Watch a two-minute video to explore the idea of the “good gold” outside the Garden of Eden.Genesis 2 describes how the River of God flowed out of the Garden to the chaos land.And in those rivers, good gold, rare perfume, and onyx stones exist.”The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there” (NIV, Ge 2:12).Outside of the Garden of Eden exist essential ingredients for the Tabernacle. Venturing outside the safety of the Garden leads to another question, “Can we be hurt without being harmed?” You can explore why this world is a perfectly safe place for us with Dallas Willard here (Thanks, Mark Fields). |
Tips to Read the Bible Through Each Year
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| 1. Start Your Day with the Word: Begin each morning by prioritizing your Bible reading. Let it be the first thing that welcomes you into a new day. 2. Seek Nuggets of Wisdom: Approach your reading as a search for gold nuggets. You’re not trying to mine the whole creek or process every word. Look for one or two insights that resonate deeply with you. 3. Embrace a Flowing Reading Style: Train your eyes to drift over the words effortlessly, absorbing the essence without getting bogged down. The experience is more like drinking from a fire hydrant than savoring each morsel at a Brazilian churrasqueria. This helps you stay on track and capture more meaning. 4. Prepare Your Heart and Mind: Invite the author, the Holy Spirit, to guide you in understanding the passages and revealing their relevance to your life. Ask for insight and clarity. 5. Consistent Timing and Place: Establish a routine by finding a comfortable spot and dedicating the same time each day to your reading. Create a sacred space for this practice. 6. Savor the Moments: Consider planning other times to delve deeper into some stories or texts. Both methods enrich your spiritual journey, and I find it helpful to keep them separate. 7. Share and Reflect: Share your learning with others to increase your understanding and make the truth more meaningful. Don’t let your discoveries evaporate. 8. Make it Enjoyable: Turn this time into a delightful experience. For example, I brew a strong cup of coffee and use the preparation time to express gratitude and eager anticipation for the day ahead to the Holy Spirit. 9. Clear Your Mind: I do my quiet time before sampling the delicious distractions of emails or social media because I want an uncluttered mind as I chart a clear course for the next leg of my journey to heaven. 10. Celebrate Your Devotions: Let your personal devotions be the highlight of your day, a special time with Jesus as you walk together on your uniquely designed path to heaven. May your mornings be brightened and your soul enriched as you start each day with this precious Bible time. You can enhance it further with Centering Prayer, praying through lists, or other disciplines. 🌟📖✨ Your thoughts? |
Naches, Washington State
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Our families rented a log house AirBnB in Naches, Washington State, between Christmas and New Year.
Now that our clan is more balanced between men and women, from 1:6 to 5:7, we are expanding our daily activities.
The daybreak view from the livingroom window as I had my quiet time.
Quiet Time – Via and Zack’s Bernedoodle, Chiri, is known as a nanny dog. She is tuned in and gentle with babies.
Favorite Photos
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Ellis is keen to sync up with the people in his world as he discovers his way forward.
Deanna and Lucy
The goodbyes started when Emma and Matt left our townhouse in Abbotsford to return to their home in Edmonton. How many times did I say goodbye from my pickup truck as I headed back up North? I am envious of them, in a good way, for all the fun they’ll have. Matt is working, Emma is studying, and they are building a tiny home out in the country.
Have you noticed that the better things are, the more difficult it is to say goodbye?
May God give you the best week ever!
Rick and Deanna.
From Glory to Glory
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Who Received the Best Gift?
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We’ve just come through a season of celebrations and gift-giving. How did that go for you?
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant… just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mt 20:25-28).
The most challenging thing about Servant Leadership is finding the narrow path between 1) serving others and 2) teaching others to love serving others for the pure joy of pleasing God.
1. How can we teach those we influence to give to others for the pure joy of loving people as we love God?
2. How can we allow those around us to experience that joy by giving us gifts? Is this easier or harder for you?
3. Discuss possible motivations for giving gifts with your family or friends.
a) To receive gifts, like a trade.
b) To be noticed by others.
c) So people think you are a good person.
d) To bring others joy.
e) To bring yourself joy by causing another to feel loved or blessed.
f) Other reasons?
2. When people give you gifts, how do you feel?
a) I am embarrassed because they gave me such a nice gift. What do they expect from me?
b) I am embarrassed because they gave me such a poor gift. What do they think of me?
c) I live in the moment, finding a way to love people as I love God. Gifts may be an expression of God’s love. After all, God is constantly giving us innumerable gifts of incalculable worth.
d) Other?
3. Discuss how it is possible for some people to be more satisfied because they brought the best gift, even if no one knows they were the person who gave it. After all, the donor is supposed to remain anonymous in this game.
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’’ (Mt 22:37–39).
Your thoughts?
Christmas in Canada
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The beginning of many, many, many storytimes.
Christmas Eve – with Olivia’s husband’s Zack’s mom, Cindy.
Christmas Morning
Harold and Joan, Deanna’s parents who were deeply involved in the Xingu Mission in the early years, won a gift at a foster care event. They are still active foster parents in their 80s, and outstanding in their field. They might be the best foster parents in all of Canada. I think they are. They regifted their award to Anni for her exceptional sistering all year.
Boxing Day
Emma’s Gift to Ellis
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Emma thought up a story and carefully painted it with acrylic paints onto canvas.
Lucy and Paul
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Favorite Photos
We walked along the Fraser River on Boxing Day, the day after Christmas. When I was a boy, the shortest way to get to Mission was across this one-lane train bridge.  The new Mission Bridge considerably shortened our Sunday drive to Uncle Alfred’s farm.   The Fraser River is near our house in Abbotsford.      I hope you got some rest over the holidays and eagerly anticipate the New Year! Merry Christmas, and we wish you the best week so far! |
| How to Help Us Train Leaders and Plant Churches in Brazil and Beyond |
Favorite Photos
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We walked along the Fraser River on Boxing Day, the day after Christmas.
When I was a boy, the shortest way to get to Mission was across this one-lane train bridge.
The new Mission Bridge considerably shortened our Sunday drive to Uncle Alfred’s farm.
The Fraser River is near our house in Abbotsford.
I hope you got some rest over the holidays and eagerly anticipate the New Year!
Merry Christmas, and we wish you the best week so far!