Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Progress Reports

I got a message today from the school that said my kids "progress reports" come home tomorrow from their teachers. This is always kind of a tense day when we all hold our breath to see how hard my kids will need to work to maintain or obtain a desired grade for the six weeks!

How's your progress in our quest to memorize scripture? Are you maintaining your good study habits or do you need to "hunker down" and put your "nose to the grindstone"?

This last week I got in a little bit of a slump, so I am regrouping and pushing forward!
As I was trying to figure out how to end this post, my funny husband chimed in and said "God doesn't grade on a curve....so get with it" or "the big exam is coming..don't flunk out" or "if you don't start memorizing, you will never graduate!" (we had a good laugh!)

The truth is- there is so much grace!

Press on friends!

Tiffany

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Week #13: Nehemiah 6:9b

Week #13: March 29-April 4

"But I prayed, "Now strengthen my hands." " [Nehemiah 6:9b]

NOTE: Nehemiah went to Jerusalem (444 BC) in response to the report that the remnant was in “great distress and reproach” (Nehemiah 1:3). He worked toward the establishment of Israel’s homeland security and national welfare by concentrating on the completion of the Jerusalem wall and gates in the face of enemy propaganda, ridicule, threats, compromise, slander, and treachery (Nehemiah 1-7), and by bringing about spiritual revitalization of the Jewish people now in Judah (Nehemiah 8-13).

Nehemiah was a patriot, leader, and man of action—all under God’s motivation and guidance. He excelled as a spiritual, political, and military leader. Nehemiah stood out as a man driven by the biblical worldview in a world driven by antagonism to God and God’s word.

Big Ideas: Leadership, courage, and persistence!

Since we will need to skip some books to come out to 52 weeks in a year, I am skipping II Chronicles and Ezra.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Week #12: I Chronicles 28:20

Week of March 22-28

[David also said to Solomon his son,] (optional)

"Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. " [I Chronicles 28:20]


NOTE: David's final words to Solomon reflect the same wholehearted devotion to God that he first expressed as a youthful shepherd in the pasturelands of Judea. With the dream of his heart (building a temple) entrusted to his son and the tokens of God's blessing all around him, David died " at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king. "(I Chronicles 29:28)

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Spring Break Work Out!

It's Spring Break! It would be easy to skip my workouts at the gym, to eat fast food all week, to ignore my personal quiet times and to slack off on the memory verse for this week!

But, I am determined to go the distance! How about you?

I set a goal that by Friday I would have this week's verse memorized AND polish up on the couples verses that just don't "stick" as easily

Press on everyone!

Tiffany

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Week #11: II Kings 13:23

Week of March 15-21

"But the LORD was gracious to them and had compassion and showed concern for them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. To this day he has been unwilling to destroy them or banish them from his presence. " [II Kings 13:23]

NOTE: For generations God has been preparing a people (the Jews), a king (David) and a kingdom, (Judah) through whom he would bless the world. In spite of the nation's unbelief, disobedience, and even displacement from the land, God's plan for them is still at work.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Coffee Time!

Hey everyone-
The last meeting at Starbucks was so helpful! Let's do it again!

I will be at Starbucks at Park Row and Bowen this Thursday, March 12th from 12:15-1:00.

Please come if you can. Bring your little ones if you need to!

See ya then!
Tiffany

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Week #10: 1 Kings 3:9

Week of March 8-14

"So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" [1 Kings 3:9]

After David's death, Solomon steps into the enormous responsibilities as God's anointed. When confronted by God with the invitation "Ask, and I will give it to you!" (3:5), Solomon replies with our memory verse for this week. (3:9) God also provides the things Solomon could have asked for but didn't: wealth, victory, fame and long life.

NOTE: The NLT Bible states: "For who BY HIMSELF is able to govern this great nation of yours?"

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Sacrifice- what is my cost?

As I have been meditating on II Samuel 24:24 this week, I find myself continually asking the questions: What does sacrifice look like in MY life? Does it hurt? Does it make me uncomfortable? To what point am I willing to surrender?

Webster's dictionary defines sacrifice as " the surrender of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim."

Take time today to think about what "sacrifice" looks like in your life.
May the Lord give you wisdom and insight and may He be glorified in your sacrifice!

Tiffany