multitudes on mondays

1. a home with family
2. sounds of worship that fill the house
3. a baby who wakes each morning singing praises in his own baby language
4. my boys in diapers or undies by choice not because they lack clothing
5. dirt - a free toy with endless possibilities
6. warm water - to wash away said dirt along with tension and stress from the day
7. an entire hand full of small fingers wrapped around my pinky 
8. the stairstep effect created when my boys line up in birth order
9. sunday morning worship courtesy of the birds in the backyard
10. quiet moments
11. mediano feeding chico
12. chico feeding his little cousin
13. grande’s amazing ability to memorize scripture
14. the ability to see and speak to family regardless of distance
15. extra arms for my boys to run to
16. books and videos that teach the truth to my dino loving boys
17. meeting women bloggers in real life who seek to honor God through their corner of the web
18. tiny toes
19. three generations of family together seeking the Lord sunday morning

. . . I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances.  I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty.  Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.

Philippians 4:11-13

Scripture Sunday

The Big Book Of History Review

Are you ready for this month’s #teachthetruth twitter party?  There will be more opportunities to win great books from Master Books including The Big Book Of History.

This 15 foot timeline tracks 6,000 years of history.  All the way from the first day of creation to the presidency of Barack Obama.  This could easily be used alone or with the study guide as a history textbook, but would also be a great tool to use alongside any history curriculum year after year.  

While my children are still a bit young for this level of study, they love the format and colorful pictures of the book.  This is one I’ll store well for later and pull out as we discuss different events.  

What I found very interesting was a bit of United States church history at the end of the timeline.  Did you know that in 1947 President Harry Truman declared the U.S. as a Christian Nation and in 2010 President Barack Obama declares that the U.S. is no longer a Christian nation.  It grieves me to see the mark our generation is making on history and leads me to my knees.

The book ends with a great question.  How will you make history?

You can watch the book trailer here:

For a chance to win awesome prizes including this book, join us for a Twitter party on Tuesday, October 25 at 8pm Central.  

Use the Hashtags -  #TeachtheTruth  and   #tttrollcall 

Follow @masterbooks4u and the Moms of Masterbooks Reviewers – @mamahall, @apichea, @bowmania, @momkaboodle, @getalonghome, @devotionmama, @momsmustardseeds @thejohnsfamily 

Other non-authorized, not recommended uses for this book include using it as a racetrack for cars and a path to crawl on.

The Overflow

The water rushes as small hands grasp the garden hose.  The land parched by months of drought soaks up the cool stream as it passes over the plants, grass, and trees.  In times like these patches of green mix with brown as the grass struggles to survive through the scorching hot days of a Texas summer where rain is often prayed for, but rarely seen.  

And Grande’s favorite part of helping his Abuelita comes at the end.  He aims the spray of water at the birdbath and watches as it splashes and overflows.  And I watch his excitement.  It’s a beautiful sight the overflow of that cool, clear water.

But it’s not just the abundance that makes it beautiful.  It’s the water.  It’s the beauty of the water itself.  It’s purity.  It’s goodness.

Imagine the same scene with sticky black tar coming out of the hose.  The picture loses it’s beauty.  

When it comes to overflow and abundance we all have it.  Whether we have an overflow of goodness or evil depends on what we have stored in our hearts.  

Is our overflow beautiful?

Is it of living water?

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Luke 6:45

Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says.

John 7:38

I Thought This Was Supposed To Be Fun.

Ingredients:

1 year old boy 

plenty of sunshine

warm weather

park

baby swing

push

Procedure:

Gather all ingredients.  Insert boy into swing.  Push gently while smiling and exclaiming what fun it is to swing.  This should elicit giggles and happiness from boy.

I had all the ingredients.  I followed the recipe.  

Chico cried.

What went wrong?  It was supposed to be fun!  That’s what swings are made for, so that little boys can enjoy them on sunny days.  

Have you ever felt like Chico?  Following the world’s recipe for the good life and ending up in tears?  Following someone’s method for spiritual growth and feeling farther and farther away from the Lover of your soul?  Following the church’s strategy for prosperity and wondering why you don’t have what others do?

The more I get to know the Lord, the more I realize that his plan for me is different than his plan for you.  While the truth in his Word is the same for everyone, the way it plays out and the place it takes each person is different.  

When it comes to methods, procedures, recipes, etc., the focus is always on the end result.  Where we want to be.  What we want to have.  

When it comes to living life with Jesus the focus is on the process.  Our walk with Him.  Our relationship with Him.  

And I find that the work He does in me along the way is of much greater value than anything promised by the methods, recipes and strategies out there.

Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do.  The way to life-to God!-is vigorous and requires total attention.

Matthew 7:13-14 (The Message)

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.

Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)