Works For Me Wednesday: Organizing Rooms

By MAD21

We all have one... A space in the house that is like a dumping ground. For some it's the garage, some it's the attic, others it's the 'spare room.' You know the kind, it's the space full of clutter where there is a mix of items that are used and unused, and things that need to either be given away, sold, or thrown away.

I am, by nature, a neat-freak. I am one of those people who can't stand the sight of clutter everywhere. It was much easier to live a life clutter-free before being married and having kids. Though, it wasn't too bad until the kids came along. Now it's a daily struggle to keep my house from looking like a giant toy box. I am happy to find out that as they get older, their toys seem to get smaller, so I do have some hope for the future...

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Community of Believers

By Chuck (Sharing Compassion)

My last post was a request for prayer while explaining the valley I am currently walking through. Let me state that I know I am being prayed for and if nothing else then I am learning how important being part of a community is. My pastor, the youth minister, elders and other church members have come up to me to let me know they are praying for my situation. I have used social networking to let people know of my situation and just to pray. The response had been incredible. Last Saturday I was invited to speak (on behalf of Compassion) at a local church that I have a relationship with. They were having a night of worship with another church from Baltimore City. Prior to my presentation both churches prayed for my situation and for opportunities. Totally unexpected and incredible! It is great to be a part of this community and to know that others are caring for me. The walk through the valley is tough but it is great to know others are "walking" with me.

I can equate this with Compassion and its programs. Sponsorship is not about the dollars but rather about building a relationship. It is this relationship that gives the hope and brings about a difference. Writing and encouraging is one of the best feelings for both the giver and the receive. I know that my ministry had brought me more blessings than I could ever give. One of the best tag lines that Compassion has is that sponsorship is about changing two lives...the child's and the sponsors. It is so true!

Being a part of a community of believers is the best feeling. Knowing that there are others loving and caring for you- it is just a taste of what heaven will be like. Thanks all for your support and love.

He Has Overcome The World

By Pat

This morning, for my morning devotional, I read Acts 12:1-19. I am familiar with the story...as you may be too. Peter had been imprisoned by Herod, and the situation was dire. He was in chains and was guarded as well, so there seemed to be no hope for escape. But Peter was in for a big surprise. The night before he was to go on trial, angels came to the prison and Peter was set free.

Now, the timing of me reading that particular scripture could not have been better. I have been struggling of late with very heavy and difficult issues, but instead of being imprisoned by tangible chains, I have been imprisoned by invisible chains of doubt and fear. I have allowed Satan, not King Herod, to lock me up and fill me with terrible feelings. Feelings that I don't even like to acknowledge to myself.

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The Paideia of the Lord, Part 2

By Jason, M.Ed., M.A.R., Headmaster

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction (paideia) of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)

It is God's charge to parents, and to fathers in particular to bring up their children in the instruction (paideia) of the Lord.  This work happens primarily at home and only secondarily at school.  If that's true, what are we supposed to be teaching our children exactly?

Fathers, let's suppose you wanted to teach your children about football. (I know that's a real stretch, but hang with me.)  Where would you start? Most likely, you would start by watching a game together and get your children interested in watching football.  You would likely share your passion for your favorite team.  Then, so your child could understand what was going on in the game, you would explain the rules and the roles of the players so that, as you watch the game, your time together would be more meaningful.

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One Word At A Time: Trust

By MAD21

Peter's One Word at a Time blog carnival on Obedience was so successful a few weeks ago, we all decided we'd like to make it a regular thing. So, every other week, we will choose a word to write about and link back to Bridget's blog (since doing One Word at a Time is her "thing"). This week, we bring you:

I asked my family: "What does Trust mean to you?"

Youngest daughter (3.5): (Long pause... shoulder shrugg) "I don't know, Mommy. What is it?"

Oldest daughter (5.5): "Doing something God asks you to. And keeping your promises, too."

Hubby: "The ability to know someone will do something when they say they will."

Me: "That someone or something will do what they are supposed to do, or what was promised. That someone is telling the truth."

The dictionary defines trust as: "Reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence." So. To trust someone or something, one must have confidence in the one you are trusting. Is trust something that comes naturally, or is it something that is earned, or ...learned?

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