GodandMe2theMax

Anastazia Robi, born in the year of the locust, and my Rafiki for life.

Matthew 25:35-40

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited me in…”  

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ “

 

Kubitierere.  A village marked by incessant tribal warfare with Koritambe, its direct neighbor.  A village known for its members being vengeful and unforgiving.  A village with a deserted church building from years past, due to the pastor being held at spear-point and told to fight or die.  Bloodshed marked the lawn next to the church building, as entire families were killed by spears on their way to church one Sunday.  The pastor and his family fled for their lives.  Innocent people were lost.  And the church that once was thriving dissipated.

Today, things are different.  There are still many vengeful families, and there is much work still to do, but the empty church building no longer exists.  God is at work within this village in a powerful way, and that church now has Christians attending each week and a pastor who is willing to shepherd them. 

It is here in the village of Kubiterere that God gave me my favorite memories from my recent trip to Tanzania.  We worked in three villages while we were there, 2 days in each village.  All of the work remains special in my mind, but over the years, it seems that God always has given me a special blessing of a memory that just “makes” the trip for me.  In this last village of Kubitierere, He did that not once, not twice, but three times.  Three amazing mental images I will never forget.

Today, I write about the first.  Her name is Anastazia Robi.  I don’t know much about her, really, but I can tell you I love her deeply, as if we were old friends.  She had but one child, a son.  Having only one baby in African culture is a stigma, because having many children is looked at as a sign of prosperity.  While Anastazia Robi had only one, her son apparently made up for that barrenness by having 12 offspring.  I also know that she was born in the ‘year of the locust’. My Tanzanian translator told me that he thought that the locust hit Tanzania in 1940, but when I googled it, the year appears to be 1949.  That would put her at only 67 years old, but her leathered hands appear to be so much older.

Our team was originally supposed to host a medical clinic, and we are sure she walked into the church building for that sole purpose.  But God had other plans.  We were on our lunch break when I first laid eyes on her. She was a tiny thing; carried a stick nearly as big as her, and she walked very slowly. 

When I saw her struggling to negotiate the step into the church building, I immediately stood up and grabbed a plastic chair for her to sit down close to the door.  I then pulled up another chair for me, and thus began a sweet rafiki-friendship.

Since it was our lunchbreak, I had no translators nearby to help me know more about this sweet lady that just walked into my life.  So I sat there.  She talked to me.  I conversed back with her.  She pointed at the ceiling of the church, and I responded that yes, I see those cobwebs up there.  She said something else in her native tongue, and I responded that “this is Africa, and I agreed.  I had to learn to not be afraid of spiders.”  The conversation went back and forth like that for quite a while, until one of our translators returned.

I cannot explain to you the feeling of chatting with this sweet woman about two completely different things, all while being 100% unified in spirit with her.  We laughed together, and I knew a bond of friendship was forming.  Even without a translator present, there was one thing evident:  this woman had a serious toothache.  She kept opening her mouth wide so I could take a look.  (Of course I didn't realize until later that the toothache & the original plans for a medical clinic was what brought her into the church building to begin with!)

I just kept telling her that I couldn’t do anything about that toothache she had, and I really didn't even want to see it.  Then I would change the subject to something else and try to be funny.
She seemed to laugh on cue.  I guess this mzungu (white person) intrigued her!  

About 20 minutes of chatting had passed when our gracious hosts from the community marched into the church with several large pots of rice, cabbage, beans, and some beef chunks in broth.  I immediately got up to get her some food, which she of course gladly accepted.  She made it clear that she didn’t want to have anything to do with the cabbage, and it was also apparent that she couldn’t chew that meat, but she gladly accepted a healthy portion of everything else.  

Since the government had put a nix on our plans for the medical clinic, the only thing I could offer her for the toothache was a Tylenol, which she gladly accepted.  

Soon afterward, we began to dialogue; thankfully, this time with the use of a translator.

I then had my translator ask if I could take her picture so that I could remember my new ‘rafiki’ (friend).  She told me, “No, because if you take my picture, it won’t be fair because I don’t have a picture of you.”  Now that was not the response I was expecting, but God interceded in really a miraculous way.  For the first time that I can ever remember happening, one of our team members brought with her a Polaroid camera!  The rest of the team had noticed my ongoing chatting with Anastazia Robi, and without missing a beat, the awesome Olivia Grace Todd came to my heart’s rescue with her camera.  I almost had to pinch myself to see if what I was experiencing was true - just another example of God's providential plans!  Together, we watched the image appear of the two of us, and at that moment, I knew that she loved me back just as much as I loved her.  A tear fell from her eye as she realized she would have a picture of us together to cherish.

In my heart of hearts, I felt that I needed to invest in this woman, meet her physical needs as best I could, but I also was compelled to build a relationship with her before sharing the Gospel.  Missions is not just 'telling people about Jesus."  It's about being sensitive to God to know when you need to meet physical needs & build relationships, and it's about listening to God's timing on when you should move the conversation to the spiritual.  My very wise pastor John Meador (FBC Euless, TX) has said that "relationship" is the most important word in the English language.  After my experience with Anastazia Robi, I believe that we were able to bond because I met her physical needs first...even that silly tylenol that we take for granted.  

After about 40 minutes of taking care of Anastazia Robi, I knew it was time to get down to business.  After all, we weren’t on lunch break all afternoon, and soon we would have to break for our discipleship groups.  I knew that it was time to start sharing the Gospel with her.  I then quickly learned that my translator spoke Swahili, but Anastazia didn't fully speak Swahili.  She understood some, but her native tongue was Lugha.  So I shared with her in English, which was then translated to Swahili, and then translated again to her native tongue of Lugha. 

She told me she was from a works-based religion.  In most cultures, her religion means her entrance into heaven was based on the works she did or did not do here on earth.  I shared with her that being a good person and living a good life is not the way to have a relationship with God.  I then shared with her the plan of salvation and showed her the verses in the Bible that say it’s not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to God’s grace that we are saved.  (Titus 3:5, Ephesians 2:8-9).  On Tuesday, August 2^nd, Anastazia Robi bowed her head and with tears in her eyes prayed a simple prayer of forgiveness.  And at that moment, God invaded her heart, never to leave her.

Since she had her picture of us, she was now more than happy to let me take pictures, and that I did…en mass.   We took selfies together.  We made silly faces.  (Well, mostly I made the silly faces, because try as she might to imitate my facial gesture, the look on her face never really changed much!)  We laughed.  Big, belly laughs.  She referred to me as “rafiki”, and all during the discipleship group, our hands stayed gripped together.  As our first day in the village came to a close, I didn’t have any idea if I would see this sweet woman again, but I knew that she had made a decision to accept Christ for herself, and because of that, I would see her in heaven one day.

On our last day of ministry before leaving Tanzania, we met again in the church building to go out in teams and share the Gospel.  I knew she wouldn’t be there, but I hoped she would be back in the afternoon for the discipleship group.  Hope did not disappoint.  In fact, she was there waiting for me, big toothless smile across her face.  Empty chair saved just for me, her new rafiki.

We took more selfies.  We laughed.  We talked as if we could understand each other, and she swatted away the children who were trying to photo-bomb “our pictures”.  I took some video of us together, and she even learned how to say my name and “I love you” in English.  During the discipleship time, she once again gripped my hand, and every time I glanced over at her, she would look back with a sweet smile.  My Rafiki, my friend – Anastazia Robi. 

As our hands were inseparable, I knew our time together was drawing to a close.  Through my translator, I explained to her that I was leaving to go back to the USA the next day, and I had to say goodbye.  She understood, and she told me that she would be waiting for me to come back next year.  I made no promises, only that I would try!  I slipped my favorite necklace off my neck and latched it around hers.  I made her promise that she wouldn’t let one of her grandchildren have it, and that it was for her, as a symbol of our friendship.  She promised to keep it, and then I helped her through the door of the church, down the step, and she sat there waving goodbye until I was out of sight.

I still know very little about this woman who impacted my heart.  Her name is Anastazia Robi.  She had but one child, 12 grandchildren, carried a stick nearly as tall as her, and she was born in the “year of the locust.”  I know that she is my life-long friend, and I know God's timing is perfect.  Had the medical clinic taken place, I never would have had the opportunity to invest in her, nor she in me.  She is my rafiki, but most importantly, she is a friend of God now.

Notice the picture above, my black & silver necklace...
then in the picture below, she is wearing it.  :)

And this story, my friends, is my sweetest memory from this last trip to Tanzania.  I'm so blessed to have opportunities like this that make a forever impact on my heart.  

Pray for the people of Kubiterere.  Pray for those in this village that has been through such times of tribal warfare.  Many are still vengeful for the wrongs that were done to their family and need to know about Jesus.

And please pray for my rafiki, my friend, Anastazia Robi. 

 

-- Beth Banfill

www.GodandMe2themax.com

 

 

Serving where He calls me...by His design...

"As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth.  'Follow me,' He told Him, and Matthew got up and followed Him."  Matthew 9:9 

As I continue my study in Matthew, I have to pause and just recognize God’s intricate and sovereign plans.  We often don’t understand why things happen, but at least for me, that old expression of hindsight is 20-20 usually comes full circle.  God uniquely designed me, every detail, to fulfill His purpose. 

I can’t help but think about this in relation to this passage in Matthew.  Matthew was a tax collector by trade.  He not only collected taxes, but part of his responsibility was also as a record keeper.  How significant is it that Jesus called Matthew to be one of His disciples?  Matthew was uniquely designed to vividly capture and record the accounts of Jesus for us to read generations later.  Yes, I know every word of Scripture written was inspired, but I do believe God often uses us in areas that uniquely fit how He made us, and Matthew was designed for the job Jesus called him to do, for sure.

Design (verb)  To do or plan with a specific purpose in mind

It’s a word that implies creativity. It’s a word that implies forethought.  And it’s a word that implies purpose and intention.  There’s no doubt that throughout Scripture, it’s clear that God designed us.  He knows us by name, and He created us for a purpose.

Psalm 139:1-6,13  “O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. You created my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb.”

I can look back over my life and see how God allowed certain things to take place so that I could be who He called me to be today.  Who would have ever thought that taking a job as a receptionist at AAA would have been the first foundation for my career today?  Within less than five years, I had cross-trained for multiple positions within the company and eventually, I was promoted by a district office manager.  I would have never guessed at the time that God would allow taking a job as a receptionist to set the framework for my life in Texas.

But as I think about my design in relation to service to God, I’m kind of back at a crossroads, doing some serious evaluation.  I recently resigned from the women’s ministry team, at least for a period of time.  I felt as though God was telling me to pull back and re-focus.  I don’t know what that means exactly, but I do know a big factor in that is my need to re-focus on my family.  I may have one going off to college this week, but I still have one at home, and my job isn’t done.  It’s easy to do, do, do because you happen to be good at something, and it’s easy to say yes, yes, yes, because no one else will do it.  But when there’s so many “do’s” and “yes’s”, I think you lose focus and become weary.  And that’s where I was.

In his book Doing Church as Team, Wayne Cordeiro talks about DESIGN.  He uses the acronym to bring focus to where you should be serving in the church.  Here’s a quick snapshot of this great tool:

 

D	Desires or Passions	Ask yourself, “What do I love doing?”
E	Experiences	Ask yourself, “What unique experiences do I have?”
S	Spiritual Gifts	Ask yourself, “What are my spiritual gifts?”  (…And if you don’t know, just google “spiritual gifts inventory” to help point you in the right direction.)
I	Individual Style	Ask yourself, “Am I an introvert or extrovert?”  (Do I get energized by being alone or do I get energy from being in a crowd of people?)
G	Growth	Ask yourself, “Where am I in my spiritual growth?”  (If you’re a new baby Christian, you probably don’t want to sign up to teach a theology class.)
N	Natural Abilities	Ask yourself, “What are my natural abilities and talents?  (ie: singing, writing, making people laugh, playing an instrument, art, etc.)

 

So just like God called Matthew to do what he uniquely designed him to do, I know God is going to bring clarity to my area of service within the church as well.  I know He created me with desires, gave me experiences and spiritual gifts, natural abilities, and has grown me in my spiritual walk thus far to serve Him wholeheartedly.  So now, I just need to wait and listen for His call.  Then like Matthew, I will jump in and serve, by His design.

 

 

--- Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

When in Rome...

"...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give His life as a ransom for many." 
Matthew 20:28

 

When in Rome...  (Scratch that!)  When in Tanzania, do as the Tanzanians!    

On Monday, June 11th, we spent the day about two or more hours away from the center of the village, twenty plus minutes by car.  The huts were widespread between corn fields and barely visible paths, winding left, then right, up hills, through thistles, a right turn here, and then a sharp left there.  Then in the distance, we would see a hut.  Moses, our guide from the church knew the area well.  I must admit, though, that there were times I wondered if we were so deep into the corn fields that if something happened to me, I would never be found. 

It seemed like at least twenty minutes of walking before Katelyn and I made it to our second hut to visit for the day.  (If I remember correctly, hiiking is probably a better description for what took place.)  Anyway, as we entered the area outside the hut, we could see the matriarch of the family, Mary Ramadwaw, busy at work, plucking corn kernels off ears of corn that had already been shucked.  She must have had at least a hundred ears piled up waiting to have the kernels removed.  Once a few kernels are removed, the rest of the corn is plucked off strictly by pressure and strength in your hands, mostly in your thumbs.  I watched Mary do it.  She could manage an entire ear of kernel removal in less than a minute with ease.  Her hands were strong and calloused. 

As Gladys introduced us, I felt a little nudge of the Holy Spirit to offer to help Mary get her work done while we visited and shared with her.  How hard could it be, right?  So I made the offer.  "I was wondering if we could visit with you for a while and tell you about the most important decision we've ever made?  I can see you're really busy, so if it's ok, we'll sit here and help you with this corn while we talk." 

She seemed agreeable, even grateful, and thus my first experience of plucking corn began.  Yes, I'm a city girl, and there is no country in this body of mine.  I dare say Katelyn was even better at this task than me.  To start out, I couldn't even get the first kernel off the ear.  Mary and the rest of her family had a little giggle watching my feeble attempts.  Mary then she handed me the knife she was using to start each line of corn kernel removal.  I took the knife, turned it over.  Around.  Back.  Yes, you guessed it, I couldn't even tell what side of the knife I was supposed to use.  Mary quickly figured out that if Katelyn and I were going to actually help her, she had to get us started with removing the first couple of kernels on each ear of corn. 

The whole scene was comical, I'm sure, and it did draw a crowd of family members and children.  But we were not there for comedic relief.  I knew I had to buckle down and get the job done so that this family could have the opportunity to come to Christ.  I started out by sharing my testimony.  I shared how even though I was born into a Christian family, I realized there was something missing in my life.  I realized that just because my mom and dad and brothers were Christians, that didn't mean that I was a Christian.  I shared how there was a point in my life when I realized I was a sinner, and my sin separated me from God in heaven who is perfect and holy.  Then I shared how one Sunday afternoon after church, my mom showed me what the Bible says about becoming a Christian.  I quoted Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9-10, and John 14:6 - God's plan of salvation.  I told Mary and her listening family that these were some of the same verses my mom shared with me when showing me how to become a Christian.  Then I told her how that Sunday afternoon, I made a decision to ask Jesus Christ to take control, forgive me of my sins, and as best I knew how, I put my faith and trust in Him. 

As I spoke, Katelyn and I continued to work on our ears.  In the corner of my eye, I would see Katelyn finish hers and lay the cleaned ear in the pile with the others.  But Mary was sharp, and she didn't miss a beat.  Every time one of us finished getting the kernels off, Mary would get another one started for us and hand it over.  It took probably less than ten or fifteen minutes of this repeated action for me to have a blister on both sides of my thumb.  I thought it was only me and my lack of domestication, but I felt a little better when Katelyn said she experienced the same thing.

Katelyn then took a much needed break from her corn-plucking endeavors and shared with Mary the Evangecube.  If you've never seen one, it's one of the most incredible and easy ways to share your faith that I have ever used.  It should be a staple item for all Christians!  She worked through the cube and reiterated the plan of salvation, just to be sure there was no confusion.  Then Sanjura, who was saved just two days earlier (see earlier blog post Sanjura the Disciple) shared about his decision to commit his life to Christ.

About an hour later, we finished sharing...and plucking.  Yes, one hour, about twenty ears of corn and four blisters later, four precious ladies had made the decision for themselves to enter into God's family.  They each bowed their heads and asked God to take control, forgive them of their sins, and they put their faith and trust in Him.  And the angels rejoiced.

 
Mary Ramadaw (brown shirt/right), Moses is to the left of me, and Sanjura is to the right of me.

I don't know all their names, but God does. They are written in His Lamb's Book of Life, in ink.  He doesn't write in pencil.  Yes, Mary Ramadwaw, and three others made the most important decision of their lives, just like I did so long ago when I was a child.

The BIble says in Matthew 20:28 that Jesus came to serve.  And that Monday morning, I believe that was what He wanted me to understand.  Not only am I to tell others about Him, but I should willingly serve, however needed.  Even if I'm inexperienced or inept for the job.  I have no doubt that if Jesus had walked into the area, He would have sat down and started helping too, all while telling Mary and her family how much He loved them.  In my heart of hearts, without a doubt, I know God fully intended for Kate and I to serve Mary and her family by helping pluck those kernels of corn.  Sure, our hands hurt and were blistered, but it didn't matter.  I think we both learned a valuable lesson.   When in Rome...  Scratch that.  When in Tanzania, do as the Tanzanians.

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

I Have Only Done My Duty...

Do you ever feel like you need a little extra credit for a job well done? Maybe a little more affirmation than what you are receiving? Do you want to somehow find a way to humbly brag about something really cool you've done? I've been there, and if being completely honest, most people would say they've been there, too.

I have been reading in Luke 17:7-10. "Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'"

We have only done our duty.

As I read those words, I stopped still in my reading. How many times have you thanked someone for something and they said, "No problem; I was only doing my job." I've heard that response many times. In other words, no extra credit was necessary, it was all in the 'line of duty.'

So I started to think, what exactly does this mean when it comes to spiritual matters? What is MY DUTY, in relation to God? And when I do what God has called me to do, am I being a self-promoter or a God-promoter? Ouch! Certainly, as a blogger and song-writer, there's nothing wrong with sharing the talents God has given me with others. But the difference is in the attitude of the heart. Who is taking credit for the end result? Am I out there saying, "Hey everyone, look at this cool song I wrote?" Or am I out there saying, "Let me share with you what God has allowed me to do!"? Or "Let me share with you what God is teaching me."

This is a tough one for me. I wouldn't say I'm a proud person, but I'm definitely not a naturally humble person either. The truth is, I'm a talker. A communicator. And I'm the kind of person that likes to share everything going on in my life with my friends and family. However, I've been told by a close family member that "all my talking" comes across as bragging sometimes. That's a tough one to swallow.

So back to the phrase, "I have only done my duty." What is it that God has called me to do? He's called me to obedience. He's called me to write. He's called me to tell others about Him. But when the praise and accolades come from the various "work" that I do for Him, is my heart's response, "I have only done my duty."? Definitely, this is a convicting phrase for me.

I think it's no accident that this passage in Luke uses the words of a servant in the master's home. Isn't that what we each are supposed to be, a servant? We must be serving each other, not self-serving. The words to that old Maranatha song ring loudly this morning...

Make me a servant. Humble and meek.
Lord, let me lift up those who are weak.
And may the prayer of my heart always be
Make me a servant. Make me a servant. Make me a servant today.

Father, keep me humble. Let me give all the glory in any accomplishment to You. Without You, I am nothing. Without You, I have nothing. And without You, life is not worth living. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart always be acceptable to You. Let my response always be, "I have only done my duty."

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

Amino Acids at Work...

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

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

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

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

But where God guides, God provides.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

Shark Tank

Ephesians 2:10  "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

ABC has a reality television show called "Shark Tank."  The "sharks" consist of five multi-millionaires who listen to various entrepreneurs pitch their product in hopes to have one or more of the "sharks" invest in it.  This last week, an entrepreneur was on the show pitching his invention "Wakin' Bacon."  According to his research, one of the top things people want to wake up to is the smell of bacon.  "Wakin' Bacon" is a pig-shaped alarm clark that actually heats up pre-cooked bacon, timing the morning alarm with the aroma of freshly cooked bacon. 

Each shark has an opportunity to ask questions, make an offer to invest in the product, or decide they're "out."  When it came time for the "Wakin' Bacon" decisions, each shark, one by one for obvious reasons, said, "I'm out."  That is, until one of the newest sharks, Mark Cuban, the outspoken owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, had the floor.  He paused.  He hesitated.  The other sharks started to question his sanity in even considering to invest in such a product.  They started to egg him, "You gotta be kidding me, Mark.  What are you going to do when the first one catches on fire in the middle of the night?  What's the value of the business going to be then?" 

Mark finally broke his silence.  "I know how to get insurance.  I'm  not worried about that liability. "  He then went on to say, "The probability that people will actually use this product once after buying it is perhaps 10%.  The probability that people will use this product a second time after they buy it is 0%.  It's a novelty item.  People will buy it because it's so stupid."  Eventually, however, Mark finally said he was "out." 

Now, to be an entrepreneur on the Shark Tank, you've gotta have some thick skin.  Really thick skin.   How would you like to hear someone tell you this invention that you've put your blood, sweat, and tears into and believe is going to be "the next biggest thing" is a complete and utter joke?  Even more, how would you feel if you were told it should be used in a manner differently than what you intended?  Ouch.  The "Wakin' Bacon" designer took the rejection like a man and walked away from the Shark Tank empty handed, without any partners or investors.  Big shocker there, ey?

Being an entrepreneur myself, I couldn't help but put myself in the feet of the "Makin' Bacon" inventor.  This guy believed so much in his product that he endured public humiliation.  He stuck to his guns and couldn't stand the idea of his product being used for what something other than he intended it.  I thought about that, and then I thought about the relationship between Jesus our Creator and us.  Are we not His prized possessions, His special creations?   Now certainly, I'm not comparing mankind to some crazy bacon alarm clock, ok?  It's the principle of the creator and creation and being used for the purpose intended. 

Take a look at the verse to memorize for this week.  We are God's beautiful masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for what?  To do good works!  Now let's be clear.  Good works do not get us to heaven.  Just back up a few verses to clear up that one.  Ephesians 2:8-9 says it's by grace we are saved through faith, and it's not of ourselves, it's the gift of God....not works.  When Jesus died on the cross and rose the third day, He conquered sin and death and made a way for us to get to heaven.  He did the job.  End of subject.  We only need to commit our life to Him, ask Him to forgive us of our sin and take control.  But the natural bi-product of our faith in Christ is good works. 

So let me ask, what are you doing to be used the way the Master Inventor intended?  Are you serving?  What are you doing in your church?  If you're attending church every week and just sitting there, are you producing good works?  What about outside your church in your community?  Are people seeing the hands and feet of Jesus through your good works and acts of service? 

Or, have we decided to take a Mark Cuban novelty approach with our life?  Have we decided to take a left turn and change the way God intended our lives to be?  The choice is ours.  Serve or sit?  Self or others?  God has called us to live a life of service that produces good works because of our love for Him.  What will your decision be in the Shark Tank?

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

 

 

Longing for Presents or Longing for His presence?

Isaiah 30:18  "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you: He rises to show you compassion.  For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for Him." (NIV)

"Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, and therefore, He waits on high to have compassion on you.  For the Lord is a God of justice.  How blessed are all those that long for Him. (NAS)

Are you longing for Christmas?  Are the kids in your family and those you know longing for that day they can open presents?  How about you?  Have you ever longed for something?  I mean, really wanted something so badly that you could hardly stand it? 

My first baby was supposed to arrive before Mother's Day in 1996, but she was three weeks late, and God had other plans.  This was my miracle baby that I had prayed and prayed for.  She should have been here by Mother's Day, at least that's what I thought.  I longed to have and hold my little baby girl.

I can think most recently to just a few weeks ago.  My husband went to Tanzania for two weeks.  Things were crazy at work for me, and those were perhaps the longest two weeks of my life.  We have two kids in two different schools that start and end at two different times.  Those were two rough weeks for me, and I was counting the minutes for him to land and make it home.  Yes, I longed for his return.

With the Christmas season upon us, what about the characters in the Christmas story?  Think about Mary.  Can you imagine how she longed to hold baby Jesus, this child she carried for nine months, this promised One from God?  As much as I longed to hold my new baby, I can only imagine what Mary felt like!  And what about the shepherds?  I think Luke 2:16 says it all, "They came with haste and found Mary, Joseph, and the babe, lying in the manger."  Yep, I dare say each of them knew what it meant to have a longing in their hearts.

Now that you've conjured up those longing feelings, let's look back to the verse.  The Lord longs to be gracious to you.  Imagine that.  God desperately wants to be gracious...to me!  I read this verse in my quiet time last week and was astounded by it.  I just sat there and read and re-read, pondering every word.  I mean, how amazing is it that God in heaven longs to do good things for me?  And how awesome is it that God blesses us for longing for Him?  It is unfathomable to me, actually!

Now think about one of those times when you've personally longed for something.  Have you ever had just as much energy and emotion directed toward God in that same way?  If not, why?  If so, is it a faint memory, or is it a constant directive in your life?  You know, the best present we can give God this Christmas is our presence.  I don't know about you, but that's what I want to give this Christmas...myself.  It's actually the only thing I can give to my Heavenly Father that matters.  It's the only gift He wants.  He longs for this gift, and I should long to give it, too.  Me.  100% all of me.  What's it going to be this Christmas?  Presents? or Presence?

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

Monday Memory Verse - 2 Corinthians 9:10 - Increase me, Lord

2 Corinthians 9:10  "Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness."

"Increase me, Lord."  Pretty odd words for someone who has been on a special diet for the last three weeks.  But of course the physical is not what I'm referring to...it's my spiritual life.  You see, I don't ever want to be content with 'where I am' spiritually.  I want to grow, and like a seed, I want to reproduce.

I love the imagery Paul uses in this verse.  What does a seed do?  It reproduces.  One tomato plant can produce up to seventeen tomatos.  One potato seed can yield up to ten potatoes.  One strawberry plant can give a quart of strawberries.  Yet how many Christians today never reproduce or invest themselves into another person? 

Paul reminds me that God supplies me with seed and food.  He provides me with resources to use and invest for Kingdom purposes.  He gives me (and each person) talents and abilities that can be used for Him.  And when I use my seeds the way He intends, God increases my harvest.  The more I use the seeds He has given me for Him, the more seeds He provides.  No, this verse isn't a recipe for physical riches, but it is a recipe for spiritual riches.  And that's what I want.

When I read this verse, I can't help but think of the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25.  I have a choice to make.  What am I going to do with the seed(s) God has given me?  Am I going to protect it, and like the servant in the parable, go bury it?  Or am I going to plant the seeds, water them, and invest them?  Will my master say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."  Or will my Master say to me, "You wicked, lazy servant!"? 

What's your seed?  Is it working with kids?  Is it writing?  Is it encouragement?  Is it generosity and giving?  I read the other day that "Ministry" is not a job...it's your life.  I'm reminded with this verse that when I invest my seeds the way God wants me to, I will be fulfilling exactly that.  There's nothing more valuable you can offer your friend than yourself.  Give it away.

So I say it again.  Increase me, Lord.  Enlarge my harvest.  Let me use the seeds you have invested in my life so that they will reproduce in others.  Let me never be content with where I am and what I've done for you in the past.  Keep growing me, and keep me at a point where I can reproduce spiritually for You.  Yes, Lord, increase me.

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

Monday Memory Verse - Matthew 23:12 - King LeBron or King Jesus

Matthew 23:12    "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Growing up the youngest with three brothers, I have a strong competitive edge.  I want to win and be successful at everything I try.  Most people do.  So when LeBron James announced a few days ago that he was going from Cleveland to the Miami Heat, my first reaction was, "Who can blame him?"  He is taking less money, moving away from home, sharing the spotlight, all in hopes of winning a championship.  Come on Cleveland fans, give the guy a break!  He is just following his heart and making decisions that he thinks are best for his future goals.

Then I was reminded of Jesus. 

I started thinking about the comparison of King LeBron to King Jesus.  Jesus, the King of Kings, ultimate Champion, humbled himself and entered this earth as a servant.  Perhaps his philosophy was just a little different than that of LeBron James, though.  His purpose was to serve, not to win.  He didn't make decisions in life based on short term goals of winning.  In everything Jesus did, He knew the ultimate goal was for him to go to the cross, endure shame and pain, for you and me.  By giving the ultimate sacrifice He did win...conquering sin and death.

Jesus could have easily responded to those tormenting Him, "Don't you know who I am?"  He could have found another way to pay for our sins.  But no.  Philippians 2:8 says "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross."

Mark 10:43-45  "...whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

The verse for the week says, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."  I Peter 5:6 says "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand,that he may lift you up in due time."  James 4:10 says "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up."

These verses are commonly talked about between my husband Frank and I.  You see, I live with perhaps the most humble person I've ever met.  He has amazing talent.  He is a Godly husband and father.  He is an entrepreneur, a natural leader, a brilliant teacher, preacher, and writer.  He's a visionary.  He has unbelievable insight into the Word that teaches me daily.  He's up on all the political stuff and can carry on an intelligent conversation on just about any subject.  (Now, lest you think I am delusional and have a perfect husband, let me assure you that I know I do not.  Among other things, he doesn't take the trash out nearly enough, he's not so good at home improvement projects, and he definitely cannot sing.  Perfect for me, maybe, but definitely not perfect.)

Yet, with all these talents that he does have, you would never know it by talking with him.  He never toots his own horn.  He doesn't sing his own praises.  And that means he's often overlooked and under-acknowledged for what he has to offer.  As his wife, I hate this, and it frustrates me.  I tell him, "You need to do this...you need to do that.  Why don't they see that in you?"  Then in true Frank fashion, he reminds me of these verses on humility.  He just keeps plugging away at life, waiting on God to open the right doors, waiting on God to exalt him.  He knows that is all that matters.  "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."  I have a lot to learn from Frank.  LeBron could probably learn a lot, too.

So whether LeBron did the right thing or not, perhaps only time can tell.  But for me, it's important to think with Biblical perspective about the decisions I am making.  Am I making decisions so I can be first?  So I can win?  Am I acting in humility?  Am I modeling humility to my children?  Am I making decisions based on a short-term goal, or am I making decisions based on eternal significance?  Teach me, Lord, to live my life so that I have more of you and less of me.



---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

Praying for Success? Or Praying for Servants?

Matthew 20:20-28
20) "Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons, and kneeling down, asked a favor of Him.  21) "What is it you want?" He asked.  She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."  22) You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them.  "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?"  "We can," they answered.  23) Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant.  These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."  24) When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the other two brothers.  25) Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  26) Not so with you.  Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.  27) and whoever wants to be first must be your slave -- 28) just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

A familiar story for most.  James and John, along with their mother come to Jesus and ask for "special seating" in heaven.  Who do you think prompted this?  The Bible says that they went together, but the mom is the one who was doing the talking.  Isn't it like a mom to brag about her kids constantly?  I know I do it...a lot.  When you love your kids and your kids love you and life is good, how can you not brag?  It's a mom's job, right?

But the whole purpose of this story is about being a servant.  So as I tried to really put myself in the shoes of James and John's mom, I realized something.  I'm a lot like her.  No, I don't pray that my kids will have prominence in heaven.  But it's not uncommon for me to pray that they will be successful in what they are attempting to do.  In fact, that's much of the focus of my prayers for them.  I pray that they will be successful in their spiritual life (nothing wrong with that) but then I also pray for success in school.  I pray for good grades, good friends, for their future mate.  Sure, there's nothing really wrong with this.  We should be praying for every aspect of our children's lives.  But do we pray that they will learn to be a servant?  Ouch.  I've been praying for a lot of things...but praying for servanthood has been absent.

A few weeks ago I met with two other ladies from our small group.  I listened as my friend Cyndi poured out her heart about what God had been speaking to her about.  She felt called to organize monthly service projects within our small group so our families can serve together.  Friends with friends.  Siblings with siblings.  Men with men.  And parents with children.  We made a list of possible projects to do together, and we'll soon introduce these things to our small group to discuss.  I don't know how they are going to be received, but I am so excited about it.  The activities ranged from simple nursing home visits, feeding the homeless in Dallas, volunteering at a shoe warehouse for orphans, and being involved with our church's SOUL ministry once a quarter in downtown Dallas.  Nearly everything we listed costs only one thing:  our time.

So as I read about James and John and their mom this morning, I can't help but think that my thought process also is a little warped.  Too often in my prayer life I pray for success when I should be praying for servanthood...in my life and in the life of my children.  Servanthood just doesn't come naturally to most people, with me being the chief sometimes.  I want my life to model to my children what a servant would look like.  Sometimes that means getting dirty.  Sometimes that means just giving up what I want...and selfishness is something I struggle with.

There's an old song I sang at my high school graduation.  It's called "Make Me a Servant."  It has a simple melody and words, but it's what is on my heart today.

Make me a servant, humble and meek. 
Lord, let me lift up those who are weak.
And may the prayer of my heart always be
Make me a servant.  Make me a servant.
Make me a servant today.

What's the prayer on your heart today?  Success or servanthood?

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com