The Porch

I am so thrilled to introduce you to Joann. She is a M.O.D Squad mom of two and every time she shares her heart I am inspired to love Jesus more and be a mom of purpose. Recently, she shared this story about her daughter for our home school program. If you read one blog post today, read this one! I know it will be so glad you did!


The Finish Line
by Joann

This weekend, our family celebrated the graduation of our oldest daughter Jordynn. We have crossed the finish line and we are overwhelmed with joy!

Jordynn's graduation journey began her Freshman year of high school. As a family, we decided to attend graduation each May until it was our turn. We would ask her to visualize herself walking across the stage to receive her diploma. My husband and I would visualize ourselves walking across the stage to meet her. One year I even remember grabbing the back of a church envelope to practice writing what our recording would say. Would we be funny or serious? Would we let the audience know all of our daughter's funny nicknames? Would we share congratulations for her academic accomplishments or for the growth of her tender heart? We practiced this moment for four years...we had an end picture.

For our family, parent directed education was an unexpected turn on our journey. God had called us to remove our daughter from private, Christian school at the onset of seventh grade and bring her home. This was an act of obedience and required total reliance on the Lord.

Can I tell you the most amazing part of our family's story? The Lord knit our hearts together in a new way. We fell madly in love with our daughter all over again! Was homeschooling hard? You bet! Were there disagreements? Of course! Did we love each other? Yes! Did we like each other? Most of the time. (wink!)

Crossing the finish line requires...

- Full engagement
- Intentional preparation
- Unrelenting perseverance
- Whole-hearted commitment
- and lots and lots of Love!

Moms, I encourage you to develop your end picture. I encourage you to visualize your finish line. I encourage you to practice celebrating the moment for He promises that His good work in your family will come to full completion.

"And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you." -- Philippians 1:6 AMP

This mother's heart rejoices today for the finish line is so sweet...He has completed what He started in our graduate!



When I asked Joann if I could post this for my 29lincolnavenue friends, she said, "Mom's are my passion and anytime the Lord allows me to encourage them, I'm thrilled!!" Don't you just love her! Thanks so much Joann!

Looking Forward,


Have you become a fan of 29lincolnavenue on facebook yet? You can click here and choose 'like' By doing this, each time there is a new post here, it will show up as a news item in your daily feed. Thanks!

Words To Live By

"If you are still drawing breath, God's got promises to fulfill in your life."

Beth Moore

Looking Forward,

P.S. iFellowship was created by the team at Seeds Of Faith. They have said, "We wanted all the Christian moms out there to have a place to get to know each-other and well, just fellowship! After all, we're called to fellowship with one another. (1st Corinthians 1:9 "God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.")" Visit them today and add your link each Wednesday to join ifellowship.

Chair Time

I have realized a couple of things about myself recently. The first, is that I do pretty good with the big picture kind of stuff in life. This is one reason why One Million Arrows resonated so deeply for me. It spoke my language. Second, the issues I struggle with are daily laid down life kind of things. Like serving others and letting go of my flesh driven selfish nature. Can they see His character - the Fruit of His Spirit living in me? And by they, I don't mean the Publix check out girl. I can be loving, joyful, patient and gentle with her for at least 5 minutes. I am talking about the people who know me best, the ones I can't fool...my family.

"It simply is not natural for most of us to love God or love others in the dramatic discipline of a laid down life. We are selfish, self-serving people... Yet God in Christ came among us in lowly service. He came to minister to us, to give Himself to us. And so, because He first loved us, we in turn are to be willing and ready to love Him and others."

(see John 3:16-17 and1 John 3:16-17)

Lessons From A Sheepdog, p 56

I recently read this little book and fell in love with the sweet dog Lass. I saw so much of myself in her. The above quote is one that truly spoke to me. My flesh does not want to lay down my life and serve. I often find myself grumbling that I have do "it" myself. But the truth is that Christ came among us to love and serve. His was a life laid down from the very beginning (Philippians 2:5-11). His Spirit lives within me. And because of that I have the capacity to love, serve, and show His character to others. He isn't asking me to do anything He wasn't willing to do. And He doesn't ask me to do it myself either. All He asks of me is to step aside and allow the Fruit of His Spirit to do it through me.

"Little children, (or in this case their mother), let us not love with word

or with tongue, but in deed and truth."

1 John 3:18

Looking Forward,

One Million Arrows Winner

The winner of the copy of One Million Arrows is:


Leslie from Tiny Wings - learning to fly! Leslie found her way to 29lincolnavenue through our mutual friend Tracie at tsj photography. Congratulations Leslie! Please email me your address and I will get send you the book this week. I know you will be blessed as you read this amazing book. If you would like to order a copy for yourself you can click here.

Today I am contributing a blog post over at One Million Arrows. Be sure to stop by and check it out. Thanks Julie for the opportunity!

Looking Forward,

Multitude Monday

Counting 1,000 Gifts

#270 Oreo Cheescake

#271 Catching up with my in real life friend who blogs, and meeting
my blog friend who is now in my real life friend!

Thankful,

P.S. Have you joined the 29lincolnavenue Facebook Fan Page?

On Million Arrows My Response

So here I sit, thinking to myself, “How can I take the long way home and commit today to raising arrows that will strike a blow against the kingdom of darkness?”

First, I am praying that God will give my husband & me a specific vision for raising our own little pink arrows. They are all unique and fabulously made. I am determined now more than ever to be a parent who is purposeful. Second, I know it will take a commitment from me every day to be shaped by the Shepherd Himself…because “they will become as I am becoming..” (Paraphrased from page 22). I have to be willing to be shaped first before I am going to shape them.

Will it be easy? No. Will I be asked to forgo my own personal comforts? Probably. Might others think I am crazy? Surely. Will there be rewards? You bet.

I am going to offer one person a chance to win a copy of this book. Leave a comment below and tell me what you are thinking about this week's focus of One Million Arrows. *I will choose one comment from Randomizer.org to win a free copy of this book. The contest is open until Sunday May 29 at midnight.

If by chance your heart is stirred, I highly encourage you to order this book. I promise you will be challenged and inspired! And another added blessing is that all proceeds from the sale of One Million Arrows go to further work with orphans around the world! So not only will you be blessed to read it, you will bless others by purchasing it as well.

Looking Forward,


To order a copy of One Million Arrows, click here.

***Contest is only open to those living in the United States of America.


Julie Ferwerda is recognized for making the Bible exciting and relevant to everyday life through her writing and speaking. Her articles are featured in many Christian magazines and websites for both adults and teens, and she frequently volunteers her time and talents to international orphan ministry. Learn more at OneMillionArrows.com.

One Million Arrows Review

Challenged.
Inspired.
Moved.

These words all describe how I felt as read this book. At it's core, it is a book discipling our children in Christ. The book is broken into three sections. First Julie challenges you to Gather – by owning the mission, next to Sharpen – by being purposeful in the training of your children, and finally to Launch – by placing them in the hands of Christ “prepared as skillful weapons against the kingdom of darkness” By doing this you can raise children who will literally change the world.

The vision for this book came from a long time servant of Christ, Dr. M.A. Thomas or 'Papa', as he is often called. Serving in the poorest sections of India, Papa, received a calling from the Lord to gather, sharpen, and launch arrows who also happened to be orphans. As Julie describes, this method of discipleship can also work in our own homes with our children.

I think my favorite part of the book is in the chapter entitled “Shape Arrows At Home.” In it, Julie interviews several parents including Bob and Pam Tebo, Gregg and Sono Harris, and Josh McDowell . As a Florida girl, I have to give a special nod to this quote about recent Florida Gator and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow’s parents:

“Tim had parents who stuck to the safer, long way home by committing themselves to raising arrows… Tim’s parents made decisions based on the big picture, not on immediate gratification, easy shortcuts, or personal comfort. From the beginning, they set out to raise kids who would make a lasting impact on this world.” P. 52

If you haven't been living under a rock for the past few years, you certainly know about Tim Tebow. You probably also know, that he was recently drafted to play in the NFL for the Denver Broncos. Even if you aren't a football fan, you may have seen Tim and his mom in a Super Bowl Ad for for Life, produced by Focus on The Family. The amazing thing is that when Tim's parents realized how gifted he was, they saw football as a platform for him to share Christ. Today, that vision is giving him the chance to share his testimony with people all over the world.

Tim is just one of a Million Arrows that God has used to change the world for Christ. His parents answered the call early on to become arrow shapers. I would highly encourage you to read One Million Arrows and you will be powerfully moved to consider how you might become an arrow shaper, too.

Looking Forward,



To Read a copy of Chapter 1, click here.
For information on how to order a copy, click here.






Julie Ferwerda is recognized for making the Bible exciting and relevant to everyday life through her writing and speaking. Her articles are featured in many Christian magazines and websites for both adults and teens, and she frequently volunteers her time and talents to international orphan ministry. Learn more at OneMillionArrows.com.

P.S. I am also linking up today with Seeds of Faith and I Fellowship to promote this awesome book and the tour! I also happen to like what these neat women are doing to build a community of women online! Check them out!