Mountains of Faith and Love

June 18, 2015 by Caroline 3 Comments

Sometimes, in the busy-ness

of life,

of lists,

of limitations,

I forget to pause and take a deep breath.

So it helps if I step outside,

stop,

breathe.

Particularly if that outside is in the mountains.

Sometimes I’ve tried to figure out why the mountains move me so greatly.

But I don’t think I really need to know.

I think it’s just one way God wired me to see, feel, remember, praise.

When I linger outside in the mountains God created,

I don’t feel like its bigness is intimidating,

the way a man-made skyscraper might be.

Instead, I feel a peace. Perhaps a reminder of presence.

“Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
    your justice like the great deep.
    You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
    People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” – Psalm 36:5-7 (NIV)

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place
    throughout all generations.
Before the mountains were born
    or you brought forth the whole world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” – Psalm 90:1-2 (NIV)

When I explore the forested hills, rocky terrain, and wind-swept fields God created,

I see how our God is a creative God,

tempering various kinds of beauty out of one land.

“For the Lord is the great God,
    the great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth,
    and the mountain peaks belong to him.
The sea is his, for he made it,
    and his hands formed the dry land.” – Psalm 95:3-5

When I come to a mountain stream God created,

I’m reminded of how perseverance carves the best path,

slowly, surely,

with rocks and bumps along the way,

but also smooth sections and even glorious waterfalls, too.

“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” – Hebrews 12:1b-2a (NIV)

But, in all this marvelous creation,

all these reminders of presence, creativity, perseverance, faith,

the mountains most remind me of love.

I love them, and the God who created them loves me.

And I can stand by that even when I trip, doubt, fail,

because of faith

and because of grace.

“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” – 1 Corinthians 13:2 (NIV)

Want further Bible study and application?

1. Read Psalm 65 for a beautiful look at God’s creation and provision. How can you look at your surroundings today and see evidence of this?

2. Use your surroundings to create something that reminds you of faith, perseverance, and love. Create with whatever medium you choose – paint, words, photographs, crafts, pieces of nature, etc. Create inspired from God’s creation.

3. Praise God for all of this and more with Psalm 98.

What aspect of God’s creation reminds you of faith and love?

Today for our #MarvelousCreator post, we’re looking at how mountains remind us of faith and love:

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Planning a trip to the mountains with your family? Read this post and reflect together:

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Abiding to Grow {in faith}

May 21, 2015 by Caroline Leave a Comment

Maya Angelou once said something to the effect of:

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

I think of this concept of always learning when I think of abiding. As Patti said at the beginning of this series, abiding means remaining. Staying.

**Just because you stay doesn’t mean you are stuck.**

While we remain in His Word, we can grow.

When We First Hear the Word

When did your faith begin?

As a child when your parents read to you from your early years?

As a teen when a friend shared the gospel?

As an adult when you finally felt open to asking questions and receiving answers?

Your situation could be any number of possibilities, but we all started our faith with an event – we heard the Word somehow, somewhere.

Romans 10:17 says:

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”

True words about Christ share His message.

Hearing His message brings faith.

It may be as simple as that, but not always easy.

In between, we have to decide.

Decide to listen. Decide to believe. Decide to trust.

(That’s a big one there. Trust.)

Once We Trust

Once we listen, believe, and trust, then what?

I’m always drawn to the practical advice in James 1:22-25 (NIV, emphasis added):

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”

We listen, then we do.

But how do we do?

We act out of faith.

We love because we have first been loved (1 John 4:19).

We deepen our understanding of His goodness through faith (Philemon 1:6).

We witness more grace along with growing faith (1 Timothy 1:14).

Growing in Faith

Christ is the perfecter of our faith, and we grow in faith as we fix our eyes on Him (Hebrews 12:1-2). Since He is the Word of God (John 1:1-14), remaining, staying, abiding in His Word keeps our minds, eyes, and hearts focused on Him.

As we grow in faith, we are compelled to act out of that faith and love.

Remember how Romans 10:17 said faith comes from hearing the message, being the Word about Christ?

A few verses earlier, in Romans 10:14, we see a reversed trail of how growing in faith expands to others:

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”

When you abide in His Word,

and grow in faith,

You share that faith.

and spread His Word to other ears.

Some of those ears may listen,

and believe,

and trust to then call out to Him.

Just like you first learned when you first believed.

How did you come to your faith? Who listened, believed, trusted, and shared His Word to you? How does abiding in His Word specifically help you grow in faith?

Abiding means remaining, staying. But just because we stay doesn’t mean we are stuck. #WhyAbide to grow in faith:

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Who listened, believed, trusted, and shared His Word with you? How does abiding grow your faith?

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Take Heart {John 16:33 printable for Spread the Word}

April 4, 2015 by Caroline 2 Comments

“A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:32-33 (NIV)

It’s a silent weekend for the disciples and those of us who pray to remember. But Sunday is coming. And we have faith that He has overcome the world. There is beauty here because He created it and He is in it.

Every day this month, the Do Not Depart team will be posting a scripture graphic that you can use to spread the Word of God. Share it on social media, print it out and write someone a letter, email it to someone who needs encouragement.

You are free to share our image with John 16:33 above. If you have questions about how to download images, just ask in the comments. (Be sure to tell us what type of computer/device you are using.)

(Please do not sell or host these images elsewhere. But share freely.)

It’s Easter weekend, but we can take heart for He has overcome the world. Free verse printable to #SpreadtheWord:

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Today’s #SpreadtheWord image features John 16:33, a good verse to remember before Easter Sunday:

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Like One Who Serves {Spread the Word Printable Graphic}

April 2, 2015 by Caroline Leave a Comment

“When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” – Luke 22:14-30 (NIV)

Feel free to save and share this graphic for Scripture memory, sharing with others, and reminding yourself of His Word during this Easter week.

If you have questions about how to download images, just ask in the comments. (Be sure to tell us what type of computer/device you are using.)

A shareable graphic on Luke 22:26-27 as part of this month’s #SpreadtheWord series:

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It’s Holy Week, and today @DoNotDepart is sharing a printable graphic with Luke 22:26-27:

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Shine Like Stars Study Recap

March 31, 2015 by Caroline Leave a Comment

Thank you for joining us this month as we studied Philippians 2:1-18 together.

This month:

Ali looked at Philippians 2:1-2 and how we are all different, but united.
Kathy noted the counter-culture focus in Philippians 2:3-5.
Lisa shared 5 ways to listen better — and shine brighter — after reading Philippians 2:5-11.
I looked at how obedience takes hard work, but it’s not work we do alone from Philippians 2:12-13.
Lindsey detailed what shining like stars really looks like for believers, via Philippians 2:14-16.
Patti pointed out how Philippians 2:17-18 shows us that serving and rejoicing coexist.

As a community, we can shine like stars, telling others of God’s brightness.

So, tell us: What verse(s) stuck out to you the most this month? How can we encourage each other, members of the community of believers, to shine His love today? Share in the comments!

We’ve studied Philippians 2 all month long. Come share your shining bright stories today! #ShineLikeStars

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A recap of the #ShineLikeStars study:

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Why We Continue to Work to Shine {Philippians 2:12-13}

March 17, 2015 by Caroline 3 Comments

Why We Continue to Work to Shine {a #ShineLikeStars post on Philippians 2:12-13 at DoNotDepart.com} — Original photo credit

I’m a to-do list person by nature. It’s sometimes hard for me to incorporate downtime because I feel like to be effective, productive, and helpful, I should always be doing something. (I have to remind myself of verses where Jesus rests, too!)

And then there’s the issue of self-sufficiency. As a girl who never wanted to be seen as weak or incapable, I’ve always felt if something needs to be done, then I’ll have to be the one to do it.

While this is true in some circumstances and absolutely helpful to do things for my family, neighbors, and more, if I’m not careful I lean too much on myself.

You know what happens when I lean too much on myself?

I’m plain tired.

Working in Obedience

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling…” – Philippians 2:12

Obedience takes work. Obeying does not come easily to our self-centered world, but it’s essential. More importantly, obedience is a reaction to His love and efforts for us.

It’s also a constant journey. The [amazon_link id=”0310939615″ target=”_blank” ]TNIV Study Bible[/amazon_link] says working out our salvation is “not a reference to the attempt to earn one’s salvation by works, but to the expression of one’s salvation in spiritual growth and development. Salvation is not merely a gift received once for all; it expresses itself in an ongoing process in which the believer is strenuously involved…” (p. 2000).

When we look to Him in every situation, we remember that He works through us. He gives us the choice to follow Him or to close ourselves off.

He works through us to show others His good purposes and remind us that He is present and has righteous reasons.

“…for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” – Philippians 2:13

Working Together

So, yes, we have to work. We have to do our part in serving, loving, forgiving, growing.

We work by listening to His Word, His love, seeking His guidance, and following Christ’s example.

Because of community, we can work together. And because of God, we work with Him – our loving, present Father – and with His love shining through us (Philippians 2:15).

How do you see God working through you today?

Want deeper study on this topic?

Look at 2 Peter 1:5-8. Acquiring goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance takes effort. These characteristics also build on each other. Where/How can you obtain these characteristics? Is it a “once and done” event or a journey of continuous growth?
Read Colossians 1:28-29. To share about Christ, we have to use Christ’s energy. How can you do that today?
The TNIV Study Bible says of Philippians 2:13: “Intention, or faith, and our obedience cannot be separated.” Read Galatians 5:6. What does “faith expressing itself through love” look like for you or from you to someone you might encounter today?

Why We Continue to Work to Shine {a #ShineLikeStars post on Philippians 2:12-13}:

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Obedience takes work, but it’s not work we do alone. It’s a journey we accomplish together with God:

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How to Shine Like a Star {Join Us for a Month-Long Study!}

March 3, 2015 by Caroline 5 Comments

One of my favorite biblical “word pictures” is “shining like stars” from Philippians 2:15:

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” – Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV)

This image was one of the first to strongly impact me as a new believer years ago, and it has an even stronger effect on me now as I’ve grown, walked through types of darkness, and seen just how special and essential light is.

It’s also one of the first analogies that we teach our children. Even young kids can understand that a small light — a single flashlight beam, a candle flame, or a night light — can cause darkness to vanish, and fears to ease along with it.

Light is powerful; God’s light even more so. Paul calls us to shine like stars in the community of believers to reflect Christ’s original light through us. Through doing so, we imitate His humility, His welcoming love, and His unending grace.

So this month, we are studying Philippians 2 (verses 1-18) together so we can remember how and why to shine like stars. Join us and shine with us!

What verse in Philippians 2 affects you strongly? Share in the comments!

How do you #ShineLikeStars? Study Philippians 2 with @DoNotDepart this month:

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Philippians 2 shows us how we can #ShineLikeStars. Join us for a month-long study on its impact:

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We Need Your Input! {A Let The Children Come Survey!}

February 20, 2015 by Caroline Leave a Comment

We’ve been running the Let the Children Come (LTCC) feature every month for over a year now, and we love doing it! The purpose of the Let the Children Come posts is to provide resources and support to help your family focus on and abide in faith together.

This month, we’d like to ask YOU what your family needs in resources, ideas, and support.

Will you complete this brief, 5-question survey to help us determine future LTCC posts?

We offer our sincere thanks and a virtual high-five for doing so! The survey should take you literally 2-3 minutes, and it will help us determine what resources and even freebies and products we can offer in the future!

Please fill out the survey below by March 5th, if possible.

(If you cannot see the survey, click here to access it.)

Thank you dearly!

Help @DoNotDepart determine which resources and products YOUR family needs to abide in the Word:

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Want to share your ideas for #LetTheChildrenCome posts? Complete this 5-question survey:

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Love Sees Opportunities

February 19, 2015 by Caroline 7 Comments

I keep saying that my children are teaching me more about life and love than I think I’ll ever be able to teach them.

They notice things.

They notice to wonder at birds in the trees,

or flowers peeking through the snow,

or even that the same word appears three times on one page, and how amazing is that.

They notice when someone feels happy, and they get happy too.

They notice when someone worked hard, and they celebrate too.

They notice when someone feels sad, and they work to ease, comfort, and feel it too.

I think they notice all these things because they love.

Because they’ve been taught to love by their father (my husband) and their mother (me), yes. But more because God put hearts inside them that feel love, know love, and want to give love.

So because they love, **they see.**

And that’s what love does. It sees opportunities to love more.

That’s what I want to do. I want to always see opportunities to show more love.

“Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other…Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more…“ – 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 (NIV, emphasis added)

But, I don’t always see those opportunities.

What happens when I don’t see?

I forget to see. That’s what it is. My too-busy brain and human heart forgets love and therefore forgets to see.

But… (don’t I say this in almost every post here?)… that’s where grace comes in.

Love and grace are good partners. Grace reminds me and renews me to remember love. Love is what offered us grace in the first place.

A day before I even sat down to write this post, I wrote down a prayer I want to pray every morning:

God, help me see opportunities to show love and grace today. Help me choose Your purposes over my own every minute and renew quickly when I forget. Help me to see and love in your name.

Jason Gray (a superb musician and songwriter) wrote a song called With Every Act of Love. This song touches on how love sees opportunities to show more love and what those acts of love do. (We are His kingdom!) Please listen and read his lyrics.

“As heaven touches earth

We bring the kingdom come

with every act of love

Jesus help us carry you

Alive in us, your light shines through

With every act of love

We bring the kingdom come”

– With Every Act of Love by Jason Gray

(If you can’t see the video above, click here to view the video. Also, click here to watch a video about the background of the song.)

Ever think what you see doesn’t make a difference?

One of my favorite parts in this song are these lyrics:

“God put a million million doors

in the world for His love to walk through

one of those doors is you“

– With Every Act of Love by Jason Gray (emphasis added)

We are His hands. His love works through us. What we do matters.

“Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.”

-St. Teresa of Avila

So, tell me: What can you see today? What opportunities is love showing you? Please share in the comments!

Ever think what you see or do doesn’t make a difference? Read here:

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Love sees opportunities to show more love. #RealLoveSongs

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Corrie ten Boom: A Story of Forgiveness, Grace, and Hope

January 22, 2015 by Caroline 5 Comments

Some stories just can’t be understood.

Not in our time with our minds at least.

Take Corrie ten Boom’s story, for example.

When You Can’t Make Sense of a Story

Corrie ten Boom: A Story of hope, forgiveness, and grace — Photo Source

Growing up as Christians in Holland, Corrie’s family decided to help their Jewish neighbors when World War II started and discrimination against Jews grew stronger and stronger. They hid people in a secret room in their house until they could obtain safe passage out of the range of danger.

But, this decision wasn’t without cost. Corrie and her family were captured and sent to concentration camps for those who weren’t Jews, but aided Jews.

Separated from the rest of her family, Corrie managed to stay with her older sister, Betsie, for much of their imprisonment. The atrocities they witnessed and experienced cannot be explained.

Who would take prisoners of a group of innocent people merely because of their affiliation?

Who would beat someone senseless because they looked the wrong direction?

Why would thousands of thousands of people be mercilessly killed?

Why did Corrie finally be set free on account of a clerical “error” when, a week later, all women her age in the camp were murdered?

Corrie couldn’t understand the prisonsers’ stories, the concentration camp soldiers’ stories, or her own story.

How? Who? Why?

But that’s also the way it is with grace.

“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God you’ll be at rest.” – Corrie ten Boom

Amazing and Incomprehensible Grace

Corrie ten Boom tells her story in [amazon_link id=”0553256696″ target=”_blank” ]The Hiding Place[/amazon_link], a book I highly recommend anyone reading. She doesn’t hide her own shortcomings and doubts, but instead reveals all the emotions they all felt throughout this journey.

But, with her sister’s faithful help, Corrie kept capturing glimpses of grace and kept returning to hope.

Through solitary confinement.

Through losing her father.

Through beatings, illnesses, and witnessing even worse.

Corrie and her sister maintained that God remained. His grace still existed, and His hand was still present.

“When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.” – Corrie ten Boom

But they couldn’t really understand that. How does God’s grace remain in such a wretched place? We know it’s love, but who can really understand love, either?

But that’s part of the beauty of grace. We cannot understand it. We do not deserve it. And yet it is a gift.

“There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.” – Corrie ten Boom

Accepting Grace and Holding Hope

Every time I read a quote from Corrie ten Boom or hear a bit of her story again, I’m reminded to receive and give grace and to hold on to hope.

Those two gifts are more powerful, more filling, and more available than any other.

“Love is larger than the walls which shut it in.” – Corrie ten Boom

What is one of your own stories of hope, forgiveness, and grace? Share in the comments below.

There’s much more to Corrie ten Boom’s story, before, during, and after the war. Read [amazon_link id=”0553256696″ target=”_blank” ]The Hiding Place[/amazon_link], research online (including here and here), and read her other books and devotionals.

Some stories just can’t be understood. Read more about Corrie ten Boom’s story and how she learned:

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A story of accepting grace, learning to forgive, and holding on to hope. #GodlyWomen

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Changing Plans: The Gift of the Shepherds

December 20, 2014 by Caroline 4 Comments

I’m a planner by nature.My mother teased me for twenty-five years that I’ve always had a five-year plan. And pretty much followed it.

Until I had my son.

God felt it time to teach me that my days and my plans for those days are not my own. And my son is a perfect vessel to teach that, among many other valuable gifts.

Dropping My Plans for Better Plans

My son has multiple special needs and is a very in-the-moment boy. Who cares about what’s happening tomorrow when we have the joy of right now?

Now, besides therapies and medical appointments, I barely plan more than a week in advance, maybe a month. And it’s a lot better this way. Because I never know what will come up (a hospital trip, a split toe, an extra therapy session, a impromptu dance party when his favorite song is played), I’m more apt to adapt. And, for me at least, I’m more likely to lift the day, the afternoon, the hour up to God.

My son teaches me it’s best to drop my (feeble) plans for a better option, whether that’s stopping to hug someone who needs to smile (he does this a lot), an unplanned reading marathon (I almost always stop for this), or to admire an aspect of God’s creation (animal, plant, or otherwise). Being willing to drop my own plans keeps my eyes open for how I can best serve God and best trust Him within every minute of my day.

The Shepherds’ Gift

Sometimes I need a little push (or obvious shove) to drop my plans though. I like to be in control (a myth). I like having an idea of what will happen in the day. But, you never know when glory will show its face.

The shepherds tending sheep outside of Bethlehem knew this much better than I do.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'” – Luke 2:8-14 (NIV)

The shepherds’ plan was to watch their flock over the night, as they usually did. But then glory showed up in the form of an angel (which we can’t even imagine how brilliant and amazing and humbling of an experience that would’ve been). This angel brought them the news. The news all believers had been waiting for. The Messiah was here.

But false messiahs had popped up all throughout history. What would you do in this situation? Would you change your plans and try to find out what happened? What about your sheep? Who would tend them if you ran off? That’s your livelihood! Shepherds were often very loyal and dedicated to keeping care of their sheep (think of Matthew 18:12-14).

Here is what the shepherds did:

“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” – Luke 2:15-16 (NIV)

They hurried off. That doesn’t suggest hesitation to me. They dropped their plans of tending sheep to race after this news. But they didn’t return to their grazing and sleeping sheep right away:

“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them…The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” – Luke 2:17-18, 20 (NIV)

They changed their plans further and went around town sharing this good news (using their gift of voice). Their change of plans helped spread the message that Christ indeed had been born! Besides Jesus’s parents and heaven’s angels, these shepherds, who sacrificed their original plans to receive God’s much-better plans, were among the first to help celebrate the newborn King.

I love how Julie put it in her introduction post for this month:

“The best gifts are uncommon. Gifts carved out sacrificially by one who felt the cost, but gladly gave anyway. Gifts crafted uniquely when inspired by love for the receiver, outweighing the love of self.”

Both lifting our plans and receiving His plans are gifts to Him and gifts to us. Here’s what I’m praying for you and for myself this Christmas:

God, thank You for the birth of Your Son. For the grace in that ultimate gift. Remind us this Christmas to lift our own plans to You and keep in mind that You might have better plans. Keep our eyes open for how to share Your love this Christmas with our plans, our actions, and our hearts.

How are you lifting your plans to Him this Christmas as a gift to Him and a gift received? (Click here to read the rest of the posts from this month on uncommon gifts.)

Download this free verse printable as a reminder to share the good news this Christmas. (You can also use it as a screen wallpaper.) Click here to access the image and then download to your computer.

#UncommonGifts: How the shepherds offered a gift by changing their plans:

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Can plans be a gift? @Keep_Tha_Faith looks at the shepherds’ story to see:

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Christmas and Advent Books {Let the Children Come}

December 17, 2014 by Caroline Leave a Comment

Last December, we shared a round-up of Christmas and Advent activities and crafts. (Be sure to check that post for ideas, if you’re still looking for some to implement in the next week!)

This year, we’d like to share a list of ten of our favorite Christmas and Advent books for your preschoolers, elementary, and middle school-aged kids!

Christmas and Advent Books

Listen to the Silent Night by Dandi Daley Mackall, illustrated by Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson (Dutton, 2011) – This book shares a more realistic look at what Christ’s birth could have sounded and looked like. The story is perfect as a read-aloud with great rhythm and beautiful illustrations on each page. (Ages 2-8)
Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell, illustrated by Jason Cockcroft (Margaret K McElderry Books, 2004) – This sweet picture book offers a calm look at celebrating the birth of Christ. (Ages 2-6)
Unwrapping the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp (Tyndale, 2014) – This newest release from Ann Voskamp offers a family advent book to read and with accompanying activities. The devotions are in true, Ann heart-wrenching, gorgeous writing. (Ages 3 and up!)
God Gave Us Christmas by Lisa T. Bergen, illustrated by David Hohn (WaterBrook Press, 2006) – A sweet look at learning about the first Christmas. (Ages 2-6)
Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Alison Jay (Zonderkidz, 2011) – If you’ve read The Jesus Storybook Bible (one of our very favorites), you know Sally Lloyd-Jones’s style of writing. This book offers a beautiful poem in celebration of Christ’s birth. (Ages 3-8)
Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline (Candlewick, 2007) – While not specifically talking about Christ’s birth, this book still offers a beautiful look at sharing love and hope, with a tear-inducing conclusion. (Ages 3-8)
The True Gift by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Brian Floca (Atheneum, 2009) – From the author of Sarah, Plain and Tall, this book offers a simple and lyrically-written story about offering love and hope to all people and creatures. (Ages 7-11)
The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats (Puffin, 1968) – If you’ve read The Snowy Day when you were a kid or with your kids and fell in love with it, take a look at this one from Ezra Jack Keats. (Ages 2-8)
The Nativity by Julie Vivas (HMH Books for Young Readers, 1986) – This picture book tells the nativity story from Mary’s point of view with enchanting illustrations. (Ages 2-6)
B is for Bethlehem by Isabel Wilner, illustrated by Elisa Kleven (Dutton, 1990) – This book tells the nativity story through poetic couplets and includes traditional aspects. (Ages 2-6)

What are your favorite Christmas and Advent books for kids? Share your favorites in the comments below, plus what age group the book is best for!

A list of 10 of our favorite Christmas and Advent books for kids and families:

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What are your favorite Christmas books for kids? Share your suggestions here, plus read about our favorites:

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Happy Thanksgiving! {Psalm 118 Study Wrap-Up}

November 27, 2014 by Caroline Leave a Comment

Thank you for studying Psalm 118 with us this month!

We’ve remembered that we can always remain grateful because He is good, His love lasts, and He is our salvation.

Patti (and her son) reminded us that God loves us regardless and forever, with an abundance of forgiveness.
Kathy reminded us that God is our refuge, protector, and strength in times of trouble.
Lisa so powerfully shared that even with all the bruises on our souls, God still has purposes for each of us, and that means we can still share love.
Lindsey pinpointed one really good reason to give thanks (hint: it has to do with Christ).
Caroline shared that we can rejoice any day and here’s why.
Ali highlighted that our best response is to turn this gratitude into praise for His light.

As we stated in the introduction post this month and as Psalm 118 stated in verse 1, it bears repeating:

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” – Psalm 118:29

We pray you and your families praise and thank Him today, and that we all see His abundant love all around us, no matter what form your weekend takes.

And, we are thankful for you, our readers. Thank you for growing and learning with us!

Happy Thanksgiving!

On This Day {Psalm 118:22-25}

November 20, 2014 by Caroline Leave a Comment

This month we’ve been learning about gratitude together. Its presence, its power, and its effect.

King David wrote Psalm 118, so some of these lines are written with his perspective on events in his life. But, as many theologians have agreed before us, the key reference here is Christ. Lindsey wrote on Tuesday about how Psalm 118:19-21 prophesized about Christ opening the relationship between Savior and believer. Psalm 118:22-25 expands on that thought:

“The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing;
    it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Save us, we pray, O Lord!
    O Lord, we pray, give us success!”

– Psalm 118:22-25

That Savior was not just ignored or unwanted – He was rejected. But, now He’s the cornerstone, the aligning, adjoining piece in the foundation of our faith. (Psalm 118:22)

Psalm 118:23 says this is “marvelous in our eyes.” Why is it marvelous? Because He is here for lasting love. And because this is “the Lord’s doing.” God did this. And because God did this, we can rejoice (Psalm 118:24).

In fact, because God made this day (this salvation day, the Sabbath day, and every other day), we can rejoice any day.

Psalm 118:25 takes an interesting turn. Suddenly the psalmist is praying for salvation and guidance.

Realizing that He is our Savior, that this is God’s plan, and that we can rejoice spurs prayer.

This knowledge (with open eyes) leads to gratitude (and open hearts) and prayer (and open to be filled).

Gratitude spurs action, particularly prayer and praise and love. All of those actions affect us and everyone else we encounter.

On this day (and everyday), we can see His work.

On this day (and everyday), we can rejoice.

On this day (and everyday), we can pray.

On this day (and everyday), we can praise.

On this day (and everyday), we can love.

What can you do to share love on this day?

Because God made this day (and every other day), we can rejoice *any* day. #GiveThanks

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Knowledge leads to gratitude. Gratitude spurs action, including prayer and praise. #GiveThanks

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Give Thanks {A Study on Psalm 118}

November 4, 2014 by Caroline 5 Comments

Gratitude changes pretty much every aspect of our daily lives.

With gratitude, our perspectives on what we have change.

With gratitude, our worries about the future ease.

With gratitude, our views on interruptions and rocky paths alter.

Regardless of what situation we’re currently in, can we remain grateful?

Psalm 118 says, YES.

Why?

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!“

And that’s just verse 1.

We can always give thanks because He is good. Because His love lasts. Because He is our Salvation (Psalm 118:14).

We’re studying Psalm 118 all this month here at Do Not Depart. Each of our writers will read and study a few verses with you each post. We invite you to join us, give thanks with us, and revel in His endless love with us.

Read through Psalm 118 once today. What verses stick out to you? Share them in the comments!

We’re studying Psalm 118 all this month. Join us, #GiveThanks with us, and revel in His love with us:

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Regardless of what situation we’re currently in, can we remain grateful? Here’s what Psalm 118 says:

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The Greatest High Priest

October 23, 2014 by Caroline 3 Comments

So far this month, we’ve discussed Jesus as the One True Sacrifice, as human, as divine. And all of this plays into His role as our High Priest.

The “high priest” can be defined as “ruler of the house of God” ([amazon_link id=”0785212175″ target=”_blank” ]Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary[/amazon_link], p. 928). In the Old Testament, Aaron was the first designated high priest. His duties, his clothes, and his obligations were all different from any other priest or common followers (Hebrews 9:1-10).

One of the high priest’s biggest jobs: He was the main communicator between God and the Israelites. Only the high priest could approach the “throne” of God.

Another essential job: “The high priest had to offer a sin offering for his own sins and the sin of the whole congregation” (Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, p. 929). He performed all the necessities to make atonement for himself and the people.

But things changed between the years of the Old Testament and the New Testament. The high priests became focused on wealth, prestige, and blame.

Then came Jesus.

The Greatest High Priest (and why that matters) - DoNotDepart.com — Original photo credit

Christ as Our High Priest

Hebrews 4:14 calls Him the “great high priest.” What specifically makes Him such?

Ali mentioned a major truth in her post a couple of weeks ago. She said:

“We all do things that God doesn’t like. None of us are sinless. And we all know that sin separates us from God.”

That’s a pretty major difference between Christ and us, isn’t it?

Christ is sinless – before, while on this earth, and after. His perfect nature and accompanying sacrifice allow us the opportunity to follow Him and experience redemption.

That blamelessness helps make Him our High Priest. As Lisa said last week, “But since Jesus IS the Son of God . . . we can love beyond ourselves.” His divine love is the example for our love.

Yet, that’s not all that classifies Him as such.

Though Christ was blameless, that doesn’t mean he didn’t suffer. He suffered. More than any of us ever have.

Lindsey shared a good list of how Christ experienced much of humanity as we do on her post last week.

He grew weary, He wept, He grieved, He experienced pain. He suffered.

Hebrews 4:15 says:

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

Think of your most trusted friend. Do you trust him (or her) because he holds knowledge or status? Or do you trust her because she has suffered as you have? He can empathize. She can relate. And he has wisdom and growth and guidance to offer from that experience.

Christ’s goal as high priest was not earthly in motivation. Unlike any previous priest, He holds an eternal priesthood with a better purpose available for all of us (Hebrews 7:22-25).

His sacrifice allows us to pray to God and opens redemption to anyone (1 Timothy 2:3-6).

He entered (Hebrews 9:11-12), and He saved.

“For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly… But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” – Hebrews 9:24-25, 26

What Our High Priest Shares

I always think of Hebrews 4:15 when I think of Christ as High Priest. But, I think it’s equally important to look at the verses before and after that verse:

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:14-16

Because He is our High Priest, we can come to Him any time, any place, with anything on our hearts. And share that grace-filled love with others.

How does your heart respond to Christ as our High Priest?

Hebrews 4:14 calls Christ the “great high priest.” What specifically makes Him such?

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What it means that Christ is our High Priest:

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