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During the mid-morning hours of my work day, I work in a preschool classroom of 3-4 year olds at a private Christian preschool. Today the other teacher in the room asked me to sing songs with the children as we cleaned up from morning snack. The children love music and we have a long list of songs to share with each other. After singing several songs of my choice, I asked the children to choose the songs. Four-year-old Isabella asked if we could sing the “Our Father” song. I said I didn’t know that one and told her to start it off and we’d all follow along. She insisted that we did know that song and then I realized she was talking about “The Lord’s Prayer,” not a song. So we started off “The Lord’s Prayer” as follows:

“Our Father who art in Heaven” then Isabella came to the next part and said “How do you know my name?” instead of “Hallowed be thy name.”

It was so cute that she was hearing that part of the prayer as “how do you know my name.” I used that as a Christian education teachable moment to explain to Isabella that God knows her name because He made her and loves her very much. Even at age 4, children can learn about God’s love and His special attention.

Tags: Educational, Ministry, Personal by Brenna Phillips
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New Orleans, Louisiana — April 27, 1996.

Twelve years ago, at Lakeview Baptist Church in New Orleans, David and I began our married life together. It’s been a great 12 years of sharing up and down moments together. We’re partners in life, ministry, work, and home.

Thank you for the best dozen years. We’re working on many more years and moments together.

Tags: Personal by Brenna Phillips
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A few months ago I read Len Sweet’s Soul Salsa and loved it. I loved the creative ways of looking at paintings and designs and seeing the Bible messages come through each of those sights. It’s a more creative way of participating in devotions other than simply reading devotions.

There are questions, additional thoughts, and websites at the end of each chapter. I found myself going to my computer to look up those websites and find the paintings and ideas that Len referenced in the book. I love Van Gogh’s painting of The Church at Auvers showing a church building with no doors. There is a person walking up to the building trying to find an entrance. How many times do we make it difficult or challenging for people to find entrance into our churches? Or once they enter our church buildings, how many times is it challenging for them to really connect?

My favorite thought in the book is the love knot. Len illustrates the love knot with the traditional story that a sailor would send his lady friend some fishline loosely tied in a true-lover’s knot. The tradition says if the knot was returned to him just as it was sent, then the relationship wasn’t going anywhere. If the knot was returned tightly tied, then the feelings were mutual between the two lovers. If the knot was capsized, then it was time to ship out and cut the relationship.

After searching the internet and local stores for weeks for love knot jewelry, I showed my jewelry-making friend the picture in the book. And she designed 2 pairs of earrings and a ring for me! They are beautiful, just what I had been looking for, and ORIGINAL! I can hardly wait to show Len at the LEC5 cohort class in May.

Soul Salsa is highly recommended reading for a spiritual-pick-me-up.

Tags: Books, Personal by Brenna Phillips
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Today is my mom & dad’s 39th wedding anniversary. What a blessing to have parents who have been married so many years and have provided role models for me in life, ministry, education, adventure, and fun. May you share many more experiences together.

Tags: Personal by Brenna Phillips
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A few days ago we suffered the loss of one of our fish … Gator. Well, he’s back. No, not the original fish, but Gator II, and he brings a friend with him to the fish tank … a little tiny shrimp. We will call him Bubba … from Bubba Gump Shrimp.

Hopefully they all get along in the tank and provide hours in relaxation sights and sounds.

Tags: Personal by Brenna Phillips
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I included a picture of our fish tank in an earlier post. It’s a great stress-reliever to watch the fish swim around in and out of the little house in the tank and to listen to the bubbles from the filter.

It is with sadness that I report that we have lost one of our dear fish friends … Gator … so named because of his orange color, representing the Florida Gators.

We may have to acquire Gator II to fill the void. We remember that great Bible verse … And this too shall pass.

Tags: Personal by Brenna Phillips
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Even with a chill in the air, the sun is shining, birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, trees are budding … it’s a welcome sight from the cold winter months in Delaware.

Here’s a picture of my blooming orchid …

Tags: Personal by Brenna Phillips
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For relaxation and stress relief and that general waterfront feeling, we invested in a small aquarium with 6 tropical fish. They are interesting to watch and it is relaxing to hear the bubbling water.

Tags: Personal by Brenna Phillips
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A Thought for your Pennies

We always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I’ve ever heard this twist on the story … something to think about.

A man who seemed to have everything he ever wanted … luxury cars, big house, summer homes … reached down to the ground and picked up a penny.

He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?

Think about it. Read what it says on the penny. “In God we Trust.”

If we trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever we find a coin we see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it. God drops a message right in front of us telling us to trust Him. Who are we to pass it by?

When we see a coin, pray and stop to see if our trust IS in God at that moment. Then pick the coin up as a response to God; that we do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, we can cherish it as if it were gold. We can think it is God’s way of starting a conversation with us. Lucky for us, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!

Tags: Ministry, Personal by Brenna Phillips
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Today is my birthday. I’m having lunch today with a GREAT friend from church. I’m praying for a good, problem-free day at work.

Tags: Personal by Brenna Phillips
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