Giving Value to Others

A few weeks ago, we had a Princess Parables tea at a local bookstore.  We got the opportunity to speak into the lives of sweet girls about the importance of manners and etiquette.  In a culture that does not value or teach manners on a regular basis, our children will stand out above the crowds, if they are taught just a few lessons.  They also have the opportunity to live out Christ’s command to love one another. 

What do we mean by Manners and Etiquette?

Proper etiquette and manners are defined as, “helping those around us to feel more valued and more comfortable.” Plainly speaking, just an extension of Romans 12:10.  I think it is more important to teach our kids this definition of etiquette instead of the old-fashion idea being something that is expected of them by society.  Help them to see people as valuable with a desire to make others feel special.

For our three to eight year old princesses and knights, here are a few suggestions:

Greetings and Introductions:  Learning to introduce yourself is an art.  Children need to be taught a couple of important tips to address an adult for the first time.  First, they need to keep eye contact with the person.  Second, they need to shake hands (with their right hand firmly).  Next, say your name.  “Hi, Mr. Smith. My name is Matthew”.  Lastly, smile!  The same rules apply for kids.  They may not shake hands (although some of my kids do), but in general it is good to go over this as well.  We also include in this area “The Art of Conversation”.  I have taught my kids at least 3 questions they can ask an adult or child to keep a conversation going.  As you can see, we need to prepare our children before they get to the moment.  For us, role-playing at home and reminders in the car keep everyone on track.

The Magic Words:  We all love to hear “please” and “thank you” coming from our children’s mouths.  However, just like any skill, it takes practice.  I don’t believe my child has grasped this concept until they do it without my prompting.  Being consistent with this, as a parent, drives the point home.  I often will have my children ask me for something.  For example, “Mom, I want juice”.  To which I will say, “Oh I would love to give you juice, but you forgot how to say ask for it properly”.  I will set the timer for 15 minutes, then you can come back and ask it again.  When she returns and says, “Mom, may I have juice, please?” I grant her request.  The same goes for “thank you” for the juice.  You only have to do this a couple of times before they get it.  I have found when children practice this at home, it comes naturally to them when they are outside the home. We have also role played with gift giving.  Having the right response for the gift your child doesn’t like is definitely a needed tool.  Another area children need to be instructed on is “Thank you” cards. We started really young with drawing pictures and by 1st grade all the kids could write most of their own “Thank you” cards.

Table Manners:  Family dinners are the perfect opportunity to develop good table manners.  When the kids were younger, we started with staying in their seat and keeping the food on the plate and in their mouths!  Eventually, they were old enough to graduate to no elbows on the table, napkins in the laps and sitting up straight, bringing the food to your mouth (difficult for some teens!).  We work on how to hold your fork, use your knife and chew your food.  Mealtime is a great way to teach the art of conversation also.  We have a time of sharing our day (“Pits and Peaks”) which first begins with quiet time for the kids while mom and dad talk.  This leads into a time where they share the best part of the day (God’s blessings) and the worst part of the day (What are you learning?). This time reaffirms the lessons of no interrupting and teaching kids to appreciate others’ differences while giving them a voice in the family.  Last, but not least, we develop the concept of cleaning up after yourself when dinner is finished.

With all the training opportunities, role-playing is the KEY!  I can’t say it enough – role-play, role-play, role-play . . .

Manners and etiquette don’t end there! A key resource for us has been The Etiquette Factory.  They are the “experts” on all things proper and they teach it all from a godly perspective.  Our family has still so far to go in this area!  I can tell you it does take work.  Remembering we are here to serve others and live out Luke 6:31 “Do to others as you would have them do to you”, is an invaluable gift you can give your children. One worth the work you will put in.

How have you been teaching your kids to help others feel more valued and more comfortable in their presence?

Jackie's Journey: Are You a Wise Mom?

"Wisdom calls aloud in the street..." Proverbs 1:20

Do you consider yourself to be a wise person? 

We each hold value systems that form our basic philosophies.  These we purpose to pass on to our children through goals we set for them.  Our desire is that they wisely hold our most highly valued principles.  As caring moms, our goal should be nothing less than to produce wise children who are self-motivated to do good and hate evil. 

Where do we begin?...

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom and to fear the Lord is to hate evil.

 I, Wisdom, hate pride, arrogance, evil behavior (rebellion) and perverse speech.”

Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 8:13

What is a wise child?  How would you recognize one?

Foolish children are easy to spot!

When Wisdom calls…LISTEN!

“Wisdom is seeing life’s situation from God’s point of view and acting in harmony with Him”. (ATIA)  We will recognize wisdom in our child through his or her attitudes, words, and actions!       

Knowing God and knowing our responsibility in life does not guarantee we will be successful in parenting!  If we do not know how or what to do…we are lost.  Most moms have teachable hearts that want to understand God’s instruction. Some even demonstrate a desire to honor God with a wise decision-making process regarding the manner of child development by adhering to God’s Word and voice when He calls!

 Proverbs 29:17 says our “Children are to bring us REST

And to DELIGHT our souls!

 Discipline your son or daughter and he will give you PEACE;

he will bring DELIGHT to your soul”.

 Do your children bring delight to your soul?

Do they bring you peace and give you rest? 

Wisdom is knowing the right path to take.  Integrity is taking it!

We want wise children with integrity!

When our girls were not bringing us “rest” and “delighting our soul” we knew we were failing in our training.  My life was not that much different than yours…lots of activity and responsibility and never enough time!  We were convinced, as you are, that our success as parents would come from making our children successful.

When we take responsibility for our child’s behavior, we are in a position to change it!  This is called Discipleship…the key to training.  The goal of raising a wise child should be to develop godly Character. 

“Godly character is developing right attitudes that produce right actions, habitually”. (RJ)

This involves the need for consistent “attitude training” which educates the spirit of a child, as well as the will. (Ask:  Was it kind? Was it considerate?).  It brings integrity back into focus by replacing the “action-response” teaching  (“Mom said, don’t do that! Don’t touch! Stop it, I said don’t touch…no…no”)!

 “Action-response” teaching has this sequence:

• Warning
• Warning
• Elevated tone of voice
• Threat added for emphasis
• No consequence with total resolve

This sequence cultivates REBELLION!  God hates rebellion…

“For rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft…”!  I Samuel 15: 23 

Developing character in our little “Prince and Princesses” presupposes that WE are wise women of godly character!  “We are known and read by our children all the time…” I Cor. 3:2.  There is no hiding our true character…they read our spirit!

Do you know the test for measuring your own character?? 

 Character is revealed by what we do in secret and

 Maturity is revealed by what we do with our free time (T.V.; computer ;iPhone; iPad; books, magazines, music, FB, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, shopping, etc., etc..)

What do I do in secret?   What do I do with my free time?

Abraham Lincoln said, “There is just one way to train a child in the way he should go and that is to travel that way yourself!”

We are an example, or an excuse!!

Children learn what we are first, through our attitudes; then, what we teach them.  Training is first discipleship and then learning! Our job is to cause that learning in our child by lovingly training them to submit to our authority so they can be taught. 

A child that is not under control of his/her authority is preoccupied with resisting that authority and he/she cannot receive teaching!

The child that resists authority IS the teacher!!

When the course of action you are using has the goal of developing godly character through attitude training, the child will mature with wisdom and balance and will understand purpose in his or her life. 

What course of action are you on?

Heroes

HEROES.

Why do we love heroes so much?

We all love heroes because we are created to admire goodness. We want to emulate those who share our ideals – things like courage, honor and justice.  Heroes who make the hard, but right choices give us hope in the future.  We choose heroes who symbolize the person we would like to be and ambitions we would like to satisfy.  My husband loves William Wallace in Braveheart, Andy in Shawshank Redemption and Edmund in the Count of Monte Cristo.  I love Anne in Anne of Green Gables, Dorcus Lane in the Larkrise to Candleford or Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice.  Each of them speak to my heart.  I can hear their stories again and again.  Tell me who your heroes or heroines are and it can tell me a lot about you.

A couple of weeks ago, we celebrated the end of school with a history feast.  The kids and I reflected on their year studying the end of the Roman Empire to the Revolutionary War.  Part of the year was spent reading 16 historical fiction books.  This form of literature brought history to life for my kids AND gave them heroes to inspire them.  Many of the books were “old-fashioned” with tried-and-true wisdom.  These heroes made right choices, had virtuous character and inspiring actions.  I find this is one of my favorite parts of schooling.

Who are your kids’ heroes?

As we move into summer, my kids continue to read.  I want them to read.  With older children now, I find the library to be a bit challenging.  Somehow vampires and witchcraft have become commonplace among teen literature content.  We have to search and search for good books.  My elementary children find examples of bad attitudes and poor choices among the “favorites” of their peers.  I keep asking, “Where have the true heroes gone?”

The Princess Parables were created for this very reason.  Not only did we want to have inspiring princesses any girl would want to be like, we also wanted to teach God’s word and wisdom.  While the Princess Parables is an outstanding summer reading option, there needs to be more in the book baskets for our kids this summer.

Children just don’t stubble upon excellent reading options, but they are created for them.  I have to have a plan this summer for all of my kids.  Join me as we engage in the pages of literature recommendations from Read for the Heart by Sarah Clarkson and Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt.  Both of these books are wonderful guides to life changing literature for our kids.  Giving our kids heroes to build their character, their adventurous hearts and their imagination.

What does your summer reading list look like?

Will you introduce your kids to their next heroes?

Jackie's Journey: ANGER Is Only One Letter Short of DANGER

Would you consider yourself an angry person? 

1. Does your family (or whomever you live with) ever see you lose your temper?
2. Are you able to readily and quickly admit when you are wrong?
3. Do you complain about how others treat you (when you’re slighted or get your feelings hurt?)
4. Do you grumble when things do not work out the way you planned?
5. Do you demand prompt attention from family members, friends, teachers, employers, etc.? (Do you feel slighted when others get more attention than you do?)

All five questions reveal patterns of anger that are not uncommon to all of us!

The best functional definition I have ever found for anger is:

 “Someone finding a right that I have not yielded to God.”  

 Someone crossing my already decided will!

As a young tribal missionary wife and mother, I felt I had a right to be understood.  Sounds reasonable, doesn’t it?  I was living with so many unknowns. Knowing my husband understood how hard I was attempting the impossible was important to me. It seemed like a legitimate right…no?  It was imperative to have someone to talk to in my heart language (English).  Poor Ralph…he was it!  He is not a detail guy and I speak in paragraphs!  My anger would reveal itself in various forms demanding his attention.

“A Right”…

is a legal demand of our will that we impose on each other–

something, someone, or some attitude apart from God’s own will.

It has its own authority with no power

It produces anger or hurt feelings

It assumes God and everybody owes us something

It imprisons the Soul and Spirit (the Soul claims dominion over the Spirit’s control!)

It refuses humility (the key to the Christian life!)

What rights do you claim?  

My anger popped up more often than I cared to admit.  I had a habit of making excuses or blaming others for:

•  My Pride – reserving the right to make the final decision
•  My Insecurity – structuring my life around temporal values
•  My Reputation- projecting the image I wanted others to have of me
• My Expectations

While living in the interior I jotted down a “few” rights in my journal.  Maybe you can identify with some of them:

·      To a normal standard of living

·      To ordinary standards of good health

·      To privacy

·      To hold others to their responsibilities

·      To be angry

·      To make the final decision on a matter

·      To judge others

·      To do it my way

·      To be understood (self-justification)

·      To be envious or jealous

·      To be uninterrupted (FB, Twitter, etc.) added in this last year!

If you identify with one or any of these as a daily occurrence…you have a sin pattern called ANGER!

By making excuses for my anger rather than tracing my “Anger” to a violation of one of my personal rights, I failed to live in victory. 

By calling the “Right” by its name and repenting, I found freedom in a consistent Christian walk…No more excuses.  I exchanged them for gratefulness and found peace!   

What is the hardest right to give up?

The right to make the ultimate decision!

I continue to learn to stop before yielding to unrighteousness and put my will in neutral, acknowledging His control and His will (not mine or my husband’s).  It brings harmony into my life in the midst of unknowns and confusion.  My demanding to be understood is now my signal to yield to His Will by giving my “right” to God. 

In the New Testament in Phil. 2: 6-8, it highlights the things Christ gave up:

1.     His Rights- “did not consider equality with God”

2.     His Reputation – “Made himself nothing, becoming a servant”

3.     His Ego –“Humbled himself”

4.     His Will  - “Obedient unto death”!

Philippians 2: 6-8

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross.”

How can we do less?

An independent, willful and rebellious spirit will keep us from living in victory.  Let’s choose to agree with God, call anger the sin that it is and walk as He walked, honoring the cross and remembering the price He paid for our Victory over sin!  No more excuses…

Rescuing a Princess

The little girl in the picture was born a princess. Just like all of our little girls.

Her story has turned out different than our girls.  She was born into a family in the poorest part of Thailand.  Her parents having so many other children decided to send their 9 year-old daughter into the city to make money and go to school.  In turn, the nice man who is helping them brings them food for their starving family and promises to bring more money once she starts working.  Their daughter leaves with a hope for the future; however, the family never hears from her again.

This is a familiar story in the hill country of Thailand.

There are more human slaves in the world today than ever before in history -more than in Moses’ day in Egypt and more than in the days of the Civil War.

There is a estimated 13 million children, not to mention the 27 million adults, around the world who are held against their will.  80% of them are forced to engage in sexual acts.  The other 20% are forced labor, organ donors and suicide bombers.  The leading countries that are harvest grounds for children are Eastern Europe, China, Nigeria and Thailand.  The countries that partake in the sex trafficking are Belgium, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Thailand, Turkey, and the U.S.  Most children only live 3-7 years once they enter the “system”.  Some are as young as 6 years old.  Either abuse, HIV or malnutrition end their life.  Their lives fund a 30 billion dollar industry.

Why am I writing about this on the Princess Parables website?

First, I believe there is not enough awareness about this widespread, global, human rights catastrophe that is happening around us.  If we can shine a light into the darkness and if more people can become aware, perhaps there is a chance of stopping it.  Also it helps us to be able educate our own children of this underground world of evil.

Second, I wanted to let you all know that as a part of supporting the Princess Parables ministry, we give a portion of our profits to God’s work.  Because the five princesses were His idea in the first place, we view all of the money as His and we ask carefully where He would have us give.  This month we were able to give a substantial amount to the Children’s Hunger Fund and rescue ONE child from slavery in Thailand.

Lastly, I believe we are all saddened by the statistics and want to help.  We are just not sure what to do about it.  I want to introduce you to one of our favorite charities, the Children’s Hunger Fund (CHF).   We know the people involved personally in Thailand who are amazing wonderful God fearing people.  Carol and Mike left their posh Hollywood entertainment jobs when they heard God’s call to sell it all and move to Thailand.  They not only rescue the kids out of slavery, but they introduce them to Jesus.  They have around 100 rescued kids living in their orphanage at Zoe International.  You can visit their website here to learn more about them.  Also at CHF you can donate $1,500 and they will go with Zoe and rescue a child off the streets of Thailand.  Only $1,500 to rescue a child!!!  To save a life!  I just knew you would want to know about that.  I can see all of us getting our kids and their friends together this summer to rescue kids off of the street and introduce them to Jesus.  I just get goose bumps thinking about it!  Bake sales, car washes, recycling to raise $1,500 and save a child from the horror of sex trafficking.

How will you live out the verse Ps. 82:3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed?

What can you and your family do to bring a child out of slavery?

Jackie's Journey: Jungle School

Christina’s Early Schooling Interior

“...Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”  Deut. 4:3

Good-morning, Moms!  I have two princesses who have lived to tell the story of their educational process as tribal missionary daughters.  From Home Schooling to graduating from college, they have been in every type of school and used any curriculum available at one time or another! Furloughs from the field and sickness made academic flexibility a household word for us.

Both girls have their Bachelor’s and our youngest daughter her Master’s.  I say this to encourage you, young homeschooling mothers that God is faithful beyond our circumstances and He has trusted us and is faithful to do what He calls us to do.

I was told that a good teacher causes learning and to accomplish this there are two pre-requisites:

1)   A teacher must know the child’s need …spiritual first and then academic…for the child to learn.

2)   The girls would need to be under my authority to receive from me. 

I did not always feel like a “good teacher”.  My sense of failure was forever present.   Would it be enough…is it going to allow them the opportunity to find their way in life?  Would they be prepared?

I was teaching school in the jungle before the term “home-school” became popular!”

I was given the choice of sending my little ones three days journey to live at our Mission boarding school for the school year or being a home school pioneer.  It was not a hard decision, but it was a tremendous step of faith and a huge commitment.

We lived in very primitive conditions where my job description included many already time-consuming activities.  There was no running water or electricity.  Cooking was an experience in itself, as many of the animals I was preparing were unknown to me!   There were no computers, Google, phones, radios or T.V.  There was no written alphabet in the Kuna language so linguistics occupied hours each day (oh, for an iPad).  In time, literacy became a necessity.  Sue, my partner, and I ran a medical clinic in the mornings for treating malaria, T.B., parasites, bat bites, open wounds, even setting broken bones, delivering babies, treating colds and flu… etc.   We joined the women weekly to sweep the village with palm leaf brooms (yes… imagine!).  There were remarkable teaching times, prayer meetings and lots of needs and visitors all day long… everyday.  My girls were small; one was still nursing when we moved into Pucuro, our village on the Colombian border.  Time was a precious commodity…days were short… darkness came early.

Teaching the girls was a blessing I loved.  These two girls, my heritage…are the only thing that goes on into eternity and carries on—our beliefs, our character, our philosophies, etc. into the next generation.  They are a commanding responsibility and the most important investment I will ever make.  You, moms, face the same imperative today in this asphalt jungle, as I once did as a tribal missionary mom tucked away in the tropical jungles of Panama.

As a parent we have an unequaled opportunity with each child.  We want our child to be wise, truthful, grateful, honest, mighty in spirit… etc.  It is important that our heritage has the godly character necessary to produce success in life.

My question this morning is threefold:

1.      Are you satisfied that you know how to take advantage of that opportunity for the benefit of your child?

2.     What is the cost to your children and to yourself if you fail to properly complete the task? 

3.     Is there a system that we can know for sure is going to work and we can utilize to obtain the right results?

Scary, I know!!

If there was ever a time in history when today’s youth must become God’s men and women for the world tomorrow….THIS IS THE TIME!

Isn’t it true, Moms, that our success comes from making our children successful?!

I believe Scripture gives us a system we can use with confidence.  It focuses on building Godly character and uses very simple tools to accomplish that purpose.  Many parents spend hours teaching the “do’s and don’ts” that instruct the soul…but building character trains the spirit of the child.  Our involvement in actively and aggressively developing character meets a desperate need in our child and our society.

Character is developing right attitudes that produce right actions habitually! 

Do you know how to do this?

In the following blogs we will give attention to the three questions above with pragmatic steps of action.

Will you join me?

Keeping a Clear Conscience

“I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man”  Acts 24:16

A few weekends ago, my husband and I were serving in the elder prayer room at our church.  A young lady came in looking very upset and unsure and asking for prayer.  On her request form, she was asking to pray about a miscarriage.  All of the elders were busy and I felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit to talk to her.  I, too, had a miscarriage many years before and knew what she was experiencing.

Happy to talk to a woman, this young girl (let’s call her Sarah) began to tell me her heart-wrenching story of loss.  She agonized over the death of her child she would never meet here on this earth.  She had been far enough along to feel the want.  After a few tears, she admitted to her real reason for being there.  It wasn’t the miscarriage, even though it did cause pain.  The event had brought on something else. She was not being tormented by the loss of her baby, but by the loss of a clear conscience.

Sarah explained losing her baby had made her think back to a time she was trying to forget.  She was thinking she lost the baby because of something she had done in her past. She had cheated on her dissertation and doctorate program. She had forged research results years ago. As Sarah unfolded her story, I assured her God was not punishing her, but in times of trial, we can tend to hear God’s voice more clearly.

God gives opportunities in life to share our life lessons. No trial happens to keep the lessons to ourselves. 

Each experience is to be shared.

When I first became a Christ follower, God asked me to confess and ask for forgiveness to those he brought to my mind.  At first, it was just a couple of names – friends, family, ex-boyfriend’s moms, teachers, etc.  At the end, the list of offended was 87 people!  So I knew the guilt she was carrying.  I had also cheated in college and God had asked me to go to the dean of my university and give back my diploma.

I also knew the freedom that comes from a clear conscience.  With that joy, I was able to share my story with her.  I wanted her to experience the burden-lifting experience of asking for forgiveness.

Sarah could hardly believe that not only had I faced a miscarriage, but I also confronted my conscience.  “What are the chances?” she said. “Of all the people who could have been here . . “  Only God does that!

After we prayed, Sarah went home to discuss all of it with her husband.  She called me weeks later to tell me she made a meeting with the dean.  She had decided to give back her doctorate diploma.  She called to get encouragement from me, to know this was the right thing.  She knew God had forgiven her. She had tried to forget about it and “sweep it under the rug”.  Many friends and family had encouraged her to “let it go”.  However, she knew in her heart that was not the right thing.

All I could do was exhort her to do what she was already being called to do.  We went through the pros and cons of living with the guilt and shame.  She was scared, but she wanted freedom.  She kept her appointment with the dean that very day. 

God speaks.

God brings darkness into the light.

God makes all things new.

She told him, “God has convicted me that I cheated and gave a false testimony.  I know this is wrong and I want to give back my diploma. Will you please forgive me?” I am smiling as I type this because I love to see someone do the right thing.  The hard thing.  Only then do we see the rewards – the burden lifted – the graciousness of Jesus.  The dean was gracious with her. 

Is there someone in your life you need to ask forgiveness to?  Don’t sweep it under the rug.  Don’t let it nag at you.  You can do it!  Go on! The heavenly angels are rooting you on! 

Do the hard thing! 

How have you kept your conscience clear before God and man?

Jackie's Journey: The Destroyer Defeated

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.”

II Cor. 10:3

Is Someone Attempting to Destroy your Life?

The answer is YES… Every moment of every day!  We are at war.  Elisabeth Elliot wrote “How can God remold my mind from within unless I continually test what I read and hear from the world by the ‘straight edge of Scripture?’”  Moms, we are inundated with time consuming activities of every kind that are compounded by social media: Facebooking, tweeting, texting, Instagraming, blogging, etc. 

Where is the voice that speaks transforming truth?

The Psalmist wrote that “Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven”.  Ps. 119:89 “The Word of God is living, powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword”! Hebrews 4:12

How many days did you get in the Word this week?

The Old Testament prophet, Jeremiah, wrote in Chapter 6,  “This is what the Lord Almighty says…to whom can I speak and give warning?  Who will listen to me?  Their ears are closed so they cannot hear.  The Word of the Lord is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it…”

When you read His words what do you hear?  What do you want to get out of it? (His power? His life in you? A change in your bad habits?  A good story time?  A verse to meet someone else’s need?  A class assignment?)  What?

Listening to His voice and allowing His words to “dwell richly” in us brings blessing. Neglecting His Word brings destruction.  The Bible is the heart and mind of God…it transforms by renewing my mind. (Rom.12:2)  It is the roadmap to life!  I have this imperative need to ask God to “open my eyes so that I can see” the road, since His thoughts are not my thoughts and His ways are not my ways.” Isa.55: 8   

I explore His Word by purposing to read for a “BUMP”…a verse that jumps off the page at me!  It might be for someone else, but it is mine first!  It is the transforming voice of God speaking to me; perhaps in an area where I am blind to what is hindering the goal of His transforming life in me.   

What is your goal? Do you have Steps of Action to accomplish that goal?

There are 5 questions I ask myself as I begin to apply the verse to my life:

1. Is there sin for me to AVOID?
2. Is there a PROMISE for me to trust?
3. Is there an EXAMPLE for me to follow?
4. Is there a COMMAND for me to obey?
5. How can this passage increase my knowledge of the Lord God (not just about Him)

WARNING!!

 “Many false prophets (with false philosophies) will appear and deceive many.”

Matthew 24:11 

Beware of these 5 strong voices or fortresses in our 2015 culture:

1. Evolution:  How creation came into existence and developed
2. Egalitarianism:  Defining the role of man and woman
3. Economics:  Happiness = Having
4. Experience: Instant Gratification = I want, what I want…NOW!
5. Ego:  It’s All about Me!

These voices are universal and give us a checklist to reveal our true convictions and the confirmation or absence of His Word in our lives. They define strongholds that have been yielded to the destroyer. 

John 10: 10 “The thief (Satan) comes only to steal (our joy, youth, peace, seeds of truth, etc.) and kill (relationships) and destroy (us!); I (Christ) have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly”.

Revival is the power of the Holy Spirit transforming God’s Word into our soul!

Let’s pick up the Word of God this week and devastate the devil’s attempts to destroy us!!

Bowing the Knee

“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry”  1 Corinthians 10:14

A couple weeks ago, I got the opportunity to speak into the lives of some amazing women.  The topic was a hard one – but well received.

“What is your idol?”

Of course, we are not talking about American Idol or even a little gold calf.  We are talking about the things in our lives that take the place of the one true God.  Anything that absorbs your thoughts, your mind and your heart may be an idol.  Anything that you give your time, money and resources to, may be an idol.

While not all idols, in and of themselves, are evil, many are.  The Holy Spirit as our guide shows us evil and wants us to turn away. 

Even well meaning things can become idols.  Think of a golden calf.  There is nothing wrong with a golden calf – in fact, in some parts of the world, it might be considered art.  It is when that object is bowed down to and worshipped that it becomes evil.

So with all of these wonderful women, I asked them to pick an idol and find a table to meet other people in the room who struggle with the same god in their life. 

These women were asked to take away their masks and be vulnerable.

How would you answer the question: “What is the one thing in your life that you can’t imagine living without?”

 “What, if lost or removed from your life, would cause you great pain, despair and depression that in turn would remove your passion, drive and sense of self-worth?”

Many idols come to mind . . .

Significance

For some of us, it might be our job outside the home – it gives us extra income, a sense of significance or security.  We like what we do and what we are an expert in.  Some of us enjoy being known for something.  I remember being an event planner and I could not imagine my life without that label.  I admit that it was hard to leave.  Now I am never introduced as the big event planner.  Instead it is now author, which I am able to give God all the glory because that was all His idea.  But the Evil One always wants me to find my significance there, so I feel the struggle.

Materialism/Security

Money. . . we can’t live without it, but it can take the place of our Lord and Savior!  It gives a sense of security. Our husband might be the breadwinner, but we are wrapped up in it – the big houses, the professionally decorated rooms, the expensive clothes, etc.  Would you be lost without it?  Has materialism become your idol?

Food/Alcohol/Drugs

Some of you, like me, have a substance as an idol.  It might be drugs, alcohol or food.  For me it is food, as I am writing this today, I am eating chocolate covered almonds because they help me think (ha, ha) and when I am finished I will have eaten the bag. I have yo-yoed my whole life with food.  I binge and purge.  Even though I eat very healthy (most of you would say), I still wake up in the morning thinking of what I get to eat today . . . when and how often. Food is an idol because it takes over my thoughts.  I can’t imagine living without all this glorious food!  And I have had to because of cancer, so then I just made “health” my idol - now we are back to food.

Relationships

Perhaps it is a relationship, such as a husband, child or emotional attachment to someone else.  Can you imagine living without your spouse or your children?  Would you be in such a state that you could not continue living?  Would you not be able to have a passion for what God is doing in this world and how you can continue it?  Have you wound yourself so tightly around those relationships that you could not see beyond them?  Have they taken God’s place in your life?  Do you put more effort into those relationships than you do your relationship with God?

Health and Beauty

Maybe you are caught up in physical beauty or athletic ability.  Does how you look define you?  It could disguise itself in “healthy living” or “working out”.  I definitely can get caught up in this as I did when I had cancer . . .  even now.  The question to ask is if you were to become injured, disabled or disfigured, would you consider your life over?  If you had cancer, how would you feel?  Do you spend more time on how you look, feel or exercise, than you do seeking a relationship with the Lord? 

Media

For many of you, media is big struggle. Media can be Facebook, movies, books, music or television.  I know for many of you social media is king. When you are stressed, is your first reaction to get on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram?  Do we want to scroll and forget, to distract ourselves from whatever is worrying us? Do we try to find relief in our feeds and lose ourselves in the lives of other people for a moment?  I can take my mind off of my own problems there. More often than not, we turn to media for relief rather than turning to God. All media is so instant, so accessible, that it’s easier to turn to rather than talk to a God who’s online profile doesn’t exist. Sometimes it’s hard for us to even put down our phone long enough to read our Bible for a half hour or to spend a minute or two of undistracted time with our kids or husbands. I am hardwired for instant gratification and the instant, easily-heard audience social media offers me. TV, movies, books, music, games, etc. offer us an escape.  Do you turn on “media” when you should be turning to God? Does your media life equal out to the time spent with God and doing God’s work that He has called us to do??? 

There are many other idols I have not described here.  Is there a hobby or habit that has taken over your thoughts and time?  Is there a passion that is not from God that consumes you?  Is your reputation more important to you than God’s reputation?  It could even be your church or your political affiliation.  The ultimate question is:  Who is King in your life?  Look at your schedule, your checkbook and your thought life to see who or what consumes you.

I found this self-reflection to be very difficult, but also very freeing.  Once I sat with other women at the table and heard other confessions, I was able to open up and realize that I am not alone.  Accountability found its way into the conversations.  These beautiful women were the body of Christ coming together to overcome the Baals of today.

What are your “idols”?

Do you have community in your life to share with?  

Jackie's Journey: PASSPORT: DARIÉN JUNGLE

He risked his life for mine…the flight of my life!

“When you are flying over the jungle in a single engine plane and the prop shears off, ripping the engine out of its mounts, it’s a good sign you are in trouble.  The next indication is engine oil spreading across the windshield, making it impossible to see.  Then when the torn engine cowling begins beating violently against the side of the plane, your life flashes before your eyes”.  So writes a Boot Camp missionary friend, Macon Hare in his 2013 NTM@Work Newsletter.

Sound like fun?

There are many unknowns in jungle travel.  For those of us on a remote post, there are particular challenges that as a single person I would have found the risk challenging; however, when I became a mother and responsible for the decisions made for my two little princesses, I became more skeptical and less intrigued with the thrill of the ride.

Sitting next to me in our tiny one engine flying craft was my five-year-old daughter, Christina and her two-year-old sister.  Their trusting and smiling faces strangely comforted me.  Leaving civilization behind, I looked out the window into the vast unknown. As we taxied down the runway, I bowed my head, placing my confidence in the One who had brought us to share the gospel with these isolated people and who had promised to  “…keep us as the apple of His eye, to hide us in the shadow of HIS wings. He makes the clouds his chariots and rides on the wings of the wind.”  Psa.17: 8; Psa. 104: 3 (Wings on the Wind is the name our field had given our plane!)  

For those of us living in the interior, the plane is a lifesaving connection to the civilized world.  The hour flight over the clear blue coastline waters of the Atlantic Ocean and then the twenty minutes beyond over a solid wall of 150 feet tall Quipo trees inspired me to again acknowledge His Majesty and control!  Our missionary pilot was required to hit a tiny band aide airstrip that had been carved out of this dense blanket of trees.  My father had sent hundreds of pounds of seeds from the States to this remote area and had turned that slippery, mud-sliding landing strip into a functional beauty to behold!  

Our brave pilot made his approach by flying low, crossing the river; but not too low, being careful not to crash into the 18’ riverbank on the other side.  He approximated the length he had to land with the 150’ trees looming up into the sky at the other end.  He would clear the river and abruptly drop and land safely on a tree-lined ribbon of a very short runway!   Creativity is defined as “finding ways to overcome impossible obstacles”.  He had been a “crop duster” before entering missionary service and I cannot express enough gratitude for this pilot’s creativity! 

Cleared patch of jungle for the airstrip on the other side of the river from the village.

Our village had experienced an epidemic that affected almost every man, woman and child.  The small clinic we ran was open early every morning; the people responded well to the anti-biotic injections and after two weeks, we were beginning to “see light at the end of the tunnel”.  People were returning to work, and life seemed normal again.

One afternoon I began to run a fever.  For two days I ran a 103 temperature and nothing would bring it down.  I was not responding to treatment.   It peaked one morning at 106.  I needed outside help!  It was a two-day trip by dugout and then banana boat if we made timely connections.

We had awakened to the “storm of storms” with thunder and lightning that morning.  The sky and clouds were black.  The wind was fierce and the air was heavy.  In those early days we had a two-way radio that gave us daily contact with our pilot.  I could hear my husband telling him our circumstance…that there was no visibility, the windsock was standing straight up and it would be impossible to fly into our village.  He asked if there was a doctor in the city that could assist us over the radio until the weather lifted?  We would wait out the night and check again by radio early the next morning.  There was a pause and then…

I heard the pilot say, “Hold on…I am coming!”

We looked outside and knew it was impossible…BUT “Bush Pilots” are a rare breed.  True to his word, about two hours later in the storm-filled darkness of that afternoon, we heard a plane in the distance approaching our landing strip.

Our pilot, Scott Wolfe, had risked his life to save mine!

That man had landed that plane on an almost invisible airstrip in the middle of the Darién jungle in the worst weather imaginable!   The doctors at Gorgas Hospital in the Canal Zone confirmed that had he not come for me when he did I would not be telling this story.  God had made the clouds his chariot and brought Scotty in on the wings of the wind!

Thank you, God, and thank you for Scotty!!