Bible Reading Plan for 2009 December 29, 2008

For those of you who will be joining our “Route 66” club this year, we wanted to provide the plan for our glorious journey:

First, whatever the Lord leads you to do to make God’s word a priority for the year is up to you.  Perhaps you’d like to read through the entire Bible, or read the New Testament and Psalms, or choose some other plan.  (You can find these plans at sites including Heartlight.)

Second, e-mail debiwalter@gmail.com and let her know that you would like to participate in the club and which reading method you sense God leading you to commit to in 2009.  This will sign you up to receive the e-mails throughout the year that will help you stay focused and motivated on your journey through the Bible.  If you finish your goal by the year’s end you will be included in a celebration party held in January of 2010.

Third, some of us will be studying a couple of books of the Bible more intensely this year, starting with the Book of Hebrews.  We will be using the Bible Speaks Today commentary on Hebrews by Raymond Brown.  You can purchase this online through Amazon, Ebay or other sites.  If you are a Metro member, copies of the commentary will be available in our bookstore in January for purchase.  It’s a reader-friendly and not overly academic commentary that will help us to understand this amazing book.

Here is our specific plan:  We will spend the month of January reading the books of Leviticus and Hebrews.  The theme of the book of Leviticus is the holiness of God. In this book spiritual holiness is symbolized by physical perfection, with perfect animals being used for the many sacrifices required for unholy people to be cleansed. This book, though tedious, provides a stunning backdrop to the Book of Hebrews, where the absolute supremacy and sufficiency of Christ as the perfect sacrificial lamb who took away the sins of the world is revealed!

“He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves, but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.  The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those whoa re ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.  How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”  (Heb 9:12-14).

We have all read these words, but reading Leviticus prior to our study of Hebrews will help to make these wonderful words have all the more meaning!  I’m getting chills just thinking about it!

Leviticus is 27 chapters and Hebrews is 13 for a total of 40 chapters over 31 days.  Pace yourself and read enough each day to get through both books during the 31 days of January.  Then on Feb 1 we will begin our study of the book of Hebrews, giving you one month to purchase the commentary.

In late January I will provide you with the reading plan for getting through both the Book of Hebrews and the commentary.  What an amazing journey we will share together!  In addition to our study, we will be hearing sermons each week on this book.  I can’t wait to see what the Lord will do in our lives as a result of taking a studious and intentional look at His word together!

So whatever you sense God saying for you to do this year – one thing is clear – God loves for us to get to know Him through His Holy Word.  Won’t you join us?

Posted by Sheree

Merry Christmas To You and Yours December 23, 2008

We have decided to take a two week break from blogging in order to spend this time with our families.May your Christmas be filled with the wonder of Christ’s love – who willingly came to earth in the form of a baby in order to restore our broken relationship with the Father.  Make the most of this season, and look for our blog to be up again on January 5th.  We leave you with a poem by John Newton,  and a video that your children will enjoy.  Merry Christmas!  (Note: We will post information about the Route 66 Club reading plan for 2009 on Monday, Dec. 29th, so be sure and check the blog then, and e-mail debiwalter@gmail.com if you would like to participate!)

I asked the Lord that I might grow, In faith and love and every grace, Might more of His salvation know, And seek more earnestly His face.  It was He who taught me thus to pray, And He I trust has answered prayer.  But it has been in such a way, As almost drove me to despair!  I hoped that in some favored hour, At once He’d answer my request.  And by His love’s constraining power, Subdue my sins and give me rest!  Instead of this, He made me feel, The hidden evils of my heart.  And let the angry powers of hell, Assault my soul in every part!  Yes, more with His own hand, He seemed, Intent to aggravate my woe.  Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,  Blasted my gourds, and laid me low!” Lord, why is this?” I trembling cried.  Will You pursue Your worm to death?” “This is the way” the Lord replied, “I answer prayer for grace and strength.”  These inward trials I employ, From self, and pride, to set you free; And break your schemes of earthly joy, That you may find your all in Me!” — John Newton

Route 66 Club December 22, 2008

Several of us have participated in the Route 66 Club this past year, reading through the New Testament along with Psalms and Proverbs.  It has been a wonderful journey that has motivated us to want to continue on in pursuing growth in Christ through the reading and study of His Holy Word.

Next year we are planning to travel a bit differently – we will be spending a significant amount of time on the book of Hebrews.  Why Hebrews?  Our pastors will be starting a series on this book, so we thought this would help us grow not only personally buy corporately as well.  We plan to use commentaries to help us understand the depths of this amazing book.  This will probably last for the first four months of the year – at least that’s our estimation.  It could be longer.  After that we’ll pick another book to study as the Lord leads.

Would you like to join us on this journey?  Spend some time praying about it and talking it over with your husbands.  Once you have decided that this is a trip worth taking at this time in your life – let us know by sending an e-mail to debiwalter@gmail.com

Fun Kid Recipes Part II December 19, 2008

Glorious Goop

1 Cup Cornstarch
Small amount of water

Add water slowly to the cornstarch until the goop drips from the spoon. The mixture will seem hard until you try to pick it up then it slides between your fingers. If it’s too runny, add a little more cornstarch. If it’s too thick, add a little more water. If the white is too boring for you add some food coloring!

Glitter

Mix together 5-6 drops of food coloring and 1/2 c. salt, stir well. Cook in microwave for 1-2 minutes or spread out on a piece of waxed paper to air-dry. Store in an airtight container.

Sidewalk Chalk

1 Cup Plaster of Paris
½ Cup Water
2-3 Tablespoon Tempera paint

Mix plaster of Paris and tempera paint, then add water and mix well. Pour into molds and let dry for 24 hours. Remove from mold and let air dry for 2-7 days depending on size. You can use paper cups, plastic butter tubs or food or ice cube trays, candy molds, muffin tins, or even toilet paper tubes covered with foil on one end.

Finger Paint

1 Envelope unflavored gelatin
½ Cup Cornstarch
3 Tablespoon Sugar
2 Cup Cold water
Food coloring
Dishwashing liquid
White shelf paper

Soak gelatin in 1/4 c. warm water and set aside. Combine cornstarch and sugar in medium sized pot. Gradually add remaining water and cook slowly over low heat, stirring until well blended. Remove from heat and add gelatin. Divide into containers, adding a drop or two of dishwashing liquid and food coloring to each.

Fun Kid Recipes Part I December 18, 2008

Cinnamon Clay This recipe is great for Christmas ornaments or scented hearts around the home.

1/3 C. White glue
1/3 C. Applesauce
3 T. Cinnamon
1 ¾ C. Flour
¼ C. Water

Mix ingredients together until dough forms a ball. Knead dough for 1-2 minutes, adding a little more flour if needed. Roll dough out and cut with cookie cutters. Bake at 300° for 10 minutes.

Crazy Putty
 

¾ C. White glue

Add enough liquid starch until a ball of dough is formed, then add food coloring and knead the dough until it’s completely worked in. This putty bounces!

Slime

1 C. Glue
Liquid starch
Food coloring

Add starch to the glue slowly until mixture becomes the right texture, then add food coloring if desired. Slimy!

Thanks Kim, for providing these great ideas!  And there’s more to come…

Worth While Waiting December 17, 2008

I’ve heard of a very simple, yet effective way to envision our children for the true meaning of Christmas.  If you have a nativity, set all the pieces in their places, except for the Baby Jesus.  Let your children know that the Christ child was promised for hundreds of years.  God’s people waited and waited for the day when He would appear on the earth.  Christmas Day we celebrate the glorious event when Jesus was born in a manger.  Christmas morning make sure that you place the Baby Jesus in the manger before your children awaken.  When they come hustling into the living room, help them to pause and remember what they’ve been waiting for.  Once they realize that the Baby Jesus has arrived completing the nativity – sing Away In A Manger and Joy To The World.  For more great ideas check back tomorrow!

Posted by Debi

What Will They Remember? December 15, 2008

The Christmas holiday is in full swing at our house. Presents to wrap, cookies to bake, parties to attend. I have been wondering though how I can as a mom direct and guide my children’s hearts towards Christ during the craziest and busiest time of the year? How can I help keep the focus on the Greatest Gift, when it seems like everything else is screaming so loudly? What do I pray that my children will remember?

I pray that they will remember that this is the time when God came down as a man, a precious little baby, to bare the wrath of their (and my) sin. I pray that they remember as we read the Christmas story in Luke that it was out of His love that He sent His only Son. That is why we celebrate. That is why we worship, that is why we can worship. The Lord had a perfect plan from before time and this is the amazing way He carried it out!

So please join us this week as we seek to encourage you in your desire to make this a season to remember.

Puzzle Piece Picture Frame December 12, 2008

Puzzled as to what your kids can make for gifts?  Here’s one where the puzzle is the gift!  Have fun piecing this one together!  lol

Christmas Coupons December 11, 2008

Coupons are a great way to encourage our children that giving is more fun when we give of ourselves instead of buying more things for those we love.  Here are all the directions they’ll need to make them to give as gifts for someone they love.

Miniature Gingerbread House December 10, 2008

This project looks simple and fun.  Who doesn’t enjoy decorating with candy?  Yummy!

For the directions, CLICK HERE!  And enjoy every minute that you have with your children.  These are precious years to direct their hearts to Christ – which will be our focus starting next week – meaningful and creative ways to share the true meaning of Christmas with your children.