A New 9/11 Lesson - "Why didn't anybody tell them?"

A few days ago my seven year-old asked me "What's Flight 93?" He evidently had heard it mentioned on a news show the evening before and was curious. That led into a discussion about Sept. 11th, the courage of those on Flight 93, and I was a bit surprised at how much he knew. "Oh, like when those men crashed the planes into the twin Empire State buildings?" (Yes, we stopped and had a brief NYC geography and architectural lesson :) right then). As I explained a little (on what I thought was a 7 year-old level to be honest but not to scare him) he interrupted me with this question "How did they get on the planes to hijack them if they weren't Americans?" Hmmm...short answer to him, "Well, they were living in America as visitors". Then he looked at me with very wide, serious, tear-filled eyes and asked, "Then why didn't anybody tell them, Mommy?" I saw his heart breaking and being puzzled I said, "Tell them what, honey?" "Tell them that they didn't need to kill people to get to heaven, that they could go there because Jesus loves them like he loves us." Ohhhhhh...... out of the mouths of babes! May I never forget the earnest heart break that he felt because "nobody" had told them. May I always remember that I can be that "nobody" if I let opportunities to share the love of Jesus slip away. May I never forget Sept. 11th and may I never forget the need for Christ, not condemnation, in every life.
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" -Romans 10:14-15

Old meets New

The older I get the more I find myself bursting out into an old gospel hymn that we sang when I was young. The same kind of song that for years I "scorned" as backward, overly emotional, embarrassingly old-fashioned. Maybe that's what happens as you get older, but for me it's more than just aging. Some of those old hymns that are ingrained in my brain cells have some absolutely fantastic Biblical truths, some uplifting words to make me shift my eyes from self to Savior, some depth of faith in tune that springs from pain and sorrow that has driven me back to the Loving Arms of our Creator. Yes, I also enjoy some of the newest praise, contemporary, celtic and other Christian songs, too, but it always comes back to which ones speak to the amazing, unspeakable, unfathomable love of Christ for one such as me. For He is the Lord of all, including songs, and especially the Lord of the heart from which all music spews.

Great explanation of Our Government

HERE is a video well worth the time, whether or not you studied Civics and/or Government in school.

Lessons Learned

For several Sundays we were so very blessed by great messages both in Sunday School and worship, which were really centered around not being "self righteous" but always relying solely on the cross of Christ for our actions and motivations. I'd love to tell you everything I learned and was convicted about, but I doubt if anyone would read all of it. Here's the "facebook status" version :)

Am I doing works for my own sake or truly for the glory of Christ?
Test 1 - Fellowship - do I only hang out with/be friendly with/pray for/etc. only those who look, talk, think the same as me? Am I embarrassed or judgmental when others who are different enter the church, my neighborhood, etc.? See Gal. 3:27-29; Matt. 9:9-13
Test 2 - Criticism/Disagreement - How do I react when others disagree with my beliefs, my actions, my "religious activities"? Do I take it personally or just long for them to know the redeeming hope and love of the Savior? do I feel like it's an affront to me or do I simply, lovingly ache for them to know the peace and salvation that Christ alone can give and give to anyone anywhere at any time? Gal. 3:25; Matt. 9:35-38
Test 3 - Test of Omission - Do I feel guilty/less of a Christian if I fail to do a certain task, ritual, etc.? Of course we suffer in our walk and growth if we don't pray or study the Bible, but do we do it to feel better about ourselves rather than do it to learn more of Christ Himself? Gal. 6:14

Oh, the depth of self-righteousness -
but praise GOD!!
HIS love and HIS sacrifice are even deeper!!
How do I know? Just look at the cross.......

Summer Reading

Since we do "traditional" school schedules, I try to get in some good reading during the summer but have struggled with it this year more than most. It seems there have been more demands on my time or maybe I'm just worse at time management? Anyway, here are a few I've read and hope to finish more before we start back mid-August.

Finished:
Robin Hood - Pyle - just for fun since I enjoyed it so much when I was younger ;) ! No Robin Hood story is nearly the level of Pyle's regarding dry humor, superior descriptions and excellent literary value.
Grace Abounding - Bunyon - third or fourth time around and still has so much to speak to me!
Narnia - With the children we've continued the Narnia series and are now almost finished with book number 5 "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" and hope to finish the series before school starts or shortly thereafter.
Something More - Catherine Marshall - an oldy but goody that I read as a teen but really only now understand most of it
Family Driven Faith and What He Must Be by Voddie Baucham - absolute must-reads for any parent!
The Shack - Young - a great read to get you to remember not to put GOD in our "boxes" and to remember that His unbelievable love for each of us is so much greater than any tragedy in life

What are your summer favorites?

"I CHOOSE TO PRAISE, NOT TO GRUMBLE"

The "Above Rubies" devotionals are so encouraging and yet convicting, that I really recommend you get them if you can. Even if you can't always read them, subscribe and read when you can. This old hymn was part of a recent devotion and I just had to share it here:

HYMN: FILL THOU MY LIFE

Fill Thou my life, O Lord my God,
In every part with praise,
That my whole being may proclaim
Thy being and Thy ways.

Not for the lip of praise alone,
Nor e'en the praising heart,
I ask, but for a life made up
Of praise in every part:

Praise in the common things of life,
Its goings out and in;
Praise in each duty and each deed,
However small and mean.

Fill every part of me with praise;
Let all my being speak
Of Thee and of Thy love, O Lord,
Poor though I be and weak.

So shall no part of day or night
From sacredness be free,
But all my life, in every step,
Be fellowship with Thee.
-Horatius Bonar

Faith Like Potatoes

A dear friend recommended the movie to me titled "Faith Like Potatoes". It's very good, and amazing because it is based on a true story. I won't spoil the plot but just say if you can rent or buy it, do so! As we sweat and toil clearing land, planting, weeding, watering, etc., I just can't imagine doing all that hard work while also worrying about potential life-threatening wars, racial and class tension, etc. swirling around you and your family. Hope you enjoy!! And go "plant some potatoes" :) (i.e. step out in faith for whatever God has called you to do!).