Daily Sheet: Day 125: Mercy
Family Books: “My Favorite Food”, “Mrs. Katz and Tush”
Travel: Slovakia
Video: “I Will Sing” – Rich Mullins
Video: “Different Child” – Roo Panes
Tag Archives: Famine
Day 102: Benevolence
Daily Sheet: Day 102: Benevolence
Family Book: “If the World Were a Village”
Travel: Gabon
Video: “Open My Hands” – Sara Groves (talking about her inspiration behind writing this song)
In Psalm 84:11 we read, “No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Sir Richard Baker comments, “But how is this true, when God so oftentimes withholds riches and honor and health of body from men, though they walk ever so uprightly? We may therefore know that honors and riches and bodily strength are none of God’s good things, and the good things of God are chiefly peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Spirit, fruition of God’s presence, and a vision of His face in the next. These good things God never withholds from the Godly.”
Video: “Open My Hands” – Sara Groves (live acoustic performance)
I believe in a blessing I don’t understand. I’ve seen rain fall on wicked and the just. Rain is no measure of his faithfulness; He withholds no good thing from us.
I believe in a peace that flows deeper than pain, that broken find healing in love.
Pain is no measure of his faithfulness; He withholds no good thing from us.I believe in a fountain that will never dry, though I’ve thirsted and didn’t have enough. Thirst is no measure of his faithfulness; He withholds no good thing from us.
I will open my hands, will open my heart.
I am nodding my head, an emphatic “Yes!” to all that You have for me.
Questions:
- Do you think Sir Richard Baker is right?
- Why does Sara Groves say, “I believe in a blessing I don’t understand”?
- Why, if God is faithful, do people experience drought, pain, and thirst?
- What is our role in all this?
Day 90: Contentment
Daily Sheet: Day 90: Contentment
Family Book: “Last Stop on Market Street”
Travel: Ireland
Hymn: “Amazing Grace” – Joey + Rory Feek
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; ‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me; His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the veil, a life of joy and peace.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’ve first begun.
Video: “Give Me Jesus” – Fernando Ortega (live)
In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus.
And when I am alone, give me Jesus.
And when I come to die, give me Jesus.
Give me Jesus, give me Jesus. You can have all this world, but give me Jesus.
Day 89: Empathy
Daily Sheet: Day 89: Empathy
Family Book: “The Long March: The Chocktaw’s Gift to Irish Famine Relief”
Travel: Oklahoma; Texas
Song: “Why It Matters” – Sara Groves (with lyrics)
Sit with me and tell me once again of the story that’s been told us, of the power that will hold us, of the beauty, of the beauty, Why it matters.
Speak to me until I understand why our thinking and creating, why our efforts of narrating about the beauty, of the beauty, And why it matters.
Like the statue in the park of this war torn town, and its protest of the darkness and the chaos all around, with its beauty, how it matters, How it matters.
Show me the love that never fails, the compassion and attention midst confusion and dissension, like small ramparts for the soul, How it matters.
Like a single cup of water, How it matters.
Questions:
- Compare “empathy” to “sympathy.” Which is more meaningful? Why?
- Why do you think the story of Jesus raising the widow’s son was chosen for “Empathy” rather than for “Compassion?”
- Think about the story of “The Long March” while you re-read the bolded lines at the end of Sara Groves’ song, “Why It Matters.” How do you think the Chocktaw’s act of kindness, inspired by empathy, might have built “small ramparts for the soul”? And what is the “single cup of water” reference?
Character core curriculum 
