Helping Hearts

"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."  Hebrews 6:10

Alyssa and friends (2006)

Every year our kids have to do some community service to earn some "stamps for camp".  I think that it's usually the last requirement they fill, in order to earn their full scholarship to go to summer camp.  One year (pictured above), Alyssa and her friends made dog biscuits from scratch, and then took them to the area Humane Society, for the homeless dogs.  Very sweet idea, but oh what a lovely mess they made.

I'm praying that as Alyssa and Kyle get older they don't continue to need "incentives" in order to serve others in our community, whether it be in our church or otherwise. I want their hearts to be moved to help others when they sense a need, or give of their time because it's a passion, and be a blessing to the hungry, hurting, or hopeless.  

 

This past Saturday many from our church gathered to rake leaves for people who needed help (picture below).  What a joy it was to work side-by side with others to accomplish something helpful for someone else.  

 

 

I want Alyssa and Kyle to make a difference in the life of someone else because God has made a difference in theirs.

Lord, give our children a servant's heart.  Move them to help those who need a helping hand.  May their spirit be marked by compassion for the hurting and hungry world around them. Whatever they do for one of the least of these, they truly do for you (Matthew 25:40).  Give them your eyes, dear Jesus, that they may see the world as you do, and make their hearts tender like yours.  Serving others is serving you, and you will not forget the ways they show love to those around them (Hebrews 6:10). You will make Alyssa and Kyle's joy complete when they are like-minded, having the same love as you have, being one in spirit and purpose.  I pray that they do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than themselves. (Philippians 2:2-3)  May Alyssa and Kyle's lives be lived in honor of you, and may your glory be revealed in and through them.

 

Wordless Wednesday

Photo credit

 

Lend a Hand

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”  Romans 15:1-2 (The Message)

Lyssa & Friends (2006)

Let's pray some scripture:

Lord, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle are strong and able in the faith and can step in and lend a hand to those who falter and not just do what is most convenient for themselves.  The strength you give Alyssa and Kyle is for service, not status.  May they always look after the good of the people around them and have hearts that are always asking "how can I help?"

 

Giving to God

"The Lord said to Moses,“Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give."  Exodus 25:1-2

___________________

Dear Precious Savior, you deserve so much from your children. You love us and we want to love you.  I pray, that because of that love, Alyssa and Kyle will long to bring to you the very best of who they are.  Their lives can be an offering to you. May they use their gifts and talents, and their treasure and wealth freely and without abandon, to bless others, and give you glory with their lives.

 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship."  Romans 12:1


 

Like the Wise Men

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 
On coming to the house, 
they saw the child with his mother Mary,
and they bowed down and worshiped him. 
Then they opened their treasures and 
presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.  
(Matthew 2:10-11)

There's just something I love about this season and pondering the stories of Mary and Joseph, the Shepherds, Angels, Wise Men, and baby Jesus, singing the old Christmas hymns, and lighting the advent candles.  Celebrating Christmas with our church family just helps to fix my eyes on Christ and the true reason of this season.

Some pretty awesome pastor preached a great Christmas sermon yesterday, I must say.  I appreciated one of the points about the Wise Men and how following their example can lead me into the presence of Christ:

The wise men first gave Jesus themselves
And then they gave Him their treasures.

"So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."  Romans 12:1-2 (The Message)

Today, as I ponder and pray for my dear children, I'm pleading that they become like the Wise Men.  If God gives them a star to follow that they will go obediently, no matter how far, long, or hard and that they will give Him their entire heart, soul, and mind.

Lord, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle always give you themselves and their treasure.  I pray that they take their everyday, ordinary life, and place it before you as a gift.  It's so easy to be distracted, selfish, and prideful and life lives only to please our own needs, wants and desires.  Instead, dear Jesus, I pray that Alyssa and Kyle serve you wholeheartedly and obediently, giving you all that they are. 

 

A Servant Nature

"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”  Hebrews 16:10

Alyssa and friend Luke (2004)

How wonderful it is that nobody 

need wait a single moment before 

starting to improve the world.    

~Anne Frank

Helping Hands (2004)

 

After raking leaves, we visited with Helen, 90+ years old.

Lord, your very nature is that of a servant, and our attitudes should be the same.  It doesn't always come naturally to us to make ourselves nothing, or to give to others sacrificially.  It's easy to worry about what's in it for me, and to take care of myself.  I see it so evidently in our children at times, and I pray, dear Jesus, that they become people who love to help others, give generously, and sacrifice themselves for the benefit of others or you.  Give Alyssa and Kyle eyes to see the needs of others, and how they can help.  Prod their hearts to encourage the lonely, give to the needy, and feed the hungry. May you be reflected in their actions and attitudes, and draw others closer to you.  You are a servant, Lord, may we be one too.  

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

Serving Wholeheartedly

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men."  Ephesians 6:7

Lyssa spent her Sunday afternoon watching the 4 little ones of a couple at our church so they could go on a little date.  She served wholeheartedly.

I pray that having a servant's heart will always come naturally to my kids; Lend a helping hand to the neighbor in need, doing a job that isn't theirs to do when there's something that needs to be done, and giving sacrificially of their time, talents, and finance.

Serving wholeheartedly is an outward sign of an inner heart that reflects Jesus.  May Alyssa and Kyle have hearts that desire to serve!

Lord, I pray that you teach Alyssa and Kyle to serve wholeheartedly, and when they serve they do it out of love and honor of you their God and Savior.  Others can pressure us to serve them, and overextend ourselves, and we often have to keep boundaries and make choices that are hard.  Give Alyssa and Kyle discernment and guidance to serve in the ways that you call them to, and in the ways you have gifted them.  When they are stretched and tired, give them the strength they need, and when the task is hard and out of their comfort zones, give them wisdom and the ability to finish well.  Mark their hearts with compassion, kindness, and giving as they serve wholeheartedly, as if they were serving you, not men.

 

Servant Assignments

Who do you think Paul is, anyway? Or Apollos, for that matter? Servants, both of us—servants who waited on you as you gradually learned to entrust your lives to our mutual Master. We each carried out our servant assignment. I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow. It's not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process but God, who makes things grow. Planting and watering are menial servant jobs at minimum wages. What makes them worth doing is the God we are serving. You happen to be God's field in which we are working."  1 Corinthians 3:5-9

"We each carried out our servant assignment."  What will be Lyssa and Kyle's "servant assignment" be?  How will they recognize God's leading and plan in their lives?  What will they do?  Who will they be?  In what ways will the serve our Savior with their lives?  Oh, I can't wait to see how they carry out their days ahead.

But those things they do?  "What makes them worth doing is the God we are serving."  May their hearts be so entwined with their Savior that they can't help but long to serve Him.

Thank you, Lord, for knowing the plans you have for Alyssa and Kyle.  Thank you that you will carry onto completion the work you are doing in their lives.  And thank you for the gifts and talents that you give them, and that they have opportunities to serve, teach, and bless others with those gifts.  I pray, dear Jesus, that Alyssa and Kyle will be attentive to your voice, and aware of your leading, as you continue to mold and make them into what you want them to be.  May they always follow you, and walk obediently in your path.  Use them to draw other people to yourself.  Allow them the opportunity to minister to others, and reflect you living in their lives.  Grow in them a trust and faith in you, so that no matter where you lead, they will follow!  Thank you, Lord, for whatever the servant assignment is for Alyssa and Kyle, and for the reminder that what makes them worth doing is you,  God we are serving.  I love you, dear Jesus, deeper than words can express.

 

Wordless Wednesday

The Nature of a Servant

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”  Hebrews 16:10

Alyssa and friend Luke...2004

How wonderful it is that nobody 

need wait a single moment before 

starting to improve the world.    

~Anne Frank

Helping Hands...2004

 

After raking leaves, we visited with Helen...90+ years old.

Lord, your very nature is that of a servant, and our attitudes should be the same.  It doesn't always come naturally to us to make ourselves nothing, or to give to others sacrificially.  It's easy to worry about what's in it for me, and to take care of myself.  I see it so evidently in my children at times, and I pray, dear Jesus, that they become people who love to help others, give generously, and sacrifice themselves for the benefit of others or you.  Give them eyes to see the needs of others, and how they can help.  Prod their hearts to encourage the lonely, give to the needy, and feed the hungry. May you be reflected in their actions and attitudes, and draw others closer to you.  You are a servant, Lord, may we be one too. 

Gifts & Time

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."  1 Peter 4:10

VBS "Advertising"...1997...Find Lyss & Kyle.

We are 2 days away from our church's Vacation Bible School.  VBS is one of our church's highlights each year, and we tend to do it up big.  In the final hours/.days before the big event, there are many things that need to be done, and many hours spent at the church.  Over the last three weeks, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching our church family pull together and use their gifts and talents to lend a hand to help.  Even Lyss gave some time and used her gifts.

By Lyss giving of her time, and using her gifts, she is a small part of changing children's lives at Vacation Bible School.  She is also a part of making the load lighter for others.  By her giving in this way she is blessing many other people's lives.

I pray that my kids will always be willing to use their time and gifts for the benefit of God and to bless others.

Thank you, Lyss, and dear church family for all your hard work!  What a blessing you've been, and will be in the coming week, to so many!

Oh Lord, you have gifted our children in so many ways, and you have specific purposes for their lives using those gifts.  Thank you for being their Master designer, and making them in such wonderful ways!  They are your children for sure!  I pray, dear Jesus, that they always choose to use their time and talent to serve you, help others, and show the world how to find you.  I pray that compassion fills their spirit, and flows out in their words and actions towards others.  I pray that they hold loosely to their own expectations, needs, and desires, and give freely of their time and talents to make a difference in other people's lives.  You can use their gifts in so many ways, if their hearts, minds, and bodies are willing.  In doing so they will be faithfully administering your grace in its various forms to others. Lord, thank you that you use us to show your love to others. Amen!

Be Like Shepherds

"Look after yourselves and everyone the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be like shepherds to God's church. It is the flock that he bought with the blood of his own Son."  Acts 20:28 (CEV)

My kids began attending church the Sunday following their birth and have been going most every Sunday since.  Church is where Alyssa and Kyle's friends are.  Church is their extended family.  Church is often their  entertainment.  Church has been vital in helping them lay a firm foundation for their faith.  A lot has been given to them because they've been active in our church.  Things I couldn't have given them on my own as a parent.

Though church will hopefully always a place that Alyssa and Kyle go, and that they will always reap the benefits of being a part of a church family, there will come a point where they can begin to have a part in the "work" of the church.  I think even now they can do little things to "be shepherds" to God's church.

They've worked in the nursery, helped with Vacation Bible School, washed windows and even read scripture in worship services, but somewhere along the way, I pray that they take hold of  the passion that God has for the church and for all the lost people in this world.  Even at this young age they can minister and encourage those who come through the doors of our church, or participate in evangelism to our neighbors, and they can even do work in the areas of conflict resolution among our body, or participate in the teaching of God's Word. 

Being like shepherds to God's church is a high calling, and comes with many opportunities, and may take hard work.  But I pray that it's a calling my children take hold of and live out, and that they always love the church.

Lord, encourage and prod Alyssa and Kyle to look after themselves and everyone the Holy Spirit has placed in their care. May they always be like shepherds to God's church. It is the flock that you bought with the blood of your own Son.  Your church is a precious thing, and you made it to be a blessing in our lives.  I pray that Alyssa and Kyle always choose to be a part of the church, and even when it's not "fun", or feels like hard work, they will choose to remain committed and active in honor of you.  I pray that they will always attend a church that is vital, active, and totally passionate for you, dear Jesus, and that they will be good shepherds for you!

Becoming a Missionary

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."  Matthew 4:19

Kyle...2010

I came upon this interesting quote the other day as I was reading Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest.  Just something to ponder...

"The goal of a missionary is to do God's will, not to be useful or to win the lost.  A missionary is useful and he does win the lost, but that is not his goal,  His goal is to do the will of his Lord."  (09/23 devotional)

I'd never thought of the term "missionary" in that light.  I'm praying that Alyssa and Kyle always choose to do the will of the Lord!  It won't always be easy, but it's a high calling that will reap God's abundant grace and blessing!

Lord, today I pray for my dear children, Alyssa and Kyle, and lift them before your throne.  Make their hearts and minds aware of your presence and call on their lives.  Urge them, Father, to always follow you wherever you lead and continually do your will.  In this, may others see your reflection in their lives, and be drawn to find you for themselves.  Being a fisher of men is a wondrous benefit that comes if Alyssa and Kyle would live in close relationship with you.  You, Lord, are the light of the world, and you are the precious Savior for all.  There is no greater calling in our lives, than to follow your will.

Heart of Service

"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them."  Hebrews 6:10

Alyssa and friends...2006

Every year our kids have to do some community service to earn some "stamps for camp".  I think that it's usually the last requirement they fill, in order to earn their full scholarship to go to summer camp.  One year (pictured above), Alyssa and her friends made dog biscuits from scratch, and then took them to the area Humane Society, for the homeless dogs.  Very sweet idea, but oh what a lovely mess they made.

I'm praying that as Alyssa and Kyle get older they don't continue to need "incentives" in order to serve others in our community, whether it be in our church or otherwise. I want their hearts to be moved to help others when they sense a need, or give of their time because it's a passion, and be a blessing to the hungry, hurting, or hopeless.  

I want our kids to make a difference in the life of someone else because God has made a difference in theirs.

Lord, give our children a servant's heart.  Move them to help those who need a helping hand.  May they spirit be marked by compassion for the hurting and hungry world around them. Whatever they do for one of the least of these, they truly do for you (Matthew 25:40).  Give them your eyes, dear Jesus, that they may see the world as you do, and make their hearts tender like yours.  Serving others is serving you, and you will not forget the ways they show love to those around them (Hebrews 6:10).   You will make Alyssa and Kyle's joy complete when they are like-minded, having the same love as you have, being one in spirit and purpose.  I pray that they do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than themselves. (Philippians 2:2-3)  May Alyssa and Kyle's lives be lived in honor of you, and may your glory be revealed in and through them.

I See A Generation

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."  1 Timothy 4:12

 Our family is attending the annual conference of our church.  There's a few things I love about this gathering, but I'll just share two.  It feels like a wonderful reunion of family and friends, and I love the worship times together.  A song from one of our worship times struck me as a beautiful prayer.  I've put in bold the particular part that made me think of my prayers for our kids.

HOSANNA

by Brook Fraser, Hillsong United

I see the king of glory

Coming on the clouds with fire

The whole earth shakes

The whole earth shakes

I see his love and mercy

Washing over all our sin

The people sing

The people sing

[Chorus]

Hosanna

Hosanna

Hosanna in the highest [x2]

I see a generation

Rising up to take their place

With selfless faith

With selfless faith

I see a near revival

Stirring as we pray and seek

We're on our knees

We're on our knees

[Chorus]

Heal my heart and make it clean

Open up my eyes to the things unseen

Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart from what breaks yours

Everything I am for your kingdoms cause

As I go from nothing to

Eternity

Hosanna

Hosanna

Hosanna in the highest [x2]

Lord, you are the King of glory, and I am on my knees in prayer to you this day.  Oh, how I want to see a generation, rising up to take their place in this community of believers...a generation with a faith so deep and wide, that nothing would stop them from taking on the calling of following Christ no matter where He leads.  I pray this for Alyssa and Kyle especially.  That people would not look down on them because they are young, but that they would be an example to others in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.  I pray for a revival in our children's hearts, that their faith becomes their own, and they live out of the firm conviction that you, Lord, are their God!  Let their generation take up your banner, and follow you all the days of their lives!

Hands That Work...#2

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands..."  1 Thessalonians 4:11

It's summer...according to the school calendar, not the weather.  This is just a side note, but I was so chilled last night, I turned on my electric blanket when I got into bed last night, and still shivered for an hour before I fell asleep.  It's the end of June, man!

Anyway, back to the real reason I'm writing...

It's summer, and my kids have little to keep themselves busy and productive.  As teenagers they are wanting to sleep the day away, lie on the couch all day, and not lift a hand.  Part of it's my fault because for the life of me, I can't find them a ton work to do around the house, and the things I could have them do, I do them myself....probably because it's just easier.  However, what am I teaching them, or what are they becoming?  I don't want them to be lazy slugggards, I have decided.  (Oh, won't that make their day.)

I think my kids are pretty good at doing jobs when I ask them to do them.  So, in some ways I find this problem mine.  However, helping out around the house does not come naturally to them.  They don't clean their rooms, for the sake of having a peace place to sleep.  They don't pick up the bathroom, because they know if a guest were to stop by, that is the bathroom they would naturally use and we would love it to be looking presentable.  They don't fold the laundry as it's piled high on my bed, ready to be folded, or do the laundry when they are out of clothes.  And do they empty the dishwasher, when they know it's full of clean dishes?  Nope, they just pile their dirty dishes in the sink, for the next guy to find the dishwasher ready to unload.

My kids don't come by working hard naturally.  Of course, I don't think that I did either.  (Funny, I just realized I wrote about this subject a month ago...Hands that Work)

As I've been running myself ragged with Vacation Bible School, and watching my kids soak in their summer or leisure, I just decided I needed to once again pray that they learn to have hands that work... and work hard!

Of course, I probably need to pray that I get better and teaching them this "art".

 Lyssa "helping" Dad put together her new dresser...2009

Lord, you've given us wonderful hands that can do most anything.  They can love, in one single motion.  They can worship and glorify you.  Or they can work hard.  Our hands are an amazing part of our physical makeup.  I pray, Lord, that our children learn to use their hands to do all these wonderful things.  I also pray that their minds learn to find the value of helping others, working hard, and doing their part in the world. They will have to choose to use their hands to make a good wage and provide for their families.  They will need to decide if their hands will keep a good home, take care of their children, and fulfill their responsibilities in life.  Give them minds and hands that choose work hard and do the things that you've called them to do.  Help our children to be disciplined, hard working, and compassionate to those in need of added assistance.  It comes naturally to be lazy, and allow others to do all the work, but I pray that Alyssa and Kyle will learn the value that comes when they use their hands even in the menial tasks of life.

Giving their Time and Talents

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."  1 Peter 4:10

Find Alyssa & Kyle...Our first VBS...1997

We are 6 days away from our church's Vacation Bible School.  VBS is one of our highlights each year, and our church does it up big.  In the final days before the big event, there are many things that need to be done, and many hours spent at the church.  The last two weeks, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching my daughter use her gifts and lend her hand to help.

 By Alyssa giving of her time, and using her gifts, she is a small part of changing children's lives at Vacation Bible School.  She is also a part of making the load lighter for others.  By her giving of her time and talents, she is blessing many other people's lives.

I pray that will always be true of her life.

Thank you, Alyssa, for all your hard work!  What a blessing you've been to so many!

Oh Lord, you have gifted our children in so many ways, and you have specific purposes for their lives using those gifts.  Thank you for being their Master designer, and making them in such wonderful ways!  They are your children for sure!  I pray, dear Jesus, that they always choose to use their time and talent to serve you, help others, and show the world how to find you.  I pray that compassion fills their spirit, and flows out in their words and actions towards others.  I pray that they hold loosely to their own expectations, needs, and desires, and give freely of their time and talents to make a difference in other people's lives.  You can use their gifts in so many ways, if their hearts, minds, and bodies are willing.  In doing so they will be faithfully administering your grace in its various forms to others. Lord, thank you that you use us to show your love to others. Amen!

Hands That Work

"The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work."  Proverbs 21:25

Apple Picking 2004

Loving to work does not come naturally to most, especially for kids.  I honestly can't remember a chore that I enjoyed. If I had to choose, I'd probably pick mowing the lawn as my favorite childhood job.  Of course maybe it's because I enjoy doing it now as an adult.  Who knows?  My least favorite chores, however, included picking potato bugs off the potato plants in our garden, weeding, and hauling wood.  Notice there were more jobs that made me cringe, than ones I enjoyed. I'm guessing my parents heard a whine or two from me once in a while.  Sorry, mom and dad!

Do you know why I love mowing the lawn now though?  I love the finished product.  I love seeing the clean cut lines in the grass.  Crazy, I know.  But there is something that brings great satisfaction when you see a job come to completion.  The sparkle in the fridge after cleaning it from top to bottom, the smell of clean laundry, and the feel of fresh sheets on the bed.  Yes, those are the joys of working at home, but there are other rewards that come when you choose to put your hands to good use.

"If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks."  Ecclesiastes 10:18

I'm praying that my children find pleasure in working hard...whether it be in a job, in a ministry, or in their own homes.  Working hard brings great reward, externally and internally.

You're growing up into adults, dear children.  It will be here in the blink of an eye.  God has great plans for you, and will use you to do mighty things if you're available!  Ready or not, here it comes.

 

Lord, you have created each of us for a purpose, and hope to use us to do mighty things.  You have great plans for the use of our hands and feet, as long as we make them available to you.  Sometimes the work is not fun, nor do we see the benefit of our efforts, but you call us to work at things, and work at them with all our hearts.  Please Lord, help our children to learn the value of working.  Show them the satisfaction that comes when they follow your calling in their lives, whether it is "hard" or not, and go where you say go.  Lead them Lord into the career you have planned just for them, and no matter how much work it takes, give them the tenacity and desire to keep at it.  Keep our children from being lazy, when they should be busy, and sluggards when there are things to be done.  At the same time, help them to find rest when life seems too hectic.  Lord, bless the work of their hands, and may their lives always glorify you.