January 11 - Commitment

O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"…. 1 Timothy 6:20

It takes commitment and determination to bring up a child to become a responsible adult. Ed Cole gave a Promise Keepers presentation in Los Angeles several years ago in which he listed the seven characteristics of a child:

1.      Center of own universe

2.      Insensitive to others

3.      Demands own way

4.      Temper tantrum

5.      Unable to reason with

6.      Irresponsible

7.      Obeys only concrete authority.

Between the ages of three and thirteen the child must be taught to reason and be brought under submission with reason. In Isaiah 1:18 it says, "Come now, and let us reason together." Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.” Children must be taught the difference between right and wrong along with other principles of life.  They want to have boundaries—those set by someone in authority over their lives and that it is the father’s responsibility to draw those lines.

The father establishes the atmosphere and attitude of the home. God gave Adam the responsibility of the Garden of Eden…then the LORD God took the man and put him into the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. Genesis 2:15. That’s how it is with the father in the home—he is the leader with the responsibility to guide, govern and guard their home. It is a big commitment—but one of great reward. How does this tie in with Jesus’ character traits? Well, Jesus was committed to obedience to His Father and that is the same commitment that parents need to have to our Heavenly Father, and to each other as they raise their children. Paul give us a good example in 1 Timothy 6:20 when he says… guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"…. Guard what has been entrusted to you. For parents, that is your children. Guard them, protect them and teach them to love the Lord our God—for He is the center of our universe and worthy of our praise.

Training Tip – Purposefully commit with your spouse to analyzing the character of each of your children. Then decide just how you want to encourage that child in order to develop good character traits in him or her. It takes commitment with your spouse and to your children—as well as to the Lord to train up your children.

Lord – Thank you for being an example to me and for the children You have given me to raise. Help me as I seek to be obedient to You. 

Friday’s Feast at the Lord’s Table

Spinach Salad – with Candied Pecans and Blueberry Vinaigrette Dressing

This was actually a go-to favorite over the Christmas season and I took it to a couple of gatherings.

6 cups baby spinach (this will serve at least eight)

½ cup Craisins

½ cup Feta cheese, crumbled

1 cup candied pecans, chopped into 1/4" pieces (recipe follows) or plain pecans for fewer calories

Salad Dressing -  Blueberry Vinegrette (purchase or use recipe below) 

Combine ingredients and top with salad dressing when served.

Add grilled chicken strips and serve with warm wheat rolls for a complete meal.

Candied Pecans

1 egg white

1 tablespoon water

1 pound pecan halves (I chopped some into smaller pieces prior to candy prep.)

1 cup white sugar

3/4 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Grease one baking sheet, or line with foil.

In a mixing bowl, whip together the egg white and water until frothy. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, salt, and cinnamon.

 

Add pecans to egg whites, stir to coat the nuts evenly. Remove the nuts, and toss them in the sugar mixture until coated. Spread the nuts out on the prepared baking sheet. Bake at 250 degrees F for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool and enjoy. 

Blueberry Vinaigrette

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons honey

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Ground pepper - to taste

2/3 cup olive oil 

Blend blueberries, vinegar, water, honey, with salt and pepper in blender until smooth. Slowly add olive oil while blender is running. Refrigerate up to two weeks or serve immediately.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

January 10 – God Loves…the World

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  John 3:16

This is probably the first verse that Christians memorize…and one that is taught to little children. God loved the world—all of mankind. It is this LOVE that we want to emulate in our lives—loving others. But the ultimate real love was shown by God’s son, Jesus, when He gave His life on the cross. Note that His life wasn’t taken from Him, He gave it up freely. 

God gives us a gift…sort of like Christmas. Imagine a nicely wrapped package with a beautiful bow. You open it and there is a note from God Himself offering you the gift of eternal life, salvation. All you have to do is “accept” the gift, acknowledging that you are a sinner (we all are), so that Jesus can take your sins to His cross, and then you are entitled to become adopted into God’s family and share in the plan of eternal life, just like promised in John 3:16. What a great gift and a wonderful plan. God planned that from the beginning of creation. He gave people free will—so they can decide for themselves if they want to spend eternity in Heaven with Him…or not. Those who choose “not” will be going to hell, a place of gnashing teeth in a lake of fire, eternally separated from God and His Love. 

Training Tip – God Love Us. Explain to your children that we have choices to make every day, actually every minute of every day. Tell the kiddos that I am praying for them to make good choices. One day they will have to decide for themselves where they will spend eternity. I hope that they choose to spend it with Jesus. I’ll be there. 

Lord – Thank you for giving up Your life for our sins—and for the brilliant plan that Our Heavenly Father has—the plan of salvation—eternal life for everyone who believes in You.

 

So how are you doing? As we look at the characteristics of Jesus—qualities that we are called to have in our own lives and put into our relationships we can ask ourselves several questions just to see how we are doing.

1.        Is my attitude the same as Christ Jesus? (Philippians 2:5)

2.        Do I have this quality in me…and if so, how much…do I need to work on it more?

3.        How do I show this character in my daily life?

4.        What is keeping me from attaining more of this character trait in my own life?

5.        Considering the scriptures, what can I do to put this attitude or characteristic into action, to improve it in my life?

6.        Am I teaching this character trait to my children, intentionally and by my example? 

Love does not stand alone. It needs interaction with other good character traits and an obedient attitude. So let’s look at some other character traits of Jesus in the coming days and weeks, with the assurance that Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, is lighting and guiding our path.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

January 9 – Love Your Neighbor As Yourself

Jesus was asked, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And He said to him, “'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'” Matthew 22:36-39 

Love yourself. Love yourself? How do we love ourselves? Show respect for yourself…don’t let others tread on you…don’t let them put you down…stand up for yourself. Take care of yourself. By being a good example to your family they will learn that it is important to put God first—that is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind—and then to take care of yourself and then others around you. It’s like when you are flying on an airplane. The stewardess gives the safety briefing saying in the event of an emergency, put your air mask on first and then help those around you with theirs. If you pass out from not enough oxygen how will you ever be able to help others? Take care of yourself and then you can take care of others. If you show love to your neighbor by mowing their lawn, but you haven’t mowed your own lawn then you’ll look pretty bad. Mow your own yard and then mow your neighbor’s. Treat others the way you would want to be treated.

 

This scripture was the introduction to the parable about the Good Samaritan when Jesus was asked about keeping the law, and then questioned, “who is my neighbor?” Jesus went on to teach that our neighbor is anyone in need. The Good Samaritan helped a Jewish man who had been beaten. Normally Jews and Samaritans would have nothing to do with each other, but this Samaritan went out of his way to help the beaten man, even possibly putting his own life in danger. He cared for someone who might not have done the same for him. Would you do the same?

Training Tip – Kids learn by example. It is amazing how kiddos pick up on little things. Show the kids that you love God by spending time reading His Word, the Bible. Let them see you read and study it and give it priority. Then give them special time, too, telling them about what you have learned about God. You might want to begin with this story of the Good Samaritan. 

Lord – Thank you for the lesson that you taught about the Good Samaritan to explain who our neighbor is. Help us to see the “neighbors” around us and to meet their needs as you would.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

January 8 - The Fragrant Aroma of Love

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. Ephesians 5:1-2  

Think of a favorite smell. Is it some wonderful food cooking…or the fragrance of a flower or of a loved one? In the movie The Scent of a Woman the main character was a blind retired marine officer who knew a sweet lady by her scent…and then he danced with her so beautifully that you wouldn’t know he couldn’t see. There is more to the story, but the aroma that is referred to in the scripture has to do with a sacrificial aroma that is described in Leviticus 1-2. Burning flesh and smoky grain may not be a pleasant fragrance to us, but it was meant to be to God. Sacrifices of animals and grain were made as burnt offerings on the tabernacle altar to the Lord God. This smoky offering was the Hebrew people’s way of reaching the Lord. It was their way of expressing their love to God and asking for forgiveness for their sins. This action is said to typify the Lord Jesus’ offering of Himself unto death. 

Again, walk in love. What does that mean to you? Jesus said…"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30. We can “learn” from Jesus. To do that and be devoted to Jesus, we need to do more than “talk the talk”—we must walk in His footsteps. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps…1 Peter 2:21. He is our example so go to Him and find out what He would do. That typically means reading our Bible for ourselves. Prayer is a powerful resource when we ask God to give us wisdom and understanding of His Word. Studying scripture with others can also help us get insight into Jesus’ teachings. Daily devotions with your family may surprisingly open your eyes to Jesus’ teachings, as well as your children’s.

Training Tip – For a hands-on devotional, play a game of smells. Put things with different fragrances in brown paper bags and then see if your children can identify the objects while blindfolded. For example you may want to use a slice of an orange, a slice of an apple, some chocolate candy, a piece of burnt toast, a fragrant flower if one is available, a drop of peppermint oil, or some dirt. See who can guess the most correctly. They will probably want to change things around and have you guess what is in the bags, too. Sharing this time of fragrances will demonstrate love…and you can talk about how our lives can be a fragrant aroma to God. Beauty and obedience in our hearts gives off a pleasing smell to God. He is Love. 

 

Lord – We want to be pleasing to You. We want to be like a sweet smelling flower.

 

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

 

January 7 – Love Each Other

If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also. 1 John 4:20-21

Sibling rivalry can be pretty intense. I remember having fights with my brothers where hair pulling was involved--my hair…and someone’s fist going into a door—not a good sight. And then fighting with my sister involved pinching—I probably still have scars on my arms—but I deserved them after my sharp tongue spoke words that hurt her. Fighting drove us apart…and brought us together. We learned to stand up for each other. Love your siblings and show that by example to your children. Kids pick up on the slightest hints, “I’m not speaking to so and so.” Squabbling is just different with adults—no knock down drag out punches. 

My husband is an only child, but he shows love for his cousins probably just as much as I do for my own siblings. This has created a unique bond between cousins, their offspring and my daughter, who has never even met these cousins of hers in person. OK—Facebook has helped, too. We’re hoping that maybe this summer they can actually meet face to face! God loves each of these siblings and cousins—and He has created in them a love for each other. My parents taught me that we’ll have friends that may come and go…but we’ll always have our siblings. Family is important. They are “forever.” Well—now that my sister has gone to be with the Lord, and my folks, too, I have friends who are “forever,” just like the family that I still have surrounding me. Even without this “commandment” I love my brothers and sisters-in-law…and I pray that my grandchildren will stay as close to their siblings as I am to mine. It is so precious to see the grandkiddos giving each other a sweet kiss on the cheek—hopefully they still will love each other in another ten or twenty years! 

Training Tip – Be a good example. Show the love of God to your siblings—so that your children will learn by your example to love their family—as well as the family of God.

Lord – help us all to be true to you…no lying or fighting. Show us how to love each other the way that You love us—unconditionally.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

January 6 – First Love

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us. - 1 John 4:18-19 

Do you remember your first love? Their face is probably imbedded into your brain somewhere!  

Do you remember how you felt about Jesus the first time you heard about Him? Or what is your earliest memory of Jesus…or church? I remember story time in the nursery before I turned five and got to go to the Kindergarten classroom…and then Vacation Bible School when I was only five or six years old. But my most important memory of Jesus was when I was in the sixth grade and we were studying the Lord’s Prayer. That was the first time that Jesus became really real to me. “Give us this day our daily bread.” He is the Bread of Life. We need to have Him in our lives every day. Thank you, Mrs. Howe, for teaching me that. Jesus as my “daily bread” has now been a lifelong quest. He is my spiritual food. No fear of starving as I search the scriptures. No fear—just knowing that He loved me even before I was born. 

Teach that to your children, too. Jesus loves them. That song, “Jesus, Loves Me” is probably one of the best known songs with little children—especially with my grandchildren. That along with songs I’ve made up for each of them…and of course, Silent Night. Good songs to listen to as one is falling asleep. Keep up the good singing, Kim, Lisa, Mike and Melissa!  

Training Tip – Keep singing. Songs tell children that they are loved—by you and by Jesus. 

Lord – I Love You. The song maybe “Jesus Loves Me,” but this is my song to You. “I love Jesus, yes I do, for He’s strong and always true. He will guide us through this day and show us that He’s The Way. Yes. I love Jesus. Yes. I love Jesus. Yes. I love Jesus, because He first loved me.”

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

January 5 – God is Love

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:7-8

So what is Love? In an old movie from 1970, Love Story, there was a line…love means never having to say you’re sorry. It means more than that. Love means building others up, encouraging them, meeting their needs without expecting anything in return. Love makes it possible for us to appreciate others—especially those in God’s family, as well as our own family, friends, neighbors, coworkers and others around us. When God’s love is in us and flows through us, we love unconditionally, from our hearts. God is Love. He is bigger than we can imagine—and small enough to invade the deepest hidden parts of our hearts—to speak just to us.

Love isn’t about buying gifts, although that is some people’s love language. Love can be as simple as about caring enough to spend time with someone—really listening to what they have to say; or just to sit with them and not say anything. Maybe playing a game, shooting baskets, or tossing a football—or kicking a soccer ball around with them or finding a way to be of service to them. Take out the trash without being asked, mowing the lawn for them, or cleaning up some room (kitchen/bathroom/garage) in the house just to please them.  Again, meaningful touch—like hugs, backrub, or foot rub (ahhhh), holding hands—is an important way to express love. Meaningful words expressed in writing or in conversation to treasure are powerful reminders of our feelings—“I appreciate you,” “I love you,” “you are special to me.” If you are looking for ideas, read Gary Chapman’s book, The 5 Languages of Love or Ross Campbell’s book, How to Really Love Your Child. God is Love. Without Him, we our attempts at loving others ends in unmet expectations and disappointments.

Training Tip – Love can be expressed in meaningful touch, in treasured words, or focused time. Find the way your loved ones feel really “loved” and express your love in a way that they know you love them. 

Lord, You are Love. Flow into our hearts today and give us inspiration in ways that we can show and share Your love with those we love.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

January 4 – Greater Love

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 

How many people do you know that would actually “lay down” their life for you? We’ve heard stories of teachers and students taking the bullet for others in recent school shootings—that is such a heroic example. Would you do that for others? I certainly would like to think that I would—for my family and friends. Jesus did just that for us—He willingly gave up His life so that we could all live eternally. Of course, we have to accept what He did for us personally—just knowing that He died on that cross for our sins doesn’t get us to Heaven—to eternal life. We have to believe in Jesus as the Son of God, as our personal savior. Believe—not just know the story.  

So how does this relate to “training” up the kiddos in your home? Teaching them about Jesus is a good start. Be a good example by putting others first. We all tend to have a bit of a selfish streak in us—I especially do now that I’m retired. I just want to have some time to myself—to do my own projects or just read. But then the “greater love” comes in and I feel the need to help others—in the family and in my circle of friends. There is always an opportunity to help others. What can I do for you today? I’ll gladly “lay down” my own time to help you do what you need to do. 

Training Tip – Taking time for others shows that you love them. Put down your iPhone and spend some quality time with your kiddos today. 

Lord, You showed us the greatest love by giving up Your own life on the cross for us—showing us that eternal life is worth so more than our own selfish desires. Thank you.

Friday’s Feast at the Lord’s Table

Fridays are feasting days—so I’m including a recipe. This week’s feature is my sister’s favorite cookie, Snickerdoodles. When we were growing up, Shirley and I spent a lot of time in the kitchen baking and we would often make these cookies. Recently my daughter-in-law made these and it took me back to afterschool snack time. 

Snickerdoodles  8-10 dozen

3     cups sugar

1     cup butter or margarine, softened

1     cup shortening

4     eggs

5 ½ cups unbleached flour (sifted before measuring)

4     teaspoons cream of tartar

2     teaspoon baking soda

½    teaspoon salt

2     Tablespoon sugar

2     teaspoons ground cinnamon

Mix shortening, butter, sugar and add eggs.

Mix dry ingredients and then add to the butter mixture.

Chill the dough for a couple of hours or overnight.

Roll into small balls and dip into cinnamon & sugar mixture.

Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes. These are soft and puffed up when taken out of the over, but they flatten out with crinkly tops. Enjoy!

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

January 3 – Have You Hugged Today?

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 

All Jesus’ qualities—spiritual characteristics are important but above all love. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love…1 Corinthians 13:13. I came from a mixed family. My Mom’s family hugged, but since they lived 300 miles away we only saw them a couple of times a year. My Dad’s family was of German heritage and although we lived close by they rarely showed any physical love, like hugs, to us kids. There was some tickling—but I don’t really consider that “loving.” So hugging hasn’t come naturally to me and I’m guarded with my hugs. Of course it is easy to give the grandkids plenty of hugs—and my kids mostly as they come and go from our home—but not consistently, I will admit. How about you? Are you a hugger?

Recent reports on studies have shown that everyone needs at least 10 hugs a day to thrive. Virginia Satir, a respected family therapist, said “We need four hugs a day for survival. We need eight hugs a day for maintenance. We need twelve hugs a day for growth.” Twelve—that’s a lot of hugs. Physical touch is important. Hugging strengthens the immune system, builds self-esteem, and creates trust in a relationship. Jesus said, let the little ones come unto me” and I image that He hugged them and their parents, too. We need to do likewise. So open your arms and your heart—give a hug. Share the love of Jesus with family and friends today. Keep everyone healthy. January 21 is National Hugging Day—a world-wide event. Put it on your calendar…but don’t save all your hugs until then.

Training Tip – Just Hug
Lord—You are Love. Help us to show your love—and hug those around us today.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.