As I'm having less time to read than before Zoë was born, I'm finding myself listening to more music and specifically the actual words that are being sung. Here are some of my favourite lyrics that I have heard and sung recently:
Each strand of sorrow has a place
Within this tapestry of grace;
So through the trials I choose to say:
"Your perfect will in Your perfect way".
I love the phrase 'tapestry of grace'. Life is like a tapestry that God is creating; he sees the beautiful picture, we see the 'messy' underside. But all those messy bits are contributing to the beautiful clear picture on the other side which we will only get to see at the end of life.
(From The perfect wisdom of the Lord, Stuart Townend & Keith Getty)
The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes
[Chorus]
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name
Each day is a new day given to us by God; whatever happened yesterday is in the past; whatever happens tomorrow is in the future and not worth worrying about yet. Lamentations 3:22-23 says: "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
(From 10,000 reasons, Matt Redman)
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapour in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours.
I am God's because of what he has done for me, not because of anything I have done! Wow!!
(From Who am I, Casting Crowns)
I'm sorry if you've been near me whilst I've been singing along...!
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Taking stock
How are you?
It's always good to look back and reflect on life. How has life changed for you in the past 6 months? I hope you've had some good times, but I expect you've also had some tough times; life is full of ups and downs.
My last six months have been the happiest yet toughest so far! With the arrival of Zoë Grace I have experienced the blessing and joy of the gift of a baby, yet have had so little sleep, my routines have been dispupted, there is another person in our family to consider etc. etc. etc.
My weekly devotional this week is encouraging me to take stock:
1. My relationship with God: Has it changed? Have I explored new ways of connecting with God? What's been my response to spiritually dry times?
2. My relationship with my husband: Are we enjoying parenting together and communicating honestly? Are we creating space for physical intimacy?
3. My relationship with baby: How am I adjusting to a constantly changing routine?
Something for me to ponder on this week...
(From Soul Food for Mums, by Lucinda van der Hart and Anna France-Williams)
It's always good to look back and reflect on life. How has life changed for you in the past 6 months? I hope you've had some good times, but I expect you've also had some tough times; life is full of ups and downs.
My last six months have been the happiest yet toughest so far! With the arrival of Zoë Grace I have experienced the blessing and joy of the gift of a baby, yet have had so little sleep, my routines have been dispupted, there is another person in our family to consider etc. etc. etc.
My weekly devotional this week is encouraging me to take stock:
1. My relationship with God: Has it changed? Have I explored new ways of connecting with God? What's been my response to spiritually dry times?
2. My relationship with my husband: Are we enjoying parenting together and communicating honestly? Are we creating space for physical intimacy?
3. My relationship with baby: How am I adjusting to a constantly changing routine?
Something for me to ponder on this week...
(From Soul Food for Mums, by Lucinda van der Hart and Anna France-Williams)
Speaking love
Which muscle is the most destructive in the whole body? But can also be the most encouraging?
The tongue! It weighs only 56g (2oz) but can build people up or crush them. The Bible refers to it over 1000 times (tongue and lips 100 times, mouth and lips 400 times, and words 500 times) often telling us to mind our tongue and be careful what we say. So, here are some 'Responsible tongue management' tips:
1. Take responsibility for your words and begin to exercise restraint
"I said, ‘I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked." Psalm 39:1
2. Listen more and speak less
"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19
3. Get rid of iffy language and inappropriate humour
"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving."" Ephesians 4:3-4
4. Refuse to gossip
"Do not go about spreading slander among your people." Leviticus 19:16
5. Avoid arguments
"Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels." 2 Timothy 2:23
Ephesians 4:29 probably sums it all up in one sentence:
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. "
Isn't the Bible a practical book?!
(From Having a Mary Spirit: Allowing God to change us from the inside out, by Joanna Weaver)
The tongue! It weighs only 56g (2oz) but can build people up or crush them. The Bible refers to it over 1000 times (tongue and lips 100 times, mouth and lips 400 times, and words 500 times) often telling us to mind our tongue and be careful what we say. So, here are some 'Responsible tongue management' tips:
1. Take responsibility for your words and begin to exercise restraint
"I said, ‘I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked." Psalm 39:1
2. Listen more and speak less
"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19
3. Get rid of iffy language and inappropriate humour
"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving."" Ephesians 4:3-4
4. Refuse to gossip
"Do not go about spreading slander among your people." Leviticus 19:16
5. Avoid arguments
"Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels." 2 Timothy 2:23
Ephesians 4:29 probably sums it all up in one sentence:
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. "
Isn't the Bible a practical book?!
(From Having a Mary Spirit: Allowing God to change us from the inside out, by Joanna Weaver)
Monday, 18 June 2012
Baby's First Skills: 6-7 months
"Now your baby will be sitting up unaided..." Well, she would be if she could sit still long enough to actually sit! Zoë is now starting to crawl so we have been moving stuff out of the way and putting up safety gates.
Here are some of the headlines of a 6-7 month old:
Talking: She is beginning to experiment with conversations with herself and other people, including babbling, initiatiting conversation, making recognisable sounds, imitating sounds and experimenting with new sounds.
Moving: Uh oh! This is the month of big strides... taking one hand off the floor and balancing (tick), sitting up (nearly tick), lift head when lying on back (tick), rolling over from back to tummy (tick tick), weight bearing (tick) and bounces (tick)!
Hands: Her grasp is becoming more refined and co-ordination is improving.
Mind: Zoë is really beginning to understand her surroundings and rituals. She knows her name and responds to it, and also knows the meaning of the word 'no'!
Friendliness: Company is good, but she's happy with her own company too now. She enjoys relating with other babies and uses ways to converse (laughter, coughs, squeals, bubbles etc)
So this month The Golden Hour of activities include (with a bit more information than usual):
Talking (7 mins)
Here are some of the headlines of a 6-7 month old:
Talking: She is beginning to experiment with conversations with herself and other people, including babbling, initiatiting conversation, making recognisable sounds, imitating sounds and experimenting with new sounds.
Moving: Uh oh! This is the month of big strides... taking one hand off the floor and balancing (tick), sitting up (nearly tick), lift head when lying on back (tick), rolling over from back to tummy (tick tick), weight bearing (tick) and bounces (tick)!
Hands: Her grasp is becoming more refined and co-ordination is improving.
Mind: Zoë is really beginning to understand her surroundings and rituals. She knows her name and responds to it, and also knows the meaning of the word 'no'!
Friendliness: Company is good, but she's happy with her own company too now. She enjoys relating with other babies and uses ways to converse (laughter, coughs, squeals, bubbles etc)
So this month The Golden Hour of activities include (with a bit more information than usual):
Talking (7 mins)
- Action Nursery Rhymes (#27) - what is says on the tin! (I'd better learn some more...)
- Puff and blow (#47) - Blow bubbles and then get baby to try as well. Hum a tune and put your baby's fingers against your lips so they can feel the vibration.
- Bathtime fun (#5) - Kicking, splashing, playing with ducks (pushing them under and quacking) and filling and pouring water from containers.
- Floor flying (#38) - Getting into take-off and sky-diving positions.
- Baby massage (#45) - Name the different body parts when doing the massage.
- Clapping Games (#11) - For example, Pat-a-cake. Must learn some more!
- Bricks and Blocks (#12) - Pick a brick: describe different shapes and colours; All fall down: knocking down a tower; Building blocks: build her own tower.
- Kitchen percussion (#23) - uh oh!! Use a selection of pans and pots to make a noise! Let her do it, but also see if she can copy a definite rhythm.
- Introducing Books (#3) - Read lots of books!
- Hide and come back (#13) - Hide something behind my back and get Zoë to look for it. Sing 'Two little dickie birds'.
- More about books (#14) - Point out pictures of animals (names, sounds etc). Demonstrate turning the page. Make up stories about family members.
- Feet and Toes (#29) - 'This little piggy', 'Wee wiggie' etc
- Family favourites (#44) - Make a family album and talk about people. Make a voice tape.
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