Monday, October 29, 2012

Which Would You Choose?


I'm having a hard time deciding what to blog about.

I just spent the weekend meeting one of my best friend's fiance.  She's in her forties and never married.  She thought God may have wanted her to remain single all her life, even though that was not her desire.  I could write about how they met this year, dated and engaged in less than a month.  They will marry in December.  God is faithful!

I could write about the Eid celebration my Muslim friends celebrated all weekend. Hearing the details of their celebration reminded me of the Old Testament sacrifices required for the forgiveness of sin.  And the lamb sacrificed in their celebration caused the title of Jesus, "Lamb of God" to echo in my ear.  I'm so thankful God provided Jesus as the final sacrifice for the forgivenss of  sin.  God is our provider!
       
I could write about a Muslim friend that became a believer last week and was baptized yesterday.     She has an amazing story of Jesus calling her.  God is Savior!

I could write about an amazing ministry, Truth Baptist Church.  They provided lunches to hungry children in apartments over school Fall Break.  One of their youth became a believer and was also baptized Sunday.  God is Good!

Since I can't decide on which to write about, I guess I'll quit spilling.  I'm so thankful for the loving, forgiving, life giving God I serve.  May His followers simply spill hope wherever they go this week!

Which story would you vote for?


Check out Truth Baptist here

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Islam Adoption vs. Mine

 

I had an interesting conversation with a Muslim friend yesterday.  After English class, she invited me to tea, as usual.  I've known her for a year and a half now, and consider her a close friend.  With her permission, I share our conversation with you.

As her precious, black, curly haired one-year-old daughter and buzz cut, three-year-old son played next to us at the kitchen table, I asked her questions about Islam's four wives policy.

In her country, men began only taking one wife around the 1950's and 1960's.  She said most men couldn't financially afford more than one wife (I can understand that.  I'm sure there are other reasons they can't afford more than one wife).  Muslim men would formerly take another wife if his wife was ill and couldn't meet all his needs, or couldn't provide him with children.     

She asked me what we do in America if women can't have children.  I told her some families choose adoption as an option.  She said Islam permits adoption, but they forbid the adopted child from getting the family name. 

The parents would take care of the child until he or she grew up.  But, the child could not receive the inheritance because they did not belong to the family. 

However, the parents could give the child "gifts" when they still lived.  She said most families now give adopted children the family name, even though Islam forbids it.

Of course this made me think of the importance of the family name.  Only children with the same family name receive the inheritance.

This led to overwhelming thoughts of my heavenly Father's inheritance.  When I put my faith in His only Son, Jesus, I joined His family.

My adoption reminded me of three points:

1.  The expense of my adoption

Earthly adoptions cost large amounts of money.  Sometimes the cost discourages families from adoption.

More so, my adoption cost my Father a great deal.  It cost Him more than earthly, temporal riches.  It cost Him His one and only Son, Jesus.

Isaiah 53:6 says, "All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way ; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him".  All our sin was placed on Jesus on the cross. 

As Jesus hung on the cross, the Father had to turn His head, forsaking Him because of our sin. Matthew 27:46 says, "About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI ?' that is, 'MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?'

I haven't heard of any one forsaking their own child to adopt another child.  Wow!  What love my Father has for me and you!

2.  The eternal effects of my adoption 

He changed my name from Stacy to beloved, daughter Stacy FOREVER. 

John 1:12 (New Living Translation) says, "But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God." 

I share my Father's name, therefore, I get an eternal inheritance.

1 Peter 1:3-4 says,
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,       to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,"

3.  The evidence of my adoption

When God adopts us, He expects us to act like we belong to the family.  That doesn't mean we will be perfect, but it means we have changed. 

Our hearts break in the same way our Father's heart breaks.  Our priorities line up with His.  We obey His Word. 

I John 2:4 and 5 says, "The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:"

What about you?  Have you been adopted?  If so, do you act like it?

Do you need to ask the Father for forgiveness and believe His Son's sacrifice paid the penalty for your sin?  If you believe, John 1:12 (above) says you will be a child of God.  Welcome to the family!  


 Linked with:Cornerstone Confessions

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Spent it All


The school "Book Fair" came and went at our elementary school this week.  I never signed up to help.  And surprisingly, no one called begging me to work as cashier again.

Last year, I misunderstood the "check" policy.  The policy says, the book fair will not accept a check written for more than $1 over the amount due.  That way they don't give a wad of cash to an elementary schooler.

(However, they could accept a sighned, totally blank check and let us write in the amount and to whom.  Scary!)

I have no problem with the check policy.  My only mistake, I applied the check policy to cash.
Most children didnt' have a problem with my made up policy.  In fact, the majority of children had a "no change" policy.  They wanted as much merchandise they could get for the money they brought  (even if that meant they bought 3 or 4 cheap erasers).  

After I finished my shift, I realized the absurdity of my policy. My policy sounded unreasonable when a girl brought $20 and only wanted a $5 book.

I called the library to explain my concern.  They said not to worry, they would make everyone happy if anyone complained.

I'm not sure how many children made it home with bookmarks and pencils to keep my policy. (I'm sure we had record sales).  None of them returned with change.

So how does this relate to the Bible?

I imagine (not in the Bible) that when Jesus returned to the Father after He died and rose again, His Father asked for "change."  Jesus didn't have anything to give Him. 

Going to earth, living a perfect life, and lying His life down on the cross cost Jesus EVERYTHING. His life, well spent.

But Jesus had the most amazing receipt.  "Sinful people from all tribes and all nations".

And the Father smiled. 

Matthew 22:37 And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'

God asks us for EVERYTHING.
ALL of Our hearts.  ALL of Our minds.
Our plans.  Our dreams.
Our resources.  Our talents.

For who knows better how to "spend" our lives than our owner/creator?

 My prayer:
God, You know how to spend my life for You and Your kingdom.  I give you my everything.  I trust You to spend well. 

What are you holding back from God?







Linked to:  cornerstoneconfessions