My husband and kids have been regularly attending a series of presentations called Amazing Discoveries, being put on by It Is Written, a television ministry.  My husband has been fascinated by researching the history and bible truth.  I have gone to one presentation.  He has seen all but one.  There are several more left.  The kids seem to be enjoying them as well and Em is on her second evening of attending their class for the younger set.  

This past Thursday, Kevin invited the presenter and his helper to our home for lunch / conversation.  The time passed quickly before they had to leave.  Kevin is left with many questions yet...  now he is researching the background of the ministry / church.  

Well, it's better than staying at home playing video games.... not that I do....

Read this by Kim Wright - I really enjoy her articles:

http://www.crosswalk.com/homeschool/11580871/

I think that it is an interesting fit for the first day of "back to school"  - Of course, we observe "Not back to school" and I am still very thankful

Blessings,

Michele

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was
blind. She  hated everyone, except her loving
boyfriend. He was always  there for her. She
told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see  the
world, I will marry you.'


One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the
bandages  came off, she was able to see
everything, including her  boyfriend.

He asked her,'Now that you can see the world, will you
marry me?' The  girl looked at her boyfriend and
saw that he was blind. The  sight of his closed
eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected  that.
The thought of looking at them the rest of her
life  led her to refuse to marry him.


Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a
note to her  saying: 'Take good care of your
eyes, my dear, for before  they were yours, they
were mine.'


This is how the human brain often works when our status
changes.  Only a very few remember what life was
like before, and who  was always by their side
in the most painful situations.


Life Is a Gift


Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone
who can't  speak.


Before you complain about the taste of your food -
Think of someone  who has nothing to eat.


Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think
of someone  who's crying out to GOD for a companion.


Today before you complain about life - Think of
someone who went  too early to heaven.


Before you complain about your children - Think of
someone who  desires children but they're barren..


Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn't
clean or  sweep - Think of the people who are
living in the streets.


Before whining about the distance you drive Think of
someone who  walks the same distance with their
feet.


And when you are tired and complain about your job -
Think of the  unemployed, the disabled, and
those who wish they had your  job.


But before you think of pointing the finger or
condemning  another - Remember that not one of
us is without sin.


And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a
smile on  your face and think: you're alive and still around.



                          ======================                        
I PRAY  THIS MOVES AROUND THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE...

I received this as  a forwarded email, so I don't know who to attribute it to but God -  This moved me a great deal.

I just read an article on Crosswalk about the twin brothers, Alex and Brett Harris, from the family of Gregg and Joshua Harris.   They have started this Rebelution ....  I think?

So I went to their website blog and read a great post by another author, a young woman  Christina Dickson, and here is the link to it:

http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2008/08/change-the-world-today/

Check this out...

My thought this morning, even before I read this article, was on the Olympics, and how hard the people work to win the prize (how young they begin..), and what that effort could translate into if it were given over to really important things rather than just people's bodies and egos and for entertainment.  Then all the hours all the other people watch them building themselves up.  I wondered where is Jesus in  all that  work and waiting and watching? 

I could be stepping on some toes here ...

Funny this is ... that my heart has been drawn to young people since my oldest boys were teens and I knew their friends.  I knew these kids needed love and a higher purpose and I wished I could DO something.  I tried hard to relate to them and to be kind, not condescending, or apathetic.  I still feel that way though I don't feel the calling that I did then.  I still feel that 'kids are people too" and that we forget to treat them that way alot.  Nevertheless, as parents, we are not always equipped with the tools, knowledge, experience and circumstances etc., to challenge and support our children to do the hard things ..

Well, I dunno.  I, for one, wish I had been challenged and supported to do more difficult things for others when I was young.  Often we suffer from concentrating on ourselves so much, whether  in becoming successful or becoming depressed.

Check out this 30 second video  ... it's a way to thank those who serve our country ... don't forge-et ... Do it Now. ...

http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/shortmovie.php

Please visit a dear family's website and if you are not depressed or grieving, watch the movie she just posted.  It is a heart wrenching parable of our Father and Jesus and his sacrifice.   This is one you will never forget.

www.homesteadblogger.com/blessingsabound

 http://www.homesteadblogger.com/blessingsabound/104853/

Find this article at: http://www.crosswalk.com/homeschool/11578869/

But what does it say?  "The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" -- that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,

that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved;

for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 

For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed." 

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon Him;

for "Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved."   ROMANS 10:8-13

I was just thinking about how much I have been encouraged by many persons I don't even know personally (though some I feel like I do).  I really believe that the Lord has brought me to them or them to me (their books, writings or songs).  And of course, this does not discount the people in my life whom I love dearly and appreciate and also miss.

I have been privileged to hear from people from all over the US and the globe.  The Lord has really blessed me in this as it has contributed so much to the renewing of my mind.  How awesome it is that He can use people in this way.

Thank you Lord for all those You have used to bring encouragement and enlightenment, into my life.