Nov. 15, 2008 - Good Morning!

Good Morning! Everyone!

It is a cloudy, rainy, windy morning here in the foothills of NC. It has been foggy and rainy for the past 2 days, but the wind has started blowing today. The windy conditions are causing leaves to rain down from their branches.

I love days like this. It is as if God is pulling a warm, comfy blanket over the earth and urging us inside. He is telling us, "Snuggle under My warmth, rest, relax, enjoying time with your family, leave the hustle and bustle behind. Glory in the works of My hand. See how I make the seasons change and the beauty within those changes. Take time to acknowledge My creaton."

Dear Lord, I do glory in Your creation. I thank you for the works of Your hand. Thank You, for the rain that replinshes and renews the earth. Lord, in these troubled times the beauty of Your world helps remind us who is in control. When we falter, start to fear, and forget that You are in control; help remind us of that fact. Lord forgive me of my faliures and sins. Wash me anew once again with Your grace, mercy, and love. It is Your Son's name I pray. Amen and Amen.

A Realization

As I was going about my work as a housewife this week I realized that I really love being a Keeper of the Home.  I enjoy cleaning, cooking, and baking. I enjoy taking care of my husband, my daughter, and our home. I am so blessed to able to stay at home and do my God-given duties.

I enjoy that feeling of accomplishment you have when you have finished cleaning a room or finished a project and you stop to stare at your hard work. I enjoy the sounds of my family eating and enjoying a meal I have prepared, whether it was the homemade chili beans, cornbread, and salad made from lettuce out of our graden, or the homemade chicken noodle soup with homemade honey whole wheat bread.  I relish in their appreciation for the homemade M&M Chocolate Chip Cookies I baked for them and they love so much.

I love as evening falls. Everything is picked up in its place. The lamps are on casting a warm glow all over the house and in the yard. Supper is on the stovetop or in the oven. DH walks in the door from a long day at work. Oakley is jumping up and down and barking, waiting for her greeting. DD is standing there waiting to tell her daddy the news of the day. And I am waiting there to get my hug from the love of my life, grateful for his love and hard work. All is well and comfortable in the home I was put in charge of to keep and guard. My duties are far from over but the love within these walls and the love of my heavenly Father gives me the strength to carry on with love in my heart and a smile on my face.

Sep. 30, 2008 - Not Conforming To The World's Values

Doing Without What The World Must Have

The sermons at chapel have been on The 10 Commandments for the past several Sundays. It is amazing how the Lord works because we recently saw a show on a religious tv station about the very same thing. 

The commandment that has stuck out in my mind most is the 10th commandment: "Thou shall not covet your neighbor's house. Thou shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." Exdous 20:17. The show we were watching on tv called this commandment the gateway commandment. Why? Because, it is coveting that leads to someone to stealing, to commiting adultery, and all other manner of sin. Coveting is what is leading this country down its path of destruction,  the causethe economic mess our country is in, and even to the gas shortage we are experiencing in this area. Everyone wants what everyone else has.

When I sat down to write about this, I was puffed up with self-righteousness, proclaiming to myself I don't covet. But you see that is a lie. I do covet, maybe not material things, but I do covet. I see a big family and I covet. I don't stop and think of the family the Lord God has blessed me with. I see a person full of the joy of the Lord and I covet. I don't stop and try to work on finding that joy for myself. Oh, I do covet. So of you may say that coveting is just part of being human. It is , but as a follower of Christ who has accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior you are called to be different from the rest of the world's humans.

Romans 12: 1-2 " Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing, and perfect will."

Once we have been blessed with salvation, we are to be better, different from the world around us. Not self-righteous, but different. The love of the Lord is suppose to shine through us. It can't if we covet. Sure, there will be times of weakness, when we will covet. But, our God is merciful. He will hear our pleas asking for forgiveness and once again He will freely give it. God is so good!

So in order to live more simply in this fallen world, our first step must be admitting that we have coveted and ask Him for His forgiveness. Next, we have to live it out. We can't want the new gold earrings our friend has. We can't want the new wide screen tv our family member has. We have to start teaching our children, they don't have to have all the new gadgets and toys their friends have. If and when we can afford these things, then we can go and buy them. However by the time you have the money, you may find out that they weren't really needed after all. Learn to be content with what the good Lord has provided you with. It is a hard lesson to learn. You will fail many times, but the trick is you have to keep on trying. Practice makes perfect., practice and alot of prayers.

Lord, Jesus, thank you so much for all of the things you have provided us with. Thank you for providing us with our most basic needs, not wants, but needs, in the form of shelter over our heads, food in our bellies, and clothes on our back. Dear, Lord, I confess I have coveted and have known the taste of the green-eyed monster. Please forgive me, Lord. Help me each day to look upon the material things you have blessed us with and learn to be content and thankful. It is in your Son's name I pray. Amen and Amen. 

Aug. 19, 2008 - Putting The Lord First In Your Life

Making The Lord Your  1st Priority

It shouldn't amaze me but it does. When you put God first, your life goes so much easier. Chores don't seem to be a burden and never- ending. A week ago, I was in a mood. I felt like doing nothing and did nothing. I felt like I was drowning under my "Things To Do List". I knew what the problem was. I wasn't spending time with the Lord in prayer or reading His word. Once I got off my duff, bowed my head, and opened my Bible; I felt so much better, like a weight had been lifted off of me. And, Oh!, the amount of work I completed.

Last Wednesday, I woke up at 3:30 am. I couldn't get back to sleep. When DH left for work, I got up. DD was spending the night with my mom and dad. I had the house to myself. I opened up my Bible and read a chapter in Jereimah and in Proverbs. I said a prayer, and then I got busy with my chores. I straightened up the guest bedroom and DD's bedroom. I cleaned our bathroom and bedroom. I gave our shower a good scouring. I cleaned the living room and kitchen. I even washed, dried, folded, and put away clothes.  For supper, we had turkey sandwiches out of the turkey breast I put in the crock pot.

Thursday was busy, too. I slept later. Opened my day with prayer and Bible study. I took care of my morning routine, then, went to the garden to get off the tomatoes. Back in, I washed and cut the tomatoes. I put them on to cook. DD juiced them for me. We canned 8 pints of tomato juice. I deboned the turkey breast I fixed yesterday in the crock pot. I made a Lime Jello pie. I peeled, cut, and cooked apples to make applesauce. A wicked thunderstorm blew up in the afternoon. We got 1.2 inches of rain out of it. The wind was really bad. We even got some hail, but we are very thankful for the rain.

Friday, DD and I went to our small town to grocery shop, buy birthday presents, and clothes shop. I dropped her and the groceries off, then went to finish the rest of the grocery shopping. DD got off from work at 11:00. He helped his dad clean the pool up which was trashed by the storm the day before. Back home, we ate lunch then took a nap. We didn't do much the rest of the afternoon.

Saturday, DH went to prayer breakfast at Chapel. I straightened up the house and washed clothes. DD worked on her cleaning chores. I popped a movie (Forever Amber) I got in the mail in the VCR to watch while I made my dad Banana Nut Bread. DH took off the trash when he got home and mowed grass.  After lunch, we went to my grandmother's to pick up more apples for applesauce.  We then got cleaned up and took a nap. We headed up to my parents'  house for my nephew and my birthday dinner. We had an enjoyable time, except for a incident with my mom. (I need to learn to forgive and over look the things she does but sometimes the things she does cuts deep.)

Sunday, after Chapel, we headed to DD's parents' house for lunch. Afterwards, we helped my SIL decorate for our nephew's 1st birthday party. The theme of the party was Elmo. He loves Elmo. The party turned out really well and he did a wonderful job on his cake. His mom gave him a piece of it. He dug into it and smeared the icing everywhere. It wound up in his bellybutton, too. He thourghly enjoyed it. He was too interested in his presents and by the end of th eparty he was so tired he fell asleep. We helped clean up and then headed home. I had gotten so hot ( I think I was actually having a very long hot flash), when we got home I took a bath and turned the air down until it was frigid in the house. It was like I was hot from the inside out. About 3 hours later, I finally got cooled off.

Yesterday, I had to go to our annual sub. orientation meeting. I hate going and could give all of the speeches, if they would let me. This makes my 10th year going. Some how we get stupid over the summer and have to be reducated as to what our jobs are. In the afternoon, I started on the apples. The end result was 3 more pints of applesauce in the freezer. DD and Oakley are very excited about this. Both love applesauce. Yes, our dog loves applesauce. It was the only thing she would eat when she had Kennel Cough. Strange, I know.

Well, I am off to get ready to take DD to her first on campus class. Please, pray for her. Have a wonderful day!

Aug. 12, 2008 - How Disciplined Are You?

Living a Disciplined Life?

How disciplined are you? I confess that I am not, even with my A-type personality. I am what some may call uptight when it comes to housekeeping. Everything is in its place and everything has a place. My nose gets out of joint if my dear loved ones don't put things back exactly where I had them. Even growing up, I could tell if my little brother had been in my room. One item may be off a fraction from where I put and I would know. As a child, I thought this ability would come in handed when I became a spy. At times this behavoir seems to border on the OCD (Obsessive Complusive Disorder) side. But even with all of these tendencies, I am still a very undisciplined person.

How so you may ask? I don't exert enough discipline to spend the first part of each day reading the word of God or praying to the Lord. I think about all I need to get done and don't take that time. I rationalize it by saying I will get a head start on my day. I then think about all of the things I need to do that aren't getting done. My list seems to be getting longer and longer. I think of the people I try to please by taking them there, or doing this, or promising this. I think of all the parties and family dinners that seem to come up all of the time. Everything piles up on me and I feel like I can't breathe. I even told DH the other day, if everyone would take care of their own stuff and leave me alone I could get my stuff done. That however isn't true. I feel like I  don't get anything accomplished, because I don't discipline myself enough or use the time I am given wisely.

Like this morning, I lay in bed running over the list of things I needed to get done today. I laid in bed discouraged by the never ending list and wasted a half-hour. By the time I got up and functioning, I decided I wasn't going to do anything I thought about doing. I didn't feel like it. (I am not talking about taking a day to refresh and renew like last Thursday. I am talking about plan old didn't feel like doing anything laziness.) I managed to to get the morning routine done and then came in here to the computer. I surfed  the web and played a few games. Then, I came across it. The post that has caused this confession and introspection. The post can be found at Biblical Womanhood. Read her short post about The Disciplines Of A Beautiful Woman, follow her link to the interview, and listen to it. It made me open my eyes once again to what I am missing in my life and the lack of discipline I have.

Lord Jesus, I need you in my life. I need you as the rudder of my ship, for without you I can do nothing and accomplish nothing. I have failed to put you as the center of my life. Please forgive your daughter and know that I love you and want to please you. Help me , Lord, this day to accomplish what I need to accomplish. Help me to have the discipline to be a calm, loving, peaceful godly woman, wife, and mother. Help me to daily seek Your face and Your guidance. I ask these thing in Your Son's name, my Redeemer and Saviour. Amen and Amen!

Apr. 10, 2008 - Something to Think About

I'm Speechless.....

....Well, not really, but I am flabbergasted. I had popped over to to Your Sacred Calling  to catch up on the latest goings-on in the MacDonald household. Her post for today was about the influence Oprah Winfrey is wielding in our society today; culturally, politically, and religiously. I knew that Oprah, although she calls herself a Christian, is in no way shape or form a follower of Christ. Her form of Christaianity is so polluted with New Age beliefs and Eastern beliefs it is scary because she influences so many people including well-meaning Christians. Christians who fall for her perversions and lies. You need to go over to Stacy's blog and check out this post. I am almost ashamed after reading this post to say I do on occasion watch her show, when there is a show on home decorating or she has on Dr. Oz ( I like to hear his advice because he promotes the use of herbal & natural remedies although he does throw in a  little Eastern belief.) I watch her show with wide eyes knowing she doesn't believe in the truths stated in the Bible. But what about those who are new to the faith, unsure and unaware of what the Bible says regarding false teachers. What are we to do? What am I to do? Do I take a personal stand and refuse to watch to watch any of her shows? What do you think? Let me know.

Mar. 17, 2008 - More Than Rubies Monday

More Than Rubies Monday

I am posting under this meme this week. More Than Rubies Monday was started to encourage and share ideas on how to live as the woman of Proverbs 31. I have come to realize I need that encouragement. I haven't been living even close to the Proverbs 31 woman here, lately. In fact, I have been down right lazy. I have talked a good game in my posts, but all those things I said I was going to do , I haven't. I have so many piles of papers to go through it isn't even funny. I have so many half started projects, I don't know where to begin. Is it the winter blues? I don't know. I have some health issues I don't think I have really dealt with. I know what I need to do, but lack the will to do it. I feel like everyone is bogging me down, but I know that isn't so. It is me.

I think God has used the past several stressful weeks to humble me. To make me realize I can't do it by myself. I have my own faults and weaknesses I need to work on. I have been preaching to DD about getting her priorities straight and about working on being lazy. What a pharisee I have become, for the pot is calling the kettle black.  It is time I ask for and lean on God for help. Through him all things are possible.

I know what I need to do. The path is clear. If I address the health issues, I will have more energy (phyiscal and mental) to accomplish what I need to accomplish. My priorities should be as follows: God, DH, DD, and others. Me is last, it has to be last. I have to die to self. On this holy week, what  better gift can I give to my Lord than to die to self. Especially when He sacrificed so much to cleanse me and the world of our sins.

Pray for me as I journey to becoming worth more than rubies.

Nov. 22, 2007 - Counting Our Blessings

Thanksgiving Day what a wonderful time to count our blessings.

Our many blessings:

God's love, grace, and mercy.

God sending His Son to die on the cross so that our sins could be washed away.

A house that provides us with shelter and a place to make a home.

My DH's job that provides us with the money and insurance.

My subbing job that helps pay for extra things.

The opportunity to be able to homeschool and live that lifestyle.

The food in our cabinets and in our bellies.

The clothes in our closet and on our backs.

3 realiable cars that provide us with transportation.

Our chickens that provide us with excellent eggs for baking and toeat.

Our 3 dogs that provide us unconditional love and companionship.

Our acre of land on which we live and grow vegetables on.

Wonderful parents who are always there to help out when needed.

A wonderful extended family that are a joy to be around.

There are many more blessings. They are too numerous to name them all. Thank you, God, for each and everyone.

Nov. 21, 2007 - The Mystery of the Offending Odor

While watching tv one evening, all nice and settled in my comfortable chair; an offending order began to waft past my nose. It would come and go. After 30 minutes, I began to investigate. I wasn't sure if I was actually smelling something or not. I asked DH to aide me in the hunt but he couldn't smell anything. Not being to determine if I was really smelling something or to pin point where it was coming from, I moved to the couch.

The next morning as DH was leaving for work, he told me he smelled something now. He thought it might be our slop pot. (We put all of our scraps that we don't feed to the chickens or compost in a slop pot and throw it out in the pasture for the dogs and wild animals to eat.) I told him I had checked that the night before and didn't think that was it. I told him I would clean out that area and find out what it was. When I awoke for good and completed my morning chores, I began to clean out the kitchen cabinet where I store the potates, onions, and canned food. I thought it was a rotting potatoe that has fallen down behind something or a jar of food that has spoiled. I cleaned the entire cabinet out and found nothing. I then checked the tomatoes I have sitting on the counter to ripen to see if they were rotten. That wasn't it. I checked our compost bowl where put our vegetable/fruit scraps that get thrown out when it is full. The problem wasn't there. I had DD to take it out just in case. I rechecked the slop pot and sure enough that was where the horrible odor was coming from. I took it out, put bleach in the pot, rinsed it out, and then washed it good. I sit it out on the counter to air out good.

I tell that story to tell this. The hunt for that odor reminded me of sin or worrying about something. How many times do we let an unconfessed sin lie within our soul until it festers and turns into an offending odor? Or how many times do we worry about something and let it fester until it becomes an offending odor? Why can't we confess those sins or turn to God with our worries we they first come up? Just a little food for thought or a stinky odor to tickle the nose.

Oct. 18, 2007 - The Busyness of Life

DOES THE BUSYNESS OF LIFE STRESS ANYONE ELSE OUT?

I know, I know, of course it does. But why? Why do feel like the tiger chasing its tail? How does housework and appointments pile up ? Why does everything have to happen all in one week? We certainly don't plan it that way, or try not to. Then, how does it happen? How come all our home management binders, our organizing, and careful scheduling can't seem to keep us on track? Can you tell how my week has been?

Okay, Okay, enough of feeling sorry for myself. Time to pull up those boot straps and get back to work. I have done just that. I know this is going to sound crazy but when I feel overwhelmed with all I need to do or want to do, I do some serious house cleaning. Moving everything, dusting everything, washing everything, sweeping and vacuuming all the corners seems to help me focus on things and feel like I have accomplished something. I have been in that cleaning zone since yesterday morning.

Since we got back from Charleston, things have been somewhat hectic around here. I had some serious female issues which left me drained and resting on the couch every half-hour or so. I did get most of the laundry taken care of. Friday, Monday, and Tuesday, I worked. Saturday night, we hosted our Rook club. Sunday came with a migraine which kept me in bed most of the day. By Tuesday night, I felt like I was going to lose it. Then, Wenesday morning came.

I had a game plan. I went out to water the garden. (I harvested our first lettuce crop this season Saturday.) I ate breakfast when I came in and then started on the laundry room. I moved the frig in there, vacuumed behind it, dusted and mopped behind it. I cleaned its insides next. I washed down the washer and drier. I dusted our coat rack, shelves, and air conditioning grate. I cleaned the windows in our back door and on our screen door. I swept and mopped the floor. I swept off our back steps. I washed our trash can. When everything was back in order. I started on our kitchen. I also managed to get all of the laundry caught up; washed, dried, folded, ironed, and put away. DD helped with that. I finally felt like I had some control. Now before you think I am some kind of cleaning machine I just want you to know our bed has not been made since Saturday. I started cleaning the living room this morning and even rearranged our furniture. I finished with all of that around 2:00. I decided not to tackle anything else heavy today. So I decided to take a little time to blog.

All my mad cleaning made me think of our spiritual life. Don't we all feel so much better when we clean our insides by humbling ourselves before God and confessing our sins. Why don't we do that more often? Why do we let our unconfessed sins pile up? Why are we so stubborn? Isn't it awesome that God forgives us and loves us? And all we have to do is get down own our knees, humble ourselves, and ask? Thank You, Lord Jesus, for dying for us! Amen!