The Finish Line is in Sight!

Posted on July 23, 2010 by Jennifer Grace

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

“Gooooooooooo, Jennnnnnnnnnnnnnniiiifffffffffeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrr!” I can still hear my mom calling from the bleachers as I ran the 1600 m around my high school track. Some of the high schools had cinder tracks back then, but ours was a new black rubber track. I pounded my spikes into the rubber, determined to take my mom’s encouragement and keep gooooooooiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnggggggg!

Encouragement. We all need it in this race called life. I find my inspiration in God’s Word every day. My TEA CUPP Prayers with Jesus are like a cup of cold water to my thirsty soul. However, at times it sure helps to be heartened by another Christian. As Christian athletes we are called not only to train for ourselves, but also to encourage others in their training.

My favorite daily devotion (Our Daily Bread) gave a beautiful example of this on April 13th , 2008. The devotion is entitled, “Cheering Each Other On.”…

A mile from the finish line of the London Marathon, thousands of onlookers holding signs lined the route. When spectators spotted a family member or friend coming into view, they shouted the person’s name, waved, and yelled encouragement: “Just a little farther! Keep going! You’re almost there.” After running 25 miles, many competitors were barely walking and ready to quit. It was amazing to watch exhausted runners brighten and pick up the pace when they saw someone they knew or heard their name called out.

Encouragement! We all need it, especially in our walk of faith. The book of Hebrews tells us to keep urging each other on. “Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, . . . but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (10:24-25).

The New Testament is filled with the certainty that Christ will return soon. “The Lord is at hand” (Phil. 4:5). “The coming of the Lord is at hand” (James 5:8). “Behold, I am coming quickly” (Rev. 22:12).

As we “see the Day approaching,” let’s keep cheering each other on in the faith. “Keep going! You’re almost there! The finish line is in sight.”

And so, my TEA CUPP friend and athlete, I encourage you. Keep running! Keep exercising! Keep reading your Bible and praying! Your labors are not in vain. God will surely bless you.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today. Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)

The LORD remembers us and will bless us. Psalm 115:12 (NIV)

Holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Philippians 2:16 (NKJV)

KEEP GOING! YOU’RE ALMOST THERE! THE FINISH LINE IS IN SIGHT!

http://odb.org/2008/04/13/cheering-each-other-on/

My I-AM Ipod

Posted on July 22, 2010 by Jennifer Grace

“Give thanks, with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks, because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son…”

This tune pounds through my head as I run the dusty mountain road, taking a step with each beat of the song. I have no earphones, no cord, no electronic gizmo in my pocket…just my running clothes and God in the great outdoors.

Many of you are familiar with the Ipod, a pocket-size electronic device made by the Apple company to store and play hundreds of songs. My daughter has an Ipod. Now, instead of lugging around a huge binder of CDs, she carries all her favorite tunes on her Ipod. With a small set of pink earphones, she immerses herself into her world of music. Or, she can attach it to a speaker and play the songs for all to enjoy. But I don’t have an Ipod yet.

I have an I-AM. It is a God-size music collection that fits right inside my heart. My I-AM connects directly to my mind, playing all the best tunes and Bible verses. I take my I-AM with me every time I go running. God reminded me when I was exercising this morning that others might like to have an I-AM Ipod, too. And so I share this with you today :-).

Sometimes my I-AM plays Bible verses. My favorites are ones I shared yesterday. I make up a tune to go with one of the verses and play it over and over again in my mind as the miles pass by. I especially like to play…

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

I guide you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.

When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble. Proverbs 4:11-12 (NIV)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)

Other days my I-AM plays music, a metronome to my soul, providing me a beat for each step. These songs follow My TEA CUPP Prayers, helping me to pray as I run.

I give THANKS to God while singing in my head, “I will enter His gates with Thanksgiving in my heart, I enter His courts with praise…”

I EXALT the Lord with “Thou are worthy, Thou art worthy, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, glory and honor and power…”

I ADMIT my sins to God while mentally singing, “Create in me a clean heart, O God.”

I talk to Jesus about my CALL with, “Here I am, Lord, is it I, Lord, I have heard You calling in the night.”

I UNDERSTAND my story when I sing, “I’m forgiven, because You were forsaken. I’m accepted, You were condemned, I’m alive and well, Your Spirit lives within me, because You died and rose again.”

I claim God’s promises by humming, “Standing on the Promises of Christ my King…”

And I end my run with my favorite petition song ever, “The Lord’s Prayer,” as it is often sung at weddings: “Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven…”

When I get to the very last part of the prayer, I am running faster and God’s Spirit carries me to the finish line with “for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever, Amen.”

There are hundreds of songs, hymns and Bible verses stored in my I-AM, just waiting for me to play. It’s always exciting to strap on the running shoes and head out the door with the Great I-AM. Go running with Jesus today!

And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” Exodus 3:14 (NIV)

A Cup of Cold Water

Posted on July 21, 2010 by Jennifer Grace

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward. Matthew 10:42 (NIV)

My side hurts, my legs are cramping, my throat is so dry…I’ve just reached the half-way point of the Midnight Madness fun run in Ames, Iowa on a typical humid July evening. I registered for the 10K run, but wish again I had only signed up for the 5K. Then it would be over! My body is telling me to give it up, my mind is arguing with my body, and then a wonderful person hands me a cup of cold water. I gulp the delicious liquid down, pour some on my head and toss the cup as I continue the race, refreshed and now encouraged to finish.

Aren’t those volunteers at races just the best people ever! They cheer for us and renew us with their cups of cold water. It reminds me of this Bible verse above from Matthew. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward. God bless those race volunteers!

A cup of cold water – that is what God’s Word is to me every day, refreshing and renewing me for the journey ahead. This verse from Matthew is not the only one that ties in to my life as an athlete. Sprinkled throughout the Bible are all kinds of verses that bring me closer to Jesus and encourage me to be the best athlete I can be. My fellow athletes, please drink each day from God’s Word and talk with Jesus about your favorite verses. Here are a few to get you started…

For praying about your path:

I run in the path of Your commands,
for You have set my heart free. Psalm 119:32 (NIV)

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

I guide you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.

When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble. Proverbs 4:11-12 (NIV)

For praying for strength:

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor His delight in the legs of a man;

the LORD delights in those who fear Him,
who put their hope in His unfailing love. Psalm 147:10-11 (NIV)

But those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He gives me the speed of a deer,
able to tread upon the heights. Habakkuk 3:19 (NLT)

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

For praying for help and protection:

For He will command His angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;

they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Psalm 91:11-12 (NIV)

I cried out, “I am slipping!”
but Your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me. Psalm 94:18 (NLT)

I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the LORD helped me.

The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation. Psalm 118:13-14 (NIV)

For when I am thirsty:

O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek You;
my soul thirsts for You,
my body longs for You,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 (NIV)

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” John 7:37-38 (NIV)

For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. Mark 9:41 (NKJV)

For training your body:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1 (NKJV)

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)

For praying for perseverance:

If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Matthew 5:41 (NIV)

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)

You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? Galatians 5:7 (NIV)

Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5 (NIV)

For praying to finish the race:

Holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Philippians 2:16 (NKJV)

Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV)

I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace. Acts 20:24 (NIV)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)

For praying for victory:

The Lord is my strength and my song;
He has given me victory.
This is my God, and I will praise Him—
my father’s God, and I will exalt Him! Exodus 15:2 (NLT)

Victory comes from You, O Lord.
May you bless Your people. Psalm 3:8 (NLT)

We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD grant all your requests. Psalm 20:5 (NIV)

But he himself will be refreshed from brooks along the way.
He will be victorious. Psalm 110:7 (NLT)

Refreshed from brooks along the way, that is what my Jesus, the Word, does for me each day. He is my Glorious Gatorade of God! He is the best cup of cold water ever! Drink up, my friends!

More Powerful than Powerade

Posted on July 18, 2010 by Jennifer Grace

Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:13-14 (NIV)

The clear cool water splashed over my face, into my mouth and drizzled down my neck, as I dunked my sweaty head into the ancient drinking fountain. The old watering trough at the edge of the football field was a welcome relief on this blistering August day. If the fountain was bigger, I might have stuck my whole body into the chilly liquid! The girls’ cross country team had just completed our second workout of the day, a torturing set of repeat half miles. Now it was time for the cool down, which I was hoping to accomplish at the watering trough. How refreshing it felt!

It must have been well water, because I don’t think the city of Ames, Iowa had a water pipe out in the field. The coolest, cleanest water I ever drank came from that well. The small watering trough was raised up on shaky metal legs, with several spigots for shooting water to a thirsty football team. How many athletes came to that well every day to be refreshed? And the well never ran dry. It was always there for us.

I look back on my time as a student athlete and remember the simple joys of the water fountain after a hard day. I also remember the heartache of losing my college cross country team in a plane crash. And I remember the joy of coming to know the true Well, Water, and Washer of my soul, Jesus Christ.

Welcome to My TEA CUPP Prayers for Athletes! This week we will be exploring how runners and others can enjoy a TEA CUPP with the Lord each day. You will find that JESUS is more satisfying than Gatorade, more powerful than Powerade, and more refreshing than the deepest Iowa well. He is the River of Life, the Ultimate Sports Drink, the Champion of my soul.

Runners and athletes all, come, enjoy a TEA CUPP of Living Water with Jesus to quench your thirsty souls!

“Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” Revelation 22:17 (NIV)

“Good boy, Mommy.”

Posted on July 17, 2010 by Jennifer Grace

‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matthew 25:21 (NIV)

Moms should definitely keep a journal of all the cute things their kids say. I happened to be writing a lot when our son Kevin was little, recording some of his funny “Kevin-isms.” One time when he was 2 1/2 Kevin asked me to pick up a crayon he had dropped on the floor. After I had returned the crayon to him, Kevin thanked me by saying, “Good boy, Mommy!”

“Good boy, Mommy!” – that is what I hope you hear every day, from your children and from your heavenly Father. I know that sometimes Satan tries to discourage us and tell us we aren’t good at this job called motherhood. He tells us we messed up and should do more, say more, say less, help more, help less…we just can’t win with Satan bringing us down. As we pray for our children each day, we must close our ears to those false words and open our hearts to the life-giving words of Jesus Christ.

Have TEA with Jesus each morning and hear Him say these encouraging words to you, dear daughter of the King:

“Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” Luke 1:28 (NKJV)

Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished! Luke 1:45 (NIV)

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine. Isaiah 43:1 (NKJV)

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.” Matthew 5:11 (NIV)

Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Matthew 15:28 (NIV)

The LORD your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV)

Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” Luke 8:48 (NIV)

‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matthew 25:21 (NIV)

“Good boy, Mommy!”

New International Version (NIV)

My Call to Homeschool

Posted on July 16, 2010 by Jennifer Grace

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

Our kitchen cupboards are decorated with handwriting verses. The wall by the stove displays a world map. The shelf by my kitchen table overflows with school books and supplies. And I get to see my children all day, every day! I must be a homeschool mom!

One of the things God called me to do 15 years ago was to homeschool our children. I know He doesn’t call everyone to homeschool, but this is God’s call for me. How I came to know His call was quite a prayer process, as I’m sure it is for many moms who wonder if they are supposed to homeschool their children.

My first awareness of homeschool came when I was a child. My aunt was homeschooling two of my cousins. My cousins are really quite brilliant and didn’t fit into the public school setting. I didn’t hear much about homeschooling again until I was grown-up and a teacher, teaching at a Christian school right after we were married. There I met a mom who was considering homeschool for her active son. I couldn’t believe that she would want to take him out of the “perfect” Christian school!

But then we had children! When our daughter was three and our son was an infant we moved to Ohio. Within the first year we were there several random people asked me if we were going to homeschool our children – one from my husband’s work, one from church, one from ballet lessons. Why were all these people asking me about homeschool??? My daughter was only three! Was God trying to send me a message?

Well, it is interesting how time flies quickly when the kids are little. Soon our daughter was almost five and it was time for kindergarten round-up. We hadn’t made a decision yet, so we took her to registration. All that summer we prayed for God to give us a sign of what we were supposed to do. A friend who was praying about a house was encouraged by a rainbow right over the property where they were to build. I kept looking for a rainbow or something to point out what we were supposed to do. Then late in summer, the pastor at our church announced that the new principal at our daughter’s school was a member of our congregation. We took that as the sign that Kallie was supposed to go to school. Just a week after her fifth birthday, I put my daughter on a big yellow school bus and sent her off to kindergarten. Oh, how that broke my heart!

To keep in touch with our daughter’s school, I volunteered every other week. While I was there I discovered she wasn’t doing more than we already were doing at home. For special activities they would bake cookies or watch a movie, activities she already knew well. And for a special guest they invited Kallie’s dad who worked at the Nature Center. With 30 kids in a kindergarten class, we just didn’t see how Kallie was learning more than she already did at home. So, at the end of kindergarten, we decided to homeschool Kallie for first grade. I always wondered why God let us send Kallie to kindergarten, since we had prayed for direction before that. The reason I’ve been able to see over the years is that one year convinced me never to send our kids to public school, whereas I might have been tempted if we hadn’t experienced that year.

I remember my dad asking, “So how long are you planning to do this?’ I didn’t know. We were just going to take it one year at a time. Some of those years were good years and some were struggles. Some days I just wanted to give up. But we persevered, and were constantly encouraged by how much we could positively influence our kids for Jesus Christ. When our daughter graduated high school as a homeschooler in 2008, I thought how fast the time had flown and how thankful I was that we had homeschooled her and had all that time together. I never regret it for a moment. Today I continue to homeschool Kallie’s two younger brothers.

Some of our favorite activities in homeschool over the years have included field trips and family trips, reading stories together, writing stories together, art projects, science with Daddy, playing post office, making scrapbooks, baking, planting gardens, etc. We have also played piano at the nursing home, served at soup kitchens, and been on mission trips as a family.

When Kallie was in second grade, we used the Moore Foundation who encouraged us to write down why we homeschool, so that on days we feel like quitting , we can look back at our reasons. Here is what I wrote then and still believe today:

We homeschool because God called us to homeschool our children.

We homeschool because we love our children.

We homeschool because our children grow up so quickly, we want to be with them as much as possible.

We homeschool because we want our children to have Christian family values.

We homeschool because our children are each unique and learn at their own pace.

We homeschool because we can learn at home or when we travel any time of year.

We homeschool because God called us to homeschool our children.

Over the years there have been many Bible verses God has used to encourage me to keep teaching our children. These verses could also be posted on the walls of your homeschool classroom, as an encouragement to both parents and students…

Teach me, O LORD, to follow Your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Psalm 119:33 (NIV)

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. Psalm 24:4-5 (NKJV)

Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. Proverbs 4:13 (NIV)

Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. Psalm 27:11 (NKJV)

And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6: 6-9 (NKJV)

If any of you are praying about homeschooling, some of my favorite resources include…

Pathway Readers for grades 1-8:
http://www.pathwayreaders.com/

A Reason for Handwriting:
https://homeschool.areasonfor.com/collections/handwriting

Saxon Math for grades 4 and up:

https://setonbooks.com/publishers/1-saxon-publishers-inc?page=2

Apologia Science for junior/senior high:
http://www.apologia.com/

The Moore Foundation:
http://www.moorefoundation.com/

The Sycamore Tree Academy:
http://www.sycamoretree.com/

Mary Pride’s Reviews:
http://www.home-school.com/

Home School Legal Defense Association:
http://www.hslda.org/Default.asp?bhcp=1/

May God bless and guide your efforts to obey His call and bring up your children in the love of Jesus our Lord!

Mom’s Favorite Prayer Verses

Posted on July 14, 2010 by Jennifer Grace

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1:4 (NKJV)

Each morning I pray for our kids during My TEA CUPP time with Jesus. Here are some of my favorite verses I pray over my children…

Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Luke 18:16 (NKJV)

Keep (Kallie) as the apple of Your eye;
hide (Kallie) in the shadow of Your wings. Psalm 17:8 (NIV)

Do not withhold Your mercy from (Jacob), O LORD;
may Your love and Your truth always protect (Jacob). Psalm 40:11 (NIV)

Send forth Your light and Your truth,
let them guide (Kevin);
let them bring (Kevin) to Your holy mountain,
to the place where You dwell. Psalm 43:3 (NIV)

My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart. Proverbs 3:1 (NIV)

Teach me Your way, O LORD;
I will walk in Your truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name. Psalm 86:11 (NKJV)

My son, if you receive my words,
And treasure my commands within you,
So that you incline your ear to wisdom,
And apply your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you cry out for discernment,
And lift up your voice for understanding,
If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the LORD,
And find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:1-5 (NKJV)

My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
Hang on to them, for they https://xanaxcost.com will refresh your soul.
They are like jewels on a necklace.
They keep you safe on your way,
and your feet will not stumble.
You can go to bed without fear;
you will lie down and sleep soundly.
You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
for the Lord is your security.
He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap. Proverbs 3:21-26 (NLT)

Lay hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands and you will live.

Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or swerve from them. Proverbs 4:4-5 (NIV)

How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to Your word. Psalm 119:9 (NIV)

You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you. Deuteronomy 8:5 (NKJV)

And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. Luke 2:40 (NIV)

I underline these verses in my Bible and write my children’s names next to the verses and pray God’s Word for my children. What verses do you pray for your children?

Kevin’s Story

Posted on July 13, 2010 by Jennifer Grace

“Dear Mom and Dad, I want to be a Christgun,” the crumpled paper proclaimed.

I’m sure many of you praying moms have stories like this one I’m going to share today. I don’t have stories for our older two children, because they became Christians on their own or at youth group. But our youngest child invited us to be part of his journey. I’m so thankful he did, so I can share his story with you…

O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is Your name in all the earth!
You have set Your glory
above the heavens.

From the lips of children and infants
You have ordained praise. Psalm 8:1-2 (NIV)

February 25, 2008 was a very special day because on that day Kevin Jon became a Christian!

We had quiche for dinner, one of Kevin’s favorite meals. He served himself a big slice, but then didn’t eat anything. He complained of a tummy ache. We suggested he take a nice hot bath and put on his pajamas.

After his bath, our seven-year-old Kevin sat on the sofa and read Garfield comics while sucking on a popcicle. Soon I saw him with note paper and pencil, writing a message. I asked who he was writing, and Kevin just smiled.

A little while later, Kevin tossed the note to me. I opened it to find the best message ever:
“Dear Mom and Dad, I want to be a Christgun.”

I told Kevin I was so happy and what a happy day this was.
After reading a story, I tucked Kevin into bed. Daddy came, too, and we both listened as Kevin asked Jesus into his heart so he could be a Christian.

While we were waiting for Daddy to join us, I had asked Kevin if there was a verse that made him want to be a Christian (I was thinking of John 3:16 or another verse he had learned at Awana). Kevin surprised me by reciting a verse he wrote for handwriting that week from Matthew: “Come to terms quickly before it is too late.”

Thank you, dear Jesus, for calling Kevin to be Your child. Please help us be good parents for him and continue to teach and guide him. Please fill Kevin with Your Holy Spirit and keep him following You all his days. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way traveling with him, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. Matthew 5:25 (AMP)

My TEA CUPP for Moms

Posted on July 11, 2010 by Jennifer Grace

“Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10:14 (NIV)

Every night I tuck our kids into bed and say a prayer with them. Back when our son Kevin was three years old, I was tucking him in on a Sunday evening. We were singing “Jesus Loves Me,” and Kevin was pondering our Sunday school story about Jesus.

Kevin paused while we were singing and asked, “Mommy, where is heaven?”

“It’s up in the sky in the clouds.”

“I think I’d like to go to heaven, “ Kevin mused.

“You would?” I asked, delighted.

“Yea, I want to see Jesus,” Kevin replied from his pillow.

Oh, my heart just melted, having my 3-year old want to see Jesus. And Jesus told us to come to Him like little children. This must be what He meant!

“I want to go to heaven and see Jesus with you.” I answered, while holding back my tears of joy.

Isn’t this what every Christian mother longs for – to hear her children love Jesus? And it all begins with prayer.

This kicks off our week of My TEA CUPP Prayers for Moms. Please join me each day as we pray for our children and share stories of God’s miracles in their lives.

At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Matthew 11:25 (NKJV)

The Lion’s Den

Posted on July 10, 2010 by Jennifer Grace

So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” Daniel 6:16 (NIV)

Has your husband ever been thrown into the Lion’s Den? Every few months, my husband has to attend a Lion’s Den called board meetings. They are even worse than the seven overflowing toilets he battled in the girls’ dorm last week. From the very first meeting in camping ministry, board meetings have always been one of the thorns in the flesh of our work. My husband has found these to be the most discouraging and disparaging parts of his ministry, with board members shouting and making rash decisions, without a clear understanding of the day-to-day operations of the camp. So for me, sending my husband off to a board meeting, is like sending him into the Lion’s Den. I never know if he will come back alive. Does your husband have something like this that he has to face every so often? If so, I want to encourage you to pray with me.

Today is July 10, 2010 and at this very moment my husband is at a camp board meeting. As I look back in my prayer notes, I can see the dozens of times we have prayed as he went to the Lion’s Den. On January 19, 2002, he had one of these same meetings. On that day in My One Year Bible, I underlined all the verses I could pray for my husband as he endured this trial. God provided these verses for me that day:

The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered. Genesis 39:2 (NIV)

O Jesus, be with Kent and help him prosper.

Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Matthew 13:12 (NIV)

O Lord, give an abundance for all the needs of this camping ministry.

But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Matthew 13:23 (NIV)

O God, help Kent produce a crop 100 times what he has sown!

Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
hide me in the shadow of Your wings. Psalm 17:8 (NIV)

Keep Kent as the apple of Your eye. Hide my husband in the shadow of Your wings (away from the mouths of the lions).

The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but He blesses the home of the righteous. Proverbs 3:33 (NIV)

O Jesus, bless our home and family.

Today’s TEA CUPP: My friend, please pray for your husband. Use God’s Word to help you pray. Underline verses in your Bible and write in a prayer journal, so you can look back and see how God is faithful and hears your prayers. An angel will close the lion’s mouth and your marriage will be blessed.

My God sent His angel, and He shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in His sight. Daniel 6:22 (NIV)

My TEA CUPP Prayers

Praying God's Word … Inviting Ladies to TEA with the King of kings!

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