Rules for Living

I discovered recently that the YouVersion Bible app has a feature that will let you create a "social media" graphic for any verse. (Actually, the first one was pre-made. I liked it and wanted to use it, but I also wanted to include the rest of what Jesus said, so I made the second graphic to follow it.) There are just a few pictures and fonts available in the app, so it's pretty limited in what you can do with it... or maybe I just haven't figure it all out yet. Still, pretty cool, huh?

These are a just few verses I've been dwelling on recently.

The Passion Play

The girls are participating in the Passion Play of Denver each night this week. This is Laura's second year to take part. She talked her sister into joining in this year. Rebecca wasn't too sure about participating at first, but now that the performances have started, she is loving it. It's been a great experience for both of them.

Their first performance was Palm Sunday evening, so Lyle and I went to see it that night. The girls are part of the Crowd. They don't have speaking parts, but I think the Crowd is an important part of the play. It wouldn't be the Easter story without the Crowd, now would it? I told them they could be Jesus' friends, Mary and Martha, sisters in the New Testament.

I asked Laura to take off her glasses for the picture, but she didn't want to. She isn't allowed to wear them for the play, and she got tired of people telling her take them off! Oh, well.

He is Risen!

Passion Play of Denver

Laura and I got home from Minnesota yesterday afternoon just in time for the first performance of the Passion Play of Denver, which Laura is in this year. They will be performing every night this week but last night was the only chance I had to go. They did a great job. It was very moving, as it should be.

Quiet Times

During the summer months I look forward to having my morning quiet times on the deck just outside the kitchen. It is shady and cool there early in the morning. The breeze rustles the aspen and fir trees along the fence. The chickens cluck contentedly. The dog sniffs around the yard to see if anything has changed overnight. The cat is happy for the company and winds herself around my legs purring. I sip my coffee and open my Bible.

A few weeks ago, at a homeschool convention, I noticed a series of Bible journals offered for sale at another booth. They were handsome volumes with the name of a book of the Bible stamped on the cover. On the inside, the pages were essentially blank with space to write each verse. It was designed so that you would hand-copy that book of the Bible into the journal as a special keepsake. I liked that idea. Notebooks and journals have always "called out" to me, with all the lovely blank pages waiting to be filled. However, each book was something like $15 and truly, I didn't need a handwritten copy of the Bible to take up space on my shelf or to pass along to my children as an heirloom. So I didn't buy a journal that day.

I decided, though, that I would enjoy the exercise of copying scripture as part of my personal study. So I picked up a pretty notebook I had on hand and started out with the book of Matthew. I use a red pen for the words of Jesus (just like a red-letter edition of the Bible). So I've been in Matthew for about a month now. I'm currently in the middle of Chapter 13. It's a slow process. Some days I am able to copy more verses than other days, but I'm just taking it as it comes. I have been amazed at how much more I am getting out the scripture just by slowing myself down enough to copy each word. In general, I am a fast reader and it's hard to force myself to slow down when I'm reading the Bible. This method works for me... and I love it!

I am also still reading One Thousand Gifts. That's another book I have to force myself to slow down to read. In conjunction with that, I'm also continuing to add to my list of gifts on my Joy Dare page.

Life is challenging and stressful at times. That's when finding a few minutes each day to spend with the Lord is vitally important to me. I'm grateful that He's always there.

Pray One for Another

This morning when I logged onto Facebook I noticed a status update from my longtime friend, Denise:

Such an encouraging way to start the day! 

As I read that I was reminded of a poem that Denise had sent me years ago when we were girlhood pen-pals. I know I saved it in my Quotes Journal. In fact, I think I saved the very sheet of pretty stationery she had copied it onto, in her beautiful handwriting. But do you think I could put my hands on a journal from 30-something years ago this morning? Of course not! (It is here somewhere, though, I'm pretty sure.)

I asked Denise if she remembered it. She didn't, but she was very interested in reading it again. I wracked my brain trying to remember the first line so I could Google it. It has taken me all day to think of it... but I finally have! 

So, Denise, this one's for you!

Pray One for Another 

by Marianne Farningham 

 I cannot tell why there should come to me 

A thought of someone miles and miles away, 

In swift insistence on the memory— 

Unless there be a need that I should pray. 

 Too hurried oft are we to spare a thought, 

For days together, of some friend away; 

Perhaps God does it for us, and we ought 

To read His signal as a call to pray. 

 Perhaps, just then, my friend has fiercer fight, 

Some overwhelming sorrow or decay 

Of courage; darkness, some lost sense of right; 

And so in case he needs my prayer, I pray. 

 Friend, do the same for me! If I unsought 

Intrude upon you on some crowded day, 

Give me a moment’s prayer, in passing thought; 

Be very sure I need it; therefore pray.

Sufficient for the Day...

"...do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or what you will drink..."

...or whether or not winter will ever be over...
...or when Becky will get over this virus that has been hanging on for a week now...
...or what if the rest of us catch it from her...
...or what to do about the washer on the blink, after just replacing the dryer last week...
...or where to turn for encouragement when the days are dark and cold...

"For your heavenly Father know that you need all these things. 

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, 

and all these things shall be added to you.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will worry about its own things. 

Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Matthew 6:25, 32-34

Winter Solstice

 The winter solstice has finally arrived. I am looking forward to the daylight hours gradually getting longer again, rather than getting progressively shorter and shorter.

While I haven't researched the topic thoroughly, it seems that I read somewhere that Christmas was first celebrated as an alternative to a pagan holiday. From what I understand, it's more than likely that Jesus wasn't born on December 25 at all... but that some pagan religion celebrated the birth of their god around the time of the winter solstice, so the Christians in the area revised the celebration to recognize Jesus as the true God. I've heard of Christians who don't celebrate Christmas at all because of that... but I kinda like the notion myself.

The main thing is that we are celebrating the coming of the Christ-child, who came to dispel the darkness. The date isn't important to me. But the Light is!

Whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, 

to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, 

to guide our feet into the way of peace.

--Luke 1:78-79

A Lamp to My Feet

Usually, my favorite version of the Bible to read is the New King James (or sometimes even the old-fashioned KJV). I guess it's because I grew up using the KJV and those are the Words that are most familiar to me. The NKJV has retained the same flavor but is a little easier to understand with modern spellings and the "thees" and "thous" changed to "yous."

Awhile back I downloaded The Message Promise Book for my Kindle while it was temporarily free. It is a collection of Bible promises organized by topic in The Message translation. Several people I highly respect really enjoy reading from The Message for their personal Bible reading, though I've never cared for it much myself. For some reason this week I decided to read the little Promise Book on my Kindle. Both the organization into topics and the "fresh" language have been just what  I needed right now. The colloquial turns-of-phrase have me reaching for my "real" Bible to compare the verses. Here is an example of one that stood out to me this morning:

Matthew 11:28-30 from The Message:

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

And then same verses in the dear, familiar words of the King James Version:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

I am so grateful for the easy access we have to God's Word, and that He is still (always!) faithful to speak to our hearts in just the way we need.

Unto the Hills

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. 

--Psalm 121:1-2

Looking straight ahead...

Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.

Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe.

Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.

Proverbs 4:25-27 (NLT)

Pleasant Places

 

O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;

You maintain my lot.

The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;

Yes, I have a good inheritance.

--Psalm 16:5-6

Numbering Our Days

My children are growing up so fast. The older they get the faster the days seem to hurtle by. I try to make a conscious effort to slow down and be in the moment.

Last week my girls and one of their friends wanted to go to the park. I was reminded of the days when "park" was synonymous with "playground." We would go to the park just to get out of the house and burn off some energy. This time the playground was ignored. We were on a photo shoot (practicing for senior pictures) and the mission was to find the most scenic backdrops. The girls had fun taking turns posing for the camera. I was impressed at some of the pictures they ended up with.

It was a magical morning. I had to fight the urge of feeling like I ought to be doing something more productive. Spending idle moments with my children is not time wasted.

So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. --Psalm 90:12

Remembering...

Maybe it's a little strange, but I like to visit cemeteries. I don't mean to be morbid. I just think it's nice that we have a tradition in our culture of erecting permanent monuments in tribute to our loved ones who have gone before us. Even when I don't know the people I am fascinated to read their headstones, wondering what their lives were like.

Last week, when we were in Arkansas, I asked my husband if he would mind taking me out to the cemetery where my dear grandparents are buried. This was the first time I had been in the area since Granddaddy passed away almost 3 years ago, and I wanted to put flowers on their grave.

It's a remote little cemetery back on a dirt road in the Ozarks, not far from where my grandparents lived and ministered for more than 40 years. It was a foggy, frosty day so no one else was around. I enjoyed the stillness as I reflected on the Godly heritage my grandparents have left me and their many other descendants.

Today is Grandmother's 93rd birthday. She's been gone 11 1/2 years, but her influence on my life is as fresh as if she were still with us. As I strolled around their old home place (now my parents' home) those few days last week, I could almost hear her asking the children to help her out with a "little job"... or interestedly inquiring after the neighbors in the area... or praying fervently for various ones in the family...

When I grow up I'd like to be just like Grandmother!

Bible reading

I am challenging the young people to read through (or listen to on tape or CD) the entire Bible in 2005. I was looking for a Bible reading chart that lets you check off each chapter as you read it. I had one like that when I was in high school and I really liked it because it helps you keep track of exactly where you are even if you get off-schedule. I found a really nice printable one at http://users.aol.com/dennish658/journal/biblread.pdf. I am also printing out one that schedules the reading straight through from Genesis to Revelation with a portion each day that is relatively equal in length. I discovered there are lots of charts out there with different ways of doing it, but I decided to encourage the straight-through reading this year, so we can all do it together and also to make it a little more convenient for those who are using audio-Bibles. The chart I followed last year alternated a book from the Old Testament with a book from the New Testament. I liked doing it that way, too. I am currently in Amos. I need to finish the OT and Revelation this week to achieve this goal in 2004!

Ramblin' Update

Most of the snow from earlier in the week is gone. It's wet and gray and miserable outside today. But... they are forcasting 6 inches of snow for tonight/tomorrow. So... I *have* to get out there and get those leaves raked up today. Stupid late-falling tree!! Now the leaves are all wet and soggy. Not as bad as they will be if I leave them till spring, though.

I need to go to Michael's some time today to get the tempra paint for the stage sets for our Christmas program. We will be working on that in the morning. Which reminds me, I also need to draw up a rough draft of what I have in mind for the sets. Fun, fun!

I set a goal at New Year's to read the Bible through in 2004. Well, I'm really going to have to do some marathon reading to make it. I'm a little over half through with Isaiah, then I have all the rest of the OT prophets to read, plus the book of Revelation. Unfortunately, the prophets aren't exactly the easiest part of the Bible to read! I almost need a commentary to figure out what they're talking about half the time. Our pastor has read the Bible through every year for 30-some years! He said that it occurred to him that God gave us the whole Bible for a reason, so he figured that it must be important for us to read the whole thing. I think he has a good point. Wouldn't have to be the whole thing in a year, though, I don't suppose. Still, I spend enough time reading everything else... I can do this!

Well, I'm off to rake leaves. Later you might find me buried somewhere in Isaiah or Jeremiah!