The Blog is Moving!!

Hello sweet friends! It has been a pleasure getting to know you and walking through this life with you. I am so excited to announce that we have a new page set up!! I will still blog here from time to time, but the majority of my musings you will find here:

Faith, Hope and Homeschool (faithhopeandhomeschool.com)

Blessings!!
Jennifer

Teach Them to Your Children

During our current study, Cultivating a Heart of Prayer by Wendy Blight, we have been focusing on many verses and on prayer in general. Last week we discussed what it meant to "abide" in Christ. This week, we looked at how "abiding" in Him actually controls our prayer lives as well. Our hearts will want to line up with God's will, will want to glorify Him, and will want to know Him more. We also discussed praying for a specific situation in our lives. Our homeschool is always one of the front requests in my mind.

We looked at several verses. These two stood out the most to me, probably because I am a homeschool mom. I try to seek God's will each year for our homeschool. What His plans are for my children. What He wants them to learn. He has created each one of them for a specific purpose. For anyone else who has ever embarked on this fascinating journey, let me tell you, it can be so hard at times. Can I really teach my kids? Can I really prepare them for life? Many of my thoughts, and at times prayers, have went like this, "I am a nurse! How can I possibly teach Geometry?" But then God....often reminds me that He called me to do this and that I am not alone in this. These verses were some of the many He has spoken into my heart over the years. Often.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 instructs me to teach my children His commands. His life giving, life changing words. This passage tells me to talk of them all the time. That is what we do in our school. In Science, He isn't just another "theory", rather He is the Creator. In History, we study His Story, as well as other world events. In music? We learn to "sign", basic Christian doctrine--my 4 and 6 year old girls are currently obsessed with sign language.

Deuteronomy 11:18-20? The same thing.

It was amazing that I had been praying over a few curriculum choices, and extreme fear arose over my oldest son who is now going into 10th grade, yet God reminded me yet again, with these same verses, to trust Him. To teach them about Him. He would take care of the rest. And, He has. Time and again He has shown up in ways that I couldn't even imagine. Academically as well.

 One Scripture verse that I have prayed over my children for years, even before we began homeschooling but is even more pertinent now, is this: 

Isaiah 54:13~ All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. (NKJV)

It is my prayer that He teaches them and that He gives them great peace.

What GOOD Are You Giving Up?

And Jesus answered and said to her, 

"Martha, Martha, you are worried

and troubled about many things.

But one thing is needed, and Mary has 

chosen that good part, which will not be 

taken away from her."

(Luke 10:41-42 NKJV)

We have been studying Mary and Martha for quite a while now at OBS. That isn't the only place I have heard it either. A sermon at church, a sermon on the radio, and in personal readings. Going through my favorite Goodwill bookstore, I kept stumbling upon books about Martha and Mary. A teaching post I did for our last OBS, Stressed-Less Living, was on Mary and Martha. Last week's blog for Cultivating a Heart of Prayer was on Mary and Martha. And you know what, the more I ponder and read on these two, the more that I learn. New layers; new depth; new insights. It's as if the Lord keeps putting them in my path for a reason.

This week is no different. Something Wendy said in the video about John 15:4-5, really struck me. The whole discussion on "abiding" struck me. Forgive me as I paraphrase--I take notes in shorthand from my days as both a Secretary and Registered Nurse. It doesn't say how many times a day, what it is about, how it is done-it is about connecting with and PASSIONATELY pursuing Him. PERIOD. Then came the conference call. More words spoken into my heart about what I felt had already been "tugging" on my heart. Again, I paraphrase here. Spend time with Him. Doesn't matter how or when. Even if you miss a couple days. It's a relationship day to day. He just wants us. It doesn't matter how "perfect" it is. 

And, oh, doesn't this look like Mary's heart? At the feet of her Savior and Lord--passionately pursuing Him. It didn't matter to her what it "looked" like. It didn't occur to her to go through "much" preparation before drawing from Him. She is the perfect image of "abiding." As Wendy discussed the vine and the branches, here we see Mary getting her nourishment from THE vine...in flesh. Martha was worried about preparing, getting everything right, everything perfect. Mary? Came as she was.....and Jesus said that she had chosen the good part. 

I have been involved in leading Bible studies in some form or fashion for the last 2 years. It is a huge passion of mine. I LOVE to surround myself with my Study Bible, Life Application Bible, a commentary, and a Greek/Hebrew/Aramic dictionary. I love to have the house perfectly quiet. I love to have my highlighters, my pens, devotionals, my notebooks, my phone (for YouVersion of course), and so on. I even took a Seminary class last fall. I don't say this to brag, but I say this to show you it can happen to all of us. But what happened? Why did I "take a break?" And what GOOD thing am I giving up? Hmmm...

I became Martha. Frenzied. Panicked. Hurrying to get my stuff out, for what I thought (sadly), was "appropriate" everyday Bible study. The right way to do it, you know? After lugging out all of my goodies, I would crack open my Bible and BOOM! One of my 4 children, or possibly two, would wake up. WHAT?!? I only read one verse!! Now I have to put it all away so the little ones don't tear it up. Or worse--my beloved "Family Bible" bares the marks of a black marker scattered through a lot of Genesis. No small marks either. Marks as in colored in-can't read the words type marks. I became unsettled; agitated; "troubled" about many things-primarily my lack of a "quiet time." Which in turn, set the tone for the day. Even though I may have had an amazing night of study the night before, I was thrown off by my lack of being a morning person. Where was the love? The abiding? Why was I so set in my ways?

And then I remember....I go back, in my mind, to the days long ago. Almost four years ago. To the days when it seemed as if everywhere I turned I could "see" Jesus. Sweet fellowship. Talking to Him all day. Singing and humming Worship Songs as I went about my daily tasks. Hungry for Him and hungry for His Word. Receiving "God sap", as Wendy puts it, in abundance-I couldn't seem to read enough of His Word. Where did I go wrong? 

Then slowly, I look around me and realize...It doesn't matter WHAT it looks like, it only matters that I am passionately pursuing Him. I had lost that desire through "much doing" and not enough being. I would go hours without talking to Him except to throw up a "Dear Lord Jesus, please help me", (we homeschool our kiddos), or a short prayer for a friend. It became rote. Mandatory. Checking it off my list. I had never really heard much about "quiet time" during the former period. I just wanted to be with Jesus. Didn't matter when or how, I just wanted to be with Him. Whenever I could.

So now...what GOOD thing am I giving up to get BETTER with Jesus? My preconceived notion about what "quiet time" should look like. And no longer pursuing a "quiet time", but rather pursuing an ongoing, daily, moment to moment relationship with the Lord of my life.

My Lord, full of grace, truth, and  compassion, loves me. No matter what season I am in. Four years ago I wasn't homeschooling. He understands that. Four years ago, I had a baby that slept all day, a toddler that was content to play alone for a little while and napped as well. Two boys in public school. Four years ago, I wasn't involved in ministry. This is a new season in my life and God understands that, and for whatever reason--He loves me. However, much is to be learned about that season four years ago that CAN be applied today. I don't have to be so "methodical" all the time. I can sit at His feet, whether by "talking" to Him all day and just picking up my Bible and reading, or by deeper study as time allows. It doesn't have to look the same everyday. I just have to "abide." As Wendy said, abiding is "continuing in a permanent state." I can continually communicate with Him, and I can continually draw from Him.......no matter what it looks like. 

Jennifer Newsom

OBS Executive/Teaching Teams

Be Still...and KNOW

Be still and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.

~Psalm 46:10

NIV 84

Ever feel like a certain verse is following you everywhere? In our current Bible study, Cultivating a Heart of Prayer by Wendy Blight, this was one of the verses we reflected on. For the last four years, this is a verse that my mom quotes to me...OFTEN. Anytime I worry, she speaks it. Anytime I get upset, she speaks it. 

Four years ago she bought me a plaque for my wall with this verse on it. Fast forward to a move, and it didn't get to go with us. I forgot it. So, when she came to stay with us for a couple months, guess what? She bought me a magnet with this verse on it. I have two little girls, currently 4 and 6 years old. Anything on the refrigerator is free game. They broke the magnet. I was devastated. 

My OBS sister quotes this verse to me as well. Imagine my surprise when I found this GIANT picture, (see above), on clearance at Hobby Lobby. I snapped a picture and sent it to my friend. She was hopeful I was going to buy it. I did. Small plaque to small magnet to GIANT picture. Was Someone trying to get a message across to me?

We reflected some upon Mary and Martha, see Luke 10:38-42, both in this study and in our previous Online Bible study. The message was loud and clear THEN...what could I learn from it now? I thought I took some time off to be a Mary, what was I missing? I even used this example in the last teaching I did for the OBS. What am I not understanding? Why is this Psalm following me everywhere?

So, I pray and I ponder. Yes, Martha is a busy bee. Sometimes I think she gets more grief from us than Jesus gave her. I can hear the kindness in His voice as He points out her mistake. He empathizes with her. He KNOWS she is worried and troubled, and in His grace, He points out WHY she is so worried and troubled. You see, to me, she only wanted to serve her Savior--to the best of her ability. She wanted everything right for Him. She wanted the best of everything for Him. To her, Mary should have been up serving Him too, not leaving all of the work to her. In all of His compassion, He reminds her that Mary CHOSE what was NEEDED. 

As I reflected on this, another verse came to mind, For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45 NKJV)

Mary CHOSE the better part by allowing Jesus to SERVE her. To minister to her. To speak words of truth into her. He knew that His life would be given for the sins of the world and He wanted to spend time speaking truth into and serving others. Just like in the story of the feet washing in John 13:1-15, Jesus told them in verse 15 that He had given them an example to follow. But notice what happened first. The disciples were SERVED by Jesus, before they were given instructions to SERVE. 

There is a time for serving, and there is a time for sitting. However, can we also not worry about the "preparations" before sitting? Martha was worried and troubled about much preparing and serving...so much so that she didn't sit at His feet. How many times I have had the intention to sit before my Lord, but got busy with much preparation--routines, checklists, get out all my Bible study tools, read this devotional....oh wait! I didn't start with prayer! I read the wrong day in the devotional! I'm behind in the study. But, I better do it quietly lest I wake the children up. By the time I am finished preparing, inevitably one of the children DO wake-up. The whole "sitting" thing? Gone. Lost in a moment of worry and trouble over how it should look. This was a whole new revelation for my life, packed into two seemingly unrelated verses. One in the Old Testament, and one in the New. 

Be still (Literally, in the Hebrew, slacken, abate, cease).....and know....(be aware of)

Nourish Your Soul

"Why spend money on what is not bread, 

and your labor on what does not 

satisfy? Listen, listen to me,

and eat what is good, and your soul will delight

the richest of fare."

(Isaiah 55:2)

The Life Application summarizes these verses this way:

~Food costs money, lasts only a short time, and meets only physical needs. But God offers us free nourishment that feeds our soul. How do we get it? We come, listen, seek, and call on God. God's salvation is freely offered, but to nourish our souls we must eagerly receive it. We will starve spiritually without this food as surely as we will starve physically without our daily bread.

Couple reading parts of this chapter in Isaiah, along with the Breaking Free by Beth Moore study I am doing in my own time, and sermons from my Pastor the last few weeks, and I have learned so much about finding satisfaction in God alone. It is a recurring theme lately. One that I desire to "dig" into and remain in for a long time I pray.

Why do we toil about working hard for things that will perish, instead of working towards things that have eternal value? How will we worship God all day in Heaven, if we can't find time to spend with Him on this earth? Look at many of the Psalms-David laid bare his heart before the Lord. OFTEN. He speaks of talking with and being taught by God in the evening and the morning. This is how we gain wisdom. This is how we have a relationship with Him. This is how it was meant to be from the beginning--before the fall. Jesus opened that door, tore that veil, so we could enter into a real relationship with God. So that we could draw near in time of need, and find mercy and grace.

God is Jehovah-jireh, the Lord our provider. We are assured in Matthew 6:25-34, that we have no reason to worry. If we seek Him first, all of these other things will be added to us. He knows our every need. He knows our every worry. Yet, He tells us to seek Him first, and not to worry.

This goes against every instinct we have been taught in today's society. We have been taught to work first, plan first, then pray and ask God to bless whatever it is we are doing. Or throw up a few, "Can I have's?", and go on about our day.

We have a very personal God. Jesus was the Word made flesh.Matthew 1:23 gives us a VERY personal name for Him. Immanuel-which means "God with us." He walked amongst us. Now, through His death and resurrection, He lives within us through the gift of the Holy Spirit which we received when we first believed the good news of the Gospel. When we accepted His atoning sacrifice for our sins and made Him Lord of our lives.

Which is harder? To provide for our every need, or to provide an atoning sacrifice for every sin of every human in the world~while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8)? Why is it that so many of us, (guilty at times here so I am not pointing fingers), can believe God for salvation, but it is so hard for us to believe Him for the "little things"? To truly internalize Matthew 6:25-34 when He says that He takes care of the birds and the flowers of the field? We are the ones who sins had to be atoned for-not the birds and flowers. Yet He even takes care of those! 

How much more will He take care of the very creatures He died for? The ones who bare His image?

No Longer I...

I have been crucified with Christ;

 it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; 

and the life which I now live in the flesh 

I live by faith in the Son of God, 

who loved me and gave Himself for me.

(Galatians 2:20)

Recently, I took a self-imposed period of rest and renewal. Many storms going on in our lives left me weary and....well......burdened. I needed time to be a Mary instead of a Martha. I needed time to sit at His feet. I love and miss all of my friends and sisters at Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible Studies with Melissa Taylor, but I am slowly beginning to see the reason for this season of 'rest'. Ecclesiastes 3:1 assures us that there is a season for everything. This has been a troubling season to say the least.

During this time, I began a study-at my own pace and on my own time, of Breaking Free by Beth Moore. It is amazing all of the lessons that I have learned so far, and this is only Day 2 of Week 2! Still a long way to go!

Today's lesson was on our main purposes in this life: to know God and to make God known. Studying the Hebrew and Greek meanings of the word 'glory'. Basically, in Hebrew, it is how God shows who He is. In the Greek, it is the way He makes Himself recognizable.....He did that in Jesus. 

John 1:14~And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Isaiah 43:7 reminds us that we believers, who are called by His name, are created for His glory.

We are created to KNOW Him, and to make Him known. However, this is not by our pitiful efforts, no matter how hard we try. Rather, it is by His Spirit that lives within us. Christ living in me (Gal. 2:20). 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 assures us that this process of transformation is performed from "glory to glory." It is not an overnight process, rather a life long following of our Lord Jesus. Letting the Holy Spirit lead us and guide us.

To me, this is like a breath of fresh air. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. Being around a lot of legalistic doctrine, some self-imposed, liberty and freedom in Christ were foreign words. These verses give me strength to know that , "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it" (Philippians 1:6).

What are you currently studying and/or learning in your walk? Share with us!


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Having a Hannah Moment

In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord.

1 Samuel 1:10 (NIV 84)

Chapter 5 of Stressed-Less Living, a study we are currently working on at our online Bible study, has impacted me far more than I realized. No, it isn't because I didn't think I 'needed' this study-my life is full of stress-but rather because I was un-open to fully allowing the Lord to speak to me during this study. My heart was divided. My soul was restless. I had way too much on my 'to do' list-a self created nightmare of what I wanted to do, not what the Lord wanted to do.

Today, I broke. I wept and prayed bitterly before the Lord. Not bitter at Him, but bitter at myself. Bitter for trying to run the show. Bitter for trying to go ahead of Him and heal in 'my own way'. Tears washed down my face as I realized that I was prostrate before a Holy God who only has my best interest at heart. Who has told me what He requires of me. Who has told me that I need to rest. Who has allowed multiple circumstances to sweep over me at an almost overwhelming pace. Who, when I prayed, "Lord, I need to hear from you!", sent my children surrounding my bed with words of comfort. "God is with you mama." "Look at what is beside you"-my prayer journal with a picture of Jesus on the cover. They had no idea what my prayer was at that point, but God sent His love in the form of my children. I wept again, "Why, Lord? I don't deserve this grace. Why are you showing me so much grace?"

Today, I related so much to the section titled, "When God Seems Absent." She began weaving the beautiful story of Hannah and bringing so many truths into my life and my current situation. 

• p. 94~"She was tired of feeling ashamed, broken, empty-hearted, and empty-handed."
• p,94-95~ "I bet she tried to stay focused on her blessings rather than being consumed with yearning for the blessings she had yet to receive. I can also imagine how helpless she felt to remedy this problem. All of these things combined most likely ushered her into a deep pit of hopelessness, where peace escaped her."~oh yes. I try to remember my blessings and stop dwelling on the 'not knowns' right now. There are many breathing down our neck at this moment and I don't know what to do. There is nothing I CAN do. I, too, feel helpless.
• p.95~"however, on this particular day, she was so desperate for God's intervention that she dropped to her knees and poured out her entire heart. She held nothing back and laid all of her feelings and emotions at his feet. She was ready to take back her life, lay down her stress, and accept whatever plan God had for her."~YES! That was me today friend. The last few weeks, things have slowly been spiraling out of control in my innermost thoughts and endless need for planning. There is nothing I can do. I don't like feeling helpless. I don't like feeling out of control. What am I supposed to learn here?

So, today, I cried out. I cried out for Him to teach me how to rest. I cried out to know His presence. I let Him know my fears, my failures, and my weakness....even though He already knows. 

Exodus 33:14~ The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." (NIV 84)

Exodus 33:17~ And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and know you by name."

Lord, let it be so. Teach me your ways.

Jennifer Newsom

OBS Teaching/Executive Team

Rest in Him Alone

Rest~ An instance or period of relaxing or ceasing to engage in strenuous or stressful activity. Peace of mind or spirit. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

REST. A word oft spoken to me lately. Silently. Almost a whisper....so easy to ignore....to forget....to say, "Yes...but!!" As a busy homeschool mama to 4 precious blessings, a wife to the greatest guy on earth, (sorry ladies), a blogger, a dreamer, and an Executive/Teaching Team member of a precious group of amazing women over at Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible Studies with Melissa Taylor, my days can get hectic sometimes. The day isn't so hectic as much as it isn't well planned. As in I don't take nearly enough time to listen for or listen to that still, small voice. Until.....the bottom falls out. For those of you who have read my blog...yep...it fell out again.

This time it started with a rush to get my brood ready and out the door for a last minute doctors appointment for my daughter. She sounded croupy again this morning, and it was only 2 months and 2 days past this scary event, so it was imperative that I get her there before he left the office at noon and wouldn't be back in until Monday. In my clumsiness and hurry, I tripped on a pair of shoes and twisted my knee and leg. So, here I sit, AGAIN, confined to rest......and wearing a 30 day heart monitor for MANY of the symptoms Tracie describes in Stressed-Less Living. Go figure. 

A huge wave of peace swept over me as I read not only this verse, but many of those that surround it. First, look at this verse:

• His PRESENCE will go WITH me and HE WILL give me rest. (personalizing it, of course). I need not fear...He is with me and it is He who gives me rest. I particularly like the second definition I listed above--peace of mind and spirit. We have had a rocky four years around here and I am in desperate need of peace....mind and spirit. 

As I perused verses 12-13, I began to notice more. The Lord knew Moses by name--he belonged to Him. Then, the amazing humility of Moses, "If you are pleased with me, TEACH me your ways so I may KNOW you and continue to find favor with you. REMEMBER that this nation is your people." (caps mine).

Right then and there I stopped to pray. I didn't want to be disobedient to the Lord, like we see the Israelites doing in the previous verses. I want Him to teach me HIS ways. Not mine. To TEACH me how to rest. To TEACH me how to speak to His people.......I blog often and am on the OBS Teaching Team. I don't want it to be my words, but His. They are HIS people.

The Life Application Bible has something interesting to say about another verse that captured my attention.

• Exodus 33:17~ And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name." (NIV 84)
• The Life App says this (puts other verses in with this one)~ Moses wanted assurance of God's presence and desired to know that presence experientially. 

If I look again at verse 14, and it says that His presence will go with me and give me rest...then I put it in context with humbly asking the Lord to teach me His ways...well, we see His reply to Moses. According to a commentary I was reading, it said: In contrast with the strained relationship between Israel and the LORD, Moses experienced intimacy with Him. Regardless of anyone else's relationship with Him, we can experience the 'friendship' with Him that Moses had.

Rest comes when we experience His presence. When we experience a true, intimate, loving relationship with our Father...our God....our LORD....we will find rest. In fact, He will give us that rest. It isn't about doing more or being more....rather, it's about Him. It's all about Him. It will always be about Him. It SHOULD always be about Him.

 Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:29, to learn from Him and we will find REST for our souls.

Psalm 62:1-2 tells us where our rest comes from.

Praying for us as we journey towards rest.....may He bless each of you with His presence and His rest. I leave you with a song from Psalm 62.

Jennifer Newsom

OBS Executive/Teaching Team

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Metamorphosis and Renewal

As I study this verse, three things pop out at me immediately. This is an active verse, meaning we need to do something with it. According to the NIV 84 Life Application Study Bible, beginning in this chapter, Paul has moved from the theological advice he had given earlier, and moved onto practical advice for the believers, (and us today).

• Do not CONFORM~ to give the same figure or appearance as (Vine's Expository Dictionary). Do not conform to what? According to this verse, we are not to give the same figure or appearance as the world. Look back at verse 1. Paul is telling us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices to God as our spiritual act of worship. According to the Life Application Bible, this is a daily laying aside of our own desires to follow Him, putting all our energy and resources at His disposal and trusting Him to guide us. I especially appreciated what was said on page 82 of Stressed-Less Living, where Tracie says, "The real peace comes when you make God the center of your life, instead of the last resort, and when you begin focusing on what God has called you to do, instead of what you have set out to do within the restrictions of your own agenda or skill set." The world tells us to seek refuge in other places, people and methods. God is calling us to peace. True and lasting peace. In fact, Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:29-30, that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Why, oh why, do we add to that burden? Why do we add to His method?
• Be TRANSFORMED~changed in form or external appearance; metamorphosed. (King James Dictionary). We all know what metamorphosis is from school, right? It conjures up the image of a butterfly, huh? A COMPLETE change from something icky and crawly, (sorry little caterpillar), into a beautiful butterfly. Get this image: a caterpillar stuck crawling on it's belly through dirt, dust, muck and grime. Chained by it's own limitations how far it can go because of the pace it crawls. CHANGED into a dazzling, beautiful butterfly. The once caterpillar can now spread it's wings and soar! It's free!! There are no limitations on it and it is a beautiful creature now. That is what the saving power of Jesus' death on the cross, then resurrection, did for us! It set us free! His Spirit lives within us to TRANSFORM us.

• RENEW your mind~ making new again, repairing, re-establishing. (King James Dictionary). Renewing our minds is active! It is a process of repairing our minds. Our old thought patterns need to go! Philippians 4:6-8 gives us the 'prescription' for this. DON'T be anxious, PRAY with THANKSGIVING, PRESENT your requests to God, and then Paul tells us to 'focus' on several things. Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy. He tells us to meditate on these things. Really contemplate them. If we do that, if we focus on these things, we will have no room for worry or negativity. We can rejoice and be thankful. We start to see things differently--all of the blessings God has given us along the way.

These last four years have brought many trials and issues in our lives, but Psalm 34:19 assures me that God delivers us. Renewing our minds; contemplating/meditating on the Word of God brings about a new change in us. Metamorphosis.

 Psalm 1:2-3 assures us that if we meditate on His Word, we will be like a tree planted by the water. We WILL NOT wither. We must remember that Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. 

Lord, may I renew my mind daily. May I put my hope in you alone. Quiet my restless spirit beside the still waters. Forever yours~

Jennifer Newsom

Proverbs 31 Ministries

OBS Teaching/Executive Team

Resting in Quietness

Isaiah 30:15~This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. 

REST. I can almost hear my spirit exhale when I say that word. Battle wounded and weary for four long years, this word has been the cry of my heart for so long. When we break this verse apart and dig, it holds innumerable treasures for all of us. Certain words I underlined in this verse:

• Repentance- a turning away from sin, disobedience, or rebellion and a turning back to God. In a more general sense, repentance means a change of mind or a feeling of remorse or regret for past conduct. (Nelson's Bible Dictionary).

How often have I been disobedient and rebellious when the Lord has called me to rest? Piling on more projects and more things on my to do list than humanly possible to do. Turning around to see things either half accomplished or not at all. All the while, pulling me further from Him...so far away from Him........Like the gentle Shepherd that He is, He is calling me back....to turn back.....

• Rest- Cessation of work, exertion or activity. Peace, ease or refreshment resulting from sleep or cessation of an activity. Mental or emotional tranquility. (the free dictionary)

So many things to do, Lord. What is of me and what is of you? What do I put down Lord? Where do I go? Emotional tranquility sounds nice. The response?

 Put down the constant worrying. It's not so much what I need to do or put down, as much as it is to stop worrying about getting it done. Linger in His presence a little longer.......let Him give me the strength to go about the day. Let Him order my steps. But first......linger...........

• Quietness- marked by little or no motion or activity. enjoyed in peace and relaxation. free from noise or uproar. (quiet, as defined by merriam webster)

It goes back to rest again, doesn't it? Peace and relaxation. Little or no motion or activity. Mary instead of Martha--(Luke 10:38-42). My oldest son asked me to please rest after I finished what I was doing today. The wise 14 year old sees his mama ragged and tired. One of the blessings of homeschooling is the relationships that you develop with your children. Every time the song, "Worn" by Tenth Avenue North comes on they yell, "Hey mom! There's your song!" (I am posting the song at the bottom of this post). Not a great way to be remembered, huh?

• Trust- assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something. one in which confidence is placed. (merriam-webster dictionary)

The Bible is FULL of stories of the faithfulness and character of God. Even when the Israelites disobeyed. Even when they rebelled. Even when they did what was wrong-God was trustworthy. He fed them in the wilderness. He protected them from their enemies. He sent Jesus to save us.........Brings me to something I find myself praying often. In Mark, chapter 9, we see a dad with his son. He brought him to the disciples to be healed but they couldn't do it. So-he took him to Jesus. Jesus says to him-"If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." The dad immediately cries out, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" How many times do I find myself believing, only to struggle with disbelief or questioning His timing and His ways? God has proven Himself trustworthy in my life even though I don't deserve it one bit. And here, in these verses, He shows me what to do when I struggle with it. Same with Peter. Jesus didn't leave him in the water--He reached down and pulled him up.

• Strength- the state, property, or quality of being strong. the power to resist attack. the power to resist strain or stress. (the free dictionary)

This is something that the Lord has really been working on with me. Sure, we all quote Philippians 4:13-I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. But have we really searched out other Scriptures that go with this? That tell us exactly who strengthens us, how He strengthens us and why He strengthens us? Last night, I wrote this blog post about that-my weakness, His strength. Doing this study with Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible Studies came at a much needed time. That post was a culmination of all the stress I have been dealing with. Then, He brought back to mind this verse:

2 Corinthians 12:9~ And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (NKJV)

HIS strength. Not mine. Not yours. NO ONE'S. It is His alone. 

Isaiah 40:31~ But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (NKJV)

The last part of our Reflection Verse, really hit me. I swallowed real hard: "but you would have none of it." How many times has God tried to give us His rest? His peace? But we "would have none of it"? We continue on in our own strength, with our own agenda, then wonder where our peace went? Hmmm....the Bible also says that the Lord chastens and corrects those that He loves (see Proverbs 3:11-12). Let us turn to Him today. To seek the peace that passes all understanding. Let us repent--turn around; change our minds. Rest--solely in Him as we are weary and heavy laden. Trust--He is a loving God that has good plans for us. Finally, let us rely on His strength and not our own--and praise Him for it!

The song my sons always play for me:

He Saved Them in Their Distress

What a week! As I sit here typing, my head is nearly spinning. This was our reflection verse this week at our Online Bible Study. Earlier in the week, we were given the assignment to write out Psalm 107:19-21 in our journals and personalize it. I am a Bible study nerd, but this was a FIRST for me. Let me tell you, it spoke such volumes into my heart that day that I am amazed still today. Once again, our gracious Lord knew what Tuesday would hold in store for me, and I am so thankful that I was able to spend much needed and precious time with Him-preparing me even though I wouldn't know it yet.

When I journaled and personalized these verses, the part, "He sent forth His word and healed her" really spoke to me. You see, four years ago we faced some mighty tough battles (story starts here). The prayer that I desperately prayed to the Lord during that time was, "Lord, you can heal my son. With just a Word. All it takes is your Word." Fast forward, as you will see in the series, the Lord in fact did heal my son. The lesion on his brain disappeared. So, for me, His Word holds power. It's why I hold it close to me in the form of the Bible. It's why I quote it often, buy items with it on them, and write verses ALL over the place. Literally. His Word is food to my soul.

However, ONE day later, those verses hold NEW meaning to me. 

Verse 19~ Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. (NIV)

I was awakened at 3:30 Tuesday morning with a phone call. My aunt, whom I wrote about here, finally went home to be with her Lord Jesus. Still reeling over the sudden death of my grandmother a couple weeks ago (Easter), now I was to face this. But not alone. Not only had I read these verses, but the others in the back of Chapter 2 as well. Not just read--studied, prayed and personalized. We were about to get hit from EVERY side on this day.

Verses like:

Proverbs 4:20-22

Matthew 6:31-34~where Jesus tells us not to worry about the things we need. He knows we need them. AND---get this!! "Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own." TOMORROW (3:30 am to be exact), would be when I would get the call that my aunt had passed away. I refuse to say that she 'lost her battle with cancer'. Rather, because she accepted the Lord Jesus into her heart, I prefer to look at it as a victory. Her life was fraught with trials, addictions, and more pain inflicted than I have ever seen. Today, Tuesday, death has lost it's sting because JESUS overcame the world. He overcame death. Before her passing, He gave her the GIFT of eternal life through faith in Him.

1 Corinthians 15:54~ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

Then, John 14:27 and John 16:33. He was giving me His peace. I was not to be troubled or afraid. To take heart, (take courage; be confident; undaunted), because He had overcome the world!

As I went about my day, it was discovered that my aunt was without life insurance. Oh, wow. I started to worry. We haven't even had time to mourn her passing. Time to adjust to life without her. Time to be thankful that she was finally without pain. We were being hard pressed and answers were needed NOW. 

 I remembered the verses about Jesus multiplying the fish and loaves, and the story about the widow's mite. I told the kids to look for whatever money they could find. We came up with seven dollars and some change. I reminded them of those verses. My two sons and I placed our hands on the prayer jar that we had placed the money in. We prayed for God to multiply it just as He had in the past. We were asking Jehovah Jireh to provide our needs. We also asked Him to soften the heart of the funeral directors because they wouldn't do a payment plan with us even though my family has used them for many years. We were CRYING OUT TO THE LORD IN OUR TROUBLE.....

After praying, we suddenly found change and cash everywhere around the house. Even the little girls got into it! Soon, the jar was filling. I called three other members of my family and told them to do the same thing. Knowing it wasn't quite enough yet, I received yet another phone call about a decision that needed to be made. Now. A decision that once started, would require finishing and that we would HAVE to have the money needed ASAP. Knowing how God had provided for us in the past, and the many miracles I have witnessed, I stepped out in faith and told them to go ahead. We would trust God to provide. 

Later that day, I got yet another phone call. The funeral home WOULD accept a payment plan- with cash down and if my grandma would 'stand in the gap' so to speak. She would be responsible for ensuring payment was made as they knew her the best. ANOTHER answered prayer. I am hesitant to put my grandma on the line for anything. That woman means the world to me. We were praying for a certain amount down, half of what they required the last time we had to do this.

Another phone call......wait--I have been on the phone ALL day! It was discovered that almost the EXACT amount needed could possibly be obtained. It would require a large sacrifice on the part of someone so dear to my aunt. Someone who stayed by her side the WHOLE time she was sick and even when she was dying. Would he do it? Would the funeral home let us pay a smaller down payment than what we did for the last funeral MANY years ago?

Here I sit on Wednesday, a day after writing the above, amazed at the goodness of our God. The EXACT amount we prayed for as down payment, was accepted!! We can now rest assured that my beloved aunt will have a proper rest for her earthly body. We rest assured that she is already in a place of peace....now WE can rest. We can take the time needed to mourn our loss and celebrate her homecoming. We are trusting God to provide the rest....

Psalm 107:19~ Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. (NIV) 

Safe in His Arms

Our reflection verse this week at Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible Studies couldn't have come at a better time and I thank God for it.

First, I saw the commands: "Don't be afraid" and "don't be discouraged". Merriam-Webster defines discourage as, "to deprive of courage or confidence. DISHEARTEN." How often have I been discouraged lately? Either lacking confidence where God has called me, or afraid because I don't know what the future holds. Here lately, that seems to be the norm. However, God in all of His love and mercy, follows these commands up with four promises:

1. We don't need to be afraid because "I am with you". God is WITH us. The I AM is with us. Immanuel--God with us. His precious Spirit lives inside of us. We are always with Him.
2. We don't need to be discouraged: "for I am your God." There is no reason to be disheartened. God, again, is with us and for us. He is near to us.
3. "I will strengthen you and help you." Who? Do we have to do this 'in our own power'? NO! God promises to strengthen us and help us. See Isaiah 40:28-31. HE gives power to the weak. HE renews our strength. Philippians 4:13 assures us that it is CHRIST who strengthens us. 
4. "I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." HE will hold us up. John 10:27-30 assures us that NO ONE can snatch us out of His hand. NO ONE. Including ourselves. Even when we get discouraged, overwhelmed, anxious or stuck in a comparison trap, we are safe in HIS hands. Always.

We just lost my beloved grandmother two weeks ago today. We spoke daily. She loved Jesus, so much. It was so unexpected and happened so suddenly; I was still reeling from it. ONE hour after I finished up studying the verses for the week, I got a phone call from my cousin in Indiana. My aunt who had been sick for some time with cancer was not doing well. At all. Matter of fact, they weren't sure if she would make it through the day. I was troubled and heartbroken. She hadn't reached out for Jesus....she felt unworthy of His forgiveness and wouldn't ask for it. However, I felt a strange sense of peace. The peace that passes all understanding, as expressed in Philippians 4:6-7. 

We soon found out later that she cried out to Jesus in that hospital bed. She lovingly opened her heart to Him. She finally accepted forgiveness and began seeking to make amends with those she hurt throughout her life. As I write this, she is still hanging on. However, she is totally dependent upon the oxygen that the hospital is providing her. She is spending precious time surrounded with family. Though I cannot be there right now, and am 500 miles away, I have spoken to her by phone- which is difficult as she has an electronic voice box and has to be translated at times. 

She is in my heart, my dreams and my thoughts. We await her homecoming with Jesus with heavy hearts for the loss of a life so young and as a family member. 

She will pass on from this life fulfilling another verse we were studying:

2 Samuel 22:7~ In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God. He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry entered His ears. (NKJV)

Never hesitate for a moment and think that God doesn't hear your prayers. Maybe they are in a way you wouldn't expect; or maybe don't like. But please don't ever doubt for a moment that He does not hear the cries of His saints; His beloved ones. Don't be afraid or discouraged. Those words are scattered all throughout our Bibles.

• Deuteronomy 1:29-30~ He goes before us.
• Jeremiah 1:8~ He is here to deliver us
• Deuteronomy 31:6~ He will not leave nor forsake you.
• Joshua 1:9~He is with us WHEREVER we go.

(Remember: you will be safe in His arms~listen to this song:)

Praying the peace of God that passes all understanding guards your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus~today and always,

Jennifer Newsom

OBS Teaching/Executive Team

Leaning on Him

Psalm 91 has always held a special place in the heart of my family. This week, over at our Online Bible study with Melissa Taylor, we have been looking at, pondering on and digging into parts of this Psalm.

The first night of my son's illness, I hand wrote all of this Psalm out for him on notebook paper. Then, I wrote a four page letter crying my heart out to the Lord in that same notebook. This handwritten note made the rounds. Hospitals in Cincinnati, Lexington, and Cleveland-he carried it with him just about everywhere. Every time I see this, I drift back to those memories and how the Lord HAS been our refuge and fortress; the One on whom I could lean and rely on.
So many things have been happening lately, almost a repeat, (but different trials), of our life four years ago. I am daily reminded of my need to rely on Him and lean on Him. Days slowly passing by wrought with battles. Constant reminders that NOTHING is in my control. Personal ministry battles, obedience issues with one of my children, battles with friends and family, reminders of illness in my family, a never ending to-do list, and just bone tired weariness. Mental, physical, and spiritual. Pushing through each day instead of calling out to Him and leaning on Him more often. How quick was I to forget our reflection verse from not long ago:


1 Thess. 5:16-18~ Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Through this study, I have had more opportunities than I care to count, to 'put into practice' the tools Karen recommends and the Sword of the Spirit, from the verses. The last four years have felt like everything is out of control. Yet, He encourages me with verses that run through my head, through some amazing friend's prayers, words of encouragement and email/messages/cards, and the assurance in His Word that He never leaves nor forsakes us. Even though we may feel like we are forsaken because of an out of control season in our life, His Word always remains true.


2 Corinthians 4:8-9~ We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed--(NKJV)


Hebrews 13:5~ Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (NKJV)
Praying that this process draws me closer to Him, as it did four years ago. That nothing is wasted. That I rely on Him to be my refuge and fortress in time of need.

One of my favorite songs: By Your Side, by Tenth Avenue North. Please hear the words.

Jennifer Newsom
OBS Executive Team

My Soul Silently Waits

This week, one of our blog topics at our Online Bible Study, was based upon this verse. Discussing our 'quiet time' with God. The time when our souls are silent and we wait upon Him. Through the years, my 'quiet time' has looked very different both in content and timing. Often it seems it is not enough. Not enough to sustain me.

A few years back, as my sweet family was growing, I began to find it difficult to have 'quiet time'. I had two older boys, a toddler and an infant. Late nights at work as a nurse, and one child who went through colic and now, the infant with a bowel impaction that kept me up late, caused being an 'early riser' to be out of the question. When the girls were small, I would have lots of time in the afternoon while they were napping and their dad was either sleeping or was at work. Suddenly, that time was gone. 

What did I do? Well, I prayed about it. I asked God to find me a time that I could spend with Him. Not really liking to study at night, I was hoping He would miraculously cause the girls to start napping again. Wrong. Night time became my friend and my time to 'meet' with God. So many people talk about rising early to spend time with the Lord and using several Scriptures to back it up-which left me feeling condemned more than it helped. I am just not a morning person and I believe God creates us uniquely. I believe that He meets with us in the morning, the same as He does in the night. He is the controller of the 'quiet time', not me. My comfort came in the form of this Scripture:

Psalm 16:7~ I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. (NIV)

During those times, I have been so blessed. This is the time of day when my house is quiet and when I am alert. It soothes me to sleep, too. I read, work on the current Bible study, and/or pray-either aloud or writing in a prayer journal that I have had for almost four years. I go back over it and record when/how the prayer was answered (when I remember). I have a treasury of the dialogue between God and I. I also see how "His ways" and "His thoughts" were higher than mine for that particular situation. Recently, I started a prayer journal for each child with a note from me in the front of it. Something I remember so strongly from my youth is a praying mama and a praying grandma. Praying with me and for me. I do the same with mine and hope they have those same beautiful memories that I have.

This change of plan has been an enormous blessing. My son, the one mentioned in the Our Story series, has seizures at night. While he is sleeping. It has been a blessing to have been in God's Word, some nights, for those issues. Especially in the beginning when things were so hard. We were on 'shifts' watching him through the night. I read my Bible at the kitchen table on my 'shift'. Just recently--last night actually--this was a blessing too. A 'preparation' so to speak.

This week, the girls have been studying Psalm 4:8 as their memory verse. It says, "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety." The day this happened, we were discussing this verse, and while learning of kangaroos, discussed God's protection of us. Similar to a baby kangaroo in it's mommy's pouch. We talked of how the Lord watches over and protects us. 

Last night, during my quiet time, I was reading Isaiah 52-54. I had highlighted many verses. I had prayed 54:13 over my kids as I have done so many times throughout the years. That they will be taught by the Lord and that their peace would be great. Verses in these sections talking about the Lord comforting His people, the Lord will go before them and be their rear guard, you have nothing to fear, the Lord has everlasting compassion and kindness. Wonderful things. Then, Isaiah 53, which is one that we know of as the Messianic chapter. Where he prophesies about Jesus. Verse 5 (b): by His wounds we are healed.

After reading this, I laid down to go to sleep. Around 2:30 a.m., I was awakened to a horrible sound coming from my 3 year old daughter's bedroom. It wasn't your typical 'seal barking' cough noise. She had ran a low-grade temp over the weekend, as did her sister, but we thought she was fine. She had a small cough at bedtime and we gave her medicine. As I looked in her room, I saw her motioning for me to come to her. She couldn't talk. It was like time stood still. She was coming to me as I was going to her. She was just inhaling so rapidly and making this awful noise. Then, she would cough and almost vomit. I put my arms around her and remembered our memory verse. In the room we were in, handwritten by my son on the dry erase board, was Psalm 4:8. I kept speaking that over her, "you alone, O Lord, make us dwell in safety." I screamed for her dad to call the hospital and tell them we were coming. Then, I just dialed 911 while he was holding her. The noise wouldn't stop and if she could say one word, it was very faint and hard to understand. We are currently in a locked apartment complex, so my husband went out to meet the ambulance. We have a fire department down the road and they sent them to get to us first as the ambulance was in route. The truck could BARELY fit through the gate and the gate kept trying to close on it. Meanwhile, I was so scared and wondering where they were. I was holding my child and praying, "Please Lord, have mercy on her. Please breathe for her Jesus like you did for Bryce. Please breathe for her" over and over. 

Three fireman arrived at the house while her dad was still at the gate waiting for the ambulance. They immediately put oxygen on her and began to assess her and ask me questions. I didn't notice it at the time, but I wasn't hysterical. I wasn't upset. Looking back, considering the situation, I was somewhat peaceful. The ambulance soon arrived and we were off. The Paramedic was amazed at her vitals and some of her assessment findings. She was pretty full and having such a hard time breathing yet her oxygen saturation and capillary refill was fine. They started treatment in the ambulance and we arrived to an almost empty ER, (strange for a 43 bed ER), where 4 nurses, a respiratory therapist and doctor were waiting for us. They went to work on her but she was already starting to get better when we got there. She was diagnosed with a severe croup attack.

As my baby was resting after her shot and awaiting her 3rd nebulizer treatment, I began to flip through the TV stations. Nothing is on at 4:00 in the morning. I happened to come across a station that had Joyce Meyer  on. She was preaching on the very first verses I ever memorized when I was crippled with post-partum panic attacks almost 4 years ago.

Philippians 4:6-7~ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (NKJV)

Oh, how I needed to hear those verses again.

They were also having a prayer and praise celebration. They were giving testimonies of healing from prayers, and eventually praise reports, that they had received at their call centers. I was watching and listening to amazing testimonies of God's provision and healing. All while my sweet little girl was sleeping on an ER stretcher way too big for her. God sent the kindest people in the form of the fireman, ambulance crew, and the ER crew. They were so compassionate and caring. Making her laugh. Talking to her.

If my quiet time wasn't at night in this particular season of my life, would I have been so soothed when this happened? I know Jesus never leaves us nor forsakes us, but I had the hope of His Word surrounding me. In the form of a school memory verse, my prior prayer and reading that night, the compassionate people, and finally, a TV show. God's mercy and grace wasn't because I was 'doing' something. Instead, it was Him speaking comfort to me in what was soon to come. His mercy and kindness through my life has been amazing and I am so thankful that He called me and that He loves US that much. 

Yes, US. He doesn't love me more than you. He doesn't have more compassion on me than you. I am not more 'spiritual' than you. I just serve an awesome, amazing, compassionate God. He knew what was to come, and He was having compassion on us all. Preparing me. I am so thankful for the God that I serve, and for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jennifer Newsom
OBS Leadership Team