Hello and welcome to my corner of simplicity. I hope to share with you the thoughts and ramblings of my days with my children. Currently I am homeschooling 3 of my children full-time and the rest part-time. I am working to homeschooling them all full-time again when it is God's timing. In the meantime, I will continue to train my precious lambs to live a more simplified life with a God created stamp of authenticity about them. Allowing the Master Potter to use my hands to mold, shape and press them into the beautiful men and women of God they were meant to be. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Wed, 16 Jan 2008 07:11:00 -0600 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 07:11:00 -0600 Just a quick note to all my sisters in Christ.  I just want to let everyone know that I have not gone anywhere.  I am currently taking a Sabbatical and a 21 day fast until the 6th of February.  I will be posting as the Lord leads up until that date. The reason I am taking this time is to lean into God,  for direction. I want so much to have God's purpose in my life. I am seeking His destiny for me.  There are so many situations that he is showing me and I am just really needing to lean into Him and seek His face and presence. I will share as the Lord leads what is happening in my life. He is a wonderful God, isn't He?  When we least expect it He begins to woo us to Himself? I ask for much prayer for me and that God will show me and lead me into the knowledge of why he has created me to be 35 years young in 2008 and what my calling is. I know that one of my heartstrings has been with missions. My heart has been called to Zambia, Africa for quite sometime now. I also know that He has put prayerwalking into my life as well. I am seeking direction for my blogs and what God wants to do through me. I anticipate God's heart and His vision for my life. Thank you all for all your prayers, I feel them coming my way already. Much Love in Jesus, Tina http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic/462263/ Wed, 16 Jan 2008 07:11:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic/462263/   God is Always There Our Heavenly Father is always there He knows our sadness and dispair And if we would just call on Him He will always hear our prayer. When in our life those stuggles come And we tend to feel so alone Our Fathers watching from above With compassion and such love He knows our every weakness He sees us when we fail And yet His perfect love for us He continues to unveil He loves to see our child like faith As we kneel beside our beds And share our hurts and broken dreams Before we lay down our heads So when you are discouraged And you think that noone cares Just give it all to God above Because Hes always there. ©copyright 2001 Ruth Johnson http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic/455172/ Fri, 4 Jan 2008 01:23:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic/455172/ I just wanted to share with you all my 2008 Home Keepers Journal and My January Journal. My Home Keepers Journal is basically taken from the concept at:   Tiany's Site Keeping the Home My Monthly Journal ~ I jot down what God has been doing in my life and any revelations He has given me. Any words He may speak to me about changes that need to take place in my life. I have prayers added and poems, anything inspirationaI.  I used a composition notebook and added the paper decorations to it from the scrapbooking section at Walmart. Enjoy~   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic/454487/ Thu, 3 Jan 2008 01:59:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic/454487/ Starting January 7, 2008 Memes will be as followed and the sites you can find them: Daily: Morning Coffee (this has already begun) www.homesteadblogger.com/sanctuary Monthly: Proverbs 31 Challenge www.homesteadblogger.com/amazedbygrace Monday: Everyday Sacred (this will lean towards a bible/book study) www.homesteadblogger.com/sanctuary Encouraging Husbands www.homesteadblogger.com/amazedbygrace Honoring Husbands www.homesteadblogger.com/amazedbygrace Wednesday: Words to Live By www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic Pearls of Wisdom (this has alrady been posted for this week) www.homesteadblogger.com/amazedbygrace Thursday: Thankful Thursdays www.homesteadblogger.com/sanctuary Friday: Poetry....Pleasures of Language www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic Saturday: Sacred Sabbath www.homesteadblogger.com/sanctuary I will also be posting short book reviews as I finish any books I am reading. I look forward to everyone visiting this year. Have a wonderful 2008!! Tina http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic/453930/ Wed, 2 Jan 2008 07:47:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic/453930/   "Remember [fervently] the word and promise to Your servant, in which You have caused me to hope. This is my comfort and consolation in my affliction: that Your word has revived me and given me life. "Psalm 119:49-50 Acceptance Biblical ~ the favor and approval of an individual by God. Personal ~ the confidence to be yourself because of God's unfailing love. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Well done, you upright and (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys." Matthew 25:21 (amp) Apodechomai is the greek word for acceptance, which means "to receive heartily," "to welcome by deliberate and ready reception what is offered." So basically acceptance is to receive someone as they are, in a deliberate and ready form. Opened arm so to speak. Do we have problems with this today? We are not very ready to accept everybody the way they are. They clothes are too tight, they do not keep the faith the way we do, they are too much into the world, they sin too much and on and on. Now, mind you the word does tell us to be careful who we yoke with. I take yoke as who we partner with, who we make close friends with, who we merge business with, and stuff like that. I do not consider it someone we know as an acquaintence. The basis for our whole personality should begin with knowing acceptance by God as he created you to be. The apostle Paul had a problem with acceptance because of his past and persecuting Christians. Could he be trusted now? First, he had to learn to accept himself as he was viewed by God. "By the grace of God I am what I am..." Those who look to God alone for approval, for the substance of who they are, can receive each day with confidence and welcome whatever reception comes from others. That acceptance by God rests on what Jesus did on your belief. When you know God's love and acceptance, you can accept yourself just as you are, with all your imperfections and  you will find the courage to discover who you are inside. "Welcome and receive [to your hearts] one another, then, even as Christ has welcomed and received you, for the glory of God." Romans 15:7 Acceptance happens when you know that God loves you as you are and you find out the purpose He has for you and who He created you to be, regardless of what others say. From that point of knowledge, you are able to reach out to others and not really be concerned about how they feel about you. You are able to be honest and humble before others, whatever they may think. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ God, thank you for accepting me with open arms, help me to accept other sin the same way and to love them unconditionally, not being concerned about that love beinf returned http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic/453915/ Wed, 2 Jan 2008 07:19:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic/453915/ http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic/453257/ Tue, 1 Jan 2008 07:59:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic/453257/ As the New Year starts and the old year ends, There's no better time to make amends. For all the things we sincerely regret, And wish in our hearts we could somehow forget. We all make mistakes,for it's human to err, But no one need ever give up in despair. For God gives us all a brand new beginning, A chance to start over and repent of our sinning- And when God forgives us, we, too, must forgive, And resolve to do better each day that we live. By constantly trying to be like Him more dearly- Assured that we're never out of His care. And we're always welcome to see Him in prayer. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic/453241/ Tue, 1 Jan 2008 06:41:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic/453241/ New Years Resolutions~ "To Get on the Potter's Wheel." MY 2008 New Year Motto: "It's NEVER too late in 2008, the BEST is yet to come." I have so many resolutions, too many to list. But I can sum it up in a few short words.   This inspiring quote by Marianne Williamson is from her book, A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles, Harper Collins, 1992. From Chapter 7, Section 3 (Pg. 190-191). “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” I believe that the light in me is the light of Christ, and this year my purpose is to so let that light shine among all those I meet. This year I want to love like Christ loves, forgive like Christ forgives and speak words of wisdom as He speaks. I want to get out into my community and tell them about my best friend, Jesus. I want to win them to Christ, by sharing with them His love. You see It isn't really about what I want this year. All I want is to die to this old carnal woman and live for my Jesus. It isn't about what I do around the house on a weekly basis or even what shampoo I use? This year I want to serve Jesus 150%.  I have chosen to be very selective this year in where and how I spend my time. You will notice that I am not doing as many memes this year. I ask myself this 2008 question: Is what I am doing going to move me closer to God and to who He has created me to be? If not, I do not do it.  It is just that simple. I am a daughter to the most high God and I want to shout it from the roof top. Isn't He wonderful!!!!  So, this year I will be having my usual memes and doing bible studies. I will be picking up where I didn't start last year. So there is still time to join the book study. More on this on my other site. www.homesteadblogger.com/sanctuary Here is a list of the memes I will be doing and participating in. Monday: ****Morning Coffee ~ daily scripture www.homesteadblogger.com/sanctuary Encouraging Our Husbands and Honoring Our Husbands ~ www.homesteadblogger.com/amazedbygrace Commitment to Loveliness ~ www.homesteadblogger.com/amazedbygrace ****Everyday Sacred ~ Living our lives focused on Jesus and getting closer to Him. In everything we choose to do, it should be bringing us closer to Him. www.homesteadblogger.com/sanctuary Wednesdays: Wordfilled Wednesdays www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic Thursdays: Thankful Thursdays www.homesteadblogger.com/sanctuary Friday:  ****Poetry...Pleasures in Language www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic Saturdays: ****Sacred Sabbath ~  Meditations on the Sabbath www.homesteadblogger.com/sanctuary   Those are the memes ****These are my memes.   But for those of you who love detail, here is just a few of my inner thoughts on what I hope to accomplish this year.     Personal~ *Change, yes I want to change.  My process has already began. During the last part of December many events took place in my life that caused me to value what is important in my life. Due to these events. I have come out loving more deeper and with God's Amazing Grace. This year is a year of transformation for me. Giving God my old heart and old natures and asking Him to create in me all that He ever desired for me. Change is good, but can be hard, but I am learning a great lesson that God's grace covers everything and will so transform you into His image. "Every change --even the most difficult and painful--gives us an opportunity to receive the miraculous gift of personal transformation. The only real failure in life, is the failure to grow from what we go through." M. Williamson This year I am focusing on Mind, Body, Soul and Spirit Tranformation~ Mind~ *I want to memorize more scripture this year,. *I want to read all those books I have been putting off. *Renew my Mind to the word of God, by making a conscious decision each day to take every thought captive and bring it under subjection to Christ. *I want to study, practice and walk in the fruits of the spirit. *I want to walk in complete love and grace this year. (the rest of my life) Body~ *EXERCISE! EXERCISE! ~ I am starting my exercise program this year! Yes, goodbye 50lbs. Hello gorgeous. Heee *Return our family to a more whole, natural, raw diet like before. *Walk 3x a week *Go to bed by 11pm at night. Soul  ~(relationships)~ *Love deeper. *Send out cards this year to friends and family. *Take time out for me. *Start painting regularly again. *Lots of crafts with the children. *Breathe deeper, live stronger, laugh more often, cry deeper, get real with who I am and who I want to be. Dance as if no one were watching, Enjoy life to the fullest. *Take time out to nurture my relationships this year and years to come. *Every Friday go out to eat with my wonderful husband. Every other Saturday Family Night. *!00% full force in my two businesses, Warm Spirit and A Piece of My Heart. *By mid March have "A Piece of My Heart"  items ready for sell. (I make quilts, hand bags, baby blankets, baby clothes, bible covers, basket slips, etc. Spirit~ *Give God 150% this year and years to come. Living completely for His calling on my life. *No more procrastinating! *Finish my children's book and work on getting it published. *Work on my woman's devotional/study and get it published. *Begin my monthly groups: ~~Women's Prayer Walking Group ~ Ladies gather here at my house to go out into the community to pray for the community and we speak God's promises and word over our city. ~~Women's Prayer Teas Group ~ Ladies gather here at my house to pray for missions, missionaries, and countries. We have a prayer theme and we focus on that specific theme. We raise money for missionaries and different mission needs. ~~S.I.S.T.A.S Group ~ "Spirit Indwelled Sistas Together Achieving Sucess"~ This is my business group, ladies get together and we study god's word and what He says about being that Prov. 31 women in todays world. We pass couponc, we pass on tips, we go out into the community and help out where we are needed and we visit nursing homes, hospitals, we have book studies, we go out to lunch. We just have fun. (We are kind of like the Red Hat Society), except we are geared up for the work of the Kindgom! Well, that is a little of what I plan on doing. Of course between the 3 blogs, you will find out more on how God is leading me this year.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic/453238/ Tue, 1 Jan 2008 05:00:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic/453238/ You may not know me, but I know everything about you. [Psalm 139:1] I know when you sit down and when you rise up. [Psalm 139:2] I am familiar with all your ways. [Psalm 139:3] Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. [Matthew 10:29-31] For you were made in my image. [Genesis 1:27] In me you live and move and have your being. [Acts 17:28] For you are my offspring. [Acts 17:28] I knew you even before you were conceived. [Jeremiah 1:4-5] I chose you when I planned creation. [Ephesians 1:11-12] You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. [Psalm 139:15-16] I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. [Acts 17:26] You are fearfully and wonderfully made. [Psalm 139:14] I knit you together in your mother’s womb. [Psalm 139:13] And brought you forth on the day you were born. [Psalm 71:6] I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me. [John 8:41-44] I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. [1 John 4:16] And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. [1 John 3:1] Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. [1 John 3:1] I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. [Matthew 7:11] For I am the perfect father. [Matthew 5:48] Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. [James 1:17] For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. [Matthew 6:31-33] My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. [Jeremiah 29:11] Because I love you with an everlasting love. [Jeremiah 31:3] My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. [Psalms 139:17-18] And I rejoice over you with singing. [Zephaniah 3:17] I will never stop doing good to you. [Jeremiah 32:40] For you are my treasured possession. [Exodus 19:5] I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. [Jeremiah 32:41] And I want to show you great and marvelous things. [Jeremiah 33:3] If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. [Deuteronomy 4:29] Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. [Psalm 37:4] For it is I who gave you those desires. [Philippians 2:13] I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. [Ephesians 3:20] For I am your greatest encourager. [2 Thessalonians 2:16-17] I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. [2 Corinthians 1:3-4] When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. [Psalm 34:18] As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. [Isaiah 40:11] One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. [Revelation 21:3-4] And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. [Revelation 21:3-4] I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. [ John 17:23] For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. [John 17:26] He is the exact representation of my being. [Hebrews 1:3] He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. [Romans 8:31] And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. [2 Corinthians 5:18-19] Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. [2 Corinthians 5:18-19] His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. [1 John 4:10] I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. [Romans 8:31-32] If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. [1 John 2:23] And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. [Romans 8:38-39] Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. [Luke 15:7] I have always been Father, and will always be Father. [Ephesians 3:14-15] My question is…Will you be my child? [John  1:12-13] I am waiting for you. [Luke 15:11-32] http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic/451710/ Fri, 28 Dec 2007 18:10:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic/451710/ I will return to my blogs~January 1st, 2008 I am currently working on my blogs and the holidays. I look forward to a new year writing and sharing my life with you all. Tina http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic/450478/ Wed, 26 Dec 2007 11:32:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/simplyauthentic/450478/