"God Talk" With Your Kids

Here’s a tough question for most parents who consider themselves to be Christians: “How many times in a week do your kids hear or see you talking to the God you follow?” This one may be even tougher, “When is the last time you talked to your kids about what God is doing in your life or what He may be trying to do in theirs?”

Research done by the Search Institute proves my observations to be correct.  Less than 12% of teens claim to have any conversations of a spiritual nature with their kids. It gets worse… only 5% have these kids claim to have faith conversations with their dads. 

In spite of these findings, all Christian parents would desire that their kids develop a faith that will sustain them through the temptations and struggles of life. The question is, how will they learn that God is real and ever present if He is, in fact, a stranger in their home?

When it comes to boldness, there is no better place to let your faith show than in your home with your kids. I'm sure your church works really hard teaching your kids of a loving, relational God, but witnessing that love and relationship will do more than anything the very best Children's Ministry can do in the very limited time they have with them.

Here are a few tips that will help PARENTS begin to acknowledge God's presence in your home...

P - Pray out loud. Let them hear you talk to God. When you see a firetruck in route say, "God keep them safe and help whoever is involved in this emergency." When you find your keys say, "Thanks, God for helping me find my keys." When you eat or at bedtime or on the way to school, "God, help us to hear your instructions so we can be better followers."

A - Apologize to them. Everyone makes mistakes, even parents. Kids learn about repentance as they see it modeled. "I'm sorry I yelled instead of listening better." "I'm sorry I was unkind to daddy." "I'm sorry I wasn't there... didn't help... jumped to conclusion... was grumpy... I know God wants me to do better... " Plenty of opportunities arise for us to demonstrate a contrite spirit and a humble heart.

R - Recognize and Identify God's Handiwork. Be on a constant God hunt. Pay attention to where He is working and what He is doing and talk about it. "I love the way God painted the butterflies... sky... the way he created animals with their own camo... the way he made you smart like your dad or beautiful like your mom... the seasons change... the rainbow..."  Open your eyes and ears and notice Him!

E -Empower them to serve. Help them to see the needs around them everywhere, all the time. Serve in a soup kitchen as a family, visit a reputable website to learn how to help the needy around the world, help the elderly load their groceries and take care of their cart, open doors for moms who need a hand, tutor a younger child, invite the lonely to a holiday dinner, above all- model serving one another in love

N - Never stop learning. Your Bible is your connection to the heart of God. It will help you know him so you can share him with your kids. Read Bible Story books to them, rent or buy DVDs that tell Bible Stories. Put a Bible App on your phone so that you are constantly involved in a reading plan. Be regular church attenders and volunteer to teach children... preparing a lesson is a great tool for learning!

T - Thankfulness is a great way to demonstrate your trust in God. Focus on all His blessings rather than all you may feel you are lacking. Play the Thankful Game at the table and go around several times stating what you thank God for as you eat your meal. At bedtime list a dozen things you are thankful that God provided today. Refuse to fall into the "I want" trap and rebuke self pity at all times

S - Sing! Kids learn so much better when you put words to music. Invest in some kids CDs so that as you travel they can hear words of Scripture or truths they will carry with them.  If your kids are older, tune the radio to Christian broadcasting. 

 “God, make us aware of the critical need to model  what it means to walk with You in our daily lives and give us the boldness to live our faith out loud at home and everywhere we go.”

It was by faith...

At this writing I am at Fort Wayne International Airport awaiting my flight, which will end in Brisbane Australia in about 26 hours. This past week has been a whirlwind of activity trying to see everyone just one more time, one more hug, one more "I love you."  Lists were made- double and triple checked. Bags packed, unpacked, repacked. At last the time has come for the journey of a lifetime into an unknown world.
Though my flight will end in Australia and I know I will see God working in amazing ways, it will just be the beginning of the road.  I am reminded of all of the people listed in Hebrews 11 whose life was transformed from the ordinary to the extraordinary, not because of who they were or because of any special favor. It was because they had faith that God knew what he was doing, so what He said to do, they did. Throughout this process I kept wondering, "Why me? Why did God choose me?" I wonder, did Rahab ask that? Or Abraham? I think so.

That's A First!

I think the people of Queensland Australia are constantly amazed at how all the things that seem commonplace to them are extraordinary to me.  The sights, the sounds, the tastes. Each day holds something that makes me so aware of how similar we are as people, even though our environments are so different.  I am way past due updating my blog. Some internet issues and a very busy schedule have kept me away lately. Let me just say that all is well here and show you some of my extraordinary experiences...

Our Amazing Time Together

 Lady Musgrave Island

A

The Next Chapter

Saying 'good-bye' to Australia

          And 'Hello'
 to my Indiana home....

There wasn't a day that passed in Australia that I wasn't filled with awe at it's beauty. Even in the rain, there were just so many amazing sights and sounds. I often wished that the people back home could be there to enjoy it with me.  I even feared that leaving that paradise and returning to a home surrounded by corn fields would be difficult. Yet, last week when my grandson asked if I missed Australia, I was able to honestly say, "only the people." I am glad to be back enjoying the sights and sounds of my Indiana home.

I do desperately miss the wonderful people who made my life so rich while I was there. They are family to me and I think of them often.  You can't live among such incredible folks for three months and then fly away without having some serious sorrow knowing that you may never be able to hug them, share morning tea with them, laugh with them, and walk closely beside them this side of eternity. They enriched my life and broadened my horizon.  They helped me to see how very important it is to be an encourager. They helped me to see myself and know myself better than I ever had. They allowed me to use the gifts God has given me to pour into their lives. Facebook, email and skype are great tools to keep us connected. And I am so grateful for that. But I long for time sitting across from them, just sharing life over 'tea and crumpets.' (okay, I only actually had tea and crumpets once, but you get the picture.)

I am also grateful for the home God has provided for me right here in Indiana. As I sit on the porch composing this blog I can hear 5 different kinds of birds, an insect or two, squirrels scampering through the woods behind the house, swans clumsily landing in the lake across the road... and... is that the sound of a garter snake rustling through the leaves from last autumn that got trapped in the early growth of Lily-of-the-valley right beside me?  No worries, there are no poisonous or deadly snakes to fear in my yard here.

Home is a beautiful place to be. If I lose everything, I  pray that I will never lose the ability to be grateful for all the blessings with which God surrounds me every single moment of my life, no matter where I find myself. I want to fall asleep praising Him every night and wake up praising Him every morning.

"The faithful love of the Lord never ends. His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."                                                          Lamentations 3:22-23  NLT

Two Wonderful Weeks with the Wang Family

Meet the Wang Family... Emily, Andrew and eight-year-old Shirley.   They are solid members of Journey Church. They love God and are anxious to bring others to know and follow Him.  Not sure of the names of those 2 guys in the background. 

Emily is a homemaker and loves to have house guests. You can find her chopping and cooking or reading at any time of the day. Cooking and learning are her passions. She also volunteers at Shirley's school 2 afternoons per week.  The food has been delicious and nutritious.  She is a beautiful, warm person who cares deeply about others and prays faithfully.  She is teaching in the pre-school class at Journey once a month.

Andrew is a research Chemist currently working at Griffith University.  He is full of personality. He is a great husband and father.  He does the dishes after every meal and will not accept help from anyone.  Says he likes the feeling of accomplishment.  He has a great since of humor and is Shirley's best bud.

Shirley is in year 3 at Pacific Pines Primary School.  She  loves to read and write and would rather learn that play.  She has seen few movies and never played a video game, yet somehow she is still able to live. 

She just started learning the violin and has mastered "Mary Had A Little Lamb" and  "Hot Cross Buns"

After school every day she does lessons in Chinese and loves the challenge.  She is never bored, because there is always something to be learned.  She is a great writer and someday plans to be an author and a veterinarian. 

She likes to play with friends....

Walks to school in the rain without complaining...

Keeps a tidy room, making the bed meticulously and caring for her dirty clothes.

This is my room while I am here.  Very comfortable with artwork above the bed by, none other than Shirley!

We have had a fabulous time getting to know each other; teaching Chinese customs and western traditions.  We listen well to each other and the language barrier has been minimal.  Each day we share stories and learn more about each others backgrounds and families.  They are now part of my family and will remain so.  It is hard to believe that in such a short time my family has grown so much. I will be leaving behind some amazing people, yet taking with me the richest memories.
Thank you, Lord, for this amazing experience and these amazing people.

If Jesus Had Lived In A Rain Forest...

If Jesus had lived in a rain forest the parable of the sower found in Luke 8 would have had a different twist.  I think he would have talked about the seeds of the Strangler Fig that were placed, by birds, in the crevices near the tops of other trees. The seeds would stretch to reach the sun that would never make its way to the floor of the forest due to the lush canopy overhead.  As they grew upward they would also send down roots on the outside of the host tree until eventually they would find the rich soil they needed to sustain a long and healthy life.

But there is more to this story than survival. As the Strangler Fig sends down its roots, they actually choke the life out of the host tree.  Eventually there is no trace of the original tree and all that remains are the columns of roots, completely hollow in the center, yet strong and tall and full of life.

As I saw these trees in the rain forest here in Australia I kept thinking of the lessons to be learned from the Strangler Fig.  At first I thought about how, when allowed to find a home within our lives, sin will easily take up residency and what seems so harmless in the beginning (just a tiny seed) becomes deadly, destroying our very soul. We have all seen it happen. I am seeing it in the lives of some families that attended Journey Church in the past, but have allowed sin to dominate their lives and are now nothing more than empty people living empty lives.












From another perspective I could see something beautiful happening. Something that I want so desperately in my own life.  Something Paul talked about.  I want to die to self and the desires of the flesh. I want to realize how insignificant I truly am. I want to decrease so that Christ might increase.  I want to let go of life so that I might be transformed into a new creation.  I want people to see Jesus alive and well and not be able to see Jackie at all.  What I have to offer alone is worthless, but when I am completely enveloped in His will I am strong, capable and ready to go where He wants me to go and be who He needs me to be.

12 Days In Paradise

Waterfall flowing through the Natural Arch 

I think it has been obvious to all that my first 6 weeks in Australia have been filled with amazing sights and wonderful people.  The arrival of my hubby made it a true paradise. He rented a car and had no trouble driving with the steering wheel on the right and our lane on the left.  We traveled as far north as the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef and enjoyed snorkeling around Lady Musgrave Island. We went into the hinterlands and enjoyed the natural arch and the waterfalls. Australia Zoo took us up close to the kangaroos and koalas (yes that is a real koala in his arms) and we visited the light house in Byron Bay in New South Wales.  

He is back home now but we have dozens of pictures and memories to last a lifetime. 

God is so Good!

The view from Best Of All Lookout of New South Wales all the way to the coast

One of many friendly kangaroos at the Australia Zoo

Snuggling a live koala at Australia Zoo

On Lady Musgrave Island, Great Barrier Reef

Waterfall somewhere near Springbrook Mt. One of several beautiful sights.

A Walk In The Garden

A week ago the pre-school class at Journey Church colored a picture of the Serpent in the Tree of Knowledge enticing Eve with the fruit.  That is always the way the picture looks, no matter the curriculum. Satan is in the tree tempting Eve to have a bite.  This morning, however, as I read Genesis 3 my mind’s eye saw a picture of a cunning creature walking and talking with Eve in the periphery of the garden; the places where Eve’s daily life would normally take her. She knew to stay away from the center of the garden where the forbidden fruit grew. Her relationship with God was strong and she had no desire to disobey Him.  The Tempter had to come to her. 

I picture Satan visiting her in the safest part of the Garden, having small talk, building a comfortable relationship, before he began to attack the good and proper thinking that God had established in her.  God had surely warned her that she must listen to His voice alone, lest she be drawn to a place of certain peril. But Satan, being the crafty one, knew he had to convince her that he was her friend; a comfortable fellow with which she could easily relax; a comrade who could be trusted.

As I work with the people of Journey Church, these new followers of Christ, I see people who love walking with God in the cool of the Garden. They are happy with the new relationship they have with Him, yet there are times in their week when they struggle to see the Tempter as evil, because he has walked with them long enough to have built a relationship with them. They readily hear his voice and easily turn to see what he is saying. They do not see the danger, because they are in the Garden where they walk with God.

 “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” asks Satan.  He takes a bite of the forbidden fruit in front of her, looking alive and quite well.  “You will not die…You will be like God,” says he, as juice drips from the corner of his mouth, smiling at the sweetness of the harmless looking fruit. 

What I am observing here in Australia are common temptations that bring about the death of a beautiful and innocent relationship with God. It is the temptation of a relationship that is unwholesome, the fire of unbridled anger, the self-centered spirit that refuses to “prefer one another in love,” the lure of the bottle to settle the troubled spirit at the end of a difficult day, the call of just one more ‘need’  that interferes with much needed family time, the unforgiving attitude that keeps couples looking back to what was rather than looking forward to what can be. 

My new friends are young in their faith. They are receptive to someone holding up that x-ray machine so they can see that the beguiling temptations that lure them are, at the core, merely a crafty enemy seeking to destroy their new found faith.  They listen. They hear. They ponder the options. Sometimes they turn away from the center of the garden where the forbidden fruit grows and sometimes they slip back in and take another bite.  But now they have been told. They have tasted the sweeter fruit of walking with God in the garden of life and, for most of them there is repentance and restoration.

I guess people are much the same… no matter the hemisphere they call home.  Please continue to pray for these beautiful people who have become my dear friends. Pray that they will see that sin never pays what temptation offers.  Pray that I will lead effectively with wisdom and love.  Pray that their particular temptation will be less and less enticing and they will enjoy those quiet walks with God in the garden.

The Walk

Today was a beautiful day in Pacific Pines. The breeze was heavenly so I determined it to be the best time for a walk.  You have no idea how brave I felt heading out on my own in a suburb where all streets are 90 degree slopes; all streets are uphill; all streets curve so that you can't see where you have been or where you are going. And did I mention that I am completely directionally challenged?
In the picture above, if you can spot a utility trailer in a driveway, you are looking at the house that I left on this courageous journey. I took this picture about half way up the first hill. You may choose to believe that I simply turned around to snap this beautiful shot of Victoria Drive... or if you know me better you know that my legs had turned to led, fiery, molten led.  I stopped and turned around, walking backwards up the slope hoping to ease the fire in the muscles that have been happily dormant for most of my life.  That lasted for about ten feet and it was apparent that I needed more of a break to catch my breath. So glad I had my camera with me to make me look like a tourist rather than just a totally out of shape middle-aged woman. Do you think I fooled anyone? It came in handy several times on that walk. When I couldn't remember which street I was on... stop and take a picture while praying for my guardian angel to show up and direct me... take another each time I needed to rest... take another whenever I felt myself turning blue from oxygen deprivation...  I got several nice shots of the city in my hour long adventure! By the time I return to Indiana I will be in much better shape... right?

At the top of the first hill there is a T and you can turn right and go up this hill or turn left and take a steeper hill. I turned left.  Must have been the oxygen deprived brain making the decision. 

Beautiful cloud shadows across the hinterland (mountainous region on the edge of town)

The sky was beautiful all day.  It was clear tonight and I could see constellations unlike the typical dippers I see at home.  The Southern Cross and Orion. The universe just keeps getting bigger and bigger to me. 

So many places to stop and pray for the city and all the lost people who need to meet Jesus and follow him.

 Please continue to pray for the ministry of Journey Church as we try to reach a community of people who are lost and don't even know it. I can feel the Spirit at work in the hearts of the believers and in the three short weeks that I have been here I have been able to see their level of commitment deepen. God is preparing the laborers and the harvest is ripe. Your prayer support is highly sought and valued by Journey Church.

Happy Valentine's Day!

 Today is Valentine's Day in Australia. For all of my friends in America who are spending it alone... without their true love by their side, I just want you to know that, having already been there a day ahead of you, the world doesn't come to a screeching halt.
 It's just another day... another opportunity to love God and love others.
I wonder what the world would be like if there was more thought put into loving well, than being loved in a way that meets our needs or expectations.
I am truly blessed to have a husband that loves me in a way that helps me to be free to become all that God calls me to be.  People say we are lucky. After 35 years our love continues to grow stronger and our joy becomes more complete.  Not because we are lucky, special or perfectly suited to each other but because we are both committed to honoring each other above ourselves and praying for each other.  It doesn't come naturally, but once you have tasted the sweetness of it, eventually it becomes a way of life that you never want to be without.  Today I am on the other side of the world from Dana, wishing he were here with me, but knowing that our love grows stronger even apart because of a God who makes it so. Feeling pretty blessed!

Pictures from Down Under

Beautiful scene from the backyard pool of a family from Journey Church. They live in the same neighborhood as I, but at a higher elevation.
They are a lovely family: Greg and Kim, Maddie and Christian.  Keep them in your prayers as they seek to establish a godly home for their children.

I am standing in front of the building that Journey is privileged to rent every Sunday. It is a wonderful building and part of Pacific Pines Primary School.

We arrive two and a half hours before church starts for a variety of reasons. This Sunday I discovered that the room had been used for a variety of science experiments and set up took a bit longer.  I think that must have been a very fun class for the kids!

Here you see a traditional Australian Bar-b.  No open fires allowed.  Even in the parks they provide gas grills rather than the fire pits we have in America.
About once a month they have what they call a 'sausage sizzle' after church to promote time for visiting and unity. Just wrap a piece of white bread around it, top with onions or bbq sauce, if you like, and enjoy!
Shall we throw another sausage on the bar-b for you?

We drink primarily water here. Understand why?
Groceries are quite high and the Ravells have families over for a meal a few times a week to build relationships. Pray that God will stretch their dollars to enable them to continue this ministry of hospitality.

Meat pie and veggies!  My Super Bowl lunch. Yes, it was on here and I watched the whole thing.... but I didn't eat the whole thing... too much mince. That's what they call the mixture of meat they use, which is lamb and beef (I think). If it isn't, don't tell me!