Forty Years Ago

Do you ever get a reminder for something that you don’t need a reminder for because there is no way you could ever forget it?  I received a reminder this morning that tomorrow is Heather’s birthday.  There is no way I would forget this birthday as I remember forty years ago (yes forty!) the joy, pain, excitement and fear the birth of our firstborn would bring.  

It was one of the iciest, snowiest Februarys ever on record for the Fort Worth/Dallas area.  “The Ice of Texas is Upon You” was the headline from the Fort Worth Star Telegram that February day.  Bill was a student at Southwestern Theological Baptist Seminary and stayed by my bedside during the 36 hours of labor.  I came in to the hospital on the night of February 7 and since it was so icy and the roads were dangerous the hospital decided to keep me close by.  Bill and I didn’t have any family nearby and no one could travel because of the icy roads so we sat together, just the two of us, knowing that soon our lives would change forever.  

At this ‘ancient’ time in 1978, you did not know whether your baby would be a boy or a girl so we had picked out names for both.  Joshua for a boy and Heather for a girl.  We were prepared for either way-I even decorated the nursery in a 'safe' yellow and green gingham - well the “nursery” in the sense a poor seminary couple could afford. It was basically a crib and a dresser - both covered with a new coat of paint.  

Even our dog knew something was special the night I left for the hospital. He laid his head in my lap and looked up at me with his big Cocker Spaniel eyes as if to say 'can I go with you?’  Little did he know how this baby would change his life!

Finally the time came on February 9, 1978 at 1:10 pm after a long labor and no pain medication (this was the generation that embraced the idea you weren’t being a good mother if you took any medication for the birth—which I found out later was total bunk) and bringing my young husband to tears, that we were blessed with a precious little girl.  Our little family of two was now three and our hearts were immediately smitten.  That night we looked out over the city lights of Fort Worth, Texas through the Harris Hospital window, holding our little Heather and we felt like we were the only ones in the whole world.  The next day, grandparents all miraculously made their way to us and the journey as parents began.

Now forty years later I still remember so many small details of that time.  Our little Heather grew from a toddler to being a big sister to Kara.  She grew through the elementary years, middle school, then high school years.  She entered the work force as a lifeguard, flight attendant, and sales person then graduated from college with her master’s degree.  She married a sweet, kind young man named Lance and now is the mother of her own four children-a full family complete with a dog, cat and Suburban.  

There were lots of details of life between all those growing up events.  Many things that were life changing…things that seemed to go by at lightning speed.  Things that helped Heather and me  and all of our family grow closer and more dependent on God.  

What I contemplate most today is how Heather is who she is by God’s beautiful grace.  That little baby girl has grown up with a heart to serve, a heart to care, and a heart to love.  She can whip up a gourmet meal and host a party of fifty at the drop of a hat.  She makes time to have lunch and be a listening ear.  She invites people over at Thanksgiving who are alone. I am prouder than I could have imagined in all my hopes and dreams as I held that baby girl the first time to now see the beautiful young lady she has become.  

Life is made up of many memorable moments and this is one moment of which I need not be reminded but will always be in my heart.  

Happy 40th birthday Heather Dawn!

Plague to Promise

We have probably all read through the plagues in Exodus 7-12 many times. It is a favorite Sunday School lesson with children because quite honestly, they are pretty bizarre.  

Reading through this time (and using commentaries), I discovered that each plague was God's confrontation of an Egyptian deity.  God knew He needed show the Israelites (and Egyptians) that He alone was God.  Even though the court magicians could somewhat replicate the first few plagues, "they did the same thing", they could not change the plague but only made the plague worse by creating more 'bad'.  With each plague their perceived power became weaker until they didn't stand a chance against God's power.  

So other than just reading an amazing story how can the story of the plagues apply to us?  My thought is that when God calls us out (out of a life of sin), He begins to confront the ‘gods’ in our lives.  Many Christians are confused on this point because they don’t feel like this applies to us much today.  Really few people I know have 'idols or gods' in their homes but I think this is HUGE problem today.  The gods in our lives are as much or more controlling possibly than the Egyptian gods.  The gods of my time, my money, my entertainment, my sports, my way are hindering the church's ministry today.  God is greater than each one of those and He has already proven Himself through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus!  The last plague - the death of the firstborn- was so symbolic of Jesus.  The blood of the lamb on the doorpost, the institution of the Passover meal, even the plunder of the Egyptians were all a picture of God’s great grace.  Despite all that, the Israelites in just a short time, worshiped the golden calf.  Despite all that, many people today still won't study God's Word or spend time in worship.  

I read this quote from the She Reads Truth Bible “The words ‘Let my people go!’ not only meant freedom from slavery, but freedom from idolatry.”  The Israelites, like us as Christians today, had to know and act on the belief from Exodus 6:6 “I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from the forced labor of the Egyptians and rescue you from slavery to them.  I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and great acts of judgement.  I will take you as my people, and I will be your God.”  They had to know and move forward knowing the LORD God, He is the one and only.  May God open our eyes to the gods we serve in place of Him.

Joseph's Decision

When you watch a TV show or movie you want the ‘bad guy’ to get caught or for justice to be served.  Genesis 42-45 gives us the perfect set-up of just this kind of justice.

Joseph at this point in the narrative has been promoted to second in command of ALL Egypt.  He is married with two sons and things are going great.  His plan of storing up the grain has resulted in Egypt’s survival during a time of famine.  People from neighboring countries are coming to them buying grain.  The economy is looking great even during the famine due to Joseph’s wisdom and planning.  

In a parallel story, the eleven brothers are back in Canaan with their aged father.  The famine has struck all of the land and extreme measures must be take in order for them to survive.  The brothers have to go to Egypt.  Jacob will not allow Benjamin (Joseph’s brother; son of Jacob’s beloved wife Rachel who died giving birth to Benjamin) to go with them but he sends the ten brothers on their way.  

This is first class drama.  The ten brothers come to Joseph to get the grain.  They of course don’t recognize him-at all.  Based on the conversations recorded between the brothers during this journey I’m pretty sure not a day went by that they didn’t think of shame, guilt and heartache they had brought upon their family by selling Joseph into slavery.  I’m also pretty sure that even though Joseph named his son Manasseh meaning ‘God has made me forget all my hardship’, it did not mean that he had forgotten his family ‘back home.’  So here we see the brothers (minus Benjamin) reunited after about twenty years.  The brothers didn’t recognize Joseph BUT Joseph recognized them.  

Joseph ‘played it cool’ and questioned their intentions using an Egyptian interpreter to throw them off.  Through some more questioning and even keeping Simeon as a guarantee, the brothers were sent back to get Benjamin to bring him to Joseph.  The brothers were still clueless as to who Joseph but believed all this was happening to them as punishment to what they had done to their brother.  

The details of this interaction are recorded in Genesis 42-45 but the part that brought me to tears is found in Genesis 43:30 and Genesis 45:1-3.  Joseph, this high commander in the world’s greatest power at that time, was absolutely overcome with emotion and broke into tears.  The first time is when he sees Benjamin.  He has to leave the room because he does not want to cry in front of the brothers or the servants.  He still has not revealed his true identity but seeing Benjamin who had been just a toddler when he was sold brought this ruler to tears.  Finally in Genesis 45, we read Joseph can no longer keep his identity a secret.  Just before he told the brothers who he really was the scripture says he wept so loudly the Egyptians and Pharaoh’s household heard it.  This was not a quiet sob, this was an outburst.  The old saying ‘big boys don’t cry’ was just thrown out the window and Joseph’s tears poured from the depths of his heart all over that room, all over the palace.  

Were these tears of joy at the family reunion?  Were these tears of sadness for lost years with family?  Were these tears that wanted revenge but now could not give it?  Were these tears of a realization of answered prayer? We don’t know but I think it could be a little of all.  All that had happened was of course God’s plan.  The timing for everything was perfectly executed even though at the time, Joseph or even his brothers could not see it.  What could have been a horrible vengeful family reunion was actually a beautiful picture of God’s grace and mercy. 

Isaiah 40:31 says “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”  Even though that scripture was written years after Joseph lived, it reminds us of God’s promise.  Our past does not have to define a present decision which affects future consequences. 

B & H Book Review "The Marvelous Mud House"

I work in our children's mission education program and The Marvelous Mud House is a perfect resource.  The book not only is beautifully illustrated but helps children (and adults) look beyond themselves to a world that may be completely different than the one in which they live.  I am always looking for opportunities to connect the children to other cultures and I am excited to how a book to help me in that endeavor.  There is a teaching/parent guide in the back of the book.

Even though this is an excellent book for mission education, it would be a great book for families to begin conversations about the needs of people around the world.

Joseph's Dilemma

I love to read the story of Joseph.  His story (even though his birth was recorded in Genesis 30:22-24) begins in Genesis 37.  

Red flags show up early in his story when we read his father (Jacob) loved him obviously and visibly more than the other children by making a colorful robe for him.  I also am betting Joseph’s name didn’t show up on the chore chart as often as the other sons, maybe not at all.  Joseph didn’t help the situation by sharing his dreams of superiority with the brothers.  (We know the dreams were prophetic but his brothers certainly didn’t at this point.)

After some time Joseph is mistreated by his brothers and then sold to the Ishmaelites as a slave!  He ends up in a foreign country away from family and the comforts of home.  The key point of Joseph’s story is in Genesis 39:2 “The LORD was with Joseph”.  Things didn’t come easy for Joseph though.  Even after a period of success he was accused of a crime he didn’t commit and sent to prison.  Yet we see in Genesis 39: 21 and 23 “The LORD was with Joseph”.

Joseph found himself more than once in a place he did not seek.  He (even though he may have been a bit of a brat about his favored status and the coat) didn’t ‘deserve’ what happened to him.  We would say that’s just not fair.  And honestly it wasn’t.  

The key to Joseph’s story wasn’t what happened to him but how he responded to what happened to him.  Joseph took a bad situation (being a slave) and did his job so well he was promoted to a high clearance status in his master’s house.  When confronted by his master’s wife to compromise his trust he didn’t try to reason with her, he fled.  He finds himself again at the bottom of the pit even when he did the right thing.  

The encouragement for us is that we find ourselves many times in unfair situations and circumstances.  Why me, why this trouble we ask but just like Joseph -the LORD is with us.  We find that promise in many places but one is Matthew 28:20. I think it also teaches us that just because we find ourselves in difficult circumstances we tend to think God has forgotten us.  Joseph’s story teaches us quite the opposite is true.  

Because of Joseph’s difficulties, we eventually see the salvation of his family and the promises of God unfolding just as He said.  God had a plan all along for Joseph and He does for us as well.

Book Review "The Power of Purpose"

Even though I had heard of Michael Catt - more likely the movies he has produced- I had never read any of his writings.  This book made me eager to find everything he has written!

I underlined and highlighted so much of this book.  He had an extraordinary way of making sense of the obvious purpose of our lives as Christians.  I loved the organization of the book.  While there was a consistent, constant theme throughout the book, any chapter could be read on its own and be an encouragement and a rally to 'up our game' of purposeful living for God's kingdom.  It was certainly a timely book for me but I think one that would resonate with any one struggling to make sense of "why am I here?"

I am looking forward to reading more of Michael Catt's writings.  The Power of Purpose was certainly a delightful surprise.

Hold My Hand

“For I, the LORD you God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the One who helps you.”  Isaiah 41:13

Early in our children’s lives we teach them to hold our hands.  This is usually before they cross the street, are in a big crowd, or any time we need to make sure they need to stay near or away from danger.  Of course it is sweetest when they grab our hands simply to stay connected.

I love it when my grandkids grab my hand just out of the blue.  Some of my most precious photos are those where I am walking hand in hand with them. 

I am sure that I have read the above verse many times in reading the Bible through but today it jumped off the page and hugged me around the neck.  Listen up everyone….This is the LORD speaking!  ‘I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand.’ 

When the Bible mentions the right hand, it is usually symbolizing strength and authority.  Applying that thought to this verse it would intimate by God holding our right hand He is empowering us His strength and authority.  If that is the case, then there is no reason to fear!  He goes on to say “I am the One who helps you”.  I like to see that phrase this way “I AM (God’s name) the One who helps you.”  The great I AM, the name God revealed to Moses and to Israel, is the same One helping us.  It’s nice to have someone helping us but I have to say I don’t think there could be a better helper than God.  If I am going to have a teammate, a co-worker, a 'right hand man', I want it to be God, the LORD, the great I AM.

Just like children, we need the Father to hold our hand as we go through dangerous paths and uncertain circumstances but how He loves it when we just hold His hand for no other reason than we just want to stay connected! What a beautiful picture!

Book Review of "Love Lives Here" by Maria Goff

It was so interesting to me as I read Love Lives Here to notice the similarities to her husband's writing style.  Like Bob Goff, her husband, you are drawn into her stories as you relate to her love for her family and the Lord.  By relating to her stories, I don't mean I have had the same experiences as she has but I related to the questions and concerns she faced in her children growing up and difficult family circumstances.  Maria was honest in how she responds to those situations.  After reading both Maria and Bob's books, I would love to be able to have dinner with them.  They truly seem like two of the most fascinating people with fascinating stories to tell.  One of the things that I underlined in this book was "Jesus is more interested in who we are becoming that who we were."  His grace is new every day!

Trails of Toys and Boys

LEGO pieces hidden in the carpet, Matchbox cars parked under the couch, strange cartoons on the TV, and unflushed toilets.  It probably won't take a detective to guess little boys have been in our house.  

For two different weeks already this summer Bill and I have watched Brooks and Ford, our two youngest grandsons.  I honestly so enjoy this time and at the same time admit, it wears me out!  I grew up in a family of four girls and then had two girls so a girl world (as different as all that can be) is fairly familiar territory.  I find myself working a little harder when I'm with the boys.  Being a little more intentional in my play and thinking a little more outside "my box" requires more energy but always worth it.  

Ford, especially, wakes up and hits the ground running and really never stops until his little body is absolutely worn out (which is always after mine has worn out) and he finally falls asleep but this little guy wakes up singing and sings throughout the day.  Most of the time he is singing something he heard on Christian radio but sometimes it's a song from an ad or movie.  The funny thing is that when I am around him I find myself also singing more throughout the day and even approaching things with a little more enthusiasm.  His joy rubs off on me!

It reminds me of the story in Acts 4:  "When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus." (v.13)  In Acts 3 and 4, we see some very beautiful and amazing things happening while at the same time disagreements and grumblings brewing.  In the name of Jesus, Peter had just healed a man who had been crippled from birth but instead of celebrating the high priests (super religious leaders) wanted to know how this could happen.  Peter had given a compelling sermon and about 5000 people were saved even as he and John were put in prison for healing this man.  The religious leaders again began to question Peter and so he preached to the leaders closing with the beautiful promise in verse 12 "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."   The high priests then were found scratching their heads wondering how these uneducated, untrained men could possibly be so bold and wise and then they recognized they (Peter and John) had been with Jesus!  I don't know exactly how they recognized it but they did and could not say anything in opposition because the crippled man was standing right there!  Jesus' teachings, promises, and influence was now shaping the ministry and work of the early church through these ordinary men.  

While it is not possible for us to sit on a mountainside or under a shade tree or beside the seashore and actually see and hear Jesus teach, it is possible for us to be with Jesus as we study the Word and pray.  We can put ourselves around believers who can teach, encourage and admonish us and the world around us will notice "they have been with Jesus."  They may even catch us humming a tune!

Lord, may it be evident to the lost world around us that we are marked by Christ's love and may our love boldly prove evident that we also have been with Jesus.  

Book Review for "Detours" by Tony Evans

I am a part of the B&H/Lifeway Blogger team and have the privilege of reviewing new books.  This book is definitely a favorite!

This was my first book to read by Tony Evans but it won't be my last.  Every chapter in this book seemed to speak directly to me.  Tony uses detours in the life of Joseph as he is sold into slavery in Egypt and later became one of Egypt's most powerful leaders as a parallel to our lives today.  He explains detours are not dead-ends but are actually necessary to our ultimate instruction and guidance.  I have already recommended this book to several friends and family!

If you struggle with situations and circumstances going on in your life and wonder what's going on, the book Detours by Tony Evans may be a wonderful resource!

Celebration Day by Bill Liggett

Passage:  “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”  Acts 4:12

I have fond memories of Easter from my childhood.  It was a time to be with family that I usually did not see at other holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving.  Lunch on that Sunday was usually at my Aunt Fanny’s house near Red Store west of Waurika.  Her yard would be covered in flowers and the house would smell of the finest of foods.  My aunt cooked for farm hands and harvest crews her entire life and was famous for her desserts.  

For some reason, Easter egg hunts were always held at Grandmother Bodenhamer’s house where my cousins, Mark and Jenny would hunt eggs and then hide them from our parents.  Every time we hid them there were fewer and fewer eggs.  I would always imagine what my grandfather would say when he mowed the yard later and would hit those rotten forgotten Easter eggs.

My birthday always falls somewhere around Easter, and sometimes even on Easter Sunday - I guess that is why this is my favorite time of year.  The weather can be exciting, nature is waking up from winter’s sleep, outdoor activities become more frequent and life seems renewed. 

Easter is the greatest celebration of the Christian year.  Christmas is the most anticipated but the most maligned.  Easter is a complete rebirth, in that we move from the darkest moment in history of man to the greatest moment in the Kingdom of God.  Death becomes life, despair gives way to celebration, hopelessness finds its way to possibility, fear folds into faith.  

Easter is more than a chance for absentees to make their yearly appearance and more than a time to feel good about Spring.  Easter is the quintessential manifestation of God’s long-term plan of salvation for mankind.  Jesus’ crucifixion paid our price, but his resurrection sealed the fate of Satan, death and sin. 

JESUS WON and Easter Sunday is our annual victory celebration. 

HE IS ALIVE, HE IS ALIVE, PRAISE GOD HE IS ALIVE. 

From Darkness to Light by Kara (Liggett) Baumann

Passage:  “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

I know several people who have been through financial planning courses to help get rid of debt.  One thing that they all have in common is that they allocate certain amounts of cash to use as spending money throughout the week to help reduce spending as much money on frivolous items. 

I don’t know if having cash would necessarily help me spend less money, but I do agree that it is easy to swipe a debit or credit card to make purchases and not think about the balance in those accounts since, technically, they are out of sight.  It’s much easier to use a credit card than to pay off the balance.  I would definitely agree that the principle behind the philosophy of spending only the money we can see would help us be more conscientious about our spending. 

I recently thought about what if I could see the spiritual warfare going on around us when we make everyday life decisions?  For example, when we are choosing how to spend our time during the day or choosing the words to say to someone, what if we could see the powers of darkness trying to persuade us to be selfish, petty, or judgmental?  Would we make a different decision if we could in fact see the battle that is taking place in our soul?  I want to believe that light would win over the darkness because I would be frightened to allow any darkness at all to take over my being.   

If we are prepared to use the light in our lives, like cash, we are more equipped to make decisions that help us stand by the faith we have in that light.  It’s more than just picturing the angel and devil on your shoulder.  A simple cartoon cannot fully represent the battle of God’s angels fighting for your devotion over Satan’s slick marketing of earthly desires that will do nothing but destroy you little by little by blinding you to God’s grace and mercy. 

I want to be debt-free from darkness, I want to live with a wallet full of light. 

Jesus You are the Light of the world.  You shine in the darkness but the darkness cannot and did not overcome You!  May we be bright light of the good news to a lost world.