AN ORGANIZED MOM (OR A REASONABLE FACSIMILE!) :-)

I was walking in Big Lots yesterday on my lunch hour, just kind of browsing, when I saw this 17-month Planner laying on the shelf in the school supply section. It was not just any old Planner, it was a "busy Mom's" Planner. Yes! Just what I needed. It was the only the only one of it's kind there. It was meant just for ME! Well, atleast, that's the way it seemed! :-)
So I bought this wonderful Planner. Now I am bound and determined to be THE organized mom this year. It starts in the month of August, 2011 (how convenient!). It is broken down by weeks, with spaces for notes, events, and, yes, even a grocery list. Now I can jot down during the week everything that I will need when I go grocery shopping at the end of the week. No more guessing, because I have a LIST.
No more missed homework assignments, appointments or school projects and reports! Everything in one convenient place.
Now, if only I can find where I put that Planner.....Just kidding!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

FORSAKE NOT THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES

We shall all do well to remember the charge of the Apostle Paul: “Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is.” (Heb. 10:25). Never to be absent from God’s house on Sundays, without good reason – never to miss the Lord’s Supper when administered in our own congregation – never to let our place be empty when means of grace are going on, this is one way to be a growing and prosperous Christian. The very sermon that we needlessly miss, may contain a precious word in season for our souls. The very assembly for prayer and praise from which we stay away, may be the very gathering that would have cheered, established, and revived our hearts. We little know how dependent our spiritual health is on little, regular, habitual helps, and how much we suffer if we miss our medicine.

~ J.C. Ryle

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2011-TREASURE QUEST

Wow! What a very busy couple of weeks we have had at the church! And it's not stopping any time soon.
Let's see...between weddings, wedding showers, baby showers, getting ready for VBS, regular church activities, etc, the time has flown by quickly.
Everyone is excited as we gear up for our VBS on Saturday, July 16th. I chose to go with Treasure Quest-Pursuing the Riches of Christ by Bogard Press this year. I have enclosed their link bogardpress.org/vbs2011/ . We always like Bogard Press as they use only the KJV scripture in all of their material.
Everyone always tells me that they wouldn't like to be the director. But, I'll tell you something. Yes, being the director is VERY stressful at times because you have to organize and get everything together and in order. But, when the day of VBS comes, even though I still am going back and forth making sure everything is running smoothly, I get to go to each area and watch the program unfold. I get to watch the teachers and children as they go through their day. I can mingle with all of the classes and talk to everyone.
For the past couple of years, we have done our VBS as a one-day program on a Saturday. Although it was hard at first figuring up a one-day schedule, it is finally at a point where all I have to do is just change the information from year to year. Finally, this year, Bogard Press even had a sample one-day schedule in their material. I believe alot of other churches are finally trying that route.
A one day VBS works out so much better for everyone involved. In today's society (unfortunately!), just about everyone in the church is employed outside the home. It is extremely hard to find volunteers for a whole week. Also, if one would admit it, the children are SO exhausted when it comes to the end of the week. Attendance is usually down by that time.
With our one day VBS, everyone is there for the whole program. The children get to hear all of the lessons. Do they actually learn their lessons? Well, let me tell you. When we do our closing program the Sunday night after, I usually have my teachers do a quick "question and answer" session with the children. You know what? These children can answer all of the questions! And, I might add, with great enthusiasm!
Well, I've got to go for now and start my day. I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed day. Please remember our VBS in your prayers. Please pray for salvation and life changing decisions!
Beth :-)

LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE WILDFLOWERS-LESSON #3 "SEEDS"

You know, the time comes when all cut flowers finally reach the point when they are droopy, drying up and dying. Then we must throw them out. When mine reached that point, I picked up the vase that they were in, and what a mess I found on my windowsill and around my sink! Petals all over the place! As I was wiping them up, I noticed that the flowers had also dropped seeds everywhere.
This taught me my third and final lesson. I thought about my Christian testimony. I thought about the kinds of "spritual seeds" that I am planting each day, not just in my children, but also in my friends, co-workers, other family members, the stranger that I meet. Am I doing my best to win others to Christ? Do I tell as many people as I can about my Lord and Saviour? Does my life reflect the Holy Spirit? When I am gone, will others see the "seeds" that I had planted for Him?
What kind of seeds are you planting? Are they seeds of bitterness, anger, hate? Or are they seeds of love, joy, kindness, hope?
We all need to take inventory of our lives. Talk to your Saviour. Ask Him what He wants to do with your life. If you don't know Him as your personal Saviour, why are you putting it off? Come to Him today!
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)