What is love?

With Valentine’s day next Sunday, I got to thinking about how much love is discussed in the Bible. Love is such a big Biblical theme that people even refer to the Bible as God’s Love Letter to us. It covers all kinds of love: brotherly love, tough love, romantic love, and even sacrificial love. It also defines love and shows how love should be used. This week, I want to share with a small sampling of verses that define love, show how God loves us, and tell us how we should love others. Don’t see your favorite verses about love? Share them in the comments!

What is love, and what does it do?

It’s a result of the Spirit
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23

It builds us up
“We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” – 1 Corinthians 8:1b

It brings peace
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.” – Proverbs 10:12

How does God love us?

Christ died for us
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

He will deliver us from our enemies and rejoice with us in our salvation
“The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” –  Zephaniah 3:17

He never stops loving us and always seeks to draw us close
“The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: ‘Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.’” – Jeremiah 31:3

How should we love?

Love God first
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” – Mark 12:30

Love as God loves us
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” – John 15:12-13

Always, without excuse, act with love
“Let all that you do be done with love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:14

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Fear God. Honor the king.

“Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” – 1 Peter 2:13-17

One of my years as a counselor at West Coast Honor Camp, we had a Bible lesson that discussed Romans 13:1, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” As the teacher explained the idea of being subject to all those in authority, one of the junior high campers asked, “even Obama?” The teacher paused, took a deep breath, and reluctantly answered, “Yes, even Obama.”

From statements in social media, on the news, and even in the conversations I hear around me, I can easily understand why the camper asked the question. When authority figures make mistakes or decisions we disagree with, we sometimes resort to slander and contempt, forgetting some important Biblical points about those in authority.

As we prepare to elect new authorities in government, and also when we consider those in other authority positions (e.g., church leaders, teachers, police officers, etc.), let’s remember these three ideas.

Earthly authorities are appointed by God

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” – Romans 13:1-2

Some authority figures are elected, such as school board members and the President. Others are hired, such as police officers and school teachers. Still others just volunteer on their own time without elections or paychecks, such as kidmin volunteers. And yet all are only in their positions of authority because God allows it. And whether or not we like the actions and decisions made by those in authority, we need to recognize that God permitted them to be there for a reason. Therefore, we need to trust that God knows what He is doing and obey Him by respecting those He appointed.

Earthly authorities are human

“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” – James 2:10

Humans make mistakes. Noah got drunk. King David committed both adultery and murder. My first pastor — the pastor I was saved under, who taught on the sanctity of marriage and the importance of family — was caught in an affair. And we’ve all seen in the media the instances of police brutality. Does that make it right for us to lose all faith in the system, disparage and slander the individuals, and discredit every good choice they’ve made?

Here in the United States, the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights grants us the right to free speech, as well as the right to petition the government to correct things that we see as wrong. These rights allow communication between authority figures and those impacted by their decisions. It also gives the authority figures the chance to rectify poor choices and help better the lives of those under their authority.

However, when authorities do make mistakes, we as Christians should not take these rights as excuses to irrationally attack the character of the individuals, nor should we hold said individuals in contempt. We should instead forgive and pray for leaders who mess up, because by God’s standards, we all fall short, and we’re all just as guilty. When we think the choices leaders make are wrong, we should be respectful in our petition of redress and have a little empathy and compassion as we remember that nobody’s perfect.

We should also remember that even though we all fall short, we have a God who is forgiving and can still work through our leaders’ mistakes for His good. In Romans 8:28, we’re told, “All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” God worked through Noah to save humanity from the flood, and He worked through King David to establish the Kingdom of Israel. He worked through my first pastor to present His truth and share His salvation plan with me. He works through the government to create and regulate laws to maintain peace and order, administer justice, and protect the people. God is big enough to bring blessings through those in leadership despite their mistakes.

Earthly authorities are temporary

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.” – Isaiah 65:17

Unfortunately, sometimes there are truly corrupt leaders who completely and purposely disregard God’s law. Consider the religious council who had Stephen stoned, despite his innocence and complete compliance. When faced with such authority figures, we can take comfort in knowing that our true kingdom is not here on earth. Earth and all of its authority structures are temporary.

In Stephen’s case, he was brought before the council under false accusations of blasphemy. He defended himself, as he was asked to do. Although Stephen spoke the truth, the leaders chose to put him to death instead of recognizing his innocence and the Holy Spirit speaking through him. If anyone had a reason for disrespecting leaders, Stephen did. But he still didn’t use this wrong against him as justification for disobedience or slander. Instead, he died with the confidence that he had obeyed the Holy Spirit and the assurance that Jesus was waiting for him. As an ultimate reflection of God’s forgiveness, He prayed with his last breath, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin” (Acts 7:60).

Now it’s unlikely that we’ll find ourselves under the authority of hard-hearted, wicked leaders such as those Stephen faced. Most of our leaders desire the best for everyone, even if some of them fill their authority positions poorly. So before we rant to our friends or post on social media, let’s check ourselves. Let’s remember that we’re all human, we all make mistakes, and we all fall short of God’s standard. And let’s remember that despite the mistakes authorities make, God still appointed them as authorities for a reason. As followers of Jesus Christ and examples to those around us, let’s do as God commanded: “Fear God. Honor the king.”

Living a healthy life

January is filled with goals people make for the new year, many of which include proclamations of becoming healthier. Some resolve to lose weight, some resolve to eat healthier food, and some resolve to get up at 6 a.m. every morning to jog.

Creating and maintaining a healthy physical lifestyle are noble pursuits and support helping others and serving the Lord in certain ways. Many areas of service, from pruning the trees at the church to building a school in Africa during a mission trip, require stamina from eating healthy and strength from exercise. Other areas of service may not be quite so physically demanding, but still require attention to personal care. It’s hard to focus on what someone is trying to teach when it’s visibly (and pungently) apparent the teacher needs to do laundry (I knew an Awana club that had to turn a leader away because of this — he was scaring the kids).

But living an overall healthy life doesn’t stop at physical health — it’s more than maintaining personal hygiene, eating right, and exercising. In 1 Timothy 4:8, Paul tells Timothy, “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” Even though physical health improves life on earth, this life is still temporary. As such, we should also maintain a spiritually healthy lifestyle, as it gives life both now and once we enter Heaven.

The concept of living a spiritually fit life is reiterated in 1 Peter 2:1-2. In the first verse, we’re commanded to set aside “all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking.” In other words, make an effort to “clean out the junk food” and replace it with the healthy food — God’s Word with all its promises, commands, and stories of God’s love — mentioned in verse two: “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.”

As we consider the goals we set for ourselves, let’s evaluate what we’re doing to take care of not just our bodies, but also our spirits. Perhaps our resolutions can include praying frequently (1 Thessalonians 5:17), memorizing scripture (Psalm 119:11), or making an effort to meet up with Godly friends more often (Hebrews 10:25). Here’s a link to a previous post for some simple and more specific ideas to get you started: 5 Easy ways to start the New Year with God.

May the rest of your year be healthy and happy as we take care of ourselves so we can be prepared to better serve God and others!

5 Easy ways to start the New Year with God

It’s New Year’s resolution time! As we prepare our list of goals for the new year, let’s take time to reflect on 2015—what worked, what didn’t, how God changed us, and how well we served Him. From there, we can consider how to strengthen our walk with the Lord, serve Him more, and better share His story and love. Here are five easy suggestions to get you started.

1. Read at least one verse each day. There are numerous resources available, from verse-a-day emails to multi-chapter in-depth studies. Or you can just open your Bible and read a verse from Psalms or Proverbs.

2. Pray each day. It doesn’t take long, and can be done even while doing something else. I like having my talk with God each day as I drive to work.

3. Before going to bed, think about one way that God blessed you that day, and thank Him for it.

4. Join a Prayer Group. Some groups meet together periodically for an hour to pray. Others simply collect and share prayer requests, praying during their own time with God.

5. Set up automatic payments to the Bible-based charity of your choice.

I pray God blesses each of you greatly as we all work together to serve Him and further His kingdom in the new year.

The Song of Mary

As part of my devotions this month, I’ve been reading through Luke’s version of the Christmas story. In Luke 1:46-55, after an angel tells Mary that she has been chosen to be Jesus’s mother, Mary sings a song of exultation about the things God has already done for His people. As I reflected on the passage, I realized that not only is it a reflection of her past and the past of her people, but also a prophecy of what will come because of Jesus’s birth.

“And Mary said:
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his seed forever.’”

This Christmas, let us too reflect on the things God has done for us, especially that He sent Jesus Christ to save us from our sins and bring us eternal life. Let us also remember that God is faithful, unchanging, and a keeper of His promises. As He took care of those who trusted Him in the past, so too will He take care of us in the future.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Sometimes a candy cane is just a candy cane

“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” – Acts 17:11

In November, I was looking around on Pinterest for a simple object lesson to teach my Sparks about being thankful. I found one on sundaychidrensfocus.com that used a donut and a rhyme coined by an unknown author, “As you go through life, make this your goal: look at the donut and not at the hole.” The premise was that we should be thankful for what we have — the donut — and not be upset by what we don’t have — the hole.

The lesson was a hit, and now whenever the kids see a donut, they can be reminded of the Biblical truth of gratitude. Now, does that mean the creator of donuts built them specifically to remind people to be thankful for what they have? Unlikely. It makes more sense that many years after donuts were made, someone was eating a donut and thought, “hey, that’s a neat idea. I can use this donut to help people understand gratitude.”

Unfortunately, especially around Christmas, many Christians become confused when meanings are given to objects, and then these meanings are widely shared without question as the historical reason for the existence of the object. It’s like reading somewhere that donuts were created specifically to teach others about gratitude, and just agreeing with it. Or taking it the next step, presenting this donut origin story as historical fact to others.

For a more common Christmas example, consider the origin story of the candy cane — or rather, consider all three stories. Yes, there are three, and none of them have strong historical evidence. In fact, one story completely contradicts history by stating that it was a secret symbol to help oppressed Christians in Europe during a time where Europe was predominantly Christian.

Another story says that in the 1670's, a nameless choirmaster asked a nameless candy maker to create a treat to be given to the choirboys to help keep them quiet during the church’s Christmas service. But the candy needed to be a teaching tool as well so the parents would let the choirmaster give the candy to the kids. The problem with this story is that there is no documentation to support it, and candy canes aren’t referenced by name or associated with Christmas until somewhere in the 19th century, nearly 200 years after the story is said to have happened.

The third story states that a nameless candy maker in Indiana wanted to make it with each element having a Christian meaning, complete as a hard, white cane with three small red stripes and one large red stripe, and that through time, the meaning was lost. The problem with this story is that it also lacks historical documentation. At minimum, the candy cane was pure white when Americans started using it in the 1800's, and stripes weren’t added until the early 20th century.

Does that mean that candy canes can’t be used to remind others about why we as Christians celebrate Christmas? No. In fact, I plan to share the story of God’s gift of eternal life to my Sparks by using candy canes this week. What this does mean is that we should check our facts before sharing stories like the “Origin of the Candy Cane.” And this isn’t limited to just object history and meaning. In Acts 17:10-11, Paul and Silas commended the Jews of Berea for double-checking what the two were saying. “Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”

We want to teach our kids the truth, both Biblical truth and our own post-Biblical history. But to teach it, we have to research it on our own to verify that it is indeed true. And while we can use objects like candy canes and donuts to help children and youth remember God’s gifts and plans for us, sometimes a candy cane is just a candy cane, and sometimes a donut is just a donut.

White as Snow

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” - Isaiah 1:18a

I love the snow, at least when I’m not having to drive in it. I love watching the tiny flakes through the window as they gracefully make their way to the ground. I love bundling up and walking the sidewalks, leaving my bootprints in the fresh powder. I enjoy building snowmen and throwing snowballs, even if for only a few minutes before coming inside and warming up with a hot beverage.

But most of all, I love looking out first thing in the morning at a fresh snowfall—a sparkling blanket covering everything the eye can see, unblemished by feet or any other markings. The landscape is beautiful and whole, unified by the glistening white cover.

As I look out upon this unbroken mantle of white, I’m reminded of how God sees me.

Before I trusted Christ, I was stained by sin. Isaiah 64:6 describes those who don’t trust God as “unclean things,” with the good things that we do amounting to no more than “filthy rags.” In Isaiah 1:18, our sins are compared to stains of scarlet and crimson. I was filthy, blemished, stained by sin.

But just like new fallen snow transforms the landscape into a glistening scene of pure, clean white, trusting in Jesus’s death on the cross transforms us into clean, perfect, sinless individuals in God’s eyes.

However, Jesus did so much more than snow can ever do. Snow only makes things look white by covering them up. Jesus doesn’t just cover our sins when we trust Him; instead, He completely removes our sin, “cleansing us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:7). In Psalm 103:12, we’re told, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

When God looks at me, He doesn’t just see a mask over my sin; He sees me as holy and sinless, clean and without blemish. When He looks at any who have trusted Him, He sees people glistening with purity in His radiant glory. Next time you wake up to see an untouched covering of white sparkling brightly in the morning light, may you be reminded of how Jesus removed your sin, making you as beautiful and spotless as those blankets of snow.

Thank you for the rain

“I thank You for the sunshine
Lord, I thank You for the rain,
Lord, I thank You for Your healing touch
When my life was filled with pain,
And I thank You for my family
And the trials You brought me through
And I thank you for my sorrows,
That’s how I learn to lean on You.”

- Chorus for “What Grandma Said” by The Needhams

Each year as Thanksgiving approaches, the above lyrics come to my mind. I love the way that The Needhams include both the good and that bad in this song’s lines, showing that each has its purpose and place. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us, “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

It’s effortless to give thanks for things that we easily see as good, like the sunshine and God’s healing touch. But the truth is that sometimes the rain falls, and many times the ugly nature of our broken, sinful world fills our lives with sorrow. And yet, even these are things we can be thankful for. Rain brings water for puddles to splash in and life to grow. Sorrow, as the song states, helps us to learn to lean on the Lord, making us stronger and preparing us for great joy. In Romans 8:28, we’re told, “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

This Thanksgiving, may God remind you of all the blessings He’s provided, and may He grant you many, many more!

Are you ready to follow?

"Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6

I have a friend who loves to kayak. Recently, his fiancée joined him for one of his many kayak trips. As they prepared to set off down the river, he took her aside. "The water is not as smooth as it appears to be," he said. "There are places where the water looks fine but under the surface, the weeds are dense and the mud is thick. If you try to kayak through them, you will get stuck. I know this river and where it's safe to row, and I need you to follow me." He paused. "Are you ready to follow?"

Without a second thought, she said yes and they set out. She gained confidence and felt like she had the hang of controlling her kayak as they rowed down the river. After a while, she spotted a bank. We're headed over there to take a break, she thought. I want to beat him there! She veered from his path and rowed straight toward the riverbank. Like a fly in a spider's web, her kayak stuck in a thick entanglement of weeds.

He pulled her boat from the tangled mass, and before they resumed their journey, he looked her in the eyes again. "You told me you were ready to follow," he said, "but you didn't, and you got stuck. Are you ready to follow?"

She looked away embarrassed but replied, "yes, dear," and they set out again. Her confidence rose as she followed in his wake. Eventually, they came within view of a beach. Surely we're headed to that beach. I really want to show him that I can do this and handle the kayak on my own, so I'm going to beat him! Her thoughts echoed with determination as she pointed her kayak straight for the beach — embedding her boat in the cement-like bog where the river suddenly got shallow.

With a sigh, he patiently worked her boat loose from glue-like river bottom. Once she was free, he faced her a third time. "Twice you've said you'd follow me, twice you didn't, and twice you've gotten stuck. I ask again, are you ready to follow?"

Defeated, she nodded and replied, "Yes, dear. I am ready to follow."

My friend’s story reminded me of times in the Bible when God’s people said, “we will follow You,” then thought they saw a better or quicker way. Consider when Abraham had Ishmael with Hagar after God promised many descendants. Abraham and Sarah knew God’s promise, but instead of trusting to see how God would bring it to pass, they tried their own path. Their attempted shortcut resulted in generations of conflict between the descendants of Ishmael and the descendants of Isaac.

So what does it mean to "follow God?" According to Proverbs 3:5-6, following God has two parts.

Lean not on your own understanding.

In Luke 9:23, Jesus told the people, "if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself…” 

Following Jesus means denying oneself, or not making decisions simply by relying on what you see or think. What we see may not be what actually is. My friend’s fiancée thought she saw safe water when it was really a tangle of weeds or a muddy bog. Eve saw fruit that was pleasing to the eyes and nose. Sarah saw barrenness in the face of a promise of children. The Israelites saw giants in the land of Canaan. In all cases, they acted on their own accord and either got stuck or missed out on blessings.

Trust in the Lord and acknowledge Him.

Acts 16:31 tells us, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” 

Following Jesus means trusting Him, and acknowledging that He knows what he’s doing. My friend knew the water. He had kayaked on the river many times before and through experience knew where both the hazardous and the safe spots were.

God also knows where the hazardous and the safe spots are in our lives. Along with being omniscient, Jesus walked on Earth himself. He knows the struggles and trials you face, because he’s been there.

Sometimes, this means acknowledging His wisdom and authority, even if it doesn’t make sense. Abraham had to trust and follow without being told a destination. The woman with only a little oil in 2 Kings 4 had to trust God when Elisha told her to fill every jar she could get her hands on. The disciples had to trust God when Jesus called them away from their careers and livelihoods to follow Him. And in all cases, when they acted according to God’s instructions, they were blessed abundantly.

Once my friend’s fiancée stopped attempting shortcuts based on her own sight and started trusting where my friend was leading, they finished their kayaking trip, and they both had an amazing time. Once Abraham and Sarah trusted God to do things in His way and His time, God blessed Sarah with Isaac. And as God promises in Proverbs 3:5-6, when we trust and acknowledge God and seek His guidance and instruction instead of trying to get to His ends using our means, He will direct our paths and lead us to where we need, and ultimately want, to be.

"The Gospel Truth about Children’s Ministry" book review

Earlier this year, Awana released a book called “The Gospel Truth about Children’s Ministry.” The book shows a summary of the findings from two surveys of over 800 children’s ministry leaders throughout the United States. Its purpose is to help remind KidMin leaders and volunteers of what’s most important in ministry and help them take a hard look at their own ministry to see if the focus is in the right place.

Here are my thoughts on this book.

What I liked:

The survey and findings are applicable to all children’s ministries. Children’s ministry leaders will relate to at least one struggle covered in the book.

The information provides a clear picture of children’s ministry’s current impact on the world, showing what leaders want their ministry priorities to be, the impact of their current ministry efforts and activities, and the outcomes of their ministries. For instance, the majority of responses rated making disciples as a very important objective of ministry. However, less than half said their ministry was actually fulfilling this objective.

The end of each section includes questions to help leaders and volunteers assess their own ministries, such as “in your program or curriculum which comes as a first priority, Scripture/substance, or subject/style?” These questions, combined with the presented findings, make it easy for leaders to determine where changes need to be made and priorities need to be shifted to make their own ministries more effective in teaching children to know, love and serve the Lord.

The infographs were easy to read and understand.

Awana was clear and transparent on how the surveys were conducted, how the results were processed, and how conclusions were reached.

What I didn’t like:

The offered solutions are Awana specific. Only including Awana material and technology as solutions made the book seem like it was an advertisement for Awana with the message, “You have a problem, buy our products for the solution.” For me, this dampened the book’s impact and slightly diminished its purpose of encouraging flexibility and proper focus for children’s ministry overall.

I think that since the study itself covered children’s ministry as a whole, there should have been resources from other ministry partners alongside the Awana options, or just general solutions that could be tried with any children’s ministry.

Conclusion:

I think “The Gospel Truth about Children’s Ministry” provides excellent insight into the challenges children’s ministry is facing. I would recommend this book for all KidMin leaders because the book’s findings can help them more easily identify where they may need to change their ministry to make it relevant to the current generation while keeping its focus where it needs to be.

A living painting

“O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions” – Psalm 104:24

This past week, I had the chance to revel in awe at some of the Lord’s creation. My husband and I took a trip to upstate New York to visit family. While we were there, we went to the summit of Whiteface Mountain. Along the road was a palette of tree colors I had never witnessed all in one place before. Leaves with hues of gold, ruby, amber, and emerald quivered in the wind.

As we ascended the mountain and the temperature declined, another kind of tree revealed God’s handiwork. Pine trees rose from the mountain’s crest, with the sun only reaching one side of their trunks and branches. On the opposite sides, the frigid wind turned the branches white and fuzzy with frost crystals.

The trees weren’t the only natural wonders touched by the cold— icicles cascaded down the faces of the roadside cliffs, forming frozen waterfalls. Even more mesmerizing were droplets of water trickling down between the rock and the ice, creating the illusion of a moving wall.

But the scene that really took my breath away was at the crown of the mountain. We emerged at the summit to see a panorama of color, like God made a living painting. Lakes became shimmering islands in a sea of rainbow trees. Mountains rose out of a faint mist along the horizon as the afternoon sun provided a golden glow.

I can’t help but proclaim how great our God is when I see the world He has made. What a blessing it is to witness the beauty of the things created by His hands for His pleasure. This week, may you too have the chance to be awed by the work of God’s hands in the world around you.

All Things

Have you ever had a moment where you suddenly gain a deeper understanding of a well-known verse? A time of difficulty or struggle, either mentally or physically, preceding a dawning of clarity? My other favorite verse comes from a moment like that.

In high school, I was part of the school’s tennis team and participated in a club called Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The nationwide club hosted a variety of sports camps during the summer, and I attended one for tennis in Santa Barbara, Calif.

The camp had athletes from multiple sports attending, and it focused on a balance between both spiritual and physical health, along with providing training and practice for each specific sport. A normal day began with quiet time with God followed by a camp-wide warm-up session of stretches and simple exercises on the football field. From there, we went to breakfast, and after, we broke into our different sports and practiced sport-specific drills and trainings. We then took a break for lunch and returned to trainings until dinner. In the evening, we met with our “huddles” – small groups of mixed sports but the same gender—and went to the evening chapel. From there, we had a discussion session with our huddles and went to bed.

The second-to-last day of camp, the routine was slightly different. Instead of going to breakfast after the warm-up, we went to the gym for a grind workout — a series of extreme exercise stations which we rotated through with our huddle. It was during this series of exercises that I had my moment of understanding.

I remember the moment clearly. We had done most of the stations, completing repetitions of box jumps, crunches, dashes, push-ups, and many others. We now came to wall-sits. My legs burned as I struggled to maintain the chair-like position with my back flat against the wall. Sweat mixed with tears on my face to where I couldn’t tell the difference between them. I wanted to quit. I was sore and hungry, and I wanted to be done. So close to the end, and I wanted to give up. And yet, as I sat there, the pain screaming through my body, a small voice echoed in my mind the words of Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Louder and louder it became, “all things. All things. ALL THINGS!”

It clicked. The meaning of “all.” I could do it. With Christ, I can do anything, from the little things, such as this momentary physical challenge, to the big things, such as the life-long spiritual battle with Satan. I can stay one second longer on this wall. I can say “no” one more time to Satan’s temptations. I can trust that Jesus Christ will get me through.

Last week, I spoke about my first favorite verses, Hebrews 13:5-6. In those, God tells us what He will do when we trust Him: be with us, provide for us, and help us, so that we do not have to be afraid. In Philippians 4:13, God tells us what we can do when we trust Him. Together, these verses show that when we trust God, we can overcome any obstacle and accomplish any task without fear because we have His divine strength, help, provision, and presence.

For more information about Fellowship of Christian Athletes, visit fca.org.

Always there, always providing, always helping

If you’ve been in kidmin for any decent length of time, you’ve probably been asked about your favorite verse. If not, then you will be eventually.

In my case, I have more than one favorite. My first favorite is actually a combination of two verses — Hebrews 13:5-6.

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’”

What initially attracted me to these verses is the promise God makes. Imagine: God is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Alpha, Omega, Creator, and Master of the Universe. And yet, He has promised to walk beside me, no matter how insignificant or sinful I am. How cool is that?

But as we look at the clauses and verses before and after the promise, the promise itself gains more meaning. Consider the first clause; "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have." This is a command telling us to live a life without wanting something that belongs to someone else. Our actions should be without jealousy, but instead with contentment. Why? Because God will provide. The God who promises to never leave us or neglect us also promises to take care of us. In Philippians 4:19, we're promised, "my God shall supply all your need."

In Hebrews 13:6, we're shown another benefit of God's promise: "So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Since God promises to be with us all the time, we have no reason to be afraid. God is bigger than any adversary or obstacle, and He proves this time and again throughout the Scriptures, delivering those who trust in Him.

This passage gives me the courage and confidence to keep moving forward, because I know that God promises to always be with me, provide for me, and help me, no matter where I am in life.

For my other favorite verse, check back next week! Do you have a favorite verse (I told you you'd be asked eventually)? Share in the comments!

For more information about Awana, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

Past, Present, and School Year

I AM

I was regretting the past
and fearing the future.
Suddenly my Lord was speaking:
"My name is I AM"

He paused.
I waited. He continued,
"When you live in the past
with its mistakes and regrets,
it is hard. I am not there.
My name is not I WAS.

When you live in the future,
with its problems and fears,
it is hard. I am not there.
My name is not I WILL BE.

When you live in this moment
it is not hard. I am here,
My name is I AM."

                    - Helen Mallicoat

I first heard this poem, inspired by Exodus 3:14, when I was a high school student. At the time, I was trying to juggle studies, family, tennis, Awana, and community band, while maintaining a social life. The poem recently resurfaced as I contemplated the lack of things I accomplished over the past few days, as well as all the things I still needed to do for home, work, and the new Awana year.

I imagine there are many new and returning students from kindergarten to college feeling overwhelmed by the daunting task of balancing academia with family and extracurricular activities, now that school is starting. I’m also sure that parents, teachers, coaches, and many others are nervous about their preparations as everyone gets ready for a fresh start in a new school year.

With so much going on, it can be easy to feel overburdened and underprepared. But as the poem states, and as God says in Matthew 6:34, we don’t need to worry about the future until it arrives. And even then, God tells us in Philippians 4:6-7 that we shouldn’t be anxious at all, but instead “let your requests be made known to God.” He then promises that when we let Him take care of our anxieties, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

May God grant you all peace as the busy season begins, and may all your kids have a fun and amazing school year!

For more information about Awana, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

Which 3rd John role model are you?

“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.” – 3rd John 11

The book of 3rd John is a letter John wrote to a man named Gaius. Gaius was a Christian who gladly welcomed traveling believers into his home, giving them food and a place to stay on their journey. John was glad that Gaius ministered to fellow believers in this way, but there were some in Gaius’s community who weren’t as happy.

In fact, there was a man named Diotrephes who was a leader within the local church, and he despised what both Gaius and John were trying to do. Even though Diotrephes was supposed to be a fellow believer and a religious leader, he relished in his power and shunned anyone who threatened his authoritative position. John wrote in verse 10 that Diotrephes slandered them, working to estrange John and Gaius from his small faction of followers. In addition, “he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.” John also goes on to say that this supposedly pious man’s evildoing prevents him from even seeing God.

Apparently, John felt that Diotrephes’s influence was great enough that he needed to warn Gaius not to turn a wicked man into a role model simply because of his title or position. Instead, John recommends another man to follow — a man named Demetrius, who “has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.”

As believers and kidmin volunteers, we need to consider what kind of example we set. Are we being good role models for those in our ministry? Are we being like Diotrephes or like Demetrius?

We also need to be like John. Pop culture, our neighborhoods, our schools, and even our churches are full of people who can be easily seen and imitated. We need to help guide our kids away from the Diotrepheses and toward the Demetriuses, teaching them to “not imitate what is evil, but what is good.”

For more information about Awana, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

God and the King: Submitting to God’s authority

Over the last couple months, we’ve been studying the first few chapters of Daniel, looking at how God moved Nebuchadnezzar closer to salvation. In Daniel 2, God revealed Himself to the king the first time by using Daniel to interpret a dream. The king took his first step toward salvation by acknowledging that God was real, wise, and involved in the lives of His people. In Daniel 3, God revealed Himself to the king the second time by delivering Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the furnace. The king took his second step toward salvation by recognizing God’s power and ability to care for His followers. In Daniel 4, God revealed Himself twice more, with the final encounter leading to the king’s moment of salvation.

Daniel 4 begins with God giving the king another dream. This encounter started like in Daniel 2; the king called his wise men first, and they were unable to provide the interpretation. However, unlike with the first dream, where the king kept the dream’s content a secret, this time he shared the content freely in Daniel 4:10-17. Also unlike with the first dream where Daniel had to ask to see the king to save the lives of the wise men, this time the king personally summoned Daniel as a trusted adviser and because “the Spirit of the Holy God is in you” (v. 18).

Daniel’s reaction to the interpretation is also different from before. The first time, he interpreted the dream to save the wise men, including himself and his friends, from Nebuchadnezzar. This time, he wanted to save the king. In verse 19, before sharing the interpretation, Daniel wished that the dream was about the king’s enemies. Instead, the dream was a warning to Nebuchadnezzar, telling him that God would cause him to be driven from the kingdom to live with animals and eat grass like the oxen. In verse 25b, Daniel tells the king, “seven times shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” At the end of the interpretation in verse 27, Daniel urged the king to “break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.”

But in the end, neither Daniel, nor his friends, nor anybody else except God could save the king. All they could do was pray and let God do the rest — which is exactly what happened. God’s fourth and final recorded revelation to Nebuchadnezzar was given directly to the king.

About a year after the dream, Nebuchadnezzar was admiring his palace. Instead of heeding Daniel’s advice to break from his sins and live righteously, he swelled with pride, praising himself in verse 30, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” God didn’t even let the king finish before making good on the warning. Verses 31-33 tell us, “While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.’ That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar.”

Nebuchadnezzar lived in that animalistic state for what scholars believe was seven years before finally understanding and submitting fully to God’s authority and God’s alone. And we see that once Nebuchadnezzar submitted, God blessed and cared for him, just as with Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. God restored his kingdom to him — and even expanded it to be greater than ever before. Daniel 4 closes with Nebuchadnezzar’s own words; “[God’s] dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth…His works are truth, and His ways as justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down” (v. 34-37).

God used Daniel in the first encounter to show Nebuchadnezzar His wisdom and involvement. We too can help nonbelievers understand that God knows about the world and takes an active role in believers’ lives. In the second encounter, God used Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to show His omnipotence. We too can help nonbelievers recognize that God can and will take care of those who trust Him. And finally, God used Himself in the last encounter to show His authority over the world, ultimately leading to Nebuchadnezzar’s submission and salvation through trusting Him. Now we can’t cause that final submission — that can only happen between God and nonbelievers. But we can act with compassion and concern like Daniel, and we can pray, watch, and wait to see how God draws them to Him.

For more information about Awana, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

God and the King: Recognizing God’s power

In my last post, we took a look at Daniel 2 where Nebuchadnezzar met God for the first time through Daniel’s ability to interpret a dream. The king acknowledged God was real, wise, and involved in the lives of His people.

In Daniel 3, Nebuchadnezzar encountered God for the second time, this time through Daniel’s friends: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Nebuchadnezzar had a giant statue built, then required everyone to bow down and worship it when they heard music. Anyone who disobeyed would be thrown into a fiery furnace.

This caused a problem for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, because in Exodus 20:2-6, God had commanded His followers to bow to no other gods, especially ones created by human hands. They could obey God and evoke the wrath of the king who would have them put to death, or they could obey the king and evoke God’s wrath instead. They chose to obey God.

When the king heard that three of his advisers (appointed in Daniel 2) refused to bow, he was outraged. He couldn’t fathom the idea of anyone disobeying him, especially when he had the power to end their lives. In fact, we find in verse 15 that he was so angry that not only did he personally command them to bow, but he also challenged God directly; “who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”

This wasn’t a question of if their God was real — as we saw in Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged that God existed and was even the wisest of gods. But to the polytheist king, God was just like the rest of the Babylonian gods he knew — limited to specific abilities. In his mind, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s only available salvation was to obey him.

However, the three Israelites knew better. They knew that God wasn’t just limited to being all wise, but that He was all powerful as well. And in verses 17-18, they responded to the king’s threat. “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

If Nebuchadnezzar was angry before, then he was absolutely livid now. He commanded his guards to heat the furnace to seven times greater than normal and to throw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into it with the excessive heat killing the guards in the process.

But God responded to the faith of His people, answering Nebuchadnezzar’s challenge in the process. When Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace, he couldn’t believe his eyes — he saw Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walking around in the middle of the flames. What’s more, they had no singed hairs, no burns, and not even a smell of smoke. And even that wasn’t the most astonishing thing the king saw. Inside the furnace, there were not three, but four men — the fourth of whose appearance looked "like the Son of God!" (v. 25).

In verse 28, the king called Daniel’s friends out of the furnace and exclaimed, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God!” And in verse 29, he recognized God’s power above all other divine powers he knew; “there is no other God who can deliver like this.”

Even after nonbelievers are introduced to God and His wisdom, they may still be afraid. Culture pressures them to believe that God is for the ignorant and immature. Or they may be surrounded by a world of sorrow and pain, feeling like nobody can help them; that they screwed up too much or are stuck too deep in their situation. But as God showed Nebuchadnezzar, no pressure, situation, or fire is too great for Him to bring His people through.

Recognizing God’s power is the second step on the path to Salvation. Nonbelievers need to learn that not only is God real, wise, and involved but also has the power to take care of those who trust Him.

For more information about Awana, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

God and the King: Acknowledging God’s existence & wisdom

Daniel is my favorite book of the Bible. I love reading about how Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were delivered and blessed when they obeyed God and followed His will.

But in my last reading, I realized that the book isn’t just about them, but is also about the people around them.

Take Nebuchadnezzar for example. The story of this king shows the process God uses to draw unbelievers close.

We’re initially introduced to the king at the end of the first chapter of Daniel, when he chose the best men out of the captives to enter into his personal service. He found none wiser than Daniel and his three friends, and they were all appointed.

The second chapter is where we begin to see God at work. Nebuchadnezzar was troubled by a dream, and he wanted his magicians, astrologers, sorcerers and advisers to tell him its meaning. However, even though he wanted the meaning, he chose not to tell them about the dream’s content. Some scholars believe he forgot but would recognize it when it was described. Others think that the king was not confident in the wisdom of the wise men, and that he was concerned they were deceiving him. Either way, Nebuchadnezzar believed that if they had the wisdom and insight they claimed to have, they should have been able to divulge the content of the dream along with its meaning.

Of course, none of the wise men were able to tell the king what his dream was. After asking the king to reveal the dream a couple times and the king declining, they said in verse 11, “It is a difficult thing that the king requests, and there is no other who can tell it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”

Their ineptitude infuriated Nebuchadnezzar, and he responded by issuing an order to kill all the wise men in Babylon. So the soldiers went out seeking the wise men, including Daniel and his friends.

Word of the king’s decree and its reason reached Daniel. He asked his friends to pray, and God revealed the dream and its interpretation to Daniel (v. 31 - 45). Daniel then asked to see the king.

Daniel proved that the wise men were right when they said that only a god could reveal the dream. He told the king that his wisdom and insight was not his own, but came from God. He then proceeded to tell the king about the dream and its interpretation.

When Daniel finished, the king was in awe. “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets," he said, "since you could reveal this secret” (v. 47).

God showed Nebuchadnezzar that He wasn’t like any of the other gods the king and his people worshiped. He was alive, wise, and actively involved in the lives of the people who served Him.

Acknowledging that God is real, wise and involved is the first step nonbelievers must take on the path to Salvation. They need to learn that He is alive, knows about the world and His people, and takes an active role in their lives.

*Interesting fact: Nebuchadnezzar was named after Nabu, the Babylonian god of wisdom. This is ironic, considering the king had to acknowledge that it wasn’t Nabu who revealed the dream and interpretation, but instead was God though Daniel.

For more information about Awana, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

Unexpected things for which to say thanks

At Awana, as with everywhere in life, sometimes thanking God for certain people, events, and circumstances is easy. At other times, it can be quite difficult. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we're told "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Listed below are four things to be unexpectedly thankful for, along with one thing we thank God for that makes all the good and the bad at club worthwhile.

For Commanders: Thankful for being bored on a club night. Why? Because that means your leaders are effective and handling things correctly. It also means there are no discipline problems or other disasters.

For Directors: Thankful for when a leader is absent. Why? Because you get the opportunity to interact more directly with clubbers, and you gain a greater appreciation for the work your leaders do.

For Leaders: Thankful for those kids who come without practicing their verses at home. Why? Because they are still coming to club, and therefore still learning about God and Christ. It also provides an opportunity to bond with the clubbers by working through the verses with them.

For Secretaries: Thankful for an overwhelming number of awards to prepare for the night. Why? Because it means that the clubbers are doing well with hiding God’s word in their hearts.

For All Awana Volunteers: Thankful for watching clubbers come to know, love, and serve Christ Why? Because it's why we keep volunteering even if we're bored, have too few leaders, have kids who don't practice at home, or have an overwhelming number of awards to prepare in a minimal amount of time. It's what Awana is all about, and what makes every effort worthwhile.

May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving!

For more information about Awana Clubs International, visit the Awana Homepage.
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.

God's Perfect Will

This was my second year as a counselor at West Coast Honor Camp — you know, the camp where I’m surrounded by trees and teens, where God likes to teach me life lessons?

He’s consistent.

Anyway, as I said, this was my second year as a counselor. I love being a counselor, as it allows me to work directly with the kids. Unfortunately, making sure my girls completed their quiet times, answered all the questions in their lessons, recited their daily verses and got where they needed to be meant I wouldn't have time to write daily posts like when I was staff. But I didn't mind — I had a plan. I only needed to post once, and I knew exactly when I would post (the three-and-a-half hours of Free Time on Wednesday) and what I would write about (the new Gospel tool the high school campers were using for their outreach ministries on Wednesday). And this year, I had a co-counselor, so I could share responsibilities and gain more writing time.

Remember what I said about God’s consistency with teaching life lessons? Well, this year, God reminded me that our will is not always His.

Along with the daily verse requirement, campers are encouraged to review the whole week’s verses in one sitting with minimal help. The first rawhide (where the junior high girls sleep) with all cards reviewed received a prize. To encourage the girls, I asked them daily about their reviews. On Wednesday, the day I planned to write my blog over Free Time, one said she wanted to review today. She could say the first three days’ worth beautifully; but at Wednesday’s verse, her review fell apart. She clearly needed help during Free Time.

But what about my blog? This was my only chance, the time I had budgeted for. Plus, I planned to meet my husband and sisters-in-law at the go karts once before writing — our only group activity together this week. My co-counselor was also meeting family at Free Time. But this girl really wanted to review today.

I promised to help her during Free Time. Maybe she could finish in the hour before the go karts opened, then I could write as planned.

At Free Time, the girl and I paced the main path, her studying and me waiting until she wanted to try. We discussed the verses where she struggled, I offered memory tricks, she studied and then she tried again. We practiced the whole hour, and she still wasn't quite there. So, she practiced with another leader as I met my family, but as soon as I finished at the go karts, we began working together again.

I never touched my laptop, and she never quite finished. Neither of us had met our goal for the day. Knowing my chance for the week was gone, I told her to get a good night’s rest, and we’ll try again tomorrow. She smiled big and agreed.

The next morning, she reviewed on her first try, and her joy at her hard-earned accomplishment dispelled any disappointment I had of missing my own goal. I found out later that she reviewed during the only chance she had, as she was leaving a night early.

In Romans 12:1-2, Thursday’s verses, we’re urged to be “living sacrifices” for God. We’re also called to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will” (NIV). My plan, even though it was to share a new Gospel tool, was not God’s perfect will. God called me to sacrifice my article and help this girl understand God’s Word and grow in her faith.

For more information about Awana Clubs International, visit the Awana Homepage
To find a club in your area visit the Club Locator.