faith

inspiration – 5.30

Melissa

There are certain things we must not pray about – moods for instance. Moods never go by praying, moods go by kicking. A mood nearly always has its set in the physical condition, not in the moral. It is a continual effort not to listen to the moods which arise from a physical condition, never submit to them for a second. We have to take ourselves by the scruff of the neck and shake ourselves, and we will find that we can do what we said we would not. The curse with most of us is that we won't. The Christian life is one of incarnate spiritual pluck.

-Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

inspiration – 4.25

Melissa

9 Two are better than one,
       because they have a good return for their work:

 10 If one falls down,
       his friend can help him up.
       But pity the man who falls
       and has no one to help him up!

 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
       But how can one keep warm alone?

 12 Though one may be overpowered,
       two can defend themselves.
       A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12

we do things different

Melissa 16 Comments

Junie B. Jones is not allowed in our house. We read one of this popular children's series last summer and I was appalled. The heroine, Junie, was rude, obnoxious, manipulative, disrespectful and mean.  No thank you.

I told Ellie that she was not allowed to read any of these books again. But several of her friends read them. Then the teacher read one to the class. And then guess what book someone brought home from the school library this week? 

We talked about how other kids sometimes are allowed to do things that she wasn't. We talked about how she wasn't the only one not allowed to read them – I know several other moms who don't allow those books either. We talked about why I said she wasn't allowed to read them and what kind of characters we want to read about.

She was very upset that she was caught disobeying. But my husband managed to get out of her that she was feeling left out. Lots of kids read these and talk about them and she wishes she could too. She said she knows that Junie isn't someone she should act like, but she thought the books were funny and wanted to be able to read them like her friends. So we decided that we would read one together and decide together about reading more.

And then we talked about how for the rest of her life, other people are going to do things that she can't. There will be books, movies, tv shows, concerts, music and activities that we will not permit her to experience, but other parents would. We talked about being different, being set apart, guarding our minds and spirits, and honoring God in our choices.

Because this is just the beginning.

inspiration 3/28

Melissa 1 Comment

Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed

Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.

Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.


"The Power of the Cross"
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend

inspiration – 3.7

Melissa

Jesus draw me ever nearer
As I labor through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,
and I'll follow, though I'm worn.

May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.

Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.

Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go –
And at the end of this long passage,

Let me leave them at Your throne.

—Jesus Draw Me Ever Nearer, Keith Getty

inspiration – 2.24

Melissa

Our children, Lord, in faith and pray'r, we now devote to thee;
let them thy cov'nant mercies share, and thy salvation see.

Such helpless babes thou didst embrace, while dwelling here below;
to us and ours, O God of grace, the same compassion show.

In earthly days their hearts secure from worldly snares, we pray;
O let them to the end endure in every righteous way.

Hymn, entitled Our Children, Lord, in Faith and Prayer

inspiration – 1.17

Melissa

"This job has been given to me to do. Therefore, it is a gift.
Therefore, it is a privilege. Therefore, it is an offering I may make
to God. Therefore, it is to be done gladly, if it is done for Him.
Here, not somewhere else, I may learn God’s way. In this job, not in
some other, God looks for faithfulness."
—
Elisabeth Elliot