Reading through God's word

I have read through many bible readings plans the last couple years. Three months, a Proverb a day for a month, one year (which turned into seven months... I don't think I did that one right, haha ;).), reading through the same passage fifty days in a row, and a friend and I were working on reading through the bible in six months when we decided to jump into Romans. We plan on finishing that after Romans :). I have done them alone, with a group of friends, with Tori, with just one friend, and, as far as Romans goes, with a group I don't even know who all it includes ;), thanks to Grace Mally's invitation to those who wanted to join her. But I had never done one with Bethi!
Bethi was going to start a one year bible reading plan on the first of May. About the (tenth?... I think...), she asked me where I was at in Genesis. I gave her a blank look, haha :). I told her I was in Romans, and she gave me a blank look. Come to find out, she thought that I was joining her in her reading plan (although we never talked about it before she started, I didn't know until she started that she was planning on it!). She was truly disappointed that I wasn't, it made me kind of sad :P. I decided to do the best I could to catch up, and have finally caught up with her... It is really precious to see her face light up when she hears that I am going to go read my day's chapters in Genesis :). She runs and grabs her bible, and we will sit together and read :). I have enjoyed it immensely, and I can tell it means a lot to her :). I am so proud of her (and Tori, who is doing a six months reading plan with Mommy!) though, because I know at her age I rarely read more than a chapter a day... I am so glad that they are already into studying God's word and growing in him! I have been struck several times with the fact that if I had started really studying the word when I was younger, instead of squishing one chapter in because reading the bible was the right thing to do, and I couldn't justify reading less than a chapter... How much more I would have gained! I don't think that I read the bible cover-to-cover once before I was twelve, I kind of skipped around, with no real purpose (not that I see skipping as bad, if you are doing it to study, it is just that I couldn't stay in the same book for more than a month... and since Genesis is fifty chapters long, and I only read a chapter a day, I rather failed at making it cover to cover... badly!). It is sad to think of all the time I wasted, but I am so glad to see my younger siblings already actively searching God's word and I am so thankful for the chance to study it now :)!!!

As for some news, Daddy arrives home tomorrow night, after we spend a day with some friends, and keep ourselves out of the house so that we aren't in the way while someone else comes to look at it :)! We are praying that this will be it, and yet we know that it may not be... it is hard to wait for God's timing sometimes, but I know the wait will have been worth it when we look back at it five years from now. Also, my math was "absolutely" fun today.. "absolutely" shocking, right? Heehee :). But, really... it was "absolute values" :)...
I need to go now... I have to weed eat the yard, and we still have to finish up a couple other things, yet, today, so that we are ready to leave early tomorrow...

Romans background

I thought I'd share these facts behind the book of Romans :)... That is another blessing from staying in one passage for several weeks, you can study the book in small bits and pieces, while still having it fresh in your mind :)! Most of these won't be new at all to most people, but I like having things all together in one place, haha :).

Paul was the author of Romans, so called because it was to the Christians in Rome ("Paul... To all those in Rome", 1:1&7), to the believers at the church in Rome.
The letter was dictated to Tertius to be written ("I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.", Romans 16:22).
It was sent by the hand of Phoebe ("I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae,  that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well." Romans 16:1,2).
It was probably written in about A.D. 57.
Paul was writing from Corinth.

Also, this verse confused me for a while:
"Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them." (Romans 1:32)
Why would it be "more" of a sin (although there is no such thing as a small sin, as Romans itself  has already pointed out!) to give approval to someone who sins than to sin yourself? I was reading Matthew Henry's commentary on the bible, and and I love how he put his explanation for this verse:
"The violence of some present temptation may hurry a man into the commission of such sins himself in which the vitiated appetite may take a pleasure; but to be pleased with other people's sins is to love sin for sin's sake: it is joining in a confederacy for the devil's kingdom and interest."

Reading the same passage of scripture for 50 days

I hadn't thought of this before, but I am really excited about it!
Miss Grace Mally posted this on her blog- The Romans Challenge- and I am excited about it :). I love having a reading plan, and when I saw this, I decided to join for several reasons :).
I was looking for another longer bible reading plan, as I have been wanting to spend more time in the word.
I think that reading the passage of Romans 1-8 will be wonderful in that I hope that these truth-filled verses will become a bigger part of my life.
I am also hoping that reading it many times will help me memorize it ;).
And, I would like to write down the whole first eight chapters in a note book during these fifty days. I think it would be a wonderful keepsake! I have actually wanted to write out large portions of scripture for about a year (partly in hopes that it would help me memorize, haha...), but I haven't gotten far at all. I think doing it over a period of several weeks will be much better than trying to do it all at once, as I had been trying to do.
Anyway, just really excited about it! Does anybody else think that they would like to try this :)?! I have asked friends to join me in reading through the bible a few times, and it has been an extreme blessing to me! (Not to mention that when somebody you really know asks you "Where are you at with your bible reading", and they know where you are suppose to be, at random times, it can help you stay on track, heehee...)... if you would like to join, I would love to hear from you!

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

I pray that the realization of this will stay with us all through out the year, even now that Christmas is over! Praise God for gifting us with his only Son to pay for our sins on the cross!

Philippians 2

As I didn't get to posting the second chapter of Philippians yesterday, I'll do it here for those who may want to read it here still :)... 

1So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,^a 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant,^b being born in the likeness of men. 8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

14Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 15that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

19I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22But you know Timothy’s^c proven worth, how as a son^d with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

25I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

Some reflections...

For cross to the coasts of Cyprus and see,
or send to Kedar and examine with care;
see if there has been such a thing.
Has a nation changed its gods,
even though they are no gods?
But my people have changed their glory
for that which does not profit. 

Be appalled, O heavens, at this;
be shocked, be utterly desolate, 

declares the Lord,

For my people have committed two evils:
they have forsaken me,
the fountain of living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves,
broken cisterns that can hold no water.

Jeremiah 2:10-13

 I was reading in Jeremiah the other day, and this passage really stuck out to me. How sad, and yet how very true. Christ's followers, who are being lead by the TRUE God, are the most likely to wander from the path they are following. I pray that God would help us to stay true to him, and praise him for his loving grace, that holds fast no matter what. May our hearts take these words in, and may he use them to keep us on the one and only true path to life, with the one and only true God!

Acts 16:25-34

"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm to yourself, for we are all here". And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." And they spoke the word of God to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them in the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God."
After saving a woman with a "spirit of divination" from this spirit, which caused her masters to loss "much gain", which made them angry enough to have them arrested- Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns!!! And this was definitely a way to minister to the other prisoners, because the bible tells us that they were listening. And, after God sent the earthquake, Paul and his companion didn't leave! And they didn't allow the jailer who was in charge of keeping them in prison to kill himself when he supposed that he had failed his job, either. Instead, they offered him comfort that they, and all the other prisoners, were still there.
Through this, the jailer was led to inquire into the way to be saved, and instead of bargaining with him ("We'll tell if you get us out!") or being angry ("This town has treated us awful, we will do no favors for anyone in it!"), the two men used this time of tribulation for the work God had for them right then and there- telling this man about Christ! And not just the jailer, but his whole family, and any visitors at his home, listened and learned.
Out of thankfulness to these two men for giving him the best news in the world, the jailer washed their wounds they had received at the orders of the magistrates, and asked to be baptized, and his family joined him!!! Then he brought them to his own house, and fed them. And he and his family "rejoiced that he had believed in God"!
A lot of people think that God will only give them good things. The rest is from Satan. But have you ever thought about the story of Job? Satan couldn't do ANYTHING to Job that God did not tell him to do. In fact, God was the one who brought up the conversation about Job that led to the testing of Job! So it can't be that Satan is the one in charge of the bad... God has ALL THINGS in control!
So, why does God allow any of these things to happen? Well, do you think that Paul and Silas thought that being put in prison was the best thing that ever happened to them? Probably not! But still, they had joy in the Lord, and ministered to many, many prisoners with the outflow of this joy. Singing hymns and praying... we don't know what they were praying for, but I'm sure it included those who had wronged them, and maybe even those around them! And, it turned out that it was most definitely God's plan- we're not sure how many people were in this family that got saved, but Paul and Silas were used to do it, and this couldn't have happened this way without the circumstances they were in. I'm sure they were thankful that the Lord could use them in this way! Of course, God could still have saved them if he had wanted, but really, don't you think that God had a reason for it to happen this way? God has a reason for everything!!!
So, although it can be hard, lets strive to live for Christ, knowing that he is in control of ALL the areas in our life- he is an amazing God, do we really think that he is too weak to stop Satan from doing evil? No. God allows the evil, to bring about his perfect plan... and THAT is WONDERFUL!

Thankful Thursday

I thought that it would be neat to have a weekly "thankful post" (although I doubt it comes weekly, or at least not on Thursday. I am sure to remember on Wednesday and forget on Thursday, then remember again on Friday... haha!)- I love reading other people's, as they often remind you to be thankful over something you have never thought of before, and it will be a great way to count my blessings! Anyways...
This week I am thankful to God for...
~A loving Savior who dead for me!!!
~Alarm clocks, haha!
~Sleeping baby giggles :).
~Being able to read the Bible freely (to get a better idea of how special this is, you could read "Mary Jones and Her Bible", a true story about a girl who worked for years just to OWN a Bible!)
~ Owning good cook books.
~A knowledge of cooking.
~A new sewing machine that I will get to use (I just hope it obeys me better than the old one did, haha!)
~That everyone is really starting to feel better after being sick for almost two weeks!
~Little ones who always want to "help" ;).
~Paper plates, heehee...
~A clean kitchen.
~Getting warm water at the turn of a knob instead of having to boil it all!
~Kitchen clean-up buddies.
~Windows to view God's creations from and let in the sunshine.
~The fact that I got some pictures of a couple Pearly Crescent butterflies yesterday (they got trapped in the screened porch- I let them go when I was done photographing!).
~Little voices praising the Lord :)!
~Knitting needles (which I really should go use, but my yarn is tangled... I guess I should be thankful that I get to practice my 'yarn de-tangling skills", haha!)
~Little ones reading to littler ones.
~A twenty-two month old who asks me to read her the Bible :)!
~For God's goodness,
~And for God's love :)!
And so much more :)!!!

"Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good:
for his steadfast love endures forever!"

~Psalms 181:1

Merry Christmas!!!

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there
came a decree from Augustus Caesar, that all the
world should be taxed.
2 (This first taxing was made when Quirinius
was governor of Syria.)
3 Therefore went all to be taxed, every man to
his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee out of
a city called Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of
David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was
of the house and lineage of David,)
5 To be taxed with Mary that was given him to
wife, which was with child.
6 ¶ And so it was, that while they were there,
the days were accomplished that she should be
delivered.
7 And she brought forth her first begotten son,
and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him
in a cratch, because there was no room for them in
the inn.
8 ¶ And there were in the same country shepherds,
abiding in the field, and keeping watch by
night over their flock.
9 And lo, the Angel of the Lord came upon
them, and the glory of the Lord shone about them,
and they were sore afraid.
10 Then the Angel said unto them, Be not afraid:
for behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy, that
shall be to all the people,
11 That is, that unto you is born this day in the
city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign to you, Ye shall find the
babe swaddled, and laid in a cratch.
13 And straightway there was with the Angel a
multitude of heavenly soldiers, praising God, and
saying,
14 Glory be to God in the high heavens, and peace
in earth, and toward men good will.
15 And it came to pass when the Angels were gone
away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said
one to another, Let us go then unto Bethlehem, and
see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord
hath showed unto us.
16 So they came with haste, and found both Mary
and Joseph and the babe laid in the cratch.
17 And when they had seen it, they published
abroad the thing that was told them of that child.
18 And all that heard it, wondered at the things
which were told them of the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all those sayings, and pondered
them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned glorifying and
praising God, for all that they had heard and seen,
as it was spoken unto them.
Luke 2: 1- 20

Advent

I have been meaning to write a post on how we do advent/ what the purpose of Advent is for... almost four weeks. Since the Advent season started. Oh well... Here it is now :)...
Advent is really a time of preparation and reflection on the reason why we celebrate Christmas! There are four weeks of Advent, and, although there are many ways to celebrate Advent, here is how we do it...
On the first night of Advent, we make our Advent wreath. We have a golden candle holder, with spots for five candles. One Candle (the white one, white stands for purity) goes in the middle. This is the "Jesus" candle. It is a bit taller than the other candles, as Jesus is above all others. The other four candles (purple, the color that stands for royalty) go in the four corners around the white. These candles are the "Prophecy", "Bethlehem", "Angels" , and "Shepherds" candles. We put green garland and white ribbon around the candle holder, in a spiraling circle. Green stands for new life, circles for eternity (there is no beginning and no end to a circle), and of course, white for purity. We put holly berries on (drops of blood that Jesus would eventually shed for our sins), and pine cones (pine cones must die to give life to the next tree- Jesus gave his life so we could have life. We also put poinsettia flowers on the wreath, to stand for the Star of Bethlehem.
Sometime during each week of Advent, we try for Monday, we will make a meal of either red chili or white chili, just because chili seems like a nice winter-ish meal. No other reason :). It is just part of how Daddy and Mommy chose to make that teaching time different from regular winter suppers, make a point of how this is a special time (kind of like it is pretty much a must for everybody to eat turkey on Thanksgiving!).
That night, we do a Bible study (using the Bible that Daddy used while growing up, and that was used for family Bible time every night for years. We now have a newer Bible for family Bible time, and this one is getting saved for this time of year, due to the fact that we didn't want this one destroyed by the little hands that wanted to read to themselves during the day) on what that nights candle stands for. We discussed the candle for that night, review the candles we have done so far, and have a time of prayer.

The First candle is : The "Prophecy" (or, anticipation ) candle.

" Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin
shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

~Isaiah 7:14~

The second candle is: The "Bethlehem" (or, preparation) candle.

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."

~Micah 5:2~

The third candle is: The "Angels" (or, rejoicing) candle.

"And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings, of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

~Luke 2:9-14~

The fourth candle is: The "Shepherds" (or, the reflection) candle.

"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven,the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them."

~Luke 2: 14- 20~

And the Fifth candle is: The "Jesus" (or, Christ)candle.

"For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people, A light to be revealed to the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things, which were spoken touching him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary
his mother, Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against, (Yea and a sword shall pierce through thy soul) that the thoughts of many hearts may be opened."

~ Luke 2: 30-35~

Through these verses, (and, of course, there are many more to use if you wish!), a discussion can be started, that can be both informative and sweet :).
I have loved our family's Advent celebration the past few years (actually, I guess more than a few- four or five, at the least, which is considered several!). I think it has really helped our family really think about what Christmas is about, as a family, in a wonderful way!!!
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!

Nothing is sweeter...

Then seeing little ones loving to read God's word :). ESPECIALLY when they love to read it to their little siblings :)!

Heehee...

Gifts from Abbi...

~Jesus answered, "I tell you, if these people were

silent, the very stones would cry out."
Luke 19: 40, slightly paraphrased.~

(Those are rocks, if your wondering! She brings Mommy and I some rocks every time she goes outside with Tori. I think it's kind of cute... :) )

~ Psalm 19:14 ~

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."

LOVE...

"Though I speak with the tongue of men and of angels, and have not love, I am as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, so I can understand all mysteries and have all knowledge, and thought I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; Charity envieth not; Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.
Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
For we know in part, and we prophesy in apart.
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away with.
When I was a child, I spake like a child, I understood like a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known.
And now abideth faith, hope, Charity, these three; but the greatest of these is Charity."
~1 Corinthians 13~

My favorite Psalm............ Psalm 23.

Yes, it really is! I have a second favorite but Psalm 23 is my all time favorite Psalm yet.

1 "The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul.

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

for his names sake.

4 Even though I walk though the valley of the

shadow of ,

I will fear no evil,

for you art with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

Isn't it pretty? Like I said, it's my all time favorite Psalm so I decided to share it. Well, that is it for right now, so bye!