GodandMe2theMax

DadAndMe2theMax

It was 2003, and we spent our spring break in Ohio. The night before we were supposed to drive home to Texas, the hospital called telling my family that my dad had taken a turn for the worse, and we should get to the hospital as quickly as possible. His breathing was labored, and he was in and out of consciousness. We sang over his bed. We prayed over him. We told him it was ok to let go. We cried. We sang. We prayed. And we cried some more. Miraculously, and as often happens when death's door is knocking, my dad started to do better. We weren't sure if we should drive home or not, but the kids had school on Monday, and it's a long drive from Ohio to Texas. We also knew that the cycle of him getting better, worse, better, worse, etc. could go on for quite a while. We decided we should just start the trip home. By the time we hit Tennessee, I had received the call that my dad had passed away. All this took place nine years ago today, on St. Patrick's Day.

This blog is typically all about GodandMe2theMax, but the truth is that I wouldn't be where I am today in my relationship with the Lord without my dad's influence in my life. So it's only fitting today on St. Patrick's Day that I dedicate my blog to "DadAndMe2theMax."

What I learned from my dad...

1. My dad taught me tenderness when it comes to spiritual things. I can't ever remember my dad sharing his testimony of how he gave his life to Christ without breaking down in tears. I remember when I was younger, I used to watch him cry like a baby when sharing about Christ. He got saved before I was even born, but he never "got over" that moment when God penetrated his life. I'm thankful for a dad that wasn't afraid to show emotion for the things that mattered. He wasn't perfect, but he was a great example to me of passion and love for the Lord.

2. My dad taught me how to have good, clean fun. He was the funniest man I've ever known. Anyone who knew him would agree, too. At his funeral, I was able to share some of my favorite humorous stories of growing up as his daughter. I still marvel at how I managed to do this without breaking down, but somehow God gave me the strength!

There was the story of dad hiding the Pepsi bottles in the back of the toilet.

There was the story of him acting like he tripped down the stairs of the church, only to have the pastor's wife ask him if he was ok. His response, with full blown emotion, "I think I have an infected ovary."

There was the story of him being asked to close in prayer at church. He leaned forward against the pew, only to set off the musical tie he was wearing.

There was the story of the somber holiday service where the entire church circled around holding hands to sing. It was a candlelight service, if I remember correctly, and it was dark, except for my dad's flashing bow-tie.

There were the countless stories of my dad's hand-written letters to me at college. They were always so funny that I actually had friends who would check mail with me, just in case I had a letter from my dad. They loved reading with me, not to mention seeing the terrible spelling and sometimes poor grammar combinations he created.

And then there was the story of him proudly wearing his belt buckle, "World's Greatest Lover."

These are all fragmented stories with much more laughter behind them, but that was just how my dad rolled. He gave you enough to laugh hard, but not too much that he was annoying.

One of my best character qualities (at least what I like most about myself!) is my quick wit, a direct link to my dad's genes, for sure. He always had a quick and funny comment for anything. There were countless times where he tested the waitress at a restaurant. The conversation would go something like this...

"Hi! My name is Laverne. How are you today?"
Dad's response: "I'm fat."
"Great! Do you know what you want to drink today?"
Dad's response, "Yeah, I thought you'd like that one."
"Just water then?"...

As I watch my kids grow up, I'm thankful they both got that same McNabb wit, too. Every time they come up with "a good one" I know my dad is looking down from heaven with a big smile saying "That's MY granddaughter!" or "That's MY grandson!" If you're my friend on facebook, I'm sure you've seen many of these repeated examples of how my kids model their Pop-Pop. And now you know just where they got it!

3. My dad taught me how to play ball, but more importantly, he modeled some pretty important parenting skills, too. We spent endless summer afternoons and evenings pitching to each other, fielding, and sweating in the Ohio humidity. He was my biggest fan. I played on a summer league all during high school, and he never missed a game. Never. He told me what I did wrong and didn't sugarcoat it. I can remember him repeatedly saying "You're dropping your shoulder when you're at bat. You have to point your elbow more." Then he would work with me in practice on what I was struggling with. Not only did he never miss a game during summer softball season, but I don't think he ever missed a single game when I played volleyball either. When I first started, I was terrible. My skills were far behind others on my team. I warmed the bench a lot, but dad didn't care. I was his pride and joy, and I knew he wanted nothing more than to be there in the stands to support me.

My three brothers may disagree, but I know I was my dad's favorite child. How could I not be after three boys and then finally a baby girl? :) At least that's how I will choose to remember!

The truth is, I could go on and on. Memories are the most cherished thing I have. And if you don't take time to remember, you put yourself at risk to forget. How I wish my kids could have known my dad. Jacob doesn't remember him at all. Amber remembers him only after he was already sick.

But I remember. Perhaps one of the most lasting memories I have is repeatedly getting up for school at five AM, only to find my dad sitting at the dining room table reading his Bible. I had no idea back then what a precious memory that would become. He set the example for me. When my kids walk in on me having my quiet time, I always think of the same scenario when I was younger. I hope one day they will have fond memories of interruption as well.

So today, it's all about Richard Neal McNabb. It's about remembering a life of love and laughter. I will choose not to be depressed. Sure, I may shed a tear here or there, but I will not focus on the sadness of not having him around any longer. Instead, I will focus on what he taught me. He was a pretty brilliant guy for someone with only a Jr. High education!

I will choose to be the kind of parent that he modeled for me. I will love my children unconditionally. I will support them. I will teach them about spiritual things. And I will create moments for them to have lasting memories, even after I'm gone. And by God's grace, they too will go 2theMax with God because of the legacy I've invested in them. And I am who I am today in part because of DadAndMe2theMax.

 

Richard Neal McNabb
November 21, 1935 - March 17, 2003

Dad, with his famous flashing bow-tie.

 

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

"My ways are not your ways."

Isaiah 55:8-9 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."

This is the verse God has had me chewing on the last 24 hours. Maybe a better description is that it's been gnawing at me rather than me chewing on it.

You see, since Wednesday, I've been with my daughter's high school debate team at their national qualifier tournament. By far, it's been the most discouraging competition that I've ever attended as a parent. Our debate team was expected to do very well. The coach told me he's usually nervous going into this tournament, but this year he felt they were more prepared than ever. However, one by one, the leading debaters and orators from our school were dropping like flies, with quite questionable judging. I listened as the students told me about the repeated unfairness in their rounds. Controversy abounded, including in my daughter Amber's event of Original Oratory (OO). I shook my head as she was eliminated from the competition just before the final round.

Amber's speech surrounds the medical journey we've encountered with my son Jacob. It's personal and powerful, and she delivers it incredibly well. In fact, she delivered it perfectly in every round throughout the competition, yet she was still eliminated, in spite of others who advanced while forgetting their lines. A travesty? If you witnessed what I witnessed, you may think so, too. However, my ever spiritual husband reminded me that if God wanted her to go to nationals and tell Jacob's story, He would have provided a way for her to do just that.

"Thank you, Frank, for stating the obvious." OK, ok, he meant well. But sometimes you really don't need your spouse to tell you what you already know. To be honest, that just made me more mad. He meant well, he really did. But the truth is that I didn't want to hear the truth from him. I didn't want to accept this travesty as truth.

We got in at 1 AM Sunday morning, but even though it was late, I was determined to go to church. I knew I needed to. I knew God was going to speak to me. I knew I needed Him to speak to me. Sure enough, He did. You know what He said? He told me, "My ways are not your ways." And when He did, it was as if I heard it for the first time, even though I'd been chewing on it for about 24 hours. I needed Him to whisper that to me. He actually had, via my sweet husband. But at the time, I wasn't willing to listen or accept it. But today I heard it loud and clear as we sang the Hillsong song "Still." The chorus is so powerful:

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father you are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God.

I don't know about you, but I just can't sing a song without thinking through every word. I was holding it together until I got to the "I will be still and know You are God" part; then I lost it. How can I sing that if I don't believe it? Can I actually drop the anger and frustration welling within me and "be still?"

With the events of the weekend, was God in control? Sure, my rational mind tells me yes, of course. But the emotional momma in me was outraged, hurt, angered, and just questioned how God could let this happen. I mean, Amber took two second places in OO this year, and first in all the other tournaments where she competed in OO. How could she be eliminated when two of the ones who ended up advancing to nationals had never even taken second to her all year? Why? How? These are questions I'll probably never have concrete black and white answers for. However, God gave me an answer this morning. Simply put, "my ways aren't His ways."

I must say, that Amber is an example to me. She was of course shocked and very upset at first, but she's made a choice to not dwell on it. She's moved on. She knows she did her best, and nothing can take away the pride she feels in doing so.

I sure wish things turned out differently this last weekend, not just for Amber. She's only a sophomore this year, but some of her teammates were seniors, and this was their last chance to go to Nationals. Seniors who like Amber, repeatedly beat out the ones who did end up advancing. But when I am tempted to pick up the anger and emotions again, I must remember these verses in Isaiah 55:8-9 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."

May I reach for higher thoughts and take the higher road. May I learn, and may I grow. And May I fall more in love with Jesus every day as He teaches to trust His ways are best.

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

Integrity

Psalm 25:21 "May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in You."

Proverbs 2:6-8 For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.

Integrity, Defined as a firm adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty. The state of being whole, entire, or undiminished. Unimpaired. No, integrity doesn't mean you're perfect. As someone once said, it just means you do what is right when no one is looking.

You know, your reputation is something you can destroy in an instant. With one bad decision. It's also something someone else can attempt to destroy pretty quickly, too. What I've been struggling with lately is the latter. I made some completely upright decisions that others weren't too happy about, and my integrity is being threatened. In my adult life, that's one thing I've always been very proud of, and if I'm honest with you and myself, it is eating me alive that my integrity is being questioned.

But every time I pour out my heart to God about how unhappy I am that this is taking place, he just reminds me that He knows the truth. My hope is in Him, and He will protect me. He is my shield, guarding my path of justice.

Admitedly, I am a people person. No, I don't make decisions based on what people will think, but I do want people to like me and know the inner me. I want people to know the truth and believe the truth, especially if they have formed other opinions. I want to defend myself. It's the inner lawyer in me! I think that's human nature. But when I lose sleep over what people think, then it's wrong. When that happens, I'm not trusting in God. I'm not having faith that the truth will eventually come out. At that point, I'm more concerned about what people think of me than what God does. And if I'm honest with myself, that's called sin. I'm reminded of Psalm 20:7 that says, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God."

I ask myself today, "What am I trusting in?" Am I putting my faith in my reputation that I've worked so hard to build? Or am I putting my faith in Jesus Christ, my solid rock who never changes?

I resolve today to try to let go of these things that others are saying. They are but fleeting. I resolve to trust God more and think less about what others might believe. I resolve to let God be my shield and defense. With Him on my side, I can't lose!

If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters. ~Alan Simpson

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

Hibernating through the winter storm...

Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God is with you; He is mighty to save; He will take great delight in you; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing."

Last night, Frank and I were watching a television show called "Mantracker" on the science channel. It's another one of those reality tv shows; yes, I might need therapy. Emphasis on the word "might." Anyway, the premise of the show is that two individuals are dropped off in the middle of a rough Canadian terrain with a goal of getting to a pre-established "finish line" without being caught my "Mantracker." "Mantracker" has a horse, and attempts to use nature's clues to track down the couple before they get to the finish line. The Science Channel does a pretty good job making it an entertaining show to watch. I could never do it, for sure. Admittedly, I'm too bug-phobic and pampered. And last night, there were plenty of bear tracks to be found. No thank you, I will stay in the warmth of my media room and watch others be hunted.

So last night during the show, a bear fact was flashed across the screen. "Did you know that a bear's heart normally beats forty-fifty times per minute, but when a bear hibernates, the heart drops down to about eight times per minute?" That's more than a 75% decrease in activity!

This morning as I was thinking about that fact, I started to relate it to what we do as Christians sometimes. When the cold comes, when we feel alone in the Canadian tundra, when we feel like we're being hunted by "Mantracker", what reaction do we have? Do we thrive? Do we maintain the same number of heartbeats? Or do we go into hibernation, trying to hunker down til this winter storm is over?

When those storms of life come, I believe God has a purpose for them. ...And the purpose is not to hunker down and try to make it through. Either God wants to glorify Himself through the situation, teach us something, increase our faith, draw us closer to Him through the event, or any combination! But God does have a purpose in each trial we face. Sometimes we don't ever know it, and sometimes years later we understand. But I wonder, just like a bear in hibernation, how often do we allow our heartbeat to slow down during the winter of our lives? What reaction do we have when the trials hit?

On the contrary, when going through tough times, that's when our heart beat should speed up, not slow down. That's when we should hunker down even deeper into our Heavenly Father and His Word. Are you in hibernation today? Are you trying to "make it through" until spring and warmer weather hit your household? This verse in Zephaniah is one of my all-time favorites. I memorized it in 2010, and I'm reminded of it once again this morning. Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God is with you; He is mighty to save; He will take great delight in you; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing."

No matter what the winter of life is that is causing you to want to hibernate, don't do it. Remember God is there. He delights in us. He quiets us with His love. He sings to us! Don't miss the voice of God because you're in hibernation. My God is mighty to save...even from the mantracker!

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

Big Hands

Have you ever compared hands with someone, maybe a basketball player, and said, "Man! You have big hands!" Sometimes I will comment, "Those are piano playing hands!" Then I put my hand up to theirs and compare. Not for any specific reason. Just to see how small my hands are compared to theirs.

Now think about it. How big are God's hands?

This morning I was reading in Psalm 37:23 "If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand." God's hands are definitely big enough to guide me down the right path, if I'm on the right path to begin with! When I read this verse, I think of a walking with my son or daughter when they were little. Now, we were never a big 'hiking' family, but there were times when we would walk down dirt paths, full of stones and uneven ground. My natural instinct would be to put my hand behind my child to help guide them and keep them steady on the rough terrain. That's what my God promises to do. He upholds us with His hand. I just have to be sure I'm on the path He wants me to be on. You see, it's a conditional statement. IF He delights in our way, He will uphold us.

We all probably know that old kid's song, "He's got the whole world in His hands." Now that's some pretty big hands, too, don't you think?

Isaiah has some great references to God's hands, as well. Isaiah 40:12 "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighted the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?" OK, I'm no scientist, and I have not even one clue on how to figure out how much water is on the earth. And that's ok, because my almighty God does know, and he can measure it all in his hand!

Then finally, I love the visual picture of our image being tattooed on the palm of God's hands. Isaiah 49:16 says, "See, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands." Top that one, Miami Ink! Can you even imagine that?

God has such a tender way of reminding me that He is always near. He is omnipotent. And He can do much more than the little box I sometimes put Him in. When I fall and stumble, His hand upholds me. When I think the problem is so big that there's no way out, I'm reminded that His power doesn't end! And when I think I'm forgotten, I'm really not. I'm right there, tattoed on His hand.

Life is hard. Living the Christian life with diligence is hard. These truths about God are something we know with our head knowledge, but we often choose to forget them in our heart. We choose to worry and take the burden on ourselves. God has big hands. He has piano hands. He has basketball hands. Surely, with hands that big, He can handle our little problems.

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

Looking for the Light...

Psalm 18:28  "You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light."

Have you ever had a time in your life when things just looked dark?  I'm not talking about being depressed, necessarily, but just where there seemed to be no light at the end of the tunnel?  Life just seems to control you to the point that you aren't enjoying life?  Been there...and very recently, I might add.

As I've been searching for the light at the end of the tunnel, praying, and begging God for answers, He began to reveal some things to me.  Basically, I've been holding on to some things in my life that were keeping me from seeing that light.  I had my little security blanket, preventing me from expanding my faith.  Do you have any security blankets?  Mine wasn't just a little blankie, it was a big, thick one.  One I thought I would never let go of.  One that I thought I couldn't let go of.  I realized I had allowed that blanket to become my identity, essentially replacing Who should be my identity - my God.

If I am to grow spiritually, the decision was inevitable.  I had to drop my security blanket and run into God's blanket of security.  I was scared.  I didn't know if I could do what I need to do, but I knew what God was telling me, so I obeyed.  And you know what, after I obeyed, I am starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. 

Take a look at the verse to memorize for this week.  Psalm 18:28  "You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light."  When we just turn to the Lord, He sustains us.  He keeps our lamp burning.  Not only does He sustain us, but He turns what looks so dark and bleak into a wonderful ray of light!  God has challenged me this last week to look for the light, drop my security blanket, and expand my faith.  What's He teaching you?

Security
© Beth Banfill

I'm dropping my security blanket
I'm following the light at the door
I'm putting all my trust in Your leading
With each step my faith is built even more.
Yes, I'm dropping my security blanket,
And I'm running into Your blanket of security.

We all have things we hold so dear
We think they make us who we are.
But God's telling me to have no fear
To let go.  And let God take me far.

I'm dropping my security blanket
I'm following the light at the door
I'm putting all my trust in Your leading
With each step my faith is built even more.
Yes, I'm dropping my security blanket,
And I'm running into Your blanket of security.

No regrets.  Pure Peace.  His still small voice
Says, "Trust Me.  I've got a plan."
So I resign my will, and I'll trust You still.
My life is secure in Your hands.

I'm dropping my security blanket
I'm following the light at the door
I'm putting all my trust in Your leading
With each step my faith is built even more.
Yes, I'm dropping my security blanket,
And I'm running into Your blanket of security.

My identity is not in my job or my things
It's not in all the things that I know
My identity lies only in Christ my King
The end of the tunnel is all aglow!

I'm dropping my security blanket
I'm following the light at the door
I'm putting all my trust in Your leading
With each step my faith is built even more.
Yes, I'm dropping my security blanket,
And I'm running into Your blanket of security.

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

Stressed out 'cuz there's No Room in the Inn...

Psalm 94:19   "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."

Busy.  It's the story of my life.  It's the life story of probably most of the people reading this.  I often find myself so busy I can't prioritize things.  I find myself juggling the urgency of the immediate with putting out fires here and there, never with enough hours in the day to do everything I really need to do.  Lack of planning?  Maybe.  Overcommitted?  Probably.  Stressed beyond words?  Definitely.

Somehow over the last few weeks, I made a serious miscalculation of priorities.  I never found the time or energy to make my hotel reservations for Wednesday evening near the airport in Dallas.  You see, my flight was leaving early Thursday morning, and although I don't live that far from the airport, my colleague I was traveling with lives quite a bit further away.  The flight was to leave at 5:45 Thursday morning, so we really needed to have a hotel closer to the airport.

The plan was simple.  Get off work at 5:00 PM.  Pack for the upcoming trip to Baltimore.  Make a quick hotel reservation, eat dinner, and leave by 6:30 Wednesday evening for worship team practice.  My friend was going to meet me at church after practice, and off we'd go to the airport hotel.  Good plan, right?  Sure, in a perfect world, it was.  Unfortunately, I miscalculated quite a few things.  I got off work around 5:30 PM, leaving plenty of things still to do.  I then went to book the hotel.  Anytime I've had to get a hotel near the airport, I've always stayed at the Hyatt, right at DFW airport.  They always have good travel agent rates, and it's the obvious choice. 

"I'm sorry, we're sold out tonight.  Do you want me to transfer you to the Four Seasons?"  Um.  Easy answer on that one.   "No, thanks."  I hung up the phone and expanded my search.  No big deal.  I made another call.  And another.  And another.  And another.  And another.  I thnk you get the idea.  Apparently the storm that rumbled through the area earlier in the day caused quite a few cancelled flights.  There must have been some big meeting in town, too, because an affordable hotel room was no where to be found.  Panic began to sink in.  I still needed to pack, and it was quickly becoming apparent that I was running out of time. 

Frantic, I gave up on finding a hotel and started to throw things in my suitcase.  I may be the travel agent in the family, but my sweet husband Frank came to the rescue to pinch hit for me.  He stayed on the phone for another thirty minutes while I tied up the rest of the loose ends in preparation for the trip.  It was past time for me to leave for practice, and I still didn't have a hotel. 

"Just give up," I told him.  I had already decided to have my colleague just stay at our house for the night.  We'll just have to get up at 2 AM, that's all.  I was so discouraged, and the stress of the week had about taken me over.  The white flag was on the pole, and I was raising it up quickly.  "Just let me try one more," he said.  It took a few minutes, but Frank's persistence paid off.  He found a hotel room for us, granted, it was fifteen minutes south of the airport and about $30 more than I wanted to pay, but it was a room, nonetheless.

You know, I love how God works.  He always comes through, in spite of me.  I'm so glad that He doesn't adopt the phrase "Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on My part."  OK, truth be told, sometimes He probably does.  Sometimes we have to learn from our mistakes.  But I'm grateful at least this time, He did not enforce that lack of planning comment.  If He did, I'd be a goner for sure. 

I don't know about you, but when things don't go as I plan, I get discouraged.  Maybe in this case I should say, when I don't plan for things appropriately, I get discouraged.  Either way, the stress of the situation left me downtrodden and exhausted before I even began my trip.  I made it through worship team practice (quite hungry, I might add, since I never even had time to eat that dinner I had planned).  We got to the hotel around 10:30 PM.  As I sat in bed that night with my mind racing, I tried to evaluate how I could have done things differently.  I let my mind wander, and all I could think of us how my God once again saved the day, proving Himself faithful, in spite of my ignorance. 

Look at the verse to memorize for the week.  Psalm 94:19   "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."

If there's one thing I've learned in recent years, it's to look for God in life's situations.  So many times we think God is there for us on Sundays, and that's where He stays.  We forget that when things go wrong through the week, He's right there, ready to console us.  We just need to turn to Him.  And when we do, He turns our anxiety into joy. 

I make a habit each night of praying myself to sleep.  Granted, sometimes it doesn't take long, considering I can usually fall asleep within minutes, but it gives me the opportunity to just talk to God about everything that happened through the day.  It gives me the opportunity to reflect.  And it gives me the opportunity to find the joy that only He can provide.

As you memorize the verse with me this week, let's also try to put it into practice.  Let's allow God to console our spirit and bring joy into our lives, despite anxious circumstances.  Even when there's 'no room in the inn...

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

Amino Acids at Work...

Hebrews 13:16  "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices, God is pleased."

Amino Acids.  They are the building block of proteins.  Admittedly, I was not a disciplined student in school.  I don't remember much of what I was supposedly learned.  Thankfully, I did have some great English teachers, but when it came to science, it was pittsville for me.  But this one thing I do remember:  amino acids are the building block of proteins.

This last week, I witnessed first hand Christian "amino acids."  OK, don't check out on me just yet.  Our bodies need protein, right?  Protein is a fundamental component of all living cells.  It is necessary for an organism to function properly.  Do we all not need Christian protein in our life?  Even more, I'm talking about the amino acids, the building block of proteins -- the very basics. 

Let me explain more.  This summer, my daughter and I are going on a mission trip to Colombia.  This will be my ninth trip to Barranquilla, Colombia, and my 14 year old daughter's fifth trip.  I love Colombia, but the decision to go was not made lightly.  I prayed and prayed, asking God to clearly show me this was HIS will, not just mine.  One big factor in that decision was the fundraising required.  You see, after you go to the same place on a mission trip several times, it's really hard to keep raising money to go again, year after year.  I felt in my heart that God was opening the door for us to go again, but our family didn't even have the $200 per person to officially make the deposit for the trip.

But where God guides, God provides.

I received an email from our church several weeks ago, saying someone anonymously donated the $400 deposit for Amber and I to go.  Step one, whether or not to go, confirmed.  We then sent out our support letters to family and friends.  In years past, we've been able to financially supplement what we couldn't raise, but that isn't the case this year.  We were 100% reliant on God for this one, which is exactly what He wanted to so He could be glorified. 

Donations started coming in, and we were zeroing in on what we needed.  But also zeroing in was the deadline.  Half of our money is due in a few days, and we still needed almost $700.  Like I said, everyone needs protein to survive.  And if I was going to survive in this fundraising quest, I needed some amino acids.  The thing is, God knew that.  He surrounded me with living, breathing "amino acids" found in my life group and friend circle.  One friend outright told me, "You're having a garage sale.  I'll help you get it organized and work it for you."  Did you catch that?  She planned my fundraising garage sale for me!  Building block one.  People started donating items for the sale.  Building block two, three, four, five.  Thursday night came, time to set up for the sale.  Our garage was literally half full of items.  Building block six, seven, eight, nine, ten, and eleven showed up to help me get it organized.  They stayed late in the evening.  Emails and texts came in from more building blocks.  "I can't help, but I'm praying."  By twelve noon on the first day of the sale, God had provided all the remaining funds that Amber and I needed for our mission trip. 

What I witnessed this weekend was truly a miracle, unfolding before my eyes.  You see, I couldn't even work the garage sale on Friday, since I had to work my real job.  Of course, God can accomplish His will any way He wants, but it's especially rewarding when it unfolds using willing, selfless, amino acids.  Yes, amino acids, the building blocks of protein.  Protein that we cannot survive without.

As you can imagine, I've been on a God-high the last few days.  I'm humbled by being the recipient of such massive blessings from others.  I've also been asking God how I can be a blessing to others, in the same way these amino acids in my life have been to me.  One way He showed me is by helping others in their fundraising efforts with the extra money from my sale.  If you asked me even a week ago if I would financially be able to do that, the answer would have been a firm "no."  But that's the cool thing about amino acids.  They build on each other to make protein - necessary for life.

Perhaps it's an odd comparison, this concept of a Christian amino acid, but what happened this weekend couldn't have happened without each one of those people working together to get the job done.  One block at a time.  And I couldn't have been used to bless someone else without those initial building blocks of protein helping me.

Take a look at the verse to memorize for this week.  Hebrews 13:16  "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices, God is pleased."  The author uses a direct address here.  It's an order.  In a Beth's blog paraphrase, he says "Be a selfless amino acid.  That's an order, and don't forget it.  God will be happy with you for being obedient."

How about you?  Are you being an amino acid, building protein into the lives of those around you?  Are you making a conscious choice to build life into someone, block by block?  You don't have to have money to be an amino acid.  No, in fact, all you have to do is be obedient, just like the verse says.  So this week, don't forget to sacrificially do good and share with others.  God will be pleased.  Be a building block in someone's life.  Be an amino acid.

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

Be Still and Know I am God...

Psalm 46:10  "Be still and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the heathen; I will be exalted in the earth."

Last week was one of the roughest ones I've had in a while.  My husband has been in Africa for nearly two weeks, and on Thursday, we found out that God had closed a door that until that point seemed wide open.  God didn't just close it, He locked it and seemingly threw away the key.  Honestly, I was pretty devastated.  I found myself desperately crying, even arguing with God.  By the time my tears had run dry, I found myself re-reading my own blog from last week.  I told God He had a real sense of humor, because the sample prayer I wrote needed to be re-iterated in real time as I poured out my heart to my Father.  Emotionally, I was spent before the day began on Thursday.  I had a lot of questions for God, none of which He answered directly, except to say to me, "Be still, and know that I am God.  I have a plan.  Just have faith."

As I have prayed about what verse to memorize this week, Psalm 46:10 is the only verse God has given me peace about.  If you're like me, you may  already have the first part of the verse memorized, but you likely have not memorized the entire verse. 

Let's take a look at it a little more deeply. 

"Be still."  This is a command, and it comes from a root word rapha, which means to be weak, to let go, or to release.  Maybe a better translation might be "cause yourself to let go" or "let yourself become weak."  Ok, God, I get it.  Let go.  Let go of my wishes and desires.  Quit trying to be strong and handle things on your own.  I release it to You.

Notice the second directive in the verse - know.  How still should we be?  We should be so still that we should surrender to the point that we know God is in control.  God is God.  God is God in the good times, and He is God in the rough times.  We need to "give up, become weak, let go, and release" so that we can fully rely on God's strength and power. 

The next two parts of the verse are a promise.  You know we can rest fully in God that He is in control, but the end result is the topping on the cake.  He will be the victor of the things of this world.  His Kingdom will be established on the earth, and He will be exalted.  Did you get that?  HE WILL BE EXALTED!!!  It doesn't matter what things don't go the way we want them to here on earth.  My God is the King Supreme!  In this battle of sin here on earth, He has already won the battle, and He is coming back to reign here on earth.

You know, when you put it in perspective, my "BIG PROBLEMS" are not problems at all to God.  He clearly knows the outcome of every situation.  He has a plan, and although I can't always see it in "real time" it doesn't matter.  My job right now is just to be still, and know that He is God. 

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

Come and Listen... Psalm 66:16

Psalm 66:16  "Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me."

Do you ever feel like the weight of the world is more than you can bear?  How will I ever make it through?  Why aren't my prayers being answered?  Why am I going through this?  When is this trial going to be over?  If you're honest, you've probably been there.  Maybe you're there now.

But sometimes we need the reminder to look back.  Look back at what God has done in our lives.  Look back at how He's proved Himself faithful over and over again.  Then we need to tell others about His faithfulness, even in spite of what we're going through now. 

Read Psalm 66.  David makes a plea.  "Come and listen, all you who fear God let me tell you what He has done for me."  Then David talks about going through trials, being refined with fire and water.  He likens it to God sending him to prison with burdens on his back.  But in the end, David praises God.  He knows God is in control and has his best interests at heart. 

Yes, as Christians, our mind knows these spiritual facts that David knew, too.  No brainer, right?  God is in control.  He'll carry us through.  Yet, sometimes our emotions and heart hurt and overtake that reasoning side of our brain.  Let's take a lesson from David this week.  Let's follow his example to tell others about God's faithfulness, in spite of rough times in a current situation.  Thank God today for His refining fire!

Psalm 66

Come and listen, everyone
Come and hear all that God has done.
The trials He’s brought, they’ve not been fun.
The process is long.  His job’s never done.

But He’s teaching me that through the fire
Is exactly how to increase my desire
To know Him more. Now that’s my goal.
Refine me Lord, make me whole.

You’re testing me.  Like silver and gold.
Through pressure, the way diamonds are formed.
These burdens - they bring me to my knees
I’m trusting You, God, help me, please.

You let me go through water and fire.
My will to You, Lord, I will retire
You keep me in life, Each day you give
Abundant life.  For you I’ll live.

Abundant peace.  Abundant love. 
Abundant contentment from God above.
Abundant joy.  Your hand I see.
You’ve not withheld Your love from me.

Heart ablaze, burning for You
Water and fire, You carry me through
Come and listen, everyone.
Come and hear all that God has done.

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com