Hi! Welcome to my blog! My name is Jane (PlainJane) and I am the blessed and happy wife to Jeff and doubly blessed mama of two perfectly wonderful daughters. Please join me as I share our Lifestyle of Learning through Christian homeschooling and homesteading on our little hobby farm with our prairie girls.
Amber (Bookworm) is our dd15/10th grader.
Our perfectionist and over-achiever. She loves reading, playing violin, all things vintage, riding her Paint horse, and being a farm girl.
Anna (Ladybug)
is our dd12/7th grader.
Our "girls just want to have fun" girl. She loves to play and has a great sense of humor, but also enjoys cooking, music, and riding her QH pony.
As I near the half-century mark of my life (in a few days), I look back ......
I was born the same year that Alaska and Hawaii entered the Union - Dwight D. Eisenhower was President; it was just 14 years after WWII ended. I remember witnessing on our black & white tv President John F. Kennedy being shot - I was four years old at the time. I remember the turbulent times of the 1960's - the civil rights marches, the hippy generation, and the first man walking on the moon. I remember seeing my first colored t.v. around the age of 11, airing news about war protests, Watergate, and an energy crunch. Without trying to be negative, I'm trying to think back of when the good ole' days were -- were there any? It seems like each decade had it's own set of problems. Yes, there were brief periods of relief, but looking back, perhaps not that many. Yet in a way, I think things were better back then. It was a simpler time when I was a child, it was a time of innocense. Most everyone had a common sense of right and wrong, it seemed like most people still went to church and churches still preached the Bible. Children were safe to play most anywhere and people were generally courteous and less selfish.
I praise God that I have had a fairly good life thus far. God has allowed me to live my life looking forward to and attaining certain milestones in my life -- growing up in a Christian home and accepting Jesus as my Saviour at an early age; our engagement; our wedding day; the birth of two healthy daughters; the privilege of leading them to the saving knowledge of the Lord; witnessing their baptism this past year; and having the enormous blessing of home educating them thus far. I have truly been blessed beyond measure.
But one monumental thing is yet on the near horizon. It is something that has weighed heavily upon my thoughts over the last few years and grows with a sense of urgency with every passing day...as Christians who know the Bible, we see current events aligning themselves with the end times of Bible -- all over the world -- we know Christ's return is very near! Some of my friends think the Rapture will take place in 2009, some within the next 5 or 10 years and some within the next 20 years. None of us know for sure, of course, but it is looking more and more like Christ may return within our children's lifetime, and perhaps even ours. At any rate, we know with all certainty that IT WILL HAPPEN.
Over the last few years I have just felt such an urgency, like the Lord has been telling me to really saturate the girls in the Word of God -- as if nothing else matters. Almost like in the time of Lot, when Lot lingered, the two angels took hold of Lot and his families' hands and brought him out of wicked Sodom quickly. Others I have talked to are feeling the same way. I believe God is preparing hearts and minds for what's to come and there is no time to waste.
Now, that is not to say that we don't do any other academics, we do, but the Bible has certainly become our main focus as well as service and evangelism. And yes, we should do our best in all things for the Glory of God; but I do have some reservations when it comes to the strong emphasis that some place on "Excellence in Education". Education in what? Let us not become mistaken in striving with all our heart, soul, and mind in climbing the ladder of worldly success only to find once we reach the top, that the ladder is leaning on the wrong building.
The only two things that really matter are...
1. Our relationship with God...do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour? Are you reading and studying His Word? The Bible says, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." (Matt. 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33). Algebra & diagraming sentences will pass away, but God's Word is forever.
2. People...Lifestyle evangelism is good, but many, even in our country, have never heard the Truth of God's Word. I believe it's up to us who know and have the Truth to share it with as many as we can before He returns again. "...he that winneth souls is wise." Proverbs 11:30b
With the economy as it is, let's invest in what is eternal. Let's be in the Word and sharing our faith like there is no tomorrow -- before our tomorrows run out.
"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only" Matthew 24:36
It's Unanimous!!!
Since leaving our (former) church about 3 or 4 weeks ago, we have been attending a little country church and are lovin' it, yea, even excited about it!
Ladybug has a few homeschool friends that already attend there. Bookworm just found out today that there are a couple of girls there around her age. I have a couple of homeshcool friends there too and everyone is very friendly -- I love the conservative preaching and music. And the pastor just began an excellent Sunday School series on prophecy, which Jeff & I just love. We all love the pastor. He even spoke out against the emergent church movement today!!! I couldn't be happier. Can hardly wait until next Sunday. :)
Thanks for all your prayers! It's so nice to be excited about church and Sundays again!!
In Numbers, Chapter 16 we find Korah (a Levite, i.e. a chruch leader ), and Dathan & Abiram (of the tribe of Reuben), lead a rebellion with 250 tribal leaders ....
"And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?" Numbers 16:3 kjv emphasis added.
It seems like from the beginning of time, humans have been picking and choosing which of God's commands they want to accept and follow. Time after time we read of accounts in the Bible of man's rebellion and the grave results, so why hasn't man learnt from history? Why do humans, even church leaders, seem bent on doing things differently than God commanded in order to be "relevant" to today's unchurched? Afterall, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
In a recent reading in Numbers 16 of the account of Korah, I was reminded of today's comtemplative spirituality, spiritual formation, and the emergent church. Secular humanism has run amuck, infiltrating our churches, Sunday schools, Christian ministries, Christian colleges, Christian bookstores, Christian publishers, and yes, even some of our Christian homeschool curriculum!!!
For those perhaps not familiar with some of the terms...
Contemplative Spirituality is "a belief system that uses ancient mystical practices to induce altered states of consciousness (the silence) and is rooted in mysticism and the occult but often wrapped in Christian terminology; the premise of contemplative spirituality is pantheistic (God is all) and panentheistic (God is in all)." (This is different than meditating upon God's Word).
Spiritual Formation: "a movement that has provided a platform and a channel through which contemplative prayer is entering the church. Find spiritual formation being used, and in nearly every case you will find contemplative spirituality. In fact, contemplative spirituality is the heartbeat of the spiritual formation movement."
Emergent (Global) Church: " "a label that has been used to refer to a particular subset of Christians who are rethinking Christianity against the backdrop of Postmodernism.... Emerging Church groups have typically contained some or all of the following elements:
Highly creative approaches to worship and spiritual reflection. This can involve everything from the use of contemporary music and films through to liturgy or other more ancient customs. ...
A flexible approach to theology whereby individual differences in belief and morality are accepted within reason.
A more holistic approach to the role of the church in society. This can mean anything from greater emphasis on fellowship in the structure of the group to a higher degree of emphasis on social action, community building or Christian outreach.
A desire to reanalyse the Bible against the context into which it was written...."
An extensive paper on the Emergent Church can be found here.
Some of this might seem all well and good, but in my own observations and experience, I see much deception and waywardness from Biblical teaching. Many Emergent churches follow the model of Rick Warren's or Bill Hybel's megachurches, teaching more from one of their books rather than the Bible, and if Scripture is used at all, it is often from "The Message" or another watered-down, gender-inclusive version. Programs abound for every need ever invented, but little time for indebth Bible study or prayer. Often the look and feel of the building they meet in takes priority over the message with coffee shops, book stores (emergent books of course), and jazz or even rock music played. The desire is to make the boat look and feel so comfortable to the non-christian (of course, they would never say non-christian, but "unchurched"), that the fish will jump in all by themselves. Contemporary tunes and new terminology gradually replace traditional until little by little, it's like a new (age) religion and most all resemblence of church as we know it is done away with - like lobster in a warm kettle, unaware of their fate. Little by little, new ideas are introduced like mysticism and other humanistic philosophy.
Well, what happened to the rebels? The Bible tells us that a new thing...
After the LORD told Moses to tell the congregation to step away from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram on every side and they did so...
"And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. And all Isreal that were around about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also. And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense." Numbers 16:31-35
I grieve for the blind leaders leading the blind sheep in the ways that lead to destruction. Yes, God is a loving God, but He is also just and holy.
Our family is not given to church hopping. In fact, a couple of our family members are adverse to change of any kind, but... within the last 4 years we have had to change churches twice due to the infiltration of the ways of the emergent church. We know no church is perfect, but have had to flee the blantant disregard for God's Word.
Let's all make sure we test all things (I Thessalonians 5:21) against Scripture. Do what we here and see in church, read in books, and purchase as curriculum line up with God's perfect standard? What saith the Scripture? If you are in a good Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church ~ thank the LORD and your pastor. However, if you are being taught from something other than the Scriptures, perhaps it's time to step back or flee.
As Christian homeschool mommies, we are all on a journey, learning to think more & more outside of the box as we go; undergoing a renewing of our heart and mind.
One thing that we often find after we home educate for a while is that our views in many other areas, not just academics, change as well – worldviews, life goals, family relationships, convictions, and even how we do church all begin to be reexamined under a giant magnifying glass as it were. We are definitely outside-of-the-box thinkers and no longer is anything left to status quo. We will never be the same again.
With this in mind, I’d like to share with you my story of how I have made a complete 180 over the past few years -- going from being very active in children’s ministry to currently not even attending Sunday School. How did that happen?
See, it wasn’t always this way. I grew up in a Christian home, always believed in Jesus. Jesus has always been as real to me as my own earthly daddy. I basically grew up in church – we were there whenever the church doors were open, Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, you name it. My very Godly daddy was the treasurer for as long as I can remember and beloved member of our little country church. I asked Jesus into my heart at the age of 9 following a Children’s Church lesson and was baptized soon afterwards. Sunday School was somewhat of a sacred cow in our family. It was tradition, it was expected, and it was just something you did or you were (are) frowned upon. I started teaching Sunday School at the age of 16 and have been in children’s ministry for about 30 years. So why the change? Well, I have to tell you it took me by more than just a little surprise, but here is what had happened….
When we first moved here from the Twin Cities, one of our first priorities was to find a nice church. Bookworm was 2.5 yrs. old at the time and Ladybug was due in 3 months. We found a very nice church and I soon became an active member. We had a great Sunday School department; I was teaching 1st & 2nd graders as well as leading in Awana. All was well – or was it? I first became dissatisfied with the standard curriculum that was being used for my class. Oh yes, it was a big Sunday School publisher I was use too, very normal, but basically I was teaching the same sort of things each year as the other classes (from Sept. – Nov. was Old Testament stories, Dec. was the Birth of Jesus of course, Jan. – Easter was the life through the resurrection of Jesus, followed by the New Testament church and life of Paul). Then we would break for the summer and start all over again in the fall. There was very little life application, just stories – pretty much kindergarten Christianity (the milk of the word) over and over again. I began to notice very little spiritual growth in our church’s children. Many good Christian families who left most all Biblical training up to the 2-3 hrs. their children were in church each week – just going through the motions as if merely attending church would make their children Christians. Going to church made them no more Christians than going into the garage made them SUV’s! With that in mind, I stopped using the curriculum and wrote up my own lessons for each Sunday. That went very well for my class, but it still didn’t change the other classes. Bookworm was now in an older class with a great teacher. My 5th & 6th grade Awana girls also had a great teacher, so why were they so ignorant of the Bible, why was there little or no winning of their hearts for Christ? As I prayed about it, I began to understand – I went around to ALL the teachers and asked them, "In your curriculum, do you ever talk about things like hell, Satan, the lake of fire, or anything like that – even sin?" Sad to say, as each teacher thought about it for a moment, they all had to agree that not one of them ever addressed the consequences of sin or even much about sin itself. The ways of the world have infiltrated the church, even the Sunday School curriculum. There is only love and tolerance and the tickling of the ears in many (most) churches -- no need of authority, respect, taking responsibility, or accountability. Most parents do not discipline their children as they should and there are no consequences for sin. I met with the Pastor about it and he was shocked. He asked me to find another curriculum for the church, but in the interim, other issues arose with changes in the church – our church became an all-too-often found mega-church wantabe – jumping on the bandwagon of the new emergent churches, studying books by pastor’s of such rather than the Book of Books, the inerrant Holy Word of God. So we left.
Now, I’m not saying that all Church education is bad. However, the Sunday School Movement only began as a ministry to the children of unchurched families - and has grown far beyond it’s initial intent. I believe God has ordained dads and moms to be the primary source for Biblical education in their own homes – we cannot expect our children to grow to know and love the Lord just by them attending church for 1-3 hours a week with all the wiles of Satan being thrown at them the remaining 165 hours. Yes, God has gifted some as teachers and I am all for family integrated (corporate church) Sunday Schools – where the families sit together as one big class and learn together from God’s Word. Unfortunately we do not have such a church in our community. We do attend Sunday morning services, but even that church is quickly becoming an emergent church (sigh).
God’s Word does not say, "Thou shalt attend Sunday School." It only states not to forsake the assembling of yourselves together. Our own traditions have only made Sunday School into what it is today. Speaking for our family, our children receive far more Biblical teaching at home than what they receive at any Sunday school and unfortunately, we have found that the opposite became true for our children… that rather than growing in Christ, they were picking up the undesirable actions and attitudes of their peers and we would have to spend the rest of the week correcting such only to face a new set of issues the next Sunday.
I’m not saying to leave your Sunday School, but do make sure you know what you and your children are gleaning from the Sunday School (and Church) you attend…
1) Is the Bible being taught? It sounds so simple, but at least in many adult Sunday schools, it has merely become a book study (not a book of the Bible) or a discussion of social issues – but the Bible is not opened.
2) What version of the Bible is being taught? Is it close to the original manuscript; or a modern paraphrase that more closely resembles the Book of Satan with his subtle and crafty changes rather that God’s Word?
3) Is the whole Counsel of God being taught, and not just the happy "feel good" parts?
4) Are we (both children and parents) growing spiritually as a direct result of what is being taught in our Sunday School (if not, why go?) or is it a social club?
Paul speaking of the Bereans…
"Theses were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so." Acts 17:11
May we train our children up in the way that they should go, saturated in God’s Pure and Holy Word.
I don't know if it's my age or mood - or maybe because of the moral & spiritual decline of our nation; perhaps a combination of all three, but I have been so longing for the "good ole days". Not romanticizing of how things were 100 years ago, but rather how I knew, or at least remember them, from my childhood.
One thing that I miss in particular is good Christian radio...whether it was in a car ride with Daddy to our favorite fishing lake, or as a teen riding in our Christian school's minivan, I loved listening to Christian radio and attribute at least some of my spiritual growth to the excellent Bible teaching and hymns and choruses that I heard back then.
I was reminded of one of those programs just yesterday when I happend along to a site where I can hear the old Thru the Bible broadcasts by Dr. J. Vernon McGee. (click link to get to it)
Dr. McGee was active in radio ministry for 47 years until his homecoming in 1988. I remember his Thru the Bible program was an expository teaching of Scripture - taking you through the entire Bible in five years. Even as a young person, I loved his teaching. I am so glad that someone is still airing his programs -- his ministry continues even from heaven. It was good solid Bible teaching. So I think along with my daily Bible reading this year, I'll be tuning in to this site. Hmmm, I wonder if there are any more I can find.
I just love good preaching, and good Christian music too. I prefer hymns (as written in the old hymnbooks - a whole nother soapbox), but occassionally I am drawn to one of the newer worship songs. Perhaps it's just because I finished my yearly Bible read-thru last month and Revelations/end times is fresh in my thoughts, but the words to this song were so poignant...
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
by Chris Tomlin
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine
May God find us faithful and may we finish strong.
Blessings,
One thing that I especially like about their book is that we share many of the same convicitions about biblically sheltering our children; and I love how they use scripture throughout the book. I often feel very much alone in our beliefs and it is so nice to hear (read) someone else that has the same goals for their family.
One thing (of many) that particually stood out in my reading today was a quote they gave with regards to age-segregated, peer-oriented groups and activities (ie. church youth groups & children's ministries and the like)...
"I do not like to see them coming to church by themselves, they often get into bad company by the way, and so learn more evil on the Lord's day than in all the rest of the week. Neither do I like to see what I call 'a young people's corner' in a church. They often catch habits of inattention and irreverence there, which it takes years to unlearn, if ever they are unlearned at all. What I like to see is a whole family sitting together, old and young, side by side, - men, women, and children, serving God according to their households." (J.C. Ryle 1816-1900)
Yesterday afternoon was our Ruby Girls Bible Study! Our group consists of 10 girls (& 5 moms). We wanted to keep it small as some of our crafts are quite elaborate and since we meet in our homes, space is an issue. Yesterday's meeting was soooo very fun (as are all of them). Our meeting starts at 1p.m., and I don't think we left until 6 p.m.
Our lesson was on the Proverbs 31 example of Kathrine Luther (Martin Luther's wife). Then the second part was on Biblical Holidays. We ended the lesson by having one of the girls who is very involved (and very good) in Messianic dance (has been dancing about 7 yrs. and is in a Messianic dance ministry that travels worldwide), teach all the girls a dance called Ma Yim, My Yim (Yeshua Living Water).
I think we are all fimiliar with the saying, "Garbage in, Garbage out", speaking of what you put into your computer (or brain), so will be the fruit thereof. But isn't it a HUGE BLESSING to have our children fed upon God's Word daily, and sheltered with Godly influences!?! (I see heads nodding) Although I know I shouldn't be, sometimes I am so Surprised by Joy of what all this homeschooling and sheltering are producing in our children - I think I'm the one who is benefiting and being blessed by it more than our girls (and I know they are benefiting from it and lovin' it greatly).
Just this morning, while going into the kitchen, our girls were playing with their Polly's in the parlor nearby and I overheard our oldest; speaking for her Polly, "We are going to Isreal [family]!", and the youngest replied; for her Polly, "Oh boy, then we can meet the Waller's!". (big smile).
Now, if you have seen the dvd, "a jouney home" by Franklin Springs, you know what I am talking about. It is a documentary (awarded "Best Documentary" at the 2005 Independent Christian Film Festival sponsored by Vision Forum) telling the story of the homeschooling Waller family as they are led to a simple lifestyle and then on to work & minister in Isreal.
Time and again I see how our surroundings and what goes in those young ears & eyes affect their thoughts, their play, and their attitudes. We don't allow our play to imitate sin or anything that may go contrary to our convictions - nor do we take pleasure in watching it on tv or movies, or reading about others "sinning" that would glamorize their actions. All our dolls & stuffed animals are "Christians" and go to church, pray, sing hymns, quote scripture, and even share the gospel - not because I have told our girls to play this, I don't (but am glad they do - I just instruct them that we don't play "sin"), but because that is what is going on in their real lives that they act out on a daily basis. WHAT A BLESSING! But how my heart aches for the thousands & thousands of children that are brought up in Godless homes, or even by Christian parents who let their children be influenced by the world.
You are cordially invited to join my friend, Julie, at Seeking the Old Paths as she is facilitating an on-line Bible Study on Restoring the Early Church.
Here is just a brief paragraph from Julie's post about this study...
"If you have ever felt sick and tired of churchianity…and felt Father drawing you to something else…something more real…more intimate…more simple, then please pray and consider joining us in this study. We will have the comments open, and I believe several blogging friends will be joining in the discussion through the comments with us."
I know from reading some of my friends posts, that this is where you are at and Julie has graciously invited me to invite you to join us in this study. If interested, please prayerfully see Julie's post and her link to the Introduction. This 50-lesson study (bite size) is produced by our friends at Restoration Ministries International.
Our Father willing, the study will begin today, but you may join in at any time.
Please let me know too if you decide to join, I'd love to "see" you at Bible Study.
I am not a grammer expert (obviously), nor am I a stickler for words, but one word that I try not to overuse is the word, "Awesome." Perhaps it's just me, somewhat of a literalist, but to me this one word deserves more respect than what it has been reduced to -- as nothing more than a thoughtless and overused slang word in response to almost anything good or a substitute for an affirmative answer. In Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary, "Awe" is defined as "Fear mingled with admiration or reverence; reverential fear." It is an attribute of God -- our God is Awesome! And it's an attitude of awe that perhaps our mind and heart should reserve for God, and God alone.
I bring this up only because of something God has been impressing upon me lately. Not a new revelation mind you, but something that stirs me from time to time - like now -- it is the greatness (awesomeness) of God and yet how He can and does care for us - even about the little things in life. My morning Bible readings have consumed me with these thoughts - of how God orchestrates all of life. The very thought is awesome indeed. And then that he cares for someone such as little ole' me in this vast universe of His is beyond imagination.
He hears our every prayer, no matter how insignificant it may be! Case in point. As many of you know, we have been in search for a while now for a newer vehicle. I will spare you all the details, but just to let you know, no vehicle has been overlooked - van, suv, truck. lol And as of late, I have even felt gulty for praying for such a matter as it is so minuscule (and our current van is still fairly reliable) and in light of others' urgent prayers for healing or safety, my little concerns seem so petty and sinful. But our Great Awesome God heard me anyways. I was praying just yesterday morning about a van that we were about to go see and prayed that perhaps if this van was the right one, that God would reserve it for us (I had had my eye on it for already over a month) and that maybe God would even "SURPRISE" (my exact words in prayer) us by bringing the price down lower than we ever imagined without us even trying too hard (ie. all His doing). Well, last night we finally made the road trip to look at this van, as low and behold, we were SURPRISED - they had just reduced the price $1,000 before we even got there. Then with a little haggling (my dh leaves that part to me), we got the price down to where we were comfortable and I am rejoicing today that we are the new owners of this van (I am picking it up this morning). So, this morning I am in tears in awe and thankfulness for His answer to my little prayer. Oh, and some of you may ask, what we finally ended up with... it's a silver 2005 Chrysler Town and Country Touring with StowNgo - pretty much just what we wanted.
Praising God for Answered Prayer!
The Wonder of It All
By George Beverly Shea
There's the wonder of sunset at evening,
The wonder as sunrise I see;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul
Is the wonder that God loves me.
O, the wonder of it all!
The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.
O the wonder of it all!
The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.
There's the wonder of springtime and harvest.
The sky, the stars, the sun;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul
Is a wonder that's only begun.
O, the wonder of it all!
The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.
O the wonder of it all!
The wonder of it all!
Just to think that God loves me.
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. - I Peter 5:7
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised.
Psalm 113:3
We had such a neat time Sunday afternoon at a "For His Name's Sake" worship celebration. It was held at the National Sports Center and featured Paul Wilbur with For Zion's Sake.
For most of you, neither of these names are probably familiar...
Paul Wilbur was raised in the home of a Jewish father and Baptist mother. As a highly trained musician, and after his conversion to Christ, he became part of the contemporary Christian group, "Harvest". Later Paul followed the call to bring the Gospel back to the Jewish community and travels worldwide ministering to both the Church and the Jewish community. - Beautiful, worshipful singing.
For Zion's Sake is a multi-congregational Davidic Praise and Worship team from MN with singers, instrumentalists, dancers, intercessors, and artisans. They have traveled to various states and to Isreal. Bookworm's friend (a young lady in our homeschool co-op and our Ruby Girls' group), along with her family are part of this group.
It was such a worshipful time and a fun experience. I love seeing people from all nationalities (Jews, African American, Hispanic, Indian, etc.) gathering in the Messiah's name. Although it brought me a little out of my comfort zone, being that I grew up in a home where mama preached, "Christians don't dance", I could see that everything that was done at this concert was in response to worship and praise & great joy for our Messiah and King - not unto man.
Here are a few scenes from the concert:
Sorry, we were 7 rows back - this was the best I could do with my camara. There were a lot of dancers & congregational dancing as well. We were in the middle of a row and stayed put.
Paul Wilber
Lots of congregational singing.
Bookworm, her/our friend Rachel, and Ladybug. Rachel did such a wonderful job and is so beautiful (and humble).
Our girls so very badly would like to be a part of a Davidic worship group (the only dancing this Baptist mama will allow, lol). Unfortunately from where we live, the opportunities are, well, zilch. We did pick up some information of some classes, but they are about 50 minutes away and daddy says, "too far". So I continue in much prayer - I think my next step is to see if the instructors would be willing to start a class up here. If you feel led, I'd appreciate your prayers on this.
PS - 20 people prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior at this event yesterday. Praising Him!
My dear friend, Melanie, has tagged me to give 5 Reasons I Love God. This should be an easy one, but really it is difficult to put into words or limit it to just 5 things, but I will try...
Because God Loves Me! For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Because God is Never Changing - I can always rely on Him and His Word! Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever. Hebrews 13:8
Because He Supplies All My Needs! Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how hey grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore, take no thought , saying; What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Matthew 6:25-32
Because He Knows Me and Cares for Me! Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31
Because He has Always Been and Created All Things Beautiful - I Love to Marvel at His Creation! In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1.
If you would like to participate, consider yourself tagged and let me know, I'll link you here and come visit.
A large bridge on 35W crossing about 65 feet above the Mississippi River (near the UofM in the Twin Cities) has just collapsed - during the height of rush hour traffic! It is believed about 100 vehicles were on the bridge at the time, including a school bus. There are a few fatalities so far and several injuries. The cause of the collapse is unknown at this time.
Please pray for all those involved. Thankfully, our family does not travel that way very often and I do not know anyone that possibly would be in harms way. My cousin's wife does work at the medical center nearby the bridge that is receiving many of the injured, but is on vacation right now.
Thursday, 5:30 a.m. Update: 7 fatalities; 60 injured (some critically); 20 missing. The school bus of 60 inter-city children coming home from a fieldtrip came within a few feet of plunging in the river, but was spared with scrapes & cuts, all are okay.
The bridge is a major thoroughfare in and out of the Twin Cities, near the Metrodome. Built around 1967, it's steal supports are spaced wide apart for large ships to pass through on the Mississippi. It had been inspected in 2005 & 2006.
I've decided to change my Sunday posts, not because I can't think of seven things to be thankful for, but I feel pressured to come up with seven different things each week, and I don't think that's how it should be. So here on, let it be know that each week/day, I'm thankful for my husband, my children, my home, flowers, garden, animals, and Bible. Instead, I'll use this time to just post one or two things as God lays on my heart.
This week I'm ever mindful of the Peace that God brings, even in seemingly insignificant things...
As many of you know, we are currently in search for a newer vehicle for me. Our '98 Windstar has served its purpose well, but is gradually revealing it's age, and its time to trade it in. This is a matter which is receiving considerable prayer around here at the moment. Well, for the past two weeks we have been combing the internet, circling ads, and touring auto sales lots in search for something that has relatively low miles and won't completely drain our savings (as we only get what we can pay cash for). Yesterday we even made an offer on what seemed like "the one", but the dealer wouldn't come down any - and I wouldn't budge much either. So the search continues. The neat thing is that normally I'd feel stressed out and bothered about not getting what I wanted right away, but God has graciously answered our prayers and I'm not bothered in the least. I just feel this overwhelming peace right now that God will show us just the right one for us in His own time. Our whole family seems at peace about this too. It's soooo neat!
Sorry, we were 7 rows back - this was the best I could do with my camara. There were a lot of dancers & congregational dancing as well. We were in the middle of a row and stayed put. 
Paul Wilber
