Feelings

It was the middle of the night—dark, quiet, and foreboding--and I was eight years old, wide awake in my bed, distressed by suffocating fear. Although I had asked Jesus to be my Savior three years earlier, I still struggled with doubts about my salvation. I thought about the time I had found a purple crayon on the floor at school and drew pictures all over the carpeting in my kindergarten classroom. Surely a “real” Christian would never commit a terrible sin like that! Maybe I wasn’t really saved. Maybe I was hopeless.

The darkness seemed to thicken as my imagination overwhelmed me. Suddenly in the shadows, I thought I detected a figure looming toward me. It must the devil! I was doomed! In panic, I screamed for my Dad. And the shadow disappeared as soon as my Dad appeared.

That night, sitting in the living room on Dad’s lap in our wooden rocker, my Dad explained to me that the devil likes to use our emotions as weapons against us. Since I was a Christian, the devil had lost his battle for my soul. But if I allowed him, the devil could still cripple my effectiveness for God, through my own emotions.

The valuable lesson in the rocking chair has helped me many times since. The devil still tries to use my emotions, watching in smug satisfaction while I struggle under the crush of anxiety, inadequacy, pride, selfishness, comparison, fear, hopelessness, anger, resentment, self-pity, doubt, defensiveness, and other ugly feelings that sap my joy.

But the shadows disappear when our Father appears. Listen to these comforting words of Jesus in John 16:33, and claim them for yourself when Satan tries to defeat you as he often does me:

“These things have I spoken unto you, that in me, ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Not of Men

"Paul, an apostle, (not of men . . .)" Galatians 1:1

Not called of men, nor called to please men. The driving Force in our lives ought only to be Jesus Christ.

A number of years ago, an individual who had faced great hardship early in life told my husband and me that during his difficult circumstances, he had determined never to experience that same hardship again. Although it is reasonable to avoid pain (we all do!), there is a subtle form of idolatry in those promises: "I will never be robbed again." "I will never be hungry again." "I will never be lonely again." "I will never be left out again." "I will never feel ugly again." Those promises become mission statements, dictating the choices we make for the rest of our lives. In other words, they become our gods. And false gods always demand that we become their slaves.

Sometimes we are most inclined to worship what we once could not have. If we face deprivation, we are tempted to become slaves of materialism and overindulgence, promising ourselves we will never be cold, or hungry, or impoverished again. If we felt like outsiders early in life, we may be tempted to become slaves of our peer group--unwilling to do or say anything that might disturb the acceptance of others. If we have been victimized by other people, we can be tempted to lust for power and control. It makes natural sense, but natural sense is often what cuts between us and the perfect will of God.

What if doing right means that you will indeed be vulnerable again? What if choosing to please the Lord means that others might reject you? What if God's will for your life takes you to a season of loneliness? What if standing up for truth means you will have to rebel against the crowd?

What controls your choices? You have just been introduced to your god.

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

Keep Your Heart

It matters what we think.

"Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? . . . he that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart." (Ps. 15:2)

The other day as I was shoe-shopping with our boys, a song came over the store speaker. Not being a "disciple" of pop culture, I don't know the singer or the song, but the message was that "I'm going to do what I want, and no one is going to tell me what to do." It may sound convincing, but there are more than a few verses that dispute that attitude.

We don't always have control of what comes over a speaker in the mall, but we have options when it comes to what we allow into our minds. JC Penney chose my playlist Tuesday night--but I choose my playlist at home. Music, internet sites, friends, books, and even our own internal dialogue can sway us from speaking the truth in our hearts.

"But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness." (I Tim. 4:7)

The wisest man who ever lived--and incidentally, one who experienced catastrophic failure when he stopped taking his own advice--said this:

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Prov. 4:23)

Be the Mom

A parenting thought: Maybe this will encourage young moms who are just beginning their journey of parenting.

A number of years ago, I had a little girl come on the church van from a very difficult home situation. Because her home life had been complicated by drugs and some of its tragic consequences, she was not familiar with the blessing of loving parameters. Instead of trying to listen to the Bible story, she would run around the room or hide under tables. I finally told her one day that if she continued to just get up and run around, she would not be able to play on the swings after church.

As might be expected, she got up and ran around during story time. When we went to the playground after church, I asked her to stand next to me while I supervised the other children playing. She was extremely startled by this "miscarriage of justice," and she began to cry and wail, "PLEASE, PLEASE change your mind!" I just told her that I do not change my mind, and so she and I stood there together the whole time--watching the children swing while she wailed and cried her misfortune.

The following week, I stopped at her house again to pick her up for Sunday school. As she bounced happily into the van, she paused before getting into her seat and announced with a smile, "Hi, Mrs. Valentin! You don't change your mind!" From then on, she worked much harder at trying to stay in her seat, and I do not recall her ever throwing a fit again when I enforced a rule. And once she discovered that she was not in charge of Junior Church, we had a wonderful time. I was sad when she moved away, because she had become a very special student to me.

It is true that there are times we are forced to admit that we have made a rash or ill-advised decision, and we have to change our minds. We are human, and sometimes we make dumb choices that need to be retracted lest we hurt our kids.

But the majority of our decisions as parents need to be thought through ahead of time and then written in marker, not pencil. If we do not respect our own decisions enough to stand by them, why should our children respect our decisions? If we convey to our children that we will cave in if they cry, scream, throw a fit--or wail at the side of a church playground--we can expect to see that exact behavior repeated over, and over, and over again. Kids are smart: They do what works. If whining, screaming, and pestering work, they will continue to do it.

Jesus told His disciples, "But I say unto you, Swear not at all . . . But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay:" (Matthew 5:34-37). We shouldn't have to swear, "I promise!" or "I REALLY mean it this time!" Our word is our honor. When we say "nay" ("no"), it should stick. Parents who keep their word keep their children's trust and respect.

Sometimes parents think it is OK to change their minds on a whim, as long as they add a dose of hostility to go along with their inconsistency. I've seen moms at the store say "no" a dozen times to a screaming toddler who wants a toy--only to put the toy into their cart with an exasperated, "Oh, FINE! But don't ask for anything else! I'm so sick of your screaming!" The child filters out mom's whiny lecture and takes note: He won the toy.

So be the mom who rarely changes her mind.

Summer Soundtrack

If I had to journal my summer memories from childhood, my page would spill over with short snippets of sensory delight: the cool shock of lake water on dry skin; the gentle toss of bedroom curtains from a morning summer breeze; the first candied bite of fresh corn on the cob; the soft crunch of sand between my toes; the sticky joy of peach juice running down to my elbow; and the “noisy calm” of crickets at night, lulling me to sleep.

And just as vivid as my memories of the lake or the picnic pavilion are my memories of our kitchen radio. For years, it sat faithfully on the counter, turned to a local Christian radio station from morning to night. It was the sound-track of my childhood, always coloring each memory with Christian songs, children’s stories, Bible verses, and even recorded sermons, broadcast after some of the speakers themselves had gone to heaven. Making chocolate chip cookies at the counter or helping freeze corn at the kitchen table, I became familiar with hymns and Scripture passages.

The years have flown by, and it’s my kitchen now where kids read the directions on the back of the chocolate chips bag and help freeze summer vegetables. And I have to wonder: If my kids had to describe the sound-track of their childhood, would my playlists be a place where they learned to love Christ—or a place where their hearts were desensitized to sin? This summer, I have been convicted to be more intentional about what is playing in the background of my children’s growing up years. There is a great opportunity to impact my kids for Christ just by paying attention to what is playing in the background of their happy childhoods. I want it to be profitable, so that someday they too can look back and realize that they learned more about Jesus—while making cookies, washing dishes, or freezing corn! 

Leading a Child to Christ

Leading a child to Christ

Does the thought of leading a child to the Lord intimidate you? Do you worry that your presentation of the Gospel may be too complicated or confusing? One method that many teachers have used is the “wordless” presentation of the Gospel. The “wordless book” is actually just a small booklet made up of five pieces of colored paper—and no words.

The first page of the book is black, representing the darkness of our sin. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Every person who has ever lived—from moms and dads to boys and girls—is born with sin on their heart.

The second page of the book is red, representing the blood of Jesus. I John 1:7 says, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Only the precious blood of Jesus is able to wash away our sin—not works, not church, not baptism.

The third page of the book is white, representing a clean heart that is now free from sin. Psalm 51:7 says, “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” When we ask Jesus to wash our sins away, He washes away our past sins as well as our future sins!

The fourth page of the book is gold, representing heaven. Revelation 21:21 says, “And the street of the city (heaven) was pure gold.”

The fifth page of the book is green, representing the importance of growing in Jesus once you ask Him to save you. I Peter 3:18 says, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Let’s pray for opportunities to lead children to Jesus this week at “Believers Bible Time,” as well as throughout the rest of the year!

Luke 2:52 Summer

As we played “family kickball” last week with aunts, uncles, and cousins, the noisy cicadas in the brush by the creek reminded me that we have reached the mid-point of this favorite season of mine. Summer bursts with life, color, and movement, and I relish every second of it! But more than appreciating the gifts of nature, I really want my summer to be profitable for my kids. Interestingly, the Bible gives us just one verse (Luke 2:52) that offers this sweeping summary of the early childhood of Jesus: “And Jesus increased wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”

We have a “Luke 2:52 List” that some of us are starting to work on this summer. Maybe it will be of help for your family as well:

Wisdom: Read a profitable book for 15 minutes a day. Practice music for 30 minutes a day and set goals.

Stature: Choose physical exercises that require at least 30 minutes of your day. Find a new skill you would like to develop this summer.

Favor with God: Have daily devotions. Choose a Scripture passage you would like to learn this summer. Choose a person you will pray to get saved this summer.

Favor with man: Write one note or letter a week that encourages someone. Text or call your long-distance siblings.

Moms, you may also want to pray and ask the Lord for specific direction regarding how to limit (or even eliminate) television, video games, and non-educational internet during the summer months. Creativity and hard work are hard to cultivate in a world where shallow entertainment is too readily available. God will be faithful to lead your family in the way that works best for you.  

Proverbs

Quite a few years ago, one of my summer jobs while I was going to college was to work for my hometown of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio in their “beautification” department. I was looking forward to a summer full of mowing lawns, weeding flower beds, and trimming shrubs.

Unfortunately, one of the drawbacks I soon encountered in my job was that I had to work with some pretty rough guys. Since I was assigned to work at the Electric Department Building from 7:30 – 4:00 each day, I spent 40 hours a week around some of the most profane people I have ever met in my life! Rainy days were the worst, since I could not go outside to mow. I was stuck inside for eight hours a day, organizing the shelves of supplies that the men needed for their bucket trucks, constantly exposed to their crude conversations as they bragged and laughed about cheating on their wives and drinking their weekends away.

But twice a day, I had breaks in the “lounge” (an old sofa in the corner of the ladies’ restroom) where I could retreat and read my Bible. Someone had given me a New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs, and that summer, I fell in love with the book of Proverbs! God’s Word adjusted my perspective back to the truth each day, reminding me that God’s way is the right way, and God always has the last word.

Have you discovered the joy of reading the book of Proverbs? Interestingly, it has 31 chapters—making it the perfect book to read through each month, one chapter a day! The book of Revelation tells us about heaven, but Proverbs (the “book of wisdom”) tells us about earth—and how to live down here God’s way. It covers topics like debt, child discipline, the importance of a good work ethic, sexual purity, alcohol, jealousy, lying, stealing, marriage, and dozens of other practical topics that meet us right where we all live each day.

I hope you will consider adding a “Proverb a day” to your Bible reading habit. Praying for you this week as you serve our King! 

A Dad Who Was There

A Dad Who Was There

He was a dad who was there for his kids as they grew,

Not too busy to be part of all they would do.

Playing catch in the yard or just out for a run,

He was a dad who was there, full of laughter and fun.

He was a dad who was there when they came home at night,

Helping with homework and settling fights.

Setting them straight with a loving, firm hand,

He was a dad who was there, always taking a stand.

He was a dad who was there as they learned to work hard,

Washing the car and out mowing the yard.

They did not cut corners--they knew he would check!

He was a dad who was there to teach them respect.

He was a dad who was there when they learned about Christ,
When they knelt to ask Jesus to enter their lives.

Learning to read through their Bibles and pray,

He was a dad who was there so that they would not stray.

He was a dad who was there when they were all gone,

Finding their futures and venturing on.

Praying and caring, giving advice--

He was a dad who was there as they faced adult life.

He was a dad who was there when they entered the Gate

Of that city called “Heaven.” They knew he would wait.

And for all of eternity, in God’s tender care,

Even in heaven: He was a dad who was there.

~klv

Insecurity

Do you ever struggle with insecurity? It is a common tool of the devil in trying to defeat all of us from time to time. Surprisingly, did you know that self-loathing, self-consciousness, and self-disgust are actually just fruits of the same tree that produces self-absorption, self-promotion, and self-centeredness? They all spring from the tree of pride!

Proverbs 28:25 offers us a glimpse into the tree of pride. Listen carefully to the structure of this proverb:  "He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife:  but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat." In other words, the opposite of a proud heart is someone who "putteth his trust in the Lord."  Therefore, pride is "self-trust."  Faith is "God-trust."

The tree of pride has two main branches:  Self-promotion and self-loathing (insecurity).  Self-promotion is when we trust in ourselves and are happy with the results.  "I did it my way!" 
The other branch of pride, insecurity, is when we trust in ourselves and are unhappy with the results.  "I can't do anything right.  I'm a failure. I'm not as good as everyone else."

But faith (Christ-dependence) is a different tree altogether!  Faith recognizes that all abilities are from God.  When God gets all the credit, there is no longer room for self-promotion or self-loathing. We do not get credit for our successes, nor do we take the blame for abilities we may not posses.

The more we trust Christ and depend on Him, bringing every thought into captivity (II Cor. 10:5) and bringing all our needs and hurts to Him in prayer (I Peter 5:7), the more He gives us the victory over the ugly monster of insecurity!