From AARRRGGHHH to AAAAAAHHHHH

I love my simple life. This is the life I was made for. I am content with simplicity. I wish more people could find their way to this lifestyle.
With the holidays approaching there is an OVERWHELMING amount of advertising everywhere you look, including blogland. Whether it's stuff to buy or things to do, or places to go, ways to serve, there is a plethora of ideas. At first it's exciting to see all the different ways people celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. People are so creative and sometimes even frugal and I think "hey, we should do that!" It's not very long before I feel absolutely overwhelmed and inadequate. I end up confused, feeling like my children are getting the short end of the stick in numerous areas, like I'm not a good Christian or mom because I'm not doing all these neat crafts and projects. My head starts spinning because after a point there is so much information flying around that I have no idea why or how to do the holidays.
And that's when I step out of blogland, away from the homeschool devotionals and hear God speak to me. You see, satan is devious. Remember the prowling lion? He uses Christians to his advantage. He uses our desire to "do" for his glory. We think because there is a Christian title attached that satan couldn't possibly be around. What better time to catch us off guard? He loves for us to be confused and overwhelmed and to feel inadequate. He loves to see us so busy looking for ways to celebrate God, that we don't realize how he's attacking us.
God knows our hearts. We don't have to DO fantastic crafts or projects every day leading up to and during the holidays to please Him. He doesn't want us wrapped up in "doing holiday stuff." He wants us talking to Him and reading His Word and listening to Him. He wants us loving others and telling them about Him. The crafts and projects and other busy stuff may not be bad, but it sure might keep us too busy to concentrate on what really matters, not just at the holidays but every single day of the year--our RELATIONSHIP with Jesus.
I am so thankful that I have time to listen for God to speak to me. I wish more people would step out of the world and into the lifestyle God meant for us. I am truly tired of hearing how busy people are. Don't get fooled into thinking that if it's "Christian" then it must be okay. Too much of anything is not a good thing.
Stop "doing" so much. Listen for God to guide you. Step away from the feeling of AARRRGGGGHHH and into the AAAAAHHHHH of Christ's arms.

ThanksGIVING, Not Taking

I've been struggling with what to write lately. I read other blogs and listen to what people are talking about and then I sit down to write and I just can't.
Daughters and I have been reading about the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving. Do you have any idea what it was really like? All these blogs I see have beautiful tables set, too much food planned, and the things they're thankful for.....a far cry from what life was like in 1621. Even in our thankfulness we are unaware of how incredibly blessed and spoiled we are.
I'm going through a time right now that I'm appalled with what people consider underpriveledged. Most of us have absolutely no idea what it means to have nothing, to go without, to want. We think if we don't have the newest gadget or the latest trends in clothes or a fancy coffee drink that we are really suffering. Heaven forbid we live in a house more than 5 years old! We have to have our own car. Teenagers scare me. Not only do they have no idea what it means to want, they aren't being taught what people went through for them to be here and have what they have now. What is that saying...those who don't know the past are doomed to repeat it?
This Thanksgiving day, find out what it was really like to be a Pilgrim and then I dare you to complain that you can't get cell service in certain places, or that there is nothing on that fabulously laid dinner table that you like, or that your master bedroom just isn't big enough for you. Find out how greatful you really should be.
Give Thanks, Take less.

Send The Lion Away Hungry!

It is written: Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1Peter5:8)
Last night I had another dream but this time it wasn't the beauty of the house that I was admiring. I was inside the house looking out the window when I saw a lion. I wasn't the least bit scared because I knew he was outside and I was safe inside, with the doors closed. My girls were with me and were a little nervous until I assured them he couldn't get in a house with closed doors and windows.
The next thing you know, he's in the house! I calmly shooed the girls upstairs and followed behind them so that I was between them and the lion. Just when we felt safe again, there he was, like out of nowhere. We tried to be as quiet as possible and squeezed tightly together--I don't know, maybe trying to be invisible to him? Suddenly he was right behind me and he was licking my back! He never did bite or attack, just licked, like he was getting a taste.
I woke up quoting 1 Peter 5:8--I was a little startled that without even thinking, I was calling out scripture.
I'm no dream interpreter and symbolism is often lost on me, but I definetly spent the day more aware of the dangers of the devil. I know the doors and windows to my spirit are shut, but I realize how sneaky and devious and subtle satan is and we must never be caught unaware. We have an enemy and he is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. I can't shut the doors and windows to my daughters' spirits, that's between them and God. But I can and must protect them while they are in my care. I can do this by being sure that they get a steady diet of God's Word and as little of satan's propaganda as possible.
Are your doors and windows shut? Are you aware of how that lion can find his way in, even when you think you've got everything closed up? Take time to think about ways he could possibly be getting to you, then tell him to forget it! Put on your armor (Ephesians 6:11)and teach your kids to do the same. I'm certain that the reason the lion in my dream licked me and didn't bite or attack is because of the armor. I'm also certain that if I took the time to put it on every day like I should, he never would have been in my dream in the first place. I won't make that mistake again!!
So, we know we have an enemy, acting like a roaring lion. We also know that our protection from him is in Christ. If we stay where we should be--as close to Jesus as possible-- then that lion will have to go away hungry!

My Treasure Is In Heaven

Most of the time I dream about great big, run down houses, or just plain houses. All of my life I have lived in nice houses, but nothing very fancy. I've always had enough, have learned to be satisfied with what I have. I don't envy those with amazingly beautiful homes, because they have given up something in order to have that.
I wrote the other day about God working on me as far as "stuff" goes. It seems that when I do get something new, it quickly ends up not so new, and I'm okay with that. The thing that is most important is that our family is together and we love Jesus. Sure, I'd love a different color on the walls in the living room, the bathroom to be finished, the floor in the dining room to be different, but I'm not willing to give up being home with my girls, teaching them what really matters, in order to have all that. My home will never "look" like the homes on HGTV, but it is warm, safe, comfortable, relaxing and happy.
The other night I had a dream about a house again. I wonder if God gave me the dream because He and I both know that I truly am content with having "enough", though it's not what the world considers enough. This time, the house was absolutely beautiful. It had all my favorite colors, all my favorite things, put together in ways I wouldn't have imagined to do. It was so cozy looking and feeling. It was better than anything I've ever seen on TV or in magazines. It was amazing. It still gives me the warm fuzzies when I think about it.
I woke up so excited thinking about the rooms in my dream. I have become so content with what I have, never imagining or really wanting anything more. I woke up remembering that Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for us! This dream was a reminder that He is preparing a place just for me in Heaven with Him for eternity! I've known that since the day I was saved, but this dream made it personal to me. I've always imagined Heaven as a huge sanctuary with everyone worshipping God , singing and laughing--a glorified Gaither special! I never really thought of it as Him preparing a personal place for me.
Have you ever REALLY thought, personally, about Heaven? Would it change the way you do things on earth if you realized that Christ was preparing all that you can't even begin to imagine for you in Heaven? Can you be satisfied with less "stuff" here, take care of what matters eternally--your relationship with Christ--because nothing you have on earth matters except Jesus and love.
Is a picture perfect earthly house really worth your children, when you know that if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, He is preparing a glorious place for you? They say good things come to those who wait.......invest in you and your family's spiritual well-being, be content with less "stuff", build up treasures in Heaven, rather than on earth.

I'll Testify!!!!

I heard a song on the radio today for only the second time, ever. I'm not exactly sure who it's by, but it's called "Somebody Ought to Testify". I am so moved by it. It's full of energy and talks about living for Christ and dying for Christ and the fact that somebody ought to testify about it! It's the kind of song that gets you off your seat and out of any foul mood you might have let yourself sink into. I think it should be a mandatory song on Sunday morning in church to get everyone fired up about worshipping our Creator. I doubt there is one believer who could hear this song and NOT get up and sing along. I would love to see the result of everyone adding it to their morning devotion time!
Here's an idea--unless you already do it, find a song that really moves you and start singing it (out loud) whenever you can! Don't worry about what the people around you will say--we're supposed to be FOOLS for Christ! Don't worry about what you sound like--we're supposed to make a JOYFUL NOISE!
Testify this week about Jesus. Tell somebody what He's doing in your life. Sing out loud about Him. Act like a fool, but make sure it's a fool according to the world. Make a joyful noise, but make sure it's JOYFUL!!!
Somebody ought to testify! Will it be you?

A Statement, A Test

My husband and I were talking recently about things that are important to us. I mean physical items that we have a connection to. I used to get so excited when I got something new, but within a matter of days (sometimes minutes), something bad would happen to it--ripped, stained, scratched, cracked--you name it! I couldn't keep anything nice.
There was a time when I had some real attachments to a few things, I couldn't imagine being without them. I have alot of pieces of furniture that have passed through the family, my dishes were my Grandmother's, I have a collection of pottery (that is no longer made) that a few loved ones have given me over the years. Basically, most of my stuff comes with a history, a story of who had it and how I got it. There was a time when it all meant too much to me.
When I started to notice that everything I got (and I'm not kidding--EVERYthing) ended up not so new within a short amount of time, I decided God was trying to show me something.
So, when hubby and I were talking about our "stuff", I told him that God had been working on me and that I wasn't truly attached to any physical item in our home. Sure, I really care about the things I have, but if I had to give something away or if something happened to any of it--I'd be okay.
Enter 3 year old. God really is funny, if you didn't already know that! Within minutes of that statement to my husband, my 3yo walked in and picked up a special jar that hubby gave me one Christmas filled with my favorite candy. There went the lid, down to the floor--all over the floor. The jar is still in tact, just no lid. He's funny, right? Was that a test to see if I meant what I said?
Enter 7 year old. Yep, I'm not kidding! She likes to fill her own plate for dinner now that she's a big girl. Tonight she's headed back to the table with mommy's pottery collection plate in her hand when somehow it flew right out of her hand, down to the floor--all over the floor! That beautiful plate that can't be replaced.
Unbelievable, right? Never make a statement unless you are ready to be tested! It's not so much that God wants to see if you mean it, He already knows our hearts. He wants us to make sure we know we mean it.
My little girl burst into tears when she saw the pieces of that plate, because she knows how much mommy likes it. Now she knows that mommy loves HER so much more than any silly plate. And I know that I really did mean it when I said I wasn't too attached to any of the "stuff" that I have. Thank you Lord, for showing me a little of my heart.

Eyes That See

Many parents are proud of their children's success and have something tangible to show for it; a ribbon, a plaque, a trophy, certificate, some physical proof of the success.
I may never have a trophy of any sort to show off, but if she never wins any kind of award it doesn't matter to me, because my oldest has something more valuable. She has eyes that see God. I only pray my eyes would see as hers do.
Many weeks ago I began looking for a pair of shoes for myself. I went online and found the pair I wanted, but couldn't bring myself to buy them without trying them on first. A couple weeks later I had the chance to try them on, but didn't have the money to buy them. The next time I got online I found them, knew the size, but just couldn't buy them.....Last week my mom came for our weekly "meeting of the heirs" and handed me a bag and asked if I wanted what was in it. I looked inside and guess what I saw? Almost the exact shoes I had been "not" buying! She wore them once and they didn't fit well and they were mine if I wanted them.
When I told my 7 year old about it she responded with "I see God in that!" I have to say I was more excited over her view of the situation than I was over the shoes. Because they were from my mom, I didn't readily give God all the glory for filling my need--mom's know theses things, right? If the shoes had come from a stranger, I would have been jumping up and down in disbelief and awe of the way God takes care of us.
I thank God that I have a little girl who has learned to watch for and recognize the way our Heavenly Father works. She may never have a trophy that shows that, but I have a very nice, comfortable pair of shoes that will remind me for a long time that she sees Him. They will also remind me to jump up and down in disbelief and awe, no matter who the blessing comes from.

Following Jesus

We just spent a few days with some friends. The kids had playmates close to the same age, moms had playmates of the same mindset and husband who usually can't stand extra noise and confusion in the house was happy as could be. Really, even though there were 5 kids in a house that usually only has 2, there wasn't what I would consider confusion. There was laughter and love and hugs. When there were squabbles over sharing a mommy would step in and guide proper behavior. There was no yelling by the adults at the children to go away, or to be quiet. For a few wonderful days we were a family with the same Father in need of some encouragement and reminding that we are not alone in this life God has called us to.
I'm purposing to smile more, be more vocally thankful for all the He is and does. These last few days had me smiling almost constantly and I am so thankful for the beautiful ways I see Him. I am so thankful that He has given me a friend that knows what things are truly important in this life. I thank God that He has given us both the strength and desire to go against the tide of this society and put our families and His Kingdom as the priorities that He designed them to be. I thank Him for showing me that there are children being raised with love and compassion and consideration, being taught to be respectful, loving, thoughtful. For showing me I'm not alone in my desire to raise my girls, and live life for His Kingdom, above all else.
People say there are many ways to live this life we are given and I agree, but they don't lead to the same place. I've seen women with thousands of dollars worth of wardrobe, hundreds of dollars in makeup, hours of career with children in daycare or at babysitter, living in multi-bedroom, media-room game-room filled homes, children attending best-that-money-can-buy schools, hair never out of place (or grey),maybe they even attend a mega-church in their Sunday best clothes......but I have also seen a woman choose a life that most women would be horrified by, a life that has none of the glory of the things I just mentioned--at least none of the worldly glory. She has chosen to follow Jesus in ways most people wouldn't dream of. While many women are sipping down half-calf-choca-mocha-skim-holdthecream-latte-whatever on their way to where ever they drop their kids on their way to their career that gives their life meaning......I know at least one woman who has chosen to spend time on her knees....
I often wonder what it would have been like to watch Jesus wash his disciples' feet. I think I saw a glimpse of it when I watched my friend washing out her baby's diaper, on her knees, in the toilet. Now that's following the heart of Jesus.

A Little Sleep

I long to be one of those people that rise early in the morning and settle in with their bible and have quality time with God. I make all sorts of excuses why I can't. I will say that I have tried to do it, but I will also say that I haven't tried very hard, or for very long.
This past week I have heard God asking me to try it again. I've seen it in my devotions, I've seen it in His Word, I've heard Him whispering "come on, you can do it, do it for Me."
I fight against His wooing. I like snuggling up in the flannel sheets, listening to the peace around me. I thought I could pray while I lay cozy in my bed, but I end up falling asleep! I've made excuses for too long. His Word warns us about loving sleep and what happens to those who love it. Proverbs 6:10-11 says that sleep leads to poverty. I believe that doesn't just mean financially, but spiritually also.
When you put something above or before The Almighty One, isn't that thing considered an idol? Remember what we're to do with idols? Throw it away like an old menstrual cloth! If I equate sleeping too much with that, I bet I can get out of bed tomorrow morning!! Not to mention the scripture that reminds us that we can do all things through Christ.
Well, here I am again trying to do something in my own strength when I should be relying on the strength of Christ. His Word is LOADED with help for us, if we would just be quick to go to Him, instead of making excuses or trying to do it for ourselves.
If it is His desire to meet with me in the early hours, He will give me the desire and strength to do it. Last night a little friend of mine came walking briskly toward me with a huge smile on his face and his arms wide open inviting me to pick him up and accept the love he wanted to give me....what if I looked forward to my early mornings with my Lord like that?

Jesus Rules My World

Well, today is one of those days of the year that people who love the Lord have many opinions on. The only opinion that matters is God's. Check out what His word says: "Abstain from all appearance of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV)
Pretty straight forward, isn't it? You don't have to be a scholar, get out the concordance, dictionary, or do an indepth study, to understand that verse.
If you don't care for the KJV, the NIV says it this way:"Avoid every kind of evil"
I don't care who you are, we can all agree that the things associated with the devil are considered evil--witches, ghouls, goblins, etc. Not to mention the "trick" part of the day, which God also has something to say about. Peter points out in 1 Peter 2:22 that "He (Jesus) commited no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." We are to be like Him. When you trick someone, you are being deceitful. There is alot written about deceit--check it out sometime.
It doesn't matter if you and you family stay on the "good" side and dress up as "good" things. God's word says to abstain from all appearance of evil, to avoid every kind of evil. It doesn't matter how innocent you try to make it--it's evil.
Today, instead of giving in to public opinion and displeasing the one who gave you life, celebrate all that is eternally important. Choose to take a stand for The One who deserves love, honor, and respect. Tell someone that you are a son or daughter of the King and have nothing to do with your enemy's party.
You do have an enemy. 1 Peter 5: 8 tells us to "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Don't be deceived into thinking today is a harmless day of fun. The devil is laughing at the amount of Christians he can play with today because we don't realize how subtle and sneaky he is.
Jesus is the Ruler of my life and the only one that my family will celebrate.
Keep reading your bible so that you will not be led astray by your enemy.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Well, seasons change, the living room furniture arrangement changes, and so goes the blog!
I realize the background isn't very "simple" but it makes me smile. Lately I feel a little heavy and a little too serious, so......I'm making my blogland light and fun!
The Gospel is called the Good News and I intend to share some of it! God loves me and has shown it in many ways this week. Have you noticed how He loves you? I hear people talk about being "purposeful" in doing things. Whether it's exercise, reading the Bible, smiling, being thankful....there are so many things that I want to "purpose" to do.
This week the girls and I started a "Thankfulness List". It's amazing what things you realize you take for granted, when you purpose to be thankful. Sometimes I realize I haven't written anything down and I find myself deliberately looking for something to give thanks for. Oh, the things you SEE when you stop and look!!! This week I am most greatful to God for the eyes He gave me to see the wonder of His love all around. Not just my physical eyes, but the desire to see beyond the surface.
Since I have purposed to be thankful this week, I find I'm smiling more. This morning I was walking through the house when I realized I was frowning. Well, not really frowning, but definitely not smiling. I stopped and purposely smiled. I dare you to try it the next time you realize you haven't been smiling. It's a strange sensation to smile when noone else is around! But you know what? It changed my entire outlook! I almost wanted to go get on the treadmill!
So, here's my point: Lots of things will change, nothing ever stays the same...except for God. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow...whether we change our furniture, our outlook, our blogland space, our physical address, it doesn't matter. Jesus Christ died for every single person on the face of the earth and that will never change. God loves every single person on this earth and that will never change. Why not make the biggest change of all and invite Jesus into your life? When you do that, you can be sure that no matter how things in this world change, you have the security of a life in Heaven with the only One who will never change.

Isaiah 30:22

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."(Isaiah 30:21)
Last night I was sitting on the couch watching a program that oldest daughter and I used to watch together. In the last few months there have been major changes in this show and Husband and I have directed her away from it to another, more appropriate one. Of course, I still felt I could watch it.
After the program started, daughter came downstairs asking if she could watch it with me. I sent her to ask dad. He was in the room behind me and as I listened to his reasons that she could not watch it I became convicted. It reminded me of the verse above, God was speaking to me through my hubby. I shut off the t.v. (not real willingly) and took an unhappy daughter to bed.
This morning as I'm reading my bible I came across (coincidence?) Isaiah 30:21. As I read the scripture, it was the next verse that stopped me dead in my tracks. Verse 22 says: Then you will defile your idols, overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, "Away with you!"
WOW! That's in the NIV bible. How disgusting!
God showed me that if a program is not good for my little girl because it has become too important to her and it definitely doesn't uphold any of our biblical values anymore, then it isn't any good for me, either. I was disgusted when my husband pointed out why we should step away from the program, I still enjoyed it. But it has become a little too important to us. This morning I'm realizing that I should be as eager to throw it away from our lives as I am an old menstrual cloth. What would it be like if we thought that way about everything that takes us away from our Lord? That's what He wants us to do, and expects us to do.
Ask God to show you what you are idolizing, and then ask him for the strength to throw it away like a menstrual cloth! I bet it will be easier to do, when you think about it like that.

The Writing On The Wall

In my effort to keep things simple, I sometimes find myself "working" to keep it simple.
With the different holidays approaching and the fact that I wasn't raised with a biblical approach to them, I'm struggling with what I know now, and what I knew then. I want my girls to experience the same joy and excitement that I did. I want them to experience Christ, the right way, in them. I realized this week that I have been taking an all or nothing approach and sucking the fun right out of it all. I've been "working" so hard to figure it out that I haven't let God show me how to do it.
Today we are starting something new, in order to get our hearts and minds in line with what the next few months are all about. We are hanging 2 pieces of paper on the wall. ( Yep, right on the wall! What do you think the professional decorators would say about that?!) On one of them, we will keep a list of all the ways that God is showing His love for us throughout the day. On the other, we will keep a list of all the ways we can show love to others.
It's simple. Just a list on the wall. Not some fancy journal, not inside a computer program, the writing will be right there on the wall. There will be no work needed to figure it out--just a simple list of the ways we see God loving us. Constant reminders of the goodness of our Creator, and since we are made in His image--constant reminders of what we can be doing to pass along that love.

Whose Rules?

Here's a great scripture to memorize and hang up in a place that you spend a lot of time: "And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord" (Numbers 11:1)
I have to admit I was throwing this scripture in my daughter's face today. And then, as usual, the Lord threw it in my face!
I have a certain 24 hours every month that I turn into.....a less than pleasant person to be around. God has blessed me with the wisdom to recognize what is happening, and while I can't seem to "control" it, I make sure it doesn't control me. It used to be more than 24 hours, but one day my daring, brave husband came up to me and told me my 24 hours was up. (Isn't he lucky I believe in boldly speaking the truth?!) Since then, my family knows that when I give the warning that mommy is a little unreasonable, the countdown starts. It's almost funny now. In fact it's become such a joke that it really takes the edge off and the 24 hours is actually down to about 12!
So, while I was using this scripture on my daughter, God was using it on His daughter.
I didn't start memorizing scripture until about a year ago. (deliberately and regularly, that is.) It you've never done it, I will tell you, it is one of the most important things you could do. What a difference it has made in my life. While I was wallowing in my hours of misery, that my husband and I decided I was allowed to have, God told me "...it displeased Him". Uh-oh. Now I'm getting a new verse in my head and it's popping up to tell me my behavior isn't pleasing my Lord. Guess my allowable hours are going to shrink even more!
Thank you God, for loving me enough to show me the truth.

Friendly Is Friendly

Have you ever watched children? They are so friendly. They'll smile and talk to anyone. They want to hug and kiss everyone. We are born friendly and loving. That's what God intended for us. We were born loving one another as we love ourselves. Did you ever hear a 2 year old complain about her hair or weight? No! They love themselves! If they are exposed to their maker, the Lord, they automatically believe and love Him.
Now, have you ever noticed that the adult that is with the friendly child calls him a flirt when he's being naturally loving and friendly to a girl?
This happened to us the other day. A little boy was smiling, waving and talking to my youngest. The woman with him called him a flirt. I laughed and said to the little guy "tell her no, I'm just being friendly". She very firmly replied "No, he's being a flirt."
I've heard this so often that it makes me sad. Why does our society label natural behavior as something more than that. We've turned a natural behavior, that God intended for us to live out scripturally, into something sexual. As we get older, we are self-concsious of being friendly lest someone think we are "lookin for something".
The next time you see a little boy being kind to a little girl, will you encourage his sweetness and encourage others to view it the same way? Will you help change the attitudes of people who make it something sexual? Contrary to popular belief, not everyone has ulterior motives when they are loving and friendly. Sometimes they are simply being friendly.

Hard Choices

I saw another ridiculous advertisement, this time during a football game. I'm not surprised. My husband and I have discussed the target group for game time alot lately--good ole football season. Aimed at hormonal, got-somethin-to-prove, testosterone-filled men. Have you noticed? BIG trucks, beer, half-naked ladies selling both! Oh yea, I forgot a certain enhancement product, too.
So, we can turn away when the ads are on. Can you make an even harder choice and turn away from the product they are selling? I guess ultimately the thing to do is get rid of the tv, but ads are everywhere and you can't avoid them completely; on the radio, on billboards, on things you buy....We are overrun with advertisements.
If you truly love the Lord and everything He stands for, and you say you'd give up your life for Him, will you also give up the product that is inappropriately advertised? Yesterday I chose to give up a certain brand of popcorn, today a certain taco has been added to the list.
Some people, I'm sure, think I'm being dramatic, but if I have high value on modesty, why would I spend my money on a product that is advertised in a near pornagraphic way? If I value respect, why would I spend my money on a product advertised by disrespectful teens? Let's remember who provides our money in the first place. Is that how we show honor to the Lord?
The narrow path. Have you heard about it? God wants us to make hard choices. Well, how hard are they if we truly love the Lord? It's about more than going to church on Sunday! It's about how we honor God in EVERYTHING we do, think, say, purchase, watch, read, sell, etc....

Nearly Naked--No Sale!

Tonight was meeting of the heirs night. We were all gathered in the living room talking and watching a food show. During a commercial break we were carrying on when suddenly everyone was looking at the television and everyone had a perplexed look on their face. I turned to see a man stripping down to his underwear while making popcorn. Mind you, this is the food network channel I'm talking about, not some of the channels you'd expect it from. We were all in agreement that we couldn't understand why it was necessary to have a man in his underwear in a popcorn commercial. They probably figured they would get people's attention by having a nearly naked man, and certainly sell more of their product. I wonder if they realized there would be people like me who will certainly NOT buy their product BECAUSE they had a nearly naked man trying to sell it to me.
Some may call me a prude and tell me to lighten up, but I know what values followers of Christ are supposed to uphold. I wonder, if everyone who claimed to love Jesus would stop buying this particular brand of popcorn, would they stay in business? If we would take a stand against all the garbage the world tries to make us deal with, what would the world be like? Should we really blame satan for all the evil in the world? Or are we responsible for allowing it to continue and progress?
IMAGINE!!! What an impact we could make if would draw the line with the secular world. Enough is enough! We don't want half (or whole) naked people selling us stuff. We don't want to hear the Lord's name in vain in movies and tv shows. We're not going to buy products or spend our money on anything that is in opposition to Christ. Can you imagine how different things would (could) be?!
What's really important to you? I've said it before and I'll say it again--"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15)

Manners? What Are They?

Today we had a friend join us for lunch. It's the first time someone outside the family has been at our house for a meal in a long time. I never noticed that my children didn't have the best table manners, until today. My three year old was in and out of her chair, ate her noodles with her fingers, held them above her head, tore her sandwich apart, sucked her noodles (loudly), burped, talked with her mouth full.....and I've never been prouder!
Now, I'm not pleased with the lack of manners, which usually don't stand out until you're looking at them from someone else's perspective. What I am proud of, is the fact that while all this is going on, she's rattling off scripture verses!! Our friend even commented that my daughter probably knew more of them than she did.
I told my husband about lunch time and that I thought we needed to crack down a little on table manners. He is certain that God is loving our daughter just the way she is.
So, if you're coming to our house for a meal, be prepared! You won't witness the best table manners, but you will see a three year old being a great witness!

Fodder for prayer

Yesterday the girls and I were in the very slow line waiting to check out in the very big store. We had plenty of time to try not to look at the gossip rags all around us. Oh my, so many people, so many stories, some maybe true, most likely not. My oldest asked me again about the things she was seeing. She did learn a new word--paralyzed. She even pronounced it correctly so I guess they are good for something!! Anyway, I tried to pray for those around us in the store instead of being tempted to look at the headlines. God gave me a different idea.
Psalm 15:1-3 says "Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, "
Isn't our main concern supposed to be the lost? I'm pretty sure every person involved in the making of these particular types of magazine are lost, otherwise they wouldn't be making the magazine! The verses above describe these people. Instead of ignoring them, this time I saw them as fodder for prayer! I began to pray for every person that had anything to do with the making of the magazine, including the unfortunate people who were the targets.
Some people don't take prayer very seriously, but it's our way of communicating with the Lord, what else could be more powerful?

Things That Make You Go Hmm....

A list of the things that make me go hmm.... lately:
1. People would rather have false hope than know the truth and have real hope
2. People would rather have a large bank account, house and vehicle than make their family's eternal destination their priority.
3. People care more about what their clothes look like on Sunday, than what their soul looks like all week.
4. People care more about how much they do in comparison with others, than doing all things as unto the Lord.
5. People are unhappy with what they have, until they're asked to give it away.

The main connection between these things is the fact that so many people are concerned with what society thinks of them.
Colossians 3:23 clears it all up for us--"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."

Don't Forget Who Else Is Here!

Did you ever hear something that really hit home with you, something you thought you already knew? That happened to me today.
We started off the day as usual; chores, breakfast, prayer, devotions, singing, school.
The day went pretty well. I got a little frustrated a couple times. Youngest daughter didn't always behave the best way she knows how. Oldest daughter didn't always show respect and do her best. But, no one "lost it". We've had better days, we've had worse days. I was trying to bring out the best in all of us. I felt like we should be behaving better than we were. I couldn't understand why we weren't more peace-filled and joyful.
When we took a break I decided to check out a new website I found that deals with character building. Then I read one of the blogs that I read regularly, then I ended up on a blog I had never visited before. This is where God reached out and smacked me. Did you ever get a 2x4 upside your head? I got one today!
The post was about remembering to include God in your day. Duh, right? He's already with us, isn't He? I talk to Him all day, everyday. What I realized as I read this is, that as much as I love Him and devote my whole being to Him, I was forgetting that He is right here with me. I was taking responsibility for everyone's behavior, attitudes and words instead of giving it all to God. The woman who wrote the post talks about having a chair set aside for God at the table while they do schoolwork. Her daughter climbs up on His lap. (isn't that a fabulous visual?)
After I read her whole post I was so excited! I know He is always with me, but to think of Him as another person in the room, around the table.....wow. Why and when did I stop doing that in the first place? How did I end up thinking I could somehow control how we all act? That's not my job.
Tomorrow morning, before our chores, breakfast, prayer, devotions, singing, school, I will be doing the most important thing---inviting God to spend the day with us. And we will remember that He is right here in the room with us. I bet things will be different! I'll let you know! :-)

Time and Place

Today I'm thinking about the fact that so many people leave Christ out of everything. I admit I was one of these people for most of my life. I haven't always been a Jesus freak. For a long time I thought there was a time and a place for "God talk". Even after I was saved, I was hesitant to give credit where credit is due.

Raising children changes things. Raising children to take full hold of their heritage, as children of the Lord, changes things. I can't teach them the importance of a relationship with Christ, giving God the glory, praying at all times, God as Creator, Jesus as Savior, the Bible as life manual, Godly character, etc, etc, etc; and then say "oh,yea, some people will be uncomfortable if you mention God, so..there is a time and a place to bring him up". I can't do that, and I won't do that.

Thankfully God has handled that, too. Deuteronomy 6:5-9 gives me license to "loose the lips" and talk about my favorite thing CONSTANTLY!!!! And to teach my girls the same thing. The Bible says in these verses: "Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

Any questions? If so, refer to Ephesians 6:18--"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

The Bible doesn't just give me permission, but requires that I talk, think, pray, display Christ ALL the time! Not just when society tells me it's appropriate, but ALL the time. And it also requires me to teach my girls to do the same. I thank God that they will never have to spend a day of their lives without Him. If we are obedient to God's word, and teach our children to be obedient to it also, then this lifestyle won't seem so strange and impossible to so many people. The more they hear "God talk", the more likely they'll be to join in.

Something to Think About

October is here! It's my favorite month of all the months. The weather is perfect, the trees are absolutely beautiful, it gets dark earlier (no more cries of "but it's still light out, do we have to go to bed?"), it's the month I was born in. So many reasons to love it!
The one negative aspect is that it's the month the devil is worshipped more than usual--halloween. All month long there are advertisements, decorations, and sales promoting the holiday. Everywhere you go there are ghosts and goblins and witches and scary pumpkins and costumes and candy. People plan parties, prepare tricks, purchase treats for passing out on trick or treat night. Businesses gear up to make the most of the season by hosting zoo boos or spooky corn mazes. People talk about what costume they'll wear, what their children will wear.
Every year people ask my children if they're going trick or treating, or what they're dressing up as. Every year I reply "we don't do halloween". Every year someone tries to convince me it's just harmless fun.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 says "Avoid every kind of evil".
I could list scripture after scripture that makes it clear a Christian has no business "doing halloween". Read Galatians, Ephesians, Thessalonians, just to name a few books.
There is nothing in the bible that could lead a person to think halloween is just harmless fun. If you love Jesus and call yourself a Christian and think it's okay to take part in halloween, don't take my word for it--investigate it yourself. A carnal Christian will make excuses and live to please themselves. A born again Christian loves the truth and lives to please Christ.
Would Christ party with satan?

Bring Him Back

The more educating I do, the less educated I feel.
Have you ever felt that way? The more you learn, the more you realize you don't know?
We've been doing a unit study on Christopher Columbus this week. I've learned so much about him, his life, geography, history.....I can't believe how much I didn't know! I also can't believe what I wasn't taught when I was a child in public school--one of the reasons Columbus wanted to discover new lands was to spread the Gospel! Did you know that? Did you know that in addition to the spanish flag, whenever he landed in a new land he stuck a cross in the ground?
I find it interesting to be a Jesus loving parent raising children to be Jesus lovers, when I wasn't raised this way. I feel like a pilgrim in the wilderness sometimes, without an example to follow. I pray for wisdom and discernment to handle alot of the situations that come up. I don't have the example of my parents to follow, none of my friends were in Jesus loving families--that I knew of. I attended public school. I didn't know Jesus when I was growing up.
I long for a mentor, a woman who has traveled this road. I feel like there is so much I don't know because Christ was removed from my education. I'm learning, along with my girls, the role Christ played in everything that has ever happened. It's frustrating, and sometimes I feel more than a little cheated, that I spent so much of my life without Jesus.
Genesis 1:1 says "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Without God, there would be nothing. How dare we remove Him from our lives and education?
It breaks my heart, so I can only imagine what it does to God, that He has been left out of (even removed from) the world. We have to put Him back where He belongs. Put Him back in your children's education. Be a mentor to pilgrims raising children for Christ, who weren't raised that way themselves. People have told me they could never homeschool. The longer we do it, I wonder how you could not. Your children have to know the truth of Christ's involvement in so much of our history, not to mention the whole creation/evolution issue. Will you bring Him back?

Feed, Don't Force

I hear alot of people say they don't want to force their faith on their children. They want their children to come to Jesus on their own, to have their own relationship with our Lord. I agree completely--it can't be a forced relationship.
For a long time I didn't understand what the phrase "force my faith" meant, exactly. I was afraid of doing it to my own children. We've all heard someone say, "don't shove it down my throat," when it comes to religion, haven't we?
God has shown me that if you have an authentic relationship with Him, if He truly is the center of your life, you won't have to "force your faith" on your kids. When you live as children of the light (Eph5:8), everything you are involved with feeds your faith. The music you listen to, programs you watch, books and magazines you read, websites you visit, people you hang out with, conversations you have, they are all done to the glory of God. There is no forcing, just feeding.
If I want my children to be Christ-like, am I going to feed them a diet of worldly entertainment? I don't feed myself worldly entertainment because most of it is anti-Christ. How do you become more Christ-like if you fill up on things that deny or blaspheme Him, and encourage anti-Christ behavior?
If you want your children to be faithful to God, to have their own relationship with Jesus, you have to give them the tools to make it possible. You can't just pray that they'll see it in you, and figure it out on their own. You also can't superficially be living for Christ and "force your faith" on them. That's when it's forcing--when you aren't authentic. If you're real, you will naturally be feeding your children. If you're not real, you'll be forcing instead of feeding.

Does Kleenex equal love?

I remember my first sleepover at a friend's house when I was about 9 years old. Her house was a few miles from our house, but just acrossed the road from my Grandma's house.
I had alot of fun all day long. Her dad was a fun, goofy guy. She had a little brother that either left us alone or was a good sport about being picked on. She lived in the country and while she didn't have any animals, they had a really cool dunebuggy, an awesome treehouse and a huge yard with woods for us to explore-and almost wreck ourselves on the dunebuggy. What great memories....
Did I mention the super-cozy big ole couch in the living room? That's where we were all set to go to bed. I really liked that couch. We had a very busy day and were tired and ready to have a good sleep.....that's when the trouble started.
Notice I haven't mentioned her mom? She had one, only she wasn't real involved with us when I was there--at least that's how I remember it. She definetly wasn't one of those cookie baking, tuck-you-in, goodnight stories and kisses kind of moms....which I was used to. Uh-oh. How do you go to bed in a strange place without some lovin' and snugglin'? I tried, then...I cried. Big crocodile tears. I asked my friend for a kleenex. Would you believe she said they didn't have any?! She woke up her mom who SENT a roll of toilet paper out with her!!! She not only didn't buy kleenex for her family, she didn't come and comfort me like any good mom would, and should!!! Who doesn't have kleenex? Isn't that a staple in every house? In our house we had a place for everything in the kitchen...toaster here, cookie jar over there, box of kleenex next to that. Always! We may not have had new sneakers all the time, but we ALWAYS had kleenex, because that's what a good mom does--makes sure there is kleenex, right?!
Okay, jump to present day...my family has the sniffles this week. No swine flu, just good old fashioned colds. GUESS WHO DOESN'T HAVE KLEENEX? Guess who's using a roll of toilet paper, instead?!
Here's what I've learned: 1. Kleenex does not equal love. 2. A certain brand of toilet paper feels and works much better than kleenex. 3. Really good moms have a way of knowing when you won't make it through the night at a friend's house and have no problem coming to pick you up. (especially if Grandma lives close by).

Are You Fully Dressed?

Recently, I read an article written by Charles Stanley called Dressed For Battle. He talked about the importance of realizing that we are at war with satan and his loser friends, and because of that, we need to be sure to put on the full armor of God.
I've read Ephesians 6:10-18 numerous times, heard it preached on, or talked about several times--but this time something touched me. If you haven't read it in a while, or ever--go read it now.
I have a long history with a short temper, I think I've mentioned that before. God's been helping me with it for a few years and we've come quite a long way. There are still days, however, that it doesn't take much for me to lose it. For whatever reason, I have never started out the day putting on the full armor of God.
After I read Mr. Stanley's article I was so excited to get dressed the next morning that I almost couldn't sleep! Before I got out of bed that morning, I began praying and dressing, reminding myself what each piece stood for.
As the day progressed, whenever I started to feel a little agitated, God would remind me that I had the armor on--satan's darts couldn't reach me! Satan wants nothing more than for me to lose my temper and dwell on that, rather than have self-control and glorify Jesus.
I pray without ceasing, have for quite sometime, but I'll tell you what...try putting the full armor on and see what happens. You'll be amazed at the difference. I can't believe I've gone so long without it, I can't believe I've survived without it.
I receive Mr. Stanley's magazine called In Touch through the mail, but he has a website for it, www.intouch.org . The article I'm talking about is in the October issue, which I don't think is online, yet. It's definitely worth remembering and checking out once October rolls around!

Directions?

The curriculum we use is Christ centered. It's very serious about following directions. The answer is not as important as following the directions. I didn't quite understand this at first. How could the answer not matter as much as following the directions?
Today daughter came to me with her work and a question. As I looked over the page I finally got it! The directions had specified to draw a line through a word. She had scratched it out. I asked her about it. She didn't seem to think it was a big deal, the word was right--she just used a little more lead than called for.
I finally understood why the directions are so important. If we don't train our children how important it is to follow directions--regardless of the result--how will they know to follow the directions we are given in our life manuel--the Bible? Doesn't the Word tell us what to do, and what not to do? We aren't to add to it, or take away from it. We are to follow the directions exactly as the Father and the Son gave them! We will be forgiven for wrong answers, but we will be held accountable for following, or not following, the directions.

He Is AWESOME!!

Talk about super powers.....I thought I knew how amazing God is.
I receive a weekly devotion-type thing from Splink for my girls and part of today's was about the stars in the sky. Did you know that if you could count 3 stars per SECOND, for 100 YEARS, it would be LESS THAN 5% of the stars that exist?! WHAT??? The truly amazing part is that God calls them by name!!!! Psalm 147:4 says He knows the number and calls them by name! Can you even begin to imagine how utterly amazing that is?
Have you stopped to adore you're maker today? Nothing on this earth, no cell phone, no computer, no music group, no animal, no sneaker, NO thing or person, can begin to compare with the true awesome-ness of our Heavenly Father.
I thought I knew how amazing He is. I have so much to learn. Don't ever underestimate the power of God. He is beyond anything we could even imagine.....how could we not worship Him? How could we worship anything BUT Him? How could we doubt the Truth that is the inerrant word of God? How could we question anything or compromise on anything He says?
He is AWESOME, and I am humbled.

Super Powers!!

I found out today that I have super powers!
Here's what happened....sweet daughter 1 was asked to take the dog out (her regular chore). For whatever reason, she didn't want to be very cooperative about it. I could have begged, threatened, whined, done it myself, but nope--I used my super powers!
Let me give you the background....our curriculum for reading has stories that are based on scripture verses. This past week's story scripture verse was Proverbs 12:10--A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast.
So, what was my super power in this dog situation? It wasn't "because I said so", I didn't rely on parenting power. Instead I relied on God power--scripture. I quoted Proverbs 12:10 to her--A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast.
Because we had learned it last week, and she really enjoyed the story, and she really loves God, quoting scripture worked alot better than nagging.
I hear people say you need to hide scripture in your heart. You absolutely have to memorize scripture, but don't hide it! Use it! It's incredibly handy in all situations.
My daughter stopped for a second, looked at me, and then cheerfully took the dog out. I was so excited with these amazing super powers that I ran to my hubby and told him we need to start studying all the scriptures related to child-rearing because it was so much more powerful than anything I could have come up with on my own.
Try it yourself and see if you don't get positive results!

Come, Sit Awhile

"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." (Proverbs 16:24)
I can see proof of that in my 7yo daughter's little face when I say something kind to her. She glows, she's pleased, all is right with her world.
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1)
Just as I can see in her face what pleasant words do, I can see what harsh words do. She's ashamed, hurt, all is not right with her world. And when I see it in her face, I feel it in my heart. I long to be kind, gentle, patient, compassionate, peaceful. I beg God to help me be these things.
Before I know it, I'm trying so hard that I act the opposite! That's when God takes me aside and gently reminds me that I can't do it, only He can.
It's not long before I think about some of the people I know who have lost children. Oh, how my heart aches for them. I have babies I will only hold in heaven, but none that I've held on earth and then lost. I beat myself up for not being the most loving mom at all times, because some people would do anything to have their children back. How dare I be so annoyed with mine?!
That's when God takes me aside again and reminds me that these scriptures include how I talk to myself. Can you believe He doesn't get annoyed with me? He IS patience. He IS gentleness. He IS kindness. He IS compassion. He IS peace.
So I sit awhile with Him. I call to my girls and encourage them to also sit awhile with our Savior as He once again fills us with His love.
And then we pray. I thank God I have these precious girls. I pray day and night for the ones who have lost their precious children, their siblings. I thank God that, though I don't know from experience how they feel, He has gifted me with an empathetic heart. I use it to pour out intercessory prayer for them.
"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."
All may not be right with the world, but all is right with the Lord.

Through Clenched Teeth

I've talked about the importance of prayer, talking to the Savior, talking to God. I've discovered something interesting as I go through our days of homeschooling--if I'm praying through clenced teeth two things are happening. 1. I'm sinning. More than likely the initial problem was disobedience, or some other sin, on the part of the girls, but it doesn't matter what they did, as much as how I respond to it. 2. Even if I'm doing it through clenced teeth, at least I'm praying!
I may start out with the completely wrong attitude, but if I go directly to the One who can help me, the teeth gradually loosen, as does my heart.
Have you ever done it? Someone "wrongs you" and you pray (through clenched teeth) something like "Lord, please help me not rip his head off!" And God laughs and tells you He'll kindly not rip your own head off because of your lousy attitude. At this point, hopefully, you realize that regardless of what the other person has done, it's your reaction and heart attitude that is the real issue.
My stepdad said recently that he was proud of me, and how much I'd grown. I laughed and told about how I had behaved earlier that evening--hadn't grown that much!!
But God showed me that even though I still blow it in some ugly ways, I keep coming to him, clenched teeth or not, for wisdom. I'm reaching out to others to hold me accountable. I recognize my sins, hate them, and desire to be more Christ-like.
The clenced teeth become a softened heart that I can use to address the issue that started the whole thing. After I've dealt with my own sin, I'm better able to deal with the girls' sins. Then our day can progress and we can get about our business of loving the Lord!

Fancy False Teachers

Have you ever watched some of the mega-church preachers? I was curious about one in particular, so I watched his show tonight. WOW!!! It was amazing. Tons of people. Fancy decorations. Fancy suit. He talked all about how God wants to give us the desires of our hearts, all we have to do is believe. He quoted scripture where God blessed people. The crowd was smiling and cheering. He sounded wonderful.
I noticed, however, that someone was missing. There was a whole lot of "me", but there was no Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 2:18 says "For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error." Peter was talking about false teachers.
John says, in 1 John 4:5-6 "They are from the world, and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of the truth and the spirit of falsehood." He is also talking about false teachers.
The only way you will be able to identify a false teacher is to pray for discernment and read your bible. If you know the real thing, then you will recognize the false one. If you never feel offended (I call it conviction), you might want to investigate a little bit.
If you really want to know Jesus, then listen to preachers like Dr. Dobson, James McDonald, Chip Ingram. Read something by Chuck Swindoll, Chuck Colson. Check out Way of The Master.
Read your bible, pray!

Who's With Me?

It's been a while since I scanned the magazine covers while waiting in the checkout line. I deliberately avoid looking at them because I don't want to take up space in my mind with the junk they offer. I'm also training my little ones that one way to avoid the traps of society is to never get wrapped up in what they say is important. 1 Corinthians 2:5 says "That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."
Well, today I happened to be in the checkout line with only one child, who was actually behaving quite well. So....my eyes wandered....Have you seen the kind of garbage that is making the cover of so many popular magazines?! People actually spend money on them?! People don't see a problem with them?! I was in utter shock at first. I'm talking vulgar! Thank the Lord my reader wasn't with me!!
The lady in the lane next to me had a screaming toddler--wanted some of that candy they put right at kid level--she suggested they have a lane that's child-friendly. No candy, toys, smutty magazines (I added that one). The cashier said that would have been a great suggestion at their grass roots meeting. I asked how I can lobby for this lane--everyone agreed and laughed.
The thing is, I'm totally serious. It's time we took a stand and did something about the lack of morals and values and respect, not to mention common sense! I go to the store to buy groceries, not to explain to my 7yo what a "sexy a-- workout" is! At the end of an hour of searching for the best deals to make the most of one income--and saying no to all the "gotta have it or you're sooo not cool" products--do I really have to subject my tired girls to a rack of toys and candy they can smell and can't help but touch because the aisle is so narrow?! (Is that the longest sentece you've read in a while?) Should I have to explain to my curious reader what a "hookup" is? Or why that girl has almost no clothes on? I wonder what they would do if I suggested they have a rack for bibles?
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (1Cor.1:18)
I intend to take a stand and do what I can to get a child friendly lane established. Maybe I'll start moving a bible to the checkout everytime I go! Who's with me? I've heard complaining for years about the candy and toys causing such a problem. The magazines are absolutely inappropriate for grown-up eyes, let alone children. Let's show our kids how much we love and respect them by trying to make their grocery shopping experience a little less traumatic.

Warning!!

It's too quiet this afternoon. Little one is at Grandma's, older one is gathering firewood with Daddy. Mommy has alone time. It doesn't happen very often, and I almost can't enjoy it. Oh, wait....yes I can!!
I was listening to Focus on the Family today on the radio and now that it's so peaceful here, I have a chance to really focus on what I heard. Dr. Dobson was interviewing a woman that wrote a book about mommies being angry. She told about an incident that led her to write this particular book, and boy could I relate! I haven't read the book, so I don't know what it's all about, but she shared a bit about her sometimes less than glorious journey with her children.
I was laughing, I was crying, I was thinking, I was praying. She mentioned hormones being an issue with mommies--yep!!! She mentioned being tired--yep! She mentioned how one day, everything would go really well, the next day--not so much.
It really got me thinking about life in my house. Hormones are definitely something to be reckoned with--thank the good Lord my husband has his eyes opened to that!! I have made sure my husband realizes that sometimes I'm just plain unreasonable--hug the monster and maybe it will go away!
If I warn my girls and teach them to be aware of the rotten hormones now, at their tender age, maybe they won't be ruled by them as they get older.? We warn our children about so many things that can cause them to stumble, how many of us have thought to talk about hormones?
See what happens when I have time on my hands? But seriously, we all have them. They are involved in alot of life-issues. Teach them the pros and cons of having hormones, equip them with appropriate scripture, and pray.

Children of the Light

Hubby, Dad and girls were painting our house this weekend. The girls helped in a way only a 3yo and 7yo can, but actually I was surprised at what a good job they did!
At one point the youngest was singing "I've got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart..." She often walks around singing tunes to and about our Lord.
Today, she was with me in church, during communion. While Pastor was talking about the blood of Jesus and how it was shed, she quietly (for her!) caught her breath and exclaimed "he's talking about Jesus!"
Anytime she sees a cross, she tells people what it means. She sings whenever she feels like it. She talks to God as if He's right there with her.
My point is not to brag about my little angel (she's a sinner, like the rest of us), my point is that she is a reminder to me of Ephesians 5:8. "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light..."
Did you ever notice society tells us it's time to grow up! Quit acting like a child! Hmm.... The bible tells us the opposite. It tells us, more than once, to act like children! Children don't care what people will say about their singing. Children aren't shy about talking about Christ. Children get excited and aren't afraid to show it.
I challenge you this week to act like a child! The bible says that's the way to show your love for Christ. Children also have a tendency to rebel--this week, rebel against society and refuse to grow up! Act like a child of light.

Do You Really Want To Know?

We started school this week. My 7yo has been asking about Labor Day, so I looked it up online and found a very good, basic unit study to spend a day on. We read the story, answered some questions, had some discussion, drew some pictures, and when we were all finished I asked her what she learned about Labor Day. "Uh, (blank stare turning into deer in the headlights stare)...umm....I don't know?" I asked "If Grandma asked you what Labor Day is about, what would you tell her?" Shrugged shoulders.
She had been asking about Labor Day everyday for a week, so I thought she really wanted to know.
It makes me think of when I started praying more of you (God), less of me. Did I really want more of Him? Or did it just sound like the spiritual thing to do?
The carnal side of me was not pleased. There were a few television shows that I thought I probably shouldn't watch, but made excuses and watched them anyway. Guess what? When I started asking for more of Him---that's what I got. I no longer watch those shows because God wouldn't watch them and He owns more of me than I do. He changed my mind and heart so that those shows were no longer appealing.
Do you really want to know about Christ, or are you just playing church? If you really want to know him, pray things like "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10) Or "more of You, less of me", etc.
Don't ask if you don't really want to know! If you ask, he will change your heart and mind and you will grow closer to Him. You won't be content with going along with the crowd anymore.
As for my girl, after a recap of the lesson she was able to give an explanation of Labor Day with a big smile on her face.

Truth or Snare

2 Timothy 3 talks about Godlessness. Paul tells us "People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."
I am guilty, at times, of more than one of those. I pray for God to show me when I have sinned, and to help me be more Christ-minded. My one true desire is to please God. Over the last several months I have prayed for boldness--can you tell how He answered that prayer? I have discovered a few things happen when you are bold--people don't like it, and sometimes I feel like I've done something wrong. When this happens, I search my heart, go to God in prayer, and search the scriptures. Sometimes He shows me how I could have been more loving, but one thing is certain--people have to know the truth. I am not afraid to share it.
The things Paul talked about in verse 2 are going on in everyone's lives, but if we are tuned into the Holy Spirit, search for the truth, and desire to be more Christ-minded, He will give us wisdom to avoid the things that draw us away from Him.
Paul goes on to say "They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth."(verse 6-7)
So, people who are lovers of everything except God, are taking advantage of busy, tired, overburdened women who are easily influenced and looking for something to make them feel better. Sounds like alot of the advertising on T.V. and in magazines and online, doesn't it? Paul is warning us to "have nothing to do with them".
If you were pulling out of your driveway and your passenger saw a car coming, you'd want her/him to tell you, right? I think it's the same with the Truth. If someone sees something you don't, they are obligated to tell you. We all have to answer to God one day--for what we've said, and for what we've done with what we've heard. Everyone has to answer to God, believer and non-believer!

Focus On God

Isn't it funny how God makes us each SO different? Isn't it funny how satan makes us each feel SO much like failures.
I was reading what one women thought as she read Lamentations 2. Especially verse 11-My eyes fail because of tears, My spirit is greatly troubled;My heart is poured out on the earth, because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, When little ones and infants faint in the streets of the city.
She was feeling bad because instead of her heart being broken for people in need, she gives financially, or physically.
When I was reading it, I was feeling bad because I can't give financially when there is a need. But I think I told you before about this overactive empathetic heart of mine.
If we let the devil have a foothold, and believe the lie he tells us, she and I both will be useless. If we do everything with a heart for God, He can use her physical gifts with my heart gifts and there is a huge blessing. The devil loses this one, too! Each part of the body working together!
Here we are again, talking about focus. If we focus on ourselves and what things mean for us, satan can get in and mess with us. If we focus on the scriptures and what God says about our situations, satan doesn't have a chance to tell us any lies and render us useless!
If we spend our time fretting because we don't fill a need the way we think we should, everyone loses. Well, everyone except satan.
God is showing me how to use this heart He gave me, and I'm listening to Him. What is God trying to show you? Are you listening? Are you focusing on His words, or letting satan lie to you?

Who Guides Your Steps?

It's hard to break old habits. I wasn't raised with a biblical worldview, so I spend alot of time asking God to help me break some old habits. Recently I've been reading Psalm 119, and there are many verses that I love. I'm drawn to the scriptures--they take the place of sinful thoughts.
Verse 133 says "Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil."
Today I didn't spend much time in His word, and it was very obvious to me and my family that my steps were not guided by His word. This is one mistake that I can guarantee I won't make again. How can God guide our steps by His word if we don't read it?
Overcome by evil? That sounds so dramatic. I was a little mean and paid too much attention to the email, and was a little jealous of my parents, and a little nasty about a neighbor, I wouldn't call any of it "evil".
BUT, when God calls to me and leads me to His word, He shows me that I WAS overcome by evil today. I made an idol of the email, I coveted the path my parents are on, I spoke words that tear down instead of edify. These things are evil. Maybe not to the world, but to God and anyone who loves Him, they are evil.
Old habits die hard, but if you stay in the scriptures and let God guide your steps, pretty soon the old habit is gone and the Holy Spirit shines through. I thank God that He is merciful. I thank Jesus that His blood covers even the ugly sins from this afternoon. I thank the Holy Spirit for living in me and fighting for my soul.
Lord, please guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.

Psalm 20:7

Today mom and the girls and I went grocery shopping. Exciting, I know!! The exciting moment came on the way home while waiting at a red light. A semi-truck was heading straight toward us and turned at the last minute. Of course we weren't worried about it hitting us, this happens all day long at this particular intersection. I do have to say that there's always a brief second where I hold my breath and wait for the impact--sometimes it's that close! Especially if you get carried away and pull up too far!
As I was staring at the headlights bearing down on me, my attention was pulled just a little further over toward the fender. I read the words Psalm 20:7. Oh good, maybe he's praying, like I am, that he doesn't smash me!! He obviously knows God if he has scripture plastered on his truck. (At least that's what I prayed!)
Once we were on the road again, we were intrigued. None of us knew off the top of our heads what the verse said. Both mom and I carry bibles in our purses, but don't ya know, we didn't have access to them at the moment. Never fear! This girl, who has a bible in every room in the house, also has one in the car.
Psalm 20 :7 says--Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. We went on to read the rest of Psalm 20. "May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;may the name of the God of Jacob protect you."(verse 1)
Now, we weren't ever really in any danger (I don't think!) but what an awesome chapter! I know a lot of people that are struggling with a lot of different issues right now. Read Psalm 20. Read it again. I'll be reading it and praying for all of these people. You can do the same. Sometimes it is the most powerful thing we can do-pray. Don't underestimate the impact you can make with this simply sacred act. And if you say you're going to pray for someone, DO it!!

True Devotion

1 Thessalonians 5:16 tells us to "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." There are many situations where this could be a little difficult, right? Money problems, lost job, lost hair, troubled relationships, divorce, illness.
What about the loss of a child? Could we be joyful in the loss of a child? Could we give thanks in that circumstance? Could we believe that this could be God's will for us? Would we still trust Him and love Him? Could we praise Him while enduring this kind of tragedy?
This week I'm asking you to keep a family in your prayers that is living this life. A year ago this week, their 3.5 year old boy went home to be with Jesus. He had somehow removed his life jacket and wandered back to the pond they had been swimming in. No one (on earth) saw it happen. They discovered him too late.
His name was Christian! Mom, Marsha, is part of Heart of the Matter and has her own blog, www.othersuchhappenings.com . God has His arms firmly around Marsha, and is using this situation in ways that are amazing. I have learned soo much from reading her posts. Of course she is heartbroken, desperately misses her littlest man, but she brings life to the scripture I quoted above!
God has used her to make me a better mom. Anytime I let the stress of the day start to get to me, and I get frustrated with my girls, (especially my blonde haired, blue eyed 3.5 year old,) He brings Christian and Marsha to my mind. That's all it takes for the love and appreciation to pour out of my heart, not to mention some serious prayers for Marsha, David, Austin and Noah.
So please, take some time to pray for them this week. Take a trip to her blog to see what relying fully on God looks like. You'll be a better person for it, I guarantee.

K.I.S.S.

Today I'm half nuts trying to prepare for next week. (Already scriptures are flying through my mind. ) School starts on Monday for us. My daughter asked why it's called school. I told her that was a good question and suggested she come up with a name for it.
We can do that, call it whatever we want, because we are learning at home. God has called us to it and most days we all love it. I can't see sending her off to complete strangers, to a place God is not allowed, for 7-8 hours a day.....I won't get on that soapbox, today anyway.
Here's why I'm half-nuts: I have found several homeschool websites and blogs that have wonderful suggestions and ideas and products and blah blah blah. I sat down to start lesson plans with grand expectations, excited to implement many of the ideas I'd gleaned from others. At first I was excited, that quickly turned into feeling overwhelmed and then I shut down altogether. My poor husband dared to asked what was wrong. He won't do that again! Actually, he will because that's the kind of man God gave me. Anyway, I let him into the craziness of my head and it didn't take him long to basically say K.I.S.S. Most people know that as Keep It Simple Stupid. In my world it's Keep It Simply Sacred. How did I not see the mistake I was making? The best laid plans are absolutely worthless without God. I was looking to all sorts of influences for our education, because they are all "Christian" I felt comfortable.
Then He reminded me what my priorities are. So, I went where I should have gone in the beginning--to Him, in prayer and then scriptures. That's actually where I started. How I ended up immersed in all the other stuff...Thankfully He always pulls me back in when I get a little wayward. I'm spending my time in Titus and Proverbs and a few other places, and then I'll sit down with our lesson plans again.
And He reminds me that He's not a God of disorder, but of peace. (1Cor 14:33) I will cast all my anxieties on Him, because He cares for me. (1 Peter 5:7) With this knowledge, we will peacefully begin a new official year of learning.

Persecutor or Persecuted?

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. (Matthew 5:11)
Are you a persecutor or are you persecuted? Chances are, if you don't like to hear the truth about your sin, then you're a persecutor. Of course, you'd probably claim to be persecuted, because you can't (won't) see the truth.
In Matthew 4:18-22, we're told about Jesus calling the first disciples. He says to Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew, "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Verse 20 says "At once they left their nets and followed him."!!!! AT ONCE!
Next he sees James and his brother John. "Jesus called to them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him."!!! IMMEDIATELY!
The first disciples dropped everything at once and immediately! Not after they did what they wanted to do, not after Jesus talked them into it, but right now! All Jesus had to do was say "come".
Are you that eager to follow Jesus? Are you that eager to hear His word and learn how you can be a better disciple? Are you being persecuted for the sake of Christ and His truth?
Maybe you're a persecutor. Too full of pride and offended by the truth. Choking the voice of the truth so that you feel good and look good.
Jesus said He didn't come to call the righteous, but the sinners. We are all sinners. That's why He came, that's why he died on the cross. If we don't want to admit to our sins we are disrespecting Jesus. Do you want to stand face to face with God and have that conversation? I'd rather be persecuted here on earth, my sins exposed, begging God's mercy and seeking to be a better disciple, than explaining to the one who gave everything up for me why I was so worried about looking good.

God Is In Control

I love how personal the scriptures are. No matter what is going on at any time in one's life, there is a scripture that relates. Right now I'm especially enjoying Psalm 143:8. "Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You."
Of course, first of all, you have to be talking to the Lord to hear His lovingkindness. Then you have to trust Him. Then you have to sit back and let Him work His magic.
My husband and I were talking tonight about a few things that are going on right now. We know God is doing something, we just don't know what, yet. So, we have a choice. We can either drive ourselves crazy trying to figure out what He's doing, and "help" Him. Or we can be still and know that He is God.
I'm actually very excited to see how He's going to handle some of the things that our human minds can't fathom. If we can give up control and really trust God to do what needs to be done, what a story we'll have to tell!
My hubby, on the other hand, is a pro-active planner. I just know God is laughing at the thought of him squirming in wonder as to how it will all play out! God DOES have a sense of humor.
For now I will sing the song God has put in my heart--Trust and Obey--and I will sit back and enjoy the ride. One day I will have a good story to tell. And maybe my hubby will relax and enjoy this God-watch with me.

Reality

This morning the girls and I were doing our devotions and talking about how much God loves us. I was explaining to them how God sent Jesus, not just to die for us, but to be beaten, ridiculed, tortured and nailed (still alive) to a cross, even though he had done NOTHING wrong. I ended up in tears. I was overwhelmed (not for the first time) by the thought that God loved us enough to allow it to happen. Can you imagine if it had been your child? Do you love anyone enough to allow your only child tobe tortured, even though he was completely innocent, to save the other person?! I gave the girls an example of letting my oldest pay the ultimate penalty, in order for others to live. My youngest ended up tearfully saying "I would miss her".
You've heard the saying "what would Jesus do", well, we know what he would do. We know what He DID do. The next time we think things are bad, or we aren't being treated right, or we deserve better....what if we thought about what Jesus did? What if we thought about how God felt? That would be a reality check, wouldn't it?
Jesus died on a cross to pay a penalty He didn't deserve, His Father allowed it--to provide a way for us to be with him.
If I keep that in mind, I can handle just about anything. Most of us won't go through anything nearly as bad as that, thank God. If we can keep our situations in perspective, and seek God first, then what He did for us will not have been in vain. I heard it said once that every time we sin, we are nailing Jesus back on that cross. There's a visual for you to keep in mind!

An Attitude of Gratitude

Mary Ann Vincent said, "An atheist's most embarrassing moment is when he feels profoundly thankful for something, but can't think of anybody to thank for it."
The Bible says, "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."
I thank God that he has opened my eyes to His truth. How pathetic life is without having Him to run to with thanks. I should think an atheist would not just be embarrassed, but desperately sad and empty. I have a hard time understanding that people don't believe in God. I have an even harder time understanding that people DO believe in Him, and still don't live for Him.
There is nothing sweeter than when my girls share what they know of Jesus with others. They are bold enough to just say it. My youngest saw a cross the other day and said to the woman standing near us, "Do you know who hung on a cross? Jesus!" Oh, to have the words come out as naturally as they do from a 3 year old who has only known a life with Jesus.
My oldest was having some quality time with her papa when I heard her ask him if he reads a Bible. How I've wanted to ask, yet it didn't feel right. I know, you've read some of my posts and I certainly don't sound like I'm afraid to talk God with anyone. Somehow this is different. There's too much between us. At least that's the lie that has hold of me right now. I know it's the enemy trying to choke me so I don't speak the words that need to be said.
For now, I'll let the enemy think he's won. He doesn't know the power of God through precious children.
I'm thankful for my girls and their innocent boldness. I'm thankful for open eyes. I'm thankful for a God that is everywhere, even the places we're afraid to go. I'm thankful that no matter where we've been or what we've done, there is a God who knows it all and still loves us. I'm thankful that even when we drop the ball and miss a chance to "talk God" with someone, He knows and always has a backup plan. I will give thanks to Him and praise His name.

Like Iron

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."(Proverbs 27:17)
In this world of ever- decreasing morality, it's more important than ever to know what God says about things. It's even more important to share that knowledge with others. Not everyone is interested in learning the Truth, I'm discovering that. Not everyone takes it seriously. When confronted with the Truth, people tend to get defensive and either laugh as though it's entertainment, or get offended and accuse the truth teller of being a know-it-all.
I am neither entertainment, nor a know-it-all. I am simply a pilgrim learning the ways of my Father and desiring to do His will above all else. He calls us to tell others about Him and His ways. I am not afraid to "sharpen" another man, and I'm not afraid to be sharpened. We're accountable for knowing and obeying God's word. Knowing that, how can we not dive into our Bibles and learn all God wants us to know? When our children are sick, don't we search out everything possible to fix it? We don't pretend everything is okay and ignore the situation.
There is a Heaven and a Hell. We will answer to God for the life we have lived. If you haven't thought about it before, picture the day you answer to God for all the things you've done (and not done). He holds us accountable for EVERYTHING. That means thoughts and attitudes, besides actions. He can read our minds and our hearts. Doesn't that make you want to be more Christ-like?
Just like iron sharpens iron to improve it, we are to sharpen one another to make us more Christ-like. That takes humility and love for one another. Imagine the impact we could have if we took God's word more seriously, and ourselves less seriously. We would be wise to heed God's directions. Do some sharpening, allow some sharpening. If it's done on the foundation of God's Truth, with the right motive, you will be rewarded for it.

I Am Not Ashamed

"One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done." (Psalm 62:11-12)

Those verses suggest God will reward you by what you do. You aren't saved by what you do, but you prove your salvation by what you do. I don't want people to wonder if I love God, I want it to be perfectly clear. I especially want God to know that I am what I claim to be--a wretched sinner who gets through each day only by the grace of God and the knowledge that He loves me.

Recently a local man died and I was overcome with the realization that he may very well be in hell. I don't know if he knew Jesus Christ. The obituaries (not just his) list all sorts of accomplishments, club memberships, relatives, hobbies, etc., but they don't mention Jesus Christ. They don't mention what the person has done to further the Kingdom, how they have loved, or encouraged others in the Lord, if they even know Jesus.

This blog is the mission ground the Lord has given me. This is one way I can spread the word about Jesus Christ and His place in your life. I don't want my obituary to list worldly success, I want it to say I tried to tell people the Truth--whether they like it or not. I love my heavenly Father and I'm not ashamed to talk about Him. I'm not afraid to read my Bible and find out what He thinks is important. And I'm not afraid to share what I learn from Him. My reward for obeying Him and sharing His Truth with others will be in heaven. He said his followers wouldn't be popular with the world, he even said we'd be hated by the world. That's a chance I'm willing to take, for your sake as well as my own.

What Do You Worship?

Yesterday I mentioned putting down the magazines and turning off the television. I should have included all the "wonderful" technology that should be used for good, but so often is used for evil. What started out as modern convenience has become a new way of life. The amount of time and money and desire devoted to these items is out of control. The really sad part is that so many people are blind to the fact that there is a problem. You can assume from the title of this blog, simply sacred, that we have next to none of these items. Obviously we have a computer. We have television and DVD. Believe it or not, we actually survive without a cell phone!
"Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them." (Deuteronomy 11:16) The Bible warns us that if we aren't careful, we will be "enticed" away and worship other gods and "bow down" to them. Wow. Those are strong words. But isn't that exactly what advertisers are counting on when they invade our homes with their messages? What you have is never good enough, there is always something better to be had. You never look young enough, pretty enough, thin enought, tan enough. You never have enough hair, a firm enough stomach. You have to have the latest fashions or you're a loser. You must have the right phone, you know, the one with the all the people that come with it.
My oldest said the funniest thing one day. She saw someone that had a certain type of phone and said "I thought she would have hundreds of people following her!"
That's the greatest thing about our God. You don't need hundreds of people following behind to make you acceptable. You only need Jesus Christ.
For the sake of your marriage, your family, your eternal destiny; rid yourself of the things that are getting in the way of God and what He wants for you. Don't worship technology, worship the Creator. He will give you the desires of your heart, as long as you are desiring His will. How can you do that if you're wrapped up in everything but Him?

Confession Time

My husband and I have been married a little more than 8 years. We have been blessed with 2 beautiful girls that I have the honor and priveledge of staying home with and raising. My husband is a faithful, hardworking, loving, bible-believing, sometimes grumpy, honest man.
Here comes the confession: Since the moment we said "I do", there has been someone else!
He came between us then, and has stayed there for our entire marriage. He is the one I go to first, before I even speak to my husband. He is the one I do everything for. He is my reason for living. He gives me what my husband can't give me. He says the things I need to hear. He can read my mind, and knows my heart. He loves me in a way no one on earth possibly could. He is the reason my marriage is as good as it is. Without him, I know my marriage would fall apart.
Have you guessed who the other man is? It's God. He is the only other man you should have--and you SHOULD have Him in your marriage.
When you read Ephesians 5 (the whole chapter), you see how to make sure you have a successful marriage. Each of us needs to look only to God and our spouse. When you start feeling unhappy, restless, unappreciated, undesirable, bored, etc...then you look no where else but to God and your own heart. Read Ephesians 5 a few times until it sinks in your head and your heart. God tells us what to do, and not do, for a fulfilling marriage.
One of the many reasons that I avoid most television shows and movies, is the way they portray relationships. The more you see that garbage, the more you think you have a raw deal and there is something better and more exciting out there. I spent years looking for the right guy that treated me the way I wanted to be treated and you know what I discovered? He doesn't live on earth! The best way to have the spouse you want is to turn off the television, put down the magazines, pick up the Bible, and look to God. He is the only role model worth having.
If your spouse isn't making you happy, then have an affair! Just make sure "the other man" is God.

Singing and Shouting

One of my favorite scriptures is Zephaniah 3:17. "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Singing, in Hebrew, can also mean shouting with joy or laughing cheerfully.
Can you imagine God actually cheering you on? Whether you are struggling or succeeding, our Heavenly Father is shouting with joy for you! How much easier does that make your journey? When you feel like you can't do it anymore, you're just plain tired; hold onto these words. When you're following His will and being obedient to Him and others don't understand and are critical of you; hold onto these words.
There is no opinion on earth that matters more than the Lord's. You will never have peace until you realize that His opinion is the only one you should seek.
My husband and I are teaching our girls this--to only seek God's approval. The way they dress, the things they read, listen to, watch, the attitude with which they handle things. God's approval is the ONLY one that matters. If we all teach our children Zephaniah 3:17, they will have a much better road ahead of them. If we can learn, (and teach our children ) to rely completely on God, to listen for His singing, we'd be a glorious example of His love.

"Forget About It"

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, " (Phillipians 3:12-13)
Did you catch that? Forgetting what is behind.
I am far from perfect. I don't claim to be even close. That's why I cling to God's word. I'm not alone in this and His word is a constant reminder to me that He is with me. That is worth remembering.
Paul tells us to forget what is behind. Our success in being more Christ-like is dependent on forgetting the garbage that is behind, or in the past. If what you are thinking about and remembering is not helping in your growth toward Christ, then forget it! It's that simple. Train yourself (and your children) to just "let it go". If your thoughts are not causing growth, they are from satan. Remember the Bible says to take every thought captive and make it obedient to the word of Christ. If you do this, your growth in Christ will skyrocket!
When I start thinking about what someone said to me, the way they said it, the look they gave, etc. I grab that thought right away. I compare it with what God says in His word, and go from there. Maybe I'll find I'm being dramatic, maybe there is truth in it, but as long as I take the thought captive and make it obedient to Christ's word then I can forget what's behind and strain toward what is ahead!
Afterall, it's not about me. It's about the Creator of all things and fulfilling His purpose. The only way I can do that is if I know what He expects and be obedient to Him.

Do I Offend?

My step-dad mentioned this blog from the pulpit today. Satan has already started his pathetic attack on me. Apparently he doesn't know that I belong to the Lord and I know all about his wicked little lies. I started to fall for them. I was worried about offending someone. My goal is NOT to offend anyone. If you get offended while reading this, I lovingly ask you to pray and see if it's not conviction.
"...for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must know that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me."
Jesus said this in John 14:30. The prince of this world is satan. He rules the earth, but I take Jesus words as my own. Satan wants me to worry about offending someone. Jesus tells me the world must know that I love the Father and do exactly what He has commanded me.
The purpose of this blog is to be bold in Christ and hopefully have a contagious effect on those who read it. We can't be afraid to do what's right, to teach our children to do what's right, and to let other people know what we're doing and why we're doing it!

The Right Counselor

When you're confused, mad, excited, disgusted, pleased, happy, scared, who do you go to? Do you go to your spouse? Parent? Best friend? Brother or sister? Professional counselor?
When you have a problem, who do you take it to? One of the people I just mentioned? How about the Holy Spirit?
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--the Spirit of truth." (John 14:16) Jesus said counselor. Another word for counselor is advisor. One definition of an advisor is "a teacher who advises students in academic and personal matters".
If we are believers in Jesus Christ, we are given our own, personal counselor to help us through life. It's the Holy Spirit. He is the first one we should run to when we have something to tell. He is the one who truly has our best interest at heart.
Now I'm not suggesting you should never talk to anyone else, or that you never need a professional. I am suggesting that we need to spend more time with the Holy Spirit. There would probably be less need of a professional. There would definitely be less gossip and slander.
John 14:26 says: But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
He said ALL things. He said EVERYTHING. All we need to do is read the Bible, get into a relationship with Him, and learn to listen to Him. If you're too busy to read, talk and listen to God, then you better check your priorities!