Sunday, January 2, 2011

Blog Consolidation

Thanks to all who are following my blog, Eclectic Homeschool 4 Life. I am transfering this blog to A Season for All Things. I invite all my friends to come on over and follow the new blog.


A Season for All Things will incorporate our homeschool walk along with chronicling our family life and Christian walk.

Since we are all walking through different seasons in our lives, this new blog will hopefully bring joy and laughter, a peek into our completely imperfect family, thought provoking ideas, and more. I look forward to meeting up with my Eclectic Homeschool followers there. ~ Ellen

I will no longer be updating this blog as of 1/1/11. As part of my new year goal-planning, I am combining the blogs to have better use of my time. Thanks for all your comments and encouragement. I look forward to seeing you at A Season for All Things.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

The Walk

By: Shaun Alexander 

In The Walk, Shaun stresses the importance of order in becoming a mature Christian.  He lays out 5 stages that each person can walk through: Unbeliever, Believer, Example, Teacher, and Imparter.  He states that if a believer were to "skip a stage in the maturity process, error will creep in.  Get ahead of God, and things will start to go wrong.  But follow His (God's) order in  your life, and you will see amazing things happen." p. 21

He breaks each stage down into becoming a Believer, Example, etc and expands on the trials, traps, and victories of each stage.  As you walk through this book, Shaun gives concrete examples not only from his football days, but also real life situations many people can relate to.  He cites Scripture throughout the book, yet many times they are only referenced.  A Discussion Guide is available for small groups to read together.

I feel that Shaun Alexander over-stresses the order of the stages and not enough on the actual learning and living of each.  He does state near the end that different people will proceed through the stages at different rates - some faster than other.

Download the first chapter of The Walk by Shaun Alexander here.

Star Rating - 4 out of 5

A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group as part of their Blogging for Books Program. I was not obligated to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are strictly my own.

This Week in US History

December 26

1776  After crossing the Delaware River, George Washington's army defeats a Hessian force at Trenton, New Jersey.

1865  James Mason of Massachusetts wins the first U.S. patent, for a coffee percolator.

December 27

1900  Prohibitionist Carry Nation begins her campaign of destroying saloons when she smashes the bar at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas.

1932  Radio City Music Hall opens in New York City.

December 28

1832  John C. Calhoun becomes the first vice president to resign, leaving office over political differences with President Andrew Jackson.

1945  Congress formally recognizes the Pledge of Allegiance as the national pledge.

December 29

1851  The first Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) in the United States is organized in Boston.

1890  The U.S. Cavalry massacres up to 300 Lakita Sioux at Wounded Knee, South Dakota.


Sioux survivors from the Battle at Wounded Knee.

December 30

1853  James Gadsden, minister to Mexico, signs the Gadsden Purchase, in which the United States buys nearly 30,000 square miles of land from Mexico.

1924  Astronomer Edwin Hubble announces evidence of the existence of a galaxy outside our own.

December 31

1907  A giant ball is first dropped in Times Square to bring in the New Year.

1999  The U.S. transfers full control of the Panama Canal to Panama.

January 1

1863  Abraham Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation.

1892  Ellis Island begins processing immigrants in New York Harbor.




Ellen

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas

"I'm dreaming of a White Christmas....", and we have enjoyed a White Christmas! It was the icing on the cake! Thank you, Lord!







I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas day!

Advent Reflections 2010


Day 1 – God promised his people that He would send the Messiah, the Anointed One, to save them. Isaiah 7.14, 9.6-7

Day 2 – God’s timing is always perfect; He knew the perfect time to send JESUS, the Messiah, into the world. Galatians 4.4

Day 3 – “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I, Ellen, am the worst.” 1 Timothy 1.14-16

Day 4 – Remember that Christmas is a time to share our blessings and become generous, honest, cheerful givers. “…it is more blessed to give than receive.” Acts 20.35

Day 5 – Jesus has come to live among us. I am to live each day knowing that Jesus was physically present in my home, always. Revelation 21.3

Day 6 – As a believer, I am God’s servant. He can do anything You want with me. Luke 1.28-30, 47-49, 54-55

Day 7 – Name Him Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew) which means “the Lord saves.” Luke 1.31, Matthew 1.20-21, Philippians 2.10-11

Day 8 – Jesus is the One and only Son of God. Luke 1.31-33, 1 Samuel 7.12-13, 16

Day 9 – The Holy Spirit brings life to our dead, innermost places when we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Luke 1.35, John 6.63

Day 10 – The Holy Spirit helps us recognize Jesus; and when we do, we jump for joy! Luke 1:41-44

Day 11 – I need to magnify the Lord by having higher, larger, and truer thoughts of God. This means humbling myself before Him. Luke 1.46-48 and Psalm 34.3, “Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together.”

Day 12 – Jesus-born of ordinary parents, from an obscure little town, a teacher-not a conquering king – Our Savior. God uses simple, ordinary things and people to accomplish His work in the world. Micah 5.2, 4

Day 13 – Just as God sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus; we, too, need to prepare our hearts to welcome Jesus in a fresh, new way this Advent season. Isaiah 40.3, Mark 1.4, Luke 1.17

Day 14 – When Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem for the mandatory census, all the rooms were taken. Jesus, the Son of God, was born in a stable and laid to rest in a manger. I need to make room in my heart, my thoughts, and my time/schedule for Jesus to enter in. Luke 2.1-20

Day 15 – After Jesus was born, He was wrapped in strips of cloth – swaddling clothes- the clothing of the humble and lowly. I need to be clothed in humility daily. Luke 2.7, Colossians 3.12, 1 Peter 3.3-4

Day 16 – Jesus’ birth brings JOY to all who accepts Him as Lord and Savior. Luke 2.9-11, 20; John 15.10-11

Day 17 – God’s glory is revealed in the birth and life of Jesus Christ. Luke 2.9, 2 Corinthians 4.6

Day 18 – God sent not one, but a host of angels, to announce the birth of His son – the Prince of Peace. Luke 2.13-14

Day 19 – Christ became poor to open the door to God’s riches---- salvation. Christmas is about giving, not getting. What are you giving this season? 2 Corinthians 8.9

Day 20 – The shepherds went to Bethlehem to see what the angels told them. They left the stable believing in Jesus and sharing the good news! Luke 2.15-17

Day 21 – On Jesus’ birthday we come and give ourselves and our worship to Him with great JOY! Matthew 2.1-2, 10


Day 22 – Jesus was born to die for my sins. When the kings came to worship Him, they brought gold (gift for a king), frankincense (grain offering pleasing to God), and myrrh (to be used when He died). Isaiah 60.3, 6; Matthew 2.11

Day 23 – Jesus saved me from my slavery to sin. HE is my Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9.6-7

Day 24 – A virgin will conceive from the Holy Ghost so the child she bears will be holy, and will be called the Son of God. Isaiah 7.14, Matthew 1.18-25, Luke 1.26-38

Day 25 – Jesus is born! Micah 5.2, Matthew 2.1-12, Luke 1-20

Today in US History

December 25...

1651  By order of the Puritan lawmakers in Massachusetts, any colonist caught observing Christmas with feasts or other festivities is fined five shillings.

1776  George Washington's army crosses the Delaware River on Christmas night for a surprise attack against Hessian forces at Trenton, New Jersey, the next morning.



1830  In South Carolina, the Best Friend of Charleston becomes the first U.S. locomotive to begin regularly scheduled passenger service.

1868  President Andrew Johnson grants an unconditional pardon to all Confederates involved in the Civil War.

1896  John Philip Sousa completes his most famous march, "Starts and Stripes Forever."


Ellen
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