Posted on this category page: This is Where I Stand

Who are you competing with? Whether they know it or not, is there someone in your life whom you measure yourself against? Does she have a cleaner house, better-behaved children, or a happier marriage? Or are you competing with ideals you have set up in your own mind? Unrealistic, unreachable ideals?

Please stop being so hard on yourself. Eliminate the competition in your own mind. Who cares what your neighbor's house looks like or what you think the ideal homeschool family should be. Our measuring stick is the Word of God. Follow after the Lord's will for YOUR life and leave the competition behind.

Blessings,

Posted on this category page: This is Where I Stand

"Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day." ~Genesis 1:31 NKJV

If God wanted us to use chemicals for everything, He would have planted them in the garden.

Don't be afraid to think outside the box.

Blessings,

Posted on this category page: This is Where I Stand

I have a button above for the Health Revolution Petition written by Mike Adams of www.NaturalNews.com. I must say, I am not in favor of socialized healthcare that is outlined at the beginning of the petition. I agree with Mike that Citizens should be In Charge, but allowing the government to dole out the funds for our healthcare in order that we may be in charge of how those dollars are spent is an oxymoron. Other than that, I agree with everything on this petition. Since this petition will bring these important issues before Congress, I did sign it. Please prayerfully consider signing this too. Thanks, 

Posted on this category page: This is Where I Stand

If you truly understand James 4:14

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

then you realize that there are a lot more important things than your hobbies, career, and to-do list. We must make time to just "be" and enjoy the really important things in this life: getting to know and worshipping our Creator, witnessing to others about the salvation of Jesus Christ, and loving the people He has placed in our lives. Of course we can't get away from the "necessary" things for long. They are necessary, after all. But they are not our first priority. Take time every day for the truly important things!

Posted on this category page: This is Where I Stand

"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet , chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."  ~ Titus 2:3-5

The Word tells us that the older women of the church are to walk a godly walk before the younger women of the church. It also tells us that they are to teach the younger women how to walk that same godly walk. Is it just me, just my church, just my region of the country, or is there really an absence of "Titus 2" older women out there? I have trouble finding them!

Guess what, ladies! It's our job to pick up the torch. We cannot let this trend continue in the church. We must get back to the Word of God and the lifestyle He has called us to. Think you're not old enough? There's always a young woman in your life who needs answers. Maybe some adolescent girls who are nearing the age of marriage and motherhood. Maybe someone close to your own age, or even older, but who is less experienced than you. She's a new Christian maybe? She's a new mother? She's recently convicted about changes that need to be made in her life?

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." ~ I Timothy 4:12

Wisdom is knowledge gained from experience. What have you learned in your walk with the Lord, in your experiences as a wife and mother? What has the Lord taught you from His word? About honesty? About self-control? About teaching others? About having a meek, quiet, teachable spirit? About loving your husband? About loving your children? About gossiping (or not!)? About being a keeper at home? About submission in marriage? These are things that do not come naturally to most women (unless they were raised by a Titus 2 woman). These are things that many, many of us need to be taught. The Word says so!!! If these things are not taught to the younger women, then the word of God will be "blasphemed!" Wow!

Are you willing to be a vessel? Make yourself available to God first, to your family next, and then to other women in your life. Learn, learn, learn from the Word and put it into practice. And then teach, teach, teach all that you have gained. It's our responsibility gals. Let's step up to the high calling of our Lord!

~Layla

Posted on this category page: This is Where I Stand

I was speaking today with a young girl who had recently attended a church youth group lock-in. She had stayed awake all night because the teenagers in attendance were "punishing" those who fell asleep. I will not describe the punishment here, I'll just say it was disgusting. I cannot believe that Christian youth leaders allowed this type of behavior!

Many will say, "Oh, what's the big deal. That's just part of being a kid." When I was a young girl, I attended sleepovers where pranks were pulled. We were all unsaved children, but even then I knew it was wrong. I knew it made me uncomfortable. Why should we, as Christians, just allow this behavior to continue because "everybody does it." If adults behaved this way, they'd be charged with harassment or abuse!

We have decided that our children will not be involved in the church youth group when they reach that age. This lock-in just reaffirms that decision. I believe Christian children should be held to a higher standard of behavior. Disgusting pranks are not acceptable.

John 17:14

I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

2 Corinthians 6:17-18

Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord, Do not touch what is unclean and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

To be a peculiar people means that we stand out from society. Let's stand out for the right reasons. Let's stand on the Word of God. Let's stand up for decency, feminity, chivalry, modesty, and respect. Let's shun the practices of the world because their practices are simply wrong. We don't have to accept things like this.  After all, if we, as Christians, do not teach our children better and expect more out of them, who will?

~Layla

Posted on this category page: This is Where I Stand

I found a button on a friend's blog and signed on to the mission statement for Moms for Modesty.

I am so disgusted by the clothing that is available in retail stores for our daughters.  Check out the link for yourself.

Let's raise modest, pure, and virtuous daughters -- by the grace of God!

~ Layla

Posted on this category page: This is Where I Stand

Renee tagged me, so now I have to list 6 things about myself.  In addition to the 100 things about myself I worked on last month.  See below if you're interested.

1.  I was a math major in college.

2.  I'm the oldest child in a family of three children.

3.  My youngest is not quite 1 yet, and I'm "secretly" hoping to get pregnant again soon!

4.  I would love to own about 4 acres of land with a modest but comfortable home in the center of the property.  I would like it to back up to a forest and face a large lake!  (dream, dream, dream......)

5.  My husband bought us gym memberships so we workout together twice a week now.

6.  I love the Lord Jesus Christ and by His grace grow a little closer to Him every day!

~Layla