December 2008 Archives

"She was told that without chemo she has 6 to 8 months to live and with chemo she has 12 to 13 months to live - she is raising three grandchildren."
--beckyalva

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John 8:12-19

12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." 13 Then the Pharisees said to him, "You are testifying on your own behalf; your testimony is not valid." 14 Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid because I know where I have come from and where I am going, but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge by human standards; I judge no one. 16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is valid; for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. 17 In your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is valid. 18 I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me testifies on my behalf." 19 Then they said to him, "Where is your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also."

From the New Revised Standard Version. Reprinted with permission from HarperBibles.

[12] Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

[13] The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true.

[14] Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.

[15] Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.

[16] And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

[17] It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.

[18] I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

[19] Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.

Make your New Years Resolutions! This year, try to eat a little healthier, exercise a little more, and take some serious action to conserve our planet's resources.

Join author Mary E. DeMuth for "Creating the Family You Always Wanted," a 12-week journey in Christian parenting. Twice a week, you'll receive a new journaling prompt encouraging you to think about your family--and God--in new ways. Use these prompts in your own journal or in group discussion.

Family. Think about it long enough and you'll experience a gamut of emotions--joy, loneliness, hope, fear, security, insecurity. How do you, with God's help, create the family you've always longed for?

Despite past injuries that may have colored a negative view of family, God can recolor a new picture for you.

I've walked this excruciating journey, attempting to untangle the knots of my upbringing in order to provide a safer haven for my kids. Two parenting books I've written reflect this journey: "Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God" chronicles how I discovered God's strength in my parental weakness. "Building the Christian Family You Never Had" recounts my childhood story and the practical ways I've learned to parent differently. The following journal experience reflects the things I've learned by writing both books. By the end of this journaling experience, may you also be able to share your own stories of redemption.

As you venture forth prayerfully, consider these words from the prophet Isaiah: "Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands" (Isaiah 43:19, MSG). For the next 12 weeks, we'll send you two journal prompts a week--questions that help you discover the family you've always longed for. Write as much or as little as you'd like each day, and feel free to interact with other people's journals. You can also post photographs or any images you'd like to include as part of your journaling process. May Jesus bless you as you start this adventure.

--Mary E. DeMuth