Christian Perspective

Encouragement

November 2007

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"Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore." Psalm 105:4

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Update: Thanksgiving Wishes/Radio Show Online/Last Chance to Order Promised One Devotionals

Greetings in Christ Jesus!

With Thanksgiving almost upon us, I will try to keep this note as short as I can. I just wanted to wish you all a most blessed Thanksgiving, thank you for your continual prayers and encouragement, and let you know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

I also wanted to specifically thank you for praying about the radio show interview I mentioned last month. The Lord was very gracious to see us through it, and He used it to speak to our hearts and remind us of His great faithfulness--it is always such a blessing to us to share what He has done. Those of you who would like to can listen to the audio at http://momtomomradioshow.com/blog/?p=102 (the show was about an hour long).

For those of you who used The God We Praise to prepare for Thanksgiving, I would enjoy hearing any feedback you have. You can e-mail me at cp@christianperspective.net. For those of you who have purchased Jesus--the Promised One devotionals, don't forget to pull them out to begin on December 1! Note: If you don't have a Promised One, it's not too late to order--they're still available for the sale price of $10/family plus shipping. Orders placed by November 27 (possibly the 28) should still arrive in time.

Blessings to you all,

Katherine

Thought: Thou Art Mine

"But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine." Isaiah 43:1

Thou art mine. Those words are tremendously powerful, aren't they? The Lord has recently brought them to mind, convicting me that I had been worrying about what others thought of me or would think of me, forgetting that I was God's and God was my audience. God already knew that I was completely incapable of good--that's why He sent His Son to die in my place! Yet, though He knew my every fault and failing, God said, "Thou art mine." Although I didn't and never would deserve it, I had obtained mercy and been made His own.

"Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." 1 Peter 2:10

This Thanksgiving, join me in thanking God for the privilege of being called His own!

Reminder: Jesus—The Promised One Mega Sale—Only a Few Days Left to Order in Time to Use this December!

There are only a few days left to order in time for the product to arrive by December 1!* Right now, you can get Devotional SetJesus—the Promised One for $10, plus shipping, for families of any size. Plus, get a FREE socialization workshop MP3 and a FREE Short and Sweet eBook! We would encourage you to take advantage of this offer to give the devotional to friends and family. For just $10 a family (plus shipping) , you will be getting:

These kits will help you make Bible time fun for your children, help your children understand the whole gospel message, teach your children how the Old and New Testament fit together, witness to friends and family, get in the habit of coming before the Word of God together as a family, keep focused on the meaning of the holiday, and meditate on God's Word throughout your day.

We’re offering these devotionals for this price because we want to get this message in the hands of as many people as we can and see the devotionals we have in our storage unit put to good use. Please consider giving these to families you think would enjoy them.

*Jesus--the Promised One products ordered by November 27, 2007 should arrive by December 1. Orders placed November 28 and 29 may arrive on time, depending on the placation (we ship from Virginia). We would be happy to supply the first few days of the devotional electronically if necessary.

PLUS, as an added bonus, place any order and get:

Short and Sweet- A FREE Short and Sweet eBook
Want to sit down and read a short story to your child that will both entertain and challenge? Try this collection of short stories written specifically to encourage homeschoolers. Each story is written as a mini allegory and illustrates a spiritual truth in a memorable way that you and your child will not forget. Originally published as part of Christian Perspective's e-mail newsletters.

- Plus a never-before-released MP3 to download!
Socialization: Understanding the Issue and Sorting out the Options MP3 This MP3 is only available through this sale!

Could the socialization activities in which you're participating actually be harming your child? Cris Loop, a homeschool mother, and Katherine Loop, a homeschool graduate, address the often misunderstood issue of socialization from both a parent's and a child's perspective. Get your socialization questions answered and discover ways to give your child the skills they need to socialize without putting them in peer groups all the time. This workshop answers questions such as:

For more details or to order, please visit our website.

http://www.christianperspective.net/products/Sales/SaleCurrent.html

Story: The Forgotten Diamond

Ashley turned the beautiful stone over and over again in her hand. “Are you really giving this to me?” she whispered in awe and wonder. The thought that her father was giving her this priceless diamond seemed almost too much to comprehend.

“Yes, my darling daughter, I am giving you that diamond. Love and cherish it, and keep it ever in your thoughts.”

Ashley threw her arms around her father’s neck. How she loved him! She couldn’t imagine life without his love.

For the first several months after Ashley’s father gave her the diamond, she guarded the diamond as she would her own life. She spent hours gazing upon it, then went and told everyone she knew about her father’s marvelous love. Her heart of gratitude showed in everything she did. She was kind and loving toward others because her thoughts were focused on her father’s kindness to her. She was always eager to serve and praise her father because her thoughts were completely consumed with him.

I’d like to stop here and say that Ashley faithfully treasured her diamond for the rest of her life and continually lived in the same joy she had those firs few weeks. But I’m afraid that would not be true. Ever so gradually, Ashley began to become accustomed to the diamond she’d been given. Although the diamond itself never diminished in value one bit, she stopped thinking of it as much throughout her day. While she was still kind toward others and told others of her father’s love, she did so more from habit and duty than from gratitude and joy. Her words sounded like hollow recitations instead of heartfelt realities.

“Ashley, can I talk with you?” Ashley’s friend Eliza asked one afternoon.

“Of course,” Ashley replied, wondering what Eliza could want.

“The diamond your father gave you—can you describe it to me? And can you tell me what that diamond means to you?”

“Why, of course I can,” Ashley replied. She stumbled through a description that sounded strangely vague even to her.

Ashley’s encounter with Eliza awakened Ashley’s sleeping conscience. I have forgotten to gaze upon the diamond my father gave me! I’ve forgotten to let it bring me joy. Saddened at her folly, Ashley slowly walked upstairs and knocked on her father’s study. One look at her father’s face showed Ashley that he already knew how she had neglected his treasure.

“Come, my dear, let’s go look at the diamond again together,” he said as he gently wiped her tears.

With that, Ashley’s father led her to the special case in which she kept her diamond. Ashley broke into a fresh set of tears when she saw the diamond. She had forgotten how beautifully it glittered and glistened! Her heart felt overwhelmed once again by the incredible gift that her father had given her.

“Oh, Father, please help me to never forget!” she whispered, looking up in love and admiration into her father’s face.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field." Matthew 13:44

Homeschool Tip: Walk the Word

-- By Cris Loop

Every month, I try to share something that might help you in your Christian walk as you homeschool your children. This month, I was reminded of a life-changing challenge that an older woman gave me years ago. This dear woman suggested that my children and I, instead of simply memorizing numerous scripture verses, take one scripture and work on applying it in our lives in addition to memorizing it. What a difference doing this made in how we lived! 

As you celebrate Thanksgiving and begin preparing for Christmas, I would like to offer you this same challenge: take one verse a week—or even a month—and WALK the verse. Don't move on to memorizing another verse until God has brought understanding to the verse in a real and practical way.  Be prepared—walking a verse may require change on your part. There were many times as we asked God to help us apply a verse that I would have to repent and allow God to change my thinking to be more in line with His. One other suggestion—keep your eyes open as you read the scriptures for other verses that relate to the one you’re trying to apply. Point out how the various verses all echo the gospel message. Looking at God’s Word this way is one way to keep your heart soft and your attitude grateful.   Happy Thanksgiving! 

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."  3 John :4 

Hymn/Poem: Jesus, the Very thought

-- Translated by Edward Caswell. Found in Living Hymns for Use in the Sabbath School, Christian Endeavor Meetings, the Church and Home. Compiled by John Wanamaker. Published in Philadelphia by John J. Hood, 1890.

Jesus, the very thought of thee
With sweetness fills the breast;
But sweeter far thy face to see,
And in thy presence rest.

No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find
A sweeter sound than Jesus' name,
The Saviour of mankind.

O Hope of every contrite heart,
O Joy of all the meek.
To those who ask, how kind thou art!
How good, to those who seek!

But what to those who find? Ah, this
Nor tongue nor pen can show:
The love of Jesus, what it is,
None but his loved ones know.

Jesus, our only joy be thou,
As thou our prize wilt be;
In thee be all our glory now,
And through eternity.

Note: You can read more verses and listen to the music at http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/t/jtveryth.htm.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, articles are written by Katherine Loop, © 2007.  Where marked Cris Loop, articles written by Christina Loop, © 2007. Feel free to pass these e-mails or articles by Katherine or Cris Loop within these e-mails along to others (please include a link to our web site when you do). If you do not regularly receive Christian Perspective's monthly e-mails and updates and would like to receive them, please send your e-mail address to info@christianperspective.net or sign up on our web site, www.christianperspective.net.   If you would like to be removed from the e-mail list, simply let us know, and we will promptly remove you. We always enjoy hearing from you. Drop us a line sometime and share with us your thoughts and suggestions.

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Unless otherwise indicated and where marked KJV, scripture is taken from the King James Version.

Where marked NASB, scripture is taken from Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.