The Most Important Place On Earth, Part 2

Here's more on the book I'm reading, The Most Important Place On Earth: What a Christian Home Looks Like and How to Build One by Robert Wolgemuth.

From Chapter 5: The Power of Words... Real bullets at home; and from Chapter 6: The Power of Words, Part II... The Family Vitamins.

Your home --- must be a place of true words. Accurate words. Your home has to be a place where people treat words as valuable and precious... and they must speak them precisely. Broken promises and treating words as worthless are no laughing matter. Failure to use words to speak truth has brought people plenty of anguish. Treat words as what they are: treasures. Each one spoken must be true. Thoughtful. Precise. The children in your Christian home need to experience the great gift of learning how to use - and treasure - words this way. They need to understand, from your example, that words are not blanks. They're not simple noise. Spoken words are powerful. They have consequences. Their impact is mighty.

Words are vitamins you speak: potent phrases for you and your family. Vitamin #1: I love you. Vitamin #2: I need your love. Vitamin #3: I'm sorry; I was wrong. Will you please forgive me? Vitamin #4: May I Help? Vitamin #5: Thank you.

From Chapter 7: Just For Laughs... The best medicine of all.

The most important place on earth must include this magic elixir. Rules for laughter: laugh at yourself; have homemade laughter; laugh with your kids, never at them; sarcastic humor and cynicism are poison.

A few more chapters to go... off to read some more.

The Most Important Place On Earth

I am currently reading the book The Most Important Place On Earth: What A Christian Home Looks Like and How To Build One by Robert Wolgemuth.

Here are some things that stood out for me:

From Chapter 2: A God Place... God lives in your home. What does this mean?

From the time children are small, they need to hear you say something like, "Wow, would you look at that sunset? God is such a great artist!" Or you can stop to watch ants following each other in a continuous single-file parade along the sidewalk: "Can you believe that God gave these little critters the ability to follow each other to the food? Isn't He amazing?" In our home, we didn't belabor the point and try to draw some three-point conclusion or recite a Bible verse; we just left it at that. Our children and yours can get the idea that God is a part of our lives when we mention Him in everyday conversation.

From Chapter 3: The Most Important People In The Most Important Place... What's it like to walk into your home?

This parenting thing is serious business, and there's no one on earth in a better position - or better qualified - than you and me to do it right. What good is it if the most important person in the world walks into an empty house? If there is a way for either one of you to be there with your children when they're small... to be home when your kids' feet cross the threshold... then do it. You do not get a do-over.

When our Missy was in third grade, her teacher asked the students what their favourite thing was about their mothers. Missy could have mentioned a number of wonderful things that my wife had done for her. But when it was her turn, she told her class that the best thing about her mother was "When I come home from school, my Mom says 'Hi, Missy.'" The daunting list of sacrifices, favorite toys bought, school room-mother activites, and homemade Halloween costumes didn't make it to the number-one spot. It was just "Hi, Missy." See what counts to your child? It's your presence. That doesn't sound too complicated, does it?

From Chapter 4: Amazing Grace... It's what sets your home apart.

In a Christian home there's something special. It's called grace. Grace is the one thing that sets your home apart from all the rest. A Christian home is a place adorned by people of grace. It's a place where grace is conspicuous, a place where the "scoreboard" that compares a stellar performance to a substandard one is unplugged. Fill your Christian home - the most important place on earth - with repentance and forgiveness, gratitude, tenderness, and generosity. Amazing grace.

Truly words of wisdom... now, on to reading more of the book.

He Is Risen Indeed!

Happy Easter! The passage of Scripture from 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 (NIV) has always summarized Easter for me quite profoundly.

Here it is:

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

God Knows Better Than I

I watched the movie Joseph, King of Dreams on DVD tonight with hubby and the kids. The song in the movie entitled "Better Than I" made me cry --- and I am not one who cries easily! This week has been a very difficult week --- many questions, many what-ifs, many emotions.

But I know that God is in all our circumstances and He is never far away. Like He had with Joseph back then, He has a plan and a purpose for each of our lives today.

Here's the song (please pause the playlist on the sidebar):



Joshua 1:9 (NIV) --- Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

The Shack

I recently read 'The Shack' by William Paul Young. It is a very good read --- very thought-provoking; an excellent work of fiction! I couldn't put the book down --- finished reading it in one sitting!

Here are a few quotes from it that jumped out at me:

Papa said: "A bird is defined not by being grounded but by his ability to fly. Remember this, humans are defined not by their limitations, but by the intentions I have for them; not by what they seem to be, but by everything it means to be created in my image."

Sarayu said: "You must give up your right to decide what is good and evil on your own terms. That is a hard pill to swallow - choosing to live only in me. To do that, you must know me enough to trust me and learn to rest in my inherent goodness."

Papa said: "I don't just want a piece of you and a piece of your life. Even if you were able, which you are not, to give me the biggest piece, that is not what I want. I want all of you and all of every part of you and your day."

Jesus said: "I don't want to be first among a list of values; I want to be at the center of everything. When I live in you, then together we can live through everything that happens to you. Rather than the top of a pyramid, I want to be the center of a mobile, where everything in your life - your friends, family, occupation, thoughts, activities - is connected to me but moves with the wind, in and out and back and forth, in an incredible dance of being."

Sarayu said: "And I am the wind."

Willie said: "If you ever get a chance to hang out with Mack, you will soon learn that he's hoping for a new revolution, one of love and kindness - a revolution that revolves around Jesus and what he did for us all and what he continues to do in anyone who has a hunger for reconciliation and a place to call home. This is not a revolution that will overthrow anything, or if it does, it will do so in ways we could never contrive in advance. Instead, it will be the quiet daily powers of dying and serving and loving and laughing, of simple tenderness and unseen kindness, because if anything matters, then everything matters. And one day, when all is revealed, every one of us will bow our knees and confess in the power of Sarayu that Jesus is the Lord of all creation, to the glory of Papa."

It's a book I would recommend to anyone. Happy reading!!!

Asking Myself This...

This weekend, while having a conversation with a friend about the appropriateness of handing out gospel tracts during certain community events, a thought came to my mind. It is actually quite a disturbing thought! Here it is... it seems to me that Christians these days are only identifiable to others when they have gospel tracts in their hands or when they are publicly doing evangelism or when they are in church. 

I found myself thinking... when people (neighbours, co-workers, friends, etc.) look at my everyday life... when I don't have a gospel tract in my hand... when I am not publicly speaking about my faith... is there enough evidence; do I stand out... in order for them to conclude that I am a follower of Christ? 

As hubby and I volunteered at a church service project this past weekend, the same question came to mind. I said to hubby: this person doesn't necessarily know that it is a church group that has come to help him. But through our acts of service alone (not by giving him a gospel tract and certainly not by trying to preach to/at him), I wonder if he is able to see God through us? Because if he can not, then we are certainly not being good representatives of Christ here on earth! 

Does my life reflect my faith? I think I have some pondering to do... 

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. --- I Corinthians 13:1-3 (NLT)

March Madness

March! This month will be busy... I have started to gear up for it. It's not all that different from March of last year, it's just a bit more intense this year! :-) 

First off, work. Last year at this time, I was working only 22.5 hours per week. This year because of the downsizing at my workplace, leaving our department with only two people, I am expected to clock an average of 30 hours per week. Thankfully, I am able to manage with a little less than that and still meet my deadlines! God has indeed been supplying me with the energy and the focus for which I am thankful. I will need to continually draw strength from Him as the workload typically picks up each March before easing up again towards the end of June. 

Next on the list, Destination Imagination! Last year, only my daughter's team competed at the provincial tournament while my son's team performed. This year, both teams are competing! While I am only co-managing my daughter's team, I am also helping to prepare my son for his team's presentation such as running through his script lines regularly. This year's provincial tournament happens on Saturday, April 4. We are starting to gear up for it by adding extra practice times. The kids are excited and so are we! We are starting to wonder how many of our school's teams will make it to the Global Finals in Tennessee this year. We'll see!!! 

Then, there's church. Last year at this time, we didn't have Sunday services yet! We were just getting started. Now, we have regular Sunday services complete with a children's ministry department for which I am responsible for! Also, it just so happens that our pastor and his family are taking a much needed vacation this month... for the next two Sundays, hubby and I will be responsible for a little bit more stuff at church. 

Plus, there's life in general! 

Don't get me wrong... I love what I do (all of the above!) and wouldn't trade them for anything else. It's just that I need to focus, focus, FOCUS and FOCUS some more when things come into a collision course like it always seems to in March! I guess blogging about it and getting it out of my system enables me to feel more in control about the situation. Most of all, it helps me keep everything in perspective --- that God will supply! 

So, deep breath, exhale... April will come soon!!! 

Enough, By Chris Tomlin (to listen to this song, see Playlist on the sidebar) 

All of You is more than enough for all of me 

For every thirst and every need 

You satisfy me with Your love 

And all I have in You is more than enough 

You are my supply 

My breath of life 

And still more awesome than I know 

You are my reward worth living for 

And still more awesome than I know 

You're my sacrifice 

Of greatest price 

And still more awesome than I know 

You're the coming King 

You are everything 

And still more awesome than I know 

More than all I want 

More than all I need 

You are more than enough for me 

More than all I know 

More than all I can say 

You are more than enough for me

Difficult Week

It's been a difficult week. My sister and her hubby received some tough health news --- he has cancer! I think I am still numb from the news... so surreal... like a bad dream... difficult to understand... questioning God's purpose and plan... desperately trying to be strong for them... to show support... having faith while walking in the dark... not just merely believing in God, but truly believing God!

In times like these, the song Trust His Heart always comes to mind. To have a listen to it, go the the playlist on the sidebar of this blog.

All things work for our good
Though sometimes we can't see how they could
Struggles that break our hearts in two
Sometimes blind us to the truth

Our Father knows what's best for us
His ways are not our own
So when your pathway grows dim and you just don't see Him
Remember you're never alone

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand, when you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand trust His heart

He sees the master plan
And He holds the future in His hand
Don't live as those who have no hope
While our hope is found in Him

We see the present clearly
But He sees the first and the last
And like a tapestry, He's weaving you and me
To someday be just like Him

He alone is faithful and true
He alone knows what is best for you

Birthday Girl

Today is the day --- 12 years old!!! Wow, I can't believe that my baby girl is now TWELVE!!! Here's a photo collage I made of her birthday photos from birth to present day...



Happy Birthday, baby girl! You are truly a joy to us; a precious gift from God! God's Gal, may you continue to grow in the grace, knowledge and love of Almighty God, our Heavenly Father!

25 Random Things on Facebook

So, there's this "25 Random Things" post going around on Facebook. I did one last week and thought that I'd post it on here as well. Here it is:

1. It has been fun getting to know people through their "25 Random Things" so I thought I'd participate as well. For example, I was tagged by Lorraine (who is my cousin's wife). I've never met her in real life but after reading her "25 Random Things" I feel like I know her a little bit more now.

2. I got introduced to FB because most of the people at our new church are on FB. I still don't do much on here but I'm slowly getting integrated.

3. I love blogging. My blog is a place where I can record my thoughts. I also use the playlist on my blog as background music when I'm working.

4. I work part-time for a market research firm from my home office. It's a great job as I can be home for the kids.

5. My kids come home for lunch everyday. Their school is accessible through a walkway nine houses from our home.

6. I volunteer as Team Manager for my kids' Destination Imagination teams at school. It is an after-school programme that requires a lot of time commitment (3 meetings per week). I do it because I love the programme and what it has to offer. I believe the kids are learning life skills through D.I. that they wouldn't necessarily learn in a normal school day.

7. Playing the piano relaxes me. Playing the keyboard with the worship band at church energizes me! It is the best way I know how to worship --- with my fingers, making music to worship my God.

8. I now know that church planting is hard work but I wouldn't exchange the experience for anything else. I now see that nothing is impossible with God! It's been one year and a bit since we joined a church planting team in the city we live in. It's been so awesome seeing God at work.

9. I never imagined that God would ask me to head up Children's Ministries at our new church. It always amazes me when He brings out something in me that I didn't know I had the ability to accomplish/do.

10. My hubby is my best friend; truly a gift from God. In my hubby, God has given me more than I have asked for. I am truly blessed.

11. Everyday I thank God for my kids. They are precious to me and I feel very priviledged that God chose me to be their Mom.

12. My daughter is the most easy-going, adaptable child I have ever met. Her maturity never ceases to amaze me each day. I can't believe that she is turning 12 in just one week's time! She is quite level-headed; smart and kind-hearted.

13. My son makes me laugh a lot. He's quite funny, just like his Dad. He's also very smart, just like his Dad.

14. My brain literally doesn't start working in the mornings if I don't have a cup of coffee first, with cream and sugar of course!

15. I am not a morning person! I love to sleep-in but I am fully awake late at night and am most productive during the after-dinner hours!

16. I don't like to cook. I only cook because my family needs to eat! So, we like going to my sister's house to eat every Thursday night when we have piano lessons there! :-)

17. I love to garden. I can't wait for Spring to come so I can start gardening again.

18. I also love to read. Lately, I haven't had much time to do so. There is a stack of books beside my bed that I've been wanting to get into but can't seem to find the time.

19. I hate clutter. I get a headache and lose my focus when there's clutter.

20. I like staying home. In fact, I prefer staying home than going on vacation!

21. I don't enjoy driving. I prefer to be the passenger. It's a good thing that hubby likes driving! Our family enjoys road trips.

22. Even though I don't like to cook, I enjoy baking. I wish I could bake more regularly but it's one of those things that I don't seem to be able to find time for.

23. I also love to sew. At first, I didn't think I would. I even got upset when hubby gave me a sewing machine for Mother's Day one year!

24. I love our neighbourhood. The people are very nice. My prayer is that my Bible study group consisting of women from this neighbourhood would be able to reach out to more women; that we would be a positive influence in many more women's lives.

25. I think it's time for another cup of coffee!