Everyone ready? We're off to a great year together! Whitney passed on this devotional to me this morning about Reading through the Word . It's a wonderful encouragement about facing the fear of failure in such challenges, accepting these challenges and being blessed.
Grab your Bible and here we go!
Press on!
Tiffany
Friday, January 1, 2010
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
It's a wrap!
It is hard for me to believe that it has been a year since we started our scripture memory journey together! Wow! I know we have all been challenged and blessed with the accountability we have shared this year, as well as the many ways God has used His Word in our lives.
Thank you to each of my precious friends who have taken this journey with me. It has been such a joy and a privilege to walk together in the discipline of scripture memory.
I am looking forward to our new challenge of reading through the Bible in 2010. I anticipate that the Lord will do great things!
Press on friends!
Tiffany
Thank you to each of my precious friends who have taken this journey with me. It has been such a joy and a privilege to walk together in the discipline of scripture memory.
I am looking forward to our new challenge of reading through the Bible in 2010. I anticipate that the Lord will do great things!
Press on friends!
Tiffany
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Week #52: Revelation 3:20
Week of December 27-January 2
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." [Revelation 3:20]
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." [Revelation 3:20]
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Week #51: Jude 24-25
Week of December 20-26
"To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen"
[Jude 24-25]
"To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen"
[Jude 24-25]
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Week #50: 1 John 1:9
Week of December 13-19
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." [1 John 1:9]
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." [1 John 1:9]
Friday, December 4, 2009
Week #49: 2 Peter 3:9
Week of December 6-12
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." [2 Peter 3:9]
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." [2 Peter 3:9]
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Week #48:1 Peter 3:15
Week of November 29-December 5
"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." [1 Peter 3:15]
NOTE: The word "reason" (also translated as "answer" in some versions) means "a ready defense." The Greek word apologia (from "apo" = "from" and "logos" = "word") is a legal term from the Greek court system referring to an attorney who defends his client's case. The discipline of "apologetics" refers to careful arguments in defense of the Christian faith. In short, Peter is telling his audience to know what they believe and be able to defend what they believe. This is an important charge to contemporary Christians who might be simply riding the coattails of their parent's, church's, or denominational faith.
"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." [1 Peter 3:15]
NOTE: The word "reason" (also translated as "answer" in some versions) means "a ready defense." The Greek word apologia (from "apo" = "from" and "logos" = "word") is a legal term from the Greek court system referring to an attorney who defends his client's case. The discipline of "apologetics" refers to careful arguments in defense of the Christian faith. In short, Peter is telling his audience to know what they believe and be able to defend what they believe. This is an important charge to contemporary Christians who might be simply riding the coattails of their parent's, church's, or denominational faith.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Pillows and Blankets
I have had the same throw pillows on my couch for about 8 years. Lately I've been thinking it would really be nice to get some new pillows just to change things up a bit. I'm rethinking that now....
Yesterday, a friend and I took some coats and winter clothes to a family of African refugees. It took us close to an hour to find their new home in Fort Worth. As the family of nine opened bags of jackets, sweaters, caps, etc., their faces lit up like it was Christmas morning. As we got ready to leave, I asked the mother "is there anything else you need right now?" She immediately motioned with her arms (she doesn't speak English) that her family needed blankets and pillows. "And socks!" one of the children spoke out.
When David got home last evening, but I told him of the need that my friends had...and that I couldn't go to bed tonight knowing that this precious family needed blankets. We ate a quick frozen pizza and headed to WalMart to get blankets and pillows and a some more warm coats.
I will never forget the squeals of glee as we handed each child a warm blanket to sleep with last night. And pillows! They were thrilled to have their own pillow! We sat in their small living room and sang African songs and I taught them an American game. Life is really so simple.
I take so much for granted....I think I will wait on those decorative pillows.
Yesterday, a friend and I took some coats and winter clothes to a family of African refugees. It took us close to an hour to find their new home in Fort Worth. As the family of nine opened bags of jackets, sweaters, caps, etc., their faces lit up like it was Christmas morning. As we got ready to leave, I asked the mother "is there anything else you need right now?" She immediately motioned with her arms (she doesn't speak English) that her family needed blankets and pillows. "And socks!" one of the children spoke out.
When David got home last evening, but I told him of the need that my friends had...and that I couldn't go to bed tonight knowing that this precious family needed blankets. We ate a quick frozen pizza and headed to WalMart to get blankets and pillows and a some more warm coats.
I will never forget the squeals of glee as we handed each child a warm blanket to sleep with last night. And pillows! They were thrilled to have their own pillow! We sat in their small living room and sang African songs and I taught them an American game. Life is really so simple.
I take so much for granted....I think I will wait on those decorative pillows.
Monday, November 23, 2009
JUST DO IT!
As Thanksgiving approaches, the typical "stresses" seem to take front and center in my life: (and I have heard some of you wrestle with this, too! ) clean the house for out-of-town company, prepare lots of food, provide entertainment for the family, and the list goes on....
Let's take a different approach this week, OK? Let me tell you what I am striving to do. For each significant work I do for my own family, I want to do something equally as labor intensive and intentional for someone else. Let me share how that plays out in my life.
Our family will go to Mission Arlington on Thanksgiving morning to serve the needy. A friend's child will have surgery tomorrow and I will pray for and visit this family. Several of my friends answered the call to purge their closets of unused winter coats/clothes and we will share them with those who are lacking warm clothes.
Please understand me, I am not trying to "toot my own horn", but to challenge you, my sweet friends, to stop and think about what is really important this holiday season. Be intentional! Don't stress! Be"doers"of the Word.
How will you apply James 1:22 to your life this week?
Press on friends!
Tiffany
P.S.
This summer, I read one of the best books I have read in a long time: The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, the CEO of World Vision. It changed my life.
Let's take a different approach this week, OK? Let me tell you what I am striving to do. For each significant work I do for my own family, I want to do something equally as labor intensive and intentional for someone else. Let me share how that plays out in my life.
Our family will go to Mission Arlington on Thanksgiving morning to serve the needy. A friend's child will have surgery tomorrow and I will pray for and visit this family. Several of my friends answered the call to purge their closets of unused winter coats/clothes and we will share them with those who are lacking warm clothes.
Please understand me, I am not trying to "toot my own horn", but to challenge you, my sweet friends, to stop and think about what is really important this holiday season. Be intentional! Don't stress! Be"doers"of the Word.
How will you apply James 1:22 to your life this week?
Press on friends!
Tiffany
P.S.
This summer, I read one of the best books I have read in a long time: The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, the CEO of World Vision. It changed my life.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Week #47: James 1:22
Week of November 22-28
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." [James 1:22]
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." [James 1:22]
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Week #46: Hebrews 12:1
Week of November 15-21
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. " [Hebrews 12:1]
CHALLENGE:
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." [Hebrews 12:2]
NOTE: This is a classic verse worth recalling and holding close to our heart. Take time to look at and meditate on words like "hinders" and "entangles" and "perfecter". Remember that every word is inspired by God to teach us and instruct us.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. " [Hebrews 12:1]
CHALLENGE:
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." [Hebrews 12:2]
NOTE: This is a classic verse worth recalling and holding close to our heart. Take time to look at and meditate on words like "hinders" and "entangles" and "perfecter". Remember that every word is inspired by God to teach us and instruct us.
Monday, November 9, 2009
The Marathon
I just finished my first marathon yesterday. It has been a great journey! David has been reflecting on the spiritual lessons learned along the way. I hope you'll read his blog today and the next few posts coming later this week: www.doxologies.blogspot.com
Press on friends!
Tiffany
Press on friends!
Tiffany
Friday, November 6, 2009
Week #45: Titus 2:11-12
Week of November 8-14
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age" [Titus 2:11-12]
CHALLENGE:
"..while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." [Titus 2:13-14]
NOTE: I encourage you to grab a commentary this week and to study the content and context of this whole chapter. Press on!
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age" [Titus 2:11-12]
CHALLENGE:
"..while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." [Titus 2:13-14]
NOTE: I encourage you to grab a commentary this week and to study the content and context of this whole chapter. Press on!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Week #44: 2 Timothy 2:2
Week of November 1-7
"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." [2 Timothy 2:2]
"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others." [2 Timothy 2:2]
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Finish Well
Two weeks from today, the goal is to cross the finish line!
As most of you know, my friend Kelly and I have been training to run a marathon on November 8th. We are down to the final two weeks of training. It has taken months of hard work, body aches, setbacks and just pure discipline. Many days I didn't even want to get out and run at all. We were hit with all sorts of hurdles along the way...sick kids, rain and more rain, sleepless nights and other physical ailments.
From the beginning, we asked the Lord to be in this effort. If He wasn't in this, we didn't want to be a part of it. Both individually and together, He affirmed our desire to run this great event and He has been at the center every since we started. We have spent our long runs with a list of prayer requests for close friends, the sick, the elderly, missionaries and many others. It has been an amazing privilege to lift His people up to him in prayer as we run. We truly feel like God has used our time running to draw us near to His throne room of grace.
This year, I also set another goal: To memorize a verse (or two) each week of the year, starting with the book of Genesis (hence, this blog). I have had the most amazing group of women take this challenge with me. We have named ourselves the "Memory Mommas."
While physical training and endurance is of great value, the reward we have from memorizing God's Word is eternal. We, too, are training ourselves....but for the purpose of godliness. This blog post is for you, my precious friends. We are close to the finish line! We have persevered. We have endured some setbacks. Some weeks have been easy and some much more challenging. I want to encourage you to FINISH WELL! Give it your best as you push toward the goal!
Press on dear friends! To God be the glory!
Tiffany
As most of you know, my friend Kelly and I have been training to run a marathon on November 8th. We are down to the final two weeks of training. It has taken months of hard work, body aches, setbacks and just pure discipline. Many days I didn't even want to get out and run at all. We were hit with all sorts of hurdles along the way...sick kids, rain and more rain, sleepless nights and other physical ailments.
From the beginning, we asked the Lord to be in this effort. If He wasn't in this, we didn't want to be a part of it. Both individually and together, He affirmed our desire to run this great event and He has been at the center every since we started. We have spent our long runs with a list of prayer requests for close friends, the sick, the elderly, missionaries and many others. It has been an amazing privilege to lift His people up to him in prayer as we run. We truly feel like God has used our time running to draw us near to His throne room of grace.
This year, I also set another goal: To memorize a verse (or two) each week of the year, starting with the book of Genesis (hence, this blog). I have had the most amazing group of women take this challenge with me. We have named ourselves the "Memory Mommas."
While physical training and endurance is of great value, the reward we have from memorizing God's Word is eternal. We, too, are training ourselves....but for the purpose of godliness. This blog post is for you, my precious friends. We are close to the finish line! We have persevered. We have endured some setbacks. Some weeks have been easy and some much more challenging. I want to encourage you to FINISH WELL! Give it your best as you push toward the goal!
Press on dear friends! To God be the glory!
Tiffany
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Week #43: 1 Timothy 6:6-7
Week of October 25-31
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. " [I Timothy 6:6-7]
NOTE: we are skipping ahead to 1 Timothy in order to stay on course to finish with Revelation the last week in December.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. " [I Timothy 6:6-7]
NOTE: we are skipping ahead to 1 Timothy in order to stay on course to finish with Revelation the last week in December.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Week #42: I Thessalonians 5:16-18
Week of October 18-24
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." [I Thessalonians 5:16-18]
NOTE 1: The church at Thessalonica was, in many ways, a model church. Paul had many things to commend the believers for: their exemplary faith, diligent service, patient steadfastness, and overflowing joy. But in the midst of his commendation, Paul voices a word of caution. Abounding in the work of the Lord is only one step removed from abandoning the work of the Lord through complacency. Thus, Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to excel in their faith, to increase in their love for one another, and to give thanks for all things. At the same time, to know Christ must always be their primary goal. In short, Paul encourages them to "stay on target" as they labor for the Lord. (Daily Walk Bible)
NOTE 2: Each of the five chapters of 1 Thessalonians ends with an exhortation based on the fact that Jesus is coming again. I encourage you to spend some time in these short chapters looking for these eschatological (end times) phrases.
This week's passage is not just a command to "be happy in all circumstances." Paul writes it with an "end-times" perspective. Put your hope in the fact that Christ is coming again! Do you believe that Christ is coming again? Do you behave as if Christ is coming again? Then, let all you do radiate that hope!
Press on friends!
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." [I Thessalonians 5:16-18]
NOTE 1: The church at Thessalonica was, in many ways, a model church. Paul had many things to commend the believers for: their exemplary faith, diligent service, patient steadfastness, and overflowing joy. But in the midst of his commendation, Paul voices a word of caution. Abounding in the work of the Lord is only one step removed from abandoning the work of the Lord through complacency. Thus, Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to excel in their faith, to increase in their love for one another, and to give thanks for all things. At the same time, to know Christ must always be their primary goal. In short, Paul encourages them to "stay on target" as they labor for the Lord. (Daily Walk Bible)
NOTE 2: Each of the five chapters of 1 Thessalonians ends with an exhortation based on the fact that Jesus is coming again. I encourage you to spend some time in these short chapters looking for these eschatological (end times) phrases.
This week's passage is not just a command to "be happy in all circumstances." Paul writes it with an "end-times" perspective. Put your hope in the fact that Christ is coming again! Do you believe that Christ is coming again? Do you behave as if Christ is coming again? Then, let all you do radiate that hope!
Press on friends!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Coffee with the "Memory Mommas"
We had a great time at coffee this morning! Always an empty seat for anyone to join us. Love you girls!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Week #41: Colossians 2:8
Week of October 11-17
"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." [Colossians 2:8]
"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." [Colossians 2:8]
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Week #40: Philippians 4:6-7
Week of October 4-10
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. " [Philippians 4:6-7]
NOTE: This may be a familiar verse to you, but I encourage you to take it apart phrase by phrase this week and meditate on the richness of this passage. It is chock-full of powerful truths and commands for our spiritual life. Don't miss em!
For example:
Phrase 1: Do not be anxious
Phrase 2: about ANYTHING
Phrase 3: but in EVERYTHING
Phrase 4: by PRAYER and PETITION
Phrase 5: with THANKSGIVING
and so on....
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. " [Philippians 4:6-7]
NOTE: This may be a familiar verse to you, but I encourage you to take it apart phrase by phrase this week and meditate on the richness of this passage. It is chock-full of powerful truths and commands for our spiritual life. Don't miss em!
For example:
Phrase 1: Do not be anxious
Phrase 2: about ANYTHING
Phrase 3: but in EVERYTHING
Phrase 4: by PRAYER and PETITION
Phrase 5: with THANKSGIVING
and so on....
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