Bible Bee

How much Scripture do you know by heart? 2 verses? 20 verses? I can definitely now say that I don't have very much scripture memorized. Last Friday Mom turned on the first national Bible Bee (we listened online at their website). It was amazing to just sit and listen to all of these kids rattle off 20 verse passages.

It most certainly was an encouragement and fun to hear how much kids are capable of memorizing. I say kids, but the oldest were around my age or a year younger. Praise God for youth who are now encouraged to memorize scripture and keep it hidden in their heart!

Happy Reformation!

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and pow'r are great; and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
were not the right man on our side, the man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he,
Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure, for low his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

That Word above all earthly pow'rs, no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
the body they may kill: God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever.

Blessings

I was thinking the other day about blessings and how it is so easy to take them for granted. I automatically assume that I will go to work today. I presume to know that tomorrow will hold what I've planned. Too often I don't give credit to our awesome God for these special every day blessings that He showers down on us. The only reason I am able to go to the store like I planned is because God has blessed me in that area. This applies to other areas as well. We can take our family for granted as well. It can be pretty easy to just go everyday without thanking God for the family He put us in.

Those are just some simple everyday examples of blessings. Often those are hard. The big long term blessings are a little easier to spot. Blessings such as being able to go on a missionary trip, being blessing with children, or completing a college degree are easier to see. This doesn't mean we can overlook them though. We are a month and a half away from Thanksgiving. Do you stop and count your blessings more than just on that holiday? Do you ever think about how much God has blessed you with? I know I don't always. Lets remember to stop in the midst of all our business and thank God for all that He has given to us as His children.

James

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;"

I just finished reading through James and providentially my Mother is beginning to study this book in her women's Bible study. So, I think it would be good to put a few thoughts down about this book.

One thing that struck me when reading the passage above is how often I don't ask and when I do it's not in faith but with the thought that "this way I will get what I want" and that is not the correct attitude to have! We should be prayerfully crying out to God in faith knowing that He knows all our needs and will provide for us. He will also tell us no when we don't need what we are asking for. That is what I have struggles with before. I ask because of course this is something that I need! Well, we need to remember that God knows best and He will be the judge of what I need.

James is a wonderful book and can be a great help to us all!

Brush Up On Your English Grammar!

Since it's that time of the year when schools are starting up again, I thought I'd mention a helpful book. It will take you back to the basics of identifying the parts of speech, sentence structure, and diagramming sentences. Now if you made a face after reading that dreaded word "diagramming" then this book is for you. Mrs. Wilson shows how easy it is to diagram, as each new part of speech is taught. She says, "Diagramming sentences is a good exercise because it forces the student to analyze every word in the sentence by examining the function of each word." I think of diagramming sentences like taking a puzzle apart and grouping the pieces, by color or shape, so you can see where the pieces go and how they fit together. Our Mother Tongue will certainly give you the tools to know our unique language better and use it correctly.

Happy Birthday again!

This time to my wonderful Mom! Yesterday was her birthday and she was actually busy most of the day so we didn't do too much of a party. You are a great blessing to all of us kids Mom. We love you!

Happy Birthday!

To my daughter: You are a blessing from the Lord! Nineteen years ago when the doctor said, "It's a girl!" I said, "It's Molly!" You will always be our lovely girl. Your dad and I overflow with thanksgiving to God for you!