Mom and Dad gave a very sweet practical gift to Abby, Betsy, and Tina for Christmas: Hobby Lobby gift cards. But it had an extra perk. Included with the gift cards was a shopping trip to spend them with Mom and Anna and Mary plus lunch out. Each girl picked out what they wanted to spend their money on.
Love,
Sarah
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart,
so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity:
for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. — 1 John 3:1
He loves us so much we are called His children, if we have accepted Him (read 1 John).
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. — Romans 5:8
He loved us so much, He gave His Son, His most precious possession, for us. When we did not love Him!
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. — Exodus 20:6
He loves us so much He gives us undeserved mercy. It comes with a call for obedience.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. — Revelation 3:19
He loves us so much He chastens us to bring Him back to himself.
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? — Matthew 7:11
He loves us so much He gives us good gifts.
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. — John 14:23
He loves His children so much, He has promised a home in Heaven.
The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. — Deuteronomy 7:7-8
He loves us so much. Please show someone you love an expression of God’s love today!
These past weeks have flown by, and now we’re almost to mid-February! The last Random Life closed out the old year, so I’ll catch you up on the events so far.
Enjoy a peek into our lives.
Love,
Sarah
“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23
There were so many comments, we decided to double our giveaway to ten recipients!
We used a query generator which randomly pulled the names. 🙂
To put a special twist on sharing who won, I thought I’d post their original comment and then a brief introduction they shared after I contacted them.
Thank you all again for the amazing comments! They really blessed us!
#1: Irene’s comment: I first bought your three Manager (Home, School and Chores) books five years ago. I read bits a pieces of each and prayed for God’s will and order in our lives. It has taken a while but I am proud to say I have a functioning Schedule-breeze schedule to keep the day on track BUT what is the most remarkable thing is my perfectionism is melting away. I think why it took me so very long to keep a schedule is my rigidity and defeatism. Now I have grown into a vessel who can roll with the waves and not freak out if the ship steers North when I have South written down. Thanks so much! Irene
Introducing you to Irene: Hi, I’m Irene! I am blissfully married to Nathanael, and we have 8 kids. I am so grateful for everything God has given us. We live outside of Houston on some acreage.
#2: Would you believe the second comment was an international reader? Here is Susi’s comment: AUSTRIA Where shall I start? Your resources changed my marriage, my home, my children, my school. Even if I do not win, I already won by finding your ministry and your lovely family. If I win I hope to get Sarah’s new book:-) Susi
Introducing you to Susi: I’m Susi, and I have 7 children, 4 of them are still homeschooled. I’ve been married for 24 years to a missionary and live in Austria. My biggest dream is to bring Teri and Steve to Europe. I have been blessed for years through their ministry and specially through the investment from Teri and the time she took to coach me through emails. This is the first time ever that I won something. I feel very blessed. Thank you, Maxwell Family! Susi
#3: Angel’s comment: I am encouraged daily by your blog. Each month I go back and see the posts shared in that month in years past. Your family has been a blessing to me to see another family that looks to Jesus for guidance. God bless you all in your ministry.
Introducing you to Angel: Hello, I’m Angel. I have been married for 17 years this month to my husband Benjamin. We have 2 daughters. Carolina is 13, and Annabelle is 10. The Titus 2 Blog is such a blessing to my family. It has been very encouraging to follow the Maxwell family through the years. Thank you so much!
#4: Stephen G’s comment: I guess I will comment for the whole family. 🙂 I have read almost all of Steve’s books and I am continually challenged and blessed. My wife said she “really, really, really appreciates Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit and Sweet Relationships”! The children just love the Moody books as well as Finding Change! Thank you for allowing Jesus to use your family!
Introducing you to Stephen G: My name is Stephen. My wife, Gwen, and I have 5 children. We were missionaries in South Africa for 7 years. I’ve also done landscaping, construction and been an office manager. I am currently hoping to start a greenhouse and/or microgreen business in order to work together with my family. This year my wife and I will be married 20 years! We are in the process of moving from MO to IN.
#5: Kim H’s comment: The books and articles I read from Titus 2 are always encouraging and help me through my homeschooling struggles. I really dont think I would accomplish so much, if I didnt have the help from so many of your books.
Introducing you to Kim H: My name is Kimberly. I have been married for 15 years. I have 5 children, my daughter will be 14 this March, and my 4 boys ages are 11, 8, 7, and 4.5. We have been homeschooling since my daughter was 4. We live in Pennsylvania.
#6: Rhonda C’s comment: I love your heart for the family and your love for God.
Introducing you to Rhonda C: I am Rhonda. My husband and I live in Nebraska. We have 6 children who are all in public schools.
#7: Catherine D’s comment: I appreciate this blog because you celebrate and encourage godly living.
Introducing you to Catherine D: We’ve been married 32 years and have 9 children. We live in New Mexico.
#8: Geniece B’s comment: Our family is greatly blessed by the Maxwell Family. I especially thank the Lord for the time spent (by your family) in prayer on our behalf. Your blog is wonderful. The literature fantastic, but the prayer is most nurturing. May the Lord bless you all!
Introducing you to Geniece B: We are Forest and Geniece. We have been married 12.5 years. We have 4 children and live in Kansas. Our favorite Titus 2 book (so far) is “keeping our children’s hearts”!
#9: Amy Jo’s comment: Been following your blog for SO many years! Thank your for your encouragement and godly resources. My daughters have LOVED reading (and re-reading over and over) Sarah’s books…and I’ve enjoyed all of the rest of your resources. Praying blessings over your beautiful family.
Introducing you to Amy Jo: I’m Amy, and I’ve been married for 24 years. I have three children and live in Oregon.
#10: Stacey P’s comment: As a homeschooling mom, I particularly love Teri’s moms corner. It always speaks of something that is applicable to my life. I’ve never read one where I didn’t think something like, “Yes, she understands.” Or “I’m so glad someone else has experienced that too.” It’s just so refreshing to be encouraged in my role as wife and mother. Thanks!
Introducing you to Stacey P: I’m Stacey, and I have three amazing children–all boys. I LOVE being a homeschool mama. My husband and I have been happily married for 12 years, and we live in Virginia.
“Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God,
which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him
and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.”
Deuteronomy 7:9
We are humbled and blessed by your responses in the 2500 Blog Post Giveaway. Thank you!
When we decided what to do to celebrate 2500 blog posts and chose a giveaway, we wanted to make sure the giveaway went to someone who would appreciate it so this is what we said: “Leave a comment below with either why you like the Titus2 blog or something you appreciate about a Titus2 resource.”
We expected a sentence or two about a book you liked or about the blog. However, you shared so much, much more than just that. Our hearts were touched and overwhelmed as we read how your hearts have been touched. We are grateful to you and to the Lord. Any and all blessings and benefits you have received from Titus2 is all of and from our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is our desire to walk faithfully with our God, being obedient to all He calls us to do. So it is greatly encouraging to know that His name and His Word are being lifted up through Titus2. Thank you, again! To God be the glory!
This weekend Sarah plans to have a post announcing the give away winners.
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8
Because the Bibles we purchased a few years ago did not hold up well, we went on a quest to find publishers who made quality Bibles.
When I tried to get one of my Bibles rebound, I discovered it had a glued binding and could only be rebound by cutting it off, resulting in a smaller inside margin. Once that is done, the text moves so far toward the spine that I was told most people are no longer happy with their Bibles. I agreed. It could be hard to read a Bible with some of the words hidden by the inside margin.
We went on to discover that the best quality Bibles have a sewn binding. A sewn binding generally lasts longer than glued, and it can be better rebound if it begins to fall apart.
There are some glued bindings that look sewn to the untrained eye. Here is an article that will help you know if the Bible you are evaluating is sewn or glued.
Faith, with Leonard’s Book Restoration, gave me these hints for publishers who print sewn-bound Bibles:
As for a quality bound Bible, Cambridge Bibles are always sewn. So that is a safe bet, but if you don’t see one of those you like, Holman Bibles are frequently sewn as well. Those two are your best bet, though you will find a few Zondervan Bibles that are sewn.
Blessings,
Faith
Recently two of our children invested in hopefully quality, lifetime Bibles with sewn bindings printed by a company called Schuyler. Their new Bibles have soft goatskin covers that are extremely flexible and lay easily over the hand or sit comfortably in a lap. The thin, quality, matte finish pages feel nice and make the Bible lightweight. They are unlike any we have seen in a Bible.
Who published the oldest Bibles you have in your home that are holding up to daily use?
Trusting in Jesus,
Teri
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto
them that put their trust in him” (Proverbs 30:5).
