I finally caved and changed my site to Wordpress. You can now find me at this address:
http://www.melissaaffolter.com
useful for service
Exploring and delighting in what it means to be useful for the Lord's service:"Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work." (2 Timothy 2:21)
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Thursday, September 12, 2013
A Dream So Big
Recently, I was asked to write a book review for my church's women's newsletter. This has been one of my favorite books, so I thought I would share here as well.
“I will cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills His purpose for me.” (Ps. 57:2)
Every woman has dreams. Even in strong, theological circles,
in which we cultivate biblically informed emotions, women still have dreams.
But not all dreams become reality. Friends desert us. Sickness overtakes the home.
A longed-for husband never arrives. The womb remains hollow. Children forsake
our teaching. Somewhere along the way, the wavering heart convinces us there
must be something more. This can’t possibly be it.
So, we tuck our dreams away, wondering if we must resign
ourselves to a life of unfulfilled hopes.
In the book, A Dream
So Big, we find the story of a dream. A husband and wife celebrating twelve
years of marriage, a growing family, enjoying a safe and comfortable home, solid
career options, surrounded by dear friends. Dreams seemingly fulfilled. Capped
off by the unexpected excitement of a third child being conceived!
The pregnancy quickly revealed a major concern. Baby Pfeifer
was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, and doctors called for an abortion,
warning that the baby growing in Nancy’s womb would be, “incompatible with
life”. Instead of onesies and diapers, the shower consisted of frozen meals in
preparation for a painful homecoming upon the bittersweet birth. Eight days
together enjoying this precious new baby was all the Pfeifer family had before
he was taken to his eternal home with Jesus. Dreams crushed.
If you are looking for a theological treatise on God’s
sovereignty in the midst of suffering, you won’t find it here. This is a quirky
book, full of interesting vignettes from life in Africa. Yet, it is a sobering
reflection on how God took the big dreams of one family, stripped them bare,
and replaced them with something better. After baby Stephen’s death, the
Pfeifer’s left behind all familiarities and served as dorm parents at a mission
community in Kenya for a year. As they considered the poverty, injustice and spiritual
darkness of their foreign home, God revealed a new dream. A dream to care for
the orphans of Kenya, extending their initial commitment to a permanent
relocation to Kenya, working in the mission community full-time and establishing
a lunch program serving several thousand starving children each week. A dream
calling Steve and Nancy to take in abandoned twins, Ben and Katie, giving them
a home and a heritage of faith.
Though you may not find a theological treatise on God’s
sovereignty in the midst of suffering, you will find a real-life story of how
God’s ordaining providences transform the dreams of His people into something
far greater. Inscribed on baby Stephen’s gravestone are the words, “ Having
fulfilled the purpose the Father had for him, he returned to the Father”. The
Pfeifer’s look back on how their earthly dreams may have been shattered, but
were replaced with eternal dreams – dreams to serve the lost, and share the
love of Christ in a tangible way. Of these dreams, Steve aptly says, “Our story
is really all about Jesus. He is our beginning, our middle, and our end. And He
can use anything and anyone for His purpose.”
For a lengthier review of this book, see Tim Challies
comments @ http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/a-dream-so-big
Friday, September 6, 2013
The point of my life is not usefulness
This morning, one of my dearest friends posted a link to an article. Because I love to read so many various perspectives, and I trust this friend's judgment and often value what she values, I clicked on the link to read. Such a simple story, and yet filled with simple wisdom.
Immediately, this writer's thoughts resonated with my daily experiences. I often wonder if I am really being useful at all. And the purpose of much of what originally formulated my own writing has been to study how one becomes more useful. So when I first read this post, I was thrown a bit and had to re-read it a couple times. She says at one point:
no matter where I am or what roles I’ve been given, the point of my life is not usefulness, but in knowing God and enjoying Him forever.
So, does that mean that I don't pursue usefulness at all? No, just that if my pursuit is knowing God and enjoying Him forever, then I will naturally be useful to His kingdom. Whether it's in grading papers, cooking a meal for my family, picking up my friend's children from school, or teaching a group of goofy middle school girls, usefulness cannot be my goal. Christlikeness is the goal - Christ maintained perfect communion with the Father. Usefulness is an overflow of that relationship.
Read the rest of her article here:
http://www.incourage.me/2013/09/how-the-boring-stuff-matters.html
Immediately, this writer's thoughts resonated with my daily experiences. I often wonder if I am really being useful at all. And the purpose of much of what originally formulated my own writing has been to study how one becomes more useful. So when I first read this post, I was thrown a bit and had to re-read it a couple times. She says at one point:
no matter where I am or what roles I’ve been given, the point of my life is not usefulness, but in knowing God and enjoying Him forever.
So, does that mean that I don't pursue usefulness at all? No, just that if my pursuit is knowing God and enjoying Him forever, then I will naturally be useful to His kingdom. Whether it's in grading papers, cooking a meal for my family, picking up my friend's children from school, or teaching a group of goofy middle school girls, usefulness cannot be my goal. Christlikeness is the goal - Christ maintained perfect communion with the Father. Usefulness is an overflow of that relationship.
Read the rest of her article here:
http://www.incourage.me/2013/09/how-the-boring-stuff-matters.html
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
The Lost Art of Reading
Taken from my guest post @ riverbendchurch.com
I love to read a good book. I
love to skim multiple books at a time. In fact, there has not been a time when
I didn’t have numerous books in a scattered pile next to my bed, with bookmarks
sticking out and highlighters clipped to the covers. I read everything from
theological journal articles to blog posts from moms to the latest statistics
from news outlets.
Many people will generically
say, “I really don’t enjoy reading, it’s just not my thing.” While it is
certainly true that there can be many factors (of which we won’t have time or
space to address here) affecting whether or not a person naturally likes to
read, it remains a learned practice to one degree or another. Personality,
giftedness, and learning disabilities certainly play a role in the development
of a child’s reading abilities and habits. However, what we want to address
here is the why and how the discipline of reading serve as a critical part of
your child’s character development.
Most parents want their
children to be good readers. This article is not mean to serve as an academic
expose on the various technical approaches. But, it will provide some practical
points about the reasons children miss out on the discipline of reading, why
they ought to cultivate good reading habits, and how we can help them. Let me
first propose why reading is no longer a natural development in the lives of
young children.
Fast-paced society
Everything
moves fast today. If the microwave takes longer than sixty seconds to reheat
something, we are annoyed. So sitting down to read a book for thirty minutes
feels like torture!
Driven by technology
Gaming
systems, Instagram and Facebook accounts, TV, iPhones for 3rd graders…there
is no end to the distractions facing children today. Forget reading, that’s
boring!
Extracurricular activities
Children are carted from one
sporting event to the next, taking gymnastics and music lessons, going to craft
camps, after-school tutoring. Of course many of these activities provide
helpful and needed stimulation. But let’s face it – fifty years ago (really
even twenty years ago!) children did not have near the options they do now. It’s
like going to the grocery store, seeing over a dozen cereal options when you
just need one for sustenance. Reading? Isn’t that just something we do in
school?
Disconnected families
Because of the hectic schedules
in our families, the resulting lack of conversation and gathering around the
table, leaves little time for connecting, much less reading. By the time we all
get home, we are exhausted and irritable – it’s time to veg out.
Now let’s consider the affects
of neglecting the discipline of reading in a child’s life.
Not a thinker
He will rely primarily on what
he is told for knowledge, instead of being able to apply a biblical worldview
through the discipline of reading, leading to determinations about how he will
live. He will hear a sermon, a lecture at school, or a conference session, and
have few insights about how to interpret the information being thrust at him.
More than that, he will have little motivation to go home and dig deeper to
test the accuracy of what he heard.
Poor writing ability
Good readers make good writers.
As a former teacher, I can accurately say that I am greatly concerned about the
many students heading to college who cannot formulate a well-structured
sentence and have no idea how to do research without Wikipedia.
Easily swayed by popular opinion or peer pressure
Lacking solid examples of
character found in the great stories of early missionaries, war heroes, and the
like, young people today lack the understanding of what it means to stand for
something.
Whew! In light of all this “bad
news,” how do we help our children cultivate a love for reading?
Make it a family event
My mother took time each night
to read with my sister and I. Now, I have watched my sister do the same with
her two children, and reading has quickly become one of their favorite
activities. They cannot imagine going through an entire day without reading at
some point. On a practical note, I think it’s important to introduce children
to books other than only a Bible storybook, even at a young age. This teaches
them about the varied types of books and allows you to help them apply biblical
principles within other stories as an additional teaching method.
This is a challenging
discipline, because most mothers end their evenings exhausted from a day filled
with cleaning, disciplining, preparing dinner, running errands – the goal is
typically to get the children to bed so that you can still have a few minutes
prepping lunches for tomorrow and decompressing with a bath or quiet time. But,
I promise you – your children will look back on it as a fond memory and a
meaningful time spent together – I certainly do!
Demonstrate the value of it
Being able to properly analyze
the content of what we read allows us to identify something as simple as the
difference between a review and a critique. As you read scripture, or other
books with your children, have them write a brief summary of the material,
followed by a paragraph critiquing it. If they aren’t old enough to write well
yet, ask them leading questions and have a brief conversation.
I remember reading a story to
my niece on her front porch last year, and I would stop periodically throughout
the story, asking things like, “Did that little girl in the story make a good
decision?” followed by “Why?” or “Why not?” As we talked she was able to
identify biblical truths that applied to the circumstances in the story. Even
better, a day or two later when my niece was heading toward a misbehavior
situation, I reminded her of the girl in the story and she was able to recall
how that might apply to her current dilemma. Use your family reading choices to
help train your children in biblical living.
Regard it as a biblical discipline
The proverbs are replete with
instruction for wisdom. And that wisdom is gained by reading, studying and
meditating on the word of God. Similarly, in Deuteronomy 6:6-9, parents are
advised to pass on this wisdom to their offspring:
“And these words
that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You
shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you
sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when
you rise. 8 You
shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between
your eyes. 9 You
shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
One of the best ways we learn
is by reading and repeating. So if you desire for your children to know and
love scripture, and be able to apply it to all of life, they must grow up in an
atmosphere where reading is practiced regularly. Read with them, read to them, and ask them to retell the story to you.
Reading may not always be fun,
and the more we neglect it as a regular discipline, the less fun it will be.
But it can be eternally rewarding, leading a child to a redemptive
understanding of God. Children ought to view reading as a normal part of their
daily lives. There are many more considerations and resources we could pursue,
but for now, go home and start reading with your kiddos!
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Our Satisfier
I know a lot of discouraged people these days. If not for God's grace, I would be one of those people too. And I am sure I will be at some point in the near future, and then I will need someone to encourage me. As I was considering all these hurting people, it made me think back to a time in my life when I had a friend who was deeply discouraged - she was burdened for the salvation of her children (as any mother should be), she was trying to help several people around her who were deeply distressed, and she was facing some frustrating concerns in her ministry. At the time, I was away for a few weeks, pursuing my master's degree in California in a summer intensive program. When I returned, I gave her a letter summarizing some of what I had been learning from my professors. I need these reminders myself as I seek to encourage those who are currently hurting. Here is a portion of that letter.
When I was at school, one
of the main things I remember hearing from one professor over and over again,
was in regards to the cross. We often tend to think that the cross is all about
our salvation and about acquiring heaven. And it is, but it is even more about
being transformed and restored to the image of God (which is how we were
created) day by day. The “new man” Paul speaks of putting on in his letters is
Christ – Christ is the new man! We are putting on Christ every day. We know the
two greatest commandments are to love God and love others. That should be your
priority at all times. And when you evaluate your life and how you are
progressing, it should be in regards to those two commands. In causing you to
be dissatisfied with some of what you see when you examine your life, God is
giving you an opportunity to find your complete satisfaction in Him. When you
wish that you could be more diligent or have more time to minister to various
friends and to teach specific things to your children – He is showing you that
it is only in Christ that you can minister effectively at all. Take heart, you
are ministering when you simply love others, even if you can’t give them all
the particular time or attention that you would like. These are opportunities
for us both to be saturated in the Word, because that is truly the only comfort
we can give to others. Reason with your friends and your children from the
Word. May it be on the tip of our tongues in every conversation we have with these
dear ones. Here is one brief “nugget” that I think
might be helpful in your conversations with both your friends who are
struggling with hard providences right now, and even in your communication with
your kids:
“Indeed, I count
everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my
Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them
as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him,
not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which
comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith
– that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and may share His
sufferings, becoming like Him in His death that by any
means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians
3:8-11)
Jesus had truly become
the Satisfier of Paul’s soul. And I know He is your Satisfier – now teach your
friends and your children to find Him most satisfying! All men will sacrifice
most willingly for that which they find most satisfying. Ask your friends, ask your children – what are you zealous for? What do you value most?
What are you living for? (and don’t let people get away with the cliché
response of “for God’s glory”) Get practical, especially with the kids. For
instance, you could ask if they are finding more value in their friends or a
certain toy than in Christ. Obviously as lost souls right now, they can’t find
Him most satisfying. But by pointing those things out to them, Lord-willing
they will begin to see that nothing else can satisfy them permanently, and so
they will cry out in need of a Savior. We are so well taught with doctrine that
we can recite these answers flippantly without dealing with our hearts. Asking
ourselves these questions is how you and I can see our own sin more clearly and
flee from it. And we aren’t just fleeing from it; we are fleeing to Christ, the
Satisfier!
Friday, July 12, 2013
What do we do with all this knowledge?
You can read my current article over at The Council on Biblical Manhood & Womanhood by clicking on the link below. Here's a sample from it:
http://cbmw.org/uncategorized/what-do-we-do-with-all-this-knowledge/
Applying what we take in through daily reading proves to be an increasingly significant challenge. Access to books, sermons, articles and even brief quotations come at an overwhelming speed. Our attention spans are vastly short, evidenced by our inability to linger in meaningful conversations or to recall with specificity what we have read. Immersion in an array of information may be the very reason daily application of truth becomes so difficult.
Our commitment to scripture might mean we disconnect at times. Turning off the computer or stepping away from books and commentaries allows us to be refreshed in the “pure milk” of the word. As Paul instructed Timothy, “all scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16). The appropriate place for advanced technology and limitless resources ought to be stimulation – not saturation – of our spiritual lives.
http://cbmw.org/uncategorized/what-do-we-do-with-all-this-knowledge/
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
When it's not your big day
Today I have a contribution posted with my friends over at The Council on Biblical Manhood & Womanhood. I am so grateful for these folks, as they have undergirded my theological and practical study of womanhood and gender issues for several years now. What a joy to interact with them! I heartily recommend bookmarking their site as a place to find regular encouragement and resources!
http://cbmw.org/women/marriage-women/when-its-not-your-big-day/
http://cbmw.org/women/marriage-women/when-its-not-your-big-day/
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