Week 4 Wednesday

S- Colossians 2:9-10 "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority."
O- Christ is God.  God lives in Jesus' human body.  NIRV reads "God’s whole nature is living in Christ in human form."  In Christ I am full!  He is all I need. 
A- I don't need to seek anything else to "complete me".  Christ is all I need.  He is perfect and knows my needs.  His plans for me are good.  Nothing else could satisfy me fully. 
P- Thank you God for living in Jesus.  Thank you that was part of your perfect plan for my salvation.  Thank you that you are so satisfying.  That I am brought to fullness in you.  Thank you for knowing my needs and fulfilling them.  Thank you that you are in control.  That you are head over ALL.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

From another lady in our group…  So good!

S: For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.
O: (1) "...in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" ~ refutes any question if Jesus really is God! (2) In Christ, we have ALL we need in life! We need no other teachings!
(3) Christ is supreme over ALL! Our answer to all of life! He is in us and overrules all evil! AMEN!
A: (1) v9 helps aid our witness that Jesus was/is God in human body form!
(2) In having Christ in us, as believers, we have ALL we need to face life here on earth and He is our ONLY answer to salvation! He conquers over all evil and the ways of this world, and provides all we need to carry out His Great Commission to share His Truth with those who have not yet heard! THANK YOU, JESUS!
P: WOW! So MUCH given to us through Jesus Christ ~ His Power and Authority, Provision and Protection! And for what cost to us?!?! NO COST to us!!!! He paid the price with His suffering!!! Simply believing in Christ and His resurrection and accepting this precious precious GIFT from God ensures us this priceless gift! Such a GIFT!!! FREEDOM! Freedom from both death as well as in this life on earth! We alone cannot conquer the enemy and his attacks on us, but Christ is head over ALL dominions! HIS Power and Authority conquer the enemy every.single.time!!!! GOD ALWAYS WINS!!!!! Thank You, Jesus! AMEN.

Week 4 Question: Faith, Week 4 Monday, Week 4 Tuesday

Week 3 Question, Week 3 Monday, Week 3 Tuesday, Week 3 Wednesday, Week 3 Thursday, Week 3 Friday, Week 3 Blessings

Favorite Bible Study and Verse, Week 2 Monday, Week 2 Tuesday, Week 2 Wednesday, Week 2 Thursday, Week 2 Friday, Week 2 Blessings and Prayer

Getting to Know You, Testimony Day

Week 1 Monday-Wednesday, Week 1 Thursday and Friday

New Colossians Study, One More Day

Week 4 Tuesday

S- Colossians 2:8 "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ."
My study Bible says "Paul was counteracting the Colossian heresy, which, in part, taught that for salvation one needed to combine faith in Christ with secret knowledge and with human regulations concerning such physical and external practices as circumcision, eating and drinking, and observance of religious festivals."
O- We don't need to depend on anything, but Christ for our salvation!
A- Stand firm in my faith.  I know that Christ is the Way to salvation.  Do not be deceived by human tradition.  Keep my eyes on Christ.
P- Dear God, thank you that you are the Way!  That you are all we need.  Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to you.  And for teaching me your truths through your living word in my Bible.  Please protect my heart and mind from being deceived by false teaching, human tradition, and worldly ways.  Thank you that your Way makes sense!  Please help me to keep my eyes on you.  Amen.

From another lady in the group…  I have bolded my favorite part.

S: For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

O: ALL the fullness of God is in Christ. He lacks nothing.

A: I am complete through my union with Christ! Aside from growing in maturity and faith, there is nothing more for me to gain from this world. The God-shaped hole in my heart has been filled, and I am free to live as Christ would have me live, regardless of the opinions of the world around me.

P: Lord, thank you for filling me with Christ!! Thank you for redeeming my life and being Lord of it! I pray, Lord, that as I live in the world but strive to not be ‘of it’, I would remember that nothing I have is because of my merit or my choices. Even my faith is a gift from You! Help me to be patient, humble, and non-judgmental, Lord, as I live as a believer in an unbelieving world. Help my life to testify to Your glory!

"Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory!"

(Psalm 115).

Week 4 Question: Faith, Week 4 Monday

Week 3 Question, Week 3 Monday, Week 3 Tuesday, Week 3 Wednesday, Week 3 Thursday, Week 3 Friday, Week 3 Blessings

Favorite Bible Study and Verse, Week 2 Monday, Week 2 Tuesday, Week 2 Wednesday, Week 2 Thursday, Week 2 Friday, Week 2 Blessings and Prayer

Getting to Know You, Testimony Day

Week 1 Monday-Wednesday, Week 1 Thursday and Friday

New Colossians Study, One More Day

Week 4 Monday

S- Colossians 2:6-7  "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
O- The parts that stand out to me are "rooted and built up in him" and "overflowing with thankfulness".
A- Are my roots deep or just below the surface?  I need to continually fill myself up on Him and strengthen my roots.  And be overflowing with thankfulness!  This past week Zac (he is 2) just started praying.  I say "Dear Jesus, thank you for... and he lists all the things he is thankful for.  Amen!"  It has been so much fun and warms my heart to hear him say thanks to Jesus and wants to do it "Again!"  I need to be like Zac and have a long list of things I am thankful for and when I finish I should be excited to do it again!
P- Thank you God for prayer!  Thank you that we can share with you what we are thankful for.  Thank you that Zac shows excitement to show thanks!  Thank you that seeing him excited reminds me to pray when I often would forget to pray out loud with the kids over our meals.  Thank you for this study, that I am able to focus on the book of Colossians.  I pray that I would take my time and let it sink in, to strengthen my roots!  Please God help me to be rooted and built up in you!  Slow me down and help me to focus.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!

From another lady in the group…  I have bolded my favorite part.

S: Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.

O: The devil and those who do not know Christ will try to distract us or deter us from Christ’s truth.

A: Again - the devil is the great deceiver! He can make lies sound just enough like truth to be believable. We need to be grounded in the TRUE Word so we know what the truth is and can see lies and half-truths when they come at us.

P: Lord, this is such a pertinent verse in our lives right now! My husband is dialoguing with a young family friend who does not know you. This young man has all kinds of "empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense" that he is purporting is truth. But it is not, Lord, and I pray that as he lovingly shares Your truth with him, that You will open his eyes to see who You are and what Your loving transformation can do for him in this life and the next!! Thank You, Lord, that You are a God who answers prayer! I pray for the heart and soul of this young man to be yielded fully to You, Lord, in Your perfect timing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

From ANOTHER lady in the group…  I have bolded my favorite parts.

S: So then, just as you received Jesus Christ as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
O: (1) Receiving Christ begins our new life with Him. He desires to guide us (IF we seek His will and lay down our own); teach us (IF we strive to learn from His life and Word); and embower us (IF we stop trying to do things ourselves and let the Power of the Holy Spirit flow through us).
(2) He is our tree of life. He is our vine and we are the branch. We can do nothing without Him.
A: (1) Sometimes I let the busyness of the day keep me from seeking and learning more of my Heavenly Father. The tasks are many, but not difficult, so I tend to do them without seeking FIRST HIS will for my day. (2) I want my words, actions and attitude to always reflect my thankfulness!
P: Dear Lord, I see that all too often I tend to arrange my days on my own accord. Thank You for this study, as it reminds me to FIRST seek what YOU would have me do each day. Thank You that my roots are deeply planted in You. Please continue to deepen these roots so nothing can make me whither and so that I can bear much fruit. I truly feel my gratitude spilling over from me. May it reflect in my attitude, words and actions at all times. AMEN.

Week 4 Question: Faith

Week 3 Question, Week 3 Monday, Week 3 Tuesday, Week 3 Wednesday, Week 3 Thursday, Week 3 Friday, Week 3 Blessings

Favorite Bible Study and Verse, Week 2 Monday, Week 2 Tuesday, Week 2 Wednesday, Week 2 Thursday, Week 2 Friday, Week 2 Blessings and Prayer

Getting to Know You, Testimony Day

Week 1 Monday-Wednesday, Week 1 Thursday and Friday

New Colossians Study, One More Day

Week 4 Question: Faith

Hi Ladies! 
We are already to Week 4!  Here is the question for the week. 

What are some things you do regularly to keep strong in your faith? 

Being accountable to this group has really helped me to be consistent with reading and studying my Bible.  And it's helped me to be more focused on my reading rather than just reading to read. 
Praying over meals.
Reading the kids' Bibles at breakfast and bedtime.  I love that Luke reads the story then asks the kids questions about the story (Even though they don't answer yet.  They are listening and learning.) 
Memory Madness at church.  We memorize a verse each week for 10 weeks, then do a mad smash and repeat all 10 verses at the end. 
Changing the way we live to be less worldly and more like Jesus everyday.  We have a long way to go, but God is continually working in us.

Would more could you be doing?

Read my Bible more.  Fill myself up on God's word to know Him and what He wants for me better.
Share the Gospel with others more.
Be more loving and build more relationships with people.
Get outside of my comfy little box.

I pray that you all have a blessed week with God first!

Week 3 Question, Week 3 Monday, Week 3 Tuesday, Week 3 Wednesday, Week 3 Thursday, Week 3 Friday, Week 3 Blessings

Favorite Bible Study and Verse, Week 2 Monday, Week 2 Tuesday, Week 2 Wednesday, Week 2 Thursday, Week 2 Friday, Week 2 Blessings and Prayer

Getting to Know You, Testimony Day

Week 1 Monday-Wednesday, Week 1 Thursday and Friday

New Colossians Study, One More Day

Week 3 Blessings

My blessings...

For our daily "school" activity.  That I have been consistent in doing something new with Zac (and sometimes Lucy) each day.  They love it and it is fun to see him try something new and see their joy in the simple things!
E for Experiment!  Baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring.  Zac loved watching the Explosions this morning over and over and over!
Fishing!  Watching Zac catch his first fish on his own pole last Friday and getting to reel it in with Dad.  And going a few times since! 
Full moons!  We got to watch the full moon rise over the mountains above the lake Friday night!  Beautiful!
Being able to help friends and the blessing we have in our awesome church family!  So good!
The daddy daughter relationship between Luke and Lucy.  They are the sweetest.  They are so in love and aren't afraid to show it!
The band at the football game we went to Friday night.  Zac is all about drumming.  Everything is a "band stick" (drum stick).  Tools, spoons, his fingers, ANYTHING!  He was in heaven sitting by the band.  I don't even think he knew there was a football game going on.  I love that he will drum with his fingers and he calls it his "Finger Band".

Week 3 Question, Week 3 Monday, Week 3 Tuesday, Week 3 Wednesday, Week 3 Thursday, Week 3 Friday

Favorite Bible Study and Verse, Week 2 Monday, Week 2 Tuesday, Week 2 Wednesday, Week 2 Thursday, Week 2 Friday, Week 2 Blessings and Prayer

Getting to Know You, Testimony Day

Week 1 Monday-Wednesday, Week 1 Thursday and Friday

New Colossians Study, One More Day

Week 3 Friday

S- Colossians 2:4-5 "I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is."
O- Paul doesn't want anyone deceived by false teachings that sound good.  He is delighted to see them disciplined and firm in their faith in Christ!
A- Am I always standing firm in my faith and being disciplined?  Or am I making it easy for Satan to deceive me?  I need to be reading my Bible and learning more and more, so that I know truth from false teachings that may sound good and right.
P- Dear God, thank you for all you have taught me in the almost 4 years since becoming a Christian.  You have taught me so much and am excited to learn even more!  Thank you for showing me who you are and want you want from me.  I pray that I will stand firm in my faith always.  That my faith would not waiver.  Please help me to know your truth from false teachings.  In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

From the blog HERE...  This was a really good post about how Paul helps others to grow in maturity.  I had a hard time choosing what to share here.  It was a great read, you should check it out.

1. Warning

Paul “warns” everyone. What does he warn about? Throughout his writings we see Paul warn others about the wrath of God, the danger of sin, the lies of the world, and the deceitfulness of the devil. He warns that an alliance with the world will lead to our demise and that a life without God will bring about an awful judgement and ultimately eternal death.

But Paul laces everything with grace, always pointing back to Christ who is our salvation in all areas. He does not speak condescendingly or unkindly. He does not address others in a holier than thou manner, but instead always points to the hope of the gospel as a fellow sinner.

Do we do this as wives and mothers? Do we warn those whom God has placed in our path? This might be easier to do this with our children since we are around them all the time and they are so clearly in our care, but do we speak into the lives of our husband or our friends, even when the truth is hard to say? Do we speak directly, yet with compassion and love? Is kindness always on our tongue? (Prov. 31: 26)

2. Teaching

Paul doesn’t only kindly warn people, but he also teaches. His main message is Christ! His life, death and resurrection. He speaks about Christ being worthy, supreme, and the savior. He preached boldly without excuse or embarrassment.

3. Hard Work and Divine Power

All of this is hard work. Paul calls it a “toiling.” The mission is anything but easy and Paul does not attempt such a task in his own strength. He says, “For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.”

He knows that he is weak, prone to get sidetracked, tempted to give up and become discouraged or maybe even lazy (or maybe that’s just me). He is clear that the energy he uses is not his but Christ’s. It is Christ who works through Paul’s faithfulness and hard work. If we work in our own strength we will quit! We will burn out, lose interest and enthusiasm and grow very tired and discouraged. We must always do our work in the strength of Christ.

Week 3 Question, Week 3 Monday, Week 3 Tuesday, Week 3 Wednesday, Week 3 Thursday

Favorite Bible Study and Verse, Week 2 Monday, Week 2 Tuesday, Week 2 Wednesday, Week 2 Thursday, Week 2 Friday, Week 2 Blessings and Prayer

Getting to Know You, Testimony Day

Week 1 Monday-Wednesday, Week 1 Thursday and Friday

New Colossians Study, One More Day

Week 3 Thursday

S- Colossians 2:1-3 "I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
O- Paul is working hard for those he knows and also those he has not even met personally.  He wants them all to have the full riches of complete understanding, knowing Christ who gives us the treasure of wisdom and knowledge.
A- "United in love".  I feel like this is a common thread I am hearing from God lately.  To love.  To be loving.  Paul wants those he knows and even those he has not met to be encouraged in heart and united in love.  I need to keep my heart open and unite in love with everyone, even when it's hard.  Christ holds the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
P-  Dear God, please share your wisdom and knowledge with me.  You know my situations.  You know where I need to show more love.  I trust that you will hold me close to you in difficult situations, that I will not be vulnerable.  I pray that you will help me to do all things for your glory and not for selfish reasons.  I pray you won't let my emotions get in the way of being loving and encouraging when I need to be.  I pray that you will shine through me.  You are bigger.  Thank you for living in me.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Week 3 Question, Week 3 Monday, Week 3 Tuesday, Week 3 Wednesday

Favorite Bible Study and Verse, Week 2 Monday, Week 2 Tuesday, Week 2 Wednesday, Week 2 Thursday, Week 2 Friday, Week 2 Blessings and Prayer

Getting to Know You, Testimony Day

Week 1 Monday-Wednesday, Week 1 Thursday and Friday

New Colossians Study, One More Day

Bob and Larry

We were so excited to take the kids to see Bob and Larry from VeggieTales at Lifeway.  They were not as thrilled when they got there and saw those big guys close up.

Here’s Lucy getting her first look.  Very weary.

Tibblefork Fishing

We love fishing!  We made a quick trip up to Tibblefork on Friday after work.  Our friend taught us the best set up and we catch lots of fish each time we go now!  So much fun!

My boys getting set up.

Throwing rocks.

Zac was so excited to catch his first fish!

He loved helping us reel in the fish.

How about that rock skip?!

As we were leaving, we got the most beautiful sight of the full moon coming up over the mountain about the lake!  Thank you God for your beautiful creation!  Pictures don’t do it justice!

School Days–“Dd” Dinosaur Eggs

We had friends over to make dinosaur eggs with!  Everyone loved it!  The age ranges were from 2-9. 

What you Need

(This recipe is for a small batch. I doubled this recipe.)

    •1 cup flour

    •1 cup used coffee grinds

•1/2 cup salt

•1/4 cup sand

•3/4 cup water

•mixing bowl

•small plastic toy dinosaurs or other treasures

What you Do

Make sure you've dried out your coffee grinds beforehand.

(I did read in the comments that some readers asked if they really needed to be dried out since you are adding water anyway.  My coffee grounds were not completely dry and it still worked fine.)

1. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl.

2. Slowly add the water and knead with your hands until the mixture is like bread dough.

(You may need to add more flour and sand to make it a dough-y consistency.  I added more flour and sand and it still baked out fine)

3. When the Coffee Dough is at a very moldable state, shape your "dino eggs" however you'd like. If you are putting trinkets in them, youll take your trinket and basically shape your rock around it, adding more dough to cover exposed parts of the toy.

(The kids made one that was a fossil.  It was their own idea and quite clever!  They just pressed on of the dinosaurs into the dough to make a print of the dino and it after it was baked it was a cool fossil.  It quickly got broken by one of the young kids trying to break open the egg to find the treasure.)

4. You can air dry these for several days OR bake them on a cookie sheet at 150 degrees for about 15-20 or until you poke them and they arent soft anymore.

(My dino eggs were fairly large, so I baked them for about 45 minutes to 1 hour)

Waiting for the eggs to bake.

I love that my friends youngest two are within a month or two from my kids!

Once they were done and cooled off a bit, I threw them in our sandbox and let them find the treasures.