A God like that

Grandmas. Images of her in her rocking chair. Her welcoming lap. That kiss on the top of your head. Rubbing your back. Humming  a soothing tune. Rocking gently back and forth. That rhythmic creak. A familiar "my grandma" scent. She puts her crocheting down for you. She turns the channel to cartoons for you. Rocking... she twirls your hair around her finger. She tells you stories of your mom when she was little. You both giggle. And rock some more.

You can talk to grandma about anything in that rocking chair. She comes up with some answer or encouraging response. Grandma listens. Even while her coffee is getting cold. Grandma has time. 

Grandma in her rocking chair.

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God on His throne.

Do you conjure up the same loving images? Or are you picturing something more sober, somber, solemn, even stern? Disappointed...

Maybe you just some reminding of Who God is.

• I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness (Jeremiah 31:3)
• I have engraved you on the palms of My hands (Isaiah 49:16)
• takes great delight in you... rejoices over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17)
• forgiving and good, abounding in love (Psalm 86:5
• see what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! (1 John 3:1)
• God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
• (Nothing)... will be able to separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:39)
• I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings (Matthew 23:37)
• and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19)

Talk to God today about your desire to receive and experience this kind of love from Him today. God has time. God is gentle, loving, encouraging and good.

And anyone who behaves in this gentle, accepting, and tender way towards someone else - is displaying the character of God to them. You are, like the grandma, being the "taste and see" of the goodness of God. May they, too, know a God like that.

Thank God for bible stories!

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

I've been giving the story of Noah's ark a lot of thought and consideration lately. I mean, really... can you imagine being stuck inside with your family and animals?

Genesis 7:24 The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days.

Oh my!

Chapter 7 verse 4 mentions it raining for forty days and forty nights. Noah was told about that. They were not aware there would be an additional 150 days of everything covered in water and they would have to remain in the ark. They didn't know how long to prepare for this unbelievable circumstance. They couldn't see how this was going to work out. Would anything ever be the same again?

They must have had a million questions for God. Build an ark, herd the animals, gather food? How will I provide for my family? What about education? What about my neighbors? And for how long? How is all this gonna happen? And let's not forget the big question: WHY. It's just too big a challenge! We won't make it! How is all this going to get done? Need a hint?

Pairs of clean and unclean animals, of birds and of all creatures that move along the ground, male and female, CAME TO NOAH and entered the ark. (Genesis 7:8-9)

Whew! One thing off Noah's plate. But what about everything else? Is God going to help - with everything?

Can you imagine the anxiety and stress? Can you imagine the hope and trust in God needed? Will God supply the faith to survive such an event?

The rains came.
The waters rose.
The time of waiting and wondering began. I wonder how they passed their days - on the ark - just the family and animals. 

But then it happened. Chapter 8 says that God remembered Noah. It says the waters receded. They weren't able to jump off the ark right away and start living again. But signs came. They watched the raven fly away and return. They watched the dove go and come back with an olive leaf. Even after the dove flew away and did not return, still they waited for a signal from God. Even though it looked safe. Hmmm... I wonder what they learned, what they realized spending all that time in the ark. What do they now know about God that caused them to wait even though it appeared to be safe to go on land?

There are times in life when all you can do is wait. Wait for God.
And during the waiting, maybe we should seek Him, seek Him with all our heart.
And listen for His voice. His direction.

Maybe there's more to this bible story. A life lesson we could use right now.

Something for everyone

© 2012 Julie Crane All rights reserved

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

I have many wonderful memories of my mom - especially Christmas ones. My mom mothered 8 children! They all got married in time. They all had children. So Christmas Day at home was always a houseful! Tables end to end from the dining room into the living room. Plenty of home cooked food and a place for all to sit down together and eat. But one thing that stands out in my mind is her desire that everyone should have a gift to unwrap - no matter how simple or small the gift - something for everyone. Now with such a large family, that added up to quite a bit! How my mom made it happen on such a limited income ... well, some might call it Christmas magic.

But I see it as the love of God - coming down. And just like sending His Son to save the whole world (something for everyone) at the Table, around the Tree ...

Its true, Christmas isn't about the presents. As I watched my mom year after year, I learned its about love, compassion, concern, care, thoughtfulness, and acceptance of one another.

One and all.

Inclusion. Long before it became a buzz word. Long before it needed to be said.

From Mom.
From God.

They so loved the whole world...

My family's Jesus

"Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58)

There was a time when I had these photos of my grandma and my mom on my dresser. Grandma in a rocker. Mom in her rocker. Just plain, ordinary women of their day. Keeping house, raising babies. Making ends meet. I used to look at those photos and think, “I wonder if they ever thought that they were not worthy of God’s attention. Nothing special. Why would the Lord of all the earth care about a little, simple woman like me.” Perhaps I have the same thoughts myself. Is there any greatness in me and what I’m doing that warrants God’s favor?

Psalm 27. Psalm 121. John 3:16. Romans 8:38 … and more.

The same bible verses that comfort, strengthen, encourage me – those same words were read by my mom, my grandma, my great-grandma, my aunt who is 101, and future generations will also have these same words as their guiding light. And the same Jesus too.

My Jesus.

Mom’s Jesus.
Grandma’s Jesus.
My aunt’s Jesus.
Grandma’s mom’s Jesus.
My son’s Jesus.
My future grandchildren’s – Jesus.

One God. Now and forever (1 Timothy 6:16). And unchanging too (Hebrews 13:8). Truly a living Lord – loving, caring, helping us all from one generation to the next.