She Pondered These Things In Her Heart

Lately I've been thinking a lot about how I want my children to have an intense passion and love for their God.  I thought about myself when I was a young girl and unfortunately, I didn't have that passion... I loved God and I was a child of God, but I was still lacking something.  I began to wonder if that passion and love can only come out of a season of testing and trials because for me that was the turning point in my life.

Last night my kids and I sat in church for our Good Friday service... I think it's safe for me to say that I have never been a part of a more powerful service.  I can't adequately explain the songs that were sung, the readings that were read or the prayers that were offered... my words just cannot describe it.  I sat with tears streaming down my face as I once again came face to face with my sin that caused my Savior to go to the cross.  I am simply overwhelmed!

The service ended at the point in the story with Jesus still hanging on the cross.  The room went dark and the noise of thunder and the earth quaking filled the sanctuary.  The lights came back on dimly and everyone quietly made their way to their vehicles.  No chit chatting, laughing or conversing.

When my kids and I climbed into our van and I began driving away, I wasn't sure what to say.  How do you go on with life as normal after being a part of something so powerful?

I was still choked up and could barely speak when my son, a teenager, said something that made me think that yes, indeed a child can have the same love and passion for God as an adult who's experienced the loving hand of God through trials.  He simply told me there were moments during the service that he too could not sing because the words of the song and the message they spoke to his heart were just too much.

I'm thankful for the little glimpses God gives me into the heart of my children... this was one of the moments that can't be captured on camera, but will forever stay with me in my heart.

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.  Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”  When he had said this, he breathed his last.

The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.   (Luke 23:44-49)

Jesus Storybook Bible: Easter Story

A friend of mine posted the following videos to her Facebook wall and I thought they were very appropriate if you have younger elementary age children.  I watched them with my daughter this morning.  The videos are produced from the Jesus Storybook Bible written by Sally Lloyd-Jones.

A Dark Night in the Garden

The Sun Stops Shining

God's Wonderful Surprise

It's Going to be a Great Week!

This is my favorite week of the year. 

It hasn't always been my favorite though, I probably would have chosen Christmas when I was a young girl, but as I've gotten older, I've come to realize what a great sacrifice my Savior made for me and I am overwhelmed by His love for ME! 

I grew up in a wonderful Christian home; add to that my dad taught and my mom worked at a bible college for almost all my years at home  That environment, I think, caused me to take for granted the great sacrifice Jesus made for me.  I heard the same bible stories in Sunday school, church and school and it just became routine for me to hear that at the Easter season Jesus died, was buried and rose again... the amazing love Jesus showed me never touched my heart only my brain.  I believed that Jesus died for me, but there was still something missing...

Roughly ten years ago, I picked up the book The Murder of Jesus by John MacArthur and I came face to face with the reality, pain and love that combined to cause Jesus to go willingly to the cross for me.  I have been forever changed!  I can no longer sit in church dry eyed as I sing about that love and I passionately want my kids to know the same love not just in their brain, but deep down in their hearts.

This week my family is attempting to set not only our minds, but also our hearts on this special week that started on Sunday celebrating Jesus Triumphal Entry in Jerusalem.  Thursday we will gather at church for Maundy Thursday to partake of the Lord's Supper as we remember and contemplate the last night before Jesus was arrested and crucified.  Friday we will gather again as we celebrate Jesus' love for us in taking our sins to the cross.  And the week will culminate on Sunday morning as we celebrate that death and the grave could not hold Him... Jesus is alive!

Yesterday my pastor posted a timeline to his blog, outlining this special week and it has been very helpful to me.  It is my desire to spend a few minutes every day this week with my kids talking and reading about what was happening in Jerusalem roughly 2000 years ago.  My hope is that as we immerse ourselves into the scenes that unfolded those many years ago, we will feel what Jesus felt, we will see what the crowds saw, and come Sunday we will be changed because we now know what happened in the life of Jesus leading up to his death, his burial and eventual resurrection.  I would encourage you to do the same with your family.  It's not too late to get caught up on the story... take some time tonight to read about Jesus Triumphal Entry on Sunday and His cleansing of the temple on Monday.  There was so much going on during that special week, I  am anxious to learn along with my kids as we celebrate and remember His great love and sacrifice for us!

Made In His Image

My first grader came home with a mini book this past week about animals and the homes they live in... a monkey lives in a tree, a groundhog lives underground, a deer lives in the forest... you get the picture.  It was a nice little story until the very last page when the author said something like Tom and Mandy live in a house.  They are just like animals.  What?!?  Maybe the book was poorly written, but it sure sounded to my husband and I that the author was equating humans to animals.

I know I've talked about it before, but this was another reminder to me that the desire to indoctrinate our children at a very young age is very real.  This particular situation gave us the opportunity to talk to our daughter about how God made us in His image and we are not made just like the animals.

If the book had said something like Tom and Mandy live in a house just like animals live in their own houses; I would have been okay with that.  But we are definitely not made just like the animals and for that I am very thankful!

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  (Genesis 1:27)

Cleansing Freedom

Forgiveness. 

Why is it so hard to forgive?  When I think about the times I've been offended, I can't honestly say that stewing on the offense provided much satisfaction; it generally caused a lot of anxiety and inner turmoil.

If you've read the story of Jacob and Esau, you quickly learn they don't have an ideal relationship.  Even before the boys were born they were struggling together in the womb.  And then later, Jacob received the family birthright because Esau foolishly sold it to him for the price of lentil stew and bread.  Then it all climaxed when Jacob deceives his father, which results in him receiving his father's blessing (God's blessing) rather than the rightful older brother, Esau.

It seems that whatever Jacob touches turns to gold.  I'm sure Esau felt that way too.  It was at this point in the story that Jacob fears for his life and flees to Haran to look for a wife.  On his way to Haran, Jacob has a dream that forever changed his life.  This may have been his defining moment when he realized the life he had been leading was not honoring to God and he set out to live in dependence on God.  As you read the next several chapters you see that Jacob was treated unfairly by his father-in-law over and over again, but not once does he return to his life of deceitfulness.

After spending 20 years working for his father-in-law, Jacob decides it's time to return to his homeland with his wives, children, servants and an abundance of livestock.

Naturally, Jacob is nervous and anxious about meeting his brother knowing they didn't part on good terms.  So Jacob sends hundreds of varying livestock to his brother as a peace offering for his part in their broken relationship.

Something amazing happens at the point in the story... Esau forgives.

As I read that portion of the story, I felt the weight lift that Jacob must have been feeling too.

You see, I understand that feeling very well.

Last fall, I posted an article about forgiveness.  At that time, I had truly forgiven someone who offended me, but over the past several weeks I felt God nudging me toward taking it one step further.  Like God always does with me, he spoke the idea of forgiveness into my heart it seemed at every turn -- bible messages, songs, radio broadcasts, etc.  So I listened to that nudging, sat down and crafted a letter to the offender offering complete forgiveness.  I don't know if this person is a Christ follower, but I told her that because I had been forgiven much by my Savior, I wanted to give her the same love and grace, and forgive completely.

I never expected to receive a reply back, but God graciously allowed me to hear back from her.  I was told what a gift it was to receive my forgiveness.  In that moment I felt like I think Jacob must have felt when he and Esau were reacquainted... the past was just that -- the past.  It was indeed very cleansing and freeing.

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.  (Matthew 6:14-15)

 

On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”  (Romans 12:20)

Maybe you're struggling with this issue of forgiveness today.  Maybe someone under your roof has hurt you, an extended family member, church member, etc.  It is my prayer that you will find the courage and strength to give forgiveness today.

I'm thankful for the journey and lessons God taught me... it is only because of his mercy and grace that I am even able to broach this subject.  I write this post not for my own glory, but because I want to praise God for teaching me and growing me into the person He would have me to be.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches

"Mom, can I have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?"

"Are you sure you're that hungry?", Mom asks. "We are having supper in 30 minutes."

"Yes!" the child replies, "I'm starving".

Thirty minutes later, supper is served... juicy tender pot roast, creamy mashed potatoes with a river of gravy, seasoned cooked carrots, soft dinner rolls and warm apple crisp topped with whip cream.  The only problem is junior isn't hungry anymore, he sacrificed a hot satisfying meal for short term hunger pains.

Esau did the same thing (Genesis 25:29-34).  He came in from working the fields and felt the hunger pains rise in his stomach.  The aroma of lentil stew and fresh bread filled the family tent.  Jacob, his younger brother, had been cooking and Esau couldn't resist.  In a moment, he foolishly sold his birthright to his brother for the immediate satisfaction of a full belly.  He failed to appreciate what his birthright entailed... God's plan of redemption for the whole world!

Before we get too judgemental of Esau, we must ask ourselves how often do we do the same thing?  How often do I choose the easy, comfortable, safe path in lieu of something bigger God may have planned for me?  I'm afraid to admit how often I make the same foolish mistake Esau made.  I'm prone to look for short cuts and instant gratification.  I don't like hard things and I really don't like waiting.  But maybe just maybe, I should.  God knows my bigger picture and I need to look to Him for guidance and strength to wait because He will satisfy my "hunger pains".

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.  (Isaiah 55:8)

As I was writing this post tonight, a further thought occurred to me.  The world is telling our children that whatever feels good must be okay... your emotions and opinions are the barometer that guide you.  We know that to be a lie, but Satan is very good at distorting the truth, and the youthful minds of our children are susceptible to his lies and tactics.  He tells our kids that sex before marriage is okay because everyone is doing it and it is pleasurable, but when they cave into Satan's lies they quickly learn they just sold their "birthright".  And once it is sold, it can never be purchased again. 

Thankfully, there is forgiveness at the Cross.

 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  (1 John 1:9)

Today, let's seek God's guidance rather than the short term satisfaction of a full belly from a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Mountains and Molehills

As a teenager I had an amazing relationship with my mom. I loved her, respected her and genuinely loved spending time with her, as did my friends. She wasn't the type of mom that sacrificed her authority to be my best friend... I knew the boundaries, but she truly was a great mom. To this day, next to my husband, she is my best friend.


Over the years I've heard snide remarks about parenting in the teen years and quite honestly I didn't understand because that wasn't my experience as a teenager.

So naturally I was looking forward to parenting teens.

Maybe I was a tad naive as I entered this stage of parenting, but as of late it has become more challenging than I thought it would have been. Mind you, my teenager is not heading off the cliff (for which I am thankful); it's just the little stuff that when built upon tends to grow into a monument. I'm not to the point of wanting to make snide remarks about raising a teenager, but I can definitely see that I can not do this on my own... I need God's help. Quite honestly, that is the best place for me to be at... in total dependance on God.

As I've been thinking about this issue over the past 24 hours, I've been asking God to show me what are the issues in my teen that MUST be addressed and what issues are just molehills. By nature, I'm prone to make mountains out of molehills, so I need God's guidance in showing me what needs to be addressed and what issues are just points of irritation. I don't want to be that nit picky mom who points out every little infraction and in turn causes the heart of my teen to turn away from me and from God.

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

 

 

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. Colossians 3:21

 

Is this an issue your dealing with too? Let's pray together that God would guide us in raising a teen that genuinely loves and fears God. Pray that our irritations won't be the rudder that guides our parenting.

I AM Significant

I don't always feel very significant.  I live in a city of approximately 66,000 people.  My state has over 5 million people.  The United States has just over 315 million people.  There are  7+ billion people in the world.

I feel insignificant.

I'm a stay at home mom most of the time.  I have 2 part-time jobs that take me out of my home about 10 hours a week.  I have never invented anything.  I have never managed a corporation.  I have never handled more than a few thousand dollars.  I have barely left my country.  I have never cured a disease.  I have never met anyone famous.  I have never made a speech to thousands of people.

I feel insignificant.

But almost 2000 years ago, on a hill called Golgotha a Man named Jesus took on Himself all the sins of the world... including mine.

I AM significant!

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.  (1 John 2:2)

 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  (John 3:16)

 

Our kids often feel this insignificance, so share with them how truly significant they are in the eyes of God.



God Redeems Everything!

About a month ago, I was watching a webcast featuring Lysa TerKeurst and Shelia Walsh.  Both women endured some very difficult experiences as either a child or young adult.  During this particular webcast they were recounting some of those difficult times and Shelia Walsh made the statement that God redeems everything.  I admit I have never heard it phrased that way before and I had to stop and ponder what that meant.

Over the past month, I haven't been able to get the phrase out of my head... God redeems everything.  I've come to see it worked out in so many ways in recent weeks. 

Personally, God has taken a very difficult situation for my family by uprooting us from one home, to live in an apartment for the past 5 years.  I won't lie and say it has always been easy.  It's true that God has blessed us with a beautiful and adequate apartment home, but I have always felt like less a person living in an apartment at my age.  As I've looked around at my friends and family and see their nice homes, I've struggled with how everyone must be viewing me and my family.  God continuously worked in my heart in this area over the past 5 years.  I knew in my heart I didn't want what I had before, but I also didn't care for the stigma that went along with my current situation. 

Fast forward 5 years to today... God used those years to teach my husband and me that He had a bigger plan for our family.  If we hadn't struggled through some of the dark times, we wouldn't be in an amazing church that continually blesses, strengthens and encourages us.  We wouldn't have learned the valuable lesson that sometimes less is more... we've learned to live simply, counter culturally and with contentment...

God Redeems Everything!

As I've looked at my friends and family, I've seen over and over how God redeems everything.  Just in the past few weeks, I've heard of a marriage relationship that by secular standards should not have survived due to infidelity, but...

God redeems everything!

I've seen a friend lose a job only to be given a better job opportunity hours after losing the first...

God redeems everything! 

I've seen God remove a friendship that in the moment was difficult to understand only to be restored with another more God honoring, Christ exalting friendship...

God redeems everything! 

I've heard testimony of a man's transformation from a drug addicted lifestyle to a life of restoration found only in the love of Christ...

God redeems everything!

Quite honestly, the list could go on and on.  When I contemplate the work that God is doing in my life and those I know and love, I can see His hand of blessing and restoration on a daily basis.

You may be in one of those dark moments right now and it's hard to see the light. I know and understand those moments, but now I also know something else...

God Redeems Everything!

O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.  (Psalm 130:7)