Our church denomination’s magazine, called New Horizons, recently had an uplifting article called “Family Devotions: Passing Down a Tradition.” The article gives many examples of families forming the habit of reading Scripture together,memorizing it, praying, singing hymns/songs to the Lord, and discussing the Lord’s work in their lives. What struck me was the evidence of God working in a covenantal way in families, from generation to generation to generation.
That could be a whole study in itself, and entire books have been written about covenant theology. What is important in this brief column today is the importance of family devotions. Deuteronomy 11:18-19 says, “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul…You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house.”
Having family devotions does take discipline. It means keeping children at the table in order to open up the Word. It means saying no to the doorbell ringing, phone ringing, the computer clamoring for attention, a host of activities that could usurp some time to read and pray. Forming the habit takes effort and time. But we need to take advantage of these family eating times to feast also upon our Lord, too.
I remember with great joy a few retreats I went to growing up. It’s a time to get away from the regular schedule and the commitments of life. It’s a time to focus spiritually and also have some recreation. Retreats can last a few hours or a day or 2 or so. We are hosting a day retreat for some tween girls. We went rollerskating at Riverside Arena, went sledding at the local sledding hill, ate good food, read Scripture, wrote down Bible verses and talked about them, wrote to a young lady volunteering in South Africa, prayed, played games, and ate some more.
One place I’d like to retreat to is the Machen Retreat Center in Virginia. I’ve read about it in our denominational magazine; sounds like a great place for a retreat.
Well, time to go.
Recently I checked the mailbox to see if anything came (the snail mail box) and there sat a large box on the porch! My name was on it!! How excited I was as I opened it and found many items from Above Rubies. I had requested several back issues to give away to young mothers. In addition, I received various books, cd’s, and dvd’s to review on this site. So, be watching for reviews of various materials. The website for Above Rubies is http://www.aboverubies.org. The mission statement on the inside cover of the magazine says, ” Above Rubies is a magazine to encourage women in their high calling as wives, mothers and homemakers. Its purpose is to uphold and strengthen family life and to raise the standard of God’s truth in the nation. The name has been chosen from Proverbs 31:10 AMP, ‘A capable, intelligent and virtuous woman, who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far ABOVE RUBIES or pearls.'”
Here are some of the items that will be reviewed in upcoming weeks:
DVD called “Rejuvenate with Serene” – she gives the 1-2-3’s of healthy eating.
DVD and book named “The Family Meal Table and Hospitality” – stress the importance of the meal table. “It will change your family life…”
Gate-Keepers of the Home – How to Guard Your Home – “This manual studies the twelve gates of Jerusalem that Nehemiah rebuilt, relating it to building, repairing and guarding the gates of your home…”
And more!
Crowned With Silver is a magazine for encouraging Christian women of all ages in a holy Christian lifestyle.
Please write to: PO Box 6338, Longmont, CO 80501.
Or visit their web site: http://www.CrownedWithSilver.com