Scripture Memory System

Starting this week, I’ll be implementing a new system to help the kids (and me!) memorize Scripture. It is called the Scripture Memory System, and it is part of the Charlotte Mason homeschooling method. Whether we end up homeschooling or not, and whether we’d even use the Charlotte Mason method if we did end up homeschooling, doesn’t matter to me. I want to use this Scripture Memory System to help my children memorize Scripture, and I can foresee us using this system long into the future whether we are homeschooling or not, after all, it is my job as a parent to teach my children whether I also send them to public school or not.

I could explain the Scripture Memory System to you, but I think the video I linked does a great job (much better than I’d do with words!), so I encourage you to watch it. I will leave you with a list of the first verses we’ll be putting in our box: mostly Scriptures that the kids already know on some level, but we’ll be adding to the list as we go. Our verses are taken from the NKJV.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:16

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Ephesians 6:1

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:22

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

5 Reasons to Teach Your Children About God

I know a lot of people say that they want to teach their children about God. Sadly, it seems many people who say they want to teach their children about God don’t actually teach their children about God, whether that be that they do not teach them about the Bible or that they do not live the lives necessary to teach their children about God. I don’t want to be either of those types of people. I want to teach my children the Bible and live the type of life that God has called us to live. I’m not perfect – I don’t claim to be - and I know that I will make mistakes, but I’ve got to be striving to teach my children because their souls are in my hands. This list could be much longer, but here are just a few reasons I believe I need to teach my children about God.

1. As a Christian, I’m commanded to teach. The command to teach in Matthew 28:18-20 (as well as other passages) doesn’t exclude my children. Additionally, God has always called on parents to teach their children about Him. Consider Deuteronomy 6:6-9: “⁶And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. ⁸ You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ⁹ You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
2. So that they can be saved from their sins. At this point in their lives, my children are still too young to have sin on their record. Children are not born with sin. But, if my children continue to grow up, eventually they will sin, and with that comes separation from God. I must teach them about God so they know how to be saved from their sins.
3. So that they can spend eternity in heaven. This goes right along with the previous point: the only way they can spend eternity in heaven is to be saved from their sins, and I want them to understand what the Bible teaches about how to get to heaven. After all, we’re going to be judged by Christ’s word (John 12:48).
4. So that they can tell others about God. My children will likely have opportunities for evangelism that I may never have. They’ll come into contact with people I may never meet. They’ll have unique personalities and experiences that make them ideal for talking to someone about God that I may not have.
5. So that they can exhibit the characteristics of godliness. My children cannot exhibit the characteristics of godliness without knowing God. If I want them to be pure, truthful, kind, loving, merciful, gracious, humble, compassionate, patient, and faithful (only naming a few of the characteristics of godliness), I must teach them about God and His ways.

Thankful Thursday {Jamaica Edition}

A full (likely long!) post about my mission trip to Jamaica is coming, but for now, a few things I’m thankful for related to the Jamaica trip.

• I’m thankful for my parents, who watched Ella and Troy during the trip. We are so blessed to have family who is always willing to watch our children.
• I’m thankful for the members of the mission team. I’m thankful they chose to spend a tiring week in Jamaica in Christian fellowship and the spreading of the gospel.
• I’m thankful for a renewed focus on spiritual things. I’m thankful for spiritual conversations and mindsets.
• I’m thankful for the studies that caused us to dig deeper in our faith.
• I’m thankful for the power of the gospel (Romans 1:16).
• I’m thankful for the eight souls who put on Christ (Galatians 3:27) and washed away their sins (Acts 22:16).
• I’m thankful for the study and preparation that was put in before the team ever left Texas.
• I’m thankful for the Jamaicans who allowed us onto their front porches, their homes, or even their shops to hear God’s Word.
• I’m thankful for the Jamaican brethren. I’m thankful for the Christian fellowship we enjoyed together. I’m thankful for the Jamaican brethren who walked the streets of Jamaica with us, teaching souls the Bible.
• I’m thankful for the opportunity to sing praises to God, and to hear God’s Word preached throughout the week. I appreciate the opportunity to hear God’s Word preached more than ever now that I have children who do not always allow me to hear the lessons.
• I’m thankful for Christ’s sacrifice that allows all the opportunity to spend eternity in heaven, if you choose to obey His commands.

Exhausted Yet Uplifted

Last week was one of the most exhausting weeks I have had in a long time. I was running constantly and getting very little sleep, and even though I'm still trying to catch up on my rest, I'm not complaining! This past week my family had the opportunity to be involved in Focal Point (a workshop for preachers and their families), and the corresponding Gospel Meeting.

I am absolutely blessed to have been able to be involved in such a wonderful work. I am blessed because I had the opportunity to hear many studies in God's Word throughout each day of the workshop, as well as in the lessons at night. I am blessed to get to fellowship with Christians from across the country, and even from outside the country. I am blessed by friendships founded on Christ that allow for a deeper bond than I could have with a friend outside of Christ. I am blessed by the discussions that resulted from the lessons that were presented. I am blessed by the members of our home congregation who helped take care of the needs of the workshop from the food to housing attendees. I have tried to put it into words, but itt is hard to describe how encouraged and uplifted I am from the week of Focal Point!

I am thankful to be a child of God

I am so thankful to be a child of God! Let me say that again-I am so thankful to be a child of God! Tonight I was at a college football game, and four college-age guys were sitting directly behind us. At first, they seemed like OK guys, but I soon realized how sad their lives really were. One was talking about how they'd barely got by in college, but that was OK because dad was going to take care of a job when he finished school. Their conversation was dominated about drinking alcohol, and getting drunk. One had already planned how drunk he we be on a date a month from now. It was absolutely discouraging for me to realize how sunk into sin these individuals were, and how they were reveling in the ways of the world.

I am so thankful that I am a child of God. I know that I am not perfect in myself, but I am covered by Christ's blood. I am so thankful for the hope of eternal salvation.

"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:22-23)