Practicing unbelief?

As we shared yesterday we are planning to go to Africa.  With that comes planning.... as I was going over some of my favorite devotions from this year this one jumped out at me.  

I wanted to share  it with you, it's from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young:
"You will not find my PEACE by engaging in excessive planning; attempting to control what will happen to you in the future.  That is a commonly practiced form of unbelief.  When your mind spins with multiple plans, PEACE may sometimes seem to be within your grasp; yet it always eludes you. Just when you think you have prepared for all possibilities, something unexpected pops up and throws things into confusion.  
I did not design the human mind to figure out the future.  That is beyond your capability.  I crated your mind for continual communication with me.  Bring Me all your needs,  your hopes and fears.  commit everything into My care. Turn from the path of planning to the path of PEACE.  

1 Pet 5:6-7 ~ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Prov 16:9 ~ In their hearts humans plan their course,
   but the LORD establishes their steps.

Ps 37:5 ~ Commit your way to the LORD;
   trust in him and he will do this: 

I desire to be filled with God's peace - so I surrender my plans to His care!!!  This year more than ever I have tried to let go of my plans and do what God's puts before me on a daily basis.  Don't get me wrong, we still have a plan! We just aren't clinging to it as if its a lifesaver... Jesus is and if He brings someone to our door or nudges our hearts to just spend time in his word and prayer... then books can be picked up again later!   
 
Steve shared this picture and it made me think of how peaceful God designed our lives to be... we are the ones who invite the chaos in!   May you find PEACE in following HIS plan today!   

Patriot's Day Rally

She loves her big brothers!  and they pretty much adore her too :)

We got to go on a wagon ride watching the beautiful horses was fun too!

We enjoyed the evening with "Mr. James Madison" (aka DAD)

Deep in thought ~ must be preparing an amazing speech to share with the people :)

Mr Madison and Mr Samuel Adams

We enjoyed a wonderful Patriots Day Rally celebrating our countries freedom!  Click here if you'd like to see some amazing videos reminding us to appreciate our freedom.  Great to thank those who have served and be reminded of where we started from!  With speeches from Madison, Henry, Franklin and Adams (well actually a few good actors who did a great job looking the part and sounding it too!!!)  Finishing the night with a fireworks show to be enjoyed by all.  Thanks to the many who have served our country to give us the freedoms we enjoy today! 

Teeter-Totter

   As I am changing a diaper, calling out spelling words, and trying to encourage yet another child to work on his math, a little phrase runs through my head:

“Be still and know that I am God.”

   HOW can I be STILL? I am sure, as a homeschool parent, you can relate to this often crazy life! God gently (and sometimes not so gently) reminds me that there is more to life than checking off boxes. I need to BE STILL.

    Finding the balance between the academic training of homeschooling and the calling to disciple in solid Biblical faith often feels like a teeter-totter in life. Adding the many alluring temptations of extracurricular events can make things seem more like a merry-go-round! I have discovered that when I finally arrive at the top of the academic side: the schedule works well, the kids are all checking the proper boxes, our family is getting ALL the “school” things done, it is then that I realize the Biblical balance has slipped to the bottom. This is the point where I am reminded that our calling to homeschool was first to ground our children in strong Biblical values and godly character. So my natural reaction in these times is to quickly jump to the other side: emphasizing Bible, prayer time, and ministry or serving. However, what happens now? I promptly realize I am NOT accomplishing either of the things I was striving for, and my children are frustrated with the “see-sawing”!

    What is the way to find a delicate balance on a teeter totter? It takes focus, patience, and being STILL! Somewhere in this life of homeschooling there is a balance too. Finding the right mix for your family of faith-building character development, along with academic challenge and opportunity, will bring stillness to your heart. In that stillness I KNOW that God can lead and guide, training the next generation to love Him with all their hearts, through all ups and downs of life.

Lord, help me today to focus on You. Give me patience as I find the stillness and balance in my homeschool life!

(no this isn't our family but it was too perfect!) 

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

*Look forward to posting more encouraging thoughts as we prepare for the upcoming homeschool convention season! We are heading to ND, NE, AR, TX and more to be determined! Hope to see some of you there!

Hands and Feet

We desire to serve God where-ever he sends us -- but its tempting to say "He hasn't sent me yet (or I am not old enough, or I am not a missionary, etc!) so I don't need to serve" My thoughts ~that is WRONG! He wants to use you right where you are, at any age! So this season of giving allow God to use your hands and feet to serve those you come to meet! May you be willing to say I'll go where you send me even its its just down the street.
The lyrics of a song by Audio Adrenaline have been going through my head lately.... so though I'd post them here!

An image flashed across my TV screen another broken heart comes in to view
I saw the pain and I turned my back why can't I do the things I want to?
I'm willing yet I'm so afraid You give me strength When I say
[CHORUS:]

I want to be your hands

I want to be your feet

I'll go where you send me
We'II go where you send us

And I try to touch the world like you touched my life And I find my way to be your hands
I've abandoned every selfish thought I've surrendered every thing I've got
You can have everything I am and perfect everything I'm not
I'm willing, I'm not afraid you give me strength When I say [CHORUS]

This is the lifetime I turned my back on you
From now on, I'll go so send me where You want me to
I finally have a mission I promise I'll complete
I don't need excuses when I am your hands and feet Quak Flock 10/10
if you want to see a video of the whole song click here
(they also have information about their hand and feet orphanages in Haiti and Central America on the video)

The season of waiting...

Well, I had excellent intentions of getting some lovely advent posts up... its just not going to happen, so here are some ramblings.

As we prepare to celebrate Christ's birth I am thankful to savor a few slow mornings or early evenings when I cuddle up with a blanket, my hot tea and quiet time with the Lord. Savoring his faithfulness, leading and hope. Tonight, I thought I would share a few thoughts on my heart. The advent season is a season of reflecting, waiting, anticipation, hope and finally JOY:

• Reflecting on God's faithfulness, or maybe reflecting on the distance you are from the Lord and pondering how to draw close again.
  
• Waiting for God's leading in a job, for a spouse, or where to go next in life.
  
• Anticipation of a move or of other momentous events in your life,
  
• and Hope for peace, a better economy, for healing, for the orphans, widows and poor.
  

Reflecting or pondering often reminds me of the passage about Mary after Jesus was born "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:19. As a mom my mind is soaking up information and somehow it seems to thicken up as it gets to my heart (if that even makes sense). Hindsight is 20/20 and there are so many times I am thankful to look back and see God's hand working in our parenting and in our children's lives. However there are still MANY times where my heart breaks for my frequent human shortcomings: the temper that is too quick to jump out, the lack of communication leading to quarrels, and the under-abundance of grace which is not poured out. Reflecting on how evident it is when my walk with the Lord is, well, more of a gallop (which is just ridiculous I know) how I get lost, off track or hurt. But thankfully He's slowing me down and teaching me to WALK with Him! I am so thankful that this year He is growing a in me a deep longing to slow down and just BE with Him.

Waiting on God's leading, this is an area that is NOT easy! Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Ps 143:10
Especially with my "like to know the plan" nature. I am learning that I crave structure and order, letting go and being willing to lean on God as an act of trust.... well, still working in this area! We were so blessed to follow his leading in our family mission trip last month and God is reminding me that He does want good things to grow and mature our family if we are willing to follow Him!

Watching children anticipate something special is a reminder of the eagerness with which we should be awaiting the return of Jesus. Are we more excited about the Christmas parties? Getting new clothes? the pretty packages under the tree? I am sure you heard the song this year "Where's the Line to See Jesus?" As I anticipate another year of homeschooling, travel, conventions and speaking I pray that all those things are in the shadow of my eagerness for the Lords return. Its hard to for me to think of expectancy and not think of "expecting". Many have asked us how we foster, well is only by God's grace and let me tell you there are some days (like today) that I wish I could adjust the spigot! We had eagerly anticipated knowing more after the court date today however we are still left waiting. As hard as it is to explain, we do long for families to be reunified if at all possible, however we also long for children to have belonging, and permanency and fighting the battle of red tape is oh so frustrating! We cling to the anticipation in God's perfect plan for her life that none of us can even fathom at this point! Jer. 29:11 is such a meaningful verse for our family and we claim it again for her. "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Hope in the best Christmas gift ever! We can hope in earthly things all our lives and not find fulfillment, but the one that provides true hope is Jesus Christ. We hope for peace to rule in our home, our country and our world. Hoping for Godly love to be shown to many who are broken and alone. Hope for our light to shine brightly to all who can see.
"The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:12-13

May you take time to ponder the gift of Jesus, sent from heaven above just for YOU! We pray you are filled with JOY in the gift of Jesus this Christmas. Amidst the busy time of year may you take time to be filled by Him so you may overflow with the hope he gives!
Blessing to your family this Christmas!
Amy Q

Family Service highlights + BOOK GIVEAWAY

One of our goals for the week was to help figure out what it takes to make a family mission trip work with The Community Crossings; finding the right balance between work, fun, and making sure the family has time to grow together and deepen their walk with the Lord. Serving as a family has lots of benefits one that we felt is you all come home with a shared experience, able to spur one another on when you return to the hum drum of daily life back home. Also time away from typical schedule of life allows you to have time together that often is not taken when at home.

The above picture is of the Community Crossing facility ~ the old high school was given to them! Its a wonderful place where lots of ministry happens. (I am still bewildered at how school buses ever got close, the streets are SO steep!)

We are considering going back and would like to take a crew of families with us .... so if you are interested let us know... it would be fun to serve with a bunch of families! We would likely go again fall of 2011. If you are interested in going sooner or helping with donations please contact Community Crossing ph 304-436-8300 or let me know and we can connect you!

Daily we met with Randy Wallace from Mustard Seeds & Mountains ministry,another local ministry. He is the author of Mission As Life a great book which we highly recommend all families read! Especially if your family is looking for a jump start to service or ministry. We enjoyed spending some time with him and being encouraged to not leave serving in West Virginia but to take it home and continue on in our hometown. A few highlights:

• Commune with God ~ spend time listening to His word and what he wants us to do
• Community ~ we can serve right were we are, it takes time, make sure to schedule it in!
  
• Compassion ~ it takes a heart that is willing to put others first and self last then DO IT
  

We want to bless someone with the book MISSION AS LIFE-- so if you want to win a FREE copy:

• Post a comment (make sure your email is in your comment so we can contact you if you win).
  
• If you want to get entered twice post a link to this on your blog and comment here that you linked it.
  
• If you really want the book you can comment again for a third opportunity to win, with a story about a mission/service project you have done or one you hope to do!
  

We will draw the winner the 27th. Best wishes!
Thanks for all your support while we were off on this adventure! We pray that God continues to mold us into the servants HE wants us to be!

Blessing others - DAY 3

One of the things we have learned is that when you intend to bless someone.... you are often the one who is blessed! That's exactly what happened to us today.

We are enjoying the amazing "hills" here well, most of us, the baby is not so fond of them and seems to feel better by emptying her stomach on the curves - poor thing! Actually poor siblings sitting next to her!
This tunnel was a hand picked tunnel -- (made by picking away at the rock!) pretty amazing to realize how hard it was to get around years ago and how much we take our modern roads, tunnels etc for granted! We are in coal country and have learned a lot about the hard life so many here have lived. The towns here are dying as the mining has changed over the years. So sad to see towns so vacant and falling apart.

Wednesday Project:
#1 Paint bedroom at home of the C's

• WORKERS: Q family and Mr and Mrs C
• STATUS: completed!
  

We were blessed to help an elderly couple today paint two rooms in their home. As we worked the children were thrilled that Mamaw (Mrs. C ) kept offering kool-aid and cartoons! They were great painters too. We got both rooms primed then painted (bright cheery colors i might add!) in less that 5 hours!


#2 Paint family room at home

• WORKERS: Q family and Mr and Mrs C
• STATUS: completed, with the exception of some trim which needed to be painted white yet - Mr C will finish that another day
  

The kids enjoyed helping but didn't mind when they got to take tv breaks -- a very special treat as we don't often watch them. Here they are showing off their work -- though this room was almost entirely painted by Mr C. He was such a hard worker! We could hardly keep up with him. What a lesson in hard work -- he has breathing issues (from years of working in the mines) but he wouldn't sit down and take a break! Perseverance we saw demonstrated before our very eyes today!
this is an old tool used long ago in the mines - Eugene or "Huber" as Mr. C called him :) worked hard to "dig" down with it, he did well too!
Here is the work crew. Mrs C loved having some girls in the house. We made some news friends today. We were there to bless them but their hearts and kindness blessed us!
Lord may we be thankful for what you have blessed us with, family, health and so many earthly possessions. May our eyes not get stuck down looking at all our stuff but may we look up to you and give you praise and honor and glory for the things of heaven which really mater! AMEN

Encouraging Others - DAY 2

When we moved we were blessed to have overwhelming assistance -- family, friends, new coworkers, not only to move but helping with the unpacking.

Today we were able to bless a family who is trying to uncover the floor from the myriad of boxes which are still covering it since recently moving! This lovely family has 7 children ranging from 10 months to 10 years and a wonderfully resourceful mother who homeschools them all.

Tuesdays projects:
#1 Complete painting of front porch

• WORKERS: Steve and Chuck
  
• STATUS: scraped, painted DONE :)

#2 Assist Mom as needed with unpacking

• WORKERS: Amy, Tutu, Ria
• STATUS: Amy was able to help mom sort clothes and we made some good headway! Getting things sorted by size and put in the correct room (clothes get overwhelming for me with only 3 boys and they have 5!)
  
• STATUS (GIRLS) they were able to help the 2 girls in the family organize their room also sorting some clothes. They had plenty of breaks to just have fun and play as well!
  

#3 Keep 5 boys busy so the rest of us could get things done :)

• WORKERS: Bernie and Eugene
  
• STATUS: Enthusiastically completed! They had lots of fun on the tramp, tire swing, with Lego's and Nerf guns, with squirt guns and exploring, and even sledding ~ no there was not snow but a GREAT hill and it worked fine even without snow!
  

When asked how their "work" was today, they replied "We didn't work today, we got to play"!
We made some wonderful new friends today. God reminded me that often its just as much about getting something done as it is about encouraging one another. We pray they were encouraged by our time together ~ I know we were!

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

⁵ Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

⁷ Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:3-12

Serving others - DAY 1

Well, day 1, here we are, up early and ready to SERVE.... and wondering how we will be used this week. The organization we are working with is called Community Crossing . We are here as a family to see what mission trips can look like for families (verse the typical trip of youth groups). Here we are with 6 kids who traveled more than a days drive to serve, wondering can we really get anything done to be of blessing to anyone?

YES WE CAN!

Monday we had 2 projects to complete:
#1 Finish some painting and replace baseboards after painting at the "club house" where we are staying.

• WORKERS: Steve, Chuck and Tutu
  
• STATUS: painting - done, baseboards - in progress
  

#2 Help with some winterizing at a neighbors home.

• WORKERS: Amy, Ria, Bernie, and Eugene
• STATUS: discovered lack of some supplies at work site, modified plan did some cleaning, organizing and fellowshipping with the Grandmother and Great Grandmother.
  

Blessings went both ways!

Our evening was a time for family fellowship, fun and games.
this is our "mess hall" where we eat, play and share.This is our sleeping quarters - where we yes sleep! plenty of top bunks so everyone can have a TOP well not Dad, Mom or Baby!
¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5: 14-16

Praying our light will shine and as we love the people here they will be not only blessed but encouraged in their faith walk!

On the road again but this time on a MISSION

We are setting off on an adventure... its been our desire to do a family mission trip for a while now. And God has finally brought all the pieces together! We are heading off to serve a poor community by ministering to the people through varrious small projects we can do as a family.

We were able to spend some time on our way there marveling at God's amazing creativity! We stopped at this natural bridge.... It was a nice hike to stretch the legs a bit! This is the view from below, over 85 feet high sits a 65 foot rock bridge.

The amazing ~and scary~ part is you can walk right over top of it....

and sit on the edge!

(OK, just so you know there is a small ledge below the children I WOULD not let them sit right on the edge!!!)
This was back at the base, it was incredible to enjoy nature all around us and marvel again at how God has created all things for his glory. How far and wide is His love for us!
We are so blessed to have this opportunity to grow as a family while we serve the Lord. More updates soon!

"What does the Lord require of you?
To act justly,
to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God."

Micah 6:8

New every morning

It's been awhile since I have shared any devotional thoughts ~ there are alot of ponderings in my head so bear with me as I share some of them!

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-26

~A year ago today a 17 year old, Nathan N was taken to his heavenly home - as we grieve for his family, who feels the loss every day, we cling to the promise God gives, of new compassion each morning.
~We celebrated with Zephan and Katie who were married today - May your new life together be covered with God's great love and faithfulness.

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

Ecclesiates 3:11

Years ago Steve and Tutu (who was about 3) shared this verse in our church's advent service and talked about a tapestry. Our lives can look like a bunch of strings all messed up.... but from God's heavenly view... its a beautiful tapestry all woven perfectly.As we make plans for tomorrow and look forward to our futures we cling to the hope we have in Christ. Sometimes things around us seem so normal or routine and we long for excitement and change ~ look to the Lord and seek HIS plans for you! When times are hard to understand, lack of direction, loneliness, loss of moms or dad in their prime, loss of children and babies, lack of work, orphans longing to have a forever family, lost souls seeking pleasure and peace in earthly things~ hope in the Lord and allow his grace to cover you!

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

Romans 5:1-5

Today, I am thankful that each day is a new gift from the Lord ~ that whatever comes my way I can choose to serve Him with a joyful heart so He receives glory and honor and praise! We don't know what tomorrow holds.... but we know WHO holds tomorrow! :)

A simple prayer to start your day:

Good morning God,
This is your day
I am your child,
Show me your way

Find us Faithful (an older post you may enjoy)

He is RISEN!

HALLELUJAH!! He is Risen Indeed! I just get chills when we sing the songs on Easter morning, this is one of them:

Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior,
Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Refrain

Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus my Savior;
Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!

Refrain

Death cannot keep its Prey, Jesus my Savior;
He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!

Refrain

I pray that you have the hope, triumph and victory over death that is the gift of salvation!
May your heart be open to His gift today if you haven't received it already! (pasting some resurrection references for you)
John 20
Matthew 28
Mark 16:1-6
Luke 24
Have a blessed Easter day!

New Life

The beauty of springtime is breathtaking -- seeing the incredible detail in each individual flower reminds me that God made each of us unique too.

And seeing new life come from the earth every spring is a vivid visual of the new life we have in Christ.

As Easter nears may our lives SHINE for Him we are no longer dead to sin but ALIVE IN CHRIST ~ HALLELUJAH!

Isaiah 55:1-11
¹ "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

² Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

³ Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.

⁴ See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander of the peoples.

⁵ Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,
because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor."

⁶ Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

⁸ "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.

⁹ "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

¹⁰ As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Romans 6:3-11

³Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

⁵If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. ⁶For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— ⁷because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.

⁸Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. ⁹For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. ¹⁰The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

¹¹In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

God is good.... All the time

this was a familiar saying from Pastor Dante then the congregation would reply
"and ALL the time.... God is GOOOOD"

I am a peacemaker... if there is a quarrel I like to see PEACE restored, if there is sadness I like to bring JOY, if there is fear I like to give HOPE.

One thing God reminded me of today its not in MY strength that I am able to do any of these things in fact I CAN'T do any these things on my own. I may be one of the pieces He uses, but only God can bring true PEACE, JOY and HOPE.
May you search for HIM and find true contentment today.


Isaiah 65:17-21
¹⁷ "Behold, I will create
new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.

¹⁸ But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight
and its people a joy.

¹⁹ I will rejoice over Jerusalem
and take delight in my people;
the sound of weeping and of crying
will be heard in it no more.

²⁰ "Never again will there be in it
an infant who lives but a few days,
or an old man who does not live out his years;
he who dies at a hundred
will be thought a mere youth;
he who fails to reach a hundred
will be considered accursed.

²¹ They will build houses and dwell in them;
they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

John 4:43-54
⁴³After the two days he left for Galilee. ⁴⁴(Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) ⁴⁵When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, for they also had been there.

⁴⁶Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. ⁴⁷When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.

⁴⁸"Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe."

⁴⁹The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies."

⁵⁰Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live."
The man took Jesus at his word and departed. ⁵¹While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. ⁵²When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, "The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour."

⁵³Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he and all his household believed.

⁵⁴This was the second miraculous sign that Jesus performed, having come from Judea to Galilee.

Spring and stiff necks

Welcome spring and sunshine!
the chickens are eager to be on pest patrol,

the boys are catching frogs,

and the flowers are popping ~ YEAH!
We had a busy day today -- more on that tomorrow hopefully!

So onto the "stiff necks"....

Jeremiah 7:23-28

²³ but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. ²⁴ But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. ²⁵ From the time your forefathers left Egypt until now, day after day, again and again I sent you my servants the prophets. ²⁶ But they did not listen to me or pay attention. They were stiff-necked and did more evil than their forefathers.'

²⁷ "When you tell them all this, they will not listen to you; when you call to them, they will not answer. ²⁸ Therefore say to them, 'This is the nation that has not obeyed the LORD its God or responded to correction. Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips.

Luke 11:14-23
¹⁴Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. ¹⁵But some of them said, "By Beelzebub, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons." ¹⁶Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.

¹⁷Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: "Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. ¹⁸If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebub. ¹⁹Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. ²⁰But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.

²¹"When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. ²²But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up the spoils.

²³"He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters.

It continues to amaze me how much children can comprehend of God's word. Amidst our busy day we feasted on these verses and the wonderful discussion that came about!
May you be WITH HIM today!