Operation "No More Tears!"

For Jude's 4th birthday this year when asked by his Grams to give any ideas of things that he wanted, I knew his answer would undoubtedly be anything super hero related! So I of course suggested that, because as a good mom there is an unspoken obligation, but then I also suggested the Jesus Storybook Bible, because I had heard a ton of great things about it! Jude is totally into reading before nap and bedtime and he's always been keenly in tune with anything relating to Jesus. There have for real been times that I'm almost a little freaked out by how sensitive he is to spiritual matters. That being said, there have also been times where I clearly was way off. For instants, without fail, for the longest time ever, he would always say with excitement as we were leaving church, "Mom! I saw Jesus at church today!". To which I would smile and take mental note of yet another time my boy was clearly able to see Jesus in a way I wasn't! Until one day as we were walking out into the lobby Jude started tugging on my hand, jumping up and down, and pointing across the sea of people loudly whispering, "There he is mama! There he is!". "There who is?" I said, and with utter confidence Jude yelled, "Jesus!" as he pointed to our worship leader Warren! OH MY GOODNESS, for months my child thought that the cool lookin' hip dude on stage leading worship was Jesus himself! So yeah, there are times I'm way off! Regardless, that being said, I thought this Jesus Storybook Bible would be something that Jude would really enjoy, and so Grams bought it for him for his birthday... along with many super hero related toys as well!

Okay, can I just stop here and say for a minute, seriously... this is the best book EVER! I AM LOVING IT!!! I don't know who is more into it, me or Jude?! I wanted to share what we read last night because it's so well written and I love how it captures the simplicity of God's rescue plan!



Operation "No More Tears!"
The Rescuer will come: prophecies from 
Isaiah 9,11,40,50,53,55,60


"DO YOU KNOW what your name means? Well, there was once a man called Isaiah, and his name meant "God to the rescue!" That might sound like a bit of a funny name to you, but it was just the right name for Isaiah because God had a special job for Isaiah. You see, Isaiah's job was to listen to God and then tell people what he heard. Now, God let Isaiah know a secret. God showed Isaiah his Secret Rescue Plan: Operation "No More Tears!" This is the message God gave Isaiah (it was like a letter God wrote to his children)...

Dear Little Flock, 


You're all wandering away from me, like sheep in an open field. You have always been running away from me. And now you're lost. You can't find your way back. 
But I can't stop loving you. I will come to find you. So I am sending you a Shepherd to look after you and love you. To carry you home to me. 
You've been stumbling around, like people in a dark room. But into the darkness, a bright Light will shine! It will chase away all the shadows, like sunshine. 
A little baby will be born. A Royal Son. His mommy will be a young girl who doesn't have a husband. His name will be Emmanuel, which means "God has come to live with us." He is one of King Davids' children's children's children. 
The Prince of Peace.
Yes, Someone is going to come and rescue you! But he won't be who anyone expects. 
He will be a King! But he won't live in a palace. And he won't have lots of money. He will be poor. And he will be a Servant. But this King will heal the whole world.
He will be a Hero! He will fight for his people, and rescue them from their enemies. But he won't have big armies, and he won't fight with swords. He will make the blind see, he will make the lame leap like deer! He will make everything the way it was always meant to be. But people will hate him, and they won't listen to him. He will be like a Lamb- he will suffer and die. 
It's the Secret Rescue Plan we made- from before the beginning of the world! 
It's the only way to get you back. 
But he won't stay dead- I will make him alive again! 
And, one day, when he comes back to rule forever, the mountains and trees will dance and sing for joy! The earth will shout out loud! His fame will fill the whole earth- as the waters cover the sea! Everything sad sill come untrue. Even death is going to die! And he will wipe away every tear from every eye. 
Yes, the Rescuer will come. Look for him. Watch for him. Wait for him. He will come! 
I promise. 


Love, God

Poor Isaiah. He read God's letter over and over to God's people, but no one listened to him- at all. Ever. They didn't want to hear God's promise. They didn't believe it.
Did it sound maybe too good to be true? A story that ends happily ever after? Well, it does sound like a fairy tale, doesn't it? And, as anyone will quickly tell you, fairly tales aren't true.
Or are they?

Isn't that so good?! The simplicity of God's love for us written all through scripture, the bible truly is one big love story and rescue plan! Apparently having it written out for me in the form of a children's bible book speaks to my heart all the more clearly! No surprise there, I'm a simple girl! (o;

Anyway, I just wanted to share a little of what we've been reading with Jude lately and suggest it to any other's out there that are looking for a great way to introduce God's truths to their lives!