Stupid Little Tree

"Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any.  Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’"

Luke 13:6-7

Stupid little tree.  It had what it should have needed - sun, good earth, water (assuming it rained at some point).  And yet there it stood - nothing but branches in the dirt.  The man had waited long enough - time to get rid of the stupid little tree.

Glad the story didn't end here - am I right?!?  The gardener...let's call him Linus...thankfully says WAIT - give me a little time, let me fertilize the ground.  "I never thought it was such a bad little tree.  It's not bad at all, really.  Maybe it just needs a little love."  (Thank you Linus)

Stupid little me.  Nothing but a bunch of branches in the dirt sometimes.  I am so thankful that my Gardener is there for me, interceding on my behalf, giving me this borrowed time that I have.  Each day, each hour, and sometimes each breath - a new mercy given as a chance to bear some good fruit.  Lord help me to remember that, like Your patience, my time to grow is limited...and waiting is a risk!  Thanks for not cutting me down yet.

The Problem is Not the Problem

A little wisdom from Captain Jack Sparrow...

Pretty much sums up what Paul talks about in Phil 4:12 "... I have learned the secret of being content in every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."  It's wasn't a problem for Paul either way what his circumstances might have been.  His attitude was what kept him content...his focus on Christ's power in every situation.

Wholeheartedly

"But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted".

Romans 6:17

Wholeheartedly.  A word that means completely and sincerely devoted, determined, or enthusiastic, marked by complete earnest commitment : free from all reserve or hesitation.  Looking at this verse, it hits me like a two ton hammer on my head like a nail.  How easily I'm tossed about on the waves as my life continues to ebb and flow, sometimes riding high on faith, and sometimes falling into traps of selfishness.  I can describe myself as many things, but wholehearted isn't always one of them.

Chapter 6 seems to be all about choices.  God has given us new life - now we can be certain that sin's power is broken.  Our old self is dead - now we can see ourselves as alive in the new.  We have freedom, and freedom to choose our new master - now we can commit ourselves to Christ.  As a new creation in Christ, we aren't all happy little robots re-programmed to follow commands.  We still have to decide what our choices will be...yet we cannot choose the consequences (those are quite clear - see verse 23).

I don't know what you're dealing with in your life, or what situations you're maybe trying to handle on your own.  Maybe, like me, you're feeling a little bit lost with your choices.  If so, then join me.  I am taking today as one to re-focus, pray, and then take an honest look at where I'm failing (where am I weak or tempted).  I need to lean on God for strength and most definitely grace.  Wholeheartedly.

Verse of the Week

I don't know about anyone else, but I've been thinking about the verse of the week in addition to the reading plan.  I don't know if it was just me that was trying to do both...but it was becoming more of a routine that I was forcing, instead of the spiritual growth I started out with this year.  SO, what I'm going to do is use my "reflection" time over the weekends to focus on the weekly verse. 

If there's anyone...even just one person...who likes to get these weekly verses, please let me know and I'll post them.  I may not write much about them, but I will at least do that.  :)  I will try to do a better job of posting about our daily readings, and don't forget - if you have anything you want to write, I've given most of you access to make your own posts.  If you don't want to bother with that, e-mail them to me and I'll post it for you!

True Confidence

"So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.

What can mere mortals do to me?”

Hebrews 13:6

In the verse before this we read "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you".  God's promise.  Take a minute and read though verse 6 above slowly.  Focus on each word.  Consider how this verse would change if you took out, or changed just one word.  Remove the word confidence, for example.  Take that one word out and now how sure can we be of Who is our helper...and without that confidence, we are left to the mercy of fear and failure and judgement and persecution.

No, we are promised that NEVER will He leave us.  NEVER will He forsake us.  We can claim that confidence always, and rest in our ability to not be afraid.  God doesn't let us wander around aimlessly - he is with us.  (Although, if we choose to ignore Him, that's a different problem.)

I thought today's reading tied in quite well with the memory verse for this week, which is: 

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."1 Corinthians 10:13
 



Look through today's reading...how many different temptations are there just in this chapter!?! All of these actions sound simple, yet all of them so easy to slack on or even ignore...

• Keep loving one another
• Show hospitality
• Be content with what you have
• Don't get caught up in strange teaching
• Submit to leader's authority
• Pray

I know a lot of times people go to 1 Corinthians 10:13 as a verse for "big" temptations...but what bigger command has God given us than to love one another (aside from loving the Lord)?  And when we struggle to love the annoying co-worker sitting nearby - He provides a way to endure it.  When we're just wanting a quiet evening alone, but a friend needs someone to talk to - He will help us know what to say.  When the green eyed monster of jealousy rises up - He reminds us that He is faithful.  When the enemy uses cunning to trick our minds away from the truth - We can trust that Jesus has been through this too and we return to the Word for strength.  And, what an example we have of submission to authority!  Finally, we pray...and we do that with confidence.

My Verse

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things
you do not know."

Jeremiah 33:3

This is my verse.  Which makes it super sweet that it's this week's memory verse!  When I say that it's my verse, I just mean that this verse was quite literally the first time I felt God speaking to me through his Word.  It was a pretty awesome experience...I don't usually remember events with such detail - but this night I can recall like it was yesterday (even though it was more like 8 years ago).

I was at my Mentor's house with some of my small group members from MOPS.  They were talking a bunch about a bible study, and they were having problems with one person who was never prepared, asked questions about irrelevant topics, and was a source of distraction for their group.  I didn't have much to contribute to the conversation, but I listened.  I wasn't in their bible study at that time...but I was starting to relate to the woman they were having a problem with.  It really really bothered me that I was so much like her...wanting that relationship with God and other Christian women, but not willing to do the work.  I was so brand spanking new in my walk with Christ, everything I knew I had learned from other people (speakers, friends, articles, etc.)...and yet I hadn't been going to the source.

I got home that night, and went up to my room.  I picked up my bible, and flipped through...not sure where to look.  I knew I had questions, and I knew the answers were held right in my hands.  I flipped through some more.  But I honestly had no idea where to start.  I just prayed for something to get me started.  And I flipped again.  The pages opened to Jeremiah 33:3 and that's where I stopped.  My eyes fell onto those 19 words that seriously changed my direction.  "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know".  I knew nothing.  But in that moment, God spoke to me (of all people)...and in the simplest terms I heard Him say "just ask".

Learned Obedience

"Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered..."

Hebrews 5:8

I just found this verse so encouraging yesterday.  It might seem like a sad thing to take encouragement from...but I felt it was a good reminder that whatever we have been through, are going through, or will eventually go through - Jesus knows what it's like.  When we pray through our circumstance, we have a God who can not only say "been there, done that"...but He can offer us loving arms to take shelter in, and the hope to endure.  Through our endurance, we learn obedience to the One who promises our salvation.

Sweet Fruit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

I guess it makes sense that these are called the "fruit" of the spirit...not the "vegetables".  :)  The biggest thing that stands out from this verse for me is that absolutely ZERO of these characteristics come naturally to me all of the time.  It's only when I tap into the Vine, can my little branch bear any/all fruit.  And, when I do, God not only uses the Spirit to change me from the inside out - He is able to change others. 

Witness Without Words

"He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ -

with all boldness and without hindrance!"
Acts 28:31

Aren't we all called to do this?  1 Peter 3:15 tells us "...Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..."   I believe that we don't always witness for Jesus with our words.  Sometimes, it's our lack of words that show how much our lives have changed.  I tell you what - I am in a spiritual battle lately...primarily at work.  Constant temptation to lash out at others, pay back nastiness with even nastier behavior, and to isolate instead of serve...oh yes, the list goes on.

Although I am refraining from the negative reactions, I am failing to witness without words.  I am not "loving" the others around me lately.  It might look like I'm being patient, but on the inside I'm simply withholding kindness.  I am not complaining, but I am easily angered and mentally keeping track of how many times I've been hurt.  Am I able to rise above the petty behavior around me?  Am I able to be the light in this darkness?  

So far, I'd have to honestly answer NO...I am not able, and I'm proving it with my actions (or should I say, my non-actions).  So, who is able?  I AM!  I AM, when I trust in Him...obey in His commands, submit to His will.  Ooh, there might be the problem.  Will I submit?  That's a tough one...the stubborn, prideful human in me certainly doesn't want to do that.  And there lies my spiritual battle.  It's hard not to think 'what's in it for me'.  All of this is hindering my ability to be bold for Christ, though.  It's certainly a challenge to let go of all the nonsense...which seems so silly, especially when the rewards of submission are dangling right in front of me - peace, freedom from the judgement of others, and less stress.  I think it's time to end this battle...

Understanding the Lord's Will

"Do not be drunk with wine, in which leads to debauchery;
but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:18

 

 

My family and I know quite well how alcohol can affect our lives.  I think we can all distinctly remember the difference in our lives when it was filled to the brim with alcohol, and completely empty of the Spirit.  God used each and every minute of our lives during that time to build us up into the people we are now, though.  I am always amazed when I consider our past and see how we've all grown, and are continuing to grow.  Each journey unique, gifted, and blessed. 

 

The verses leading up to our memory verse for this week are also worth reading, to give Eph 5:18 a little more context.  "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." (Eph 5:15-17) 

 

According to our verse this week, the Lord's will is that we be filled with the Spirit.  I had an interesting question come up from my 9 year old this past week.  He asked me "How does God speak to us?"  We had a great discussion about the Word, and how the Bible is living and active in our lives when we read it...and how reading a certain passage might mean something now, and then at another time we may get something completely different out of it depending on our circumstances.

 

A verse like Ephesians 5:18 could be a wake-up call for someone, or it might be a well-timed reminder for someone who is backsliding.  Maybe it calls you to reflect on the difference in your life that came from having a relationship with Christ.  Whatever it does, I pray that you are encouraged this week as we continue with our reading plan.

The Easy Button

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you."

Matthew 7:7

Sure seems like someone just found the "easy button" with this memory verse, doesn't it!?!  Man, it would be so nice if we could just take this literally.  I know my kids try to...every day.  Obviously there's much more to it than the verse reveals on the surface.  It speaks to our prayer life.  I'll be honest.  My prayer life is a little lacking.  I pray...usually if someone asks me to, when there's a specific need.  But, and I'm being brutally honest here, I find myself (more often than not) going through my days without praying.  I can't say that I'm dis-connected from Him necessarily...I am in the Word and praising Him (lots of great music helps with that).  But I rarely sit down and just pray.  It's probably not a great thing, so I'm taking this opportunity to grow my faith here and dig in a little bit.  Here we go.

Sometimes I do get stuck on the idea that God's plan is going to be what happens anyways, so why do I need to pray?  But one thing I never really thought about was the idea that maybe God's timeless, infinite and all-knowing plan included my active role of prayer!?!  C.H. Spurgeon said "Faith asks, Hope seeks, and love knocks".  Following this trail of thought for a minute...I have faith, hope, and love.  Those are all action words, right?  So if I have those three...then an intrinsic part of that is, by extension, to actively ask, seek, and knock!  If I have faith, and I'm walking in God's will, when I ask/pray for something it will be given to me.  When I have hope, I am seeking God's will for me and He promised I will find it.  And when I love (2 John 1:6) I can knock until He opens the door.  Maybe it's not an "easy button".  Maybe it's a key.

"All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all".Isaiah 53:6

 

It's a little late this week...sorry about that. 

 

I was reading in The Joshua Code, and it mentioned something I never thought of.  "Many animals have an inner instinct that enables them to find their way home from great distances.  But not sheep.  They are directionless".  No wonder the Bible refers to us as sheep, and our need for a Shepherd!  For so long in my life I was directionless.  I would try one thing for a while, then another and another looking for something...I don't know, maybe it was happiness, friendship, fulfillment.  But everywhere I turned I was left empty, and in search of more.  Always more.  It's amazing how patient God is with me, and how long He waited for me to figure out what I needed.  And even before I realized what I needed...He already paid the price for what I deserved in this life.

 

When I realized how badly I needed a Saviour, that's when things started to change.  I found a direction!  I started to understand things like joy, and how that's different from happiness.  I didn't just find friendship, I began a relationship...and through that I found fulfillment in a purpose.  People often will comment about my weekly activities through our church as if I'm crazy.  I usually just smile and laugh it off.  But maybe I need to start explaining the purpose I've found, and why I do what I do these days.

"Being Comes Before Doing"

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled."Matthew 5:6

 

"These are the Be-attitudes, not the Do-attitudes.  Being comes before doing, for what we do is always determined by who we are." (The Joshua Code).  I haven't ever given this particular verse much thought.  It's interesting to consider the deeper meaning of it...that to "hunger and thirst for righteousness" isn't just a rule to follow.  But that, because we are believers, we will be blessed when we do.  It's because of who we are that we realize our need for righteousness.  A need for something that is not of ourselves...Something only He is able to provide. 

Beauty From Pain

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Romans 8:28

This is a verse that I hold very close to.  Literally.  It is actually on a ring I wear every day!  I love having it right in front of me, a constant reminder that God is at work.  He's at work in ALL things.  It's easy to see when things are going well...but not so easy to see or understand when pain, heartache or suffering is involved.  This verse is a great reminder to hold onto our faith that whatever we're going through, God has something planned for us as we journey through it.

We sang a song at church this weekend called Beauty From Pain.  It's a beautiful song, so I thought I'd share it here.  It goes along with this verse quite nicely. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-GPbYcTDbQ

 

 

As fellow believers who love God, we have access to this promise!  He has our good in mind...but we have to trust in His idea of what "our good" will be.  Here's an example...when I was going through my job search I interviewed for a job that I knew I would really like, the office was close to home, it was 34 hours a week and they would be flexible with issues that come up with kids/school/etc..  I nailed the interview, and everything they said made me think the job was mine.  That was, until, they called me to tell me they decided to go with another candidate.  Ugh.  I was so sad!  I thought we finally found what we were waiting for, and felt so defeated and sure that an opportunity like that wouldn't come up again for me.  (Ironically, when they called the song on the radio was an oldies tune with the lyrics "Don't worry baby, everything will be all right"!)  But, it really was an internal struggle to either feel sorry for myself...or to trust that if this wasn't the job for me, then God must have something even better in mind.  So I focused on trusting Him, and His timing.  It took quite a few weeks longer, but eventually He showed me that He did have something even better planned for me/us...a job where I'd only have to work 24 hours a week, would be paid significantly more, was still close to home, and with working fewer hours I could keep my other job at the pottery studio!  This job opportunity was more than I ever thought possible...and I trusted in Him, knowing that in ALL things God is at work for my good.

Psalm 23

Psalm 23:1 is our new memory verse for the week.  Have any of you been doing these with me?  What do you think about this challenge in addition to our daily readings?

"The Lord is my shepherd I shall not be in want".

 

I like a good uplifting Bible verse to memorize.  Something I can use in the day to day anything and everything.  This one...well, this one makes me think of funerals.  I can't think of a time, other than that, when I've heard this and felt it's meaning.  I mean...how can you not when you hear in verse 4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death..."

 

But reading through the book (The Joshua Code), brought about a new perspective on this verse/chapter.  This is neither written for things that happened in the past, nor is it in preparation for the future.  It is most definitely written in the present tense..."The Lord IS my shepherd".  NOW  Not some future date when I'm hopefully old and gray, wrinkles on my face and hands, breathing my last.  I don't need to know this verse for then.  I need it now!! 

 

To get past this mental block, I started thinking about this verse and the ones following in my own words.  God is my guide, He'll provide for my needs.  When I follow his lead, he shows me beauty in the world, quenches my thirst, and refreshes my spirit.  He leads me to walk in His wisdom and I glorify His name.  As I live in this world, I will trust in Him and not the evil that surrounds me, because God is with me.  His correction and discipline give me comfort because I know who is in control.  The Lord blesses me daily, even though daily there are troubles.  When I let myself be filled with His love, how can it not pour over onto others?  This life isn't perfect, but the life that follows will be...when I have eternity with my God.

 



His Workmanship

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves,

it is the gift of God...."Ephesians 2:8

 

This is our memory verse for the week.  I think it feels incomplete without adding verse ^{9 "}not by works, so that no one can boast".  But you can choose how you want to do this.

 

 

"By grace".  I am saved through my faith "by grace".  We are getting something we totally do NOT deserve.  But He loves us (try to personalize this when you read - because He loves you personally).  He loves us SO much that he holds out his hands with this gift, and all we need to do is accept it.

 

If you're like my kids, your first reaction might be to ask why?  Why would God give us something so amazing that we totally don't deserve?  Read a little further into the next verse in Ephesians 2.

 

¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do.

 

 

We are His handiwork.  I don't know about you but, when I make something, I'm usually proud of what I've created and I treat it special.  I might wash it more gently, put it on display for people to see, or carefully glue each piece back together when it gets shattered by someone else's carelessness.  Put this into perspective that we are God's special creation...that you (and I) were personally planned, created, and made into His image...his unique handiwork.  He values us and desires for us to be saved through our faith by His grace.  Amazing!!

A Ransom for Many

Don't you just love how the memory verse for this week is woven throughout this chapter!  In Mark 10:26-27:  "The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?"  Jesus looked at them and said "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."" 

There's nothing we can do to earn our place in heaven.  And think about it this way...there's nothing we can do to un-earn our place in heaven either!  We're all human, we make mistakes...not that we have a "get out of hell free" card to play, but we do have the throne of grace that we can approach boldly and seek forgiveness and repent.  It's so easy to get caught up in activities...the things we DO, and it's hard for some not to realize that what we do is not the way.  What we believe, now that is the way!

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give his life as a ransom for many."Mark 10:45

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life"John 3:16

 

Here's our memory verse for the week.  :)  The Gospel rolled into one verse...because He SO loves us.

 

For God...the greatest Lover

so loved...the greatest degree

the world...the greatest company

that He gave...the greatest act

His only begotten Son...the greatest gift

that whoever...greatest opportunity

believes...the greatest simplicity

in Him...the greatest attraction

should not perish...the greatest promise

but...the greatest difference

have...the greatest certainty

everlasting life...the greatest possession

 

Author unknown

Beginnings

How's everyone doing this week?  Liking the new reading plan as much as I am?

My reflection time this weekend has been varied and scattered to say the least, but it's nice to have the time designated for this...at first I thought it might just be a couple "days off", but I found myself really doing it!   I focused a lot on our memory verse for the week too:

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth".
Genesis 1:1

Maybe it was because of the New Year, or possibly the start of our new reading plan, or even the beginning of my new eating/exercise plan...but I'm still in that starry eyed state of excited anticipation of things to come.  It's keeping my eyes open to the life I have...little, normally hurried through, moments made me slow down and focus on my appreciation for all I've been blessed with. 

One of those things I've been blessed with is being able to serve at KidStuf.  We sang a song today, which many of you may have heard before.  The lyrics are "Giver of every breath I breathe, author of all eternity, giver of every perfect thing - to You be the glory.  Maker of heaven and of earth, no one can comprehend Your worth, King over all the universe, to You be the glory!"

I was blown away by how the words that were speaking to me personally this week were also used through our worship team to speak to all the families who came to our two shows this morning.

Like I said, it's the little things.  But sometimes we don't see how big the "little" things can be, do we?

"Consider carefully what you hear,"

"Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use it, it will be measured to you - and even more.  Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him."Mark 4:24-25

One of the things I liked about this reading plan we're doing is the way it's structured. (And, yes, this verse is from yesterday's reading.)  However, if you didn't look at the PDF, here's what it says...

1. Underline or highlight key words or phrases in the Bible passage. Use a pen or highlighter to mark new discoveries from the text. Periodically review your markings to see what God is teaching you.
2. Put it into your own words.  Read the passage or verse slowly, then rewrite each phrase using your own words.
3. Ask and answer some questions.  Questions unlock new discoveries and meanings.  Ask questions about the passages using the words "Who, What, Why, When, Where, or How.   Jot down some thoughts on how you would answer these questions.
4. Capture the big idea.  God's Word communicates big ideas.  Periodically ask, What's the big idea in this sentence, paragraph or chapter?
5. Personalize the meaning.  When God speaks to us through the Scriptures, we must respond.  A helpful habit is personalizing the Bible through application.  Ask:  How could my life be different today as I respond to what I'm reading?

Just think what will happen if you put even one of these into practice this year.  My goal this year it to dig in deeper...not just to look at this as a reading plan, but as a way to study the Word and live it - especially since I can finally say I've already read it!!  Like verse 25 says "Whoever has will be given more..."   That's what I'm hungry for this year...more understanding and more opportunities to respond and make my life show what I have been given. 

It's a jump ahead, but check out James 1:22-25...it ties this all together with a pretty little bow:

 

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does."

What's Your World View?

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth".
Genesis 1:1

 

 

Your response to the opening line of the Bible will be the determining factor of how you view this world.  Will it be through Scripture, which doesn't change...or by cultural/societal views that can change on a dime?  The memory verse for this week seems so simple, but even looking through different translations of the Bible it's interesting to see the differences in how this verse is explained. 

 

The NET (new english translation) was especially interesting to me because it broke down the verse into three sections just like The Joshua Code does (this is the book I mentioned yesterday).  It takes a very simple verse and makes you look at the three parts of the verse that raise quite important questions...When?, Who? and What?

 

When:  "In the beginning..."

There's a translation note in the NET that says "...beginning has to be defined from the context since there is no beginning or ending with God".  This can get the wheels turning!  "In the beginning..." isn't really the beginning - God was at work before this, and The Joshua Code gave a few other verses to support this (John 17:24, John 17:5, Titus 1:2, and John 1:1,14). 

 

Who: "...God..."

From the beginning of the Bible we are given a view of who God is.  The Hebrew word that was translated is "Elohim", which is a plural.  When used in this way we are shown God as three in one - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  It's a tough idea to explain (Will asked me about it once and I had a hard time explaining how Jesus could be God with us, yet God was still God.)  The Joshua Code brought up a way to explain it that I will have to use as a science experiment with the boys as a great visual of how one thing can actually be three different things.  Water.  It's a liquid, but can also be a solid (ice) or a vapor (steam).  All three different, but still break down to H20.

 

What: "...created the heavens and earth."

The word create was translated from a Hebrew word "bara", a verb that is always used to describe the divine activity of fashioning something new, fresh, and perfect.  When I make something I need the supplies, hopefully some instructions, and the patience to do it over when I make a mistake.  There's quite a big difference between my ability to create something, and God's ability to create something!

 

I hope you found all of this to be as interesting as I did.  I love how it gets me thinking a little deeper about the memory verse for this week, rather than just trying to be able to repeat it.  In general it's not a difficult one to remember -  but having a better understanding of the Truth behind it makes it more meaningful, and we can become more aware of what our own world view is.