Still Reading

I am still working on the 90 day Bible reading challenge, although at this point, I am way behind. I am still reading, committed to finishing even if it takes longer than 90 days. Reading through the Bible using The Message paraphrase is really interesting. I am noticing things in even familiar passages that I hadn’t paid attention to before.  For instance, 2 Kings 14:6 “…parents shouldn’t be executed for their children’s sins, nor children for those of their parents. We each pay personally for our sins.” A good direct reminder in a day when personal responsibility for actions is too often missing.

90 Day Bible Reading Challenge – Take Two

A couple of years ago I started to take part in a challenge to read through the Bible in 90 days and then stopped, opting to instead read much more slowly. The challenge was once again recently presented on the MomsToolbox.com blog and this time I am participating with the intention to finish. The challenge started on July 11 and so far I am doing pretty well. I am currently about 1 day behind, but should get caught up this evening. I am using The Message translation for this challenge. This is helping to cause me to notice things I would otherwise skim over because they are familiar. So far I have finished Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus, and over half of Numbers. It is exciting to watch the story unfold and see how even the events in the beginning of the Old Testament lead toward Christ and the promise of a Savior.

Why Spumoni Spot?

So why is this blog called Spumoni Spot anyway? When I first began it, I had in mind a blog that was a mix of things, sort of like spumoni ice cream with its mix of pralines, fruit, nuts, and different flavors of ice cream. I had planned to place in this blog items that didn’t fit well in my other two blogs (a homekeeping blog at www.homekeeping-heather.blogspot.com and a book review blog at www.uncurablebookworm.blogspot.com).  So far I haven’t done much with this one. One of my goals for this year is to further develop this site. I plan to continue to add poems and devotionals and other essays on faith, but there may be other topics introduced as well. I’m looking forward to seeing what may develop.

Weeds

I spent an hour outside this morning pulling weeds out of the flower and herb beds and out of our landscaping. It has been an extremely hot and humid summer and the weed situation had gotten out of hand. So, even though it was still uncomfortably sticky out (even at 8:00 am!), I couldn’t stand it any longer and pulled the weeds. Although I ended up very hot and itchy, and there are still some stray weeds lurking around bushes, it felt so good to get rid of those ugly things that had been marring our yard for too long. I would much rather people notice the moss roses and snapdragons that are managing to flourish despite the heat, and not all the weeds in the yard.

It made me think, what “weeds” are there in my life that need pulling? What bad habits are there that I have let grow and spread for too long, marring my testimony? What weeds of procrastination, laziness, a sharp tongue, impatience, gossip, etc need to come out of my heart and out of my habits so that when people see me they see Christ and not a bunch of weeds?

What do you think? Are you ready to do a little weed pulling of your own?

Rough Roads

My husband has been doing a series with our youth group call Road Trip. He’s has been talking about the faith journey using a book (titled Road Trip) that he picked up at a conference. Last night the lesson was on things that are an indicator that life is not well (much like the check engine light in a car) and that help is needed. After talking about depression, cutting, alcohol and drug use, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, and pornography some of the kids came up to my husband (Jim) and told him they felt like he had been sitting in their homes and had just described their lives. There is so much that these kids are dealing with and very little or no support at home. During this school year both of the high schools that our teens come from have experienced the loss of a student due to a car accident. Just this past week a senior commited suicide leaving his parents and pregnant girlfriend devastated. Many times we have been asked “why???”. The anguish is real and the problems are daunting. Though very difficult and painful, Jim and I once again realize that this is why we are still doing volunteer youth ministry. Even though we often feel inadequate for the task before us, we push on loving on kids as best we can and showing them an alternative to the lifestyles they see at home.

Take a minute today and pray for the teens in your life. Pray for the teachers and youth leaders that are in your area. And add a prayer for Jim and me. The task of reaching teens and their families for Jesus is an ongoing uphill road with many bumps and one that will most likely get more difficult as the things our kids face loom large. Please pray and if you know a teen, go give them a hug.

At the Foot of the Cross

At the foot of the Cross
I prostrate myself,
so unworthy
of all Your have done.

At the foot of the Cross
I lay myself,
giving up all of me,
so I can be filled with more of You.

At the foot of the Cross
I place my burdens,
leave my questions,
give them all to You – never to be taken back.

At the foot of the Cross
I worship.
I lift my hands, my heart, my soul.
I praise You
until I can get up and live,
Live just as I was
at the foot of the Cross.

Christ Is All That Matters

Let go of frustration, tiredness, anger and impatioence.

Let go of comparison to others,

putting down, not measuring up.

Get rid of your yardstick!

Christ is all that matters.

Let go of bad days, missed opportunities,

illness and pain.

Let go of self-pity and isolation.

Get your mind off yourself!

Christ is all that matters.

Look up, seek peace, seek joy, show love.

Set your mind of higher things;

noble, pure and holy things.

There is a higher purpose.

Christ is all that matters.

Take hold of His love, His grace, His peace.

Let His spirit work in you.

Until when others look at you they will clearly see

that Christ is all that matters.

90 Day Challenge Change of Plans

In starting the 90 day read through the Bible challenge I have felt something lacking in reading through so fast. (Not to mention my difficulties in keeping up with the schedule). At the same time I have been trying to decide what I will do with my teen Sunday School class once we finish the book we are currently working through. I realized that my teens do not know the Old Testament very well. Many of them are on our church Bible quizzing team which helps them commit large portions of the New Testament to memory, but even some of our top quizzers will admit they do not know as much Old Testament beyond the stories they were taught in Sunday School when they were younger. I have decided to slow down and journal through the Bible while at the same time writing lessons for my class to help them better know the Old Testament and to hopefully encourage them to dig deeper on their own. I will post some of my journal entries and lessons here as I go.

90 Day Update

I am falling a bit behind in my read through the Bible in 90 days quest. I am still determined to finish on time. I just need to choose a different time of day besides right before bed to do the reading, or I need to get ready for bed faster and earlier so that I have more time to read and am not falling asleep. Lately I have been waking up early, but usually stay in bed (where it’s warm!). I think maybe I should go ahead and get up when I wake up and read some in the morning too.

90 Day Bible Challenge Day 2

Last night’s assignment was Genesis chapters 17-28. It was pretty late again when I read but I was able to pay more attention and stay with it better. I am enjoying the challenge and am excited about getting back into the Word.