The most amazing revelation!

Yesterday, while reading Navy leadership presentations on-line, I came across something that really struck me (because it’s something I do when I teach – but didn’t realize how important it was): If you lecture for 2 ½ hours, but tell a story that lasts 2 minutes – everyone will remember the 2 minute story; NOT the 2 ½ hour lecture. In teaching children, I have tried desperately to get their attention using real life stories to help get the point across. I know I modeled this approach after all the fabulous leaders I have listened to.

This morning, while listening to a daily devotional CD on the drive to work, the teacher was explaining one of Christ’s parables in the Bible when it dawned on me….maybe THAT is why Christ taught with parables (stories)! Because He knew we would listen/remember/learn by applying the lesson to our lives.

HE never ceases to amaze me….

I have Black & White Options on my phone....

LOVE THESE!!!!

Experiencing God in Nature

I LOVE FALL!!!!!

Disclaimer: I did not take these pictures - I borrowed them from the internet. Aren't they beautiful?

This....says it all!

Can I get an "AMEN"!

Thankful Thursday

Oh my goodness – it’s Thursday again, isn’t it? I guess I need to ponder who I’m grateful for today! I can see this is going to be difficult each week, to narrow down WHOM I want to be thankful for-I have been blessed by so many, how will I ever pick!?!?!

I think I’ll share my thankfulness for my co-worker, Sharon Knowles. The picture enclosed is of a pair of shoes she purchased on her latest jaunt to New York City! She cracks me up! She has to be the most “IN STYLE” woman I know! She is extremely intelligent, generous beyond measure, an exceptional leader, kind to everyone, all around wonderful woman – who has been a fabulous mentor/inspiration to me for the past 3 years.

The funny part of our friendship/working relationship is that after approximately one week of working in this office, she poked her head around the cubicle and asked if I was related to my father-in-law. To make a long story short, it turned out Sharon and I are related – a tad distant, but I DESPERATELY want to claim her. Her sister is married to my husband’s cousin. In other words, my father-in-laws brother’s nephew is her brother-in-law. In case trying to decipher this equation gives you a headache, summarize it to say I am blessed to be related to Sharon (even if it’s distant!).

Stay tuned for next week’s post….I think I’ll share about a sweet little girl in Brazil!

"Feeling grateful to or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life." Christiane Northrup, M.D.

the Church History ABCs Book Review

I was given the opportunity to review the Church History ABSs by Stephen J. Nichols and Ned Bustard. There were numerous reasons I asked to review this book; beginning with my desire to learn about the History of the Church. I must also confess that I loved the bright colors/drawings on the cover. In the past, I strictly focused on the verbiage contained in books, but have grown in my appreciation of the arts; creating a love for graphics contained in a book!

The first time I opened the book, my eleven year old daughter began looking over my shoulder. I loved her curiosity and asked if she would like to take a look. She most enjoyed the stories containing women – and we immediately went on-line to search in-depth details on each of them.

We learned that Anne Bradstreet ’s father and husband were instrumental in founding Harvard; two of her sons were graduates (1653 and 1660). In October 1997 a gate (Bradstreet Gate) was dedicated in memory of America’s first published female poet (she was the first female poet in England also). She suffered with smallpox and later paralysis in her joints, but obtained a comfortable social standing.

Jane Grey was a true inspiration in numerous ways. Although abused as a child, she turned to books for comfort and excelled in arts and languages as a result. As stated in this book, Jane served as queen of England for nine days. Upon her private execution, an anonymous account indicated she recited Psalm 51 and quoted the last words of Jesus (from Luke’s Gospel): “Lord, into thy hands I commend my spirit!” She was then beheaded.

I love teaching my children when they don’t realize we’re learning-they simply think we’re having fun together (and we ARE)! After all, isn’t learning suppose to be fun; creating a desire to continue learning for a lifetime?

We enjoyed this book and will return to it often.

A copy of this book was provided by Crossway’s Book Review Program. Please visit www.crossway.org/blog.