Paul & Barnabas....

...strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said (Acts 14:22).

Paul and Barnabas were friends, yet they had somewhat of a "falling out".  During their first journey together in Col. 4:10, they took Barnabas' cousin, John Mark, however he returned home to Jerusalem along the way (Acts 13:13).  Later on a second journey, Barnabas wanted to take Mark, but Paul resisted. In the New Testament, it is clear that there was a "sharp contention" that developed between them (Acts 15:36-41).  They couldn't reach an agreement and they split up.  From that point on they never saw each other again!

Can you imagine?  Well, I can, being in such a dispute that you never wanted to see each other again?  However, we fall in the pit that when we have this happen we walk around, disappointed, and sad, but what Paul and Barnabas did, even though they didn't do it together, was accomplish MORE WORK for the Lord because of how their disagreement was handled.  

We will never know whether it was Paul or Barnabas that was wrong, some arguments imply that Paul was stubborn, too stubborn to give in, however there was not anything else said about the work of Barnabas and Mark.  I feel a pull toward Barnabas.  How many times do we need a second chance?  

This is proven when Paul even finds John Mark useful in his ministry.  Somethings I would like for you to consider:

1.  Their work did not disrupt the love and respect that Paul and Barnabas had for one another.  They moved on.  In times of struggle, sadness, or down right arguing do you move on and keep your eyes on the prize?  

2.  Personal conflict is openly evident on the pages of the New Testament.  Luke was led by the Holy Spirit to include this part of the narrative.  I know that my instincts, when writing, I want to leave out all of the "bad" things.

3.  There are always lessons to be mastered.

As I close, I want to ask you to examine, who is your hero (it has to be someone besides God or Jesus).  What did that person do to make you look up to them and see them as a hero?  I have quite a few....just to name some of them:

1.  Mary Magdalene---think of the shame and sorrow she went through---did she bring some of it on herself?  SURE!  But she kept her eyes on the prize!

2.  Sonia Sotomayer---she was 8 years old when she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.  In 2009, when she was elected, some questioned whether her "condition" (I love it when people call T1D that, haha!) would affect her ability to serve.  In her climb she studied at Princeton and Yale and then found herself sitting on the nation's highest court.  She is quoted saying "I am an ordinary person who has been blessed with extraordinary opportunities and experiences".  WOW!

3.  Reed Horton---I think this is a given!  Poor fella has been plagued with his first stomach virus since being diagnosed and has been a champ.  Even in his times of weakness, he is such a blessing.  When he is down, he leans heavily on the Father and on his mom.  I have let him down so many times, just as I have let Brooke down, however I continue to keep my eyes on the prize...I know that in heaven my Reed will be healed and have no more needles or pain.  I know that he is young, and his mission is not nearly over.  I also know that when I prayed for him, the night he was born, I asked God, just as Hannah did (Reed's first name is Samuel) to use him for the glory of His name.  Samuel in the bible was a peacemaker and leader....have you met my Reed?

Most of you that read my blog know I love music...I want to leave you with a verse from a favorite old hymn---

Trials dark on every hand, and we cannot understand

All the ways of God would lead us to that blessed promised land;

but He guides us with His eye, and we'll follow till we die,

for we'll understand it better by and by.

By and by, when the morning comes,

when the saints of God are gathered home,

we'll tell the story of how we've overcome,

for we'll understand it better by and by.

Are your children....

I am sure that when you first read the tag line you anticipated me asking if your children were smart, happy, accomplished, healthy?  But nope, I want to know do your children feel blessed?  I think of ways we bless our children and show them favor...but really do they feel blessed?

"Ah, the smell of my son it is like the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed" (Genesis 27:27).  This scripture is about when Jacob received Isaac's blessing.  Jacob deceived Isaac into thinking he was Esau, the older son, by bringing him game to eat and wine to drink.  Since Isaac was very old, he had asked Esau to bring him food, prepare it, and to allow Isaac to give him his blessing.  What Isaac didn't know was that Rebekah was listening (his wife) and she went to Jacob (the younger son) and told him of the request.  She even went so far as telling Jacob that if Isaac didn't believe it was Esau she would take all the blame for it.  How often have you been willing to take the blame for something you put one of your children up to?  Better yet, how often do you plot your child against their father (this is another blog for another day)?

All through chapter 27 the common emphasis is on Isaac's blessing for his son.  Do you provide a blessing to your children?  No matter our age, the approval of our parents affects how you view yourself and for ability to pass that approval on to your children, spouse, and friends.  Unfortunately, some people spend a lifetime looking for this acceptance.  This is not only vital to our self esteem, but our emotional well being, and self worth.  Do you, as a parent, struggle with accepting your children for who they are, maybe because your parents NEVER accepted you for who you are.  Maybe your father wasn't home, your mother was never interested in what you were doing, you never felt the "blessing" of your parents.  Now is time to accept that you can't change the past but you can empower the future.

I pray that you will learn to use a meaningful touch, provide a spoken message, and make a commitment to bless your children.  Empower them to know they bless you and others around them.  Savor the smell of your children's skin, the feel of their hair, and the sound of their voice.  Hug them, listen to them (don't talk, listen), and attach a meaningful value to their presence. I have been reading the book "The Blessing" by John Trent, Ph.D. and Gary Smalley.  It outlines how to achieve these elements of the blessings you will receive when you begin to bless others around you.

Remember, "Jesus took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them" (Mark 10:16).

My prayer today is:

God, my everlasting Father,
I ask for you to encourage all of my friends and family to reach out and bless someone.
Give them the courage to begin using the power of touch and promising commitment to become
better parents, wives, husbands, and friends.
Use our voices to praise, our hands to heal, and our hearts to follow You and Your commands.
In your name,

Tammy