Have you ever been so hungry that it hurts? Have you ever been hangry? We have all experienced some type of hunger and thirst, but I’m sure its trivial in comparison to those who have actually had to go without and are starving or have a lack of clean drinking water. Think about it. The last time you were hungry, all you had to do was maybe open your refrigerator or pantry. You and I are not in a third world country without clean water and a scarce food supply. When was the last time you knew what it was like to be starving? Some of you, sadly that may be part of your story. You never know what someone may be going through or what difficult path they’re on or the season they are walking through.
Did you know that whether you realize it or not, we all have a deep-seeded need or an unexplainable hunger or unquenchable thirst that we need filled?
It can be different for each person. Everyone has a void that is empty. Everyone has a God-shaped hole in their heart that only He can fill, that hole is the shape of the cross. Jesus is the one who can fulfill our needs.
There was a big need for big crowd of people with no resources in sight and Jesus met their primary needs in a mighty miraculous way…
Matthew 14: 13-21
“13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sickness.15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve baskets full of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.”
He can take a little bit and make a surplus out of what was once a dire need!
Prayer for you today:
Dear Lord, thank You for being the supplier and provider of my most essential needs. Thank You for my family, friends and my career. Thank You for a roof over my head, a place to call home and sleep, food to eat and water to drink. Thank You for my health and my peace. Thank You for the desires set upon my heart (Psalm 37:4) You supply all my needs according to Your riches in glory. (Philippians 4:19). Amen❤
Did you know that perfection here on earth once existed? Think of the most beautiful place you’ve ever visited and or picture of a place that is so beautiful that people may call it “heaven on earth”. To each picture it may look different, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The beholder in this case, is the Creator- God the Father. He makes no mistakes, everything He created is beautiful and good. The Garden of Eden in Genesis 1-2 was absolutely beautiful and perfect. God created the oceans, mountains, valleys, all the plants, trees, every animal on earth and saw that it was good. Then He made each of us, in His image. Everything was as He created it to be, perfect. He gave one rule to Adam and Eve to not eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge in the middle of the garden, anything else they could have and eat freely. But the one fruit of that particular tree was dangerous-it wasn’t literally poison but the aftermath would contaminate Adam and Eve’s lives as well as everyone else after them: something toxic and deadly called sin that marred and tainted the perfection that God created. You see, that fruit opened their eyes to more than they ever needed to know: the conflicting battle of good and evil. Evil was never meant to have a place, but once that serpent saw a way to trick God’s beautiful humans He made then the serpent started His scheme. We were created to love and be loved by our Creator, we were never meant to have pain or hurt, to be sick, to hurt others or for evil to run rampant. God gave Adam and Eve, and us the ability of free will.
The problem came when sin entered the world, perfection of Eden had ended. Sin is what separates us from God, it drove a wedge in an otherwise perfect relationship.
Creation/Purpose of Mankind: “The Prologue”-Setting the Scene for God’s Ultimate Plan(Genesis 1-2)
In the beginning, God created something amazing out of absolutely nothing! God has been around before time, He has no beginning and no end. He is eternal. When the Bible says “In the beginning…” it refers to what we call time and recorded history. Genesis 1:1-2 says “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. This universe, this earth that dwell on and everything in it was created and formed by a creative, all powerful, sovereign, artistic God with many diverse details. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” God spoke everything into existence. On the first day God said “Let there be light”, and there was light. God divided the light and darkness. He called the light Day, and called the darkness Night. This evening and morning were the completion of the first day. On the second day, God created division between the sky and seas. Then the third day God created made division between the dry land and the seas. On the third day, God also created the trees, plants, and flowers. Every beautiful, lush, green blade of grass, every diverse, creative leaf, every branch of every tree, and every colorful flower God created it. On the fourth day, God made two great lights and placed them in the sky, He called the one for the daytime, the sun. He called the other one for the nighttime, the moon. God also created and hung the planets and stars in the night sky. The fifth day, God created birds to fly in the air and fish that filled the seas. On the sixth day God created all the other animals and creatures, like mammals. But there was one special creation that was above the other things, a creation that lived, moved, and could think.
On the sixth day, God created and formed humankind. Everything God created, He spoke into existence, because He has that kind of power and authority. But when creating man God formed Adam from the dust of the earth. He sculpted, crafted, and formed man with personal care and intricate detail. Genesis 1:26-27 speaks of how God created mankind by stating “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” God created man in His image, and then woman was fashioned and created from man’s rib. God formed man, whom He called Adam, from dust and breathed His very own breath of life into him and he began to live. God saw that it wasn’t good for man to be alone so He created woman, whom He called Eve, from Adam’s rib. God gave these human beings dominion and authority over all the creatures of the earth. Adam and Eve walked, talked, and spent time with God. We carry the same attributes of personality and emotion. God is love, and we were created for a love relationship with God and others. He created Eve to have a relationship with Adam. Throughout Genesis 1 & 2, numerous times it says God looked at His creation and saw that is was good. But God saw that man was alone, He said this isn’t good. Then God created woman and saw that it was good. Creation was now complete, man and woman were together. We are capable of feelings, deep critical thinking, emotions, love, and the ability to have dominion and control over the animals. Our flaws and things we may not like about ourselves like body image. God created all of His children differently, but yet we are all created in His image. Genesis 1:28 states God’s purpose for humanity, “God said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’ And God said, ‘See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.” As human beings the most important purpose of our lives to grow in relationship with God and glorify Him. All throughout Scripture the purpose of man is mentioned. Isaiah 43:7 says “Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him yes, I have made him.” later on in 43:21 says “This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.” We are created in His image to glorify Him. The purpose of God reveals His entire purpose of all of creation in Habakkuk 2:14, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”
The Need of Salvation/Problem of Sin (Genesis 3-11)
In Genesis 3 we see this ideal and beautiful relationship between God the creator and mankind the created, become marred and tainted. Genesis 3:1 introduces a creature “more cunning than any beast”; the serpent. The serpent, Satan, was talking to Eve and Adam was also present with her. The serpent lied and said “God is just trying to keep knowledge from you, He doesn’t want you to become like Him; all-knowing and powerful”. Before the fall, everything was how God intended it to be. Then sin entered the picture. Genesis 1:28 gives the first command “Be fruitful and multiply, subdue and rule the earth. Genesis 2:16-17 gives the second command, “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; ‘but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” This did not mean that Adam and Eve would physically die immediately, the flesh has overtaken the spirit; meaning that because of sin we will all one day die. Romans 6:23 says “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”. Sin is the barrier that separates us from God. God is holy and set apart. Sin dominates the fallen world we live in. Adam and Eve were ashamed and tried to hide in the garden from God, but He still pursued them. Today God still pursues us even when we try to run away. Genesis 3:15 is a prophetic verse in Scripture that reminds of the consequences of sin as well as the ultimate sacrifice that has to be made. Genesis 3:15 says “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” The Seed of woman is the offspring that later comes in the New Testament, God incarnate, divinity in human form…Jesus Christ of Nazarene. The seed of the serpent obviously is Satan. A snake can strike a human’s heel by biting, “you shall bruise His heel” and a human can crush a snake’s head, “He shall bruise your head.” The world had increasingly become sinful, tainted and corrupt. Adam and Eve had two sons, Cain and Abel. Abel and Cain both presented offerings to the Lord, but Cain’s was not acceptable to Him. Cain became jealous and angry, so he killed his brother Cain. God knew and punished Cain, banishing from the land like a fugitive and nomad. Eve eventually conceived and gave birth to another son named Seth (Gen. 4:25-26). Genesis 4 ends with the descendants of Seth.
The world that God had created and “saw that it was good” had become so sinful that a man would kill his own brother. In Genesis 5, we see a recap of Genesis 1:26-27; mankind being made in the image of God; and we also see a brief history of the genealogies of mankind. The world had become so sinful that God was sorry that He made man. God saw that there was one righteous man and his family, his name was Noah. Noah was the only righteous man that followed the Lord. Noah was not a perfect and saintly man, but He followed the Lord. God gave Noah specific and very detailed instructions to build an ark. The ark was kind of like a giant floating box, made to float like a boat but had no rudders, oars, or any type of steering. The ark floated and drifted whichever way the Lord sent it with the wind and waves. The reason God told Noah to build this ark is because God was going to send rain to flood the entire earth! God wanted to wipe the earth clean of its corruptness and start all over again. It took Noah approximately 120-140 years to build the ark. God told Noah to only bring his family, his wife, three sons; Ham, Shem, Japheth and their wives along with two of every animal that was “unclean” meaning those that they couldn’t eat as food. Yet God asked for seven each of clean animal, so they would have enough for food as well. The Lord sent one male and female animal so they could reproduce and multiply. It rained for 40 days and 40 nights until the earth was completely covered in water, even the mountains were covered! The water stayed on the earth 150 days (Gen. 7:24) Noah sent out a raven and a dove, one day the dove returned with an olive branch, meaning that the waters had receded. God placed a rainbow in the sky as a covenant and promise that He would never destroy the earth again (Gen. 9:13-15). Genesis 10 and 11 we see the ancestry of all the generations after Noah, his sons, and their descendants.
Genesis 11 tells of nations that had formed out the descendants of Noah. Genesis 11:1 says “Now the whole earth had one language and one speech.” But they began to want more, similar to when Eve was tempted by the serpent to know more and become like God. In Genesis 11:4 we see that they wanted to make a name for themselves, “And they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” The Lord saw what they were doing. God scatters them and confuses their language. This was what we call the tower of Babel. In Genesis 11:7-9, we see how the “nations” began to spread out and grow. Genesis 11:6-9 says, “And the Lord said, ‘Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.’ So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.” God is beginning to make many nations. We begin to see the multiplying of generations throughout the years and ancestry in Genesis 11.
Genesis 1-11 is known as the prologue, setting the scene of the beginning of God’s ultimate plan of redemption. We have four main components that introduce what we now read as our Bible. The four components are Creation and the purpose of Man (Genesis 1-2), the Need of Salvation that we have for God’s mercy because of the problem of sin also known as the Fall (Genesis 3-5), the Noah’s ark of safety amidst the catastrophic flood that God used to wipe the earth of all its corruptness (Genesis 6-10), and the flop of the tower of Babel by the scattering of many people and confusion of multiple languages (Genesis 11). All of these events form the foundation for God’s blessings and His ultimate plan to be known and worshiped throughout all the earth. The earth is beginning to be filled with people. Each of these people were sons and daughters of God. God stated a command to be fruitful and multiply, to fill the earth will people who reflect His glory. God’s plan to reflect His glory is through people who love Him as well as love others. We are His chosen instruments, as mankind to reflect His glory in all the earth; after all we are created to be His image-bearers. We needed someone perfect to fix everything, and Jesus Christ of Nazareth was His name.
Have you ever just stopped to think about nature and all its beauty? God created everything just as it should be. Think about how tall the majestic mountains are and how the valleys provide cooling shade amongst the canopy of trees? The intriguing and mysterious depth of all the oceans. The warmth of the sun, it’s strategically placed to maintain enough warmth to keep us from freezing and far away to keep us from burning. The detail and function of every plant and animal in the kingdom, every living organism. God created science and the building blocks of life. Lifegiver. Creator. Sustained. Provider. Father. His plan unfolded in a miraculous way.
Jesus came and showed God’s power in human form. Divinity in the flesh. He came to earth just like me and you, a baby from his nurturing mother’s womb. From the beginning conception was even miraculous, a young virgin. His birth was just like any other child, except in a barn because the inns were crowded. As a child, his wisdom grew as he learned and taught in the synagogues. Wise beyond his years. A normal kid and teenager with his parents and younger siblings. A hardworking carpenter’s son like his dad Joseph who loved to fish. He grew up into a young adult, and started his ministry at age 30.
His first miracle was at a wedding of some family friends, Mary his mother was with him. They had run out of wine, and all they had were pictures and jars of water. Jesus, provided the wine. Wine was symbolic of joy. Jesus brought wherever he went. He calmed the storm by saying peace, be still. He walked out of the water and called one of his beloved disciples to join him in by doing it too. He fed thousands with just a little snack of a lunch meant for one little boy. He can multiply even the smallest of things in our lives if we have faith to just let Him work! He healed the blind, and opened their eyes to wonders they had never seen before literally and spiritually! He opened deaf ears and the first thing they heard was the voice of truth, the Son of God! He healed the mute, their first words were praises to Him! He healed the sick and hurting from all ailments and afflicting diseases. He helped the lame to stand and walk in truth and life! He spoke the truth and changed lives for the better. He brought a dead man, who had been in the grave for four whole days, back to life! Can you imagine?! Everything he did struck up wonder and amazement!
What are some examples in your life or in the lives of others around that you’ve seen His power and glory displayed? Are you in need of a MIRACLE? Ask Him! Seek Him!
Here are two song links and MEMORY VERSES for you to study and ponder on your heart:
“Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.”
Luke 5:26 (ESV)”And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”
Tones drop, even when they’re not at the station. Radio chatter, hearing the dispatcher relay the situation at hand. Notifications pinging throughout the day. Gear bag and boots ready in bag by the door. Charging radio batteries. The majority of his wardrobe in the laundry being fire department shirts. Hearing an engine or ladder company go by sirens blaring wondering if its his crew. Waving at every fire truck that rides by because it might just be part of your fire family and if not it’s someone’s family. Trying to watch a tv show or movie and firefighter and trucks are on scene and he scoffs and laughs saying “That’s not how you do it! That’s Hollywood, it’s not accurate.” I just smile and laugh. Buying every firetruck or Maltese cross emblem or ornament or trinket as small reminders of how proud I am of him. For as long as we have been dating, he has been a volunteer firefighter and I have been a preschool teacher. We were both young and had been out of college two years, we were indeed brand new rookies. We had known each other 5 years as college friends, we didn’t date until 2 years after we graduated. In college we both graduated with the same Bachelor’s degree of Science in Youth Ministry and Family Culture. Little did we know that our “ministry” would look different than we ever expected. Wes loves what he does, but yet most people think volunteer firefighters aren’t “actual” firefighters or that they don’t get paid because they are “volunteer”, or that they don’t do the same stuff career firefighters (just like some people think that childcare and preschool teachers don’t do the same amount of work that regular school teachers do). Let me set the record straight on all regards here, IT IS the same. Volunteer Firefighters have to go through the same recruitment classes, rigorous training, and testing that a career firefighter does. Danger or fire doesn’t care if you or career or volunteer, you must be ready and trained either way. Training, drills, station meetings, classes and continuing education that they do, community outreach and service-everything they do career staff and volunteers do it together as a team-there is no difference. As for pay, they do get a check for what they earn and do every so often a month or quarter. Back to what I said about how our “ministry” looks different than what we expected it would from our college days, firefighting is a ministry in it’s own way- you are somebody’s safety and hope in a time of crisis and need what better way to show the love of Jesus than saving lives and serving others. I am so proud of the man my husband is.
So here’s a little Q&A (H-Heather, W-Wes)
H: What was the hardest thing to do in training when you were a rookie vs. the hardest thing as of now?
W: The hardest thing about being a rookie is was not knowing what you were doing and the hardest thing now is staying teachable and not seeming like you know everything.
H: What has changed in your years of experience since you’re first day as rookie?
W: The crew now relies on me to be a key member of the team, I have more responsibilities than I did as a rookie, the newness wore off. You learn as you go.
H: What is your favorite thing that your station does for the community besides protecting them?
W: One my favorite things that we do is the Santa claus run to get out there and see the joy of the kids as well as the families in our community is a pretty amazing feeling.
In the last blog, “Know Your Roots” in the I talked about ancestry and genealogy, why it’s important to know where you come from and your heritage. Family history is not such a new found hobby or science, people have been studying it for years. In the medical field, its important to known your family medical history to look any genetic markers or heredity diseases or disorders. Those who have been adopted into a loving family, still yearn to learn about their biological family. That is completely normal. When you get married and start building your own family like I am, its important you and your spouse look at your family trees as you continue to grow the branches and leaves. I’m gonna “retweet” myself here a line from my previous post “Learn the past, but don’t you dare stay stuck in it-move forward! If you don’t know your history, you may be bound to repeat it. If you don’t know your past, how will you truly have a future?” In bible times, they felt the same way about remembering their roots but forging their own path in God’s call. Let’s look at some biblical examples of ancestry and good ole fashioned family trees: after all we all came from Adam and Eve, [The Genealogy of Adam to Noah is found in Genesis 5, Noah’s Descendants are found in Genesis 10, and Abraham is a descendant of Shem’s tribe found in Genesis 11] but let’s fast forward…
Abraham: Father of Nations- In Genesis, Abram was a faithful servant of the Lord. God called him to go from his country away from his father’s land, the place he called home for most of his life. He was starting new, uprooting and replanting somewhere else. God calls us to bloom where we’re planted, sometimes He calls us to pick up roots and replant in order to grow. Abram had an encounter with God, so amazing that God changed his name to Abraham. He and his wife Sarai, her name became Sarah. His name Abraham literally means “father of nations” and her name now meant “princess”. Our names, are part of our story and identity, who He made each of us to be. When God changed someone’s life and their situation, He also changed their name. Abraham’s very name included the words father-something that most men among to be. Now you see, Abraham and Sarah loved each other and the Lord very much. They had been married many years and were very old in age. The thing is, they had no children. God made a promise-a covenant that included land, descendants that would outnumber the stars in the sky and build a nation that would be a blessing to the entire earth. How was the father of nations to be a father when he had no children? No son to call an heir or to teach him how to be a man. And for Sarah, this was extremely heartbreaking because she was barren. The heaviness of not bearing children for her husband weighed on her. One day, Sarah had a plan. Her plan included another woman, her servant Hagar.
Issac: The Chosen Child- A child born late in life to happy parents who waited his miraculous arrival and the older half sibling born of a compromise and agreement-created a blended family dynamic. Isaac was the promised child, Ishmael was the compromise child. As mentioned above Sarah thought for sure that she would never be a mother naturally so she decided to become one on her own terms, through her trusted maidservant becoming a surrogate. Sarah became jealous once young Ishmael was in the picture and when her pride and joy Isaac was born she made Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away. A true example of a blended family and half siblings. I, too was a late in life baby born to much older parents with much older half siblings. Miracles happen, Sarah was 90 years old and literally laughed when the angel told her she would have a baby, I mean I would too! Isaac’s name literally means “laughter”. Miracles happen because this is still family. Even if its messy. I come from a blended family with half siblings too.
Jacob & Esau: Sibling Rivalry & Stolen Inheritance – Isaac grew up and married a beautiful wife named Rebekah. They were thrilled at the idea of becoming parents-and guess what it’s TWINS! God gave them a double portion of blessings! Esau was the older twin, debuting first out of the womb and Jacob was clinging to his heel on the way out. They entered this world in a wrestling match and they struggled with each other the rest of their lives. Esau was a strong rugged outdoorsy man, he was a hunter gatherer and provided food for his family. When Isaac was old and well in his years, his vision and cognitive awareness wasn’t what it used to be and Jacob took advantage of that with the help of Mama Rebekah. Esau was outraged, and rightfully so-his own twin brother AND mother betrayed not only his trust but their own father. Remember this is not the first example of sibling rivalry (Cain and Abel) and won’t be the last in the Bible, Jacob realizes later that picking favorites causes dysfunction and hurt.
The 12 Tribes of Israel (aka the sons of Jacob) – After Jacob fled to the land of his mother, to stay with relatives his Uncle Laban. Laban was Rebekah’s brother. Laban had many sheep, a lot of land and two daughters- Leah the eldest and Rachel the younger. It was love at first sight for Jacob when he saw Rachel. Laban made a deal with Jacob to work for him SEVEN years just to marry her. Little did Jacob know his former deceitful and conniving ways were catching up with him. When that seventh year was up and the wedding day and night came, Laban sent Leah his older daughter in the wedding chambers to lay with her new husband Jacob. Jacob was alarmed when he didn’t wake up next to his chosen and beloved Rachel. He had been tricked! He then had to turn around and work SEVEN MORE years to marry Rachel. So 14 years later, 2 wives and 2 concubines later (he gained their maidservants Zilpah and Milcah as well) Jacob began to start a family. Jacob’s twelve in birth order were Reuben (by Leah), Simeon (by Leah), Levi (by Leah), Judah (also by Leah), Dan (by Bilhah Rachel’s servant), Naphtali (by Bilhah), Gad (by Zilpah Leah’s servant) , Asher (by Zilpah), Issachar (by Leah), Zebulun (by Leah), one daughter named Dinah (by Leah), Joseph (by Rachel) and Benjamin (by Rachel) whom she died giving birth to. Jacob grieved his beloved Rachel. Two sisters who loved the same man. One big family with alot sibling rivalry. Joseph’s brothers we know were very jealous of him and you can read the rest of Genesis to find out his story of redemption and forgiveness. One man, Jacob- became the father of a nation just like his grandfather. Jacob had a dream and was visited by an angel. He literally wrestled with God, He touched his hip socket and he was never the same! The point being- when you have an encounter with God you won’t even walk and talk the same as you were before Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, and Jacob became Israel! He went from being “deceiver” to “He who strives or wrestles with God”. God changes things, circumstances and you!
The Lion of Judah: the unofficial “Royal Family” Just before Jacob/Israel passed away and all his sons had made peace with each other and their brother Joseph, he prayed and blessed each of his sons as well as his grandsons Ephraim and Manasseh-Joseph’s two sons. This was more than just a prayer and farewell to his beloved sons, it was him prophesying over his sons as tribes of a great nation: He knew that God has something great for the future regarding his legacy of sons. He said to Judah – “Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Binding his foal to the vine and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, he has washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes. His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.” Genesis 49:8-12 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/gen.49.8-12.ESV. (Judah must’ve have been what we call “tall, dark and handsome”) Judah’s family was not by any means perfect or special in any extraordinary way but God chose his descendants to be the royal bloodline. Judah himself was not a king, neither were his sons. In fact, Judah’s sons were actually pretty wicked. Judah himself didn’t always do the “honorable” thing either. But God honored the same covenant He had with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and now Judah…your people, your family will be a blessing to all the people on earth. Jesus is called the Lion of Judah, the lion has and always will represent the King, a symbol of power and royalty. The scepter and ruler’s staff would never depart from his descendants nor would the throne ever leave the family. I think of the depiction in C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, the beautiful King Aslan-is to be a parallel representation of Jesus. Let’s go further and look at Judah’s descendants that almost never existed but God had a plan…
The Women Who Birthed the Mighty Men: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba & Mary- one by one these women and the offspring of their wombs impacted the prophecies that were to be fulfilled!
Tamar- Let’s look at Judah’s immediate family and in laws for a minute. This family story is about to get a little crazy. Judah married a Canaanite woman and she born him three sons: Er, Onan, and Shelah. The lovely Tamar was married to Er, he was dishonorable to God and died because of his wicked ways. She was then to marry his brother, fulfilling the levirate law of marriage if there is no heir of the deceased, she must marry the brother to conceive a son for the deceased brother. So she married Onan, who was also dishonorable and wicked, he failed to impregnate her and he died also. Lastly, she was promised and betrothed to Shelah the youngest son who was far too young for marriage and he had to become an adult before she could marry him. Her father in law Judah promised her his youngest son to produce heirs. She was a widow twice and now barren and childless yet she had to patiently wait. Years had passed, Judah’s wife had died and he grieved her accordingly. He was out hanging with one of his old buddies at a sheep shearing and was trying to low key find him a new wife in the same place he found his first wife. (Cue music “Looking for love in all the wrong places…”) Judah had not kept his promise to Tamar and neglected to fulfill his father in law duties because Shelah was now an adult. Tamar heard that he was in town and took matters into her own hands, she disguised herself pretended to be a prostitute and Judah had relations with her. Judah offered the “harlot” a kid (goat, not human) as payment and she asked for collateral until he was to pay her. She asked for his seal, cord, and staff. When Judah’s friend Hirah brought the kid, everyone said they didn’t know a town harlot. They found out it was Tamar and wanted to have her executed for breaking her marital vows with her in- laws, little did they know that was indeed about three months pregnant with TWINS! She said the man who these items belongs to, is the father of my unborn children. Judah then came forth confessing that he had slept with Tamar unknowingly. He let his bad decisions take control and she proclaimed what was rightfully hers in a somewhat scandalous way. She had finished her task and put back on her widow’s clothes. She had been forgotten and rejected, and now redeemed. She bore him twin sons Perez and Zerah. Talk about some soap opera family drama! And people think the bible is boring!!! She Reads Truth author Melanie Rainer puts it this way “That is a lot of background to unpack a story that is, at its root, a story of God’s faithfulness to a family. God had made a promise to Abraham. He made a promise to Isaac and to Jacob. And at so many turns, the promise appears threatened by someone’s sin. Judah almost destroyed what he should never have had in the first place: the blessing of the line of Christ.” God used Tamar despite the sins of the family, He kept the covenant from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob to the fourth generation Judah. From Perez, the family tree continues….he is the ancestor of King David but let’s see how. Let’s fast forward the Abraham through Judah links we already know and read Matthew 1:3-6a “and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, Matthew 1:3-6 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.1.6.ESV
Rahab- Another somewhat scandalous woman with a town reputation. Rahab was indeed a harlot. She actually married Tamar and Judah’s 5th great grandson Salmon! Let’s look at Joshua 2, enter the land of Canaan the Israelites were promised, but they had a slight inconvenience, people already inhabited their promised land so they sent spies to check it out before they went to conquer, “And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” They found refuge and a willing aid in an unlikely woman– “And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there.” They were being hunted and found safety in Rahab’s home along the city walls…“And it was told to the king of Jericho, “Behold, men of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land.” Then the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land.” But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. And she said, “True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. And when the gate was about to be closed at dark, the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them.” But she had brought them up to the roof and hid them with the stalks of flax that she had laid in order on the roof. So the men pursued after them on the way to the Jordan as far as the fords. And the gate was shut as soon as the pursuers had gone out. Before the men lay down, she came up to them on the roof and said to the men, Rahab had heard stories of who their God was, she wanted to be on their side and find out more about the God of the Israelites “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. She made them promise to protect her and her family to preserve them, she wanted to join in their faith! “Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” And the men said to her, “Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the Lord gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.” Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was built into the city wall, so that she lived in the wall. And she said to them, “Go into the hills, or the pursuers will encounter you, and hide there three days until the pursuers have returned. Then afterward you may go your way.” The men said to her, “We will be guiltless with respect to this oath of yours that you have made us swear. Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household. Then if anyone goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be guiltless. But if a hand is laid on anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head. But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless with respect to your oath that you have made us swear.” And she said, “According to your words, so be it.” Then she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window. They departed and went into the hills and remained there three days until the pursuers returned, and the pursuers searched all along the way and found nothing. Then the two men returned. They came down from the hills and passed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they told him all that had happened to them. And they said to Joshua, “Truly the Lord has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us.” Joshua 2:1-24 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/jos.2.1-24.ESVRahab was a woman who had a reputation and she was also a Canaanite, they believed in idol worship of Baal. She also had a hunger and yearning inside of her for something that she was missing, that was God. She had heard the stories of the God of the Israelites and how He sent plagues and parted the Red Sea while delivering them from Egypt. She wanted to know that same God and His power. So she befriended and aided the men, learning more about their God while she hid them from her own people. She promised them protection if they did the same for her. This was her escape, her way out of the ways of life she knew-a new beginning when she and her family left and went with them. Rahab later married a young man named Salmon from the tribe of Judah. He was in fact the descendant of Hezron one of Judah’s twin sons by Tamar. Salmon was their fifth great grandson! God is always working! No matter what the family circumstances, God uses it all for a greater purpose! Now let’s meet Rahab’s future daughter in law…
Ruth: A Beautiful Love Story of Patience & Redemption- (personally one of my favorite characters and books of the Bible). Ruth was not an Israelite. She was a Moabite woman who married an Israelite man Mahlon the son of Naomi and Elimelech. Elimelech and Mahlon and their other son Chilion all died leaving Naomi and her daughters-in- law Ruth and Orpah widowed. Naomi told Ruth and Orpah that were free to leave and go back to their homeland and their families, Orpah went on and moved on with her life. Ruth decided to stay with her dear devoted mother in law, she couldn’t leave her in her time of need and grief. She had no family and no one to take care of her. Plus, Ruth had grown well acquainted and accustomed to their way of life, their religion and way of worship. Their God was like no other god, at least any she had heard of in Moab her homeland. “When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah. Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the Lord show you kindness, as you have shown kindness to your dead husbands and to me. May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” Then she kissed them goodbye and they wept aloud and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.” But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the Lord ’s hand has turned against me!” At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem.” Ruth 1:6-19a NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/rut.1.6-19.NIV
Bathsheba: A scandalous story of adultery, heartache and God’s redemptive power of His covenant. Y’all if you think the Bible is boring or full of perfect people, you’ve been not really reading or paying much attention yet. No matter how broken and messed up we are in our own sin and choices, God loves us enough still to forgive us and redeem our story for His glory! Even a “man after God’s own heart” King David made mistakes, but God is so loving to forgive! Bathsheba was married to a mighty soldier named Uriah. David was the King at that time and his troops were at war. One day King David was walking his rooftop terrace of his palace and his eyes landed upon a beautiful young woman bathing on her rooftop. The seeds of lust had been planted, he could’ve looked away and went on about his day but he let his thoughts get the best of him. He sent for her to come see him. Then began a love affair with a married woman. She became pregnant, while her brave husband Uriah was away so the child she was carrying couldn’t possibly be his! David arranged for Uriah to come home on leave to spend time with his wife so the pregnancy could seem legitimate. However Uriah did not want to abandon his responsibilities during war. David then plotted to have him killed in battle. King David then married Bathsheba and they lost that child, but later had more children together including the wise King Solomon. From Solomon’s lineage came many good and bad kings, and Joseph came from the “house and lineage of David”.
Now let’s really fast forward several generations (approximately 14 generations from Abraham to David, 14 generations from David to Exile and 14 more generations to Jesus’s birth, roughly 42 generations equaling a few thousand years maybe, you do the math) from the Old Testament branches to New Testament branches of Jesus Christ’ family tree. The plan had been prophesied years before He came to earth! Read here in Matthew 1:1-17 “This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife, Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa, Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram, Jehoram the father of Uzziah, Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon. After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Elihud, Elihud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.” Matthew 1:1-17 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.1.1-17.NIV
Now let’s pick up with Mary and Joseph…
Mary: The Favored Young Maidservant of the Lord, mother of the Savior-A young woman betrothed to the love of her life, an older man who loved her and dreamed of taking care of her. The were making plans of their future together. One day unexpected visitor came and changed their lives one visit at a time. That same heavenly visitor saw her dear cousin Elizabeth months before. That visitor was an angel named Gabriel. Mary, so young and a life full of love and marriage as a new wife ahead of her…was about to become a new mother as well. Biologically and physically speaking that was IMPOSSIBLE, she had not been with Joseph they were waiting until they were married to have relations. She had never been with anyone else, she was a virgin. What would people think of her? An unwed mother? Most importantly what would her dear Joseph think of her? Her mind raced to many things in that moment. She couldn’t fathom how she could be carrying a child. The angel Gabriel sensed the sudden distress on her face and told her to not fear. Not to fear because the Holy Spirit would plant a seed in her womb that would bring forth the Savior of the world. Not to fear because she had been chosen and favored. The angel told her specific details even what to name her son, his name would be Jesus.
Joseph: The Unexpected Earthly Father- Hardworking, rugged, God fearing man with a plan-that was Joseph. He was engaged to the woman of his dreams who loved the Lord and family. Together they would one day create a family of their own. Years of carpentry and woodworking as a family trade, he couldn’t wait to build a home and life with Mary and teach his future sons his craftsmanship skills. Fishing together, all the memories a father wants to make with his children. He was quite a bit older than his young wife, so they definitely wanted children. Little did they know how soon that dream would be a reality. That beautiful, glowing, unexpected heavenly visitor named Gabriel was almost finished fulfilling his earthly assignments-Joseph was the last one he needed to see to complete his mission. Joseph wasn’t last simply because he was the least important…in fact he was a vital part of the plan. Joseph’s faith in the Lord would be needed to manifest his faithfulness and trustworthiness of his wife to be, Mary. He knew she loved him and here she was pregnant to surprise. He had not only an important holy duty as a husband but now as a father. A godly father to raise the earthly SON OF GOD, talk about quite a task! The boy who he carried on his shoulders and played with, would soon carry the weight of the world at the Cross. Mary, the chosen pure maidservant of the Lord…young and innocent could not raise this child on her own. That is why God chose and created them to be a family. Family is not anything to be taken lightly. Marriage and family was instituted and created by God. Joseph could not abandon and divorce her at a time like this just because what other people may have thought of their “illegitimate and out of wedlock” child. This was no mistake. This was God’s plan. After all, Joseph himself was indeed the descendant of the tribe of Judah…a descendant of King David just as the prophecy had been told. Gabriel even told Joseph just like he did Mary, what exactly to name their child…Jesus.
You see now how it all connects, one continuous thread, a tapestry woven by different individual stories and their families creating one bigger picture of one beautiful family. God delights in what He created: He created humanity and He designed the idea of family. So with that being said, go do some digging and researching on your own roots and heritage and spend more time with your family: your actual family God put you in, and your spiritual family meaning your brothers and sisters in Christ. I encourage you to study your bible-God’s Word, your history, and in the words of Dolly Parton find out who you are and do it on purpose!
Tides change in and out sweeping with the current but you know when the tide will change if you pay attention. Seasons change just like they are supposed to. God placed the sun and moon exactly where they need to be for both tasks. We anticipate the seasons as they change, we look forward to the change in scenery and weather. Winter thaws out and melts into beautiful spring colors and warmth, spring bursts forth into summer, and summer sunshine fades into the beautiful autumn golds, the hues change deeper and the leaves fall making way for new growth when the time comes, and then nature braces itself for cold winter and its frosty beauty. A cycle. But you know in your mind and spirit when there is a shift in the atmosphere. Some changes come abruptly and unexpectedly, that’s usually the change that no one likes. The changes that catch you off guard that you’re not prepared for: unexpected death and tragic accidents, loss of any kind, job loss, terminal illness or diagnosis, a global pandemic. None of these things are like seasons you expect, but yet we have all walked through them at least once. But then there are the changes you know are coming: the kind you dream about, wish for, pray for and plan tediously. The ones you want, the dreams you’ve kept tucked away. You mentally prepare and pray over it all the time. The signal beacon in your spirit turns on, you know the ship is on the horizon sailing closer but you don’t know how far away it is or what it looks like but you know it holds something in store for you. Listen to His voice, and when you feel the nudge you will know…
I have said this before and I tell people all the time, especially those younger than me (teens and college grads especially) you don’t have to pick and choose to be one thing or have it all figured out. It’s okay to change majors, change your minds, who cares if you graduate in 4 years or not, you stick to it…whatever it is God leads you to. You can do more than just one thing, you don’t have to be pegged down to one career one make it or break it decision, you are multifaceted and made in His image. Make friendships, make memories, take adventures. Worrying and stressing will not change anything, finals and exams are not be all end all life or death. You will make it. A saying I remember from one of my professors “Whatever it is Lord, don’t let me miss it today.” In fact, I’m going to go out on a limb here: you dont even have to go to college to have a career you can in fact go to trade school or find an apprenticeship that doesn’t require a four year education but extensive hands on training and skill development. Life skills and good ole fashioned common sense are just as essential as a piece of paper with your name on it with student loan debt attached to it. I say this as a college graduate and an adult in the real world, common sense ain’t always common I see it everywhere. Whatever your path is, it’s yours not anyone else’s except those who choose to walk alongside and the good Lord’s guidance.
As a young girl, I wanted to be many things: a rodeo cowgirl, a horse trainer and equestrian, an Olympic figure skater and an Olympic gymnist, an elementary music teacher, a singer songwriter, a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, a WNBA player, a fashion clothing designer, a vet, many things. We all dream of things we want to be when we grow up. I did alot with art and music growing up, that will always be part of who God made me to be (after all I am an enneagram 4, creative is kinda our thing). Drawing, designing, painting, sketching, playing piano and piano lessons, learning guitar and writing songs, lyrics and poetry, reading and writing, and photography. Competing in art, poetry, and vocal categories in Teen Talent programs through church. I enjoyed volunteering with March of Dimes and various youth group activities, praise team and outreach. At school, I enjoyed extracurriculars such as Art Club, Scholarship Finders Club, FISH Club (a Christian discipleship group), Honors Chorus, Guitar, Miss Falcon Pageant, and the Falcon Press newspaper (go figure right? I mean I love to write!). At a young age people often try to figure out what they want to be when they grow up. In school even as young as middle school they want to try to make you figure out what major you want in college or what career and vocational path you want to take after you’re out of school I mean who really knows at 12-13 years old what you wanted to do let alone at 18 when you’re out of high school. I didn’t know what I wanted to do at that age! I tell high school and college kids upon their graduation many times: “Don’t worry honey you’ll change your mind multiple times and you will figure it out” or “you don’t have to have a plan right away after graduation, doors will open and shut and it will be okay”. You don’t have to have it all figured out what your next steps are. I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d be a preschool teacher and assistant director and children’s ministry director.
My first job, was in fact at Chick-fil-a at 17 years old. October 2007 until January 2016 when I entered childcare. I started as a Team Member, moved to a shift supervisor Team Leader and also became highly involved in marketing and promotion of products. I worked at two different store locations a mall unit in a food court and a free standing store. I coordinated and planned several events. I helped train other employees as well as excelling at what we called 2nd Mile Service. You can learn alot about people, business, how or treat others and food when it comes to America’s number quick service family restaurant chain for 8 years. My bosses taught me so much more than chicken sandwiches and waffle fries, they taught me life. Everyone should at least work a restaurant job at least once in their life, it builds character and people skills (and there is food so that’s a plus! We made all kinds of recipes and tried new ideas all the time!)
I went to a technical school called Midlands Technical College and planned on transferring to a university and majoring in Music, then realized what kind of jobs are in the music industry? I said to myself I’ll be a music teacher! So Music Education it was! I then changed my mind (again); I dropped the music part and stayed with education. When I left Midlands, I went to a Fall Preview Day at Columbia International University (CIU) I was torn between two passions and programs: Teacher Education and Youth Ministry. At age 19, I was a camp counselor at the camp I grew up at, Camp Robinson. Little did I know that my life would change again, I received the call of ministry into my life while I was at the altar praying over the kids, one of pastors spoke and prophesied over me. That day I heard the Lord say to my heart in the still small voice in my spirit clear as day “You want to be a teacher, but I want you to be a different kind if teacher. Teach them about Me.” That was 2009. I prayed and started pursuing Youth Ministry which lead me to CIU- Columbia International University where I met my future husband. Going to a Christian Bible college is different from going to a regular public secular university, obviously. In many ways college everywhere is the same, kids trying to find their way and figure out life all while building relationships and obviously learning. I was a commuter and did not live on campus, which made fitting in to the social campus life a little hard but thankfully I had really wonderful friends and professors.
After graduating college, I applied to so many places just like many young people my age do. Sometimes it feels like you just search and fill out applications shooting resumes like a machine gun fire and just hoping something lands or sticks. I landed one of my most favorite “jobs” that really didn’t feel work some days, it was fellowship and ministering to others through retail at Family Christian Stores. My bible degree from CIU was beneficial in helping people find the right translation to use a study bible or for their quiet time. Helping someone find the perfect wedding gift or baby gift for someone special in their life. A pastor or youth pastor looking for new resources or material. Someone looking for some special gift of a Bible or journal to help their newly converted friend grow to be a true disciple. Praying with people in aisles and walking with people in their grief and joy. Having people speak life and prophesy over your life while you ring them up at the cash register. Listening to all the latest music, Christian podcasts and preaching while working was always so encouraging. Family Christian was partnered with a company called World Vision that helped with sponsoring and adopting children in foreign countries as well as missions to help communities. You learn alot in retail about business and sales, Black Friday working was always fun. I was there from October 2014 until January 2016, when I entered childcare.
Fast forward to five years ago, January 2016. I had been applying to many more places for careers now that I was finished with college I was still looking. I knew in my heart it was time to move on from the world of restaurant and retail into something different. I knew I wanted to work with children whether it was in an afterschool setting, community programs, church or non church organizations where I could make a difference teaching and ministering to children in some way, somehow. After all, I was and had always been involved in our church children’s ministries as a student volunteer for about 10 years or so. I needed an open door, a new opportunity. I entered into the whimsical world of crayons and fingerprints, ABCs and 123s: early childhood education, childcare. I have learned so many things over the years. I had no education experience officially but years of babysitting and children’s ministry experience and a degree in Youth Ministry- a related field. I started as what we call a “non stand-alone”, a rookie to say the least-someone who is brand new, inexperienced and has to train with another more experienced teacher for at least six months until they can be by themselves. After that I was the toddler teacher, then a year later I became Assistant Director. I have worked at two different childcare centers both as Assistant Director: one secular psychology based and one Christian based non denominational. Vastly different environments, like I mentioned before you know when you are called to move on. I have learned and juggled so many things in this career field than ever before but my previous years experience of retail, restaurant and ministry applied to early childhood education. You have to know how to work with the general public (in this case parents are your “customers”), meet needs and care for others, lots of administrative paperwork, multitask, and generally learn hands on. I have changed diapers, wiped noses and tears, cleaned up boo boos and applied band aids, given time outs and calm down bottles, watched children crawl or walk for the first time, soothe a sick or crying baby, give a high five and hug when they do something great, walk them learn their colors and numbers, writing their name for the first time, reading, and growing. It really is something special to behold when you take a step back and look at these tiny humans. It takes a big heart to shape little minds they say, it is very true. You can’t be a teacher and have a selfish bone in your being. It’s not logical. It takes brains and heart. I have learned so many things for when I become a mother that I know that this path is God’s working way to prepare me for the greatest gift one day: motherhood. Until then I’m “Mrs. Heada”, the teacher, the assistant director, the chapel director, and the “bonus mama”. Childcare isn’t for everyone but don’t ever take it for granted or think that our job is easy.
Years of volunteer experience as a teenager and college kid, (and realistically an actual degree) led me to where I am today: Children’s Ministry Director. My dream and goal when I was in college for Youth Ministry is to be doing what I am doing right now. Does it look different than I dreamed or imagined it would? Of course! I served under many others for many years, until spring of 2017, when it started as an “interim” children’s director position and here still 4 years later I am over all the children’s programs for all kids under 12. This past year with COVID-19 closures and shutdowns had been really hard, we truly miss and love our kids. It came down to Facebook videos on bible studies, book read alouds and sharing little devotions and snippets on Facebook and Instagram-but it doesn’t replace hugs and high fives and hands on face to face interaction of just being together. We have our Youth Ministry (Beyond Student Ministries, middle and high school) program with our wonderful Youth Pastor/Associate Pastor Caleb and his gifted wife Carlie leading worship together and restarting a Girls Ministry my husband Wes as our Boys Ministry Coordinator (formerly Royal Rangers) and I as the Children’s Ministry Director of Reach Children’s Ministry. The focus is discipleship and getting into the Word and truly growing, then getting out there reaching beyond the four walls of the church building and sharing Jesus! That is what it is about, the foundation of it all is built on relationships: with Jesus and with others.
Now, there are a few other things that I can add to the list: as of 2019 I became a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant and a few months ago around Thanksgiving I started a little baking and desserts business (“side hustle”) called Spoonful of Sugar Baked Goods.
My husband, Wes is quite exceptional. He is so humble and doesn’t like attention but he is so easy to dote and brag on, I’m obviously a little bit biased. In high school, he was a track star and football player. He has traveled across the United States many times and been to many more places than I have. Him and his dad have driven cross country multiple times. He did a summer internship in Montana at West Glacier National Park in the Parks Ministry program, he talks and dreams of it all the time. He has done lots of odds and ends jobs growing up from yard work and landscaping, interning in children’s ministry and youth Ministry, maintenance and grounds groundskeeping at college, and his job now at McEntire Produces as a Lead Parts Supervisor and also he has been a volunteer firefighter for Columbia Fire Department for five years. He serves as a board member at our church as well as media help and leader of our Boys Ministries program The Outpost formerly known as Royal Rangers.
I say all these things to tell you that your life doesn’t have to be a cookie cutter, fit the box type of life. You don’t have to stick to one thing your entire life and be stuck, you are multifaceted and God changes things according to His purpose for your life. So don’t be afraid of change, the next great adventure awaits you! Growing means we are NOT meant to stay the same!!!
“Not all who wander are lost…“. A common phrase many post of their wall or have it tattooed. But few actually go wandering off the beaten path…and as Frost would say take the road less traveled. Adventure is out there, go find it. Life is too short to be bored or be boring!
Travel, conquer fears, try new things, do things you never dreamed you could do or would do AND do the things you have always dreamed of doing…then do it again just because you loved it. If any of you know me well personally or spend just a short time around me you know I have a pretty extensive bucket list (and always adding to it!). I started making it and writing it down probably since 2012 when I was 22, and it has ever evolved into many drafts on handwritten notebook paper with purple ink that now faded to pink graffiti, or the notebook I have that I journal about my life and story that I’ve kept since about 2014, or the list making and note taking app I have on my phone that I use for just about everything, but my absolute personal sentimental favorite is the “Our Bucket List” journal that my then boyfriend now husband got me for Valentine’s back in 2018, with tickets to Biltmore Estates and the date marked for the day after my birthday March 10, 2018 THE DAY HE ASKED ME TO MARRY HIM! As you can see that’s my favorite bucket list because it’s our adventures and dreams together. So, there’s more to the proposal you see, one of our favorite Disney/Pixar movies when we were dating was the movie UP. Carl and Ellie and their grand adventures and adorable romance. The book was part of Wes’ proposal “Our Adventure Book” filled with pictures and ticket stubs and mementos from our few years of dating and even our just friends years in college. The page said “Life is a grand adventure, I could not think of anyone better to be on this journey with! Will you continue our adventures as my wife?” What a perfect proposal in my opinion! Five years together, two years married and the adventure continues!
A few weeks ago my husband Wes and I just completed the Ultimate Outsider Challenge for South Carolina State Parks. This challenge means you have visited and explored all 47 state parks in our beautiful Palmetto state. We have 46 lovely counties full of small town charm and lots of historic sites. We started in 2017 when we were just dating and leisurely completed the challenge on January 13, 2021. We have camped and stayed at several and even visited a few of the closest ones more than once. Long ago before we ever dated and were just friends in college, our senior trip for an actual course credit was a mission trip to Costa Rica back in January 2014. Our honeymoon was a cruise to the Bahamas back in January 2019. Every year on our anniversary so far we like to take some trip and explore! I have only flown in a plane once and cruised on a ship once, but once you do it- you’ll want to go somewhere over and over again. On to the next adventure!
You can break down your goals, dreams, journeys and adventures however you want: by decades, by year, by career, by travel, by stuff you do as a couple, as a family or gal pals. It doesn’t matter where you go, or what you do it’s what you want to do in heart that sparks joy or something big that you know God has called you to do. It can be short and sweet or long and ever evolving. Life isn’t always about the destination but the journey! Who you’re makes it even more fun and memorable! Together is a great place to be, or somethings are more a solo trek! Whatever speaks to your heart!
Here below is a copy of my bucket list: and I’m always adding things to it!
[ ] 1. Be a better wife, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, niece, friend, leader, teacher. Be a better me, a better Christian, a better witness, a better heart attitude. [ ] 2. Lead more people to Jesus Christ, make an impact. [ ] 3. Become a godly wife and mother. [✔] 4. Get married to the love of my life one day. God sent my Prince. (January 5, 2019 Wesley Alexander Carnley) [✔] 5. Get married in the church I grew up in. (January 5, 2019) [✔] 6. Be kissed in the rain/dance in the rain [✔] 7. Watch the sunrise, wake up to see a new day begin. Watch the sunset. [✔] 8. Go on a mission trip (January 9-20, 2014 with CIU youth min) first but definitely won’t be my last! [✔] 9. Fly on a plane (January 9, 2014) [✔] 10. Visit Costa Rica (January 9-20, 2014 CIU mission trip) [ ] 11. Visit Puerto Rico [ ] 12. Visit Africa, safari [ ] 13. See Victoria Falls in Africa [ ] 14. Visit Europe, everywhere. France, England, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, etc. Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, Arch de Triumph, Buckingham Palace, Stonehenge, Ireland, castles old churches. All of it. [✔] 15. Walk on the beach early enough to watch the sun come up over the ocean. (in Jaco Beach Costa Rica January 2014) [✔] 16. Ziplining in the mountains and rainforest (January 19, 2014-Costa Rica) [ ] 17. Visit Rupp Arena & Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, KY. GO CATS! [ ] 18. Visit Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY. Home of the Kentucky Derby. Visit Louisville Slugger Museum [ ] 19. Visit Nashville and soak in all of Music City. Visit the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium, sing on that stage once in my life. [✔] 20. Go to a Clemson game at Memorial Stadium in Death Valley, SC (September 15, 2012) [✔] 21. Go whitewater rafting (June 26-27, 2013 with youth group) [ ] 22. Go ziplining in the Smoky Mtns AND at the Riverbanks Zoo (“Zip across the Zoo”) [V] 23. Go iceskating (every year at Accelerant from 05) take Wes iceskating [ ] 24. Go skiing (attempt) [ ] 25. Swim in all 4 oceans: ✔Atlantic, ✔Pacific, Artic, Indian. [ ] 26. Visit the Holy Land. Jerusalem, Israel. Bethlehem and all the biblical places where Jesus was. Tel Aviv. Galilee, Nazareth, Bethlehem, Gethsemane, Jerusalem, etc. [ ] 27. Swim/float in the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. [✔] 28. Read the bible more than once cover to cover. [ ] 29. Travel, go on a cross country road trip. [ ] 30. Write and publish a book or a few. (Working on it started in March 2020) [ ] 31. Pay off my student loans [✔] 32. Get my driver’s license (November 22, 2014) [✔] 33. Graduate High School (May 29, 2008) [✔] 34. Graduate College, obtain at least 2 degrees. (Bible Certificate, Youth Ministry & Family Culture BS) (May 17, 2014) [ ] 35. Earn my Master’s degree, attend grad school. Pursue higher education [✔] 36. Own my own truck. (bought and paid for, title and all) June 29, 2015 [✔] 37. Become first aid/CPR certified. April 15, 2016 and Sept 16, 2016 [ ] 38. Get my CWP, own a handgun and a rifle. [ ] 39. Learn to ride a bike. [ ] 40. Go to the Carolina/Clemson football game (Palmetto Bowl) [ ] 41. Ropes course at Riverbanks Zoo [ ] 42. Indoor Rockclimbing…may be real Rockclimbing too. [ ] 43. Read all of C.S. Lewis books [ ] 44. Get my hunting license-DNR course [✔] 45. Get my official fishing license (March 2015) [ ] 46. Take photography classes and become a licensed photographer [ ] 47. Visit Memphis, visit Graceland [ ] 48. Visit Atlanta-Go to a Braves game. [ ] 49. Visit Charlotte and all the fun things to do there [✔] 50. Visit Billy Graham Museum and Library in NC (May 2009) [ ] 51. Visit Chick-fil-a corporate home office in ATL. Also visit the original Dwarf Grill [✔] 52. Visit the original KFC, Sanders Cafe in Corbin, KY (Labor Day Sept 7, 2015) [✔] 53. Visit Cumberland Falls, (National Park in KY) September 7, 2015 [ ] 54. See the Moonbow at Cumberland Falls. [✔] 55. Go on a cruise, Bahamas (HONEYMOON January 6-12, 2019) [ ] 56. Visit Hawaii [ ] 57. Go to Disney World, visit Cinderella’s castle [ ] 58. Go to a NASCAR race [✔] 59. Go deep sea fishing (Freeport Bahamas, honeymoon Jan 8, 2019 caught Mahi Mahi and had it for lunch) [ ] 60. Horseback riding on the beach at sunset. [✔] 61. Own my own small business (Mary Kay income to grow H4HH) [ ] 62. Helicopter ride [✔] 63. Own my own home one day [ ] 64. Visit NYC, see the Statue of Liberty at Ellis Island, visit Rockefeller Plaza especially during Christmas/NYE, iceskate at Rockefeller Plaza…would be super cool [ ] 65. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC [ ] 66. Visit the Smithsonian Museum of American History, National Archives, Monuments at Washington DC [ ] 67. Visit Grand Canyon, Arizona [✔] 68. Visit Savannah (Tybee Island) July 31-August 2, 2015 [ ] 69. Visit New Orleans [ ] 70. Visit Niagra Falls [ ] 71. Visit Italy -all the cities, art, culture, food, architecture. Throw a penny in the Trevi Fountain, see the colesium. house of Montague and Capulet of Romeo and Juliet in Verona. Tuscany. Milan. [ ] 72. USMC mud run [ ] 73. Run a 5K (at least one) [✔] 74. Learn to play guitar (started in 2005…sophomore at AC Flora) [✔] 75. Learn to play piano (started when I was 11…quit and then fell in love again with it at 16) [ ] 76. Learn to play banjo, fiddle and drums too [ ] 77. Richard Petty Driving Experience at Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte [ ] 78. Eat at Lady and Sons restaurant in Savannah (Paula Deens) Meet Paula Deen [ ] 78. Hot air balloon ride [ ] 79. Carolina Adventure World, mudding [ ] 80. Read more often, especially literary classics [✔] 81. Get second hole pierced in my ears [✔] 82. Eat at Bubba Gumps Shrimp Co restaurant (twice in Gatlinburg once in Charleston) [ ] 83. Learn sign language (ASL) [ ] 84. Go to a pro game (NFL, MLB, NBA) [ ] 85. Go to an NCAA Championship game. [ ] 86. Learn to speak a foreign language fluently (Spanish first, Italian or French maybe after that) [ ] 87. Go to a concert Meet Dolly Parton [✔] 88. Go to DollyWood (Pigeon Forge TN) (family summer vacation in July of 02,03,04) [✔] 89. Meet Billy Graham ( not applicable. He passed away in Feb 2018) [✔] 90. Go to a Hillsong United Concert (July 18, 2016 @ Colonial Life Arena with Lauren Daigle) [✔] 91. Go to a Chris Tomlin concert (November 2012 Florence Civic Center) [✔] 92. Take self defense classes (for women) April 27, 2019 [ ] 93. Learn to be a better swimmer [ ] 94. Go to real Broadway show [ ] 95. Hike the Appachalian Trail [ ] 96. Hike the Palmetto Trail [ ] 96. Conquer my fear of rollercoasters [ ] 97. Ride a mechanical bull [ ] 98. Go to a rodeo [ ] 99. Take horseback riding lessons [ ] 100. Start a nonprofit organization/ministry [✔] 101. Start a blog ministry (Hope For Her Heart: June 22, 2015) [✔] 102. Set up a 401K or some type of retirement fund or IRA (the week of my 30th Birthday) [ ] 103. Visit the American Girl Store (finally one day get a doll!) [ ] 104. Go to a Reba concert [ ] 105. Learn to line dance [✔] 106. Buy a nice pair of cowboy boots, a leather belt with my name on it. [ ] 107. Go to drive in movie [ ] 108. Learn to translate Hebrew and Greek [ ] 109. Be able to afford to take my parents on a real vacation one day. [ ] 110. Be able to thank and repay my parents for all they’ve done in my life [ ] 111. Own my own family farm one day. [ ] 112. Own a few horses [✔] 113. Visit all state parks and historical sites in SC, especially Columbia, Charleston, Camden. [ ] 114. Read all Nicholas Sparks books and see all the movies [ ] 115. Volunteer more time at various local charities, ministries and non-profit organizations [ ] 116. Be a “big sister” through Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization [ ] 117. Become a licensed counselor [✔] 118. Become a teacher (hired at Adlerian Child Care Center in Irmo January 27, 2016 preschool…Creative Beginnings Christian Child Development Center December 28, 2017- Assistant Director both centers) [✔] 119. Become a children’s pastor, youth pastor (Children’s Director April 2, 2017) [ ] 120. Sponsor a child through world vision or compassion international [ ] 121. Go on a mission trip to one of the orphanages through world vision or compassion international [ ] 122. Volunteer with Operation Blessing with CBN The 700 Club [ ] 123. Sleep on a blanket under the stars one summer night [ ] 124. Grow my hair long enough to chop it short and donate [ ] 125. Collect a family recipe cookbook, research our family tree ancestry and create scrapbook [ ] 126. One day become either a foster parent or adopt a child, give hope of a better life [ ] 127. Raise our future children to follow Jesus [✔] 128. Be someone’s crazy awesome aunt (my real nephews are older than me more like brothers…first great nephew in 2004-added 3 more sweeties when I got married…we have 10 nephews, 5 neices) [✔] 129. Be a bridesmaid (Bridgett and Justin’s Wedding 12.31.15, Cam and Kate’s Wedding 11.17.17, Bobby and Colleen’s wedding 12.8.18) [✔] 130. Create intentional random of acts of kindness [ ] 131. Be a nanny [✔] 132. Catch lightning bugs in a mason jar [ ] 133. Go to a shooting range (an indoor and outdoor) [ ] 136. Meet Tim Tebow [ ] 134. Go hunting [ ] 135. Go sailing on a beautiful sailboat [ ] 137. Meet Luke Kuechly [ ] 138. Volunteer for at least a week or two with St. Jude Children’s Hospital [ ] 139. Meet Wendy Griffith of The 700 Club [ ] 140. Meet Mandy Hale, blogger and author The Single Woman [ ] 141. Travel and Train Compel Writing Workshop with Proverbs 31 Ministries. Meet Lysa TerKeurst and Renee Swope [ ] 142. She Speaks Conference through Proverbs 31 Ministries [ ] 143. Volunteer or be on staff for She Reads Truth [ ] 144. Meet and sit down with our lovely former Governor Nikki Haley and shake her hand, thank her for her diligence and hard work. [ ] 145. Pursue more higher education: maybe an additional bachelor’s degree, quite possibly an associate’s, definitely some certifications [ ] 146. Go on the tour of historic homes (Robert Mills District) in downtown Columbia [✔] 147. Hold baby wild animals…like a tiger cub, joey(baby kangaroo), a wolf pup, a kinkaju, and lemurs! (Zootastic Park in NC March 19, 2016) [✔] 148. Get over my fear(more so “nerves”) of public speaking [ ] 149. Write a letter to myself and open it in 10 years and repeat. [✔] 150. Visit The Biltmore Estate in Asheville and other fun things to do there. {March 10, 2018…the day I said YES to Wes, the best man I’ve ever known!💍} The day after my 28th birthday [ ] 151. Visit Greece. Greece-all the cities, art, culture, food, architecture. Athens. Sparta. Santorini. Thessalonica. Crete. Corinth. [ ] 152. Visit “Pretty Place” the chapel on the mountain at YMCA Camp Greenville in Cleveland SC [✔] 153. See Kari Jobe in concert (Accelerant Conference 2014, Gatlinburg TN) [✔] 154. See Lauren Daigle in concert (July 18, 2016 @ Colonial Life Arena opened for Hillsong United) [✔] 155. Earn more certifications and credentials (college courses) [✔] 156. Go kayaking, and canoeing. (June 3, 2017 Broad River with Wes) [✔] 157. Enter my art/photography in the state fair or any contest. (October 2019) [✔] 158. Go Hiking [✔] 159. Ultimate Outsider Challenge all 47 SC State Parks with the Park Passport Plus (June 17, 2017 & COMPLETED January 13, 2021) [✔] 160. Go to a Carolina football game at Williams Brice (September 16, 2017 vs Kentucky with Wes) [ ] 161. Swim with dolphins [✔] 163. Tropical Kayaking Adventure {Half Moon Cay Bahamas Carnival Island…January 9, 2019 honeymoon…Bonefish Lagoon saw starfish, conch, sea cucumbers, and jellyfish} [✔] 164. Put a love lock on Lake Murray Dam with Wes (July 20, 2018) [ ] 165. Slow dance in the headlights on some back country road [✔] 166. Go snorkeling {Half Moon Cay Bahamas Carnival private Island January 9, 2019} [✔] 167. Watch all Star Wars movies in order. Fill in missing pieces of story line. [✔] 168. Take Dad to see Air Force museum in Savannah [ ] 169. Watch all Marvel movies in order. Fill in missing story line pieces. [✔] 170. Be an entrepreneur (started Mary Kay June 2019) [✔] 171. Adopt a puppy (Sept 26, 2019 we brought home our Beagle/Labrador Ginger) [✔] 172. Mount Airy (Mayberry) NC home town of Andy Griffith -birthday surprise trip March 9, 2020 [ ] 173. Dahlonega, Georgia at Christmas time [✔] 174. Buy a lottery ticket [✔] 175. Diamond Hill Mine in Abbeville SC [ ] 176. Visit Brazil. See the Amazon. Experience Rio de Janiero [✔] 177. Go to a tea room with my mom, my sister’s, my aunts and my closest girlfriends (definitely will be going again) [✔] 178. Take pictures in a sunflower field and pick some 6/28/20 [ ] 179. Meet Ree Drummond and go to the ranch and Mercantile in Oklahoma [ ] 180. Meet Joanna Gaines (and Chip) and visit the Magnolia Market at the Silos in Waco, Texas [ ] 181. Be on Wheel of Fortune [✔] 182. God’s Acre Healing Springs, Blackville SC [✔] 183. Eudora Farms drive thru safari [ ] 184. See the Great Sequoias and Redwoods National Forest [ ] 185. Visit all the National Parks [ ] 186. Biltmore at Christmastime [ ] 187. Stay in a cute little bed and breakfast [ ] 188. Guardian ad Litem (GAL) [✔] 189. Cake baking, decorating side business (November 2020) [✔] 190. Watch all The Chronicles of Narnia movies [✔] 191. Brookgreen Gardens at Murrells Inlet
So I say this with a big heart full of hope and wonder, get out there! Find things you are passionate about and do them! Find curiosity and wonder and go explore! Got questions, go find answers! Want to learn something new? Go try it out! There is no harm done in trying something different! Life is way too short to be boring or full of what ifs and the “shoulda-coulda-wouldas”. If anything 2020 taught us all, things can change faster than you think. But I leave you with this heartfelt YES, the very best decision you could make and greatest adventure you’ll ever take is to follow Jesus. Let Him be your compass to whatever roads you take. Life is not always about the destination but the journey, bumpy roads often lead to beautiful places and the most beautiful destination awaits with Jesus: Heaven. Let life here on earth show no fear of the unknown. “Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures”
A year of change and chaos. Faith or fear-you choose. 2020 has been quite a year. A pandemic, civil and political unrest, an election. COVID-19. Racial issues and differences. Crazy weather, of tornadoes and hurricanes. Unprecedented changes, working from home, virtual learning, business and government shut downs, no big events or crowds, wearing masks wherever you go, sanitizing everything and being deemed an “essential “. This year has been anything but normal for many people. Lives have been lost from this virus. And yet many have also recovered. Some of you may have had great year, and some of you may have had an awful year. Yet at the end of the day, we all will move forward. I’ve said several times if 2020 had a slogan or catchphrase it would be “I’m over it”. I’m going to “retweet” myself from my blog I wrote on New Year’s 2016: You may have had an amazing year full of cheerful and blessed moments, accomplishments, and milestones. You may have had a really tough and tumultuous year full of heartache, pain, setbacks, and maybe even tragedy. Most people have a year full of both triumph and tragedy, joy and pain…just like life. You sometimes have to taste the bitter with the sweet. Whether we like it or not, time marches on. For some time may have flown by too fast. For others it may seem as if time is crawling by so slowly. Time goes on, it doesn’t stop for anyone or anything; and as much as we would like to pause it, slow it down, rewind, or fast forward all we can do is let it play until it stops.” This is true everyday, every year. We can’t “turn back time” or can we skip ahead to the new chapter or year that awaits. You push through, you keep going just like we have done all year in 2020. Everyone keeps saying “goodbye and good riddance 2020” but I challenge you to find the good things that you had this year, it can’t all be bad. The little moments and memories made, the small victories over challenges. Cling to what is good and cling to what is God’s and that’s the Word- His truth. Look for opportunities to grow, chances to change, circumstances to show grace and extend love in a world that really needs it. Let go of the negative nastiness-that bitter pill. I’m gonna recap and review something I posted months ago in the spring of 2020 during quarantine because it’s a great reminder:
“The Bible warns of such plagues and pestilence, its not a new thing (they had infectious diseases in Biblical times too). Signs and wonders are being shown to us. Prophecy still speaks now as it did thousands of years ago. Here’s how to brave it all. 1) PRAY 2) Do NOT fear or panic, you lose all logical reasoning when you panic. 3) Wash your hands, stay healthy and safe follow “social distancing” and “self isolation” the best you can, but don’t let isolation make you feel alone in the midst. Reach out to friends, family, neighbors. If you struggle with loneliness or depression, find a buddy you can talk with regularly. We are in this together. 4) Use this time to find a new hobby, work on projects, catch up things, read your Bible, start a book that’s been on your must read list, create some crafts, have a family game night with your kids, try a new recipe, work out you’ll feel great, self-care, random acts of kindness towards others, take a nap and rest, it will restore your soul. (Remember 4:8, whatever things are good, think on them) 5) Recite Psalm 91 over you and your family/household. A prayer of protection: “My Refuge and My Fortress” “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord , “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalms 91:1-16 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.91.1-16.ESV)
We all hear “Happy New Year” the next word that comes to mind, is “resolutions”. Quite honestly, I’m sick and tired of New Year’s resolutions. (If you’ve been keeping up with my blogs the past 5-6 years, my first blog of 2016 was about resolutions and goals: “GO!”: A New Look at a New Year posted January 2016). I prefer to set goals and find new adventures, especially trying new things. Trying new things can be intimidating and scary but that’s what makes it fun and makes life beautiful too. So, I’ve heard many people now choosing a “word for the year” each year instead of “resolutions”. My friends and I have been doing this for a quite a few years now. Last year in 2020, the word for me (alot of others as well) was VISION, let’s hash that out for a minute. 20/20 vision is said to be perfect vision, seeing clearer than ever before is what we all said we wanted for the new year well 2020 had a way of removing all the luxuries and things we take for granted, the everyday routines and tasks, places we go, people we gather with, all these things were shaken and stirred in 2020. We ask God for vision, He took off the blinders showed a bigger plan, removed all distractions, created a space and time of “containment” and “social distancing” to cultivate and change how we see the world around us and how we interact and treat others. Never take for granted your job, your school and education, your grocery store clerks and stockers, your waiter or waitress and cashier at restaurants, your delivery drivers, your teachers, your first responders, your healthcare workers, your time with family and friends. Never take these for granted ever again, that’s what 2020 has taught us. You may have lost alot this year, you will regain strength and overcome. My word for the year is overcome, not that I really personally had a tough year but loved ones around me did as an empath it’s tough. But the thing is overcoming any obstacle that the year has. No matter what may come, I will overcome because I know I have in the past. And another word I’ve chosen is simply “better”: meaning I will do better, I want to be better at all areas on my life, and better together when connection is so important.
I leave you with this, find something ONE thing, or five or ten that you want to grow in. Set a goal and give grace, to yourself and others. Seek God in every little thing and every big thing, in ALL things. Move forward, better together. “And even if it not good, God is still good”.
Weeks had passed, maybe months, no one knows the exact time frame. Mary had given birth just and was probably starting the natural healing process after labor. She and Joseph were adjusting to life with their newborn baby boy. She may have been up for visitors and company and maybe not, like any new mom. The thing is Mary, was not the mama of an ordinary baby. Her baby boy pride and joy, “Jeshua” (Hebrew) was the answer to prophetic prayers. She knew people would want to see and worship her child just like the Shepherds did that night the angels led them to the stable. Little did she know how far people would travel…
Read Matthew 2:1-3
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
The same star, the one that shown that night for the shepherds and led them to the stable and the manger…had led them to Jerusalem. According to a Harvard article http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1991QJRAS..32..389H “It is proposed that a remarkable sequence of three astronomical events stimulated the journey of the Magi: the triple conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter in 7 BC; the massing of the three planets Saturn, Jupiter and Mars in 6 BC; and finally the appearance in 5 BC of the `star of Bethlehem'”. Just as it did last week and made it the brightest star in the sky in a very long time. God is in control of all the planets and stars and tells them where to move and hangs them all in perfect balance in the beautiful sapphire night sky. He aligns natural phenomenons just like He created them, He makes miracles and prophecy a reality. Some scholars even say, and you will find if you do some digging in Hebrew and Greek word studies that the word “aster” meaning star…or heavenly bodies or celestial bodies are sometimes mentioned in reference to angels. How could a star move and guide them from the far East to the west as a directional beacon? In my humble opinion, that “star” was in fact an angel. (Story for another time, I have in fact seen an angelic comet like figure in the sky before). The same heavenly messengers for the shepherds were now guiding and signaling another group of strangers…the 3 kings. He came for the lowly working class shepherds and the wealthy ancient kings of a far off land. He came for all people, and all people were going to come see Him. Except there was one person who wasn’t exactly excited or thrilled at the infant king’s arrival…
His name was Herod, and once he heard the birth announcement he knew his power could be challenged. He felt threatened that another king could steal his throne, even though he was only a baby. Seriously, a grown man feeling threatened by a newborn baby. He tried to manipulate the situation by using the traveling kings as “spies” unbeknownst to them. They were to find out where this king was and tell him where so that he could go “worship” him too. His plan was to find the sweet family and kill their newborn baby boy. An angel however intervened and warned the wise men not to report back to Herod but go home another way. That being said, you can imagine Herod was not happy.
Read Matthew 2:3-6
“When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Read Matthew 2:7-12
“Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.”
Sadly, he took drastic measures to have every male newborn and child under the age 2 killed to wipe out this potential king from existing. How heartbreaking for every mother and father of an innocent boy. The same angel warned Joseph in a dream to take his family far away to Egypt. Jesus and his parents Mary and Joseph had to take refuge in a far off land to be safe, at least until Jesus was over 2 years old and King Herod had died. Scripture states this prophecy will be fulfilled in Hosea 11:1 referenced in Matthew 2:13-15 “Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Matthew 2:13-15 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.2.13-15.ESV
“Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.“ Matthew 2:16-23 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.2.16-23.ESV
Hold onto that thought and let’s unpack and unwrap these “baby shower gifts” they brought to Mary and Joseph, I mean I would think about it maybe some diapers or blankets? But they showered Him with gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Gold: wealth and riches, valuable as currency. This symbolized his royalty and sovereignty. Kings always has gold. Mary and Joseph could probably use whatever currency and valuables that were given to them.
Frankincense: a fragrant and expensive perfume, burned as incense during worship at the temple sometimes. He was meant to be worshipped, the Son of God.
Myrrh: a fragrant spice often used as medicinal purposes and a burial spice for embalming. He is the healer. He would one day die for all of us. His death was victory.
Back to the family and their extended stay in Egypt…shortly thereafter they returned to their hometown Nazareth, where Jesus grew up and learned in synagogue. Little did they know that one day, He would be the greatest Rabbi that they would ever know and love. The Messiah himself. He grew up and became a young boy, then a teenager learning his father Joseph’s skill of carpentry and also learning how to fish until the day He taught others how to be fishers of men. He was 30 years old (how old I am now) when he stepped into his role and really showed who he was. Personally, I think it’s a great age and time in life when you really start to know and figure out who you are. The ministry of the Messiah and MiracleWorker. Jesus, little Jeshua of Nazareth was now known as Jesus Christ “the anointed one”.
Just as the wise men listened and followed, wise men and women still seek Him today. True wisdom comes from His word, not wealth wealthy nobility and titles. The shepherds listened. Mary and Joseph, Elizabeth and Zechariah followed their tasks faithfully as parents to raise up men to what God called them to be. We too, me and you can do the same if we seek Him and listen when He calls us.
A life lived outdoors, weathering the elements whether heat or cold, rainy or snowy. The beasts and predators must be kept at bay as well. No one or no thing gets to their sheep. The flock must be protected. The phrase “I didn’t choose this life, this life chose me” may simply apply to these shepherds. Their job was never taken lightly. A shepherd’s sole responsibility is the safety, care, well-being of their flock. According to wikipedia’s google search results about shepherds: “Some flocks may include as many as 1,000 sheep. The shepherd will graze the animals, herding them to areas of good forage, and keeping a watchful eye out for poisonous plants. Shepherds often live in trailers or other mobile quarters.” As a shepherd you had to know where the good hiding places were and the good grazing places were and what plants were harmful. Shepherds were and are very much hunter-gatherers as well as protectors. Although their jobs were similar to farmers and farm-hands, shepherds were often paid to watch the sheep of others. Shepherds also lived outside of the society, or the outskirts near their pastures presumably. Shepherds were and are largely nomadic. Most shepherds were males without children, and families. New shepherds were often recruited externally. Shepherd could quite possibly seem rather lonely, just you and your flock and maybe a few other shepherd comrades nearby. They were indeed rugged and hardworking, and what we would call “blue collar boys” today. In biblical times they were often thought of as lowly positions in society.
As more research shows, typically the youngest son in the family in chosen to shepherd the sheep. As the each older son grows up, he transfers his responsibilities from sheep raising and shepherding-to helping his father with farming duties like sowing, plowing, and harvesting the crops, and passes on the shepherd’s task to the next little brother. The job is passed from oldest to youngest until all have been the family shepherd. Leaving the very youngest to remain the shepherd. We see this in the book of 1 Samuel, when Jesse raised his family of eight sons and David was his youngest son “And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and behold, he keepeth the sheep” (1Sam. 16:11). David, was the family shepherd. We see in scripture that it was prophesied in Isaiah 11:1 “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.” Isaiah 11:1 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/isa.11.1.ESV
Read and reflect on Luke 2:8-20
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” Luke 2:8-20 ESV https://bible.com/bible/59/luk.2.8-20.ESV
The angel, went to the lowly and lonely, far out in an isolated pasture on a cold winter’s night…the shepherds in the country. The same way Samuel found young David, the king of Israel the angels told them that the NEW King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Prince of Peace had been born in the city of David! The shepherds knew all about preparing the spotless and perfect lamb for Passover, yet little did they know they were about to meet the Lamb of God. What a moment!
Jesus, Son of God and Son of man. King of kings, Lord of lord’s. Prince of Peace. Jeshua. Messiah. The Good Shepherd and the Lamb of God. He is called and named many things, to Mary and Joseph that’s their baby boy and pride and joy. Jesus was called the Christ, or the Messiah when he entered into his ministry at age 30 after his baptism by John his cousin. The name “Christ” means anointed one or the Messiah. He had been prophesied and chosen by God the Father long before He was born, He knew everything and existed in heaven with the Father. The angels were sent to shepherds, the chosen caretakers. Shepherds often anointed or poured oil over their sheeps heads to keep burrs, briars, and bugs off as a protection from the sun and harsh elements as well. Jesus, the chosen anointed one is the Lamb of God, yet HE is also our shepherd who guides and guards us, cares for and protects as well as anoints us with his blessing of protection. God revealed his perfect plan to all who listened when the time had come…yet His story is still unfolding and we get to be a part of the story…
Follow along next week as we follow the wise men as they followed the star…
In the true spirit and anticipation of Christmas season, Heather H. Carnley
Hope For Her Heart 