Looking for the bad guy....

This was an interesting couple of weeks at work.  Our theme was "Fairy Tales" and we read so many stories that our little three year olds had never heard before!  It was really fun to hear and see these familiar tales through new eyes.  Yesterday and today I helped our little ones create their own "house of sticks" and then add the three little pigs!  Anytime they get to paint with glue and then use a glue stick is a good day in our class.   As I was chatting with each child as they created their house of sticks, we recounted the story.  Several of them also wanted to tell me all of the stories we had focused on, with the favorites being Little Red Riding Hood and Jack in the Beanstalk.  The interesting thing about this art project was that as soon as we added the three little pigs to this paper, EVERY  SINGLE kid wanted to know where the big bad wolf was!   Since we made a wolf last week, we did not include one on this project.  I couldn't believe that they all were looking for the wolf. 

This afternoon I was thinking about this.  Isn't it just like so many times when we are looking for the "bad guy" in whatever situation we are in?  Of imaging all the very bad things that we are sure are just around the corner?  There is a message here!  At first I thought it was a BAD thing that the kids wanted the wolf in the picture.   But then I realized that the story of the three little pigs, isn't a very good story without the wolf.  If you think about it, all it would be is a story of three brothers who couldn't agree on how to build a house.  And the unfortunate thing is that they would all most likely have a similar outcome with or without the wolf.  The house of straw wouldn't last, nor would the house of sticks. Only the house of bricks would last.  This reminded me of one of favorite Christian kids songs The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock taken from Matthew 7:24-27.  These verses contain Jesus' directions to be sure and build your house on the Rock, with a firm foundation rather than on sand.  The message of this story is much deeper than the 3 little pigs.   Jesus was talking about having HIM as the foundation of our life.  And then when we face storms in our life, or the very real attacks of the ever present "big bad wolf" - Satan- we will not be shaken.  We are safe and secure on the solid foundation with Jesus as our Saviour. 

I am so glad that my little ones helped me remember a couple of really important truths today.
1.  There is a "Big Bad Wolf" in our story  2.  It's good to build a BRICK house (Or really a house on THE Rock!)  3.  It's also good to stick together!  I just love when the day to day stuff in my life brings me to new revelation and understanding.   I had never really thought about how important my foundation was when those attacks of the enemy occur.  It's good to consider isn't it? 

Jesus, thank you so much for the words you spoke reminding us to build our house on the rock.  Holy Spirit, it is your prompting and reminders that bring me deeper into truth.  Thank you for these little children that open my eyes and keep me on my toes.  Bless us all as we seek to go deeper into your truths, Jesus.   Amen.

The wise man built his house on the rock....

Today Ken and I actually made a decision about our living room furniture.  This has been a long time coming.  We do not usually spend money on things like furniture.  As a matter of fact, most of our furniture has been "hand me downs" from Ken's parents.  The dining set that we are currently using in our dining room was a hand me down from Ken's parents.  And the couch that is currently in our living room was from 2009 when Ken's dad relocated to Florida after the death of Ken's mom.  Today we were actually trying to figure out how old this couch was.  We found a sticker on the back - it was custom made in 1987.  So there you have it - 26 years old! 

 

 

Here is a very early picture of that couch - with Ken and his sister Sue and Gina.  I think this is from the late 80's but I am not sure of the date.  At any rate - its a long, LONG time ago.  But, there you have it.  The couch.  Today we made the decision to have this couch reupholstered.  I am sure not many people would do that today.  But we have been looking for a new couch for a very long time.  If you just want a simple sofa, it is difficult to find!  We were not being very picky, but most that we saw were not made very well and were still very expensive.  And the "bones" of this sofa are really good.  When I made a couple of phone calls to find out about reupholstery, one gentlemen told me that if the sofa could be lifted from one corner with one hand, it was most likely not worth a re-do.  So I tried the experiment.  Nope - I couldn't lift it with one hand.  So today we decided on a floral print that has a beige background instead of the pure white on the original fabric.  I am very happy with the choice.  The cost is about the same as we were finding to purchase a sofa of fairly good quality, and much less than the better quality new one.  So, in about a month, I will have a NEW "OLD" sofa in my living room.  Hooray!

 

And this afternoon, I was thinking about this.  Isn't it true that the foundation is the most important thing?  No matter what you are talking about, if the basic structure is good you can usually make something out of it - even if it seems like a total mess!  In our case the fabric is stained and the quilting is pulling out.  The cushions have been flattened and seem to sag a little bit.  But it is all fixable.   I am so glad that this is true for us and the situations we face.  Even if things look like a total mess and there doesn't seem to be any way to make things right, if the foundation is good, anything is possible. 

 

I am thankful that my life is built on the foundation of Jesus and He is my rock.  I am so glad that I have my feet firmly planted on the ROCK.  I love the parable that Jesus told of the wise man and the foolish man.  The wise man built his house on the rock and the foolish man built his house on the sand.  When the storms came, the house on the sand was destroyed.  But the house on the rock stood firm.  I know that in the situation that I am facing today, although we seem to be in a big storm, the foundation is good.  We just need a really good "upholstery job"!  

 

Thank you Jesus for reminding me that when you are the foundation of something, there is always restoration possible!  You are a great and mighty God that cares so much for us that you speak into the smallest details of our life.  Thank you once again, for reminding me that nothing is impossible with you.  Yahweh, I know that there are many people out there with problems and situations and issues that seem overwhelming.  And I know that you are the answer to those things.  Holy Spirit please speak clearly to us all and show us what things are built on sand, that we just need to let go of when the storms hit.  And then Jesus, speak clearly to us about your restoration plans for these difficult issues that have you as the foundation.   Thank you for being there is in the midst of the storms.   Amen 

Back to basics...

I have been reading a book recommended by a friend after she read my blog post "Dreams of heavenly battles" from this past Sunday.  The book,  The Sword of the Lord by Kevin Basconi has been one of those books that I read page by page.  What I mean by that is, I read a page and then stop and re-read that page.  Then think about what was written on that page, then read that page again.  If I didn't have this book on Kindle, it would be marked up with highlighter and underlines and folded corners.  And I am only 1/3 of the way through the book!  I have already gone back to the beginning of the book and re-read entire chapters.  Just incredible.

Here's the thing......As I have been reading this book which describes Kevin Basconi's visions, I feel as if I am back in my own dream from Saturday night. And the thing is, it seems like it is causing me to remember in a deeper way, more about my own experience with Jesus.  Even though I don't know how this book ends, I am sure that I can recommend it!  The first 1/3 is great!

Today the message that was in page after page was EVERY PERSON MUST HEAR THE VOICE OF THE LORD FOR THEMSELVES!   Really, there is nothing else that is as important as this.  Over 20 years ago, I was blessed to be in a place that had this concept as a foundation of their ministry.  When there was prayer or ministry with a person, the FIRST thing that was said, was "what is Jesus saying to you?"  Today I am feeling so thankful for the years and years I have had with this concept. And I am understanding, in a deeper way, why I have felt so compelled to teach this "listening prayer" to children. 

I am convinced that this is the season of back to basics.  It is a time when Jesus is calling us all back to the foundations of our faith.  Worship, the Word (the Bible) and communion with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  And by communion I mean true communication - two way - talking and listening.  Taking the time to stop and let the Holy Spirit speak into our spirit.  Journaling - writing down the things that we are talking about.  Spending time with our God.  This is more than just a "daily devotion" - although that can certainly be a great place to start!  I am just encouraging you to go one step further......just stop and ask Jesus what he is speaking to you today.  And then listen!

And here is the truth-telling part of this blog.  Even after I had learned to listen to Jesus, I did not spend enough time just listening.  This is another reason why I am so thankful for this blog!  I have been spending much more time listening to Jesus as I consider what I am supposed to be sharing.

My challenge to all of you reading this blog today..... "What is Jesus saying to you?" 

Jesus, thank you for speaking to us today.  I am in awe of your plan and destiny for us.  You are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  And yet, you care about each of us.  Holy Spirit, please encourage us to listen to Jesus as he talks with us.  Thank you for drawing us back to the foundations in our walk with you.   Amen