Sluice Box Adventures
Believing Bible Study in the 21st century
For Women &
Girls
Proverbs 31
King James Bible
Daughters of Faith
An Internet Ministry For Encouragement Of Christian Girls and Ladies Around the World.
Daughters
of Faith
November / December Issue 2003
"O, The Deep Deep Love of Jesus!"
Thank you all for your faithfulness in reading this paper, and thank you so much for the encouraging words you have sent to me over the years. It is such a blessing to be able to touch people’s lives whom you have never met! Thank you for bearing with me over the years – through all of my silliness, sorrows, and tough times. You are all a great source of encouragement to me!
For Him,
Laura Beth
Proverbs 16:33 & Mark 11:22
Merry Christmas, girls! Are you all getting excited for Christmas? Everyone loves this Holiday – we love to decorate our homes with pretty lights, bake yummy treats such as fudge and candy, sing Christmas carols, and best of all, open presents! And of course (especially since we are Christians), we love reading the story in Luke 2 about Jesus’ birth. At my house, Christmas Day starts with my dad reading this story. As I was thinking about what to write of this month, the thought came to me that so many people just consider this holiday a time to get together with family, exchange gifts, and have a special meal. One lady that I work with made the comment that she doesn’t even enjoy Christmas anymore, because all the stores have made it so commercial now that we can’t really focus on the true meaning of the season. What is the true meaning of Christmas??? Christmas is all about giving and receiving. The Bible talks about it in Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
We all love to get presents from family and friends. Why do we even exchange presents at Christmas? Who started this wonderful idea? Well, God gave the first and most important Gift when He sent His Only Son to come to earth and be born in a lowly manger. His purpose was to die on the cross for the sins of the whole world so that we could be free. What a Gift! If you have accepted this Gift, which is totally free, by just asking Him into your heart and putting complete trust in Him, then you have received the greatest Gift of all. Why then, if Someone loved us that much to give us such a Gift, would we be so selfish in our own giving at Christmas-time? Let’s talk about the different reasons people give presents:
#1: Sometimes we give because we feel like if we don’t, someone will look down on us for it. We get so worried about how other people view us, that often we just give because we feel we have to.
#2: Maybe we feel that we owe it to them, because they gave us a present. After all, why should we give them a present if they haven’t given us one? Well, we certainly didn’t do anything for Jesus, and yet He gave Himself freely for us.
#3: The best kind of gifts are those which come from a heart of love. Jesus loved us so much that he died for us. Can’t we at least show a friend we love them by giving them a small gift out of a heart of gratitude? This would be the least of what we can do after what we have been given. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required.” Luke 12:48
Maybe you just can’t afford an expensive gift for all of your friends and relatives; I actually think everyone feels that way! There are still many things you can do for them to show your appreciation for them. You can bake them something, make something by hand for them, or even something as small as sending them a card. All of these things still let a friend know that you love them and are thinking of them.
So, instead of wondering what we are getting for Christmas this year, let’s try to focus on doing for others. Remember, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!
Love in Christ,
Heidi Lesmeister
“When I call to rememberance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and they mother Eunice, and I am persuaded that in thee also.” 2 Tim 1:5
My husband and I have been privileged to serve the Lord together over 48 years. I can’t think of any other life which could have been more wonderful. There are, however, folks who give the impression that serving Christ with their lives is a burden, a hardship to be endured.
The 6th chapter of Mark tells how Christ fed the 5,000 with only 5 loaves and 2 fishes, after which He constrained the disciples to get into the ship and sail to the other side. “And when the even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; and the wind was contrary unto them;…” (verses 47 and 48a) “Toiling in rowing” seems a strange phrase since rowing a boat is toil (work). In reality, there can be a great deal of benefit and satisfaction in working hard.
How can we apply this portion of Scripture for our good? Perhaps you have noticed Christians who seem to be simply going through the motions. Perhaps you yourself sometimes go to church without excitement or serve God with no joy. Sometimes we only do things because we consider them to be our duty as a Christian. We may pray without purpose, labor without power and witness without compassion.
Of course, we must always do those things which God commands us to do, but my prayer for you young ladies is that you will work hard at not “toiling in rowing”; that you would guard against that possibility.
If you experience a “contrary wind” in your life, be quick to spend the time and effort necessary to encourage yourself in the Lord by reading Psalm 100. Why not write the phrase, “Serve the Lord with gladness…” Psalm 100:2 in the front of your Bible, on your school notebook, or somewhere in your room so that you will constantly be reminded to “Serve the Lord with gladness”.
I was raised as a preacher’s kid all my life…I made three professions of faith starting from the age of 4 all the way to age 10…It’s really hard for children who are raised in a Christian home (especially a pastor’s or deacon’s home) to totally understand about salvation. Why do I say that? Because by rights they have nothing to change…I didn’t smoke…I didn’t swear…I obeyed my parents…I was basically a very good girl…I loved Jesus because of my upbringing but I never really KNEW Him in my heart. As a side not I want to interject here that it’s so important not to persist in telling your child he/she is saved if they had made a profession when they were younger and yet come back with doubts and wondering if they really are saved or not…if this is the case, then they possibly are not…As a 4 year old I knew I wasn’t saved, but I didn’t totally understand. How does a 4 year old describe the “tugging” of the Holy Spirit? That is not to say that a child cannot be saved when they are that young, but a majority of children that young have NO IDEA what they are doing…why do I say that? Because I was there! As I aged I knew something was wrong in my life…at age 8 I made another profession…this time mainly to get “baptized” again…*laughs* My third profession was when I was 10. I went forward at a camp meeting and my Daddy (Pastor Earl Baker) asked what I cam for. I told him I needed to be saved; I am such a “Daddy’s Girl” that when I said that prayer I said it so my Daddy would be proud of me…sure, I felt the stirring of the Holy Ghost, I just didn’t know how to react to that yet. I also want to say here that I’ve heard people say that you don’t “feel” anything when you’re saved – I beg to differ! Not only could I feel the tugging of the Holy Ghost, but I knew, after I prayer the prayer that I grieved Him because it wasn’t for salvation, but for the praise of my Daddy and I had not received Christ!
I lived a life of lies after that; acting like I was a good Christian preacher’s daughter, but inside I knew something was wrong…I kept going back to the prayers I had prayed previously, but ladies, it’s not the prayer that saves you, it’s the faith inside that makes that prayer come out! Think about it: if you had to say a prayer out loud, how could mute man get into Heaven? “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Salvation starts in the heart and proceeds through the mouth through confession (or, an act of humbling and contriteness).
To this day, I believe that if a child makes a profession (and doesn’t totally understand it) that God will “keep them safe” and will draw them again because of their childlike trust, and they will have another time to be saved with comprehension.
I doubted and doubted through my teen years. I wrestled with salvation until I cried myself to sleep at night. I didn’t dare tell anybody because I didn’t want to be embarrassed.
I met my husband in 1986 and we were married in 1987; I was still living that lie…thinking (assuming) I was saved because of the prayers I’d said as a child…then, one night (November 27th, 1988) Pastor Coyle who was at that time the associate pastor of Averyville Baptist Church gave his testimony. I thought my heart was going to pound out of my chest! Everything he said was ME! I held on to the pew in front of me like there was no tomorrow…and I went home that night scared to death. My husband asked me what was wrong; when I told him I didn’t think I was saved, he took me through that ever-familiar plan of salvation. I went into the back room (without anyone but me and God) and asked Jesus Christ to come into my heart and save me! I knew I was a sinner even though I was a good person. I could never be good enough for Heaven. That night I was gloriously and miraculously and sweetly saved! Have I ever doubted my salvation since then? I’d be a liar to tell you that I hadn’t. Satan has a way of trying to make the “beloved” look like fools. I’ve heard pastors say that Satan will never make you doubt, but he can sure make a lost person THINK they are saved, and he can make a saved person have confusion so they would be of no earthly good for God’s Glory…I’ve doubted a few times only because I wasn’t studying my Bible like I should. Ladies, your Bible study time is so important! Keep close to God and pray to Him daily. I’m not saying to get up at 5:00 in the morning and have you time. Lord knows, if I did that I’d make a mockery of God because I’d fall asleep in my Bible! But, I am saying get some Scripture in somewhere throughout the day because the Bible is “The Word of Life” and it will keep you from those confusing doubts and oppressing darts of Satan.
I’m going to end my testimony with my life verses:
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”Hebrews 4:15-16 When we have low times, it’s imperative to go to God FIRST. He will direct you to what to do after that. But rest assured, He is still in control. He’s still right, and He’s still God.
God bless you,
Mrs. Karen Johnson
“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with jewels.” Isaiah 61:10
Hey, Girls! How are you all doing? I’m great. Oh! I have a quick joke for you…
Q: Why do you think Abraham was so smart?
Give up?!
A: Because he knew a “Lot”!
Alright, now for my little lesson here. One of my sisters’ names is Rachel and she is a teacher in our Christian School. She has been teaching all of us girls about being princesses, and she has also talked about being happy. She used a verse from Psalms to illustrate this concept. You know, each of us has a choice to be happy or grumpy each and every day. SMILES ARE CONTAGIOUS & WON’T KILL YOU!
I heard a story about a girl who got up one morning and smiled at her dad, even though their family was having a tough time. Her dad then proceeded to smile at her mom, who smiled at her brother, who smiled at his teacher, and so on. It went all around the town until, on her way home from school, the mailman smiled at her! It al started that morning, when she had decided to be happy and to smile, even though circumstances weren’t the best. So I just want to ask you…Are you going to be grumpy? Or are you going to be happy?
It is your choice!
See you next time,
Bekah
Have you ever been on a trip and had to take a detour? Maybe the road ahead of you is closed because of construction, an accident, a flood, or any number of other reasons. Sometimes you can see the reason for the detour and sometimes you cannot. Whatever the reason you now have to take a detour – a deviation from a direct route or course of action. You are now on a road you had not planned on traveling and you have to trust the signs to get you back where you need to be so you can get where you were headed. Same destination, different route. You have two choices in a situation like this. You can complain and whine or you can smile and be happy, knowing God is in control.
Life is full of these little unplanned detours. On the 4th and 5th of December 2003 I was on a bus trip with our volleyball and basketball teams for a tournament in St. Clair, Missouri. We had a great time! The bus trip there went well, the guys placed first, our girls played hard and won a game or two, and we were all tired! It was time to go home and get some much needed rest!
Friday evening we loaded the bus and looked forward to the trip home. However, as we all know, life is full of little detours…
We were all on the bus and accounted for, ready to pull out when one of the basketball players announced that he had lost his wallet. He looked through his things on the bus, but couldn’t find it. Someone went in to look in the locker room, but it wasn’t there either. He finally found it! It was in his bag. We all got a good chuckle out of that, and after this short little “detour” we were on our way.
It was smooth sailing all the way to St. Louis. It was there that we came to a pretty good halt when three lanes on the Interstate we closed. We didn’t know what had happened up ahead, but there were some ambulances headed that direction. It didn’t look good. Our little detour didn’t dampen our joy any. Driving through St. Louis was fun! We saw some pretty city lights and got to drive past the Savvis Center (that’s where the Blues play hockey). Soon, we were back on the Interstate. OK, great! Now we can get home.
Wouldn’t you know it, that detour was not our last! About an hour and a half from home a tire blew on our bus. ‘Lucky’ for us we were just coming to a rest area and were able to pull off there instead of the side of the road. So, what to do now? Whine and complained because we were stranded for who knows how long or smile and make the best of it? We chose the latter.
Many of us had brought board games with us because we aren’t allowed to turn the TV’s on in the hotel rooms. We unpacked those and headed into the small, but more than welcome rest area building. Unbelievably, this ended up being the best time of the trip! On this little unplanned detour we sat on a hard, unforgiving floor and had the time of our lives playing Taboo, Scattergories, Phase 10, Mennonite Dice, Mancala, Bop It, Twister, and Farkle. Before we knew it, three hours had passed and the bus was fixed and ready to go. I think we weren’t sure we wanted to get on the bus and get home!
Finally, at 3:00 a.m., Saturday morning, I was in my own bed, nice and warm. I thanked God for the little detours He had given us. What fun memories were made on this trip.
The moral of the story? God’s ways are not our ways. Proverb 3:5, 6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” It is certain that detours will come in your life. Trust God in these situations. Make the most of life’s little detours.
Chaille Jacobson
11 December, 2003
Mark 12:41-44
In the Bible God talks about treasures, some places He talks of money, and other times He talks of how you are His treasure. God wants you to give Him tithes and offerings but He also wants you to give Him your heart and life.
Some people keep treasure chests that they put money into to save up for something special. As the years go on they keep adding to that ‘treasure’. If ever they start taking or giving away that treasure, when it comes time to use it for what they were saving for, they won’t have enough left for that one special thing they wanted the most!
I remind myself of this quite often because God wants you and I to fill our treasure chests (our hearts) with His love and let it grow as the years go on. However, if we ever take away from our heart to give it to someone (such as a boy!) who’s not going to cherish it, and we keep on doing that over and over again, by the time God has someone special to give us, we won’t have enough of our treasure left to give to him!
So remember, as I often have to remind myself, that you are special and your heart is a treasure.
We have to make sure that we only put what is right into our heart (our treasure chest) and take it our only in God’s time and will.
In Christ,
Megan Bedwell
Matthew 6:21
"O, The Deep Deep Love of Jesus!"
Greetings & Salutations!
I would like to thank you all for joining us in yet another issue of Daughters of Faith. The Lord certainly has been good! It would take too long to tell you of all the things He has done over the now five years that I have been publishing this paper. Suffice it to say…*GOD IS TOO GOOD TO ME!* I mean it, He really is. He has blessed this paper so much; beyond all of my expectations!Thank you all for your faithfulness in reading this paper, and thank you so much for the encouraging words you have sent to me over the years. It is such a blessing to be able to touch people’s lives whom you have never met! Thank you for bearing with me over the years – through all of my silliness, sorrows, and tough times. You are all a great source of encouragement to me!
For Him,
Laura Beth
Proverbs 16:33 & Mark 11:22
The Treasure Box
By: Miss Heidi LesmeisterMerry Christmas, girls! Are you all getting excited for Christmas? Everyone loves this Holiday – we love to decorate our homes with pretty lights, bake yummy treats such as fudge and candy, sing Christmas carols, and best of all, open presents! And of course (especially since we are Christians), we love reading the story in Luke 2 about Jesus’ birth. At my house, Christmas Day starts with my dad reading this story. As I was thinking about what to write of this month, the thought came to me that so many people just consider this holiday a time to get together with family, exchange gifts, and have a special meal. One lady that I work with made the comment that she doesn’t even enjoy Christmas anymore, because all the stores have made it so commercial now that we can’t really focus on the true meaning of the season. What is the true meaning of Christmas??? Christmas is all about giving and receiving. The Bible talks about it in Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
We all love to get presents from family and friends. Why do we even exchange presents at Christmas? Who started this wonderful idea? Well, God gave the first and most important Gift when He sent His Only Son to come to earth and be born in a lowly manger. His purpose was to die on the cross for the sins of the whole world so that we could be free. What a Gift! If you have accepted this Gift, which is totally free, by just asking Him into your heart and putting complete trust in Him, then you have received the greatest Gift of all. Why then, if Someone loved us that much to give us such a Gift, would we be so selfish in our own giving at Christmas-time? Let’s talk about the different reasons people give presents:
#1: Sometimes we give because we feel like if we don’t, someone will look down on us for it. We get so worried about how other people view us, that often we just give because we feel we have to.
#2: Maybe we feel that we owe it to them, because they gave us a present. After all, why should we give them a present if they haven’t given us one? Well, we certainly didn’t do anything for Jesus, and yet He gave Himself freely for us.
#3: The best kind of gifts are those which come from a heart of love. Jesus loved us so much that he died for us. Can’t we at least show a friend we love them by giving them a small gift out of a heart of gratitude? This would be the least of what we can do after what we have been given. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required.” Luke 12:48
Maybe you just can’t afford an expensive gift for all of your friends and relatives; I actually think everyone feels that way! There are still many things you can do for them to show your appreciation for them. You can bake them something, make something by hand for them, or even something as small as sending them a card. All of these things still let a friend know that you love them and are thinking of them.
So, instead of wondering what we are getting for Christmas this year, let’s try to focus on doing for others. Remember, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!
Love in Christ,
Heidi Lesmeister
Nana’s Notebook
By: Mrs. Ruby Wagenschutz“When I call to rememberance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and they mother Eunice, and I am persuaded that in thee also.” 2 Tim 1:5
My husband and I have been privileged to serve the Lord together over 48 years. I can’t think of any other life which could have been more wonderful. There are, however, folks who give the impression that serving Christ with their lives is a burden, a hardship to be endured.
The 6th chapter of Mark tells how Christ fed the 5,000 with only 5 loaves and 2 fishes, after which He constrained the disciples to get into the ship and sail to the other side. “And when the even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; and the wind was contrary unto them;…” (verses 47 and 48a) “Toiling in rowing” seems a strange phrase since rowing a boat is toil (work). In reality, there can be a great deal of benefit and satisfaction in working hard.
How can we apply this portion of Scripture for our good? Perhaps you have noticed Christians who seem to be simply going through the motions. Perhaps you yourself sometimes go to church without excitement or serve God with no joy. Sometimes we only do things because we consider them to be our duty as a Christian. We may pray without purpose, labor without power and witness without compassion.
Of course, we must always do those things which God commands us to do, but my prayer for you young ladies is that you will work hard at not “toiling in rowing”; that you would guard against that possibility.
If you experience a “contrary wind” in your life, be quick to spend the time and effort necessary to encourage yourself in the Lord by reading Psalm 100. Why not write the phrase, “Serve the Lord with gladness…” Psalm 100:2 in the front of your Bible, on your school notebook, or somewhere in your room so that you will constantly be reminded to “Serve the Lord with gladness”.
Amazing Grace
The testimony of: Mrs. Karen Johnson, Pastor’s wife in Chillicothe, MissouriI was raised as a preacher’s kid all my life…I made three professions of faith starting from the age of 4 all the way to age 10…It’s really hard for children who are raised in a Christian home (especially a pastor’s or deacon’s home) to totally understand about salvation. Why do I say that? Because by rights they have nothing to change…I didn’t smoke…I didn’t swear…I obeyed my parents…I was basically a very good girl…I loved Jesus because of my upbringing but I never really KNEW Him in my heart. As a side not I want to interject here that it’s so important not to persist in telling your child he/she is saved if they had made a profession when they were younger and yet come back with doubts and wondering if they really are saved or not…if this is the case, then they possibly are not…As a 4 year old I knew I wasn’t saved, but I didn’t totally understand. How does a 4 year old describe the “tugging” of the Holy Spirit? That is not to say that a child cannot be saved when they are that young, but a majority of children that young have NO IDEA what they are doing…why do I say that? Because I was there! As I aged I knew something was wrong in my life…at age 8 I made another profession…this time mainly to get “baptized” again…*laughs* My third profession was when I was 10. I went forward at a camp meeting and my Daddy (Pastor Earl Baker) asked what I cam for. I told him I needed to be saved; I am such a “Daddy’s Girl” that when I said that prayer I said it so my Daddy would be proud of me…sure, I felt the stirring of the Holy Ghost, I just didn’t know how to react to that yet. I also want to say here that I’ve heard people say that you don’t “feel” anything when you’re saved – I beg to differ! Not only could I feel the tugging of the Holy Ghost, but I knew, after I prayer the prayer that I grieved Him because it wasn’t for salvation, but for the praise of my Daddy and I had not received Christ!
I lived a life of lies after that; acting like I was a good Christian preacher’s daughter, but inside I knew something was wrong…I kept going back to the prayers I had prayed previously, but ladies, it’s not the prayer that saves you, it’s the faith inside that makes that prayer come out! Think about it: if you had to say a prayer out loud, how could mute man get into Heaven? “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Salvation starts in the heart and proceeds through the mouth through confession (or, an act of humbling and contriteness).
To this day, I believe that if a child makes a profession (and doesn’t totally understand it) that God will “keep them safe” and will draw them again because of their childlike trust, and they will have another time to be saved with comprehension.
I doubted and doubted through my teen years. I wrestled with salvation until I cried myself to sleep at night. I didn’t dare tell anybody because I didn’t want to be embarrassed.
I met my husband in 1986 and we were married in 1987; I was still living that lie…thinking (assuming) I was saved because of the prayers I’d said as a child…then, one night (November 27th, 1988) Pastor Coyle who was at that time the associate pastor of Averyville Baptist Church gave his testimony. I thought my heart was going to pound out of my chest! Everything he said was ME! I held on to the pew in front of me like there was no tomorrow…and I went home that night scared to death. My husband asked me what was wrong; when I told him I didn’t think I was saved, he took me through that ever-familiar plan of salvation. I went into the back room (without anyone but me and God) and asked Jesus Christ to come into my heart and save me! I knew I was a sinner even though I was a good person. I could never be good enough for Heaven. That night I was gloriously and miraculously and sweetly saved! Have I ever doubted my salvation since then? I’d be a liar to tell you that I hadn’t. Satan has a way of trying to make the “beloved” look like fools. I’ve heard pastors say that Satan will never make you doubt, but he can sure make a lost person THINK they are saved, and he can make a saved person have confusion so they would be of no earthly good for God’s Glory…I’ve doubted a few times only because I wasn’t studying my Bible like I should. Ladies, your Bible study time is so important! Keep close to God and pray to Him daily. I’m not saying to get up at 5:00 in the morning and have you time. Lord knows, if I did that I’d make a mockery of God because I’d fall asleep in my Bible! But, I am saying get some Scripture in somewhere throughout the day because the Bible is “The Word of Life” and it will keep you from those confusing doubts and oppressing darts of Satan.
I’m going to end my testimony with my life verses:
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”Hebrews 4:15-16 When we have low times, it’s imperative to go to God FIRST. He will direct you to what to do after that. But rest assured, He is still in control. He’s still right, and He’s still God.
God bless you,
Mrs. Karen Johnson
There Is Reason to be Joyful
By: Miss Rebekah Wark“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with jewels.” Isaiah 61:10
Hey, Girls! How are you all doing? I’m great. Oh! I have a quick joke for you…
Q: Why do you think Abraham was so smart?
Give up?!
A: Because he knew a “Lot”!
Alright, now for my little lesson here. One of my sisters’ names is Rachel and she is a teacher in our Christian School. She has been teaching all of us girls about being princesses, and she has also talked about being happy. She used a verse from Psalms to illustrate this concept. You know, each of us has a choice to be happy or grumpy each and every day. SMILES ARE CONTAGIOUS & WON’T KILL YOU!
I heard a story about a girl who got up one morning and smiled at her dad, even though their family was having a tough time. Her dad then proceeded to smile at her mom, who smiled at her brother, who smiled at his teacher, and so on. It went all around the town until, on her way home from school, the mailman smiled at her! It al started that morning, when she had decided to be happy and to smile, even though circumstances weren’t the best. So I just want to ask you…Are you going to be grumpy? Or are you going to be happy?
It is your choice!
See you next time,
Bekah
An Encouraging Word
By: Miss Chaille JacobsonHave you ever been on a trip and had to take a detour? Maybe the road ahead of you is closed because of construction, an accident, a flood, or any number of other reasons. Sometimes you can see the reason for the detour and sometimes you cannot. Whatever the reason you now have to take a detour – a deviation from a direct route or course of action. You are now on a road you had not planned on traveling and you have to trust the signs to get you back where you need to be so you can get where you were headed. Same destination, different route. You have two choices in a situation like this. You can complain and whine or you can smile and be happy, knowing God is in control.
Life is full of these little unplanned detours. On the 4th and 5th of December 2003 I was on a bus trip with our volleyball and basketball teams for a tournament in St. Clair, Missouri. We had a great time! The bus trip there went well, the guys placed first, our girls played hard and won a game or two, and we were all tired! It was time to go home and get some much needed rest!
Friday evening we loaded the bus and looked forward to the trip home. However, as we all know, life is full of little detours…
We were all on the bus and accounted for, ready to pull out when one of the basketball players announced that he had lost his wallet. He looked through his things on the bus, but couldn’t find it. Someone went in to look in the locker room, but it wasn’t there either. He finally found it! It was in his bag. We all got a good chuckle out of that, and after this short little “detour” we were on our way.
It was smooth sailing all the way to St. Louis. It was there that we came to a pretty good halt when three lanes on the Interstate we closed. We didn’t know what had happened up ahead, but there were some ambulances headed that direction. It didn’t look good. Our little detour didn’t dampen our joy any. Driving through St. Louis was fun! We saw some pretty city lights and got to drive past the Savvis Center (that’s where the Blues play hockey). Soon, we were back on the Interstate. OK, great! Now we can get home.
Wouldn’t you know it, that detour was not our last! About an hour and a half from home a tire blew on our bus. ‘Lucky’ for us we were just coming to a rest area and were able to pull off there instead of the side of the road. So, what to do now? Whine and complained because we were stranded for who knows how long or smile and make the best of it? We chose the latter.
Many of us had brought board games with us because we aren’t allowed to turn the TV’s on in the hotel rooms. We unpacked those and headed into the small, but more than welcome rest area building. Unbelievably, this ended up being the best time of the trip! On this little unplanned detour we sat on a hard, unforgiving floor and had the time of our lives playing Taboo, Scattergories, Phase 10, Mennonite Dice, Mancala, Bop It, Twister, and Farkle. Before we knew it, three hours had passed and the bus was fixed and ready to go. I think we weren’t sure we wanted to get on the bus and get home!
Finally, at 3:00 a.m., Saturday morning, I was in my own bed, nice and warm. I thanked God for the little detours He had given us. What fun memories were made on this trip.
The moral of the story? God’s ways are not our ways. Proverb 3:5, 6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” It is certain that detours will come in your life. Trust God in these situations. Make the most of life’s little detours.
Chaille Jacobson
11 December, 2003
Into the Treasury
By: Miss Megan BedwellMark 12:41-44
In the Bible God talks about treasures, some places He talks of money, and other times He talks of how you are His treasure. God wants you to give Him tithes and offerings but He also wants you to give Him your heart and life.
Some people keep treasure chests that they put money into to save up for something special. As the years go on they keep adding to that ‘treasure’. If ever they start taking or giving away that treasure, when it comes time to use it for what they were saving for, they won’t have enough left for that one special thing they wanted the most!
I remind myself of this quite often because God wants you and I to fill our treasure chests (our hearts) with His love and let it grow as the years go on. However, if we ever take away from our heart to give it to someone (such as a boy!) who’s not going to cherish it, and we keep on doing that over and over again, by the time God has someone special to give us, we won’t have enough of our treasure left to give to him!
So remember, as I often have to remind myself, that you are special and your heart is a treasure.
We have to make sure that we only put what is right into our heart (our treasure chest) and take it our only in God’s time and will.
In Christ,
Megan Bedwell
Matthew 6:21
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