One nation under God

Last week, Will and his kindergarten class said the Pledge on our local Christian radio station. Will and another classmate actually introduced the class and if you would like to hear them head over to 1049theriver.com/say-the-pledge/ and scroll down to Bailey Elementary Mrs Fisher's class. Will was very excited to participate let alone get to introduce his class on the radio.

I find it timely that this past few weeks in our study of Isaiah in BSF we are looking at the judgement of the "nations". We saw how God has a plan and will use nations to accomplish that plan, whether in victory or defeat. I find it so comforting that even when it feels sometimes that our country is not abiding "under God", I know he is in complete control of all things. "For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? Isaiah 14:27

I am thankful during this week of Thanksgiving for the freedom I have in this country and even more thankful for the freedom and security I have in Christ. It was just icing on the cake to hear my little one echo these freedoms on the radio.

Fun Summer Weekend

We had a great family weekend. We started off the weekend by seeing Toy Story 3 with our two kids. It was an adorable movie, full of laughter and touching moments. I cried like a baby at the end as my 5 year old son sat on my lap and you watch Andy head off to college. I know I have several years before that day comes but you can't help feel her sadness as her boy leaves the nest.

On Saturday we headed to Will's wiffleball game. It was super hot and Mike is the coach thus I became the co coach that day. The kids did well and Will hit his first home run of the season. We were proud and he was super pumped. After the game we watched the USA play their world cup game, although they lost I was proud that they got this far and that I actually watched all their games this World Cup. Soccer may be gaining some momentum in the US now. Then we took the kids over to Locker Soccer in Powell for Parents Night Out. Our typical babysitter was out of town so we snatched up the opportunity for babysitting at the place where our son plays soccer. So we headed to a new restaurant called Luce in Powell and enjoyed a wonderful meal together. We picked the kids up two hours later and were so happy that they had a blast!

On Sunday we headed to church and Will was very excited because he had been promoted to the big kid room with his sister, his exact words were "Hallelujah!". Then we headed home and Mike and I started staining our 5 year old playset, it was long overdue.

I love the balance of activity and down time we had this weekend. I loved hearing our Pastor speak as we have been out of town or in nursery for the past few weeks and missed his sermons. He preached on having the right perspective in our circumstances and that we should choose joy as Paul did while in prison. So I hope that this week will be filled with joy no matter what the circumstances. How can I not make that choice when I have the God of the universe beside me.

"AND WE KNOW THAT IN ALL THINGS GOD WORKS FOR THE GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM, WHO HAVE BEEN CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE." ROMANS 8:28

I love it when a plan comes together!

Any A-team fans out there? Well I am not talking about my plan but of God's. I had mentioned earlier this week about studying the book of John for BSF and how my pastor taught on the same book at church on Sunday. Little did I know after that post that God was not done re-affirming the importance of the book of John in my life.

Today I went to the bookstore to pick up two books. I have recently re-discovered the joy of reading books again, that is books that aren't geared towards a 5 and 7 year old. I had heard about a bible study going on at Angie's blog called "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. I had wanted to participate in it but thought with BSF starting I would not have time. So I didn't get the book but I have watched bits of the video portion Angie and her friend have posted on the first two chapters. So today as I am looking for the book "What Difference do it Make?" by Ron Hall,I came across what else but Crazy Love. I thought to myself, God must want me to read this book so I might as well get it.

Fast forward to tonight, I decide to go ahead and read the first chapter of this book. First of all, if you think you are in awe of our God now, please go to the crazy love website and watch the video called "Awe Factor". If you thought God was big, you haven't even scratched the surface. As I read the first chapter I came across this verse, Colossians 1:16 "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." While the verse is amazing itself, even more amazing is that I just studied this verse this morning as part of my BSF homework. This was not a coincidence or chance, it was a total God thing. How great of him to confirm to me that I am inside of his will. Being in God's word is blessing enough but that he would take the time to guide me to the passages he wants me to be in is simply breath taking.

I can't wait to see what God is going to reveal to me over the next few months. I am only two weeks into BSF and 1 Chapter into Crazy Love and I feel like shouting from my rooftop all that God has taught me. God is good, all the time, all the time he is good. Thanks God for being ever present in my journey to know more of you.

Wind in their Sails

I read bits here and there out of this book "The Power of a Positive Mom" by Karol Ladd. I tend to read it more while my husband is traveling as I find it harder to be as positive as I would like to be when the day to day activities seem to wear me down.

In reading from her book this week I came across the chapter providing advice on discovering your child'd potential. I am drawn to this topic as Abby has started school now and Will will start next week. As I begin to schedule activities and homework projects are introduced it does make me think about recognizing those areas where my kids really shine. I love in the book where it states "Our challenge is to learn how to be the wind in their sails without blowing them off the course God has set for their lives." I want to be an involved and supportive mom but I don't want to be a controlling mom. Giving thoughtful direction and choosing or controlling the direction are two different things. Of course the Bible provides insight into our parenting duties and specifically how to train them. I really like the author's translation of Proverbs 22:6 "train a child according to his bent."

So it looks like I have some homework as well this school season, according to this book there are four steps to studying your children in order to find their unique skill sets and direction. Step 1: See the potential, this sounds easy enough but I know if feels like some days I have only focased on what they didn't do or say. Step 2: Offer opportunities for Growth, here she empasizes trying a variety of activities for you kids but not rushing. In fact she lists several Olympic athletes who didn't focas on their specific sport until their teenage years!!! Step 3: Set realistic goals, she emphasizes that these be the children's goals and not your goals for them. Lastly Step 4: Support their Endeavors, whether they win or lose, just them knowing you support them no matter what is such an encouragement to them.
So I am excited to really study my kids a little more deeply and find out what makes them truly unique and how I can help them find their bent. Hope you enjoyed this new info as much as I did. Happy Discovering!!!

Adversity and Prosperity

There is in every true woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire,
which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which
kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.

-Washington Irving

I came across the above quote at this blog. The woman behind this blog has definitely seen her share of adversity but chooses to reveal the prosperity she finds as well. Please visit her blog if you get the chance.

This quote provided much encouragement and fear at the same time. While I know that God can do the impossible in impossible situations, the fear of having to go through adversity to light the flame with in is a little unsettling. As I pondered this quote I knew that there had to be some bible verses that provided the inspiration. Here are a few scriptures that I came across:

1 Peter 1:6-7 ...though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by the fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus is revealed.

Ecclesiastes 7:14 When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.

Job 1:21 The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.

Lastly I found this quote by Anne Bradstreet: If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcomed.

So if you be in adversity or prosperity right now may we always know that God is in control of both and is with us in and through both. Isn't interesting that when things are going well we take the credit and when they are going poorly we can often blame God. Thank you Lord for the blessings in my life and promising to walk with me through it all.

What encourages me

A new site has been launched today, please check it out. Twenty different woman, many known throughout the blogging world are involved in this effort to provide encouragement to all women. They are asking the question "What encourages you?". I find encourgagement is this verse: Phillippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthened me". My mom recited this verse to me in High School and it has gotten me through many uncertain situations. I also find encouragement in simple blessings that God reveals throughout the day. How can I not be encouraged by a God who allows laughter to follow tears and a hug to follow a child's disobedience. The encouragement is always there, it just has to be on our radar. I also find encouragement in the strength that God provides to myself and others. Now the real task is to take the encouragement I recieve and pass it along to others.

Need Answers?

Have you ever wondered why bad things happen to good people? Check out this blog by a Pastor in Arkansas, I have been following his daughters blog(www.kellyskornerblog.com) for a while and was lucky enough to come across her dad's as well. Hope this provides comfort to those in the midst of suffering and prepares the rest of us for when our time comes.

Finding the Positive

Finding the positive side of life can sometimes be difficult, especially in our current times. I came to this topic today because of two different things. One is my current study of Moses through BSF(bsfinternational.org) and my attendance at our church's children's ministry training. Today it was mentioned that when teaching our pre-school children some of the Bible stories that lean more towards a negative thought(ie:lying,cheating, etc) to focus on the positive, like encourage telling the truth rather than focus on the lying. That same principle can apply today I believe. I am not suggesting that we are not realistic about the negativity that exists, but if we see things from God's perspective we might be surprised about the positive view he has.

In studying Moses and looking at some of the other greats of the Old Testament we see failures, negativity and lack of faith. God does mention these failures but do you know what his focus is on, what they did well. In Genesis 15 we see God's covenant with Abraham to bring him and his wife an heir. In Genesis 15:6 God says"Abraham believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness". Then just one chapter later we see Abraham become inpatient, lose faith and agree with his wife Sarai to try and have a child through her maidservant Hagar. In Chapter 21 we something really cool, God was faithful to his promise, despite Abraham and Sarah getting in the way(Gen 21:2). Despite his lapse of judgement and faith, God was true to him promise, what a positive thought to focus on. Then in Romans Ch. 4, Galatians 3:9 and James 2:23 we see Abraham praised as a "man of faith" and "friend of God", what an honor. God could have chosen to focus only on the mistrials of Abraham but instead chose him to be the father of all nations and bless future generations because of his faith.

If we look at Moses we see how he was a murderer, weak and not well spoken. We can see his failures and struggles throughout Exodus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, but we see his ultimate legacy in Deuteronomy Ch. 34:10"No prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face" and vs 12" For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel". I find this very encouraging, for those of us who struggle with the guilt of our sin and imperfection, we too can find the positive that God sees in us.

So in this time of uncertainty I am comforted that God takes care of his people, God accomplishes all things despite my attempts to help myself and despite my imperfections. Help me Lord to be a positive light for my children and those around me. Please don't let my small perspective and negative thoughts limit your power. Help me to be realistic about the problems of this world but be drawn ever closer to the only one who can overcome them.

Crucified with Christ

I added this song to my blog about two weeks ago. I had just figured out how to create a playlist and was trying to think of songs I wanted and this one just popped in my head. I hadn't heard it in a while but something prompted me to find it. Then this Sunday at church our worship leader sang a solo of this song. After he sang it I remember thinking this is so cool, I love it when I can truly "sense" God's presence in my life. I know he's always there but sometimes God blesses me with a clear "Hello, are you paying attention to me". Nobody but God could orchestrate the use of this song in the past two weeks.

Our pastor proceeded to elaborate on this topic of being crucified with Christ. He used Luke 9:23-24 "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it" and Galations 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me". From these verses and Pastor Brad's sermon I was able to come away with two key points. First of all, the cross is about surrendering to the executions that advance my spiritual life. Basically I need to find those things, people or thoughts that are hindering my spirit life and remove them from my life. Although this seems a daunting task at times, I can be comforted by the second take home lesson-the need for daily surrender of all I am for all that he is. Christ has not asked me to do anything that he hasn't done and he lives within me to strengthen me as I do it.

Thankyou Lord for dying on the cross, thankyou that you made a way for me to know you and be part of your forever family. Help me to discern those things that need cleared away and help me to deny myself daily. Thankyou for revealing yourself so clearly and so personally to me these past two weeks. Thankyou for breathing the words of "Crucified with Christ" to Phillips,Craig and Dean so I could be reminded not only of your ultimete sacrifice but the sacrifice required in my own life as well.

Big Trucks

Well Sunday after church we went to COSI to see the Big Trucks exhibit. They had a variety of construction equipment to touch, sit in and acutually operate. Abby and Will both got to operate a mini bulldozer and had great fun. We took some great pictures and video. After that we went to eat at Applebees because for some reason Will really wanted to go there. We had a nice lunch and got to watch some of the Reds game on TV. Will was very interested and loved telling the servers about his Ken Griffey Jr. T-shirt.

We had a really good pratical message at church that morning about the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector(Luke 18:9-14). Basically the take home point was about not just doing things for God, but to really truly love God in all that we do(even when it is not easy). In this parable we saw the Pharisee as the perfect example of doing and saying all the right things yet exalting himself rather than God. The tax collector, admitting he was a sinner, asked for mercy and humbled himself before the Lord. I always find it interesting how God works and how it is often opposite to the way the world works. In the Pharisees time they were revered and honored by men but not justified by God. The Tax collector was hated and shunned by many of the world but loved and justified by God. Here is a great reminder to me to be confident in the Lord for my righteousness and not in my self. To seek to live by God's standards and not what the world is telling me is right. Help me to teach this lesson to my kids and to keep reminding myself as well.