Several weeks ago Mother Dear was finishing a review for a magazine, and put in the CD to one product called The Aleph Bet Story by Sarah And David. As you may have guessed or already know we get the name for our set of letters in English, the Alphabet, as a derivative from the name of the Hebrew set of letters: The Aleph Bet. I’ve also been just confused at how people learn different languages, but the confusion is lessening, I think. Within the last week especially we’ve really been looking into and listening to the Hebrew Aleph Bet, and it is quite fun.

Hebrew reads right to left where as English reads from left to right so that is something quite different, and also the letters have their own names, but different sounds. Like the letter for the sound B is Bet, and to make words with vowels like “back” you don’t add another letter for the A sound. Instead you add a sign beneath the B letter. Before you can even begin all that, though, you have to know which Hebrew letters go with the sounds and names…. that’s what I’m working on.

Here is one song we found on YouTube that has been really helpful in learning the sounds and signs of the letters. There are 22 letters main letters in the Aleph Bet, which this song will show you. It’s quick, but after listening to it 20x you should be able to sing-a-long and say the letters (haha, excuse the note at the end).

There are many other, perhaps less exciting and kiddish, videos on YouTube to listen to and many websites you can look at to help you learn the sounds, signs, and names of the Hebrew Aleph Bet.  We also found a few songs from the Prince of Egypt film in the original Hebrew, which was very interesting. It sounds beautiful! Mother Dear posted those on her blog.

There’s no J sound in the Hebrew Alphe Bet. Instead it’s a Y sound - like Jesus is Yeshua. Today I was looking around Facebook, and found how to translate my name into Hebrew. You can find yours here. Make sure you tell me what it is.

Jocelyn

Shalom

Well, it’s here. December 2008. Wow, can you believe it? Only another 31 days and then it will be 2009, a new year, a new chapter. Growing In Grace Magazine just published their 11th issue for the month of December, and you will want to check out some of the great articles…. interview, reviews, giveaways, tutorials, education, and spiritual encouragement in December 2008.

I had a lot of fun making the sewing tutorial for one of my columns in GGM, and it took very little money, time, or skill. There were a total of three supplies, three snips, and three seams. I think it turned out so cute and is a lovely winter accent to our home for the winter months. It’s not just for “looks” either… it has a purpose and can help with heating-expenses. Read about the Door-Warmer AND how to make your own in my article at GGM: Portfolio de Couturier: Door Warmer

I imagine perhaps next year I will do one for autumn as well. There are so many fabrics to choose from for seasonal purposes. Making one that matches your bedroom would be so cute.

Blessings!

Sadly over the past year I have heard of many deaths, from both friends and strangers. It truly saddens my heart. It always confuses me when others who are trying to comfort those grieving say that it was God’s will for their loved one to die, especially a child. You can read just about any book in the Bible and you will find either a verse or a reference to the fact that God wants His people to prosper and live long and happy lives. One of the well-known verses to back this up is in Jeremiah. I know it by heart as it’s one of Mother Dear’s favourite verses.

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

God knows exactly what kind of life he wants us to have. He wants us to have thoughts of peace and not of evil, and to have an expected end or in other words a long life full of hope. When people say that it was God’s will for a child or a father to die I fear they are completely wrong. Whenever I hear someone say this I think of Job. I have been reading through the entire Bible for over a year now, just letting God speak to me as I read, and the Book of Job really comforted me in more ways than one. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. So many terrible things happened to Job that definitely weren’t God’s perfect will for his life, but God was in control the entire time.

I believe it is a falsehood, however comforting it may be, that it is God’s will for any of His people to die without having lived a full life, but because sin has entered our world when Adam and Eve stepped out from God’s perfect world our lives will be not be perfect.

However we know that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28). We know that He is always in control. We know that He will never forsake us. We know we have His promise of His return and will be reunited with those who are His children.

The Bible says in this world we will have tribulation, but be of good cheer because He has overcome the world (John 16:33)!

Be still. Know He is God.

originally posted in the October issue of GGM: Thorns & Roses: God’s Will

3 slices turkey bacon, diced
1 cup chopped onion
3 cups diced potatoes
1 bottle (8 ounces) clam juice
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper 
2 cans (approximately 7 ounces each) minced clams
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup milk

Cook bacon until crisp in a Dutch oven or large, heavy saucpan. Remove bacon to paper towels with slotted spoon; drain. Add onion to bacon drippings; sauté until softened. Add potatoes and clam juice, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Remove from heat.
Add minced clams with their liquid. Whisk flour into milk; add to chowder with half-and-half. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until clam chowder thickens and bubbles, or about 3 minutes.
Clam chowder recipe serves 4.

Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
I hope you have enjoyed reading the thoughts and happenings of a fifteen-year-old girl from the country. “You can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens you!” Philippians 4:13

Sometimes it’s hard to be bold and be strong in the faith. Sometimes we don’t see the end of the tunnel. Sometimes we have a hard time walking in faith and victory. I have struggled with these issues of fear, doubt, and  dismay, and they can be hard to overcome…. on my own.

Some who read my blog might think I’m a very bold person, but honestly I’m not really. Anyone who’s met in real life knows that I’m not at all a bold or arrogant person. However, I will tell you that I am bold and strong in my faith. I want people to see that being a Christian doesn’t make you weak, it doesn’t constrain you, and it doesn’t hold you back. I want people to see that in Christ I am bold and strong, and I can tackle any obstacle satan puts in my path because my Jesus defeated death. I want to be bold and strong in every area of my life so that I can be the best possible light for Jesus that I can.

Be Bold, Be Strong

Be bold, be strong
For the Lord your God is with you
Be bold, be strong
For the Lord your God is with you
I am not afraid
I am not dismayed
Because I’m walking in faith and victory
Come on and walk in faith and victory
For the Lord your God is with you

The main reason I picked this song this week is because I will be having a phone-interview today (or this week) and I’m really kind of nervous. I don’t do good on the phone and I’ve never spoken with the journalist, and this song reminded and encouraged me that I don’t need to be afraid or dismayed because I’m walking in faith and victory! My name does mean Joyous Victory of the People!

I hope it has encouraged you in someone way. Don’t ever be afraid to be bold and strong, or to do what’s right when so many are hover around you with a dissenting opinion. Don’t listen to them. Listen to Christ, and don’t be afraid to ask those who you know to be true for help.

Blessings!

Wow, I  haven't been on here in forever.   And, I still don't really have anything I need  to write about...sooo. I guess I'll put on a 2 minute speech I wrote for the Communicators for Christ conference back in August.

  “Live every day like it’s your last. Because one day, it will be.”

A man named Ray Comfort spoke these simple, yet thought provoking words. Let’s take a minute to examine them. If today was your last day on earth, what would you do?

Maybe some would spend time with family. Others may visit friends for one last time. But think. Once you’re dead, will any of this matter? Will these things carry any weight in eternity? No. As a Christian, only one thing will matter in eternity: how many people did you tell about Christ. How often you went to church, how many times you gave to charity, how generous you were with your tithes, these good works which seem to shine so brightly now, will pale into nothingness in light of eternity. So, we should spend our time wisely, investing it in what will last forever: the salvation of people’s souls. Every day, 150,000 people die. Every 24 hours, 150,000 lives are ended and eternity begun for them.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 rightly states, “The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”

We never know when we are going to die, or when Jesus is coming back. For many, who haven’t accepted Him, it will be too late. We must warn them while we still have time.

 If today was your last day on earth, would you look back over the course of your life and feel regret? Would you wish you could go back and take missed opportunities? Would you feel ashamed because you didn’t share the gospel with your co-workers?

Look around you. Everyone that you see will one day, die. That includes your family members, co-workers, the man at the bus station. Everyone. We’re part of the ultimate statistic: 10 out of 10 people die. Everyone has a last day. It will come whether we’re ready for it or not. So, keeping eternity fixed in our minds, we must, “Live every day like it’s our last because one day, it will be.”

Yes, of course, we should always be thankful for everything we’re blessed with, but it’s not too often we actually sit and ponder what those things are. I picked 27 things to list that I’m thankful for because this year Thanksgiving is on the 27th of November.

1. Amanda and Rachel, the two other older sisters in the house. I’m thankful for them because not only do they put up with me but are willing to give of themselves in many areas for the family and for me.
2. A computer. I’m often complaining of what a horrible computer I have, but I must say it works far better than not having one at all.
3. My Dad’s job that allows him to come home everyday, though it’s late
4. My afghan from Auntie Christina to keep warm with at night
5. Hot water-hose so we can give the animals a warm drink in the freezing-cold.
6. Peas - we have peas every night because Dad’s really likes them. I’m thankful that we have peas instead of say, artichokes.
7. Freedom from real persecution as they have in China and overseas
8. The opportunity to witness to young ladies around the world
9. Sisterlisa and her family
10. My robe. I love my robe. I wear it everyday
11. Forgiveness when I don’t deserve it
12. Ecards on a gloomy day
13. The ability to stand and move - even if it means I can also clean the house.
14. [fake] Curly hair
15. Dinner every night
16. Being homeschooled
17. LucyLillie’s smiles and giggles
18. Caleb sleeping at 3am
19. Artistic abilities
20. The comfort of family and Jesus when I feel betrayed, over and over
21. twitter, an excellent way to keep up with bloggy-friends
22. That I can bless people, instead of just receiving
23. Two eyes to see, a nose to smell, fingers to type, toes to find furniture, ears to hear, etc
24. Promises of God
25. A heating-system, though I’d love a wood-stove!
26. Lessons God gives me
27. Thanksgiving dinner

Scripture Share

Hebrews 13: 5
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”

Always remember not only to be content but to be thankful. We have the promises of Christ our Saviour that He will never forsake us!

I hope you have an absolutely fantastic Thanksgiving! Be sure to take a photo of your table and then check at Growing In Grace Magazine for a fun linky!

Blessings!

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“Have you ever heard of an autograph-album? A few years ago when my sisters and I did an activity booklet to receive a little bundle of writing material, there was a autograph album in there. I was quite uncertain as to what it was for, but I did later figure out you were suppose to have your friends sign their names in it. However I was still confused as to the point of it. I eventually figured it out. An autograph album is simply to collect….” read more about the Autograph Album and how to make your own at GGM.

This is the one I made one awhile back but never had a chance to post photos. It was easy to make and I had a lot of fun doing it. You can untie the twine at the top and remove or add more pages. You’ll have a lot of fun with this!

Blessings!

Should Christians Watch Movies With Witchcraft?

As Amanda and I were driving to town one Sunday to pick up a couple of things, I was thinking about what movies the library had. I was mad one Saturday night because she had taken the movie “Hidalgo” back, and gotten a movie I had not cared to watch. Then I came to Pirates, because I remembered that there was a trailer for it on the movie she had gotten.

I started thinking about all these things about it. Then I thought “These things are all sinful. There is  witchcraft in it, killing people, and of course it’s centered around blood-thirsting, stealing pirates!” I mean, the whole movie is about pirates. Pirates were feared by everyone because they killed without cause, stole things that weren’t theirs, destroyed many things, and were just a bunch of groveling wretches.

Have you ever read the definition of a pirate? I’m sure most everyone can think of something to say about them, but upon looking up the word “pirate” in Noah Webster’s dictionary, here is the meaning of it when he was alive and pirates were common -

PI’RATE, n. [L. pirata.]
1. A robber on the high seas; one that by open violence takes the property of another on the high seas. In strictness, the word pirate is one who makes it his business to cruise for robbery or plunder; a freebooter on the seas.
2. An armed ship or vessel which sails without legal commission, for the purpose of plundering other vessels indiscriminately on the high seas.
3. A bookseller that seizes the copies or writings of other men without permission.

So now that you know what the word “pirate” means, I will give you some of my thoughts about movies I am sure everyone has heard of by now - Pirates Of The Caribbean 1, 2, & 3.

The first time I watched the part where Barbossa sets her (the goddess of the sea who is bound in a human form, a witch) free I was very frightened because of her voice. It is a scary thing to hear her booming like she did, and in some unknown, wicked language. Then she bursts into crabs. I covered my ears and hid my eyes under the blanket. But then I watched it a second time, and it wasn’t so scary. Then the third time, I wasn’t scared at all. It became familiar to me, that booming voice which was so evil. I became comfortable with it. I should not have been. We should not allow ourselves to be led astray because something becomes familiar to us.

Here is the definition of a ‘witch” and ‘witchcraft’ -

WITCH, n.

1. A woman who by compact with the devil, practices sorcery or enchantment.

2. A woman who is given to unlawful arts.

3. A winding sinuous bank.
WITCH. v.t. To bewitch; to fascinate; to enchant.

WITCHCRAFT, [witch and craft.]

1. The practices of witches; sorcery; enchantments; intercourse with the devil.

2. Power more than natural.

WITCHERY, n.

Deuteronomy 18:10
There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.

Micah 5:12

And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers:

Exodus 22:18

Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

2 Chronicles 33:6
And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

It is a sinful thing to be involved with any kind of witchcraft. You think you have control of those friendly evil spirits you plague people with and bring blessings with? Oh no. When they have finished with you, they will torment you and soon, drag your soul to be tormented forever more in the Lake of Fire. I pray for all of those out there who are deceived by this wicked thing. It is evil and should not be done. If you want higher power than you have here on earth, don’t look to those things which are evil, but look to the God who made you and in His name, can give you power over Satan and all his minions.

I am proud to say that I can make evil spirits run away from me because I can use His name to do it. I thank the Lord that I am and will never be deceived into thinking I can control evil spirits or place a curse on someone. Pray that all those out there will see the Light and turn from their evil ways before it is too late. Christ is coming, and He is coming soon. We must all be ready for Him. If you think that the witches out there cannot be saved, let me tell you that all can be saved through Grace. His Blood can wash their sins as white as snow.

If you know someone who is practicing witchcraft or is dealing with familiar spirits, pray for them, give them a Bible to read, share the Gospel with them. Maybe they don’t know that what they are doing is wrong, maybe they never heard the Gospel. But if you are willing to be a witness for Christ, the impossible will become the possible.

Watching movies about witchcraft or that has witchcraft in it is wrong also. Movies I have seen with ‘good’ or ‘bad’ witchcraft in them -  The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Penelope (*dumb movie*), Star Wars - all of them, Daredevil, Elektra, King Kong, Series of Unfortunate Events, and X-Men 1-3.  I could probably find a whole lot more movies that involve witchcraft, but I don’t want to go searching. I have heard it said that the Harry Potter movies are not full of witchcraft. But isn’t that a little oxymoron? Harry is born a Muggle, which means he had one parents was a witch, and the other was human. But he still assumes the roll of becoming a witch, or sorcerer. I have not seen the movies or read any of the books. I don’t want to. There is no good or bad witchcraft. Witchcraft is witchcraft, no matter how you use it. It is from the devil and not of God. If the Bible says something is wrong, then we as Christians should understand that that is a warning and we should not have anything to do with it. Don’t you agree?

Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

I hope you have enjoyed reading the thoughts and happenings of a fifteen-year-old girl from the country. “You can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens you!” Philippians 4:13