• Dec. 19, 2007
A lightbulb moment of sorts...

It is no secret that my FIL is not my favorite person on the planet.  I have really tried to like him but he is so self absorbed it is hard.  I have been praying for some time that God would allow me to worship in spite of him when he is leading.  Sunday was one of those days where it was very hard to focus on the Lord and just worship in spirit and truth.  I figured out why I worship so well when Dan leads and not so much when FIL leads...

He is actually thwarting the worship for me in what he does and not in just who he is.  When Dan leads he leads from the piano... often times so that no one else will get on that doesn't follow him well or that plays too loudly for worship to take place.  The piano is quite the percussive instrument and it is louder than the guitar that Dan has used in times past.  So, he leads from the piano with a little microphone in front of his face and a powerpoint of lyrics on the walls.  He puts everything on the powerpoint including the hymns he is using, all the choruses and praise songs so that no one is flipping around in a book and hunting for words to be able to sing.

His dad, on the other hand, stands front and center, waving his arms and hollering out numbers in books to find.  He cuts the instrumentalists off to let the congregation sing without them for effect and orchestrates the worship to fit what he thinks it ought to be like.  He modulates 4 or 5 times in a song for effect and the instrumentalists cannot even follow him half the time.  He manipulates things to bring an "effect" that he is trying to get and gets mad when people cannot read his mind and stay with him.  Oh, and they cannot follow because he never tells us what he is going to do or calls a rehearsal to practice anything... everything is a total "wing it when I get to church" moment.

Dan gets out of the way... he lets me worship the way I feel led to worship.  He provides the background music and I get to talk to God and sing to God and praise and worship God.  I can lift my hands when I feel like it or sit or stand when I feel led to do so or just weep in my little seat if I need to do that, too.  And.... he actually plans a set of music and has the power point ready to go when he starts with keys written out of the musicians and any new music is handed out before time. 

FIL tells us when to raise our hands or bow our heads or sing a certain way or time - men sing this verse... women sing this verse... now just the instruments... now the instruments be quiet... now the trombones... now the flutes.... etc....  It is so blaming distracting that I cannot worship.  I will often close my eyes and ignore him just to be able to worship in a private little corner by myself. 

He likes to be the center of attention... that has been true for many years in the way that he dominates conversations and gets mad when people won't listen to him even when he cuts people off to speak.  He is rude and it pours over into the way he leads church and worship.  This is a HUGE reason I have been so frustrated for so long in church.  I have quit playing my flute, do not do solos anymore or sing in the praise team time unless Dan is the only one leading that day.  I cannot take it and now I know why!

Just sit down and get out of the way and let me commune with God... I don't need your help!!!  Last time I checked my prayer and worship did not have to go through anyone else's approval or orchestration to be prayer and worship in the sight of God. 

Just my $.02 for today...

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• May. 16, 2007
Gonna say it...

I liked Jerry Falwell.  I have heard him speak and read his articles and writings my whole life.  Did I always agree with EVERYTHING he said?  No...

Falwell was controversial but he was a good man.  Does that get him to heaven?  No.  He did not believe that either.  He believed that Jesus is the way the truth and the life and that there is no other way to the Father but through Jesus Christ.  He believed in mercy and grace and knew that he did not deserve those things.  He knew that he must humble himself before a mighty God and ask forgiveness because he knew he had sinned just like everyone else.  I believe he is with Jesus today! 

...and for the record, Jesus, who was perfect, was pretty controversial in His time, too. 

He was a man that knew that the world needed/needs Jesus and he went to all lengths to bring Jesus to the world.  He changed the face of politics forever.  He stirred Christians to a political responsibility that, I believe, has been good for America.  He was bold in the pulpit and when addressing the public but that wasn't all of who he was.  He held to his personal convictions in both public and private life.  He was NO fake.  Those who really knew him and spent time with him say that he was a gentle giant.  He was a great family man.  He loved with all he had in him.  He was a man of God.

So, does the fact that the media is now blasting him matter?  We are not called to live like the world.  We are not asked to bring a comfortable message to the world.  The name of Jesus is controversial in itself.  The world rejected Him and still does.  So, does it matter that the world did not receive his message with love and kisses?  Not to Falwell and not to God...  I believe he has heard the words, "Well done My good and faithful servant...  "

I will miss him.

Remembering Jerry Falwell at Crosswalk.com

Jerry Falwell Dead at 73

(2 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Mar. 19, 2007
Low sodium eats and a bit of healthy conversation...

Whether you want to like it or not there are just some times in your life that you have to eat for your health and this is one of those in our house.  This is a rant of sorts so hang on... 

I am annoyed by so many of those fad diets out there that tell you that you cannot eat certain things or dub a food "BAD" when it is actually good for you.  Those diets only deprive you of things your body needs so I steer clear of them and try to go with balance.  I would say that has worked for me because I have had mild struggles with my weight but nothing out of control unless I was binging on sugary stuff.

There are exceptions to the rule with banning foods when they are foods that are not natural or are meant to be eaten in small amounts and not very often - like additives in foods and sugars of certain varieties (corn syrup is a diabetics worst nightmare).  You guys know me...  I am into the whole crunchy living thing and won't put artificial things in my body or in the body of my children.  I won't use artificial sweeteners or food additives.  I refuse to buy prepackaged stuff because of the nitrites and soy stuff - it is an allergy thing with me.  I won't take medications unless I am dying and have to.  All that being said I am trying to find the right balance for Dan and for the kids so that everyone has their needs met and are healthy.  There are positive things we can do to change our bodies without depriving it of nutrition and vitamins and minerals that are crucial to good body functioning.  By the way, carbs are not the enemies!!!  Our bodies are fueled by good carbs so don't shut them out, please!!!  Your body needs more fiber, too, and you get that from whole grains in breads, pasta and brown rice along with beans, nuts and seeds. 

I am trying to teach habits as I go, too.  It would be easy to just feed the kids junk and move on but then I am setting them up for future health issues and I don't want them to go through what Dan is going through at such a young age.  As much as we can figure he started having blood pressure issues in his late 20's and they have escalated with time.  It is hereditary in his family but he has not helped the condition with eating and sedentary lifestyle (he knows that, too).  I want to teach my children better habits before they get there, too.  With that in mind I HATE that Dan is on not one but TWO medications now.  Our goal is to get him OFF those things through diet and exercise.  He is still needing to lose about 30 pounds.  He will still be on those meds until these results have been accomplished and the doctor approves him going off them.  His diet is pretty good but I decided to check out some more low sodium foods and some specific foods that would help him out nutritionally. 

Here is a GREAT resource that I found with recipes for low sodium eats for any of you interested...  and guess what?  It has things that are "SHUNNED" on other diets like avocados, potatoes and bananas.  Our bodies need these things! 

I watched a program recently with Dr. Mehmet Oz, too, and he had some great guidelines for changing how you eat without making EVERYTHING taboo.  You can read more about that here if you like.  I love the philosophy of making small lifestyle changes that will make big changes in the longrun and not some crash diet that tells you that you can NEVER eat dessert again, etc...  I loved the examples of people used in the program that showed how you could have energy and strength and time for family and fun.  We will be continuing to make small changes for health.  It is not about being model thin or looking like the magazine pictures.  For us, it is about staying alive to raise these children God has blessed us with and being healthy to be the most we can be in this life for as long as God will let us be here together. 

Oh, and one more thing...  you gotta exercise.  There is no other way around it.  Your body needs to get up and move.  We are not made to be sedentary creatures.  When I came to terms with that it made me feel so much better and I look better for it, too.   Just ask Dan... 

(1 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Jan. 13, 2007
Hold Fast...

(2 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Nov. 9, 2006
Very personal conviction...

Dan and I have mulled this over and talked about how every business and organization will eventually have a reason not to support them and we have looked at our pocketbook and wondered about our responsibility to shop smart and be good stewards of our money.  We have covered all the bases that we could think of and have come to the conclusion that Walmart's new agenda is just not smart.  They have been blasted by liberal groups all over America and still they are cowtowing to an agenda we just cannot support.  So, as of today we will NOT be shopping there anymore nor will we be shopping at Sam's Club and I am selling my Walmart stock in favor of a more family friendly company.  It is a personal decision.  It is not necessarily something I would ask everyone else to do.  It is just the right thing for our little family of six...

For more information...

(5 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Sep. 22, 2006
30 Days of Nothing means what???

I started on this journey and had no idea what lay ahead.  I have made it a matter of prayer and this is what has transpired...

*   The washing machine broke - we now have money to buy a new one (thanks MOM!) and are going to have to buy one this weekend but we have been over two weeks without one.  I certainly have a deeper appreciation for those who live without.  It is NOT easy hauling laundry and washing things out in the sink every day.  I am also aware that maybe we NEED to live with fewer things to wash, too.  As a matter of fact... the cleaning out we have done has made our home much more pleasant and has provided us with much less stress and clutter. 

*   The air conditioner is broken and we have gone without that for the last week or so and will not be getting it fixed any time soon.  The weather is getting cooler but it is still a bit warm in the afternoons (into the 80's).  I have been thinking about those that live in countries where they live in temps over 100 with no means for cooling their residences.

*   The kids toilet is broken and turned off.  We still have indoor plumbing and we are sharing one bathroom but, again, thoughts of others who do without have been filling my brain. 

*   God has been showing me how much I truly have and how grateful I should be for all of it.  Even in doing with less I am NOT really doing without anything!!!  Contentment has been on His agenda this month and I totally see that.  Now, while NONE of this is going to save someone in a third world country, it sure has changed me in some drastic ways.  We are pretty frugal people already.  We do not eat out or shop at the mall.  We do not spend on a great deal of frivolity.  We are not poor by any stretch of the imagination.  As a matter of fact I feel very rich as I examine all God has blessed me with.  I have a beautiful family and a home with a roof over our head (that leaks a little bit but at least it covers us) and we have never gone hungry a day in our lives.  I believe that is not from our efforts but from God's provision.  There have been times in our ministry when we did not have money to buy groceries and God has always, ALWAYS provided for our needs.  We would get an envelope full of cash in our mailbox or sacks of groceries left anonymously on our doorstep.  God has ALWAYS provided for our family!!!  I believe those that have made Jesus Lord of their lives do have that assurance that He provides for our needs.  We see that in Matthew when He speaks about the lilies of the field and the bird of the air and how He cares for them.  There is NOTHING I really NEED that HE does not provide for me!!!

As Americans we are truly spoiled people.  Even the poorest among us have welfare and governmental programs (and I must add that many actually take advantage of those programs and I recognize that some do not, but need it instead to survive).  I look just across the border from where we live and see homes with no windows or airconditioning units.  Many have no indoor plumbing or running water of any kind.  They work hard and have very little.  We are a very rich nation!  We can be such whiners about things (me included).  I am now making a concious effort to stop the whining and complaining and be grateful.  I want to be truly content with where God has put me and with what He has given me.  I believe (as I read at Cheri's not too long ago - wish I could link you to the exact post *shrugging*) that ungratefulness over all that God has placed in my life (good and bad to grow me into what He desires me to be) is sin.  Oh, I do not believe God sends BAD things into my life - He merely allows things that He knows will make me more like Him.  I do not want to sin in this manner any longer.  I want to be obedient and grateful!!!

Jesus said, that we would always have the poor among us (Matt 26:11).  That is not going to go away.  My thoughts now turn to how can I make a difference, though, so that we have fewer people in this predicament.  I am not sure how that will happen or what I can do but I am certainly thinking about things more carefully.  I suspect that the example that Jesus gave in feeding the five thousand might be a start.  Meet a physical need so they are ready to hear about what they really need.  With the woman at the well He talked about the Living Water while she was there to draw the well water.  He healed people and told them to go and sin no more.  There is something to meeting a physical need and then a spiritual need that we see over and over again in scripture.  Is there room for social gospel?  I believe that there is huge argument in scripture for it.  I believe that doing good works is NOT what that means.  I believe that sharing Jesus IS what that means.  Now, how can I get involved in that?  Will working save me?  A definite NO but once I have been forgiven so great a debt I cannot help but want to serve a living and real LORD in a way that brings others to Him. 

God has shown me this and I am committing it to memory along with a few others on this topic...
17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God,[7] Other mss read on the living God who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.
18 [Instruct them]to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share,
19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the age to come, so that they may take hold of life that is real.

1 Tim 6:17-19 (HCSB)

Hmmm... sharing what I have...  being generous... storing up a good foundation for the age to come (not buckets and baskets and barrels of stuff... ;) ) ...taking hold of life that is REAL...   Doncha just LOVE Paul???  :)

So, 30 Days of Nothing has really meant 30 Days to a more rich life.  That is something everyone can use.  The way to have a rich life is Jesus!  He brings you life and life MORE ABUNDANT!!!  Without Him there is  no life...

Now, I will be making all of this a matter of prayer as we head into the home stretch of 30 Days of Nothing...

(4 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Sep. 20, 2006
A few frivolous observations...

*   I SO missed talk like a Pirate day, AGAIN this year so here ya go...

Arrrrrgggggghhhhh....and shiver me timbers!!!

*   Autumn is coming!!!!!  In just three more days...  WOOHOO, MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!

*   I am in serious Star Trek withdrawal.  I need to rent some episodes from Netflix to get my fix.  We are starting another year without a new series and it is just SAD!!!

*   Speaking of Star Trek has anyone else noticed that some members of our planet (mainly in the USA) are turning into BORG???  They have these electronic things coming from their heads.  They walk around talking to themselves like there is some kind of Collective they are connected to.  As I was on my morning walk/jog I noticed three of these BORG beings as they were leaving their homes, entering their trucks (remember I am in Texas and that is what men drive here), chattering into the air with an electronic device hanging from their ear.  Can't you even wait until you get out of the driveway???  It is utterly ANNOYING!!!  They SO need to read the book I am reading right now called Better Off:  Flipping the Switch on Technology by Eric Brende.  *she says as she types on her laptop*  ;)

*   Early class today and some reading to get done before I go so I am offline the remainder of the day.  Gotta get the kiddos schooled and a pot of beans on the fire for dinner, too...

See ya when I can pop in later this week... I promise some more substantial blogging by Friday.  :)

(4 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Jun. 7, 2006
Blogging Etiquette...

Let's get started today with a few links of others advice on  Blogging Etiquette and we shall go from there.  There are lots of opinions on it and here are a few diverse perspectives.

Proper Blogging Etiquette

Top 10 Weblog Ethics and Etiquette Tips (this is MY favorite one)

Thoughts on Blogging Etiquette (some think we should skip the etiquette)

Community Site Blogging Etiquette (for those who blog in a community or small group)

Dave Barry Explains Blogging (just 'cause I LOVE Dave Barry)  ;)

For the sake of argument we are going with my favorite since it is, afterall, MY blog... ;)

Top 10 Weblog Ethics and Etiquette Tips

by Sheila Ann Manuel Coggins

1) Follow Hotlinking Guidelines.

2) Credit Your Sources.

When you use a certain part of an article or blog entry, it's important to attribute it to the author accordingly. It's also good practice to mention your source, if you found a useful piece or link from someone.

10) Leave a Way For Your Readers To Contact You.

It doesn't matter whether you choose email, comments, tag boards or something else. It's just considered good etiquette to give your readers an opportunity to contact you.

More: Top 7 Ways To Encourage Blog Reader Interaction

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Well, I will leave this to be pondered and I might tackle a few personal things on this tomorrow but today is full, full, FULL, so I must be offline more today. 

Thanks for reading!!!!!

(4 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Apr. 5, 2006
Dreams...

    I don't know about you, but I have really struggled with things I feel drawn toward.  For a long time I just pushed anything in the way of dreams aside.  I have seen God putting some things in my path and have just been too afraid to pursue them.  I seem to be constantly learning new things in hopes of finding just the right thing that suits my fancy.  I finally decided to stop trying so hard to find new things and just step back and take a look at what has already transpired.  It has all been right here in front of me the whole time - growing and developing over the past 20 years.  Is this making sense to anyone???

I know we are supposed to write on Fridays about the LBY study but there is just so much I cannot resist sharing it - I promise to save the majority for Friday, though.

Over the past few years the Lord has been changing my mind about a lot of things.  I am a quiet person who enjoys my alone time a great deal and God has been taking advantage of that aspect of my personality.  I have sung in front of people and taught aerobics in front of people and have never felt comfortable with the whole "being out in front" thing.  I am certainly a "behind the scenes" kinda gal.  He has shaped me to desire lots of alone time, which, btw, is not always possible with a house full of children.  I am not one to talk on the phone a great deal.  I am also not one to want to fill up my time with lots of chatter and conversation about frivolity.  Crowds totally drain me.  Not that I am so deep all the time, because I am NOT, but my mind is just on other things.  I am an observer.  I am an introverted type.  Sure I spend time in conversation but I listen a whole lot more than I talk in most instances.  Dan is the only one who sees the chatty side most days.  I am merely energized by time to think and pray and just be quiet. Writing is such a good fit for me for that reason.  Am I still not making sense???  Ok, I will get to the point...

All that being said, God has given me a desire to be in my kitchen.  I LOVE working in the kitchen with praise music going and the focus on preparing things to nourish my family.  I have become very educated in recent years on healthy eating and nutrition because of my husband's early onset issues with high blood pressure.  I seem to have developed a passion for such things lately.  As I have become more capable in my kitchen I have seen that God has given me a gift for this.  It meets so many aspects of my personality to be in the kitchen.  I am alone to think, for the most part.  I am able to be creative in a way I never dreamed.  I am able to meet the needs of my family.  I am able to exercise a gift of hospitality.  It has even spilled over to a role running the church kitchen when we have meal functions.  ...And now,  God has opened a door to sell the very bread that feeds my family to others.  I did not have to do anything but share my bread and then I suddenly have customers that are buying bread from me.  It is AMAZING TO WATCH!!!

Remember the cookie sheets and spatulas that Dan brought home yesterday?  He has been bringing me such things for about two months as a way of encouraging me to step out in this dream.  He has been amazingly supportive and has said that wherever the Lord takes this he will support and do what he can for this.  Is this a dream come true?  Not in full, but it certainly is a starting place.  I believe that it is something the Lord is calling me to and with His design it will bless my family in a Proverbs 31 sort of way.  I sat down the other night and made a list that would be a bigger plan for this whole catering and cooking thing.  I feel that I need to be teaching my children all these things, too.  I will also need to teach them the basics of running a home business and being a good steward of all that God gives us.  What a magnificent teaching opportunity this could be.  Could all of this include a nursing degree/nutritionist degree? - (something I have also felt is in the future for me)  Could it include running a bed and breakfast?  Maybe...  Does it mean that I will write my own cookbook or other books on food, nutrition and family such things?  Hmmm... now that would be fun...  Whereever it leads, I am ready - a bit nervous ;) but certainly ready. 

I am very excited that He has a plan for my life and once I get past the fear He is showing me, little by little, just how great HE IS!!!

(7 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Mar. 27, 2006
Various and Sundry Tidbits...

I have been reading and taking it easy a bit more this afternoon.  I am still suffering from a dehydration headache and trying to rehydrate as quickly as possible.  Here is a collection of interesting things I have come across today...

 

I came across this list a few years ago and now there is a new movement among holiness churches.  Here is the original list...

 

The Holy Club:

 

These are 22 questions the members of John Wesley's Holy Club asked each day in their private devotions. This was over 200 years ago.

 

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I'm better ......than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?

 

2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?

 

3. Do I confidentially pass on what was told to me in confidence?

 

4. Can I be trusted?

 

5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work or habits?

 

6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying or self justifying?

 

7. Did the Bible live in me today?

 

8. Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?

 

9. Am I enjoying prayer?

 

10. When did I last speak to someone else about my faith?

 

11. Do I pray about the money I spend?

 

12. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?

 

13. Do I disobey God in anything?

 

14. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?

 

15. Am I defeated in any part of my life?

 

16. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?

 

17. How do I spend my spare time?

 

18. Am I proud?

 

19. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees ......who despised the publican?

 

20. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? If so, what I am doing about it?

 

21. Do I grumble or complain constantly?

 

22. Is Christ real to me?

 

These were from John Wesley.

 

Here are some things I found online today regarding the new holiness movement...

 

The Holiness Manifesto

 

Christianity Today Article about Holiness

 

Making no inferences only sharing and hoping you enjoy this information and take from it what you will...

 

A Funny:

 

Park Seeds sent me an e-mail entitled:  FREE POT!

They sent another today entitled:  We apologize, we meant to say container.

 

New Start:

 

Amy at DandelionSeeds is starting a new program called Clean Heart, Clean Home Challenge for anyone interested in joining in...

 

Some Great Articles for You:

 

Ministry Wives Article - EXCELLENT!!!

Albert Mohler on Creation and Redemption - ALSO EXCELLENT!!!

 

Challenged Church - new Barna report is out...

 

Mohler on Biblical Authority - the man is BRILLIANT, I tell you...

 

Can Believers Be Bible Scholars? - Another Mohler Article...

 

 

 

(2 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Mar. 7, 2006
New Homeschool Magazine...

or at least what I would do with one if I could start one... LOL  You can make your own cover here.

 

 

 

Thanks Carol for the link!

 

Some others who have done covers...

 

Violet

 

Rebecca

 

ChathamMommy

 

If you do one could you please let me know so I can check it out???  I am noting that those who do one give insight to what they are passionate about.  Cannot wait to see your's!!!

 

 

(6 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Feb. 28, 2006
Hmmm... Very Interesting...

This is a little blog article I came across and thought all of you HIGHLY EDUCATED STAY AT HOME MOMS might be interested.  I know there are many and I do mean MANY moms out there just like me that have bachelors, master's degrees and even doctorates that have chosen your children over the workplace...

 

I SALUTE YOU!!!!!

 

Oh, and for what it is worth I think Dr. Albert Mohler is DA BOMB!!!!!  Worth the weekly reading...

(1 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Jan. 26, 2006
Schooling in the middle of LIFE...

Christine left a comment on my last post that bears some thought for me. 

 

"... school has fizzled. So, I shouldn't worry about it, right? I should realize that this is one reason we educate at home - flexibility! But then I peek at my little year-long plan. I see the math lessons backing up. I'm feeling that guilt and pressure that I shouldn't be feeling. I'm feeling behind, when I know that I should relax and just go with it. I guess I'm afraid that it could become a habit, so I'm terrified to EVER get off track."

 

Oh, I FEEL YOUR STRUGGLE!!!!!  I have had to make some serious decisions lately about cutting back our schedule.  I have felt so overwhelmed with the old schedule we had and the fact that we never finished all of the work I had planned.  I recently spent some time with a veteran homeschooling mom who has raised one to adulthood and has two teens still learning and two elementary school age students still in the midst.  She shared with me such a wise thing that I feel has been working for JoNathan (my 12 year old) in such an amazing way. 

 

Here is what she said.  There comes a time with all children when they hit the ages between 12 and about 16.  She told me that their brain is changing and you will feel like you are starting over.  They can no longer seem to remember things and they get off task so quickly.  They are fighting for independence and are trying to stretch their wings.  Boys, especially need to pull away from their mothers and make that father connection to be the men that God intends them to be.  She advised me to let that pulling away happen no matter how much it hurt.  It is a necessary part of growing up for them (and for me).  She advised me to lower my requirements.  She told me she required her oldest to read every day from God's word, a great piece of literature and do his math.  That is IT!!!  He is now a very literate young man at the age of 17 on the mission field in Europe.  He is BRILLIANT!!!!!  ...and so very mature for his age.

 

This is all being shared to say that we cannot teach them everything they need to know but we can send them first and foremost to the One who can and give them the foundation to learn and grow on their own.  If they can read and do math they have the basics.  If they have a relationship with God they have ALL THEY NEED FOR LIFE.

 

In the midst of our life lately, I look around and see that my children are also picking up other important things.  We have been watching as Dan's Grandmother is slowly dying.  We are spending time with her and learning about how people die.  Ok, so that may be a bit morbid BUT it is a necessary part of living - dying happens to EVERYONE!  The children are also getting involved in volunteer work with me and ministry that takes us out of the home some days when we NEED to be studying.  As a pastor's wife stuff just comes up and we have to be available.  They are learning about working in the home.  They are getting more chores and responsibilities and that is necessary, too. 

 

There are so many things your children are learning through all the things you do each day.  The adoption and foster care issue is a HUGE picture of what God has done for us and I cannot think of a better way to spend your time than talking about WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US!!!!!  The other things you are doing with your family can be lessons each day, too.  Who says that school is only about books and schedules?

 

In the grand scheme of things will it matter that the children learned the Preamble to the constitution or is it more important to memorize scripture?  Is it more important that they read literary classics or be able to read and study the book of  Romans?  When they are old will they be sad that they did not have a strict school regimine or will they rejoice in the time they spent with Mom and Dad in the home learning, and loving and growing together in the things that matter in this life and the life to come?

 

I think you are doing a MAGNIFICENT JOB!!!!!  This is for all of you who have made this decision to homeschool your children...

 

I salute you for your service to our country's children!!!!!

 

 

(10 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)

• Sep. 22, 2005
Biblical Womanhood...

Biblical Womanhood

I have thought long and hard about this topic. There are a variety of sites online and books offline that talk about this. I have come to the conclusion that there are two basic schools of thought at the extremes.

1. The first would be women who wear no makeup, dresses only, never cut their hair and subscribe to the submission to their husband no matter what (even if they are being physically or emotionally abused) idea. Now this is drastic and there are very few people I have met that are totally on board with all of this.

2. The second is the other end that says that you should put your best face forward at all times. These women always have makeup on and their hair is always nicely cut and styled. They are always fully dressed to the nines and even their casual clothes are more expensive and nice than my Sunday best. They go to all extremes to be beautiful even if that means plastic surgery or other cosmetic solutions. You would be surprised how many women in Christian circles are getting cosmetic surgery – it is shocking!

I did not even dare mention the feminist movement which is full of women who want to be the man in the family and demean their husbands at all cost. That is a totally new blog for another day…

That being said, these are the extremes. Most of us fit somewhere in between.

In my own life I have chosen (not because I must but because I choose) to let my hair grow longer because my husband likes it that way. While my hair still grows I keep it longer and at some point I am sure I will go back to a short haircut – just not for now. He does not demand it because he has always said I can wear it any way I like. I just know that he likes it long and so I keep it that way.

I also never wear sweats because I just do not feel pretty in them. I feel fat and slovenly so I choose not to wear them. I do have exercise clothes that are used for running/exercise and weight lifting but I do not wear them at other times. That is just what makes me comfortable. My daily “work” clothes are most often a nice pair of pants, longer shorts or Capri pants and a casual top (not sloppy t-shirts and sweatshirts). I do not wear makeup every day. When I do put makeup on it is very minimal compared to what it was in high school. I wear less and less the older I get for several reasons, one being that the more I have on the more my laugh lines and little wrinkles show up. ;-) That is not a rule that I would dare make anyone else hold to. That is only my own preference. I dress for practicality in my home. I am home all day with children and working around the home and yard. I could do that in a dress but feel more comfortable in loose fitting pants so that is what I do. I put my hair up off my face for convenience. I will often get up and work without a shower until I am finished making a mess and then shower and change before Dan comes home. That is what works for us.

I do not wear much jewelry. I merely wear a wedding ring and on occasion a watch. I have reasons that are quite practical for this decision. Since my children were very young they have pulled and tugged on any necklaces or earrings that I have worn so I stopped wearing them. I also tend to get infections in my pierced ears because I can no longer tolerate anything except solid gold posts, therefore, I just do not wear earrings anymore. This is just what I am accustomed to and I like the simplicity of it.

The Bible does give us guidelines and I certainly am not denying that. I am merely saying that I totally believe that the situation dictates the level of strictness of these things. You and your husband may have worked out a plan and you may love wearing dresses all the time. That is great! Your husband may want you to be made up and polished all the time. Some pastor’s wives feel compelled to do this and maybe your husband’s ministry demands that.

In thinking about this I recall Paul noting that some are of the circumcised but for some that would not be right because of the legalistic nature of doing so. If all of this has become a legalistic means for you and you feel you must do such things for salvation then it has become a god of sorts in your life. The only thing we are to do is be obedient to what God is teaching and convicting us to do. If God says to do it then you must! If the world shames or guilt’s you into doing it then you have no obligation to do it whatsoever. (even Christians are bad about this sometimes – telling you that you are not a Christian or a good wife if you do not follow THEIR rules or their INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE)

I am also very aware that we must be modest in our dress. Not for our own sakes but for the sake of men that we come into contact with each day. Upon reading For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn and Hedges by Jerry Jenkins I was made aware that men are made with a visual imaging rolodex that plays over and over in their minds all the time. They are much more tempted by the visual than women are. When we wear things that show our figure and body off in a revealing way we are causing temptation and that is wrong. As Christian women we must have the wisdom to dress in a manner that is modest and appropriate. That does not have to be a dress all the time nor does it mean we cannot cut our hair or wear pants. It merely means that we can look nice without looking trampy and loose. Our clothes do not have to be tight and short to be modern and nice. There are lots of options out there for us to choose from. On the other hand we should be attractive to our husbands. Whatever your husband likes is what you should strive to be because that is the man that has to see you day in and day out for your whole life. It ought to be something that is nice to look at – pleasing to his eyes. After all, his eyes are the recorder for his mind. All those images run through his mind all day and I for one want him to have images of me that he likes to look at. I save the “sexy stuff” for just Dan in the privacy of our home. He has plenty of pleasing images that are just his. ;-)

We are also responsible for teaching our daughters what is appropriate and what is not. Many of you agree with me that our daughters should not be showing their stomachs and wearing tight little skirts. We also choose not to let our daughter wear a bikini or other revealing things. Proverbs 31 addresses many other issues such as working with our hands and caring for our families. Those are things we must live before our daughters and teach them before they leave home. I am not talking about baking your own bread from scratch or sewing all your clothes but teaching them how to care for a home and meet the needs of a family in whatever manner that calls for. I also believe our sons ought to also have this example of being a good husband and father set before them but that is another blog for another day.

I guess my biggest problem with this topic or any other for that matter is when someone begins to tell you HOW you must live and HOW this must be. Each person is different and each family is different. My husband likes to see me in a pair of khaki capris and a button down shirt just as much as he likes me in a Sunday dress. He likes my hair long but if my hair all fell out tomorrow he would still love me. Some women knit and sew and crosstich and make amazing art doing so. My sewing skills are more practical and basic. I can sew on buttons, make basic clothing and do some Christmas gifts and craft things but I will never have my “art” hung in a sewing or quilting show or museum. I am good at cooking and cook from scratch because our family has allergy issues and health needs but if you cook from boxed mixes and buy bread and other prepackaged items to feed your family that does not make me better than you in any way shape or form. I guarantee there are things you do much better than I do in another part of your life and that is the way God made us. You meet your family’s unique needs because God has placed you in that family for that purpose. We all meet the needs or our families and husbands in a variety of ways because we are all different. God made us that way!!! If I have a conviction it is not my place to put that conviction on anybody or everybody else – only the Holy Spirit has the right to convict and change someone. I have said this before. There is no squabbling over whether Jesus is our Savior. There is only one way to an eternity with God and that is through Jesus Christ. There will be no argument on that issue by any of us who are Christians. There are, however, personal convictions that only the Holy Spirit can show you and when you are ready for a change the Holy Spirit will show that to you and bring that change in your life. None of us are at the same place on the road at the same time. Our journeys are as unique as God has made us to be.

We are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling! I am also very aware that the only fear I should have is that fear that the Lord demands of us for Him and Him only. I am only responsible to obey God and what He calls me to do or change in my life. If I wake up tomorrow and He tells me to wear my hair in a bun and never wear makeup again – I am sooooo there!!! Today, I am merely to be all that He has called me to be to this point in my life. Believe me that is plenty to work on for now. LOL

It all boils down to OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST. That is all anyone is ever responsible for. We must answer for how we have been obedient to Him and Him alone. So, do not let anyone make you feel guilty or less than them because of your choice of dress and mothering. If you are obeying Christ then you are doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord. Be strong in that and live well for Him!!! 

(0 Comments) (Post A Comment!) (Permanent Link)