So many good things have been happening over the last month or so. Christmas for one! The highlight of my Christmas was a gift. Not for me but for my children, that my husband picked out - 2 gifts in fact. The first, is a book titled "Song of the Stars" by Sally Lloyd-Jones. Definitely one to own in my opinion! Its hard to describe this children's book... It wraps up all the wonder and baited-breath anticipation, excitement and awe of Jesus' birth. Beautifully written and beautifully illustrated. The second is a book as well. By the same author in fact. It is a devotional called "The Jesus Storybook Bible" (it is not a Bible, but a devotional). I have never read a children's (or adults') devotional that so clearly defines the purpose of the Bible and God's plan for mankind from start to finish. Every night we read to my daughter I gets so much from the short Bible story that is shared. A devotional can never replace the Bible, but if it can bring a truer understanding to our hearts and minds I welcome them.
When I attended Bible college many eons ago, there was two burning questions for me ... "Why wasn't this ever explained to me before? Why isn't this being taught this clearly in churches?" These two questions would inspire me as I taught in the years ahead.
Now I am no amazing teacher, but a Bible story without answering the heart questions of "So what?" and "Why should I care?" are just... well... stories. Please bare with me. The Bible is effective and amazing all on its own, but as parents and teachers / leaders we need to be doing more than just teaching our children the stories. We read "Rapunzel" and "Snow White", "The Weedle On the Needle" or "Horton Hears a Who" and many of them have morals or lessons to be learned, but what makes Daniel and the Lions Den or Noah and the Ark any different?
What makes them different is that the Bible stories that can so easily become another "fairy story" are real events, involving real people and a VERY REAL GOD who is REALLY interested in us...each one of us. The Bible is for US. A gift. When we as adults cease to cherish it and allow it to challenge and shape us, then we are making it into another collection of tales from far off places involving people we don't know involved in events that may or may not be true depending on who you talk to. When we allow God's Word to inspire us, when God's Word is real to us, then it becomes real to our children.
How do you explain to a child why you don't believe in Santa Claus when you get older even though you leave out the milk and cookies on Christmas Eve, and yet you still believe the Bible is true and God is real but its not changing who you are? What is the real fairy tale?
This is a challenge for me. I want to be real and most importantly I want to be really in love with Jesus. Hopefully then it will be easier for Jesus to be real to other people around me - the kids I teach but especially the kids I live with - my kids - my two great amazing, beautiful kids. It is the very least and the very most I can do for them."... the Bible isn't a book of rules, or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story. It's an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far away country to win back His lost treasure. It's a love story about a brave Prince who leaves His palace, His throne - everything -to rescue the one he loves. It's like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life! You see the best thing about this Story is - IT'S TRUE!" - Sally Lloyd-Jones, The Jesus Storybook Bible.
If we really believe the Bible is true it will become true in us. "So What"s and "Why should I care"s watch out when parents hearts are set on God's Word! We need to be in love with Jesus again and read the Bible like a lovestruck teenager reads and rereads notes from her sweetheart just to remember how much she is loved and what amazing plans he has for her future. He wants us to know Him, to know His heart. The way to do this? Know His Word.
Excerpts from Psalm 119
33 Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life
89 Your word, LORD, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures.
91 Your laws endure to this day,
for all things serve you.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have preserved my life.
94 Save me, for I am yours;
I have sought out your precepts.
95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
but I will ponder your statutes.
96 To all perfection I see a limit,
but your commands are boundless.
97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
102 I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
107 I have suffered much;
preserve my life, LORD, according to your word.
108 Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.
