Wandering in the Wilderness

Another lifetime ago, I taught at a Christian high school. I got started because they had an unexpectedly large freshman class and needed another Freshman Bible class. Because I'd taught high school Sunday school, I got recruited.

"Old Testament Survey" didn't seem too difficult, but there was no curriculum and I had to come up with it as we went. We spent the better part of the first semester on the Pentateuch--the first 5 books of the Bible. There's a LOT of territory covered in that section.

I remember as the year progressed that it seemed like we kept drawing the same conclusions about the Israelites.

They were the only people with God in their midst, but their faith wavered so much! "Lord, why are we in captivity? Free us!" "Lord, we're tired of manna! Could we have some meat?!"

In the midst of their grumbling, they made some bad choices. The kind of choices that added multiple years to their journey and ensured that those who originally left Egypt wouldn't actually get to enter the Promised Land.

Over and over it seemed like God would show them His will/plan for them and before you knew it, they were grumbling and disobeying again.

Recently, I think I've gotten a better idea of how they might have felt. The place we once were wasn't perfect, but it had become comfortable. Looking back, it seems like the better deal to what we've experienced recently.

I find myself sounding a lot like the Israelites, "Why did you bring us here? Three years, and no sign of the promised land ahead."

I'm trying to remember that I only see such a small part of the path, but God has our whole journey mapped out.

And it isn't even just about me or my family.

Every step we've been on has been part of His plan for the people around us too. Our fellow Israelites, also trying to reach their destination; even the "Philistines" and "Canaanites" who dwell all around us who God wants to reach as well.

And--probably the one that concerns me most--our children. I know God wants to lead to a Promised Land of their own. The journey we take them on can either set them on the right track or lead them to settle in a "hostile" territory of their own.

I'm grateful that God showed His people's failures for us to learn from. My heart so wants to remember the lessons from those who made bad choices and do better for myself.

Lord help me remember You can see the end of this path. You've always known where you are leading us. I pray that we land next in Your "Land flowing with milk and honey." Help us be aware of even your small provisions along the way and never to grumble in favor of meat when we have all the manna we can eat. I want to be your faithful follower; not a whining doubter.

.

Wordless Wednesday--Look me in the eye when you say that!

Wordless Wednesday--A day at the beach

Why bother about a little sand?

He still sends rainbows

"He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good,

and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." Matthew 5:45

It was a nondescript, ordinary, drippy spring day. But as I turned the corner my breath was taken away by the biggest, clearest rainbow I've ever seen. Even my uncorrected myopic eyes could clearly see each distinct band, from violet to crimson.

Being a Sunday-school child from my earliest days, I can't see a rainbow without being reminded that it's a promise from God. I know it was given to commemorate a specific promise, so I don't go around invoking every rainbow as a specific commitment to me.

But this time I threw up a prayer claiming a promise for myself. I didn't even have a certain promise in mind. I don't think I needed to. The rainbow was simply a reminder that God keeps his promises. All of them. Maybe the rainbow was sent to help me take note.

Here's how it came together for me:

• At MOPS, Boo did a project with the theme, "My God shall supply all your needs, according to His riches in Christ Jesus." Considering our current circumstances, it was a nice reminder, but I didn't really take it to heart at that moment.

• We got home and I brought in the mail. In it was a lovely card encouraging Hubs and a kind gift for our family. Those gestures are always so unexpected and so appreciated. In these instances, it really is 'the thought that counts.'

• Later that evening, we received a message from another sweet saint who misses Hubs. She's talked to her son about finding a place for him with her sons' company. That may or may not pan out, but again, I can see God moving and right now that's what we really need.

• She called again not long after and mentioned they'd just spent 2 hours praying for him. When circumstances leave us depleted, this kind of encouragement and intercession fills us up like nothing else.

I am grateful for all the ways God shows us his care, and appreciate the rainbow He sent to make sure I wouldn't miss it.

How has God reminded you of His promises recently? Have you had any 'rainbow moments' you can share?

PS--I'm adding this link to the explanation for "Prayers for Amy Beth." I don't know her personally, but after posting what I just did about how encouraging it is to know others are praying when your own spirit is so needy, I couldn't pass up the request. I hope you'll take a moment to read the post and send some prayers for Amy Beth as well.

5 Minutes for Faith--Northern Exposure

"Light and bright," is a common--and desirable description for Portland-area real estate. When we moved back to California I would never have imagined that I could end up in a house that wasn't as bright as our Northwest home.

But living in the dark, surrounded by sunshine, taught me something important. Stop by 5 Minutes for Faith to see what!

A Taste of Love

I thought it appropriate to take the time to remember the most significant Love ever offered.

Following is a re-post from last Valentines Day. It's intended to be a children's devotional, but it's a good reminder to all of us.

And if you're looking for another unique Valentine treat, drop by Exemplify Online and check out Love Notes.

I hope your weekend is filled with Love.

The Best Valentine of All

(Note for parents: The "Wordless Book" is a great way to share the gospel story with children. You could have your kids help you make an easy version by cutting hearts from black, red, white, green and gold paper, then explain what it means with the following:)

Valentine's Day is all about showing love to the people around us. Cards, candy, flowers...little tokens to say "I love you" to someone special.

When I was young, I received a small heart-shaped pendant as an award in a Sunday School contest. It had five tiny heart-shaped pages: black, red, white, green and gold. Although the pages weren't all pink or red or lacy or funny like most of our Valentine's, they represented the greatest love of all. A love that's even bigger than my mom or dad's love for me. Those little hearts told the story of God's love.

The black page was a reminder of our sin-filled hearts; red represents the blood of Christ that washes our hearts "white as snow," the white page is our pure hearts, green represents spiritual growth as we read scripture and pray, and the gold is a symbol of our eternal life in heaven.

There's a song that explains it: (here's a link to the music)

My heart was black with sin,

Until the Savior came in.

His Precious Blood I know,

Will wash me whiter than snow.

And in God's Word I'm told

I'll walk the streets of gold.

I'll read my Bible and pray,

And Grow in Him every day!

by Frances J. Roberts

The Bible tells us that God loves us so much that he sent his son to take the punishment for everything we've ever done or ever will do wrong so that we can live forever with God.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son. That whoever would believe in Him would have everlasting life." John 3:16

There is no better Valentine than that!

Meringue Hearts with Raspberry Sauce

This dessert reminds me of the message of that 'wordless book;" the snowy white of the meringue a symbol of our hearts washed clean, the deep red of the sauce a picture of the blood spilled as Christ's heart broke for the world He died to save. (This is an easy recipe for children to help with.)

2 to 4 large egg whites, room temp.
1 to 2 cups extra-fine granulated sugar (about 1/2 cup sugar per egg white)

Raspberry Sauce
12 ounces fresh or frozen (thawed) raspberries
3 tbsp sugar
1 lemon

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. In a clean glass or copper bowl (not plastic), beat egg whites with a wire whisk or an electric mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gently add sugar and beat until stiff and glossy.

To form hearts, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to make imprints on a piece of foil cut to line baking sheets. Using a metal spoon or pastry tube filled with meringue, draw heart shapes about 1/2 inch thick.

Place baking sheet into oven, allowing about 90 minutes for meringues to dry out. Be sure that they do not start to brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before handling.

Sauce: Mix raspberries and sugar until sugar is dissolved. Press through fine mesh strainer or sieve to remove seeds. Squeeze lemon and strain the juice into raspberry sauce. Just before serving, fill well in center of plate with sauce, place meringue heart on top. Top with whipped cream, if desired.

Note: You could do this same devotion with a chocolate heart-shaped sugar cookie (to represent a heart dark with sin) a layer of raspberry or strawberry jam to represent being covered with the blood of Christ and topped with white icing or marshmallow cream as a symbol of being made clean.

Recipe originally printed in Tea and Inspiration, Mary Pielenz Hampton, 1995