Misa clandestina; betrayal and redemption

Why is betrayal so painful? Because it is born of love. One can not betray one’s enemy. We can only

http://identitylovefaith.wordpress.com/2012/04/09/misa-clandestina-betrayal-and-redemption/

How to Memorize Scripture.

The Struggle

     Guys, I don’t know about you, but I have really struggled in my life when it comes to memorizing verses of the Bible. I have memorized many verses, but it came honest. I would find my self spending hours and hours reading note cards and just doing repetition or writing it over and over. Nothing I did seemed very beneficial. I am proud to report that I learned a technique for memorizing large portions of scripture and doing it fairly quickly. It works for me. It really speeds up the process. Please do not be deceived. The verse did not learn itself, but the system helped. For example, I memorized Psalms chapter one in just under an hour. Its only six verses, but this would have required hours and hours before. I am writing this post to demonstrate for you how this system works. I hope it will be a blessing to you.

The System Sounds Dumb

Before I start, let me say that this sounds down right silly. When I first heard about this memorization technique I just wrote it off as another silly gimmick. But as I was working on some verses last night, I decided to give it a shot…and it worked! So here it goes.

Creating and Organizing Files

The first thing you have to do is create “files” in your mind. Annnnnd this is where you stop reading. Please don’t…stay with me. So you create files in your mind. By files, I mean places to store sections of your verse for easy recall. In each file you create a visual cue that reminds you of the words in the verse.  Take 5 rooms in your house. Identify 5 large pieces of furniture (or something like that) for each room and assign a number to each piece. So room 1 will have 1-5; room 2 will have 6-10 etc. Keep the pieces of furniture in order in your mind. I approached this by starting with the entry way and sort of working clock wise. This helped me to keep the furniture in order. Let me demonstrate. Room 1 for me was my living room. 1-Front Door, 2-TV, 3-Couch, 4-Floor Lamp, and 5-Desk. Room 2 was the kitchen/dining room. 6-Dining Table, 7-Counter, 8-Oven, 9-Door to Garage, and 10-Refrigerator. Room 3 was 11-Bed, 12-Door to hall, 13-TV, 14-Closet, and 15-Dresser. I only needed 3 rooms for Psalms 1, so Ill stop here.

These are 15 “files” on which I can “store” sections of the verses. Seems like a lot of trouble doesn’t it? That’s what I thought until I tried it. These are all things we can visualize without any effort because we see our homes everyday.

How to Store the Verses in Your Files

Take a section of your verse and assign it to file-1 and visualize something going on with file 1 that will remind you of the verse section. Then you repeat the steps with file-2, file-3, file-4 etc until you have the verse memorized.

Let me show you what I mean. I will use the exact files and visualizations that I used to memorize Psalms 1.

The Living Room

Front Door - “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked” I pictured a man walking through the front door and the first thing he sees in a group of ugly witches offering advice. Over their faces is a big red x (which means no…or in this case not)

TV - “nor stands in the way of sinners,” I pictured the man being sucked into the TV and getting stampeded in a jail break by prisoners. In other words, he was standing in the way.

Couch - “nor sits in the seat of scoffers;” This one was easy. The same man falls out of the tv onto the crowded couch (crowded with scoffers no less)

Floor Lamp -  “but his delight is in the law of the Lord” On top of the Lamp (de light) is a big thick law book

Desk - “and on his law he meditates day and night.” The man runs and hops on the desk, which has another thick law book on it. He is standing on the desk…and on top of the law book with a look of intense concentration. He was wearing a polo shirt (day) and pajama pants (night)

By now you are probably getting the picture so there is no reason for me to continue. A quick tip…the crazier the mental image, the easier it is to remember. Some of you are probably thinking that this is really dumb. I thought that until I tried it. I came to find out that this is a very popular memorization technique. The man who holds the fastest time for memorizing a random deck of cards in order uses this method. So I can only tell you that it works for some people. Give it a shot. One thing is for certain. If you are not memorizing Scripture at all, then this method is better than the one you are using.

Piper on why you should memorize Scripture. 

Memory Champion demonstrating this system 

http://michaelwilbanks.wordpress.com/2012/04/09/how-to-memorize-scripture/

Remember the Easter story

What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word ‘Easter’? Hopefully you said something like ‘Jesus’ or ‘sacrifice’ or other words related to the reason behind the season. Hopefully you didn’t say ‘chocolate’. But the truth is, most of us have a very strong association between Easter and chocolate. Whilst I’m not against buying Easter goodies (I confess to being rather a chocoholic…), I do think it’s very sad that eggs, chicks and bunnies have taken precedence over Jesus at this time of year.

Taking the first question a step deeper, ask yourself (or even better, your kids) – What is the first thing your children think of when they hear the word ‘Easter’? If they are only little, you may be inclined to be more understanding if they answered ‘chocolate’, but I think this is just more sad. They have had less time exposed to the commercialism of the world, and are more influenced by us. What are we teaching our kids? Are we actively and intentionally teaching them about Jesus’ gift to the world, or are we letting them grow up to think of Easter simply as a time to buy chocolate?

The commercialised world we live in puts an unthinkable amount of money and resources into strengthening our association between Easter and buying chocolate – and baskets, and stickers, and cards, and fluffy chicks, and stuffed bunnies and anything else it can think of. But nice as these things can be, they have nothing on the awesome events that we are actually celebrating this Easter. How can chocolate compare to salvation?! As parents, we should be passionate about teaching our children the real, eternal significance of the events that took place on the first Easter.

But how can we do this? Teaching our kids to think of Jesus before chocolate isn’t always easy! I think the answer is twofold:

• Firstly, we need to emphasis the Easter story to our kids. Tell it to them over and over. Write it down, make crafts about it, draw pictures of it, sing songs about it, watch movies on it, play games about it. Get it into their heads and hearts every way we can think of.
• Second, we can make use of commercialised products, and teach our children to associate them back to Jesus. We must help our kids to see Easter eggs, chicks and bunnies, and immediately think of ‘new life’ and what that means to us as followers of Christ.

At our house this year we had an ‘Easter Story Treasure Hunt’. I wrote down a simple version of the Easter story, and along side each section I put a clue, helping them to find the next part of the story. At the end of the story was a prize.  Below are the story and clues I put together, which you are free to copy and edit for your own use, and some pictures of my kiddies enjoying the hunt!

About two thousand years ago something amazing happened. God came to earth in the form of a baby boy – Jesus. As Jesus grew up, He became wise. God was pleased with Him.

The next clue is somewhere that Princess goes every morning when she gets dressed.

———————————————————————————

When Jesus was a man He taught people about God’s love, and His plan to save them. After a few years, Jesus knew it was nearly time for Him to die.  He went to a garden one night to pray.

The next clue is in hiding with some sweet food.

———————————————————————————

Jesus was very sad, but He told God that He would do whatever God knew was best.  Soldiers came and took Jesus away.  Lots of people told lies, saying Jesus had done bad things.  They decided to kill Jesus.

The next clue is with your Word friends.

———————————————————————————

After Jesus had been beaten, He was nailed to a cross where He died.  But this is not the end of the story!  After three days Jesus came back to life again!

The next clue is somewhere cold.

———————————————————————————

Today Jesus is still alive.  He left us the Holy Spirit and the Bible so that we can learn about Him, and about how we can have a new life after we die, too.

You will find your prize somewhere warm and snugly.

———————————————————————————

May we all remember to delight in the joy of the Easter story, and pass it on faithfully to our children.

http://writingonthedoorposts.com/2012/04/09/remember-the-easter-story/

Campbell - How to really love your child

CELC

158.24C

Campbell

Personal Author:

Campbell, Ross, 1936-

Title:

How to really love your child / D. Ross Campbell.

Publication info:

Wheaton, Ill. : Victor Books, c1977.

Physical description:

132 p. ; 21 cm.

Summary:

Personal Author:

Campbell, Ross, 1936-

Title:

How to really love your child / D. Ross Campbell.

Publication info:

Wheaton, Ill. : Victor Books, c1977.

Physical description:

132 p. ; 21 cm.

Summary:

Many parents would be dismayed to discover that their child feels unloved. After all, they make sure that their child has the things they need. They attend their child’s school events. They buy their child the things they want. So why is it then that most children doubt that they are genuinely and unconditionally loved?

In this best-selling book, Dr. D. Ross Campbell reveals the emotional needs of a child and provides parents with the skill and techniques that can begin to help make your child feel truly loved and accepted. You’ll learn to really love your child through every situation of child rearing from physical touch to discipline and from affirmation to spiritual nurture.

Subject term:

Parent and child.

Subject term:

Love.

ISBN:

0882077511

Tags:

child rearing, children,  Christian, Christian Living, Christian Parenting, counseling, discipline, family, inspiration, love, marriage and family, parenting, psychology, relationships

http://celclibrary.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/campbell-how-to-really-love-your-child/

Books We Read: Queen Anne’s War and William Penn

This week, we studied dissenters in America and the Age of Reason. Next week, we’re looking at colon

http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com/2012/04/06/books-we-read-queen-annes-war-and-william-penn/

Yes, I am THAT Mom

Yes, I am that mom…I admit it.  I am imperfect and I have messed up many, many times.

I have lost my cool.

I have punished unfairly.

I have reacted instead of responded.

I have made some bad decisions.

Yes, I am that mom…far from being “super mom,” I have done some dumb things.

I have lost a child in the mall.

I have forgotten a child in the van.

I have pinched my child’s finger in the door.

I have popped a cherished balloon.

Yes, I am that mom…sometimes a disappointment to my children.

I have thrown away their artwork.

I have threatened to run away.

I have disciplined them in front of their friends.

I have not believed them when I should have.

I will never claim to be perfect.  But I am so glad that I know the Perfect One.  He sees beyond my missteps, to the heart of who I really am as a mother.

I am so grateful for His grace working in and through me…I am so thankful that there is more to me than my mistakes.  I am thankful that He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion.

And this Easter I want to take the time to show my gratitude for the One who not only died on the cross for my sins and rose again…but for the One who continues to mold and shape me.

Happy Easter!

http://heartofamothersprayers.wordpress.com/2012/04/07/yes-i-am-that-mom/

BB Guns, Dandelions, Overalls and Butterflies . . .

. . . These are a few of my favorite things. Sorry.  That doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue,

http://wordsofhisheart.wordpress.com/2012/04/07/bb-guns-dandelions-overalls-and-butterflies/

With Words, I Dance Worship

“I was gonna blog but when I looked at all the blogs, everyone is either an English teacher or has a

http://bluecottonmemory.wordpress.com/2012/04/08/with-words-i-dance-worship/

Providence…do you know what it means?

My kids will tell you, I’m a big believer in “looking things up” when you’re not sure what they mean. I challenged my kids to do just that whenever homework or a book assignment forced them to ask about as specific word or meaning or place. Sometimes they would and sometimes they would whine a bit and say “Daaaaaaaad, just tell me!”

Looking at Easter and our upcoming celebration of Good Friday, I was praying - asking God to help me renew my appreciation of this Holy Day and I felt He led me to consider the word and concept of “Providence”. Ironically, my Heavenly father was telling me to “look it up” to be exact , just like I had with my kids… Here is what I found;

prov·i·dence

   /ˈprɒvɪdəns/ [prov-i-duhns – “God, especially when conceived as omnisciently directing the universe and the affairs of humankind with wise benevolence.” (Dictionary.com -source) so to be extra clear… here is what omniscient means – having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, or understanding; perceiving all things.

Ok, now that’s starting to make more sense… Easter is the time of year we Christians are supposed to stop and appreciate the majesty and power of God Almighty to redeem and restore us (mankind) from all that has been and all that will ever be. We have the modern luxury of having a 20/20 perspective of those historical events. We already know how the story really turns out, but for those disciples and followers of Jesus in the moment, it was NOT a good place or time…things were not turning out well for them in the short-term…

After three years of personal almost one on one times with Jesus, the twelve disciples had their lives flipped upside down and 180 from where they thought they were with Christ. Their Messiah (it seemed) had turned out to be totally human, capable of being deceived and politically manipulated into being a scapegoat and just another statistic of the Roman occupation of Israel. It appeared that Jesus was not who he claimed to be and that they (the disciples) had put their faith in a very sincere and dynamic Holy man, but in the end…just a man. Their disappointment, their frustration, confusion and their fear must have overwhelmed them. We know it did for Peter and Thomas, and with Judas betraying not only Jesus, but the other eleven…morale really could not have been much lower. Things were not turning out well…

Into this haze of disillusionment and fear, comes the reality of the Resurrection.

Jesus it turns out is in fact the Christ, He is the Messiah. His triumphant reunion with the disciples is well documented in the gospels, it is very specific, very intentional in the ways that He appears to them, addressing their individual doubts and fear and shame. He restores them all, touching and helping and encouraging them to pick up where they left off… more convinced than ever that Jesus is exactly who they thought, although His methods and manner is so different from any other King in History that it still puzzles them.

So what’s this got to do with… Providence?

Simply this… whatever your going through, whatever your feeling, whatever “seems” to be off the rails in your life, is still under the divine principle of Providence. God has not abandoned you, He has not walked away and left you to lie in a pile of your own poo, He is alive, living, active and working to restore and renew the things that have been broken in your life. He’s all about resurrecting the bones of our past failures into the new life and new hope of a redeemed future. It’s more than a metaphor.

So this Easter, take a moment and reflect on the divine “Providence” of God in your life to date, remember how He has intervened in your life time after time to take care of you, to protect, provide and encourage you. He is constantly at work in our lives, healing our hurts and lifting our burdens, it’s just so hard sometimes to see those events from the prism of HOPE when we’re stuck in a life that has yet to be fully completed.

We can easily jump to the conclusion that because the things we want or have prayed for have yet to appear in our lives…(like the disciples after Jesus is killed) that God somehow has shrunk out of sight…that He just doesn’t have a role to play or won’t play in our lives. Nada, Nope, Not True… He’s there for you, behind the scenes, doing far more than we could ever ask or think in fact.

Let’s all make the effort this week to remember the WHOLE story of Easter. Remember the true nature of God and His divine “Providence” of life and truth as we consider the reality of who Jesus Christ is…one more time… only this year lets be sure to do so with Hope that comes from seeing the story within the story…with new eyes

No matter how difficult, tired or frustrated you may be… Easter is coming and it’s message is eternal and life-giving…a message of Divine Providence for you.

Peace out and Happy Easter from RTP!

brad.

http://roadtripparenting.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/providence-do-you-know-what-it-means/

Rainy Days

“Mom, it’s raining…  again!” We hear that a lot in our home here in the green state of Oregon.  We’v

http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/rainy-days/

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