Thursday, December 25, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Christkindl Market
The boys entering Christkindl Market
A miniature of our home church that Jeremy made in 1998(it's 11 feet long).
Elijah feeling much better!
Isaiah....not sure about the freezing weather!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Just to think about...
There are 83 million people in the United States who are 19 years old or younger.
Christians teens are being evangelized by the world instead of evangelizing their world.
Biblical evangelism is being replaced, redefined and marginalized.
77% of those who trust in Christ as their Savior do so by the age of 21.
70% to 88% of Christian teens are leaving the church by their second year in college.
*data from Dare2Share and Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham Jr.
When I look at these statistics, a sense of overwhelming responsibility comes over me. My children are still young...7, 4, and 22 months, but not too young to start teaching them how to walk with God. My number one priority for raising my boys is that they grow up to have a personal relationship with Jesus. If they have worldly success, but do not have Jesus...then not only have they failed...but I have too! I'm already training my boys to realize what this world will try to offer them. I personally know how our culture today tries to take each and every part of a person's life. The more it can take...the less it leaves for Christ. We as parents have to be intentional in how we train and disciple our children. The devil is certainly intentional on how he tries to capture our children's hearts, souls and minds. This leads me to a verse that really expresses my heart...
"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Acts 20:24
I love to read! I wish I had more time to devote to it. Currently I am reading a book called Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham Jr.. This author was one of the speakers at last year's homeschool convention. He is an amazing speaker and author. This book is Biblically based and an amazing read for families who want to further their walks with God. I can hardly put it down.
Christians teens are being evangelized by the world instead of evangelizing their world.
Biblical evangelism is being replaced, redefined and marginalized.
77% of those who trust in Christ as their Savior do so by the age of 21.
70% to 88% of Christian teens are leaving the church by their second year in college.
*data from Dare2Share and Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham Jr.
When I look at these statistics, a sense of overwhelming responsibility comes over me. My children are still young...7, 4, and 22 months, but not too young to start teaching them how to walk with God. My number one priority for raising my boys is that they grow up to have a personal relationship with Jesus. If they have worldly success, but do not have Jesus...then not only have they failed...but I have too! I'm already training my boys to realize what this world will try to offer them. I personally know how our culture today tries to take each and every part of a person's life. The more it can take...the less it leaves for Christ. We as parents have to be intentional in how we train and disciple our children. The devil is certainly intentional on how he tries to capture our children's hearts, souls and minds. This leads me to a verse that really expresses my heart...
"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Acts 20:24
I love to read! I wish I had more time to devote to it. Currently I am reading a book called Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham Jr.. This author was one of the speakers at last year's homeschool convention. He is an amazing speaker and author. This book is Biblically based and an amazing read for families who want to further their walks with God. I can hardly put it down.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
What if...
Do you ever wonder about those who don't know Christ? Sometimes that thought completely amazes me. I can hardly imagine not knowing Christ in my life. I wonder how do those people cope with life...?! My faith has brought me through some of the worst of times, and on the flip side...the best of times. I would be so lost without Him, and life would seem hopeless.
Lately, I've been overwhelmed and burdened for those who do not have a personal relationship with Christ. I've almost been in a "panic" mode for them. Sometimes I just feel I need to call them up or show up on their door step, and share the good news of Jesus Christ. I want them to know what true love is....what hope is....what grace and mercy really mean. There were so many years that even I did not know the capacity of Jesus Christ's love for me.
I wonder what it was like to be on the cross, and to feel the weight of the world's sins upon Him. Feeling the weight of my own sins completely overwhelms me. How could He physically, mentally and emotionally handle that much suffering and agony? I know I cannot grasp the actual feelings or emotions that Jesus felt that day, but I still wonder?
Sometimes I find myself almost in tears for the lost and the unsaved. A sense of full responsibility comes over me for their souls. I earnestly pray for them. When I'm going to the bank, the post office, the grocery store line, or just everyday events...I wonder....do they know the love of Jesus? In the frenzy of everyday life, sometimes I do miss the opportunity to share the gospel. I admit...it can be more convenient at the time to do so.
I am challenging myself to work on never missing an opportunity to share the perfect love of Jesus. What if...what if I'm the only one who will share it with them? If I don't, will I be held accountable? These are all questions that I have surrounding me each day.
I am reminded of a verse from Matthew 9:36.
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."
Lately, I've been overwhelmed and burdened for those who do not have a personal relationship with Christ. I've almost been in a "panic" mode for them. Sometimes I just feel I need to call them up or show up on their door step, and share the good news of Jesus Christ. I want them to know what true love is....what hope is....what grace and mercy really mean. There were so many years that even I did not know the capacity of Jesus Christ's love for me.
I wonder what it was like to be on the cross, and to feel the weight of the world's sins upon Him. Feeling the weight of my own sins completely overwhelms me. How could He physically, mentally and emotionally handle that much suffering and agony? I know I cannot grasp the actual feelings or emotions that Jesus felt that day, but I still wonder?
Sometimes I find myself almost in tears for the lost and the unsaved. A sense of full responsibility comes over me for their souls. I earnestly pray for them. When I'm going to the bank, the post office, the grocery store line, or just everyday events...I wonder....do they know the love of Jesus? In the frenzy of everyday life, sometimes I do miss the opportunity to share the gospel. I admit...it can be more convenient at the time to do so.
I am challenging myself to work on never missing an opportunity to share the perfect love of Jesus. What if...what if I'm the only one who will share it with them? If I don't, will I be held accountable? These are all questions that I have surrounding me each day.
I am reminded of a verse from Matthew 9:36.
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Hunting...
Jeremiah with his daddy!Jeremiah was extremely excited to go up in the mountain with his daddy today! He has talked about it all day and night. He got to see 8 doe and 1 squirrel! :)
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Random holiday pics...
Elijah
Jeremy and Suzanna
Don and Allison
Jeff and some of his grandkids
Papa and Jeremiah
Jeremy and Isaiah
Sarah and Charlie
Elijah and Jeremiah
Isaiah enjoying his food.
The girls!
Jeremiah and the twins
Cheez!
Joseph...ready 2 eat
Ryan and Jeremiah
Parker carrying his little sister...how cute!
Evan hiding out!
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