The Perfecting Nature of the Cross

     Today is Good Friday and we are challenged to look at upon the cross of Christ.  A good friend of mine asked me to look over the following Scripture and contemplate what it means to be made perfect by the cross.

Hebrews 5:7-10, During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.  Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

     I was intrigued by this phrase: once made perfect. in the Greek it is the word (teleioō) and it means: to complete, carry through, to bring to an end (goal) to accomplish. 

     We know Jesus was perfect by the fact that He was sinless, blameless, and without fault.  He was also 'made perfect' by carrying the cross and accomplishing the goal.  The goal set before Him was to restore relationship between God and man. 

Luke 13:32,  He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal." (NKJ says 'I shall be perfected')

John, 17:4, "I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do."

John 19:28, "Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Holy Bible says this about Hebrews 5:7-10:

Christ. In the days of his flesh, made himself subject to death: he hungered: he was a tempted, suffering, dying Jesus. Christ set an example, not only to pray, but to be fervent in prayer. How many dry prayers, how few wetted with tears, do we offer up to God!

He was strengthened to support the immense weight of suffering laid upon him. There is no real deliverance from death but to be carried through it. God the Father was able to save him from death. He could have prevented his dying, but he would not; for then the great design of his wisdom and grace must have been defeated. What would have become of us if God had saved Christ from dying?

The Jews reproachfully said, Let him deliver him now, if he will have him, Mt. 27:43 . But it was in kindness to us that the Father would not suffer that bitter cup to pass away from him; for then we must have drunk the dregs of it, and been miserable for ever. His human nature was ready to sink under the heavy load, and would have sunk, had he been quite forsaken in point of help and comfort from God; but he was heard in this, he was supported under the agonies of death.  The privilege of Christ: He was a Son; the only-begotten of the Father. One would have thought this might have exempted him from suffering, but it did not. Let none then who are the children of God by adoption expect an absolute freedom from suffering.

Christ has left us an example that we should learn humble obedience to the will of God, by all our afflictions. We need affliction, to teach us submission. He was raised and exalted, and to him was given the power of saving all sinners to the uttermost, who come unto God through him.

Hebrews 2:10, In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Hebrews 7:26-28, Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.  Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.  For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

Christ made improvement by his sufferings. By his passive obedience, he learned active obedience.

Being made perfect for this great work, he is become the Author of eternal salvation to all that obey him. But are we of that number? This salvation is actually bestowed on none but those who obey Christ. It is not sufficient that we have some doctrinal knowledge of Christ, or that we make a profession of faith in him, but we must hearken to his word, and obey him. He is exalted to be a prince to rule us, as well as a Saviour to deliver us.

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     So I echo the question of Matthew Henry to you today; Are you of that number?  The number of persons who have made a conscience choice to obey Christ?  Not just have knowledge of, or profess faith in Him, but hear His words, look upon His Cross, lay down your life and obey Him?  

This is the will of the Father:   Ezekiel 33:11, Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?’

     Are you of that number? The number of those whom have turned and faced the saving power of the cross?  If you refuse, why?  Why will you not turn and instead die? 

     Thank You Jesus, for the sacrifice You have made.  Thank You for the saving power of the cross.  Thank You for accomplishing the goal set before You.  Thank You for Your humble obedience and for becoming perfect on Good Friday.  My Saviour, my Lord!

How to Shine like a STAR....

Homeschooling provides us with so many teachable moments.  I think that is what I love most about it.  I often ask God what virtue, trait or concept I should focus on or teach the children.  I try to stay sensitive to what is going on in our home and I diligently look for opportunities to reinforce important truths to them. God has never failed to amaze me.   Today we are learning about how to stay pure and shine for the Lord. 

I found a great free website for printing out handwriting pages:  http://www.handwritingworksheets.com/flash/printdots/paragraph/ .  You can put in your text and it will print out a custom handwriting sheet. This made it possible for my youngest writer to be able to write out the Bible verse we were focusing on with ease. 

We studied Philippians 2:14-15, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe."  

I had each of them write out the Bible verse and as they did I explained to them just what exactly that means. 

- We talked about how it is important to do EVERYTHING without complaining!  Boy is that a lesson we can all take to heart.  I think it is more accurate to say we do everything WITH complaining lately!!!

- Without arguing!!!!  The kids were challenged with this one as soon as they climbed out of bed and their feet hit the floor.  I think this is a biggy, especially for those of us who are together 24/7!

-We talked about the importance of not complaining or arguing and how that helps us to lead blameless and pure lives. 

-Then we discussed how there are people in the world that do not believe, acknowledge or live their lives according to God's laws.  They are crooked and depraved.  I explained to them how we can stray or get lost if we are crooked and that God desires for us to keep our eyes on Him to stay on the straight path.

-I printed out this picture for them and had them color it in.  (http://www.thecoloringbarn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/star-1.jpg) .  When they were finished we talked about things that make us shine like stars....praying, sharing, helping, serving, forgiving, etc., and as we said each thing we added some glitter glue to the main star.  I told them that everyone has the ability to shine and we added some glitter glue to the top stars representing others in the world. 

-Then we talked about sin and how it gets us dirty.  I had a small cup of potting soil ready and we talked about things that would get us 'dirty' or cause us to not be pure and blameless.  Much to their horror I sprinkled a little bit of dirt on to one of the sections of the wet glitter glue on their star.  They were pretty upset that their picture now had a little dirt on it.  Shelby even tried to cover her dirt up with more glitter, but you could still see it.  This gave me the opportunity to share with them that we can try to cover up our sin, but it is still visible to God.

-Next we talked about what Jesus came to do.  I had them each bring me a baby wipe and we wiped off the dirt just as Jesus wipes away our sin when we ask Him for forgiveness.  It was a powerful moment.  Then we added more glitter glue in that spot so that it could be restored and shine again for the Lord!

-Finally we talked about how everyone has sin, everyone of us.  We added some dirt to the other stars to remember that.  They asked me how to help get those stars clean and I shared with them that they will need someone to tell them what Jesus did for them, too.  They each picked a star to 'tell' about Jesus and we then we wiped them clean and added more glitter to represent a new life choosing to shine for the Lord. 

It was such a powerful lesson.  I am so thankful to the God of Heaven who looks upon us and meets us right where we are to show us the way to shine like stars in the universe.  The kids got it.  They understood on a whole deeper level the power sin has to make us unclean and that only by the power of the blood of Jesus we can be pure again. 

Now, I would be lying if I said my children were perfect little angels the rest of the day!  I wish!  But, I will say that the only correction I have had to give today is, "Be careful and STAY CLEAN!!!!"

If it isn't IMMEDIATE....then, it isn't OBEDIENT!

Have you ever asked a child to do something, once, then twice, three times.....? Have you ever said, "How many times do I have to tell you to........?"  They say kids learn by repetition.  Okay, I get it.  We have to keep repeating the lesson of where your shoes go when you take them off and why you don't leave the sink running after you wash your hands.  But, how about when you ask them to do something and the flat out say, "NO!!!".  It happens. 

It has happened a lot in our house lately.  I fear the kids are testing the boundaries again.  I have noticed it isn't just my kids, but all kids.  Recently a friend come to pick up her child who refused to get into the car.  I experienced a blank stare last night with our oldest after her Daddy asked her to please go read a book to her sibling.  This morning one of the clan told me he would not help take laundry downstairs (unless I paid him in jellybeans!)  When I just pulled into the driveway a few minutes ago 2 of my darling children refused to put their seat belt back on for the last 200yds.   So.....I stopped the car and made them get up and walk to the house!  What in the world is going on??????? 

How can we explain to our children (without screaming or spanking them) that they should listen? Here is what I am focusing on today with mine, and I pray it helps you too!

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Ephesians 6:1

as defined in the original Greek:
to Obey: to listen, to harken to a command, be obedient to, submit to. 
Obedience means: compliance, submission; obedience rendered to any one's counsels, an obedience shown in observing the requirements of Christianity.

Romans 1:5, Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

Romans 5:19, For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

John 15:10, If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

How to abide or remain in Christ’s love: obedience. Obedience and love go hand in hand. Christ has provided us the perfect example of both. 

“If you love me, you will obey what I command. " John 14:15

So here are a few truths I am sharing with our children in teaching them the concepts of obedience:
1. When you don't respond the first time you are already in disobedience.
2. When you respond, "NO", you miss the opportunity to obey all together.
3. When you do obey you get the chance to show God that you love Him.
4. When you do obey you show the person you listen to that you respect them.
5. When you do not obey you are responsible for the negative consequences that follow. 
6. It is impossible to disobey your parents and obey God at the same time.
7. To stay walking in step with the Lord requires your obedience.

That precious bundle that told me NO this morning.....well, he sat on the couch until he was ready to listen.  It took 45 minutes.  Then he said, "Okay Mom, I will do it without the jellybeans!"  I explained to him that he missed the opportunity to obey, because now the laundry had all been taken downstairs by his sisters.  I told him that he missed a chance to listen to me and to show God that he loved Him.  He started to cry and told me he was really sorry.  I forgave him, gave him a hug, and told him there would be more opportunities to listen and love God today.  Hopefully next time he will not miss it, but jump at a chance to show his faith by acting the first time.

Love, love, love.......all we need is LOVE....

Because today is a day that is set aside to celebrate LOVE...I thought it would be appropriate to hear a few words about L-O-V-E from the Author, Himself:

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:5

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.  Deuteronomy 7:9

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.  1 Chronicles 16:34

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:5

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, Psalm 33:18

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Psalm 36:5

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness...Psalm 86:15

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103:8
 
Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 106:1

The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. Psalm 145:8

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

Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred. Proverbs 15:17

He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

What a man desires is unfailing love ; better to be poor than a liar. Proverbs 19:22

He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. Proverbs 21:21

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17
“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. Matthew 12:18

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ Matthew 22:37

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ Mark 12:30

He answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” Luke 10:27

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. John 15:9
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13:4

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13

Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14

The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”Galatians 5:14

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— Ephesians 1:4-5
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loveColossians 3:12

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:14
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. 1 Peter 1:22

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

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

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 1 John 3:16

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.  1 John 5:2

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Mirrors tell us about ourselves.  We check them to see how we look and sometimes even feel.  My daddy used to put me in front of one when I was pouting and would show me how silly I looked!  It has been fun to watch the twins.  The mirror each other every day.  One of them will do something, like wave bye-bye and then the other will watch and seem to say, "Oh, we can do that?"  Then they will copy it on cue!  We learn so much about ourselves by our reflection. 

I am in the middle of a Biblical Counseling Training Course called Extrodinary Woman and it has reminded me again that our self concept, identity and sense of fulfillment is built over time by our mirrored reflections.  What our parents, peers, teachers, or others give us a sense of who we are.  By far the parent-child relationship is the most influencial influence on a child.  Even as an adult, many find themselves seeking their parents approval, desiring to hear that they are special, talented, smart or loved.  If you were blessed to have loving parents who took opportunities to tell you how fearfully and wonderfully you were made, you are probably pretty secure and confident in who you are and what your purpose is.  On the other hand, if you were not so fortunate and had unprepared, ungodly, unavailable or unloving parents your self concept was not based in the truth of who you were made to be.  It could be that your reflection mirrored back at you is a lot like looking into a fun house mirror that stretches, distorts or warps your perception of yourself.  I haven't even mentioned abuse which can further damage one's self image and leaves the abused feeling unvaluable or ruined beyond repair.

The Bible tells us over and over that we were made in God's image. Genesis 1:27 says, So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Ephesians 4:24 tells us, "and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

When we spend time with the Father it is like looking into that mirror to see who we are meant to be.   We can study His Word and learn even more about ourselves. 

We are told that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), are a reward (Psalm 127:3), loved (John 3:16), accepted (Romans 15:7), chosen (Ephesians 1:4), important and have confident access in Him (Ephesians 3:12), taken care of (Philippians 4:19), and complete (Colossians 2:10) just to name a few!!!

James 1:22-24 says, Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

Beloved, do not forget who you are; you are valuable to God.  Value is determined by price, therefore you are worth the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus.  Jesus paid the ultimate price for you determining your infinite worth to the Father!

I love this quote from a Study on "Who I am to God", by Kenneth Boa, "The more we embrace these truths from Scripture who we have become in Christ, the more stable, grateful, and fully assured we will be in this world." (http://bible.org/article/who-does-god-say-i-am)

I pray God will remind you who you are to Him today.  I pray, those of us with children will not take for granted the priviledge of telling our little blessings who they are created to be.  I pray that those of us struggling with our self concepts or images will look to Father for the truth about our identity. 

Was it really Eve's fault????

We have started a 'Read the Bible in a Year' plan with the kids.  I thought it would be pretty cool for them to be able to say that they have read the whole Bible and pretty cool for us to be able to say we read it to them.  You naturally start in Genesis 1: "In the Beginning....".  We read through creation days 1 to 6, God resting on the 7th.  Chapter 2 speaks of the Garden and where he put man.  Then I noticed something for the first time in this very familiar text.  In Genesis 2:16-17 God gives the command to Adam not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  Wait a minute, where is Eve?  She is the one who disobeys and is 'tricked' by Satan to break God's command.  We tend to pin the entire fall of man on Eve, but think about it, she wasn't even created until God puts Adam into a deep sleep and forms her from his rib in verse 22! 

When we read on to Chapter 3 we see Eve falling for the trick, "Did God really say, You must not eat from it?"  She eats, gives it to Adam- he eats, and get this...."He was WITH HER!"  (verse 6)  They sew together a quick covering from fig leaves, then they hid from God.  When God confronts them they point at each other, Adam blames 'the woman' and the woman says 'the devil made me do it!'  They are equally punished and equally held accountable.  Finger pointing doesn't work with the God of all Creation.

I think it is safe to say that when we don't fulfill our God defined roles we are open to falling.  God made everything with order, including limits and boundaries.  Man was created to rule and subdue the creation God had made and was told to obey it God's way. Woman was made to help man with the monumental task.  God called it all good.  It was not a flawed plan, it was good.  God called them one flesh and (saw them equal) with different roles.  The Husband loves, leads and protects wife; wife submits and respects husband. (Ephesians 5:22-33)

Submission can bite us in the modern day.  Women don't even really like to say the word, type it, or especially discuss it!  I am about as strong willed as the Lord makes them and I was raised by a very  independent woman and passive father.  Submission was as foreign of a concept to me as nuclear science and yet, I have made peace with it :) 

God's design for the man-woman relationship is good.  Man is the one who distorts it.  I had a boyfriend in college who pretended to be godly.  He took me to church with him on Sunday like a good boy and proceeded to sin the rest of the week.  He would sit in the pew and point with authority and gloat to Ephesians 5:22, 'Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.'  He would scold me for not being submissive and obedient.  It never even occurred to me that he wasn't my husband and I wasn't a wife yet!  After I moved onto a healthy relationship and did become a godly wife, I was totally against the concept of submission because of the distortion it had become to me.  As I matured I was surprised by the following verses of Ephesians 5 detailing the relationship of husband and wife, especially the husband's role.  (You see, I never got that far before, because I would slam the Bible closed at the first part!) 

Ephesians 5:23- 31 says, "For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.  In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies.  He who loves his wife loves himself.  After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds it and cares for it, just as Christ does the church--for we are members of his body.  For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."

God sees us as equal in the husband-wife relationship.  He calls the woman to submit, because that was the design.  It doesn't mean she isn't smart enough or strong enough.  We were designed to do different things and in different ways, yet called to unity and wholeness as a couple.  When we are standing face to face with the Lord and He asks us "Why did you........?" finger pointing isn't going to get us out of it!

I have had many women ask me questions like these:

"Do I really have to submit to my husband?"  No, you don't. BUT, when you don't you leave yourself open for the craftiness of the enemy, just as Eve did.

"What if he won't lead and I have nothing to submit to?" Pray. Ask God to help you take a step back so that your husband can take the step forward. Pray that the passive nature our culture has bred into our boys and feminism into our girls will be overcome with the Truth.

1 Peter 3:1-2 says, "Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives."

"Do I have a say at all or am I subject to his every whim?"  Yes, you have a say, but he has the final decision.  God made you a team.  He fully expects you to share your thoughts and opinions with your husband.  We are not called to be doormats, but to be support to our husband.  1 Corinthians 11:11-12 says, "In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.  For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman.  But everything comes from God."

Submission may be the dirty word in our world today, but with God's help we can understand it, apply it and strengthen our marriage by returning to God's original design for husband and wife, and it is very good.

Unplug 2 Connect.......

 Recently our church held a Sacred Assembly.  It was a powerful day full of worship, reflection and prayer.  One of the events of the day was the reading of the Book of Mark.   As I heard the words spoken out loud something kept standing out to me......Jesus went alone....to a solitary place.....he withdrew.

During that day I had several different people come to me and ask for prayer to help them connect with God, find more time to be still, or just plain hear Him better.  I was thinking to myself  as I ended with "Amens" hopefully God understand that meant for me as well, because I need it just as much as the next person.  We all struggle with balancing the demands of life and our spiritual life.  If you don't then you are better than Jesus!  I mean that, seriously.  Let me prove it to you the best way I know how, with Scripture:

Mark 1:35, Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Mark 6:30-31,  The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.  Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Mark 6:46, After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

Matthew 5:1, Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down.

Matthew 13:1-2, That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.  Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.

Matthew 14:13, When Jesus heard what had happened (beheading of John the Baptist), he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.

Matthew 14:22-23,  Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.  After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.

Matthew 26:36, Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”

Luke 5:16,  But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Luke 9:18, Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”

I have to say that I am very blessed by these verses.  Especially Mark 6 where it says Jesus was in such demand they didn't even have time to eat!  The other day I was doing schoolwork with the children, cooking lunch, prepping dinner, cleaning the house, taking care of the babies and answering the other 5 kids demands.  The hours just flew by and before I knew it, it was time to load up in the car for hockey practice.  I ran out the door with my lunch in my hand that I had never had the time to sit down and eat.  I was so thankful I had a teenager to drive so I could eat my salad at 5:30pm in the car!!!!

I'd like to suggest based on these Scriptures that Jesus knew a thing or two about how to connect with the Father.  He withdrew, went off, alone, by himself, or left to pray.  Jesus didn't have the electronic revolution to deal with like we do now, but I know if he did his behavior would be the same, for he is the same yesterday, today and forever. (And it would still be exactly what we need!!!)  UNPLUG to connect, that is what he would demonstrate and say.  "Come with me to a quite place and find rest."

What this will look like for you will be as different as your circumstances, but the answer will still be UNPLUG to connect.  Whether you are a child growing in the ways of the Lord, UNPLUG to connect.  If you are a teenager in the throws of hormones and friendships, UNPLUG to connect.  If you are a young adult trying to find your way and callings, UNPLUG to connect.  Maybe you are a new mother trying to adjust to the needs of your bundle of joy or a seasoned mother managing the brood, UNPLUG to connect.  If you're days are coming and going as fast as the commuter train, UNPLUG to connect.  If you are an empty nester enjoying the freedom and enjoying the fruits of your labor, UNPLUG to connect.  No matter the season we are in, the answer is still the same....."Life comes with distractions and time fillers sooooooo.......UNPLUG to connect"!

God calls us to an intimate, undistracted time of personal relationship (however long you are able He will bless.)  His desire is just to BE with you and you with Him.  Jesus demonstrated it so we could learn the simple truth that when we UNPLUG we will connect.

Got Sleep?

I love babies and recently one of my very closest friends gave birth to a healthy baby boy.  I went up to the hospital to see her and she looked beautiful and glowing, but exhausted.  I remember those sleepless nights.  I especially remember them after we brought the twins home from the hospital just last year.  I remember how we had to feed them 1.5 oz. of milk at a time (OH SO SLOWLY....).  It took them 45 minutes to finish a bottle and by the time I finished with both of them I got to rest my eyes for 15 minutes before #1 was ready for the next feeding!!!   I see mommies at our twin support group come in with bloodshot eyes and desperate faces, wondering "Will I EVER get sleep again?"

It is draining being a new parent no matter how many babies you bring home.  One little blessing can turn a house upside down quicker than you can say "Cafe Latte, please!"  When it is your first child you can also expect to experience the loss of independence and freedom life held before you held your little one.  It is a difficult adjustment that continues until you are an empty nester!  It does get easier as time goes by, but being a parent will always mean you consider them with every major decision and most minor ones, too! 

I woke up this morning wondering what God says on the topic.  After all, He is the Perfect Parent, and He has more children than we could even dream of!!! 

So here are a few insights I found in Scripture to encourage all you out there who are pacing the halls in the wee hours of the night: 

God knows what it is like to never sleep!
Psalm 121:1-4, "I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep."

Children are a blessing from God.
Genesis 33:5, Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these with you?” he asked. Jacob answered, “They are the children God has graciously given your servant.”

God gave you your blessings and He will give you the strength to care for them!
Psalm 68:35, You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!

This sleepless time is a season and when it is over it will be like water under the bridge!
Job 11:13-16, “Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him,
if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,
then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear.
You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.

This verse in Job tells us that no matter what we are going through if we keep our heart pure and focused on the Lord we will get through it, our problem becomes smaller, and over time it will seem insignificant, even though right now it feels ENORMOUS!!! That gives me hope and I hope it encourages you as well!  I can testify that our season of sleeplessness with the twins does feel like water under the bridge.  Likewise with our son David, who is now 8, he didn't sleep from birth until he was 4, yet it feels like a distant memory and we even laugh and tease him about it now.  :)

So be encouraged, this season of sleeplessness is just a season.  Cherish your little one, because in a blink of an eye they won't be so little anymore and you will be sleepless for other reasons, like are they home yet??????

This is Gabe, he wanted his picture in my blog this morning and it was taken during one of our family devotional times when he fell asleep!  Precious!!!

A Cure for the Gimmies.....

It is that time of year again, time when the advertising giants succeed by turning our sweet contented kids into little greedy monsters with a bad case of the 'gimmies'.  Just hand your child a Toys R Us catalog and watch them say on every page, "I want that....I want that....I want that....Hey Mom, I want that!"  It causes parents everywhere to wonder if they are doing something wrong, some go crazy and provide as much as possible for a perfect holiday, and some just want to scream, "HELP!!!"  I found this object lesson that I think will be an easy way to curb the gimmies.  It is easy to do, understand, and makes a beautiful point.  All you need is a bowl, cereal, and some milk!  Here it goes:

1. Have some store adds or catalogs out on the table.  Let the kids 'dream' and make mental lists as to what they are hoping to receive for Christmas.  Do not censor them, let them make long want lists and get caught up in it.  (I told them to circle with a marker whatever they are hoping to recieve for me to look at later :)

2. Pass out the bowls and milk ( but DO NOT pass out spoons).  Someone will quickly say they need a spoon.  Ask them what would happen if they tried to eat the entire bowl with out a spoon.  Talk about how it will be messy, uncomfortable, to much to handle or hard to swallow. 

3. After a conversation about eating without a spoon say, "Well, good news!  I have a spoon for you!"  Give out spoons.  Ask them to listen to you explain an important thing about God and presents as they enjoy their cereal.

4. Explain to them that God is like the spoon.  He knows we can only handle small mouth fulls of blessings at a time.  To many gifts at one time are like our bowl of cereal without the spoon.  It is unhealthy for us to receive to much at once just like it would be difficult to handle our cereal without the spoon. 

Proverbs 30:8-9 says,

Keep falsehood and lies far from me;

give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.


Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.

5. Share with your child how God's Word reminds us that if we receive to much at one time we will forget God and His goodness.  We would take for granted what He has done and provided for us.  We do not want that to happen!!! 

6. End the lesson by asking them how we can be careful not to get caught up in the Gimmies and be thankful for all God has given us.

I hope this blesses your family during the Holiday season and helps to keep us all focused on Jesus, not presents!  Merry Christmas!

How Thirsty Are You?

Yesterday I went to the gym to fit in a quick workout.  I planned on spending just 30 minutes on a cardio machine.  I forgot to grab myself a water bottle this time and of course only took my membership card in with me.  I passed a water fountain outside the locker rooms and thought, oh it's only 30 minutes.  I will be fine. 

I walked up the stairs and climbed onto my machine.  I started it like normal and after about 2 minutes my body temperature started to rise and I really wished I had brought my water bottle.  "How nice it would have been to have a sip of cool fresh water," I thought.  A few minutes later I found myself starting to sweat.  Then, I realized I was fixated on the water fountain across the room.  I watched sweaty person after sweaty person lean over and take a drink.  I remembered the scene in Three Amigos where one man had his full canteen and was wasting it while the other two were dying of thirst!!!

I was feeling pretty silly at this point.  I could pause my machine and walk over the the source of water and put myself out of my misery.....but I only had a few minutes left.  So, I stayed put wishing I was being refreshed like everyone else.  Whining that I should have remembered my own bottle of water.   Beating myself up for not being more prepared with quarters in my gym bag for a vending machine.  After my workout was over I rushed over to the water fountain and drank like a camel!!!  (A camel can drink up to 32 gallons at a time and go without drinking for 1-2 weeks!!!)

Later I was reflecting on that and I started to wonder....how many of us think we are camels?  How many times do we try to drink in excess hoping it will sustain us for a long time?  I am of course speaking spiritually here.  I also wondered how many of us are so focused on the our work (or workout) that we don't stop and go to the fountain of Living Water.  Maybe we aren't prepared with our bottle full before we set out or are fixated on everyone elses???

Whatever the reason for our severe thirst, the answer is to seek God, and He will satisfy it. 

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6


“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
'Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.' Psalm 107:8-9

'As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?' Psalm 42:1-2 

'You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water.' Psalm 63:1

'Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;' Isaiah 55:1a

'The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.' Revelation 22:17

Cleaning Toilets Builds Character....

I have been trying hard to teach Gabe (almost 6) and Shelby (almost 4) to play nicely.  When other kids are over they do just fine, but when the two of them are alone they are constantly hitting each other on the head with a matchbox car.  I have tried everything to get them to stop.  I sit next to them as they play and as soon as I leave the room.....WHACK!!!  Well, today it happened again, this time it was Gabe and I had just warned him NOT TO HIT HIS SISTER!  

First I sent him to his room so I could decide the punishment.  As I was walking through his bathroom a light bulb went off in my head.  I brought him into the bathroom, handed him a rag and spray bottle and showed him the dirty toilet. 

I explained to him that when we disobey or hurt someone it is sin.  Sin makes us dirty just like his toilet.  I had him clean off the lid, under the lid, and around the seat....YUCK!!!  He was quite disgusted.   I explained to him that that is how God feels about our sin and wants us to be clean. 

 After we had a sparkling clean toilet I took Gabe to Shelby to say "Sorry."  Then we returned to his room to pray. 

It went like this, "Sorry God for hitting my sister.  Please forgive me.  Thank You for forgiving me.  Thank You for making me clean again."  I gave Gabe a great big hug and wiped away his tears.  Then as I left I reminded him to STAY CLEAN!!!!  I hope it doesn't happen again, but if it does I have 3 more toilets.....come to think of it this example would work with dishes, laundry, trash, etc.

"Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin."

Psalm 51:1-2

(Oh and by the way, the pictures on this blog are NOT mine.  Our toilet wasn't THAT bad!  And I put some funny and clean potty humor pics below.  Enjoy!)



The 'Mystery' squash...

It was a quiet morning.  Babies were up and then back down before the other 5 woke up.  I had about an hour to myself to sit on the deck with my cup of coffee alone with God.  I treasure these moments. 


The wind was still, my world calm and my mind open.  Today as I sat and stared at the garden a very interesting thought popped into my head.  I looked at the half of the garden being taken up by plants that we didn't plant.  We have been watching them for a while now; trying to figure out what they are, and hoping it is something good.  As I stared at the 'mystery plant' it was like the Lord was teaching me that even though something is pretty, or strong, has potential or might be worth keeping that doesn't always mean we should keep it.  By letting something grow with the 'hope' that it will be good or that we might need it someday isn't exactly taking control of the garden.  We should only hold onto what we KNOW to be good.  We must plant seeds intentionally and calculate the benefits versus the costs to make the best use of our resources.  We need to be on the defense and ready to pull out weeds or remove things that compete with what is truly good fruit.


So how does this translate to my life or yours?  Well just as every garden is different this will look different as well.  For me it means I need to declutter the basement, turn off the TV, read good books that help me be a better parent, and spend more time in prayer than on the phone with friends.  It means organizing a home that functions better and requires less attention so I can pour that precious time back into my kids and husband. 


What does it mean for you?  Can you relate?


(oh and I did a quick search on the Internet and it appears that it is a 'mystery squash'.  It has over a hundred blooms on it and considering I am the only one that eats squash if we leave it what in the world would I do with 100 squash????)  http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/mystery-squash-a-backyard-garden-favorite/


1 Corinthians 10:23  “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.
 
Matthew 13:23,  "But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."


Luke 8:14-16, "The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.  But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."

"Let Freedom Ring!"

Happy Independence Day everyone!  It isn't exactly how I pictured it: long weekend, BBQs, fireworks, parades, and iced tea.  Instead it was more like stuffy head, sleep for 2 days, urgent care, and hot tea!

The kids all came down with a cold this week (one by one) and I got it somewhere between # 2 and #3 and kept it long after #7 was done.  Mine wasn't 24 hrs., it has lasted almost 6 days and now is a sinus infection.  Bummer....I NEVER get sick....well almost never anyway. 


So the family is off enjoying the picnics and fireworks while I sit here disinfecting the house and reflect on what Independence Day means to me.  It of course means our freedom in America from British rule long ago.  It also means we are free as a country as we move through to the future.  I am so thankful for our corporate freedom that so many have bravely fought for and defend still today.  I am also thankful for my individual freedom from God to become the woman He wants me to become.  And feel especially blessed to be given the husband and children that help me get there.  (That husband of mine is one incredible daddy.  Let me tell you something....we make one heck of a team!


Two weeks ago we celebrated "Gotcha Day", a day adoptive families celebrate the finalization of their children's adoption.  We decided to do something completely different from our other family celebrations to make Micah and Mariah's day set apart.  So we went to eat Japanese Hibachi.  I always wanted to take the kids there and the chef did NOT disappoint, but had us all cracking up the entire time.  We were about 2 hours into our 3 hour meal when Shelby inhaled a piece of rice and it stuck in her windpipe.  She coughed and coughed until she dislodged it.   Then, she looked up to me with tears in her eyes and said, "Oh mommy, I think I peed!"  I checked her dress and sure enough she was dripping!  I rushed her to the bathroom where I realized that her resisting me to go potty in between those 2 adult Sprites had just caught up to the both of us.  (And it wasn't pretty!)  She had completely soaked her party dress and usually I would have had 2 changes of clothes for my child but.....you guessed it....I didn't have one this special day. 


I stood there staring at my butt naked child in the bathroom stall.  I had no options.  None!  I paced in circles.....I had NOTHING for her!  I told her to lock the stall door and not to open it and I would be right back.  I summoned her Daddy and somehow in our made-up-secret 'Team Chinlund' sign language communicated to him that Shelby was butt naked in the bathroom and he flew out the door to the nearest Toys R Us to buy her something to wear!  I waited with her until SUPERDADDY returned.  I opened the bag to find not one but two beautiful pink dresses and a package of princess panties! 

As I was getting her dressed I made sure she knew HE was the nicer of her parents, because I might have been tempted to get her something blue and not so cute....but not her Daddy....he is really the sweetest man on the face of this earth! 


We returned from the bathroom, joined our party and finished our dinner.  I was telling this story to a good friend just today and you know what?  It really was a great dinner!  Even with the crazy, unexpected, uhhhhh....glitch.  I thank God for my darling husband Michael.  He helps me to be the best that I can be and together we really are a great team.


(notice the new dress :)


So here is to the fireworks and smores and to all the Superdaddies that are grilling those hot dogs!  ....and God Bless America!!!