Junior Bible Quiz Kickoff

I am so excited about our new Junior Bible Quiz program at First AG! Bobby, our oldest son, is excited, too. He's been studying hard and has already learned so much...and that's exactly why I'm so excited! JBQ is so much more than just fun competition for kids - it pours the Word of God into their lives, and that is something that will impact them for the rest of their lives.

The Bible says in Psalm 119:11, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." It also says in Deu 6:6-9, "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates."

When our kids learn the Word of God, it will be in their hearts for the rest of their lives. When they are grown, they will teach it to their children, and they will leave a legacy of faith. I'm so excited about what JBQ is going to do in the lives of our kids!

The Next Survivor?

This is hysterical! I love it...

- Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and four kids each, for six weeks.
- Each kid plays two sports and either takes music or dance classes.
- There is no access to fast food.
- Each man must take care of his four kids, keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, complete science projects, cook, do laundry, etc.
- The men only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done. There is only one TV between them and there is no remote.
- The men must shave their legs and wear makeup daily, which they must apply themselves, either while driving or while making four lunches.
- They must attend weekly PTA meetings; clean up after their sick children at 3:00 a.m; make an Indian hut model with six toothpicks, a tortilla and one marker; and get a 4-year-old to eat a serving of peas.
- The kids vote them off the island, based on performance.
- The last man wins only if he has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice.
If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over again for the next 18-25 years - eventually earning the right to be called 'Mother'.

Three Wise Women???

Do you know what would have happened if it had been Three Wise Women instead of Three Wise Men?

They would have...
1. Asked directions
2. Arrived on time
3. Helped deliver the baby
4. Cleaned the stable
5. Made a casserole
...and they would have brought practical gifts.

-- Pastor Robby

A great reminder...

-- Amanda

Top 31 Oxymorons

31. Government worker
30. Legally drunk
29. Exact estimate
28. Act naturally
27. Found missing
26. Resident alien
25. Genuine imitation
24. Airline Food
23. Good grief
22. Government organization
21. Sanitary landfill
20. Alone together
19. Small crowd
18. Business ethics
17. Soft rock
16. Military Intelligence
15. Sweet sorrow
14. "Now, then ..."
13. Passive aggression
12. Clearly misunderstood
11. Peace force
10. Extinct Life
9. Plastic glasses
8. Terribly pleased
7. Political science
6. Tight slacks
5. Definite maybe
4. Pretty ugly
3. Working vacation
2. Religious tolerance

And the number one top Oxymoron is....
1. Microsoft Works

-- Pastor Robby

Retreat

I'm really looking forward to the women's retreat in Kerrville - it's just days away now! The March retreat in Houston was so much fun, and I came back feeling so refreshed and relaxed. It's easy to get so caught up in the busyness and stress of our daily lives. I think that we often put ourselves on the back burner as we juggle family, work, church, and more. Taking a few days to rest, relax, and just have fun can make such a difference. Not to mention the fact that Kerrville and Fredricksburg will be beautiful at this time of year! I'm counting the days until we leave for retreat. -- Amanda

A great series of books

I wanted to share some of my very favorite books with you. I don't say this about many books, but these were truly life-changing for me! Stormie Omartian's numerous books on prayer, including The Power of a Praying Parent, The Power of a Praying Husband, The Power of a Praying Wife, and The Power of a Praying Woman, are incredible. She really challenged my thinking with these books and suggested areas in which to pray for my family that I had never thought of. She also lists numerous Scriptures to use for prayer in each area. I have read many of her books more than once and used them as part of setting up my prayer journal. They are books that you will go to again and again for reference. (For the best idea I've ever seen on setting up a prayer journal, check out Lisa Welchel's website - from the main page, click on the "Taking Care of the Me in Mommy" tab on the right, then click on Step by Step Instructions on Making a Prayer Journal.) I hope they bless you as much as they have blessed me! -- Amanda