• Blog

    Life’s Not Fair

    As small children (and still occasionally), my kids would whine “That’s not fair!” I might have responded to that statement more times than I have tied shoes in my life! “That’s not fair!” is a natural response that our selfish nature clings to.  We want life to be fair.  We want the same number of cookies as our sibling.  We want the same grade in math as our friend that we studied with.  We want to stay up late like our big sister.  We want to lose weight as fast as a teenager.   But do we really want life to be fair?! I almost feel guilty for enjoying this statement…

  • Book of John,  Discipleship

    #6 John 2:12-25

    Leader:  Have your Student write down the Passage and the Questions then, give them a week to prepare. Passage:  John 2:12-25   Questions:  1) What does Jesus show about himself at the temple? 2) What do verses 23-25 mean? 3) What questions do you have? Then, this week the Student will:   Read the Passage every day! Handwrite the Passage Answer the questions  When you do meet again, you will go over this…  John 2:12-25 12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days. 13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem.…

  • Book of John,  Discipleship

    #5 John 2:1-11

    Leader:  Have your Student write down the Passage and the Questions then they have a week to prepare. Passage:  John 2:1-11   Questions:  1) What does Jesus show about himself? 2) What does Jesus’ first miracle show about him? 3) What questions do you have? Then, this week the Student will:   Read the Passage every day! Handwrite the Passage Answer the questions  When you do meet again, you will go over this…  John 2:1-11 2 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother…

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  • Blog

    Kids are Like Dogs

    One single remark by a friend, changed my husband’s view of children forever.  He was terrified to have kids for fear of the little monsters that we would then have to try to wrangle. We had only met small tyrants in the early years of our marriage and he wanted nothing to do with the creation of any more of them!   We were on a road trip and stopped by to see a friend as we were passing through her town. Her children were delightful and obedient. My husband could not resist asking why?! Her simple response, “Kids are like dogs, you just have to train them”! That struck a…

  • Book of John,  Discipleship

    #4 John 1: 35-51

    Leader:  Have your Student write down the Passage and the Questions then they have a week to prepare. Passage:  John 1:35-51   Questions:  1) Who is Jesus? 2) List all the things that you have learned about who Jesus is from John 1. Then, this week the Student will:   Read the Passage every day! Handwrite the Passage Answer the questions  When you do meet again, you will go over this…  John 1:35-51 35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38…

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  • Blog

    Seating Chart

    Marriage can be lost in a sea of children, to-do lists and never-ending needs of others.   Children cannot be ignored (and make it nearly impossible, even if it will only be for a short time), I understand.   But, I would argue that your spouse should not be ignored either.   The decline of marriage is a slow methodical slide that we climb onto, we move slowly downward at first and then gain speed toward the exit.  This all begins so innocently, with actions that move us further away from our spouse, first physically and then emotionally.   This is not scientifically backed and would not hold up in a court of law. …

  • Book of John,  Discipleship

    #3 John 1:19-34

    Leader:  Have your Student write down the Passage and the Questions then they have a week to prepare. Passage:  John 1:19-34   Question:  1) Who is Jesus? Then, this week the Student will:   Read the Passage every day! Handwrite the Passage Answer the questions  When you do meet again, you will go over this… John 1:19-34 19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the…

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  • Blog

    Date your spouse!

    Do you remember how much you loved your spouse before you got married?!! You could hardly wait for your next date. You studied him; learned what he loves to do, tried to enjoy his hobbies, planned special meals, created thoughtful gifts, wanted to know his friends, called to check in, or texted just to say “Hi!”. You could order his favorite coffee without asking. You knew his favorite color. You listened to him share his future hopes and dreams. Ahh! He was your heart sparkle! Those should not become only lovely memories. Do those things now! I would like to challenge you to date again. Make it a priority like when you first met.…