Narnia, Romans, & Relearning

I began reading C.S. Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia” with our boys several weeks ago. I never have read a single book from the series, but we have seen “The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe,” as well as “Prince Caspian,” so I thought the boys would really enjoy the adventure that lay within. We started our journey with “The Magician’s Nephew” since it tells of how Narnia, Aslan and the White Witch came to be. At one part, Aslan gives some of his creation the ability to speak and encourages them to treat the other created animals gently. But there is also a warning: “do not go back to their ways lest you cease to be Talking Beasts.” And the additional warning that that is possible to do so. A few pages later, Lewis points out: “Now the trouble with trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed.”


We were created with the wonderful ability to learn, but we can also unlearn those things by neglecting to use/practice them. How many of us rode a bike superbly as children, yet haven’t ridden one for 10+ years and now find the act more than a little daunting? How many times have I thought, “I’ll just let Mom hem these pants for me”? I could do it, I learned how to sew, but because I don’t get the sewing machine out and practice, I would have to relearn some things before I could sew a nice hem. And stupider??? I’m embarrassed to say I have finished watching several movies that I honestly felt stupider by the end.

I mention all this because I began reading Romans today. Verse 28 of chapter 1 tells us:
“Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.”

I must say, this scares me. Often times, I have asked myself {when thinking about the evil of trafficking in the world}, “HOW CAN SOMEONE DO THIS? HOW CAN THEY THINK THIS IS OKAY?” I think this verse helps explain. I cannot comprehend, nor will I ever be able to, the reasons why someone could treat another person harshly. However, Romans 1:28 tell us that when people don’t think God is worthwhile, eventually God will give them over to their own sinful minds, resulting in things that “ought not to be done.”

A scary thought, but here’s some hope. Remember how difficult it was to get back on that bike after years away? It may not have been the most graceful sight the first time, but I’m betting it came back to you rather quickly. That’s how it happened for Craig and me. Time away sets us back, but we CAN relearn. Praise God, He’s not through with us! We may step away, we may turn our back, we may “not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God.” But we CAN come back. Until the day we die, or Jesus comes back for us, we can grow in our knowledge of God and share His good news with those around us. May we do just that this Christmas season, for we have good news to shout about—a Savior has been born to us—He is Christ the Lord!

Scripture Memory Catch-Up

The last few months have been a time of learning--new roads, new area, new friends, LOTS of new names and faces. It's different here. Not better. Not worse. Just different. Our pace of life is different and, I pray, will slow down in just a few weeks. It's hard to realize, yet again, that I am not superwoman, or even supermom. I can't do all the things I think I should be able to do. And God is helping me see that He didn't make me to do all those things, either. Anyway, I thought I'd share the verses I've been working on over the last 6 weeks.

In light of election time, this is what I chose for November 1:

1 Peter 2:13-17 TNIV
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of the foolish. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God's slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love your fellow believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
(emphasis mine)

I found this next verse months ago and tucked it in with 'verses I'd like to memorize.' November 15 felt like the right time.

Micah 7:18-19 TNIV
Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

He doesn't have to. He could dust His hands and be finished with us. But He loves us and He's just waiting to separate us from the ick we've got all over us.

On to December 1st...I'ver heard this verse before, but while reading through 2 Timothy last week it struck me. Paul is giving Timothy instructions in being a minister of the Gospel, warning him about false teachers and sharing updates with Timothy about his own ministry. He loves Timothy as a father loves a son and urges him to come visit, then shares this:

2 Timothy 4:7-8 TNIV
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.
(emphasis mine)

That's what I want to be able to say at the end of my life. Not that I get a crown, although that will be wonderful. But that I have fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. Death makes me think about heaven. I have no real ideas of what heaven will be like--anytime I've tried to imagine it, my imaginations can't measure up to how good I know it will be. But God will be there. Jesus will be there. I can't remember a day in my life when I haven't known Him and He'll be there. That's all that really matters.

15th Scripture Memory

While I allow Psalm 27 to perculate, I'll add this important reminder as well:

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

October...the first half

I seem to completely lose track of time when I see this screen, so between me trying to limit my opportunities for mysterious time disappearance and me just getting busy with daily stuff, I'm a bit late. I've continued working on Psalm 27 and have 10 of the 14 verses locked in. I truly hope you'll give scripture memory a go if you're reading this. I know it makes a difference. I have experienced the real benefits of being ready with scripture, as well as heard countless testimonies from dear friends. The enemy is constantly preparing attacks against us--God's Word is the sword we use to fight back. If we are not under attack, someone we know probably is and a scripture locked in our brain is an immeasurable help when they need encouragement and our Bible is not with us. Even in more calm times, God's Word is a great encouragement--once memorized, don't just set it aside, but continue to refresh your mind by reviewing those verses you've worked on. It's like sword practice...we sharpen our swords (our knowledge and understanding of God's Word) by memorizing, reviewing, muttering God's Word to ourselves, so that when the battle comes our swords are not rusty and too heavy for us. I don't know about you, but this is one warrior princess who wants to be ready.

Here's a bonus picture of our boys as knights just a few years ago:



Happy is he who knows how to use his sword!

15th Scripture Memory

Now that we're packed, moved and unpacked and I've had a little more time to work on my previous verses, I'm ready to start working on Psalm 27. I'll post the entire psalm, although I'm not attempting to get the whole thing in my head within 2 weeks! My goal is to be purposeful in working on memorizing and understanding the psalm and allowing God to cement it in my mind and heart. Here it is in today's new international version:

Psalm 27

Of David.

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.

3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.

4 One thing I ask from the LORD,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.

5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.

6 Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.

7 Hear my voice when I call, LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.

8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!"
Your face, LORD, I will seek.

9 Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.

10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.

11 Teach me your way, LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.

12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.

13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.


"I WILL SEE THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING."

We can see His goodness...are we looking? We have experienced and watched others experience much pain and sadness these past several months. Even amidst the pain, we can see the goodness of the LORD in His provision of comfort, strength, and grace to make it through one more day. May we look around and see the "goodness of the LORD."

1st Scripture Memory

Oh, my! These last several months have been wonderful...challenging...faith-building...overwhelming...and filled with God's faithfulness. I have needed every single scripture that I have been meditating on. God is so good.

I asked God to point me to the next scripture this morning, otherwise I would continue to solidify the ones I've recently been working on. I felt His peace. So for these next several days, I will review and read and speak these verses so I will be ready when I need them again (which will probably be VERY soon) for myself or a fellow sojourner.

15th Scripture Memory

Wow, I'm a little later than usual, but here goes...

Philippians 4:4-9 ESV

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

We have been in a season of waiting and although God has now shown us the church we get the joy of ministering to/with and our new home (as well as a few other things), we are still waiting on our home to sell. Some days we need to remember to rejoice in the Lord, to not be anxious, to let God know what we're thinking and feeling and to be thankful for all He has already done and all He continues to do. I need to know that God's peace will guard my heart and mind when the enemy seeks to overwhelm me with all that needs to be done. I want to keep my chin up through this process and strengthen my trust in our faithful God that has never let us down. Not even once.

Continue Your work in me, Lord. I trust in Your timing