Please take time to visit the High Callings Blog poetry page for this week. There is a inspiring poem and video by Christine Sine of Godspace called Reflections on Lent. All the poems this week are very well done and so encouraging. Here are the links from the High Calling page:
Have a blessed weekend!
Robert over at Middle Zone Musings has posted his monthly writing assignment. As he would put it, you can mosey on over and check it out here. So as I ponder the question, what I learned from a sidewalk, here is my simple answer.
Having fun in life brings joy. I am the mother of six children and they believe sidewalks are for playtime (of course to a child everything is play). Picture chalk drawings, four square, and hopscotch boards. Or maybe the fun game of “step on a crack and break your mothers back”. My older boys use the sidewalk curbs to grind on their skateboard or do other skateboard “tricks”.
From the safety of a sidewalk little ones love the freedom to run ahead of mom. Fun within the confines of boundaries and safety produces joy. God’s Word teaches us that I think as well. God wants us to have a joyful life, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John 15:11 What are “these things” that make our joy full? John 15 states that abiding in him – staying on the sidewalk – is key to having His joy. 
Now sometimes God stretches us to get out of our comfort zones to attempt challenging things. Things that are outside the box and off the sidewalk. However, letting those things flow from a position of sidewalk living (abiding in Him) is the best place to find joy.
I have no poetry flowing this week. However, Princess daughter (8 yo) wrote a sweet poem:
Sunshine and meadows
are such a sight,
When I see flowers
It’s such delight.
It is so encouraging to watch them attempt to develop writing skills.
Just reading blogs missed from Sunday and yesterday. When I checked in at Jennifer’s blog, GDWJ, I found I had been lost as a follower. Ouch. It is like a friend who drops out of your life without a word and you wonder what happened.
But thanks to Sarah at God’s Not Finished with Us Yet I was able to correct this problem. The blogs I have been following have become like precious friends who live a long way from home. They share words of encouragement at just the right time. Spiritual insight is gained through their honesty and wisdom. With vulnerability they open their lives. Maybe this is a sharing of community as Erica speaks about here.
So in case you see someone removed from following, you will know it is not personal, it is a blogger glitch as Sarah states here. Just passing the word along in case the same has happened to anyone else.
Today was a day to spend with Precious Husband. He has been working a lot at the fire department this past week. The station he is at today is rather friendly about letting families come by and hang out. I thought it would be nice to take the day off from schooling, let older children care for younger children, so dad and mom could have time to reconnect.
I arose and got myself looking presentable for dear husband. A darling friend agreed to watch princess daughter. I’m driving to cook lunch for said husband and firefighter coworkers when precious husband calls and informs me he is heading to a call but should be back within the hour. That is great with me, time for me to have lunch ready. They return to the station about 30 minutes shy of lunch being ready.
Just as we sit down to enjoy the meal I prepared (lasagna, salad, and garlic bread – yummy), the alert tone goes off and firefighters are out the door. Today they have a structure fire to take care of. I pray a prayer – safety, protection, and little damage to building. Alone I continue with the meal.
Unfortunately the house was a total loss. Prayers said for
the family. Thankfully it is a lake residence, second home, and no one was injured. But it was five hours later before precious husband and coworkers returned. Thankfully we were able to enjoy a nice dinner together and share little time before princess daughter had to be picked up.
Sometimes things don’t work out exactly like we plan. Then it is our choice how we respond. I’m sad I did not have more time with my hard working man. I am grateful that no one was hurt and we enjoyed the lasagna – even if it was a bit later than planned. Plus I was blessed with a few quiet hours to read, pray, and even call a friend to chat uninterrupted.
“…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:11b
Father – Thank you for Precious husband, for protection and safety over firefighters. Thank you that no one was injured in the fire, be with the family as they deal with this loss. Thank you for quiet time and time shared with husband.
In Jesus,
Nancy
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
While reading Jennifer’s blog, What Does God look like?, and Rob G.’s response, I was reminded of a poem I wrote several months back for a writing class I was taking.
Victory
I see Jesus in the pain etched on your face.
The desperation of Loneliness,
Rejection,
Betrayal,
Abandonment.
For He also suffered these same agonies,
Learning obedience to His Heavenly Father.
Restoring, redeeming from the hand of the enemy,
The treasure of life that comes from the hours of darkness.
-Nancy Kourmoulis
I also have this picture of Jesus in my mind….
I love this picture!
It is Friday and at the High Calling Blog it is Random Acts of Poetry today. The following are the RAP participants:
Jim’s August Evening
Andy’s Would You Have Known Him
LL’s Scarlet
Erica’s Red
The Unknown Contributor’s Nursing
Their poems are really wonderful. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.
In Jesus,
Nancy
What are the voices I listen to? The voice in my head that accuses me of not being adequate, capable to mother the children in my care. That I am a failure in training them in Godliness. The voice that day-in and day-out seeks to discourage me. Is this the voice I listen to? Why is this voice so loud?
But if I will STOP, listen, there is another voice I hear. Softly and gently it whispers in my ear. “I tell you the truth…” Jesus said this so often in the gospels. “I tell you the truth…” “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him" (Mt. 6:8) “have faith and do not doubt” (Mt. 21:21) “whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mk 11:24; Jn. 16:23) “whoever hears my words and believes Him who sent me has eternal life” (Jn. 5:24) “my Father gives you the true bread of heaven” (Jn 6:32) .
My Father knows I am incapable of raising Godly children. He knows what I need. I need to have faith that He is able. Since He is able, I can believe that I can do all things because He strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). I can believe that He tells me the truth. After all, He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (Jn. 14:6)
Father – when the way grows hard and I grow weary, help me to stop and listen to the truth. You are all the provision I need, You are the provision for my children. Thank You that You lead us in the way we should go. Father, thank You for the Holy Spirit who guides me into all truth. Jesus, thank You for speaking with such a kind, gentle voice. That the words You speak are Truth.
In Jesus,
Nancy
Awakening to the sounds of spring,
Birds twittering in the trees,
Awakening to the signs of spring,
Daffodils raise their joyful heads,
Awakening to the touch of spring,
Soft, green grass beneath my toes,
Awakening to the smell of spring,
Fragrant breezes brush against my face,
Awakening to the feel of spring,
The warm sun shines and breaks the hold,
Awakening from the cold of winter,
As creations beauty again unfolds.
-Nancy Kourmoulis
So I am thinking about truth and how one responds to Truth. Scripture defines Truth as the person of Jesus Christ. Truth is defined as conformity with reality at www.dictionary.com . I want to conform to the reality that Jesus is the Truth and I must worship Him as such.
What is worship? Worship is defined in the Hebrew - Shachah – to bow down. In the Greek proskunevw – to kiss the hand, in token of reverence. The American Heritage Dictionary defines worship - the ceremonies, prayers, or other religious forms by which this love is expressed. I love this definition…forms by which love is expressed.
By what form do you express your worship of Jesus? Music is a big way for me to worship. Song written by psalmist that speak to my soul and guide me to expressing love for Jesus.
King of Glory (by Chris Tomlin)
Lift up your gaze Be lifted up
Tell everyone How great the love
The love come down From heaven's gate
To kiss the earth With hope and grace
Sing
Who is this King of Glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty
Lift up your hands Be lifted up
Let the redeemed Declare the love
We bow down At heaven's gate
To kiss the feet Of hope and grace
There is one God
He is Holy
There is one Lord
Over everything
There is one King
He is Jesus
King of glory
Strong and mighty
You are the King of Glory
The Lord, strong and mighty
In seeking and finding I am reminded – there is
ONE TRUTH,
ONE GOD, ONE LORD, ONE KING
HE IS JESUS!
What is truth? “Jesus answered, I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life…” John 14:6.
I am reading a book by Nancy Pearcey entitled Total Truth. She says, “Every system of thought begins with some ultimate principle. …This starting assumption has to be accepted by faith, not by prior reasoning. … Faith is a universal human function, and if it is not directed toward God it will be directed toward something else.”
2 Corinthians 10:5 states, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Nancy Pearcey goes on to say, “The danger is that if Christians do not consciously develop a biblical approach to the subject (she is speaking of worldview), then we will unconsciously absorb some other philosophical approach…” She says we must develop our own “tools of analysis” in order to be “salt and light to a lost culture.” This way we do not end up being shaped by that culture. “We must be convinced that there is a biblical perspective on everything-not just on spiritual matters.”
Jesus is the truth and everything I believe must flow from that reality. I do not need to borrow from the tools of the world’s philosophy to understand the truth. I need to demolish those arguments and only be obedient to Christ.
Father – May all my thoughts be Your thoughts. Let The Truth rule in my life. Help me to pass these truths, reality, on to the children You have gifted to me. Help me to think about what I am thinking about and may those thoughts honor You.
In Jesus,
Nancy
Between staying up late to watch videos of an online Bible class I am attempting, doing research for this class, and getting up early to see Precious Husband off to work, I am tired. The last two mornings I have gone back to sleep after Precious Husband left the house for work. Our darling children have been so gracious to let me sleep late.
Then this morning it happened. Such a pleasant surprise.
Our two youngest children
(ages 8 
& 9 
)
cooked and served me breakfast in bed. Our 9 year old scrambled eggs and baked biscuits (hubbie calls them whop biscuits because you whop the can on the counter to open them). Our 8 year old cut up oranges and fixed my coffee (she added the perfect amount of cream and sugar). Then they brought it to me in bed on a tray. As Princess daughter walked back to kitchen to eat her breakfast she looked over her shoulder and said, Happy Valentine's Day Mom.
Some days you feel like you are getting it right as a mother. I like those days! Then I remember – it’s not me – it’s God. He alone is responsible for everything pleasant in my life. That makes the gift all the more special.
Father, thank You for the gift of today. For loving children who surprise me with their kindness and thoughtfulness. For every good gift that You give!
In Jesus,
Nancy
PS/Check out the Internet Cafe Devotion blog today. I found it encouraging.
Today I take a journey, a walk down memory lane,
I close my eyes and I can see the boy you used to be…
And eyes wide open I behold the man you are becoming…
Happy Birthday our loving Helpful Son! Father, may he be a man who honors You with all his heart! Thank you for this precious gift.
“Do not neglect your gift….be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Timothy 4:14-16
So this week is full of fixing the car, loving sweet Lady girl,
learning our lessons, enjoying a large moon on a balmy evening.
Father – thank You for the gifts you have placed in each of us. May we use them for your glory.
In Jesus,
Nancy
The year is 1983 and boy do we look young!! We had been dating just over a year and just gotten engaged. Wow, the time has gone by really quickly. Here we are 27 years later about to celebrate 25 years of married life. I am so honored to be the wife of this Precious man and mother to our six children.
He keeps me grounded, focused, challenged. He still makes me laugh and yes, I shiver at his touch. He is my best friend, the one who accepts me and loves me. He makes me feel secure and cherished. He has always introduced me to new things - jet skiing,new foods, snow skiing, our newest thing - hunting. I love that he is not afraid to try new things and that he wants all of us to try them with him.
We are raising six children together. Such joy and torture (we have teenagers). I am so grateful we share this journey together. We have four sons and I have no clue what they are thinking most of the time. Boys...so grateful for husband to help guide. We also have two lovely daughters. I can relate to them, occasionally he can also.
"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor." Psalm 8:3-5
Father - I am grateful for the Precious Husband you have graced me with. God, how gracious You are that You care for me. Cared enough to bless me with Precious husband. That You joined us to fit together, flesh of his flesh, bone of his bone, one flesh. Father, may we be a reflection of Your glory!
In Jesus,
Nancy
But I did get some reading and journaling done as well as being goofy with teenage sons. In the midst of looking for deer God pointed out that I was looking for Him during this season. Hunting is rather like "seek and you will find". Precious husband has taken the boys several times over the last month, I was just privileged to go the last few days. As they have been hunting they have seen signs that deer are there, tracks, bedding sites, and poop, but until the last few days have not seen any deer. 
I am doing my Thankful Thursday today since I was hunting on that day and today is the actual birthday of our #3 son (#4 child).
