~ About Me ~
Hi, welcome to my blog. I will be sharing our experience as we homeschool 5 boys - our struggles, trials, prayers, and blessings. There are many challenges along the way for any homeschooler and I hope you are encouraged by what you read here. We use Sonlight and My Father's World as our main curriculum. Thank you for stopping by and comments are welcomed.
Welcome to Thankful Thursday! Visit Iris at Grace Alone and be encouraged by the many thankful hearts represented there.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
We are finishing up our study on Romans in our Wednesday night Bible study. :-( I have learned so much and grown a lot in my walk with Christ - I will miss this precious book! I know it is always there for me to go back to and revisit but as always my focus will not be on this book but on the next book we tackle. I wish I had the time to absorb each book of the Bible over and over again...but alas that is not possible. I pray the Holy Spirit will continue to bring to my mind the things I have learned over the last few months. I am thankful for the group of people that meet each week in our home and are able to share this journey with them.
I am thankful for my faith...faith that brings so many blessings into my life. I was reminded tonight that faith gives us hope, joy, peace, salvation, my faith pleases the Lord and because of my faith righteousness is credited to me. The Lord is good - I do not claim to understand it all but I know He is faithful and He gives me the ability to take those steps of faith. As I walk in faith He is there to guide me and provide for me and my faith is strengthened. I also have the walk of others to encourage me - the scriptures are full of examples of those who have gone on before us and we can follow in their faith legacy. Their wonderful examples give us the courage we need to move forward and trust in the Lord. We have brothers and sisters in Christ who encourage us and urge us on in our faith. I am so thankful for the Word of God and the people He has brought into my life.
Thank you Lord!
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A few verses on faith...may they be a blessing to you today:
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
~ This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.Ephesians 3:11-12
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...in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16
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Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. Colossians 2:6-7
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And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)
Nov. 6, 2008 - Thankful Thursday - God of Shalom....
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:6-8 (NASB)
As I meditate on these verses I find comfort in knowing that the Lord will take care of all things. We do not have to worry, fret or be anxious! Oh this is so difficult for me sometimes but I know the peace I can have if I will but trust in Him. I am thankful for the Lord's peace (shalom)! I am thankful that when I go to Him prayer and hand Him all my concerns, fears and failures - He will listen and peace will guard my heart and my mind. Hallelujah! Oh how I need my mind and heart guarded from those things - fears can plagued me, past failures can keep me from moving forward and the uncertainty of the future can make me want to hide until He calls me home. But thank you Lord I don't have to be plagued and unable to function in my walk with the Lord.
I am thankful the Lord guides us in renewing our minds and tells us what to think on...I don't know about you but I need someone to prompt me, remind me and tell me what to think on. I am thankful there are things truthful, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute and excellence things to dwell on. Thank you Father that you have not left us to our own devices...you know we are dust and need You.
I am thankful that the Lord is still on the throne, He is sovereign, full of grace and truth, He is love and gives it freely...
I was sitting here this morning pondering what to write for this TT post. The word freedom kept popping into my head and I began to think of the freedom we enjoy in this country. We are truly blessed! Yesterday I was reading through the current Voice of the Martyr magazine and as always I was encouraged by our brothers and sisters in Christ. They endure so much for our Lord and Savior - but they are not bitter or angry. They serve him with a grateful heart and are full of joy and peace knowing they are counted worthy to suffer for His sake.
So this week:
I am thankful for the freedom to gather with other believers whether it is in a Bible study, prayer meeting or worship service. We do not have to meet in secret or gather in fear. We have the Word of God in it's entirety when so many hold on to a verse or two - and treasure it with their hearts.
I am thankful for the freedom to homeschool my children and teach them the way my dh and I desire. We have the ability to send them to school whether it is Christian school or public. There are many in the country of India for instance who do not have that freedom. They may be too poor to send their children to school and they do not have the freedom to learn to read and write.
I am thankful most of all for my freedom in Christ. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1 NIV) and "...if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36 NASB) - hallelujah! I am free from the curse of sin and death. I am free from condemnation in Christ. Thank you Jesus!
I do not know if one day our freedom in this country will be no more but I do know that we will always be free in Christ. I will choose to be grateful for what the Lord has blessed us with including that wonderful thing called freedom. Freedom - let us not take it for granted and remember those who do not enjoy this wonderful blessing. Let us lift them up in prayer - our brothers and sisters need us.
Be Blessed,
To read more Thankful Thursday posts visit Grace Alone...
Welcome to Thankful Thursday! Thank you Iris at Grace Alone for hosting this meme, it keeps me accountable and reminds me to be thankful for the big and small things in life.
I just love this time of year and the beautiful fall colors. I love the smells and the sound of crunching leaves (although I don't always enjoy raking them), I enjoy picking apples and pumpkin . The smell of apple or pumpkin pie baking in the oven. It is a wonderful time of year. I was driving the other day and was amazed at the beauty around me. I was alone in the car so I took a nice leisurely drive and was thankful for the Michigan seasons. I dread winter because of the cold but I love the sparkling and pure snow at least for a brief time.
I am thankful that God is love. He loved us even when we were sinners and continues to love us as His dearly loved children. His love is not conditional and we do not have to do anything to earn it. Thank you Lord!
I am thankful He forgives all of our sins. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9 NASB)
I am thankful for the continued work of the Spirit in my heart. I realized this past week that I still to work on my relationship with someone. It is a relationship that I have to constantly keep in prayer because I have a tendency to allow my flesh to take control. I am not a nice person when that happens. But the Lord is faithful and He continues to give me what I need if I will but ask Him for it. T"his is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." 1(John 5:14 NASB)
I am thankful for my wonderful husband and the encouragement he gives especially when I am struggling with the boys or feeling down. He is willing to be there as a friend and pray for me when I can not pray for myself.
I am thankful for the boys and their willingness to be a help around the house. I am also thankful for the mini-break we took from school. It helped to prioritize and work on some rough areas in all of our lives.
I am thankful for both of the Bible studies I am doing right now. The Lord is blessing and I am learning and growing in my walk with Him. Thank you Lord!!
And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." (NASB 2 Corinthians 12:9)
This week's Thankful Thursday theme is grace. I am overwhelmed by the Lord's grace - the undeserved favor that He extends to us is amazing. A holy God redeemed a sinful people by the blood of His precious Son - hallelujah!
The Lord's grace is sufficient for us in every situation, in every circumstance, in every trial and heartache - our weaknesses bring out the power of God. I am thankful that once I accepted Christ into my life the Lord did not leave me to flounder on my own. He is here able, willing and ready to help us each and every day. I am thankful that when I do fail the Lord is there is extend His grace and help me on my feet again. His grace is provided salvation...His grace provides the strength to make it through each day...His grace provides us with what we need to forgive each other...His grace helps us overlook the faults of others...His grace is there for us all we need to do is ask, believe and receive.
Thank you Lord for your amazing grace, it is a sweet sound to my ears.
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am 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
Through many dangers toils and snares
I have already come
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home
When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun
The Jewish people just finished celebrating Rosh Hashanah, their New Year. It is a time of preparing oneself spiritually for the coming year by repenting and seeking forgiveness from the Lord. Of course, there is a lot more involved but in short it is a time to prepare your heart for Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). It is also a time according to rabbinical tradition it is believed that your name is either written in the Book of Life or the Book of Death depending on the previous ten days.
I was reading an article by a Messianic Jew about this holiday and I wanted to share:
I am thankful Jesus (Yeshua) gave His life for us so that we can have our names written in the book of life. We can thank the Lord that He is our King - the great King over all the earth (Psalm 47:2) and when we make Him Lord and King of our lives He gives us eternal life. Thank you Lord that my name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life - Hallelujah & Amen!
I am also thankful that my King promised to return for His children. We must be ready - continually confessing our sins and keeping our hearts right before Him.
The Jewish New Year also reminds me that our God is a God of new beginnings. Even if we sin and fall away from Him - He is willing to forgive when we come to Him seeking repentance. I know I have been on the receiving end of a new beginning many times - thank you Lord that you are faithful and full of grace and love.
It reminds me of the Lord's continued faithfulness and His willingness to forgive anyone who comes to Him seeking restoration and a relationship with Him. I am so thankful our God does not show partiality but welcomes all into His kingdom through the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
I am thankful the Lord keeps His promises and is able to finish the work He started - He is sovereign, good, loving, kind, patient, all-powerful, all knowing, gracious and full of mercy. I can help but praise Him because of who He is, what He has done and what He will do.
Therefore encourage one another and build
each other up... 1 Thessalonians 5:11b
Aug. 21, 2008 - Thankful Thursday
Iris at Sting My Heart is focusing on peace today. Everyone longs for peace - peace in their homes and in their countries. As Iris pointed out one definition of peace is: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. Another definition, which encompasses the above definition is: Strong's Concordance 7965 - Hebrew Shalom ..... A word study in the New King James version for SHALOM says: Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.
I am so thankful for the peace of God. It is more than being free from conflict on the outside...it is true freedom from conflict on the inside. So many times we appear to be cool, calm and collective but inside our emotions and thoughts are raging. I am so thankful that we, as believers, can have shalom even in our inner being. When the storm is raging call on your Prince of Peace and He will quiet you with His peace. Thank you Jesus for that peace...it is a strong testimony of your work in our lives.
I am also thankful for my MIL and her sister. They have offered to take the boys for a day so that I can have some time to myself.
I am thankful that my dh's new job is going well. The Lord has given him peace, wisdom and strength each day.
My prayer for you:
The LORD bless you, and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace (shalom). Numbers 6:24-26
Sonshine over at Glimpse of Sonshine presented me with this award - Thank you for your kindness!! It was not easy to choose only 5 blogs for this award because I enjoy reading so encouraging and informative blogs. Blessings to all of you...and keep on writing!!
Now I must:
1. Choose 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award based on creativity, design, interesting material, and overall contribution to the blogger community, regardless of the language.
2. Post the name of the author and a link to his or her blog so everyone can view it.
3. Each award-winner has to show the award and put a name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award.
4. The award winner and presenter should post the link of the �Arte y pico� blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.
5. Please post these rules.
I nominate the following blogs for this award(in no particular order!)...
Tiany at Less of Me~More of Him: a beautiful blog plus homeschooling and homemaking resources
Stacy at By God's Grace: love her cute graphics, worship music & her willingness to be real about life and give God the glory
Dee at Boys 'R' Us: fellow homeschool mom of all boys; enjoy reading her humorous posts about life with all boys
Song of the Sagebrush: enjoy her poems & posts about her life on the ranch; brings me back to the simple way of life
Shorty Bear's Place: love to read her Thankful Thursday post; a beautiful heart that loves the Lord
"Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You..."Jeremiah 32:17
I am thankful there is nothing to difficult for our God. If He can create the heavens and the earth through His great power then we can be sure He is able to accomplish mighty things in our own lives.
I am thankful for my husband, who has worked tirelessly this week training in his second job and continues to accomplish work in the ministry. I am thankful for his dedication to the Lord and to his family.
I am thankful for my children. They are each a unique gift from the Lord. They may bring challenges into our lives but they are also a huge blessing.
Thank you Iris for hosting the Thankful Thursday meme. If you would like to know more head on over to her blog and check it out. You will not be disappointed.
