Oct. 27, 2009 - Word Study: Thinking about starting something new on my blog
I was thinking of using this blog to start a new study for me and whoever wants to join in the conversation.
I'll do a Word Study. I'm going to start with the word grace.
Over the next week, I'll look at the definition, Biblical usage, currant usage, connotations, etc. I'll record my findings on here.
Let's see how it goes.
Apr. 21, 2008 - Passover Festival Meal
My family and I shared in a Seder Meal last night. We had participated with a smaller version at our church last year, but this year we went with some friends from the Simchat Torah of AR. The symbolism is amazing. We remembered the history of the Jews and what this means for us knowing that Jesus is the Messiah.
Before we went we were supposed to find all the leaven and get rid of it. Well, I started too late and didn't do this part right, but we did look for things with yeast--the obvious things, such as fluffy bread and packages that said "yeast." I told the children about the story of Passover and how we aren't supposed to have yeast in our house now and how that reminds us to get rid of sin. They found the bread and packages of yeast and threw them out. Well, in the trash. I didn't do this right either b/c I was supposed to take it off our "borders" but there wasn't going to be trash day before the meal last night. Like I said, we didn't do everything just right b/c we didn't plan for this very well. Next year I plan to try better and sooner.
We were able to worship together with songs sung in Hebrew. My husband was the servant for our family's table. He brought us water to wash our hands and he filled the cups and took the plates. He said he thought that was very neat. The children sang songs and we all learned a few Hebrew words to recite in responsive readings. My daughter ate the horseradish. I told her it was going to be bitter and might make her cry, so she was scared but prepared. Not me; I couldn't breathe, I had too much.
Everyone had assigned recipes to bring. We brought potatoes with rosemary and sauteed mushrooms. Delicious. All the food was.
It was all very wonderful and meaningful.
Oct. 7, 2007 - quote from a book
I've been reading this interesting book called, "Worst Journey in the World." I just read a paragraph where the explorers have just seen the eggs of the Emperor Penguins and are about to take some for research. He says he realizes why the Emperor has to nest in midwinter. Cherry says, "For if a June egg was still without feathers in the beginning of January, the same egg laid in the summer would leave its produce without practical covering for the following winter. Thus the Emperor penguin is compelled to undertake all kinds of hardships because his children insist on developing so slowly, very much as we are tied in our human relationships for the same reason. It is of interest that such a primitive bird should have so long a childhood."
This touched my heart in such a way as it only could in a mother who's had a hard day.
Oct. 9, 2006 - working thru Ephesians
It's been amazing how appropriate this study has been for me in the last couple of weeks. Tonight we talked about the prayer of Paul in Eph. 3. God is able to do exceedingly more abundantly more than we could ask or imagine. I'm asking to be rooted/grounded in love. I'm asking to comprehend the love of Christ with all the saints. I'm asking to be filled with the fullness of God. Yes and Amen. You know what I can't do in my own power? Yeah, that's right--show love. I've tried, but I can't. Here's what I'm asking God about: love others through me b/c with my own self I can't do it and show mercy to others by way of me b/c I'm not very good at that either. There's more to the list, but that's for the next few weeks of discussion when we go through Eph. 4-6.
Funny happening: On my 2nd grader's science test, the question asked him to name the weed that is yellow with a dark brown center and has a girl's name. (Black-eyed Susan, in case you forgot) He wrote "milkweed." Hee-Hee. Here let me introduce you to my daughter, Milkweed. Tell the nice lady "hello," Milkweed.
I hereby apologize to anyone who's name is Milkweed or who might have been thinking of naming their child "Milkweed."
Sep. 26, 2006 - Ephesians study
Right now I'm involved in a women's Bible Study at church on Ephesians. I spoke with the teacher some after class last night. We talked about how I know that God has called me and He loves me and I'm sealed with the Holy Spirit. I know that I was once dead, enslaved, and condemned and He has made me alive. I know it is a gift that I did not earn. Not that I understand it all, mind you, but I know. I do.
I told her that it isn't that that I struggle with as much as it is other people not allowing me to learn, change, grow in maturity--extending to me a graceful hand even if I messed up. I didn't see how it fit, but the comment she gave was that others are thinking of themselves more than they are of you. You put more weight on what they think about you than what God thinks about you.
hmm... what was she getting at? I'm selfish. ok, that makes sense. But then in this morning's reading of Ephesians 4, a little later on from what we studied last night (chapter 2), Paul says, "I beg you to live a life worthy of the calling.... Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowances for each other's faults because of your love...." this is what I'm looking for in my life. This is where my desire lies. This is how I want to live.
This chapter just really spoke to me this morning and I have been wanting to put it down in e-words before I forgot.
Sep. 21, 2006 - ballet and piano
There are so many possibilities for extra-curricular activities, it's just not funny.
Right now, it's a safe "one-activity-per-child." That seems like enough for me to keep track of even though I'm always getting pulled in so many directions. The possibilities are endless, and I get a nagging feeling we don't have them participating in the one thing in which they would be a prodigy.
My second grader: He is taking piano lessons, but he could be a part of the lego club, playing soccer, playing tennis, boy scouts, guitar lessons, etc.
My kindergartener: She is in ballet, but she could be in girl scouts, playing soccer, other dancing, piano lessons, etc.
I just think that we have at our disposal so many opportunities for our children that we forget to be home and be a family. If my son is destined to be the greatest piano player in the world, I guess I'll just have to let God direct his paths. I'm glad God doesn't do that to me--"I'll throw all the choices of what you could possibly be at you and whatever you're good at, we'll go from there." Don't you think He knows us better than that? That's overload. That's not resting in Him. That's leaning on your own understanding. That's craziness.
Isn't it more relaxing to eat a meal at a friend's house--whatever they put in front of you--than to order off a menu when all the choices are put in front of you? Maybe I just don't like choices, but maybe too many choices causes brain overload and needless worry.
just some e-thinking outloud....
Aug. 1, 2006 - my Scripture reading
Don't you love when the Lord has words for you-?
Here's a snippet of what yesterday's reading was: Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don't argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.... They are responsible to the Lord, so let him judge whether they are right or wrong, and with the Lord's help, they will do what s right and will receive his approval.... So why do you condemn another believer?... Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let's stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.... But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong....living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit... So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. Don't tear apart the work of God over what you eat.... You may believe there's nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it bwtween yourself and God. Blessed are those who don't feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right.... If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.
To read it in context, this passage came from Romans 14.
Today's was equally fitting: "...We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.... May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.... I am fully convinced..., that you are full of goodness. you know these things so well you can teach each other all about them. Even so, I have been bold enough to write about some of these points, knowing that all you need is this reminder."
To read that in context, it came from Romans 15.
Mar. 3, 2006 - hard to know what to say
I was trying to think of something to blog and reading others' blogs. Not a whole lot to write about when you're thinking of the loss of someone in your same situation. I didn't know Missey, but we might have been friends. She homeschools, I homeschool. She lived in Arkansas, I live in Arkansas. She has children she loves, I have children I love. She has a husband who loved her, I have a husband who loves me. She loved the Lord, I love the Lord. This is why it seems just so incredibly sad. What would my family do without me? I'm sure they'd be sad for a very long time but would go on living. But would God bring someone into my husband's life to help him and help him with the children? How would God take care of them? Six years ago, almost seven, my dear friend lost her husband. His aorta tore and some other things all went wrong. She has two boys. The youngest is my son's age and grade, and they play together now and again. His dad died when he was 8 months old. Right after her husband died, she was able to keep homeschooling the older boy for about 3 more years and just this year, she put her 1st grader in school while she teaches in the classroom right beside him. She tells some of the hardest, saddest stories I've ever heard. At one point she was engaged to this fellow that had been divorced, but he left her at the altar (jitters or something else ridiculous). All her friends wanted to do something horrible to this fellow--our sweet friend does NOT deserve you, we all thought. But her faith has remained steady and remarkable. In all and through all, God has seen her through unimaginable sadnesses and heartache. She loved her husband so much, and she dreamed of always homeschooling and having lots of children. She is such a good example of hope and trusting in the Lord. I wish I could be more like her. Over the last 6 years, I've prayed for her and her boys, praying she'll find a husband that will understand what she's gone through--someone that loves the Lord and will encourage her, especially encourage her to come home so she can homeschool her boys. Most of the time, when I just want to honestly say how I feel about it all to God, I tell Him that I don't think He's being fair. He took one of the few God-fearing, wife-loving, homeschooling dads there was home to be with Him. I kept thinking that my friend needs him so much more here and now. When I think about it, sometimes I'm angry and sometimes I'm hopeful and sometimes I'm disappointed with myself that I don't pray for her enough. Well, I guess I've carried on quite long enough. I'm glad I'm in the room here alone so no one can question my tears.
