Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth;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. (Joshua 1:8)About two-thirds of the way into the church service each week, one of the pastors invites the children to join him up front. He presents a little object lesson or tells a … [Read more...]
Unless the Lord…
Last Sunday one of our pastors preached from Psalm 127, focusing in particular on the opening verses:Unless the LORD builds the house,its builders labor in vain.Unless the LORD watches over the city,the watchmen stand guard in vain. … [Read more...]
MMM Jan 2010 Final Progress Report (#4)
Final Progress Report (#4)This coming Sunday marks the end of Mega Memory Month January 2010.Now don't panic. Don't scramble to cram in whatever is left.This week, I urge you to simply stay focused and work steadily each day to add what you can and review what you've already managed to memorize. Take some time to relax and plan out your Final Celebration. Remember that? I … [Read more...]
MMM Jan 2010 Progress Report #3
Progress Report #3Mega Memory Month January 2010 is over halfway through. Are you halfway through your project?Leave a note on your progress at the Facebook Event page I set up for Mega Memory Month (write your comments on the wall!) HERE. You can also summarize your progress in the comments of this post and/or link your own Progress Report post here via Mr. Linky.Mr. … [Read more...]
MMM Jan 2010 Progress Report #1
Progress Report #1We're only four days into Mega Memory Month January 2010, so progress will be minimal. Still, you may have something to say about it.If so, leave a note in the comments and/or link your own Progress Report post here via MckLinky. I'll come back later in the day and embed the pop-up links into the text itself for easy access.Powered by MckLinkyClick here … [Read more...]
Mega Memory Month: Christ in You
For Mega Memory Month January 2010, I'll be working on Colossians 1.The thought is (I admit this may be a bit idealistic—even unrealistic—nevertheless...) that I might add on to this chapter over time; that is, for future Mega Memory Months I could continue with Colossians 2, 3 and 4.For now, I'm going to focus on Colossians 1 without fretting about the rest. Colossians 1 … [Read more...]
Bring on the Questions
I've been asked to help provide some of the content for HighCallingBlogs.com (HCB). Sometimes I'll submit a post of my own (written especially for HCB), and sometimes I'll point readers to great material published by a High Calling Blogs member. The overall topic I'm focusing on is the high calling of raising family.This week, I was pleased to introduce a post written by … [Read more...]
Stick of Renown
We went for a walk at a nearby park. As always, the kids spread out in search of sticks.One of the girls found this one. For a small person, it could serve as a staff. She used her staff to steady her step while walking on slippery stones in the creek. She leaned on it as she climbed up the bank, pushing against it for stability. It was straight, strong, and just the … [Read more...]
Food on Fridays: The Bread of Life
Updated with unappealing Hot Cross bun photography!Here at the Food on Fridays carnival, any post remotely related to food is welcome. Just write up some thoughts about Spam, take a picture of your favorite cookies, or tell us what you plan to eat for Easter dinner, even if it's just a ham sandwich and hard boiled egg (in fact, a simple Easter menu like that sounds like it … [Read more...]
Walking in the Truth
In our Sunday morning class at church, we're studying the little books of the New Testament. Last week was Philemon; this week, Third John, which contains the following verse:I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth (v. 4). Ah, yes. This is my hope, my prayer, my joy—that my children are walking in the truth.And I myself want to walk in … [Read more...]
January 2009 MMM Monday Progress Report #3
I realized this week that I simply must start making smaller buttons. To that end, I have taken a moment to shrink the brain (coral) and offer you an alternative. Here it is:Use whichever size best suits your blog.Now, what kind of memory progress have we made (or not made) this past week? (Post a link in the comments, and I'll copy them in as soon as … [Read more...]
WFMW: Online Versions of Devotional Books
I like real books. I like holding them in my hand and turning pages. I like hauling them around in a canvas bag (A-B-A-B).So, I also like using several books as part of my daily devotional routine. My routine changes from time to time, and a conversation with a dear friend inspired the following choices (links to book versions are provided first). I've returned to an old … [Read more...]
Jesus, Be the Lord of My Life Today in New Ways
A couple of months ago, someone introduced this prayer to our church and invited people to commit to praying it for 30 days. Our little family happened to miss almost every weekend service at church that month, so we didn't end up joining the covenant.Later, I asked for a copy.Here it is:Jesus, be the Lord of my life today in new ways.Change me any way you want.Wash me … [Read more...]
Good Friday
Yesterday we attended a Maundy Thursday Seder meal at our church.The children remarked at the confusion--Monday? But it's Thursday? I pointed out that it's a near-homonym. Then it became a joke--Maundy? But it's Thursday! Ha-ha-ha.Yes, well, anyway, I tried to explain the basics of a Passover meal to my Gentile/Protestant kiddoes. We haven't observed any kind of … [Read more...]
My Life is Not my To-Do List
Our lives are not our to-do lists. We are more than the sum total of all that we accomplish in a given day, week, year, decade or lifetime.We are not defined by our schedules, activities, appointments, committees, and obligations.There is more to life than what we do.And the abundant life is not defined by how much is packed into our Day-Timers or PDAs.Jesus said, "I came … [Read more...]