Joyfulness: taking pleasure in the things of God and focusing on others rather than ourselves as a result of our view of God.
Romans 8:32 – “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
How can I, right now, give selflessly as Christ did?
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Joyfulness Day 2
Joyfulness: taking pleasure in the things of God and focusing on others rather than ourselves as a result of our view of God.
1 Corinthians 15:3 – “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scripture.”
In light of this verse, do I have any excuss, any reasons at all not to be joyful?
What can I do to keep this undeserved grace in the forefront of my mind all day so that I am joyful?
1 Corinthians 15:3 – “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scripture.”
In light of this verse, do I have any excuss, any reasons at all not to be joyful?
What can I do to keep this undeserved grace in the forefront of my mind all day so that I am joyful?
Monday, November 22, 2010
Joyfulness Day 1
To refresh you on the Instructions, here they are again:
1. Read through the character and definition of the character trait.
2. Each day, read one verse and its question.
3. If desired, memorize the verse for the day.
4. Answer question.
5. Throughout the day, meditate upon the verse and apply what you learned from reading/memorizing the verse and answering the question.
Definition
Joyfulness: Being joyful is taking pleasure in the things of God and focusing on others rather than ourselves as a result of our view of God.
Verse
2 Corinthians 9:7 – “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Question
What can I meditate upon today to spur myself on to give with a glad heart?
1. Read through the character and definition of the character trait.
2. Each day, read one verse and its question.
3. If desired, memorize the verse for the day.
4. Answer question.
5. Throughout the day, meditate upon the verse and apply what you learned from reading/memorizing the verse and answering the question.
Definition
Joyfulness: Being joyful is taking pleasure in the things of God and focusing on others rather than ourselves as a result of our view of God.
Verse
2 Corinthians 9:7 – “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Question
What can I meditate upon today to spur myself on to give with a glad heart?
Friday, November 19, 2010
Personal Bible Study
For a Home Ec. class this week, I had to make an outline of a spiritual growth assessment. So, for the next few weeks, I'm going to be posting the section for the day. Please read the purpose and instructions for this assessment below. I'd love to have you join me in this! You can be looking for the first characteristic with its first verse/question on Monday!
Purpose
The purpose of this assessment is to help you to grow spiritually in five particular aspects of your life. These five aspects are your joyfulness, controlling your tongue, being loyal, setting good priorities, and the strength you need for your life. Along with each aspect of your spiritual growth are questions that should help you to think through how you can grow in the particular principle. They can also be used by directly applying what they say to your life. If you are truthful in your answers and pray to God for the ability to follow through with applying what you are learning to your life, then you should grow more spiritually by completing this assessment. This assessment is designed to last five weeks and five days each week.
Instructions
You are to do one characteristic each week. The first verse and question are to be answered the first day, the second verse and question are to be answered the second day and so forth. The assessment is to be done five out of the seven days of the week. The days can be chose according to the individual’s preference.
1. Read through the character and definition of the character trait.
2. Each day, read one verse and its question.
3. If desired, memorize the verse for the day.
4. Answer question.
5. Throughout the day, meditate upon the verse and apply what you learned from reading/memorizing the verse and answering the question.
6. Continue for the following four days of the week.
Purpose
The purpose of this assessment is to help you to grow spiritually in five particular aspects of your life. These five aspects are your joyfulness, controlling your tongue, being loyal, setting good priorities, and the strength you need for your life. Along with each aspect of your spiritual growth are questions that should help you to think through how you can grow in the particular principle. They can also be used by directly applying what they say to your life. If you are truthful in your answers and pray to God for the ability to follow through with applying what you are learning to your life, then you should grow more spiritually by completing this assessment. This assessment is designed to last five weeks and five days each week.
Instructions
You are to do one characteristic each week. The first verse and question are to be answered the first day, the second verse and question are to be answered the second day and so forth. The assessment is to be done five out of the seven days of the week. The days can be chose according to the individual’s preference.
1. Read through the character and definition of the character trait.
2. Each day, read one verse and its question.
3. If desired, memorize the verse for the day.
4. Answer question.
5. Throughout the day, meditate upon the verse and apply what you learned from reading/memorizing the verse and answering the question.
6. Continue for the following four days of the week.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Opening Words to Martin Luther's 95 Thesis
"Out of love and zeal for truth and the desire to bring it to light, the following theses will be publicly discussed at Wittenberg under the charimanship of the reverend father Martin Luther, Master of ARts and Sacred Theology and regularly appointed Lecturer on these subjects at taht place. He requests that those who cannot be present to debate orally with us will do so by letter."
"In the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."
1. When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, "Repent," he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Coffee Art Update
Try #14 I've got a heart looking shadow across the top!!!!!!! Ok, grab a magnifying glass and look. It's pretty spectacular!
Try #15 So, I didn't follow the directions for pouring, but was coming up with some pretty cool squiggly lines when . . . plop went the foam on top of everything, so I went to etching a design with a bobby pin that was laying around. Here's a "Hi You!" cup of coffee :)
Try #15 So, I didn't follow the directions for pouring, but was coming up with some pretty cool squiggly lines when . . . plop went the foam on top of everything, so I went to etching a design with a bobby pin that was laying around. Here's a "Hi You!" cup of coffee :)
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Sola Gratia
In chapel today, the speaker brought to our attention this quote by Charles Spurgeon. Hell doesn't even cover our sins . . . ever. The only way we can escape our sin is through Christ and He chose us when we chose our sin. Thank you Lord for your Grace to me!
Oh! our monster sins, our horrible sins, our damnable sins!
Hell itself cannot put our sins away! There
are the devil and his angels for whom hell
was made, for whom the fire was first kindled,
and its pit first digged; but they are as great
sinners after these six thousand years as they
were when first they were cast down from heaven!
And so those lost ones whose spirits have
been in hell since the time of Noah's flood,
they are still sinners, and after all the ages
of suffering they have endured, not a sin less
is upon them now than there was at first!
Ah, dreadful thought!
If you are ever cast into hell, though ages
on ages may lapse, and the wrath of God be
poured out upon you to the uttermost, there
will never be the destruction of a single sin
or particle of a sin by it all.
Sin cannot be put away until the penalty is borne
to the end, and that can never be by finite man.
Oh! our monster sins, our horrible sins, our damnable sins!
Hell itself cannot put our sins away! There
are the devil and his angels for whom hell
was made, for whom the fire was first kindled,
and its pit first digged; but they are as great
sinners after these six thousand years as they
were when first they were cast down from heaven!
And so those lost ones whose spirits have
been in hell since the time of Noah's flood,
they are still sinners, and after all the ages
of suffering they have endured, not a sin less
is upon them now than there was at first!
Ah, dreadful thought!
If you are ever cast into hell, though ages
on ages may lapse, and the wrath of God be
poured out upon you to the uttermost, there
will never be the destruction of a single sin
or particle of a sin by it all.
Sin cannot be put away until the penalty is borne
to the end, and that can never be by finite man.
Monday, October 25, 2010
and I have to be commanded to worship Him?
I just read Deuteronomy 10:12-22 for my Old Testament Survey. It hit me that it is kind of funny that Moses would lay out what God requires of His people before giving this amazing and wonderful description of who this God is. To my own shame I don't practice this myself, but it seems to me that if you really know and believe that God is all these later verses says He is, what other reaction would you have but to fear, love, and serve Him?
Take a look into Moses' description to the Israelites of the God of Israel who we are mercifully allowed to call our God too.
“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good? Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the LORD your God, also the earth with all that is in it. The LORD delighted only in your fathers, to love them; and He chose their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day. Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer. For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him, and to Him you shall hold fast, and take oaths in His name. He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen. Your fathers went down to Egypt with seventy persons, and now the LORD your God has made you as the stars of heaven in multitude."
Take a look into Moses' description to the Israelites of the God of Israel who we are mercifully allowed to call our God too.
“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good? Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the LORD your God, also the earth with all that is in it. The LORD delighted only in your fathers, to love them; and He chose their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day. Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer. For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him, and to Him you shall hold fast, and take oaths in His name. He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen. Your fathers went down to Egypt with seventy persons, and now the LORD your God has made you as the stars of heaven in multitude."
Coffee Art
Ever since I saw my first picture of coffee art and especially after I saw my first cup of coffee with the art creatively drawn on top, I've wanted to learn to do it myself. Yesterday was the day. I was going to figure it out. I dutifully googled "how to do coffee art." I came up with multiple YouTube videos, articles, and pictures on how to do this beautiful art. I knew that I would not be perfect and that I would probably fail the first time, so, after making my espresso and steaming my milk, I wasn't too surprised to find that as I gently poured it into the cup and wiggled it back and forth, nothing happened. The cup of espresso gently blended together (completely) with the milk I poured in. Fail. However, I am not a perfectionist, so I took it with a smile and enjoyed my late with no art on top. I researched a little more and found that I had not quite heated the milk up properly. OK, I think that probably would make a difference. So yesterday afternoon I gathered some friends together and made four separate lattes and tried four separate times to create some sort of art on the top. I had a fail, another fail, another fail, and another fail. Today, sadly instead of posting on how I learned this wonderful new technique, I will just show you this wonderful picture of someone else's talent.
Now isn't that pretty?
Now isn't that pretty?
Friday, October 15, 2010
20 Resolutions on Taming the Tongue
Sinclair Ferguson's 20 resolutions on taming the tongue all derived from the book of James.
1. I resolve to ask God for wisdom to speak out of a single-minded devotion to him. (1:5)
2. I resolve to boast only in the exultation I receive in Jesus Christ and also in the humiliation I receive for Jesus Christ. (1:9-10)
3. I resolve to set a watch over my mouth. (1:13)
4. I resolve to be constantly quick to hear and slow to speak. (1:19)
5. I resolve to learn the gospel way of speaking to both rich and poor. (2:1-4)
6. I resolve to speak in the present consciousness of my final judgment. (2:12)
7. I resolve never to stand on anyone’s face with the words I employ. (2:16)
8. I resolve never to claim as reality in my life what I do not truly experience. (3:14)
9. I resolve to resist quarrelsome words as evidence of a bad heart that needs to be mortified. (4:1)
10. I resolve never to speak decided evil against another out of a heart of antagonism. (4:11)
11. I resolve never to boast in anything but what I will accomplish. (4:13)
12. I resolve to speak as one subject to the providences of God. (4:15)
13. I resolve never to grumble. The judge is at the door. (5:9)
14. I resolve never to allow anything but total integrity in everything I say. (5:12)
15. I resolve to speak to God in prayer whenever I suffer. (5:13)
16. I resolve to sing praises to God whenever I’m cheerful. (5:14)
17. I resolve to ask for the prayers of others when I’m in need. (5:14)
18. I resolve to confess it whenever I have failed. (5:15)
19. I resolve to pray with others for one another whenever I am together with them. (5:15)
20. I resolve to speak words of restoration when I see another wander. (5:19)
1. I resolve to ask God for wisdom to speak out of a single-minded devotion to him. (1:5)
2. I resolve to boast only in the exultation I receive in Jesus Christ and also in the humiliation I receive for Jesus Christ. (1:9-10)
3. I resolve to set a watch over my mouth. (1:13)
4. I resolve to be constantly quick to hear and slow to speak. (1:19)
5. I resolve to learn the gospel way of speaking to both rich and poor. (2:1-4)
6. I resolve to speak in the present consciousness of my final judgment. (2:12)
7. I resolve never to stand on anyone’s face with the words I employ. (2:16)
8. I resolve never to claim as reality in my life what I do not truly experience. (3:14)
9. I resolve to resist quarrelsome words as evidence of a bad heart that needs to be mortified. (4:1)
10. I resolve never to speak decided evil against another out of a heart of antagonism. (4:11)
11. I resolve never to boast in anything but what I will accomplish. (4:13)
12. I resolve to speak as one subject to the providences of God. (4:15)
13. I resolve never to grumble. The judge is at the door. (5:9)
14. I resolve never to allow anything but total integrity in everything I say. (5:12)
15. I resolve to speak to God in prayer whenever I suffer. (5:13)
16. I resolve to sing praises to God whenever I’m cheerful. (5:14)
17. I resolve to ask for the prayers of others when I’m in need. (5:14)
18. I resolve to confess it whenever I have failed. (5:15)
19. I resolve to pray with others for one another whenever I am together with them. (5:15)
20. I resolve to speak words of restoration when I see another wander. (5:19)
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Enough To Keep Me Busy
Reading today through the 1st chapter of Isaiah I found this:
"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean.
Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.
Cease to do evil. Learn to do good;
Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor;
Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow."
This should be enough to keep me busy the rest of my life.
"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean.
Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.
Cease to do evil. Learn to do good;
Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor;
Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow."
This should be enough to keep me busy the rest of my life.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
"How Can It Be?" by Tristan Gylberd
Guard us Lord, from the Judas kiss;
Keep us Lord, from the way of Cain;
From the error of Balaam; From the rebellion of Korah.
We confess that we are Jezebels at heart, every one of us;
We are Icabods; We are Hamans;
We are Tobiahs and Sanballats;
We are Abimelechs and Absaloms;
We are Chedoloamers and Eglons.
Indeed, we are all Adams.
How can it be?
The seeds of destruction have been sown, even as You have blessed us:
Though You have offered us sweet fountains of life,
We have thirsted for the bitter waters;
Though You have laden high the festal table,
We have hungered for thorns and thistles.
How can it be?
We have become adepts:
In a reverse alchemy,
Turning gold to base,
Turning blessing to cursing.
We are waterless clouds and fruitless trees;
We are wild waves and wandering stars.
Meet us here, Lord:
Give us Gospel sanity,
That we might yet again relent;
That we might yet again repent.
Keep us Lord, from the way of Cain;
From the error of Balaam; From the rebellion of Korah.
We confess that we are Jezebels at heart, every one of us;
We are Icabods; We are Hamans;
We are Tobiahs and Sanballats;
We are Abimelechs and Absaloms;
We are Chedoloamers and Eglons.
Indeed, we are all Adams.
How can it be?
The seeds of destruction have been sown, even as You have blessed us:
Though You have offered us sweet fountains of life,
We have thirsted for the bitter waters;
Though You have laden high the festal table,
We have hungered for thorns and thistles.
How can it be?
We have become adepts:
In a reverse alchemy,
Turning gold to base,
Turning blessing to cursing.
We are waterless clouds and fruitless trees;
We are wild waves and wandering stars.
Meet us here, Lord:
Give us Gospel sanity,
That we might yet again relent;
That we might yet again repent.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
New Favorite
This week I've been to three separate Bible Studies at three separate universities because of outreach week. Anyway, at each one, we sang this song called "Jesus Thank You." You can find it here and listen to a sample or buy the song if you want to. It's a Sovereign Grace song, and I've heard it many times in Chapel and at my fellowship group, Crossroads, at Grace Community Church. This song really says what I've been feeling in my heart these past few days. So, it's a new favorite :)
The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend
The agonies of Calvary
You the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son
Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me
Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus, thank You
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied
Jesus, thank You
Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table
Jesus, thank You
By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near
Your enemy You’ve made Your friend
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end
Lover of my soul
I want to live for You
© 2003 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP).
The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend
The agonies of Calvary
You the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son
Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me
Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus, thank You
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied
Jesus, thank You
Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table
Jesus, thank You
By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near
Your enemy You’ve made Your friend
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end
Lover of my soul
I want to live for You
© 2003 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP).
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Poseidon and God's Grace
This week, or at least since Wednesday, Master's College gives their students the opportunity to do outreach with local churches. I joined a team that went with Grace Community Church. We have had an amazing time so far visiting different Bible studies, evangelizing at different colleges, packing spaghetti noodles for the Children's Hunger Fund, visiting people who can't leave their home . . . Today we were at UCLA evangelizing and spreading the word about the Grace On Campus Bible Study group that is affiliated with Grace Community Church and meets at UCLA every Friday night.
This afternoon, we split up into groups of two people and went and passed out flyers for the Bible study and tried to start conversations with people about the gospel. Me and the fellow TMC student I was with met a guy who was a professing pagan and a worshipper of Poseidon. I really know nothing about Poseidon, but I just googled it and now I'm really shocked. We had quite the interesting conversation with this guy. It's a long story, but I'm just gonna tell you the most amazing part that really affected me. At one point, he said "You two are good people, you're wrong, but you're doing good things." To that we both promptly responded that we weren't good people! No way! He said something like "Well, live in that guilt if you want to. It's so much like Catholocism, you just wallow in your guilt." I thought about it for a couple of seconds and then said "But I don't feel guilty!" At this point in the conversation, Wagner, the guy I was with was giving the gospel and was explaining how Christ took our punishment. Later, I was thinking about it and we were talking it over and I realized that I had never thought about that. Yes, I am a sinner, I totally admit that I am depraved, ungodly, horrible person. But I don't feel guilty! My punishment has been paid for. I am cleansed completely! "My sins are paid for in full." I've said it a thousand times if I've said it once, but it took a Poseidon-worshiping Pagan-professing guy at UCLA to teach me that I have no guilt or reason for guilt as a true Christian. I have peace in Christ. I do feel bad when I sin, but after I confess my sin my guilt is gone. I am ashamed that I have dishonored God, but I have no lasting guilt at all. I go on and glory in God because I know that the price is paid. What is there to be guilty about? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
This afternoon, we split up into groups of two people and went and passed out flyers for the Bible study and tried to start conversations with people about the gospel. Me and the fellow TMC student I was with met a guy who was a professing pagan and a worshipper of Poseidon. I really know nothing about Poseidon, but I just googled it and now I'm really shocked. We had quite the interesting conversation with this guy. It's a long story, but I'm just gonna tell you the most amazing part that really affected me. At one point, he said "You two are good people, you're wrong, but you're doing good things." To that we both promptly responded that we weren't good people! No way! He said something like "Well, live in that guilt if you want to. It's so much like Catholocism, you just wallow in your guilt." I thought about it for a couple of seconds and then said "But I don't feel guilty!" At this point in the conversation, Wagner, the guy I was with was giving the gospel and was explaining how Christ took our punishment. Later, I was thinking about it and we were talking it over and I realized that I had never thought about that. Yes, I am a sinner, I totally admit that I am depraved, ungodly, horrible person. But I don't feel guilty! My punishment has been paid for. I am cleansed completely! "My sins are paid for in full." I've said it a thousand times if I've said it once, but it took a Poseidon-worshiping Pagan-professing guy at UCLA to teach me that I have no guilt or reason for guilt as a true Christian. I have peace in Christ. I do feel bad when I sin, but after I confess my sin my guilt is gone. I am ashamed that I have dishonored God, but I have no lasting guilt at all. I go on and glory in God because I know that the price is paid. What is there to be guilty about? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Consumed
Here are a few thoughts after a sermon in chapel this morning by Rick Holland. The sermon was the 2nd of a series the college is doing this week on the trinity. This one was The Trinity: The Son
“Your life is to be consumed in Jesus.”
I have legs so that I can serve and walk places for Jesus
I have attention so that I can think upon Jesus
I have teeth so that I can smile at Jesus and because of Jesus
I have sorrow so that I can greater appreciate Jesus’ sacrifice
I have joy so that I can rejoice in Jesus
I have a brain so that I can think about Jesus
I have gratitude so that I can give thanks to Jesus
I have pain so that I know I can be fulfilled in Jesus
I am given abilities so that I can perform them for Jesus
I can make coffee so that I can serve Jesus through making coffee
I like coffee so that I can praise Jesus for His grace to me
I have eyes so that I can see Jesus one day
I have love so that I can love Jesus
That's just a beginning, you can go on forever and ever. Everything that you have is a gift that is given to you to bring you back to Jesus. Think about it, anything, everything big or little . . . try it for five minutes. For everything you are doing: Why did God give me that particular emotion/action/thought process etc?
“Your life is to be consumed in Jesus.”
I have legs so that I can serve and walk places for Jesus
I have attention so that I can think upon Jesus
I have teeth so that I can smile at Jesus and because of Jesus
I have sorrow so that I can greater appreciate Jesus’ sacrifice
I have joy so that I can rejoice in Jesus
I have a brain so that I can think about Jesus
I have gratitude so that I can give thanks to Jesus
I have pain so that I know I can be fulfilled in Jesus
I am given abilities so that I can perform them for Jesus
I can make coffee so that I can serve Jesus through making coffee
I like coffee so that I can praise Jesus for His grace to me
I have eyes so that I can see Jesus one day
I have love so that I can love Jesus
That's just a beginning, you can go on forever and ever. Everything that you have is a gift that is given to you to bring you back to Jesus. Think about it, anything, everything big or little . . . try it for five minutes. For everything you are doing: Why did God give me that particular emotion/action/thought process etc?
Monday, September 27, 2010
God is . . .
"God is everything: goodness, loveness, kindness . . . ." - 7 year old Caleb yesterday when telling me about his Bible lesson from Sunday school.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Our Little Secret
Girls Coffee Break is a great way for us to share what we’re up to with all of our great friends. Us not posting this summer was not our way of saying that we haven't been up to anything. Quite the opposite! We were too busy! This summer we have been anything but bored. Another reason we haven’t posted is that we weren’t quite ready to tell everyone that our days are filled to the brim with making this house a home for a LOT of people. It was sort of hard to describe to our readers why in the world we made 7 duvet covers this summer. Why we had so much paper work that we were continuously signing, faxing, and re-faxing. Why we had a whole extra big bedroom that wasn’t furnished for a few months and then suddenly was furnished with two twin beds that we obviously didn’t need. Why we were forever and always painting, remodeling, decorating, re –doing, and making a fuss about having EVERYTHING done by the end of summer. So, what is the big secret? Well, we have some very exciting news! Mom’s pregnant with triplets!!!! No, just kidding! (I’ve been dying to tell someone that, so you are my guinea pigs) Sort of true though . . . The truth is, we’re adopting 3 boys! Not quite triplets, but just as scarry. The oldest is 11, then 9, then 7. We met these boys just a couple of weeks ago and they are already a part of the family. In about an hour and 20 minutes, we will welcome these 3 into our home to stay. Forever. I am now the sister of FIVE brothers! My mom and dad are now parents of EIGHT children! Yikes! Well, we are as excited as can be and over the next few weeks we’ll try to share some things that we’ve learned this summer as well as a great duvet pattern and some more fun things. God has really blessed our family in this process and we are so excited to welcome David, Jesse, and Caleb into our family for good.
Why Haven't We Been Posting?
Preparation
THREE new pillows
THREE new towels
THREE new toothbrushes
A picture of Jesus with some BOYS
Oh, and what does that certificate say?
THREE new pillows
THREE new towels
THREE new toothbrushes
A picture of Jesus with some BOYS
Oh, and what does that certificate say?
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
“Remembering our heroes, the guarantors of our freedom, does not in any way more hallow their service or sacrifice; it does not in any way magnify the significance of their accomplishments in the protection and preservation of our liberties; it does not add to their valor, their honor, or their eternal reward; rather the great benefit of memorializing our American heroes is in the hope settled in our own hearts, the resolve established in our own souls, and the steadfastness confirmed in our own lives: when we remember who they were and what they have done for us all, only then will we be capable of laying hold of our hope and attending to our responsibilities as the trustees of freedom’s future; we look to the heroes of yesterday in order to insure that there will be heroes tomorrow.” ~Theodore Roosevelt
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
When Darkness Comes
I know that God runs everything. I know that all that happens to me or my family runs through the protective care of His Sovereign fingers. I know that all those things, good and challenging, are for my good and for His glory.
Sometimes though, when those seemingly sad things happen I can despair and forget my hope. I want Him to remove them NOW! I try to figure what I've done wrong, so I can make it right...cuz then maybe the bad will go away.
In the providence of His good will, I have been learning something new. Waiting on our good God to bring us through trials is at times exactly what we are to do. Sometimes, it is not His desire to "take them away". There are times when the darkness is just going to linger. This does not mean we are to give up, but to expectantly wait on His deliverance while we continue to obey His word.
David's Psalm 40:1-3 say he "waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. he put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord."
So, it seems to me I should cry out to God and then I wait patiently for Him.
"We fight for joy. But we fight as those who are saved by grace and held by Christ." John Piper
Sometimes though, when those seemingly sad things happen I can despair and forget my hope. I want Him to remove them NOW! I try to figure what I've done wrong, so I can make it right...cuz then maybe the bad will go away.
In the providence of His good will, I have been learning something new. Waiting on our good God to bring us through trials is at times exactly what we are to do. Sometimes, it is not His desire to "take them away". There are times when the darkness is just going to linger. This does not mean we are to give up, but to expectantly wait on His deliverance while we continue to obey His word.
David's Psalm 40:1-3 say he "waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. he put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord."
So, it seems to me I should cry out to God and then I wait patiently for Him.
"We fight for joy. But we fight as those who are saved by grace and held by Christ." John Piper
Give to the winds thy fears,
Hope and be undismayed.
God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears,
God shall lift up thy head.
Through waves and clouds and storms,
He gently clears thy way;
Wait tho His time; so shall this night
Soon end in joyous day.
Far, far above thy thought,
His counsel shall appear,
When fully He the work hath wrought,
That caused thy needless fear.
Leave to His sovereign sway
To choose and to command;
So shalt thou, wondering, own that way,
How wise, how strong this hand.
Paul Gerhardt 1656
Friday, May 14, 2010
My Magic Dust
The past two weeks, my mom and I have spent all our time cleaning the house. Of course, cleaning is a never ending project, but we really went through and deep cleaned every room. It was a second wave of our "moving-in" process. We actually finished this endeavor on Wednesday, took yesterday off, and touched up today. Tomorrow, we are having some new friends over and will hopefully be able to bless them with a clean, scorpion free, spider free, not so furnished home. We are really looking forward to it. Through the endeavor of cleaning a big house, I have come to rely a lot on google. It's silly maybe, but you can find so much stuff on there! Really, you can. Cleaning product staples in our home have been bleach, vinegar, simple green, and Windex. However, I discovered (or re-discovered) through google articles another cleaning product that we rarely use. I have never thought that baking soda was that great of a thing, except in chocolate chip cookies. However, I have come to realize that it takes smells out of sinks, used couches with old musty smells, carpet with cat nastiness etc. It's really quite a wonder. It also cleans a pan right up if you bring some water and a handful of baking powder to a rolling boil. My mom (Lisa) decided that it was like a magic dust for me. I throw it into the dishwasher, into dirty pots, onto smelly carpets, and anywhere else I feel that it might just do some good. I even used it to clean off that really nasty sticky grease stuff that collects on top of cupboards. Voila! Everything is like new again! So, if you're like I was, and thought that baking soda was an old cleaner and really doesn't work, give it up. It's absolutely amazing!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day Mommy!
I love you sooooooo much!
Thank you for
Making us breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Folding 5-15 loads of laundry for us each week!
Teaching us school
Cleaning up our house
Reminding us to take our shoes off at the door
Washing our sheets
Giving tons of kisses and hugs
Sewing our duvet covers
Reading us books
Mopping the floor
Unpacking zillions of boxes and making all of our "junk" into a beautiful home!
Modeling a God fearing woman for all of us to look up to and copy
I love you sooooooo much!
Thank you for
Making us breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Folding 5-15 loads of laundry for us each week!
Teaching us school
Cleaning up our house
Reminding us to take our shoes off at the door
Washing our sheets
Giving tons of kisses and hugs
Sewing our duvet covers
Reading us books
Mopping the floor
Unpacking zillions of boxes and making all of our "junk" into a beautiful home!
Modeling a God fearing woman for all of us to look up to and copy
Saturday, May 1, 2010
NEXT 2009
Hey there everyone! I have been thinking and thinking and thinking this last week trying to come up with something to blog about. I know, that's really lame, but seriously, I couldn't think of anything. Moving into a new house is exciting for us, but does not create much exciting conversation for those outside the house. We have been painting and getting rust off of some metal yard furniture for the past two weeks. Not exactly the most interesting thing for me to blog about unless you too are trying to get rust off of metal furniture. Anyway, I finally figured out something to write about. 2 things actually :) Only one today though.
Josh Harris is a preacher at Covenant Life Church in Maryland. If you've never heard of him, you may recognize his popular book's title I Kissed Dating Goodbye. It's a fantastic book. All about why Christians should not give their heart away to a boy or girl before they get married to them. It's just great. Anyway, Josh Harris' church puts on a conference every year called NEXT. You can see all about it at www.thisisnext.org . Although I have never been to this conference, it looks really good. According to the site, "Next isn't built on 'new.' It isn't about the next trend or fad. Next is built on the old, treasured, and true. It's about rediscovering old truth and recommitting to it." What I have learned about this church and its ministries is that they work hard to teach and practice biblical doctrines. They do not follow the fads of "common christianity" today, but learn from great Christians of history. The important thing is unity between brothers and sisters in Christ to live their lives to glorify God.
Another one of my favorite preachers C. J. Mahaney preaches there. There are other great preachers too that you can read about at the website. Last year I was bummed that I couldn't go (reason being that I live far away from Maryland, have no money, transportation, or place to stay), so I instead had a great time listening to many of the sermons from the conference. All of them that I listend to were so encouraging and challenging. So if you are looking for some good sermons by some good pastors with firm doctrine, check out some of these sermons from last year and the new ones that will come out this year. They are made available on their website underneath "resources."
Hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
Josh Harris is a preacher at Covenant Life Church in Maryland. If you've never heard of him, you may recognize his popular book's title I Kissed Dating Goodbye. It's a fantastic book. All about why Christians should not give their heart away to a boy or girl before they get married to them. It's just great. Anyway, Josh Harris' church puts on a conference every year called NEXT. You can see all about it at www.thisisnext.org . Although I have never been to this conference, it looks really good. According to the site, "Next isn't built on 'new.' It isn't about the next trend or fad. Next is built on the old, treasured, and true. It's about rediscovering old truth and recommitting to it." What I have learned about this church and its ministries is that they work hard to teach and practice biblical doctrines. They do not follow the fads of "common christianity" today, but learn from great Christians of history. The important thing is unity between brothers and sisters in Christ to live their lives to glorify God.
Another one of my favorite preachers C. J. Mahaney preaches there. There are other great preachers too that you can read about at the website. Last year I was bummed that I couldn't go (reason being that I live far away from Maryland, have no money, transportation, or place to stay), so I instead had a great time listening to many of the sermons from the conference. All of them that I listend to were so encouraging and challenging. So if you are looking for some good sermons by some good pastors with firm doctrine, check out some of these sermons from last year and the new ones that will come out this year. They are made available on their website underneath "resources."
Hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Our House
I remember a popular song from my childhood in the 70's called Our House by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. It went something like..."Our house is a very very very fine house, with two cats in the yard"..... not deep, but sweet. That song is running through my mind this morning as I sit in our new house with boxes scattered everywhere. Our new house is a gift from God.
We left Montana in 2007 and headed for Alaska. I loved my house in Montana. It was ours, all 25 acres had our imprint on it. It was a gift to our family. But an opportunity in Alaska came our way. Kip my adventurer wanted to head for Alaska. Next thing I knew, I found myself in a blue house we "borrowed" from the clinic where he worked. It was God's provision for us. It was alot like us - in need of an overhaul. It kept us warm (well, sort of), but was less than beautiful. The Lord did some work in my blue heart about that blue house. Until finally He gave me fortitude to fix it up. Off we drove to Home Depot which was only a four hour drive! We bought paint, ordered carpet, and began the tedious face lift. Since we were to be in Glennallen, AK for only two years I decided to look upon it as a ministry not only to my family, but to the next medical worker living in the "blue house".
Home is where I've poured my heart. I take the admonition of Titus 2:2-4 seriously -that the young women be encouraged to "love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers..." I love working in my home. Leaving my palace is hard because that is where my life is.
Back to the needy "blue House". We scrubbed, painted, carpeted, and generally gave it a face lift until one day I said, "O.K. this will do fine." Then, we just lived there happily for the 2 years we were to be in Glennallen, AK.
Now, we are in Texas. We fearfully add the words "to stay". Kip and I are hoping this is our last move. We want to give our children and grandchildren a place to call "home". We want them to have a place to go where they are welcome and loved beyond measure. Our moves have been enriching experiences for them. Each one possesses dear remnants in their hearts of a culture they would know nothing about had they not had the experience in that particular place. But, now...if the good Lord wills it, we stop.
To our children and children's children...this is your house. Come and find solace. Come and grow. Come and find Jesus. Come and have your wounds soothed. Come and pray. Come and find rest. Come and find laughter. Come and find love.
James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."
We left Montana in 2007 and headed for Alaska. I loved my house in Montana. It was ours, all 25 acres had our imprint on it. It was a gift to our family. But an opportunity in Alaska came our way. Kip my adventurer wanted to head for Alaska. Next thing I knew, I found myself in a blue house we "borrowed" from the clinic where he worked. It was God's provision for us. It was alot like us - in need of an overhaul. It kept us warm (well, sort of), but was less than beautiful. The Lord did some work in my blue heart about that blue house. Until finally He gave me fortitude to fix it up. Off we drove to Home Depot which was only a four hour drive! We bought paint, ordered carpet, and began the tedious face lift. Since we were to be in Glennallen, AK for only two years I decided to look upon it as a ministry not only to my family, but to the next medical worker living in the "blue house".
Home is where I've poured my heart. I take the admonition of Titus 2:2-4 seriously -that the young women be encouraged to "love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers..." I love working in my home. Leaving my palace is hard because that is where my life is.
Back to the needy "blue House". We scrubbed, painted, carpeted, and generally gave it a face lift until one day I said, "O.K. this will do fine." Then, we just lived there happily for the 2 years we were to be in Glennallen, AK.
Now, we are in Texas. We fearfully add the words "to stay". Kip and I are hoping this is our last move. We want to give our children and grandchildren a place to call "home". We want them to have a place to go where they are welcome and loved beyond measure. Our moves have been enriching experiences for them. Each one possesses dear remnants in their hearts of a culture they would know nothing about had they not had the experience in that particular place. But, now...if the good Lord wills it, we stop.
To our children and children's children...this is your house. Come and find solace. Come and grow. Come and find Jesus. Come and have your wounds soothed. Come and pray. Come and find rest. Come and find laughter. Come and find love.
James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
What's For Dinner?
Our family is in transition at the moment, excitedly anticipating moving into a new home at the end of February.
My menu planning was taking a dive downward as I tried to juggle all the duties a cross country move entailed. That is until I stumbled upon an old fashioned idea worth bringing out again.
Each night of the week has a name. Of course, you would want to vary this according to your family's favorites.
Monday is Mexican Night
Tuesday is Pasta Night
Wednesday is Soup Night
Thursday is Chicken or Fish Night
Friday is Pizza Night
Saturday is Crock Pot Night
Sunday is Grilled Meat Night
I've been at it for 2 weeks now, and the ease with which I plan the weekly shopping list is amazing. Now I can group all my wonderful Italian pasta dishes for use on Tuesdays. I can collect the tasty soups I've tried for Wednesday. If I want to make fresh bread during the week...I can easily see which recipes it would be most helpful with.
Just an idea, and I'm sure wouldn't work for everyone. It's predictable, yes. But it doesn't seem to be boring because with a myriad of recipes the family hasn't even noticed.
Not true exactly...they noticed pizza night!
My menu planning was taking a dive downward as I tried to juggle all the duties a cross country move entailed. That is until I stumbled upon an old fashioned idea worth bringing out again.
Each night of the week has a name. Of course, you would want to vary this according to your family's favorites.
Monday is Mexican Night
Tuesday is Pasta Night
Wednesday is Soup Night
Thursday is Chicken or Fish Night
Friday is Pizza Night
Saturday is Crock Pot Night
Sunday is Grilled Meat Night
I've been at it for 2 weeks now, and the ease with which I plan the weekly shopping list is amazing. Now I can group all my wonderful Italian pasta dishes for use on Tuesdays. I can collect the tasty soups I've tried for Wednesday. If I want to make fresh bread during the week...I can easily see which recipes it would be most helpful with.
Just an idea, and I'm sure wouldn't work for everyone. It's predictable, yes. But it doesn't seem to be boring because with a myriad of recipes the family hasn't even noticed.
Not true exactly...they noticed pizza night!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
What are You Reading To Your Children?
I am a staunch advocate of reading to children. My own five children have been read to profusely, they have been made to read to each other, they have all read aloud to the family, and been made to listen to books they couldn't even quite grasp yet. For those they weren't ready for, they simply picked up on as much as they could get and put the rest in their quick little minds for later use.
When I was a young mother in the 1980's looking for answers to my many parenting questions, I stumbled upon a great book. Honey For a Child's Heart gave me much needed insight into the world of children's literature. Through Gladys Hunt's instruction I grasped the importance of making books and reading an integral part of our home.
Honey For a Child's Heart, published in 2002 is worth your time whether you are a new mom or one that's "been around the block". Give your family the gift of good literature. Gladys Hunt's book is the best place I know to start.
When I was a young mother in the 1980's looking for answers to my many parenting questions, I stumbled upon a great book. Honey For a Child's Heart gave me much needed insight into the world of children's literature. Through Gladys Hunt's instruction I grasped the importance of making books and reading an integral part of our home.
Honey For a Child's Heart, published in 2002 is worth your time whether you are a new mom or one that's "been around the block". Give your family the gift of good literature. Gladys Hunt's book is the best place I know to start.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Timmy 1997-2010
Thank-you for your faithfulness...We will miss you."You won't EVER see another one like 'im" Travis speaking about Old Yeller
C.H. Spurgeon Autobiography
Among the books in our home right now, is a hardback copy of
C.H. Spurgeon Autobiography: Volume 1
The Early Years
I try to read at least a couple of pages each morning during my devotion time. I immensely enjoy reading Spurgeon's own words, penned by his own hand, and flowing from his own heart. Spurgeon weaves his story in all the richness that is Spurgeon. All is done so that we are pulled to the core of his life, that of glorifying Christ. Archibald Brown has described Spurgeon this way:
"In his heart Jesus stood unapproached, unrivalled. He worshiped Him; he adored Him. He was our Lord's delighted captive."
As I read, it is not Spurgeon I see, but God.
I look forward to sharing some of the precious stories from Spurgeon's childood here on Girls Coffeebreak.
Friday, January 15, 2010
The Book Nook
If you look over to the right, you can see that we have added a list of books. These are books we have been reading recently. Every now and again, we are going to post our thoughts on one of these books, and we welcome your input too. Maybe you've read one of these before or maybe you'd like to read it along with us. Whatever the case may be, we look forward to discussing these books with you over a good cup of coffee. Below every post, you can find a place to put your comments, feel free to do so, so that we can all enjoy a wholesome God-honoring discussion of these books together. Looking forward to the first "Book Nook" post tomorrow!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
What's Next?
"There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction." Winston Churchill
Then why is it so hard? My entire life is changing. My children are growing up before my eyes. Things I thought would last forever don't. Birthdays are somewhat bothersome to me. It never used to be this way. It's easy to let fear creep in and take up housekeeping in my heart. I don't know the outcome of all the changes. I don't know what it will all "look like" when the changes are complete. I don't even know if I like the changes. But in it all, I can find hope because the God of the Universe directs my every step. His Sovereign control over my life is a source of great strength and comfort. He who never changes knows just when to throw me the lifeboat and reel me in to safety. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." So, bring on the changes! Re-location, New House, New Job, New Church, New Friends, New Hairstyle maybe?
Then why is it so hard? My entire life is changing. My children are growing up before my eyes. Things I thought would last forever don't. Birthdays are somewhat bothersome to me. It never used to be this way. It's easy to let fear creep in and take up housekeeping in my heart. I don't know the outcome of all the changes. I don't know what it will all "look like" when the changes are complete. I don't even know if I like the changes. But in it all, I can find hope because the God of the Universe directs my every step. His Sovereign control over my life is a source of great strength and comfort. He who never changes knows just when to throw me the lifeboat and reel me in to safety. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." So, bring on the changes! Re-location, New House, New Job, New Church, New Friends, New Hairstyle maybe?
Why Don't You Join Us Too?
Mom and I love to sit down with a good cup of coffee and take a quick break from the days work. We talk about how God is working in our lives, how we need to respond to God's work in our lives, and how we are encouraged or discouraged. We study the Bible, read good books, laugh, cry, pray, and sip on our coffee together. We don't promise that this blog will be up to date or on the edge. However, we do promise that we will try to glorify God in everything we talk about whether that be telling you a story we thought was funny, talking about a verse that encouraged us, sharing lessons we learned, or giving you directions on making a great cup of coffee. So, sit down with us, grab a good cup of coffee (or if you don't like coffee, we'll settle for tea) and join us for a coffee break.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)