Blankets of My Jesus

pic from Wordslingersok blog http://www.wordslingersok.com/2013/12/the-blankets-of-my-jesus/


With Christmas right around the corner, I keep pondering Jesus as a needy baby, yet totally God.  He needed a blanket and became my blanket.

I wrote the rest for another blog recently.  Here is the link:  Blankets of My Jesus

The Gap

As I sat down to type a new blog, I almost forgot my password.  It's been so long!
I never intended to let my blog sit unchanged for three months.  But isn't that how life gets?
I wanted to let you know why I've moved my blog post down in priorities.

In September, I had a chance to speak in the large group opening at Friendship International, where I also co-teach a Bible class weekly.  (We average 85 ladies from all over the world).  I also spoke at a senior adult luncheon.  Two internationals came with me to the potluck luncheon.  After naming "mexican casserole", "potato casserole", "corn casserole", etc., I had to explain the new vocabulary word "casserole" to them (when you have a few ingredients and throw them together to call it a meal).

My father-in-law needed more care with his dementia and admitted to a facility 1.5 hours away.  Visiting him a couple of times and cleaning out my in-laws' garage became more of a priority.

My grandmother had another birthday (86), celebrating in Texas with family became more of a priority.

In October, we planned some family time with the girls on their school Fall Break.  But God had different plans.  When my phone rang at 10 p.m. Oct. 8, I thought it must be an emergency.  It was.  Sadly, we received news from my parents about my youngest sister.  Her husband, 50-years-old, passed away after complications from a heart attack and heart surgery.  My Dad, Mom, and younger sister loaded in my minivan to head to North Carolina at midnight.  Twenty-hours was a long drive.  It seemed even longer when we just wanted to be there!

We had a nice funeral for him that following Sat.  I had to read some words my sister wrote about him (The most difficult speaking assignment to date). With the help of my husband and tons of friends, I stayed with my sister another week.  Another huge priority! 

As soon as I returned home, I had already committed to work as a physical therapist two days a week (only 5-6 hrs/day), but definitely rearranged my priorities.  After the first week of work, I noticed I could keep up with the laundry so I continued to work two days a week until another therapist returned. (Finished now!)

November 1st I received an audit letter in the mail from my state medical licensing board.  My continue education hours for physical therapy are due Dec. 31st this year.  With the audit, I had to submit my hours to the board by Nov. 30th.  (I could go to any other courses in Dec. but basically had one month taken away).  Since continuing ed. hours usually get pushed lower on the priority list, I had several home studies to complete in a short amount of time.  I quickly put this as a priority, yet still mailed it to arrive just in time.

I've also been busy with children's activities.  Three girls with different talents and interests from God makes a momma extra busy!  (Drama-week of dress rehearsals and plays, gymnastics practices and first meet, piano lessons, flute lessons, children's choir, band contest)  No wonder I'm exhausted.  

Then Thanksgiving came!  My sister, who lost her husband in October, got to fly into town. My brother-in-law and niece came in from Houston.  We had Thanksgiving at my house and had both sides of the family together for the day.  We had so much fun eating, talking, laughing, and playing "Catch Phrase".  Another priority!

And now December!  I prepared to speak at a Christmas Tea for girls and moms/leaders this weekend, but we got snowed out.   

As you can see, I've had to change my priorities a bit.  I will continue to pray about when to move my blog up in priority.

For now, I will link any posts for Word Slingers.  I will share a song/poem I wrote at 2 a.m.

I will go enjoy the beautiful snow today.  And a SNOW DAY tomorrow!

 Psalm 51:7, "Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow."

Parenting and Syria

Pic from http://motivational-speakers-review.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/kids-fighting-over-toy.jpg

Parents, you know you’ve done it.  You’ve given a threat to your child hoping it would break the monotonous strong willed fit.  A threat you just knew would stop the madness.  And then it happens.  Your child acts as if you hadn’t spoken a word.  They continue down the path of disobedience with no chance of letting down. 

It took me forever to think of an example because my children are perfect (sarcastic).  Ok.  Here’s one.  One of my daughters decided to hold her ground on a wrong behavior.  After several attempts to give her choices to change her mind,  I threw out, “If you don’t stop, you will not get to go to your friend’s birthday party.”  I know,  Ridiculous!  But, I really thought it would work.  So when she decided to ignore my request, I had a decision.  Do I make her stay home from a birthday party?  Do I affect another child that had nothing to do with this punishment?  

For more on parenting and questions about Syria: http://www.wordslingersok.com/2013/09/parenting-and-syria/


Linked to:Cornerstone Confessions

Word Slingers Post

I haven't posted on my blog in a while.  But I just posted my second blog on Word Slingers.  Check it out at:
http://www.wordslingersok.com/2013/08/unsafe-prayers/
Simply Spill Hope today!

"Royal" vs. Eternal Royalty

It's a Boy! 

Whose birth was paraded 100 days before he came?
Whose birth was promised 1000 years before he came?

Whose birth anticipated by millions?
Whose birth seemed like an inconvenience (great timing...journey to Bethlehem)?

Whose birth was announced to the whole world?
Whose birth was announced to a small group of men?

Whose birthplace buzzing with loyalty?
Whose birthplace visited by lower class citizens? (shepherds)

Whose birth added to the list of throne hopefuls?
Whose birth fulfilled the promise of a deliverer, someone who could rescue man from sin?

The first a "Royal" baby indeed.  A baby awaiting a name.
The second, my Savior, Jesus.  The man of  eternal Royalty.  The King of Kings, whose reign will never end.



Isaiah 9:6 promised, "For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders ; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."

Matthew 1:21  "She will bear a Son ; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."  
 
Linked to Cornerstone Confessions

Dependence Day

Another 4th of July has come and gone.  For some reason it didn't seem like the 4th of July last week.  I'm not sure why.  Even though we continued some family traditions (Freedom of Faith festival at church Sunday, crashing my sister's community parade and games with the kids,  grilling out, and fireworks), it didn't seem possible to be July.  Where has this year gone!?

Last week, we celebrated Independence Day, a great event that changed the course of history forever.  The United States, a new country, with new hopes and dreams.

And July 5th, I celebrated Dependence Day.   As my girls enjoyed a day without huge plans (wake up late, read in bed, 10:00 a.m. breakfast,  ping pong on the dining room table, Wii, tea party, and choreographing a gymnastics routine for the youngest), I remembered again how much I need Jesus.  (Oh, I didn't include the arguments over the Wii game, the fight over the fancy hat, the spilled tea, duct tape tearing off paint in the hallway,...life as usual). 

Dependence Day, every day for me...

I need Jesus, my Savior.

I celebrated my first Dependence Day the day I gave up my independence (didn't call it that as a 7-yr-old).  The day I asked Jesus to be my Savior, I also asked Him to be my boss.

To accept Him as my Savior,  I realized through God's word that I couldn't depend on my self to have forgiveness.  I could never be good enough (What is good enough to a perfect God?  Oh, yeah, perfection.  Never!)  I learned that Jesus provided a way for me to have forgiveness, through His blood sacrifice on the cross.  I asked Jesus to forgive me of all my sin and by faith I accepted His death in my place.  (Thank you, Jesus!)  That Dependence Day I gave up my selfish demands, dreams, and desires in exchange for His best for me.  What a trade!  Since the day I asked Jesus to be my savior (once and for eternity), I must declare my daily dependence on Him.

Titus 3:4-5 (New Living Translation) But then God our Savior showed us his kindness and love. 5 He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit.

"Thank you, Jesus, for being my Savior".   

I need Jesus, my Sanity.

I love spending time my girls.  Don't get me wrong.  But some days I get tired of playing referee, breaking up arguments and giving out penalties.  Other days, I feel like putting myself in the penalty box just for a break.  If I'm not careful, I would go insane.

2 Tim. 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (emphasis mine)

"Thank you, Jesus, for being my Sanity".

I need Jesus, my Strength.

Life gets difficult.  It's not for wimps.  God doesn't want us (followers of Jesus) to live life independent of Him.  He provided everything we need to live a victorious life (defined by Him, not our worldly standards).  When we depend on our own strength, we say, (maybe not with our lips) "God I don't need you. (I don't trust you)  Or, God I don't think you can handle this one. (You are not powerful enough)  Or, This trial is small enough for me to handle (I can live life without You)."  So many moments I live these lies: weak, defeated, and dangerous.  Dangerously relying on self instead of the source of Strength.  But when I turn and rely on Jesus, He will be MY STRENGTH. 

Psalm 18: 1-2
1 "I love You, O LORD, my strength." 2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge ; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
(emphasis mine.  Love those "s" words)

"Thank you, Jesus, for being my Strength (when I let you)".
What about you?  Do you need to declare Dependence Day for the first time?  Or, do you need to return to depending on Jesus for everything? 

Another Milestone

 

FAITH MOMENTS

 



Yesterday our family reached another milestone.  I guess I should speak only for myself.  It didn't mean much to my husband or my twelve-year-old daughter that she went to White Water Bay (our local water park) with a friend and WITHOUT ME.  I'm sure she was tired of my reminders (reapply sunscreen hourly, drink lots of water, don't talk to strangers especially boys, don't give anyone your phone number, stay with your friend, call me if you need me).  After her eye rolling, I would remind her I love her and tell her "Have fun!"

You may be facing some milestones of your own.  Your baby crawling for the first time and you realize your life has totally changed.  No more walking to the other room knowing she will be in the same spot when you return.  With my first daughter, I couldn't wait for her to crawl, walk, and run.  By the third daughter, I was asking her to slow down.

Other major milestones...

--First day of Kindergarten (had to get permission from A, my oldest daughter, to walk her to class)
--Last year of Elementary School (my middle daughter J is here)
--First day of Middle School (survived that last year)
--First day of High School (glad we aren't here yet)

Some of you are ahead of me.  I will stop at High School.
 
Many milestones are celebratory and mixed with emotions.

Other milestones I've watched close family and friends experience recently (you know who you are) that "don't make the hip parade," as my Father-in-Law would say.

--First day in PICU
--First day living with known cancer
--First wedding anniversary that your spouse forgets because of dementia.
--First day living without a loved one

When I started this post, I didn't intend for it to be so sad or discouraging.   But that is how life is sometimes.  You hit milestones that bring a smile.  And the very next day can bring tears.  Some days even teeter between the extremes.  

But there is HOPE!  God is still here.  He is in control.  He is mighty to save.  His grace is sufficient.  His mercies are new every morning. 

As I let my daughter go to the water park, I realized she is growing up.  And I'm reminded that Jesus wants us to grow up in faith.  We don't get to choose the means for growth (None of us would choose the last list of milestones).

James 1: 2-4  (New Living Translation) 
2 Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. 3 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.

What They Don't Tell You About Disney

 

10:00 p.m.pic after leaving our condo at 8:30 a.m. and down pouring rain (making memories)

My family just got back from our first trip to Walt Disney World, Orlando.  Our three girls are 12, 10, and 7 now.  We missed the "princess magic" (standing in lines to meet them and paying money to dine with them).  It saved us lots of time and money.  We stayed off-site using my in-laws time share condo (so gracious).  We decided to fly with reasonable airline prices versus a 20 hr. road trip.  (I think the girls were just as excited about flying for the first time than Disney).  Don't let the title of this post make you think we had a bad experience.  In fact, we loved our vacation.  However, I learned some new "tips" though my personal experiences.  I thought I'd pass them along.    

1)  You must go through a gift shop to exit a ride.  Be prepared for, "I want, I want, I want..."  (Wal-Mart has nice, cheap souvenirs)

2)  You must stand in a long line to meet any characters.  (Unless you stand by them as they walk down the street.  With a quick finger and perfect timing, no lines)

3)  You will pay a fortune on food and drinks (Peanut butter and crackers, popcorn, apples, fruit snacks, twizzlers, and refillable Gatorade and water bottles with squirt lids postpone meals and snacks for up to 11 hrs.  Beyond eleven hours, one meal in a park will suffice.  And a midnight meal is required.

4)  If the monorail for Magic Kingdom isn't running for non-Disney resort guest parking, it will delay you an hour. (You may have to stay from 10 a.m. to fireworks at 10 p.m.)

5)  If you lose Minnie Mouse ears on a ride, it's likely you will have to go back to Wal-Mart to buy another pair.  (Always put sunglasses, hats, and Minnie Mouse ears away on rides)

6)  Two days (9 a.m.- 7 p.m.) and (9 a.m.- 9:30 p.m.) of Disney parks may require a day off (Thankful for resort pools, girls that like to play with snails, Disney charades).

7)  Sometimes people are nice to give you Fast Passes (It's nice to return the favor)

8)  When the height requirement says 48 in., they are SERIOUS.  My youngest daughter missed it by the height of a credit card they slid between her head and a measurement device.

9)  A low pressure disturbance in the Gulf means heavy rain.  Wal-Mart had water shoes and ponchos for us to change into.   (We left tornados to experience our first tropical storm).

10)  Children can carry their own backpacks (Yeah!!  Remember mine are 7 yrs. and up).  (Filled with poncho, rain shoes or flip flops to make you 2" taller, snacks, chapstick, and Kleenex)

And what does Disney have to do with Simply Spilling Hope?  Nothing, really.  But I suppose  "Magic Kingdom" makes me think of another kingdom.  An eternal kingdom.  A perfect kingdom.  One that is not the "happiest place on earth," but the most joyous place, heaven.  Are you going?

Matthew 25:31-34 (New Living Translation) 
31 "But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. 34 Then the King will say to those on the right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.             







Linking with:Cornerstone Confessions

Who Understands Disaster?

The hail hits the windshield, the tornado siren blares, and my cell phone can't make a call.  I look to the south at the ominous clouds and then hear from the radio, "It's on the ground!"  My two youngest girls are screaming from the back of the van.  I must remain calm, but "Where is the tornado?!?"

My oldest daughter remains at the school and texts that she can't leave.  I need her now, but have to turn around to get to a safe place.  Now what?  I call our neighbors that have a shelter and they say we are welcome to come.  But one baby isn't with me, is this right?  Save two and leave one at school? 

By the time I get home, the message changes.  I can pick her up at the school.  Another forty five minutes on the road?  Is it safe? 

The two little ones grab their favorite blankets, a flashlight, and bottled water and down the street we go.  We knock on the door, ring the doorbell, no one home. 

We go back home to turn on the news.  We are safe, but the tornado is on the ground 20 miles south.  I assume our neighbors left to go to the school, but no answer on their cell.  Through many texts, my neighbors have found my girl and on their way home.

So thankful to see her face when she walks through the door!

Today, many moms shared my concern, separated from children at school.  Yet, many don't have a happy ending of seeing them walk though the door. 

As of now, over twenty have heard, "I'm sorry.  She is not coming home."  Buried in rubble or unaccounted for, I have no idea what they endure.

Please pray for the moms and dads with empty hugs for their little ones lost in the storm. 

Even though I don't understand, I know the One who does.


 
Who Understands?

Who can mourn and understand?
The shortest verse, "He wept," displays the person that sympathizes.

Jesus wept with the loss of His friend, showing God's compassionate heart.

Who can understand the loss of a child?
The verse of love demonstrates a God that empathizes.

God loved the world so much He gave His only Son, breaking His heart to save ours.

Who can comfort in the dark nights?
The person of God that delivers help: the Comforter.

The Holy Spirit rescues the broken hearted.

We may never understand when tragedy strikes.
But the perfect God, who sympathizes, empathizes, and comforts understands and stands ready to help. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 3 All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.     

Linked to:Cornerstone Confessions, 1-Minute Bible Love Notes, The Alabaster Jar            

Muslim Perspectives: They think what?

When I volunteered to go to India on a mission trip three years ago, I joyfully went from village to village to share the good news of Jesus.  The remote villages that sometimes took us two hours of rough transportation to endure were filled with people from the Hindu faith.  Thankfully, I wasn’t asked to go to the Muslim villages.  Honestly, I probably would have refused.  I had a fear of Muslims rooted from perspectives portrayed by the media, heightened after 9-11.

Seven months after I returned from my trip, I encountered a Muslim lady from Pakistan.  Initially, I read a book about Islam trying to understand her perspectives.  But I quickly learned, you can’t put all Muslims “into a box.”    The perspectives I now possess come from a two year friendship with this lady.  I’ve learned many concepts about Islam.  But I’ve also learned some perspectives the Muslims may have about Christians.  Of course not all Muslims think this way (as to put them “into a box” again), but these are some perspectives my friend shared with me.

1)  Some Muslims don’t understand how we are not Christians when we are born.  In Islam, if you are born into an Islam family, you are Muslim.  You have no choice.  They even whisper the creed, “there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet,” into the newborn’s ear.  It was a natural bridge to share how I became a follower of Jesus. 

2)  Some Muslims think American equals Christian.   Therefore, all the media in the U.S. must be Christian, portraying what Christians act like.  No wonder they don’t want their children to come to school here.  They think we will corrupt them.  I had a fun conversation with my friend about dating.  I tried to correct her perspective that dating means premarital sex (what the t.v. portrays).  I shared what the Bible says about it and shared my dating story.  As believers, our lives should reflect the Bible’s definition of a Jesus follower, not the American “Christian”. 

     

3)  Some Muslims think we have an “easy” religion.  They see us attend church on Sundays and think that is our only “obligation.”  However, they must pray five times a day and fast (no food or drink during daylight hours) for a month to possibly receive salvation (they are never for certain because Allah could change his mind).  They also must give a percent of their net worth every year to the poor or an Islamic purpose.  If they are physically and financially able, they must make a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia at least once in their lives.  Of course the more the better, it tips the “good scales,” needed to please Allah.

Of course they don’t understand that we are not obliged to go to church, but go because we want to worship the God that saved us from our sin (This should be our attitude).  They also don’t understand that we have a friendship with God because of His love for us, not because we must “work” to please God and deserve heaven.  (Ephes. 2:8-9)
 

4)  When some Muslims hear about God’s gift of salvation, they don’t understand how someone else can pay for another’s sin.  In their honor/shame culture, they must please their family and take responsibility for their own actions.  How could Jesus pay for someone else’s sin?  And why would God allow a prophet to die such a shameful death?  It doesn’t make sense in their culture. 

Yet, they understand the need for a guarantor to sign for a loan.  The guarantor signs to pay off a loan if the loan cannot be paid.  That is exactly what Jesus did.  He promised to pay our debt if we couldn’t pay it.  Of course we couldn’t.  We can’t earn our way to heaven.  And the requirement for our sin debt:  death.  Jesus paid the price for us because of God’s character of unconditional love (opposite of Allah’s conditional love). 

As I learn more about my friend’s perspective of Christians, I pray my life reflects the truth of the Bible.  As her perspective changes about me, I pray her perspective changes about the truth of the Bible, and God our Savior.  Let’s simply spill hope to the Muslims around us. 

What perspective have you learned from talking to a Muslim?



Linked to Bible Love Notes

Help for Hail, or Hell

Our backyard

What started as a quiet, uneventful, family Friday night, quickly turned into a loud, astonishing memorable night with hail dumping from the sky.  It started as "pings" on our windows, but quickly escalated into a loud roar as quarter-sized hail pelted our house, yard, fence, and anything else in its way.

What next?

The girls dashed outside to pick up the pieces of hail.  The camera captured pictures to remember.  Texts with pics sent to amaze family and friends.

The next day, clean up began. Trash cans filled with tree limbs, leaves, and newly planted flowers lined the streets. Broken yard decorations discarded, too.   

What amazed me, roofers prowled the neighborhood for new customers.  The entrance to our housing addition plastered with signs of companies to call for help.

My next door neighbor had a roofer friend over to look as his roof.  He came to our house to give us a free inspection.  Roof totaled.

Two days later, as I walked the streets looking at the debris I noticed something interesting.  Many roofing companies staked their claims, leaving their yard signs behind.  I noticed many houses shared the same company sign.  Why?  They shared their help with their neighbors (like mine did). 

And then God asked me some application questions.  Have you shared the best help your neighbors could ever receive?  Me.  Help, not for their physical belongings, but for their eternal, spiritual life?  Do they understand that you needed help for your sin because you couldn't pay for it yourself or earn your way to heaven?  Do they know I love them so much I provided a way to forgive their sin, too?  Do they know who has "staked" your life? That you belong to Me because you believe Jesus died for your sin?  Will you share?  Or, will you just give temporary help?  Help for hail, or hell?

Gifts for Today

4/21/13

My "gifts" for today

427.  Phone calls to sisters near and far to ramble about speaking at Falls Creek (my church camp I grew up attending) this weekend.
428.  Intervening physicans
429.  Made plans to eat lunch with my Iranian friend and her Uncle tomorrow.  Can't wait!
430.  Quick run jog through the neighborhood for 15 min. straight (haven't ran in months)(Hope I can walk tomorrow)
431.  Met my oldest daughter walking home from school.
432.  Everyone liked my original pasta recipe for dinner.
433.  Walk to the neighborhood park right after dinner.
434.  Met a lady at the park that attended my breakout session at Falls Creek this weekend (visiting her mom from across town).  Too cool!
435.  Stepped in dog poop on the way home (good laugh, but nasty clean-up) (By the size of the poop, I think we have horses living in this metropolitan neighborhood). 
435.  Oldest daughter, early bedtime, testing tomorrow :)












What are you thankful for?  Have you started a thankful journal?

Life: Short and Unpredictable

Picture after the Boston Marathon bombing
Courtesy: Ben Thorndikehttp://www.cnn.com/2013/04/17/us/boston-blasts/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Life's short and upredictable.

Last week we celebrated the life of Tim Pickle, buried in my hometown at the age of 38.  He died of a heart attack.  A beautiful six-year-old girl left fatherless.  Life is short.

In the middle of a day of celebrating my oldest daughter's 12th birthday, news reports shout of bombings at the Boston marathon.  People that gathered to congratulate runners become victims or survivors in the matter of seconds.  Life is unpredictable.

With reminders that life is brief and always changing, people react in different ways.  One classmate went to get his heart checked demonstrating physical life and health are important.

Others gather to pray for victims of the Boston marathon.  Sometimes crisis bring us to our knees.  God, our only help and comfort, is always near. 

Some people may ask more spiritual questions through tragedy.  As they realize they may not be promised tomorrow, they may ask themselves if they are ready for death. 

But today I had a different reaction.  I told my athiest friend about Tim's sudden death.  My friend could relate to heart problems with a history of open heart surgery and blood pressure issues.  His response, "I guess we all die sometime and turn to dirt."  Yes.  He's right.

As I began to ask him questions about what would happen to him after he died, he quickly jumped to evolution.  He tried to say there is no God.  He agreed it would take more faith to believe in evolution vs. creation, yet held his ground.  I asked him if his study of science gave him hope.  "No," he responded.

He didn't want to hear about the God-particle, evidence that nature couldn't happen by chance.

He began to ramble about the Bible as if it were fiction.  Sadly, he wouldn't listen to proof that the Bible is the Word of God given to share God's love story to us.

It came down to this, my friend didn't want to hear about the Bible.  He has hardened his heart against truth.  Of all the tragedies this week, this is the saddest for me.  If my friend were to die today, he would be separated from God forever and live in eternal punishment.  It makes my heart sad that he won't even listen.  

Because life is short and unpredictable, followers of Jesus, we can't keep our mouths shut about the promise of hope in the Bible.  Hope that helps people in tragedy.  Hope that gives us a reason to live.  And hope of eternal life when we die.

Do you have hope?    http://stacyneus.blogspot.com/2012/04/need-hope.html

What has been your reaction to the Boston Marathon bombing?

 

 



Boundaries for Children's Activities

pic taken from powerpoint clip art

When I watched my four-year-old daughter attempt to learn a cartwheel,  I enjoyed taking her to  gymnastics.  I loved the adult conversations with other moms.  We chitchatted about preschools, outings for kids, and what was for dinner.  For my daughter,  she played games with music, jumped on the trampoline, and learned a little gymnastics along the way.

One day I decided to watch my daughter from another room.  There were stairs that led to a whole other world.  A different crowd sat upstairs.  The moms of competitive gymnists.  They talked about the next meet, the lack of time for homework, and stress of cooking meals.  That day I told myself, "We will never do that."  In fact, I didn't want any of my three girls to be thrown into the competitve world in any sport.

But guess what.  Today my seven-year-old daughter is beginning a "competitive league" in gymnastics.  She will now practice two nights a week and compete with her teammates occasionally.  I had no idea a fun gymnastics class would introduce her to her passion.  She's very athletic and has excelled in any sport she's tried. My husband is sad she didn't pick soccer. He's coached her since she was three-years-old. And I would have loved to coach her in basketball.  But she's built like a gymnast.  However, should she compete just because she's talented, we have the money, and she loves it? 

This was my struggle last week.  How busy is too busy?  What are the boundaries for our family with children's activities? We've always had a "one sport rule," which has helped. But when we have three girls, even one sport each can be crazy!  Add piano lessons and church and I'm running children somewhere every day.

I know every family has to make their own boundaries.  How do you decide?  I asked God to help me answer this question, "Do I make a schedule and ask God to help me with it, or do I ask God to help make my schedule?"

You know you are too busy with children's activities (any schedule for that matter) when,

1)  There are more fast food wrappers in the mom-mobile trash than kleenexes.

2)   The kids have to pull dirty soccer socks from the laundry to wear to practice.

3)  The children ask to stay home.

4)  If you are married, you don't have time to "date" your spouse.

5)  If you are married, you only talk to your spouse about kids schedules.

6)  Your prayers with your children consist of protection, rest, and wins.

7)  You need a special calendar to remember all the activities.

8)  A homemade meal is a treat. 

9)  You spend more time in the car shuttling kids than cleaning your house and shopping for
groceries. 

10)  You didn't notice your child has outgrown their clothes.

You may or may not be able to relate to this list.  You may have stricter or more lenient standards. 

One day my children will be gone.  But they will remember our priorities.  How we spend our time, our money, and our words all reflect our priorities.  What will they say were our priorities?

Matthew 6:33  But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 

Are you seeking God's priorities?
What is a good boundary for your family?




Linked to:  Cornerstone Confessions

The Pep Rally

photos by Holly Emig

 

Who doesn't like to see the underdog win?  (I guess if you are the team playing the underdog, it's never fun).  This weekend many celebrated the underdogs of the NCAA Basketball tournament, the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles.  When they took down the #2 ranked Georgetown, people jumped on the bandwagon of rooting for the underdog (again).  (And how about those AMAZING dunks!)  It would have been so fun to cheer at the pep rally for the team, Monday March 25th.

Speaking of pep rallies:  Sunday morning we celebrated Palm Sunday.  It reminded me of a pep rally.  Our children reenacted "The Triumphal Entry" of Jesus into Jerusalem.  They waved palm branches while walking down the aisles to the front of the church.  They quoted scripture shouting, "Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord."  Our "pep rally" brought smiles to the crowd and cameras out of pockets (hence, the pics above).

But imagine the Jews at the original "pep rally."  To the "fans," (I won't put it in quotes any more) this would just be another week of Passover (the yearly celebration remembering God's deliverance of their ancestors, the Israelites, out of Egypt).  Would it be a redundant celebration or a week that would change history forever? 

They heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem.  Some believed He was the Messiah, the Christ, the long awaited deliverer that God had promised from the time of Adam and Eve.  If Jesus really was the Christ, they could just taste victory over the Romans, the oppressive rulers.  And in their minds, Jerusalem would be the perfect battlefield, the capital of the Jewish religion.  The home of the temple.  Perfect timing:  the Passover.  All the Jews had to gather in Jerusalem for the Passover.  Surely the Jews had the home court advantage.  The perfect set up to change history forever.

So imagine the fans dismay when their hero, Jesus came riding into town on a donkey.  Really?  A donkey?  I'm sure they were asking each other, "Where is the mighty white horse to show power like other warrior kings?"  But the crowd went with it.  They began crying out "Hosanna," meaning "save us now."  I guess they didn't recall the prophet Zechariah saying, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion ! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem ! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey." (Zech. 9:9) 

Jesus, the promised King.  Would He defeat the Romans?  Only time would tell.

(I'm skipping some major events to shorten this post, but you should read the whole account.  In Mark's account, chapters 11-13 are events after Jesus' arrived in Jerusalem.  http://www.biblestudytools.com/nas/mark/11.html)

Jesus found Himself thick in a plot for the Jewish leaders to have him killed.

Mark 14: 1-2  Now the Passover and Unleavened Bread were two days away ; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to seize Him by stealth and kill Him; 2 for they were saying, "Not during the festival, otherwise there might be a riot of the people." 
 
(I'm skipping again.  Some major events starting in Mark 14  http://www.biblestudytools.com/nas/mark/14.html  The Last Passover, The Lord's Supper, Jesus in Gethsemane, Jesus betrayed by His follower, Judas Iscariot, and Jesus' Arrest)

But why would the Jews want Him killed?  Jesus claimed to be God.  For those who didn't believe, this was blasphemy!
 
Mark 14: 53  They led Jesus away to the high priest ; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes gathered together.

Mark 14:61- 64
^{Mark 1MaMMMarMMaMar}Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" 62 And Jesus said, "I am ; and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN."63Tearing his clothes, the high priest said, "What further need do we have of witnesses ? 64 "You have heard the blasphemy ; how does it seem to you?" And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.  

By now, many of the fans have jumped off the bandwagon.  Even Jesus' closest followers, including Peter (the end of Mark 14), ran away in fear. 

What is happening?  Where is the sword?  But Jesus didn't come to fight.  Next, they took Him to Pilate, the governor.   

Mark 15: 1-3  Early in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes and the whole Council, immediately held a consultation ; and binding Jesus, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate. 2Pilate questioned Him, "Are You the King of the Jews ?" And He answered him, "It is as you say."3 The chief priests began to accuse Him harshly.

In Luke's account, Pilate voices Jesus' innocense.
Luke 23:4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, "I find no guilt in this man."  

I can imagine if the fans that welcomed Him to Jerusalem were still cheering, they would be yelling, "Now would be the perfect time to show your power, Jesus.  The crowds are stirred up against you."  Compared to a basketball game: it's the 4th quarter, 2 min.on the clock, down 10 points.  It's now or never for the underdog.  Would He show His power? 

The next part of the story went from bad to worse.  Instead of an innocent man let free, Pilate released Jesus over to be crucified as the crowd chanted, "Crucify! Crucify!"  I cannot describe the horrow Jesus experienced next without tears running down my face as I write. 

How could they?  Beat Him.  Spit on Him.  Force Him to wear a crown out of thorns and a purple robe,only royalty would wear.  Mocked Him, bowing before him and shouting,  "Hail, King of the Jews!"  After their child-like game, they forced Him to carry a cross up a hill where they would nail His hands and feet to hang in shame.  

I imagine some of the fans yelling, (well, probably only thinking), "Come down!  I know you can!  Now, Jesus! Now!" 

But He hung.  Finally hanging His head.  Breathless.  Dead.

The sign that hung above His head read, his charge, "THE KING OF THE JEWS."

Did the fans realize giving Jesus the title of "King" would be his only charge?  They wanted a Savior.  Someone to save them from Roman rule.  But, their King hung on a cross.  Powerless to save them.  Or was He?

Three days later, some of Jesus biggest fans, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome showed their loyalty.  They brought spices to annoint Jesus, as was the custom.  To their surprise, the grave was empty.  The stone rolled away.  And Jesus appeared to them.  They ran to tell the disciples, Jesus' followers the news.  Jesus was alive! http://www.biblestudytools.com/nas/mark/16.html

His resurrection:  Victory!  Victory over death.  He never really was the "underdog."  His fans just didn't understand the Savior.  Jesus provided them more than a victory over an immediate enemy.  Jesus, the Savior: a savior for their spiritual lives.  His death on the cross paid the penalty needed for their sin.  God could accept them if they believed Jesus really was the Son of God, the Christ, the Deliverer, who died in their place.  If they turned from their sins and accepted Jesus as their personal Savior, God would change them from merely fans to followers. (Jesus offers you the same).

Followers that remain faithful, even with loss (Persecution. Read the accounts of His closest disciples, who died for their beliefs). 
Followers that trust the coach (God), even when they don't agree with the play calls (life). 

Jesus showed Himself to the disciples and over 500 people before He returned to heaven, proving He really was God.  His promise:  He will return.  Next time, on a white horse.  http://www.biblestudytools.com/nas/revelation/19.html

John describes the final pep rally in Revelation 7:9-10.  A pep rally for Jesus' followers.
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands ; 10 and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, " Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."  (emphasis mine)

And the final battle:
Revelation 19:11
And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.  

Revelation 19:16
16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

The conquering KING!

Revelation 19:20 And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image ; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

I'm looking forward to the final pep rally!  Will you join me?
Will you celebrate Easter this year as a skeptic?  Merely a fan?  Or a Follower?
  

Easily Distracted

 

 

Pic from:http://www.dailypuppy.com/puppies/pepper-the-havanese_2013-03-23

 

We had some beautiful weather last week in Oklahoma.  I'm so ready for Spring!  I met a friend to take a quick walk before I picked up the girls from school.  She lives around the corner so we met in the middle.  She brought her four-year-old son and small puppy.  Her son almost raced pass me on his bike.  Thankfully, she had her adorable puppy on a leash.  He barked at me like he was a massive guard dog.  However, his high pitch cry didn't intimidate me.  Well after five minutes of the continuous yapping, I thought he'd never stop.  She said he just wants to smell me.  I obliged and he settled down.  She explained that he'd been to obedience school and rather complient when she is the only one around.  However, he gets easily distracted when others enter the picture.

How quickly I thought of how I act with my Master, Jesus.  How easy it is to listen to His voice, obey Him, and focus on our friendship when its just the two of us.  And sadly, how easily I can be distracted.    

My top 3 distractions:

1) Sin- (choosing my way instead of God's)
  Listening to lies of the deceiver.
  Lingering in thoughts I should avoid.
  Leaving Jesus' side to chase after distractions.

How quickly sin can destroy!

2) Self (relying on my strength, instead of God's)  (also sin)
  Not listening to God's advice
  Not lingering to hear His voice
  Not waiting for His "go"

How quickly self takes control!

3) Stuff (things we can't take with us to heaven)
  Looking for what others have and making my own list
  Longing to be satisfied with things that are only earthly
  Living life without eternal focus, opportunities missed

How quickly time is wasted!

My prayer to Jesus:
I want to linger in Your presence in the quiet times.
I want to listen to Your directions in the noise.
I want to look to You for the way of escape (you promise one when I am tempted).
I want to lean on You for wisdom in my moment to moment decisions.
I want to live content with what You give me, thankful for each blessing.
I want to leave this world with many others I've taken to Your presence.

Help me live the focused life each day!

What distracts you the most?