A Jesus Shaped Life Quotes...

       

      

     

    

    

James 3:13 (NIV)...

Footnote from NIV Application Bible:

True wisdom is marked by humility.  The teachers James has in view have assumed a position of authority, offering themselves as "wise."  Neither Moses (Num. 12:1-3) nor Jesus (Mt. 11:29) were interested in popularity or power.  This is the spirit of true wisdom.  

Lion & Lamb by Brennan Manning Quotes...

 

Guidance Doesn’t Mean Control — It Means Love💛👨‍👧 ...

In a world filled with noise, opinions, and confusion, what children need most is clarity wrapped in love.

They don’t need perfection. They need parents who are present, patient, and anchored—people who will gently guide them through questions about who they are, while reminding them that they are already deeply loved, just as they are💛.

Parenting isn’t about choosing a path for them…It’s about walking with them, teaching them how to stand firm, how to think clearly, and how to grow with strength and compassion.

Because children become confident not from being told who to be—but from knowing they are safe enough to ask, wonder, and learn.

Love doesn’t erase identity.  Love shapes it with truth, guidance, and grace👨‍👧.

#ParentingWithLove #GuidanceMatters #RaisingWithGrace #StrongFamilies #LoveAndBoundaries #TeachingValues #PresentParents              #AnchorInLove

Happy 1st Day of Autumn...

Well Done Good & Faithful Servant!!!

Yesterday we watched Charlie Kirk’s Remembrance Service in parts because of our crazy work schedule. It was such a “well done” service for such an amazing young man who heard “Well Done” from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I’m ever so thankful for the courage this young man had to make a stand for Christ and to keep Standing and while standing reaching so many for the Kingdom of God. 

Our son, Tim, is a young man (17 1/2 years old) that was impacted by Charlie’s boldness. Unbeknownst to his father and I he's been watching and keeping up with Charlie Kirk for quite a long time. He knew more about the man than we did. We didn't know much about him because quite frankly we aren't the age group that he was trying to reach but our sons age group, the Gen Zers, are who he was reaching. They are the future of our country and if our country is to have a future they are the ones that need reaching.  

After watching many videos on Turning Point where Charlie was debating these college kids I'm so thankful, as a parent, that our son was impacted by Charlie's life. It makes me feel good, as a parent, to know that our son thought enough of Charlie to watch/listen to his messages to his age group. Our son is quite the thinker and Charlie brought home good solid points that left an imprint on him. It gives me peace of mind to know that our son is a "right" (pun intended) thinking young man. It's definitely how we've raised him but he has a mind of his own and with him being such a thinker and researcher on things he could have easily been led astray by the "left" and I'm so glad to see he's just the opposite.

Thank you Charlie Kirk for the impact that you made on so many young lives that was far more reaching than you probably ever realized. May your family and all those closest to you be blessed for years to come by the legacy you left behind that will spread farther than even they could think or imagine. Your voice and message will live on! RIP Charlie Kirk! You have "done well!"

Galatians 3:28 (NIV)...

Footnote from NIV Application Bible:

Those who are "in Christ Jesus" are those who believe in him; those who believe in him come from all walks of life, from every nation, and from both sexes. 

Romans 12:2 (NIV)...

(read v.1 & 2)

Footnote from NIV Application Bible (v.1-2):

(V.1-2) The command to "offer" ourselves to God reminds us of ch.6, where Paul used this same verb to express the basic response of believers to God's grace to us in Christ (see 6:13, 16, 19).  We no longer offer animal sacrifices; we now offer ourselves as "living sacrifices."  This offering of ourselves to God is our "true and proper worship" (12:1).  We offer ourselves not ignorantly, like animals brought to slaughter, but intelligently and willingly.  This is the worship that pleases God.

    The old age to which we belonged in our pre-Christian past entices us to follow its "pattern" of sinful behavior.  Rather than "conforming" our conduct to that age we must be "transformed" in our behavior by having a completely new mindset.  A new orientation in our thinking leads to a new orientation in behavior.  

Application (v.1-2):

We as believers are guided by our minds, which are in the process of being renewed by God's Spirit so that they perfectly reflect God's will.  But because that process will never be completed in this life, we still need the external guidance of God's commands as set forth in Scripture.  Put another way: Guidance computers in jet airliners tell pilots where they are and where to go, but airports still have runway lights.  Similarly, knowledge of the truth comes with a call to penal accountability.  

Studying The Bible Just Got Better...

I've spent the better part of a couple weeks organizing and getting rid of books.  Some books were homeschool books that just aren't needed anymore with Tim graduating this school year.  Others were either given away or boxed away for Tim to have for his own bookshelves when he has his own place someday.  I now have all my Bible study guides in one place along with most of my study books.  It sure feels good to have this done.

Deuteronomy 11:18 (NIV)...

Take a moment to read verses 13-32 for context.

Footnote from NIV Application Bible (v.13-32):

(v.12-21) The land symbolizes a choice between two ways: the way of blessing, prosperity, and life or the way of the curse, adversity, and death.  The people must commit themselves wholeheartedly to the covenant.  Yahweh's desire is to see their population explode as the lifespan of each generation increases on the land that he promised their ancestors.

(v.22-25) Yahweh will dispossess all the Canaanite nations in advance of the Israelites (v.23), and Israel will "dispossess" nations stronger and mightier than they are (v.23).

(v.26-32) Moses concludes this part of the sermon with a climatic appeal for decision; he is handing the Israelites the options of "blessing" and "curse."  With his call to decision, Moses challenges the new generation to respond with greater faithfulness than their parents had done.  Their future in the land depends on it.

Application Note: For those who claim to be God's people, every day is a day of decision.  Our commitment to Yahweh must not only be renewed at significant junctures in our lives, but each day.  The blessings associated with the covenant are not to be taken for granted or viewed as automatic rights.  The covenant established by Christ involves a special relationship, which demands constant investment of energy and devotion.  The options open to the Israelites - blessing and curse - are open to us, but how we experience them depends on our covenant commitment to Christ, demonstrated by active obedience.

(v.29-32) Moses' attention shifts to an anticipated event on the other side of the Jordan.  Having identified Mounts Gerizim and Ebal as the place for the ceremony, Moses offers a description of the location.  In v.31 Moses confidently announces the end of the journey for his people.

Application Note: This passage reminds us that God is faithful; he always keeps his promises.