My One Word: Restore, a word study

Looking at the Bible has been a primary plan and approach to internalize and meditate on my word.

Word studies can help pull it together. but words in isolation can also lead you astray and to make incorrect inferences.  The reading teacher in me knows that, but the theologian in me, says this is not an area I have a foundation to build on.

Baker's Evangelical Dictionary Commentary says this:  The Old and New Testaments use terms such as "restore" and "renew" to image God's control of history and the believer's spiritual life.  

Literal meanings are easy-- God restores physical things- land, property, health, ....The figurative meanings are more complex.  And that's part of what stopped me in my tracks, trying to ignore this word for 2018.  

It refers to spiritual restoration.  That seems acceptable, I'm quick to admit that as much as I've grown, I'm still a sinner, broken, ugly, yet redeemed and rescued by a God I cannot fully comprehend through His Son whom I am grateful for, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, since on my own sin is easier to fall back on.   

I paused a little more as I recognized another figurative connotation.  It refers the the maturity of the believer and calls the believer to mentor and encourage those whose foundation is not as firm.  This sounds simple, teach what you know, humbly and with the Lord's help  

It's the third meaning that I know is bigger than I can comprehend. It's the eschatology connection- when Elijah comes up,  it moves beyond just being rebirth or renewal in the faith.  There are questions about when this will happen, has it happened, who will be involved, and what conclusions are we to draw.  It heads into thoughts of heaven, and eternity, which is being present with God, and His restoration of those who belong to Him for eternity.  And it's likely the aspect I need to investigate, research, and likely use my 'phone a friend' and ask many wise and well educated theologians for insight on.  

Webster's Dictionary; 
To bring back to its former state; to bring back from a state of ruin, decay, disease, or the like; to repair, renew, recover.  
To give or bring back, as that which has been lost or taken away.  To bring back to the Owner,  to replace.  
To renew, to reestablish, as to restore harmony among those who are a variance
To make good, to make amends for. 

Greek: Restore 

to give back  apokathistemi
to give up, give back, return apodidomi
set upright- anorthoo
renew- anakainizo

Hebrew:
azab- to restore, repair
shub-to turn back, return
alah- to go up, ascend, climb 

As I prayerfully ponder these meanings, I believe that I'm being led to meditate on more than one concept, but to trust God to restore our home and family life, as we work to encourage our children in their faith professions and help them learn to live a life that is grounded in the Word of God and to choose to know the Lord Jesus more intimately each day.   And for my heart to be focused on the restoring that God offers me daily, moment by moment, or even second by second, as I strive to live a life denying myself- and living for Him.  Surrendered to His Will, His Word, and His way.     

One step closer to choosing a verse to focus on or verses for my year.   

Book Review: Be the Hands and Feet: Living Out God's Love for All His Children

Nick Vujicic, author


Releasing February 13, 2018

Book description from amazon:
Nothing in life is as exciting and satisfying as introducing Jesus to people who have never met him.

New York Times bestselling author and world-renowned motivational speaker Nick Vujicic is known worldwide as the man without arms and legs who personifies a "can do" spirit.  Now in greater detail, he explains how the example of Jesus Christ motivates him to travel and speak broadly because the"good news" of the Gospel is just too good to keep quiet!  Although the world has so many problems, no challenge is too great for the God who promises to move mountains. Using compelling stories from his own experience, Nick shares the heart of his message, the motivation behind all he does, and something that he believes the world needs now more than ever before: A faith in Jesus Christ that moves people to act and make the world a better place.

A review: Publisher's Weekly

His non-profit organization is called Life without Limbs

Want a day at Disney with Nick?  Enter this before February 10!

T

This has been a great lesson for me in the past two years-- recognizing that God restores broken lives, it brings me hope! 

My review:

As I launch more and more books, I learn about how publishers have created genres for even Christian Non-Fiction books.  Nick Vujicic has a biography Life without Limbs,  a book about his faith Unstoppable, a devotional book, Limitless, a book about bullying called Stand Strong, he has a biography about his marriage Love without Limits, his Dad wrote a book about raising a perfectly imperfect child,so I wondered what this new book's content would be.   It's in the category of Inspirational.  And in my experience, an inspirational speaker is someone who encourages you, motivates you, and seeks to make you happy, but doesn't always have any kind of research or a strong narrative of where the inspiration comes from other than yourself.

I am thrilled to tell you that inspirational or motivational speaker Nick Vujicic considers himself an evangelist first, and if possible shares his testimony of salvation by faith alone with a full gospel of Jesus Christ disclosure!  So his inspirational book is focused on sharing the gospel from any platform, and includes scripture that he uses or has influenced him, testimonies of how God has worked in his life and in other people's lives he has met along the way.

I would put this book in the category of an advice book with personal stories to make his suggestions, ideas, and strategies come to life and seem realistic for anyone.  He shares his own life stories and some of his struggles, as well as his growth into his current role, Director of a Non-Profit, and International Speaker and Evangelist, who has used his invitations to meet with heads of State across the world, and offers to pray with them, and shares the gospel.

The Lord has also brought other people into his life, and Nick uses their stores to emphasize his main points.  We are all called as believers to share the gospel.  We are called to mentor others one on one, and help someone spiritually younger grow in their faith.  He gives strategies to learn how to share your faith and even some scripture and answers to hard questions.

Nick's (I respect him, but his style is informal and vulnerable, and I can't imagine calling him Mr. Vujicic) writing is relational, not stuffy or formal, and he is direct, but kind as he reminds the reader of what God commands of us.  It's easy to see why his presentations end with his offer to give you a hug and a personal word of encouragement.  He is a man who sees people, as they are, accepts them, but wants them to clearly hear the truth that God loves them and has a wonderful plan for their life. (and he's not that cliche to say it that way.)

I have known him as a speaker often to Teens, so this book was fun to read, and learn about how not only does he appreciate and help Teens, he also works as a messenger of God with others to further the gospel which leads to business type endeavors and meeting important government people.  But he started out small, taking his dog to the park in his wheel chair and talking to anyone who seemed interested.  Using his no limbs platform to share his life and connect with others, he started sharing how God had a plan and purpose for him.

So if you are looking for strategies to share your faith, to hear about how a man without limbs has spoken to millions of people in his life so far, and how he still knows his family and four children are his biggest calling, this book is for you.  I think this is a great book for as young as tweens/teen age kids and those newer in the faith to appreciate the ideas and input.

For me, the strategies and concepts were not new, but I enjoyed learning about his life and how God has used him in so many neat ways.

Here's my I got the book photo--- as I was ready to think about how to be the hands and feet of God!

Thank you Waterbrook/Multnomah for the opportunity to review this book.  

Review: Shepherd on the Search Advent Book and Kit

Beautiful, sturdy small (4 by 6 inches) read aloud book, with brilliant concepts (see table of contents below) from the Bible brought to life for 25 daily readings leading up to December 25th.  Tip-- Dayspring marks these down and have many sales through out the year, so does CBD, so put it on a wishlist and watch the prices to make it more reasonable.   I'm not an affliate of either- just someone who likes to support companies of Christian products. 

For truly simple fun, you can buy the stuffed shepherd and intro book in a sturdy manger box to mirror the elf. If you are frugal, and have a shepherd nativity set, you could use your own shepherd to hide every day and read this book, and if you kids are too cool for finding a shepherd- this book isn't focused on that- its 25 great concepts to ponder, treasure, and process as we anticipate and wait for the Lord Jesus birthday celebration. I loved that after a short reading, it had a Let's Search the Bible (with several passages to look up-- hello- something for each of our 4 kids to read aloud for the family! #win) and a Let's Live it Out suggestion. Sweet, simple ideas that bring in higher level thinking about Advent. I love it.

I can't wait to read it next year, and wonder if we will end up with Christmas in July this year so I can read this and talk about it with my 4 kids! I like the pictures, the teaching concepts are higher level thinking, biblical based, with great real life connections to think about. I really like it- so much I sat down and read it all the day it arrived.

This the the KIT-- it includes the picture book to introduce your shepherd to your children, to give your shepherd a name, I'm calling ours SHEP, we will see if my kids vote otherwise next December.  

It does not include the 4 by 6 book that makes this such a simple, already done for you ADVENT meaningful activity.

My daughter has been driving me crazy begging for an Elf... and that's not how we process Christmas. Her Kindergarten teacher had an elf on the shelf visit Kindergarten several days and she turned it into a brilliant educational activity- instead of daily journalling, the kids were motivated to draw and write a letter about the Elf's antics in their classroom. It was great, secular education!! So fun, we researched other ELF ideas for my daughter to share with her teacher. My daughter talked about it, and two plus years later is still asking- when we will do the ELF at home mom? I've told her- her elf at school was naughty, it got into trouble, and it was preparing for Santa to bring presents- at our house we exchange gifts to remember Jesus as the true gift of Christmas, but we don't talk about Santa or have Santa presents.

We are of german heritage and we do talk about St. Nicholas who fills children's shoes on the eve of Dec 5th so they waken to treats December 6th morning, as my husband's family has always celebrated. St. Nicholas brings books, chocolate, and a small treat- this year fidgets for each of the children.

We look at Christ's coming, as a babe, born in a manager, and a naughty elf just doesn't easily make a connection about the birth of Jesus for me. Instead we've read Jotham's journey series aloud to anticipate and re-live Bible life and what the experience of the children alive when Jesus was born might be like. And my three older BOYS have been captivated and on the edge of their seats to listen for the entire advent season.

But my girl, well she wants to share with her friends who talk about their elves each day. So I decided I need to find a compromise. So next year "Shep" (you get to name your Shepherd) will be hidden each day of December. I haven't done the hiding yet as I bought it after Christmas for next year so I can't report on that. But what i can say is- this kit, you are buying a stuffed shepherd and a book that introduces the concept (like the elf) of finding him every day in December.

That's all the beautiful hard cover story book does- is set up the expectation rather simply. But they also sell a small advent book to read aloud (mentioned above) and you MUST purchase this as well. I loved it. So if you need an alternative, this is it, but alone it's not a fully prepared daily connection to Christ without the advent read aloud book. And if you want to be frugal, just get the 4 by 6 book to read, use a shepherd from your nativity scene, or any stuffed something, to look for, and go ahead.


But next year, my daughter will be the 3rd grader sharing the antics of our Shepherd with her girl friends on the playground, and hopefully witnessing of the love of Christ, as I will be thinking through 25 fun things a shepherd can do as he seeks the Lord Jesus each day. Feel free to share ideas in the comments-- I know me-- I need to make a plan now and put it away with the Shepherd so this will really happen... Pinterest here I come! I'll share whenever I figure it out!

Book Review: The Most Important Women of the Bible

I love studying women of the Bible.  Some of my favorite women's Bible studies have been when we take a woman each week and look at her role in scripture, what we can learn from her, what she learned about God, or how the Lord used her for His glory, and how her story fits into God's plan for redemption or show's His love. So when this book was listed as an option to review, it was an easy choice for me. 

I'm not sure what I expected, but this was very different. Different doesn't mean bad, it just was not what I expected.  I think I was imaging story telling, bringing to life the setting and time of each woman, and their role in their 'story' or book of the Bible.  That's not what this is.  This is a non-fiction commentary of each of the women researched. 

The common theme of the 31 women featured is that each character in the Bible has either looks for God's plan of redemption as prophesied that Jesus was coming or looks back to how Jesus work on the Cross redeemed each of us.  The authors want to make these women come alive and not just two dimensional women in the Bible. 

The approach I appreciated, and will keep this book on my shelf, as a tool when I study the Bible. 

Each woman is named, and then given a title to help clarify her role in the Bible.  So Eve, the first sinner, Mary, the Mother of the Messiah, ... then there are some less obvious, but helpful titles, the woman of Nain, the recipient of Compassion.  I loved this.  And it makes me think, if I were to be talked about and summarized for my view of eternity, and God's redemption and love, what would my subtitle be? 

Then each woman is logically described with the following format:

• a quote from a commentator or preacher about her.
• Scripture Reference
• Biography
• Her role in redemption
• By the numbers (and this to the Mom of math loving, statistic kids is neat!) it might tell you how many husbands, children, or it might share how many miles from city to city in the story, or how long she suffered, how many unclean people like her, or a rule from the law, but these really enhance the concepts and role of redemption.
• Things we wonder (higher level thinking- what we don't know...) 

I did the suggested plan and read about one woman for 31 days. Another suggestion is to use these women for a Bible study group and I think it would bring about great discussion, and help seeing how intricate God's plan of redemption is, even to some lesser named people in the Bible, God's plan is always there.  

This book is fact based with the narration of the authors thinking aloud as to how the facts of each woman show God's redemptive plan, or how Jesus would have approached her with the customs or teaching of the law, and some personal connections as to how the authors apply their knowledge to their own faith and living.  

It's an easy read, but by no means lacking descriptive imagery in the detailed setting, history, analysis of the emotions, character development and relationships, etc.  It would be a fun book to help teaching about these passages, and I can see tween on up being able to appreciate the insight and grasp the model of interpreting what the Bible shares and how that demonstrates God's plan of redemption for all man kind. It's a great meta-cognitive work of bringing to life each of these 31 women's roles for us.  And the teacher in me, would find it fun to ask others to take people not mentioned here, and write our own stories for them mirrored after this book. 

Thank you Bethany House for introducing me to a new way to study the Bible and a model of thinking about these women.  It encouraged my heart and mind beyond my expectations and I love that I learned a new perspective of God.  

Review: My First Hands-On Bible Preschoolers Experience the Fun! Live the Truth! (Tyndale)

I can't believe I forgot to review this little kids Bible.  I've been using it when I teach (with more than preschoolers) for two? years. 

When I first got it, I wasn't sure about it.  It's a Bible storybook that is heavy, small with busy pictures and hands on the pages.  So even as a read aloud with one child, it seemed busy.  But as I started using it and reading it, I realized how amazing all the text really is. 

Click here for sample pages so you can see what I am talking about!

Here are features that I love about this:

1. It is not a 'story' book that an author is paraphrasing the Bible.  The Bible stories are shared from the New Living Translation.  So it is a Bible. 85 stories in it.  39 OT, 46 NT 
2. The verses are marked and references are clear for all the stories.  Making this pre-school Bible one that most kids would see as a "Bible."  with verses marked. 
3. The illustrations are watercolor type style, friendly faces, and have details that would focus the children looking at them.  It's beautiful. 
4. The pages are durable, shiny, and heavy. 5 stars for PRACTICAL with kids. It's not going to rip easily, the pages won't slide and change your page easily, etc.  
5. Table of Contents- sounds silly, but as a veteran kidmin person, being able to look in the front, see all the stories (WITH their actual scripture references) makes this book SO much more functional.  
6. Size- I found it small for using with small groups, but it's the perfect size to toss in my bag and take with me for teaching- and the ideas after each story and in the margins while you read it, are so well done, developmentally appropriate, engaging that I miss it if I don't have it.  
7. Jesus Connection- Every story ends with a connection to how Jesus is in the story, even if he's not mentioned. 
8. Handprints- the busy hands on the pages- are actually motions, look for ___ in the pictures for you to have the children do as and think as the story is read. (Hence hands-on Bible.)  THIS IS MY FAVORITE REASON I love this Bible, they are simple, yet SUPER effective ideas that fit the busy learning styles of children.  So developmentally appropriate.  
9. This bible would be great and the perfect size to have every child have their own copy while you read.  
10. The Kangaroo and the lamb at the end of each story have two activities to make the story come alive or connect to a child's life.  And as a reading teacher, this is where comprehension of a story occurs-- building connections and background knowledge. (another brilliant WIN for this kid's book.)  

Thank you Tyndale for the opportunity to review this little kid Bible. I use it regularly in my teaching, and really am surprised how valuable a tool it has become for me.  If I could improve it- I would like this illustrators versions of the story on cards, or a Big book, to share.  I love how alive the images are to the reader.  

Word of the Year 2018

This year’s Word, was less clear or settled than other years.  As I mentioned previously, I am simple minded like a child. I forgot to mention that I need visuals around me, as I can so quickly develop ‘soul amnesia’ as Ann Voskamp refers to it in her blog A Holy Experience and her books. She’s one of my kindred spirit book/blog mentors. So each year I have chosen a word, I have found or purchased something to display in my bathroom or bedroom to help me not forget.  Abide was my favorite, as I printed and framed the text, but had a simple vine clip from a floral department on the sink. To see the vine.

So when I started pondering words for this year, aka realized I should plan a new word in the last ten days of December, I sort of panicked. I had no ornament, framed verse, word, or letter to display, and the word that came to mind, isn’t an ordinary home decor word, and seemed more weighty or significant than other words I've been led to embrace. 

  Yet as I woke up on January 1st, and prayed about my Word, the first thing I saw on social media was this Adoration from another kindred spirit soul sister blogger/author mentor Sara Hagerty. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdaPKmJlOvA/

I 

This is what I see....and I said okay Lord, my word will be Restore!

In my mind, restore, especially in a biblical sense, is something that happens with the Lord's leading.  As I've looked at many verses that mention this concept, it remains clear. 

The Lord restores Israel, The Lord restores the joy of my salvation, people ask that God restore them, or it is coupled with concepts like gentleness, comfort, from ruin/destruction, etc.  Restore has an inherent connection to making amends, to renew, to re-establish, to give up, to give back,...

I guess my hesitation to accept this concept as a focus for the year is the enormity and expanse of the reach of God's work when He restores a person, a people, or a place for His glory.  It seems to be layering in faith, abiding, trust, joy, hope, and who God is all on one plate, and fully, perhaps lying prostrate before Him waiting expectantly, knowing He will make it happen, even when it's dark and ugly. The awe and the expanse of possibilities of what God can do in His timing are not lost on me.  

Restore is something that God does. Over and over  Initially, He restores us from our brokenness, sin, and ugliness.  This happens at the moment of salvation, He restores us, allowing us access to His presence, His goodness and glory, bought with the blood of Jesus who redeems and rescues us from our sin.  His restoration provides full fellowship with Him through the Holy Spirit in this present day, and He is preparing a new heaven and a new earth to fully restore us to fellowship with Him.  So it's ongoing, reoccuring, and will be fulfilled across all eternity.  It just seems like a large expectation and concept to focus on in my daily life. 

Perhaps as I've grown in my faith, as the Word of the Lord has transformed my heart, renewed my Spirit, and continues to be alive and active, sharper than a two edge sword, there is still doubt or fear underlying in my soul.  Can I trust that the Lord will restore me in the ways I need? will I be courageous enough to face His restoration? Will it be humbling? painful? or am I letting the Spirit restore and renew my joy found in salvation?  It's my prayer that I honor and bring glory to God as I seek out this renewal and restoration process in my life. 

Still pondering which scripture I should choose to meditate on as I pursue what the Lord has for me in this choice.

Word of the Year, my story and growth....

I often think that I am not very different from my children.  Sure I am a grown up, but I still find I thrive and learn more like a child.  I need simple, repeated concepts to help me grow, to keep my mind set on the things of the Lord, and to be faithful in focusing on Him.

One of my techniques the past few years, has been choosing a word of the the year.  Often it’s been a private area that I haven’t shared, but I’m recognizing it has benefitted me and I should share.  

2017’s Word was Adore or Adoration.   I focused on Gods attributes and daily thanking Him for Who He is, and discovered that the more intimately I know Him, the more present I am, with Holy Spirit help and support in my day, my moment, my seconds.  And the more I know Him, the more at peace I am, and the more I want to know Him even more intimately. The Lord brought many changes into my life where He showed me that He is all that I need, and He is enough for every moment of my life.  I found there are so many ways to adore God than I could even imagine. 

2016’s Word was Joy.  I recognized that my eyes easily moved from the joy of the Lord, to utter despair, hopelessness, without pausing for prayer, and waiting to see what God might show me in each situation.  And I lived with new found contentment that in everything that happened, all the emotions and cycles, I could be full of joy, knowing that this was in Gods plan for my moment, day, week, and even in a career change that wasn’t settled in my plans, but was clearly where the Lord wanted me to find my Joy. 

2015’s Word turned to Hope, as I discovered that when I trust the Lord in with full faith, I not only find hope, He blesses my life, emotions, situations with more Hope and blessing that I would even dare to pray for or anticipate. 

2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were my initial years and I can’t even tell you which year was faith, trust, or gratitude, but they led me clearly into learning Abide in Him intimately, as I’d always prayed and desired to live.  But those concepts helped me focus on the Word of God with more intent, more commitment, and more purpose.  Which helped me recognize that I can’t trust Him on my own as well as I desire to do, but when I recognize that the Holy Spirit can help me even when I have no words to share.  I can abide in Him as John 15 teaches.  Truly these concepts intertwine in a human being, as we learn to look at Yahweh, or Abba intimately and live in His calling, purpose, and identity.

As I look back on my spiritual growth, I can pinpoint simple concepts and seasons of growth.  Many were not areas I longed for or sought out, but yet God directed me in transformation, waiting, meditation as I dwelled on memorizing passages like Psalm 103, Psalm 71, Psalm 1, Ephesians 1, Romans 12, Hebrews 11, ...but in this current season, listening to Him, and seeking out a concept to study, to read and write the verses connected to it, and to dwell on it, has been incredibly helpful to my resolve and growth.

How about you?  What spurs you to focus on the Word, growing in intimacy and relationship with Our Great and Mighty God?  This is one way. I know there are many.