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One Word At A Time: Goodness

2010-03-10T14:57:37Z

By MAD21

I think "goodness" is one of those words that we hear a lot, but if asked what it was would be difficult to define. Is it truly possible to be good, or acquire goodness? We hear about goodness being wished upon someone, or giving it to someone, but is it something that can be given? Goodness is one of the fruits of the Spirit and it's referred to several times in the Bible. It's usually something that is in God's possession that he is sharing with us:

"And the LORD said, I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you..." (Exodus 33:19)

"..may your saints rejoice in your goodness." (2 Chronicles 6:41)

"Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life..." (Psalm 23:6)

"How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you." (Psalm 31:19)

"the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness" (Galations 5:22)

One of my favorite Christmas songs talks about God's goodness. Do You Hear What I Hear is all about Christ's coming and ends with:

"The Child, the Child
Sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light"

In the dictionary, goodness is defined as: "...moral excellence; virtue; the best part of anything; essence; a euphemism for God..." I have to say, I don't think I've ever looked up this word. I've used the word, but now I'm realizing I only have a general understanding of what it really means.

Have you ever wondered what exactly the goodness is that God will be giving us? When we say, "Oh, for goodness sake!" Do we know what we are really saying? I love the idea that goodness is "the best part of anything." This is awesome. That and the fact that "goodness is a euphemism for God" means that all things good are essentially the best part of God himself.

God wants to share the best part of himself with us.

I attended a children's pastor's conference about 14 years ago. We had several wonderful speakers but one stood out to me. Tony Campolo spoke to us about how parents and children's leaders all work so hard to make our children happy. With a huge amount of passion he asked us, "Why is it so important to us that our children should be happy, when what we should be concerned about is them being good?" The words he spoke regarding this issue were amazing and even though I had no children of my own at the time, they stuck with me like super glue. It's true isn't it? We want so bad for our children to grow up happy, that we forget that our focus should be on them being good and making good choices in their lives. And as we all know, sometimes when we need to be good, it's hard, and certainly doesn't make us happy (at least at the time).

Perhaps by helping our children grow up to be good people, making good choices, we are also equipping them to allow God to shine through them onto other people. If all goodness is part of God, why wouldn't we want to be sure we are allowing that goodness to shine through us, too?

These past few weeks we've seen warmer weather in this part of the country. And by warmer I mean above freezing (and it was 60 today!). The gigantic mountains of snow left by the plows and backhoes from the blizzards we had last month are finally starting to melt. It makes me think of how beautiful things seem when everything is covered in fresh snow. But once it starts to melt and all the dirt and trash is revealed, how ugly things become.

Will any goodness be revealed in us once this world melts away? I would sure like to hope so.

This post is a participant in a blog carnival over at Bridget Chumbley's One Word at a Time.
Be sure to go and check out what everyone else wrote on: Goodness.

Growing Readers

2010-03-09T12:00:24Z

By Jason, M.Ed., M.A.R., Headmaster

“Today a reader; tomorrow a leader.” – Margaret Fuller

“A home without books is a body without soul.” - Cicero

I’m going to let you in on a secret, if you promise not to tell anyone: Readers are made at home, not at school.

When I was 12 or 13 years old, I pulled an interesting-looking book down from my parents’ bookshelf. It was a collection of Mark Twain’s short stories and I read several with great interest and delight. Because my parents had a complete set of Mark Twain’s works, I was able to follow this reading with Tom Sawyer and then Huck Finn and, before long, I had read the complete set. I was in the cave with Tom and Becky, wondering if they would get out alive. I was floating down the Mississippi with Huck and Jim, wondering how Huck would make it back home and if Jim would make it to freedom.

How many books do you have in your home? How many bookshelves full of a variety of age-appropriate and engaging books do you have? Did you know that the number one factor that determines if a child will grow up to be a reader or not is the number of books in his or her home? I think the reason is simple: People who love books have lots of them in their home. If we love something, our children will see that love and will likely catch it for themselves, especially if ample opportunity is given to them.

Good books are not hard to find and they do not need to cost a lot of money, either. You can shop library sales, yard sales, thrift stores, etc. and pick up some really great books for very little money. Of course you need to be discerning, but you could very quickly build a pretty good home library inexpensively. Few investments you make will bring better returns.

What else can you do at home to help your children develop into readers? Here are some suggestions for children of various ages:

1. Read aloud to your kids. You may feel awkward or uncomfortable with this at first, but it will become more natural and more enriching as time goes on. This is not just a suggestion for parents of very young children either. All children benefit from hearing good stories read aloud to them.

2. Read books together as a family. If you have older children, select a book that everyone in your family will read together. Keep on the same pace and discuss the book together regularly.

3. Read for your own personal enrichment. The more your kids see you reading, the more they will be motivated to want to read.

4. Unplug. Many children today do the majority of their reading online. The kind of reading they are choosing for themselves online is not only very simplistic, but often it is of the poorest quality. The computer and the television both compete with and undermine strong reading habits. Set boundaries and stick to the limits you have set.

5. Buy books for your children. This may sound obvious, but make sure books are a regular part of Christmas and birthday presents for your children.

The best educated people in the world are those who read on their own regularly for their own enrichment and pleasure. These people are the leaders and influencers of our world. Because they have read richly and deeply and widely, they have something to say to the world and they know how to say it well, too. Isn’t that a goal worth striving for in the lives of your children?

Being Human

2010-03-08T12:00:22Z

By Kelly (Living is Simple)

Take joy in the un-rushed living.
In the unfolding.
It takes time to...

Words from about a year ago.

How much life takes you and spins you around into places, relationships, and events you never could have imagined. I wish I could peg the best of those moments. Because it always escapes you; the good moments escape you because you can't always see them when they're happening. Was today, this day, a good moment? Was this a memorable day? Not particularly, I think.

But maybe, just a few weeks down the road, I'll remember today for some reason and smile. The clear, breezy night splattered with beautiful stars? The hailstorm that sent the dog cowering under feet? Or maybe the quiet morning of sun and reading the Word as wind chimes echoed beneath the holy words and stories.

Take joy in living unrushed and fully.

Kelly is a full-time nursing student and part-time amateur photographer. With her remaining time (ha!) she enjoys writing, guitar, traveling, and art. In 2008, she spent a semester studying abroad in Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Greece, and Italy. With a pocketful of rich and diverse experiences from Eastern Mennonite University, she plans to graduate this year with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing!

Life Is Funny: Man Vs. Machine

2010-03-08T12:00:22Z

By MAD21

As much as we want to laugh at this guy, you have to admit he is pretty talented. I found this link after I posted The Final Countdown two weeks ago. I couldn't resisted linking it, too. Enjoy.

My friend and fellow blogger Wendy at Weight..What? has a fun carnival at her blog called "Life is Funny." Every Monday we talk about something in life that we find funny. Be sure to go visit her blog to read her post along with links to other blogs who are participating.

Saturday Evening Blog Post: I Asked The Lord...

2010-03-06T12:00:24Z

By MAD21

The most read post on my site for February 2010 was a guest post by my friend Pat called "I Asked the Lord." Pat wrote a fabulous poem for our devotions that week about her conversations with God:

"I asked the Lord to speak to me
So I could hear his voice,
And so He sent a mockingbird
To make my heart rejoice.

I asked the Lord to show Himself
So I could see His face,
And so He sent a rainbow
To color outer space."

If you haven't already read it, please go and read the rest of Pat's awesome poem. What have you talked to the Lord about lately? How have you seen him respond?

Be sure to go and visit Elizabeth Esther's blog carnival where bloggers gather on
the first Saturday of each month to share their latest and greatest blog posts.

Tasty Bites: Vitamin C and Orange Julius

2010-03-05T12:00:30Z

By Candy, RN (Steele the Day)

Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, has a wide range of benefits to health. Studies have shown it has infection-fighting properties, and it can prevent damage to body cells. People rush to get Vitamin C at the first symptoms of a cold, and it certainly can’t hurt. Vitamin C acts like an anti-histamine, and can relieve symptoms. Before antibiotics, nutritionists promoted eating foods high in Vitamin C as well as other nutrients found in fresh fruits and vegetables to fight disease. Certainly people who have a higher intake of nutrient-rich foods have a higher infection-fighting ability.

Does Vitamin C have an effect on cortisol production? Cortisol is adrenal hormone released during stress, and as such contributes to the stress response, or “fight or flight” syndrome. It causes heart rate and blood pressure to increase in response to stress. It also activates the enzymes that promote fat storage in the body. These are all precisely balanced in the healthy body. Some studies have shown that high doses of vitamin C appear to exert a subtle cortisol-reducing effect in humans, though the evidence is limited.

There is little risk to getting too much Vitamin C, as it is a water-soluble vitamin and is eliminated rapidly by the kidneys with high doses.

Lemons, papayas, kiwi, grapefruit, oranges, and strawberries are some fruits that are very high in Vitamin C. Vegetables such as sweet red, green, and yellow peppers and broccoli contain high amounts of Vitamin C, too. Both fruits and vegetables contribute other important phytochemicals that are important to overall health and immunity from disease. Frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious as fresh. They are usually picked at their peak freshness and contain the same amount of nutrients.

Here’s a great smoothie that will give you plenty of vitamin C. You can substitute any fruit puree for the orange juice concentrate. You can also use Splenda, honey, or agave nectar in place of the sugar.

Orange Julius

6 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate

1 cup milk (skim, 2%, or whole)

1 cup water

4 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

12 ice cubes

Combine all ingredients in blender; cover and blend until smooth.

References: NutritionData.com, American Dietetic Association, MedlinePlus

Candy Steele is a registered nurse who has worked with cardiac patients for over thirty years. “Functional foods” have become her passion, and she enjoys sharing her love of cooking, a random life and a faithful Jesus with her friends at Steele (the Day). She is blessed with three grown children, a new daughter-in-law, and a kind and patient husband who only knows how to fix popcorn (but she’s OK with that).

Fingerprint Friday: Baptism

2010-03-05T12:00:30Z

By MAD21

We had the honor of watching one of our favorite teens give her life to Christ in baptism recently. She has been an important part of our extended family for about three or four years now and is one of our daughter's favorite people. Even our dog is beside herself when she comes over!

We are so very proud of her for the choices she has made in the last few years, and that she decided to make this most important decision for her life and future. It doesn't mean her life will be any easier, and she knows that. But she also knows the One who loves her most. And she knows that no matter what challenges await her in her future, she will never be alone.

We love you MH. And we pray for you daily. Know that we are always here for you, and we are so very blessed to have you in our lives, sharing with us all the fingerprints God has left on you.

Fellow blogger Beki at The Rusted Chain has a really great weekly post she does every Friday called "Fingerprint Friday." We are to look around and see where we can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Anywhere? Go find out where Beki saw God this week, and be sure to check out the other bloggers who linked their stories as well.

Prayer Warriors

2010-03-04T12:00:28Z

By Pat

Yesterday I received a call from a dear friend. He said that his very sick uncle had taken a turn for the worse, and asked me to pray for him. What an honor that is! He trusted me to do the one thing that's most important of all for his loved one; to lift him to the Lord in prayer.

Last year, another close friend called me and said that she was wrestling with a particular issue, and asked me to pray for several days about it as she fasted and prayed. She did not tell me what the issue was, and I did not ask. There was no need. She trusted me to take her problem to God and I did.

When I am struggling with certain difficulties, I go to God, and I also ask my trusted friends to do the same. I don't ask just anyone, for to me prayer is the most important, soothing and comforting thing there is. Praying alone is important, as Jesus knew:

"After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone," (Matthew 14:23)

"Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him." (Mark 14:35)

But praying together is also crucial:

"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." (Matthew 18:19-20)

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding." (Colossians 1:9).

Just as I would only trust my precious grandchildren to a handful of folks, I give my deepest prayer concerns to only a handful of Christian warriors, for I know they will be diligent in prayer on my behalf, as I am for them. It truly is an honor, one I take very seriously. So if you have trusted friends who pray for you, give thanks to God for them. They are truly treasures. And if they ask you to pray for them, take your job seriously, because rather than it being the least you can do, it's actually the best you can do! What a wonderful bond is the community of praying friends.

YOB: #23. Have High Tea With Scones (Part 2)

2010-03-04T12:00:28Z

By Lara

The original Year of the Birthday plan was to go to Hershey for the massage, caves, and hot air balloon ride. However, by August both Beth and I were high on friendship and low on cash. I proposed that we go to Lara's Bed and Breakfast instead of Hershey. We also decided to postpone the hot air balloon ride and substitute in a less expensive activity.

Since Beth was coming here, I thought that I would surprise her by making reservations for tea and scones at Tea By Two. I'm not usually into girl things, but my mother had taken me there for my birthday three years ago, and I fell in love with their food. Their scones are heavenly.

In spite of the fact that Beth is not fond of tea, I convinced her that she was going for the scones. She almost believed me. I think she continued to be skeptical until a steaming, lemon glazed morsel of heaven melted in her mouth. She also managed to find a tea that wasn't offensive to her sensitive palate.

I thoroughly enjoyed my peach tea and almond scones. I also enjoyed the company and the butterfly bushes on the other side of the window. It was very pleasant. There were lots of tea related decorations... even in the bathroom. I remember that we laughed a lot, but don't remember the topic of conversation. That does tend to happen when Beth and I get together.

The next item on the list was scheduled for later that afternoon. It only took us an hour to have tea and scones. I took Beth to Barnes and Noble to buy a journal; Michaels to buy scrapbooking supplies; Pier 1 Imports to make fun of the furniture; Baja Fresh for chicken salad; Lane Bryant to get frustrated at the selection of clothes; Pet Smart to watch kittens; and Best Buy to drool over appliances. Beth spends time in the 60" HD TV section. I, however, spend time with my stainless steel Samsung refrigerator.

We still got to Glenda's Day Spa early, but that's a story for another post. TO BE CONTINUED.

A Cheap Imitation

2010-03-03T12:00:32Z

By MAD21

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to capture things in a photo sometimes? The way something appears to us in real life, the beauty or enormity of a situation and no photo you take can do it justice?

I was thinking about this when I was trying to get some pictures of the area around my house after the blizzards dumped such a huge amount of snow on us last month. I kept taking picture after picture, but when I'd look at the picture I took, it just didn't match what I was seeing with my eyes. I mean they were ok, but there was so much lost in the pictures. The camera was just unable to capture the whole essence of what I was seeing.

I wrote a little about this topic for my post on Remembering, and I was reminded of it again when I was looking at Beki's picture for her blog carnival, Fingerprint Friday. She had tried to capture the beauty she saw in a frosted window, but wasn't able to get the picture to show the full beauty of the frost with it's shine and depth.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

I've been thinking about how a photograph can fail so badly at portraying the beauty and complexity of real life. It is such a good analogy to the things we experience over the years. God has given us so many gifts. They aren't exclusive to believers, most of those gifts can be enjoyed by unbelievers. But there is always something missing when you take God out of the equation.

Like a cheap imitation of the true joy it was meant to bring.

If we look at a few things that are prominent in American society such as big houses, fancy cars, jewelry and name brand clothing, it's easy to get swept up in the excitement of owning such things. We buy more and more because we think it can make us happy... but does it?

There are millions of people having physical relationships without regard to marriage or commitment thinking that they are getting some fulfillment out of it... but in the end, are they really?

There are millions of people who work hard all their lives to build up financial security... but are they secure?

There is a lot of talk about motivation and purpose in the Bible. Several stories and parables that Jesus told talk about how to live our lives and what should give it meaning.

"Jesus replied, 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,'and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'" "All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth." (Matthew 18-22)

"The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." (1 Corinthians 6:13-16)

"And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' "Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." (Luke 12:16-21)

Is it wrong to own nice things? No. But you should be asking yourself a few things before you buy. Do you need it? Is there something better that you could do with the money that would further God's kingdom (i.e., support a missionary, build a school in a third world country, support a charity for local homeless families, etc.)? What are you sacrificing in order to buy it? Is it making you go into debt, or keeping you in debt?

Is it ok to have a physical relationship with someone when you are not married? This is a big question in our society today (and for the past few decades). But no matter how the media or politicians or MTV tries to twist and turn the moral fabric on this topic, the Bible is very clear about it. It is one of the few moral behaviors that is clearly defined as wrong outside of a committed marriage relationship. We've heard all the arguments by now from both sides, but the bottom line is... people get hurt. In the end, if it's outside of marriage, someone gets hurt. Disease, unwanted pregnancy, hurt feelings from a broken relationship... the list goes on and on. This was something that God created for us to enjoy, but he gave it boundaries. And yet again, just like in the garden, we fail.

Is it wrong to work hard and save up for your family's future? Absolutely not... unless it becomes an obsession and it does your family more harm that it will good. Being frugal and wise with your money is very important, but if you go overboard and obsess about not spending money on anything and worry everyday of your life about it, it causes destruction. There is a balance that needs to happen with regards to the money we earn. Seeking the advice of a CPA or financial planner so you can plan for your future is such a good idea. They can go over what you will need to save in order to have the lifestyle you want to have over your projected lifetime. It's all about balance.

Whether it's owning a lot of material things, physical relationships, or money, we must check our motivation and purpose for all of them. They can all give immediate gratification and what feels like happiness at the time. But unless it is right with God, it's ALL just a cheap imitation of the real gift we were meant to have.

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12)