Praying the Psalms- Psalm 73

Jenny is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms.  I was fortunate enough to join at the start.  Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in Praying the Psalms.

Psalm 73 

"When I tried to understand all this,
   it was oppressive to me
till I entered the sanctuary of God;
   then I understood their final destiny." Psalm 73: 16-17

It is not until God opens our eyes that we understand the ways of the world.  It is only in the sanctuary of God here on earth, the church, that the eternal perspective He gives us will be reinforced.  If we look to the world for answers, we may be carefree and wealthy (verses 4-12) but at great cost- both to our hearts and to our relationship with our God (verses 21-22).

"But as for me, it is good to be near God.
   I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
   I will tell of all your deeds."  Psalm 73: 28 (emphasis mine)

The psalmist has made the Sovereign Lord his refuge.  I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge.  He is my protector, my counselor, the strength of my heart and my portion forever (verses 23-26).   It is a decision- an act of my will- to keep my eyes off the world, to stay near the Lord, to nurture an eternal perspective- these are decisions I must make.


Lord, thank You for opening my eyes to the truth.  Thank You for helping me to understand the final destiny of sinful man.  Thank You for saving me from that destiny!  Thank You for placing me in a church that holds fast to the truth and encourages the eternal perspective You gave me.  Thank You for the free will You have given me.  I pray I will always choose to be near You, to make You my refuge.  In Jesus' name, amen.

Summer Learning is Fun!

Remember last year when I was all organized about our summer plans and even wrote a series of sorts on the process of planning and our final result?  This year- not so much!   That's not to say I have not been planning.  Oh yes, I have!  But between planning for summer, planning and purchasing materials for our great home school experiment next year, wrapping up two large volunteer projects at school and training a new person to take over my job as church secretary, time (and energy) to blog has been scarce.

However, since I have a few moments right now before our final regular season Spring baseball game for our oldest, I thought I'd take the opportunity to share what I've planned out so far for the summer.  Since we will be joining a group of friends in Year Two of Tapestry of Grace next year, a friend suggested we read through The Story of the World, Volume One: Ancient Times over the summer to get an overview of history prior to the Middle Ages.  I devised the following plan from The Story of the World, Volume One: Ancient Times textbook and activity guide.  Maybe this will help someone?

Week One Readings and Activities:

Day One

Read & Discuss Introduction                                                                                               

Complete Make a History of My Family Book                                                                    

Day Two

Read & Discuss Chapter 1                                                                                                   

Complete Map Work                                                                                                           

Complete Make a Cave Painting                                                                                         

Day Three

Read Chapter 2                                                                                                                   

Complete Map Work                                                                                                           

Day Four

Read & Discuss Chapter 3                                                                                                  

Complete Map Work                                                                                                          

Complete Make Cuneiform Tablets                                                                                   

Day Five

Read & Discuss Chapter 4                                                                                                 

Complete Map Work                                                                                                         

Complete Make a Chicken Mummy                                                                                   

Week One Field Trip- Egyptian Exhibits at Local Museum                                           

Week Two Reading and Activities:

Day One

Read & Discuss Chapter 5                                                                                                        

Complete Map Work                                                                                                       

Complete Word Search                                                                                                  

Day Two

Read & Discuss Chapter 6                                                                                               

Complete Map Work                                                                                                       

Complete Activity Puzzle OR Comic Book                                                                       

Day Three

Read & Discuss Chapter 7                                                                                                

Complete Map Work                                                                                                       

Complete Make Your Own Law Code Stele                                                                    

Day Four

Read & Discuss Chapter 8                                                                                             

Complete Map Work                                                                                                       

Complete Art Project OR Writing Project                                                                        

Day Five

Read & Discuss Chapter 9                                                                                              

Complete Map Work                                                                                                       

Complete Craft Project OR Writing Project                                                                     

  

Week Three Reading and Activities:

Day One

Read & Discuss Chapter 10                                                                                           

Complete Map Work                                                                                                      

Complete Writing Project                                                                                               

Day Two

Read & Discuss Chapter 11                                                                                            

Complete Map Work                                                                                                     

Complete Paper Bead Necklace                                                                                     

Day Three

Read & Discuss Chapter 12                                                                                            

Complete Map Work                                                                                                    

Complete Make a Monkey Doll                                                                                     

Day Four

Read & Discuss Chapter 13                                                                                            

Complete Map Work                                                                                                      

Complete Be an Archeologist                                                                                         

Day Five

Read & Discuss Chapter 14                                                                                           

Complete Map Work                                                                                                      

Complete Moses Stickerbook                                                                                                   

Week Three Field Trip

Tabernacle Reproduction Exhibit and Play- Joseph                                                  

Week Four Readings & Activities:

Day One

Read & Discuss Chapter 15                                                                                           

Complete Map Work                                                                                                    

Day Two

Read & Discuss Chapter 16                                                                                          

Complete Map Work                                                                                                     

Complete Make an Assyrian Siege Tower                                                                     

Day Three

Read & Discuss Chapter 17                                                                                            

Complete Map Work                                                                                                      

Complete Draw the Hanging Gardens of Babylon                                                         

Day Four

Read & Discuss Chapter 18                                                                                            

Complete Map Work                                                                                                      

Complete Minotaur’s Maze OR Build Your Own Labyrinth                                                      

Day Five           

Read & Discuss Chapter 19                                                                                            

Complete Map Work                                                                                                      

Complete Make a Mycenaean Shield                                                                            

Week Five Readings & Activities

Day One

Read & Discuss Chapter 20                                                                                            

Complete Map Work                                                                                                     

Complete Write Your Name with Greek Letters                                                           

Day Two

Read and Discuss Chapter 21                                                                                        

Complete Map Work                                                                                                     

Complete Play the Conquer Mesopotamia Game                                                          

Day Three

Read & Discuss Chapter 22                                                                                           

Complete Map Work                                                                                                     

Complete Write on an Athenian Wax Tablet                                                                

Day Four

Read & Discuss Chapter 23                                                                                           

Complete Map Work                                                                                                     

Complete Greek Gods and Goddesses Wordsearch                                                      

Day Five

Read & Discuss Chapter 24                                                                                          

Complete Map Work                                                                                                    

Complete  Play the Peloponnesian War Game                                                            

Week Five Field Trip

Have an Olympic Games OR the Greek Exhibit at Local Museum                          

Week Six

Day One

Read & Discuss Chapter 25                                                                                           

Complete Map Work                                                                                                     

Complete Play the Alexander the Great Game                                                             

As you can see this plan only spans five weeks and a day.  That works for us!  We have a week at the beach planned in June and hope to escape for a long weekend here and there in July and August.  The kids also have two weeks of half day camps in July.  This plans leaves us with lots of breathing room for lazy days at the pool, a last minute get away with the family or whatever suits our fancy on any given day.  It gives us a framework for learning that is flexible enough for summer fun!

I have more to plan and more to share about summer but I'd better get the kids fed before opening pitch :)

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Multitude Monday

 

Here are some of the things I was thankful for this week:

1228.  Homeschool books arriving

1229.  Feeling more excitement than trepidation about it

1230.  The boys unwavering in their excitement about it

1231.  AN IKEA run with two good friends to get bookshelves and a computer desk for homeschool

1232.  Spending the day with my mom making Empanadas for the Fourth Grade class and lots of friends (and us, too!)

1233.  My dad working in my garden while we worked in the kitchen

You can read why I got started counting the gifts here.

Praying the Psalms- Psalm 72

Jenny is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms.  I was fortunate enough to join at the start.  Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in Praying the Psalms.
 
Psalm 72 

"He will be like rain falling on a mown field,
   like showers watering the earth."  Psalm 72: 6

What a beautiful picture of the tenderness of Jesus!  When all that is overgrown in my life is cut back to its appropriate place, my Jesus comes like rain to nourish and nurture me.  To provide what is needed for growth.

"Praise be to his glorious name forever;
   may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
            Amen and Amen."  Psalm 72: 19

Joining with the Psalmist this morning in a never ending song of praise to the One who cuts back the overgrowth and nourishes to make room for healthy growth.  

Praying the Psalms- Psalm 71

Jenny is on a journey of praying her way through the Psalms.  I was fortunate enough to join at the start.  Each weekend, we pray through one psalm and post our prayer and/or meditations on that psalm as the Lord leads. Check out her journey and join us in Praying the Psalms.

Psalm 71  

I was talking with a friend last night who is going through a difficult season emotionally.  I told her I was sorry that she was still in the midst of this trial.  Her reply?  "Don't be sorry!  This is nothing more than the purifying power of pain."  She then proceeded to quote the promises of God that she is counting on at the other end of this trial and to praise Him for who He is. I had meant to encourage her but she instead encouraged me.  She spoke the truth:

"Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,
   you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
   you will again bring me up.
You will increase my honor
   and comfort me once again."  Ps 71: 20-21

Lord, when I walk through seasons of pain, troubling and bitter circumstances, help me to remember Your Truth.  You allow these seasons, You even produce the circumstances at times, to refine us.  And You promise to restore and honor and comfort us again.  I want to praise You in and through and after the storms of life.  Trials come and go.  Happiness comes and goes.  But, You.  You, O God, are the one constant in my life.  Give me eyes to see You in every circumstance.  In Jesus' name, amen.

Multitude Monday

 

Here are some of the things I was thankful for this week:

1216.  Spring concerts at school
1217.  Multi-cultural night at school
1218.  More peace about our decision


1219.  Safe travels on our weekend Road Trip
1220.  Spending the weekend with sweet friends at Word of Life
1221.  Being challenged to Keep the Fire Burning
1222.  Learning about the Bible Institute
1223.  Meeting young people who are serious about their faith
1224.  So many fun family activities
1225.  A day to catch up when we returned


1226.  Listening for Him
1227.  Meditating on Isaiah 50

You can read why I got started counting the gifts here.