Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at 7:00AM MAD21 By Pat
Holy Spirit, fill my soul.
Place me under your control.
Let me feel amazing grace,
Always seeking Jesus' face.
Holy Spirit, let me speak
Words of courage to the weak,
Showing love in all I say,
Blessing others every day.
Monday, September 27, 2010 at 7:00AM MAD21 By Jason (Connecting to Impact)
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1)
We live a society that has become transfixed on happiness at all costs. Everything seems readily accessible and easily replaced. The value on people has receded just as the value on things has.
Relationships with family, friends, spouses, and others are all judged and weighed through the lens of what we gain from the arrangement. Church becomes yet another place to be a consumer instead of a contributor. And even if they do want to contribute, they may not find something that immediately interests them and walk away.
Our kids have to have perseverance. It’s not just because that’s a nice value to promote, the Bible tells us a lot about enduring and overcoming. As Hebrews 12 goes on to say, the hardships we endure can be counted as discipline. Discipline doesn’t make us happy, but we need it to be all that He has called and made us to be.
As I said in the post about our kids and work, if these are important values, we certainly have to model them, but we also need to pray them consistently for our children.
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (Romans 12:12)
Children, Family, Family Life, Perseverance, Prayer in Prayers For Our Children Friday, September 24, 2010 at 7:00AM MAD21 By Michelle (Graceful, Faith in the Everyday)
I stop short in the driveway and stand staring. It all looks so normal, so everyday, I think to myself, observing the potted impatiens she planted in front of the garage, the Windexed windows, the kitchen light glowing inside. Who would know what goes on behind that front door, between those brick walls? Who would guess there is grieving and sickness, tears and joy mingled bittersweet?
I watch the grandkids play tag, climb the river birch tree. They yell and laugh, scream and fall in piles on the grass.
A neighbor drives by, slows, points to my husband’s uncle’s car – a 50s Chevrolet convertible parked in the driveway – gives me a thumb’s up. He approves of the car. But he doesn’t know. He doesn’t know that I don’t care a bit about that car, about its funky tail fins and genuine red leather interior. He doesn’t know that I don’t even see it.
This neighbor can’t see the real story, of course. All he sees are grandkids leaping on the lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs, the classic car, a beautiful house bricked shut.
Death, Family, Family Life, Love, Patience, Suffering in Family Life Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 7:00AM MAD21 By Lara
We got up really early for Egypt. The first part of the tour was a three hour bus ride into Cairo. Our tour guide was interesting. I tried to stay awake for his lecture because he was so excited and knowledgeable. I did not succeed. I don't think I slept through a lot of it, though.
Cairo was interesting. No one in Cairo drives inside the traffic lines... not buses, not sports cars, not 1950's style Fords, nor the donkey carts. They all just weave and honk their way forward. 
Our bus managed to weave and honk its way to the Egyptian museum. I was excited about the museum. I grew up watching enough PBS that four thousand year old statues make me tingly with anticipation. Plus, I was going to see the King Tut exhibit on its home continent! That's when our guide mentioned that under no circumstances could we bring a camera inside. My heart grumbled a bit, but I reminded myself that there was a gift shop.
Ok. We braved the exuberant throngs of people to get inside the museum. If Egypt has fire codes, I cannot imagine that we didn't violate about a hundred of them to squeeze into the museum. We didn't get a lot of time to look at the statues. I probably would have lingered over more of them, but I had no desire to be left behind in Egypt... or crushed by a tourist stampede. I did, however, get to see Tutankhamen's underpants.
Egypt, Fun, Travel, Year of the Birthday in Year of the Birthday Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 7:00AM MAD21 By Pat
I often struggle with feelings of inadequacy and uncertainty in my Christian walk, feeling like I don't have the knowledge and confidence required to move forward in certain areas. I allow what I see in myself to supersede what God sees in me, and become afraid to take chances for fear of failure. For instance, many times I have considered hosting a Bible study, but have never felt that I could be an effective group leader, and am afraid I might say something wrong.
I forget that God is in control, and that when the Holy Spirit nudges me, it's the Lord speaking. In Jeremiah 1:7-10, Jeremiah voices his reluctance to God regarding Jeremiah's prophet abilities: "but the Lord said to me, "Do not say 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out His hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now I have put my words in your mouth."
Over and over throughout scripture, we see examples of God equipping us with whatever is necessary in order to do His work. I have to stop relying on what my limited eyesight can see and allow God to give me what I need to serve Him effectively. God knows us better than we know ourselves!
Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.
