The Desert; Really?

At the end of the book of Numbers, prior to the Israelites entering the promised land, Moses is recounting their journey. They moved from place to place, many of which I have a hard time pronouncing, until they get to a point of decision; go with God and take the land, or, "let's go back to Egypt where we had it so well." You know what happened next, rebellion and forty years walking in the wilderness. Why is it that we are so willing to wander than follow God's direction? Is it really so much better in Egypt?
This is the message of Christmas. God sent Jesus to us so we would not have to wander in the wilderness of life, moving from problem to problem without guidance or direction; without the peace and the joy implicit in walking with God. During December in Kids Quest we have been looking at Joy - finding a way to be happy, even when things don't go your way. We have discovered that joy is a choice, and that we find true joy in the greatest gift ever given; Jesus.
I hope your Christmas is filled with joy. I hope your life is filled with the direction of God, not wandering in the wilderness. Yes, we face giants from time to time, but as we were reminded in Kids Quest, we serve a God that is bigger than all things. This is a truth for all of us. May you have a Merry Christmas with this reminder from the book of Numbers.

Something From Nothing

This past Sunday, I was reminded in a sermon about one good way to help people understand that there must be God. We all have stuff. Most of us have too much stuff, but stuff we have and it all came from somewhere. Everything we have, had, or will have had a beginning. In fact, we cannot think of a thing in our existence that did not have a beginning; that is unless we include God. Even the most ardent Big Bang Universe people have to come to the conclusion that all the stuff that went "Bang" had to come from somewhere. I am not saying I am a proponent of this theory, but if one is, the stuff that went "Bang" had to start somewhere. That leads us to the Creator, God. Genesis 1:1 reminds us that in the beginning was God, and that is all that was. He spoke and the universe as we know it happened. All that ever was and will be came from His creative genius. This is a great reminder for kids as they are told many things in school that may not line up with a creator. There is a simple answer; it all had to start by someone, and that someone is God.

What A Crowd

So during my quiet time I have begun reading the book of Numbers. I know, hold the excitement. What I have discovered over the years is that God can teach me something new in any part of the Bible, and chapter one of Numbers is no exception. As I am reading the list of the tribes and how many men over the age of twenty there are, it strikes me that Moses is literally trying to usher around two million people through the desert. Then it hits me that the entire time these people are moving from place to place, God is providing food and water for everyone, every day. Talk about a Big God.
Then I am reminded that if God can do this, He can care for my family and yours. You see, it's not about numbers, it's about God's desire to love and care for people. I don't know about you, but the times my family was in a place that was not good, it was usually due to my poor decisions, not God guidance. His desire for families is to guide them through this journey of life while providing for their needs. If He can do it for two million, He can do it for a family.

Little Princess

Debi and I recently spent a week with our children in Georgia. We had a great time with our children and grandchildren. As many of you know, EllaGrace joined our family several months ago, arriving from Ethiopia with a sippy-cup and the clothes on her back. A little orphan girl who had spent a few months abandoned on the streets of a large city was adopted into a loving family. She is now a Dantzler, just like her sisters. She has a mother and father whom she loves and who love her. She is family. There will not be a time when she is not a Dantzler.
As I was thinking about this one of the times EllaGrace and I were taking a lounge in the chair, I was reminded that this is our story. We were alone, trying to survive life the best we could, then one day through faith we were adopted into God's family. We will always be part of that family. We are part of a family that loves us and cares for us. Just like EllaGrace will always be a part of our family; through Christ we will always be a part of God's Family.
I am grinning as I think about that sweet face smiling at me; the one that reminds me the grace and mercy God shows us as undeserving as we are. What a family.

No Conditions

I was listening to Chris Tomlin while taking a walk this morning. One of the songs I heard was, "Unfailing Love." God takes us where we are, without condition and helps us grow to where He wants us to be. With God there is only one condition, becoming His child. Beyond that His love for us is perfect and constant, even when we fail.
This should be the picture of the home as well. Homes where love and respect are conditional lead children to become adults who are skeptical and question their worthiness to be loved. Every home should be a place where children are loved unconditionally, where a child can fail in safety, and discover how to grow from failure. Homes should be a place where children are disciplined in love, and loved through their mistakes. Homes are where children are learning to become the adults God will need them to be, and parents are the main teachers.
Homes have rules, but not conditions to be met in order to be loved. That is not God's plan for the family. God is clear; train your children, guide your children, love your children as God loves you and rears you to be the person He created you to be. Parents have the same responsibility to their children. No conditions.

I'm No Different

I read the account of Jesus' trial in Matthew 27 this morning and some thoughts occurred to me. Judas had remorse; do I? It's easy for us to think we would have stood with Jesus; We would not have run; We would not have yelled, "Crucify!"; But we did. Jesus, Creator of all that is, endured rejection, humiliation, pain, and separation from God for the first time in eternity because of me. He died for me so I could live. I was Judas, the High Priests, The Governor, the crowd, the soldier; no different in my flesh than these. God created us and died for us so we could spend eternity with Him. What a gift. With all the excitement Easter brings in the home, let me encourage you to remind your family that it is about the sacrifice of the Suffering Servant. We are who we are because of what Jesus did.

21 Steps

We had the privilege to spend the last week in Washington D.C. It is an amazing place. We were there to receive our new granddaughter. She is a dandy. Debi and I look forward to see how God will use her for His Kingdom’s work. While we were there we had a chance to see much of the city. One of the most impressive things we observed was the changing of the guard at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, these special men pay honor to those who have given their lives for our freedom by standing watch over this tomb. Each guard takes 21 steps, turns and faces the tomb for 21 seconds, turns and shoulders his weapon away from the tomb for 21 seconds then takes 21 steps to the other side and repeats the process. These guardsare ever vigilant, always watching, never resting.
This is what we do with our children. We stand guard over their hearts, ever vigilant, always watching, never resting. They need us to do this. They need a guard to help them maneuver the pitfalls of life. They need a guard who will help them when they fail to discover failure is not the end, but usually the beginning of a good thing. They need a guard who will never rest when it comes to them knowing who God is and the plan He has for their lives. That guard is you. 21 steps, turn, wait, turn, 21 steps and repeat the process. Your children are depending on your vigilance. Be their guard.

In just a few days, our family will be welcoming a new member. Her name is EllaGrace, a three year old beauty. When she was two-and-a-half, she was abandoned in a large city in Ethiopia. Through the miracle of grace, she was found and taken to an orphanage. Over a year ago, our daughter and son-in-law started the process to adopt an orphan from Ethiopia. In three days, this little cast out will be given to a family who will love her deeply and share the opportunity of life. Grace and love in action.
Isn't this the way Jesus accepted us? We were orphaned, without hope, with no family. We were taken in, saved from our life of flesh, and given a new home and family; a family that loves us deeply and has given us the gift of life. Grace and love in action.
The family is God's plan for sharing His love and plan for all people. The new family of EllaGrace will pas this on to her. Let me encourage you to pass this on to your children, not only in word, but in how you live life.

Just Do It

This past Sunday, Kids Quest began its 40 Day Study on Worship. We looked at the Ark of the Covenant, how it was to be made, and what was placed inside. Our Bottom Line for the week is, "I should do what God asks me to do." That sounds like a good thing. It sounds easy enough to do; just follow His instructions.
I don't know about you, but I fail at this from time to time through an action, an inaction, or a thought not kept in check. Like Paul, I want to please God with my life, but there are times I do the things I don't want to do. It's in these times that I am reminded I need to be spending more time with God and more time in His Word. Will this help me be perfect? By no means. Will this help me live a life that is more pleasing to Him? By all means. I simply need to do what God asks me to do. He desires, above all other things, relationship with me and you.
Let me encourage you to spend time this week with God and your children. This could be at meal time, before the day gets going, or right before bed. Children will learn the importance of relationship with God and doing what He asks them to do as they see it modeled by mom and dad. That sounds like a thing we can all do.

It's A Good Thing?

During the month of January we will be looking at the virtue of Discipline – Doing what you need to do now so you can grow stronger. The word ‘Discipline’ often brings images to the mind that are negative, but discipline can be a good thing. There are disciplines, if we will value them, that will help all of us grow in our faith. This month in Kids Quest we will be sharing about the disciplines of reading the Bible, memorizing Scripture, prayer, and sharing our faith. These will be good studies for families to work on each week as well. I hope you are finding value in the God Time Cards and Refrigerator Door Cards your child receives each Sunday. These materials contain information that can aid you as you help your child discover Spiritual disciplines that will help him grow stronger each and every day. May this be a great start to a great 2010.