By Sharon at She Worships

I still remember the first time I learned that “ebenezer” was more than a scrooge-y character in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. I was taking an Old Testament class in seminary, and when I came to 1 Samuel 7 I read about God’s saving intervention in the face of great peril. 1 Samuel 7:10-11 recounts,

While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the Lord thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar.

In response to God’s faithfulness Samuel does the following:

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” (v. 12)

When I first read this passage I loved the visual, the idea of marking the spot where God had been faithful. Not only did that stone remind Samuel of God’s faithfulness, but whenever Samuel’s ancestor’s would pass by it, they too would remember God’s love. More Here...

2013 is just around the corner. Everyone usually has their normal resolutions such as stop smoking, lose weight, be a better person, be more outgoing, or landing that promotion. When I was a teenager I made a list of resolutions every year and I took them seriously. I am twenty-four now and I haven't made a list of resolutions in years.
 
This year I hit a wall. I realized I had some negative people in my life, negative habits, and environments I would frequent that were not helping me move along in life in a positive way. Everything in life doesn't have to be a lesson learned or something to advance you. I believe in having pure fun sometimes and being absolutely ridiculous with your friends. Those types of memories are some of my best and most bonded. I also realized I wasn't spending my alone time in the most productive manner.

2012 has been a great year, but I can say it has had it's ups and downs and it's my fault entirely for dealing with the downs the way I did. When one particular bad thing happened I would go out all night and then go to work on no sleep, working twelve hours plus an hour commute. I would stress myself out and cover it up with more partying. Besides work I was distracted from spending time with my family, dealing with my own feelings, dealing with other responsibilities, ignoring my health, and the list goes on. More Here...