The New Testament

Our church is experiencing the New Testament together over 40 days of reading divided into 8 weeks.  I can't even explain how great it is to look at the works of the Lords people during and after the time of Jesus.  The study is called "The Books of the Bible" and they lay out the new testament without the formatting of books and versus and just gives you the story.  A story that you just want to sit down and read like a novel and yet it gives you a whole new perspective of the events. A song that came on the radio last night more than one time by Addison Road called "What I Know of Holy" really puts into perspective of how this study is making me feel.  We are at Day 17 in this story and I am already gaining so much more beyond the stories I grew up learning by seeing it as a whole story.  This is something I suggest if you have the time to read to really do it!

I'll leave you with the lyrics of the song "What do I Know of Holy" by Addison Road.

I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven but I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small, I never feared You at all, no
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes, could I behold You?

What do I know of You who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood but the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury? Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were might to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

What do I know of You who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood but the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury? Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life it's name?
What do I know of holy of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name on earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?

What do I know of You who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood but the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury? Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?

Our Lent Plan

We  made a decision to make a few healthy changes in our lives for Lent as a way to refelct and grow on what Christ gave to us all.  I have been slowing getting back to the place I know I need be for lifelong health but by making a few things untouchable for 40 days will allow me to put my cravings towards Him instead of food!  We also hope these changes allow us to better see what God is trying to show us through our churches 8 week study where we are reading the entire New testament.

Some of the things we as a family are going without until Easter are no candy, cut back on most sweets, no pop, and no eating out/take out!   Joel and I are also making a commitment to get to the gym 3 days a week.  We are hoping by doing this as a refelction we will be more commited to these being a more long term way of making our life more healthy!

There are a few times where the kids will get a pass because of some instances where other life things are happening.  One of the times is for Allie's birthday which is April 1st.  We are going to allow the kids to have cake and we are going to pick up Papa Murphy's pizza for her party.  Other than that we hope to serve healthy foods and have non-candy treats.  Another instance is when Maddie goes on a special trip with my parents to Disney she will be allowed to eat out, have ice cream and cookies, and a few small treats with my parents. 

I pray that at the end of this not only will we have learned to better apreciate His sacrifices but also to trust Him more with our health!