Sunday, August 14, 2011

Spiritual Retreat

This summer has been a very stressful summer.  It seems to have had one bad thing after another and I was just tired.    We were getting ready to leave on vacation and I wasn't even sure if we would be able to go because of different things that were going on, car trouble and our parents having health problems.  But Roger insisted that we needed a break so we continued on and I am so glad that we did.  A couple of days before we left I was listening to 106.9 radio station (my favorite station) and they mentioned having a spiritual retreat at the Billy Graham place in North Carolina.  I knew that was impossible for me, but then I realized I could have my own spiritual retreat.  I downloaded lots of great uplifting podcasts and I just took the time while we were gone to recharge my life.  I also realized that I can continue doing this at home.  (I know you would think that was obvious, but I was a little slow realizing it!) 

James 1: 1-18

Today in Sunday School we will be starting our study in one of my favorite books of the Bible.  James is such a nice practical book for Christians.

Who wrote the book of James?  We think it is one of Jesus' brothers.  There are actually 4 different James' mentioned in the Bible but most people agree that it was probably Jesus' brother.   At first he did not believe in Jesus which I can completely understand.  I'm sure he could see that Jesus was different but he had grown up with him and I'm sure it was hard to think of him as his savior. 

Verses 1 -4

In these verses we find out who is writing this letter and who he is writing it to.  James is writing it to all of the believers in Israel. 
We also find out that trials produce patience.  Patience is one of the fruits of the spirit we talked about a few weeks ago.  Patience comes through suffering and testing.
Verses 5 - 8
Wisdom is just the practical use of knowledge.  If you lack wisdom oh how to deal with a problem you have then you need to go to Jesus.  In verse 6 it points out we need to believe Jesus will take care of a problem for us.  So many times when we have a problem we try to solve it on our own when we should just turn our problems over to God.  That should be how we start our day everyday.  Does this mean that we will never have problems?  Of course not because as we learned earlier our faith will grow more as we lean on Jesus.
Verses 9 - 11
We may think sometimes that we don't have much, but think of all the things we do have.  No, we may not have millions of dollars in the bank but we can have the peace from God that only He can give when we do have trouble.   So, with Jesus in our heart, we have everything!
Verses 12-18
When we go through trials, it is very hard.  At a time of testing we will either draw closer to God or we will blame God and move away from Him.  I want to always draw closer to God because I can't imagine facing my troubles alone.  I know with God I am never alone.

Is there no other way open, God
except through sorrow, pain and loss,
To stamp Christ's likeness on my soul ---
No other way except the cross?

And then a voice stills all my soul
As still as the waves of Galilee
"Can'st thou not bear the furnace heat
If midst the flames I walk with thee?
I bore the cross, I know it's weight.
I drank the cup I hold for thee.
Can'st thou not follow where I lead?
I'll give thee strength.  Lean hard on me."
-- Author Unknown




Thursday, August 4, 2011

School

We started school on August 1, 2011 and so far it is going great.  I am now using Homeschool Tracker to make up the assignment sheets.  After I print off the week then I put the assignment sheet with whatever books and handouts she will need in a basket and Abbie knows what she has to do.  We try to start school at 10:00 but sometimes that is hard for us to accomplish since Abbie is a night owl.