I thought you would enjoy this little video. I thought it was funny! Maybe it can brighten your day as it did mine! :o)
Have a wonderful day!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
One Woman's Faith
Sorry to be posting late today. I've changed up my schedule again! Now I'm exercising after my devotions, instead of blogging, because it seemed I was never able to squeeze that in late in the day! Blogging is a "quieter" activity that I can do easily while the girls are napping! Look for me late tomorrow, too. Until then, here's what I've got to share. I hope this is a blessing.
Today I was reading Matthew 15. I came across the following verses:
22And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and cast it to dogs.27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
The portion of scripture that I have placed in bold type is the part which puzzled me today. This comment that our Lord makes to this Syrophenician woman sounds so, I don't know, condescending?! It sounds as though Jesus is being a "respecter of persons" even though the Bible clearly says that God is no such person. Because I have a fairly strong Bible foundation - thanks to the patient teaching of my parents, siblings, Pastor and husband - I know that being a respecter of persons, or favoring one person over another, is sin. Furthermore, I know that God incarnate - Jesus - knew no sin. So I must be looking at this wrong! I must not be seeing something correctly. Upon further inspection, and with guidance from the Lord, I saw what I was missing.
As we read on in the passage, we see that in the end, Jesus does heal this woman's daughter. Jesus, in fact, is no respecter of persons. He willingly and lovingly answers this lady's request, and also commends her for her faith. Why, then, did He tell her He was "not sent but unto the lost sheep of Israel"? Why did He call her a "dog"? I believe that this test or question of her faith was part of God's plan to increase her faith. If nothing else, we see this woman's love for her daughter put to the test. She was willing to be publicly humiliated by our Creator to see her daughter healed! What love! I would be shaking and quaking if I had approached Jesus! Once he said he was sent only for Jews, I believe I would have turned the brightest red you ever saw and burst into tears! Not this woman. She knew He could heal her daughter. She would do all she could to convince the "King of the Jews" to have mercy on her - a Gentile dog- because she wanted to see a miracle! We see her boldness, and her faith, as she replies to the Savior, "Truth, Lord: (I can hear her voice trembling) yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." Wow. She proclaimed it to all listening: "I am nothing but a "dog" as the Jews refer to me, but You are my master, no matter what I am called." Jesus said to her "O woman, great is thy faith:" Can you hear the admiration in His voice? Can you see the love for her in his eyes? Do you see the tears spilling out of her eyes, as the Savior of the world grants her request? I can. This isn't in the Bible, but I picture her falling to her knees in tears, and thanking the Lord.
He's so good to us. We are all "dogs". None of us deserve Heaven, yet He's made it available to us at great cost to only Himself. Not only that, friends, but He places a great value upon us! He loves us.
I believe Jesus could see her heart, and He knew her faith was great, without questioning her. But, when He questioned her faith, then all those watching could see her faith first-hand. She was a great testimony of what Jesus can do when we believe!
He is still the same today. What are you needing from the Lord? Do you need a miracle today? I sure could use one! Do you need to feel His loving arms embrace you today? He can do it, but you must believe. Is He testing you right now? If He is, then just proclaim your love and belief even louder! Are you too heart broken to even form the words of faith? That's okay. I've got a verse for you, too. Psalm 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Just cry to Him. He promises to be close by when you do. Just keep believing and you'll be sure to hear Him say "O woman! Great is thy faith!"
Today I was reading Matthew 15. I came across the following verses:
22And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and cast it to dogs.27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
The portion of scripture that I have placed in bold type is the part which puzzled me today. This comment that our Lord makes to this Syrophenician woman sounds so, I don't know, condescending?! It sounds as though Jesus is being a "respecter of persons" even though the Bible clearly says that God is no such person. Because I have a fairly strong Bible foundation - thanks to the patient teaching of my parents, siblings, Pastor and husband - I know that being a respecter of persons, or favoring one person over another, is sin. Furthermore, I know that God incarnate - Jesus - knew no sin. So I must be looking at this wrong! I must not be seeing something correctly. Upon further inspection, and with guidance from the Lord, I saw what I was missing.
As we read on in the passage, we see that in the end, Jesus does heal this woman's daughter. Jesus, in fact, is no respecter of persons. He willingly and lovingly answers this lady's request, and also commends her for her faith. Why, then, did He tell her He was "not sent but unto the lost sheep of Israel"? Why did He call her a "dog"? I believe that this test or question of her faith was part of God's plan to increase her faith. If nothing else, we see this woman's love for her daughter put to the test. She was willing to be publicly humiliated by our Creator to see her daughter healed! What love! I would be shaking and quaking if I had approached Jesus! Once he said he was sent only for Jews, I believe I would have turned the brightest red you ever saw and burst into tears! Not this woman. She knew He could heal her daughter. She would do all she could to convince the "King of the Jews" to have mercy on her - a Gentile dog- because she wanted to see a miracle! We see her boldness, and her faith, as she replies to the Savior, "Truth, Lord: (I can hear her voice trembling) yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table." Wow. She proclaimed it to all listening: "I am nothing but a "dog" as the Jews refer to me, but You are my master, no matter what I am called." Jesus said to her "O woman, great is thy faith:" Can you hear the admiration in His voice? Can you see the love for her in his eyes? Do you see the tears spilling out of her eyes, as the Savior of the world grants her request? I can. This isn't in the Bible, but I picture her falling to her knees in tears, and thanking the Lord.
He's so good to us. We are all "dogs". None of us deserve Heaven, yet He's made it available to us at great cost to only Himself. Not only that, friends, but He places a great value upon us! He loves us.
I believe Jesus could see her heart, and He knew her faith was great, without questioning her. But, when He questioned her faith, then all those watching could see her faith first-hand. She was a great testimony of what Jesus can do when we believe!
He is still the same today. What are you needing from the Lord? Do you need a miracle today? I sure could use one! Do you need to feel His loving arms embrace you today? He can do it, but you must believe. Is He testing you right now? If He is, then just proclaim your love and belief even louder! Are you too heart broken to even form the words of faith? That's okay. I've got a verse for you, too. Psalm 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Just cry to Him. He promises to be close by when you do. Just keep believing and you'll be sure to hear Him say "O woman! Great is thy faith!"
Monday, January 21, 2008
Thank You, Jean Daves
The sun was setting and the lights of Hot Springs, Arkansas were starting to glimmer against the surrounding mountains. It was Friday night, and people hurried from work to begin the wonderful weekend! Everywhere you looked you could practically read the minds of those you passed: "TGIF!" The restaurants were filling up and the Oaklawn horse racing parking lot was nearly full. (Oh! How my Dad hated the traffic caused by people out gambling!)
My family also enjoyed a Friday night tradition: eating fish at Kilby's Restaurant! MMMM-Good! My Mom, Dad, brother and sister had enjoyed this tradition of good food and a relaxing evening out for some time.(I had not yet arrived on the scene) It was getting a little uncomfortable though, since the new waitress came. When my Dad worked for the Hot Springs School District as pupil personnel director, Jean Daves was a volunteer that worked with him for a while. She was a very nice lady, and my Dad was a people person, so she always greeted our family warmly when they showed up to eat some fish on Friday night!
The owners of the Restaurant were members of Grand Avenue Baptist Church and sweet Christians. It just so happens that Jean Daves was a member there too.
She began inviting my Dad to church. "Ron, I want you to come to my church. We have a new pastor and you'd just love him!" She would say as she seated them. "His name is Glenn Riggs, and he's so nice. I hope you'll come visit soon." She'd say again when she brought the food. My Dad would smile and say "Oh really. Well, yes, we'll have to do that." And then proceed to dig in and forget all about it.
This continued for weeks. Every Friday, the Courtney family would eat fish; every Friday, Jean Daves was the waitress - or server! - and would invite them to church. "Ron, now I really want you to come visit. You said you would."
Finally, my Mother became embarrassed to eat there and continue to put this zealous woman off for another week, because they really hadn't seriously meant to visit her church or her pastor. "Ron," Mom said one night as they headed out the door for fish, "You know Jean is going to invite us to church again tonight...we need to either stop eating there, or go visit her church!" Well, a decision was made. I don't know whether my Dad had a strong desire for spiritual matters, or if he simply loved food that much, or maybe both. But whatever the reason, they decided to attend Jean Daves' church...and it changed our lives. I'm including myself there, because, while I was not yet born or even considered, it affected my life.
They went to church there that week. They'd never heard anything like it. In the other churches they attended, it seemed as though the preacher was talking over them, instead of to them, and they had never heard a clear presentation of the Gospel. My brother, Kevin, who was nine I believe, leaned over to Mom and whispered "Mom! I understand what he's saying!"
My parents left. They did not get saved that night, but they had kept their promise to Jean Daves!
Later that week, they received a visit from the Pastor, Glenn Riggs, and the associate Pastor, Glenn Lewis. Seated at the brown kitchen table at 110 Sunset Bay Drive in Hot Springs, Arkansas, my parents accepted the gift of Jesus into their lives, and we've never been the same. My parents could never seem to get over what Jesus had done for them. They weren't part of the "party" lifestyle, they weren't drunks or hooked on drugs, yet they knew they were unworthy of Jesus - as we all are. They have given their lives to knowing Him and serving Him. My parents have worked on buses, in Sunday School, and have gone soul winning, sharing the Good News with others that Jean Daves helped to share with them! In fact, my Dad was out knocking doors his last night on this Earth! What a faithful Father I had! My mother has not quit serving since Dad's home-going - as many women would. She keeps going! What a faithful lady she is!
I've been given a wonderful life - a life in Christ - and I owe it to a lady that I've never even met. I owe it to a lady who loved the Lord enough to not only invite others to church, but to be persistent at it!
Thank you, Jean Daves, for being a living witness for the Lord. You were the instrument used to change my life, and the lives of my family, for eternity.
My family also enjoyed a Friday night tradition: eating fish at Kilby's Restaurant! MMMM-Good! My Mom, Dad, brother and sister had enjoyed this tradition of good food and a relaxing evening out for some time.(I had not yet arrived on the scene) It was getting a little uncomfortable though, since the new waitress came. When my Dad worked for the Hot Springs School District as pupil personnel director, Jean Daves was a volunteer that worked with him for a while. She was a very nice lady, and my Dad was a people person, so she always greeted our family warmly when they showed up to eat some fish on Friday night!
The owners of the Restaurant were members of Grand Avenue Baptist Church and sweet Christians. It just so happens that Jean Daves was a member there too.
She began inviting my Dad to church. "Ron, I want you to come to my church. We have a new pastor and you'd just love him!" She would say as she seated them. "His name is Glenn Riggs, and he's so nice. I hope you'll come visit soon." She'd say again when she brought the food. My Dad would smile and say "Oh really. Well, yes, we'll have to do that." And then proceed to dig in and forget all about it.
This continued for weeks. Every Friday, the Courtney family would eat fish; every Friday, Jean Daves was the waitress - or server! - and would invite them to church. "Ron, now I really want you to come visit. You said you would."
Finally, my Mother became embarrassed to eat there and continue to put this zealous woman off for another week, because they really hadn't seriously meant to visit her church or her pastor. "Ron," Mom said one night as they headed out the door for fish, "You know Jean is going to invite us to church again tonight...we need to either stop eating there, or go visit her church!" Well, a decision was made. I don't know whether my Dad had a strong desire for spiritual matters, or if he simply loved food that much, or maybe both. But whatever the reason, they decided to attend Jean Daves' church...and it changed our lives. I'm including myself there, because, while I was not yet born or even considered, it affected my life.
They went to church there that week. They'd never heard anything like it. In the other churches they attended, it seemed as though the preacher was talking over them, instead of to them, and they had never heard a clear presentation of the Gospel. My brother, Kevin, who was nine I believe, leaned over to Mom and whispered "Mom! I understand what he's saying!"
My parents left. They did not get saved that night, but they had kept their promise to Jean Daves!
Later that week, they received a visit from the Pastor, Glenn Riggs, and the associate Pastor, Glenn Lewis. Seated at the brown kitchen table at 110 Sunset Bay Drive in Hot Springs, Arkansas, my parents accepted the gift of Jesus into their lives, and we've never been the same. My parents could never seem to get over what Jesus had done for them. They weren't part of the "party" lifestyle, they weren't drunks or hooked on drugs, yet they knew they were unworthy of Jesus - as we all are. They have given their lives to knowing Him and serving Him. My parents have worked on buses, in Sunday School, and have gone soul winning, sharing the Good News with others that Jean Daves helped to share with them! In fact, my Dad was out knocking doors his last night on this Earth! What a faithful Father I had! My mother has not quit serving since Dad's home-going - as many women would. She keeps going! What a faithful lady she is!
I've been given a wonderful life - a life in Christ - and I owe it to a lady that I've never even met. I owe it to a lady who loved the Lord enough to not only invite others to church, but to be persistent at it!
Thank you, Jean Daves, for being a living witness for the Lord. You were the instrument used to change my life, and the lives of my family, for eternity.
Friday, January 18, 2008
News From Us ~
I'm sorry I failed to post yesterday. We had Terry's younger brother, Joel, and his family here. They were passing through on their way home
to Trenton, Missouri. We enjoyed seeing them so much, but it was all too brief. We hadn't seen them in two years, and well, that's just too long! They could only stay a few hours because they had such a long drive ahead of them. We were able to take some family photos, which you'll see at the bottom of the page.
I also wanted to include some recent photos of the kids!
Hope you enjoy them!
Hope you enjoy them!
Terry made the kids some "glasses" out of chenille wire! Very funny!
Leslie would look pretty good, if these were on straight! :o)
I was able to find all three girls matching dresses for Christmas, so I couldn't resist a photo to bronze the moment!
Mitchell got a new outfit too! Here they are, best friends!
The entire Basham Clan! (This was hard to do with so many little kids, and we used the timer feature on our camera!) Say "WE LOVE TEXAS!"
The Basham Grandkids. L-R: Lauren (holding Timmy), J.T., Mitchell(holding Laci), and Leslie
Mitch and J.T.
The Basham Boys! Terry II, Joel, J.T. and MitchMonday, January 14, 2008
Jesus Is My Example
Matt. 9:24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
Matt. 9:33-34 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. 34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
Today, as I read these verses and one thing really stood out to me. In verse 24 Jesus is about to heal Jairus's daughter, but first He tells them that the girl isn't dead, she's sleeping! This must have been funny to those at the house, because they began to laugh. In fact, they laughed Him to scorn. They mocked Him. A few verses later, we see Jesus has just cast out a demon. Yet, not all the people were willing to see Jesus has a healer and a miracle worker. The Pharisees accused Him of being a cohort of Satan - the prince of devils! Now, that hurts, doesn't it?
I have not suffered the way our dear Savior did, not by any stretch of the imagination- not even close. But, the persecution and trouble that I have faced has been hard. It's been very discouraging at times! When I read this, I took comfort that Jesus had been there too, and He was perfect! I noticed what Jesus did after He faced the laughter and the criticism of those who did not believe in Him:
Matt.9:345 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
He continued on! He went on teaching and preaching. He didn't stop. He didn't quit. He didn't have a pity party (as I am prone to do!). He didn't gripe. He didn't write a hateful letter to them, or begin slandering them to his followers. What an amazing example Christ is! I'll never be exactly like Christ, because I can never be perfect. But Jesus certainly gives me something to shoot for! Whether people laugh at me or criticize me, I hope and pray that I will continue working and serving my King. After all, Jesus knows my motives and my heart, and He's the only one I need be concerned about! He's the one I need to please- and that will keep me busy for the rest of my days.
Matt. 9:33-34 And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. 34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
Today, as I read these verses and one thing really stood out to me. In verse 24 Jesus is about to heal Jairus's daughter, but first He tells them that the girl isn't dead, she's sleeping! This must have been funny to those at the house, because they began to laugh. In fact, they laughed Him to scorn. They mocked Him. A few verses later, we see Jesus has just cast out a demon. Yet, not all the people were willing to see Jesus has a healer and a miracle worker. The Pharisees accused Him of being a cohort of Satan - the prince of devils! Now, that hurts, doesn't it?
I have not suffered the way our dear Savior did, not by any stretch of the imagination- not even close. But, the persecution and trouble that I have faced has been hard. It's been very discouraging at times! When I read this, I took comfort that Jesus had been there too, and He was perfect! I noticed what Jesus did after He faced the laughter and the criticism of those who did not believe in Him:
Matt.9:345 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
He continued on! He went on teaching and preaching. He didn't stop. He didn't quit. He didn't have a pity party (as I am prone to do!). He didn't gripe. He didn't write a hateful letter to them, or begin slandering them to his followers. What an amazing example Christ is! I'll never be exactly like Christ, because I can never be perfect. But Jesus certainly gives me something to shoot for! Whether people laugh at me or criticize me, I hope and pray that I will continue working and serving my King. After all, Jesus knows my motives and my heart, and He's the only one I need be concerned about! He's the one I need to please- and that will keep me busy for the rest of my days.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Happy Birthday to a Very Special Person!
Dixie with her family: Brice, Courtney, Carrie, Bret and her hubby, Brian.
Dixie,I could never thank you enough for all the joy you have added to my life. Thank you for being my best friend! I hope you have a blessed day and a wonderful year! I miss you, and I love you.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Studying God's Word
I want to read God's Word everyday. I may not get to blog everyday, and that's a bummer for me, since I love blogging! However, blogging will always take second place to my own devotional time. I not only want to read God's Word, but also to study it, to break it down, memorize it, and meditate upon it. Through God's Word, I can know my Savior like never before. I can read the Bible and walk away and forget it soon thereafter, but studying it helps ingrain His truths into my mind and heart. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. Prov. 7:2-3
I want to share these tips for studying God's Word that I believe are really going to help me this year.
When you're studying scripture ask yourself these three questions about the passage:
1. Observation: What does it say?
2. Interpretation: What does it mean?
3. Application: What do I do?
The next time I'm studying out a specific book of the Bible, or a topic, I am going to ask myself these questions. I thought this was a concise way to study God's Word in our daily devotions.
May we know Him better this year than ever before!
Happy reading! :0)
I want to share these tips for studying God's Word that I believe are really going to help me this year.
When you're studying scripture ask yourself these three questions about the passage:
1. Observation: What does it say?
2. Interpretation: What does it mean?
3. Application: What do I do?
The next time I'm studying out a specific book of the Bible, or a topic, I am going to ask myself these questions. I thought this was a concise way to study God's Word in our daily devotions.
May we know Him better this year than ever before!
Happy reading! :0)