IN A WORLD OF HAMANS ... WE NEED MORE ESTHERS!

THE FEAST OF PURIM:

The Purim story is found in the biblical book of Esther, which tells of God’s amazing deliverance of the Jewish people from a corrupt and hate-filled leader.

The King of Persia had chosen a beautiful young woman named Esther to be his queen, unaware that she was Jewish. Esther’s Jewish cousin Mordecai, who worked in the royal household, told her that the king had entrusted the fate of Persian Jews to Haman, the king's top adviser. The problem was that Haman hated the Jews, and issued an order to kill them all.

At great risk to her own life, Esther revealed to the king that she was Jewish and plead with him to save her people. He agreed to do so, and, in a fitting twist, handed down to the evil Haman the same death sentence Haman himself had planned to give the Jews.

Today Jews celebrate Purim by sharing a festive meal, attending a special service in the synagogue, participating in a noisy reading of the book of Esther, giving gifts to friends and to the poor, and dressing in elaborate costumes. This is by far the most festive holiday on the Jewish calendar.

Tonight, at sundown, the feast begins for Jews all around the world.

Esther's life is one that I find very inspiring and think of often.  Esther did not seek out this appointment by God, but she was obedient when He called her and she trusted that she would be anointed by God to carry out His purpose through her life.

I think each of us are asked by God to do specific deeds that will further His Kingdom and fulfill His purposes in our lives, but we are afraid we will fail, or we are afraid someone might tell us we aren't worthy to attempt such "Godly" works.  

Today, on this Jewish Feast or Purim, let us remember Esther.  How you courageously went forward and put at end to the evil Haman's plan to destroy the Jewish people.  Afraid?  Hesitant?  Insecure?  I am sure she felt all of these things,at one point or another, but she did it anyway because she knew it was what God wanted.

Is God calling you to stand up for Him and for His people within your circle of influence?  Is He asking you to do something that looks impossible but reassuring you that it is possible with Him?  There are alot of "evil Hamans" in our world, what God is calling for are more Esthers!

To celebrate the Feast of Purim the Jews will prepare little cookies, called Haman cookies.  They are fashioned after the three pointed hat, Haman would have worn. Inside the three sided cookie is a sweet jam.  Some wonder why they call these "Haman Cookies" rather than focusing on   Esther.  I believe (at least for me) that the outside of the cookie represents Haman: his hat, the hardness of his heart, evil.  But the inside of the cookie, which is soft and sweet, reminds me that even when evil or chaos is all around me, Christ lives in the center of my heart and life and His sweet mercy, love and compassion will help me to accomplish all He has called me to do in His name.  Who knew a little cookie could hold such a message?  Who ever dreamed a little Jewish girl names, Esther, would grow up to save her nation with God's help?  Who knew you and I could bring the message of salvation to a hurting world?  God knew.  He always knows.

Perhaps you and your family could prepare these cookies for dessert one evening and then read the Book Of Esther and talk about the lessons we can learn from her life!

Here is the recipe for Haman's Cookies:  

2/3 cup butter or margarine 1/2 cup sugar 1 egg 1/4 cup orange juice (the smooth kind, not the pulpy) 1 cup white flour 1 cup wheat flour (DO NOT substitute white flour! The wheat flour is necessary to achieve the right texture!) Various preserves, fruit butters and/or pie fillings. Blend butter and sugar thoroughly. Add the egg and blend thoroughly. Add OJ and blend thoroughly. Add flour, 1/2 cup at a time, alternating white and wheat, blending thoroughly between each. Refrigerate batter overnight or at least a few hours. Roll as thin as you can without getting holes in the batter (roll it between two sheets of wax paper lightly dusted with flour for best results). Cut out 3 or 4 inch circles. Put a tablespoon of filling in the middle of each circle. Fold up the sides to make a triangle, overlapping the sides as much as possible so only a little filling shows through the middle. Squeeze the corners firmly, so they don't come undone while baking. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10-15 minutes, until golden brown but before the filling boils over!

GUARD YOUR PEACE! TRUST GOD!

Here is a picture of the Sea of Galilee. I had the privilege of being there this past fall. Every time I feel overwhelmed I pull out this picture and I remember that my Jesus WALKED on this water! My Jesus calmed the storm raging around their small fishing boat. When I look at this picture I just get a peaceful feeling. Maybe it will do the same for someone else! ♥

At the Sea of Galilee is a boat that has been carbon dated back over 2,000 years ago. This means this boat could have actually been a fishing boat used by Peter, James, or even Jesus! This boat was very small and certainly the storm would h...ave tossed around those on board and you would become fearful. But Jesus was right there with them and when they asked Him, He called upon God and calmed the storm AND their fears. Jesus promised that He is still "with us". When going through the storms of life and we feel tossed about, like those who were riding in this little wooden boat, remember, the power that calmed that storm is with you still today! Cry out to God and He will, in His perfect timing, bring the storm to an end.

 

 

Jesus Walks on the Water

²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Jesus Calms the Storm

³⁵ That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” ³⁶ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. ³⁷ A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸ Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

⁴⁰ He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

⁴¹ They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

CALGON TAKE ME AWAY....RIGHT NOW!



The other day I was so stressed out over several things going on in my life and with my family that I just became very overwhelmed and discouraged.  As I sat on my couch sobbing there was a moment of clarity when I asked myself, "Karen, what are you going to do now?  Obviously, you cannot throw your hands up in the air and give up.  You have to calm down, eventually, so you might as well get after it!"

One of my favorite ways to de-stress is to first, clear my mind.  The way I do that is by locking the bathroom door and stepping into a warm bubble bath with aromatherapy oil.  So that is exactly what I did.  As I closed my eyes and slid down into the bubbles, I asked the Lord to please renew my mind and strengthen my heart so that I could resume my life refreshed in Him.

Later that evening, God spoke to me about Abraham, Sarah and Isaac.  I picked up my Bible and began reading their story.
(Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7)

These are the thoughts that came to my mind as I read:

Did Sarah make things better by trying to control her situation herself, or would she have been better off waiting on and trusting God?  Obviously, waiting on God and His promise would have been best.

When Abraham was told to sacrifice their son, Isaac, did he tell Sarah that was the plan?  My guess is, he did not.  Because if he had, do you think that bit of information might have stressed his wife out?  Do you think she would have gone along with this plan?  I know that if my husband came to me and said, "Hey, God told me to kill our son as a sacrifice, cool?"  I most definitely would have said "NO THAT'S NOT COOL!" 

And what about Isaac?  Did he know what was going to happen when he left with his father that day?  What were Isaac's thoughts as they made their way to the alter, knowing they didn't have anything to offer?  When Abraham told his son to get on the altar do you think Isaac did it voluntarily or do you think Abraham had to force him?    What do you think Isaac was feeling when he was tied there, his father's hand lifted in the air holding the knife, and tears running down both of their faces?  Do you think both father and son might have felt a little bit stressed?  How did they feel when they both heard that goat/sheep in the brush?  Relieved?

When Abraham and Isaac went back home that day, was Isaac angry? Confused?  Was Abraham grateful and filled with joy because God had provided?  Did Sarah ever know what really happened that day?

My mind sort ran the gammit over all the conversations and feelings that could have taken place in just this one family and this situation.  Eventually, I came back to my own feelings of stress, being overwhelmed and sadness.  This is what I felt God showing me:

1.  I don't control everything, nor do I control everyone.  The only thing I can control are my actions and words.  If I am going to act out in fear and speak without faith then the outcome will probably be less than what God would want me to have.  It is better to follow and trust Him always, to do what I know He calls me to do, and then patiently wait for the storm to pass.  And, it will pass, eventually.

2.  I don't have to have all the answers.  Sometimes I may not have all the information either.  But I trust and know that my God does.  Knowing that He cares for me, loves me with an everlasting love, works all things together for my good, and is right there beside me, is really all I need to know. 

3.  When things are spiraling out of control around me I can either keep my focus on Him or I can focus on the problems.  Isaac knew his father's hand held a knife and was raised over his heart, but I believe he was probably staring at his father's face, staying focused on his father's love for him.  Isaac may have felt anxious during those moments, but I believe his eyes didn't leave his father's. 

4.  When the crisis has passed and God has once again proved Himself faithful do we rejoice or are we angry that we had to go through any of it in the first place?  Do we gripe and complain and tell everyone about all that we had to endure? Do we allow our hearts to harden and become calloused and bitter from the experience or do we rest in Him and then learn from the ordeal, something that can help us in the future?  Or do we give thanks to God for, once again, coming to our rescue in His way and in His perfect timing? 

No doubt I came away from this lesson with alot of questions and not as many answers.  Abraham, Sarah and Isaac were alot like my family.  They had troubles and moments of doubt and insecurity, but they loved God with all of their hearts and God loved them, even with their flaws.  On this particularly stressful evening this was all I really needed to know....

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 

ROMANS 5:8

 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose.

 

ROMANS 8:28

 

Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

 

MATTHEW 11:28

The Prodigal Mother

As I woman, wife and mom, I have wondered many time about the prodigal son's mother.  In the Bible we read the story about the prodigal, the father and the son (Luke 15:11-32), but there is no mention of the wife and mother.  As I read the parable over and over my imagination begins to put together the story for me.

Where was the prodigal's mother when her son approached his father and asked for his inheritance early?
She was there, standing beside her husband, disappointed that this conversation was taking place.  Wondering "why?" "Why does my son want to do this? What will his father say?"

Where was the prodigal's mother when her husband agreed and gave their son his money and sent him on his way?  I believe she was right there, trying to convince him not to go.  I believe she was right there tenderly kissing his face, hugging him, and taking one long, last look at him as he left.

Where was the prodigal's mother after her son left their home?  I would imagine she was there, in her bedroom, crying herself to sleep.  Wondering if her baby boy was safe.  Crying out to God asking for His mercy and protection over her wayward child.

Where was the prodigal mother?  I believe she was there each long day, waiting and wondering what her son was doing.  I believe she would look out her kitchen window as she prepared meals and watched her husband and their oldest son working in the fields, with tears streaming down her face because she knew there should be three men out there, not just two.

Where was the prodigal mother?  I think there were mornings when she would come to the breakfast table and plead with her husband to take her into the city so they could check on their son.  Make sure that he had enough to eat, a place to sleep and was safe.  I think when her husband responded with a stern, "No, we can not, for he has chosen his way and we must let him go", she turned away and tried to cover her face so he wouldn't see the tears welling up in her eyes.

Where was the prodigal mother?  I imagine she may have been on her knees praying for her son when she began hearing yelling from off in the distance.  She jumped to her feet and looked, once again, out her window, and this time she saw him!  Her baby. Her son making his way towards her husband in the field.  She watched as her husband began giving orders of celebration.  She saw her husband's arms embracing their boy and welcoming him back home.  Her heat pounded with excitement and she breathed out in relief that her prodigal was home and safe once again.

Where was the prodigal mother?  I believe her eyes left the sight of the reunion for a moment as she watched their oldest son taking in all of the celebration.  As his mother she felt his pain, after all, he had stayed.  He was loyal to his father and family.  Where was his reward?  Where was his celebration.  She knew his heart was broken, his spirit grieved and jealousy was brewing.

Where was the prodigal mother?  I believe she found herself back in her prayer closet, on her knees.  Praising the Lord for one son's return, and interceding for another child's healing of heart.

Where was the prodigal mother?  She was doing what mothers do.  Loving.  Praying. Trusting. Waiting.

If you are a prodigal's mom, don't ever give up. God is with you, He loves you and He loves your children.  Do not allow the enemy to fill your heart and mind with fear, or steal your joy and peace.  The devil has no victory over those who are righteous in Jesus Christ!

Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.

PSALM 37:35  

I WANT A DIVORCE!

I WANT A DIVORCE!       

The story goes like this...

One minister tells of a wife who came into his office full of hatred toward her husband. "I do not only want to get rid of him, I want to get even! Before I divorce him, I want to hurt him as much as he has hurt me!"

The minister suggested an ingenious plan "Why don't you go home and act as if you really love your husband. Tell him how much he means to you. Praise him for every decent trait. Go out of your way to be as kind, considerate and generous as possible. Spare no efforts to please him. Make him believe you love him. Then — after you've convinced him of your undying love and that you cannot live without him, drop the bomb. Tell him you want a divorce. That will really hurt him.

"With revenge in her eyes, she smiled and exclaimed, "Beautiful, beautiful! Boy, will he ever be devastated!" And she did it with enthusiasm. For two months she showed love and kindness, she listened, served and reinforced. When she didn't return to his office, the minister called. "So.are you ready now to go through with the divorce?" "Divorce?" she exclaimed. "Never! I discovered that I really do love him."

This woman's actions changed her feelings. Whether it's a tough relationship, a long-time fear, or a task that seems too big for us to accomplish, sometimes we need to act in faith in order to see it conquered for the Kingdom!

Whatever it may be, let's give it to the Lord today and ask Him to motivate us to go forth with strength and passion — for His sake!

ROMANS 12:17-21

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[a] says the Lord.  On the contrary:

“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.”^[b]

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.