Like a Child

"When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 10:14

I think one of the things I find most refreshing in my Christian walk is to come across those who are new to salvation. They possess a childlike faith that cannot be hidden. It is their essence when you're in their presence. They can't quote scripture, they can't discuss theology, and some may not even know some of the basic children's bible stories. However, what I find in them is a real love for God. It's a love that fills them up and overflows to those in their presence. It's the aroma of God. It may bewilder some or it may excite others, but whatever the case, it does something. What it isn't, is complacent.

Unfortunately, as we grow older both physically and spiritually, sometimes that excitement fades. We hear the stories of Jesus restoring sight to the blind or raising Lazarus from the dead and we think we've heard it all before. We lose the zeal and a pompous and, unfortunately, noncommittal attitude takes its place. What a crying shame. The very unfortunate part is our attitude has the propensity to affect others. We can impact adults new to the faith as well as young minds who are carefully watching our every move.

Recently, this truth came to mind as I found a student I taught years ago. The child was only eight when I taught her, but now she's an adult. She's married and has a child. It was a little mind boggling to see her after all these years. Seeing her face and the face of her child made me think back to that year in my teaching career.

I remembered a little boy I taught that year. I'll call him Michael. Michael was a sweet kid but very restless. He lacked focus and couldn't sit still. I caught him staring out the window frequently when he was supposed to be tuned into what we were doing. Unfortunately, his lack of focus caused him a lot of problems academically. He had great difficulty keeping up with the other children in the class. Nonetheless, he was a good kid. I think he desperately longed to please others.

Allowing my mind to drift back to that year in my teaching career, I remember vividly how Michael's struggles in school quickly began to escalate. I began to notice that the sweet kid I knew at the beginning of the year was becoming a real behavior problem. He was causing problems with the other children on the playground. He was bothering children in the classroom. He was becoming such a disruption that the discipline issues were becoming more than a daily distraction, but rather, an hourly distraction. I was ready to throw my hands up.

One day, as I found myself having to count to ten to calm down (holding firm to my commitment to not raise my voice with my students), I casually pulled Michael out in the hall and told him I wanted to talk with him during recess. He had been particularly defiant with me that day and I felt like it was time to have a one on one talk with him to see what was going on. So, at recess, we sat at the activity table in my classroom and faced one another in conversation. I asked him what he thought was causing his problems in the class recently. Of course, as with most little boys, the reply I received was, "I dunno." I asked him to direct his downcast eyes to meet mine. "Now, Michael, something is going on. Please just talk to me about what's going on with you. I'd like to help. I want to help you do your best in my class.", I reassured him. Then, I spent the next few minutes trying to conceal my hurt and shock from this precious little guy. For he explained to me that the night before, his daddy had pulled a gun on his mother, slashed the tires on her car, removed some components from her car ( spark plugs and such) and left. His dad just......left. I wanted to cry for him right there. It was no wonder this child couldn't focus. It was no wonder he showed defiance. It was no wonder he always fought to get a seat right beside me during group time. He wanted love. He wanted acceptance. He didn't want to be hindered. This poor child.

I can look back on my life, as you can your own, and remember the adults that made an impact on my life. I remember the teachers who made me feel larger-than-life with affirming words. I can also remember the teachers and adults who made me feel stupid and useless. I remember those who looked at me intently when I spoke and I recall those who yelled at me to go sit down. It made an impact.

Unfortunately, we tend to remember the bad more readily than the good. If we're given five compliments and one criticism, which sticks out in our minds? The criticism. It's frustrating and this type of attitude frustrated Jesus to the point of indignation. He wanted those with childlike faith to have complete access to him. He wanted children like Michael to know they were loved. Just because they weren't as smart or as well-versed was no reason for them to be pushed aside.

Christians must remember those who are watching. We mustn't push aside the weak. Parents must take time with their children. They must have quality time, words of affirmation, physical touch to demonstrate that their lives have worth. And it doesn't stop with parents. All should have the attitude of Jesus.

Everyone needs that safe place. They need to know they matter. Just like Michael, they need to know they can release the burdens and they're completely welcome despite any baggage. There needs to be refuge and a safe haven. What child doesn't want a place to go where others will jump up and down with excitement with him or wrap loving arms around him during moments of despair?

For anyone who doesn't know Jesus, one of the most important words in this verse was the word "come." Like a child, come to Him. He longs to wrap His arms around you and just listen to you. He wants to share in your excitement. He wants it all. He wants your all. Don't hold back. Lay yourself at His feet. Allow Him to love you where others have failed. He knows rejection. He knows disappointment. He knows anger and hurt. He knows sadness. He experienced it all. Come.

God, thank you for wanting your children to come to You. Thank you for the sacrifice You gave that we may come to You as we are. Father, I pray that we wouldn't hinder any others from coming to You. Let us not be stumbling blocks in our attitudes or lacking in displays of love to others. You demonstrated your love for us in this, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. You loved us that much! Thank you! We love you, Father. In Your Name, Amen.

Growing in Wisdom

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5



Well, the last few blogs have had to do with decision-making. Unfortunately, we never come to a point in our lives where we get to stop making decisions-- at least not this life! So, in order to make wise decisions, we must look to the Lord to give us wisdom. After all, His word tells us that if we ask for wisdom, He will grant us that.



Watching our children grow and seeing their personalities develop has been such a neat thing. We're really silly at our house and my husband and I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing them each develop their own sense of humor. We've spent countless hours laughing at each other's silliness. However, beyond that sense of humor, and far more important, has been the evolving of spiritual growth in them. Now THAT'S a neat thing to watch! How privileged we feel to be able to see it from the very beginning of their spiriual lives.

My son came to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ at a father-son banquet a few years ago. My husband was able to experience the joy of leading him through a prayer of surrender to Jesus. Although sad I missed the moment, what a neat bonding experience for the two boys in my life! However, with my daughter, I was able to witness the experience firsthand. You see, she'd been asking about the process from the time she was three years old! Yet we knew she wasn't mature enough to even comprehend any of it. So she asked about it repeatedly. We just kept saying, "Not yet, honey. One day you'll be ready." So several years went by and she continued to ask and we continued to tell her that we knew she loved God, but we wanted her to really understand what it was all about. In the meantime, we prayed for clarity in knowing when she'd be ready. We needed God to clearly reveal to us when her heart and mind would be ready for complete surrender to Jesus.

One morning, around 5:15am, my daughter came running down the stairs. I had no idea what was going on. I had just gotten up myself and was studying the bible over a cup of coffee. She burst through the bedroom door and through my groggy eyes, I saw a precious little smile on her face. I was bewildered, as I usually have to drag her out of bed for school. So my husband and I asked, "What's up, honey?" She said, "I did it. I asked Jesus in my heart. You kept telling me that I wasn't ready. I didn't want to wait anymore. Will you PLEASE pray with me now? I want to make sure I did it just right. I want Him there. PLEASE?" My husband and I looked at each other and knew she was ready. There was no doubt. She wasn't in a crowd of people just wanting to be like everyone else. She was a little girl on her knees by our bed before the sun had even come up. So, my husband led her through the prayer once again. She was so excited, she was ready to call everyone she knew. We laughed when we told her she might need to wait until other people were actually awake!

What a precious time in the life of a parent. We were able to witness firsthand the most important milestone in the lives of our children. What a responsibility at the same time! Because at the same time, we know we're responsible for the training and teaching of our children. For that reason, we realize how important it is to ask for wisdom in the area of parenting and, when we one day become grandparents, grandparenting. He's given us the responsibility to oversee their growth in every area. Without His guidance, we'd be helpless to do that.

Now our children still have a long way to go. They still argue sometimes. They still ask questions which reveal their lack of understanding in some areas, but they're growing. The most important part is they understand what Christ sacrificed for them and it breaks their hearts. That's what it all boils down to for all of us. We must be broken over our sin and humbled by His sacrifice. The rest is a growth process from there. We spend the rest of our days growing. The work won't be complete in us until eternity.

Father, your word tell us that if we ask for wisdom, you'll grant us that. We know that when we ask that, we must be earnestly seeking the wisdom from You. We must humble ourselves and do away with selfish desires. We must come to you seeking Your face. And Father, I know there have been time in my life where I've asked for wisdom, but I've held onto my own plans and desires. It wasn't until I let go that you gave me discernment. Lord, please keep me from getting in the way of what you plan to do through me. All glory and honor belongs to you. Cast away all self-righteousness. There's no place for that in my life. May we all approach Your throne with humility and a genuine, burning desire to be the vessels you need to carry out your plans. And Lord, for any who don't know You, I desperately pray for a yearning desire to have you in control of their lives. May they not do anything else today before they come to you in surrender. Burden the lost, Lord. Our days are numbered. Oh, how I long for the lost to experience the abundant life in You. I cannot begin to imagine my life without You. Surely it would be spent searching to fill a void that could never, ever be filled outside of You. Speak to our hearts, Lord. We love You because You first loved us. In Your Mighty Name, Amen.

The Company We Keep

"He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harms." Proverbs 13:20





Life is full of so many decisions. We begin our adult lives by wondering where we'll go to college or work. We search for answers for career opportunities. We wonder about who we'll marry and where we'll live. Will we have children? If so, how many? Where will they go to school? Can we afford that house? What's the best church home for us? College savings, retirement plans,...on and on and on....... Pretty exhausting stuff, huh? Yet we want to be wise with our choices in everything. Where do we turn?



As the royal priesthood of the King, we're fortunate to have an infallible truth before us--- the bible. God lays out so many of the answers we seek there. However, sometimes things aren't clear to us. For instance, God's word won't say, "Patricia should go into a nursing career in Sacramento." Although there are times I wish it did! No, in those times, we go to God in prayer over a matter. For we know He didn't leave us empty-handed. He left us with the Holy Spirit to give us the wisdom we desire. We only have to ask in obedience and sincerity for Him to help us make the right decisions in accordance with His will.



The neat thing about it is God gives us human resources as well. He commands us in His word to use careful discretion from whom we choose to seek guidance. He wants us to choose our friends wisely. In maturing in God's word, I've found a good mental checklist for choosing friends wisely. Firstly, do your friends edify God with their lives? Do they know Him personally? How do they conduct themselves? Secondly, are your friends trustworthy? A rule of thumb I've found to be useful is to hear how they speak of other friends. If they slander other friends with malicious talk or gossip or betray confidences, you can be assured they'll do the same to you. However, if they're careful with their words, thoughtful, and more in line with what we find in Galatians 5:22-23, they're a much better choice. Thirdly, are they willing to tell you like it is? Will they hold you accountable? I have a few friends who aren't afraid to give it to me straight in a loving way. I respect them for it. On my end, I need to be open to criticism which will grow me spiritually. Lastly, can you and do you talk with your friends comfortably about God and your faith? If you have friends who are spiritually mature, God can use them to give sound advice and intercede in prayer for you. They are the types of friends who try to align themselves with the Word.



I can't tell you the number of times I've gone to my closest friends and asked for their wisdom in situations that didn't feel right or situations where the answer was unclear. I needed their objectivity and clarity. In those times, I was so thankful to have them. Furthermore, had my choice of friends not been of God during those times, the advice I received could've been detrimental. And even now, I still understand the importance of checking the advice anyone gives me with scripture--- even that of a pastor. We're all human, after all. We make mistakes. I know I've made my share. We have to stay in the Word and stay in a relationship with God. No one can or should do it for us. It's up to us.







As a side note, Christians are not to merely surround themselves with others like themselves. While we need to make good choices concerning those with whom we spend the bulk of our time, we cannot isolate ourselves. We are commissioned to "go and make disciples of all nations." We certainly can't do this and remain in a comfort zone. The solid foundation we build through God's saving grace will strengthen us for the tough stuff and the tough situations. After all, if we look at the example we find in the life of Jesus, we find He placed Himself in some socially corrupt situations for the sake of bringing the lost to a saving knowledge and relationship. He placed himself among the diseased, the outcasts, the hated in order to demonstrate to all that God's love knows no bounds. His loving arms are outstretched for all who long to seek Him.

Father, thank you so much for the godly friends you've placed in my life. I thank you for the accountability I have in them. I know if I'm to strive to live a life free from hypocrisy, I need them. But Lord, above all others, I, we, need You and You alone. No person, no thing, can take Your place. You fill the void. I put my hope and trust in You. We ask you for discernment in our lives, in our relationships, in everything. If a situation seems "off" in some way, please grant the wisdom to know how to handle it. If there are any unhealthy friendships or situations, we ask You to remove the clutter. We want to be cleansed. Thank You for loving us. Thank You for being a Friend. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Confidence in Prayer

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked of Him." 1 John 5:14-15.

How precious it is to know our God cares so much for us to hear our prayers! What an honor it is to come into His presence and talk with Him. It's so neat to know that we aren't just bouncing ideas off a wall but are talking to real Supremacy! Yet that Supremacy still takes the time and truly cares about each of us. He not only cares to hear our prayers over the big things, but loves for us to seek Him in everything. As much as I know my family and friends care for me, their love cannot begin to hold a candle to the love my Father in heaven has for me and for you!

Last week, a very sweet, dear, dear friend of mine called me in tears. She was frantic. She was upset because she was in search of a document that was nowhere to be found. You see, she and her husband have been waiting for awhile to sell their home and move into another home their family could fit in comfortably. She has been so excited about the upcoming closing on the house! In about a week's time, they'll be the proud owners of a brand new home! Yet the voice I heard on the line sounded anything but excited. "Anna" she explained, "I have to have my husband's W2 form to close in less than 2 weeks. We had it when we had our taxes done but now it's nowhere to be found. I've been looking everywhere for almost two days now. I've torn the house apart. I've searched my van. Nothing! I don't know what to do!" Trying to calm her nerves, I asked her, "Could you call and ask for another copy?" She told me she had already inquired about it and had been told it would take over two weeks for her to receive another copy. The woman she had spoken with had told her her hands were tied in the matter. My friend was obviously very upset. I felt helpless to do anything and wished I was in a position to come help her look. So, over the next few minutes, I tried offering all the places I could think of for her to look. Every place I suggested she had already looked. So, I told her, "You know what usually happens? I'll look for something everywhere, THEN pray about it. I usually find it somewhere I have already looked. It's like God is just telling me to trust Him with it to begin with." So, I said, "I'm going to hang up and pray. You go look and call me when you find it." I then proceeded to pray a less-than-eloquent prayer. "God, please help her to find this in the next few minutes if it's within Your will. I pray that You will receive all glory for it. Thank you, God. Amen. "

I went back to doing what I was doing before the initial phone call. Not two minutes passed before the phone rang. I didn't even have to answer to know who would be on the other end. "You found it", I said. "Anna, you won't believe it!", she exclaimed. "I looked where my husband had said it wouldn't be. I found it in the cabinet of the entertainment center. My husband had looked for it in there and had told me not to even bother because it wasn't in there. Yet, I felt compelled to look again. My husband had been looking for it in an envelope but it wasn't in one. It was right there all along." Praise God! I told her of my exact prayer. She had no doubts that the revelation to look there was from God.

How wonderful it is that God cares enough about us to answer prayers about a W2 form. You see, it doesn't matter if our prayers are about a loved one dying of cancer or a child struggling in math. He just wants us to share everything with Him. He wants our praise and He wants our burdens. He invites us to cast all our anxiety on Him. I don't know about you, but I can't think of any human that would long for me to cast all my anxiety on them. No one wants to take on such burden. But God does!

God, how great and wonderful it is that You care that much about me--- about each of us! Thank You for being so patient with me in my lack of faith at times. So often I try to handle problems on my own and THEN I come to you. In those times, I've got it all backwards, Lord. Thank you for hearing our prayers over the big and small things and truly caring over each one. In times I forget to come to You first, I pray you'll send me a gentle reminder. Draw me close to You. I don't want to try to do things on my own because life's just too tough for me to figure out alone. Apart from you I can do nothing! I'm powerless and empty without You! Fill me with Your Spirit and please empty me of all selfishness. I don't want any part of my flesh to hinder You. Thank You, Father. Amen

His Plan For Us

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:5


A few weeks ago, my husband was asked to fill in for our Sunday School teacher. He worked hard to prepare for the lesson and was excited to have the opportunity. On the day he taught, I couldn't help but notice his worn out bible. Poor guy! He needed a new one! With his birthday only a week or two away, I had my gift idea. So for his birthday, I excitedly presented him with a beautiful, leather bound study bible. I added a companion to the bible which involves reading and studying the entire bible in a three year span. I lit up when he truly seemed excited to receive it.



Together, we have thoroughly enjoyed the new bible. (I even found a hard back version for myself at an outlet store yesterday!) We've been following the sequence as instructed by the companion which begins in the book of Luke with the birth of Jesus. I've gotta tell you, we saw the birth of Christ in an entirely new light after going deeper with it. We learned just how miraculous the birth of Jesus actually was. In reading the scripture, we pondered the obstacles surrounding Christ's birth.



Obviously, we know that Christ was conceived by God. Yet, there were so many other obstacles after the conception. Mary should have been stoned according to law back then. Certainly Joseph could've chosen to call it all off. Then, there was the entire ordeal with the census. How miraculous it was that God safely delivered them to Bethlehem. As if the taboo nature of an "illegitimate" child weren't enough, there was the issue of the mortality rate back then. Because of conditions with water and general sanitation, the infant mortality rate was 90%. In fact, evidence is quite clear due to the numerous infant remains which have been excavated in that area. This was especially true in cases where an infant was born in the conditions of Jesus-- amongst animals and animal waste, impure water and such.



Statistically, Jesus never should have made it. The odds were too high. Yet God the Father had a plan-- THE plan for salvation. His plan would come to fruition. There was nothing which could hinder that plan. As in Jeremiah 1:5, Jesus was set apart. He was a sinless man, yet fully God, born into a sinful world. He had been sent here for a purpose. He had a purpose to fulfill and God would see to it that all prophecy would be fulfilled in his short span on earth.



The amazing thing is that God has a plan and a purpose for each of us. Just as the shepherds saw the light of His majesty permeate the dark sky in part to symbolize Jesus as the light in a dark world, He put each of us here with a very real purpose and plan. However, many of us, especially we women, minimize our purpose here. We wonder if there's any real value in cooking, cleaning, laundry, dishes, carpooling, working.... Yet, we cannot fall into that mindset. There's real value in our lives. Just like Jeremiah, God knew us before He formed us. He had a purpose in store. And, of course, His primary purpose for us is to know Him in a personal way. After that, we are to share the gospel with others and bring glory and honor to Him with our lives. The great thing is, we don't have to be a celebrity, a motivational speaker, intelligent, beautiful, or anything else the world values. We only have to be available in obedience to Him. He'll make the rest happen no matter where we live or our occupation. We can be assured of that.



Just as all life has value, your life is of value to God. Don't ever question that. Any thoughts in opposition to that are coming from Satan. They are not of God. Furthermore, there is nothing you've done in your life that can make you of no use to Him or make Him not accept you as His child. You only have to repent (confess and turn from your sinful past) and surrender your life to Him. After that, He can use you right where you are--- your workplace, the grocery store, the nail salon, the gym, your neighborhood. You only have to be a willing vessel.



Sisters, know that you are loved by God. Know that you have self worth in Him no matter what the world tells you. Know that He loves you whether you are a size 2 or a size 22. Come to Him and let Him give you rest. Let Him give you purpose. Let Him give you reassurance. He loves you and He waits on you. As the hair color commercial says " You're worth it" because Christ was a living sacrifice to make you worth it!



Father, I pray that each and every person reading this would realize the worth in You. Help us to desire to live according to your plan. Direct our paths, Father, that we may fulfill our purpose in a way that glorifies you with our lives. We thank you for your power to intercede through the obstacles. Just as you did with the immaculate conception, we thank you that you have the power to surpass that which often brings anxiety to us. Lord, may we rest in the comfort in knowing you're all powerful and you have it all in your control. We love you and praise you. In Your mighty and powerful name we pray, Amen.