Good morning friends!
Such a beautiful morning today - the sun always shines brighter after a grey drizzly day, don't you find?
A sunny fall day makes me feel all optimistic - like maybe I will actually be disciplined this October and memorize my verse properly?! ;)
I can't remember if I've confessed this here before or not... but I'm a blog-reading addict. I spend too much time reading all sorts of wonderfully encouraging blogs that urge me to walk closer to God... many tips and suggestions are given to live more disciplined and to faithfully serve Him. I am wowed and encouraged by the faith-walk of so many others and long for such faith in my own life.
Now, reading these isn't a bad thing. We ARE to encourage each other and to build each other up, and I believe that's what a lot of these blog posts I read are meant to do.
But if one doesn't take the message/truth and apply it in our own lives, than it's useless.
So that leads me to my verse for October 1st.
James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Praying THIS becomes more than words to me, but the Truth that it is.
How about you friends? What are you choosing to focus on for the first half of October?
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Verse 18
Good evening friends,
It's that time of month again, and my brain is a bit foggy tonight. I would love to come with a little something to encourage you but I'm hardly stringing to words together, let alone THOUGHTS! :)
I'm writing from Prince Edward Island, where I travelled with the two kids this week for my grandmother's funeral. It's been exhausting, but I'm so thankful I was able to get "home" to be with everyone at this time. My grandmother has left such a testimony, and I love hearing everyone's memories of her. Her faith-filled life and reputation as a prayer warrior is a fresh reminder that the only life to live, is a life that counts for God. And the only way to get there, is that deeply personal relationship with Him. I can truly say my grandmother knew and loved her Saviour... her life showed it!
A hymn that she often sang was quoted at the funeral and the words were new to me... thought you might like them too!
So...
Back to verses. :) Let's hear your 18th verse!
Enjoy the last half of your September. :)
It's that time of month again, and my brain is a bit foggy tonight. I would love to come with a little something to encourage you but I'm hardly stringing to words together, let alone THOUGHTS! :)
I'm writing from Prince Edward Island, where I travelled with the two kids this week for my grandmother's funeral. It's been exhausting, but I'm so thankful I was able to get "home" to be with everyone at this time. My grandmother has left such a testimony, and I love hearing everyone's memories of her. Her faith-filled life and reputation as a prayer warrior is a fresh reminder that the only life to live, is a life that counts for God. And the only way to get there, is that deeply personal relationship with Him. I can truly say my grandmother knew and loved her Saviour... her life showed it!
A hymn that she often sang was quoted at the funeral and the words were new to me... thought you might like them too!
There is singing up in Heaven such as we have never known,
Where the angels sing the praises of the Lamb upon the throne.....
Holy, holy, is what the angels sing,
And I expect to help them make the courts of heaven ring;
But when I sing redemption’s story, they will fold their wings,
For angels never felt the joys that our salvation brings.
So, although I’m not an angel, yet I know that over there
I will join a blessèd chorus that the angels cannot share;
I will sing about my Savior, who upon dark Calvary
Freely pardoned my transgressions, died to set a sinner free.
So...
Back to verses. :) Let's hear your 18th verse!
Enjoy the last half of your September. :)
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Verse 17 Roll Call -- September 1!
September is here and we enter a season of new beginnings.
School starts up, outreaches ramp up again, new programs begin. Like January, September always feels like a fresh slate for me - a time to get back on track or to get organized in some area.
How about we use this fresh start for our commitment to memorize scripture in 2013?!
Maybe you've been like me and kind of slacked off over the summer and spent time hitting "refresh" on the verses from the first half of the year... or maybe you're one of the few who continued steadfast (grin) in your commitment throughout the busy summer months (I seriously applaud you!)...
Either way... September is here and we can get back on track for the last part of the year.
You in?? Good. Me too. :)
What verse have you chosen to kick off the Fall season?
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Aug 15 - Verse 16
Good evening friends,
My apologies for the late post. We are enjoying a family visit from the West Coast grandparents, so the busy days are zipping by.
I'm still taking August as a month for review and am thankful to report that I HAVE been reviewing. ;) *Thank you accountability partners!*
It was great getting some of the comments on the last post from those who are continuing to plug away at memorizing their verses. You're doing great - whatever pace you're taking. Keep it up!
I hope you enjoy the last few weeks of summer. Make the most of it! :)
My apologies for the late post. We are enjoying a family visit from the West Coast grandparents, so the busy days are zipping by.
I'm still taking August as a month for review and am thankful to report that I HAVE been reviewing. ;) *Thank you accountability partners!*
It was great getting some of the comments on the last post from those who are continuing to plug away at memorizing their verses. You're doing great - whatever pace you're taking. Keep it up!
I hope you enjoy the last few weeks of summer. Make the most of it! :)
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Aug 1st - Verse 15
Good morning friends :)
Are you a last minute crammer, or do you give yourself plenty of time to study? Throughout my entire school career, I was the classic last minute crammer and all-night-before-due-date essay writer. No wonder I can't recall much of what I learned!
I think I mentioned before that this method was also my go-to for Sunday School verse memorization... so not proud of that.
So I determined that this challenge would be different for me... that I would be disciplined in my memorization and review. And it worked.
Until about a month ago.
Obviously my pep talks of continuing on and the importance of faithful review throughout the busy summer months were for myself!! Unfortunately the last couple verse selections have been worked on with the "cramming" method. I keep realizing that the 1st or 15th is only a day or two away and YIKES!!! I DON'T KNOW MY VERSE!! And it feels hypocritical to to do a regular post and choose a new verse when I'm behind in my memorization and review.
So hence my confession. ;)
I'm going to use August as a review month.... no new verses until I'm positive I have my last 14 selections down pat. Feel free to admit you're doing the same. *grin*
But if you are the faithful student that I dream of being, I want to sing your praises and give you a big high five (my 2 yr old is big into high 5's)! Please keep up your good work... and let us know what verse you are memorizing for the first half of August.
Are you a last minute crammer, or do you give yourself plenty of time to study? Throughout my entire school career, I was the classic last minute crammer and all-night-before-due-date essay writer. No wonder I can't recall much of what I learned!
I think I mentioned before that this method was also my go-to for Sunday School verse memorization... so not proud of that.
So I determined that this challenge would be different for me... that I would be disciplined in my memorization and review. And it worked.
Until about a month ago.
Obviously my pep talks of continuing on and the importance of faithful review throughout the busy summer months were for myself!! Unfortunately the last couple verse selections have been worked on with the "cramming" method. I keep realizing that the 1st or 15th is only a day or two away and YIKES!!! I DON'T KNOW MY VERSE!! And it feels hypocritical to to do a regular post and choose a new verse when I'm behind in my memorization and review.
So hence my confession. ;)
I'm going to use August as a review month.... no new verses until I'm positive I have my last 14 selections down pat. Feel free to admit you're doing the same. *grin*
But if you are the faithful student that I dream of being, I want to sing your praises and give you a big high five (my 2 yr old is big into high 5's)! Please keep up your good work... and let us know what verse you are memorizing for the first half of August.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Verse 14 Roll Call
Good afternoon friends,
The fact that it's July 15th already makes me a little sad... summer always goes so quickly. I hope we're all taking advantage of our summer days. This past weekend was perfect summer weather for me -- hot enough to be at the beach and in the water, but with a nice breeze and without humidity. We spent the weekend with friends and thoroughly enjoyed "summer"! :)
I've chosen a short verse for the last half of this month, seeing I kind of took on too much the last few times. This verse was in Living Proof Ministries blog post today, and fits with some of my thoughts lately.
Here is 1 Cor 4:20 in a few different versions...
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. (NIV)
For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. (NLT)
For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. (ESV)
For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power. (NASB)
For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. (NKJV)
The following is a paraphrase of this verse more in context... I know it's Paul talking, but in this small section, it very well could be Christ speaking to me.
18-20 ...They don’t think I’ll ever show up in person. But I’ll be there sooner than you think, God willing, and then we’ll see if they’re full of anything but hot air. God’s Way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s an empowered life. (The Message)
If I really studied my life and was honest -- Am I living as if I don't think Christ will return? Do I spend more time talking about what is the right thing to do and very little time LIVING it? I am rereading Francis Chan's book Crazy Love, and just read chapter 4 -- the profile of a lukewarm christian... it is a solemn chapter to read as I find too many similarities in my life. I NEED to get the truth of this: God’s Way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s an empowered life.
I recently enjoyed a quote found online... I think it was another post from the Living Proof Ministries blog. I use "enjoyed" loosely, as being sharply convicted isn't really an "enjoyable" experience :)
“Intention isn’t valued in the Kingdom of God. Obedience is.”
“Intention is not the same as faithfulness.”
Just my few thoughts today... :) Now let's hear which verse you're focusing in on for the last half of July!
The fact that it's July 15th already makes me a little sad... summer always goes so quickly. I hope we're all taking advantage of our summer days. This past weekend was perfect summer weather for me -- hot enough to be at the beach and in the water, but with a nice breeze and without humidity. We spent the weekend with friends and thoroughly enjoyed "summer"! :)
I've chosen a short verse for the last half of this month, seeing I kind of took on too much the last few times. This verse was in Living Proof Ministries blog post today, and fits with some of my thoughts lately.
Here is 1 Cor 4:20 in a few different versions...
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. (NIV)
For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. (NLT)
For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. (ESV)
For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power. (NASB)
For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. (NKJV)
The following is a paraphrase of this verse more in context... I know it's Paul talking, but in this small section, it very well could be Christ speaking to me.
18-20 ...They don’t think I’ll ever show up in person. But I’ll be there sooner than you think, God willing, and then we’ll see if they’re full of anything but hot air. God’s Way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s an empowered life. (The Message)
If I really studied my life and was honest -- Am I living as if I don't think Christ will return? Do I spend more time talking about what is the right thing to do and very little time LIVING it? I am rereading Francis Chan's book Crazy Love, and just read chapter 4 -- the profile of a lukewarm christian... it is a solemn chapter to read as I find too many similarities in my life. I NEED to get the truth of this: God’s Way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s an empowered life.
I recently enjoyed a quote found online... I think it was another post from the Living Proof Ministries blog. I use "enjoyed" loosely, as being sharply convicted isn't really an "enjoyable" experience :)
“Intention isn’t valued in the Kingdom of God. Obedience is.”
“Intention is not the same as faithfulness.”
Just my few thoughts today... :) Now let's hear which verse you're focusing in on for the last half of July!
Monday, July 1, 2013
Verse 13 Roll Call
Good morning friends :)
July 1st - Happy Birthday Canada!
July 1st - Happy Birthday Canada!
Thankful for this beautiful vast peaceful country I am blessed to live in. And thankful for another family holiday :)
I am still working through my Matthew 5:13-16 memorization. It's only four verses, but it's taking a bit of time to get locked in. I don't want to rush over this selection... it's challenging and convicting... and I don't think it's fully gripped me yet.
On a slightly different note. I know a lot of you are facing challenges right now... some of you are mourning the loss of a loved one. Some of you have moved to a new place, maybe just when you started to feel at home in your last location. Some of you may be in a "holding" pattern, wondering what God has for you next. There's a lot of different circumstances we each face... and I wanted to open this up today for prayer requests if you would like our little community to join you in prayer. You are free to share some here, or just "raise your hand" (maybe by saying - "I could use some prayer here too!")... please make each other feel safe here.
Ok, if you have a new verse selection or are still working on a verse from before, please let us know you're still with us by answering the "roll call"! :)
Take care friends - enjoy your summer days.
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