Joy - Part 1

Joy: a feeling of great pleasure and happiness (noun)
        rejoice (verb)

Deuteronomy 28: 47-48a
If you do not serve the Lord your God WITH JOY AND ENTHUSIASM  for the abundant benefits you have received, you will serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you.

That's some tough stuff right there.  If we aren't serving God, with joy, we are serving our enemies.  Well I, for one, don't want to be serving the prince of darkness or anyone else that he has sent to trip me up.  I want to serve God and I want to do it with JOY.

Can you think of things that give you joy?

• sunshine after the rain
• snuggling a new baby
• coffee with a friend
• flowers blooming
• a job well done

Joy doesn't always come naturally to us though, does it?  I know that in the midst of my deepest depressions I would have laughed at that list.  If I was showing joy, I was faking it.  I've discovered that losing my joy, my natural cheery, joyful attitude doesn't just happen in one fell swoop.  It happens over time.  You don't know it is happening until the joy is gone.

Let's come up with some joy stealers:

• exhaustion
• clutter
• illness (you or someone you care for)
• extremely full schedule
• jealousy - discontent
• loneliness
• family problems
• financial problems

I'm not going to sit here and pretend that there are going to be easy answers for these problems.  Some of the problems that you and I encounter in life are HUGE.  They may show up suddenly but they will take a while to resolve and may never fully resolve here on earth.  That's a tough statement isn't it?  The fact is that sin is here and Satan is actively trying to cause problems.  That's his job and he is good at it.  He wants to do everything he can to make you loose your joy.....you wanna know why?  Because if you have no joy you won't:

• keep trying
• praise God
• hold on to hope
• love others and yourself
• give grace

That's why Satan wants to take your joy.  He wants you to give up and push God away.  He wants you to be angry and bitter.......That's what happens when you lose your God-given joy.

Defeated
Angry
Bitter

None of us want to live lives like that.  The thing is that your problems don't have to be resolved themselves for you to choose joy.  In the midst of all your troubles, you can choose to remain joyful....but its a choice you have to make....every hour of every day.  I'm NOT going to say that it will be easy.  It's not.  Good things in life rarely are.

Your assignment for the next 2 weeks is to study up on what the Bible says on Joy.  I'm not going to list all the verses in Psalm that joy is mentioned - there were a lot when I searched on my Bible Gateway app.  In Proverbs check out 2:10, 3:13, 8:32 and 34, 10:1, 11:10, 12:20, 13:9, 14:10, 15:20-21 and 30, 16:20, 17:21, 21:15, 23:24-25, 29:3, 6 and 18

That should keep you busy.  APPLY THE VERSES TO YOUR LIFE!!!! Reading/studying the Bible does absolutely no good if you aren't willing to apply what you learn to your daily life.

I'll leave you with this though:
Galatians 5:22-23
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  There is no law against these things!

If you have the Holy Spirit in your life then you CAN have joy!!!!  If you have no idea what I'm talking about but want to, please leave me a comment.....I would love to talk to you!

Come Back to Jesus - And Don't Bring Your Blackberry by Tanya Logan

***I received this product for free in exchange for a fair review as part of the CWA review crew.***

I got a smartphone last year after YEARS of longing for one.  Why did I want one so bad?  Well, I think some of it is just greed.....I like the newest things and fancy things....and who doesn't want to be able to call up the latest weather or news story?  I think another part of me wanted one because I could feel like I belonged.  I don't always do so well in social situations and am frequently uncomfortable.  On facebook (from phone or computer) I could feel like I belonged without ever really interacting with REAL people.  With a smartphone, that ability is so quick and easy.  I had gotten to where I didn't want to miss anything and I would get frustrated if others weren't posting status updates or commenting/liking mine.  Pathetic, huh?

A friend has been bemoaning the evils of modern communication technology for years.  I don't know how many times I've shaken my head as he rattled on again and again about how we were losing touch with reality and real people, how relationships didn't matter anymore (but they do to God!) and how we were wasting time (I'm visiting with friends, checking on loved ones, how dare he???) on our little electronic devices.  Just wait, I'm coming around to his way of thinking.

I've really been convicted lately of how little time I've been spending with God.  The littles and I started going to a new church in September with a wonderful Sunday School program and I got an adult lesson book and found daily Bible readings in the back.  So I began daily doing those readings, then added in an additional chapter of Scripture (in depth) and if I had time, a Bible study.  About an hour, with interruptions, each morning. 

Shortly after that, I was given the opportunity to review Come Back to Jesus - And Don't Bring Your Blackberry  by Tanya Logan.  I was drawn to this choice.  I know God was leading me because I needed it badly. 

There is a lesson a day for 6 weeks with a leaders guide included in case this is wanted for a small group study.  I definitely think that some accountability would be useful, as I am doing this alone, but I've asked God to be my accountability partner this time :)  Each lesson is short and to the point.  Although I quickly figured out where she was heading with the study, she did it nicely and nonjudgementally. 

In the end it comes down to a good-better-best thing.  Is what I am doing (social media, reading, hobbies) the BEST use of my time?  Let's face it, I'm only getting one today.  Once it is gone, it is gone.

I quickly caught myself doing the following:
-open facebook on my phone for "just a minute" and come up for air 45 minutes later
-find myself angry about things that were posted (and that had no bearing on me, my family, or anything really - so why was I mad?)
-found myself checking facebook at the kids sporting events
-found myself checking facebook at the supper table (even though we have a "no phones" rule at the table - my oldest son took it away from me - good for him!)

My facebook problem wasn't the only thing getting in the way of my relationship with God.  I read an enormous amount of fiction books.  They aren't bad, but I do need to curb my reading time to make time for other more important things.  My hobbies, although much lower on my distraction list, also need to be kept in the proper perspective.

How am I working to change my perspective?  I've allotted 1 hour a day (30 minutes morning and evening) to facebook checking.  I've also allotted 30 minutes a day to blogging (going to be using that save feature) and 30 minutes to email.  I've already scheduled time for "me" activities into my day - reading, hobbies, etc so I am going to be trying to make the BEST uses of those times.  Good-better-best, remember? 

This Bible study has opened my eyes to so many things that had become idols in my life.  Do you need to step back and take a look at what is REALLY important in your life?  I think it would do many of us a lot of good, I know it did me!

Come Back to Jesus - And Don't Bring Your Blackberry is available for $9.99 on the kindle or $15.99 as a paperback. 

Are Distractions as Dangerous as Demons?

In Luke 11:24-26 Jesus tells about what happens when an evil spirit leaves a person's body.  The body or spirit is left empty and if it isn't filled with good things then the evil spirit or demon will return and the person will be worse off than before.

We discussed this in Sunday school class a month or so ago and we discussed that when you come to know Christ you turn away from evil things, sin and then....what?  Shouldn't we fill our lives with good, Godly things?  Yes! 

How about those of us who have been Christians for a while.  I was raised in church, although I don't feel that I came to really know and understand the truths of Christ until I was a young married mom. 

My thoughts are that distractions in our lives can be just as dangerous as demons in that we lose focus on Christ and don't make time or room for the Holy Spirit to fill us and work in our lives. 

Demons overtake a person and fill them with evil.
Distractions fill time, take space and energy - that should be used for the glory of God.

Because I am distracted am I missing out on God's leading and the filling of the Holy Spirit? 

James 4:3-4
And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong - you want only what will give you pleasure.  You adulterers!  Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?  I say it again:  If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.  NLT

Revelation 3:20
"Look!  I stand at the door and knock.  If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.  NLT

God is knocking on the door of my heart!  He wants me to make time, take time, make room for HIM!

What are some distractions for ME? 
TV, Facebook, worries (about life and what others think of me), books, magazines, internet, hobbies

**This is MY list.  Please don't feel that I am judging you!**

Now, lets take a look at my list. 
TV - there are some good things on TV, some ok things on TV and some horrible things on TV.  Even if I am watching a "good" thing, could I be doing something better? (serving somewhere, encouraging someone, reading/studying God's word)
Facebook - I spend a lot of time on facebook.  If it wasn't for facebook some days I wouldn't talk to an adult all day.  But that's no excuse.  There's a lot of trash on there.  Stuff I don't need to see or read.  And I probably post nonsense that I shouldn't (because I'm human too). 
Worries - Those are things that I need to give to God.  NOW!
Books - I try to  read decent books.  I love a good mystery.  I read a lot of non-fiction Christian books.  Couldn't my time be better spent reading the Bible?
Magazines - except for a few homeschooling, homemaking magazines (Eternal Encouragement, Keepers at Home, Practical Homeschooling) and my knitting, quilting magazines....mainstream publishing is trash.
Internet - Everyone knows there is a lot of trash on the internet.  I have a habit of surfing just to surf.  Not good.
Hobbies - I knit, garden, sew.....those are all good as long as they don't become an obsession.  I love to write but I need to be writing about good things.  Things that edify.  Sometimes that's a struggle.

Now that we have discussed my list of distractions, take a second and pray about the things that distract you.....

Is there a time and purpose for idle entertainment?  I think so, but not at near the frequency that we (myself included) tend to indulge.  God made us to WORK....if we are women he made us to work at home and for his kingdom.  God set aside one day as a day of rest, but lets make sure that our rest is really restful and not distracting from God's kingdom. 
Can some of the things (maybe all the things) I've listed above be used for God's glory?  Sometimes.  I'm sure we could go through the list and think of ways my distractions could be used to further the kingdom.  Am I using them that way?  Rarely. 
Can distractions take my focus off God?  Absolutely!  Even if something starts off to further the kingdom, sometimes it gets misled or lost.  Sometimes good intentions end badly.  It happens to everyone!  That's why it is important to regularly evaluate the purpose behind the things we do.  Each season of our lives is different and different things will be important at different times.  We/I need to seek God and make sure that our/my pursuits are lining up with His will for my life (and mine won't look like yours - we are unique!)

I Timothy 4:4-5
Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks.  For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.  NLT

What does this mean for me?
Well, it means that other than to post a daily blog post (I'm trying to focus more on my actual writing and less on meaningless facebook status updates) and a quick check of email daily I won't be on the internet.  I am going to keep a list of things that I honestly need to check on (bank details) or research and do that on Saturday or Sunday but I am limiting my time.  If there isn't much on that list I may read some of my favorite blogs.  I'm probably going to avoid facebook for a time.  The bullying and hate that is passed around there is amazing and honestly I don't need it in my life right now. 
I'm also going to make time with God a priority.  I just started a study on Faith: Joseph's Journey by Sandra Lea Hardage (review coming soon) and am making time to work through that as well as my daily reading, study and Sunday school prep work.  The littles are starting Awana tonight so they will get some memory work and I'm going to work on it with them.  I've never been good at memory work and that is something I am committing to work on.
I'm going to try to spend time with people face to face.  I've been depending on this little black machine to control my interactions with people.  That's not good for me.  So that is a priority for me and the kids.
I'm still going to be reading, but I'm going to be putting limits on my daily pleasure reading (no more getting lost in a book until suppertime - at least not regularly!  lol)
I would go crazy if I quit knitting and since I make gifts and practical items I see the purpose in that hobby.  Actually limiting my time on the computer will make more time for that.  We need some curtains!!!!!

This is my journey.  I encourage you to step back and make sure that your path with God is heading in His direction.  Mine wasn't and I'm committed to getting it back on track. 

Please comment (if you are comfortable) with what distractions are filling your life and how you plan to refocus. 

Have a blessed day!

The 5 R's Bundle - Part 2

Last month I talked to you about Lorrie Flem's bundle - Godly Womanhood: The 5 R's for Homeschool Moms.  Last month I detailed the 1st 2 topics and this month I am going to focus on the last 3 topics. 

As usual, Lorrie touches my heart at just the right time.  In fact, I have decided that I will be printing out all 5 ebooks and putting them in a binder for safe keeping.  The topics are so encouraging, timely and necessary for a godly woman.

Refine: From Homekeeping 101 to Graduating with Honors leads us through the day-to-day of being a manager of our homes.  We are managers aren't we?  I like that.....a manager.....that sounds good :)  Lorrie leads us through 7 homekeeping teachings:

1.  Plan to Manage

2.  Plan to Improve

3.  Plan to Start Strong

4.  Plan to Do It First

5.  Plan to Bless Others

6.  Plan to Feed

7.  Plan to Clean

As always, Lorrie keeps it real and gives real-life guidance on managing our homes.  Spending time with God, Before Breakfast Jobs and clearing clutter are all topics she touches on before bringing it around to my ATTITUDE.  We've talked about that before and it is a work in progress.  Thanks Lorrie!

Rejuvenate: What to Do When Abel is Raising Cain details the topic of child-raising.  Consistency is the key!  Lorrie talks about how the Bible discusses discipline.  I think I am going to start a study about that.......

Never leaving us alone, Lorrie gives real-life examples about how she handles discipline problems in her home.

Rest: Give It Up and Get It All wasn't what I expected.  I was "hoping" that Lorrie would give a list of things that she does when she needs some rest, away time, preferably once a week or more.  I wanted the validation that what I do deserves a break and could someone please back me up on that?!?!?!  I guess not :(  Lorrie gives us so much more though.  I feel encouraged to rest through serving, arranging my priorities to match God's.  I need to lean on God and when I just can't do it anymore, I shouldn't soak in a hot bathtub, I should run to Him and soak Him up....seeking His wonderful wisdom about the things that I am dealing with.  I've done that this week and I can honestly say that I feel better than I ever would after an hour at Starbucks.  **I LOVE Starbucks though and think it is a fanastic treat to hang out there, but I don't "deserve" such a treat just because .  The only thing that can completely restore me is time with God!**

I can't begin to express how much good stuff there was in these 5 topics.  I plan to reread these teachings frequently to remind me to keep my focus on God!  Check out www.eternalencouragement.com to see The 5 R's Bundle (5 ebooks, 5 mp3 audios starting at $24.97) and other great products that Lorrie has there.  If you're not convinced head over and see what the other Gabby Moms have to say too!

****I received this product for free in exchange for an honest review through the Gabby Moms program.***

Speech - Psalm 19:14, Psalm 141:3

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.

***This study was mainly for me.  I don't want others to think I am pointing fingers.  I NEEDED to read this and hear this and know that it was true.  I am sharing in the hopes that it will bless others.***

Words are powerful.  Not just spoken words, but words written, blogged, twittered and sang.  As I consider my words:
Are they always honest?  kind?  encouraging?
Am I using words to express the love of Jesus to those around me?
Should I practice silence?
Does this HAVE to be said?
What are the consequences if I DO or DON'T speak?
Does love guide my words?

Those are the tough questions that I am contemplating this morning.  I can say that I started several years ago to monitor my speech (I'm NOT perfect though!!!!!) so I do have a tendence to think twice before I speak.  I also have written many letters this year, only to throw them away a few days later.  I think that it is good to write out your feelings in a letter, set it aside for a day or so and then decide if it should be mailed.  Once I actually mailed a letter (several years ago) but since then they usually get thrown away. 

The thing to remember is that words - no matter the delivery method - can't ever be taken back.  Yes, sometimes things NEED to be said.  Frequently,  the words I want to say won't make any positive difference in the situation.  If they won't impact the situation in a positive way, why take a chance that they will make a negative impact? 

Yes, sometimes bottling things up will make a situation explosive.  Share your feelings with a trusted friend (removed from the difficult situation).  Write in a journal (oh the journals I have filled!).  Write a letter to the person and then throw it away (I don't suggest email, it is way to easy to push send).  Someone suggested to me that I write out all the things I want to say, give them to God and bury them somewhere - or watch them burn in a fire.  All those hurt feelings and anger can be taken away by Him if we let Him anyway. 

So, today, I urge you to reflect on your words.  Let God guide you daily so that everything that you (or I!!!!!!) say will glorify Him.

Psalm 119: 46-52, Job 2:10

Remember the word to Your servant,
Upon which You have caused me to hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life.
The proud have me in great derision,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.
I remembered Your judgements of old, O Lord,
And have comforted myself.

God's word is comforting
God's word is salvation - by teaching of Jesus
God's word gives home - through the stories of others
God's word shows God's mercy and faithfulness

But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks.  Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?"  In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

God is good ALL the time.  No matter my problem or situation He is ALWAYS there.
God's promises are true.
God didn't promise an easy life.  He did promise salvation and a home in Heaven for those who will accept Him.
The goal in my life should always be Heaven.

***This was yesterday's study.  It really hit home.  God doesn't cause pain in this world but He also doesn't always stop it.  That is hard for me to swallow.  However, just because God doesn't stop the pain or the terrible situation or the effects of a terrible situation, doesn't mean that He isn't there, helping, leading and blessing along the way.  Today's reading was Psalm 119:65-72.  I probably won't comment on it here as it ended up very personal for me.  I am learning much about pain and affliction.  And I'm leaning on my Saviour!***

Psalm 119: 15-16

I will meditate on Your precepts,
And Contemplate Your ways.
I will delight myself in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word
(NKJV)

Meditate?  Contemplate?  My definition of those words is "to ponder, consider, think about at great length" So, don't just read and go on.  Work it over in your mind and heart (for a day? a week? a month?) and consider personal application.

Is this passage an example for me?
Should I do something? (James 1:22) (we've been discussing this in Sunday School as well!)

I am soooo glad that I came upon these verses in Psalm today while I was reading.  These fit in exactly with the information about Bible study that I was talking about in Lorrie's 5 R's bundle.  The 2 questions above are the ones that I am going to ask myself about each passage I study.  From today's study I took away the following points:
1.  meditate
2.  contemplate
3.  take delight in the word of God
4.  memorize

I also started a prayer journal with my Bible study notes.  I am so excited about this.  I will share some tidbits here along the way :)  Also, I've been working at reading through the Bible in a year.  I got behind in the program I was using through Motivated Moms, so I am reading 3 chapters a day from 2 different books....right now I just started Esther and am most of the way through Psalms.  I'm adding a sidebar with where I am reading if anyone is interested.  Please, please feel free to share here or on your blog what God has been saying to you!  Leave me a link as I would love to read and share in your excitement as well :)

Proverbs 22:17-21

Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise,
And apply your heart to my knowledge;
For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you;
Let them all be fixed upon your lips,
So that your trust may be in the Lord;
I have instructed you today, even you.
Have I not written to you excellent things
Of counsels and knowledge,
That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth,
That you may answer words of truth
To those who send to you?

Yet, another good reason to have the Word of God hidden in my heart. I want to be able to share God's goodness, mercy and truth to those who come before me. God, help me as I strive in this goal to become closer to You!

Why Scripture and Bible Study are So Important

2 Timothy 3:15-16
....and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

Acts 17:11
These were more fairminded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

I Peter 2:1-2
Therefore laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

I am choosing the following verse as my theme verse for my life:
Psalm 86:11
Teach me Your way, O Lord;
I will walk in Your truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name.

This verse is the goal for my life....I have such a long way to go!
Titus 2:3-5
the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things - that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

I have such a long way to go! The Word of God has been washing over me lately and I feel like such a new person :)

Some Thoughts

God's holy Word is an instrument He uses to guide, comfort, correct, rebuke and teach us.
When we love God with our mind and commit His Word to memory, He uses those pieces of Scripture as instruments for our growth in Him. When we store His Word in our mind, God draws from what we know and uses just the truth we need......at just the time we need it.....and in just the way we need it!

Elizabeth George
Loving God with All Your Mind

I just finished the above book during my quiet time today and found this to be an important truth. I hope that it encourages you, like it did me, to find time to hide God's word in your heart.
Have a great day!

I Samuel 1-7

This past week I began reading through I Samuel. Our Sunday School class is studying this as part of the Bible Bee competition being held later this year.....at our church the older youth class is with the adults.

***I feel like I need to add here, that I haven't been having a quiet time for a long while....I am so blessed to have spent the last week's worth of mornings with God. If you aren't having a quiet time right now I urge you to try to find some time in the morning. I guarantee that your day will be blessed for it!***

I thought that I would share some thoughts I gleaned from my notes this week on the above passage. I may not do this every week, but it helps me to cement things in my head and I hope it blesses someone else!

As someone who has suffered secondary infertility, I feel a real kinship with Hannah. I remember the longing for a child, and at the time, I already had 2.....I can't imagine her longing! I find it interesting that after Hannah poured her heart out to God that she felt comforted as she left. God works in amazing ways and we very rarely have to wait to know if He heard our prayers!!!! God did allow Hannah to conceive but I imagine that feeling of comfort she had as she left the temple probably meant a lot to her. The strength of Hannah's character also amazes me. She promised God that if He would give her a son, that she would return that son to Him. When Samuel is born, she gave him to God, just as soon as he was weaned (probably around age 3). Can you imagine giving your son to a priest far away to raise as a BABY??? The son that you longed for and pleaded with God for??? Hannah kept her promise and God blessed her for it with more children. Hannah continued to love her son. She made him a new coat every year and took it to him when they went to temple. I have a feeling that Samuel knew exactly how much his mother loved him.

Even as a child Samuel worked in the temple. The examples that were around him were not good (Eli's sons), but God blessed his work (I am sure his mom was praying for him!) and his favor with God and man increased. God spoke directly to Samuel, at a young age, giving him insight into what was going to happen to Eli's family. I have noted that God will only put up with so much disobedience before the punishment begins. I feel that I have been disobeying God in many areas for long enough!!!!!

Next, God spoke to Eli about the evil that was in his family. As God ordained, Eli's sons were killed in a battle with the Philistines. When the news came to Eli, he fell over, broke his neck and died. Eli's daughter in law also died in childbirth after hearing the news. The ark of the covenant was captured by the Philistines. They quickly learned that there were consequences for having possession of the ark of God! After 7 months of possession, they had enough of the illnesses and destruction taking place and sent the ark of God back to Israel. 50,070 Israelite men were killed after some dared to look inside the ark of God. God always punishes disobedience in His people!!!!

Samuel once again urged Israel to return to the one true God. How many times does God have to chase me down and drag me back to Him? I am ashamed to say too many times. After they turned back to God and served Him he enabled them to defeat the Philistines. Samuel was made judge over them.

That's about it. If you would like to comment, please do. I am always open to learning more about God through discussion of His word. I am eager to begin this weeks study. I tasted a little of what I will be reading in Sunday School and can't wait to read it for myself!

Have a great week!!!!

Reading Through the Bible in a Year

My main goal for 2009 is to read the whole Bible through. I have attempted to accomplish this before, but haven't been successful. This time I will read one Old Testament book and then one New Testament book. I am hoping that will keep me from getting bogged down.

I thought that this was a great article on Bible reading and study.

Jealousy and Envy - At What Cost to Your Family?

Today I was reading James (chapter 4) with the boys during Bible study. The discussion was about jealousy and envy and how these can destroy relationships.

As humans we have needs. Then we have wants. Generally our needs don't get us into to much trouble as there is very little that we truthfully need. Food (beans, rice and water), shelter (not a mansion) and clothing (thrift store will do) are the basic needs for life. Where we, as humans, get into trouble is with our wants. We want better food. We want a nicer house. We want fancy clothes. And then there are the gadgets! The biggest problem with this occurs when we see our neighbor with a new car, home improvements or larger grocery budget (not to mention that new ipod, cell phone or laptop computer). How does that make us feel?

Are we thankful for the blessings that God has bestowed on them? Do we compare situations and find ourselves wanting?

The commercialization of our culture doesn't usually make the situation any better. We can see the new things just as soon as they are created. The TV/Radio makes sure to tell us that we NEED the newer option.

I have noticed in my life that envy and jealousy can have a very negative impact on my family. I see another family buy that new vehicle and I begin nagging my husband for a new one as well. A relative builds a beautiful new house and suddenly mine looks shabby in comparison. As the wife I get to choose how that makes my husband feel.

Husbands of a one-income family have a very large burden to bear, right off the bat. They must shoulder all the responsibility for finances. If they are sick, disabled or layed off then who will care for their family? Who will take care of the NEEDS of that family?

This morning, I was praying and began thinking about James 4. Envy and jealousy cause quarrels among people. They are the source of anger. The jealousy that a wife can feel can also destroy a hard working husband. We must always be careful that our actions and words affirm the blessings that God is giving us through our husbands. We must be very careful when speaking or referring to the blessings of others, that we don't speak ill of the blessings that our husbands have given us. If you have your 3 basic needs met, in any form, then you are very blessed indeed. Other things in life are just icing on a very good cake. If we are blessed to receive those things - what a blessing!

Thank you is a simple thing to say and I really believe that we should be saying it more often. Especially to our husbands.

Have a good night!

Powerline Productions

This is the company that produced the bible study I am currently using. Meredith Curtis has taken a thorough approach to her bible study Jesus, Fill my Heart and Home. I am learning so many different ways to apply God's word to my life and the running of my household.

You can read an interview with Meredith and TOS here.

It seems that this company produces many other products. Judging by how much I am enjoying the Bible study, I am anxious to check out the rest of her materials. This is a wonderful time of the year to practice putting Jesus at the heart of our homes!!!!!

Renewed Priorities

I have been sharing my struggles in my sin areas, laziness and anger. This evening while reading God's word God spoke to me TWICE! You can bet that I listened!

Judges 10:10
And the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God and also served Baalim.
Judges 10:15-16
And the children of Israel said unto the Lord, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day. And they put away the strange gods from among them and served the Lord: and His soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:29-31
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
Proverbs 1:33
But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Lord, I cry out to You today because I am a sinner. Only by Jesus am I worthy to come before you. Please have mercy on me.

I rededicate myself to You tonight, Lord. All my goals, actions and thoughts are going to be funneled into learning about You and teaching my precious children about You.

I feel that God has called me to this. I have never really felt like a Bible scholar. I have "application problems". I learned this evening (although I probably already knew) that if God gives a command and I ignore it (or conveniently forget it) that I am sinning. I know that the Lord is mighty and just. I want to be for Him, not against Him. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

James 1-2

In addition to my bible reading this morning, I am also doing an indepth Bible study of the book of James. This was begun with my Sunday School class, but since we are in limbo about where we will be attending in the future, I decided that I would finish it myself. Today I just looked at the background of the book (using Halley's Bible Handbook) and read chapters 1 and 2.

The verses that really spoke to me (actually they hit me over the head, repeatedly!) were James 1:22-25, James 2:10-11, 14:26

The theme of these verses can be summed up by James 1:22-25
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves, for if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was, but whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therin, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."

The part of the passage in chapter 2 is discussing how faith without works is dead.

On this past Sunday, Doug reminded us that people are watching what we are doing, not necessarily what we are saying (we also discussed this in sunday school). How do my actions measure up? I know that I tend to talk the talk.....I know all the "right" things to say, but are my actions those of a mature Christian? Are the things that I say and profess reflected in my daily life? How about in my though life? Do my thoughts line up with the things that I say are true?

I think that as a Christian I have fallen very short in this area of my life. Like I said, I have attended church all my life. I know what I am "supposed to say". I have the right words and I fear that in certain situations I have the proper actions. But what about in my day to day life? I know that I don't always read my Bible every day (although I know that I should). I don't always speak with love to everyone I see (my children must be included in that everyone, no matter how irritated I am at them). I let laziness rule my day sometimes (even though I know that slothfullness is a sin). My heart isn't always into being a "keeper at home" (that is my mandate from God!). I let fear rule my life sometimes (fear isn't from God). That is just the beginning! What about the way that I treat those that aren't "loveable"? Or those that I disagree with? I know that my behavior is probably deplorable in the eyes of the Lord.

So that is my challenge as I live my life today....and the rest of the week. I am going to pray before I speak/act/think and ask God to guide my ways. I pray that what the world sees of me will glorify God.

Psalms 1-9

Since the baby was born I have been very apprehensive about some things. I tend to suffer from post-partum depression. Thankfully this time around it wasn't as severe as previous times. However I am still very anxious about the baby, especially his health. I have become like a Nazi about people being in his presence.....even my other children. I, myself, and Greg have cold so that doesn't make my anxiety any better. I am just positive that Baby Norman is going to fall ill and require a hospital stay....or worse. I know in my heart that this fear isn't from the Lord. I began praying every day for his health whenever these thoughts would overwhelm me. Today I started reading the Psalms, looking for verses that would encourage and comfort me.

Psalm 4:8
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

Psalm 5:11
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Psalm 9:10
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

I am going to continue to read through the Psalms and post here when I find verses that encourage me. I hope that someone else will find encouragement in them as well.

Blessings,
Carie

Implementing Romans 12

Our Sunday morning speaker presented a message that was taken from Romans 5 and Romans 12. It was a wonderful message about the Holy Spirit and the hope that he brings to our lives through Jesus. While scanning the rest of the Romans 12 text I decided to study further this week.

I took 3 pages of notes yesterday while reading/studying. I don't intend to share them because I am sure that they don't make sense to anyone but me :) I will however share some ways that I am going to try to implement Romans 12 in my life. These are convictions that I feel God has placed on me, after much prayer. I encourage you to study Romans 12 and see what plans God has for you!

1. My body is a living sacrifice
A. I need to eat nutritious foods in moderation
B. I need to exercise or at least stretch out daily

2. Be not conformed to this world
A. Study topics that I need clarified (partial list: modesty, prophecy, laziness and gossip)
B. form my own beliefs about those studied topics
C. follow those beliefs
****Stay in God's word everyday****

3. Pray about and follow God's leading regarding my gifts (I am sharing what I believe my gifts to be at this point.....I am open to following God's leading in this area though)
A. encouragement (send at least 1 card to someone that God places on my heart each week)
B. teaching (develop my 5 fat files, starting with the above mentioned studies)
C. singing (prepare 1 song a month and SING it at worship services)

4. Work on laziness (at home and elsewhere) - keep my eyes open to ways I can serve God's kingdom

5. Pray constantly

6. Be willing to open my home to others - to do this I must be prepared! I don't expect my home to be spotless or a showplace, but it needs to be moderately clean and I need to be prepared at a moments notice for guests. This also returns to my need to overcome my laziness!

7. Avoid arguing at all cost - be humble in all situations

This is what I am learning. I will probably reread Romans 12 at least once this week. I am praying that God will continue to work on me and in my life. I know that there is much to do - this is just a starting point!!!!!