Best Kind of Bible

A week ago, on our way to Garden City Beach, S.C. for vacation, Brad and I stopped in Atlanta to see the Passages Interactive Bible Exhibit. I'd heard of the exhibit earlier this year and hoped I'd get a chance to see it before it ended June 30. The exhibit is in part of a stripmall across from Perimeter Mall in Atlanta. Inside the building is a maze guiding you through history in the creation of our Bible ... and it's fascinating. You learn about the original manuscripts; people who translated the Bible into Latin, German and English; the progress from painstakingly handcopying the Bible letter-by-letter to mass producing the Bible on the printing press; beautiful artwork inside and outside of these many Bibles; errors in printings that cost some folks their jobs or even their lives (especially the fellow who accidently put "Thou shalt commit adultery" ... oops); and the price so many paid to be sure the common man/woman could hold in their hands a copy of the Word in their own language.

Take William Tyndale for example, who during King Henry VIII's reign, translated the Bible from its original Hebrew and Greek into English. A harmless and even commendable endeavor, it threatened the religious leaders of the day. He was arrested and charged with heresy (coincidentally after writing a paper opposing Henry's recent divorce) and executed by strangulation with his body then burned at the stake in 1536. King Henry VIII four years later asked for an English translation of the Bible, based entirely on Tyndale's work. Nice.

The fact that our Bible has survived history with so many manuscripts to back it up and with such accuracy in the copies and translations over time is itself a feat. The fact that what started out as oral tradition is now in printed form in every room of my house and in my car, is just mindblowing. I am blessed indeed.

This exhibit made my husband and I appreciate our Bibles all the more. How can we, holding in our hands a copy of this beautiful love letter from our Father, not read our Bibles when so many went to such extremes to see to it we have one?

I have met many folks who have told me that don't read the Bible because they are pretty sure they'd never understand it. Well, that's just piffle (just discovered this word and had to use it. It means "nonsense.") There are so many translations and commentaries out there you can most certainly understand the Word. It's the Holy Spirit who reveals to us the meaning of the Scriptures anyways (John 16:13, 1 Cor. 2:10-13). Read it. Read it again. Make a habit of reading God's Word everyday and then watch as the Spirit teaches you something through it in a powerful way.

Interestingly, there are many languages yet without a copy of the Holy Bible. The Seed Company (a non-profit organization that translates the Bible) estimates over 2,000 languages as yet are without translation of the Word. They have set a goal to see to it every language in the world has a copy of the Bible within the next 20 years. I will be praying for their success. To help them, go to www.theseedcompany.org for more information.

In the meantime, pick up that Bible that you've been blessed to have - yeah, the one under your bed covered in dust - there it is. Now blow the dust off it, crack it open and start wearing out the pages. I tell my Sunday School kids all the time the best kind of Bible is a well-read one. Make yours the best.

Dear Tatiana ... in Jesus' Name.

Wrote Tatiana today. I try to write her once a week. She is our family's Compassion International child. I had wanted to sponsor a child through Compassion for years, but we always felt we couldn't make it work with our family budget. But last Christmas that changed when my husband surprised me with a gift I will never forget. He had designated one present under the tree with the words "Open last." When I opened it up, inside was a picture of our sweet 11-year-old Ecuadorian princess Tatiana. I was so surprised I started to cry. And I couldn't wait to begin writing her.

Compassion encourages sponsors to write to their children at least once a month, but I figured receiving four letters a month would be far more exciting than receiving just one. And typically I don't need too much encouragement to write. Compassion has this wonderful option where you can write your child online, even attach pictures and send it onto your child. From there it's translated, printed and sent off to the country, sometimes taking two to three months to reach the sponsored child. So today, Tatiana is probably about to receive my Valentine's Day letter. I enjoy sharing with her the crazy things our family does, asking about her family and sharing Scripture with her. Three pictures typically accompany each letter showing the different experiences our family has had that week. And I can make a print out of each letter I send so I can remember what I've written her each week. It's a wonderful feature of the organization.

I have received two letters from Tatiana and both were written before she received any letters from us. She writes in tiny pencil strokes, always thanking us, telling us about her school and asking for prayers. And she always says good-bye in Jesus' name. I keep a picture of Tatiana next to my bed so I remember to pray for her before I go to sleep. And I keep a picture of her on my cellphone as wallpaper so I remember to pray for her throughout the day. I have no idea whether or not our family's financial contributions to Compassion or my personal letters to her will make any kind of differerence in Tatiana's life, but I hope so. I know she has certainly made a difference in my life. I try to look at daily experiences through her eyes. I find myself thinking of how to best explain something that will make sense cross-culturally. And I want to share something of God's grace in each correspondence with hope that she will see Jesus in them, which pushes me to dig a little deeper into the Word myself.

It it my hope that one day we will get to meet Tatiana. But it's hard to justify spending thousands of dollars to visit her when that money could go to help her family. So for now, it's weekly letters and monthly contributions to help her with food, clothing, education and lessons about our Savior. If I never get the opportunity to embrace this child, I know that through Compassion she has come to know Him, and we will certainly meet in Paradise.

If you are interested in sponsoring a child, go to www.compassion.com for more information. You can see hundreds of pictures of children around the world waiting for a sponsor. They have the child's birthdate and country listed so if you have a favorite date or wish to sponsor a child from a particular country, you can search based on that information. They have a need right now for sponsors of older children.

I pray it brings you as much joy to sponsor a child as it does to our family. Regardless, it will certainly bring joy to the child. Now if only Compassion would come up with some new letter templates! I've already worn out the ones on their website. God bless those folks. I hear they receive 7,000 web letters per day. That's quite a work load (and doesn't include the letters sent in by post). But what a wonderful affirmation of the love sent out across the miles ... in Jesus' name.

Divine Providence?

"I see a blog coming out of this," my husband said as we were walking. I had just been sharing my thoughts on my visit to see our daughter in Rhode Island, explaining my shock at the lack of outwardly expressed Christianity in Providence. Our daughter has lived there for a year and has had trouble finding a church home, thus has no spiritual support group or accountability. There are no FM Christian radio stations in Providence. When I asked for a recommendation for a good church, one woman said, "There's a pretty cathedral down the street." Seriously? I didn't want pretty. I wanted Jesus.

I'm not saying Jesus wasn't in Providence. I'm just saying in my week there, I didn't see Him in the faces and places.

It made me long for home, where I was surrounded by Christian friends, could listen to Christian music whenever I wanted, could worship with my church family and didn't get sideways glances and raised eyebrows from folks who were offended by my "Exalt His Name" T-shirt. It was the strangest place I have ever been to faith-wise. And my heart ached for my daughter. Ayla epitomizes the Phil 2:15 verse which tells us to "shine like stars in the universe," and I felt because of her location, that her star was shining less brightly. It was a sad gray world (of course it was cloudy most of the time, so that didn't help). I felt I was given a tiny glimpse at what the endtimes will look like when people squelch faith. It is one of the emptiest feelings in the world. And my daughter is there all the time, every day in this tiny area of the country that Satan seems to have built a wall around. I told my husband, "Satan doesn't have to work hard here at all. He's got it taken care of already."

Yet, it's probably the best mission field I've ever been to. Countless souls for Ayla to touch in Jesus name, sharing about God's love and mercy in salvation through His Son.

While visiting with a group of Ayla's co-workers, one fellow commented how much he liked my shiny gold boatshoes. He said, "I enjoy reading your Facebook statuses because you put things on there like, 'Thank you, Jesus, for my gold shiny shoes,' and you mean it." I nodded my head and said, "I certainly do" and dropped the conversation. I missed an opportunity there to share more about Jesus with this young man. I only hope Ayla is given the chance to share more with him since I dropped the ball.

I have a friend named Cindy who constantly wears Christian T-shirts. Before I met her, I had a few, but taking a cue from her, I've upped my wardrobe of Christian T's for testimony purposes. When you see me, I want you to see Jesus. I want it to inspire others to dig into the Bible, to ask me questions about my faith and bring souls closer to Him. I wish I'd have brought more of those T-shirts to Providence to wear.

Knowing Ayla is not receiving much in the way of Christian feeding, I am going to do all in my power to be sure she is getting Jesus. My efforts will be limited to reminder calls for devotions, sending Christian CDs, encouraging Bible reading, sending her study materials, jotting down the occasional Bible verse on the back of an envelope and praying for and with her. And perhaps I will get her several Christian T-shirts to wear around town. Providence may not be showing any outward signs of Jesus to Ayla, but I'm praying Ayla will show outward signs of Jesus to Providence.

"Divine providence" is defined as God's activity in this world ... hoping I see more of that in the capital city named for it.

Renewing Strength

I have the greatest Sunday School kids in the world. I always have. I am truly in love with all of them that is a love that can only come from God. I have taught Sunday School to all ages, but my favorite age group to teach is grades 6-12. Now about 20 years ago had you told me that I would have shrieked and ran the other direction. People have an unnecessary fear of that age group (particularly grades 6-8) seeing them as transitioning between childhood and adulthood with fluctuating maturity. While that is true, that doesn't make them scary. It makes them precious. I was asked years ago to help a friend teach the younger youth and really questioned if I would be able to handle it. After all, I'm pretty strict. I command respect and obedience, and this age group typically bucks both. But I found their maturity level right on par with my own and a match was made in heaven. I learned quickly what this age group needs most is to be loved. And if you do so wholeheartedly, they will respect and obey. It's what the Lord expects from us after all. And, boy, do I love them. They are so beautiful inside and out. And it is pure delight for me to watch them grow in faith.

Recently one of my kids sent me a message on Facebook asking me to pray for his sibling, which I was glad to do. He had mentioned this sibling had made a few poor choices in anger ... as sometimes we are all prone to do. I told him I was praying his sibling would seek God's wisdom, as I know this child's brilliant understanding of Scripture and faith and hoped for refocusing. I commented because of this person's great faith, Satan would work extra hard to derail it. And I ended by encouraging this sweet intecessor that because of his faith, Satan would be working on him as well and that he should armor up. Imagine my surprise when he said, "I'm reading now!" He was immersing himself in Isaiah chapters 38-40, the last of which says in verses 30-31 "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Not long after this conversation, this child faced two situations where that armor proved necessary. In one instance he was discussing with friends the importance of sharing the Gospel with non-believers. They disagreed with him when he said it was each believer's responsibility to share the Good News, backing his statement up with Christ's command in His Great Commission in Matt. 28:19-10. Then later when being picked on by other students who taunted him by saying he had no friends, he commented, "All I need is Jesus, and Jesus is all I have." Hearing these two back-to-back stories was the highlight of my week. Here was a child facing questions of discipling and adversity and supporting his decisions by Scripture and faith.

There is no doubt in my mind that when you are growing in faith, growing God's Kingdom and glorifying Him that Satan will ask the Lord - like he did about Peter in Luke 22:31 - if he can sift us like wheat. We need to armor up Scripturally so we're prepared in advance for that so our faith will not fail. My young Sunday School student had prepared his heart and mind for both situations. He hoped in the Lord and was renewed in strength. Glory to God. What a fine example for all of us!

I told you I have the greatest Sunday School kids in the world.

Providence? Or curse?

Our winter has been heavenly warm of late. So much so, that I have daffodils and azaleas in bloom. In December and January that just doesn't happen in Alabama. I prefer this warmer weather. I get cold quite easily, so as soon as the temperature drops below 60 degrees, I'm chilled. (And no, living in Wisconsin for part of your life does NOT thicken your skin to the point that once you've lived in the South you can handle it.) The other morning while walking across the tile floor in my bathroom, I shot up an arrow prayer to the Father thanking Him for this warm winter. And I felt in my heart Him commenting, "You're welcome. But you understand that means less flowers in Spring?" I stopped right there. Say what?! He made it quite clear that our Spring flowers were dependent on a dormant cold winter. I had to think about that one. While I didn't not like being cold, I love a Spring filled with colorful blooms. Was I willing to have the colder winter for that? Absolutely. I'll take the cold.

It got me to thinking about the trials we face in this lifetime. If we knew that after we went through a challenge in our life, that something beautiful would come of it, would we handle those situations differently? Our Father has this perfect plan for us, to grow us and make us more like Christ, that oftentimes requires some events that, well, I'd just as soon do without. But, like the cold temperatures of winter, if it means greater glory for Him at the end of it ... I think I can handle it.

My Ayla has gone through countless trials since her move to Rhode Island, calling this time in her life "The Providence Curse." She said things have gotten so bad at times that she'd go to pray or read her Bible and actually think to herself, "What's the use?" My heart broke when she said it, to know that she was that low of spirit and that Satan had convinced her that prayer and keeping a daily connection with God would not bring her any peace. Ayla has pulled herself out of that funk, choosing to focus on God, get back into study and a daily devotion time and seeking Christian support and a church in her area. I've commented to her often what a wonderful plan God must have for her after this time of trial.

Now I'm not saying we should delight in the trials. We just need to remember that we've got a Father who loves us so much and can see what's ahead. There's a wonderful new song called "Already There" by Casting Crowns off their Come To The Well CD that perfectly captures this spirit.

From where I'm standing
Lord it's so hard for me to see
Where this is going
And where You're leading me
I wish I knew how
All my fears and all my questions
Are gonna play out
In a world I can't control

When I'm lost in the mystery
To You my future is a memory
Cause You're already there
You're already there
Standing at the end of my life
Waiting on the other side
And You're already there
You're already there

From where You're standing
Lord, You see a grand design
That You imagined
When You breathed me into life
And all the chaos
Comes together in Your hands
Like a masterpiece
Of Your picture perfect plan

Father God, I'll put on a few more layers and a coat. I look forward to the flowers in Spring. In Jesus name, Amen.

Seeds of God's Word

In my hand, I cradled the tiny seeds I rubbed from the pods of this exotic looking plant through the latter half of my walk. I wanted to make sure I got every seed home safely so I could plant them around my home.

These were seeds of the Amaranthus Illumination, a gorgeous flower standing about 4 feet tall. The top of the plant has a poinsettia like flower with color ranging from golden yellow to deep red. And the folliage below, which is edible in salads I hear, is a deep green.

I saw this flower for the first time on one of my walks. A neighbor had two growing next to her mailbox. They are almost weird looking, poking out of the ground like they almost don't belong where they're planted. I'd never seen these before, but am enchanted. On another walk past the house, a woman was in the yard watering, so I called to her to ask her what they were. She told me the name and I repeated it over and over again to make sure I didn't forget the name so I could google it later. She explained how she found them on the internet, planted a few and now they were popping up all over her yard. Then she showed me the seed pods. "When they start to dry out, you come by here and take some of these pods and plant them in your yard." I was thrilled as I really wanted to see a few in my yard as well.

So after gently rubbing the seeds off one pod to bring back with me, I must've looked pretty silly with my fist closed around them, facing up as I carried them home. I carried them like I had a secret treasure. I honestly wanted to sprinkle them around the neighborhood as I walked so more could enjoy these gorgeous flowers. I can only hope next summer I will have those unusual tall blooms in my yard to delight in.

I wonder if I cradle the seeds of God's word as gently and carefully as I did those Amaranthus Illumination seeds. Do I treasure His Word. Do I desire to sprinkle it all over the place so more can enjoy in His love, guidance and forgiveness. And when I do sow the seeds of His Word, will I get to enjoy the end result - souls who come to know the Living Christ in all His Majesty?! Gosh, I hope so. I certainly try to.

Not knowing what the Amaranthus Illumination looks like when it first germinates, I sure hope I don't accidentally pull them out thinking they're weeds. Likewise, we need to patiently wait as God changes the hearts of men and women through His Sonlight and watering.

I think it's interesting the Amaranthus Illumination looks like the very flower people associate with Christmas, but with an added "on fire" look about it ... kinda like we Christians are all supposed to look. I hope to see them in my yard next summer as a reminder of what I hope to accomplish for Christ: a garden filled with folks on fire for Jesus.

Now That He Has Your Attention

Recently, presidential candidate Michele Bachman made a comment that got a few folks riled up. She indicated that God was using natural disasters to get the attention of the politicians and the American public. She said, "I don't know how much God has to do to get the attention of the politicians. We've had an earthquake; we've had a hurricane. He said, 'Are you going to start listening to me here?'"

She was later asked on CBS's Face The Nation if she believed God used the weather to get people's attention. She made a comment about not being ashamed to say she believed in God and then said she made the above comment as a "metaphor." Since a metaphor is a comparison, I'm not quite sure what exactly she was comparing. It seems her metaphor comment was a cop out.

I quite like the comment Bachman made about God trying to get our attention, because I have no doubt God sometimes uses natural disaster to send messages to us. He did it several times in the Bible. In Exodus, He sent plagues that included a hail storm. In Jonah, He sent a storm on the seas to get the prophet's attention, In 1 Kings, Elijah tells of a drought sent by God. In Matthew, an earthquake occurs when God in the flesh of His Son, Jesus Christ, is crucified on the cross. Of course we also have Scripture talking of Satan using nature at his disposal, too, as in the book of Job. So, who then, is responsible for an earthquake in Virginia, a hurricane up the East coast, a drought in Texas, flooding from a tropical storm in Pennsylvania, tornadoes in Alabama or Minnesota and devasting spring flooding in Minot, N.D?

Could just be that's the way the earth spins, as I hear many folks say. But it could also be our Father. Let's face it, America is not making all the best choices in the world. Culture is taking us in directions away from Scripture: fornication, adultery, murder in abortion and homosexuality to name a few, the last two supported by our own president. The Bible isn't vague on these subjects. It's quite clear. But some folks don't seem to care what the Bible says. Paul warned this would happen in 2 Timothy 4:3 where it says, "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." We got a few folks with itchy ears these days.

Whether God used the weather to send a message or not, it's certainly driving people to their knees. I'm hopeful while praying, many are doing a self-examination, asking themselves if the life they are living is in accordance with what God demands of us. And if changes need to be made based on that examination, are we making them?

We need to direct our attention back to the Word to find out if we are in obedience to Him and turn our lives around to be in accordance with it, even if it's not politically correct.

My husband and I are currently facilitating a class called "The Truth Project" which focuses on Biblical truths in all areas of culture. When participating in this class you realize how many lies people today are believing. How Satan is twisting God's beautiful Word and tempting so many to fall for these lies. The American people are being duped and falling for it. If people realized they were being bamboozled by Satan, would they turn from these sins? In 2 Timothy 4:4 Paul says during this "itching ear" period, people will turn away from the truth and turn to myths. What is the truth? Well, according to Jesus Christ, He is. (John 14:6) And Christ, John 1:14 says, is the Word made flesh. Therefore, the Word is truth.

Isn't it about time we started obeying it?

If God is using natural disasters to get our attention, well, folks, I've had enough. And I certainly hope you have, too. He's certainly got my attention. Turn back to the Truth. Do we really what to chance it and see what else might be thrown our way?