Appetites

Someone passed along this article on one of the forums I read. It was an EXCELLENT read, I hope you'll make your way to the bottom and soak up such a wonderful lesson.


Children's Appetites
Found at the "Living Sacrifice" blog.

Our homeschooling support group is working through the “Genesis of a Legacy” Bible study by Ken Ham. Wow! What a great and inspiring series of lessons to remind us just WHY to homeschool in the first place.

One thing has stood out to me this week: The issue of appetites. Ken Ham gives an illustration in one of his video presentations where he has three volunteers from his audience come to the platform and try a bite of vegemite. Vegemite is an Australian favorite—a dark brown squeaky paste made with salt and yeast. Australians eat it on bread or sandwiches. They love it. Most Americans, tasting it for the first time, think it is disgusting (I’ve tasted it and did not remotely like it!). He explained that Australians love vegemite because when they are babies, their parents start giving them tastes of it on a spoon. They grow up eating it, having it regularly, and their appetite is built for it. The parents actually train their appetite for it!

So, what appetites are you building in your children?

What are your children hungry for? How do they want to spend their time? What do they want to “put in their brain?” What do they want to eat? How do they want to behave?

Are we giving our children an appetite for video games? TV? Movies? Collectible Toys? Superheroes? Comic books? Sports? Worldly pleasures? Junk food? Laziness (not doing chores or work?) Lack of self-control? (giving in to whims or desires without regard to consequences?)

How often, do we as parents, cultivate the wrong appetites and then whine and worry when our children aren't hungry for the things of God? When they aren't interested in good things, and godly things? Sometimes, we cultivate wrong appetites because WE are lazy (yes, I am aware that is a word that makes many people mad). Sometimes, I am tempted to turn on a cartoon for my fussing baby just to keep him quiet and occupied for a while. But I will not often do it. I offer him things that I know will give him a good appetite: to accompany me while I do a chore, or to play with his toys--toys we have approved (blocks, a few cars, books, wooden puzzles). At any given time, I will tell him to play with his toys, or he must do nothing (sit on a chair in the middle of the room). Guess what--he is developing an appetite for his toys--the toys we choose and approve. He is developing an appetite to sit contentedly and look at books or work puzzles.

Incidentally, he is 2. He has one basket of toys. No more. He has about 12 books that are at his level, and a stack of wooden puzzles that are kept in his sister's room in her cupboard (they were hers, and her older brother's before her).

I allow him to sit at his desk and draw or color, or play with his flash cards.

Sometimes, when the other children are doing school and the chores are caught up, I play a game with him, or I read to him, or I work on other ways to develop his good appetites.

At the moment, while I am typing, he is outside "working" with his older brother, and loving every minute of it. Following his brother while he does outside chores is a joy to him. And his older brother develops an appetite at the same time!

What about our older children? How often do we let them get absorbed in video games, a movie, or TV just because it keeps them quiet, it keeps them from fighting, and we aren't even watching the time anyway because we are so busy ourselves surfing the internet, watching TV, or pursuing our own pleasures. What do my children/your children do while we are online? What about right now?

About three years ago, we started reprogramming our children’s appetites to God-pleasing things. God revealed His truth in this area and I realized it was my responsibility to train the right appetites for my children--my end goal being to turn out children who had a hunger for God first and foremost, and an appetite for godly things. I prayed daily for help. We made changes.

We began consistently saying “no” to things where God revealed we were developing wrong appetites, (and explaining why they are not glorifying to God) and replacing those things with God-pleasing alternatives. This year, I am finally seeing the change and transformation evident in their appetites. God's work is evident in our home. He has been changing us, changing our lives, and changing our appetites!

About 3-4 years ago, we took away, one by one, TV, movies, collectible toys, superheroes, comic books, video games. We kept toys that helped facilitate their growth in a godly way. We didn’t do this all at once! We were still growing in the Lord, and we didn’t always realize right away that some things were not pleasing to God. But we grew, and we changed. And we are still growing and changing.

For example, at this point in time, my daughter (who is now 8) has a play kitchen and four baby dolls. BABY dolls—not Barbie dolls, Polly Pockets, Bratz Dolls, or any other kind of dolls. BABY dolls. These toys encourage her to practice being a mother. They give her an appetite for mothering. The other dolls simply were not as good at building this appetite.

My daughter has a doll house. Not a trendy, collectible, plasticky, Barbie or fashion-doll house. A real doll house. Made with wood. It has carpeting and tile and empty rooms. She has a bin of wooden furniture and accessories. It helps her organize and design a home. It gives her an appetite for being a home manager. She can sew curtains or make tiny pillows or bedspreads, placemats, or crochet area rugs. She can make little pictures to hang on the walls, or design wallpaper, borders, or textured paint.

My son (now 13) has Legos. They give him an appetite for being a creator, inventor, planner, and builder. He has books to read—godly books. Lamplighter Publishing, Henty novels, Christian biographies, martyr stories, missionary stories, and some approved classics (not all classics are acceptable—even though they are classics!).

My son has a computer for typing and learning programming—he has a programmable robot. He has no internet connection. He has an email address, but he corresponds only with family and very rarely AS NEEDED, and it is supervised by his parents. He is not allowed to check it by himself (due to spam). His appetite is not being built for internet, email, and chat. His appetite is being built to use the computer as a tool.

My son has tools. He has outdoor sports equipment. He has a basketball hoop, baseball equipment, golf clubs, soccer balls, a bike, a scooter, a .22 rifle and a bow with arrows (50 lb). He doesn’t play on teams at the moment—it is not how God is directing him, and we are not feeding his appetite to think that athletics are highly important. He might watch a sporting event or two each year. But we do teach him that being healthy is important, and that having fun is something God wants us to do!

We have art supplies and books to teach drawing and painting. We have stuff for sewing, crocheting, knot tying, and music (piano, guitar, recorders).

We have a DVD player. It is for sermons, Moody Science videos, and other Christian videos we own. It is not used more than once a week, if that.

We have local TV channels. Most days it is never turned on.

The children have a typing tutor on the computer with games (my 8-year-old daughter can type over 20 words per minute—and she loves typing! She has built an appetite for it!). They have Rosetta Stone Spanish they can do independently. We have about 4 computer games that can only be played with permission. They are car racing (just cars--no people, stealing, chasing... just driving), and hockey.

So, after three years, I have been watching my children and gauging their appetites. Finally, there is evidence that their appetites are changing. They don’t miss or even bat an eye that other children have Playstations, PSPs, action figure toys, Barbie Dolls, every Polly Pocket set, or 6 American Girl dolls, the whole line of Bratz dolls, or all the Littlest Pet Shop toys. My children have no appetite for these things any longer.

My son has built an appetite for reading. And we feed him on GOOD books. Godly books. My son has built an appetite for playing the piano and the guitar—he loves choosing to spend his free time there. He has built an appetite for outdoor work. At the moment, he has taken his little brother and they are collecting kindling for the winter. He has an appetite for mechanical things.

My daughter has built an appetite for singing, for cooking, and for reading. She loves typing and writing in her free time. She loves crocheting and embroidery. She actually doesn't play with her toys that often any more. They are used mostly when friends are visiting--and I feel good knowing I am not feeding bad appetites in other people's children with the toys I have in my home. But my daughter's appetites are changing. For example, in her free time this week, I have observed her reading through "Drawing with Children" on her own and completing the lessons. She has been reading "The Book of Virtues." She has been working on her typing skills. She has been playing with her brothers.

They have learned to play contentedly with each other (not all the time of course, but certainly most) – a 13-year-old boy and an 8 year-old girl and a 2-year-old boy. The past few weeks, they have been inventing their own game using the baby’s bin of toy animals (miniature plastic giraffes, elephants, gorillas, alligators, etc.) They wrote a rule book and have played together for hours in the evenings, having a wonderful time. They happily include the baby. They have an appetite for each other!

But most importantly, I’ve noticed they have an appetite for God. This year, our Bible classes day can run an hour or two overtime. Why? The children never get tired of discussing God’s Word. We get out the concordance, we talk, discuss, apply, think of examples, write notes… And we’re not even using a curriculum. Just the Bible. They are excited, engaged, interested, and intrigued. Not too long ago, when my daughter was told, “Get your notebook, we’re watching a sermon for Bible class today.” She actually jumped and cheered.

Now that’s a good appetite.

My children have an appetite for chores. We’ve worked at it steadily. It is now a regular part of their lives. They love order and neatness. They hate chaos, mess, and excess. Weekly, they bring me things they have identified that they no longer need or use. Their rooms, drawers, shelves, and closets are in near perfect order most days. My oldest is to the point where mess and chaos bothers him. It is not normal to them. Their appetite is for cleanliness, orderliness, and things that are needed—not things that are not needed.

And what is really neat about all of this is watching the baby. You see, my older two children originally had bad appetites. When my son was 8, he had every Pokemon toy and every Pokemon card. He had every Disney video. He had everything. My daughter had Barbies, Polly Pockets, and who knows what else. They watched TV. They had “attitude”—I had given them an appetite for it. My older children—they had to be reprogrammed. I had to change their appetites.

But the baby—he was born into an entirely different family. It is amazing to see the appetites that this little guy has developed. Guess what his number one favorite activity is?

Work. Of any kind. He loves to work. Why? Since he was born, that is what he has been fed. He loves helping with any chore at any time. He observes what the family is doing, and leaps up to help -- throwing clothes in the washer, or grabbing napkins for the table, or...

School work. He is only 2 ½. He has flash cards and worksheets, and he begs to do school work. That is the appetite our home cultivates.

Praying and talking about Jesus. And singing about Jesus. And reading his Bible. He can’t read, but he has three Bibles he carries around, and sits down to read them. Or, he sits at the piano with his Bible open on his lap and “sings” from his Bible while he plays. Okay, it sounds like some "joyful noise" but in his heart, he is singing!

Appetites!

I just wanted to document God’s wonderful work here in this journal of mine. Get that straight—It’s all GOD’s handiwork. Not mine. I could have never gotten it figured out on my own, and certainly could not have done anything right.

God’s ways are perfect, and He promises to give us anything we ask that is in His will. We asked, He gave it to us.

Do your appetites need to be changed? How about your children? PRAY! God will get to work! It is His will!
-----------------

Epilogue:

Now, let's apply this to Christmas!

Look at your Christmas list for your children, other people, and other people's children. Make sure the things on your list bless the other person (like homemade food, edible treats, and such), and FEED GOOD APPETITES!

For example, I used to let my son buy video games or Lego sets for his friends or relatives. Not any more. We try to think of something we can make, and if not, we try to choose something that will not be a time waster for the person receiving the gift or a money waster for us or contribute to a covetous attitude like collectible toys.

For example, my son sent his half-brother (age 12) a homemade fleece blanket and matching pillow for his birthday this past fall, including a framed matching painting that he had done of a peacock (the colors in the painting matched the colors on the blanket, and all those colors matched the colors of this boy's room). We then baked him a whole batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies--his favorite--and included them in the box.

One of my daughter's friends is getting a typing tutor software as a gift for Christmas to encourage productive computer time and writing (this girl has played for hours on the typing tutor at our home).

I fully believe in blessing our children with good gifts--especially at Christmas--to celebrate the ultimate gift God gave to us, but also to teach them about the nature of God and His goodness. God gives us good things all day every day!

Want to know what our kids are getting for Christmas? Here is a list. The point of sharing this is simply to be honest. Perhaps something we feel is good appetite is something you would never consider! That is OKAY! We have tried to consider the appetite we are creating with every gift we give them -- whether the gift is simple or a little more elaborate -- and I would like to encourage you to do the same.

Young teenage son:
Henty audio book (this is a big treat for him)
New Lamplighter Publishing Book (He loves these and always asks for more)
Arrows and accessories for his bow (we already gave this and he has been practicing)
Much needed clothing (he won't quit growing!)
Some new board games to play with the family or his sister (Bible scattergories, Battleship)
Instant hot chocolate (just a blessing and treat)
Tic Tacs (a tradition for us--I buy a case at Sam's Club and divide them among the kids for Christmas)
A book light for reading in the dark in bed or in the car--the kind that attaches to the book
A 12-pack of roller-ball pens for school (he LOVES good new pens!)

8-year-old Daughter:
A Knitting Machine (well--not machine--one of the sets of peg-rings in different sizes): because she LOVES crocheting, but she still struggles to do it well. I figured this would bless her and help her make her projects more easily until her hands become more coordinated for traditional crocheting and knitting.
A disposable camera--she really wanted one just for fun! I don't mind encouraging photography skills!
Different scrapbooking papers so she can make handmade cards (last year we got her the handmade card book--it was a WONDERFUL investment and gift! We have made the most beautiful cards and gift tags to bless other people!)
Snow gloves (she asked for these and needs them)
A whole new set of "hair pretties"--as we call them: head bands, pony tail holders, clips
A fresh new journal (she is a writer and these get her inspired)
A 12-pack of new gel pens
Book light
Pretty new socks
Hot chocolate, and tic tacs

2 1/2 year old boy:
-Three new school workbooks at the 3-yo level, and a nice coloring book of all types of "everyday" images: trees, boats, flowers, animals.... Schoolwork is his favorite!
-A new school desk and chair, all his own, with a drawer (right now he is borrowing the wooden child's table from his sister's bedroom)
-New pencils, erasers, and a pencil sharpener-just like the "kids"
-Two new reading books (he likes to read stacks and stacks of books!)
-A new wooden puzzle set
-3 new board games (Memory, Candy Land, and Hi-Ho Cherry O). He loves playing games and he is ready for these! He will have hours of fun with his older brother and sister and his parents!
-A new watch--just like his big brother's (he likes it when his big brother lets him wear his watch. If you ask him what time it is, he importantly says, "Thirty-one.")
-Some new socks
-Hot chocolate, and a bag of "mosh mallows"
-His very own packs of Tic Tacs

These are gifts we feel encourage the good appetites in our children as well as conveying to them how much we love them and love giving them good things, and love giving them things they love.

I wish you all a most blessed Christmas season. Praise God for His mercy and love in sending His Son for us, truly the greatest gift of all.

P.S. What are you giving Jesus for Christmas? After all, it his HIS birthday! Is there something you think He may want from you?

I met God in the morning

"I met God in the morning"

I met God in the morning
when the day was at its best,
And His Presence came like sunrise,
Like a glory in my breast.

All day long the Presence lingered,
All day long He stayed with me,
And we sailed in perfect calmness
O'er a very troubled sea.

Other ships were blown and battered,
Other ships were sore distressed,
But the winds that seemed to drive them,
Brought to me a peace and rest.

Then I thought of other mornings,
With a keen remorse of mind,
When I too had loosed the moorings,
With the presence left behind.

So, I think I know the secret,
Learned from many a troubled way:
You must seek Him in the morning
If you want Him through the day!

By Bishop Ralph Cushman

********************

Oh I need some inspiration on getting up early. At this point I wake up with the kids and drag for hours because I stayed up later than I should have. Wish me luck!

Hosea 6:3

Let us acknowledge the LORD;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.

Prayers

Worry about nothing, Pray about everything.

Pray with faith
Pray in faith

Prayers shouldn't come from roofs of our mouths but from the root of our hearts.

Grace vs. Mercy

Grace: getting something for which I’ve done absolutely nothing to deserve.

Mercy: not getting something negative that I absolutely do deserve.

I love these definitions. Not only a great gift God bestows on all of us but a reminder on how I should be treating others maybe?

James 1:2-3

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance."

Goals...

There is a difference between trying harder to follow and obey God's will...

...and total abandonment to His will.

Quoted from Kim Binkley of Broken Arrow Church of Christ; Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Guest speaker at our ladies retreat this year.

Something to think about.

Luke 18:8

..."However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"

Contradicting Scriptures?

I've heard a common thread of misunderstanding from certain people in the past who were struggling with the thought of Christianity. They had either heard or read bits of scriptures scattered through out the bible and felt it was all a big contradiction. Unfortunately these presumed inconsistencies seem to give them the permission they needed to drop their inquiries into Christianity. Joanna Weaver addresses Scriptures that seem to contradict each other so perfectly in her book "Having a Mary Spirit"...

Paul teaches that salvation comes solely by faith (Romans 3:22-26). Yet James said that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Paul tells us that our flesh has been crucified with Christ - Past tense! But then he urges us to "put to death the deeds of the body" (Romans 8:13, NKJV) on an ongoing basis.

So which one is it? you may ask. Which is true? Which one do I do?

The answer, I believe, is often... both. Both are true. And we must do both.

If your even more confused now here's an explanation that may help.

In eastern Montana, farmers and ranchers often plant trees as windbreaks. But in order for a young tree to survive the winter blasts as well as the summer heat of the prairie wind, the farmer has to stake off the tree. So he ties four strings to the trunk and then drives stakes deep in the ground at the four corners - east, west, north, and south. Then the wind can howl, but the little tree, held secure by the tension between the four strings, won't fall.

I believe God has built the same kind of four-cornered "holy tension" into His Word. Because we humans tend towards extremes, swinging to far in one direction and then veering way too far in the other, God wrote balance points into Scripture. Principles that appear contradictory at first glance, but - when followed - help us grow straight and tall, strong and deep.

As I continue to live the mystery of these scriptural paradoxes, I'm beginning to find they make perfect sense. More important, the very contradictions that stretch my mind are the ones that change me most deeply.

And isn't change the whole point?

~Joanna Weaver

Reconciliation

We recently had a great ladies bible class over the topic of reconciliation. It was just so good I wanted to share it here. All credit goes to God, and my friend Lori H. for researching and presenting this lesson.

Restoring Broken Relationships

We as Christians, are reconciled with God through Jesus. We know by this example, that if we have any relationships in our lives which need mending or reconciliation, we need to make this a priortiy.

• Romans 5:10 For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
• 2 Corinthians 5:18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation

Throughout scripture, God tells us we need to love one another, and of the importance of getting along together. Humility is an extremely important part of this.

• Philippians 2:1-5 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus

It is also a mark of spiritual maturity.

• 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.
• Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Seven Biblical Steps to Restoring a Relationship

1. Talk to God before talking to the person...
   
   James 4:1-2 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.
   
   
2. Always take the initiative...
   
   Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
   
   Ephesians 4:26 In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry
   
   Can also hinder our relationship with the Lord...
   
   Proverbs 28:9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.
   
   
3. Sympathize with the other persons feelings - listen more than you speak...
   
   Philippians 2:1-5 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus
   
   Psalms 73:21-22 When my heart was embittered and I was pierced within, then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.
   
   Romans 15:2-3 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."
   
   
4. Confess your part of the conflict and ask for forgiveness...
   
   Matthew 7:5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
   
   1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
   
   
5. Respond with gentleness, not with anger...
   
   Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
   
   Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
   
   
6. Cooperate as much as possible...
   
   Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
   
   
7. Emphasize RECONCILIATION not RESOLUTION...
   
   1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

If you have a relationship in your life which has a particular problem or needs restoring, begin praying about a solution, and approach that person this week and let God work with you toward a better relationship.

Humility is...

Humility is perfect quietness of heart.
It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me.
It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed or despised.
It is to have a blessed home in the Lord, where I can go in and shut the door, and kneel to my Father in secret, and am at peace as in a deep sea of calmness, when all around and above is trouble.

~Andrew Murray

Pride is a Cheater

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.
I cheat you of your God-given destiny...because
you demand your own way.

I cheat you of contentment...because
you "deserve better than this."

I cheat you of knowledge ...because
you already know it all.

I cheat you of healing...because
you're too full of me to forgive.

I cheat you of holiness...because
you refuse to admit when your wrong.

I cheat you of vision...because
you'd rather look in the mirror than out a window.

I cheat you of genuine friendship...because
nobody's going to know the real you.

I cheat you of love...because
real romance demands sacrifice.

I cheat you of greatness in Heaven...because
you refuse to wash another's feet on earth.

I cheat you of God's glory...because
I convince you to seek your own.

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

You like me because you think I'm always looking out for you.

Untrue.

I'm looking to make a fool of you.

God has so much for you, I admit, but don't worry...
If you stick with me

You'll never know.

~ Beth Moore
Praying God's Word.

Cool Quote

"I am not a citizen of this world trying to get to heaven,
but a citizen of Heaven, trying to get through this world."

Author Unknown

Three Things

Three things in life that, once gone, never come back -

1. Time
2. Words
3. Opportunity

Three things in life that can destroy a person -

1. Anger
2. Pride
3. Unforgiveness

Three things in life that you should never lose -

1. Faith
2. Hope
3. Integrity

Three things in life that are most valuable -

1. Love
2. Family & Friends
3. Kindness

Three things in life that are never certain -

1. Fortune
2. Success
3. Dreams

Three things that make a person -

1. Commitment
2. Sincerity
3. Hard Work

Three things that are truly constant -

1. Father
2. Son
3. Holy Spirit

I asked the Lord to bless you,
as I prayed for you today;
to guide you and protect you,
as you go along your way.
God's love is always with you,
God's promises are true.
And when you give God all your cares,
you know He'll see you through.

****************

Unknown Author
2007 Ladies Retreat
Anchorage Church of Christ

I saw Jesus

I saw Jesus last week.
He was wearing blue jeans and an old shirt.
He was up at the church building;
He was alone and working hard.
For just a minute,
He looked a little like on of our members.
But it was Jesus.
I could tell by his smile.

I saw Jesus last Sunday.
He was teaching a Bible class.
He didn't talk really loud or use long words,
but you could tell He believed what he said.
For just a minute,
He looked like my Sunday school teacher.
But it was Jesus.
I could tell by His loving voice.

I saw Jesus yesterday.
He was at the hospital
visiting a friend who was sick.
They prayed together quietly.
For just a minute,
He looked like brother Jones.
But it was Jesus.
I could tell by the tears in His eyes.

I saw Jesus this morning.
He was in my kitchen
making my breakfast
and fixing me a special lunch.
For just a minute,
He looked like my mom.
But it was Jesus.
I could feel the love from His heart.

I see Jesus everywhere,
taking food to the sick,
welcoming others to his home,
being friendly to a newcomer,
and for just a minute,
I think He's someone I know.
But it's always Jesus.
I can tell by the way He serves.

May someone see Jesus in you today.

Unknown Author
2007 Ladies Retreat
Anchorage Church of Christ

going to God with grief

Tonight my thoughts have been consumed with the grief of a friend. She poured her heart out to me tonight, and all I want to do is make her feel better.

But of course...

Nobody on earth can just fix grief.

I prayed, I read my bible, and I prayed some more for God to help me to reach out to her in a way that might somehow be helpful. I really wish I was better at this sort of thing but the truth is that this is just not my strong suit.

I decided I would google for scriptures connected with grief. But before I did, I had the strongest urge to hear a song. A song I have on my computer. The song is by Rascal Flats, who are not a Christian group, they just have good songs. The stranger thing is that the song "Stand" isn't one I ever intentionally pick at home, or in the car. Before tonight I didn't even know the name of the song, nor did I know the lyrics. Earlier today I heard the first few seconds play on someones myspace page before I went to another page and the song got cut off. I didn't pay attention to the words, but the tune lingered.

So I found it on my computer however many hours later and played it...

You feel like a candle in a hurricane
Just like a picture with a broken frame
Alone and helpless like you’ve lost your fight
But you’ll be alright, you’ll be alright
Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you’re made of
You might bend ‘til you break
Cause it’s all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you’ve had enough
You get mad, you get strong
Wipe your hands, shake it off
Then you stand
Life’s like a novel with the end ripped out
The edge of canyon with only one way down
Take what you’re given before it’s gone
And start holdin’ on, keep holdin’ on
Every time you get up and get back in the race
One more small piece of you starts to fall into place

This song just struck me as one of those "your gonna make it" songs we tell ourselves in rough times. It seemed to have a bit of His touch to it as well. So I looked at a few of the other song lyrics on the same album and discovered a favorite of mine. It's called "He ain't the leavin kind". I always thought it was about a husband or boyfriend, but tonight I discover it's about God.

And there He goes, another grand slam hit outa the park. I am just amazed at the meaning these songs carry and the exact timing He delivers this.

And maybe by now your realizing I don't believe in coincidences.

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I found some scriptures after I heard the song.

I'm not the one grieving but they even gave me comfort...

The Father of mercies and the God of all consolation·consoles us in all our affliction.
~2 Corinthians 1:3,4

When Jesus saw her weeping...He was greatly disturbed in spirit...Jesus began to weep.
~John 11:33,35

They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles.
~Isaiah 40:31

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And during all this someone left a comment on one of my posts tonight. It got me checking out some of the other posts at the top of the page I've written and I see my post about the Godwinks book. The post about all of us having to go through the valley. The post about just holding on and relying on God to get us through the other side, because he's right there with us. And to be watching for his "winks" of reassurance along the way.

I haven't even thought about that post or this blog in over a month.

And He delivers yet another relevant answer to my prayers.

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Talk about Godwinks. He heard my prayer and lead me straight to some great things to roll my mind around in. Some of this I may share with her, and some I may just keep in mind. I suppose He'll lead me through all that too.

But I'm convinced He's been sitting over my shoulders tonight.

Wow, I love Him.

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I found all sorts of other scriptures I thought I would share. Keep in mind this is what I found in a few hours, including the song lyric detour. This of course means there are tons of other scriptures that would be helpful - if you find them, I would love you to share them with me.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. ~Psalm 147:3

Approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ~Hebrews 4:16

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts ~Colossians 3:15

I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. ~Psalm 18:1-2

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge ~ Psalm 62:5-8

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O Lord, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. ~ Psalm 36:5-7

Psalms 32:10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.

Psalms 103:16-18
the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children - with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

Jeremiah 3:19-21
"I myself said," 'How gladly would I treat you like sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.' I thought you would call me 'Father' and not turn away from following me. But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you have been unfaithful to me, O house of Israel," declares the LORD. A cry is heard on the barren heights, the weeping and pleading of the people of Israel, because they have perverted their ways and have forgotten the LORD their God.

Jeremiah 31:3
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

Hosea 11:1-11
"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. But the more I called Israel, the further they went from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images. It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them. Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent? Swords will flash in their cities, will destroy the bars of their gates and put an end to their plans. My people are determined to turn from me. Even if they call to the Most High, he will by no means exalt them. "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim. For I am God, and not man - the Holy One among you. I will not come in wrath. They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west. They will come trembling like birds from Egypt, like doves from Assyria. I will settle them in their homes," declares the LORD.

When God Winks at You...

I'm reading a book called "When God Winks at You" by Squire Rushnell

It's a small book about how God communicates with us in our everyday lives. In both incredibile and small ways. I know I see it all the time, now. I never really had my eyes open to most of it before though - unless it was something huge.

The begining of the book had me anxious for it to get better and although I'm not through it yet, its turned out to be really uplifting. It's all been really good stories, no downers, all covering mostly happy moments for different people getting little messages from God. I would definitely recommend the book.

I just got to the 6th Chapter called "Winks on Unanswered Prayer", and in this chapter there's a section called "why me, why now". Times of true hardship. Times we don't always understand why we're going through troubles. Sometimes the reason becomes clear in the future, sometimes not. He actually writes a really touching true life example where we do get to see the reason for one of those hardships but what he wrote after that was what really connected with me...

We've all had the experience of looking heavenward and asking: "God, why me?"

Terrible things happen to everyone. Sooner or later, we all have to walk through the valley.

In the Bible, David never suggested we could go around the valley or over it. We all have to go through it.

But the nice thing about valleys is that there is an end to them. No matter how dark it seems, there's a time when it will end and you'll break into the sunshine. And that is the concept you need to hang on to - that there is an end to terrible times, to the feelings of loss of control and to the total absence of suitable remedies.

Valleys also have signposts. All along the way God provides winks of reassurance for you to see. Just like on the darkest interstate, a signpost every once in a while is a welcome message of reassurance - a reminder that your on track, to keep going.

The thing I liked about this little spot in the book most is that it reminded me God is with us through our hardships (which is a big comfort for me to hang onto). I'm not gonna even touch on why the hardships happen because I haven't stumbled upon that book yet, but it's a great reassurance to know that He is right there, with us and He's doing his best to send us special messages that He's loves us and hasn't left us alone. Even with all the needy souls he's tending to, he still has time to send us little messages each day.

Starstruck

Well, I've let myself get a bit to busy to have devotional time with the Lord lately. It's been a nagging thought in the back of my mind that I need to put some time aside each day for Him. And not just a few minutes but an hour or two - in the mornings would be best so I can start the day with Him. But really, at this point I'm not gonna be picky. I've been praying about it, but then I forget later when I maybe could do something about it.

This evening I had a whole list of things that I was getting done, things that needed done. Chugging right through it too. And I justified that it was OK to do (for tonight at least) over devotional time with Jesus because it's stuff for the Church that has to get done.

• I organize and run the church nursery - I had to print and laminate some stuff before Sunday because I don't know when I'll have time after today. It was suppose to be done 2 Sunday's ago.
  
• Our church is putting on the 2007 Statewide lectureship - I was asked to be the Organizing and Scheduling person - which entails I think a little bit of everything. I had to do some stuff for that this evening because I can't stand stacks of responsibility looming over me that is unfinished. That stuff ended up taking me over 3 hours to do alone.

Anyway, in the middle of my mad. rushed. progress...

*Boom*

The power goes out.

And I think "Oh you've got to be kidding me."

And so Marty and I light some candles and I think, "now what? I can't do any of this with out power." "I can't do Anything with out power!" I guess I was a bit frustrated too because I just wanted to get some of this done so bad... Even though the lectureship isn't happening until APRIL.

And then it hit me, "Maybe God is making time for my devotional." So I gathered a ton of candles around the couch, snuggled up and had my devo time with God through reading and prayer. It was just what I needed.

My mind had been racing and I had a million things to do. When I couldn't figure out how to make time, he did it for me. Just knowing he made time for me tonight, had (and still has) me starstruck.

And I have to add, it's a little rough at first but; reading by nothing but candle light is very romantic.

And no, not romantic in that way...

...more along the lines of dreamy and idealistic, yet in a simple kind of way.

Can't beat hanging with The Big Guy. Especially when He stops everything and sets an ambiance like none other; just to be with you.

Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World

I've been reading a book recommended by a friend lately. Actually the book was part of a semester long study in our ladies class at church. Unfortunately they had 2 really good classes going at once so I only made it to the class on this book a few times. The teacher was gone once (maybe twice) in the class I was in, so I just floated over the the ladies class during those times and I think that is exactly what God had planned for me.

The teacher highlighted one part of this book one of those days I floated over, and I just haven't forgotten it in the 2 years since. The rest of the book is great, but I thought I would share a small portion of the book here, in hopes that someone else will be as intrigued as I was....

The book is called "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" by Joanna Weaver

This bit is taken from the middle of chapter 5....

Making Room For The Savior
Few things have whetted my hunger for God like the discipleship course I took back in 1987. While other people may struggle with worldly temptations, my struggle has always been in the area of spiritual disciplines. My devotional life has been haphazard at best. Because I hadn't developed the habit of a quiet time as a child, when the busyness of adulthood came, I found it difficult to find time alone with the Lord.

Some of you may be aghast at such a thought. Your devotional life runs like clockwork. You find it impossible to make it through the day with out time alone with God.

If that is true for you, may I tell you how blessed you are? It has taken me nearly twenty years to come to this discipline, and even then it has been a gift of grace, not an accomplishment of my own making.

Until I took the Navigator's 2:7 Course, I didn't even know what I was missing. There are many wonderful discipleship programs available, and I don't highlight this one for any reason except that it happened to be the one our church used. It gave me the discipleship tools I needed and some necessary accountability as well.

The class was wonderful. My spirit began to grow and thrive as the soil of my heart was tilled deep and fed by the Word of God. But then my Martha-like perfectionist tendencies kicked in, causing me to approach my devotional time as another duty to perform. I loved the feeling I got as I checked of chapters in my Bible reading and conquered another memory verse. To be honest, much of my motivation cam from my competitive nature. I wanted to be the star pupil, one of those disgusting teacher's pets.

Robert Boyd Munger's article "My Heart Christ's Home" changed all that. Through the simple analogy he suggested, I discovered what it meant to have a Mary heart toward God. Suddenly my eyes were open to what true devotion is.
It is not a duty. It is a delight.

It is not an exercise in piety. It is a privilege.

And it is not so much a visit as it is a homecoming.

"Without question one of the most remarkable Christian doctrines is that Jesus Christ Himself through the presence of the Holy Spirit will actually enter a heart, settle down and be at home there," Munger says. "[Jesus] came into the darkness of my heart and turned on a light. He built a fire in the cold hearth and banished the chill. He started music where there had been stillness and He filled the emptiness with His own loving, wonderful fellowship."

Munger goes on to tell how he showed Christ around the house of his heart, inviting him to "settle down here and be perfectly at home," welcoming him room by room. Together they visited the library of his mind - "a very small room with very thick walls." They peered into the dining room of his appetites and desires. They spent a little time in the workshop where his talents and skills were kept, and the rumpus room of "certain associations and friendships, activities and amusements." They even poked their heads into the hall closet filled with dead, rotting things he had managed to hoard.

As Munger described each room, they reflected my heart as well. But it was his depiction of the drawing room that would forever change the way I viewed my time with the Lord.


We walked next into the drawing room. This room was rather intimate and comfortable. I liked it. It had a fireplace, overstuffed chairs, a bookcase, sofa, and a quiet atmosphere.

He also seemed pleased with it. He said, "this is indeed a delightful room. Let us come here often. It is secluded and quiet and we can have fellowship together."
Well, naturally as a young Christian I was thrilled. I could not think of anything I would rather do than have a few minutes apart with Christ in the intimate comradeship.

He promised, "I will be here every morning early. Meet with Me here and we will start the day together." So, morning after morning, I would come downstairs to the drawing room and He would take a book of the Bible... open it and then we would read together. He would tell me of its riches and unfold to me its truths.... They were wonderful hours together. In fact, we called the drawing room the "withdrawing room." It was a period when we had our quiet time together.
But little by little, under the pressure of many responsibilities, this time began to be shortened... I began to miss a day now and then.... I would miss it two days in a row and often more.

I remember one morning when I was in a hurry... As I passed the drawing room, the door was ajar. Looking in I saw a fire in the fireplace and the Lord sitting there... "Blessed Master, forgive me. Have You been here all these mornings?"
"Yes," He said, "I told you I would be here every morning to meet with you." Then I was even more ashamed. He had been faithful in spite of my faithlessness. I asked His forgiveness and He readily forgave me...

He said "the trouble with you is this: You have been thinking of the quiet time, of the Bible study and prayer time, as a factor in your own spiritual progress, but you have forgotten that this hour means something to Me also."

What an amazing thought - that Christ wants to spend quality time with me. That he looks forward to our time together and misses me when I don't show up. Once that message started sinking into my heart, I started looking at my devotional time in a whole new way - not as a ritual, but as a relationship.
And a relationship doesn't just happen. It has to be nurtured, protected, and loved.

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This book isn't just centered around this idea but a passage out of Luke 10...

At the Home of Martha and Mary
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.

A justifiably busy woman vs. another woman who puts worship above everything else; and how there is a balance somewhere in all that (of course putting worship and devotion to God at the top of your list).

Highly recommended read.

My Heart Christ's Home

I moved this post over to my book review site. Click here if you'd like to see it.