When you read these words....." Only 25 days till Christmas".....what comes to your mind? Do you feel like a child again.....get rosy cheeks, and feel gleeful inside? Do you anticipate the month before you being full of special activities? Hoping the "bustle" of it all will help guide you deeper into the true meaning of Christmas? Or do you have a couple ounces of "dread"within.....because you have gifts left to buy, or credit card debt piling up, or parties yet to plan, or sorrow cause Christmas may never be the same.......?
I know every January , as I pack away our beautiful Christmas decorations I pick up the same devotional and say the words....."there's that Christmas family devotional we never seem to finish!" And every year I remind myself of ways I want to do it "better" the next year.
Four years ago Our good friends , Pam and Jerry VanRoekle came to spend a few days with our family after the sad loss of my mother. The morning they were flying back to Iowa we left very early in the morning to get them to their early flight home. At their suggestion, I pulled up to the curb in front of their airline. We got the luggage out of the car and tearfully said our good-byes. But as I watched them walk into the airport I started to feel the need for more. I needed more than our "curb-side" heart felt love. What to do? It was cold , and dark, and I had an hours drive to get back home and begin my busy day. But, I drove away from the curb and headed towards the "short term" parking. I rolled down the window.......grabbed my meter ticket and found a parking spot as quick as I could. As I ran into the airport I spotted my two surprised friends. We hugged again and exchanged loving words. My heart was so full! Although I'd expressed my love to them at the "curb-side", my short term parking had made it worth it all. I'd had adequate time to express my love and gratitude to them for coming to be with our family, They wouldn't have loved me any less had I just said good-bye at the curb. But I had a beautiful satisfaction in my soul , from having parking in "short term parking".....and walking in to see them.
This Christmas.....when I get busy with "Christmas-ing" and all that entails to make Christmas special for our family and friends, I will not beat myself up if once again we don't finish the family Christmas devotional. I also will know that The Lord will love me no less when I have "curb-side" moments with him. But I am going to strive for more "Short-term parking"time with Him.
Matthew 2:11 " They came to the house where the child was and saw him with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. They opened their gift and gave Him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. "
I do pray that you will have many many moments this season to bow down, and worship Him. You have all learned 10 verses this year! What a gift you hold in your hearts.....His Word! As you leave your verse.....do you want to share one of your favorite Christmas traditions?
Friday, December 2, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
NOVEMBER SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSE # 10
There are these little places within me that often feel discontent. Or critical. Or whiney. And I am beginning to realize that I need to focus way more on being thankful than I do. It's like a new skill I have to work on. And practice over and over.
" The secret to having it all.......is knowing that you already do."
Isn't that a great statement? I read it on a blog several weeks ago and loved it so much I put it in the notes section of my iphone to remember to share it with you. I also, am currently in the midst of reading a book called " One Thousand Gifts." In the book the author says this......,
" Today, when stress mounts, I pray to dismount it with gratitude. I can only feel one feeling at a time, and I choose to give thanks at all times. Fight feeling with feeling!" (Ann Voskamp)
I love that quote too. Why oh why, do I let complaining sometimes rule a part of my heart? Or stress dominate my body? I know that God knew this would be a problem in our hearts, and that's why He tells us to be thankful over and over through the scriptures. I have a ways to go on this .
I have a little book I am reading to my girls every morning at breakfast called " Give Thanks". It has little prayers for everyday blessings in it, about all the mundane things in life that we do ( like waking up on a Monday, or taking the trash out, or making your bed, etc.)......and turning those things into a thankful prayer. I am asking the girls to "stretch" their answers when I ask the question " what are you thankful for?" It's been sweet watching them come up with things other than the usual ( My family, friends, bed etc. ), like......" books for learning", or "ears to hear and eyes that see". I am choosing to do my verse from October again this month.
2 Chronicles 23:30
"......to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord and likewise at evening......".
If you could see into my thought life, you'd either relate to me......or gulp,...... be embarrassed for me in the times I am "complainey". I have so much more growing to do in this area. " Oh Lord, help me to become a thankful girl in the midst of whatever comes my way throughout my day. Let my heart be full of gratitude that comes from You." When you post your verse.........want to share some things you are thankful for? I know I am thankful for you, my girlfirends!
Monday, October 3, 2011
OCTOBER Scripture memory verse #9
Can you believe fall is here already? I absolutely .....LOVE..... this time of year. It marks the ....s.l.o.w.i.n.g d.o.w.n.... of the summer months, pool activities , BBQ's, and summer guests ( not that I don't just love hostessing our friends and family!). I love the windows kept open through out the day, cooler breezes, no more need for air-conditioning ( and no more fainting when you open the electric bills!). I burn the fall candle in the morning and enjoy the scent lingering through the house throughout the day. Soon, we will drive by and watch the crops in the fields around us being harvested. The weather always seems just perfect. Fall....... reminds me of "relaxing".
This weekend, I wanted to bring in all of my fall decorations and start putting them up....but never got that done. Our weekend had so much on the "calendar", that I never got my chores and cleaning done either. Or much of a chance to do my "fall relaxing"...... I start to get a little sideways about not getting those things done and having enough time for myself. Sometimes I can be so self-centered. And "sideways" does not look very pretty on me. My family doesn't like it much either. When I get like that eventually God gently nudges my heart....and reminds me that I have so much to be thankful for. So.....here is my verse for the month. A very good one for me.
2 Chronicles 23:30
"....to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at evening...."
What is it in your life that can make you go ...."sideways?".....messy house? Bills piled High? Crabby neighbors? The TV on too loud?
Maybe I should set my alarm on my phone to go off twice a day, as a reminder to stand right where I am and thank and praise Him. That would be a good idea for me. ( especially for my "sideways days".)
I'll get my decorations put up next weekend, and the chores and cleaning?.....well....if I HAVE TO......! ....And I WILL have a chance to relax and read a book a little. No need to get sideways....I have so much to stand and thank and praise HIM for.......:-)
So, Jan and Robin, Pam and Nancy( and anyone else who joins us...)...when you leave your memory verse, want to leave one of your favorite things about fall in your comment section? Can't wait to hear your verses!
This weekend, I wanted to bring in all of my fall decorations and start putting them up....but never got that done. Our weekend had so much on the "calendar", that I never got my chores and cleaning done either. Or much of a chance to do my "fall relaxing"...... I start to get a little sideways about not getting those things done and having enough time for myself. Sometimes I can be so self-centered. And "sideways" does not look very pretty on me. My family doesn't like it much either. When I get like that eventually God gently nudges my heart....and reminds me that I have so much to be thankful for. So.....here is my verse for the month. A very good one for me.
2 Chronicles 23:30
"....to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at evening...."
What is it in your life that can make you go ...."sideways?".....messy house? Bills piled High? Crabby neighbors? The TV on too loud?
Maybe I should set my alarm on my phone to go off twice a day, as a reminder to stand right where I am and thank and praise Him. That would be a good idea for me. ( especially for my "sideways days".)
I'll get my decorations put up next weekend, and the chores and cleaning?.....well....if I HAVE TO......! ....And I WILL have a chance to relax and read a book a little. No need to get sideways....I have so much to stand and thank and praise HIM for.......:-)
So, Jan and Robin, Pam and Nancy( and anyone else who joins us...)...when you leave your memory verse, want to leave one of your favorite things about fall in your comment section? Can't wait to hear your verses!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
AUGUST SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSE #8
( I type this as my niece and nephew from Reno are swimming in the pool. I can hear them singing......and I really want to go join them! Usually I read over for grammar errors before posting it....but this time.....you get to give me grace!!!!)....
Years ago at a Mops meeting , our speaker spoke about the prayer lives of moms of little ones. Although at the time I was in a Bible Study and was finding time to get that done (sometimes staying up the night before it was due!) ............................my life had lacked a "prayer time". The speaker encouraged each of us to think of something we did every day, and align that to a moment of prayer. (.....finding a place and time...and staying.... accountable to it!) I remember that morning well, and how I really wanted to make a commitment to a prayer time. I knew that each morning I awoke , I headed straight to the bathroom . So, I figured that I could kneel on the floor at our porcelain bathtub and take a minute or two to pray every morning. While I grew in my prayer life I struggled with the consistency. The years we lived in that house, I had some very sweet times of prayer on my knees in that tiny little bathroom.
Through the years, I have waxed and wained in this morning prayer practice , but my heart has always desired to make that prayer time in the mornings a priority.
Several years ago I had a man at our church make Mark a kneeling bench. We kept it in our walk in closet. Sometimes it had clothes hanging on it. Sometimes it had knees on it. Not too long ago He decided to take that kneeling bench to his office at work. Once again.....I had to find a new place. Start over again. This summer our walk in closet got a good summer cleaning and I had created a special place for a morning prayer time. Again, some sweet times in the "closet", sometimes it was for just a few minutes and sometimes it was longer.
Enter the week we started back to school and homeschool. ( We are just finishing up our second week back to school!) How can just a few minutes in a "prayer closet" get pushed out of the schedule so easily? Ugg!
So I come back to it again. A "start-over". Life is full of them for us as women isn't it?
I love the fact that God doesn't get tired of me coming back to a "practice".....over and over. It's just important that I come back to it. Here's my awesome verse for this month.
" Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead., I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14 ( NIV)
I don't have it all together in the prayer arena. But I keep striving. As it says in the message version...." By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward---to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back! " Same goal of prayer. Just a new beginning. Pressing on. As you leave your verse in the comment section maybe you can share what you need to "press on".....in your life. Love and prayers to you my friends as you "Press On", with your 8th verse!!
Years ago at a Mops meeting , our speaker spoke about the prayer lives of moms of little ones. Although at the time I was in a Bible Study and was finding time to get that done (sometimes staying up the night before it was due!) ............................my life had lacked a "prayer time". The speaker encouraged each of us to think of something we did every day, and align that to a moment of prayer. (.....finding a place and time...and staying.... accountable to it!) I remember that morning well, and how I really wanted to make a commitment to a prayer time. I knew that each morning I awoke , I headed straight to the bathroom . So, I figured that I could kneel on the floor at our porcelain bathtub and take a minute or two to pray every morning. While I grew in my prayer life I struggled with the consistency. The years we lived in that house, I had some very sweet times of prayer on my knees in that tiny little bathroom.
Through the years, I have waxed and wained in this morning prayer practice , but my heart has always desired to make that prayer time in the mornings a priority.
Several years ago I had a man at our church make Mark a kneeling bench. We kept it in our walk in closet. Sometimes it had clothes hanging on it. Sometimes it had knees on it. Not too long ago He decided to take that kneeling bench to his office at work. Once again.....I had to find a new place. Start over again. This summer our walk in closet got a good summer cleaning and I had created a special place for a morning prayer time. Again, some sweet times in the "closet", sometimes it was for just a few minutes and sometimes it was longer.
Enter the week we started back to school and homeschool. ( We are just finishing up our second week back to school!) How can just a few minutes in a "prayer closet" get pushed out of the schedule so easily? Ugg!
So I come back to it again. A "start-over". Life is full of them for us as women isn't it?
I love the fact that God doesn't get tired of me coming back to a "practice".....over and over. It's just important that I come back to it. Here's my awesome verse for this month.
" Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead., I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14 ( NIV)
I don't have it all together in the prayer arena. But I keep striving. As it says in the message version...." By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward---to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back! " Same goal of prayer. Just a new beginning. Pressing on. As you leave your verse in the comment section maybe you can share what you need to "press on".....in your life. Love and prayers to you my friends as you "Press On", with your 8th verse!!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Scripture Memory Verse # 7
Hi Friends,
Some of you know, that we just lost a dear friend of ours this past week. He was only 57 years old. Our family flew back to Iowa to attend the funeral/ celebration of life services. While we were there, I was blessed for an afternoon to spend time with my friend, Marilyn....a brand new widow. As we shared a meal together , one of the things we talked about was how people lovingly say things to try to help, comfort, etc. While I know it is our sincere desire to say the right thing to comfort or love a hurting person, sometimes, .....we TOTALLY miss the mark! (There is a category for when we miss the mark , it's called , "stupid things people say".) It is hard for some of us (me included)..... not to "chatter about" when we are with someone facing such painful , life altering events. Watching someone hurt so much....is so hard.
A while back I was meeting with one of our scripture sisters for coffee and she said,...............
"share my verse with your friend."
That was a beautiful reminder for me. Sometimes my silence is needed. Sometimes one word. But I don't think that the truth of Gods Word can ever "miss the mark."
How do you go through your life and suddenly lose your husband? I can not imagine. What would I want to hear in that situation? I can not imagine...and really...I don't have a clue. I am slowly learning that the truth of Gods Word is just that .... truth.
I have chosen the verse my friend encouraged me to share , for the verse I want to learn this month .
Isaiah 41:13
" Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I'm not letting go. I'm telling you, don't panic. I'm right here to help you. " ( the message Bible)
Again, when I am at a loss for words, HIS WORD is a perfect choice. When I think I'd love to give a suggestion or advice to anyone.....HIS WORD is really the best suggestion or advice anyone could recieve. There is healing,....... wisdom,......... power,......... restoration,........hope, ...... and new life, in HIS WORD.
Our verses are not just for us. They are to share with others. To remind others of some of the amazing promises of our amazing God. We can share HIS words with a fellow brother and sister. A reminder again for us to not just keep our verse we've learned to ourselves......but to .....share it with others. Have a blessed month learning .....and sharing your verses!
Some of you know, that we just lost a dear friend of ours this past week. He was only 57 years old. Our family flew back to Iowa to attend the funeral/ celebration of life services. While we were there, I was blessed for an afternoon to spend time with my friend, Marilyn....a brand new widow. As we shared a meal together , one of the things we talked about was how people lovingly say things to try to help, comfort, etc. While I know it is our sincere desire to say the right thing to comfort or love a hurting person, sometimes, .....we TOTALLY miss the mark! (There is a category for when we miss the mark , it's called , "stupid things people say".) It is hard for some of us (me included)..... not to "chatter about" when we are with someone facing such painful , life altering events. Watching someone hurt so much....is so hard.
A while back I was meeting with one of our scripture sisters for coffee and she said,...............
"share my verse with your friend."
That was a beautiful reminder for me. Sometimes my silence is needed. Sometimes one word. But I don't think that the truth of Gods Word can ever "miss the mark."
How do you go through your life and suddenly lose your husband? I can not imagine. What would I want to hear in that situation? I can not imagine...and really...I don't have a clue. I am slowly learning that the truth of Gods Word is just that .... truth.
I have chosen the verse my friend encouraged me to share , for the verse I want to learn this month .
Isaiah 41:13
" Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I'm not letting go. I'm telling you, don't panic. I'm right here to help you. " ( the message Bible)
Again, when I am at a loss for words, HIS WORD is a perfect choice. When I think I'd love to give a suggestion or advice to anyone.....HIS WORD is really the best suggestion or advice anyone could recieve. There is healing,....... wisdom,......... power,......... restoration,........hope, ...... and new life, in HIS WORD.
Our verses are not just for us. They are to share with others. To remind others of some of the amazing promises of our amazing God. We can share HIS words with a fellow brother and sister. A reminder again for us to not just keep our verse we've learned to ourselves......but to .....share it with others. Have a blessed month learning .....and sharing your verses!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
JULY Scripture Memory Verse
While our family was on vacation in the Midwest, I decided to take the month of June off from doing "Scripture Sisters". I never wrote a memory verse out on 3.5 card. I wasn't rehearsing it in the car with Emily. Or looking at it on my kitchen counter regularly. Or saturating my mind with memorizing it. And something else happened too. The scriptures were not in the forefront of my mind.
Vacations have a way of letting you "leave your worries behind"! But when our plane landed on the LAX runway from our trip home .....I instantly felt the weight of some of those "at home" burdens. I was back home in reality. I came home to stacks of mail I needed to go through. In the days that followed, we began to have things "break". New bills started to mount and slowly I could feel the "female panicker" coming out in me. I was letting the worry, and fret, and dread, fill the "empty spaces of my mind." (Yep, there are actually empty spaces up there.) I really don't mean to live this way. It's not like I set out every morning saying...."how about you worry your pretty little head off today on all of these issues"! I can read The word in the morning, read a devotional, have a prayer time, or sing an awesome praise song that fills my heart . Then 20 minutes later when I am doing dishes or whatnot, there I am with my empty brain......filling it with "non-scriptural things"! It just happens.
But here's what I am learning about myself. When I am learning verses.....it really helps me focus on The Lord . It encourages me to trust in HIM. I make a concerted effort to play those scriptures over and over in my mind ( then they end up living in my heart and playing out more consistently in my daily life.) I have been memorizing scripture since January and it has brought a beautiful new way of living to my life.
I want to be trusting in The Lord. There are so many promises in HIS word I want to know....and memorize. There are so many beautiful scriptures I'd rather replace in my mind and heart.....than the life sucking (don't ya just hate that word!) , worry and fret I am so prone to do. It was a good eye opener for me. "Barby better get back to memorizing scripture!"
So , I have the sweetest verse I am going to memorize for July. I actually heard it just about every Sunday when I was young. Our Pastor quoted The King James verse regularly.
Isaiah 26:3 King James Version
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."
Whether I am the only one on this blog, or there are several of you who join me, I will be here every month committed to memorizing ..."life giving" scripture. Oh Lord let us be women whose minds are "stayed on thee"! I know you will be blessed this month as you keep your memory verse in your mind and heart. ( I'll leave the first comment. Remember to follow the same format . And I'd love to hear why the verse is special to you!) Love you!
Vacations have a way of letting you "leave your worries behind"! But when our plane landed on the LAX runway from our trip home .....I instantly felt the weight of some of those "at home" burdens. I was back home in reality. I came home to stacks of mail I needed to go through. In the days that followed, we began to have things "break". New bills started to mount and slowly I could feel the "female panicker" coming out in me. I was letting the worry, and fret, and dread, fill the "empty spaces of my mind." (Yep, there are actually empty spaces up there.) I really don't mean to live this way. It's not like I set out every morning saying...."how about you worry your pretty little head off today on all of these issues"! I can read The word in the morning, read a devotional, have a prayer time, or sing an awesome praise song that fills my heart . Then 20 minutes later when I am doing dishes or whatnot, there I am with my empty brain......filling it with "non-scriptural things"! It just happens.
But here's what I am learning about myself. When I am learning verses.....it really helps me focus on The Lord . It encourages me to trust in HIM. I make a concerted effort to play those scriptures over and over in my mind ( then they end up living in my heart and playing out more consistently in my daily life.) I have been memorizing scripture since January and it has brought a beautiful new way of living to my life.
I want to be trusting in The Lord. There are so many promises in HIS word I want to know....and memorize. There are so many beautiful scriptures I'd rather replace in my mind and heart.....than the life sucking (don't ya just hate that word!) , worry and fret I am so prone to do. It was a good eye opener for me. "Barby better get back to memorizing scripture!"
So , I have the sweetest verse I am going to memorize for July. I actually heard it just about every Sunday when I was young. Our Pastor quoted The King James verse regularly.
Isaiah 26:3 King James Version
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."
Whether I am the only one on this blog, or there are several of you who join me, I will be here every month committed to memorizing ..."life giving" scripture. Oh Lord let us be women whose minds are "stayed on thee"! I know you will be blessed this month as you keep your memory verse in your mind and heart. ( I'll leave the first comment. Remember to follow the same format . And I'd love to hear why the verse is special to you!) Love you!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Scripture Memory Verse # 5
I was at a graduation party this past weekend talking to a dear friend of mine. We were talking about her daughters upcoming wedding and all of the joy that day will bring. In the midst of the joy though there is something sad. Several years ago, my friends mother developed a rapidly progressing dementia at an early age (she's only in her early 60's) , and now, she no longer recognizes anyone. She won't be able to attend her own grand-daughter's wedding and of course this will be hard on my friend on that special day. As we talked, my friend shared how she wants to fight against being sad and concentrate on the joy of the brides wedding. Suddenly one of my verses popped into my head. ( "Always be joyful, keep on praying....") As I shared it with her, she said, " Oh please text me that verse....I want it to be my verse on my daughters wedding day!" That is not the first time that has happened to me. What about you? We are planting into our lives His Word, and it is so powerful. In an instant, He can prompt our hearts and minds with the very verse needed for the occasion. Sometimes it's for our own and sometimes it's to share with and encourage others. It encourages me, gives me strength, helps me re-align my day towards Him, brings hope, helps me live a godly life, be a better witness for him, .....then that multiplies when I share it with others. I pray that you are blessed as you commit these verses to memory. It really is "The Number 1 multi-purpose Tool Ever!"..... To God be all the praise! ( Oh, and the "grumpies" went away....and I stayed away from the basil! I am still applying the verse about discipline and trucking away on eating healthy!)
Here is my verse #5
Here is my verse #5
Isaiah 55:11
" .......so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
Have a wonderful next two weeks learning your verse!
Have a wonderful next two weeks learning your verse!
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