A Glimpse of Heaven

Impressing God's Word on our Children

2011-11-06T12:39:00.000-08:00

This morning at church our worship leader led us all in "There is Power in the Blood". Remember that song? I hadn't heard it in a long time. It brought me back to praise and worship as a kid, standing next to my mom with her hands held up in thanks and my dad's hands beating that bass rhythm on the pew back in front of him. If my dad noticed me watching, he'd give my shoulders a little love-squeeze as he sang and then his focus would turn quickly back to the front. A simple memory but a good one.

I digress. Back to the song.

Would you be free from the burden of sin?
There’s pow’r in the blood, pow’r in the blood;
Would you o’er evil a victory win?
There’s wonderful pow’r in the blood.

There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder-working pow’r
In the blood of the Lamb;
There is pow’r, pow’r, wonder-working pow’r
In the precious blood of the Lamb....

The melody and rhythm hold firm to the label "church song". It's easy to miss the remarkable truth of the words while you're busy clapping or bobbing your head along with the simple 4/4 ryhthm. Maybe it was just my immaturity as a kid, but those lyrics never really hit me. I was clapping and singing, maybe even nodding my head in agreement but that's about it.

I leaned over to my husband this morning and said something along those lines, "Wow, we sing this song in a way that it's easy to miss the truth to it. Those are powerful words." He looked at me a little surprised and said, "This song was always powerful to me. I remember my mom singing it over me when I was sick." Later he told me, "I just always knew those words were true. Afterall, from a kids perspective, I always got better!"

Wow. Same song. Same old-time churchy rhythm. But the words took on meaning for him at an early age because of how it was presented to him. His mom showed him what the words meant by singing them at a time when they would apply and uplift. So simple yet so lasting.

There's another song Pen always sings over our boys when they're sick.

I Am the God that Healeth Thee

...You are the God
That healeth me
You are the Lord my Healer
You sent Your Word
and You healed my disease
You are the Lord my Healer

I love hearing him sing this over the boys. It has become a small tradition in our home. Over time, I started singing it too. Now our oldest has come to expect it when he is sick. Before bed, during the middle of the night, whenever it's needed, one of us is singing. Sometimes when Caleb is especially struggling and uncomfortable, singing this song brings calm. The song's become both a prayer and a message. It's a prayer to the One that will heal our sons. It's a message to our sons, that HE is the One we look to for healing and that HE is able to heal.

I realized today that Pen learned this simple tradition from his mom. I imagine she never realized the impact her songs were making on him. She was just singing a prayer, singing a declaration over her child in need. But she was teaching him too. And the lesson was so powerfully presented that it's now just natural for him to follow in her footsteps and sing God's Truth over his kids.

What a wonderful tradition to continue! And what a great example of teaching our children, "when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up" (Deuteronomy 6:7 and 11:19), making God's Truth evident through what we do each and every day. God says that's the way we "impress" His words on our children.

What is Faithfulness?

2011-03-05T11:56:00.000-08:00

God has had me on the topic of faithfulness a lot this year!

We read a lot about faithfulness in the Bible. I think it can easily become a word we hear and even nod our heads at its mention in church, but have little clue of the beauty behind it. It is just another "church word."

We certainly like to hear about God's faithfulness. He'll always be there; never leave; never forsake; always love... even if we're messing up, even if we're not making it easy. He's always true to His Word. He always surrounds us with love. It all sounds, well, perfect. Afterall, He is perfect!

What about the fact that we are called to be faithful to Him? We tend to get lost somewhere between "God is faithful" and "We are faithful", probably because it does not come natural for us. Suddenly the term faithful means something entirely different when we personalize it, or at least we think it should.

We think,

"I believe in you God. I know you exist." and equate that to being faithful.
"I'll do what You ask (when it makes sense to me or when I stop long enough to hear you)" and equate that to being faithful.
"I'll go to church on Sunday" and equate that to being faithful.

In truth, faithfulness does include those things (apart from the italics of course) but there is so much more than acknowledgment, easy obedience, and routine. We would never be satisfied with a god who met our own definition of faithfulness; we certainly expect more from Him. But somehow we're ok with mediocre expectations for ourselves.

We're ok with convenient faithfulness.

What an oxymoron! There is nothing convenient about faithfulness. Easy? No, or at least not initially. Rewarding? Yes. There is everything rewarding about faithfulness. In fact a quick look in the Bible, proves this point. Again and again when God calls us to be faithful, he promises a reward for it. Just two examples...

"A faithful person will be richly blessed." Proverbs 28:20
"So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today - to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul - then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil." Deuteronomy 11:13, 14

When we look at the faithful hall of fame in Hebrews 11, it is easy to connect faithfulness with reward in those examples. But notice the small list of names. Out of all those that had come before, even all those great ones from the Old Testament, only 18 individual names were listed. Faithfulness is not easy.

As a mom, I must practice faithfulness to my son daily. There is an expectation on all parents to be faithful to their children, to care for each need, to be true to their word, to protect them, teach them, love them, comfort them. I am to be faithful day in and day out. I miss one day and my child suffers. I cannot break that faithfulness. It is needed. It is expected.

But my son has a responsibility to be faithful to me as well, even at 2 years old. He must learn to trust me, to obey me even though he doesn't understand why, to accept my comfort and my care, to control himself so that he remains under my protection. As he grows and becomes more aware of his own personal will, difficulties begin to appear. He does not want to wash his hands before eating. He does not want to take the medicine that will help him. He does not want to be true to his word. He thinks it will be more fun playing in the next aisle at the store than staying near mommy. He does not understand why any of this is important. In his toddler brain, he doesn't believe it is important. He has learned that faithfulness is not convenient.

That's because true faithfulness is not a physical concept but a spiritual one. We cannot be faithful if we are living by what we see, feel, hear, even what we think.

Hebrews 11:1 says ^"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." That's a scripture you have to think about for awhile. It's never been an easy one for me to mull over in my brain.

The Amplified version says this... "NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]."

I like that last part, we perceive as real fact what is not revealed to the senses. That's a hard one for us to grasp let alone walk out in our lives. When we live by what we can perceive, we do not live in faithfulness. Despite our personal feelings on the matter, the truth is we are not the expert on ... well on anything.

We cannot see God. Faith is being absolutely convinced, as if we hold the conclusive results in our hands that He does exist AND that He is who He says He is. We do not see the Spirit at work or the battles being fought today in the spiritual realm by God's angels. Some may even hesitate when reading that sentence and think I've gone a little too far (I suggest reading Daniel btw). Faith if being 100% sure that each of thsoe statemenst are true are, as confident in that as we are that the title to our car means it is ours. We know it's true because God said it in His Word. We are so confident in fact, that we base our actions on it. That's when God can bless us.

As Caleb grows, I am learning that faithfulness is most beautiful when there are two willing parties. When both of us are acting in faithfulness towards each other, peace is easy and growth is fast. Caleb must completely trust that mom knows more than he knows, that mom has reasons for what she says and for what she asks of him. The more he waivers in his faithfulness to trust or to obey me, to stand by me, the more trouble appears between us/ It means the less I can do with him, the less I can trust him with and the less I can bless him with. Our relationship grows as I act in faith towards him AND as he acts in faith towards me. It is easy to see in the parent-child relationship. It is easy to see between a husband and wife.

But we fail to make the same application between us and God. When it comes to our relationship with God, we expect all the blessings with none of the responsibility. And we often go so far as to get mad when the blessings aren't there, jealous when others receive them and not us.

God is taking care of His part. He does not waver in that. But when we mistake convenience for faithfulness, we are completely missing the mark on our part. And then of course we can't fathom why life isn't working out as we intended... or even better... as He intended.

God's plans are ever so perfect. As a mom, I so hope that Caleb learns and grows in his trust so that I CAN pour out the blessings. That's the exciting part! God's doing the same thing, so very excited when we allow Him to pour out those blessings. When we believe Him enough and are faithful enough to get all He had hoped and planned for, what an excited Daddy He is!

Lessons from Caleb, the man of faith

2011-02-11T18:37:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting to finish this forever and keep putting it off!

Pen and I don't have the easiest times picking names. Both of us are pretty non-committed when it comes to a decision that is so lasting like this. And we have very different opinions about what we like and dislike. Surprise, surprise! Names that I liked he has known someone of the same name that irked him and declares the name unusable. I'm the same way though. In fact being a former teacher and coming across hundreds of kids (ie names), there were a lot of names that I declared unusable!
It actually is really important to both of us that the name mean something that we approve of. I'm more into the meanings and the heritage in a name than even the sound of it (though I'd prefer both to be pleasing of course!). And I'm not concerned with how popular a name is (at least I thought I wasn't, come to find out Caleb is pretty popular for this age group... how was I supposed to know though, he's my first connection to this age group!)

So why did we choose Caleb?

In a nutshell it was because of the speech Caleb gave in Joshua 14:6-14.

Yes, it's lengthy but WELL worth a read (all emphasis is mine).

A little background on the story: God has rescued the Israelites from Egypt, promised them a land of their own, and led them right to it. Caleb and 11 other men are sent to scout the land before the entire group moves in. They find beauty and abundance. They also find large cities, large walls, and large people. And then they report back to Moses and the Israelites in awe and fear of man... completely forgetting any awe and fear of God. BUT Joshua and Caleb do not cower and because of that God holds them apart from the rest. They are the only ones in their generation allowed to enter the promised land.

"...and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to [Joshua], “You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.’
“Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”

Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.

I believe in this age we NEED men and women willing to stand apart from the crowd. The crowd is overwhelming and by definitition outnumbering. And the crowd is convincing, to the point where it gets more and more difficult to discern Truth in light of their manipulation (1 Timothy 4:1-10; Colossians 2:1-10). Honestly if we aren't in the Word and in it consistently, we are putting ourselves at great risk of believing the deceit and lies. Caleb was willing to stand apart, to stand with God, to stick to his convictions while others melted in fear. So they would have to fight for this land. So God wasn't handing it to them on a silver platter but asking them to step out in faith. Caleb must've had a pretty good idea of who God was... and why not? God had shown Himself to His people repeatedly (plagues, pillar of fire, cloud of smoke, parting of the Red Sea, water from rocks, manna from heaven, through the radiance on Moses' face,...).   Caleb followed the Lord God wholeheartedly. No wavering. No second guessing. No allowing deceit to enter. No fear.... of the Philistines OR of his own people (even his own friends).

That's a man that definitely knows God. You don't get to that point without spending time with God. "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:10-13) Caleb had already spent the days learning and listening so that his armor was in place. And when it was time, he stood.

So lets rewind 45 years.

Forty of those years were spent waiting for the unbelievers to die off, stuck with them despite his standing firm.  Forty years. I haven't even lived that long, let alone wandered in the desert with whiners, complainers and confusion for that long. I can barely take 40 minutes in a setting like that. Caleb stuck it out. But even more than that, he waited with wisdom during that time. There was one event where the people felt bad about their lack of faith and decided to try and fight. Some would think, "Oh they're trying to rectify their error.  They learned their lesson. Now they have faith." But they were still missing the big picture. They were completely disregarding God in their plan. God had already said that anyone 20 years and older (at the time of the spies discouraging report and the Israelites lack of faith) would first have to die in the wilderness before the next generation could begin to fight for their land. And remember, God is always true to His Word. I love that Caleb saw through this. Yes, he wanted to fight but he knew to do it on God's time. And of course their attempt didn't turn out so well (Numbers 14: 39-44).

So Caleb waited those 40 years while everyone else died off. He came out the other end STILL believing and STILL ready to fight for what God said was his and (I love this) STILL as physically strong in his 80s as he was in his 40s. God had literally preserved him because of his faith. A miracle that we could quickly skim over if we're not careful.

What happened during the remaining 5 years before Caleb went to Joshua with his request?  They finally cross into the Promised Land. Caleb then spend 5 years doing exactly what he had waiting 40 years to do. Fight. Those convictions he spoke of 40 years prior were now put to the test. And this 80 year old is stepping out to literally fight battles, knowing that God doesn't lie. God said this land would be theirs and it would be. Get this... these five years he has fought for others to get their land. God had laid it all out, whose land was whose (meaning which tribe of Israel would receive which portion of the land won). Caleb knew which land was to be his. So for all of those 5 years spent fighting, he knows he has more fighting to come because he's not yet fought for his land. He's helping the descendants of the complainers (who I should note are not like their parents; they are now fighting in faith right alongside Caleb).

So finally after 5 years, this 85 year old man asks to fight for his own land. I love that he doesn't say, "Joshua, I've worked hard. Go send out the young-folk to get my land so I can sit pretty." He still doesn't expect it to come easy. He doesn't even expect the others to fight with him. He just wants permission to allow his own family to fight for their own land. AND he is still completely aware of what stands in his way. The Anakites.

It's interesting that the very group that the disbelieving and fearful ten spies were most afraid of, the descendants of Anak, were the ones Caleb is still waiting and ready to fight. This is what the ten spies said about the Anakites (45 years before). “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” (Numbers 13:33) But remember Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said,  “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” (Numbers 13:30). He and Joshua countered, "And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. (Numbers 14:9-10)

So now this "grasshopper" of a man is going to put words to action... at 85 years old. He did just that.  "In accordance with the LORD’s command to him, Joshua gave to Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion in Judah—Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron. (Arba was the forefather of Anak.) From Hebron Caleb drove out the three Anakites—Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai, the sons of Anak." (Joshua 15:13,14)

God did just what He said He would do. Caleb won his land after waiting for 45 years. He defeated the very thing that everyone else feared... because he feared God more. That's conviction. That's faith. That's a man who knows God.

I just adore the strength of Caleb's words in this speech and then the fact that he followed through with every one of them. This is what we need in the body of Christ, those who are not lukewarm in their beliefs, who do not waver, who act in wisdom, who live out their faith, and who follow God wholeheartedly.

"My servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to"
(Numbers 14:23-24)

I pray that my son would have a different spirit and that he would follow God wholeheartedly.  I pray that he would KNOW Christ personally, not just know about Him or know of Him through parents, pastors, or stories.  That is the only way we can be able to stand with such faith amidst deception and adversity. That is what my son will need as he grows.

God is Faithful in His Love

2010-11-05T18:30:00.000-07:00

When we take a walk through the neighborhood, I am careful to keep Caleb on the sidewalk. I started teaching him to stay off of the road before he could even walk, even as I pushed him in the stroller! I wanted it engrained in his head. The road is off limits without mom or dad. Period. Now that he not only walks but runs through the neighborhood, he is really very very good about keeping to the sidewalk. He'll stop and wait for me when he wants to cross the street, holding out his hand because he knows he's not allowed in the street without holding hands. We check for moving cars together before we step into the road (I had to add moving because he used to always respond "yes" when I him if he saw any cars in the street because yes, there were cars parked on the street. He would remain planted on the sidewalk because there were technically cars in the street.)

But what if he took a detour one day? What if he decided the street looked more enticing? What would you do as his parent? Well, this mom would fly to his rescue, or more like huff and puff to his rescue but I'd get there for sure! I'd return him to the sidewalk where we could continue (and safely complete) our walk together.

By now, you've already noticed the trend to my blog. Here's where I make the connection to God. Remember, He's our Abba, Father. :)

So why do I act as if God is not as good a Father as I am a mother?

I have taken that detour onto the road and chosen the wrong direction. I have chosen to walk straight into oncoming traffic instead of alongside Him. There have even been times I've chosen to walk right up the ramp onto the highway instead of keeping to the sidewalk like I knew to do!

It doesn't take long to realize what I've done as I'm standing in the midst of speeding traffic wondering how I'm gonna get out of this mess. So I turn to God. He's my Father. He'll help me.

I tell Him I took the wrong route. I ask for His forgiveness and of course He gives it.
But, here's the kicker. Here's where I lose sight of God, my Father. I don't really receive His forgiveness. Oh, I thought I did. But, I imagine myself still standing in the street, stuck on the wrong path because of my poor decisions, unable to go back to the beautiful sidewalk. I'd love to get back, but I messed up and ruined that pleasant walk with God and can never truly get it back.
Oh, I believe He's still with me and helping me on my new path, but I never believe I can get back onto the IDEAL path He set out for me originally, the one we were walking together before I so royaly screwed up. I'll never get that closeness back with God, I'll never be used as well by God, I'll never...
Well as it turns out there's lots of off-ramps on that highway. We're not stuck up there.

I've heard Jeremiah 29:11 quoted all my life both in church and at home. "For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a hope and a future." It's incredibly inspiring to know that the Creator and Giver of life has plans for ME.

BUT, what if we make our own detour? What if we KNOW we moved away from Him and His plan? Have we destroyed all attempts at His plan that gives hope and future?

Wait! Jeremiah didn't stop with verse 11. God wanted us to know more than the fact that He has great plans for us. Look at what follows...

"'You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you' - the LORD's declaration - 'and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and places where I banished you' - the LORD's declaration. 'I will restore you to the place I deported you from.' Jeremiah 29:12-14

Hmmm... that sounds more like a Father to me. He will restore your fortunes. He will gather all the scattered together. He will pick me up out of that street and return me to the blessed sidewalk. Just like I run to help my little boy and return him to his rightful place by me, to enjoy the rest of our morning walk together, My Father runs to help me AND He returns me to that rightful place by Him, just as He's always wanted, just as He originally planned.

Sure as the mom, I now recognize that my little one is in need of a few more lessons, but he's still MY little one. I will be the one teaching these lessons, I will be the one helping him along the way. And admist the teaching and lessons learned, we'll have a great deal of joy, conversations, and love. I can do both. My love for him and my joy with him doesn't pause until he's learned his lesson. Now God's not going to force us, but if we're willing, He'll teach and reteach all those lessons we need. And while He's teaching, while we're learning, we get to enjoy day after day of joy, conversations, and love with and from Him.

He says "Call to me... I will listen... seek Me and find Me."

Just so darn cute!

2010-07-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

This morning my husband made a comment that was so fitting for this blog. It was a Glimpse of Heaven. He asked "I wonder if God gets this uncontrollable urge to stoop down and kiss us?"

I totally got it. As a mom who is head over heels for her son, I often have this overwhelming urge to hug him or kiss him. When I say often, I mean every day, sometimes every hour, when I'm going through photos or bragging on Caleb to Pen, or sitting here writing this post. I can't stand it, he's just so darn cute. So precious. I think Pen's even worse than me. For him, the urge is pretty much constant. It's actually rather comical to watch. The neighborhood thinks so too! :)

We look at Caleb and just can't stand it! He must be hugged, kissed and cuddled. He doesn't have to do something extraodinary. He is extraodinary. No bias there. Caleb is simply extraodinary. God made him and God makes nothing ordinary.

So if I can't help but reach down for a quick kiss or cuddle, God certainly feels the same way. He loves beyond measure. He knows more than any how truly extraordinary His creation is. He knows that we are beautiful, that we are precious, a masterpiece. He creates only beauty. Well, maybe he made an exception for spiders... and snakes... and sloths... and West Texas... hmmm.... Despite my opinions on some of the particulars of His creation, He did say "It is good" for them all.

At the risk of sounding completely corny, I wrote a song for Caleb when he was tiny. I remember holding him one night, thinking, I should sing him a song of my own, not borrowed words but my own! So I started singing and this is what came out....

"I love you. Oh yes, oh yes, I do. Oh don't you know I love you. Oh yes, oh yes I do."

What can I say? I was overwhelmed with love :) I should've copyrighted those lyrics before going public with them, huh! In truth, it was all I could come up with, all I could think about when I was attempting to express my thoughts to Caleb. I have tried adding more to the song since those early days of no sleep. To this day, I have not been able to come up with anything else. What else is there to say? They are the perfect lyrics!

The LORD your God is with you,

he is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

he will quiet you with his love,

he will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:14-17

I like the thought of God reveling in the preciousness of Caleb. And I'll admit it, I like the thought of God reveling in the preciousness of me too, not because of something I've done but because I am His.

He is singing over Caleb, over me, over you. And maybe He's got this irresistable urge to reach down to hug and kiss you right now. He just can't help it. You are His baby girl, His baby boy, His child. You are just so darn cute!!

The Next Generation of Salt and Light

2010-07-08T12:30:00.000-07:00

It's so easy to worry about our kids. I'm not wild about what our current culture practices. It concerns me that these practices are effecting the next generation, Caleb's generation. These little ones are all learning from us. When I look at us, I am not that impressed.

Will Caleb find friends that are being raised to know God, to hear God and to follow God? Will he find a wife that puts Him first, that seeks Him in all her ways?

Couple these questions with my general observations and things don't look too promising.

BUT

There are shining lights. The salt of the earth has not lost its saltiness. (Matt 5:13-16) I'm learning to focus on those beautiful examples. I get emails from close friends, sharing their news of a growing family and I think "Praise God." There is a child that will learn well from his (or her) parents. The light in Caleb's generation is growing. Does that sound a bit selfish? Hopefully it just shows that I recognize the need for His people.  Those who rely on His wisdom are needed in our businesses and our government, in our classes and on our playgrounds, and certainly to take on the role of mother and father.

These moms and dads will not just be a treasured gift to their children as they serve. They are a treasured gift to fellow parents as they serve. I am so grateful that there are many moms and dads who are truly seeking God in how they raise their kids. I see them teaching God's Word to their children when [they] sit at home and when [they] walk along the road, when [they] lie down and when [they] get up (Deut 11:19). They are teaching me by the way they interact with their own kids, how they instill His Word in them, and how they seek His help through prayer.

These things have been on my mind a lot in the past months. I have heard from many close friends who are expecting their own little ones.  Women who truly seek Him, who live their lives for Him, who aren't perfect, but place their imperfections in His hands. These women are beautiful mothers. They will be beautiful mothers. They have chosen husbands who will be wonderful fathers. Their little ones (and future little ones) will be blessed beyond measure. I am thrilled for them, excited along with them, and so so grateful for them.

And my son will be blessed because of them.   This world will be blessed because of them.

So there is no need to worry. I present my petition to God and He answers every time. He is shaping and preparing a multitude of parents. He is raising a generation of little ones that will know His name and even more, they will know Him. Caleb will have friends, family that knows He is real.

There are so many reasons to become the salt and light of the earth.

I so hope that I am shining His light all my life, of course for Caleb's sake, but also for the sake of others. So that their children can have a good friend in Caleb or maybe so that a girl out there can have a good help-mate in Caleb, so this next generation can know that He is.

Thank you moms, thank you dads, thank you grandparents who let your light shine before men.  [I have seen] your good deeds and [I] praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16)

Quick info on Seeds Family Worship cds

2010-06-15T06:08:00.000-07:00

I know some of you check this blog that don't see Caleb's activity blog. Check out this link if anyone is interested in getting a coupon code (20% off) for Seeds Family Worship cds (I've told lots of you about them, they turn scripture into song for kids and are great at it!).

http://engagingtoddleractivities.wordpress.com/2010/06/14/a-coupon-from-seeds-family-worship/

Growing into our own boots

2010-05-06T12:38:00.000-07:00

My last journal about setting expectations for Caleb that encourage him to flourish rather than frustrate him has kept me thinking. A few things stood out to me while writing that post that I just can't get passed without writing it down. I guess this is my part two of Tiny Boots.

The flourishing child (and later man) that I want for Caleb reminded me of Psalm 1. It speaks of a man very much thriving, a man whose "delight is in the law of the LORD." (vs. 2) That by the way is an AWESOME statement! Wouldn't it be great to be described in such a way!!

Back to the man.  The Bible says ...
He shall be like a tree planted by streams of water... that brings forth its fruit in its season
Psalm 1:3 (emphasis mine)

I have LOVED this chapter since high school, but never noticed until now that the tree itself (aka the man whose delight is in the law of the LORD) has a specific season to produce its fruit. I have a specific harvest time in my own life. Hopefully, like any tree, that harvest time with come around year after year.

God knows those particular moments in our lives. He nourishes us and He teaches us so we can yield fruit in our season, not too early and not too late. Season after season, year after year. God does have expectations for each of us. He has expectations that He would like me to meet today, some that I won't be ready to meet until tomorrow, next week or next year. We can be confident that the expectations He holds for us are not out of our reach. It's easy for me to get overwhelmed with others' expectations of me, as if they are a burden for me to live up to. Maybe because of that, I can fall into the habit of growing burdened by God's expectations even though they really aren't a burden at all. It's actually pretty AWESOME that God has expectations for me. That means the God of all creation both on earth and in the heavens knows me, believes in me, and has hopes and plans for me. Remembering that makes His expecations inspiring instead of burdensome. I can be sure His expectations aren't out of my reach. I know I can make it to where He wants me to be.

I don't have to look at Holy Harriet down the pew and think, "I'm awful! Why can't I have it all together like her!?!" I'm on my own track. I'm not running Holy Harriet's race. I have my own season(s) for fruit. Of course this shouldn't be used as an excuse to stay stagnant. I shouldn't be standing still on that track. But like I said in the last post, God is thrilled that I'm on the track, running my race. I don't have to walk into self-condemnation because I'm not up to par. Who set that par?  In truth, none of us are up to the real par on our own. That's the whole message of the Gospel.

When I feel overwhelmed or overstretched, I can know that this tension does not come from God (note I said overstretched, stretching is quite normal!). When we feel underused or incapable, we can know that is not from God either. God is perfect in his parenting... in his preparation of you and me. Maybe we're placing the unattainable expectations on ourselves. Maybe we're attempting to attain them without His help. Maybe we're not trusting Him to enable us. Maybe we're letting our fears or worries overshadow our awe of Him and His faithfulness to complete the work He began. He who started the work will be faithful to complete it in you.(Philippians 1:6, emphasis mine)

He will not expect more from us than what we are able to give today, this hour, this minute. We can meet His expectations successfully. But go back to Psalm 1, His expectations will not be attained without me, the tree, gaining nourishment from those streams of water.

There is a reason that tree was planted there, the same reason why we must be firmly planted in Him and in His Word.

We can't expect to flourish in our season if we are not accepting the pruning, the prodding and the nourishment from Him. And yes, we can certainly deny Him of gardening our lives. As truthful as my previous statement was "We can meet His expectations successfully", so is this "We can NOT meet His expectations successfully" unless we allow for His help. It's real easy to deny that help.

In the last journal, I quoted John 15:1 and 2b, I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener...every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

There's much much more to that chapter.

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.       John 15:4,5

I guess it's a good thing we have Him then!
To go back to Philippians 1:6, He's the one completing the work in us. We're allowing Him to do it.

So when I know God has placed a certain responsibility or goal in my life, like parenting, and I feel incapable or overwhelmed by the task, when I'm doubting whether I can follow through successfully, I need to stop and look at where my strength and where my wisdom is coming from. Am I going to His Word for advice, for help and encouragement, for the direction I need to take with a child that is having trouble sharing his toys or throwing himself on the floor in a fit? Am I grasping at straws, trying anything and everything without much thought? Am I spending time in prayer? Am I responding by instinct, whatever my flesh feels like at the moment? Am I listening to Him lead? Am I near His streams of water or wandering in some wasteland?

A friend of mine made such a poignant comment, "As a mom, I feel like I am a little girl learning to "walk" all over again. I trip, I fall - God helps me up, dusts me off and cheers me on to take my next step. I am desperate for His help each and every step of the way." I love this. I certainly relate to it. Isn't it awesome that He is there each and every step of the way?

How relieving that we're both under the same yoke together. I am not the one carrying the load or even determining where to go, He's right there beside me carrying the bulk of the weight and guiding us right or left with His infinite wisdom. Together, this tree will produce sweet fruit in its season.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.               Matthew 11:30

Tiny Boots

2010-05-04T10:58:00.000-07:00

**I'm finally finishing one of the many posts I started awhile back. Fortunately we do NOT still have snow boots planted by our front door. The sun is now out!!**

We've had some crazy snow here over the past couple months so our snow boots were implanted by the front door. Pen's, mine and Caleb's, side by side. It's so cute to see Caleb's tiny boots sitting in between our much larger ones. Just looking at those boots taught me a lesson. They are a tangible reminder how small he really is.

He is still so small.

He is now talking and running, he climbs, he slides, he wants so much to play like the big kids. But he's still so small. It's easy to forget that. Parents of adults or teens might think I'm ridiculous to have to remind myself of this, but it's true none the same. I am certainly guilty of treating him as if he's older than he actually is at times, expecting more from him than he is capable of doing and becoming frustrated when he doesn't comply. I have to constantly watch myself to be sure I'm not making these overblown expectations a habit.

In general my husband falls on the other end of the spectrum (it's a good thing too, imagine if we were both prone to the same extremes!). He admittedly loves to baby Caleb. He still wants to spoon feed him each bite of dinner even though Caleb's long been capable of handling a spoon and fork. He just doesn't want to give up those special things a parent gets to do for their baby (except diapers; he is more than ready to give up diaper changing!).

Both my husband's tendencies and my own, if left unchecked, can hinder Caleb as he grows. If I were to place my boots on Caleb's feet, he would not be able to move (well, except face first towards the carpet). If I were to attempt to stuff my feet into Caleb's boots it would be none to pleasant. My bones would be cramped and if kept that way, they would deteriorate. Growth would be hindered.

In the same way we don't want to frustrate Caleb with overblown expectations. We don't want to handicap him with underrated expectations. Of course as parents we don't want to do anything at all that might impede him from being who God wants him to be.

Isn't it a relief that God doesn't sway either way! We are not treated in either extreme by our Father. He is the perfect parent. Family and friends may coddle us through our weaknesses or struggles while others beat us up for them. God does neither. He loves and He enables. Others Christians may judge us even as we are learning, seeking and so desiring to grow. God is cheering for us while running the race, not just upon reaching the finish line.

Discovering the correct balance of expectations is pretty difficult as parents. Determining where the line between extremes lies for Caleb at 23 months is difficult. But tomorrow he will be one day older, he will have learned new things, grown in comprehension and physical adeptness... and the line moves again, the balancing act continues. Neither extreme, expecting too little or expecting too much benefits my child. So we continue our mental scale, weighing their current abilities and comprehension, praying that we do what is best for him, that we won't be ones to hold him back, nor ones who push him too far too fast.

He knows exactly when we've hit our quota. He knows even more than the number of hairs on our head. He's aware of the rate at which our brain synapses are currently firing. He knows the maximum weight we can bench press (even if it's just the bar!). He knows the depth of our Biblical understanding, our physical and spiritual stengths. He's fully aware of the growth we've made after a troubled childhood or an untroubled childhood.

Isn't it interesting that the number of hairs that our head holds changes daily (or for some of us minute by minute)!?! If He can keep track of our falling strands, I think He can handle the rest as well.

The Truth God has given us, the directions He takes us, and the cousel He gives will never frustrate our abilities nor will they handicap us. They may prod us, prune and cultivate us but only to make us flourish.

That's the kind of parent I want to be to Caleb. Lord, help our training of Caleb encourage him to flourish!

"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener... every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." John 15:1,2b

Praying with a child

2010-04-22T13:29:00.000-07:00

Over the past year or so, we've had a lot of family needs that have really helped us put prayer and faith into action... and all in front of Caleb. Some of the prayers are answered within days. Some of the prayers are repeated for months and months before we see His answer. Some of the prayers we are still waiting to see His answer. All this to say that Caleb is consistently hearing us pray for the same people/situations, day after day, month after month. At times he hears a name and tells us to pray for them right then. He has stopped playing, and asked me to "pray mommy!" and then holds his hands together in prayer, waiting for me to start. Even in the midst of our nightly prayers, if he thinks I'm forgetting something or someone, he will repeat the suggestion over and over until I speak it out loud in prayer. He's quite persistent.

But he's learning to pray.

He's also learning God hears us when we pray AND God answers us when we pray. We often remind him of the times God has answered our prayers in the affirmative and brought healing. He knows that we prayed for Daddy's foot to be healed for months and now Daddy's foot has "no booboos"! He knows that we prayed for Mawmaw's back and tummy to get better and that now she doesn't "huwt" (aka hurt). We prayed for God to heal Caleb's liver and now it's perfectly normal! Maybe TMI, but when constipated, we pray for God to help him "go potty" and then are sure to remind him how God answered that prayer too. We repeat these praises with Caleb again and again.

He's learning. And honestly, in emphasizing these things over and over with Caleb, I'm being reminded that God really does answer our prayers. All the time. Every time.

He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. Psalm 91:15

How often do we pray something... and then a week or a month later forget that prayer and don't even pay attention when He answers? We may think "That's great! He got a job!" but we forget that it was on our prayer list a month ago (or in my case even a week ago). We don't stop to recognize that God did in fact answer our prayer. Ok, maybe I'm the only one. But it's certainly true for me. If I don't even realize that He answered the prayer, I'm certainly not thanking Him for answering.

But teaching Caleb is reminding me what a privilege it is to be a child of God, to have a God that listens to us when we pray, and to thank Him for answering.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him 1 John 5:14-15

Rambles

2010-04-21T10:51:00.000-07:00

I need to figure out a better system. I am actually journaling a lot more than it seems. I have at least 20 posts started but not ready to officially post (the number could be closer to 40, I just don't want to count them all!) I just can't seem to get them right. if this were a regular journal, I would write them the way they initially come out and move on. Something about pushing that "publish post" button makes me want to review and review until I'm confident I said what I wanted to say.

I am so glad when I finish one. I love that I can look back through my old lessons/prayers as a reminder (or to act as a progress report).

Maybe the unfinished posts means I haven't learned all I need to learn in those particular areas... or at least enough to write about them. Surely I'll get them eventually!

A Family That Gives a Treasured Gift

2010-04-06T17:37:00.000-07:00

I have been overwhelmed this past year with how blessed we are with such an amazing family. How rare is it to be able to say that about BOTH sides of your family... and on into extended family!?! It is a treasure for me. Since having Caleb, that treasure is even more special. This is a gift for Caleb that I could have never given myself. It is straight from God and His potter's hands. It is a gift that parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins give without even realizing it.... simply because they determined to trust and let Him mold them.

They speak testimonies of faith before they even open their mouths. They live it first. Caleb can see their faith, not just hear about it. He will learn from that. What a great lesson to be taught from his Uncle Perry, his Lola, his ... oh, I could name everyone! He has a family that stands firm on the Word, that believes It with all their beings.... teaching Caleb all the while that It is a strong foundation on which to stand!

They live out giving without recognition or credit.... just because there was a need and they could help. They live out honoring others even when the "others" aren't very deserving at times. They live out strength amidst one sorrow after another. They live and breathe prayer. They are joyful even when busy, tired, or during not-so-joyful situations. They walk in wisdom, even when wisdom requires uncomfortable actions or difficult obedience. They know where their gifts and blessings come from, do not take them for granted, and use them to bless others. They know the Word and use it. It doesn't just sit on their coffee tables or become stale in their minds. They rejoice in other's happiness or accomplishments as if it were their own. All in all, they live God's love in the way it should be lived, without judgement, without condition, but as one who once was lost but now is found. They were "first loved" so they could love.

There is not a perfect one in the bunch. They have not made their way themselves. They have fallen. They have needed help. They have needed hard lessons, kicks in the rear, and welcome arms to return to. They have turned left when they should've turned right and ended up stuck in the mud at times.

All this Caleb will see too. But he won't just see them stuck. He'll see them pulled up and cleaned off. He'll see them continuing their walk with God. He'll see the molding continue. That is a beautiful lesson.

I had a similar family growing up.. grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins... all teaching me how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ (Eph 3:18). They spoke the words from their mouths, yes. But they did even better than that. They lived it. And I learned beautiful lessons. His love is not a truth I doubted. It just wasn't deniable because I saw with my own eyes the Truth through my family. I was given a most treasured gift. I know what a difference it makes in my life. And now Caleb gets to grow up receiving the same gift. Just as it made a difference with me, it will make a difference with him.

How do you thank someone for giving this gift?

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35

The Great Teacher and The Great Contender

2010-03-11T10:47:00.000-08:00

My Bible study this morning brought me to several passages that are weighty in their description of oppression and relieving in their description of the LORD's loyalty. I listed most of the scriptures at the end of this post, but my point of this post is to write a prayer for Caleb.

Oh God, Thou has taught me from my youth; and I still declare Thy wondrous deeds. And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Thy strength to this generation, Thy power to all who are to come. (Ps 71:17,18) This is my prayer for Caleb. Teach him even now. Teach him as he toddles, teach him when he runs, and teach him when he drives. In all the days of his youth You, LORD, to be his teacher. What an awesome gift to grow up with. When he is old and gray may he still declare Your wondrous deeds, may he still delight in you. (Ps 18:19) Let him share the lessons you teach him to his generation.

Do not let oppressors control him. Protect him now before the attempts are even made. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion. It cannot be shaken; it remains forever. Jerusalem - the mountains surround her. And the LORD surrounds His people, both now and forever. (Ps 125:1,2) Under your teaching, help Caleb to grow confident and secure like a mountain, to trust You. Surround him, both now and forever. YOU make him secure, You make him stand like a strong mountain. (Ps 30:6-7)

Do not let those who attack prevail against him. Do not let the plowmen plow over his back. Don't let him be used. (Ps 129:2-4) YOU contend with the one who tries to contend with him. (Is 49:25) Bring him to a spacious place (Ps 18:19), with all the room to grow. Do not let him walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers. Let his delight be in the Your law. Teach him to meditate on Your word day and night. Let him be like a tree, planted by your river of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season. Let him be like a tree, whose leaves will not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper. (Ps 1:1-3)

I thank you, Father, that You are the Great Contender. You want Caleb even more than I want Caleb to want You. You protect him with even more power than I could imagine possible. You will teach him even more than you have taught me.... if he will only have ears to hear. Father, let him have ears to hear.

________________________________________________________

Scripture verses in their entirety:

Since my youth they have often attacked me, but they have not prevailed against me. Plowmen plowed over my back; they made their furrows long. The LORD is righteous; He has cut the ropes of the wicked. Ps 129:2-4

He brought me into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. Ps 18:19

Oh God, Thou hast taught me from my youth; And I still declare Thy wondrous deeds. And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forwake me, Until I declare Thy strength to this generation, Thy power to all who are to come. Ps 71:17, 18

Thus says your Lord, the LORD, even your God who contends for His people, 'Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of reeling; the chalice of My anger, you will never drink it again. And I will put it inot the hand of your tormentors, who have said to you, 'Lie down that we may walk over you.' You have even made your back like the ground, and like the street for those who walk over it. Isaiah 51:22-23

Surely, thus says the LORD, "Even the captives of the mighty man will be taken away, and the prey of the tyrant will be rescued; For I will contend with the one who contends with you." Isaiah 49:25

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3

Just passing time? (part one)

2010-03-03T16:36:00.000-08:00

This is a question I ask myself a lot.

Sometimes I feel like I'm just passing time, getting through the day, the week, or maybe just the morning? It's not that I dislike my life or my days with my little toddler. I guess the routine sometimes gets to me. I hate these ruts, yet I still manage to find myself in them every now and then. It typically happens when I don't have a goal or a vision for the day. Caleb and I still play and have fun, but it's a mindless movement from one activity/errand to another. There's no thought as to why I'm doing what I'm doing, I'm just filling time.... until naptime, until dad comes home, until bedtime, until the weekend, until ... My whole heart and soul isn't in my mommy-ing on these days.

I don't think stay at home mom's are the only ones that deal with this. I remember as a teacher, I could easily fulfill all my duties, follow my lesson plan, even engage my students during class, and still just be passing time. Again, my whole heart and soul wasn't in my work on those days.

I believe that as Christians we don't have to live even a single day like this. He didn't intend living to be like this when He creating us. I also believe that making a habit out of passing time is detrimental. It is certainly not benefitting to either myself or to my child. If I'm consistently living life just filling space to keep myself busy with no thought as to why I'm doing what I'm doing, I am not serving Him to my full potential. He won't be able to mold me as He wants. I am turning my ears off to the Holy Spirit, whether I realize it or not. I miss opportunities to serve and therefore opportunities to grow.... and as a mother, opportunities to teach my son how to live as God intended.

If I am just passing time, I am doing a disservice to my child. All his needs will not be met (especially the mental and emotional needs) and I will be offering a poor example of what it means to serve Christ which is my biggest responsibility as a mother. I'm teaching him that's it's ok to pass time every now and then, as long as I'm fulfilling my responsibilities on the outside it should be no big deal. Everyone does it occasionally, right?

Ever read Ecclesiastes? The beginning chapters of this book are written from this perspective. It's actually quite depressing. I remember skipping that book a lot when I was younger. :)

That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will
be done. Ecclesiastes 1:9

Yes, we all have the blah moments, the temptation to just pass time, just continue the day. Those feelings are normal. It is not ok to live those feelings.

I want to teach my son how to respond to those blah feelings, those days we want to just sit in front of the tv until mealtime (or sit our toddler in front of the tv until mealtime). That is a lesson worthy of being taught. Since he will better remember the way I live than the words I speak, living this example every day will be life impacting for him. It'll be pretty life impacting for me too!

God Loves Me

2010-02-25T19:51:00.000-08:00

It's amazing how lessons meant for toddler's are still great reminders for me too! I love this song from Veggietales, of course the adorable Junior Asparagus sings it with his sweet little boy voice!

"God Loves Me"

In my bed I start to pray
And tell God all about my day

I woke up in my little bed
And put my hat upon my head
Cleaned my room
And cleared my dishes
Told mom breakfast was delicious
I went to school, learned something new
And tried to follow every rule
I studied my vocabulary
Had some fun with Bob and Larry

(chorus)
And so it's good to know (And so it's really good to know)
How much you love me…it's true
The bible says you do
You really love me
Your love was with me all throughout my day

I some how over looked my bed
Seems my dog is underfed
Forgot to change my underclothes
Watched one to many T.V. shows
I had some trouble sharing toys
And during rest time, made some noise
Walls are not for coloring
Sometimes I'm off key when I sing

(chorus)

In my bed so quietly
I rest in knowing God Loves Me!

What a beautiful lesson! Every child should know this... every adult too. Think how different we would be today if we lived our lives each moment remembering that God Loves Me!

If you want to hear this song... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ch239kCT3Q&feature=related

Growing, Thriving, and Increasing His Joy

2010-01-14T11:41:00.001-08:00

I am really enjoying Caleb at this age. I love, love, love that he has started to understand some basic reasoning. I can tell him something that is about to happen, something that I expect from him in the near future AND he understands, remembers and responds accordingly. It's just beautiful. It makes it so much easier for him to solve problems, successfully experience new things, communicate with us,...

It's not that I didn't love the infancy stage or the pre-toddler stage. Those were special and our relationship during that time was special. But our relationship is growing. As he develops, learns new things, and his comprehension increases, we are able to communicate with each other better and therefore understand each other better. There isn't actually more time interacting with him, but more depth to our interaction.

It got me thinking, God wants that same thing with us. When we first accept Him as our Lord, we are babies. There is so much we don't understand about Him, about His character, about His work in our lives, and about His plan for the future of man. Our lack of understanding doesn't mean He doesn't enjoy us or that we don't enjoy Him.

But as we study, as we seek, as we listen, as we practice and therefore grow into Christian toddlerhood, childhood, and eventually adulthood, He can reveal more and more to us. The foundation will have already been built and growth in our relationship can occur. I imagine this is His desire. He created us to walk with Him, we messed it up and He has since been doing everything to make that walk possible again. I'm not talking about just salvation either (though I do believe "just salvation" is quite an oxymoron). As great as salvation is, it isn't the finish line. We don't accept Christ, breathe a sigh of relief and check off the spiritual box on our life's to-do list. At least that isn't what He wants of us.

I get excited about my baby's development because of what it means for his future, because what it means for our relationship, and what it means I can teach him next and what he will be able to do next. As His children, He gets excited about our development too. God wants us to grow in our understanding past the milk to the babyfood, to the finger food, to the steak dinner. Each step of growth we take thrills Him because of what it means for our future, for our relationship with Him and for what He's able to teach us next or where He will be able to take us.

So then why do we stop? Why do we think step A or step B is enough? Why don't we want more when He so wants to give it to us? We would never want that for our child. Why don't we let our Father be our Father and teach us new things? All it takes is time.... and active listening.

Hebrews is a very in depth book. I certainly have yet to grasp it all. One portion stands out in light of this...

"We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so." (Hebrews 5:11- 6:3)

The frustration of the author is evident, wanting so much for his audience of believers to now understand in more depth (in this case, how Christ is the High Priest in the order of Melchizadek), but they are still at the point on needing a reminder of "elementary" things. How much are they missing! How much are we missing!?!

If need be, I will remind and reteach the basic lessons to my son. I will do it again and again as needed, but how great it would be for him to learn and move on! God will remind us and reteach of His basic lessons again and again and again, as often as we need to hear them. But how much greater our life will be to enjoy the fruit of that wisdom and move on to eat some more and then some more! And how much greater His joy!

God Said it, So it Must be True

2009-10-10T20:29:00.001-07:00

Caleb started having some trouble falling asleep at night. We did some sleep training a long time ago and ever since he has mostly been able to fall asleep on his own with no problems. If he's overtired (hasn't gotten naps/nighttime sleep like he needed, whether my fault or his), it is often harder for him. But most of the time he's good about it.
Anyway, as fall has arrived and it is getting dark sooner, he did NOT like going to bed without the sunlight peering through the curtains. He would fuss and cry and we would go in to help him to sleep, hoping he'd get used to the darker room soon. Well, mom or dad helping him to sleep QUICKLY creates a habit for Caleb (and one that takes longer and longer to work); we were starting a new trend that was making Caleb lose precious sleeptime.
So, I started teaching him about nighttime. We talked about how God made both the light and the dark. He made beautiful things for us that only come out when it's nighttime like the moon and the stars. I taught him about how He gave us light so we could see during the day to work and play, and how he gave us darkness at night so our eyes could rest and we could sleep. We talked about how BOTH the day AND the night were so nice. I pointed out pictures in books and commented about how nice it was dark at night so that the baby in the picture to sleep, etc.
I told him when mommy turns off the light, it would get dark (he even started saying the word, "dark"), but again that it was so nice to be able to rest our eyes and sleep when it was dark. I told him how Jesus was always with him, that he could talk to Him anytime he wanted, even at night in bed. Then I layed out my expectations for him, "When I turn out the lights and it gets dark, I will pray with you and sing you a song. Then I want you to lay down in bed and go to sleep. You don't need to cry or play. It will be so nice to just lay down and go to sleep."

The first night I told him this, he suddenly had no problems at all. He did just what I asked of him, he layed down and went to sleep. I was a little shocked (especially after the week or so of his hating the dark). All he needed was a little explanation. For over a week now, he has done beautifully when I lay him down and leave the room. He trusted mommy enough to believe her when she said the dark room was nice and that he didn't have to cry. Mommy said it, so it must be true.

It made me think about how often I respond to God's words with a similar trust. No "why" or "what if" or "that can't be" or "wouldn't you rather I..." Just a "God said it, so it must be true" AND "I will change my actions because of what God said."

God said,
"Don't worry about anything, instead pray about everything." (Philippians 4:6)
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing" (1 Peter 3:9)
"Wives should submit to your husbands in everything." (Ephesians 5:24)
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)

There are countless things God has said that we each have trouble trusting AND changing our actions because of it. Instead we worry constantly, we encourage payback, we bicker with our husbands, we live in guilt, the list could go on and on. Why are we so slow to believe the God who made all and knows all? How great it would be if we truly trusted. We could lay down and sleep soundly because we know "God said it, so it must be true." It's as simple as that.

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6

The Gift of Integrity

2009-09-02T19:36:00.000-07:00

We don't often hear about integrity anymore. Perhaps out of laziness or busyness we've given up on the endeavor. Maybe greediness has gotten in the way. Or even worse, maybe we have grown to despise integrity or those who seek it. Whatever the reason, it seems our culture finds integrity to be either undesirable, unbelievable or unattainable, and therefore a mute topic of conversation.

The Bible doesn't.

God says integrity is most definitely desirable, absolutely attainable, and a vital part of the life He purposed for us.

There are immeasurable rewards received here on earth and stored up in heaven for those who walk in integrity. A most cherished gift is the assurance that our children will be blessed because we lived uprightly. "A righteous man who walks in integrity - How blessed are his sons after him." ( Proverbs 20:7) There is great testimony when our life backs up our speech. When the two are joined, our children see the Biblical principles living and breathing through us. Love is not just a concept discussed in Corinthians, but an act witnessed in mom and dad. Honor, truth, and discipline are all made real by the daily example of mom and dad, that is if we pursue it with all we have.

I believe my endeavor to live a life of integrity is part of “training a child in the way he should go.” (Proverbs 22:6) I am to teach him God’s word, yes. But I am also to show him God’s word in how I choose to honor the grocery clerk, in how I serve my neighbor, in how I resist laziness, and in how I offer forgiveness.

Recently two women in the Bible have peaked my interest, Lois and Eunice. In a letter to Timothy, Paul says “… I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well” (2 Timothy 1:5). It is a quick reference, and from my search, the only mention of either woman. They are a grandmother and a mother who lived such lives of integrity that their offspring was blessed because of it, just like the Proverb says.

Sincerity of faith is judged by the way we live. While God can see the heart, man’s assessment is dependent on what he sees. Timothy didn’t merely hear God’s word, he saw it in action as he grew up. Lois and Eunice’s faith was proven real because they lived it. This makes me want to look at my own life. Am I a Lois or a Eunice to my own son?

I recently heard the saying, “We teach what we know, but we reproduce what we are.” So true. It’s easy to speak the part, not as easy to live it. The lessons I teach Caleb are invalidated if I do not live them out myself. When I shy from an opportunity to share Christ or lose patience with my husband, Caleb is learning an unfortunate lesson. When I encourage a friend or seek God through prayer, Caleb is learning and prospering because of it.

I am not there yet. I see areas of my life where impulse takes precedence over wisdom, pride precedes humility, or self-control is abandoned. Praise God, He is still at work in me. He is patient beyond measure. His grace endures through the entire race. He is a fine teacher and I will learn well from Him.

What better gift could I give my son, than a mom whose words and actions point the way to Christ? What better gift could I give my Christ, than a life lived in sincere faith, in integrity?

Abba, Father

2009-06-07T19:54:00.000-07:00

Today Pen and I were having lunch with Caleb and he wasn't wanting to eat his greenbeans. It is unusual for Caleb to push his nose up to food (unless maybe too hot/spicy). Pen took some off of his plate, ate them and that was encouragement enough for Caleb to eat them too. He ended up eating his whole plate of greenbeans!

Afterwards, Pen told me, "I bet that's how God wants us to be with Him. He wants us to so admire and look up to Him that we want to follow in His footsteps. To do what He does." (Ok, that's not verbatim, but anyone who knows my memory, knows a general recap is all you're gonna get!)

Anyway, I like the thought. Caleb really does look up to his dad. Pen can easily get him to try new words, new food, accomplish a new skill, all by doing it first himself and encouraging Caleb to follow. Caleb so admires his dad, that he wants to do what he does. How many times in the Bible does it say we should be more like Him? How often do we actually try that? How often do we lose sight of Him completely?

When you think about it, the very fact that The King of kings, The Creator, The Beginning of all, and The End of all would even imply that we can be like Him is too awesome to put to words. He says it's possible. He has only good qualities to emulate. He is our Abba, Father (as a past worship leader called Him, "Daddy, God"), wanting us to look up to Him, watch His actions and His character, and follow behind in His footsteps. Just like Caleb tries to follow behind his daddy's steps, I have a someone to follow too.
The fact that Caleb looks up to Pen so much just makes him so proud. How much more proud of us is our Abba, Father, when we look up to Him as well.

"Overflowing with Gratitude"

2009-05-19T06:44:00.000-07:00

"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude." Colossians 2:7

When I take the time to thank God for who He is, that He is in my life, and for how He has blessed me, I gain great perspective. Those things that were overwhelming a few minutes ago seem petty now. Afterall, He is on the throne. He is Lord over my life. I can let Him take care of those issues. I can enjoy this life and these blessings He has given. I can walk in Him.

We so often hear of key things to do to help us walk in Him, read the Word, serve others, pray. Paul says we should add gratitude to that list. "Thank you, Father, that I have 2 beautiful people in my life, my husband and my son." Saying those words makes me look past my earlier frustrations with them. The extra laundry, the added to-do list, the arguments aren't such a big deal anymore because I have taken a moment to remember they are a gift.

I have always loved the last few chapters of Job when God is speaking to him. Job has just gone through one horrific event after another and is questioning why these things have happened to him. Interestingly, God's response is a list of His abilities, His powers. He doesn't give an explanation of Job's circumstances; He doesn't give directions to get out of those circumstances. Instead, He reminds Job of who He is. He reminds Job of why he can still be grateful amidst his present circumstances.

Caleb enjoys watching Veggietales. We often sit down to watch a recorded episode while he drinks his milk after a nap. There is a song in one of them called "The Thankfulness Song." It really has great lyrics, exactly in line with Colossians 2:7.

The Thankfulness Song

"I thank God for this day,
For the sun in the sky,
For my mom and my dad,
For my piece of apple pie!

For our home on the ground,
For His love that's all around,
That's why I say thanks every day!

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart!
I'm glad for what I have,
Thats an easy way to start!

For the love that He shares,
'Cause He listens to my prayers,
That's why I say thanks every day!

Thank you Dad for our day,
For our trip to the mall,
For the time just with me,
For my big red bouncy ball!
For the fun that we had,
I'm so happy you're my dad,
That's why I say thanks everyday!

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart!
I'm glad for what I have,
That's an easy way to start!
For a God who really cares
And He listens to our prayers,
That's why I say thanks everyday!

That's why we say thanks everyday!"

Here's a cute Youtube of the song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=takc97w9by4

"No, No!"

2009-05-14T17:59:00.000-07:00

Caleb has started saying "No, no" every time he sees something he's not supposed to touch. The remote controls, the computer, the trash can, each time it's "No, no, no, no." It's as if he is reminding himself to stay away.
It got me thinking, this should be our reaction to those temptations we come up to. How would we respond differently if we gave ourselves a "no, no" right away!

Joseph ran from the seduction by Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39); that's a "No, no." Jesus immediately spoke against Peter's rebuke (Mark 8:31-33); that's a "No, no." David didn't turn away at the sight of Bathsheeba bathing on the roof (2 Samuel 11); that's ummm, no "No, no." :). Joseph ended up 2nd in command of all Egypt. Jesus, uh... King of Kings! :) David was King of Isreal and remained king after his failure with Bathsheeba, but he also endured the death of a son, the rape of a daughter, the insurrection of a son, and a lot of family bickering. He quickly learned that "no, no" is a much better response.

I think I'd get into a lot less trouble if I said a "no, no" each time I met up with something God has declared wrong. When I get frustrated with my husband and want to speak rudely, "No, no." When I see that dial push past the speed limit, "No, no." Hit a channel with unGodly content, "No, no." Hear the neighbors' gossip, "No, no." Hear the couch beckoning instead of the dishes, "No, no."

Hmmm...lesson learned from my 1 year old son!

Easter thoughts

2009-05-03T17:32:00.001-07:00

I had one more reason this year to stand in awe of the gift we celebrate at Easter, that reason is my son Caleb. I am in awe of a God that would give up His Son, give of Himself for me... small, simple, me. How amazing is that? He wanted that relationship with me so much that He "did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, being made in human likeness." WOW. That's the God I want. What other god would do that? What other man would do that (if possible of course)?
I think of all the beauty I have in life because of Him and grateful seems too small of a word. I think of all the beauty Caleb can have in his life because of Him, and am simply overwhelmed. Parents want only the best for our kids. You can't get any better than a personal relationship with the Creator of everything. He made that possible for my son. WOW

Dedication

2009-04-18T06:37:00.000-07:00

We actually dedicated Caleb back in November, but I am just now getting to recording Pen's pray for him. I really like how our church performs baby dedications. Pastor Bruce explains the purpose of it and why the difference from baby baptisms, he introduces the babies and allow the moms to tell why they chose the name, the parents verbally agree to the dedication, and finally the dad's say a prayer over their baby. Here's Pen's prayer...

"Father God, We thank You for entrusting Caleb's life to us. We dedicate his life to You today. We submit our lives to You, let it be Your righteousness, Your wisdom, Your strength, Your instruction, Your provision, Your protection, and Your favor that he will see through us. In Your name, we crush any work of the enemy that will otherwise deter the plans You have set for him. Let him learn early in life that You alone are his salvation, his Lord, his Portion, and Everything he needs. Let him understand the depth of Your love, grace and mercy that You have reached out to each tribe and tongue. Let him be a seeker of truth, that Your word shall be his daily bread, the light to the path You have laid before him. Lead him and guide him for Your name's sake. Let prayer and praise be continually on his lips. Let him be a warrior for Christ, a winner of souls, a servant to others. As he grows in Christ, reveal more of Your character to him that he may find the purpose of his life more meaningful and complete. May his entire life be worship to You alone, daily living in obedience to Your Word...that Caleb may live his name, and You may find him ever faithful to You. All these things we ask and claim in Jesus Christ, Amen."

My personal favorite line... "that Caleb may live his name, and You may find him ever faithful to You."
I'll have to come back and explain the meaning of his name.
I'm blessed to have a husband that seeks Him as he parents and prays the Word of God over our son.

My Prayers for Caleb

2009-04-16T08:21:00.002-07:00

It's amazing how perspective changes so much when you have a child. I've been reading through Paul's letters and keep coming across verses that just strike me as something I want to pray specifically for Caleb. This morning I thought to start writing some of them down, as a record for when we see God's provision.

this is from yesterday (I will add to it later)...

...that utterance may be given to [Caleb] in the opening of his mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel...that in proclaiming it [he] may speak boldly, as [he] ought to speak. Ephesians 6:24

This is from this morning...

And this I pray, that [Caleb's] love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that [he] may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11

-- As our country gets closer and closer to the Babylonian mindset, making evil appear good and good appear evil and like Isaiah said, "who says in [their] heart, 'I am, and there is no one besides me'" (Isaiah 47:8), I really believe Christians need to pray for "real knowledge and all discernment." It is going to be increasingly necessary as the days go on and we get closer to His coming. I do not want Caleb growing up believing that right/wrong is subjective, that he is the one that determines these things for himself. Afterall, that is another form of idolatry...putting your own beliefs above God's. Right and wrong is something God lays out for us in His Word. It is not something we can pick and choose which part to believe/live by.

Thankfully, we are found blameless by God only when we accept His Son into our lives. Blameslessness or excellence in God's sight cannot be achieved by our own work, no matter how hard our efforts or good our intentions. But I noticed that Paul does say our love for this depth of insight/real knowledge and discernment will result in sincere and blameless lives. Paul describes it as a "fruit of righteousness." Biblically, a fruit is something for God's glory but seen by man as a witness/testimony to them. Later, Paul even says he prays (while imprisoned because of his preaching the gospel) that "[he] will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ shall even now, as always, be exalted in [his] body, whether by life or by death" (Phil 1:20). So these blameless lives we are to live are so that the world cannot find fault in us, so that we do not "shame" the gospel that we claim as ours. It shows them whether we are truly sincere.

I want this for Caleb. That he would grow to seek and love His knowledge and His discernment, that it would permeate his life so much so that he bears the fruit of righteousness to all who know him, and in that life God would be exalted.

A Watchful Eye

2009-03-16T13:49:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, I noticed Caleb putting his hands together when I said "Let's pray." I never actually taught him to do this, but we do pray before meals and before bed. I just always put my hands together and closed my eyes (which might be why I had never noticed). I'm not sure when he started this, but somewhere along the way he learned by example. Actually even before I noticed him clasping his hands together, he would get real excited and squeal when we got to "amen" (probably because he knew food was on its way!). He has a book that mentions praying a few times and has started folding his hands together when we get to that part as well. We didn't teach him this. He just put two and two together.

He doesn't really understand what we're doing when we pray or why we do it, but he'll get there. I love that he's on his way to learning that God deserves praise and thanks first.

It took months of us practicing and using sign language before he used his first sign. I thought he'd never get it. But "praying" was no work at all and he picked it up in no time. So many of the things we learn come by example, and I think the lesson is better learned that way. I don't remember my parents teaching/telling me how rewarding it was to have an active and consistent relationship with God and that we get that relationship through communication and time with Him (though I'm sure it was probably told to me at some point). What I do remember is seeing both mom and dad consistently living out that kind of relationship with Him; that's really how I learned to live it myself. I learned that husbands put their wives first (aside from God) and vice versa by seeing them do it day in and day out. I learned that a person of character was an honest and diligent worker. I learned that good work wasn't done for pay or for praise but for God. I learned that honesty and openness led to better friendships. All of these things came from an example set before me, a mom, a dad, a grandparent, a friend.

He's not even one year yet, and it's already so evident how much Caleb learns by the example that he sees in us. Of course I hope he will only learn from the good we do and not the bad, but it's probably a better idea to cut out the bad instead!

Lessons from Eli, the High Priest

2009-02-10T07:50:00.000-08:00

I recently reread the story of Eli, a High Priest of the Old Testament. Eli had two sons who were also priests, but they did not show respect to God and were very poor examples as priests. Besides being womanizers, they kept the best of offerings and even stole offerings for themselves.

Eli verbally reprimanded them, but nothing more. He offered no other form of punishment, and his sons continued in their roles as priests. They also continued in their disobedience and sin.

What struck me is God's response to Eli. Through the prophet, He asked "Why do you honor your sons more than me - for you and they have become fat from the best offerings of my people!" (1 Samuel 2:29). God made a direct correlation between Eli allowing his sons' disobedience with dishonoring Him. Eli was putting his own sons ahead of God because he wasn't doing what was necessary a High Priest and a father (and this is with adult children).

How many times have you seen parents verbally reprimand their child but do nothing more? How many times have we done this ourselves? "I told you not to run in the house." "I told you to do your homework," or "Stop hitting your brother." These things are repeated countless times because the disobedience is repeated countless times. They do not follow through with a consequence for fear that the child will feel unloved or abused, for fear that their child will count them an enemy rather than a friend, or perhaps because they are too distracted with something else to bother. By not following through with our child's disobedience we are putting something else above God. We were given the responsibility to train our children "in the way they should go".

We are first to obey Him, to follow His directives as He laid out in the Bible. Doing what He says is what is best for our children. This is part of the example I want to set for Caleb. There may be times in the future when he doesn't understand or is put off by my discipline or descisions as a parent. We should not parent based on our child's temporary feelings but with a goal to honor God first in all things.

I Love My Job

2009-02-06T11:15:00.000-08:00

I just had an "I Love My Job" kinda moment. Caleb laying in my lap just jabbering away, smiling, and being altogether adorable. What a great gift I have in my son.

And I'm so grateful that my husband is supportive of me staying home with Caleb, and willing to sacrifice so that I can.

Honoring Our Children

2009-02-02T08:27:00.001-08:00

I've been reading a book my dad gave me for Christmas called "Honor's Reward" by John Bevere. There is so much I'm learning from it. I just finished the chapter that speaks of honoring our children, explaining one way we honor them is by training and discipling them. Since Caleb is now old enough to understand some of what we're saying, I've started to implement training throughout our day. I mentioned in an earlier post, , that I'm teaching him to understand "no sir", to look at me when I call for him, and most recently to come to me when I ask him. Basically, we're starting the early forms of obedience. We do this whether we are playing with toys, eating lunch, changing diapers. I've learned that consistency is essential.

There are times when I ask him to "come to mommy" and he doesn't (actually, most of the time he doesn't; he's still learning what those words mean), so I physically go get him and bring him where he needed to be. I explain to him "when mommy tells you to come to her, you need to crawl to where she is like this." There are times when I ask him to "come to mommy" and of course he doesn't, I honestly just want to forget that I told him to "come" and let him keep playing for a few more minutes instead. But I don't want him to learn that it's ok to ignore me, so I keep at it.

Bevere's description of honoring our children through training and discipline was such an encouragement for me. I honestly never thought of this simple training as a form of honor, but I guess it is. It shows a parents love and respect for their children, that they are willing to do what is necessary to help their child be fully equipped for the future. And it that honor brings forth a reward, for both parent and child.

Yesterday was the first time that I asked Caleb to "come to mommy" and he did, even when it was very visible that he didn't want to. He gave this little sigh, looked back at what he was previously aiming for (the stairs) and instead heading towards me. Of course he got lots of praise for his obedience and self control. I get the reward of a child who is learning to walk this life with Godly character and wisdom.

"The rod and rebuke give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother." Proverbs 29:15

Arms Open Wide

2009-01-28T18:39:00.000-08:00

When Caleb was younger I remember looking forward to the time when he could hold his arms up to show me he wanted me to hold him. I'm thrilled that he's reached that age and it's just as great as I had hoped. It's really all about communication. Caleb can't speak (well, other than the occasional "uh-oh," "dadadada" and "bye-bye"), but when he holds his arms out, he's "telling" me a great deal. "I want you." "I need you." "I'm content with you." "I love you."

I'm his mom, an adult, that will do what is necessary and provide all he needs whether he "tells" me these things or not. I do not place a condition on my provision. Maybe that makes it even more special when he holds out his arms for me or snuggles up to me at bedtime, I'm not forcing it yet he chooses to communicate those things out of a genuine desire and need of me.

If I feel this way, how much more my heavenly Father. I've always loved the prayer Jesus prays the night before His crucifixion. I think it gives such insight of the love and desire of Christ. He talks about wanting us...His creation to be unified with Him. Wow. The Bible is full of examples of how far God is willing to go to gain that unity, that communication and fellowship with us. There's no doubt how much He wants us. As I was looking forward to Caleb being able and willing to communicate with me...God is doing the same.

We're formed with His specific plan, created with the necessary gifts to achieve it. I imagine as we're placed in the arms of our parents, God begins His wait for that little one to open his arms wide to Him, to begin showing their genuine desire and need of Him, to begin allowing Him to continue molding us and preparing us for our individual service. No wonder "the heavens rejoice" when we first open our arms to Him. Whether we're 5 or 45, He rejoices.

Finding Joy

2009-01-22T13:58:00.000-08:00

Feeding Caleb is one of the most enjoyable times of the day for me (breastfeeding that is, solid feeding is quite stressful right now!). After he finishes, we sit together in the rocking chair, talking, playing, laughing, singing. Today he found it hilarious for me to pull him up to a standing position and sit him back down. We did this over and over, and each time he just cracked up.

He is so joyful about experiencing things in his world, how they feel and sound, what they look, smell and taste like. Whether it be a facial expression he finds funny and wants to imitate, kicking a ball around the kitchen, listening to dad play the guitar, or tasting the petroleum jelly he grabbed out of the jar (oops), his contentment is written all over his face. He is most certainly enjoying the gifts God gave him. It got me thinking how rare it is to see an adult similarly joyful about his world and the gifts God gave him. We are even more experienced, have more abilities, more traveled, more aware of our world than a 9 month old, yet instead of creating more contentment we seem to let it make us more cynical or even depressed. Sure there are things in this world that we notice as adults that less than admirable. We're at fault for that and we have to live with what we've done. Last I checked, we still have those many things God made for us and gave to us. These are the same things that "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. " (Gen. 1:31)
He can see the good here. Caleb can see the good. Why do we let ourselves miss out?

"Work done well, work done poorly, and work not done at all"

2009-01-17T19:23:00.001-08:00

I just started a new book from a new favorite author of mine, Levi's Will by W. Dale Cramer. It is a novel about an Amish boy that leaves home as a teenager...that's all I know so far as I'm nowhere near done and have no idea where the story will lead me (haven't even read the synopsis on the back yet).
In beginning his nomadic trek through the states working wherever he found a job, the main character, Will, gave a beautiful description of the type of work ethics I would love to instill in Caleb as he grows.
"Work was work and a roof was a roof, even if it was just a harness room with cots. There was nothing he could not, or would not, do. He had never been taught to divide work into categories of good work or bad, easy or hard, dignified or undignified; he had only been raised to recognize work done well, work done poorly, and work not done at all. If manure needed shoveling, in Will's mind the only true indignity was leaving it unshoveled." (p. 45)
This attitude is so far removed from our culture today. I'm not quite sure how one would go about teaching this...other than modeling it yourself.

"With good will render service, as to the Lord, an not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free."
Ephesians 6:7

Obedience

2009-01-09T18:19:00.000-08:00

I've started trying to teach Caleb what "no" means and to acknowledge me (by looking at me) when I speak to him. I thought since he can give me a "high five" or clap his hands when asked, I figured he can learn some simple commands.

I'll preface this by saying, I acknowledge that when he doesn't look at me at my request or listen to my "no", he's not disobeying me. At his age, he doesn't understand what it means to disobey and is simply learning what certain words mean...but I learned a lesson through it all the same.

Throughout my life as a Christian there have been things that I just get wrong a lot. I don't listen to the Holy Spirit's direction and simply do what I want instead. When I've consistently done something wrong, it's easy to just give up and think "I've done this too many times, God's so disappointed, why even try anymore." (or something along those lines). One thing I learned with Caleb is that even though he ackowledges and "obeys" me about half the time, I'm still so excited and proud of him when he does obey. When he doesn't look at me when I ask or when he touches the blinds even after telling him "no", I am of course disappointed. But that disappointment doesn't make me give up on him, nor does it make me any less pleased with him when he choses to listen and obey.

I think that's the way God is with us. Our mistakes and disobedience certainly disappoint Him, but it doesn't lessen His pleasure in our obedience later on.

My persistence will pay off with Caleb. God's persistence will pay off with me too.

The Grass is Greener

2008-12-04T13:47:00.000-08:00

This is a little old, but I'm finally getting around to writing it...

Apparently the desire for what we can't have begins young. At just 5 months old, I started noticing that keeping something away from Caleb, or telling him he couldn't play with it made him that much more interested in it. The remote control happened to be the first example of this. He would sit and stare at it (perhaps hoping I would look away and he could finally have at it), ignoring anything I did to try and distract him from it. I'm surprised that he would choose sitting and staring at it versus actually getting to play with something. I tried getting a toy remote control and apparently those are just no fun. I even found an old remote that is no longer in use and gave him that (I know, probably not a good idea); it appeased him for a while, but eventually wore out its interest too. At 7 months, he still however, is fascinated with the current remote control. What makes it different than the others? All I can figure is it happens to be the one we told him he can't have.
An entire slew of words come to mind with this, temptation, envy, covet, obedience to name a few.

Temptation is apparently something we must learn to fight from a young age. Obedience in all things is a lesson to be taught, not something we instinctually do. Caleb has much to learn. Now the temptation is the remote control, but who knows what it will be in 15 years. So much better for him, if we begin the lessons on obedience now.

The Miraculous God, part two

2008-10-13T18:06:00.000-07:00

Praising his Maker:

I ran across an amazing verse the other day...

"And Jesus said to [the chief priests] Yes; have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babes Thou hast prepared praise for Thyself'?" (Matthew 21:16)

Wow.

I had to go back and reread and reread, check it out in other versions, check out it's reference. Did it actually said God receives praise from the mouths of babies!?!?

Obviously this got me to rethink my little boy's jabbering. Could he, when he spends so much time talking to empty spaces, actually be praising the God they met in the womb?

Who knows, I can't speak jibberish, but I'm thinking the "goo goos" and "ga gaas" don't phase God a bit.

Caleb is experiencing everything for the first time. The wind, the rain, the rug, the curtains, all of it peak his curiosity. The dust in the corner seem to amaze him just as much as my first view of the Grand Canyon. I still find myself in awe of the God who created such a masterpiece. Maybe all that baby babbling is Caleb's expression of awe in the God who created such masterpieces as dirt, trees, and glass. Maybe its just part of that preordained praise.

The Miraculous God, part one

2008-10-11T18:41:00.000-07:00

From the time my son, Caleb, was born, he's been captivated by corners, ceilings, doorways, and walls. When he was first opening his eyes and taking in the world, he chose to spend countless minutes looking at...nothing. When he starting smiling, he chose to show off those beautiful smiles to... no one. And when he started talking, he held conversations with... nothing, just space.

Still at 6 months, he often chooses to converse with the door, the wall, the corner, or giggle at empty space.

Now I've decided not to believe my son is chosing a conversation with air over a conversation with his favorite mom. How great it would be if he is conversing with angels or even praising the God that he met in the womb!

Conversing with Angels:

I'm no theologian; I've never even specifically studied angels in the Bible, so I won't pretend to be an expert. I'm even hesitant to believe in invidual guardian angels. I do know that angels are messengers, sent in the Bible to teach, comfort, correct, fight, annouce God's plan, and probably more. And being new to this world, even speaking a different "language", Caleb could use some comfort and teaching.

I believe that as we age we so often let culture, expectations, and fears keep us from believing in and experiencing the Miraculous God, the One who spoke through a burning bush, directed Israel with clouds and fire, gave John an amazing vision, wrote on the palace wall in Babylon, and sent angels to speak to countless men and women. We grow to believe in and rely on ourselves rather than the God who made us. In fact, this was the ultimate problem with Noah's time, with Sodom and Gomorrah, with Babylon.

My son is not manipulated by this world. He would not think to be afraid of angels in the corner speaking comfort to him. If he saw one, he would only think to grin, babble, laugh, or talk with them. So maybe he is. He has not begun to believe that he is in charge, so he would not hesitate to give praise to the God who truly is in control.

Those times I allow the world to influence me, I've missed out on what God has wanted to show me. I don't think many would argue that point in their own lives. We have to be available if we want to be taught.

In my almost 30 years, I can think of one time when I've experienced the Miraculous God, unfortunately I am usually too distracted with the world. Why, when the Miraculous God is so amazing, do we chose instead to let fears and distractions keep us from Him?

I love the book of Daniel because it describes a man who managed to keep distractions at bay and experience the Miraculous God. Lots of people say those experiences only happened in Biblical times, not today. I disagree. They happen today, but only to those setting themselves apart, not following the culture of man. The majority of us aren't willing to do this, and so we miss out on so much that God wants to show us. The same was true of Daniel's time, most people then missed out as well. Daniel describes some of these..."Now I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, while the men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great dread fell on them, and they ran away to hide themselves." (Daniel 10:7)

I have often heard people say they don't mind if God keeps angels around them, just as long as they don't become visible. Honestly, I've thought this at times too. But do I trust God or not? The same God that taught the Sermon on the Mount, carved the tablets in the presence of Moses. Why would I trust the first and fear the second? I do not want to dread the Miraculous God.