Age to Age

Have you ever heard of Demas in the Bible?

Let me just take you down memory lane for a moment. Back to my eighth grade retreat, while attending a Christian school. I’ve established myself as a homebody, so it would be safe for you to assume that camps, retreats, group trips, most field trips… these were not times of excitement in abundance as it was for most of my peers. However, eighth grade retreat was going to be different. The speaker was going to be our Young Life area director and I was at least excited for what he had to teach us! The whole other camp experience I could have gone without.

His message for the weekend: DON’T BE A DEMAS! Now, we are middle schoolers, and you come to teach us about someone who is never talked about AND his name was Demas, he had us locked in! I will never forget this weekend and the teaching he so carefully and prayerfully brought to us “Christian” middle schoolers. (Just FYI: sometimes Christian School students/Church youth group kids are the most hungry and thirsty, wandering, “furtherest” out kid that needs to be asked a few more questions, shown that they matter.)

Now I share this for a few reasons: 1. My niece recently went on her eighth grade retreat (different school, different kind of retreat 😉) and we got to giggling about team building exercises with middle schoolers. She is honest and I love it! How much team building can you really expect from kids that are just barely getting used to the way their bodies are changing? Not to mention all the personalities! So we had some good laughs. And I was telling her about my retreats in middle school. 2. I started reading a new book yesterday and in the first couple sentences in the introduction, whose name pops up? Demas! 3. This morning my dad was reading to my mom and I, and you know what Scripture he read? One of the very few that name Demas! 2 Timothy 4:10- “For Demas, in love with this present world…”

Where I come from, we say this is a “Here’s your sign.” (Thank you Jeff Foxworthy)

Let’s start with a quote:

“As a pastor I frequently hear about the decline of biblical literacy and engagement. (link below) While many in our mission field have a high view of the Bible, most rarely study it. Instead of wrestling with Scripture in a local church community, many choose to borrow the biblical convictions of their favorite authors, celebrity pastors, or political leaders without deep meditation, personal experience, or thoughtful engagement… In Scripture we see the apostle Paul encourage his protege, Timothy, reminding him that he has become convinced of the faith he learned from older saints, including his mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5- “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.”). These are learned convictions. Borrowed convictions, on the other hand, are adopted by someone simply because they favor the person presenting them.” – Caleb E. Campbell

You know I love questions. When I read this, I started to think about some of the convictions and beliefs I have either learned from those who have taught the Scripture to me, or I personally have really felt a pull towards and in response have researched and searched Scripture to find what I believe, or ones that I have just borrowed just because of who was saying them. I began to, as Caleb Campbell refers to, the “process of disentangling actual convictions.” Why? Where and when did I come to believe this? What were the influencers?

I know what, why, when, where, and who helped me discern really specific and strong convictions and beliefs, which I don’t think you you will be surprised by this list: Adoption, foster care, health and healthcare, child abuse/harm and Child protective services, abortion and life, vaccines, emerging diseases, education- right to choose what’s best for the individual child, College optional not a “must” for all jobs, Trade Schools.

Some that I have a secure conviction, but admit I would like to learn more: human trafficking, drugs, guns, refugee and humanitarian crisis, global health, housing, crime and policing, economy and trade, immigration, foreign policy, environment, cyber security and threats, science and technology.

There are so many beliefs, convictions, commitments to discern, but that can’t be an excuse for not acknowledging where they originated and then owning my own study of the Scripture and asking questions and learning new things.

What should it be like to examine our beliefs, convictions, and commitments within a Jesus-centered community? I believe there should be a great amount of freedom. What do I mean by freedom?

From fear of saying or doing something “wrong,” because we are all sinners by nature and sinners by choice, we are all equal at the foot of the cross!!
Ask questions. From the seemingly small to the very critical and crucial
Discuss and wrestle with the Scriptures, and in doing so trust that God will guide and give us discernment and understanding.
Be free to openly and honestly share our convictions, questions, and hesitations, without judgement or ridicule. To be heard and also to hear fully.
Engage without the fear of rejection!

The picture I chose for today’s post is half of one of my very favorite pictures. Half because I really just wanted the focus to be on the feet of all heights, shapes, and sizes. One of my favorites because it is Lucy and the only picture captured with her cousins (and my cousin’s girls) all together. It also is a picture that reminds me of how from birth these little ones have taught me and shaped my heart in so many ways. It’s a reminder than those younger as well as those older than you are a great treasure of wisdom, so stay present. Don’t be tempted to focus on the future, because you have today, and today is very good.

Life Book of the Week: Who Sang the First Song?, by Ellie Holcomb

Links to above article and to some of my “go-to” Bible resources:

https://www.logos.com/grow/biblical-literacy

https://www.gotquestions.org/Demas-in-the-Bible.html

I prefer the Kids: https://www.christianbook.com/what-bible-about-handbook-for-kids/frances-blankenbaker/9781496416117/pd/416119?event=ESRCQ

But here is the adult: https://www.christianbook.com/what-bible-all-about-niv-handbook/9781496416049/pd/416046?event=CBCER1

Warren Wiersbe Commentaries: https://www.christianbook.com/the-bible-exposition-commentary-6-volumes/warren-wiersbe/9786125030474/pd/030474?event=ESRCQ if you are not up for buying the whole set, you can purchase them individually by book, just search “BE series”

This was given to me when Lucy was born by a very special friend. No need to be in children’s ministry! If you have a hunger and thirst for the Scripture… I have used it for myself as well as for lessons for my niece and nephew and other children. https://www.christianbook.com/nkjv-childrens-ministry-resource-bible-hardcover/9780840785077/pd/0842?event=ESRCG

Student Edition is the best! And it has pictures!!! https://www.christianbook.com/student-bible-dictionary-expanded-and-updated/johnnie-godwin/9781630581404/pd/581404?event=ESRCG

This Bible is not on shelves yet. And I have not found a site that I can actually see the inside, but the fact that this is going to be available is heart lifting! https://www.christianbook.com/csb-grace-bible-for-kids-hardcover/9798384510833/pd/510835?product_redirect=1&search_term=dyslexia&Ntt=510835&item_code=WW&ps_exit=PRODUCT%7Clegacy&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP