Heather Congrove

Daily Bible Study #11

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts. Proverbs 21:2 KJV
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Proverbs 21
1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.

30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

As always thanks for reading and have a blessed day.

You said child won’t you trust me,
I’ll give you what you need.
I’ll make you whole again.
Let me show you where to begin.

At first I tried to fight it.
Like Jonah I tried to run and hide.
I thought I was too far gone, my sins far too wide.
But I heard your voice whisper, child do not be afraid.
The price has already been paid.

Don’t let the world convince you that you are broken beyond repair.
Give me your burdens that are too heavy to bear.
Don’t let the devil feed you lies and deceit.
You can lay your worries at My feet.

Your sins I will tend to carefully.
I’ll wash them all away.
I’ll teach you to live fearlessly,
With childlike faith.

So I gave my heart to Jesus and he welcomed me home.
He showed me just where I belong.

He said child you can trust me.
I want you to succeed.
Come and rest within me.

I’m sure you recall your brother, the one they called Saul.
It does not matter how hard you fall.
Come and eat at my table there is no need to hide in shame.
I will give you a new name.

Let Me show you how to live, how to live to glorify me. You are a daughter of the one true King.

Daily Bible Study #10

Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Romans 4:7 KJV
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Romans 4
1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Fun Animal Facts.

I love animals and I love random facts. Even better, I love random animal facts. Recently I saw a bird called a honey buzzard on television. The feathered animal caught my attention for a short spell so I figured I would share the knowledge I gathered.

European Honey Buzzard

European honey buzzards are within the family of Accipitridae. Instead of buzzards, they are more closely related to the hawks and eagles. They grow 20-24 inches tall and have a wing span of 53-59.7 inches. The bird is a summer migrant to small areas in western Palearctic from most of Europe to as far East as southwestern-Siberia. They have a wide range of habitats from exotic plantations to woodlands. These birds typically migrate to tropical Africa for the European winters.

European honey buzzards primarily live on the larvae and nests of wasps and bees. Although, they will munch on small prey such as smaller birds, rodents and frogs. They build nest tall in the trees but tend to be spotted on the ground near nests. All of these birds are sexually dimorphic, meaning there have separate and unique colors, patterns and physical characteristics differences between male and female.

They have beaks with elongated tips designed to hold insects securely. Their feet are long and wide, specially designed to grasp honey comb. Scale like feathers cover the head and neck along with a chemical deterrent on the feathers to protect against stings. Heavy scaly armor cover their feet and legs further adding to their resilience against the bees venom. They have narrow nostrils to prevent their noses from becoming clogged with wax or soil from the prey’s nest. These birds are one of the few animals that can and will eat the killer hornet. A unique and well equipped bird in the animal kingdom.

To follow the same theme of honey and bees let’s look at tiny insect with a huge belly.

Honey Pot Ants

Honey pot ants eat both live and dead insects along with nectar from various plants. Certain workers, called repletes, develop huge extended bellies by consuming massive amounts of food. After this engorgement they become translucent and immobile, anchoring themself to the roof of their underground nest.
They essentially become living larders for the whole community. During times of drought or low food supply the other ants extract the nourishment from them by trophallaxis. First, a fellow ant strokes the antenna of the honey pot ant who regenerates the virtual nutrients. These distinct ants make up about 49% of the colony, always protecting the survival of the next generation.

The honey pot ants have a vast habitat ranging from arid & semi-arid regions of the United States, Mexico, Australia and Africa.
Indigenous Australians considered these a very special treat and have been known to dig over 9 feet in search of the delicacy. The native people also use the sticky liquid to treat sore throats, skin infections and inflammation. What a fascinating and marvelous little creature.

Thank you for reading my animal fun facts. I plan to post more periodically as the whim strikes me. I enjoy doing short articles like these about lesser known animals. As always have a great day and God bless.

Daily Bible Study #9

In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

Deuteronomy 30:16 KJV
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Deuteronomy 30

1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,

2 And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;

3 That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.

4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:

5 And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.

6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

7 And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee.

8 And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.

9 And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers:

10 If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.

11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.

12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?

14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;

16 In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

17 But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

18 I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.

19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

Homeschooling

I would like to do an article today about homeschooling. In previous writings I have stated that I have chosen to homeschool my three children. My son, the eldest child, is in middle school. My middle child is in preschool and the youngest is yet to reach school age. I wish to share my invaluable first hand knowledge with those that may be contemplating a switch. The first steps can be daunting and below are the things I wish I knew when I was starting out. I do not judge people who choose to teach their child differently. This is simply my informative view on the subject.

Upon a quick internet search and a few reddit threads and one quickly realizes options for homeschooling are almost limitless. Basically there are three categories each option falls into. Public virtual learning, private online schools and traditional homeschooling. Each group has its own classifications and rules which only adds to the confusion.

Public virtual learning is brick and mortar schooling but strictly online. Children have live classes with teachers that they are required to attend along with daily assignments. Standard state testing is also mandatory for specific grades which are held in person. Parent participation is usually minimal although a success coach is recommended to provide extra support when needed. This can be a parent or another adult. Public virtual learning is free and a laptop as well as other materials are provided by the school. Schedule flexibility and requirements vary based on which programs are selected.

Private or charter schools are independent organizations that provide curriculum to students. Some offer live classes with teachers while others have recorded sessions to watch. Both typically have modules or class work to follow as well. The curriculum includes the core subjects along with various electives. These types of schools usually require tuition. The prices vary depending on grade, location, and sector. Each school determines their own requirements and testing expectations.

Traditional homeschooling offers both free and paid options. The parent is responsible for determining what the daily schedule consists of, along with what is being taught. Several platforms offer different materials for each subject and grade. Some of these offer entire curriculums for parents to utilize, others focus on specific courses. One platform may have a grading tool and quiz maker when the next one does not. One may have printables while the others require workbooks. Whether it be recordings, printables, slide shows, games, crafts, books, worksheets, or PDF, the list is endless on available resources. It is up to the parent to teach, grade, and monitor the students’ work and success.

Another important aspect is accreditation. While all public schools are accredited, some private and homeschooling options are not. When it comes to highschool and graduation, this aspect can make some people nervous. While accredited schools provide diplomas, non-accredited schools do not. However, there are still ways to obtain a diploma within those types of schools and are essentially the same award.

I have tried brick and mortar school and quickly found it was not a great fit. I then went to public online learning and finally to traditional homeschooling. Each one has its own downfalls but any choice allows the child to learn from the comfort of their home, or wherever they choose. .

Each and everyday I wake up and my focus is on my children. I spent the whole morning with them making meaningful memories. When I watch the news of the world today it is appalling what kids are exposed to at any given age. I will not name out specifics, there are hundreds of examples to choose from in regards to children being taught wrong or taken advantage of. We have one shot as parents to teach our children what they need to survive in this world. Why not make every day count.

It is a mere 6,579 days from birth to 18 years. That is approximately 2,550 school days. That number seems so small when looking from this perspective doesn’t it?

I’m not going to say homeschooling is for everyone, because it’s not. I’m not saying it will be easy or stress free. All I’m saying is anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

I think I have finally found what works for my family and I didn’t find it on the first try. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Homeschooling does not require a degree or some vast database of knowledge.
It does however, require parents to take an active role in their child’s learning. I am blessed to have the ability to homeschool my children. I am grateful for every milestone reached and goal achieved. As always my children are my greatest accomplishment.

If homeschooling sounds like the right path to explore, always start with your local laws and statutes. Every state has their own requirements and guidelines that homeschoolers must follow. Most states require a letter of intent to homeschool to be sent to your local board of education office. This will exclude you from any truancy issues. Other states require you to keep a portfolio as well to document the work that has been done. Typically these requirements fall under the traditional homeschooling route.

Another worry is socialization. Even that can be resolved with a little bit of effort. I was able to find a local homeschool community that meets up regularly. I have found sports through local churches and independent organizations. I have seen older children volunteer in the community and local groups put on dances and parties. Socialization is still an option, you just have to look for them. You don’t have 7 flyers coming home in a folder offering girl scout cookies, basketball and cheerleading sign ups and dance classes. However, they still exist in the community and are separate from the public school sector. Start by joining local Facebook groups and looking for co-ops in your area.

I went to brick and mortar school pre-k through senior year. When I graduated I had no idea how to sustain myself or what it took to make it in the real world. I couldn’t write a check, form a resume, pay a bill, or make an appointment. I was clueless on what I wanted to do with my life let alone what I NEEDED to do. My goal is to give my children a better start than I had, which will hopefully carry on for generations.

Thank you for your time and I hope someone out there finds this article helpful.

Teach Me To Be Wild

Teach me to be wild
and swim in your grace
Teach me to be wild
within your embrace

A leap,a jump without fail
Without a doubt I know you will be there
Helping me with the burdens to bare.
The armor of God you gave me to wear

Lead, guide, direct, and protect
It’s your will not mine
God you are divine

Teach me to be wild
Teach me to be free
Teach me to follow after thee

With childlike faith, blind and worry free
I trust in you God Almighty.

Teach me to be wild
and seek your hearts desires
Teach me to be wild
and what your love requires.

A conscious effort each and every day
I take a moment just to pray.
A moment in your presence, a moment of peace.
A moment for all my trouble to release.

Teach me to be wild
Teach me to be free
Teach me your reality

Written by Heather Congrove

Thank you for reading!

Daily Bible Study #8

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
Luke 16:10 KJV

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Luke 16

1 And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.

2 And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.

4 I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.

5 So he called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?

6 And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.

7 Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.

8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?

13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Weekend Writing Prompt #405

Weekend Writing Prompt #405: This weekend your challenge is to write a poem or a piece of prose in exactly 27 words using the word “Gallant”. By Sammi Cox

I don’t necessarily agree with my poem but it follows the guidelines 😃.

Can a man with gallant also have talent or must one always lack? The duel of the two seems far and few, a sad but true fact.

Daily Bible Study #7

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

James 1:19 KJV

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King James Bible
Online Study Bible
Bible word or verse

James Chapter 1 KJV

1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

1:9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

1:10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

1:11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

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Heather Congrove