Monday

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.  1 Timothy 4:12

Today was the first day of Vacation Bible School for Rachel and her brothers. It seems they had a really good time but more importantly, they learned some valuable lessons about God and who He is. I enjoyed listening as they shared from their Bible story for today: Acts 9:1-9, and look forward to hearing more as they return for more truth and fond memories.
Their memory verse for the week is 1 Timothy 4:12(cited above) and they already have it memorized. Tonight i had them write it down and we discussed what it meant to "be and an example in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity". Whether they realize it or not, i learn just as much from them as they learn from me...maybe even more at times. I am truly grateful for my children and the zeal they have for God. I pray that their passion continues to grow as they mature.
And i thank God for VBS. It may last a week but it leaves an impression that lasts a lifetime!

Looking Ahead

With the end of the school year only a couple of weeks away the kids and i are anticipating all the activites planned for this summer.
We will be starting the season with VBS and church camp. Then there is art camp, field trips and play dates with friends. There other activities we hope to participate in like reading programs, movies at the drive-in and bike rides in the park.
While these things are all good and i am really looking forward to all of them i do intend to start each day in quiet time and prayer. In the hours that the children are in VBS and other endeavors i plan to take advantage of the peace and quiet to spend time in meditation and reflection.
I am missing creative time as well. So much of my time in the last year has been spent running and doing. So little of my time has been spent just listening to God. It is time to slow down and change that. God is the One who inspires creativity and gives peace. Time without Him saps creativity and destroys peace.
What i desire more than anything else right now is to spend my time drawing closer to God, enjoying my relationship with Him and with others He has blessed my life with. In doing these things i know it is going to be a really great summer and an awesome time of growth in Him. I pray that i will stick to this plan and continue through every season of my life.

In Soccer and in Life

Rachel and her brothers enjoy playing soccer. They enjoy the competition and getting to know their fellow team mates. They really like their coaches too. That is a really good thing considering Reece and Sawyer are being coached by their Daddy.

With all they appreciate about soccer, there a few things they do not like. One of those things is the attitudes of some players. For some reason there are those who feel the need to tell everyone how good they are and boast of their percieved skill.

Another thing the kids do not appreciate is bad sportsmanship. It is such an ugly thing to witness whether it is from the "winning" team or the team that does not win.

After discussing these things with Rachel and watching her play i had these two thoughts and not only do they pertain to soccer and other sports but they relate to life as well. And here are my thoughts as i believe God gave them to me: First, it is not the ones who tell us how good they are that we are to watch but it is the ones who let their skill speak for them.

Second, the winner is not necessarily the one who scores the most points but the one who plays with integrity and class.

How often do we encounter those who can be so prideful and arrogant? Those who delight in telling us how good they are? We encounter them in sports, at work, school and in other situations throughout life.

If we are not careful we will allow them to intimidate us and suck the enjoyment out the things we usually enjoy. I can honestly say that this has happened to me in times past but as i shared this insight with Rachel i promised myself that i would remember it too.

Greener Pastures

Where i live there are many pastures. From my van i admire the beautiful green grass in these pastures and yes, some are greener than others.

But a thought occurs to me as i drive by, "It must take a lot of manure to make that grass so green." And this is true in my life as well.

When i see others with beautiful homes, nice cars, the best that money can buy and all those other things i think i want, it helps to remember they have their messes too. No life is without them. But it is so easy to look at others greener pastures and envy what we see there while what lies in that grass, hidden from our view would change our worldly perspective.

Maybe then we would be more content with our own pastures as we try to make the most of what we have been given. Just let us not become so content that we do not reach across the fence to those on the other side...even if their grass is greener!

Help me, Lord!

What is it that holds me back,

standing in the shadows,

at the edge of the light?

Is it fear that paralyzes,

doubt that denies

or pride that defies?

Whatever it may be,

Lord, help me to see,

Your love is greater than these.

Your faithfulness is deeper than the seas.

Your grace has given me life,

Now You want to end my strife.

Lord, help my unbelief,

That keeps me in constant grief!

God Reflected in the Water

“And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:2

Water heals, refreshes and brings life. Water can also destroy. Water reflects…look into the water and see God’s creation mirrored upon the surface. Look deeper and you will see a small reflection of God himself-His power to heal, refresh and to give life. There is also the great mystery of God which no man can understand and when God destroys it is not always for us to know why but to trust in His unfailing love and His perfect plan. He is working all things for the good of those who love Him(Romans 8:28). Thank You, Father for water and the life giving lessons it brings

The Gift

Life is a gift not to be kept in the box, but to be opened, shared and appreciated. Make the most of the life you have been given and thank the Giver of life everyday for this precious gift.

The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; Where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; To be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we recieve; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.