Today, week 2 day 2, we're heading into a very well-known, and read, part of scripture: 1 Corinthians 13. I love that Jen takes us back there as it teaches us no matter how many times you read God's Word we can always find something new in it. What I've taken from this passage is that above all things, love matters most. Love is shown in what we do, how we are, where we go, why we act in a certain way. When we lack love, true love, something becomes missing in our lives. Things can tend to … [Read more...]
2 Steps to Start Studying the Bible (on your own)
While there wasn't any journaling given today (week 2 day 1), I plan to read the chapter and makes notes as I go along. We need to remember of everything we read in the Bible to ask, "What's the point?" On page 86, Jen says, "God is certainly in the details, but He's also definitely in the main idea." When reading God's Word for Bible study there are 2 simple steps to follow. STEP 1: Read the ENTIRE SECTION first, one time minimum through. "NO stops! NO notes! NO flipping around! Read … [Read more...]
Have you ever prayed Scripture before?
Wow, today (week 1 day 5) is the first day in the study where Jen does NOT ask us to read a chapter in the book. Instead, on page 165, she says to “turn to Psalm 119. Except for verses 1-3 and 115, this psalm is addressed to God. As you skim through the psalm…, compile two lists in your journal. While there are many options, look for seven to ten verses for each list (see questions 1 and 2) that uniquely represent your desires. 1. "First, copy verses or even just phrases that demonstrate your … [Read more...]
V is for Vibrant #atozchallenge
The word 'vibrant'. When I think of this word immediately Mari's sweet angelic face pops in my head. I can see her vivid blue eyes. Her bright shining smile. She had a zest for life I think most people wish they could have. I sit here thinking back on Mari's life, and while there are those time that made raising her very hard due to her autism and her inability to be able to communicate and understand safety awareness, she was a very happy little girl. Her vibrancy seemed almost contagious at … [Read more...]
M is for Mari’s World
Mari's World. What would it have been like to visit her world? It constantly brought a smile to her face. She'd be zone out sitting in her chair. You'd wave your hand in front of her face and she wouldn't flinch. You have to clap your hands really loud two or three times to bring her back to our world. I wondered if she'd be playing in some puddles getting all wet. Or maybe she met Dora and went on a new adventure taking Backpack and Diego along with. Or maybe she went on another adventure with … [Read more...]
B is for “Backyardigans”
The "Backyardigans." It brings a smile to my face every time I think of them as they were one of Mari's favorite shows. As soon as the music would start she begin to dance. She might flap her arms and do a little awwwwwwww as she watched. I wonder sometimes what drew her the most. Maybe it was the vivid bright colors that each of the five characters were. Or maybe it was the fact none of them were human beings but all animals of some sort, although Uniqua, I never did find out exactly what kind … [Read more...]
A is for Adorable
What better word could describe my precious little girl than the word adorable (well, I'm sure I could find several :) )? Mari had this way about her. She'd be watching one of her favorite show whether it was Dora or the movie "Cars" where she be in front of the TV dancing around or flapping her arms in excitement at whatever was being played out before her. She'd be sitting in her high chair eat whatever meal it was at the time and all of a sudden she just start to giggle out of no where. … [Read more...]
VotD
I was sitting at my desk this morning and looking at the new flip, desk calendar I have sitting off to my right. I needed to flip the page from yesterday's date to today. On each page is a Bible verse, but I typically don't read the verse and just flip the page (even though I know I should :) ). Well, today was different. I decided to take a moment and read what the verse had to say. And then it hit me. I could share my verse for each day with all of you. Today's verse is just the one I needed … [Read more...]
Day 173: Easy Plays
In life do we stick to a specific script, or schedule, or do we improvise as we go along? Hopefully most of you said improvise. So, why do I say this? Because the best things in life most of the time happen when they are unplanned. Sometimes I wish I could be a better, organized person in my own life. I mean, my cupboards, or dresser drawers, or places like that are organized to the hilt. However, when it comes to my own life I try my very best to keep with a schedule but it never seems to … [Read more...]
Happy Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving. It's a time of year where families gather round their tables to eat a big feast of turkey, ham, yams, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, apple pie, pumpkin pie, or whatever family tradition yours might have. But before you eat, many families will go around the table and say what they are thankful for over the past year. Five years ago on this very day I remember how hard it was for me on that first Thanksgiving with Mari gone. (Click here to view the post from … [Read more...]
