Servant Like Jesus

Posted on January 5, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from June 19, 2009]

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.  In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another;  not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer; contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.  Be of the same mind one toward another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits.  Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.  If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.  Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:9-21 (WEB)

This has been a week in which I have been meditation on the whole of my life, considering what I am to be about and what I am not to be about! In this passage, Paul the great orator speaks his words firmly and yet so beautifully.

Love should be expressed truly whether to my husband or to a complete stranger. I am to always be real. When my heart is focused on Jesus then I will find myself able to express compassion to “even the least” so naturally and sincerely.

The next verses roll off Paul’s pen like poetry. It almost seems to have a cadence to it. I wonder if Paul repeated this to himself throughout the day. Did he become saturated with the mind of Jesus so that these characteristics flowed from him? And now it is time for me to soak in these words. Read verses 9-13 again. If I speak those words every morning, commit them to my heart, I wonder how different my day might be?

And then Paul brings the big hammer and says I should BLESS – truly speak blessings – on those who hate me! This is a sincere blessing, not a sarcastic, said through gritted teeth blessing!

Instead of zooming through my life, I need to listen and be aware of the opportunities that God brings into my life. When there is a moment to rejoice – savor it! When there is a time of sorrow – do not ignore it! Both are essential to good health and a balanced life that acknowledges joy and sorrow in this God-given life.

Verses 16-19 speaks to my pride. Jesus was the most “right” person and yet He did not have to argue every point or win by the world’s way of thinking. He laid His hand down on the cross and asked the Father to forgive us for what we have done – because we did not know. Even at that moment, Jesus was teaching and giving all that He had. Jesus chose to lay down His life. He shows me how to do that. He shows me that in the end – just as Paul said – vengeance – even judgment – will be the Father’s to execute. No matter what comes or who comes in my life – it is for God to take care of the evil. Never do I lower myself to that level! Striking back at evil is only adding to its weight. Keeping my focus on what is good (Philippians 4:8) takes all the steam out of evil and leaves it lying in the dust.

Jesus said that I am a branch on His vine. (John 15) I allow my roots to sinker deeper into that which is Jesus – a servant. My heart becomes a servant heart. My life gives glory to God.

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Watch Out for Sneaky Legalism!

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

“What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”

Jesus replied,“I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”                  John 3:1-8 (NLT)

Nicodemus was a deacon, a leader, a theologian in the local church. All world religions can be put into one of two categories: legalism (works) or grace. Either we humans make the relationship work or God does. Nicodemus thought he had to do stuff to please God in order to have a relationship with Him. He taught others the same principle. But Nicodemus was curious because this Jesus spoke like one with the authority of real truth, real passion, and Nicodemus had lost that somewhere along the way. His religion was dressed up in a beautiful robe with all the “right” words that made him look like he was close to God. But he knew that he wasn’t and he wasn’t connecting people to God with his way. You can’t help the blind see by increasing the light in their eyes. You can’t change the inside of a person by dressing up the outside. You must be born again. Jesus did not sugarcoat His words. He cut through Nicodemus’ questions and spoke the truth.

Religion and the legalism that defines it says that I must look and speak the “right” set of doctrines and belong to the “right” group in order to be saved. Too often we as Christians come through that extraordinary river of grace repenting of our sins and with new insight into the life that God desires for us. And then we impose that revelation upon others who are standing on the other bank of that river still trying to decide if they want to be washed or keep their familiar muddy clothes. Jesus coaxed us into His river with grace and mercy. He showed us, through the power of His Spirit, what being “born again” was about. Do we see the wind? No, only it’s effect. Do I understand the concept of being “born again” or see the Holy Spirit? No, but I know His effect on my life. I am a new creation.

I recently heard a passionate man of God suggest that a person could not be a homosexual and be a Christian. I wondered if that meant that a liar, a thief, or addict can’t believe that they are a sinner in need of a savior and Jesus Christ came to save them! If I had known all my sins the night that I accepted Jesus’ gift, I would never have accepted it because I would not have thought He would really accept me and couldn’t have handled such a terrible person like me. We – the Church – are Christ’s hospital not His seat of Judgment! It is Jesus and His Spirit that will rebirth us and make us new, showing us our sins (like peeling an onion a layer at a time) and the path that will lead us away from our sins and toward God.

“God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. No one who has faith in God’s Son will be condemned. But everyone who doesn’t have faith in him has already been condemned for not having faith in God’s only Son.”                John 3:17-18 (CEV)

If we believe in Jesus, we are saved. Unlike John Wesley, I do not believe that Christian perfection is possible this side of heaven. I believe that every day I am a work in progress for Jesus to teach and guide me in His way. And that is what the fellowship of Disciples is all about. It is not about condemnation and judgment. We are to be there to encourage each other as the Spirit convicts us of our sins and need for repentance. Let us be diligent to keep legalism out of Jesus’ Church and instead be a haven of healing and fertile ground for the Spirit’s fruit to grow in the lives of all who come to Him.

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Which is Easier?

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

Jesus got into a boat and crossed back over to the town where he lived. Some people soon brought to him a crippled man lying on a mat. When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the crippled man, “My friend, don’t worry! Your sins are forgiven.” Some teachers of the Law of Moses said to themselves, “Jesus must think he is God!”

But Jesus knew what was in their minds, and he said, “Why are you thinking such evil things? Is it easier for me to tell this crippled man that his sins are forgiven or to tell him to get up and walk? But I will show you that the Son of Man has the right to forgive sins here on earth.” So Jesus said to the man, “Get up! Pick up your mat and go on home.” The man got up and went home. When the crowds saw this, they were afraid and praised God for giving such authority to people.      Matthew 9:1-8 (CEV)

As a nurse this story has always intrigued me. Some versions identify the man as “paralized”. Today we would say he had a “disability” or a “challenge”. Was he paralized from birth? Was he mobile as a child and sustained a spinal injury later in his life? Whatever was, the man was now dependent on others to move him, possibly care for his most basic needs. In this time in history, people with his challenges often led lives of isolation. This man had people who cared. In Mark’s gospel (Mark 2) they are identified as four friends. His friends wanted more for him. They heard about Jesus. Rumors. Stories from others who had met Jesus. Jesus was their Mayo Clinic or Johns Hopkins. He was the only option that might help. Others, many others, had the same idea for their family and friends. Anyone who could find a way had come to see this teacher, possible miracle man. Was He real?

I wonder what would have happened if the friends had seen the crowd around Jesus and decided to give up? Or maybe they had an opportunity to make a few dollars in a job that day. Or maybe they would miss lunch and dinner. Their friend was not their “priority”. You can only do so much for someone!

They decided they would do whatever it took. In Mark and Luke’s (Luke 5) gospels, Jesus is inside a home when men come with a paralized man. The friends decide to make a hole in the roof of the house and drop the man down. That takes guts! I do not believe that making a hole in someone’s roof is acceptable in any society! And then there is the safety factor of dropping the invalid or falling themselves. But faith and desperation makes you do unexpected things. And God responds to our desperation.

The friends want Jesus to heal their friend but Jesus doesn’t respond with a “little” blessing. Jesus doesn’t simply heal the body. That would be a temporal answer and Jesus is all about eternal answers.

Too often I ask God with a timid voice and desire. And yet like a wonderful father, He responds with what I need not the superficial want. It’s a good thing that God has that perspective. I would never dare to say: “God, I need You to provide the perfect blood sacrifice to cover all the sins I have committed. Would You come hang on a cross and die for me? Oh – and then when You have that covered would You prepare a paradise where we can live together forever? And in the mean time, give me an example to show me how to live until I get to that paradise?” No, I would not have the guts to ask God for that. I’d just ask for little things like health and a long life. After all, for God to give me health and a long life here on earth takes only a word or thought. To live eternally with Him cost Jesus’ blood. Which was easier?

God is still wants to bless us BIG while we still ask for less. Listen! Learn! Allow God to change our focus and improve our sight.

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“I Am Here”

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Jody Neufeld

Lectionary Texts: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Psalm 8, Revelation 21:1-6a, Matthew 25:31-46

Welcome, LORD, to our time together in 2012! Teach us, LORD. Give us ears to hear and a heart to receive what You have to teach us.

I know that whatever God does will last forever; it’s impossible to add to it or take away from it. God has done this so that people are reverent before him. Whatever happens has already happened, and whatever will happen has already happened before. And God looks after what is driven away. I saw something else under the sun: in the place of justice, there was wickedness; and in the place of what was right, there was wickedness again! I thought to myself, God will judge both righteous and wicked people, because there’s a time for every matter and every deed.           Ecclesiastes 3:14-17 (CEB)

I “blame” my husband for the fact that I am rarely satisfied to read just the verses chosen to be in the Lectionary texts. He is the one who has taught me the importance to read a passage in “context” which means more than just 3 or 6 or 10 verses. It might mean a chapter or two. And so today, it is these four verses that came after the noted passage in Ecclesiastes that tie it up for me, God’s first message in this new year.

God is. I do not know what 2012 will bring. But I know that God will be with me through whatever comes. I can count on Him for wisdom, encouragement, strength, and whatever I need, He knows what that is before I even know I have a need.

We are. I have a relationship with God. That is an extra-ordinary statement. My Creator has made it possible for me to come near and know Him. There is nothing that my Father God have the ultimate control. There is evil in this world. There is suffering. It appears to me that “the bad guys” are ‘winning’. They won’t. This passage in Ecclesiastes and Revelation 21passage brings a smile to my face because it is who God is in our relationship. And part of who He is – is justice and righteous judge. There will be an accounting. That is a double-edge sword because it means that “those people” will receive His judgment for their evil – but it also means that I should have holy fear for how I live my own life!

The relationship that I have with God – the intimacy and genuineness that I have with Him that is bigger and more than any relationship that I have ever had – I want to share that. I want the hurting people that I meet or pass every day to meet my Jesus, my Savior. I want to encourage my children and grandchildren, family and friends who already know Him to know Him more. That is my focus, my mission, in 2012.

Yahweh, our Lord, how magnificent is Your name throughout the earth!
You have covered the heavens with Your majesty.
Because of Your adversaries,
You have established a stronghold from the mouths of children and nursing infants to silence the enemy and the avenger.          Psalm 8:1-2 (HCSB)

 

Posted in Ecclesiastes, Psalms | 1 Comment

We Worship

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.      Matthew 2:13-15 (NLT)

God is faithful. Powerful people felt the threat of that baby king, called Jesus. Herod ordered every male child age two and under to be killed. Every one of them! Can you imagine the military walking into your home, snatching your one-year-old son from your arms and running him through with a sword? No recourse. No justice system in your world.

Joseph and Mary have just gone through an emotionally difficult pregnancy and now God says they must leave their home and go to a foreign land in order to save the child from a crazy, paranoid king. There will be no family. There will be no familiar community. There is only the Father and them.

Are you going through a rough time? It seems much worse at Christmas, doesn’t it? Christmas should be wonderful, peaceful, joyful, and filled with laughter. You should not have to worry about needs or the basic necessities of life like food and a roof over your head. A job to help provide for these necessities should be an “of course” but for many it seems hopeless. Looking at a sweet baby in a beautiful nativity scene may not speak to you about the power of God. Look at today’s story. God took on the Roman empire and said, “Oh, no. You are not going to touch My child and blow My plan!”

Praise the Lord!
Let all that I am praise the Lord.
I will praise the Lord as long as I live.
I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath. Psalm 146:1-2 (NLT)

Sometimes I just have to bring a song or poem of praise to my mind and choose to speak or sing it. Say it before my faith has come into play. Sometimes my heart leads me to stand in faith when circumstances do not make sense. And sometimes it is my conscious choice that drags my heart into faith.

Choose to worship our King of kings and our LORD of lords today. Take a step of faith and God will carry you the rest of the way.

Hallelujah Chorus by George Frideric Handel (1741) Performed by people in a mall 2010

 

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We Dream Again

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”      Matthew 28:5-7 (HCSB)

Christmas. Emmanuel (God in human flesh) comes to earth to save me. It seems so wonderful. It seems like that gorgeous present under the tree, flawlessly wrapped, shiny, and it has my name on it!

Sometimes I have opened a gift and had to swallow quickly and call up all my acting skills. Socks! Difficult to define artwork! $3 fragrance set! Not what I thought would be in that beautiful package.

Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth was raised by earthly parents who were neither rich nor well-educated. They were ordinary. He lived in a little known town, not Jerusalem. For 30 years, we know nothing about what Jesus did. If His father, Joseph, was a carpenter, then Jesus probably was probably taught those same skills and, as the oldest, was responsible to make sure that His widowed mother and the rest of His siblings were cared for. He had only three years to fulfill the ministry that the Father sent Him to accomplish. He had three years to take 12 guys with little education and teach them how to carry on and take His message all over the world. There was no Plan B.

In a very masculine dominated culture, I rejoice that it was the women who came faithfully to the tomb that morning and were honored to be the first to hear the extraordinary news that Jesus was not dead but had, in fact, conquered death and the grave. Jesus was “ahead” and that is where He has stayed in my life. Opening doors and leading me through. Did you ever wondered about the stone being rolled away on Easter morning? Jesus didn’t roll the stone away so He could exit. I think if He can blow away death that a stone will not keep Him inside a grave. Jesus rolled the stone out of the way so that the women and then Peter and John could see in! The angel was there to give the word that what we might think had happened – Jesus defeated – was instead a victory!

Under the power of the Holy Spirit, we now share our dreams of a time when we will all be together again. Loved ones may have died. Disease and age may beat us down but because of Jesus, we have an eternal promise that gives me hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

Don’t leave me when I am old and my hair turns gray.
Let me tell future generations about your mighty power.     Psalm 71:18 (CEV)

I can work in God’s Kingdom, sharing the dream of eternal life even now in the later years of my life. I am passionate about sharing this joy with my children and grandchildren. I am passionate about sharing God’s comfort and healing.

Thou hast often wiped away my tears,
restored peace to my mourning heart,
chastened me for my profit.
All thy work for me is perfect, and I praise thee.  – Puritan Prayer, The Valley of Vision

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We Hope

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

“What things?” He asked them.
So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a Prophet powerful in action and speech before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed Him over to be sentenced to death,and they crucified Him. But we were hoping that He was the One who was about to redeem Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third day since these things happened.”         Luke 24:19021 (HCSB, my emphasis)

Over and over in Scripture we are encouraged to put our hope in God and that believing in anything else for our future will be a letdown, a great disappointment. But sometimes God disappoints us.

The disciples had a definite idea of what the Messiah was going to accomplish and how He was going to accomplish it. They thought that the restoration of Israel was going to involve “taking back the land” and that would mean overthrowing any government who did not agree. Rome had to go. The Temple was to be the focus in the city (Jerusalem) that was to be the focus of God’s Kingdom. Jesus said the Temple would be destroyed (Matthew 24:2) and it was. He told them that He would die. That isn’t what Peter or any of the rest wanted to hear (Mark 8:33). Sometimes God has a plan we do not want to hear.

There were a few disciples who died in their old age. Most were martyrs or worked themselves into an early grave. There were a few disciples who were wealthy. Most lived from day to day with little possessions of their own. They gave what they had to others. The LORD provided for their needs. Those who were seen as “leaders” did not seek that but just did what they did to mimic Jesus. The “greatest” were the greatest servant!

The New Jerusalem is not here. It is the place that Jesus has gone to prepare for us (John 14:1-4, Revelation 21:1-4). It is more than I could ask for or imagine – but I have to be patient. I have to have faith in the Hope that has been promised. Like the 1st century disciples, I am hoping. But I don’t want to be disappointed so I spend time reading God’s Word, discussing it with other disciples – iron striking iron so that we have sharpened (Proverbs 27:17) swords for Kingdom work. I am thankful for brothers and sisters who encourage me but also challenge me. The best book (not the Bible) that I have read was written by someone that I do not agree with but who made me study God’s Word more to consider why I believe what I do. I had to exercise my spiritual muscles!

I have been through an Emmaus journey this year. I had a few weeks when I had all but given up because God wasn’t coming through with the plan that even remotely resembled what I thought it should be. But Jesus is faithful. He walked with me. He kept talking to me and explaining His plan since the beginning of time. He infused me with His Hope again that assures me that I will not walk this path alone. I will have all that I need to make the journey. I have Jesus. I have Hope.

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We Choose

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

The Lord answered, “Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things,…”    Luke 10:41 (CEV)

God speaking to me about being “worried and upset” the week before Christmas is no surprise. This whole story of Martha and Mary could be written for any time when you have a houseful of people! That is the easy to see moment when you can get overwhelmed by the “all” of it. But how often are we caught by surprise with feelings of stress and worry? Too often.

As a nurse, this time of the year is crazy busy! People come in to have elective surgeries while they have the “paid time off” to do so. People come through the Emergency Room with colds they ignored until they now have bronchitis or pneumonia or they decide to do a risky household chore or athletic game that they do not have the skills to accomplish well and they are injured! We even have “regulars” who came in with chest pain during this time every year. Sadness and a-loneness can bring on chest pain even to the point of a real heart attack, documented by labwork and EKG’s.

Even churches add to the stress with choir concerts and pageants. Then there are class parties, children’s parties, and senior saints’ outings. How do you fit that in with work-related parties and family traditions? I used to get a migraine when I went back to my hometown for the holidays. My parents and my spouse’s parents lived in the same town. Both expected us to eat Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner with them. Both expected us to attend their Christmas Eve service with them. Both! Both! Both!

I’m sure you can add to this small list of stress-makers and worry-producers! What does Jesus say about being worried and upset?

“…but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her.”      Luke 10:42 (CEV)

Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet instead of worrying about the food going on the table. Jesus says that “is best”. For those of us who are “Martha’s”, we are not happy with Jesus’ answer. There are “things” to be done! People who are counting on us! “If I don’t do it, who will?”

I think Jesus’ point was about “priorities”. Come to Him first. Take the time to listen and learn from Jesus first. So the meal is an hour later. Most of us will not die of starvation! How many churches have canceled Sunday morning service on December 25? And of those who will have a service, how many are anticipating less than 30% of their average attendance? This is a sad commentary about our priorities. Family time is important. But it doesn’t come before my LORD and my children and grandchildren need to know that. It is not “duty” that brings me to worship but love and thanksgiving for the One who loved and chose me before I chose Him!

This is the season that is all about choice. God chose His only Son to come and save us. Mary and Joseph chose to be obedient to God’s call to be Jesus’ earthly parents. The shepherds and wise men chose to respond to the angels and a star to “Come and meet the King of kings!”. What will be my choices this week? And on every day after that? Will I choose the BEST?

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We Pray

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

[a father speaking about his son] “The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”     Mark 9:22 (NLT, my emphasis)

If you haven’t read this entire story in Mark recently, take five minutes and do so. It’s a good one, especially if you are a parent, an aunt or uncle, or grandparent. In my mind, in my heart, a child just should not suffer. When I was in nursing school, I did not have to go through my pediatric rotation to know that I was not “gifted” to be a pediatric nurse. I spent three weeks during my rotation at St. Jude Children’s Hospital during a time when “success” and “cure” was not words used to describe the treatment path of most of their children. Thank You, Jesus, that You have brought knowledge and giftings that have changed the lives of most of the children who now come there.

The father in Mark’s Gospel is crying out to Jesus to do something for his child who is being tormented. His prayer isn’t pretty. His prayer isn’t filled with faith. He isn’t even sure if Jesus can do anything. But he is desperate.

It wasn’t the perfection of the prayer that caused Jesus to heal this young man. It was to glorify the Father. It was to “grow up” some disciples. Jesus had a bigger picture. And that does not minimize the suffering of this young man. Jesus’ quickly took care of the boy before the crowd gathered. But it appears that Jesus healed him to teach us all and show how much the Father loved him.

We pray to communicate our needs, our worries, our confusion, and our love for Jesus. God doesn’t need to hear our prayers in order to know what’s going on. But He is the perfect parent and He wants to keep those lines of communication open and spend time with His children.

Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me.              Psalm 66:20: (NLT)

We should not be surprised when God does not answer our prayer the way we think He should. I did not always say “yes” to my children either. God has a different perspective on my request and He is going to give me the “best” answer whether I can understand that at the time or not. More prayer will lead me into a deeper understanding of God and Who He is. I will learn His way for my life.

Christmas is a good time for me spend time looking at “Jesus: The Early Years”. I learn about His mother, meekly obedient and yet strong enough to stand at the foot of her Son’s cross when He died. And His father, Joseph, who shows me about faith as a certainty in God’s plan even when I cannot see. It is worth getting up a little early or staying up when the house is quiet to pull out my Bible and dig a bit in God’s word and sit quietly and listen to His voice. It is a gift to yourself that keeps on giving…We pray.

 

 

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Heirlooms

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from December 14, 2010]

I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 2 Timothy 1:5 (NLT)

This is a time of year that usually involves a fair amount of cooking. Smells of the season bring memories of childhood. I have a big oval pot that I always cook my chili in. I would not think of using any other! I had a huge yellow mixing bowl that my mother always made chocolate chip cookies in. My mother was a great cook. I am blessed that she took time to teach me. My children love my fried chicken, real mashed potatoes, and gravy. However, there were a few skillets of ‘wallpaper paste’ before I got the hang of gravy and was able to produce the savory, smooth gravy of today! I watched my mother a lot.

My mother also had a great faith. Unfortunately, she did not speak of her faith. She taught me prayers. She sent me to a parochial school. I saw her pray every day. I saw her go to church and a look would come over her face…I did not know what it was all about but as I got older, I wanted it. I just did not know what “it” was. The “religion” I was hearing in church was not personal and so did not seem real to me. The questions I had were not welcome or answered by the preachers and teachers I asked. But I still wanted a trusting faith like my mother had.

God sent many people to water and fertilize the faith roots that I had. My first Bible at age 24 was a Living Translation that, fortunately, read like a novel. That is probably why I actually read it all the way through. Teachers that shared their passion for God’s Word; the beauty of it; the depth of it. I began to see how Old Testament connected with New Testament and back again. I learned there were wonderful resources, writers of Biblical history and study guides, that would help me dig deep and think about why I believed and encouraged my roots to go deeper. Young people with their excitement and enthusiasm that taught me to seek God’s fresh bread and water and never ‘settle for’ the stale.

My children now have children of their own. The chili pot may still be around to pass along to them some day. The cookie bowl broke this year. I want my children to have something that won’t break. I want to continue to tell them about Jesus. They know Jesus now but there is always more to know so I do not want to stop sharing and encouraging them to learn more about their Jesus. Our faith should never grow dusty with no use or attention. Our faith is not something you bring out on holidays for ‘company’ but we use it every day – especially with family. Our belief in Jesus the Messiah and all that He is including Father and Spirit is the most valuable legacy that our family passes from generation to generation.

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs, Heirlooms by Amy Grant, Bob Farrell,  and Brown Bannister (1983).


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