GodandMe2theMax

Every good and perfect gift, even COVID and 2020

For many, 2020 is the year that was. For me, it was a year of blessings, so many that I cannot help but publicly praise God for all that He did.

2020 marked my 29^th year in the travel industry. My job has been very stressful for many years, and toward the middle of 2019, I was praying God would provide a way of escape for me. In November of 2019, I was promoted to be in charge of training for all of North America for Key Travel. I thought that was how God was answering my prayers for a way of escape, but little did I know what God had planned on the horizon. How little did we all know what 2020 would hold.

COVID devastated the travel industry, perhaps like no other industry. April 10^th was my last day with Key Travel, and God allowed me to exit with maximum severance offered. Two weeks later, nearly all the rest of the operations staff in the US was let go, with virtually no severance. While I certainly never expected to leave my position at Key Travel without having another one lined up, God had other plans. 

I’m here to testify that when things don’t go the way we plan or expect, we need to remember that God’s plans are always so much better than ours. Always.

After being rejected for a job at AAA, with the rejection letter saying I wasn’t qualified (even though the job was doing the exact same as my first management job with AAA), I realized it was because I had never finished my Bachelors degree. Had the COVID domino not fallen over on the travel industry, I never would have been motivated to complete my degree. Yet, in just over 4 months, by God’s grace, I completed 29 credit hours and received my Bachelors of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (focus areas of Education and Business) from Liberty University – exactly 30 years after I withdrew after my junior year.

And of course, commencement was cancelled at Liberty University due to COVID, but that didn't stop us from celebrating. I planned a full commencement ceremony, including all the fanfare, with Dr. Frank Banfill bringing the commencement address. It truly was one of the happiest days of my life. Only God could bring such joy because of the COVID domino.

My final capstone class for my degree also birthed an idea for a future business. The details of that idea are still "percolating" -- stay tuned. But again, had the COVID domino not hit, we would never even be discussing it as an option. 

In July, Frank decided we needed to get away. I fought it. Big time. I was buried in my final Capstone class, and it was extremely time-demanding. Besides, who travels on an international vacation right in the middle of a pandemic? Well, the Banfills did, and it was amazing. Jamaica had very few cases, and Frank felt strongly that we should plan to go -- in faith -- knowing the booking allowed us to re-schedule without penalty. We have no regrets; it was truly one of the best trips of our life!

God provided a “deserted beach vacation” in the middle of a global pandemic. It was a much-needed blessing, and I believe we were safer on that deserted beach than if we stayed at home! Our entire plane had to produce negative COVID tests, and once we arrived, the Jamaican government made us all re-take the COVID tests. Who would have thought that the COVID domino could bring such joy, but it did…in abundance!

 

To say the beach was deserted is an understatement.

The COVID domino also hit KiDs Beach Club, where Frank is the VP of Strategy and Growth. Last year, they had over 300 schools across the nation who partnered with them, holding Beach Clubs in public schools. In 2020, that number dropped to about 7, thanks to COVID. KBC didn’t let COVID stop them from pursuing what God called them to do, and when kids could no longer come to Beach Club at their local school, KBC made the decision to bring Beach Club to them – in their homes. Thus, the “Beach Club at Home” concept was birthed: create 30-minute professionally produced “Beach Club at Home” tv-quality episodes that mirror the elements found in the live Beach Clubs. It was all happening very fast, with no money budgeted to make it happen. But God knew that the COVID domino was going to hit, and He miraculously prepared the generous hearts of donors to give BIG. The first 6 episodes of “Beach Club at Home” were launched, providing a way for kids to interact and experience what was no longer possible within their local schools.

However, the original production company decided to topple their own domino; for KBC, it initially looked devastating. The production company said they could no longer write and produce the remaining 15 needed episodes and basically said what KiDs Beach Club was asking was impossible. Looking back, I’m reminded of Matthew 19:26 for sure!

Frank spearheaded the “Beach Club at Home” project, and I will never forget the look on his face as he told me what the original production company said. In case you don't know him, you should know that Frank is a leader that is not easily discouraged. Yet that afternoon, he really was distressed, trying to understand how God wanted KBC to move forward after hitting such a concrete wall. Trying to brainstorm with him, I told him I could write the remaining 15 episodes. I really threw that out there only to try to show him there were options. It was a grasp at straws of desperation. In nearly 30 years of marriage, I so rarely have seen him even close to discouraged, and I had to do something!

I’ll be honest. I really didn’t think that domino would fall in the direction I suggested. I kind of "thought" I could write the episodes, but the doubt-meter definitely swayed more on the “NO” side of the pendulum. And it was definitely a lot harder than I thought! But, KBC needed a writer, and nothing else was materializing.

We decided for me to write my first screenplay and submit it to the KiDs Beach Club president anonymously. This would avoid embarrassment for me, had he not liked what I created, and it would avoid apparent conflict of interest for Frank. That’s when the original production company’s domino intersected with mine. Jack Terrell, the KBC founder and president LOVED what I had created. He didn’t know I had it in me, and to be honest, I didn’t either. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that God would provide for KiDs Beach Club while simultaneously providing for our financial needs in 2020 by having me write and sell 15 original screenplays! God worked out all the rest of the details for a new production company, CRM Studios. Most of the filming for all the episodes is now complete and in post-production. Only God could orchestrate what has taken place!  He crumbled the financial mountains for KiDs Beach Club to make this happen, and somehow, all my crazy ideas for the scripts came to life.

KiDs Beach Club at Home
(Episodes 1-6 were done by the original production company, and I wrote the remaining episodes. More will be added in February)

 

The COVID domino also tumbled over our health, with both Frank and I contracting COVID. His case was much worse than mine, developing double pneumonia, a blood clot in his lung, and spending 5 days in the hospital. My doctor said he is lucky to be alive, but we know luck has nothing to do with it. The fact that he is alive is 100% God. Perhaps even more miraculous, He spared my 80-year old mother (who lives with us), keeping her from catching it.

In 2020, I learned it's ok to not be ok. (Taken from my favorite song of the year: by Matthew West, Truth Be Told)
In 2020, I learned that it’s ok to not be constantly busy.
In 2020, I realized that I had let WORK snatch me from the things that really mattered. Losing my job was an incredible blessing.
In 2020, I saw God provide for our family in miraculous ways.
In 2020, I re-discovered my love for creativity that had been stolen by my stress-filled job (whether through writing or creating "masterpieces" like the tree picture below (term used loosely) or the table trivets I started making as gifts. And who knows, maybe I'll start really blogging again.

And on the last day of 2020, I read the words that for 13 years running, I still do not take for granted: “Cancer markers undetectable.”

Yes, 2020 was good to me. I'm actually kind of sad to see it go, because I don't know how 2021 could top it! Sure, like many others, I could dwell on the negative domino effect and bring in the new year thanking God it’s over. But the TRUTH BE TOLD, I’m a much happier version of “me” going into 2021 than I was going into 2020.

I praise God for every good and perfect gift, including COVID and 2020.

 

-- Beth Banfill
[email protected]

 

 

What's in Your Bag?

This last weekend, our ladies ministry at church hosted a luncheon entitled "What's in Your Bag?"  It consisted of ladies bringing salads and lots of desserts, and a gently used purse for a purse exchange.  Ladies picked numbers from a box, and then about 1 out of every 5 ladies answered a random question about the contents of their purse.  It was a fun time of getting to know new people and attach some names to those that I'd never known personally.

After the purse exchange, I shared a devotional that God had layed on my heart.  Several ladies told me they couldn't come and wanted me to blog about the devotional, so here's what I shared, plus a little more.  

There's a lot of different kinds of bags.  You've got your over-the-shoulder bag.  Your clutch.  Your "dump" bag - you know the kind...big enough to dump everything you will need plus some extra "just in case".  We've got beach bags.  I personally have some bags under my eyes, and definitely, we can't forget the ever-hated saddlebags.

So as I prepared for the devotional, I thought, how can I relate this "bag" theme to our life?  I looked up the definition of a bag on dictionary.com.  This is what it said:  "A container or receptacle, capable of being closed at the mouth."

Hmmm.  Now that's an interesting definition, isn't it?  Especially when comparing it to our life!  At times, perhaps, my life could be considered a "bag."  (Depending on who you talk to!)  What about you?

But as I prayed more about God wanted me to share in relation to this theme, I felt He was asking me to dig a little deeper into this "bag of life" idea.  Down to the bottom of the bag.  You see, just like some of those purses that are weighted down with those big items that make your purse too heavy to carry around, sometimes we allow things into our life to do the same - weigh us down.  And when those things sink down to the bottom of our "bag of life", things you don't want to deal with or things that they're too painful to deal with, what are they called?  Baggage.  

Baggage is defined as "things that encumber one's freedom, progress, development, or adaptability."  In other words, "Baggage" is the things in your life that keep you from being all that God wants you to be.  And a lot of time, that baggage has its roots in anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, hurt feelings, and years of built up emotional pain. 

Bingo.  Finally, I knew this is what God really wanted me to focus on.  You see, probably like you, I have had plenty of experience with baggage in my life.  But about 24 years ago, I learned and started to put into practice nine words - words when joined together bring extreme power and healing, with God's help.

Let me back up.  I grew up the youngest of four children.  I had three older brothers, and yes, I was the baby in the family in every sense of the word.  I was pretty close to my middle brother, but I had a mouth on me, and I used it to try to destroy my other two brothers at every chance I could get.  They did the same to me, mind you.  It was a hate-hate relationship.  Like many siblings, we just simply didn't get along.  There were countless times when my brother and I would get in a screaming match, and we'd get sent to our rooms.  We'd yell across the hall in a whisper at each other and continue the fight, whenever possible.  When my mom decided we'd had enough punishment, she'd line us up and say, "Tell your brother you're sorry."  "Tell your sister you're sorry."  And we'd turn to each other, "Sorry." 

And that was that. 

The situation was swept under the rug until the next day, when it would start all over again.

But the truth is that with every fight, I would put that little boulder into my "bag of life" and despise my brother a little more.  And he did the same with me.

Fast forward to when my husband and I started dating.  With our first big fight, my temper raged, and my mouth started spewing the only way I knew how to deal with things - in anger.  Then he started to speak to me in a foreign language, and truthfully, although he's studied Greek, Hebrew, and Spanish, he didn't really know a foreign language.  But it was foreign to me, for sure.  He said to me these nine words:  "I'm sorry.  I was wrong.  Will you forgive me?"

I think that was the first time I'd ever heard those words strung together in that order, and I didn't really know what they meant, nor did I understand how to receive them.  I looked at him, spewed a little more, but then I could see he was waiting for a response from me.  Trying to end the awkward moment, I said, "Sure." 

The next fight we had, I had my ammo ready to start letting him have it for everything I could think of to attack him with.  It was one of those "shoot first and ask questions later" kind of deals.  But mid-way through my rant, he stopped me and said, "But I asked you to forgive me for that, and you said you did."

To stay I was stopped dead in my tracks is an understatment.  I knew I didn't have a leg to stand on, and I was going to lose that fight.  Also, for the first time in my life, aside from understanding God's forgiveness, my eyes were opened to what it means to really, truly forgive someone.  Personally forgive.

I was only about twenty years old, but even then, I already had a lot of heavy items in my bag of life.  But from that point on, I was determined to not add more, if I could help it.  Even in the last few years, God has started to remove some of those really heavy ones, placed there from years of unresolved issues with my brothers. 

This concept of forgiveness is really something foreign in today's society.  Think about it.  When was the last time someone asked you to forgive them?  And how awkward was it when it took place?  Sometimes I've asked people to forgive me, and their response to me was, "It's ok."  But what does an "it's ok" response do?  It validates the situation.  It allows the person to put the item back in their bag of life, with the possibility of it weighing them down in the future.

Now I have to be honest, here.  We are human.  In my twenty-two plus years of marriage, there have been plenty of times that we've had a big fight, and Frank has asked me to forgive him.  At times, I have been just so angry that I decide I can't do it.  Sometimes I've told him, "No."  Sometimes I've told him "Not  yet."  But it usually doesn't take too long for the Holy Spirit to convict me of my unforgiveness, and within a short period of time, with God's help, I've been able to make the choice to forgive.

Galatians 5:22-23 says the fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance."  When we fill our life with all this baggage of unforgiveness, bitterness, unresolved anger and emotional pain for years and years, how much room in our life is there for these character qualities that God actually wants us to have?  Not much, really.  And on top of that, what happens to you when you add that "one more thing" into your bag of life?  You know the one, the "straw that broke the camel's back" incident.  Was it really the "straw" that made you get so mad and explode at that person?  No, it was all the other things in your bag of life building up, and it was the weight of that one light straw that put you over the edge.

On a side note, this concept is one of the most powerful things you can practice with your children.  There have been countless times I've been "pushed over the edge" and lost my temper with my children.  Stress at work, financial pressure, things I can't control, plus "one more thing" has resulted in me exploding and taking it all out on one or both of my kids.  But do you know how powerful it is to say to your son, "Jacob, I'm sorry for losing my temper with you.  It was wrong of me to do that.  Will you forgive me?"  Powerful is an understatement, really, and it models for your children the right way to deal with things, instead of sweeping them under the rug. 

Ephesians 4:32 says "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ sake has forgiven you."  If Jesus can save a mess of a life called Beth Banfill, then who am I to choose to not forgive someone else?

So, think about it.  Is there someone in your life that you've wronged and you need to go to and forgiveness?  Maybe its the other way around.  Maybe someone hurt your feelings and they don't even know it, but you're carrying around that emotional pain that is weighing you down.  What are you going to do about it?  Are you going to stew and just decide you don't want to deal with them anymore?  Avoid them?  Leave the church so you don't have to see them?  Or maybe your revenge plan is to unfriend them from facebook.

Life happens, and we are human.  We probably offend people every day without knowing it.  Sometimes people get offended just because they're really sensitive people.  But as Christians, we need to be sensitive to how we are perceived, and we need to be taking personal inventory of our emotions.  God wants us to deal with those things that weigh down our bag of life.  He doesn't want us to allow them to sink to the bottom and let them determine our future actions. 

Do you and God need to do some emotional healing and cleaning? Forgiveness is not easy, and just because we forgive, doesn't mean we forget.  But the bag of life can definitely not weigh us down so much when we practice Godly forgiveness.  

So I ask you, "What's in your bag?" 

 

-- Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

The Choke Hold...

"The farmer sows the word.  Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown.
As soon as they hear it, satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.
Others, like seed sown n rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy.
Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life,
the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word,
making it unfruitful.  Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it,
and produce a crop --thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times what was sown."
Mark 4:14-20 

 

I'll admit it.  When I was a teenager, I was a "Big-Time Wrestling" fan.  I could cite stats on Hulk Hogan, Jake the Snake Roberts, Sergeant Slaughter, Andre the Giant (and a host of others) on demand and sometimes faster than Vince McMahon.  (Only a real fan knows that Hulk Hogan's real name is Terry Gene Bollea...and I knew that long before Al Gore invented the internet or reality TV arrived on the scene.) When I say I was a fan, I mean I was a die-hard fan.  I watched every match, hoping one of my favorite wrestlers would be up next.  

I went to some live matches, too.  I touched Hulk Hogan's shoulder once. He shook his sweat on me as he walked by.  I had Hulkamania posters on my wall; I had a Hulk Hogan "Stretch-Armstrong" doll. You get the idea?  I loved watching WWF wrestling.  No one could convince me it was fake.  Sure, I could see that might be a very slight outside possibility, but I wanted to believe it was real, and therefore, I did. 

Well, thankfully, I've matured a little, and that chapter of my life's obsession is now over.  But in those days, a common wrestling move was called "The Choke Hold."  Real fans also knew it as "The Sleeper." You can probably imagine what it looks like.  One wrestler wraps his arm around the other wrestler's throat until oxygen is seemingly cut off from the brain, causing them to pass out.  (Or at least appear as such.)  

As I read this passage in Mark this morning, I couldn't help but think of "The Choke Hold".  

How many times are we challenged (convicted) by something in the sermon on Sunday, but by Monday, we can't even remember what the sermon was about?  Why is that?  It's because satan's ultimate goal is to put that "choke hold" on Christians.  He can't win the match, and he knows that, but he wants to put the moves on us to make us immobile for the cause of Christ, so he uses the distractions of life to do just that.  

Take a look at verses 18-19:  "...still others hear the word, but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful."

Now, as you probably know, I have a brown thumb.  I have but one plant, and it's one that I'm told you just can't kill.  It was given to me by my boss when I was in the hospital with my 2nd cancer surgery, and it's very special to me.  But aside from that one amazingly still green and growing item in my home, no other plant exists.  My sweet neighbor keeps telling me in her adorable Indian accent, "Beth.  I will teach you."  I just giggle at her and shake my head.  You see, Ankita can try to teach me all she wants, but a horticulturist I will never be.  

A sports fan, though, yes!  That is me.  And sports analogies just work better with my tom-boy, 3-brother/no sister brain.  So when I read this passage, I don't think about the farmer and the seed; I think about a sports event - and in this case - a wrestling ring.  (I don't know why they call it a ring, anyway.  It's very clearly a square, don't you think?)

We are truly in a wrestling match with satan. His one and only goal is to put us out of commission, to put the "choke hold" on us.  The sleeper.  After all, what good are we for Christ when we are just doing nothing?  What good are we when we're distracted by the worries of life and things of the world?  Absolutely no good.  And satan knows it.

But as I thought this through and contemplated the whole scenario and satan's evil tactics, I remembered scenes from yesteryear.  Perhaps you've seen the images as well.  Do you ever remember watching one of those WWF matches and seeing one of the underdog wrestlers just about get beat to a pulp when out of nowhere comes another wrestler to his rescue?  Usually it's one of the really popular ones who has come to stop the slaughter - to be the savior of the day.  Well isn't that what God will do for us?  But the truth is, our tag-team partner Jesus Christ is right there the whole time.  He doesn't have to make an illegal move onto the mat to come to our rescue.  All we have to do is call on Him for help!  At the mention of His name the demons tremble, and the choke-hold is released.

I often wonder how many times I put the choke-hold on myself.  I allow fear to immobilze me from taking a step of faith.  Sure, satan is right there whispering in my ear telling me I'm not good enough, telling me I'm a nobody, telling me to not try because it's a worthless cause.  And it's at that point that I have to realize who is speaking more strongly in my ear.  Satan or Jesus Christ.  Who will I listen to?  Who is King?  And who is the all-time, undisputed, undefeated, reigning champion?  Is it a belly-wallowing serpant?  Or is it the King of Kings who defeated the grave and sin? 

And just like the wrestler, down on two knees, almost ready to concede finds the strength to stand, to defeat the opponent, and to claim the victory in Jesus Name...
Not by might, not by power, but by His spirit, Victory is gained and the choke-hold is broken.

Until the next match.

Be sober, be vigilent, he is walking around looking for people to devour.

 

 --- Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

 

It's a Simple Recipe, Really, it is...

"The voice of the Lord is over the waters...
The voice of the Lord is powerful...
The voice of the Lord is majestic...
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars...
The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightening...
The voice of the Lord shakes the desert...
The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forest bare...
The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace."
Psalm 29

 

If you know me at all, you'll know that for the several school years, I've been a huge advocate of our high school's debate program.  This year, my daughter Amber is the Debate Captain, so I stepped up and agreed to be the Booster Club President.  That may have been a mistake.  Check back with me at the end of the year to see if I'm still fogging a mirror.

Anyway, last night I slept solidly for about 2 hours, at best.   You see, we have a huge fundraiser coming up in a few weeks, and so far, we haven't enlisted enough parent volunteers to get everything done that needs to get done.  I'm not a worrier, mind you, but I am a list maker, and apparently while I was sleeping, my subconscious was multi-tasking, making "to-do" lists, prioritizing other things, and thinking of new things to add to that growing list.  True story...because I woke up with my list complete, wide awake.  One problem: it was about 3:30 AM.

I tried to go back to sleep, but try as I might, sleep was alluding me.  It was pretty apparent that sleep was not in my forecast, but as I deliberated about getting up, the Lord brought to my mind a verse I had memorized long ago:

Isaiah 26:3  "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee because he trusts in Thee."  (Yes, I memorized it in the King James Version, but if that's a foreign language to you, here's some other versions below...)

The New Living Translation says, "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You."

The New American Standard says, "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You."

When I have a lot of pressure on me to get things done, I feel the stress in my joints and upper back. I start to feel as though my body is filled with my old friends Arthur and Itis, and I long for relief from some ibuprofin.  But this morning, the Lord gave me a very clear recipe for the stress relief and peace I need, and it wasn't "take 3 aspirin and call on Him in the morning."  He reminded me that my #1 responsibility is not to Debate, not to work, and not even to my children or husband.  My #1 responsibility is to keep my mind focused on Him and keep trusting Him.  If I do that, He will provide the peace I need.  And you know what?  He's big enough to take care of all the little things on my "to-do list".  In fact, He can even take care of the big ones on that list, too!

What does all this have to do with "the voice of the Lord" and Psalm 29?  Well, over the last few days, I've really been focusing on this passage.  I've been "stuck" on it, in fact, not really feeling the freedom to move on to something else.  I've been enchanted by the power of God's voice, as visible in nature.  I've been captivated by how strong the voice of the Lord actually is - strong enough to split the cedars!  Yet sometimes my voice is so much louder than His that I don't hear Him.  Sometimes I walk around with my earbuds glued in my ears, or maybe even an index finger in each ear, intentionally drowning out anything I don't have time to hear.  I have my agenda, my "to-do" list, and I have my day planned out from start to finish.  I try to merrily go through life with a good attitude and cope with what comes my way, often paying no attention to the voice screaming loudly (and sometimes whispering softly) in my ear.

I re-read the passage again this morning, for the fourth day in a row.  You know what?  I find it a bit ironic that all week my attention has been on the powerful images described in Psalm 29 about "the voice of the Lord"...ironic, because I never even noticed the last verse in the passage:  

"The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace."  

PEACE.

That's exactly what I need, and it's exactly what God promised me at 3:30 this morning.  Keep my mind on Him, and He'll keep me in perfect peace.

I think it's no mistake that God whispered Isaiah 26:3 to me in the wee hours of the morning and then later had more promises of peace for me in this same passage that has captured my attention for four days straight.

"Lord, may I never speak so loudly that I cannot hear Your voice.  May I tune my listening to Your frequency, so that whether You bellow or whisper, I will not only hear You, but I will listen, and I will obey.  Thank you for perfect peace; peace that only You can provide in the midst of craziness; peace that comes only from keeping my mind steadfast on You."

--- Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

A call to prayer - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013 - will you enlist?

Brave Gideon had 300 men, the Mideonites had a host.
But Gideon had the Lord with him, and so he had the most.
Gideon had the Lord!  Gideon had the Lord!
He won the fight with the Mideonites, for Gideon had the Lord!

If you grew up in Sunday School like I did, perhaps you know the words to this song and were humming along as you read them.  As I share this morning, not only do I remember this old tune, but for our family this Wednesday, the story of Gideon takes on deeper meaning. 

In the eight year history of Maxpoint Ministries, founded by my husband Frank Banfill, we’ve never had a global call to prayer for our family and our ministry. The time is now.  We desperately are asking that you lift our ministry and our family up before Father, specifically this Wednesday, January 23^rd. (Of course, if you want to pray for us in between, then by all means, do!)

Gideon’s army was facing a mighty battle; one that looked insurmountable to the human eye.  But nothing is insurmountable when you have the Lord, and we know that.  So just as brave Gideon saw a mighty miracle take place as God used him and 300 men, we are asking God to give us an army of 300 people who will commit to pray specifically for our ministry and our family (Frank, Beth, Amber, and Jacob) on Wednesday.  We would ask that you pray for three things:  WISDOM, CLEAR DIRECTION FROM GOD, and for PROVISION.

Please pray as the Lord leads, but here are some of the Scriptures that we will be praying this Wednesday:

“Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”
--Isaiah 49:23b

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times,having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
--II Corinthians 9:8

“I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.”
--Revelation 3:8a

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him.”
--James 1:5

If you will commit to pray for us, please comment on this blog, on my facebook page, tweet “praying” to @frankbanfill, or send me an email. If you prefer to text me, then by all means, do so!  Just let me know in some way of your commitment to pray for us.  We are asking God for that army of 300, just like Gideon’s army.

If you’re reading this, then at some point, our lives have become intertwined.  Maybe we have gone on mission trips together, attend church together or have in the past.  Some of you reading this went to college or high school with me.  And yes, I can definitely think of some who are reading this now who actually attended elementary school with me!  Perhaps our lives are connected because of our 16 year old daughter’s numerous mission trip outreaches and public speaking successes.  Maybe we’ve been able to minister to you through sharing how God’s grace has been demonstrated in the life of our 14-year old son who has overcome so many challenges (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfpKq-1rH4A).   Maybe our lives have been laced together through sharing my cancer story and God's healing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCN2MGSzym4).

Perhaps you’re reading this post because someone has passed the link on to you over the course of time or maybe you just stumbled across it “by chance”.  I truly believe that there are no “chances” with God, and if you are reading this, then God has a reason for it.  I am asking that you pray for our family and our ministry.  We are asking God for an army of 300, just like Gideon had, and I am asking you to let me know that you will be praying. 

Will you enlist, if just for a day, this Wednesday, January 23^rd?

*Pray for Frank, Beth, Amber, and Jacob Banfill
*Pray for Maxpoint Ministries
*Pray for WISDOM
*Pray for CLEAR DIRECTION FROM GOD
*Pray for PROVISION

Thank you in advance for being a part of the army!

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

A Snake in My Garden...

"God chose me before the foundations of the world..."  Ephesians 1:4

 

Inadequate.  Have you ever felt that way?  If you’re a girl,more than likely you have.  Such feelings tend to hit girls more than guys, and it’s something I grew up believing to be truth about myself.  Not because my parents didn’t love me, believe in me, and give me every opportunity to have those feelings of positive self-worth. No, not at all.  In fact, my dad was my biggest fan.  I can remember hearing him always brag on me to my relatives about “this or that” all the time.  But there were other events in my life that affected me so negatively that despite my parents best efforts, I grew up not believing in myself.  It wasn’t even a battle that I struggled with – it was truth I believed. 

Looking back, it was as if I was invisible.  I went through the motions of life, but no one recognized "the real me” inside.  In fact, out of my graduating class of 12 (yes, it was a small Christian school!)  I was the only person not listed in the yearbook as “Most likely to…”  In truth, I at least thought I would make it as the “Class Clown” – quick wit has always been one of my assets, thanks to my dad.  But no, several people were named to several categories, but when it was all said and done, I was the only one not named to anything.  I was invisible, and I believed I was in inadequate.  Some may have pegged me as such; others never pegged me at all.

Then I met my husband. When we started dating, he spoke truth into my life.  He told me all the reasons I was worthy.  He told me all the reasons God says I’m worthy.  He pointed out my successes; ones I had shoved under the rug as a “fluke.” In truth, he taught me to re-program the way I thought about myself.  Most of my friends who have known me only as an adult would never believe how I used to struggle with self-worth.

Over the last few weeks, some things have happened that have brought my emotional state of mind right back to where I was before meeting my husband.  I’ve had some situations with friends that have left me feeling crushed, stepped-on, worthless, inadequate, and even invisible.  When we are at our weakest, that’s when the enemy attacks, and that’s exactly what he a few weeks ago - with a vengeance.  The first part of that week was especially bad, as I played and replayed in my head the situations that had occurred.  I questioned friendships.  I questioned motives.  I questioned me.  I questioned God.  My heart hurt.

On one hand, I knew the truth – what God says about me.  But I somehow couldn’t connect the truth in my mind with my emotions and the pain I was feeling in my heart.  I spent about a week of my quiet time just praying, trying to refresh in the Lord. I’ve been reading a book called “Captivating” by John & Stasi Eldredge – it’s the female version of “Wild at Heart.”   I highly recommend it, but actually, it only exacerbated some of those feelings that had surfaced.  I’m usually a quick reader, but some of the things in this book hit nerves that ran so deep that I literally could only absorb a few pages at a time.  God has really convicted me that if unhealthy thoughts are present, they need to be dealt with and turned over to Him.

The other thing God is showing me is that I need to be more transparent.  Sometimes we put on our "happy face” and don’t let others see the pain inside.  On the flip side, sometimes we’re so busy in our own world that we don’t stop to take time to care about the people around us.  I wonder how many of my friends feel invisible and inadequate…and I’ve never even taken the time to notice.  I wonder how many people I consider “friends” don’t even consider me the same because I don’t show it in my actions, because I don’t notice or take time to care about them. 

Jesus says in John 8:32 says “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  Contextually, the verse is speaking about salvation. But I have been claiming this verse in relation to unhealthy thoughts and feelings, too.

Think of it this way. About 4 years ago, I went for my annual physical.  I had been losing weight, and at the time of the appointment, I weighed less than the year before.  I was proud of myself, and I wasn’t expecting my doctor’s next words.  “If you don’t lose weight, it’s not a matter of if you’re going to have a heart attack, it’s a matter of when.” 

Do you know what that did to me emotionally?  I went to the van, and I literally cried myself into a tailspin.  I gave up on losing weight and figured it wasn’t worth it if that was the response I received from my doctor.  Eventually, I gained back almost everything I had lost.

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  The BIble also says in Isaiah 1 "Come let us reason together."  As I reflect on that incident with my doctor, now I can think clearly without the emotional impact of the situation; I can reason out the truth.  The truth was that there is no heart disease anywhere in my family.  The truth was that my blood pressure has always been very low, probably averaging 105 over 70.  The truth was that my cholesterol was only slightly elevated.  My weight, well, ok, I’ll give her that one as truth – I was overweight.  But do you think it was truth that a heart attack was eminent?  I don’t think so….at least not yet, anyway.

It’s the same thing with the unhealthy emotions I have been dealing with.  I have to use the reasoning side of my brain and separate emotion from fact.  By God’s grace, I know the truth, I have claimed it once again, and the truth has set me free. The devil may try to convince me otherwise down the road, but for now, I’m claiming victory.

I know there are other friends who are struggling with self-worth, and hopefully by my transparency, God can encourage you.  Too often we put a mask on and just let others see the smiles.  One of my
favorite verses is in Proverbs 27:17  “Iron sharpens iron.”  Friends, let’s sharpen each other, but in order to do so, we have to let others know the real “you” inside. 

Look for those people in your life that may feel invisible.  Sometimes they can hide it really well.  Take time to dig a little deeper into their lives instead of staying on the surface.  Make time for them.  You have no idea how God can use you to make a difference.

 

There’s a snake in my garden
That slithers near me again
To rouse pain deep within
Wounds suppressed years before.  Forgotten.

And it’s speaking so softly,
“You’ll never be worthy.” 
Those words, how they haunt me.
“You’re nothing and you always will be.”

Then the whispers get louder
It hisses, and  I cower.
Immobile.  No power.
To refute this rattle in my ear.

At a crisis of belief
Lies crafted to deceive
Pierce through and steal my peace.
As venom taints this fragile bloodstream.

Then I read in God’s love note
While searching for the antidote
He chose me – that’s truth you know
And the snake, he just seeks to devour.

Prince of deceit, no one can tame.
With spewing lies and careful aim.
He attacks with darts of shame.
But my Shield – He will win in the end.

There’s a snake in my garden
That slithers near me again
To rouse pain deep within
Wounds suppressed years before. Forgotten.

 

--- Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

Discovery #3 - Peter really has a bad rap

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.  After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.  But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”  “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”  Matthew 14:22-33

 

In case you've missed the last several posts, I've been writing about Jesus (and subsequently Peter for a short period of time) walking on the water, found in Matthew 14.  I tend to be a bit garrulous, so I've split my thoughts into three sections.  (Thank you Baptist Christian School for that vocabulary word!  I use it often!)

As I said earlier, I'm no theologian.  These observations are simply what God has shown me after studying this passage, and so when I say "Discovery" - I am definitely using the term quite loosely, not scientifically.  To recap, Discovery #1 (October 22, 2012) was "Jesus sometimes pushes us right into the eye of the storm."  Discovery #2 (October 23, 2012) was "When you're looking for Jesus, you'll know Him." 

And now I'll try to compact my random thoughts into Discovery #3 - "Peter really has a bad rap." 

I started to look at this whole episode of Peter walking on water.  Remember, this is Peter, the “speak before you think” disciple.  What does he say in verse 28?  He says, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to You on the water.”  I don’t think Peter really thought about what he was saying.  He was impulsive.  He was perhaps a little ADHD.  OK, if you know anyone with ADHD, Peter was more than a little, in my humble opinion.  I imagine Peter was the disciple who was always moving, sitting there, shaking his leg, tapping his fingers, spinning his fountain pen or whatever they wrote with in those days.  I think Peter was always on the move.  So when Jesus said, “Come”, Peter didn’t hesitate.  He heard his Lord’s voice and went without thinking. 

How I would love that quality.  To know God’s voice so much that I deny all reason...to obey.  Let that one sink deep.

Growing up in Sunday School, the one thing my teachers always pointed out in this familiar story was that Peter started to sink because he got afraid and took his eyes off Jesus.  In truth, anyone who is familiar with this story would likely agree they've been taught or heard the same thing.  But look at verse 30.  He may have noticed the wind and gotten afraid, but what else happened?  He said, “Lord, save me!”

Peter not only was the only disciple to recognize Jesus, take a step of faith to come to Him, but even though Peter got scared, he knew his Lord was one armstretch away from delivering him from the depths.  While the other disciples were cowering inside the boat, Peter was walking toward Jesus on the water!  Sure, he got a little scared, but he had enough sense of mind to know Jesus was right there to save Him, to catch Him.  That, my friends is faith, and Peter...well, Peter really has a bad rap. 

As I researched this story in the gospels, I realized something else.  Matthew 14, Mark 6, and John 6 all tell the story of Jesus walking on the water.  Now, some might argue that each of these events that are told are not the exact same event...that Jesus walked on the water numerous times.  And that may be so, because we all know by now that I'm no theologian.  I'm just a simple girl trying to go to the max with God.

But let's just assume for a moment that the events in these three books were the same event.  Did you know that Matthew 14 is the only passage in the Gospels that talks about Peter stepping out of the boat?  Truth.  Go read it for yourself.  Don't take my word for it!  Compare the stories!

Why?  Why?  Why?  Why does only one book mention Peter stepping out in faith, then nearly sinking?  ...And that is the question of the day...now the question of the week for me. 

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are called the synoptic Gospels.  They often tell the same stories, but each has a different slant, a different purpose, a different audience. The book of Matthew was written primarily to the Jews, and the purpose was to prove that Jesus is the Messiah, the eternal King.   I don't really have an answer as to why the other Gospels don't tell the story of Peter.  I do know that the Bible does not contradict itself.  Period - end of subject.  And I take it in faith that it's fitly pieced together, beyond my understanding.

(Sidenote...  Are you familiar with what is referred to as "Peter's Confession", where Jesus asks Peter "Who do you say that I am?"  And Peter replies, "You are the Christ."?  Well, interestingly, the book of Matthew is also the only Gospel that mentions Jesus response to Peter, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.”   Hmmm...  It gets you thinking.

Maybe Matthew was really was impressed with Peter and felt like he needed to help improve his bad rap, just like I feel today.  OK, probably that's not the answer, especially since the Bible says "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God."  Or, there simply must be a reason why Matthew mentions Peter and the other Gospels do not.  I have some ideas, but they're probably wrong, so I'm not going to even try to explain them.  You see, I don't have to know the answer "why" - I just have to know it all fits neatly together for a purpose.  And I trust God at face value on that one.  End sidenote!)

Finally, I love how the story ends.  Take a look at it.  Of course Jesus chastised the disciples for their lack of faith, but then what happened?  Jesus climbed into the boat with the disciples.  He met them at their point of need.  What a beautiful visual Christ gives us.  The disciples were in the middle of a storm in their life, scared out of their mind, Jesus walked to them, then He climbed in the boat with them!

We are not in our storms of life by ourselves, friends.  If we have a relationship with Jesus - if there's been a time in your life when you've asked Him to come into your life, forgive you of your sins, and take control, if you've made that personal decision for yourself, then He is in the boat with you.  And if you have not made that decision for yourself, He is outside on the water, hand outstretched waiting to save you, waiting to pick you up from drowning.  I find that both exciting and encouraging!

So spread the word, Peter's not such a bad guy.  He knew Jesus' voice.  He asked to come to Jesus.  And when Jesus called his bluff, He obeyed immediately.  Sure, he got a little scared, but can you honestly say you would have even take the first step out of the boat?  I dare say most of us would have stayed with the rest of the disciples!  And finally, Peter knew who would rescue him.  All in all, I think Peter had a much better understanding of Jesus than we give him credit.  He just needed a little adderol, that's all.  I'm sure if he had some meds back then, he wouldn't have the "open mouth, insert foot" disciple rap.  And that's a wrap on this passage!

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

 

Perspective Lenses of Praise...

“I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.”  Psalm 104:33

“Praise the LORD. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!  Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises!” Psalm 47:1,6

 

On the way to church on Sunday, I heard an old Amy Grant song, “Sing Your Praise to the Lord.”  It’s probably been years since I heard that song, and even longer since I actually focused on the content and meaning of the song. To be honest, the introduction and instrumentals in the song are so cool, that my brain has always been drawn to the music instead of paying attention to the words.  When I heard the intro, I opened the window a little on a cool Texas morning, cranked up the volume, and tried my best to sing with Amy.  With each breath, each attempt to spit out a line of words that I’d not thought of for years, the meaning behind them came to life, perhaps for the first time.

Sing your praise to the Lord, Come on everybody,
Stand up and sing...one more Hallelujah,
Give your praise to the Lord, I can never tell you,
Just how much good...that it's Gonna do ya
Just to sing...anew...The song your heart first learned to sing when He
First gave His life...to you...The life goes on and so must the song…

Singing praise to the Lord isn’t just for Sunday, you know.  Our praises should be constant, not a set time to “praise” but a state of being.  Yet, what happens when I begin to focus on my own life’s problems?  Immediately, I stop praising.  The focus is on ‘me” instead of God.  It’s misdirected.

I love the line “life goes on and so must the song…”  How true! Nearly everyone can identify something we are going through right now that is causing pain or emotional anguish.  I sure can, and it doesn’t take even half a second to identify it, either.  That’s how close to the surface it is.  For you, maybe it’s the loss of a job or even being stuck in a job that consumes you.  Maybe you feel like your family is falling apart.  Maybe you’re a student who is overwhelmed with your workload.  It could be financial burdens, health issues, a wayward child…  Yes, we all have something.  But God doesn’t promise us a life without problems; that’s not what being a Christian is all about.  He does promises us that He will be here for us, and He promises abundant life in Him.  IN HIM.  Not in ME.  The only way to have that is to stop the self- focus and direct it toward Him.  “So life goes on, and so must the song.”

You gotta sing...again...The song born in your soul when you
First gave your heart...to Him...Sing His praises, once more
Sing your praise to the Lord, Come on everybody,
Stand up and sing...one more Hallelujah,
Give your praise to the Lord, I can never tell you,
Just how much good...that it's Gonna do ya

Think about the joy you had in your heart when you invited Jesus to take control.  As a small child, I remember kneeling down one Sunday afternoon with my mom in my bedroom.  She explained to me what the Bible says about becoming a Christian. As best I knew how, I prayed and asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins and take control of my life.  Sure, I wasn’t a drug dealer or alcoholic, but I was a sinner just the same.  If you were a child like me when you made that decision, maybe you can’t exactly relate to this song and describe the joy you felt.  But I can sure describe the joy I have today because of that decision so many years ago.  He has spared my life from so many bad decisions because I made the choice at a young age to give Him control.  As I sang these words, I was reminded of the countless blessings God has given to me because I belong to Him.  No matter what, I gotta keep singing; keep praising.  “I can never tell you, just how much good that it’s gonna do ya!”

Just to sing...aloud...The song that someone is dying to hear
Down in the madd'ning crowd...As you once were before your heard the song,
You gotta let them know...The truth is a life to shine upon the way,
So maybe they...can go...Sing His praises, once more
Sing your praise to the Lord, Come on everybody,
Stand up and sing...one more Hallelujah,
Give your praise to the Lord, I can never tell you,
Just how much good...that it's Gonna do ya

How many missed opportunities have I had because my focus has been on me and my problems?  I don’t think I want to know the answer to that. Would you?  How many people around us are dying to hear about Jesus?  OK, in today’s western society, it’s not like they are knocking on the door begging us all the time.  But the truth is that people are searching for life’s answers, and it’s up to us to point them to the truth.  A lot of people know about God -- even believe in Him.  But so many have a misconception of Him and what the Bible says about becoming one of His children.  Just because they believe doesn't mean they're a Christian.  The Bible says in James 2:19 "even the demons believe!"  We must be vocal.  We must tell them the truth that it's only by putting your faith in Christ and Christ alone for salvation, repenting of sin, and giving Him control that is TRUTH.  We must sing aloud!  We must let them know “truth is a life to shine upon the way!”

Just to let the name of the Lord...Be praised, both for now, and evermore,
Praise Him all ye servants, Give Your praise to the Lord, Come on everybody,
Stand up and sing...one more Hallelujah,
Give your praise to the Lord, I can never tell you,
Just how much good...that it's Gonna do ya
Just to sing, sing sing...
Come on, sing, sing, sing...
I can hear you now, sing, sing, sing...

I learned a long time ago that when the path of life is blurry and you can’t quite see the way, all I need to do is put on my “Perspective Lenses.” Once I see myself and my problems with God’s perspective lenses, things start to become clear.  I may think my problems are ginormous.  (Yes, that’s a real word by the way, added to the dictionary in 2007!)  But my perspective lenses tell me otherwise.  They bring truth to focus.  They tell me that God has a plan.  It’s my choice to put this song into action each moment of the day.

So are you with me?  Are you going to praise Him in the good and the bad?  Are you going to praise Him “now and evermore?”  Are you going to stand with me and sing “one more hallelujah!”?  “I could never tell ya, how much good that it’s gonna do ya.  Just to sing, sing, sing…Come on sing, sing, sing…I can hear you now, sing, sing, sing!”

 

-- Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

God's Mulligan of Grace...

I Timothy 4:12.  ““…be an example in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

I’ve often said half-jokingly that after we become “empty nesters” maybe my husband I should take up golf together.  They say you should have a common interest that you should do together so that when the kids leave the home, you still have something in common.  The more I think about that idea, the less I like it, actually.  Truth is, I don’t even like golf on the Wii.  I’m sure there’s some hobby we’ll find to do together, but golf is probably not going to be it, given that I’m not one for being out in the Texas heat for hours on end.

Last week I read a book by our friend Peron Jones, The Pole, God’s Mulligan of Grace.  (I highly recommend it, and you can purchase it here:  http://bookstore.westbowpress.com/Products/SKU-000499425/The-Pole.aspx)  In it, Peron shares the story of his daughter’s near death accident while drinking and driving.  He tells how God gave his family a “mulligan” in life.   I never heard that term “mulligan” before, until I read the book and really came to grips with the spiritual application that Peron gave it.  A mulligan is a golf term.  It’s a do-over, a second-chance. 

To be honest, since I read the book, I’ve used the term quite often as if I’m an expert on golf terms. You see, my son Jacob starts at a new school today.  Last year in 7^th grade, he was bullied quite a bit.  When we built our house, we ended up moving into a new zone for him, but in order to keep him stable, we opted for an inter-district transfer.  That worked great until he entered Junior High, and some of the kids decided he was an easy target.  So last year as we prayed through what to do, it was clear that God was leading us to move him to his “assigned campus” – a new school, new friends, new teachers, a new reputation to build.  Today is a fresh start for his 8^th grade year, as Peron Jones would say, a mulligan.

We’ve explained this term to him and tried to emphasize that we don’t always get do-overs in life, but God has given him an incredible opportunity.  He has the chance today to go into school today with no one knowing his history, no one comparing him to his sister, no one knowing anything about him.  Almost like entering the witness protection program as a new person.  I wrote in his binder a paraphrase from I Timothy 4:12.  ““…be an example in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”  If he can really live that out, I know this year will be a great year for him.  As he just walked out the door, I told him, “Don’t be a self-promoter, be a God-promoter.  The choice is yours.”  And so the journey begins for Jacob today.  His mulligan of grace.

 

Jacob Banfill, 1st day of School, 8th Grade

 

How many times in life does God give us a mulligan?  I think about Jonah.  He certainly had a mulligan, and he blew it the second time, too.  David had a mulligan after his sin with Bathsheba, and he became forever known as the “friend of God.”   Saul had one in life.  He was the chief persecutor of the Jews, and when God gave him a second chance, he didn’t waste it.  He even got a new name, and penned much of the New Testament.

As I think back over my pastor’s sermon yesterday, he said, “God brings opportunities for us to be a part of His plan.  If we choose to not take the opportunities, God will still accomplish His will.  Nothing can stop God’s plan.  But one step of obedience makes the next step easier.”  So as I reflect on how far God has worked in Jacob’s life, I can’t help but think how many mulligans God has afforded me, too, as his mom.  God wants obedience, and because of His grace, He allows me to have those mulligans in life, to give me a second chance to do things right instead of blowing it.  Yes, God often gives us as Peron would say “Mulligans of Grace.”  The question is how we, scratch that, I will respond...

-- Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

Fresh Look at an Old Story...

"You come against me with sword and spear and javelin,
but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty..." 
I Samuel 17:45

On Friday, I received a call I never could have anticipated.  One of my former clients, someone who I’ve not even communicated with in at least a year and a half, called me up and said, “I want to be there Sunday for your Living Stones Fountain dedication.”  I was shocked.  She lives pretty far away, and although I had talked to her on the phone quite a few times throughout our professional relationship, I had no idea she was keeping up with me and my family through my blog.  And so Hannah Smiley with the Father’s House Foundation made the trek out from Glen Rose to Wylie TX.  And let me just say, she came with a purpose.

You see, Hannah’s ministry works in Israel, taking pastors and church members on trips to the Holy Land.  For whatever reason, she had picked up along the years some stones from the Holy Land, and when she read my blogs about Living Stones, she knew in her heart that God wanted her to come and present these stones to me. Stones she had held on to for a long time.  Stones she had refused to give to others who had asked for them.  She knew that God would show her when, where, and who they should go to eventually. 

So Hannah came, and at the dedication, she presented me with a very special stone from Gilgal, found just a hike from where Joshua’s 12-stone memorial after crossing the Jordan was laid.  How awesome it was to finally meet this person I had talked to all those times, but it was even more special to watch her mingle with every one of my other friends, as if they had known each other their whole lives.  Isn’t that what the family of God is all about?  It came to life in front of my eyes on Sunday, and it was one of the most joyful afternoons of my entire life.    

When Hannah first arrived, she also gave me a stone from the Valley of Elah.  Never heard of it?  I have to be honest, I wasn't sure of it's significance either.  But this is the valley where David killed Goliath.  So this morning, I decided to ask God to give me a fresh look at an old story. 

 

 The stone on the left is from Gilgal, and the smaller stone on the right is from the Valley of Elah

 

Stop and read I Samuel 17, will you?  Prayerfully ask God to give you a fresh look, and please comment on what you see!  I see a lot of things I hadn't noticed before, more than I can even write about in this blog, so I'll focus on the biggest impression.  What I’ve found is that there’s a lot more to this story than what we tend to focus on…

Tidbit: The first thing I noticed after reading this passage is what was promised to the one who defeated Goliath.  Saul promised to give great wealth, a daughter, and a “get out of taxes for free” card for life (v 25).  I don’t ever remember reading that before!  I wonder how many Christians would take a stand against Goliath today, just for that card!

The next thing I notice is that Goliath was talking a lot of smack (vv 8-10, 23, 43-44).  Yes, he was a giant in stature, but his mouth might have carried the bigger load of fear.  He hurled insults left and right, and let’s be honest, David threw a few left punches back at Goliath (vv 26 & 36).  But what else did David do?  He combatted Goliath’s insults with God-talk.  Twice he refers to the armies
of the living God (vv26 & 36).  He talks about how God has saved him in the past and delivered him from the paw of the lion (vv 34 & 37).  He told Goliath “I come to you in the name of the Lord God Almighty!  This day the Lord will hand you over to me…the whole world will know there is a God in Israel!” (v 45-47).

You know the story, David took five smooth stones from stream.  He had five, but it only took one attempt to hit Goliath right between the eyes.  He then used Goliath’s own sword to end his life. 
The rest of the Philistines ran off in terror, and Israel won the battle.

So what are the giants in your life and how do you combat them?  With fear, like the Israelites?  (v 11 & 24)  When we face those tough circumstances, do cower or face it head on, with boldness from God?  I think there’s more to this old Bible story than a boy killing a big bully of a giant with a sling.  I know in my life when I’m going through my own “Valley of Elah” it’s been so easy to crawl up in a ball and wait for the giant to pass, hoping the damage will be minimal.  But I don’t believe that’s what God wants.  He wants us to face those giants with boldness, just like David.  He wants us to use God-talk, not focus on the negatve circumstances we are facing.  He wants us to rely on Him, and with faith, press on, just like David. 

…and it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to pick up a few stones along the way, because just like Hannah and David, you never know when they might come in handy.

 

Frank and Beth Banfill with Hannah Smiley of The Father's House Foundation

 

 

--Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com