Bible Action Figures

How many times have we heard that children learn through play? If you have kids, or have been around kids for any length of time then you've seen this played out (no pun actually intended, but I'm thrilled it just popped out!) Little Man has been into role playing now for almost a year, usually by himself while playing with his toys.

About a month ago he even played "Daddy" while my husband played the part of the son. We were actually amazed at what a good Daddy he was, putting his "son" to bed, tucking him in, saying prayers and singing a "lullabye"!! I was impressed he actually knew the words to the lullabye I started singing him a few months ago... Taps! (Note to self: Learn the other verses to that song!)

So, this being said, why does the idea of "Biblical action figures" make me squeamish? Oh, David is okay, even Moses and Noah.... But Jesus? I like to think that if Little Man had a Jesus doll, that he would act out all the stuff he learns at church. Maybe all of Jesus' teachings would get reinforced through this kind of role play.

I certainly would like to think that the Jesus doll would always act appropriately, and never attack Little Man's baby brother, Lumpadump. Jesus Doll would always be clothed, never stand on the kitchen table, and never hurt other dolls or fly carelessly through the air. But come on!!! Let's get real!

We are told in the Bible not to make any "idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above".... Yet how often have you seen pictures of Jesus in church? Or in people's homes? Or in cards? Or in the Bible? Is this idolatry? How can we reconcile this? I confess, I've just never felt comfortable with these images of Jesus that pop up from time to time. And now there's a doll with (supposedly) his image. Ick!

I'm not even going to discuss what kind of future therapy younger siblings might need after they get beat up by big brother's Jesus Doll... That's a whole 'nother post!

Persuasive words?

I've been reading thru First Corinthians recently in my devotions. Last night I asked the Lord to really help me to see it anew and to give me some nuggets that I can pass on to my son, my husband and my friends. So as I looked into Chapter 2, and reread the previous night's verses, I was suddenly struck by Paul's words.

I always find it curious that Paul says that he

....did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling,
4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

Is it just me, or is it really hard to imagine Paul this way? Weakness? Fear? And what about this: "...not in persuasive words of wisdom..." Paul, surely you jest!! When I read his letters, I am often struck by the depth and the wisdom of his writings. So hard to imagine that he took another route with the Corinthians. But I digress!

Verses 4 and 5 were what popped out to me last night. As a mom, I have always been concerned about whether or not I've been imparting spiritual truths and values to my son in a way that he understands. There have been days when I was sure he wasn't "getting it", which made me try to explain, explain, explain things to him. On these days Little Man says, "Mom, it's taking to long!" or he tunes me out... Yes! He tunes ME out! Hard to believe, huh?

And so last night I sensed the Lord speaking to me and encouraging me not to overly rely on "persuasive words of wisdom" with my kids, but rather in DEMONSTRATION of the Spirit and power of God! Why? So that their faith would rest in the power of God when they mature, and not on my words, or even my own faith. They need to see the power of God for themselves. They need to see God answering prayers, providing for us, comforting us, changing our hearts for themselves.

Paul goes on to say in the next verse that "we do speak wisdom among those who are mature" so certainly there is a place for that. But for a 3 year old boy, words are not that impressive. It's the action. It's the demonstration. It's the day to day living out of the gospel that will matter in the long run.

The latest buzz

Tuesday Little Man & I were out playing wiffle ball--which, when played with a 3 year old boy is a lot like playing by yourself. Little Man stole the ball and ran off with it into our side yard. I went and chased him back to the front, and on the way back myself, I spotted a nice sized rock at the edge of our woods. (Now, I have been on the lookout for some good sized rocks to put under our roof, because the rain is washing away our soil. But this rock was on the large side, about half the size of a bowling ball.)

I was going to pick it up, but instead I (absent-mindedly) decided to flip it over with my teva-clad feet. I looked down and saw something flying around by my legs. Something inside of me just said, "RUN!!" So I took off towards the house sensing that I was about to get really badly stung! About this time I did get stung on my leg, and that is when I realized that YES, I did indeed have a swarm of wasps after me!

I made a the split second decision to run into our home, and I was "okay", and then realized that Little Man was still outside on the lawn! :P Bad Mommy!! So I called him in too, and held the door open for him, but in doing so, let two or 3 more wasps in the house.

By God's grace I was only stung twice!! I attribute that totally to the still smallish voice that told me to look down (to see the wasps... yes, my vision is beyond pitiful) and to RUN! Because if I had waited till I was sure the bugs flying around my legs were wasps, I would've really been in sorry shape. But the even greater protection was that Little Man didn't get stung once, and that he never moved that rock himself in all the times he has been playing over there. Can you imagine? Ugh! The stuff of nightmares!

So I bet you're wondering right about now, "What is the best remedy for a bee sting?" Oh! So GLAD you asked!! My dear hubbie found this site while I was waiting for the adrenaline rush to subside. I am very thankful that someone posted this on the internet, but let's just say the author needs a new hobbie.

These stones cry out!

I love when people come up with innovative ways to provoke spiritual thoughts and conversation. Here is a nifty article about an idea so awesome and simple that I am jealous I didn't think of it!

http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=11229&PN=1&TPN=1

So what do you think? Does this inspire you?