Quote of the Day: Bible Mathematics

Bible Mathematics

We are not to add to the Bible,

nor to subtract from it,

but to rightly divide it.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Marsha's Musings: In Surgery Today

Today is the big day. My surgery is at 9:45 AM. Please pray that everything will go well for me today. I am not looking forward to it, yet I take comfort in the fact that God is good and whatever He allows, He allows with a good purpose in mind. I may not see the purpose in all of this yet, but in time I will see it.

Because I knew I would not be up to doing a whole lot this week, I learned how to add posts to my blog ahead of time to be posted when I want them to be. So this week, each day there should be a Quote of the Day post appear first thing each morning. I have also prepared a couple of devotionals to be posted on the appropriate days as well. I am excited to have found this neat little feature. It will make my blogging life so much easier in the future!

Enjoy the quotes this week and when I am feeling better, I will drop in and let you know how everything went today. Thank you for your prayers on my behalf.

Marsha's Musings: Reflections on Sunday's Sermon

Today our pastor was in CA preaching at another church and one of the men of our church gave the messages. I was blessed by both messages, but the one on faith was what I needed most today as I look forward to my surgery tomorrow morning. He ended his message with this:

Faith is trusting when you can't see.

How very true this is! I must trust when I can't see what the outcome will be. God is soveriegn and He knows what will take place before I even show up at the office. He can take care of me. My problem is that I want to be in control of the situation and I can not be. God is in control and so this is an exercise of faith for me.

Quote of the Day: How to Worship

HOW TO WORSHIP

Be silent.

Be thoughtful.

Be reverent. For this is the house of the Lord.

BEFORE the service, speak to God.

DURING the service, let God speak to you.

AFTER the service, speak to one another.

Quote of the Day: One Minute

One minute

of keeping your mouth shut

is worth

an hour's explanation.

Proverbs 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Marsha's Musing: Bible Math

I am no mathematician, but I thought this was interesting as I began to work this out.

Grace + Faith=Salvation & Works
Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.


Faith + Works= Obedience & Wisdom
Matthew 7:24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

James 1: 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Faith + Works – Grace= Legalism & Bondage
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Faith – Works = Disobedience & Foolishness
Matthew 7:26 "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:

James 1:23-24 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Grace + Faith - Works=Justification Before God

Romans 4:2-5 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

(Romans was addressing primarily non-Christians. Our works do nothing to earn us salvation.)



Faith + Works=Justification Before Men
James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

(James was written to Christians. Our works after salvation show others that our faith is genuine.)

Marsha's Musings: Oral Surgery Scheduled

This has been a very busy week for me. A lot of activties and a lot of stuff to do before next week. I would covet your prayers for me next week. On Monday I will be having oral surgery on a tooth that is infected for the third time. It's had two root canal procedures already so that is not an option anymore. In order to save the tooth they are going to go in through the bone beside the tooth, remove the infected tissue, cut off the tip of the root and see if there is an extra canal that connects two of the roots that needs to be treated. The endodontist will also take a tissue sample for biopsy while he is in there. I will be heavily sedated and on a liquid diet for a couple of days and soft foods thereafter for a while. The complete healing will take a month. I am not looking forward to this. Prayers for safety during the procedure and protection from serious drug side effects would be appreciated. I am the side-effect queen.

Marsha's Musings: Reflections on this Week's Sermon

We've had some convicting sermons at church lately. This week it was on the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. I think the point that stood out to me most was that we are not to be idle servants of God. All of the servants with the exception of one took the talents (money) that their master entrusted to them and found ways to improve upon them so that when he returned he had more money than when he left. The one servant who didn't do anything with the talent he was in charge of, was condemned as unworthy because of his idleness.

The talents represent to us today, our abilities, money, time, even our bodies. It represents anything that God has given us that we can use to bring glory to His name. We are not to be idle with those things. We are to use them and improve upon them to bring honor and glory to God.

This dove tails nicely with a saying I have had going in my head this week.

The wise man does at once what the fool does at last.

I don't remember who said this, but if I come across it I will be sure to add it. I have struggled with idleness because of some of the health issues I have right now. It's easier to just sit down and not do what needs to be done when it needs to be done. With God's help I intend to work at not being unnecessarily idle.

One way I can do this is to get back to the fifteen minute rule. This works well for those who have health issues. Choose a task that you need to work on. Set the timer for 15 minutes and work at it. When the timer goes off, take 5 or 10 minutes to rest. Then go back for another 15 minutes. You can accomplish a lot of stuff using this method and not wear yourself out too bad in the process.

Even when you have to sit down or lay down because you physically can't go anymore for a bit, you can avoid being idle by praying, or reading good material, or listening to good music as you relax.

With God's help I plan to work on avoiding the sin of idleness.

The Five Dilemmas of Calvinism
By: Craig R. Brown
Ligonier Ministries / 2007 / Paperback


Product Description
After a brief survey of the historical development of the theological school now known as Calvinism and a comparison of Calvinism and Arminianism, Brown turns to a consideration of five dilemmas that Arminians typically associate with Reformed doctrines. The author then attempts to demonstrate that these "problems" are largely misunderstandings of Calvinism.
Written in a winsome and engaging style, Brown's work is an excellent primer on Calvinism and some of the critiques that have been leveled against it. As such, the book provides both apologetic help for Calvinists and answers for Arminians with honest questions.

I just finished reading this little book to our family in our nightly family time. I would highly recommend it for anyone who wants to learn more about the Reformed Faith. It is written in an easy to understand style. You will come away from it with a new understanding of what Calvinists and Arminians believe and how they differ. But most of all you will come away with a renewed sense of how great our God really is. It is a book that puts the glory of God first. It stimulated some good conversation within our family and caused us to pause and think.

Marsha's Musings: Reflections on Sunday's Sermon

1. All that I do as a wife, mom, homemaker, volunteer, home-school teacher is to be done with Christ in mind...all to the glory of God.
2. I can submit to my husband's authority and any other authority in my life by looking past him to Christ. I am submitting to Christ not my husband or other authority in my life. Looking at submission in this way, helps me with my attitude when my human nature is not wanting to submit and it helps me to submit as God has commanded I should.
3. What circumstances am I in? God has placed me there. Whether my circumstances are good or bad, God has a good purpose for them.
4. God cares about how I respond to my circumstances and that I respond in a godly manner.
5. What is my calling? It's right now. It's where God has placed me at the moment. My calling is to be a wife, mom, homemaker, patient, volunteer, listener, etc with a view to honoring God in all I do. This means watching my attitude, tongue and heart at all times.

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 18 ¶ Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

1Peter 2:13 ¶ Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

Romans 13:1 ¶ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

Homeschool: Day 21 Spider Escapee #3 Caught in the Act!

I found this spider heading off to parts unknown this afternoon. We have two at large in the basement. Sarah says when they grow up and I find them, I'll feel guilty killing them because I raised them up from eggs! I don't think so! Anyway, this is the last of the spider pictures you will have to endure. I took this one and the remaining two outside.

Homeschool: Day 21 Spiders--two escape! Eeek!

I hadn't checked on the spiders in a few days. This morning I discovered two of them have escaped. They apparently crawed over the others because they have cobwebs on their legs. I don't know if it will show up in the photos. I'm not thrilled to have two of these spiders loose in my basement. I am debating on whether or not to continue this observation or move these spiders outdoors before they escape too.

Homeschool: Spider Anatomy

This comes from "Biology of the Invertabrates" by Pechenik, published by McGraw-Hill. Double-click on the photos to enlarge.

I am sorry the quality of the photo comes out with the words blurred, but perhaps you can make them out when you click to enlarge it.

I thought it was interesting that the spider illustrated has five different silk-secreting glands. Each one secretes a different kind of silk, each specialized for a different function. Here is a quote from the book:

...silk, which may be used to form safety lines during climbing; egg sacs that protect developing embryos; fine threads for the aerial dispersal of newly emerged young; air-tapping diving bells for underwater foraging; and webs for trapping prey, building homes, or mating. Humans also have put arachnid silk to good use, notably as crosshairs in optical equipment.


An individual spider may contain up to 7 or more different silk glands that produce different, biochemically distinct forms of silk for different uses.

It is truly amazing and awe-inspiring to see how God has created this creature. The heavens declare His handiwork and so does all of creation.

Homeschool: Day 15 Spiders

Here is Day 15 of the Spider observation. I couldn't get the focus quite right so the hairs on their bodies doesn't show up in this. But their legs are getting browner.

Book Review: Sufficient Grace for Homeschool Moms

Here are some lessons that I've learned in the writing of Sufficient Grace for Home-school Moms, I have a long ways to go on these but this is what God is teaching me:

Plan flexibility into your school year

Be flexible with the curriculum--it's there to serve you...don't be a slave to it.
Be flexible with the schedule
Pray!

Pray your children's salvation
Pray about character issues
Pray for wisdom

Work on spiritual/character issues first, academics second

Cut off contention before it gets a good start.

Teach your kids by example to give glory to God and deflect it from themselves.

Be quick to confess your sins

Strive for patience and calmness in teaching

Take time out when starting to feel frustrated with your children. When calm come back and deal with the situation.

Spend time studying the Bible. Send you roots down deep so the tough times don't topple you over spiritually.

Do what you can no matter how small. Every little bit counts.

Schedule "Mom time"

Evaluate your priorities & revise if needed

Live with your eye on the goal--the high calling of God in Christ Jesus

Don't look around at your circumstances & allow them to distract you with fear

Don't compare your homeschool or your life with anyone else--it will only make you focus on your shortcomings or envy others and cause you to dispair

Watch your tongue--your family and others are listening and learning habits from you.

Keep your focus on Jesus

Remember the blessings of motherhood

Remember that the difficulties of raising, training and teaching your children may come with the reward of children who later bless you.

Look for the good things in your circumstances

Remember God will never leave you or forsake you

Cling to God in the storms of life

Be assured God has a good purpose for what He is allowing

Don't dwell on how big the task is--break it down into baby steps

Take one day at a time

Persevere through the tough times

God is accomplishing His good purposes

Thank God for the difficulties because they give you the opportunity to grow the fruit of the Spirit.

Exercise your faith even when God seems distant and silent

Take measures to manage stress in your life

Do not fret or become anxious over the stress--this only adds more stress

Let the difficulties drive you to God and His Word

Don't strain against the wind of adversity

Turn toward the wind of adversity and let it propel you forward toward Christ

Take time to relax

Depend on God and His grace

Remember that God is already in the future--He goes before you and has a good purpose for all that He allows.

Let the chaos that goes with home-schooling & raising a family remind you that God makes order out of what seems chaotic to us

Rejoice and look forward to the day when God will make all things perfect

Listen to uplifting music

Run your own race--not someone else's

Do what God has shown you to do

Don't try to live up to other's expectations

Say no if it isn't in keeping with the path God has put you on

Know your limits and live within them

See Christ in your circumstances instead of your circumstances

Don't push your kids so you can be proud & brag about what you have accomplished with them

Don't get so busy you neglect time with God

Be careful of complaining

When God sends a trial your way check to be sure it's not for correction due to some neglected area of your life.

Adjust your perception of success to match God's--truth, do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with God, keep God's word, don't deny His name, keep God's commands, persevere

Seek to do all to the glory of God

See complaining as disbelief

Give thanks in all circumstances

Find the positive in your circumstances and give thanks for it.

Ask God's guidance in what you should do each day

Realize you are not invincible--pace yourself

Write stuff down

Temper your temper

De-clutter your life

Get adequate rest, nourishment and water

Remember you are not alone

Be still before God

Find hidden blessings in the trash and other unpleasant tasks of your day

Set fewer goals

Work for 15 minutes then rest if you need too

Play praise music to help your frame of mind

Be responsible and teach your kids to be too

Work on organization

Be diligent--don't get sidetracked if possible

Watch for discontentment

Discipline your children consistently

Never take for granted what God has provided

Marsha's Musings: Spider Science

It has been exciting and awesome to watch the spider eggs hatch and see the development of these tiny creatures under the microscope. I am amazed at the detail that is there in such small proportions. God truly is great. His creation is so detailed and so organized. It makes me stand in awe of how wonderful our God is. This has been a great experience.

Homeschool: Day 13 Spiders

You can see the spinnarets in this first photo. The pointer is pointing at them. Notice how hairy they are now.











In the second photo you can see the pointer pointing at the spider's mouth.











Notice how brown they are. Their legs are getting more color.

Homeschool: Day 12 Spider Development

These spiders just keep hanging on and growing! They are turning much darker. Their legs are starting to look darker. You can see the joints in their legs now. They are still wiggling. They are still stuck to the scotch tape. Sure don't want them running around the house!

Just for Fun: Presidential Candidates Skit

Homeschool: Day 11 Spiders

Well, here is Day 11. The spiders are getting a little bigger and a little bit darker now. They are still alive and wiggling.

Homeschool: Announcing "Sufficient Grace for Home-school Moms"

It's been a long time coming, but I finally finished my newest 40 Day Devotional/Journal!

This one is for the home-school mom. It is aimed primarily at moms who home-school and deal with chronic pain/illness, but any homeschool mom will benefit from it.

I am really excited about this. I wanted to have it done and ready last summer, but due to circumstances beyond my control, it got put on the back burner. It was such a blessing to read through the manuscript as I looked for errors. I've been dealing with some things in my life right now and needed encouragement and direction. As I proof read this I found God speaking to me and reminding me of things I had written long ago and needed to be reminded of once again. I found some answers to issues I am dealing with currently. What a blessing! Isn't it wonderful how God uses things in our lives for His good purposes?

Homeschool: Day 10 Spiders

Here's Day 10. Not much change taking place. They are still alive. I tried to upload video but Blogger kept giving me errors. So this photo will have to do for now.

Marsha's Musings: Carrying too Large a Load? Here's the Solution!

Double-click on this to make it bigger so you can read it. I just had to laugh when my friend sent this to me. My doctor had just told me days earlier that my load is too big and my physcial therapist ageed with him. Then I got this in my email. I think I just found the solution to my problem! Ha!

Homeschool: Day 9 Spider Development

Here is a comparison of the spider's sizes to a dime. This is Day 9 of their development. There are five spiders beside this dime. This will give you an idea of how tiny they really are and how magnified they are on the microscope.

It is truly amazing to observe God's creation. Such minute detail!

Homeschool: Day 8 Spider Development

Homeschool: Day 7 Spider Development

Make sure you double click on the phots to see an enlarged detail...you'll be amazed.

We have little spiders! Sends shivers up my spine to look at them under the microscope. Just to give you an idea of how little they really are, take a look at this o. That is how big the eggs were when I first put them under the microscope. Now they are about this big O. So that gives you an idea of how magnified they are here. We are using National brand microscope that costs in the range of $250. We bought it a few years ago.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing this progression and maybe learned along with us how spider eggs develop.

Homeschool: Day 6 Spider Development

Homeschool: Spider Development Day 6

Click on these photos to see an enlarged detail. This really kind of creeped me out when I looked in the microscope this morning. The spider's legs have hair on them. It may not be visible in these photos. What really got me was when it waved it's leg at me. Eeeew! I am NOT a spider person! I am anxious to see my kid's reactions when they take a look today!

Homeshcool: Spider Development Day 5

Here is Day 5 of our spider eggs. Not a lot of change here from Day 4, but a little bit if you look close. Once again, click on the photo for an larger version.

Homeschool: Jumping Spider Egg Development Day 4

Four days ago I posted about the identity of a spider I found making it's egg sack inside my hot tub lid. I mentioned having destroyed the egg sack and having tiny eggs rolling all over the place. I put several of those eggs on a piece of scotch tape and put it under the microscope. They just looked like tiny round blobs. I really didn't think anything would come of them. I left them there and looked at them two days later and I thought they looked like they were starting dry up and shrivel. I almost threw them away. But I left them under the microscope. Yesterday, four days after they were laid, I looked again and I was surprised to see legs developing! Click on the image for a larger view.