Lessons for Life

Life has been in turmoil down here for the past week or so with the packing and situations we have been going through. Not only our world has been turned upside down, but our kids' world as well. My husband reminds me of that when they cry over a seemingly small bump or when they argue over insignificant things. But God...has a way of helping amidst it all.
This afternoon I took some time and spent with my girls. These are the things I learned: We can listen to our echo when we stand on our backsteps. It was a delight to see their faces when they heard their voices "come back to them." In my own life I want to be an echo for God and reflect His Spirit. As we were coming up with things to say to hear our echo, Melody says, "We're going to heaven." Then she turns to me and asks, "Are we going to heaven?" I said, Yes, when we have Jesus in our hearts we can go to heaven." She then asks, "Well, who's in my tummy?"

We then went to the swings. They have learned to swing by themselves. In and out, In and out. Life is like that, we must keep working at it if we want to go higher. As they swing higher, they say, "We're going high up to Jesus. Hi, Jesus." As their legs tire, I soon hear, "Can you push me, please mommy." And so up they go again. Life can cause our hearts to tire and it seems that we can't reach high up to Jesus. In those times, friends give us a push of encouragement to keep going, not to give up. Jesus is there, wanting us to draw up to Him.

Tonight as I put the boys to bed, we laughed, joked and wrestled. And one of the boys said, "Thanks, Mom for the joke." For at that moment the joke had been on me. It is just awesome to take time with my kids and realize there is more to life than the problems that seem mountain high.

Saying Good-by

Our Cathedral

This bridge was built back in 1820. It is a very lovely place off the beaten path. We had a family time devotional, lunch and lots of fun playing in the water. "Thank you, Lord for providing this lovely spot where your Presence was felt."

Circumstances

Due to circumstances beyond our control we will be leaving South Carolina and moving to Indiana near the end of August.

Psalm 81

"Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel if thou wilt hearken unto me...."{God's Love} "But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel had none of me..."{God's Lament}"Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways." {God's Longing} Psalm 81: 8, 11, 13

God's big heart is open wide and filled with love for each and everyone of us as He speaks,"My people, those of you who have claimed my name. I want to talk to you, admonish you and help you to draw closer to me. HEAR--actively listen to what I am saying and then obey my Word. If you will hearken, if you will heed, if you will obey my words your spiritual life will be free from the desolation, the destruction and death that those serving strange gods have to live with. I the Lord God, the Living One have freed you from sin and now I want you to continue to grow. You can do this by opening your mouth wide in acceptance, in submission to whatever I bring to you. I'll be able to give you a fulfilling spiritual life as you heed my words."

In verse 8 we can almost hear the hope in the voice of God as He calls his people to Himself. He has hope that they will choose to continue to grow in the life that He offers. The tone changes in verse 11 to sadness, as God laments the fact that His people would not listen.

Hear the lament in His voice as He once again speaks "'But my people would not hearken to my voice...' I had plans untold for you. I wanted to bless you and bring you into a fulfilling relationship with Myself, but...ye 'would none of me.' I had given my people a free will. I had to let my people go their own way--they 'chose to walk in their own counsels.'"

God's longing is for each one of us to choose to hearken to His voice, His soft whispers of directions in day to day life. God mourns at the loss of each one who chooses their own way over God's way.

You can hear the longing in the heart of God as He once again speaks, "'Oh, that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways.' I would have given them my best. Victory would have been theirs. They would have tasted the honey from heaven. Even in the rocky times of life I would have been there. I would have been enough. I would have satisfied every longing of the soul."

God gives us all a choice and a chance to hear and hearken to His voice. Are we going to heed His voice even in those things that are nearest and dearest to our heart? In my own life I don't want to become so set on having my own way that I don't heed God's whispers. There will always be places I need to change and ways I need to grow. I want to hearken to whatever God speaks to my heart. His way is always the best.

Children's Service

Today we did a special Children Service. The theme was Team up with God. I started with the verse of Scripture in Matthew 18:3 "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Jesus thinks children are important. When we look at kids playing baseball we can learn some lessons that will lead us into the kingdom of God. When kids play on a team they are "all out" for their team. They put all their effort into helping their team win. Their team is the best. They have a Yielded Heart. When we join God's team we are to have a Yielded Heart. We need to be all out for God. Letting everyone know that we are on God's Team and with God's help we'll always be a winner. Kids also have a Teachable Spirit when on a baseball team. They have to allow the Coach to correct their errors and teach them the right batting techniques etc. so that they can become the best player possible. On God's Team we too, must have a Teachable Spirit. After we are saved, we do not know it all. We have to allow God to teach us, correct us and be ready to change as He directs. Lastly, a team must have a Unified Effort. They must work together to gain the victory. There are many different positions in a baseball game, but all are important. Each position is played with that united goal in mind-victory. We as Christians must have a United Effort, a team spirit--we must work together, not putting each other down but cheering them onward. Looking at kids and baseball with a Yielded Heart, A Teachable Spirit and a Unified Effort shows us that in spirit, we each need to have these childlike aspects if we are to enter into the Kingdom of God.

That's it, in a nutshell. Much more elaboration, songs, puppet,memory verse, game and interview with Billy Sunday as well. Our Bible story was about King Jehoshaphat. He and his people had these characteristics in their life. Because of that, God was able to fight their battle and bring them victory.

The Lord really helped me. I couldn't do it without His guidance and help. I pray these thoughts that were presented in the service will continue to help people onward to Home Plate, where we will be welcomed by the Great Umpire.

Team up with God

During the service we talked about Billy Sunday. He was saved while playing professional baseball for the Chicago White Stockings. He continued to play baseball for 4 years. All the while witnessing to His teammates. God then directed him into full time evangelism. He preached to crowds as large as 24,000. He is estimated to have preached face to face with around 100 million people. Quite a statement considering there were no PA systems, or TV. My husband was Billy Sunday. We did an interview with him.

Singing our theme song--"Take me out to the ball game" with new words--Take me out to the ball game. Sign me up for God's team. Give me a Bible and peace in my heart. I'm going to serve Him and never depart. It's CHEERS! CHEERS!CHEERS! for our God's team......

Backstop, bat bag, etc.