Fat Tuesday

How many of you kept tabs on the events surrounding Mardi Gras this year? 13 shot in New Orleans and one killed.

The history of Mardi Gras is church related you know. Fat Tuesday (the English translation of the French phrase) is the day before Ash Wednesday which begins the forty day sojourn to Easter. The concept is that we are to spend these forty days in prayer, penitence and preparation before we celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord.

Somewhere in the midst of all of that repenting and self-denial, someone decided that there should be a blow-out day before hand. A day to partake in all of the things that you are going to deny yourself during the upcoming month plus. Sounds so spiritual, doesn't it?

I know God has told us to consecrate ourselves - a little birdie told me your band was challenged to partake in some consecrating rituals before they play on Sunday. Joshua 3:5 says: "Consecrate yourselves because tomorrow the Lord will do great things among you." It does not say - party hard today so that tomorrow, the day before God is going to do great things, you can make a mockery of your faith.

Be careful Fairy Followers for the world will lead you astray if you let it!

37 days until Easter. How will you consecrate yourself? Give up chocolate? Caffeine? Meat? (that's where Friday night fish fries started) Maybe something less concrete...give up sarcasm? give up TV? Computer? Facebook? (oh the horror!) The idea is to restrict the influence of something less than spiritual in your life. I'm sure you could find something.

I know I need to partake in this myself but the Lord hasn't given me the what yet. I'll let you know.

Blessings,
The B.D.F.

Trans-Siberian Distribution

A friend of mine from high school is a missionary in Siberia. Here's their latest email:

Lyubomir left on Monday Feb 2 with 4 other pastors. For the sake of reaching Yakuts, Russians and others in spiritual darkness they have started on an arduous journey of about 9000 kilometers through the ice-bound wilds of the Siberian heartland. They are planning to come back in the middle of March. They will be going to the north (into the Arctic Circle and to the arctic coast). The last stop will be the place where we used to live before (Cherskii).

They went in a double cabin truck. They had to take food, water and petrol for the journey as there is nowhere to buy these things on the way. Much of the rest of the space inside their truck is taken up with Christian literature which they want to give away to people they will meet.They will be visiting villages where there has never been anyone speaking about Jesus before and they will also visit groups of believers who have never had opportunity to fellowship with believers from elsewhere.

They have to cook in the open air, by the road. The temperature has been below -40c. The roads are very isolated and there is no mobile phone service so they are completely cut off. It is a dangerous trip because if anything happens with the truck on the road they canot call out anyone to help.

One of the pastors is a good mechanic and he knows the truck well, having nearly rebuilt it. He had to rebuild it as while it had been given - new - to Lyubomir's chch network by a foreign Christian organisation it was in poor shape. It had been bought from a truck factory but was typical of Russian truck production standards and technology!

In between the rebuild and this journey north the truck had already been travelled in quite a lot and it seemed OK. However it has broken down on the journey already. They were able to fix it and soon after arrived in one of the villages where an American has started a church. There they have been meeting with believers and non believers.

They are planning to visit several villages around, before carrying on.

So, would you please pray for them and if you can, ask others to pray as well...

Lyubomir really wanted to go to some of these places because he lived in three of them. But this time it was quite hard for him to go because of my health. I should not carry heavy things yet I have to in his absence because I need to heat the house with wood which I need to bring in from the woodshed. And there are other lifting and carrying jobs I need to do while Lyubomir is away.

Putting this difficulty in context, there is no meaning to our living here if we let other needs hold us back from doing God's work. God has been looking after me and there are also brothers and sister who can also help me if I need it.

How do you feel about your life right now??

Blessings, The BDF

Extreme Faith

We talked in church last Sunday about having extreme faith. "The Voice of the Martyrs" is a magazine that keeps those of us who sleep in comfortable beds and can read our Bibles over lunch on the village green. Check out this video about teens just like you who did an extraordinary thing.

Video - Underground Reality

See what happens when eight ordinary teens set out on a mission to meet the underground church in Vietnam.

http://www.persecution.com/media_undergroundReality.html

If You Want to Walk on Water

Have you ever jumped out of the boat? I'm not much of a daredevil. I'm scared of heights so there will be no skydiving pictures in my scrapbook. That also means no base jumping, bungee jumping or spaceflight. I don't even like commercial flight.

But I have had the experience of grasping my Savior's hand and leaping from my safe haven into his glorious unknown. I picked a man and chose to love him, I took a job in the old west, I've invited troubled kids to be part of my family...all things that were scaring and thrilling at the same time.

Peter had a habit of falling into the sea. He was the one who got out of the boat and walked on water, he's the one who jumped out of the boat and swam to Jesus when he appeared on the beach. Peter was willing to jump...are you?

What do you believe God is asking you to do? Talk to a friend about him? Volunteer for something at church or school? Study art instead of accounting at college?

I Peter Week One

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A Valentine For You

At a meeting last week, a friend passed me a note. She said she overheard me talking about something and felt that this one was meant for me.

As warm and fuzzy as that made me feel, I've fallen in love with these words from Nelson Mandela and believe they are meant for you, too.

"Our deapest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God."

Here, here! Go forth, Fairy Followers, and be brilliant. We are watching you!

Blessings,
The B.D.F.

Love Letters

The year I met the man who would become my adoring husband he sent me valentines. Lots and lots of valentines. Three big envelopes stuffed with those little valentines that you send to your school friends in third grade. Each one was signed and had a little message. It made me smile. For a long time.

I was challenged through a study I was doing recently. The teacher asked if I really loved God. Well...sure. I'm a good Christian girl - have been since 8. I go to church, read my Bible, pray as well as I can in a home with small children. I would say I love God.

Beth Moore offered a checklist:
1. Does God regularly circulate through your thoughts?
2. Am I drawn to spend time with Him?
3. Does my life demonstrate a love for Him?
4. Do I often enjoy God?
5. Do I find relief or satisfaction in the obedient life...even when it's hard?

How did you do? I find I love to learn...and now need to learn to love a little better. I was reading some verses about God's love - what better way to love someone than to listen to how much he loves you?

Malachi 3:18 - They will be mine in the day when I make up my treasured possessions.
Zeph 3:17 - He will rejoice over you with singing.
Psalm 45:11 - The King is enthralled with your beauty.

Are you feeling warm and fuzzy yet? He is also proud of you and spends his time boasting about you. How cool.

So, celebrate love today. In the right way. God is love. Any way we have to express that is from him.

Blessings, The B.D.F.

Valentine's Day - Guest Blogger

To say that I anticipate February 14th is to assume that one likes dropping mashed potatoes in their coffee. It's not a horrible occurrence, but why ruin a perfectly good cup of coffee?

What is the hype about really? Why do we so desperately long to be in relationships? Why do movies continually portray men in their pursuit of that woman or a woman finding that right man? Why do songs glorify relationships? Why do advertisers exploit them? What is it that we so desperately long for from another?

It seems that the crux of all these things, at there very core, lies an individuals pursuit of love. If we honestly assess our lives, wouldn't we agree that our greatest desire is to be loved? Who doesn't want to be loved? Who doesn't want to be seen as special or significant to a certain someone? Who doesn't long for intimacy? Who doesn't want the security of a relationship. Honestly, sign me up. Hey, wait a second, is it really that easy? Is dating someone really the answer? Do Nashville and Hollywood have it right? So we should worry about how to attract him/her, right? We should wear the right clothes, hang out with the right people, say the right things and eventually he/she will realize that I can fulfill his/her dreams? Why does our society focus so intently on how to get love and never stop to ask why we all need it?

But to begin, what is love? Some would define love as a feeling or a desire, others would say an action or simply being kind. I do not question whether it can embody all of those elements since love is multi-faceted, but to start at the beginning, "God is love." God's very nature is love. He cannot be separated from love. God created us for entering into relationship with Him. In doing so, He created us, every person to ever live or that will ever live, with an inherent need for love. In doing so, He intends for our quest to lead us to Him as the source of love.

Know that you can choose to try and fill these need for love with temporary human relationships, or even with money, or praise of men, or possessions or fame, but nothing will satisfy, nothing can satisfy outside of the infinite and all-surpassing love of a God who delights in you. Once you are complete in God, through the atoning work of Christ and indwelt with His Spirit, then you receive security in His love and an awareness that you are significant in His plan. This frees you to love selflessly. Selfish love seems like an oxymoron, but if you pursue a relationship to meet your needs is it not selfish?

Okay, by now you probably realize that I am an idealist. But not always. I get lonely. I am tempted to believe a relationship will bring happiness and fulfillment. I am tempted to base my self-worth on another's desires for me. I like flowers and chocolate too. Being single is not easy. At the same time, I am unwilling to compromise my standards. Maybe you have heard of the three M's: Master, Mission, Mate. Know whose you are, figure out what you were created to do and then look around for someone with the same values and the same passion so that you can encourage one another and grow together.

I really want a husband. Sometimes so badly my soul aches, but I have set criteria. I want to marry a man who fears the Lord and is passionate about youth ministry. Until then, whenever then is, I can not see how 'seeing what is out there' or 'getting to know someone' would be profitable. With singleness comes great responsibility. I realize that I need to be above reproach in any interactions I have with the opposite sex. Loving my brothers requires me to respect myself by dressing modestly, talking purely and setting rigid physical boundaries. In this moment, I must make decisions that will shape me to become a good wife, knowing that actions really do have consequences.

With singleness also comes some sweet perks. How cool is it that for now "the Lord your Maker is [my] husband"? My primary focus rests in submitting to God. So I get to serve someone who is love and promises to never leave me or forsake me.

I just want you to ask yourself a few questions this week: Do I know love? Am I walking in relationship with God? How does that impact my relationships? What are prerequisites the other person must meet before I will even consider dating them? Do I conduct myself in a way that is honoring to God and thereby loving to the men/women I encounter?

My Valentine at 35

Dear Fairy Followers,

Please welcome our guest blogger, Deborah Kay. Deb is a 35 year old scientist who is gifted in music and worship. She's also a dear friend of mine who is still single. Here's what she has to say on the subject of purity.

Sometimes I wonder if I’m totally out of touch with the challenges of living as a young single person in this culture. I mean, I am 35 now. I’ll admit, when the Bible Devotional Fairy asked if I would do a guest blog about purity, I wasn’t sure what I would say…because, by golly, I’ve made a lot of mistakes in that department. Believe it or not, when I was a teenager I made a commitment to God that I wasn’t going to kiss someone until I became engaged. I’ve blown that one more times than I’d like to admit. But the two times in my life I had the guts to tell the guy I was alone with about my “rule” they respected my boundary and we stayed out of trouble.

Psalm 119:9-10

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.

Pray these two verses as often as you can. Commit them to memory. Invite God to chaperone your dates – or take an even higher road and avoid dates altogether. One day you’ll look back and be proud of the decisions you made because you understood that God isn’t trying to spoil our fun; he wants to preserve it for the right time and place – the safety and sanctity of marriage. And that’s the truth whether you’re 15, 25 or 35.

Deborah Kay

Scripture Study

Last night you talked about the last letter in our HABITS study. "S" for Scripture Study. At the beginning of your devotional you will find statistics that state that you are more likely to share your faith with someone than you are to study the Bible.

Question: How can you talk about Jesus if you aren't taking the time to learn about him? Hmmm.

Here's your devo book with five different methods for studying. Have you tried any of them? Which is your favorite? Share with your fellow Fairy Followers.

Blessings,
The B.D.F.

Scripture Study

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Balance: Zero - tithing

I got a call from the hubby one day. "Could you run to the bank and put $20 in the checking account?" Normally I would be delighted to...the problem? I didn't have $20 and we were going to be over drawn if we didn't find some way to fill that hole. I want to say that I got all spiritual and fell to my knees and asked God to provide that $20. I didn't. I probably wandered around the house wondering what I could sell or if I could find a job to do that would pay me cash.

Two things happened that day. First, a friend needed me to watch her little one. A job I would happily do for nothing. When she returned she gave me $10. I normally would have argued and refused, but I needed it and I wasn't going to be the man on the roof in the flood who turned down a ride from the guy in the boat because he was convinced God was going to save him.

Then, I checked the mail. And some random angel had send us a $100 bill. I still don't know who it was, but I tell the story in as many circles as I can so that maybe the story will get back and they will see that what they sent as a prompting from the Lord helped me avoid overdraft charges. Thank you!!

So, Fairy Followers, what have you given up that God has given back to you? Have you ever had an empty well that he has filled? How? Why? What? Share your story here!

Blessings,
The B.D.F.

Tithing

Greetings Fairy Followers,

Last night you talked about Tithing. Always weird to talk about money in a church setting - especially when your tithe goes to pay the guy doing the talking. Did you get your money's worth? Tried to find how many verses there are about money with no luck. Gold star to any follower who can get me a number!!

Here's you're study on Tithing. Look out this week for blogs about budgeting and how financial blessings can occur.

Blessings,
The B.D.F.

Tithing

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Lovin' the Loves - Update

Hey everyone, I just wanted to let you guys know that I’m going in today to begin what I hope is the last leg of this journey I’m on with my health. This curative transplant is something I’m still amazed at and still don’t completely understand. This morning I get a “central line” (surgical procedure) put in so it will be easier to receive the chemo treatment that will start this afternoon. After 6-7 days of chemo I will then get the stem cells that will be harvested from my brother (he will get stem cell booster shots during this time also). This will be followed by a 3-4 week stay in the stem cell unit to make sure everything ‘ takes’.

I again ask for prayer for Jan and the girls during this time I’m away from home as they really have a lot on their plate. Pray for my brother Jim as he’s pretty anxious about this upcoming week and the transplant procedure. Please pray for my witness while I’m in the hospital, God has granted me plenty of time to talk to the nurses and other patients. I am SO thankful to belong to a church like KBC where my brothers and sisters in Christ are constantly lifting me and my family up to the throne of grace.

In Christ,

Jeff Love

The Perfect Gift

My family has a long history of giving bad gifts. My dad gave my step mom a router for their first Christmas and a ping-pong table for their second. After that she started buying her own gifts. I'm not kidding. I've received a fish plate for a gift and a pair of leg warmers about ten sizes too small. My husband did really great our first Christmas and has been so-so since. I'm telling you guys out there to stick to the list. Trust me.

When I did my spiritual gifts testing again I was sad to see that I don't have the gifts of voluntary poverty and service and mercy. Those are the ones that I wish I had and have to work on. Ah, there goes that lack of contentment raising it's ugly head again. Why are we not just content with what we have? Even God can't give us the right gift, huh? Wrong. His gifts are always perfect and always right on time.

Be content. Celebrate the gifts you have, build the ones you feel led to. How do you feel about your gifts? What would you pick if you could pick just one extra to add?

Blessings,
The B.D.F.