The Jobe Journal

I’m ending my day thankful.

It started terribly stressful.

Esther burned her hand on my cook top while I held her. It happened so fast. Crying for the next three hours, she found relief only with cool running water. Water in a cup or a baggie of ice gave no relief. Thus, I held her over the bathroom sink and prayed for the pain to stop. Her tears flowed like the water running from the faucet and once or twice mine did too. It hurt to see my little one suffer and I felt awful that I didn’t prevent the accident from happening in the first place. I put my huge to-do list aside and comforted my child to the best of my ability.

My friend and neighbor, who happens to be a nurse,  stopped by and recommended medication. Daniel called and  spoke with our pediatrician who called in some pain relief. Though it took a while to receive, it worked its magic within five minutes of application. My prayers were answered.

While I tended to Esther, my older children cleaned up the kitchen, folded laundry and picked up their rooms. I had no idea what they were doing while I stood for hours in the bathroom soothing her burn. I felt love when I realized my older children had been working behind the scenes. They chose to bless me.

When Esther’s tears stopped, I didn’t want to stop holding her so we cuddled and watched Tinkerbell and I cherished her smiles. After her morning of tears, they seemed all the sweeter.We were invited to a baptismal celebration of a dear friend this afternoon. I had no time to cut and prepare vegetables like I’d planned so I decided to stop on the way to the lake and buy a side dish at the store. And then I remembered the homemade canned applesauce in the basement. Delicious. Done! Trip to store avoided.

A child, my daughter’s dear friend, professed her faith in Christ. Her daddy baptized her. We, her friends and family, shared scripture, prayed and rejoiced. Later, as we celebrated with one another over dinner,  I watched little Esther, with her thumb bandaged, play with other little girls as if she had not a care in the world.

My oldest daughter befriended a sweet girl and helped her get to know the other teens. That made me smile.

Esther is darling and her finger is healing. My children attempted my chore list while I tended to her. Medication is a gift from the Lord as is the doctor who called in a prescription without requiring an office visit which only would have delayed relief for my child. I thank the Lord for sending my friend over to encourage me to call the doctor. I’m thankful for applesauce, the perfect ready-to-go side dish. My friend’s daughter was baptized tonight!  What a celebration! What joy to spend time with other dear families! I’m thankful that my teens have such good friends and that they are maturing and learning to exercise their spiritual gifts.

I didn’t grade papers, vacuum or mop, go to the store or plan next week’s lessons. Those were my plans for today. Instead, I treated a tiny little finger and spent the remainder of my day thankful.

I love this card Bethany made for her friend. The blue flap lifts to reveal a sweet personal message.

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This is one of my favorite family videos of all time. (Watch it before reading further! You’ll love it too… I promise!)

Every time I listen to little Sarah hit that high note, I smile. I love it! Jesus loves Sarah! Jesus loves me! Yet how do we teach our children this truth and how to love him back?

There is no formula.

We can not take them to church (check), read the Bible (check), say bed-time prayers (check) and say we have discipled our children. Reading the right parenting books, Christian schooling, holding to high standards of modesty, or choosing our children’s friends will not ensure that our children will have pure hearts. We can not put them in the right programs. At the same time, keeping them with us constantly will not “do the trick.”

The longer I parent, the more I see my shortcomings and strengths quite plainly by simply being around my children. The other day one of my children obnoxiously sat next to me chomping on her cup of crushed ice. Just as I was about to snap, “WILL YOU PLEASE STOP?!?” Daniel, with a smirk on his face kindly requested, “Honey, I know you picked up that habit from your mother, but please stop. It’s annoying.” OUCH! The same child LOVES salads and vegetables for lunch and enjoys getting outside to run… habits that I’ve picked up this past year that she is emulating! Seeing this makes me smile. It’s my goal for her (and all my children!) to see more positive than negative qualities in me. For good or bad, our children learn by example. That is indeed a challenge that involves a true desire and effort by us (the parents) to be growing in the Lord.

When it comes to instilling a love of Scripture and a heart for God in our little ones, the same principles apply. More is “caught than taught.”If I read my Bible first thing in the morning , my children will often come downstairs, look at me, and grab their Bibles too. However, if I’m on the computer checking e-mail, they will do the same.  It is true “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” When I am impatient and short -tempered with the children, they become so with one another.  Thus, to disciple your children, first cultivate your relationship with Christ. Pray. Read the Word. Seek growth and model a teachable spirit.

When my oldest child was entering kindergarten, we began the practice of regular family devotions. In the early days of our parenting, devotions consisted of a very short Bible story during breakfast. Daniel read while the children ate. That way they wouldn’t interrupt as much! We’ve done many different things over the past ten years. Some families just read the Bible and that is wonderful! We’ve read books of the Bible, Bible storybooks, done themed studies, and even studied hymns or traditions around the holidays as part of our devotion time. We discuss and we pray. However, there is so much we could do and we are always seeking to grow in this area. This year, we’d like to set aside a weekly time of family prayer because we find that we often are rushed after our breakfast devotions. We’d also like to memorize more Scripture. We are not perfectly consistent. There are times I must leave the table and discipline our youngest. There are times we get blank stares. There are times it feels we are just “checking the devotional box off our to-do list.” However, there are so many times that I know the children are learning life-changing truths. So often they engage, ask questions and are awed by God’s word! I am so thankful for my husband who “keeps on keeping on” when it comes to daily Bible reading.

While there is no perfect resource other than the Bible itself, I have found some books and CD’s that have been helpful over the years.

Music is such a gift from God! When my toddlers or preschoolers are cranky, putting on an upbeat CD changes the mood. My favorites are:

Sing the Word: Musically, these are absolutely beautiful. I’ve bought over a hundred of them over the years to give as baby gifts and birthday presents. My favorites are God Our Provider and Great In Counsel and Mighty In Deed. Each of these CDs have a whole chapter of scripture set to music. What a blessing to hear young children able to sing a whole Psalm! Visit the site and listen to the samples. I just love them!

Hide ‘Em In Your Heart: These are older CD’s but so sweet. I can not listen to them without thinking of each of my children as little ones. You must see Esther sing to “God Loves A Cheerful Giver!”

Seeds of Faith: These are great too! They’re more “big kid” and “pop” sounding. My 5-10 year olds love them!

I could list hundreds of books but I’m going to stick to just a few of my all time favorites…

ABC Bible Verses: A Bible verse for each letter of the alphabet.

The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Bible story points to Jesus. This book has wonderful illustrations and helps children see the “big picture.”

Right Choices: My children have enjoyed this little book about making good choices. I like it but often go a little deeper about “why” right choices are made in each illustration. I will admit to skipping one or two pages when mine are really young because the school situation described is irrelevant for our family. However, I do like this little book. It’s a great way to discuss “right choices” to preschool children.

Training Hearts Teaching Minds: This is a resource helpful in teaching the shorter catechism. I think it would be best for children 5 and up.

Parenting With Scripture: It is so important to speak God’s Word continually to our children. We should “preach the Gospel” to them daily in our interactions with them. By no means have I arrived in this area! I mess up. I get angry. Yet even when I fail, I desire to humbly express my sorrow and model a desire to grow. This book points parents to Scripture so that we can more effectively point our children in the same direction.

Doorposts Charts: I love these visual reminders to be diligent, bless others and resolve conflict. These are wonderful little charts to hang up and refer to often. Click on each chart on the website and you will see how practical and wonderful they are!

The above resources are for young children and I know there are many others. I may post with some of my picks for older children at another time. Feel free to leave comments with links to your favorites! Blessings as you seek to teach your children about God’s Word!

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:5-8

For years I’ve been afraid of youth group. That was ok, because for years I didn’t have any children old enough to attend so it was a non-issue! However, I knew that when my children became old enough, they’d not participate. Why? Because I’ve read the books and articles and know the arguments against youth meetings which include:

Parents are to be the primary spiritual teachers for their children.

Youth leaders are generally young and inexperienced and male… not good for our daughters.

Putting teens in youth can set them up for boy/girl relationships.

Our kids aren’t youth. They are young adults. We don’t need to put them in a group that encourages foolishness.

Age-segregated meetings divide the family and take away time we can be discipling our own children.

The entertainment focus of youth creates selfishness.

The purpose of youth group is to reach unsaved kids. Our teens know Jesus. They don’t need it.

All of the above can be true. I’ve been in youth groups (a long time ago!) characterized by entertainment, relationships, and foolishness. I’ve seen youth pastors behave inappropriately. I’ve seen teens look anywhere but to their parents for spiritual guidance.

Youth having a great time with young children at our first VBS.. such a sweet time!

However, might I say that all youth groups aren’t the same? If I were in a church characterized by the above, I’d wonder about the discipling happening in homes of the youth. I not only wouldn’t have my children in the youth group, but I may be looking elsewhere for a church!

My husband and I carried on “not doing youth” until last year when our sweet daughter, who had had a difficult year with leg surgery taking her out of several extra-curricular activities, approached us and asked, “Mom and Dad, Would you consider letting me be a part of the youth group? I know you don’t want to do that, but I’d really like to. ” After talking with her, we could see that her motives were to grow in the Lord, develop closer relationships with her girlfriends, and have opportunities to serve. We’ve always loved our youth pastor. Never, ever have we not trusted him. Our reasons for not participating were fears of other kids’ influences and busy-ness. After praying about it, we felt we should let our daughter attend.

What a blessing her involvement in youth was for her and for us! So often, as Daniel led our family devotions, she contributed wisdom she learned from Pastor Scott’s teachings. We were all blessed by her! We also began to see her truly working on some weaknesses that we’d been praying about for a very long time. Her relationships with her siblings and girlfriends and especially us (her parents!) took on a maturity not present before.

Tonight we went to a youth vision meeting and Daniel and I were so inspired. Tonight we heard the following…

Parents are the most important spiritual teachers. Period. Then we were inspired by a dad who mentored his sons by weekly Bible study/breakfast dates with other fathers and sons for years!

It is the desire of our youth pastor to see young teens develop into mature, godly adults. He stated, “I do not want your son/daughter to stay 13.”

Entertainment doesn’t align with the vision for our youth to obtain spiritual maturity. While the teens will have fun, the worship and teaching are the focal points of the meetings. There are also many service and mission opportunities.

Results of a survey taken by youth members were shared. The questions all involved the discipleship that occurs within their homes: how often parents pray with teens, have devotions, resolve conflict Biblically, etc. Parents then were given tips on how to “preach the gospel” to their children daily – through praying, conflict resolution, etc.

Parents were encouraged to lead or host small group Bible studies for girls or guys (same sex).

Parents were encouraged to set aside at least one night of the week for a family prayer time. “You may get blank stares, ” Pastor Scott said, “and if you do, just do it again the next week!”

Families were encouraged to worship together in church.

I haven’t been as inspired to continue “keeping on” loving, teaching and discipling my teens as I was tonight ever – not even during my favorite weekend of the year at our state homeschooling conference! I need that! When my children were small, I had such great ideas and was always eager to try something new to teach and encourage them. While I love my children now more than ever, that enthusiasm isn’t what it used to be. I’ll admit that I get tired and weary! Having a youth ministry that considers its purpose to come alongside parents to encourage discipleship is what I call a “family-oriented” youth group!

This year I have four children in our wonderful youth ministry. I am blessed. They are blessed. I’m thankful, and on the way home from the vision meeting tonight I heard a little voice in the back of the van that said, “I think Wednesday is going to be my favorite school- day of the week.”

I agree! Mine too!

A month ago, I began a Bible study with my girls called Lies Young Women Believe (LYWB) by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. At the same time I also began my first month of All Out Fitness Boot Camp. The Bible study addresses lies that our culture tells women and Biblically addresses what our responses should be. Boot camp, on the other hand, is an hour long resistance training workout that I am attending three days a week.

I’ll admit that my primary goal in signing up for the fitness camp was to lose weight. I’ve battled the same ten extra pounds for several years and I decided that this would be the summer it would come off for good! I had a number in my mind that I desired to weigh, and I was sure that fitness camp would get me there quickly. It’s tough! Even my athletic dancing daughter, Anna, tried it tonight and admitted that the workout was intense. I’ve run at least three miles on the days I don’t attend. I’ve eaten well. I’ve drunk LOTS of water and severely limited my sugar consumption. After three weeks, it didn’t appear that I had lost a. single. pound.

This is where the Bible study enters the picture. This is a mother/daughter study. The book addresses lies that young women tend to believe (at least the title implies this!) However, as I’ve studied, I’ve realized that women in my stage of life also listen to them (including me!) Many of the un-truths our culture tells women have to do with body image. I’d like to say that I don’t ever listen to such lies. I do recognize more of them now than I once did. I was a large child. In the 5th grade, I was my full height of 5’2 1/2″ and known as “too tall Tina.” I was teased. I was a little chunky. As I naturally lost a few pounds in jr. high, I received much attention and came to view “thinness” as “worth.” Praise the Lord, over time, the Lord healed me of some dangerous thinking and behaviors… but I still have to be careful to recognize lies that I tell myself. Lies that our culture tells women such as…

You need to weigh this. (Really? Says who?)

You can’t eat these foods. They are bad. (Moderation is key!)

Being thin is beautiful. (We need to be a healthy weight. However, true beauty comes from the cultivation of gentle and quiet spirit. This is what I desire!)

As I’ve exercised this month, I have been careful to focus on scriptures that are truth! I have prayed about my motives in exercising and eating right. My body is a temple. It is my responsibility to take care of it. What the scale says truly doesn’t matter if I am doing my part. When I’d not lost anything after two weeks, I was discouraged. After three, I weighed myself again  and felt the Lord telling me to put the scale away. The wonderful thing is, I didn’t even care that the numbers weren’t coming down! I simply just put the scale away and enjoyed my praise music while running outdoors and the fun camaraderie of my class. I also took joy in the increased energy I had due to working out.

Once a month we are tested. Yesterday marked the beginning of my second month and I had my second test. I was so pleased that I’d gained a great deal of strength and endurance! My one mile run time decreased from 10:04 to 9:09. I did 42 knee push-ups in a minute while last month the number was 22. I did lose 3.2 pounds. However, I wasn’t nearly as proud of the few pounds as I was over the fact that I am stronger than I was a month ago. I had no idea after my testing that my improvements were actually enough for me to win the greatest point total for my camp….earning me a T-shirt! It says, “Fitness Boot Camp… It ain’t your Mama’s workout.” Cocky… and I hope not like me. But one of my friend said, “That shirt is hilarious… especially on you! You MUST wear it.” I think I will… at least to camp!

This may be the goofiest picture of me posted ever. I am suppose to be pointing at the big muscular arm. Aren't I tough? (Don't answer...)

I look forward to another month of exercising at fitness camp. Might I be able to run a mile in under 9 minutes? Will it be possible for me to do 50 push-ups in a minute? Possibly. Yet, there are more important questions for me to consider. I’m spending an hour a day working out. How much time am I spending daily in God’s word? What is he teaching me? Am I closer to the Lord than I was a month ago? What scriptures have I memorized/hidden in my heart that will help me recognize the lies that Satan would like for me to listen? I hope a month from now I am more spiritually mature. That is my true goal!

Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. (1 Peter 3:4)

Today is a Father’s Day we’ll always remember because this morning Daniel and I were both baptized.

Both of us were baptized (as infants) by believing parents but have never been baptized as believers. I grew up in the United Methodist Church and Daniel in a Presbyterian church -  churches that both adhere to a paedobaptism or infant baptism tradition. For 15 years now, we’ve been members of Alliance Bible Fellowship (a Christian and Missionary Alliance church) and our church teaches credobaptism, or believer’s baptism. When our pastor, Scott Andrews, first began preaching about the need to be baptized as believers, neither Daniel nor I felt it was necessary. We were raised by Christian parents who made a covenant with God to raise us in a way in which we’d have every opportunity to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We are so thankful for our heritage. Both of us came to know the Lord as children.

Over the past three years, the Lord has been prompting me to be baptized. I know theologians have debated infant baptism vs. believer’s baptism for centuries… and I don’t desire to do that. I just know that for several years there has been a stirring in my heart at our church’s baptisms. I’ve almost been jealous of those blessed to remember the special day that they professed their belief in Christ and were declared “dead to sin and alive in Christ.” My mother-in-law visited the Holy Land several years ago and told me of a special ceremony at the Jordan River in which she was told to, “Remember the day of your baptism.” (She has also been baptized as a believer.) When she shared of that time of reflection, I remember thinking, “I would have just jumped in and asked someone to please baptize me right there!” Shortly after her sharing this, our pastor preached about the need to be baptized as believers. Close to 40 members of our church were baptized after his sermon! While I wanted to be one of them, I also wanted to talk with Daniel and I had a baby that needed to leave the service to be fed. This was about two years ago and the Lord has continued to speak to me about this. Last Sunday, Pastor Scott once again spoke on the topic… and I knew it was time.

God’s timing is perfect. The Lord also had been prompting Daniel. One quality I admire so much about my husband is his obedience to the Holy Spirit. When God speaks, he listens… be it (among other things) quitting his job to go to seminary, giving something away, praying for others, making encouraging phone calls, serving in ministry or lending a helping hand. Daniel also is a “studier” which is another quality I so admire. Over the past two years, he has read and researched the differing views of baptism. One article he found helpful was this post by John Piper which discusses baptism and church membership. After church last Sunday, Daniel and I discussed this article and the stirring we both had to be baptized. While we appreciated the views of Piper, Grudem, and our own pastor, we both felt that the stirring was coming from the Holy Spirit… and we needed to be obedient.

It’s been a joy to share with our children, who have been baptized as believers, the reason we chose to do this today. It’s a matter of obedience… not salvation. We’ve been believers for a long time. We desire to be teachable and we are still learning.

We both agree that while we know we were believers before, today is indeed special. We will always remember today… the day of our baptism. We feel clean. We are dead to sin and alive in Christ and as believers have professed our faith. Praise God!

We celebrated after church with a baptismal/Father's Day feast... steak, mashed potatoes, salad and a delicious Italian cream cake. Happy Father's Day, Daniel!