Bring Joy To The World!

by Sheri Schofield

It’s wintertime in Wyoming. Snow covers the ground and the trees are bare. The neighborhood squirrels have been busily hunting for food, scurrying anxiously from fences, to trees, to rooftops, and to deserted gardens. 

But today, I saw a young squirrel hopping like a bunny … happy, carefree and obviously enjoying himself. His enthusiasm distracted me from my serious thoughts and made me smile.

Joy is contagious.

Ezra and Nehemiah had led a group of 42,360 Israelite captives from the land of Persia back to Jerusalem. By command of Artaxerxes (meaning son of Xerxes) king of Persia, these two leaders were sent to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, along with workers and their families.

Nehemiah 2:6 mentions that the queen was sitting next to Artaxerxes when he gave this command. Some commentators believe this king and queen were Ahasuerus and Esther, which may be why the queen was mentioned. I tend to think this is true, for Esther played a large role in helping the Jewish people during the Persian Empire.

By order of the king, the city was to be rebuilt. The recently returned Jews came together for a celebration and asked Ezra, who was a priest, to read the law to them. From early morning until noon, he did so. He also explained what it meant. Maybe for the first time, they understood God’s law.

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the law.

And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” (See Nehemiah 8:9-10 NLT)

The joy of the Lord equals strength.

When the joy of the Lord penetrates our souls, we find strength to face and win any battle life throws our way. As our nation faces unprecedented turmoil, it would be easy to fear the future.  But we do not need to be afraid, for we have Jesus! We know the future: Jesus wins. He sent the Holy Spirit into our hearts. His presence in our lives results in love, joy, and peace (see Galatians 5:22, 23).

When the joy of the Lord fills our hearts, it will show on our faces and in our attitudes toward others. We become beacons of light and hope in this dark world. When we see people struggling, our joy can prompt us to reach out in love and lift them up. Let the joy of the Lord radiate from us today. Let’s be the light of Jesus to our world.

The joy of the Lord is our strength. Pass it on.

I pray that God, the source of hope will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13 NLT

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Sheri Schofield, award-winning author and Bible teacher, has added a new way to share faith in Jesus: Her latest book, Before You Find Me, is a contemporary romantic suspense featuring a strong Christian who faces a crisis that tests her courage. Tara, a freshman at West Texas A&M whose parents are dead, learns that her younger sister witnessed a murder. To protect her siblings, she must spirit them out of Texas before the murderer learns there was a witness to his act. Tara has one day in which to act. Can she do it? She remembers a family ranch in Montana…and Ben, the boy next-door, who captured her heart once. Will he still be there? Will he help her protect her family now? This book entertains while it presents godly responses to danger and struggles. Sometimes fiction can draw people closer to God when they will not be drawn by nonfiction. Before You Find Me is available at http://www.sherischofield.com.

Join the conversation: Have you found that the joy of the Lord gives you strength? Please share!

Enlarge My Territory

by Sheri Schofield

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request (1 Chronicles 4:10, NIV).

My heart has always been focused on reaching children for Jesus, beginning at age thirteen when I helped with a Back Yard Bible Club with Child Evangelism Fellowship. I poured myself into children’s ministries after that. My focus for the future was on serving Jesus overseas. Eventually, the door opened for my husband Tim and me to head for Latin America. But just before we left for that work, one of my uncles angrily demanded, “Why are you going overseas when you are so effective here?”

I tried to explain. “If I am not effective here, I will not be effective overseas. So I’ve done my best to serve God well and effectively at home first.”

After one year serving overseas, Tim and I had to return to the States. I remembered that conversation. Apparently, God wanted me to serve here.

I poured myself into the children at church, and drove around the Helena, Montana valley praying for the children outside the church walls. I wanted to reach them for Jesus, too! But I  had no idea how to do that. I was inspired to ask God for one of the same things Jabez asked: Enlarge my territory.

In 2014, I saw how parents—even those in our church—struggled to explain salvation to their children. Also, on a mission trip to Mexico, I received a note from a children’s ministry teacher saying she had no materials to use in teaching. Could I help?

Over the next three years, I wrote and illustrated a book to meet that need, both in the USA and Mexico, in English and Spanish. The Illustrations represent people of all nations. The Prince and the Plan became our vehicle for reaching children for Jesus. The Lord helped us give away about 4,000 books to children on our Montana reservations and in Helena, plus 1,000 books to our contacts in Mexico, with instructions to give them not only to the churches of our group, but also to the immigrant families coming across the border. If God was bringing little ones north, then we would meet them with the gospel.

Things began to wind down for our outreach. We’d saturated our town and the reservations with The Prince and the Plan. My husband started talking about retiring. I wasn’t ready! I felt there was follow-up work to be done. But in July, Tim decided we should move closer to our son, Drew. He decided we would move to Wyoming, where the deer and the antelope are supposed to play. (Actually, all they do is eat!)

I drove all over Wyoming looking for a house, but they all sold before I arrived. Before my last trip, the Lord told me to write down exactly what I wanted in a house. There were seven items. Then I said, “Lord, if you are taking me away from my beautiful mountains, I can be at peace with this.” I pictured a shade tree in a small back yard with a wooden fence and a flowering bush.

Upon reflection, that didn’t sound like me at all! But God led me to that house. The backyard view was what I’d pictured, and the house had all the other seven qualities I’d asked for. God had put that view in my head to guide me. Confident of God’s leading, we bought the house by faith.

It was then we discovered this town is 30% children! Ten percent of the population is Hispanic. This town is full of young families!

God has just given me what I asked: He has increased my borders. Again!

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Sheri Schofield, award-winning author and Bible teacher, has added a new way to share faith in Jesus: Her latest book, Before You Find Me, is a contemporary romantic suspense featuring a strong Christian who faces a crisis that tests her courage. Tara, a freshman at West Texas A&M whose parents are dead, learns that her younger sister witnessed a murder. To protect her siblings, she must spirit them out of Texas before the murderer learns there was a witness to his act. Tara has one day in which to act. Can she do it? She remembers a family ranch in Montana…and Ben, the boy next-door, who captured her heart once. Will he still be there? Will he help her protect her family now? This book entertains while it presents godly responses to danger and struggles. Sometimes fiction can draw people closer to God when they will not be drawn by nonfiction. Before You Find Me is available at http://www.sherischofield.com.

Join the conversation: Have you asked God to increase your borders?

Winter In America

by Sheri Schofield

Wind, snow, and sub-zero temperatures have brought harsh conditions to much of our country. Homeless people line the streets in many cities, unable to find adequate shelter.  Churches along our southern border are crowded with people fleeing from poverty or abuse in other countries. The airport in El Paso has opened its doors to people with no other place to sleep. Those who have friends or relatives are couch surfing to find shelter.

It is winter in America in more ways than one. Young adults are leaving Christianity in record numbers. Many people across this land do not even know who Jesus is. Christians are being scorned and persecution is starting to seriously affect those who serve Christ in this land. My heart cries out to God to save us from America’s spiritual winter.

The words of Jesus about our times mention this. He told a story of a widow who kept seeking justice, day after day, until a corrupt judge got tired of her persistent requests and gave her justice so she wouldn’t bother him anymore.

And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:6-8, NIV)

In the face of this spiritual winter, Jesus calls us to keep the faith. Faith is our snow shovel against ungodliness and unbelief that blows across this land. We cannot sit in our homes and let the drifts of unbelief pile up! We must get out in the cold, shovel the drifts from our homes, and then do what we can to shovel the drifts of unbelief away from our neighbors’ homes.

If ever there was a time when Jesus’ command to love our neighbor as we love ourselves was needed, this is it. We are living in times where sin abounds and love has grown cold—like in the days of Noah. The only solution is to warm up the cold hearts around us with Jesus’ love. What we do may be as simple as asking a neighbor over for tea, listening to them, and sharing our testimony of how our Lord has helped us. Since he helped us, he can help them, too … if they will trust him.

Maybe loving our neighbor as we love ourselves means taking in a homeless person or family to protect them from this deadly cold, then helping them find a place of their own. Maybe loving our neighbor means providing food to those around us who are in need, or serving in a soup kitchen. Look around. There are many ways to show Jesus’ love to others then tell them about salvation in Christ.

As the cold of winter continues on, keep the warm fires of faith burning where we live, where we travel, where we shop. Get to know the beggars on the street corners. Do you know their names and circumstances? Find ways to show them the love of Christ.

When Jesus returns, let him find faith on earth. Faith that lives and prospers in our hearts. Faith that reaches out with warmth to those who are physically and spiritually frozen. Faith that announces springtime through Jesus’ love.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, Isaiah 61:1 (NIV).

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Sheri Schofield, award-winning author and Bible teacher, has added a new way to share faith in Jesus: Her latest book, Before You Find Me, is a contemporary romantic suspense featuring a strong Christian who faces a crisis that tests her courage. Tara, a freshman at West Texas A&M whose parents are dead, learns that her younger sister witnessed a murder. To protect her siblings, she must spirit them out of Texas before the murderer learns there was a witness to his act. Tara has one day in which to act. Can she do it? She remembers a family ranch in Montana…and Ben, the boy next-door, who captured her heart once. Will he still be there? Will he help her protect her family now? This book entertains while it presents godly responses to danger and struggles. Sometimes fiction can draw people closer to God when they will not be drawn by nonfiction. Before You Find Me is available at http://www.sherischofield.com.

Join the conversation: How do you show love to those around you?

The Gift

by Sheri Schofield

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:1, 2 NASB

As I recently browsed through a home decorating store, I saw the best sign for my entryway: Sometimes I wonder what happens to the people who ask me for directions. I laughed. Perfect!

Following directions can be a tricky thing. I’m sure the wise men from the east thought so as they searched for the newborn King. But the question arises, how did they even know about a coming Jewish king? And how far east of Judah did they live?

Many biblical scholars believe these men were Chaldeans from Babylon since “magi” is the word used. The prophet Daniel, of lion’s den fame, had been the leader of the wise men of Babylon centuries earlier. It seems probable that he told the Chaldeans of the coming King, the Messiah (who was also described in Daniel’s book). Daniel was known to share his faith boldly.

The Chaldeans most likely had access to the Hebrew Scriptures, because much of the writings important to Judah were taken to Babylon when Jerusalem was conquered. In these writings, prophecies told of a coming King.

Magi routinely searched the heavens for signs. When the magi of Matthew 2:1 saw “His star” appear, they loaded treasure onto pack animals and headed for Judea. But they didn’t know which town would be the honored birthplace of the King. So, they went to the capital, Jerusalem, and asked for directions from the current king, Herod.

Herod, so jealous of his throne that he had even had three of his own sons executed, summoned the chief priests and teachers of the law, who knew the prophet Micah had named Bethlehem as the place where the ruler would be born (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:6).

Herod sent the magi to Bethlehem and told them, “When you have found Him, report to me, so that I may come and worship Him” (Matthew 2:8 NASB). His intent, however, was not to worship the King, but to kill him.

By the time the magi found the King, Joseph had secured proper housing, though it was probably very simple, for Joseph and Mary were not wealthy. The wise men placed their expensive gifts at the feet of Jesus. Warned by God, they did not return to Jerusalem, but instead headed back to the east by another way (Matthew 2:12).

Joseph, also warned by an angel of God, took Mary and little Jesus to Egypt, far from Herod’s jealous wrath. God’s provision may well have come through that group of wise men who kept their eyes on the prize and followed directions. The magi’s gifts would have helped them to travel and stay in a foreign country, and possibly paid for Jesus’ education when the family returned to Judea.

Has God given you directions to follow? Has he placed on your heart a gift you can lay at Jesus’ feet? Will it take a long time to develop the gift, or will it cost time and money?

The gift you bring is for the King of kings. Do not be discouraged at the setbacks along the way. Keep your eyes on the prize and follow God’s directions. It will be worth it all when you lay your gift at Jesus’ feet.

Well done, good and faithful servant! Matthew 25:21 NIV

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Sheri Schofield, award-winning author and Bible teacher, has added a new way to share faith in Jesus: Her latest book, Before You Find Me, is a contemporary romantic suspense featuring a strong Christian who faces a crisis that tests her courage. Tara, a freshman at West Texas A&M whose parents are dead, learns that her younger sister witnessed a murder. To protect her siblings, she must spirit them out of Texas before the murderer learns there was a witness to his act. Tara has one day in which to act. Can she do it? She remembers a family ranch in Montana…and Ben, the boy next-door, who captured her heart once. Will he still be there? Will he help her protect her family now? This book entertains while it presents godly responses to danger and struggles. Sometimes fiction can draw people closer to God when they will not be drawn by nonfiction. Before You Find Me is available at http://www.sherischofield.com.

Join the conversation. Has God given you directions to follow? How have you responded?

Panic, Peace, and Popcorn

by Sheri Schofield

Most people face times of testing at various points in their lives. Some panic when tested. Some face tests with stoic perseverance. Others with peace and patience. I think I’ve gone through all these responses recently.

In late July, my husband Tim told me it was time for him to retire. I’d been expecting this to happen in two or three years, not now. A move away from my beloved mountains of Montana to Wyoming was difficult to face. But not as hard as the time frame. Tim wanted us to be moved by September 20…after seventeen years in this house. I shook my head and thought, “It’s not going to happen that fast.”

We’re now into October, with a November 1 moving goal set in stone. We bought the Wyoming house in August. At the same time, Tim wanted to do a remodel of our current home. Floors, carpets, and countertops have been replaced. While we packed! We’re now racing against our first snow of the season to get our decks painted in time.

But every single project had problems along the way. For instance, the laminate floors were laid crooked by an inexperienced worker. They sounded like Rice Crispies – snap, crackle and pop – when I walked across them. The company owner had to re-install them. Every part of this remodel has had to be fixed or re-done. Plus, I developed sciatica for the first time in my life and am in pain.

In the beginning of this move, I had to battle panic. I didn’t want to leave Montana. The work ahead overwhelmed me. But as I prayed frantically, I settled into stoic endurance. Keeping my eyes on Jesus, I gradually felt his peace descend on my heart, despite all the problems.

I now understand God has a reason in all this. There have been workers in our house whom I’ve gotten to know. They have opened up about their spiritual conditions, their struggles and their joys. I’ve shared my faith with them, and they have peppered me with questions about God. I know this was all planned by my heavenly Father. So why should I worry? Why should I fret? God has this all under control.

Jesus spoke of our tendency to worry instead of trusting him. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26 NIV).

Over the years I’ve learned—from my heart—that we do not exist in a vacuum. We are surrounded by others who struggle and try to make sense of their lives, too. We are like popcorn: one kernel heats up and bursts out on top of the other kernels, then another and another. People live in varying degrees of pain and panic, with occasional sparks of joy. God has placed us among others to provide comfort and light to those around us, to gently point them to Jesus as we experience life together.

This is how God builds his kingdom. We can’t rush these things! God planned this move and its stresses from eternity, for the good of others as well as for us. I find that I’m starting to enjoy it!

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven,” Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV).

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Sheri Schofield, award-winning author and Bible teacher, has added a new way to share faith in Jesus: Her latest book, Before You Find Me, is a contemporary romantic suspense featuring a strong Christian who faces a crisis that tests her courage. Tara, a freshman at West Texas A&M whose parents are dead, learns that her younger sister witnessed a murder. To protect her siblings, she must spirit them out of Texas before the murderer learns there was a witness to his act. Tara has one day in which to act. Can she do it? She remembers a family ranch in Montana…and Ben, the boy next-door, who captured her heart once. Will he still be there? Will he help her protect her family now? This book entertains while it presents godly responses to danger and struggles. Sometimes fiction can draw people closer to God when they will not be drawn by nonfiction. Before You Find Me is available at http://www.sherischofield.com.

Unexpected Storms

by Sheri Schofield

A pleasant bubble bath scented with lavender, plus a nice cup of milk before bed were just what I needed. I opened the window to enjoy the pleasant forest breeze, stretched, sighed with contentment, lay my head down on my pillow, and closed my eyes.

Uh-oh. My eyes flew open. The skunks were fighting again! I jumped out of bed and ran to close the window. As I reached for the latch, thunder crashed, lightning flashed, and our house was shaken by the force. I climbed back in bed and waited it out. Eventually, the fierce battle in the heavens moved on and I fell asleep.

Have you noticed that sometimes in life, when all is going smoothly, unexpected traumas crash down on us? Suddenly, we are shaken out of our calm, our adrenaline shoots up, and we face into the wind of a wild storm, a demanding, turbulent battle.

Abigail, a wise, beautiful woman of Israel, experienced just such an unexpected storm. In her day, women had little or no choice in who they married. She had been given to Nabal, a rich landowner in Israel. He was loud, proud, and foolish.

From what we read in 1 Samuel 25, we know that David and his men had been guarding Nabal’s sheep as a courtesy. It was the custom of the day for the landowner to thank those who had offered such services by providing food at the end of the sheep shearing time.

David sent some of his young warriors to Nabal asking for provisions. But Nabal, who appears to have been a cheapskate as well, scorned them, screaming insults against them and David. The men returned and told David, who flared into anger at this abuse. He ordered four hundred of his men to arm themselves and follow him, declaring he would wipe out everyone at Nabal’s house.

Meanwhile, Nabal’s servants ran to Abigail and told her what had happened. Abigail’s calm was shattered. She ordered her servants to put together enough food to literally feed an army! She loaded it onto donkeys and told her servants, “Go on ahead. I will follow you shortly.” But she didn’t tell her husband Nabal what she was doing. (See 1 Samuel 25:19 NLT.)

Abigail, riding a donkey toward the pass, saw David and his warriors coming. When she reached them, she quickly dismounted and knelt before David. She took the blame for the insult and told David her husband was an ill-tempered fool, but she had brought the food. She urged David not to take vengeance. “When you are king, you do not want to have this incident of vengeance on your conscience,” she told him.

David thanked her for her intervention and for the food, praising God for stopping him from taking revenge.

When Abigail told Nabal what had happened, Nabal had a stroke and died. When David heard about this, he said, “Praise the Lord! He has avenged me! Now someone go ask Abigail if she will marry me!” So Abigail became David’s wife.

What had started as a terrible storm turned into a deliverance from bondage and a beautiful love story.

When God allows storms in our lives, his purpose may not be immediately revealed. We may not see the point this side of heaven. But when we trust God through our suffering, we know there will be eventual blessing because of the storm.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NIV

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Sheri Schofield is an award-winning children’s author-illustrator and children’s ministry veteran of 40 years. Sheri was named Writer of the Year in 2018 at the Colorado Christian Writers’ Conference for her work in effectively sharing the gospel of Jesus. Her ministry, Faithwind 4 Kids, can be followed on her blog at her website, http://www.sherischofield.com. Questions welcomed!

FREE CHILDREN’S PROGRAM! Author/Children’s Bible teacher, Sheri Schofield, offers a free series of video lessons about Jesus and His salvation—for children ages 4 and up. It is available at her website www.sherischofield.com. In this video series, Walk-The-Talk Island, Sheri presents her award-winning book The Prince and the Plan, in 24 video lessons for your children, grandchildren and any others with whom you wish to share. In addition, Campfire provides devotions for children.

Join the Conversation: What blessings have you received because of the storm?

Grace or Bitterness?

by Sheri Schofield

The horses in the pasture near our home have been living out a little drama lately. We’re now watching Episode 2. There is a pecking order among horses, and in this case, the mare was the lead horse. She allowed only the bay gelding to stand next to her and swat flies from her nose with his tail, but totally shunned the new horse, a palomino gelding that has learned to stand alone. I call the mare Queenie.

Now, however, the bay horse is missing from the pasture, and only the shunned palomino is left. There is no other horse to swat the flies from Queenie’s nose. So she is trying to cozy up to the only other horse in the pasture. But the golden gelding is not having anything to do with her. He’s not dumb. He knows she just wants him to swat flies! But Queenie keeps trying.

We see the same patterns in human behavior, even among some Christians. A prominent person will often give most of his or her attention to a select group of people but ignore others. Until he needs something from them. Suddenly, the leader will turn the sunshine of his favor upon the one he wants to use. After that person has done what the leader wants, the leader will go back to his own circle of friends and ignore the outsider.

I have had this happen to me a few times. It hurts. My skills are strong in the creative realm—painting, music, writing. Years ago, a dominant person from church hired me to paint a mural on a 35-foot wall in her new business. Afterward, she said she didn’t have the money to pay me. She ended up giving me a very small amount for the mural. The mural drew many customers to her business. But she excluded me socially afterward.

I could have been like the golden palomino and ignored her. But I chose to let it go and to be kind anyway. There is no point in harboring resentment. It will only poison my own soul and bring bitterness into the body of Christ.

The Apostle Paul warned against harboring resentment. He wrote, “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many” (Hebrews 12:15 NIV).

My role in the church is to love others, bear with their weaknesses, as Christ bears my weaknesses, and show Christ to them. It isn’t always easy! My human nature would like to cherish the blame against those who hurt me. But as I keep turning my back on resentment and turning my face toward Jesus, I grow in grace and in the knowledge of my Savior.

When I see how certain behavior causes harm, my goal is to watch how I treat others in my own relationships and not let myself indulge in similar actions. In this way, I can help others see through me to Jesus. It is a continual learning process.

I am thankful the Holy Spirit has overlooked the many times I have failed in this! I’m glad the Lord is not finished with me yet. While I am learning, I ask the Lord to guard my heart against bitterness, and to keep me from living according to my selfish desires. I’m a work in progress. Nobody ever said the Christian life would be easy!

You my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Galatians 5:13 NIV

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Sheri Schofield is an award-winning children’s author-illustrator and children’s ministry veteran of 40 years. Sheri was named Writer of the Year in 2018 at the Colorado Christian Writers’ Conference for her work in effectively sharing the gospel of Jesus. Her ministry, Faithwind 4 Kids, can be followed on her blog at her website, http://www.sherischofield.com. Questions welcomed!

FREE CHILDREN’S PROGRAM! Author/Children’s Bible teacher, Sheri Schofield, offers a free series of video lessons about Jesus and His salvation—for children ages 4 and up. It is available at her website www.sherischofield.com. In this video series, Walk-The-Talk Island, Sheri presents her award-winning book The Prince and the Plan, in 24 video lessons for your children, grandchildren and any others with whom you wish to share. In addition, Campfire provides devotions for children.

Join the Conversation: How do you respond to hurt?

Horses and Hospitality

by Sheri Schofield

One of the nice things about country living is watching the horses gallop around the fields, manes and tails flying gracefully. They are beautiful creatures. They are also social creatures. They stand two-by-two, facing each other’s rumps and swishing their tails in each other’s face to keep flies away.

Our neighbors have horses they use at round-up times and for recreation. They had two bay (red) horses—a gelding and a mare—until a couple years ago, when they added a palomino (blonde) gelding. I’ve noticed the palomino is always alone; the bays stay together and ignore him. There is no welcome for the new horse, no inclusion. He must dodge his own flies since the other horses don’t help him.

People can be like that, too. Satisfied with their own circle of friends, they can pay little attention to a newcomer. Churches can do the same. It takes effort to move out of our comfort zones to make new friends with complete strangers. It’s equally difficult for the newcomer to find a place in a new congregation. It’s hard to remember all the new names. One may not understand conversations at first, not knowing the history of the church. Inclusion is hard to find in a new community.

Jesus mentioned our need to include others when speaking of the final judgment. In Matthew 25:32-33, he said he will divide people into groups of goats, whom he will put to the left, and sheep, whom he will put to the right.

Then the King will say to those on the right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:34-36 NIV

The sheep on his right – those Jesus calls righteous (v. 37), will be confused, not remembering how they may have helped him!

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25:40 NIV).

There is a warmth and hospitality among those who have not only been saved, but who have allowed the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts, conforming them to the image of Jesus. This does not come instantly. Discipleship is learned. It takes time to surrender our hearts and homes to Christ. Hospitality develops as we follow the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles.

I find the following “one another” verses in the Bible to be helpful in learning how Jesus wants me to grow.

• Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV
• And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. Hebrews 10:24 ESV
• Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 ESV

We can ask the Holy Spirit to keep us mindful of people who need care and inclusion. We will be rewarded for our obedience in this, as we serve in the name of Jesus, loving those that He loves.

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2 NIV

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Sheri Schofield is an award-winning children’s author-illustrator and children’s ministry veteran of 40 years. Sheri was named Writer of the Year in 2018 at the Colorado Christian Writers’ Conference for her work in effectively sharing the gospel of Jesus. Her ministry, Faithwind 4 Kids, can be followed on her blog at her website, http://www.sherischofield.com. Questions welcomed!

FREE CHILDREN’S PROGRAM! Author/Children’s Bible teacher, Sheri Schofield, offers a free series of video lessons about Jesus and His salvation—for children ages 4 and up. It is available at her website www.sherischofield.com. In this video series, Walk-The-Talk Island, Sheri presents her award-winning book The Prince and the Plan, in 24 video lessons for your children, grandchildren and any others with whom you wish to share. In addition, Campfire provides devotions for children.

Join the Conversation: In what ways has God led you to be creative in showing hospitality?

The Trouble With Snakes

by Sheri Schofield

“Look, Mom!” Drew said, a harmless water snake clutched in each hand. “I’m gonna put them in my terrarium.”

“No,” I said firmly. “They will get loose in the house!”

“No, they won’t!”

“Honey,” said my husband, who had just come into the room, “I’ll fix the lid so the snakes can’t get out.”

I just shook my head and sighed. Our house was on the market, and the last thing I needed was snakes in it. But when Tim sides with our son, there was no point in trying to talk common sense to either of them.

About a week later, a prospective buyer came to see our house. I smiled and ushered the plump, middle-aged lady into the living room and spoke of the homey features. Then we turned toward the hallway to the bedrooms. There in the middle of the hallway crawled an escapee from Drew’s terrarium.

“What’s that?” the lady gasped.

“It’s just a…” I began apologetically,

“SNAKE!” she screeched, leaping three feet into the air. Gyrating toward the door in mid leap, she came down with a crash and was already out the door before I could catch my breath.

“But…but…it’s a very nice house!” I called after her. But she was gone, never to be seen again.

We didn’t find the other snake which had escaped until we moved out. It lay shriveled up in Drew’s closet, along with a flattened, dried frog. (That explained the peculiar odor in his room!)

Snakes always escape. There’s no point in trying to pretend otherwise. In the same way, the thoughts and intents of the heart also escape through our lips and actions. Trying to pretend we see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil does not work.

Jesus said, “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart” (Luke 6:45 NLT). Jeremiah writes, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9 NLT). Since we have fallen natures, the only way to keep our hearts’ contents good is through trusting Jesus day by day. In that way, we can guard our hearts against evil.

The Holy Spirit, living in those who believe and trust in Jesus, produces good things in our hearts. The things escaping through the lips of Spirit-controlled believers are love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (See Galatians 5:22,23, NLT.)

When I was a teenager and later a young adult, I used to pray, “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips,” Psalm 141:3 (KJV). I knew my tendency to allow gossip, bitterness or complaints to poison my words. As the Lord has gradually gained more control of my heart, I have learned to live more and more in His grace. But until the day I am ushered into His presence, the battle for a godly heart will be with me. So, day by day, I surrender my heart to Him, that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart will be pleasing to my Lord. (See Psalm 19:14.)

May the grace and beauty of the Holy Spirit flow through us always!

Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 1 Peter 3:3,4 NLT

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Sheri Schofield is an award-winning children’s author-illustrator and children’s ministry veteran of 40 years. Sheri was named Writer of the Year in 2018 at the Colorado Christian Writers’ Conference for her work in effectively sharing the gospel of Jesus. Her ministry, Faithwind 4 Kids, can be followed on her blog at her website, http://www.sherischofield.com. Questions welcomed!

FREE CHILDREN’S PROGRAM! Author/Children’s Bible teacher, Sheri Schofield, offers a free series of video lessons about Jesus and His salvation—for children ages 4 and up. It is available at her website www.sherischofield.com. In this video series, Walk-The-Talk Island, Sheri presents her award-winning book The Prince and the Plan, in 24 video lessons for your children, grandchildren and any others with whom you wish to share. In addition, Campfire provides devotions for children.

Join the Conversation: How do you work on your heart?

No Fishing!

by Sheri Schofield

Some people are born with a gift of understanding technology, math, science and balancing their checkbooks. But me? No. Not so much. All my gifts are on the creative side—art, music, writing, painting, etcetera. Those are the things that fulfill me. Fortunately, my husband excels in the things which I don’t. This has allowed each of us to focus on what we consider fun.

One of my fun pursuits was writing music. I wrote musicals, songs for the kids in my class at church, and songs for our worship team. Then something crushed the music out of my heart. Though I was still able, with some intense effort, to write children’s music, I was unable to write adult Christian music for about eighteen years.

I had a wounded spirit. The memory of that pain haunted me. One day God showed me the cause of my crushed spirit: I had not completely forgiven those who had hurt me. It was as though I had received a splinter in my heart and had not removed it, so it festered. There was a hidden bitterness inside.

It was then I remembered a poster quoting Corrie ten Boom, who had been imprisoned in a WW2 Nazi concentration camp. She said, “When God forgives, He forgets. He buries our sin in the sea and puts a sign on the shore saying, ‘No Fishing Allowed.’”[1]

The Lord told me I was cherishing the blame of those offenses. I needed to let them go. I must not just forgive, but I must also put up a “No Fishing” sign at the door to my memory.

I made that choice. The feeling of cleansing was wonderful! When someone reminded me of a painful incident inflicted on me by a long-time offender, I mentally pulled up that “No Fishing” sign in my brain and refused to think about it. I forgave, chose to forget, and moved on.

Shortly afterward, I asked God to restore music to my heart. A couple of weeks passed. Then one morning as I was driving into town, God unexpectedly put a complete song in my heart! I had no paper on which to write, so I pulled into a store, bought a notebook, and returned to my car. There in the parking lot, I wrote down the music and words to a new adult Christian worship song. I had been set free.

Paul addressed a similar problem in Philippi. Two godly women, Euodia and Syntyche, were battling over something in their church. We don’t know their specific issue, but haven’t most of us been there? We get involved in a work for Jesus, then we can’t agree on how to do it! Churches have split over differences of opinions in decorating, or over who sings what songs on Sunday,

Paul wrote to the warring women: “Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche, Please, because you now belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News,” (Philippians 4:2,3 NLT).

Later in the same chapter, Paul told that church, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise…Then the God of peace will be with you,” Philippians 4: 8, 9, (NLT).

When we work it out, forgive and forget, we receive inner healing.

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us, Psalm 103:12 (NIV).

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[1] Corrie ten Boom, Tramp for the Lord, Revell Co. Publication, 1974.

This article is brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).

About the author: Sheri Schofield is an award-winning children’s author-illustrator and children’s ministry veteran of 40 years. Sheri was named Writer of the Year in 2018 at the Colorado Christian Writers’ Conference for her work in effectively sharing the gospel of Jesus. Her ministry, Faithwind 4 Kids, can be followed on her blog at her website, http://www.sherischofield.com. Questions welcomed!

FREE CHILDREN’S PROGRAM! Author/Children’s Bible teacher, Sheri Schofield, offers a free series of video lessons about Jesus and His salvation—for children ages 4 and up. It is available at her website www.sherischofield.com. In this video series, Walk-The-Talk Island, Sheri presents her award-winning book The Prince and the Plan, in 24 video lessons for your children, grandchildren and any others with whom you wish to share. In addition, Campfire provides devotions for children.

Join the Conversation: Do you have tips on how to forgive you can share?