Search Results for: blog witnessing to family

Raising a Family in Utah When You Swore You Never Would

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I did not grow up in Utah. In fact, I am very proud of the fact that I am a southern girl from Texas. Although, many Utahns that I run in to these days don’t hear an accent anymore, and don’t even realize I’m not one of their own. I used to say all the time that I would never live in UT. I thought it was full of cookie cutter mormons that all think and act and do the same thing. That was until I moved to UT. My experience has only been living in Salt Lake City. So, … Continue reading →

Witnessing to Family

Are you having trouble witnessing to friends and family of your faith? Our families know our good points and our faults. Too often they see the worst of our natures. This means sometimes they can be the hardest people to witness to, because they know us so well. Even Jesus found witnessing to family a difficult exercise as we see in Mark 6:1-6. Jesus went to his home town and on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue. The scriptures tell us ‘many who heard him were amazed,’ verse 2. Despite His words and His works, people were … Continue reading →

Family Problems and Lack of Faith

Are you having trouble witnessing to friends and family about your faith? Family know our good points and our faults. Too often they see the worst of our natures. This means sometimes they can be the hardest people to witness to, because they know us so well. Even Jesus found witnessing to family and in His home town a difficult exercise as we see in Mark 6:1-6. Jesus went to his home town and on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue. The scriptures tell us ‘many who heard him were amazed,’ verse 2. Despite His words and … Continue reading →

What is a “Traditional” Family?

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Funny, how these posts get started. I was working my way through a very different post, when I found myself using the phrase “traditional family.” And I laughed. I should know better. Last fall, I assigned my students an essay by writer Barbara Kingsolver, in which she speaks about the meaning of “family.” I won’t go over the entire piece; my focus is on one of her key points. Using historical data, found in a number of sources, notably Stephanie Coontz’ fabulous The Way We Never Were, Kingsolver completely debunks the notion of the “traditional family,” as a conceptual term, … Continue reading →

How to Use Garage Sales to Get Out of Debt

Garage sales can help you get out of debt in at least two major ways. Learn how you can use this staple of American culture to your advantage, as you pay down your bills and obtain financial freedom. Dave Ramsey, financial guru, once said to get out of debt he held a garage sale, selling so much that his kids thought they were going to be next. While this may seem like an extreme thing to do, the fact is that it is a good strategy to use in your arsenal of tools that will get you out of debt. … Continue reading →

Christmas Book: Song of the Stars

Book: Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story by Sally Lloyd-Jones Publisher: Zonderkidz Ages Level: 4 and up Cost: $15.99 Book Synopsis: The book tells the story of the birth of Christ from the perspective of animals witnessing the event. The skies shouted it to the seas that thundered it to the waves that roared it to the great white whales that sang it to the starfish in the deep. And tiny sandpipers danced it on shining sands… ‘It’s time! It’s time!’ On one quiet night, creation whispered a secret. Grass and bees, robins and trees all spread the word. … Continue reading →

Unique Leaf Peeping Travel Adventures

My ultimate fall foliage travel adventure involves me, a hot air balloon and miles of pristine forests ablaze in orange and red hues. Someday. My dream of witnessing Mother Nature’s autumnal transformation from the sky is one way to spice up an ordinary leaf peeping trip. However, it is not the only adventure that puts a new spin on traditional fall foliage viewing. Cruise: Seasonal sailings to New England and Canada when the fall foliage is at its peak make for ideal family getaways during September and October. In addition to getting a rare view of the changing landscape from … Continue reading →

Church at Christmas

A while ago I promised to write about this year’s Christmas service as it proved to be interesting for a variety of reasons. I remember lots of times around various holidays spent at church. We’re church-going folk and always have been. When I was a kid I once played Joseph in a short little Christmas play in the middle of mass. As the children in my family slowly grew up we became less and less likely to attend the mass celebrated at an earlier hour meant for children. The largest reason for our decision to attend at another service was … Continue reading →

Marriage Is Not a Private Thing

People often seem to think marriage is a private thing between two people. It is not. It is a societal event. That’s why in the marriage service it says ‘we are gathered here together.’ Marriage is meant to be something committed to it in front of witnesses. Usually those witnesses are friends and family members. We want them to share in and be part of our happiness. Why are these promises made in front of witnesses? It is a reminder of the solemnity of the commitment. It reminds the couple marrying and also in as sense those of us witnessing … Continue reading →

Reaching Out

There’s a mission field just outside your door. There may even be one inside your home. Have you ever thought of your family, friends and neighbors as a mission field? God has placed you exactly where you are, so you can reach out to those around you with the truth of the gospel. In a recent survey in America, 89 percent of those who did not go to church have at least one close friend who is a Christian. If you are a Christian, stop for a moment and think. How many non Christians can you number in your circle … Continue reading →