Salvation Sunday: The Speck in my "I"

During quiet time this afternoon, Judah got off his bed before his timer clock changed to its "you can get off now" state. Judah came in my room where I was trying to nap and wanted me to read the Bible to him. What do you do? He disobeyed but you want to raise him up to enjoy reading the Bible.

So I walked him back into his room to his bed saying, "I will read a few verses and then you need to have a longer quiet time." So Judah opened up my Bible pointing to some random verse and says read this.

I started laughing. He pointed right to the passage about "obeying your parents." No lie....He then wanted another verse. And we did some more quiet time but I never got my nap.

On a serious note, God has been convicting me a lot lately about "'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?" This situation turned up the brightness of the light bulb.

Like blaming others when I am the one complaining. Like getting angry at someone for being angry. Like getting grumpy over things I never communicated in the first place. This list goes on. I am certainly guilty and quite often too.

God has used a number of verses that seem to pop out as blatant as the situation above. But this is no laughing matter when reality is I need to take out the speck in my eye. So my prayer is that God will soften my heart to one more tender and responsive in love.

Salvation Sunday: A Kind Word Goes a Long Way!

Do you ever remember a time when someone came along with a kind word at the most opportune time in your life? I can think of a few times during my own life journey where someone (usually a mentor, a friend, or someone special) gave profound advice or simply a kind word that changed my general outlook on life. In essence this person offered me hope by reminding me of the important things in life.

Without these words which are still with me to this day, I cannot say for sure where I would be. These words lifted me up and encouraged me along my struggles. These words kept me accountable from doing more harm. These words spoke love and compassion in an often hopeless filled world.

The cool thing is once these words were spoken, they gave me renewed life. And that life became contagious. After kind words, it is easy to pass on a cheerfulness to others. The opposite is true too. Ugly, mean words can tear us down filling us with despair that seems to loom in a halo around us.

God's words are the source of a hope-filled life. His words bring freshness, hope, and cheerfulness like none other. And because of hope-filled words, we can pass on a lifestyle of happiness to others in the forms of words.

Proverbs 25:11 says, "Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket." Try saying something nice to those around you today.

Salvation Sunday: The Writing on the Wall

If you have been paying any attention to the news and headlines lately, you will notice that Iran and Israel have been mentioned a lot. Not sure where you stand on the Middle East and relative issues to foreign policy as they pertain to us, but I have to say that I am a stanch supporter of God's people.

In fact I have to sometimes wonder if America's sole purpose in history is to support Israel; We in fact are their sole allies. You know our heritage of a "city shining upon a hill" is very similar to God's call to Israel to the world. And without us as a superpower we would have lost World War II and Israel would never have become a nation-state. Just some food for thought.

If my instincts are solid, then perhaps we are heading down a dangerous road in our lack of support to Israel. I mean really we are putting Israel in a tough spot on the international stage with Iran, leaving them out to hang dry. And even if we did want to support them, we have no money to do so as we find ourselves deep in debt and our hands tied behind our back with China. Just saying.

Joel Rosenberg, a Christian author on current events in the Middle East and Biblical prophecy, posted a warning about the writing on the wall from the book of Daniel (Daniel 5). Remember the story of King Belshazzar in Babylon and the sudden appearance of a hand writing on the wall. Even though Babylon's fall was already on a downward spiral, the warning from the writing stands true for future generations of today. I just hope it is not too late to repent and turn from our wicked ways and seek God with all our hearts. Check out the full post at Handwriting on the Wall.

Our current events should be a reminder to us as individuals and as a country. We should repent now as we do not know what the future holds. We need to seek God's guidance and direction, trusting him as the author of world affairs. And we need to pray for our leaders and those leaders on the international stage as well as people from all countries who believe and who do not believe. And finally we need to be a salt and light to the world around us as a shining city upon a hill.

Salvation Sunday: The Road Before Us.

So this week had an unexpected turn. Amidst being 7 1/2 months pregnant, rearranging furniture getting ready for baby, adjusting to gestational diabetes, and keeping up with our normal daily lives, Judah got sick.

On Tuesday, he started vomiting right after his nap at 4:30pm. By the next morning at 10:30am, he had vomited over 16 times, including all the water he drank. We went to the pediatrician only to go directly to the Emergency Room for some IV fluids. The next thing we know we were spending the night in the hospital for our sick boy.

How quickly life can change. One moment everything seems fine as you live out your daily lives with its plans and the next moment you realize you were taking for granted things that ultimately matter like health, sleep, and family. Suddenly, those daily stresses seem unimportant.

Will needless to say this has gotten me into a nervous mood as we near baby's arrival. Why? Because it is just one more added stress to our already full lives of getting through the next few months. We have so much yet to do and I do not feel ready at all.

I was reminded though at church this morning that God can see the complete journey. While we live in the moment, there is no reason to worry about tomorrow because He knows what is to come and has it under control no matter the outcome. All we need to do is turn over that worry and trust in Him. A good reminder. And one I still need even after Him trying to get my attention this week.

My favorite verse has always been Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord and he will make your paths straight."

Salvation Sunday: The Smells of the Manger Scene!

Yesterday, we set up our Christmas tree. Judah was so excited to get out the ornaments as he asked to get them out all afternoon. He even has played with ornaments non stop since on and off the tree.

In the middle of decorating the house, however, Judah had this awful dirty diaper that was pretty rank in comparison to the Christmas smells of of candles and real pine trees. So we stopped for a break to change the diaper which I just did right next to the Christmas tree on the floor.

As I was changing the mess, the thought came to my mind. This is probably more the smell that filled the manger scene with all those animals nearby. The nativity certainly was not ginger and spice by any means. Imagine a newborn being born in a so called barn scene with the smell of manure. Humbling beginnings for sure for anyone but especially for a king, a Savior.

What a picture this paints. A Savior, a king, God himself in flesh, coming to earth in the midst of sin, dirt, and messy filth. His presence at birth for all permeated freshness and a sweetness from the stench, pain, and sorrow of life to that of Christmas joys and peace. Christmas came down right next to the filth of everyday sin.

And yet he came to do just that. "This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:12

And again: "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Philippians 2:6-8

Salvation Sunday: The Defying Attitude

One has to look no further than a two year old to see "sin nature" at its best. Defiance is the name of the game.

My own two year old son is definitely in this stage right now. In the midst of curiosity and independence, he is exploring this attitude of "my way." Among things this includes not listening, not obeying, and giving me a look or attitude of defiance. Sound familiar?

It is hard not to lose my patience (and my mind) some days. I just get so frustrated at the lack of listening and follow through. In fact, he almost appears to do the opposite of what I say. I have to remind him that sometimes mommy is telling him no for reasons due to safety.

On these occasions, I am reminded of my own heart in relation to God. I am not exempt in this defiance attitude. My two year old self comes out at times in life. God instructs. We hear but not obey. And then we turn the other way until consequences and pain inflict themselves upon us.

Thankfully, God is a lot more patient and loving than I (we) deserve. Take for example of the Israelites history in the Old Testament. Time and time again God provided and loved expecting only obedience in return. How many times did the Old Testament nation fall again and again in disobedience and defiance only to be picked back up and loved once more.

Guess I need a lesson in regards to my two year old self. How about you?

Salvation Sunday: Facing the Storm

I recently found this neat kids devotional book for Judah. Based on songs, you read a verse and a short story to match the song you just listened to. One morning, we attempted to read the verse for the day (as we call it) and found the story of Noah and the ark.

The story is so well known with God protecting Noah, his family, and the animals on the ark while rain flooded the earth. Another common aspect of the story is that God asked Noah to build the ark and in spite all odds and persecution, he obeyed God. Still, the story of salvation is clear as God provided the only way to life for Noah and his family through the safety of the ark paralleling the picture of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

This devotional though had a different take on Noah and the Ark, one that I had not heard in my many sermons.

Imagine the storms of life in the context of the flood. We weather storms in our journey through life. Storms with lighting, rain, and wind. These storms come at us in floods tossing us on fierce waves.

Now imagine the ark being our relationship with God. The Bible talks about God being our refuge. II Samuel 22:3 says, "my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior..." Psalm 46:1 also states, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." The ark is the perfect example of finding refuge in God.

God literally encloses us inside the ark to protect us. We can find our safety from daily storms and tossing waves there. The place of safety is found in God alone. He will help you weather life.

Salvation Sunday: Listening!

Have you ever run into a person who does not listen very well? Often when you are talking, this person acts through the motions of hearing what you say yet they either simply do not hear you or chose not to hear you.

Even more so, how frustrating is it to have someone ignore what you have been saying. Perhaps you do know what is best in a specific situation and yet he/she refuses to consider your thoughts and recommendations instead proceeding down their path and refusing to alternate or slow down.

Webster's Dictionary defines this verb as "to hear something with thoughtful attention, give consideration." Listening requires active participation. Listening involves your whole concentration and focus. Listening considers and is considerate.

Now let's apply this to our lives, mine included. Do we listen to God? God could be trying to say something important to us. Are we too busy in our lives to stop and listen? Do we refuse to listen? Do we know how to listen?

If you look up the word listen in the Bible, you find many references that imply listening to God makes up an integral part of the Christian life. The Bible is very clear on what happens if you listen or not. Take the Israelite's of the Old Testament, for example, as they refused to hear the words of truth from God's prophets. Ezekiel 3:7, "But the house of Israel is not willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, for the whole house of Israel is hardened and obstinate." Jeremiah 26:5 also says, "and if you do not listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again (though you have not listened)."

Perhaps we should take today and work on our listening skills to each other and especially God. Things might even turn out better than we wanted, anticipated, or expected....try it.

Salvation Sunday: Let the Little Children Come!

Now that Judah is getting older, his child-like faith comes out in many different cute ways. While at an outdoor Christian concert this summer, the band took a moment to talk. The music was still playing but in hushed tones as the lead singer gave his testimony. Judah took a moment to turn to me with his hands folded and head bowed to tell me we were praying. His sincere countenance about broke my heart.

Likewise lately, I have been trying to squeeze in a morning devotional before my day gets too complicated. I put my devotional book in his room as he likes to play in the morning before or after breakfast. I then have a few minutes before we finish dressing that I can read the day's devotional. I usually read it to myself but I have talked to Judah about reading the verse for today meaning a quick short paraphrase for him to repeat. And he does repeat it as he plays with his toys and then we move on for the day.

One night as Tim was putting him to bed, Judah grabbed the devotional off his bookshelf and gave it to dad to "read verses." I about cried when Tim told me cause you never know if what you do is impacting and if they actually get it.

I tell you these things not to brag or say I got it together. Heaven knows the mistakes I make, the bad examples I set, and the times I forget to do devotions. I just want to simply share with you what child-like faith looks like.

Jesus' profound statement, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these," in Matthew 19:14, rings true today. Kids soak up these words fast as I am finding out. These Bible lessons for our life do matter and the seeds we plant take root in ways of child-like faith.

The lesson for us is too come to God through our own inner child. Having child-like faith as it resembles that of a child allows us to experience the kingdom of God in its truest form.

Have you ever really watched the child-like faith of a child? Children become animated and sincere in their excitement. They describe in detail their hurts, burdens, emotions, and even confessions. Their child-like faith allows them to forgive easily, love easily, and trust easily. They do not worry about days into the future.

Come to Jesus today! Share your heart with him in sincerity like a child would. Tell Him all your burdens and frustrations. Repent and ask for forgiveness. Love and trust Him completely. Guarante the kingdom of God will be yours if you do.

Salvation Sunday: Being in Community.

Today we visited a church to hear a friend of ours preach. He had this great sermon about building a community. The feeling of community is something we all want to feel and be a part. We all choose groups of people to hang out with or associate ourselves with for the fulfillment of what can I get out of it.

I am no exception. I often find myself saying, "What will this do for me?" And if the community does not pan out, I move on with my life to one more fitting.

The need for acceptance. The feeling of happiness. The place to unload our burdens (and complaints). We strive to find stimulation and commonalities with the groups we hang with. And these groups of people provide us with love, want, and feeling needed, or so we think.

Have you ever thought about community in the context of faith? Acts 2: 42-47 offers insight into what community looked like in the early church. So different than the world today.

I am so blessed to have three other moms in my neighborhood that stay-at-home. We often get together during that long stint in the afternoon following nap time (especially on a rainy day). The kids can play while us moms can actually have an adult conversation. These afternoons stretch into dinner time as we start combining our efforts to feed our families. Someone provides the meat and another makes the side dishes for a complete, stress free meal. What joy is there in sitting down around the table with people you feel comfortable with who do not care if you cleaned the house or put on make up that day.

In my mind, that is the closest picture of reality to community building. Community for people of faith is rooted in giving. We give encouragement. We share our resources. We walk along each other during times of burden, lifting each other up. We keep each other accountable, admonishing and training one another to be Christ-like. We rejoice together.

Remember the famous quote, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." I think this applies to community building. How can I serve others? What can I share? What act of kindness can I perform?

Those other feelings - acceptance, love, being needed - those fall into place naturally as a result.

Salvation Sunday: Clothed in Humility!

We only have to look to Jesus example of washing his disciples feet in John 13: 1-17, to glimpse the essence of true humility:

It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.

The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Growing up, I went to a church that believed and practiced foot washing as part of our communion service. The men and women separated to follow Jesus in the washing ceremony. Humbling as it may be to wash the woman next to me with their dirty, smelly feet, Jesus example means so much more.

In those days, it was often custom of the servant (the lowest servant) to wash your guests feet before a meal. Most travelers wore sandals leaving their feet dusty and smelly from journeys of walking to and fro.

Imagine Jesus, no questions asked, take off his outer robe. This white robe of a teacher represented His position and power. Yet, he set aside this earthly title of teacher by removing His robe to wash the filth from the disciples feet, something that only the lowest of servants did. This change in appearance of a servant in scant clothing showed His truest form of humility, setting aside all to serve.

Jesus was not selective in whom He washed. He washed Peter's feet, the one who would denounce Him publicly. He knowingly washed Judas's feet, His betrayer. He washed those disciples feet who just moments before were talking about the greatest in heaven. And He did each out of love and a willing heart.

Suppose for a moment that the towel He wrapped around Himself to use to wash the disciples feet was some form of His robe. This clean robe of white would become stained with muddy water. Then He put it back on, resuming His title but now with a stained and dirty robe.

Jesus set aside heavenly glory to come to earth as a servant. His mission was to wash our own deformed lives and filthy hearts. To do this He washed our sins humbly as a servant, clothed Himself with the stains of our filth, and died on the cross as a criminal in our places.

Yet, He rose again, leaving us with hope and access to pure, white robes of righteousness. Let's follow Jesus example of a servants heart, a heart clothed in humility.

"In God we Trust:" Happy Independence Day!

Looking at our nation's history, which we celebrate today on this Independence Day, we are surrounded by God's many blessings. Our founding fathers, in their discernment and wisdom, gave birth to a democratic republic with godly ideals of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Americans uphold freedoms of religion, press, and the right to assemble. Our Lady Liberty represents a mixing pot of all earth's peoples who live out these ideals. Our vast land remains safe in between oceans and contains numerous natural resources, fertile soil, and majestic scenery. Our history is full of entrepreneurs, heroes, and inventors. Truly fellow Americans, we are blessed.

Perhaps this blessing comes from a long history of "trusting in God." These words written on our currency has been written on our hearts through depression, wars, discovery, exploration, and prosperity.

This blessing is NOT guaranteed though!

I like the story of Uzziah (II Chronicles 26) in the Old Testament. He followed God's commands, living in obedience and total trust. And God blessed him with peace, wealth, and honor.

The Bible says a few verses later, "But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall." How true this rings, especially so close to home.

World history shows nations rising up with purpose and strength, only to turn away from God and fall into ruble, never to rise again. Similarly, as individuals we often have everything going for us and in that moment of success we become prideful of our OWN capabilities and abilities, forgetting our God.

Let us not forget this 4th day of July our Independence as a nation as well as our liberty found in Jesus Christ. He has made us rich beyond worthiness. Let us put our "trust" fully back into Him. Perhaps only then we will continue being blessed.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day! Dads, you sure do a lot, just as the Father God does for us!

Joel 1:3, "Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation."

Proverbs 17: 6, "Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children."

Proverbs 19:18, "Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death."

Proverbs 3:12,"...because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in."

I John 3:1, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"

Romans 8:15, "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

Deuteronomy 30:19, "This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live."

John 15: 13, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Acts 16:31, "They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."

Joshua 24:15, "But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

Isaiah 54:13, "All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's peace."

Salvation Sunday: Witnesses!

Have you ever put your testimony of faith on paper? To be more specific, I mean "how you came to know" Jesus Christ as your Savior. Another would be what Jesus means to you or how about this one: What has Jesus done in your life.

A long time ago when I was in high school, I had a few youth directors that presented us students with this challenge of writing down your testimony. Writing it down sure made an impact in the meaning of faith for me. Printing our testimony out, we then were asked to hand it out to people on our missions trip.

So every now and then I reflect back on my life, seeing how God has cared and guided me along the journey. Here is what I see....His timing is perfect....He has never left me...He has provided for my needs....He has brought people into my lives at just the right time....He has disciplined me into a better person....the list could go on.

Even more than just living in faith, God calls us to be witnesses. I have been reading in Isaiah lately. And I found this neat verse...

“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Isaiah 43:10

The parallel of God's relationship to Israel in this book can be applied to us today. God revealed Himself through the Israelites as the chosen people to be His proclaimers of His message, a light to the entire world. Let us not mistake the symbolism and reason of Christianity's existence: we are now His chosen people to live as witnesses. God calls us today to proclaim with our lives evidence of Him. As Christians in an evil world, we see the equivalent of the parting of the Red Seas, victory over Jericho's, and feeding of thousands every day. Is this something not to share?

Something to ponder....

Salvation Sunday: Making the Most!

So this week, stories have been pouring out of Joplin, MO, about the terrible twister from last week. A combination of horror and heroism permeate the survivors' new lives. And now the story is one of bravely moving forward in life, rebuilding. I am so thankful my own friend down in Joplin is safe.

While we need to keep praying for our friends in Joplin, we also need to realize how short life can be. In an instant, our life shatters turning everything familiar upside down.

We are left with those things that really matter: faith, family, and friends. Yet, so often those things are not attended too when life is going our way. Joplin is another reminder to all of us to make the most of every opportunity.

Ephesians 5:15-16 says, "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

Colossians 4:5 also says, "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity."

Take some time to spend this day with your family, enjoying them for this moment. Cultivate your faith before God with a renewed spirit and a contrite heart. Serve others cheerfully and wholeheartedly. Build your house on a solid foundation.

We never know when our life will be shattered! And in the end that is all meaningless; only what is left is what matters.

Salvation Sunday: He Knows Your Name!

Who Am I, Oh Lord, that You Should Know My Name....

He created the world in six days
Who Am I, Oh Lord, that You Should Know My Name....

He knew me in the womb before time even began
Who Am I, Oh Lord, that You Should Know My Name....

He is more faithful than the seasons He designed
Who Am I, Oh Lord, that You Should Know My Name....

He knows how many hairs are on my head
Who Am I, Oh Lord, that You Should Know My Name....

He watches over the littlest flower
Who Am I, Oh Lord, that You Should Know My Name....

He cares for the tiny sparrow
Who Am I, Oh Lord, that You Should Know My Name....

He delights in little children
Who Am I, Oh Lord, that You Should Know My Name....

He raises up and tears down kings and nations
Who Am I, Oh Lord, that You Should Know My Name....

He judges the wicked and crooked man
Who Am I, Oh Lord, that You Should Know My Name....

He provides relief for the weary in heart and body
Who Am I, Oh Lord, that You Should Know My Name....

He walks through the valley of the shadow of death with me
Who Am I, Oh Lord, that You Should Know My Name....

He builds up the humble, righteous man
Who Am I, Oh Lord, that You Should Know My Name....

He became a servant onto death of a cross
Who Am I, Oh Lord, that You Should Know My Name....

He removed our transgressions farther than the limits of west or east
Who Am I, Oh Lord, that You Should Know My Name....

He conquered sin's toil and death's sting
Who Am I, Oh Lord, that You Should Know My Name....

He offers eternal life and even now prepares a place
Who Am I, Oh Lord, that You Should Know My Name....


Thank You, Oh Lord, for knowing my NAME!

Salvation Sunday: Happy Mother's Day!

A colleague of ours recently wrote a cute post on "You know you are a mom when...." I could fill in the blanks with a number of things and I am sure you could too, especially if you have young kids.

You know you're a mom when you....forget to snap your nursing bra and go out in public....wear vomit, poop, food, and snot all over your clothes instead of real (and nice) jewelry....find a pacifier hiding in your clothes pockets as you clean them out when doing laundry....when your kid plays in the toilet, writes on the wall in marker, and paints the floor with nail polish...you literally sit on the toilet longer than necessary so you can have a break...have interesting dinner conversations about poop with your friends...play hop scotch with the toys strewn all over the house...eat your kids' leftovers cold so that you can say you had lunch...

The list goes on. Yes, we moms go crazy at times. We get busy and forget things. We are even weird, do weird things (always with a purpose--and sometimes we don't know that purpose but we do it that way because OUR mom did it that way), and wear weird clothes (according to our kids).

But without this crazy mom, who multitasks and runs around, you would be lost. So today's post is a tribute to all MOMS, I mean....chef, janitor, chauffeur, manager of a laundry mat, scheduler, professional organizer, seamstress, photographer, distributor and supplier, decorator, teacher, daycare provider, milk producer and nurse.

Do not take your mom for granted. Let her know today how grateful you are for who she is and what she gives up for YOU.

"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you." (Exodus 20:12)

Salvation Sunday: What has God been teaching you?

So my friend Lynn and I have been talking this afternoon about things God have been teaching us lately...

You know, God has a way of trying to get our attention at times. Have you ever been in a situation where it is almost like God is putting up red flags along your path? These red flags like barriers hopefully cause us to stop and question our journey.

On the other hand, have you ever felt things fall into place almost too easy like God is sending them your direction? His way is made clear to you through circumstances or people.

God's plan is far greater than anything we can imagine or plan for ourselves. Take for instance the story of Sarah's house hunting experience this week. Perhaps her "dream" house did not work out for a reason. And yet, God has something far greater in mind for her family.

While we think we know what we want, need, or plan for our lives, God has a perfect plan (usually better and completely different than what we want). I suggest we follow it...for we all know in His permissive He will let us go our own directions. However, then we must live with less than perfect consequences.

This is true with Adam and Eve. God's perfect will was that they live happily in the garden all their days in constant commune with Him. He gave them the choice to eat the fruit of the tree though. Sadly, their choice was to disobey thus sinning and separating themselves from God. God, in His permissive will allowed this.

Thank God though that He provided a way through Jesus Christ as redemption to this less than perfect sinful life. With Jesus, all things are made perfect again.

We have a choice. I pray that we follow God's perfect path. It will be so much better for us. But if we do get off the path, we have only to come back to Jesus.

Salvation Sunday: Your Darkest Hour!

Look back to your darkest hour. Why was this hour so dark for you? What did you feel, think, and experience?

Perhaps you are like me and experienced the death of your grandfather whom you loved very much. Or then you went through the messiness of job loss and betrayal of a boss. Another time, it could have been the medical complications you faced followed by depression and anxiety. On top of these physical and emotional pains, you lived through the pain of loneliness and despair.

Whatever the reason, your hour was dark and you felt alone, betrayed, unloved, rejected, grieved, saddened, exhausted, angered, annoyed, insulted, offended, anguished, panged, sorrowful, shamed, and many more in a long list of hurt, struggles, and ache.

Take those feelings and let's walk down another path. On this path is One who was called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, " as found in Isaiah 9:6. On this path was the promised Messiah, the Deliverer, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Really it was God, himself, come to bring hope and peace for all.

Along this same path, we stop and watch the crowd join in celebration as a man rides on a donkey into Jerusalem and a week later this same crowd cries unabashed, "Crucify Him." Further down this journey, we find this man unselfishly lower himself to wash dirty feet at the "Last Supper" looking up into the eyes of those individuals who call themselves the closest friends only to a have them a few hours later betray, deny, and run away from him. In the moonlit garden we find this man praying with a heart burdened with so much anxiety that he sweats blood. And yet, the pang does not stop. We find this man beaten cruelly, despised by men, and scorned by society. We find a man sentenced to a humiliating traitor's death. We find a man on whom God turned His back.

Here is the clincher - He did it willingly.

How many of us would go through our dark hour willingly? For "Who, being in the very Nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross," Philippians 2:6-8. He

Whatever is your darkest hour and wherever it lies, He has felt all the emotional, physical, and spiritual pain associated with it because He has been there, done that. He went through His hour so that you would not be alone in your darkest hour. Fear not, you can "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you, " as I Peter 5:7 bids. Imagine a God who really understands what you are going through.

Salvation Sunday: Clean Those Dirty Diapers!

Have you ever noticed your toddler likes to walk around in dirty diapers? Mine does.

In fact if I ask him if he has a dirty diaper (and I know he does because I can smell it), he shakes his head "no." Then I end up chasing him around the house trying to catch him to change his diaper. When I finally get him, the delight of chasing him turns into Mr. Hyde as he throws himself into a unruly fit.

I think if I let him he would just run around in his dirty diaper for a while. He ignores the stench (that we all seem to smell), just continuing to play with his toys or read his books. Some kids even pretend to be sneaky about their business.

This sounds all too familiar in our Christian life, doesn't it? We sneak around God as we fall to sin. The stench permeates everything around us in life. We like to remain in our own filth of dirt, wearing it on us. We even run from God as He chases us.

And the sad thing of it all is that all we have to do is let God change us. He wipes away the guilt and shame, replacing our black "dirty diaper" with a clean, white heart. And finally at last as we surrender to His chasing, He takes away the stench.

I started reading from the Bible book of Isaiah for my daily devotions. The first chapter addresses this very subject, addressing Israel's continuous sin of idolatry and immorality. Isaiah 1:5, says "Why do you continue to invite punishment? Must you rebel forever? Your head is injured, and your heart is sick." I can just hear God saying not only to the Israelites but to us today, "Why do continue to wallow in your dirty diaper?"

The answer (almost with a bit of humor) is found later in the chapter,
Isaiah 1: 18, ""Come now, let's settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool." The solution is so simple but we still choose to continue down our own filthy path.

My prayer today is to let God clean me of my sin. I am tired of wearing this dirty diaper. Lord, make me clean again. I hope that is your prayer as well.