2017 Resolutions

A new year means new beginnings, a new planner, and a new list of resolutions. I’ve been working on this list for about a week and I think it’s a good mix of realistic, ambitious, and challenging goals for 2017. I am constantly inspired by others who make similar lists, particularly fellow 30-somethings, mothers of young children, wives, and Christian mentors. I am blessed to have these folks in my corner, encouraging and keeping me accountable. Last year was good, but I think 2017 will be great.

( photo courtesy of Prayerful Planner )

ORGANIZATION

Use my Prayerful Planner every day
Decorate my office (paint, hang diploma, arrange bookshelves, etc.)
Hire a housekeeper for deep cleaning (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12)
Tidy up the house for 15 minutes every day
Unsubscribe from excessive blogs, websites, newsletters, etc.
Clean email inbox every Thursday
Organize photos and graphics on my laptop

DISCIPLESHIP

Read the Bible in a year (using 5-day method and the Slacker’s Plan)
Write a prayer or reflection in a daily journal
Continue monthly tithe to church (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12)
Begin an Inductive Bible Study
Attend a women’s conference

MEANINGFUL TO OTHERS

Deliver a meal to someone in need (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12)
Mail a handwritten note (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12)
Participate in “Lent Letter” project
Send an encouraging text 5x/week
Host a dinner with friends or family (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12)
Get to know our neighbors
Fun activity with girlfriends (1 2 3 4 5 6)
Serve on a mission trip

MARRIAGE & FAMILY

Intentionally pray for Husband and Kamden
Attend opening day at The Depot
Attend four Cleburne Railroader baseball games (1 2 3 4)
Play date with Kamden and a friend (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12)
Gun range with Husband (1 2 3 4 5 6)
Midweek lunch with Husband (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12)
Do something special for our 10th wedding anniversary
Keep my great-grandmother’s aloe vera plants alive

PERSONAL

Prioritize my physical health (renew my gym membership, start jogging again, etc.)
Read 15 books (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15)
Transfer this blog to a dot com with new layout
Post to blog 2x/week

CHURCH MINISTRIES & LEADER DEVELOPMENT

Host staff lunch in my home (1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12)
Launch MOPS
Create a communications plan with social media schedule
Attend Change the World conference, March (Ginghamsburg, Ohio)
Attend Orange conference, April (Atlanta, Georgia)
Launch a small group for team leaders
Find a mentor and be a mentor
Create a continuing education and life skills program for adults
Expand the backpack ministry to four elementary schools in Joshua ISD

TRAVEL

visit Lisa (Norfolk, Virginia)
RV road trip to visit Mark & Jenny (Ashley, North Dakota)
family getaway to Memphis, Tennessee
family staycation to Great Wolf Lodge
Kaleb & Caitlin wedding, August (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
Brian & Jessica wedding, November (Louisville, Kentucky)

I found this list of questions to consider at the start of the new year and I will address all of them at some point in my daily planner but some of them are pertinent enough for me to highlight in this post:

What’s one thing you will do in 2017 to enrich the spiritual legacy you will leave to your children?
In 2017, Kamden will attend Sunday School as usual, but instead of staying in the nursery with infants and toddlers, he will go with me into the Worship Center for what he calls “big church.” He will participate in the weekly service by singing praise and worship songs, going to children’s time, and listening to the sermon.

What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your work life this year?
This might sound petty but I still think it’s important to mention because I hope by posting it here that it’ll keep me motivated to do something soon, rather than later. I really want (and need) to revitalize my office. Currently, it’s this white box begging for much-needed attention. It used to be an associate pastor’s office and then a big catch-all storage place, making it untidy and very cluttered. Once I paint, I want to hang my framed college diploma and a world map with push pins on the wall. I’d like to get a smaller desk that is white or light gray with storage drawers. I want a tall bookcase to store my collection of Bibles, study guides, books, and personal items. There are two small closets that need to be decluttered and organized. I’d also like to add a floor lamp and large rug to compliment the accent chair I already have. Once my office looks like the professional work space that it is, I think it will help my productivity and creativity, as well as be an inviting, safe place for others to sit a spell.

What’s one new way you could be a blessing to your pastor this year?
Professionally, I have to be more confident as a decision maker. I tend to bother Pastor Dale with too many questions about small, less critical tasks. I am a detail-oriented person while he is a big-picture visionary. He gets bored with my specific details while he often overwhelms me with big ideas! Thankfully, we balance each other out really well. Because I am also a planner, knowing his big ideas in advance gives me plenty of time to coordinate accordingly. I’m thankful Pastor Dale affirms my spiritual gifts and provides constructive feedback on my job performance. We’re on the same page when it comes to the mission and focus of FUMC Joshua, and he continues to equip and empower me to do the job he hired me to do. Personally, my pastor needs authentic, genuine support from me as a church member and friend. I know he’s human and does not belong on some holier-than-thou pedestal. I respect his calling as senior pastor and spiritual leader for FUMC Joshua and I am incredibly thankful for his friendship.

What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?
I don’t think of myself as a talented prayer person and it’s not a spiritual discipline that I’m confident with, but I want this to change in 2017. I want to be more intentional with my daily conversations with God. Maybe I will write in a prayer journal. Perhaps I’ll sit in The Chapel. Whatever this looks like, intentionality is key. And as often as I express my prayers, petitions, requests, and thanksgivings to God, I must remember to listen twice as much as I speak.

So this is my plan for 2017, what do you resolve to do this year? Tell me in a comment below so we can keep each other accountable.

What I’m Reading

I get asked quite often about the huge bag or backpack I’m always seen carrying around church so I thought I would share its contents … as well as some articles I’ve read from the inter-webs. It’s safe to say I’ve been in a blogging “slump” and haven’t posted much recently, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t thought about the posts I will eventually draft and publish at a later time.

Wesley Study Bible / Common English Bible – One of the most important lessons I’ve learned while reading and studying The Bible is the importance of a good translation. I wholeheartedly believe that if you do not understand the language in which a book is written, you’re less likely to want to read what’s inside. For me, the King James Version is impossible. The Common English Bible is written on or about a sixth grade reading level, making it incredibly easy to read and understand. This particular CEB Bible includes study notes and insights from Methodist founder, John Wesley. It’s truly a personal preference and I encourage everyone who asks about my study Bibles to read multiple translations for themselves. A great place to do so is BibleGateway.com. You can read any verse or Scripture passage in multiple languages and translations … a great resource to “try before you buy” your next Bible!

Harper Collins Study Bible / New Revised Standard Version – I purchased this Bible a year ago from the recommendation of my pastor as it was the Study Bible he used throughout seminary and his journey to becoming an ordained minister in The United Methodist Church. My only regret in buying the paperback version is having to glue cardboard to the front and back covers for additional support and I’ve also added a custom Bible cover. The fact that this particular Bible also includes the Apocrypha gets my nerd juices really flowing. Though there is controversy surrounding the non-canonized books, I think they are worthy and interesting nonetheless.

Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge – This is one of two women’s studies I am currently facilitating at church. This particular book and companion study is much different from any of “Bible study” I’ve ever done before. It’s deeply personal and thought-provoking; making me acknowledge and admit things about myself that I would rather sweep under the rug and ignore or deny. It’s not easy admitting there are skeletons in my closet, but God’s grace is bigger than my earthly circumstances, issues, or situations. I give Him thanks for this book, study, and especially the group of women who are willingly exposing their true selves alongside me every Sunday afternoon. I feel like we’ve enclosed ourselves in a cocoon like a caterpillar and, eight weeks from now, we’ll emerge as beautiful butterflies joyfully proclaiming the beauty and power God has bestowed on us. Perhaps one day I’ll be brave enough to share the transformational power of this study and some of the skeletons that I have shared in my small group … maybe.

Seamless by Angie Smith – Voted the top women’s study of 2015 by LifeWay, Seamless connects the people, places, and events of the Bible into one continuous love story between God and His beloved creation: humanity. From Genesis to Revelation, God pursues us and desires a personal relationship with us, despite our fears, doubts, and mistakes. Angie Smith is an amazing writer and presents lessons with authenticity and transparency – she is not afraid to expose her own weaknesses or admit her faults. She is definitely someone I could spend an afternoon with sitting in a porch swing drinking some sweet tea!

Passionate Church by Mike Slaughter and Karen Perry Smith – I had the pleasure of meeting Mike Slaughter back in March when I attended a special event hosted by the Central Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church at First United Methodist Church in Hurst, Texas. Then, in April, I met Mike again, along with his ministry sidekick, Karen, when I attended the Change the World conference at their church in Ginghamsburg, Ohio. As I continue to mature spiritually and develop into a rising leader at my church, it’s important for me to engage in Scripture, meet with mentors, and continue to serve those around me. Passionate Church is an excellent read about the successes (and failures) at one of the largest and fastest growing United Methodist churches in the U.S., plus it is encouraging to know that we are doing great things at our local church. We are also challenged to step outside our comfort zone to reach our neighbors and share Jesus Christ with our family, friends, and neighbors – wherever they are and whatever they look like.

What I’m reading on the inter-webs:

It’s not everyday that you can say you know someone who climbed Mount Everest, but now I can! I’ve known Gary Ervin and his family for many years – I was a nanny and golf instructor for his two sons during high school and college. On May 15, 2016, Gary reached the top of the world and stood at the summit of Mount Everest. Can you imagine the view?! I’m so incredibly proud of him – he is one of the coolest and most humble people I know – and thankful to God for a safe return home because two of his climbing mates perished on the mountain.

I cannot say my child is actually speech delayed but he is definitely a late talker and this article resonates so much with my heart.

An excellent reminder on the importance of applying Colossians 3:23 in my daily life.

Every book or study bag needs:

InkJoy gel pens – These are my new favorite pens! I love how smooth they write and the gel is quick-drying, so there is minimal smearing. And because I’m a notetaker and margin-doodler, I’ve got to have all the colors!

Crayola Twistable Colored Pencils – Speaking of color, I am in love with twistable colored pencils. In fact, I no longer use highlighters when reading and studying the Bible or other books. My only word of caution: don’t drop them or the lead will break and I’ve not figured out a way to repair them.

A Toddler-Friendly St. Patrick’s Day with #GerberLilBeanies

This is a sponsored post for #GerberLilBeanies written on behalf of The Women Bloggers in association with @KendalKingGroup and #SoapboxInfluence; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love hosting get-togethers because it forces me to clean our house, prepare lots of food, and decorate for the holiday or season. During spring break, Kamden and I hosted a toddler-friendly, mom-approved St. Patrick’s Day party featuring Gerber’s brand new snack, Lil Beanies. If you’re familiar with Gerber snack products, you know the quality is top-notch. Kids love the taste and parents love the nutritional value and wallet-friendly price. In our house, we believe:

#GerberLilBeanies are tasty.

Kamden’s tastes have been all over the map lately. I blame 1% of it on outdoor allergies and teething and the other 99% on being a cantankerous two-year-old. His orneriness aside, Kamden is a BIG fan of #GerberLilBeanies. During the party, Kamden always had a can beside him!

#GerberLilBeanies are perfectly sized for toddlers’ small fingers.

When Kamden started eating solids, I was the paranoid first-time parent afraid of him choking on a grain of rice. I grew out of that quickly (thank goodness!) and trust that #GerberLilBeanies are safe for snacking. They’re easy for little fingers to grab, handle, and share with their buddies – and perfect for school lunches too!

#GerberLilBeanies are less of a mess.

You know that ridiculous orange powder that sticks to every surface when eating those “other” cheesy snacks? Yeah, well, forget about that orange powder because #GerberLilBeanies are a less messy snack option. Your kiddos won’t be leaving orange fingerprints all over your house, car, or dining table when eating these!

#GerbeLilBeanies are found at Wal-Mart and priced right.

I have a confession to make: Kamden and I had to buy more canisters of Lil Beanies before our St. Patrick’s Day party because we ate most of the canisters provided to us! We totally got into them beforehand and enjoyed several afternoons of uninhibited snacking while playing at the park. Priced at just $1.86 per canister, Lil Beanies are economical.

#GerberLilBeanies are nutritional.

Lil Beanies do not contain preservatives, artificial colors or flavors, or GMOs – you can’t say that about other snacks! They are made with navy beans and rice flour, providing protein and fiber in every serving. Lil Beanies are available in TWO great flavors: Original (sea salt) and White Cheddar and Broccoli. Both of them were a huge hit at our party – notice the empty canisters!

The “big kids” enjoyed #GerberLilBeanies too!

If you like cheesy and crunchy without the mess, you’ll love Lil Beanies. Like I said, they are approved by toddlers and adults alike!

I have the best group of friends on the planet because they love me, love my son, and accept my crazy ideas to whip together a last-minute party to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and try new Gerber snacks! I’m so thankful for this bunch and grateful they’re not as crazy as I am (yet).

This post wouldn’t be complete with details on all the food I made with excessive amounts of green food coloring and the most adorable mini chalkboard easels I found in the clearance bin at Michaels:

Spinach salad with goat cheese, crumbled bacon, candied pecans, and maple vinaigrette
Green Veggie Tray (cucumbers, broccoli, celery and bell peppers) with Avocado Ranch dipping sauce
Chicken Salad on Homemade Yeast Rolls
Chicken Nuggets
Spinach Dip
Blueberry Muffins
Margarita Cupcakes (non-alcoholic, of course!) made by the lovely Celeste
Macaroons, made by the talented Britton
Vanilla Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Buttercream Icing
Leprechaun Punch

Friends, head to your local Wal-Mart right now and grab a canister (or 10) of Lil Beanies! Little hands love them and parents approve too.

What’s so “good” about Good Friday?

What is so good about Good Friday? How can anything good come from something so bad?

Today is Good Friday, perhaps the most significant event in the history of the world. It’s a day filled with somber worship in dark spaces, dreadful songs, and Scripture passages of death, pain, suffering, and humiliation of an innocent man.

The cross, a symbolic representation of God’s unconditional love (vertical beam) and His desire for us to be in communal relationships with other believers (horizontal beam), leads us to the resurrection with shouts of praise saying, “Easter is coming!” According to the apostle Paul, Good Friday is “most important” for our faith foundation (1 Corinthians 15:3).

Can Good Friday really be that good?

YES!

As terrible as the events were, Jesus’ willingness to die on the cross not only fulfilled Scripture and his Heavenly Father’s purpose for his life on earth, but it also paved the way for believers to be reconciled, redeemed, and restored – God’s ultimate and divine plan to save His people once and for all.

Without the events of Good Friday, there would be no joy or cause for celebration on Easter Sunday.

Though Jesus was fully human and experienced betrayal and great pain, he was also fully divine. Jesus knew his fate. Despite this, he endured Good Friday that led to a Great Sunday: his resurrection provided the free gift of grace and established God’s peace on earth and in heaven forever (Hebrews 12:2).

Good Friday conquered death and we have eternal life because of it.

As painful as it is to remember the events of Good Friday, we cannot ignore it like naïve Easter Sunday Christians. The Bible provides many reminders that life on earth is not easy or trouble free. Even though we believe who Jesus is and what He did for us, life happens – a promise is broken, a child becomes sick, and finances become tight. But Christ’s instructions for his disciples are still applicable today: “take up your cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34).

Today, remember that Good Friday really is good. While we were still sinners living in a broken world full of broken people, Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8).

Good Friday also reminds us of Easter’s ultimate price. It is the day hopelessness met mercy and condemnation met grace.

While what happened to Jesus was not good, the results were very good – Good Friday is the beginning of our Happily Ever After!

Easter Treasure Hunt 2016

Before I truly understood the real meaning of Easter and its importance to my new life in Christ, I was all about collecting as many brightly colored eggs as possible and hoping they held my favorite type of candy. I’m partial to Twix, Three Musketeers, and strawberry Starbursts! Nowadays, it’s not the size or contents of the eggs but the empty tomb that gets me most excited! Two years ago, First United Methodist Church in Joshua, Texas began a new tradition. Instead of the free-for-all egg hunt that usually leads to smaller, younger kids being trampled by older, bigger kids, we have an Easter treasure hunt. Small groups of children and adults are led around a big circle with five stations. Each station has a character from the Bible sharing the Easter story from their perspective. As kids move from one station to the next, they follow a trail of eggs to pick up along the way. Everyone is safe. Everyone has fun. And everyone leaves with a basket or bag full of eggs with candy and goodies.

Jesus, now well on the way up to Jerusalem, took the Twelve off to the side of the road and said, “Listen to me carefully. We are on our way up to Jerusalem. When we get there, the Son of Man will be betrayed to the religious leaders and scholars. They will sentence him to death. They will then hand him over to the Romans for mockery and torture and crucifixion. On the third day, he will be raised up alive.” ~ Matthew 20:17-19 (The Message)

Jesus, seeing that everything had been completed so that the Scripture record might also be complete, then said, “I’m thirsty.” A jug of sour wine was standing by. Someone put a sponge soaked with the win on a javelin and lifted it to his mouth. After he took the wine, Jesus said, “It’s done … complete.” Bowing his head, he offered up his spirit. ~ John 19:28-30 (The Message)

When he learned from the centurion that Jesus was dead, Pilate gave the dead body to Joseph. He bought a linen cloth, took Jesus down from the cross, wrapped him in the cloth, and laid him in a tomb that had been carved out of rock. He rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jesus saw where he was buried. ~ Mark 15:45-47 (Common English Bible)

Jesus came near and spoke to them, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.” ~ Matthew 28: 18-20 (CEB)

Brothers and sisters, I want to call your attention to the good news that I preached to you, which you also received and in which you stand. You are being saved through it if you hold on to the message I preached to you … I passed on to you as most important what I also received: Christ died for our sins in line with Scripture, he was buried, and he rose on the third day. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (CEB)

Because we are thankful for Easter and celebrating it with friends, here are more pictures from our treasure hunt!

 

A Recipe for Love.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Here’s a recipe for love:

I hope you noticed that sprinkle of sass in the ingredients list – that’s my favorite flavor.

A bag of … RED

 

I recently shared my new role as spiritual mentor to a young lady who is going through an 18-week Confirmation Class at our church. I am responsible for modeling Christian living, encouraging her to make wise and sound decisions, and being available when she wants to talk or ask questions. Though it is not required, gift-giving is one of my love languages and most favorite way to surprise someone. I’m making it a priority to give her things I think she will enjoy or that will make her smile. Since February is the month of love and Valentine’s Day, I decided to give her a bag containing all things RED.

To create a bag of RED, one doesn’t need to spend a lot of money. Kamden and I had a blast walking through the aisles of the Dollar Tree picking up knick-knacks, candy, pens and paper, and seasonal items with a Valentine theme. Since every cool human likes Chick-Fil-A, and because their packaging is red, I got a gift card. And, because I’m a frugal and resourceful mentor, I put the gift card in Kamden’s empty nugget box!

This bag of RED contains:

• Trident gum
• Kit Kat bar
• jewelry cleansing wipes
• Coffee mug with hearts
• a bag of Doritos chips (nacho cheese!)
• milk chocolate candy hearts
• headbands
• Twizzlers
• M&Ms
• bath sponge
• Chick-Fil-A gift card
• greeting card
• gift bag with hearts

Color-themed gifts are unique and you can spend as much (or little) as your budget allows. I spent $31 for everything in this bag of RED, including the gift card. It was super fun to put together and doing this during seasonal and holidays is simple. Kamden was excited to pose for the camera and hold the bag full of RED goodies we got for our confirmand student!

 

SELAH Bible Study // Importance of Community

SCRIPTURE

Nehemiah 2:17-20

EXPLANATION

Nehemiah // a Jewish man; the king’s “cupbearer” (wine taster and guard); held place of honor with Persian King
King of Persia // verbally blessed Nehemiah and encouraged him to return to Jerusalem to rebuild walls
Sanballet, Tobiah, and Geshem // kings doubtful of Nehemiah

LOCATION // Jerusalem. The Babylonians conquered Jerusalem and King Nebuchadnezzar knocked down the city’s walls and burned its gates.  When the Israelites returned to Jerusalem from Babylon, after 70 years of slavery, they attempted to reconstruct the city but their efforts were thwarted by laziness and a lack of faith. They were distracted, discouraged, and lacked leadership, organization, and unity. More than 150 years after the city had been destroyed, Nehemiah obeyed God’s calling to return to Jerusalem even though he held a position of prominence for the King of Persia. The king noticed Nehemiah’s sadness for his homeland then blessed him and sent him to Jerusalem – a divine appointment directed by God himself.

Verse 17: Without walls, Jerusalem is weak and unable to defend itself against enemies. Its physical and spiritual condition was a disgrace.

Verse 18: Nehemiah encouraged the Israelites to listen, to act as one, because he had been DOUBLY blessed: by the encouraging words of the Persian king and God’s gracious hand. They (the Israelites) said, “Let’s start building!” and they committed themselves to the common good. Here, what is good for one was good for all. The people collectively agreed to rebuild the city walls and they were unified with one voice and one purpose.

Verse 19: When Christ-followers are doing God’s work, Satan creeps in to discourage and distract us. Three kings from surrounding areas ridicule and mock the Israelites for attempting the reconstruction project again, a reminder that opposition comes quickly when God’s people are working for His glory.

Verse 20: Nehemiah responds to the kings trying to discourage him and the Israelites – but he does so with humility and gives God credit for their success. They (Nehemiah and Israelites) take the role of servant and submit to God’s purpose instead of their own selfish desires.

LESSONS

Being a Christian is not easy! Nehemiah’s faith was planted firmly in God’s promise to fulfill His kingdom. God blessed Nehemiah with specific talents and Nehemiah was obedient to use his gifts for God’s glory. Later on, we read that Nehemiah led the reconstruction project and the walls were rebuilt in 52 days. The massive project, with Nehemiah’s leadership and divine blessing, was divided into smaller tasks and assigned to talented individuals. The Israelites worked together and focused on one goal – to rebuild the city’s walls – and they succeeded.

When we let God take control and surround ourselves with genuine supporters, blessings come and our obedience is rewarded.

The walls around Jerusalem symbolize the condition of our faith community. Is your support group in ruins or chaotic? Look around you. Are people building you up or tearing you down? Are they helping you or mocking you?

God created us to be in relationship with Him and other believers. We need spiritual mentors and accountability partners to love and respect us, as well as support and guide us in the right direction. Living a faithful life doesn’t mean an easy life – the three doubtful kings prove there is always opposition and Satan works hard to wreck our plans – but living an obedient life guarantees eternal blessings!

When Nehemiah prayed to God asking for restoration of Jerusalem, he didn’t sit on the sidelines and hope for a miracle. He offered himself and said use me.

APPLICATION

The Greek word “koinonia” means fellowship – an essential element of the Christian faith because it represents the intimacy between God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and all believers. When we are in fellowship with God, we are called to be in fellowship with others ( 1 John 1:3 ).

A healthy and thriving faith community requires participation and sharing one purpose. The word community includes the word UNITY for a reason! When the Israelites had a single mission, their efforts were unified and they worked together to accomplish one goal. They kept each other spiritually fit to ward off Satan’s distractions, discouragement, and deceitful tactics.

Biblically-grounded, spiritually mature people are crucial to our faith development and help us stay focused. We thrive in community that has purpose and is filled with love, mutual respect, and accountability.

HONOR

God, I come to you with a heart full of thanksgiving. I am grateful for my faith-filled family, friends, church, and small group because they exemplify rest, healing, discipleship, discipline, honor, and integrity. Forgive me when I forget the magnitude of their presence or take them for granted. I submit my life to your will, not my preference or convenience. Use me for your kingdom work, all honor and glory is yours.

SELAH Bible Study // The Healing of Naaman

SCRIPTURE

2 Kings 5:1-14

EXPLANATION

Naaman // an army commander, a great man with king’s favor, a mighty warrior, had leprosy
Young Girl // an Israeli taken captive during war, maidservant of Naaman’s wife, a believer in the prophet
Mistress // Naaman’s wife
King of Aram // wrote letter to the king of Israel on Naaman’s behalf, sought prophet for Naaman’s healing
King of Israel // tore his clothes and grieved while reading the king’s letter, angry for not being able to heal, mistook the letter as a threat for war, failed to realized Elisha’s power
Elisha // a man of God and prophet, instructed Naaman to bathe in Jordan River to heal his body

LOCATION // Aram (present-day Syria)

Verse 1: As an army commander and mighty warrior, I imagine Naaman to be the epitome of a soldier: tall and athletic with tanned skin from countless hours spent in the desert sun; very muscular; and, dirty from training exercises or the battlefield. Naaman suffered from leprosy, a skin disease that causes disfiguration and red, oozing blisters. I assume the dirty conditions and intense heat from living in a dry, barren desert only intensified Naaman’s pain.

Verse 3: A young girl from Israel is taken captive from the Syrian army during a raid but I think it is God’s strategic planning that puts her in the right place at the right time. She is going to play a pivotal role in Naaman’s healing because she believes in the power of the prophet in Israel (Elisha).

Verse 10: Elisha sends a messenger with instructions for Naaman – to wash in the Jordan River and be restored.

Verse 11: Naaman is angry, presumably because he expected an immediate quick-fix solution. He wanted instant results without working for it himself.

Verse 13: Naaman’s servants boldly approach him and encourage him to obey the prophet. They help him realize how easy it is to accept God’s healing – just bathe in the river seven times!

Verse 14: Naaman obeys and, when he came out of the water, his skin was as clear as a newborn baby’s. He had been washed clean – physically and spiritually.

LESSONS

Naaman means pleasant, agreeable, and beautiful – a stark contrast to his skin (blisters and sores from leprosy) and reaction to Elisha (anger and resistance).

Even though people with leprosy were outcast members of society, God pays more attention to the condition of our hearts than he does our physical appearance, and he can create that anew too!

Out of Naaman’s obedience, God offered more than physical cleanliness and healing … he gave Naaman complete restoration in body, mind, and soul. His tanned, weathered, blistered skin was brand new – like a newborn baby!

Naaman receives compassion from the captive Israeli girl, who could have been bitter, but her faith allowed her to see others with a lens of grace – offering discipleship and healing from the One True God. God invites us to partner with him to bring unbelievers into his kingdom – we never know when ordinary people will be called to do extraordinary things for his glory!

Naaman was eager for healing but his pride and impatience almost cost him total restoration. Too often we want to be in control and make our own decisions, but we must surrender our desires, plans, and expectations to God’s perfect purposes.

God is not in the “quick fix” business. Faith in Him requires effort and work – to believe and receive God’s blessings and to choose humility and obedience. God could have snapped his fingers or waved his hands to heal Naaman, but he didn’t. If we are willing to obey and act accordingly, God rewards our obedience.

APPLICATION

What am I holding onto that God wants to restore and make new again? Identify something in your life that you are expecting a “quick fix” instead of putting forth effort. Like Naaman, our bodies can become dirty with physical sores and spiritual disobedience but it takes several washings in God’s waters to make us clean.

I recently cleaned out a closet in the guest bedroom and made a huge mess. There was stuff everywhere! But out of the chaos came organization. Perhaps I need to do a little “closet cleaning” for my physical and spiritual health. God doesn’t want to merely heal us, He wants to completely restore us and make in us a new creation. That’s a hallelujah moment!

Who in your life is strategically placed to make an impact on you? Are you a spiritual influence to someone else?

HONOR

Gracious and loving God, I am really good at making messes. Too often, my selfish desires, pride, and stubbornness get in the way of experiencing joy that comes from you. Help me remember that you are God and I am not.

Lord, I want to be obedient. I invite you to take the wheel and lead me towards complete restoration instead of a temporary “quick fix” solution. 

Thank you for the spiritual mentors you’ve strategically placed in my life to guide and encourage me. I pray for better listening ears too, so that I will hear and respond according to your purpose. I believe in you and I receive everything you freely offer. Please give me the confidence of the Israeli girl and Naaman’s servants, who boldly shared their faith by simply offering love, kindness, and compassion to someone in need. Amen. 

The SELAH Bible Study Method

I love when words and phrases come together so organically that it makes you smile and acknowledge God’s creativity … and realize that He, indeed, has a sense of humor. In my quest to read the Bible (again), this week’s focus has been Exodus and Psalms. If you’ve never read the Psalms, or if you’ve skimmed them and not paid much attention, I encourage you to open your Bible. Take a few minutes to really read Psalms, a collection of hymns, poetry, laments, praises of thanksgiving, and prayers. No matter the season of life in which you currently reside, there is a Psalm to fit your heart, emotion, or situation.

It is in Psalms that I first encountered the word selah. It’s a bit of a trick word as Hebrew scholars have had difficulty translating it exactly and there are multiple ways of pronouncing it. I pronounce it SEE-lah and believe it means to pause and think deeply. An appropriate word when studying Scripture, right?! When we see the world selah, Scripture tells us to pause and carefully weigh, or discern with the Holy Spirit’s help, the meaning of what we have just read or heard.

If I study the Bible to know God and align my daily living with his purposes, I need to embrace selah more often! To do this, I created the S.E.L.A.H. acronym in hopes it will help me meditate on God’s Word. Reading the Bible takes a little skill and a whole lot of discipline. Are you ready to dig deeper and apply it to your life?

S for SCRIPTURE

Choose a Scripture verse or passage and read it several times. If you prefer, write it down to sharpen your recall and memorization skills.

E for EXPLANATION

Dig deeper and ask lots of questions: Who is mentioned and what is their role in the passage? What are important contextual details or background facts you need to know? What does the Scripture passage mean? What is its significance?

When explaining Scripture, it’s okay to ask more questions! I highly recommend finding a spiritual mentor who can help guide your reading and possibly answer your questions. Learn to read between the lines to discover God’s presence on every page. Cross-reference Scripture by finding passages in the Old and New Testaments that relate to each other. Use commentaries or notes from a pastor or speaker to help you understand Scripture more fully.

The is no doubt, from Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is telling us about the power and prominence of God. Each of the Bible’s 66 books contributes to God’s purpose and tells his story of creation, disobedience (sin), redemption, and restoration. When we keep this overarching message in our viewpoint, we can fully appreciate how the collection of verses and passages, and our daily life experiences, create God’s Story.

L for LESSONS LEARNED

What does this passage teach you? What does this passage tell you about God?

After reading the verse or passage several times, figure out its central message or theme. List one or more Biblical principles (truths) you discovered in the passage.

A for APPLICATION

Carefully consider how you might apply the lesson(s) you’ve learn from Scripture to your daily living. Put verbs in your sentences and create an action plan to strength your faith by applying the Biblical principles you identified earlier.

H for HONOR GOD

Finally, give honor and glory to God. Thank him for revealing himself to you through The Word. Offer praise and thanksgiving for instructions to navigate life’s situations. Ask Him for guidance when you don’t understand or have questions. Lift up prayer requests. Surrender your selfish desires for God’s divine purpose in your life. Thank God for who he is and what he is doing in your life.

Stay tuned for a post where I share Bible study notes using the S.E.L.A.H. method!