When human beings are in a dangerous place where a young child is present, most gather strength and courage to protect and do “whatever” has to happen to find a “safe place.”
Children are a gift to the human race.
“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him” Psalm 127:3.
Gifts.
I’ll speak for myself, my children helped show me I didn’t have patience on unending nights of crying when they were sick or huge messes too gross to write about.
And the hardest part of all, when siblings argued and fought! My children brought me closer to God than I could ever be before.
My children helped me mature and “act” as a grown-up because I had no choice, I was the grown-up!
Yes, children are our help to see our personal need for the Savior of our world. Children bring us to God, our Father, to see Jesus’ great sacrifice for us, and call out for the Holy Spirit to help us, guide us, to fill us with His love.
Children are our gift to realize, that without the Lord, there is no power to love!
Even with the Lord, I struggled at times to find love. I wasn’t a perfect parent, but I always tried to say, “I’m sorry. I was wrong.” And made effort to share–Jesus is perfect love.
God’s Word is our comfort and instruction guide. He never changes. He is faithful always.
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ ”Matthew 19:14.
The kingdom of heaven belongs to the little children. They are our gift to help bring back the “child” in us. We need the children.
God says, “suffer” the little children, or “let, allow” the little children.
Take a moment to “hear” this child sing God’s Word:
Created to Praise Him, by Toni Rypkema with Logan
Pray for children. They are every adult on this planet’s, gift. What the world needs now is to agree with God in our hearts about children.
“Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always so that it might go well with them and their children forever!”Deuteronomy 5:29.
“Dear Lord, pour out Your Spirit upon this world and give all people ears to hear the children sing praises to You.
It’s not easy to get all the Ryps together these days, but we were all together in 2018. We’ve grown, changed, experienced great challenges in each of our lives, (as has everyone in the entire world).
We’ve added two amazing grandchildren to our number to bring unimaginable joy to all of us.
We are family.
The Ryps. Nick & Mandy. Carolyn & Patrick. Anneliese, Emily, Jared & Anastasia, Dave, Toni & Mike, Liz, Grace, Chris, Matthew, and Jonathan, (bottom).
And Christmas 2019:
Picture from Christmas 2019. Toni, Mike, Chris, Anneliese, Carolyn & Patrick, Liz, Matthew, Jonathan, Emily, baby Reese, Sarah, Dave, Grace, Anastasia & Jared, baby Emeril, minus Nick and Mandy.
This mom and dad are little in this world. But, we trusted God in the beginning, 35 years ago and continue to trust Him now.
Our testimony has moments of faltered faith through many battles, but God in His grace and compassion always remained and remains faithful. We believe God’s Word:
Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the Lord to you, “Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15.
We love family pictures because they proclaim the victory and goodness of God: Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness Exodus 34: 6.
Trusting the Lord with our family was an unpopular thought, even back in the day, when our marriage began in 1986. To many it speaks of irresponsible behavior. “Get Mike a TV!” We would often hear as a joke, even amongst believers.
Each child was the Lord’s precious plan. God knew that Mike and I weren’t able, but “in Him,” all things are possible. Mike and I covenanted in marriage and in heart to the Lord. We were to trust Him, no matter what.
We didn’t want to be everything to our children, we wanted them to know Jesus, He is everything! We taught them in God’s Word and His way, and do our best to live as witnesses to His faithfulness each day:
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:7-9.
Don’t we remind ourselves and live this as a testimony to our families?
Mike and I failed often, but God never did.
We were weak, but He had a hold of us: for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’Acts 17:8.
We’ve been through “better and worse, richer and poorer, sickness and health,” and we will see our marriage “’till death do us part.”
Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 15:57.
We will sing today as in the beginning, “In our lives Lord, be glorified, be glorified, today.”
Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others . . . If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 Corinthians 5: 11, 13, 14, 15.
Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word; Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord!
“Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er; Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Family.
Beautiful messes.
Each brings witness to God’s gracious message, “I loved you first,” love Jesus.
“Give us all a genuine encounter with You, dear Lord. That we might view our world through Your eyes. Help us not miss the glorious and precious. In Jesus’ name. Amen.“
It’s Christmastime. The music changes. Suddenly Jesus’s name is heard in Department Stores, and it’s acceptable. Christmas Carols, children’s voices, the sound of music is everywhere.
Today, I pull out an ol’ gospel spiritual Mary Had a Baby, Yes, Lord.
Little ones light up singing this tune.
You might remember the song. It has a sweet, childlike simplicity, yet it births some deep, important thoughts for the soul:
Mary had a baby, yes, Lord, Mary had a baby, yes my Lord, Mary had a baby, yes Lord, People keep a-comin’ an’ the train done gone.
There’s a natural flow to the words even if the true melody is unknown.
There was a lot going on then. And there’s a lot going on now. This story isn’t only about the past, this story is about today, this very moment. This story is for now.
Mary had a baby, yes, Lord.
This is a good excuse to open up the Scripture’s pages and read the story stright from the Bible:
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.
So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. And Joseph also went up . . . out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to . . . Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, Luke 2: 1,4.
A lot of people began coming to town. And the song brings it all to mind, the atmosphere of that place and time.
The people keep a comin, . . .
There’s traveling here and there, for everyone. Days are busy. We, like they, are occupied with important things. We’re counting on many things.
Does this song bring about urgency?
What’s all this about the train done gone?
Is there a train we might miss?
The kids sing:
What did she name Him? Yes Lord? What did she name Him, yes my Lord, What did she name Him, Yes, Lord, . . .
There must be something about that name.
And the Bible let’s us know that God gave a title along with a name. There’s something special about this Baby of Mary:
A virgin shall be with Child and they shall call His name, Immanuel (Matthew 1:23).
Immanuel, God . . . with . . . us.
There’s so much to do, no time to be still, so, . . .
The people keep-a-coming, and the train done gone.
Have I missed something? Do I even realize something’s missing? Do we miss the Everything?
God’s Word tells the story in Luke 2, famously:
So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
‘Mary had a baby, Yes Lord . . .
What did she name Him? Yes, my Lord . . .
‘She named Him King Jesus, Yes Lord,
Named Him King Jesus, Yes, my Lord.
Wrapped him in swaddlin’, Yes Lord.
the people keep a coming but the train done gone.”
Wrapped in rags? A King wrapped in poor ol’ rags. “No room in the Inn, but you can have the barn?”
What’s going on in this ol’ gospel song?
A cold, smelly cave where the animals all stay? Is this the story that we read every year.
God has come down to be with us, the Immanuel has come down. But who even knows?
Is this a picture of my very own heart? Am I going to miss what’s most important? Concerned about the gifts I’m going to give, or not able to give? Am I allowing other expectations fill my mind?
Is the train done gone?
Not if I can make the choice, each new day, even, moment by moment at times.
Though the terrain be rough, (as it was for Mary and Joseph), though there’s no room in the traditional sense, no Inn, or culturally acceptable dwelling places, . . .
perhaps the barn door, smelly and raw, of a broken spirit toward God, and a heartfelt prayer, “Lord, I’m desperate for You. Change me that I might overcome every trial as You did, and have grace and mercy as a gift to give.”
This Babe left all His glory of heaven to be born in a barn . . . for me, for every person in the whole entire world to be Savior, our Forgiver, our Redeemer.
‘Mary had a baby, Yes Lord. The glory train is here now. Can I see it?
What’s my choice?
I’m getting on. And again, each new morning.
It’s my choice to choose Love before the opportunity’s gone, but I can’t do it alone.
What should we do? I will take His hand and trust He’ll help me make the step.
The Scripture says,
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold,
an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid, Luke 2:8.
And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”
“Take my hand. Don’t be afraid. Trust Me. I am enough.”
My mail might not bring good news. The doctor’s report might not have good news, but Jesus, He has brought news of great joy for me, and all people of the world.
Jesus is bread. Jesus is light. Jesus is my Good Shepherd, my living water, the bright and morning star. Jesus is my peace, your peace, the Prince of Peace.
He has broken down every wall. He is our everything.
I must turn aside, from the mainstream flow of traffic, and step right up. And with each new day, never let this train pass me by.
“She named Him King Jesus, Yes Lord!”
She named Him King Jesus,
“Yes my Lord.”
I choose to make Him King. Let’s get on that train, step by step, minute by minute.
ForGod so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever would believe in Him . . .
“I can’t get it right,” spoke discouragement who found a seat in my heart.
The Spirit inside stands with the fact,
“Thanks to God He did.”
A war takes place. I read the Word, because I’m encouraged to do so. I turn to Psalm 42, and discover my feelings and soul are weighted with woes as the Psalmist so many thousand years ago, ”
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God . . .
Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breaker have swept over me.”
The heaviness won’t leave. Fretfulness bombards every cell. I continue to read,
I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me? Psalm 42:9-11.
The open Book breathes my own inner turmoil. The Living Word pleads,
“Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God”
As if I was handed, from the Spirit of God a personal prescription against the flood of fear and doubt. This Psalm invites me to seek the Spirit of God that I might sing in the rain.
The Book cries aloud, words I hold deep. Flooding over even to the next chapter.
“Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an unfaithful nation. Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked. You are God my stronghold” Psalm 43:1-2.
I imagine the Psalmist making a change, becoming secure and calmed until I continue reading aloud, only to discover the continued doubt and reminder of hurt.
Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?
One phrase of exaltation and yet three thoughts of drowning pain. All in the same verse.
But, then I think, maybe I’m not crazy. The psalmist penned this up and down sequence which, at this time, mirrors me, exactly. This might simply be common occurrence of all mankind.
I know God as my stronghold and defense, yet I wrestle. I fight.
“Am I praying at all? What’s prayer anyway?”
“What’s God’s will when everything seems so wrong?”
“What’s going on?”
“Am I ‘trying’ to worship?”
“Is there meaning to the agony and unrest?”
Is it simply to turn to the One Who is Able and discover, He’s already at work on getting me through this test.
Living waters then spill out solutions for the darkness and the sudden attack of doubt,
“Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
God dwells in praise, but praise seems so difficult. “Spirit of God, drown the doubt out of my way. And as the psalmist, I will follow through;
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.”
A change does happen. Supernatural change. Psalm 43:5 has my soul speaking it’s consolation,
Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Altered at the altar, I look to speak a hymn that can flood my insides with a happy condition:
Free from the law, O happy condition, by Philip Bliss, 1834. Jesus hath bled, and there is remission; Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall, Grace hath redeemed us once for all.
Chorus: Once for all, O sinner, receive it, Once for all, O friend, now believe it; Cling to the cross, the burden will fall, Christ hath redeemed us once for all.
Now we are free, there’s no condemnation, Jesus provides a perfect salvation; “Come unto Me,” O hear His sweet call, Come, and He saves us once for all.
[Chorus]
“Children of God,” O glorious calling, Surely His grace will keep us from falling; Passing from death to life at His call, Blessed salvation once for all.
[Chorus]
Why so downcast, O my soul?
“Spirit of God, You supernaturally have answered my call.”
(When we sit to eat a meal, we hope to satisfy and fulfill. Today, many face great struggles and hard times. Perhaps we might read aloud to a child at our table, or, better yet, become that comforted child as we remember God through a weave of rhyme.
God News is needed to help enrich our day with food from His Word that is wholesome, sweet, trustworthy, and good.)
We can’t see God. We can’t hear His voice. But maybe we can, when we stop to be still and come away from the noise.
When times are filled with sunshine and laughter, it’s easy to praise God with joy inside.
But, when loss comes, or great sadness within, where can we go to start breathing again?
One vision will hold you and me at such times:
Imagine Jesus showing you His nail pierced hands. Yes, holding out His outreached arms, with marks from His scars. It’s so hard to understand.
Jesus has scars. He has suffered all we have, the same. And more.
He is able to know how you feel, He is Lord.
He was nailed to the cross, for you and for me. He was willing to suffer. And today, He says, “I love you. Do you believe?”
God speaks. Not audibly, of course, but He desires to comfort. He’s near when we call.
God spoke out loud, one day of Jesus His Son. His voice came with sound, straight down from heaven:
“You are my Son and I love you. I am very pleased with you.” This is what the Bible tells us in Mark 1:11.
God spoke again, at another time from a cloud, “This is my Son, and I love him. Obey him!”
The Bible tells us this in Mark 9:7.
We can see that God loves his Son.
But God, the Creator, the One in control, even though we don’t understand all that’s happening, and our feelings are low,
God gave His only Son to pay for our sin. Those marks on His hands are proof we’re forgiven.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you . . .” Jesus tells us in John15:9. These words should be repeated aloud at least three times.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I love you. God loved His Son so very much, but here He’s saying, with that same love, He loves us.
This is His remedy for sad times of loss.
No matter what, Jesus loves.
No matter what’s happened, He asks that we ” . . . remain in my love.”
“Now remain in my love,” This is Jesus giving us a job to do.
This is God’s remedy. This is how it’s done.
We remain close, giving God our pain and sorrows. And He comforts us. He carries us today.
And we can comfort someone else in their hard day, tomorrow.
He’s got a good plan for all who believe.
His scars healed. And He will help ours heal also.
“Help us dear Jesus, always remember Your great love. Help us stay close and read Your word, so we can hear Your voice and grow.
The 10 Commandments found in Exodus Chapter 20, are foundational to knowing the heart of God and His desire for His children, young and old.
Here is a song to help you learn this important text:
The 10 Commandment Song: Exodus 20:1-12
Words by God. Music, given to Toni Rypkema by God
I AM, I AM, I AM the LORD your God.
I AM, I AM, I AM the LORD your God.
You shall not have any gods before Me.
You shall not have any gods before Me,
I AM, I AM, I AM the LORD your God.
You shall not make for yourself an idol, you shall not bow down and worship them.
I AM, I AM, I AM the LORD your God.
You shall not misuse the name of God.
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord, the LORD your God.
I AM, I AM, I AM the LORD your God.
Remember the Sabaath day by keeping it holy
Six days the Lord made heaven and earth but rested on the 7th day.
I AM, I AM, I AM the LORD your God.
Honor your father and mother so you live long in the land.
Honor your father and mother, there’s a promise that it may go well with you.
I AM, I AM, I AM the LORD your God.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not give false testimony.
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, or wife, or anything.
I AM, I AM, I AM the LORD your God. 2X, end.
God knew that his children would not be able to keep His law. He sent a Rescuer. Jesus.
Jesus is the only keeper of the 10. God’s law is not to make us run from Him, but to come to the cross in complete brokenness to acknowledge He paid the punishment we deserve in full.
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be save through Him.” John 3:17.
Enjoy learning the 10 Commandments of God through song.
“Trusting God is always the right thing to do.”
It might not always look like the “smartest” thing to do, but as each day dawns, if we seek the Lord with a yielded heart, doing the best we can, slippin’ and slidin’ along the way, He is our support.
His Hand is our hope and stay.
He offers grace, “unmerited favor,” and mercy, “not giving us what we deserve.” God is a faithful Father.
And God spoke from heaven in Luke 9:35, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”
There was a day I heard God say those words to me, so I spend time each day trying to do just that – to “hear Him” Jesus said,“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14.
Perhaps I’ll spend my lifetime discovering what this verse is all about. But today I write because we celebrate the birthday of my 9th child, David.
Happy Birthday David! How can you actually be 17 years old today?
Born in the year 2000, I will never have to stop and do math to figure out your age. My 2000 baby.
David, you are such a blessing. Words could never express.
From the beginning, well, you did have a bit of a rough beginning, at least from my point of view – you were my biggest baby of the 11 at 8lbs 14 oz.
But for you, it was probably wonderful to be breathing well at birth because you had the chord wrapped around your neck during delivery. Thanks to the best midwife on the planet, Marylou Nalducci,
and our Lord Jesus, (who was watching out for you then and is watching out for you now,)
you recovered it all. The purple blue face for the first few days, all the prodding from the Neonatologist, the tests. And then later, coming home to a houseful of kids who couldn’t wait to hold you.
It is days like this when you can say with a heart skipping with joy, “It is always right to trust the Lord.”
And now to think, you will be approaching your Senior year in high school. And smart as can be. No damage done in that rough beginning, that’s for sure.
“Thank you Lord.”
David, 17 years later your mom and dad will still tell you, “It’s always right to trust the Lord.” We might not always say it with an outward “skip and a hop,” in our voice, but with a deep resound.
But God has shown himself faithful daily. To you, to me, to our entire family. That is why your mom and dad love the Lord so much David. Because He loves us first.
And He blessed us on June 3 with you! “Trusting God is always the right thing to do!”
But you have experienced and seen for yourself, in the 17 young years of your life, that “trusting God” in life is a bit like a marathon. It has it’s ups and downs and dizzy spells and muscle aches.
Sometimes “trusting God” just plain hurts. Especially if you feel you are on mile 17 of the run, or again on mile 26, with rubber knees and bleeding toes! ( I wouldn’t know from running specifically.)
But experientially, your mom and dad can say, David, It’s always right to trust the Lord. You see, He is the One who directs your steps through the rough terrain and the smooth.
He’s there at the beginning. He waits for us to believe. He hears us when we bleed. He helps us persevere. And in Him, He helps us succeed.
Seek His face as you wake. Hear His voice in His word. Talk to Him throughout your day.
Trust God. He is faithful. Always.
David, before you get out of bed, take a hold of your Father’s hand – your Father in heaven, and follow His lead. He will show you the way.
I love you, forever,
mom “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.“ Proverbs 3:5,6.
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.“ Psalm 62:8. “Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the LORD’S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?” Deuteronomy 10:12-13.
The New King James Version term ‘suffer’ actually can be translated in today’s language as “allow.” (Allow), or “Let the little children to come unto Me,…” These words were spoken by Jesus to His disciples.(Matthew 19:14). Oh yes, they THOUGHT they knew what was best, so they began to send the children away. But Jesus was NOT happy! “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased…” (Mark 10:13, 14).
The mothers brought their children to Jesus that He might ‘touch’ them. But the disciples sent them away: “But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:14).
None of us in this century, (or any century past) likes to hear the word, “suffer”! But back in the day, this word meant ‘ to allow’, ‘ to let.’
Most mamas want their children ‘touched’ by the Lord. Most mamas want their children to ‘protected from evil’ and most mamas hold their babies in their arms and ‘marvel’ and pray and dream and hope wonderful things for their children. Yes, they do.
Today I write because of the word, ‘suffer’. Many children are ‘SUFFERING!’ Today, can we pray to do our part to ‘Allow’ and ‘let’ the little children, young and even older be part of our lives, especially those who have never been ‘brought to Jesus’, and may we be willing to ‘bring them to Jesus?’
Maybe the word ‘suffer’ is appropriate. We might need to be ‘inconvenienced’ to be about ‘letting’ and ‘allowing’ children to ‘Come to Jesus.’ Prayer was taken out the schools in this country. God was taken out of the text books in the public schools. History has been changed to be ‘politically correct’, but HIS STORY is the same.
The children are constantly drilled in ‘comprehension’. Who’s gonna help them to comprehend that: Jesus “was the true Light which gives light to every man who comes into the world.
We know that they don’t ‘comprehend’ because it is written: He(Jesus ) was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him, (or comprehend Him). He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.”(John 1:9-11).
But, we know He can ‘touch them’ and make them ‘new creations’ and adopt them into His family: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12).
Perhaps the King James Version is appropriate for today. “Lord Jesus, please help us ‘mamas and papas and granmas and gramps be willing to ‘suffer’ and bring the children we come in contact with, to Jesus, as we sit in our houses or travel in our cars, as we go off to sporting events, and we go along the way! In Jesus Name, Amen”.
Please join me in this prayer for our own hearts, (in that ‘allowing’ and ‘letting’ the little children might not be ‘easy’.Let us pray that we may do ‘hard things’ in our day. That we would love the children (young and even very old) that we come in contact with, and that we would have hearts that break as they ‘suffer’ in darkness. May we take courage in the Spirit of the Lord to bring these ‘babes’ of all ages…to the Light,to be touched (and forever changed) by Jesus: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is as new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17). “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ,…” (2 Corinthians 5:18).
“Let the little children come unto Me and forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” And the kingdom of heaven is at hand…“Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”(2 Corinthians 5:20).
Children, children, children: Jesus loves you! This I know!
“I’m not able to do this,”