Daily HIs Delight

Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. Proverbs 8:30-31

Where is your favorite place to have a cup of coffee or tea? I love my deck with the view of the mountains. 

With whom do you like to have that cup? I enjoy morning conversations with my husband or an afternoon tea party with my grandchildren. An evening chat with my neighbor is nice too. 

But there is one who delights in spending time with me -- and you.

Watching the Invisible

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. John 3:8 (NIV)

Little goldfinches seemed to tumble across our drive like leaves tossed in the wind. One landed on the handle of an old plow. The yellow plumage glistened in the sunlight like gold coins. Its crown and wings were ornate with the black of onyx. Where had the finches come from? Where were they going? I marveled at their beauty as they fluttered off to other places.

Jesus told Nicodemus "You must be born again." Nicodemus didn't understand the Spirit. It was something he couldn't see or touch. Jesus used the analogy of the wind. Nicodemus could hear the wind and see what the wind did but could not see the wind itself. He couldn't know where it came from or where it was going but he could know the wind was there. 

I couldn't see where my little goldfinches came from. They seemed to blow in on the wind. I didn't know where they were going. I just saw their beauty and wonder of the moment. 

When we open up our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives we may not understand the work but we will know the beauty of a close relationship with God. 

What is the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart today?

Hey Kids:

What got your attention this week and made you stop and wonder in amazement?

Our children are incubating eggs. Several hatched out Thursday and Friday. A few are due to hatch tomorrow. 

The children are young and don't yet understand how chickens grow inside of shells. Maybe that's you too. 

As we were watching the new hatchlings we noticed an egg move.  We weren't sure so we watched more intently. 

Sure enough, the egg was moving. 

An egg that looked like any other egg was moving! 

We all look just like any other person but when God's Holy Spirit moves in our hearts others take notice. 

Can others see God's Spirit working in you? 

Ask the Lord how He can use you and watch what He will do.

Pruning for an Abundance of Fruit

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

John 15:5

Spring is coming on fast here in the Upstate of SC. This week my husband cut deadwood out of the apple trees. My garden was finally dry enough to turn under. The peach trees are blooming along the roadside. Everything is recovering from the dead of winter.

To get the best from the apple trees, the garden, and the peach orchards people have to be involved. God put Adam and Eve in a garden to tend it. He looked for a shepherd to be king of Israel. Many of Jesus' parables are about agriculture. In Isaiah 11:1 He is referred to as the Branch and in John 15, He is the Vine. Jesus says the Father is glorified when we bear fruit. 

To bear fruit we must be attached to the Branch. Sometimes there is deadwood in our lives that need pruning out. Pruning trees, tilling the ground, those are acts of kindness for a tree or a garden. Sure plants and trees can put down roots and still grow but not in the way they could or should. The tilling and pruning open the way for gardens and trees to grow and bear an abundance of fruit. Acts of kindness toward others can open doors of relationships where we can be the witness that bears fruit for God's kingdom. 

Father, help us examine our own lives that we might prune out those things that would hinder our witness. Help us replace the deadwood with acts of kindness that builds relationships and lead to opportunities for a witness. 

Hey Kids: 

What acts of kindness are you using to build relationships with others?

Here are some ideas:

• Help a neighbor clean up their yard after a storm.
• Bake some muffins or cookies for a sick neighbor.
• Sit with someone at lunch or recess who is alone. 

We would love to hear your ideas. Please share them in the comments below. 

Blessings,

Gail

Are We Sacrificing to Baal?

Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 

I Kings 18:37

Do you ever feel alone in serving the Lord? Elijah was going to feel that way when he obeyed God. He was to show God's people exactly how strong God is but it wasn't going to affect King Ahab and his wife Jezebel. Elijah would serve God no matter the outcome and so should we. 

God asked Elijah to meet withKing Ahab. God wanted Elijah to challenge the prophets of Baal to prove who is the true God. Ahab gathered the prophets of Baal. They sacrificed, called upon their god, and cut themselves, making loud noises to get Baal's attention. No one answered.

Israel had deserted the Lord for Baal. The altar was broken down, unusable. Elijah repaired the altar. He used God's directives for building it. He put the wood in order and prepared the sacrifice by dousing it three times with water. Then Elijah prayed. He prayed for the Lord to hear him. He prayed for the people to know that the Lord, He is God and that the Lord had turned their hearts back again. Then the Lord sent down fire and consumed the sacrifice. 

The people fell on their faces and said, "The Lord, he is the God, the Lord, he is the God."

The worshipers of Baal sacrificed their children on Baal's burning hot arms. They made lots of noise so as not to hear the screams of their babies. This worship had even become acceptable to God's people. 

How long have we allowed the sacrifice of our babies? Since Roe vs. Wade? How long before we desire spiritual leadership? How long before we pray to restore our hearts to worship? How long before we allow our sins to be washed away, holding onto nothing but the blood of Jesus? 

I pray the outcry we have heard in recent days not be forgotten but lead us to repentance and revival. 

Are we ready to shout, "The Lord, He is the God! The Lord, He is the God!? 

Hey Kids:

Parents, these are hard issues but Satan doesn't think our children are ever too young to hear his lies. He begins to destroy their lives as soon as he can reach their tender ears. 

Pray how you can address these and other hard issues with your children so they know God's plan for family, marriage, and morality. 

Blessings,

Gail

Prepare, Gather, Minister

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 
        II Timothy 3:15

What would the world be like without teachers to show others the "how" of living life? Not just teachers in a classroom though without them there would be no doctors or preachers or even mailmen and mechanics, policemen or air traffic controllers. 

Where would we be without moms and dads who teach the word of God?

David became the King of Israel at age thirty (II Samuel 5:1-5) but his education as a leader and defender didn't begin there. 

•   His heart was prepared as a child to serve the Lord by serving his family and others (I Samuel 17).
• He gathered those about him who were outcast but willing to serve (I Samuel 22:1,2).
• He became the defender and king of his nation serving until he was seventy years old (II Samuel 5).

Just as David prepared as a child to serve the Lord even the Lord Himself had a period of growth. God chose Mary and Joseph to be Jesus Godly parents to train Him in the ways of the Lord (Isaiah 7:14-16).

• Jesus was prepared to hear and ask questions in the temple at twelve (Luke 2:46,47).
• Jesus gathered His men and prepared them for the work (Luke 6:13).
• Jesus defends us before the Father with His sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection (I John 2: 1-3).

Are we preparing with the Holy Scriptures?
Are we gathering like-minded people around us?
Are we ready to be leaders in today's world?

Please share some of the ways you are preparing your family to be leaders for the Lord.

Hey Kids:
What are you preparing to be when you grow up? I know, you've been asked that dozens of times.
Has your plan changed since you were small and thought about being a policeman or a fireman or are you still thinking of that path?

How are you preparing for that future career?

How are you preparing to serve the Lord in that capacity?

King David had no idea he would ever be more than a shepherd but God saw a King.

God has plans for you as well.

Commitment

Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Ruth 1:16

Isn't that a sweet picture? I wonder how long they've been married? I wonder what they've been through? Many would have given up long ago. Did they have more love than the average couple? I doubt it. I think what they have is commitment. Commitment to each other, their family and perhaps to God.

Our verse is often used in the marriage ceremony but actually, that's out of context. A young woman named Ruth is speaking this to her mother-in-law. Why? Ruth's mother-in-law Naomi had come to Moab with her husband and two sons. The boys married Moabite women. In the course of time, Naomi's husband and both her sons died. There were no grandchildren. When Naomi heard the famine was over in Israel, she decided to return home. There was nothing left for her in Moab. She tried to convince the girls to return to their families. One did, but there was no convincing Ruth.

Ruth made a commitment first to her husband, now to her mother-in-law, and to God. She is willing to go to a new country, a new language, and culture, and follow the God her people did not know. She had no promises from Naomi that life would be good. There were no promises of income, a husband or anything. Because of her faith in God, she just knew that following Jehovah was her best option.

God honored Ruth and Naomi's trust in Him. Unbeknownst to Ruth, God led her to glean in a field of Naomi's near kinsman. Through this near kinsman, they were provided with sustaining food. She would soon marry this near kinsman named Boaz and become the mother of Obed. Strange name, but Obed was King David's grandfather.

Ruth went through some very difficult times that would have caused many to throw up their hands and quit. Her commitment to God, her mother-in-law and to her husband reaped great rewards for her and her family. Her greatest reward was to be one of the women in the lineage to the King of kings, Jesus Christ.

Commitment is sadly lacking in our day. It's becoming very unusual to see two elderly people still walking hand in hand. Those who stay committed find great rewards at the end of their journey.

Hey Kids:

Ruth's commitment didn't start with her marriage. It started with her commitment to follow God because of the example of her mother-in-law. She saw Naomi's commitment to God and the strength is was giving her to return to Bethlehem without any promises.

Who do you see setting a Godly example for you?

In what ways is that encouraging you to follow the Lord?

Are you committed to following the Lord no matter what?

Have you made a commitment to read your Bible every day? To pray every day?

Maybe the next step would be to investigate the fruits of the spirit. Galatians 5:22,23

You might draw and cut out a piece of fruit and label it with one of the fruits. Try practicing that fruit for a week and journal your successes and mishaps.

Next week add another fruit. Commitment to the Lord will help you find your way in life and marriage. When you come to the end of your journey you may very well find yourself and your spouse reaping the rewards of commmitment.

A Sinful Thing

For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Romans 7:19 NIV

I love my gardens and my yard and let me say, so do the fire ants (Solenopsis Invicta)! 
There are over 280 known species. I try to watch my step, but inevitably I step on a hill. Are they driving you crazy too? 

I spray down my feet and legs with essential oils. I pour dish detergent and essential oils on the hills. I tried grits, boiling water, and goodness knows what else. Nothing helps! I'm bitten again. Dare I call the fire ant exterminator? 

Maybe the Lord has sent this "plague" to make us realize sin is like fire ants. Our fleshly bodies are a natural habitat for sin. We try to quit this and quit that. We try to turn over a new leaf. We go on diets and run marathons. But inevitably our pet sin returns. Dare we call on the name of Jesus who takes away our sin; who recovers us from addictions; who saves our very souls? Folks, maybe it's time we call on Jesus. 

Hey Kids:

Have you tried to obey your parents without grumbling?

Is it easy to be a friend to the friendless?

Do commercials make you want to try things just to be cool? 

How is Jesus helping you be a better friend, child, person?

Why not write a prayer asking Him to show you His plan this week. Write your observations of His answers as the week progresses. 

What did you discover about praying for help?

Rejoice Always!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Philippians 4:4 KJV

The kids and I planted a little garden in the backyard of where we planned to build our new home. When the watermelons ripened each child wanted to carry a watermelon to the car. The watermelons were small, but my five-year-old daughter hefted hers up and struggled through the uneven ground until . . . it slipped. The little melon split into several juicy red pieces.

You would have thought, "Here comes a meltdown," but no, she promptly plopped down with her watermelon and began to pull out handfuls and cram them into her mouth. My boys saw how much she was enjoying the situation, so they intentionally crashed their melons on the ground. All I could hear was happy slurps and giggles. Needless to say, we were a sticky mess and I had no way to clean them up.

Kids carrying watermelons is a lot like living for Christ. Things don't always go the way we plan. We have to make a choice between a meltdown or making the best of the situation. My kids are all grown now, but I rejoice in great memories. When our walk with Christ causes stumbles and mishaps we can still rejoice. God is showing us a better plan. Best watermelon we ever ate!

Happy Memorial Day

Gail

Hey Kids:

Have you ever been disappointed in the way things turned out? 

I can remember having chicken pox at Easter and we had to hide eggs in the living room chairs!

How have you handled situations that could have been disasters had you not found a way to rejoice anyway (that means have fun)?

Greater Love

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

My dad was drafted in WWII but was turned down without explanation. He was drafted again during the Korean Conflict and sent to Germany as part of occupation forces. Thankfully he didn't have to give his life, but every person who enters the armed forces faces that possibility. 

Next weekend we celebrate Memorial Day, the day set aside to honor those who have given their lives for our freedom. Freedom has never been and never will be free. I personally want to say thank you to every veteran who has served this country and to those who laid down their lives for us. It is their love for freedom and for family that compels them to make the ultimate sacrifice. 

But there is another who deserves even more thanks for laying down His life for me and you. Jesus Christ came out of love for us knowing He would face death. Knowing His death would be necessary for our salvation. Through Christ Jesus, we can not only be free from the burden of sin in this life but free to live with Christ for all eternity. Not on a cloud, strumming a harp, but doing those things that most please God. Perhaps spending time in conversation, walking in the cool of a garden. Perhaps singing. Perhaps picking fruit from a tree that bears twelve different varieties. 

We grumble and complain about our lives and our government, but there is no other place on earth to enjoy the freedom and comforts we have here. I have traveled outside the US to a third world country. If you've never been there, you cannot imagine. There will be no grumbling or complaining when we see the gifts Jesus has prepared for us through His love and sacrifice. 

Thank you to all who have served,

and thank you to my Lord and Savior.

Gail

Hey Kids:

I dug out an old photo of my dad in uniform to share today.

I remember as a child he would show us this picture and tell us a little of the things he did in service. He laid telephone lines and called artillery fire. 

He also taught us a little German. I thought kartoffeln was just another word for potatoes because he would just ask us to pass the kartoffeln. When I took German in high school, I learned I had actually learned bits and pieces of another language.

Take a little time this weekend to find out who has served in your family. 

Ask mom and dad to dig out old photos and tell a few stories of your families sacrifice of love.

Don't forget to say a thank you to those still living and don't forget to thank the One who gave the greatest sacrifice of love for us.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

The Best Recipe

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

I’ve got this pretty good pound cake recipe I like to use for Mother’s Day because it goes well with fresh strawberries. I say pretty good because it has good texture and flavor, but to make it Mad Dog Pound Cake I have to add the boiled syrup. I pour the syrup over the cake and in the middle. It sits and soaks and mmmmmmmmmmm. With the first bite, the syrup is running out the corner of your mouth and dripping off your chin. Of course, that’s an exaggeration but it sure seems that good.

Our lives are a lot like good pound cake. Most of us would say we are pretty good people, but is pretty good, good enough to get us into heaven? My pound cake totally changes when the syrup is poured over it and into it. The syrup can’t be removed and no one would want to scrape it off. No one wants the cake without the syrup once they’ve tried it. Jesus said no one comes to the Father but by Him. He is the way, the truth, and the life. We can’t get to heaven or be a true Christian without first coming to Jesus. When our lives are covered by His blood and filled with the Holy Spirit, we are totally different people, fit for the kingdom of God. Only Jesus makes us good enough. Like syrup, once we’ve experienced salvation, there’s no going back to the old pretty good person and no one would want to.

Happy Mother’s Day.

Hey Kids:

Have you ever tried to make a recipe and it "flopped"? Once I used the wrong kind of flour in my cake recipe. It overflowed into the oven and created a horrible mess. 

I just used self-rising flour instead of plain flour! Not a big deal one would think.

What would happen if I had put in salt instead of sugar? The cake would have to be completely thrown out and started over!

Our lives are like recipes. 

God has the recipe for us. We just need to read and follow His plan.

Romans 3:23 says For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Somehow we all manage to add that sin "ingredient" into our lives.

Now, how do we fix the problem? We can't, but God can!

Romans 10:13 says Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. II Corinthians 6:17

On Guard

Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.

“The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the LordAlmighty.

So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful. Malachi 2:15,16

Once there was a village set high on a cliff. The children were held close in the village for there were no fences on the cliff's edge. One day a man passing through the village suggested the villagers erect fences around the cliff so the children could freely play. The children would see the fence and not be afraid of going over the cliff. 

Perhaps you've heard this tale or one similar, but I think it bears telling again. So many of society's boundaries are coming down. Our children become more and more at risk of falling into step with a culture that will eventually take them the edge of life's cliff. Opioid addiction, immoral lifestyles, and teen suicide are all on the rise. Society has been tearing down the walls of morality for several decades. The voice of the church has largely been quieted by the loud voice of the media, convincing many that those who object are marginal weirdos. 

For the sake of our children, we must raise our voices and rebuild the walls. It may cost us financially and socially, but we are not forsaken. We must begin to rebuild the family, with moms and dads who put the nurturing of their children ahead of finances and society's expectations. Bond with families who are willing to share their knowledge and make sacrifices for the sake of the children. Learn skills that will save your family money. Most importantly, return to the God of our Fathers. Families that pray together, stay together. It all begins at the family altar. 

Hey Kids: 

My four-year-old class planted flower seeds for Mother's Day gifts. One of the boys asked if I had a garden. "Yes," I said.''Do you?"

"Yes, we have all the vegetables in it. We all help, even me."

Families have always worked together until jobs and stores took the place of family work. 

An old proverb says, "Many hands make light work."

Helping makes the work go faster, seem easier, and more fun.

Ask Mom and Dad to help you make a list of ways you can help your family.

Here are some suggestions to get you started.

1. Makeup beds.

2. Set the table and clean the table.

3. Wash dishes.

4. Help plant a garden. Then pick and help preserve.

5. Older kids may mow the lawn.

6. Learn to hunt and fish. Don't forget to clean and eat what you kill.

7. Learn to sew, knit and crochet. Begin simple but you may find your passion here.

8. Learn to build things and fix cars. Here again, begin small but this can become a passion.

9.

10.

What else can you do to help your family? By the way, all of this is without pay. You're helping your family, not working a job. 

Today

Today

 This morning, a pair of hungry house finches searched

 the wreath on the door.

 At noon, a wren sang a song from the dogwood tree.

Black, against the evening sky, three geese flew in form, 

What did I do today?

Was I hungry for God’s Word this morning?

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Did I search for the Truth I need to hear?

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Did I sing a song of rejoicing at noon?

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

Did I work in unity with the brethren?

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

What did I do today?

References: Matt.5:6; John 8:32; Psalms 100:1; John 17:21

Hey Kids:

April is Poetry Month.
I wrote a little free verse about birds.
Each bird I observed reminded me of something the Lord wants us to do.
What are you observing this week?
How is the Lord using your observations to direct you?

Hope my attempt at poetry inspires you to write a little too. Let me know how it turns out.

Tale as Old as Time

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

This weekend our school district presented four performances of Beauty and the Beast to packed out crowds. The participants were from four years old to high school seniors. The performance was outstanding!

Why do we continue to love fairy tales? Could it be we see ourselves, the condition of our lives and the answer to our struggles? Yes, Beauty and the Beast has that underlying theme of Romans 5:8, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Let's examine some of the characters and how they resemble us today and our relationship with Christ. 

The story starts with a handsome prince refusing compassion on an old woman who in reality was a beautiful young girl with the power to turn him into a beast. His true self now showed. His lack of compassion also affected the rest of his kingdom transforming them into fixtures. 

Meanwhile, back in town a sweet innocent young girl, Belle, was being harassed by Gaston, or tempted. We might say the lure of the world and all it had to offer was at work in that town. Belle's father was an inventor, a creator, rejected by the town, but loved by his only daughter. Belle would do anything for her father including sacrificing her own life when he was taken captive by the Beast. Belle also had compassion for the Beast and his kingdom, though treated rudely by the Beast.  Then there's the rose, slowly wilting, shortening the time left for the rescue of the Beast and his kingdom. Belle's first thought is always to please her father. Her second thought is to have compassion on those in need.

We are in need. A loving Son who always seeks to please His Father has compassion on us and sacrificed Himself for us. The change He makes in us gives us a compassionate heart like His and reaches those around us. (Acts 16:31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved and thy house). Time is short. The rose is wilting. Our lives are running out. Have we chosen Christ? Or are we still chasing the things of the world like the silly villagers always after Gaston's approval? 

Hey Kids:

We often relate to stories because we identify with a character in the story. 

What is your favorite fairy tale?

Why and how do you relate to it? 

Please share your thoughts.

Have the Compassion to make a Difference,

Gail

Alive Again!

 

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life:he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: John 11:25

Last fall, we found this enormous caterpillar. We put him in a terrarium to watch for a few days. The next day there was a fuzzy cocoon in the back corner of the terrarium. We were so excited! We thought in a few weeks, it would hatch out and we would see what kind of moth we had. Our best guess from caterpillar pictures was a luna moth. We waited and watched and waited some more. Nothing happened. It appeared the caterpillar in the cocoon had not survived. We were disappointed but we didn't clean out the cocoon. Other matters were taking our attention.

April was beginning to bring warmer weather and better light. Last Thursday afternoon, one of the children noticed a big brown blob on the covering of the terrarium. No, we still had not bothered to clean the terrarium. Everything in it was as dead as the winter outside, or so we thought. We all gathered to take a look. There was a huge brown moth just clinging to the screen. It wasn't moving. It must be dead, but we left it alone. Wrong again. The next morning, it had dropped to the bottom and spread its wings. Two big beautiful brown eye dots glared from each wing, enough to scare any predator. All day we watched, but it didn't move until the afternoon. As one of the children took another look, the moth began to flop and knock against the sides of the terrarium. It was obviously alive and kicking. I trapped him with a net against the screen top. We took it outside to let it free. For a few moments it dropped to the top of my sneaker, then... with the clumsy fluttering of giant wings, it flew up and off across the yard to a distant oak. The children waved and yelled their good-byes and see you agains. 

God always has ways to give us pictures to help us understand His word, his plan. In John 11 we read the story of Lazarus. Lazarus was sick and eventually died. By the time Jesus came, Lazarus had been dead four days. They were all sure he was dead. He really was dead, but when Jesus called Lazarus out of the grave, Lazarus was as alive as you and I. Jesus is the only One who has the power to give life to the dead. Jesus created moths and butterflies to help us with a spiritual explanation. When the caterpillar spins the cocoon or chrysalis, it looks very dead, but when it comes forth, it is a new creature. It is no longer a caterpillar but a beautiful moth or butterfly. It can never go back to its old life. When we ask Jesus to forgive our sins, He changes us. We are dead to our old live and we have a new life in Christ. One day, when Jesus calls, all that are in the grave will come forth, just as Lazarus did. Some will come alive to live with Jesus eternally. Some to die the second death in the lake of fire. 

Make this day the day you allow Jesus to make you a new creature in Him.

Blessings,

Gail 

Hey Kids:

Have you ever read The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle?

The caterpillar was doing just fine until he chose to eat food that is not good for caterpillars. He tried to go back to eating caterpillar food but his course was set. He had to spin the cocoon and allow God to change him into a beautiful butterfly. 

The butterfly is a perfect picture of how we must recognize we are sinners. We must die to our old way of life and let Jesus change us to live a new life in Him. 

What other things in Jesus' creation demonstrates death to an old life and resurrection to a new life?

Here are some hints to help you investigate.

Frogs: Discover the frog life cycle. Write out a spiritual application of the frog.

Seeds: Grow a few seeds in a plastic bag to discover a plant life cycle. Then write out the spiritual application. 

Are there friends or websites for you to share your discoveries? 

We would be glad for you to share with us here.

Ready, Willing, and Able

Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. John 17:17 (NASV)

Jesus prayed for us to be made holy through the truth. His word is truth.  

The other day I saw two ladies get out of a car and head for our door. I thought, that's witnesses for a cult. It's suppertime. I'm tired and I don't want to talk to them. They knocked. I whizzed into the laundry room out of sight. I wasn't ready.

Peace, Be Still

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Mark 4:39-40 

Ann Voskamp in One Thousand Gifts suggests we look for gifts in our daily lives. This week, the wind blew like the Lion of March. Trees whipped against each other scrubbing branches and waving away the birds. There is suppose to be dangerous thunderstorms tonight. After weeks of spring weather in February, the storm clouds are gathering. The wind has calmed and the stillness quiets the hillside. The smoke of the wood stoves drift low and slow through neighborhoods.