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!