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Tears are the materials from which God weaves the brightest rainbows.Max Lucado
May. 10, 2008
A Prayer for Mother's Day... 
I received an email from Family Builders Minsitry and it included this prayer that I wanted to share with you this Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day to all.
Lord, bless mothers with wisdom and energy to teach their children the lessons in your Word. Remind them to talk about you and your Word in their homes. May their children learn to live by your Holy Word as a way of life.
Lord, give moms the love, strength, and consistency they need to discipline their children. May they know when to be strict and when to be lenient. Help them develop love and security in each of their children, rather than fear and anger. Let everything they do be out of loving action, not reaction.
Lord, there is no job more challenging than meeting the needs of children. Give moms everywhere the strength and ability to train up their children in the way they should go, so when they are older they will remain close to you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Willie Batson
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Aug. 20, 2007
Love is Patient...
1 Corinthinans 13:4-8a
Love is patient, love is kind; it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always hopes, always trusts, always perseveres. Love never fails!
What does "love it patient," mean?
It means answering the same question for the tenth time, without getting exasperated. It means showing the kids where something goes, even when you think they should know. It means staying calm in the face of disobedience and questioning whether their behavior was willful or involuntary before inflicting discipline. It means listening to every word they say, even when it seems to take forever to complete a thought. It means letting them help, even if it takes longer and would be easier to do it yourself. It means letting them learn from their mistakes instead of trying to help when they insist they don't need it. It means explaining things calmly over and over and over until they show understanding. It means not hurrying them to finish a task or chore because it is inconveniencing you. It means taking the time to show them where something is even though it is sitting right in front of them.
These are some random thoughts I wrote down after one particularly frustrating day, and the Lord leading me to this passage of scripture to chide me for my impatience.
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May. 4, 2007
ABC's to Live By...
I received this in an email and was so impressed by it I thought I'd share it.
Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
Xalting God most high
Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!
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Mar. 22, 2007
Can I Pray for You?
I heard this song by Mark Bishop for the first time and it really spoke to me so I wanted to share the lyrics with you. Don't forget, if you are carrying any burdens, and they are weighing you down, you don't have to carry them alone.
Can I Pray for You
I’ve been your friend for a while.
I know you’re hiding behind that smile,
And you’re keeping inside tears that should have been cried,
You’ve been brave through this trial.
You’ve been as strong as a stone,
Against the stormy winds that have blown.
But you have friends who care, more than willing to share,
Don’t face those troubles alone.
Chorus:
Can I pray for you?
Can I mention your name to the Lord?
When I seek His face, can I plead your case?
That’s what praying is for.
I’ll help you carry your cross,
And find the way when you’re lost.
If we’ll let Jesus be true, I know that He’ll see you through.
Can I pray for you?
I know that there’ll come a day.
When I’ll have trials and need you to pray.
Just like you’ve done before, you’ll mention me to the Lord,
That’s why I’m here to say:
“Let me be there for you.
We’ll divide all your problems by two.
And very soon there’ll be three – you and Jesus and me.
That’s what friends are supposed to do.”
Repeat chorus
If we’ll let Jesus be true, I know that He’ll see you through.
Can I pray for you?
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Feb. 12, 2007
Learning to Comfort....
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 1:3 and 4
For years Ive struggled with the inabliity to comfort, effectively, those in my family who are hurting. Many times I've prayed for the right words to say and many times my prayer came back to me seemingly empty, which I mistook to mean, "don't say anything, there's nothing you can do anyway."
Whether my attitude in asking wasn't pure, or sin prevented my prayers from being heard, my attempts at comforting others have so often failed and many times made things worse.
Again, last night, the need for comfort came, and again words failed me and I prayed for guidance. Though I didn't recognize the answer immediately, it did come and as I was sitting alone today a couple of principals came to mind that I believe will be effective as future situations arise.
1) Acknowledge one's pain as real. One of my failures in this area is the inability to recognize or authenticate the very real pain that another is feeling ~ not being able to put myself in their shoes. Quite often, I do not understand what they are feeling because I simply have not had the same experience and since I don't understand the pain I often times negate it.
2) Don't minimize their pain. Quite often the action that caused another's pain is something that wouldn't have bothered me because of who I am or the way I think. Therefore, I'm apt to be heard saying "Oh come on, that's silly ~ get over it," or some other insensitive remark that ends up inflicting even more pain.
3) Be willing to listen. No matter how often you may have heard the same complaint ~ sometimes a person's ability to verbalize his/her frustrations to someone whom they know is truly listening, will help them come to terms quicker with the problem than if they have to internalize their pain.
4) Don't try to fix it for them. Unless you are the cause of the pain, there is probably nothing you can do to fix the problem other than offering a shoulder to cry on and holding them up in prayer and asking for God's healing touch on their behalf.
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Jan. 23, 2007
Trials...
Posted in Godly Living
It's getting colder outside, 0 degrees during the day just a few days ago and Sunday, I was definitely ready to go into hibernation. It still gets dark way too early for my tastes and light comes too soon in the morning. However, after getting up three times to stoke the fire, and run the water to prevent the pipes from freezing again, I was able to sleep in until 10:00 a.m. The first order of business was our lesson on Joseph. We are using The Bible Study Guide for all ages. This is part of my News Years Resolutions list for this year. To rediscover the wonder and awe of God. The life of Joseph is truly an amazing example of God's control of all aspects of a Christian's life. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and left to rot in a prison cell until someone finally remembered that he could interpret dreams. Yet, when he revealed himself to his brothers, he said to them "You meant it for harm, but God meant it for good." He was content with the turn of events that had put him in his high position in Egypt and easily forgave his brothers for the harm they tried to bring upon him because of their hatred and jealousy.
It caused me to pause and reflect on the past trials in my life and try to see what God taught me because of them. Currently, I am content. I can list no major trial that I am going through. It is a time of peace. However, I know that anyday, God could allow some life changing event to take place and I need to be ready with a response of trust and contentment; knowing that God means to prosper me and not to harm me.
Seven and a half years ago my daughter was born. This in itself was a life changing event. However, within hours of her birth she began having breathing difficulties and was snatched from my arms as I lay trying to nurse her. She was placed in an oxygen tent which she obviously despised and continually tried to push it away. The doctor's then decided to "paralyze" her with medications to preserve her strength for the long recovery which lay ahead. Withing twelve hours or so she was transported to a larger hospital and from there directly to Children's Hospital in Boston.
My husband went with her because I was still a little to weak for the trip. I was basically alone and yet I wasn't. God was very present. Through the tears and heartache I was feeling I gave my daughter to God, totally and completely telling Him that if He wanted her in heaven with Him, than I was ready to accept that.
I am so thankful to this day, that He did not take me up on that offer and I have a beautiful daughter that I treasure everyday. It is truly a miracle that she is with us today. At one of her check-ups a few months after her birth, her pediatrician said to me "She was so close to death that she kissed the feet of God."
Out of this trial I, I believe I began to learn contenment and complete trust in my God and Savior. This is not to say that I won't falter, for we all do. It will take many more trials and my final resting place in His eternal arms before I have attained the mark, but it's a start. God only allows trials in our lives to make us more like His Son Jesus Christ.
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Nov. 8, 2006
9 Things God Won't Ask....
Oct. 31, 2006
Halloween...to celebrate or not...?
Innocent fun, or inherently evil? That is the question we, as Christians, have been and should be asking ourselves about halloween. Is it a 'holiday' that God would want His children to participate in? I am not here to express my opinion or to try and sway you one way or the other. I am simply providing some historical background to the origins of halloween and some Biblical passages that I feel may help you, as a Christian family, to make a more informed choice as to whether or not you will participate in the festivities.
Historically, "halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in)....On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth....During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes.... By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. It is widely believed today that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday."( History.com)
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.
This verse tells us to test everything. Just because everyone else is doing it doesn't mean it must be okay. It doesn't mean it's not okay, but we are to use the knowledge and wisdom that God gave us in his word to discern for ourselves what is the 'good and acceptable will of God.'
3 John 1:11
Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.
I think you'll all agree that the world has a lot of practices that God does not want us to imitate, or condone; abortion, gay marriage, adultery, premarital sex, for example. Halloween may or may not fall into this category but it is worth considering in lieu of it's pagan origins.
Deuteronomy 18:9-14
When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the LORD your God.
If your still not sure, be sure to check out Annie's Halloween Page for more explanations and scriptures about witches, witchcraft, sorcery, magic, evil, etc., as well as many links to different topical Bibles and commentaries.
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Oct. 24, 2006
Dawning of a New Day...
I awoke this morning to the ringing of the doorbell. It was 6:30 in the morning and I couldn't imagine who would be coming at such an early hour. I hurriedly dressed and went to the door to find our youth pastor standing there. Suddenly it dawned on me, "It's Tuesday." DS15 goes to FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) on Tuesday morning and our youth minister always picks him up. Of course none of us remembered that last night and set the alarm clocks so that Ds15 would be up and ready.
This began a fabulous morning for me. I was able to see the sunrise before the clouds took over. The beautiful pink hues in the clouds reminded me that it would not be a good day for sailors; "pink sky in the morning, sailors heed warning." As I drove to pick my son up after FCA I was able to witness the first rays of sun touch the tips of the trees and work their way down. The dawning of a new day. The further I drove, the darker it became because I was heading into a valley where the suns rays hadn't touched. The interesting thing to me was that the highschool in town was the last place for the sun to reach.
However, that is a post for another day. What struck me the most as I drove home was how the clouds completely took over the sky and obliterated the beauty of the sunrise. For many, today, there will be no sun, only cloudy days. They missed the sunrise and awoke to an overcast sky.
Those without Christ wake every morning to overcast skies. They aren't able to witness the Sonrise, because they haven't experienced a true awakening to the power and forgiveness of the Savior.
However, as Christians, we can experience much the same hopeless feelings at times. Are you going through a difficult time right now? Have you recently experienced a loss? Are day to day trials dragging you down? Think back to the last time you saw the Son; any work of Christ in your life. Focus on that time instead of the trouble you are facing now and know that He will bring you back there again or more likely to a much better place. Lean on Him and He will give you whatever you need to get through the day, the week.
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5b
He will not forget you in your trial or allow you more than you can bear. He gives all the strength we need for whatever the day may bring. We need only seek Him with our whole heart and desire His will for our lives.
For the Eyes of the Lord run to and fro
throughout the whole earth, to show
Himself strong on behalf of those whose
heart is loyal to Him.
2 Chronicles 16:9
Are you feeling discouraged, desperate , disenchanted with the life you are living? Does it seem like nothing ever goes right, or that everyone is happier and better off than you are? Are you lonely, frightened, angry, bitter, envious? There is someone out there who thinks your tops. He thinks about you day and night, worries about you, sheds a tear for you when you are hurting, knows you so well that he has the hairs on your head numbered. Jesus Christ loves YOU! He wants you to give Him all your troubles so that He can carry the burden for you. He wants to carry you over the rough spots when you are too tired to go another step. He wants you to give him your pain, your worries, your fears and in return he will give you comfort, peace and love. Won't you turn your troubles over to Him right now. Say this prayer with me and start your exciting journey to peace right now. "Lord Jesus, I am hurting, I need your peace and comfort. I need you to carry me through this rough spot and to help me stop trying to fix the problems myself. Show me how to let go and let you take over so that I can experience real peace and joy and share it with others. In Jesus Precious name, Amen!
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Sep. 25, 2006
The Ten Commandments in Rhyme...
I just found this in my desk. I'm not sure where it originated, but I thought it would be a neat way for us and our kids to learn the ten commandments.
Above all else love God alone,
Bow down to neither wood nor stone.
God's name refuse to take in vaine;
The Sabbath rest with care maintain.
Respect your parents all your days;
Hold sacred human life always,
Be loyal to your chosen mate;
Steal nothing, neither small nor great.
Report, with truth your neighbor's deed,
and rid your mind of selfish greed.
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Sep. 3, 2006
God's Mysterious Ways....
Yesterday I received an email telling me I had won the naming contest on Rugby Hs attendance tracking program. I was so excited, I was practically jumping up and down. I just couldn't believe that On-Track had won over Mamabugs, "Number our Days" that she posted along with a Bible verse. However, I found out that Ronda was very generous and awarded two prizes; one for my name and one for Mamabugs Bible verse idea.
That's not the amazing part. I wasn't even planning on entering the contest because I couldn't think of a name that seemed right. One night, when I was washing dishes, the name On-Track just popped into my head (literally out of the blue). I wasn't even thinking about the contest.
When I told Ronda, from Rugby HS, about this her response was totally and completely unbelievable and left me jumping up and down on the inside and out. It was just incredible. Below is a copy of the email she sent me. She has given me her permission to tell this story.
"WOW! I'm gonna tell you a little secret. Before I had the contest, I wanted to call the program On-Track but I didn't know if it was a good idea or not.
I turned my business over to the Lord very early on. I turn to Him daily for direction. So, one afternoon after I started the contest, I prayed to Him and asked if He wanted it called On-Track, could He please ask someone to enter that name. The next time I checked my email, your comment was there. I was so excited! So, now that you have told me your story...WOW!"
Ronda is an amazing person. I have been so blessed to meet her through this contest and she has also been very helpful to me in figuring out any problems with my blog. She has a few great programs you really need to check out. As well as designing blogs, she has also created a homeschool scheduling program, in addition to On-Track and is currently working on a lesson planning system. Her blog has all the help you need to get started blogging as well. Be sure to stop by and check out all the great blogs she's designed, and all her helpful hints.
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Aug. 26, 2006
The Prayers of a Righteous Man...
Ever feel like your prayers are going no further than the roof, or that you've been praying forever for something and seen no change or answer in sight? I have, and most of the time it's because I am not praying biblically. I found out 20 things about prayer that I want to share with you to help you make your prayer life more effective.
1. Pray without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:17)
2. Pray to God ~ "Our Father, who art in heaven."
3. If I regard iniquity in my heart, God will not hear. (Psalm 66:18) (Is. 59:1-2)
4. Pray first thing in the morning (Mark 1:35)
He awakens me morning by morning (Is. 50:4) (Ps. 5:1-3) (Ex. 34:4)
5. The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16b)
Prayer is Conditional
In order for a righteous man's prayer to be answered he...
1) must pray according to God's will (Matt. 6:10) (1 John 5:14)
Prayer is finding out what God wants and doing it!
2) must have faith and not doubt (Heb. 11:6)
3) show respect to others ~ forgive, seek forgiveness (Matt. 6:14-15)
4) abide in Christ (John 15:7) (Matt. 6:14-15)
6. Seeking God with all your heart and soul (Deut.4:29)
7. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness
8. Pray in Jesus' name (John 14:13-14)
9. Pray with thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6)
10. Pray with others (Heb. 10:25)
11. God's answers to our prayers are not the end ~ we must act upon his answer or be acted upon. (Jer. 33:3)
12. Find a time apart from others to pray (Luke 5:16)
13. Praising and thanking Him morning and evening (1 Chron.23:30)
14. Pray with others in one accord (Acts 1:14)
15. Prayer is a two way conversation with God. (Psalm 46:10)
16. Pray for others (Gal. 6:2)
17. Pray with right motives (James 4:3)
18. Actively draw near to God (James 4:7-8)
19. Pray with humility (Matt. 6:5) (2 Chron. 7:14)
20. Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful (Col. 5:2) (Eph 6:18)
GOD'S ANSWERS TO OUR PRAYERS ARE ALWAYS ACCORDING TO HIS TIMING, NOT OURS!
Luke 18:1
Men ought always to pray and not faint.
Eph 6:18
Pray in the spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests.
Jeremiah 33:3
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and tell you great and mighty things which you did not know.
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
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Aug. 22, 2006
Pray for Susan
I just want to share a brief prayer request for a woman I have not met, except through some dealings on Ebay. She recently bought a book from me. With her payment she sent me this note.
"Thank you for selling this to us. Unfortunately we will be unable to use it this year due to my poor health. The girls need to go to school  , as I have stage IV cancer and start chemotherapy again on Tuesday." I was heartbroken when I received her note. Please pray with me for this woman who so wants to homeschool her children, but is unable to at this time.
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Jul. 6, 2006
Lessons From the Strawberry Field ( 3rd and Final Part)
Those who receive encouragement instead of criticism work the hardest. While picking strawberries with my 8 year old son and 5 year old daughter, I noticed that they would tend to get discouraged easily. I would have six or eight quart baskets filled and they would still be working on their first or second. Some of their discouragement came from seeing my baskets get filled so fast. They would stop their work, as though giving up, because they didn’t think they could keep up. I began by telling them that if they would just keep working and not stop so many times that they would be able to get a lot more done than they were. This only discouraged them more. Finally, I hit upon a solution. I would, now and then, pick a handfull of big, ripe berries and toss them into their basket so that they could see them fill up a little faster. This excited them and caused them to work with more determination. They approach jobs at home in much the same way. When a job looks too big, or overwhelming they tend to give up before they even start. If they are criticized or scolded for not doing it quickly enough or good enough, they are even less willing to try. However, if I work alongside of them, helping them to get the job done, encouraging them and praising them for the parts they have completed, even offering rewards (some would call them bribes) for a job well done, I can get more work and better quality work out of them.
In amongst the drudgery of day to day routine there is a lesson to be learned. For me, the lessons about prayer, friendships, keeping up appearances and the importance of giving encouragement came while performing the yearly task of strawberry picking. What lessons we actually learn may be different for each of us depending on our particular approach to life. I tend to be a crawler or a stooper depending on the amount of time I spend each day with God. When things are going really well, I tend to forget my need for a quiet time and begin to neglect my devotions and prayers. Then the weeds spring up and I remember the Master Gardener who will keep the gardens weeded if I only allow him to do the work in me that He wants to do. Those who are wanderers, may actually miss out on some of the greatest and most meaningful blessings by searching for the greener grass, or the light at the end of the tunnel instead of taking the time to be content right where they are. Regardless, our approach needs to constantly be evaluated in light of God’s Word and His will for us as individuals, because unless we are seeking to live His way, we will all ultimately become discontent wanderers.
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Jul. 1, 2006
Lessons From the Strawberry Field (Part 2)
The berries growing next to the rotten ones get blemishes a lot quicker than those sitting next to the fresher ones. If you’ve ever been to a farm to pick strawberries near the end of the season, you’ll be able to attest to the fact that there are many rotten berries on the plants. It’s impossible to pick all of the berries without some of them inevitably rotting. However, you can also find beautiful sweet strawberries growing right alongside, often touching the rotten ones. Almost everytime that I pick a strawberry that has been growing directly next to a rotten one, the spot that was touching the rotten strawberry is also beginning to rot. This reminded me that I need to choose my friends carefully. When I surrounded my self with friends that didn’t know God, I found myself listening to off-color jokes, skipping church, and going places that I would not ordinarily go. A part of me was beginning to rot. When, I left those friends behind and surrounded myself with Christian friends I got back on track, reading God’s word, looking for ways to serve, and carefully watching my language and actions so as not to be offensive. My non-christian friends were fun, wild, and spontaneous but were leading me astray from the path God wants me to walk. My Christian friends, are just as wild (in a different sense), fun and spontaneous, but are also affirming and edifying and hold me accountable for my actions.
Looks can be deceiving. It’s exciting to find that perfect berry. It looks so red, and shiny and you reach out to pick it only to find that what’s hiding on the other side is either rotten, or half eaten away by a slug. People are just like that berry. We try so hard to keep up appearances. We have to look just right, or talk just right so that people will think we are holding it all together and not see the rotten spots lurking just under the surface or behind our back. We won’t let ourselves be vulnerable enough to anyone to show our true colors (our struggles, fears, disappointments) and therefore often hide beneath deceptive disguises. I know whenever an acquaintance greets me on the street or in passing the discourse goes something like this: "Hi, how are you?"; Fine, thanks and how are you?" Neither of us the wiser as to what’s really going on beneath the surface. Neither willing to take the time to see the pain or hurt the other might be experiencing and thus we go our separate ways believing our polite greeting has kept the world at bay and prevented others from seeing our carefully hidden secret lives.
Not all the best looking berries are sweet - some are very sour. You know the type. The person you want the world to see in you is the one you are drawn to. In public they are all smiles, their prayers make you feel like you’ve been in God’s presence. You hear only edifying words on their lips, they hold the doors for you when others are apt to be watching. Get them alone for a few minutes and you hear a string of curses that would make your grandmother blush. They complain about the actions of others while oblivious to their own faults. They find the "speck in their brother’s eye" while missing "the plank" in their own. The word that comes to mind is hypocrisy "The profession of beliefs or virtues, one does not possess." We can all fall into the trap of hypocrisy. Do as I say, not as I do. Not allowing our kids to watch certain movies because of the content, then watching the same movies after we think they are in bed. Or teaching them not to lie, then they hear us tell someone on the phone "I’m sorry he’s not here right now can I take a message, while Daddy is sitting right beside them all the while saying "If it’s for me, I’m not here." Others may see us as hypocrites because we happen to be having a bad day and are acting out of character. While we do have to be careful how we act and speak in public and at home in the presence of our precious little ones, God knows of our imperfections and our potential for sin. He looks on the heart and knows our true intentions even when the world is blinded, and it’s only a short trip back to the Saviors feet when we have sinned.
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Jun. 27, 2006
Lessons from the Strawberry Field (Part 1)
We are surrounded by nature. Some of us more than others. Here in Maine there is endless beauty to behold from the pine forests, to the vast ocean, to the majestic mountain peaks. But no matter where you live, there is something there that will point you to a creator and if you look carefully enough you may even find a lesson about life lurking in the most unusual places. For me it was the strawberry field. A recent trip strawberry picking with my children taught me lessons about prayer, friendships and even parenting.
One of the first things I discovered was that there are 3 types of pickers. Some people pick berries by getting down on their hands and knees and crawling along, looking for the best fruit. Others stoop from the waist to pick, while another group wanders aimlessly around the field looking for the best, ripest berries. They stay there and pick for a few minutes then move to another spot across the rows where they see another patch of irresistible berries. People tend to approach life in much the same way. Some get down on their hands and knees and crawl. These are the ones who know they can’t do anything in their own power, that everything they accomplish is because of the strength God has provided. They aren’t concerned with getting things done, only getting them done right. Others depend on their own strength and stoop from the waist, knowing they can move along at a quicker pace, yet all the while missing some of the greatest blessings because they aren’t willing to humble themselves by crawling to the Father for guidance. Finally, there are those who constantly move from place to place. You know the saying "The grass is greener on the other side of the fence." They see a greener pasture and move on, only to find a still greener one, further along the way. Contenment is just out of reach. If I only had a little more money, a nicer house, a more prestigious job...
While picking I soon realized that you have to get down on your knees to find the best fruit. Strawberries grow in small clumps beneath leaves and often times amongst weeds. They can easily be missed by the passerby if not he/she is not specifically looking to find them. How true this is of the many blessings that come our way each day. Recently, my son was planning a road trip out of town in a very old, and in my eyes, worn out car. I was concerned for his safety, not to mention the fact that I was wondering if he would make it all the way there and back. The day before he was set to leave for his trip, (he had left his car sitting out next to the road), an older gentleman stopped and asked if the car was for sale. He said that whenever he sees a car like that he tries to buy it because they make such great little cars. What a blessing! That simple unsolicited visit eased my worries and needless to say, my son made it to Tennessee and back (about 18 hours one way) without so much as a flat tire. Most people would chalk it up to coincidence, but amongst the weeds of worry and concern I was able to see God’s blessing and feel His reassurance.
You can't carry your load of strawberries around with you, you have to set them down. Whenever we go to pick strawberries we have with us a wooden box with a handle that holds either six or eight quarts of strawberries. This box can get very heavy if you carry it with you while at the same time trying to pick berries. You get tired out very quickly and are apt to quit far sooner than if the load were lighter. The same is true when we carry our burdens around with us all day. We become weary and depressed. Often ready to give up. But Jesus says in Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." One of my favorite songs says "I will cast all my cares upon you, I will lay all of my burdens down at your feet..." Frustrations often come in small packages: spilt milk, clogged sink, burnt toast, etc. However, these small frustrations, when piled on top of each other, become a huge load to carry. It reminds me of the game "Don’t Break the Camel’s Back." Each player would put a straw in the camel’s back, until finally someone would placee a straw that would break the camel’s back and spill the rest of the straws. It is these, sometimes small frustrations, that are more apt to be our last straw, than the larger trials that come our way like a lost job, serious illness or death in the family.When we begin our day, or a particular task by casting our cares on Him first, we aren’t heavy laden with the work ahead or with worries behind and are better equipped to complete the job without being bogged down under our load of cares.
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Jun. 20, 2006
Prayer Walks
I don't know about you but I love to walk. It's refreshing, doesn't take a lot of preparation and requires no special equipment (except a good pair of walking shoes). It's inexpensive, and exhilarating.
Last summer I got up and walked almost every morning. God would wake me up at about 5:30, I'd walk for about 3-1/2 miles and then come home refreshed with a clear mind and read His word.
Over the winter I grew out of the habit and God has been nudging me to get back in the swing. Every morning He's waking me up and every morning I've been fighting him and saying "just 15 more minutes please." Sound familiar?
A couple of years ago I came to the conclusion that my prayer life was not as productive or as fulfilling as it should be. I was falling asleep while praying, my mind was wandering, and I just could not stay focussed. God gave me the idea to pray while walking. Who can fall asleep while walking? Not I.
It was the most wonderful, meaningful time in my spiritual life. I would start by singing praise songs to my God, followed by confession and repentence. Then I would put in my thanksgiving and requests. I felt like my relationship with God was growing by leaps and bounds. Then, Satan would put in his two cents worth. "This is getting you know where." "Things aren't being changed the way they should." "Aren't things supposed to get better when you pray, not worse."
Unfortunately I started believing the lies and stopped walking, stopped getting up to pray and started to lose the joy of living in the Saviors will. Now, He's nudging me again to get back ou there.
Well, this morning I did it. I got out there and walked. It felt great. Sure, I was tired and it was hard to get started, but I chose to obey this time and right now I'm feeling on top of the world with Him. He's so amazing. His handiwork in creation is gorgeous. He is the greatest artist of all time. Nothing compares to a walk hand in hand with the Savior.
I'd like to encourage you all to try it. It's great exercise physically, spiritually and emotionally. God speaks when we listen, he smiles when we sing praise songs, even when we can't carry a tune. He craves a personal relationship with us, just as our souls long for a relationship with him. Won't you get up and walk with me tomorrow? It soesn't have to be super early. What time do your kids get up? Just get up 1/2 hour before them and spend that time walking and praying. Whatever you can do, you'll find yourself physically and spiritually healthier in no time.
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Jun. 7, 2006
Focussed Praying...
I have always struggled in my prayer life. There are so many needs and so many people to pray for that I couldn't cover them all on a regular basis without praying for hours or wondering who or what I left out. My mind would wander and I'd usually find myself out in left field somewhere not even remembering what it is I was just praying about.
This weekend I stumbled upon an idea while looking through Dinah Zike's book of Science. I made a mini bound book to use as my prayer ideas book for the days of the week. It has seven double pages, one for each day of the week. I used each day of the week as an acrostic to list specific needs I would pray for that day. On one side of the page I would write the day as an acrostic, on the other side I would list specific people or events that fit the specific ideas listed. Here is what my Monday page looks like so you can get some ideas of your own for your pages if you like:
Missions Outreach programs Needy Develop spiritual gifts
An opportunity to share
Your faith |
Names of Missionaries
Names of programs
Name your spiritual gift that you would like to develop
|
This booklet has really helped me to be more focussed in the areas that I pray for and I've covered a lot more needs than I've been able to in the past. Of course I pray for my husband and children daily and so they are not in the booklet but I'm thinking of making another so that I can add specific prayer requests for them, such as their spiritual lives on Sunday, moral decisions on Monday, thankful hearts on Tuesday, etc.
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Jun. 2, 2006
30 Day Challenge - Encourage Your Husband
I've decided to join Theresa from Our Home Sweet Homeschool in the 30 Day Challenge from Revive Our Hearts to be an encouragement to my husband. The point is to not say anything negative abour our husbands for 30 days to him or to anyone else. She said that since she already tries very hard not to say anything bad about him she is challenging us to not correct them in anyway as well, this also includes not sighing when we don't like the decision they've made. I'd like to add a little bit to the challenge by asking that we also not entertain any negative thoughts about our husbands. When I feel Satan trying to defeat me in this I try to take my mind off from the negative thoughts by singing praise songs to my Savior. After all, when you're praising Christ there's no room in your mind for Satan's lies. The second part of the challenge is to say something you admire about your husband to him and to someone else. Make it count and make sure you mean it when you say it. Our husbands can tell if we are being genuine by our tone of voice and body language.
I'm already two days late in accepting the challenge, so I need to tell you all two things that I admire about my husband. First of all, he's a hardworker. He works through exhaustion, physical pain and illness. He works in the pouring rain and many times has come in dripping wet. I find myself wondering how he does it sometimes and know that I couldn't do it. If I get a little headache I'm off to lay down until it goes away.
Second, he is very compassionate. He sees the children on the sponsor cards and his heart goes out to them. When money gets wasted on something he comments about how many children could have been helped if that money had been used sensibly. In fact this year, for the first time, even though our budget is very tight, he's decided to sponsor a child from Haiti. Her name is Myriam. You can see her picture in the sidebar of my blog. We've alredy received two letters from her and it feels awesome to be a part of providing education and medical treatment to her and her family.
So, you ready. Take the challenge with us. The only thing it takes is a truly appreciative heart for the sacrifices your husband makes so that you can be at home with your children and homeschool them. It won't hurt a bit, the only thing it's sure to do is strengthen your marriage and grow you closer together.
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May. 29, 2006
Worhsip....It's not about Me!
I heard a sermon on worship and began thinking about what worship is, how we should worship and why. As I started searching the Bible for answers I came up with quite a lot of answers. Here are the notes I kept:
Who: Worship Him that made heaven and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (Rev 14:7)
Worship the Father (John 4:21)
Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God...(Luke 4:8)
....to worship the King. , the Lord of Hosts. (Zech. 14:7)
Who is God that we should worship Him?
God is self-existent
God said to Moses, "I Am Who I Am". (Ex. 3:14)
God is self-sufficient
If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
God is eternal
The eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deut 33:27)
Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God. (Ps 90:2)
God is infinite
"Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him? Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the Lord. (Jer. 23:24)
But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. (1Kings 8:27)
(infinite) - without limits or bounds; endless; boundless; immeasurable; unlimited; immense.
God is omnipresent
Where can I go from the Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. (Ps. 139:7-10)
God is omnipotent
"Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the Lord." (Gen 18:13,14)
God is omniscient
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I set and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. (Ps. 139:1-4)
Surely the nations are like a drop in the bucket; Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed Him as his counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the right way? Who was it that taught Him knowledge or showed Him the path of understanding? (Is. 40:13-15)
God is wise
By wisdom the Lord laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; (Prov 3:19)
Now to the King eternal, immortable, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever, Amen. (1 Tim. 1:17)
God is immutable
But you remain the same and your years will never end. (Hebrews 1:12)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
(immutable) - never changing, unchangeable, permanent.
God is sovereign
"I am God, and there is no other; I am God and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times. What is still to come, I say: 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; What I have planned, that will I do.(Is 46:9-11)
(sovereign) - king, supreme ruler; greatest in rank or power; independent of hte control of other governments; above all others; supreme, greatest; very excellent or powerful, paramount, chief.
God is incomprehensible
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgements, and his paths beyond tracing out.
(Rom. 11:33)
Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Alighty? They are higher than the heavens - what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave - what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. (Job 11:7-9)
God is holy
"Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.
God is righteous and just
Righteous are you, O Lord, and your laws are right. The statues you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy. (Ps. 119:137-138)
God is true
Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
A faith and knowledge on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time. (Titus 1:1-2)
God is faithful
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.(Deut. 7:9)
God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful(1 Cor. 1:9)
The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it
(1 Thess. 5:24)
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that ye may be able to bear it.
(1 Cor. 10:13)
God is light
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)
God is good
Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! (Ps. 107:8)
God is merciful
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor his anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; (ps. 103:8-13)
God is blameless
"I am God Almighty; (El Shaddai) walk before me and be blameless."
God is our deliverer
I watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. And I promised to bring you up out of your misery...
(Ex. 1:16-17)
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God---through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:24)
God is creator
You alone are Lord. You made the heavens, and all their starry host, the earht and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. (Neh. 9:6)
Through Him all things were made; (John 1:3)
God is unprecedented
Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. (Is. 64:4)
God is forgiving
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression. (Micah 7:18)
Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him. (Rom. 4:8)
God is our redeemer
...the Lord willredeem you out of the hand of your enemies. (Micah 4:10)
...because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of Life set me free. (Rom 8:2)
God is peace
He will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.
I will lie down and sleep in peace for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Ps. 4:8)
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7)
God is jealous
Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. (Ex. 34:14)
God is comfort
As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; (Is. 66:13)
...And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. (Rev. 7:17)
God is judge
But, O Lord Almighty, you who judge righteously and test the heart and mind... (Jer. 11:20)
And He has given Him authority to judge because He is the Son of Man. (John 5:27)
God is our refuge
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge' my shield and the horn of my salvation. (2 Sam. 22:2-3)
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him. (Nahum 1:7)
(refuge) - shelter or protection from harm;
God is our avenger
He is the God who avenges me... (Ps. 18:47)
God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble and you and give relief to you who are troubled. (2 Thess. 1:6-7)
God is our shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want... (Ps. 23:1)
I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)
God is perfect
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
(Matt. 5:48)
He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong. (Deut. 32:4)
Whew!!! After reading all that again, I feel very insignificant. Now isn't that what worship is all about. First, acknowledging who God is and that we are nothing apart from Him. In my next post I will include what I found out about who should worship, when we should worship and how the Bible tells us to worship.
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May. 9, 2006
Proverbs 31 (Part 3)
Modelling Genuine Faith
The final thing I’ve learned or am learning about God’s desires for me as his servant is “To model a genuine faith before my children, 2 Timothy 1:5 “…when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice…” I want to have the same effect on my family that Lois and Eunice had on young Timothy growing up that caused him to have an unwavering faith in The Lord Jesus Christ and an insatiable desire to serve Him completely. I realize this is the place I need the most work. While my faith is strong and unwavering, I don’t share enough with my children the greatness of God and his unfailing love. I don’t read the Bible with them, or pray with them enough over the struggles they are facing; thus sending them the message that God is not the foremost authority in my life. Basically, I act in a hypocritical manner on a daily basis, in that, while I put on airs of peace and confidence in public and at church, I am falling apart, screaming, or pursuing selfish interests at home. I realize that I cannot do any of this in my own strength but need to rely on God more and more on a daily basis and seek him out at the beginning of every day to receive his guidance and wisdom in handling all situations that confront me on a given day.
While becoming “The Proverbs 31” woman is a lofty pursuit and my ultimate goal, I need to remember that, this side of heaven, it is a virtual impossibility and that God’s real goal in my life is to create in me a pure heart, that is willing to do whatever He calls me to at any given moment in time regardless of my abilities or inabilities. I am, therefore, truly grateful, that God looks on the motives of the heart and not the mistakes I make daily trying to do His will and pray that He will make my motives pure, and give me a true desire in becoming a “well-polished, ornately decorated crown on my husbands head (Prov. 12:4), that makes him well-known in the gates (Prov. 31:23). Also, that my contentment and fulfillment will come from creating an excellent home with diligence and that any glory that comes from my pursuits will go to my Father in Heaven and my family will no longer see me but Jesus in me.
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May. 7, 2006
Proverbs 31 (Part 2)
Keepers at Home
The second thing I found while studying the Proverbs 31 woman is that she is to be a homemaker. Titus 2:5 “…to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” John MacArthur states in his notes on this verse that this means “keeping a Godly home with excellence for one’s husband and children is the Christian woman’s non-negotiable responsibility”(1886).
God is very clear in His word on where he wants us as wives and mothers to spend the majority of our time. Anything that may limit our ability to keep our home with excellence should be considered thoroughly before becoming involved. “Excellence – the state or quality of being superior.”(Webster’s) As I was about to put supper on the table tonight I realized I didn’t have enough plates or silverware for the meal and thus found myself rushing to wash just enough so we could eat. Then realization dawned on me that I was not “keeping my home with excellence” and had to consider the activities of the day that led to such disorganization. The fact that a vet appointment for our puppy, a trip to the bank and other various errands took three hours out of our day has to be looked at as necessary disruptions, while sitting down to read the last three chapters of a book I couldn’t put down, putting together some mailings that really weren’t of any great urgency, and cleaning under the couch (desperately needed, but not as much as dishes for dinner), are chores that could have been completed at a later time. Making a list of things that needed to be done for the day and then prioritizing them would have helped me to complete the most necessary tasks, while others of lesser importance could have waited to another day if time did not permit the completion of the entire list.
MacArthur states in his notes on 1st Timothy 5:14 “The home is the domain where a married woman fulfills herself in God’s design. “(1869) It’s hard finding fulfillment at home. Washing dishes, changing diapers, and scrubbing toilets does not create a very glamorous job description. Yet, even in these menial tasks, when done to the glory and honor of God and for the well-being of our families, one can find a type of satisfaction and joy that many women can only dream of achieving. “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)” Let’s face it, our husbands are not likely to walk in the door at the end of the day and lavish us with thanksgiving for the monotonous tasks we perform on a daily basis to preserve the ambience or our peaceful homes. Therefore, we need to be sure we are “laying up our treasures in heaven” by completing our God-given duties with a gentle and quiet spirit without expecting any earthly reward. Am I doing all to the glory of God, when I am mumbling about the mountains of laundry or when I greet my husband at the door (after working hard all day) with complaints about the nuisances I’ve encountered during the day? Ladies if our duties at home are not being met with joy and anticipation of God’s blessings, we need to consider spending more time on our knees and seeking God’s utmost desire for our lives.
Again, MacArthur also states in his notes on Proverbs 31:15 “thus keeping a before-sunrise to after-dark schedule to care for her household, which was the foremost priority of her life.”(922) I don’t know about you but I have a hard time getting up before the kids let alone before sunrise. However, I easily keep an after-dark schedule trying to get the kids to bed, fit in devotions and prayer time, and any last minute picking up that shouldn’t be left until morning. I’m not sure the emphasis here is so much on the early rising, but on the fact that the home is her foremost priority. Every decision we make as wives and mothers have to be made in relation to the welfare of our husbands and families. Every activity we choose outside the home has to be balanced with the needs of our home. With five children it would be so easy to get over-involved in educational pursuits, art classes, sports, or community service. I have found, however, that these types of activities can be added to a busy schedule with careful planning and good time-management. On Wednesdays, one of my older children has been involved in leadership training. Therefore, on Wednesdays, after I drop him off, I choose to do my grocery shopping, since both tasks take about the same amount of time, and I don’t have to feel I took unnecessary time away from home to allow him to be involved in something that interests him. Laundry is another chore I have to do outside of the home, and therefore can use the time the laundry is washing or drying to do visitations with one of my younger children who loves to visit the elderly, or have play dates with friends for the youngest ones.
Some women are clearly more organized than others and can handle service outside of the home while at the same time maintaining order. I’m not one of them. I find that if I’m gone from home more than two days a week even if only for a couple of hours, utter chaos follows. I become cranky at the work left undone, and yell for the kids to help me pick up quickly before Dad gets home. I have to throw together a quick dinner on those days, unless I had the foresight to plan ahead and have part of it completed before I left (which, for me, is a rare occasion). Furthermore, I find myself, greeting my husband’s home coming with relief rather than joy. “You’re finally home, you deal with the kids for a while so I can have a break.” Instead of “I’m so glad you’re home. How was your day, I missed you.” Thus adding to his stress and not allowing him a reprieve from working tediously all day.
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May. 5, 2006
Proverbs 31 (Part 1)
The Godly Wife
For years I’ve been burdened with a desire to serve God to the best of my ability and in whatever capacity He chose to use me. That, coupled with a burden for the lost children of our community and the need for Children’s ministry in our church has led me to question if God is calling me to just such a ministry. After much prayer, and some wise counsel I began a study on a wife/mother’s role as outlined in the Bible and came up with the following principles that have assuaged the guilt of not serving outside the home, taught me that laying treasures up in heaven is far more important than earthly reward, and that motherhood is a calling from God and the place where a married woman fulfills herself in God.
When I began to consider the woman God wanted me to be, the first place God led me was to Proverbs 31 where I found God’s definition of a virtuous wife. The passage from verses 10 through 31 begins with a description of her marriage, leading to her behavior, character, family life and spiritual life.
The very fact that it describes her marriage first, made me realize that this is my utmost priority after my relationship with Christ. Genesis 2:18 “And the Lord God said ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.’” I was created to be my husband’s helper. To first of all provide for his needs (i.e. food, clean clothing, peaceful home), then move on to the needs of the rest of the family and finally the church. Proverbs 12:4 states “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband…” Therefore, I’ve found that in order to fulfill my first and foremost priority I need to begin every task with the question “Is this helping my husband?” Is there something I should be doing that would be of more help to him? This question weighed heavy on my mind as I was thinking about the simple task of reading bedtime stories to my kids. While most experts and educators will tell you this is one of the single most important things parents can do with their children to prepare them for lifelong learning, it was the manner in which I was doing it and the time of night we found ourselves delving into the books we found so exciting that made me realize I was indeed not helping my husband and needed to re-adjust our reading schedule. I’ve found that, more often than not, we were waiting to read these stories at 9:00 or sometimes even 10:00 at night making for a very late bedtime for the kids. This has been exasperating for my husband, because he has been unable to do the needed paperwork for his landscaping business because of the noise, and it has also left us no time for each other in the evenings. Therefore, even though a task may be worthy of doing, we, as wives and mothers, need to, first of all, consider our husbands needs and then consider the task.
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Apr. 29, 2006
Phillipians 2:14 -
Do All Things Without Complaining or Disputing
I never really thought of myself as a complainer. However, as I reflect on 2005 and look forward to the rest of 2006, I wondered what God would want to change in me this year. Philippians 2:14 kept coming to mind and so I figured I needed to take another look at who I thought I was, and who God saw. The verse says to do ALL things without complaining or disputing. I actually like the King James Version better. It says, “Do all things without murmurings or disputing.” To complain denotes an “outcry or a shout,” while a murmuring is a “secret displeasure not openly avowed”. So while I may not always openly complain about the task at hand, I believe God has seen my inward grumbling and wants to work on that.
How many of us go through life grumbling and complaining and miss the joy and blessings of serving Christ? How many times have we complained about the rain and missed the rainbow? Or complained about the stacks of laundry and forgot to thank God for having so many choices in what we wear? How many times have we sat, stuck in traffic, and missed the opportunity to thank God for the job that we are headed to, or the wonderful family we have waiting for us at home? How often have we sat in church and grumbled that our needs weren’t being met, while we neglected to meet a need that we were qualified for.
As I murmured (inwardly) this week about frozen water pipes, and undone laundry, I had the chance to talk to two women who shared their struggles with me. One is facing having to put her mother and father in a nursing home because she and her siblings have full time jobs and just cannot care for them full time. The other has been separated from her children for three years, because she is struggling with cancer, a tumor and most recently a blood clot on the brain. What do I have to grumble about? “Thank you God for reminding me through these two women, how incredibly blessed I am. I have a family who loves me, the support of a wonderful church family, and You to come running to when things go wrong. Help me to start each day with joy and thanksgiving and when I start to “murmur” remind me of all the many ways in which you have blessed me.”
As I was reading in the Bible one evening, God showed me another treasure from scripture that I hope to carry with me throughout this year. I challenge you all to take a look at it and do the same. The passage is found in Habakkuk. I know, how many people have actually read Habakkuk. Well, this was probably the first for me and I’m so glad I did, because otherwise I would have missed out on this wonderful passage of scripture. The passage is Habakkuk 3:17–19a. I have rewritten it for today and hope you’ll go back and read it the way it was written for Habakkuk’s day.
Though the cupboards be empty
Nor vegetables be in the garden;
Though my water pipes be frozen
And my well run dry in the summer;
Though my health begin to fail,
And my body groan from the
pains of arthritis---
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength;
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Sharing what God is teaching me in hopes
of encouraging others.
Tomorrow is another day, with no mistakes
in it yet."
Anne of Green
Gables
Psalm 40:17
But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord
thinketh on me. Thou art my help and my
deliverer.
Isaiah 49:15b-16a
I will never forget you! See, I have you
engraved on the palms of my hands.
John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in
me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble. But
take heart!
I have overcome the world."
Psalm 68:19
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens.
Psalm 77:19b-20a
Though your footprints were not seen, you
led your people like a flock
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the Plans I have for you", declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Psalm 30:5b
Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro thoughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee
Psalm 27:14
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord.
Psalm 139:17-18
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God!
They are innumerable!
I can’t even count them;
They outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up in the morning,
You are still with me!
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