Wednesday

Wednesday

“The Plot Against Jesus”

Jesus had quite a week. On Sunday he rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, fulfilling prophecies given to the Jews hundreds of years before and the crowds responded, excitement filled the air. On Monday, he cleared out the gentile court at the temple and healed the sick and yesterday he sent the whole day at the temple teaching.

But not everyone was excited about Jesus, he was causing quite a stir and the jewish religious leader were not to happy about it. Turn to Mark, chapter 14 and read verses 1&2.

What were the chief priests and teachers of the law looking to do to Jesus?_________ _____________________________________________________________________.

But not during what? ___________________ Why? ____________________________

They decided that it would be best to wait until after the Passover and feasts to carry out their plan, fearing that the people might get upset with them over their plan.

Why do you think they feared the people being upset? (Mark 11:9-10) ______________ _____________________________________________________________________.

Okay, let’s rewind to our Sunday study, the Israelites (or the Jews) used the blood of what kind of animal on their doorways so the Angel of Death would “Pass Over” them?

_____________________________________ (Exodus 12:21-22)

Turn to John 1:29. John sees Jesus coming toward him what does he say? “________ _____________________________________________________________________”.

In the Old Testament the Jews sacrificed a lamb on Passover to receive forgiveness for their sins.

What are sins?________________________________________________________.

Do you ever sin?_______________________________________________________.

Do you need forgiveness from God for those sins?_____________________________.

Turn to Hebrews 9:22 There is “no forgiveness” with out what? ___________________ ______________________________________________.

Now look at verse 28. What happened to Jesus Christ? ________________________.

And why was he sacrificed?_______________________________________________.

And He is coming back again, not to bear our sins but to what? ___________________ _____________________________________________________________________!

Well GLORY!! Will you be waiting for him?

Jesus came to be OUR Passover Lamb, so God wanted Him to be sacrificed during Passover. The Chief Priests would not be allowed to wait until after Passover to carry out their plan to kill Jesus they would have to carry out God’s plan of offer his Son as our lamb of salvation.

Let’s make no mistake about who is in control. Daniel 4:26b tells us who rules. Who is it? ____________________________________.

So let’s see how it happens that the Chief Priests end up changing their minds. Turn to Mark 13:10-11 How did the Chief Priests react to Judas and his willingness to betray Jesus?___________________________________________________.

And so, they sat back and waited for Judas to find a good time to hand Jesus over to be killed.

From the day Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, God had a plan to restore our relationship with Him. One day Jesus is coming back to take those who believe in him, those who’s sins have been covered by his blood to live with Him and his Father forever and ever. Don’t miss it! He came to be last and final Passover Lamb, to hang on cross and to pay the penalty for YOUR sin. Thank him for what He has done for you and graciously accept His gift of Salvation!

Tuesday

Here's Tuesday. Today we started doing the study together, the neighbor girls (Cara, Emily and Megan) joined us, we had a really fun time doing it together!!

Tuesday

“The Authority of Jesus is Questioned”

Imagine the buzz around the temple after Jesus’ visit on Monday. Here this man had come in and started turning over tables and driving the store keepers out of the temple courts. Who did he think he was? He didn’t work there, what on earth made him think he could do such a thing? What on earth or what on Heaven?

Jesus comes back the next morning; he must have made a pretty big impression the day before because the shop keepers have not returned to the Gentile courts. Instead Jesus is greeted by the men who were in charge of the Temple and they had one question they wanted answered.

Let’s turn back to Matthew 21:23 What was their question?_____________________ ____________________________________________________________________?

Jesus understood that the motive behind these men and there question was to trap Jesus and to make him look bad in front of the people. So, he decides to turn things around, he will answer their question if they can answer his.

Take a look at verse 24 what is Jesus’ question? _____________________________ ____________________________________________________________________?

A few years earlier this same group of men had asked John the Baptist, by what authority he was doing what? (John 1:24) ___________________________________.

God wanted the Jewish people to recognize Jesus when He came, so in Malachi 3:1 He told the Jewish people that something would happen first. What was it? ____________ _____________________________________________________________________.

Read Mark 1:1-8 Who was this person that would prepare the way? _______________

______________________.

So, if the Jews believed that John the Baptist really was the one that came to prepare the way for the Messiah they would have to answer “by Heaven”, forcing them to recognize Jesus as the Messiah; if they denied that John the Baptist was who he said he was then they were afraid the people would get angry with them instead of turning on Jesus like they wanted. So instead they answered (Matt 21:27) ________ __________

_____________.

They were not willing to recognize the truth, so Jesus moved on and returned to teaching the people.

Jesus spent the rest of the day in the Temple teaching in parables and answering questions raised by the Pharisees and the Sadducees. We could spend days studying each of these parables, but we will have to save that for another time. But... just for the record, some of those parables and questions included the following:

The Parable of the two sons - In God’s eyes it is worse to say you will do something and then not do it.

The Parable of the tenants - The parable talked of the Jews treatment of OT prophets, the planned attempt on Jesus’s life and God’s judgement on those who planned it.

The Parable of the wedding banquet - This parable was about God’s invitation to the Jews to accept Jesus as the Messiah and their response to those invitations.

The Seven Woes - Was a warning about seeking out titles of honor to foster your pride.

Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar? Answer - Yes, give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.

If 7 brothers marry a widow who’s wife will she be at the time of the resurrection? Answer - None, because at the time of the resurrection none will be married.

Which is the greatest commandment? Answer - To the love the Lord your God with all you heart, soul and mind and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself.

After a long day of teaching Jesus and his disciples made their way back to Bethany for dinner and some rest. Turn to John 12.

According to verse 2 who served the dinner?___________________________.

In verse 3 the Bible tells us what Martha’s sister, Mary, was doing. She poured something on Jesus’ feet. What was it?______________________________________.

Just for fun, let’s take this a step further. Look at Psalms 23:5, a drop of oil was generally used to anoint a person’s ____________________.

How much did Mary use (John 12:3)? ______________________. That is equivalent to 2 cups, go measure out 2 cups of water, now dip your finger into the water and wipe it on your forehead. Compare the amount of water you rubbed on your forehead with the water you have left. Mary wasn’t being stingy with her precious oil, she poured every last drop out for Jesus. So again, where did the drop of oil traditionally go according to Psalms 23:5__________________, and where did Mary put her oil?_______________

________________________________________. Mary knew exactly who Jesus was, the Messiah, and she knew the best place for her was kneeling at his feet and because of this she had a greater understanding of what was to come than the others around her. She knew that Jesus was going to die in a few days and she wanted him to know just how much she loved him.

There was one disciple who did not approve of what Mary did, saying that it was wasteful and that they could have sold the expensive perfume and given the money to the poor. Which disciple was it? Vs. 4 ______________________________________.

He goes on to give an estimate of what the perfume was worth, how much was it?

_________________________________________ (if your translation says 300 denarii that is the average paid to a man for a year’s worth of work.)

Turn to Matthew 26:14-16 Judas makes a deal with the chief priests who want to kill Jesus. How much money does Judas receive for betraying Jesus? ________________________________________.

Scholar’s tell us that 30 silver coins would have been worth about 3 months of work. So let’s do a little math. I recently saw that you can get a job for $8.25 a hour at Five Guys, so if you work 40 hours a week that would be 40 x $8.25 = ____________ per week

If there is 4 weeks in a month 4 x $330 = _________________. The total for 3 months would be 3 x $1320= __________________. Or just under $4000.00.

Now let’s compare what Judas sold Jesus for, to the value of what Mary poured out on Jesus’ feet. There are 2080 work hours in a year. What is $8.25 x 2080? __________

It’s interesting to think about.

We are often tempted to save the best things we have for ourselves but Mary wanted to use her best to show her deep love for Jesus.

Now, I know you have been working hard but let’s cover one more thing before we wrap up today’s study. Look back at John 12:3, after Mary poured out her perfume onto Jesus’ feet what did she use to wipe them off? _______________________________.

Just a thought to consider. Have you ever had a certain smell bring back a favorite memory? In just 3 days, Jesus would be hung on a cross. Could it be that Mary longed to preserve the memory of that moment she spent with Jesus as long as she could so she soaked up the extra perfume with her hair instead of a towel? I wonder if as she went about doing her business the next few days if she would pull her hair over her nose and take in a deep breath to remind her of the time she spent with Jesus. I wonder if others smelled it too and if that scent served as evidence of the time she spent with Jesus. So let me ask you, if there evidence in your life of the time you spend with Jesus?

Monday

Oh my goodness, I am having so much fun writing this study for you girls! I can't wait until Sunday and we can dive into it together. I am praying that the Lord will give you girls a hunger for his Word, it has truly become the most precious thing in my life. So, here it is, day 2.

Monday

“The Cursing of the Fig Tree”

Sunday night Jesus returned to the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha in Bethany, but the next morning He and his disciples would return to Jerusalem.

Have ever been really hungry? Opened the pantry to look for something to eat, spied a box of Nilla Wafers only to find it EMPTY! Oh the frustration!! You throw the box on the floor start jumping up and down on it shouting “Curse you Nilla Wafers!!” You have just been duped by an empty box.

Jesus had a similar experience on the way to Jerusalem. Read Matthew 21:18 What was Jesus feeling?_____________________________

It was early spring, traditionally fig trees would not sprout their leaves and fruit until late May or early June, but there, up ahead on the road was a fig tree in full bloom.

According to Jeremiah 24:2 What type of figs ripen early?_____________________

This tree’s big, beautiful leaves shouted “Get your VERY GOOD figs here!” Hungry, Jesus hurried to pick a handful of figs for the road; but his search for fruit came up empty.

According to verse 19, what did Jesus say to the tree? “ May ________

_________ _________ ___________ ____________!”

Turn to Mark 11:20 Where had the fig tree withered from? ____________________

Jesus preformed many wonderful life giving miracles, healing the sick, giving sight to the blind and even raising the dead, of all the miracles Jesus preformed this was the only one that resulted in destruction. For that reason, it must have a very important lesson attached to it.

Turn to Proverbs 11:30 What is the fruit of the righteous?_____________________

And who is wise? ____________________________________

The tree that Jesus ran into that day, looked like it should have had the very best fruit; from a distance it looked awesome, but when he got up close and started to really look at it was completely useless and nothing more than a fake. The Jewish people were just like that tree, from a distance, all of the rituals, traditions, the way they dressed and the way they talked made them look like they had all the answers, but when you got up close they were empty from their very roots.

One last passage of scripture, turn to Jeremiah 17:7-8. “Blessed is the man who ___________ ______ ________ _____________.”

He is like a what? _______________________

That never fails to what?_____________________

Jesus wants us to trust in Him alone, not in the things we do or say so that we will bear much fruit!! In Matthew chapter 7 Jesus says that we will be recognized as belonging to Him by our fruit, the fruit is what really matters.

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Part 2

“The Cleansing of the Temple”

Jesus and his disciples continue on to Jerusalem and head straight to the temple, but when they get there, Jesus is not happy. Read Matthew 21:12-13.

Jesus drove out a group of people, what were they doing?______________________ ____________________________________________________________________.

Remember that yesterday we talked about how the Jewish law required that all Jewish people make their way to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast and to make sacrifices at the Temple. Men looking to make some money off of

this situation, with the okay from the Temple priests set up “stores” where jewish pilgrims were forced to purchase “acceptable” animals for their sacrifices. There was nothing particularly special about these animals but they sold them for unfair prices simply so they could make money. They were taking something that was meant to be an act of worship and obedience to God and turning it into something that looked a little like the selling of overpriced stuff at the circus.

The fact that these people were being ripped off was certainly reason enough to be upset but there was another reason that Jesus was angry enough to turn over tables. Turn to Isaiah 56:6-7. Fill in the blanks.

“And _________________ who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant- these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my _____________________ ______ __________________. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of ___________________ for all __________

________________.

While God had chosen the nation of Israel to be people through which Jesus would be born he longed of all nations of people to be saved, and so his house, the temple was to be a house of prayer for everyone, not just the Jews. Take a look at the picture below.

Note the large open area on the left, this was the Court of the Gentiles. This was the place set aside for “all nations” or gentiles to pray and this is also where these shop keepers set up their shops. Imagine what it must have looked like, this place of prayer filled with animals, and people buying and selling. I love this story because this wo

uld have been my place to pray at the temple and here I get to see Jesus stick up for me! Jesus loves me but he’s not some wimpy guy, he is strong and mighty and able to protect me!

Oh there is so much more we could talk about, like what did Jesus do immediately after he drove the sellers out of the temple? But for the sake of time let’s finish up with one more picture of Christ. Turn to Revelations 19:11-16. Yesterday we saw Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a donkey, a show of peace, now let’s see him riding in on a horse a show VICTORY!!

P.S. okay, I couldn’t leave you hanging. Read Matthew 21:14. He went right back to doing his Father’s work, healing the sick and giving sight to the blind. He didn’t gather up his disciples and talk about the people who were selling the animals in the temple or bragged about what he had just done. No, he got right back to loving on his people.

Sunday

Hello My Sweet Girlies! So Easter is just a couple of weeks away. I always try to come up with ways to make sure Jesus is the focus of our Easter celebrations and one way we have done that is to walk through Passion Week together. I thought I would spend some time this year, putting together a little Bible study for us to do together, Sunday through Easter Sunday. I decided that I would post it here in case you find yourself one day wanting to do the same with your babies. You are 8 and 7 now and I think this study would be appropriate from now and for several years to come. I pray the Lord will fill you with the richness of His word through the study.

Sunday

“The Triumphal Entry”

Jesus has been very busy for the last few years, teaching and preforming miracles, but now his time on earth is coming to an end; by the end of the week he will be hung on a cross. Let’s take some time to look at how Jesus chose to spend His last few days on earth.

It is Passover week, the week set aside to remember how Moses and the Israelites were delivered from Egypt and how the Angel of Death “passed over” the Israelite homes that were marked with the blood of a lamb (Exodus 12:12-14). Jewish pilgrims were making their way from their towns and villages to the city of Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Feast and to offer a sacrifice to the Lord (Deut 16:1-8).

Jesus is also making his way to Jerusalem and is staying in the town of Bethany at the home of some of his dearest friends, Lazarus, Mary and Martha. On Sunday, Jesus would make his way to Jerusalem but first he would go to Jericho.

Who would Jesus meet in Jericho? Read Luke 19:1-6 _________________________

Jesus actually had to back track to go to Jericho before he went to Jerusalem, why do you think Jesus went out of his way that morning? Read Luke 19:9-10

“For the Son of Man came to ___________ and to ___________ what was lost.”

Jesus went out of his way to go to Jericho so that Zacchaeus would be saved.

A large crowd began to follow Jesus and so he took this opportunity to share a parable with them, the parable of the Ten Minas.

According to Luke 19:12 What kind of man was Jesus talking about?_______________

________________________. Where was he going?___________________________

What was he going there to do?____________________________________________

And what would he do went his was finished?_________________________________

See if this reminds your of anyone when we are finished with today’s lesson.

The crowd continued to make their way towards Jerusalem. When they reached the Mount of Olives Jesus sent 2 of his disciples on ahead to get something for him.

What was it? Luke 19:30 _____________________________

Now, let’s take a trip back in time. Fasten your seat belts because we are going to go back 483 years! Turn in your Bibles to Daniel 9:24-26. Let me give you a little background on what is happening here. After God delivered Moses and the Israelites out of Egypt they didn’t always do what God asked them to do (sound a little like you and me?), and in fact found themselves in a whole mess of trouble. At one point, the city of Jerusalem fell under attack, the city and the temple that King David’s son, Solomon built was destroyed. The Jewish people were taken from the city and help captive in a city called Babylon. God told the prophet Jeremiah that they would be held captive for 70 years, one year for every 7 years that they didn’t allow the land to rest. You may recognize the name of one of those captives; his name was Daniel (remember he spent some time in a den of lions). Daniel has spent most of his life in Babylon, he is now in his 80’s and he longs to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the temple that was destroyed. The 70 years of captivity are coming to an end and he begins to pray that the Lord will once again shine His face upon them and free them from the captivity in Babylon. While he is praying the Angel Gabriel comes down from Heaven to have a little chat with Daniel. Read Daniel 9:21-26.

Okay... ready for a little math?

Verse 25 - Gabriel gives a very important time span from when to when?

From the issuing of ______________________________________________________

until the _________________ ___________, the ___________ comes, there will be

_____________ ______________ and ___________-_______ _______________.

How many years are there in a decade? ______ How about a century?________

(The Hebrew word translated weeks (or sevens) refers to a period of 7 years, like the English word decade refers to a period of 10 years. )

So what is 7 + 62?________ x 7 years = ______________ years

The Jewish calendar during this time had 360 days per year.

What is 483 x 360?_____________ days.

483 years or 173,880 days from the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem (this decree was given in Nehemiah 2:1-8 on the first day of Nisan 445 BC which equals March 14, 445 BC on our calendars) until the Anointed One comes. Hold on to your socks!!! This is where all our hard work pays off! March 14, 445 BC plus 173,880 days = April 6, 32 AD. Many Bible Scholars believe that the prophecy given in Daniel chapter 9 was fulfilled on the very Sunday that we are talking about! Jesus, is the Anointed One, the Ruler that has come.

Okay fasten your seat belts again, lets fast forward 173,880 days. Jesus had just sent his disciples to get a colt or donkey for him, one that has never been used before. But why a colt? Why not a horse? Something with a little more pizzazz than a donkey?

Turn to Zechariah 9:9 and fill in the blank. “... See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a _______________, on a _____________, the foal of a _______________.

Jesus fulfilled every prophecy that was ever told about him so that all could believe he was who he said he was. Now let’s take a minute and read what happened from start to finish. Read Luke 19:28-44 and picture what it may have looked like in your mind.

Jesus rides into the city of Jerusalem and the crowd goes wild! They have seen and heard about the miracles he has done, including one of his most recent miracles of raising Lazarus from the dead. They are certain that he has come to be their political king, a political figure like our President that would free them from their Roman bullies. But they misunderstood, Jesus was coming to free them from a much more serious problem than the Romans, he was coming to free them from their sin. He would be their Passover Lamb, given up and sacrificed to pay the penalty for them.

Look at verse 41. What did Jesus do when he approached Jerusalem and saw the city?______________________________

In verse 42 Jesus points out that the Jewish people should have known that He would come on that day, they had all the numbers and could have done the math. But they were looking for the wrong kind of king. They were looking for a King for their country and He was looking to be the King of their Hearts.

On Sunday, they were shouting “Hosanna and Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord”, but by the end of the week they would be calling for him to be crucified.

Is Jesus the King of your Heart? If not, stop right now “Confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord”, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead and you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

I just want to be with Jesus

There are few things more unnerving than hearing your child say “Mom, sometimes I think about killing myself.” I was stunned and shocked to hear those words flow out of my 8 year old daughter’s mouth. We were in the middle of doing our devotions, crawling our way through 2 Samuel 12, talking about sin, God’s forgiveness and the consequences that forgiveness can not undo. When all of the sudden, Melia said “Mom, sometimes I think about killing myself.” I felt like someone kicked me in the stomach, my mind was spinning...

“What?! Why?!”

She burst into tears, the sobbing variety “I just was to be with Jesus, it’s too hard here.”

I can’t even really explain what I felt, last year I walked a very scary road with my friend, Ann. Her 12 year daughter was diagnosed with a severe case of OCD. Her mind was plagued with voices that taunted her and pushed her to try take her own life. I remember sitting in the visitation room of a mental hospital, her legs crossing over mine while her mom held her in her arms, trying to convince her that nothing bad would happen to her if she took a sip of water. I watched as her eyes darted back and forth and as she ducked to miss the objects that her mind convinced her of actually being there. And now, my daughter, my 8 year old daughter was sobbing at my kitchen table confessing thoughts of wanting to end her own life.

I was and am so grateful that the Lord was near, giving me ears to hear my daughter and words of hope and encouragement to speak to her. For the next several minutes we flipped from scripture to scripture and talked about the plans that the Lord had for her. I explained that God created her for good works that He planned for just her long ago (Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece, He had created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.) and how she was set apart for God before she was even born (Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart: I appointed you as a ...)

We talked about how God longs to use her here on earth to accomplish his good work, that He is calling her to be salt and light and that when her work is complete He will call her home to be with him forever, but that life and death are His decision not ours. We talked about how when she sees him for the first time she should long to hear him say “Well done my good and faithful servant”. More and more I am thankful for the scriptures that have been hidden in my heart, and that the Holy Spirit can pluck them out to be used at times like this, I would be lost with out His Word. I had Melia write the words of Ephesians 2:10 in her notebook and encouraged her to hide them in her own heart to encourage her when things seem too hard here on earth.

We turned to prayer to end our time together. As I bowed my head and closed my eyes, I pictured myself prostrate in the throne room of God praying for my children. I had the girls turn to Isaiah 6.

“I saw the Lord, seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings; with two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

This spurred another conversation about the holiness of God and how he is so holy you can not look at his face, we turned to Exodus 33:18 when Moses asked the Lord to show him His glory and how God placed Moses in the cleft of a rock and covered him with His hand while He passed by and when He was past He let Moses see his back but not His face. It is moments like this when I am completely overwhelmed by the love of God and the power of His word. It truly is a lamp unto my feet when I am faced with dark and scary moments as a parent.

You girls and I shared the most precious prayer time, we took our hands and crossed them across our faces, like we envisioned the angels doing with their wings and we called out “Holy, Holy, Holy”. Tears streamed down our faces as we stood in wonder of being allowed to call out to a Holy God as his children and as his friends.

Imagine my delight when it was time for bed time prayers and Sabrina crossed her hands in front of her face while she prayed.

“Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty.”

My sweet girlies, there will be days as a parent that will bring you to your knees and on those days you will realize that everyday as a parent should be spent there, calling out to a Holy God on behalf of your babies. I love you sweet girls so much. Hold on to your Savior and never let go.

An "Only One" Girl

The last two days have been overwhelming. Let's rewinds to yesterday morning, on our way to school with the "Fish's", our carpool buddies. Things were pretty status quo, Melia is looking out the window while the kids in the back are chatting back and forth, when all of the sudden Melia perks up and says "Olivia, wanna practice our play?" She is greeted with equal enthusiasm and I even feel a little bit of excitement about hearing the girls read from their scripts this was the first time I had heard about a play. The first order of business was to assign the extra parts that are normally covered by the other girls at school. Melia took charge, "I will be Evil Death and you can be Psycho." My mood changed, these were not the characters I had imagined. I was thinking something more like Buffy Cupcake, Hannah Montana, Chloe or Phoebe!! I was determined to not over react, I would wait and see, surely it was be an innocent play on words. I was wrong... very wrong. As the play progressed from scene to scene it became increasingly dark. Sisters pitted against one another, a mother who hated one of her daughters and would welcome her being killed one of her other daughters. A plot to blow up their home, a chase with the police and the whole story wrapping up with the death of 5 people, including 2 police officers. To say I was stunned would be a gross under statement. My head was literally spinning, what in the world were these 8 year old little girls joking and laughing about? I said a short and to the point prayer "Lord... help me!" Philippians 4:8 came to mind, Whatever is right, pure, lovely, praiseworthy, think on these things.

"Melia, can I ask you a question about your play?

She was excited that I had listened and desired further commentary.

"The Bible says that we should think about things that are right and good and pure. Do you think that this play would qualify?"

The expression on her face fell... hmm, perhaps this was not going to be the type of review she was hoping for.

I suggested that we start by looking at the characters names and then pointed out some of the "highlights" of the plot. You could almost see the realization make it's way across her face.

"I didn't see it that way before, but now I do."

The kids were lining up for class and our conversation needed to come to an end... "Think about it Melia, pray and see if this is something you think God would want you to be spending your time on."

I was headed to southwest Denver and had plenty of time in the car to think, panic, pray... repeat (not always in that order). I called Olivia's mom, did she know about this? Was I being dramatic and over protective? She was equally as taken back as I was. I called Rod, surprise and confusion were his immediate response. For most of the day, I pondered how to handle this situation. What was the right thing to do? What was the right way to counsel Melia? Don't ever participate in these type of plays again, but be loving and kind towards the precious heart of the girl that wrote it? Do I call the teacher? Talk to "The Mom"? How would she react? Would she be stunned by what her daughter wrote or think it was no big deal? My mind was spinning being tossed back and forth and I was growing ever more exhausted trying to sort it all out. Several times through out the day I prayed and asked that the Lord would give Melia wisdom and grace beyond her years.

On the way home from school Melia and I discussed what happened during recess. She explained that they ran thru the play but when they were done Melia suggested that they play something else and that everyone agreed. I was disappointed that Melia chose to participate again but understood. Her expression was sad with a side of worry, after much effort she finally admitted that she was afraid to be the "only one". The "only one" that couldn't do the play, that her friends would be mad at her and not play with her anymore. Ah yes... the "only one". I sympathized with Melia but explained that this life would bring her to this place over and over again. "There maybe a time when you are at a friend's house for a sleepover when some boys show up with beer and everyone starts partying, I need to know that you will be the "only one" who won't just give in but with Jesus' help will be brave enough to stand and do what is right." My nerves were shot, I had walked way too much of this road with companions like "worry" and "anxiety" instead of turning to God for wisdom and strength of my own. I started scrambling thru my brain trying to think of a story, and example of an "only one" that would inspire and encourage Melia but every thought came back empty. Seriously?!? I couldn't muster up one story!!

When we got home it was straight to homework, as the girls worked I made another drive thru request of God for help. "Esther!" I reminded Melia about our study of Esther and how she was afraid for her very life but she still chose to be the "only one" and went before the King to try and save a whole nation of people and God honored her obedience.

My girlfriend called and I walked away to chat with her, I told her about my day and how I just wanted to put the girls in bed and forget that I was a parent for a while, to not have to worry about what they are facing at school or if I am doing enough to prepare them. I ended the call and went back to supervise homework, Melia had a writing prompt she needed help with. "You are walking down the street when you hear sirens, there is a bright flash of light, you pass out and when you wake up you are laying in a pile of rubble..." this is the point where Melia is to pick up the story. In my tired and overwhelmed state, I laid my head on the table and started to cry "Can't there be any happy stories? Does everything have to be about death and destruction?" Clearly I was at the end of my rope. It wasn't until I finally laid down to sleep that I fell before my Savior and asked him for help, not the drive thru variety but really cried out to him.

This morning when I came down stairs I felt the Lord say "Give Melia a sword, Oh and make it into a bow." Yes, I shared that confused look you have on your face, but I did as He asked. Philippians 4:8 would be her sword (for several years now we had written verses on index cards to serve as our "Swords of the Spirit" when we are facing certain trials and difficulties). An index card was not quite the right shape, however, to fold into a bow so I cut a piece of paper and wrote: Dear Melia, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about these things... and I, the God of peace will be with you.

I thought I was done but the Lord told me other wise. I flipped to Esther 4:14 and then to Joshua chapter 1 and continued to write a love note from the Lord to his precious Melia.

"Melia, if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise from another but you will miss out on the blessing I have for you in this situation. I have brought you to this place for such a time as this, a chance for you to be a light for me in this darkness. Be careful to obey, do not let my words depart from you, think about them all the time so that you will be successful. Do not be afraid for I will be with you. I love you. Jesus

How is it that He continues to blew me away time after time with His faithfulness!! When Melia came down for breakfast I handed her the note in the shape of a bow (the whole bow part seemed a little odd to me, but who am I to question the Lord). I told her that the Lord asked me to write this note for Him. On the way to school, I noticed Melia rubbing her fingers along the bow shaped note.

"Mom, can you believe Jesus wrote me this letter and even tied it up in a bow?" Then it hit me, of course He did, of course He would wrap His gift to her in a bow. Melia continued "I am so glad He is going to be with me today, I don't think I would have been able to do this on my own."

Well... Amen & AMEN!

Love Anyway...

Hello my sweet girlies! I have to say that recently I have been faced with one of my biggest parenting challenges at date. At this point you are 8 and 7, 3rd and 2nd grade and the girl drama has begun. Melia, you have been dealing with a nasty girl for a year and half now. One of my favorite Melia quotes has come out of this situation, on the way home from school one day, we were sorting through the day with “Nelly” (we will call her Nelly because she was the pill on Little House on the Prairie”, a popular show when I was your age). Anywho, I mentioned that “I had your back.” and you responded “Does that mean that daddy has my front?” Ah... so precious! Ryanne and Sabrina your problems have been more here and there, being left out or just girls being... bratty. The other day, we were doing our devotions, it was about honoring other people, putting their needs above our own etc. At the end of the study it posed a question “ name someone that you are struggling with and what’s one thing you could do to show them that you care about them”; around the table we went. I had a pretty good idea what Melia and Sabrina would say, you two are more verbal about things, but it was Ryanne’s answer that threw me.

“Ryanne, who do you struggle with?”
“Pretty much everybody.”

What, Ryanne? The girl who is completely unfazed by the people around her? Content to play with you or with out you, as even tempered as they come... you are so much like your dad in the that respect. We chatted for a while and you gave me the following example:

“I was in the bathroom and I asked Nelly (Nelly will represent all the nasties) to hold the door closed for me because the lock doesn’t work, and she said “No way!” all mean like.”

“How did you respond?” I asked.

“I was just snotty back and said “Fine, whatever.” I’m done. I just don’t care anymore.”

Broke my little heart. Now don’t get me wrong, you 3 girls don’t walk around with shiny halos and butterflies chasing after you all the time, but for the most part you are sweet girls, who try...

Can I just say, that my first reaction is not always very “christian”. My little mama feathers get all fired up and I have a whole lot of suggestions that I want to give you. Cutting come backs, or maybe just a forum to talk nasty about them. But deep down, sometimes very deep in these situations I know that is not right and that Jesus would want us to love anyway.

So, here I am, a mom in the thick of it, wanting to encourage you to push past your deep desire to take those people in your kids life that make their life miserable and drag them behind your car! Take a deep breath, take a moment to pray, even walk away for a minute if you need to. Empty yourself of all of you and let yourself be filled up with the Holy Spirit and then go back and tell your babies to love anyway. It isn’t easy, but it’s right.

That night, I vented to your dad, told him how I wanted to pummel those mean girls and then I prayed and prayed and prayed some more, I asked for wisdom and the mind of Christ. God is always so faithful!! In the morning, I was refreshed and ready to help you girls face your day. For a couple of years, we would take a few minutes and put on our armor each morning before you went off to school.

The Belt of Truth

The Breastplate of Righteousness

The gospel of Peace

The Helmet of Salvation

The Shield of Faith

and The Sword of the Spirit

This particular morning we discussed the clothes we would wear under that Armor.

A Shirt of Compassion

Panties of Kindness

Pants of Humility

Socks of Gentleness

and a Jacket of Patience

based on the verses Colossians 3:12-14 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Other verses that we discussed to set us off in the right direction were:

Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. And Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer, turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

As a mom, you can’t help but wonder if what you say is actually making a difference or not, but that afternoon when you came home I knew that the Lord was as faithful to you as he was to me. Ryanne recalled a playground scenario where she asked if she could play with Nelly and the other girls, she was met with an abrupt “No!” Her response????

“Nelly, I just want you to know that I love you and care about you and I hope that tomorrow maybe you will let me play.”

WOOHOOO!! Way to go RYANNE!!! I couldn’t be more proud of you, you chose to “love anyway”!!