Consider Job

 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Job 13:15a (NKJV)

Job is probably one of the least read books of the Bible but consider Job for just a moment.  He's living the American dream with a wife, ten children, a nice home, lots of cattle (that would be a bank account in our terms), and lots of servants. We know people who seem to live that life. We sometimes tend to be a little envious of them. But what if, like Job, everything was suddenly taken away?

Disaster struck and Job lost all his cattle. War took his wealth. We all have friends and family, maybe even ourselves who have lost jobs or homes or both. Some have even lost their comfortable lives because of war. 

Then a natural disaster, a great wind struck Job's children. They were all killed. Again, we or family or friends have experienced hurricanes, tornadoes, or fires. 

What more could Job have suffered? God allowed Satan to take Job's health. It's hard to watch someone suffering with their health and no one can help. 

Then Job's marriage took a nose dive. All these disasters affected his wife as well as Job. She was ready to just give up and die. No, more than give up, she told Job to curse God and die. But Job saw the bigger picture. He admonished his wife for foolish talk. He understood everything he had was a gift from God, his wealth, his children, his health, and his wife. 

Job understood that the grave wasn't the end. 

For I know that my Redeemer lives,

And He shall stand at last on the earth;

26 

And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,

That in my flesh I shall see God,

27 

Whom I shall see for myself,

And my eyes shall behold, and not another.

How my heart yearns within me!

Job 19: 25-27 NKJV

I see those who struggle with income disasters for one reason or another, yet their faith is strong.
I see those who have lost a child or children yet their faith is strong.
I see those who have lost their health yet their faith is strong.
I see those who struggle in their marriage yet their faith is strong.

How can they maintain their faith? Just as Job did. Their faith in Jesus as their Savior and Lord helps them face each day. They know that whether they live or die they are winners either way because Jesus has a place prepared for them that is better than anything they have seen or can imagine. I know that salvation as well. 

Heavenly Father, we know our lives are full of trouble and our days are in your hands. I thank You for the promise of eternal salvation because of the gift of Your Son who died in my place. Father, may I keep the faith until the whole world knows. In Jesus's name. Amen. 

For God so Loved

 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

I'll tell this the way it was told to me, though I am sure others would disagree with the story, surely no one will disagree with the message. So grab a candy cane and enjoy this sweet tale of Christmas with the whole family.

In the seventh century, when kings and queens declared and enforced the laws with the sword, a law was made that Christmas would no longer be celebrated. It broke the heart of an old candy maker who loved to see the smiles of children as they enjoyed his sweet Christmas treats. He also loved the telling of the Christmas story in churches and homes.  No one was allowed to own or read a Bible except the priests and now that was questionable under the rule of this queen. He wondered how this generation would grow up without the knowledge of Jesus if the laws forbade the telling of the story.

As the old candy maker locked his doors for the evening and knelt by his counter for prayer, the Lord gave him an idea. It was not illegal to make new kinds of candy and he knew just what kind of new candy he would make.

All night the candy maker tweaked his candy recipes to fit the story of Jesus. As the new day dawned he set out for his shop anxious to get a start on his new candy. He would start with pure white candy and spice it with peppermint. Then he would layer it with red candy, making a pattern of a wide red stripe and three thin red stripes. As he rolled and twisted the hardening candy, he sliced off lengths of candy and bent them into a crook at the top. The next day would be Christmas and he would be ready to share his Christmas story. 

As families entered his shop the next day with faces long and sad because of the canceled holiday, he offered them a new candy and an old story. "See this crook?" he said. "On a night long ago, shepherds stood on a hillside watching their flock by night. Angels announced the birth of a baby born to a virgin. The baby was pure and sinless like the white of this candy cane. His father is God the Father. The baby is the Son of God and He would give us the Holy Spirit." The old candy maker pointed to the three thin stripes going around the candy cane. "The baby was to be called Jesus." The candy maker turned the cane upside down, making the J. "The big red stripe," he said. "stands for the blood Jesus shed on Calvary for our sins. Taste the candy now children. The peppermint reminds us of the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus and the spices used to prepare His body for burial when He died upon the cross." The candy maker followed the large red stripe around the cane as he continued his story.  "His blood covers our sins and offers forgiveness. This, children, is the real story of Christmas, not the toys and candy, but the coming of the Savior of the world as a baby in a manger. Not just visited by shepherds and wise men but to be our Shepherd, who gives us eternal life in Christ."

The parents were grateful their children were able to hear the Christmas story that morning and take home a reminder of the true meaning of the season. 

Now, as you receive a candy cane, examine it for the three thin stripes, the large stripe, the taste of peppermint, and the pure white candy that makes the body of the cane. Turn it to make the J and the shepherd's crook. Now it's your turn to share the gift of Christmas with others. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your Son to die for our sins so that we may have eternal life through Jesus Christ. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Picture credit to Pixabay.com

Legend of The Candy Cane - Sacred Literature Ministries, Taylors, SC

Celebrate and Worship

 

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me:

 for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19:14

Children never cease to amaze me. The last week of school we celebrated Hanukkah and Christmas around the world. We compared the customs of other countries to the way we celebrate Christmas. We played dreidel games and used our five senses to enjoy the sweet smells and tastes of Christmas. 

On the last day, we traced and cut stars, adding streamers and handles for our parade. One of our teachers is from the Philippines, so we decided to do a Filipino parade, winding through the classroom singing and searching for the Christ child. I had placed our cradle and one of the baby boys from our home living center in a corner at the front of the classroom. Nothing had changed about the look of the baby or the cradle. 

The children knew that a Filipino parade was to symbolize the wise men looking for the Christ child. As the parade came to an end, the children began to squeal and kneel down. "The baby Jesus! The baby Jesus!" There had been no prompting for their exclamations. I understood then, the wonder and worship in a child's heart.

Thinking back about the things I observed this Christmas with the children I remember how they refused to visit Santa, how they cried just seeing a man dressed in red sitting on the stage. There was no thrill or wonder for these four-year-olds but when they traveled with their stars and came to a cradle manger there was wonder and amazement. There was joy. There was faith that the Christ child was given for us that first Christmas. 

Heavenly Father, may we all see Christmas with the eyes of a child this year, fresh eyes of faith and wonder, at the child who was given to save us from our sins. In Jesus's name, we pray. Amen

Hanukkah and Christmas

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. John 10:22,23

What does the feast of dedication have to do with Christmas? Could it be that we wouldn't have Christmas if there had not been a Hanukkah? 

I'm certainly not an authority on Hanukkah but I think I have a grasp on the gist of the story. Really everything in Jewish history has an effect on Christmas. If Adam and Eve had not sinned in the garden there would have been no need for Christmas or Calvary. It all started at the Beginning. God told Eve that it would be her seed that would bruise Satan's head and that Satan would bruise His heel.

All through history, Satan has tried to destroy God's people so Christmas would never come. Think about Abraham and Isaac. Imagine an old man over 100 years old, tying up a teenager to offer the teen as a burnt sacrifice. Isaac could have easily broken away and run like crazy. But no, Isaac was obedient to his father, even as Jesus was obedient to His Father, even unto death. God spared Isaac's life because he couldn't die for our sins. But the Father did not spare His only Son. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Without God's love, there would be no Christmas. 

Think about Esther. God put her through tragic events to make her the queen who would save her people. If Haman had won, the Jews would have been destroyed. There would have been no special people to receive God's Son. There would be no Christmas.

Think about Hanukkah. The Greeks had come in to change the culture of the Hebrews to the Greek culture, language and religion. A pig was sacrificed on the temple altar. The brave family of the Maccabees fought for Israel and the temple. They cleansed the temple but there was only enough oil to light the lamp for one night. It would take a week to make more oil. They demonstrated their faith and love by reclaiming the temple and lighting the lamp. God demonstrated His love and power by keeping the lamp burning for eight days while the oil was being made.
What would have happened if the Maccabees had not reclaimed the temple? The religion of the true God would have been destroyed. There would have been no Christmas.

Think about King Herod's attempt to kill the baby Jesus by killing all the children under two years old. If Joseph had not listened to God and taken Jesus to Egypt, there would have been no Calvary, no sacrifice for our sins. There would be no salvation. 

Even to this day, Satan attempts to end Christianity. Satan knows his time is short. No matter what we see on the news, be reassured, God is not dead nor doth He sleep. He is in control. God wins. There is forgiveness and salvation because there is Christmas. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for overthrowing every plan of Satan from the beginning. Thank you for placing each person, Abraham, Isaac, Esther, the Maccabees, and Joseph in the right place at the right time. Father, we know you have placed each of us here for such a time as this. May we be like those who were obedient to you even in the face of death. In Jesus's name. Amen. 

A Christmas Wish

 

Have you started any new traditions with your family this year? My daughter-in-law and her family celebrate what they call The Twelve Days of Nativity. Her grandmother left a wish to share the gospel through the nativity. Each year they are trying to fulfill that wish. They bought 2 nativity sets. One is for an elderly widower in our church. The other is for a family not currently in church. Each day a piece of the nativity set and corresponding scripture is secretly left at the home of the family being gifted. The gifts are secret until the last gift, then the giver reveals themself usually with an accompanying Christmas card. I thought it was such a wonderful idea that I would share it with you. 

You may begin any time during December. If you begin early, the family will have the complete nativity set to enjoy and remind them of the true meaning of Christmas during the days leading up to Christmas.  If your family and friends celebrate the coming of the wise men in January, you may want to time the gifting so that the shepherds come on Christmas and the wise men come later. A third option may be to finish the gifting on Christmas Eve. 

You should be able to copy and print the scriptures from this post or paste them into a document that you can save from year to year. 

Day 1 - With this first passage send the empty stable.

Luke 2

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

Day 2 - Send Joseph.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

Day 3 - Send Mary.

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Day 4 - Send the baby Jesus in the manger. 

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Day 5 - Send sheep.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Day 6 - Send an angel(s).

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Day 7 - Send 1 shepherd.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Day 8 - Send another shepherd.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Day 9 Send first wise man.

Matthew 2

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Day 10 - Send the second wise man.

4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Day 11 -  Send the third wise man. 

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

Day 12 - Send representations of the three gifts. 

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

If your nativity sets contain camels or donkeys, you may want to send them on Day 9 and end with the third wise man especially if the wise men are already carrying their gifts. 

My daughter in law is having a great deal of fun hearing her friend try to figure out who is sending the gifts and why.

Blessings on this and every Christmas,

A special thank you to the family of

 Agnes Chapman (November 30, 1937- December 4, 2014)

for sharing her Christmas wish with us. 

Heavenly Father, it was Mrs. Chapman's wish to share the gospel through the giving of the nativity sets. May we all be more aware of the reason for this season. You gave your only Son to be the sacrifice for our sins and the sins of all who would ask His forgiveness. Thank you for giving us the very best gift, the gift of the Savior. In Jesus's name we pray. Amen. 

The Miracle of Thanksgiving

   

O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. ~Psalms 105:1

You know the picture in our minds we all get of the Indian brave who walks into the Pilgrim village in the spring of 1621 to show the Pilgrims how to plant corn, and beans, and pumpkin? Wasn’t his name Squanto? Or didn’t anyone ever tell you about Squanto?

Thankful

 

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13 KJV

We always say, "Thank a vet. Pray for our veterans." But do we accompany those thanks and prayers with actions?

Several years ago, a teacher in our district asked his students to make Christmas cards for veterans in a VA hospital. I believe it was his dad who was willing to take the cards to the hospital. Over the years, this one small request turned into the whole school making cards. Now the entire district sends thousands of cards each year to veterans who otherwise may not receive any other Christmas wishes. There are even opportunities for parents to sign cards at school events. Some of the cards go to veterans' hospitals nearby. One of our veterans makes an annual trip to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC to deliver cards. 

Men and women in veterans hospitals may be far away from family and friends and find themselves alone during the holiday season. Cards from students and their families can mean a lot. Jesus said if we have done it unto the least of these our brethren, we have done it unto Him.

Parents, you may want to investigate the address of a veterans' hospital or visit one if you live nearby. Another idea may be to send cards to someone who is currently serving overseas and won't be able to be with family this year. Your Sunday School class, scouts, home school association or other groups may want to join the mission. 

Thank you to all who serve and who have served.

Families, we thank you for the ones who not only served but willingly gave their lives for our freedom. 

Heavenly Father, we thank You for those who were and are willing to serve to protect our freedom. Father, we thank You that you gave us Your Son to not only show us how to serve others but who willingly gave His life for our eternal salvation. In Jesus's name, we pray. Amen.

Hey Kids

Here is one idea for making a veteran a Christmas card. 

Making cards are fun and easy. 

Fold a piece of paper in half.

Open the card and write your message before you decorate. Include your favorite Bible verse.
Close the card. Draw a large triangle on the front of the card. 

Put a small amount of glue in the triangle. 

Crumple small scraps of green tissue paper and place them on the glue to make a 3D Christmas tree design. 

Stick colored foil stars to the tissue paper tree. 

Change it up any way your artist's inclinations lead you.

You may not know who received your card, but Jesus sees and is thankful you were willing to bring the message of Christ and Christmas to someone. 

Prayer for the Millions

 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. 

~Mark 14:38 NIV 

A friend reminded me that 2000 years ago, the same moon that shines down tonight, shined down on a garden called Gethsemane near Jerusalem. Twelve men, Jesus and eleven of His disciples came there after the Passover supper to pray. Jesus asked His disciples to watch and pray that they not enter into temptation.  Jesus went a little farther, about a stone's throw away, and began to pray. 

As Jesus prayed, He began to sweat great drops of blood, so much so that it ran down and fell on the ground. He prayed for the death sentence upon Him to be removed, but only if it were the Father's will. No one wants to die, but no doubt Jesus had seen the agony and torture of a crucifixion. Even more than the crucifixion was the burden of the punishment for our sins that was upon him. He loved the Father and He loved us. He was willing to die that death if there was no other way to save us. You see, Jesus has also seen the torture and agony in the pits of hell that lasts far longer than a crucifixion. Hell lasts for all eternity.  

When Jesus returned to His disciples, they were asleep. He woke them up and asked again that they pray. The second time He found them asleep and woke them. The third time, He let them sleep. He knew the men and officers from the chief priests were on their way with Judas. The agony was just beginning. 

At this Thanksgiving season, have we taken the time to ponder what really happened over 2000 years ago? We're busy cooking, visiting, and eating Grandma's special dishes; stuffing ourselves into sleepy obliviousness. Have we allowed ourselves to be lulled to sleep while Jesus agonizes over souls that daily are going into the pits of hell? When is the last time we have agonized over lost friends and loved ones, over countries and nations, peoples and races? Jesus asks us to stay awake and pray so we don't enter into temptation, the temptation to just let life go on as normal. 

Heavenly Father, help us not forget the millions who are lost, who are fighting for their survival, who have never heard the gospel. Help us not forget You have commanded us to go into all the world and preach the gospel. We know you do not intend for us to leave anyone out, friend or enemy, Jew or Gentile. Help us remember the Pilgrims came here to freely worship the Lord. They reached out to Native Americans and later to others who settled here, both Jew and Gentile, black and white, all with whom they came in contact. Help us Lord to look around us and share the Gospel with all those You put in our path. In Jesus's name. Amen.

The Apple Butter Church

  

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts 2:41 KJV

The apples are in so apple butter is in the making. It's really quite simple when you have the right tools. I use a crank apple peeler. I can crank out a 1/2 bushel of apples in about an hour. Try hand-peeling that many and see how long it takes. I have a large turkey roaster that holds my apples. It will cook a 1/2 bushel of apples into apple butter while I sleep. The next day, all I need to do is put it in the jars. The apple peeler will take out the core, peel the apple, and slice it into rings all at the same time. I use a large variety of apples so the mixture brings out the best apple flavors. Winesaps and Cameos are my favorites. I also added Mutsu, Golden Delicious, Fuji, and maybe a Gala or two. Add a little apple pie spice and sugar, and a few splashes of apple cider, and the apples have a new purpose, the makings of great homemade apple butter.

I was thinking about how we tell the kids about the salvation transformation with pumpkins, taking out the yucky stuff and putting the light inside to shine through the smiling face. That put me to thinking about apple butter and the church. Apples have a core with seeds. The seeds contain a cyanide compound. It won't hurt us to eat the seeds. A person would have to eat a tremendous amount to cause harm but our mothers told us apple seeds were poison. We take out the core before we make apple butter.

We have a core that has to be removed before we can become a Christian. That core will kill us if left inside. You know I'm talking about our sinful heart. We have to allow Jesus to cleanse us of our sins if we want to be saved. That's the first step in becoming part of a church. Just as a rotten apple would spoil the whole batch so an unsaved person will spoil the witness of the whole church.

The appearance of an apple has to change before it becomes apple butter. The peel has to be removed. Leaving it on would add a tough consistency to the butter.  It has to become soft, sweetened, and spiced to have the right smell and taste. It needs to be cooked on low for several hours to get the tenderness and consistency needed to create great butter.

What do you think we might need to be a great church? With salvation, our tough exterior will come off. We become the tender-hearted, loving person that desires to be like Jesus. We become part of a church where we can become that sweet odor of God to the world. Our lives are spiced with the truth of God's word. We are warmed to the things of God. We mix with others who may be of other races and cultures to create a wonderful mix that is able to reach out to a lost world, telling them, once, we too were lost but now we're saved. Once, we too were tough guys who didn't need help. Once, our attitudes stunk, but with Jesus, we have a new life, a new attitude, and a new purpose.

Good apple butter is the best mix of apples. Just put it on a little homemade bread and see how delectable it is. Apple butter on a foundation of homemade bread, that's another analogy in the making. Got it? The church on our foundation, Jesus Christ the Bread of Life.

Heavenly Father, may those who do not yet know You, allow You to take away their sinful core, their heart that poisons their spirit. Father, replace it with your sweet savor. Mix them into Your church built on the foundation of Your Son, Jesus Christ, so that the world may know Your plan of eternal salvation. In Jesus's name, I pray. Amen 

Hey Kids:

Apple butter can be as easy as pie. If mom has an apple peeler, ask if you can help crank it. 

Wash and peel about 12 apples.

If you don't have an apple peeler, have an adult peel the apples. 

Slice the apples into small pieces with a plastic picnic knife. 

Place the apples in a crock pot.

Add about 1 cup of apple cider, juice or water.

Add 2 cups of sugar (optional)

Stir in 2 1/2 tsp of apple pie spice.

Place the lid on the crock pot and turn it on low overnight. Stir once in a while, especially in the morning until the apples have cooked down to the consistency you desire.

Sterilize 4-6 jelly glasses (1/2 pint jars)

Spoon apple butter into glasses.

Bring to a boil in a water bath and boil for 5 minutes.

If you don't have a water bath, place several table knives in the bottom of a large pot. Place the jars on top of the knives so they don't touch the bottom of the pot. Cover with water and boil the same way as with a water bath.

Prepared for Battle

 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 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 clothes that are modest? 
• Are the popular clothes covered with worldly or demonic symbols? 
• Are we aware of the books our children are reading or having read to them in school? 

Heavenly Father, help us be aware of the enemy surrounding our families. Show 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 

Learning to Fish

Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  ~Matthew 4:19

When I was a child I loved to go fishing with my dad. He had a V-bottom boat that we took to the lakes around our state; Lake Greenwood, Lake Hartwell, Santee, and others. There was a pond near our house. My brothers and I would take our fishing poles down to the pond during the lazy days of summer. We learned to dig worms and thread them on our hooks. We learned to hook a minnow just under the spine so it didn't slip off. We learned to wait patiently for the fish to drag our bobber under the water before snatching out our catch. Now my sons teach their children to bait a hook, feel the tug of the line, and reel in their catch. We were an "eat what you catch" family when I was growing up but my boys are catch and release. One son has his own flyfishing business. 

I could never see the point in catch and release until I thought about Jesus telling his disciples he would make them fishers of men. Jesus wanted to teach his disciples to tell others about the message of salvation but he didn't want them to just sit on the mountainside or hold up in a monastery when they became believers. He wanted believers to go and tell others, to become fishers of men. That's a gospel version of catch and release. 

Before you fish you have to learn how to bait the hook, how to cast the line, how to feel the tug or watch the bobber. When you fish you have to give the fish something they want - the worm or the minnow. How can we prepare to offer the gospel to the people we meet? 

• Prayer
• Bible study
• Assurance that you are a believer
• Allowing others to demonstrate how to approach others with the gospel

What can we offer the person we meet? Maybe they need help or maybe they are looking for peace. When we were on mission trips to Nicaragua we saw lots of hungry people. We fed them. It's easier to listen when we have full stomachs. Sadly in the winter, we see people who have lost their homes to fire or in summer to a tornado. When we see people who have encountered a tragedy. We can try to offer help, do they need clothes, or water, or some other immediate need. Before we can give people the gospel we must first try to meet their immediate need. 

But first, we must meet our immediate need. 

• Does your church offer a discipleship class?
• Do you have a daily routine of prayer and Bible study?
• Do you have others who will go with you when you witness to others?
• Do you have a personal message of salvation to share with others?

Jesus said, Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. Are you willing to gather the things you need to be a fisher of men? Fishing is one of the most enjoyable things I know. 

Heavenly Father, teach us to be fishers of men. Help us be willing to learn by following you. In Jesus's name. Amen. 

 

Worldviews in Children's Literature

 We often recognize stories as having a beginning, middle, and end but do we recognize the smaller points of the Gospel, the pointing to God in literature and storytelling?

The Beginning: What happens in the beginning? The characters are introduced so we know who to look for in the story. The Main Character is introduced with flaws. This character's flaw(s) will lead us to the conflict, the struggle in the story. Fairy tales, picture books, children's books, and novels all contain the flaws of the main character. We relate to this character because we too are not without flaws.

• Red Riding Hood - disobedient to mom, talks to stranger
• Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle- poor diet, overeating
• Owl Moon by Jane Yolen - immaturity is implied
• Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder - disobedient to parents, sneaking breaking cultural norms
• Code of Silence by Tim Shoemaker - lies
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The Middle: Here in the middle the consequences of the flaw begin to show themselves. The turmoil and struggle to overcome those consequences.

• Little Red Riding Hood - confronted by the wolf in Grandma's bed
• Very Hungry Caterpillar - becomes sick and tries to fix his problem by eating well
• Owl Moon - The child puts a hand over his mouth to keep any noise from escaping.
• Little House in the Big Woods - spanking
• Code of Silence - teens are confronted with life-threatening consequences if the truth is told.
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The End: In the end, the main character has overcome the struggle. There is a new person with a new vision in the end.

• Red Riding Hood - the woodcutter (Jesus) enters the scene to kill the wolf (Satan) with Red's realization implying that disobeying and talking to strangers can cause her and others to become entangled in dire consequences. She and Grandma are thankful for the woodcutter.
• Very Hungry Caterpillar - the caterpillar must become a cocoon (die to self) and become a new creature never to return to its old way of life (salvation).
• Owl Moon - the child receives a slight shush from the father but is warmly invited into a conversation after the "hunt" signifying the child has matured, has become "grown-up" like brothers.
• Little House in the Big Woods - Father tans his own jacket as well as that of the boys. A picture that we all suffer the consequences of our sins, sometimes because we choose to impose legalism instead of God's love.
• Code of Silence - there is far less consequences when we tell the truth.

Perhaps as we read to our children beginning at that very young age we can begin to point out more than just the beginning, middle, and end. There is so much more to the story, so many twists and turns just as there is in our lives. It takes a dire consequence to wake up the characters in the books to make a change. Even if that consequence is just missing out on a hunting trip until they are mature enough to follow the rules. It takes a wake-up call to our sins for us to see the need to change and let Jesus have charge. Beginning to show an author's purpose opens the doors to our children's understanding of the gospel.

Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. Psalms 119:160

Heavenly Father, please teach me to view everything through the eyes of the gospel so I am not deceived by the ideas of man. Let my mind be renewed with the truth of your word. In Jesus's name. Amen.