Stuff That Matters in Life – Page 3

19Mar2020

Ida Scudder by Janet & Geoff Benge

Filed under 2020, Book reviewby Joyful

When I need a break from reading heavy material, I read a Christian Hero biography series. I can read one in a few hours and fulfill my monthly book read.

I have not heard of Ida Scudder. I think I will highlight her in mission sharing with the church children one day. She served as a missionary doctor in India as a single woman from 1900-1960!

Ida was born to a missionary family of doctors, and pioneered training women as nurses and doctors in India. She was born in India and died in India.

I’m glad to lived a long life – died just a few months before her 90th birthday. She was healthy until the day she died. That’s a good way to go.

Biographies of Christian heroes inspire me to live boldly. Ida hiked the Himalayas in her 60’s, went back and forth from India to US when travel was slow (2-3 months on a ship) and dangerous. She lived through two World Wars. People in those days have grit.

I am not a bold person. I am too soft and too used to comfort. I blame that on my mom who used to tell me, when I was in elementary school, not to go to school when it was raining or when it was cold.

I thank God for raising up people like Ida who inspires to do just a bit more.

17Mar2020

The Gospel According to Jesus by John Macarthur, Jr.

Filed under 2020, Book reviewby Joyful

I’ve been wanting to read this book for a long time. Finally borrowed it off of Pastor A’s shelf.

JMac wrote the book in response to the issue of people who deny lordship salvation. I didn’t even know that was an issue until recently. I assume everyone knows that when you ask Jesus to be your Savior, you understand He becomes your Lord. However, there are Bible teachers who teach otherwise.

08Mar2020

Fashion

Filed under 2020by Joyful

“I like the way you dress!” That’s probably the first time I’ve ever heard that said to me!

My sister is the one with the fashion sense. I would wear the same thing everyday if I could. My favorite store is Salvation Army Thrift Store.

Today I wore a trench coat that I bought more…

Basketball fun

Filed under 2020by Joyful

It was a perfect day to be outdoors, so hubby and I went to the park. We found a flat basketball on the court, it was so fun just trying to shoot baskets! We probably hit less than 10% accurately haha. No one was there to laugh at us except ourselves.

35th Anniversary

Filed under 2020by Joyful

I showed the children some pictures of the beginning of our church up to now. I included a picture of how we had to take out the bungalows, so we can build a new building.

3rd grader: Why did we take out the bungalows?

Me: So we have room to build the new building.

Worship service

Filed under 2020by Joyful

Today was relaxing, I didn’t have any responsibilities with the kids. I treated myself and went to SS and worship service.

I made my rounds first and made a point to say hi to a 3rd grade boy.

Boy: I wish Maks is here. We can sit together and we can handle it.

Reading

Filed under 2020by Joyful

I spent the better part of the day just reading. But I’m a slow reader and get distracted.

So I set a timer for 10 minutes to see how many pages I read. Guess how many pages I read? 5

At this pace, I can only read 30 pages in an hour. But that’s not…

Homemaking

Filed under 2020by Joyful

Yesterday I made yogurt in my instantpot.

Today I made kumquat marmalade and granola.

I’ve succeeded in passing on the love of homemaking to my daughters. They are both successful engineers, but ready to give up their careers to put home as a priority. They don’t think of it as a sacrifice because it’s fun and challenging. It takes great skill to be a homemaker.

Learning

Filed under 2020by Joyful

I have so much to learn, so little time.

I am learning what family ministry looks like for our church.

I am learning what a Christ-exalting children ministry would look like.

I am learning the centrality of Jesus in my walk with God.

Yes, I knew these things before. But lately I feel like I am learning all over again, perhaps at a different level.

I think God is opening up my mind and heart to learn so I don’t get complacent. I am also learning how empty I would be without the Holy Spirit.

I need to learn to cultivate stillness before God so I don’t just learn things about God and miss out on God himself.

17Feb2020

Wish I were younger

Filed under 2020by Joyful

I told my son-in-law today that I wish I was younger so I can stay in my job longer. I think I’ve been saying this recently.

At the interview for this job 7 years ago, I told the search committee that I don’t see myself working beyond 5 years. I never wanted the pressure of working in ministry. I thought ministry as a job would take all the fun out of ministry.