Truth IS stranger than fiction!

In January I started reading through the Bible beginning with Genesis.  I am currently reading the book of Ezra in the Old Testament.  Have you read the Old Testament lately?  Some of it can be a little dull, I must admit, but so many of the stories and prophesies are absolutely fascinating!  I love how I learn new things each time I read through the Bible, and how different things pop out at me.  As I explained this concept to my kids, my 3 year old was trying to understand.  He said,  "Oh, God changes the words in the Bible every time you read it!?"  Nope, the words have stayed the same.

Here is what got my attention as I was reading just now:
Ezra 1:1-2 (and then grab your Bible and keep on reading!)
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing:  "This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah."

When I think of the time before Jesus came to earth, I always think about God communicating primarily with the Jewish people.  Silly me.  God is so much bigger than that!  Ezra is a great account of how God also interacted with those who were not Jewish.  Cyrus let over 42,000 Israelite people return to Jerusalem to rebuild God's temple.  When their work was hindered by other people, God directed king Darius to find Cyrus' decree in the archives and to write a new decree stating that the work on the temple should continue and that it would be funded by his kingdom.  God did not choose even king David to build his temple, but he chose to work through Cyrus and Darius.  This reminds me to pray for the leaders of our country and the leaders of other countries.  God can use even the most unlikely candidates to do his will.

This is just one of many amazing accounts that are recorded in the Bible.  Whether you believe that the Bible is true or not, whether you have read it a hundred times, or never, I strongly encourage you to pick up a Bible each day and read some of it.  I firmly believe that the Bible is true and accurate and I find it so interesting to ponder the world's history in relation to God's role in it.  If you are reading this and do not have a Bible, please let me know and I will be happy to send one to you.

Santa?

Last year my kids asked me if Santa was real.  Wanting to always tell them the truth, I let them know that he was pretend.  They decided they want to believe in Santa anyway!  Pretty funny.

Today, my 5 1/2 year old daughter said to me, "Mommy, I don't believe in Santa anymore.  Well, actually I do.  But when I turn six, I'll stop believing in him."

What and why?

Recently I read through the book of I Peter in the Bible. It contains so many words of truth and wisdom that require further study, contemplation, and most of all ACTION!

The verse that stood out most to me as I read was I Peter 3:15.
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."

The book of I Peter mentions multiple times the importance of, and a command to, show respect for others. I pray that my children will have this respect in their hearts, and outwardly in their behavior. How are they to learn this? By God working in their hearts, by me teaching them, and by the model I show them.

Dear Jesus, please continue to teach me how to respect everyone I interact with. Please soften my heart and keep it soft and pliable to your ways. Please open my eyes to see you and your will; my ears to hear you; my heart to obey you. Show me how to respect authority, my family, and every person I encounter. Thank you Jesus for speaking to me through scripture! Amen.

Back to the middle portion of I Peter 3:15. "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." Reading this reminds me that I need to take the time to put into words the reasons for my faith in Jesus Christ. I must have a ready response describing what I believe and why I believe. Also, what am I doing in my life, how do I come across to others in a way that leaves them wondering and compelled to ask about the reason for my hope?

I find that I'm able to give a reason for the hope that I have. Jesus Christ loves me, He has forgiven me, He is my daily hope! But what if someone needs or wants to know more than that? I don't necessarily have a succinct answer prepared to describe exactly why I believe and what I believe. What I have in my brain is more a jumbled mass of decades of Sunday School lessons,sermons, and Bible reading that I've never taken time to put into a coherent message to share with others.

Ephesians 6:19-20 "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel... Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."

It is time for me to take specific, determined action and put into words my belief in Jesus Christ... what I believe and why. I need to look up and memorize Bible passages that will help me share my faith. This is my goal for this week.