Sunday, November 3, 2024

God's Patterns

 

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: Isaiah 11:1 KJV

 Fractals— never heard of them until this fall. Fractal is a comparatively new term coined in 1975 by Benoit Mandelbrot. It's from Latin meaning broken or fractured. We've always seen fractals, we just didn't use that term. God used fractals in Creation.

Sunday, October 27, 2024

Prepared

 

 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: ~I Peter 5:8


Have you ever been to a reenactment? On the first weekend in October at Walnut Grove Plantation there is a reenactment of a revolutionary battle in which Bloody Bill Cunningham was killed. He massacred many patriots in the weeks before. No one seemed to know he was near Walnut Grove. The children were playing in the yard when the alarm sounded that the British were coming. People ran to get the children to safety. The British stormed the house where a patriot was being treated. Militia filled the yard along with British soldiers and a battle ensued.

What if no one warned the children? What would the enemy have done to them? The patriots didn’t just rush in and shoo the children to safety. They stood their ground and fought against the invaders. They didn’t just rush in untrained. There were sessions to drill the men in resisting the enemy. The children and wives were at the training drills as well. It was almost a social day. Everyone watched and prepared to meet the enemy. Even the little ones played militia games.

Have we trained ourselves in God’s Word to stand against the Devil? Are we training our little ones? Do we rush our little ones to safety and stand our ground in defense of our families and our country? As one of the men in the film “Courageous” says, “Where are we men of courage?” And might I add, “Where are we women of courage?”  The enemy walks about even now seeking whom he may devour. Our enemy is not the British. The enemy is Satan himself. He will devour our children, our homes, and our country if we are not vigilant in watching and training our children to watch as well. They innocently play while Satan uses every means available to reach into their hearts and minds to destroy.

Where does the enemy lurk? 
  • Do we need to change the TV channel often? 
  • Do we need to monitor the music our children hear? 
  • Do we need to monitor our children's social media and web history?
  • Are we having trouble finding modest clothes? 
  • Are the popular clothes covered with worldly or demonic symbols? 
  • Are we aware of the books our children read or have read them in school? 

Heavenly Father, help us be aware of the enemy surrounding our families. Show us how to live in the world but not be of the world. You have given us the most precious gift in our families. Help us defend it by being vigilant in training them to be aware of their surroundings and resist the devil's attempts to capture their hearts and minds. In Jesus's name. Amen 

Hey Kids:

One of the things I noticed when attending the Walnut Grove Reenactment was how the training was for the whole family and it seemed like a social event. How could you and your family participate in training to confront the enemy while still having fun as a social event?

At my church, we have a packing party for Samaritan's Purse. 
Every month we choose something for families to bring for shoeboxes. 
We store them until November.
Then we bring snack foods for a social event as we pack the boxes.

It's not just about toys and socks. We also teach others that the most important thing Samaritan's Purse will include in the boxes is a gospel booklet in the child's language. They get to bring the booklet to training sessions in their village or town. After the completion of the classes, the children receive a Bible in their language. Siblings, parents, aunts and uncles also benefit from the children's shoeboxes. The children take the gospel home to their families! 

Whole families and their communities become prepared to meet the enemy with the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Is your family prepared?

Sunday, October 20, 2024

Star of Wonder

photo courtesy of Allison Wofford 

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. ~Psalms 19:1


O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect Light.

Do you remember the old Christmas carol We Three Kings of Orient Are? It tells the story of the Wisemen following a star from the East to Jerusalem and then to the place where Jesus lived. They followed the star westward. This week, just after sunset, a comet hung in our western sky, just above the horizon (Tsuchinshan-ALTA). How amazing that the week before, the Northern Lights also graced our night skies, usually only visible through a camera lens. 

Ever since that first Christmas, the Lord has continued to remind us that He sent his only Son that who ever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. As with many things the message in the skies were hidden to most of the world that first Christmas. Many were probably too busy or asleep that they never bothered to look up. 

Even today we are so busy with our own private lives and troubles we often fail to look up. We fail to reach out to the One who knows the answers to our troubles, the One who created us all in His universe for His glory. We ignore His love and the messages He sends through His amazing skies, His wonderous forest, and His dry thirsty desserts. 

Heavenly Father, give us eyes to see what great things you have done and the love you desire to communicate to us. Thank you that you continually remind us and draw us to you, seeking our salvation for you are not willing that any should perish. In Jesus's name. Amen. 

Hey Kids:

I hope you were able to see the Northern Lights and the newly named comet.
I love night hiking where the city lights don't distract from the Lord's natural night lights.
By covering your flashlights with red cellophane you can see to walk and spot nocturnal animals. You will also be able to see the Milky Way and constellations. 
This fall is also the time for shooting stars. 
I hope you take a hike among the stars this beautiful fall season.