Bible Time With Bob The Builder

I try ("try" being the key word) to spend a little time every day with the kids, focused on reading, memorizing and talking about God's word. Well, today, our Bible time topic came courtesy of Bob the Builder. Bet you didn't know Bob the Builder taught Bible lessons! Well, today he did. Today, he talked about how important it is to build on a solid foundation.

Well, being the quick, resourceful (trust me, this isn't all that impressive) momma that I am, I decided to turn that into a Bible lesson. I whipped out my iPhone, looked up the reference for "foundation" in my Bible app (yes, I had to look it up, because I didn't know off the top of my head where it was at-- it's OK moms if you don't know everything!) and quickly had 1 Corinthians 3:10,11 in my hand:

Because of God's grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have-- Jesus Christ.

We read that together and had a quick little chat about what it means to build your life on Jesus Christ. Then we prayed that God would help us do that. This took all of about three and a half minutes. And it was perfect for their little 2- and 4-year-old minds to grab hold of. We might even add on to our theme tonight at dinner, maybe reading Luke 6:46-49 (yep, had to look that one up too-- it really is ok to have to look stuff up) together as a family.

Is the thought of discipling your young children overwhelming sometimes? Do you struggle to find the best way to communicate God's truths to them in a way they can understand? Is it scary trying to figure out how to teach them the vital tools for living a Spirit-filled life, throughout all the days of their lives? Are you sometimes at a loss for where to even begin?

Maybe you've searched for the perfect Bible storybook with each day's verse, story and activity or song laid out conveniently for you. Maybe you've accumulated a hefty pile of how-to books for the Christian parent on your nightstand. Maybe you've even decided that this kind of spiritual education, much like an academic one, is better left up to the "experts" and have left your child's soul in the competent hands of his Sunday school teacher.

And while picture-filled Bible activity books, parenting how-tos and church kids' ministries are wonderful tools to have tucked into your belt, they are not always necessary and, often, insufficient for the job of "teaching your child in the way (s)he should go," as Proverbs 22:6 instructs us to do.

Since our newest little bundle was born, our two older kiddos have been following me around with their baby dolls, stuffed bears and bunnies or whatever critter they have deemed "baby" for the day in tow and have been playing mommy right along side me. When I nurse Nora, their little shirts come up (both Olivia and Patrick) and baby doll and bear get a meal as well. When I change Nora's diaper, their stuffed friends get their bottoms wiped as well.

They know just how to be "mommy" and "daddy" to their little babies because they have watched us do it every day. They have listened to us talk about it. They have asked questions. And they have practiced, themselves.

And it is in this exact same way that they will learn what it means to follow Jesus, what it looks like to trust even when it hurts, what it sounds like to pray without ceasing, and what it feels like to go throughout life with their Savior by their side.

Deuteronomy 11:18 and 19 tells us,

So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine... Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.

You simply have to live out what you believe, talk about it ALL THE TIME, and your kids will soon follow suit.

So, the next time you're out walking (or watching longingly through the window of your air-conditioned house) and you see a bird perched in a tree, ask your little one, "Who made that bird? And who made you? Did you know that God made that bird and God made you for his own glory?! How do you think can you glorify God? Do you think you can glorify God by obeying mommy and daddy?"

Your child's world is full of teachable moments. Take advantage of every single one of them! Well, at least most of them. Let's be realistic. Sometimes mom just needs a break. This is when Bob the Builder comes in. But after you've had a moment to breath, mom, jump right back in there! Because sometimes, even Bob the Builder can help you teach your kids about Jesus.

Aiming To Be The Worst

This weekend, Luke and I attended our very first homeschool convention. (Let the pencil-sharpening, curriculum-buying excitement ensue!) Don't worry, this isn't a post about teaching your kids at home, though I do highly encourage it!

No, this is a post about being the worst. That's right. I want you (and myself) to aim to be the worst.

One of the keynote speakers expressed his desire for this generation of homeschoolers to be remembered as one of the worst. And the reason we would be the worst is because the generation that comes after us would be a little bit better, and the next one a little bit better than that, and so on. It's not that he desired for us to aim to be "bad" teachers or to fail in any capacity; it's that he so longed for us to teach our children well and instill in them the desire to live out the same values that we treasure and that God desires, that they would carry that with them into adult-hood and then LIVE IT OUT even better than their parents did.

And how true this should be of every area of our spiritual lives!

I pray that my kids, my grandkids, my great grandkids (should the Lord tarry that long) would each be better prayers; better lovers of Jesus; better servants; better husbands, wives, mothers and fathers; better Christ-followers. I simply desire them to be better.

In Exodus 20:5, we hear God say,

I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected-- even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.

There are real and long-lasting consequences for unrepentant sin in our lives. When we choose to live apart from God's love and laws, it doesn't just affect us; it has serious ramifications for our children, our grandchildren, our great-grandchildren and possibly beyond.

BUT!

If we read on to just the next verse, we learn that the opposite is also true!

But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. Exodus 20:6

A thousand generations! I don't think God is saying that we should actually count out one thousand generations into the future and that that is the precise lifetime of this particular blessing. This is basically God's way of saying that for those who choose to love him and obey him, there is permanent, long-lasting, eternal blessing for them and for those that come after them. Our children must choose for themselves to follow Christ, but there are real and significant effects of being part of a lineage and a heritage of Christ-followers. What an honor to be one of those ancestors along the way, laying the foundation of discipleship for those who will come after us.

May we impart our love for the Lord to our children, and they to their children. May we never be known as the "best". May we be so highly surpassed in faith and obedience by those who come after us that we would be remembered as one of the "worst".

Lessons in James: When The Answer Is "No"

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

The crown of life-- what a treasure to look forward to! I've talked before on the blog about the rewards that God promises to those who love him and obey him faithfully throughout their lives. And there is certainly a great wealth of heavenly treasures that followers of Christ can joyfully anticipate as we wait to meet Jesus face to face. But the process of getting there won't be a bed of roses. No pain, no gain, right?

In fact, Jesus promised us:

Here on earth you WILL have many trials and sorrows...

But, thankfully, in the same breath, He also reminds us:

But take heart, because I have overcome the world! John 16:33

I doubt it's any great surprise to most of us that trials will come and (usually) go. We're all pretty accustomed to aches and pains, whether physical, mental, emotional, financial, or otherwise-- some much worse than others. We know what it is to suffer for a time. But I want to speak, today, to those of you who are facing the trial that will not end. Because sometimes, despite all faith, all prayer, all attempts to trust... that miraculous healing, that needed money, that answer from above simply does not come!

We serve a God who is able to heal, despite what the doctors say; is able to provide, despite an economy that predicts otherwise; is able to offer the perfect words of wisdom when no one else knows what to say.

AND YET, He reserves the right to simply say "no."

For those of you that have heard "no" far more times than you would like, take heart today! Know that if you are honestly seeking and obeying God's will for your life and are faithfully trusting in his provision, your plight is not a form of punishment or a product of sin. Sometimes, God simply calls us to carry a heavy cross, and sometimes for a very long time, perhaps even our entire earthly lives.

In my ongoing struggles with anxiety and depression, which I have talked about here before, I find myself believing sometimes that if my faith were just a little bit stronger, if my prayers were a little more frequent, then maybe I would be able to push past these feelings of panic and fear and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, simply overcome them and live a "normal" life in spite of them. And while that thought sounds great coming from an inspirational coffee mug, the truth is that sometimes, God just doesn't work that way. Sometimes, the life he has called me to live is just different from what others practice and seem to expect of me as well (at least in my head anyway).

And the thing I'm learning to accept is that that's OK! That maybe there isn't anything "wrong" with me. Maybe this is simply the trial that God has called me to, and that maybe, in fact, quite possibly, he has no intention of removing it any time soon, if ever, this side of heaven.

And in that acceptance, I am also learning to believe that despite my "failure", as a result of these struggles, to do the things, sometimes, that other Christians seem to do so easily, I am not a disappointment to my Father. I am not less of a Christian. And, while I certainly lack the grace and patience at times that God requires, I have pressed on in faith and trust, and will one day receive that crown of life!

So, sufferer, whoever you are, whatever your pain, know that you are not "broken" either; you are not being punished-- you are a treasure to your Maker (who made you exactly as you are), and you have a great treasure waiting for you, too!

I'll leave you with these precious words by Charles H. Spurgeon, which my husband so graciously passed along to me yesterday:

"You Little-Faiths, you Despondencies, you Much-Afraids, you Feeble-Minds, you that sigh more than  you sing, you that would but cannot, you that have a great heart for holiness, but feel beaten back in your struggles, the Lord shall give you his love, his grace, his favor, as surely as he gives it to those who can do great things in his name."

Lessons in James: God's 401k

Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. James 1:9,10 (emphasis added)

Poor = honored. . . Rich = humbled.

If you're like me, you might have to repeat that a couple times to wrap your head around it. It's certainly contrary to everything that we are taught to believe, especially in America. Even as Christians, many probably believe that the "humble" thing to do, financially speaking, might be to sell all of our possessions and live a minimalist life, in essence to humble ourselves, to bring ourselves low, to lessen our status in the world. And yet, the Bible tells us that those who are the poorest are the most highly honored!

But why?

Proverbs 19:1 tells us, "Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool," implying that perhaps poverty lends itself to honesty and humility, while the opposite creates a greater propensity for foolishness, a quality that certainly won't merit you honor or praise anytime soon.

In Matthew 5:3, we read, "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs." Here, we are told that poverty and the ability to recognize our neediness go hand in hand, an acknowledgment that is absolutely necessary if we are to have any kind of meaningful relationship with the God who desires nothing more than to be the sole fulfillment of those needs. What higher honor could there be than to have the privilege of saying, "You know God, the one who created the universe, the King? Yep, I'm his kid. He pays my bills."

And in James 2:5, we are instructed, "Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?" How rich is your faith? Do you think your comfort level in life plays a part in that?

The amount of money you have in your bank account is certainly not a direct litmus test for your level of faith, your commitment to God or your dependence upon him. In fact, this doesn't even really have to be about money. More accurately, it is about where we are investing our time and efforts, financial or otherwise, in this life. In general, isn't it true that the more comfortable we get in life and the more we "accomplish", the more we begin to believe that, at least on some level, we have worked for it, have earned it, have created our own success, and that we deserve the blessings we have accrued and actually become proud of what we have achieved in life?

So, here's the lesson for today in the form of a sobering reminder: that pride comes before the fall!

The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements. James 1:11

If someone asked you to make a list of your lifetime achievements, what would make the cut? How will people remember you after you're gone? Even the most praised people throughout history, while they may have created a "legacy" for themselves that has lasted years beyond their time on earth, that legacy, too, will come to an end at some point. Eventually, Christ will return, this world, as it is now, will cease to exist, and ONLY what is on God's list of praiseworthy achievements will ever be spoken of again. Madonna Who?

On that glorious day, the blood of Christ will graciously and mercifully wash away all of our sins if we have put our faith in him. And, likewise, the "fire" will burn away the chaff and ONLY what is eternally of value will remain. How much of your life could fit into the dross category? It may not be sinful, it may not be "bad" per se, but is it dross or is it gold?

Will you live a life of "wealth" now, whether financial or otherwise, and reap a retirement plan of humility and brokenness, with nothing left to your name but... your name?

Or will you seize a life of "poverty" now, and enter heaven, honored, with your arms heaping full of a life's worth of spoils to be treasured for eternity?

What's your "retirement plan"?

Lessons in James: The Ultimate "Expert" Advice

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you! James 1:5

If we need wisdom?! When don't we? Under normal circumstances, there are any number of situations in our lives that require thoughtful decision-making, some more difficult and long-lasting than others. And in today's world, with an economy that is threatening to fall apart at any moment, a government that seems to have long ago run off the rails, schools and offices that seem to be growing increasingly more dangerous for us and our children and a growing epidemic of apathy in the greater church, we are left with some very grave and weighty decisions to make about how we will live in light of these dangers.

Where will we work? Will we even be able to work? Should we both go to work and put the kids in day care? Can we "afford" for mom to stay home?

What should we do with the money we do have? Do we invest it? Where do we invest it? Do we hide it under a mattress? Should we just spend it?

Where should our kids go to school? Should they go to school, or should we try to homeschool?

The list goes on and on and changes with each and every unique family and individual. The questions are endless. But where do we go for answers?

Can we really go to the Bible? I mean, maybe for very general guidelines on how to behave, how to be a "nice" person, how to "make God happy". . . but certainly not for practical, relevant advice on how to answer these modern questions; the Bible is so archaic! Certainly, God can't expect us to use it today when it comes to making choices about our lives!

And yet, God is eternal! He is the Alpha and the Omega! Before time began, He was! And he has written the future! The Bible, the document itself, may be very "old" as we understand it, but our God is ALIVE, his Word is the LIVING word, and he is very much attuned to our complicated "modern" problems. All we have to do is ASK him!

BUT! And here's the lesson for today: We need to make sure that in our asking, we approach God with the heart and attitude that He requires:

But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. James 1:6-8 (emphasis added)

What does it look like to be divided between God and the world?

It looks like picking up the phone to call my mom, my best friend, three other friends and the girl I just met to ask their opinions or "vent" before consulting the One who made me on the matter.

It looks like picking up my iPhone to Google "wise investment strategies for 2013" rather than consulting the One who provides every penny I possess.

It looks like perusing the bookstore for "expert" authors, the internet for "expert" speakers and even the church for "successful" Christian models in hopes of gleaning "wisdom" from their experienced minds rather than running to Scripture and to prayer for an answer to my query.

It looks like praying and studying God's word first, only to grow impatient when an answer does not come as quickly as I'd like or one comes that I'm not excited about, and then seeking "counsel" from people who I know will tell me what I want to hear.

We are not guaranteed a lot of things in this life, even by God. As a Christian, we are guaranteed our salvation when we put our trust in him, but beyond that, he does not promise health, wealth, prosperity or even physical safety. But there are some things that he promises to give us, if we obey him and if we ASK for it! Wisdom is one of those things!

Ask Him, beloved, and he WILL answer. It may not be according to your timeline. It may not be the answer you were hoping for. But if you come to him and humble yourself at his feet, he WILL give you the wisdom you desire and need. And this expert advice will never fail you!

Lessons in James: Power in the Pain

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4

"WHEN troubles come..." Lesson: troubles WILL come! They cannot be avoided.

BUT...

Each and every one of those troubles, trials and temptations contain within them the "opportunity for great joy!"  Lesson: The pain in our lives carries with it the potential for great joy. I emphasize potential and opportunity because God does not promise that we will find joy in each of our trials; he only offers the hope that joy is there waiting for us if we are willing to take it! The way we react to our circumstances will determine whether the experience is a joyful one or an excruciating one. The choice is ours!

When my kids scream and yell, when everyone is sick, when parenting with patience seems like an impossible task, when my own struggles with anxiety and depression seem to black out any chance at joy I could ever have again, I MUST remind myself of this warning and this promise. I have to honestly ask myself, "Am I trying desperately to avoid 'trouble' in my life and reacting with anger and bitterness when it comes anyway? Am I missing the fact that God may be giving me these trials for a purpose? What opportunities am I missing when I clam up and attempt to just shut my eyes and 'make it through' with clenched teeth and white knuckles, rather than opening up and allowing God to work in the midst of the pain? Have I asked God to give me joy through it, not in spite of it, but because of it!?"

And not only are we offered JOY, but we have a great opportunity for GROWTH through the struggles in our life, growth that is necessary in order for us to become "perfect and complete" as Jesus is perfect and complete!

What it really comes down to is, how much do I really want to be transformed into the image of Christ? How badly do I want to be like him? To please him? Do I want it badly enough to honestly say, "Whatever it takes, Lord!"? Or do I only really want to grow as much as my comfort will allow?

The Christian walk is an Olympic marathon! It takes great endurance, great focus, and honestly, great pain in order to be done right and done well! But, oh, it is a pain with a purpose, loved ones! Don't run from these precious opportunities in your life! Opportunities for JOY and for GROWTH, that ultimately fill your life with POWER, the power of a great and mighty God who KNOWS what it is to hurt as you hurt.

Take comfort in that truth, beloved, and keep your eyes fixed on the day when we will all finally be "complete, needing nothing!"

Coming Soon: Lessons in James

It's been a while since I've blogged. Probably a bit too long of a while. I've missed it, and have tried to come back a few times, but just have not felt like the Lord was really trying to speak through me. There are a lot of reasons to choose to write a blog, but I pray that mine would never be just for the sake of blogging. I never want to write just to write. I choose to write when there is a specific message that I feel God is asking me to communicate, even if I am the only one that reads it and learns from it. I simply want my words to have purpose, not earthly, selfish purpose, but eternal purpose and significance. And that is exactly what I believe this next little "series", if you want to call it that, will have!

I have been reading through the book of James, not with the aid of a study guide, but simply using Anne Graham Lotz's "3 Question" method, and the truths God has been giving me through this honest reading of his Word have been life-changing!

I hope to soon share some of those lightbulb truths with you!

Carry Me, Daddy!

...and in the desert. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place. Deuteronomy 1:31

"Carry me!" Our Patrick is quite fond of this phrase, and even our little Olivia is now squeaking it out. They're little. They're weak. They tire easily. And when their legs can't carry them any further, they know that their daddy is willing and able.

It's been quite some time since I was carried by my daddy, but I still long for the feeling of safety and security and relief that those strong arms so faithfully offered. I may have long ago outgrown my earthly father's arms, but I will always fit perfectly into those of my heavenly Father. And over the past several weeks, I have been blessed enough to have experienced that first hand.

It really is true that when it rains, it pours! The past several weeks have been incredibly trying. And while we have been so joyously blessed with lots of new and exciting things, those blessings have also come with some not so fun side effects. We found out that we're expecting again(!), which has been so exciting, but of course, has brought "morning" sickness. We moved to a new house, which we love, but of course has required the very tiring (especially when you're pregnant) task of packing, moving and unpacking. On top of all that commotion, I managed to come down with a very nasty cough, which kept me awake throughout the night for about 2 weeks. Within 2 days of getting over the cough, I caught Patrick's cold and have been painfully riding that out for the last week or so. Thankfully, I do have to say that, while the morning sickness seemed to be very bad for about 2 weeks, it just disappeared once the cough started and hasn't come back!

Needless to say, I have been T I R E D!

Well, somewhere between moving and morning sickness (before I even knew the cough and cold were coming), I just knew that I was going to need supernatural help. And not just getting through the day to day stuff. I had lost the strength and desire to spend time in the Word. Every time I would pull out my bible and my study materials (maybe I just try to do too much), I would feel such an overwhelming sense of weakness and helplessness and just could not focus to actually study God's word.

At that point, I pulled out my prayer journal and started talking to God. I flat out told him what He already knew, which was that I was exhausted! And that I simply did not have the strength to walk with him anymore, at least not for now. I knew so well the dangers of growing apart from God and desperately did not want that. But I also knew that I just could not muster the strength to "walk".

And so I begged. I begged Him to carry me.

And the miraculous thing is that he did!

I could not walk with him, and so he carried me. For six weeks, he has carried me through the Christian walk. He has spoon fed his Word to me when I could not feed myself. My husband read to me. The perfect verses showed up from friends on my Twitter feed, on Facebook, in emails, on my iPhone's YouVersion daily Bible verse and in music.

I may have stopped "eating", but I have not gone hungry.

You would expect that during a time when I was barely eating, in a sense, I might be hanging on by a thread to the Lord, not really thriving; and yet, the opposite was true. I have felt a closeness with Him that is so beautifully refreshing. One night, while I was so desperately sick, sitting on the bed sobbing and debating whether to go to urgent care, as Luke prayed for me, I felt as if Jesus was sitting right there on the bed with me. I cannot explain how tangible his presence felt, as if he was right there with me and with Luke, saying, "I know. I understand how you feel. I'm right here. I love you. And I'm not going anywhere." The tears only poured out harder as I rested in his arms, so to speak.

I would never advocate giving up reading your Bible. We need the sustenance that it provides if we are going to survive. But I am so encouraged and renewed, having experienced the sustaining power of a great and mighty God.

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4

You Want Me To Do What?

I have been praying for years that God would use me in extraordinary ways. I want to be sold out for Jesus. I want to do great things for the kingdom. I want to live a life that is worth remembering, one that will last for eternity and not be burned up like the chaff when all is said and done.

I want to do these great things.

Buuuut...

I don't want to do that.

What's "that"? That is all the everyday stuff that I've sort of pushed aside, ignored, excused away and just said "no" to that God has clearly called me to do.

Stuff like:

• Enriching my husband's life. (Prov. 31:11)
• Clothing my children. (Prov. 31:13)
• Feeding my family. (Prov. 31:14,15)
• Being a good steward of our family's finances. (Prov. 31:16)
• Opening my door to those who need a helping hand. (Prov. 31:20)
• Keeping a clean and attractive house. (Prov. 31:22)
• Being a helpmate to my husband so that he would be able to live a life worthy of praise. (Prov. 31:23)
• Filling my home with laughter and joy, not fear, frustration or anger. (Prov. 31:25)
• NOT BEING LAZY! (Prov. 31:27)

The Lord used three separate instances to make it very clear to me recently that: 

1. If I am a wife and a mother, which I am, then I do not have a choice about whether or not I do these things; this is a COMMAND to me.
2. I have been seriously lacking in many of these areas. I am not a fan (understatement of the year) of housework, and I have been allowing my husband, who actually does not mind most of it, to pick up where I am lacking.
3. AND THIS IS KEY!! IF I DO NOT PICK UP THE BALL, STAND UP AND OBEY THE LORD IN THIS AREA, I CAN GIVE UP ANY CHANCE OF SUCCESS IN ANY OTHER AREA OF MY LIFE, PARTICULARLY MINISTRY!

First and foremost, God has given us all a set of basic instructions on how we are to live our lives. This is the starting place. If we cannot be faithful in the small things, what makes us think that God will bless our ministries outside the home? (Luke 16:10)

Men, there are many verses which outline your responsibilities, particularly if you are a husband and a father, and I pray that you would be faithful to obey them. But, ladies, this is for us:

Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame to the word of God. Titus 2:3-5

It took a women's conference, a Sunday sermon and an e-devotional to finally break through my very thick skull, but the Lord was so graciously persistent and patient, and I think I finally got the message. I pray that we would all be faithful in the little things, which really aren't so little, before we attempt to take on the "bigger" things.

You've Got A Little "Crazy" On Your Face

I have always been confused by the concept of being "free from the power of sin and death", as Romans 8:2 boldly claims we are, and yet coming to terms with the fact that I still sin. On the one hand, I have absolutely no notion that it is even remotely possible or expected of us to be sinless. And yet, on the other hand, I think on some level, that is exactly what I expect of myself. And when I fail, as I inevitably always do, something breaks down inside of me that often sends me into a disobedient tailspin. And it looks a little something like this...

I'm really excited about________. (Insert given ministry event, small group gathering, or in this week's case, prayer and praise night being hosted at our home. These melt downs tend to occur in conjunction with an act of obedience/worship/service to the Lord, by the way.)

Things are going really well! The kids have been so great this week. My quiet times have been so special; I really feel like the Lord has been speaking to me. I don't care about all the silly, petty things of this world. My hope is in heaven. I'm really ready to spend some time with other believers, lifting up the things that will last for eternity. I love my family and I am so blessed to live in a great little house-- even if it is a little small. 

Today was tougher. The kids just aren't listening, I'm so tired, and I don't really feel like being patient or loving or gentle. When am I ever going to be the kind of mom I'm supposed to be? (You know. The kind that looks a lot like so and so. She certainly has it all together.) I'll try harder tomorrow.

Oh, why do I even try? I'm never going to live up to this impossible standard. I may as well just give up. The kids can watch videos today. I just need to veg out. (As I'm vegging out, I take a look around my house while simultaneously watching HGTV.) This house is so small!

(Start looking at rental listings online. Not finding what I hope to find. Melt down begins.)

(Luke comes home. I proceed to complain and pout. Decide that if dream home is out of reach, I will self-soothe with shopping and Starbucks. [Shamefully sighing and groaning now at petulance in the moment.]) 

(Fully aware of the fact that this behavior is unacceptable on so many levels, but all-in now; there's no turning back. [Did I mention that I'm quite stubborn?])

(Proceed to beat my husband over the head with every single thing that is wrong with this house and insist that moving is necessary. Get so worked up over a combination of frustrations with the living situation [some which are actually quite legitimate] and also the knowledge that I am running so far in the opposite direction of where I need to be with God and not quite sure how to stop the derailed train that I end up not being able to sleep-- for the second night in a row. [Did I also mention that I'm a little melodramatic?])

(Fully wallowing in it now...) I can't stand this house. I'm such a bad mother. I don't feel like talking to God. Who needs prayer anyways? I don't want to pray for our country. 

(Reflecting on my abominable behavior...) I'm so disgusting. What is wrong with me? I can't lead a prayer and praise night at my house this weekend! God can't use me. I'm such a mess. Even if I manage to get it all together again, that's so hypocritical! I can't just flip a switch and pretend like everything's fine and wonderful. I may as well just accept the fact that this is who I am and live like it; no sense putting up a fake front. (Did I mention melodramatic?)

Back to reality...

I tend to go through one of these tailspins just about every time I am preparing to serve in some way or engage in some kind of interaction with other believers. And I think this time, I've figured out why and maybe how to deal with it. And as much as I'm sure I will regret opening this door to my crazy brain for all of you to see, it is my sincere hope that (if you've stuck with me this far) these truths will help you to deal with similar situations when sin rears its ugly head in your life. Because as crazy as I feel sometimes, I can pretty safely bet that I'm not alone.

So, here's what I realized:

1. Being free from the power of sin DOES NOT MEAN that I am free from sin. I'm going to sin. I'm going to have bad days. Some much (much) worse than others. This is not the end of the world. I simply need to repent, get up and try again. I cannot become so devastated and defeated over the beginnings of sin that I simply give up and give way to full blown disobedience. (Romans 7:15-25)
2. Not living up to the ridiculous imaginary standards I have created in my head as a result of comparing myself to other women IS NOT the same as failing to live up to God's standards. I must stop trying to live in the image of other human beings and feeling like a failure when that (of course) does not work. I must, instead, strive to be fully ME in the image of CHRIST. I'm not like anyone else. I'm ME. And that's ok.
3. Making a mistake (or ten or twenty-- you know... basically falling off the deep end) DOES NOT mean that those failures now define me. I am bought with the blood of Christ, and when the FATHER (the only one who actually matters) looks at me, HE SEES HIS SON! (Exodus 12:13, Hebrews 9:13,14)
4. I DO NOT have it all together. Ever. At any point in time. I think I have somehow adopted the notion that when things are going well, it is because I have somehow risen above the pettiness of this world and have managed to find truth amid all the lies. That is the most ridiculous notion I could ever concoct! I don't ever have it "together". I am human. There is no good in me. And any time that I appear to be collected, it is purely by the GRACE OF GOD, end of story. He is good, and sometimes, that manifests itself in me. If I can realize that and stop feeling like it is my responsibility to maintain that goodness, then I can finally be free to let God do the work and not feel like I have somehow failed when that "perfection" is not so easily attainable.
5. Not only do I not have it all together,  but I absolutely must stop trying to maintain the image that I do. God does not require that I reach a certain level of "togetherness" before I am fit to do his work. God does not call the equipped; he equips the called! I have heard this said so many times, and yet, I have never truly believed it. And what's more, when I stumble and fall, when I am simply human, it does not make me a hypocrite to then continue with the work God has called me to. I am not being "fake"; I am simply a living example of what God is in the business of doing-- taking worthless, hopeless, sin-filled individuals and using them IN SPITE OF their immeasurable shortcomings. (1 Corinthians 1:25-31)

Regardless of how I end up in these messes, whether it's spiritual attack or just my own flesh getting in the way, I HAVE to remember these truths if I am going to survive, if my marriage is going to survive, if my family is going to survive, if my ministry is going to survive. I pray (yes, I'm still praying) that we would all let go of the false image of perfection, recognize that there is beauty in our individualities, and capitalize on the strength that God exercises IN OUR WEAKNESSES!

Let's all be a little less crazy this week. ;o)

Pretty Houses and Empty Homes

Then the Lord sent this message through the prophet Haggai: "Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says: Look at what's happening to you! You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!" Haggai 1:3-6

My husband and I are getting ready to host a prayer and praise night at our house this weekend with a group of friends to discuss Joel Rosenberg's new book, Implosion: Can America Recover From Its Economic and Spiritual Challenges In Time?. We hope the conversation about the book will spark something within each of us there that will leave us with a sense of immense urgency about sharing the gospel and seeing as many people as possible come to know Jesus before it's too late. We also plan to spend a good portion of the night in focused prayer for our nation, for our leaders, for the church, for the lost and for our own walks with the Lord. Heaven knows, we need it!

The verse above could just as easily apply to this generation of Americans as it did to the Israelites in 520B.C. The Israelites had been neglecting building God's temple for various reasons-- opposition from their neighbors and misplaced priorities, to name a couple. Instead, they were focused on "real life"-- tending their crops, improving their own houses and indulging in entertainment.

Sound familiar?

The problem was, because they were pursuing these things in place of their relationship with God, rather than as a result of it, the few things they were actually investing their time and effort into were failing and leaving them desperately wanting. They were planting crops, but harvesting nothing. They were eating, but still hungering. Drinking, but still thirsting. Reaping wages, but then losing them faster than they could count them!

And most importantly, while their houses were looking HGTV-ready, God's house was literally in shambles!

So, what does this look like for us today?

Today, as a result of the work Jesus completed on the cross, God does not dwell in a building anymore; he dwells within the individual believers themselves. We are the church; we are God's house! And we are lying in ruins! More than 80% of Americans claim to be "Christians", but there is a grave disconnect between that statistic and the direction this country as a whole is moving. We have told God to get out of our classrooms, out of our government, out of our businesses, out of our marriages and out of the way of our abortion clinics. We are flagrantly defying God's word, and no one seems to be all that concerned.

Where is the church?

Sadly, much of the church is more concerned with beautifying their homes, entertaining themselves and their children and tending to "real life" rather than tending to God's broken house. The church is hurting, and it's our job, through the power and strength of the Holy Spirit, to do something about it!

Believe me, I group myself in this category as much as anyone else. I would much rather be entertained than have to go out and actually serve another person or stand up for God's word and risk sounding like a bible-thumping lunatic, but people, if we don't answer God's call, no one will!

I pray that our gathering this weekend will begin a ripple that extends far beyond my little circle of friends. And I pray wholeheartedly that it's not the only one! I pray that you would choose to stand up and begin allowing God to use you to rebuild his church as well!

You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. Matthew 24:9-14

God Gets It All

"You defile [the sacrifices] by saying the altar of the LORD deserves no respect. When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn't that wrong? And isn't it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!" says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

"Go ahead, beg God to be merciful to you! But when you bring that kind of offering, why should he show you any favor at all?" asks the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

"You say, 'It's too hard to serve the LORD,' and you turn up your noses at my commands," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

"Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, "and my name is feared among the nations!" (Malachi 1:7b-9,13a,14)

Ouch! How often do I do this? How often do I give God the leftovers in my life, if anything at all sometimes, rather than the choice fruits, the first and the best?

When I struggle with feelings of anxiety and depression, sometimes I get lost in the cycle and can't distinguish anymore whether my failing relationship with God is a product of the physical and mental pain that I feel, or whether those aches and pains are the result of pulling away from God. Which came first-- the chicken or the egg? I'm sure there are enough opinions out there to support either side of that coin, but the truth is, it's probably a little bit of both.

We all have hurts and struggles in our lives that tend to either push us towards God or away from Him, and wherever you are right now, you and I both must understand two truths about God and his heart for us:

1. God's love and mercy are not dependent in any way, shape or form on what you or I do or don't do in our lives.

AND

2. The extent to which we live the FULL Christian life, as God intended for each of us, does depend on how much we are willing to put in.

First, we must understand that nothing we could ever do or fail to do could ever lessen or increase the amount of pure, unconditional love our God has for us. His mercy is never-ending, his faithfulness is unfaltering. If you have placed your trust in Jesus Christ, He has paid for your sins and rescued you from death. The price has been paid, and nothing will ever change that. You belong to Him forever. (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Romans 8:37-39)

HOWEVER, and that's a BIG however...

God's mercy is not limitless. That is, his mercy and grace and blessing do not extend to every facet of your earthly life without boundary or cost. The only guarantee you have is your eternal salvation. Everything else within this earthly life is dependent upon how much you are willing to invest. This does not mean that if you are "good" and faithful in your walk with the Lord, that material blessings will automatically fall from the sky; God is not a vending machine that we insert our prayers and sacrifices into and reap an immediate and tangible reward from. However, the Christian life does grow and thrive as a result of our obedience to God, and that life requires immense sacrifice in order to be lived to its fullest intended extent (John 16:33; Matthew 8:19-20; Matthew 19:21; Romans 12:1). Just as the Israelites were required to offer animal sacrifices of the utmost quality, so we are required to offer God the first and best of our daily lives.

God gets it all! Not the leftovers, not the last and the least, but the first fruits, the best and the greatest. If we offer him anything less, how can we hope to have the kind of peace and contentment that only come from the richness of his blessing and favor?

"Go ahead, beg God to be merciful to you! But when you bring that kind of offering, why should he show you any favor at all?" asks the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

To Love God...

Netflix is a wonderful thing! I watched a documentary today called Bonhoeffer, a moving presentation of the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian and conspirator who boldly took a stand against Adolf Hitler when the rest of Germany, and most of the world at that point, was standing idly by, and a stand for Jesus in a way that was truly revolutionary for Germany at the time.

I have always had a great love and really just an interest in the Jewish people and culture. And the Holocaust has always been a topic of particular interest for me. I remember writing my first report on it in the 5th grade and reading The Diary of Anne Frank around the same time. For me as a young girl, it was as if I had befriended sweet Anne and had then lost her to this frightening war through the pages of the book. From then on, I became nearly obsessed with immersing myself in this period of history, and in doing so, falling more and more in love with this precious people of the Lord's. To this day, certain particularly powerful books such as Corrie Ten Boom's The Hiding Place and Elie Wiesel's Night have played a central role in solidifying that passion of mine and tying me that much tighter to the Jewish people.

Over the years, as I have studied the history of these people from the time of Abraham in the pages of the Bible to the Holocaust and even to today, and as I have grown simultaneously in my walk with the Lord, I have come to realize and acknowledge this impermeable truth:

To love God is to love the Jews.

And as I watched this documentary today, I was reminded yet again of the responsibility, the calling and the need of the church to stand by Israel as much today as ever. Germany had Adolf Hitler. And today, Iran has Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Hitler wiped out 6 million Jews. If Ahmadinejad has his way, he will far exceed that number, not to mention what he hopes to do to the United States, a nation he refers to openly as the Great Satan.

Though not expecting it, this movie, which was focused on World War II and the work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer to stand against Hitler, stood out for me today as an eerily accurate description of the kind of revival and revolt that needs to occur today in this country. I just started reading Joel Rosenberg's new non-fiction book Implosion this week, and I could not have chosen a more perfect pairing for it than this movie.

After watching the movie, I recorded this prayer in my private journal and feel that a part of it must be shared with you here. I pray that it would become your prayer as well:

Lord, we need a revolution in this country as much today, if not more, as we did in the days of Hitler. We need a return to You and to Your ways. We need to be awakened to the dangers facing Israel yet again today and we need to stand firmly with her as you have commanded us to do. (Genesis 12:3, Genesis 27:29) 

Lord, please effect a revival in this country. Please wake up the sleeping church. So many Christians are just barely getting by in their walks with you, much less thriving. 

Lord, please light a fire in the hearts of every true believer in this country, to get up, to take their marching orders seriously, to be bold in their calling...

Lord, let the church wake up and GO and tell the lost about you! (Romans 10:14-17)

Lord, please ignite a new fire in the homes of true believers everywhere, that they might not be satisfied with "good enough", but that they might be voraciously hungry for true repentance and revival within their own homes.

Lord, may you call our little ones to you at the earliest possible age, that they may never be far from you. And may you strengthen and fortify our marriages, that Satan may never have even the slightest foothold on this sacred and irreplaceably key element to the survival of our society.

Jesus, call your church back to you. Oh, Holy Spirit, move in this country. Jesus, prepare your church for your imminent return! Get us ready to meet you in the air. You are coming back, Lord, and you are coming soon! (John 14:2,3)

Maranatha! Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Amen!

Green Looks Good On You

In most walks of life, jealousy is not typically a praise-worthy attribute; but in the Christian life, it is paramount!

What do I mean?

Jealousy can be defined as a vigilance in maintaining or guarding something. And when that thing that we are guarding is worthy of defense, a healthy desire to hold onto it at all costs is necessary and good.

Much like righteous anger, something Jesus both spoke of and exhibited himself during his ministry on earth (Matthew 21:12-13, John 2:17, Mark 3:5), a righteous jealousy can be an incredibly powerful catalyst for positive action and change in our lives.

First, let's talk about being the object of someone's obsession. Did you know that the God of the universe, the God who created you and every other person on this planet, is actually jealous for you?! He loves you with an unrelenting passion, and he is jealous for your affection.

... for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Exodus 34:14

For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Zephaniah 3:17

For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. Psalm 103:11  

Talk about extraordinary love! I know that my husband loves me with unmatchable passion and strength. And I know that the love we both feel for our children is unlike anything we ever even dreamed possible, so great that it hurts at times! And yet, those loves pale so drastically in comparison to this LOVE that your God feels for you.

He is JEALOUS for you!

. . .

Are you jealous for Him?

Are you jealous for time with Him? Does it pain you to miss out on spending time reading his word and praying when other things in your life take precedence? 

For me... sometimes, it doesn't. Sometimes I lose that passion for my Savior. Sometimes I'm content to let other gods and other idols take his place. Sometimes, I'm just not that jealous for my God. And quite frankly, sometimes I'm just not that jealous for his ways. Sometimes, I'm content to let my ways and the world's ways and the enemy's ways become the norm. Sometimes, I forget that without a passionate jealousy for His ways, without an unquenchable, active desire to see Him glorified, I simply grow complacent. I stop caring. And I grow calloused. And before I know it, it doesn't even feel wrong anymore. It just feels... normal.

My God deserves so much more! He requires so much more!

He may be jealous for us, for our love and our devotion; but he is also extraordinarily jealous for his own glory. He does not share his praise and his glory with anyone or anything.

You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. Exodus 20:5

The LORD is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and rage. He takes revenge on all who oppose him and continues to rage against his enemies! Nahum 1:2 

We have been called to put on our armor (Ephesians 6:10-17) and fight for our God and for his ways. We have a responsibility to stand up and say, "We will not settle for anything less!" We were never meant to follow Jesus half-heartedly. And we were never meant to do it quietly or privately. 

What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear! Matthew 10:27

I pray that my children would develop a passionate jealousy for the God who loves them and for his ways. I pray that they would never cease to fight with all that they have for their good and His glory. I pray that I would model that strength for them. I pray that, as a family, we would actually effect change in the world around us, that we wouldn't merely aim to survive or "fit in". And I pray these things for you!

This God is YOUR God! Don't ever let anyone or anything steal that truth away from you!

Music REALLY Worth Dancing To

I've been listening to some great Christian music lately. Just saying that is quite something for me. Most of the time, I wouldn't say that "great Christian music" really exists. As a musician, I tend to appreciate secular music from an artistic standpoint, while most Christian music tends to sorely pale in comparison. Let's just say I'm not a Michael W. Smith fan. (Sorry if you are.) But, of course, the lyrics and the attitude that I expose myself to with secular music is typically far from desirable. So, I was really excited when I started doing some hunting recently and came across about 25 or so honest to goodness Christian music treasures! These all have a great southern-rock/gospel/blues/soul vibe with some sweet guitar solos worth cranking up the volume for. I thought I'd share a few of them with you here. Check out these lyrics and the links to the songs on iTunes.

Have an awesome weekend! And get up and DANCE! YOUR SAVIOR LIVES!!


Be not you weary
While on this journey
For you will reap
If you faint not
If dark clouds should rise
And thunder roll
Look to the Master
For HE's in control
He's In Control- Austin's Bridge

I've just gotta praise him, Jesus set me free.
I've just gotta praise him, for the victory.
I've just gotta praise him, cause I'm not the same.
I've just gotta praise his holy name.
I've Just Gotta Praise Him- Chelley Odle

There ain't no grave gonna hold this body down
There ain't no grave gonna hold this body down
When I hear the trumpet sound
Gonna get up outa the ground
Cause there ain't no grave gonna hold this body down


I said look way over Jordan
What do you think I see
I saw a band of holy angels and they're comin' after me!
I cried meet me, meet me Jesus
Meet me in the middle of the air
I'm gonna rise to meet my Lord and say goodbye down here!
Ain't No Grave- Selah, Jason Crabb, Adam Crabb

Now you've been busy sleeping in the shadows of your own

Wasting the gift of your life

Now the sun is rising, the shadows are gone

Get up, wake up, for you've been justified!

The prodigal is waking up

The wayward child is waking up

The down and out is waking up

The prisoner is waking up

The lonely soul is waking up

The Pharisee is waking up

I hope the church is waking up

Everybody's waking up!

Wake Up O Sleeper- Jason Crabb, Jonathan Shelton, Bear Rinehard

O Be Careful Little Feet Where You Go

Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle. Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.  Exodus 40:34,35

At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple of God.  2 Chronicles 5:13,14

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.  Romans 8:11 

The Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, appeared as a cloud during the time of Moses and again during the time of Solomon to dwell in the Tabernacle in the desert and later in the Temple. These two structures were assembled with painstaking intricacy according to the detailed instructions of God himself. Everything had to be just so if it was going to be fit for God himself, the One who breathed the universe into existence, to inhabit it.

Humanity was so extraordinarily unfit to even be in the remote vicinity of this Almighty God, and in order for Him to dwell among them, there was a dedicated process of sanctification that first needed to take place. From the time of Moses, this is how the Israelites approached God, only in a designated place, and only through the appropriately sanctified priests.

But all of that changed the day Jesus showed up on the scene. This same holy God came as a humble servant and dwelt among men. Throughout his ministry, Jesus defied the religious leaders of the time, not abolishing those laws that were their foundation, but fulfilling and revolutionizing them in his very life and death (Matthew 5:17).

God would no longer dwell in a Temple of brick and stone. One day, Jesus himself will return to rule and reign and will physically sit on the throne in a newly constructed Temple in Jerusalem. But until that day comes, the Spirit of God has a new home: you and me!

Think about that! Think about the gravity of what that means. Previously, there was only one place where God could rightly dwell, and it required unimaginable levels of sanctification and purification in order to make it fit for him. And when the cloud, the spirit of God, actually entered the Tabernacle, Moses could no longer go in because of the overwhelming power of God's glory. And now, that exact same Spirit that filled the Tabernacle and the Temple is living inside of you if you are a child of God! What a privilege!

What do we even do with that information? We are free to come before the throne of God, and we are not bound to the law, but we also need to remember that this body is the very Temple of God. We need to use it as such!

I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God's law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.  Matthew 5:18-19

We need to remember that in everything we expose our eyes, our ears, our minds, our bodies to, everything we say, everything we do, and everything we lead others to do is a reflection of the One living within us. We are his Temple! May everything in us shout, "Glory to the Lord!"

Where's The Reset Button?

(Check out Part One & Part Two)

Have you ever had to reset your computer or your smartphone back to factory settings? If you have, you know that it involves completely wiping your device of all information. It forgets all of the little quirky settings you spent hours programming to get it just the way you like it, the fact that you like the bell ring for incoming calls (except when it's your sister, and then it's that song that reminds you of her), the fact that you want it to alert you when you have a text message, but not for emails or Facebook alerts. It forgets every app that you've installed, every song that you've downloaded and every picture you've taken.

It forgets everything.

Months, maybe years, of adjusting, perfecting and tweaking are completely gone.

As if they never happened.

The slate is wiped clean... and you begin anew.

It is certainly inconvenient, to say the least. But it is necessary in order to restore function to something that is... well, broken.

And that is exactly what needs to happen with us.

This country, each family, each individual, you and I-- WE NEED TO BE RESET TO FACTORY SETTINGS!

We have been overloaded with massive amounts of misinformation. We have been misused, ill-trained, and pushed to the brink. And the result? We are short-circuiting! We, human beings, were not made to function in the way that this world has decided we ought to function, and we simply cannot take it anymore. We are breaking down.

We were not made to be "tolerant" of unholy behavior, and yet this is what we are taught in school. We certainly must not treat others, no matter their behavior, with hatred or spite, but it is okay, in fact it is right to say that marriage is between a man and a woman, and only between a man and a woman. And yet, our programming has been violated by a society and a school system that teaches that it is not only acceptable, but worthy of celebration, to have two mommies or two daddies. (1 Corinthians 6:9)

We were not made to take life, and yet not only is abortion legally condoned and protected in this country, it is celebrated by many as a well-deserved milestone in the fight for women's "rights". (Romans 1:29, Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:13-16)

We were not made to serve ourselves, and yet we live in a culture in which the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" has taken such precedence that career grooming begins practically in kindergarten now. What if instead of placing children on a predetermined path for college and self-aggrandizing careerism, we sat them down and taught them that they in fact CANNOT be whatever they want when they grow up but absolutely CAN and SHOULD be everything God has called them to be, which might mean college for some and not for others? What if instead of career days at school, they had spiritual gifting days to determine how exactly God has gifted them and how they can best use those gifts to glorify Jesus and bless others? And what if glorifying Jesus and blessing others WAS the desired end, rather than a paycheck and a house with a white picket fence? (Isaiah 43:7, 1 Corinthians 10:31)

There are so many things that we simply were not programmed to do. And yet, there is hardly a single thing left within our programming that is still operating within suitable "factory parameters", if you will. No, we are not machines. And yes, we do have individualities and uniquenesses about us that are to be celebrated and harnessed. But above all, we were made to glorify God! End of story. And if we are not doing that in everything that we do, then we are no longer functioning properly, and we must be reset.

How do we do that? For ourselves- we need to come back to God's word, plain and simple. It is our instruction manual. It is all that we need in order to restore our hearts to their proper working condition.

And for our children? I hardly have to say it at this point, but honestly, they cannot and WILL NOT receive the biblical teaching, training and discipline in a public school that they so desperately need. Can you undo the damage each day and instill these values in the few hours a day you see them between school and bedtime (less if they are gone three nights a week for dance, soccer, tennis, etc.)? Yes, possibly. But is it worth the extra effort that it will take to not only teach them the things you do want them to know, but to also have to counteract the innumerable lies they will face on a daily basis while they are out of your care? Is homeschooling the "right" way or the only way? No, I can't make that kind of claim. But is it the best way? You'll have to answer that for yourself.

I believe that Scripture has given parents a mandate to personally teach and train their children, to raise them up in the admonition of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6, Deuteronomy 6:7, 2 Timothy 3:14,15). How we each do that is between us and the Lord. But however we choose to follow that command, we must take it ever so seriously.

Many of us are already broken and in need of serious repair. Our children, if they are not already showing signs of wear and tear, will soon be in the same mess as the rest of us if we do not take them back and stake a claim on their lives, a claim that says...

"But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD!" Joshua 24:15

Rewriting History

(If you missed it, take a look at part one.)

The United States of America has such a rich history, filled with stories of heroism, justice and freedom. And if all you ever knew about this country was what (I am discovering) very little is taught in our public schools, you would undoubtedly be filled with a sense of pride and privilege to be able to call yourself a citizen of the freest and most blessed nation in the world. However, you would be neglecting a much larger, and quite frankly pivotal, truth about who we are, where we come from, why we are as blessed as we are and how we must behave as a nation if we hope to keep that blessing.

Short of giving you an entire text book of information about the forgotten and untold history of our nation, I could not begin to cover the vast extent to which this nation actually was, despite what we are told in school, birthed and founded upon the Bible, its principles and most importantly, the ultimate foundation, Jesus Christ. This is not the message we are given in school; if you have spent any amount of time in a public school classroom or university classroom, you are probably more familiar with a godless, humanist history. But I am here to tell you that our founding fathers, and their predecessors, were not the deist and atheistic individuals that have been painted into our history books. On the contrary, they were men and women of deep faith, who knew that the only hope we ever had or will have for a healthy and prosperous nation was bound strictly to our obedience and submission to the God of the Bible.

In their own words...

Samuel Adams, signer of the Declaration of Independence and Father of the American Revolution: "And as it is our duty to extend our wishes to the happiness of the great family of man, I conceive that we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world that the rod of tyrants may be broken to pieces, and the oppressed made free again; that wars may cease in all the earth, and that the confusions that are and have been among nations may be overruled by promoting and speedily brining on that holy and happy period when the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and all people everywhere willingly bow to the sceptre of Him who is Prince of Peace."

James Madison, 4th U.S. President: "Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ."

Thomas Jefferson, 3rd U.S. President, Drafter and Signer of the Declaration of Independence: "God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever..."

Patrick Henry, Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution: "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here."

John Jay, 1st Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court: "By conveying the Bible to people thus circumstanced, we certainly do them a most interesting kindness. We thereby enable them to learn that man was originally created and placed in a state of happiness, but, becoming disobedient, was subjected to the degradation and evils which he and his posterity have since experienced.

The Bible will also inform them that our gracious Creator has provided for us a Redeemer, in whom all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; that this Redeemer has made atonement "for the sins of the whole world," and thereby reconciling the Divine justice with the Divine mercy has opened a way for our redemption and salvation; and that these inestimable benefits are of the free gift and grace of God, not of our deserving, nor in our power to deserve."

These are just a few quotes out of so many more. The history we know is rich, yes. But the history we do not know is richer still. And it is the one we need to acquaint ourselves with if we ever hope to restore this nation to a place of submission to God and retain his favor rather than his wrath.

More in the next post on educating ourselves as well as the next generation...

Church and State

A nation without God's guidance is a nation without order. Happy are those who keep God's law! Proverbs 29:18 (Today's English Version)

Separation of church and state...

Such powerful words that were born out of a specific need and over time have warped into something entirely contradictory to their original intent.

It is probably one of the most widespread misconceptions that the concept of "separation of church and state" is a written law and in fact part of our constitution. In reality, this couldn't be further from the truth.

The belief that this concept is constitutional stems from the First Amendment to the United States Constitution which states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

This amendment clearly states that the United States government is not to infringe upon an individual's right to worship as they choose, nor their rights to peacefully assemble, speak, print news and petition the government.

Our Constitution was created to protect religion and the free practice of it, among other issues, not to do away with it.

The phrase "separation of church and state", and all the weight that it carries, was actually introduced through the writings of various political leaders from our history including a letter from President Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist Association as well as in a speech by James Madison, given in 1789.

Over time, what was once spoken of with the intent of protecting and preserving the faith of this nation's citizens has been given new life in the form of effectively eliminating the presence, and ultimately the protection and provision, of the very God, and his ways, who allowed this nation to be formed and blessed in the first place.

And therein lies the root, the very crux of the predicament we now find ourselves in as a nation. We are becoming a nation without God. And without God, we cannot hope to ever be blessed as we once were. We cannot shun the biblical truths which this nation was founded upon and still hope to earn God's favor. We cannot have one without the other. It just doesn't work that way.

*              *             *

So what do we do about it?

This dilemma we face is becoming increasingly obvious to those who are paying attention. I have mentioned before two authors who are speaking to this exact issue very boldly at the moment, and just this past weekend, I was introduced to yet a third source, a new documentary that is out and proclaiming the same message as well.

I strongly encourage you to explore these resources:

The Harbinger by Rabbi Jonathan Cahn: The book is a quick and entertaining read, written in a fictional story-like form, but containing massive amounts of mind-boggling FACT about both recent and ancient history as it pertains to the work God is doing right now in this country. If you're not up for reading the book, or just want to get a taste of what it has to offer, you can watch a video clip of the Rabbi talking about the nine harbingers here. Trust me when I say, your jaw will be on the floor by the time you get done with it. You do not want to miss this one!

Implosion by Joel Rosenberg: This Non-Fiction book by Joel Rosenberg is coming out in a couple months and speaks to these same issues: Where does our nation stand right now, and what will inevitably happen if we do not immediately turn back to God? I cannot wait to read this one, and I strongly recommend that you take a look as well.

Monumental: I just saw this new documentary by Kirk Cameron this past weekend, and it was well worth the trip! It reveals to us the TRUE history of our nation, a national treasure that I was completely unaware even existed, and the key to maintaining the kind of rich blessing and favor no other nation in the world has ever known like we have. Here's a trailer:

These are just a few resources that I have found particularly insightful, challenging, and edifying! Take the time to check them out!

Coming up in the following weeks: I plan to spend some time talking about what we specifically can do as individuals and families who desire to see this nation blessed as it once was. Join me as we explore America's real history and work together to seek a better future.

What I Know About My God

My burden is heavy, but HIS is light.

My ways seem logical, but HIS are right.

My dreams and desires are inspiring, but HIS are so much bigger.

So why do I find it so difficult to trust this gracious Giver?



My logic says, "You make your own lot, so plan and plot your gain."

But HIS says, "Don't worry about tomorrow. Just worship Me today."

My list of things to do grows longer by the minute.

But JESUS says, "IT'S DONE! Now, stop and simply rest in it!"



My heart fears the pain that trusting God sometimes brings.

But JESUS says, "That heart is MINE, and My love fully heals all things.

I've long ago lost count of all the tears that ceaseless run.

But MY GOD has faithfully counted and collected every one!




And when I think my joy is bound to what I can touch and see,

MY GOD reminds me, "Your greatest treasure is right here with ME."



MY GOD may be silent, far more often than I'd like,

But when He speaks, He speaks with power and all-consuming might!

And the words He keeps repeating are,

"Your burden may be heavy, but MINE is joyfully light."