Category: encouragement

3 is Better Than 2

Diana B.Leave a comment

“There are three kinds of people in this world. Those who are good at math and those who aren’t.”

My friend recently posted that quote on Facebook, and it made me laugh because I’m a journalist married to a mechanical engineer. Math isn’t my favorite subject.

And while I chuckle because that quote just doesn’t add up, it reminds me of another quote that doesn’t seem to add up either.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 – “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

The verse and several verses leading up to it seem to be explaining why two is so much better than one. And then all of a sudden it jumps to three and leaves me thinking, “Huh?”

After studying it more closely, this proverb applies to marriages. Companionship makes life better. Husband plus wife equals two, and two is better than one. Two can be more productive in work. One can take care of the other when he or she falls, and together they keep each other warm. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-11) Two is good.

But really, marriage is full of tension with various demands tugging each of us in multiple, sometimes opposite, directions. Children, school, work, housework, volunteer positions, extended family, friends, neighbors, and all the hobbies and activities we want to enjoy — these all can pull us away from each other and cause a marriage to unravel.

So yes, two is good, but two isn’t enough. Two can’t become a strong cord that’s not quickly broken, as the passage suggests, unless another one is added. Three is better than two. But how, in a marriage, do you get two to equal three?

For us, the One that makes our marriage a cord of three strands is Christ Jesus. He is Immanuel, God with Us. He is the third person Who braids our relationship together into something much stronger and much more satisfying.

Weaving Christ into our marriage translates as praying for each other daily. Usually we pray for each other out loud when we are together at the end of the day. Often we pray for each other on our own during the day. This spiritual discipline is something I greatly appreciate in my husband. We have not always done this, but making it a regular habit has truly transformed our marriage for the better.

A few years ago, my husband spent 10 days serving as a short-term missionary in a very remote jungle village in Nicaragua. No e-mail. No cell phone. No texting. Zip. So we had no contact with each other during that time, and it was extremely difficult to be apart. What comforted me most was knowing that Michael was praying for me at a specific time every day, and I was praying for him at that specific time, too. Our prayers for each other connected us when we could not connect otherwise, and that was so powerful.

But I couldn’t just pray for him at that one set time. One by one, worrisome thoughts came to me throughout the day every single day he was gone. What if he is sick? What if he is injured? What if he is in some sort of danger? What if I never see him again? My imagination could so easily run wild with all the unknowns! Those what-ifs were relentless and could quickly make me feel vulnerable and powerless — especially since we were thousands of miles apart and I was home with 5-year-old and 2-year-old in the middle of a cold January in Minnesota.

So one by one as they crept into my mind, I grabbed each of those what-ifs and dragged them to Christ Jesus in prayer. And you know what? He conquered the what-ifs for me. He victoriously and faithfully gave me peace — a peace that passed my understanding and a peace guarded my heart and mind (Philippians 4:6-7).

Prayer is a mighty powerful tool, and it is especially powerful when we pray God’s own words back to Him. His Word is alive and active and sharper than a double-edged sword; it can judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Praying God’s Word helps me keep my prayers for my husband aligned with God’s will, rather than my own selfish desires.

So how and when do you pray for your husband? Do you use Scripture when you pray?

Whether you are already praying for your husband or not, here are some excellent, Scripture-based resources to strengthen your prayers for him.

Renee Swoope: Praying from My Husband from Head to Toe

Revive Our Hearts: 31 Days of Praying for Your Husband

Also, Ann Voskamp has this exceptionally helpful post on prayer over at A Holy Experience: Seven Ways to Keep Your Home Strong, which includes seven ways to build a house of prayer.

Because Christmas is Forever

Diana B.Leave a comment

It’s Jan. 23. Nearly a month after Dec. 25. I’m still finding random Christmas items around the house that should have been boxed up weeks ago.

Just yesterday I stashed away a pile of Christmas-themed picture books and board books. And we still have a healthy stash of candy canes and other stocking-stuffer sweets lingering on the kitchen counter.

I think part of me wants to celebrate Christmas again on some random day in February. Pull out the books and the music. Bake up those sugar cookies we never got around to making this year, and maybe whip up another batch of our favorite cinnamon rolls. Mmmmm…

One of my favorite authors, she says you can have the most hope after Christmas. She shares this conversation with her youngest daughter Shalom, who is the same age as my youngest daughter.

“Mama?” Shalom walks beside me, holding my hand. “Will tomorrow be Christmas too?”

I know that feeling. Not wanting any of this wonder to wander away — or me from it.

“Well, I’m thinking… ” I stop, look out across the fields and the white and the stars. “I’m thinking that it’s Christmas now forever.”

Her laughter rings all around us.

“Yes, Mama, yes!” She spins around in snow, in the halo of the barn light, us all under stars.

“It is Christmas forever now — because Christ is always with us.”

I like the idea of Christmas forever, don’t you? Christ is always with us, and in John 14:23 He promises to make His home with us when we love Him and obey His teaching. Jesus calls us to love and serve one another, and He promises that we will be blessed by doing so. In fact, in John 15:14, He says we are His friends if we do what He commands.

So this year, as Jesus’ friends, we’re re-celebrating Christmas on Feb. 25 in a really big way. This celebration will include hope and food and gift-giving on an enormous scale, but we’ll skip the over-decorated balsam fir, homemade cinnamon rolls and sugar cookies.

On Feb. 25, our church family is teaming up with 10 other churches and three Minnesota organizations (Feed My Starving Children, Impact Lives and Kids Against Hunger) to package and send over 1 million highly nutritious meals to the Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya. Right now in the Horn of Africa, 12 million Ethiopians, Kenyans and Somalians are suffering through the worst drought in more than 50 years. The project is called the Hunger Initiative, and you can learn more about it at thehungerinitiative.org.

Friends, may I humbly offer a few wonderful ways for you — as Jesus’ friend — to join us in loving and serving these who are in such desperate need for food?

First, pray! This is a huge project with the potential of saving thousands of lives. Secondly, since it costs $50 to pack one box of food (about 216 meals), financial donations are needed and appreciated. You can click here to donate — our specific project is the Brookwood/Bridgewood/Oakwood – Feed My Starving Children project.

Or perhaps you might consider serving in a personal, long-term way by sponsoring a child in Ethiopia?

Two years ago our family began sponsoring Dawit (pictured above) through Children’s HopeChest. God has richly blessed us through the pictures and handwritten letters we have received from Dawit. And God is softening our hearts and our children’s hearts as we pray regularly for Dawit and his friends at Kind Hearts carepoint, as we send letters and care packages to him, and as we pray for the various mission teams and mission projects connected with Kind Hearts.

Trees of Glory is another Children’s HopeChest carepoint in Ethiopia, and it has several new children in need of sponsor families. Click here to learn more about this excellent child sponsorship program, coordinated by Karen Wistrom who blogs at Family from Afar.

Christ is with us, so let’s let the world know we are Christians by showing our love. Let’s celebrate Christmas forever!

No Fool

Diana B.3 Comments

“A man’s greatest care should be for that place where he lives longest; therefore eternity should be his scope.” – Thomas Watson (1620-1686)

Eternity was the scope of Jim Elliot.

Sixty-six years ago this month, Elliot and four other men, including pilot Nate Saint, were martyred in an effort to bring the Gospel to the Waodani (Auca) people of Ecuador.

Elliot died at age 28, and many might say his life was wasted, dying so young and leaving behind a wife and daughter. And he was doing what many would consider foolish — trying to befriend a tribe of savage killers.

But eternity was the scope of Jim Elliot.

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” – Jim Elliot (1927-1956)

Elliot gave his life on earth — a life that he could not keep. And he gained what he cannot lose — accruing friends for eternity by bringing the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Elliot’s death, and the deaths of the men with him, paved the way for the Gospel to spread to the Waodani people. Many lives were changed because of their ultimate sacrifices, and many who were inspired by these martyrs became missionaries themselves, further spreading the Gospel.

Sometimes Jesus’ followers have to lose their lives in service and witness so that many come to faith.

Jesus says in John 12:23-26:

“…unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”

Eternity was the scope of Jim Elliot.

Elisabeth Elliot, his widow, wrote two books about her late husband: Through the Gates of Splendor and Shadow of the Almighty: The Life and Testament of Jim Elliot. Elliot’s story is also featured in Torchlighters: The Jim Elliot Story, an animated movie for kids ages 8 to 12, and in Hero Tales Volume 2 by Dave and Neta Jackson. His story along with Nate Saint’s story is also featured in the 2006 movie The End of the Spear.

Re-Membering with Thanks This Christmas

Diana B.Leave a comment

Broken.

One adjective describes so much in this fallen world we all live in. A broken prong on the dishwasher. Broken springs on the garage door. A broken air conditioner in the heat of July. A broken vacuum cleaner. A broken pie plate. Two broken drinking glasses. A broken faucet handle. A broken lid on the trash can. A friend’s broken tap shoes, spilling tiny screws across the dance floor. A broken chair. Our neighbors’ broken mailbox. And, most memorable of all, our oldest daughter’s broken arm.

Yes, we live in a fallen world, teeming with brokenness. It can leave us broken down, broken-hearted or just flat broke.

Yet through the cracks of all our broken pieces, the Light shines.

“Here are the broken spots,” the tall doctor proclaims as he points to X-rays of my firstborn’s forearm, six weeks after her infamous fall on the playground.

And then he quickly corrects himself. “Actually, what I should say is: Here are the healing spots.”

Healing spots.

Yes, broken spots can become healing spots when exposed to the Light. A perfect spot at which to pause and thank God. He is the One who can not only heal us physically but also restore our broken relationship with Him when we believe in His Son, Jesus. And isn’t that relationship what needs fixed most of all?

Remembering to pause and give thanks to God has become a priority this year. From January to October, I counted up more than one thousand gifts – memorable moments of grace captured in words and photographs. In thanking Him regularly this way and watching closely for His goodness toward me and my family, I’ve learned so much about His unchanging character. God is who He says He is. God can do what He says He can do.

Even when little upside-down legs let go and bones crack and the whole world seems to come crashing down in a helpless heap near the monkey bars. Even then God never lets go. He never lets go. And even then, in those terrifying moments of brokenness, we can thank God for holding us together.

Author Ann Voskamp says it best: “Because when we remember how He blesses and loves us, when we recollect His goodnesses to us — our broken places re-collect. We re-member. We heal. In the remembering to give thanks, our broken places are re-membered — made whole.”

This Christmas we celebrate God’s greatest gift to us – His Son Jesus, the One holds us and all of creation together. Jesus is very familiar with brokenness. Isaiah 53 says Jesus was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins; He was beaten so we could be whole, and by His wounds we are healed.

And so we commune with God when we remember this truth, when we stop complaining, when we accept every moment with gratitude. In the Last Supper, Jesus himself exemplifies this. 1 Corinthians 11:24 says, “…when He had given thanks, He broke {the bread} and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ ”

Our joy this Christmas is not in perfect appliances or perfect dishes or perfect shoes or perfectly healed bodies. Our joy is the best gift, Jesus, the perfect Savior, the perfect Lamb of God, the One whose bones were never broken.

We also have joy in watching for the thousands of ways God loves us in every moment.

Won’t you take the dare, too? Won’t you count the ways He loves you? Count the ordinary, the amazing, the grace-filled moments of 2012 and see for yourself just how much He loves you, too. •

Diana has been happily married to a guitar and sailing fanatic for 15 years. She is a homeschool mother of two who regularly shares stories and photos here at starlightwriter.wordpress.com.

Faith-Building Biographies for All Ages

Diana B.Leave a comment

The neatly typed list of books was extensive — a full page with two or three columns of book titles, single-spaced. And I remember feeling overwhelmed when my 9th grade Advanced English teacher, Mrs. Frailey, boldly encouraged me and my classmates to read as many of them as possible during our high school years.

Although I read Jane Eyre and several of the recommendations, I’m not sure how many of those books I officially marked off the list four years later. But two decades later, I do remember the one book on that list that changed my life: The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom.

God used this Christian autobiography to teach me many biblical truths. His glory shines brightly throughout the book, especially as Ms. ten Boom and her sister endure horrific struggles while held in a concentration camp.

After college, I continued reading about Ms. ten Boom’s life in Tramp for the Lord and Jesus is Victor. She is undoubtedly a true hero of the Christian faith, and reading her story can quickly ignite a passion for following Christ.

Pastor John Piper of Desiring God Ministries in Minneapolis says God intends for the true stories of Christian heroes — such as Gladys Alyward, Martin Luther and John Calvin —  to not only encourage and strengthen our faith, but also guide and enrich our lives as we consider the outcome of their faith in Christ.

“Reading stories of great men and women combines lots of things that you could do separately,” he says. A Christian biography typically combines theology with the person’s real-life problems, struggles, marriage and family. It allows readers to learn about the person’s whole life — where he came from, what he does in the middle, what he does at the end, and how the Bible and God fit into his life.

“It’s like getting to know somebody,” Piper explains.

What’s more, Piper says the Bible instructs us to watch our leaders and  consider the outcome of their faith.

Hebrews 13:7 says, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”

“I don’t think it meant only living leaders because Hebrews 11 is all dead guys and gals,” he says. “You look at them and you are inspired.”

Piper concludes that reading Christian biographies is “life-giving, interesting, exciting, faith-building and Christ-honoring.”

So where do you start?

Just in time for Christmas, I’ve compiled this list of Christian biographies — as well as a few biographical DVDs — which offers something for all ages.

Most of these are already part of our family’s homeschool library. We haven’t read every word of all these yet, of course, but I have read enough to confidently recommend what’s here.

I pray that you find these biographies life-giving, faith-building and Christ-honoring as well. Happy reading!

Christian Biographies for All Ages

Hero Tales Volume I, II, III and IV: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Christian Heroes by Dave and Neta Jackson (ages 6 to 12)

Missionary Stories with the Millers by Mildred A. Martin (ages 6 and up)

Little Lights Biographies by Catherine Mackenzie (ages 4 to 7)

Light Keepers: Ten Boys Who…  by Irene Howat, a Five-Volume Boxed Set (ages 8 to 12)

Light Keepers: Ten Girls Who… by Irene Howat, Five-Volume Boxed Set (ages 8 to 12)

Torchlighters Series  (on DVD, ages 8 to 12)

Christian Heroes Then and Now a series of 25 books by Janet and Geoff Benge (ages 10 to 14)

5 Star Links: For the Church

Diana B.Leave a comment

My oldest daughter is getting baptized this Sunday in the lake! Oh, what joy! As parents, my husband and I are thrilled beyond words — and of course she is pretty excited about it herself.

Our church traditionally does baptisms in the lake during the annual church picnic. I think that’s a grand way to baptize folks — and much more sensible than the way the church did it years back. According to our pastor, our church used to do baptisms in the lake year-round. Now I understand the theology of suffering for the sake of the gospel, but can you imagine a full-immersion baptism in February? In the lake? In Minnesota? Evidently they cut a hole in the ice and went right ahead as usual. Yikes!

Speaking of church, I think we’re over-due for a 5-Star Friday, and this time around, I’m presenting links with a church-related theme.

1. 5 Ways to Make Your Kids Hate Church — The title alone hooks ya on this very convicting list by Thomas Weaver.

2. How Even Church Picnics Relate to God — Whether we eat or drink or picnic or whatever we do, we are to do it all for the glory of God, and in this article Pastor John Piper of Desiring God Ministries explains why church picnics matter for eternity.

3. Top 10 Reasons Not To Join a Church Plant — Church plants fascinate me; my husband and I have been members of two different “plant” churches, and this article by Justin Buzzard really nails it.

4. Young Children in Church — The “All is Loss” blog offers insight and grace for parents juggling small children in the pews.

5. A few months ago I purchased the Church History ABCs for my youngest daughter. We all enjoy reading this excellent introduction to key characters in church history. Augustine, Calvin and Vivaldi are our favorites so far. Here’s a great review of the book — and be sure to check out this site that has several activity sheets to go along with the book.

5 Star Links for Friday

Diana B.1 Comment

June is my favorite month, and not just because my birthday happens to be in June.

I love June because of the peonies that bloom.

And I love June because of the fresh fruit that gets more affordable, the daylight that seems endless, and the general glow that accompanies nearly everything about early summer.

All that said, the first Friday in June seems the perfect day for another 5-Star Friday!

This time around, these links are especially for moms — because I am one, because I love many dear friends who are moms, and because motherhood matters to God — and not just in the month of May!

Below are links to some great reading (and listening) that truly encouraged me in recent weeks, and I pray these encourage you as well.

1. When You Feel Like You Just Keep Blowing It by Ann Voskamp

2. Why Motherhood Should Be Graded on a Curve by The Gypsy Mama

3. The Danger of Moralistic Parenting by Elyse Fitzpatrick

4. The Sons of Thunder (Mother’s Day 2011) sermon at Church on the Move by guest speaker Joe McGee (5/8/11)

5. “Hidden in My Heart” CD from scripture-lullabies.com is so sweet and peaceful and fitting for all ages. I ordered three copies — one for myself and two to give to moms with newborns. You can preview the songs online.

May God richly bless all you mom-readers!

5 Star Links for Friday

Diana B.1 Comment

Woo-hoo! Today is a 5-star Friday! Time for me to share  links to great online reading, words that are edifying and share some true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy ideas.

1. Adeye at No Greater Joy Mom offers these “Good Words.” She’s right; words are powerful, as I concur in my own post: “Words I Can’t Edit.”

2. Kevin Deyoung’s “Parenting 001” really cracked me up. It’s so true-to-life, and be sure to stick with it to the last paragraph, which explains his noble aim in parenting.

3. Over at Heart of the Matter, Cindy West’s “Why Study Nature?” provides biblical reasons for studying God’s creation. Her intended audience is homeschoolers, but I think it applies to any parent at home with kids this summer.

4. Speaking of summer, it’s crunch time for making summer plans! In the first part of two, “Summer Goals for Family Fun and Growth” over at Mentoring Moments for Christian Women is an excellent resource when evaluating what to do and what not to do. I am eager to read the second part whenever it goes live!

5.  Another very admirable article on summer — and heaven — and how Christians should view both is “Summer Mindset” by John Piper. I adore this lovely quote: “That’s what summer is: God’s messenger with a sun-soaked, tree-green, flower-blooming, lake-glistening letter of love to show us what he is planning for us in the age to come—’things which the eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered into the heart of man, God has prepared for those who love him’ (1 Corinthians 2:9). Don’t fall in love with the video preview, and find yourself unable to love the coming reality.”

I pray that these words encourage and edify you as much as they did me. Enjoy the weekend and your summer, too!

Encouraging Words: Be Armed and Dangerous!

Diana B.Leave a comment

Note: It’s the second Wednesday of the month — an Encouraging Words Wednesday! After you’re done here, be sure to check out Renee Swope’s Encouraging Words over at Proverbs 31 Ministries and enter to win a Confident Heart Friendship Gift Pak.

“The only real word of encouragement comes from the Word of God.”

So says Rachael Carman. She’s a homeschool mother and an author and speaker for Apologia Educational Ministries.

The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit, and that sword is heavy. We must build up our muscles in order to use it well, she says.

Wow! If we want our words to encourage others, we really need to be speaking God’s Words! And how can we speak them if they aren’t carved into memory? 

A few years ago, I went through a season during which God constantly reminded me to hide His living, active Word in my heart and to speak His Word in prayer. No matter where I went, that was the message I heard over and over.

The first reminder came as I was preparing to teach a Sunday School class of preschoolers and Kindergarteners. We were learning about Jesus in the desert being tempted by the devil, and there it was: Jesus victoriously using God’s Word, the sword of the Spirit, to fight the enemy and his lies. The devil had to flee, remember?

Oh, I wish you could have seen the surprised faces when I drew my plastic sword to hook the kids’ attention! As a mother of two girls, I never imagined those little boys would have so much to say about swords. They were ready to fight!

Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

The next reminder came during a women’s Bible study, Believing God, as author and speaker Beth Moore told us to be “armed and dangerous.”

That is, armed with God’s Word and dangerous to the devil.

Beth recounted a time when she was walking her dogs with her husband at his deer lease. A rattle snake reared its ugly head, ready to strike. In one very swift movement with his shotgun, Beth’s husband Keith immediately blew off the snake’s head. My apologies to any snake lovers that may be reading this, but what a vivid illustration of how God’s Word can crush the devil!

Finally, that fall at a church luncheon for women, another reminder came from keynote speaker Phyliss Masters, a retired missionary. Just 18 months before her husband was martyred, Phyliss had resolved to memorize God’s Word. She memorized one verse of Scripture a day, rehearsing and reviewing each verse for 49 days so that she would hide it in her heart for life. Phyliss had hundreds of Bible verses memorized at the time of her husband’s death, and she testifies that God’s Word proved itself quick and powerful over and over again.

My season of constantly being encouraged to memorize Scripture concluded just as Beth Moore kicked off her 2009 Siesta Scripture Memory Team. I participated, and I must say that it was just the accountability I needed! God’s Word changed my life that year, especially my prayer life. Praying God’s Word back to Him is powerful!

Beth didn’t coordinate a Scripture Memory Team for 2010, but God provided me accountability through a small group that my husband and I were in. Together, we have all committed nearly a dozen verses to memory — word-perfect and with the topics and references, too. It can be done! By the grace of God, it can be done!

This year I’ve been involved in Beth Moore’s Siesta Scripture Memory Team again, and this time around I pushed a few friends into joining along with me.

God not only licenses us to conceal and carry His Word as a weapon, but He also empowers us to use it, as 2 Timothy 3:16 says, for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.

May we always be quick on the draw!

If you are not already in the habit of memorizing Scripture, be encouraged. You can do it! And there are lots of ideas to motivate you and plenty of tools to help.

Here are a few of my favorite resources on Scripture memory: 

1. Memorizing Scripture: Why and How by John Piper

2. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Bible Memorization by Ann Voskamp

3. Help in memorizing God’s Word: Verse Card Maker

4. Word Up! It’s the Writing on the Wall (a post of mine)

5. Resolution: To Pray Better for My Kids (also a post of mine)

If you are already memorizing Scripture but would like to stretch those muscles a little more, consider the challenge of committing entire books to memory! An Approach to Extended Scripture Memorization by Dr. Andrew Davis has great guidelines for exactly how to do this. I think I’m going to try it!

Don’t forget to check out Renee Swope’s Encouraging Words over at Proverbs 31 Ministries. You’ll be blessed!

Encouraging Words

Diana B.Leave a comment

 

It’s the second Wednesday of March, and that means it’s the first-ever Encouraging Words Wednesday!

Check out Renee Swope’s excellent devotional over at Proverbs 31 today, and then read all about Encouraging Words Wednesday on Renee’s blog.

Who can you encourage today?