So who is Teman?

I was reading the book of Obadiah today when I came to verse 9 of chapter 1.

"Then your mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that everyone from the mountains of Esau may be cut off from slaughter."

And I realized I had no idea who/what Teman was! So I looked it up and thought I would share my findings for anyone else who does not know who Teman is. It's crazy how much information is in the Bible! Although Teman is not a *major* topic in the Bible, we as Christians should always be striving to expand our knowledge of this holy Book. I didn't actually find much about Teman, but here's what I've got:

According to Genesis 36:11, Teman was a son of Eliphaz who was the firstborn son of Esau (Gen. 36:15). Edom was once governed by chiefs and kings (simultaneously? I dunno.) One chief was Teman (Gen. 36:15, 31, 42).


Jeremiah 49:7 says,
"Against Edom. Thus says the LORD of hosts:

'Is wisdom no more in Teman?
Has counsel perished from the prudent?
Has their wisdom vanished?'"

So it would seem that the Temanites were known for their wisdom. From Obadiah 1:9, the verse in question, it seems Teman was also known for their mighty men.


Jeremiah 49:20:
"Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD that He has taken against Edom, And His purposes that He has proposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out; Surely He shall make their dwelling places desolate with them."

So here we find that the Temanites were not a holy people, seeing as the Lord said they would be destroyed. (See also Amos 1:12, Ezekial 25:13, and Obadiah 1:9)


One more place the name of Teman is found is Habakkuk 3:3:

"God came from Teman,
The Holy One from Mount Paran.

His glory covered the heavens,
And the earth was full of His praise."

Habakkuk says this as he is praying.

So that's about all I found on Teman. Got anything else?

Game nights and sword fighting, argg!

This past weekend was a really great one! I really love when I get to spend time with my Christian family! Since we started Lads to Leaders (http://www.lads-to-leaders.org/) three years ago, the teenage girls here have been meeting and going through the GIFTS book by Hannah Colley (Girls in Fellowship and Teen Study: Can be found here... http://colleybooks.westhuntsville.org/PublishedWorks/works.html). It is a really great book for any teenage Christian girl, or Christian woman of any age, really, to read! She addresses real issues that need to be discussed and presents ways in which to combat them! I would recommend it to anyone!

Anyways, we met on Friday night and had a really great discussion about personal evangelism. Until I went to Guyana two years ago, I had never witnessed a personal Bible study. Last year, I led one of my own and I really enjoyed it! I'm glad I know how to conduct one now; it's really useful. At first, teaching someone the Gospel one on one can be really intimidating. You feel like you won't do a good enough job or you don't know what to say or your mind just says oh, someone else will do it. The truth is that one just has to study and practice! If one never tries, one will never know how they would do at it!

After we were finished with GIFTS, we started playing charades and catch phrase, two games I could play forever! We ended up staying till after 1 AM!! It was so much fun! People always seem to be surprised at how much fun Christians can have without going out and partying, drinking, etc. But guess what? We get to remember all the fun we had when we wake up the next day, and there aren't consequences!

The only problem with staying up so late was that I had to get up at 5 to drive to Georgia for a fencing tournament, but that's nothing 5 our energy couldn't fix! Out of 11 bouts, I won 5. There were some really good fencers there, but I still think I fenced pretty well for the level where I am right now. :) I had a great time.



The tournament was at Georgia Southern in their recreation center, and it was amazing! It was 2 stories and had all these exercise machines and treadmills and ellipticals. There were like 7 basketball courts, a few racquetball courts, and even a rock wall! But my favorite part was the track upstairs going around a few of the basketball courts! I couldn't resist running on it after I was done fencing! I love to run, and it was way better than treadmill running! Does anyone know if Freed has one? :P

Divine Mocha Chocolate Chip Cheesecake!

I have a recipe to share! It's really amazing and very easy, too. My new favorite thing! So here it is. I hope you'll try it (if you like coffee, that is)!!


Mocha Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

• 1 1/2 cups creme-filled chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs (I used chocolate teddy grahams)
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons instant coffee (I put 3)
• 1 tablespoon warm water
• 3 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 (14 oz.) can Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 3 large eggs
• 3 (1 oz.) squares semi-sweet chocolate, melted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup mini-chocolate chips
• Whipped topping

1. HEAT oven to 300ºF. Combine cookie crumbs and butter. Press firmly into bottom of 9-inch springform pan. (I just used a pie pan)
2. DISSOLVE instant coffee crystals in warm water. Beat cream cheese until fluffy in large bowl. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Add eggs, chocolate, coffee and vanilla. Mix well. Stir in 3/4 cup chocolate chips. Pour into prepared pan.
3. BAKE 1 hour 5 minutes or until center is set. Cool. Chill. Just before serving, remove side of springform pan. Garnish with whipped topping and remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips.

Enjoy!