Children, Desperate for the Gospel

It happened again, not too long ago. We were gathered around the table, Bible Story open. Matt asked the kids, "Who is the special baby God gave Mary and Joseph for a very special reason?" A child, who will remain nameless, enthusiastically exclaimed, "Moses!" Matt looked at me and I at him. You could almost hear our hearts sink to the floor in disappointed frustration.

Really?! Day in and day out we teach and train and listen and talk and this is all we have to show for it?! They haven't even caught who the most important character is in all of the Bible?! At that moment we wished the instructions Jesus gave to his twelve disciples applied to us, "If anyone will not listen to your words, leave that home and shake the dust off your feet." (Matthew 10:14) :) But, unfortunately, they don't, so we have to figure out some reasons to persevere in this effort of training our kids in the way they should go. Because as long as their feet are still under our kitchen table, there is work to be done.

If you're discouraged too, wondering what, if anything, is sinking in, maybe you'll find some encouragement in these simple reminders like I have.

And, I should mention, these aren't just for parents! I've seen some exasperated Sunday School/Children's Church teachers throw up their hands in frustration too. (Maybe the fact that the aforementioned nameless child was chasing another child around the room during class was a contributing factor. So I guess this is for my kids' teachers! Here's some encouragement for the discouragement our family creates! ;))

1) Every time we teach them the Bible, we are helping stop their suppression of truth. God created all people - even our young kids - to have an awareness of Him. What can be known about Him is easy for them to see just by looking out the window at His creation. But in their wickedness, they are trying to keep that truth of who He is and what He has done from surfacing. They're trying to hold down their accountability to Him with all their might. But, with each gospel reminder, the truth wiggles out from their strong force and stirs in their little hearts. Which also means, during times of greatest conviction, they just might seem most rebellious. They don't like being confronted with the truth they're trying to smother. 

2) God is glorified when we declare the truth about Him. He is passionate about His own glory! On really bad days, I remember this. If nothing is sinking in, penetrating their willfulness, I comfort myself that God is being praised just by the truth that's coming from my mouth, even if it seems to be falling on deaf ears. God loves to hear His glorious worth declared! If even the stones can cry out in praise to Him, then His character being extolled from this weary mom's lips to disinterested children, can be an act of worship too. And that makes it worth it.

3) Faith comes by hearing, and the ears of the heart are opened to hear through the Word. God had to remind Jeremiah of the power of His Word during his difficult ministry to a disobedient people. "Is not my word like a hammer that breaks a rock to pieces?" (Jeremiah 23:29) That's the reminder we need too since our kids' hearts are rock hard. It's only the sharp sword and blunt hammer of Scripture that can break through their stony hearts and change them into the broken and contrite hearts God loves. So we have to keep weaving the truth of Scripture into all of our instruction. Because hearing the Word is the means God uses to grant the gift of faith.

4) God uses their sin to show me what a piece of work I am. Ugh. I hate when that happens. About the time I'm thinking, "These pigs don't appreciate my pearls," I hear my own not-so-distant "oinks" in that oh so flattering reminder from 1 Corinthians 6. "[And] that (thieves, greedy, idolaters, sexually immoral, slanderers) is just what you were. But you have been washed (praise God!), you have been sanctified  (amazing!), you have been justified (humbling!)." God often uses me most then, not in the (rare) moments when I'm on my A-game with a Bible answer addressing every heart issue, wielding  my fully loaded gospel guns, but when I'm wallowing in the same muddy, filthy pit of sin they are. My hope is their hope. I am certainly not their hope. So I take myself back to the Savior of the same gospel I preach to my kids. And that's just where I need to be. Well, there and...

5) I need to be in prayer before the throne of grace. But my prayers shouldn't just focus on them and their needs. Pastor Ken pointed out in his sermon, "Contacting the War Room," that the way Scripture usually tells us to pray evangelistically is not for the ones receiving the message (although that's part of it) but primarily for the ones giving the message. God knows the harvest is plentious, but it's the laborers who are few and struggling. So, as parents and teachers, we need to pray that God would make us willing to sacrifice for the message, grow in our holiness and application of truth, patient in our labors, faithful to seize gospel opportunities, unashamed in spite of their rebellious opposition, and willing to fearlessly and boldly withstand the warfare in this battle for their souls. In essence, I need to pray that God would be making me all that I want  - or more so, what HE wants - them to be.

May God help us to remember His truth can conquer resistance, He loves for His worth to be declared, His Word is all-powerful, His grace compels the chief of sinners, and His servants are well-supplied for their mission. Now, I just might be ready to head into another day with these precious...pigs! ;)

Singles' Awareness Day

God intentionally put our beloved single friends on my radar today by having my Thursday prayer list for our Crossroads Class coincide with Valentine's Day. I know some joke that today is a day when those without a love interest are confronted even more with that reality. But, instead, why not make it a priority to be aware not of what they lack as if they deserve pity or sympathy, but aware, with joy and thankfulness, of all God is doing for His glory in their lives and how He is accomplishing His purposes through them? In Him they lack no good thing!

As I've said before, we are thankful for the way our unmarried friends are an example to us and we see displays of God's character at work in their lives in a special way. Today we want to thank them again for their testimony before us and our kids as people we should strive to imitate.

Thank you, friends, for:

- submitting to one another in your church and families out of reverence for Christ.

- being real friends to me. Like laugh-at-my-lame-jokes friends who try to convince Matt, "She really is funny!" Like eat-dessert-first-and-main-course-later-if-at-all friends. Like common-burden-for-the-disenfranchised-and-lonely friends because it hits so close to home.

- showing you are made in God's image, male and female, by glorifying Him with your unique design. We appreciate the way you help and nurture your parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, Sunday School classes, and the babies in the nursery. We are thankful you take responsibility for your actions, deny your fleshly desires by waiting on God's timing, and step out in faith and do something even when the way may be unclear.

- being passionate about growing a family - God's family - by living and giving the Gospel.

- not wallowing in self-pity over what you don't have, but showing that God's love has changed you and really does help you rejoice with others whom He blesses with good gifts - even the coveted gifts of marriage and children.

- using this "undistracted" time to show your self-control by serving others, showing hospitality, and not indulging in being busy-bodies or living an extended adolescence.

- enduring severe physical trials and having the mature perspective that "your outward body is perishing but inwardly your spirit is being renewed day by day."

- caring more what that longed for guy thinks about Jesus than what he thinks about you.

- not worrying about what your diploma says your job should be and acknowledging that if you look for satisfaction in your career you are far too easily pleased.

- loving Christ like you're married to Him, and we all are, but you really get it.

- being an example to the believers in contentment with God's sovereign choices in your life and giftedness, and seeking to intentionally and joyfully use those gifts He gives and choices He makes, to show others how great and good He is.

Our lives have been changed by watching your lives. We love you and thank God for you!

Speak Up

Joy, my friend and advocate for HIV/waiting orphans and at-risk children, observes, "The [birthmother's] need extends beyond the sidewalks outside abortion clinics, so the ministry [to her and her child] should extend farther than that too." I couldn't agree more. But it is just that thought that can be overwhelming to us who are struggling with what we should do when there is so much to do!

Since doing something is better than doing nothing, last year our family was thankful to learn about 40 Days for Life, a peaceful prayer vigil, held in 40 day blocks of time outside abortion clinics for the purpose of saving lives and closing the clinics. We attended a prayer vigil at the local clinic and a memorial for the babies whose lives were lost at that particular location. Last fall, the lady leading the Dearborn chapter asked if Matt and I would be interested in taking over the ministry there.

We are sharing duties with her for this 40-days campaign which starts in just two days, Wednesday, February 13. I thought it might be helpful to share a few reasons we appreciate 40 Days for Life, and to let you know how you too might be able to get involved.

1) It is peaceful and compassionate. We are pro-life for babies, but also for the moms and dads, and abortionists, and the other people employed by the industry. We aren't out to degrade or belittle anyone for working at the clinic or visiting the clinic, whether it's for information or if it is to undergo an abortion. We are there to offer hope and help and attempt to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

2) It is prayerful. In keeping with Joy's observation above, some have said in order to save a baby you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to see the mother through the rest of her pregnancy if you convince her to chose life. While that is the ideal, not everyone can help in those extreme ways for various reasons. Of course, there is help available through many ministries and organizations, and we want to do all we can and act as a liaison to assist her in receiving whatever services she needs. However, something everyone can do is pray. And we must remember it's not the act of praying that is powerful. It is the Powerful One to whom we're praying. So, we call on Him who says, "I am...THE life," and ask for Him to work on behalf of those about to lose their lives and to work in those attempting to terminate life.

3) It is visible. If there is an anti-abortion presence outside of an abortion facility, the chances of a client entering reduce drastically. We want to put positive pressure on people considering abortion and awaken their moral conscience to have second thoughts about what they are doing.

4) It is something the whole family can do. Our kids can't engage an adult and debate the fact that life starts at conception. But our kids can pray; and they can use their own little lives, made in the image of God, to gently remind those women of what that child growing in their stomach will look like in just 24 months, or 4 years, etc. Again, statistically speaking, especially if children are part of the anti-abortion presence, chances decline for that mother actually setting foot inside the clinic.

5) It is one of the rare occasions in America when we can actually bear some of the reproach of Christ. People driving by might yell hateful and profane things at you. The clients entering might engage you in a verbally hostile way. And by no means should we glory in that or encourage it. But it is good for us to remember the path Christ walked. If the world hated Him, they will hate us. Are we willing to bear His shame and to lead our kids in this small step of taking risks for what's right?

So, if I've piqued your interest, here's how you, your family, Sunday School class, Young Adult Ministry, Women's Ministry, Post-Abortive Care Group, etc. can get involved locally.

1) Click here to go to the "40 Days for Life" page.
2) You'll need to register and agree to a "Statement of Peace."
3) Click on the "Schedule" option to see the calendar. There are step-by-step sign-up instructions on the right of the screen.
4) The clinic, American Family Planning, 4132 Schaefer Rd, Dearborn is open Tues - Fri, 9-1 and Sat, 8-12. The most important times to gather are during those times. You can go by the clinic at any other time to pray with your children or church group. However, we are targeting the times the clinic is open for our most visible efforts because of the reasons I mention above.
5) We are not legally allowed to park in the American Family Planning parking lot nor are we allowed to set foot on their property. When you arrive, you can park on Schaefer Rd a bit away from the clinic, and stand on the sidewalk surrounding the clinic parking lot. You should feel no pressure to, but if you are inclined, you are able to call out to women and the staff entering to offer hope and help, but any communication should be compassionate and not degrading. Of course, if you prefer to pray but not seek to engage anyone in conversation, that is perfectly fine.
6) Stay as long as you want or leave as quickly as you want. If you only have a few minutes to stop by and pray, that's great. If you can get there before the clinic opens or shortly after it closes to pray when the employees and the abortionist are coming and going, that's great too. Whatever works with your schedule.
7) If you live in the area, please take a moment to "Like" our Facebook Page, Southeast Michigan For Life, so you can stay connected with other pro-life supporters and be made aware of ways to advocate for life in our area. Also, please help pass the word about this opportunity and what's involved by "sharing" this post.

I love the admonition in Proverbs 31:7, interestingly enough, uttered by a mother to "the son of her womb" and "answer to [her] prayers." "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; for the rights of all who are destitute."

If God has given you a voice, will you use it to speak up for those whose mouths are formed, whose heart is beating, whose lungs are developing, but whose voice cannot yet be heard? Will you use it do defend their right to life? Will you use it to speak hope to the destitute? Will you use it to cry out to the Defender of the defenseless? For "surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear." (Isaiah 59:1)

And therein lies our hope.

We're On The Map!

For just over 11 years now, Community Bible Church has had an outward reminder of the biblical truth that the local church is God's people gathered, not the building in which they meet. Today as we entered an exciting new phase of ministry in our own beautiful building, we don't want to forget that important truth.

We have a street address now, but what makes CBC isn't the brick, siding, concrete, and wood you'll see on Benson Street in Trenton. CBC is something alive just like Jesus, the Chief Cornerstone, is alive. We are living stones, being built into a spiritual house so that we might declare His praises for calling us out of the darkness of sin and into the brightness of new life.

"As you come to him, the living Stone...you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house...offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ...you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:4, 9)

The Worship Ensemble arriving bright and early to warm-up

Jess and Audrey fixing the teens a pancake breakfast in front of Julie's amazing duct tape chevron wall

The Community Kids getting ready to "Come Praise and Glorify"

First official "Welcome to Community Bible Church"

Pastor Ken relaying the good news that we will be expanding the worship area to accommodate a few hundred more people 

Peggy and Mark choppin' it up

Pastor Ken reminding us that God has done all of this in order for us to spread His fame

Thankful for these precious friends with whom we are in mission

Thankful our family gets to LEARN about God, LOVE Him and others, and LIVE for His purposes through the ministry of CBC

They Can Be Forgiven Too

The "been there" principles I wrote about last week apply too as we seek to minister to women who have had an abortion. Do we communicate our pro-life position in a way that is so hatefully angry a post-abortive woman would never think of coming to us for help and restoration? Again, our common experience provides perspective.

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment." (Matthew 5:21,22a)

Listen to the words of a dear friend, and member of our church, as you consider your ministry for life.

"In 1975, I had an abortion. I was a single young woman (NOT a Christian) who loved to party, I had a terrific job at Ford Motor Company, I lived alone in a nice apartment, I had a brand new car.......and I found myself pregnant. I was angry at myself for being so careless. Being the self-centered, fiercely independent person that I was, the first thing that came to my mind was, “I’ll get an abortion”. There was no thought put into this decision whatsoever. I didn’t even know what an abortion was, I just knew I was pregnant and I didn’t want to be. I knew it was legal, my boyfriend would pay for it, and then I could start fresh. So that’s what I did.

They told me at the clinic that I could resume all normal activities in 2 days and go on as if nothing happened. I believed them. They were so nice and comforting, why would they ever lie to me? But lie they did.

I cried all the way home. In fact, I could barely breathe. The pain of the procedure was beyond anything I had ever experienced. I was awake the entire time and thought my insides were being ripped out. I tried to get up but the nurse had such a tight grip on my arm that she scared me. The doctor never said a word – not one word, I never saw him. I was hyperventilating and they had to give me a drug to calm me down. They also told me that in order to leave, I had to be calm. (I later realized that I had to leave the clinic through the same waiting room that many women and young girls were waiting their turns. The staff did not want me in hysterics as I left. That would have been very bad for business, right?)

For weeks I would cry for no reason. Then, as if I turned off a light switch, I determined to never think about it again. And for 15 years, I gave it no thought whatsoever. I buried it deep. By the time I was 40, I had become a black-out alcoholic. I drank every day and took pills to sleep at night.

My neighbor, who was a Christian, came to my house one day in 1993. She shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with me. I was so resistant – I locked myself in the bathroom. She was trying to tell me that God forgives all of our sins if we believe in Jesus, His Son. That was beyond my comprehension. I had never heard anything like that. I could not imagine God forgiving someone that had aborted her baby and was drunk all the time. BUT, my neighbor told me that she had had an abortion and had struggled with alcohol and drug addiction. (She didn’t know anything about me at that time, oh how God works!) She told me that when she and her husband invited Christ to be the Lord of their lives, everything changed. I saw it in her eyes, she was telling me the truth! (This was after I finally came out of the bathroom:))

She invited me to pray and ask Jesus to come into my heart and change me. That was 20 years ago. (And I have never had a drink since that day either – Praise the Lord!)

I knew I was forgiven of my sin of abortion because the Lord drew me so close and took me on a journey of reading His Word, studying it and learning how to pray. I John 1:9 says that “if we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. I took Him at His Word. I believed that I was forgiven. And I wanted other women to know that they could be forgiven too."

"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:16-20)

Implore them. Beg them urgently. Because if I'm forgiven and you're forgiven, they can be too.