"Winds of March, we welcome you,
I don’t know about you, but the weather where I am leaves me longing for spring more this year than in years past! I need something to perk me up! What about you?If you’ve been following RWAV for a while, you may remember a couple of blog entries mentioning the “Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name,” by Sally Lloyd Jones.
Want to find out more about this book? You can read the book’s introduction here, where the author explains what the Bible is and isn’t (this alone was all the convincing I needed to read our way through this book). Also, check out The Jesus Storybook Bible’s site for more information and videos updated weekly featuring different stories from this Bible.
I’m currently in a weekly small group of women studying Beth Moore’s “Esther: It’s Tough Being a Woman.” In our homework for this week, Beth referenced an article by Laura Fraser entitled “My So-Called Genius.” In it, Laura speaks of the many accolades she received as a child genius and the “forecasts” of what she’d become. She also speaks of how these predictions actually ended up hindering her and the success that she expected because “Perfectionists always lose.” In her words, “If your identity is wrapped in the magnificent things you’re destined to achieve - as a great writer, musician, scientist, politician, chef - the thought that you might produce something mediocre can be devastating.”
Beth Moore breaks it down for us by saying, “Couldn’t the craving to do something great keep us from doing something good?”
I’m so thankful for having come across this study at this time. For sometime now, I have wrestled with the notion that as Christians, we should be seeking to do something “GREAT” for God. And, as a result, I can testify in my own life that I haven’t “always been where I am.” Meaning, I’ve looked for the “next big thing” I’m supposed to do. But in the last couple of years, God has shown me that I’ve missed so much in overlooking the day-to-day kingdom work for the “change the world” variety of opportunities that I suppose I thought were just going to fall from the sky and in front of me.
Guess what. Good things require hard work, right now. Not just later when a huge opportunity presents itself (if it ever does).
This is something we have to instill in our little ones now. In this “instant fame” society we now live in, it won’t be an easy task. Even in church culture we are hearing so much about how the next generation can be “world changers” and rarely is that message paired with the “small kingdom work” that we spoke of last week.
I also know most of us are learning balance in what is and isn’t appropriate “praise” for our children. I don’t know about you, but I remember public programming children’s shows from when I was a kid telling me I could be ANYTHING I wanted to be. They failed to tell me the work that was involved. Furthermore, they failed to tell me that I could only successfully AND happily be only what God wanted and enabled me to be if I was obedient and diligent. It’s a very simple message, but I think that may be how we need to train our children - do the good things God wants us all to do.
So what about those great things that we desire for our children to accomplish in life? Well, to close, I again quote Beth Moore, “Every one of us who embraces the glory of God as our purpose will end up doing great things precisely because we do God-things. His holy had resting on the least act renders the ordinary extraordinary.”
Much love and encouragement,
Ashlie
It’s not a topic that hasn’t already been discussed on The Roof (see this and this for some great resources), but in light of a recent discussion in a young couples’ small group I feel the topic of “family devotions” bears repeating.
We are all well aware that this generation (and rising generations) of young parents weren’t necessarily brought up in solid Christian homes (or even families that attended church on an infrequent basis). That being said, the question has arisen in the hearts of parents who have come to Christ as “first generation” Christians of “what does a Christian parent look like and how do you do devotions?” While there is no one answer of how every family should “do devotions” (every family has it’s own personality and each child has his own learning style), I do believe one must be intentional. I heard my husband say recently “you never accidentally become a mature believer just as you never accidentally get in shape physically.” We’ve talked about “teachable moments” in recent weeks, but I don’t think you can get more “intentional” with these moments than teaching the Word in your home. So, parents, it is up to us to disciple our precious little ones. That all begins with a good foundation and knowledge of God’s Word.
Talk with your spouse (it is ideal that the Christian husband lead - see Ephesians 6:4) and your children. Be intentional about a regular time and place to have devotions. Perhaps it’s first thing in the morning at breakfast. Maybe you prefer to hold it at the dinner table. Or you may enjoy ending your evening in your bed with the little ones as my family does with a devotion, songs, and prayer.
Be willing to change up your routine, especially if this is new to you. Your may need to be flexible (especially if you have toddlers!) about time, duration, and method of learning God’s Word. When we first started family devotions, it was maybe a couple times a week for about 5-10 minutes a lesson. I would find a simple Sunday school type lesson for toddlers either from a book or the internet. As my toddler and I would work on a related activity, my husband would read the lesson and perhaps play a short video or song found on the internet as well. This year, however, we have been working through “The Book of Life” series by Newton M. Hall & Irving F. Wood. It’s an older series (bought in the late 1970’s!) that my parents purchased but we never actually went through. It has been quite a treasure to go through it this year with my family. Next year, we may do something entirely different. The point is that there is no one way to do this. There are benefits of teaching topical lessons (especially when children are young to draw on their immediate interests) and expository lessons (going through large passages of scripture a little at a time which helps cover many topics). Whatever way and whatever time of day you choose, come to it with an open heart to hear God’s Word and to relate it to your family.
How are you currently having family devotions? What do you like best about it? What about your children? Do you have any suggestions for resources or tips for making the most of these times?
I’ve heard it said that “you retain 10 percent of what you hear, 25 percent of what you read, 50 percent of what you study, 100 percent of what you memorize and meditate on” (from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Christian Life & Witness Course). That alone should be a great motivator for memorizing scriptures and teaching our children to do so at the earliest of ages.
My 3 1/2 year old, “Sunshine”, recently joined our church’s AWANA group. Only 4 weeks into it, he has already memorized 8 verses -including where the verses are found (that’s the part I almost always forget!). You are no doubt somewhat familiar with this group. Children earn patches or stickers for memorizing key Scriptures. Of course, as our son is learning these verses, Mommy and Daddy are as well. We’ve learned some of them “straight”, and we’ve learned some of them with different rhythm patterns (like a cheer) or hand motions to help as “triggers” when reciting the verses. You may have done something similar in school to learn multiplication tables, historical facts, or poems.
It’s fairly easy to teach young pups new tricks....but what about those of us who aren’t regularly being challenged to learn new things (That’s my way of avoiding referring to any of us as “old dogs”.) Recently, I became introduced to another wonderful technique for remembering chronology of the New Testament and the Life of Christ. I attended a Walk Thru the New Testament seminar. In five hours one Sunday afternoon, my husband and I, along with other church members, learned 77 hand motions for 77 key people, places or events of the New Testament. We learned about why there are four gospels - their purposes, their intended audiences; we “walked” with Christ during His time on earth; we saw with fresh eyes how the New Testament “fits together”. We thought we had really accomplished something until a stage filled with children entered the room to show us what they had learned during that time - the same 77 hand motions!
The following Monday, my husband ran into a coworker he had invited to the seminar but who was unable to attend. His friend shared his regrets of not being able to attend, asked to be invited for future events, and then shared this - his family had attended the Walk Thru the Old Testament four years prior....and they all still remembered each of the hand motions as a result of practicing them together! How encouraging!
Why am I sharing all of this today? Not only to encourage you to check out these ministries (which I hope you do), but to challenge you as a parent to learn scripture with your child in whatever way that looks like. It may be as simple as writing out verses or rote memorization that helps it sink in. That’s great! But know that it’s okay to use other study techniques, too. Is your son into music? Make up songs! Does she like to cheer? Use clapping rhythms! Maybe your little one is a story teller. Use hand motions!
What are some creative or fun ways that you have for learning scriptures or Bible facts?
I could not pass up showing you this picture of the sunset from the window of the plane I was on. We were right above fluffy white clouds with the sunsetting in the distance. There are not words to describe the beauty and majesty of that sunset. Of course, my first thought was of my son in heaven, Nathan. I said to my daughter seated beside me, Nathan sees that beauty and more every single day, every minute of the day. His favorite was sitting on a mountain to watch a sunset and it brought me great joy and peace to think that He is with the Creator of all this intricate beauty now and enjoys this and more all the time. WOW!
P.S. This weekend, I had the privilege of being with a faithful group of believers that are working tirelessly to prepare for ROCK THE RIVER, a festival that will be held over the summer up and down the Mississippi River by Franklin Graham. We are praying that many young people will come to faith in Jesus Christ as they hear the message of Christ in song and message.
The events will be day long rock concerts with periodic messages by Franklin and times to make commitments to Christ. The four locations are Baton Rouge, Saint Louis, Quad Cities and Minneapolis. Please pray for these events, the people working to prepare for them, that God would break down barriers and many people would come to faith. If you live in one of these cities be sure you come, bring your families and your non believing friends. Rock On!! :)
From the Rooftop:
THE VOICE OF THE LORD IS POWERFUL
THE VOICE OF THE LORD IS MAJESTIC
THE VOICE OF THE LORD CAN TURN THE DESERT IN YOUR LIFE TO JOY
THE VOICE OF THE LORD CAN PROVIDE TENDER MERCY
THE VOICE OF THE LORD CAN PROVIDE DIRECTION
Do you know HIS voice? He wants to speak to you.
Spend time with Him today even in your busyness and get to know when He is speaking to you. If you commit your days to Him and ask Him for direction He will speak to you. Listen and you will hear. I promise.
I Love You,
Glenda
Somehow, I think we make these things up because we think it will make God happy with us. I've come to believe that God is as puzzled as we become when we try to achieve all of this perfection ~especially in one day.
Guess what? I have some encouragment. All God cares about is your heart and whether it is His.
