The Thieves of Tyburn Square by Dave and Neta Jackson

~Saturday Stories~

Typical Betsey: "Hot tears sprang to Betsey's eyes. Why were the people so mean? Why was the judge sending her mother away? Would she ever see her again? And what were she and Loren going to do now?"

Betsey's mom has been sent away to Botany Bay, "the gateway to a living hell," for stealing. Now Betsey and Loren, her older brother, have to survive by themselves. They are sent to one of London's workhouses, where they are extremely overworked. But then they are caught for stealing, and the real struggle begins. Is there no one at all who will look on them with kindness and help them?

The Thieves of Tyburn Square is part of the Trailblazer series. This book doesn’t really have God at the center of everything, but it does show how a life can change through contact with Christians. It introduces the historical Quaker Elizabeth Fry and makes history interesting.

For more on Dave and Neta Jackson visit their website and Facebook page.

What has God done in your life recently?

~Tuesday Thoughts~

So... Wanted to ask you guys. 

• What has God done in your life recently? 
• What joy have you felt? 
• Have you felt His peace? 
• Have you told others about Him? 
• How has He blessed you? 
• How has He reprimanded you? 
• Who has He used to help heal you? 
• What grief has He helped you through?
• What has He taught you? 

Punishment...

~Tuesday Thoughts~

  "because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”[a]" Hebrews 12:6 (NIV)

""Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent."" Revelation 3:19 (NIV)

Most of the time punishment isn’t well accepted. We don’t go “Yay!” when we get punished. It takes us a while to realize that that punishment might have served us some good and gotten us out trouble.

Whatever we think of the punishment at the time, if we are God’s children He does punish us. To be honest, I'm not sure exactly how that works. What are some of your thoughts and examples? 

We can decide to learn from the punishment or we can decide to ignore it. And although ignoring seems so much easier, learning is so much more worth it.

How about you? When was a time when you got punished and learned from it? When was a time you ignored it? 

Rebuke?

~Friday for Friends~

Our friends do wrong things. Sometimes on purpose, sometimes not, but they do sin. Just like us. And the truth is that it's often easier to let it pass than to mention it. We don't want to be judgmental so we just don't say anything and hope it'll go away. 

Yes, we are not supposed to judge. But sometimes we need to rebuke.

"“If your brother or sister[a] sins,[b] go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[c] If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector."" Matthew 18:15-17 (NIV)

"Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted." Galatians 6:1(NIV)

Here's some more on the topic.

It might be hard to decide if you should rebuke your friend or not. So pray! A bunch. And let God guide your words.