Thoughtful Thursday--From Incomplete to Complete

Isn't it a nice feeling to have your act together? Don’t you just relish those times when you are on schedule and everything is complete? It’s such a great feat to have your house and family in order.  It is an accomplishment to have your surroundings and life being perfect and whole.  A real triumph, isn’t it?

No, seriously. I’m asking. I want to know since I’ve never experienced it!

In the first chapter of James, we are encouraged to be joyful when our faith is tried because this works endurance within us. This endurance then helps grow us to become perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. I know that James was imparting important truth when he wrote these verses. Sometimes, however, I think we allow the small things to try our faith and to rob us from being perfect and complete and our neglect continues to keep us lacking.

Let me explain what I mean.

I have a terrible habit. When the toilet paper roll runs

out, I get the new roll out and…I set it on top of the empty roll. Yes, you read that correctly.  Instead of just putting the new roll on the toilet paper holder, I just set it on top. Then every time I go into the bathroom, I see that roll of toilet paper just lying there, and it saps some energy and contentment from me. I find myself lacking and incomplete by leaving those little things undone.

I walk by the load of clothes that needs to be washed. I think about those thank you notes that haven’t been written. I remember that I haven’t called my friend in California for over a month. I find the invitation for a birthday party that was last week. I kick the pile of magazines over that needed to be recycled. AND, I have an article due that I haven’t started to write!

Those kinds of things just make you sigh every time you see them or think of them. You look at them and know that things are incomplete. The things you think of which makes you think about what you’re lacking. It’s these little incompletes that rob us of serving our family completely without lacking.

If you noticed, most of the things that are incomplete usually aren’t that big of deal. That’s what is so strange. If the incompletes were a lot of effort or took a lot of time or money, it might be more understandable.  Instead, incompletes are usually small things, but it’s the small things which add up. A little lack here and a little lack there end up becoming a major deficit—not only in the things that need to be done but in our spirit as well.

Why do we let this deficit happen? I think it’s because we get tired. We become weary, and when you’re weary it’s often the small things that get overlooked or neglected. Shortcuts we take which end up piling up as undones. We need to remember not [to] grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up (Gal. 6:9).

I am ready to work on being more complete and lacking nothing.  Here are some ideas I’ve being putting into practice in regards to becoming more COMPLETE.

C—Complete, lacking nothing is a process. Remember no one has their act totally together this side of heaven. 

O—One thing at a time will do. Things don’t usually get left undone all at once.  Usually it’s one thing here and one thing there.  Completing them can be done one thing here and one thing there, too.

M—Make a list of incomplete things that need to be done as you think of them.  You’re less likely to forget or ignore them if the items are written down.

P—Pray. Ask God to remind you of all the little things and give you the energy and desire to do them.

L—Little things add up both negatively and positively. Do a several little things, and you’ll have made a big step in becoming more complete.

E—Erase some of the items.  I’ve been meaning to write some thank you notes since CHRISTMAS. I think it’s probably too late now and the sincere verbal thanks I gave them back then will have to do. Give yourself permission to take some things off your list.

T—Take inventory of the importance of each item. Some things really are worth more effort than others. If you have to choose between calling a sick friend or doing a page of scrapbooking from last July 4th, people should win every time.

E—Early is the best way to deal with many incompletes. Some items became more work or harder the longer you put it off. The earlier you deal with something that is undone the sooner you’ll be in the positive.

If you go into my bathroom right now, the toilet paper is on the roll, and the pile of magazines in the living room is no longer there. Each time I do an undone, it is one less thing I lack. I can relish becoming more complete in my roles as wife, mother, and daughter of the King. I now trust that I will reap what I sow if I don’t weary.  

Next will be the pile of laundry!

Don't Forget the Tangerine Tuesday Sale at Currclick

Just wanted to remind you about the Tangerine Tuesday Sale at Currclick. It ends on Tuesday, March 18 at 10 AM EST.

You can find most of my stuff discounted 50% in addition to many other items. The Proverbs 31 items are so new, it was too late to get them into the sale!

Wondering about my I Can Illustrate Psalm 23? It just got a 5 star review on Currclick! In fact, you can read a review about it HERE!

Catechism 101

My post at Home Educating Family today is about catechisms. Hope you find it useful!

What is one goal that most parents have in teaching their children.

Most parents want to pass on their faith to their children.

What has been a fundamental process parents have used historically?

CATECHISM.

What is Catechism?

C — Catechism is a group of questions and answers that deal with the doctrines of the faith. It is generally used to teach children and new believers.

- See the rest at: HERE

Thoughtful Thursday---From Glory to Glory

Thought I would be thoughtful today.

I was listening to a Contemporary Christian Music station while running some errands today. I am very picky and sometimes critical about CCM. I often find it shallow and sometimes downright unbiblical. Once in awhile though...

In fact, this time was a time which made me think. Some of the words of the song mentioned "Where would I be without You?" In a plethora of songs stating how worthy I am for God to love me, it was refreshing to hear a song recognize that I would be nothing and nowhere apart from God working in my life.

I know that a lot of times, I make the wrong choices. I don't even mean big things. It is most often the simple things like choosing the wrong attitude or words when speaking to my family. Choosing to be on the internet instead of on top of my laundry. Choosing to watch TV instead of my Bible.  

Thankfully, there are times I consider God and His will in my choices. At least I try to do so!

I could have been negative and focused on all the time I fail God, but instead, I thought about how even those few times I have been found faithful to Him, and how through those times He has grown, used, and directed me to where I am today.

Sure, God would have me a lot further along if I chose correctly all the time, but I CHOSE to praise Him for bringing me to where I am thanks to His faithfulness not mine.

Thankfully, each and every little action I let Him lead me in grows me from glory to glory (2 Cor. 3:18). 

So, where would I be without God? I don't even want to make a guess. I do know that with God, however, I am being changed slowly to the glory of Christ. From glory to glory with each tidbit or life I choose to surrender to His will.

Maybe I choose to be thoughtful more often. :-)

All this mess is "because he has dealt bountifully with me."

Last night was Cubbies. The director/leader didn't make it.

Why?

We had a flat tire. And a poor donut (replacement tire not pastry!)

Hubby even had to call in for work last night.

Had to cancel my appointment to get new eyeglasses today because the money had to go to replace the tire.

Then in my morning Bible reading, I read Psalm 13.

After complaining to God about the situation, David ends the Psalm in praise. In verse six he states, "I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me."

Things haven't seemed very bountiful in the last 24 hours.

I remembered, however, what I actually deserve. I deserve hell. Anything besides eternal damnation is God dealing with me more bountifully than I deserve. 

Phone worked. I was able to let the Commander know and call and ask a friend to help in Cubbies. The computer and internet were working which allowed me to email lesson plans and worksheets to the church secretary to get to the class. Hubby's call in will be covered meaning no loss in pay. We had the money set aside for my glasses which we could use for the replacement tire.

Yes, "He has dealt bountifully with me."

Wednesday Websites--Bible

Today I thought I'd share some websites and blogs that help teach Bible. These could be used for homeschool, family devotions, Sunday school, etc.

Bible Fun for Kids--A cute Genesis Lapbook with cut and glue pages at this link, plus other things on their site. Make sure to follow them on Pinterest for tons of ideas.

Calvary Curriculum--Curriculum for Old Testament, New Testament, in English and Spanish, and even some topical studies. Each study addresses a variety of ages as well.

Teacherhelp.org--It has pages of Bible-based pictures to color. Tons. Old Testament. New Testament. People and events in the Bible. Passages. Ten Commandments. More.

Head Heart Hand--Bible reading plan for kids.

Psalm 23 Booklet--Free Printable

Mija is learning Psalm 23 in AWANA. I thought of a cute way to review the book! I made a booklet she could illustrate herself.

First go get my free printable HERE. (I've also posted in My Printables.) I've made it four different pages, so you can choose to do one at a time if you want!

Here's what you'll end up with after printing.

It's four sheets with four pages on each sheet.

The next job is cutting them apart and punching the hole in each corner.

Sneaky mommy got in some extra review by having mija put the cut cards in order!

Then came the fun part of coloring a picture for each phrase. I left them blank for personal illustrations because she loves to draw more than color and personal illustrations are much likely to become keepsakes!

I think some of my favorite illustrations were a picture of vegetable oil for "He anoints my head with oil," and the dripping blood and dead person for "the valley of the shadow of death."
We then put it together with a paper fastener and viola! 

So, just go HERE to get your own Psalm 23 Booklet and please let me know what you think!

  

A Cup Brimful of Water--speaking out of the abundance of your heart

My pastor is an expository preacher which basically means he preaches straight through a book of a Bible instead of topically. It's a big blessing because you can see Scripture in the context of which it was written which is the way it was made to be read if you think about it. 
After all, when you read a book or a letter, do you start in the middle, jump to a sentence at the beginning, read the end of another book....etc.? It's probably why I like to teach history in order, too!
Anyway, knowing what my pastor is going to preach on next Sunday allows me to review that passage ahead of time. That's why this passage is really standing out to me this week!

For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:43-45 ESV emphasis mine)

This is so convicting. What comes out of my mouth when I haven't run it through my "spiritual" filter before I speak it? I'm not going to tell you, but obviously it's something I need to work on or I wouldn't be writing about it! It reminds me of a quote from Amy Carmichael:
If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary love. For a cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted.
Sometimes when I'm jolted, I'm not very sweet.

What am I doing to work on it? I'm working on filling my heart with more good than bad. I'm reading the Word more. I'm reading godly books more. I'm listening to audio sermons, Scripture on CD, and Christian music more. AND I'm talking to myself more and listening to myself less. Unfortunately, when we listen to ourselves, it's usually grumbling or negative, so in this case, being slow to listen and quick to speak the truth is a good thing!


Give me some ideas. What do you do to be brimful of sweet water, so don't spill even one drop of bitter water?

My Church's Ladies' Retreat--Piper, DeMoss, Chan, and more!!

I was thoroughly blessed at our ladies retreat this weekend although my body is still trying recover!
And yes, we had John Piper, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Jackie Francis Chan, and more  speakers at our retreat. Not in person, but on video!
I can't share all the fun, food, and fellowship, but I can share with you some of the speakers videos and/or information, so you can have your own little retreat at home. Our theme was being Women of the Word.


The first video we watched was:



After dinner, we had a testimony and then heard from Karen Eppler. She's developed some wonderful Scripture memory devices for using with children. In fact, you can find all her ABC verse rebuses and songs HERE.


On Saturday, we started with:

After another great testimony, my friend, Susan shared about Christian women through history. I've mentioned Susan before because she leads the book group I attend. It was such a blessing to see how God has used real women like us. She posted a bibliography and brief description of the ladies HERE.


In the afternoon, we had a breakout session in which we could choose one of three videos to watch. I'm posting the one I watched first, but now I can watch the others, too.
Honoring the Biblical Call of Motherhood--John Piper
Living a Life that Matters--Living Eternally--Francis Chan (scroll down to 3/8/09)
Singleness and the Next Generation--David Platt (scroll down to message #49 dated 6/12/11)


We ended with Nancy Leigh DeMoss' "Daily Devotions--Duty or Delight?" I can't seem to find the video for that, but I know her radio recordings on it are located on Revive our Hearts. She challenges you to a read you Bible 30 days in a row. 


Of course, I can't share everything about the retreat. After all, "What happens  at the retreat, stays at the retreat!! ;-)

Proverbs 31 study with Good Morning Girls--Want to join in?

Back in December, I posted about starting an Ephesians Bible study with the Good Morning Girls.  That study has come to an end and everyone is looking forward to the new study coming up for the summer.


It will be over Proverbs 31. When you  sign up for her blog HERE, you get a copy of the book. The study is supposed to be "light, practical and GREAT for the busyness of our summers."


Here's the basic information from the Good Morning Girls website.


This summer session will include:

• Videos from Courtney & Angela
• Practical and realistic tips on HOW to be a Proverbs 31 Woman
• Fun weekly challenges
• Memory verses
• And special guests!!!

The study is going to run from May 14 to August 17.  Now is the time you can decide if you want to join my ongoing Betsy's Bible Babes group on Facebook to join in the fun with us. It's a closed group, so you can only join it if I invite you.   If you'd like to, just drop me an email or leave a comment below BUT make sure you leave your name as you have it on Facebook.  I was disappointed this last session, but they left the comment as anonymous, so I had no way of adding them to the group!

So, wanna' do a Bible study with me this summer?

Bible Time--Getting spiritual exhortation from my daughter

If mija has a good day behavior-wise, she gets to read for awhile after her bedtime. She usually likes to have a "Bible Time" during that time. She'll read her Bible or one of her Bible story books. Sometimes she even copies a passage in her notebook. It's a blessing to see her desiring the Word of God on her own.


The other night while I sat on the sofa, she hurried out of her room and gave me a note and ran back to her room. It took me a little while to get to it. After all, I was just expecting another cute picture or the like. This is what I found.

I was touched. My daughter and just copied something. She has specifically copied something she wanted me to have. It was such a blessing to receive Biblical exhortation from my daughter. Looking forward to the years ahead as we exhort each other in the Lord.
Oh, and don't you like my portrait?

My Ministry--A Gift of God's Grace

Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. (Ephesians 3:7, ESV)

When I read this verse, I thought about Paul's ministry and the challenges he faced.  I'll let him tell it in his own words.

Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. (2 Cor. 11:25-27, ESV)

Definitely sounds challenging.  Yet he believed being a minister to the Gentiles was a gift of God's grace. A minister is a servant or waiter. Most wouldn't consider a calling as a servant a great gift.  In fact, it's not just a gift but a gift of grace.  In other words, this gift is undeserved. He didn't even deserve to be a servant. 

Then I considered me.  I was made a minister to my family.  I serve my family.  I definitely face challenges in this ministry but thankfully none like Paul's!!  This role to minister to my family is a gift of God's grace.  I don't deserve to serve them, but God gifted me with this ministry.

Too often, the world tries to tell us that our roles as wife and mother are a curse or a trap.  Sometimes we believe them.  Instead, I'm going to choose to consider this ministry I have as a gift of God's grace.  Thanks for the gift, Father!

Linked to:

Ephesians Bible Study--Poem or Tapestry

I've been going through the book of Ephesians with The Good Morning Girls study.
Yesterday the verse to study was Ephesians 2:10.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

There's a lot in this verse, but what really sticks out to me is the word "workmanship." In the original Greek, the word is "poiema."  It means "a product often of fabric" and is the word we get "poem" from.  

Sometimes, the work "workmanship" reads sterile to me.  But if I consider that I am a tapestry that God has woven or a poem he has composed, it shows me how beautiful and creative He made me.  He made me that way for a purpose.  He wants me to complete the things He's already planned for me to do.  I don't have to come up with new ideas; God already determined what my good works are to be.  I just need to recognize them.  I need to be a beautiful and creative opus produced for good works!


Linked to:

Starting the New Year---Review Questions, Bible Study and Book Group

 Well, the New Year is off and running...

Well, maybe not running.  Mija and hubby are still in bed which was kind of nice.  It allowed me extra, uninterrupted time with God.  Which, by the way, is actually a good way to get the year off and running.

So, I'm back to off and running!  Well, not literally running but you get the idea!

I wanted to let you know what I'm into as we start the year.  It's never too late to join me!

First, I started my Ten Questions to Ask at the Start of a New Year.  The first question is "What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?"  I think this is a great question since our purpose is to "glorify God and enjoy Him for ever."  What I think is that I need to share more about what He does or what He teaches me.  Sharing it makes it mindful and remind-ful!



Second, the book group I participate in has started it's new book.  We are reading Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan. Our first discussion is tomorrow. If you like to follow along with the questions, just go to my friend's website Susan's Book Group to get the current questions.


                                            

Lastly, I'm getting geared up for the Ephesians Bible study through Good Morning Girls. The study pages are up and ready to download.  It doesn't start until January 15, so if you'd still like to join my group.  Just let me know, but make sure to leave your full name so I can friend you on Facebook!


What are you doing to get your year off and running?

My Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills...

 While driving to grandma's house on Thanksgiving, we passed some low rolling hills with cows on them. 

And I said,
"My Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills."

And mija said,
"Wow!  Your daddy must have been rich!"

After a little giggle, I assured her my Father is rich and explained to her that I was referring to a verse in the Bible (Psalm 50:10).

Here's the question I've never had answered.  If God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, who owns the ones in the valleys?  Okay, I ask that in a joking manner...kinda.

Definitely have been in a valley this past weekend.

But regardless of my location, my little discourse with mija just goes to show me how much more she needs to learn, and how much I still need to teach her. 

For instance, I need to teach her that even when a valley comes your way, the Father is with you and comforts you (Psalm 23:4). 

I just hope I can actually live it in a way that teaches her through example and not just explanation.

Want to do a Bible study with me?

This fall, I participated in a Bible study through the Good Morning Girls with a group from another blog.  While the group fell apart, the study of I John was great!

Starting in January, the study will start again with the book of Ephesians.  The study will run from Jan. 15 through April 15.  You can watch these videos in order find out more about how the study works.  One of the things I really appreciated was actually writing out the passage of Scripture. 

Later this week, I'm going to start a closed Facebook group called "Betsy's Bible Babes."  Hey!  We are all "babes" in Christ!  Besides, I just love alliteration.

The group will be where we can share insights from what we studied, prayer requests, and just plan checking-in so we know you're there even if you don't feel like sharing a lot.  For me, it's about accountability and fellowship. 

If you'd like to join me this for this upcoming study of Ephesians, leave a comment so I can friend you on FB (if you're not already my friend!) and I'll friend and/or add you to the group when I start it OR message me or comment on FB and I'll add you to the group that way.

Looking forward to spending more time in the Word and with you!

New Youth Curriculum on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

New Youth Curriculum on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood



Children Desiring God has come with a new study about biblical manhood and womanhood for junior and senior high students.  It includes powerpoint presentations and student journals

Go to the link for a video and more information.