52 Weeks, 52 Verses--Week Five

Good Morning!

Here we are, at the start of another week! Can't believe how time is flying by. I had meant to post my new verse yesterday, but the day came and went and I never got to it! Just seems like I was busy doing things all day long. . . but better late than never!

So here is the verse I will be working on this week:

"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.'" Mark 10:27

Isn't that a neat verse? There are SO many "impossible" situations in our lives. But what is impossible for us, is not necessarily impossible for God. I love that!

Have a wonderful week. And remember--all things are possible with God!

The Bible in 90 Days--Day 27

Good Morning Everyone!

Just thought I would pop in for a minute and let you know that I am still reading my way though the Bible. It is an incredible experience--I highly recommend it to anyone! By the end of this week, I will actually be one third of the way through the Bible. Hard to believe--feels like I just started a day or two ago!

Anyway, I am currently reading through the book of 2 Kings. One of the neatest stories in the Bible happens in 2 Kings. Have you heard about when Elisha trapped the blind Arameans? I never heard of it, until I was an adult. It's a shame, too, because it's a great story for us to tell our children.

It turns out that the king of Aram was at war with Israel. Raiding parties kept being sent into the land of Israel, but God would warn Elisha and the prophet would tell the king and so Israel would be on guard against the attackers. Well, the king of Aram got tired of his plans always being thwarted, and he thought one of his men must be leaking out information to the Israelites. But his officers told him that it was the prophet Elisha who could know even the very words that he spoke in his bedroom. Aram found out that Elisha was in the town of Dothan, so he sent horses and chariots there at night to surround the city.

In the morning when Elisha's servant got up early and went outside, he saw an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. He ran to Elisha and cried out "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" And here is my favorite part--Elisha replied "Don't be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

Then Elisha prayed for God to open his servant's eyes so that he may see--and God opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. And then, Elisha prayed for God to strike the army with blindness, and God did. Elisha went to them and told them "This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for." And he led them to Samaria.

After they entered the city, Elisha prayed for God to open their eyes again, and God opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were--inside Samaria! When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha if he should kill them--but listen to Elisha's answer:

"Do not kill them," he answered."Would you kill men you have captured with your own bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master."

So a great feast was prepared for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking they were sent away, and they returned to their master--and the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel's country.

Did you catch that? When treated with kindness, they stopped attacking Israel. Kindness was shown for evil, and it stopped the evil. I realize this may not always happen here on this sin-filled earth. Kindness shown may not always stop evil from happening. But I still feel that that is what God would have us to do. He is the judge--not us.

So two great things from this story that jump out at me every time I read it: 1) those who are with me are more than those who are against me, and 2) return evil with kindness.

Great story. You can read it yourself in 2 Kings chapter 6.

52 Weeks, 52 Verses--Week Four

Good Morning Everyone!

Are you having fun with Bible Memorization? My old brain is not the sharpest on memorization. I still mix up my three verses just a bit--but I'm getting them slowly. I think I need to write up some extra verse cards and tape the new one for the week onto my bathroom mirror. Might as well squeeze in a little memorization practice while I am getting ready each morning, and whenever I go into the bathroom throughout the day. My main verse cards I have on a metal ring, and I try and carry it around with me here and there, and review my verses when I get a chance throughout the day. Of course, I can't ALWAYS have these cards in my hands--my hands need to be busy doing other things. Hummm. . . . maybe I should also tape up a verse card in the kitchen. Then I could read it while I am in there preparing food.

I also found a great on-line resource for helping with Scripture memory. It is a web site called Scripture Typer. You can find it at: www.scripturetyper.com. At this site, you can create a free account and put in the verses that you want to memorize. Then, when you sign into your account, you can pick which one of your verses you want to practice, and they have different ways to practice it--you can have the program give you every other word of your memory verse, and you type and fill in the alternate words. They also have a text match, where you can practice specifically which chapter and verse numbers go with which verse. You can also have Scripture Typer send you a daily e-mail, reminding you to go practice your memory verses. Anyway, I have found it helpful, and thought others might as well. :)

Now--here is my verse for this new week. I love this verse!

"Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." Isaiah 46:4

Yes, yes, I know. It's another Isaiah verse! I love Isaiah. Should probably memorize the entire book--but not sure I could handle that, so will stick with my one verse a week! :)

Are you working on a Memory project? If so, please share with me what verse(s) you are working on. I would love to see what verses are special to you!

Susan

God's Gifts

Good Morning Everyone!

I just wanted to take a minute and share with you what a lovely sunrise God gave us yesterday. What a beautiful gift--the sky was just awesome to be out in the yard standing there with all the colors above me. My photo here has captured it only dimly, the true colors were MUCH brighter. The sky was beautifully painted just for us, and the gift could only be enjoyed right THEN. Within ten minutes, it was all gone as the sun rose higher in the sky.

Sad to say, I hadn't even noticed this gift from God. I was busy trying to get ready for the morning, trying to get to breakfast "on time" so we could start home school "on time." All good things. But I almost missed it. If it wasn't for my son banging on my bathroom door and telling me to look out the window, this gift would have come and gone--without me opening it at all.

Now don't get me wrong. I am a firm believer that when I and my children operate on routines, our whole day goes better. Getting up on time leads to getting to school/work on time--things that are of value. But it does make me wonder. . . Am I TOO busy to notice when God sends me a gift? Am I too busy to open it? My schedule and routine had helped me to get up at the right time that day, and I had already spent time in Bible reading--something that NEVER happens if I am not following my schedule. But I almost missed an additional "I love you!" from God.

Dear Father-

Open my eyes that I may see Your gifts to me all around.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:22-23

Where in the U.S.?

Hi All!

Just couldn't resist sharing this lovely picture of two alligators in love! :)
Guess where we are studying in homeschool today? Where in the United States would you find scenes like this one?

I'll give you a couple minutes to think about it. . . . . . .





Ready? This photo was taken at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. (photo from their web site--I can take NO credit for this picture. You won't find ME close enough to alligators to take a picture like this!) Don't you just love that word--Okefenokee? Try saying it out loud five times fast! And do you know WHERE the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is? Why, at the Okefenokee Swamp, of course. And where IS that swamp? Yes, it is on the border between Florida and Georgia. Cool, isn't it?

Anyway, just thought I would give you that little trivia for the day. I love the picture--hope it makes you smile!

52 Weeks, 52 Verses

Good Morning Everyone!

As most of you know, over the past year I have become involved in the Bible in 90 Days program. In 2011, using this program I successfully completed reading the entire Bible, cover to cover TWICE, each time in a 90 day time period. Nothing specifically "magic" about 90 days in particular. It's just a number. But for me, it ended up being a number that was fast enough that I felt I could see the end not too far in the distance. I have never had much success with one year Bible reading plans. Guess my attention span doesn't last for one year! Anyway, so the 90 Day program has worked well for me--the first Bible reading plan that has REALLY worked for me. I enjoyed my Bible reading so much that I am going to try and repeat reading the Bible again this year, 2012. I have started (January 1!) again, and it is going pretty well. Some days are more of a struggle than others, depending upon what other things are going on that day and how early I need to get out of the house.

I have found that pretty much when I am involved in the 90 Day reading schedule, I do not have much time for anything else for quiet time. The Bible reading takes me around an hour a day, so I cannot add much of anything else--no time!

Well. . . Here I go, sticking my toe into the water with something else. It's probably foolish to even try, but hey--if I am going to be foolish about ANYTHING, I would suppose that being foolish about God's Word would be a pretty wise thing to be foolish about, wouldn't you think? I may not be successful in this, but I have learned from a friend of mine about a 52 Weeks, 52 Verses challenge that is going on this year. Very simple concept--learn one Bible verse of your choice each week. Simple, right? In all my spare time. . .

Maybe it won't work. Maybe I won't put in enough time to actually memorize the verses. But oh well. If I do not end up memorizing the verses, at the very least I will have reviewed more in depth 52 Bible verses, and thought more about them. That's not so bad either! I will still be making a priority my 90 Day Bible reading. That has got to remain my Number 1 focus. This will be my Number 2 focus. It may fall off the edge of my busy plate. But whatever "crumbs" of verses do get memorized will only bless me, I know.

Soooooooo, anyone want to join me????? It's not too late to start! :) There is no "assigned" list of verses. You pick whatever verses are speaking to you, to your heart. I had learned about this the first week of January, but then lost the paper I had written my note about it on, and only found it yesterday. So I am already behind. But that's o.k.

Here are the verses I am going to start with. Feel free to grab my verses if you like them. And if you like this idea, please share with me the verse you choose for this week. I would love to have others memorizing with me! :)

1. Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. Isaiah 59:1

LOVE LOVE LOVE that verse. I think it is probably my number one favorite Bible verse in the WHOLE ENTIRE Bible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he? Isaiah 2:22

Another GREAT verse from the book of Isaiah! LOVE Isaiah! I love how it states "Of what account is he?"

3. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you, he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

I picked this verse from my Bible in 90 Days reading, as just this week I was reading through Deuteronomy and into Joshua. It is awesome to imagine being there, as Moses gave his last messages to the Children of Israel, knowing that he was soon to die. Trying to think what he could possibly say to encourage them to stay true to God.

So there you have it. My first three verses for this new year. We'll see what happens with them. If I can, I will add more verses to them. Whatever happens, I know it will only be for my benefit.

I love God's Word, don't you?

What to join me??????

Roasted Vegetables and Chickpeas

Hi Everyone!

Sorry I have been so quiet on my blog lately. In case you are wondering where I am--I am currently in Deuteronomy! :) While I miss posting on my blog daily, there is just no way I can be doing the Bible in 90 Days program and have time left in the day to actually get dressed and make food for my family!

And speaking of food, I wanted to share this wonderful recipe I just found. It is SO healthy for you, and my family loves it. I do too! In fact, as I pulled out this recipe to write it up here my teen age son sees it and asks "When are you going to make that again? That was GOOD!" :)

So, without further ado, here is our yummy new recipe discovery!

Roasted Vegetables and Chickpeas

1 lb. carrots, peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces

1 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

1 large red onion, peeled, halved, and cut into 1 inch wedges

1 lb. red or russet potatoes, cut into cubes

6 cloves garlic, minced

1 16oz. can chickpeas (garbanzos)

2 to 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil or olive oil (I use olive oil)

1 tsp. dried rosemary, crushed (I used fresh rosemary, perhaps 1 Tablespoon)

1 tsp. packed brown sugar or granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

Move oven rack to center of oven. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Place all vegetables, garlic, and chickpeas in a large shallow roasting pan. In a small bowl combine oil, rosemary, brown sugar, and salt. Drizzle over vegetables; toss well to coat.

Roast, uncovered, about 45 minutes or until vegetables are lightly browned and tender, stirring twice. Makes one large lasagna type pan full. Serve with home made bread--yum!

The Resume of Jesus

I do not know who originally made this up--but a friend of mine shared it with me and I thought it was really good!

Enjoy!

Susan

Resume of Jesus:

The
Address: Ephesians 1:20
Phone: Romans 10:13
Website: The Bible . Keywords: Christ, Lord, Savior and Jesus
_____________________________________________________

Objective
My name is Jesus -The Christ. Many call me Lord! I've sent you my resume because I'm seeking the top management position in your heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.
_______________________________________________________

Qualifications
I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19)
I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7)
I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7)
I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13)
The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14)
_______________________________________________________

Occupational Background
I've only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49 ).
I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.
My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15 -17)
_______________________________________________________

Skills Work Experiences
Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18).
I am a Wonderful Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33 ).
Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9)
_______________________________________________________

Educational Background
I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6).
In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3).
My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105).
I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21).
_______________________________________________________

Major Accomplishments
I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26 ).
I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15 ).
I defeated the arch enemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15 ).
I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead!
There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot - the BIBLE. You don't need an Internet connection or computer to access my website.
_______________________________________________________

References
Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healing, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance.
_______________________________________________________

In Summation
Now that you've read my resume, I'm confident that I'm the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47 ). When can I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15 ).

Send this resume to everyone you know,
you never know who may have an opening!

Ancient Words

My friend shared this song video with me the other day. It is SO very beautiful, sung about an even more beautiful Book. A love letter, written by a God who loved us to much to live without us. How very important that we read His messages of love and forgiveness. I pray that you and I will both spend even more time in His love letter this new year.

Follow Jesus

Happy New Year!

Good Morning--and Happy New Year!

The New Year is a very common time for people to make New Year's Resolutions. And, usually--if we are honest with ourselves, our resolutions do not often last even the first week on January! Yet somehow, we keep making them. There is something that seems significant about the start of a fresh, new year.

I have never been a big one for making New Year's Resolutions--probably because I never expect that I am really going to change something in my life that way! I know too well how easy it is to slip into doing the same old thing--even if we SAY we want change!

There is a children's song that I absolutely love, written by Janice Smith and Roy Salmond. I wish I had some way to play the tune for you, but the words go this way:

"Looking back on your day, did you make someone smile?

Looking back on your day, did you pray for a while?

Did you finish a task?

Did you learn a new song?

What did you do in your day?

Looking back on your day, did you try something new?

Looking back on your day, were you honest and true?

Did you help out a friend?

Were you loving and kind?

What did you do in your day?"

Isn't this a lovely song? We do not need to wait for a New Year to start over new. Every single day that Jesus wakes us up, He has a task He wants us to do that day. It may be to encourage someone. It may simply be to clean our homes and bless our families with wholesome food. It doesn't matter how big or small it is--if it is the task Jesus has given you to do, you will be the most happiest when you do that task cheerfully and with all your heart.

As you take these first few days to think about the New Year, look back on 2011. Have you grown closer to Jesus? If you have, it has been a successful year! This last January I found an on-line support group that was going to be reading the entire Bible through in 90 days. I signed up, and talked my sister into doing it with me (THANKS, Annemarie!!!). Reading for approximately one hour each day, with God's help I was successful and finished reading the Bible by the end of March. It was an incredible experience. Oh, I had read large parts of the Bible before--but I had never ever sat down and read the whole, entire thing from the first page to the very last. I cannot even put into words what it was like--but it was awesome! Then, when another group was going to start up again in July, I joined and that time even was a mentor for others. It was equally indescribable, and we finished at the beginning of October. How precious those hours of meeting with Jesus were to me. How sacred my little spot at my desk became. At the end of my year, I am pleased that I have spent more time with Jesus than ever before.

But it's not enough.

Each new day, I need Jesus. I do not know what the year 2012 will bring. In 2011, tornadoes ripped though our area and completely destroyed several of my friend's houses. One road will be fine. The very next you can still see the terrible damage, even now--eight months later. But whatever the New Year brings, I know I want to face it with Jesus--whether it is a happy event or a sad one.

And it's time. Tomorrow I will start reading my way through my trusty Bible once again. I am thirsty for more. I want more than a couple verses here and a couple verses there. I will post here on my blog as I have the time, but my Bible reading will of necessity take my priority. So if I am quiet for a little bit, you will know why.

I do not know what the future holds. But I know Who holds the future.

Beautiful, wonderful Jesus.