How Deep The Father's Love for Us

At the first of the year, just before we left the States, I met a very sweet lady.  She is in a blended marriage and told me a story about her step-daughter.  She felt like she had a great relationship with her 14 year old step-daughter.  They had her in their home every other weekend, and would always plan special family outings and events when she was there.  Everyone got along famously this way for years.  However, when the daughter decided to come and live with them, things didn't go as expected.  The child didn't like living by "rules"; having a schedule; and in general participating in "normal" family everyday living.  In her mind, living with daddy would be "a trip to Six Flags".  Sadly, the young lady decided to go back and live at her mother's house.  I would say that this is not an unusual scenario.  What did surprised me was the woman's "take" on the event.  She ministered to me by explaining:  My husband is a good father.  He thought that by saving the "fun" things for when his daughter was with us that he would be bonding with her and helping her to know how much she was loved.  What happened instead was that she only got to know a portion of who her father is.  Her father is fun, but he is also a disciplined and hard worker. 

Wow, what a testimony to me of my own lack of understanding sometimes of who our Father God truly is.  When things do not go "as I think they should", how often do I question God?  Is He really who I think He is?  Is He really there for me?  Yes and No!  Perhaps I still only know a portion of who He is.... 

Many of you know my ongoing saga with trying to establish a better "exercising lifestyle".  (see my post On to Victory for a laugh.)  Well, yesterday was another "grand experience" on the hotel treadmill.  Just as I would get into a steady jog, the silly thing would stop, and I would have to grab the rails to keep from busting my face!  After about the 3rd time, I was exhausted and frustrated to say the least.  In that moment, God whispered to me, "Sometimes you just need to hold to Me." Normally, in a run you swing your arms at you side; however, following God often means doing things "differently" if even for just a time.  The key is trusting Him to know what is best.   

God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.  It's not that I don't know Him; it's just that He keeps revealing more of Himself to me. Yes, a life spent walking with Jesus is better than any other.  It is a "trip to Six Flags" and so much more!  However, a life with Him is disciplined, orderly and challenging.  Sometimes you think you are going to bust your face!  However, if we "hold on", he will always show us a better way.  O, how He loves us!    AT   

How Deep The Father's Love for Us Stuart Townend; click to listen on YouTube.

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that left Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Falling in love with the Word

Want to read a love story?  God's Word is the best love story ever!  Here's the "plot":  I love you; I lost you; and I want you back!!  And the best part about it is:  It's all true, and it is alive!  No matter how many times you read it, God will speak to you and touch your heart over and over!   

You might be saying, "I have tried reading the Bible in the past, but it was difficult and it didn't hold my interest."  Yes, I would agree that there have been times in my life that beginning as well as staying in the Word have been difficult, but just like in any love relationship, you will have to commit yourself.  Sounds tiring, but the benefits of spiritual discipline far outweigh the work.

You might be asking, "Is reading and knowing the Bible really necessary for having a relationship with God?"  Our family is living in a country that has over 200 different nationalities.  I am sorry to say that I do not know people well enough to know the difference between a person from Pakistan and a person from Iran; between a person from India and a person from Malaysia.  However, when I see a Turk or a Korean I know them right off.  Why?  Well, because I have relationships with people in these countries.  I know language, foods, customs, etc.  How can we build a solid relationship with the Almighty?  We start learning His ways...His language...His food...His customs...  How can we best learn those?  His Word!

Another crazy thing about living in a foreign country is learning the money.  The bills and coins are obviously different than U.S. money.  It takes time to memorize the shapes, denominations, colors, etc.  It is important to know the real from the fake, right!!  You better believe that it is one of the first things that we put our hearts into learning when we came overseas.  We didn't want to "lose our shirts" in the market!  How can we know truth?  How can we begin to take delight in God; in a relationship with Him; and in His Word?  Here's my method:

1) Read it!  Take the time daily; read with a plan in mind; and read expecting God to use it in your life!
2) Apply it!  Make small changes in your life one at a time; The Father will direct you.  Listen to Him alone.
3) Pray it!  Our wisdom is limited; pray the prayers that are in scripture; pray the promises
4) Memorize it!  In context I would add...
5) Sing it!  Yes, even with your scruffy voice!  Make a joyful noise!
6) Talk about it!  I have found that being a "teacher" made me a better student.  Share with people around you what you are learning.  AND Ask Questions: ask God, ask yourself, ask friends and others.

Geoffrey Thomas is an Englishman and former "footballer" that has written many things on the importance of knowing and reading the Bible.  He has a pamphlet online entitled Reading the Bible you can click on it if you are interested in more details on the importance of God's Word in your life.  Here is my list of what I believe are important facts to remember about the Bible:

1) It is Authoritative Truth.
2) It is Inspired by God.  
3) It is Applicable for today. 
4) It is Powerful for Creating and Transforming lives.
5) It is Gospel and Redemption centered.
6) It is the primary method God uses to reveal Himself to us.  (Please don't be offended by this; I am one that believes in dreams, visions, etc, too.!)

The gospel of John is my favorite book to read.  I love it for so many reasons, but for today I will share that one thing John reveals to us is that God is the Word.  We need to know the Word and have a relationship with Him.  I'll ask again on this Valentine's Day....Do you want to read a love story?  God's Word is the best love story ever!   A relationship with Him is like no other!  AT

Love Suffers Long...

I'm the mom!  What does that mean on most days?  I'm the teacher, the nurse, the head cook, house administrator, etc. etc.  What does that look like on most days?  I'm the one that brings "reality" back to this "house of fun".  I'm the one that says, "Write your spelling words; take this medicine; peal the potatoes; vacuum the hall" and so on.  That is not to say that Matt is not ultimately in charge.  He is a wonderful leader.  I am just the COO getting it done, if you will, while he is away.  That is also not to say that my kids do not work with joyful hearts.  Some days it is a challenge, but overall we all serve together.  What I am trying to share is that being the mom in a family is not just about kisses and hugs.  Yes, those are needed and abundantly handed out.  However, being "the mom", especially when children are young, usually equals requiring children to do things that do not seem fun or fair.  Yep, sometimes being "the mom" makes you the "meanie".  Hebrews 12:11 says, "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."  The word discipline does not always mean chastisement or punishment.  Instead, it often means to instruct, educate, disciple, prepare and exercise.  Proverbs 3:12 says, "For whom the LORD loves He reproves (corrects, disciplines), Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights."  We don't often think of love as discipline, yet the Bible clearly tells us that if we love, we will be the trainers of our children.  Love Suffers Long...

Grace has a planter's wart.  We discovered it in September and treated it with an over the counter freeze formula.  After a month, we realized that this had not taken care of the problem; so we saw our doctor who administered a "freezing procedure" in office.  Unfortunately, this did not cure the problem.  In fact, 2 additional warts have come to the surface.  Now, 2-3 times a day, we are soaking her foot, scrapping it and applying a medicine that is basically a chemical burn.  As you can imagine, this is a weary process for all involved.  I truly hate watching Grace have to go through this; however, I love her too much to ignore the problem.  I tell her this all the time.  "Grace I love you and I don't want you to have a worse problem in the future."  During a treatment the other day, she told me, "Mom, love hurts!"  Yes, yes it does baby! However, thankfully, Isaiah 40:29-31 promises us that, "He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Love Suffers Long.... 

Matt's mother has Alzheimer's.  Several years ago, when we first began discussing the topic as a family, Matt's father told us about a story he had read.  In the story, a man's wife was in a nursing home to receive care for her disease.  The husband faithfully visited her everyday.  One day someone asked him, "Why do you come every day?  She doesn't know you or even remember that you came."  The man responded by saying, "Yes, but I know and remember her.  I know who she is to me."  God knows who we are to Him.  He is faithful!  "But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'" (Isaiah 43:1)  "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."  (Hebrews 10:23)  Love Suffers Long...

Justin Buzzard, the author of Date Your Wife and a the new book Why Cities Matter, was a guest speaker at a fellowship we attended in Dubai last Friday.  He gave an amazing message on the last chapter of Jonah.  I honestly have to say that I had never taken note that only 2 books in the Bible ended with a question:  Lamentations and Jonah.  Both of them question love.  Buzzard challenged us with a question of his own at the end of the meeting:  "How much larger would your life be if your self could become smaller in it?"  In John 3:30 John the Baptist is quoted as saying "He must increase, but I must decrease."  John was trying to teach his disciples that "our life/our ministry" is not what is important.  Christ is all that matters.  In our lives, how many things do we choose to do that we realize will not "give us any credit"; we know we will receive no recognition;  there is no "glory" attached; it will likely cost us something personally; it will bring about hardship and pain; we will never be thanked, etc.?  Not many, if any I would guess!  Yet, this is Christ's example to us.  "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails...." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a  Love Suffers Long...          AT