Coming of Age

"...For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."  ~ Luke 12:48

Just as there was an age distinction made in the numbering of the children of Israel, my parents have striven to make those distinctions in our home. As we see in Deuteronomy 1:39 ("Moreover, your little ones who you said would become a prey, and your sons, who this day have no knowledge of good or evil, shall enter there, and I will give it to them and they shall possess it."), there is a distinction between infants and children who understand good and evil.

We have observed that this change usually comes around the 6th birthday. So, it is at that time that our little ones stop taking naps, and take on more responsibility (though carefully balanced with corresponding maturity).

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

~ Proverbs 20:11 ~

Jewish customs have a Bar Mitzvah for boys at age 13, which is their Rite of Passage into young adulthood. We have chosen to do something similar for young men at 13 years old, and for girls at 12 (as they mature earlier), which we call a 'Rite of Passage'. For months prior, my parents specifically disciple each child, and prepare them for young adulthood.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

~ 1 Corinthians 13:11 ~

Once they have completed that time, then we have a special ceremony, where they share what the Lord has taught them and the special Bible passages they have memorized and meditated on. Then they sign a covenant which they together with my parents have put together, which includes purposes and commitments they have made for their future, including their growing in the Lord and waiting for marriage until they are prepared, as well as receiving the full blessing of our parents, and for us girls, that includes giving our hearts to our father for his safekeeping.

We then have specific people sign them as witnesses to keep them accountable and encourage them during this next phase of life, because, as we all know, the teenage years are some of the hardest, as it includes a time of internalizing all we have been taught, and embracing (or sometimes not) it as our own.
With that new stage of life (and hopefully maturity as well), they take on more responsibility (including legal responsibility at various ages), and receive more privilege, in various aspects.

In this day and age, our US legal system has created various ages at which, a young adult legally receives certain freedoms, rights, responsibilities, and particularly "emancipation". However, emancipation is a worldly view. Everyone will always be under authority. Even when young men become the leaders of their own home, will be under God's authority, whereas we women will always be under the authority of our fathers or husbands. The workplace shows the same--we are under the authority of our employers.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good.

~ Romans 13:1-4a ~

The Pentateuch shows many times that males were considered "men" at the age of 20, when they could go out to war. (However, in war times, here in the US, if you hiked that age up a bit, then you got a LOT more drafters.)

And the Lord spake unto Moses.....Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel...every male by their polls; from twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel...

~ Numbers 1a, 2-3 ~

Thus, we also have a "Coming of Age" at age 20 in our family. Mine was last weekend. Unlike the Rite of Passage, this one was a much more intimate celebration, which was unique, because with a large families, it only takes a few to make a whopping 80. ;)

Family and Friends

Introduction and Blessings

Love my dress!!

Most of my closest friends and mentors were there, and besides feasting and fellowshipping, I gave a blessing to each one of them for what part they have had in my life, and they gave me words of wisdom and encouragement for this next phase of life.

My brother. My confidante. My comforter. My prayer partner.

My cohorts since childhood...thank you dear sisters!!

Dear Tabitha...she flew all the way from Chicago for this!!

It is amazing to me how the Spirit of the Lord moves. He has done so much this last year to prepare me for this time, but the finale was completed in Mexico, at which I had at first been very hesitant to go to. Though I know that in myself is no good thing, and I see the inadequacy, selfishness, and pride of my heart, I know that God will continue to faithfully mold me into His image, and that as I look to Him and those who have gone before me, He will lead and guide me.

My precious Oma

Dear Esther

My daddy and I

I am excited for this next phase of life, whatever it may hold, and embrace it completely, knowing that my ultimate goal is to walk closer to the Lord, and shine His light without shame. All glory to God!

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

~ Philippians 2:3-4 ~

Spring Travels & Future Plans

I thought I might as well take a few minutes to post a few thoughts and photos on our 3 weeks of traveling this last month... What a delightful family trip we had!! The first 'real' vacation we've had as an entire family in a couple years!!! I sure hope it isn't the last!!

At the Gaylord Hotel in Tennessee

We started on May 27th, at 4am for Nashville, Tennessee for the ATI Conference, where we went to our various sessions (specifically created for building each age group up in the challenges they may be facing. Rachel and I were the only odd ones out, as we led 2 Pre-Embassy groups of 6 girls each, ages 8-11.

Mama and my 2 "COMMIT" sisters

Student Sessions Choir (Esther is near the right middle, 3 lines up)

Rachel was blessed with an assistant, and I was blessed with a pretty precious group of mostly 8-year olds!! What a special time we had!! Pre-Embassy this year focused in on the lies we believe as women, and the fears we face, and how to overcome them through Jesus Christ. We also created identity statements for each girl.

5 of my 6 Pre-Embassy girls, playing with their newly made pets. :)

Out of the 80+ girls we leaders had (of which most were saved), 3 chose to put their trust in Jesus Christ...what a thrill!!  It was a little shocking and saddening to see how many lies and fears these girls have at such a young age, and gave us such a desperate passion to help these girls in the 3 days we had them (from 8am-5pm), to find the Truth to repel such lies.

One of my precious girls

It was our deepest cry and prayer that these girls would find freedom in Jesus Christ now before they get to our ages.... Imagine if they were able to walk in the freedom of the Truth NOW...what an impact they could have even earlier on, knowing Who they belong to, and how to recognize and renounce the lies of the enemy!!

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God...Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

~ 1 John 4:1-2, 4 ~

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

~ 2 Timothy 1:7 ~

Saturday morning, we flew from TN to Guadalajara, Mexico to spend 2 weeks with the Phariss family. Mr. Reese (writer of the Reese Chronological Bible) happened to be there with his wife and daughter, which was quite delightful! It was an honor to meet him, especially so, as we have very much enjoyed his Chronological Bible (the first one ever put out)... I love especially how it starts out with John 1:1 ("In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."). I would highly recommend going through it sometime during the years, as it will give a new perspective on the timeline, and how the Prophetical books went together with the Kings in the OT... (likewise for the NT).

With Mr. and Mrs. Reese, and their daughter Becky

As I briefly mentioned in my last post, it was a time of rejuvenation, relaxation, healing, and for me, a renewed vision for the future... Originally, I was very hesitant to take time away from my work here at home to go to Mexico, but I am so glad I did, as God did so much in my life there!!

One way to climb a tree...

Didn't know I had 3 monkeys for brothers! ;)

And a very creative descent...oh Tarzan..

Since my Single Service Commitment expired in March, as did my 4-year vision, I have been asking God what He wants me to be doing in this new phase of life. During my time at the IBLP Headquarters, God prompted me to ask Him to give me the impossible number of 10,000 disciples.  After my return home, in my focus of trying to get the ranch reorganized, etc. I kind of shoved all that to the side...however, in Mexico, God brought that back to me, and showed me that that was what He wanted my purpose/passion/vision/aim/goal to be.

Ministering at a boys' orphanage

Seeing their facilities/building expansion projects

With that in mind, that made things of lesser value (as in the things of this world) seem to fade away...to dwell in light of eternity!! Wow! It was as if, the Heavens opened up to me, and I saw another glimpse of my King.

A crane on Lake Chapala 

You might ask, 10,000 disciples? How can that be? God wants us to ask Him for the impossible!

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of Whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

~ Ephesians 3:14-21 ~

But Jesus...said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

~ Matthew 19:26 ~

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

~ Mark 9:23 ~

Did you know that behind every great person, is another great person, and behind that great person, is another great person?? Each of us have everything we are or accomplished to someone else. The same goes for discipling. Thought I might not personally disciple 10,000 people, if I were to disciple 10 people, and they were to disciple 10 people, and they were to do the same, and so on...see how it goes??

The underside of that gecko...isn't God's handiwork incredible?!
(Thanks to my little siblings for catching these the whole time, and to David who took most of those pictures.. ;P)

We serve a powerful God!! However, I know that when God gives a vision, Satan is quick to attack, and do everything in His power to thwart the vision. If you think of it, please pray that I would keep my eyes on Christ, and not get distracted by the things of this world, as it is so easy to do (usually starting with our quiet time). I know this is only possible with my Saviour by my side, and the first place to start is on my knees, and at the feet of my Jesus.

The precious Phariss family and us

I am excited to see what opportunities God has in store for me in the next few years, and my biggest prayer is: "Father, increase my faith!!!"

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

~ Matthew 17:20 ~

Originator of All That Is

I just had a wonderful Bible Study with a new friend of mine, down here outside of Guadalajara, Mexico, where my family is spending a couple of weeks with some friends, primarily for health reasons, but also for rejuvenation and ministry purposes as well.

What an incredible God we serve!!! He is the Originator of Life, the Creator of ALL things living, the Mastermind Architect of the most incredible development ever--our Universe.

Did you know that God told us in the Bible that our world was round and suspended by nothing?

"It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in.."

~ Isaiah 40:22 ~

"He stretcheth out the North over the empty place, and hangeth the earth over nothing."

~ Job 26:7 ~

God also told us about microscopic things, long before scientists discovered them:

"Through faith, we understand that the whole worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."

~ Hebrews 11:3 ~

I love doing studies about the creatures of the Bible...God tells us so much, especially in Job, about the Leviathan...what a fascinating creature!! He tells us much of the horse, and of human life, in so many various passages!! Each is a treasure chest, just waiting to be opened!!!

One thing that really excites me is how much rich insight God shows me when I simply ask Him before I open my Bible in the morning: "Lord Jesus, my Saviour, King and Righteousness, give me eyes to see and ears to hear what You want me to apply today. Speak to me through your Word, Father, and give me insights into Who You are, and what Your heart is."

You know, He has never failed me...He has always shown me something so very applicable (though I'll warrant, sometimes it wasn't quite the 'applicable' I might have wanted, because you see, God wants to get to our hearts!!) 

I would encourage you to ask Jesus this every day before you read His Word. I'm also going through a little devotional a friend gave me for my graduation a couple years ago: "Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence", written by missionary Sarah Young. It is truly inspiring. Not only little love letters from our King, but also affirmations of who we are in Christ.

I have really enjoyed the following website for scientific Bible facts....look it up!!