Alive!

 

"God's not dead -- He's surely alive.

 

He's living on the inside, roaring like a Lion."

 

Keep roaring, Lord.

A Man Named "Boy"

About a month ago my grandfather went to the emergency room with excruciating pain.  After waiting for hours and undergoing a slew of tests, the doctors told him he had an infection in his gall bladder, and he needed emergency surgery to remove the gall bladder.  They opened him up and found cancer -- so much cancer that they couldn't even remove the gall bladder. 

My grandfather had never been sick a day in his life.  He had a tonsillectomy when he was 13 years old and had not had surgery since then -- and he was 81 years old.

They sent him home, and we soon learned that this type of cancer was not responsive to treatment, and surgery was not an option.  They didn't think he would last a month.

To say we were all in shock is putting it mildly.  Our strong, healthy patriarch -- the man we thought would never die -- was dying.

My dad, my aunts, my cousins and I stayed by his side every minute of every day.  We made a schedule and took turns staying with him so that he was never alone, and never with a stranger. 

He told us that he didn't accept the doctors' diagnosis and that he was believing for a miracle.  He said he had made a pact with my grandmother a long time ago -- they were going up in the Rapture.  My Mawmaw didn't make it -- she went to be with Jesus 5 years ago -- but he was determined that he was going to make it.  We assured him we were standing with him, and believing for a miracle.

Each day, we watched him grow weaker and weaker.  His body failed him.  Even when he was unable to get out of the bed, or even sit up in bed alone, he kept the faith.  He told the nurses he was still going to pull through.

On Sunday, April 22, 2012, at 9:20 a.m., my Pawpaw went Home to meet his Savior.  He was surrounded by his family, and we know without a doubt, that he stepped out of his earthly shell and into his glorified body in the presence of the holy angels. 

We laid my Pawpaw to rest today. 

This is the letter I wrote in memory of him.  My cousin graciously read it for me today at his memorial service.

My sweet, precious Pawpaw. 

It’s difficult to write this, because it seems impossible to put into words the feelings I have for this man. 

In the days before he went to be with Jesus, we all tried to tell him how we felt.  I was flooded with emotion as I hugged my Pawpaw’s neck, buried my face in his chest and told him how much I love him.  I told him how glad I was that he was my Pawpaw.  He told me he was glad I was his granddaughter. 

 My daddy said that ever since he was a little boy, Pawpaw was his hero.  I can totally relate to that, because as far as I can remember, I thought my Pawpaw hung the moon.  I mean, when I said “Pawpaw”, I’d said it all.  I think I sat in Pawpaw’s lap until I was about 13 years old, and the joy and satisfaction I felt at seeing my little girls sitting on his lap is indescribable. 

Some of the happiest times of my childhood were with Pawpaw and Mawmaw.  They loved us unconditionally -- they treasured us. 

My earliest memories of Pawpaw are the times spent at his and Mawmaw’s house in Belaire Cove.  One of my favorite memories that still makes me giggle is of us playing “barber shop.”  Pawpaw would sit on the floor in front of the couch and I would sit on the couch with the comb and tiny scissors.  I would mess up his hair and then comb it and trim the little hairs in his ears.  Another favorite is when Mikey and I would sleep over.  They’d tuck us into the spare bedroom and Pawpaw would sit next to the bed and tell us stories of heroes from the Bible.  I specifically remember him telling us about David and Goliath and about Samson.  I felt so safe and so loved in that home in my Mawmaw and Pawpaw’s care.  They’d take us to church and teach us about the Lord.  I also remember that whenever we’d leave their house to go back home, we’d walk around the entire house with Pawpaw and pray for God’s protection over the house, trees, the birds and the sheep.  Pawpaw had a big van that had only the driver and passenger seats installed.  The entire back of the van was covered in shag carpet….floor, walls and ceiling.  The back windows had peacocks on them.  I prayed the Sinner’s Prayer in that van…I was seven years old, and my Pawpaw prayed with me. 

My Pawpaw always made me feel precious.  There was not one time in my entire life where he ever made me feel like I had disappointed him. 

I made some mistakes when I was younger but, because of the foundation instilled in me by my precious grandparents, I knew who I was meant to be in Christ.  Because of all they taught me, I knew that Jesus had died for me and that, regardless of my past, I could walk in victory through Him.

So that’s what I’ve decided to do.  Because of the godly legacy Pawpaw has left behind, I will serve the Lord and so will my children and my children’s children….  ‘if the Lord should tarry,” as Pawpaw always said. 

Though death has taken Pawpaw from us for a while, each memory is a precious jewel that can never be taken from us.  These memories, along with the love in our hearts and the blood running through our veins, are what we have left of Pawpaw until we meet him again.

1 Corinthians 15:42-44,51-56

So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”  “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pawpaw and Mawmaw with my cousin and me (I'm on the right)

Mawmaw, Pawpaw and me

Pawpaw getting smooches from my cousin and me (I'm on the left)

Pawpaw in his front yard with my cousin and me -- same cousin (can you tell we were the first two grandbabies born???)  I'm on the right



My favorite spot - my Pawpaw's lap

Mawmaw, me, Pawpaw and Mikey (my little brother)

Mawmaw, Mikey, me and Pawpaw



on my wedding day with my proud Pawpaw

the Bug in Pawpaw's lap - I would've climbed up there if there had been enough room for me.

Pawpaw with Tootsie

Pawpaw, my girls and me - his 80th birthday party

Stanley is my hero

I wish I could find his entire Christmas speech from last night, but this is all I could find on YouTube.  If you missed it, aw man, you missed it.  But you can watch The Office episode on nbc.com. 

Halla-to-da-lujah!

He breathed His last

This is a "Part 2" to my post of yesterday, A Bittersweet Night.  

Thursday (cont.)

           Betrayed and Arrested

Right after Jesus finished praying in the Garden, He and His disciples crossed the Kidron Valley and went to an olive grove.  John 18:2 (NIV) says, “Now Judas…knew the place…”  Judas led the soldiers right to Jesus.  Matthew 26:48 (NIV) says Judas had arranged a signal with religious leaders, saying, “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.”  When Judas kissed Him, Jesus replied, “Friend, do what you came for.”  (v. 50)  (emphasis mine)

John 18:4-6 (NIV) records Jesus asking the soldiers who it was they wanted.  They told Him they wanted “Jesus of Nazareth.”  When Jesus replied, I am he, “they drew back and fell to the ground.” 

            Tried and Condemned

Jesus was subjected to six separate trials (three religious and three civil) before He was condemned.

He was tried first before Annas, the father-in-law of the high priest.  (John 18)  He was then tried before Caiaphas (the high priest at the time) and the Sanhedrin.  (Luke 22:54,63-65)  During these two trials, He was mocked, beat, insulted, spat upon, and kept up all night.

Friday

At daybreak, He was brought before the Sanhedrin again, who tried Him and sent Him to Pilate.  (Luke 22:66-71)

He was tried by Pilate, who, upon learning Jesus was a Galilean, sent Him to Herod Antipas (the same who man who put John the Baptist’s head on a platter).  (Luke23:6-12)  Herod tried Him (Luke 23:9), then sent Him back to Pilate.  He was tried again by Pilate (Luke 23:13-25).

Pilate tried three times to release Jesus (Luke 23:22).  He offered to have Him punished and released.  But that wasn’t good enough for the religious leaders.  They didn’t want Him punished and released.  They wanted Him dead.  That’s why they brought Him to Pilate in the first place.  Under Roman rule, the Jews did not have the right to execute anyone (John 18:31).  Only Pilate had the authority to have Jesus crucified.  Pilate found no grounds for the death penalty, “But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed.” (Luke 23:23 NIV)

Jesus was flogged and led away to be crucified.

            Crucifixion

The scourging Jesus received from the soldiers was so severe, He could not stand under the weight of the cross.  Isaiah 52:14 (NIV) says that “his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness…”  He was beaten beyond recognition.

Beth goes on to say that, “The severity of the beating administered prior to crucifixion often depended upon how long the officials wanted victims to live.  They could live up to six days.  Quite possibly, Christ’s beating demonstrated the full extremity of severity, not to spare Him a lengthy death, but to allow the religious leaders to be home for supper.  After all, it was a holiday weekend.”

The two most prominent causes of death by crucifixion were from blood and fluid loss or suffocation.  The weight of His body pulling down on His outstretched arms and shoulders would have made it extremely hard to breathe, and He would have to push down on His feet to push Himself up to get a breath.  Besides the wounds on His body from the beatings and scourging…besides the nails driven through His wrists and feet…He endured the excruciating pain of suffocation.

Matthew 27:45 (NIV) says, "From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.  About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachtahani?' -- which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'"

Beth says, "I believe this cry marked the exact moment the sins of all humanity -- past, present and future-- were heaped upon Christ and the full cup of God's wrath poured forth.  Somehow I believe that to bear the sin, Jesus also had to bear the separation.  Though Christ had to suffer the incomparable agony of separation from the fellowship of His Father while sin was judged, I am moved that He breathed His last breath with full assurance of His Father's trustworthiness."


She is referring to Luke 23:44-46 (NIV), when "Jesus called out with a loud voice, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.'  When he had said this, he breathed his last."

Genesis 2:7 (NIV) says, "the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."   1 Corinthians 15:45-49 (NIV) says, "'The first man Adam became a living being'; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.  The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.  The first man was the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven.  As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven.  And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven." (emphasis mine)


He breathed His last.


Matthew 27:51 says, "At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  The earth shook and the rocks split."


Hebrews 10:19-20 (NIV) says, "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is his body..." (emphasis mine)


At the moment the Word made Flesh breathed His last, the curtain [that is his body] was torn in two from top to bottom.

Another interesting point is that when Jesus was entering Jerusalem, and the religious leaders instructed Him to rebuke His disciples for praising Him, He told them, "I tell you...if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."  Luke 19:40 (NIV)  Could this be what was happening in Matthew 27:51 when "the rocks split"?


Don't you love the deep waters that are the Word of the Living God?

Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for Jesus' body.  With Pilate's permission, he and Nicodemus took the body and wrapped it with spices and strips of linen.  Then they placed His body in a new tomb in a nearby garden.

"The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it.  Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes.  But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment."  (Luke 23:55-56 (NIV)

John 20:12 (NIV) says there were two, "angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot."  It's as if they were guarding His body as it lay "in state," as Beth says, in the sepulcher.  This is the exact position of the cherubim in Exodus 25:19, who guarded the atonement cover on the Ark of the Covenant, which represented the presence of God.

He was the fulfillment of that Covenant, and every promise of God.  Praise you, Lord!

I'll end on this Good Friday, which these words of John in his Gospel:

"He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God -- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."  John 1:10:14 (NIV)

Hallelujah to the King!

A Bittersweet Night

Reposted from Joli Blog

As we spend the next few days preparing for Easter, we may have a meal planned with family.  Many of us will be dying eggs and having egg hunts.  If you hail from Ville Platte or some other country community, like I do, you probably will be doing a little pacque pacque.  We will be decked out in our Sunday best.  I’m already thinking about the chocolate rabbits (I like the hollow ones).

But this year, I really wanted to be focusing on the real meaning of Resurrection Day.  So I decided to do this Beth Moore study, Jesus the One and Only, which has enriched my understanding of the events surrounding the life and death of my Savior.  Time well spent, I can assure you.

Of course, I found the entire study to be very informative and moving.  I learned a lot.  But what I would like to share with you are the things I learned about the day before Jesus was crucified that I found to be particularly fascinating.

I think we all know that Jesus was crucified on a Friday.  His body lay in the tomb on Saturday and, on Sunday, He rose again.  As Christians, we know this Story.  But what do we know about the Thursday (which, incidentally, is today)?  We know the story of the Last Supper and Garden of Gethsemane, but if you’ve ever done an in-depth Bible study with Beth before, you know that she likes to take  you a little deeper into the story.  I love that. 

So here we go…a little deeper.

The Passover (Luke 22)

As Gentile believers, we usually refer to this being “The Last Supper.”  Jesus and His disciples were Jews.  What they were celebrating was the Passover.  The Passover was a celebration instituted by God through Moses in Exodus Chapter 12.  They were to celebrate on the fourteenth day of the first month of the year, “…because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt.  Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come.”  Exodus 12:17 (NIV)

The meal consisted of “…[lamb] roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.”  Exodus 12:8 (NIV)  This meal was a celebration of God bringing the Israelites out of Egypt, but it was about so much more.  It was foreshadowing what was to come.

The significance of unleavened bread is spelled out for us in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8.  “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.  Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.” (NIV)

In the study, Beth says, “The bitter herbs symbolized the bitterness of the suffering memorialized in the Passover observance:  the bitterness of slavery, ..death, …and…an innocent lamb’s substitution….the lamb would soon be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.” 

Interestingly, Beth also points out that Jesus chose Peter and John to prepare the Passover meal, and they are the only two of the twelve apostles who were ever recorded referring to Jesus as the “Lamb.” (1 Peter 1:18-20 and Revelation 5:6-8, 12-13)  Apparently, having prepared that meal, and witnessing the fulfillment of what it represented, affected them greatly.

The Passover meal was celebrated by each family with the father pouring the cups of wine and the youngest child asking the traditional questions that provoked the father to tell the story of the Passover.  Christ took the father role in this observance and poured the first of four cups of wine.  They would’ve risen from the table and He would have recited the Kiddush, or prayer of sanctification.  It is believed that John was the youngest disciple, so he likely would’ve asked the questions.

Beth says that “The four cups of wine served at the Passover meal represented the four expressions, or “I wills” of God’s promised deliverance in Exodus 6:6-7.

First Cup:  Cup of Sanctification:  “…I will bring you out…”

Second Cup:  Cup of Plaques:  “I will deliver you from their bondage…”

Third Cup:  Cup of Redemption:  “…I will redeem you with an outstretched arm…”

Fourth Cup:  Cup of Ingathering:  “I will take you as my own people…”

Jesus poured the second up of wine and narrated the story of Israel’s exodus.  Then they had the meal.

The third cup was taken after the supper (Luke 22:20).  Beth goes on to say that “We know Christ did not literally drink this third cup because He stated in Luke 22:18 that He would not drink of another cup until the coming of the kingdom of God.  Instead of drinking the cup, He would do something of sin-shattering significance.  He would, in essence, become the cup and pour out His life for the redemption of man.” 

Is this stirring anything in any of you?  Because, I tell you what, I can’t help but shout “Hallelujah!” to that one! 

He brought me out; He delivered me from my bondage; He redeemed me with his arms stretched out on the Cross; and when He returns in His glory, He will take me as His own!  Give me a minute…gotta get up a dance a little bit!

We will drink that Fourth Cup with Him at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb!  I can’t wait!  (And my glorified body will be able to handle the wine that my earthly body cannot without overindulging!)

Another very significant event in this particular Passover is that Jesus instituted the New Covenant, represented by the bread and the wine. (Luke 22:19-20)

            Garden of Gethsemane

Immediately after Jesus celebrated the Passover with the Twelve, He went to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives.  While His disciples slept, He cried out to God. “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you.  Take this cup from me.  Yet not what I will, but what you will.”  Mark 14:36 (NIV) 

Beth quotes The Dictionary of New Testament Theology regarding Jesus’ use of the term “’abba.”  This gave me chills.

“In Aram, ‘abba is originally…a word derived from baby-language.  When a child is weaned, ‘it learns to say ‘abba (daddy) and ‘imma (mummy).’…Nowhere in the entire wealth of devotional literature produced by ancient Judaism do we find ‘abba being used as a way of addressing God.”

She goes on to say, “Never minimize the moment by thinking God couldn’t have removed the cup….That God could have stopped the process yet didn’t is a matchless demonstration of love.  Can you think of anyone for whom you’d watch your only child be tortured to death?”

Do you see the value He places on you, Beloved?

That Thursday night was also the same night Jesus was betrayed by Judas, arrested and tried before  Annas, Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin.  He was mocked, beat, spat upon, insulted and kept up all night before being tried again the next morning by the Sanhedrin and turned over to Pilate. 

I’ll end with this poem of Beth’s:

O perfect Lamb of Passover,

Let me not quickly run.

Recount to me the blessed plot,

Tell how the plan was spun

That I, a slave of Egypt’s lusts,

A prisoner of dark dread,

Could be condemned unto a cross

And find you nailed instead.

Glory to Thee, My God, This Night

I caught the Bug worshiping tonight.  I stopped in my tracks and asked her where she sings that song.  "In Chapel with Gabby," she said.

If this doesn't touch your heart, then it's quite possible you may be the Tin Man.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen.

What is love? And, no, this is not a Valentine post...

Y'all.

I got hit in the head with a load of bricks this morning.

Not literally, of course, because I'd probably be laid up instead of typing this right now, but, anyway...

I have a Bible study in my home every Tuesday morning.  We're doing Beth Moore's study, Jesus the One and Only. 

Have I mentioned how much I love her studies? 

I am a Bible reader.  I read the Bible every year.  I am not a studyer....studier...Is that a word?  Anyway, that's why I love her studies so much, because she does for me what I cannot seem to do for myself.  Don't get me wrong...I know my Bible.  In fact, when we play Bible trivia games in our Supper Club, everyone wants to be on my team.  Now, I'm not saying I can go toe-to-toe with a Jehovah's Witness or something like that.  And I'm not saying that I have the Bible memorized or can tell you exactly where to find a scripture.  I can just tell you "who," "what," "when," "where" and sometimes "why."  Now, actually applying all this to the way I live my life....well there's the tricky part.  And I am far from mastering that part.

So I tell you all this to tell you that Beth knocked me in the head with a load of bricks this morning with something she taught me.  And I know I've read this scripture probably about a thousand times.  But, boy, have I missed the message.

She was teaching on the Sermon on the Mount, which was recounted for us in Matthew 5 and again by Dr. Luke in the sixth chapter of his Gospel. 

But I tell you who hear me:  Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  Luke 5:27-28 (NIV)

Okay, so how many times have we heard or read this?  About a zillion.

What does it mean to you?

Well, in my own mind, it meant I was to suck it up and not retaliate.  Don't seek revenge.  Take it and be a "good Christian" and let God handle the rest.

After, all, there's this verse to support my thoughts:

If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.  Romans 12:20 (NIV)

So, I conclude, I will do the good "Christian" thing and do good towards my enemies and the Good Lord will "get" them for all the wrong they did to me.

Whoa, whoa, whoa....wait a minute.  Back up a bit.  What does Romans 12:9 say?

Love must be sincere.  Romans 12:9 (NIV)

So, when My Lord gave His sermon on the mount, and He told us to "love" our enemy....He meant we have to really love them???  Not just put on a smile and act like we love them.  Love must be sincere.  

We aren't allowed to just put on a show.  That's not good enough.  We are to really love them.

But, Lord, I can't help the way I feel!  This person hurt me.  How can I actually love them?  I can forgive them.  I can be kind to them.  That....I can do that.  But you want me to love them????

Wow.

Maybe this was obvious to you, but this was just eye-opening for me.  

Beth went on to say that it may seem impossible to love your enemy, because we may not be able to control the way we feel.  But we can control the way we think, which will affect the way we feel.

Boy, do I have some work to do.

And what about the "burning coals," Lord?

You know, I think about this a lot.  Because Lord knows I've hurt people.  We've all hurt people.  Is the Lord gonna dump burning coals on all of us?  

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.  Romans 8:1 (NIV)

Now, I am far from a Bible scholar, and I'm not saying I really know anything here.

But here's what I think about the burning coals --

If I did something to hurt someone, and they, in turn, loved me -- really loved me -- how would that make me feel?  I would feel terrible.  I would feel like the scum of the earth.  I would kick myself and beat myself up and almost want them to do something to retaliate.  God wouldn't even have to punish me, because I'd probably do a good job of punishing myself.  

Now, the Lord would in no way want me to drown in self-condemnation. After I dump the burning coals on my own head...

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9 (NIV)

It's that easy.

We serve a good God, y'all.

Who needs a nest egg?

We are just bursting at the seams with talent at Mama's house, as I've mentioned in a previous post.  The Bug, a dancer and singer, is grooming her young prodigy, Tootsie.  So, Handy Daddy and I have plenty of entertainment, as you can imagine.

The Bug is in her first year of dance, and imagine my delight when I found out they would dance to a Johnny Cash song for their recital.  I was like a giddy school girl for at least a week.  Mama loves her some Johnny Cash.

Here is the Bug struttin' her stuff.  And Tootsie.  Not real sure what Tootsie is doing, but she HAD to be in on the action.

All that frolicking...and with her shoes on the wrong feet.  Have you ever tried dancing with your shoes on the wrong feet?  That just goes to show what a tenacious performer she is -- toughing it out to bring joy to her audience.

Oh, and that singing voice -- refined and wholesome.  I wish I'd had this coverage to go with my previous post about Jesus' name.  It would've been perfect for that.  But, apparently, she was saving it for such a time as this.

Though I'm not familiar with this particular tune, I'm almost positive she's changed a few of the lyrics....her trademark style of singing. She's all about makin' in her own.  Dawg.

Now to just instill values in these kids so that when  they grow up, entertaining the multitudes and makin' all that coin, they will take good care of ole' Mama and Daddy.

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise. Psalm 8:2

I've just started a neighborhood Bible study in my home, and we're doing Jesus the One and Only by Beth Moore.  If you've never done a Beth Moore study, well, my friend, it is time to do one.  She will knock your socks off.

This is the third study of hers I've done.  The first, A Heart Like His, is about the life of King David.  Fascinating.  The second was Revelation, and it is BY FAR the most mind (and heart) blowing study I've ever done in my entire life.  It was amazing, and you HAVE TO do that study.  You just have to.  And I'm also about to do So Long Insecurity.

But, for now, I've just started Jesus the One and Only, and I was doing my homework today and sobbing (that's what her studies do to me -- but it was good sobbing, if you know what I mean).

So this is the part that really got me.  We're in week 1 of the study, so we're studying His birth.  She's talking about when Gabriel visited Mary to share with her the news that she will soon be with child.  And this Child will be the Son of the Most High.

...and you are to give Him the name Jesus.  (Luke 1:31)

And these are Beth's words:

"Do you realize this was the first proclamation of our Savior's personal name since the beginning of time?  Jesus.  The very name at which every knee will one day bow.  The very name that every tongue will one day confess.  A name that has no parallel in my vocabulary or yours.  A name I whispered into the ears of my infant daughters as I rocked them and sang lullabies of His love.  A name by which I've made every single prayerful petition of my life.  A name that has meant my absolute salvation, not only from eternal destruction, but from myself.  A name with power like no other name.  Jesus.  What a beautiful name."

Boy, could I relate to that.  

That Name is so precious to me.

He is my Savior, my Redeemer, my Healer, my Love, my Strong Tower, my King...just to name a few.

I whispered that Name into the ears of my infant daughters as I rocked and sang to them.

And as I read this, and sobbed, this little picture came to my mind.

As I picked Tootsie up from our church nursery this weekend, they handed me this picture that she scribbled on with her crayon.

"Who is that?" I asked her.

"Thee-thuth,"  Tootsie said with a little grin.  

"Jesus."

 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  (Philippians 2:9-11)

Eighteen months old.  That's how old Tootsie is as I write this.  And she's already confessing His Name.

I went back to the Bug's baby book to see if I recorded the first time she said "Jesus."  I didn't write it down, but I did write down that at 28 months, she brought me her little toddler Bible and said, "Bye-bow [Bible].  That's God's Word.  Jesus is God's Word."

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (John 1:1)

How AMAZING is that??

It just blows my mind that these little children, with their limited vocabulary and seemingly limited understanding, know and love Him.  

And it blesses my heart so.

Lord, let the Name they utter so innocently now be more precious to them each and every day.

Amen.