This week has been one of those weeks which have been very busy as we can the produce God has given us, but it has also been an awe-inspiring week as we have taken the time to see God’s creation up close.  Many times we get too busy and we forget to look at all the blessings God gives us.

Several different nights I took the children outside to view God’s creation from a different perspective.  We thoroughly enjoyed sitting outside listening to the locusts sing their song of praise to the Lord.  Also, we tried to check out the cicadas emerging from their homes underground since my dad said they were doing that in full force.  After checking out all the trees in our yard (which are many!) and finding none,  we went back inside and viewed the entire cicada life process via the internet.  It is fascinating to see how God allows that cicada to grow for 17 years before it emerges from the ground.  Some of the girls found the night time insect search to be strange, but our boys were totally enthralled with it.  Even our 1 1/2 year old searched diligently - with his swim goggles on! I should say that we did manage to see some shooting stars and other beautiful nighttime scenes.   

The next day as we were preparing to go out to pick more berries, we had the opportunity to see 2 new baby fawns.  They were just learning to walk and were the cutest things you’ve ever seen.  It was a great opportunity to discuss with the children how good God is in even protecting the baby animals through camaflouge.  When we then came upon a bunch of absolutely gorgeous wildflowers and we saw the beautiful sunset with large billowing clouds allowing bright bursts of red/gold sunlight to shoot out, the following song came to our minds:

I sing the mighty power of God that made the mountains rise, That spread the flowing seas abroad and built the lofty skies.

As you finish enjoying these summer months, I hope you too are taking the time to enjoy God’s creation with your children.  Remind them of Gen. 1 which speaks of God’s mighty power in creating all things for his good (and ours!).  During devotions, take them to Psalms and praise God together over his amazing creation.  When we are busy praising God for his goodness, it’s mighty hard to complain about our other concerns in life.  Try it and see for yourself! 

We now have a fairly large inventory of creation science books and curriculum available for all ages at www.godseternalmasterpiece.com.  They are a great asset when teaching your children about God’s creation and the fallacies of evolution.

 Becky - God’s Eternal Masterpiece

“I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.” Psalm 77:11

This week our family had the privilege of attending Family Camp at the Iowa Regular Baptist Camp.  It is one of the few opportunities we have to relax for an entire week with the children while being fed spiritually through God’s Word each morning and evening.  This year was a bit more emotional for me as I stepped onto the campgrounds because it was the first year of being at camp without talking to my mom while I was there.  Mom went home to be with the Lord last year in August.  My parents taught the preschoolers at Family Camp for 25 years, so the camp is like my 2nd home.  In fact, I always thought I’d build a home and just live there some day! 

This week as I sat on Snake Hill watching my son go down the zip line for the first time, I looked over at the classroom where Mom and Dad spent many hours preparing the materials and crafts for the children’s classes.  I remembered how Mom was very particular about what she taught the children.  She wanted to make sure that the children understood the importance of God’s Word and how they could apply it to their lives.  Every 3 and 4 year old who went through those doors learned about The Good Shepherd, Heaven, How Special Each Person is to God, and most importantly - the plan of salvation.  To this day I can remember those wonderful lessons.  Mom always wanted each of us children to understand that our God is almighty, all powerful, and so very loving.  Through all of Mom’s lessons and stories, I learned how amazing God’s love and mercy is toward me, a sinner.  I also remember the many hours Dad would spend reading Bible stories to us.  He’d also play godly hymns and music in the home in order to teach us even more about our great God.  There were nights I would wake up and tiptoe to the living room.  I still remember the profound impact on me when I saw my dad on his knees before the couch with tears streaming down his face.  I can’t help but believe those tears and prayers were for his children and many, many others. 

As I sat on that hill, I also thought a lot about myself and my own children.  What am I teaching my children and what will they remember when I’m gone?  Will it be about my temporal activities or will it be about the spiritual lessons I taught them?  This morning our speaker had us study Psalm 78.  Read that when you have a chance.  Psalm 78: 1-4 says “Give ear O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.  I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.”  Vs 6&7 - “That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commanments.”

The psalmist went on to rehearse all the mighty acts of God to the children of Israel while they were traveling to the promised land.  Even though the people complained, whined, grumbled, and disobeyed, God consistently cared for them and showed mercy to them.  The psalmist wanted the future generations to hear of God’s great love for his people so that they would always remember that He will do the same for them.  I wonder how often we let our children know about God’s work in our lives in times past and in the present.  Do our children know who God really is because of both our actions and our speech?  Do we leave that to the church or are do we actively talk to our children ourselves?  History shows that we have an amazing God who never leaves us or forsakes us.  Do our children know that or do we worry and fret about our circumstances - causing our children to doubt the almighty power of our God? 

This week as I thought back to the godly heritage I’ve been given from my parents and as I’ve read Psalm 78, I’ve realized that I need to do a much better job of passing the powerful message of God’s love and sacrifice on to my own children.  We dare not drop the baton in this race of life as we keep our eyes on the final goal.  May you too pass on to your children the amazing story of God’s love to them.

- Becky, www.godseternalmasterpiece.com

God’s Eternal Masterpiece is a family-run bookstore which offers Christian parenting and character-building books to aid parents in raising Godly children.  It has now expanded and is now offering homeschool curriculum and Bible studies also.

I have had several responses to the article I wrote last week concerning the importance of waiting on the Lord.  Some of these women are really struggling with depression and the feeling of despair.  I think I understand somewhat what they are saying now.  These past several weeks have been tough ones for me as well.  With all the financial burdens of a tight economy, the impact of raising children for the Lord 24/7, running a family business, missing my mother (who passed away almost a year ago), and having more things to do than I have time, it’s been easy to get discouraged.  My husband and my father recognized this long before I did.  As a result, my wise and loving husband decided that I needed a long overdue break.  Since it was our 20th anniversary, he sent the kids to our friend’s home and took me to the town where our courting days began.  For three days we spent time renewing our marriage and renewing the memories of days gone by.  I never dreamed that I was so burnt out until I was able to take a step back from it all.  After some much needed sleep, exercise, spiritual refreshment, and loving care from my husband, I am able to begin again with the important ministry of motherhood.  I have been reading one of the books we sell in our bookstore, “Lies Women Believe” and I have especially been interested in the section on “Emotions”. 

Psalm 42:5,6 says “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?  And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: For I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.  O my God, my soul is cast down within me: Therefore will I remember thee… (vs.8) yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.”

This passage reminds us that it is vitally important that when we are feeling down or overwhelmed, it is necessary to immediately turn to the Lord. No matter how things are going in our life, we should acknowledge God and ask Him to direct us in responding to the various situations properly.  Our goal is to glorify God in all we do and say.  We cannot do this if we are turning to other people or other things instead of going to God in His Word and in prayer.  There is a place for other people (as a means of encouragement).  In James, the importance of other believers ministering to those who are hurting is emphasized.  God has placed individuals in our lives for a purpose.  However, let’s make sure that going to God and seeking his desires is first in line.  God has given us so many promises that we can cling to.  For example:  God promises to always be with us (Matt.28:20).  Philippians 4:19 promises that God will meet all our needs.  John 14:27 states that we don’t have to fear, no matter what our circumstances are.  As my husband reminded me this week, “Phil. 4:6 tells us that we don’t need to worry about ANYTHING”.  We can’t forget I Thess. 5:18.  “Give thanks in all things”!  It’s mighty hard to be depressed if you are singing praises to the Lord!

As Nancy DeMoss stated in her book, “Lies Women Believe”, when we fix our minds on Christ and bring every thought into subjection to the Truth, the Holy Spirit sanctifies our emotions and grants supernatural grace, comfort, and peace.  II Corinthians 10:5 b says, “We take every thought to make it obedient to Christ”.  

This week, I have renewed my desire to the Lord to dwell on Him and not on the circumstances around me.  With God’s help, may I have renewed energy and strength as I learn to lean on God’s promises.  May you do likewise in the days ahead!   Becky - God’s Eternal Masterpiece

THOU WILT KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE, WHOSE MIND IS STAYED ON THEE; BECAUSE HE TRUSTETH IN THEE!  Isaiah 26:3

*Various books mentioned are available through www.godseternalmasterpiece.com.