April 28, 2012
"There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:42
I love attending ladies events. What stay-at-home mom doesn't look for an excuse to dress nice, immerse herself in adult conversation, and enjoy a time of praise and worship without curtain-crawlers tugging at the hem of the aforementioned nice clothes?
But today I made a last-minute trade for time with my children at a lemonade stand over a ladies event hosted by my church. I do not condone boycotting all ladies events. Much prayer and planning and preparation go into these types of events; events which are meant to reach and inspire women in the faith.
Scripture tells us to encourage each other and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). But today as I drove away from a friend's house after having dropped off my children so that they could participate in a lemonade stand to raise money for Bibles--Bibles I will distribute in Africa with a missions team this summer--something felt gravely wrong. I glanced down to see myself wearing heels, stark-white pants and a nicely ironed shirt . . . while my friend sat in the hot sun with more than half a dozen children anxiously awaiting their first sale of juice.
What was I doing? What kind of message was I sending to my children? Let someone else do the work while I sit in a beautifully decorated, air-conditioned building sipping my tea listening to an inspirational message? I couldn't do it. There was only one thing worth being concerned about. My friend had discovered it and it will not be taken away from her. Though I love a good women's event, I knew what I had to do.
Risking disappointment from a few church friends and women from my Sunday school class, I drove straight home and changed into my grungy clothes. I returned to my friend's home, pulled up a chair beside her and the children, two of which were my very own, and settled in for the duration of the lemonade stand.
Let me say again that I believe there is a time and a place for women's events. We must encourage and build each other up in the Word of God. But when we choose listening to someone talk about faith over the chance to live out our faith, we must question whether we have become too complacent; whether we have exchanged conviction for comfort.
My actions today may seem a little crazy to some. But sometimes, crazy's fun.
And the tally from the lemonade stand? A whopping $125. Enough to buy 12 Bibles in Africa. Twelve Pastors; maybe 12 Widows; maybe 12 former Child Youth Soldiers; maybe, just maybe 2 Youth (ages 16-26) who will leave our conference equipped with 6 Bibles each, trained to lead Bible study in their own community.
Did I make the right decision today in trading a ladies event for lemonade?
Only eternity will tell.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
The Power of "J"
April 27, 2012
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:10-11
Did you know that when it comes time for a caterpillar to form a cocoon it attaches itself to a leaf (or as in our case, the top of a lid) and hangs upside down in the shape of a letter "J?" I had no idea! Not until the girls and I watched our fuzzy little guys (or gals) do so this week as part of our 1st grade science curriculum (amazing what you learn while homeschooling your kids!). I find myself awestruck by this seemingly insignificant detail for two reasons.
First, as I stand in front of our school shelf mesmerized by these creatures I capture a clear display of God's love for His Son. I imagine Creation went something like this. God said to Jesus, "I know! Let's make the caterpillar form the shape of a "J" as it prepares to enter the Pupa phase . . . You know, for your name, J-esus." And Jesus said, "Awe shucks Dad, really? Isn't that a little much?" "No way!" responded God. "I want the whole world to know how much I love You!"
God loved His Son SO MUCH that He enabled even the tiny caterpillar to bring glory to His Son's name.
But guess what?
God loves us as much as He loves His Son (John 17:23).
Hard to believe, isn't it?
Maybe God didn't cause Creation to form the first letter of your name. Instead, Scripture says that He writes your name on the palm of His hand (Isaiah 49:16). He rejoices over you in song (Zephaniah 3:17). His thoughts about you outnumber the grains of sand (Psalm 139:18).
God loves you so much He sent His Son to die for you, and for me. God's one and only Son. You know, the Son that He loves so much He causes the caterpillar to form the first letter of His name? God loves you that much.
The second thing which captivates me about our caterpillars is the symbolism they represent of a life transformed by the power of "J." The caterpillar enters the world as a hairy, multi-legged belly-crawler. Not much to look at. But once the caterpillar recognizes it's need for transformation, it grows still and allows the "J" to do its work. And out of the "J" emerges a beautiful creature; one who finds him (or her) self ready to fly.
We must each come to a point where we reach up and attach ourselves to Jesus. He invites us to come away with Him, into our own cocoon while He transforms us by His Word. And like the caterpillar, out of our cocoon will emerge a beautiful creature; one ready to soar on wings like eagles.
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:10-11
Did you know that when it comes time for a caterpillar to form a cocoon it attaches itself to a leaf (or as in our case, the top of a lid) and hangs upside down in the shape of a letter "J?" I had no idea! Not until the girls and I watched our fuzzy little guys (or gals) do so this week as part of our 1st grade science curriculum (amazing what you learn while homeschooling your kids!). I find myself awestruck by this seemingly insignificant detail for two reasons.
First, as I stand in front of our school shelf mesmerized by these creatures I capture a clear display of God's love for His Son. I imagine Creation went something like this. God said to Jesus, "I know! Let's make the caterpillar form the shape of a "J" as it prepares to enter the Pupa phase . . . You know, for your name, J-esus." And Jesus said, "Awe shucks Dad, really? Isn't that a little much?" "No way!" responded God. "I want the whole world to know how much I love You!"
God loved His Son SO MUCH that He enabled even the tiny caterpillar to bring glory to His Son's name.
But guess what?
God loves us as much as He loves His Son (John 17:23).
Hard to believe, isn't it?
Maybe God didn't cause Creation to form the first letter of your name. Instead, Scripture says that He writes your name on the palm of His hand (Isaiah 49:16). He rejoices over you in song (Zephaniah 3:17). His thoughts about you outnumber the grains of sand (Psalm 139:18).
God loves you so much He sent His Son to die for you, and for me. God's one and only Son. You know, the Son that He loves so much He causes the caterpillar to form the first letter of His name? God loves you that much.
The second thing which captivates me about our caterpillars is the symbolism they represent of a life transformed by the power of "J." The caterpillar enters the world as a hairy, multi-legged belly-crawler. Not much to look at. But once the caterpillar recognizes it's need for transformation, it grows still and allows the "J" to do its work. And out of the "J" emerges a beautiful creature; one who finds him (or her) self ready to fly.
We must each come to a point where we reach up and attach ourselves to Jesus. He invites us to come away with Him, into our own cocoon while He transforms us by His Word. And like the caterpillar, out of our cocoon will emerge a beautiful creature; one ready to soar on wings like eagles.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Will You Put a Bible in My Hand?
April 23, 2012
"People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4
I hate fundraising. Maybe "hate" is too strong of a word but I despise asking people for money. However, tell me that a woman, a child, even Pastors live without a copy of the very words of God, and I have no shame asking others for support.
In a few months I will travel with a team to Africa to teach at two discipleship conferences. Hearts will come, hungry for the Bread of Life. Women who have endured unimaginable acts against them. Children once forced to enlist as soldiers. Pastors struggling to lead congregations of faith amidst war-torn countries. Am I tugging at your heart strings? Good.
It is hard to comprehend the atrocities that happen half a world away (or often times, even in our own backyard). But just because I can't imagine these acts doesn't make any less real the hurt and pain others endure. In a world which proves highly unfair our only hope is the One who is unchanging, the One who is faithful every.single.time.
Would you help put a Bible in my hand, and in the hands of my teammates? How about 600 Bibles? Over the period of several weeks our team will minister to 100 women and Pastors. We will equip 100 youth--many of whom are former child soldiers--to lead Bible study amongst their peers. With your help each youth will receive 5 Bibles to share as they train up future disciples.
Often times we give money but never get to see our donation in action. This time its real. Your donation will go with me. Below is a picture of one of our teammates distributing Bibles at a previous conference.
Will you put a Bible in my hand that I may pass it onto another? E-mail me or visit www.equipdisciples.org for more information.
"People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4
I hate fundraising. Maybe "hate" is too strong of a word but I despise asking people for money. However, tell me that a woman, a child, even Pastors live without a copy of the very words of God, and I have no shame asking others for support.
In a few months I will travel with a team to Africa to teach at two discipleship conferences. Hearts will come, hungry for the Bread of Life. Women who have endured unimaginable acts against them. Children once forced to enlist as soldiers. Pastors struggling to lead congregations of faith amidst war-torn countries. Am I tugging at your heart strings? Good.
It is hard to comprehend the atrocities that happen half a world away (or often times, even in our own backyard). But just because I can't imagine these acts doesn't make any less real the hurt and pain others endure. In a world which proves highly unfair our only hope is the One who is unchanging, the One who is faithful every.single.time.
Would you help put a Bible in my hand, and in the hands of my teammates? How about 600 Bibles? Over the period of several weeks our team will minister to 100 women and Pastors. We will equip 100 youth--many of whom are former child soldiers--to lead Bible study amongst their peers. With your help each youth will receive 5 Bibles to share as they train up future disciples.
Often times we give money but never get to see our donation in action. This time its real. Your donation will go with me. Below is a picture of one of our teammates distributing Bibles at a previous conference.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)