mistaken

Posted on April 23, 2004 by Dana

We had a great trip to the Czech Republic over spring break. It was exciting to see our team of young Christians share their faith with other young people who have not heard much about our great God and His Son. As usual, I stand amazed at the faithfulness of God.

On the last leg of our journey home, a nine hour flight from Paris to Atlanta, I received the greatest compliment of my life. It came from a seven year old boy named Roy who was traveling to America from his home in Paris to visit his father. Realizing this little guy sitting next to me was all by himself, I thought I would befriend him. Here’s a bit of our conversation (I wish I could include his accent):

Roy: Are we almost there?
Me: No, we have nine more hours… How long are you going to be in America?
Roy: I’m staying for the Easter holidays.
Me: Oh… You know Easter is the day Jesus came back to life.
Roy: Jesus… I’ve heard of Jesus… They put nails in his hands (showing me) and they hung him til he died.
Me: You’re right, Roy, they sure did.
Roy: Jesus was an Israeli.
Me (after a little thought): You’re right, Roy.
Roy: And the people that follow Jesus are called Christians.
Me: You’re right again, Roy.
Roy: Are you a Christian?
Me: Yes Roy, I’m a Christian.
Roy (with a big smile): Well, I’m a Jew!

While we were talking, a flight attendant came by and spoke to my new friend. Intrigued that he was not speaking English or French, Roy clued me in after the attendant left. “That was Hebrew.” It is quite humbling, as a 44 year old man who struggles with his own language, to sit next to a seven year old who is fluent in three!

Roy told me of his puppy and his school and his best friends. He showed me his loose tooth and we worked a while on a puzzle. After an hour or so, my daughter, Kinsey, came by and I asked if she would take my place and show Roy how to play the video games at each seat. As I rose to exchange places with Kinsey, the great compliment was given. With a loud voice, Roy cried, “Bye Jesus! Come back soon, Jesus! I want to see you again, Jesus!” (I received more than a few concerned looks from other passengers on the plane).

There’s a song out now called “I Want to be Mistaken for Jesus”. Oh may the world see Jesus in us… young and old, rich and poor, Jew and Gentile… may all find He is good.

“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

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little child

Posted on March 27, 2004 by Dana

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them. And he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2-4

I can picture Jesus taking little John, almost a month old, setting him before grown ups and saying: “Be like him. Be innocent. Be helpless. Be trusting. Be humble.”

The world scoffs at such advice and gives its own: “Be experienced. Be independent. Be smart. Be skeptical. Be proud.”

But who gets the blessing from above? “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them unto babes. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” Matthew 11:25-26

So are you a little child or are you all grown up?

“Let me be a little child, Lord. As Jesus walked in innocence, so may I. As Jesus depended on You, so may I. As Jesus was humble, so may I be. As Jesus rejected the traps of the ‘wise and learned’, so may I. I trust in You – my perfect Father. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth (and in me) as it is in Heaven. Amen.”

Many students and teachers from our school would appreciate your prayer as spring mission trips go out this week. Our family is to go to the Czech Republic, so I won’t write for a couple of weeks. Have a great Easter! Dana

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Dear John

Posted on March 20, 2004 by Dana

Hey John, What goes through your little mind? We big people can only imagine. When your face wrinkles up, are you worried? When you smile, are you having a happy thought? When you sleep, do you dream? John, I want you to know you are loved. Your mother loves you in ways you’ll never understand, and you have a brother and sister that love you, too. The family you’re living with loves you, though we know you’ll only be with us a little while. And though I’m not your daddy, I love you, too. But I want to tell you who loves you most. Our Father in Heaven loves you perfectly. He has a special place in His heart for little fellas like you. He’s the one who made you and He has a great plan for your life. He put you all together while you were still inside your mommy, and I think He did a beautiful job. I’ll tell you, John, life on this earth is going to get a little more difficult than it is right now. I wish I could say things will always be pleasant, but you’ve entered a world that’s a little messed up. The truth is – our Father has an enemy who hates everything good. He roams around looking to make trouble and he’s made trouble for us all. But I don’t want you to worry because our Father has a Son who beat this bad guy and He promises to help us while we’re here. This Good Friend wants us to know this world is not our true home. You’re going to like it here in many ways. You’ll do a lot of fun things and you’ll see some beautiful places, but always remember… there’s something much better to come. Good night, John. Sweet dreams…

“In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:2-6

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crave

Posted on March 12, 2004 by Dana

“Like newborn babies, crave spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” I Peter 2:2

Our family has a guest in the house. John’s mom loves him with a mother’s heart, but she cannot care for him until she completes a prison sentence. Sunday, with many tears, she asked us to care for her child until she is free. Our guest is a newborn baby.

We never need to tell John to crave milk. He craves well! I’ve forgotten the grunts, squirms, and cries of a hungry baby. “I need milk! I don’t know much else, but I’m hungry! I don’t care what else you are doing, feed me!” Of course, John makes these requests in the most polite way, but his natural longing reminds me of what I need.

If you have tasted that the Lord is good, crave Him! In Him we are saved, and with Him we grow. We can never get enough! If Susan tried to put John in front of the television the next time he was hungry, he would not be satisfied. Nothing will replace the nourishment he needs. So it is with us. No pleasure, no entertainment, no activity, no food, no friend… no ‘anything’ will replace the nourishment we need.

After John drinks heartily, he rests. What a beautiful sight… and sound! As we drink of our life-giving Lord, we, too, learn to rest… in Him. “Thank you, Lord, for paying the price. Thank you, Lord, for giving Your righteousness to us. Thank you, Lord, for showing us the Father. Thank you, Lord, for speaking to our hearts. Thank you, Lord, for giving us peace. Thank you, Lord, for being our Good Shepherd. Help us, Lord, to grow in You with the hope of bearing much fruit in Your Kingdom. Amen.”

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6

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pick up

Posted on March 5, 2004 by Dana

So why did He pick up the cross and carry it? Why didn’t He simply refuse? They had already beaten Him half to death… what else could they have done? He knew He was going to be crucified… why carry the instrument that killed Him?

Do not forget that Jesus had the choice. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep… No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”(John 10:11,18) He could have said “no” to the whole ordeal, but He didn’t. He could have said “no” to any part, but He chose to drink the whole cup.

And He says to us, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”(Luke 9:23) As He carried His cross through Jerusalem to Golgotha, Jesus was speaking to us: “This is the way. A time will come that looks impossible, but you can make it. Watch me. I didn’t have to carry my cross; I chose to. You don’t have to follow Me; you choose to. I scorned the shame because I knew of the joy ahead. I looked past the pain, for I knew where I would end up. I spent every ounce of energy because this was the cup My Father gave Me to drink. I honored my Father in what I did… and I set you an example. Believe me when I tell you that the joy you will receive far surpasses anything you can imagine. It was worth it for me to suffer as I did! It is worth it for you to follow Me!”

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2-3

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