Take a Moment to Reconnect

Matthew 6:6 -- "But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you."

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I believe wholly in "breathing prayer," meaning that God hears you anywhere at anytime on matter what you are doing. This is how you stay in constant connection with him because he can speak to you just as you speak to him in the Spirit.

However, we are busy people placed in a busier society and even though you stay in constant connection, it is important to stop and focus on each other once in a while, daily if possible.

I relate this idea to my relationship with my husband. We are in constant communication over schedules, concerns and what's for dinner, but in the midst of the busyness I begin to miss sitting and just talking together. When it is only connection over what is going on you miss the intimacy in the relationship. We make a point at least a couple times a week to stop and really look at each other and reconnect, to talk about everything and nothing. It is really just an opportunity to stop and say "I love you and everything we are doing is worth it."

God deserves those same moments. When you stop and focus only on him and your relationship. Where you reconnect and share a moment of intimacy to say "I love you and because of you everything I am doing is worth it."

There are more Devotionals where this one came from!

Study God's Word and be Blessed!

Wordless Wednesday *Linky* New Backpack

We are doing another year of homeschool preschool this year, but Zoey is big enough now to warrant her own big girl backpack. She pointed this one out a while ago, so at the beginning of this week's lesson Zoey got a special treat...a new Rapunzel backpack. Needless to say, she loved it!

Link up and join me in the Wordless Wednesday fun!

Homeschooling with Tales from a Mother

Daily Devotions with Tales from a Mother

When Anger Strikes

Mark 3:5 -- "He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man,“Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!"

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This story is critical in the persecution of Jesus by the Jews. It is the Sabbath, but Jesus continues to heal a deformed man in front of the Pharisees. The Pharisees, whom Jesus refers to with having hard heart, turn around to have Jesus executed.

This is a very human emotion, but I am comforted by the fact that Jesus got angry. I love his challenge to the Pharisees, "Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil?" (Mark 3:4).

My temper, and my anger, are characteristics about myself that Christ continues to work on, even after the many years which have passed since I have accepted him.One situation in which anger stirs in me is when I try to share the love of Christ, yet people turn their heads away from the truth. These are ones whose hearts are hardened. It makes me angry to see people reject God over and over again, even though I know how powerful a relationship with the Lord truly is.

Jesus says to me through this verse, that God is also angry with those ho reject him, but he is also sad because he loves all his children.

Anger alone is not sin, it is the action sparked by that anger that becomes sin. Even Jesus was angry, but he still gave his life even for those ho angered him. When you feel anger, give it to God, he will help you through and who you ways to shine light instead of being hardened yourself.

There are more Devotionals where this one came from!

Study God's Word and be Blessed!

Homeschool Preschool: Week 3

Homeschool Preschool 4-K

Week 3

We divide our homeschool curriculum into 4 basic parts: Bible, Letters and Numbers, Book of the Week and Other Skills. It is geared toward age 4, though many of the activities are good for children of all ages. I write this to give an overview of lessons and projects that we do to give you ideas to teach and do crafts with kids. We have a very casual preschool approach, but it is always fun to be creative and learn together!

Bible

Our Bible story this week comes from Genesis: Abraham and Sarah wants a baby. We found the story on page 46 of the The Beginner's Bible. We are working on the character trait of patience which means to wait quietly with a happy heart and not whining. From this story we learn how to wait patiently for things we want and to trust God that he will grant us our desires. We also learned about the promise God granted Abraham, that he will be the father of nations and that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15).

Abraham with Stars coloring sheet [Printable]

Abraham free coloring sheet [Printable]

Star Template [Printable]
Zoey covered hers with glitter, but you could use anything like noodles, yarn, stickers paint, or even just color it.

Star Craft [Printable]

This one actually suppose to become a 3-D star, but we ended up pasting it flat on paper instead.

Our Weekly Verse:

Psalms 37:7a - Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him.

And we did some noodle art, just for fun!

Song:
I've Got the Joy Joy Joy Joy Down in My Heart [LINK]

Letters and Numbers

Letter H Poster [Printable]

Letter H Handwriting Sheet [Printable]

Number 4 Poster [Printable]

Book of the Week

There's a Wocket in my Pocket

By: Dr. Seuss

Pocket craft [Printable]
For this project we used the template to cut out the pocket from construction paper. I thing punched holes around the edges so she could lace it, but I also stapled it together so it wouldn't fall apart. We used ribbon to lace it. Then we cut out and colored things to go in the pocket.

Other Skills

Playing Candy Land
This is a fun game because it not only teaches colors and counting, but also how to take turns, be patient and be a good sport. It fit in perfect with our lessons on patience this week and it was lots of fun!

Coordination Song:

Father Abraham with motions [LINK]

Thank you to ABC Jesus Love Me for so many of the ideas and the confidence to teach my child biblical and developmental ideas.

There are lots more ideas where these came from,

click to enjoy more of our homeschooling adventures!

  

Shine Your Light

1 John 3:16 -- "We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters."

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The metaphor I like to use with this verse and others like it is this: God is our beacon. He shows us love, mercy, sacrifice, forgiveness and the list goes on and on. When we invite Jesus into our life and live in faith that He is in control, we are then able to reflect that light to others. The same way mirrors reflect what it sees to others, God can use us to shed light into the dark places of this world.

Matthew 5:16 -- "In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."

God showed us what true love is -- it is sacrifice and putting other before ourselves. This is difficult and it goes again human nature. However, we have an excellent example in Christ and and Almighty guide in God.

There are more Devotionals where this one came from!

Study God's Word and be Blessed!

Titus (Bible in 90 Days)

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Titus is one of the often forgotten books of the Bible; however, it is full of insight about the early church and how men and women are trained to lead and teach others. Titus was a Greek believer, a strong example to the work being done in Gentile believers. With the help and guidance of Paul, he became a mature Christian and a responsible leader and overseer to the churches on Crete.

Paul’s instructions to Titus are very similar to his instructions to Timothy as far as growing in Christ and structuring the church. Paul begins with leader responsibilities, pastoral qualifications and the contrast of good, faithful leaders with false teachers.

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“I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you” (Titus 1:5).

Paul continues by emphasizing the importance of good deeds and how to be a good example Christian, and a courageous, convicted teacher. Paul also comments on some general responsibilities of all Christians, leaders or not.

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“This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone” (Titus 3:8).

Titus provides essential information in the discipleship process, helping the youth grow into leadership in the church. Paul provides principles for structuring the church and the requirements to become a responsible Christian leader.

  

The Things of Heaven

Colossians 3:2 -- "Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth."

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We all suffer. I feel like I say that again and again. However, it is inevitable. We live in a fallen world full of sin, and if it's not our own sin getting in the way it's someone else's blocking us.

There is great suffering everywhere, which is true and real with persecutions, tragedy and illness. But there is also inconvenient suffering. This is what I find myself in a lot. Where my suffering is over a bad day or a set of circumstances which aren't what I like. I occasionally battle with depression, which can elevate into an illness, but I generally consider it a case of inconvenient suffering. It is just part of the flux of life.

This inconvenient suffering is still important because it is important to you. However, by keeping in perspective the ones who truly suffer in great, life-changing ways for reasons out of there control, can make you see how truly blessed you really are even when you are suffering in your own way and feeling those low moments.

I believe the answer to suffering is to stop thinking about your trouble, situations and circumstances. Keep your eyes on the things of heaven, not the things of earth. The things of heaven are God and His ultimate control over things of this world, mercy to forgive when you make mistakes and righteousness that everything is designed for the greater good.

The other aspect of heaven is to keep your eyes on other people around you, to lift them up and help guide them by Christ's light. By taking your eyes off of yourself and putting them on others, you not only help them out but you also help yourself. This includes keeping in your mind and prayers to intercede for those who suffer in major ways. It also means helping out, being a shoulder to lean on, listening and praying for others, like yourself, who are facing inconvenient suffering because it is still suffering and can greatly affect your and those around you.

During times of suffering keep a positive attitude and keep your eyes on the things of heaven.

There are more Devotionals where this one came from!

Study God's Word and be Blessed!

Those He Loves

Hebrews 12:6 -- "For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child."

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Even as Christians, our road is not easy. There are challenges, tests and ways of the world to constantly overcome.The Lord loves us and wants to bless us, but just like with earthly parents that is not accomplished by giving us everything we want.

We, as children of God, need boundaries just like we put on our children. It is in their best interest, even when they thing otherwise. Just as we want to see our children learn and grow in their own identity, our Lord wants the same for us.

There are times of blessing, times of struggle and times of disciple. Our Lord wants to see us learn and grow closer to Him. He does this because He loves us and He wants the best for us. No matter what, God loves you and He protects His children.

There are more Devotionals where this one came from!

Study God's Word and be Blessed!

Imitate Christ

1 Corinthians 11:1 -- "And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ."

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When I read this verse the term "Christ-like" comes to mind. So does the old phrase "what would Jesus do?" These are both everyday language that is saying the same thing -- imitate Christ.

If our goal to strive for is to be more like Christ, then I believe step one is to get to know Him. You do this by reading the gospels and analyzing how He reacts to people and how He treats people. He is honest, kind, compassionate, He walked among sinners and the poor, He treated everyone like they truly mattered because everyone does matter to God.

I know this does not account for every individual, but I believe that our society Christian and non-Christian alike have this image of Jesus Christ that has developed and molded throughout history. The thing is, often that image is not what I see in the scriptures. My challenge to you is to go back to the source. Read the scriptures and open yourself to a honest relationship with Christ and make your own deductions about who He is. Let Him see you for who you are and He will show you Himself.

To imitate Christ you must first know Him. Begin truly getting to know Christ today.

Dear Lord,
Help me to open Your Word and see the picture of who Christ really is and how much You genuinely love Your people -- how much You love me. Thank you for giving us a look at You through the Bible and help lead me as I begin to learn more about You.

There are more Devotionals where this one came from!

Study God's Word and be Blessed!

Wordless Wednesday *Linky* Missing the Ocean

While visiting family Zoey found a conch shell at my mother's house and began to have a conversation with the ocean. She turned to me saying "I hear the ocean Mommy!" It was very cute. I believe she missed home just a little bit since we live by the ocean. But, we had a great visit and she didn't want to leave!

  

Link up and join me in the Wordless Wednesday fun!