Prayer for 2010

Lord, I pray for my ability in Christ to Be more grateful, Love more unselfishly, Live more passionately, Choose more purposefully, Laugh more freely, Care more deeply, Forgive more easily, Speak more boldly, Understand more clearly, Plan more hopefully, Serve more willingly, Give more faithfully, Accept more quickly, Sow more bountifully, Play more wisely, Feast more sparingly, Share more abundantly, Learn more broadly, Teach more humbly, Fumble more gracefully, Wait more patiently, Appreciate more timely, Listen more closely and above all Worship more fully.

Minnesota Christmas Morning

We love being hibernated by a blanket of fresh, white snow.
What better way to enjoy a Christmas morning?





The image of immaculate, untouched snow.












Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:7


We have a visual reminder each time it snows of the work that Christ does in our hearts - if we allow Him too.





When the weather report announces a winter storm on the way - we can remember what His word says and remind ourselves of His analogy of snow in our lives.




Time for reflection on what is going on in our hearts.






The cleansing act of repentance brings the advent of purity in our hearts.










A soft heart that hears the still, small voice of God.





A voice we all long to hear.



But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. John 10:2-5

Christ in Christmas

**Christmas is Christ in us.**





"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. "John 1:4







Grace 4 -Learning phonics and life from her older siblings, growing fast.


"Lord,
Show us how to reflect the light that You are in us.









Bethany 13 - Loves drawing, hanging out with friends, and teaching kids at church











Allison 15 learning ballet, earning a driver's permit, and playing music



'That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.' John 1:9






Emily 18 - Finishing high school, working at Caribou, and playing music


Show us how to love as You loved.

'But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:'
John 1:12







Teach us how to respond to Your grace
when we are wrestling with "doing our own thing."

We need your grace to keep forgiving one another when we fall short... again.
'And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you.' Eph 4:32

'And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.' John 1:16

Laura 20 - Developing her photography business and enjoys traveling wherever that takes her.



Keep us forever in your protection...
















...and thank you Lord, for all the blessings you have given to us.



Benjamin 22 - Finished with drafting school, working at Cabela's warehouse, and moving out with friends in the Spring








We are grateful for our family and friends that you put in our lives.





Each of them have helped us grow in our relationship with You.





Bridget - teaching Allison, Bethany and Grace at home, helping with the family housecleaning business



We ask Your blessing on the New Year for our family and friends.










Bless them with wisdom and grace, health and provision for their every need.






Tom - Working at his Chimney Safe business, Cabela's fishing dept., our family house cleaning business and keeping our home warm and cozy.


Grant every one a Merry Christmas!"

Mosaic Lives

It has been a busy year. We are finally getting back to posting.
Christmas time is always a great time to make a few homemade gifts from the heart.
This year it's mosaics.



Arts and crafts gives us reason
to slow down our busy lives

and create.

To have time to quiet our minds
and focus on one project at a time.

To think

about how Christ dwells in this part of our lives

and gives it all meaning and purpose.

"In Him was life and the life was the light of men" John 1:4


Our lives are mosaics.

When we are broken and in pieces

- at the end of ourselves-

is the moment we can allow Christ to pick us up and create something beautiful with our lives.

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. " Philippians 1:6


His grace is the glue that holds our broken bits

together

and gives us purpose.











It's all about Him

in

us.



"And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. "
Daniel 12:3

The Difference between a Boy and a Man

A boy often thinks he is a man – a man realizes how childish he can be.

A boy always tries to prove he is right – a man knows how imperfect he is and is willing to admit it.

A boy seeks excitement – a man is always excited with a moment of peace.

A boy expresses himself – a man helps others to express themselves.

A boy is content when he is fulfilled – a man is fulfilled when he is content.

A boy has big dreams – a man has patient plans.

A boy cries when he is hurt – a man cries when others are hurt.

A boy is eager to be known – a man is eager to know.

A boy finds happiness in what he is doing – a man finds joy in what he is being.

A boy’s next week is a long wait away – a man’s next week is suddenly upon him.

A boy sees the importance of the future – a man sees the importance of today that will affect his future.

Thank God for the men in your life - especially the Fathers.

The Romantic

Here, in the moonlight, he stands.The man whose heart is now broken.

His one and only love, gone.

The red rose dangles limp in his hand. This had not turned out the way they had planned.

She had to go. Beside the fact that he loved her so.


Love was like the roots of the trees in the circular grove.

Deep. Strong. Holding everything together.


She returned this affection to him as well, More then her red lips like the rose could tell.

It was in that last glance back she gave, when the look of sorrow and the tear in her green eyes whispered,

Good-bye.

Then she was gone.
Like a breath expelled in the cold night air - here for an instant, then gone...without a care.


He could not forget the image of her face.
After this beautiful creature, he longed to chase.

But he would not.

It had to be this way.

This rose will always be remembered. The flower, a story in itself.
The tale of two united by the soul
whose fire will burn on
from the intensity of the coal.


The flame ignited by that look in the eye. These are the ones who will always have each other, Until and also beyond the day they die.

Enjoy the breeze

Now this is a cool thought....

Spirit in the Greek translation pneuma means "a current of air."
1 Cor. 12:3 -"No one can say that Jesus is the Lord, except in the Holy Spirit."

The same air in motion (current of air):

-in Gen. 1:2 moved upon the face of the waters as a gentle breeze.

-in John 3:8 is described as a blowing wind.

-in Acts 2:2 was experienced by the disciples as a mighty, rushing wind.

-forms the words that we speak. Proverbs 18:21

Our salvation is the result of believing in our heart and confessing with our mouth-

an act of God's Spirit and our will.

Rom 10:8-13

God gave us the power to become His children

in giving us this ability to speak with our mouth

confessing Jesus as Lord.

Let's encourage eachother to speak words of life to one another.

Thoughts gathered from reading p. 15-16 in "49 Secrets of Power for Living" from Iblp.org

Our lives are our worship.

"Our sanctification does not depend as much on changing our activities

as it does on doing them for God,

rather than ourselves."

Brother Lawrence

1Th 5:23
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely,

and may your whole spirit

and soul

and body

be kept blameless

at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

www.blb.org

Repentance is a wildly liberating thing

Repentance is a wildly liberating thing
Confessing sins is a cleansing, emancipating grace."I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake,And I will not remember your sins."~Isa. 43:25

Now that Spring is here and Easter has been celebrated - we can continue to remember the goodness of God. He makes all things new.The light heart that we experience in the Spring is a gift of God

Some of these inspirational quotes come from this inspirational lady's blog. http://www.aholyexperience.com/2009/03/easter-lent-family-activity-box-of.html

When All Thy Mercies

When All Thy Mercies

When all Thy mercies, oh my God

My rising soul surveys,

Transported with the view I'm lost

In wonder, love, and praise.

Unnumbered comforts to my soul
Thy tender care bestowed

Before my infant heart could know

From whom those comforts flowed.

When worn with sickness, oft hast Thou

With health, renewed my face,

And when in sins and sorrows bowed,
Revived my soul with grace.

Through every period of my life

Thy goodness I'll pursue,

And after death, in distant worlds,

The glorious theme renew.

from Fernando Ortega's album "The Breaking of the Dawn" 1998

Back on line

Wow. We are back online. Connection to the outside world.

The Blessings of Obedience

The Blessings of Obedience
Rewards for those who submit to authority
God promises rewards to those who submit to authority. The following Bible verses reveal that this concept affects many aspects of life.

Things will be well with you.
“Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee” (Ephesians 6:2–3).

You will have a long life.
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother . . . that . . . thou mayest live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:1–3).

You will bring delight to the Lord.
“Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:20).

You will avoid fear of condemnation.
“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same, for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Romans 13:3–4).

You will maintain a good conscience.
“Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake” (Romans 13:5).
You will bring joy to your authorities.
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17).
You will receive God’s reward.
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:18–24).
You will avoid blaspheming God and His Word through rebellion.
“Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed” (I Timothy 6:1).
You will be given clear direction.
“My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee” (Proverbs 6:20–22).
You will be protected from evil people.
“For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: to keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman” (Proverbs 6:23–24).
You will gain discernment.
“A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent” (Proverbs 15:5).
You will receive praise from your authorities.
“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well” (I Peter 2:13–14).
You will honor those whom God has placed in authority over you.
“And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves” (I Thessalonians 5:12–13).
You will escape the destruction of pride.
“And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise . . . he is proud, knowing nothing” (I Timothy 6:2–4).
You will receive the grace God gives to the humble.
“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (I Peter 5:5–7).

Copyright © 1999–2007, Advanced Training Institute International The Advanced Training Institute International has been developed by the Institute in Basic Life Principles

LOVE

Love is as beautiful as a blossom flower. Can you imagine that GOD made this flower? He makes every one different, just like us - we are all different. In each one of us GOD put a seed. Each one is different.

Love Bethany

Always have a smile because GOD loves you

By Bethany Clawson

We should be thankful

We should be happy and thankful for having a place to LIVE
for other people do not have a home to keep them warm or safe.
So we should be very thankful and say thank you GOD for giving us a warm and safe place to LIVE and we love you.

By Bethany Clawson

God loves you

Each one of us are different

in God's own way.

If you think you're alone and no one loves you,

then you're wrong.

No one is alone or un-loved.

Why do you think God sent His son

to die on the cross then?

Because GOD LOVES YOU.

He will love you for eternity.

So I say thank you God,

and I love you so much.

LOVE Bethany

Ben's doodles

Ben's normal doodles.

"If My Words Abide in You"

Want to begin the New Year with better habits? Memorizing God's word is a great place to start. John 15:7

"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you,

ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Challies.com is an excellent site for assistance in memorizing scripture.

Memorization Tip
Just a week ago John Piper preached a sermon titled "If My Words Abide in You."

It deals with the necessity of storing up God's Word in our hearts. It would be well worth your time listening to (or reading through). You can find the link here: http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1575_if_my_words_abide_in_you/.
Here is part of the message's summary:

"What does this mean to have Jesus' words "abiding in us"?

More than memorizing Scripture, it means that Jesus' words take root in us—they find a home in us—and bear the fruit of faith and holiness.

But what does this have to do with memorizing Scripture?

The broad biblical answer is that the Holy Spirit awakens life and faith and personal transformation through the word of God in our conscious minds.

And anything that brings the word of God into connection with our minds will work to strengthen faith and bring about the fruit of transformed lives—and not just our own, but the lives of others also.

Memorizing Scripture makes this kind of connection

between God's word and our minds more constant, deep, and transforming.

Nothing else can take its place."

CHALLIES.COM.

Clean Temples

“… It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:13).

As a living temple of God, a believer’s life is to be characterized by prayer.

These were the words that jumped out at me as a rhema from heaven. How was I making this happen in my life? in my temple? How is my life being characterized by prayer?

If Jesus taught the disciples that their bodies were the temple of the living God where His Spirit desired to dwell, then the same message is for us today. What is keeping us from a prayer led life?

Our bodies, our minds have the potential to house the Spirit of the living God. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (I Corinthians 3:16). To the extent that we grasp this concept is the extent that we clean up our temple for Him. How are we cluttering our temple and turning it into a den of thieves? What comes in to our temple, our mind and spirit to rob our attention from God? What is robbing our affection and keeping us from loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength? Are we allowing activities and distractions in our lives to rob our ability to commune with our heavenly father and are they hindering us from hearing His voice? “Ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (II Corinthians 6:16).

Psalm 27:4 says "One thing that I have asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple."

It could be that God is calling us to holiness. Psalm 93:5 To clean up our temple and rid ourselves of distractions that rob us of a close relationship with Him.

John Piper explains this listening to God's voice in his own temple - http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2007/2021_The_Morning_I_Heard_the_Voice_of_God/

"God, bless us and keep us as we clean up our temples for You. Lead us not into temptations of distractions that clutter our lives and rob our attention away from You.
Through Christ our Lord

An email subscription to help you grow in your walk with Christ- dailysuccess@iblp.org

Laura's Saab story -
We are excited for her!!

New Year Greetings!
While my family sleeps away the New Year morning, after a New Year party of fun, I was doing some web searching on New Year celebrations. I found this Jewish web site called http://www.chabad.org/. Though they celebrate their New Year at a different time than ours, I was interested to see what meanings they attach to their start of another year and how it is celebrated. This article is one of many on their site describing basic customs and practices in the months surrounding their new year.

"The Lord bless you and keep you;" Num 6:24
When writing a letter or meeting one another, we bless one another by including the greeting Ketivah vachatimah tovah--which roughly translates as "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year."
Insights:

Bless You!By Yanki Tauber

You are ushered into a small room where time has stood still for centuries. An oil lamp flickers on the table; holy tomes cover every inch of the walls. A tzaddik with piercing eyes and a gentle voice pronounces the magic formula.
That's the picture that comes to mind when we think about receiving a blessing. Blessings are other-worldly things, resorted to when some drastic intervention is needed in our lives.
The truth is much simpler and much more profound. Everyone needs blessing, each and every moment of his or her life. And everyone can bestow a blessing.
Chassidic teaching explains that the word berachah (blessing) literally means "drawing down." Everything in life -- health, prosperity, joy, wisdom, peace of mind -- needs to be drawn down from its potential, spiritual state into the actuality of our physical existence. It's all there -- spiritually we are all healthy, wealthy and wise. The "problems" we experience in life are basically a matter of something gone wrong in the wiring. We're not connecting; our spiritual and physical selves are having trouble communicating.
The solution? Bestow a blessing.
Here's how it works. Let's say that your friend Chaim is experiencing financial difficulties. So you put your arm around his shoulder and say: "Chaim! May G-d grant you the money that you need!" By saying these words sincerely, with warmth and love and joy, you've blessed him. You've rotter-rootered that clogged supply line, opening up the flow. Just like that? Just like that.
We've all had the experience of hearing someone else give voice to an idea or describe a course of action, and suddenly realizing that we've been carrying this idea or action around in our own minds for the longest time. But until that person verbalized it, it was trapped inside our heads. Although we "had" it, we couldn't do it or even consciously think it. We didn't have the words for it, so it wasn't real to us yet.
A similar thing happens when you bless someone. The potential has been there all along, but saying it makes it real.
Your friend needs the blessing because he has reached a limit of what he can make real of his spiritual resources on his own. With your caring and compassion, with your love and joy, you bond with him to make an expanded self, thereby broadening the channels and unsnarling the lines of communication between his soul and his body, between his heaven and his earth.
Of course, being a holy person increases your blessing-giving powers. But the only thing you really need is a loving heart. And a nice big smile.
May you all be inscribed in the Book of Life for a year of goodness, health and prosperity.

By Yanki Tauber More articles...
By Yanki Tauber; based on the teachings of the Rebbe
About the artist: Sarah Kranz has been illustrating magazines, webzines and books (including five children's books) since graduating from the Istituto Europeo di Design, Milan, in 1996. Her clients have included The New York Times and Money Marketing Magazine of London
The content on this page is copyrighted by the author, publisher and/or Chabad.org, and is produced by Chabad.org. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you comply with the copyright policy.

Happy New Year! 2009

Thank God for fresh, new beginnings.

FYI: The days are getting longer now!