Finding "The Way"

Then he told John’s disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. Luke 7:22

Many years ago I heard a message about John the Baptist. Here was a man who had been called to prepare the way of the Lord. His purpose for “being” was to usher in the Messiah, but here he was in jail wondering if he completed the work he was called to do! He was in a difficult place and Jesus was not quite what he had expected Him to be. He was not quite the king he had been waiting for.

I have found myself in that place at different times during my walk with God. Sometimes Jesus does things differently than I expected Him to do. Sometimes I question the direction He has taken me or the prayer that was not answered the way I thought it should be.

What was the result of this questioning time in John’s life? He sent his disciples to ask Jesus and He responded with the Word of God. The Bible has a way of getting to the heart of the matter. As our children grow and encounter difficulties and disappointments it is critical that we teach them to go to the scriptures to see God’s way. It will allow them to be able to face difficulties with a godly perspective. (It’s not a bad idea that we do the same thing!)

New Creations

In December, my husband and I had the opportunity to see “The Blindside”, a story about Michael Oher. Michael, born and raised in the inner city of Memphis, grew up with a mother who was on crack cocaine. Unfortunately, she was unable to care for her children due to her drug addiction. As a result, Michael lived wherever he could find a bed and rarely attended school. By the time he was 15 years old, he was living on the “streets” with little to no education. Through a series of fortunate circumstances, Michael ended up at a Christian school in Memphis. Still homeless and without an education, Michael begins to “live” in this new world of affluent educated white Christians. The dilemma the school had after accepting Michael was what to do with a student who was educationally unable to do any type of course work. Had they made a mistake accepting him?

Through another series of events, Michael meets the Tuohy family and they take him into their home and suddenly Michael is a part of their family. Michael is “big”, athletic, and fast! He begins to play football for the school and becomes an immediate news sensation. Michael is a rare commodity in the football world; his body type is perfect for protecting the quarterback. Suddenly, a homeless young man is sought after by every major and minor college football team in the U.S. The Tuohy’s realize that he has potential to play football for the NFL but he will need to go to college in order to have that opportunity. They procure a tutor who works with him and helps him graduate from high school and college. Today, Michael plays for the Baltimore Ravens!

As I began to think about this man I realized how much we are like Michael Oher! As Christians we have been saved from a life of poverty (sin). We have been pulled out of the gutter and given an opportunity for a new life. Just like Michael, we have gifts and talents that God has given us to use for His glory. God brings us into His church so that people like the Tuohys can help us along the way. We are given opportunities to develop into the individual that God has called us to become. We have the unbelievable call to be Christian men and women, followers of the Lord of the universe. Just like Michael we need to be transformed in order to become the person God has called us to be. Life is a process of hard work and determination to become Christ-like. As believers we have this wonderful opportunity to fulfill the call that Christ has for each of us. Let’s make 2010 the year that we pursue a deeper walk with Christ so that we too can become the person we have been created to be.

GEMS

One afternoon after school, I was walking down the hall and ran into eighteen first through third grade girls putting together gingerbread houses.The "older" third grade girls were working with the younger ones designing their houses! The camaraderie and smiles were contagious. There are two age groups in our new GEMS Club and I walked up on the younger girls. GEMS stands for girls everywhere meeting their Savior. They have a Bible study, worship and pray, make crafts, activities, and do service projects. What a wonderful way to grow in their relationship with God and others!

I love programs like this because it fulfills the mission of B.G. Christian. We want our students to have a relationship with Christ that is meaningful and impacts their lives daily. Serving and worshipping are critical to grow in our faith and these girls are experiencing that reality.

As we start a new year, what a great time to grow in God by worshipping and serving our Lord and Savior.

Living Faith

Recently I read a book about how to develop a living faith in children. One idea that has resonated in my mind since reading the book is that in the Jewish culture during the time of Christ, the way they taught was to show and do-not just lecture. It is ironic that most U.S. schools and universities lecture but rarely show the how-to do.

When Jesus passed out loaves and fish, He showed that God was able to make something out of nothing. The crowds experienced God’s mercy and provision all in one setting! When Jesus cursed the tree without fruit and it withered then His followers understood the importance of bearing fruit as a believer and that God expects us to actually respond to His words daily and live a life of faith.

As we work with children and young adults it is imperative that we are living a lifestyle that reflects God. Our lifestyle will show them how to live. Also as teachable moments arise, to show them the wonders of God we must give them opportunities to put what they have learned into action.

Children who experience a real God who is living and active in their lives will live a life of faith that will impact them for eternity.