A City Life For Me

Last week was one of the busiest, overwhelming weeks in a long time.  I’m still trying to figure out the best schedule/order for homeschooling four kiddos on three grade levels, plus the addition of a precocious two year old who intervenes every 3 minutes.  We hosted a five-day Bible Club for the kids in our neighborhood, and we continued our free-coffee Friday outreach.  Saturday we had Bible Study, and Sunday was a full day at church.  Somewhere in there I need to fit piano lessons, Patch the Pirate Club devotions, art class, and monthly grocery shopping trip.  Not to mention that for the last nearly ten years the biggest place we have lived is 1,000 square feet…now we own a house with twice that plus a basement, porch, garage, and back yard.  (Huge blessing…huge responsibility!) We really did have a good week in Bible Club, but there was a lot to prepare and do for each day.  On Saturday I was sweeping and mopping the floors in preparation for...

This post has been brewing for a couple of years now.  I guess I’m finally brave enough to voice my thoughts.  But I have been censored and edited by my husband, who is much gentler and more forgiving than I. Through many of the recent posts floating around Facebook and Instagram (my favorite social network these days), it has become apparent to me that the celebration of Halloween is no longer taboo for many of my Bible believing friends.  I am personally very disturbed by this. Why is it that a holiday which is so evidently associated with evil has become something which Christians feel they can or have to participate in?  Why should we even celebrate it in an alternative manner? These verses are continually coming to mind: Ephesians 5:11 – “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” 2 Corinthians 6:14b-15 “…for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?  and what communion hath light with darkne...

I just have to brag on my kids for a minute. They love watching Wild Kratts on PBS, and since it's not laced with evolution we enjoy letting them. They have learned so much about Gods amazing creatures! In fact, zoo trips are not usually educational anymore.  My kids can spew out creature facts faster than we can read placards! So…all on their own…they came up with an idea, that they needed to tell Martin and Chris Kratt Who made all these wonderful creatures. My kids decided that the best thing would be to send the Kratts a Bible and tell them about Jesus. So today Elaine and Daddy drafted a letter which Elaine copied out neatly. We ordered a blue and a green Bible, because those are Martin and Chris' favorite colors. And we included a tract, a picture of our family, and some pictures colored by the kids. I'm so thankful they want to share our Jesus with others, and that they are not afraid to do so! #keeponcreatureadventuring #gospelnews   Elaine writing the letter  ...

Ben was a four year old boy leaning over a peanut butter & jelly sandwich when his mom led him to Jesus and he got saved. I was a seven year old girl kneeling by my bed with both of my parents when I asked Jesus into my heart. That decision, made as children, was the first step in a journey of faith that has landed us as church-planting missionaries to New York City. It’s something beyond my wildest dreams, and it is all the Lord, and His work in our lives as we surrendered to Him – first in salvation, then to His call to service, then to Bible College and ministry preparation, and now to His call to the City. That little boy and little girl were on my mind today, because we are now parents of four little people. Little people who need to ask Jesus into their lives as well. Everyday situations provide the opportunity to infuse the Gospel message into their lives. Disobedience shows them their sin. Discipline shows them a little bit of sin’s consequence. And daily we have the opport...