Where's My Bible? TOS Devotional e-Newsletter, June 2007

June 2007 Issue

From the Editor ~ Where's My Bible?
by Deborah Wuehler

This last month included a two-week vacation through Southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico with all nine of our family, having a house guest from Jamaica, a Homeschool Conference not only to work for but to speak at as well, plus my local homeschool group to lead and my family to love and serve. Ever want to just crawl in a hole and stay there a while? Just homeschooling and raising a family can make you feel that way sometimes, even without anything else added.

In the midst of it all, I couldn't find my Bible. I couldn't even remember the last time or place I had really sat down and read it. No wonder I was a mess. No wonder I couldn't seem to connect with my Father. The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:13, "And ye shall seek Me, and find Me when ye shall search for Me with all your heart." The reverse of that is, I won't find Him if I'm not looking. Ouch.

We must learn to seek strength and direction from our Father daily. Jesus was pressed from every side, constantly serving and pouring Himself out. He understands our situation and He modeled the way to de-stress and recharge: He went away to a quiet place to be with His Father, "as was His custom." If Jesus needed that relationship with His Father in order to continue on, why do we think we can do without it? We find so many excuses to stay away from God. Yet, God is clearly seeking relationship with us. In that quiet place we find His presence in prayer (which may only happen in the wee hours of the morning or night), and we find Him in His Word. Seek Him with all your heart and you will find Him.

Some of you will be taking a break for summer, but don't take a break from your source of all strength. Keep reading your Bible, keep praying, keep seeking Him with all your heart!

We have a wonderful devotion this month from our Single Parent eNewsletter editor, Lisa A. Baker. Take a moment and find out exactly what kind of Bible you read. This could change the way you look at your Bible.

I have to go on a treasure hunt now and find my Bible. Until next month, let's make it our habit to seek Him daily.

~ Deborah Wuehler

Devotion Time ~ What Kind of Bible Do You Read?
by Lisa A. Baker

What kind of Bible do you read? Is it a blog or an e-mail? How about an old crinkled novel, or is it a carefully handwritten letter? I thought of this when I got an e-mail from a friend the other day. As I first started reading it, I thought it was an update on something she had been struggling with sent out to a general list of her friends. As I read on I realized it was to me personally, and it changed the way I felt about the rest of the e-mail. I got to thinking about how I read things.

I think some people read the Bible like a blog. You know, take it or leave it. Read it every day for a while, then miss a bunch of days, then catch up . . . or maybe just skip some of what's been posted. And if you don't agree with what someone writes on a blog? Oh well! Just leave a comment, or move on to another blog you like better. If you really don't like it, just delete it from your favorites list and you never have to think about it again. Reading a blog is a very casual thing, and it is not usually personal at all. In fact, sometimes you hope no one ever discovers you're reading it. That's how I think some people read the Bible.

Then there's e-mail. It's quick, sometimes a little more personal, but they can be written without much thought to structure or spelling. Sometimes when you see it in your in-box you wonder if it's spam or something really meant for you. And I don't know about you, but I get lots of e-mails I signed up for thinking I wanted to read what they say, but I really don't, so I usually don't read them. The beauty of e-mail is I can let it pile up for a while, hoping to read it, but then when I don't, I just get rid of the stuff I don't want to read. And I think some people read the Bible that way.

And ahhh . . . the book. The really old, yellowed and page-worn novel. A real book lover reads that carefully. Follow the rules about how to turn the pages and mark your spot when you leave off. Read with interest, for information or entertainment or even education, but in the back of the mind you know the author wasn't really talking to you. It was written for masses of people whom the author would never know, to tell them about the author or his thoughts, ideas, or feelings. The thing about reading a book is that it can enrapture you for a while, it can frustrate you until you put it down, it might even change you a little, but you are always left wondering if you really know the author from it, or if you have brought so much of your own into it that you have made the story completely yours. That's how I think I tend to read the Bible, and how I think others read it too.

But the way I want to read the Bible is like I read a letter. I still have letters my grandma wrote me. They are so special. She was thinking just about me when she wrote it. She used her letters to reveal her heart and her love to me. Letters are very personal, written with a great deal of thoughtfulness and care. They draw you into the loving heart of the person who wrote it to you (of course, I'm assuming we're talking about a "love" letter, and not hate mail here). I want to read the Bible like a letter, because I think that's how God wrote it. He was thinking about me, sending it to me, to reveal His heart to me.

I think the big difference in how we read each of these is the relationship we have with the author, and the way we consider them when we receive what they write. Changing the way I read God's love letter will require that I grow to know Him more, and that I remember when I am reading that He was thinking of me as He wrote the words of the story. Could this possibly change the way I read His commands, given from loving concern instead of a take-it-or-leave-it blog list, an outdated and poorly researched e-mail warning, or a rigid disconnected list of orders? I think I really want to try to find out.

Lisa A. Baker is the Single Parent e-Newsletter Editor for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. You may reach her at SingleParent@TheHomeschoolMagazine.com

From our Readers ~ Coming to the End of Myself
by Lori

Since I am married to a wonderful man, I haven't really been tested to the end of myself in marriage. That took having two children. Christopher read all the books while baby was in the womb, so I had everything in the bag. I followed all the directions too and he ate well, slept well, was quickly obedient to gentle commands, was sweet as pie and happy to everybody--that is, until his life was upset by Natalie. Natalie came shortly after a big move to a house that needed a lot of work, and some of the contractors pushed their expected dates of delivery to about four months late, and Natalie came two and a half weeks early after 7 weeks of bed rest, a few days before Christmas (which I insisted on hosting at our home??? Blame that on the hormones or some other unexplainable irrational piece of my brain). A few days later, they were breaking up the cast iron bathtub in the bathroom between our children's rooms, and Christopher's previously perfect, painless, prolonged nap routine was completely upset over the weeks of bathroom remodeling.

Things are much, much smoother now, but I don't think I've ever really recovered from our move and all the ensuing drama, and now Christopher has genuine challenges requiring a change of heart toward unselfishness, which is much harder to take care of than simple obedience to pleasant commands. Of course Natalie has selfish genes as well, so life is never dull.

I have to say that I have come to the end of myself, and that it is a mercy of God. I am generous, as long as it doesn't cost me my rejuvenation time. Frankly, I'm selfish and self-centered, I've discovered in a deeper, more painful way. I can be crabby and impatient. I realize that I have been parenting according to the many, many books I've read, and adding God and the Bible as a special subject. Basically, my children's selfishness brings me to my own selfishness and the realization that I am not capable of being the parent I want to be, let alone that God created me to be.

This is why it's a mercy--it never has been about my performance--it's about God's grace and holiness, and His work in me and all those I love. I am so utterly thankful that His umbrella is over my head, because no matter how many things I "get right" in parenting/marriage, I simply cannot cover all the bases. It is terrifying to try to figure out if I'm covering them all, because I simply am incapable, but what a great relief to know that He is in control--I simply need to worship, love, and obey Him and rest in His empowerment, which is palpable when I worship.

I have so far to go, but I'm so thankful for Jesus' work on the cross and the freedom it brings--the great relief and peace! "Thank you, God, for the joy and love You have given me recently, lifting me up from great discouragement and despair. You are amazing, lovely, and powerful. Thank You for saving me!"

-- This article was originally posted on Lori's HomeschoolBlogger page.

Want to see your devotion highlighted here? Do you have a specific question for me? Send questions or devotions for consideration to Devotions@thehomeschoolmagazine.com

This Month's Contests

A Unit Study Journal: by Amanda Bennett - I have two copies of these journals to give away!
The Christian Homeschool: by Gregg Harris - This classic is back! A must read for any homeschool family. Also, check out Gregg's twin son's blog and conference at www.therebelution.com
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Not a subscriber yet or maybe you have a friend you want to give a copy to? I am giving away TEN back issues.

TO ENTER: Email Devotions@TheHomeschoolMagazine.com with your name and mailing address for a chance to win one of these gifts. Note: We never use your personal information for anything other than sending out prizes to the winners.

Disclaimer and Legal Notice:
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC ("Company") is sponsoring the June 2007 Devotional Newsletter Study Starters Contest and the June 2007 Devotional Newsletter History Scribe Contest, each running from June 8, 2007, to June 31, 2007. You must be 18 years of age or older and follow all rules to participate. Entering the contest constitutes full and complete acceptance of, and a warranty that the entrant has read, understands and agrees to, all contest terms and conditions, including without limitation all of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC Contest Rules ("Official Rules") at http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/Resources/Contests.php and The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Writer Guidelines and Terms and Conditions for Submitting Queries (as published on the Internet at http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/legal/Writers_Guidelines.html). All Official Rules apply. Entry also constitutes full consent and unlimited permission for Company to print, publish, broadcast and use all intellectual property and personal information submitted as part of the Contest entry on the Internet and in any and all Company publications in accordance with the Rules. Entries become the sole property of Company and will not be returned. Employees and independent contractors of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, LLC, Contest sponsors, individuals or entities furnishing Contest prizes and their family members may not participate in this contest. Company reserves the sole, discretionary right to determine contest winners and to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the contest or the Rules at any time with or without notice or cause, subject to applicable law. See Official Rules for details.

No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

For a full copy of the Official Rules, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine: Official Rules Request, PO Box 8426, Gray, TN 37615.

Blog of the Month
Each month I will feature a different blog site from TOS's HomeschoolBlogger.com

Need help with teaching science?
Free help available each and every week right here!!

June Haptoon

Interested in more Haptoons? Email to purchase your own mini book of cartoons here: haptoon@juno.com or visit the website here: http://www21.brinkster.com/haptoon/

Schoolhouse Store Spotlight ~ Summer Ideas

Be sure to check out the Summer Ideas category (right there on top) at The Schoolhouse Store for some great summer finds! We've got lots of great crafts, activity ideas, and games. We even have a Pirates and Charlotte's Web Project pack so you can learn along with the current movies. Check out these amazing old-fashioned Bubble Clocks and Coolers. They're sure to be a hit.

Remember, whatever you find, large or small, it always ships FREE from all of us at The Schoolhouse Store!

Thanks for spending time with us here at The Old Schoolhouse Devotional e-Newsletter! You may forward this e-Newsletter to your friends in its entirety.

Comments? Email Devotions@TheHomeschoolMagazine.com

You are subscribed to the following list: The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine Newsletters - Devotional
using the following email: devotional@tosmagazine.com

You may automatically unsubscribe from this list at any time by visiting the following URL:
http://www.tosmagazine.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/u/Devotional/

If the above URL is inoperable, make sure that you have copied the entire address.
Some mail readers will wrap a long URL and thus break this automatic unsubscribe mechanism.
If you're still having trouble, please contact the list owner at: devotional@tosmagazine.com

The following physical address is associated with this mailing list: http://www.theoldhomeschoolhouse.com/