Author Archives: Kathy

Created to be Creative

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Craft time was always my favorite part of Vacation Bible School. Milk carton bird houses. Popsicle stick picture frames. Tissue paper stained glass windows. I fashioned all these works of art and more. It took only a bit of creativity and a lot of Elmer’s Glue.

As I grew, so did my love for “crafts.” I tried everything from sand art to hooked rugs to cross-stitch. Unfortunately, I only finished half the first rug, but cross-stitching actually stuck well into my thirties. I made several things for our first home and even gifted quite a few “masterpieces.”

After all three kids came along I traded needlework for scrapbooking. Crafting and preserving precious memories was the perfect creative outlet for me! My scrapbooking fervor lasted until God called me to seminary. School and study replaced scrapbooking. Now I craft through writing.

Creation, creativity

God showed His beautiful creativity in the Plumbago

The compulsion to creatively express oneself is common to all humans. Art in its various forms crosses all cultures and languages. Wherever we find people we find artistic expression.

Humans are creative beings by nature because the Creator made us in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). When we create – when we freely demonstrate our artistic bent – we reflect the nature of God to the world. God’s divine stamp can be seen in our handiwork. And our God is definitely creative.   (Read the rest here)

This is only part of the post. You can read it in its entirety at SeasonsWithSoul.com. This post is part of a series on creativity, “Igniting Your Creative Passions for His Glory.” Thank you Elizabeth Ann for allowing me to be your guest today!

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4 Faith Steps for Hard Times (Pass it Down!)

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One primary reason young people give for turning away from faith is that it lacks relevance for their lives. They just don’t see what difference it makes. Why bother?

This is the third post in a series about leaving a legacy of faith. (See intro post and “3 Ways to Pass it Down with Purpose“.) We can pass down a spiritual legacy with purpose when we stand firm on our faith through hard times. When we do, the young people in our lives will see our faith works. That it makes a difference in the trials and difficulties of life. That faith holds relevance for their lives too.

Spiritual legacy, Ruth Where did Ruth’s faith come from?

In the Bible, Naomi beautifully demonstrates this truth with her own life. Usually when we study the book of Ruth, we focus on the young Moabite’s declaration of faith to commit herself to Naomi and to Naomi’s God (Ruth 1:16-18). Yet, how often do we wonder what fostered such a great display of faith?

Naomi was Ruth’s faith example. Through hunger, a change in countries, the loss of a husband, and the loss of her sons Naomi demonstrated a faith worth having. A relevant faith. A faith that brought her through the trials to the other side.

That’s the kind of faith Ruth wanted. The kind that works for life.

4 Faith Steps for Hard Times

As I studied Naomi’s life, I noticed 4 ways she responded with faith in the midst of her trials. Naomi’s purposeful actions of faith no doubt impacted Ruth:

  1. Naomi was honest about her pain (Ruth 1:20-21) – Naomi changed her own name from “lovely” to “bitter.” She left Israel “full,” but was returning “empty.” Believers it’s okay to admit we’re struggling! When we’re honest about our need, then we’re free to lean on Jesus!
  2. Naomi acknowledged God’s sovereignty (Ruth 1:20-21) – Naomi never lost sight of the truth that no matter what came into her life God was still in control. Even if she didn’t understand the “why” she could truth the “Who.”
  3. Naomi watched for God’s activity, prayed, and sought His help (Ruth 1:6-9) – Naomi had not given up despite the severity of her trials. She actively sought God’s help and watched for His response.
  4. Naomi moved to where God was actively working (Ruth 1:6, 22) – As soon as Naomi learned of God’s provision for His people in Israel, she moved to where He was acting. She placed herself right in the middle of His activity.

Naomi demonstrated a rock solid faith in God in the midst of hardship. Her unwavering faith left a lasting impression on her daughter-in-law Ruth. Ruth’s faith later joined with her husband Boaz. Then their cord of faith continued to run through their descendant David and on to Jesus.

This cord was woven in hardship. When one woman stood firm on her faith in God through the difficult times. Then the cord was passed and passed again.

What about you? How do you respond when trials and difficulties hit? How has your life demonstrated a rock-solid, relevant faith to those around you?

 

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3 Ways to Pass Faith Down with Purpose

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We are just one generation away from godlessness.

This sobering statement is unfortunately true. Last week we began a series on passing down a spiritual legacy. Today, we’ll see we must be purposeful in our efforts.

spiritual legacy, Deut 6:7-9

My father with my grandson

Consider the Israelites after they entered the Promised Land. For forty years, God showed Himself to His children in powerful and miraculous ways. He broke their bonds of slavery in Egypt, led them through the desert with His presence, provided for their every physical need, and gave them victory over their enemies in Canaan.

Yet, not long after the last battle was won and they had all settled down to enjoy homes they did not build and fields they did not plant (Deuteronomy 6:10-12), we read this sad statement:

 After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what He had done for Israel. Judges 2:10, NIV

In the following verses, we discover that this “godless” generation completely turned away from God. Instead of following the One who had saved them, they chose to serve and worship the false gods of the surrounding cultures.

How did this happen?! What did their parents do wrong?

Their parents didn’t do anything. That was the problem. The only thing needed for a new generation to turn away from God is for the previous one to do nothing.

Inaction invited godlessness

The parents failed to obey the command God gave them when they prepared to enter the Promised Land:

7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:7-9, NIV

Basically, God calls parents to purposefully integrate our faith in God into our family’s daily life. As we get ready for school and drive carpool and do homework and watch TV, we continuously refocus ourselves and our family on God.

3 Things Parents Can Do

Based on this passage, here are three ways we can purposefully pass down a legacy of faith:

  1. Look for teachable moments – Use God’s Word to guide family decisions and choices in your children’s life. Pray with your children throughout the day for people and circumstances. Highlight God’s truth against what your family sees on television, movies, and in the world.
  2. Share your own journey – There is something precious about faith handed down from generation to generation. It’s a cherished possession not easily tossed aside. Allow your children to witness the personal nature of your faith. Talk about what God is teaching you. Share your victories and struggles.
  3. Tell your “remember when” stories – Tell your children about what God has done in your family, church, and community. We all have eyewitness accounts of God’s activity around us. Make sure your children know them!

What teachable moments has God given you recently? How did you make the most of them?

 

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Building a Rock-Solid Legacy of Faith

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Four generations of my family gathered this week at my parents’ home. My mom and dad longed to see their first great-grandchild, but cannot make the long highway drive to go to him. So, I traveled from Houston to Dallas, picked up my daughter Kelley and her one-year old Micah, and together we made the trip to Shreveport.

legacy of faith

My mom, daughter, father, and grandson

It’s a little weird being in the middle of the generational line. I am that proverbial “sandwich.” On one side, I’m pressed by the bittersweet journey of watching my aging parents and all that comes with the process. On the other, stands the joyful excitement of walking with my daughter and son-in-law as they parent my first grandchild.

Cord of Faith

As I contemplate this inevitable life role, I am thankfully aware of an invisible, but strong, cord running both directions. From my parents through me to my daughter and beyond, flows a current of faith in Christ our Savior. It binds our hearts and lives together now and into eternity.

My mother and father’s commitment before my birth to obey God’s call to parents initiated this faith flow. They took God’s Word seriously.

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9, NIV

My parents’ obedience not only pointed me toward a saving relationship with Christ, it also fostered a desire to continue this legacy of faith as my husband and I raised our own children. And now Kelley and Jeremy embrace the same responsibility with precious Micah.

Leave a Spiritual Legacy

In honor of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, this post is the first in a series about building a legacy of faith in our families. For the rest of May, we will see what the Bible says on the topic and consider practical ways we can foster faith in Christ in the heart of our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and anyone else God has placed into our lives.  I’d love to have you along for the journey!

Did your parents work to pass down a legacy of faith to you? If so, what difference did it make in your life? Have you committed to passing along your faith to the next generation?

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Having the Right Doesn’t Make it Right

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They refused to sit down. Over the course of the first half of the football game several of the older fans around them politely asked the young couple to sit so they could see. But they ignored the requests.

football gameThey didn’t just hop up when something exciting happened. They stood continuously. Which would have been fine on the student side of the field. But alumni, parents, and grandparents filled this side. Many who could not physically stand for long periods of time.

Just before half time a university employee approached the standing pair.  Ah, someone had complained.

Will you please sit so others around you can see?

No. We have every right to stand if we want. We will not sit.

The employee shrugged and turned away.

I’d like to say the situation resolved with civility. Unfortunately, after the couple refused the employee’s request a few of the nearby fans got nasty. People tossed out rude comments. Still others approached them with less than polite demands to sit.

By the time the two football teams headed to the locker room for half time, tears ran down the young woman’s face and her husband looked like he could spit fire.

“Right” Isn’t Necessarily “Right”

Did they have the right to stand for the entire game? Yes. No law against it.

Was it right for them to stand for the entire game? Especially when they knew their actions inconvenienced or harmed others? No.

Graciously letting go of their right for the benefit of others would have been the right thing to do.

What does this have to do with us?

Believers regularly have a similar choice to make. Christ’s sacrifice has set us free from sin, death, and the Law. Our life in Christ grants us great liberty. God has freed us from legalism and guilt. Yet, many things we have the freedom to do may not be God’s best for us – or others around us – in a given situation.

Paul confronts this issue in his first letter to the Christians in Corinth. The specific situation involved eating meat sacrificed to idols. Because an idol of wood has no power, meat sacrificed to it benefits the body the same as other meat. A believer was “free” to eat. However, some believers had trouble with this truth. Seeing a mature believer eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols would have confused and misguided them.

God’s Glory and the Needs of Others

Paul clearly taught a believer’s “freedom” must take a backseat to the well-being of others.

Everything is permissible – but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible – but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others… So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 31, NIV

When we make decisions regarding our freedom, God’s glory and the needs of others should always be our guiding principles. We may have the right to eat, drink, or act, but is it right? Will our choice glorify God? Will it benefit others?

Have you ever abused your freedom in Christ? What was the result? Have you ever willingly given up a freedom for the benefit of someone else? What was the result?

 

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