If You're Not Embracing the Difficult, I Am Praying for You

I don't say it lightly, but if you aren't embracing the difficult, using the grief, speaking a message from the place of mess, I am praying for you. I'm not praying you would experience pain and hardship, but I am praying that whatever pain and hardship you've experienced or are about to experience would not be lost to the enemy. 

Scott and I have had our share of difficulty. I'll spare you the list. Some of it was obviously self-imposed; some through no fault of our own. Was it God testing our faith? An enemy attack? Something to teach others? No use wasting time in the land of speculation, discussing what we think are the whys. That serves little purpose. I mean, we're human; let me just admit, we do that sometimes. We get whatever notice that trouble has made itself comfortable among us for however long, and we question. Is this for real? Didn't we just go through something? Why this? Why now? But we don't stay there. 

There is another option, the one we choose to embrace: What good are You working in this season? We begin to look for the lessons, things within ourselves that need to be changed and how our journey through this trouble will accomplish that. We find the opportunities to point to our Hope, to speak encouragement with truth to others. Yes, this is difficult and agonizing and chaotic, but God's got this. We pray more, fast more, take times of quiet more, point one another toward our Refuge more. We speak Life into the situation --not that God would do as we design, but that He would bring things about perfectly, for that's the only way He can do things. We hang on to His promises and draw nearer to Him in a way we usually don't. And we have discovered, if our hands are full of His promises, we are unable to grasp this thing humans love so much --control. (I believe control is one of the greatest enemies of growth in Christ --but that's for another day.)

Please don't get me wrong, we are not perfect, and we do not always handle things perfectly. But we are learning. We have learned. Growth and joy are taking root because we have been so beaten down by God-awful circumstances or mundane nonsense on repeat. For the greater part, we no longer grit our teeth and clench our fists. We look up and say, Oh, so this is what we're doing for the next few months? Okay then. And it has been LIBERATING! Every financial burden, every tenuous relationship, every irritation, every question --it all goes up. Father God, this is in Your hands. What a blessing that is! And we are privileged to sit back and watch God work. The Creator of the universe is watching over our home. The Author of salvation is writing my story. The Redeemer of the world is working all things out for my good. The King of kings is listening when I tell Him I am afraid. His power and sovereignty are on full display as the difficulties of this world attempt to pull me under. But He has disarmed and humiliated the troubles of this world and their originator. They no longer have any power except to strengthen those in Christ and fill us with joy as we witness our Master at work. 

So, embrace the difficult. Face it head-on with God's Word as your sword and Christ as your Shield. 

Thanks to You, Dad!

On Father's Day last year, our pastor shared wonderful anecdotes about his father. He mentioned a few lessons that remained with him over time, lessons for which he had his father to thank. Our pastor, Bryan, said he believes those things also have spiritual implications for all of us today. I couldn't agree more. 

Bryan's dad taught him how to fight. Our Heavenly Father has taught each and every one of His children how to fight. Ephesians 6:10-20 encourages us to be strong, wear and apply and take up that which we have been given, and pray, pray, pray. We are, so long as we remain on this side of heaven, plagued by temptations and sinful urges; they are part and parcel of life in a world that is cursed. Standing fast, in the confidence of all Jesus has done for us and all His Spirit continues to do in us requires us to know and obey Scripture, and cling to our faith in Him, no matter what.  

Bryan's dad taught him how to fish. I imagine his father telling him to be quiet, be patient. In Jesus' Great Commission to His disciples, He sends us into all the world, bringing others to the saving knowledge of Jesus and partnering with them as we walk out this portion of our lives together. As Jesus told Simon Peter and his brother, Andrew, we are to be fishers of men, not beating them over the head with Scriptures and theology, but gently, lovingly, patiently showing them the way, as we powerfully, earnestly pray!

Bryan's dad taught him how to work. They worked side-by-side in the garden and on cars; together they built things. Two things came to mind. First, His father was right there, laboring alongside him, teaching as they worked. Our Father sent us His Spirit; the Greek word is parakletos, One summoned to another's side, to aid, to comfort, and to lead us in our work. And that is the second reflection: we have been given work to do, the "ministry of reconciliation." As we have been reconciled to God through His Son, Jesus Christ, we are to bring others to meet Him that they might be reconciled as well. We are God's ambassadors, proclaiming the good news of His Kingdom.

Lastly, Bryan's dad taught him to run. He made him "feel like he could run like the wind," instilling tenacity and confidence in a young boy who would one day pastor diligently, faithfully an eclectic group of people, moving where God called him to move and serving how God called him to serve. With this lesson, his father taught him to "be the best you can be" -- not necessarily better than anyone else. Our journey is our journey; God has not called us all to the same thing. When God gave His Ten Commandments, they were strict and applied to every one of His people in the same way. When Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, God's commandments were expanded to two. Don't you mean reduced? No, I do not. Jesus' coming blew the doors off the way we worship our God. The possibilities are limited only by our ability to love, and God says we are to love with all we have. We have the Holy Spirit, the power to "run like the wind" if we are called to do so; and we need not be the best, we just have to obey.

God is gracious to give us earthly shadows of heavenly things. Our relationships with one another should be a sweet foretaste of how we will spend eternity. And we have our Father to thank.

Happy Fathers' Day!

Midweek: NKJV Study Bible for Kids

The wonderful people at Thomas Nelson Bibles have given me the opportunity to review their newly released purple Leathersoft™ edition of their NKJV Study Bible for Kids. This study Bible has been created for children ages 8-12 with targeted helps and a multi-colored interior. My complimentary copy arrived in an eye-catching protective sleeve. Other editions include a hardcover edition, a softcover, and a blue Leathersoft™ edition. All but the paperback have a satin ribbon bookmark and some are available with the words of Jesus recorded in red print. 

A description from Thomas Nelson's website is as follows:

Key features include:

Epic Ideas articles cover key topics and important themes of the Christian life—from sin and death to salvation, forgiveness, God’s promises, relationships, wisdom, mercy, kindness, end times, and more

Action! segments provide practical ways to apply scriptural truths to everyday life by relating to the issues and emotions encountered by biblical characters

Spotlight: sections show how God has worked among his people in Bible times and how He continues to work in our lives today

Starring Roles: show personality profiles of leading Bible characters—from the greatest to the least—and how God used each of them for his purposes

Behind the Scenes: are informative introductions to each book in the Bible, including highlights, key passages, author, dates, and more

In Focus: call-outs showcase definitions and pronunciations of key words

Book Introductions provide an overview and context for each book

On Location Sections are colorful maps displaying a visual representation of Israel and other biblical locations for better context

Helpful headings dot the two-column format between subjects and events. Additional resources include timelines and a dictionary/concordance.

So, what do I think? Well, I like the timelines. They're a great way to piece together the entire picture of events --especially for children who may be preparing to study world history in school. The print is really small, and the pages are pretty thin. Care should be taken when handling or highlighting. I believe the commentary regarding Cain and Abel takes some liberties with regard to why God was displeased with Cain's offering. I've never known anyone to definitively state the reason --until now. I believe the suggestion a third grader (or higher) call Nicodemus "Nick," is a bit uncalled-for. (We're not talking about Methuselah or Mephibosheth, here.) Most children of that age are perfectly capable of pronouncing Nicodemus, and suggesting we make Scripture unnecessarily familiar or edgy can encourage children to irreverence. Likewise, the commentary on John 3:16 and the salvation message seems a bit adulterated. 

Have you ever acknowledged Jesus as your Savior? Lots of people go to church and do all sorts of religious things (even reading the Bible), but have never made this choice that will impact them for all of eternity.

If you've never taken this step, you can do it now! Just thank God for loving you, and tell Him you believe that Jesus' death paid for your sins.

That's it. No mention of a child's need for a Savior; just that Jesus died for us because God loves us. Nothing about following Jesus and all His ways or becoming His modern-day disciples; just the benefit children receive simply by expressing thanks and belief. In designing a Bible study resource, would it not be foundational to establish the purpose and means of accepting God's free gift of salvation? In a commentary on 1 John 5:12, entitled Having Jesus Is Eternal Life, benefits of life with Jesus --eternal life --are mentioned, but there is little obligation to respond outside of, "I want that." Having been raised around church and Bible doctrine that excluded "the cost," even as a child, when circumstances contradicted the "new life" I was told I now had, my response was to believe "it hadn't worked" or I "was too bad to save." A realistic, informed Gospel message is crucial as we evangelize. All this to say, while the features of this Bible might provoke thought and jumpstart important discussions, I can't heartily recommend it as a study Bible --more of an attempt at an application-style resource. I think a study Bible, even for children, should encourage them to deeper dives into Scripture --cross references and further historical background. This Bible may familiarize them with the format of a study Bible, but I am not confident it will provide your child with a clear study guide absent your help.

This Bible retails for $49.99, but is currently selling for $47.86 on Amazon.

A Parable of Pride

"The meeting of Sheep Lodge 625 will come to order! Apparently, we have a special guest visiting with us tonight. Sherwood, would you like to introduce your friend?"

"Sure! This is Bessie, and Bessie is a cow, of course. But she's not visiting. She wants to be a member of our lodge!"

"A member?" someone cried. "But she's a cow! This is a sheep lodge!" Someone seconded the contention.

"Now, now, let's all just calm down," said the lodge president. "It's wonderful to have you, Bessie. And I think I speak for every true sheep here when I say your membership in our lodge would be an absolute blessing! The Pig Pen doesn't allow cows. The Chicken Coop doesn't allow cows. We would be the most inclusive lodge on the farm! Everyone will see how non-judgmental we are!" 

Several sheep walked out. But the others cheered. From the back of the room, one proposed, "In honor of Bessie and her fellow cows, I think the bylaws should be changed. From now on, we should all speak in cow, so no one feels excluded."

"What a fabulous idea!" said the president. "All in favor say MOO!"

A unanimous MOO burst from the flock. "What an honor!" Bessie exclaimed. "But you really don't have to do all that." 

Nevertheless, the bylaws were changed. They were changed again the following week when Millie the mouse showed up. "In honor of Minnie and her fellow mice, I think the bylaws should be changed to make cheese our official snack!" Several sheep and even a few of Bessie's friends who had joined cried out, "But this is a sheep lodge!" The dissenters walked out. But a unanimous MOO, and cheese was indeed the official snack of the remaining sheep, cows, and mice. 

The week after that, Penny the pig joined the group. "In honor of Penny and her pig friends, I think the bylaws should be changed to include mud baths at every meeting." Some of the mice squeaked, "Mud baths! Sheep don't take mud baths." Some sheep walked out, taking cows and mice with them. But those who remained took another vote. MOO! Mud baths, cheese, and speaking in cow were now written into the bylaws of Sheep Lodge 625. 

On and on, species after species. Within weeks the sheep lodge was no longer full of sheep; there were all sorts of creatures milling about doing things unnatural to their design and not really knowing who they were supposed to be. No longer were the laws of the lodge exclusive to sheep but made concessions and demands of every type of animal. Rather than sheep celebrating their unique qualities within their organization, telling others how good it is to be a sheep (as they'd once done), they moo'ed and tried to stomach the cheese and rolled in the muck. 

"This place is worse than the rest of the farm!" some sheep began to cry. "At least out there, you could distinguish friend from foe. How long will it be before the wolves show up looking for a place?" 

Even Bessie the cow, Millie the mouse, and Penny the pig took umbrage. "This doesn't look like a sheep lodge at all! We didn't come here to be like everyone else; we came here to be like sheep. But you all look worse than the farm! What would the farmer say if he saw?"

In the lodge, sheep were forced to be something they weren't for the sake of inclusion. In the lodge, identity for all was lost because assimilation with the rest of the farm became a priority. In the lodge, truth was exchanged for a lie, and things natural for things unnatural. In the lodge, love was not pure but self-seeking, and the body suffered. In the lodge, all were welcomed but none were held accountable. And the lodge itself looked worse than the rest of the farm, because rather than transform their world, they accommodated their world. 

Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 
~ Romans 1:22, 23

Photo courtesy LuAnn Martin