Submit?

"Incline my heart not to submit or consent to any evil thing or to be occupied in deeds of wickedness with men who work iniquity; and let me not eat of their dainties."  Psalm 141:4

I read this verse this morning and the "submit" word hit me right between the eyes.  I am not to submit to any evil thing.  Usually, when I think of the word submit, I'm thinking about submitting to God.  I'm certainly not thinking about submitting to evil.

So I had to stop and think about it.  My life is full of submission whether I like it or not.  Aren't we born rebels?  We come out of the womb fighting submission. And yet...we're submitting whether we like to admit it or not.  We're either submitting to God or to Satan.  Really...is there any middle ground?

Maybe we just thought we had a problem with submission.  Hmmmm....

What would I say to a young mother?

I'm watching you young moms out there and appreciate what a hard job you have.  I want to encourage you today.  It's been rolling through my mind as I read Facebook what I'd want to say to each of you if I had the opportunity.  So...I'm taking the opportunity.

• Enjoy your children.  I know as you're changing diapers, potty training, trying to get kids to clean their rooms or trying to get teenagers out of bed, it seems like this job will go on forever.  While you'll be a mom forever, this part won't last long in the great scheme of things.  Enjoy it while you're on this leg of the journey.  Laugh...a lot!
• Take the time to train your children--it's time-consuming, but the payoff is great.  I remember how hard it was to train kids to clean their rooms.  (I pretty much gave up.)  But training your children how to sit at the table with good manners is huge.  Training them how to be a good friend will have long-term payoffs.  There are so many ways you will train your children.  Just remember that you're investing in our society in a huge way when you train your kids.  And...because there's such a lack of training among a lot of homes, your children are going to really stand out and be leaders.  Remember that.
• Relax!  Don't be so hard on yourself or your kids.  Looking back, I spent way too much time trying to impress others with my parenting skills instead of just pleasing God.  He's so much easier to please!   
• Remember these are little people with real feelings.  If I'd been thinking of how my words or actions might affect my children long-term, I might not have said or done most of them.  You may be rearing the next world-changer.  Take that in mind and treasure their little hearts.  Kids may be resilient, but how many of us look back on our childhoods and can pinpoint one situation that killed a part of who we were?  We have a lot of power as parents.
• Take time for yourself.  Make time to develop friendships!!  This is so important.  You need a sounding board or just being away from the fray.  Expect your kids to whine as you leave them with dad or a babysitter while you go have coffee with a friend.  Be strong!  Don't let it keep you home--go get that coffee.  You'll be a better mom when you get home.  Have fun while you're out!
• Date your husband.  I can still remember my kids giggling as I told them I had a date with their dad.  This brings comfort to their hearts knowing that their parents enjoy being together.
• Spend time with God.  Maybe this should have been at the top of the list, but I know as a mom it was hard to find a time alone with God.  I usually found time during the kids' naps to do it.  God knows how hard this is!  But just make your conversation with him go on all day long.  His Word is hidden in your heart, after all.
• Along that line, ask God how to parent.  He's the best parent and knows your children inside and out.  And He's given you the best counselor--the Holy Spirit!
• Spend time getting to know each child.  They're all different!  Consider this a privilege with long-term results.  Take them out individually.  Let each of them get to do things the others don't get to do.  (This will also make for some great feuds when they become adults!  Ha!)  Let them know they are each special and dear to your heart.

I know this may look more like a list of what-to-do instead of encouragement.  So if I could sum it up in one word, it would be this--ENJOY!!!  Enjoy those tiny people.  Enjoy each stage.  Purpose in your heart to enjoy the children God has entrusted to you.  Don't strive so hard.  Don't make it a pain. Don't pressure yourself and them.  Just...enjoy.  You're doing great, Momma!  No, really...you're doing GREAT!

A Bumper Sticker Story

About 25 years ago, Andy put a bumper sticker on our brown station wagon (that station wagon is a whole other blog for another day!).  You have to know this--Andy didn't put bumper stickers on cars.  But this was a special bumper sticker and was pretty popular at the time.

David was just beginning to read and it would take him a while to sound out a word.  The bumper sticker had been on the back of our car for a couple of years already, but because David couldn't read, he was oblivious to it...until that Sunday.  We came out of church and were walking towards our brown station wagon.  David slowed down his gait as he neared the car and began sounding out the words on the bumper sticker for the first time in his life.

"I-I  L-L-O-O-O-V-V-E  M-M-Y-Y  W-I-I-F-F-E.  

I L-O-V-V-E  M-M-Y  W-I-I-F-F-E.    

I LOVE MY WIFE?  

I LOVE MY WIFE!!  

Of course, we'd all stopped at the back of the car as he was sounding out the words and those of us who could read were waiting for him to figure it out.  And when he did, his giggles began which turned into a belly laugh.  He couldn't believe he'd been riding in a car all this time with a message like this on his bumper.  I think he was a little embarrassed. 

But when his giggles began, Andy & I were rolling!  It was so cute!!  We were delighting in our son's new understanding.

That's what I think my Father was doing this week with my new understanding of the Word.  I got it!!  I had a revelation of a truth that He'd been guiding me towards for 30 years. And I think He was laughing delightedly as the lights came on in my mind and heart.  I could hardly go to sleep last night for giggling over my discovery.

Pick-a-pic

Andy is working with his publisher to get his book out.  We can't believe it's actually happening...but it's true! We have no idea when it will actually hit the bookshelves, but we're hoping before Christmas.  Anyway, he has to turn a photo of himself in for the back of the book.  This is where you come in.  Tell us which is your favorite photo.  Our beautiful daughter-in-law, Shanna, took these amazing pictures!  (She is married to our youngest son, Zach.)  There were so many good ones to choose from, but we've narrowed it down to these three.  Tell us what you think!!

The Book Writer Andy

The Smiling Andy

The Casual Andy

And your choice is....

The Progressive Nature of God

I love being 57-years-old!  It's a great vantage point.  I can look back on my life and see the progressive nature of God in my life.  He is committed to changing us from glory to glory. (II Cor. 3:18)  The process hasn't always been an easy one.  Yesterday, I talked about the defining moments of my life and there have been many.  Many of those moments have come either when I've heard a preacher teach something or when I've read a book.  But at 57, I can look back and see how God has been on a mission of transforming me into the image of Jesus Christ and used many people to press me toward that goal.  It's kind of like jumping from one leap pad to the next.  Or one veil after another being lifted from my eyes.

Since I just finished a book that has yet again taken me to a new place and unveiled a part of God and His plan I hadn't known, I thought I might just give you a short version of some of the things I've learned over the years that have brought me to where I am today...not the finished product by any means.  But I'm enjoying where I am!  And I have to say...I've been blessed to be taught by some of the best teachers in the world!

• Dale Younce taught at a camp when I was 12-years-old and encouraged us to begin praying for God to prepare us for our mates and to prepare them for us.  I took him up on it!
• Jerry Bryan taught a regular class for us as teenagers and I learned things like the omnipotance and omniscience of God.  He systematically took us through the Word of God.
• I sat under Paul Burleson for several years and his teachings on the tabernacle deeply affected me.
• Major Ian Thomas came to our church and I heard about the saving life of Christ.
• I read Classic Christianity by Bob George.  His book encouraged me to begin seeking Truth...because knowing the Truth will set you free.
• I read the book Love Hunger by Drs. Minirth & Meirer which began a journey of emotional healing for me.  I began to see that in order to know the Truth, I had to be set free from lies.
• Bill & Anabel Gillham came to our church and taught about how we are made up by body, soul and spirit. I read Anabel's book, The Confident Woman, and it changed my life. 
• God Himself began revealing to Andy & I that just as we are made up of body, soul & spirit, it correlates to the tabernacle--the outer court, the inner court and the holy of holies.  We also saw the progressiveness of the way, truth & life.
• Around this time, I read Surprised by the Power of the Spirit by Jack Deere.  It deeply affected me.  It meant so much to me that he'd gone to Dallas Theological Seminary and yet was teaching on the Holy Spirit.  He gave me "permission" to pursue the life the Holy Spirit offers.
• Peter Lord came to our church and offered a very small class to those who wanted to learn how to hear God.  I was privileged to be a part of that class.  It was life-transforming to know that I could hear God!  He also has a book on the subject.
• At this time, I also read Peter Lord's book called, Keeping the Doors Open.  It's about dealing with a prodigal child.  I saw it more as a book on good parenting.  I highly recommend it.
• Many of the above things happened in a relatively short time.  Then God gave us opportunity to meet with a group of friends to learn how to pray, how to hear God, and how to minister within a safe environment where there was plenty of grace.  I feel like God put us in a hothouse and allowed us to grow in the things we were learning.
• We watched the Blessed Life video series (also in book form) by Robert Morris.  It changed how we viewed giving our firstfruits and the blessing it brings.
• I read Deadline (a fiction book) by Randy Alcorn.  It changed my view of heaven.  I still give this book to people who've lost a loved one.
• I went to a Joyce Meyer conference where I bought a tape of her teaching on prophesying your future.  
• Jim Cymbala's book called Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire went on my life-changing list.
• Jay & Amy told Andy & I about the book, Antagonists in the Church by Kenneth C. Haugk. It gave me permission to admit there are problem people in the church.
• I know there are many other books and speakers God has used to bring me to the place I'm at right now, but I just can't think of them all.  But yesterday, David brought me the book, Pure Grace by Clark Whitten.  It's going on my list of life-changers.  Clark closed the circle for me which Paul Burleson's teaching on the tabernacle and the Gillham's teaching on body, soul & spirit began.  He teaches on the four dwelling places of God and what it means for us as believers.  It has literally changed my paradigm!  

I know all of our journeys are unique.  But if God can use any of my journey to help you on your journey--SWEET!  It's just exciting to look back and to see the message God has pursued me with--Grace.  He's wanted me to get that He loves me unconditionally and there's nothing I have to do to earn His love, forgiveness or friendship.  It's a done deal.  Do I wish I'd "gotten" it early?  Absolutely.  But I love that my Daddy has chased me down and used so many different people with different backgrounds (and my own children!) to pursue me with His message of love.  That's the progressive nature of God--changing me from glory to glory!

Defining Moments

Have you ever had a defining moment in your life?  I've had several.  As an adult, it's been a moment when God reveals my heart to myself.   We don't know our own hearts, do we?  I say this with absolute certainty, knowing how many times God has shown me my own heart and revealed and uncovered things I had no idea were there.

Well...I qualify that by saying that after a defining moment, I can look back and see how God has been trying to show me my own heart for quite some time...by His mercy and grace.  He is committed to purifying me.  And that means He must reveal my heart to me even if it's painful.  I call it a good pain...not one I necessarily want to experience, but one I must experience if I'm going to grow and change.

It's easy for me to get bogged down in self-pity, beating myself up, or whining after God reveals my heart to myself.  But God doesn't want to condemn me and He certainly doesn't want me making this something it's not.  I'm learning to hear, accept, and change.  But I have to admit, my flesh would like to kick and scream a few days.

Today, I absolutely chose a new path.  One God has been calling me to for quite some time.  I don't expect it will be easy and I fully expect God to give me plenty of opportunities for growth.  I know I can't do this myself, so I've asked the Holy Spirit to guide me, teach me, train me, counsel me...all of those things He does.

When I told God I didn't "feel" what I think is necessary for this change, His reply was, "Just obey."  That I can do.  Obey.  But I may need prompts from the Spirit when there's a choice in front of me.  Too often, I react or speak out of my flesh when I need to see there's a choice of obedience in front of me.  HELP ME, GOD!!!

And then I read I Peter 4:1-2 in The Message this morning and it pretty much sums up where I am:

"Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want."

That's it.  My defining moment is a choice of either continuing to expect to get my own way (tyrannized by what I want!) or pursuing what God wants.    

Happy Father's Day

Andy Dietz

photo by Shanna Dietz

There is no doubt in the world that I married the man I was supposed to.  I'd begun praying as a 12-year-old for God to prepare me for that man and to prepare him for me.  We met on a blind date!  I loved him the minute I met him and knew I would marry him.  Later, he told me he knew immediately, too.

I fell more in love with him when we had babies.  I already knew he loved kids--he loved being around his nephews at the time.  So I knew Andy would be a good daddy.  And he was.  My mom told me all the time what a great daddy he was.  And she let me know most men would never let me get away with all the things I did---like leave him with the kids for a week (even though I arranged daytime babysitting and cooked and froze meals!).  I knew I had a good deal.

And I love him more now than then.  He is in love with his 10 grandkids...and has room in his heart for more!  (Hint, hint, kids!)  If my life were to end tonight, I know how blessed I've been.  I am so glad I waited on God's best for me.  Happy Father's Day, Andy Dietz!  You are the BEST!

I thought Matt's note to Andy on Facebook was a beautiful tribute.  I wanted to share it:

Dad,

Happy Father's Day. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. Thank you for taking me to San Antonio when you recorded the last Dietz Brothers album. I gained your passion for music on that trip. Thank you for renting scooters in Red River and taking the difficult road to Goose Lake. You showed me adventure and that risk leads to reward. Thank you for always taking others in to our home and loving them like you loved me. You showed me not to be self-centered, but love selflessly. Thank you for your endless friendships growing up, like the Griffins, the Coffmans, the Forrests, the Chavez, the Hattons and so many others who not only went to church, but lived passionately for Jesus. You showed me that iron sharpens iron and that passion must be stirred up to remain alive. The most important life-lesson you taught me was at the age of ten, when you pulled me aside in the church hall after someone else had scolded me for running and they told me I needed to make a good impression for my father. You sought me out and simply told me then, "I make my own reputation, and you will never affect it by what you do. You will make your reputation by who you are. Don't worry about how it will hurt me, because it can't." In that moment, you gave me identity, freedom and permission. I love you for it all.

Psalm 139:5

"You have beset me and shut me in—behind and before, and You have laid Your hand upon me."

I never read this verse without thinking of the story Sherryl Stone told us years ago.  We served on staff with Charles & Sherryl Stone and it was during one of our weekly staff wives meetings (I loved those meetings!) that Sherryl shared this story in her beautiful Mississippi drawl.  It's been a long time, so I hope I have the details correct.

I believe it was Christmas and Sherryl's daddy was going to go up into the attic to bring down Christmas decorations.  Sherryl had never been in the attic and begged to go up and see what it was like!  Either Sherryl was an only child or maybe the only daughter...at least much-loved and protected. Her father tried to tell her it was too dangerous, but that only made her more intent on wanting to see what was up there.  So after much discussion, her parents came up with a plan.  Her father would go up the ladder first, Sherryl would follow, and her mother would come up behind both of them.  At no time was Sherryl alone--one of her parents had their hands on her at all times.  She was beset and shut in behind and before.

Isn't that just like our Father?  He never leaves us alone and He always has a hand on us--even when we aren't aware or when we may feel all alone.  Faith knows He's there and has a firm grip on us.

I've loved Sherryl's story all these years.  I just wish you could hear it in her beautiful southern drawl.

Psalm 136 according to Becky

If Psalm 136 had been written about my life:

 O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.

O give thanks to the God of gods, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.

O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever—

To Him Who alone does great wonders, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who by wisdom and understanding made the heavens, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who gave Becky life, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who heard a 7-year-old's prayer and gave her a sister, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who gave these girls the best brothers a girl could have, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who brought Andy into her life, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who led Becky into a wilderness while her husband traveled and she had two babies to care for, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who gave them four beautiful children, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who blessed with them with a ministry where they made deep friendships, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who led this family into the wilderness and into a very hard situation with many enemies, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who opened doors into a broad place, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who allowed this family to be planted in a fruitful place for 25 years, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who who spent years killing enemies in Becky's own heart, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

To Him Who continues to lead Becky out, not allowing her to be comfortable, but creating a passion for more fruitful ministry, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;

O give thanks to the God of heaven, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!

Featuring Lindsey

Lindsey Dietz is a guest contributor to GNOWFGLINS (God's natural, organic, whole foods, grown locally, in season) website today!  Be sure and check it out:  GNOWFGLINS.  And then...go make some cookies!

Break My Fall

First...watch Zach Dietz singing Break My Fall



Then watch his son, Dax, sing Break My Fall

God texted me this morning...

 Stand at the crossroads and look;

 ask for the ancient paths,

ask where the good way is, and walk in it,

    and you will find rest for your souls.

    But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

Jeremiah 6:16

I got up and read my Bible this morning and began thinking about where Andy & I are in our life journey.  I began asking God for direction....and He texted me the verse above!  Well, technically, Jodina texted me, but I'm positive God used her--so it was the same as a text from God.

What are the ancient paths?  Is it the Baptist pathway I've been on?  Maybe the Episcoplalian?  Aren't they older?  Take a look at this chart:

BAPTIST began in 1611  (That's pretty old!)

PRESBYTERIAN--1536

EPISCOPAL--1609

LUTHERAN--1550

ROMAN CATHOLIC--367???

Those are all old pathways.  Is that what this verse is talking about?  I mean it was written in Jeremiah's day--which is older than any denomination named above.  So I don't think I'm to follow the old pathway of any denomination.  When I looked at another version of the Bible, this is what that verse says:  "Thus says the Lord: Stand by the roads and look; and ask for the eternal paths, where the good, old way is..."

And when I put it in perspective of what Jesus said, it all makes sense:  "Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life..."  Jesus is our ancient, eternal pathway.  He knows which direction to go, because He is our Way.  All we have to do is follow Him.

A denomination?  Didn't Jesus come to tear down walls?  Didn't He rebuke religious leaders of His day for their religiosity?  Didn't he do away with tradition?

There's only ONE Ancient Pathway...and His name is Jesus.  (And I love getting texts from Him!)

Quiver full of arrows

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.  As arrows are in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.   Happy, blessed, and fortunate is the man whose quiver is filled with them!    They will not be put to shame when they speak with their adversaries [in gatherings] at the [city’s] gate."  Psalm 127:3-5

I want to preface what I'm going to say with I know many people can't have children and grieve over that fact.  And I haven't walked in your shoes.  I can't imagine how heartbreaking it is.  Can I encourage you to fill your quiver with other people's children?  I have a brother and sister-in-law who have invested in nieces and nephews and children of their friends to the point that these kids are as loyal to them as their own parents!  I have "children" I didn't give birth to.  Believe me...I know it's not exactly the same.  But I'd ask you to get out of the box with God and see that there are children waiting for extra investment.  As a mom to four kids, I consistently prayed that God would send other godly adults to invest in my kids.  And a big thanks to those who did!

Having said that, what a gift children are!!  I always cringe when I hear people demeaningly ask an expectant parent if they "know what causes that?"  And I'm so happy to see many families having more than the 1.5 children which was encouraged 25 years ago.  God bless the Duggar family and what they've done to encourage couples to have more children.  How big is your quiver?  Probably not 19 kids and counting--but it may be more than you think. It's certainly something in which we all need to come in agreement with God.  But the quiver isn't the object of this passage...it's the arrows.

Years ago, I heard Pastor James Ryle teach about shaping arrows.  It was extraordinary.  He talked about the hard work of creating a "true" arrow.  It takes lots of whittling, soaking, shaping and shooting to make sure the arrow can actually hit the target.  And then it may take some more of the same if it doesn't. ( I wish it was on Youtube, because it's something I wish everyone could hear!)  There's certainly lots that goes into the 18 years of training a child before they leave home.  And it can be exhausting and frustrating for everyone involved.

One thing God taught me early was to point those arrows to the target of God's will.  Not to the target of popularity.  Not to the target of being a great sports player.  Not to the target of being a beauty queen.  Not to the target of pleasing me.  But to the target of God's will for their lives.  And in order to do that, you have to know the "bend" of that arrow.  What did God create it for?  Praise?  Accounting?  Teaching?  Auto Mechanics? To know the bend of the arrow, you have to spend time getting to know that child.  Know their strengths and help make them stronger.  Know their weaknesses and help whittle that down in their lives.

But oh, the joy, when that arrow hits the target!  It may not come when they turn 18.  But as God so wisely pointed out to me when I was panicking when my first two kids left home at the same time, "When did you grow the most?  (Age 35)  Then trust Me to take over now.  Your job is done and I'm their Father who will finish the training and shaping."  But when you see those arrows standing up to their enemies, it is the most satisfying thing you can imagine.  I stand in awe when I watch.  It's not because I was such a great molder of arrows...it's seeing what God has done.  It's knowing that even my fallible attempts at shaping an arrow becomes mighty in God's hands.

For those of you shaping your little arrows right now, I want to encourage you to keep whittling, keep stripping, keep soaking, keep shaping.  It's so worth it.  It may be exhausting, but ask God to send others alongside you to invest in the work.  And make sure you point those arrows at the right target--the target of God's will.

And when you release those arrows, expect them to go further than you ever have.  They will.

Jennifer by Dee Henderson

One of my all-time favorite series is The O'Malley Series by Dee Henderson.  If you haven't read the series, you need to!  The series is the telling of the story of seven siblings--but not the normal kind of siblings.  These seven were orphans who met at Trevor House and adopted one another.  They even went to the extent to change their last names to O'Malley to become their own little family.  And they were fiercely loyal to one another.  They were each professionals in different fields--you will love their interaction with one another.  It's the kind of love, unity and loyalty we all dream of for our families.

After writing the entire series, Dee Henderson went back and wrote a prequel called Danger in the Shadows.  And it still wasn't enough.  You fall in love with this family and want more and more--you feel like you know them.  So now Dee has written a prequel to the prequel called Jennifer.  You will love it.  If you haven't read the series, then start here, then the prequel...and then the series.

Jennifer is the youngest of the O'Malley's and her older siblings are very protective of her.  Jennifer is a doctor of the best kind.  She loves kids and helps them in their path to wellness.  While at the hospital, she meets a new doctor named Tom Peterson.  He's such a gentle spirit and they begin a sweet relationship.  And Tom introduces Jennifer to Jesus.  She's the first O'Malley to come to Christ and a passion is in her to introduce the others to Him.  She's eager for them to meet Jesus...but not so eager to introduce Tom.  She keeps telling him he has no idea what he's in for.

I promise you will love this little 154 paged book.  I hope you'll read the entire series!  I definitely give this book 5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to BethanyHouse for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Our help...

"Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth."  Psalm 124:8

I read this verse this morning and began thinking of all the situations which needed the help of the Lord.  I've seen lists of the names of the Lord, but decided to find a list online and just read through those names (and their meanings) and pray them over the situations I'm aware of.  I thought you might want to do the same!  Of course, this is not an exhaustive list and I'm including the page where I found this.  Please....help yourself!  But as you read the list, remember that your help is here.

Old Testament (The Hebrew Scriptures, or Tanach):

EL:  God ("mighty, strong, prominent") used 250 times in the OT See Gen. 7:1, 28:3, 35:11; Nu. 23:22; Josh. 3:10; 2 Sam. 22:31, 32; Neh. 1:5, 9:32; Isa. 9:6; Ezek. 10:5. El is linguistically equivalent to the Moslem "Allah," but the attributes of Allah in Islam are entirely different from those of the God of the Hebrews. ELAH is Aramaic, "god." Elah appears in the Hebrew Bible in Jer. 10:11 (which is in Aramaic, and is plural, "gods"). In Daniel (the Aramaic sections) Elah is used both of pagan gods, and of the true God, also plural. Elah is equivalent to the Hebrew Eloah which some think is dual; Elohim is three or more. The gods of the nations are called "elohim." The origin of Eloah is obscure. Elohim is the more common plural form of El. Eloah is used 41 times in Job between 3:4 and 40:2, but fewer than 15 times elsewhere in the OT. See the Catholic Encyclopedia entry on Elohim.

ELOHIM:  God (a plural noun, more than two, used with singular verbs); Elohim occurs 2,570 times in the OT, 32 times in Gen. 1. God as Creator, Preserver, Transcendent, Mighty and Strong. Eccl., Dan. Jonah use Elohim almost exclusively. See Gen. 17:7, 6:18, 9:15, 50:24; I Kings 8:23; Jer. 31:33; Isa. 40:1.

EL SHADDAI:     God Almighty or "God All Sufficient." 48 times in the OT, 31 times in Job. First used in Gen. 17:1, 2. (Gen. 31:29, 49:24, 25; Prov. 3:27; Micah 2:1; Isa. 60:15, 16, 66:10-13; Ruth 1:20, 21) In Rev. 16:7, "Lord God the Almighty." The Septuagint uses Greek "ikanos" meaning "all-sufficient" or "self-sufficient." The idols of the heathen are called "sheddim."

ADONAI:  Lord in our English Bibles (Capital letter 'L ', lower case, 'ord') (Adonai is plural, the sing. is "adon"). "Master'' or "Lord" 300 times in the OT always plural when referring to God, when sing. the reference is to a human lord. Used 215 times to refer to men. First use of Adonai, Gen. 15:2. (Ex. 4:10; Judges 6:15; 2 Sam. 7:18-20; Ps. 8, 114:7, 135:5, 141:8, 109:21-28). Heavy use in Isaiah (Adonai Jehovah). 200 times by Ezekiel. Ten times in Dan. 9.

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JEHOVAH:  LORD in our English Bibles (all capitals). Yahweh is the covenant name of God. Occurs 6823 times in the OT First use Gen. 2:4 (Jehovah Elohim). From the verb "to be", havah, similar to chavah (to live), "The Self-Existent One," "I AM WHO I AM" or 'I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE" as revealed to Moses at the burning bush, Ex.3. The name of God, too sacred to be uttered, abbreviated ( . . . . ) or written "YHWH" without vowel points. The tetragrammaton. Josh., Judges, Sam., and Kings use Jehovah almost exclusively. The love of God is conditioned upon His moral and spiritual attributes. (Dan. 9:14; Ps. 11:7; Lev. 19:2; Hab. 1:12). Note Deut. 6:4, 5 known to Jews as the Sh'ma uses both Jehovah and Elohim to indicate one God with a plurality of persons.

JEHOVAH-JIREH:    "The Lord will Provide." Gen. 22:14. From "jireh" ("to see" or "to provide," or to "foresee" as a prophet.) God always provides, adequate when the times come.

JEHOVAH-ROPHE:       "The Lord Who Heals" Ex. 15:22-26. From "rophe" ("to heal"); implies spiritual, emotional as well as physical healing. (Jer. 30:17, 3:22; Isa. 61:1) God heals body, soul and spirit; all levels of man's being.

JEHOVAH-NISSI:      "The Lord Our Banner." Ex. 17:15. God on the battlefield, from word which means "to glisten," "to lift up," See Psalm 4:6.

JEHOVAH-M'KADDESH:              "The Lord Who Sanctifies" "To make whole, set apart for holiness." The Lord says: "Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy." (Leviticus 20:7-8)

JEHOVAH-SHALOM:           "The Lord Our Peace" Judges 6:24. "Shalom" translated "peace" 170 times means "whole," "finished," "fulfilled," "perfected." Related to "well," welfare." Deut. 27:6; Dan. 5:26; I Kings 9:25 8:61; Gen. 15:16; Ex. 21:34, 22:5, 6; Lev. 7:11-21. Shalom means that kind of peace that results from being a whole person in right relationship to God and to one's fellow man.

SHEPHERD:   Psa. 23, 79:13, 95:7, 80:1, 100:3; Gen. 49:24; Isa. 40:11.

JUDGE:  Psa. 7:8, 96:13.

JEHOVAH ELOHIM:     "LORD God" Gen. 2:4; Judges 5:3; Isa. 17:6; Zeph. 2:9; Psa. 59:5, etc.

JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU      "The Lord Our Righteousness" Jer. 23:5, 6, 33:16. From "tsidek" (straight, stiff, balanced - as on scales - full weight, justice, right, righteous, declared innocent.) God our Righteousness.

JEHOVAH-ROHI:        "The Lord Our Shepherd" Psa. 23, from "ro'eh" (to pasture).

JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH:        "The Lord is There" (Ezek. 48:35).

JEHOVAH-SABAOTH:      "The Lord of Hosts" The commander of the angelic host and the armies of God. Isa. 1:24; Psa. 46:7, 11; 2 Kings 3:9-12; Jer. 11:20 (NT: Rom. 9:29; James 5:4, Rev. 19: 11-16).

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EL ELYON:       'Most High" (from "to go up") Deut. 26:19, 32:8; Psa. 18:13; Gen. 14:18; Nu. 24:16; Psa. 78:35, 7:17, 18:13, 97:9, 56:2, 78:56, 18:13; Dan. 7:25, 27; Isa. 14:14.

ABIR:  'Mighty One', ("to be strong") Gen. 49:24; Deut. 10:17; Psa. 132:2, 5; Isa. 1:24, 49:26, 60:1.

BRANCH:   (tsemach), The Branch: Zech. 3:8, 6:12; Isa. 4:2; Jer. 23:5, 33:15.

KADOSH:   "Holy One" Psa. 71:22; Isa. 40:25, 43:3, 48:17. Isaiah uses the expression "the Holy One of Israel" 29 times.

SHAPHAT: "Judge" Gen. 18:25

EL ROI:        "God of Seeing" Hagar in Gen. 16:13. The God Who opens our eyes.

KANNA:   "Jealous" (zealous). Ex. 20:5, 34:14; Deut. 5:9; Isa. 9:7; Zech. 1:14, 8:2.

PALET:   "Deliverer" Psa. 18:2.

YESHUA:    (Yeshua) "Savior" ("he will save"). Isa. 43:3. Jesus is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Joshua." The latter is a contraction of Je-Hoshua. ("Christ", the anointed one is equivalent to the Hebrew Maschiah, or Messiah). [See Wikipedia article].

GAOL:  "Redeemer" (to buy back by paying a price). Job 19:25; For example, the antitype corresponding to Boaz the Kinsman-Redeemer in the Book of Ruth.

MAGEN:  "Shield" Psa. 3:3, 18:30.

STONE: (eben)   Gen. 49:24

EYALUTH:   "Strength" Psa. 22:19.

TSADDIQ:    "Righteous One" Psa. 7:9.

EL-OLAM:       "Everlasting God" (God of everlasting time) Gen. 21:33; Psa. 90:1-3, 93:2; Isa. 26:4.

EL-BERITH:        "God of the Covenant" Used of Baal in Judges 9:46. Probably used originally to refer to the God of israel.

EL-GIBHOR:      Mighty God (Isa. 9:6)

TSUR:   "God our Rock" Deut. 32:18; Isa. 30:29.

Malachi calls Messiah "The Sun of Righteousness" (Malachi 4:2).

Isaiah calls Messiah "Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God (El Gibhor), Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9:6).

'Attiq Yomin (Aramaic): "Ancient of Days," Dan. 7:9, 13, 22.

MELEKH:  "King" Psa. 5:2, 29:10, 44:4, 47:6-8, 48:2, 68:24, 74:12, 95:3, 97:1, 99:4, 146:10; Isa. 5:1, 5, 41:21, 43:15, 44:6; 52:7, 52:10.

"The Angel of the Lord: " Gen. 16:7ff, 21:17, 22:11, 15ff, 18:1-19:1, 24:7, 40, 31:11-13, 32:24-30; Ex. 3:6, 13:21, Ezek. 1:10-13. Seen in the theophanies, or pre-incarnate appearances of the Son of God in the OT (See I Cor. 10:3 NT).

FATHER:  2 Sam. 7:14-15; Psa. 68:5; Isa. 63:16, 64:8; Mal. 1:6.

THE FIRST AND LAST: Isa. 44:6, 48:12.

IMMANUEL, or EMMANUEL, or IMANUEL: "God with us." Isaiah 7:14, 8:8. Quoted in Matthew 1:23.

New Testament Scriptures, (Greek):

KURIOS: (kurios) "Lord" Found some 600 times in the NT.

DESPOTES: (despotes) "Lord" 5 times: Lu. 2:29; Acts 4:24; 2 Pet. 2:1; Jude 4; Rev. 6:10.

THEOS: (yeos) "God" (equivalent to the Hebrew Elohim), 1,000 times in the NT. In the NT all the persons of the trinity are called "God" at one time or another.

I AM: Jesus upset his generation especially when He said, "Before Abraham was, I AM," John 8:58. Note also his claim to be Jehovah in such phrases as "I AM the Light of the world," "the bread of life," living water," "the Resurrection and the Life," "the Way, Truth and the Life" in John's Gospel. From the Hebrew OT verb "to be" signifying a Living, Intelligent, Personal Being.

THEOTES: "Godhead" Col. 2:9; Rom. 1:20.

HUPSISTOS: "Highest" Mt. 21:9.

SOTER: (soter) "Savior" Luke 1:4 7.

WORD: (logos) John 1:1ff

ALMIGHTY: (pantokrator) 2 Cor. 6:18, Revelation, 9t, e.g. 19:6. 

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JESUS: Derived from the Hebrew "Joshua" (Y'shua) or "Je-Hoshua" meaning JEHOVAH IS SALVATION.

I do believe He is all we need.  Our help is in His name.