Let the Love of Christ Shine!

As COVID-19's imminent descent upon Orange County transformed from hoax into inevitability, I observed charitable offers from members of our community. One woman offered to pick up groceries for anyone at risk in our community. Other did the same. Honestly, I was ashamed. Ashamed that the thought of even extending such an offer had not occurred to me. My thoughts had been focused on my family, in particular shielding my family from the virus in order to protect others. I have six kids, ranging in age from three to thirteen. The ones under ten (four of them) do not understand the concept of personal space, so maintaining a distance of six feet is a near impossibility. While I have tried to teach them how to cough into their elbows and how to wash their hands with soap and water, they still need to be reminded and retaught. Beyond that, they simply do things that are really gross just because they are curious. Sometimes I like to imagine their questions for a laugh. Hmmm...how far CAN I stick this finger up my nose? Oh, ok, that far. Well, now, what's THIS and what does it taste like? Hmmm...not good, I wonder how FAR I can flick it.

Sadly, since then, this love and concern for others has dwindled. On Wednesday, our community management made the decision to close the neighborhood pools. (No, that is not a typo. Pool is plural. We have four!) Some of the lap swimmers questioned whether it would be a possibility to keep one pool open with appropriate safety precautions, such as providing hand sanitizers for opening the gate, closing off the showers and bathrooms, and requiring sign ups for usage limiting the swimmers in the pool to three at a time. All that love turned into hatred meted out over email. Responses in disagreement to the request were unkind, harsh, and judgmental. [Y'all know I am a lap swimmer. I swim three times a week, but this was NOT my proposal. For the record!] But, what happened? Why did the love so quickly turn to hatred?

Along with some other members of our church, I have been memorizing 1 John, one chapter a month. 1 John 4:19 says: We love, because He first loved us and 1 John 3:16 says: We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us. Jesus left heaven, a place of pure holiness and perfection, to come to earth, to live among sin, for one reason: LOVE. He, the Creator of the world, became part of Creation, experiencing things such as sorrow and pain and betrayal and weariness. The most mind-blowing part of it all for me, though, is that He paid the ultimate price of death and separation from the Father not because I am so full of love for Him. Not because I am so worthy of His love. Not because I have done anything for him. Not because He had anything to gain by doing it. He died for me because of His love. 

So, now the question I am asking myself is what is my purpose here and now? It seems that 1 John 4:19 says my purpose is to love. To love in the way that Christ loved: sacrificially, expecting nothing in return, even to those who are unlovable. I haven't thought that there was much of a way for me to shine for Christ in the midst of this pandemic aside from continuing to care for my family. But, the recent exchange of emails amongst the members of my community has shown me that maybe God placed me in this community in order to express His love at this time. I am endeavoring to reach out to some of the individuals, who seemed to express vehemence, to see if they need any groceries or prescriptions or other errands. I pray that Christ's love, which is the same yesterday and today and forever, may shine through all of His children now more than ever!

Worship from the Heart

During this time of social distancing, our beloved pastors have been sharing videos with personal reflections to encourage us spiritually during this chaotic time. This morning one of our pastors encouraged us to use this time wisely out of love for Christ. Whatever we do with any extra time on our hands, let us use the time to worship Christ. As I spent some time thinking through this exhortation and how to apply it in my life right now, I decided to use this blog as a place to reflect on what God is teaching me in my devotional time with Him through the Word. I am by no means a Biblical scholar, so I am sure there will be things I share that need correction, but I welcome that because I love the Lord and my desire is to know Him and to make Him known. I believe that a key ingredient to fulfill that desire is understanding and applying the truth of His Word in my life.

This morning, I was reading chapters 11 and 12 of Genesis. These are two chapters of the Bible that I have read often in my Christian life, but still something stood out that I had not noticed before. Chapter 11 recounts the story of the Tower of Babel, where the people try to build a tower to reach to the heavens. God puts an end to it by confusing their language resulting in the scattering of the people around the world. What's so bad about building a tower? I encourage my three year old to build towers a lot. She loves it. She builds it as tall as she can and then she knocks it down. But, is this passage saying we should not be towers. I believe the problem is found in verse 4, "...let us make for ourselves a name." So, then I thought maybe the problem is not with building towers but making a name for yourself.

In chapter 12, God calls Abram to serve Him and promises him, "...[I] will make your name great." This made me stop in my tracks. What? A great name? Isn't this why God dispersed the people in the last chapter? Abram obeys God and leaves, following Him towards the land of Canaan. Twice, he stops and builds an altar to God. Having a great name is not the problem. The problem is the motivation. Abram did not seek the name itself. He sought the Lord. He followed Him wherever He led and worshiped Him along the way. The people who sought to build a great tower, on the other hand, worshiped themselves not God.

The big takeaway from these two chapters for me is that worship is a matter of the heart not the externals. The external (a great name) is in itself neither right nor wrong. The motivation can either be from a heart of self-worship as in the Babel-builders or from a heart of God-worship as in Abram. What does this mean practically? Well, if I write, may it be for the glory of God. If I homeschool, may it be for the glory of God. If I teach, may it be for the glory of God. Satan is so crafty and sneaks in wherever he can with the temptation to make a name for ourselves. Let us fight against that with the power of the Holy Spirit that we may know God and make Him known. May He receive all the glory and the honor and the power!

Till next time!

Different Yet the Same

So much in our lives has changed as a result of the spread of coronavirus to the US. Schools are closed. Restaurants, if open, only offer take out. All sports and events are canceled until further notice. The shelves and freezers at the grocery stores are bare. At the beginning, it really felt like I was watching a movie being played out in real time. Now, it seems as though I have finally adjusted to accepting social distance as the new normal. At the forefront of my mind is this thought: While so much has changed, so much remains the same.

Recently, I began a new Bible reading plan. I chose this plan because it had readings along with a journal for adults, teens, and kids. Coincidentally, last Friday, the day's reading was Job 1-2. Job experienced so much suffering, pain, and loss, things I can't ever imagine going through. Others in time and history have experienced pain, but what is unique about the book of Job is the glimpse into the spiritual realities at work. We see that God allows Satan to bring the pain and suffering, but that He is in control. It is clear that God is in control because He places a limit on Satan, that Satan may not take Job's life. This remains the same: God is in control.

Dear Coronavirus, I will not be shaken. No, no! I will not be moved. Why? Because my loving and faithful and omnipotent and unchanging God is in control.

Being a family of eight living in a three-bedroom home does not allow for much privacy or social distance indoors. We all have been rubbing against each other, creating quite a bit of friction. Arguments. Name calling. Doors slamming. Yet, what does this all reveal? Our hearts are sinful. They are desperately wicked. What do we see when we look deep within our own hearts? This past week, watching the interactions of my children is like a window into my own heart, revealing selfishness, pride, anger, greed, hate, impatience, and more. This is not new. This has always been the case, ever since Adam and Eve committed the first sin in the Garden of Eden.

Dear Coronavirus, When I see the depth of my sin, I will call out to God and He will forgive me because of Jesus' blood shed on the cross for me. You cannot accuse me. I belong to Jesus.

Every time I read the latest news about coronavirus, I read different opinions from well-renowned scientists. Not one of them knows for certain what will happen. Not one of them knows for certain who will require hospitalization. None of them knows for certain how long the virus will spread or if and when it will mutate. If man had the power to stop this virus, certainly it would have happened by now, before so many lives had been lost. But, the truth is that man is and has always been powerless. Man cannot stop the coronavirus, nor can man deal with the problem of sin. God is the only one who can heal our bodies and our hearts. As we see the limits of mankind, may we see the awesomeness of God.

Dear Coronavirus, Whatever you are, God is more. My purpose in this life is to bring Him glory and honor and praise as long as I have breath. This I will do because God is!

Desire for Acceptance

I think the desire to belong is inherent to human nature.  Likewise, feeling like we don't belong can be devastating.  This week I experienced such a devastating blow. In a matter of minutes, a few critical comments piled up into an insurmountable pile of emotional baggage, leaving me to feel unwelcome where I once felt welcome, unaccepted where I once felt accepted, and unloved where I once felt loved.  

Most people possess a stronger sense of determination to fight, but, in the presence of this emotional enemy, I completely wilted. I was so taken aback when heretofore friends turned to seeming foes that I quickly spiraled downward into a very deep slough. The situation went over and over in my mind again and again, with heightened pain at each recurrence. It was as if I could not think of anything else. I had trouble accomplishing even the basic tasks necessary to maintain my household, like cooking, cleaning, and laundry.  I frequently snuck away to my bathroom to cry hoping my kids wouldn't notice my red swollen eyes and tear-stained cheeks. I lost interest in things that I typically enjoy like running or taking my kids to the park and threw the diet I ordinarily follow so conscientiously out the window. Whenever David was available, I took advantage of the opportunity to "nap" or rather to lay in bed crying bitterly until I finally fell asleep. Feeling more and more like the situation was completely hopeless, I began to protect myself from any more pain by withdrawing more and more from others.

Needless to say, it was very difficult for me to go to church today. I was such a mess of pain and confusion, but I've pretty much mastered the art of disguise over the years. I was pretty much able to keep the sermon at arm's length until the point of application.  Pastor Peter asked us to reflect on what the resurrection means for us. He shared how he had moved around so much and never belonged anywhere until he met Christ. Then, he knew where he belonged: he had become a citizen of heaven. Suddenly, I realized that the agony and torment I had been experiencing were because I was looking for acceptance in the wrong place. When I put my faith in Christ, he transferred me from the kingdom of this earth to the kingdom of heaven. I do belong in Christ's kingdom, and He will never leave me or forsake me. 

I am not placing my hope in the approval of others. Instead, I am placing all my hope in the inheritance described in 1 Peter 1: 3-5:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 

And, lastly, I just want to close with the words of a praise song that came to mind as I was reflecting on this desire for acceptance today:

I will change your name 

You shall no longer be called

Wounded, outcast 

Lonely or afraid

I will change your name

Your new name shall be 

Confidence, joyfulness 

Overcoming one 

Faithfulness, friend of God 

One who seeks my face.

Happy Easter!

Easter is THE holiday for Christians. Jesus left his home in heaven and came to live on this earth for one singular purpose: the cross. Jesus, though he did no wrong, willingly went to the cross where he experienced the full wrath of God in body and in soul. Jesus suffered agony and torment on the cross, God's punishment for sinners, for those who think, do, and say what is wrong and those who fail to think, fail to do, and fail to say what is right. Jesus' death on the cross was to pay the penalty due us for our sins against a pure and holy and just God. After Jesus died, they took his body and anointed it with oil and spices and placed it in a tomb with a stone covering the opening. Three days later, the stone was rolled away and Jesus' body was no longer there. An angel declared, "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." After that, Jesus appeared to many of his followers.

Faith in Jesus' death and resurrection in our place is the basis for our salvation from our sins. It is what brings us back into fellowship with God. It is the source of the hope that Christians have of one day being reunited with Christ in Heaven. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:16-19,

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those who have also fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

For this reason, we have tried over the years to establish meaningful Easter traditions to celebrate the salvation and hope that Jesus accomplished for those who trust in Him by His death and resurrection.  I pray that one day each of my children will come to trust in Jesus savingly and live their lives to bring Him glory!

Scriptural Stations of the Cross

Two problems with this picture: (1) Josiah refused to be in it and (2) these boys move too much and too fast!

To go over the Scriptural Stations of the Cross, I colored these little wooden crosses with Sharpies and glued the name of one of the stations on the front. On the back, I wrote the Scriptural reference. We went through all fourteen stations in one sitting.  Yes, that was kind of difficult for the little ones who can't/won't sit still for very long.  Note to self: next year, spread this out over two weeks.

The stations are as follows:

1. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane 
2. Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested 
3. Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin 
4. Jesus is denied by Peter 
5. Jesus is judged by Pontius Pilate 
6. Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns 
7. Jesus bears the cross 
8. Jesus is helped to bear the cross 
9. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem 
10. Jesus is crucified 
11. Jesus promises his kingdom to the thief 
12. Jesus speaks to his mother and John 
13. Jesus dies on the cross 
14. Jesus is placed in the tomb

Resurrection Eggs

My not very impressive resurrection eggs.

Resurrection eggs are pretty easy to pull off.  I just got 12 plastic Easter eggs from the store and filled them with the symbols collected from around the house.  I have the kids take turns opening an egg and discuss the account of Jesus' death and resurrection using the following symbols and Scriptures:

1. Bread (Matthew 26:26)
2. Silver Coins (Matthew 26:14-15)
3. Purple Cloth (Mark 15:17)
4. Thorns (Matthew 27:29)
5. Piece of Rope (Mark 15:15)
6. Cross (John 19:17-18a)
7. Nails (John 20:25b)
8. Sign (Luke 23:38)
9. Sponge (Matthew 27:48)
10. Spear (John 19:34)
11. Rock (Matthew 27:59-60)
12. Nothing (Matthew 28:6) 

Resurrection Rolls

Five kids eagerly anticipating resurrection rolls!

 

I think this is pretty much my kids' favorite Easter activity.  It's really easy and impressive, especially for preschoolers.  Mind you, this is the only time of year that you will find crescent rolls and marshmallows in my house.  Separate and unroll the crescent rolls onto a baking sheet.  This is the tomb.  Take a marshmallow, which represents Jesus' body, and roll it in butter and then a cinnamon-sugar mixture.  You just anointed Jesus' body with oil and spices.  Then place the anointed Jesus (a.k.a. cinnamon-sugary marshmallow) in the tomb (a.k.a. crescent roll) and wrap it up.  Be sure to seal the edges really well or the lesson will backfire.  Bake the rolls according to the directions on the package.  While baking, the marshmallow will melt inside the roll.  After the rolls have cooled a little, you can break one open and the kids will be shocked to find Jesus' body is no longer there!  This is a very illustrative lesson to explain that Jesus' body was no longer in the tomb because he went to Heaven.

Devotional with Magnets

Josiah playing with the magnets!

The last activity that I did with kids in anticipation of Easter Sunday is a six-day devotional activity published by a local church.  A friend gave this to me before Easter two years ago.  Each day, we read a devotional and place a magnet on the board which forms the cross you see in the picture above.  The topics of the devotions are:

1. Praise (Matthew 21:6-10)
2. Service (John 13:1-20)
3. Prayer (Mark 14:32-35)
4. Love (John 3:16)
5. Sacrifice (Luke 23:33-46)
6. Victory (Matthew 28:1-10)

I really like this devotional material because I feel like the other activities focus on historical facts, but this devotional material is intended to affect the heart, as I think is evident from the topics.  For more information, please contact Compass Bible Church.

How I Spend my Free Time

As a homeschooling mama to five kids, I am frequently asked about what I do in my spare time. Ummm...SLEEP? Just kidding, ummm...well, I'm actually not kidding at all. You know those ads that offer miracle cures for getting a better night's sleep. Secretly, they're put on the market by people who are very concerned with controlling population growth. Seriously, if you want a better night's sleep, just have another kid. All my sleeping problems disappeared when I had my first baby in 2006.  Now I can sleep any time, any place, in any position, with any degree of brightness.  I hope I just saved you two dollars.

Now, back to the topic of how I spend my free time, when I am not sleeping, that is. This year, I have been busy making theatrical props and costumes! We allow our girls to take one of the many enrichment classes offered through Springs Charter School.  This year, both girls elected to take Musical Theater.  There are five theater classes for students in grades K-8, all taught by the one and only superly-awesome-amazingly-creative Mrs. Mary Hering. Each of the classes are working on a scene from a selected musical, but all the musicals will be put together into one performance. The classes are working on scenes from The Lion King, The Wizard of Oz, Cinderelly, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The neat part is that all of the kids get to have supporting roles in the other classes' scenes.

It does take a village to put together one of these performances, from props, lights and backdrops to costumes, music, and make-up. My little part has been to help make some props/costumes from the quiet(?) and comfort(???) of my own home! While David would argue that this show is taking up too much of my time, it has been so much fun stirring up and releasing a few creative juices! That would certainly be reward in itself, but we are also receiving free admission as recompense for the sweat of my brow!

Candy bars for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

More Candy Bars.  I think the 3 Mousketeers is my favorite!

Drums for the Lion King!

Maggie in her bird mask.

Four sets of bird wings!

Last, but certainly not least, a Glinda the Good Witch costume for Mary.

I ran a half marathon!

Probably the craziest goal I set for 2015 was to run a half marathon. I mean really, isn't that something people do in their twenties?  Certainly not when they're approaching...ahem...forty!  The way I see it, I can't change careers.  I am a mom for life.  I can't buy a sports car.  I can't afford it and where would I put the kids?  So, instead, I set out to run 13.1 continuous miles.  I didn't tell anyone this, but had my sights set on 9:30 or faster miles.  I thought it would be nice to run somewhere new, so David planned a route for me from our house to the Back Bay and around the 10-mile Back Bay loop.  I was a little nervous even though I had printed directions and my cell phone that I would get lost.  (I have the worst sense of direction ever!)  Sure, enough, I took a few wrong turns and had to back-track.  I even had to call David once cause I missed a turn and ran into the marina.  In the end, I did make it and ran the whole way, though it was much harder than I expected.  The last two miles were especially difficult because I just wanted to be done running, but I set my mind on hymns and praise songs and those carried me through those last miles!

It took a little bit of work to calculate my time because of a little GPS glitch when I ran into the marina, but David says I finished the 13.1 miles in 2:01 moving time, or 9:14 miles!  Yay!  Better than I hoped for, helped by the pancake-flat terrain at the Back Bay!

I did learn a very important lesson from running my first half marathon. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.  I didn't, and the recovery was miserable.  I had three vomiting sessions and severe digestive issues for a full 24 hours!  I had to take a bath, then a nap, and nearly missed taking Mary to a Build-A-Bear birthday party.  So, if you have your sights set on that half marathon, drink yo' water!! I will not be defeated.  I want to train and run the same route with proper hydration and not get sick!