by Stacey | May 30, 2013 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
“Can we go outside and play?” It is a request I hear often from the children in my care.
“Please clean up the toys first.”
“Can we go outside and play?” Tiny voices raise their volume.
“Clean up first, please.”
Seriously. On any given day, at any given moment, this is my house:
Is it crazy to want the toys picked up before a new adventure begins?
“Why aren’t you answering?” Little feet stamp. Fists curl in frustrating dramatic six-year-old fashion.
Oh how fitting, that the children in my care would mimic my temper tantrums.
How many times have I begged God for an answer only to wait, wait, and wait some more? How many times have I accused him of failing to respond, when in reality, I have failed to listen to his response?
Does He instruct me, as I instruct the children in my home, to clean up an area of life first? How many times have I missed God’s answer (and possible blessing) because I was too busy stamping my feet and shaking my fist?
Lord, give me ears that hear.
by Stacey | May 23, 2013 | Special Announcements
Many of you might remember Katie and her Nets for Kids campaign. It all started with an inspiring magazine article. She did a wonderful job raising money and awareness to help fight malaria. She started her own website and collected pledges.
TVO kids awarded Kate with a Super Citizen Award to recognize her efforts. This link will take you to her video accepting the award (Kate is third from the left, click on her picture for the video to begin), or you can watch it premier on television on TVO kids at 3:55 pm on Tuesday May 28th.
The airing of this award comes on the heels of Kevin and I attending a Teen Challenge graduation service. We had the privilege to meet the young man we spent the last year praying for, writing, and supporting as he completed a one year rehabilitation program for addictions. It was an amazing night that recognized God as our healer and restorer.
Our family believes that being a super citizen involves getting involved. Minding each others business. Cheering, supporting, encouraging and sometimes correcting each other – but always with an attitude of love.
Our Graduate and Kate reminded us afresh of what really matters in life. Living and giving to glorify God.
Philippians 3:20
New International Version (NIV) “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ”
Let’s all be super citizens, citizens of heaven doing the work of God.
by Stacey | May 9, 2013 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
As I write today’s post I can’t help but wonder if later today, my optimistic spirit will be crushed. You see, I am a “glass is half full” kind of girl. I always have been. But later today I will pitch my book to the publishing house I prefer. This project of five years in the making has been a source of great joy, huge frustration, and character shaping opportunities.
My stomach dances as I wait for 1:00 pm. The time of day I am scheduled to speak with my editor. The time of day that I will learn if all my work, prayers, and hopes will come to fruition.
Of course, I hope the editor will want to see the whole book, or at least ask for a proposal or synopsis Anything but the feared – thanks, but no thanks. But if I hear those dreaded words will this optimistic girl make lemonade from the shriveled dream?
Right now, I honestly don’t know. I hope so. I pray so. But the butterflies remind me of how important this is to me. How much I have invested.
How about you? How do you respond when the answer is no? Not maybe, or perhaps – giving you a thread of hope to cling to. How do you respond to a flat-out NO? How do you handle the crushing disappointment?
I’m trying to prepare. I’m trying to prepare my heart for the great possibility this publishing house might not be interested in my work. I’m trying to prepare myself for the reality that we don’t all accomplish our dreams, that sometimes those dreams serve a greater purpose. I’m trying to dwell on all the things that God has already taught me through the delays thus far and accept that maybe, just maybe, He would be better glorified in my failure than success.
It’s not easy.
But the truth is, that’s why I’m here. I’d like to think my great purpose in life is more about me and my goals, but it’s not. More than being a writer, more than being a “success” (as I define the word), I am here to bring glory to God. That is my purpose. That is YOUR purpose too.
I hope I might accomplish this purpose through publishing novels that direct people toward Him and unashamedly proclaim His name. And there is nothing wrong with this dream or the desire. And there is nothing wrong with continuing to try if this pitch doesn’t work out. But first and foremost, I am here to glorify Him in both success and failure.
So now, as I hope for victory but prepare for disappointment, may my response glorify His name. If I can do that, then a dried-up, sour experience will make the most sweet tasting lemonade.
UPDATE: I wrote this post yesterday, and pitched yesterday afternoon. The publishing house has asked for a full proposal from me – which excites me beyond belief!
by Stacey | May 2, 2013 | The Weekend Visitor
Many Christians do not really grasp why God has forgiven us of our sins. It’s not as if God the Father woke up one morning and was having a great day, just feeling terrific about being the Sovereign of the universe, then decided on a whim to have mercy on his elect and look past their iniquities. God did not save us because the loving part of him finally out balanced the justice part of him. We must not picture God up in heaven muttering: “You know your sin? And all your rebellion and failures and disobedience? You remember all that? Well fuhgettaboutit. It don’t bother me. I love youse guys and I ain’t gonna mention your sin no more.”
Without giving it much thought, many of us picture the atonement as nothing but undeserved mercy from a loving God. We forget that the mercy we receive is a mercy merited on the cross. God has not saved us by the removal of justice, but by the satisfaction of it.
Justice is shot through the entire plan of redemption. God never once set aside his justice. There is a hell because God is just. And people go to heaven because God is just. Our sins are counted to Christ, so that he died in our place. His life and his death counted to us, that we might live.
We are not forgiven and given eternal life because God waved a magic wand and decided he would just overlook our sins. He has not overlooked the smallest speck of your sin. The good news of the cross is that the tiniest little speck of your sin, and all of the great big sins as well, have been paid for by the perfect and final sacrifice.
We were not saved on a whim because God decided one day he might as well have mercy on sinners. We are saved because God sent his Son to become the curse for us. Every last lustful look, every proud thought, every gossiping tongue, God demands justice for all of it. And the resurrection of Jesus bears witness to the glorious good news that all the demands of justice have been met so that Christ would be the first to conquer death, but not the last. Divine satisfaction through divine self-substitution.
I am the Senior Pastor at University Reformed Church(RCA) in East Lansing, Michigan, near Michigan State University. Married to Trisha with five young children.
*Used with permission
by Stacey | Apr 25, 2013 | Devotionals, reflections, and encouragement
Nick just turned five, and the name Slick Nick still applies. He has, in the past, had adventures with Vaseline that have earned him the name (like the time he covered himself completely in Vaseline!.
It’s hard to imagine this angelic boy EVER disobeying.
We use Vaseline to sooth the dry patches of skin that plague our children. They all know the large tub is off-limits and only Mommy applies Vaseline, but man, does it look gooey and fun. Judging by Nick’s slippery body and slick hair, he had a blast.
His petroleum jelly grin prompted an outward smile and an inward groan. As a former hairstylist, I know it takes a shower marathon to remove Vaseline from the hair.
As Nick unhappily scrubbed down for the third time in less than an hour, it occurred to me that his curiosity came with a high price tag. He missed game time with the other kids as we attempted to rectify his retro 1950’s hairdo.
Sin comes with a high price tag. Whether our slip is premeditated or innocent curiosity, there are consequences and a price. Nick paid with two days of showers and it cost me free time and a replacement tub of Vaseline.
Like Nick, I experience consequences for my sin as I live in a fallen world filled with other sinners like me. The price of my sin is a life – either my eternal life or Jesus’s life. One of us will pay.
Jesus died on the cross and offers God His life as payment for my sin. After Jesus died, He rose from the grave, swallowing death in victory. I can thank Him for the payment, live a life of repentance and change on earth, look forward to an eternity in Heaven. Or, I can refuse His offering and by default commit to paying the cost myself in an eternity spent in Hell.
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.”
ABOUT KEVIN DEYOUNG
