Connect Who You Are to Whose You Are

Every step closer tied my stomach in knots. On the kitchen counter laid the evidence that my biological father existed. 

Around seven-years-old at the time, my birth certificate brought a painful reminder that my real dad was missing from my young and vulnerable life (both me and my twin sister).

Although I had a new dad enter the picture, my wonderful step-father Wendell, who loved and cared for me. 

Still, my heart ached to know deep down:

Who am I? 

And more importantly, Whose am I?

Likewise, have you ever struggled with questions about identity? We discussed identity in Christ recently. Yet, we need to take it a step further.

Who and Whose 

Sometimes we separate who we are with whose we are. But the two were always meant to be one and the same.

Sometimes we separate who we are with whose we are. But the two were always meant to be the same, to connect identity to belonging. #identity #belonging Share on X

My father came back into my life a few years later. And my last name had already changed to my step-father’s with my adoption. Then, my name changed again, back to the original family surname, when the adoption was deemed as not valid.

My sister and I lived with one dad (step) and visited the other. I wasn’t sure whether or not to call both “Dad.” Because they were different as night and day in personality, discipline, showing affection, communication, and opinions.

It was all confusing.

Identity and Belonging

When I came to know Christ as Lord and Savior at sixteen, I began a new life in Christ with a brand new father, my heavenly Father. 

And God, the Father, not only wants us to rest in who we are in Him, but to also find our security in whose we are, we belong to Him.

Because at our very core, who we are and whose we are can never be separated. 

God, the Father, not only wants us to rest in who we are in Him, but to also find our security in whose we are, we belong to Him. Because at our very core, who we are and whose we are can never be separated. #identity #belonging Share on X

So let’s look at powerful declarations to connect who we are and whose we are. 

Connect: God Knows My Name

(1.)  My heavenly Father never goes missing from my life. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b (ESV)

(2.)  God knows my name. (Isaiah 43:1)

Read More…

Treasure Hunt in the Bible: Jewels of Hebrews

Who wants to go on a treasure hunt in the Bible? It’s my pleasure to introduce a writer friend for today’s guest post, Stephanie Pavlantos. I had the honor to read through her Bible study, Jewels of Hebrews, and happily endorsed it.

By Stephanie Pavlantos

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44 ESV

I’m a scientist and a researcher. I have always loved science—biology and anatomy, mainly. I worked in cancer and AIDS research, and later I worked as a histotechnologist in a hospital pathology lab. Researching comes naturally to me, as does teaching. 

Teaching is my first love. I taught biology, chemistry, and anatomy in homeschool co-ops, and the Lord called me to teach Bible studies over twenty years ago. Researching the biblical languages, culture, and history are exciting to me. 

Treasure Hunt

However, when the Lord told me He wanted me to write my own Bible studies, I was not a fan. I had no desire to write. Science people write about science, and I didn’t even care to do that. 

As I was wrestling with the Lord about writing, the Lord reminded me of the parable of the man who found a treasure in a field and sold all he had to buy the field. The Holy Spirit impressed me with an understanding of myself; I was a treasure hunter when it came to the Bible. I read scripture like someone who is searching for gems and when I find one I want to show it to everyone who will stop and look.

After I had written half of my Bible study on the book of Hebrews, the Lord reminded me of that parable again. He gave me the theme of the jewels for each chapter—a treasure hunt through Hebrews.

Are we searching for treasure when it comes to the Bible? When we read Scripture, we find gems for ourselves and others. Jewels of Hebrews study by @DPavlantos  Share on X Read More…

Family Fun: Laugh and Play More Together

In our hurry-up culture, fill-every-spot-on-the-calendar life, and present social media world, we sometimes lose sight of simple pleasures like family fun.

And we forget in all the planning and going and doing to spend quality and fun time with our family…those who mean the most to our hearts. 

Because we all need to laugh more and play more.

But you may wonder how to plan enjoyment for family members including adults and kids of various ages. Yet, most of us are big kids at heart anyway. 

Even if we’ve been adult-ing all day or all week, what better way to bring out the child in us than by a little creative recreation. Then, sometimes add in extended family like grandkids/grandparents or cousins and their parents.

So here are a few ideas with the acrostic “family fun.” I hope these activities inspire the laughing and playing often missing from our lives.

In our hurry-up culture, fill-every-spot-on-the-calendar life, and present social media world, we sometimes lose sight of simple pleasures like family fun. #family Share on X

Playing and Laughing More

Fly a kite. While on our beach trip one year, we enjoyed watching a dad and his kids flying a kite near the ocean’s edge. I bet it was one of their trip’s highlights. With so many electronic devices in the hands of kids these days, why not show them a different activity by putting a kite in their hands. And take advantage of windy days in our yard or nearby park.

Assemble something as a team. Maybe a puzzle, a model car, rocket ship, new play set, swing, tent or teepee, a kite, and so on. Kids love to help and they’re invested when they get to try out the item after putting it together. What’s more rewarding and fun at the same time.

Make cookies or cupcakes and decorate. Messy hands and a messy kitchen are the recipe for both yummy and hooray. Whether small kids or teens, icing or sprinkles, admiring or tasting, baking simply produces enjoyment. A glass of cold milk never hurts either. 

Read More…

4 Things That Never Define Who We Are

It seemed like she looked right through me. 

You’re the pastor’s wife? You’re not what I expected.

Have you ever been anyone’s “not what I expected”? 

If you’ve lived any amount of time on this earth, it’s highly likely. And this certainly wasn’t my first rodeo for not meeting someone’s expectations, and it wouldn’t be my last. 

The Wrong Definitions

Because all the wrong ways others attempt to define us or we attempt to define ourselves, have circulated for countless ages. Really, these false dictionary-attempting claims started in the beginning and in our beginning. 

So, let’s look at 4 things, 4 R’s, that never define who we are.

With each one, we discover how God defines who we are from the book of Truth. 

(1.) Roots never define who we are.

Plants have roots. Those of us who color our hair have roots. People have roots from childhood and family experiences.

Although I started going to church in elementary school, I didn’t have a spiritual upbringing or grounding in God’s Word. So when my parents divorced, I felt unseen and unheard and unloved. 

But when I accepted Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior at sixteen, and later had mentors in college and as a woman, I began to grow spiritual roots. 

Our root-system in Christ most accurately describes us: loved, chosen, forgiven, and redeemed. 

If your childhood became cut off from a secure source of parents or family. If decisions in your teen and young adult years caused root-damage. Or, if your marriage feels dried up instead of nourishing, the Lord is your source of nourishment for healthy roots, now. 

As we walk closely with the Lord, we become rooted and established in the faith (Colossians 2:6-7).

Jesus establishes our correct identity in Him. 

Jesus establishes our correct identity in Him.  Share on X

(2.) Rejections never define who we are.

Read More…