Traditions

There is somehting about saying, "We always do this," which helps keep the years together. Time is such an elusive thing that if we keep on meaning to do something interesting, but never do it, year would follow year with no special thoughtfulness being expressed in making gifts, surprised, charming table settings, and familiar, favorite food. Tradition is a good gift intended to guard the best gifts.
Edith Schaeffer (1916-)

What traditions do you have?

Kerry

Sacrifices DO Cost

Once again, I am reminded from David's life that the sacrifices we make to God should cost something to us. Why do I say this comes from David's life?

David takes a census and God judges David's sin with a plague. To stop the plague, David goes to Araunah's threshing floor to make an altar. Araunah is all too willing to give his threshing floor to David . . . for free, no strings attached.

David is wise and knows that a sacrifice without payment is worth nothing. David says, "No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing."

We no longer offer burnt offerings to our Lord, but we are to daily present our bodies as living, holy and acceptable sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1). Our daily offerings should cost us something, not just be the extras that we would give anyway.

Kerry
Winning the War for Our Culture

Promises Require Faithfulness

David was making atonement for Saul's sins in 2 Samuel 21. David chose seven of Saul's descendants to die for Saul's sins. It is interesting to note that David spared Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son. God's Word tells us that he spared Jonathan's son "because of the oath that was between the, between David and Jonathan."

David stays faithful to an oath that he made years ago as he spares Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was lame and both feet. David brought him to the palace where Mephibosheth enjoyed the king's table all his life.

I am reminded of the importance to keep the promises that we make to others. As I do so, my kids will learn by example that they need to keep the promises they make. A good leader is faithful to his promises.

Kerry

Who is Your Strength???

December 20, 2005 - God is My Strength During the Christmas Season

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
The God of my strength in whom I will trust:
My shield and the horn of my salvation
My stronghold and my refuge;
My Savior, You save me from violence.
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.

2 Samuel 22:2-4

During this Christmas season, we are often stressed-out over daily demands. Remember that God is our strength in the big and little things of life. He is the ONLY one who will see you through and the only one who deserves our praise.

Crown Him!!1

The following was sung at church this past Sunday as preparation for worship. It was absolutely beautiful. I know you can't hear it, but read the words and soak in the sacrifice that Christ made for us as he came to earth. This is the perfect season to do so.

Kerry


Who is He in yonder stall,
At whose feet the shepherds fall?
'Tis the Lord, O wondrous story!
'Tis the Lord, the King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall,
Crown Him! Crown Him, Lord of all!

Who is He to whom they bring
All the sick and sorrowing?
'Tis the Lord, O wondrous story!
'Tis the Lord, the King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall,
Crown Him! Crown Him, Lord of all!

Who is He on yonder tree
Dies in grief and agony?
'Tis the Lord, O wondrous story!
'Tis the Lord, the King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall,
Crown Him! Crown Him, Lord of all!

Who is He who from the grave
Comes to heal and help and save?
'Tis the Lord, O wondrous story!
'Tis the Lord, the King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall,
Crown Him! Crown Him, Lord of all!

Who is He that from His throne
Rules through all the world alone?
'Tis the Lord, O wondrous story!
'Tis the Lord, the King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall,
Crown Him! Crown Him, Lord of all!

Character Lessons

Check out this website that has activities to teach character with our kids.

http://scrapbookingtolearn.com/index.htm

Kerry

Need Creative Ideas for Wintertime?...or the holidays?

My good friend, Dani Callihan, (whose husband tutors at Schola Tutorials) just sent me a link that I'm sure you will enjoy. It looks like it has some pretty cool ideas for creative winter projects. Hope you enjoy it.

http://www.creativity-portal.com/

Kerry

Our Gingerbread Houses

My kids spent time last week creating gingerbread houses. Well, they aren't really gingerbread. We pasted (with frosting) graham crackers onto half & half containers. Then, we decorated them. Next year they want to build a large, real, Victorian gingerbread house.

If you want to see more pictures, one of my daughters posted them on her blog at http://www.xanga.com/sportschicks90

Kerry

btw, the pretzel standing up in the middle is the Narnia lamppost

A Very Late Christmas Greeting

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!

I just want to take a quick break from our day and wish you a very Merry Chistmas. As many of you know, Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

This Christmas season I learned so much about Christian heritage of our traditions and carols. I’d like to share one “ah-ha” with you. Last night at our Christmas Eve service of Lessons & Carols, we sang “O Come, All Ye Faithful”. For the first time I had a fuller understanding of the second verse of this beautiful hymn. Since we studied the church’s creeds this past summer and fall, I now know where these phrases originate. A cool side note: my daughter told me exactly where these phrases came from when I started to share my thoughts this morning at breakfast.

God of God, Light of Light

Lo, He abhors not the Virgin’s womb

Very God, begotten, not created

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore him,

Christ the Lord

Until this past summer, I did not realize the importance of our creeds and the Christian heritage they provide for us. The creeds are not greater than the Bible by any means, but they do illuminate and state the church’s beliefs over the centuries. Our Christian forefathers fought heretics during the Nicene Council. The heretic, Arius, did not believe that Jesus was fully God and fully man. Arius also believed that Jesus was created since He is the Son of God. Arius was defeated at the Council of Nicea. From this council, the Nicene Creed was written. I highlighted the parts that were controversial at that time and also included in.

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.

Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Jesus Christ was born over 2000 years ago and that is why I wish you a MERRRY CHRISTMAS. Jesus is God Almighty, the only one who has conquered death and sin. We all have sinned and we all need Christ’s payment for our sin. If you do not trust in Christ for your sins, please consider the following.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

…Therefore, as through one man’s offense (Adam) judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act (Jesus) the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.

For as by one man’s disobedience (Adam) many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience (Jesus) many will be made righteous.

Romans 5:1, 8, 18-19

May God bless you and your family this Christmas season!

Blessings,

Kerry Beck

What is Boxing Day?

Today is also commemorated as an official holiday in Britain (and Canada as my middle daughter told us this morning) as Boxing Day. My kids thought this was a celebration of those who box as a sport. They were surprised at the true meaning of Boxing Day.

On this day boxes of food are to be delivered to the needy, and in days gone by were given to servants from their employers. The spirit of Wenceslaus is demonstrated so that the entire community may celebrate with joy the manifestation of the Good News.

Often churches organize the day to particularly serve the physical and spiritual needs of their neighbors and thus demonstrate that the Scriptural injunctions to exercixse Word and Deed compassion are still in full force.

After reading this account in Christmas Spirit, we were struck with what we want our future church to do on Dec. 26. For all our talk about following historical precedents, I think this is one of those very visible ways to show the true gospel.

Kerry

Who is St. Stephen?

Today is St. Stephen's Day, in honor of Stephen the first martyr of the Christian faith. This morning we read his story in Acts 6, 7, & 8.

Stephen was killed because of his convictions about the revelationof Christ in the world. Indeed, according to the Book of Acts, he was the very first martyr of the Christian faith. For centuries, Christians have remembered his faithfulness on the day after Christmas, December 26. It is a day for selfless care for the needy, the despised, and the unloved.
taken from Christmas Spirit

Kerry