GodandMe2theMax

Reflexology Reflections

Proverbs 16:9 “Man makes his plans, but the Lord directs his steps.”

About a month ago, Amber and I were out shopping at Ross.  Upon leaving the store, we returned to find something under the windshield wiper.  I looked around and you guessed it: every vehicle within view had one of these same flyers:  Sunny Foot Spa: 70 minutes of reflexology massage for only $25, $5 off their normal price.

Normally I get pretty frustrated when people leave solicitations on my vehicle, but after looking at the paper, I suddenly wasn’t upset any longer.  I mean, how can you beat that?  I’m all for massage, and just the mention of the word makes my sore back and neck muscles long to be deeply touched.  With excitement, I showed it to Amber, who quickly rolled her eyes in typical daughter fashion.  She’s not one for massage, and she’s definitely not one who advocates for frivolous spending.  To her, massage = frivolous spending.  To me, massage = heaven on earth; the deeper pressure, the better.  So I tucked the paper away to use sometime in the future (likely for after she went back to college) and we went on our merry way.

Fast forward about a month to this last week.  My friend Sharon and I were looking for something to do together in the evening after work, and I asked her if she knew much about reflexology.  Now, you have to understand something: Sharon is a ‘go with the flow’ friend who is often agreeable to about whatever I suggest.  I knew Sharon wasn’t too keen on massage, but I knew she liked pedicures, so I figured this reflexology thing might be kind of a mix between the two.  She looked at the flyer, and she was “all-in:!

I must admit, even though I am a massive believer in therapeutic massage, as we walked into the storefront of Sunny Foot Spa, it quickly became clear to me that I was a little disillusioned about how this reflexology thing worked.  I peeked around the corner to try to check out the situation.  All I could tell when I tried to glance beyond the tri-fold screen that led into the open room was that I wasn’t so sure Sharon was going to like this thing.

 

 

“How does this work?   Are we allowed to talk?  I asked.  And most importantly, “Can you let me use this coupon for both of us?”  There was clearly a language barrier, so the staff member went to get someone else.  Unfortunately, the answer was pretty much ‘No” for all of the above.  I took a few steps toward the room to get a better look at what was behind the screen.  It was an open room filled with several pieces of furniture, kind of like ottomans, pieced together and covered with white towels.  I double checked with Sharon to get approval; she nodded, and from that point on, there was no turning back.

 

 

We followed the staff member to our stations (aka our personal ottomans.)  It truly was a strange set-up, at least strange for me.  We were told to put our belongings in a little tub at the top of our stations, and I started to pull my hair up on top of my head.  With a broken English accent, I was quickly told to not do that because I was going to be getting a head massage.  Now, I’m all for a head massage, but this one thing I know:  if they tried touching my feet and then putting their hands anywhere near my head, I was going to have to create a scene.  (Yes, I have foot issues, but that’s another blog.)

We were told to lie on the ottoman with our legs hanging over the side so our feet could soak in a fancy bowl of hot water.   I can’t say that was really a comfortable position, because if you have any amount of junk in the trunk like I do, it kind of hurts your middle back to be in such a position.  Sidenote: If there’s one thing I am known for at work, keeping my mouth closed is not it.  My colleagues would be so proud of me, really, because as I glanced over at a perfectly happy Sharon, I decided to silently live with the temporary discomfort.

Before I knew it, the therapist stretched a dry white washcloth across my face and over my eyes, blocking my vision.  Not seeing what’s going on is unnerving to me.  Not knowing what’s going on is perhaps even more so.  I like to be “in the know” and the unnerving thing was more so that I could tell there was movement around me but I didn’t know what or who was around me.  All I could think of was that someone was getting into my purse, located in the bin on the floor just above my head.  At this point, reflexology was not delivering relaxation.

I hated that washcloth over my eyes, but about half way through my session, I realized I could position it in a way that I could see the therapist (now working on my feet) through the bottom where my nose lifted the edge.  Success.  I could finally relax and enjoy the session.

Soon it was time for him to work on my back, and as I turned over with my head in the built-in cradle, my mind started to replay what I had experienced for the last 35 minutes.  It dawned on me that my desire to be “in the know” kept me from enjoying the first half of my experience at Sunny Foot Spa.  And as I lay there, I couldn’t help but realize the object lesson God was trying to teach me about “me”.

You see, for the last several years, our family been kind of living with some washcloths over our eyes.  We’ve not been completely in the dark, because God has let us take plenty of peeks along the way.  We knew He’s been preparing us for a change, but we just didn’t know what exactly that meant.  Was it a move out of state?  Was it a new job for my husband?  Was it a move to the other side of Dallas for a school that better fit our son’s learning style?  These are all things we prayed about and investigated.  And with each “no”, we got another peek through the bottom of the washcloth.

Then it happened: the washcloth was removed completely, or so we thought.  One day last spring, I got a call from my boss asking me to consider providing leadership in our Irving TX office.  In truth, in all that time of being unsettled and knowing “change” was on the horizon, it never dawned on either of us that the reason for an upcoming transition would be related to my job. 

We only live about 60-75 minutes from the Irving office I was asked to lead, but I already work a lot of hours each week.  Personally, I just didn’t have another 10 hours a week to give the company in a commute, so the decision was obvious.  (This is not to say that the decision was easy, because coming to grips with leaving my comfort zone and moving to a new area after 16 years of being in Wylie was one that came with many, many tears, but that’s another blog, too.)

Within a week, we had our home on the market, and we had a plan in place.  It all seemed to make sense and fall into order.  We spent at least one day of each weekend this last summer looking at neighborhoods out near the airport to figure out what area to relocate to.  We went to open house after open house, and most importantly, we visited churches all around where we thought we would end up living.  Our plan: to find a new church home and get Jacob assimilated into the student ministry, so that when our home in Wylie sold, we would already have a jump start on getting him settled for the start of his junior year of high school.

Within a few weeks, we had a great offer on our home, but before we could accept it, the buyer had to withdraw his offer.  Over the course of the summer, we had two more crazy-low offers that we couldn’t accept for obvious reasons.  And as of today, nearly 100 days later, our home is still on the market as we wait on God and His perfect timing.

Yes, we had our plans.  We wanted Amber to be able to help pick out our new home before she went back to college for her Junior year.  That didn’t happen - she went back to California 2 weeks ago.  We had plans for Jacob to start his junior year in a new school district.  That didn’t happen.  We had plans to be settled into a new home and already active in a new church.  Obviously, that didn’t happen either.  We didn’t realize it, but that washcloth we thought had been removed was right back on again.  God had only given us a peek into what was coming.

And as I lay on my stomach at Sunny Foot Spa, I realized that my whole experience there was reflective of the summer that had just ended.  I thought things were going to go a certain way, but what I experienced was completely different.  God had gently placed a blindfold over my eyes for the summer, allowing me to peek a little here and there, but only for a short period of time.  Just like I had to trust that the experience at Sunny Foot Spa would be a positive one, God confirms to me over and over, “Trust me, it’ll be worth the wait.”  Just like I had to go through a little discomfort on the ottoman, God re-assures me, “I know this is a little uncomfortable now, but keep trusting me; don’t complain; it will be worth it.” 

When Sharon and I finished our session, we both looked at each other in amazement at how awesome the experience was.  Next time, I won’t care about that blindfold being on my face.  I know I can trust the process to accomplish its purpose.  And you know what?  There’s never been a doubt that I can trust God that the end product when we move will be something amazing, too.

I debated to even put pen to paper about my Sunny Foot Spa reflections.  In truth, my life has been kind of on “hold” for so long that I just figured it would stay “on hold” until we moved.  Even though I’ve been waiting on Him, as patiently and positively as I know how, I’ve kind of just been “existing” instead of living.  I’ve put so much on hold and have hated that blindfold over my eyes so much that I haven’t allowed myself to enjoy this period of waiting on God. 

Because I struggle with the “need to know”, I didn’t really enjoy my Sunny Foot Spa experience until it was more than half-way over.  And because of the same thing, God showed me that I’ve not been living life to its fullest during this transition and enjoying this stage of my life.  I haven’t been using my gifts or been involved in ministry at all, and it’s left me feeling very empty. 

Over the last month, I have playing one song on my phone, over and over (and over) by Casting Crowns called “Just Be Held.”  If you haven’t heard it, you must do so immediately.  I’ve listened at least 100 times, and the words are golden…

Verse 1
Hold it all together.  Everybody needs you strong.
But life hits you out of nowhere and barely leaves you holding on.
And when you’re tired of fighting, chained by your control,
There’s freedom in surrender, lay it down and let it go.

Chorus
So when you’re on your knees and answers seems so far away
You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world’s not falling apart it’s falling into place
I’m on the throne stop holding on and just be held.  Just be held.

Verse 2
If your eyes are on the storm you wonder if I love you still.
But if your eyes are on the cross you know I always have and I always will.
And not a tear is wasted in time you’ll understand,
I’m painting beauty with the ashes; your life is in My hands.

Bridge
Lift your hands, lift your eyes, in the storm is where you’ll find Me
And where you are I’ll hold your heart, I’ll hold your heart.
Come to me and find your rest in the arms of a God who won’t let go.

Chorus
So when you’re on your knees and answers seems so far away
You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world’s not falling apart it’s falling into place
I’m on the throne stop holding on and just be held.  Just be held.

It didn’t dawn on me until this weekend that even though my faith in this process of moving hasn’t wavered, I’ve personally just been “holding on” – exactly what the song talks about.  I have been taking a big breath and coming up for air only when I have to.  I had stopped writing, and I had pretty much stopped looking for ministry opportunities.  Blindfold removed or not, it’s clear that God wants me to enjoy this process of faith and not just “sit and wait” holding on.  The blindfold doesn’t mean to stop pressing on, it just means to press on while holding the hand of my Guide more tightly.

Yes, I’m a little out of practice at this blogging thing.  And yes, I’m more than a little out of practice at trying to be brief.  (OK, in truth, I didn’t try this time.)  But this one thing I know, I'm committed to not just “hold on” any more.  I’m committed to enjoy the process from here on out, start to finish, blindfold or not. 

 

 

And one more thing, I'm definitely going back to Sunny Foot Spa as soon as I can!  There's something to this "reflexology" thing, and it definitely gives you reason for reflection!

 

-- Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2themax.com

 

 

Creative parenting...

“Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand…For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks…”  Matthew 12:25,34b

In this passage, Jesus addresses the Pharisees when they accuse him of being the devil himself.  Jesus point blank tells them, “Every kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.”  (Sidenote: This definitely makes me really concerned about the future of the USA with the constant division between republicans and democrats, but alas, that’s not the purpose of this blog…)  

Jesus then goes on to say, “Every city or household divided against itself cannot stand.”  And that’s where I am focused this morning.  The household.  If you know me personally, you will know that my one constant prayer request for about 2 years running now is that we will have wisdom to know how to parent our children as individuals.  Admittedly, parenting is a hard task, and I tip my hat to those who tackle it by themselves.  Unless God puts me in that situation, I can’t imagine ever having to do it.  With our oldest now in college, you would think parenting would be easier, but I’m not finding that to be the case.  At times, I find it overwhelming, especially right now with a full-blown adolescent teenaged boy in the house.

Have you ever built a tower with Lincoln logs or Legos?  Now, truth be told, I haven’t built very many, because my children never really played with those toys.  In fact, Jacob told me the other day that he didn’t play with them because they left nothing to the imagination.  (I thought they were so popular because you could use your imagination to build anything with them!)  Not Jacob, though.  He would rather create something out of paper and tape instead of putting together pre-made pieces that link together to form something.  “That’s real creativity, mom.” 

Top & Bottom Left: A self portrait  Top Right: A set of aerodynamic wings he swears will be able to help him fly (if only he were the weight of a bird)  Bottom right: a net, made from paper and tape, twisted together and tied in knots

Indeed, he has made some incredible things by being creative in this way, and it’s true, even when he was a toddler, he didn’t play with the box of Legos we had purchased.  But if I gave him tape, paper and/or a cardboard box, he would play for hours.  He somehow had a plan in his mind of what the completed project was supposed to look like, and he would execute the plans until the project was perfected.

Top Left - a revolver made completely from tape...not that I'm proud of my son designing a revolver, but you have to admit it's pretty cool.  Top right:  I believe this ended up being transformed into some kind of a shield  Bottom Left: No, this isn't a pitchfork, it's a triton   Bottom Right:  "Rubberband Man", one of my personal favorites, made completely from rubberbands, no glue or anything else.

So if you by chance have played with Legos, imagine working with a partner and laying your foundational Lego pieces.  You begin to build higher and higher, but you realize that something doesn’t look or feel quite right.  You look down and realize the reason is because some of the foundation bricks you laid are no longer there.  Perplexed, you discover that you’re not working with your partner at all to build one big edifice.  You are working together, side by side to build the same thing, but your idea of how it should be done is quite different from your partner, so you end up with two smaller, less stable, very different creations.  Your partner is building a creation and you are building yours. 

When Jesus says “a house divided against itself cannot stand” I can only think of how important it is to be unified as parents in how we raise our children.  This is easier said than done, as I'm learning daily!  Our faith is the first foundation that everything is built on, but then it gets a little tougher.  If you’ve struggled as a parent, maybe like me, you just don’t know what the right answer is.  Do you make them do their homework or do you let them fail?  Are you rescuing them too much or are you being the kind of parent that God wants you to be?  Maybe you’re new to parenting, and you wonder if you should spank your child or if you can correct megative behavior with “time-outs”.  Maybe your husband/wife doesn’t believe in spanking and you believe you should.  Maybe you and your spouse are together building your own Lego creations...separately

As I read this passage, I am reminded that I do not have all the answers.  There are so many “unknowns” in the realm of parenting.  But this one thing I do know, the foundation of parenting must be firmly grounded in Jesus Christ.  I find it interesting that Jesus later says “…out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”  Last week was extremely stressful on me.  Our family was out in California to take our oldest to college, and leaving her out there was the hardest thing I've ever had to do.  My husband stayed an extra week, but I had to come home with our son so he could start his sophomore year of high school.  The stress of getting back in the school groove, combined with a week of single parenting, combined with massive stress at work after being gone for 12 days culminated in a massive outpouring of anger on my son Thursday night. 

After he went to bed, the Holy Spirit nudged me (kicked me, actually) and I realized that although the content of what I said to my son was 100% accurate and truthful, the way I delivered it was in no way a resemblance of my Heavenly Father.  I’m so thankful He gives us fresh mercies every morning, because on Friday morning, the first thing I said to Jacob was that I was sorry for losing my temper with him.  I asked him to forgive me, and he did.  As I look back over last week, my daily quiet time was limited to reading the daily “Jesus Calling” while sitting in the bathroom.  I was going a mile a minute dealing with life's stresses that I pretty much neglected my relationship with God.  On top of that, I don’t sleep well when my husband is out of town, so suffice it to say I was one big mess emotionally, and I pretty much relieved all those stresses on my son.  “Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”  Yep, that’s what took place for sure.  Again, I’m so thankful that God is a forgiving God who gives new mercies!

But back to parenting...  “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”  Just like Jacob had a plan for each of his creations, as parents, I'm reminded that we must have a plan.  We must have a plan for discipline, for teaching our kids the Bible, and for preparing them for life.  When our kids were younger, my husband and I used to have an annual retreat where we planned out yearly goals for our kids and our marriage.  It was always a time to evaluate what we’ve done right and wrong and a time to ask God to show us the next step.  We no longer have annual retreats, per se, because at this stage of parenting, those meetings have to come much more frequently as we navigate the tender adolescent teenaged years.  Trust me, they more closely resemble weekly, if not daily meetings, trying to come up with a plan that will help tackle whatever the daily problem is.

Top Left:  Helmet (made to size); he eventually spray painted it gold, his favorite color   Top Right: A working bow and arrow, made from post-it notes, tape, and rubberbands  Middle Left: An army ninja  Bottom Left: turtle spinner

So my thoughts are this:  Do you have a firm foundation in your home and marriage?  In Texas, we have to actually water the foundation of our homes to avoid cracks.  Figuratively, are you watering your foundation with the Living Water of Jesus Christ on a regular basis so your heart overflows His love?   Are you consistent in your discipline?  Do you have a unified creative plan in place for each of your individual children?  Do you regularly have marital staff meetings to evaluate your family and set goals?  Are you working together to raise the kids or are you workig your plan and your spouse working his, hoping one of you is doing something right.  And as you work those plans, are you spending the necessary time in the Word so that your heart is filled with God-thoughts and they outpour through your lips? 

All these random thoughts about family, children, and being creative as a unified parental front do really hit home for me.  Parenting is tough.  Sometimes I want to give up.  Sometimes I feel like I can't find a creative way to fix the problem.  Sometimes I try to tell God this isn't what I signed up for.  (Honesty is the best policy, right?  And I'm just being honest here!)  I'm just so thankful for God's Word and how He allows phrases to jump out and hit home in my heart, right when I need to be reminded of them the most.  I'm thankful, too, for a Godly husband who leads our family but mostly for a loving God who loves me in spite of my sinful outbursts and mid-life temper tantrums.

 

--- Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

Wipe that look off your face!

 "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow, the Lord will do amazing things among you."
Joshua 3:5 

This was the verse that God gave me on Sunday.  I wasn't sure why, but it stuck with me, and I kept being drawn back to it, even after our class moved on further in our study of Joshua.  You know, when you read something like that, you don't necessarily think God's talking directly to you, but something inside me just felt like He might be doing just that.

Ceartainly you've heard the expression "Wipe that look off your face before I wipe it off for you."  Nearly everyone has. Perhaps you've had it said to you, or in the heat of the moment, perhaps you've said it to one of your children.  (No, certainly not the latter with me.  Never.)

If you've ever had it said to you, it's also quite likely you didn't even know you had that look on your face!  You're just simply unaware of it.  But those words (ok not exactly, but that concept!) is what Father whispered to me Tuesday morning: "Wipe that look off your face!  I AM GOD  What do you expect?"

Let me back up.  As you know by now if you've read anything I've written this summer, my daughter and I spent time in Zambia in July, working with orphans.  When I first came back, I was gung-ho about telling each girl's story, hoping and praying God would move someone to sponsor one of them through what is called the "Father's Heart" program.  

But honestly, I didn't feel the love reciprocated.  I knew I couldn't expect others to share my passion for these girls. Until you've hugged them and looked into their eyes yourself, I'm not sure you can fully share that passion.  But I still hoped and prayed that God would provide a way for them to be sponsored. Every few days, sometimes every other week, I would post a snippet about the need for them to have an education on my facebook page.  I talked about it with anyone who would listen, yet aside from a few, most were not moved to action. 

The deadline for sponsorship was Tuesday - October 1st, and both Amber and I have been overwhelmed with grief and emotion, knowing that some of "our girls" will attend school next term, and some in the same community will have to stay behind and watch their friends leave for school.  The thought of them thinking that "Auntie Beth worked hard to find sponsors for the others, but somehow Auntie Beth didn't find a sponsor for ME" has haunted me, honestly.

Monday morning, my daughter Amber left for school with tears in her eyes and a pack of brochures in her hand.  She said she's determined to somehow find a way to get the rest of her girls sponsored.  She had planned to walk the Kroger parking lot after school to tell people about the Father's Heart Program and "her girls" that still needed sponsored.  That was her plan, anyway, until I told her she wasn't allowed to solicit at Kroger.  I just looked her in the eye and told her God knows.  God knows which one of our girls must be in school this year.  And if for some reason they can't be sponsored this year, then maybe next.  I told her we'd done everything we can do, and the rest was up to God.

Yes, to say I had pretty much given up would be an accurate statement.  We both have hugged each other and cried together over these girls that we fell in love with this last summer.  But we were downcast, losing hope.  And God said, "Wipe that look off your face, oh ye of little faith!"  

I don't know why I lose faith so easily sometimes.  He's proven Himself faithful over and over again.  He is incapable of faithlessness.  In fact, earlier in the day on Monday, I had received word that someone was looking for a girl to sponsor and had selected Agness, one of the girls from my group.  I checked my email later in the evening, only to discover the whole story.  You see, the day SNAPS (pictures) were taken, Agness wore a pink Batman t-shirt.  The family who was praying over which child to select was immediately drawn to Agness, because the husband is a huge Batman fan.  They referred to her as the "Batgirl" but they didn't want to pick her solely on the t-shirt, so they decided to let God choose.  They prayed over 3 girls, and then put their names in a cup...whichever one was chosen would be the one God wanted them to sponsor.  And of course, God orchestrated for them to choose Agness' name, aka "Batgirl."  

I don't know when it started happening.  Maybe 6 or 7 PM on Monday.  But I got a message from my friend Susan Kendall, the wife of the founder of Family Legacy.  Unbeknownst to me, she decided to "feature" Amber's girls on her facebook page to see if anyone was interested in sponsorship.

Susan sent me a message, asking for some specifics from Amber about a particular little girl.  Amber and I looked at each other with tears flowing down our face, excited about the possibilities.  Our jaws were dropped to the floor in awe. And God said, "Wipe that look off your face!  I am God  What do you expect?"

We checked Amber's sponsorship page, and within the hour, that one person who had inquired about one of Amber's girls felt led to sponsor not one but two of them.  Within just a few hours, all but one of Amber's girls were sponsored, each with an incredibly unique story of how God moved in the heart of the person to hand-select just the perfect match of a sponsor and child.  And God said, "Why do you sit there with such astonishment?  I am God!  Wipe that look off your face!"

Even after "Batgirl" Agness was sponsored, I still had 4 girls that remained unsponsored.  Truthfully, the older they get, the harder it is to find sponsors.  They aren't as "cute and adorable".  But I can tell you that I spent time with these older girls, and the real beauty is on the inside.  God allowed me to catch a glimpse through His eyes and see these girls as royalty - His princesses.  

I decided to check my sponsorship page pretty late in the evening, but something was different. Memory, the smallest of my girls was moved from the "Needing Sponsored" column to the "100% sponsored" section.  I did a double take to make sure I read that correctly, and indeed I had.  The name of her sponsor:  Sheri Reaves.

Let me tell you, the fact that this "Sheri Reaves" sponsored Memory is nothing short of a miracle, and I must tell her story.  Their story.  It is a God story.

Last week I was in Niagara Falls for a week of meetings with our operations/management team, including some of our international staff.  The President of our company sponsored a blanket for one of the girls from my group, and in return, I had promisted to bring him a picture of the girl with the blanket.  It was the first opportunity I've had to see him since I went to Zambia, so as soon as he was free, I went up to him and gave him the picture.  Of all people, the one girl randomly assigned to the money he donated for a blanket was Memory.  

Our speaker for the meetings was perhaps one of the best I've ever heard, and his name was (is) Chuck Reaves.  Well, Chuck made it clear throughout his presentations that he was a Christian.  There was no hiding it, and no reason to hide it.  He was transparent, and you could tell the hand of the Lord was on him, with incredible wisdom and power.  Chuck just "happened" to be standing right there when I handed Mike the picture.  Mike showed it to him with a big smile on his face, told him briefly about me going to Zambia, and that was that.

Or so I thought.

You see, God has a way of putting people together, and there are no accidents.  It turned out that Chuck had an interest in Zambia and in the past, he's been involved in putting wells there.  We chatted a little, then it was time for the meeting to start again.  That evening, our dinner consisted of a "progressive meal", rotating from restaurant to restaurant at the hotel, including rotating who we sat next to at each venue. And who would God put next to me during the appetizer?  Sheri Reaves, Chuck's wife.

We talked as if we were old friends.  Chuck had already told her that I had worked in Zambia, and she wanted to know all about what we did and the minsitry we worked with.  Of course, I was glad to share, too!  In fact, I'm sure I talked way too much!  Our conversation jumped from her church name (Twelve Stone) to my church name (Five Stone) to my cancer, Zambia, Tanzania, and everywhere in between. We covered the globe, really.  The appetizer was soon over, and it was time to rotate to another location, so Sheri gave me her email and asked that I email her information on the ministry in Zambia so she could learn more.

When I got home, I followed through, sent Sheri some links, and I really thought that would be the end of that.  

Until I saw the name of SHERI REAVES listed as Memory's sponsor.  

I emailed her immediately to thank her and give her more information and pictures of Memory, and what she replied to me was nothing short of a miracle.  

Why did she choose to sponsor Memory?  

Because MEMORY was her grandpa's name.  (TRUTH!  She said they called him "Mem" but his real name was Memory!)  When she saw "my" girl by the name of Memory, she knew God wanted Sheri to sponsor her!

And then God said, "If you don't wipe that look off your face, I'm going to wipe it off for you!"  

No seriously, why am I always so astounded when God does what He promises to do -- be 100% faithful?

I mean, is it by "chance" that there was a little big eyed girl by the name of Memory in my group this summer?  Is it by "chance" that my president was randomly assigned as the sponsor for Memory's blanket? Is it by "chance" that I would choose to give my president the picture in person instead of mailing it to him months ago?  Is it by "chance" that our speaker would be a Christian and would happen to have an interest in Zambia?  Is it by "chance" that I would sit next to his wife and that he would have already told her about me?  Is it by "chance" that Memory would be unsponsored?  Is it by "chance" that Sheri Reaves' grandfather's name was Memory?  

Even an atheist should know the answer to those questions. And when he answers them honestly and contemplates these said "chances", God will say to him as well, "Wipe that look from your face!"

I could share several more stories of God-ordained matches, but blogs are supposed to be 750-1000 words, and I'm pushing 2000 right now.  In case you haven't noticed, I've been working on keeping things more brief, but sometimes, God-stories are not to be told in an abbreviated way.  And this is the case today.  I want to share every detail so you can shake your head with me, eyes glazed over (hopefully in tears) and know God is faithful.  Always. In every detail.

So when you're weary; when you want to give up; when God shakes you in your Texan cowboy boots...
When you stand in awe and say, "I can't believe this!"  Just know, you can believe it.  So wipe the look of disbelief off your face.  Because He is God.  And you just never know what He might do when you take the Word of God literally.  Consecrate yourself, for tomorrow, the Lord will do amazing things."

And He did just that.

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

PS - As of right now, one of Amber's girls and 2 of my girls are still needing sponsorship.
The deadline is less than 3 hours away.  I am believing God will be God.  If nothing else, please pray for 6-year old Melody and 12-year old Jane and Stella, that God will provide for them!  Because, He can and will do amazing things!

Update -
Since the deadline is officially now past, there is a very outside chance that for the next few days, perhaps you can call the ministry and do a late registration for sponsorship. By the grace of God, Melody was sponsored just 25 minutes before midnight, and that leaves just Jane and Stella needing sponsorship!  Please pray for God to provide in His perfect way and perfect timing!

 

 

Airplane Repo and Auto Pilot...

 "This is what the Kingdom of God is like.  A man scatters seed on the ground.  Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.  All by itself, the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.  As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."  Mark 4:26-29

One of my new favorite tv shows is called "Airplane Repo."  It's a reality tv show, and as the title reveals, it's all about these thrill-seeking guys who make a living re-possessing airplanes whose owners have defaulted on their payments.  They basically "steal" the airplane and then give it back to the financeer.  And to quote Kevin Lacey, one of the guys on the show, "99% of what I do is 100% legal."

The language can be strong, but the situations these guys put themselves into in order for the big pay-off is more than intense.  Once they think they've located the plane that they're looking for, they have to somehow sneak into the hanger where it's being stored.  (All with a camerman on their heels, mind you!)  Then they verify the serial number on the tail to make sure it's the plane their looking for, and fnally they have to locate the log books.  You see, without the log books, the plane's value reduces instantly in half.  Finally, they literally have minutes to perform a check on the airplane to see if its flight worthy - that's not much time to make sure everything works - and then they take off to return the plane to the bank or individual who hired them.

On one episode, after weeks of near misses, the "Airplane Repo" guys found and took possession of a $3 million dollar plane.  The payoff?  $300,000.00  The biggest payoff of their career.  The problem?  Once they got in the air, they realized that the radio controls didn't work.  There was no calling the tower. Auto-pilot wasn't even an option.  They had little fuel, and the pilot told them they literally had five minutes or less to figure out what to do because they were in a high air-traffic area in southern Florida. Within minutes, they would be in a head-on collission with another plane.  

What happened next?  You'll have to go to Discovery Channel and watch for yourself. 

Now, I don't know a lot about Auto-Pilot or how it works.  But I do know the concept.  It's for simple people like me.  Set something in motion, and if the parameters are set correcly, it will work like a charm.  Right?

I think that's why these verses intriguted me this morning.  So many times we preach against letting yourself go on "auto-pilot" as a Christian.  Why?  Because usually when we go on auto-pilot, it's by human design.  We do what we want, caring little for the things of the Lord and caring more about our #1 priority - the ever important ME.  Human auto-pilot always has the parameters not quite set appropriately.

Yet at first glance, these verses seem to give the opposite idea of the whole "auto-pilot" concept as a Christian.  Jesus shares the parable of "the good seed."  In it, the farmer scatters the seed, and it appears that seed does what it's intended to do, without ever being attended to.  It grows into full maturity, and the farmer doesn't know why, because he's never done a thing for the seed except to scatter it on the ground.  

I'll admit it - I'm a bit hard-headed.  (OK, maybe more than a bit.)  And I'm a simple thinker.  So when I read this the first time, it sure seemed to me like Jesus was saying that some seeds (baby Christians) grow in the Lord, just like they are supposed to - almost like they are on "auto-pilot."  And the end result?  They reach full maturity.  

Simple concept, right?  

No, not exactly.

Now, I've been a Christian a long time.  And that whole concept just doesn't jive.  Everything I've learned tells me that living the Christian life and growing in maturity takes discipline.  I have to work at it.  (Not to be confused with working FOR it!  My eternal destiny is settled, and it was settled at the point that I committed my life to Christ and put my faith and trust in Him!)  But the point is that I can't just go on auto-pilot and expect to eventually be a mature Christian.  

When something doesn't make sense to me, I don't just accept it at face-value and move on.  I need to understand.  And I just couldn't grasp this whole concept of how a seed, paralelled to a baby Christian, could sprout and grow and reach the point of maturity, all without the farmer even knowing how or why. I knew there was something I was missing.

So I read the passage again.  I re-read.  I read a third and fourth time.  Yes, I know, I'm hard-headed, I've admitted that already!  It wasn't until I sat and typed out each word of the parable that it hit me. The seed itself had nothing to do with the growth and maturity in the story.  The farmer had nothing to do with it.  What produced the crop?  It was the soil.  It was only when the seed was firmly established in the soil that the seed was nurtured to achieve its purpose.  

Read it again - A man scatters seed on the ground.  Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.  All by itself, the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.  As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.

The only thing the seed did was to stay planted in the soil, and the natural outcome was that the seed flourished and grew into its intended purpose.  And what is my soil?  It's Jesus Christ.  My job is to grow into the person that the Lord wants me to be by keeping myself firmly planted and established in Him. There is no auto-pilot in this formula.  In fact, if I don't have constant communication with the control tower, just like the Airplane Repo episode I mentioned earlier, I would crash and burn.

Aren't you thankful God redeems us?  Aren't you thankful He provides fertile soil for us to grow, and when we go on auto-pilot, he still possesses us and doesn't re-possess (give us back to the original owner)?  I know I sure am!  I'm also quite thankful for the flight plans and log book He gives me in His word.  

My challenge for today:  Guard against going on auto-pilot.  Be disciplined daily to keep nyself firmly planted in the fertile soil of Jesus.  Read my Log Book and Flight Plan daily.  Change the oil (confess!) Stay fueled up for the unknown trip ahead.  And just like the seed, grow into the person God created me to be.

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

 

The Choke Hold...

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until the next match.

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

 

 --- Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

 

The Journey...

"The Spirit of the sovereign Lord is on ME because the Lord has anointed ME to preach the good news to the poor.  He has sent ME to bind up the broenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair.  They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor." Isaiah 61:1-3

 

We went from our "mountaintop experience" at the tip of Victoria Falls back to the room, finished packing, and then watched as our airport transfer staff comically tried to pack our luggage and the luggage from the other two families into 2 compact-sized cars.  After about 15 minutes, it became very apparent they needed some help from a woman, so one of the other ladies started telling them "what to put where", and eventually, after suitcases were put in the front seat with the driver and bodies were crushed together in the back seat tighter than most American's comfort level, we were on our way...finally going to CAMP LIFE.  We met yet another person at the airport who was also on his way to CAMP LIFE, and after a few minutes of talking, I realized I had actually done his airfare back in November and had chatted with him several times on the phone.  I love it how God does those kind of ordained meetings!

By the grace of God, our PRO FLIGHT was uneventful, but again, I definitely prayed quite a bit for God's mercy in that happening!  Any time I get in one of those small planes, it's a bit unnerving. Amber and I spent the entire hour-long flight looking at all the pictures we had taken...she had taken 711 pictures in the 4 days since we boarded the plane in Dallas!  We laughed a lot, and I'm so thankful we were able to experience this together!

With a successful smooth landing, we were met at the airport by Susan Kendall, and she told us there were some other flights delayed so we'd be waiting around a bit for the others to arrive.  Then we went straight to our orientation meeting at what is known as "The Legacy Center" on the Family Legacy Missions International property.  I remmeber being in a meeting a few years ago when all I saw was artist renditions of this "Legacy Center." To now be in that building and see how God has blessed the ministry brought such joy to my heart!  

What also brought joy to my heart was hearing that CAMP was being held on these grounds, and anytime I had the need to use the restroom, I could just slip inside the Legacy Center and go about my business! (I told you, I didn't really know everything I was getting into, I just knew God said to "GO" so I was obedient!)

If you've been anywhere near me for the last few months, you would have heard me share about how Amber and I will be mentoring and responsible for 10 girls each during this week.  We were participating in "Week 5" of CAMP LIFE, and during week 5, we had 112 participants from the USA.  That equated to 1,120 kids who were able to attend CAMP LIFE!  During our orientation, we had testimony time where some who had never come to CAMP LIFE before could share their journey of how God had brought them there.

One couple shared how they had originally booked their 10-year anniversary celebration to Hawaii when God stopped them in their tracks and told them to cancel those plans and instead, sign up for CAMP LIFE. I believe it was that same couple who was short in their fundraising but felt so called to come that the wife sold her wedding ring to cover the rest of the costs involved.  

Another one shared how her 18 year old son had passed away late last year, and when he did, she asked God to somehow use that for His glory.  I don't remember all the details, but the mom, the dad, and their daughter Jordan were all there at CAMP LIFE, excited to see how God was going to use the pain they experienced to bring honor to Him.

Nearly half of the room was there because of the influence of two or three families.  They believe so strongly in this ministry and these orphans that they keep coming back every year and bringing more and more with them.  For me, it was awesome to put faces to so many of the names that I've done airline tickets for during the last ten years.  I sat in silence as I listened to story after story of God's provision in bringing all these people to CAMP LIFE.

As testimony time came to a close, Greer Kendall (the ministry founder) gave us a challenge for the start of the week.  He asked us to do 4 things.  He asked us to PRAY, RECEIVE, WATCH, and DON'T GET IN THE WAY OF A MIRACLE.

He asked us to PRAY every day this simple prayer: "Dear God, give me Your heart for these kids in Jesus' name, amen!"

He asked us to RECEIVE the word of the Lord.  He used these verses in Isaiah 61:1-3, and he asked that we copy it down.  Then he asked that we write it again, but inserting OUR NAME.  Then he asked that we pray it back to the Lord.  Although I was very familiar with these verses, they sure bring on a new meaning after CAMP LIFE for me.

Then Greer asked us to WATCH.  He said that we are here by God's divine design, and we should tell the Lord that we are here and ready to be used by Him.

Then finally, he said, "DON'T GET IN THE WAY OF A MIRACLE."  I sat there thinking about that.  It really was a miracle that Amber and I were in that room.  OK, God, I said, so far, so good.  Show me why you brought us to Zambia, and help me to have YOUR heart for these children.  Help me to receive whatever you tell me this week, be on the lookout for what You want me to see, and most importantly, God, don't let me get in the way of a miracle.

We went on to the hotel that evening, reunited with our luggage (now pretty much destroyed and unusable, but that's another story), and tried to sleep on the rock-hard bed, fondly given the name of Boulder.  I went to bed praying Isaiah 61:1-3 would be true for my life.

Sunday came, and that meant I was one step closer to meeting "my" girls, but I had to be patient, that wouldn't come until Monday!  They held church for us at the Legacy Center on Sunday morning, and worship was led by the children who live at The Tree of Life Village.  These are the orphaned children who were in such extreme situations of abuse and/or neglect that they now are in the full-time care of the ministry.  All the children were dispersed throughout the room, and the Americans entered the building and dispersed as well.  I sat next to a little boy named Lubinda on my left and a little boy named Cassidy on my right.  I don't know their back-stories, but what I do know is that you could see the joy of the Lord in their smiles.  I loved listening to these sweet African children sing in broken English as well as their native tongue of Nyanja.  

After church and lunch, the "marketplace" came to us.  There on the grounds, many of the top vendors in the area came to sell their wares to all the Americans, and sell they did!  I pride myself on bargains and being a bargain shopper, but I had to use some restraint, knowing that this is their livelihood.  Still, I had a long list of people who Amber and I needed to buy gifts for, and a small amount of cash, but by the grace of God, we were able to get just about everything we needed with what we had.  

Afternoon was upon us, and that meant that I was about to be keenly reminded of how uncoordinated I am.  As a large group, we learned three of the songs (and motions/dance movements) that we would be singing with the kids during the week.  The songs were awesome.  The motions were rigorous and extremely visual.  And me, well I was just plain clumsy.  Regardless of that fact, I did my best, even though the muzungu (white person) in me was very apparent.  

Then it was time to meet the first of our two Zambian partners.  Each of us would be paired up with two people, affectionately known as our "evangelist" and our "apostle."  Our "evangelist" would be designated as our main translator/partner for the week, and when the "evangelist" and I would be working one-on-one with a child, our "apostle" would then lead the rest of the group.  With great anticipation, I was assigned my evangelist - Magdalene Mwale.  

I've worked with a lot of translators over the years, and Magdalene was just as good as the best of them.  She knew when to translate, and she knew when the kids could understand the English that I was using.  Magdalene also had extra insight, because she is a field worker for the ministry, providing regular assessments of children from the compounds.  I was definitely blessed to be partnered with her for my CAMP LIFE experience, and we spent about 20 minutes getting to know each other and praying together.

Magdalene asked, and it seemed to be a recurring question from others, "Why did I come to Zambia?"  or "What made me decide to come?"  And for some of the people who knew I do the airfare for the ministry, I was asked, "What took you so long to come?"  For me, it wasn't a matter of "what" made me come...it was "Who" made me come.  I was so keenly aware of the journey that God had brought both Amber and I on, and although at the time, I didn't know His purpose in sending us to Zambia, I knew He purposed for us to come.  I didn't need to know the "why"; I only was convinced that I was there for a reason, a reason probably to be revealed at a later time.

Looking back now, I do think I understand a little more fully what that reason was, but I'll save that detail for another time, another blog.  Suffice it to say that this journey started a long time before. Back at the hotel after a full day, as Boulder and I laid down to sleep, I reviewed and tried to personalize the words from Isaiah, just like Greer had asked us to do.  

The Spirit of the sovereign Lord is on ME because the Lord has anointed ME to preach the good news to the poor.  He has sent ME to bind up the broenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair.  They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor." 

Why was I on this journey?  Certainly not because I feel called to minister to children.  In fact, as much as I like working with kids and have a lot of experience doing so, I would much rather minister to adults. Could it be that I was there simply so Amber would be able to experiece CAMP LIFE?  That certainly could be part of it.  But one thing I did know as I laid my head down was that I was sent to tell about the Good News of Jesus to the poor and help girls whose hearts were wounded begin to heal.  I prayed again for my 10 girls.  I didn't even know their names or faces, but I'd been praying for them for a long time.  And I knew if I could just find some way for Boulder and I to agree on a comfort level, the time to meet these 10 precious girls would be here soon.  And the journey would continue.

 

--- Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

Prepare the Way...

"A voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord!  Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.  Every valley shall be raised up; every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.  And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all the people will see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."  
Isaiah 40:3-5

It was the trip of a lifetime, really...a dream come true for Amber and I to be able to go work with orphans in Zambia with one of my long-time clients and friends, Greer and Susan Kendall (Family Legacy Missions International.)  Every detail from how it came to be, our airfare, and even a small safari was God-provided.  I knew God was going to do great things on this trip; I had no doubt of that.  But God had plans far beyond my mind's imagination.  The name of the program was called CAMP LIFE, and to be honest, I really didn't know exactly how all that was going to work, only that I would be pouring myself into children who needed to experience love and hear about the love of the Father.  The theme for CAMP LIFE this year was from Isaiah 40:3-5 "Prepare the way of the Lord."  Although He prepared each step of this trip for us, let me just say that He also kept us on a "need to know" basis pretty much the whole trip.  He definitely prepared the way...I just didn't have access to all the details in advance!  So to say I was excited about the trip is an understatement, but I might also add that I was a bit apprehensive at even the thought of CAMP.  CAMP is a four-letter word, you know.  At least in the Beth Banfill dictionary.  Feel free to add to that list of bad words "bugs".  Physical exertion, CAMP, roughing it, and anything of the sort were all part of the trip's unknown elements, and if you know me, I like to be "in the know."  

That "need to know" basis started with our safari at the front-end of the trip.  All I knew was that once we landed in the capital city of Lusaka, Zambia on Thursday, July 4th in the morning, Amber and I would meet our friend at the airport, drop off our six bags of supplies with her, and then catch a connecting flight to Livingstone, Zambia.  Mind you, we left on Tuesday, July 2nd, so that's a lot of hours of straight travel, but we were excited and ready.  Everything went as planned, including navigating the London underground and train system without any mishaps during our full day-layover in London.  

Once we landed in Lusaka and cleared customs, we were handed our itinerary, and within 90 minutes, we were boarding a very small domestic plane to Livingstone.  The airline was called "Pro Flight", and let's just say you can't buy their tickets here in the good old USA.  I definitely spent some time in prayer both before take-off, in-flight, and at landing, but all was well, and we even were served a snack and drink on board.  A driver met us at the airport and took us to our hotel.  Until that morning, I wasn't even sure of the name of the hotel we were booked at!  To our amazement, we arrived to find that the property hosted zebras, giraffes, monkeys, gazelle, baboons, and even a crocodile, all of which were free to roam the property at their whim.  

The hotel backed up to the Zambia side of Victoria Falls, one of the seven "natural wonders of the world."  We were exhausted, but within minutes of checking-in, we decided to walk down to the Falls. Within a five minute walk down a trail, we were at the edge of this beautiful handiwork of God, with a double rainbow in view.

The sight was even more incredible than the picture.  I started to move down a path to get a better view before coming to an immediate hault...I stumbled across this mother babboon, with a baby nearby. I could see the headline, "Woman goes to Africa to work with orphans and leaves her own child as one." Discretion is not something I always take advantage of, but this time I stood my distance and watched in amazement as she climbed the tree and hopped around her palacial home. 

We made our way down another path to the top of the Zambia side of the falls and this view below. After snapping quite a few pictures, we were ready to move on and see the rest of the property.

Remember, we were on a "need to know basis" so I didn't have any idea what this little side-trip to Livingstone included.  I found out that we had Thursday completely free, Friday was filled with a side-trip to Botswana that included a game-drive safari and a river-cruise, and then the only thing for Saturday was a 12 noon transfer to the airport.  We ended up booking a 1-hour "Segway Sunset Tour" with the activities desk for Thursday evening, and I started to inquire whether there was any other activities we could squeeze in before departing back to the airport at 12 noon on Saturday.  Liz, the lady at the desk told us we could book the boat to go to "Livingstone Island."  She told us nothing else except that we could fit it in our schedule and it was very nice.  After weighing the cost and realizing this was a YOLO moment for Amber and I, I booked it.  More on that later, because here's a tip...especially while in a foreign land, it's always a good idea to ask what exactly that little boat ride to the island would include.

We were the only two participants on the Sunset Segway Tour, so our guide was pretty liberal in our speed and the path we took.  He took us to the feeding area where the giraffes live on the property, and we ended the day watching the sun set over the Zambezi River.

 

 

On Friday morning, we met up with some others who were booked for the day trip to Botswana and Chobe National Park.  We soon found out that these two families were also attending CAMP LIFE.  God sure has a way of setting our mind at ease, because having people with us from Texas and Oklahoma sure made me feel a lot safer in a foreign country.  We went on our game drive in the morning and a river cruise in the afternoon.  Now, after having been to the Serengeti last year, I can't say that the sites of animals in the wild were the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, and they definitely weren't "in abundance" but we did get to see a lot of elephants, hippos, and crocodiles up close-and personal. 

Included in that "up close and personal" was the awestruck view from the river cruise of watching a family of elephants gracefully step into the river and eventually swim across the channel to the island. It was my favorite part of the day, for sure!

Our short time in Livingstone was coming to an end.  We were having a wonderful time on the side-trip, but Amber and I both were ready to start CAMP LIFE and see what God had in store for us and the upcoming week.  We woke up Saturday morning, ate breakfast, and then we caught the shuttle over to the drop-point for the boat tour to Livingstone Island.  We put on our life jackets, and before entering the speedboat, we were given waivers to sign...in three places...with initials in four other places.  Perhaps that should have been a clue that we were about to embark on real adventure, but again, God kept us on a "need to know basis".  We signed our lives away, made it to the island, and then took a short hike to a campsite.

Then our guide said, "OK, we are in Africa, everyone take off your shoes and socks and follow me." Amber and I looked at each other and our jaw dropped to the ground.  "What in the world did we get ourselves into?" I thought.  As we hiked up to the campsite, the guide pointed out elephant and hippo dung on the side of the path.  Now he's telling me I'm going to walk through this barefoot?  But Amber and I shrugged our shoulders and with a big smile embarked on the adventure of a lifetime.

At some points, Amber was literally knee deep in mud, and with each step, I let out a squeel of nasty disgust. I held my breath with furrowed brow.  I could only think about what might be under the mud I was sinking in. While I never saw a snake, I was definitely on the lookout for one.  As we hiked through the mud, the sound of Victoria Falls became stronger, and my heart began to race a bit more.  We went from the mud to a small rapid.  Our guide stood between us and a drop-point to the falls.   "Step here, he would say, pointing with his foot to a very specific rock, all while holding our hands to cross.  Then he would point with his other foot to another rock.  "Not here, don't step here.  Here.  Put your foot here."

I went first, and after I made it over to that first stop-point, I looked him in the eye and said, "That's my only daughter.  Don't let anything happen to her!"  All I could think of is "what in the world did I get myself into?  Why didn't I ask more questions about this little tour?  Frank would never approve of us doing this!"  After Amber made it to other side safely, my fears eased, and I began to understand why people pay money to put themselves in danger like this.  We had made our way to the top of the falls. We were literally standing on the edge, looking over a massive waterfall, and although the pictures don't show the immense beauty because of the rain, it was indeed one of the most amazing experiences we've ever had in our lives.  (Not to mention one of the biggest adreniline rushes of our lives!)

We eventually made our way over to several other fast moving areas of water, with our guide holding our hand, one by one, and telling us where to place our feet, step by step.  As I experienced it in "real-time", my mind was experiencing it in slow-motion.  I immediately thought of the paralel of my Heavenly guide telling me "Go here, my child.  Don't step over there, you'll be in danger.  Here.  This is the way; you'll be safe here.  Don't worry, just hold my hand."

Amber and I both agreed that we're not so sure we would have embarked on this adventure to the island, had we known all the facts.  In fact, there was a 15-year old girl on the tour from Australia who refused to take her shoes and socks off; she wated at the campsite for everyone else and completely missed the adventure.  That thought crossed my mind - I'll be honest.  But I'm so thankful I didn't back-out.  The beauty on the "other side" was well worth the discomfort and trek to get there.  

I know this has been a long post, but I wanted to document the details.  I shake my head in wonder at God's love for me to bless me with this trip...and to get to do this with my daughter is really something that cannot be described.  We were on a "need to know" basis, and all we really needed to know at that point was that God had clearly told us to participate in CAMP LIFE, and we were being obedient.  It was a no-brainer for us, really.  That's why we were there, treking across the other side of the world. Because we were being obedient to what God asked us to do.

As I think about that morning, the sound of the rushing waterfall, I can't help but think of the experiences that were to come that next week, the memories still vividly rushing through my mind. Had I known in advance what was to come, the depth of emotions I would experience, the pain I would see in the eyes of the girls I was working with, the reality of the HIV-AIDS epidemic in the country, the poverty these children live in, and the plight of the orphan child in Zambia...well,perhaps I would not have come.  

But that's not how God works.  

He says, "Step here, my child.  Here, on this rock.  Step here.  It's safe here.  Don't worry, I'm holding your hand."  And with each step of obedience, before you know it, you're on the other side of the world, feeling as safe as if you're in your own temperpedic bed in Wylie, Texas.  Because that's just how God works, on a "need to know basis" as He made the way straight in the desert.  He raised up every valley and every mountain and hill He made low.  He made the rough ground become level and the rugged places plain.  And He revealed His glory. Yes, He revealed His glory to us, and He prepared the way!

Stay tuned...more to come!

--- Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

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

 

Discovery #3 - Peter really has a bad rap

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com