John 15:13

The verse that has been in my head all day is John 15:13, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

I don't know that this scripture completely applies to soldiers, but Memorial Day always makes me reflective of the sacrifice that so many have given to preserve our nation's freedom and protect us from harm. Politics aside, there is evil in the world. I am grateful for the brave men and women who give up their comforts, conveniences, safety and sometimes so much more to keep some of those evils as far from me and my family as possible.

Multitude Monday ~ Memorial Day

87. Freedom

88. Brave men and women who sacrifice their own comfort and safety to ensure mine.

89. Government of the people, by the people and for the people

90. Memorial Day services

2 Corinthians 3:5

My devotion this morning was from 2 Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.

I know I can tell when I am trying to run on my own strength. It isn't long before I crash and burn.

There was another suggestion that I think I am going to try. We obviously need to ask for God's help in areas that we struggle in, but also we need to remember to give give God praise for enabling us to do the things that come easily to us. The book suggested making a list of things we do well, whether throwing great birthday parties for our kids or cooking meals for our family or whatever-and then next to each one write "thank you God, for enabling me to do this." We can't allow ourselves to take credit for anything good we do. It's all Him.

Psalm 51:10

This morning my devotion was on Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me."

I am sometimes guilty of going through my day doing all the things I should to serve my family, but doing those chores with a very grumbling spirit. (hmm...there is that gentle spirit issue again)

I also was reading in James and came to chapter 3 where he talks about the tongue, which is usually where my grumbling spirit vents at my family. Good verses to meditate on today.

Luke 10:41-42

I am detecting a theme in the verses God keeps putting before me during my devotional time. Tonight's was especially convicting since I was finally sitting down to have my devotional time at 10:00 p.m.

Luke 10:41-42 "Martha, Martha" ... you all know the rest.

Anyway, it seems clear that the Lord is wanting me to re-examine my priorities and probably re-focus my energies. OK, Lord, I'm listening.

Colossians 3:2

My devotion this morning was on Colossians 3:2, "Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things."

This is something the Lord has been really speaking to me about recently, mainly in the discipleship of my family. We so easily fall into a pattern of focusing on academics, chores, ball practice, music lessons and on and on that I worry that I am missing my opportunity to really disciple them. I want to take full advantage of these precious years that they are with me, and train them to be soldiers for Christ.

Multitude Monday ~ 5/24/2010

73. ceiling fans

74. a cup of hot tea in my favorite mug

75. this face:

76. the smell of sheet dried on a clothes line

77. the dear friends in our online accountablity group, Good Morning Girls, who help me be consistent in my walk with God.

78. The joy of having a garden to plant

79. the untold potential of freshly tilled dirt




80. prayers answered in a mighty way

(that slab of granite will read "Krabel" soon!)


81. Bath & Body Works' "Twilight Woods" ~ my new favorite!

82. family reading before bedtime

83. blueberry muffins on Saturday mornings

84. the way Constance's hair smells after a bath

85. listening to Katie practice Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu

86. a decade of homeschooling with no casualties