Wondrous Water

 

And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. Genesis1:7

Eight times in the first nine verses of Genesis, the word water or waters appears. One of my Bible Study students mentioned that her "aha" moment this week was the often-mentioned water in the creation, since the Holy Spirit is often symbolized by water. 

I'd never really thought of water in the creation like that! All three of the Trinity were present at the time of creation. God said, "Let us make man in our image." But here was the water covering everything, as the Spirit covers our lives and controls our thoughts and actions if we know the Lord and allow Him to control as we should. Here, the water was above and below, saturating the universe with life. Yes, life, because without water we cannot live, and without the Holy Spirit we have no eternal life. 

The image above helps me think of the beginning of the world. The clouds above and the water beneath, both in motion yet controlled and purposeful. The tides to cleanse the ocean and more. The clouds moved by the winds to move great ships, bring more water in rains, and more. All working in tandem for God's purposes. 

There is so much the Creation can teach us about God and His eternal purpose if we will only stop and take the time to notice, if we will study and share, if we will listen to God speaking to our hearts through His creation and His word. 

Our Bible Study uses the S.O.A.P. method. 

• Scripture
• Observation
• Application
• Prayer

Read a chapter and write down the verse that seems to jump out.

Write down what you observe about the passage

Write how it applies to you.

Pray and ask God to help you apply this truth to your life.

What will you study and share this week? 

Heavenly Father, help me pay attention to the wondrous things of your creation. May I study your word and understand how you bless us and teach us through the creation we so often fail to notice. Thank you for all your marvelous ways. In Jesus' name. Amen.

An 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, backgrounds, 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. The foundation of the church, 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. In the morning, remove the lid, stir once in a while 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 and Vigilant

 

 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? Every October Walnut Grove Plantation has 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 long before the enemy attacked. 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? 

• Should we change the TV channel often? 
• Should we monitor the music our children hear? 
• Should we 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?

If My People

 

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land. ~II Chronicles 7:14 KJV

Many people have prayed, I among them, and agonized over the condition of our country. Several spiritual leaders have passed in the last few weeks, Charlie Kirk and Voddie Baucham to name a few.  As Erika Kirk has demonstrated, now is not the time to lay down our armor and grieve, on the contrary, there is yet much work to do and prayers to be prayed. 

One of the things the Lord has laid on my heart is a return to reading God's word—not just reading but studying it so that we know how to humble ourselves and pray for God's forgiveness and direction for our nation.

This week I offer a short reading on which you can easily expand, a thought and a prayer for each day. This is a great time to start reading and studying our Bibles in preparation of humbling ourselves to give true Thanksgiving for all God's blessings on our families and our nation. 

Monday Reading:
      Exodus 36:5,6 The people were so excited about the work of the Tabernacle that they brought more than was needed. Moses had to give a command to stop bringing things for the Tabernacle.

What a wonderful situation to find ourselves in. When has the offering ever been too much? When has a congregation been so excited about God's work that they had to be told their gifts were enough?

Heavenly Father, at this season of Thanksgiving, may our thankfulness for all you have done be demonstrated in the enthusiasm we show in working for Your kingdom. May Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Tuesday Reading
       Exodus 37:1, 10, 25, 29 These verses demonstrate the responsibilities of Bezaleel. God chose him to do a mighty work but he is actually an unknown figure. His faithfulness to his calling has affected the understanding and worship of God for millions of people for thousands of years.

Can others look at my work and see my faithfulness to God's calling? Is my faithfulness or lack thereof affecting others? Surely everything we do affects others.

Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me a work to do. Help me to be faithful to Your calling regardless of how much or how little credit I receive. You must increase and I must decrease. Be glorified, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday Reading:
      Exodus 38:8 The women brought their brass mirrors to make the brass laver, a place for the priests to wash their hands. Have you ever noticed women when they pass a mirror, even in a store? We have to stop and check ourselves.  Beautiful hair, clothes, and make-up can all be a mess if a woman doesn't have a mirror to check herself. The women of Israel gave their most prized possession. They humbled themselves before God, putting aside their vanity for the building of the place of worship.

Heavenly Father, please open my eyes to the things I put before worship, before praise, before witnessing. Help me to humble myself for Your work. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Thursday Reading:
       Exodus 39: 18. The names of the tribes of Israel covered the priest's heart and his shoulders bore the weight.

Are God's people on my heart? Are the lost on my heart? Do I have a burden for people or do I just complain about the situation?

Heavenly Father help me carry a burden for repentance among Your people and a burden to see the lost saved. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Friday Reading:
      Exodus 40:34. The people had followed God's directions. They had set up the tabernacle in God's order and He had descended on it. He guided their way day and night.

When our lives are clean God abides and directs our way. When we allow sin to enter in the Spirit departs until our lives are clean-forgiven. I John 1:9. We cannot do a work for God if we harbor sin .

Heavenly Father, direct my path that I might walk in Your way. May my life be pleasing unto You. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Traps - Your Present Doesn't Have To Be Your Future

 

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. I Corinthians 6:11

This week has been filled with pain yet filled with hope. We had no idea what the future held. Out of the death of Charlie Kirk has come the hope and fires of a worldwide revival. As hard as it was to accept Charlie Kirk's assination, I thanked the Lord He has allowed me to live, and see this revival. 

When I was visiting in a hospice center, I stepped out on the deck.  There sat the biggest writing spider I have ever seen. She hung beside the downspout and made squiggles down the middle of her web as she positioned herself to look like another flower. Surrounding the downspout were purple coneflowers, day lilies, black-eyed Susans, and butterfly bushes planted in mounds along a split rail fence. Bluebird houses and birdfeeders lined the fence. Hardwood trees of every description brought shade just on the other side. The spider paused to attract her morning meal of bees or butterflies or a juicy grasshopper. Patiently she waited. She had put the handwriting on the wall for some unsuspecting bug.

When I was a kid our parents and grandparents told us if a writing spider wrote a name in a web that person would die! Nearly scared us to death. Every time we saw a writing spider we checked close to make sure she hadn’t written our name. Writing spiders were nearly as good as ghost stories for a good scare or tea cup fortunes to tell us the future. Somehow  adults aren't as interested in their futures as children. We adults tend to live for the present.  

The world puts forth its attractions, spinning a web to catch the unsuspecting; giving us the line that “It doesn’t get any better than this”. The unsuspecting cannot see the handwriting on the wall that says “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” Daniel 5:27.

However there is a way to escape the web weaved to deceive. Jesus says “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6). When we repent of our sins and turn from the world to Jesus Christ, He writes our names in His book. Now, THERE is the place to see your name written. Revelations 21:27 says, “And there shall in no wise enter into it (heaven) any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they (the saved) which are written in the Lamb’s book of life."

So how about you? Has Jesus written your name in His book? Maybe you think you are beyond hope. That’s another trap of the world. I Corinthians 6:9,10 names some of the traps the world lays for us, but it doesn’t end there. Read on to verse 11. “And such WERE some of you:” Your present doesn’t have to be your future. 

Hey Kids

Have you watched a spider spin a web?
Maybe you’ve read The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle.

Have you noticed the animal that kept hanging around the web when the other animals left? What happened?

Look around your yard this week for spider webs. Stop and observe for a little while.

What can the spider teach you about hanging out in the wrong place or with the wrong friends?

Father, help us to be aware of the traps the world offers and may each of us turn to your Son to find our secure future.  In Jesus' name. Amen.

             

Spiders

And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. ~ Acts 7:60

I kept seeing a Wolf Spider around my carport door. Spiders are creepy, especially these SC wolf spiders. They're big and hairy. They move fast. This one always skittered away before I could step on it. Finally, it was a little slower than usual, and I nailed it with one big stomp. Baby spiders exploded out everywhere on the carport. I was dodging baby spiders in all directions! I had no idea this species of spiders carried their babies on their abdomens. Killing one just released the babies to spread. They're actually helpful hunters. But to me, that's just more spiders to watch for and dodge everytime I go out the door. 

When the church first began there was great persecution. A deacon named Stephen was such an effective witness, the leaders of the Jews and the high priest wanted to accuse him of blasphemy. The penalty was stoning. Stephen was led outside the city. A young man, Saul of Tarsus, who was a well trained Pharisees held the coats of the men while they stoned Stephen. 

Stephen's final words as he kneeled down was a prayer to Jesus not to lay this sin to their charge. Then he "fell asleep". He died. It didn't seem to affect any participating in the stoning. It seemed to make Saul more adamant in persecuting Christians, but in reality, Jesus was working on his heart. Jesus was convicting him of his own sin. On the road to Damascus to persecute more Christians, Saul saw a blinding light and heard Jesus speak to him. Saul became the Apostle Paul who brought the gospel to the Gentile world. Though the Jewish leaders including Saul had meant evil toward Stephen, God used it for good to spread the gospel. 

Just like the spider, they can't stop the gospel. There are many already training to reach the world. Pray for those who don't yet know Jesus as Savior. Pray for those who try to stop the Gospel even with deadly persecution both in our country and around the world. Pray for families who need strength in the trying days ahead. 

Heavenly Father, may we have the courage of Stephen to continue to witness of Jesus even in the face of death. We know that like the spider, when one is persecuted, even unto death, there are hundreds more already trained to proclaim the gospel. May Your kingdom come, and Your will be done. In Jesus's name. Amen.

 

I Am The Clay

 

But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter;  we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8 (ESV)

Do you have a piece of pottery in your home? I don't mean a dollar store coffee cup. I'm talking about a piece of pottery that is handmade by someone. I have a little bowl my oldest son made when he was in elementary school. I can see the size of his little fingers where he squished the bowl into shape. His initials are scratched on the bottom.  He brought it home as a gift, probably for Mother's Day. It may not be much to look at, but it holds the paperclips on my desk. It does its job, and to me it's priceless. 

When he went off to college, he met a girl majoring in something far different than art, but she took a pottery class as an elective. She is now a professional potter. Her work is amazing, very unlike the child-made bowl on my desk. Her work is unique. I can see the ridges her fingers made as she turned the pieces on her wheel. I asked her about the process of bringing her pottery to the finished product. 

She explained that clay doesn't need to cure, just dry, which could be between two days and two weeks before it is fired in the kiln. In the first firing, called the bisque, the pottery is heated to 1800 degrees. After the pottery is glazed, it goes through another firing at 2000 degrees. This firing takes between eight and nine hours. The pots shrink 10% during firing. She sometimes fires a third time if something needs to be fixed. I'm thinking she means fixed as in the glaze. 

She often names her pieces according to the way she glazed them. The mug shown here is a mountain view. It was a gift because she knew how much I love the mountains. The saucer under the mug is my favorite muffin plate. It was one of her first works. It's nothing like the saucers she makes now, but I love it. 

Have you ever turned a piece of pottery over and noticed it's not glazed on the bottom? There's a secret about the unglazed area. Regardless of the use of the pottery, the bottom can be used to sharpen knives. Just a little kitchen magic for you there. 

Isaiah compares God to a potter. God fashions each of us for a unique job. We are all different in our appearance. Even identical twins have different fingerprints.  Some of us may feel a little misshapen by the world's standards, but like my son's little bowl, we are priceless in God's eyes. The Lord knows each of us by name and we are created with a special purpose. 

The Lord's fashioning of our lives is not a hands-off process. He shapes us and molds us and often times puts us through the fire, maybe more than once. No one is too young or too old, too sinful or too messed up for God to make them into what He has planned them to be. 

Ephesians 6 tells us to put on the whole armor of God. When we put on the armor, the head and front are covered, but the back is still open. Of course, God's got our back, but I'm wondering if, like the glazed pottery, our most vulnerable side is another part God will use. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for creating me for a special work. Thank you for leading me to know your salvation and plan. Father, please continue to guide me and use me for Your unique purpose. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Communicating with Our Children

 

That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: Psalms 78:6,7

It's back to school. The kids come home and you ask, "How was school today?" 

And the answer is, "Fine."

Do you feel like your children just don't want to tell you or are they answering like we often do when someone says, "How are you?"

Here are some suggestions to get a conversation going.

• What did you do today that was fun?
• What was hard today?
• What was your best class? Why?
• Did you read any good stories?
• What are you studying in history? science?

All of these questions and more lead into conversations with your children that will help you engage with their education. Even if you're homeschooling, these can be worthwhile questions to see where your children's interest lie.

Let their answers tell you what to share about your experiences with your children. Suppose they say they had fun at recess. Next question," What did you do?" It's not likely they played jump rope or hopscotch or red rover, but maybe you did. Share those experiences. Teach them how to play those games and recite those jump rope rhymes.

If fractions were hard, pull out the measuring cups and spoons and ask them to help you make cookies or supper. Then show them how you use fractions. Money is another good way to teach fractions. Pour out the change jar and let them sort and count the money discovering what makes up the parts of a whole dollar. 

Maybe music was the best class. Ask about what they are singing and share songs you remember from childhood like Eating Goober Peas, or The Erie Canal. 

Are they reading Little House on the Prairie? Go explore a nearby antique shop or the basement if you happen to have family antiques. Subjects like reading, history, and science are always more meaningful if children can put their hands on what they are reading about. 

Are their historical parks in your area? Do they put on demonstrations? In my area, there is American Indian Days at Haygood Mill, reenactments at Cowpens Battlefield and Walnut Grove. What about your family history? Did your ancestors follow the wagon road down the mountains to settle southern Appalachia or were they already there to meet the pioneers? Did they come over on slave ships? Did they go with the wagon trains to settle the west? Were they stowaways on ships? Are they new immigrants who are fleeing harsh homelands? Let your children know and then tell them how good God has been to your family during the tough times as well as the good. 

Do your children enjoy science or need encouragement to study harder? Visit farms, orchards, festivals, planetariums, museums. The Creation Museum is close by for most of the east coast located in Kentucky. The Institute of Creation"s museum is opening in September located in Texas. 

As the holidays approach make sure your children are aware they can share the true meaning of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter at school. 

Heavenly Father, keep us in the middle of our children's lives, especially their education. Help us have conversations that implant You Lord, in our children's hearts and daily life. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Hey Kids: '

What's this school year like? 

Dig deeper into things that interest you most. Let your parents know so they can share their experiences with you. 

Did you know that everything in life is tied to every subject? 

Maybe math is your best subject but history is kind of okay. You will need to read well to learn about the best mathematician - Einstein. In the process, you will learn the history of how he struggled as a kid and why he needed to flee his homeland. Einstein was also a scientist. Look, we've already covered every subject in school just because you like math!

Maybe you liked to reading The Drinking Gourd. To really understand it you may need to talk with your grandparents, visit an antique shop, a farm or a National Park to see how harsh life was during that time period. Math and science will come in handy to know slaves navigated by the stars. Now you've already used all the subjects from school.

Don't leave your parents out of your adventures. They have lots to share as well and may the Lord lead you in this new school year. 

 

Under God

 

For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?

 And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?

 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons; Deuteronomy 4;7-9

We've all recited the Pledge of Allegiance and we are often reminded of the words "one nation, under God" but have you considered that you and I are one person under God? We want our nation to recognize God, but are we recognizing Him in our daily lives? 

In Deuteronomy 4,5 Moses is recounting how God gave the children of Israel the Ten Commandments. He is reminding them of how they promised God to obey His laws. The Israelites had heard the voice of God, the thundering and lightning, the smoke on the mountain, but they were afraid, so God had Moses go up on the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments. When Moses left, the people forgot their promise. By the time Moses came down in just forty short days, they were worshipping a golden calf! They had completely lost their fear of God. 

Where are we today? Are we not a nation so great with God so nigh in all the things we call upon Him for? Are not our statutes and judgments and laws righteously based on God's Ten Commandments? Have we failed to take heed? Have we forgotten all the things we have seen that God has brought us through? Have we failed to teach our children and our grandchildren? 

I won't be so pessimistic as to think there is no hope. I refuse to believe that we can no longer be "one nation under God". Beginning with the Mayflower Compact, it is He that hath made us and not we ourselves. Moses led the people of Israel — one man under God. William Brewster drew up the Mayflower Compact — one man under God. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote for the abolition of slavery  — one woman under God. Are we not each one person — man or woman — under God who can be leaders in our homes, in our churches, in our communities, and in our nation? These and so many others have taken it upon themselves to be that one person, to make that difference, to lead their nation to be united, one nation under God. 

O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! Deuteronomy 5:29

Heavenly Father, May I be that one person willing to be under Your direction to change the direction of my home, my church, my community, and my nation so that You, O God will bless America again. In Jesus' name. Amen

The Moon is Always Round

 

For the LORD is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations.

~Psalm 100:5 ESV

I remember my sister-in-law quoting a nursery rhyme. 

I see the moon.

The moon sees me.

God bless the moon. 

And God bless me. 

Have you ever wondered why and there was just no answer? 

Someone recommended a children's book to me, The Moon is Always Round, by Jonathan Gibson.  There were several things I liked about this book. It's an easily read children's book, but with lots of deeper meaning. 

• The dad is the spiritual leader of the home even before tragedy.
• God's truths are taught from the scripture and the Creation
• Adults don't have all the answers
• God is loving and faithful in all circumstances.

I feel having the dad as the spiritual leader in this book gives dads the honor and respect God has given them as the head of the home. He protects his wife and gives her space to grieve while he takes on the responsibility of attending to his son's questions.

The analogy of the moon as a continual presence, to God as always a continual presence, gives a child and us as adults something tangible to help us remember God's love and presence. We see the moon in many phases and at times - invisible, but the moon is always there and always round. Sometimes we see God full on in a situation. Sometimes we feel like God is hard to see. And sometimes we can't see God at all. But God is always there and He knows our circumstances, our needs, and our heartaches even when we can't see Him working. 

Often children and others ask Christians why. Why did this happen? What have I done to deserve this? 

Even Christians don't have those answers. We have to look to scriptures for others who have gone through similar circumstances and see how God worked. Job, a just man, lost all his wealth and more importantly all his children. He hadn't done anything to cause the circumstance. 

God allowed Satan to try Job to demonstrate God's faithfulness and Job's trust in God.

Abraham and Sarah had no children. Neither did Zechariah and Elizabeth. God used Abraham and Sarah to create a nation. Zechariah and Elizabeth were the parents of John the Baptist. 

We may not always understand God's purposes, but we must trust he is loving and faithful in every circumstance, just as the moon is always round in every phase. 

Dear Heavenly Father, help us trust you in every circumstance. Help us know that you never want to harm us but to allow us to demonstrate your love and faithfulness to others. May we trust you as Job, and Abraham, Sarah, Zechariah and Elisabeth. May we never lose sight of your love and care. In Jesus' name. Amen.

A Deathbed Confession

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. ~Luke 23:43

So often, the message of this man hanging on a cross beside Jesus is overlooked, forgotten. He confesses his sin of a wicked life. He knows that to die is a rightful judgment, but he looks at Jesus and asks Jesus to remember him when he comes into His kingdom. Jesus tells him that today he will be with Him in paradise. Jesus pronounces salvation for this man, though he has never done anything worthy of salvation. The man's faith that Jesus is the Son of God, who can forgive sins, brought salvation to him in death. Have you ever known anyone to make a "deathbed" confession? What would be your thoughts about such a person? I would like to share a true story about someone whose life and death I am well acquainted with. 

A young man grew up in a Christian home, his dad a deacon. He married a young lady from his church. Somewhere along the way, he denied that faithful upbringing. For what reason, I do not know, but his wife remained faithful. They raised a family of thirteen children, most of whom reached adulthood. He was known in the community as the old atheist, though he personally confessed to be agnostic. There's not much difference. A lost man is a lost man. 

For all his lack of faith in God, he was a faithful husband. He loved hunting and guns. He loved his family and was a sober man. One evening, as he came in from hunting, he noticed his wife had left a basket of clothes under the line. Propping his gun against the wagon, he retrieved the basket. As he picked up his gun with his free hand, it slipped. The stock hit the ground. The bullet hit the man under his left arm. This was in the days just before penicillin. Though the doctor was called and all that could be done was done, the wound set up gangrene in a few days. His wife and children, some of whom had become believers, pleaded with him to repent and ask forgiveness before it was too late. 

On his deathbed, he confessed Jesus as his savior. The family wanted to take comfort in his confession, but there was always that nagging feeling that maybe Pa had said it to please the family.

The man's oldest son was already a Christian when his pa died. He may have already been a deacon in his church. This son contracted lung cancer when he was about 60 years old. As he languished in the hospital in and out of consciousness, his son sat by his side. In the dad's last words, he began to greet those who had gone before. "Hello Grandma, Hello Grandpa, Hello Ma, Ohhhh Pa!" Then he was gone. 

Now his son wondered what he had seen. Did he see his Pa in heaven or a vision of him in hell? No, we won't see the anguish of hell. Pa's deathbed confession was real. 

Heavenly Father, thank you that you hear our prayers and the prayer of every sinner who comes to you in repentance and faith. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Like Trees Planted by the Water

 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Colosians 2:7

What a beautiful, quiet place. I'd like to sit on that bench and just rest awhile. Quiet places can be a place to be rooted and established in the faith. But how? 

God's creation is given to help us see his plan, his care, to teach us. So what does this picture teach besides I want to have a seat under the tree?

Paul was well taught in the scriptures. He was a Pharisee of the Pharisees. I think in our verse he is reflecting back on Psalms 1:3

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The Lord plants us in His family, the church, where we can be taught by the word, nourished by the Living Water, the Holy Spirit, and bear fruit, spiritual fruit, in the world. 

A tree must put down roots to be firmly planted. The wind and rain must not be able to move it. Yes, it may lose a few limbs, but every tree profits from a little pruning, and so do we. Having our roots firmly planted in a church that teaches God's word will disciple us to be profitable servants.

A tree must receive water regularly, and so must we. We must include prayer, talking with the Lord, so His Holy Spirit can speak to us through His word, helping us to grow. 

To bear fruit, a tree must receive pollination, and so must we. We need Christian friends with whom we can discuss the scriptures, pray together, witness together, and give thanks for the fruit we bear. 

We all will face storms of different magnitudes at different times in our lives. When we are rooted in God's word, watered by His Spirit, and work together for the kingdom, we will be strengthened and bear much fruit. 

Father God, help me continue to grow, putting down my spiritual roots in the good soil of Your word, watered by Your living Spirit, and bearing fruit of You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Where Does My Strength Come From?

 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

WOW! Look at those muscles. I wonder how long it took him to gain the strength to do a push-up with one hand, holding a weight, balancing on a weight, and on his toes. I wonder who coached him and how he was coached. I just don't have the mindset to chase that goal. But I do have another goal that includes a coach who will encourage, correct, and strengthen me. 

Looking back at our verse, I notice the word "which". In many translations and in our own mental gymnastics, that word is translated as "who". "I can do all things". I don't think that means one-handed pushups with weights, but maybe there are things to be done that will strengthen me even more than pushups. 

Paul lists things he had learned to do. 

• Be content
• To be abased - lowly, humble
• abound - live well with plenty
• suffer need - hungry, lonely

Paul knew how to weather through the hard times and enjoy the good times. He knew that Christ was the one who strengthened him. Christ was his coach to get him through. Had he done nothing, had he refused to be based, to live without plenty, to suffer need, Paul would not have been able to reach the goal Christ had set for him. Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. Most likely, if you are reading this, you are a Gentile brought to the knowledge of Christ through first the preaching, the obedience of Paul. Christ was like a coach whose encouragement pushed him to continue in the work.  Once Paul overcame one obstacle, he could feel strengthened to push forward to another goal. If you follow the travels of Paul, you can see he went into dangerous places that were far from home. He couldn't take the next plane home when the ship wrecked. He didn't throw up his hands and quit when he was beaten near to death or thrown in jail. Paul knew Christ would meet his needs, strengthening him whether he was alone or had friends at his side. 

Reading all that Paul went through makes me wonder how I would handle an uncomfortable situation. I've been on mission trips to a third-world country. It's not how I'd want to spend the rest of my life, but I know those who do, and I know it is Christ who gives them the strength to keep going. 

Christ has a plan for each of us. Each of us faces challenges that will strengthen our walk for Him. We must keep pressing toward the goal and never give up.

Father God, strengthen me when I am weak. Encourage me when I feel down or disheartened. Help me look to you and to others whom you have helped. Help me be like Paul, weathering the storms and enjoying the blessings in the calm. In Jesus' name. Amen.