If you’re unfamiliar with this tragedy, watch the video below:

I’m not being sarcastic… this is a tragedy.  It’s a tragedy that we take so much for granted while so many go hungry in our world.

Take a look at the tag of the shirt you’re wearing.  Where’s it made?  China, Thailand, Indonesia?  Imagine being a teenager there… and say a prayer for the people in that country.

Pray that you would keep a bigger perspective before when you start to feel Teenage Affluenza rearing its ugly head within you.  Pray that God would show you how you could give more.  Pray that that you would learn to love like Jesus loved…

Only you (and your parents) can guard yourself against Teenage Affluenza.  Be on guard!

I really shouldn’t put up this post until I’ve got some photos, but I don’t have a photographer right now.

I ordered some dresses through eBay. They were pre-owned, and I was a little wary of buying things without trying them on. But it is just as well that I didn’t. I love the new dresses!

They are Amish/Mennonite made. One is black, with a separate black cape and apron. One is lavender, with attached cape and a back zip. I also ordered a separate white cape and apron, and a cap. They are, as expected, beautifully made. They all fit exquisitely well, much better than the clothes I have.

I have a tendency to buy clothes that are too big, because I feel more comfortable and a bit more secure in hiding my – um – classically proportioned – body. This may not be practical, after all, because I realize from time to time that I look like I’m wearing some other person’s clothing. It’s a bit odd, isn’t it, that Plain clothes, made right, fitted well, make me look more feminine? They are modest enough, although Mother Kay suggested that some new, fitted undergarments might be appropriate.

Maybe it was the years in loose jackets, black skirts and cassocks, but I had fallen into a habit! Literally! I looked like an Orthodox nun, with layers of clothes and everything loose and drapey. All I needed was the kamalafke (the tall hat that looks like a truncated cone, with a little veil in the back.)

The prayer cap is a starched midwestern style Mennonite cap, with sweet little pleats up the back. It’s very formal looking, and it fits well. You can’t see the outline of my bun, like with the soft, seventeenth century country caps I usually wear.

Nicholas is very pleased with the experiment. He thinks I look younger and more feminine. That must be a good and Godly thing! Good-bye Oma!

I am a very spoiled child.  I am the baby of the family and growing up I was the apple of my grandfather’s eye.  My grandmother used to say that he and I were “like two peas in a pod”.  When we would visit them on their farm in Iowa, he and I would go everywhere together, to the co-op, to pick up the “bean walkers” (he was a soybean farmer), and even out on the tractor during harvest.  I loved being with him and I loved him doting on me with his neighbors and buying me M&M’s.  Life was good.

Then came the day I’ll never forget.  I don’t remember what I wanted to do, but I can remember asking my grandfather repeatedly to let me.  He patiently told me that I couldn’t because I was in my good clothes.  I argued with him, in my sweet granddaughter way, that the clothes weren’t special and that it would be okay.  I was not used to him telling me no. 

According to my mother (his daughter), he was not used to children, much less a 7 or 8 year old, arguing with him.  I found this out when he finally became frustrated with me and sternly told me “no” in a tone that I knew meant the discussion was over.  I ran off crying because “my feelings were hurt”.  In truth I think I was more startled and shocked because he had never used that tone with me before.  I may have also been embarrassed that I had pushed him to that limit.  If I wasn’t then, I am now.

I would like to say that I came to my senses and realized in how many different ways he spoiled me, loved me, and said yes to me.  I’d like to say I went and told him I was sorry for arguing with him, but I didn’t.  I kept waiting for him to apologize to me.  He didn’t.  By the end of the day my childish mind had forgotten about it all and the next day I probably had M&M’s in my hand again.

I was so spoiled by my grandfather that I did not recognize the authority he had over me as an adult and protector.  I took for granted our relationship at that point and became caught up in the intoxication of getting what I wanted and doing what I wanted to do.  I felt like I was in control and I liked it a lot.

How many of us have become intoxicated by everything we have been given and all we are able to do that we have lost sight and understanding of God’s sovereignty and authority over us?  It is almost like we are in bondage to our freedom and affluence.  How much more are those, who have so little, able to recognize the many blessings and provisions of God?  I still fall into a pouting fit when He doesn’t do what I want.  I still lose sight of all of the many ways He has said yes to me.

Father forgive me for being selfish and wrapped up in those things that I want and the way I want my life to work.  Forgive me for losing sight of your authority and sovereignty over me and all that is.

Am I willing to pray to be less spoiled so that I have a clearer image of who God is and what He is doing in my life?  I want to say that I am, but then again I don’t.  I guess I am still in bondage to my M&M’s.

Father, continue your work in me.

Jennifer Young, LPC is a Local & Telephone Christian Counselor.  For more information visit www.Thy-Kingdm.com

My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!              From Luke 1:46-47 

 “I want to praise the Lord!  I love Him with all my heart and soul.  He is my God and my Savior.  He has chosen me to give birth….The Mighty One has done this and made this unheard-of-thing happen.  Blessed be His holy name.  In every generation His mercy and graciousness have been with those who wish to honor Him, and it will always be that way….He has always been ready to help Israel according to His mercy.”  From Luke 1 in Clear Word

My heart is full of praise as I write about the miraculous birth of our brand new baby boy: Nathan Joseph Brasuell.  Now, for those who have followed his story you will understand what I mean.  Though my experience is not as completely “unheard of” as Mary’s was, of course, I still can relate to the words Blanco paraphrased.  We almost lost Nathan when I was only 12 ½ weeks along due to the placenta tearing away from the uterus.  Miraculously, the placenta reattached and no tear was visible on the next ultrasound.  This is fairly unheard of, definitely uncommon, in the medical community.  After spending 8 weeks or so on bed rest as a protective measure, the pooled blood absorbed properly and my pregnancy continued normally.  I was even able to exercise clear up to the end which I found quite satisfying compared to the bed rest days.

This miracle was not wrought by God in secret.  Many of His faithful from church, in the community of believers, and even those spread all across the country interceded on behalf of my precious son and our family. 

Maybe you prayed for little Nathan, our Baby Hope, and now he’s here!  Thank you!! 

Some had walked through our first loss, prayed and rejoiced with Andrew’s safe arrival, and now fought the good fight of faith asking God to intervene on this new life.  I have heard some of these prayer warriors commenting on how faith building it has been for them to see God’s hand in this experience. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!

Mary submitted herself to God’s will for her life.  When told that she was the one to bear Jesus, she declared that she was God’s willing hand maiden (Luke 1:38).  I, too, chose to be submitted to Him. For me, there is an indescribable joy at being allowed the privilege of carrying and bearing and raising my child for Jesus.  Now, as I hold little Nathan in my arms and stroke his cheek and let his fingers grasp around mine, I can hardly believe he’s really here.  Gabriel’s promise to Mary still rings true:  “With God nothing is impossible.”  (v. 37)  When I was in the ER in June all I wanted to do was hold him and rock him and comfort him through the trauma his home was going through.  But I believe that’s where God was and what He was doing that day for him, for us.  Despite all the problems happening around him, each ultrasound showed Baby Nathan growing and all his organs functioning properly, as if he was being totally shielded from everything else.  God did that!  Only God.

Many times on this blog I have emphasized the need to praise God in tough times and for even bad things, but today I shout my praises to God for these good times and for this great thing which He has done! 

Sometimes our praise comes in whispers and whimpers and other times it is with songs and shouts.  Give God your praise today, however it comes!  Don’t hold back in times of joy!  Let Him hear your praises ring!  Open your hands and heart and revel in the great mercy and goodness of our God!

So. I’ve had plans. Awesome ideas to change the world. Revelations that should revolutionize those within my sphere of influence.

But lately with the “economic crisis” [cue ominous clouds and rolling thunder] I was laid off twice in one year, and over the past few years I’ve just been bouncing from job to job in the panic to provide for my family.

I guess in all this concern and worry I’ve been sacrificing the actual things I was put here to do. Yes, raise a family is #1 on the list of priorities. But close second is giving my family a vision to rally behind. So far I’ve just been trying to put food in their bellies to the neglect of a real reason for living. To the neglect of inspiration.

So, I’m crammed in between a rock and a hard place – dedicate most of my energy to leading my family into a purposeful life, showing my children the world and ministering to the lost and families. Or put a roof over our heads and food in our mouths and work on the goals in my spare time.

I’ve got an accountant on one shoulder and a motivational speaker on the other.

Once again we provide you with an excellent article from Moments Together For Couples.  You can receive these devotionals each day via e-mail.  Simply follow the link to sign up!

To Mirror God’s Image

Genesis 1:27
And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Hanging in my mother’s bedroom is a photograph of the Grand Teton Mountains. I gave her that 8×10-inch enlargement after photographing the Tetons from the edge of Jenny Lake.The morning I took that picture, Jenny Lake was like a mirror. If you take the photo and turn it upside down you can’t tell which mountains are real and which are a reflection.

When I look at that picture, I think of God’s first purpose for marriage: to mirror His image. To “mirror” God means to reflect Him; to magnify, exalt and glorify Him. A successful marriage between two committed Christians provides a tangible model of God’s love to a world that desperately needs to see who He is.

Because we’re created in the image of God, people who wouldn’t otherwise know what God is like should be able to look at us and get a glimpse of Him. People are never more like God than when they love one another and remain committed to each other despite their flaws.

But what happens if you toss a stone into that perfect reflection? My good friend and colleague Dave Sunde told me he once visited Jenny Lake on that same kind of clear, still day. He watched a boy skip a small stone across the placid water and immediately the perfect reflection of the mountains was distorted. God’s image, His reflection, is distorted when a husband or wife allows sin to enter his or her life or relationship. Your marriage represents God; protect it from the “stones”-the sin-that will distort His image.

Prayer:

That God will help you keep your “mirror” polished and clear, so His image will be reflected in the way your family lives.

Date Night Discussion: When people look at your marriage, how do they see an example of God’s love? What would people learn about God from your marriage?

How strong would you say your marriage is?

Are you equipped to face the unexpected challenges that are bound to come?

How can anyone be prepared?

Only by trusting in a Sovereign God who knows us and our spouse better than we know ourselves can we hope to be ready to face these challenges.  This is part of the mystery and adventure called marriage.

So many say, “I Do”, with an unrealistic expectation of a life of romance, roses and pure bliss!  Having been married for nearly 31 years, we know that marital love consists of so much more!  It’s about laying your life down for the other, 100%, without demands for anything in return.  The concept of each giving 50%, or meeting halfway, doesn’t go far enough.  For marriage to work, there must be complete and total surrender to your spouse  for their good – not your own.

Today marks the release of a new movie available on DVD titled, No Greater Love.  Although we haven’t seen it yet, the trailer looks compelling.  We’ve also read the high recommendations of Family Life’s, Dave Boehi.  We encourage you to order the DVD and make plans to watch it for an “at home” date night.  It is a movie that values Biblical convictions that are worth emulating.  And it’s sure to be a great springboard for meaningful communication.

We are only a couple of weeks away from, what has become a great winter tradition in the United States, the viewing of the annual Superbowl commercials.

In this tradition, companies spend ridiculous amounts of money to buy a minute of television air time, and to produce the most creative advertisements and thus get their brand name in front of people around the world.

Names like Nike, Pedigree, Fed-EX, and Capitol One are likely to be seen.

The purpose of these advertisements is to instill a connection in the minds of people so when they have a need they will remember the brand name.

It’s sort of like selling your name in search of future rewards.

For the past several decades brand names have become increasingly more important in society world wide. In watching coverage of some of the recent disasters; Katrina, Ike, The Asian Tsunami, and most recently the Haiti earthquake, you will see the impact of brand name appeal.

As people are rescued. in these disasters, be it from rooftops, floating debris, or dug from beneath tons of rubble from a collapsed building, they often are wearing a Nike shirt, a Los Angeles Dodgers hat, or some other brand name which has become a symbol of success or affluence. Even in the scenes from the poorest of nations, Haiti, Sudan, Afghanistan for example, people manage to grab hold of a brand.

In the United States, young men and women have lost their lives over a pair of shoes or a shirt bearing a particular brand name. People have had their fingers cut off and hands otherwise mangled, to get a ring or watch of a particular brand. People have been shot or stabbed, even had their children drug alongside a speeding SUV because the vehicle was a favorite carjacking brand.

The people of the world have become so fasinated with brand names they will spend huge sums, often sums they don’t have, to acquire merchandise of a particular brand.

As I look around the internet it is becoming increasingly apparent that fatherhood is becoming a subject of interest. Much like wedding sites, fatherhood sites are springing up everywhere. Some are becoming so popular they are attracting sponsors and are becoming sites that dispense merchandise as well as advise.

This in and of itself is not a problem. There is no reason anyone should be condemned for using their own creativity and experience to make a living. The problem comes when the line between fatherhood and brand identification become blurred.

Fatherhood is not a brand name!

Fatherhood is the relationship between a father and his child. It is a sacred and ordained relationship that is natural to the human experience. It is spiritual as well as physical in nature and, when done in excellence, mirrors the relationship between God and man.

Psalms 16:4-5 talks about our relationship with God in these terms;

“4) Don’t just go shopping for a god. Gods are not for sale. I swear, I’ll never treat god names like brand names. 5) My choice is you, God, first and only. And now I find I’m your choice.” (The Message)

If God is our example of the perfect father then, likewise, we should never treat fatherhood like a brand name. Fatherhood in not for sale. Like our relationship with our Father God, we should strive to keep fatherhood an intimate and personal relationship.

En servicio como Padre

Dave

Below is the information taken from the family worship guide Fall 2009 and can be found at this site: http://familyworshipguide.net/  Although we do not have any formal ties with the website or the ministry we have found this to be extremely helpful.

Please note that they began going through the Bible and the catechism in August so our posts will not coorepsond with their web page, but our information was taken from their guide that was published in the fall. If this is your first time considering family worship or you are not familar with it please contact us for help or visit the Family Worship Guide website for more helpful information.

The Catechism questions are from “A Catechism for Boys & Girls” by Tom Nettles.

The entire catechism can be found here.

In addition to this remember that for the singing part feel free to use other songs that might be more familar for your family.

READ

                                 Family Passages         Personal Passages

Sunday:          Sermon passage          Gen. 13:2-18, 1 Chron. 13, Psalm 12, Luke 8:4-21

Monday:         Gen. 6:11-22               Gen. 14, 1 Chron. 14, Psalm 13, Luke 8:22-56

Tuesday:        Gen. 7                                     Gen. 15, 1 Chron. 15:1-16:3, Psalm 14, Luke 9:1-50

Wednesday:   Psalm 3                       Gen. 16, 1 Chron. 16:4-43, Psalm 15, Luke 9:51-10:24

Thursday:      Prov. 3                        Gen. 17, 1 Chron. 17, Psalm 16, Luke 10:25-42

Friday:           Matt. 4:23-25              Gen. 18:1-15, 1 Chron. 18-20, Psalm 17, Luke 11:1-36

Saturday:       Rom. 2:1-11                Gen. 18:16-33, 1 Chron. 21:1-17, Psalm 18, Luke 11:37-12:12

PRAY

ACTS: Adoration – Confession – Thanksgiving – Supplication

Sunday: Pray that God will be glorified through you in the upcoming week.

Monday: Pray for the adults in your church.

Tuesday: Pray for your local leaders.

Wednesday: Pray for those who are sick and need physical healing.

Thursday: Pray for specific opportunities to share the message of Christ with others.

Friday: Pray for the families in your church.

Saturday: Pray that God will be glorified in tomorrow’s worship gathering.

SING

“Come, Let Us Worship and Bow Down,” no. 7 in The Worship Hymnal

MEMORIZE

Be sure to review the scripture memory verses and catechism questions from previous weeks!

Scripture: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” –Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)

Catechism:

5. Q. Why ought you to glorify God?

A. Because he made me and takes care of me (Rom. 11:36; Rev. 4:11; cf. Dan. 4:39).

6. Q. Are there more gods than one?

A. There is only one God (Deut. 6:4; Jer. 10:10; Mark 12:29; Acts 17:22-31).