New Seasons

Sunshine

Warm days are coming. The sun’s heat will feel more intense. Add some vitamin D to your school day by doing “outdoor school”.

• Take a walk. Breathe deeply. In that moment what promises burst forth!? Did you have to gather together the air in order to get proportions that would not burn your lungs?

• Take a walk. Count the blooms. Give them each their proper name.

• From your patio write what you see. Ask someone to proof what you wrote. Thank them for that help!

• From the patio draw what you see. Paint or color your drawing. Give it a name or write a descriptive sentence. Donate your drawing to Grandma.

• At an outdoor table gather everyone for a math lesson and discussion. All of your children sharing the unbelievable findings about numbers and their value and function.

• Fix lunch and enjoy a deck picnic and read aloud.

• Invite someone to join you for school. Deliberately share what God is doing in your heart and school.

You may have to wait a few days but the sunshine is coming. Enjoy it and learn in it!

The Name

In the book, None Else (Beeke & Cosby) on page 16, I read about the value of focusing on God’s name. Psalm 145:2 “Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever”. I further quote from that book, “So how do we extol and praise the name of God in a proper, reverential and Biblical way?” They go on to say that focusing on His attributes will lead us to see the purpose and value of His name.

Now my next question is, “What about your name?” We have names for a reason. Our name is a defining part of who we are. Take a moment to help your children see WHY you gave them their name.

Next entwine their name with the name “Christian” at the appropriate, surrendered time. What does it mean when Christian is added to their name. Discuss the opportunities and power that they have as they belong to such a name. Celebrate.

“Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Referring to the name of Jesus.

Be grateful God chose names for Himself and knows you by name.

You and Your Church

Recently I’ve been thinking of the great advantage the local church is to the family AND the great opportunity the family is given when each member of the family finds his/her gifts exercised in the local church.

God speaks to us about the local church in Hebrews 10:25; 13:17; 1 Peter 5:1-2;

Colossians 3:16; 1Thessalonians 5:12-13 and other places. So I am going to assume that it is the believer’s obligation and privilege to be an active worshiping member of a local church where the Word of God is clearly taught and lived.

We, as image bearers of the living Triune God, were created with gifts to be used, not to flaunt ourselves, but to build one another so that each may be stronger in building the Body. This is background information for the practical thought I’m led to share.

1. Where do you fit? Have you thought that your church “needs” you?

2. Why would you serve? Are you willing to attend, absorb but give nothing?

Please examine your heart. If you truly know God (His goodness, providence, provision, plan for you for eternity) you will want to grow personally and serve Him through His church.

Recently I’ve become needy and have been overwhelmed at the goodness of God to

allow me to fellowship with a body of believers who know how to serve others. They have:

1. Prayed in mega doses for me and my family.

2. Offered me valet services as I pull my car to the church door. They know I walk with difficulty.

3. Fed me for at least a week, not only me but all 17 or so of us.

4. Visited and messaged and phoned with Scripture and prayers.

5. Offered to grocery shop and errand run. And so much more!

I am a needy widow but in the church there are also the lonely, the tired mother, the unemployed father, the angry American, all with needs.

My point: I’ve been awakened to the everyday need and value of the local church. I’d like to challenge your family to ask: Where can we help?

Overall, remember that the goal of the church is for like believers to come together to get to know and cherish God. When they know Him, serving will burst forth.

A great resource for me has been: Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Testimony

My beloved husband, Ralph, went home to Jesus on February 28, 2022, about 5 in the evening. Since then, my prayer life has been deficient or selfish. While Ralph lived, prayer together had become our routine with joy and anticipation. We sat in the same chairs in our living room. We had no notes or journals. I always prayed first. (Though we were free to burst into each other’s prayers with our prayer.)

Almost everyday he would remind me of a family or a sick one or another need that I had forgotten. How did he know that I had forgotten? As we lived life, I would casually say, “I want to pray about that.” When he prayed, I NEVER reminded him of something he wanted to pray. As he prayed, I was almost daily astonished at his recall.

So, now I am alone and must carry on. I am constantly forgetting with no one to remind me. I’m beginning a notebook. I am so very grateful for the many years I had to pray with this amazing giant of the faith.

“A faithful man is rich with blessings...”

Proverbs 28:20A

Love, Becky