Archive for Book Study

17 Nov 2011
Bible Study • Book Study • Printables

Book or Bible Study Printables

It’s fun engaging in a bible study, and just as much in a book study, but one of the things I often find, is not only keeping track of what I’m participating in, but also finding a way to keep track of notes I keep, during a book/bible study.

For awhile I kept a notebook to keep track of the bible/book studies I was participating in, but recently I found my dayplanner and had been thinking of putting it back to use, but the trouble I had was in finding a book study form that would fit in my dayplanner.

So as a pet project, I put together some forms that I hope would be as much a benefit to you as it has been to me.

The first book study form, has an area, set aside for scripture and can be used for either studying the bible itself or for topical bible studies.

The other form is geared for general book studies.

Below, “Book Study”, there should be an interactive area, where you can type in the name of the book you are currently studying, and to save time reprinting, just print multiple copies of the form from there.

One idea is printing enough of the forms that you can create a small booklet for your current book/bible study and to save for future reference.

If you download and use one or both of the forms, please let me know via the comments, how it work for you.

Just click on the image of the book study form.

Book study form with area for referencing scripture mention in the chapter:

Book study form for general book studies:

Sunflower Faith | No comments | Tags: ,
04 May 2011
31 Days to Clean • Book Study

Day 4-A Place to Put Your Feet Up-31 Days to Clean

31DaysBookImage-21

Today is the fourth day of 31 days to clean by Sarah Maes of,”Like a Warm Cup of Coffee“.

As I read “Day 4″ of #31 Days to Clean, I couldn’t help, but chuckle at the beginning of this chapter:

Have you ever walked into someone’s home and felt like you couldn’t get comfortable? The whole place was just too clean, too put-together, too…untouchable? There is something to be said for a space that invites rest; a “come-on-in-and-propyour-feet-up” kind of beckoning. I like places like that. I like melting into a comfy couch that was made for long hours of coffee and conversation.

The thoughts that went through my head, was basically, “uhm yeah”; I also thought, there is a reason why “Grandma’s” home was always a little more comforting to visit. Okay…maybe it was the unlimited chocolate cookies, but it was also the atmosphere that said, “relax…..kick off your shoes….relax”. Shouldn’t a home be like that?

Sarah Mae, made a great point when she advised,”3. Don’t make everything perfect. What I mean is, let your home be lived in; let others experience that “lived-in” feel.

As shared in my second post, a home isn’t a museum; It should be a place of comfort, an escape from the world beating on the front door; A place that people actually live in and when guests come over, they don’t feel like they are taking a tour but are guests, not visitors.

*Updated due to discussion about this*

Talk about timely!

Julia of Hooked on Houses, just published this article today, called, I’m Never Inviting You to MY House” and what she shared, really compliments so well, what Sarah Mae expressed in point 3 of her book, 31 Days to Clean, Day 4.

Julia goes:

“But now I try to remember that I’m not trying to impress visitors with my cleaning skills–I’m trying to make them feel at home, among friends. And nothing does that better than signs of life being lived in a house

Isn’t it true though?

When people come over to our home, do we want them to say, “What a beautiful home”. Of course we all do, but do we want to also hear,”I’m never inviting you to MY house” .

Me neither.

As I shared with several facebook friends, “Thinking about those times of those deep cleaning before company coming over and instead of giving your best to them or the family…the best is giving to a home that really can’t give back.”

Instead, we want to have a home where people will feel, “comfortable” and a desire to come back and visit, but also to see us, not what we have on our walls, nor should it leave people feeling, well….as if the home is not lived in.

I was surprised, after posting Julia’s article, to hear comments that, well, this is an all too common experience. We go out of our way to make our homes immaculate, only to find that we end up hosting more than we get invited.

Maybe we have heard at some point of time, “Wow, how do you do it”, or “I’m too embarrassed for you to see my home”. Its not to say, let our homes go either, but our homes are not museums. It’s a place for people to feel welcome and isn’t part of charity, including, letting others not feel that we are above them?

 1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13, New King James Version)

I want to hear from you and ask that you please leave a comment on your own thoughts about this, Is it possible for a house to be too clean that it can leave someone feeling uncomfortable? Is it more important that the house is the old cliche, “Martha Stewart” perfect, or can we strive for “Grandma friendly”?

What are your thoughts about avoiding the “I’m Never Inviting You to MY House” or HAVE you ever experienced that yourself? Drop by and discuss or discuss in my forum
!

For the Mary challenge:

Invite over a friend and allow them to “put their feet up.” Don’t worry about making everything just right, instead, enjoy their company.

2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. (Hebrews 13:2, New King James Version)

For the Martha challenge:

I like the suggestion about using lemon to loosen food particles in the microwave and using lemons in the garbage disposal is a great way as well, to freshen up the garbage disposal and clear out odors that usually can come up.

From “How to Use Lemons in House Cleaning“, Debra Frank also suggests some of the following such as:

  • Soak your sponge in a water and lemon juice solution and then microwave it on high for two minutes. Not only will you be sterilizing your sponge, but the lemon and water steam will loosen debris in the microwave, making it easy to wipe away with a damp cloth. Your kitchen will have the added benefit of a lovely lemon scent. Use caution in handling that hot sponge. Also, do not do this with a sponge containing metal threads.
  • To clean and shine the sink, make a paste of baking soda and lemon juice. Rub over all surfaces and rinse. Look at that sparkle!

If you haven’t, you need to drop by 31daystoclean.com and discover for yourself, what is being discussed all over the internet and on blogs and in messageboards about.

Hope you can come join me over at Conservative Homeschooler-Raising a Generation for Christ homeschool forum, where we are discussing the 31 day challenge and encouraging and supporting each other with prayer and accountabilty. As a little plus too, I created this bookmark to share with everyone!

To download a copy, for you to print and use, just click on this link, and I ask that if you do download it, to leave me a comment to let me know that you did and also what you think of the bookmark and feel free to pass the word for others to come here to download the bookmark!

 

 

image credit: stock.xchng image by lusi

book cover: 31 days to clean by Sarah Maes of ,”Like a Warm Cup of Coffee”

Sunflower Faith | 4 comments | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
03 May 2011
31 Days to Clean • Book Study

Day 3-10 Ways to Give Life to Your Home-31 Days to Clean

31DaysBookImage-21

Have you heard about 31 days to clean?

If you haven’t, you need to drop by 31daystoclean.com and discover for yourself, what is being discussed all over the internet and on blogs and in messageboards about.

Today is the third day of 31 days to clean by Sarah Maes of,”Like a Warm Cup of Coffee“. Today’s Mary challenge was more personal so instead of sharing specifically the response, just going to share a more general insight into today’s challenge.

For the Mary challenge:

Ask your family what makes them feel the most loved when it comes to you caring for your home – ask them to be specific so that you can begin (or continue) to give life to your domain.

A bit daunting since our first thought might be, but shouldn’t it be what is already being done, but surprising that sometimes the very things that would make them happen, could be the very things we don’t at first think about.

For beginners, it’s sometimes easy as moms and wives, to either go overboard, or get so wrapped up in our own ideas of what we think would make our loved ones happy, that we might miss seeing that just simple acts each day would make a difference.

Just the simple act of saying thank you, “I love you”, or “leaving a surprise note”, can make a difference in our loved ones day without us realizing that it isn’t the new curtains we bought, or the new wallpaper on the wall that makes them happy, but the everyday, mundane things that we might take for granted or not think about, that makes a world of difference.

For hubby, coming home from work, not bombarding him with today’s list of everything that went wrong or “honey to do list”, is a MAJOR, this will make them feel happy (and rested).

The response I got was simply, love and acknowledgement that makes a world of difference for anyone; During our day, do we find ourselves always saying “no” more than saying “yes” (and with common sense and discernment and not free wheeling,  sure thing,whatever, “yes”) ; It’s reading that bedtime story just one more time, even though you’ve re-read it five times and its beyond past bedtime and the unasked for hug, just to let them know, “I love you”.

Love is not always about what is given materially or how nice the home look, but even just as something as remembering:,

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, New King James Version)

For the Martha challenge:

Done! Everything dusted and counters shining until the cat decides to lay out for sunbathing.


Hope you can come join me over at Conservative Homeschooler-Raising a Generation for Christ homeschool forum, where we are discussing the 31 day challenge and encouraging and supporting each other with prayer and accountabilty. As a little plus too, I created this bookmark to share with everyone!

To download a copy, for you to print and use, just click on this link, and I ask that if you do download it, to leave me a comment to let me know that you did and also what you think of the bookmark and feel free to pass the word for others to come here to download the bookmark!

 

 

image credit: stock.xchng image by lusi

book cover: 31 days to clean by Sarah Maes of ,”Like a Warm Cup of Coffee”

Sunflower Faith | No comments | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
02 May 2011
31 Days to Clean • Book Study

Day 2-Created to Give Life-31 Days to Clean

Have you heard about 31 days to clean?

If you haven’t, you need to drop by 31daystoclean.com and discover for yourself, what is being discussed all over the internet and on blogs and in messageboards about.

Today is the second day of 31 days to clean by Sarah Maes of,”Like a Warm Cup of Coffee“.

For the Mary challenge:

What can you do today to bring life to your home, your children, your husband, and
your sphere of influence?

As I contemplated this question, I looked around the home and thought of ways that this can be done…posting inspiring scripture is one way…be it on a chalkboard, or even getting chalkboard paint to create a surface that this can be done, but it goes beyond that.

For beginners, for me, every morning, what I’m already doing, is opening up the windows to let the natural light in…you’ll be amazed what a huge difference this brings to the home and to the mood.

Second, something to do, be it before the morning starts and the kids are asleep, or while house cleaning and even  something a mentor shared with me long ago, and a friend of mine, Hearts4Home, does, is, as we go through the house, in each room, say a prayer.

When in the kids room, say a prayer for each of them, and when in the master bedroom, say a prayer for hubby while he is at work and do so throughout the house.

3 By wisdom a house is built,and by understanding it is established; 4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.~ Proverbs 23:3-4 ESV

Finally, filled ones home with scripture as reminder….this can be a simple, low cost method as just printing scripture off the computer.

I know of a mom, in real life, who printed out scripture, simply by using decorative font and then after printing, placing the scriptures in pre-bought, matted frames and hanging them. Though, four years old, there is a site, called, A Clean Heart, that offers free scripture verse posters, that are colorful and perfect for printing and hanging in the home.

The goal, isn’t to make the home a museum ,but a place of comfort.

Exodus 18:18 bookmark

Exodus 18:18 bookmark

I have been in homes where, everything had a place, filled with knick knacks, spotless clean and magazine perfect, but it was hard to get comfortable and I couldn’t imagine it being a place where hubby could come home, sit on a couch and kick up his feet if he wanted to…it was like a perpetual state of always a guest, but never a place for rest.

Home,is a place for the family to relax, to enjoy, a refuge from the world and if it means, changing up the furniture, posting encouraging words of scripture and just providing a place of refuge…those are ways, I think, I can bring life into the home.

For the Martha challenge:

Vinegar is my favorite tool for cleaning. I know, I know, the smell, but its natural, always available, inexpensive, great for windows and goes a long way. So when it came time to clean the refrigerator and freezer, for me…that was the way to go!


Hope you can come join me over at Conservative Homeschooler-Raising a Generation for Christ homeschool forum, where we are discussing the 31 day challenge and encouraging and supporting each other with prayer and accountabilty. As a little plus too, I created this bookmark to share with everyone!i

To download a copy, for you to print and use, just click on this link, and I ask that if you do download it, to leave me a comment to let me know that you did and also what you think of the bookmark and feel free to pass the word for others to come here to download the bookmark!

 

 

image credit: stock.xchng image by lusi

book cover: 31 days to clean by Sarah Maes of ,”Like a Warm Cup of Coffee”

Sunflower Faith | One comment | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
21 Nov 2009
Book Study • Book Study-Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl

Book Reflections-Chapter 7"She Likes Me, She Likes Me Not"

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl

I just never seem to feel like I measured enough to fit in anywhere.I was never the most popular girl in school and I don’ tthink I was the most un-popular girl either, because I spent a large portion of going to school, trying not to be noticed, at all.

Even to this day, I tend to have those moments, when I just want to melt in the background and though, there are times, I can be seen with a smile…inside…I feel like the awkward girl who can never belong.

During a meme, while visiting a blog, I stumbled across this quote, that even to this day, still sticks with me: “”We cannot choose whom we will love if we claim to be Christians.” ~Anonymous”

Try this instead: 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35, New King James Version)

Wow.

When we love others, we are living the truth of God out loud"

The trouble with insecurities and being able to love ourselves and not in a self-center or self-idolization way, is that the enemy can use this, use our doubts, to not only question ourselves, but our Father in Heaven and in the process, our relationships with others, both believers and non-believers.

No one can fix this except our Heavenly Father and in and through Him, ourselves.

Nothing can fill this void until we realize that men’s thoughts and emotions are fickle, but our Father…He is consistant and never changing…He is always there. He always will be.

He lays that on us, as a promise and His word is ALWAYS faithful:

10 For the mountains shall depart
      And the hills be removed,
      But My kindness shall not depart from you,
      Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,”
      Says the LORD, who has mercy on you.
       (Isaiah 54:10, New King James Version)

People are unreliable, but not Him.

He doesn’t deal with cliques, or emotions or judging our worth by what we wear, how much money we do or do not have, or anything else. He deals in the fact that He loves YOU and ME and EVERYONE.

He loved us so much His gift to us was through His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ, who lived and died, for you and me and everyone.

Not a select few.

Everyone.

So the moms at the local P.T.A. won’t talk to you because you don’t live in the right neighborhood, or you homeschool or you don’t, or maybe they just don’t like you for no other reason, then “just because”.

It’s okay.

Really.

He does.

He loves them equally as He loves you.

External achievement never equals internal acceptance. pg. 88 from "Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl"
Lysa shares something that, Robert McGee, who wrote, “The Search of Significance” shared in his book:

“……Loneliness is not relegated only to unbelievers. Ninety-two percent of the Christians attending a recent Bible conference admitted in a survery that feelings of loneliness were a major porblem in their lives. All shared a basic symptom: a sense of despair at feeling unloved and a fear of being unwanted or unaccepted.”

Changes the way you look at others doesn’t it?

Maybe even oneself?

There are days when I just have those days I feel like I just don’t belong. We all do at some point of our lives.

I have to remind myself that I’m not who I think I am and as I read, Chapter 7, it was a reminder that I’m not the only one either.

Lysa points out something that we forget sometimes,..”It’s a choice.”(pg94).

Simple words.

It’s a choice.

We have a choice how we react to others just like they have a choice how to react to us and back to the earlier quote, as Christians, we can’t pick whom we choose to love. We do pick how we choose to act.

Our feelings are a gift from our Father and part of that a gift to choose are we going to act in and with God’s love.

He’s been really challenging and encouraging me in dealing with some of these feelings that I feel I still carry with me; Not wanting to let go of that little girl who never belong, who never seem to be able to find a friend who, well, was just a friend and didn’t just pick and choose what it was about her, that they wanted to be friends with.

That is what makes His word reign above all other words, because it is a constant reminder, He is so much bigger than You and I and anyone, including those who criticize us, who gossip about us, who judge us are.

Because He loves them JUST as much as He loves you and I and sees no division.

He sees a need in you and I and them and anyone to be loved and He steps in and says, I am bigger than that and just as He loves us, He calls us to love each other and ourselves in and through Him and for Him.

I’m not perfect.

I’m imperfect but praise Him for His forgiveness.

I have a long road to go, but when I wonder, will He be there for me, He doesn’t hesistate to remind us that He is:

10 For the mountains shall depart
      And the hills be removed,
      But My kindness shall not depart from you,
      Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,”
      Says the LORD, who has mercy on you.
       (Isaiah 54:10, New King James Version)

The funny thing, I was sharing with a friend, that I really felt our Father in Heaven, really just strongly laying on my heart, to follow Him and encouraging me to face some things that have been on the back of mind and challenging me to.

I then came here to check to see if the next “Yes to God” book study was posted and when I saw that it had, and it was for Chapter 7, as I read the chapter and came to these verses:

18 “ Do not remember the former things,
      Nor consider the things of old.
       19 Behold, I will do a new thing,
      Now it shall spring forth;
      Shall you not know it?
      I will even make a road in the wilderness
      And rivers in the desert.
       20 The beast of the field will honor Me,
      The jackals and the ostriches,
      Because I give waters in the wilderness
      And rivers in the desert,
      To give drink to My people, My chosen.
       21 This people I have formed for Myself;
      They shall declare My praise. (Isaiah 43:18-21, New King James Version)

See.

We serve an Awesome Father.

Drop by Paula at “His Ways“; She is hosting the “Yes to God Tuesdays” for the current book study of,”Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl” by Lysa Terkeurst.

Sunflower Faith | One comment | Tags: , ,
03 Nov 2009
Book Review • Book Study

Book Reflections-Chapter 2:Flitting to and Fro

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa Terkeurst

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa Terkeurst

I could really be happy and fufilled if only I had…..

Ever felt this way?

It’s funny how we tend to say that to ourselves. If we only had that “Fill in the blank desire” fufilled, THEN, we would be happier.

Or we live a dependency relationship based on approval of others over self-acceptance of ourselves and more than anything, accepting that God loves us for who we are.

In her book, “Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl”, Lysa writes, “Possessions are meant to be appreciated and used to bless others; they were never meant to be identifying markers. It’s not wrong to enjoy the possessions we have as long as we don’t depend on them for our heart’s security.”

In today’s word of “status symbols”, who among us, sometimes directly or indirectly might have fallen into that trap of thinking, “If only we had this” or “If only we had that” or “If the kids had this or that, THEY will be happier”.

Would they?

Would us?
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21, New King James Version)

It’s funny how we sometimes indirectly lift things up to an almost idol status and then use excuses to convince ourselves or others why we “need” to have them.

What if God, like Jesus to the rich man, told us, to just give up everything for Him?

Would we do so with a willing heart or with a grudgingly and forelorn look?

This chapter was a convicting look at how we sometimes, mistakenly define ourselves and I feel our walk sometimes, our personal walk, not someone else’s, but, us, ourselves and our misplaced sense of worship.

Sometimes in our pursuit for “identity” and a “place in this world” and well…just a sense of belonging, it’s funny how we can look everywhere, but up, at Him, whose looking at us, in full view and just patiently waiting for us, to stop spinning around or going on our shopping sprees, to see, He is there….no cost, He paid it already at the cross, just waiting, for us.

Oh.

I know I have had days when, well, I felt alone. Or judged and alone and just wanting to feel like I can belong somewhere and the thing is, I do. You do. We all do.

With Him.

In Him.

Through Him.

It’s about Him.

And He’s not going to abandon us or if we fall, not reach out a hand to pick us back up.

Lysa reminds us on page 36:

“Living in the moment with God, defined by His truth, and with No unrealistic expectations for others or things to fill me up”.

Pretty powerful statement, particularly in a time and a world where everyone has an opinion and criticism and say about everyone and anyone.

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105, New King James Version)

This too shall pass…the world, the people you know, some may come and stay for a short while, some may stay for a long while, but life will keep moving…and the only true foundation, the only true permancy, is in Him.

He is forever.

Sunflower Faith | No comments | Tags: , ,
20 Apr 2009
"Light" Musings • Book Study • General Musings • Word-Filled Wednesday

Read the Constitution Day today.

If there is one thing besides the bible, that you shouldn’t put off reading, I STRONGLY suggest to take advantage of today to read our Constitution.
On April 15, 2009, people across this great Nation participated in Tea Parties,not because they were Democrats or Republicans, but because they believe in the Consitituion and the principles that our Founding Fathers had laid down.

A society that will trade a little liberty for a little order will lose both, and deserve neither.-Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to Madison

There is no excuse not to read the Constitution. It was written,FOR the people, by the People, about the People.

This is not a right or left…it’s a Constitution thing.

You can even get FREE copies of the Constitution for your home or your purse or bag simply by going to the Heritage Foundation or to read it today for you and your kids, you can read it online.

Updated 4/20/09-You can print a free copy of the Constitution.  A handy, 6 page version can be found here:

  1. constitutioncenter.org/ConstitutionDay/Resource_Details.aspx?code=577Q15H16I6
  2. or : uaff.us/theconstitution.pdf

If there is one thing you can do for yourself and your kids, take the time today to read the Consitutition today and remember what it was meant by the Preamble:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence,promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

If you would like to teach your kids the Constitution; Here’s a great public domain book called “Catechism of the Constitution” .

332 Questions/Answers on the Constitution with step by step commentary on all of the important features of “a government of law and not of men.”

You can download it for free here: Catechism of the Constitution

Hey…there’s even a group for Homeschoolers to talk to called, “The Conservative Homeschooler”.


Visit The Conservative Homeschooler

One of the members there, wrote a great letter that emphasize the importance why, it doesn’t matter who we are, the importance of getting involved.

As a homeschooling mom, I am very concerned about my children’s future and the future of my country.

In this country, we have had freedom, family unity, faith, values and principles. Our country was founded on these valuable things and from them, our country became great.

Our country has slowly been drawn away from these values though. Prosperity has made our lives easy and instead of remembering where our blessings originate from, we have turned to our selves and man.

So, our prosperity has been abused and now our once great country, founded upon values and principles, has forsaken them and turned in, upon itself!

Neighbor against their neighbors, parties against parties, family members against family members.

We have been divided and divided we will fall.
As mothers and homeschoolers, I believe, it is our call and our duty to unit, no matter our religion, political party, background, or whatever divides us, and go in to the fight for the freedom of our country, our faith, and our family!

We MUST live by the values and principles of our founding Fathers and apply them to our daily lives.

We must educate ourselves about history, to make sure we know who we are and what our country stood for.
Why should we, mothers be involved?
Because We are the center of the home!
Because We are the teachers of our children (the next generation)!
Because the future of our country depends upon us.
If we do not educate ourselves about the founding of this country, the principles and values it is based upon, how will we be able to educate our children to be the next generation of leaders, parents, teachers, and businessmen, etc?

How will they be able to live and thrive and raise their children (on values and principles) in a free country?
There are so many things happening in our lives and in our country right now.

As the gatekeepers of our home, the “watch-women” in the watch towers of our castles, how will we meet what is approaching us?

How will we be prepared?
I pray that You pray about these things everyday!

I pray that you become involved, that you are concerned enough, and viligent, and strong enough, to take a stand, for Your Family, Faith and Freedom!

After all, are you not homeschooling for this very reason?
God bless you in your High-calling as a mother!

Here are some places for you to join and become involved!
conservativehomeschooler.ning.com/
the912project.com/
the912project.us/
smartgirlpolitics.ning.com/

What a fantastic letter and one that strikes to the core…so if anything else, if, just for starters….Get a copy of the Constitution and read about it and share about it to your kids.

Sunflower Faith | One comment | Tags: , , , , ,
28 Feb 2009
Book Study • Uncategorized

Finding a new church home

I think we may have found a new church home through the blessings of our Heavenly Father.

I had posted some time ago that we had been searching for a new place to call “home” and there were many tears and prayers along the search.

Ironically, it was a lesson in “waiting” that came off a page of “When Wallflowers Dance”.

Psa. 27:14-Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.

Waiting is so hard for the Christian.

Ever said a prayer and just felt like you were sitting there with your toes tapping, thinking…okay…something should happen.

But it is definitely a part of the Christian journey and a woman, at a women’s bible study, I was able to attend for the first time, describe waiting very well.

She talked about how we live in a fast pace society where we expect things now and often trade quality for quantity.  Just because we can get,whatever it is, right now doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good for us.

So why was it important that we find a new church home. It’s a vital component to the Christian growth and maturity.

Yes we can just turn on the television set or radio, but when you think about it, think about the lack of accountability and the lack of personal interchange that really happens.

There is no church elders or pastor, that when something spiritual, emotional, mental, or just need to be there, arises, that a television show can offer as finding a church home that is biblical based can provide.

Church is more than just a support group and it’s not for entertainment; It’s for support, encouragement, accountability and conviction.

And going to church and having fellowship with other believers, isn’t an option, it’s a necessity that hiding behind a computer or watching a television can’t really supplement.

From the article,”Why Christians Need Fellowship“, it is wonderfully explained that,

“So it is within the body of Christ, the Church (1 Cor. 12:27). For the blood of Jesus Christ to have its continual cleansing effect over our sins, we must remain attached to Christ’s body. If we sever fellowship with His body, we risk cutting off the circulation of the cleansing blood!

Keep in mind, salvation is based on “faith,” and is not earned by performing “works” such as attending Church (Eph. 2:8-9). But fellowship with Christ’s body, the church, is critical in helping to sustain your faith by providing ministry, encouragement, and an atmosphere of spiritual “cleansing” and growth.”

Imagine how much harder it is to fall from grace or follow God’s word when you know you have a body lifting you up and helping you up.

The reality is that we are ALL imperfect and no one is perfect and can never get perfect without the help of Jesus Christ, but we aren’t going to get there, trying to do this alone. We need each others as brothers and sisters to help each other in our walk and there is a difference in our walk when we are among fellowship with those who can help us when we feel like we can’t make our walk.

It’s easy to say…I don’t need to go to church, I’m fine but a quote that I came across came to mind,

“A famous preacher once said “show me a professing Christian who seldom attends Church, and I’ll show you a backslider who needs to get their heart right before God.”

Yes, I know the saying that going to church is like going to a garage doesn’t make oneself a mechanic, but never going to church at all or finding reasons not to go is also the same as a plant that never gets water, will never grow.

Dr. Dale A. Robbins, provided eight great reasons why a Christian should go to church. In “Why Should Christians Attend Church?”, he stated:

1. It is an expression of love to our Heavenly Father

Seriously, if you really care enough about someone, part of that is wanting to do everything to get to know them and what better way, but through the fellowship of other Christians.

2. Builds up our spiritual strength

The difference between a carnal Christian and a spiritual Christan is one degree of choice. We can choose to run from God and ourselves or we can choose to say, no matter what, my relationship with Jesus Christ is more important than what other people think, what the world thinks and that as a Christian, I want to grow strong and mature and it helps to have that through active, face to face, fellowship with other Christians.

The only thing that really keeps a person going isn’t the church itself. There are plenty to choose from, but it’s our own choice. We can say, I’m going to ask God in prayer to lead me to the church, HE wants me to be at and I’m going to actively look and open myself up to what I’m being led to and part of that is by not just being passive but active.

3.Special visitation of the Lord’s Presence

“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20).

There is nothing like being in a sanctuary and listening to a pastor preach and singing words of praises and worship with other people and just feeling the power of the Holy Spirit running in a room.

4. Provides fellowship with other Christians

Yes we have television, radio and computers, but there really isn’t any connectivity or accountability like we can get from meeting either weekly, twice a week,or even daily with fellow believers. The advantage of having face to face contact, is having that living person to help provide the needed support and guidance that sometimes just relying on an inpersonal machine doesn’t provide.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17)

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (Heb. 10:24-26).

5. It’s an obedience to God

Truth is that no man is an island. We isolate ourselves and we dont’ have that check and balance to making sure we are walking in the face.

I think this quote sums it up best,

“Once again, we are reminded that a great part of the purpose of the gathering is for the consideration of our brethren, coming together to help motivate and encourage one another. This is a responsibility charged to every believer. To reject church attendance, is a rejection of one of the sacred duties of the believer. “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).”

Being a Christian isn’t something to hide in our homes about.

What is more humbling, there are Christians who are not able to gather due to persecution but who still do and risk their lives and face death, to come together in the name of Christ.

6. Accountability to spiritual leadership

We’ve all been hurt. We’ve all been to churches that just didn’t fit right or whose hurt us,but it’s not God, it’s people.

That’s not a reason still to give up seeking a strong, bible believing church that is there to help encourage and strengthen. Imagine if you gave up, everyone else gave up….There will be no church…there will be no guidance.

It is easy to see that one cannot genuinely be under submission to a TV pastor who has never met you. Nor is it possible to be under submission by visiting a different church each week. The Bible tells us to know them that are over us in the Lord (1 Thes. 5:12). Submission necessitates a commitment and relationship to a local body of believers and to their spiritual leaders.

The t.v. pastor doesn’t know you or what is going on in your life; He is not there to guide you and help you with questions.

It’s easy to hide in an impersonal worldand think, “I’m in control” , I can do this myself but is that really submission and truly growing and maturing as a Christian? After all, that type of thinking made us fall in the first place?

7. Going to church combines our strength in prayer

In a sense, being a Christian is being part of a spiritual army that works as a body not as a part. Imagine going to battle and the only person is just you; Not really great winning odds, but as a Christian, as you build those vital fellowship links, the strength through and in Jesus Christ does grow.

In times of sickness and in health, just having that power of prayer behind you is helpful.

8. Honors the Lord’s Day

Can’t really say much there.

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Ex. 20:8)

I’m very grateful to our Heavenly Father that it seems He has led us to a very strong, bible believing church that, for as few times we have gone.

Already we have begun to be involved with the bible studies going there and thinking of either joining or starting a Life group to become more active participants there.

Looks like this is the one.

What makes me feel more at home? One of the things that really help was during the sermon and even during the bible study, the rustling of bibles being opened and search….music to the ears.

There is always a church home somewhere for someone and it’s just a matter of keeping persistent and keep looking; When hearing and understanding God’s word is the goal, He will open the door for you.

Related links:

Why Should Christians Attend Church?

How to find a Good Church?

Why Should Christians have fellowship?

“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:17


Sunflower Faith | One comment | Tags: , , ,
20 Feb 2009
Book Study • Uncategorized

Growing Long Hair Challenge-Encouragement

I just wanted to keep up the encouragement to everyone who is trying to grow out their long hair; It’s a work of progress that takes time, faith and care.

What I will do is post this every two weeks with updates versus every week, mostly because there is so much one can talk about hair, lol,and like,long hair doesn’t grow out overnight, talking about it every week, gets…hmm..what’s the word? Boring…LOL.

I would like to try and post a picture and encourage anyone else who is participating to post a picture in two weeks if feasible. If your shy and don’t want to, that’s alright.

If you are wondering what the “Growing Long Hair Challenge is about” and would like to participate, I invite you to click on the button on the right sidebar to find out more or just hop on and to participate in the “Growing Long Hair” challenge,place the following on your post

This logo:

Growing Long Hair Challenge

Growing Long Hair Challenge

and ctrl+a the following code to ctrl+v (paste) on your blog

Please don’t forget to link back here to Sunflower Faith and add your post link to the “Mr. Linky”.

Sunflower Faith | No comments
07 Sep 2008
Book Study • Memes • Sunday Praise and Worship • Thankful Thursdays

Sunday Praise and Worship

To find out more on how to participate in Sunday Praise and Worship, come here
To find out more on how to participate in Sunday Praise and Worship, come here.

“So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:33)

Pretty tough call isn’t it.

Either we forsake all of this world or we don’t. No in between.

In a devotional I get daily, it had this quote by George Bernard Shaw who said,“There are two sources of unhappiness in life. One is not getting what you want. The other is getting it.”

Every met someone who wanted to follow Christ but also wanted to follow the world. “Have your cake and eat it too” type of person?

You can almost picture them, living for God, but straddling this fine line between God’s world and their world, hoping that maybe God can be more of insurance rather than reassurance.

Not a good feeling is it?

Almost like trying to live two different lives and one day finding everything colliding and rather there being harmony, there’s chaos.

Living for God is such a hard order. We find ourself on fire for him, and then the fire starts dwindling and our eyes wander and wow…it would be so much easier to also live like the world. Then the excuses start and like a domino….we find ourselves tripping over our feet and trying to figure out what happen.

What is holding you back from really experiencing a full relationship with Jesus Christ? Is it fear, pride, desire, something else?

Having a relationship with Jesus Christ reminds me of how, sometimes when I don’t pay attention to how I stock up my tupperware, they would fall when I try to close the door. Oh they’re stored alright, just not perfectly and no many how many times I try to close the door, the door just won’t close fully because there is something stuck keeping me from closing the door and moving on to a task that needs my attention the most.

When we let things “get in our way”, it can be like that too…eventually we find ourself so much more pre-occupied with what is getting our attention that it takes our attention away from our Heavenly Father.

Sure, we think about Him, but after awhile we lose focus and our thoughts stop focusing on Him and become pre-occupied with whatever else that is getting our attention and then…one day we look to Him and it’s like we feel a thousand miles away.

Rather than growing closer to Him, we don’t realize that like a boat that wasn’t properly anchor at shore, we have slowly drifted away and when it’s too late…we are floating out in sea, far from safe harbor.

Whatever it is that is taking your attention away from our Heavenly Father, it’s never too late to re-prioritize and re-focus…more than anything, it’s never too late to call to Him to help pull you back to safe harbor.

Thank you for joining me for Sunday Praise and Worship, and praying you have a blessed Sunday.

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