Eucharisteo: God’s Leading

     

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.

Psalm 23:1-3a

As we, God’s children, venture through life, we have to rely on God to help us navigate the path we travel. We have times when it seems easy to follow what God wants for us. Other times we have to obey Him, even when that obedience runs counter to what those around us would have us do.

When we choose to live for God, we live in relationship with Him- in the center of His will. We even deal with daily issues by asking for His guidance.

God leads us through difficult times, teaching us as we progress from one step to another.   A friend of mine says she and her husband ‘are on a journey’ as they go through life. Right now, she is dealing with a complication from a surgical procedure from this past July. The newest turn for them may bring her home for a while-until she is ready for more surgery and possibly more rehab, again, away from home.  But she knows God is leading them.

Father God:

Thank you for your leading us through our lives. Thank you for guiding each of us through the tough times. You do this with such grace that we learn to love you more. We thank you for all you do for us. In the name of Jesus, we pray. AMEN 

Eucharisteo-Heartfelt Joy

”The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him,

 and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices;

 and with my song will I praise him”

 Psalm 28:7 (KJV)

“The Lord is my strength. . .”  God allows difficult circumstances to enter our lives in order 1.) to cause us to look to Him, 2.) to reveal something to us about ourselves, 3.) to help us realize how great his love for us is, and 4.) to make us stronger.

“. . . and my shield.” God protects His children from harm. He is Jehovah Jirah, the Lord who provides. He builds a hedge around those who call out to Him and protects them from danger. When we realize we have been protected by God, we can’t thank Him enough.

“. . . my heart trusted in him. . .” We learn to rely on God by looking to him when times are good as well as when times are not so good. When times are good, we should thank Him for them. When times are not so good, we should thank Him for being with us while we go through them.

When winter comes, I have to bundle up in preparation of going outside. In my last job, I always grabbed my coat and scarf and gloves before I went to perform one of my outdoor tasks. The others tried to poke fun at me but I responded with, “I’m taking care of myself.” Or, “I am trying to stay healthy.” In our living room have an afghan and a blanket on our couch to wrap up in. I also praise the Lord for central heat and a strong roof over our heads. 

“. . . and I am helped. . .” Our plight is seen by God and he guides us through the difficulties, no matter what the cause. Sometimes all we can do is send up an “SOS” to heaven and wait for the Father to act on our behalf.

“.  .  . therefore my heart greatly rejoices. . .” God receives our praises and lightens our hearts. When I hear wonderful news, My heart fills with joy to the point that all I can do is praise Him.

“. . . with my song will I praise him.” After God parted the Red Sea, Miriam led the Israelite women in singing and giving praise to God.

“Sing to the Lord

                 For he is highly exalted,

                 The horse and its rider

                 He has hurled into the sea.”

               (Ex15:21)               

                                                                                                                                                                                     graphic: anextraordinaryday.net                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Homeschool Co-ops 101 Book Review

Essential co-op tools, tips, and options for today’s homeschool families.

My blogging friend, Karen Lange has written a book—presently in e-book format, soon to be in print book form. In it she covers the issues that arise when parents consider the option of home schooling their children.

She discusses the reasons parents have for considering taking this option for their family. Karen specifically points out that the size of the co-op depends on how a group and each family fit together. She mentions the need for a statement of purpose for the co-op. She cautions about having a code of conduct to clarify expectations of those involved.

Karen relies on her experience as a homeschool mother to approach the different concerns a family might be faced with as they begin homeschooling. 

One point Karen brings out that I found interesting was a homeschool cooperative can be set up to encompass a few grades—elementary or early grades, or the full spectrum of pre-k -12.The smaller co-ops are usually less formal in structure.

Karen has included a section on games and activities that might accompany a lesson on what the students are studying: grammar, poetry, games to make the children think, a recipe scavenger hunt, and a few activities that enhance the children’s writing abilities. She has included several Unit Study Guides for the parents to consider as they search for ways to solidify the concepts the children need to master.

Homeschool Co-ops 101 is available at:

~~~Amazon~~~

~~~Barnes and Noble~~~

~~~Kobo~~~

About the Author Karen Lange has gathered insight from years of co-oping and now shares her own and others’ experiences in this valuable and encouraging handbook.

Interview with Karen Lange

Karen Lange Author

Today I am interviewing a blogging friend, Karen Lange. We are excited that her e-book, Homeschooling Co-ops 101, has been published.

QS: Hello Karen, I’m almost as excited as you about your e-book being available to the public.

KL: Thank you for inviting me to stop by! I am looking forward to visiting with your followers!

QS: Tell us about yourself.

KL: I am a follower of Christ, wife, mom, and grandma. My husband and I have two sons, a daughter, and a daughter in law, and a very smart and handsome 5-year-old grandson. (I could be a little biased about my grandson.) :) My writing work includes blogging, freelance work, and teaching online writing classes for adults and homeschooled teens.

QS: How long have you been writing?

KL: I’ve enjoyed writing for as long as I can remember, but never thought about writing as a career until I took some writing classes after I was married. So as far as writing for publication, I’d say it’s been about 20 years or so.

QS: In what genre do you write?

KL: Most of my writing is nonfiction – blog posts, freelance writing for magazines and clients, and my book. I also am co-writing an historical fiction novel with a friend.

QS:  Do you have a ‘day job?’

KL: Yes, my “day jobs” include bookkeeping; my husband and son are partners in a carpentry business.  I also teach online writing classes; the ones for homeschooled teens run from September through May.  The classes at the Coffeehouse for Writers run year round.

QS:  What have you written before this?

KL: I’ve been writing for print and online publications such as Homeschool Enrichment Magazine and The Homeschool Magazine, Funds for Writers and E-Junkie, and have written ad content and other business material.  I also offer copy editing services.

QS: Do you write a blog?

KL: I do, and have met many wonderful friends like you! My blog address is: http://karenelange.blogspot.com/ Blogging has been a great experience. It has taught me a lot about writing and has been a great way to connect with other writers.

QS: Tell us about your family.

KL: My husband Jeff and I have been married for 32 years. Jeff's been very supportive of my writing over the years. Our oldest son works with my husband and is married; he and his wife have a son (that handsome grandson I mentioned above!). This son helped me format the original, shorter version of my book that I’d originally self-published. Our next son is a graphic designer; he designed the cover for my book. Our daughter, the youngest, was my chief proofreader before I submitted the book.  So they’ve all helped the book come to publication.

QS: What is your e-book about?

KL: Homeschool Co-ops 101 is for families who are thinking about joining or starting a homeschool co-op. It weighs the pros, cons, and creative options available, and contains essential co-op tools, tips, and options for today’s homeschool families. I recently found out that it will be coming out in print about a month after its e-book release. I was very excited to hear that bit of news!

Thanks so much for hosting me today, Cecelia! I appreciate your support.  It’s always a pleasure to stop by your blog!

QS: Thank you for stopping in, Karen. Tomorrow we will take a look at your e-book, Homeschool Co-op 101.

Eucharisteo- God’s Comfort

    

              

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, the Father of mercy and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NKJV)

 We all endure pain and heartache as we go through life. It’s inevitable. We have times of sadness and grief because we are human. God allows us to have these intense times of emotion in direct correlation to how much we love.

I recently witnessed a family in the grief process attend church the day after they had lost their 

husband-father-grandfather-great-grandfather. Yes, they were hurting but they chose to be in God’s house to worship God. Another woman had lost her father about a week earlier. Inside a congregation of 300+  I was aware of two families who were in the beginning of the grief process.

I know being in the Lord’s house brought comfort to both families. I saw the same example set year and a half ago. This family was in Sunday worship the next day after they buried their only son-brother; they had been through the process of grief several years earlier when they lost a daughter-sister.

In both instances, I believe the families knew where they could go to receive comfort. They came to God’s house and to His people.      

I remember when I was in the place of grief when I lost my dad, and earlier, my stepmother. In both instances, I could feel the prayers of God’s people as I walked through the days between the loss and the committal service and afterward. I was more open about my grief at the loss of my stepmother. But, the kindnesses shown to me on both occasions were very special.

I saw Jesus on that recent Sunday as I watched different people speaking to and comforting the lady who had lost her husband and her daughter and the others who lost a grandfather.

Dear Father God:

    Please wrap your arms of love around those families who mourn the loss of a loved one. Draw them close to you. Whisper words of comfort into their ears. Allow them to rest in your arms as they go through the coming days as they learn to walk through their lives without that person who meant so much to them. In the name of Jesus, I pray. AMEN                                                                                                            

         Graphic: dwellingintheword.wordpress.com

Consider: Who Jesus Is RJD Nov. 2004

Journal Entry January 16, 2013

“Jesus asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But what you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you think I am?’” Matthew 16:13-15

From the responses the followers gave Jesus, the people thought of Him as a reincarnated Jeremiah, a reborn Elijah, and even John the Baptist.

               Jesus asked the question of the disciples in a more personal way. “But, what about you? Who do you say I am?”

               Simon Peter responds with a defining thought, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

               Jesus’ question is one that speaks to us on a regular basis. What about you? Who do you say I am?”

               If, in our devotional times, we deal with the question as Simon Peter did, we receive rewards from heaven. If, however, we respond with, “Oh, he’s a good guy.” “Oh, he’s someone my parents spoke of.” “Oh he’s someone I call on when I am in trouble.” We miss the whole point of experiencing Christ. We dilute His message; we could even be guilty of ignoring His reason for coming to earth.

               I need to focus more on His being the Son of the living God.

UPDATE: As we strive to live for Jesus, we need to recognize who He is. Living for Him has become more difficult as time draws closer for His return. I constantly try to remember whose I am and whom I am to emulate.  When I slip and do something not to Jesus’ liking, I have to immediately seek forgiveness from Him.

Linked to:http://beneaththesurface-dawn.blogspot.com

Why God is So Special

                                                                                    .

“So, do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not be dismayed, for I am your God  

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

Although my topic this month has been on peace, we have times when peace eludes us and we have times of despair. We begin to doubt our faith and God’s hand on our life. We lose our peace.

When times are tough, and we feel defeated, God is there with us. When we feel alone, we are not; He is right there with us. All we have to do is call out to Him and lean against His arms of love. Some of my dearest friends in this world are facing a very difficult time right now.

One of my favorite gospel songs is “God on the Mountain” God is God in the bad times; that’s when He is the dearest to me. Another one is “When the Storm Passes By” Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Your hand, keep me safe until the storm passes by.”

I posted two YouTube videos that mean a lot to me and to some very special friends on my Facebook page. I then did a share on one of the daughters’ page. Shortly after I posted the first one, a mutual friend left a comment that she was praying for them.

God does bring us through times of hardship, times of distress, and times of intense sadness He promised he’d never leave us nor forsake us. All we have to do is trust Him.


I would appreciate prayers for my friends. Just ask God to  be especially close to 'Quiet Spirit's friends.' He knows the people and their hearts as well as their need.

God of the mountain


'Til the Storm Passes By


graphic: hodgepodge4the soul.wordpress.com