Memorizing on Mondays

Since school began a few weeks ago, we have been diligent to have a morning routine most days in order to have family worship before Brandon goes to work. In an effort to help our children grow up knowing why they believe things regarding God, we've decided us use "A Baptist Catechism" as the core of our morning time together. (This is also GREAT for us adults who need to learn why we believe things about God...which is all of us.)

We divided the questions by 3 (as in 3 years) and have decided to work on about 40 questions per year. We'll use the remaining 12 weeks in each year to have built in review time when the questions/answers and scripture references are longer and need more than one week to get into our brains. Each Monday we introduce a new question and its answer. We slowly add on the scripture references throughout the week. We look up the references, read them and discuss them as necessary. Sometimes, we make up motions, songs or whatever is helpful to encourage these things to get in our heads.

There are other elements to our family worship time. We also read or watch stories from The Jesus Story Book Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones. (This is a treasured resource for any believer to have. We all love it!) We share prayer requests and praises and keep them simple by jotting them down in a spiral notebook. Then, we take turns praying for the things we've just mentioned. Sometimes, we will sing. This a great time for Libby to share a hymn she's been learning to play on the piano. Each day looks a little different. Praise God that He has put it into our hearts and schedules to be able to do this! :-)

So far, we're on question #3. Everyone is doing a great job memorizing! I hope to post videos of our catechism work soon. Here is the work that we have been doing (this is taken from The Baptist Catechism, adapted by John Piper):

Question 1: Who is the first and best of beings?

Answer: God is the first and best of beings.

Scripture: Isaiah 44:6; Psalm 8:1; 96:4; 97:9, 1 Samuel 2:2

Question 2: What is the chief end of man?

Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31; Psalm 16:11; 37:4; 73:25-26; Isaiah43:7.

Comment: "Glorify" does not mean make glorious. It means [to] reflect or display as glorious. Other words you could use for "end" are "goal" or "purpose".

Question 3: How do we know there is a God?

Answer: The light of nature in man, and the works of God, plainly declares that there is a God; but his word and Spirit only, do effectually reveal him unto us for our salvation.

Scripture: Romans 1:18-20; Psalm 19:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:15; 1 Corinthians 1:21-24; 2:9, 10; Matthew 11:27.

Comment: The question distinguishes two kinds of knowledge: one is natural and comes from conscience ("the light of nature in man") and from the works of God in nature; the other is spiritual or saving, and comes from the recognition of the true value of God and the beauty of his character. Natural knowledge is possessed by all people and thus makes all people accountable to honor and thank God. Spiritual knowledge is possessed only by those whose natural blindness has been overcome by the Spirit of God. (1 Cor. 2:14-16). Our children must come to see the difference between these lest they think they are saved by much natural knowledge about God—which the devils also have James 2:19).

Thinking Thanks

I am such a complainer. There, I said it. Really, I am hearing my own thoughts more and more these past few days and realizing how often I speak thoughts that are drenched in overtones of complaints. You might label it as being negative, but at the root of negativism is complaining. I'm thankful that the Lord is piercing my heart, and I confess to Him my ungratefulness. I thank Him that He alone can change my ungrateful heart.

I want my thinking to be thanking! When I think about how high grocery prices are or how much more expensive it is to eat healthier, I want to be thankful that I have such good food to eat. When I complain about how messy the house is, I want to thank God for blessing me with a home and a family to be messy with. When I whine about not wanting to do a task, I want to show gratitude that I have been entrusted with business to do.

I am praying that God will change me. I am thankful for resources to help along the way.

Swim!

The girls have been having a lot of fun swimming this summer! We are so blessed to have a small above ground pool in our yard. Plus, we have some super friends who let us hang at their pool, too! We all love the lazy days of summer!

Count it All Joy

I've had to really think about counting it all joy. (It seems that I need to be reminded about it every now and then.) We continue to be excited about what God has brought us to New Mexico for! Just around every "corner" there is another reason we're finding of why we think we're really going to love it here.

Yet, even in the midst of good things, I've had my moments of frustration. Mostly, they've had to do with homeschool. I don't have anyone looking over my shoulder here, and I feel like I'm in uncharted territory. A territory called: FREEDOM. We've been homeschooling for 2 years and have just gotten into our 3rd year. Now, for the first time, I feel like I have no crutch. I have no support system here, and no end of the year testing or evaluation to look towards...no fellow homeschoolers who are doing the exact things that I'm doing. It's literally just us and the Lord right now. We answer only to Him. So, after a week or so of feeling overwhelmed and unmotivated, I felt that gentle smack from Him this weekend to just let go and trust Him. He reminded me that the trial I've been dealing with concerning homeschool is for our good...the testing of our faith to develop perseverance to lead to maturity and completetion. Okay. Lesson learned...hopefully. Curriculum changes abound, and I will trust Him that it will all end up good!

In other things, the fair is in town! On Monday, we watched the parade go down Main St. Yesterday, the girls and I got to go watch the sheep show during the morning. One of the boys from our church was showing his sheep, and it was fun to learn about the sheep show while we watched it. Tonight, we're going as a family to enjoy the fun! "A fair is a varitable smorgishboard, smorgishboard, smorgishboard..." (That is from Charlotte's Web.) :-) Libby and Clara particularly like the rabbit exhibit, and I can forsee a 4H pet coming into our lives one day soon.

As I sign off for today, I hope that if you are in a trial, no matter how big or small, that you will be reminded to count it all joy! Rest assured, God loves you more than you can ever imagine!