Forty —Part Deux!

A few years ago I dedicated an entry to Heather celebrating her fortieth birthday.  It was a milestone for her but also for me.  Now here I am again…celebrating our youngest Kara reaching that same milestone today.  I can now officailly enter senior adult status -(actually I’ve been enjoying that for a few years now!)

I can remember the exact moment and place I found out I was going to have another baby and was immediately filled with questions and concerns.  As silly as it was I wondered if I would be able to love and care for this new baby like I did Heather.  I don’t know why I wondered that question but it was completely answered when my eyes beheld our second little daughter.  My heart suddenly and miraculously was doubled in love.  Kara came into this world wide-eyed and thrashing her arms like she was ready to go-to get in the game.  This by the way hasn’t stopped in forty years!  

Some of Kara’s early obsessions were with Mary Lou Retton - complete with the stars and stripes gymnastic outfit, from that obsession to Karate Kid and karate lessons and then on to dinosaurs, paper making and drawing to name a few fascinations. ( Yes Kara we haven’t forgotten the salesman who came unannounced to our house to view at your drawings and recognize ‘artistic talent’ because of a card you had mailed in.)  She was notorious for picking up postcards, credit card applications, and leaflets or whatever else was available for free.  She always was her own kid caring little what others thought or did.  

She loved to play competively with Bill (and still does).  They were always throwing something or making a competition of whatever they could get their hands on.  Later in elementary grades she developed a love for sports, especially basketball.  She set personal goals toward excellence and it paid off with championships and college.  

I don’t say that to brag but to be mindful of some important things about our second born.  Her perseverance has gotten her through many circumstances.  Whether the circumstances have been memorable and fun or difficult and stressful she seemed to persevere.  Kara is happy with living and doing and has always had a positive outlook toward life.  She was that way as a kid- finding joy in simple things, being grateful for small treasures and she is still that way today.  

Now two little blue eyed beautiful blonde girls call her momma. Husband Jamie is always a busy guy who is one of the hardest workers you can find.  He is a great taste tester for Kara’s creative recipes which by the way she has actually become a great cook! 

There are so many things I want Kara to know and remember today but of course it’s hard to put forty years all into a few words.  While she and Bill share a lot of personality traits, she and I share a love for words.  Many times I have been sustained and encouraged by her written wisdom.  They are my treasures, hiding and pondering them in my heart.  

So no matter what the term may be for this generaltion we can all agree it’s officially adulthood now.  What advice do I give that I haven’t given before?  The only thing I could do is solidly point back to the Word of God.  This was written by Paul but I don’t think I could give any greater testimony or birthday wish:  “Brothers and sisters I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.”  

Happy 40th—love and prayers,

MoM

Praying Simply or Simply Praying

“Lord, hear! Lord, forgive! Lord, listen and act!”  We find this simple yet profoundly powerful prayer in Daniel 9:19.  I am astonished and amazed to think of how appropriate and perfect that prayer is for us today-amid COVID and its consequences, amid political confusion, amid our own consternation of what to do with all of it!

I realized it has been exactly one year today since I have posted on my blog-Turn Left Right Here.  I can certain testify it has not been for lack of something to say or that nothing has been going on in my life or the lives of those around me!  I have probably thought of a hundred or more possible entries yet here I am 365 days later ready to start again.  

One year ago today Bill and I had just celebrated with family and friends his retirement from FBC Burkburnett.  As I still think so tenderly of our Burk family I am reminded what I posted in our thanks to the community via The Informer Star “—as Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 2:8 “We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives because you had become dear to us.”  We also celebrated with friends from other churches on that day.  For us these friendships are all intertwined -being a part of our story.  We forget that the friends from Fairview don’t know the friends from Bristow or Allen or Burkburnett.  So now we find ourselves in the next chapter of our story.  Adding new characters and new plots. More to come later on that!

The biggest plot for us, as well as almost everyone in the world, has been the COVID crisis.  There have been plenty of voices saying a lot of things so I didn’t think I needed to add mine.  Lately though I have been convicted and convinced that my story, my insights are unique and while I certainly don’t have answers to our crisis I can share how I am dealing.

I admit I haven’t handled this whole ‘thing’ well.  I am always thankful (or maybe validated) when I hear from a respected Christian leader that they are also struggling-maybe that’s not necessarily something to be thankful of but none the less it helps.  I can’t make this post include everything I have learned for the last 365 days but I want to focus on the above passage and hopefully become more intentional about writing.  

There have been a ton of studies done on the book of Daniel and many of them are great!  I will not be deep in meaning of this wonderful book but we should be reminded Daniel was taken from his home at a young age.  He was taken to Babylon which at this time, was the world power.  Babylon was not a godly nation by any means and yet Daniel and at least three of his friends whom we know best by their Babylonian names-Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego took a firm stand for Jehovah.  Daniel even though he was given a powerful position in Babylon and actually grew old there never compromised his faith.  In Daniel 9, we see he knows God’s Word (according to Jeremiah) so he is aware there will be 70 years of captivity for Israel.  He doesn’t have all the details of how it will end, or how people will respond, nor does he have any answers.  He just turns to God in prayer and petition.  The whole prayer in verses 4-19 is definitely worth reading but in verse 19 he says “Lord, hear! Lord, forgive! Lord, listen and act!”  I am thinking it is very similar in heart to the LORD’s prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.  He acknowledges the LORD; he acknowledges His kingdom come, he acknowledges our need for forgiveness, he acknowledges it is only God who can act.  

God is not asking us to come up with good solutions for COVID and its consequences, He is wanting us to rely on Him.  Sometimes through all of this craziness, I have really had a hard time seeing good.  I know God welcomes our thoughts and concerns and questions.  He knows our hearts are heavy.  I don’t think there is anyone who (truly) says they were or are unaffected by COVID.  There are tons of perspectives and opinions on how to look at our current situation but when I came across this prayer in Scripture, I was encouraged.  Simple and to the point.  Sometimes less is more…. 

(I love writing and sharing my thoughts and the best way for me to do that currently is sharing my blog.  I hope to be much more intentional and regular to share.  My prayer is to use my insights to glorify God and be a good steward of what He has given me.)

Truly Thankful

It’s Tuesday and we are still reeling from the emotions and events from this past Sunday.  I want to be thankful and thoughtful in this post because all of it was a big deal to us.  

We have been blessed in a million ways face to face and by Facebook comments -- we love it all but now I want to share a personal comment about and to Bill first.  I wanted to say this on Sunday but it would have become blubbering babble.  

‘One of my favorite authors said “True ministry is not something we do but is the overflow of an abiding life with God.”  True ministry is getting to know the bank tellers, the postal workers, the McDonald’s employees, the pool store employees, visiting the widows, helping people in need, going to the furtherest parts of the world, and going across the alley to help and talk to a neighbor.  Those things don’t happen because it’s in your job description but an overflow of an abiding life with God.  Driving broken down buses, dealing with air conditioners that only work in winter, sleeping in cabins with noisy boys, working with budgets that always seem to fall short are not always noticeable but notable.  Going to hospitals in times of crisis, going to a home when tragedy strikes, bearing with a family in a time of unexplainable sickness is not fueled by duty but by love of Christ.  I’m so proud of you and the life of a minister that you have led behind the scenes.  You are the same ornery guy at home that you are in the office.  You tease and love, you laugh and cry, you rejoice and are heart-broken sometimes all in the same day.  You will miss being a pastor because it wasn’t a job but a calling.  While there have been mountains and valleys, you had at your heart to share the gospel by loving the least of these.  

You have always given me the freedom to serve Christ in my own abilities and callings and not do something just because I was the pastor’s wife.  You also never once in public or private told our girls they were to do something or more specifically not to do something just because they were the preacher’s kids.  

I know your ministry is not over because if it’s an overflow of your abiding life in God it can’t be.  From Fairview’s farewell of an okra pie in the face (youth ministers get to do the craziest things), to the lives we led at Ft. Worth, Drummond, Allen, Bristow, and Burkburnett we have left friends and memories trailing us all around. Just as Joshua told the Israelites ‘you have not gone this way before’ we are also in unfamiliar territory.   We will go forward with our trust in God and in Him alone to lead us.”

Now…we thank you Burkburnett FBC-Anita, Cecilia, Fran and crew-all who helped with the setup and planning of Sunday’s reception-it was beautiful, memorable and perfect; Mindy for your sweet recognition of my work in children’s ministry-I am deeply humbled; the choir’s special presentation at the service and reception was awe-inspiring -it was so wonderful we thought our hearts would burst; friends and family who traveled from all over to celebrate and to launch retirement-you surprised us and honored us.  We appreciate you and are humbled by your time to be with us.  Thank you church family and friends for the love offering.  Your sweet kind words in cards and notes are rich treasures for us.  As one said we left two footprints on her heart, please know our hearts are a busy thoroughfare of your footprints on our hearts.  

We covet your prayers as you have our promise to continue to pray for FBC Burkburnett in this time of transition.  We thank you for all you have done for us and our family.  As Bill said in his resignation you were with us through so many major life changes and circumstances and we are forever thankful of how you ministered to us.

I read this passage this morning that reminded me not only of Burkburnett FBC but everywhere we have served.  “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.  So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who give the growth.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

It’s all about God, it’s all for God; but only God.  

Walk and W(h)ine

The other day while on my daily (well almost daily) walk I passed by an elementary school where the children were leaving the school building headed to the playground walking in a perfectly straight line.  I thought of what an interesting story that would may so I spoke into my phone to send me a message that said “walk in line”.  I went on about my walk but when I got home and saw my message it said “walk and wine”.  

Now there’s several ways to go with that one but I’ll take a path close to home.  My walk that morning actually was a walk and “whine”.  That morning just had not gotten off to a good start and the most frustrating things kept happening.  I know retired people should just be happy and relaxed all the time but I just haven’t gotten there yet.  I had whined about this and whined about that but still had decided to go on a walk.  

Passing by that school and seeing the kids, I did remember how many times I had had playground “duty” and felt a little bit missing out but…it passed pretty quickly.  I did continue to glance at the kids playing together and noticed the teachers who were “on duty” when I saw at the kids coming out to play walking very dutifully in a line.  Walking in line pretty much ends at elementary school but I smiled at this making my whine day a little less important.

Walking in line shows patience, respect, and obedience (so says a former teacher).  We always told the students, walking in line helps us get them safely and quickly from one place to the next but unless you were the line leader, it really didn’t make much sense to them.  There was always a lot more action at the end of the line but I wouldn’t know about that.  

So how does any of this relate?  Micah 6:8 says “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”  We are given some simple basic instructions to get us from one place (earth) to another (heaven).  The instructions are for our good and to help us arrive safely home.  We sometimes get distracted and may hold up the line or there are times the teacher has to stop and correct us before we can move forward.  

God had sent me a little correction that day with a bit of humor.  My voice activated commands are not always accurate and are sometimes totally off base but God’s Word is always accurate and true.  My walk ended with a lot less whine and more in line with truth.  

Decisions-Life Giving or Draining

It has been stated we make about 35,000 decisions a day.  While most are decided without too much thought many take days to determine. With a lot of decisions to make, I found a podcast about making decisions—of course!  

The advice today was against pro/con lists when deciding but rather think about these two questions ‘is this life giving or life draining?’  I thought okay I think that will work…but what I realized is what was life giving to me was the same thing that was life draining.

One of my “roles” (mom, daughter, grandmother, teacher are all in that list) that I have written little about is being a pastor’s wife.  Bill and I have been married 43 years and he has been in ministry not only that long but was doing youth and music ministry before we were married. Yet for my role -that of a pastor’s wife- it has been a 43 year old career.  

Bill announced yesterday his retirement from his 17 year pastorate here at Burkburnett FBC.  His role and mine will be changed and we both have thought about that a lot.  Hence, my afore mentioned podcast.  Decisions that have been made and yet to be made will require thoughtful attention.  

As I thought about what is or has been life giving or life draining I truly say (without trying to offend anyone) being a pastor’s wife is both.  There have been times that I have been overwhelmed with support and love and concern for family simply by being the pastor’s wife.  I know there have been times I have been prayed for simply because of being the pastor’s wife.  Life giving. Along with those life giving actions, sometimes running parallel, are life draining situations.  Church business meetings, disagreements, and discouragements from the most unlikely places simply drain the life out of you.   I have thought I would write a book on the ‘secret life of a pastor’s wife’ knowing the word secret would be intriguing but spoiler alert..it’s not that secret.  There are no behind the scene vices or secret life different from the one that is seen from me on Sunday.  Not perfection by any means but I try to be who I am wherever I am. There is a loneliness to being a pastor’s wife that only another pastor’s wife can understand.  The life giving part is from those friends who look past the pulpit and see needs of friendship and laughs.  The life draining part comes from criticism and judgement directed to your husband in such a public way.  

No matter what I do I know there is life after being a pastor’s wife and I will use those same questions to help me make decisions about what to do.  While my role in church life will change, I will still seek to honor God through that role.  There have been tears through decisions made in the last several months.  Tears missing the dear relationships we have made in Burkburnett not only through our church but in the community and also some tears of confusion.

While this is a much more melancholy post, I guess it’s where I am.  There is an excitement for new things (life giving) and worry (life draining) about what will happen next.  This is my verse for July - one that is always timely.

“God has not given us a spirit of fear but one of love, power, and sound judgment.”  2 Timothy 1:7 

PS - The podcast I mentioned is “The Next Right Thing” by Emily P. Freeman.  She is wise beyond her years!

Book Review for "What Am I Feeling?" by Dr. Josh and Christi Straub

I am a part of a group with B & H Publishing that allows me the privilege of review new books.  This month the book was "What Am I Feeling?" by Dr. Josh and Christi Straub.  I was excited to see a children's book that I could use at church or other settings to share with children about their feelings.  As a school counselor for several years, I was always on the lookout for books on feelings as I discovered there were many times children just couldn't identify what they were feeling and most importantly how to react to their feelings appropriately.  This book is beautifully done and has a pullout feelings chart in the back of the book.  I look forward to using this with children especially in a Christian setting.

Because I Said So!

Raise your hand if you have ever said to your child ‘because I said so!”  Even though we strive to keep that phrase out of our parenting arsenal, we default to it all the time or at least more than we want to admit.  Why?  Probably because we have no brain power to come up with anything else.

Actually sometimes it is the best thing we can say to our child - because at the heart of the issue we really have their best in mind and they should do what we say simply because we said so.  

In Luke 5:1-11, Jesus begins calling His apostles.  He was pressed in by the crowd so much so He was backed up to the edge of the water.  He saw two empty boats there because the fisherman were off on the shore cleaning their nets.  He got into one of the boats (happened to be Peter’s-still called Simon at this time) and Jesus asked him (Peter) to go out into the lake a ways so He could teach the crowds from his boat.  Peter did as requested.  

After He had finished speaking, Jesus told Peter to go out a little farther into deep water and let down the nets for a catch.  Now Peter and James and John (v.10) had been fishing all night.  They were cleaning their nets.  They were finished.  It had been a complete bust of a fishing expedition—they had caught nothing all night.  Yet Peter here says, “But if You say so…I’ll let down the nets.”

This phrase caught my attention—just because You say so.  How many times has God said something and like a questioning child we keep saying ‘why?’  

• Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God; and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7

• Trust in the LORD with all thine heart and lean not unto your own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.  Prov. 3:5-6

• God is not a man that He might lie or a son of man that He might change His mind.  Does He speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill?  Numbers 23:19

These are just a few examples of God’s Word and why we can trust Him.  He has our best in mind.  We either don’t need to know the reason why or possibly we are not at a point where we could handle the reason.  When we answer our children ‘because I said so’ remember as a child of God, we should do the same.  

By the way, after the men let down their nets, they caught so many fish their nets were breaking.  They were able to fill both boats so full they began to sink.  Who knows what might happen just because He said so!

The Ruthless Enemy

A few years ago Bill got a bird feeder to set outside our kitchen window. He thought it would be fun to watch birds that might come to our neighborhood.  Well --fast forward to today and we now have a bird feeder village feeding a variety of birds!  Gold finches seem especially drawn to us at this time of year.  They seem to appreciate the extra seeds and peanut butter Bill provides for them.  

This New Year morning was no different as the birds begin a little after sunrise pecking at the seeds.  We were watching them filling every perch when suddenly —they disappeared.  Bill commented something must have scared them but just as quickly he noticed the reason for their departure.  Less than ten yards away in our neighbor’s bushes, a huge hawk had settled in for a quick breakfast treat.  Bill headed out the door sure to scare it away and show these birds are protected.  The hawk flew reluctantly away..but not too far away.  

This situation brought to my mind a familiar passage.  2 Peter 5:8 says”  Be sober-minded, be alert.  Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.”  We are like the finches, going about our business, having fun, filling our desires with good things and mostly unaware of the enemy who comes dangerously close. If we are not careful, he will certainly devour us.  

Several things popped out about this description.  First the devil is an adversary.  That means he is not for us.  He seeks to scatter, not gather or unite.  Second he is prowling.  To prowl is ‘move around restlessly and stealthily, especially in search of, or as if, in search of prey.’  That is completely different than casually walking by or happening upon.  The enemy knows exactly where to look and who to look for.  That hawk knew the feeders which we had placed for good was also a place to find his prey.  Third, he is looking for anyone he can devour.  It doesn’t matter if it is a pastor or a parishioner, man or woman, gold finch or sparrow-he doesn’t care.  He wants prey! 

How do we fight this kind of enemy?  While Bill chased the hawk away this time, it will probably come back.  We could stop feeding the birds but they would miss the feast.  So what works?  I think the answer is in verse 8:  “Be sober minded , be alert.” 

R. C. Sproul says “To be sober-minded is to treat truth seriously and to have a healthy doubt as to our own understanding of truth.”  In other words know the Word.  You are no match for the enemy but God’s Word shuts him up and chases him away.  

The hawk’s goal is to scatter and to scare but his ultimate goal is to destroy.  Our enemy is no different.  Start the new year with a goal to make God’s Word a priority.  It’s the only sure fire defense against a ruthless enemy!    

Beginning and Ending in Grace

Isn’t it a wonderful satisfaction to get to the end of a book and find out that it ended just as you had hoped.  All loose ends were tied up.  The bad guy loses and the good guy wins.  

I finished the RTBT18 (Read The Bible Through) plan this morning a little ahead of schedule.  Guess what?  It ends just as you hoped it would!  All loose ends are tied and Good One wins.  

I have read the Bible through several times and hope to do it again and again because I learn more each time I go through it.  As I looked at our reading plan I was slightly disappointed that the December readings would be in Revelation.  I have always been a little confused by the symbolic nature of this wonderful book but I was so blessed by this year’s reading.  In fact it made perfect sense to read Revelation while we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth.  

Revelation is also about preparing for His coming except in Revelation His coming will not be in a quiet manger scene.  His Glory was contained in those swaddling clothes yet Revelation 1 gives us the true description of Jesus-eyes like fiery flames, feet like bronze, voice like the sound of many waters.  I used to be scared when I read that passage.  I liked the sweet, gentle  Jesus that was in my Sunday School pictures.  But as I read through Revelation this time I felt such joy and peace.  I treasure this Revelation image of Jesus. Powerful. Awe inspiring.  Humbling.  Mighty. He was willing to give up that glory to come to earth as a baby for all of us. 

I always feel a sense of accomplishment when I check the box or cross off my list to show completion but I hesitated to check my final box on the reading plan.  I wasn’t ready for it to be over.  Yet it had to be over - all God promised is completed as you read the end of Revelation.  Whatever your view of this book may be, the bottom line is God keeps His Word and Paradise is restored.  God’s dwelling is with humanity (Rev. 21) and the tree of life will no longer be a curse (Rev. 22).  

If you are still reading but got behind, don’t give up.  Keep reading even if it takes another year or two. Get a good commentary to help with the difficult passages with any of the books of the Bible.  Even the smartest scholars can’t explain or expound on some passages.  In a song by Steven Curtis Chapman he says “God is God and I am not.  I can only see a part of the picture He’s painting; God is God and I am man so I’ll never understand it all for only God is God.”  I guess I’m encouraging any one who struggles to read the Bible or who says it’s too hard to understand to read it anyway.  My mind floods with analogies of treasures found in endurance and struggle.  The Bible is just such a treasure.  

I could go on and on about the lessons and truths I learned in my 2018 readings through the Bible and I might just do that at another time but I felt compelled  today to share this encouragement.  One truth that has become such a blessing to me was knowing the name Almighty (used almost exclusive in Revelation in the NT anyway) in Greek is ‘Pantokrater’ which means ‘the One who has His Hand on everything’!  How awesome is that!  The Almighty laying in a manger, dying on a cross, overcoming death-He has His Hand on everything!  Nothing surprises Him.  He was in the beginning and He has the end in His Hand.  “Amen!  Come Lord Jesus!” 

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  Genesis 1:1

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with everyone.  Amen.” Revelation 22:21

Persistant Passion

Football season exposes fan passion like maybe no other sport.  People dress in colors to support their team.  They wear cheese heads, paint their bodies, and endure all kinds of weather to support their favorite squad.  Their passion is sometimes hilarious, sometimes dangerous but always well….passionate.

If you have been reading the Bible through in 2018, you just finished reading the book of Nehemiah.  Most people know Nehemiah and usually associate him with rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem.  He did that and in fact completed it in 52 days which was an unbelievable feat 

This time while reading the book of Nehemiah I was struck with the passion of his leadership.  In the first few opening verses, we read that Nehemiah asks about his ‘hometown’.  When he discovers that things are not good in Jerusalem, he ‘sat down and wept, mourned, fasted and prayed.’  This went on for about four months.  One particular day he was downcast as he went before King Artaxerxes and the king took notice that he wasn't himself.  Nehemiah commented ‘it was nothing but sadness of heart.’  As he was given permission and supplies to go to Jerusalem, he began immediately surveying the work to be done.  He was such a compelling leader that the people said ‘great, let’s rebuild the wall’ without virtually no discussion.  Nehemiah faced discouragement due to the nature and magnitude of this task but he kept his focus.  He wisely discerned the intimidating rumors of the enemies and asked that God remember what they had done.  He was angry over social injustice and took action (chapter 5).  Nehemiah and Ezra led the people to worship with such passionate praise that there had not been that kind of worship since the days of Joshua.  You can almost hear his heartbreak as he prayed before the people “Here we are today, slaves in the land you GAVE our ancestors…here we are slaves in it!” (chapter 9:36). He basically led a national revival and it was ‘heard far away’ (chapter 12:43)  They dedicated the wall and the people vowed to follow the LORD with great passion of thanksgiving and offerings.  

You would like to think that this reformation lasted for a long time but about ten years later (Nehemiah had returned to Babylon but came back to check on things in Jerusalem) he found most of the people had already back-slidden.  Nehemiah began rebuking the people-in fact chapter 13 verse 25 says he rebuked them, cursed them, beat some of the men and pulled out their hair.  Now that’s passion!  

Even though I have actually witnessed those same passions at a football game, Nehemiah’s passion was for the people to follow the law, worship Yahweh, and be purified and holy—set apart from the nations that were around them.  Hadn't their years of captivity in Babylon taught them a lesson?  Nehemiah requested God’s favor (we may better understand as grace) many times through this book.  He couldn’t stand the fact that God’s own people were such a disgrace by their disobedience.  He had to take action and God blessed him with great leadership and great passion.  

LORD remember us with favor!  Strengthen the work of our hands.  Give us passion for Your cause, Your mission in today’s culture.  

Book Review for "The 4 Wills of God"

As I have stated previously I am a part of a blog group that reviews Christian books.  We are asked as we receive books and read them that we post our reviews on our own blogs and on a retail site as well.  This was the most current book I have read as a part of the group.  The title of this book caught my attention as I think many may wonder 'what does God will for my life'?  I enjoyed reading this book and definitely respect the work of Dr. Eggerichs .  He did a wonderful job of applying God's Word to real life applications.  I felt a little 'bogged down' especially in the middle of the book.  It just seemed a little hard to stay with it but I continued and found the ending sections to be very interesting and enlightening.  I think the book will be very helpful to some who are new in their walk with God and need specific guidance in knowing what He wills for us all.

Kings and Kites

In our continued RTBT readings in 2 Kings we have just read the amazing, thrilling stories of Elisha but things get complicated as we navigate from here to the end of the book.  The readings follow the kings of Israel and Judah and it is a little hard to keep track of the nations.   

There is a lot of crazy things going on (i.e., a mother/grandmother who killed all of the heirs-her family- so she could reign on the throne), deceit, idolatry, and total disregard for God’s temple and His Word.  The divided kingdoms were not God’s intent for His people.  The northern kingdom Israel had had bad king after bad king (nineteen up to their fall) and finally in 2 Kings 17 you will read that even though the prophets had preached repentance, the people would not listen.  ‘The people followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves’ (v. 15).  The nation of Israel fell to Assyria and only Judah remained (at this point). 

(Note: The beginning of the Samaritan people is explained in 2 Kings 17:24-40.  This helps us understand the conflict we find later in the New Testament during the time of Jesus’ ministry.) 

From 2 Kings chapters 18-25 we follow the next kings of Judah.  There were some great godly kings of Judah during this time - Hezekiah and Josiah were two outstanding leaders.  Even during extraordinary circumstances and the wickedness of the land, these men took a stand for God---(a message for us today!) 

As you continue to read through the passages of 2 Kings (even though it can get confusing especially in chapter 24 with all of the “J” names), we finally come to an extremely sad and heartbreaking passage as we read Jerusalem is destroyed.  Just a few chapters back we read of the glory of this temple and the worship that took place there literally shook the ground!  It was glorious!  Now we read the Babylonians have broken and burned what had been sacred.  “So Judah went into exile from its land.” (v. 21)  The story of the exodus, the conquering of the land and miracles we read in Joshua and Judges, now is past and they are prisoners and captives.  

A kite helped me understand this a little better.  We take a kite with us to Florida each year to fly on the beach.  It is an acrobatic kite in which you must use two handles to fly it.  We left it on the beach one day and the wind caught it and tangled those strings into a mess.  The easiest thing would have been to cut the strings off but I love to untangle things so I took it on as a project.  I began the process last weekend and was pretty pleased with my progress thinking the whole time of what an amazing story this would make-i.e. ’how to not toss something aside just because it was difficult’, etc.  SEVEN hours later while I had made progress and determined that I would not write off those hours as wasted time, I had to stop for the day and picked up the project the next day.  Finally two hours later on this second day of the project, I looked at the string and realized it had become gnarled due to all the twisting and turning.   It was apparent that it would have to be cut away.  I shared this story with Kara and how I had planned to write about my idea of not giving up, etc. and she said “mom, maybe it’s a story of how some things have to be cut away”.  (There’s a lot of follow up with that idea!)

The string illustrates what happened to God’s people in the divided nations of Israel and Judah.  They had become so tangled up with idol worship totally disregarding the word of God. They were literally cut off and taken prisoners.  

If that were the end of the story for Israel/Judah it would be horribly sad, BUT God had a plan even through their loss.  Israel would again be a nation and return home repentant and grateful for God's mercy.  

Our kite will soon be repaired with new string ready do do what it's supposed to do but when it becomes entangled the next time, I'll have a pair of scissors in hand.  

Let the Children Come

I recently chaperoned Ford’s field trip to the Oklahoma City science museum.  He is six years old and in kindergarten therefore he didn’t tarry too long at any exhibit even though there is a lot to see.  It was a fast paced day as we went quickly from display to display.  

I feel that way as we move through Matthew in our RBT18 readings.  There is so much to ponder and yet our readings move us quickly to the next story or parable.  I often wonder why the Gospel writers chose the stories they used in their writings.  Of course they were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write what they did but I think it is interesting especially when the story is repeated in other Gospels.  So I did pause and contemplate one story that we find in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Jesus welcomed and loved children.  He called a child to stand among his disciples after they had asked “So who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”--Matthew 18: 1-11 (I especially like the “so” in their question.)  I’m not sure what they thought Jesus’ answer may be but since He had just rebuked demons and supplied tax money in the mouth of a fish I really don’t think they were expecting Him to bring a child among them.  We have no description of this child.  I kinda think it could have been a rambunctious little guy like Ford.  Nonetheless the child was unafraid and stood among the disciples.  No doubt Jesus looked lovingly and tenderly at the child and I think probably had tears in His eyes as He spoke the words found in verses 6-10.  He meant business when it came to the children.  In Matthew 19 we find Jesus again blessing the children.  (I must wonder if maybe this child from chapter 18 went and told his friends—total conjecture!)    

I am blessed so much to be a part of the children’s ministry by teaching in Sunday School and Team Kids.  There is nothing like the blessing of hearing a group of children singing praise to God and there is nothing as humble and honest as the prayer of a child.

How I pray we as adults would as Jesus said ‘turn and become like children’.  We get worried about how we may sound or look as we worship God but kids don’t.  We get all caught up in what we say in our prayers but kids don’t.  They speak truthfully from their hearts.  

I was worn out at the end of the field trip but I was so pleased to have spent the day with Ford.  I may not have learned a whole lot from the science museum but I was blessed to be with children.  The Bible teaches Jesus thought so also.  

Count with Me..Numbers 1,2,3

I am so excited as we begin the book of Numbers! I am always on the lookout to learn new things as I read and study the Bible and today was a treasure chest. Since Numbers is a difficult book to read I wanted to share some insights and info I learned.  

The book of Exodus covers about a year's time; the book of Leviticus about a month's time and the book of Numbers covers a span of about 38 years-which includes the wilderness wandering. In fact in Hebrew the name of this book is called Bemidbar which means "In the Wilderness". I have read the book several times and always read pretty fast through the parts of the divisions and listing of names but I learned today some important facts about how the tribes were placed.  

The focus for the people has turned (even though they were delayed by disobedience) from receiving the law to heading to and taking the Promised Land. God's order and organization is so prominent as He tells them exactly how to be arranged. Chapter 1 reviews the census and Chapter 2 discusses the organization of the camps. Catch this...Judah is mentioned first (remember who comes from the tribe of Judah-Jesus!). They are camped on the east side and will move out first. Two other tribes are placed with Judah. The author (probably Moses) continues to describe the placement of the others. They make basically a square (three tribes on each side) around the tabernacle of God which is in the middle of the tribes. The tribe of Levi then make an "inner square" around the tabernacle and are also placed in a particular order with the priests being on the east side. The word unauthorized is used often in Chapter 3 indicating the holiness and importance of what God is saying to them. Israel was not powerful because of their size but because of their God - who was at the center of the nation.  

A comment from the She Reads Truth CSB Bible says of Numbers: "The principal character in the book of Numbers is the Lord, the God of Israel. He is sovereign over the affairs of all people from all nations."  

Now I also learned something cool for those who like to go even deeper in study. Each tribe had a banner (Numbers 2:2). Judah's banner was a lion which is where we get 'a lion from the tribe of Judah' describing Jesus!! The banners for the four sides (based on rabbinical information) were a lion, an ox, a likeness of a man, and an eagle - which were also the four creatures mentioned in Revelations 4:7 worshipping around the throne. That's just too good not to share!  

See how beautifully the Bible is tied together-Old Testament fitting into the New Testament. The Bible is filled with stories and wisdom and yet has one overwhelming theme of God's love and redemption. God is not a God of disorder but of peace-1 Corinthians 14:33

The Awesomeness of Acts

The book of Acts is such an exciting and encouraging book. If you haven't read anything else this year, read the book of Acts. It may be a struggle to read the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy because it is hard for us sometimes to find application to our lives in 2018 (even though it is there!), but the book of Acts...it shines right on the work of the Holy Spirit in the church then and now.  

The grace of God is all over this book. I am thrilled to read the way lives are dramatically changed because of the gospel, empty traditions and practices are replaced with genuine worship, and encouragement that even when people are doing exactly what God wants them to do there is still struggle and sometimes even persecution. I have had (and taken) the time to savor over these individual stories that make up the fifth book of the New Testament-Acts.  As a Gentile this book is especially Good News! "They reported everything God had done with them and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles." Acts 14:27  

This book has also awakened and renewed my pray for the church - locally and globally. We see clearly in Acts every great act, miracle, and movement is preceded by fervent prayer. How awesome to have our sanctuaries shaken (Acts 4:31) and for us as the church to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to be bold (Greek word 'parresia' which means tell it all) to speak God's word.  The day I read this particular passage I had an opportunity to share my faith. It was a situation where it would have been easy for me to shake my head in agreement that as this person I was talking to stated 'I respect all religions..' The Holy Spirit reminded me of the scripture and to be bold (tell it all) so I shared my faith in Jesus. The person who was from a different culture and had a completely different background from me didn't respond in a confession of faith but I had planted a seed of the gospel-that we are saved by faith in Christ alone. I don't share that to in any way brag on myself...I've missed countless opportunities to be a witness but that day the Holy Spirit had reminded me of the early believers and their willingness to share their faith in a much more hostile environment than a nail salon.

I found this quote in some of my study of Acts "Satan has attacked us (i.e. the western world) with worldliness, selfish pride, a need for acceptance and status....a compromising Christian is depised by the world." (Enduring Word.org) No wonder we don't see people coming to our churches - we have compromised so much so that we won't offend or blend in that we have lost our identity. The book of Acts brings that back into perspective.  

I encourage you again if you have gotten behind in the Bible reading plan (RTBT2018), start with Acts. It is the beautiful sunrise of the beginning of the Church.