Teaching Treasures

It is a break week here.  Sensitive son has traveled several hours from home with the youth group.  In a neighborhood where life can be tough they share Jesus.  I pray he and others will be Jesus hands and feet – loving, serving those they meet.

Here we carry on as usual.  Men work on putting cabin back together and Princess daughter and I are goat herders – we all enjoy sunshine and sunsets.  I breathe deeply inhaling the fresh scent of dirt and grass mingled with smelly dogs and goats. 

“…He (God) gives all men life and breath and everything else…For in Him we live and move and have our being.” 
Acts 17:25b, 28a

Reflecting His Grace and Glory

The minute I step outside the longing for a better camera hits me.  Ah, oh well, I enjoy the view. The blue velvet sky is loaded with stars.  The waxing moon hangs low in the horizon with Jupiter and Venus close by.  I stand entranced by the beauty of the heavens. 

The moon is in my thoughts a lot these days – the figure tags along with the word “Reflect” for 2012.  Sunday morning as songs of worship are lifted the moon is again on my mind.

the moon – takes
the light You give
fills to empty
empties to fill
over and over

I read You’re Already Amazing and watch the online video.  The illustration of a pitcher being smashed and put back together allowing the light to radiate through is given.  These words stick,

“Being broken doesn’t exclude you from being amazing.”

No matter the mess I make of life – forgetting to pay a bill, overdrawing the checking account, being too harsh with the children - God’s light reflects through my brokenness.  His power and strength are revealed in my weaknesses.  Words to repeat over and over to myself - I am an amazing reflection of His grace and glory.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”  2 Corinthians 4:7

Scripture Only Sunday

“Some will say, ‘I belong to the LORD’;
   others will call themselves by the name of Jacob;
still others will write on their hand, ‘The LORD’s,’
   and will take the name Israel. 

“This is what the LORD says—
   Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty:
I am the first and I am the last;
   apart from me there is no God.”
Isaiah 44:5-6

Teaching Treasures

The local museum’s homeschool program was this past week.  A retired educator came and shared about reptiles and arachnids that are common to this area.  His collection was truly fascinating.  Even though the tarantula was encased in resin it was still creepy to hold.  It was fun to watch him put a lizard to sleep. 

The local library hosts a “Be Prepared” event.  Emergency personnel from several counties come to share how to be prepared in case of a disaster.  I win a weather radio – which living in the south is so necessary.  A travelling piece of the Twin Towers is displayed along with a flag that has the names of the 9/11 responders who lost their life.

I am so thankful for our local community that enriches our homeschooling experience. 

A Roman Road

Let me tell you a story.  It is story of overwhelming grace.  I was nine the year our church had an evangelist come preach a revival.  His name is lost in my memory.  The image of him standing in the pulpit and passionately delivering the gospel is clear.  His description of the realities of heaven and hell cast images before my young minds eye.  His assurance of a Savior who loved and longed for me to abide with Him forever called to a tender heart.
My parents shared and then asked our pastor to come and talk to me about salvation.  I remember standing on the patio and his quiet manner sharing words of eternal life.  These words I still cling to today.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 6:23
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.   Romans 5:8
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.   Romans 10:9
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,  because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 
Romans 8:1-2
A path to salvation – a Roman road.  I walked with Jesus down that road to the cross.  Even at nine my mind sees the sacrifice and I lay down there at the foot of the cross.  Viewing Jesus sacrifice I no longer want to be a slave to sin, but to become a slave to righteousness.
Today I retrace that Roman road of long ago. I remember God’s kindness that leads to repentance.  Over and over His kindness leads me here to the foot of Jesus cross.  I lay all of me down and remember Jesus amazing gift.  A gift given so “sin didn't, and doesn't, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it's sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that's the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end.”
Have you walked that Roman road? 
I would love to hear your grace story.

Scripture Only Sunday

Painting by Darling daughter

"I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. 
And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
I myself will see him,
with my own eyes-
I, and not another. 
How my heart yearns within me!” 
Job 19:25-27

Teaching Treasures

Math has not been working for us this year.  It seems my weakness hits a slump about sixth grade.  Working the problems is not the problem.  Explaining how to work them, not that is a problem. 

So here as we begin the last nine weeks of the year the solution presents itself.  A course designed with someone like me in mind.  A way for the children to be taught, helping them understand the basic concepts.

This may carry us into the summer in order to complete the course.  But they are willing to work hard and even double up to get the work complete. 

Father, thank you for finally sending a way to help us in this area of weakness. 

The End

My uncle’s funeral was this past Sunday.  Death causes the mind to ponder eternity.  Each morning we get up and walk through the day.  Do we really believe this moment, this breath could be the last one? 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 5:3

Poor and powerless over the breath we inhale.  Spirit yearning for more than this life has to offer. 

“The thief comes to steal & kill & destroy; I have come that they may have life, & have it to the full.”  John 10:10

All the while an enemy works to make this life less.  To rob of the pleasure, the joy of living each day.  The cares of this world press heavy seeking to choke out the Word. 

Praise God, there is One who has come to give life.  Not just a plain, ordinary life, but a full life.  For a life Jesus fills could not be ordinary.  Not just a life for now but also for later.   We will all reach our end, the question is not if – but when.  For the end is actually the beginning.

“Who is like you, O Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.” 
Psalm 35:10

Rescued

Life is fleeing, the days march on
One day here, the next instant gone
Life becomes moments, soon past
Laughter, sorrow, sweeping fast
Before the steady rhythm of time
Footprints fall heavy to finish we climb
Path becomes steep, pounding heart beat
In the end common fate we all meet
Through this dual life we live spirits poor
Stalling the click of the closing door
Enemy, thief, seeks to steal, kill, destroy
Rescuer extends such outrageous joy
Heaven’s gates open crushing strife
The needy spirit rises from death to life
                       --Nancy Kourmoulis

______________________

If you are unsure about what happens after this life ends.  If you desire to pass through heaven’s gates to eternal life.  Please click and check out this page.  Prayerfully it will lead you to Jesus.

Scripture Only Sunday

“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground,
and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;
and man became a living soul.”  Genesis 2:7

“In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it was thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”  Genesis 3:19

________________________________

Breath of life
fades so quickly
One moment inhale
the next final exhale
Breath of life
fragrance of heaven
One moment inhale
the next eternal exhale 

In memory of my uncle, Gold-hearted Mom’s brother, who unexpectedly breathed his last here and his first in heaven this passed week. 

Creative Journaling

In the closet sits a box full of journals.  They are filled with almost 30 years of ponderings, prayers, Bible studies, and other bits of life.  There are actually journals from the high school period of life.  
Sometime during those years I began to sketch in them as well.  I’m not really sure what started the sketching.  It could have been a verse read or a worship song listened to at the moment.   For some reason at certain moments pictures flash into my mind.

Here are a few of the sketches over the last few months.  They are usually done in a hurry as the images come into my head. 

 

Occasionally I take a little more time and have one of the children pose for me so I can get a better idea of how things should look. 

Perhaps one day they will make it from the journal to a canvas. 

Recently I have been considering purchasing a separate journal for the art that comes.  I have been admiring the art journaling at Everything Else Thrown In.  Dianne is a gifted artist and writer.   Her work is inspiring me to branch out and give it a try.

This local news report about a homeless man who uses his creative talents for the Lord spoke volumes to me.  "Palmore says his life is much like his art work...blank, at first, until God moves through him creating a beautiful masterpiece....He's a man with a colorful message that being homeless doesn't mean you're hopeless."  It is worth the 2:49 time to watch. 

How do you respond when the Spirit touches your creative heart in a given moment?

_____________________
Thanks Dianne for permission to link and use your artwork.  Clicking on the artwork or highlighted phrases above will take you to Dianne’s blog.

 

Scripture Only Sunday

Teaching Treasures

Our local museum began offering a once-a-month program for local homeschoolers.  We attended the first meeting.  The children made memory boxes to hold mementos of special significance.  They discussed how history is handed down from one generation to the next.  The children enjoyed meeting new friends and the craft activity.  They were excited to see the report in a local newspaper.  They are looking forward to next month’s meeting.