In Youth... In Age...

In youth we learn; in age we understand.
– Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach, 19th century German writer/novelist

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. – The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:11 (NKJV)

By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

God Is Not Oblivious Concerning Our Children

God is not indifferent, uncaring, or oblivious to what's going on in the lives of our children. (Let us as parents) entrust them back into God's care.
-- Brian, Daily Audio Bible Host

Bring up a child by teaching him the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn away from it.
-- Proverbs 22:6 (New Life Version)

By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

Pray, "Our Father!"

Jesus said: “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name...'" -- Matthew 6:9 (KJV)

If we pray as a child to his/her Father, we should remember two comforting truths:
(1) As children it is our right to ask help of our Father, and...
(2) As a Father it is His responsibility to hear and answer His children.

By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful

When Children Sing Blessings Over Your Life

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
-- Matthew 19:14 (NIV)

It was a Thursday afternoon when I entered Mrs. Hilliard's fifth grade classroom to share with her class some of what I have learned on my multiple journeys to The Holy Land. For about an hour I was blessed beyond measure with attentive and engaged students.

However, it was after the hour of teaching ended that the real blessing came. The students stood around me as their teacher said "We have something special for you." Then they all smiled on me as they lifted their voices and sang this blessing over my life:

May the Lord, mighty God, bless and keep you forever.
Grant you peace, perfect peace, courage in every endeavor.
Lift up your eyes and see His face and His grace forever.
May the Lord, Mighty God bless and keep you forever.

Yes, as I stood there encircled by the children, tears lined my eyes. Take it from me. When children sing blessings over your life, you will know you are blessed indeed. Besides, on that particular Thursday afternoon (without Mrs. Hilliard's fifth grade class knowing it) I really needed a tender touch from the Lord. I left the classroom humbled, grateful, speechless, and yes, blessed indeed!

Now, I sing this blessing over your life today (and remember I am a child, yes a child of God):

May the Lord, mighty God, bless and keep you forever.
Grant you peace, perfect peace, courage in every endeavor.
Lift up your eyes and see His face and His grace forever.
May the Lord, Mighty God bless and keep you forever.

Yes, forever and forever. Amen.
Grateful

God's Child -- God's Children

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given...
-- Isaiah 9:6a (NIV)

God the Father gave His Child to be physically born in Bethlehem so we could be spiritually born again as children of God the Father.

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.
-- Luke 19:10 (NIV)

So you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
-- Galatians 3:26 (NLT)

Look Up And Be Radiant! Let Your Hearts Swell With Joy!
Grateful

God Came As A Child To Touch Our Lives

During this Christmas season, let's not forget that Almighty God became a baby, yes a child, in part so He could disarm us, yes draw us near to Himself and touch our lives with His Amazing Love on earth and for eternity.

This video about the life of a child named Josiah Viera has the miraculous DNA of the Christmas Story throughout it. You might want a tissue or a box of tissues by your side before you click the link.

Josiah Viera Story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCSzysu_flY

ALL JOY TO YOUR WORLD!
Grateful

Welcoming a Child, The Child, The Father

(36) Then He (Jesus) put a little child among them. Taking the child in His arms, He said to them, (37) "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on My behalf welcomes Me, and anyone who welcomes Me welcomes My Father who sent Me."
-- Mark 9:36-37 (NLT)

ALL JOY TO YOUR WORLD!
Grateful

A Child of Faith, A Man of God

At a wedding rehearsal, the father of the groom stood to affirm his son who was about to be married. It has been all joy to raise Adam -- our child of faith became a man of God.

Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.
-- Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV)

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

No Greater Adventure For Any Man

It has been said that every man needs an adventure to live. I say there is no greater adventure for any man than that of bringing glory to God by loving and raising his children and romancing and loving their mother over life's long-haul. Sadly, too many men prove not to have enough courage and longevity to complete the great adventure of being a loving daddy and a faithful husband until the end.

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

Turn From Sin, Be Like Children

(1) About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Which of us is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" (2) Jesus called a small child over to Him and put the child among them. (3) Then He said, "I assure you, unless you turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. (4) Therefore, anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. (5) And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on My behalf is welcoming Me. (6) But if anyone causes one of these little ones who trusts in Me to lose faith, it would be better for that person to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck. -- Matthew 18:1-6 (NLT)

IF MY PEOPLE... WILL? I WILL! God's Promise in 2 Chron. 7:14.
Grateful

Peace & War

As I was reading from Dennis Kinlaw's writings this morning, I was wonderfully reminded that because Jesus is my Prince of Peace, it profoundly means that the war within my heart is simply over. Yes, temptation still comes, but if I am totally surrendered to King Jesus and His government within, while the evil enemy still rages on the outside, The Prince of Peace reigns on the inside.

Isaiah 9:6-7a from The Living Bible Paraphrase delightfully declares: (6) For unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder. These will be His royal titles: "Wonderful," "Counselor," "The Mighty God," "The Everlasting Father," "The Prince of Peace." (7) His ever-expanding, peaceful government will never end.

Luke 17:21b (TLB) -- For the Kingdom of God is within you.

Colossians 1:27b (NIV) -- Christ in you, the Hope of glory!

ALL... JOY TO YOUR WORLD!
Grateful