Pure Bible Class

 

Several weeks ago I was asked if I could help cover a Sunday school class at our church called Pure Bible. (You can read about the class in the link provided- please note, I am not a member of the Pastoral Staff though.)

I broke out in a sweat, to be honest,  but not because I was nervous. As you know I have taught Bible Study Fellowship Classes in the past so speaking in front of a group thankfully does not make me nervous. I learned long ago from my then mentor that nervousness puts the emphasis on yourself and not on God. My goal is to always honor the Lord and I fully recognize the responsibility and honor of teaching God's word. 

I broke out in a sweat because the thought (at that particular moment in household chaos) of adding one more thing to my plate made me break out in a sweat. For those of you who don't know or haven't gleaned from this site we have a quiver full of arrows in our home. I mean children and four of them! We homeschool them and they range in age from 6 months to 8 years old.

So, instead of panicking and saying no, I did a wise thing and was prompted (by the Holy Spirit I  believe) to call my husband and talk it over with him before saying no or agreeing to help out. He gave me the go ahead but said I should require several weeks notice to give me time to prepare. That made sense and I calmed down. I also agreed to help out!

It has been a privilege to prepare for the class (albeit very, very slowly with my current quiver full) over the past several weeks. And so, this post is really for the members of that Pure Bible Class. As promised- my outline for Sunday's class and also a list of resources to help you on your journey of being a disciple of Jesus Christ are given below.

If you are looking for a church to attend and a place where you too can grow in your own relationship with Jesus Christ, be a part of a body of believers who are doing the same and make a difference for the Kingdom of God- come to church with me! Here is your official invitation- Please come! Check out my church First Presbyterian of Orlando, a member of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, at www.fpco.org and for the Pure Bible members- your info is below. It was an honor to teach your class and I hope you learned something to help you grow closer to God through pure bible study!

My outline can  be found here!

List of Resources:
A timeline of the passion week
NIV Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible
Bible Dictionary (Strongs, Holman, etc.)
www.gotquestions.org (sign up for emails and use as resource)
950 WTLN (can also listen on AM radio 950)
www.oneplace.com
Dr. J. Vernon McGee- Thru the Bible Commentaries and online
R.C. Sproul and Ligonier Ministries
James Montgomery Boice
The Expositors Bible Commentary (Frank E. Gaebelein version)
Chronological Bible
Christian Research Institute
Atlas of Bible Lands
Bright Light Books- Casselberry/Fern Park
One Year Book of Christian History

There is more and I will update my list over time. The key is to remember your goal- not to fill bible file folders in your brain but to grow closer to God by applying his Word to your life and as James says in his Epistle (Js 1:22) to not just listen to the word but to do what it says! Jesus himself in John 14:23 said that those who love him will obey his teachings. That is the key, we learn, we apply, we obey because of our love for Christ and his grace given to us.

Please feel free to contact me or friend me on Facebook if you have any questions!

With you on the journey, Jaime

Blueprints for Character Training

 

 

"There is no doubt that parenting is a blessing from God. Children themselves, no matter how they arrive in our arms, are gifts from the Lord.  Psalm 127 is an encouragement, “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.’

 

Since our children are a reward, character training is an area where we can decide how we will use our precious time parenting. The bible gives a solid biblical principle imploring parents to train up their children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22) and this should involve a deliberate blueprint or plan for training in the area of character....." please continue reading my first published article here found in Becoming Magazine! You can also check out the Becoming Magazine website here for more information on this new online magazine! The founder and editor, Shannon Basso, is a mother of three arrows and has been fired by God with a mission to pull fellow Christians out of mediocrity and into an alive relationship with Christ! I know you will enjoy her site as much as I do!

Freeze Frame!

After typing the title I realized that it is an '80's song...but in writing this post my goal was to capture a moment in time. Days are busy ladies- can I get an Amen! My head often feels like it is spinning and turning with all the things I have to do: laundry, dishes, diapers, boo-boos, mail, bills, meals x3, homeschooling, toddler play, infant time, doctors visits, swim practice, baseball practice, boy scouts, church meetings, etc. etc. I could go on but you have your own list and get my point. Life can be exhausting and I do not even have trouble saying no to the extras. With four kids you don't have much extra space for extras- and yet even a few things can fill up your schedule. By the time the weekend rolls around I'm tired- heck by 9:00 PM Monday through Sunday I'm tired and sometimes fatigue starts to rob my joy. So slowing down to glimpse the chaos through a different lens can be oh so helpful.

 Lily's frequent stair parties.

 Out to dinner for first time since Chloe's birth- whoo hoo!,

 Family birthday celebrations-

 Mamaw time-

 Lily redecorating time-

 We are studying Ancient Egypt and Jay was dressing up. He jumped out at me while I was on the phone with Orlando Health- slight distraction, especially since the first time he jumped out his "skirt" popped off and he was standing there in his whitie tighties with a mask and plastic dagger. You can't help but laugh- eased the moment as Orlando Health was calling to make sure we got our labor and delivery bill- "Um, yes we received it. It's not due for a month right?" "Oh, yes, we just wanted to make sure you got it." I guess the 10k they charged my insurance and received wasn't enough for a super easy, non-complicated delivery and one night stay. That bill was separate from the others we received from the anesthesiologist and in house pediatricians- but we're not annoyed... oh no....wow. So I welcomed the funny distraction.

 Ben likes cowboys and after coloring a few in his book he dressed up!

 I drew  this Egyptian Coffin for the boys and they had fun coloring it-

Celebrating Chase's grandma's 93rd birthday and someone gave Lily a huge piece of cake, which she gladly gobbled down. She has my sweet tooth- poor thing! Jana loved watching her eat!

 Banging on the same piano her Mamaw practiced on as a girl!

 Chloe picture time! She turns four months tomorrow!

 Lego masterpieces- Mom, take a picture so we can send it to Lego Club Magazine!

 Kitchen party- Lily moved another rug to lay her blankie down.

 Enjoying fun with cousins.

 Vacation time- Lily looks like one of the Lollipop Guild from Wizard of Oz.. she wishes to welcome you to Munchkin Land...

 Daddy time with Chloe!

Outside in Beaufort, South Carolina- lots of bubbles and mosquito's!

 Jay loving a pony ride! His teenage guide was less than thrilled :)

This pony was named Starbucks and kept stopping and refusing to move- poor thing missed his double shot of espresso!

More Egyptian work- Jay does fabulous drawings, he is talented!

It's good for the soul and misty brain to be reminded of how blessed I truly am with these arrows and their daddy.  I hope that regardless of your circumstances you will admit the same. There is so much beauty within our homes but also outside around us. Take some time to slow down and enjoy it. Life moves quickly, we know we aren't guaranteed tomorrow, children won't wait to grow up- they do it, darn it, whether we choose to relish it or not. When we feel burdened or weighed down or tired the remedy is found in Scripture!

So I leave you with this verse:

Psalm 103:1-5

Praise the Lord, O my soul;

all my inmost being, praise

his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his

benefits-

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the

pit

and crowns you with love

and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with

good things

so that your youth is renewed

like the eagle's.

 

 

I can breathe a little easier after reading that- how about you?

Homeschooling with Toddlers

Homeschooling with little ones is not exactly easy. We still have a lot of fun but I will admit we got a lot done a lot faster when it was just the boys and I- but that's not rocket science to imagine. As hard as I try to keep Lily busy and included and all that good stuff, she is still not yet even 2 and distractible and well almost 2... 'nuff said.

For instance just today:

Me: "Let's read this book on Archeology-"

Lily: (Grabs book and takes off yelling, "Mine!")

Me: (Having retrieved book and offered Lily the option of joining us) "Oookay, Archeologists...blah blah... (voice rising over Lily-protests)

Lily: (crying and wrestling me for book as I stubbornly keep trying to read it... I know...)

Boys: (laughing)

This goes on and eventually Lily chills out and we commence... but hence the things done a lot faster in the past claim.

I remember reading several posts and blogs and articles addressing this issue of homeschooling with toddlers and I never paid much attention....til now.... (insert jaws theme track, or psycho theme track...you pick...)

Seriously though- lots of humor and laughs as well.

Lily likes to be right with us whether we are all on the floor or at the table.

As toddlers seem to do, she always has to be standing on the chairs or .... 

  sitting on the table...

She looks so proud of Ben. (If you click on the picture it will open up bigger).

I imagine her saying, "Great job big brother!" Girls show that maternal side soon!

The above happened after I walked out of the room. The boys get a kick out of it and seem to function well amidst the distraction!

Our school time does have an impact on her- here she is playing teacher to Chloe. Chloe looks thrilled :)

And if there is picture action of the boys work...

Lily of course needs her picture taken as well! It's a must!

Stay tuned for more amusing toddler pics of homeschooling hijinks'- soon we will have two toddlers making it all the more fun :)



Layering + Application = Transformation!

I really believe in and have taught (in my BSF teaching days) the concept of "layering" defined by me as those tools and skills that help you over time increase your understanding and thus personal application of what you learn in the Bible. It's really part of sanctification (the process of being made more and more to be Christ-like).

Learning the Bible is critical for your growth as a Christian. How can you obey God when you don't know what his commands are?  How can you grow closer to and learn to love God if you don't know who He is and what His plans are for you?!  And let me be clear that my definition of learning does not include just filling file folders in your brain but making what you learn a part of who you are- application!) As James says in the Bible- Don't just read the Word but do what it says!

In your growth as a Christian, and when studying the Bible, it helps to use many different tools to help you learn and add layers to your understanding.  Your first and foremost "tool" should be of course your Bible!  Another layer of understanding and applying what you read in your Bible can come as you join Bible studies, read commentaries, attend church or Sunday school, utilize Bible dictionaries etc.

With Children this concept is really critical because they do not (nor do adults) typically learn something to the point of application the first time around. Different approaches to the same material are helpful! Some of the things I use in my learning and layering are:

1. Bible Study Fellowship Classes- for me and my kids!
2. 950 AM- WTLN- lots of  good teaching throughout the day! You can see the line up at www.wtln.com. There is a program line up link on the left side- such pastors as Allistair Begg, RC Sproul, David Jeremiah, Dr. J. Vernon McGee and others have daily broadcasts!
3. Various books and devotionals. I will do a post on those another time.
4. Of course my church on Sunday Mornings.
5. Websites such as Bible Gateway and Got Questions?

But this post has a funny picture up top for a reason! Something I have found to be INCREDIBLE for my own learning and for my kids is a new series of DVDs out by Phil Viscer (the creator of Veggie Tales) called, "Whats in the Bible with Buck Denver". Phil Viscer has been truly, in my opinion, gifted by God to put together this series of meaty material that is fun to watch! Phil Viscer himself hosts much of the video and then there are puppets and some cartoons to explain topics. He does not shy away from tough areas and addresses them in segments called "Tricky Bits with Phil"- such areas as creation, the law (why we obey some OT rules today (Love your Neighbor) and disregard others (No Beard Trimming!), why did God allow the Israelites to take land away from the pagans around them, etc.) 

These videos enthrall me and my kids and I'm thrilled because beginning in DVD 1 hard theological concepts are being explained in a way that ANYONE could understand. I was nearly sputtering as I asked my boys if they realized how awesome it was to have access to such material at their age! Of course they look at me strange and have no idea how blessed they are- but that's okay.

There are 9 DVDs out so far plus a Christmas DVD. We are on DVD 4 and have gone thru Genesis to Joshua. DVD 9 just released this month and finishes out the Old Testament and other DVDs for the New Testament are in production.

If you have shied away from cartoonish videos relating to Christianity before (like Veggie Tales) I would implore you to rethink your position. These videos, in my opinion, are powerful tools that will help your child get a good grasp of the Bible and as Phil puts it, "Gods Rescue Plan"!

I can't recommend this series enough. I am encouraging everyone I know to get them all- make the investment! Again, this is not the only means to use to teach your children (and maybe yourself) about the bible- but it's a great "layer" in the process! We will be using them over and over again to help us learn and apply all that the Bible has to teach us!

My kids this year are going to be studying Genesis thru BSF, we will use the What's in the Bible series, and memorizing a new Bible verse each week. We also read various books we have on our shelves like the ABCs of Church History, Trial and Triumph, Arch Series, and many others.

Fill your family's Biblical arsenal and add a crucial layer to help grow and nourish your and your children's walk with God!

Out of Sight, Out of My Mind!!

What happens when you turn your head for a second? What are you missing? Ask that question and most people just look confused- but ask that question to someone with an almost 2-year-old, named Lily Grace, and her momma will laugh half hysterically. Trouble occurs when you turn your back to Lily Grace! And I have several pictures of her in various stages of undress- her favorite thing to do when your not watching- to prove my point!

Now, when Chloe is in the swing- and the swing is not directly in my visual field, things happen. Most of the time it's fine...

and even sweet....

they are having fun.... or LG is anyway....

but hey how does this come off...

mom, you're spoiling my plans go away!

I mean she looks like she's being thwarted!

And then there are meals! This is what happens in three minutes worth of mom's inattention- and it was exactly 3 minutes- my Lean Cuisine timed this one out. I'm all ready to eat, and turn to walk to the table and find this....

Oh, I'm sorry, you wanted to eat your lunch hot? Well I wanted to make mine into a yogurt facial.. It feels quite nice actually...

Toddlers! They are only so sweet smelling because they are constantly being washed down.

But they are fun and all of these shenanigans make me smile...and sigh...but mostly smile!

So do sweet, quiet moments like these....

Don't you just want to lean in and bury your face in her little neck and take a deep breath? Just breathe in the fresh smell of new baby. If I could bottle it I'd be a zillionaire. This is what I enjoy the most at this age- the cuddle time :) If anyone needs some quiet, cuddle time, come on over- it's good for the soul! My rocker is always available :)

Benjamin

Benjamin Foster Brackett- born March 30, 2006. I remember being pregnant with Ben and thinking he was going to be my sweet baby Ben- I think because Jay was just over a year and a handfull :) Benjamin is sweet in many ways. He is all boy for sure- very athletic, covered in bruises and scars and loves the outdoors. He is a great helper for Chase outside and likes to get his hands dirty with his daddy.

He also is very, very smart. He will "officially" be in 1st grade this next year but he is doing 2nd grade math, is reading at a middle school level, and would be bored stiff if he were in a traditional 1st grade classroom. God knew what he was doing when he had us homeschool these crazy boys!

Ben for all his toughness can be very sensitive and intuitive. He asks great questions and likes to know how things work and what makes things and people tick.

Ben has stated on more than one occasion that he wants to be a pastor. We'll see what happens in the long run but as his teachers in his Bible Study Fellowship classes would say- he is tender towards the Lord. I love doing BSF work with him because his understanding of scripture and the thoughts he shares show the Holy Spirit is working on his little heart and I love that. Benjamin did accept Christ when he was four and his faith is growing.

In this first picture he is holding a Shel Silverstein poetry book. He mistakenly calls it his joke book- I think because it makes him laugh and he gets Shel Silverstein's humor. Plus there are funny boy things in there like boogers and dirt and what boy wouldn't get a kick out that!

Recently Ben saw a little white New Testament bible in his folder with his name printed on it in gold lettering (I have a folder for each kiddo with ultrasound pictures, cards, and other special items and the kids love to look through them).  Our friend Jodi Thorp gave him this bible when he was baptized. Anyway, he asked if he could have this little bible and I initially said no, I wanted to keep it in his folder. White, clean, tidy, unsmudged, a keepsake....Then I thought why?? Why would I not let him have this treasure?  What good will the little white bible do in a folder?  Where the pages can't  be  turned and the red words of Christ can't be read? A book that shows God's grace given to the smudged and dirty and untidy. 

Now he has another bible he uses to study from but he saw this one and it was special, it was his, it had red words in it, he wanted it and so I said he could have it.

And here he is with it. He loves it! He reads it. And of course isn't that the goal?  Maybe the white cover will one day not be so white and the pages may be worn but the red letters of Christ will still be there. The owner is the same- a little dirty, a little bruised, but Christ is still inside. So when I see Ben's bible, I won't see the little bible so much as I'll be reminded of my son and the Son who died to save him and I will be grateful.

The Girls

The question of the past two months has been who does Chloe look like? Everyone seems to have a different opinion based on the day and/or picture. Most of the time another sibling or Chase is the one she is said to look like and it's been fun looking at the other kiddos pictures at the same age to compare! So who do you think Chloe looks like in this picture?

Thank you to the peanut gallery who thinks that she looks like me! I think it's the eyes and frowny eyebrow :)

Chloe gets made when you compare her and cries that she looks like Chloe! Poor thing, she's getting a complex.

But this post is titled "The Girls" and there was a reason for that. Lily loves to be read to. Mamaw witnessed that reading to her in her room. She plopped right in her lap and  brought book after book and we do read to Lily every day. We all like to read and some of her favorites are "Where's Spot?", "Counting Kisses", "Mary Engelbreits Mother Goose Nursey Rhymes", and the classic "Pat the Bunny"! All the kids have loved that book and we are on copy #2 as it's not the most toddler friendly- well Lily dipped it in the toilet so the cover is not the most water friendly! Anyway, after nursing Chloe this morning Lily was sitting next to me and wanted to "ho Coco" (she calls Chloe Coco) so I put Chloe next to her and she then started "reading" to Chloe! I couldn't believe it and so I snapped a shot.

Aren't these two so sweet! I look forward to them growing up and playing together. So glad that Lily has a playmate. She needs a different influence than just her precious brothers! Case in point- she lifted the toilet lid today and proceeded to pretend to potty standing up! Yikes- I'm out numbered here and there is more boy influence than girl- she really pays attention to more than we realize :)

Sweet Chloe had her 2 month appointment today with Dr. Middleton- Middleton Pediatrics- and she is just perfect he said. Growing well, smiling, cooing, sleeping (yipee) and all that newborn stuff. She weighed in at a dainty 11 pounds and 4 ounces and measured a very long 24 inches!! For now she is in the 59th% in weight and 94th% in height. What that means long term we'll see! But that length is second only to Jay at the same age! Longer than Lily so another tall baby!  She did have two shots and another oral vaccine. Our family has chosen to do vaccines and thankfully have not had any poor side effects beyond general fussiness. I feel blessed that they are protected from so many harmful viruses.  On another note, Jay has had a very stubborn wart for nearly 2 years now but he was starting to get a little self concious about it. I don't think it helped that Lily started poking at it curiously. Soo he worked up some courage and had it frozen this morning! He was very  brave about it and it helped I'm sure that dad was there to hold his hand!

Genesis

Welcome to the new family blog! Do you like the name? You may be wondering where arrows came from!? With the surprise pregnancy of Chloe, I remember thinking of the bible verse found in Psalm 127 that speaks of children being a blessing and blessed is the person whose quiver is full.

          "Don't you see that children are God's best gift?
           the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
           Like a warrior's fistful of arrows
           are the children of a vigorous youth.
           Oh, how blessed are you parents,
          with your quivers full of children!" Psalm 127:3-5

With having a fourth child I surely felt we had a quiver full of arrows! I came from a small family. Just one sister! I remember seeing bigger families and being amazed but also I loved the dynamics of a larger family. It just looked like fun! So now we get to experience the fun and challenges of being blessed with a quiver full!

I like the background to this blog because it makes me think of the wide world and how we are also called to go and make disciples of all nations (found in Matthew 28). I like to think that Chase and I have the opportunity to take these arrows God's given us and ready them to be sent out as warriors for the Lord and how desperately our world needs them.

That is a tall order but we are given one life and my life rather my call, in this season, is to focus on these kiddos. It's a challenge for sure. But we are up for it.