Advent Unfolding – Day 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 2 – Gestation

Day 8 – Hidden

 

When my children were younger, we had this tradition – we had a nativity set on a small table in our entry way. All the pieces of the nativity set where put in place, except for baby Jesus.  I would hide baby Jesus, and each day we would look at the scene, and talk about preparing a nice manger for him.  We had pieces of straw and if a child did a kind deed they could put a piece of straw in the place waiting for Jesus arrival.  Throughout the days of December,  they would add to Jesus’ bed. On Christmas morning the first thing we would do was check to see if baby Jesus had arrived.  One year, I hid baby Jesus so well that I could not find him to put him out. I really do not remember how I handles it, but a few months later I found him hidden in a drawer of a shelf we had in our front room. 

Thinking of this story made me ponder how often we  hide Jesus at Christmastime or how we can hide him throughout the year.  We get caught up in the season of celebration, the to do lists, or the seasons of life and the ongoing things that need to be done. We don’t take time to be hidden in Him, dwelling in His presence, truly spending time resting in Him. 

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

                                                                                                                                 Psalm 32:7

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

This I declare about the Lord:

He alone is my refuge, my place of safety(my hiding place);

he is my God, and I trust him.                             Psalm 91:1-2

 

I do not want to forget where I have hidden my savior but I want to be found – hidden in His presence.

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Advent Unfolding – Day 7

 

 

 

 

 Week 1 – Revelation

Day 7 – Glory

 

From the beginning, God desired to  dwell with his creation.  In the garden, he would walk with Adam & Eve in the cool of the day.

God spoke to Moses “face to face” out of a cloud. When Moses asked to see God’s glory, God told Him, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.”  But He graciously hid Moses in the cleft of a rock, covered him with His hand, and passed by so he could be in the midst of his glory.  

God asked the Israelites too build him a tabernacle, so He could dwell with them.  "Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them. There I will meet with you; and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak to you." 

Jesus came to be the dwelling place of God’s glory. Hebrews 1:3 states, The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word.  And in John 17:22 Jesus said, "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one.”

So the dwelling God transferred His glory from a cloud by day and fire by night to a temporary dwelling place in the  tabernacle, through His Son in human form and finally in His creation through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.  We were created to be a reflection of His glory, His beauty to the world.

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord--who is the Spirit--makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.  2 Corinthians 3:18

In the morning, I pray for my sweet Jonathan, before  he goes off to school. As I pray for him I remind him that he is a reflection of his Heavenly Father’s Glory, and he just smiles.

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Advent Unfolding – Day 6

 

 

 

 

   Week 1 – Revelation

  Day 6 – Miracle

 

 

 

  

 

   Eucharisteo - Thanksgiving –

  always precedes the miracle.  

                              ~Ann Voskamp

It happened that as he made his way toward Jerusalem, he crossed over the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

Taking a good look at them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.”

They went, and while still on their way, became clean. One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough—and he was a Samaritan.

 Jesus said, “Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this outsider?” Then he said to him, “Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you.”

                                                                                                                                                                                             Luke 17:11-19

We look at this and see the miracle of these 10 lepers healings – no more of this horrible disease,  no more living on the outside.  But to the one who came back, who couldn’t stop giving thanks, Jesus said, “ Your faith has healed and saved you – he was not only healed physically but this one received salvation  – he was healed spiritually, he received complete healing – complete wholeness

Which was the greater miracle…

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Advent Unfolding – Day 5

 

 

 

 Week 1 – Revelation

Day 5 – Uncertainty

 

 

 

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

                                                                     Philippians 4:6-9

 

This world we live in is so FULL of uncertainty – from bombings & mass shootings to political and religious debates on what is the best way to solve the issues of our world.   Debates that sometimes seem as heated as the events or issues themselves. Hearts desperately seeking answers, solutions – peace. Our focus constantly turned toward worry, fear and anger. Yet, Jesus came in human form in a time not so different from our own.

– Isaiah 9 foretold of a time when the people would be walking in darkness… but for those living in a land of deep darkness a light would dawn, that their joy would be increased and they would rejoice for a Savior would be born, He would be called Prince of Peace and to His peace there would be no end. He would establish justice and righteousness from that time and forever.

One thing I am certain of in this world filled with uncertainty is the my eyes can’t be focused on the circumstances surrounding me but they need to be focused on my Savior – and He has not left me defenseless but has given me weapons of warfare -  “We pray as we live; we live as we pray. Life will never be finer than the quality of the closet. The mercury of life will rise only by the warmth of the closet. Persistent non-praying eventually will depress life below zero." --E. M. Bounds

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Advent Unfolding–Day 4

 

 

 

 

  Week 1 – Revelation

Day 4 – Blueprint

blueprint- a design plan, draw up,  a plan or model

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

Those who know me well, know I am a list person.  I love making lists, checking off lists, compiling lists. I thrive when I have a list to track my day – it is sort of a blueprint for my week, my day – a plan drawn up.   When I have a blueprint for my week, I can then see what needs to be plugged in for each day of the week.  I know that I have been wired this way by my creator , but I would be the first to admit that I am a “little” obsessive when it comes to my list and I also know that He likes to stretch me and has asked me this past year to leave my days open for Him to plan each day as it comes – Each TODAY a new canvas for Him to move in.  I can plan my course (the things that need to be plugged in, school schedules, doctors appointments, exercise, etc.) but He wants to establish, or direct my steps. When I let Him order my steps (my day), there is a freedom I feel in knowing that I have fulfilled what He has called me to do for that day.

From the beginning, God had his own blueprint – one that was told over a period of 1,000 years and written several  hundred years before it was fulfilled.  This blueprint contained over three-hundred prophecies of the coming Messiah. To name just a few - he was the promised seed of Abraham through Isaac, he would be born in the family of the Tribe of Judah, to the family of Jesse, be the heir to the throne of David, born in Bethlehem of a virgin, That his name was to be Immanuel, God with Us – and for us he was born, to us he was given, he would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. This blueprint designed by our Heavenly Father was His plan for us, to fulfill our destiny.

I don’t know about you, but I think I will stick with His plan.

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Advent Unfolding – Day 3

 

Week 1 – Revelation

Day 3: Overwhelm

 

 

 

 

 

          As soon as all the people saw Jesus,

they were overwhelmed with wonder... (Mark 9:15)

So often when we think of the word overwhelm, we think of it in a negative way as to bury or drown beneath a huge mass. Yet there is this side to being overwhelmed that is captivating, filled with beauty, covered in mercy,  overpowered with forgiveness, where freedom reigns. When I spend time with Jesus I am left overwhelmed with wonder and left filled with his glory.

One of my favorite songs of this past year has been Overwhelmed by Big Daddy Weave. Below are the lyrics to ponder over. (if you click the picture it will bring you to youtube where you can listen and worship along with it. 

Overwhelmed

I see the work of Your Hands

Galaxies spin in a Heavenly dance oh God
All that You are is so overwhelming

I hear the sound of Your Voice
All at once it's a gentle and thundering noise oh God
All that You are is so overwhelming

I delight myself in You
Captivated by Your beauty
I'm overwhelmed, I'm overwhelmed by You

God, I run into Your arms
Unashamed because of mercy
I'm overwhelmed, I'm overwhelmed by You

I know the power of Your Cross
Forgiven and free forever You'll be my God
And all that You've done is so overwhelming

I delight myself in You
In the Glory of Your Presence
I'm overwhelmed, I'm overwhelmed by You

And God I run into Your arms
Unashamed because of mercy
I'm overwhelmed, I'm overwhelmed by You

You are Beautiful, You are Beautiful
Oh God, there is no one more Beautiful
You are Beautiful, God you are the most Beautiful

You are Wonderful, You are Wonderful
Oh God, there is no one more Wonderful
You are Wonderful, God You are the most Wonderful

You are Glorious, You are Glorious
Oh God, there is no one more Glorious
You are Glorious, God you are the most Glorious

I delight myself in You
In the Glory of Your Presence
I'm overwhelmed, I'm overwhelmed by You

And God I run into Your arms
Unashamed because of mercy
I'm overwhelmed, I'm overwhelmed by You
I'm overwhelmed, I'm overwhelmed by You
There is no one more Beautiful
You are the most Beautiful

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Advent Unfolding – Day 2

 

 

 

 

Week 1 – Revelation

      Day 2: Discover

 

 

Discover:  find (something or someone) unexpectedly

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.  And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 18:1-3

One of my favorite things to do as a small child was to look at the clouds and try to discover shapes or images in them. (I still like to do this with my own children) Discovering  new things brings such an excitement and joy to our hearts, and when shared with someone else the discovery is even more fulfilling.  Like the time one of my daughters discovered, that the tree across the street was in the shape of a heart.  I do not know how many times I looked out my front  window, while sitting on my couch in the living room, and never noticed this.  Perhaps my mind was focused on loftier things.  It took the eyes of a child to  point out this beautiful, amazing hand print of God. This simple discovery is now a daily reminder of His love for us.  Jesus reminded us that we needed to become like little children to fully enter the kingdom of heaven. Perhaps that is why He came as a baby – God entering his created world as a child to bridge the gap from heaven and earth. Those who looked through worldly eyes for the Messiah where expecting to find a Military Leader. But the ones who looked through the eyes of simplicity discovered something, someone unexpected – a baby, a child – a future Savior.

May we have the eyes of a child this Christmas Season.

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Advent Unfolding – Day 1

 

During this Advent Season, I will be participating in   Advent Unfolding -  a place where we are invited  to share our advent journey creatively. This is the list of words and themes for the weeks and days of advent. We are encouraged to share photos, poems, posts, scriptures, sketches or other mediums. This creative journey is meant to draw us closer to the origin and expression of Christmas.

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Day 1: Clarion - Announcement

The shofar was a ritual musical instrument, made from the horn of a ram or other animal, used on important Jewish public and religious occasions. In biblical times the shofar sounded the Sabbath, announced the New Moon, and proclaimed the anointing of a new king.

In various places in the Bible the Shofar is conceived as an instrument, used by God himself:

“Then the LORD will appear over them; his arrow will flash like lightning. The Sovereign LORD will sound the trumpet…” (Zechariah 9:14).

Shofar is a Hebrew word that comes from a root meaning beauty. To me giving birth is one of the most humbling, beautiful experiences. Yes, it is painful and messy but the child held in your arms at the end of all that is a miracle, a thing of beauty.

I find it amazing and yet appropriate that God choose to sound His trumpet…

to announce to  His creation - “Emmanuel” - God with Us , in that same humble way, with the birth of His son -

the new born King - Jesus.

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Back To School–Curriculum Week

   Curriculum Week

Planning for our 2015/16 school year is complete -

Each year as I am planning a new school year I review, update and remind myself of why we are homeschooling through our Touchstones.

This helps me to get focused and has become a great tool in curriculum selecting for me.

We have been homeschooling for almost 20 years and graduated 4 children, and have 3 more to go. We have 8 children in all ages 11 – 26 but our 5th child – our special guy attends a special needs program.

I have used the Unit Study approach for most of our homeschool years with the elementary & middle school aged children. As they reach High School we transition them into independent learning, were I would set up their courses and they would either learn on their own with these resources, attend outside classes taught by myself and/or other homeschool parents or take Jr. College classes. This would be different each year for each child – tailored made to fit their bents, talents and the direction we felt God was leading them for their futures. When people would ask or comment “you homeschool them all through High School,” I would joke – “well they kind of homeschool themselves.” I was slightly embarrassed to admit this,  but I realized, that for us, this was one of  the goals we have for them – to become independent learners.

I will be teaching a 10th grader, 9th grader and 6th grader this year. In an effort to move my girlie girls into more of an independent mode we will be using Time 4 Learning for our core subjects of Math, Language Arts/English, Social Studies & Science. We started Time 4 Learning  in May to get a feel for it and to see if it would be a good fit for us. And it was.

I have placed them each in the grade level best suited for them and we are all working on US History this year – and Nature of  Science and Earth & Space Science. This makes adding supplements for those subjects much easier.

Time 4 Learning Goals:

2015/16	Audriona – Golden Girl	Angelina- Angel Girl	Shekinah – Little One
English	English 8	English I	Language Arts  6th
Math	English 8	Algebra	6th Grade
History	US History	US History I	US History - 6th
Science	Nature of Science Earth-Space Science	Nature of Science Earth-Space Science	Nature of Science Earth-Space Science
Art	Art Program	Art Program	Art Program

We will be adding 4 Units of History Readers – One for each quarter of the school year.  Our quarters are broken down into seasons:

Thematic Units -  Historical Novels  - US History I

Summer - Colonial America Serpent Never Sleeps	Autumn - Revolutionary War Johnny Tremain The Fighting Ground
Winter - Civil War Behind Enemy Lines Charley Skedaddle	Spring - Industrial Revolution Lyddi Breaker

         

We will be using the Teacher Created Thematic Units to go with these Readers. I love these because I can tailor use these for each girl and it gives us a good way to not only reinforce some of the History facts but to do it through living books.

For Bible we will be continuing our 3 year journey through the Bible –

We will be using our own Family Motto & Habits Curriculum and the What’s In The Bible Video series – my girls may seem too old for these videos, but I think that Phil Vischer is the best at teaching Bible Theology for children.  Even my older children love these videos and honestly we all learn new things from them. We will also be using a Youth Walk Devotion series that brings you through an overview of  each book of the Bible along with Picture It – the new version is called Picture Smart Bible.  I have created our own devotion sheets and worksheet to go with these resources.

We will be adding Fine Arts and Enrichment Classes along with some Personal Development Elective courses. I will be touching on all of these more in a future post.

I am excited for the direction we are moving in and for the new year ahead.

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a day late and a dollar short

There is a saying - "a day late and a dollar short,"
one etched in my memory from hearing it
     more times than needed…
Words etched deep in one’s soul,
Words echoed in one’s mind,
     Words embraced harder in one’s heart.

Words believe.

One always feeling like she can't catch up or stay on top of things,
         or revelations - that become well thought out plans but are not fulfilled -

Ideas, full that come too late.
         more times than not, saying – there is always next year.
Regrets of things unfinished, things left undone, things just an idol thought.
Left on one’s mind.

        Realizing…
that things left on one’s mind or mindsets, need to be removed,
     Mindsets need to be replaced,
           Mindsets need to be restored,
                  Mindsets need to be renewed.

How do I replace those deep rooted mindsets…

1. By seeing through someone else’s eyes  - even if just for a moment.
2. To see how I am a disciplined person – see the areas of progress, the areas of growth.
3. Try not to do too many things - focus on a few. Simplicity - in the midst of a life that really isn't that simple –a life filled with many parts – many departments – with many divisions.  

- Such a Dichotomy - dichotomy (noun) -  A division into two contrasting things or parts. Simplicity in the midst of so many parts – each of  importance.

1. to focus on the simplicity not the contrast.
2. to focus on one step not the marathon.
3. to focus on one detail at a time not the big picture.
4. to focus one day not the whole year.

- to focus on today –
to seek the one who knows me, my needs, 
     my family, their needs -
       guidance for today –
follow through for today -  that is true discipline.
         just for today.

Learning to live in today~

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