National Bible Bee

The Shelby Kennedy Foundation is preparing to launch the first-of-its-kind, 

world-class Bible Bee Competition. The competition will begin with Local Contests in communities nationwide on September 12, 2009. The top 100 finalists from each age group will advance to the National Contest 

in Washington, D.C. to compete 

on November 5-6, 2009.

National Contest in Washington, DCNovember 5-6, 2009

For more information, click here. I believe this to be a very user friendly web page. One can either choose to participate in it or perhaps your church group or homeschooling group could 

plan a special trip to the National Contest. 

Read about Shelby Kennedy who inspired the National Bible Bee.

Click here to read about her life and legacy. 

(graphic courtesy: www.biblebee.org)

Where's Your Focus?

Isn't it so easy to get our priorities totally out of focus? For our family, it's a daily struggle. This past Sunday, Pastor Craig preached on "A Call to Be Saturated With God." The main text was a very familiar text, Deuteronomy 6:1-9. In case, you are not familiar with this particular passage, I have included it in this posting.

Deuteronomy 6 - Obey God and Prosper (NASB95)

~ 1 "Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the judgments which the LORD your God has commanded me to teach you, that you might do them in the land where you are going over to possess it,

~ 2 so that you and your son and your grandson might fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged.

~ 3 "O Israel, you should listen and be careful to do it, that it may be well with you and that you may multiply greatly, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.

~ 4 "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!

~ 5 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

~ 6 "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.

~ 7 "You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.

~ 8 "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.

~ 9 "You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

You can listen to it online at: http://tbc-va.org. Follow the links to "Sermons," where you can download this sermon or other sermons as MP3s. Or you can go to my "Blog Favs & Links," to click on Trinity Bible Church to download this sermon or others.

Pastor Craig concluded with these questions:

1. Is your God-saturated life spilling over into teaching your children as a way of life, all the time, with a precision sharpness, honing them spiritually to be sharp followers of the Lord?

2. What could you do better if anything?

3. And if you are NOT involved in this before your God, are you going to all the world, the flesh, and the Devil to indoctrinate your child, or are you?

He further states, "And please be reminded, it not the responsibility of the Christian School, the Sunday School, or the church, first." It is easy and tempting to allow others to do what God has called us specifically to do. 

Finally, in Deuteronomy 5:29 (NASB95), "Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever! In Deuteronomy 6:5 (NASB95), "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."

Our focus is "TEACHING OUR CHILDREN!"

My Heart's Desire

courtesy:splitdecisionz.com

Gentle Shepherd

A Poignant Reminder from our Lord!

Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin - beyond the book

One of our favorite books on the orchestra is "Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin," by Lloyd Moss and Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. This is 1996 Caldecott Honor Book. Scholastic Inc. has an edition which can be purchased through the school market.

In Classic Conversations we have been learning about the Orchestra and three Classical composers, Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky, Claude Debussey and Igor Stravinsky. For me personally, it's been a lot of fun because I am able to use many of our music resources from our personal library. 

A side note, back during my junior college days, my major was music. When I transferred to the University of Houston, the music program was more intense. The Lord used a myriad of events to redirect my vocational training. My voice instructor at the time encouraged me to utilize my music skills in my avocation which I have done over the years. I've been blessed with wonderful mentors, one of which was my sweet Mom.

Last Friday after CC, the Lord gave me an idea to compliment this book. This afternoon, I made a set of "instrument cards," to use. All that remains is to get them laminated for durability.

If you're a parent or a teacher regardless of your music background, you can make up similar cards to serve as visual aids for this wonderful story. Perhaps you already have this book in your library, why not dust it off and use it in a new way to enhance your child or student's music education. Or you may wish to go to the library and check it out. Lastly, you might want to consider purchasing it for your music library.

Happily making music in my heart!

Brahms . . . A Hungarian Flare!

An update on our daughter's presentation this past Friday.

In our research on Brahms, we discovered a lot about this most remarkable man and incredible musician. So many times, these early composers had lots of obstacles to overcome. Likewise, these past 2 weeks, Christine encountered her share of obstacles. In the midst of her preparation for her presentation, she had doctor appointments. Yet she persevered and trusted the Lord to help her fulfill her commitment. 

A portion of her presentation had to include a musical selection from Brahms. We discovered on You Tube, a video of Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 5 Four Hands. In simple terms, it's a duet of two individuals playing this particular Brahms' composition. Christine remarked, I hope that one day I could play like these two gentlemen. Who knows?  She might just do that.

Prior to finding this particular video, we discovered a funny rendition of the tune from his Hungarian Dance No. 5 called, "Hungarian Goulash No. 5 by Allen Sherman. (See previous posting.) We first thought it would be fun to use the funny one, however, Christine was the voice of reason. She opted for a more serious rendition of this most familiar and popular Hungarian dances. Her tutor was gracious and allowed her to show the funny video at the conclusion of her presentation. 

We are proud of Christine and thankful for the opportunities and experience in learning how to give oral presentations.

So relax, click on this video and enjoy. 

Brahms . . . Proud or Puzzled?

In Classical Conversations, our daughter's 12th presentation has to be on a composer. She has selected Johannes Brahms. He is considered part of the 3 B's of Classical Music: Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. A part of her presentation is to play a sample of the composer's music. We're thinking perhaps, we could accomplish two things if we were to use the video below. First, it would get her classmates' attention plus give a fun sampling of Brahms' music. A part of public speaking is getting the attention of your audience and making it interesting. We think we might be on to something. Why not share that Brahms' music is popular even today even if it is in a less serious setting?

It's a Psalm Time for Me!

Not too long after our precious daughter was born, I can remember having a most difficult time emotionally. It's not uncommon for mothers to experience postpartum. A dear friend who I call my "mother mentor," shared with me that I should read through the Psalms. For a long period of time, that is exactly what I did. One day in a conversation with Leigh, I asked, "will I ever get out of them?" Her reply way, "God will have you there as long as you need them, do not be overly concerned as to a particular time frame." 

How comforting God's Word is for all our needs, concerns, frustrations, questions and the deepest hurts we have. Through out my walk with the Lord, I find continually find comfort anytime I visit the Psalms. If you were to pick up my Bible, you would see firsthand just how precious these tender words are to me. 

Recently, we received some unsettling news in regards to a condition our daughter has. These past days have been very emotionally draining for each of us. Earlier in the evening, I was at our church practicing the prelude and offertory for Sunday. God used both the songs that I played along with some familiar passages in the Psalms to show me that He knows all what we are going through.

There is a song that I heard a long time ago, "I've Never Been Out of His Care." One can read any Psalm and realize that reality immediately. So dear one, if you're having a "Psalm Time," rejoice and savor the time with our Heavenly Father. The sufferings we encounter fail in comparison to what our Savior Jesus Christ suffered. Yet we're human and it hurts.

I cannot reverse or change the news we recently received. However, I can recommit myself to the Lord and trust Him for what only He can do. All I know that this situation is so much bigger than our family and only He will see our through.

God's promises are true and He's a mighty God, worthy of our praise even when things are not going our way. 

Click here to listen the Natalie Grant's song, "I Am Not Alone." For indeed, you and I are not alone. In the Psalms, the Lord gently reminds us of that reality. Let our hearts, minds, and spirits soak in that reality, "I Am Not Alone."

(graphic courtesy:  www.heartlight.org)

The Joys of Daylight Savings!

As I'm waiting for the pasta to cook, I thought why not do some blogging? Due to the time change, I'm a little more weary than normal. I typed in "thoughts about daylight savings," and found this nice picture. Oh it conjures up more in my mind than just daylight savings. It serves as a visual prompt that God controls time. Also, it reminds me to redeem my time.

Back to the subject at hand, perhaps you're like me, in that this morning during your church services, you were fighting fatigue. In the fall, I have lots of energy with the turning back of our clocks. However, I must confess that I do not experience such a delightful experience in the spring.

Nevertheless, I see daylight savings as a blessing because I do like longer days and it being light in the evenings. For me, it's like having a savings account of time and energy. In the spring-summer months, I am able to draw from this reserve. I must make a note to myself to discover a way to draw upon the blessings from the fall time change.

For those of us who have inquiring minds on why the time changes, please click here to read about the history of daylight savings. I will refrain from reading it right now. because of my low energy level. I reassure you that once I've gain some rest, I'm there.

Historic Garden Week in Virginia

Historic Garden Week in Virginia

April 18-25, 2009

In six weeks, we will begin celebrating 76 years of preserving Virginia's Heritage. This spring, visitors will step through the gates of more than 250 of Virginia's most beautiful gardens, homes and historic landmarks during "American's Largest Open House," April 18-25, 2009. Please click here to read the rest of the article.

If you've never attended, we highly recommend Garden Week in Virginia.

Here are some helpful hints to consider in your planning.

1. Go on line to read the information that is available.

 

2. Purchase your book ahead of time so you can see what each event has to offer, important information such as parking, box lunches and so forth.

3. Make sure you have excellent walking shoes. 

It is a fun way to learn about Virginia History as well as learning more about gardening.

Introducing the Blandy Experimental Farm!

The University of Virginia's Historic

Blandy Experimental Farm

The State Arboretum of Virginia

The Commonwealth's Public Garden

Contact Information:  Blandy@virginia.edu

Mailing Address:  400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce VA 22620

Phone:  540.837.1758 ext. 0

The Arboretum grounds are open dawn to dusk, 365 days a year, free of charge. However, as you will discover in the brochure, there may be some charges for special classes and events.

You can click here to find out more information. The above picture is from the Arboretum.  Please note, you can download their brochure which gives you information on the workshops, classes and walks they are offering this Spring. Please bookmark this page because there is so much information that you will come back to it often.

Enjoy! Happy Gardening!

(graphic courtesy from:  www.virginia.edu/insideuva)