For those of us in the Evangelical tradition, we don’t hear much of Martin Luther or the Reformation.  But, in our family we are teaching our kids about the significance of the Reformation and Martin Luther and it’s vital importance to who we are as Christians.  October 31st (Reformation Day) marks the day that Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the doors of the Whittenburg Church(1517).Our daughter attended a Lutheran school for Kindergarten and first grade.  While there, she was exposed to Luther while attending there and for that we are grateful!  Currently my husband is teaching both our children about Luther and the importance of the Reformation.  We think it is vital for Christians to understand Christian history and how it is important to us today!  Without Luther and the other reformers we may still be paying indulgences to the Catholic Church!

If you want to teach your children about Luther, there is a great book that my daughter’s teacher read to them.  It is titled “Martin Luther, A Man Who Changed the World” and is written by Paul Maier.  There is also an amazing movie which depicts Martin’s struggles to bring change to the Catholic church called “Luther” (I would not recommend this for small children, you may want to review it before allowing your children to view it.)  Enjoy!  And remember, October 31st is about so much more than costumes and candy!

I LOVE this acoustic version of The Lost Get Found, by Britt Nicole. Enjoy!

This song gives me chills! Sometimes I get overwhelmed by all the mess that is going on in this world, but when I hear this song I am reminded that Jesus lives and that is our hope!!! Enjoy!

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” – Job Job 19:25-27

James 4:13-17 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.
Go to www.claytonsstory.com for Clayton’s full testimony, to view his memorial.

During WWII three brothers did an amazing thing. They saved 1200 Jews from the the hands of the Nazis by living and hiding in the forests of Belarus. It was an amazing the true store of survival and sacrifice. The three brothers were the Bielski brothers. Their names were Tuvia, Asael, and Zusia (Zus).  They were experts at survival and knew the forests of Belarus like the back of their hands.  They began hiding in the forests after the villages of Belarus were raided by the Nazis during WWII.  Soon, they found themselves hiding other Jews in the forests.

I first heard of these brothers and the Jews that they saved while watching a documentary on the History channel(“The Bielski Brothers: Jerusalem In The Woods“).  It is truly amazing that they were able to hide so many people in the forests and survive for so long!

The movie, Defiance, is an excellent portrayal of the struggle that they went through as they tried to save the lives of fellow Jews and themselves.  Defiance, is an amazing movie, I highly recommend it!  Below is the movie trailer that will give you an idea of what to expect from this amazing movie and true story! Enjoy!

Psalm 103
Of David.
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:

8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.

9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.

17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children-

18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.

19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.

21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.

22 Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.