A Pattern of Christ | Kids Lesson

 

The lesson: So, you will take two different colors of construction paper cutting each into multiple, smaller, squares of paper. Each square will only need to be an inch or two. Your workspace and number of children present will determine what size square and how many you will need. Here are some examples:

You will make a cross out of the pattern of squares. The darker color will be used to identify sin. The lighter colored squares will be used to identify the Godly behaviors.

Note: Quilting squares would also work great for this lesson. You can usually buy them pre-cut from most craft stores. Also, the numbers have no significance to the design. They are only for counting purposes. Drawing it out does help when it comes time for assembly. (It gives you a visual for each row.)

Read the passage: Titus 2:6-8 (Shown below are two translations. Read both or have the children read them.)

NKJV -  ⁶ Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, ⁷ in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, ⁸ sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

NASB - ⁶ Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; ⁷ in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, ⁸ sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Discuss the verse by starting with what the kids think that it means. Point out that the same verse said it two different ways.

(Our habits and behaviors are patterns that make up a design. The things that we do are an example to others too. Is our example Godly or like the world?)

Talk about patterns.

1. Hand each child a black (or dark colored) square, have them write or draw negative examples like sin or bad habits on the square.
2. When everyone is done, give each child a yellow (or light colored) square. Have each child write or draw the opposite of what they wrote on the dark square. For example:
   1. Dark = anger, then light = pleasure
   2. Dark = stealing, then light = give
   3. Dark = frustration, then light = kindness
3. When everyone is finished, have someone read Romans 12:2 (another verse about patterns)

NIV - Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

4. Ask how do we resist conforming? (We just gave a hint for one answer.)

Answer: By renewing our mind. By reading our bible to know what is right from wrong. Sometimes you’ll need to read more than one translation to really understand it.

We can also resist being like the world by paying attention to our thoughts. –Thinking about things before we do them.

5. Then have someone read 2 Corinthians 10:5

NLV - We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God. We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ.

NET - and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.

6. Tell them: Most of your actions start with a thought. You don’t get a glass of water without first thinking that you’re thirsty. Likewise, the things that we say, do, and feel, start in our mind.

Being ‘Christ like’ means slowing down enough to have time to think about every little thing and ‘reconcile’ that to Christ’s example.

7. Next, we’re going to lay out these squares and we’re going to ask if what is written on them is wise or if it is something that Christ would display.

Pick up each piece, then guide laying them out in the cross design on your pattern. As you lay out pieces, talk about what may be written on each one. (Blanks are okay if you need filler).

Ask if what is listed on each square is wise or like Christ.

8. When all of the squares are laid out ask the children

What stands out? (It should be a cross)

Likewise, living for Christ also makes us stand out in the world too.

But also, why did Christ die on the cross? (to save from sins)

So, in the same way—just as the cross stands out on this paper better than the other color, His cross, cancels out our sins too.

Even now, you and I may still make mistakes but he sees our hearts, so even when we mess up, he knows who we’re trying to be.

9. Close in prayer. Ask a child if they’d like to do this.

Prep & what you’ll need:

• 2 different colors of construction paper, one light color, one dark color (or quilting squares)
• Scissors
• a ruler to measure squares if you're cutting them out yourself.
• Something for each child to write or color with.
• A big enough space to lay out the pattern.
• If you need to tweak my design, graph paper may help you count. You can print it here.
• I’d recommend cutting the squares out in advance.
• If you intend to have the kids read the passages, you may want Bibles in various translations, or you may want to write the verses out in advance on index cards.

The Beef & the Bread

If you’re looking for fun ways to get your kids to open up, check out this post. It ties right into a great lesson about communion.

What’s your beef?

I recently heard a friend describe an activity that another family used to get their kids talking about hard things. It was dubbed ‘What’s your beef’ night and specifically aimed at the parents.

On this night, everyone in the house picked what they wanted for dinner from any fast food place. If everyone wanted something different, that was okay! Once the meals were all collected, they came back and ate together. While eating the kids would tell the parents about anything in the home, that they ‘had a beef’ with. The parents could only listen. They were not allowed to defend, get mad, or explain. 

The goals of this activity are to help children practice hard conversations while they are young, but also to instill the habit of coming to their parents to talk.

Colin and I have an open door with our kids already, but one of our children, in particular, has a difficult time opening up. I’m always up for new ideas and loved the regularity and the habit behind this one. Especially the deliberateness of asking them and not waiting for them to come to us. 

–And any time the kids get to pick whatever they want, they enjoy it. So, it sounded like a fun thing to try.

I went back and forth about when to start this and how frequently. Quarterly seemed about right, but I am so forgetful; how on earth would I remember or keep it up? I thought about it for a while and then remembered a sermon that I once heard during a communion service.

Many churches do communion on the first Sunday of the month. The more I let those details swirl, the more they stirred my heart. So, the Saturday before that service is our night.

About that communion sermon

So how does this activity line up with communion? I’m totally paraphrasing here but in the sermon that I heard, the Pastor reminded the congregation that our anger is something that should be dealt with. Since we accept communion in remembrance of what Christ has done for each of us, we need to right our relationships with others before accepting it. 

While I can’t remember the exact verses referenced then, the ones below are what I used. They speak to the same tone.

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First, go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”  Matthew 5:23-24

Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 1 Cor. 11:28-29

In our relationships, sometimes it can be easier to say we’re sorry for something done wrong than to admit or confront someone else who has made us angry. Unity, love, and grace are at the heart of Christianity and how can we accept it for ourselves from God ‘in remembrance of me’ yet not extend that same grace and mercy to someone else when the time arrives.

Even if monthly seemed too much at first, the Saturday before communion has to be the perfect time to have this conversation! The more that we can implement this attitude in our home, the more that it will benefit our relationships, including those outside the home.

Prep

So, I announced to the kids a month in advance. Then reminded them a few times here and there. I expected some funny remarks about discipline but wanted to give them the extra time to think of other things that came up.

I also asked them to think of suggestions for anything that they didn’t like. With each reminder, the boys would giggle, and Sophie would ask me if I was sure that they could say anything.

The night we talked, I reminded them of what was expected of them. (Their frustrations and suggestions.) Also, that Colin and I would only listen. If they wanted us to address something, they'd need to ask us to do so. Then each child had their turn to speak.

The results

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had this perfect vision of how some family activity would go, only to have the kids destroy it (and I think secretly laugh in my face. Haha). So, I expected that it would take months for us to get a serious answer from them. To my surprise, if I had of envisioned it, this first go went as good as I possibly could have possibly hoped for. They gave some real answers and didn’t have as many as you might expect (from a child).

• We went to three different places for dinner.
• Sophie [age 8] asked me what the word was for not liking to be in small spaces [Claustrophobic]. Then she said that when she was upset about something, she didn’t like it when I tried to hug her to console her. She felt claustrophobic and closed in like she couldn’t breathe. She preferred me to hold her hand. It makes sense; she has never really liked being touched closely or for very long. Haha. And Gosh, that’s a personal space thing. Good for her!
• Jackson [age 5] listed every form of discipline that he remembered receiving. This I did expect but wish I thought to ask him for his alternatives. I am sure that they would have been amusing.
• He also asked me not to hit any more squirrels. Which I didn’t mean to do in the first place. Agreed!
• Ethan [age 11] said that he would like us to give him a few minutes of time when he starts something before asking him to do something else. –What he means is that often I will ask him to do something, like take out the trash and it never fails, he [in another room] just started a show or a game. He’d like five minutes of what he was doing before he has to do whatever it is we’re asking. Sounds fair... I'll think about that.
• He also brought up yelling. While we have all come a long way on this one, it’s still an issue that we’re working on. It bothers all of us.
• Then he asked if we could bring back a particular chore/consequence for cleaning up the room. (A friend did sweeps of the kid’s rooms and if laundry was found on the floor, it was confiscated, and the offender had to pay .25 to get a piece back.) We didn’t mean to get out of that habit, but summer threw us all off. We agreed to get back on track.
• They also all like the most recent chore list better than all of our other previous attempts.

When they were finished, we talked about the verses seen earlier in this post. While the first verse mentions anger, we didn’t spend much time there. After all, the goal is to find out what upsets them. You don’t want to shut them down for being upset. Besides, anger happens to all of us. We did talk about how it’s just as important for us to restore unity when we’re the one who has been offended as it is to repent when something was brought to light. We told them that we were proud of them for speaking up!

Then Ethan read the Last Supper and we discussed it. (pick one: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).

Then we prayed.

Now it’s your turn!

If you’re looking for new ways to talk to your kids or ways to incorporate faith into your conversations. I dare you to try this! Even though this attempt came out of the gate the way that I had hoped, that doesn’t mean it will be the same the next time that either of us tries. There might be many times that there are no answers too! Don’t give up. Do it again and again. Learn from it as you go and tweak it.

Also, if you have some parenting/faith activities that you’ve done that came out well, I’d love to hear them. Let’s swap notes!

You might also be interested in this site:

If you like props, ‘kidsfriendly.org’ has some interesting tools, like a power point that you can edit for a communion hangman activity, a checklist, and more.

Photo credit: stainedglass.com

In the Potter's Hands

Recently, I've been praying about ways that I can be more intentional about sharing Bible stories, Faith, and activities with the kids. Of course, the kids have Bibles and we read devotions but trying to talk specifically with the kids about it is still occasionally awkward for me. I'm a little all over the place about it and I'd really like to be more in a natural habit. I know that we can do more things together as a family too while weaving scripture right into the moment. -Making it more fun and memorable. I probably do this more than I think I do but being more intentional and maybe deeper, is my goal. 

So, as we planned for vacation I prayed about opportunities. Since we were going to the beach, I thought about sand castles and how it could be a great activity for the Potter's Clay. 

Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter, we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8.

The first day on the beach we laid out our belongings. As the kids ran off to the water, I stretched out on a sheet and looked to my right only to discover that the family next to us had a giant pile of sand. I chuckled a little because I have no idea how to build a sand castle, aside from the blob that comes out of a store-bought castle container. Even then, the contents never resemble the mold. This pile had to be a result of a family that knew what they were doing! -And the good Lord planted us right next to them! 

So, I enjoyed watching them work with their material. I was touched because occasionally as the Father carved and smoothed his design, pride for his creation would seep out into faint curls in the corners of his lips-- turning upward into an, oh so tiny, smile. You could tell that he enjoyed his time spent with his family but also in the making.

In fact, hours were spent doing so before anything was even recognizable. I couldn't help but imagine that God probably had a similar joy when we offer up our lives to His molding.

Deuteronomy 32:10 even calls us the apple of his eye and Proverbs 3:12 says that the Lord corrects those he loves and in whom he delights in. 

-->Delights in<--

And delight was exactly what could be seen on that man's face from time to time, even if I couldn't grab it in a photo. 

Unfortunately, we couldn't stay until the family was finished but I spoke to them about where they might post their work. Later, I looked them up on Instagram (@HeddenTheSand) and located this picture of the finished piece.

WOW, Right???  It turns out they've been doing this for many years and have participated in several competitions. Too cool!

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The above information alone is probably enough for the story with the kids but a few days later we decided to try a little something too. While we worked, I continued meditating on the similarities of faith and being molded. It jumps around a little but maybe something will speak to you and encourage you on your journey.
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In the beginning, God formed man from dust in the ground. - Genesis 2:7
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At first, the kids wanted to make a square sand castle. We made three layers and joked about how it looked more like a cake. We even talked about icing it with seashells. Rachel teased us that we'd been working for an hour and it didn't even look different because we had to keep straightening up the sides. But sometimes evidence and even the fruit of our faith is like that too because the foundation is being made right. It can take time. 

Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is the substance of what we hope for, things unseen. 2 Corinthians tells us to keep our eyes fixed there.

We knew that we were making something. So, don't lose heart, if what you're working on isn't obvious yet either.
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Unsure of what to do next, I started making stairs on one side, while the kids tried to tidy up their end and figure out where to put the moat.

As it turns out there were many small components to our plan. It was pretty challenging to have that kind of detail, in this medium, on such a small scale. So we switched our plan to a sea turtle and it was so much easier to mold when we simply lopped off big sections.

In the same way, Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word of God is living and active. It's able to separate soul and spirit, joints and marrow. This world might offer us a lot of 'canned molds' that often frustrate us as we try to fit our lives into them. But offering our life directly to our Father's hands often molds us 'free of form' and sometimes just as considerably.
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Contrary to what you might think, water was our biggest helper here! You might think that it would mess up your design, or 'change things too much,' but with a little practice, we learned how to apply it.

It actually made it easier to mold the sand as it filtered through and packed things together. Just the same, Isaiah 12:3 says that with joy, we will draw waters from wells of salvation.  JOY because we've learned of its power, its usefulness, its necessity. It changes everything.
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Every now and then we had to get up and stand back to look at what we had, to see if the proportions were even close enough. --What needed tweaking?

I can't really think of a specific verse here but in Ecclesiastes, King Solomon is looking back on his life. He recounts things that he got fixated on during his life that never brought him much joy, even though he thought he wanted them. -And he had everything!

In many ways, we're like that too. -Stuck on details and things that make us weary or frustrated when there is another way that we can live.  Why wait until the end and look back with regret-- step out of the traffic, take a view from God's angle, then adjust where necessary while you still can?!
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As it turns out, the place where I put those stairs seemed strange at first but later they were easily converted to the Turtle's head. You might call that intuition but 1 Kings tells us that the Lord's voice is similarly in a gentle whisper. Sometimes following his leading won't make sense or we can even write it off because it is spoken so softly.

But learning the heart of God, helps us recognize his voice. Meditating on his Word guides us and brings us peace, instead of the distraction and frustration that we mentioned earlier.
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And can we just admit that sometimes those 'distractions' are simply our trying to keep life neat and tidy? -Either by perfectionism or not dealing with something at all?!

While we were making the turtle, we were IN the sand. My legs were covered, arms were covered. I may have even had to bend in angles that I'd prefer not to in a crowd.  Our aunt said, "I have no idea how you can handle all of that sand on you."  -But when your vision and your faith are in line with your heart, it's easy to see the value of jumping in.

--And not only that, personal faith IS messy!
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You know we found a picture later on that Instagram page that had instructions to make a sand castle.

It said for the best result, you needed to bring real tools and dig deep down to the water table. You'll have to do some hard work and not care what people think, or what you look like, and deal with some things that you might not ordinarily prefer to.

But remember that alignment that I mentioned earlier? Well, Hebrews 6:19 calls it hope and tells us that it is an anchor for the soul.

You see, when we can see God's hand in our life, it gives us assurance and strength. Not only does it keep us grounded when things get hairy but 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 says that 'this hope' keeps us from getting crushed and perplexed when things get hard.

And all I can think of us how sometimes we're as fragile as sand. -So easily destroyed and moved but letting that water in, is what gives us strength. It holds us together. While we might be different, it's not really about the chemical of the sand or our physical makeup that has changed; it is really the power of the Lord at work in our life.

And Nehemiah 8:10 tells us just that when he says 'the Joy of the Lord is our strength.'
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Friend, I don't know how any of our lives will shape out but I can assure you of this- Where ever you are struggling in life, apply some of the living water to it. Don't be afraid to get your hands or heart dirty. Don't be afraid to make a mess and let others see. --Heck invite them to join you in the making and figure it out as you go.

Little ladies joined us from the next tent over.

Heck, it's kind of like this message thing with the kids. I tried to talk while we were molding the turtle but I never had all of the kids at the same time.

I tried to talk about it at the dinner table but every time I've tried that it was hard to have a conversation. I just wasn't sure if I should ask questions or tell a story.  The questions seemed too forced and difficult. (Probably because our mouths are full and we were starving.) So, we stopped and now that this is finished, I will try it as a bedtime story as I've done before from other trips. I trust with a little practice, we'll find a flow for sharing and inviting; building out from there. Feel free to use any parts of this for your own. :)

Until then, take a note from Paul-- wherever you are, continue in the goal of faith and getting to know the Lord in a new way. He too will continue His work in us. -Isaiah says he's already got us in the palm of his hand. Surrendering-- now that is up to us.

We had to go and couldn't finish the face.

Zeal For Your House Will Consume Me | John 2

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the courts, he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So, he made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal for your house will consume me. [John 2:13-17]

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It’s probably safe to say that most of us have been somewhere or participated in an event that we were excited about. It could have been a concert of a favorite singer, to a store after a much-desired purchase, perhaps a first date or outing with a special friend. Countless details of the experience might have been subpar but because of our mission— the ZEAL of what we were hoping to achieve; The details that would normally subtract from our experience, never even factored into the equation or made it to the final sum when calculating the value of the event.

Without noticing it, sometimes our church attendance can become more of a routine or a task to be checked off. We can come expecting a ‘show’ that will entertain us without any effort or forethought on our part. We might have a list of people that we need to meet while there so that we can discuss our own agenda. Other times we can get so busy with the ‘maintenance of His house’ that we neglect our own relationship with our Father or we forget His introduction to others.

If Jesus came in to do a sweep of the building you attend what are the things that he might get rid of? If he were sweeping your heart, where would he call your attention? Could it be that your response to what you see and hear is a reflection of your own expectations? –And that the measurement of your zeal is an indicator of your engagement? After all, to be consumed is not just to put something in but to give yourself over to the purpose.

LET US PRAY

Father God, we thank you for a good word but also for your mercy. That as our Father you pour out love to us again and again and bring restoration. Speak to our hearts about who we are when we come to see you. Help us tune our heart and our activities to the things that serve your purpose. Help us be bold enough to stand up for the things that honor you and end the things that don’t. Remind us of the things that have impacted our zeal and help us take our relationship to a new level.

THINK ABOUT IT

To the kids – [Parent's take a few minutes to read through this devotion with your child. If you're commuting together, have them read it and answer the questions below.]

1.     What are the reasons that we go to church?

2.     Why is that important?

3.     When you go to church what are some of the things that you look for, or what activities do you participate in that might not line up with our reason for going?

Parents – What about you? [These questions are intended for you to complete on your own. You can certainly discuss them too, if you feel that they are age appropriate.]

1.     You can’t be ‘consumed’ by more than one thing. If you had to pick one, what is it that consumes you? Don’t just limit this reflection to Sunday. What are the things that consume you Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday? Does your love for His church or his people carry over or are you instead consumed by fear, ambition [things you hope to accomplish], anxiety, or even frustration about things that disappoint you?

2.     From an outsider’s perspective, what activities could someone see or hear about your involvement in that might seem less than holy?

3.     If we find that we are more excited about other events, activities, and relationships, could it be that those things also receive our worship?

4.     When looking at the activities in your church, what things stand out to you as lacking or less holy. Talk to your Pastor about it. See how you can get involved.

Going Deeper [A journal prompt] - Meditate on this today and later this afternoon write your reflections below. What part of this devotion spoke the most to you and why? Is there something that you can do in response?

Living As Our Creator | Genesis 1

Hello, this morning we are in Chapter 1 of Genesis. You might already be familiar with it, even if you don’t read your Bible regularly. It’s the chapter about creation. You know, when God created the Earth, man, and animals.

When we spend time in the Bible and with our heavenly Father, we can look for God to reveal new things about himself which are also invitations that we can accept to be more like him.

Ephesians 5:1-2 says that we should be imitators of God, as beloved children and walk in love, just as Christ loved you and gave himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God, as fragrant aroma.

As I was reading through Genesis 1, some unexpected things stood out to me. Mostly words that were repeated throughout the chapter. So, this post won’t be line by line but rather focused on the sum of those words that stood out.

Sometimes we don’t share enough scripture between friends, so let’s begin by reading the full chapter of Genesis 1. 

For whatever reason, it’s a bit of a tongue twister for me, so please extend a little grace

while you listen. ;) If you’d like to follow along, I’m using an NIV translation.

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1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

6 And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” 7 So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.

9 And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.

11 Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.

14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.

20 And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.” 23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.

24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.

31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. 

Gleanings:

Sometimes, I like to use a word counter when I study. I did mention it recently in another post, but it’s not something that I usually rely on. When several stuck out to me, I was curious about any others that I may have missed.  So, I used it in this post. While I know you’ve probably heard several words repeated here, let’s take a look at some of them now. Those are the keys that I will be pointing to in this message.

The first is ‘Created.' It’s used five times. The word ‘Made’ appears another 5 times [KJV has it 8x]. In verse 27 he says that we are made in His image. Well, remember that verse I just shared in the beginning from Ephesians about being an imitator of Christ-  well, that got me wondering if we too are meant to ‘create.'

1 Timothy 2:2 says that we should lead Godly lives. There are countless other verses that show us that the things in our life are created to glorify Him. Wouldn’t that consist of doing and being the same as he?  Yet how many times have I heard someone say, I am not talented or creative? How many times have I said those things myself?

I recognize that for some of you listening, it would take a real act of faith to believe that you could create something that might glorify God but isn’t that gap where God does his best work? –When God asks you to believe that he can use your offerings- when you don’t see the way or the means or even direction.

Our God carefully and thoughtfully created each of us with plans and purpose. –And if it there is something that has been brewing in your heart, he might have designed you to do something with it. Please, friend, take the pressure off of yourself and just prayerfully explore it.

The next word I see is the word ‘Saw.' It appears 7 times. In this case, He looked at the things that he made after he made them. Do you and I study the things that we’ve made? Do we let them minister to us while we’re making them or once they are complete?  On the other hand, as humans, maybe we need to first see them in our mind to create them. –To envision them or use our imaginations.

But over and over again every time he ‘saw’ or looked at something, you know what he did? He said it was ‘Good.' That’s our next word. It appears 7x. He saw the light, and it was good. He saw the seas, and it was good. He continues through the passage.

Yet you and I when we create, we’re quick to note the things that we could do better or differently. We judge them usually in a negative fashion or compare them to someone else. He does none of this. I know—He’s God. Why would he?

For every single thing he makes, he says it is good. Then when he gets to man, he says -----‘whoops—do over’. 

Just kidding.

He says that we’re good too!

YOU are good!

Good.

Now, I don’t know if this disclaimer will be helpful or confusing but, when I say that we’re good, I am not talking about who we are as sinners.

We are all sinners. Christ died on a cross for every one of us, but he also died to give us a new life.

1 Timothy 1:15-17 is a great passage (and paraphrased here) it says to me, Christ came to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. BUT because I am the worst and because God shows me mercy- and uses something in my life even when I am still a Hot mess, others are able to believe and have hope in him as well and receive their own eternal life.

He died to use or weakness, to reveal his glory.

Yet how many times, do we tell God, who we are not, why we cannot, instead of living by the Life of a God who is and who is shown time and again using people who create and step out of their comfort zone and use things within their means.

Because you are made in his image, chosen, forgiven, accepted by God, you have power. His power.

John 16:15 says: All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

John 17:10 - All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.

You can’t be full of power available to God, made in his very image, chosen and purposed, and yet still be too broken to make a difference. YOU ARE GOOD!

And I know, this might be too- “self helpy” or too “hippy” because it’s about creating. Some of you are flinching because you think creative only means crafty. Hang in there.

Hear my heart. He does not say we’re perfect or flawless. He says that you (we) are good!

So, the sum of things that you make out of your life, they don’t have to keep you up at night to be perfect either. It’s like we tell our kids; if it was your best, and in the right heart for God, your ‘good enough’ still glorifies our heavenly Father. That might to you feel like a failure because it’s not blue ribbon worthy in your eyes, but it’s good enough for Him.

We’re talking about a God who let Moses part seas with a stick. I don’t think that his standards are too lofty. They might be too lofty for us to attain as it says in Psalms 139.  But that’s is a matter of what we can understand.  –Not who or what he expects us to be.

Moving right along.

Remember that crafty bit? Well, creation isn’t only using a paint brush and canvas. Creation is in your work and how you plan your meetings. It’s in your parenting and how you choose to discipline your kids. True yes, it can be in how you express yourself, your hobbies, your interests but it’s also in the methods that you choose to connect with people, even when—especially when- you have to overcome an obstacle to meet them.

But the next thing that I see is the word ‘Said’ – 11 times it appears. Creation is in your words. It’s how you encourage others. God spoke light, he spoke the sun and moon and stars. Some of the brightest things that you and I will ever create will be things that are made from our words. Even if it’s only what you say to yourself that no one hears-- or what you pray for.

Who do you speak to?

What and whom do you have authority over?

What do you give your power to when you do speak? Are your words about the problem, or the possible solutions? Are they about your worry or your hope? Are they about what you cannot or what God can? 

--or are your words even about what God might be able to do through and in you?

What about what he doesn’t say?

This is the first chapter, right? I get it’s the history of the beginning, but it’s also like the baseline. I mean, it sets the tone for the whole Bible. Not once in the first chapter when God is making the entire universe, do you see the words labor, sweat, work…

Give me some more words that aren’t listed – please. It peaks my interest. (Yes, I know that there is an entire dictionary that's missing from chapter 1.)

In fact, the word we see instead caught me by surprise because it appears 13 times. More than any of the other words we discussed. It’s the word ‘Let.' He said let there be light, let there be water, let there be grass.

I am not saying that there is anything wrong with hard work or planning or trying to make things the best you can. Certainly, we should do our best to glorify God. –But I have been a perfectionist and it sometimes still seeps out. When it does, it robs me of the joy that surrounds me. –I mean does anyone remember Martha? Jesus was at her table, and she couldn’t put the vacuum down.

I am kidding again. Don’t look that up. There are no vacuums in the Bible.

You can read about her in Luke 10. But some of you are the same way. Jesus, the Holy Spirit, GOD is in your midst –and you can’t understand why you don’t see him. Why He doesn’t speak to you. Why you don’t feel his presence. It’s because you haven’t left your work. Even when you’re sitting in a pew.

You’re relying on the things that you can create perfectly, instead of trusting a perfect God to use what you created.

But HE LET- these things happen.

Just stop and Imagine with me all the things your life could be, the person you could be, the things that you could make and the ways that you could glorify God if only you would let it…

Maybe even let it go.

Or Let yourself go.

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Now backing up for a minute. I am really trying to write/speak more about Scripture and challenge myself to go deeper than just ‘what about me”.

I recently shared a post on some tips to help you study your Bible. Then this week, I opened a box of books that were given to me by a friend last year. In it just so happened to be (in a Godly coincidental kind of way) a book on Genesis. It is called, “My Creator, My Friend” by Bruce Larson

On pg. 13, the author gives two more points that I’d like to add to that but to also challenge myself to use here and in the future as well.

The first is:

1. When you study your Bible, what does this chapter say about God? (And how does it say it?)

2. The second tip given was Instead of looking for hidden messages, what does the text say when you take it at its word? So, let me try to answer both of those things here.

So, what do I see about God, simply from the text?

·       First verse – God IS…. and has been from the beginning

·       Verse 2 says he is hovering above waters. Later in the Bible, you will see other verses, like Zephaniah 3:17 that says He is in our midst. The end of this chapter does not lead to the end of God, he is still here.

·       As for God, he is a creator. He is shown over and over making things from what was not there before.

·       He is a part of the Trinity. (v26)

·       He calls things to be. The he restates it. Go back and read each thing that he spoke into existence, then a few lines later you will see, “and it was so” or a summary of what was just created.

·       Next, he is a God of law and order. One or two things were created at a time. He didn’t make it all at once or even on the same day. He was putting things in their place., separating water from the sky. Even designating power to some of those things. The sun and moon were to govern the day and night. Men were made to rule over the fish in the sea…

·       In that same vein, He is a God of purpose – The trees and plants were created to produce seeds. The birds and fish were to multiply. Even the land was called to produce something. When we circle back to our purpose, man’s purpose. Look at verse 28 – God blessed man and woman and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.

Subdue doesn’t mean to force submission. It means to make things calm. 

So, with your purpose and circling back to the point of my message, imitating Christ as a creator; When you create, how can you bring law, order, yet calmness to your realm. -In your work place, in your home, at your church, in your neighborhood?

Colossians 3:15 says:  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Philippians 4:7 says that it’s the peace of God that transcends all understanding.

Matthew 5:9 says Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Friend to friend: I don’t know what this speaks to you, but I hope that it speaks the same light to you as it did to me. But I had to go through this on my own and learn it before I even saw it here. So, let me wrap this up with a few tips from what I’ve learned. If you’re not looking to have the power to use, or looking for a way to use God’s power in your life, there’s a void. Create an opening and let it in. If you don’t have a hobby, get one. Find things to learn about. I had a lot of things that I was interested in but when all this changed for me, it started by painting rocks that I found at the river with my kids. You don’t have to use rocks. It’s what I had available. Don’t buy anything if you’re not able, find some things in your house and google it. –or message me, maybe we’ll have an adult creative experience. Haha (I don’t know what that means).

1.     Curiosity seems to feed your creative energy. You can be curious about being a gardener, and it can feed your thoughts in another area of your life, unrelated to gardening.

2.     Whatever you attempt the first time, heck even if it’s a big deal like a presentation or a speaking event that you have never done. Don’t go in, making it perfect.  Go in, making a list of what you’ll learn from it so that you can do it even better next time.

3.     If you can tie it to scripture and meditate on it while you’re doing it, it will speak to you, but it will also help you memorize it.  –That’s part of why all those verse coloring pages and Bible journals are such a hit.

4.     More than that, though, having a hobby, all your own, will give you a sense of accomplishment and your own little private thing to enjoy. But it’s also a form of meditation. It’s relaxing. Because the thing requires such focus, it helps you stop giving attention to all the other chatter running behind the scenes that is stressing you out.

5.     Finally, don’t stop there. When you get too comfortable or bored, look for another hobby or take it up a notch. Do the same in your spiritual life.

So, with that, I challenge you to go into the day being willing to put your ideas to work. "Let us challenge ourselves." Be willing to try new things, reinvent, even if it's only ourselves. In the end, no matter the results, acknowledge the effort and what was produced. –How’s that for another look at holy living?

I would LOVE for you to read Genesis 1 on your own and share your findings with me as well. (Links, emails, comments – all of it! –Even if it’s a week or month later or if your points are extremely different than mine.) J

 4 Kids

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All of this started because I wanted to have a lesson with our neighborhood kids. Using this message and doing an art project. I had to cancel my event because of weather, but I know it will happen soon, so these are my notes.

1.     What are the things that you can see about God here?

a.     Well, he’s a creator. What else?

2.     What are some of the things he created?

3.     How did he create them?

a.     He spoke many of them.

b.     Some of the brightest things that you create will be the things that you speak into your life and others as well.

4.     Can you name something that you heard about us in this passage?

a.     We’re created in his image too. – v26

b.     What else –we’re good?

c.     See commentary on 1:25

5.     In fact, it looks like every time he made something –he stood back, checked it out and decided that it was good.

a.     Admire your work [take picture]

b.     Tell me things 3 things that are good about it. [Write them down]

c.     He doesn’t say look at your best friends work or write what you wish was different.

d.     He doesn’t tell you everything that’s wrong with it either.

6.     Did you learn anything from what you made today?