GodandMe2theMax

"Miss Excellence"

This last weekend, my daughter Amber competed in the Miss Teen of Texas competition. Now, before you start judging me with visions of "Toddlers and Tiaras" running through your head, let me explain more. This competition is not a beauty pageant. In fact, it has nothing to do with beauty or talent. There are no crowns given, only medallions, because medallions are a symbol of excellence. ...And excellence is what we want our daughters to strive for, right? I believe in this program because it has everything to do with who I want my daughter to be on the inside! The scoring is based on the following criteria: 15% - Scholastic Record (yes, we had to turn in transcripts and report cards!) 15% - Community Service and Achievement. 15% - General Awareness test. 15% - Personality projection and poise. 15% - Personal development. 25% - Interview with the judges.

Well, Amber has been involved in this program since she was in the 3rd grade. In the younger age divisions, it's called the Distinguished Youth of America, or in Texas, the Distinguished Youth of Texas program. For seven of the last eight years, we have spent Thanksgiving weekend at this program. Some may think it's been a sacrifice...but not me. I've seen how it has helped develop Amber into the beautiful person she is today. To make a long story short, Amber ended up placing in the top 6 at the Miss Teen of Texas competition, took home a medallion, and held her head high for accomplishing what she did -- no regrets.

So this morning as I try to assimilate back into my routine, and as I contemplate the wild emotional ride for me as a parent the last three days, I have to bring it back to God...and what He expects. Now think about it. We had to prepare a resume of everything Amber has done and accomplished in her short fifteen years of life. If you had to prepare a resume of your Christian deeds, Christian involvement, Christian development, what would you put down? No, being a Christian is not about deeds. It's about your relationship with Christ. But as you develop your relationship with Christ, good works are a natural outcome of Him working in you. So again, I have to ask myself, am I pursuing my relationship with Christ in all areas of my life? If my "Christian resume" was put under a microscope and evaluated, would God consider my life one of excellence?

Before the final program, we reminded Amber of two verses. Truth be told, she is so grounded, she really didn't need to be reminded...but I needed to say it probably more for me. (What mom doesn't want their child to be 'the best'?) Romans 8:28 "All things work together for good to those who love God and who are called according to His purpose." and I Corinthians 10:31 "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

So today, are these verses your mantra as well? Are your decisions based on what will glorify Him? Are you seeking Christ-like excellence in all areas of your life? What would your spiritual resume say? What would God, the ultimate judge, say about you? How would He rank you?

I'm thankful once again for the children God has given to me to help me see more Spiritual truths. May I seek excellence in all areas of my life, not just the ones people see on a day-to-day basis. Lord, let me do all to Your glory, so You will see me as one of your children of excellence!

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

Opportunities Lost...

My daughter Amber is one of those teenagers that moms dream of.  She's a content girl who rarely asks for anything.  We are blessed, and considering the headaches that I put my parents through, I don't deserve her.  Definitely. 

Well, Amber's birthday was in May, and figuring out what to give her is always a challenge.  For example, at Christmas time, the only thing on her Christmas list was the Indiana Jones Trilogy.  For real.  True story.  But this year, I came up with a great idea for her birthday gift.  Amber loves American Idol, so I talked to my husband, and we decided to get her American Idol concert tickets.  We've been able to go twice before, and this would be a perfect gift.  However, we couldn't even find four seats together in any of the concerts in the entire state of Texas.  So we quickly made the decision to drive to the Oklahoma City concert.  It would be Amber's birthday gift, not to mention a nice time for our family of four to get away together.

The concert was incredible.  Of the three we've been to, it was by far the best, even though our seats were pretty high up.  As we were getting ready to leave, I stopped to ask my husband Frank if we could go check to see if they were signing autographs.  He quickly denied my motion.  "It's late.  They've never done it before.  Let's go."  Yes, it was a pretty matter-of-fact decision.  I asked again, and I received the same reply.

Now, I'm pretty strong willed.  Usually if I want something, I'll do it.  I have no idea why I didn't follow my normal Beth-instincts and do what I wanted to do...at least asking an usher to confirm my question.  Nonetheless, I complied with my husband.  Yes, a rare moment for me.  We went back to our hotel room, reminiscing about the great evening we had together as a family.

The next morning, we went to IHOP before starting back to our home in Texas.  In the room, two other families were gathered.  We could hear them also talking about their experience at the Idol concert the night before.  Being the nosey person I am, I started to eavesdrop.  However, I didn't like what I was hearing.  One mom was talking about meeting Scotty and Lauren.  Wait.  How could this be?  I piped in across the room.  Did you meet them and get their autograph?  You know the answer I heard.

I looked at Frank with a glare, and a forced smile, trying to be a good example.  I missed my opportunity.  I couldn't believe it.  I had the chance.  I even wore my I AM SECOND t-shirt to the concert, in hopes of meeting Scotty.  I had the chance.  I missed my opportunity.  Over and over the thoughts ran through my mind.  I wasn't mad at him.  I was just frustrated.  I was so close, but obviously so far away.

I had a long ride in the van to think about the situation.  I even brought God into my thoughts.  Imagine that.  I prayed for a better attitude.  And just as quickly as I did, He told me there were plenty of other more important missed opportunites that I should be concerned with.  Missed opportunites to tell people about Him.  I had a chance to tell those people at IHOP about God, but I missed that opportunity as well.

If you follow my blog, you might note that I haven't been writing as much lately.  Actually, I have been doing a lot of writing, but just not a lot of blogging.  God's been using my writing to write songs with one of my best friends.  I don't publish most of them, because one day we hope to be able to get them recorded.  As I contemplated about "Opportunites Lost", the Lord just gave me the poem below.  I hope you'll look for opportunites to share His love with those around you.  Let's do it together!

 

Opportunities Lost
© by Beth Banfill

Colossians 4:5-6  “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Sometime things just happen
And I’ve got no control over them
I miss a chance to fulfill my dream
And I’ll never get it back again.

But life is filled with near misses
Opportunities gone.  Lost kisses.
And it’s so easy to cast the blame
“It’s not my fault.” - playing that game.

Then I hear God’s voice very clearly
While He looks at my tightly clenched fist.
“Just how many opportunities
To tell others about Me have you missed?

What about the lady at the store?
Did you tell her that I love her more?
And what about that dirty man on the street?
Did you walk by in fear as he begged at your feet?

And at church when they passed the plate?
Did you give willingly or hesitate?”
Missed opportunities – they abound.
God open my eyes, they’re all around.

Yes, sometimes, things just happen.
And we’ve got no control over them.
We miss a chance to fulfill our dream
And we’ll never get it back again.

But we always have an opportunity
To be Jesus throughout our community.
We just have to look with eyes open wide
Through the eyes of God and swallow our pride.

God let me be Your hands.  Be Your feet.
Let me sieze the opportunity.  Carpe Diem.
Let me be Your voice, no matter the cost.
So I have no more opportunities lost.

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

Docent for Jesus...

Deuteronomy 6:6-7  "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

750 hours.  1250 hours.  2000 hours.  As I wandered through the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, California, last week, I quickly became intrigued with the docents that were in each room, ready and willing to share any and all knowledge of the museum with me.  They each carried a small notebook with handwritten letters and actual historical pictures, bringing history to life.  Each docent also bore a name tag with their landmark number of volunteer hours printed on it.  There was one other point of comparison with each docent, and this one was quite apparent - they were each, shall I say, getting up in their years. 

Let me be honest here.  I didn't grow up loving history.  In fact, it wasn't until recent years that I found a museum actually something of interest rather than a torturous intrusion on my sleep.  However, being married to a lover of history tends to rub off on you, and after almost twenty years now, I can actually say I not only tolerate museums, but I actually like them.  You see, I got through history in school with B's and C's, but I never really embraced its importance.  My parents didn't instill a love for history in me, and frankly, that was just fine with me.  But now that I'm learning to love history, perhaps for the first time in my life, I wonder how many other people are out there just like me.  Worse yet, I wonder how many people are raising their children with the same lack of interest for history.  As I walked through the museum last week, looking at the docents and their volunteer hours, I couldn't help but wonder if museum docents would soon be a thing of the past, taking with them the mass amounts of knowledge that they bare.   

In Deuteronomy 6, God charged the Israelites to be, in a sense, spiritual docents.  Look at the verse to memorize for this week.  (Yes, I know, there's two verses to memorize, but I needed to include both for cohesiveness sake, ok?)   We are to love God, think constantly about His commandments, teach His commandments to others, and live our lives daily by the guidelines He sets out for us. 

Can you imagine how many volunteer hours we would have on our name plate if we actually lived our lives the way God expects us to?  Some of the docents at the museum logged 2000 hours and more.  Yet, how many hours have I spent telling others about Christ?  How much time have I spent teaching others about His mighty works?  Have I committed my life to teaching others His-Story?  Am I logging hours, talking about God when I am at home, walking down the road, laying down, and sitting up?  Or, like the gray haired guides in the museum, are spiritual docents quickly becoming a dying profession? 

Have I been obedient and served my God enough to even earn the title "Docent for Jesus" on my name tag?  How many hours of service will my name badge list when I get to heaven?  
 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

Living in a Big, Barren Fig Tree

Mark 11:12-14  "The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry.  Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to find out if it had any fruit.  When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs.  Then He said to the tree, 'May no one ever eat fruit from you again.'  And his disciples heard him say it."

I love the fact that over and over in Scripture, we see Jesus personifying God and man.  He was hungry.  He was tired.  He went through temptation.  He lived life fully as man and God at the same time.  In Mark 11, we see Jesus leaving Bethany.  He was hungry, and ahead of Him, He saw a fig tree.  As Jesus approached, it had a lot of leaves, it appeared to be in bloom, but there was no fruit inside. 

Fig trees were common in the area.  They were an inexpensive source of food, and besides that, I'll bet people didn't have to invest in any laxatives at the neighborhood drug store, either.  I can't honestly say I would choose to eat a fig if I were hungry, but that was the common fruit in the day.  From what I understand, fig trees bloom twice a year, in late Spring and early Fall.  Scholars believe this incident occrurrred in early Spring, when the leaves were beginning to bud.  The figs normally grow on the tree as the leaves grow full.  When Jesus came up to this tree, it had the appearance of being fully in season.  It was full of leaves, yet it had no fruit inside.  Finally, He said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again."

Think about it. Do we not live in the most prosperous (yet barren) fig tree in the world?  The world has long believed that United States of America is a Christian nation.  Those from remote areas who have heard only stories of America truly believed we conduct ourselves as Christians.  When they arrive, they quickly realize their fallacies.  We are now the kind of country that we used to send missionaries to.  In fact, the number of missionaries from other countries coming here to the USA is quickly on the rise.  We have all the outward signs, yet, like the nation of Israel at the time, but we (as a nation) are Spiritually barren.

I can't help but ask myself.  What if Jesus approached me, hungry, wanting to use what I had to offer.  What would He find?  Would it be the looks of a Christian on the outside, but nothing of substance on the inside?  That's what the fig tree had, right?  It looked in bloom, yet it had no fruit on the inside.  Even worse, would the results of what Jesus would find cause Him such sadness that He would tell me I'll never bear fruit again?

This recurring question seems to be my marching orders from the Lord this year.  At least once a week, I read something in the Bible that makes me ask myself this question.  I may ask it a lot, but I don't think I could ever ask it too much.  It is so easy to be complacent.  Just hit the snooze one more time.  I'll read my Bible tomorrow.  Our churches are filled with Christians who act differently Monday - Saturday compared to how they conduct themselves on Sunday. 

Christian, literally meaning a follower of Christ.  If you ask the average person, "Are you a Christian?"  Most would say yes.  Sadly, they believe it, too.  Yet Jesus teaches that we will know a Christian by their fruit.  I know plenty of people who say they are Christians, yet I see no fruit.  (Of course, just because I don't see it, doesn't mean they are not.  It's not my place to judge.)  But our churches are filled with individuals who fly by the seat of their own pants all week and show up in church on Sunday to talk a good talk.  Remember that old Amy Grant song Fat Baby?  We have a lot of "Fat Babies" in our churches today, and it's time we grow up.  The United States of America, founded on Christian principles, is now nothing more than a barren fig tree for the Lord.

Please know -- a doom and gloom person I am not!  I am so excited to be living this Christian life, and I want desperately for Christians to wake up to the call that God has on their own life.  We need to have eyes, hands, and a heart like the Lord.  The time has come for us to no longer sit around and watch this great country turn completely away from God.  All hope is not lost, and one by one, we can make a difference.  We must do what God has called us to do, without embarrassment.  No, we can no longer afford to sit back in silence, lest we as a nation become just like the fig tree Jesus cursed.

Give Me Your Eyes
Brandon Heath

Give me Your eyes for just one second.
Give me Your eyes so I can see.
Everything that I keep missing.
Give me Your love for humanity.
Give me Your arms for the broken hearted.
Give me Your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see.

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

Exposed - a Christian or a fraud?

Matthew 5:16  "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they will see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

2 Corinthians 6:3  "We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will no be discredited." 

2 Corinthians 6:17  "...come out from among them and be separate."

I recently read a book about a secular guy who decided to write a story about what it's like to live as and be a Christian.  He went incognito in a Christian setting with young adults his own age.  He chose his words carefully to lead everyone to believe he was a Christian.  He wanted to live with Christians, understand them, understand the Bible, and then compare what he was being taught to how he was actually raised.  He joined prayer groups, praying right along side others.  He joined the choir.  He joined Bible Study groups.  He even went on a mission trip.

I struggled as I read the book..so much so that I'm not even sure I would recommend it to someone.  (Thus, the vague description and no book title listed!)  You see, this guy's final words were something to the effect that most of the Christians he met were no different than his secular friends, and to him, that was a positive thing.  He had overcome his stigma of Christians.  In that sense, Christians were portrayed in a good light...kind of a FOX news 'fair and balanced" approach.  However, it killed me to read his words of how most of the Christians he met were no different than him. 

In the end of his five month Christian indoctrination, the author ultimately did not change his beliefs that there was only one way to get to heaven.  No, his core beliefs didn't change, but his pre-conceived negative slant on Christians did change.  He learned to pray, and he kind of liked that feeling of praying for others.  It made him feel better.  He also found out that serving others makes you feel good, even if you're not serving God.

As I read the book, I really tried to have the same "fair and balanced" approach.  Certainly, I didn't agree with the author's world-view, but I did appreciate the evidential fact that he was trying to understand it all without casting judgment.  There were times that I wanted to write a rebuttal to some of his comments about Christian beliefs that were taken out of context.  In the end, I think it was good for me to read it, because it just enlightened me to my need to be different. 

Think about it.  What if one day you found out that your best friend was hanging out with you, going to church with you, and praying with you---just for a story.  How would you be portrayed in the book?  After finding out the author's real "mission", one of his friends told him, "Man, I wish I would have known.  I would have acted differently."  It pains me to see and read about people who claim to be a Christian - a representative of Christ - but they live their lifestyle no differently than the person who doesn't give a rip about God. 

Reading the book challenged me to live out 2 Corinthians chapter six and especially the verse listed above in Matthew 5.  "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they will see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."  Good works and being a good person don't get me to heaven.  But because of the relationship I have with Jesus Christ, the natural bi-product will be good works.  People should be drawn to Christians, if they are living the way God would expect them to be.  If someone told me I was just like everyone else, I would be devastated and embarrassed.  Sure, I like to fit in with the crowd, wear 'in style' clothes, look good, etc.  But my lifestyle should represent Christ in every aspect so that anyone could observe me and know without a doubt that I have a growing relationship with God.

Here's some questions to ponder...

1.  Do I have friends in my circle that do not have a relationship with Christ?
2.  Am I any different from those friends?
3.  If someone wrote an expose about me, what would they say?
4.  Would I be exposed as a Christian or a fraud?
5.  Do I have a growing relationship with the Lord?  (Bible reading, times of confession, prayer)
6.  Am I conscious of my sin or the sins I struggle with?
7.  What am I doing to actively reach friends who do not know the Lord?
8.  Do I even care?

If you are one of my friends who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, please talk to me.  Email me.  Consider choosing Christ.  Living the Christian life is not about a bunch of rules and regulations.  On the contrary.  I have such joy and freedom because I know Who I'm anchored to. 

Just think about it.

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

Psalm 65 - The turmoil of the nations

With the healthcare debate in this country,  I think everyone would agree that we are a nation filled with turmoil.  Recent action in Washington DC has everyone expressing varying degrees of extreme emotion.

Psalm 65 is a song of David, thanking God for His many blessings and provision.  It was good for me this morning to just focus on the power and provision of my sovereign God.  As I read, God gave me a peace and reminder that He is in control.  There is no law passed in this country and there are no leaders appointed that God is unaware of.

When we were overwhelmed by sins, God forgives our transgressions.  (v. 3)  
Regardless of the healthcare debate, I believe we are a nation that has turned away from God.  But I am encouraged this morning that even though we are headed down this road, it doesn't mean that all is doom and gloom.  God forgives.  I am reminded of 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

God answers us with awesome deeds of righteousness.  He's the hope of all the earth. (v. 5)
I'm reminded of the so "Mighty to Save" when I read these words.  "Everyone needs compassion, a love that's never failing, let mercy fall on me.  Everyone needs forgiveness, the kindness of a Savior, the hope of nations!"  I'm reminded to focus on God's righteousness, not man's sinfulness.  The only HOPE is in God.

He formed the mountains by His power.  (v. 6)  He calmed the roaring seas and waves, and THE TURMOIL OF THE NATIONS. (v. 7)  As morning dawns and evening fades, God calls for songs of joy. (v. 8)
God, the creator of the universe, has it all under control.  He calms the seas. He can surely calm the turmoil of our nation.  I will choose to praise Him, in the good and in the bad, in the morning and in the evening.  I will focus on praying for our nation and for our leaders.

Verses 9-13 of the Psalm focus on God's provision through nature.  He cares for the land and waters it so that we have grain to eat.  The grassland and desert overflow.  The meadows are covered with flocks. 
God certainly cares about every detail here on earth.  He is a generous God who gives me more than I deserve or need.  Yes, physically, he 'cares for the land', but I think so much more "HE CARES FOR THIS LAND."  He cares about every detail of our life, every law that is passed.  He loves us and wants what is best for us.  Sometimes we get in the way of that, but I am reminded that God does care!

Will you commit to pray with me for this country each day and for our leaders?  Yes, there's turmoil in our nation right now, but God has it under control.  The Master knows the master plan!

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

Christ, Kids, and Current Events

April 5^th, 2009

I'm sure all of us want nothing more than to "train up our children in the way they should go" so "when they are old, they will not depart from it."

What exactly does this mean?  Teach them the Bible?  Live out Christ in front of them?  Give them a list of "to do's" and "don't's"?  Send them to Christian school and hope they get it?  Send them to public school so they will get it?

Wow - parenting can be hard and difficult.  I think we're all in the same boat, and no one can say they are the perfect parent or they have the perfect kids.  One time, I thought I was doing pretty good at this parenting thing...then I had Jacob and learned that the Lord was just being nice to me, giving me a girl first!  Boys and girls are so different, but both a blessing.  I wouldn't change anything I've been through as a mom -- good, bad, or ugly!  (And there have been some very ugly times, for sure!)

For me, I'm always looking for teachable moments...ways to bring what's happening in the news and daily events to a Christian application...ways to speak truth into the lives of our children. 

I've decided to start taking some notes...not to brag or lift me up, but to help other parents see how easy it is and give ideas.  All you have to do is look for the opportunities.  Sometimes we get so busy doing our routine that we don't realize we can bring Christ into every day conversation without it being "preachy" or at a time when you're kids are in trouble.

So here it goes...

*********

Recently President Obama met with the Queen of England. During my quiet time the morning after their meeting, I realized that his visit would be a good exercise to bring Christ into daily conversation with the kids.  Both Jacob and Amber are pretty in tune with current events, so they knew about President Obama's visit with the queen.  They each had slightly different perspectives, but my part of the conversation was something like this:

You know how President Obama met with the Queen yesterday?
Well, that was a real privilege, wasn't it?  Not many people get to meet with the queen, huh?
You know, I was thinking...  God is the King of Kings.  He's like the ultimate King, with so much more royalty than the Queen that President Obama met with, isn't He? 
Isn't it cool that we can talk to Him anytime we want, and we don't have to have permission or a special event to meet with him?
Do you think the Queen really wanted to meet with President Obama? (Hm-mm....I wonder???)

Think about it.  God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords WANTS us to talk to Him.  He pursues us!  It doesn't have to be this big production with the media watching - He invites us to have an intimate relationship with Him, one on one!  That just blows my mind that the most powerful being would love me so much that he desires a relationship with me!  What do you think?

What about the gifts they exchanged?  What kind of gifts does God give us?  (Salvation, blessings, family, friends...the list can go on and on...)

What kind of gifts can we give God?  That's a tougher question.  (Amber said she didn't think God wanted an iPod...I think she's right...)  The kids could only come up with 2 answers:  Ourselves and Obedience...which are really one in the same.  The only thing God wants from us is our obedience. 

Both Amber and Jacob had different comments, thoughts, and answers...but I could tell that they both started thinking about the parallels.  Jacob was really touched and prayed right then that God would help him to make the right choices at school that day. 

The older I get, the more I understand Romans 12:1-2.  Renew my mind.  Living Sacrifice.  Holy and Acceptable unto God.  Reasonable service.  Don't be conformed to the world.  Be transformed. Prove what is good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.

The older I get, the more I understand I fall short.  Our children need more than just church and Christian school.  They need to see Christ in us!  As parents, let's challenge and encourage one another to be more like Christ.  Proverbs 27:17.  Iron sharpens iron!

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com