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.

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.