In God We Trust - A Treasured Moments Devotional

As we approach the first of our American patriotic holidays, I find myself reflecting upon the dream our Founding Fathers had for our great nation, the sacrifices of many great men and women who have valiantly defended our freedoms, and our responsibilities as Christians to stand firm in our beliefs and to fight for the exact principles upon which our great nation was built. 

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth” Psalm 33:12-14

Since many of our great leaders have eloquently stated the importance of God in the foundation of our American government, let us reflect upon their insight and wisdom:

“It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” - George Washington, Founding Father, 1st President of the United States of America

“We have staked the whole future of our new nation, not upon the power of government; far from it. We have staked the future of all our political constitutions upon the capacity of each of ourselves to govern ourselves according to the moral principles of the Ten Commandments.” - James Madison, Founding Father, Primary Author of the Constitution of the United States of America, and the 4th President of the United States of America

“And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God … and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.” - Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States of America

“Without God there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first, the most basic, expression of Americanism. Thus, the founding fathers of America saw it, and thus with God’s help, it will continue to be.” - Dwight D. Eisenhower, 33rd President of the United States of America

“I believe with all my heart that standing up for America means standing up for the God who has so blessed our land. We need God's help to guide our nation through stormy seas. But we can't expect Him to protect America in a crisis if we just leave Him over on the shelf in our day-to-day living.” - Ronald Reagan, 39th President of the United States of America

The Bible warns nations who have turned their backs on their faith and on God. 

Psalm 9:15-17 states, “The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. The Lord is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God.” 

 

Ronald Reagan, 39th President of the United States of America also warned Americans when he said, “If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." 

We cannot forget that our nation was founded upon Biblical principles set forth in God's word nor that we have a duty to live our faith out in every aspect of our lives, including taking a firm stand in how our country is run. Pray fervently for our country. We desperately need to be One Nation under God as our Sovereign Lord once again. Pray for government leaders who aren't afraid to live by their Christian convictions and take a firm stance. We need men and women of integrity who aren't afraid to say, "Here am I, Send me!"  Ask God to forgive us for our sins, as a nation, against Him and for our disobedience in following His will for our nation and His laws that help govern us. He doesn't create laws to punish us. He creates laws to protect us. Pray that as Christians we can remain strong in our faith and stand up against what we know is wrong. We need fortitude to keep fighting the good fight for our race is far from over. 

Prayer: “Oh, eternal and everlasting God, direct my thoughts, words and work. Wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb and purge my heart by Thy Holy Spirit. Daily, frame me more and more in the likeness of Thy son, Jesus Christ, that living in Thy fear, and dying in Thy favor, I may in thy appointed time obtain the resurrection of the justified unto eternal life. Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy son, Jesus Christ.” Amen - George Washington, Founding Father and 1st President of the United States of America

Please pray for our American soldiers as they so valiantly and selflessly lay their lives on the line daily to protect our great nation and our freedoms as Americans. Pray that God will be their protection, their strength, and their comfort, especially in times of trouble.




American Soldiers - Thank you for your service and for your sacrifice for freedom comes at a price.




Please pray for the families of our American soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice while fighting for our freedom. Pray that God will be their comfort and their strength and that His peace will wash over them like a healing balm.

Beauty from Ashes: A Treasured Moments Devotional by God's Writer Girl

I have had the honor and privilege of sharing my life's testimony with two very special sisters in Christ recently. Both women are kindred spirits who share my love for God and my desire to let His love shine through me. To do that, I must be completely transparent and, in a way, vulnerable. How can I let God's grace truly show if I'm unwilling to let people see the brokenness that God's love made whole? The Apostle Paul understood this perfectly well as is noted in 2 Corinthians 12:19-20, "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

I have been praying diligently and feel as though God is going to be asking me to be transparent more often. This isn't always an easy task for some of my past has left deep scars that are still healing. There are times when Satan tries to use these scars and untruths to trip me up, to make me doubt, to make me anxious and depressed, and to make me feel unworthy of God's love. God never promised that every day would be pain free or filled with sunshine and roses. In fact, His Word warns us that we will experience hardships in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” The reality is that sin exists here on earth. People make poor choices every day and those choices have consequences. 

Some of my own poor choices have had negative consequences as well. This is where my brokenness starts but it is also where God's grace begins. I was a lost teen with no self-esteem. I always felt like I didn't belong. I felt as though nothing I did was ever good enough to please people. I endured verbal bullying. I continued to grow into a young lady who would overcome emotional abuse, sexual assault, and a broken marriage. Now, I am a woman who finally has realized that God's love is more than enough to sustain me. God loves me just as I am. God is the only one I need to please. God sees the beauty within my heart and is teaching me to see it as well. God has a wonderful purpose and plan for my life. Notice I didn't say I endured hardships. I overcame them. God not only brought me through these difficult times in life but He also utilized them to refine me, to grow me, to stretch me, and to strengthen me spiritually and emotionally. He has also and will continue to use my past experiences to help other people who are hurting. He will use me to show them His love. In my brokenness, I am the perfect vessel for His love to shine through because I have true empathy since I have walked the same road they now find themselves traversing. 

My story is far from over. I face new challenges every day. Currently, my trials include a plethora of serious health issues and daily pain as well as being the single mother of a child with special needs. The difference is that God provides the strength, peace, and joy I need to keep persevering as well as a wonderful "family" of fellow believers to encourage me, love me, help me, and pray. Trusting in God's love with total abandon has truly been an amazing and life altering experience. He has brought forth beauty from the ashes and continues to fill me with His remarkable love. 

Permit God to create beauty from your ashes and then allow His love to shine brightly through you.  As Matthew 5:14-17 reminds us, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

America: We Need to Be Praying - A Treasured Moments Devotional

America: We need to be fervently praying. We need to ask God for forgiveness. We need to ask Him to lead our nation in the right direction once again. We need Him to be our Savior, our Refuge, and our Guide. We need to return to our roots and once again become one nation under God, indivisible. Right now, we are divided. Right now, we are far removed from God. Without Him we are lost!

"The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous." - Proverbs 15:29

"The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity. The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." - Psalms 9:7-10

"Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield." Psalm 5:12

Cyber school in Pennsylvania - Learn about Commonwealth Connections Academy

This video from Commonwealth Connections Academy shows a field trip day filled with fun for students and families. This is just one of the reasons we like Connections Academy. They also have great teachers who truly care about students as well. This school has been a blessing to my family. I honestly cannot say enough good things about it! To learn more about Commonwealth Connections Academy, check out their events page for a location near you. 

 

From Bullying to Healing Our Education Journey

Several years ago, my son was the victim of bullying. He was physically assaulted on the playground of his brick and mortar school where teacher's were suppose to be keeping vigil. He was only in 1st grade. As I listened to our young neighbor tell me what he had witnessed, my mother's heart ached for what my son had endured. The neighbor told me that five 2nd graders knocked my son to the ground and proceeded to kick him in the stomach over and over again until our neighbor was able to summon help. The bruises on my boy's stomach proved the brutality he had suffered in a place where he was suppose to be kept safe. When I went to the school the next day, the principal was not in and no one else would help me. I was perplexed and outraged at their lack of empathy and professionalism. When they did finally address the issue, they made my son feel as though he had caused the bullying incident. They merely had the bullies write apology notes, which were copied from the blackboard. My son who has ADHD was restricted from recess on days when he couldn't sit still. He didn't understand why he had his recess taken away while these bullies were still free to play every day. My son didn't feel safe there any longer. His performance on his school work began to decrease. He became more socially withdrawn. I knew it was time to look at our education alternatives.

Thus began our search for the best schooling option that fit my son's needs and my family's schedule. Where did I even start? It all seemed so overwhelming at first. A myriad options were available but I didn't want to make a poor choice. I researched numerous homeschool curricula, charter schools, and cyberschools. I was always drawn back to Commonwealth Connections Academy (CCA). I have Lupus, Fibromyalgia, and Chronic Migraines and deal with pain and fatigue on a daily basis. Therefore, I truly needed curriculum that would already have the lesson plans mapped out and would manage the daily paperwork required by the state. Through CCA, I have access to all of the lessons and daily lesson plans as well as tips for each lesson. I record attendance each day while the teacher maintains all of the remaining paperwork.

The lesson schedule CCA offers is very flexible, which not only works well for me with my health issues but also for my son who needs frequent breaks throughout the day. I also appreciate that CCA's system helps me maintain accountability for the hours of work my child  accomplishes daily. We have phone contacts with his teacher biweekly, which allows us to discuss any problem areas, get clarifications on lessons, and ask whatever questions any of us may have. If a problem arises in-between our scheduled call times, we can always call the teacher or send her an email to which the teachers are very good about responding to in a timely manner.

I wanted curriculum that was diverse and substantial as well as accurate. CCA utilizes both textbooks and online programs and tools that engage children and make learning fun. They also work diligently to improve upon their curriculum on an ongoing basis. They also encourage student and parent feedback on lessons through a rating and comment system built in to every lesson. They also conduct surveys each year in which students and parents are asked to provide feedback and asked to comment on how CCA can improve their programs and quality of care.

I was very impressed with the wide variety of electives, clubs, and field trips CCA has to offer. CCA offers all students from elementary to middle school to high school the opportunity to engage in elective classes ranging from music courses designed by Julliard to language courses in Spanish, French, German, Latin, Chinese, and Japanese, to Anatomy Physiology, Business Law, Criminal Investigation, Astronomy, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education,  Medical Terminology, Finance, and Principles of Marketing. Students have the opportunity to explore their interests as well as have fun while learning about new topics in innovative ways. CCA also offers a multitude of clubs for students to choose from including Chess Club, Robotics Club, Academic Clubs, Literary and Art Clubs, and Volunteer and Service Clubs. What educational experience would be complete without field trips? CCA hosts numerous field trips at various locations throughout the state. The trips are planned and implemented by Community Coordinators and attended by various CCA teachers and staff members. These field trips count towards school hours and your child will enjoy being able to learn through hands-on activities. Field trips take place at historical sites, cultural events, ecological environments, community outings, government excursions, and learning adventures in science, math, language arts, music, art, physical education and history.

When we started with CCA three years ago, my son was placed in the Gifted and Talented Program for Language Arts and Science. My son enjoyed the extra reading projects through "Great Books" and learned the proper way to write various Language Arts papers. His vocabulary grew exponentially as did his comprehension. In Science, he has continued to excel. The Gifted and Talented Program taught him the proper steps necessary for hypothesizing and scientific theories. He continues to build upon his strengths in both subjects.

After my son was with CCA, we noticed that he was struggling with Math and with getting his thoughts down on paper.  When I expressed my concerns to his teacher and inquired about having him tested for Learning Disabilities in addition to the ADHD he had been diagnosed with the year before, CCA immediately started the evaluation process. Once the testing was complete and it was deemed that my son did indeed have Learning Disabilities, the school assigned a Learning Support or Special Education Teacher and drafted an IEP. This year, when I expressed additional concerns, further evaluations were scheduled, changes were made to his IEP, and services were added to his IEP accordingly. He now receives Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy in-home.

This is the type of personal care and sincere interest I have come to expect from Commonwealth Connections Academy. Everyone I have ever dealt with from enrollment and tech support to teachers and administrators have been professional, courteous, caring, and knowledgeable. Not once have I regretted my decision to enroll my son in CCA. He has come out of his shell and found a place where he feels comfortable being his unique self. All of the students are kind and help one another. They share a special bond. Furthermore, my son is doing well academically because he feels safe. I know what he's learning, that he is safe from any form of bullying or violence, and that he is getting the supports and help he needs. To me, the healing he has experienced is priceless.

If you have questions about Connections Academy, check out their website, events page, contact a parent page, blog, facebook, twitter, google+ and pinterest pages.

Please also consider attending one of their information sessions or parent meetings, which can be found on the events page or stop by the facebook page and ask for parent feedback as several veteran parents are always willing to share their experiences and answer any questions you may have. You can also send me an email or leave a comment and I will do my best to help you in any way I can.

I'm Choosing to Lay My Burdens Down: A Treasured Moments Devotional

At times, the chaos of daily life can be overwhelming. I will admit that some days, I manage to get through the day with dignity and grace. Other days, I feel stress building. Truthfully, the burdens begin to weigh heavily at times.

Being a person who treasures the written word, I decided to conduct a study of the word stress. Stress refers to force, influence, pressure, and strain on our physical and mental well-being. Did you also know it refers to suffering, pain, affliction, sorrow, danger, discord, and heartache? It also means burden, trial, tribulation, and trouble.

Yet, Jesus offered hope amidst the chaos and stress. In John 16:33, Jesus states, "“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

While Jesus plainly admits that we will face pain, sorrow, suffering, heartache, discord, danger, trouble, and burdens during our time here on Earth, He also offers us hope through His redemption on the cross. He died that we might have eternal peace with the Father who loves us more than we could ever imagine. 

The next time I feel overwhelmed by the chaos of life, I am going to lay my burdens down at the feet of Jesus as I remember that He overcame the power of death and the world that condemned Him.