~ About Me ~
Hi, welcome to my blog. I will be sharing our experience as we homeschool 5 boys - our struggles, trials, prayers, and blessings. There are many challenges along the way for any homeschooler and I hope you are encouraged by what you read here. We use Sonlight and My Father's World as our main curriculum. Thank you for stopping by and comments are welcomed.
We ended our study last night talking about our focus. At the end of chapter 3 of Esther the people of Susa were confused and the Jews would be destroyed, killed and annihilated. I would venture to say most of us do not have those types of problems but our problems can make us feel like we will are being destroyed at least emotionally or spiritually. We wonder where the Lord is as we struggle with financial crisis, health problems, relational issues or whatever your problem might be.
Our problems become our focus point and they blot out the Lord. You have probably take a dime or other object and with your arm outstretched you have blotted out the sun. That is how it is when we focus on our problems and they are our focal point instead of God's character. We blot out God's goodness, compassionate, faithfulness, love and kindness.
I am reading a book by Tom White called God's Missiles Over Cuba. Tom is the director of Voice of the Martyrs and in the 1970s he was dropping tracts and other literature over Cuba. They did this for about 7 years until the plane went down and Tom and the pilot were taken captive. They were interrogated for about 5 months before they were sentenced. During that time Tom began to despair. Why? Because he chose to focus on the situation and let it take over his thoughts. He asked God to take him home because he didn't think he could deal with it any longer. It wasn't until he began to focus on the Lord through singing, praying and reciting scripture that the feeling of despair was gone. He went on to minister to those around him and become a light in a dark place.
You may not ever feel that type of despair but we all experience at one time or another despair and feel like giving up but we can make the same choice that Tom White made - make God's attributes our focal point. Why can't we make God's action our focal point? I think because we can look around and say, "God you are not working here. God, where are you? God, why aren't you doing good?" But scripture says: God will never leave us or forsake. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. God is good.
We need to choose to focus and meditate on what His word says about him because that is the way to get through the valleys when they come.
Let's make a choose to learn more about who God is and focus on those things. And when the storms came and we begin to sway in despair hold on to the rock that our firm foundation.
Do we desire God for who he is or what he does? ~Selwyn Hughes
Therefore encourage one another and build
each other up... 1 Thessalonians 5:11b
Aug. 21, 2008 - Thankful Thursday
Iris at Sting My Heart is focusing on peace today. Everyone longs for peace - peace in their homes and in their countries. As Iris pointed out one definition of peace is: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. Another definition, which encompasses the above definition is: Strong's Concordance 7965 - Hebrew Shalom ..... A word study in the New King James version for SHALOM says: Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.
I am so thankful for the peace of God. It is more than being free from conflict on the outside...it is true freedom from conflict on the inside. So many times we appear to be cool, calm and collective but inside our emotions and thoughts are raging. I am so thankful that we, as believers, can have shalom even in our inner being. When the storm is raging call on your Prince of Peace and He will quiet you with His peace. Thank you Jesus for that peace...it is a strong testimony of your work in our lives.
I am also thankful for my MIL and her sister. They have offered to take the boys for a day so that I can have some time to myself.
I am thankful that my dh's new job is going well. The Lord has given him peace, wisdom and strength each day.
My prayer for you:
The LORD bless you, and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace (shalom). Numbers 6:24-26
Sonshine over at Glimpse of Sonshine presented me with this award - Thank you for your kindness!! It was not easy to choose only 5 blogs for this award because I enjoy reading so encouraging and informative blogs. Blessings to all of you...and keep on writing!!
Now I must:
1. Choose 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award based on creativity, design, interesting material, and overall contribution to the blogger community, regardless of the language.
2. Post the name of the author and a link to his or her blog so everyone can view it.
3. Each award-winner has to show the award and put a name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award.
4. The award winner and presenter should post the link of the �Arte y pico� blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.
5. Please post these rules.
I nominate the following blogs for this award(in no particular order!)...
Tiany at Less of Me~More of Him: a beautiful blog plus homeschooling and homemaking resources
Stacy at By God's Grace: love her cute graphics, worship music & her willingness to be real about life and give God the glory
Dee at Boys 'R' Us: fellow homeschool mom of all boys; enjoy reading her humorous posts about life with all boys
Song of the Sagebrush: enjoy her poems & posts about her life on the ranch; brings me back to the simple way of life
Shorty Bear's Place: love to read her Thankful Thursday post; a beautiful heart that loves the Lord
"Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You..."Jeremiah 32:17
I am thankful there is nothing to difficult for our God. If He can create the heavens and the earth through His great power then we can be sure He is able to accomplish mighty things in our own lives.
I am thankful for my husband, who has worked tirelessly this week training in his second job and continues to accomplish work in the ministry. I am thankful for his dedication to the Lord and to his family.
I am thankful for my children. They are each a unique gift from the Lord. They may bring challenges into our lives but they are also a huge blessing.
Thank you Iris for hosting the Thankful Thursday meme. If you would like to know more head on over to her blog and check it out. You will not be disappointed.
