Hi Friends!  In light of recent events in my life, It just seems fitting to give THANKS for some things that I feel blessed by.

It is my sincerest pleasure to have been able to take part in a wonderful, beautiful, Godly magazine for girls over the past few years. Remembrance Press has been producing this lovely four-color publication as a way to encourage and bless young ladies and their mothers and grandmothers.  I am SO excited to get this next issue, which is winging its way to press!  Jill Novak is the publisher of the Girlhood Home Companion, along with her crowning glory, (in my humble opinion) The Gift of Family Writing.  I highly recommend and endorse these products, as I personally know the folks behind them and have seen the labor of love that goes into them. 

I am so excited and thankful that my oldest daughter has her very first article in the upcoming issue too.  I think you will enjoy it! 

I just want to give thanks for the relationship I've been able to have with not only the Novak family, but several other homeschool family publishers over these last few years of my life.  I've met many generous and talented families out there.  I've also seen them walk through the fire, and the Lord was right there walking through the fire with them. 

 I've also seen many homeschool families, businesses and ministries fall from grace, and that is very sad but I believe in the sovereignty of God.  He lifts up those who lift HIM up, and He brings low those who are lifting themselves up instead. 

Friends, it is my prayer that you would remember that in all things "test the spirit" to know what is good, and what is of God.  If you are in fellowship and prayer with Him, you will have discernment.  Don't be deceived; there are a lot of counterfiet Christians out there, and don't get caught up in their game.  You know that old song; "They Will Know We are Christians By Our Love?"  Well, that is true, because only God can give us the kind of Love we need in order to be Christlike to our brothers and sisters while they are actively hurting us and the cause of Christ. 

What an amazing weekend we are having; one to remember all that the Lord did for us!  I hope that anyone who might stop by and read this post will turn to the Lord, if they have not taken that step yet--we have such a "great cloud of witnesses" before us, and it just takes a responsive heart to that wonderful wooing of the Spirit; and the humbling of our hearts to accept the greatest gift ever given.  The people said "Hosannah" and I say "Hallelujah, what a Saviour!"

Thank you Jesus, for friends, good Christian fellowship, for answered prayers and blessings of family, home, food and clothing but most of all Lord, for my inheritance which is everlasting life in your presence.

Happy Resurrection Day everyone!

Nancy

You know that someone who died today was famous for putting down the fashions of the famous?  Yup, that guy, oh what was his name?....anyway, he was a designer but his claim to fame was the "worst dressed" list that I used to see every now and then on the tabloids.  Some of those clothes were OUTRAGEOUS!  But then again, I may have had some major fashion faux pas in my lifetime...probably still do, if the truth be known!

But should we really worry about what we shall put on each day?  After all, the Bible says that we shouldn't worry about what we eat, drink or wear...that our heavenly Father takes care of us so we don't have to worry about those temporary things. 

 But what about our eternal garments?

We have been talking about the Armor of God here at my house lately.  It is a pretty amazing study.  Oh, we've studied it before, many times.  But you know how easily we forget about it?  Oh we know there is a battle going on, we see it everyday, played out in the flesh.  But we know that the battle is really in the spiritual realm, we don't war against each other here...although at times it seems like it! 

How can we teach our children (and ourselves) how to stand firm in the midst of the present and future battles?  By making sure they have their full armor on.  One neat thing that came out in our study, was that our helmet of salvation is not just our eternal salvation, but our salvation every day!  Boy, what a shocker when something so simple just hits you like that! 

If you aren't familiar with the armor, go to Ephesians 6, 10-18.  Learn about the parts of the armor and what they represent.  Here, I'll just paste the verses in here:

The Whole Armor of God

   
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,^[c] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Notice that the back of the armor is well, not there.  We have to guard each other's backs!  And how can we go into battle with out all the proper equipment?  What good is your shield of faith, if you don't have a sword (the word of God.)  And if you leave your belt (of truth) at home, you might as well throw in the towel.  You must have ALL of your battle gear on, at all times.  And each part makes up the whole. 

That whole battle gear is Jesus.  What's in YOUR closet?  Get it out of your closet and put it on.  You don't want to leave home, or even BE home without Him!

So, how can you and your children be prepared?  I asked my youngest today, how can we take Jesus with us everywhere we go?  Well, when we accept His free gift of salvation, yes, he promises to be with us always.  But how can we really take Him with us?  By having His WORD in us.  By memorizing scripture.  I'm sad to say I don't have near as much memorized as I would like to have.  And I want my kids to have even more than I have ever had in my heart, so we are working on that goal.  Here is one way to help your kids memorize God's word.

There are many places online that you can sign up for a "verse a day."  Just look that up on a safe search.  It can be delivered right to your inbox.  Then just save it and make it into copy work for your kids.  One-a-day.  Kind of like a multivitamin!   Of course, you could just choose your own verses and do it that way, whatever works for you.

If you want to know more about the Armor of God, here is a great study. 

You know, I just read a quote over on Robin Sampson's blog recently that went something like this:  don't worry about teaching for the next semester, teach for eternity!  That says it all!

Read to your children missionary stories, read about Corrie Ten Boom, read and talk about the BIBLE.  It is really all we need.  We manage to get caught up in SO much information, so many books.  Some good, some not so good.  Unfortunately, one of my kids got a copy of a Worldy "record" book, and it that pretty much sums up the content.  None of those achievements will last for eternity, and they are all worthless, meanless time-wasters.  We must help our children learn what is important: eternal things like Love, Forgiveness, Prayer, and Spiritual Warfare.  Those things are real. 

Oh, well, I just realized that I have gone on a bit longer than I intended with this blog but we do live in perilous times.  Do you sometimes get overwhelmed with the immensity of it all?  I do.  Sometimes I feel like all I do is cry "Lord, help me with this, Lord help me with that," and on and on.  My husband really got on my case (in a nice way, sorta) the other day and told me that I need to be focusing on the Lord and not on my problems.  Ooh, that got me riled up!  Haha!  I thought I was focusing on Him, but was just whining, in prayer of course, but still whining and pleading.  Of course that isn't necessarily wrong...but I was forgetting to just praise Him and worship Him for who He is!

A really good way to just get some pure worship and praise in is to listen to the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah. 

 Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 

For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 

The kingdom of this world
Is become the kingdom of our Lord,
And of His Christ, and of His Christ;
And He shall reign for ever and ever,
For ever and ever, forever and ever,

King of kings, and Lord of lords,
King of kings, and Lord of lords,
And Lord of lords,
And He shall reign,
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings, forever and ever,
And Lord of lords,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

The battle truly does belong to the Lord, but we still need to do our part!  Pray to receive Christ, Put on your armor and Praise God for who He is!

Nancy

I get these occasionally from Michael Halpin, and thought you might appreciate this one too.  He said I could share it on my blog with you.

Blessings,

Nancy

HAPTOON: OUT OF EVERY NATION

Hey there!  Hope your week has been good so far!

I had a discussion with a dear one today about change.  This person has been praying for much lately, and hasn't seen the fruit of her prayers.  She was adamant that God wasn't hearing her prayers at all.  Prayer is no good she said! 

Well, after pondering her frustrations I began to see a word picture forming.  We were in a room that needed painting badly.  I told her that if we looked at those situations that needed changing, and didn't see any results it didn't mean that God would never act on our behalf.  Sometimes we don't see the answer to our prayers....even in our lifetime!  But we aren't to give up praying.  That is trust.

When we see something that we can change, like a wall that needs painting, but we have already convinced ourselves that it isn't ever going to get any better even though we hope it is, it probably never will get better. 

But we can decide that it is going to get better with our help, so we pick up a brush and get busy. 

Prayer is like that.  We can pray and trust and "maybe" we will see that change, we will see the outcome.  It might not turn out how we planned, but God will do what He will. 

But if we stop praying, we can't even hope for the outcome.  It would be nothing but a guessing game. Fate, consequence, happenstance. It will never happen, at least we won't be able to give God any credit.  How can we?  We have already given up hope. 

 But if we trust Him and keep approaching His throne, He is a rewarder of those who seek Him diligently!

We can sit and stew about just about everything.  Or we can pray and trust.  And we can act upon those things we can do in the temporary world, just as we can pray and trust that God will do His will in the eternal one.

A little paint can change your whole outlook, but you have to pick up the brush and get busy. 

 And a little prayer, said in faith,  can go a long, long way.

Nancy

"Thanking God today for those who prayed for me and yet never lived to see what God has done in my life.  They taught me a lot about trusting Him."

Oh, that's right.  1 Corinthians 13.  These verses: 

Or sit, actually. 

If you read my good Fry-day post, you might remember that I said "Sheep Are Dumb." 

Well, I found out today, that not all sheep are dumb!  The two lost sheep are back with the flock!  They wandered home on Saturday.  I can't tell you how thankful I am. (And they aren't even mine!)

I think there is another very important lesson here.  Even though "I" gave up on the sheep, however reluctantly, they knew how to get back to their master.  I am amazed, because they were a few miles from home.  They were across pastures, over creeks, through hills and valleys.  They were without water, unless they got a drink from the creek.  They were at the mercy of dogs, coyotes, and other predators!

But they made it home.  Spiritual application?  Don't give up on anything OR anyone!  Have faith, keep praying.  Only the Master knows the outcome and He doesn't give up.

"I lay down my life for the sheep"  John 10:15

Blessings,

Nancy

A couple of weeks ago I posted on how we either do, or don't redeem the time while doing mundane tasks......such as the dreaded dirty dishes.   I got a lot of wonderful ideas from my blogging friends on what they direct their thoughts towards, while their hands are working hard to bless their families while they scrub and scrape, rinse and stack. 

It's easy to get in a rut of complaining---think of those Israelites and all the murmuring they did!  All the while being led by the Lord with a cloud during the day to keep the heat off, and a fire by night to keep the chill off.  And they were still grumping, even to the very point of forgetting who God was, and what He had already done for them....AND was doing for them at that very moment! 

As homeschooling Mom's and Dad's we need to guard our tongues, and our minds---because as they say, little pitchers have big ears. You know it's true that most of what they learn from us is caught, not taught, even though we strive for that daily!  The lessons they learn are what they hear, and see.....us doing.....not necessarily while we are talking directly to them!  So are they seeing you complaining and grumbling while you go about your day? Or are you singing, praying, memorizing scripture, or even training them, gently, kindly, respectfully and patiently while you work together?  Now, please don't think I am coming down on you.....I am not perfect myself, and we all are works in progress no matter who we are or how old we may be.  Just take this little soap-box nudge from me with the spirit it is intended, and remember, a little Joy goes a long way at the kitchen sink, and just about everywhere else you are!

Don't forget to go read the comments on the original post.  And be sure to leave me some good ideas too, ok?

 From Philippians 4 (a little bit paraphrased by me)

 1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

2 I implore my blogging friends to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with homeschool mom's and dad's also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Blessings!

Nancy

    I know there are a lot of us running around like turkey's with our heads cut off today, and we aren't sure why. ( Actually, I am sitting here hoping to bless you, while my husband makes me a coconut merangue pie!)

  But back to YOU. 

 For some folks this is a depressing time of year for whatever reason.  And those reasons are valid, your feelings are your feelings and no-one can take them away from you.  BUT you can shift your focus and start thinking about something, or SOME "ONE" instead of those joy and peace stealing thoughts!

I always know that the Lord is trying to get my attention, when I read His word He means for me to take it to heart.  But, when He REALLY wants my attention, He sends me the same scripture verse from several directions at once, sort of a Holy bombardment, so to speak. 

 This week it was Isaiah 55: 1-3.  First, a postcard came from a local church here with the words on it:  "Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? " Isaiah 55:2.

And then, "I am come that you might have life and that more abundantly."  John 10:10b.  (That is the someone I was talking about, who has come, you know---the one who was in the manger.....)

Later that night, I found an old copy of "An Encouraging Word,"  from Wisdoms Gate.  It was a couple years old, (Issue #41) but there was this article that jumped right out at me called Godliness with Contentment, by Skeet Savage.  Right in the first column, there it was again;

  "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy , and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not?  hearken diligently unto Me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.  Incline your ear, and come unto Me:  hear, and your soul shall live;  and I will make and everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David."  Isaiah 55: 1-3 

So I decided I had better listen.  We get caught up in the fun, the merriment, the buying of gifts----but there is always some remorse, couldn't we have spent it more wisely?  But it is fun, but what about so and so who really needs such and such......ok, so maybe I am the only waffle around here, but even though we do our best to "give" during this season, it comes at a price.

The Lord has so many ways of curbing our sorry behaviour.  And, no, I am not trying to make you feel guilty, the only person who can bring conviction is the Holy Spirit himself living in us.  But we have had two kids sick (haven't had any sickness since last April, and now the van isn't running.  Last night it was, today, we are stuck here.)  God is so clever!

My husband was listening to the radio (probably Rush or Hannity or someone like that, ) and there was a call in about Christmas traditions.  One lady said they take a family portrait every year and then put their fingerprints on the back---as a symbol of giving themselves, and their talents to Jesus---they wrap it and make sure it is the first thing opened on Christmas day.  What a neat thing!  So that is what we decided to do.  And even though it isn't necessary, it's fun, and it helps keep our focus on Him. 

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend, filled with joy and peace in your home.  And remember, if it isn't, you just need to re-focus, on the Son. 

 When He is looking down upon you lovingly,

and you are looking up at Him, longingly,

that, my friend, is when everything begins to FOCUS.

Blessings Abounding,

Nancy

p.s., here is a neat link to some Christmas Midi music----check it out!

We had a very long, exhausting but very uplifting day today!  Our HUGE sale was on TV, and we had many people come down and support this effort, but only a handful of volunteers.  We are just chalking that up to a very busy weekend for everyone, but boy are we beat!  As soon as I close, I will hit the hay :)

We made over $1000 today!!!!  All of this will go to America's Second Harvest, which has even waived their small administrative fee for us, so all this goes right to the relief effort.  We are so blessed!  Most everyone was very supportive, and gave donations sacrificially.  We even had  a band there for some very upbeat shopping music----called "Cool Dirt."  I kid you not.  They are a classic rock band, although not my favorite genre of music in my "old age," they were WONDERFUL people and we were thrilled to have them come and support us too.  We also had a bounce house for the kids and plenty of food for sale etc. 

One more day to go, and then we can rest again.  So tomorrow, we will  head over there----I know it is Sunday.  But we will still have our house church worship time, and then go do what the Lord has put in our path to help with on this lovely day.

God is good!

Have a wonderful Lord's day, y'all!

Nancy