehemiah to lead in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. But, there were enemies who hated them and wanted to stop the work.
Nehemiah Chapter 4:
11-12 And all this time our enemies were saying, "They won't know what hit them. Before they know it we'll be at their throats, killing them right and left. That will put a stop to the work!" The Jews who were their neighbors kept reporting, "They have us surrounded; they're going to attack!" If we heard it once, we heard it ten times.
13-14 So I stationed armed guards at the most vulnerable places of the wall and assigned people by families with their swords, lances, and bows. After looking things over I stood up and spoke to the nobles, officials, and everyone else: "Don't be afraid of them. Put your minds on the Master, great and awesome, and then fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes."
15-18 Our enemies learned that we knew all about their plan and that God had frustrated it. And we went back to the wall and went to work. From then on half of my young men worked while the other half stood guard with lances, shields, bows, and mail armor. Military officers served as backup for everyone in Judah who was at work rebuilding the wall. The common laborers held a tool in one hand and a spear in the other. Each of the builders had a sword strapped to his side as he worked. I kept the trumpeter at my side to sound the alert.
This morning I leave for youth camp with a few hundred of my closest friends. A recurring theme as we have prepared is this idea of building a wall. I invite you to join us. Will you be one of the watchers on the wall? Will you intercede on our behalf as we build?
I was wondering if you had happened to go to the symphony Friday night. Rhapsody and Blue was performed along with some Aaron Copeland stuff. I think you would have liked it.
Posted by: Sara Dudley | 01 July 2007 at 11:59 AM
Sara,
I am so glad to hear from you! You are right...I would have loved the concert. I was at youth camp, so I was unable to attend. I'm glad you got to go. I would love to hear about it. Hope you are having a great summer.
Shelia
Posted by: Shelia | 05 July 2007 at 05:46 PM
The first half of the concert was great. They played Leonard Bernstein's Candide Overture. After that they played Barber: Adagio for Strings. Before intermission Rhapsody and Blue was peformed. The pianist was fabulous. After the intermission some other American composed music was played. All three selections after the intermission were themed about Abraham Lincoln. I didn't like the second half as much as the first though. They played an Aaron Copeland peice last and there was a narrator that spoke about Abe.
Posted by: Sara Dudley | 08 July 2007 at 10:25 PM
Sounds Awesome! The first half, at least. I am so glad you get to have opportunities like this. I don't suppose it hurts to have musical parents, huh? Thanks for filling me in on the details. Are you going to be in my class this year?
Posted by: Shelia | 08 July 2007 at 10:59 PM
No I don't think so. I don't think I'm going back to Shanan. I'm going to be doing school online again this next year. The program I'm going to use doens't have an economics class though. I'm not sure what I'm going to do about that and Government. We'll see.
Posted by: Sara Dudley | 09 July 2007 at 05:38 PM
Too bad. I will miss you. Hope it's a great year though. Keep checking in evevry now and again to let me know how you are.
Posted by: Shelia | 12 July 2007 at 12:14 AM