Those Who Were Willing to Come

Reading through Exodus, something jumped out. After Moses had been to Sinai and received the instructions from the Lord, he cast the vision for the Israelites: They were to be His People; They were to follow His Law; And He would dwell among them in the Tabernacle.


And so they prepared to build His Dwelling Among Them.


The blueprint was specific. The materials list was specific. 


Then in chapter 36, it says this:

"Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work."

The craftsmanship was exquisite. Those gifted by the Lord were gifted for His Glory, for His Purpose. But, even though some were gifted for the work, it is implied that there might be some who were not "willing to come and do the work."

Of course, that little phrase provided lots of "food for thought."


Are there gifts He has given us that we aren't willing to use for His Glory?


Perspective makes all the difference.


If those craftsmen, gifted by the Lord, had truly understood what this Tabernacle meant, could anything have kept them away? If they had understood how that Tabernacle would be filled with the Glory, wouldn't they have lingered as long as possible? And their work? Wouldn't it have been carried out with more joy and passion and excellence than they could ever have mustered for any other project?


What about our gifts?


Do we have the perspective for their use that brings Him the most Glory? Do we use them for His Purposes? Do we seek excellence in their use because it's all for Him?


How can we, as parents with incredible ability to influence, how can we help our children to capture that Vision for their gifts? How can we encourage excellence, not for their glory, but for His? How can we help them have the true perspective on our time here?


Don't we have to have a true perspective ourselves first, before we can pass that vision on to them?

"every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work"

May we be willing. With everything that is in us, may we say, "Yes, Lord. Use us as You see fit."

Psalm 104

Praise the Lord, O my soul.

O Lord my God, you are very great;

you are clothed with splendor and majesty.

He wraps himself in light as with a garment;

he stretches out the heavens like a tent

and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.

He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.

He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.

He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved.

You covered it with the deep as with a garment;

the waters stood above the mountains.

But at your rebuke the waters fled, 

at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;

they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys,

to the place you assigned for them.

You set a boundary they cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth.

He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains.

They give water to all the beasts of the field; 

the wild donkeys quench their thirst.

The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches.

He waters the mountains from his upper chambers;

the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.

He makes grass grow for the cattle, 

and plants for man to cultivate--

bringing forth food from the earth:

wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart.

The trees of the Lord are well watered,

the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.

There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the pine trees.

The high mountains belong to the wild goats;

the crags are a refuge for the coneys.

The moon marks off the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down.

You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl.

The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God.

The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens.

Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening.

How many are your works, O Lord!

In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number--living things both large and small.

There the ships go to and fro, 

and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.

These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time.

When you give it to them, they gather it up;

when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.

When you hide your face, they are terrified;

when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust.

When you send your Spirit, they are created,

and you renew the face of the earth.

May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works.

He looks at the earth, and it trembles;

he touches the mountains, and they smoke.

I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord.

But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more.

Praise the Lord, O my soul.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 104

The Posture of Our Hearts

The comments from the post a couple of days ago about the stewardship of resources have helped me continue to "chew" on the principles involved. Thank you!


It seems to boil down to this: Each of the challenging areas of this life offers an opportunity to examine and adjust the posture of our hearts before the Lord. For example: 

• the use of our time and what choices in that area reveal about our values, 
• the discipline and training of our children and how that process reveals so much about what is in our hearts
• our response to a difficult person in a position of authority over us and what our response reveals about the pride or humility in our spirits
• less than perfect health and how that tends to bring out the essence of what is in our souls

So in that context, the discussion of the stewardship of resources is bigger than simply the choices made in spending or saving money.

Those to whom many resources are entrusted are not necessarily "evil," as many of those in the current Occupy Wall Street protests would have us believe. Similarly, those who have very few resources are not automatically "righteous."


We live in a very affluent town and I know many millionaires. There are some who are selfish and greedy and some who are extremely benevolent and generous. Their resources simply magnify their hearts. Those who truly are loving and generous would still be loving and generous if all their money evaporated tomorrow. If, however, that sudden economic transformation changed them, the true posture of their hearts would be revealed as having placed their trust in the provision instead of the Provider. 


What if the Lord, in His Sovereign Wisdom and Purpose, asked us to simply walk away from the life we had "built" for ourselves? Would we follow Him? Wherever He led? Or would our houses and cars and stuff anchor us to this earth so that we chose to remain with those possessions rather than dwell physically in His Presence, when issued the invitation? Do our possessions possess us? If the Spirit asked us to give away more than we thought we could "afford," would we eagerly hand it over, viewing it as a challenge to step into an adventure with Him? Or would we wince and squirm, looking for some good excuse not to comply?


Mark 10:17 and following:
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

    “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”

  “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

  Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

  At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

  Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

  The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

  The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

  Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

  Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!”

    “I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

The issue wasn't the man's money. It was how he felt about his money. 


Compare that story with the one about Ananias and Sapphira:


Acts 5:1-10
 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

  Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”

  When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

  About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”

   “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”

  Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

  At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

Ananias and Sapphira were generous enough to sell their property, but their motivation was personal glory. Their use of money revealed what was in their hearts.

Back to the story in Mark for a moment. When the Lord stated that it is harder for a rich man to enter the Kingdom than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, and the disciples asked who, then, could be saved, "Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

If He chose to bless us with great financial resources, does it have to bring a curse? Or is it possible to use it all for His Glory, just like an outstanding speaker or teacher or musician can use their incredible gifts for His Glory? 


And then there's the parable of the talents.

Matthew 25:20-21

“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

    “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’--Was the servant entrusted with more so that he would fall into the "money trap?" 


Or was it intended to further his growth and maturation so that he have broader influence and be able to bless a larger number of those around him? 


Doesn't more responsibility handled for His Glory increase what He can do through us? 


Still chewing on it all.

Unity Building Exercise

Just a quick post on this beautiful Monday. 


As much as the Tabernacle Experience was about the individual guest's encounters with Christ, it was also about the Unity of the Body. 


Far too often, the Body is carved into little, tiny pieces by our labels, traditions and prejudices. The "arm" that I grew up in happens to be very bad about dissecting things and labeling things as "us" and "them." 


The evil one is thrilled when the Body suffers from constant injuries caused by "friendly fire." 


As The Tabernacle Experience unfolded in our community, one of the biggest blessings we received was the unification of The Body that took place in simply seeking the Face of Jesus, not caring about any of the things that normally cause separation. And in that process, we were reminded that, with Jesus Christ as the Center, the Common Denominator, there is really nothing that separates the parts of His Body. It was a joyful surprise for many how much we all had in common as we celebrated the Truths of the Tabernacle. 


May His Body be unified through our Love for one another as we simply seek to bring Him Glory. Nothing else. 

All of Those Faces

I have struggled with finding the words to describe what's in my heart after The Tabernacle Experience.


It still feels too big to look at all at once. I have even felt that it might not be possible to write. But I need to try. I need to write it down so that I can never forget, so that it will not fade. It is so very precious and it needs to be preserved in me. It needs to be a Page in Our Heritage of Faith as a family.


But it will have to birthed in pieces. I think that is the only way.


And I think the first piece needs to be the faces.


As the preparations progressed and the day drew near for opening, it was so easy to focus on the huge "To Do" List that seemed completely overwhelming. As always though, His Provision was Perfect in timing and details. 


We opened for guests, feeling wholly inadequate, but just stepping out in faith. He had called, we had answered, He would work it out through all those willing hands and feet who had volunteered.


And then they began to come.


He began to send those He had chosen to meet Him in that place. We had prayed for them to come. We knew He had chosen ones He wanted to encounter Him in this precious way. We didn't care how many there were, we simply asked that He would send them.


There were many who came out of curiosity. Others who came for a history lesson. 


But then there were those who came, knowing what would happen to them once they entered. 


Total strangers, but when I looked into their eyes, I saw it there: that sense of trepidation mixed with eager anticipation. And I had to hug their necks. 


There are two faces that stand out in my mind's eye as the "representatives" of this group. 


They were probably in their 60's, these two women. I don't know how they knew each other. I don't know where they live. I know nothing about their stories, but when they came to the entrance of the Courtyard, I saw it in their faces. The tears welled up in their eyes, as they did in mine, and we hugged each other. 


They put on their headphones, I started their mp3 player, and pulled back the curtain so they could enter the Courtyard to begin their Journey. 


My heart was so very full. 


All of the hours and days of preparation, just for that moment. 


If they had been the only ones who came for the entire ten days, it would all have been worth it. 


But they weren't. 


There are so many faces swirling around in my mind. Faces streaked with tears as they came out and hugged me and whispered "thank you." 


Total strangers who weren't strangers because of what we had in Common. Strangers who became family because of what happened inside those curtains. And "family" who grew closer because of this shared experience.


There were faces filled with Wonder, surprised by what they had found Inside. 


There were faces filled with Joy because of the intimate encounter with Him. 


There were faces reflecting His Glory, filled with His Peace.


All of those faces . . .

Unanswered Questions: A Link-Up in "Pages in Our Heritage of Faith"

There are times when, no matter how "hard" you pray, it seems as if your prayers go unheard, unanswered. We know in our heads that's not the case. He ALWAYS hears, ALWAYS answers. But when the answer is, "Wait" or "Just Hold on to Me" or "Just trust," it can seem like no answer because nothing "moved." Nothing "changed." And our hearts question what our head "knows." 


I've mentioned before that Hannah was not a very happy baby. She screamed. A LOT! For months! Nothing helped. Nothing. We were rookies. People offered lots of advice for what helped with their babies. Didn't help. She wanted to be held and entertained and she didn't want to sleep. We were stressed. Bewildered. Sleep deprived. Glassy eyed. 


Kregg had started a new job while we were expecting her. It required LOTS and LOTS of hours. Then he would come home to a screaming baby and a flustered, exhausted wife. So much fun. 


During this season, he developed some serious pains in his midsection. His doctor wasn't really sure, but guessed reflux. The medicine didn't help. 


Another doctor.


The same guess.


The same treatment.


The same results.


Lots of pain. No real answers.


A screaming baby.


It started affecting his ability to sleep. It started affecting his job. We prayed and prayed. After months and months, there seemed to be no answer. It began to be scary. Why was the medicine not helping? What if it was something else? Something serious? Why could no one help? Why did the doctors just have to guess?


Pain + Fear +Stress + No Answers + Lack of sleep, added up to depression.


We really didn't know what to do. It was a long, dark tunnel. And we didn't know if it would ever end. We felt alone. We were scared. But He stayed beside us. He helped us keep going.


I'd like to say there was a miraculous answer and healing.


That's not what happened. 


We learned to cope. 


And to keep on going. 


Even through the fear and the depression. My precious husband just kept going. He would get up and go to work, even if he hadn't slept. Even if the pain was excruciating. He faithfully did his best to do his best in all the areas of his life. But, he felt like a failure. 


We both cried a lot during that season. 


There would sometimes be weeks at a time when he would be free of pain. And that was wonderful. But always in the back of his mind was the question, "When will it come back?" 


And it always did. 


We felt like we were holding our breaths, simply waiting for the next wave to crash over our heads. 


For eight long years, the tide of it all would ebb and flow, with no real answers to what it was or why it wouldn't stop. Eight years of questions. Eight years of waiting. Eight years of holding our breaths.


Finally, the Lord moved on our behalf. A friend of Kregg's he had known years before was talking to my mother in law. She mentioned Kregg's problem. This man just happened to be able to get Kregg in with the head of the gastroenterology department at Scott and White Medical Center in Temple, Texas.


We were scared to hope.


But we went.


We met the doctor. He personally ran tests on Kregg. Within 36 hours of arriving there, he said this, "In all my years of practicing medicine, you are only the second person I've ever seen who has this combination of conditions."


Kregg had two different medical conditions that contraindicated each other! The medicine for one problem aggravated the other problem and visa versa. That's why none of the regular doctors he had seen over all those years was able to help us. That's why the medicine didn't help. 


The new medicine he prescribed actually had nothing to do with the actual condition, but helped anyway without interfering with the second problem. 


It didn't fix things. There's still pain. But it's better. And just knowing what it really was relieved so much of the fear and stress. We would like for it to have been "fixed." But 23 years later, we can say that God is Faithful. He never left us. He never ignored us. And just because He didn't "fix" things doesn't mean He didn't answer our prayers. He did answer. And there is a reason why He answered the way He did, when He did. We don't have to understand. We stand in Faith because He IS Faithful. And we are okay not knowing all the answers. It's enough to know that "and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose."


In ALL things. Not somethings. Not sometimes. Always. In everything. Even when it makes no sense from our perspective.

Now it's your turn. How has He shown Himself Faithful to you? To your family? As always, it can be old or new, "big" or "little." Don't think you have to share some "parting of the Red Sea" story. It's all a testimony that brings Him Glory when we see His Hand move on our behalf. Grab the button on the right sidebar if you like and add it to your post so others can read what He has done. Your testimony is a blessing to us. Thank you!

Star Walk

Photo Credit

Kregg and the boys were gone last night, looking for hunting leases. A very manly pursuit, don't you think? Time for lots of testosterone and bonding.


That meant it was girls' night here. We spent the evening simply enjoying each other. And laughing. We did a lot of laughing. 


Late in the evening, I received an invitation from our youngest, Rebekah, to join her outside. She wanted to show me something. I finished up a conversation with Mackenzy and made my way to the backyard. Rebekah was on the trampoline using an app on my phone to look at the stars. She kept using the word, "awesome." The delight in her voice was contagious.

I've always loved the stars, but never spent much time doing anything but simply gazing at them in wonder. 


Rebekah was overcome by it all, as if she had just stepped into a grand, new space previously unknown to her. As she showed me each of the different constellations she had found and where they were in our night sky, the joy increased. We lay there on the trampoline giggling and gazing up at this incredible testimony to the Creator. 


It is so very dry here that the static electricity was alive! It felt like hairs standing straight up on the deck of the trampoline. Every time we moved, there was a small shower of sparks. When we brushed against each other as we looked at another constellation on the phone, another spark and a shock. And again, we'd giggle.


And in that quiet communing, we could hear the sound of everything around us, our senses acutely aware. I found myself gazing at her face and the wonder found there, as much as I did at the stars, both revealing the Glory of His Hand. Perfection. 


As we watched the crescent moon sink lower and lower on the horizon, our spirits feasted, along with our eyes. What a blessing it is to witness His Glory! And so we worship.

"The Worst Day of My Life"

Wet willies! YUCK! But Ben adores his big brother, Caleb, and so he loves it when Caleb teases him or even gives him wet willies. They have such a precious relationship that all began when God laid it on Caleb's heart to pray for brothers. As the only son in our family of five children, he wanted reinforcements. And so he began to pray when he was very young that he would be given brothers. He used to tell me that he had been praying for them, and I would say, "That's nice, honey, go play." You see, the Lord laid it on his heart long before He laid it on my heart, or Kregg's heart. 


We made one more trip on Friday: we took Caleb to college.


We worked all weekend to get him loaded up, moved in and set up. Yesterday, we went to church together, with Kregg's parents, and Caleb's roommate, then to lunch. We got him a few groceries and took them back to his room.


Then it was time to say, "Goodbye."


It was just Kregg, Caleb, and I and the four younger siblings. We put Caleb in the center of our circle and laid our hands on him to pray blessings over him. Rebekah started, asking the Lord to protect him and keep him safe. Next, it was Ben's turn. He began by thanking God for his big brother and the influence he has had in Ben's life. And then he broke down.


He started sobbing and the words wouldn't come. 


Of course, that opened the carefully closed floodgates for all of us. And so the rest of our prayer was frequently interrupted by sniffles and pauses to regain composure enough to speak what was on our hearts. Because this was important. And we needed to say these things. We needed him to hear these blessings in this place. We asked the Lord to give him Wisdom and Discernment. To dedicate that dorm room as "Holy unto the Lord." To give Caleb strength for his task. To pray that every thought, word, and action bring Him Glory. 


It was Holy Ground.


And it was so very precious. So very, very important for our family to commission Caleb to begin this next phase of his training for usefulness in Kingdom Work. And they all understood that this was the right way, the best way to close one season and to open a new one. This new one that we have known was coming and eagerly anticipated for what it will mean in Caleb's life, but dreaded for what it would mean in ours.


And so we drove away, leaving our precious son and part of our hearts, but knowing we wouldn't want it any other way. Because it is time for him to take that next step. And so it's good and it is exciting and we are so very happy for him and we know the Lord will bless it all.


There was a back to school party for the young people at church last night and so we drove home, unloaded and let the kids change clothes, then drove over to join in the fun. One of the mom's told me that when Ben had walked in before me, he told her, "This is the Worst Day of My Life." 


We let the kids swim and eat hamburgers and play silly games. And then we came home. Everyone was tired, so we all got ready for bed. The boys have always shared their room with Caleb and it made them sad to see his empty bed, so for last night, all four of the youngest bedded down in the den. Thinking they were all asleep, Kregg, Mackenzy and I were in our bedroom talking (she had to stay home and work, so we needed to catch up with her).


Then Ben appeared in the doorway. His little round face was all red and splotchy, with tears streaming down it. He said, "Mom, will you pray with me?" I gathered him up in my arms and snuggled him close in our big bed while Kregg prayed over that poor little broken heart. We talked to him about how he and Josh were God's Answer to all of those prayers Caleb prayed so many years ago, asking for brothers. We talked about how his job was to keep praying for Caleb and to focus on becoming everything God Designed him to be  because that would make Caleb so proud of him. We talked about what God will do through Caleb during this season. And we told him how proud we were of him to know that he needed to take all of his burdens to Him Who Carries our burdens for us. 


And then he went to sleep, because the Lord had granted sleep to this precious little heart.

Digging Deeper

Caleb is still processing all the Lord showed him while he was in Africa. And since we haven't had much time to just sit and talk with him since then (because we have been seriously nomadic), Kregg and I took him to dinner last night, just the three of us. Some of the things he learned came as a surprise to me. And I am still processing his words. But as the discussion continues, the Lord keeps having him dig more deeply. And to watch the process, as a mom, is so exciting. And terrifying. And lots of other "ings." During our time last night, he shared another quote from Jim Elliot (Through Gates of Splendor). 


This isn't one of those lovely quotes that makes one say, "Wow, that is wonderful!" It's one of those that causes one to say, "OUCH!" So, you have been warned. But having gotten to know many of you and seeing glimpses of your heart through your precious words to me here, I believe you will appreciate why I am sharing it. 


Here goes:


"Surely those who know the great passionate heart of Jehovah must deny their own loves to share in the expression of His. Consider the call from the Throne above, "Go ye," and from round about, "Come over and help us," and even the call from the damned souls below, "Send Lazarus to my brothers, that they come not to this place." Impelled, then, by these voices, I dare not stay home while Quichuas perish. So what if the well-fed church in the homeland needs stirring? They have the Scriptures, Moses, and the Prophets, and a whole lot more. Their condemnation is written on their bank books and in the dust on their Bible covers. American believers have sold their lives to the service of Mammon, and God has His rightful way of dealing with those who succumb to the spirit of Laodicea."
— Jim Elliot


Obviously, this doesn't apply to any of us, but to all those other "people out there."


Right!


I am convicted by the passionate heart of this man who laid everything on the line for His Father. He held nothing back. Nothing. And as he lay on that beach dying from the spear that had been rammed into his body, he had nothing to regret. Sure, he would have grieved over the pain that his wife and son would feel over his death. But beyond that, he left this life in victory having finished the race gloriously because there was nothing God asked of Him that he refused to give. 


When I hold my life up to that standard? 


Ouch!


When I hold it up to the standard of Christ?


Father, help me! May I be poured out, holding nothing back, in Your Service.


May we, those called by The Name, allow Him to fit us to His Purposes, emptied of self, filled with Him until we, too, can leave this earth when the time comes with no regrets. None! 

Designed For Wonder

Our older three children were involved in 4H when they were younger. These chicks were one of their animal projects. It was a cold and dreary November day when we went to pick them up. Arriving home, we brought them in to the kitchen and turned on a heat lamp to try to warm them up.


Elizabeth was 5 or 6 months old and she was completely captivated. I love this picture of her watching them, that look of wonder on her face has long been one of my favorite pictures. The joy we all felt seeing her fascination makes me think how our Father must smile when the Glory of His Creation causes us to have that look on our face. No wonder He reveals Himself in the smallest details of Nature. Recognizing Him through His Designs puts us in the proper relationship with Him: the created humbled before Creator.


And what an incredible tool that sense of wonder is as we seek to train up our children to bring Him Glory and to become life-long-learners. We don't have to artificially create an environment that will stir up their curiosity. There is no need. All we have to do is fan into flame what He already programmed into their spirits. And one of the best ways for our children to learn this is to catch it from us!


We should be modeling a genuine sense of wonder for our children, marveling at all aspects of the world around us. We need to observe and ask questions about what we see. We need to slow down enough to notice details. We can't live our lives in such a hurry that there is no time to wonder and delve deeply into the things around us. It takes an intentional shift in our scheduling and priorities. If we are driving down the road and we see something interesting, have I planned our schedule well enough that we have a few minutes to stop and observe? Or am I always in such a hurry, because of poor planning, that there is not time to stop without being late to whatever we are on our way to do? 


Another way to help encourage wonder is to carry a camera around with us when we are out and about, even on the way to the dentist. You just never know when an "amazing bird" might be perched on a fence post along the road.  It's also helpful to keep a pair of binoculars in the car. The kids love to be able to grab a pair to better identify something that's a little too far away.  A nature journal is a great way to record their finds and encourage them to be observant the next time you are out. Past successes encourage future effort. 


There are so many ways to nurture their curiosity and imagination. How do you fan the flames of wonder in your kids?

Pages in "Your Family's Heritage of Faith": A Link-Up

My people, hear my teaching;
   listen to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth with a parable;
   I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
things we have heard and known,
   things our ancestors have told us.
 
We will not hide them from their descendants;
   we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
   his power, and the wonders he has done.
 
He decreed statutes for Jacob
   and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
   to teach their children, 

so the next generation would know them,
   even the children yet to be born,
   and they in turn would tell their children.
 

Then they would put their trust in God

   and would not forget his deeds

   but would keep his commands. 

They would not be like their ancestors—
   a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts were not loyal to God,
   whose spirits were not faithful to him.

Psalm 78:1-8

I have never hosted a Link-Up before. But yesterday morning I was thinking about the heritage of Faith that the Lord writes into the hearts of families. I have long encouraged people to write it down. We need to be collecting the testimonies of how the Mighty God of the universe has shown Himself mighty for us. 

Specifically for us! 

We are told in Psalm 78 to pass these faith stories on to our children. We need to be writing them down "so the next generation would know them." We need to be "taking notes" so we will never forget. So that our hearts will remain loyal to God. So that our children are firmly established in their Godly Heritage. So that we build into them a foundation of Faith. 

What do you think?

I would LOVE to hear how He has shown Himself Faithful to you. To your children. Even to your parents or grandparents. Those are pages that belong in the record of Your family's Heritage in Him. Imagine the treasure that will be created! Imagine how the volume you begin will be added to through the generations of your family. 

so the next generation would know them,
   even the children yet to be born,
   and they in turn would tell their children.
Then they would put their trust in God 

The plan is to invite you, once a week, to share your faith stories here. What an incredible way to glorify Him through the words of our testimonies!! I am SO excited to see what He has done in your life! Let's start the "Pages in Our Heritage of Faith."

Add the link to your specific post about a "Page in Our Heritage of Faith."