Family Devotions - Mary Anointing Jesus

This morning for family devotions Rich read the story of Mary anointing Jesus in Mark 14:3-9 and John 12:1-8.  We talked about Mary's great love for Jesus.  We played this video:

Here is the link: http://youtu.be/MDEzzzIPJVM 

We had a small vial of frankincense and myrrh scented oil and we put on our wrists so our daughter, Mary, could get an idea of what the perfume might of smelled like that was put on Jesus.  It was a wonderful experience for her as she smelled the perfume and listened to the story and the song on this video.  We closed in prayer remembering all our family who do not know Him, for all those who are coming to the knowledge of the truth and for our dear friend, Todd and also for Brenda as they are joining in on the followship with us.  Thank you Lord for all that you are doing and working in our lives.

My Yoke is Easy and My Burden is Light

I recently read this devotional from Streams in the Desert and I was blessed and encouraged by it because there is a lot truth here.  We must be broken to be used and for the Kingdom of God to advance.  On thinking about this devotional my mind went to Matthew 11:28 -30 and I have added my thoughts at the end of this post.

Broken Things

"By reason of breakings they purify themselves" (Job 41:25).

God uses most for His glory those people and things which are most perfectly broken. The sacrifices He accepts are broken and contrite hearts. It was the breaking down of Jacob's natural strength at Peniel that got him where God could clothe him with spiritual power. It was breaking the surface of the rock at Horeb, by the stroke of Moses' rod that let out the cool waters to thirsty people.

Family Devotions

We have started having our family devotions on Monday mornings as Rich's new schedule gives him Sunday and Monday off.  We have been reading and talking about the call of the Apostles lately so Rich read about the call of John and his brother James.  Mary ran and got her children's Bible and for the first time wanted to read out of it.  So, she read the story of Jesus going to the Sea of Galilee  and calling the disciples to come follow him.  She was so happy to be able to read and contribute.  We then listened to a video on You Tube of the reading of I John set with music and pictures.  All our hearts were encouraged by hearing the Word.  Mary said her heart was moved as she listened to it.  It is so wonderful to see her young heart deeply touched by our devotional times.  We closed with me singing a couple of scripture songs out of I John, Ephesians and Proverbs that I had learned when I was a young teenager.  Mary did a little dance and Rich enjoyed me singing.  We closed in prayer for our friends in the followship and all those who will be coming as the Lord calls them.  We are so blessed by our time as a family.  It is simple and not fancy, just being family and following the Spirit's lead.  I can see how Mary has grown so much in these last few months of doing this together.  We are so thankful for the Lord's blessing and leading in our lives.

Truths of the Kingdom of God Discovered While Making Sourdough Bread

Almost two years ago my husband had a yen to make sourdough bread.  He had a book that was given to him awhile before we met called Alaska Sourdough by Ruth Allman.  He had tried once to make an Alaskan Sourdough starter and it didn't work.  I think it might of been because when we were first married and had no kids, we both worked, so we turned the heat down when we were gone during the day.  Sourdough starter needs to be warm to work right.

 So, like I said he got a hankerin' to try it again.  He did and it was a success and we have been making sourdough bread with the starter every week now since then and really love it.  On our journey with sourdough we did some reading about it on the Internet.  We found out that sourdough not only tastes really good, it is really good for you!