Blogging A to Z Challenge

“Good Friday?”

Good Friday? I think for most of the people there it was the worst Friday ever.

Mary lost her son.

Judas had already killed himself as a result of his involvement in the capture and death of Jesus.

Peter had denied Jesus—three times!—the night before.

The disciples were losing their leader.

Pilate had washed his hands (literally!) of the whole thing, knowing that Jesus did not deserve to die.

Two thieves were also being crucified.

A multitude of people were mourning Jesus’ crucifixion.

And Jesus…Jesus had been betrayed, beaten, tortured, mocked, crucified, and felt His Father, his God, had forsaken Him.

On that day, the only person who would count it a “good” day would be the thief to whom Jesus promised, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

Today we can call it Good Friday because we know the rest of the story. We know that the sadness of that Friday on earth, the sorrow turned to happiness on Sunday, when Jesus rose from the dead, means unending joy in paradise for all who believe in Him.

During the last few years, even the last few months, I have known many people who have died. Young and old, sick and healthy, expected and unexpected deaths…for their loved ones and family members, these deaths marked a very bad day.

But again, we know the rest of the story, and along with mourning the “bad” day, we have that hope, that knowledge, of the rest of the story. We know that because Jesus endured that terrible, terrible day, our sorrow at the death of a loved one will one day, on the most joyous day, the “good” day of all “good” days, we will be reunited with our loved ones in heaven.

We can call “Good” Friday good, knowing that in just a few short days we will again celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Because He endured that “bad” day, we believers will have the joy of spending eternity with Him in heaven.

Happy Good Friday.


Thank You, Lord, for the rest of the story.

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Jump over to my other blog, Home is Where the Mom Is , where it’s FREEBIE FRIDAY! Leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win one of three autographed copies of Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home. 

Blogging A to Z Challenge

“God’s Ears”

“Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my king and my God, for to You do I cry.” Psalm 5:1-2

Every mother is affected by the sound of a baby—particularly her own baby—crying. The sound immediately wakes a mother from the deepest of sleeps or pulls her from whatever task she is doing to her baby’s side.

In this Psalm David is asking the Lord to give attention to his cry, to listen to him, to give consideration to what he, David, is asking.

And God heard David’s cry, just as a mother hears the cry of her baby. God pays attention when a child of His cries out. He turns His attention to us whenever we ask.

God hears us even when we do not have words to describe what we are going through or what we need. The Spirit hears us when all we can do is groan in sorrow or discouragement or pain; “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Romans 8:26

We are so blessed to be able to go to the Lord in prayer with the confidence that He will hear us, and that He will give us attention, even if we don’t have the words.

Thank You, Lord, for turning Your attention to me when I cry to You. Thank you for hearing my groaning. Thank you for hearing my prayer, and hearing Your Spirit when I can’t find the words to express what I need. Amen.

The Nebraska Family Times is a pro-life, pro-family monthly newspaper, with a mission to “inspire, encourage, and motivate you in your Christian walk.” Would you like to receive this positive newspaper in your mailbox every month? Check the sidebar to order           your subscription today!

I’m also blogging at Home is Where the Mom Is. Today’s entry is titled 

“Expectations—Revising Unrealistic Ones.” 

Blogging A to Z Challenge

“Spiritual Discernment”

To be “discerning” means to be discriminating, critical, knowledgeable. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, said, “This is my prayer: That your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ...” Phil. 1:9-10

King Solomon asked God for wisdom and discernment, and God granted it to him; “’Now O Lord my God…give your servant a discerning heart…to distinguish between right and wrong…’ The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, ‘…I will give you a wise and discerning heart…’” 1 Kings 9-12 (excerpted)

Be discerning in your spiritual life. Even well-known authors and Christian speakers can be led astray and lead you away from what the Bible really says and means. In this election year, candidates often speak of their religious beliefs. Do they really know what they’re talking about?

How can you be discerning?

• Know, for yourself, what the Bible says. Read it and study it. Paul told Timothy, “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16. The words of the Bible are God’s words, and He has given them to us so that we can teach, correct, and be competent and equipped to share His Word. (Go to The Bible Tells Me So! for tips on Bible study.) Ask your pastor or religious leader to suggest reference books that will help you better understand the Bible—but remember, use the Bible itself as your primary source.
• Question what you read and hear, from “regular” people as well as from well-known leaders. Test what they say and write against what the Bible says and the theology of your denomination.  
• Ask God for wisdom and discernment—and believe that he will give it to you. James writes, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt…” James 1:5-6

The book of Proverbs (which is believed to be mostly written by King Solomon, after he asked God for wisdom and discernment) speaks of discernment several times, including the following:

“The discerning heart seeks knowledge…” Proverbs 15:14

“The wise in heart are called discerning…” Proverbs 16:21

“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge…” Proverbs 18:15

Use your discerning heart to acquire  the Truth, God’s Truth, as you grow spiritually.

(I’m also blogging for the A to Z Challenge at Home is Where the Mom Is . Today the topic is “Distractions”.)

Blogging from A to Z Challenge

Communicating with God

 By Shelly Burke

“O Lord, I call to You; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to You!” Psalm 141:1

When I want to communicate with friends or for business, I turn on my computer. After it gets all warmed up (it’s an old computer so takes a few minutes) I click on the e-mail program, enter my password, click a few more buttons and finally get my messages.

When I want to communicate the “old fashioned” way, I write a letter, address it (sometimes a time-consuming process if I can’t find my address book), stamp it and take it to the post office.

Communicating by phone is easier—as long as I have enough bars and am in close proximity to a cell tower (we live in a rural area where coverage can be spotty)—hit a few buttons (or just one if the person is on speed dial), get connected and hope the call isn’t “lost”.

After a day of frustrating communication attempts, I’m so thankful that I can talk to God in the most old-fashioned way of all—through prayer.

•  No passwords to remember.
• He is always “in range.”
• He never drops my call!
• His battery is always full—and He can recharge me!
• I never go over my minutes with Him.
• He is ALWAYS on speed dial—but I don’t have to remember a number or even press one button.
• I don’t need an envelope, address, or stamp.
• My prayers are never lost or returned for more postage.

 Lord, I thank you so very much that all I have to do to talk to You is…talk to You. I don’t even need the “right” words…if I don’t have them, You will give them to me.

I’m also doing the Blogging A to Z Challenge at www.achristianmomsguide.blogspot.com. Today’s post is all about “Caring for Your Spirit.” Check it out!) 

A to Z Challenge Day 2, the letter "B"

The Bible Tells Me So!

By Shelly Burke

How often have you heard someone say, “The Bible says…” or, “Jesus would {or wouldn’t}…”

                                                    

Do you take these statements at their word, or do you seek The Word to find out if they are true?

Unfortunately, many of the people who say “The Bible says…” or profess to know what Jesus would do, do not. Recently I’ve read several articles critical of well-known Christian authors who are distorting God’s Truth. Even pastors, priests, and other religious leaders can mislead, whether intentionally or not.

Last fall I realized that although I’ve read through the whole Bible several times, I’d never taken the time to really study and take notes on what it says. I decided that this year (and probably next year as well) my Bible study time is going to focus on the Bible, and only the Bible.

Every day I am awed, surprised, or  shocked (sometimes all three) at what I learn. Many times I find that the Bible narratives that (I thought) I knew from childhood have a very different lesson than what I learned in Sunday School. For example, the narrative of Jonah and the Whale has very little to do with a whale (or “large fish” as it’s referred to in most translations).

I’ve been amazed at the ancient people and how they truly put God at the center of their lives.

I’ve discovered words to live by in every area of my life.

The Bible is full of great narratives, mysteries, advice, reassurance, encouragement, and instruction. The more I read and learn, the more I want to read and learn!

I challenge and encourage you to learn what the Bible says—not what other people say it says--but what you yourself see that it says.  

2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that they man (and woman!) of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” Every single word is written for a reason. 

There are no “rules” to reading the Bible! You can start with Genesis and read a chapter every day or you can skip around between the Old and New Testament. Make a goal of reading the Bible in a year (type “read the Bible in a year” into your search engine for a plan to do so). Consider reading the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds to the date (today is April 2, so you’d read Proverbs 2). Next time you’re at a bookstore, check out the different versions of the Bible and reading plans.

Remember to write down what you’ve learned, questions you have, or insights you gain from every reading. You can journal in full sentences and paragraphs, or just jot down a few words, in a special notebook or right in your Bible.

Below are several links to suggested study methods.

The important thing is to, as the Nike ad says, “Just do it!” You will be rewarded with understanding, knowledge, and leading that you need to live every day…and discern the Truth whenever you hear or read, “The Bible says…”

Bible Study Resources

Inductive Bible Study – this is a method of marking key words and thoughts in your Bible. “Inductive” means that the Bible is the main source of learning about God and what the Bible teaches. http://www.precept.org/about_inductive_bible_study

Simple Steps to Bible Study http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/simple-steps-to-solid-scripture-study-1295702.html  —I’m using the guidelines in this article. 

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Check out my other blog, www.homeiswherethemomis.blogspot.com, where I'm also taking part in the A to Z Blogging Challenge. Today's post will give you techniques for Getting Through a Bad Day. 

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge

When I saw this challenge (http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/) I immediately knew I wanted to join!

I will be blogging every day – except Sunday (with the exception of today, since it’s April 1^st) – throughout April. I will be posting on both of my blogs—Nebraska Family Times – www.nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com and Home is Where the Mom Is – www.achristianmomsguide.blogspot.com.

Each day’s theme will correspond to the letter of that day; today, April 1^st, the letter is “A” and the theme is “About the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.”

Tomorrow is “B” and the theme on the Nebraska Family Times blog will be “The Bible—My Favorite  Book.” The theme on the Home is Where the Mom Is blog will be “Bad Days—Surviving Them”.

Other days will feature devotions I’ve written, devotions by other authors, excerpts from my book Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home, links to my favorite websites and blogs, and more! Be sure to check in on “Freebie Fridays” where your comments might get you—you guessed it!—a freebie!

“Like” the Nebraska Family Times and Home is Where the Mom Is Facebook pages, or sign up to “follow” each blog and you’ll receive notification when the blog entries are posted!

Part 2 of the “A” theme: “A few of my favorite blogs—check them out!”

• “Fragrant Offerings” by Deb Burma at www.debburma.blogspot.com (my FAVORITE Christian author and speaker—and I get to sit by her in church and Bible class too!)
• Proverbs 31 www.proverbs31.org (many Christian writers and books)
• “The Happiness Project” www.happiness-project.com (I loved the book too!)
• “168 Hours; You have more Time than You Think” (a great book as well!)     http://lauravanderkam.com/
• http://www.nebfc.org --the Nebraska Family Council—keep up-to-date on issues important to Nebraska Families, including legislation to watch

See you tomorrow! 

His Kids Camp

“To share the love of Christ with all of His children”

By Shelly Burke, Editor

Leila and Dave Rehbein, His Kids Camp Co-Directors, were in the midst of adopting two of their special-needs foster children (they have five biological children and 4 adopted children) when Leila realized that God did not want her to only care for a few foster kids in her own home, He wanted her to take on a whole camp full of His kids!

Leila and Dave had been volunteering at Camp Luther for several years (and Dave is on the Board of Directors) when the pastor who was running the Handicamp program took a call out of state. When Leila and Dave were asked to take over the program, Leila said she was “Giddy with excitement at the prospect of leading this ministry!“ That summer she and her husband took over Camp Luther’s Handicamp and later changed the name to His Kids Camp, which grew into His Kids Camp Ministry.

 

As described on the His Kids Camp website (www.hiskidscamp.org) His Kids Camp is a Christian residential camp (at Camp Luther near Schuyler) for developmentally challenged individuals age 13 through older adults.

The His Kids Camp Ministry has evolved into a variety of camps and retreats for campers and campers and their families. As parents of several special needs children, Leila and Dave know how important it is for parents to have a temporary break from the often exhausting challenges they face. His Kids Camp provides respite for those parents.

“Buddy” Volunteers

 Every His Kids camper is paired with a “buddy” volunteer. That “buddy” stays with the camper during the time he or she is at camp. The “buddy” volunteers don’t need to have any experience with special needs people, just a desire to share the love of Jesus. Each volunteer is trained before the campers arrive; volunteers have access to all the information about their camper, including a form filled out by previous year’s buddy. This way the volunteer knows of the camper’s special needs, behaviors, preferences, etc.

Volunteers assist during the week as the campers enjoy indoor and outdoor Christ-centered activities, including a talent show. Leila says, “All of the activities are specifically geared to help each camper be successful. We boost self-esteem and build confidence!”

Volunteers entering 9^th grade and up—including college students and adults—are welcomed. Leila reports that this year a grant will cover all of the expenses of volunteers, who, as a result, will be able to attend camp for free! Training, room and board, and programming is provided.

Leila says “Being a “buddy” to a special needs camper is a rewarding experience. It isn’t always easy, but every day they learn more and more of what it means to be a servant of Christ, to show God’s love to and for their camper. Volunteer buddies go home with a confidence that they have made a difference in the life of their camper!”

                                                                                                               

His Kids Campers

The special-needs campers are changed as well. Some of them have a hard time fitting in with other campers at first, and some have behavior problems that have prevented them from attending other camps. Leila and her staff make an effort to accommodate and work with these campers, sometimes assigning the camper an extra buddy for the week. The application form asks parents/guardians to list the camper’s abilities, challenges, needs, behaviors and how they are handled, activities the camper enjoys, and so on, enabling the staff and volunteers to have a detailed picture of how they can assure the camper enjoys camp.

His Kids Camp Needs…

Volunteers! For more details and application forms go to www.hiskidscamp.org. At least 15 volunteers are needed for each camp in June.

Nurses! Leila is a nurse but as the camp has grown, she needs other nurses to give medications during camp. The nurse (Leila would prefer to have two nurses for weekly camps) needs to be at camp from 4PM Wednesday-11AM on Saturday. For weekend camps one nurse is needed from Saturday at 8AM-Sunday at 4PM.

Financial Support for Campers! Many campers and their families are not able to afford camp. His Kids Camp is a unique opportunity for special needs campers to share the love of Jesus and feel accepted and welcome. Leila says “My goal is to have a LOW or NO COST camp for our special needs campers.” Please contact her for more information.

Supplies! Supplies needed include; legal size paper (to print Bible stories and activity booklets), construction paper, Christian word search or crossword puzzle books (easy to medium levels), graham crackers, marshmallows, and ready made chocolate frosting, white t-shirts size large and extra large (about 100 t-shirts are needed for a craft project), bingo prizes, 6 adult large-size life vests, old-fashioned round wooden clothes pins, and special products for weed clean up; please contact Camp Luther for the specific products needed.

Please prayerfully consider the above needs and be part of sharing the love of Christ with His Kids!

For more information please contact Leila Rehbein, His Kids Camp Director at Camp Luther of Ne, Inc. at (402) 981-5732 or e-mail leilahkcdirector@aol.com or go to www.hiskidscamp.org.

His Kids Camp Dates 2012:

His Kids Retreat Weekend (ages 13 and over) April 20-22

His Kids Camp Family Retreat Weekend (ages 5 and older) April 27-29

His Kids Camp (age 35 and over) June 6-9

His Kids Camps (age 13 and over) June 13-16; June 20-23; June 27-30

His Kids Camp Retreat Weekend (ages 13 and over) October 6-7; October 13-14

($20 discount on all camp registrations received and paid in full before April 15, 2012!)