HAVE YOU EVER...listened to your parents?

let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-  Proverbs 1:5

An acquaintance of mine on Facebook is a painter (The Magic Brush).  She recently posted pictures from her own house.  She had prayed over her children a special word and then painted it over the entrance of their door.  For example, one of her children had the word faithful painted above their door.  She said that we need to tell our children who they are and who God wants them to be OR sees them to be.  Throughout their lives there are going to be people who tell your kids who they are or what they are and they won’t have your children’s best interest at heart. 

Today when I was sitting and listening to our pastor’s sermon, I remembered a story about my father.  It is father’s day.  Dad has been gone 6 years now.  He has always and still is my spiritual cheerleader.  He understood that my love language was words before Gary Chapman did.  (I have told you this story before but there is a little more to it.)

One evening, we were having dinner with another family and my parents were bragging on my sister.  I might have been thirteen.  My sister is brilliant.  We spent many of our family vacations following her all of the United States to some sort of academic competition.  I never cared.  I got to go on vacation.  The next day, my father came to me and apologized to me for gloating about my sister.  He told me that I had done many things that made him proud.  He also said, that I might not always be the smartest kid in the family, but I was wise.  God had a plan for my wisdom. 

It is 25 years later, I remember this story from time to time.  God placed it in my heart for a reason.  I do not believe that I am a very wise person, but I strive to be, because that is what my father told me.  Our pastor was preaching on wisdom today.  Pastor Blake said that the key to living well is wisdom.  The key to wisdom is to trust God and fear God.  We need to have the ability to apply knowledge and in doing so respect and revere our Lord’s plans for our lives. 

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.  Proverbs 1:7

Wisdom is a big word.  It is used 41 times in the book of Proverbs.  I have been praying words over my children for a while now waiting to tell them my chosen word for this time in their lives.  I am praying the words “gentleness” over Alex and “dependable” over Jax.  My children already could be described with these words.  I want them to remember that I knew that God was using these traits in their lives. 

I also want to praise my Heavenly Father for giving me an earthly father and husband who seek His wisdom and share(d) it with me. 

HAVE YOU EVER…sought wisdom?

Proverbs 4:5-7; Proverbs 9:10; James 1:5

HAVE YOU EVER...written a paper?

When I was a freshman in college, one of the first nonmusic classes that I walked into was Old Testament History.  I had had some issues with my enrollment the recent spring and so I was stuck in a class with all ministry majors.  My dean signed me into the class; I am sure breaking some fancy rules, because I DID NOT belong in this class.  Everyone around me was mainly male and much smarter than me.  It was one of my all time favorite classes EVER!

Dr. Bing Bayer was one of the most amazing teachers of God’s word that I have ever heard.  I never missed a class and he is one of the reasons I am obsessed with the Old Testament.  Our final was to write an exegetical paper.  I still don’t know what that means.  It was supposed to be like 25 pages long.  In an essence you were creating your own commentary on a scripture passage.  These smart boys chose 1 verse or something like Proverbs 31.  I chose the ENTIRE book of Jonah.

Everyone knows the story of Jonah.  The exciting miracle of God allowing Jonah to live after being swallowed by a whale is what most people would remember.  Not me.  What stands out most to me is that Jonah did not do what God asked him to do.  Yes, God used him to show a miracle to the people in the boat.  We all have experienced the miracles of this story because it made it into the Bible.  And we see God’s mercy to the Ninevites.

That is why Jonah said no.  God’s mercy. 

He prayed to the LORD, “O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home?  That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish.  I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.”  Jonah 4:2

Jonah was God’s prophet for 50 years.  He knew of God’s great compassion for all mankind.  He had already judged the Ninevites and did not want God to forgive them.  Yikes!

I hear kids say, “I hate you” to other kids all of the time.  We have seen too many “hate crimes” in our word today.  People are stepping up to be a judge and jury of things they are very ignorant about.  We need to examine our hearts more and share God’s love with everyone.  At least, try to be an example for our own kids. 

You don’t have to go to a foreign country that you “hate” to show God’s compassion.  Just open your eyes before making a hasty judgment.  God always has a plan, even when you say no.

HAVE YOU EVER…shown God’s compassion to others?

Isaiah 49:13; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

HAVE YOU EVER...prayed for yourself?

And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had

with you before the world began.  John 17:5

Jesus prayed for himself.  Why would Jesus need to pray for himself?

(Jesus) made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.  Philippians 2:7

Jesus became flesh – human.  God had this plan from the beginning.  Jesus was also there before the world began.  He still loved us so much that he dwelt among us.  Jesus needed to speak to the heavenly father the same way we should need that communication.

This prayer in John is beautiful to me.  I could read about the glory of God all day long.

Beth Moore says, “God’s glory is the way He makes Himself recognizable.”

My Bible commentary says, “and the death by which Jesus would glorify God would lead to eternal life.”

Here Jesus knows his death and resurrection are near.  The battle has just begun.  But when it is over, we will see God shining through Jesus’ capture of the grave.  The gift to us is glorious salvation!  Eternal life!

Our salvation should be “recognizable” to all.  God is not done with us.  The battle rages on.  Praise the Lord this Easter season.  Celebrate your salvation with others!

HAVE YOU EVER…celebrated salvation?

Daniel 7:13-14;  Hebrews 2:9

HAVE YOU EVER...seen a children's message?

I was visiting another church not too long ago with family.  As we sat in the balcony, I could look around and see more than I usually see at my church.  My view is either from the front right corner or the choir loft.  I was enjoying a different view for a change.  I caught something out of the corner of my eye.  It was green and it was moving on the floor of the back of the stage.  I discovered to my surprise that it was a small boy sitting on the floor under a woman playing the keyboard. 

Soon after that, they had all of the children come forward for a children’s message.  The kids sat on the front steps of the platform while a woman read some scripture and introduced some more women to the side of the stage.  These 3 women were being celebrated for having started a bereavement committee at the church and serving for 35 years.  Their loyal faithfulness touched many lives.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.  2 Corinthians 9:12

I started thinking about all of these women and their children.  My husband and I sing in the choir and play in the orchestra.  We have been involved with many different activities in our church, but we have always wanted our children to worship with us on Sunday mornings.  This was more difficult when they were babies and toddlers.  We did send them to the nursery, but as soon as they were 3 they were sitting with us in church.  Sometimes we took turns participating in the orchestra and choir.  Sometimes our kids sat with friends or other family. 

I believe that it has been easier for me as a woman to use my kids as an excuse to get out of serving.  I am so thankful for people that don’t feel this way.  They are an example to the rest of us.  Of course, there are seasons in life that you just cannot serve.  But If God is calling you to serve than serve.  He will make a way. 

Oh, may all who go before us find us faithful.  Watching the children’s message I had continuous songs of faithfulness running through my head.  I am thankful for those who are faithful and I pray that I become more faithful too. 

HAVE YOU EVER…been faithful?

Micah 6:8;  1 Corinthians 12:4-6

HAVE YOU EVER … heard silence is golden?

I looked it up.  Many people have said this one way or another, but Thomas Carlyle was the poet to first receive credit. 

Most believe that being silent is showing self-control.  You are being considerate of others feelings.  Words cannot be taken back once heard.  I’m not seeking silence for godliness.  Maybe, I should.  I just love silence.  It is the only thing that lowers my blood pressure and soothes my mind.  If I can sit next to someone comfortably in silence, I feel blessed.

In today’s world, you are seldom surrounded by silence.  My friends and family don’t understand why I don’t like to listen to music for leisure.  I listen to music for school and church, all of the time!  I just want silence.  My kids sleep with a radio playing in the background.  My roommates did that in college.  I went home every weekend to sleep. 

I drive in my car in complete silence.  I work alone in my classroom in complete silence.  My kids are gone to their grandparents for a couple of days.  I am sitting in silence!  This is one of the little things I really appreciate.  Silence gives me peace and peace comes from God.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27

What do you enjoy from God?

HAVE YOU EVER…enjoyed silence?

Psalm 62;  2 Thessalonians 3:16