Last summer, I was convicted about memorizing scripture...well, actually my lack of scripture memorization. So I decided I needed to do something about it. I'm totally a visual learner. So, sometimes I would write my verses on cards and sometimes I would make memory games. However I was still having a very hard time getting the verses "to stick". I struggled for several months. Then recently, my friend Joy told me about a program called Scripture Typer. I must admit I use it several times a day to work on verses I'm trying to learn. Check it out. Scripture Typer
The site has several special groups for encouragement and memorizing passages of scripture. You can pick your version of preference for memorizing. They even have cards you can print out for help in learning verses.
The program begins with you entering the verse or passage you want to concentrate on learning. You type the scripture passage out while looking at the verse. That's the "Type-It" phase. Then you move to the "Memorize-It" phase. This is where some words of the verse are missing from the copy you will type from. You can even switch which words that are hidden from your view so you get a well-rounded practice round. When you feel like you have memorized the verse you can move to the "Master-It" Phase. You type the verse. If you need a hint, you can click a button that will give you a three word hint. To truly have mastered a verse you will have to type it in a certain amount of time with no hints. Once you've mastered a verse you will get reminders about reviewing the verse to keep it fresh in your mind.
The program gives several memory tips as well. I recommend reading them and following them for optimal success.
This summer my son will be participating in the National Bible Bee. (well, he'll be doing the Bible study and learning the verse, but I don't think he'll be competing) I plan on learning the verses with him. He's an auditory learner and memorization comes very easy to him. I, however, will be using Scripture Typer to keep up with the memory work.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Quinoa Salad
I love to collect recipes. Here's a new one I just got from my friend Deb. (Who is also the lady that does my hair)
Quinoa Salad
1 Cup Uncooked Quinoa (cook according to package directions)
Green onion
Small diced tomato
Half of an orange pepper diced
Cilantro
1-2 cans drained/rinsed black beans
Mix well in a medium bowl.
In a separate small bowl, make dressing: juice of two limes, 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1-2 teaspoons cumin, salt to taste. (f you want some pop...add some red pepper flakes)
Mix the dressing well and pour over salad and stir well. Store in the fridge.
Quinoa is actually a seed but is considered and treated like a whole grain. It is high in fiber and high in protein. I normally eat it warm. I cook it in broth and sometimes add mixed veggies in with it. I eat it as a side dish. However, Deb had some of this quinoa salad last week when I was at the shop and gave me a taste. I didn't think I'd like it served cold, but I love this salad.
Maybe you can give it a try.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
The Word of God
In studying the first chapter of James-dealing with trials and temptations, I also went over Ephesians 6:10-18 about putting on the whole armor of God.
A new level of understanding came--EVERY piece of armor is related to the Word of God.
So, if I am to "stand firm" against the trials and temptations of life I need to be reading, meditating, and memorizing the Word of God. If I'm not in the Word, I won't be victorious in my Christian life.
The Word...it is my lifeline.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Happy Anniversary...25 years and counting...
Twenty-five years ago on August 8th at a chapel on Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, two young people ages 20 and 19 were married. While life has not always been perfect, it has been one that is full of examples of faith, hope and love.
Mickey and I met when my dad took the interim pastor position at Freedom Baptist Church. My dad became the full time pastor the summer before our freshman year. Mickey and I were in the same homeroom class. However, sparks did not fly with us until our junior year of high school. The rest, as they say, is history.
First and foremost we are thankful to Jesus Christ and His ultimate example of mercy and grace. We are also thankful to our parents (Homer & Glenna Knipp and Charles & Garnet Jayne) for providing solid marriages as an example of love and commitment that spans decades.
Over the years, the Lord provided other specific people in our lives who influenced us. They may not have known it at the time, but we still reflect on certain events and even things we remember them saying that shaped the way we live our lives today. That shaped the way we have looked at marriage and raised our children.
We are thankful that before marriage, and at every duty station couples took us under their wing (whether that was their intention or not) and encouraged us along.
On the eve of our 25th wedding anniversary we will give tribute to you publicly via the blog world and say those two words that don't seem adequate enough to express how we feel about you, but here goes, "thank you!"
Scott and Rhonda: (Our youth leaders) You were around before there were many official "youth pastors". Your home was always open to us. Wise counsel and fun times could always be found at your home. You were also an excellent example of commitment. Turtle soup, a good pie crust, and orange crush still remind us of you.
Clarke and Judy: When we came to Nebraska, I (Mary Ann) didn't even know the difference between an officer and an enlisted troop. You guided us and gave us confidence. You also exemplified the importance of raising your kids in church even when they were little. I'll never forget Judy saying, "I don't want my kids to ever ask 'Are we going to church?'"
Bill and Jean : A family for us away from our own. Holidays and birthdays were always so much more fun with you in our lives. It has been a blessing to see you raise your kids and now a joy to watch you with your grandchildren.
Lin and Maribeth: Bondage Breaker, importance of doctrine, & sola scriptura. You were always an example of reaching out and inclusion. Our lives will never be the same because of you two and your fantastic children.
Melvin "Bishop" and Shirley: You knew us at two different points in our lives and were different things to us. Not only a pastor and wife, but friends or second parents as we lived so far away from our own parents. We were challenged and loved by you.
We hope we can be the kind of influence to others that you have been in our lives. May God's love continue to fill you-- as we know you are still blessing the lives of others. Thank you for your love and support.
Mickey and Mary Ann
Mickey and I met when my dad took the interim pastor position at Freedom Baptist Church. My dad became the full time pastor the summer before our freshman year. Mickey and I were in the same homeroom class. However, sparks did not fly with us until our junior year of high school. The rest, as they say, is history.
First and foremost we are thankful to Jesus Christ and His ultimate example of mercy and grace. We are also thankful to our parents (Homer & Glenna Knipp and Charles & Garnet Jayne) for providing solid marriages as an example of love and commitment that spans decades.
Over the years, the Lord provided other specific people in our lives who influenced us. They may not have known it at the time, but we still reflect on certain events and even things we remember them saying that shaped the way we live our lives today. That shaped the way we have looked at marriage and raised our children.
We are thankful that before marriage, and at every duty station couples took us under their wing (whether that was their intention or not) and encouraged us along.
On the eve of our 25th wedding anniversary we will give tribute to you publicly via the blog world and say those two words that don't seem adequate enough to express how we feel about you, but here goes, "thank you!"
Scott and Rhonda: (Our youth leaders) You were around before there were many official "youth pastors". Your home was always open to us. Wise counsel and fun times could always be found at your home. You were also an excellent example of commitment. Turtle soup, a good pie crust, and orange crush still remind us of you.
Clarke and Judy: When we came to Nebraska, I (Mary Ann) didn't even know the difference between an officer and an enlisted troop. You guided us and gave us confidence. You also exemplified the importance of raising your kids in church even when they were little. I'll never forget Judy saying, "I don't want my kids to ever ask 'Are we going to church?'"
Bill and Jean : A family for us away from our own. Holidays and birthdays were always so much more fun with you in our lives. It has been a blessing to see you raise your kids and now a joy to watch you with your grandchildren.
Lin and Maribeth: Bondage Breaker, importance of doctrine, & sola scriptura. You were always an example of reaching out and inclusion. Our lives will never be the same because of you two and your fantastic children.
Melvin "Bishop" and Shirley: You knew us at two different points in our lives and were different things to us. Not only a pastor and wife, but friends or second parents as we lived so far away from our own parents. We were challenged and loved by you.
We hope we can be the kind of influence to others that you have been in our lives. May God's love continue to fill you-- as we know you are still blessing the lives of others. Thank you for your love and support.
Mickey and Mary Ann
Friday, July 27, 2012
Goals 2012
This year I began with several goals.
1. Study through Romans and James
2. Exercise more
3. Read more (fiction and non-fiction)
We are over half way through the year and I'm good on two out of the three objectives. I will begin my study in James next week. I completed Romans and also got through 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John; I'm currently studying Philemon.
Exercise...well, that is something that has been severely lacking but today I will do some sort of exercise. : D
On the reading front, I've read several books this year. Gospel by J.D. Greear was a great read. I've also picked up several Beverly Lewis books which continue to whet my appetite with my fascination of the Amish life. I also finished Robert Whitlow's Water's Edge. I'm a huge Whitlow fan. This book is definitely in my top three favorite Whitlow's books. The first two being The Trial and Jimmy. Another read that I started but have paused on is Jerry Jenkin's Riven . This is a book that I hope to go through before the end of the summer. So many people have recommended it to me and from what I've read about what Jerry Jenkins himself has said about this work being sort of the "book of his life:, I'm excited to read it.
This is a book I'm putting on my list for next year John MacArthur's Counseling.
What were your goals for the new year? Have you completed any goals? Are you still working on the goals you set for yourself in January? While I'm basically failing at the second of my three goals, now is the time to pick up myself by the boot straps and say, "Hey, the year is not over and it is much better to exercise and succeed with half a year's worth of fitness than to waste the next six months waiting for a new year to roll around!" So, here we go...
1. Study through Romans and James
2. Exercise more
3. Read more (fiction and non-fiction)
We are over half way through the year and I'm good on two out of the three objectives. I will begin my study in James next week. I completed Romans and also got through 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John; I'm currently studying Philemon.
Exercise...well, that is something that has been severely lacking but today I will do some sort of exercise. : D
On the reading front, I've read several books this year. Gospel by J.D. Greear was a great read. I've also picked up several Beverly Lewis books which continue to whet my appetite with my fascination of the Amish life. I also finished Robert Whitlow's Water's Edge. I'm a huge Whitlow fan. This book is definitely in my top three favorite Whitlow's books. The first two being The Trial and Jimmy. Another read that I started but have paused on is Jerry Jenkin's Riven . This is a book that I hope to go through before the end of the summer. So many people have recommended it to me and from what I've read about what Jerry Jenkins himself has said about this work being sort of the "book of his life:, I'm excited to read it.
This is a book I'm putting on my list for next year John MacArthur's Counseling.
What were your goals for the new year? Have you completed any goals? Are you still working on the goals you set for yourself in January? While I'm basically failing at the second of my three goals, now is the time to pick up myself by the boot straps and say, "Hey, the year is not over and it is much better to exercise and succeed with half a year's worth of fitness than to waste the next six months waiting for a new year to roll around!" So, here we go...
Thursday, July 26, 2012
A poem
Isn't it strange
That princes and kings,
And clowns that caper
In sawdust rings,
And common people
Like you and me
Are builders for eternity?
Each is given a bag of tools,
A shapeless mass,
And a book of rules'
And each must make,
Ere life is flown,
A stumbling-block
Or a stepping-stone.
R.E. Sharpe
That princes and kings,
And clowns that caper
In sawdust rings,
And common people
Like you and me
Are builders for eternity?
Each is given a bag of tools,
A shapeless mass,
And a book of rules'
And each must make,
Ere life is flown,
A stumbling-block
Or a stepping-stone.
R.E. Sharpe
I Will Glory in My Redeemer
This was a draft I found in my blogger files. It's old, but still pertinent.
Once I heard a pastor say that he wouldn't have certain songs in his church's worship service because he didn't feel the words were truthful for today's culture.
Once I heard a pastor say that he wouldn't have certain songs in his church's worship service because he didn't feel the words were truthful for today's culture.
For instance, " You Are My All in All" when God really isn't first in our lives; or "I'd Rather Have Jesus" saying, I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold...when most people really do want more things. (money)
However, I take those lyrics as a challenge to evaluate my life and let it convict me. This is a video I found on a blog I frequent. When she sings, "I have no longings for another" it makes me think. Do I have longings for others or other things? It challenges/encourages me put my life in correct order. Watch and worship.
PS. Make sure you pause the blog playlist as you listen.
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