Life Is (Not?) Fair

Occasionally, hubby and I have to reach into our bag of parental tricks and pull out a good 'go-to' game for resolving conflicts between our boys. You probably know the one - the classic drill called "Rock, Paper, Scissors".  

Unfortunately, even this basic and clear-cut exercise turns complicated in the Wyatt household. First, one of the boys will want to revise the original outcomes of the game. Paper has always covered rock, right? But, "No," one will argue, "If you're holding a piece of paper, and I throw a rock at you, who should win?" Then another (or two or all three) of them will start making up their own "weapons". They will throw in a gun, a knife, or a bomb (which I realize is sometimes used in the advanced versions of the game), and then sometimes we just have to ask, "What is that??...Oh, of course, a laser beam (or samurai sword or nunchucks, etc. etc.) Yes, I see that now. I should have known that's what it was." Shaking his head, my husband will say, "Boys, the name of the game is 'rock, paper, scissors', not 'rock, paper, knife'. That means you have to use rock, paper or scissors." They look up at their wise (yet flustered dad) and respond, "That's not fair." 

Huh, really? How can that not be fair? But, I'm afraid some of us adults react this way too often as well. Oh, we may not be quite as verbal about it, but we think it all the same. We live in a world of "unfairness". Our natural (and sinful) tendency is to protect ourselves, so when we get the feeling we are being short-changed, we react in many different and usually destructive ways. 

Now, be honest. Have you ever felt that God has been unfair to you? You think you got the short end of the stick or a bum deal in life. Maybe you look at others and think 'they are so blessed', while you feel overlooked or just plain invisible. Everything seems to work out for someone else, but you get passed by.  

Jesus tells a parable in Matthew chapter 20 saying God's kingdom is like a landowner who went out to hire men to work in his vineyard. He promised to pay each of them a denarius (the currency of that time period). However, some of the workers were hired early in the day, others later, and yet others within just an hour of quitting time. The shocker of the story is that at the end of the day, the landowner pays them all the same! One denarius each, just as promised.

How do you feel about that? Is not our initial reaction, "That's not fair!"? Well, that is exactly what the workers said, but the landowner's answer is significant!

"But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?"

Friends, when it is all said and done, remember that He is not unfair to the first by being generous to the last. Get your eyes off God's plan for everyone else and focus on His plan for you. In John 21:22, Jesus told Peter (speaking about John), "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."  In the end, we want to hear Him say to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant". Is it going to matter that He will say it to one who 'arrived' a little later? Oh, help us because we are often like these grumbling workers. Truth be known, if He were to be totally 'fair' to us, we would all deserve death and hell. So, thank God today for His grace and then just follow Him.

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I realize some of you may have much deeper pains with this issue and highly suggest that you read and pray over this article:
The Spirit of an Orphan vs. The Spirit of Sonship   
 

Be Strong in the Faith, My Sons

 

In 18th century Romania, King Constantin Brancoveanu and his entire household were arrested by the Turkish sultan's men. After being taken to Constantinople and thrown into prison, the king and his four sons were sentenced to death.

 

"I will pardon you, if you tell me where the wealth of your country is and if you deny the Christian faith and convert to Islam," the sultan promised the king.

 

But the king stood firm. 

"I will never abandon the Christian faith. I was born in it, have lived in it, and will die in it. I have filled my country with churches, monasteries, and hospitals. I will not worship in your mosques, neither I nor my children." He then turned to his sons and said, "My beloved, be strong in the faith. We have lost all things. Let us not lose our souls as well." 

 

The sultan ordered the sons to be killed first.

After the first three were beheaded, the king's fourth son, 16 year old Matthew, wavered at the sight of the blood and hid near his mother. Seeing his fear, the king told him, "Follow your brothers. Do not deny Christ."

 

Gaining strength from his father's words, Matthew put his head on the block and said, "Strike."

 

 

History is filled with stories of families, including children, who have suffered heroically for their Christian witness. Parents, as we consider the little ones that God has entrusted into our care, may we never take for granted or dismiss the high calling of parenting. Likewise, may our lives daily demonstrate to them the cost of picking up our cross and following Christ while assuring them that our trust lies fully and solely in Him.

 

(Excerpted from Voice of the Martyrs newsletter, February 2013)

 

May God strengthen our families.

Keep it Simple

When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, he taught me and said, "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.  Proverbs 4:3-4

Often in our attempts to teach the magnificent and wonderful things of God to our children, it is important to keep it simple. And, since the Lord Jesus did say that we all are to receive the kingdom of heaven like little children, let me share just a few simple things we occasionally use with our boys that are some great truths we can all benefit from knowing:

 

The Five Solas of the Reformation

Sola Scriptura: Scripture Alone

Sola Fide: Faith Alone

Solus Christus: Christ Alone

Sola Gratia: Grace Alone

Soli Deo Gloria: Glory to God Alone

(Sorry, you would have to ask my son how to pronouce these Latin phrases.) 

A spiritual math equation and title of one of Tullian Tchividjian's recent books: 

"Jesus + Nothing = Everything"

I often ask my boys: What is most important?? And have taught them to respond:

# 1 -  Love God.

# 2 -  Love People. 

It's amazing how these simple truths can clear up a whole host of issues in our home!  Try them out for yourself, and if you have some of your own, share them with us.

Never Alone

When is Enough Enough?

"Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,

but a prudent wife is from the LORD." Proverbs 19:14

Sometimes I jokingly remind my husband how thankful he should be to have a wife like me. Usually this will follow a conversation about: 1) some poor fellow who can't keep his income high enough to supply his wife's lifestyle; 2) the cost of some particular item we just saw; or 3) a bargain I just purchased.

When it comes to financial matters, I am normally really frugal. I don't want to use the words "cheap" or "tightwad" since those have such negative undertones. We've even taken the word "prudent" and made it negatively "prudish" or "prude" when actually the original meaning was quite positive. The Hebrew word used in Proverbs 19:14 for "prudent" is "sakal" which means "to give attention to, to have insight, to act wisely, to cause to prosper".

I'll admit that I like to buy at consignment stores, sometimes use coupons (not quite like my coupon-queen friends), shop around for the best deal, and most of the time, use things until they are worn out and just plain dead. (One time I teased my eight year old, "I've got socks older than you son!") Now, I may not be up on the latest styles and designers, but I don't think I necessarily have bad taste (call it "champagne taste on a kool-aid budget"); but, like this verse describes the wife from the Lord, I want to be prudent, wise, and a good steward.

Truth be known, however, even though my lifestyle may not be as extravagant as it could be, I was reminded today of how much I have and how much I buy and often they are things that I really could do without. For example, usually when I leave the grocery store, my cart has three kinds of juice, milk, bottled plain water, bottled sports water, sports water sticks, bottled green tea, green tea sticks, and two kinds of soft drinks. Is this a bit excessive? What happened to just good ole' water from the tap (or even in most cases from the front of the fridge)? 

The last time I looked in my bathroom cabinet, I had 3 kinds of moisturizer (daytime, nighttime, and anytime); 4 or 5 other kinds of facial cleanser, toner, exfoliator, mask, etc.; 8-10 bottles of nail polish; and much, much more that I won't bore you with all the details.

I won't even begin to name all the things in my closet and dresser drawers. Some of which I have probably not worn in years but keep thinking, "I may have a need for that someday". You get the picture. And, these are just little things! I must admit that I live in an excessive culture (and you too if you're living in the U.S. of A.). Our stores (and are closets) are filled to the brim of choices.

This past week, I had the opportunity to hear Jen Hatmaker speak at a women's event at a nearby church. It was such an awesome time hearing about being a missionary to our own neighbors and communities. Last year, I read two of her books: "Interrupted" and "7:An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess". These are about her experiences of God moving in her life and causing a paradigm shift in how she views the practical outliving of her Christianity and how she identified and battled excess in her life. While her story is not meant to be taken as a legalistic prescription for everyone to follow, it is a wake-up call for each of us to question areas in our lives where we may need to do a heart check for greed, lack of contentment, materialism and overindulgence.  

Ladies, please don't misunderstand and think I am saying having things is always wrong, but I do just want to encourage myself (and you) today in this area.

• Learn contentment (Godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6)
• View material things for what they are...just things...and try not to take some of these things so seriously. (The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:17) 
• Let's be careful not to fall into the traps that the advertisers set for us by thinking we must have this or that new product. (But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:8)
• Let's teach our children what is important in life...the things money can't buy. (But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20)
• Let's honor our husbands by living within the means (or below) that they provide and being happy about it. (Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. Proverbs 31:11)
• Give...it will free you and help others around the world or down the street. (...the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35)
• And, finally, let's truly try to glorify our Lord even in this area of lives. ("...your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:7)

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When John D. Rockefeller was asked how much money was enough,

he replied: "A little bit more."

"Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless."  Ecclesiastes 5:10

Hand Raising in Church

To help us get warmed up for worship tomorrow..... enjoy a laugh today.

He's Speaking

     A burning bush......

                    A talking donkey.....

                                   A shining angel.....

                                             A wet (or dry) fleece.....

                                       

Sometimes I have wished God would speak to me like that. I suppose these things would really get my attention. I think, "I would get that message loud and clear! Something like this would surely help me overcome my doubt on whether I heard from God or not. Certainly these saints of old had a great advantage in receiving these kinds of signs." 

But then the Lord gently reminds me that He has spoken to me and in a much greater way than these. He has provided, in an ultimately reliable, time-tested, and yet, compact form, a revelation given to us through multiple authors over a period of oh, 1,500 or so years (that makes a burning bush sound easy). I actually have at my instant availability the Holy Word of the One True God of the universe. Whether it's one of the umpteen printed Bibles we have around our home, the myriad of online versions, or even apps on my little iPhone, I can pretty much read it virtually anywhere, anytime, and with anybody. The very idea should blow my mind!

So, why do I neglect it?  Why do I often go throughout my day busy with all the things I need or want or have to do without listening to Him through it; not just once, not just for a few minutes, and not just  to 'mark something off my checklist'? What does it mean that I am to meditate on it all the time (see Joshua 1:8 & Psalm 119:97)? I don't think it is the image I get of sitting cross-legged on a mountaintop 24/7. It really should be more practical than that, right?

So since I know we live in very different times than these people of the Bible in the instances above, I looked up some of their stories to see how it happened for them and why they were given such a privilege. 

In Exodus 3, Moses is minding his own business shepherding a flock of sheep in the wilderness when he sees a burning bush. "So Moses said, I must turn aside now and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up." (Exodus 3:4) "Ding", then it hits me. The Lord did not speak to Moses out of the bush UNTIL he went over to check it out. Hmmm.

In Numbers 22, Balaam is setting out to visit Balak (a bad dude who wants Balaam to curse Israel), and God sends an angel to stand in his way. Balaam's donkey (who apparently has more spiritual sensitivity than this prophet) runs off the road, into the wall, and finally lays down from fear of the angel. While Balaam is beating the poor thing, she opens her mouth and talks to him. (The next part cracks me up.) Balaam talks back to her! And, 'ding',  I realize that it is not until Balaam has this conversation with his donkey that the Lord opens his eyes and he gets the message from God. Hmmm.

In Judges 6, you know the story of Gideon. God spoke to him using a fleece. I won't go into all the details here, but notice that first Gideon prepared a meal for an angel, tore down his father's altar to Baal, built an altar for the Lord, put the fleece on the threshing floor, rose up early to check it, and then received the sign from the Lord. Hmmm.

So, here's the point that was made for me. Although I need times of specific and devoted Bible study (66 books worth, so no need to run out of material), I learn that He also wants to speak to me through His Word as I go about my normal daily activities. His Word is living and active and is able to reach through both the mundane and the chaos of my little world. How? Like these examples, there is a need for me to "turn aside", to "inquire", and yes sometimes, to "do something in faith first" in order to get the message loud and clear into my life. 

So, I will stop what I'm doing.
I'll take the time.
I'll think it through.
And, I will prepare the way for the Lord in my heart and life. 

I may even take off my shoes.

A Courageous Church

cour·age[kur-ij] [n. from the Latin cor 'heart'] - quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.

 

"Courage is an essential virtue for any missional church. And as churches seek to step into the work of biblical justice, the need for courage becomes paramount. Mobilizing resources, people, and expertise to engage violent forces of injustice will require us to learn things we do not yet know, explore areas that are unfamiliar to us, and encounter a kind of darkness we would much rather ignore...

Churches that lack courage lack the necessary equipment to pursue justice...

Regardless of size, tradition, or geography, the most successful churches are marked by

both courage and humility."

 

Gary Haugen, President of International Justice Mission

excerpted from the foreward of The Just Church: Becoming a Risk-Taking, Justice-Seeking, Disciple-Making Congregation by Jim Martin

 

 

 

True Treasure

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."

Matthew 13:44-46

Boys especially seem to love stories of treasure hunts. I guess it appeals to their adventurous spirits in searching for and finding something valuable that has been long lost. My little guys have stashed away their own "treasures" in secret places (which makes cleaning under the beds or chairs an adventure for me too). I often find small and simple items that really have no actual value (an eraser, a bird feather, etc.). Often, after these items are recovered, we realize they were long forgotten and now unwanted. (I guess it's a good thing we didn't sail the high seas and brave one-legged pirates in search of these.)
I used to think we were a society that treasured the wrong things; money and the possessions it can buy, recreation and the fun it provides, status and fame. But, though that is still somewhat true, instead, now I believe that we have become a society that no longer treasures anything. It seems that most people have nothing that they greatly value today. We have acquired the money and possessions in this richest nation on earth, and they are wasted, unappreciated, overlooked, and discarded. We have had prolific opportunities for more kinds of recreation than likely any people ever in civilization, yet, we just drop one thing and go on to the next. There were too many social ladders to climb and too many opinion polls to try to satisfy. Sadly, even the things that truly do have value have become easily discarded too; things like: LIFE, MARRIAGE, LOVE, HONOR, RESPONSIBILITY.
Could we be described as an undisciplined, unpassionate lot? Are we a bit disillusioned with the whole ordeal? Is there nothing that invokes a passionate pursuit in us anymore? Have we lost hope that there is anything worth valuing; anything worth spending our whole lives to gain?  
C.S. Lewis profoundly said it this way, "Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."
We should not lack desire. In fact, we are to have strong desire, but for the right thing. I get the impression this guy Jesus talks about in the verses above was pretty passionate and excited about this treasure (or pearl). Still, I wish we had more details. I'm curious what exactly he gave up to gain it. Was he already wealthy by the standards of his society? Would folks think he was strange or impetuous in selling it all? Did he have to part with some family heirlooms and prize winning livestock and things he spent his whole life acquiring? 
Then, I wonder just how long it took him. Did he linger over the decision, think about holding anything back, spend time advertising and try to get the best price for his stuff? Or did he pull a U-Haul right up to the auction house and dump it all out at once? I think maybe he was standing at the field owner's door at the break of day with cash in hand. I don't know, but I like to imagine. 
Can you picture yourself in this story? What would it take for you to gain the kingdom of God (of course, it can't be purchased - it's a free gift; but aren't there things you need to "trade-in" - the "mud pies")?
The Bible says this guy was overjoyed to do it. He sure wasn't feeling sorry for himself, pining about what he gave up. He was completely satisfied, because the value of what he gave up paled in comparison to the value of what he gained. I love John Piper's words, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."  Even in this disillusioned world in which we live, there really is something worthy of our greatest desires. There truly is something worth pursuing. It is a kingdom with a Great King who is worthy of us giving up everything else we hold. This kingdom brings true satisfaction and joy. I wonder, do we value it as the treasure it truly is? 

 

 

Life & Death

If life is a classroom, then for a Christian,

death is graduation.

 

 

 

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21



A Shout Out to My Sisters!

When you get a group of women together, the result can be incredibly satisfying or incredibly terrifying. We have all probably been in those situations when we feel the need to step softly among them. Sometimes we wonder, "Today, will I get the whispers or the silence? Will it be the cutting glances or the refusal to even look my way? In what aspects will I be judged for comparison or will I feel the need to compare myself?" That is stressful enough, but heaven help us in those times when the words fly and the claws are bared.

This is why I am so thankful for my sisters in Christ - women who display the beauty of Christ and the glory of God even with their imperfections. Women with whom I can laugh and cry. Women with whom I can make mistakes yet they do not take advantage of me, and women with whom I can even occasionally get it right and they cheer for me.

This week, I had the wonderful opportunity to stand with some of my sisters and state my resolutions [rez-uh-loo-shuh; n.;  a decision or determination]. We had finished our study of The Resolution for Women by Priscilla Shirer (highly recommended) and were now sealing the deal in an open assembly (before the 5th grade girls' class). It was an amazing experience. I felt so blessed by their partnership in this commitment and by their sweet humility in receiving this challenging task with courage and grace. I was reminded that there is nothing like true sisterhood in the body of Christ.

Do you remember King David's beautiful song (Psalm 133) when he says:
1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. 3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
I think we could say, "How good and pleasant it is when sisters live together in unity!"

Girlfriends, it is like the sweetest smelling perfume or body wash we could buy (you know the one with the pleasing and calming effect).

It is also as a cool mist that makes the most beautiful flowers to bloom and brings refreshment to the land. We need that often as well.

And, it is in unity that the Lord gives His blessing. Of course, that would make sense!  Because Christ said the proof that we are His disciples is our divine love for one another (John 13:35)!

So, today, I want to just say "Thank you", to all my Christian sisters; those who stood with me this week, those who have stood with me in the past, and those who will stand with me hereafter. May God continue to bless you abundantly and make you increase in spiritual fruitfulness.

 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Proverbs 31:29

Free Ebook

Free is good, but free AND good is even better. I love finding resources like this to help us raise up our young men to value godly character. I can't wait to start reading. Get your free ebook today too:

Portraits of Integrity: Real People Who Demonstrated Godly Character (Volume 1)

Can You Be More Specific?

I have always been the kind of person that enjoyed learning and could usually pick up new things rather quickly. But as far as parenting is concerned, I think I am a slow learner. It was nearly 9 years ago that our first bouncing baby boy came into the world. Yet, after all that time, I have still not figured this all out. God does keep teaching me though. Just this week, it hit me that I should not assume that what I say will be taken the way I mean it. I realize that I need to be more specific. For example:

• "Pick up the toys" can be understood as "Pick up the toys from the floor and pile them all on the bed/dresser/sink or other higher surface." 
• "Put your dirty dishes away" (while standing by open dishwasher) can be interpreted as "Move dirty plates from one position on the kitchen counter to another, and if possible, even further from the dishwasher than before."
• "Do not hit your brother" could mean "It's OK to pinch, poke, slap, or body-slam my brother."
• "Pick up your pajamas" translates into "Stuff your pajamas in between the couch cushions." (seriously happened)
• "Get in the shower" could mean "Run the water for 20 minutes; splash and play;  washing not included."

Of course, I know that some of the breakdown is in the receiver, not the sender, but when I speak to my children, I hope that more specific (clear, precise, detailed) communication will help them to better understand and respond more appropriately. I know it may not seem a great revelation to you, but this will be something I really need to practice. It does not always come easy to me. Not just in what I say to my boys or even perhaps to my husband (that would be another list), but I realize the same is true of my spiritual life as well. Sometimes, there can be great benefit from being specific with the Lord. Not for His sake, but for mine. You see, it can become easy for me to think about God and the things of God in broad, general terms and not in explicit and detailed ones. So, here are a few ways I thought perhaps I could practice being more specific in my spiritual walk.

• Read God's Word as if it were for me (since it is). I'm going to insert my name in it when I read it. What a difference that can make! Though some Scriptures were for a particular person or people (i.e. Abraham or the nation of Israel), most of it is especially for me and you (and even with the particular ones, we often get to benefit in some way from them). His Word is individual and personal, even as it is corporate as each of us join together to be the Body of Christ. If I read it as being for me personally, wouldn't I more likely become a doer of the Word and not just a hearer only?  Wouldn't reading His promises give me greater peace? Wouldn't meditating on His works increase my love for Him? Because after all, He's talking to me.

"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God." 2 Corinthians 1:20
 

• Pray the Scriptures. Use His own words as I turn verses into prayers. Have specific praises and requests in mind when I pray, and do it with greater fervor. I can call upon one of His many names depending on my need. I can try to be more careful to confess my specific sins, not just lump them all into the category of  "bad attitude". I always want to desire His will to be done, but He can and will reveal specific aspects of it to me.

"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father." John 14:13

 

• Sing hymns and songs with a personal viewpoint so that I see the verses of a song applying to me and my circumstances. And so, this is the particular area where I was challenged a few days ago.

This past Saturday, we had the great joy of hearing the Watoto African Children's Choir in concert. It was an amazing experience to hear these orphans sing and share about how happy they are because of the love of Jesus. They used the opportunity to encourage us too, which was an unexpected blessing. Despite many losses in their lives, they wanted us to know that no matter what problems we faced, God cares for each of us. It was humbling. These are some of the lyrics they sang just after a few of them shared their testimonies.

I am not forgotten

I am not forgotten

I am not forgotten

God knows my name.

 

Seeing and hearing these orphans sing this song with such joy brought tears to my eyes. No matter how many people (no matter how many orphans) are in the world, God had not forgotten them. For some reason, at that moment, as I was thinking, 'How wonderful that the Lord has not forgotten these orphans', He spoke to me and said, "I have not forgotten you either. I know your name too." I needed that. 

I wonder, do you need to take this personally and specifically today as well? Then, hear it as from Him:  

I have not forgotten you.

I know your name.

I know your every word before it leaves your lips. 

I have numbered the hairs on your head.

I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.

I have (or am) specifically calling you to Me.

I have loved you with an everlasting love.

You are mine.

 

 

 

Maturity is Overrated

I learned something new about my husband a few days ago. You would think after seventeen and a half years of marriage that may be impossible, but it's not. We were eating dinner just before leaving to take our boys to the circus. The conversation began about what we might see there and then led into my sharing "circus memories" from my childhood (I really think I only attended two or three of them, but the one when I took an elephant ride stands out!). I looked over at my husband and said, "Tell us about going to the circus when you were young." His response really surprised me. "This will be my first," he said matter-of-factly. What?!  Now, I know he did not live an underprivileged childhood, and though he did grow up in a slightly less progressive town than I did (Benton vs. Murray), I still could not fathom that he had never been to a circus. Well, that just fueled my excitement, for now I was taking FOUR boys to their first circus!

During the show, I would glance over at him and wonder what it must be like to see something like this for the first time through his eyes. In some ways, I thought he could not possibly enjoy it quite like the children because he is, afterall, a bit older. Sometimes with growing older we are less likely to get excited about such things. Aging tends to make us more cynical or at least more experienced so that we are much more difficult to be thrilled. However, on the other hand, there is something about getting older, grayer, and slower that can make us appreciate the difficulty of the feats these performers were presenting (juggling, acrobatics, animal training). While a child thinks "that looks fun; let's try this at home", we understand that the time, effort, energy, and flexibility required does not come easy.

 

I think this is true in our spiritual lives too. As we get older, we should continually be growing and maturing in our knowledge of God. But, unfortunately, sometimes the more we know about Him, the less we get excited about Him. We lose the childlike wonder of who He is and all He has done. We must fight against that temptation. Remember what the Lord Jesus said in Mark 10:15. "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." 

 

There must be something of the temper and disposition of little children found in all that Christ will own and bless. We must receive the kingdom of God as little children; that is, we must stand affected to Christ and his grace as little children do to their parents, nurses, and teachers. We must be inquisitive as children, must learn as children (that is the learning age), and in learning must believe. The mind of a child is white paper, you may write upon it what you will; such must our minds be to the pen of the blessed Spirit. Children are under government; so must we be. Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? We must receive the kingdom of God as the child Samuel did, Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth. Little children depend upon their parents’ wisdom and care, are carried in their arms, go where they send them, and take what they provide for them; and thus must we receive the kingdom of God, with a humble resignation of ourselves to Jesus Christ.

From Matthew Henry's commentary on Mark 10:15

 

 

Today, let us receive the kingdom of God like little children; trusting, believing, depending, excited, joyful, and amazed. For truly, THIS  is "The Greatest Show on Earth".

 

Blessings

Oh, dear mothers, may we pray to be like Jesus.....

"And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them." 

Mark 10:16

Heartburn

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He [Jesus] explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself. 

They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" Luke 24:27, 32

 

I love this story of the two disciples who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus the very afternoon of His resurrection. I like to think that Jesus had a sense of humor, and this story always makes me laugh. These guys are walking along talking about Him when He joins them and asks what they are talking about. The Bible says they were kept from recognizing Him, so they unknowingly proceed to share the gospel about Jesus with Jesus! To allay their concerns (they were bewildered about news of His resurrection), He then takes them through an Old Testament survey class, demonstrating to them how all the Scriptures have testified about Him. When they reached Emmaus, Jesus joined them for dinner. As He broke bread, their eyes were then opened to see who He is (maybe the first thing they noticed were the scars in His hands). I love their question (more of a statement really), “Were not our hearts burning within us…?”  They realized a true difference when He spoke to them.  

I wonder how many of us have had an opportunity to be with Jesus and not recognized Him. Perhaps we have been too busy to notice Him as we should. In fact, sometimes we were too busy talking, singing, teaching, preaching, sharing, reading, or writing about Him that we did not even notice He was there. In our efforts to know Him, we missed His presence altogether. Maybe we were too concerned about our own thoughts or listening more to what others say than listening to Him. Often in our Christian practice, we are so surrounded by spiritual activities and conversations that we miss the reality of God’s Son in our lives.

I saw another example of what these disciples in Emmaus experienced recently while reading ‘Sir Knight of the Splendid Way’ written by W.E. Cule in 1899 (if you have never read it, you really should; it is an allegory in the same vein as ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ if you are familiar with that masterpiece). In the first chapter, the main character, Constant, enters into the Chapel of Voices in the Valley of Decision. It is the place that every knight who sets out onto the Splendid Way must begin his journey (representing salvation). In the Chapel, Constant receives a vision of the Bright and Morning Star. The star transforms into the face of the Lord Jesus, and the book describes his experience like this:

"When Constant saw it, his heart leaped and burned, and his face shone with the glory that he saw in those matchless eyes. Fear was forgotten, and doubt and the shadows of the Chapel were but a fleeting fancy: for all that he cared was to kneel and gaze..."

 

Later, when Sir Constant encountered a battle with the Black Knight, the Vision came to him again:

“…as he saw it, his tired heart leaped and swelled, and there came back to him in full flood the unspeakable Joy of the Vision of the Face. It passed into his veins like fire, and it was both fire and power.”

Burning hearts. Fire and power. We can experience it too. Take the time to spend with Him. Allow Him to walk with you and talk with you. Pray to Him. Let Him have your full attention. Ask Him to open your eyes. Feast on the Bread of Life, and then pray for spiritual heartburn!