Author: Carolyn

I am a Christian, a sinner saved by God's amazing grace. Much like my life, my blog is a work in progress. The main objective I have for this blog is to "proclaim the praises" of the One who called me out of darkness and into His marvelous light! (1 Peter 2:9)

Book Review: First Ask Why

Carolyn
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First Ask Why

“We are not here simply to take up space in the world,
but we are here to make a difference for eternity.”

These words from Shelly Wildman have stuck with me. Shelly’s new parenting book First Ask Why: Raising Kids to Love God Through Intentional Discipleship (Kregel, 2018) is being released TODAY, and I am thrilled to recommend it to you—not simply because Shelly is a friend, but because it is filled with truth and encouragment for the path of parenting.

I’m reminded through Shelly’s quote above that all of our lives have purpose. Because of this, our parenting requires intentionality. Read more →

A Morning Reflection

A Morning Reflection

Carolyn

As I read God’s Word in both the Old and New Testaments, over and over again, I see it ties together. It fits. It’s beautiful.

Today, I read the Law, the Ten Commandments (Deut. 5). I read the command to love the Lord my God with all my heart and soul and might (Deut. 6). I then read in the New Testament that the commandments are summed up in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:9-10). Love of God, love of man. These are the two that Jesus Himself identified as the most important commands (Mark 12:28-31).

Against the law, I recognize I fail; I sin at every point. Yet I rejoice in the finished work of Jesus Christ at the cross for my sin. No longer do we need the sacrifice of bulls and lambs, that could never truly save, again and again and again. (Hebrews 10:4, 11). We have the once for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:12-14), the blood of Jesus, who gave us a new and living way, through whom we can have confidence. “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Read more →

2018 Bible Reading – January

2018 Bible Reading – January

Carolyn

For those of you reading through the Bible in a year, I wanted to provide a space for sharing insights at the end of each month. Locally, I’ll be meeting with a group of women in late January. Online, perhaps this might serve as a place to comment and encourage one another.

As we are in the last week of January and ending the first month of reading, here are some questions to reflect on:

  1. What have you seen about God this month as you have read the Bible?
  2. Have there been new truths or insights that you have discovered through the reading? 
  3. Was there a psalm that particularly stood out to you?
  4. How did you find God’s Word speaking to you in the circumstances of your life?
  5. Is there a way you need to apply something you have read?
  6. Was there a verse or passage that you would like to memorize?
Happy New Year 2018!

Happy New Year 2018!

Carolyn

Happy New Year! As I type these words, my son’s plane should be taking off, flying him back to college. It’s been wonderful having him home for the last three and a half weeks. This brings an end to the holidays, and I’m thankful for a quiet morning to reflect.

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The Revelation of God

The Revelation of God

Carolyn

Bible Study

My heart has been bursting all week! First, we started Women’s Bible Study at our church for the new school year last Wednesday. It is thrilling to study God’s Word together in fellowship with others. We are studying the Psalms. I believe it’s the first time in 13 years, since 2004-05, that I have been able to attend the morning session. Though I love the evening session, too, I was often tired or had a hard time sticking with it after work. There’s something special about starting my Wednesday mornings in this way, both in our small group, where we go over the week’s lesson, and then in the large group session where we hear a message tying it all together.

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Just for Today

Just for Today

Carolyn

There’s nothing quite like the awareness of our own mortality to give us a change in perspective. I remember being hospitalized for nearly a month before my daughter was born three months early. Life had become complicated by a rare, life-threatening pregnancy. Each day the hospital chaplain would visit, and she would say, “Just for today.” We took things one day at a time. We couldn’t project the outcome for my daughter or for me. We could pray and hope while we waited to see. If we looked too far into the future, it might overwhelm us. So the chaplain would remind me each day, “You made it another day. Just for today.” Read more →