What kind of disciplemaker are you?

What kind of disciplemaker are you? 

Today as I pondered a lesson I learned many years ago I decided to try to paint the concept.

It takes 15 to 16 years before an elephant can have a baby. The gestation period is 22 months. They may have 12 babies in their lifetime.

Elephants are slow to start, slow to produce, and only have a few. They are fiercely loyal and stick to their pack. 

A rabbit starts having babies around 5 to 6 months. Their pregnancy only lasts 31 days. They can have 6 to 12 bunnies at a time. They might have 3 to 4 litters a year. Theoretically, a couple could have with their offspring 4 million babies in 4 years.

Rabbits are fast and productive. They fill a warren with a family unit. Their family structure is very communal and they stick together but each have their own place in the warren. Some rabbits might come and go but for the most part they stick together. They are rapid reproducers.

I am curious. In your culture, which one would be valued more as a reproducer?

Did Korah's kin have to suffer because of his rebellion?

Sometimes, I read something and it makes me ask questions. This morning I read "and the line of Korah did not die out" (Numbers 26:11). But I noticed no number in the census was given for them. Without the census number, they could not receive the land inheritance. Without land, how could they work?  It made me wonder, did Korah's kin have to suffer and become slaves because of his pride?

What I found humbled me so much. Even Korah's rebellion which caused instant discipline that shocks you because 250 men were swallowed up in a hole that day (go read it in Numbers 16:1-40), there is a redemptive story.

Did you know that Korah's descendants served in the tabernacle as musicians, gatekeepers, and custodians (1 Chronicles 6:31-37; 9:19; 9:31-32; ; 25:1-7; 26:9)?

Did you know that 11 Psalms are attributed to the descendants of Korah?  Songs of longing for God, the power and protection of God, the presence of God emphasizing joy and the desire to be with God (Ps. 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 84, 85, 87, 88).

Now, I know our God is a God of redemption. I know His presence, provision, protection, and joy. Yet, I caught myself assuming the descendants of Korah were doomed because of their fathers rebellion. I know better. I love that God stopped this erroneous thought process.

How often do we say, "So and so is unredeemable?"  How often do we imply a person, politician, people group, or nation could never be redeemed? I know I hear and feel the brunt of these often in my world. And yet again, God caught the lie in my head this morning.

Listen! God is in the business of redeeming people! No person, people, or politician is beyond redemption. We must be praying for souls!  It is not our job to judge, condemn, slay, catch in sin, etc. Our role is to draw people closer to God so they know know the love of the Father through His Son! 

I can't stop thinking of the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11. I am in aww that despite their sins or errors God chooses to have us remember their moment of faith. 

This morning I am celebrating the descendants of Korah that chose to help us draw closer to God. Just this week, I had a leader in Greater South Asia tell me how much it meant to the tribal people when they heard for the first time Psalm 42 in their heart language. 

Korah's descendants are still impacting kingdom culture today.

Shalom y'all.

Prayer for Cross-cultural ASL Sign

Yesterday, as I was working I really struggled to find a good sign for the Word cross-cultural. No matter how I phrased it, I couldn't find the word on ASL videos that I needed. I could find cross, culture, or cross country, but not cross-cultural.

I cried out in my heart. It was not a voiced prayer. "God, I just need to find someone that can help me in person to know how yo do this sign." 

Last night at the art show an old church acquaintance, Geri, came up to chat. 

As she was talking she shared that she is an interpreter. I hadn't known this or forgot.

I asked, "What do you interpret?"

She said, "For the deaf."

I couldnt believe it. God gave me Geri on the very day I needed it. I shared with her that I was trying to find the sign for cross-cultural but I couldnt and I needed help. She asked questions and I explained what I was doing. After processing several motions she helped me settle on a motion that would work. 

I now have my story motion for cross-cultures! I am so excited. 

I don't know why it always surprises me how God provides the answers to my heart prayers, but it does. I felt like dancing and skipping after chatting with Geri. 

God heard my prayer and He answered. He knows my needs and the why's. He answers so sweetly to show me He is so kind. 

Feeling very blessed!

Rivers of living will flow

Living water will flow!

This is my first attempt at painting water rings and droplets. 

Water is critical for life. Here are a few quick stats I found.

55% to 75% of the body is made of water.

Water is a shock absorber for the brain, spinal column, and unborn baby in the womb. 

Water flushes waste out of us.

Water enables growth to occur at the cellular level. 

It is estimated that 71% of the earth's surface is covered with water.

It is estimated that 96% of the earth's water supply is in the oceans.

Water is the fundamental component of every living creature. 

Water gives life.

Water sustains life.

Without water we die with in days.

Spiritually we need life giving water, too. It only makes sense that the One who created heaven and earth would be the One who will give living water.

Jesus once said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Does anyone believe in me? Then, just as Scripture says, rivers of living water will flow from inside them.” (John 7:37-38)

We can have "rivers of living water flow from us" when we believe in the One who is the River of Life. 

Life giving water that quenches our thirst. 

I was trying to convey in this image how the life giving water has a ripple affect even if it is in just one little drop. 

I have to giggle because I just realized as I look at the image the water of life is smiling back at me. 

Father, Thank You for the gift of water and it's life sustaining power. Thank You for Your Son who gives living water that quenches our thirst. Help us to believe in Your life giving water and to give it freely. Let the ripple affect of Your sustenance bring life to all who receive it. In Jesus' name, amen.

What to do in relationships based on Matthew 7

I was listening to a podcast this week on Ask, Seek, and Knock by Dr. Tim Mackey with the Bible Project. He said that we should read Matthew 7 focusing on relationships when we ponder what we should ask for. 

Then as God would have it, I read this chapter this morning in my routine. 

So, I decided to read it with the focus of how to be in good relationships. This is the list of good helps that God showed me.

In relationships...

1. Do not judge.

2. Focus on fixing yourself not others.

3. Stay away from those that devour others or trample on people. 

4. Persistently seek God for wisdom.

5. You will know people by their good or bad character. Watch for it.

6. Do the will of God.

7. Listen to the Word of God and put it into practice. 

This is when we will be known as a person of authority.

Okay, so when we just don't know or we feel confused. We should persistently pray.

O Father, Help me not to judge. Please forgive me for judging. LORD, show me what I need to do, change, or let go. Please guard me from those that devour and trample on others and help me with this person that makes me feel devoured and trampled on. Please, guard me from being the person who tramples on or devours others. I beg you for wisdom in this situation.  Show me their character and the best way to respond.  Father, I do want to do Your will but I don't know how. Please guide me. Show me how to love, forgive, serve, walk, and guide others in all truth. In Jesus' name, amen.

A Thousand Touches with Watercolor

Have you ever done something for a thousand touches? 

It sounds so impossible. The first time I heard someone use this phrase was on the soccer field by my friend Tanya Franck Benning as she coached the women's soccer team at Grace University. I Googled the concept and I found out it is a challenge often given to athletes to do practice makes perfect or do this and you will awaken the involuntary responses needed so you no longer need to think about what you are doing. This is when you will play instinctively.

Tomorrow is my one year anniversary of starting to learn how to watercolor paint with Alice Swartz. She brought all her supplies so we could play. I mean paint.

I am definitely over a thousand touches. I try as best I can to watercolor if we sit down to watch TV. This way I am creating and learning while listening. 

When I look at what I created in the beginning and gave away, I laugh because people are so kind. Your encouragement all along has been so kind.

I discovered that the process of painting several nights a week became a time of rest and worship. But the actual process of learning wasn't easy. I kept creating even when what I saw in my mind's eye did not match what I created. 

I watched how others painted before going to sleep or looked at others paintings. At first it was easier to look at someone else's work, but more and more I found I am jealous for creating my own design. I want to create from my heart and vision not someone elses.

One day Grant Rye said to me, "In the art world, master artists will hire apprentices to paint copies of their original to sell. They are master copiers." I have no idea if he was trying to teach me a lesson, but as much as possible from that point on I started choosing images where I would take shapes, colors, and composites of photos so I could try to create on my own. 

It has been an incredible journey. God used this to bless me, encourage me, and challenge my mind. It has been hard trying to learn how to master shapes, color theory, and depth. I still don't get how to do these most of the time, but I keep pressing in.

The most important thing I realized. When I create something, it is my interpretation of what I see and I am able to do in that moment. This is good! Why? Because I am trying! I am creating! I am growing! And yes, a thousand touches works. I am improving. 

I also discovered that for art your supplies really matter. It was a powerful game changer when I had good paper, good paints, and the right brush. Oh my! 

I want 10,000 touches! Why? Because our God is a creative God and I want to see how HE might create through me. 

How about you? What have you given a thousand touches to?

Character and Consistency

Have you ever noticed that consistency and character are always revealed?  This can be seen for both the good and the bad. Whatever we do consistently it will reveal our core character. It can build trust or break trust. Our patterns whether big or small over time reveal so much.

This morning as I read Daniel 6, I am in awe because Daniel's character in his 80's was so consistent that the leaders couldn't find anything wrong with him. So they plotted to trap him. Does this sound familiar? It should since it is what the religious leaders did to Jesus.

At this point, you would think they would have caught onto Daniel's God's character as well. He consistently rescued and elevated Daniel as an exile in Babylon and when Persia took over. But one of their consistent patterns was not seeing God's work or believing. 

Both Daniel and His God were consistent in their character. It was observable that they were both faithful and trustworthy.

AND the government leaders were also consistent in their character. It was evident that they were jealous and power hungry. They liked to scheme and plot no matter who they deceived as long as they got what they wanted. Ugh. I have known a few of those in my life. 

It is so important we slow down, listen, and look at the motives behind the activity. It is also important to watch for what is revealed consistently in a person's behavior over time. Patterns reveal so much. Everyone has a one off moment where they can mess up, but patterns are a revelation of a core character trait. 

I find myself asking, "What is revealed by my character consistently over time to others?"

I also find myself praying, "LORD, give me the awareness of character and to watch for consistent patterns so that I can wisely navigate life for Your glory. In Jesus, Name, amen."

I promise it works. Watch for the consistent character patterns. This will help you know when to say, "yes" and when to say, "no."

Shalom y'all!