The New Doooo!

My beautiful 12 year old.

You've come a long way, baby! I love you, "Marie".

Just a Few Extra Seconds....

Today as "Inger" and I did school together, she arrived at at a new level of creativity. One that I have never had to make time for in my other students.

So I asked myself, "Do I make time for this?"

The artist has come alive, and, yes, it matters deeply to her that she is able to make her name look beautiful. Needless to say, I was pretty impressed that a five year old can make her letters let alone, dress them up.

This got me to thinking...how many times do I say no, but could say yes?

I'm afraid to say, too many. Most of the time the negative reply is given because it takes time. But what do these few seconds matter? I am showering love on her instead of worrying about my time table.

So saying "Yes" yesterday made one little girl very happy.

And saying yes, made one big mama content.

Date Night with Daddy!

The perfect match: Ice cream and the pet store.

Pure joy for "Inger".

Book Review

Biographies are probably my favorite types of books to read. I especially love reading how God has changed a life.

Brenda Warner has written her memoir, One Call Away. Most of us know who she is by her husband's "work" playing football, but her story is much greater than that.

Her life began in a average American family. She made a commitment as a young child to the Lord, but walked away for a time. This story is one of redemption and the amazing change God can make in a life. Her first marriage is one of abuse and pain. Her first baby ends up blind due to the life she is living. Trial after trial meet her and the Lord helps her through. Kurt comes into her life after her second child is born. He is an unbeliever at the time, but soon comes to know Jesus. His life is radically changed.

Whatever the trials you, as the reader, have gone through, this story is one you will relate to. You will find yourself laughing, crying and wondering. There are so many facets to her life journey. This is a story of perseverance and faith. Those who know the Lord Jesus have peace in the same way. There is pain in life, but peace and contentment through our Savior.

As part of the Booksneeze blogging network, I received a free copy of this book.

My 8th Grader

The Law Fulfilled

Leviticus.

Most people who are unchurched have no idea this book in the Bible exists. I have just started my journey through this book. It is heavy and yes, even at times, boring. As I am reading about all of the step by step instructions in sacrifice I feel very burdened for the children of Israel during those years. There was so much to know and remember.

And it struck me.

Jesus fulfilled all the Law in one sweep. His blood was the last sacrifice, even more, the only sacrifice that fully answered God's wrath against sinful man.

This makes me thankful. I am not bound by the law, but it is the law that brings man to repentance. My sin is my burden, but I have a Savior who lifts this burden from me as I confess verbally and inwardly desire change.

Praise our Lamb for bearing this cruelness of the cross for us. Praise Him for His grace.

A Little Ranting

Does anyone out there know what it is like to have a child in rebellion? (O.K. I know you're out there, but I wish you were here at the Ponderosa.)

Out of the home? Spouting anger to you that you even adopted him in the first place.

This journey has been very lonely. (O.K. I know my eyes are completely inverted and selfish at this point.)

But, nonetheless, lonely. The ache is so deep. The fight is waning.

So I go to my Father. I cry (scream), Why? I ask (plead) for Him to move now. I cry so hard I can't breathe. My eyes are swollen. My heart is in pieces. My lover holds me. I just want to be alone.

Today, in worship, I am reminded how much my Father loves me. I am reminded He gave His only unique Son to save a wretch like me. (and "Hoss") I was His enemy. He made me His child.

He is the Healer of the Soul. He replaces our sin with His Son's righteousness.

Thank you, Father.

And I cry some more.

For "Hoss"

Our prayer for our dear "Hoss".

Are You Hanging On?

Too many mornings are like this:

Get up-check

Take shower-check

Prepare coffee-check

Hair, makeup-check

Bible study-check

Prayer-check

Wake kiddos-check

etc.

So as I was checking off my mental list this morning, doing the Bible Study part, I was knocked over the head by two by four.

Luke 19: 47-48 "Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

As I read this, I mentally pictured a person holding on to the end of a rope dangling over a deep canyon.

Do I hang on to every word of my Savior as if it is the only source of life?

Do I crave the Word as the Bread that is life and nourishment?

Do I "do devotions" with an attitude of obligation?

Life is the canyon. The Word made flesh is the rope. Me...well, that's me. And I aim to beg the Spirit for the strength to keep hanging on.

No Ears

Mark 16:15 "And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.'"

This is our new memory verse for the week. Each morning we read Scripture and go over all of our memory work. We are using this memory system. In a month's time we review all Scriptures we have memorized. It is a great tool.

My littlest one didn't quite understand our verse.

"Inger":

"But, Mommy, creatures can't understand and talk!"

As I explained to her what creatures meant, I was reminded of the verse that exhorts us to praise God and speak forth His Word, and when we don't, even the rocks and creation will cry out.

That even flabbergasted her more.

Open our mouths, Lord.

Listening Big

Each morning my treasures and I have Bible around our kitchen table. We are reading through the book of John. We each take a verse and we read through one chapter a day. Each person, then, explains a verse that they took notice of, or an attribute of God. Today was no different.

John 10

"Mrs. Cartwright":

"John 10:28 reminds us that once we are God's sheep, nothing can change that. 'and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.' Nothing can take us out of the fold...but we must be part of the true fold to begin with. Does this mean we can live any way we want to and hold to this promise. NO! We must always be examining our lives to see if our fruit is in line with true conversion. Our hearts desires must be to relinquish all sin and strive for holiness. We will continue to sin until we are in heaven, but are we relying on Christ and wanting to please him?"

Then I reminded them of the interview of Tullian Tchividjian (part 1 and part 2) that we listened to on Sunday. He prayed a prayer at 6 years old, but wasn't saved until he was 21. Saying a prayer doesn't save you, trusting in Christ and bearing fruit is evidence of a change.

"Little Joe":

"Jesus says I am the Good Shepherd."

"Marie":

"The religious leaders wanted to kill Jesus, but it wasn't His time yet."

"Inger":

"Mommy, can I say something?" (Usually she has a hard time paying attention to the hard words, but today was something different.)"It was wintertime, Mommy."

I looked at her and wondered where in the world she got that from. Lo, and behold, there it was staring me in the face. John 10:23, "It was winter...." (Although, she is my nature lover...that word must have jumped out at her.)

Just a reminder to me of the little details that matter. One day, my prayer is that these little lambs will have a strong desire to inductively study the Word of God. One little fact that mattered to place the context of this passage.

Jesus, bend my lambs' hearts to you.

Agape Boarding School Blog: 2011 Rodeo #2 Chute Dogging

Agape Boarding School Blog: 2011 Rodeo #2 Chute Dogging

"Hoss" is the first one out....

Book Review

Adoption is part of our story, so when I saw the book, Love you More, by Jennifer Grant, available for a blog review, I jumped on it. For who doesn't like a heart warming story?

Love You More is part story, part explanation of the adoption experience. As I read it, I needed to remember this is one woman's journey, not every one's. Although, there were many similarities in our experience as well. There were many times she referred to those bizarre questions one is asked, especially when there is an interracial adoption, and help the reader to know what to say regarding infertility, parenting and adoption. Sometimes the person with the most sincere heart can say the most insensitive things. That she addressed this, I am grateful.

The journey of the adoption of Mia into their home is a beautiful picture of the artistry of adoption. Yet, Jennifer was real with her struggles in the process as well. It wasn't all rosy all the time. She delved into interracial adoption and racism that remains alive and well. Yes, we are far from the times of slavery and yet, because of sin, prejudice remains.

My only negative about this book is the lack of spiritual discernment. There were many references to other religions (Buddhism, Jewish mysticism, etc.) being o.k. to embrace. There was even a quote from her acquaintance that stated abortion is a right. This disappointed me. Mostly that Thomas Nelson published it.

Jesus made all the difference in my adoption experience. If it weren't for Him then or now, I wouldn't have made it.

Tears and Faith

Last night, the feelings of hopelessness for "Hoss" returned. Tears that wouldn't stop. Thoughts that ran in circles.

This morning His mercies are new.

Luke 11:8 reminds me that I must not give up. I must keep knocking. I must believe. Persistence in trusting. But it even goes beyond trusting. I must keep asking believing in the ability of the Almighty Creator to transform a heart. This is His specialty.

Trust. Faith. Believe. Endure. Love.

From afar.

Unworthy

(Luke 71-10)

Jesus has entered Capernaum. The crowds continue to follow him. Sadly, they are following for their own needs to be met, as well as just seeing Him as a prophet.

The crowd seems to be a mixed group of people. There are always those who have sincere faith who really desire to know this Jesus.

²Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him.³When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant.

Notice the religious leaders request of Jesus.

⁴And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy to have you do this for him, ⁵for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue."

Notice the centurion's response.

⁶And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. ⁷Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed.⁸For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." ⁹When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." ¹⁰And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.

There was an extreme change in response. I suspect the first request was from hearts of the religious leaders. They were always concerned for the outward; wanting to "look good"; making note of what people did instead of their motives.

Jesus is always concerned with the heart. So many times he reprimanded the religious leaders for this.

My heart? I know the truth of Jeremiah 17:9. My heart is deceitful and desperately wicked...I don't even know the measure of this. But my Jesus knows. I pray for his mercies every day.

Jesus saw the Centurion's true faith, and rewarded it.

Are you worthy or unworthy?

Quote of the Day

I am reading through Elyse Fitzpatrick's new book, Give Them Grace - Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus. An amazing read.

"Because both parents and children obstinately refuse to pull the cart of God's glory down the road, the Father broke the stick of punishment on his obedient Son's back. Rather than trying to entice us by dangling an unattainable carrot of perfect welcome and forgiveness incessantly in front of our faces, God the Father freely feeds the carrot to us, his enemies. He simply moves outside all our categories for reward and punishment, for human motivation, and gives us all the reward and takes upon Himself all the punishment. He lavishes grace upon grace on us and bears in his own person all the wrath we deserve. Then he tells us, in light of all that he's done, 'Obey'." pg.108

All I can say is I'm prostrate before the Lord thanking Him profusely.

And asking Him to help me to parent my treasures to His glory.

Fun with Numbers

This week we started school. Last minute I completely changed curriculum for my youngest. So glad I did. We are using My Father's World and loving it. The beauty of this curriculum is there is little book work, lots of learning the fun way.

This week we studies the days of Creation. Here is the book she made.

One Itsy-Bitsy Request

"Inger": "Mommy, next time you get gum can you buy cold gum?"

"Mommy": "What do you mean by cold gum?"

"Inger": "You know, not hot gum." (She means minty)

I'm really enjoying these years with my littlest.

The Ultimate Sunrise

The book of Luke opens up in such a way that makes me fall to my knees. Yes, we all know that this is the record of the birth of Jesus, but reading the account of Zachariah and Elizabeth as well as Mary's visit is amazing.

Scripture records both Mary and Zachariah were "filled with the Spirit" and then prophesied in form of a song.

Zachariah uses an interesting name of God in his prayer full of praise.

Luke 1:76-79

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the Sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace."

When I think of a sunrise, beauty immediately comes to mind. But then I also think to the darkness(at least on the part of the earth that I live) at night. Pitch black. Once the sun comes up, all darkness is dispelled.

No darkness can remain. The light overshadows the darkness. All the time.

My Lord is that Sunrise. He dispells all darkness...even in the valley of the shadow of death. He guides my feet. He brings peace when all else is chaos.

Malachi 4:2 also refers to Jesus as light, "But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall."

At times there seems to be darkness all around me. I turn to the Light that guides my way.

The Life Cycle...Through the Eyes of a 5 Year Old

Yesterday, the last day of summer before school started, my girls and I were having our daily "book fix".

They each bring a pile of library books to my bed and we enjoy reading together. As their heads rest on my shoulders, I pause to muse that this will not last forever.

There is usually a vast difference in the subject matter of the books.

Insects, bugs, anything animalia. ("Inger's choice)

OR

Books with beautiful pictures whether true or fiction. ("Marie's" choice)

My little "Inger" is my animal lover. As we stopped to read a book about vesperids (snakes with poison and pits) we found out they eat frogs. "Inger" stopped me and informed me that is good because frogs eat butterflies. And we DON'T want butterflies eaten. Little did she know she was reporting on the life cycle of the insect world.

"Marie" endures and waits eagerly for her next pick.

Courageous

Inspiring, convicting and culture-defying. These words describe the book I have just finished reading.

Courageous, written by Randy Alcorn, has far surpassed my expectations. This story follows four police officers and one friend as they attempt to balance job, family and God. As our culture has screamed out to men that it is o.k. to be passive and selfish, Courageous screams out, "Men, you must fight what you feel and step up to be the shepherds of your household."

This book is one that makes you feel that you are a part of the story. It weaves in culturally relevant teen issues. Randy has done a good job of showing that nothing apart from Christ will bring satisfaction, including a job that has its thrills. Jesus Christ is shown as the Supreme healer and also, Lord. The only and One Lord.

For those who have seen Fireproof, The Movie, you will be glad to know that Caleb and Katherine Holt are a part of this feature as well. After reading this book, I will be definitely finding time to view the movie.

Another great novel by Randy Alcorn.

I received a free book as part of the Tyndale Blogging Network.