A few weeks ago I was so blessed to encounter a new (to me) speaker at the 15th anniversary women's forum. I was there to learn about women's ministry and to network with other women's ministry leaders. But, I was also there because I knew the keynote speaker was Beth Moore, a hero to me and a teacher who is responsible for the bulk of my personal discipleship and love of scripture. And, of course, she did not disappoint. =) I learned so much from her talks and am still processing a lot of it. But the surprise of the week was a young and pretty speaker from Colorado named Margaret Feinberg. She really delivered an incredible message to the leaders there and inspired me to look at God's word through the eyes of a member of an agrarian society would. As you can imagine, I (certified city girl) had no idea how to do this.
I was so intrigued that I immediately bought her book, Scouting The Divine.
In the course of writing the book she visited a shepherdess in Oregon, a farmer in Nebraska, a bee-keeper in Colorado and a vintner in California. Throughout the book she asks the subject matter experts to examine the scriptures with her and to answer questions, not as theologians but with their unique perspective as a member of their field. The whole thing is so interesting! My eyes were opened afresh to scriptural references to shepherding, working in fields, a land flowing with milk and honey, and Jesus as The Vine. She goes into just enough scientific detail to blow your mind and just enough beautiful word pictures of what she learned to set your imagination on fire.
Here is a promotional video she made about the book
An Introduction to Scouting the Divine: My Search for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey from Margaret Feinberg on Vimeo.
Here is a quote that has been rolling around in my spirit since I read it about making a offering:
And God did not just ask for the perfect sheep; He also wanted its wool. Deuteronomy 18:4 instructs shepherds to give the first shearing of the sheep as on offering to God. Above the crackling warmth radiating from the stove, I read the verse aloud to Lynne. "Is a first shearing a once-in-a-lifetime offering?" I asked. "Yes, everybody wants the first shearing, especially if it's from one of your best lambs. The first shearing is the finest fleese that's used to the best clothes...to ask for that is a real sacrifice." ... For the first time in a long while, maybe ever, I had felt with my own hands what God desired from sacrifice. It was nothing like what I expected...In asking for the first fleece, God isn't asking for the biggest. He wants to smallest and the softest. He doesn't want more-He wants the best.
If you are looking for an enjoyable read that will edify your knowledge of God and make you love Him more, you should put this book on your wish list for Christmas. I really loved it and will use it often as I study. Thank you Margaret. This city girl finally begins to understand.
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