Ever since the kids were little we have made it a habit to pray in the car before we head out of our driveway. As the kids started their first day of school this week, I prayed aloud for their safety, for their influence in the school, for fellow students, for the teachers and staff, and for God’s blessings upon their day.
I especially prayed that they realize that no matter what supplies they pile into their book bags (and a few of them had brand new ones this year), there is something much better they can take to school. They can always take Jesus with them.
Jesus is their source of strength. He is available every minute of the day for comfort and guidance. He will never leave them or forsake them, even if they find themselves in the most precarious of situations.
And Jesus is easy to pack, too. Sometimes book bags get cramped, making it difficult to find even the simplest of things. Jesus tucks Himself securely into one’s heart, with no fuss or mess.
Make sure your children have Jesus conveniently packed. He is a must for every school day, and He is so much better than a book bag!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Last Minute Prep
Today is the first day of school for the kids in our district. Last night, after a nice long day at a theme park, we spent some time taking care of last minute preparations. Bookbags were set out and packed with paper and freshly sharpened pencils. Clothes were doubled checked for wrinkles and placed neatly over a chair or desk with shoes and socks nearby. Lunches were made. Snacks were discussed. Showers were taken. Everything was made ready so we could be all set to go first thing this morning.
It's good to prepare and plan ahead. It prevents struggling to find things in the morning and feeling rushed as you're trying to get out the door. It saves time and energy. And it's a good lesson to teach the kids not to wait until the last minute to do things.
The Bible gives us several illustrations about being ready for Christ's return. Matthew 24:42 states, "'Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.'" Since we do not know when He will return, shouldn't that be more of an encouragement to be ready just in case it's today?
Don't look at preparing ahead as a bother. It's a good habit to develop, both for this world and the next. Are you ready for today?
It's good to prepare and plan ahead. It prevents struggling to find things in the morning and feeling rushed as you're trying to get out the door. It saves time and energy. And it's a good lesson to teach the kids not to wait until the last minute to do things.
The Bible gives us several illustrations about being ready for Christ's return. Matthew 24:42 states, "'Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.'" Since we do not know when He will return, shouldn't that be more of an encouragement to be ready just in case it's today?
Don't look at preparing ahead as a bother. It's a good habit to develop, both for this world and the next. Are you ready for today?
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Weekend Reflection
"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,
do all to the glory of God."
1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJ
Friday, August 22, 2008
The Narrow Path
It's easy to step out of the narrow path. Just ask those track and field athletes in the Olympics who were disqualified for stepping out of their lanes. Even though their feet were out by the smallest measure, their chances for any type of award were eliminated.
How did this happen? They had years of training. They knew the rules. This was not a first time run, but the most important competition of their lives.
Perhaps it was the heat of the moment; the anxiousness and excitement and glamour that the Olympics bring. Maybe it was the adrenalin overflowing. Whatever the reason, the runners missed their chances for success.
We have a narrow path to walk as Christians. They are many distractions in the world that can keep our eyes off the prize of eternal life with God: prestige; possessions; self-centeredness; greed; anything that interrupts our walk with the Lord. Stepping off the narrow path can make us stumble; it can lead us to follow different paths.
God is a God of second chances. If we sidestep, He calls us back. If we stumble, He helps us up. However, if we take too many steps away, it's harder to hear His voice. We can end up lost, not knowing where we are going and unable to hear His call.
Staying on the path is a must if we want to attain our reward. We need to ask the Lord to help us focus on our task and to help make our steps sure and steady. If we are diligent, we will succeed, and we will have the greatest prize of all: hearing God say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
How did this happen? They had years of training. They knew the rules. This was not a first time run, but the most important competition of their lives.
Perhaps it was the heat of the moment; the anxiousness and excitement and glamour that the Olympics bring. Maybe it was the adrenalin overflowing. Whatever the reason, the runners missed their chances for success.
We have a narrow path to walk as Christians. They are many distractions in the world that can keep our eyes off the prize of eternal life with God: prestige; possessions; self-centeredness; greed; anything that interrupts our walk with the Lord. Stepping off the narrow path can make us stumble; it can lead us to follow different paths.
God is a God of second chances. If we sidestep, He calls us back. If we stumble, He helps us up. However, if we take too many steps away, it's harder to hear His voice. We can end up lost, not knowing where we are going and unable to hear His call.
Staying on the path is a must if we want to attain our reward. We need to ask the Lord to help us focus on our task and to help make our steps sure and steady. If we are diligent, we will succeed, and we will have the greatest prize of all: hearing God say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Missing
I can’t believe it. I’m missing socks! Not just any socks; my low cut ones that I wear with my tennis shoes when I’m wearing shorts. I’ve only found one pair when I used to have several. Where did they go? I wish I could answer that question. I could really use those socks.
You would think that taking items directly to the wash, washing, then drying them, would result in having said items at the end, right? Wrong? My socks are gone!
No matter how careful we are, we will inevitably misplace something. Sometimes it will be accidental; other times because of circumstances beyond our control.
Thankfully, we are never misplaced by God. He knows exactly where we are physically as well as spiritually. He makes every effort to get us back on track with Him, giving us precisely what we need to realize we are missing.
Are you missing something? Is it a personal relationship with the Lord? Ask Him into your heart so you can get back in place. In the meantime, I’m out to buy some socks!
You would think that taking items directly to the wash, washing, then drying them, would result in having said items at the end, right? Wrong? My socks are gone!
No matter how careful we are, we will inevitably misplace something. Sometimes it will be accidental; other times because of circumstances beyond our control.
Thankfully, we are never misplaced by God. He knows exactly where we are physically as well as spiritually. He makes every effort to get us back on track with Him, giving us precisely what we need to realize we are missing.
Are you missing something? Is it a personal relationship with the Lord? Ask Him into your heart so you can get back in place. In the meantime, I’m out to buy some socks!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Back to Business
School starts next week for the kids. We’ve done all our clothes shopping. The school supplies have been bought and, in my daughters’ cases, packed inside their backpacks. They are ready for the beginning of a new school year. But am I?
Since the kids have been home for the summer, I’ve had to work my writing schedule around swimming lessons, field trips, and errands with the kids. I’ve settled into an easier writing routine, taking full advantage of my laptop since the kids have gravitated to my other computer.
Now with them returning to a full day of school, I have to retrain myself into an actual sit-down-in-the-morning-and-work-diligently-because-I-only-have-a-few-hours-before-I-have-to-pick-them-up schedule. I hope the transition doesn’t take long.
Getting back into a routine takes work and dedication. You have to toss aside new habits and reinstate old ones. I know it will be tough at first, but settling into a normal writing schedule will be the best thing for me. Time to dust off the productivity I put aside back in June and get to work!
Since the kids have been home for the summer, I’ve had to work my writing schedule around swimming lessons, field trips, and errands with the kids. I’ve settled into an easier writing routine, taking full advantage of my laptop since the kids have gravitated to my other computer.
Now with them returning to a full day of school, I have to retrain myself into an actual sit-down-in-the-morning-and-work-diligently-because-I-only-have-a-few-hours-before-I-have-to-pick-them-up schedule. I hope the transition doesn’t take long.
Getting back into a routine takes work and dedication. You have to toss aside new habits and reinstate old ones. I know it will be tough at first, but settling into a normal writing schedule will be the best thing for me. Time to dust off the productivity I put aside back in June and get to work!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Mornings
I love mornings. I love waking up with the promise of a fresh day ahead. Sleeping in has never been for me. In fact, sleeping past seven is late.
I have always favored mornings. When I was a kid, I would wake up at six wanting to watch cartoons. My parents loved the day I was able to turn the TV on for myself!
Maybe my love for mornings is why I like Lamentations 3:22-23, "Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."
We don't have to feel so down when we make mistakes. God is ready and willing to forgive us. He wants to take our slate and wipe it clean.
Why don't you let God give you a new morning? You will then be blessed with a brand new day.
I have always favored mornings. When I was a kid, I would wake up at six wanting to watch cartoons. My parents loved the day I was able to turn the TV on for myself!
Maybe my love for mornings is why I like Lamentations 3:22-23, "Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."
We don't have to feel so down when we make mistakes. God is ready and willing to forgive us. He wants to take our slate and wipe it clean.
Why don't you let God give you a new morning? You will then be blessed with a brand new day.
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