Another friend had a recommendation of a school: Jubilee Christian Daycare/Preschool Love it :)
At the bottom of one of their pages they have a verse of the day and it totally spoke to a few things that were floating around in my mind... I went to my Bible and read the first part of the chapter... SO appropriate...
Ecclesiastes Seven
I won't take the time right now to type it up but maybe later (that helps everything settle into my brain a bit more)
Monday, January 31
Sunday, January 30
Schools
One of the things the husband and I got to fill hours of conversations about (I think vacations are almost solely meant to bring us together with the people we are vacationing with through endless amounts of free time) was our daughter (SMILE) and the direction of her schooling. I was super pleased to understand that we were on the same page* Since we live in a large metropolitan area and have access to many parochial schools, this will most certainly be the way we go...
We currently have been exploring the Jewish side of our faith and it's been a really wonderful learning experience for me~ I'll admit that when this childcare center was recommended, I was hesitant. But I think us Christians have a lot to learn about Jewish dedication to traditions and their sense of community.
JCC Milwaukee
Our top choice right now for our daughter's next school (although it will be a few more years) is St Marcus here on the East Side. We really love their diversity -My husband has a story about working on a house in the central city a few years ago and seeing a line of young elementary students holding hands and walking and he says it was a veritable rainbow of ethnicities! We'd like our daughter to be brought up that way-
OH...They have St Marcus has a childcare survey to take! Excellent...if it's applicable to you it only takes a few minutes and I think it's probably very helpful in their expansion decision making.
A friend of mine sends her children to Heritage Christian School which seems like a great place. I especially like that they have a K3 program...
Our cousin's children will be going to St Lucas down in BayView. I thought, "We reflect the love of Jesus Christ to every single soul" was a beautiful vision statement!
My hubby's mom teaches at Trinity Lutheran in West Bend, WI. Here is a picture of our daughter when she was itsy-bitsy with her Auntie at their Easter Egg hunt (I thought they had an AMAZING turn out!). I love the little school :) Our dog has been there a ton to play with the kids...Sounds like when we were gone last week and she was visiting the kids each got to take turns holding a treat and giving her a command.
My mother-in-law today pointed out the incredible value of having a church home. She's been sick a lot lately and the strength of her church/school family is really showing through. Such great blessings and opportunities ***
We currently have been exploring the Jewish side of our faith and it's been a really wonderful learning experience for me~ I'll admit that when this childcare center was recommended, I was hesitant. But I think us Christians have a lot to learn about Jewish dedication to traditions and their sense of community.
JCC Milwaukee
Our top choice right now for our daughter's next school (although it will be a few more years) is St Marcus here on the East Side. We really love their diversity -My husband has a story about working on a house in the central city a few years ago and seeing a line of young elementary students holding hands and walking and he says it was a veritable rainbow of ethnicities! We'd like our daughter to be brought up that way-
OH...They have St Marcus has a childcare survey to take! Excellent...if it's applicable to you it only takes a few minutes and I think it's probably very helpful in their expansion decision making.
A friend of mine sends her children to Heritage Christian School which seems like a great place. I especially like that they have a K3 program...
Our cousin's children will be going to St Lucas down in BayView. I thought, "We reflect the love of Jesus Christ to every single soul" was a beautiful vision statement!
My mother-in-law today pointed out the incredible value of having a church home. She's been sick a lot lately and the strength of her church/school family is really showing through. Such great blessings and opportunities ***
Saturday, January 29
Diversity
It has been a while since I've traveled out of the states...and it was interesting to hear the different languages.
(Although my friends in New York City would say, "We've been telling you to come visit!!!")
Anyway
Makes me think of how we are all the same (of God, 10 fingers and 10 toes) and yet all different.
I found this website: http://www.freemaninstitute.com/RTGham.htm and it seems like what I've heard before...
(Although my friends in New York City would say, "We've been telling you to come visit!!!")
Anyway
Makes me think of how we are all the same (of God, 10 fingers and 10 toes) and yet all different.
I found this website: http://www.freemaninstitute.com/RTGham.htm and it seems like what I've heard before...
Friday, January 28
A work friend told me
A work friend told me that birthdays are a time to thank God for another year...i like that:)
Thursday, January 27
the souls of the rich and poor are alike precious
I thought this was an interesting commentary to the acts of old testament giving: http://mhc.biblecommenter.com/exodus/30.htm
Wednesday, January 26
Almond Blossoms
I ran across instructions for Moses from God in Exodus (37:20ish) and he kept using almond blossoms as an illustration Moses was supposed to use. When I searched what those looked like exactly, Van Gogh's painting was a first result :) How lovely! And I remembered the book Johanna which was a fictional (but based on letters, memoirs) work based on the life of Van Gogh's sister in law -His beloved brother's wife. I'm not sure what I can relate back to the bible on that one but I feel connected to the painting as it was done for his brother and wife after the late-January birth of their first/only born. Vincent's namesake.
John 3:16
So John 3:16 is the most translated verse EVER (according to the Gideons). I did my own outline of the begining of chapter 3:
-We HAVE to be born again!
Baptism
-We can tell who is Godly within the human rehlm by their actions
But we won't know for sure who is going to heaven and who is destined for hell
-People of Biblical times weren't receiving what God AND Jesus were saying
And how much better would the reception have been if God was speaking in terms of the eternal?
-Only Jesus is Jesus
He is our healer! Our way to heaven
-He didn't come to judge but to save
Just like we shouldn't seak revenge but let God tackle?
-People who aren't doing good don't want to consider the Lord because his light will just bring to point how bad they are being
I don't mind being eves dropped on (Government worker? Are you watching me type from your domed globe in the airport sky??) because I have nothing I'm ashamed of
-We HAVE to be born again!
Baptism
-We can tell who is Godly within the human rehlm by their actions
But we won't know for sure who is going to heaven and who is destined for hell
-People of Biblical times weren't receiving what God AND Jesus were saying
And how much better would the reception have been if God was speaking in terms of the eternal?
-Only Jesus is Jesus
He is our healer! Our way to heaven
-He didn't come to judge but to save
Just like we shouldn't seak revenge but let God tackle?
-People who aren't doing good don't want to consider the Lord because his light will just bring to point how bad they are being
I don't mind being eves dropped on (Government worker? Are you watching me type from your domed globe in the airport sky??) because I have nothing I'm ashamed of
Tuesday, January 25
Romans chapters 12-13 are great too
Romans 12:19
but rather give place to wrath...
I'm not sure I've had much experience with revenge (nobody has wronged me that much!) but I thought that this was a good good verse.
but rather give place to wrath...
I'm not sure I've had much experience with revenge (nobody has wronged me that much!) but I thought that this was a good good verse.
Hebrews 11
Is great -totally picks through all the highlights of the Bible stories.
I also liked 13:22 -bear with the word of exhortation (persuasion)
I also liked 13:22 -bear with the word of exhortation (persuasion)
Reflection
Read a lovely book/gift from a friend called Print Workshop (Christine Schmidt) and I liked this notion: "Second to the thrill of creating work, I like sharing my tricks and discoveries. It's like spreading a more positive version of gossip."
Oh and one person noticed that I was reading the Bible on the beach :)
Oh and one person noticed that I was reading the Bible on the beach :)
Friday, January 21
Point being- we humans dont
Point being- we humans dont ever know which end is up. Its a good thing we have a savior!!
Was prayin this morning and
Was prayin this morning and thought,"you can take me today God,everythings in order" Realized half hr later i forgot to check us in!
Thursday, January 20
So much talk about deserving
So much talk about deserving a vacation but i only remember the phrase, "deserving temperal and eternal punishment"
Wednesday, January 19
Gideons International
Did you know Gideons International started in Janesville, WI!?!? It looks like they've distributed over half of the estimated Central American/Carribean population; in bibles ~ That seems impressive.
AND when I clicked on the how you can help link, PRAYER was the first option. Followed by donations of course but prayer was first!
Monday, January 17
So I prayed this morning...
...and then in reading this evening:
1 John 1:8
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
So since I was raised Lutheran I've never really "confessed". But maybe it has a place? Maybe within my prayers I should remember my sins??
1 John 1:8
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
So since I was raised Lutheran I've never really "confessed". But maybe it has a place? Maybe within my prayers I should remember my sins??
Sunday, January 16
Being an instrument
My husband and sis-in-law watched and I dozed through a documentary this afternoon on Robert Moog; the "inventor" of our fave brand of synthesizers. What struck everyone was his attitude about founding such an amazing and music-industry-shattering product! He basically indicated that he was simply a conduit of sorts for the science and his tone and wording just made me feel like he might have been a God-fearing person. The kind of person who gives credit where credit is due.
Thank you God for any insights you might make public through me. Help me to be an instrument.
Thank you God for any insights you might make public through me. Help me to be an instrument.
Saturday, January 15
Prayer Journal
I spent just a hand full of minutes this late afternoon thinking about my post for today and then I realized the company I would keep tonight (yay!) and just knew that something would come up. Don't you love that? The surround of people who are just so good you know that your soul will be refreshed??
Something that was mentioned in conversation tonight was a prayer journal~ Such a great idea I think...
It was also mentioned that God may not bestow upon you immediately the qualities that you ask for with prayer but will surely guide you in the journey to them...
And it was brought up that prayer IS powerful in the sense that God is really listening. He listened to all sorts of people in the Old Testament and why would he deny me the things I've been praying about like:
please give me the strength to say honestly, Your will be done
and
please help me be a more compassionate person
and
please guide me with the best words to evangelise and share my faith
Something that was mentioned in conversation tonight was a prayer journal~ Such a great idea I think...
It was also mentioned that God may not bestow upon you immediately the qualities that you ask for with prayer but will surely guide you in the journey to them...
And it was brought up that prayer IS powerful in the sense that God is really listening. He listened to all sorts of people in the Old Testament and why would he deny me the things I've been praying about like:
please give me the strength to say honestly, Your will be done
and
please help me be a more compassionate person
and
please guide me with the best words to evangelise and share my faith
Three parts
Went to a wedding last night and there was guy in a black shirt/white collar leading the ceremony but it wasn't necessarily Christian. It felt strange to not have that as a big part of such an event that in my mind holds a religious place.
Thursday, January 13
Solomon
God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. -1Kings 4:29
http://bibleencyclopedia.com/solomon.htm
http://bibleencyclopedia.com/solomon.htm
Wednesday, January 12
What will this do for me?
My spiritual pursuits and career pursuits had a mash up today in a couple ways...
I was listening to a great South Valley Community Church sermon today and then I was thinking about my career and they crossed over each other because as I was thinking of reasons not to go back to school to get my bachelors degree I said, "How will getting a bachelors degree advance my career?" And I was really truly putting some consciousness behind that question and then I thought, "How will spending time going to school advance my spirituality?" Cause if I remember correctly the prayer for the lesson was all about asking God to help me focus.
and now I'm loosing focus of what I wanted to write :) these long work days kill my brain mush
The other cross over from church to work was a nice convo with one of my reps about Christian clients and experiences with/at work.
again, sorry I will not be more detailed now. But I'm tired and I want to get some family presents done before the weekend hits! I suppose I should ask myself, "How will crafting gifts get me/my family closer to heaven?"
I was listening to a great South Valley Community Church sermon today and then I was thinking about my career and they crossed over each other because as I was thinking of reasons not to go back to school to get my bachelors degree I said, "How will getting a bachelors degree advance my career?" And I was really truly putting some consciousness behind that question and then I thought, "How will spending time going to school advance my spirituality?" Cause if I remember correctly the prayer for the lesson was all about asking God to help me focus.
and now I'm loosing focus of what I wanted to write :) these long work days kill my brain mush
The other cross over from church to work was a nice convo with one of my reps about Christian clients and experiences with/at work.
again, sorry I will not be more detailed now. But I'm tired and I want to get some family presents done before the weekend hits! I suppose I should ask myself, "How will crafting gifts get me/my family closer to heaven?"
Tuesday, January 11
"God is so good" what
"God is so good"
what a lovely sentiment and thank you from a co-worker:) i just need to practice my reactions to those statements
what a lovely sentiment and thank you from a co-worker:) i just need to practice my reactions to those statements
Monday, January 10
Sunday, January 9
No room in the kataluma
If you will glance briefly back at my post on New Year's eve, you will see photo's of my Father-in-law's amazing creation -The place of Jesus birth :)
He did a lot of research in preparation for building a "stable" for our daughter's nativity set. He found an article by Dr. Terry C. Hulbert who interesting points about the translation of the noun used in the very famous Christmas story. The building that houses our Jesus is a traditional Middle Eastern home for that time period and the uncommon circumstances are that Mary and Joseph would have had to have stayed in the main room -On the dirt floor -Where the animals were invited in for the night -Because there was no room in the kataluma; in the guest room.
He did a lot of research in preparation for building a "stable" for our daughter's nativity set. He found an article by Dr. Terry C. Hulbert who interesting points about the translation of the noun used in the very famous Christmas story. The building that houses our Jesus is a traditional Middle Eastern home for that time period and the uncommon circumstances are that Mary and Joseph would have had to have stayed in the main room -On the dirt floor -Where the animals were invited in for the night -Because there was no room in the kataluma; in the guest room.
Dear Lord, I need practice looking to you for all things as you are the great creator and thus the great fixer of all of life's issues.
The days seem to begin and end with my planning and I'm sorry that my human nature prevents me from trusting in you to handle the nitty-gritty.
But I appreciate the mind you've given me and the courage to try and seek a lifestyle that's centered, founded and operates on you alone :)
Please help me remember that you keep the keys to all of the stuff I do or don't do during the day. Help me remember that you deserve the glory for this and all my undivided trust.
The days seem to begin and end with my planning and I'm sorry that my human nature prevents me from trusting in you to handle the nitty-gritty.
But I appreciate the mind you've given me and the courage to try and seek a lifestyle that's centered, founded and operates on you alone :)
Please help me remember that you keep the keys to all of the stuff I do or don't do during the day. Help me remember that you deserve the glory for this and all my undivided trust.
Saturday, January 8
Friday, January 7
vacation
As I prep for the "most real" vacation my husband and I have ever taken (and it's needed) I'm trying hard not to get bogged down with all the prepping/packing. I justify this crazy need to make the ultimate preparations because I want our 5-nights away to be the most carefree we've ever ever had. But what I thought about today is that I'M the one who is standing in the way of that being my mindset everyday! Shouldn't I let the Lord lead me completely and wouldn't that free my mind? And then my type-A personality gets in the way and worries that if I don't follow up with x, y, z something traumatic and irreversible will happen. I may need to come up with a montra to help myself from leaning into those thoughts... Or a prayer!
Wednesday, January 5
Archdioceses
Archbishop Listecki
I heard him on the radio this afternoon explaining the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's decision to file for Chapter 11 under the Bankruptcy Code.
I don't understand a word of his bio on the web page (I'm not that in-tune with Catholics) but he had a wonderful speaking voice and presence over the radio; Even in light of such a sensitive subject (they had to file for bankruptcy because of all the molestation charges/awards).
I heard him on the radio this afternoon explaining the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's decision to file for Chapter 11 under the Bankruptcy Code.
I don't understand a word of his bio on the web page (I'm not that in-tune with Catholics) but he had a wonderful speaking voice and presence over the radio; Even in light of such a sensitive subject (they had to file for bankruptcy because of all the molestation charges/awards).
Tuesday, January 4
Today
I listened to one and a half sermons or so today (got new headphones :) Yay) and I'm flipping through my brain files to pick out points I pulled out:
-LET IT GO. Seriously Nell. Let stuff go. This should have been very applicable today
-Open my ears to what God wants to tell me
-God isn't going to "hinder" my life from being fun or successful (duh)
-God isn't going to answer my prayers though exactly as I want him to either
-It's a new year! A time to let go of old (earthly) habits
-Finding a spiritual mentor might be a great idea (I possibly have one in mind who's been working with me bit by bit the last few months)
-Finding a spiritual "home" for more than just a random Sunday every couple weeks might be a greater idea
-LOVING GOD WITH A PASSION is what he wants/expects/deserves. Not some namby-pamby when-I-need-ya approach
-LET IT GO. Seriously Nell. Let stuff go. This should have been very applicable today
-Open my ears to what God wants to tell me
-God isn't going to "hinder" my life from being fun or successful (duh)
-God isn't going to answer my prayers though exactly as I want him to either
-It's a new year! A time to let go of old (earthly) habits
-Finding a spiritual mentor might be a great idea (I possibly have one in mind who's been working with me bit by bit the last few months)
-Finding a spiritual "home" for more than just a random Sunday every couple weeks might be a greater idea
-LOVING GOD WITH A PASSION is what he wants/expects/deserves. Not some namby-pamby when-I-need-ya approach
Monday, January 3
Let us all be cheerful givers
I'm still in holiday spirit so giving is first of mind... As I was paging through the index of my hymnal I noticed a little section that had "prayers for..." and I looked up a hymn for prayers for missions. ELH 199
Here's a good verse:
May our zeal to help the heathen be increased from day to day,
As we plead in true compassion and for their conversion pray.
For the many faithful heralds, For the Gospel they proclaim,
Let us all be cheerful givers
To the glory of They name.
Here's a good verse:
May our zeal to help the heathen be increased from day to day,
As we plead in true compassion and for their conversion pray.
For the many faithful heralds, For the Gospel they proclaim,
Let us all be cheerful givers
To the glory of They name.
Stay happy?
Just a thought that I need to read a little on but my husband and I had a deep convo this weekend about how to stay happy -Seems like the more we try and achieve the shallower the victory? Or maybe its just that the bigger the goals that are reached the super duper bigger the next task has to be to get that same accomplished feeling? And maybe that is what leads us to bigger houses, newer cars and more "stuff"?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)