Putting First Things First

Well everyone, I have scaled back on my blogging, but still feel stretched. I need to put all my energy and focus on the central things in my life--my relationship to the Lord and my relationship and ministry to my husband and children. I covet your prayers as I am also going through a job transition and preparing to move into the house my husband is remodeling for us (so excited!) Therefore, I am going on an extended break from posting here.

Thank you for your encouragement and giving me feedback on my thoughts and writing. I look forward to having more time to write some time in the future, but until then, many blessings to you. May we all keep Christ first in all and may He be glorified in our lives!

(I am posting at CWO blog today, and will do that occasionally in the coming months.)

The Lord Builds the House

For Children's Book Monday, I want to tell you about a wonderful book we recently purchased called The Lord Builds the House by Johannah Bluedorn. Johannah is a homeschooled author and illustrator of children's books. Her illustrations remind me of the work of an all-time favorite author/illustrator, Tasha Tudor.

This particular book contains gorgeous, "I can look at over and over again" illustrations to the text of Psalm 127. Not only will you and your children love exploring the details of the pictures, you are teaching them to love the beauty and message of scripture--it really comes alive for them.

You can check out this book and others at triviumpursuit.com. Don't forget to check out other Children's Book Monday selections at A Path Made Straight.

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told

Please don't miss this powerful photo montage set to one of my favorite songs, "Why" by Nichole Nordeman. We are part of the greatest love story ever told-how amazing is His grace! Blessings this Easter weekend.

Coherent Thoughts

I am so glad to know that some of my thoughts are coherent--some days I feel rather scattered! My friends at One Day More, Home Is Where The Heart Is, For Such A Time is This, and Remain In The Vine have dubbed me a "Thinking Blogger." Cyndi, Jenny, and Deidre are daily reads and some of my favorite thinking bloggers who encourage me to a deeper walk with Christ with their insights. Brenda is a new blog "discovery" for me-I have enjoyed her reflective posts and look forward to visiting her more in the future. Thank you so much ladies! I am grateful that my thoughts have challenged and encouraged you--I give Him the glory, for I myself have nothing to offer you!

Now to the hard part! I have so many blogs that I look forward to reading and learn from. Here are just a few (in addition to the amazing ladies above) that are especially talented writers/thinkers:

Come To The Table-Chris has been such a blessing to me! As a fellow minister's wife with a bit more experience, she has encouraged me greatly with her wisdom. Through her blog and our emailing, I have come to know a woman who is striving to serve the Lord and who is real. ( I think being a mother of five breaks down a lot of pretense!)

A Path Made Straight-Elise is a gem-such wisdom and eloquence in her posts. Elise is a very talented writer that sees our extraordinary God in the ordinary occurrences in everyday life. Her perceptive posts are a blessing to read, and she shares my love of great children's literature (hosting Children's Book Monday).

Embracing My Cup-Erin was one of the first blogs where I thought, "This girl needs to be a writer!" She is another blogger whose reflective posts on being a wife and mom seeking to serve the Lord bring encouragement and challenge.

Snapshot-Jennifer is definitely a thinker. She spits out informative, perceptive, and fun posts right and left. Her blog is one stop shopping for Biblical reflection & challenge, literature reviews, life lessons, and just plain great writing.

Lisa Writes-Lisa is a breath of fresh air with her honest reflections about being a follower of Christ, wife, and mother. Lisa is another blogger with great writing ability. Great writing typically comes from great thinking and reflecting!

If I have tagged you, here are your instructions:

Write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme,Optional: Proudly display the ‘Thinking Blogger Award’ with the link to the post that you wrote.

Blessings!

Masks We Wear

Today I am posting at the CWO team blog, Jehovah Java, about the masks we wear as women. Please join me--I would love to hear your personal comments!

Thinking Outside Our Box

For Children's Book Monday, hosted by Elise at A Path Made Straight, I will highlight two books that you can share with your children about other peoples and cultures around the world. In America, we live rather egocentric lives on the whole. The world can seem to revolve around our culture. As Christians, I believe it is so important to teach our children about people around the world, to pray for those people and the missionaries sent to bring them the gospel of Christ. We want them to "think outside their box." Through this focus on others, we teach to follow Christ's example of compassion and service to others.

All the Children of the World by Karen Mesek Leimert is a book that highlights twelve children from various countries, in addition to the United States. It describes how they live and important cultural distinctions, giving parents a great starting point for discussion. The illustrations are amazing, as well! You may find a new copy at biblio.com or search for a used copy at amazon.com. I found mine at the used book store.

From Abeku to Zapotec by June Hathersmith is a book that we read a part of the Sonlight Curriculum. The subtitle is "a book of Bibleless peoples." From A to Z, it highlights 26 peoples around the world that still do not have the Bible translated into their language, from the Abeku and Zapotec peoples to the Kulango and Safwa peoples. It gives a brief description of the people accompanied by beautiful illustrations by Alice Roder.

Blessings!