One of the best ways to grow spiritually is to memorize Scripture. 

The Lord encouraged His people in Deuteronomy 11:18-20, Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

This was followed by a promise:  So that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the Lord swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. (v. 21)

God wants us to enjoy a long a prosperous life.  Knowing and following His Word are key means to achieving this.

In his book, Faith Set Free, Pastor Will Davis Jr. shares the following tips for Scripture memorization:

1.     Use flash cards.  Write down the verse in an index card and go over it until you’ve memorized it.  I really like something I saw Mario Fernandez (one of the pastors at our church) do:  He laminates a set of small flash cards with different Bible verses; he punches a hole on one end of each card and then holds them together with a key ring.  This allows him to carry along his Bible verses and work on memorizing them whenever he has some spare time.

2.     Write them out.  “Pick two or three verses you want to learn each week, then write them out every day,” says Pastor Davis, “before the week is over, you’ll be able to write them from memory.”

3.     Sing them.  Pastor Davis suggests making up tunes or using tunes we already know to sing passages of Scripture.  I have to confess, I’d feel silly doing this, but that might work for you!  (And you’d probably sound much better.)

4.     Post them.  This tip is actually not in the book, but it’s worked great for my family.  I copy a Bible verse in an index card and “post” it on my refrigerator – one of the most popular and visible places in my home.  Some people post their memory verses on their desk, computer, or bathroom mirror.  Just make sure to change your cards on a regular basis. 

5.     Learn them with a friend.  Pastor Davis suggests finding a friend that would commit to learning a weekly Bible verse with you.  You could agree to call or e-mail each other to recite your weekly memory verse.  Something I did (that I need to get back into) is read our weekly verse to my family before thanking God for our dinner.  Back when my kids were little, I would have them repeat this verse back to me.  They would participate enthusiastically, but now they’re too cool for that.  I guess the trick is to adjust this practice to your family’s growing needs.

I hope these tips will encourage you to pursue the practice of Scripture memorization, so that — like Job — you may say, I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. (Job 23:12)

Ana

http://anastinescorner.blogspot.com/

I grew up attending a very traditional mainline denomination.  We sang hymns, recited the Apostle’s Creed and planned potlucks.  I learned a lot in that little church.  I learned how to live in a family of believers, how to study God’s Word and how to be a faithful follower of Christ.  I also learned about church history and traditions.

One of those traditions is happening today, and that is Ash Wednesday, which typically marks the beginning of the Lenten season.  Lent is the 40 days (not including Sundays) leading up to Easter, and is to be a time of preparation – much like Advent is for Christmas. 

The traditions of Ash Wednesday go back to the 6th century, when Christians would mark their foreheads with ashes to signify penitence in preparation for Lent.  Some churches still follow that tradition today. 

While we at the Vineyard don’t have any special services for Ash Wednesday, I think it can be a time for us to reflect, and to set our hearts right in preparation for Easter.  What does that really mean, though?  Let me explain what it means to me, and to do that I need to go back a in time a bit.

Growing up as a “good” Christian has its drawbacks.  One of them is that it’s easy to miss your need for a Savior.  You see, when you have avoided many of the obvious sins (no stealing, lying, cheating or killing anyone) you get confident (over-confident, really) in your own abilities.  You forget that it’s only by grace that anyone is able to stand strong.  And more dangerously, you can overlook the fact that at our very core – everyone is a sinner in need of a Savior. 

For years, I lived unaware of my great need for salvation.  Not a good place to be.  When I did come to truly understand my need, my life was transformed.

In light of all our need for a Savior, Lent can be a time to focus on that need, and the sacrifice that Christ made because of it.  It can be a time to do a spiritual inventory and discover if we’ve been hanging on to any remnants of sin.  Some of those that are stubborn, difficult to identify, and even harder to deal with can be pride, judgement, resentment and unforgiveness.  Then it’s a time to repent and turn back to God, with grateful hearts.

We all need Jesus … desperately.  The more we understand that need, the greater our appreciation for Christ’s sacrifice will be, and the even greater our joy will be as we celebrate His resurection on Easter. 

Romans 5:7-8 sums it up perfectly, “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Praise God!

In His Love,

Glynnis Whitwer

www.GlynnisWhitwer.com

I was blown away at seeing God at work during the Women’s conference.  So many good things were happening.

I heard lots of great stories.  I will share a few.

 We experienced great worship and the presence of the Lord.  Fantastic!  It was a joy just to see women having a great time laughing together and being inspired in their Christian walks.

 One woman told me about being inspired to reach out more in her “normal ordinary daily routines and being more like Jesus to those around me.”

Another said she was inspired to pray for others with more confidence now.

Another now said she realizes her guide to  life is the  Bible!  (Go God!)

One woman’s husband thought it would be such a great experience, he donated scholarships to some who couldn’t afford the conference fee.

 Another woman experienced the joy of praying for someone and seeing God move in a measure of healing for the first time.

 One female pastor from Louisiana e-mailed to say, “I so needed the time with women leaders of the Vineyard!  Our time together was such a reminder that no one church does it on its own.  All Vineyard churches belong to a larger family of which I am happy and honored to be a part.”

I talked to a few women whom the Lord ministered to powerfully as the result of a word of knowledge. 

I just wanted to share some great reflections with you of things God is doing that we don’t usually get to hear.

 Bless your day!

Thora

“How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways”.  These are beautiful and oft repeated words from Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s lovely poem.  With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I have actually been giving some thought to “the ways,” and how often we overwork or undervalue the word “love.” 

My husband, David, and I have what I think of as mature love.  We’ve been married 32 years, and have been on the mountaintops as well as deep in the valleys as child-rearing, in-laws, finances and careers have affected us. 

I enjoyed watching our two daughters, Christa and Amy, go through puppy love several times as they flitted their way from toddlerhood to adolescence.  Then there was young love as they became interested in some nice young men who were around the landscape for weeks or even months.

Unrequited love is something we’d probably all like to live without.  Both girls had crushes on guys who didn’t notice them.  (As a doting & proud mother, I think those guys must have had rocks in their heads, or been blind.)  Fortunately, we all lived through those phases, but not without tears and disappointment.  Pouring salt on the wounds were the occasions when one daughter liked a guy, but he liked the other sister.  What a mess!

Another challenge is tough love.  When our girls failed to stay within boundaries we had set, consequences followed that no one enjoyed.  It really is true that this hurts parents more than it hurts the kids.  As they grew older and failed to set their own appropriate boundaries, they got hurt, taken advantage of or were disappointed.  Then they had a better understanding of what we went through.

 Just for fun, I love going to Mimi’s with David.  (I tell him I like it when he speaks French to me.)  I love watching ASU or Cardinal’s games and yelling my head off in the living room, even though David keeps telling me they can’t hear me.  I also (mostly) love HGTV, and I definitely love the British versions of the Jane Austin classics.  I love my family; it’s a great one!  And of course, I love my husband, who tells me and others that it’s his job to be an Ephesians 5:25 husband; and to make sure there’s always money in my checking account.

 I love my Mother who is generosity personified.  I love my 3 beautiful and intelligent sisters.  I love my one living daughter, Amy, who makes my life more worthwhile, and I positively love & adore my twin grandsons who are cuter and more fun than a barrel of monkeys.  I cherish the love and memories of my first daughter Christa, who lives with and enjoys the love of the Father in heaven.  And I can’t leave out how much I love my numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, who are too numerous to count.

 I proudly love my country, many of my co-workers, and some good books I’ve read more than once.  I love a relaxing vacation as much as I love a rousing debate on one of the educational channels.  I love my church and the friends we’ve made there.  I love serving meals to our small group, and I love to worship.

 And speaking of worship, that really brings me to the most important and profound love of all, the love of the Father.  The love poems that lighten our days, our nights, our burdens and grief; the prophesies that give us a future and a hope; the instructions on living fruitful and righteous lives are all delivered in a love letter from God: the Bible.  

 Just think of the love He rains down on us:  For God so loved the world … How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God … Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God … It is not good that man should be alone, I will make a helper … Come to me, all you who are weary … and I will give you rest … Your sins are forgiven … And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.  Amen and amen.  That is the love that we all can earnestly and fervently desire and pursue.

Paula Gray

Do you have a problem with ordinary?  I kind of do.

I’m ok with my ordinary house and don’t mind driving an ordinary car.  Don’t know much about designer brand names or the latest, hottest place in town.  As a matter of fact, I can thoroughly enjoy an ordinary meal and be perfectly content with a regular, department store pair of jeans – as long as they fit!

But when it comes to my life, “ordinary” is the farthest thing I want it to be.  I don’t want to pass through this world without leaving my mark, without making a lasting difference in the lives of others.  I long do extraordinary things for God! 

However, my good wishes and best intentions often clash and even crumble when confronted with the notion that I am just an ordinary girl.  Debilitating thoughts assault my mind with arguments such as:

Why would God use you? 

What do you have to offer?

Who do you think you are?

You’re nothing but ordinary.

The battle rages so fiercely sometimes, I give into their seeming logic and am tempted to surrender thinking:

Who do I think I am?

I’m nothing special.  I’m no expert.

Why would anyone want to read what I write or hear my message?

I must confess that I’ve wasted more time and energy battling my doubts than I have actually invested doing things for God. 

But last Saturday was different.

Last Saturday, during our Women’s Conference, as I listen to our guest speaker Eleanor Mumford talk about the power of ordinary, an incredible insight awakened me like a jolt of caffeine in the morning:  God can use ordinary people like me, because He is extraordinarily powerful!

I’ve been so stuck on the knowledge of my own limitations; I’d almost forgotten Who is at work when I surrender to His calling.  My own message and works may be dull and ineffective.  But God’s Word in my pen and on my lips and His Holy Spirit working in and through me in are mighty to save, to heal, to deliver and to restore!

And that, my friends, is nothing but extraordinary!

Ephesians 3:20 says that God “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

I sat on my chair last Saturday, pondering on this amazing revelation, brimming with renewed excitement, and trying really hard to refocus on Eleanor’s message.  Peace filled my mind as well as a new sense of purpose and direction for what I’ve dared to believe is God’s calling upon my life. 

The Lord’s extraordinary power is at work on this world, and He chooses ordinary people – like you and me – to carry it out for His glory.  All we need to do, get to do, is join Him.

Ana

http://anastinescorner.blogspot.com/

You know, despite the hand life deals us, our hearts need to always cry, It is well with my Soul . I just recently went through a tragedy in my family. I have never had so much pain and hurt before. You never really know how to deal with it until it comes to your door. Sure there are places we can run to, material things that may temporary relieve us . . . but does it really? I’m sure you all know the Hymn, “It is well with my soul”? The man that wrote that song lost his business and son, then a couple years later, his four daughters. As he sailed to meet his wife after the tragedy, he wrote, It is well with my Soul. Now tell me, when a tragedy like this strikes you, it that the first thing you will say?

I lost my grandpa this past Sunday and let me tell you, it was hard. I have my moments when I just want to crawl away and cry, but I need to remember my grandpa was fun, awesome and a pastor that loved Jesus with all his heart and I know where he lives now . . . and yes, it still hurts. I can’t imagine what the author of It is well with my Soul was feeling when he got word that his daughters had sunk in a ship, but I know that as we grow older and more family will leave us, I will sing in the deepest part of my heart, It is well with my Soul !

I know that through life there will be things that come up that we need may not know how to handle, we may not know how to deal, but let us take the comfort and guidance of the Lord and run with Him.

Be Blessed!
Christi Schuman

Last year I started back on Weight Watchers.  Notice I said “back.”   This isn’t the first time.  Sadly, it’s been 18 years since I was at a healthy weight.  My oldest son is 18 and I think there’s a connection!  Not that I’m blaming him, or anything. 

Each time I’ve gone to Weight Watchers I stay committed until my clothes fit comfortably, then I stop.  I lose my motivation to get those last 15 pounds off.  I accept the good without pressing through to the best.  I rationalize that maybe I’m not supposed to get down that low. After all, I am older. 

Last year I asked God what weight I was supposed to be.  Even as I was asking God this, I didn’t think He would confirm the number in my head.  But He did in a miraculous way.

So here I am again.  Clothes are fitting and I’m still 15 pounds away from where I know God wants me.  This time it’s different.  This time I know I can’t do it on my own.  This time I’ve submitted my pride and told God I can’t do it without Him.

I say pride because I think I OUGHT to be able to do this alone.  I’m a competent woman.  I can clean my house, write a book, lead a small group or organize a writing conference.  Why can’t I lose this weight on my own?  I struggle with that mental question a lot.

The fact is I can’t.  I need the support of other women, and I really need God’s intervention, strength, encouragement and wisdom (to name just a few things).

I can’t do this without Jesus.  Every day I tell Him so.  Sometimes more than once a day. 

You know what?  He is faithful.  He prompts me to put down that extra bite.  He reminds me that He is strong when I am weak.  He calls me gently to choose His best rather than what looks good in the moment.  He is inviting me past my complacency to a place of higher obedience.

I’m learning to submit my “ought tos” for His power.  Though it’s hard to lay down my pride, I know I can’t do this alone and I want to honor God by being obedient to hit that number He confirmed.

If you are struggling with obedience in an area of your life, and you think you ought to be able to do it alone, I encourage you to join me in admitting you need help.  The sting of pride only hurts for a moment, but the joy of obedience overshadows it for much longer.

In His Love,

Glynnis

www.GlynnisWhitwer.com

 Do you remember that song a few years ago, which went something like, “Seize the day.  Seize whatever you can.  Life slips away just like hourglass sand.”

 I really liked that song.  I still do as a matter of fact, and the older I get, the more true that song seems.

 Let me ask you…..”Are you seizing today and making the most of it?”

Sometimes I let little things (whining by my daughter for instance) drag me off track and then I start moping myself.  I’ve come to realize that to “seize the day,” is a choice.  I remember looking back on one particular event and realizing I could have chosen to enjoy the event, if I had chosen to “seize the day” and not to focus on what was going wrong.

 We have numerous choices to make through the course of any given day, and one particularly important choice, is the choice of how we will act and react to the things which come our way.  Some days I feel like I do a pretty good job and other days…….not so well.  One thing which helps me, is to choose ahead of time that I am going to make the best of what comes my way.  (Ok, some days I still bomb, but some days this resolve is immensely helpful.)

 I want to encourage you to “Seize the day!”  Make the most of it!  Choose ahead of time to focus on God’s goodness.

 D. H. Lawerence said, “Life is ours to be spent, not saved.”  I want to spend my life while choosing to enjoy it and make the most of it.

 I want God to fill my life and soul with wonder.  We never know when and where God will invade our lives and what opportunities we will have to seize the moment.  God can show up anytime, anywhere and at any moment.

 God, fill us with holy anticipation!

 Blessings to you as you seize both the ordinary and the spectacular moments of your day!

Thora