Psalm One
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
4 But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
Reson and I have had many recent convictions with worldliness. When you used to be persons that had a HUGE focus on what the world does, it consumes you. We are starting a Youth Discipleship Program with three of our youth this summer, and it has created a new drive in us. We wanted a program that would drive our kids, for the ones that wanted it. It is a journey through who Jesus really is ("Vintage Jesus"), into the plan he had for us as people ("I Kissed Dating Goodbye" & "And the Bride wore White"), and how we use that love to fuel our lives for Him ("Crazy Love"). Along with the reading of these three books (the guys won't read "And the Bride..."), they will walk through the New Testament, and have daily journal writing.
Reson and I decided we would do everything the same as what we have asked them. I wanted to have a more direct focus with the Bible so along with the New Testament, I'm starting Psalm. The first Psalm hit a cord really with me. You see, a whole new journey is awaiting these guys and us as we purge the worldliness out of our lives, and others just don't get it. I remember in High School not having many "core" friends (which I always thought "why do I need more?"), and it was mainly because I didn't have the urge to relinquish into peer pressure. Even Reson will say that people misread me (and even call me not so nice words) because if you aren't someone to bring me up spiritually, I don't want to be around your world. Do I care? No, but I know that if these kids take this thing seriously they are going to experience the life of friends not understanding their life with Christ. Now, let me straighten the comment of "I don't want to be around your world." I give the benefit of the doubt, but if there is a pattern in your life, I just prefer to hang alone.
I want to be the tree bearing fruit every season.
I want to delight in God's law.
I want my life to stay healthy, and I want my life to prosper.
I do NOT want to be worthless.
I do NOT want to be condemned.
I do NOT want to be led into destruction.
Interesting this is that all the do NOTs will happen of this world, but not with my Heavenly Father. I can handle that. I hope that through this journey with our three that they will learn this, and that Reson and I continue to grow in the word of God.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Laughter
Psalms 15:13 (The Message)
A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face;
a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day.
Usually I don't read from The Message, but I love the way this verse is worded. One of the things that I thrive on is to have happy hearted boys. If there is ever a time that Luk has a temper tantrum over not getting what he wants, or he is just a grouch in the morning I usually say, "Luk, you need to have a happy heart." It doesn't stop Luk automatically from his bad attitude, but it does make him stop and think about the way he is acting.
Needless to say, to we laugh a LOT in the house. Luk is Logan's personal comedian. The love that Luk has for his brother is precious, and seeing him interact and do things to make Logan happy is special. Here is one of those moments. Luk was "fighting" with his swords, and Coocoo was "fighting" back.
It makes me realize that I don't always put this verse into practice. I pursue to make sure that my boys do, but I ignore my own happiness. There are times that I am grouchy or just not in the mood, and I need to turn that verse around on myself. My voice talking to Luk should ring in my ear, "Aislynn, you need to have a happy heart!" I need to work on that...
A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face;
a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day.
Usually I don't read from The Message, but I love the way this verse is worded. One of the things that I thrive on is to have happy hearted boys. If there is ever a time that Luk has a temper tantrum over not getting what he wants, or he is just a grouch in the morning I usually say, "Luk, you need to have a happy heart." It doesn't stop Luk automatically from his bad attitude, but it does make him stop and think about the way he is acting.
Needless to say, to we laugh a LOT in the house. Luk is Logan's personal comedian. The love that Luk has for his brother is precious, and seeing him interact and do things to make Logan happy is special. Here is one of those moments. Luk was "fighting" with his swords, and Coocoo was "fighting" back.
It makes me realize that I don't always put this verse into practice. I pursue to make sure that my boys do, but I ignore my own happiness. There are times that I am grouchy or just not in the mood, and I need to turn that verse around on myself. My voice talking to Luk should ring in my ear, "Aislynn, you need to have a happy heart!" I need to work on that...
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Our "New" Classroom
My husband was asking me all day Friday what I wanted for Mother's Day. He had already gotten me a present, however he wanted to give something more. That evening Logan (our youngest) gave us the worst night we have been in the seven months he has been in our room. In the middle of his 3 hour crying fit, I looked at my husband and I said, "I want to have Logan put in his own room." We want the boys s share a room, but we want Logan to sleep through the night. Well Saturday, I had to go dress shopping with a friend, and my husband went to work. I call the room "Logan's Temporary Room/Luk's Schoolroom." Let me paint the picture for... we live with my parents. We did this to help pay bills, and we all get along. My older brother still lives in the house as well. The "office" and "garage" have become huge storage rooms, and it led to Luk, my brother, and my parents in the their room, while we shared our room with Logan. The "office" was piled high in storage.
Now, we have a room that still has a small portion of storage, but mainly an area for Logan and Luk's school things. Here it is for, now. Honestly, I couldn't be happier. Next step, convert the garage and office in a grandparents suite!
Those boxes that are piled are from a video store my parents use to own. Image junk that high all over that room... progress indeed.
As for Luk's area, you can see his desk, charts, board, and maps. I am slowly trying to do a Workbox System, but I will get more indepth with it after I buy the rest of our curriculum at the FPEA Convention on the 26th. Here is a peek into the boxes:
These are the Craft box. I have a collection of paint brushes, pipe cleaners, pompoms, finger paint stamps, finger paint, glitter, markers, crayons (that I divided into six baggies), and glue.
The World Map and United States Map with the Legend at the bottom. Luk already told me where Florida is and Tennessee. Which is great because we haven't gotten indepth with this yet. I plan on doing a letter tree to the right of this.
1-100 Number Chart, Long/Short Vowels Chart, Manners Rules. On the refrigerator, Luk has charts for practicing good manners, chores, and toy rules. He receives stickers for each thing that he completes. After the week, his money earned is based on the work that he has completed. These are his jobs.
Our lot of educational board games. We love playing games in this house. There is also his Ant Hill that we will be doing starting in the fall, along with the Butterfly Garden.
This is Luk's Workbox for the Letter "I." The red box is his supplies for writing and crafts. The money tray is just misplaced for right now.
I want to end with my sweet Logan; he was hanging around, enjoying his little area for the moment.
Now, we have a room that still has a small portion of storage, but mainly an area for Logan and Luk's school things. Here it is for, now. Honestly, I couldn't be happier. Next step, convert the garage and office in a grandparents suite!
As for Luk's area, you can see his desk, charts, board, and maps. I am slowly trying to do a Workbox System, but I will get more indepth with it after I buy the rest of our curriculum at the FPEA Convention on the 26th. Here is a peek into the boxes:
I want to end with my sweet Logan; he was hanging around, enjoying his little area for the moment.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Hmmm... Tornado in the Mind
If you are a Christian that seeks out God's will for your life, you have probably experienced were a person says something or does an action that coincides with the plan God is trying to get you to run after. Last week, I posted a blog about the calling to do something in foreign missions, and that I don't want to just live a safe life. To continue on with that thought, I wanted to mention a few things that a neglected to discuss in that post.
The first things was to describe what Francis was talking about further in his video. He was a balance beam (of life), he mounted, and then he wanted to stay safe to he wrapped his arms and legs around the beam. He then very carefully "dismounted" by carefully stepping down with each leg, and then he did his "gymnastic" pose at the end. It looked silly, and rightfully so. He mentions how if you saw an Olympian do that how would he or she be judged? Not too good, right. Well, if we live our Christian walk with Christ like that then what? What will He say on judgment day? Do we seriously think that He will be pleased and call us good and faithful servants?
So... as I was creating Luk's lessons for the next couple of weeks, I decided that my Discipleship class at church would do a lapbook. The thought came on... which book. They had mentioned Daniel and Lions Den, so Daniel. I printed out the activities for it, assigned the kids each a different chapter, and then on Monday I sat and read it. Now, I have read it before, however like any book the connotation changes when you read a book again or your life is different and means more.
The first person to take action in my thought process was unknowingly me. Daniel was more than a guy that put his faith in God when he was stuck in a lion's den. He was much more than that. It was through him that God changed the hearts of Kings, it was through his that God interpreted dreams and revelations for the kingdom. There are four main praises to God that struck me when I read the book, and I want to share them:
Daniel 2: Daniel's Praise to God
"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
21 He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
22 He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.
23 I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers:
You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
you have made known to us the dream of the king."
Daniel 4: King Nebuchadnezzar Praises God:
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.
His dominion is an eternal dominion;
his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 All the peoples of the earth
are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
with the powers of heaven
and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: "What have you done?"
36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Daniel 6: King Darius tells his people of God
25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land:
"May you prosper greatly!
26 "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.
"For he is the living God
and he endures forever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
his dominion will never end.
27 He rescues and he saves;
he performs signs and wonders
in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions."
The next would be Daniel 9 (all of it), Daniel prays for his people, here is a small piece.
4 I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed:
"O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, 5 we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
8 O LORD, we and our kings, our princes and our fathers are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. 9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; 10 we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.
15 "Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. 16 O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.
That's some powerful praising. Do we do this when we pray? Do we seek what we can do to glorify God, or do we just seek what God can do to make our lives better, more comfortable?
Now, if you read the prior blog you may see where I am going with this, if not stay with me a bit more.
The second people God used for my current thought process would be none other than our dear friends the Landress'. They are relentless. =) Really, they aren't, but God uses them in great ways. We were talking with them about the Student Life camp that our youth group will be attending. We were excited about having Chris Tomlin for a week as the worship leader! Need I say more... Well, this led to Jennifer talking about a book that he had written about his walk through music and his calling. Mitch, of course, reached over and handed me the book... that's when my studying of Daniel really hit me. I opened the book last night, and bam it hit me, I had been trying to pick my own personal theme for the book of Daniel (that would be my English degree brain setting in).
Chris' book is "The Way I was Made," do you see where this is going now. The men in the book of Daniel went through trials, serving/ignoring God, and He finally got them to realize what they were made for! Chris was hitting me on the head a gazillion times saying so are you going to do what God has asked of you? You want your sons to seek God's will for their life, but what about you?
So... I guess I am just waiting for God to open the doors. I don't know when or how long it will take, but I am patiently waiting and willing. I know that he is working in mine and Reson's heart, but I know that my thoughts are thinking in a grander scheme.
The first things was to describe what Francis was talking about further in his video. He was a balance beam (of life), he mounted, and then he wanted to stay safe to he wrapped his arms and legs around the beam. He then very carefully "dismounted" by carefully stepping down with each leg, and then he did his "gymnastic" pose at the end. It looked silly, and rightfully so. He mentions how if you saw an Olympian do that how would he or she be judged? Not too good, right. Well, if we live our Christian walk with Christ like that then what? What will He say on judgment day? Do we seriously think that He will be pleased and call us good and faithful servants?
So... as I was creating Luk's lessons for the next couple of weeks, I decided that my Discipleship class at church would do a lapbook. The thought came on... which book. They had mentioned Daniel and Lions Den, so Daniel. I printed out the activities for it, assigned the kids each a different chapter, and then on Monday I sat and read it. Now, I have read it before, however like any book the connotation changes when you read a book again or your life is different and means more.
The first person to take action in my thought process was unknowingly me. Daniel was more than a guy that put his faith in God when he was stuck in a lion's den. He was much more than that. It was through him that God changed the hearts of Kings, it was through his that God interpreted dreams and revelations for the kingdom. There are four main praises to God that struck me when I read the book, and I want to share them:
Daniel 2: Daniel's Praise to God
"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
21 He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
22 He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.
23 I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers:
You have given me wisdom and power,
you have made known to me what we asked of you,
you have made known to us the dream of the king."
Daniel 4: King Nebuchadnezzar Praises God:
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.
His dominion is an eternal dominion;
his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 All the peoples of the earth
are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
with the powers of heaven
and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: "What have you done?"
36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
Daniel 6: King Darius tells his people of God
25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land:
"May you prosper greatly!
26 "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.
"For he is the living God
and he endures forever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
his dominion will never end.
27 He rescues and he saves;
he performs signs and wonders
in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions."
The next would be Daniel 9 (all of it), Daniel prays for his people, here is a small piece.
4 I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed:
"O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, 5 we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
8 O LORD, we and our kings, our princes and our fathers are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. 9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; 10 we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. 11 All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you.
15 "Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. 16 O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.
That's some powerful praising. Do we do this when we pray? Do we seek what we can do to glorify God, or do we just seek what God can do to make our lives better, more comfortable?
Now, if you read the prior blog you may see where I am going with this, if not stay with me a bit more.
The second people God used for my current thought process would be none other than our dear friends the Landress'. They are relentless. =) Really, they aren't, but God uses them in great ways. We were talking with them about the Student Life camp that our youth group will be attending. We were excited about having Chris Tomlin for a week as the worship leader! Need I say more... Well, this led to Jennifer talking about a book that he had written about his walk through music and his calling. Mitch, of course, reached over and handed me the book... that's when my studying of Daniel really hit me. I opened the book last night, and bam it hit me, I had been trying to pick my own personal theme for the book of Daniel (that would be my English degree brain setting in).
Chris' book is "The Way I was Made," do you see where this is going now. The men in the book of Daniel went through trials, serving/ignoring God, and He finally got them to realize what they were made for! Chris was hitting me on the head a gazillion times saying so are you going to do what God has asked of you? You want your sons to seek God's will for their life, but what about you?
So... I guess I am just waiting for God to open the doors. I don't know when or how long it will take, but I am patiently waiting and willing. I know that he is working in mine and Reson's heart, but I know that my thoughts are thinking in a grander scheme.
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