I took three of the kids to The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago yesterday on a homeschool field trip. We’ve been there several time before, but the exhibit that always draws me is the stages of life for the human embryo/fetus. All along a wall they have preserved embryos/fetuses starting at 25 days all the way through almost full term. I think there are 30-40 throughout the exhibit. Then next to each one they describe what is taking place, what has formed, etc. Even at 25 days when the embryo is still tiny, most of the major organs are already there in miniature. It’s fascinating to see what is really going on during those 9 months. How someone walks away from that exhibit pro-choice I cannot understand. They try to dehumanize the life into just a tissue mass or disposable blob, but in the exhibit the miracle of life is right there before your eyes. Wow! I’m still in awe each time I see it.

Tradition of the Day: After we bring the fresh cut (by all hands) tree (from Camelot) into the house (while listening to Russ Taff’s A Christmas Song CD –see last few posts–) it is my job to put the lights on the tree. Sonya will then come in from the kitchen and say, “Can you push those lights further in?”

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 30:5-6 Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6 Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

Scripture of the Day: Psalm 139:13-14 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Quote of the Day: “The real question today is not when human life begins, but, What is the value of human life? The abortionist who reassembles the arms and legs of a tiny baby to make sure all its parts have been torn from its mother’s body can hardly doubt whether it is a human being. The real question for him and for all of us is whether that tiny human life has a God-given right to be protected by the law— the same right we have.” President Ronald Reagan

I used the lion analogy from 1 Peter 5:8-9 in Uth tonight where the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Here are a few nuggets to take home. (no charge)

-The lion hates fire, so don’t let God’s fire in your spirit go dim.
-The lion looks for the weak and crippled, so stay strong and know your weaknesses.
-The lion likes to separate it’s prey from the pack, so don’t wander off on your own.
-The lion looks for those who aren’t alert or paying attention, so be ready at all times.
-The lion likes his territory to hunt in, so stay away from his strongholds.

Tradition of the Day: When we’re out cutting down the Christmas tree, all the kids take a turn on the saw.

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 28:1 The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Scripture of the Day: 1 Peter 5:8-9 8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Quote of the Day: Selfishness has never been admired. C.S. Lewis

Elizabeth celebrated the big number 8 today. Still young enough to love dolls, candles, and the simple things, yet old enough to be able to add up her cash gifts. I’m sure her favorite gift was the new shirt she’s wearing in the picture though. We love you Elizabeth!

We kinda thought three boys was a pretty good place to stop, but along came Elizabeth. At first another boy seemed like a pretty reasonable plan. We already had all the stuff, clothes and toys. A girl would mean a lot of needless duplication. But here she came, so we decided to let her stay. What a blessing. What a good God.

Tradition of the Day: We always celebrate Elizabeth’s birthday on November 27th. (OK, so it’s not really a Christmas tradition, but 30 days of tradition is going to be a stretch.)

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 27:21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.

Scripture of the Day: Matthew 18:1-6 1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. 6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

Quote of the Day: “Parents are often so busy with the physical rearing of children that they miss the glory of parenthood, just as the grandeur of the trees is lost when raking leaves.” Marcelene Cox

As I was researching a tradition quote for yesterday I was reminded that tradition has a pretty bad reputation. Tradition can be a joy from our past that can help guide us as we move forward, or it can be an anchor from our past that keeps us from ever moving forward. As the old church joke goes, “We’ve never done it that way before.” That can be an inquisitive pause or a cease and desist order.

Unfortunately a church or Christians can be some of the worst. I’m sure we all know someone who serves out of tradition or worships out of tradition but is spiritually drier than a desert wind. We do it because we’ve always done it and that’s how we do it. We stagnate at our spiritual highpoint and prefer that we never leave that place. Keep the songs the same, keep ministry the same, let’s leave things the way they are right at that time.

So with that in mind, I hope our traditions are traditions that allow us to move forward yet reminiscent of where God has brought us. Hopefully the Mills Christmas traditions won’t be an anchor to my kids, but a reminder of the joys of family and the hope of Immanuel, God with us.

Christmas Tradition of the Day: When we bring our tree into the house to set it up, Russ Taff’s CD, “A Christmas Song” is always playing in the background. This is my favorite Christmas album of them all. It has sort of a smooth jazzy feel to it. Mellow with a nice bass. Check out a sampler at CBD.

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 26:17 Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own.

Scripture of the Day: Matthew 17:1-4 1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

Quote of the Day: “Tradition is a guide and not a jailer.” William Somerset Maugham

Just one month till Christmas! We have lots of family Christmas traditions, so I’ll be sharing a “Tradition of the Day” for the next 30 days. They range from very trivial, to events, to things that will make no sense to you. Some even have multiple layers. But to us it’s Tradition! I hope your Christmas season is filled with joy and tradition too.

We had a great morning together in God’s house today. It was a long weekend for many, so we kept it simple with “Finding Rest.” Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Have you entered His rest?

Tradition of the Day: We headed out to Camelot Trees for the cutting down of the Christmas tree. We have gone there every year but one of our thirteen Christmases in Sycamore. The one year we went somewhere else the kids cried all the way home because they didn’t have free cookies and hot chocolate. Elizabeth had wanted to wait till it was snowing to go get our tree, but she changed her mind after grandma and grandpa left some presents to put under the tree. After we cut the tree and were headed up to the chicken coop to pay and get our hot chocolate and cookies it started to snow. By the time we headed home the flakes were HUGE. Cool God.

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 25:13 Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters.

Scripture of the Day: Matthew 11:18 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Quote of the Day: “What an enormous magnifier is tradition! How a thing grows in the human memory and in the human imagination, when love, worship, and all that lies in the human heart, is there to encourage it” Thomas Carlyle

Took the kids to the NIU-Ball State football game this afternoon. My sister-in-law and nephew joined us as the Huskies fell short of a victory. We came within 6 with a minute and a half to go, but the onside kick was caught and Ball State was able to run out the clock. The Huskies really struggled with injuries and victories this year. There’s always next year…

Time to gear up for Sunday. It’s the end of the Thanksgiving weekend, so we’ll keep it pretty simple tomorrow morning. Next Sunday we’ll take the turn towards Christmas.

Are you expecting?

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 24:14 Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Scripture of the Day: Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Quote of the Day: A great many people are trying to make peace, but that has already been done. God has not left it for us to do; all we have to do is enter into it. Dwight L. Moody

Hope you had a blessed day yesterday of giving thanks. We spent the day at my brother’s house with my sister and boys, mom and dad, an aunt, uncle and cousin. A total of 18 plus the dog. It was a classic day of food, football, and some games in the evening. We’re heading in again this afternoon for round two.

My quote of the day is for all of the power shoppers out there. Sometimes the best wisdom is the old wisdom.

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 23:17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.

Scripture of the Day: Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.

Quote of the Day: “He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing.” Benjamin Franklin

An early morning Thanksgiving to everyone! I just took the Chex Party Mix out of the oven, so I thought I’d do my Thanksgiving blog now since we’ll be busy most of the rest of the day. I’m a late night person so I stayed up to do the Chex. Sonya is early morning, so she’ll be up at 5 to bake and clean.

I pray you’ll have a great Thanksgiving today. Take time away from the buffet table, TV, and turkey to meditate on God’s blessings and faithfulness. It is easy to become complacent and even selfish when we live in such a blessed country. Take a step back and look around the world and then give thanks.

About 11 p.m. I realized we were out of butter for tomorrow (I made a double batch of Chex mix and I always add extra seasonings:) so I went to buy more. It was snowing, the streets were wet, not too many cars out, the Christmas lights were on downtown, and it was beautiful. I think I’m ready for winter now.

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 22:9 A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

Scripture of the Day:

A psalm. For giving thanks.

2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his ;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Quotes of the Day: “It must be an odd feeling to be thankful to nobody in particular. Christians in public institutions often see this odd thing happening on Thanksgiving Day. Everyone in the institution seems to be thankful ‘in general.’ It’s very strange. It’s a little like being married in general.” Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.

“Nothing purchased can come close to the renewed sense of gratitude for having family
and friends.” Courtland Milloy

“The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.” H. U. Westermayer

“Thanksgiving puts steel into our patriotic veins. It reminds us or our great heritage. It carries us back with numbing nostalgia to that first dreadful winter at Plymouth where less than half the handful of people survived. It speaks in clear, crisp tones of forgotten terms, like: integrity…bravery…
respect…faith…vigilance… dignity…honor…freedom… discipline…sacrifice…godliness.”
Charles R. Swindoll

I read an interesting article today that looked at a survey saying that many parents will buy media items for their kids this year even though they are not comfortable with the content. Here’s a quote…

“Millions of Christian parents want to appear to be relevant in their children’s eyes, and to provide gifts that fit within the mainstream of postmodern society,” George Barna, lead researcher of the latest study, noted. “The problem is that many of the entertainment products that meet those criteria conflict with the moral precepts of the Christian faith. Parents have to make a choice as to what is more important: pleasing their kids’ taste and sensibilities, or satisfying God’s standards as defined in the Bible. When the decision made is to keep their children happy, the Christian parent is often left with a pit in their stomach.”

As the frenzy of post-Thanksgiving shopping builds to a head soon, take time to make sure your gifts will build up and not tear down the foundations of your children’s lives. Eternity is at stake.

You can read the entire article HERE.

Just one more day of rejoicing before Thanksgiving!

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 21:3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Scripture of the Day: Psalm 118:28-29 28 You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. 29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Quote of the Day: “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child!” Shakespeare in King Lear

I heard the first Christmas songs in a store a few days ago. At first I thought it was too early. (My personal preference is all Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving, then 25% the next week, 50% the next, and then building to 100% the week before Christmas.) But with the warm fall and early Thanksgiving it really helped me start to get in the mood for the holidays. It was also one of the great worship songs, so it lifted my spirit too.

If you’re looking for your Christmas music fix in the car or at home over the next few weeks turn to 104.7 WBGL. They will be playing all Christmas music beginning after Thanksgiving. WBGL is also owned by the IL Assemblies of God, so you know it has to be good:)

Just 2 more days of rejoicing before Thanksgiving!

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

Scripture of the Day: Psalms 113:4-6 4 The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. 5 Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, 6 who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?

Quote of the Day: “Thankfulness is not something God gives us. It is not a spiritual gift and it is not a spiritual fruit. We can receive God’s peace, joy and love, but thankfulness is something that we give to God and to others. It is a choice that we make. Let us thank Him today with songs of celebration, hearts of strong devotion and acts of admiration.” Roy Lessin