Ascribe Greatness {Week 2 - lettering challenge}

Well, I have reached the second week. I have a little catching up to do, but as no-one has joined in with the challenge, I don't feel so bad! LOL

I am certainly enjoying dwelling upon the words of the hymns as I do my own lettering. There is so much doctrine and blessing in the words.

So, here are this week's prompts.

Day 8 - Immortal honours

1. Immortal honours rest on Jesus’ head;
My God, my portion, and my living bread;
In Him I live, upon Him cast my care;
He saves from death, destruction, and despair.

2. He is my refuge in each deep distress;
The Lord my strength and glorious righteousness;
Through floods and flames He leads me safely on,
And daily makes His sovereign goodness known.

3. My every need He richly will supply;
Nor will His mercy ever let me die;
In Him there dwells a treasure all divine,
And matchless grace has made that treasure mine.

4. O that my soul could love and praise Him more,
His beauties trace, His majesty adore;
Live near His heart, upon His bosom lean;
Obey His voice, and all His will esteem.

William Gadsby 1773-1844

Day 9 - How Deep the Father's Love

This is a modern hymn, so you need to go directly to Stuart Townend's site to find them, here. 

Day 10 - Before the Throne of God Above

1 Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea;
a great High Priest, whose name is Love,
who ever lives and pleads for me.

2 My name is graven on his hands,
my name is written on his heart;
I know that while in heaven he stands
no tongue can bid me thence depart.

3 When Satan tempts me to despair
and tells me of the guilt within,
upward I look, and see him there
who made an end of all my sin.

4 Because the sinless Savior died,
my sinful soul is counted free;
for God the Just is satisfied
to look on him and pardon me.

5 Behold him there! the risen Lamb,
my perfect, spotless righteousness;
the great unchangeable "I AM,"
the King of glory and of grace!

6 One with himself, I cannot die,
my soul is purchased by his blood;
my life is hid with Christ on high,
with Christ my Savior and my God.

Charitie Lees Bancroft

Day 11 -  I Will Stand on Every Promise of His Word

Another modern one, by Stuart Townend. Find it here.  

Day 12 - O Thou by Whom we Come to God

    O Thou by whom we come to God,
    The life, the truth, the way,
    The path of prayer Thyself hast trod:

Lord, teach us how to pray.

Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,
Unuttered or expressed;
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.

Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.

Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer, the sublimest strains
That reach the Majesty on high.

Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath,
The Christian’s native air,
His watchword at the gates of death;
He enters Heav’n with prayer.

Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice,
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice
And cry, Behold, he prays!

The saints in prayer appear as one
In word, in deed, and mind,
While with the Father and the Son
Sweet fellowship they find.

No prayer is made by man alone
The Holy Spirit pleads,
And Jesus, on th’eternal throne,
For sinners intercedes.

James Montgomery 1771-1854

Day 13 - Take My Life and Let it Be

1 Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise.

2 Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee.

3 Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee.

4 Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose.

5 Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne.

6 Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee. 

Frances Ridley Havergal 1836-1879

Day 14 - Blessed Assurance

1 Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine;
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. 

Chorus 

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

2 Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

3 Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Fanny Crosby 1820-1915

I'd really love it if others join in, sharing these words with others in this lettering challenge. 

"Bible" isn't just a subject {how we start our school day}

I've been meaning to share with you, for a while, about our new morning routine, during school time.

I can't remember exactly where I was challenged about our mornings. It may have been a podcast, or a book I was reading, or a Facebook post from someone.

That part doesn't matter.

What I WAS convicted about was that our schooling was working around me desperately trying to get the children to complete X, Y and Z. It was always a rush to DO. Any Bible learning we did was just part of any Bible centred curriculum we are using (and I try to use plenty with a Bible-centred emphasis). I became convicted about my priorities. Instead of rushing to do "learning", I needed to start off the day with what was most important. God, His Word, His people. If we didn't do ANYTHING else then so long as we had spent time learning about God, His Word, and His ways, then we had learned something FAR more important than any intellectual gain.

I decided we would jump back in with Sally and Clay Clarkson's "Our 24 Family Ways".  It's a great book guide that uses 24 "ways", that the Clarksons used in their own family, as the backbone. They are all based on scriptural principles, and each day has scripture that ties in with the character trait being taught. We have used it before, but it had been a while. I saw some character traits in my children that needed some training, so it was perfect to go through again.

I also decided to use "The Gospel Story Bible" every morning. This book takes all the major Biblical events and ties the gospel into each one, teaching children to see everything as working towards the Saviour coming, and the great plan of salvation. It's wonderful to see it all woven together and a simple read aloud for children.

Recently, I was talking to some homeschool friends about geography, and what curriculum they used. They told me about using "Operation World" prayer guide as a backbone to learn about countries and cultures around the world. I had NO idea what Operation World WAS! It turns out that it is a FANTASTIC resource. (As a side note, this is a "Must have" for any Church! It is packed full of helpful information that could be used in multiple settings as  Church - prayer meetings, children's ministry, youth work, outreach - it's simply super!!!) It goes through all the countries in the world, outlining some basic general information, and then praise and prayer points for that country. Some countries have fairly extensive information, which we have picked through. It's a massive tome, but an incredible resource. We also got the book "Windows on the World" which goes through many people groups, specifically from a child's perspective, and again highlights areas for prayer. It isn't as extensive as the Prayer Handbook for OW, but it's more child directed and visual. Operation World also has a fantastic website, also including prayer videos for many of the countries in the world.

What we will also be adding, in September, are the scripture memory verses from "Matters of the Heart". I think that Scripture Memorisation is something that I have not been intentional enough about with my children. They learn their memory verse for Friday Club, but I don't even put as much effort into THAT as I ought to.  *blush* As I plan to learn these verses myself, it seems sensible to do it as a family.  I  have now printed out the printable verses, which we will then learn together daily, with a new verse each week.

Don't forget that for this week only, all the Matters of the Heart product are on special offer, for the launch! (Click on the visual below to go to the online shop.)




And, I have also found out that if you order the book this week, you get ALL the products below for FREE! Yes, for FREE!!! There are some really helpful resources in there. 

31 Days to a Better Marriage eBook by Carlie Kercheval of Fulfilling Your Vows

12 Printable Pocket Bible Verses for Women from Today's Frugal Mom

More than Words for Moms Devotional by Stephanie Eidson of Multi Taskin Mom

Mini Prayer Book Printable by Brittany Ann of Equipping Godly Women

DIY Personal Spiritual Retreat Kit by Arabah Joy

Without Regret (a Christian Fiction Novel) by Elaine Mingus of Radcial Christian Woman

Inspirational Quote Pack (3 Printable 8 x 10’s) from The Modest Mom Blog

Family Favourites Meal Plan from Sharla at Freezer Meals 101

3 Printable Scripture Verses (8 x 10) from Sunu at Faith Art Designs

That's a whole lotta love and kindness given to you for NOTHING, out of the generous spirit of those who have produced them - they want to bless YOU! These are other mums and women in the spiritual trenches, who desire to build up others in their faith, to the glory of God.

In addition, don't forget about the prayer and praise journal to go alongside the book, as well as the printable verses, all available at the special launch week prices, or as an extra special bundle price. 

One of my favourite parts of our new morning routine, though, is that I am now regularly praying with, and for, my children. They have heard me pray for them before - but now, specifically, they hear me plead before the throne for their souls. There is nothing I desire more in life than that my children come to know the Lord as their Saviour. I can teach them character - that's great. I can teach them facts and figures - useful and profitable. But, the best thing I can do is point them towards the one who alone can be their life and all, and only if they place their faith in Him, and seek forgiveness for their sins. That is what they hear me seeking the Lord for EVERY DAY. I trust that the Lord would even use that to lead the to Himself.

I think it's so important to have God and His ways at the centre of all we desire to teach our children. When we raise our children, God's Word shouldn't be incidental - it should be intentional. How can we ever expect our children to follow God's ways if we don't TEACH them to our children?

I'd love to hear what other people do to teach their children about the Lord and His Word. Do you have a daily Bible time? How does it work for your family? What do you love about it?

I trust you have a blessed Lord's Day tomorrow, and don't forget to make use of the Matters of the Heart book deal. Don't miss out - it ends in around 48 hours! 

Matters of the Heart {a 52 week scripture plan for memorising scripture}

(This post contains affiliate links)

I am SO excited to be part of launching an UH-MAZ-ING book this week!!

How often do verses come to your mind in a situation? Verses that suit the moment, and you are SO thankful you memorised them? Perhaps it's only the verses you memorised as a child, or verses that are so "well known" they are on the tip of your tongue? Perhaps they are verses you have only learnt because you have read them so many times?

Have you ever actually commited, as an adult, to memorise scripture, though? We are told to hide God's Word in our HEARTS, and that will only happen if we place it there. We need to commit it to memory, so it springs up when when we need it most.

Carlie has written a wonderful book that combines the memorisation of scripture with a devotional just for women. It deals with issues that we face on a daily basis, and has a verse to memorise each week for a year. ONE VERSE. It's something we can ALL do, if set our minds to do it. I'ts not a big ask, but I just know it will bless your souls! I can not WAIT to get started with it.

Each week's devotional comes with a challenge and ways to put the verse into action. It really gets you thinking "How is this relevant to ME?", and applying it to your heart and life. It's not long. It's not time consuming. But, it is perfect for getting you to work at getting closer to Jesus.

Also available are some fabulous printable resources - very pretty scripture memory cards and prayer and reflection journal.  These will help you as you commit these scriptures to memory, and apply the truths contained in them to your heart and life.

There will be some special pricing ONLY for this coming week.  They are fantastic value, especially for us in the UK (even if the exchange rate isn't as good as normal...!)


There are several great ways to buy things. The best deal is the bundle.  This includes the digital book, the prayer & reflection journal, and the printable scripture memory cards, all for a fabulous price of $15! (After this launch week it will go up to $20)

If you only want to buy individual elements, you can just buy them alone.

If you buy the book on its own it is $8 (will go up to $10 after this week)

There is also a lovely Prayer and Reflection journal, here, which will be $6 during launch week, but will go up to $8. 

And then there are also the 52 printable scripture cards, which you will find here. these will be $5 this week, but will go up to $7 after the launch.

I know that Carlie has put so much time, attention, and prayer into this project, She is SUCH an encourager, and just wants other Mums to be built up, too. 

If you are wanting to start the new school year with a heaping dose of God's Word hidden in your heart, then this is for you.

If you want to journal your way through scripture, finding truth and applying it to your circumstances, this is for you.

If you are needing a new way to boost your understanding of scriptures, this is for you.

If you are busy and need something simple to draw you closer to the Lord, this is for you.

If you are a woman who needs to spend more time in God's Word, this is for you. Hang on, that means it's for ALL of you!!! 

So, what are you waiting for?

Jump on in, and be encouraged as you seek to commit God's Word to your heart and mind.  Don't miss out on the great prices for this week only!