Jan. 24, 2008 - It's just me . . . it's just life

Just My Life

So, you might be wondering to yourself, "Why the new blog?"  And this is where I give a rather lengthy explanation . . . but not before I tell you that I'm a perfectionist.  I think they call it the type A personality.  It's usually all or nothing with me.  If I can't have a whole 6 or 8 hour stretch to clean the attic, write a blog post/Bible study, or work at my craft desk, then I just won't do it.

So, what does that bit of information have to do with creating and keeping a new blog?  Well, two years ago when I set up Jesus is Enough, I had the notion that it would be an extention of my Priceless Woman website that I was having trouble keeping current.  I wanted to post new Bible studies on the blog, share links, blah, blah, blah.  What I found was that just living life didn't really allow me much time to realize that dream.  It was then, and is now, just something that I cannot realistically do.  Y'all just don't know what I put into writing a Bible study sometimes.  Hours and hours of writing and studying; and then there are more hours of revision.  I just can't think that much and homeschool as well!  I realized that I could just post little thoughts here and there but stubborn me, as I said above, lives for all or nothing!  If I couldn't post a huge, thought-provoking Bible study, then I just wouldn't post anything at all.

However, after reading blogs rather regularly, I have come to realize that keeping a web log is simply sharing your heart with friends and strangers on a regular basis.  I love, love, love to write and share my heart and soul with others.  I do still need some quiet time each day to think in order to do that.  If I don't get that time, then you won't get anything from me about life!

I guess I am a thinker.  I am forever thinking about everything, anything, all the time!  I could probably spend hours every day just writing down what's on my mind, but then we'd all starve and have to wear dirty underwear.  Of course, if it came to that, maybe my sons would decide it was time to learn how a washer and dryer work!

So, why the NEW blog?  Well, first of all, the old one is still up and running.  I will have to post something soon so that it doesn't get erased.  It's likely that I will post things dealing with my website there (links, inspirational things, and Bible studies, too).  I just wanted a fresh start so that I can focus on the real purpose of a blog . . . a journal of my life to share with the world.

Is my life so very exciting and my thoughts so very inspiring that I think the whole world needs to know about them?  Not likely.  But God did not give me the gift of gab, teaching, and writing to be squandered on the notion of all or nothing.

My promise to you is this:  each day I will share something with you about life and about the Lord that will encourage you.  We are to provoke one another . . . to love and good works, that is!  LOL . . . and that is what I will do each day.  My gift to you.

Love in Christ,

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Titus 2:14 says that Jesus gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  The difference between this verse and 1 Peter 2:9 is that one speaks of mercy and we are told how Jesus Christ gave His life in order that we might be redeemed (loosened) and purified from our iniquities.  And instead of talking of giving God the praise for bringing mercy to us, the verse in Titus 2 tells us that we are to eagerly pursue and have a burning interest in good works!  Instead of coveting those things which satisfy the flesh, instead of living for ourselves, hoarding things, we should desire something much more valuable to us in the long run (eternity); we should desire to do the good works that God has fitted & prepared us for.  

Now, think about what this all means.  Here we are, children of God, residents of Heaven who are living on earth.  That’s where the resident alien comes in that we talked about earlier.  What does a resident alien usually do?  Though they remain a citizen of their home country, they come to a land that is not their own to do some sort of work.  All the while the alien, stranger, and pilgrim keep the customs and ways of the place they belong.  Even though they are now living in an entirely different culture from their own, they tend to keep the ways of their homeland.  Likewise, Christians living here on earth are expected to shun the ways of this world and cling to God’s standards.

Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto (used as a function word to indicate purpose) good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk (to pursue a course of action or way of life) in them.  THIS is our purpose!  This is what we were created for and what we are to be occupied with.  We are not her for the laying up of treasures that will last only as long as this earth is around, if that long.  We were not saved to live as if we belong on this earth, but to live for Heaven and God’s glory. 

The moment we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior, so much is changed forever.  Not only do we become a new creature and receive a new nature, we become residents and citizens of Heaven, and we are given a new way of life and a real purpose.  First and foremost, we are to bring the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15).  That is a job for all Christians.  Secondly, He has called us to good works as we have seen previously.  Beyond that, God has called and equipped us all for our own calling:  Sunday school teachers, pastors’ and missionaries’ wives, special singers, prayer warriors, and the list goes on.  God says that there are many parts of a body:  ears, eyes, heart, hands, etc.  However, they all work together as one body (1 Corinthians 12). 

Trouble enters our lives when we begin to live as if we are citizens of this world, living to satisfy the flesh.  You may be wondering how it is even possible for us to live as citizens of Heaven, living in a temporary body on a temporary earth.  Romans 1:1 gives the answer to that question:  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. YOU have a responsibility to God:  to yield & surrender the power, control, or possession of yourself in service to Him.  This is not an extreme request on God’s part, but fair (reasonable), because, rightfully, you owe your life to Him.  1 Peter 1:18 & 19 says that we are redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus.  God paid a ransom for your life with the most valuable thing He possessed.  Ephesians 2:1 & Colossians 2:13 says that He quickened you when you were dead in sins and has forgiven every one of your trespasses.  The most remarkable thing about it is that you weren’t even His friend.  You were an enemy of God, without righteousness or strength, a sinner reconciled (changed; restored to friendship & harmony) by the death of His Son. 

Romans 1:2 admonishes you not walk in the standards and customs of this world:  . . . be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.    Romans 13:14 advises us to put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.  Here are three ways to keep yourself separate from the world.  First, get a new way of thinking:  repair your thinking and renovate your intentions & desires!  2 Corinthians 10:3 tells us to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.  Don’t become prisoners of your thoughts, but reign them in under obedience to and a prisoner under Christ.  Next, sink into and take upon yourself Jesus, and, as Philippians 2:5 says, the mind He had, which was to serve:  Christ Jesus . . . made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.  In other words, your motive, your very desire, should be to be as Jesus.  Finally, don’t do those things which satisfy the longings of the flesh.  Galatians 5 gives us a solution in that we are told to walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  This just means that you should follow the Holy Spirit of God as a close companion, which He is, seeing as how He lives in you!  But more than that, by walking in the Spirit, you will not carry out or make provisions for the lusts of your flesh.

What I have spoken to you about today is something that I have struggled with in since I was saved.  It is a difficult concept to come to grips with, living in one place when you really belong to another.  No Christian is exempt from the struggles of bringing their flesh under subjection to the Spirit of God as they live in a fallen world.  Maybe because we have never yet seen Heaven, except what we are able to read about it in the Bible, it is really hard to believe that we could possibly be going to live there some day.  It could be that because we lived in this world for so many years before we were saved, it is still so easy to think of this world as our home.  It’s hard to change that thinking we read about in Romans 1:2.  God says that there is a constant battle between our flesh and Spirit and that we are not fighting daily against flesh but against principalities and spiritual wickedness in high places.  One day, however, we will reach that country prepared for us that we read about in Hebrews 11 and we will receive a new body and will never again have to worry about fleshly struggles.  When we get there, 1 Corinthians 3 says that God will reward us for those works that we have built upon the foundation of our salvation and that will be tried by and withstand the test of fire.  As Christ sacrificed His life, we are asked to do the same.  That’s the way we have to live our lives in order to not be conformed to this world.   Not only that, we must guard our hearts and our minds.

Maybe you are here today and you suffer a different problem:  working to be accepted by God.  Galatians 2:16 says that we know that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.  Ephesians 2: 8 & 9 says by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.  Though there is nothing wrong with good works, only when we have been made new in Christ do they make a difference.  The same chapter of Ephesians says that we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.  Those who are products fabricated by faith in Jesus Christ are called to be occupied with toiling for God.  Though the good works of those who belong to God through Christ please Him, those works done in the flesh as a lost man will never justify him.  It is only by faith in Christ that we can ever be acceptable to God.

You know, I am so blessed every day.  I have a loving husband, wonderful children, a lovely home.  But life isn’t without its troubles.  Sometimes I wonder if God doesn’t allow some unpleasant things to come our way so that we don’t become too attached to this world.  If all was good down here, who would want to go to Heaven?  Through writing this Bible study, God has challenged me about my attachments to this world.  For far too long I have been lukewarm and have allowed worldly thoughts to occupy my mind, and, in turn, I’ve not presented my body a living sacrifice to Him.  There have been too many times of satisfying the flesh and not enough obedience and sacrifice.  There has been too much living in this world and not enough looking forward to Heaven.  If this is how you’ve been living, then let’s pray for one another and encourage each other with thoughts of a better Country and that City prepared by God!

Your sister in Christ,

Julia

© 2007 Julia Faulkner

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  1 Peter 2:9 tells us that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.  What this all means is that we did not choose God, but have been “chosen out and carefully selected” by Him as His kindred and offspring (chosen generation).  As His selected, we are also called a royal priesthood, meaning we are now of a kingly nature and ancestry dedicated and set apart for service and worship, devoted exclusively to the Lord.  We are an innocent, chaste, perfect race set apart for the work of God (holy nation).  As a peculiar people, we are distinct and separate, different from the usual or normal, presenting a clear unmistakable impression.  Very simply, we should be leaving the impression of God on others wherever we go.  As a separate people, we have been severed (divided) from this world and others should be able to distinguish us and notice a difference in us from those who are not saved.  We were made in such a way that we would be able to show how HE called us from the darkness into His light and how He forever changed our lives.  When we live like a royal priesthood and the peculiar people that we are, we show the world that we have found mercy in the sight of God.

Have you ever known someone who lived a terrible, wicked life who was born again and became a completely different person?  When you see them, it’s so hard to believe what you are witnessing!  A changed life!  A new creation!  Someone living and walking in a totally different direction! 

On the other hand, maybe you’ve known someone who has made a “profession” but they remain the same old person as before.  You are so excited for them when you hear about their salvation, but, sadly, you never see evidence of it.

Consider this interesting comparison.  What if you went to the beautician for a new hairstyle only to come home looing the same!  Everyone would look at you rather strangely when you told them you had just come from getting a new do.  Why would they want to waste their time and money going to a place like that?  In much the same way, if we proclaim to be saved but live pretty much the same lifestyle as before, what would everyone think?  Just as no one would want to visit the same hairdresser that you had gone to, what lost person would want to follow the God that you say you are now following & serving if your life has not changed or seems no different from theirs?   

However, come into church with a new hairstyle and everybody wants to know where you went to get it!  The next day, the phones are ringing off the hook at the hairdressers because there is clearly a difference in what your hair looked like before and when you came out of the place!  No matter how much they might have to pay, they are willing to sacrifice it all to get a new do.  In much the same way, you can have a marvelous influence on others when they see the difference that a relationship with God through Christ Jesus can make.

Continuing on, we find that 1 Peter 2:11 takes things further when we’re told how much different we really are than others around us.  It says that we are strangers in this world!  What this means is that we are resident foreigners, strangers dwelling in a foreign country.  While there is no denying that we live here on this earth, it is equally true that we are only temporary residents and we do not belong here!  Our allegiance, obligation, fidelity, faithfulness is not to this world!  Allegiance is the obligation of an alien to the government under which the alien resides.  As foreigners of this world, our duty and responsibility is to the government our true home:  Heaven.   

And though we are told by Christ to render unto Caesar those things which belong to Caesar, we are also exhorted to render unto God those things which belong to God.  Namely, our hearts, souls, strength, and might; our love and service; and a desire to take up residence in our Eternal Home.

In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul had to admonish the believers there because they were carnal and walking as men.  He was telling them that they were succumbing to bodily pleasures and appetites, devoted to this world and its pursuits rather than the Lord.  Instead of minding eternal things, they were focused on that which was temporal and pertained to the flesh.  Temporal has the meaning of relating to time as opposed to eternity. 

I do wonder what Brother Paul would think of Christians today!  Whether or not these Christians ever knew the reality of 1 Peter 2:11, I do not know.  But what I do know, what we should all know and live by, is that this world is only temporary!  The things of this world will soon pass away and there is so much that we concern ourselves with that won’t even matter! 

Jesus told us in Matthew 6:19 & 20 that we should lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal.  Instead, we are to lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.  What He was basically telling us is that the things of this earth will not last.  Sooner or later, they’ll all be gone.  All of the time and effort we have put into stock piling things on earth will pretty much be wasted. 

One interesting thing I noticed when I was looking to see what the word lay means is that it has the idea of applying oneself vigorously.  The example the dictionary used had a lot to do with really applying yourself to something and putting a lot of effort into it.  I think that this is what Jesus was talking about!  He did not want us to put so much effort into something that isn’t going to amount to a hill of beans when it’s all over!  And as we learned above, it will all be over one day because we will be leaving for our forever home!

The most telling thing Jesus had to say in this passage was the fact that where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  I believe He was telling us that even though we live on this earth, our hearts can be in Heaven.  It just depends on what our thoughts, feelings, and mind (your heart) are focused on.  Treasures are things stored up or hoarded for oneself.  If this is the case, I guess we all know who our thoughts were on when we were filling our lives with meaningless things.  What a let down to get to Heaven only to realize that all the things we laid by to keep for ourselves was all in vain.

There is so much that we set our hearts on, so much that we concentrate our efforts on, and that doesn’t even matter.  One example I can specifically think of happens almost every Sunday morning at our house.  Without fail, one daughter or another will change clothes five times.  At 9:00 a.m., when I am checking to make sure everyone is on track to leave on time, I’m sure to find someone (sometimes myself) in tears of frustration or fuming because they cannot find anything to wear.  When I suggest a particular outfit, what I usually here is, “But I wore that last Sunday!”  My usual reply is something along the lines of, “When we all get to Heaven, nobody will remember that you wore the same outfit two Sundays in a row!”  Of course, that doesn’t always help matters any and most times I’m ignored because to the girls is does matter.  My point to them is that no one really notices those things we think are so important, carnal things generated in our flesh.

What, then, you may ask, are the things that will matter?  We'll cover that next time! 

Until then!

Julia

© 2007 Julia Faulkner

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1 Corinthians 2:16 . . . we have the mind of Christ.

First impressions are often the ones we remember and that makes it difficult for us to think of someone as anything other than what that first impression left in our minds.  It’s easy to make a first impression, good, bad, or otherwise, but quite difficult to shake it off. 

A few weeks ago my husband took me out to eat supper on a Saturday night.  While he was parking the van, I went into the restaurant to get a table for us.  Sitting there in the waiting area for Randall to come in, I noticed a young woman (probably in her 20’s) across from me with what I assumed was her boyfriend.  What caught my eye at first were her shoes:  strappy, three-inch high heels made of some sort of glittery material.  The shoes caused my eye to move upward where I encountered tanned legs that ended at the bottom of very short shorts.  The blouse she had chosen, though it had three-quarter length sleeves, left a lot to be desired in other areas.  Thankfully her dark hair was long enough to cover most of it up, though enough was still exposed to let you know that she was probably pretty proud of what she had and didn’t mind showing it off.  I was just glad we didn’t have our boys with us that night, though I didn’t particularly want my husband to see it either. 

As we sat there waiting for our table, a couple of thoughts crossed my mind.  First, I wondered what the guy with her thought of how she had put herself together.  Did he like it?  Did he think she was (excuse the term) hot?  But, even if he did, did he mind “sharing” his woman with every other man in public?  I’m sure that what she had on caused all sorts of thoughts to run their course through his mind, but did he realize that those same thoughts ran rampant through the minds of other men as well? 

What I wondered most, though, was whether or not this young woman thought that her provocative clothing is what being a woman is all about.  What had been her influence in deciding on how she would present herself that day?  I believe that she wanted to be remembered for what others saw in her appearance and she had allowed the world (television, movies, and magazines) to influence her.  No matter what it was, obviously her intentions were to draw attention to herself.  I believe that she probably thought she was quite beautiful with her revealing outfit, long silky hair, and tanned skin.  While there is nothing wrong with beauty, what I witnessed that night is that this world has a twisted idea of what makes a beautiful woman.   

Maybe if I had taken the time to speak to that young woman, I would have found that she was intelligent and well-spoken.  The impression I received, however, was far from that.   

As I sat there further contemplating the whole situation, God brought to my mind a startling thought:  many Christian women suffer the same plight as the young woman in the restaurant.  They want to be noticed and remembered for something.  They also seek to make an impression.  Most women, Christian or otherwise, often use their clothing, hair, nails, and shoes to bring attention to themselves..  In all honesty, what woman, no matter her age, size or figure doesn’t have a desire to be thought beautiful and attractive?  And what woman hasn’t at some point in her life enjoyed being the center of attention? 

 But here is my concern:  who or what is influencing Christian women in their daily conversation?  What is the intention of the Christian as they live each day on this earth?  What is it that YOU, Christian woman, will be remembered for?  What will the people who knew you in this life think of when you come to their minds?  Who shines and stands out more, YOU or JESUS?  Is your radiance from glowing skin and jewels or the glow of joy that comes from knowing and serving the Lord?  Do you consider anything other than the outward appearance when you’re putting yourself together?  Have you any care for the spiritual or is the world your standard for living?  A standard is something established by authority, custom, or general consent as a model or example.  In other words, is the world your guidance, your example to be imitated and your pattern on how to live in this world? 

It is so easy to be drawn into the world’s ways, especially considering all that the media throws at us today.  In fact, I believe that Christians have made television, movies, music, magazines, books and other worldly pursuits their authority and custom more so than the Bible.  And why not?  How much more time is spent with these things compared to God’s Word?  Too many of us are probably in denial about the influence these all have over us.  I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with reading a magazine or book; watching a movie or a television program; or having hobbies or interests.  What I’m talking about today is the influence exerted over us and how much of it is taken to heart at the exclusion of God.

The danger is that the world and its devises, of course, aren’t concerned with godliness, but instead are consumed by the temporal:  fame, recognition, success, and to be the most whatever (beautiful, sexy, etc.).  Unfortunately, we have allowed ourselves to be drawn into this trap.  We’ve got to have perfect hair, nails and make-up.  If we’re not skinny, we’re not good enough.  We’ve got to have the latest fashions and look just like everyone else.  We’re too embarrassed by what’s conservative and modest because it is often considered “old fashioned”.

I’m not so sure that we even know who we are any more because we are so often drawn into the world’s ways.  What is unfortunate, however, is that the world doesn’t see Christians as different any more.  Many lost people have no need any more to be born again because they do not see Christians living lives much different from their own.  How very unfortunate this is because God has placed Christians in a very unique position.  

Next time I'll talk to you about who you really are and let you decide if you're making the right impression on people.

In Christ,

Julia

© 2007 Julia Faulkner

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Here is one of my favorite poems.  It is by a Christian author who lived in the early 1900's.  It is a gentle reminder to not leave any kind deed undone.  I am so guilty of this, though I wish that I did not procrastinate so much.  Send that card, make that phone call, bake that cake, make that visit, and let others know that you are praying for them and thinking of them!  Minister to those hurting, discouraged, and lonely people that God sends into your life.  One day you may be the one that someone will be reaching out to.

Galatians 6: ⁹And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. ¹⁰As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

The Sin of Omission
by: Margaret E. Sangster

 It isn't the thing you do, dear,
It’s the thing you leave undone
That gives you a bit of a heartache
At setting of the sun.
The tender work forgotten,
The letter you did not write,
The flowers you did not send, dear,
Are your haunting ghosts at night.

 The stone you might have lifted
Out of a brother's way;
The bit of heartsome counsel
You were hurried too much to say;
The loving touch of the hand, dear,
The gentle, winning tone
Which you had no time nor thought for
With troubles enough of your own.

 Those little acts of kindness
So easily out of mind,
Those chances to be angels
Which we poor mortals find~
They come in night and silence,
Each sad, reproachful wraith,
When hope is faint and flagging,
And a chill has fallen on faith.

 For life is all too short, dear,
And sorrow is all too great,
To suffer our slow compassion
That tarries until too late:
And it isn't the thing you do, dear,
It's the thing you leave undone
Which gives you a bit of heartache
At the setting of the sun.

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Question of the day:

are you a mission field or a missionary?

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How 'bout that!  This is the first time I've ever been tagged.  Have fun finding out more about me!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?  Hot chocolate!  Have never, ever tried egg nog and have no desire to!  ICK!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?  We leave Santa presents unwrapped under the tree, except that we've never called them Santa presents.  We've always told the kids that everything we have comes from the Lord.  It's still fun though!

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?  White inside and out these days, though we have used the small colored ones in the past.  My mom does the big, old-fashioned colored lights.  Hubby prefers white now.  Maybe one day I can talk him into going back to the colored lights.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?   Nope.  Who needs mistletoe just to kiss your husband?!?!  :)  hahahaha

5. When do you put your decorations up?  Thanksgiving Day or the day after.  The tree goes up after my parents bring it back with them from my uncle's North Carolina tree farm.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?  All of it!  Can't pick just one thing.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:   Traveling to my grandparents' homes in Tennessee and spending lots of time with my cousins.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?  I think I just came out and asked.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?   Sometimes.  It just depends.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?  Lights, tinsel, ribbon bows, Maw-Maw's and my great-great Aunt's old ornaments, handmade ornaments, and glass balls.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?  I LOVE it!  We don't get it often, so it is always a treat.  A few years back we had two snow storms a week or so before Christmas.  It was magical for us.

12. Can you ice skate?   Kind of.  Haven't been in a long while.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?  Wow, that's hard to say.  I have a favorite gift every year, but I don't think any one stands out as THE one that tops the list.

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you?  Meditating on what's really important in life every other day of the year, spending time with my family, and thanking God for sending His Son to die for those who didn't even realize they were sick and needed a physician.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?  Cookies and fudge!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?  Listening to Christmas music in October and waiting for the radio stations to start playing it November!  I also enjoy shopping with my mom and making special ornaments and things for family and friends.

17. What tops your tree?  A lighted star.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?  I get such a blessing picking out something for a friend or family member that I know they will like.  As for receiving, I am humbled that somebody would look for the perfect gift just for me.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?  The Christmas Shoes.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum??  Delish!

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Tonight after all of the children were in bed, I walked around the living room and dining room looking at all of the stuff they left scattered around.  Now, the thing is, they know they are supposed to do a little tidy at the end of the day.  It's just one of the things they do to help me out around the house.  They just seem to not remember to do it unless I remind them.  That's where it gets a little tricky.  See, I'm a nut about keeping clutter to a minimum (if not altogether eliminated) around the house.  I just can't seem to think when there's a bunch of stuff all over the place.  And if I can't think and am distracted by all the things that are just left all over the place, then I can get a little testy.  This really means that I am likely to fuss, rant, and rave at the culprits.

As I looked around at the flip flops, spiral bound notebooks, backpacks, pens, pencils, art supplies, drawings, colorings, school work in various stages of completion, and other various kid clutter, it occured to me that one day there won't be any clutter to fuss about (unless it's my husband's!).  Will I yearn for the clutter?  Not likely.  But what I will yearn for, what I will miss, is those who were at one time guilty of cluttering up my house, the precious fruit of my womb.

I realized right then that often it is the "little irritations" that make us the most crazy,  that annoy us the most, and  that cause us to gripe and complain the most.  Those little things that are annoying to us and caused by our precious ones often blind us to how precious they truly are to us.  I am having to learn to overlook their little annoying habits and try to enjoy not just being with them every day, but enjoy the wonderful people they are becoming.

Psalm 103 verses 15 & 16 says As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.  For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

I don't have to tell you what I'm learning because I'm sure you've discovered it as well:  life is short and it seems that the time between birthdays grows shorter and shorter each year.  Life's too short to be so worried about the little things so much of the time.

As much as I believe that God likes things done in an orderly fashion, and that includes keeping a home neat, I also believe that when it comes to our children, there are other things that are more important.  In fact, I think it is safe to say that we should look at the overall picture: 

• what kind of people are your children turning out to be?
• how do they treat others?
• are they growing and bearing fruit?
• are they obedient?
• do they love Jesus and others?

The list could go on and on, but you get the idea.

By the end of this school year, I will have a child who has graduated high school.  After that point, she will be preparing for college.  A few short years after that, my boys will be ready to move to higher education as well.  After that point, I'll have just two more left at home.  Before I know it, all of my precious ones will be (hopefully!) obediently following the path God has set before them. 

When they are gone from our (often cluttered!) nest, I want them to be able to look back fondly and lovingly on their growing up years.  I hope that they remember their mother's love, hugs, kisses, and the way she used to laugh with them more than they remember all of the griping she did about the clutter around the house.

For me, when I am tempted to complain about all of the out-of-place things I find all over the house, I hope I will stop to remember that there will come a day when I'll wish for those long-past days.  Again, not for the clutter itself, but for those who made the messes!  I hope that I can remember to take a moment to admire the coloring page or art project in progress.  One day there won't be any coloring pages plastered to the (messy!) refrigerator door.  I want to be in the state of mind to be able to remember that, not so long ago, my sons' size 10 shoes (10 in mens!) used to be a size 1 infant shoe. 

But most of all, I hope that I can stop to praise God for the wonderful young men and women they are becoming and thank Him for allow me to be their mother.  What an honour to be given the great responsibility of molding, shaping, and guiding five lives to the glory of God!

Love in Christ,

Julia

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Are there smells that are a comfort to you?  Or maybe these fragrances bring fond memories of times past.  I was reminded of this recently while at one of the 4-H camps with my children.  The camp is filled with huge pine trees, and as you would probably guess, the ground was littered with pine straw.  On this particular day, it was quite warm out.  As the sun beat down upon the piles of straw, there was the pungent aroma of the pine needles surrounding me.    The straw must absorb a lot of heat from the sun, because I could feel warmth mingling with the scent.

The smell of warm pine straw brings different memories to me.  One of the most special is when we lived in Orlando when I was a girl.  My family would go to this wonderful state park for picnics.  It always seemed like it took forever to get there, but it was well worth the drive.  There is nothing like the scenery, flora, and fauna of southern Florida.

I was also reminded of the times that we would visit Stone Mountain park in Georgia when I was a teenager.  Those were some great times, especially when out-of-town friends or near-by relatives would join us.

Yes, it was a sweetsmelling savour indeed.

Smelling that sweet smell reminded me of other smells that evoke fond thoughts and memories.  For instance, my grandmother's irises.  Though I was very young when she sold her farm after grandpa died, I remember visiting her house in the spring and seeing a yard full of purple iris.  When she died many years later, her irises were the first thing I thought of.

The man who bought my grandpa's farm also bought up all the farms around it and tore down all of the houses and barns.  Back in the 90's, my mom, one of her sisters, and one of her brothers were able to get back to the property.  While they were there they dug up the irises that were still growing and mom brought some home with her.  A few years ago she gave me some for my yard and every year I look forward to the time when the iris will bloom.  I can see them from my kitchen window and at the sign of the first bloom, I'm out the door to catch a whiff of the sweet, if not unique, smell of grandma's iris.

It's really a bittersweet sort of thing.  I know that once the flowers have bloomed and faded away, there will be no more until the next spring.  But for a few moments every time I smell the iris, I am transported back to my childhood and the few memories I have of the farm.  I remember eating beans and taters for lunch one time, as well as gathering eggs from the hen house.  I remember the time the rooster got after my brother and pecked his rear!  I also remember the time when my grandfather was very sick with cancer and died.  Then there are all of the memories of grandma in the 20 or so years after grandpa died.  When we lived away in Orlando, she would come to stay with us from Thanksgiving until Christmas.  When we would visit for the summer, we always stayed in her trailer. 

So, so many things to think about when I smell the iris.  Yes, a sweetsmelling savour, indeed.

Something else that conjures up pleasant thoughts is cantaloupe.  My dad's mom loved it and it seemed that everytime we visited her house at meal time, she was cutting one.

Maw-maw was one interesting lady and I've learned things about her the last few summers that really surprise me.  Okay, well, not really.  I'm just reminded of what a fiesty woman she was!  Sassy and saucy describes her perfectly!  Her cheeks were always pink, her hair always white as snow, and she absolutely loved to dress up!  I have several of her hats from the 50's, as well as some costume jewelry.  She was a beautiful woman.

Some of the things I am reminded of are family cookouts to a place called The Laurels.  It was a very shaded park with a good sized creek wondering through.  It was always such a wonderful time to spend with aunts, uncles, cousins, and our grandparents, especially out-of-town family or during times when we lived away.

Christmas was always a grand time!  We'd gather together for a big meal on Christmas Eve, then all of the kids would wait patiently (NOT!) for gift-giving time.  With such a huge family and a limited budget, she never could afford to do much for us.  But there was always something for each grandchild.  Most often she would make things for us.  One of the best things for me were all of the babydoll accessories like blankets and pillows.  There were also pajama bags, frogs stuffed with birdseed, and snakes made from old ties.

When I cut a cantaloupe, there is a sweetsmelling savour, indeed.  Sometimes bittersweet, but always sweet.

Experiencing the wonderful smell of warm pine straw not only reminded me of all the other significant smells in my life, but it caused me to remember that we are constantly sending up odours to the Lord.  Though we can send up a stench to the Lord (Lev. 26:31), today I want to talk about those swell smells we send up.

Those sweet smells come to Him in the form of our love and sacrifice.

But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

Philippians 4:18

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Ephesians 5:1 & 2

Jesus loved us and sacrificed His own life.  The believers in Philippi sacrificed in order to provide for the man of God.  In doing so, they were expressing their love for God and the preacher.  Both of these sacrifices were acceptable, wellpleasing, and sweetsmelling to God.

I think when I smell all those things that bring back such wonderful memories for me, what I remember most is the love and sacrifices of my parents and my grandparents.  There might not have ever been much money, but there was always love.  That love was shown in the things my family did for me.  Materially, there wasn't much and you can't sacrifice what you don't have.  But they gave what was most important:  their time and devotion.  I don't think I missed much by not having material things from them, but what I did get is acceptable, wellpleasing, and sweetsmelling even to this day.

Does this make you wonder if you are leaving sweetsmells for your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or other people in your life?  Do you complain about the sacrifices you must make?  Do you give up what God is calling you to release with joy?  Do you back up our claims of love of God with your sacrifices and sweetsmells?  What odour is making its way to God from you?

John 12 and Mark 14 tells us of Mary's sacrifice of precious ointment.  It filled the room with an odour (sweetsmelling, I am certain).  What others saw as a waste, Jesus called a good work and said that her sacrifice would always be remembered.  What stands out to me is Jesus' comment that "she hath done what she could". 

When our life is over, I wonder what memorial we will leave behind.  Will people be able to say that we have done what we could?  What memories and thoughts will certain smells bring to mind in those lives we touched?  What sacrifices will we be remembered for?

One of the most comforting things I know is that God's not looking for perfection.  He just wants our love and sacrifice.  In these things, by imitating our Saviour, perfection will come. 

Say, what's that sweetsmell?

Julia

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A Dream, a Hope . . .

There are fundamental differences in hopes and dreams.  Webster’s dictionary defines a dream as a strongly desired goal or purpose, and hope as to desire with expectation of obtainment or to expect with confidence.  The main difference, then, in a dream and hope is that one has the expectation of being met, while it remains to be seen whether the other will occur.  We can have confidence in one, but there is not certainty in the other.

While researching hope, I discovered that it has two synonyms:  trust and expect.  In fact, trust is the archaic meaning of hope.  Now, if you think about it, do we use that word with a sense of trust and expectation today?  Not really.  When we use the word hope, it is usually with a foundation of uncertainty. For example:  I hope to go to college one day.  In essence, you are saying you want, possibly even expect, to go but do not know for certain if you will or not.  Your circumstances (money, time, etc.) cause you to question whether you will obtain your goal or not.

When we use hope in any other way than to mean a desire with the expectation of receiving the desired thing, we are not really using the word in its proper context.  What we really mean when we are not certain of receiving something we wish for is that we dream of having it.  There is a strong desire to reach a goal or possess a particular object, but there is no certainty of obtaining the goal or object.

Here is an illustration of what hope truly is.  I am not a winter person.  The cold weather, shortened days, and lack of sunshine start getting to me after a spell and I become somewhat depressed.  Some days it’s a real task just getting out of the bed, and evenings find me fast asleep on the couch by 9:00 p.m.  I really believe I would go totally over the edge if I did not have something to hope in, and that hope is in the coming spring.  I have a confident expectation that spring will come sometime in March.  I know that if I just  patiently live one day at a time, spring will come! 

Psalm 16:9 says ". . . my flesh also shall rest in hope".  This writer meant that he resides, dwells, and abides in a place of refuge.  There is a place of security and safety that he continues in because, as we can see in the previous verses, he has set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.  The Lord is always in his sight.

Going back to the beginning of this chapter, we see some things about the writer of this Psalm.  Among other things, he:

• He calls out to God for preserve him
• He has put his trust in God
• He has made God his Lord

What about you?  When things seem hopeless, what are your spiritual eyes trained on?  Your problems?  Your trials?  Your need?  Do you acknowledge your need of God in both the good times and the bad?  Are you putting your trust in your own abilities or God's?  Are you at rest during the hard times?  If not, you can be!  Rest in the Lord!  Psalm 37:7 tells us to rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.

We go through so much in our lives; there are so many expectations for how things should be.  The only way to get through without going insane is to rest in the Lord.  Be patient as He works in your life!  Stay where you are and delay any action until He moves you or changes the circumstances!  He is your hope, your rest, your hiding place!  Keep a silent heart in the hard times!

Psalm 31: 24 instructs us to be of good courage.  In other words, restrain yourself, be strong, and fasten upon the Lord!  Why?  So that He can strengthen your heart.  A strengthened heart is secured and given endurance!  Whose heart shall be strengtened?  All ye that hope in the LORD!   In this instance, hope has more of a meaning of trusting, tarrying, and waiting on the Lord. 

These verses remind me of our misuse of hope and when I read that faith is the substance of things hoped for!  In other words, hope is made up of faith!  If you are not certain of something, if it does not have all of your trust, then it isn't really hope.  It's just a "maybe so, maybe not" sort of thing.

The next time you use the word hope in conversation, stop.  Ask yourself what you mean when you speak of hope.  Is it a full and sincere trust in God?  Are you resting in hope?  Is it the kind of hope that brings security and endurance to walk the path God has set before you?

Psalm 43:5

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Ask yourself these questions:

*What one thing do I think is of the most value to me?

**What is the one thing I think I cannot live without?

***What place does faith have in my life?

I was reading in 1 Peter one day when I came across a verse that talks about the trying of our faith being more precious than gold that perisheth.  It struck me then that my faith is a very important part of my life (or it should be!).  This is very evident in the very meaning of precious.  Strong's concordance lists it as both a comparative and a superlative word.  Thankfully my kids have been studying these terms in English!  :)  For those of you who haven't done this in a while, superlative simply means a comparison of three or more things.  Comparative is a comparison of only two things.  Good, better, best, for instance. 

Anyway, back to my point.  Precious, as I'm sure we all can deduce, means valuable.  It can also mean honored, esteemed, and beloved.  In the verse we are concentrating on today, we can conclude that the trying of our faith is worth more than gold.  When compared with gold, it is has more worth and value and is held higher regard.

Why?  What evidence is there that there is something in this world that is worth more than gold?  Men have died for gold, they have sailed across the ocean to a wild, untamed land in search of it. But God tells us that gold perishes.  In other words, it can be destroyed or come to ruin.  It's an earthly treasure that we can lose or a thief can steal (Matthew 6:19 &20).  When we die, we can't take it with us (Job 1:21; Psalm 49:16, 17).

The most amazing thing to me about this verse is that, though we are reminded that wordly treasures are corruptible, God also tells us that our faith, though it be tried (tested) by fire, becomes more precious and valuable.  James 1:3 says that the trying of our faith works patience in our lives.  This patience, in turn, perfects us and makes our faith entire (sound, pure, uncorrupt).

This, then, must be why our faith and the trying of it is so precious to us.  Though we are complete in Christ (Col. 2:10), we must always be growing and God must perfect us.  Our faith must become stronger and purer, and the only way that can be done is it is proved by God.  We realize that even if we loose everything we hold dear, everything we deem valuable in our lives, nobody can take our faith from us.  Our complete trust in God and our faithfulness to Him makes us more of who we are to be.

Where would we be without faith?  I believe that we would be mighty poor indeed!

More on faith in another entry!  :)

Julia

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Here is something I wrote about seven years ago.  Boy, did I ever need reminding!

Charles Spurgeon once said:  Learn to say "no", it will be of more use to you than to be able to read Latin. 

This would be a wise lesson to all of us!  It is so easy to over crowd our lives with too many activities.  Truth is, God would have us use our time wisely.  In fact, He instructs us to "redeem the time". 

Here are a few tips in keeping our time sacred and well-used!

#1 - Don't plan more than you know you can reasonably handle.  If you know that teaching a VBS class or volunteering for a 4-H event will over-load you, then do not feel guilty for declining.  A tired, stressed-out wife and mother is of little use to her family.  Ditto for a VBS teacher!  You can't be effective when you are exhausted and resent having "something else to do"!

#2 - Each evening, prayerfully ask the Lord to help you in the upcoming day.  All that we do should have some eternal value.  It must also be done through Christ and with all of our might.  If we are stretched too thin, we have no might.

#3 - Having hobbies is a good thing, but don't become involved in too many of them.  I remember lamenting once to my friend Anita about not knowing how to crochet.  She gently reminded me that it is better to do one thing well than to do many things in a mediocre way.  It should be that way in all of life.  Do what you do well, and don't worry that you might only do one thing really well!

#4 - Remember, time once spent is gone forever!  Each moment that passes is a moment that we are closer to the end of life's path.

It is important to spend each moment wisely, prayerfully, and in a way that honors God.

Eccl. 9:^{10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;}

^{Your sister in Christ,}

^Julia

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I received this in an email today.  It is a lesson we all need to learn and put into practice. 

To all of my friends that I have ever hurt, please write the offense upon the sand.  I will truly do the same for you.

For my friends who have ever blessed me with a good deed, it will never be forgotten.  I hope you will always remember any good I've done for you.

If I knew who wrote it, I would give credit where it is due.  If you happen to know, please tell me! 

Yours in Christ,

Julia

DURING SOME POINT OF A JOURNEY TWO FRIENDS HAD AN ARGUMENT AND ONE FRIEND SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE IN THE FACE.

THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING, WROTE IN THE SAND:  TODAY MY FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.

THEY KEPT ON WALKING, UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS, WHERE THEY DECIDED TO TAKE A BATH.

THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING, BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM.

AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM THE NEAR DROWNING, HE WROTE ON A STONE:  TODAY MY FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE.