Grati-

I began a new series of morning devotions with the boys this week. One of our preachers Steve Sikes was preaching out of James 4 last week and he gave us a list of Allelon Assignments. Allelon is Greek for 'one another' or 'each other'. The list of Allelon assignments consists of 26 different scriptures.


I've decided to focus on one a day, Monday through Friday, and spend Saturday in review. We are reading the scripture and discussing the meanings of the BIG words and how we feel each assignment calls us to act differently. Each day we will review from the previous days, and add a new assignment. On Friday we'll review Monday - Thursday as we add Friday's assignment.

Along with reading the scripture I'm using the Allelon as our daily challenge. I've mentioned before I give my kids a challenge each day as we walk out the door. I challenge them in different ways toward different people. Sometimes I challenge them to do something for a loner at school, a mean kid, a teacher, a popular kid, a sibling, their dad or I, a neighbor, or stranger. We will focus our challenges for the next 26 days on our family (each other /one another).

The purpose of the challenge is not only application, but meditative. It gives the boys something positive to focus on through out the day.

Monday's Allelon assignment was--Edify one another (Romans 14:19). On Monday I challenged them to edify each of their siblings at some point in the day. We'll discuss at dinner tonight (Tuesday) what we did to accomplished the challenge, or if we didn't accomplish the challenge.

Tuesday's assignment is--Love One another (John 13:34). We'll discuss this on our way to church on Wednesday.

I try NEVER to express disappointment over not accomplishing a challenge. I always want our home to be a safe place to share our triumphs as well as our shortcomings. It's easy to share triumphs, but not as easy to share shortcomings.

On Gratituesday, I'm grateful for the Allelon lessons. I see a change in the boys already. They are working at thinking about each other differently. I'm working at seeing my own family differently, not only as my sons, but as HEIRS to THE KING.

If you are interested in the list of 26 Allelon assignments leave me a post and I'll get them to you.