Remembrance and Celebration - Day 2

Worshiping Jesus - John 12:2-8 - I am humbly reminded today of my place in the Kingdom. I am a worthless slave deserving of eternal death. Sometimes, I confess, I do not approach God Almighty with that posture. I proudly step forward because of the freedom HE gave me, and I forget my place as a bond-servant. The scriptures we are reflecting on as a family today tells us of the story of Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Mary took a pound of costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus. She cleansed His feet with her hair, and the house was filled with fragrance. This act of worship occurred 6 days before Passover. After living in a culture where people do not bathe everyday, I imagine that it is highly possible that Mary's hair still smelled of the fragrant perfume at the time of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. What a powerful reminder of time spent at the feet of Jesus. For our lesson today with the kids, we decided to have them smell colognes. There are many studies in psychology concerning smell and memory recall. It is our prayer today that we always remember to approach the throne of grace in humble worship and thanksgiving. It may be that certain smells remind us to get in a posture of worship - the morning air, the smell of coffee, a fresh rain - whatever the reminder - may we be a people that fall at the feet of Jesus. AT

Remembrance and Celebration - Day 1

Over the next twelve days, our family will be doing an "advent-like" countdown calendar. Each evening we will be discussing the events leading up to the resurrection of Christ and its significance. Today is day 1. We are celebrating Christ as King - Matthew 21:1-11 Christ is the king and ruler of all of the heavens and earth. The Bible records that when Jesus entered Jerusalem, the people began laying down their coats as well as branches from trees. As they were doing this, they were shouting: "Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!" God is and has always been sovereign. We praise Him and thank Him today for choosing to come to earth, living a perfect life without sin and showing us how to be servant leaders. The kids enjoyed making leaves and branches this evening. We waved them as Matt read from scripture and as we sang praises to the King of Kings. Blessed Is His Who Comes In The Name of the Lord!! AT

Happy St. Patrick's Day

In the past, St. Patrick's Day was just a day that I tried to remember to wear green...no one wants to be pinched all day long! However, last year in our homeschool history curriculum, we studied a little bit of the life of Magonus Sucatus Patricius. We were really moved by his heart for the unreached and his "down to earth" ability to meet people where they were to share Christ. I just assumed that St. Patrick was Irish...that shows you how much I paid attention in school! St. Patrick was British. He was taken as a slave to Ireland when he was a youth. He learned to trust God during that time, and several years after his escape, he returned to Ireland to share truth. One of his most famous ways of sharing was by using a clover. The shamrock was sacred to the Duird people, so St. Patrick used it to explain the trinity and the gift of salvation. Today, in our family, we are using the "holiday" to remember those around the world and those that have gone before us in sharing the good news. A big pinch to everyone not wearing green while reading this - find someone today that needs to hear good news!

AT

Pictures: The kids made 3D clovers and practiced sharing the gospel. I also found green chocolate covered almonds at a little hole in the wall market - LOVE IT!

The Layering of The Father

In a day & age when everyone's focus is on taking off a few "layers", I say it's high time I put on a few more....No, I am not saying that I am too thin! I could stand to drop a few layers in the fat department for sure, but in the spiritual growth department the Father knows I stand in great need. Recently, some friends of ours came through town and gave the kids "Nesting Dolls". Nesting dolls are the cute wooden toy that has a tiny doll inside of layers of larger and larger dolls. William & Grace have enjoyed playing with them and hiding different surprises in the center. Today, I was reminded of how the Father grows His children. In the beginning, we are the tiny doll. It might be that the only truth we know about God is that He desires a relationship with us, and that He has made a way through Jesus Christ. As time passes, and we spend time developing our relationship, the Father is generous to layer us more and more with Himself. I am so thankful for the precious love that the Father delights in pouring over us in nourishment.

Spending Time At His Feet,
AT

Over a Month

Wow, it has been over a month since I updated this blog, and unfortunatley, I do not have anything exciting or inspirational to say or report today either. Matt & I are taking language classes a little over an hour commute (one way) from our home. This has made for a crazy schedule. I am just keeping my head above water right now trying to still homeschool the kids, do my own homework, house work, etc. We have also been struggling with head colds/ear, nose, throat infections. We think that the real issues are allergies. Whatever it is, it has made for a long 6 weeks. SOO, the bottom line is I am weary...okay, well, that is all the excuses.

There are exciting things happening all around us, and we would love to share them with you. If you would like to be a part of our monthly e-mail list or quarterly snail mail list, please email us. Also, Matt & I are both on Facebook. I am afraid it is too easy to post one or two things and neglect the blog. I'll work harder, and I am sure things will go "back to normal" (if there is such a thing) when we are done with the class in April.

William has wanted me to record a video of his "connects" creation. I guess this would be a good time to post. Enjoy! AT

A True Friend

Of course, with this being Valentine's week, I have to post something about looooove! This fact I am sure would get an "Oh, Mush!" from my 8 year old , and an "Awww Weddings" from my 6 year old. It is funny how different ages, different genders and just different people think about and view what true love looks like. I have written this before, but I'll say it again....I think that it is so important to know the love languages of the people that are close to you. There are 5 main ways people express and thus receive love. You can read more about it in Gary Chapman's book "The 5 Love Languages". There are a bazillion variations of the book. I am sure they all focus a little more specifically in different areas, but the main thing is to learn to be a student of those to whom you want to show love.

Happy Valentine's Day, AT

Do You Need Something?

I found the note you see on the left attached to Grace's door yesterday. It says, "Bo not cum in unles you neb sumthening" Translation = "Do not come in unless you need something." I love it when I find things that the kids have written from their hearts. Of course, the homeschool teacher in me gasps at the wrong use of letters and misspellings, but the mom in me rejoices at a glimpse of my child's character. I am sure that the note started out to be a bold statement of "GIRLS ONLY" or "ONLY CLUB MEMBERS ALLOWED", but it would look like the fruits of kindness and love won in the end making her room open to anyone that need enter. I cannot tell you how happy it makes me when I watch my kids make the right choice. You can bet I have used this opportunity to praise and affirm Grace's attitude of being a helper and not excluding people, but today the Father has laid on my heart another simple truth Grace needs to learn. You see Grace would just like to "be a Christian". For about a year, she has wanted to "get baptized". How many countless people do I know that simply want "in". They think that because they are "good" or at least they haven't done anything "major" wrong they are not deserving of Hell...so surly they will go to Heaven.? The truth is that unless a person realizes their own worthlessness and understands that they "need something" they will not be allowed "in". In Matthew 9:13 Jesus says, "I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Again, In Mark 2:17 it is recorded that Jesus said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Luke 5:32 quotes Jesus as saying, "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." Over and over in the gospels Jesus tells us that we have to admit "we need something!" Sounds simple, right! Then why is it so hard? Why is it so hard to humble ourselves, admit we are wrong and that we "need something"? The promise is that Christ will be with us. He has not promised an "easy life" despite what is being preached/taught today! But, He has done all of the work for us and He even promises to be the one to "walk in the door" of our hearts and change us. Revelation 3:2o says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." Wow! That thought makes my heart sing the old hymn: "I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever, I will sing!" How merciful He is to us; how loving. I am praying today for the right words and special ways to instruct Grace in humbling herself before the Lord. It is she that "needs something" - Salvation that is found in Christ alone. AT