Bible Stories For Big Kids - Blog

WHAT'S YOUR PERSPECTIVE?

2/18/2021

There is a lot involved in writing and publishing a book and in my case, much help was needed, especially in the editing department.

The wonderful lady who put my book together started with a completed manuscript which she wisely suggested having one copy published and checked for final editing. Just as well. We had God playing golf in one story, but the punctuation errors were so obvious which meant re-editing the whole book, page by page. There were lots of corrections to be done, and where I saw 'Bible Stories For Big Kids' as a story of God's love and care for his people, this lady saw all the battles, blood and guts. She wasn't terrible impressed! I agree, a lot of the stories involve fighting but the battles show how God looked after his people or how he abandoned them to their own devices when they turned away from him. I guess it depends on your perspective.

It is easy, when listening to the news, to wonder where the world is heading and despair at the behaviour of dictators to footballers, but that does not mean that God doesn't know what is going on. History has some pretty gruesome stories to tell and I am so glad I am not living in the medieval days before hot showers and flushing toilets! Political intrigue such as the story of Esther, is still alive and well today, causing tensions in many parts of the world.

However, one aspect of life today I have found so positive and absolutely intriguing. I am not a 'greenie' as such but I am fascinated by the small groups of conservationists working around the globe, doing their part to preserve flora and fauna. One group in outback Australia was on the news recently, so excited about achieving their goal of breeding these small fish which they thought were extinct. After 13 years, the conservationists were so excited to be putting these fish back in the natural water where they form an important part of that area's eco system.

Similar good news stories have been part of Simon Reeve's BBC documentaries as well as stories from other travellers to remote areas. These people really are making a difference each in their own small way and often in very trying circumstances.

So what does all this have to do with writing a book?

Many people see the Old Testament as depicting a judgmental God, bent on revenge and punishment, whereas I love the Old Testament for its continual theme of a God who loves forgives and cares for his people.

It depends on your perspective I guess.

WHO'S TELLING THE TRUTH?

12/1/2020

I am always fascinated to read about who is being upset by whom in the world of intolerance and supposed diversity. This time it is some staff at Penguin book publishers, condemning management for publishing a book about which these employees do not agree. Talk about free speech - for these woke people, free speech appears to be free as long as the ideas agree with theirs. This example is only one of many which have been published over the past year.

Balancing new ideas with established ideas can be a minefield, but instant dismissal of a different point of view is certainly not a good idea. I was brought up in a very conservative household, and was quite shocked to learn there were other ways a Christian can live, while still maintaining Christian values. This started me questioning my own little world resulting in me being thrown out of a Christian home for my new thoughts and values. Imagine what the great inventors, thinkers and those wanting social change for the genuinely disadvantaged went through!

Reading Psalm 119:142ff was such a welcome change from all this woke culture. "Your law is the truth"; " You are near Lord and all your commandments are true";
"Long ago I learned from your decrees that you have established them forever" - (the joys of being in the more mature age group); "The sum of your word is true". The words true and truth are such a welcome change from reading between the lines of suspect journalism or political statements. When I was involved in small town politics, I would always sigh with relief when I read the Bible as I knew I did not have to look for hidden nasties compared to reading the political agenda for the next meeting.

Jesus said "I am the truth...." We can always trust him.

What's YOUR Problem?

11/2/2020

I have a problem.

I am tired of trying to stay positive with all the negativity, sad or bad news around me.

People I know have become seriously ill, politics is so nasty, people who should know better, display incompetence, corruption in whatever form seems to abound, and to top it off, I can't see my grandchildren because of closed borders. Someone telling me I can't travel to see family, really tugs at my sense of freedom. I am sure there are many more negatives if I choose to look for them, but that is enough for the time being.

I can count my blessings which far outweigh all that negativity but there are times when even that does not erase the negative thoughts. It is times like this that I keep coming back to the promise in the Old Testament "You are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love". There are so many references to this throughout the Old Testament covering hundreds of years and that in itself is encouraging!

At the end of the story of Moses in 'Bible Stories For Big Kids', I included many of the messages from God, which Moses related to the people, and on reading these recently, what struck me was how positive God is in his promises so I shall include that chapter of the book below. Reading this must be the most positive read for the day! Enjoy!

“I have taught you all the laws as the Lord my God told me to do. Obey them in the land you are about to occupy. Obey them faithfully and this will show the people of other nations how wise you are. When you hear of all these laws, they will say ‘What wisdom and understanding this great nation has.’”

“No other nation, no matter how great, has a God who is so near when they need him as the Lord our God is to us. He answers us whenever we call for help. No other nation, no matter how great, has laws so just as those that I have taught you today. Be on your guard! Make certain that you do not forget, as long as you live, what you have seen with your own eyes. Tell your children and your grandchildren about the day you stood in the presence of the Lord your God at Mt. Sinai.”

“You will look for the Lord your God, and if you search for him with all your heart, you will find him. When you are in trouble and all those things happen to you, then you will finally turn to the Lord and obey him. He is a merciful God. He will not abandon you or destroy you and he will not forget the covenant that he himself made with your ancestors.”

“The Lord has worked miracles to prove to you that he alone is God and that there is no other. He let you hear his voice from heaven so that he could instruct you.”

“So remember today and never forget: the Lord is God in heaven and on earth. There is no other God. Obey all his laws that I have given you today, and all will go well with you and your descendants. You will continue to live in the land that the Lord your God is giving you to be yours forever.”

“Never forget the Lord your God or turn to other gods to worship and serve them. If you do, then I warn you today that you will certainly be destroyed. If you do not obey the Lord, then you will be destroyed just like those nations that he is going to destroy as you advance.”

“The Lord your God is supreme over all gods and over all powers. He is great and mighty and he is to be obeyed.”

FACING DISAPPOINTMENT

10/3/2020

Moses didn't want the job which God insisted on him doing, but in the end, Moses agreed to lead the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, and bring them to the Promised Land of Canaan. No wonder God spoke face to face with Moses as he would have needed that assurance of God's help as he faced one disappointment after another.

Although the Israelites had seen the miracles which God had performed in decimating Egypt, still they failed to get the message that God was taking care of them along their journey. Each day God's cloud was in the sky and each night the pillar of fire was there, and yet they still grumbled when the Egyptians were coming after them, and when they wanted food, water and later, meat. I feel so sorry for Moses, having heard the people say that they would agree to God's 10 Commandments, then in a matter of weeks, here they were worshipping a golden calf. Where was the good news in all of this, for Moses?

Maybe when the people saw their destination, things would change for the better, but no, the people were afraid to enter Canaan and would not listen to Joshua and Caleb's version of God's ability to help them conquer the land. Imagine being so close but now having to wander in the desert for 40 years, and through no fault of your own.

It is usually people who do the right thing who are disadvantaged by those who don't, so what do we learn from Moses?

Moses grew up in privilege at Pharaoh's palace, then spent 40 years living rough as a shepherd, possibly being reminded each day that he was now of no use in helping his people in slavery, then at the age of 80, God gave him this mammoth task, a task which he did not want nor receive much thanks from the people he was helping.

But the book of Hebrews tells us that by faith Moses carried out God's instructions, as Moses knew that God had promised his people the land of Canaan - a promise first given to Abraham, but Moses also had a promise of eternity with God. Moses faced disappointment after disappointment while doing the job which God had given him, yet he remained faithful to God's calling.

God does not always call us to a life which may be our choice, but whatever the circumstances, he calls us to have faith in him. Whether that brings joy or disappointment, Jesus' words " I am with you always" will always be there. What more could we want?

LIFE IS LIKE AN ICEBERG

8/31/2020

Life is like an iceberg.

When we meet people, we only see what they want us to see, and much can be hidden from our 'view'. Unfortunately, many people present well and say they are 'okay' but underneath that smile, much can be going on. The statistics of mental health in whatever form, are starting to emerge with extended lock downs due to Covid 19 and while many people are coping well or seeking assistance, many others are like the iceberg - hiding much from friends and family.

I have had the privilege and joy of teaching my two grandchildren Bible stories via Zoom, and I used the iceberg to illustrate these stories - Old Testament stories ( of course). As young children, only so much of the story can be relevant to the age group, but I point out that as they become older, they should take a deeper look at these stories and start asking the 'why and how' questions. There is so much depth and theology to these stories and searching for answers from the bottom of the iceberg helps us understand so much more, the greatness and love of God.

One Bible verse I taught them was 'God created people to be like himself' - rephrasing 'in his image' but explaining this was once again difficult. As my daughter is a doctor, I asked her to simplify the meaning of DNA for the children, so I could now tell them that God gave us some of his DNA so we can be part of his family, in the same way they are part of their own family. This may not pass a theological test but it seemed the easiest way for them to understand why God loves us and cares about us so much.

We may only see what people want us to see about them but of course, true friends start to ask the harder questions when they suspect things may not be as they seem.

In the same way, we need to keep asking the harder questions about God and his character, delving into the bible stories so that our relationship with God is not superficial, but goes much deeper, just like that iceberg.

And just like that part of the iceberg which cannot be seen but which supports the visible part, so a deeper relationship with God helps or supports us in life's journey of ups and downs. Praise God for his faithfulness!

ASTONISHING

7/31/2020

I am absolutely astonished at the number of people in Australia who are refusing to be tested, or remain in quarantine for Covid 19, when the statistics on cases and deaths are all over the news. How can people be so stupid, mindless or plain selfish when all the information is there to support the need for these preventative measures?

However, one only needs to read the exodus of the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt to realise nothing has changed in thousands of years. With all the miracles which God had performed through Moses, then the escape on dry land across the Red ( or Reed) Sea, still the majority of people, including Moses' brother Aaron, chose to worship a golden calf which Aaron had made and to equate their escape to this calf, instead of God. And that was not the beginning nor the end of the people's apostasy. Only those under the age of twenty, excluding Joshua and Caleb would ever enter the promised land of Canaan.

Jesus gave us the story of the Sower, where only some of the seed sown, would mature to become a plant, teaching us that not everyone who heard Jesus' message and experienced his miracles, would remain faithful to Jesus' teaching.

Jesus calls us to be his witnesses wherever we are but does not guarantee spectacular results. Some do see many people believe in Jesus, while others do not have that privilege, but Jesus' message is the same - we need to be faithful to him, and leave the results to him.

Like all the preventative measures the government has put in place to stop the spread of Covid 19, God has given people the opportunity to know him and his love for everyone, but many do not wish to take advantage of his generous offer of love, forgiveness and his faithful care.

Our responsibility is to remain faithful to God, just as our Covid 19 responsibility at the moment is to social distance and respect the rules which are put in place for our benefit.

Why should I be astonished when history is just repeating itself.

'IT MAKES FOR INTERESTING READING'

6/18/2020

I wonder how God is viewing the effects of Covid 19. I would love to know this from his perspective.

It would be like reading Psalm 105. This Psalm talks about the covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and how God kept his side of the agreement as the people left then re-entered the Promised Land of Canaan but written from God's perspective. What reminded me of Covid 19 was the plagues in Egypt. We read the story from the people's point of view in Exodus, but in this Psalm, God tells what he allowed to happen and why. It makes for interesting reading.

I have previously written about how God has been so faithful to me over the years, guiding my path in life even when I did not know this was happening, - till I realised the implications of what he was doing and all for the best! From my perspective, this all happened to encourage and grow my relationship with God, so that now I can rely on God to help me in situations which I can or cannot control.

This was the same for the Hebrews as God gave them their own land as part of the old covenant or testament - verse 45 "that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws". This was the people's responsibility in this covenant, yet down through the ages, they forgot their part of the agreement, turned away from God and were forced out of their own land. This was the visible sign of a broken agreement, the spiritual or theological aspect being more significant.

Yet despite all this, God made a new agreement or testament in the coming of the Messiah, Jesus, and now the agreement is open to all people.

So, how does God view Covid 19? I don't know, but in a round-a-bout way, it can be a reminder to us, that God is still in control; he loves us just as he loved the Hebrew people in their time of slavery in Egypt, and he wants to continue and grow our relationship with him.

It is up to us how we respond to this - be aware that God has some interesting things to say in Psalm 95.

SAY THAT AGAIN!

5/6/2020

WORSHIP

Now that I have rediscovered the Psalms, I thought this commentary ( Scripture Union Encounter With God notes) worth sharing. It relates to Psalm 98.

"God's creation is indeed to be appreciated but not to be worshipped. God is not in the trees, the wind, the mountains, the seas or the universe. ( Reminds me of Elijah's encounter with God after Mt Carmel). God is the Creator of them all.

"Worship is not merely a state of mind or the singing of songs; neither should worship be a reflexive response before God for what he has done for you. Worship should be an act of will that is intentional, intelligently directed to the living God simply for who he is."

Needless to say, that reminded me of who God is and with the help of Google, I was easily able to find the description of what I was looking for. God is :-

OMNIPOTENT - all powerful

OMNISCIENT - all knowing

OMNIPRESENT - everywhere at all times

OMNIBENEV0LENT - all loving/good

This is the God of the Bible and the One to be worshipped.

CRITICAL THINKING

4/20/2020

A recent documentary on North Korea gave me an interesting insight on the thinking of the people towards the leaders of that country. It was like looking at a sculpture of someone from various angles, as three people interviewed gave quite different descriptions of their attitude to the leadership, but all remained true to their commitment to their leaders. In a private conversation, one young lady spoke very intelligently about her 'philosophy' of the leadership but was very reluctant to hear another point of view, and that started me thinking.

Is my style of thinking any different to hers? I could see the confines of her thinking because of what she had been taught but was my thinking about God and his values also limiting my ability to see other points of view? Do people who don't live by Christian values, have more freedom? Am I missing out on some/many things because they don't fit my values or taste?

I realise a lot of my thinking and evaluating situations is governed by my Christian ethics and that can lead to insecurity in a secular world. I have mentioned many times before about the need for Christians to get out of their comfort zone of Christian activities and be relevant to and feel comfortable in secular society but this does not mean changing Christian values or attitudes. Jesus certainly lived his life amongst ordinary people and related so well to them - he loved them for who they were.

In one respect, my style of thinking is no different to that of the young lady mentioned above, as I have chosen to see things from a Christian perspective. She may not have had the opportunity to question her values, but I certainly have and am very happy to accept the values as presented in the Bible. I have not wanted to stray from these and am now at an age where I can look back at my life and can say that these values have stood the test of time.

Critical thinking is very important, especially Christian teaching where there can be so many 'add-ons' to what the Bible is really saying. By discarding various people's 'add-ons' I have learned new and wonderful truths about God and his unconditional love.

Keep thinking!

HOME ALONE

4/6/2020

'Stay home. Isolate. Keep your distance from people. Don't visit others or have visitors....' These types of instructions from the Government are being brought to our attention every hour of every day if we listen to the media. To survive Covid 19 it really means we should be 'Home Alone'. Not a good long term prospect for many people.

Covid 19 reminds me of one of the less pleasant aspects of Easter - aloneness. If ever someone knew what it was to be alone, it was Jesus in those last 24 hours. His closest friends fell asleep when Jesus needed them most, then deserted him in the garden, although Peter to his credit, followed Jesus to the High Priest's house, yet three times, denied ever knowing Jesus, something of which Jesus was well aware. The atmosphere of bitter hatred at Jesus' 'trial' must have been horrendous let alone the prospect of a cruel physical and 'spiritual' death. Fortunately we know the 'happy ending'.

'No-one Understands Like Jesus' was a popular gospel song in my teenage years and those words have been a great comfort to me at dark times over the years. As well, Jesus has come to me it a very real way in my aloneness and I have found his love overwhelming when I needed it most.

Mental health is a very real issue and comes in all shapes and sizes but in our darkest hour, we can always talk to Jesus as he understands what it means to be and feel alone. We never need to think that no-one knows or cares how we feel because Jesus is always there for each of us.

As each of us celebrate Easter in an entirely different way this year, the message is the same - we are not alone for 'He Is Risen'! Hallelujah!