Proud Mommy Moments: Singing Sisters

Every night, Grace goes to bed with her CD player on.  She listened to Christmas music through June (when Mommy took away the Christmas CD's)...  but right now Grace is listening to Christian kids praise music.  The CD player is on all night, and I can't tell you how many times I just want to turn that thing off.  But she loves it - so it stays on.

Most mornings, Grace ends up in Autumn's room while I struggle to get out of bed.  Sometimes they throw toys at each other, but most often, Grace ends up singing songs to Autumn.  Usually Grace just makes songs up and Autumn claps along.  But last week, I woke up to the sound of Grace singing praise music to Autumn.  I can't remember what song it was, but Grace knew all the words.  And Autumn loved it.

I hope that in 10, 20 or even 30 years from now, those songs, specifically those words are still on my little girl's heart.

Bible in 90 Days: Week 13 Schedule

I wasn't sure how I would enjoy reading through all four gospels, one right after the other.  I thought it may be redundant after the second.  But, fortunately, I didn't find that at all.  I really enjoyed it and was given a fresh perspective about Who Christ was and is today.  Of the four gospels, I think John moved my heart the most.  John's account of Christ's life, death and resurrection is different than the others.  Not only does it include more stories about the life of Christ, but the tone of it is entirely different than Matthew, Mark and Luke.

If you ever wondered who Christ was, claimed to be and came to do, John provides those answers!  Many say that Christ was a good person, a leader, a teacher, a wise man or a prophet.  But you cannot read the account of Jesus' life in John (or any of the other gospels, really), and hold to that.  The book even starts out by saying the Jesus and God are one.  They are the same.  And then Christ himself makes six "I Am" statements throughout John's account:

1. I am the bread of life
2. I am the light of the world
3. I am the door of the sheep
4. I am the good shepherd
5. I am the resurrection and the life
6. I am the way, the truth and the life
7. I am the true

Did something stand out to you this week as you finished the gospels and read through Acts?

We are almost done with our adventure through the Bible together this summer.  After this week, we will only have one more day of reading.  Now, I know some of you are behind.  And that's ok.  I'd recommend that you see if you can plan it out so that you will finish by the end of next week.

Here is this week's schedule:

Day 83, Monday, August 1st
Romans 15:1 - I Corinthians 14:40

Day 84, Tuesday, August 2nd
I Corinthians 15:1 - Galatians 3:25

Day 85, Wednesday, August 3rd
Galatians 3:26 - Colossians 4:18

Day 86, Thursday, August 4th
I Thessalonians 1:1 - Philemon 25

Day 87, Friday, August 5th
Hebrews 1:1 - James 3:12

Day 88, Saturday, August 6th
James 3:13 - 3 John 14

Day 89, Sunday, August 7th
Jude 1 - Revelations 17:18

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In

This week, Wife of a Sailor has us doing "or's".... so here is mine.

1.Facebook or Twitter?
Facebook.  Every once in a while, I'll check on someone's Twitter, tweets, whatever they're called; but I feel like I get more out of what people have to say on Facebook.  And I'm totally addicted to Facebook!  Any one else ready to admit it with me?

2.Hard Tacos or Soft Tacos?
Soft Tacos.  Hard tacos are messy. Once you take a bite, you instantly have parts of the shell as well as the filling on you.  I like that soft tacos neatly pack away all the goodness!

3.Gardening or crafting?
Gardening.  I often say to my crafty friends that I like to buy crafts, not make them.  I'm not artistic and I'm not handy, oh, and I hate messes.  So crafts just aren't my thing.  But I really appreciate those who are crafty, because I can use them when I need them.

4.Fruit or vegetables?
Honestly, I love both.  But I eat a lot more fruits than veggies.  I love the summer, especially when the raspberries are ripe.

5.Motorcycle or bicycle?
Bicycle.  Simply because they're safer.  I rode on a motorcycle with someone in college - and honestly they were probably the safest rider out there, but I was still not comfortable.  About 8 years ago, I so a motorcyclist hit a curb and fly off his bike onto the sidewalk.  I'll never forget it.  And my girls are never going to ride.  Ever.  Sorry Grace (she wants one).

Wednesday Wit

During snack time today...

Grace:  Mom, I'm still hungry.
Me:  OK, what else would you like?
Grace:  Do you have a menu?
Me:  (laughing hysterically)  I'll see what I can do.

8 Years

Eight years ago, I married my best friend.  These eight years have been full of challenge, growth, love and a deeper appreciation for one another.  I'm so blessed to be married to such a wonderful man.

Bible in 90 Days: Week 12 Schedule

As of today, we've read through most of the Gospels.  It has been so neat to read through the Gospels - one right after the other.  It's certainly helped to cement some of the parables into my memory!

So, what has struck you most by reading through Matthew, Mark and most of Luke this past week?  Have you noticed any themes that struck you?

One things that stood out for me, was how many times Christ talked about faith.  As much as Christ taught about Himself, God' purposes and what is right, He taught a lot about faith.  There are numerous passages this past week where Christ directly deals with the issue of faith:
Matthew 8:10, Matthew 9:12, Matthew 9:22, Matthew 9:22, Matthew 15:28, Matthew 17:20, Matthew 21:21, Matthew 23:23, Mark 2:5, Mark 4:40, Luke 5:20, Luke 7:9, Luke 7:50, Luke 8:25, Luke 8:48, Luke 17:5, Luke 17:6, Luke 17:19, Luke 18:18 and Luke 18:24.

Christ taught about faith.  He loved those who had faith.  He healed those who had faith.  He wants us to have faith.  He saves those with faith. And He wants us to grow in our faith.

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for,

the conviction of things not seen."

- Hebrews 11:1

Here is this week's schedule:


Day 76, Monday, July 25th
Luke 20:20 - John 5:47

Day 77, Tuesday, July 26th
Grace Day

Day 78, Wednesday, July 27th
John 6:1 - John 15:17

Day 79, Thursday, July 28th
John 15:18 - Acts 6:7

Day 80, Friday, July 29th
Acts 6:8 - Acts 16:37

Day 81, Saturday, July 30th
Acts 16:38 - Acts 28:16

Day 82, Sunday, July 31st
Acts 28:17 - Romans 14:23

Bible in 90 Days: The Old Testament

I was a bit shocked to turn the page in my Bible on Monday and realize that we were in Matthew.  When we started this journey 71 days ago, I had the attitude on Day 1 that I couldn't wait for the New Testament reading to begin.  Initially, I wasn't looking forward to reading through the Old Testament.  But soon I became immersed in the stories of God and His people - their journey together.

Now that we're in Matthew, I'm still going back in my head to the truths of God that the Old Testament reveals.  It's so obvious to me that in order to be a healthy Christian, you have to be rooted in the God of the Old Testament... because He's the same God of the New Testament.  I've often thought (and said) that the God of the Old Testament seemed distant and harsh to me.  But I can firmly say that I no longer believe that.

Some things that I learned about God through our Old Testament reading....

• He wants genuine relationships with us
• He loves through discipline
• He cannot stand sin
• He requires holiness
• He offers a way to holiness
• His plan is perfect
• His heart is hurt, like a father, when we walk away from Him
• His love for us is at the center of all that he does
• He is always in control, even when things seem chaotic
• He is just
• He knows our heart and desires it
• He created perfectly
• God works through us, even with our imperfections
• He desires our praise
• He desires our heart
• He can use our failures
• His love never fails
• His love never ends
• His Word is life

For those of you who are Christians, especially those who have been saved for a long time, these truths are not ground-breaking.  They are truths about God loved by His people.  And although we may know them in our mind, too often we do not know them in our heart.  We do not always live like we believe them.

I've learned that it is easy to be academic in our understanding of God.  But that gets us no where.  And God doesn't want that.  The last 71 days have been heart-changing for me, and I pray that they've been that way for you, too!

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