Tale as Old as Time

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

This weekend our school district presented four performances of Beauty and the Beast to packed out crowds. The participants were from four years old to high school seniors. The performance was outstanding!

Why do we continue to love fairy tales? Could it be we see ourselves, the condition of our lives and the answer to our struggles? Yes, Beauty and the Beast has that underlying theme of Romans 5:8, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Let's examine some of the characters and how they resemble us today and our relationship with Christ. 

The story starts with a handsome prince refusing compassion on an old woman who in reality was a beautiful young girl with the power to turn him into a beast. His true self now showed. His lack of compassion also affected the rest of his kingdom transforming them into fixtures. 

Meanwhile, back in town a sweet innocent young girl, Belle, was being harassed by Gaston, or tempted. We might say the lure of the world and all it had to offer was at work in that town. Belle's father was an inventor, a creator, rejected by the town, but loved by his only daughter. Belle would do anything for her father including sacrificing her own life when he was taken captive by the Beast. Belle also had compassion for the Beast and his kingdom, though treated rudely by the Beast.  Then there's the rose, slowly wilting, shortening the time left for the rescue of the Beast and his kingdom. Belle's first thought is always to please her father. Her second thought is to have compassion on those in need.

We are in need. A loving Son who always seeks to please His Father has compassion on us and sacrificed Himself for us. The change He makes in us gives us a compassionate heart like His and reaches those around us. (Acts 16:31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved and thy house). Time is short. The rose is wilting. Our lives are running out. Have we chosen Christ? Or are we still chasing the things of the world like the silly villagers always after Gaston's approval? 

Hey Kids:

We often relate to stories because we identify with a character in the story. 

What is your favorite fairy tale?

Why and how do you relate to it? 

Please share your thoughts.

Have the Compassion to make a Difference,

Gail

Mockingbirds and Christians

And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. Mark 4:7

The mockingbird called from the abandoned TV antennae on our roof. He sang one bird song after another. He knew hundreds. Then he paused, flew up in a dance showing off the white feathers under his wings. He must have been showing out for some girl bird off in the trees. Every spring he does his song and dance. Then they build a nest in the thorny wild orange tree in our backyard. It's not high off the ground, but no one and nothing would even think about fighting those thorns for a bite of nestlings. Those little mockingbirds grow up to copy other birds and make their nests among the thorns, low to the ground. 

Christians have their own identities - our actions, but often we want to copy others so we fit in, to impress others, to feel confident. We often end up in thorny situations where our testimonies is choked by the cares of the world. Others, especially our children see our actions and imitate us. The thorns of life choke them and keep them from attaining all they might. 

Father, may we have one voice, Your words, because Your words are truth. May we rise above the things of this world that would entangle us. May we aspire to be just like Jesus. In His name we pray.  Amen. 

Hey Kids:

The birds have returned to our area this week. 

The bright yellow of the goldfinches, the red and rust cardinal pairs, and yes, the mockingbirds are all filling the trees with song and color. 

It might be fun to take a few minutes to observe the habits of the birds of your area. Watch as they bring nesting material to trees, bushes and birdhouses. 

Notice how the males draw attention to themselves. 

Watch a male cardinal feed his intended bride. 

Supplying food and water may increase your close up view of birds in your backyard. 

What thoughts does God bring to your mind while watching His creation in action? 

The weather is warm. While you're outside exploring, what has God brought to your attention?

Spring blessings,

Gail

Alive Again!

 

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life:he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: John 11:25

Last fall, we found this enormous caterpillar. We put him in a terrarium to watch for a few days. The next day there was a fuzzy cocoon in the back corner of the terrarium. We were so excited! We thought in a few weeks, it would hatch out and we would see what kind of moth we had. Our best guess from caterpillar pictures was a luna moth. We waited and watched and waited some more. Nothing happened. It appeared the caterpillar in the cocoon had not survived. We were disappointed but we didn't clean out the cocoon. Other matters were taking our attention.

April was beginning to bring warmer weather and better light. Last Thursday afternoon, one of the children noticed a big brown blob on the covering of the terrarium. No, we still had not bothered to clean the terrarium. Everything in it was as dead as the winter outside, or so we thought. We all gathered to take a look. There was a huge brown moth just clinging to the screen. It wasn't moving. It must be dead, but we left it alone. Wrong again. The next morning, it had dropped to the bottom and spread its wings. Two big beautiful brown eye dots glared from each wing, enough to scare any predator. All day we watched, but it didn't move until the afternoon. As one of the children took another look, the moth began to flop and knock against the sides of the terrarium. It was obviously alive and kicking. I trapped him with a net against the screen top. We took it outside to let it free. For a few moments it dropped to the top of my sneaker, then... with the clumsy fluttering of giant wings, it flew up and off across the yard to a distant oak. The children waved and yelled their good-byes and see you agains. 

God always has ways to give us pictures to help us understand His word, his plan. In John 11 we read the story of Lazarus. Lazarus was sick and eventually died. By the time Jesus came, Lazarus had been dead four days. They were all sure he was dead. He really was dead, but when Jesus called Lazarus out of the grave, Lazarus was as alive as you and I. Jesus is the only One who has the power to give life to the dead. Jesus created moths and butterflies to help us with a spiritual explanation. When the caterpillar spins the cocoon or chrysalis, it looks very dead, but when it comes forth, it is a new creature. It is no longer a caterpillar but a beautiful moth or butterfly. It can never go back to its old life. When we ask Jesus to forgive our sins, He changes us. We are dead to our old live and we have a new life in Christ. One day, when Jesus calls, all that are in the grave will come forth, just as Lazarus did. Some will come alive to live with Jesus eternally. Some to die the second death in the lake of fire. 

Make this day the day you allow Jesus to make you a new creature in Him.

Blessings,

Gail 

Hey Kids:

Have you ever read The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle?

The caterpillar was doing just fine until he chose to eat food that is not good for caterpillars. He tried to go back to eating caterpillar food but his course was set. He had to spin the cocoon and allow God to change him into a beautiful butterfly. 

The butterfly is a perfect picture of how we must recognize we are sinners. We must die to our old way of life and let Jesus change us to live a new life in Him. 

What other things in Jesus' creation demonstrates death to an old life and resurrection to a new life?

Here are some hints to help you investigate.

Frogs: Discover the frog life cycle. Write out a spiritual application of the frog.

Seeds: Grow a few seeds in a plastic bag to discover a plant life cycle. Then write out the spiritual application. 

Are there friends or websites for you to share your discoveries? 

We would be glad for you to share with us here.