©Millie McNabb
I forgot about the time change to daylight savings this week. I was lounging around Sunday morning, when my husband said that we had half an hour to get to church. We moved into high gear and got there just after the first song.
There are minor consequences of forgetting daylight savings time. There is a greater consequence—an eternal consequence--to missing out on the saving grace of Jesus Christ. As we approach Easter, make sure your children get the real story.
“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.” Luke 24:1-3
What’s your salvation experience?
God bless….
Millie McNabb, founder of Christian Values Legacy, offers parenting seminars that focus on passing on your Christian values. Request your free report “Considerations for Intentionally Raising Children to Become Christian Adults” today at www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com.
Showing posts with label Christmas traditions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas traditions. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Is your ox in the ditch?
©Millie McNabb
Yesterday on the way to church we saw the power company out working. It is unusual for public utilities work to be done on Sunday, or the weekend, unless it is an emergency.
One of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:8 is “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.” I remember as a child when Albertsons made the decision to open on Sunday, and the church members were encouraged to boycott the store.
When we lived in the Seattle area, I read a comment about how “heathen” the northwest was, and wasn’t sure what the author was referring to. Soon thereafter, we moved to Maryland, and I was surprised when the realtor was excited that the mall was going to be open on Sundays. I was also surprised that the grocery stores weren’t open 24 hours a day. I guess I’d been with the heathens too long to know.
When Jesus encountered the Pharisees and their rules about the Sabbath, He asked them who wouldn’t rescue their ox if it fell in the ditch on the Sabbath (Luke 14:5.) We need to set aside a day of rest, yet not take that rest on as a burden. I once heard a preacher comment on the passage, “If your ox is in the ditch every Sunday, you need to either sell the ox or fill in the ditch.”
Our family used that phrase, “Is your ox in the ditch?” as a reminder to live an orderly life, taking time for a sabbath rest, rather than planning to do work that could be done during the six days of labor.
Have you had times when your ox was in the ditch every Sunday?
God bless…
Millie McNabb, B.A., B.Mus.
Strategies and support for parents who are intentionally raising children to become Christian adults. www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com
Yesterday on the way to church we saw the power company out working. It is unusual for public utilities work to be done on Sunday, or the weekend, unless it is an emergency.
One of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:8 is “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.” I remember as a child when Albertsons made the decision to open on Sunday, and the church members were encouraged to boycott the store.
When we lived in the Seattle area, I read a comment about how “heathen” the northwest was, and wasn’t sure what the author was referring to. Soon thereafter, we moved to Maryland, and I was surprised when the realtor was excited that the mall was going to be open on Sundays. I was also surprised that the grocery stores weren’t open 24 hours a day. I guess I’d been with the heathens too long to know.
When Jesus encountered the Pharisees and their rules about the Sabbath, He asked them who wouldn’t rescue their ox if it fell in the ditch on the Sabbath (Luke 14:5.) We need to set aside a day of rest, yet not take that rest on as a burden. I once heard a preacher comment on the passage, “If your ox is in the ditch every Sunday, you need to either sell the ox or fill in the ditch.”
Our family used that phrase, “Is your ox in the ditch?” as a reminder to live an orderly life, taking time for a sabbath rest, rather than planning to do work that could be done during the six days of labor.
Have you had times when your ox was in the ditch every Sunday?
God bless…
Millie McNabb, B.A., B.Mus.
Strategies and support for parents who are intentionally raising children to become Christian adults. www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com
Friday, December 19, 2008
Wait on the Lord
As children we used to test the packages under the tree, trying to guess what might be inside them, as we looked forward to Christmas morning. One of my brothers picked up a soft package with his name, and exclaimed, “Clothes? Who’s giving me clothes?” Later, he was delighted with the sweatshirt with the University of Idaho Vandal on it.
Most of my Christmas shopping this year has been online. That adds another level of anticipation, as I await the gifts to arrive. A delivery came to our door after 7pm last night, and I’ve seen different carriers out late throughout December. Then there is the anticipation of others opening the gifts and enjoying what you chose for them.
Someone described this childlike anticipation of Christmas, this “wait” for Christmas, as what it means for us to “wait” on the Lord. The anticipation energizes us.
“But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew [their] strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint” ( Isaiah 40:31.)
What are you waiting for?
God bless….
Millie McNabb, founder of Christian Values Legacy, offers parenting seminars that focus on passing on your Christian values. Request your free report “Considerations for Intentionally Raising Children to Become Christian Adults” today at www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com.
Most of my Christmas shopping this year has been online. That adds another level of anticipation, as I await the gifts to arrive. A delivery came to our door after 7pm last night, and I’ve seen different carriers out late throughout December. Then there is the anticipation of others opening the gifts and enjoying what you chose for them.
Someone described this childlike anticipation of Christmas, this “wait” for Christmas, as what it means for us to “wait” on the Lord. The anticipation energizes us.
“But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew [their] strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint” ( Isaiah 40:31.)
What are you waiting for?
God bless….
Millie McNabb, founder of Christian Values Legacy, offers parenting seminars that focus on passing on your Christian values. Request your free report “Considerations for Intentionally Raising Children to Become Christian Adults” today at www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Deck the Halls
My daughter and I put up the Christmas tree today. The tree is full of ornaments made by the girls or given to us through the years. The top branches have the honor of holding the breakable items. The lower branches host the more durable décor, as a safeguard for inquisitive grandchildren.
Getting the tree was a family event as I grew up. We lived on a farm that included forested area along the Snake River. The whole family would trek out through the woods, looking for the perfect tree. We’d see one in the distance and then discover as we got closer, that it was two trees growing close together. We also had to be size-sensitive—a tree that looked great out in the open, might not fit in the house at all. My mother always liked a spruce with the little berries on it.
Most often, we’d top a tree. After the top was cut off, my father would leave the nicest looking top branch on the remaining tree, and saw off all other branches three feet below that. The tree would then grow another top from the branch my father left. Eight or so years later, it might be selected again for our Christmas tree.
Back at the house, we’d anchor the tree in a five-gallon bucket of dirt. Sometimes my brother would drill holes in the trunk and cleverly add branches to the inevitable bare spots. Then after the tree was positioned to everyone’s satisfaction in front of the big picture window, the decorating would begin.
The lights and the star went on first under my father’s supervision. My parents were married during World War II. They did not have enough money for tree ornaments and my father made a star out of a tin can to top their tree. That star graced our tree as long as I can remember.
After the lights were strung, my mother sat by the decorations box, putting on hangers and handing out decorations. The six of us kids would go back and forth between her and the tree until all the ornaments were hung. Then with only the tree lights glowing, we’d sit and sing Christmas carols together.
Traditions, songs and festivities go together. The Bible describes such a time for the Israelites. “You will have songs as in the night when you keep the festival, And gladness of heart as when one marches to {the sound of} the flute, To go to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel” (Isaiah 30:29.)
What Christmas traditions were special to you as a child?
God bless….
Millie McNabb, B.A., B.Mus.
Strategies and support for parents who are intentionally raising children to become Christian adults. www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com
Getting the tree was a family event as I grew up. We lived on a farm that included forested area along the Snake River. The whole family would trek out through the woods, looking for the perfect tree. We’d see one in the distance and then discover as we got closer, that it was two trees growing close together. We also had to be size-sensitive—a tree that looked great out in the open, might not fit in the house at all. My mother always liked a spruce with the little berries on it.
Most often, we’d top a tree. After the top was cut off, my father would leave the nicest looking top branch on the remaining tree, and saw off all other branches three feet below that. The tree would then grow another top from the branch my father left. Eight or so years later, it might be selected again for our Christmas tree.
Back at the house, we’d anchor the tree in a five-gallon bucket of dirt. Sometimes my brother would drill holes in the trunk and cleverly add branches to the inevitable bare spots. Then after the tree was positioned to everyone’s satisfaction in front of the big picture window, the decorating would begin.
The lights and the star went on first under my father’s supervision. My parents were married during World War II. They did not have enough money for tree ornaments and my father made a star out of a tin can to top their tree. That star graced our tree as long as I can remember.
After the lights were strung, my mother sat by the decorations box, putting on hangers and handing out decorations. The six of us kids would go back and forth between her and the tree until all the ornaments were hung. Then with only the tree lights glowing, we’d sit and sing Christmas carols together.
Traditions, songs and festivities go together. The Bible describes such a time for the Israelites. “You will have songs as in the night when you keep the festival, And gladness of heart as when one marches to {the sound of} the flute, To go to the mountain of the LORD, to the Rock of Israel” (Isaiah 30:29.)
What Christmas traditions were special to you as a child?
God bless….
Millie McNabb, B.A., B.Mus.
Strategies and support for parents who are intentionally raising children to become Christian adults. www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com
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