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Sonkist Ministries
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San Diego, CA 92150
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Love Breaks Down Barriers

November 3, 2015
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.

John 13:34-35

The month of November shifts our hearts and minds to the upcoming holiday season. Thanksgiving will be here before we know it, and festive events will beckon us to gather with friends and family members. Even though these occasions should add joy to our lives, sometimes that’s not the case. Problems with people and tensions in relationships can actually be exacerbated by all of the celebrating and close proximity.

What can be done to improve potential difficulties with others during what ought to be delightful times? Jesus words above put things in perspective: love. Love breaks down barriers and build stronger bonds. Here’s a story from an upcoming Sonkist Ministries’ book entitled I Choose Love! that may help explain this concept more clearly:

Years ago, we had a wonderful hairstylist who took care of everyone in our family. In fact, “Miss Linda” gave our oldest son his first haircut. Both Ryan and Jared liked to see her, which made our visits to her very enjoyable. One afternoon, Ryan and I had an appointment, but Linda was running a little behind with other clients. After Linda put the finishing touches on her hairstyle, an elderly lady stood up and gave Linda a big hug before she left. Ryan, with his six-year-old curiosity, leaned over to me and whispered, “Mom, is that Miss Linda’s mother?”

Before replying, I looked at Ryan to see if he was serious. The expression of genuine interest on his face told me he was. I felt tears welling up, so I blinked and swallowed before answering, “No, buddy, that lady is just one of Linda’s clients.”

The reason I was overcome with emotion is that our friend, Linda, is African-American, and her elderly client was Caucasian. Ryan hadn’t noticed any differences in ethnicity, though. He thought they were family simply based on the loving way they interacted.

That scene has stayed with me all of these years because it is a powerful example of what love should be all about. Perfect love doesn’t have barriers; instead it creates bonds. The Lord’s kind of love is never about differences but rather about devotion at the deepest level. For me, this is one of the good memories about perfect love I will always cherish-the love that Ryan experienced watching those two women hug each other.

You probably have examples of when you’ve experienced this type of love too. What story would you tell about when you observed God’s love in action? Do you have your own Good Samaritan story-a time when you reached out to help someone, or maybe someone reached out to you? Who are the individuals in your life who interact with you in loving ways?

There will always be challenges when it comes to interacting with others while we are this side of Heaven, but by trying to love them the Lord’s way, we’ll be on the right path to not only getting along better but also showing everyone around us what it really means to be members of God’s family.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from all of us at Sonkist Ministries!

 

Thought of the Month

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
I John 3:18
Posted in 2015

Planting the Seed

October 6, 2015

It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.

I Corinthians 3:7

The past few months have been a season of loss for us. Three men passed away, all in their fifties or younger. And while we aren’t certain about each of these individuals’ decisions regarding faith, we trust in God who is fair and just.

These recent events have also reminded us about what Paul revealed in his letter to the people of Corinth. You see, the new believers there were quarreling about little things, including who they felt had helped lead them to the Lord. Let’s look at that passage of Scripture in more detail:

When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you acting just like people of the world? After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.

I Corinthians 3:1-6

This letter from the apostle speaks to us as believers today too. Whether one plants the seeds of faith or helps them grow by sharing with others really doesn’t matter. The main thing is for Christians to keep telling the great news that eternal life is available to anyone who believes in Jesus. He offers hope for the future and help for every day we live out our lives here on Earth! As verse 7 reminds us, the Lord is actively at work: “God makes the seed grow.”

I love this imagery of planting seeds, watering, and seeing the fruits of our labor-especially in this season of harvest! Here’s a passage from the book of Matthew where the Lord Himself talked about the importance of sharing the message of salvation:

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

Matthew 9:35-38

Friends, the harvest is indeed great, and each of us has a chance to be part of it. So many people need to know about Jesus. Countless individuals are watching you and me as we live out our lives, wondering if knowing the Lord really does make a difference. From small conversations to bigger opportunities to discuss our faith, all of us can help to let others know they are loved by the Lord-and that He longs to welcome them into His forever family!

There are many of our friends and family members already enjoying the blessings of Heaven as they await the rest of us to join them one day. And while they are missed so much, they remind me of why I need to keep sharing about the amazing gift God offers humanity. I’m also praying that the Lord of the Harvest will provide others to join in His efforts-including you!

All of us at Sonkist Ministries wish you many joys during this amazing Harvest season!

Thought of the Month

The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field…

I Corinthians 3:8-9a

Posted in 2015

Back to the Basics

September 22, 2015
Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.

Ephesians 4:21-23

Those of you who’ve been long-time readers of this newsletter know I have a special place in my heart for kids, teachers, and education in general. Needless to say, this time of year-the “Back to School” season-stirs countless memories of my classroom experiences, both as a student and as an educator. The excitement of a fresh academic year is in the air along with the anticipation of learning new things.

Yet sometimes this season of learning must begin with a return to the basics, and that’s the message Paul was reminding Christians about in his letter of Ephesians. Even though there is so much to know about our amazing faith, nothing is more important than understanding the fundamentals. Here are a few other essentials Paul added to the ones listed above:

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
(Ephesians 4:25-27; 30-32)


I don’t know about you, but I can spend a tremendous amount of time trying to understand deep theological concepts. I listen to sermons, read the latest Christian blogs, and even try to keep up with how the happenings in the Middle East relate to Scripture. And while these are all good endeavors-adding to the overall store of knowledge that I’d like to have about my faith-during this time of year I’m asking myself if I have truly mastered the basics of my beliefs. If not, what am I doing? If not, is anything else really worth accomplishing?
If these simple suggestions from the book of Ephesians were netted out for us, the lessons they taught might look something like this:

  1. Stop doing things we know aren’t right.
  2. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us to new, godly ways of living each and every day.
  3. Be truthful with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
  4. Don’t be angry-but when we are, fix things as soon as possible before the enemy can blow the situation out of proportion.
  5. Because of the grace we’ve been given, we should forgive freely-trying to be kind and tender in all our interactions.
  6. Most of all, strive to measure everything we do, say, and think in relation to whether or not it’s pleasing to our Savior.
In this season of back to basics for young people, let’s spend some time considering the foundational truths of our faith that we can strengthen in the days ahead. The six steps above can be a great place to start. Then, why not try reading some of the New Testament epistles that helped early believers understand God’s guidelines for great living? Whatever you choose to do, may the Lord richly bless your efforts as you draw closer to Him!

Thought of the Month

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
Ephesians 6:10-11
Posted in 2015

Summer Under the Son

July 7, 2015
For the Lord has told me this: “I will watch quietly from my dwelling place- as quietly as the heat rises on a summer day, or as the morning dew forms during the harvest.”
Isaiah 18:4
It’s hard to believe another summer is upon us, yet sunny days and warmer nights beckon us to change things up, get outside, and enjoy life in new, exciting ways! It is also time to step out of our shoes and slip on a pair of sandals, open that great book that’s been on the shelf too long, and find a shady spot to stretch out in.

Is it possible to find time to rest and unwind in our busy schedules? Perhaps the more challenging question is this: Is it okay for us to relax and enjoy when so much needs to be accomplished?

The answer to both questions should be yes-most definitely yes! Not only is it alright to take care of ourselves in this way, but we also have the Lord beckoning us to do so. To help you consider this unique perspective, here are three recommended areas to contemplate adding to your calendar this summer:

Rest:

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30, NLT
Jesus took time to rest and get away from the busyness of His life, and He also calls out to us to rest in Him. When we take time to relax, we will actually be more effective in our relationships and in our work.

Reflect:

O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.
Psalm 40:5
Summer is a perfect season to reflect on all that the Lord has done for you. When the sun rises each morning, thank Him for the miracles He has done for you throughout the years. As you move through your day, consider the blessings in your personal and professional life. And as the sun slowly sinks into the horizon, praise God for the things He helped you accomplish and the new life that awaits you tomorrow-whether you wake up here or in eternity!

Re-energize

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one…as for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.
II Thessalonians 3:3, 13
With all of the craziness in our world, it’s easy to get down and discouraged. Yet as we rest in the Lord, taking time to reflect on the truths in His Word, He will strengthen us for the journey that lies ahead. We need to do our part too, which includes not letting people or circumstances distract us from our real mission: to glorify the Lord in all that we do!

These are some of the thoughts I wrote in Summer under the Son: Daily Devotions to Bring Light into Your Life. My prayer is that you will make time to rest, reflect, and get re-energized this summer-enjoying all of the blessings the Lord provides each and every day!

Thought for this Summer

Let my soul be at rest again,
for the Lord has been good to me.
Psalm 116:7
Posted in 2015

Learning to Love Yourself

June 1, 2015
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
I Corinthians 6:19-20

 

Every summer since childhood I’ve attended a local county fair that comes to our community. Although many of the attractions are virtually the same from year to year, I love to walk down the midway, snacking on gastronomical delights that I’d never dream of eating on a regular basis. From Tasty Chips to fried avocado (isn’t everything better when deep-fried?), I turn into a full-on foodie at the fair.

Yet there is one part of this summertime event that I’ve never liked: the funhouses which are tucked back with the carnival rides. There’s something strange about them, including the odd-shaped mirrors that make people look tweaked, twisted, and sometimes completely deformed. And after hours of indulging in fair food, I certainly don’t want to see my wide-angled reflection!

To me, there is nothing “fun” about the funhouse-but if I was completely honest, how many times do I view myself in a contorted fashion instead of thinking about how my heavenly Father sees me? The answer is way too many times throughout my daily life. Perhaps you can relate to this scenario too. Most of us find it easier to focus on our flaws than on the fact that we’re the fabulous creations of an amazing Designer. From wrinkles to weight gain to woes about our choices, we find many aspects of our lives that we think are unattractive or downright ugly.

This viewpoint must change if we truly want to experience the perfect love that the Lord has planned for us this side of Heaven. In Luke 10, Jesus clearly points out that we must learn to love God, and then our neighbors as ourselves. Actually, He emphatically concludes His thoughts with this statement: “Do this and you will live!” (verse 28). To love God’s way means we must honor His creation-and this includes how we embrace who He has made us to be. *

*Taken from Sonkist Ministries’ upcoming release, I Choose Love!

 

Thought of the Month

For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These-and other such commandments-are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Romans 13:9
Posted in 2015