The Cubs have some new recruits!

Our boys come to the conclusion that we have a lot of Cubs stuff!

(which they like...a lot)

It's baseball season, and our boys are into it full swing, but I'm not sure the Cubs' owner knew he had these recruits!

(you may have to turn the volume up, but by the video quality you can tell this video was completely made by Ezekiel--from basic concept to finished product--he loves to be creative!)

15th Scripture Memory

So, some people have the ability to update their blog daily, or at least a few times a week. Apparently I don't fit in that category! Blogs seem to be addictive to me, so when I hop on to update my blog, I also see the updates from other blogs I follow and they beckon me to come and read. I've kind of been on a computer hiatus except for the necessary check my e-mail once a day and pay the bills. I have to admit, it's been kind of nice. I gently ease back in, but with more control and less abandon :)

On to bigger things...I just realized this morning that today's memory verse marks one third of our challenge! So if you've been memorizing with me, we've been rewiring our minds to be the same as that of Christ Jesus, and this is our 8th verse. I'm so excited!

I chose to wrap two together this time since the first one is so short:

If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.

Isaiah 7:9b TNIV

Yet (she) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in (her) faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.

Romans 4:20-21 TNIV

One last thing...if you'd like to look up your verse to see the original Greek/Aramaic/Hebrew words, check out some commentary on your verse, and more, check out

http://www.blueletterbible.org/

It's an excellent free tool!

April 1st Scripture Memory

So after I posted and began working on my last memory verse, I started reading it as though I were saying/praying it to God and here's what it sounded like:

You will sprinkle me with clean water and I will be clean and acceptable to You. You will wash away everything that makes me unclean, and You will remove my disgusting idols. You will take away my stubborn heart and give me a new heart and a desire to be faithful. I will have only pure thoughts, because You will put Your Spirit in me and make me eager to obey Your laws and teachings.
from Isaiah 36:25-27

It seems like such a small change, but it rang over and over in my head as I read this verse not as God speaking to me, but as me speaking to God. The truth about how much of our change is God's doing as we hand ourselves over to Him is unmistakable. See how many times "I will" is mentioned? Only twice, and those two times are a result of something God has already done (sprinkled us with water and put His Spirit in us). This is from the Old Testament, however God wants us all to be clean, to be rid of our idols, to not be stubborn, to be faithful and pure, to obey Him--if we submit ourselves to Him fully, He wants to do this overhaul in each of our lives. And how much of this change truly is His strength performing it in us. I just thought that was pretty cool!


On to the scripture God pointed me to for this time:

"Our God, Your Name will be praised forever and ever. You are all-powerful, and you know everything. You control human events--You give rulers their power and take it away, and You are the source of wisdom and knowledge. You explain deep mysteries, because even the dark is light to You."
Daniel 2:20-22

You may or may not know this, but we are in a time of transition. And we don't yet know where we are going. But God does and the best things for our minds to be thinking of in times of uncertainty are the unwavering attributes of God. We believe with all our hearts and minds that He is working and moving and preparing us and the place we will be next, but it's like me walking around without my contacts in--it's all really blurry.

I'm praying God's Word is encouraging you and helping you stay focused, too!

15th Scripture Memory

In seeking God's direction for what word should become the next inhabitant of my mental battlefield, He reminded me of a passage from Ezekiel that I found on a fellow siesta's blog. It caught my attention initially because the author is the namesake of our oldest son, then because it speaks of something we all need--to be cleansed from worldliness and clothed with holiness, setting us apart for the work of the kingdom of God.

I included the NIV because that is the version that first piqued my curiosity, but I will memorize it in the CEV.


Ezekiel 36:25-27 (NIV)

“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean;
I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;
I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
And I will put my Spirit in you
and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”



Ezekiel 36:25-27 (Contemporary English Version)

I will sprinkle you with clean water, and you will be clean and acceptable to me. I will wash away everything that makes you unclean, and I will remove your disgusting idols. I will take away your stubborn heart and give you a new heart and a desire to be faithful. You will have only pure thoughts, because I will put my Spirit in you and make you eager to obey my laws and teachings.


I pray you have had many opportunities to be encouraged, encourage someone, or help someone know God's love more fully because of the Words you have been planting in your mind and heart. Don't quit! I know the enemy's been trying to slow me down lately, and there have been times when I have been slowed, but I will continue to persevere. If you feel like you've fallen behind or don't feel like you've tried as hard as you wanted to, take that as a lesson to learn from. Begin again, work harder today--don't feel like you need to "catch up," just recommit today. This race is not easy, but we have a God who is mighty to save us and who delights in our choosing Him!

1st Scripture Memory

I'm definitely a few days late--sorry about that! We had a fabulous time with our youth leaders and high schoolers (and our family!) at our Winter Retreat this last weekend. So Monday we recouped and the fact that it was March 1st completely slipped by me. I'm in the middle of two open houses where I'm sharing about my recent trip to Cambodia--one was last night, the other will be tomorrow. Hopefully I'll get a chance in the next week to post some pictures. But until then, here's one pic of our group on our last night :)



In the midst of our busyness, I don't feel like I have a good enough handle on my memory verse from last time, so I'm going to continue working on it. Here it is again:

Matthew 11:28-30 Message

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

This verse sounds good to me, but it also calms my soul. I want to get it, really get it. I'm constantly putting unnecessary pressure on myself, so it may take me a while, but I'm pretty sure it could change my life.

15th Scripture Memory

So, at least I warned that I might be a tad late! We've been super busy and are learning tons of stuff that I want to share as soon as I can make sense of it (and be sound enough to put together a reasonable sentence!).

My scripture today comes from the Message translation and I love it!

Matthew 11:28-30 Message

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."


Jesus' words are so comforting to me. I've been immersed in a people whose hope is not in Him and although I do see smiles on their faces, I don't sense a peace about their spirit. Oh, how I want to learn the UNFORCED rhythms of grace!!! I try so hard to follow a schedule--it really does help me, so it's not bad. But sometimes I find myself becoming a slave to my schedule. Just a couple of the many reasons why I love this verse.

What are you working on searing on your heart and mind? Do share!

February 1st Scripture Memory

Wow! It hardly seems as if 1/12 of 2010 is already past us, but here we are in February. I have the privilege of traveling very soon, so I am going to work on embedding this lovely scripture in my heart:


Psalm 4:8 TNIV

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.


During turbulent flights & restless nights I will cling to this verse to encourage me of the One who protects us. No. Matter. What. He promises to protect us, to be a shield right by our side, to protect us from all harm, protecting our very life, as well as our coming and going, both now and forever (Psalm 121:5-8). He is good and His mighty love endures forever!!

Because of travel coming up, the February 15th Scripture Memory post may be a little early or late, depending on when I have internet access, but it will come. I pray you are being blessed immeasurably by the dwelling of God's Word in your mind and heart--I know it pleases Him!!