I enjoy reading books about pioneers and great men and women of faith.  One of my favorite men of faith is Smith Wigglesworth.  The following is an excerpt from God-Given Faith, written about Smith Wigglesworth upon a house and encountering a woman who was in extreme need of deliverance.

" 'I knew something had to be done, no matter what it was.' He said, 'then with my faith, I began to penetrate the heavens, and I was soon out of that house. I will tell you, for I never saw a man get anything from God who prayed on the earth. If you get anything from God, you will have to pray into heaven. That is where it all is. If you are living in the earth realm and expect to receive from God, you will never get anything... I saw in the presence of God the limitations of my faith. Then there came another faith, a faith that cannot be denied, a faith that takes the promise, a faith that believes God's Word. And from that presence, I came back again to earth, but not the same man. God gave a faith that could shake heaven. And in that faith there was total deliverance for that young woman.' "

May we all learn how to expand our faith off the earth, into the Heavens, and back again to help others.

Yesterday, I noticed our local bookstore was going out of business, so I went in to see what books were still available.  I found a small hardback book titled, Springs in the Valley by Mrs. Chas E. Cowman, copyright 1939.  Intrigued, I purchased the little devotional and took it home.  Last night while reading the second entry, I had a deeper revelation of the New Testament thanks to Mrs. Cowman expounding on the Emmaus Road experience. 
 
When I read the Old Testament, it’s easy to see an allegory or parable within the event being described.  Take for example the story of David and Goliath.  We know this was a factual account of a historical confrontation between a young Israeli teenager and a seasoned Philistine warrior.  While reading about the real event, most Believers also understand other layers that are allegorical or spiritually symbolic.  We perceive situations in our lives when we are in a similar position to David.  David, representing a man of faith, overcomes the impossible giant in life by trusting in God.  From David’s historical battle, we can learn a lesson of faith applicable to our own lives.  Or perhaps in the story of David and Goliath, we view Jesus the Christ, the Beloved (the meaning of David’s name) of God, taking on Satan, humanity’s giant enemy, and totally destroying him.  Whatever spiritual depths we read in the story of David and Goliath, Believers seem to instinctively know there is more to the Old Testament story than just mere historical facts. 
 
Somehow, I never truly applied this same bible reading principle to all the New Testament scriptures.  Of course like many Christians, I regularly extrapolate spiritual applications from Jesus’ teachings and parables.  Their practical application to a life of faith seem obvious, as well as in many other gospel accounts, like Peter stepping out of the boat to walk on water.  Yet somehow, many of the other events in the New Testament I read as simply historical facts and never truly considered a deeper spiritual meaning concealed behind them.
 
Mrs. Cowman wrote about the Emmaus Road experience from a new spiritual perspective.  She began recounting the tale of an early spring day when two men were walking the Emmaus Road, both recently saddened by their teacher’s death.  Then she elaborated about their heavy emotional burden and mentioned a Stranger suddenly falls in step with them along the road.  Together, the three men begin discussing the depressed hearts of the two disciples.  While the two men don’t understand who the third man is yet, their discussion of scripture ignites a warm glow in their souls that bids them to stay in this stranger’s company.  Loathed to see him leave, the two men invite him into their lodging for the night.  At dinner with the breaking of bread, the two men suddenly KNOW the third man is Jesus. 
 
Then Ms. Cowman challenges Believers to take the spiritual application of the Emmaus Road event into our hearts.  Do we have times in life when we don’t notice Jesus walking with us because our journey is full of sorrows and with heavy heart and feet we barely take the next step?  Like those two men of long ago, Jesus is walking beside us, even when we do not see Him.  Like them, do you feel warmth within your soul while reading God’s word?  Does it feel like that flame might be too small to completely lift your pain and burden, and yet you do not want the Stranger to leave?  Well, take comfort Ms. Cowman reminds, for the Lord is walking beside you!  Jesus’ revelations from Old Testament scriptures beginning with Moses clear up through Gospel events are only part of knowledge He wanted to impart to His disciples.  Jesus desired they understand all that He was, all that He did, and equally important that they see Him as He is now.  Had Jesus not wanted those two disciples to see Him as the risen Lord, He would not have stayed with them till dinner waiting for them to fully comprehend. 

• Are you on a very long road? 
• Have you been emotionally wounded and yet been walking for hours?
• Are you growing weary and disheartened?
• Does it seem like the sun is fading as twilight and dark shadows grow? 

 
Take comfort for Jesus is with you.  Even though you cannot see Him clearly, He is walking beside you, always with you.  Mrs. Cowman encourages Believers to take the seemingly lonely road.  Walk it courageous and unafraid, because Jesus is on that road.   He will never fail you, nor ever forget His covenant with you.  Like the disciples of old, Jesus continually walks beside us, even if we don’t realize it.
 
Wow! Looking through the eyes of the Emmaus Road disciples for a practical spiritual revelation the Holy Spirit wanted to impart to Believers today was fresh rhema for my soul.  It also forever changed how I read the New Testament.  No longer will I read of early church events as simply recording the facts of what happened.   Like Old Testament stories, the New Testament facts are designed to give us a deeper revelation of Jesus Christ and His work in our lives.  Imagine what Believers will find when we read through the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, and all the letters to the churches with a heart to view another level of revelation, one beyond the mere facts.  What precious treasures await those who seek!

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing and the honor of kings to search it out.
Proverbs 25:2

Part of living a life with Christ is giving back to others in your community.  This weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer to teach Kindergarten through second grade students how to write a good story, the parts of a story, how to identify problems, and find solutions.  The Young Writer's Conference was held at Sherrod Elementary School in Palmer, Alaska.  Students from all over the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District came to participate.  

I ended up teaching 54 students in three groups, who came with their parents and grandparents to the event.  I began by sharing the story Mimsy Mouse Searches for a New Home by Linda N. Walz and Stephan Linton.  Students learned about the three parts of a fiction book: the beginning, middle, and end.  Each section was later broken down to help students identify the problem, the turning point, and solution.  All the students fell in love with Mimsy's story and who wouldn't; it's a wonderful tale of friendship.

After explaining what makes a good story to the kids, I brought booklets for each student to create his/her own story.  Perimeters were given to help students focus on writing their stories in the given amount of time.  The stories had to be about a main character that was a moose.  The moose had to have some problem based on a desire or talent the moose had that was not "normal" for other moose.  I gave the examples of maybe the moose wanted to play the piano, ski down a mountain, or ride a bicycle.  Then the students began the creative writing process.

In the end, I loved all the different stories the children created.  There was a moose who lived on the sun and wanted to move because he was so hot.  He moved to Antarctica and was much happier.  There were two young ladies in the last group that really surprised me by working together.  None of the other children had thought about coauthoring.  These two girls attended the same school and were friends.  When the first little girl started her story about a moose, named Bilmy, that was scared of everything and lived in a cave to feel safe, the second little girl made her story about a friendly girl moose, named Emily, who befriended Bilmy to teach him the world isn't scary when you have a best friend.   Together the young ladies wrote a very touching story of friendship, which displayed their own good hearts as well.

Buy Mimsy Mouse Today!

It was wonderful to share with the kids and watch them learn.  I also laughed a lot at their imaginations: from moose going to the moon to driving trucks or ice skating, these kids had endless ideas for problems and solutions.  I also loved that every time I asked as question, they jumped right in to answer.  Every child thought he or she was a great artist.  They all tried their best to draw moose, even when their skills were not as well-honed as others.  Most children thought they were good writers too.  Every student believed he had something to share.  Saturday made me wish many adults would go back and capture their child-like hearts, when they believed in themselves so completely as these kids did.  Somehow adults lose sight of their abilities and imaginations.  Trials have made us stop believing in ourselves or start comparing our gifts to others, who have are "better" than us.  These kids didn't have that problem.  Each child worked diligently on his drawings and story, regardless of whether other students were better or worse in those talents. Spending time with children can help bring our own childlike qualities back to our lives.  We can learn to believe in ourselves again and use our gifts without comparison to others.  We can not only have childlike faith, but childlike confidence too.  Yes, you can write a book.  It might be as crazy as a moose on roller skates, but it would be fun and creative.  Judging from the 54 students I worked with on Saturday, we are all born with creativity.  Don't let the world steal your joy from you!

This weekend, I took some time to watch a movie.  I usually unwind with a Hallmark, happy-ending kind of story, but on Sunday I stumbled across "The Five People You Meet in Heaven." Apparently this movie was based on the book by Mitch Albom, which I'd never read before but am thinking would be an awesome book to add to my must-read list.  It was a spiritually deep movie in many aspects.  Too often we feel our daily life is uneventful or tedious, and we often associate those "normal" events as basically meaningless.  The theme of this movie  addresses the anger and unhappiness which stem from feeling your life is meaningless.  Eddie, the main character, was a man dissatisfied with his life, wishing he had lived a more exciting or more valuable life.  All the woulda, coulda, shoulda's haunted him.  When Eddie dies unexpectedly, he goes to Heaven but it's not what he expected.  In Heaven he meets 5 people who help him understand his 'meaningless' life, some of whom he never really met in life.   I won't give away the ending, but I'll tell you it's something you won't expect.   If you have ever struggled with wondering about the purpose of a normal or boring life, you will be encouraged to know that every life: no matter how short, boring, or seemingly inconsequential is part of the wonderful plan of God.  Every life matters more than we ever know this side of Heaven.

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29-31

I'm so excited!  My second book Redemption's Secret is coming out next month, March 17th.  This book was based on some of the information contained my first book Jesus Unveiled, that needed to be addressed separately to fully understand its significance.  Nisan 17 is the most important date in human history, aside from perhaps the creation of Adam and Eve.  It's a date that God has used repeatedly throughout the Bible to build faith in His people.  The events on Nisan 17 in the Old Testament have also been used to symbolize various aspects of Messiah's ministry. I hope to express some of the wonder and details over the next month as we move closer to the book launch.

Recently, I began to re-read some of my older Christian books on the shelf.  For January, I selected The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith.  In the third chapter, I read Hannah's description of the average Christian, which I have paraphrased below...

"Most Christians are like a man who was walking along the road, bending over under the weight of a heavy backpack.  When a wagon came along and saw him, the driver stopped and kindly offered to help him along his journey.  The traveler joyfully accepted the offer of help. Once seated in the wagon, he continued to be bent forward beneath the weight of the pack, which was still upon his shoulders.  The driver asked, "Why do you not lay your burden down in the wagon?"  The traveler replied, "Oh, I feel that it is too much to ask of you sir, to carry both me and my burden too."   

Hannah was very astute to see this HUGE problem in the Church.  We are so excited for Jesus to save us, but we don't fully grasp the fullness of the salvation He offers.   Jesus said, "Come to me all who are heavy burdened and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28  Yet, too many Christians continue under heavy burdens, growing more tired each day.  Much of our happiness is drained by these troubles.  Our burdens are the fears, anxieties, addictions, worries, anger, unforgiveness, guilt, physical ailments, money, and other emotional baggage.

We need to realize we were never meant to carry these burdens.  Jesus created you.  He understands exactly how you are wired; what's happened to you; and your amazing destiny.  He is far more equipped to deal with your struggles than you are.  As your Lord, it is His desire and responsibility to care for you and all your needs.  The difficulty often lies with us.  It seems silly that we are able to trust God for our eternal salvation but able to not trust Him to deal with our finances or battle the hidden things in our heart that cause us fear or worry.   On a daily basis, we allow these burdens to consume our thoughts and actions in the mistaken belief we can control or fix them.  Most times, we cannot.  Our focusing on troubles only leads to disappointment, discouragement, and disillusionment.  But God has freedom for us, if we will dare to lay our burdens in His care.

I realize it's a hard thing to lay down your burdens in the daily care of the Lord.  Sometimes, it requires you to continually put them back into His hands once you realize that you've taken them back and are ruminating on them again.  When you realize how much He loves you, it makes it easier to trust Him to handle your burdens. 

If you feel you can't turn everything over to God right now, than try trusting God with just one thing today.  Give God one aspect of your life you can't handle or don't want to bother you any more.  Then if any thoughts surrounding that issue come back into your mind, go back in prayer to God and apologize.  Ask God again to take this issue and give it to Him.  Thank Him for carrying not only the burden but for working it out in your favor.  Then know God is working on your issue, even if you don't see any immediate resolution.  As you learn to trust God in one area, your faith will grow and you will be able to give Him more and more areas and burdens.

Ultimately,  every burden should be placed in God's hands.  He is strong enough to care for you and carry every trouble that would plague you.  God is willing and able to save you to the utmost.   Take His yoke, it is light and easy.

Are you looking for a new devotional this year?  Want to grow in your faith and understanding of God's Word?  Consider one of these classics: