Matthew 22: 37-40
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul... and love others as you love yourself”
Amazing how time is flying! I like to think of it as time flying and soaring with the SPIRIT....on the wings of angels!
Time is what God created! May you be blessed in the moments of this day, and see God’s presence in the little things as well as the big things. We have been given the gift of time. How we use it is our decision..... choose today to make it a time of blessing and beauty.
Think about your heart, mind, and soul as your space and property..... it too, like TIME, is a gift from God. Think carefully about who and what you allow to “rent” space there. Are the thoughts you think about over and over again healthy and good renters? Are the people you are around and allowing to occupy space in your life healthy and uplifting? If you owned property, would you let destructive and toxic tenants occupy your space?
Are you being a good tenant in your family’s and friend’s hearts, minds and souls? We are blessed to be a blessing.
Let God’s Word help you find the balance to fill your hearts, minds and souls with something that is everlasting! Leave plenty of room and TIME for God’s word in your day.
“Don’t let your head hit the pillow at night until your nose has been in the BOOK during the day” Family Life Conference Quote
God is the best to fill our hearts, minds and souls... and he gives us an overflowing abundance to continue to fill it with family, friends and LIFE!
Give thanks to God today,
for time, even when it flies!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
High and Low
Some families practice a tradition, perhaps at the dinner table, of asking each family member, “What was your high point of the day?” and “What was your low point of the day?” Some may term it a little differently- but it is similar to the Examen Prayers. There is a wonderful book that I recommend every family read- Sleeping With Bread by Dennis and Shelia Linn The title of the story came from the following story
During the bombing raids of World War II, thousands of children were orphaned and left to starve. The fortunate ones were rescued and placed in refugee camps where they received food and good care. But, many of these children who had lost so much could not sleep at night. They feared waking up to find themselves once again homeless and without food. Nothing seemed to reassure them. Finally, someone hit upon the idea of giving each child a piece of bread to hold at bedtime. Holding their bread, these children could finally sleep in peace. All through the night the bread reminded them, "Today I ate and I will eat again tomorrow."
This practice was a sign of hope and trust- a place where they were able to see God.
Encourage your children to find the ways and times that they experience God's presence in their day... good habits can be a firm foundation for years to come!
Where did you see God today? practice those things again tomorrow... and find the JOY!
Some families practice a tradition, perhaps at the dinner table, of asking each family member, “What was your high point of the day?” and “What was your low point of the day?” Some may term it a little differently- but it is similar to the Examen Prayers. There is a wonderful book that I recommend every family read- Sleeping With Bread by Dennis and Shelia Linn The title of the story came from the following story
During the bombing raids of World War II, thousands of children were orphaned and left to starve. The fortunate ones were rescued and placed in refugee camps where they received food and good care. But, many of these children who had lost so much could not sleep at night. They feared waking up to find themselves once again homeless and without food. Nothing seemed to reassure them. Finally, someone hit upon the idea of giving each child a piece of bread to hold at bedtime. Holding their bread, these children could finally sleep in peace. All through the night the bread reminded them, "Today I ate and I will eat again tomorrow."
This practice was a sign of hope and trust- a place where they were able to see God.
Encourage your children to find the ways and times that they experience God's presence in their day... good habits can be a firm foundation for years to come!
Where did you see God today? practice those things again tomorrow... and find the JOY!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
We are coming upon the season of Lent. Lent is the 40 days (plus 6 Sundays) before Easter. We officially start the season with our Pancake Supper on Tuesday evening (sometimes called Fat Tuesday- from the words- Mardi Gras) followed by Ash Wednesday services both Wednesday morning and evening. Ash Wednesday, like Lent, is not mentioned in Scripture! We are free to observe the tradition if we so choose. It is an opportunity to make external (sign of the cross in ashes) and internal practices that enrich our journey of faith. The external alone will not do a thing to change what God will do with the internal. Ash Wednesday is a time to acknowledge that we all “fall short of the glory of God” (Romans). We come before God and repent, meaning we turn from our sins and change our behaviors. During the time of Lent, we can choose to add practices that will help us renew our faith and spiritual walks with God or choose to abstain from certain practices that might be distractions. Personally I like to refrain from something in order to partake of something else. When we say no to one thing we say yes to something else…. We need to be careful what we are saying no to and what we are saying yes to.
I will have lots of information out for families and children at the Pancake Supper and at both Ash Wednesday services. One of my favorites is an article about the book Sleeping With Bread….. that will be my next blog entry….
I will have lots of information out for families and children at the Pancake Supper and at both Ash Wednesday services. One of my favorites is an article about the book Sleeping With Bread….. that will be my next blog entry….
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Epiphany
Epiphany…. 12 days after Christmas. We celebrate this in the church based on scripture that tells us, “Behold, wise men came from the East”. These wise men followed a star all the way to Bethleham to feast their eyes on Jesus, the newborn King. When they saw Jesus, they saw God. Some scholars believe that it may have been up to two years after Jesus was born. We do not know for sure how long it took them to find Jesus, but we know they found him and how the story goes! We have two nativity scenes in our home that include wise men with all of the other figures. I usually suggest that the wise men should be placed on a book case or on the kitchen table- because they entered the scene much later. I like to picture them journeying from "afar". But, in the grand scheme of things, I don’t think God minds a bit if someone’s nativity scene has wise men in it-after all, it is part of the story! I think God would prefer we don’t get hung up on the rules and regulations so much that it takes away from our ability to worship and remember the greatest story on earth.
These wise men traveled, found, knelt down, and worshipped the babe. They gave gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Once they left, they went to tell others!
What does Epiphany mean for us? We too can try to be like the wise men who gave what they had to Jesus. We can look for Jesus everyday, follow the star, kneel down and praise God. We can give of what we have been blessed with to people who are in need, without homes or food...some may need blankets or baby beds, clothes or even just a kind word or a smile as you cross their path. The best part is that you can tell them about Jesus too.
I encourage you and your family to be thinking of who God has placed in your midst, who is in your neighborhood or in our community that needs a touch of the light of Christ. Think about how you can be like the wise men who took time out of their day, went out of their way, followed the star- to worship and adore Jesus Christ.
In our house we have “star children”…. 4 little tiny, wooden reminders that help us know that Christ’s light can shine through all of us. We too can be bearers of the light and help to dispell darkness in a variety of ways. The only thing that ever breaks the darkness completely is light. The more light there is in a day, the brighter it becomes.
Talk about Epiphany today as a family. Share a devotion and read the scripture that tells of the wise men and their journey to worship the newborn king. Consider having your children make a reminder today or this week or even this month to help them remember that they too are star children- precious and beloved children of God who have the potential to let their lights shine for Jesus! We can all be bearers of the LIGHT 365 days a year.
These wise men traveled, found, knelt down, and worshipped the babe. They gave gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Once they left, they went to tell others!
What does Epiphany mean for us? We too can try to be like the wise men who gave what they had to Jesus. We can look for Jesus everyday, follow the star, kneel down and praise God. We can give of what we have been blessed with to people who are in need, without homes or food...some may need blankets or baby beds, clothes or even just a kind word or a smile as you cross their path. The best part is that you can tell them about Jesus too.
I encourage you and your family to be thinking of who God has placed in your midst, who is in your neighborhood or in our community that needs a touch of the light of Christ. Think about how you can be like the wise men who took time out of their day, went out of their way, followed the star- to worship and adore Jesus Christ.
In our house we have “star children”…. 4 little tiny, wooden reminders that help us know that Christ’s light can shine through all of us. We too can be bearers of the light and help to dispell darkness in a variety of ways. The only thing that ever breaks the darkness completely is light. The more light there is in a day, the brighter it becomes.
Talk about Epiphany today as a family. Share a devotion and read the scripture that tells of the wise men and their journey to worship the newborn king. Consider having your children make a reminder today or this week or even this month to help them remember that they too are star children- precious and beloved children of God who have the potential to let their lights shine for Jesus! We can all be bearers of the LIGHT 365 days a year.
May the light of Christ bring warmth, peace and love to you all today.
Shine on, my friends!
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