I’m sure you, like me, are in the midst of checking off your Christmas to do list. Of course a huge part of that list is buying gifts. Gift buying can be fun and exciting, but it can also be overwhelming and stressful as the days tick by, the list grows and the budget shrinks.
On Wednesdays this month, I want to pass along some shopping ideas and resources that I hope will be helpful.
I love giving gifts, but hate the idea of giving people something that may get tossed in a corner and never used. I try to think of practical and unique gifts whenever I can. I also try to support local businesses and friends as often as I can. Target and Amazon do get a lot of my budget, but I would much rather give to a small business owner, buying a unique and lasting piece to give, rather than a gift card that will be used and discarded without much thought.
First up is Noonday. This jewelry and accessories company is all about empowering the lives of women all around the world.
Noonday’s story:
Jessica Honegger launched Noonday Collection in 2010 after she connected with Jalia and Daniel, talented jewelry designers in Uganda who dreamed of using fashion to create dignified jobs in their community. Jessica hosted the first Noonday Trunk Show, selling Jalia and Daniel’s jewelry in her home to raise funds to adopt from Rwanda. Women fell in love with the style and story of Noonday Collection – and Jessica began to dream bigger than a fundraiser.
Jessica soon partnered with Travis Wilson, a friend passionate about social entrepreneurship and experienced in building businesses. Both Travis and Jessica had spent years working in Africa and Latin America. Together they dreamed of starting a business that would alleviate poverty through entrepreneurship. This dream became Noonday Collection, a business that uses fashion to create meaningful opportunities around the world.
Need a necklace or bracelet? Buying it from Noonday supports a local business in an impoverished nation, rather than lining the pockets of an already wealthy American company. The pieces are beautiful and high quality!
My dear friend Dylan just become an Ambassador with Noonday! In our West Point community she was the in-demand babysitter and now she is a wife and mama herself to a sweet baby girl. Ambassadors like Dylan not only help support their own families by selling Noonday products, they help share the message of Noonday and support local artisans from around the world.
Follow Dylan on her FB page or check out your own Ambassador! Let’s support local businesses doing good things this Christmas season!
“…as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.”
Yesterday on her math page for the date my daughter wrote, “Cyber Monday.” I chuckled and groaned. It’s not a big deal right? (On the other hand I do hate that the marketing tentacles of consumerism impact my children.) Today, however she did not write “Giving Tuesday.” I get it. It’s a made up day, just like Cyber Monday, but it did give me pause. My heart yearns to raise children that would champion a day of giving far more than they would celebrate days of feasting on a diet of consumerism.
I feel like I swing the pendulum for them most days. “What do you want for Christmas?” is constantly asked…especially for the two that have birthdays within a week of Christmas. Their initial circles cover page after page of toy catalogs and the “I wants” grow exponentially with it. I try to encourage them to limit their lists, and make lists of gifts to give other people, but it never feels like a drop in the bucket against the tidal wave of self focus.
So let’s do something. If we can spend $6 BILLION on Black Friday, surely we can all give something today.
Look at your Christmas list. If your’s is like mine, very few, if any, people on your list need a gift. Virtually everyone on my list could buy themselves what I plan to give them and my children are not in need of anything. Now, I’m not advocating no gifts – it is the best feeling to share a gift with someone you care about. The joy of seeing Christmas through child’s eyes is amazing. We are probably more excited to give them their gifts than they are to get them.
But how quickly does that joy fade and the toys break and the clothes are in the donation pile? This Christmas – whether it’s today or another day – let’s invest in something that will last.
Here’s a challenge – give more to a ministry or person in need than you spend on yourself and/or one of your kids. Most of us could even do more than that. Do something measurable for someone who truly has a need.
There are endless opportunities to share your love and gifts with those in need, but here are a few ideas to get you started.
Focus on the Family – This ministry supports families in incredible ways through their daily radio broadcast, marriage support materials and intensives, political awareness, foster care and adoption education and pro-life initiatives. And who doesn’t love Adventures in Odyssey?? Donate today and choose a free gift! Donate here.
Pioneer Bible Translators – A missionary with this organization shared his work at our church on Sunday. The people group they are working with in Papua New Guinea only have the gospel of Mark in their language, which is one of over 800 languages spoken in the country. It blew me away that with all of the technological advances in the last decade, that there are still entire people groups without the Bible in their own language.
Samaritan’s Purse – Many people know this organization through Operation Christmas Child. Samaritan’s Purse is one of the leading Christian relief organizations currently supporting people in Puerto Rico, Texas, South Sudan, Vietnam and many other place all around the world.
PICU Kids – my dear friend is a PICU nurse right outside Washington DC. They have a registry to donate items to kids in their unit. Sometimes these kids are so sick that parents rush out without grabbing their favorite book, stuffed animal, or a pair of pj’s. These things go directly to the PICU where she works and they use the items from this campaign all year round to make a child/family’s day a little brighter.
Those around YOU – You don’t have to donate to a formal organization to make a difference. Find a needy widow or elderly couple in your neighborhood or through your church and offer to take them to the grocery story or a doctor’s appointment or offer to rake leaves or do another task around the house. Give them a gift card for groceries or take them out to lunch.
Contact your local child protective services office or foster care organization and ask how you can help a foster child or family this Christmas.
These are just a few options! Choose an organization and give today!
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God:”
Over the past month we have examined the idea of rest and sabbath. I hope these posts have provoked you to examine the importance of rest in your own life.
Today I want to leave you with a few practical ways to begin implementing regular period of rest into your week.
D.L. Moody said, “Think of men devoting six days a week to their body, which will soon pass away, and begrudging one day to the soul, which will live on and on forever!”
In order to make time for rest, we are going to have to make it a priority. Our calendars may feel squeezed when we begin to push things aside to create white space, but when our minds are grounded in the understanding of our need for rest, the white space becomes as necessary as the air we breathe.
“But you just don’t understand my schedule, there is no time to give!”
We are called to be stewards of the resources God has given us: time, money, abilities and resources. As a young child I was taught to tithe at least ten percent of my money to God through the local church. The message of tithing is clear: Give God a percentage and trust Him as you live on the rest.
Sabbath is the same principle. As we carve out spaces on our calendar, we are in essence saying, “God, I don’t feel like I have this time to give, but I trust You.” When we push frantically through our days, we are in danger of believing that everything depends on us. But the weight of accomplishment is a heavy burden to carry.
For our families, this requires being careful with what we put on the calendar. We need to prayerfully consider each commitment we make. There are many good things, but too many good things will wear us out and stretch our families thin.
With kids this can be difficult. Our oldest would be involved in gymnastics, dance, choir, piano, guitar, swimming, volleyball, Awana, theater and youth group all in one season if we let her. As parents, we need to resist the urge to fill our kids schedules. They need time to be kids and they often need us to say no for the sake of the rest of the family.
We need to do the same with our schedules. If we say yes to every volunteer or work opportunity presented to us, without praying about and talking with our spouse, we will stretch our families to the breaking point. No volunteer or work opportunity is worth giving our spouse and our kids our leftover, burnt out selves every day.
As moms, we are especially susceptible. I’m guilty of what Shauna Niequist calls “fake resting.” Fake resting is when everyone around you is watching a movie or taking a nap and yet you try to accomplish tasks while appearing to rest. Whether it’s folding laundry, making a grocery list or writing lesson plans for the week – I always found a way to keep working. I didn’t have time to rest. None of these tasks are wrong and busy parents certainly always have to do lists piled high of worthy and necessary things, but at the heart for me has always been a frantic drive to accomplish the list. At the core of this frantic feeling for me is pride. I never considered setting the list aside and trusting God with my time. I felt like I needed to control my time. I believed I could do it all. I could do the whole list and when I was done people would love and admire me for my ability to do it. This attitude could not be further from the call of our Savior to come rest at His feet, abide in Him and experience His abundant life.
For me, learning to rest is about learning to trust God. To learn to sit in His unconditional love. To bask in the idea that I am loved and accepted unconditionally, no matter what I accomplish.
God is many things – strong, loving, all-knowing, good, just and holy. No part of his character is frantic or frustrated. Learning to trade our frantic, tiring struggle for His joyous, abundant, peace-centered life is the Christian life in a nut shell.
He knows we need rest. He knows we need Him. He is REST.
So what does this look like in our lives?
1 . Personal Devotional Time
As believers, we have to spend time daily in the Word and in prayer. It is our lifeline. We cannot have a relationship with the Lord without regular, purposeful time together.
My friend put it like this: each day I give the Lord “couch time,” just like I do my husband when he comes in from work. A short time (15-30) minutes a day getting to know Him through prayer and the Word. Then once a week, we have a “date” – a longer period, 2-3 hours when I go for a walk or find a quiet spot in the park or the woods to have an extended period of time worshiping, listening, studying and meditating on the Word.
2. Family Devotional Time
As parents, we need to have regular times around the Word with our children. We cannot simply send them to Sunday School or church, leaving their spiritual instruction in the hands of someone else. As parents, this is our responsibility – our highest calling with our kids.
This will look different for every family.
In our family, my husband is typically gone before we get up, so the kids and I read scripture and do a short devotion together. Sometimes, the older girls do a devotion on their own. We want this to become a habit in their lives so that as they get older, it will be a natural part of their day. Then once a week we have a family devotion time, normally on Friday nights.
3. Family Nights
We have recently implemented Friday nights as family night. Each member of the family takes a turn planning the activities and menu for the night. This time includes our family devotion time, but it is also a time of rest. Chad and I are not allowed to do any work. No emails, no laundry, no cleaning. We have dance parties, sing, play games, make art projects and snuggle up to read stories.
Maybe for you it’s not a family night. Maybe it’s mandatory nap time on Sunday afternoon. Maybe it’s taking Saturday night to prepare for worship the next day.
4. Serving Others
As a family, we look for opportunities serve our community – volunteering at food pantry or shelter, visiting folks in a nursing home, etc.. We want our kids to learn at an early age the joy of serving others, not expecting anything in return.
In the end, rest is not about being lazy. It is not about saying no to things God has called us to do. He has called us to labor in the fields and we should be tired at the end of the day. But let us all remember His call to rest. Let’s be a Mary that sets aside the list to sit at the feet of our Savior. Let’s be parents that wisely manage our calendars and our schedules, taking time to look into the faces of the precious children He has entrusted us with. Let’s release the frantic need to do it all and trade our striving for His abundant life.
“You just need a little me time.”
“You just need to get away and get some time to yourself.”
Has anyone ever said something like that to you? Has it resonated? Maybe you ignore it and press on, convinced that you are too busy. Or maybe “me time” is more like your mantra – a way of life, something that you have earned.
Next week we will wrap up our look at rest and Sabbath with some practical ideas for how to implement regular periods of rest and reflection in your own life.
Today I want to just take a moment to look at this popular term “Me Time” and the place it has in the life of a believer.
To recap, we need three types of rest:
Physical rest and sleep to restore our bodies.
Rest and relaxation from stress and responsibilities to refresh our minds.
Rest to restore and renew our souls.
The first is non-negotiable. Our bodies can function on little sleep, but our bodies and minds quickly break down if we don’t give our bodies adequate sleep. Conversely, our minds can increase cognitive ability significantly when we get the physical rest we need.
Our society places high value on number two – vacation, hobbies, leisure time.
Number three is the rest promised in Matthew 11:28. It’s the rest that Jesus promises; the only source of true rest for our souls.
So what’s the connection between these ideas?
Me Time is defined as time spent relaxing on one’s own as opposed to working or doing things for others, seen as an opportunity to reduce stress or restore energy.
The idea of me time sounds great on the surface. As a busy army wife, homeschooling mom of four, there is a nature pull toward “me time.” A pull toward doing things for myself – a spa day, mani/pedis with a friend, going to the gym or quiet cup of coffee. Some may go bigger – girls weekends, hobbies, careers. Our society constantly tells us that in order to feel rested and refreshed, we need time to ourselves. Many advertising messages assert a subtle step forward – “you’ve earned it.”
As Christian women we need to carefully examine these messages that bombard us. While these things can certainly have their place in our lives as believers (who doesn’t love pretty toe nails?), they fall short in replenishing our souls with what we need most.
The illusion of me time is a promise that the more we focus on ourselves, the happier we will be. Don’t miss this: that premise is false. It is a slippery slope to self-focus and selfishness. Romans 7:18 Paul said, “In my flesh dwelleth no good thing.”
If we seek out times to focus on ourselves, believing that we will find rest and renewal within ourselves, we are believing a lie. The more we focus on ourselves the more we think about ourselves.
It’s like going to Target. Who comes out of Target with the one thing they went in intending to get? Seriously. We didn’t know we needed it, until it jumped in our red cart. The more you go to Target, the more you realize you need from Target.
The more we focus on ourselves, the more we will focus on ourselves and the less we will focus on those around us.
Over and over Scripture urges us to die to self (Titus 2:12, Gal 2:20; 5:24, Rom. 12:1-2). In Luke 9:23 Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me.”
But as with so many things, the economy of God works completely opposite to the economy of the world.
Philippians 2:3-4 instructs us to put others above ourselves.
If you are a parent, you already know this. Once upon a time Christmas morning was all about us, but what joy to see Christmas through the eyes of a child. In Acts 20:35, Paul reminds of the words of Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”
As a mom, this can play out in the smallest of circumstances for me. If I’m making dinner and my kids are tearing the house apart, instead of trying to just keep them quiet or entertained, I can bring them close and have them help me. This does not always work out beautifully, I’ll admit…but more often than not, the joy they can experience helping far outweighs the “peace” I would have experience by pushing them away.
Feeling stressed or overwhelmed? Volunteer one day a month at a boys and girls club, a nursing home or a homeless shelter and see if it shifts your focus.
So, should we cancel our vacations and girls’ weekends and spa days? No, these things can certainly fall within the realm of renewing and refreshing our souls. They can allow us time to connect with others and encourage each other. We do need to be vigilant against the sublet lie of the enemy that focusing on ourselves will bring joy and happiness. However, as a whole, we could probably stand to focus on others more and ourselves less, trusting that when we give of ourselves, we will find the rest and joy from a deeper source.
This morning my girls and I were reading about John Wycliffe and Johannes Gutenberg. We were asked to remember that even though men like this and their achievements etched out a place in human history, in the moment, they probably did not feel like they were doing anything grand. They woke up each day, ate breakfast, went to work and came home. They put their pants leg on one at a time, if you will. Sure, God used their lives in extraordinary ways, but sometime we get caught up too much in the extraordinary nature of the events.
Superman is fun to watch on a screen, but he doesn’t inspire us to fly because we know it is outside of the realm of possibility for us.
In order for us to learn from those we see as inspirational or even heroes , we must remember that they are ordinary people. They have to be human. We have to see flaws and limitations in order to be able to say, “They did it – I can do it too.” We have to see something in their life that is relatable to our own.
I pray that the people I write about on Missionary Mondays can do that in your life. That they would be relatable and inspiring to us all, not in the realm of superman that we would say, “That’s awesome, but I could never do that.”
I hope to shine a light on normal people that are going through their lives, making a difference for Christ in their little corner. They have no idea the impact their lives will have. Their names may never be written in the history books, but they are forever impacting the people God has placed in their path.
Today is the story of the Odell family who has a passion for children! I met Carrie while we were stationed at West Point. Carrie and her husband Joey have twelve children: eight biological and four adopted from China (and a brand new daughter-in-law!).
I recently talked with Carrie about adoption and big family life! I hope you are inspired by their story! As believers we are ALL called to care for the fatherless (Is. 1:17). Consider how the Lord would have you to respond as you read!
To read more of their story about each of their adoptions, you can read their blog here.
The Odell Family
S: Twelve kids! Did you always want a big family?
Carrie: I was an only child! I always played with at least a half a dozen Cabbage Patch Kids and didn’t like not having siblings- I wanted friends over all the time, and I always wanted to have several children. When Joey and I got married, we said we wanted six, and no one believed us! They all said we’d stop after two or three. Once we got to six, we thought, well, what’s one more..and one more…etc, etc, and now we have double what we set out to have!
S: What led you to adoption?
Carrie: Before we got married, we discussed adoption as something we would do “someday”, and I was totally comfortable with that. Almost ten years later, Joey and I each read three books that brought to life what we already knew to be true from the Bible: Stop Dating the Church, Crazy Love and Radical– followed by me finally reading Adopted for Life. What a much needed jolt to my spirit! God called me to so much more than my comfortable life here and now. I do not want to stand before Him someday ashamed that I lived for me and my own desires. I want to live for Him and His glory and share in His eternal and global perspective. The Lord continue to worked on my heart during a retreat and asked me if I really believed all children were a blessing, or just my own (the ones I could have biologically)? One morning Joey and I actually put into words what we were both knowing we were supposed to do: it was time for us to start the process to adopt. I was still scared, but I knew that saying no to God was not an option anymore.
As soon as I submitted to God and gave up the fight, He filled me with a desire and a passion and now I want to adopt. It truly is amazing how quickly this happened- it was almost instantaneous. I went from saying no way, I can’t do that and I could have told you a million reasons why it was a crazy idea (and I can still do that in my weak moments of doubt and worry!) to having a heart realizing God’s love for precious children around the world who need a family to love them.
S: Why did you choose to adopt internationally?
Carrie: There was never a question about domestic vs. International for us. We had no idea which country, agency, or any of the logistics, we just knew God was calling us to go completely out of our comfort zone and embark into the unknown world of international adoption- we had no choice but to trust and obey in faith. For our family, part of our “Great Commission” calling is to go into ‘all the world’ and bring a child into our family to love and share the love of Christ. This was one aspect of our hearts’ desire to adopt Internationally. We also knew we were supposed to choose a country that was restricted or hostile to the gospel. While there are so many who need homes right here in America, at least these children are in a country with great opportunity and a chance to hear the truth of God’s word. It is just not like that in approximately 54 other countries around the world. Here is a short link to read about China.
S: What can others do for adoptive families?
Carrie: First, just realize that it’s really hard- harder than when someone comes home from the hospital with a new baby. The new child doesn’t sleep like a new baby a lot of the time, jet lag is more brutal than postpartum, and it’s completely exhausting.
Bring meals, have a shower/gifts for the new child, but keep space initially as the family “cocoons” in the home and bonds with the child. The parents need to be the only caregiver initially, so people need to realize that holding/feeding/taking care of a newly adopted child is a big no-no, even relatives and close friends. Only immediate family as the new child has to learn what a family is, and who is in it.
S: What would you say to others that are looking into adoption?
Carrie: Start reading: Adopted for Life, Crazy Love and Radical. Read your Bible. Pray. Seek the counsel of others who have walked this road before.
Then, you need to choose an agency. The placing agency (the one who matches you with a child) does not have to be in your state of residence. We highly recommend Lifeline! Your home study agency DOES have to be in your state. Your placing agency will help you find a home study agency, or they may do the home study themselves if you are located in the same state. Or, if you have a heart for a certain country, start there and find an agency that does that particular country. We did a lot of internet searching in the beginning to find out the requirements in each country, the number of trips required and time in country, etc, etc. Your agency will hold your hand through every step of the process and the agency payments are very manageable as they are spread out over time. Once your home study is complete you can begin the above fundraising as you look forward to travel, when the bulk of the money is due.
To read more of their story about each of their adoptions, you can read their blog here.
I’m excited to welcome my dear friend Tara Vinson as a guest blogger today! Tara and I met while our family was stationed at Fort Campbell. She is a pastor’s wife and mama of three beautiful girls!
Tara is continuing our series about rest – what it means and what it looks like in her own life.
I hope you are enjoying this series and walk away with practical tips to implement in your own life!
Knowing I need to rest and actually doing it are two totally different things. It can be as elusive as knowing I need to eat better or exercise more without doing what I need to do to make it happen.
Then, often inside my brain, when I try to rest finding it can be just as challenging and elusive. Like the insomniac being able to find sleep, dealing with the inner monologue of my constantly striving brain can keep me from finding the rest I need.
Like Stephanie has written, “resting” is commanded. God designed us to need rest -so we should have faith that He can handle things -all things- and be able to rest in Him. Saying it and knowing it is one thing . . . Being able to do it, to have the faith required to rest, is something else entirely.
If you were to drop by on Sunday afternoon, you would find us all in the middle of an activity the we have entitled “Sunday Siesta.” Everyone one of us would be found in a horizontal position. There may or may not be snoring, but each of us has our own space and the house is most definitely quiet.
As my husband is in the ministry, Sunday is very much a work day. We try to protect a couple of hours of our Sunday afternoons for this time of rest, but if I am being totally honest, most Sundays my siesta isn’t very restful.
I am dealing with my inner voice listing all the things that need to be done around the house that I didn’t get to the day before. Then I start compiling the list of all that needs to be done that evening to prep for another busy week running from commitment to commitment. And I can’t forget the meal prep and grocery list that has come to resemble the never-ending task of doing laundry for 5 people.
I may be laying down and even snuggled under a fleece blanket of my choosing, but the bombardment of all the things I “should” be doing makes evasive the rest I so desperately need.
Then there are my expectations. Most of those I have put on myself. The other expectations I wrestle, I have unintentionally allowed other people to place on my shoulders. They shape the things I feel like I should be doing. They motivate my planning and shape my hopes. Expectations are incredibly heavy. . .
Too often my expectations seem to be married to my own comparisons. You know when I feel lousy about myself because “she” seems to have it all together. These comparisons keep me striving to measure up to some illusion of perfection that keeps evaporating before my eyes like a desert mirage. Looking to my right and left keep me busy judging and condemning or coveting and discontent.
Where’s the gratitude? The contentment? The peace?
The rest?
I can’t say that I have found the perfect formula to keep my Sunday Siesta from becoming a legalistic check-mark on my weekly to-do list. However, in the last year or so really I have found that rest can be found not just on a Sunday afternoon – but throughout the crazy, busy weeks of real life.
I am not “New Age” and I don’t support the idea of traditional meditation, inward focusing for the achievement of inner peace and a state of tranquility – but I believe will all my heart that rest can be found and achieved and kept in Christ.
When I am intentional to be in His Word and focus my heart upon the gospel – I experience rest and all the benefits that come along with it.
Don’t get me wrong. It is a struggle. It is NOT simple.
The voice in my head does not simply turn off when I open my Bible or begin to pray. In fact, sometimes, many times, it gets louder, screaming even for my attention.
Yet with a steady diet of Bible study, my faith grows and then so does my ability to rest.
I can combat those comparisons with the truth I read this morning that tells me how much God loves me and how He created ME with purpose and intentionality. I am not supposed to be like so-and-so. Plus, He will gently point out that it is by His grace alone that I am where I am in my relationship with Him. Who am I to judge someone else?
Through studying the truth of His Word, I am reminded that He is powerful and capable. My worries are minor to Him. He is already in tomorrow and the next day and the next week. He speaks to my soul, gently reassuring me that the things that really count will be accomplished and I should hold “my” plans loosely so He can work in and through me for my good by His good pleasure and for His glory.
He gently asks me “Who is judging the cleanliness of your floors? Or how balanced your kids’ breakfasts are?” His Word shows me what He has deemed important and tells me the things that He says I should be doing or not doing.
His Word is powerful (Romans 1:16-17) and productive (2 Timothy 3:16-17) . His Word, like manna, is the daily diet we need (Deuteronomy 8:3).
I knew these truths in my head. BUT the voice in my head told me that I was too busy to be in the Word. The voice also stroked my prideful ego and tried to tell me that I knew enough of God’s Word and I didn’t really need it. The voice told me I could do it on my own.
I found myself more weary and tired. The full life that Christ came and died to give me became a facade I was trying desperately to hold up. As a minister’s wife, a church preschool director and a “good” Christian, I felt the heavy expectations that I had to. I was allowing Satan to steal and destroy the rest I needed, that I was commanded to have.
It is easy for me to still give Satan that power to tempt me into doubting God’s Word. Now weariness and worry become my indicators that I am not resting. A quick evaluation will point out to me that I am not focusing on the Word. (Note: I can be “in” the Word and reading it, but not truly believing it or applying it!)
In Psalms, it says that He is my hiding place and my shield, that my hope is in His Word. (Ps. 119:114) When the battle is heavy, I can hide in Him and find my protection there because I know His Word is true. His Word tells me that He will finish what He has started and there will be a time when I don’t have to struggle to rest. It WILL come super-naturally for me.
Today, as I type this, it is Sunday. I got up real early to have some rest time in the Word, to focus on God. The sun has quietly risen and my heart is now ready to worship with my church family. After teaching Sunday school and listening to my husband preach I will feed my children lunch and we will have Sunday Siesta.
Tomorrow morning, as the sun, Lord-willing, again rises, I will meet with Him again to rest before the chaos of a new school/work/home week begins.
On and through both of these days I will ask Him to help me seek His face and His will -because His word tells me too. It also assures me that He will listen and He will answer. He will grow my faith and show me how His Word applies.
My hope for rest is in His Word. It is there I find who He is and who I am to Him. My strivings cease. My worries fade. I am rejuvenated and renewed. I rest.
Veggies Tales is a staple in many young families – wholesome, fun stories told and sung by vegetables. What’s not to love, right?
Did you know Phil Vischer, creator of Veggie Tales, produced another line of DVDs and materials? They are called What’s in the Bible with Buck Denver.
These are favorites in our house!
The 13-part DVD set walks through each book of the Bible giving highlights, stories, basic doctrine, and even church history with plenty of catchy songs! (My kids know the kings of Judah and all the judges thanks to these clever songs!)
Phil Vischer says about the series: “Biblical illiteracy is a huge problem in the church today as far too many kids are growing up without a clear understanding of their own faith. The What’s in the Bible? video series is an effort to provide kids a foundational knowledge of the Bible and of their faith that can launch them on a lifelong walk with God—a journey that will change them and change the world around them.”
The doctrine is kept at a pretty macro level, which provides a great launching pad for teaching more in-depth doctrine and beliefs for each family. It provides a great foundational understanding that kids and adults both can find useful.
If you lead children’s church or Sunday school, these would be great additions to any lesson. Chad even used a section on justification in our adult Sunday School class in New York! They have a variety of curriculum options, including VBS.
Growing up I memorized The Ten Commandments. They seemed pretty straight forward – don’t kill, don’t lie, don’t steal, don’t worship idols. Maybe it was just me, but I tended to skip over one.
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
I think I assumed this commandment didn’t apply to me. After all, we are under grace now, not the law, right?
In Colossians 2:16-17, Paul reminds us clearly that we are not under the law, bound to rules and regulations, but under grace. Christ fulfilled the law perfectly – the law that we had no hope to keep. His perfection is now offered to us through salvation. However, as believers today, The Ten Commandments are still incredibly applicable to our walk. So what’s the deal with this commandment?
David Guzik gives three purposes of the law for us today:
It is a guardrail, keeping humanity on a moral path.
It is a mirror, showing us our moral failure and need for a savior.
It is a guide, showing us the heart and desire of God for His people.
God has chosen to communicate with us through words – words matter. More words are given to this commandment than any other. This gives us a clue that it is important and should not be brushed aside.
So using the Word of God has a guide and mirror in our lives, what should we do with the fourth commandment? Should we observe a sabbath? Do we bind ourselves with a legalistic set of rules to follow? Does it just mean we should go to church one day a week?
God provided an example to us in Genesis 2:3: “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”
Spiritually, Jesus is our sabbath – we can find rest in Him every day, as we discussed last week.
Practically, God knew our bodies needed rest. He designed us this way. Contrary to American norms, we are not robots, designed to be in a constant state of work. Our bodies and our minds need regular times of rest and renewal.
Growing up, I felt like the message from the pulpit was almost the complete opposite. The culture of our church pushed us to volunteer and the size of the church often meant, in order to keep ministries going, you had to volunteer in multiple positions. My perfectionist drive pushed me to willingly piled up responsibilities and expectations, but more often than not, it was done out of a spirit of duty and obligation. At times I even viewed missing church due to sickness or vacation was weak at best and ungodly at worst. Rest never factored into my thoughts or plans.
With this perspective, it is no wonder that in recent years I have been captivated by the idea of rest. Whether its ministry, work, family, sports or school – God did not design us to live of life constantly at full throttle. We need time to slow down, to be quiet, to be alone. I’m not even talking about vacations (vacation with four young kids is anything but restful!).
A time of rest would be a time to unwind, release the pressure of the day, relax our bodies and minds, connect with our loved ones and quiet the noise around us long enough to hear from God. A time of renewal, admitting that we cannot do it all on our own, positioning our hearts, minds and schedules to reflect our true source of power and strength.
Throughout Scripture God tells us to be still. Psalm 46:10: “Bestill, and know that I am God:”
In tithing, we give a percentage of our money to God, trusting that He can meet our needs with what we have left. What if we viewed the idea of rest and sabbath in the same way? What if we carved out time in our schedule (above and beyond daily quiet times) to allow our bodies and minds to rest? Could we trust God to multiply our remaining time to accomplish the things we needed to accomplish?
Things to ponder today given what we’ve seen in Scripture:
How often are you quiet and still? (sleeping does not count…)
How would you define rest?
Do you view rest as a need or a luxury?
Does your personal/family schedule reflect the value of rest?
Do you have a regular time each week to set aside work and allow your body and mind to rest? If not, what would it take to make time for it?
What We Love Wednesday – Styling Fireflies Top 3 Styling Tips
Anyone else cleaning out closets this week?? In our house, my kids call it “The Great Clothes Changeover.” It is my least favorite chore, but I always feel better when things are organized and fresh clothes are ready for a new season!
I’m excited to welcome Kat McNeal back to the blog today! She’s bringing us 3 tips to remember as we pullout, refresh and rebuild our fall wardrobes!
I am honored that Stephanie asked me to follow-up after the August blog post. With the holiday season upon us, the white space on our calendars begins to disappear as it fills with events and social demands making it an annual struggle to keep Jesus the reason for the season.
The last thing we have time to do is go wardrobe shopping to accommodate our countless invitations. However, as women we have a natural desire to feel beautiful because we are called to display His image. Therefore, we want to make an effort to let His light shine through us. Thus, Matthew 5:16, is the mission of Styling Fireflies
.
With this in mind, I want to share 3 style tips that all women can apply this season, and every season, to create a style with ease and help us look our best:
Match your shoe color to your hair color! Gone are the days of finding shoes to match your outfit. When your shoes match your hair, they will compliment every outfit you wear. Imagine yourself as a picture frame. Your head and feet are the frame; your face is the picture. When you create this visual balance, you become the object of attention, so don’t forget to smile!
Recommend: 1 hair color pair of flats or boots/booties to pair with jeans, leggings, and dresses. No matter the event, this 1 pair of shoes will match your outfit, because they match you!
3-to-POP! When it comes to accessorizing, add 3 accessories every day to complete your style. This could simply be a pair of earrings, a bracelet, and a dash of lip color, and out the door you go!! Taking just a moment to add simple accessories will give you that polished look even in jeans and a T-shirt.
Recommend: 1 pair of gold or silver hoops or studs, 1 cuff or bangle bracelet, and purse that matches your hair color. (Same rule above applies to your purse too).
Less is more! If you do decide to do a little personal shopping for all the social demands of the season, keep in mind that every wardrobe purchase should coordinate with 3 other items in your closet. Found a new red floral blouse you love, but debating if you should spend the money?? Ask yourself if it will go with at least 2-3 items you already own…a pair of jeans, layered under a denim jacket or blazer, or with your black cropped pants…then your answer is “Yes.” Following this simple tip will help you build a larger selection of style with fewer pieces and relieve you from standing in your closet feeling like you have nothing to wear.
Recommend: Start with the basics. Great wardrobe staples, i.e. jeans, navy and gray pants/skirts) create the foundation for more style selections. Are you an “App Girl”? Stylebook is a great app to organize your closet and keep track of what you already own.
I pray this advice brings you confidence and simplicity as well as offers guidance on how to be a stylish steward, not only during the holidays but all year long!
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
What comes to your mind when you hear the word rest? What do you picture?
If you are a parent, you probably envision your pillow. (Maybe a pillow in a quiet hotel room away from the kids…now that would be true rest!) Maybe you envision a vacation, a spa, a nanny or a housecleaner.
I picture the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean. The gentle tide ebbing against the sand as the glowing sunshine beams down.
Do you long for rest? Do you ever press pause on your life long enough to think about it? Is it elusive? Do we really need it?
As a mom of young kids, trying to juggle responsibilities as a wife, mom, teacher and writer often leaves me exhausted. I have often wondered if exhaustion is normal, just par for the course in this season of life. As I press deeper into my heart however, I have discovered that it isn’t just physical exhaustion that weighs upon my shoulders. It is my soul that is weary; like my inner being has done one too many deadlifts and can’t seem to make it up the stairs without crawling.
When I look in Scripture I see that the Lord has promised abundant life, joy, rest and peace, yet in this season, the weariness seems at times to overwhelm me.
And I can’t help but think that I am not alone.
Over the next weeks I want to invite you to study the idea of rest with me. What is it? What does it look like in daily life? How do we achieve it?
Merriam-Webster gives distinct definitions of the word rest:
1: repose, sleep; specifically: a bodily state characterized by minimal functional and metabolic activities
Few would argue that our American, 21st century way of life promotes any significant form of rest as stated in those definitions.
Let’s take a look at each one more closely.
#1 – repose, sleep; specifically: a bodily state characterized by minimal functional and metabolic activities
Sleep. There is an undercurrent in our society that seems to tell us that sleep is for the weak. It is almost a badge of honor to burn the candle at both ends. Sometimes our children or jobs require us to push through a hard day or season with little sleep to accomplish a specific purpose. However, too often, this becomes a pattern. We forfeit hours of sleep, thinking our bodies can function on 4-5 hours of sleep, when studies show that our bodies need more.
Adults need 7-8 hours of sleep every night in order to function well. Children need even more.
#2 – a:freedom from activity or labor, b: a state of motionlessness or inactivity
As a mom of young kids, this definition is tough to even comprehend because I think this type of rest for moms is simply unachievable unless you are alone!
Typically, this would be our leisure time, whether at home or on vacation. A time to put aside the to-do list and rest. Relax. Unwind.
#2, part 2 – c: the repose of death
Well, there ya go. There is hope for rest for us all!
The cabana on the Caribbean Beach or the lodge in the mountains!
#4 – peace of mind or spirit
If we are honest, this is the deepest yearning of our souls. To be at rest and peace when we lay our head on our pillows at night. To have an inner haven from the outward striving and pushing and work.
In Matthew 11, Jesus speaks the words our souls long to hear:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
Jesus invites us to a place where our minds and our spirits are at rest.
“Come to me” is an invitation tells us that true rest cannot be found outside of Him. The cabana on the beach will not give our souls rest. No trip to the spa or day of shopping or fishing will give us the rest we truly crave. Dear friends, if we are longing for rest, we can only find it at the feet of Jesus. First through surrendering our lives to Him as Lord through salvation and then continually trading our lives for His everyday.
“All ye that labour and are heavy laden” gives us an insight into what makes our souls weary and tired.
“Labor” here has a good connotation. Laboring and working hard as Galatians 6:9 instructs us. There are many good things that we are to be doing. II Thes. 3:10, Prov. 19:15, Rom. 12:10-11 all exhort us to work diligently unto the Lord.
“Heavy laden” has a completely different meaning. It means to be burdened or weighed down with burdensome religious requirements. It is only used one other time in Scripture in Luke 11:46 when Jesus rebukes the leaders of the day for burdening the people with an impossible standard of rules and laws.
What is so beautiful is that the Lord invites us to rest, no matter what is causing us to be tired. He knows that we will be tired from the work that is necessary to do. He knows we will be weary from burdening ourselves with expectations and pressures we were never meant to fulfill.
No matter what the cause, He is the answer. He invites us to lay our burdened and tired selves down at His feet.
“Take my yoke” – Oxen are made to work. They are not leisure animals. Before the fall of man in Genesis, we see God instructing Adam to work. The curse of the fall was not work itself, but that it would be difficult.
A well-fitted yoke is a blessing to the animal, providing the boundaries and guidance for it to work well. A good parent provides boundaries and guidance for his child, in the same way our Heavenly Father gives us guidance and instructions for our good.
“Learn from me” – A young oxen would always be paired with an older, more experienced oxen. Two young oxen paired together would equal chaos and frustration for the farmer. A young oxen, when paired with an older oxen, could learn his ways and walk in His steps. No striving, no fighting, no pressure to achieve. All the young oxen needed to do was follow.
“I am meek and lowly in heart” – Our Lord defines himself as a humble servant, willing to carry the weight our burden.
“and ye shall find rest for your souls” – He lays out the prescription for the rest we need – trading our burdens for His. What a sweet hope!
He is not calling us to a life of leisure, but to work from a place of rest as we lay aside our striving in exchange for rest, trust and hope in Him.
Take a moment to listen to this song. Today take hope. We have a Savior that has promised us rest.