Wednesday, August 24, 2016

When we read to them...

Matthew chose a Superman book from the library so when we got home I read it to my eager listeners.  The book was appropriately titled Superman Versus Bizarro by Chris Strathearn.  It certainly was “bizarre” alright!  Everything was switched around making me think, “This is ridiculous! It’s obvious a tree wouldn’t be hurting a cat!”  The author was contrasting Earth verses Bizarro World.
The next day I read the following excerpt from the devotional booklet Our Daily Bread and I believe God was developing a message in me to share with our kids. “In our world today – when good is often considered bad and bad is seen as good, when truth and error are switched around – people are looking for direction in life.”  (Our Daily Bread August 16, 2016 C.P. Hia).  How true!

I got the opportunity to share a message of hope with our kids as we read Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.  About half-way through the book, Matthew and I didn’t really want to continue anymore because it was such "nonsense" but then the Holy Spirit nudged me with His message.  I told Matthew and Jordan, “Just as Alice is walking around in this nonsense wonderland, we are walking around in this kind of world too.” I gave them current examples and they understood so I continued, “We have the TRUTH of the gospel!  That’s the only thing that isn’t nonsense!  Our job is to share God’s truth with people…”  It was such a moment of wisdom from the Lord! 
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength....You shall teach them diligently to your children, ..." Deuteronomy 6:5-7
Teach your kids truth from the Bible.  Expose lies for lies so they are not swept away in it all never differentiating truth from lies.

Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Choreography

Last night there was a most impressive storm that rolled through.  I woke up to a symphony of this incredibly brilliant, flashy lightening followed by a long, hard-pounding rumble that shook the house with its loud voice each time like a slow motion earthquake.  All of a sudden I saw quick shadows followed by the kids they represent racing for our room.  It’s almost as if they dove into our bed, found their spots and promptly fell asleep.  Even our dog (a big Lab Pitt) was there!  Our queen-sized bed felt more like a twin by the time I adjusted into my appointed spot – on the edge in the opposite direction!

As the Olympics are rolling in at the end of this week, I’ve been searching for a way to teach our kids about the events, what the rings represent, and how we can schedule our viewing.  I woke up this morning thinking about synchronized swimming.  This led me to think about how when we sync ourselves with the Lord, we are a beautiful display of His perfectly timed choreography of life.  Just like a storm and just like the kids running in at just the right time.
“…we should live together with Him.  Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11
With all of us on that bed, I realized the part I play (as a mom) is crucial to our kids’ lives.  But not only as mom, as a friend to other moms, we can play a huge role in edifying each other by praying for one another; having playdates (or coffee) to not forsake the assembling together; and helping each other.  Let's live together with Him and edify each other today.

"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25