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]

 

 

God IS a Verb...

He chose.  He guides.  Protects and resides.
He plans.  He gives.  Fulfills and He lives.
God is a verb.

He is.  He was.  Pursues and He does.
He gave. He restores.  Connects and much more.
God is a verb.

As I have spent time with the Lord over the last few weeks, there's been one recurring theme that I have noticed - God is a verb.  Of course, we all know that in English, God is a proper noun.  But as I dig deeper in my reading, all I seem to notice is how much God does.  He's a God of constant action; He embodies it, in everything I see. So for me, at least today as I write, God is a verb.

Back in "the day", English was my favorite subject in high school.  In fact, it was the only subject I felt like I really understood.  The two main kinds of verbs that I remember learning about were called LINKING verbs and ACTION verbs.  I'm pretty sure they've re-defined some of these verbs and maybe even made up new categories to teach kids these days, but those are the two kinds I remember, anyway.

Linking verbs were defined as verbs that didn't necessarily express direct action, but they connected the subject of the verb to some additional information.  The list I memorized encompassed words like IS, AM, WAS, WERE, ARE, BE, BEING, and BEEN.  So as I explored this whole "God is a verb" topic, I started to think about that list.  What does God say to Moses in Exodus 3:14? God says, "I AM WHO I AM...Tell them I AM has sent me to you."  Revelation 1:8 says "I AM the Alpha and Omega...who IS, who WAS, and who IS to come."  You know what I love most about these verses?  He loves me so much that He connects me to Him; He LINKS me!.  He cares about ever detail.  I have no need to ever worry, because HE IS. HE WAS. He always WILL BE.  

Psalm 46:1  "God IS our refuge and strength; He IS always ready to help in times of trouble!"
Psalm 23:1  "The Lord IS my shepherd..."

Revelation 1:8  "I AM the Alpha and Omega...who WAS and IS and IS to come!"

Then of course there are ACTION verbs, and this is what has really caught my eye in my reading.  God is constantly at work.  He's a God of action.  He isn't in heaven on a throne just judging my every move.  No.  He is at work in even the smallest detail.  

Here's a sampling of some of the ACTION God has shown me in my reading over the last few weeks:

Psalm 103  He FORGIVES my sins.  He HEALS my diseases.  He REDEEMS my life from the pit.  He CROWNS me with love and compassion.  He SATISFIES my desires with good things.  He RENEWS my youth.

Psalm 23  He IS my shepherd.  He LEADS beside still waters.  He RESTORES my soul.  He RENEWS my strength.  He's the GIVER of rest.  He GUIDES me along the right paths.  He PROTECTS and COMFORTS me.  He PREPARES a feast for me.  He PURSUES me.

Psalm 119:105  He GUIDES my feet.  He LIGHTS my path.

Proverbs 3:5-6  He SHOWS me the path to take.

Matthew 11:28 & Psalm 91:1  He GIVES rest!

Jeremiah 31:3  He LOVES me with an unfailing love.  He DRAWS me to Himself!

Ephesians 1:5 He ADOPTED me.

I could go on and on.  Read for yourself and make up your own list for a few days.  It's amazing how much my God can do for each of us, simultaneously, and never without letting one of us be forgotten.  He never drops the ball.  Why?  Because He IS.

From time to time, I watch some of those reality shows about survival.  I don't know a lot about surviving in the outdoors, but one thing I have picked up on is that you should never drink from a stagnant pool of water.  If I was stuck out in the wilderness looking for water, the safest water I could find is one where the water is moving.  From what I understand, this means that the bacteria is less likely to be present.  The point is, if God is a verb, then I should be as well.  I can't be stagnant.  Like a gentle moving stream or raging river, ever moving and flowing, I need to keep moving forward in my relationship with Jesus.  Digging deeper.  Reflecting Him more in my actions.  Serving others more.  Drawing closer to Him.  Never being satisfied with where I am, but always yearning for the stream to flow harder and faster, while washing out the impurities.

I don't know about you, but sometimes I feel like I'm in the middle of that fast moving water, holding for dear life on to my "floaties", hoping not to drown.  That's when Jesus says, "I WILL SHOW you the path to take."  "I WILL PROTECT you and COMFORT you."  "I WILL SATISFY you."  "I WILL GIVE you rest." And He does.  Every time.  And He lifts me up and keeps me moving forward.  Why?  Because God IS a verb. 

--- Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

 

 

 

Meet Me on the Mountain...

It’s been a while since I’ve actually posted.  In truth, I’ve started a half dozen blogs since the last one.  But my husband has been traveling 3 of the last 4 weeks, and well, by the time I got around to finish what I started, it no longer seemed relevant.  This one is different, though.  It’s the sole one I’ve started in the last month or so that I feel compelled to finish.  Every time I have re-visited it, I have written a little more (as time has permitted) and as I’ve studied the passage below, I know this time God wanted me to finish what I started.  So here we go…  

“Meet Me on the Mountain”

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted.  Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:16-20

In our last life group a few weeks ago, we discussed the passage above.   As I said, my husband was out of town (actually out of the country in Africa!) so one of our group members Scott Fletcher led our Bible Study discussion.  He pointed out that Jesus told the disciples to rendezvous with Him and meet Him at a certain mountain.  It was a designated meeting place.  Then Scott asked our group, “Why do you think Jesus did that?”

Everyone in the room sat in silence.  At first, the question seemed as difficult as the final question on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” and everyone in the room had already used up all of our life-lines.  In truth, at least for me, I had to absorb the whole scenario.  I’ve read through Matthew countless times, but this little detail about the disciples meeting Jesus on the mountain is something I’ve never even noticed before.  So when Scott asked it, I was intrigued by the entire scene and decided I was going to study it in more depth later.

The next morning, and for several days following, I did my best to study this passage.  I tried to dig a little deeper into this part about “Meet me on the Mountain.”  I tried to find out which mountain they met on in Galilee.  I tried to find out how I never heard about or even realized this fact about Jesus designating the meeting place of the mountain.  But as I studied, instead of everything becoming more clear, it only got more clouded. 

As you probably know, Matthew, Mark and Luke are called the synoptic Gospels, because much of their content is parallel, but with each book written and slanted toward its intended audience.  So as I set out to find the parallel passage to Matthew 28 in the other Gospels, I started to get a bit overwhelmed and confused.  I flipped back and forth in my Bible looking for answers.  But as best I could tell, none of the other Gospels mention about this mountain in Galilee where Jesus met with the disciples, at least not that I could find. 

In fact, some people argue that Scripture contradicts itself because they believe this passage in Matthew does indeed have parallel passages in Luke 24, Mark 16, and Acts 1.  You see, Matthew says they were in Galilee when Jesus charged the disciples with what we know as “The Great Commission.”  However, if the parallel passages for this are also found in Luke 24, Mark 16, and Acts 1, then Jesus wasn't in Galilee with the disciples - He was in Jerusalem.  Because of this, some people say the Bible isn't accurate, and you can't trust anything in it.

Now let me say unequivocally: I believe in the inerrancy of Scripture – the complete and total infallible Word of God; therefore, I also believe there must be an answer to this and any potential conflict one might find in Scripture.  So I dug a little deeper.  One thing I found is that Matthew typically wrote thematically and not always chronologically.  Additionally, the accounts found in Luke 24, Mark 16, and Acts 1 all end with the ascension of Jesus into heaven, while Matthew 28 does not.  The only logical conclusion I can come to is that the accounts listed in these chapters are not actually parallel passages – they were different accounts of (at least) two different meetings between the disciples and Jesus.  Yes, the messages were parallel, but think about it.  How many times do we tell our children the same message, either because they do not “get it” the first time, or because it’s so important that they need to hear it again for the sake of emphasis?  If I believe the Bible, then I believe the whole Bible and I take it at face value.  If there seems to be contradiction, there must be a reason for it, and I need to dig deeper.  In this case, I believe the two scenes described are different encounters between Jesus and the disciples.  Take some time to go read these passages for yourself.  Don’t take my word for it, because I’ve said it many times – I’m no scholar!

Anyway, back to Scott’s question in our Life Group.  “Why do you think Jesus told the disciples to meet Him on the mountain?”  It took me a few moments , but I finally broke the silence in the room.  I have no idea if I was right or not, but I said that I thought Jesus wanted the disciples to meet Him on the mountain so they could have a visual image to correlate with the words He would give them there.

Put yourself in the disciples shoes.  Picture being on the mountain with Jesus as He said, “All authority is given to me in heaven and on earth...Go and make disciples of all nations…”  I can just see Jesus using His hands to express the words coming out of His mouth.  I can see Him lifting them up as He said "All authority is given to me in heaven"...and then down as He said "earth" and then finally outstretching His hand to the view beyond and below as He said the word "all" in  "Go and make disciples of ALL nations."  I can picture it, but how I would have loved to be there to experience this “Great Commission” first-hand   To see the nations below.  To hear and watch how Jesus articulated those words! 

Caution: Promo for a friend forthcoming. 

For the last two  years, I’ve attended a Christian songwriter’s conference in St. Louis called Write About Jesus.  My first year at the conference, I met a guy named David Myers.  At the conference, we can submit one song into a competition, and that first year, David ended up winning with a song called “The Valley.”  David Myers.  Pay attention to that name, because one day it’ll be a household name in Christian music – maybe even in any genre.  No lie. He has an amazing talent, and he’s going places.  Anyway, I can’t think of this story about Jesus telling the disciples to meet Him at the mountain without thinking of David’s song “The Valley.”

The words to “The Valley” are a direct contrast to the situation with the disciples.  They go something like this: 

"I don’t need another mountaintop I need to meet You in the valley.
When I feel everything is lost, that’s when I let Your love consume me.
It’s only in surrender that we’re set free, so meet me in the valley.” 

You can donate and download David’s album at this link: http://www.davidmyersonline.com/.

Be generous.  He's a starving artist with a wife and son.  OK, in truth, he’s probably not really starving, but the Bible is very clear in Luke 10 and I Timothy 5, “A labor is worthy of his wages.”  So be sure to donate after listening and downloading! 

Promo for a friend now over.  Unashamed and unapologetically, we now return to the point of the blog.

Jesus told the disciples to meet Him at the mountain.  David’s song says we need to meet Jesus in the valley.  Pretty big contrast when you think of it.  In truth, I think the disciples needed to be on that mountaintop to see the relevance of making disciples of all nations.  And I need Jesus on my mountaintops, when the view is good and the sky is clear.  But just like David's song, I need Him in the valley, too.  I need Him when my view is obstructed by my surroundings. 

The bottom line is this - I really believe Jesus expects us to meet Him on our mountaintops, our valleys, in the plains, and in the rains.  He has important things to share with me, and I have to show up to learn them.  I have to actively engage myself to listen to what He has to say.  It really doesn't matter where I am in my life's walk - I need Him. 

I find it interesting that the Bible says the eleven disciples came to that mountain to meet Jesus.  When they saw Him, they worshipped Him, but some doubted.  Did you catch that?  Some doubted.  Don't you wonder which ones?  Or am I the only nosey one?  What did they doubt?  Jesus hadn't even started talking yet at that point!  Did some doubt that it was Jesus?  Did they doubt that Jesus was the Christ? 

Bring it home.  In truth, as much as we know God is in control on our mountaintops and if we've made a personal commitment to Him, He's right there with us in our valleys too, do we not often still doubt, just like some of those disciples?  How often do we forget "All authority is given to Him"?  How often do we forget our marching orders of "Go and Make Disciples of all nations."  Yes, how often do we get so focussed on ourselves that we forget God is God on the mountaintop and God is God in the valleys.  Guilty as charged.

I hope you'll never read this passage in Matthew the same way again.  I know I never will.  I love how God uses one little word or phrase to ignite a spark to dig deeper in knowing Him.  And that's exactly what He wants - for my desire to know Him to increase with each passing day.  To go to the Max with Him.  And of course, to meet Him in the valley, and just like the disciples, to meet Him on the mountain.

--- 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

 

 

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

Sprained ankles...

"You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn."
Psalm 18:36

 

I came aross this verse the other day when I was looking for another one, and it caught my attention.  I've read through the Bible a couple of times in my life, and I just don't ever remember reading this before.  How cool is it that the Bible talks about sprained ankles?  So I've been pondering as of late exactly what this means. 

In my younger years, I used to be athletic.  I played volleyball and softball, with softball being my specialty.  I'm getting old now - today I turn 43 - so I can't really say I'm athletic anymore.  No, in fact, I have a little "arthur" and "itis" and body parts just don't move like they used to.  But I do remember preparing for a game.  In fact, every game, without exception, my coach always had us stretch, stretch, stretch, so that we wouldn't pull a muscle or turn an ankle. 

I think about that this morning, as I read this verse.  You see, God doesn't promise us the tough "games of life" aren't going to come.  In fact, He is constantly stretching us to grow in Him, strengthening and conditioning us along the way.  But you know what He does promise?  He promises to give us a sure path.  Look at the verse, "You broaden the path beneath me..."  But the path that He broadens is the one that He has planned for us.  It's God's home court, not the "away team."  The path is in Him. 

There's nothing we will encounter that will turn our ankles, if we stay on His path for us.  Sure, we will face challenges; we will grow, we will be conditioned as Christians, and sometimes that means some pain.  (Not that I speak from recent experience of exercise, mind you...)  But I do know this to be true: we aren't isolated from trials, just because we're Christians.  But I love this promise that God makes our path broader, so we don't have any sprained ankles along the way.

For me, this is just a reminder that I need to continue like it says in Philippians 2:12 to "...work out my salvation..."  Because just like my softball coach said, when I work out, when I stretch, I won't have my ankles turn beneath me.  More importantly, my Spiritual Coach, Jesus Christ, tells me He makes my path broad beneath me.  He preps the way for me, so those ankles don't turn!  What a great way to start the day pondering how much my God loves me and prepares my every step!

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

Twenty more hours...

Twenty more hours.

That's how much longer I have until my husband returns from Africa. Just twenty more hours. In many ways, this has been the roughest trip for me with him away. You see, when we're most vulnerable, that's when the enemy tries to attack. And attack he did the last two weeks...mostly in our family. Many of you know Jacob's past health struggles, and unfortunately, they have decided to come to the forefront again, just in time for me to deal with them all on my own.

And therein lies the problem. The words "on my own." How often do we go through life, thinking we're 'on our own' with the feelings we have. We have our little pity parties because things aren't going the way we think they should. We think we're the only one who feels this way. We focus so much on ourselves that we forget to look outward. It's when we look at others, we realize how insignificant and small the problems we deal with really are. We get ourselves up in a tizzy thinking about all the issues at hand instead of thanking God for his bountiful blessings.

And truly, I am so blessed and rich with friends in my life. While Frank has been gone, one friend brought me dinner, another family had us over for dinner, and another family took us out to a restaurant for dinner. How awesome is that? Beyond words. Lord, forgive me for thinking "I'm on my own." Even more, Lord, You are here. You are here when Jacob struggles with behavior. You are here when Amber struggles with more hours of homework than she gets sleep. You are here in my sleepless nights of solitude. You are here, and I am never alone. Hebrews 13:5 "I will never leave you or forsake you."

And so, twenty more hours. That's twenty hours to turn my frown upside down. Twenty more hours to offer a helping hand to someone else. That's twenty more hours to try to encourage someone else. And that's twenty more hours to praise my God in the storms of life.

So when you're in a countdown, like I currently am, holding your breath until that moment you've waited for finally arrives, instead of trying to hold out, use every minute that you can for God. Praise Him. And thank Him that you have just twenty more hours.

 

Psalm 66:1-7 "Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious. Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, the sing praise to your name. Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf! He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the waters on foot, let us rejoice in Him. He rules forever by His power, his eyes watch the nations – let not the rebellious rise up against Him.’”

Pass the oranges, please...

Proverbs 11:25  "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."

On Saturday, I sat outside in the sun at my son's soccer game.  The wind was gently blowing, but frankly, it was stinkin' hot for being so early in the season.  The sun was beating down on my already sunburned arms from last week's game.  Now, I've never been a big fan of oranges...they're just too messy for me.  But as the sun was beating, I started to think how refreshing an orange would be about that time.  You see, it was our turn to bring oranges for the half time snack.  We were well into the second half of the game, so I went on the hunt for some leftovers.  I found several bags were left, still on ice.  Wow!  For someone who doesn't really care for oranges, I inhaled in a matter of minutes the equivalent of about three entire oranges.  "Refreshing" doesn't even begin to describe it.

Now think about it.  What if you could offer ice cold, fresh oranges to someone in the hot Texas sun?  What if you saw someone out there who was dehydrated, and you could offer exactly what they need?  How would that make you feel?  Take a look at the verse to memorize for this week.  Proverbs 11:25  "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." 

Our Sunday morning worship service was a tremendous example of this verse.  Our church is involved in a community development  project in a little village called Bukabwa, located in the Mara region in Tanzania, East Africa.  Bukabwa is a community of about 5,000 people that before a few weeks ago, literally had no hope.  Two of our pastors and my husband Frank just returned from Bukabwa last week.  Our church's vision for this community is to not only meet their spiritual needs (there's no church even in this entire area) but also to partner with the African Inland Church to teach them micro-finance, transforming little by little, the entire community.  Our pastor shared with us that to sponsor a pastor for one year, build a church building and a home for the pastor next to it, it will take only $5,000.  He then did an uncharacteristic move.  He asked our church family to donate on the spot to meet this need.

Now, he didn't just take an offering.  He asked people to come forward and lay their offering on the platform.  I sing on the worship team, and I can't even start to tell you what this did for our team as we sang.  "Give me one pure and holy passion."  People started lining the aisle.  "Give me one magnificent obsession."  One by one they came forward and left their offering on the alter.  There was a line to get to the front of the church.  "Give me one glorious ambition for my life.  To know and follow hard after You." 

God's people gave generously Sunday morning.  It refreshed me.  It refreshed so many on our worship team that at one point in the response song, several of us were so filled with tears that we couldn't even sing.  I don't know the final numbers yet, but I do know that there was a lot more than $5000 given. 

As if God didn't already show up and show off, a friend unexpectedly handed me a generous donation today for the mission trip to Colombia my daughter and I will be going on this July.  Fundraising has been slow for us, and this gift definitely was an unforeseen blessing.  Half of the money is due by the end of the month, and we are still far from that goal, but this gift definitely helped boost us closer.  Yes, in more than one way, God's people brought ice cold refreshing oranges to church.

We have probably all been recipients of unexpected blessings like I've mentioned above.  But, how many of us have been the giver?  Have you ever given out of obedience, even though you don't really have the money to do so?  The Bible is very clear about the principle of giving.  Give, and it will come back to you.  I've seen it over and over again.  (Luke 6:38)  There's been several times in our family's life that we knew God was definitely telling us to give, even though we really didn't have the means to do so.  I can testify that every time we've been obedient in giving, God has refreshed us in return.  Sometimes the refreshment is monitary, but always it's spiritually refreshing.

Break out the oranges and give where God leads.  Abundant, refreshing blessings are waiting.  Try it.  You might just find you like oranges!

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

What's the plan, Stan? Are you in?

Job 42:2  "I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted."

"So what's the plan, Stan?"  This is a common phrase I use around my house when trying to decipher and understand the family intentions.  We often have a little pow-wow to make sure we're all on the same page for the day.  I am a mile-a-minute person; one who would have company every night if my husband would allow me to do so.  But I also love to have a plan.  I like to be "in the know" and surprises are not my preferences.  "What's the plan, Stan" is not only a good phrase, but a wise one in my house.

So I got to thinking.  OK, God's name isn't Stan, and I don't mean to speak to Him with disrespect, but seriously, how many times do we stop and ask God, "So whats Your plan?"  Yes, if we are seasoned Christians, we know some of His plans.  But is this a daily question we ask?  Do we earnestly seek out His plan by reading Scripture daily and apply it to our life?  Or are we casually going through our days, half heartedly thinking if our actions fit into God's plan?

If you don't know, I am the President of Ministry Travel, a travel agency who specializes in discount international airfare for missionaries, churches, and the non profit world.  It was another crazy week at work last week.  We had staff members on vacation for Christmas, so we were already working with a reduced staff.  On top of that, Europe was ill prepared for a major snowstorm that hit, causing quite a few of my passengers to experience cancelled flights, leaving them stranded here in the states for a mission trip, or stranded in Europe, trying to make it home by Christmas.  I had read Job 42:2 in my quiet time this last week, and I found myself sharing this verse with some of my clients who were very discouraged due to their plans being delayed and even cancelled.  I reminded them that our plans are not always His plans.  I reminded them that no plan of God's can be stopped.  I love how God can use what we read to encourage others.  I kid you not, every time He impresses on my heart a special verse during my quiet time, I end up coming across someone who needs to hear those exact words.  But, if we're not actively searching Scriptures and trying to see how they apply to us, how will we know God's plan?  How can we have words of encouragement to share with someone else? 

"I know you can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted."  In context, this was Job talking to God.  It was recorded at the very end of the trials Job endured.  Job was humbled, and eventually his material possessions were restored, and he received even greater blessings than he had before.  He persisted in trusting God, and he was rewarded for it.

Like Job, we often can't see the plan God has unfolding for us.  But Job was a great example of unwavering faith.  He knew God's ultimate plan was sovereign.  He knew God was in control, even when his friends denied him.  He knew God had a plan, even when his family was stripped away.  That's what faith is all about.  We put our faith in Christ, and we trust Him, knowing He knows what's best.

So with the year coming to a close, with only a few days of 2010 left, I can't help but ask God, what's Your plan?  You see, if no plan of His can be thwarted, then it's a no brainer.  I want my plans to be God's plans.  I don't want to make my own agenda and then ask Him to bless it "after the fact."  I want to be zeroed in on THE plan, because no plan of His can be stopped.  And by the way, if that's the case, which we know it is, I sure want to be part of the plan and not looking on the outside watching His plan unfold.  I mean, not only should we be asking God what His plan is, but we should be asking Him to use us to fulfil it.  True to my mile-a-minute form, I want to be right there in the middle of the action, carrying out God's plan for my life.

Let's finish out 2010 and begin 2011 on the right path -- God's.  So what's the plan, Stan?  Are you in? 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

Be Sure your sins will find you out...Proverbs 28:13

Proverbs 28:13  "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy."

Be sure your sins will find you out.

It was our first year of marriage, and it was Halloween time.  Candy was everywhere in the stores.  If you know me, you know chocolate is my weakness.  Everywhere I turned, it seemed like those bags of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups were calling my name.  We really had no money, and in fact, at that time, we were going in the hole each month.  But those Reese's Cups still kept a-calling. 

My husband was a pastor in Ohio, and I remembered hearing another lady in the church talk about her "stash" of chocolate that she hid from her husband.  (She had chocolate-induced migraines, but she loved her chocolate so much that it was worth it.  Her husband, however, was not so fond of the migraines, and that's why she felt the need to have her "stash.")  Lightbulb illuminated in my head.  Hmmm.  Maybe I could go ahead and get those Reese's Cups and just have my little "stash" so my husband wouldn't know...

Now, problem #1 with that is that I knew my husband wouldn't want me to waste money we didn't have on chocolate.  Problem #2 is that my husband doesn't even like chocolate.  We had no children at the time to get into my little greedy stockpile, so there was absolutely no need to hide my purchase.  The truth is, if I did give in to temptation and purchase those Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, it really would have been ok with him.  It would not have been the unpardonable sin in the Banfill home to spend $3 on something we didn't need.  So if I did go ahead and purchase those Reese's Cups, I certainly didn't need to hide them.  

But no.  Not only did I buy, but I also stashed those Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in what I thought was a very safe place.  Now, you have to understand.  I was young.  And apparently, I wasn't only young, I was stupid, too.  You see, I grew up in a home with an electric stove, but the home we lived in during our first few years of marriage had a gas oven.  You may know where this is going, and it is not a pretty thought.  Yes, I stashed that bag of Reese's Cups in the "storage" drawer of the oven.  A storage drawer, right?  That's where my mom always kept a bunch of pots/pans/lids when I was growing up.  Little did I know that in a gas oven, that's no storage drawer -- that's called a broiler.

So one Wednesday, I called up my husband at the church and asked him what he wanted for dinner.  "Spaghetti?"  I suggested.  "No, how about fishsticks?"  he replied.  "How about spaghetti?"  "No fishsticks."  We went back and forth, but when it was apparent I would not be persuading him, I actually said in gest, "OK, I will be a submissive wife and make those fishsticks."

That's when the problem started.

I pre-heated the oven, and then I jumped on the couch in the other room and turned on Oprah.  Now, I always kept my oven pretty clean, so when I was on the couch and smelled something burning, I just assumed something had spilled over into the stove from the previous time it was used.  I jumped up, pulled the layer of tin foil off the wire rack, put the fishsticks in, and jumped back on the couch to watch more Oprah.

Within a few minutes, I looked up and noticed soot flying out of my kitchen.  I jumped up and ran to the kitchen, only to find flames shooting out of the back of my oven, my kitchen filled with smoke, and me still clueless as to the problem.  I called my husband at the church, trying to stretch the phone cord almost out the door to get away from the smoke.  My husband had already left the church, so then I decided to call 911.  Why I decided to call him first instead of the fire department, I can't even explain.  I told you I was young and stupid. 

The fire department came.  They cleared the house, and eventually they let me back in one of the back bedrooms.  I cried, still unaware of the real problem.  My husband came home, noticing the fire department at our house.  In a panic, I heard him yell, "Where's my wife?  Is she ok?"  They directed him to me in the back of the house.  I remember crying in his arms, shaking like a crying baby.  He consoled me and tried to calm me down.  Once the fire was put out, we ventured to the kitchen to talk to the firemen. 

"Do you know what caused it?"  I asked.  The fireman pulled what was left of my Reese's Peanut Butter Cup stash out of the broiler.  "Yes, ma'am.  Can you tell me what this is?"  Eyes wide open, embarrassed, with shock on my face, I answered, "Uh, those are my Reese's Cups I was hiding from my husband." 

The fireman then pulled out my fishsticks from the oven.  His exact words, "Ma'am, I don't think your sausages are salvageable."  Those fishsticks that Frank had his heart set on had shrivelled and darkened up to what looked like Jimmy Dean's breakfast sausages.  I was too much of a basket case to realize I really needed a picture of them, for posterity's sake.  What I wouldn't do to show you the end result of those poor fishsticks.

We ended up having to eat dinner out at the local Chinese restaurant.  Here's the kicker, and it's proof God has a sense of humor.  I mentioned it was a Wednesday.  We had prayer meeting that night, and we were doing spiritual preparation for a revival that was upcoming at our church.  In our prayer meeting, Frank called out a list of references, with those in the congregation randomly volunteering to look up the verses and read them when he called for it.  The verse I randomly chose:  "The Lord does not delight in burnt offerings."

Now, I can look back at that story and laugh.  It's ok, you can, too.  I used to be so embarrassed by it, but I've grown up a little, and I can now laugh at myself.  After all, that was almost twenty years ago!  But the truth is, every thing that led to that fiasco was sin.  Let's call it for what it was.  Sure, there's no sin in buying a bag of candy.  But if you know you really shouldn't, if you know you can't afford it, and certainly, if you think you have to hide the fact that you bought it, there's definite sin involved.  Yes, the Lord did not delight in my burnt offering that day.

Over the last few days, the Lord has repeatedly brought this story to mind, for various reasons.  He's also brought to my mind the question of hidden sin.  Just as regularly as we spend time in prayer interceding for others and praising God, we should also be asking Him to reveal sin in our lives.  This is something too often we neglect to do as Christians.  This is something I've not been disciplined to do, either.  Yet, it's what God expects, nonetheless.

The verse for this week says a person who conceals sin does not prosper.  It goes on to say that if we confess our sin and renounce it, we will find mercy.  Maybe you're not concealing sin, like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup kind of sin, but do you have unconfessed sin in your life?  When is the last time you've asked the Lord to show you what cancerous sin areas He wants to carve away?  The verse says we should renounce our sin.  That means to turn from it! 

I challenge you to make a list of sins.  If you're having trouble thinking of any, you can find some in Colossians 3:7-8.  Are any of these present in your life:  anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, lies?  Later in the chapter, Paul tells us to have compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love.  Those are character qualities Christ commands, and if they aren't present, then that's sin, too.  Think of the fruits of the Spirit, found in Galatians 5:22-23.  What is the antithesis of those things mentioned?

I'll be honest, my first reaction to a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup in the past has been nothing short of lust, but I'm hoping to change that now.  I hope the next time you see a Reese's Cup, you'll use it as a reminder for self-examination.  To grow closer in our walk with the Lord, we must have regular times of confession, admitting the sin.  Then we must also renounce the sin and turn from it. 

Confession and renouncing sin can be painful and raw.  I admit it, it's not easy seeing the ugly truth about yourself...the truth you try to hide from everyone...the truth you don't want anyone to see.  The end result, however, is being conformed to God's image.  I don't know about you, but that is my end goal, no matter how hard it hurts.  That's what matters in life, becoming more like Christ.  It's my prayer for each of you this week that you will set aside time for prayer focusing on confession of sins.

Be sure your sin will find you out.  Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, anyone?

 

 

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com