Inspiration
Elisabeth Elliot on distractions to prayer
Distractions to Prayer No one who has tried to pray for more than a few seconds at a time would claim that he is never distracted. It is astonishing to note how insistently and immediately irrelevant matters come to mind, noises occur, things to be attended to are remembered, people...May 17, 2008 - 5:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Contemplative prayer
Remember when we were discussing the confusion going on with Oprah (The Church of Oprah and Oprah finds the New Age, ditches the Savior)? That discussion was very timely as one of the moms who's been reading here for years - a strong Christian - had become curious about the...May 17, 2008 - 3:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Bless your children every morning
Yesterday got off to a great start for me. After putting my kids on the bus, I drove to the Lovettsville Library to share the Montessori approach to reading. One thing we touched on was the need not to feel overwhelmed by trying to implement a whole program, but just...May 16, 2008 - 7:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Elisabeth Elliot on motherhood
If you are a mom who needs encouragement that your work has meaning - and if you only have time to read one thing today - please make it this. It's long, so you'll need to click below to read the most inspirational part. You might want to save this...May 15, 2008 - 5:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack
Worshipping God in truth, love and beauty
Frederica Mathewes-Greene is Orthodox and has so much wisdom and common sense I consider it a privilege to subscribe to her email list. Today she wrote: "A year or so ago I was invited to speak at a conference on Apologetics, as related to Truth, Beauty, and Goodness. Peter...May 8, 2008 - 4:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Elisabeth Elliot on how to pray
Pray with Jesus Because I am "of the earth, earthy," I find that my prayers for the people I love are mostly bound by very earthy concerns--Lord, help P. to find a good wife, show G. which college to attend, provide money for W.'s house and E.'s car, help...May 7, 2008 - 7:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Do the next thing
You know how Elisabeth Elliot always reminds us to "Do the next thing"? Here's the poem - author unknown: Do the Next Thing At an old English parsonage down by the sea, there came in the twilight a message to me. Its quaint Saxon legend deeply engraven that, as it...April 26, 2008 - 8:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
The Merton Prayer
Tripp sent me this prayer from thomas Merton's Thoughts in Solitude - I thought some of you might like it too: MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will...April 25, 2008 - 10:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
The Mom Song from Go Fish - fun and inspiration
Oh my goodness, you all - you will love this! Go Fish just posted their MOM song to YouTube. You will want to watch this with your kids - and download to play in your laundry room or when you need a little more oomph: Many thanks to my friend...April 24, 2008 - 9:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBack
Elisabeth Elliot on accepting God's will
Faith Is Holding Out Your Hand Sometimes when I was a child my mother or father would say, "Shut your eyes and hold out your hand." That was the promise of some lovely surprise. I trusted them, so I shut my eyes instantly and held out my hand. Whatever...April 21, 2008 - 9:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Psalm 23 for work
From Angie: Psalm (for work) The Lord is my real boss, and I shall not want. He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me. He gently reminds me to pray and do all things without murmuring and complaining. He reminds me that he is my source and not...April 17, 2008 - 2:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Battle Hymn of the Republic - Army Chorus welcoming Pope Benedict 4/16/08
On the White House lawn yesterday - video quality not the best, but nothing could detract from the sound. Third verse goosebumps:...April 17, 2008 - 1:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Let's hear what the Pope has to say to us
I hope that all American Christians will look beyond their denominational differences and listen to the message Pope Benedict will deliver to the United States during his visit. His moral authority is unparalleled - in addition to the fact that he is an extremely gifted, intelligent and articulate voice,...April 15, 2008 - 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
American Idols sing Shout to the Lord!
The most-watched show on television gave praise where praise was due last week, singing Shout to the Lord. In the Wednesday night version, Jesus was edited out of the song: the lyrics said "My shepherd, my Savior." Still - not exactly something you'd expect to see on a show that...April 13, 2008 - 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack
Elderly woman shares Jesus, averts violence
April 12, 2008 - 7:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Living up to your faith
Spotted on a bumper sticker: If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?...April 3, 2008 - 10:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Elisabeth Elliot on dealing with interruptions
I know this wisdom from Elisabeth Elliot will resonate with moms. Our work flow is so unpredictable! I want to remind you that the everyday work you do is actually heavenly in nature. When I do the humblest tasks for my family, I think of Jesus washing the disciples' feet...April 3, 2008 - 9:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
We have so much - do we really need it?
When Tripp and I were wealthy, I'm ashamed to say that I thought it was because God was blessing us because he loved us. It's hard to explain, but now that we are struggling financially, I really feel more loved than ever - and feel like I was really...April 2, 2008 - 2:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Apple stars: seeing the wonders around us
Don't forget to cut your apples so you can see the star!! I can't believe I was raising five children before I learned this. I assume everyone else already knows it, but just in case you don't - it's never too late to learn. And pssst! Pass it on...April 1, 2008 - 2:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack
Elisabeth Elliot on dying to self
Proof that something profound doesn't need a lot of words. This one could keep you thinking through many loads of laundry: Die Quickly To hold onto something with a desperate grip is not the way to die. Death is a painful process, and restoratives offered to the dying wretch bound...April 1, 2008 - 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Elisabeth Elliot on Christ as the answer
What Was The Question? "Christ is the Answer" has been a wall motto, and, more recently, a bumper sticker. Somebody added, in small print, "What was the question?" In the final analysis, it does not matter what question we are asking. All questions come under one of three headings: 1....March 26, 2008 - 1:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Our National Parks
Breathtaking tour - may inspire you to get your family out for some traveling/camping: Our National Parks What a wonderful world God has created for us!...March 23, 2008 - 8:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Stations of the Cross - what are they all about?
Evangelicals tend to be suspicious of Catholic symbols and rituals. Perhaps this needs to be revisited. There are symbols and rituals connected with honoring our country, for example - as well as personal traditions which bond family members and build a heritage. Why wouldn't it be okay to have symbols...March 21, 2008 - 2:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane
So important to remember. Christ also struggled with the path that lay before Him, but in the end He accepted God's will: Not my will, but yours be done. How much easier life would be if I could remember this each moment! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Painting info: by BASAITI, Marco Christ Praying...March 21, 2008 - 1:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Lea Salonga - Via Dolorosa
Lea Salonga is Maddy's personal hero. As a teen, the young Filipino woman won the Broadway role of Miss Saigon, and went on to play Eponine in Les Miz (which Maddy has played) and to sing the lead role in Disney's Mulan. Lea is a strong believer of the Catholic...March 20, 2008 - 9:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Motherhood, sacrifice, monasticism
Jane sent me this wonderful ink at the beginning of Lent - sorry it's taken me a while to get around to sharing it: The Domestic Monastery Excerpts: What is a monastery? A monastery is not so much a place set apart for monks and nuns as it is a...March 20, 2008 - 5:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
For those experiencing trials and suffering
I know that some of you are going through situations that seem overwhelming. As a young Christian, I usually met adversity with prayers for God's miraculous healing and deliverance. And yet, time after time, I saw that God often did not answer my prayers in the way or with the...March 16, 2008 - 1:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
What it means to be a Christian
Samantha sent me this: When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'" I'm whispering "I was lost, now I'm found and forgiven." When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to...February 22, 2008 - 10:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Josh and Hattie need your prayers
If you've been here since before last fall, you know that my oldest son Josh and his sweet wife Hattie have been through a great deal more than most couples married less than two years. Hattie lost the ability to walk last August - after suffering from back pain...February 22, 2008 - 9:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack
Love conquers all
Wow. I guess any kind of enmity - whether natural or man0made - can be overcome through kindness:...February 14, 2008 - 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Elisabeth Elliot: No Love without Grief
Sometimes the best advice comes in a small package: No Love Without Grief Tell us, fool, who knows more of love--the one who has joys from it or the one who has trials and griefs? He answered: There cannot be any knowledge of love without both of them. (Ramon Lull,...February 11, 2008 - 9:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Elisabeth Elliot on joy
I think Elisabeth Elliot nails it in this passage from All That Was Ever Ours: Joy is not a word we use much nowadays. We think of it poetically as the opposite of sorrow, another word that does not often come into conversation. Both words represent experiences one does not...February 1, 2008 - 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Autistic student scores big time!
Grab your hankie! This from my firned Nilda:...January 25, 2008 - 5:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack
A modern day Proverbs 31
Tripp was leaving one morning and seeing me already at work on my Ebay/Amazon/PaperbackSwap listings - not to mention my blog - commented on Proverbs 31. Which got me thinking about doing an update until I found someone had beat me to it. Meet Anita Neuman, who gave me permission...January 17, 2008 - 3:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Elisabeth Elliot on clear speech
Really loved today's Elisabeth Elliot - it's long so click at the end to read the whole thing. Seems really appropriate now when we're so often subjected to town hall meetings where under the guise of asking a question, an audience member manges to proclaim his own views - as...January 11, 2008 - 7:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Christmas - Christ is born for you!
I'll never forget my first Christmas as a Christian. It was 1987 and I was 39 years old, on my second marriage, helping my husband build his business while raising five children - my first two daughters Samantha Sunshine and Jasmine Moondance - plus three boys Tripp and I...December 24, 2007 - 11:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack
Elisabeth Elliott on the communion of saints
One of the stumbling blocks for evangelicals about respecting the Catholic faith is that we do ask for intercession from the saints who've preceded us into Heaven. A commenter here referred to this practice as praying to dead Christians. I hope that jolted you as it did me - those...December 9, 2007 - 6:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (21) | TrackBack
Elisabeth Elliot on drudgery
We all have those days when our focus on the work we do as moms tears at the edges of our nerves. There is a way to transform the work we do into an offering to the Lord - just as Mary poured out all she had when she broke...November 29, 2007 - 6:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Who Is This King of Glory?
We sang this at a Mass I went to last night. Though I didn't enjoy going to Mass with contemporary music - I'd rather keep it sacred - I was touched as always by this song. I've always loved it and it's taken me to a deeper level of...November 26, 2007 - 6:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBack
Who are the real spiritual heroes?
One of the blessings of Thanksgiving is that it spurs the local news outlets to look for good news. Another story of a faithful pair of parents who took on more than most: Four Years Later: Twins found like caged animals now thriving November is National Adoption Awareness Month. And...November 24, 2007 - 8:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (13) | TrackBack
Cold snaps, deer hunting and change
I was talking about the weather here and our unseasonably warm Thanksgiving. Yesterday changed everything. You know that expression cold snap? Yesterday was the kind of day that makes you think snap is the only word that could describe what happened here weather-wise. It's 6:30 AM and 17 degrees here....November 24, 2007 - 6:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Need some inspiration?
A great song by Jeremy Camp - Give Me Jesus....November 19, 2007 - 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Mr. Rogers on disabilities - and other wisdom
A reader named James emailed me and I was intrigued by his tagline: Part of the problem with the word disabilities is that it immediately suggests an inability to see or hear or walk or do other things that many of us take for granted. But what of people who...November 16, 2007 - 8:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Elisabeth Elliot on work
Anyone who's read me for a while could easily guess that my love language is service. So of course I love this piece by Elisabeth Elliot: The Gift of Work The principal cause of boredom is the hatred of work. People are trained from childhood to hate it. Parents often...November 15, 2007 - 1:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Elisaeth Elliot on hearing when God speaks
Loved this one from Elisabeth Elliot, especially because I also love that image of Samuel responding to God's call and strive to be as eager and obedient - in a trusting, childlike way - as Samuel: Discerning the Call of God As a little girl I especially loved the story...November 9, 2007 - 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Elisabeth Elliot on "quiet time" - and my thoughts too
Loved this one from Elisabeth Elliot: Hints for Quiet Time Having a quiet time with the Lord every day is absolutely essential if you expect to grow spiritually. But you have to plan it. It won't "just happen." We're all much too busy. Early morning is best, and there are...October 28, 2007 - 6:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Elisabeth Elliot on how God teaches us
Loved this one from Elisabeth Elliot: God's Curriculum One day recently something lit a fuse of anger in someone who then burned me with hot words. I felt sure I didn't deserve this response, but when I ran to God about it, He reminded me of part of a prayer...October 13, 2007 - 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
My beautiful America
Tripp sent me a link to this cyber tour of the United States: My Beautiful America...September 21, 2007 - 9:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Be inspired: The Invisible Woman
This beautiful article has been making the rounds in email and the blogworld - without credit to the author. I researched to find out that Nicole Johnson wrote this piece, which every mother will appreciate: Perspective: The Invisible Woman As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen...September 16, 2007 - 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBack
Saved from Suicide - an incredible testimony
I feel truly privileged to have stumbled upon a brand new blog by a man who - well, I'm not going to say any more - you must go NOW and read the third and latest entry at Cliff's Lost and Found Then back up and read the first two....September 13, 2007 - 9:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Rachel's Legacy at Loudoun Valley High School 9/13
Rachel's Challenge is a non-religious, non-political, non-profit organization established in memory of Rachel Scott, the first person killed at Columbine High School ion April 20, 1999. They offer presentations at high schools encouraging students to recognize their full potential and significance in life while motivating them to treat others...September 11, 2007 - 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Elisabeth Elliot on materialism
It Is Hard to Enter The kingdom of god stands over against all other kingdoms--that is, against all other authorities, sources of power, objects of trust. It is hard to enter the kingdom of God--not because an angel is set to keep us out, not because God would surround...September 9, 2007 - 11:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Cross too heavy to bear?
Justin's other mother sent me this: Thanks, Carol - this is so true! In fact, that was part of what I said yesterday at the PLEA pro-life banquet in Maine: I wouldn't change a single hardship I went through in my life because they are so much part of who...September 9, 2007 - 9:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Beth Moore Bible studies
A reader asked me where to find the Beth Moore series a group of women from our church recently did - Breaking Free. Searching for them, I realized that though the books are easy to find, the Bible Studies they are a little out of the way, so for anyone...September 9, 2007 - 9:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack
A mother whose life has been renewed and radically changed - and even more good news!
Greta sent this as a comment, but I'm going to run it here - not only because I'm always grateful to hear that God has used my writing to help someone see something HE wanted them to see - but mostly to make sure we can all share in her...September 5, 2007 - 3:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
More about my books - and last day of sale
I price my books under list price - at 9.99 each - and charge only 3.00 shipping no matter how many books you buy - from this site or Mommy, Teach Me or BarbaraCurtis.com. But for the month of August I've been offering a special Back-to-School promotion - just click...August 31, 2007 - 7:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Elisabeth Elliot on earthly loss
Nothing is lost Paul was a man who suffered the loss of everything, according to his own claim. Yet any loss he counted pure gain. The key to this transforming of earthly losses into heavenly gains is love. What do we love? If our hearts are set on people...August 29, 2007 - 7:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Spiritual growth is painful - but worth it
I am not perfect. In fact, I am so far from perfect that I have to work very hard sometimes to forget how far from perfect I am. But God loves me enough to remind me now and then of all the ways in which I fall short. Then I...August 26, 2007 - 6:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack
Wisdom from a mother of twins
How has God used twins to reshape your life? I don't mean the obvious changes in the amount of work - and I can only imagine the work involved! My closest birth kids were 54 weeks apart, not 54 seconds - but I mean how was your life transformed into...August 25, 2007 - 9:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Quote for the day
"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle, the other is as though everything is a miracle." ~~~Albert Einstein~~~~ HT Michelle at Morgan's Miracles...August 15, 2007 - 9:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
When God doesn't answer our prayers
Dear Barbara- What a beautiful gift you are giving to moms and to our country. We have six children. I am 46 years old and my husband and I have longed in a way that words could never express for more children since I miscarried twins at 40 (our...August 15, 2007 - 9:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack
When a child dies
I came across this poem on a Christian greeting card, which said "anonymous" where the author's name should have been. I researched it a little to find that the author is Edgar Guest who was considered the "People's Poet" and Michigan's only poet laureate. It is something you might want...August 14, 2007 - 9:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Elisabeth Elliot on life's trials
Difficulties are Proof Contexts Repeatedly I am asked variations of this question: Did the Lord comfort you or were you sometimes lonely or sad? It is not an either-or thing. If I had not been lonely and sad at times, how could I have needed, received, or appreciated comfort?...August 5, 2007 - 8:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
It's a rough job, but someone has to do it (I guess)
Thanks to Martha for the pictures. I hardly know what to say about this endeavor. What about you?...August 2, 2007 - 12:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack
An amazing love story
Herman Rosenblat survived the Holocaust thanks in part to a young girl who tossed him apples and bread from outside the concentration camp. Twelve years later, destiny brought them together again. . . An absolutely amazing story! Read the whole thing here - and be sure to click to...July 31, 2007 - 8:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack
Elisabeth Elliot on Christlike love
I subscribe to a daily Elisabeth Elliot devotional. I really liked this one: This Love Among You "As I have loved you, so you are to love one another. If there is this love among you, then all will know that you are my disciples" (Jn 13:34,35 NEB). The love...July 15, 2007 - 6:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack