Teaching Economics in Life and in School ~ part 1

It is the time of year when you are probably already set on what you will be teaching, and more than likely you have already planned for what you need and made the necessary purchases. However, if you are like me... at some point you may have dropped the ball and decided your summer break really was a magical time for you and somewhere in your fairy-land wishing you didn't want to plan or even think about school.

In all honesty, I have thought about school.. a lot, actually. I have been working diligently, trying to be a help and a blessing by creating materials that will be a blessing to homeschooling families.  I just haven't wanted to sit down and "plan" out our weeks and days as fervently as I have been wanting to write and teach. :)  ...sigh...

My husband gave me grace yesterday when I confessed,  " I am just not ready." He said, it's ok Dawn. Your always ready when you need to be.   I thought about that and realized, he is right. He was giving me permission not to worry about it because it didn't matter and doesn't really.. if I don't have it all 'planned' perfectly  on paper. I have most of it mapped out in my head, but it is the connecting of the two where I need to refine  my skills.  However, this post is not about that it is about Economics!

Do you find  yourself wondering what to do when it comes to this subject? Maybe trying to find the best tools to teach or books to read. Economics can be a dry subject, really.  Just thinking about it for some people makes them want to jump out of their chairs. Then for the type A personality folks out there.. you know who you are.. YOU love this! :) It is planning, it is numbers, it is order. Ahh...maybe some of our leaders in positions of authority should take yearly economics classes, huh?  I won't get up on my soapbox with that subject, but it is a plausible idea.

Take time to think about how important teaching economics to our students is and then consider what it is you really want them to know.

There are so many ideas floating around that will bombard us at some point and truthfully being aware of what is real and what is supposed will help us prepare our children for economic liberty. ( is that even a concept that is possible?)

As I have floated thoughts back and forth in my own mind, wondering if I should even be the one to attempt teaching this subject to my children.  This is one of my own weak spots, because I would oftentimes rather not think about "money". Yet, it is in the sense of knowing what is necessary, what is right, what is good, what is important that we can base our concept of economics.

I am beginning to formulate my own ideas in relation to the study of Economics that I want to direct my children through and to as they tackle this subject in their life. These ideas, I believe can be applied to every aspect of their lives.

Let's look at a definition of what Economics is first of all:
It is the study of production and consumption of goods and the transfer of wealth that is necessary to both produce and obtain goods.( taken from the website www.whatiseconomics.org)

With that in mind.. economics affects everything in our lives. It affects people, industries, resources, labor, investments, taxes, governments, ....on and on.  ( what else is there)

My definition of economics  encompasses more. It is the way we relate our needs with our gifts towards others to both give and receive so that our needs are met.

Now, we can teach that it solely relates to money and monetary issues, but it doesn't. Read this article by Leonard Read called, I Pencil.

We can apply Economic Principles to every area of our life, not just our finances. In fact, I wonder if we could look at things with a shrewd eye, as most do when it comes to their finances, if we would begin to see a change in so many other areas of our lives.  Take some time to think of the principles I suggested and see if you can also find the economics of your life( relationships - the Lord first and then  your family and then others, prayer, work and  of course, finances) increasing exponentially.

Things I want to consider when teaching economics to my children:

1. Commit everything the Lord and to prayer

2. Be a Giver

3. Be wise

4. Be hardworking and diligent

5. Be timely

6. Save

Commit everything to the Lord and Prayer:

Philippians 4:6-7 tells us to submit our requests unto the Lord, being careful for nothing. ( No..thing) Bring it all to the Lord, in honest submission and trust that He is able to work out all things for your good when your heart is steadfast for Him. ( Romans 8:28)

1Thessalonians 5:17 reminds us to pray w/o ceasing.  Keep the details of your life present before the only One who can give you the Wisdom to make wise decisions, both fundamentally and economically.

Matthew 6:33 teaches a pivotal economic principle.. To seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and know then that all the "things" that you have need of will be given to you.

Be a giver:

I want to always bring everything back to Scripture for my children. Always bring it back to the beginning. I am reminded of how Abraham gave to Melchizedek in Genesis 14:17-24. I am not pointing out an absolute in relation to economic principles beyond the concept that Abraham GAVE out of his abundance. That is one of the significant economic principles of I want to teach my children, to be so wholly committed to the Lord that they do not hold on to the things of this world as their bounty and they would be generous givers.

Be wise:

A thorough study of the book of Proverbs will enlighten anyone on the concept of wisdom.  Being wise, economically, is really just practicing common sense. And can I say, being trustworthy... trusting the Lord to also meet your needs and guide you in your choices.
Proverbs 1:5 says that wise men add to their learning, gaining wisdom.  - Encourage the skill of studying
Proverbs 13:20 says that when we walk with wise men we will become wise. - Encourage seeking wise counsel in all decisions.
Proverbs 9:12 tells us that our wisdom will reward us. - The wisdom of the world is foolishness in the eyes of God. Always temper everything with the Word and remember that those eternal rewards outweigh the temporal ones, however, God provides both eternally and temporally and in that acknowledgement we will be rewarded when we diligently seek him. ( Hebrews 11:6)

Be diligent and hard-working:

The Bible reminds us to be diligent and hard-working.  Deuteronomy 8:18 tells us that  it is God who gives us the power to get wealth, and in Proverbs 10:4 we read that when we are lazy and idle we become poor but a man who is diligent to work with his hands becomes rich.

I often remind my children of the verse in 2 Thessalonians 3:10,  A man who does not work does not eat. My youngest child had this verse memorized at an early age. :) I am not a hard taskmaster, but I must have quoted it multiple times to help her understand the importance of diligence.

If you go to Ecclesiastes chapter 5 you read about the vanity of riches. In verse 12 it says that the sleep of a diligent worker is sweet. Not only does working hard, often times it is those small steps...little by little that add up, but it is health to our body as well as our bank account.  My children are learning, that ill-gotten gain means very little and so with that comes less responsibility.  As will gifts, when given in abundance we tend to abuse the very  nature of that gift.  This is easy to miss in our materialistic world which  we live in.  Especially, here in our nation where all we need is truly at our finger tips.

My husband is a worker and I am so thankful for his diligent faithfulness. He is showing our son how to take care of his family by being purposeful to meet our needs by using his hands. He has a gift to fix anything and it has served him well on many occasions by granting him favor over others. His willingness to work when asked has placed him before others on the job because his boss knows he can count on him to do the job and do it well. This is a pivotal lesson for our children to learn. To be diligent, hard-working and trustworthy in their work.



Be timely:

Being timely is a lost art in our modern culture. And to be honest, not an area I have conquered in my own life. This goes hand in hand with diligence, but it can delve a bit deeper. We want to teach respect for others and for authority.  Being timely with their investing and with their bill-paying will affect their finances drastically.  Applying it to the economics of their lives, will give them a character trait which shows their respect towards others and the value of their time.

Time is a commodity( a great economic vocab word there).  It is something most people wish they had more of. Something many wish they could get back. This is a huge learning lesson here at my house because mom's love language is time. If there is one thing that can bless me or cause me to feel a bit overwhelmed is a loss or a waste of my time.  Most often the Lord has big lessons for me when it comes to this area., but I want to teach my children to value time and to honor that time the Lord has given them to live out their lives for Him serving others.

Save:

Saving, for God's glory and as He leads, is one of those gifts we can give ourselves. I have found that when I do save, it isn't always used the way I had planned. :) God is good with that and this is where I want to teach my children the habit of obedience.   Luke 2:51-52 is a precious reminder of the habitual obedience that I long to teach my children. This, however, is not something I can hammer into them.. it is a heart issue. It is something I commit to the Lord and trust that He is ever at work in their lives for his good pleasure.

The art of saving can be both a blessing and an opportunity to bless others.  I have watched how faithfully others have significantly helped not only their financial standing when putting away little by little pieces over time, but in one swoop can alter the life of another by generously giving what they have saved when there is a need. This principle deeper roots that lend towards blessed is the one who gives more than the one who receives, however, it is the idea that when we save always be willing to obey the Lord in what He may be asking you to do with it.

This comes to the end of my list but I want to tie it all up with a story.  I love to bless others. I feel so blessed by God's grace and his mercy. I love to see people smile. It is a joy to feel like I can be a help to someone, but sometimes I don't want to 'give'. Sometimes I have felt like I give, give, give....  Times like this when I am living in the 'Land of Me'.. I miss the beauty of generosity entirely.   All that I have belongs to the Lord. All that I HAVE belongs to Him.  It is not mine to own or to hold on to. I will not take it with me.  What I will see though, are the hearts of those whose lives I have sown the Word of God into as I lived my life here on this earth.  My children are my greatest mission field, I long to see them standing with me face to face before the King of Glory crying out Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lamb of God.  

Isaiah 54 tells me that a woman's spiritual children are often greater than those of her womb. It is important to sow seed of eternal value. Biblical Economics are what I am talking about. Sow truth and reap an abundant harvest for the King. Yet, when we are not faithless with what we have been given, even what we have been given can be taken away.  So, we must know the principles of economics in all areas of live, relating people, industry, goods and the transfer of wealth in order to sow those most important seeds of truth and love into the lives of all we encounter.


Now you ask me: What can I use to teach economics? :) Below is a list of resources I have found to be  superbly wonderful! Look for my next post that will discuss the importance of teaching economics in the light of history and giving our children the tools to understand the difference of Free Market Economics vs other world markets.

Blessings!

~Dawn

Some of my favorite Resources:
The Penny Candy Series from Bluestocking Press
Common Sense Economics 
The Freeman Magazine
Biblical Economics

RC Sproul and Compass Cinema have a new product called:

Economics for Everybody


Lesson Plans and Websites:
Stossel in the Classroom
www.teachingeconomics.org
www.federalreserveeducation.org
www.fee.org
www.economicsforteachers.blogspot.com
www.whatiseconomics.org

Physical Education at Home: Training towards the 5K

For the last 2 years I have made an increased effort to exercise more.  The benefits of this decision are obviously many: I feel better both physically and mentally, I have lost some of the extra weight that finds itself attached to me over the not-so-busy winter months, and I have been able to bring the kids into the mix and we enjoy the activity together.

This has been one of the best things I have done for myself in a long time, other than  spending time in God's Word much more, of course.  The time that I spend running allows me to have that quite time in prayer and contemplation before the Lord.  It has opened up a new level of listening and attending the the voice of the Lord for me.  When my body is busy and my mind is at rest, when I have absolutely nothing to think about but placing one foot in front of another, I can hear Him better.

What a concept! The body busy and the mind at rest~ leads me to the idea of how Jesus was able to rest in a storm. ( Matthew chapter 8)I know it is not the same, but for me it helped me to see how to learn to rest in Him even when it seems opposite.

I hope to address this a bit deeper in a devotion on prayer that will be on my website soon, so please come visit me  over there when it is up. I hope that it will be an encouragement to you. Let me just say that in face of what prayer is, what it does, what it accomplishes.... the more we are "out" of the recipe and allow the Lord to lead us in prayer the closer we are to what I believe prayer is meant to be.

Running has helped me have more energy and feel less pain in my joints and muscles ( surprising but true). It has helped to balance hormones and emotions that sometimes spring up during my days. :)  The benefits have not been just for me. I have seen how my excitement to take care of this vessel  has passed on to my children. Which is win win for us all!

It has been so fun to see them excited to run with mom, or ride their bikes, or walk.... whatever they choose, they just get moving. My husband joined in the fun and took the liberty to make me my own running path.  I LOVE it!!  It has been such a huge blessing for me.

 Let me tell you why:

When I originally started running, it was slow and methodical. First of all, I ran around  our paved barn yard ( which  worked so well for me when I started running).  Then I enlarged my run by running around the perimeter of the drive way  which circled the buildings and extra drive ways at our house. ( We live on a nice little farmette in the country which gives me so much enjoyment and space to run.) This year, we are running a path into the field behind house.  The nice thing is that where before I had to "count laps" to keep track of how far I have run, now I just have to go from start to finish and 1 mile is complete. :)

Our goal this year was to run a 5K event as a family. Some of us will actually run it, while others may walk, but we are going to do it together.

So how can we apply this to Physical Education in the home school?

• First of all we can take the time that they take each day and apply it to their physical education credit. For many of us, getting Physical Education in is a real difficulty. 
• We tend to get most of our outdoor activities and physical education credit completed during the spring and summer because it is so much easier to do. 
• Other activities we try to plan during the Fall and Winter months are:
• Archery, Swimming, and horse-back riding.
• Optional: you may find a nice co-op where you can attend a gym class.
• We have planned how to run effectively so they can aren't running so hard or fast that they become injured. I may have them ride their bike one day and run the next. 
• Choose a goal to work towards. Find a race or an event that you can enter as a family and plan how you can get ready for it.
• For some of your children it may just be getting out and walking while for others it will be the competitive running that excites them.
•  This website has a great plan for planning your journey from the "couch to the 5K".
• Then get out and DO IT! 

We are continuing the journey from our couch to the 5K this year, hoping to finish our first family 5K in September or October.  Hopefully this has encouraged you to start your own journey as well.

Blessings!

Changes coming to Journeys in Grace Blog

You may have noticed a subtle change to my blog recently with the additional link to my website.  This spring/summer I jumped ( with both feet) into hosting my own website and have learned so much.  However, I didn't want to lose all the content on this blog, so I have tried to tie them together.

I have decided to change the focus of this blog, all the while maintaining all the previous posts on the blog here for you to search and review. Although this blog, www.journeysingrace.blogspot.com will be more geared to homeschooling and the things we are doing in our homeschool.

 My website, www.journeysingrace.com  will contain the devotions that I feel led to share along with collecting the recipes I love to cook into a more ordered and contained location.

I have begun the process of writing and publishing some homeschool helps for myself and for other homeschoolers. These little tidbits will also be available as a download on my website.

I hope that you will find those times of refreshing as you visit both my blog and mywebsite. I look forward to hearing from you.

Rainbow Cupcakes and Little Girl Birthday Smiles

Our youngest celebrated her birthday in May, in quite style I might add, however her one request to have a few friends celebrate with her didn't actually happen till July.  :) She learned a lot about delayed gratification, I think.

I wanted to post something fun on my blog as we are getting ready to head into school season once again. From time to time I will be posting some of our crafts, projects and ideas to add to our homeschool. Even though we are technically "not in school" right now, we are always learning at our house.

She is getting old enough that baking has become something she really enjoys. Rather than purchasing a nice cake, she opted for the make your own style. The artsy girl she is looked in her American Girl Magazine ( From February) and had a plan all in motion. She wanted a Color Blast Party! And Blast of color she had.

Since we returned the magazine to the Library we had to go to  Pinterest, of course, to get a few more directions save what she remembered about the decorations, presents, and crafts. :)

As we began to plan more decisively she decided a few friends and the beach fit well with the July days ( and hot temps).  With that we choose to forgo the decorations for the beauty God has already provided and include a nice craft, a fun lunch and the creme-de-la-creme ~ Rainbow Cupcakes!

So here is my first attempt at a tutorial post! :)

Rainbow Cupcakes

1 box of white cake mix
1 can of frosting of your choice ( we had white)
Food Coloring

Bowls and Spoons
Muffin pans
Liners

Directions:

Follow the directions on the cake mix box as listed.

Divide into separate bowls.( pick as many as you want to make colors for)
Add drops of food coloring to each bowl and stir well.

Add 1 spoonful of color to each cupcake liner. Do not mix them together, just let it drop where it will and rest there. We choose to do one color at at time till it was gone.

When all the colors are added, take a clean toothpick for each cupcake and swirl gently. Not too much or you will mix the colors and miss out on the rainbow.

Bake as directed and cool.

Frost the cupcakes any way you wish.   We choose a simple piped frosting in a spiral on top. (which didn't get a picture for some reason??)

Verdict:

Let me quote the girls:  "These are the best cupcakes EVER!"

Of course, it had nothing to do with the taste ( though they were wonderful) it was the color explosion that totally amazed them.

We had a lot of fun together making cupcake rainbows and shining little girl smiles. That's the memory I'll keep.

Blessings!

Happy Birthday America

So, this morning my son runs through the kitchen singing "Happy Birthday America!" The little patter of my heart starts to rumble.. have I birthed a patriot?  Woo-hoo! I come from a long line of patriots!In every generation that I can tell, someone in my family has served faithfully in the Armed Forces. Whether during active war or during peace time.  I have a son who wants to continue the tradition.  I think it is just part of who 'we' are. We love this country!  I love what it stands for. And yet, I know so many who don't, it is 'en vogue' to hate America, and  that makes me a little sad. However, it reminds me of what we stand for, or at least where we started.  Freedom to believe, say and think exactly what you want.

Freedom!

So this patriot-at-heart was pondering how to express the importance of freedom to my kids today.... something more than fireworks, or in our case the absence of them  due to the dry weather conditions, and festivals and parades, etc...

Why should it be important? I mean.. is it just another day?

Even in my sometimes limited community I find I am the odd-man out with a deep love for America and for the virtues for which this nation was truly founded upon.

My husband tells me often I am too full of useless facts that no one actually cares about, and maybe I should go on to Jeopardy where it may profit me. But why? Why don't we care about the history of our country and the lives which were given for the freedoms we so easily partake of.

Think of the 1st Amendment Rights..  Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech,Freedom of the press, Freedom to Assemble, Freedom to petition the government. 

Seriously, think of that. This Constitution, while not written on July 4th, is as much a  part of the activities and celebration of this Independence Day.  The Bill of Rights, (the 1st 10 Amendments of 27 in our Constitution) go on to list basic fundamental rights that are to be available to the citizens of this nation.

Rights that today tend to be taken for granted. 

Rights that were not available just over 200 years ago.

If you look at the Declaration of Independence, this eloquently worded document outlines the list of grievances against the King of England by the colonies. It is a long list.  It was the start of America's push for Independence, or the visible start. I believe it started long before that, personally.  You will have to go back to the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights. And further back to John Lockes's essays on Common and Natural Law.  These, often difficult to understand, writings were the literature the framers read when studying the concept of the rights of man.  

Who gives rights? Where does freedom come from?

The Bible tells us that freedom is found in Christ.( John 8:36)

It also says about Freedom:

Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ( 2 Corinthians 3:17)

In the book of Galatians chapter 5 there are multiple references to Freedom. 

Galatians 5:1 says, " It is for freedom Christ set us free."

Galatians 5:13 tells us to live free but free for God while serving and loving others.

To be a student of history is a value many of us don't realize. If we look at Ecclesiastes 3:15 we are told that "History repeats itself." And I wonder if we really looked back at what was before us would it change how we view what is before us. The Bible also tells us that there is nothing new under the sun.( Eccl 1:9) What has been, will be again. Hmm...that is a lot to think of and it brings to my mind the word often found in the book of Psalms... Selah which means to pause and think about what was written.

When you go back and look at the event surrounding the birth of our nation, the foundations of our government, the lives of those who gave up their fortunes ....even time with family.... you may also just see that there was a biblical foundation which set the stage for our new republican form of government.

The vernacular is quite different today vs. then and some of the concepts take a different direction. You could argue that the men who wrote the Declaration of Independence and The Constitution were not Christian, but they were brought up reading the Bible and many commentaries that reflected or referred to it. While their choice of relationship is not my basis for believing for a Biblical foundation, the pattern of government and freedom came from reading the Bible ( Isaiah 33:22 shows the structure of our 3 branches of government) and believing in the Sovereignty of God. Ben Franklin for instance while it has never been documented that he accepted Christ, did acknowledge that God alone governs in the affairs of men, and as such they should confer with the Father of Lights asking his blessing and guidance upon the Constitutional Convention.

So, today maybe we will listen to The Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key and think about what this poem means for a few moments? ( ok... truth be told I will be the one who really stops to ponder it first but I set the example by modeling learning for my kids.)

Or we will look at the Declaration of Independence and consider what drove the colonists to pick up gun and bullet and fight for freedom?

Or maybe we'll look at the concept of what it means to be free? Because according to Scripture we find true freedom in Christ.

Maybe we'll make a flag cake and go roast hot dogs... and we can't forget the fireworks which  may lead us back to the Star Spangled Banner discussion. Again, while this didn't happen on July 4th... it is as much a part of our Independence celebrations as anything else.


Here is an interesting fact: Did you know that both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on July 4, 1826, 50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence?


Here is a great website for reading and studying some of America's most important early documents:
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/

Chuck Colson's ministry sent out a great email about this today and it made me think more about why there are so few who "love" our country and essentially "love" one another in our immediate social community?

I am deciding that it is 'en vogue' to love God and to love those around me, to live my life with passion and virtue, the 'stuff' which morals and religion birth.  I want my children to be proud of their heritage, for the Bible says we have a good one.Psalm 16:6 declares that the lines have fallen for me in pleasant places and I have a good heritage.   We have a lot to be proud of in America. We have a lot to be thankful for and truly... that is the start. That is why we celebrate. To remember and be thank-full.

Happy 4th of July!!!

Cracked Vessels Spill forth Life-Liquid

Have you ever pondered the use of something broken? I mean really pondered it.

Since we have been on Summer Break now for a whole 2 REAL weeks, I have been in a pondering state of mind. Often it is on my run or in my garden where those trinkets of reveling truths make their appearance. Sometimes as I am having my morning coffee on my patio and I am amazed at what I see, so blessed to be able to sit there to ponder.... it's then... when I hear His voice.

We all have that place where our tanks are filled up.  When a popular women's speaker, Jill Savage, came to our Homeschool Group she spoke about her book "Real Moms Real Jesus" and the line that stuck with me was a question she said, "What fills your tank up?" You can read more on this topic here at her website.

I can still remember my almost verbal answer to the questions that followed.....

" Do you get your tank full in a room filled with people?" Or " Do you get your tank full when you are alone and quiet?"

"Do you enjoy the crowd, drawing off the energy of others?" Or " Do you enjoy simply being one on one with another person?"

I love people.... I love to be an encourager and  to pray for others... I really enjoy to sit over a cup of coffee and visit with a dear sweet soul who has blessed my heart with their gift of friendship.... but put me in a crowd and I tend to become a bit more quiet.

Now, I can speak to the crowd, I can even lead the crowd... with the help of the Lord, of course. But to get my tank filled up, no.. I was made acutely aware this is not what fills me up. I enjoy being with people, please understand, but I find my soul is recharged, my spirit is made alive in those quiet times of contemplation and connecting with the One who calls me his own... and those sweet blessings He has diligently brought into my life.

As I have been silently listening to the swaying of the wind in my quiet time, or even to hear the rushing of water flowing through the hose, or the pattering of the rain beating upon the metal roof top as a simple symphony of life flows in the droplets of moist hydrogenated-oxygen...I think about the sound of His voice.  Isn't it amazing how the sound of His voice is compared to the rushing waters or the blowing winds.  It is in this place I find it easy to hear him, but I want to also hear Him in the busy crowd. I want to know His voice so clearly that I do not doubt. I want to KNOW that I hear.

Ponder this: What type of vessel are you?

I know this answer reflects directly back to me.  I am a broken vessel, marred by the stains of my own sinfulness.  Sometimes scarred by the cruelties or injustice of life and many times by the choices I have made.

What use does that make me good for?

Does a broken vessel meet a need? Can it do any good? Is it valuable any longer?

Ah, but for the grace of God I would have missed this beautiful picture.

Consider this:  A broken vessel, repaired to restoration at the Hand of the Master Potter,  must also yield to the touch of His hand and bend to His will.  This vessel, which is yielding, relying upon the wisdom of the Artist, receives not only the changes made to its structure but the fullness of the filling which is introduced by the One who is completing the repairs.

There are cracks, fine lines and fractures which line this vessel I am. In my weakness, I've destroyed or smashed the solidness of this receptacle.  In His goodness, he restores, repairs, rejuvenates, reuses, renames, and re-purposes for HIS plan.

It is through the cracks, those fine  fractured lines and gaping holes in  my rebuilt vessel  that the living water FLOWS through me into the cracked clay, dry with the heat and wind of the weathered life, ready to receive a drink.

This water is poured in by the unending source of life, purposed to be spilled out as Life-Liquid into the dust formed vessels waiting to know the Heart of the Artisan, who crafted their days.

A prayer flows....

Not my will by thine be done Oh Lord,

Break in and through the shattered walls to find truth;

nestled in the cocoon of hope which you alone placed.

For I am fearfully and wonderfully made to serve you, 

to praise the Almighty for His wondrous works; 

to see His awesome display of majesty, 

and to stand in wonder-filled awe at what 

He has already done!

Teach me to pray~

Teach me to sing~

Teach me to know your love.

Give me your voice

to speak...

your heart to love~

you ears to listen...

your hands to serve.

Make me a vessel built by your wondrous hands~

which brings you glory 

and touches the heart

of the broken,

directing them

back to you.

Back to the One who called them before their days began.

Consume me that I may be 

consecrated Lord to thee.

Again, I ask... What type of vessel of you? We all need to be filled with the Life-Liquid that is given from the source of all life.

What will you do with it?

Be a life giver, shining in all your cracks, and glowing with the beauty of the light that flows from the trickling and sometimes flowing streams which reveal the radiance of the King. When we do, people won't see the cracks, but they will see the breath-taking image of the Lord who is the true source of beauty and love.

Realizing the meaning of Abba

It is with bit of trepidation that I even attempt to address this subject, but it is one which has been laying heavily upon my heart as of late.  Let me set the stage..

I enjoy the chance to run whenever I can. Even though, I know I am not a marathon contestant as of yet, I'd like to try to work towards smaller 5K runs, etc. Those are just extras, though, the real truth is I love to run. It makes me feel good.  It gives me the chance to be out and alone and actually "not thinking". :)

Yet, it is also my time with the Lord. It is my prayer closet. Isn't that a funny thought..I go out into creation to have my prayer closet?!  A better closet I could never find, truly.

Because I tend to be a little controlling on my time, (this is something that I am taking to prayer, I promise...) I like to plan out my run. :) I will run a mile, walk a 1/3 of a mile, then run and walk, etc., until my legs are tired.  Doing it this way allows me to run farther but also allows me the time to be quiet and introspective while I am running and the freedom to pray while walking. ( note.. it could have a lot to do with the fact that my breathing is not as rapid while walking..but we won't go there.)

I have been told I think too much,( smile), however, it was one of those days when I was presenting a series of contemplative questions before the Lord. I always have the tendency of imagining the most tender and sympathetic smile forming on the face of the Father as I come with my questions.  I wonder, does he ever get tired of hearing them or my asking?  I think of my own children and know there are many times I find myself out of patience, sometimes for lack of time, or other times for lack of energy left in my day to receive the list of requests, etc... it is sadly in these times I respond with less than a joy-filled attitude and inspiration for their academic intuitiveness or simple curiosity.

I think of how He is not like me, thankfully. :) He is ever patient, wise, and full of Love for us. He rejoices over us with joyful singing and receives us as only  a  Father can.


I finished with the barrage of questions and I began to run.  I was quiet, contemplating each footstep that I would make. Enjoying the peace of the moment, the quietness that pervades my own intentional pause in my thoughts and words.

When I am quiet I hear better. Isn't that easy to say but so hard to do? When I am quiet I hear things I don't hear otherwise.  I had told my son earlier in the week to look up James 1:19, which says, " Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to become angry."  Often those lessons we are teaching our children are meant for our own hearts.

I was quiet, contemplative, and waiting...yet not knowing the paradox with which my heart was balancing precariously upon each measured stride.

I finished the 1st mile and as I was catching my breath I heard distinctly, clearly, surely... in my heart.. "I am Abba.". I stopped  as quickly as if an imaginary brick wall was placed in front of my path. I voiced my question, "What?"

 Do you do that? Do you ever hear the Lord speak into your heart and then talk to the wind? :) My husband and children tell me I do that a lot.

That was it. I didn't hear anything else.

"Abba" What does that mean? 

It is written in the New Testament only 3 times. Jesus spoke the Aramaic word, Abba, in the Garden of Gethsemane in Mark 14:36. He was praying, seeking His Father... He was preparing to die for me.   It is found at the hand of Paul in Romans 8:15, "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." and Galatians 4:6,"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father."


There are  are other terms of reference to God the Father through out scripture.Here are only a few:

Everlasting Father: Avi'od and Avi-khol - Ephesians 4:6

Father of Mercies: Avi HaRachamim - 2 Corinthians 1:3

Father of Lights: Avi HaMe'orot - James 1:17

I wanted to know what ABBA meant. What was it? Jesus spoke this term in Aramaic, that much I know. He used the term and it stood out, stands alone in scripture being used sparingly in the New Testament.    

From what I have read, and there are many opinions, Abba is an intimate portrait of the Father to His child. Some say it is likened to the endearment of "Daddy" from his child.  It made me think, have I ever called my own father, "Daddy?"  Do my children use that term with their father? 

I can't remember using the term " Daddy" with my own father, I call him Dad. However, I remember listening to a conversation he had with my son about something he did for me, a gift, and my dad loves to give gifts. When my child asked, "Why did you do that?" My dad responded, " Because I am her daddy." Just hearing his answer made my heart flip and my eyes water. 

My children shout Daddy, when they are happy to see him as he comes home from work. Or sometimes when they are hurting or looking for comfort. It is a term reserved, it seems, for the emotional connection we have with our fathers. 

As I began thinking about what Abba means, I am remembering the intimacy of  the term "Daddy". It is an endearment of a child for their beloved and cherished father, mostly. :) I know there may be many contradictions to this analysis, but bear with me.  

Upon the treasure hunt to find information on the Hebrew Word for Abba, I found this article that was a very interesting read.  What I summarized is that this term is one only Christ has the power or right to call the Heavenly Father, but because we are IN Christ .... we have been grafted in... we have the privilege to proceed to the Throne of Grace  and obtain MERCY ( Hebrews 4:16) and say, Daddy... Abba... Father.

Whatever the intonation with which Jesus ascribed this name, it was indelibly imprinted on the memory of those who heard it. 

Back to my run... I began to consider the blessed-ness of hearing that word and it will forever change the way I approach the Father.  We are told in scripture to come as children.( Matthew 18:4, Mark 10:15, Luke 18:17) We can know that He receives our hearts when we come in faith. ( Hebrews 11:6)

We are told to be reverent before God, but he says do not be afraid. I am not fearful of approaching the Throne, the Blood has covered me and He sees me in  Christ. I can never be perfect in my own intentions, but he is perfecting me ( Phil 1:6) daily into the image of the One who bore my sins and sits at the right hand of the Father.  Jesus said if we look at him we are looking at the Father.  Genesis reminds us we were made in His image. As I sought revelation wisdom in understanding just what this meant to me... I came away from my run, my prayer time, to my journal....

 On a side noe, I have read and continue to read Ann Voskamp's Book, "One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are." and I have pulled a habit out of her own gift of words. Each time I approach my journal I want to practice the "Art of Gratefulness."  With each entry I place a number and something I am thankful for. This was my daily entry that day. I wish I could show you my journal here, I love to draw and decorate my journal entries, but I haven't figure out how to do that on here. So, please bear with me.. I am learning the art of gratefulness..

#34.. My daily Thanks.. The trial which draws me to the everlasting Arms of my Abba~

Abba~ this is the Hebrew word for Father~ Intimately 

A father, true in spirit, has the tenderness for His children few can understand.

His heart's love is raw and unparallel to the love of temporal knowledge.

There is a continued presence filtering beyond the barriers we have placed.

~for protection~

Only the love of Abba can reach and break through.

There is a battle no man can fight alone,

for the heart belonging to the purchaser of our eternity~

the blood bought sacrifice places me

securely in the covering of the protector.

WHO battles principalities

WHO engages Angelic warriors

WHO multiplies peace 

extended to HIS Own.

~Abba Father~

dear one, awesome protector, faithful adversary~

I am praying that today and every day you will know the depth of His love towards you, revere and be inspired, stand in awe at the magnificence of God and the mountains He alone has moved to reach your ever beating heart... to know Him  because of Christ's sacrifice, as Abba.