Sunday, December 29, 2013

Series: Bible in a year with your kids week #13 FREE Pack

     Welcome back for another week of Bible in a year with your kids chronologically!  We had to double up on our readings this week due to Christmas and reading about the birth of Christ, but we made it through!!  Praying each and everyone of you had a very merry Christmas!!















To catch up with the series please go here.

Day 85 Judges 2-5

     In chapter 2, the angel of the Lord (the OT Christ) came to the people of Shiloh and told them how he had commanded them not to associate with the Canaanites and they did not obey.  The angel told the Israelites that these people would lead them to worship idols.  The people were sad and cried out to the Lord and they called the place Bochim which means "weepers".  
     Not all of those who repented were sorry.  Some of them did evil and served Baal.  This made God angry and he gave them over to their enemies which made war against them.  During these times, the Lord raised up Judges who saved the people when they repented.  But, when each Judge died, the people went back to worshiping their idols.  We will read about this several more times!
     In chapter 3, we learn about Othniel, and how God made him the first judge.  Othniel saved Israel from the enemy and judged Israel for 40 years.  Ehud delivered Israel from Eglon who had ruled Israel for 18 years.  Eglon had kept the Israelites very poor.  Ehud from the tribe of Benjamin served the Lord and knew that the people must turn from their sins and return to God.  In the eighteenth year of Eglon's rein, Ehud crafted a special sword since he has left-handed and the Eglon king of Moab was a fat man.  He returned to the palace to see the king and the servants didn't look on his left side for a weapon since all others were right-handed.  He then killed Eglon and returned to Israel calling them to battle.
     In chapters 4 & 5, we learn that the Lord used a women named Deborah who was filled with the spirit of God to deliver the Israelites.  She judged those who came to her and repented.  He told her to send for Barak who was to take soldiers from 2 tribes ad go to Mt Tabor.  Barak was weak in his faith and wanted Deborah to go with him.  Along with 10,000 soldiers they went to battle with Sisera's army.
From heaven the stars fought, from their courses they fought against Sisera. Judges 5:20
Sisera fled on foot and and rested in the house of Jael.  She killed him.  For 40 years they had rest from their enemies.


Day 86 Judges 6-9

     With Deborah and Barak gone, we learn in chapter 6 that Israel had turned again.  The Lord sent the Midianites this time.  They ruled the land for 7 long , hard years.  The angel of the Lord came to Gideon who was hiding in a cave from the Midianites and told him that the Lord was with him.  The angel told him that he was to save Israel.  Gideon asked for a sign that God was truly with him, and the angel used his staff to set fire to the meat and bread that Gideon had brought him.  Gideon tore down the alter to Baal and built an alter to God.  Gideon still felt weak and asked for 2 more signs from God.
     In chapter 7, the Lord told Gideon that he needed a smaller army.  Why?  So that it could be known that the victory was God's.  Gideon got it down to 10,000, but that wasn't small enough.  God set out a test then.  He watched as they drank water.  There were the dog-lappers(ready for battle) and the kneelers(comfort).  Gideon kept the dog-lappers, only about 300.
     The Lord then sent Gideon and his servant to the Midian's camp.  They listed to a dream and Gideon knew he did not have to be afraid.  Gideon went back to his army and gave them each a trumpet and a lighted torch.  The Lord once again proved victory.
     In chapter 8, Gideon dies.  In chapter 9, Abimelech murders and becomes king.  He destroys Shechem and is slain.


Day 87 Judges 10-13

     In chapter 10-11 we read about Israel's repentance.  the Lord called Jephthat.  He fought against the Ammonites and won.  Jephthat tried to peacefully talk to the king of Ammon to end the war.  The king would not listen and wanted to fight.  He won.  He made a vow to the Lord that whoever came to meet him and celebrate, he would offer as a sacrifice to the Lord.  That person was his only daughter.  She lived a life of holiness and was never married.
     In chapter 13, Israel was back to being sinful.  This time is was the Philistines who had been sent to wreck havoc.  An angel came to a women and told her that she was to have a special child.  There were 3 rules that must be followed.  He must not cut his hair, he cannot eat grapes or raisins or drink wine made from grapes, and he may not touch a dead body.  This child was named Samson.

Day 88 Judges 14-18
     
     In chapter 14, Samson demanded to his parents that he get this certain Philistine girl to be his wife.  Theu didn't understand why he wanted to marry a heathen, but God had planned this so that Samson would have a reason to make trouble with the Philistines.     On their way to Timnath, God put a young lion in Samson's path.  The spirit of the Lord came upon Samson and he tore apart the jaws of the lion.  At the wedding feast, Samson told a riddle to his "friends" and they begged Samson's wife to get the answer.  He then knew that his wife's heart was with the Philistines and he killed the 30 friends and gave his wife to someone else.
     In chapter 15, He sets off to visit his wife.  To make peace with Samson, his wife's father offered to give Samson her younger sister.  He refused.  He knew that  the Israelites would not help him fight the Philistines, so he turned to the forest animals for help.  He killed many of them and went to the tribe of Judah and lived in a cave.  The Philistines followed him and bound him  The spirit of the Lord came upon him.  He broke the cords and killed 1,000 of the Philistines with a jawbone. Sampson was very thirsty after his battle.  Theplace where the jawbone was, the Lord made a hollow spot and water came out.  He judged Israel for 20 years.
     In chapter 16, Samson found Delilah and lived with her.  The Philistines learned that he was there and they went about finding out where he got his strength so that they may defeat him.  They offered Delilah money to find out. Samson told her 3 lies.  The 1st was that if she bound him with 7 green branches, he would be like any other man.  The 2nd was if she bound him in new ropes, he would be weak.  The 3rd was that if she weaved his hair into 7 parts, he would be like any other man.  The truth finally came out and she had a barber shave his head and God was gone from him when he awoke.  The Philistines blinded him and put him in jail.  Samson's hair grew and during one of the Philistines celebrations, he prayed to God and he pulled the Philistines house down and took his own life in the process. 
     In chapter 17, the Israelites were back to idolatry.  Micah hires a Levite to he his priest.  In chapter 19, The Danites rob Micah so that their inheritance would be much larger.

Day 89 Judges 19-21

     The last 3 chapters talk about the wickedness of the men of Gibeah in Benjamin.

Day 90 Ruth 1-4

     In the book of Ruth, we learn about Naomi and Ruth.  Naomi and her husband Elimelech who lived in Bethlehem took their 2 sons with them to Moab to escape the famine.  Naomi's husband died there and in his death the Lord spoke and told her that she was living in the wrong land.  She didn't listen.  She raised the boys there and they knew no worship of God and married girls from the Moab's.    God spoke harder to her this time and took both of her boys away from her.  She then repented of her sins.  She set off with her son's wives to return to Israel.  Orpah saw that she had no more sons to marry and turned around.  Ruth and Naomi came back to Bethlehem.
     Nearby, lived Boaz, a relative of Naomi.  He was very rich.  Ruth, who was poor went out to glean his fields.  Boaz was much older than Ruth.  When the gleaning was done, Ruth felt alone.  Naomi stepped in.  She told Ruth, that Boaz was a close relative of hers and that he should do as God's law commanded and marry her (Duet. 25:5-10).  He married her.  The Lord gave them a son named Obed.  Obed was the grandfather of David, the line of Jesus!!

Blessings for your upcoming week and Happy New Year!!






Sunday, December 22, 2013

Series: Bible in a year with your kids week #12 FREE Pack

     Another busy week in the word and in life!  We wrapped up school on Tuesday and have kept busy doing crafts and just enjoying each other here!  I pray each one of you has enjoyed your week!

Week 12 printables.













Catch up with the series here.


Day 78 Joshua 3-6

     In these chapters the Israelites were crossing the Jordan River.  In 3 days they were told to be ready to cross.  The ark of the covenant had to go first, about 3,000 feet ahead of everyone so that all could see it.  As soon as the priests feet touched the water with the ark, the water stopped rushing and collected near the city of Adam.  Israel had to march past the ark of the Lord in order to cross.  This was because of the mercy seat of the ark.  The priests had sprinkled lamb's blood on it, which represents the blood of Christ.  God was showing the Israelites that they were covered by Jesus' blood and He kept them safe.
     Upon crossing, Joshua had on man from each tribe chose a large stone from where the priests stood with the ark and carry it to the other side.  There they stacked them up where Israel would camp.  Joshua set up the other 12 stones on the East side of the river where the priests were holding the ark.  The stones were to be a memorial, so that when their children asked about them, the people would tell them about God's awesome works.  They could tell their children the whole story of their salvation, from sinning in Eypt to the crossing of the Jordan.  After everyone had crossed the Jordan, the priests crossed with the ark and the river Jordan started flowing again.
     After the crossing, we read about the fall of Jericho.  Israel was to fight by faith to take the city.  For 7 days they were to march around the city walls.  The armed soldiers first, then 7 priests blowing 7 ram's horns trumpets, the priests carrying the trumpet, then the people who were told not to speak at all.  On the 7th day, the people were to march around the city 7 times.  On the 7th time, they were to shout.  The walls fell down, and the spies went and saved Rahab and her father's house.  God didn't want them to take this city on their own.  Jericho was a strong city.  God wanted the people to understand that the land of Canaan was a gift from the Lord, not anything they did.  They took over the city, and everything was to be given to the Lord.


Day 79 Joshua 7-10

     Now came the battle at Ai.  This time the Lord allowed Israel to keep everything that was found in the city.  They had to kill all the people and burn the city though.  5,000 soldiers hide at night.  In the morning, Josh would come from the other side with 30,000 soldiers and trick the people of Ai.  He would retreat with his soldiers, drawing all the people of Ai out and then the 5,000 soldiers would rush in and burn the city when they got the sign from Joshua.  Then the people of Ai would be trapped.  They hung the king of Ai on a tree until evening, he was already dead when they did this.
     Next, Joshua separated the Israelites.  Half of them stood on Mt. Ebal (the mountain of curse), while the other half stood on Mt. Gerizim(mountain of blessing).  The priests stood in the valley with the ark.  Joshua wrote the laws out on stone and then placed them on Mt Ebal and built an altar and offered sacrifices.  He read the law of the stones then.  When Joshua read a curse, the people on Mt Ebal said "amen" and when he read a blessing, the people on Mt Gerizim said "amen".
     In chapter 9, we see that the the people of Gibeon tried to trick the Israelites.  They acted like they were from another country and tried to be their friends.  Now Joshua and the Israelites did not consult God, but agreed to let the Gibeonites live.  Three days later, they found out the truth.  The Israelites were told not to make any agreement with anyone in the land of Canaan.  The elders couldn't go back on their word, nor could they disobey God.  They made the Gibeonites slaves.
     Now came the battle at Gibeon.  5 kings came out with their armies to fight.  The Lord helped with this battle.  He chased the armies throwing large stones from heaven.  The 5 kings left their armies and went to hid in a cave.  Joshua told his men to roll a stone in front of the entrance of the cave.  Joshua then commanded the sun to stand still and a whole day was added.  Wow!!!  The Lord put it on Joshua's heart to ask for this, and it happened.  The Lord knew that it would take time to track down of the king's armies and kill them, so He knew they needed extra light.  After conquering the armies, they took the kings out of the cave and killed them by putting their feet on their necks.


Day 80 Joshua 11-14

     The next few chapters kind of set up the book of Judges.  In chapter 11, Hazor is taken and burned and all that country is subdued and the Anakims are cut off.
     In chapter 13, is the inheritance of Reuben.  In chapter 14, the 9 and a half tribes are to have their inheritance and Caleb obtains Hebron.

Day 81 Joshua 15-18

     In chapter 15, the borders of the lot of Judah, Caleb's portion, his daughter's blessing, and the ities of Judah are discussed.
     In chapters 16-17, the sons of Joseph are discussed.
     In chapter 18, the tabernacle is set up at Shiloh and the remainder of the land is described and divided.

Day 82 Joshua 19-22

     Chapter 19 talks about the lots of Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan.
     Chapter 20 talks about the law concerning the cities of refuge and those cities are appointed.
     In chapter 21, the cities for the Levites are described.
     In chapter 22, Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh are dismissed to their homes.  They build a altar of testimony.  The rest of the tribes of Israel threaten war against them.  They explained to them, that they built this as a reminder to the children of all clans, that even thought they are separated by the Jordan River,that they perform the services of the Lord.

Day 83 Joshua 23-24; Judges 1

     In chapter 23, Joshua warns the people about idolatry and in chapter 24, he renews the covenant between the people of Israel and God.  Joshua dies and Joseph's bones are buried.
     In the 1st chapter of Judges, Hebron and other cities are taken.


Blessings!!

Places where you may find me linked.


Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!




Sunday, December 15, 2013

Series: Bible in a year with your kids Week #11 FREE Pack

     We are finishing the law books this week!  I don't know about you, but I am happy to come to the end of the Pentateuch!  They were exciting and we learned a lot of new information, but this weeks reading was hard to come up with notebooking pages for.  I ended up going back to God in prayer and re-reading the passages looking for His insight.  Which of course, He always gives!!  Is there anything you learned in the first 5 books of the Bible that you would like to share?  Leave it in the comments if you don't mind!

If you want to catch up with us, please go here.



Week 11 printables.














Day 71 Deuteronomy 16-19
     Chapter 16 discusses the yearly feasts, while in 17 we learn about the sacrifices are to be perfect and all idolaters are to be killed.  In chapter 18, a provision respecting the Levites and the abominaitons of the Canannites.
      Chapter 19, talks about the cities of refuge.  States that landmarks are not to be removed and the punishment of false witnesses.


Day 72 Deuteronomy 20-23
     Chapter 20 discusses the people who were to go to war and what cities were to be devoted.
     Chapter 21 talks about how the first born son is to be the one to inherit, how a stubborn son is to be stoned, and to not leave people hanging all night.
     Chapter 23 talks about who are to be shut out from the congregation.


Day 73 Deuteronomy 24-27
     Chapter 24 talks about divorce, newly married couples, pledges, justice and generosity.
     Chapter 25 talks about the extent of punishment, marriage of a brother's wife, and the war against Amalek.
     Chapter 26 talks about the covenant between God and his people and how what to do with the third year's tithe.
     Chapter 27 talks about the laws that are going to be written on stones in the promised land.  Curses are also mentioned on mount Ebal.


Day 74 Deuteronomy 28-30
     Chapter 28 talks about the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience.  Chapter 29 Moses remembers Israel.  The wrath of those who are happy with their wickedness.  The last verse in this chapter talks about secrets that belong to God alone.
     In chapter 30, mercies are promised to those who repent.


Day 75 Deuteronomy 31-34
     In chapter 31, Moses encourages the people and Joshua.  He tells them that the law is to be read every 7 years, and a song is given to them as warning to the foretold breaking of the covenant by the Israelites.
     In chapter 32, the great things God has done for Israel is mentioned along with all the wicked things Israel has done.  Moses goes up to mount Nebo to die.
     In chapter 33, the blessings of the 12 tribes and strength to believers is given.
     In chapter 34, Moses views the promised land from Mount Nebo.  Moses is buried and the people mourn.  Joshua succeeds Moses.


Day 76 Joshua 1-2; Psalm 105
     Joshua 1, the Lord encourages Joshua, for he needed strength and courage for which God promised o provide (Deut 31:6,72; Josh 1:6-7)  Joshua also needed to obey God.  Joshua told the people to get food ready to take with them for in three days they were going to cross the Jordon River.
     In Joshua 2, two spies have been sent out from Jericho to Canaan.  God wanted them sent so that they would meet Rahab.  She was a women who was in sin, but had heard about God and he was working in her to change.  The King of Jericho heard about the spies and that they were in Rahab's house.  She hid them on her roof under some flax.  Rahab lied and told the King's men that they were gone.  There is no excuse for a lie, but she tells it (see also Hebrews 11:31).
     She let the spies down a rope from her window and told them to wait in the mountains for 3 days.  She also asked the spies to promise to save her and her father's house from Israel, for which they did.
     Psalm 105 talks about the call to serve and praise the Lord, His gracious dealings with Israel, and their deliverance from Egypt into Canaan.

Day 77 No reading


Have a blessed week!!


Places where I might be linked at.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Mystery of History Lessons 46-51

Lesson 46 Hosea

Our half baked cake!



Lesson 47 Hezekiah and Sennacherib



King Hezekiah helped his people turn away from their pagan idols and return to God.  He cleaned out the country then from those idols.  For this lesson, I gave him a bar of homemade soap and had him cut a cross out of it.  First, he made an outline of it.  Then, he used a wooden clay tool to cut away the extra soap.



Lesson 48 Ancient Native Americans


Making some animal Indian mounds.



Lesson 49 The Rise of Athens and Sparta

I had him roll out some self hardening clay and we cut it into the shape of a Greek vase.


Then, he painted it!


Lesson 50 Manasseh

Today, we prayed for the leadership of our country.

Lesson 51 The Powers of Mesopotamia



We made a catapult using popsicle sticks, bread ties, yarn, and a bottle cap.




We then catapulted some legos!




Blessings!!



Sunday, December 8, 2013

A loss, a life, & a homemade Christmas

 I am choosing to open my heart up for the first time online (really, ever) so please bear with me!!  This may be choppy but I am praying it is beneficial to someone!!


This year has really been hard for us.  See, our adoption to this precious little angel:
Ezra 4 1/2 months old
rocked our world in more ways than one.  First, of course was paying for the adoption, which was the easiest thing ever!  God blessed us with perfect timing!!  We were able to use all of our savings and not touch a home equity line of credit we had established.  Yay!!  Well, then the downhill spiral of everything else has put us where we are right now. Which I know God is right there with us, and even though we are truly struggling, we are also seeing the true light of Christ shining brighter than ever!
     This little boy has been a true blessing for us.  But, for me in-particular.  You see on the 10th of this month marks the passing of my 3rd baby.  I have had 4 pregnancies, and only have my son Conner with me.
We lost our daughter at 20 weeks in May and nearly destroyed me if it wasn't for my little man Conner and the grace of God.  Those were some dark days, but looking back now I see that God carried me through them and brought me closer to Him.  It was during this time, that I really began to know God and was saved!
     The end of that year, I lost my Christmas baby and have been unable to truly enjoy Christmas since then.  Now, when you read that, please don't get any crazy ideas!  My family has chosen not to observe Santa.  We view him as an idol that we put in front of our children and have chosen to keep Christ as the center of our Christmas.  (Not that keeping Santa does or doesn't make you a Christian, this are just how God has led us in our walk and how we have chosen to honor Christ.  So, as long as you are listening to God, then keep doing what you are doing.)  We also chose to only buy 3 gifts for our son, just like the wise men.  Something he wants, something he needs, and something pointing him to Christ.
     Anyways, Christmas has always been hard to see as a happy time for me.  Don't get me wrong, I have always celebrated Christ's birth with the same enthusiasm as I always have, but this time was different.  Besides Christ, there was nothing in me to celebrate.  I despised putting our tree up, I despised singing carols, I even despised making my Christmas candy.  I did all of these things only because of my son.  I did them with a smile so no one has ever known this, but on the inside I was falling apart.  
     Since that Christmas, I have since lost another baby, and God put us on the adoption path.  Sixteen months later enters Ezra!  My sweet little angel that allowed me to see life through a babies eyes once again.  The sweet forgiving, loving eyes that all babies have!  Even through all of our stays at Children's hospital (almost 2 weeks on and off) this little boy has been a fighter.


He is always smiling!  You would never of known that he stopped breathing and turned blue on us on a daily basis.  He is finally on the mend.  They think he is starting to outgrow his seizures!!  Praise the Lord!!!!
     You can imagine the bills piling in, praise God for insurance!  The saying when it rains it pours is oh so true.  Our only vehicle is starting to have problems and the 4-wheel drive went out on it (not a good thing when you live out in the boondocks!), garage door opener broke, washer broke, water leak the day I was leaving for Ezra's overnight EEG that left us without water until I got home the next night, ruined bathroom floor due to this leak, damper on our wood burner breaking (now we are burning through wood so fast we may run out), a roof leak that still isn't fully fixed, windows leaking water, and the motor on our furnace went out (which of course we haven't used said furnace in 3 years due to wood burner).
     Wow, that's a lot!  I am praying that things are going to slow down finally.  We have started a list of the things that are most important to fix and they are going to be done first.  Our family has no debt and are trying to stay that way.  So, hopefully the truck goes in this week, then the roof leak once the weather warms up, then the wood burner, and then hopefully I can buy a washer!
      Now, add Christmas in the mix!  Both boys will be getting one gift this year and neither one of them is new.  And you know what, they are going to be fine!!
     Well, seeing as I am now in the holiday spirit mode.  I have set Conner and I (and of course we will be including Ezra in a few of these things!) on making several decorations and ornaments!  Here are the first 5 days:



Day 1
I still miss the smell of pine in the house, but who wouldn't love a wreath made by their kids!
You can find the link on how to make these here.
Day 2
Home made snowflake ornaments!

These were made with craft sticks and hot glue.

Day 3
Wreath and candy cane ornament.  I cut the shapes out of cardboard and then he used the glue gun to glue on the pom poms.
Day 4 
A stained glass nativity!  The link for this is here.

This one was mine.
Conner putting vegi oil on his nativity.

Dry time!

Day 5 Baking soda keepsake ornaments!

Conner 6 years!

Ezra 4.5 months

Baylie-dog

Snickers cat

Lexie-rabbit

To make:
1 1/4 cup baking soda
3/4 cup cornstarch
3/4 c water

Put all ingredients in a pot on medium heat stirring constantly until it starts thicken and resembles mashed potatoes.  Put in a bowl and cover with a damp cloth for 30 minutes.  

Make your ornaments at least 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch thick.  Make sure to use a straw to put a hole in your ornaments for hanging!

Blessings!!