CRAYON RED WALLS: The Joys of Motherhood

living with intention

2012-02-11T12:31:00.000-08:00

With the grace given to me, each new day is an opportunity to live more intentionally - "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:13

AND Hope...not in what you can do but what Jesus Christ has already made available to us, God's marvelous grace! WE now hope in the appearing of our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ and while we wait, we wait soberly - intentionally, quietly with hope and joy.

In January, we decided to memorize this passage in Romans (as a family) in order to remind ourselves of what God expects of us as His children. It has been a blessing to us as well as a challenge.

"Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate toward one another in brotherly love. In honor giving preference to one another, not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Joyful in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer. Distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. beloved, Do not avenge yourselves but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-13)

Intentional living looks to Jesus Christ and away from ourselves; where He must increase and we must decrease. Intentional living sees Christ through all and in all - the all sufficient One. When we gaze upon His Face we find contentment and security.Our attitudes and behavior are directly related to where our treasure is - if our treasure is Christ, this looking to Him allows us to love as He loves, to love what He loves and to be whom He has called us to be, holy and acceptable to Him.

"Romans 12 is a description of how we live when we know and feel the truth that we deserve nothing but misery forever, but instead, because of Christ, we have the promise that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to glory that will be revealed to us (Romans 8:18). Romans 12 is the way you live when you have been broken because of your sin—when you have said with the apostle Paul, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24)—and then, after being broken, you have discovered that in Christ God is for you and not against you, and that neither tribulation, nor distress, nor persecution, nor famine, nor nakedness, nor danger, nor sword can separate you from the love of Christ and from everlasting joy. Romans 12 is how you live when you know this Christ-bought, broken-hearted joy. " (John Piper)

Abba Father

2012-01-19T12:11:00.000-08:00

We did not expect this little guy to take to the ice so quickly. This was his third time on our little backyard rink this year. This time he would not hold on to his daddy and he did not want his daddy to hold on to him either. With happy anticipation he said, "I do it myself!" Our three year old is completely hands on - not afraid of anything (except being away from his mama)- he can laugh at the sight of possible failure because he seems to find all the funnies in life - he gets up and tries again, laughing all the way - he loves anything he can move with - A one of a kind, go getter with a tender, loving heart - our little man!

I loved watching him. My heart was thrilled to see him learning. But perhaps watching his father watch over him so closely was what really melted this heart of mine to tears. I was struck by how carefully his father would skate behind him - not holding him up, just there if our son were to fall. Micah displayed a simple trust that could be seen through the happy smile of his face. Why would he be afraid of falling when his father would be there to catch him? He truly believed that becuse his father was watching him so closely, No harm could ever befall him - not because of his own ability but because he understood his father loved him enough to watch and wait - to grab a hold of him when his foot would stumble.

Because his foot did stumble - but daddy was there to catch him.

A loving father watching over his son.

I remember when Micah was only 4 weeks old, a warm evening in August, he lay in his bed awaiting a heart procedure the next morning. He was sleeping soundly, we were praying through our tears. David and I prayed over him - reading from Psalm 91. Our prayer was that God in His rich mercy would look upon our son and grant Him much grace both physically and someday....spiritually. Our prayer was that one day Micah would acknowledge his Creator's Name - that the Lord would be His refuge. We pray this for each of our children - that their hearts would understand the truth of God the Father's great love. (Ephesians 2:4-5)

"If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

All is quiet as I watch, the sun is shining so gloriously on all that is buried deep. The old nature, buried with Christ is forever gone - the Spirit brought about adoption

and we cry, "Abba Father." Do we shine this same joy and trust in our Heavenly Father.

We can have a sure confidence in the Father's love for His children. He will not let us fall, though we face different calamities of this life, though at times our struggles may be great - nothing can separate us from His love - our hope is everlasting peace and joy with the Father - our hope is eternal.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

How to Eat a Cantaloupe on a Roller coaster

2012-01-18T10:43:00.000-08:00

Children do not always clean up after themselves. Crumbs are often found under the dining room table. Faces and hands need constant washings. Clothes seem to dirty themselves. Tummies always seem to get hungry - just when breakfast has been completed, lunch begins. Noises creep around every corner of the house. How does one remain quiet in the midst of chaos?

Sometimes my energy is low. Sometimes my teething baby is up at least 3 or 4 times throughout the night and my three year is ready to start his day at 6 in the morning. Sometimes I'm just plain tired. Sometimes I feel anything but quiet within myself - as the roller coaster beings to turn into its drop, unrest within myself seems ready to break through - I can barely keep it in.

My children need me all the time. I'm a snack maker, house cleaner, clothes washer, floor sweeper, toy organizer, book reader, meal maker, kitchen cleaner, toilet scrubber, monster hunter, Lego finder...the ups and downs of motherhood, just when one toy is picked up - another falls to the ground. The roller coaster never seems to stop.

But I wouldn't change it for the world. At least that is what I'm telling myself - as much as I have to....

This year is all about reminders - every day is all about reminders. I need to remind myself to let go of the insanity within myself and love the ordinary all around me. Instead of fussing over the toys all over my living room floor, I'm learning to enjoy the toys all over my living room floor. Ordinary little messes can make this heart of mine rest in delight. Learning to delight myself in their kind of play. Learning to talk their language and bring myself into their wonderful imagination more and more. Allowing myself to live in a child's world instead of forcing them to grow up and live in mine. It turns out, life is more fun with smiles, giggles,wrestles and tickles.

Life is wonderful just the way it is....

lots of silly.....lack of sleep...never-ending food preparation...

but let's face it, sometimes its hard to see it that way. Our perspective is dirtied by our own selfishness. Seriously, how easy is it to maintain this kind of calm in the messy days of life. Its impossible.

On this roller coaster we call mama hood, how do we take the sweetest moments (usually the most ordinary) and tuck them deep inside your heart.

Bathe all things in prayer.

Nothing is impossible with God.

In the midst of everything, pray. Pray without ceasing. Pray for wisdom. Pray for strength. Pray for perspective. Meet with God in communication. Ask Him to make it possible through you. Pray while cleaning. Pray while preparing dinner. Pray while putting children to bed. Pray while playing. Pray while driing to the grocery store.

It seems when eyes are closed in prayer, when hearts are bowed down before the Throne of Grace - only than can we truly see the sweetest moments staring us right back in the face - you just have to slow down the roller coaster within yourself and rest all in Him. It is possible to find rest, peace, perspective - not within ourselves, but through prayer. Go to God where His peace will keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.

"...but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Dissolve my heart in thankfulness.

Keep me in Your Peace.

Pressing onward

2012-01-16T19:05:00.000-08:00

Time passes quickly. We are now half way through the first month of a new year. The day is half over and our children are growing up, growing taller before our very eyes. Little feet of one so small begin to take her first steps on this earth. Where does time go? Sometimes I wish I could just stop everything from changing. I love having my children this small. I love hearing the way they talk - wishing I could memorize each little word spoken in their little childish dialect. But someday they will be able to speak every word correctly and I will have forgotten the sound of their voices so small. Someday they won't get scared in the middle of the night and crawl into bed beside me, where they are safe and loved. Someday they won't need help with getting skates on and off, shoes tied, faces washed. Someday I won't have to wipe the walls of dirtied hands prints and stuck on food. Someday I will look up to them and wonder why the years had to hurry so quickly into adulthood.

Each year there are so many changes, we cannot stop the sand from falling through our fingers, escaping us like the very breath we breathe - Time cannot be held back. It keeps moving forward, the question is - are we lagging behind? For even though we say we love these times, there are still moments we so often waste. There are days we fail to live well. This is perhaps one of my greatest pains in life. How many times how I waned, delayed or failed to maintain the keeping up with relationships.

Relationships with my children, my husband, my parents, my sisters, brothers, friends, neighbors, my LORD.

On December 31st I made only one resolution that the prayer of my heart each day would speak, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." (Psalm 90:12) I recognize my need for Him. I need Him to teach me to number my days because I cannot do this alone. When I look back on the times I have tried to "arrange" things in proper order, I have desperately failed and hurt those around me. I have hurt them because of my own selfishness, discontent and pride. I am sure Moses felt the same way as he led the Israelites each day and saw their flippant attitudes of lukewarm spirit and they wasted 40 years wandering around in the desert. A parched place that would leave them cracked and worn. I do not want to waste my days just wandering around, complaining, floundering....Each day I need to come alongside my Savior in earnest prayer,

"Rabbi, show me how to number my days."

The idea of numbering our days means we must put things in order, we must set priorities as to what should take preference. How can this be done? How do we measure what is most important or more valuable? Romans 12 speaks of Whom we must focus on each day - to fix our eyes on Jesus, the perfecter of our faith. As we focus on Him, we learn how to number our days. We consider Him so that we will not grow weary and lose heart. We are told to throw off all that hinders, we cannot fix our eyes on Christ - if we are being hindered, we cannot possibly set eternal priorities if we are being hindered. We cannot number our days if we are being hindered. What is it that hinders us?

Do we spend too much time worrying about tomorrow or harbouring anger and bitterness from yesterday? Rid yourself of these. Live today. Forgive whatever grievances we may have against each other and live in peace. Laying all anxieties at the Throne of Christ.

Do we spend too much time thinking of how others are thinking of us or what others are doing? Rid yourself of these. Find your identity in the finished work of Christ.

Do we spend too much time caring for ourselves and our needs that we forget to care for the needs of others around us? Do we find ourselves acting more in selfishness rather than servant hood? Rid yourself of these. Have the same mind as Christ who did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing.

Do we spend too much time on the Internet, phone, etc - filling our days with mindless information rather than the words of Christ? Rid yourself of these. Be conformed by the renewing of your mind.

Rid ourselves, throw away these hindrances and run with perseverance. "Not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord...." (Romans 12:11)

Too many times I have lagged behind in diligence. I have failed to number my days by simply allowing these hindrances to overtake me. This year my hope is to live more intentionally as I fix my eyes on Jesus Christ - praying that He would teach me to number my days that I may not grow weary and lose heart.

I think of Ruth. She was diligent."She has continued from early morning until now without resting even for a moment." Verse 17 goes on to say she beats out what she has gleans, measures it and takes it home to Naomi. She cares for her widowed mother-in-law. She was also fervent in spirit. She was committed to relationships. Her own mother-in-law was embittered by life, but Ruth continued with her, serving her and loving her despite their circumstances. In the end, Naomi is again reminded of the Lord's kindness. He has not forsaken them. The light of God's love invaded her weary soul as it should ours - each day.

Teach us to number our days....

May we take the time to see His love everywhere...in the small, simple moments of each day.

In the quietness , as light shines in every corner

and in the midst of everything - pushing aside all that could possibly hinder us from maintaining that of eternal worth

and choosing instead to sit joyfully in the Light of His love, saturating ourselves in all that He is and savoring Him completely.

Emmanuel

2011-12-20T11:04:00.000-08:00

The wonder of it all,
The Creator wrapped Himself in flesh,
the King of Kings born in a stable,
to save His
people from the filth of sin.
The birth of One so Holy in Bethlehem begins the journey to Calvary
where He brings life to those dead in trespasses and sins.

What hope we have in Christ!
Though for a moment our hearts may grieve the loss - the sting of death is softened by His love.
His death gives us life.
Life that is not of this world.
It is a gift of God, given to those who believe in His Name and at His Name bow down
in willing acceptance to all His purposes.

His birth allows us to meet again.
Those who leave this world before us, without even taking their first breath
the child will be forever remembered
a longing in our hearts
and yet the Prince of Peace, He who has come so many years ago
knows of this longing and fills our hearts with hope as only He can do.

Because of His life and death
His Spirit strengthens even the weakest of mothers
His peace breaks through the broken heart
to heal and renew again

How beautiful the Mystery
God is with us
In our pain
In our sorrow
In our confusion

God is with us
One Day we will know of this Truth completely

Praise be to God for His indescribable Gift!
The Gift of Life
The Gift of Peace
The Gift of Hope and Sovereign Joy.

White as Snow

2011-11-18T07:53:00.000-08:00

My boys could hardly wait to get outside this morning just to touch the white flakes of winter. They were captivated by everything that lay around them. Giggles spoke of their wonder.

"When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of them,

the son of man that you care for them?"

"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us,

not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,

so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."

(Titus 3:4-7)

I love how children dive into each new day with fresh anticipation.

The failures of yesterday do not darken their hearts at daybreak.

We are to do the same.

God has saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit -

Not because of the the righteous things we have done,

But because of His mercy.

Our eternal hope does not depend on our successes -

His mercies are new every morning.

Complete renewal each morning.

May our praises speak of this wonder.

Trusting God when we Cannot Trace Him

2011-11-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

The sand on the shore sticks to his pants. He picks up a handful and feels the sand between his fingers, carefully examining each little grain. This young boy takes time to notice the smallest detail, the texture and all the differences combined. All is quiet as he considers.

There are trillions and billions of tiny grains of sand in this world. Each grain unique, created by the erosion and weathering of rock and tossed around by wind and water until gathered together on land. Though at first it may appear insignificant, only to be trampled on underfoot, sand is used to provide strength in construction materials such as concrete and some types of sand are used in the manufacture of glass. Though sand is loose and fragmented it can help create something beautiful.

How often can we feel just as insignificant as a tiny grain of sand? We are all different, facing different battles, with different perspectives caused by differences in growing up. The pains of life have caused erosion of heart. We are weathered, we have been beaten down and tossed aside, some more than others. After years of struggle we may view ourselves as fragmented, but even weathered jars of clay can be used for something beautiful. Something as beautiful as doing all for the glory of God. Something as beautiful as using our pain to bring glory to God, allowing Him to shape our hearts and soften our tears as we see Him keeping us through all the storms of life.

The thing is, we are not insignificant to Him. The God of the Universe has promised to work all things together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

This is God's work and His work is not based on my experience but on His ever abounding grace. A tiny grain of sand is not lost to its Creator as a child of His is never forgotten. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

"God is wonderful in His design and excellent in His working. Believer, God overrules all things for your good. The needs-be for all that you have suffered, has been most accurately determined by God. Your course is all mapped out by your Lord. Nothing will take Him by surprise. There will be no novelties to Him. There will be no occurrences which He did not foresee, and for which, therefore, He has not provided. He has arranged all, and you have but to patiently wait, and you shall sing a song of deliverance. Your life has been arranged on the best possible principles, so that if you had been gifted with unerring wisdom, you would have arranged a life for yourself exactly similar to the one through which you have passed. Let us trust God where we cannot trace Him." (Charles Spurgeon)

It is good when a soul learns to wait patiently, trusting completely in the One who directs our path. Though we cannot trace Him, we walk near Him. Though we lack understanding, He in His infinite wisdom will lead us.

Let me hear joy and gladness (Psalm 51)

2011-11-02T11:29:00.000-07:00

Lovin' the sight of my two boys playing in the backyard today. After many dreary days just the sight of them all covered in sand with rosy cheeks, bright smiles and infectious giggles makes my heart want to burst.

Lovin' the sweet smiles of my baby girl all throughout the day.

Lovin' the memories of last week-end when one of my favorite out-of-towners stopped by.

Lovin' that my sister and sister-in-law love me enough to point me to Christ in everything.

Lovin' looking after this home, all to make a haven of peace and rest.

Lovin' the smell of coffee and lovin' my husband for bringing me one.

Lovin' my husband for all his sincerity, integrity and patience.

Lovin' the quiet joy of sitting in the sunshine reading from God's book. I will not rush this day.

The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion - Psalm 116:5

Everything of this day, all that I'm lovin' is completely undeserved.

We fail, we falter, we wander, we fall.

Because in the midst of these sweet moments there are many sour ones.

A boy who refuses to eat his lunch.
A kitchen counter full of dirty dishes.
A hurting couple, married 35 + years who continue to give up, leaving grown children saddened and discouraged.
A brother lost, somewhere in the city because of an undiagnosed illness.
Harsh words spoken, phone calls ignored, empty arms that long for a child.
Emptiness because of sin.

And yes,

He is full of compassion. And that is why I see any good in all of this.

In the midst of giggles, phone conversations, laundry, visits, smiles and sunshine there is a fountain of gracious compassion. A place He gently restores those who are hurting and discouraged. He restores the joy of your salvation - the joy of knowing the God of all compassion.

Return to your rest, my soul,

for the LORD has been good to you.

It is of his mercies that we are not consumed. Let those who labour and are heavy laden come to him, that they may find rest to their souls; and if at all drawn from their rest, let them haste to return, remembering how bountifully the Lord has dealt with them. We should deem ourselves bound to walk as in his presence. It is a great mercy to be kept from being swallowed up with over-much sorrow. It is a great mercy for God to hold us by the right hand, so that we are not overcome and overthrown by a temptation. But when we enter the heavenly rest, deliverance from sin and sorrow will be complete; we shall behold the glory of the Lord, and walk in his presence with delight we cannot now conceive.

I will receive the cup of affliction; that cup, that bitter cup, which is sanctified to the saints, so that to them it is a cup of salvation; it is a means of spiritual health. The cup of consolation; I will receive the benefits God bestows upon me, as from his hand, and taste his love in them, as the portion not only of mine inheritance in the other world, but of my cup in this. (Matthew Henry)

Maternity Photography

2011-11-01T10:11:00.000-07:00

A play date became a perfect opportunity for some pre-baby pictures. I loved taking pictures of these adorable children and their loving mother and she was gracious enough to let me enjoy this "hobby."

Its beautiful to see a family grow in love and grace with each other. Its amazing how something so small can change a person from the inside out.

I think with anything in life, any changes - no matter how small - we are constantly learning more of God who changeth not.

The most important thing we can do for each other

2011-10-25T11:21:00.000-07:00

We pray for our children each day. We love them, we cherish them and we recognize the most important thing we can do for them is continually pray for each one. We can spend hours teaching them, we can spend time talking with them and speaking of our love but nothing compares to coming before God in prayer and asking for wisdom and continued mercy. Pleading on their behalf that He would draw them to the Cross and forever transforms their hearts.

This is the most important thing we can do for each other. We all do thing differently. We each see things through different eyes, different paths of long ago cause our minds to think differently and our approach may vary. If we are not careful these differences can separate, paths may divide and hearts can hurt. Is it important that we all see things the same? Is it important that we all use the same method?

Should differences of opinion divide the body of Christ?

One child takes a bus to school and another child learns at home.

One mother wears her baby in a sling while the other pushes her child in a stroller.

One family buys all things organic.

One father golfs on Saturdays.

We all have different ways of doing things. How good for me to remember it is not important whether everyone does what I do, but that I pray for each one in what they are doing. Instead of causing division, offer up prayer.

God never commanded us to be united in methods. We are told to be united in love and what better way to do this than to pray for one another.

To pray that each parent would be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

To pray for each child that they may be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God." Phil 1:9-

makes me smile

2011-10-19T17:29:00.000-07:00

Now this is the way to live.

Meeting with friends after months apart and loving every moment.

Meeting new people who without hesitancy become playground mates and sliding buddies.

Sharing heart-felt laughs with others, real throw -your -head back laughs that captivate your whole being.

Forgetting about the gray skies and only focusing on what really matters, the one next to you.

Breathing in and breathing out - living life as it was intended,

with this kind of intense, over-whelming and utterly contagious joy.

May the joy of the Lord and His overwhelming goodness invade your heart this night.

Enjoy a laugh out loud.

Hopeful Expectations

2011-10-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

They had spent the years wandering through the desert only to look at the walls of Jericho with fear and discouragement. How could they even conquer what lay in front of them? Joshua stood strong and commanded them to wait on the Lord. Just walk and wait. Great advice for anyone today who may feel the weight of discouragement, wondering if you will ever conquer what lay before you.

Wait but continue walking.

When days are darkened by discouragement we must wait. We wait while sitting with our children, holding them close as we read another story of God's love. We wait while the children swing from monkey bars and play tag with other children. We wait as we walk along the way, watching our children pick up leaves and sticks. We wait as we prepare dinner and dishes dirty, crumbs fall to the floor and empty tummies are filled again. We wait as we sweep the floor, straigthened the pillows, do the laundry, pick up the toys, clean the bathroom. We wait as we hold our crying babies close, as we feel their skin and smell their scent. We wait as we nurse the baby and teach our children of the many wonders of this world. We wait as we smile, laugh, cry. We wait as we love our husbands, sort their socks, make their tea, hug them when they return home. We wait as we watch the leaves dance to the ground and create a blanket of color. We wait as we talk to our children about far-away castles and brave young soliders. We wait as we call a friend just to say hello. We wait as we take a meal to a hurting neighbor or visit a friend in the hospital.

We wait as we obey His command to love others more than ourselves. We wait as we lay down our own lives, pick up our cross and follow Him- not knowing where the road will lead but quiet as we listen for the Shepherd's voice. We wait as we serve Him in word and deed.

The Israelites were commanded to walk around the city for seven days and on the 7th day walk about the city 7 times. I wonder what they began to think after the 2nd, 3rd or 4th day. Perhaps they began doubting - is this really what we should be doing? It seems a little mundane, don't you think? Wouldn't it be more beneficial to organize a battle plan or at least start chipping away at the wall just to help it come down? Maybe we should...just to anything else but this walking around and around. Obviously if they had any kind of doubt they chose instead to listen to what God had told them through Joshua. They chose to listen to the One who had shown Himself mighty and faithful throughout the years instead of listening to their fickle hearts of failing strength.

God commands us to wait also. "Wait on the Lord; be strong and let your HEART take courage; yes, wait on the Lord."

We may look around us and begin to doubt. Perhaps we ask ourselves - is this really what we should be doing? It seems a little mundane, don't you think? I'm sure we know of a million other ways that could help us in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in, but God commands us only to wait on Him.

When we wait there is a quietness of soul. Instead of doubt and fear looming in the shadows there is a quiet expectation that God is working even when we cannot see. This sort of waiting requires an understanding of who God is and what He has done. We wait as the moon of the darkest night waits for the dawn of day. It waits and shines the brightness of something greater. We wait though we cannot see the sun behind the clouds, we wait in belief that it still shines - even when the sky continues to weep drenching the earth with its tears.

"But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever. I will give Thee thanks forever, because Thou has done it, and I will wait on Thy Name, for it is good." Psalm 52:8,9
If on the darkest day, when the greatest discouragement has opened wide the door of doubt, if we learn this one lesson from God spoken to the Israelites long ago: to be strong and take courage in the Lord, to seek His Face and walk in His ways, only then can we stand firm with hopeful expectation. The loving kindness of our God is unsearchable - as a child confidently waits for his father to hear him - how much more will our heavenly Father hear the cries of our heart and supply our need. He is good and you are His child. Trust in His promises. He who has called you is faithful.

We gave Thanks. We give Thanks

2011-10-13T11:09:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful week-end spent with family. A sweet time of fireside pizza dinner, two giggling boys, hiking, campfires, s'mores, coffee, driving, conversation, laughter, the sweetest baby girl, prayer, turkey, brothers and sisters, grandparents, babies, playful children, coloured leaves, bright blue skies, a terrific husband who just happens to be my best friend and constant reminders of God's faithfulness everywhere.

Our hearts were filled with blessing and we gave thanks.

I am so happy for those times of sweetness. They seem to fill you up for the darker days ahead.

Will we continue to give thanks even when the skies turn from blue to gray?

What joy in trusting the One who never changes. The rain may fall after the sun has shone, sickness may come after health has been enjoyed, tears may fall after laughter, coloured leaves may drop to the ground leaving the tree empty and bare, family may disappoint, children may get tired and grumpy and a mother may feel the weight of this life through different aches and pains.

Our hearts are filled with suffering and we give thanks.

I am so happy for those times of bitter sweetness. They seem to fill me up with anticipation for those eternal days ahead.

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We know that pain reminds this heart that this is not our home.

(Laura Story)

Thanking God for all His mercies in disguise.

He is tender. He sneaks in many hugs throughout the day just to speak of his strong and loyal love. He is the run-in-your-arms kind of boy whenever he sees you return to him. He laughs and laughs and brings this house down with all his fun and antics. He loves his siblings with all the passion he can muster. His happiness is contagious and the twinkle in his eye can catch you at any moment. He will give the shirt of his back and let you have the very last bite of his favorite chocolate bar. He teaches us what it is to live the moment and drink in the joy of everyday. He loves to snuggle and laughs out loud anytime the tickle monster wanders by. He listens to everything even when it looks like he's not listening. He is sincere and we love him.

My older son who has a depth, a real compassion for his family. He is helpful and loving to those in need. He continues to give all that he can. He has a thirst for the things of God and a love for God's people. He is a sensitive soul and watches everything so intently. He thinks carefully through things before he does anything. He tries hard to fill his father's boots, all he wants to be is a man of his word. A good, kind man of integrity and honor. His innocent, heart-felt prayers reflect this desire. He recognizes his short-comings and prays that he might stand strong like Daniel, Joseph and all the other mighty men of the Bible who placed their hope in God. He is sweet and we love him.

My little girl, her smile lights up my whole world. I have never met a more contented child in my life. She is lovely and most precious in spirit. Her eyes sparkle almost constantly. She sits with Noah, her steady brother and she grins at Micah, he can always make her smile. She is our little princess. The little girl I have always longed for . Her little voice is like music to our ears. Everything about her is feminine, everything about her is lovely.

The beauty that comes from fallen trees, the beauty of embracing all the is given even when all is taken away.

The grace of sovereign love which reminds me of all that fades today will be forgotten in our eternal home tomorrow - where tears no longer wet the face and pain will cease forever.

Leaves that continue to hang on. There is beauty in this kind of strength.

It is quiet and still.

The kindness of a husband and father who never stops giving, serving, leading and loving.
His faith is build on Christ and his steps are guided by God alone.
His words encourage, his actions inspire me everyday.
His friendship is irreplaceable. He listens to my ramblings and laughs at my jokes.
We laugh together at the funnies of life. We just love being together and take any moment we can to do so.
He is the true love of my life. My heart still flutters when I see him and I silently wonder why I was so lucky to have become his wife.
We both love people but we need our quiet, alone times - just us - to recharge.
He makes me smile. He holds my heart tenderly. He is a shoulder to cry on, a big man to hug.
When he plays the piano all my troubles melt away. I am his biggest fan.
On the crazy days, he makes me dinner.
On the rainy days, he brings me coffee.
I can hear the boys laughing when they see his truck pulling up into the driveway - that is just the kind of man he is...
everyone misses him when he is away.
He is strong yet gentle.
A wise man who builds his house upon the Rock.

Take time to count your blessings, even the ones in disguise.

Her Name was Miriam

2011-09-29T19:06:00.000-07:00

A life well-lived is rare. A life that chose to serve in quiet ways through motherhood and marriage, holding on through prayer, facing adversity with sure confidence in God has now entered complete rest. We go to celebrate her life. Her husband, her children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends gather around, most know her well, they are the children she bore, loved and taught - a husband she walked beside for almost 70 years; some know of her through fond memories told to them by others.

As a teenager, I would visit her while my younger brother took piano lessons down the street from them. However, my fondest memories were when I worked as a nurse in training at the home for the aged. She was old and frail in body and needed assistance but wise and strong in spirit and offered much insight. Many who worked beside me took notice of her faith.

A happy summer for me, the ring on my finger spoke of my upcoming marriage to her fine grandson. She knew of this joy and rejoiced with me, but I could not help but sense her knowledge of what was to come - she knew all about a marriage commitment, built on the solid truth of God's word. I saw the sparkle in her eye. This was a woman who had loved for many years. A woman aged in wisdom and grace. I was a young romantic with dreams and ideals.She was a woman who displayed quiet strength, humor and much graciousness. I was blessed to have known her that summer. What I remember most was the way she prayed. In her wheelchair by her night table with Bible close by. She prayed often.

Her quiet life has left behind footprints to follow.

Though death has taken her breath, she now takes in the breath of eternal life in the pure presence of God. She has persevered and now her eyes can see Him, the One whom she loved and served for so many years.

Is this what is means to love God with all heart, soul and mind. Her heart was fixed on Christ, her soul found rest in Him and her mind was centered on Him. We hear this as her children speak, they rise up and call her blessed. They remember her prayers, her humor and her character. They know her well and she loved them well. A mother of excellence.

The footprints she has left behind are hard to follow. In order to walk one must pick up the cross and follow Him. It a life of worship and devotion to the Master. She walked with her Savior and faithfully served Him. She loved her husband, her children and those who knew her. Her love was an act of worship and God was glorified.

I will think of her on my hard "trench-like" days as mother. She has gone before me. She has walked this road, away from the spot light but beneath the cross of Jesus, her Life and Light. Others have passed away this year. Politicians, musicians, historians - those who were rich in what this life had to offer - lives lived in the spotlight, we knew of their achievements and hundreds gathered to pay their respects.

Only Twenty-five gathered the day of her funeral and many will never know of her. Yet now she reigns with her Lord Jesus Christ on high. She finished her race well.

The rainbow we saw coming home from the funeral.

"Give me Father, a purpose deep, in joy or sorrow Thy Word to keep.

Faithful and true whatever the strife, pleasing thee in my daily life...

And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say "twas worth it all."

when children pierce the heart

2011-09-27T11:06:00.000-07:00

It should not surprise us when it happens and yet we are somewhat taken back when it does. We know each child has been born into sin but culture has challenged our thinking and we have unknowingly succumbed to it and we are quick to applaud one's perfection rather than the glories of salvation. Even though we understand what scripture teaches, our words can sometimes smear what we do not wish to speak. For example, even something as innocent as..."It was so sweet when Tommy shared his toy with Timmy....what a good boy" can really mislead a young child. He walks away believing he is good instead of understanding his desperate need for God's mercy and goodness. I am not saying we should never voice expressions of appreciation and only speak of their inherent wickedness - It is important to encourage. However, all speech should point to Christ. All encouragement must be found in Christ. My children are not good but Jesus Christ is perfect. If I am placing their good behavior on who they are as a person, I am misrepresenting the gospel. We are dead in trespasses and sin. We are by nature children of wrath. We are in need of a Savior and His righteousness.If I am placing their good behavior on who they are as a person, I am placing more importance on works rather than heart-transforming grace. Our focus must be on Christ and His redeeming work.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

It is amazing how children can mirror our own souls. We learn so much about our sin as we deal with their sin.

As children they can pierce our hearts. They are sinful beings, though some profess salvation, their sin will still grieve us as parents. Children grow up and leave home and abandon the faith. How do we deal with this kind of spiritual grief? I think of Job, he offered sacrifices on behalf of his children. Do we plead for our children at the mercy seat of Christ? Is this where we spend our time? In humble acknowledgement of God's power and great love?

It is amazing how children can mirror our own souls.What we see in them is often well hidden in us.

As children we grieve the heart of our Heavenly Father. I spoke with my child the other day about his ungratefulness. I was hurt that he would ask for something more after I gave him everything I had available. I was hurt because I loved him and wanted to bless him and his response was one of dissatisfaction and because of this attitude he refused the blessing. He grumbled and was sent to his room in order to quiet his heart and think upon the ways in which we show him love each day, but not only us - ways in which His heavenly Father displays His even greater love for him each day. In order for him to realize the weight of his sin, I wanted his focus to be on God and on His rich mercy and love. Even though God does not choose to give us everything we want, He continues to give us more than we deserve. God is good and He does bless us, sometimes we must quiet our hearts and close our eyes in order to see the blessings of the day and receive them fully. When we grumble we are not rejoicing in His goodness and in rejoicing in Him is fullness of life. Job could say, "blessed be the Name of the Lord." Even when your soul gives way, there is blessing in the Name of Jesus. There is hope. This hope is not based on a life of plenty but on God who is all sufficient in supplying our every need. "When all within my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay."

My own heart was pricked. How could I not see my own sin of ungratefulness? I grumble. My perfect heavenly Father blesses me each day and I am too busy looking at what I did not get that I forget to thank Him for what He has given. I am too busy complaining about the desert like conditions that I fail to see the manna falling from heaven. When my heart murmurs within me, I mirror ungratefulness to my children. I cannot imagine how this would pierce His most holy heart. I am a stubborn child and yet Jesus Christ prays for me! He prayed to His father the night before His crucifixion and He intercedes for us now in heaven. We are His children, we are weak and frail, our faith is small and He prays for us! What a thought!

How we must pray for our children. When my children displease me I'm reminded again of the Holy Spirit's work and I plead for them at the Throne of Grace. I plead because I see their rebellion. They are like sheep who have gone astray in desperate need of a Shepherd. I see their desire to place themselves on the throne of their hearts and rule supreme just as Adam and Eve in the garden. They need a Savior!

The most important thing we can do for our children is pray. We too have grieved the Father but Jesus Christ continues to intercede for us and He is our example. We are not good. We will fail but Christ is all-sufficient. He is rich in mercy and grace - He is rich, He has an endless supply of grace for our children! We must conintue to go to Him and confess our sins, admit our weakness and consider His beautiful garments of righteousness. Dressed in His righteousness alone we pray before the throne. Let us pray for our children and place our hope in Christ alone.

We pray for their salvation (Isaiah 45:8, 2 Tim 2:10)

We pray that they may grow in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18)

We pray that they would have pure hearts (Titus 1:15)

We pray that they would develop a strong love for God's word (Psalm 19:10)

We pray that they would love justice and mercy (Micah 6:8)

We pray that they would be given a spirit of unity with all believers (Romans 15:5-6)

We pray that they would persevere (Hebrews 12:1)

We pray that they would develop servant hearts (Eph 6:7)

We pray they would overflow with hope (Romans 15:13)

We pray that they would love integrity (Psalm 25:21)

We pray they would have a passion for God and His glory in all things (Psalm 63:8)

We pray they would live rejoicing in Him (Phil 4:4)

Outdoor Education

2011-09-22T19:34:00.000-07:00

Noah's self portrait.

We took advantage of the afternoon quiet ( with two little ones sleeping) and enjoyed taking school outdoors. I love the flexibility of home-schooling and the one on one time, just mother and son. I love the way he thinks and how much he loves to learn. I love how everything in this marvelous world of learning clearly points us to the God of all Creation, Lord of Heaven and Earth.

A great day of sunshine, story books, science experiments, and coffee (for me.)

An eager learner.

We learned about the Australian Brush turkey. Noah made a little "compost" nest for some of his "turkey" eggs (that he took from my fridge.)

"Give your a child a single valuable idea, and you have done more for his education than if you had laid upon his mind the burden of bushels of information." (Charlotte Mason)

Noah's photography skill.

When Micah awoke he enjoyed going on a quiet bug hunt.

So much to discover.

Maria's favorite toy.

Trying to get it...

A book my mother used when she was a child.

...from youngest to oldest...

Something new.

Another picture taken by Noah.

Caught it!

“Boredom shouldn't be a problem for God's children--our Heavenly Father is so creative and delights in blessing us with ideas and opportunities to learn and grow in Him every single day of our lives--in sunshine and in rain, and warm weather and in cold!”

what children teach us

2011-09-21T05:17:00.000-07:00

A child understands that a friend will laugh at the not-so-funny knock-knock jokes. They understand that laughter should be shared with those we love and used freely.

A child understands the joy of holding someone close to their heart. They understand the precious blessing of life. They love because they want to...

The best kind of friend is the one you can sit on a chair with and never say a word and yet all is understood.

Friends can accept anything

about you.

"A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out. "

~ Grace Pulpit

Even when the arm of a chair becomes more interesting than the person you're sitting beside...

a friend understands.

"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart. "

~ Elisabeth Foley

Purest Devotion

2011-09-20T04:47:00.000-07:00

Evening air fell down like blankets around her, the air was heavy and she felt the burden completely. The time was fast approaching. On the roof she could hear the faint hum of conversation below. The warm breeze caused the olive leaves to stir, her own heart felt moved within her as she stood up to leave, how could she wait any longer? She knew what others thought of her, she understood the customs of the day and yet she felt compelled to go and give what she had treasured for so long. After breathing in deeply, she gathered the cool, white jar in her hands and thought of its rich aroma. With alabaster jar in hand she walked until she reached the place. Peering through the doorway she could see the crowd of men reclining on thin mats at a low table, how could she enter, she had not been invited to dine with them but only to help serve with her sister Martha.

In their eyes she was not important, but she did not care about self-importance, she only cared about being near Him in worship. She had been broken, in desperate need of His forgiveness and He had lovingly taken the pieces of her hurting heart and carefully mended them together. What was once nothing but emptiness had become complete with forgiveness. All she wanted now was to anoint Him with the finest perfume, the most precious thing she owned in order to speak of His beauty, such beauty beyond description. This anointment would speak of humble worship, though small in comparison to His greatness, there was no other way for her to acknowledge Him as God and Savior. She had to give what was most valuable to her. She stood still, hardly able to move at the thought of what would soon take place - her sin would cost Him greatly, her tears began to fall. Again, her heart felt overwhelmed with emotion and her feet hurried to Him.

She entered, fully aware of the stares and whispers around her. Without hesitancy, she walked over to the place where He sat, many narrowed eyes watched her in surprise. She knelt down in fear and reverence. At that moment she completely forgot about those around the table watching. It was all about Him, He had freed her captive heart and now she was captivated by His love. She couldn't help but respond in worship. With trembling hands she broke the jar, all spilled out, bowed down broken and contrite before Him she knelt in worship. The whole house was filled with the intoxicating smell of the purest of nard, the silence in the home was deafening until she began to weep. With tears she washed His feet, untied her hair and dried them. In love she surrendered all at His feet. The feet that would soon walk the path to Calvary. The feet that spoke of God the Son who came down to us the guilty, wrapped Himself in skin only to bare the wrath of His holy Father. Spikenard strikes the body of sin for death (Rom 6:6) - Mary displayed her desire to partake in the life that is in Christ Jesus through His death and resurrection. She chose to die to self in order to fully live in Christ.

The people in the room were becoming increasingly uncomfortable. What an embarrassment she had caused. Jewish woman were not to untie their hair in public (1 Cor 11:15) and yet Mary was not concerned with customs and expectations of people, she took the place of a servant and was only concerned with what would please her Master. She dismantled her glory to enjoy His presence. Many around the table thought with self-righteous indignation, "This fine perfume is equal to a man's yearly wage. What a waste!" The air was thick with judgement and ridicule, yet she continued to worship in oblivion, completely captured by Him. This was no waste. True worship is never a waste. In surrender she gave all. She recognized her place before Him and with her heart freed from all else, she adored Him and would abandon all else just to worship Him.

The aroma of such extravagant cost filled the room. The men continued to grumble until His words spoke to protect her. He recognized what she had done. "The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me." (Mark 14:6-8) She treasured the beauty of Christ in her heart - from within her contrite heart poured out deep gratitude and adoration. He was altogether lovely. Just a few days earlier he had raised Lazarus from the dead. Many had wondered in amazement. She too had been made alive in Jesus and her response is one of marvel as she worshipped in amazement and awe.

"...But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved."

This was her place. She was alive in Christ! She did not have the gifts of service or hospitality as her sister Martha, she was not the most versed or important in that room. However, all this did not matter to her. The call of spikenard is to be dispossessed of our own life. It was expensive, it cost a year's wage - to empty it all as worship is to empty oneself of all that we might idolize within ourselves. To be dispossessed of your life is to have no self, no reputation, no glory. It is to boast only in the cross of Christ and in His amazing work of salvation. She found her identity in Christ and was swept away by His great love. She understood she had been nothing, she was dead in trespasses and sins until the rich mercies of Christ made her alive.

Mary found her identity in Christ. She could stand without fear before those who would judge her and pour out her worship to the One who loved her. There was no struggle within her, only joy and peace as she considered the greatness of His love....for her. Her life was transformed by Him and she chose to worship Him with everything she had to offer. Surrender of self, adoration of Him. Her response to His kindness was one of deep satisfaction. She needed nothing else. Nothing else would define her. His love and forgiveness had given her a new heart - she was now His child.

What is our response to His kindness? Where do we stand this day? Do we struggle to define ourselves as most organized, most creative, most gifted, most successful, having the most well-behaved or educated children, having children, married to the best husband or being the best cook with the biggest house? What we view as important will have our devotion. " For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matt 6:21)

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ."

Amazing that we could ever be brought near. Are we enjoying the nearness of our Savior?

OR...

"Are you content to follow Jesus from a distance? O, let me affectionately warn you for it is a grievous thing when we can live contentedly without the present enjoyment of the Savior’s face. Let us work to feel what an evil thing this is – little love to our own dying Savior, little joy in our precious Jesus, little fellowship with the Beloved! Hold a true Lent in your in your souls, while you sorrow over your hardness of heart. Don’t stop at sorrow. Remember where you first received salvation. Go at once to the cross. There, and there only can you get your spirit aroused. No matter how hard, how insensible, how dead we may have become, let’s go again in all the rags and poverty, and defilement of our natural condition. Let’s clasp that cross, let’s look into those languid eyes, let’s bathe in that fountain filled with blood – this will bring us back to our first love; this will restore the simplicity of our faith, and the tenderness of our heart….The more we dwell where the cries of Calvary can be heard the more noble our lives become. Nothing puts life into men like a dying Savior." (Charles Spurgeon)

Everyday Treasures

2011-09-12T11:09:00.000-07:00

A wagon bought from Sears years ago with marks of use and age, can only become something new for one who is creative enough to discover. He finds this piece of rusted metal and considers for a moment...

A boy can never have too many "machines."

I love how little ones can enjoy and learn much from something we might just toss aside. They help us look with wonder at the world around us, not just at the beautiful treasures in far off places but at all the simple treasures right at our fingertips - even the worn-out ones long forgotten. The treasure of just loving the everyday, no matter how simple. Dirty dishes that tell of full tummies or left over pieces of paper from a 5 year old's masterpiece of art - this is the life I live and to really live I must keep my eyes open to the beauty all around me.

(Homeschooled) Kids on the Block

2011-09-05T14:03:00.000-07:00

We are just about to begin our 2nd year of homeschooling. I'm overwhelmed, excited and nervous. How can a mother with a babe in arms even begin to teach? I will probably ask myself that question every morning. I'm hoping to remain as focused as I am now, but I know even my eyes will grow dim and my strength will weaken. What a comfort to know, I can give what I am able, taking of what God so willingly supplies and I can press on with anticipation, joyfully expecting God to fulfill all our needs.

Our focus this year is refreshing. In our home we would like to see more emphasis placed on living: Thankfully, Authentically, Thoughtfully and Simply. This will be the focus of our home-based education.

...who says homeschooled kids can't be cool...! ;)

Wherever you are, whevever your children learn - give what you are able, take of what God so willingly supplies and press on with anticipation, joyfully expecting God to fulfill all your needs as you seek to do His will.

Going Crazy

2011-09-01T13:04:00.000-07:00

It saddened me. While shopping with my three little ones, 5 years and younger, a lady stopped to say, "I bet you'll be glad when school starts." In the past I have always just smiled graciously in awkward passivity, but now I have a 5 year old who understands exactly what is being said and he listens for my answer. I still smiled but this time words tumbled out,

"Not really. I love having my children near me. Though its crazy, I love this kind of crazy." The lady was taken back and smiled in surprise. Noah was built up, his mama loves spending time with him!

I know this type of stranger comment is completely harmless. It just starts a conversation, it is built on frustration - mama's are tired, they need a break and those kind of comments just recongize that kind of need.

I know motherhood can be crazy, but can I love it, embrace it and treasure the fleeting minutes instead of wishing them all away?

This dear lady noticed something. I am busy.

If you happen to enjoy the incessant sound of a broken record, you would enjoy spending time in our home. Some days, it feels as though each instruction spoken is stuck on repeat. But everyday, something strange happens. The day begins to fall into night. Beautiful, lively and adventurous boys sleep. They breathe slow and steady. I breathe slow and steady. The silence of the cool night air is welcoming to tired lungs. I breathe thanksgiving. But than I walk downstairs, the sight almost overwhelms me.

In this busy home, some days just seem too short. Others must experience a normal 24hr day, but my day pleads desperately for added minutes, even seconds just to simply complete something...anything. How can dinner creep up on me like a shawdow.

Evening creeps, I glance around this "playful" nest,becoming increasingly tired as I think of what still needs to get done. In some corners of the house a tornado of two busy boys have struck down leaving massive disruption. However, what appears as mess to my eyes was simply just a store for hungry dinasoars, a farm of stuffed animals or a classroom of plastic soliders fenced in by books laying piled high on the "sparkled" couch. I breathe in deeply, instead of thanksgiving, I fight grumbles and heavy sighs. I appreciate their creativity, I love the sound of their laughter, but sometimes I struggle with "the housekeeping blahs" and wonder of those dreams that lay dusty and forgotton.

Accomplishment seems to be found only in far off places where order and excessive time exist, not here. For just as breakfast dishes are cleaned up, a sorry glass of milk falls to the newly washed floors. (Floors that were washed hours after wee ones retired to bed the night before.) How can one accomplish anything when it seems as all nature works against?

Maybe the stranger was right.

The cool night air begins to calm my frazzled mind. Why is this sense of accomplishment so important to me and why do I find such worth in doing something but than find myself just to tired to complete anything?

According to Webster, accomplishment is simply defined as the act of completion. The antomyn of accomplishment is failure. When we fail to complete, we may struggle with thoughts of inadequecy and in the world's eye, this is something to be avoided at all costs. People seem quick to remind us of our need to rid ourselves of nuisances that hinder "me" time, that hinder real accomplishment. But how can we measure success and accomplishment? Can running outside with children, catching insects, playing on swings, listening to laughter and simply just being there and present - can't these count for something? You have accomplished living the moment and blessing those around you. Yes, the house cannot clean itself and eyes would love to close for an afternoon slumber but what if we place more value on our children and less on the "to-do" list on the fridge - what would this look like?

Its our longings that make us weary. We long for sleep and our children need us through the night. We long for order and our children need a place to live and play. We long for nourishment and refreshment but our children need to eat and sleep, we just need to keep going. We long for control over our changing bodies, but bearing children has imprinted on us the mark of motherhood. We long for value, but culture degrages our decisions.

But perhaps our longings are misplaced. Instead of longing for self, what if we longed more for our children to know of their value. To know they are made in the image of God and that He has made a Way for them to know Him completely, abundantly. When they wake in the middle of the night, stealing our sleep, we pray over them and calm their fears. When they use all the folded blankets to make a tent in the living room, we crawl inside with their favorite book and let their world unfold. When they make mudpies in the backyard, we let go of the "Martha Stewart" standard of clean floors and join them in mud-baking fun. Insted of seeking value for ourselves, we willing pour ourselves out and see the little ones around us as most valuable.

Instead of worrying about all that has yet to be completed, we look to the One who will complete. Something is being completed.

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Phillipians `1:6)

There will be a day when all in me will be complete. I must rest and allow life to happen, to enfold in ways that surprise me. Houses turned upside down in laughter and play are homes where love has room to abound more and more.

"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

My feet quickly walk upstairs, I watch my children sleep and can hardly wait for tomorrow. Yes, it is busy and to those who pass by I might look crazy, but instead of wallowing in frustration, I put away those empty feelings of perfection and failure. I push aside thoughts of what society views as normal and healthy and I take hold of what is truly excellent. Children are a reward from the Lord. Even though they may take everything from us, this service is of excellence to God. Oh, may He fill us with fruits of rigtheousness until we find ourselves completely satisfied in Him and renewed again by His grace. We are filled and renewed, overflowing with joy - lovin' this kind of crazy to the glory and praise of God!

"Oh how sweet to work for God all day, and then lie down at night beneath His smile." (Robert m'chenyne)

Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.” (Francis Chan)

Take Hold of Faith, Lacking Nothing

2011-08-29T11:20:00.000-07:00

In the garden it began, a searching for something that would satisfy, apart from God alone. A searching after self to feel complete instead of pleasing God completely. This desire for longing replaced trust. In the garden, Eve walked with question in her heart and tasted of that which she believed would complete her and it didn't. Instead she stood ashamed, hiding and lacking.

Adam chose to taste also and through him "sin entered the world... and death through sin."

Sin, whatever is not from faith ( Romans 14:23) speaks of our failure to trust God. Our failure to trust God ignites in us a longing for something more. We fail to trust God with our family and there lies worry; we fail to trust God with our future and there lies emptiness; we fail to trust God with our money and there lies greed ; we fail to trust God with our happiness and there lies worldly pleasure; we fail to trust God with our hearts and there lies idol worship; we fail to trust God with our joy and there lies sadness; we fail to trust God with our answers and there lies questions; we fail to trust God with our hurts and there lies bitterness. We fail to trust God as our only hope and there lies all that is meaningless, a searching after the wind.

Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. (Eccelesiates 2:11)

In the garden, Adam and Eve failed to trust God with their lives. They wanted more for themselves, they wanted better. This yearning for self led to complete seperation from God. This is where we stood and still would stand apart from saving faith, apart from grace, apart from the Garden of Gethsemane and the cross.

God the Son came in the flesh to be the second Adam and earn righteousness for His people. (RC Sproul)

In the garden, Jesus prayed and suffered alone. He knew of the suffering that would take place on the cross, complete seperation from God. He prayed, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup be passed from me." (Matt 26:39) The cup (Isiah 51:17; Col 3:6 ) was filled with the wrath of God and caused our Lord Jesus Christ to suffer intense agony that He sweat great "drops of blood." Right from the beginnning, God's wrath burned against sin.

What is it that so provokes the wrath of God? It is our sin. Regardless of how small or insignificant it may seem to us, all sin is an assault on the infinite majesty and sovereign authority of God. God, by the perfection of His moral nature, cannot but be hostile to sin — all sin, be it ever so small in our eyes. It was God’s wrath toward our sin that Jesus saw in the cup that night and from which He recoiled in such agony. (Jerry Bridges)

The cup was filled with God's displeasure of sin and His perfect Son drank it up for those who could not, for us. Now to us who believe, this cup is empty. We now approach God with confidence in faith.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. (Hebrews 4:14)

Faith is confidence in God, it is believing that He will work out everything in our lives for our best. He will work out all things, health struggles, past hurts, finanical insecurities, rebellious children, broken relationships, any private pain for our good.

Count it all joy, my brothers,when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that gthe testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)

Faith stands confident and believes in the true promises of God. Abraham was saved through faith, even in the midst of confusion, the possibility of losing his only son, he believed God's promise. Abraham believed God and it was "counted to him as righteousness." (Romans 4:3)

Let us hold firmly to this faith and trust that God is able and knows our every need. As we hold firmly, we guard against the questions of our heart, anything that would doubt God's gracious goodness towards us.

Saving faith is confident in the promises and power of God. Therefore, it is not anxious about tomorrow but has joy and peace, taking God at His word. (John Piper)

If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10)

What will be seek after this day? Will we trust in God instead of that which steals and destroys? May we taste of His adundant goodness today and hold firmly to the faith we profess in Christ Jesus, lacking nothing. (James 1:4)

...without Him, who can eat or find enjoyment? (Eccelesitees 2:25)

'Twas on that night of deepest woe, when darkness round did thicken, when thro' deep waters Thou didst go, and for our sins wast stricken.

How deep the sorrow, who can tell, which was for us endured. Oh Love, divine, which bore the curse which had our hearts allured.

Now...to seek Thy glory, bear Thy shame, to keep Thy word and love Thy Name. (James Deck)

baby toes

2011-08-27T12:09:00.000-07:00

When life gets busy,there is nothing like spending time with something sweet to simplify things.

"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all." (Laura Ingalls Wilder)

50th Anniversary

2011-08-24T06:52:00.001-07:00

A small chapel nestled into a quiet community, a place where many have come to lift high the Name of the Lord. A place where many have faithfully served, some for years, continuing to this day.

A place where many have loved and given of themselves unselfishly. A place where God has shown forth His extravagant love and faithfulness throughout all generations.

A place founded upon the Truth of God's word.

“I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God; first, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.”- J. Hudson Taylor

Now 50 years later, voices speak and hands wipe away tears of heartfelt remembrance and appreciation. I cannot begin to understand what has happened here in the past 50 years, I am only one who has come to celebrate with them now, this day.

My husband understands, he speaks with love for all the people who have blessed his life since infancy and beyond. People he feels privledged to have known. It blesses me to hear him speak, to watch him remember. His heart has been touched by the people, his understanding of God has grown deeper.

Harcourt chapel may stand in a small corner of this world, but it has encouraged in many a great love for God's Kingdom. This is a place where people love, care and work together for the cause of Christ.

Today, there is rejoicing. God has preserved the work, He has lavished His love continually upon the people, both in times of joy and sorrow.

The sky has turned a brillant navy blue as it darkens into night. I think upon God's love, it is unsearchable, His faithfulness is unfathomable - we feel smaller under the canopy of His greatness, our minds cannot understand.

Not all great works are done in extravagant ways, but every faithful work is blessed by a marvelous God and His extravengent love. He makes rich those who fear Him as they "run with patience the race that is set before" them.

Lives old and some just brand new, races soon to be completed and some just beginning but God remains the same.

The sky continues in changing colours, the wind moves as leaves upon standing trees show forth its presence. Though sky and leaves change in colour through the passing of time, the wind is always present. It continues to move causing all things to work together.

What a comfort we recieve as we look at His creation. We see how this massive universe is placed together in a reliable pattern and it gives us reassurance. It speaks of God's constant, steadfast love for us.

Even as lives change, relationships come and go, buildings grow old and pages becomed crinkled with time, God weaves throughout time His purposes and continues to watch over us as a father watches lovingly over his child.

There is thankfulness this day and much joy in knowing Jesus Christ, our Jubilee.

We celebrate all that is Him, faithfulness, greatness and joy.

O great God of highest heaven
Occupy my lowly heart
Own it all and reign supreme
Conquer every rebel power
Let no vice or sin remain
That resists Your holy war
You have loved and purchased me
Make me Yours forevermore

I was blinded by my sin
Had no ears to hear Your voice
Did not know Your love within
Had no taste for heaven’s joys
Then Your Spirit gave me life
Opened up Your Word to me
Through the gospel of Your Son
Gave me endless hope and peace.

A Great Balancing Act

2011-08-17T10:08:00.000-07:00

It is the balance of parenthood, taking time to enjoy the unique qualities of a little person created by God with definite purpose while at the same time train the wayward will to conform to the image of God's Son.

It is the balance of parenthood, between authoritative and permissive, allowing them to be who they are in their unique person (exuberant, shy, reserved, quiet or out-spoken) while at the same time not allowing them to live without any regards to those around them (disrespectful, disobedient, destructive). We train them to obey us as parents in order to lay a foundation of obedience to God.

At the same time, we must train ourselves in areas of personal discipline so to consistently respond to disobedience in the child. We must continually lay aside anything that would entangle us such as pride, selfishness or laziness. We must lay aside anything that would fuel training based on personal preferences rather than grace. Do we train in such a way as to protect ourselves from childish inconveniences that disrupt our way of living or do we train our children based on grace and truth, biblical commands God has set before us, training up a child to bring glory to God and not ourselves.

This is to be our mindset.

As we set our mind on things above, we place ourselves properly at the feet of Christ. We are unworthy and yet we have been reconciled..."whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand."(Romans 5:2)..."And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace."

Grace upon grace. Day after day we come to Him,struggling with weakness and He chooses to lavish us with grace, imparting strength and wisdom. He continues to offer forgiveness and hope as we abide in Him.

Grace upon grace. How valuable to offer this to our children day after day. They live before us, struggling in their weakness - will be choose to lavish understanding, extending grace or will we tear down?

Will we speak with faithful instruction and truth - reminding them of their place before God and their desperate need for him?

The balance of parenthood must be rooted in Christ."Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (colossians 2:6,7)

Paul is writing this letter to the Colossians and Laodicieans to encourage them and guard them from delusion. Someone is trying to confuse and mislead them.

Someone is trying to confuse and mislead our children. Satan goes around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. We have a responsibility as parents to teach our children the truth of Christ.

Will our lips speak forth His grace?

How can we guard ourselves against a foul or frivolous mouth? How can we guard ourselves against a mouth that is foul with criticism and bitterness and blaming and defensiveness and disparagement and resentment and complaining and sarcasm and disrespect and ridicule and cynicism? And how can we guard ourselves against a mouth that is just flippant and trivial and silly and petty? The answer to both questions is, Fill your mouth with thanksgiving.
John Piper

The delicate balance of parenthood must be clothed in prayer and thanksgiving. We pray for wisdom, humility and strength to serve without ceasing and train with all diligence.

We let go of ourselves and our own failing capabilities and hold onto grace.

We thank God for the moments, the laughter, the breathing in and out of joys and childhood wonder and we use the minutes to make much of Him, the Giver of grace.

Take Joy

2011-08-16T13:19:00.000-07:00
"Saved by hope..." We have an earnest expectation of good to come on account of the faithful promises of God Eternal.

With hope we press on.

..."There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." This friend pleads on behalf of our deepest need and dearest hope. He understands our fraility and offers Himself, the Rock of Ages, to stand upon.

"It is a help to joy, it represents the excellency, truth and reality of spiritual things. That which we rejoice in, must be good, true, present. All joy ariseth from the presence of some good, either in actual posession, or in firm expectation. It is the nature of faith to make things absent, present; it giveth being to hope, it sets up a stage in the heart of a believer, where God is represented, acting whatever he hath promised." [Thomas Manton]

When Someone's Deep Sorrow truly Grieves us

2011-08-15T11:40:00.000-07:00
There are no words to describe loss. A moment unspeakable lasting a lifetime.No one can fully enter into the depth of one's feeling and for those who have never experienced that specific pain, the heart can never fully understand the incomprehendable.

And yet with our eyes we notice the crashing waves of life and we weep for those who have felt its crumbling pain.

Job's friends saw much pain. "When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was."

Sitting in silence was the best decision they made during the whole account. As soon as they begin to make sense of it, tensions begin to escalate. We are not to make sense of suffering, we only look to the One who knows all things and while looking we offer no spoken word of understanding. Only He can speak.

We can allow those to anguish in their pain using only our broken tears as unspoken words. Choosing to be present in their pain, allowing them to hurt and be heard is all we are capable of doing for the fading flower cannot speak on behalf of the Maker concerning the scorching heat of the sun.

Instead may our prayers be as fervent for others as our own most aching wound. May our tears be as heartfelt for those hurting as our own most darkened night. May we ache for those who weep and continue to weep with them until their day breaks rejoicing.

Our secret tears cry out to God. We know He never forgets those who are hurting. His eye is on the sparrow, In His arms they are held secure.

"...They shall be comforted."

Marriage and Worship

2011-07-26T04:49:00.000-07:00
We celebrated 6 years of marriage last Saturday! While the boys stayed at the cottage with family, we escaped back to memories from years ago and experienced the incredible feeling of nostagila. We both have memories of Fenelon Falls, both as children and as a couple. It was a lovely place just to go and remember. We thought of different events that brought us together. We thought of different experiences that made us who we are today. We looked back for the sake of moving forward in hope. We thanked God for the blessing of marriage, bringing two imperfect people together to grow together in Him and bring Him glory. And as He shapes us through the joys and sorrows of life, united together we come to worship. We worship the Creator and Sustainer of all things.

"He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:17)

"Worship is much, much more than a set of feelings and a theological outline. Worship is a lifestyle. It is a way of thinking about and responding to everything that is in your life. Worship is believing that God exists, that He is with you in your marriage, and that what He calls you do do is worth doing." (Paul Tripp)

“It is a mercy to have a faithful friend that loveth you entirely…to whom you may open your mind and communicate your affairs…And it is a mercy to have so near a friend to be a helper to your soul and … to stir up in you the grace of God.” (Richard Baxter)

"…a marriage of love, unity, and understanding is not rooted in romance; it is rooted in worship." (Paul Tripp)

"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13b-14)

Vintage Living: Part 1

2011-07-19T12:40:00.000-07:00

VINTAGE

Old chairs, dishware, pictures and clothes. If it looks somewhat aged, I'm hooked. What others may find old or boring, I see timeless charm. I see character.

My boys have worn different suits from the '70s - clothes my mother used for her sons, my "big" brothers. And now my daugther can wear my own dresses from years ago...she'll thank me when she gets older, I'm sure.

This little outfit was from my mother-in-law. It had the perfect amount of simplicity and practicality tied up together. It just fit.

Micah enjoys holding his little "Vintage Princess."

And I enjoy...

Watching little boy hands, hands that just finished playing trucks in mountain-heaps of dirt, take time to hold his little sister. He giggles with delight. He loves his "aurea."

I enjoy watching a big brother gaze lovingly and protectively at his favorite sister.

She returns her love in smiles and laughter. How blessed her life will be with brothers to love and brothers who love her.

In relation to clothes, the term 'vintage' is used in descibing a period from days past. They are old and have stood the test of time.

However, in regards to wine-making, the same word "vintage" is used in speaking of a process - the process of picking grapes and creating a refined, finished product...that of the finest quality. This process must be done carefully and delicately.

Despite the cost, some places prefer to pay human workers to come and hand-pick grapes. Each worker carefully inspects each grape, using discernment and knowledge, they pick only the healthy ones.

This approach is gentle compared to mechanical harvesting, but it requires time, effort and perserverance.

Vintage time, the time of gathering.

How does a mother gather her children?

An article in Natinal Geographic provides a heart-warming picture.

"After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park (in 1989), forest rangers began their trek up the mountain to assess the inferno's damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick...

When he stuck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctivly knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety, but she refused to abandon her babies.

When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die, so those under her wings would live."

How does a mother gather her children together?

"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves." (Phillipians 2:3)

In humility. Do nothing out of selfish ambition. Children are not prized possessions to be put on display, they are eternal beings that need much love, attention and time. They require us to give of ourselves daily, humbly and selflessly.

Do we give away willingly or do we hold back little parts of us? Do we see their need or do our needs block that view? As a loving mother, are we keenly aware of impending spiritual disaster and take care not to see them destroyed or have we become apathic?

As the hen instinctively understood the great need to take her chicks to the base of a tree - what do we view as important? Where do we lead our children. Where do they see us go? Do our words and actions lead them to the foot of the most precious tree, the cross. The only place where our children will ever truly understand security,salvation through the humble sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.

I have been chosen to raise them as their mother. So despite the cost, I choose to work diligently. May I too be a mother who willingly lays down my own wants and desires to see that my children are not abandoned.

In this day, we need much discernment. There are many "good" things that can take us away from the ones who are most important.

We need to examine ourselves daily for anything (selfishness/pride,etc) that could spoil the harvest.

What I plant today,I will harvest tomorrow.

"In every relatioship, every day you harvest what you previously planted and plant what you will someday harvest." (Paul Tripp)

Everyday we harvest. What will we harvest today as we gather in our children around us? What did we teach yesterday?

What do I want to see grow in my children tomorrow?
"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 2:1)

Isn't this where our eyes should gaze upon...where our minds should linger. On the cross. On the grace that is in Christ Jesus. My children, be strong in this.

Each day may we linger on this thought. May we remember our human frailty and His great love. Humanly we want more for ourselves, more time, more money, more quiet....yet as we linger of the cost of His great love for us, our little "givings" will seem rather small. Sow seeds of grace throughout the day and reap a harvest of joy tomorrow.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7,8)

I choose to live my days and loosen my heart until seeds of graciousness and truth flow out. I choose to risk my significance, plans and dreams and give away my time and energy to sow seeds of meaning, to live so that what I give as seed takes root in Truth, goes to the next as blossom until it bears fruit.

Presently and Fully

2011-07-15T04:56:00.000-07:00

Life continues as it has, passing by, giving only blurred glimpses as memories to hold onto for future days. I watch each day slowly unfold in ways of speed and light.

Like waves that crash upon the sand, moments cannot be paused or held tightly enough. They simply disappear into the next, creating ripple marks upon the shore. With our eyes, we see the marks until the mintues, days and months past by - even the marks have disappeared. What matters is not how easily one can catch these 'waves' but that our eyes simply noticed.

This child waits in watch. Just living that moment, creating a memory. Drinking in the sweet aroma of innocent childhood, just being present with no fear of tomorrow, no regrets from yesteday. Unabashedly and beautifully making moments count.


                                                         And if our eyes glance away too soon, the bird taking flight would simply appear to us as one empty space. We saw nothing. Yet nothing seen cannot mean that something never existed. A moment can vanish away when our attention is elsewhere. Distractions are the roadblocks to living a life, presently and fully.

The wise child watches, placing another picture of life into his growing hands, treasuring the moments in his heart.

What can children teach us? They take one, single moment and live it fully, completely. They notice small, insignificant things on the path, our busy feet just tread upon. A little grain of sand to them is full of wonder, imagination and potential. With these grains, they imagine all the magnificiant 'sandworlds' that could be created.

Can we ever imagine the purposeful life that could be lived by simply just living, presently and fully...moment by moment? Refusing to regret the past or fear the future and deciding to enjoy what is now.

What can children teach us? They run without hesitation, without becoming weary from daily inconviences or struggles.

"They who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

Children run with anticipation and without fear.

They fully anticipate their next step will fall on solid ground. Oh restless heart, be still. There are beautiful moments of today just filled with His goodness. Even in the most difficult of circumstances, we can run into His peace and we can rest there in quiet expectation. Rest there, trusting your next step will fall on the solid truth of His faithful promises. He will renew your strength.

The solid truth that He does bestow peace, a peace this world cannot give.

Days spent in quiet rest will strengthen even the most feeble of hearts. Days spent in wonder of all that is around us - pointing us to the ONE who keeps all things together - will impart lasting joy. Joy that comes from knowing these future days are not to be planned or feared, He gives us today to live, breathe and worship.

"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:26)

Take the moments of the day, run into them with renewed strenth - remember His promises and marvel at what the LORD has done and will continue to accomplish through those who wait on Him.
Psalm 52:8-9

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good.

Siblings

2011-07-08T13:16:00.000-07:00

I love how Noah will always take time for his sister.
This is what makes the craziness of motherhood all worth it - when all things still and I see the quiet gentleness and love each child has for each other.

I see them and I give thanks for my brothers and sisters who always took the time to love, share, laugh and forgive.
"To the outside world, we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time." (Clara Ortega)

The Grace of God in Motherhood

2011-05-26T19:32:00.000-07:00
Life has indeed become busier. A new, precious life added to our family.

Her name, Maria Grace, and she has brought with her a quiet beauty as I watch her first weeks unfold. Smiles, cuddles and early morning rises. The days have passed by too quickly, I barely have time to sit. Oh, but I have enjoyed these fleeting moments. I know how quickly these moments will go, like a vapor the minutes vanish into hours, days, months and years. I treasure her like a rare jewel, given to me by God who wove her perfectly. The smell of her skin, the touch of her hands - I watch her fingers dance around as she stares at the two boys, her big brothers with happy curiosity. The boys adore her - one seeks to protect and the other cannot help but cherish with his own overwhelming love. Life has busied me. I have been tired, elated, challenged, encouraged and discouraged. I have three children who depend on me. How can a broken vessel, an unfinished work of clay mold and teach these children?

At times I fight with these thoughts. I feel burdened by the looming responsibilities of motherhood. What if I fail? What if I fail?

I suppose this is the safest place to be - Broken and resting in His arms, My anchor. In His arms, I find wisdom and strength beyond compare. I recognize my own inabilities, my failures as His Child and I rejoice in His perfection. I am broken and He seeks to piece me together all for His glory. I am unfinished and He is continuing a work within me. What is I fail? I will. For He resists the proud. This is not something I must do alone - this is an eternal work. I am simply a servant who must look to my Master for daily guidance.

On my own, I will fail. If I depend solely on my own, I will fail.

In Christ I have the hope of grace. I breathe in deeply, filling myself with this hope-filled, God-given grace - I arise from my brokenness and feel whole again and than I give to each child, piece by piece, more of Him and less of me.

A Prayer

2011-03-12T12:20:00.000-08:00

Heavenly Father,

“I have much need in humbling myself before you, the great and holy God because of the sins I am daily guilty of, in thought, word and deed against your holy majesty. Help me overcome the levity and to shun vain and impure thoughts which, though they do not make their abode for any long period of time, yet in their passing through leave a tincture of impurity.
Enable me to keep my heart with all diligence, my thoughts, and affections, for out of them are the issues of life. How often I have offended in this kind!   Cleanse me from secret faults, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Help me to guard against vain and unnecessary words, and to speak of you, O my God, with that reverence, that humility, that gravity that I ought.”

Amen.”

-Susanna Wesley

How shall we live as Mothers so as to be pleasing to God?

2011-03-06T18:30:00.000-08:00
I am definitely not the most consistent blog writer - its crazy how quickly the weeks go by.

Consistency is a battle, even in parenting -and yet we are instructed to teach, discipline and love - consistently, zealously, fervently. If we fail, the Bible would warn of impending destruction.

We are to be consistent in:
Teaching and Prayer
"You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (Deuteronomy 11:19)

We are to teach our children of God and His marvelous works! We should use moments of the day to teach and instruct. Susanna Wesley was a woman I greatly admire (and wish I could have known.) I admire how she spent such dedicated time teaching her children - and she continued teaching her grandchildren. One grandchild remembered how "she had the happy talent of filling a child's mind with every kind of useful knowledge in such a way as to stamp it permanently on the memory." And she used the Bible as her main book for this kind of instruction.What a wonderful way to be remembered - as a woman who happily spent time with her children, teaching and instructing!

Once Susanna wrote, "tis no small honor to be entrusted with the care of so many souls. And if that trust be but managed with prudence and integrity, the harvest will abundantly recompense the toil of the seed time; and it will be certainly no little accession to the future glory to stand forth at the last day and say, 'Lord, here are the children which thou has given me, of whom I have lost none by my ill example, nor by neglecting to instill in their minds, in their early years, the principles of Thy true religion and virtue."

She understood the importance of instilling in their minds the truth - and doing so with prudence and integrity. Even her last words were still directed at teaching her children. She spoke, " Children, as soon as I am released, sing a psalm of praise to God!"

Susanna worked hard at training her children in the ways of God! What an example for mothers today.

A poor example for us is found in Exodus. We know how often the Israelite nation failed in teaching their children - since their miraculous departure from Egypt. We read of this is Judges 2:10 "Another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord or the work He had done for Israel." Why did they not know? There parents did not teach.

And they suffered.

- God gave them over "into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them." (Judges 2:14)
- God delivered them into the hands of their foes. (Judges 6:1)

Oh, how careful we must be in teaching our children of God. Instilling in their young minds of His holiness and majesty! Speaking of Him often, speaking to Him often as we consider His presence in our home.

Discipline and Instruction
"Chasten thy son, seeing there is hope; and set not thy heart on his destruction." (Proverbs 19:18)

I am reminded of Eli and his sons. He failed as their father - he failed to discipline them and he was held accountable for his actions. "For I have told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them." (1 Samuel 3:13)

He failed during the time of " hope" and they were ultimately destroyed. They were described as:

"Worthless men." (1 Samuel 2:12)
"They would not listen to the voice of their father." (1 Samuel 2:15)
"The sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the Lord." (1 Samuel 2:17)
"The men treated the offering of the Lord with contempt." (1 Samuel 2:17)

How devastating to raise sons thought of as worthless and without regard for the Lord.

Love and Service
"Serve one another humbly in love...if you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." (Galations 5:13,15)

From our thoughts come our words. May we think upon things that are true, noble, write, pure, lovely and admirable - so our words are seasoned with grace, hope and humility. "She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue." (Proverbs 31:26) We have this amazing opportunity to bless and strengthen our children each day through the words we speak.

Dear mothers, may we be consistent in teaching and prayer, discipline and instruction, love and service - lest our children be destroyed by our inconsistent, over-indulgent, apathetic approach to our great calling.

May we be mothers of purpose.

Generations

2011-01-18T14:06:00.000-08:00
Over the past few weeks, I have pondered how the moments of my life might impact the years to come. How these days might impact the lives of my children. What will they remember of me? What will they tell their children of me?

This is a sobering thought because on some days, the words that I speak and the actions of my heart are not what I wish to be remembered for - on these days, I fall short and I only hope my children could erase those memories forever. Oh, but that is the true me. I fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) No good dwells within me. (Romans 7:14-25) In some ways, it is good they see this - it is good they see my need for Christ. I am not perfect, but in Christ we are made complete, equipped for every good work. Through Christ's perfect redemption we have hope - a hope that our lives will and can be transformed by the renewing of our minds through scripture breathed out by God and profitable for training in righteousness. This is beautiful.

Even as mothers our training is continual. Our training consists of that which is spoken of in Titus 2, to "renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ."

The idea of training suggests that one may lack something profitable for growth. Therefore, we train in order to achieve the desired results.

Are we training ourselves today? Like grass we will wither, we have little time to piece together godly memories for our children and those to come.

To be remembered...

As a mother who humbled myself under the mighty hand of God. (vrs 6) A mother who had a proper view of God and His greatness.

As a mother who would cast all my anxieties on Him. (vrs.7) A woman of prayer and dependence on Jesus Christ. Simple quiet dependence.

As a mother who would watch carefully for anything that might devour my family, my dear sons. (vrs. 8) A woman on guard, vigilant and sober-minded - grasping the sword of the Spirit with all my might, strength and mind and speaking the precious words of life to them - when I sit in my house or walk along the road; when I lie down and when I rise up. Beautiful words of truth!

As a mother who remained firm in my faith. (vrs.9) A woman of hope with eyes set on the eternal, with faith that is sure - allowing me to soar on wings like eagles and not grow weary, renewed daily as I trust in the Lord.

As a mother who remained steadfast during the times of suffering. (vrs.9) A woman of perseverance - transparent, allowing them to see His strength working through my weakness. Allowing them to see my tears during times of uncertainty, but tears of peace - tears that fall yet without failing to recognize God's good purposes.

I'm grateful for the work of sanctification and the power of the Holy Spirit.This is something I cannot attain on my own but "The God of GRACE, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you."

The Danger of Over-Indulgence

2010-12-14T17:56:00.000-08:00
Many times I have fallen victim to this mindset and in doing do, I present my children with a challenging struggle. On one hand, we may teach our children the truth of worshiping the One and Only God - the One who deserves our sole honor and praise and than on the other hand, we shower them with material "blessings" - all because we love them....?

Idol worship does not have to be taught. We are born with a desire to sin against a Holy God and reject Him as King of our lives. This is our earthly nature. And though we have a new nature within us, this continues to be a daily struggle. The choice is ours - will we honor Him as King and live in obedience to His rule or will we doubt His goodness causing us to search after things more satisfying.

If we choose obedience to God, we choose death to self.

"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immortality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry." (Colossians 3:5) "Because of these the wrath of God is coming....." (vrs.6) Why? For you shall have "no other gods before me." God is angered by idolatry.

We have been raised with Christ and now we must set our minds of things above. Where Christ is, not on earthly things. If we choose obedience to God, this is where are minds must be - on things above, a place where moth and rust do not destroy.

The danger of Over-Indulgence begins when our minds are set on earthly things.

The desire for more (greed) which is idolatry.

And this form of idol worship is what we encourage in small children, especially during the Christmas season. We give them all the things we think they need or should have - creating idols that will only serve to replace the Christ of Christmas. Creating idols that will only further cement in their hearts an attitude of more-ism and selfishness. Shaping little minds that are not set on things above - producing greed.

As Satan whispered in the ear of Eve, "Eat of this apple, you won't surely die."

I shiver to think of the whispers I am being told, " If you were a good parent, you would give them what they want. It won't hurt them - they won't surely die. How are contributing to idol worship in the lives of your children...just relax. You're taking things too far. God didn't really say to...."

Its all to easy to relax in this culture. We are a culture of plenty - and yet we are poor. We have forgotten the exhaustless riches of Christ and our children are suffering.

"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." (Colossians 3:16)

Its the message of Christ that can only dwell among us RICHLY. The message of Christ is our greatest treasure. Are we thankful for this all-surpassing gift? If so, let us richly bless our children with the truth of Christ and His love for them. Let us teach and admonish one another, singing to God with gratitude in our hearts. These are priceless treasures we can give to our children each day of the year - and the supply of God's mercy and grace is endless! May we indulge our children in these riches.The riches of Christ, essentially, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. As D.M. Lloyd-Jones writes,"The ‘riches’ are in Him because of the mystery of His incarnation and His taking unto Himself human nature and becoming truly man"

May we indulge our children in streams of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. (Colossians 3:12) The attributes of Christ. The attributes that only come as we gaze upon our King of Kings and remember His atoning death on the cross. And as we remember, may the fountain of gratitude build up within us causing us to tear down the idols of our heart proclaiming:

"Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you."(Psalm 73:25)

This is my prayer for Noah and Micah - that one day they will know the unsearchable riches of Christ- Christ Himself. And they will declare that nothing on earth compares to Him.

No Other gods Before Him

2010-12-13T13:50:00.000-08:00
Emmanuel, God with us. God the Son, Creator and Sustainer. Jesus Christ came down to this sin-stained earth as a infant. The Holy One would touch the impure. What a picture of grace.

On Mount Sinai, God the Father commanded Moses to keep the Israelites away from the mountain at the time of His appearing.

^{(Exodus 19) 10} And the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes ¹¹ and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. ¹² Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death. ¹³ They are to be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. No person or animal shall be permitted to live.’

And again, He warns:

21 “Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the LORD and many of them perish"

When I think of His awesome and great holiness, displayed continually throughout the Old Testament, His holiness that demanded limits on the people - I am reminded of His awesome and great GRACE that He has bestowed upon us. He is still the God of the Old Testament and yet now we have the Manger, a manger that led to a Cross. A cross that would overcome limitations, reconciling God and man.

The thought overwhelms me.....

The Holy One came and walked with those who were dark and filthy, burdened by the yoke of slavery and in desperate need of redemption and forgiveness. The Holy One came and was made flesh and dwelt among us, fallen man.

Oh, how this must stir our wayward hearts.

And yet, if we are honest with ourselves - sometimes we continue on, a stiff-necked people. Do we not grasp the cost of His grace and patience? He sent His only Son!

(Luke 20) The lord of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. It may be that seeing him, they will respect him.’ "But when the farmers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.’

What is our response to this Beloved Son?

Do we glory in our Redeemer? Can we sing, " I have no longings for another, I'm satisfied in Him alone?" Or are we indifferent? Carried away by our own desires and enticed....

How far we have traveled away from manger. Instead we find ourselves caught up in the "spirit" of whatever makes this season so merry. Idols of the hearts that are so cemented within us that we do not even recognize them anymore.

(Exodus 34) Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. ⁸ They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’

They already broke the first commandment. After promising they would obey "everything" the Lord had commanded - their love for Him was faltering for this golden calf was taken the place of God. What do we love and pursue in place of God today? What do we love and pursue in place of God at a time we should be remembering His Holy birth, death and resurrection and bowing down our hearts in humble adoration and praise? Idols still exist today....we allow them to.

"Thou shall have no other gods before me." Oh, but I do. The god of consumerism. The god of materialism. The god of me-ism.

How far we have traveled from the cross. Knowing He took our place but not allowing this truth to penetrate our hearts deep enough to leave a lasting impression. We walk away, untouched.

On Mount Sinai, this kind of blatant disregard and "stiffness" angered Him so fiercely. Does He change? The idol worship in our lives must still anger Him. How could it not? He is Holy, the angels in His presense cover their faces in fear and yet we continue to live our lives more bold in our sin...."The supreme folly is that we think we will get away with our revolt." (R.C. Sproul)

But "Behold the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world."

Behold, the Grace appears!!

(Luke 2) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” ¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
   and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Peace to those on whom His favor rests.

What an amazing display of grace and patience.

May we respond as the Shepherds did as they hurried off to see this baby. They glorified and praised God for all the things they had heard and seen. This is worship.

This Christmas season, may we consecrate ourselves and worship the one true and holy God, our Savior and King!

How Shall my Tongue Descibe it?

2010-11-30T15:30:00.000-08:00
"But by the GRACE of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder....yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me." 1 Corinthians 15:10

How thankful I am for the grace of God in my life. His grace was bestowed upon me, my eyes were opened to the Truth and now His grace continues to uphold me through all of my days. I can drink of His grace - deeper still. It never runs dries. His grace is boundless. Amazing grace! Something so sweet and yet so unexplainable - how can we ever begin to fathom the grace of God? That God the Son- eternal, glorious and holy would become a man. A baby, born to walk our path of destruction that we may have life through Him. Wrapped in swaddling clothes that we might wear His robes of Righteousness.

We sang this song last week. It was written by a missionary during a difficult time in the history of the missions to China. Missionaries were captured and suffered for months at the hands of communists. Some missionaries were beheaded. It was a dangerous time for both missionaries and Chinese Christians. Frank Houghton felt called to travel to visit these missionaries and while he traveled he received much comfort from these words, "Though He was rich, yet for YOUR sake He became poor."

For our sake He became poor.

WE were desperate for His grace. We still are desperate for His grace.

Thou who wast rich,
Beyond all splendor
All for love's sake becamest poor.
Thrones for a manger didst surrender
Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor.

Thou who art God
Beyond all praising
All for love's sake became man.
Stooping so low, but sinners raising
Heavenwards by Thine eternal plan.

Thou who art love
Beyond all telling
Savior and King, we worship Thee
Emmanuel, within us dwelling
Make us what thou would have us be.

Lord, What would you have us be? Oh, may the grace that was shown to you have a great effect on your life. Why? To work harder for the sake of the gospel - that "your light would shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

That your light would shine before your husband each day, only by the grace of God that is within you.
That your light would shine before your children each day, only by the grace of God that is within you.
That your light would shine before your neighbors each day, only by the grace of God that is within you.

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." (2 Timothy 1:6-10)

The Spirit of God will grant us the power, love and self-discipline to work harder as wives, mothers, neighbors, sisters and fellow workers. His grace is too great to lay dormant in our lives. Think upon His grace this season.

More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love Who died for me.

It is Well

2010-11-23T16:08:00.000-08:00
It has been awhile since I have taken time to write down my blundering thoughts. I have felt like a wandering stranger, my thoughts seem mostly muffled and it takes some time to grasp and take hold of anything. Much has happened in the past few months, on Thanksgiving week-end my older son fell from a play structure and broke his elbow. The break was complex and required surgery. It was not how we had planned to spend our Thanksgiving time together.

Dear mother, do you ever feel as though your life is spiraling out of control? This is how I have felt. It leaves you almost helpless, overwhelmed and scared of what may be lurking around the corner. The Lord has been working on this fearful heart of mine.

Its ironic how we fight for control instead of surrendering to the One who is in perfect control. Why would we want it any other way? Its almost like a mature parent giving over leadership and decision privileges to a two-year old. Its unheard of. And yet, we seem to think that our finite minds could possibly control the outcome of our lives better than an Infinitely wise God who knows all things.

Until I truly begin to surrender and trust in His purposes and plans - I will continue to fight this feeling of spiraling. We must ask ourselves - Every time something happens that might change our plans, do we react with fear or can we say;

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say
It is Well, It is Well, with my soul.

It is well because Christ is sufficient.
It is well because God is love.
It is well because God's plans are perfect.
It is well because Christ has conquered.

I am Yours

2010-09-04T18:24:00.000-07:00

It has been awhile since I've sat down to write anything - my brain has felt fuzzy and my body has grown tired. The little baby inside of me can sure cause big symptoms!

Knowing who I am in Christ has offered sweet relief in the last couple of months. Dealing with first trimester nausea and running after two, energetic little boys has forced me to put some things into perspective. I have been unable to keep up with those super-mom standards that I place on myself time and time again. Dishes, floors and laundry have seemed like overwhelming tasks at times. I entered survival mode and in doing so, I began to fight against feelings of failure. Why can't I keep up? It became a battle of the mind. Therefore, I could only battle these thoughts with the promises of God.

Its amazing when the Lord chooses to work out those "kinks" in our lives. Something as normal as pregnancy can offer us wonderful lessons in surrender. During the last few months, I could not rely on my own failing strength to help me through the day - I could only depend on Christ. I could only ask Him for the needed strength for that moment. I could only ask Him for the perfect wisdom to combat my earthly thoughts. Complete surrender.

Complete surrender as I consider who I am in Christ - not who I am as a mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend, homemaker, etc.

Throughout the weeks I have joyously pondered this beautiful image.

I am God’s child—for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, which lives and abides forever (1 Peter 1:23).

I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ unto good works (Ephesians 2:10).

I am greatly loved by God (Romans 1:7; Ephesians 2:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4).

I am strengthened with all might according to His glorious power (Colossians 1:11).

I press on toward the goal to win the prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward (Philippians 3:14).

..."Not because of who I am, but because of what You've done. Not because of what I've done, BUT because of WHO YOU ARE." (Casting Crowns)

On Christ, The Solid Rock - I Stand

2010-08-23T05:33:00.001-07:00

"This is the day that the LORD has made; let us REJOICE and be glad in it!" Psalm 118:24

We sing this song often, but in the past few weeks I have taken some time to study this verse a little bit deeper. Each morning I have wondered what it means to truly rejoice - and what are we to rejoice in?

After years of singing this Sunday School song, I was somewhat amazed to realize that Psalm 118:28 is not just talking about any ordinary day, but instead refers prophetically to the Day of Salvation. (Matt 21:42) And when we consider the greatness of THAT day, this should transform our ordinary days. This is where are joy is found - as we marvel at what God has done.

We are to be glad in His salvation. God has allowed me to live this day in the gift of His amazing, marvelous grace. Though storm clouds may gather ahead, we can rejoice in the work that has been completed through Christ, the Chief Cornerstone. Though frustrations and anxieties threaten to steal our joy, we can rejoice in the work that has been completed through Christ, the Chief Cornerstone. When the pressures of this world overtake us, we can rejoice in the work that has been completed through Christ, the Chief Cornerstone. He is our Solid Rock, in Him we stand.

"The Stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes." (Psalm 118:22-23)

Let us be glad in our salvation. May we continue to marvel.

In Christ Alone,
My hope is found
He is my Light, my strength, my song.
This cornerstone, this Solid ground
Firm through the fiercest
drought and storm.

Redeem with More Zeal

2010-07-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

"Remember how much time you have lost already. If you are not impenitent, it will provoke you to redeem with more zeal the time you have left...(Richard Baxter)

Life became hectic. It was my own doing. With summer pushing me out the door - driving to one event after another and leaving behind uncompleted meal menus, unfolded clothes, unread children books and worst of all, forgotten reflections with the Lord - I found myself rushing around. My complicated, exciting and full summer schedule had stolen the quietness of life away from me. Instead of redeeming the time, the time slipped away, unnoticed and with little eternal gains but increased worldly complications.

I was simply going out too often.

Richard Baxter, was an English Puritan, who explained in great detail how people wasted time and encouraged them to redeem the time instead.
Procrastination --- "One of the greatest time wasting sins is [procrastination]. The slothful see their time pass away, and their work undone, and can hear of the necessity of redeeming their time, and yet, they have not hearts to stir…A slothful person is always losing his time".
Excessive Sleep --- "What is excess? I answer, all that is more than is needful for our health and business".
Self Vanity ---- "Oh! So many ladies and gentlemen are so guilty of this vanity, I wonder how their consciences can be so patient with them? Oh, poor, neglected, undressed souls! O filthy consciences! Have you no better use for precious hours than to be washing and pinning and curling and powdering?"
Fussiness over Personal items (house, car, etc) --- "Unnecessary pomp and curiosity of retinue, attendance, house, furniture, provisions, and entertainments, together with excess of compliment and ceremony, and servitude to the humors and expectations of time-wasters."
Going out to often ---- O, remember, while you are eating and drinking What a corruptible piece of flesh you are feeding While your soul is racing into eternity".
Idle Chat -- "In the multitude of words there does not lack sin".
The Bible directs us in how to use our time- to manage our homes, love our children, respect our husbands, meet with believers, love our neighbors, seek out the lost, meditate on God's word and pray continually - is their something in your life that needs simplifying?

"It will be an unspeakable comfort to look back on a life well spent. And to be able to say in humble sincerity, `my time was not cast away on worldliness, ambition, idleness or fleshly vanities and pleasures. It was spent in sincere labors for my God—in making my calling and election sure, in doing good to men’s souls and bodies, it was entirely devoted to God".

Marriage - Proceed with God's Help

2010-07-23T07:04:00.000-07:00
He asked the question, "After five years, how has our love for each other grown." We both stopped to consider for a moment. On July 23,2005 - I thought my love for him was so great, I wondered how I could ever love him more. And yet, those wiser couples who had been marriage longer would tell us - it only gets sweeter. But how could it get sweeter? Right now we are young and wildly in love! We stepped out together confident that our love would stand the test of time. Idealistic and romantic, we were smitten.

Those words spoken to us have come true, it does get sweeter.

I almost laugh as I look back on those early days. We have both learned so much. Our Heavenly Father has taught us many things of ourselves (pride and selfishness) and He has faithfully guided us. We've had 5 very happy years of marriage, but these years have not been without struggles.

Growing up I was convinced in order to have a healthy marriage, two people must spend time a lot of time together. When we first started out I placed on my husband a lot of unrealistic expectations. I believed a healthy marriage was all about quality time. Thankfully, the Lord has changed my perspective. I do still desire quality time and when we get some, we protect this time together. And even though I still think time together is important, I do not think of it as most important - I believe its more of a reward to a marriage.

Our love has grown not because of countless dinner dates or private island get-aways (lack of funds and growing responsibilities have not allowed those luxuries) - but our love has continued to deepen in spite of daily demands - in some ways, the pressures and strains of life have taught us much on how we are to love one another - to consider the needs of each other first, to lighten the load and encourage. As I am concerned for my husband's well-being - I focus on the command to respect him and honor him in all I do and say - quick to forgive and easy to like - this is deep, rooted love - Love sustained by God the Father who corrects us of our wrong and leads us in the way He desires - a way in which He is exalted and glorified. He is exalted as we humble ourselves before Him and admit our need of Him. Our need to submit to Him - allowing Him to to make something beautiful of our marriage - placing us in the fire to be refined and allowing us to see the mountaintop view of His majesty, faithfulness and goodness in our lives.

Our love has grown - we see more clearly the reason for us coming together in the first place - that God would continue to do His work in us and through us - that God might be preeminent in our lives.

Thankful for today and Looking forward to the sweeter years ahead.

MOST DEAR AND LOVING HUSBAND, I cannot express my love to you, as I desire, in these poor, lifeless lines; but I do heartily wish you did see my heart, how true and faithful it is to you, and how much I do desire to be always with you, to enjoy the sweet comfort of me your presence, and those helps from you in spiritual and temporal duties, which I am so unfit to perform without you. It makes to see the want of you, and wish myself with you. But I desire we may be guided by God in all our ways, who is able to direct us for the best; and so I will wait upon him with patience, who is all-sufficient for me.(Margaret Winthrop of John Winthrop)

"The Puritan ethic of marriage was first to look not for a partner whom you do love passionately at this moment but rather for one whom you can love steadily as your best friend for life, then to proceed with God’s help to do just that."

Praise Him in the Rain

2010-07-09T11:57:00.000-07:00

The earth drinks like a thirsty traveler in the desert. I look at the fading flowers in our garden, yesterday they seemed empty - almost lifeless from the parching heat. Now, in the rain - the leaves look greener, the petals reach higher, to drink of every last drop. The rain falls and they are satisfied completely. I can almost hear them breath a sigh of relief- water - finally! I echo those same words.

At times I feel parched and empty - until God sends the rain. The rain falls heavy and I wonder of its purpose. At times I cry out with stubborn cries, until finally I'm awakened to my folly and instead of searching for things that never fully quench, I reach higher - I stay longer and drink deeper. Just like those fading plants I find relief. I feel joy and peace. The rain continues to fall, but I now see its purpose. I see the good in what He allows in my life. I breath a sigh of relief - my heart fills with praise.

I have a Heavenly Father who sends the rain.

As my children splash in the puddles - I refresh my soul in the JOY of knowing God. How joyous! I have seen the work of my Creator - because of His great love for me, He molds - He changes me, He showers me with blessing, He allows me to walk through valleys - all for His perfect work in my life - to be nothing in His presence that He may be all I thirst for and all I desire.

To praise Him - Wholeheartedly and Completely. Lacking nothing.

Praise the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty.

Creating Idols from Thoughts

2010-06-22T17:05:00.000-07:00
It feels like for every mess I clean up, 3 more messes erupt before my eyes. One friend mentioned how a "messy house equals a happy heart" - well, this is not always the case for me. I tend to fall into the category of messy house, grumpy heart. I feel its just a reflection of me not having it all together - It can overwhelm my thoughts. A clean house makes me happy - I almost feel complete for a time. Though it is my responsibility to manage the home well - this should not be my chief concern. If a clean house is consuming my thoughts and frustrations - turning me into a raging Lysol warrior how can I possibly "Love the Lord will ALL my Heart" when my heart is being overwhelmed with thoughts that do not concern Him? I begin to wonder: has the need for a clean house surpassed my need for full satisfaction in Christ and dependence on Him?

What is most important role of a housekeeper? In the midst of motherhood when a hundred demands meet one lowly woman, we must clean our cluttered hearts of all its idol worship each morning, afternoon and night. Moment by moment, in utter dependence on God - we must pray for a heart that burns only for Him. Replacing any stubborn idol with greater love for Christ.

"Every sin, even idolatry in my heart is rooted in lovelessness and and thanklessness." (Elyse Fitzpatrick)

May our hearts today pursue happiness. One great way to do this - show gratitude to God for His many blessings and focus on Jesus Christ and His loveliness.

Fitzpatrick depicts God as the provider of our happiness: "He's committed Himself to transforming us...to happy children playing in the garden on His delights, all for His ultimate glory and our enjoyment."

Idols

2010-06-19T21:16:00.000-07:00

One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
PSALM 27:4

(Paul David Tripp - WHAT is YOUR ONE THING)

It does beg the question, “What’s your one thing?” What is the one thing that your heart craves? What is the one thing that you think would change your life? What is the one thing that you look to for satisfaction, contentment, or peace? What is the one thing that you mourn having to live without? What is the one thing that fills your daydreams and commands your sleepy meditations? What is your one thing?

The spiritual reality for many of us is that the one thing is not the Lord. And the danger in that reality is this: your one thing will control your heart, and whatever controls your heart will exercise inescapable influence over your words, choices, and actions. Your one thing will become that which shapes and directs your responses to the situations and relationships of your daily life. If the Lord isn’t your one thing, the thing that is your one thing will be your functional lord. Here is what you say to yourself when something is your one thing: “Life has meaning and I have worth only if I have ___________ in my life.” The problem is that the one-thing catalog1 is virtually endless:

• Power. Life has meaning or I have worth only if I have power and influence over others.
• Approval. If I am loved and respected by________.
• Comfort. If I have a certain kind of pleasure or experience.
• Image. If I have a certain look or body image.
• Control. If I am able to have mastery over a particular area of my life.
• Dependence. If someone is there to keep me safe.
• Independence. If I am completely free of the obligation or responsibility to take care of someone.
• Achievement. If I am recognized for my accomplishments.
• Prosperity. If I have a certain level of wealth, finance, nice possessions.
• Work. If I am highly productive and get a lot done.
• A person. If this one person is happy to be in my life and happy with me.
• Family. If my children/parents are happy and happy with me.
• Helping. If people are dependent on me and need me.

You see, in every situation and relationship of your everyday life, there is a one-thing war being fought on the turf of your heart. You and I are safe only when the Lord really is the one thing that commands our hearts and controls our actions. Yet there are many things that compete with him as the one thing that your heart craves. a shelter in the time of storm

Where are you looking for meaning and worth? What is the beauty that you wish you had in your life? What is your one thing?

Keeping in Step

2010-06-19T08:18:00.001-07:00
It is hard to admit our weaknesses, but we all have them. Though the different masks we wear can sometimes keep them concealed, there are some moments when trivial matters become greater than expected and our weaknesses are not only staring us in the face - they are usually quite evident to all involved. There are some things I admit I find difficult, for instance, I cannot knit. I have tried, but for some reason I seem to be all thumbs. I admit this - even though I would love to conquer this beautiful art, it doesn't bring me much shame to admit this particular weakness. However, there is a weakness in my life I do try to hide. I am ashamed of it, but mostly I am sometimes unaware of it altogether. But God, being rich in mercy and grace takes these moments of molehills to reveal to me this great weakness.

These are the moments when the "so-called" hidden sins of our heart become visible - the sin that has always existed. It is the root of self-love which hinders us from thinking more of others than ourselves - in which we are called to do in Philippians 2:3 which reads "...With humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself"

Pride - the absence of humility; doing things or achieving something for ourselves rather than to glorify God; being quick to blame others and criticize; wanting things done my way; attempting to look good or better than we are; preaching or exhorting others while being blind to my need to repent and change; justifying our sin, instead of admitting it and the list goes on - pride in our life is self-destructive. "Our conduct to others is determined by our opinion of ourselves." (Stott)

Humility on the other hand is having an accurate view of ourselves. We are created with dignity in the image of God - created for HIS PURPOSES and not our own. This would suggest that our main purpose in life is to glorify God.

How good for us to recognize our lack of humility and the presence of pride in our life - it can manifest itself in many ways. It fuels boasting, vanity, bitterness, selfish ambition, envy, malice, materialism - all which we are commanded to rid ourselves of in Colossians 3:8 and put on...

"As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

Pride fuels conflict and love fuels perfect unity. We are in desperate need of God and His power in our lives through the Holy Spirit.

"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:24-26)
Therefore, encourage each other and build one another up... (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

In All my Ways

2010-06-14T12:26:00.002-07:00
Busy little men rush around me, full of energy and boundless creativity.

Before breakfast I whisper to myself, " Lord, help me redeem this time." In the midst of Monday morning chaos - balancing what must get done with what I know can wait, my prayer remains the same - 'Lord, grant me wisdom.' Grant me eyes to see their world. A world, new and exciting, bubbling with adventure and possibility. Might I choose to speak words of soft kindness and edification to their young hearts as they journey through the day. With these eyes, may I see myself the way they see me - and may they seem me as the mother I ought to be - joyful, understanding and compassionate.

Though a visit to the collision center and calls to the insurance company must be made, nothing can steal away my chance to enjoy these simple moments. Nothing can take away my chance to pray and acknowledge Him. May the mothers today remember to:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

Pray

2010-06-09T09:51:00.001-07:00

1. Pray for the harvest.
"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." (Matt 9:37-38)

2. Pray for those in places of authority - government.

"I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity." (1 Tim 2:1-2)

3. Pray that God will open doors for ministry of the Word.

"Praying at the same time for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the word , so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ..." (Col 4:3)

4. Pray for your enemies, those who have hurt you. Forgive them.

"Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Lk 6:28)"So shall My heavenly Father also do to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart." (Matt 18:35)

5. Pray that you will do no evil.

"Pray that you may not enter into temptation." (Lk 22:40) "Now we pray to God that you do no wrong..." (2 Cor 13:7)
6. Pray that you may have abounding love toward all people.

"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment..." (Phil 1:9)

7. Pray that you will be kept blameless.

"Now may the God of peace sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thess 5:23)
(Adapted from Greg Koukl)

Be Devoted to Prayer

2010-06-08T05:50:00.001-07:00

Romans 12:12
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, devoted to prayer.

The word devoted means to be consecrated to a purpose, to direct whole attention,to be lost in, consistent and decisive. These are just some of the words used to describe what it means to be devoted to something or someone.

In this case, we are called to be devoted to prayer. We are to be consecrated to the purpose of prayer. The purpose - To advance the kingdom of God. The Lord's prayer begins with these foundational words, "YOUR kingdom come, YOUR will be done on earth as it is in heaven." This is the sole purpose of prayer, that God's will be done in everything.

John Piper writes, "Prayer is always kingdom oriented. Even when we pray for healing and for help, it is that the kingdom purposes of God may advance."

Since our prayers are to be kingdom oriented - Our prayers must not be self-centered.

"Prayer to be effectual, must be offered from right motives. Prayer should not be selfish, but dedicated by a supreme regard for the glory of God." (Finney)

When we are devoted to prayer, we are lost in it. Completely involved or absorbed, not in ourselves and our desires - but completely involved with the One to whom we are communicating with, our Creator and Redeemer. Prayer is the means to enjoying God! Prayer was never meant as a means of getting things to delight ourselves in apart from God. Prayer is to enable us to delight ourselves in God and to be completing absorbed with Him and His will!

When we are devoted to prayer, we are consistent. In everything we ask for, the purpose must remain the same, "that the Father may be glorified through the Son." Psalm 50:15 is a perfect example of this consistent prayer - "call upon me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor me." We are rescued and receive joy, He was our help and receives the glory due to His name. God is glorified as He delivers and we experience the joy of such great deliverance!

Here's a personal example, a couple days ago my boys and I prayed together that the Lord would protect us as we carry out some driving errands through our little town. On that particular day we were involved in a car collision, someone failed to apply their brakes and drove right into our back bumper. I remembered my prayer that morning. Did God answer our prayer? I believed He did. He delivered us from that accident, we walked away with little pain and much joy. He reminded me that He is my refuge in times of trouble. As I worked through different emotions, His purposes remained the same -"If you shall ask the Father for anything, He will give it to you in My Name...ask and you will receive , that your joy made be made full." God answered my morning prayer - to make my joy full and to glorify Himself.

When we are devoted to prayer, we are decisive - Unmistakable and unquestionable. There is no question, we need His power. There is no question, we need His strength. Therefore, we need to pray!

We have a great privilege to come before this holy God. But how should we come?

"If my people who are called by my Name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Prayer begins with a life of repentance. A hatred for sin - a turning away from our wicked ways.

"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed, which is idolatry ... You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourself of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." Colossians 5:3-8

"God will hear His people at the beginning of their prayers if the condition of their heart is ready for it."(Spurgeon)

Perserverance by Charles H. Spurgeon

2010-06-07T06:46:00.001-07:00

"By perseverance the snail reached the ark."
(Charles Haddon Spurgeon)
"O beloved! I implore you by the love of God, and by the love of your own souls, be faithful unto death. Do you have difficulties? You must conquer them. Hannibal crossed the Alps, for his heart was full of fury against Rome; and you must cross the Alps of difficulty, for I trust your heart is full of hatred of sin. When Mr. Smeaton had built the second Eddystone lighthouse he looked out anxiously after a storm to see if the edifice was still there, and it was his great joy when he could see it still standing, for a former builder had constructed a lighthouse there on that very same spot and he thought that lighthouse was indestructible, and expressed a wish that he might be in it in the worst storm which ever blew, and he was, and neither himself nor his lighthouse were ever seen again.

Now you have to be exposed to many storms; you must be in your lighthouse in the worst storm which ever blew; therefore build firmly on the Rock of Ages, and make sure work for eternity, for if you do these things, you will never fall. For this Church’s sake, I pray that you do it; for nothing can dishonor and weaken a Church so much as the falls of those who profess Christ. A thousand rivers flow to the sea, and make the meadows rich, but no man hears their sound; but if there is one waterfall, its thunderous sound will be heard for miles, and every traveler will note the fall. A thousand Christians can scarcely give honor to their Master as much as one hypocrite can do to dishonor him. If you have ever tasted that the Lord is gracious, pray that your foot will not slip. It would be infinitely better to bury you in the earth than see you buried in sin. If I must be lost, God grant it may not be as an apostate. If I must, after all, perish, it would be better never to have known the way of righteousness than after having known the theory of it, and something of the enjoyment of it, turn again to the weak and miserable principles of the world?

Let your prayer not be against death, but against sin. For your own sake, for the Church’s sake, for the name of Christ’s sake, I pray you do this. But you cannot persevere except by many prayers in the closet, a great deal of carefulness over every action, a great dependence on the strong hand of the Holy Spirit who alone can make you stand. Walk and live as in the sight of God, knowing where your great strength lies, and depend on it you will yet sing that sweet doxology in Jude, “To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy - to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”

A simple faith brings the soul to Christ, Christ keeps the faith alive; that faith enables the believer to persevere, and so they enter heaven. May that be your lot and mine for Christ’s sake. Amen."
Great thoughts to remember this week:
Build firmly on the Rock of Ages. (Augustus Toplady got the idea for one of the greatest hymns while seeking shelter in the cleft of a rock during a violent thunderstorm - "Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee." )
Pray that your foot will not slip. (Psalm 121:3 - He will not let your foot slip - He who watches over you will not slumber.)
Let your prayer be against sin. (Romans 12:9 - Hate what is evil, CLING to what is good."
Walk and Live in the Sight of God - knowing your any strength depends on it. (Annie Hawks, a housewife and mother of three wrote this hymn one bright June morning in 1872 - "I need Thee Every Hour."
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Delight Yourself in the Lord

2010-06-06T11:45:00.000-07:00

The deer has traveled far in reach of its destination. A stream, glistening and clear, offering refreshment to the weary animal. Deeply, with no hesitation the deer bends low and drinks of this crystal water.

My eyes rest on these precious words found in Psalm 113:5:

"But I trust in your unfailing love my heart rejoices in your salvation."

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Psalm 16:11)

What JOY is found in the presence of the Lovely One. The end of the week and the beginning of another brings forth a Sunday afternoon. I come as a deer in thirst and pant, I long for the Living God.

"I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord. With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the Living God." Psalm 84:2

I enter the courts of the Lord. A place of remembrance, a place I can drink in His loveliness and experience the tremendous and quiet peace He offers. A peace not as the world gives. He is my source of true refreshment - the path of life. The deepest of joys are found in Him, eternal pleasures are at His right hand. Oh thirsty heart, drink deeper and burst forth in praise. Rejoice in this salvation.

Now I come and drink, without doubt or question, because of His completed work. Calm assurance washes over me - "I am His and He is mine." Tears well up within my soul. I, the unlovely one, belong to Him. Belonging because of REDEMPTION.

Nothing compares. Nothing else can satisfy. This is lasting joy.

This day, I drink deeply of the joy that can only be found in Him.

Those words - It is Finished, Amaze me once again and I delight.

I delight myself in the Lord.

"The happiness of the creature consists in rejoicing in God, by which God is magnified and exalted." Jonathan Edwards

Lord Jesus, Thou who only art
The endless source of purest joy,
O come and fill this longing heart;
May naught but Thee my thoughts employ.
Teach me on Thee to fix my eye,
For none but Thee can satisfy.

- Author unknown

A Time to Laugh

2010-06-03T04:52:00.000-07:00
Before the day was done, no laugh had made a sound. This was realized with much disappointment. How can one go through the day without laughing?

The hectic life of mother and wife can cause me to forget the joy of laughter. I smile and stop. I watch my boys have fun and I enjoy the sound of their laughter, but I do not always join in. Instead of moving to the sound of laughter, I walk away from it and continue on with my schedule.
Last week, our little family went on a crab-fishing adventure. The boys just loved it. I enjoyed just being together and on the way home, everyone was in good spirits. This is when it hit me. At the sound of my laughter, my youngest son who was completely unaware of what had brought on my amusement began to laugh. He continued to laugh until I stopped. Before long, we were all laughing. It felt really good to see them laugh with me and not just with each other. They were laughing WITH ME and I WITH THEM.

The next day I made a promise to myself - I would make laughter more of a focus in my household. I would choose to see the funnies in life and share in each laugh. I wondered how I could make this happen. I am a naturally playful person. According to some personality tests, I am an otter, a fun-loving, playful individual. However, for the past few months life has become busier than before. Like most moms, I have been balancing the joys of caring for two young children, managing a home (cleaning, cooking, paying taxes, etc) helping with the family business, teaching piano and the list goes on. Some days, I thought I simply I was floating on the endless Sea of Responsibility. I had no time for fun, there was work to be done!!

I believe the Lord used the crab-fishing time as another teaching lesson for mom. As we enjoyed such a simple time together and laughed at all the joy around us, I learned another valuable lesson: sometimes I take myself way too seriously! I am serious about life but sometimes I take it too far.

Do you remember Uncle Albert in Mary Poppins? His laughter was contagious and the children were hungry for that kind of glee. Mary Poppins on the other hand was quite concerned with "not having her schedule interrupted." But as Jane wisely mentioned once Mary Poppins joined them, "It wouldn't be any fun without you."At times I have found myself in that very same position, unwilling to have my schedule interrupted. Unwilling to hear the laughter all around me. Unwilling to see the laughter bursting forth in each new day. I think my children would say the same thing, "it wouldn't be any fun without you." Children love to hear their mothers laugh! I realized this last week and I want to them to hear of this laughter more often.

I want to make laughter more of a focus in my home even in the midst of increasing responsibility and so I read of some practical ways to start:

Smile. Count your blessings.

When you hear laughter move toward it.

Spend time with fun, playful people, aka. your children!

The list goes on:

Laugh at yourself. The best way to take ourselves less seriously is talk about times when we took ourselves too seriously.

Attempt to laugh at situations rather than bemoan them. (Good one!) Look for the humor in a bad situation, the irony and absurdity of life. This will help improve your mood and the mood of those around you.

Keep things in perspective - Deal with your stress.

Pay attention to children and emulate them. They are the experts on playing, taking life lightly, and laughing.

I thought I'd share one of my son's favorite songs. Since June is income tax month for small businesses, this is a rather appropriate song for our family. It sure makes us laugh! Have fun watching.

Is He Great in my Life?

2010-06-02T19:26:00.001-07:00
God is infinitely great! My finite mind cannot comprehend His immensity.

In Prince Caspian, Aslan speaks to Lucy, "Every year you grow, you will find me bigger." I believe the same is true for the believing pilgrim. His greatness is impossible for us to grasp because of our limited minds. However, through nature and past Biblical history we can learn more of Him. As we grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and seek to abide in Him, may our eyes catch a glimpse of His greatness. As we learn more of Him, may we gaze longer and be transformed by what we see and come to know.

I have pondered this question for many weeks now: How should a glimpse of God's greatness affect my life? It is not enough to speak of how great our God God is, but do I live like He IS great in my life? Do I live like I believe what the Bible teaches and what nature so eagerly proclaims is true? Can I truly say - "Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all." (1 Chronicles 29:11)

Is my aim to magnify or exalt Christ - to show that He is magnificent and demonstrate that He is indeed great. If this is my purpose, how will this play out in my life?

If I believe...

GOD is great in POWER: "By the word of God were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth. He gathers the waters of the seas into jars; He puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him. For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded , and it stood firm." (Psalm 33:6-9)

I should revere Him and stand in awe of Him. The works of my hands, my spoken words, my hidden thoughts and intentions of my heart must bring Him praise because of my sincere reverence and fear for this holy and glorious God!

Creation clearly displays His great power. My family is intrigued by the many great Dinosaurs that once lived. The Seismosaurus reached an estimated length of 115-140 feet. Their very footsteps would cause the earth to shake. What great power! If we were to come face to face with one of these creatures, we would surely shake with fright. To think that God created these magnificent creatures! How more powerful is He than that which He created.

He is a powerful God! Why do I not tremble?

If I believe...

GOD is great in Wisdom:

"God made the earth by His power; He established the earth by His wisdom and by His understanding and skill stretched out the heavens." (Jeremiah 10:12)

I should trust in His understanding and acknowledge Him in all things, good and bad.

When God creates a humble hush,
And make Leviathan His brush,
It won't be long before the rod
Becomes the tender kiss of God.
What we have lost - God will restore
That and Himself,
forevermore
When He is finished with His art,
The silent worship of our heart.
Beware the thought that is all vain.
In time, God's wisdom will be plain. - John Piper

I had an experience last week that really scared me. My oldest son ran into a park toy, ended up in the hospital and in a few short hours the deep gash in his head was all stitched up. (Praise the Lord!) The Lord had provided complete strangers to help me, one lady even insisting she drive us to the hospital. Of course, I didn't argue and away we went. I sat in the back seat with my son, praying with him and talking to him as he started to become drowsy. The whole experience will never be forgotten, either will the words that echoed in my mind as I sat close to my son.

God is in Control. I can trust Him with my son. I can trust him with my fears. I can, but sometimes I do not.

He is a Wise God! Why do I doubt Him?

If I believe...
GOD is great in Love:

" This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us, let us love one another." (1 John 4:9-11)

I should marvel at His great love for me and never forget His mercy.

He is a merciful, loving God! Why do I forget?

Why do I not tremble? Why do I doubt? Why do I forget?

Our family loves gardening. One reason I enjoy working with plants is simply because of the spiritual refreshment I gain from watching them grow. These fragile plants DEPEND on their roots for sustenance, without them they would surely wither and die. They would cease to grow.

When I find myself in this place - a place of stunted growth - I know He is still great, but His Greatness is having no visible affect on my life. He is not being magnified. He is not being honored.

Only as I grow in Him, does He become greater in my life.

The importance of a life rooted in Christ. His power, His wisdom and His love strengthen the feeble pilgrim. The pilgrim whose life is transformed by this kind of knowledge proclaims the greatness of his God. God is truly magnified in the one who thirsts after righteousness! God is truly honored in the one who abides in Christ only.

"The pure in heart will see God." Matthew 5:8

Weariness

2010-05-27T06:08:00.000-07:00

Galatians 6:9 " Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
The morning begins and thoughts gather around my heart. I listen to myself. My eyes look around at all I see as chaotic. Already, so early, I feel behind. I have a choice to make. Do I listen to myself . Thankfully, I remember the wisdom spoken to me from others who have faced the same battle. The battle of inadequacy. I fight thoughts of failure with the lovely and holy truths of God. I consider the strength He offers, the strength to consider better things:
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8
I consider what He spoken as most important. Do not become weary in doing good.
The following parable, written by Temple Bailey, presents what should be the ambition of every mother regarding her children.
The young Mother set her foot on the path of life. “Is the way long?” she asked.

And her Guide said, “Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning.”

But the young Mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way, and bathed with them in the clear streams; and the sun shone on them, and life was good, and the young Mother cried, “Nothing will ever be lovelier than this.”

The night came, and storm, and the path was dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the Mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said, “Oh, Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come,” and the Mother said, “This is better than the brightness of day, for I have taught my children courage.

And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the Mother was weary, but at all times she said to the children, “A little patience, and we are there.” So the children climbed, and when they reached the top, they said, “We could not have done it without you, Mother.”

And the Mother, when she lay down that night, looked up at the stars, and said, “This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage. Today I have given them strength.”

And the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth--clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled, and the Mother said, “Look up. Lift your eyes to the Light.” And the children looked and saw above the clouds an Everlasting Glory, and it guided them and brought them beyond the darkness. And that night the Mother said, “This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God.”

And the days went on, and the weeks, and the months, and the years, and the Mother grew old, and she was little and bent. But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And when the way was hard, they helped their Mother; and when the way was rough, they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill and beyond the hill they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide.

And the Mother said, "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know that the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them.”

And the children said, “You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates.”

And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said: “We cannot see her, but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a Living Presence.”

Give Thanks

2010-05-24T18:23:00.000-07:00

We teach our children as we live. Today was just one of those days.
A teaching day. Teaching boys to be thankful and rejoice in the day the Lord has made.

"O Lord, that lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness." William Shakespeare

I'm thankful for my bigger boy who found a Heart-shaped walnut and studied it with intrigue.

I'm thankful for my husband who plants beautiful colors in my garden.

"Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul." Henry Ward Beecher

I'm thankful for the beauty I see all around me.

" The greatest part of our happiness depends on our dispositions, not our circumstances." Martha Washington

I'm thankful for my little boy who is always observing the world around him with delight.

I'm thankful they can play on the teeter-totter all by themselves.

"Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face." Victor Hugo

I'm thankful for sprinklers on warm, humid days.
I'm thankful for warm, humid days.

I'm thankful my boys live in a safe place.
I'm thankful I can pray to God and trust He will watch over them.

I'm thankful for individual personalities, it makes life fun.

I'm thankful for long week-ends and helpful little boys.

"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." John Quincy Adams

I'm thankful for children who know how to play and learn.

"Each new day is a new beginning -
to learn more about ourselves
to care more about others,
to laugh more than we did,
to accomplish more than we thought we could,
to be more than we were before."

- Author unknown

My Son, Forget Not

2010-05-22T20:44:00.000-07:00
The sound of scraping concrete is deafening as we play in the park nearby. My boys watch in wonder as four young men jump around and skate in a wading pool emptied of its water. I watch my sons and consider. Each day they grow older. Who will they be? What will they do with the life they've been given?

I drink in all around me, all that includes them. Noah : the dimpled smile, thoughtful personality, imagination, sensitivity, enthusiasm - Micah: the swirling blond hair, charming personality, independence, determination and sweetness. Their little hands grasp the swing and they ask me for the "biggest underdog in the whole wide world."

These are the moments that bring me much joy. The soft touch of warm air presses against their little faces as the swing brings them forth again. Squeals of delight erupt from within them. We are happy. Just mama and her boys in an open, busy park with others rushing around us.I silently thank God for His watch over our lives.

The sky unfolds dark, looming clouds that threaten rain and yet Life continues, I drink in the moment. Drinking deeply as I cherish the days of innocent laughter and tiny hands burrowing in the sand, little legs running so hard and moving slowly, lasting smiles of a day well spent. A day, purposely put in slow motion just to enjoy the gift of having each other. The gift of just being.

Before we leave, I glance over at the skater boys again. I have no idea who they are and what dreams they may imagine for themselves. Listening to their language sends a sadness to my heart. I hold my boys closer. My hand tightens around their fingers as I lead them down the path towards home. I watch their little feet step carefully. They look up and smile. It will not be long now, before they too will imagine and seek off in search of their dreams.

But right now I have them here with me. Right now, my husband and I have two boys who are willing to hold our hands and learn from us of the narrow path. When evening falls, I tuck the memories of the day deep within my heart. A safe place, there I can treasure them forever. While I'm preparing for the evening hours, I hear my son speak tenderly to his father.

"Daddy, I love you." How blessed I am to have a husband who loves his children. They cannot help but love him in return. I pray he will teach them how to be men of God. I am certain the way my husband shows such patient, tender love is a step in the right direction.
Oh, these times are precious. How we must redeem the time.

Each day they grow a little older. I must train and teach them so when they do venture out, they might walk uprightly in this crooked generation. I just hope they will always have such a careful step, a step that is pleasing to God.

Proverbs 3 - Great wisdom for sons.

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart.

So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

TRUST in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase:

My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:

So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.Without not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Devise not evil against thy neighbor seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. For the froward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.

The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly

The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

Grace : As I Have Received, may I also Give.

2010-05-15T12:37:00.000-07:00
I watched as he pulled the elastic tight and I slowly found a seat by the kitchen table.The tired elastic, overused and taut broke suddenly under the pressure and tension. I watched the elastic with sympathetic eyes, I am not the only one who feels the tension from the pull and weight of this life. However, a plastic elastic cannot offer much guidance or comfort.

It was meant to be stretched. The elastic had reached its full potential and served its purpose faithfully. I on the other hand felt defeated. The daily tasks seemed to whirl insults around me. I felt myself being caught up in a motherhood tornado and wondered where I'd drop once the funnel cloud subsided. I felt like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, only these experiences were not at all wonderfully astonishing.

True, I had been astonished that day - I stood in amazement as three glasses of milk crashed to the floor in a matter of hours.

I stood speechless and listened to the cries of two little boys with such different personalities and interests want the same toy at the same time. Astonished? Yes, but not in a state of "amazed admiration" but rather in a dazed, flabbergasted and perplexed state of wonder.

It was at the end of the day when I questioned myself. When was the last time I stood astonished at the work of justification? God receives as righteous those who believe, not because of any good He sees in them, but solely based on Christ's righteousness. What would happen in my life if I viewed the great work of justification as truly astonishing? What would happen in my life if I thought of His grace as truly amazing?

Sadly, these thoughts came at the end of the day.

So instead of allowing my attitude to be transformed by the renewing of my mind, I continued on unaware of my great need - the need to consider justification - that there was nothing good in me and yet He freely bestowed His grace.

I walked over to the kitchen cupboard to start lunch preparations. Scratching at anything within myself to offer more strength, endurance, wisdom, patience and guidance. Nothing. I reached up and struggled to grasp hold of something on the top shelf. At this point my oldest son entered the room and upon noticing my defeat, he asked me in his sincere 3 year old voice.

"Mama, what are you reaching for?"

His simple question caused me to stop in my reaching and desperation. What am I reaching for? Sadly, I could name a million things. On days like these, I'm reaching for anything to satisfy for thirst. Could it be perfection, order, achievement, identity, possessions, etc.

And he continues,"You're short and can't reach it."

At 5'8, I wouldn't exactly call myself short, but I realized to him I must have looked utterly senseless. Here I was reaching for something that was obviously much higher and greater than I and yet I continued to struggle.

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

I have fallen short and I continue to fall short each day. I need His grace. Instead of my struggle for perfection and being left defeated, may I glory in the thought of being complete and perfect in Christ. (Colossians 1:28) May I stand amazed at this blessed truth and boast only in the cross. Instead of my struggle for order and being left defeated, may I refuse to order my life in a way that pleases me and exalts who I am, but choose to do all things for the glory of God. Instead of my struggle to achieve more and being left defeated, may I consider all things a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ. Instead of my struggle to understand my identity and purpose, may I truly understand my identity in Christ. I have died with Christ (Rom. 6:5-6); therefore “consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 6:11). I am holy in Christ (Col 3:12) therefore “be holy in all your conduct” (1 Pet. 1:15). Instead of being overcome with the push for more in this life, may I "set my mind on things above" where thieves do not break in and steal.

On these "short" days, I am left tired, discouraged and overwhelmed. I struggle and trust myself with the moments of my day instead of relying on God. Just as my son observed me reaching for something that was clearly out of my reach, in a spiritual sense I do the same thing. I grasp for things that do not satisfy. Reaching for things that only prove my own insignificance instead of being satisfied in His greatness. I fall short of His glory. But Paul continues to write, "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." (Verse 24)

I love those words "being justified freely." How utterly amazing! How do I lose sight of this?
He continues His work in me. He continues to "refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." (Jeremiah 31:25) How quickly I forget that HE is greater, His grace has power to work in our weakest moments. When I think of His grace, the grace by which I have been justified, the events of motherhood begin to make sense. The three glasses of milk that fall to the floor bring about a different reaction. Instead of frustration, I remember my former place and His amazing grace shown to the most vile of sinners. And I offer grace to my children. I share the love and patience of Christ.Not because of any good in me, but because of His work through me. What great power is given as we solely depend and rely on Him.
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10) Only God can bring about any good found in me. God began the work through the redemption in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:23) and He will complete the work.

John Piper writes:
If you build your life on these verses (23,24 of Romans 3) - if the truth of these two verse becomes the foundation of your life - you will be unshakable in a hundred crises. It these verse become the sun in the solar system of your life, all your planets will orbit in harmony around the will of God. But if you put these verses out on the rim of your life (say near Neptune or Pluto) you need not be surprised if there is confusion and uncertainty and fear and weakness in your life.

As we consider His grace in our lives the path of motherhood will be clear. We love because He first loved us. We forgive because He first forgave us. Stop reaching for empty cisterns and drink of His abundant grace. May our children see the good works of patience, kindness, love and gentleness in us as a result of God's grace and glorify Him, the Giver of all things. This is my purpose.

" Let your light for shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

(From the pen of John Newton)

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith and love and every grace
Might more of His salvation know
And seek more earnestly His Face.

The Lord replied,

"There inward trials I employ
from self and pride to set thee free
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
That thou mayest seek thy all in me."

May we seek our all IN HIM.

2010-05-11T09:09:00.000-07:00

(I'm not a pastor's wife, but I found this to be helpful.)

She Does Him Good

by Nicole Whitacre

“She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life” (Proverbs 31:12).

Here at the pastors’ wives blog, we want to spend a few weeks considering how to do our husbands good. I’ve been asked me to kick things off with an overview—which will be review for many. But some of the wisest pastors’ wives in Sovereign Grace will follow with tried and true advice. I can’t wait to hear from them!

This verse may be one of the most often overlooked of the well-studied Proverbs 31 passage. As pastors’ wives we’re so busy rising early to provide food and clothing for our family, extending our hand to the poor and needy in our church, trying to speak with wisdom and kindness, that “doing our husband good” may unintentionally fall to the back of the line. We need regular reminders to make this task one of our highest priorities.

So let’s take a closer look at this verse, beginning with the first part, one word at a time.

“SHE does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.” Prov. 31:12

Who is to bring my husband good? None other than me. I have been created, fashioned, designed to bring my husband—with all his strengths, flaws, talents and weaknesses—good.

“It is not good” said the Lord in Genesis 2:18 “that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him” (emphasis mine).

A helper “is one who supplies strength in the area that is lacking in the helped,” she is “fit for him” or as the ESV Study Bible puts it: “matching him.”

Each of us, no less than Eve, is made to match our husband.

We were created to supply strength in the precise areas of weakness, to bring happiness that counterbalances his sorrows, to help him carry his appointed burdens in life and ministry, and to complement his gifts in every way. We are, indeed, his perfect match.

Shakespeare echoes the sentiment of our Creator: “He is half part of a blessed man, left to be finished by such a she.”

Even though your husband might get wise counsel or critique from the other men on the pastoral team, receive encouragement from the congregation, have a capable administrative assistant, a supportive family, and godly friends who spur him on--he is still half part of a blessed man. You alone “fit him.” You alone have the unique ability to do him good.

“An excellent wife is the crown of her husband” says Charles Bridges: “she is his crown; his brightest ornament, drawing the eyes of all upon him, as eminently honored and blessed.”

But we don’t always feel like bright ornaments, do we? As pastors’ wives we are married to gifted men, who interact all day with other gifted pastors and spend hours studying God’s Word (in original Greek and Hebrew). We, on the other hand, interact all day with toddlers (or teenagers acting like toddlers!) and spend hours reading Cat in the Hat and Goodnight Moon (in original English).

It can be easy to think we have little to offer them in the way of wisdom, insight, counsel, or encouragement. We may assume they know more about God’s Word than we do or that the other guys on the team are better equipped to counsel them. We might even compare ourselves to other pastors’ wives and conclude we would be a better helper if only we were more like_____________.

This truth: that we alone have a unique ability to do him good should encourage us to fulfill our role in faith. We’ve been created to be a helper fit for him, so doing him good should receive our greatest attention and efforts. Charles Bridges describes the wife who takes this responsibility seriously:
“Her husband’s comfort is her interest and her rest. To live for him is her highest happiness. This course of disinterested regard and devoted affection, when conducted on Christian principles, commends most graciously the ‘holy and honorable estate of matrimony.”…No greater glory could be desired, than that which is given to it, that it should illustrate ‘the great mystery,’—‘Christ and his Church,” the identity of interest between the; her trials his; his cause hers.”
Doing our husbands good is of great importance because it mirrors one half of that “identity of interest between Christ and the church.” We are to do our husbands good: not only for their sakes or to get something from them in return, but because we love our Savior. This responsibility is an honor because it is ultimately for Christ. And we can have confidence that God Himself will bless us as we seek to do our husbands good.

Our Savior is the one, after all, who transforms our motives from “I do me good” to “I do him good.” If it weren’t for God’s grace at work in our hearts, the only “good” we would do our husbands wouldn’t be good at all, but rather manipulation dressed up as goodness. He’s the one who gives us the desire and he will help us persevere in doing our husbands good.

“She DOES him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.” (Proverbs 31:12)

The Proverbs 31 woman is a woman of action. She isn’t simply a well-wisher of her husband’s happiness; she’s a doer of good to him. She brings him good, it says in the NIV. She delivers and supplies good to him. She does it.

It doesn’t say whether or not she feels like doing her husband good. In fact, feelings don’t enter into the matter. Not that feelings are irrelevant--if we lack desire to do our husband good, this needs to be investigated. Maybe bitterness has corroded our desire, laziness has dampened it, or busyness and selfishness have stifled it. If so, we must repent from sin and ask God to revive in our hearts a desire to do good to our husband.

But we must not wait for some lovey-dovey feeling or just the right time to do him good. Instead, as a step of repentance, we must act for our husband's good. This not only proves our desire for his happiness, but will fuel it as well.

“The…conclusive evidence of our wishing or willing to do good to another” wrote Jonathan Edwards, “is, to do it.” He goes on: “In every case nothing can be plainer, than that the proper and conclusive evidence of the will, is the act…for whatever we truly desire, we do thus seek.”

If we truly desire our husband's good, we’ll make specific efforts toward his happiness. We will not simply love him in word or tongue, “but in deed and truth” (1 John 3:18-19).

Maybe, like me, you are full of good intentions and resolutions but often come up empty on action. That’s when a plan can be helpful. Take a few minutes to think about your husband and ask yourself: “What is one way I can do him good and how can I make it happen?”

“She does HIM good, and not harm, all the days of her life.” Proverbs 31:12

The object of this wife’s active do-gooding is her husband.

Obviously the Proverbs 31 woman does good to many people—her children, her servants, the poor and needy, the business community. But it seems clear from verse 12—and many other places in Scripture—that the primary priority of the virtuous woman is to do her husband good. He is to be the number one recipient of her efforts and energy.

As pastor’s wives it is so easy to get busy trying to do a lot of good for a lot of people—our children, the church, even the community. But if we don’t make doing good to our husband our highest priority, or if doing good to others hinders or significantly limits the good we can do our husband, we are not an authentic replica of the Proverbs 31 woman.

This truth helps simplify my priorities as a pastor’s wife. When I put my husband as the first priority (after my relationship with God, of course) it helps me determine what else is important and what is not.

Sad to say, I don’t always do this. Sometimes I am quick to meet my kid’s needs or to agree to serve someone in the church without considering whether or not it would serve my husband. But truth is, doing my husband good is actually one of the best ways to serve my children and my church!

Charles Spurgeon describes the excellent wife: “She asks not how her behavior may please a stranger, or how another’s judgment may approve her conduct; let her beloved be content and she is glad.”

Oh this is a good reminder for us as pastor’s wives! How often are we tempted to ask how another’s judgment may approve our conduct? We need God’s help to consistently make our husband’s good our first priority—no matter what others think.

“She does him GOOD, and not harm, all the days of her life.” Proverbs 31:12

We’ll spend the next few weeks considering ways that we can do our husbands good. In the meantime, why not ask your husband?

http://www.sovgracepastorswives.com/2010/02/she-does-him-good.html

Mother's Day

2010-05-09T10:25:00.000-07:00

These are my boys.
No one knows them like I do.
They make me smile.
I have hopes and dreams for them;
I pray will come true.

These are my boys.
No one loves them like I do.
They make me cry.
I know this life can be uncertain;
I trust God's promises are true.

In a crowd I see them
learning, observing,
Asking questions and
puzzled by things around them.
Until suddenly, they just know.

They are loved.
To me, they are everything.
They may not be like the one beside them,
but these boys are mine.
I know what makes them laugh.
I know what works up their frustration.
I know the strengths of their person
and the weaknesses they cannot hide.
And yet,
They smile with understanding.
Mommy is close by and loves them.
Mommy is near and keeps watch over them.

Nothing will change my love for them.
But I am just a mother.
My strength can weaken.
My days
are swiftly passing by.
The thought of this,
brings deep heaviness.
I wipe a tear from my eye.
How I long to always protect them from this world.

Oh, but I must not forget the promise of His shelter
and the shadow of the Almighty.
He is great.
This is what I must teach.
Not that I can heal every hurt and be near for every cry.
My life is not certain.
I am a fading flower.
I must direct their thoughts to Him.
I must show of Christ's love each day.
This is where security lies.
No future is secure, unless placed in Christ.
This is where my hope lies.
In Christ, My Savior.

I hope to live eternally with my sons.
I hope their future will be secure in Christ Jesus, the King of Kings.
Sustainer of everything.

I hope and pray.

Today on Mother's Day I am reminded of this blessed truth.
Though my love for them is great, His Love is greater.
I look at my boys
I give thanks for this day, this moment.
They are mine,
precious gifts from God.
And than it begins to make sense.

They are yours God.
Every Child in Canada is yours.
"And its all Yours, God, Yours God,
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky,
To the depths of the ocean floor."

The Keeper of the stars in the sky
has fashioned my two boys
and graciously placed them in my care.
He knows them more than I will ever know.
He loves them more than I can ever love.
What joy in knowing this,
they are most precious to Him.
They are His.
Though I may not always be near them,
I pray He will watch their steps;
that His faithfulness will be their shield and rampart.

This day, I simply praise God for letting me be a part of His plan.

A mother to these boys.

A chance to enjoy these two little boys
and watch them grow into men.
A chance to speak with kindness and see them respond in joy.
A chance to share in their wonder of
of childhood and faraway worlds.
A chance to hold them close
and closer still
drinking in the smell of a busy boy's day.
A chance to fold little jeans
and find mismatched socks - socks so small and worn.
A chance to listen to earnest prayers
and answer the questions they have of God.
A chance to stay near
and calm their fears when they are scared.
A chance to say, "I love you."
A chance to say, "I'm sorry."
A chance to quiet my busy mind
and just watch - ready to love.

All the while, never forgetting

They are His.
Created according to His perfect plan.
I am just blessed to see His plan unfold.
May I not be a mother of hindrance
but rather
a mother transformed,
coming forth as gold
and pointing them to the Refiner.
Pointing them to the One in whom they truly belong.
The One in whom is life eternal
and joy abundant.

The One who called me to be called mother.

The Rose

2010-05-07T19:19:00.001-07:00

My 28th year is just beginning. I wonder how I can be more of the woman God wants me to be.

A few months ago, I was challenged with the thought of what it means to truly submit to and respect my husband. I decided my purpose in life as helpmate was summed up in this one word - service. The days ahead will be stepping stones in learning what it means to be a servant and choosing to live as one. I have concluded that a true servant is marked by sincere humility. (A wife of humility who can find? )

Servants - They give without expectation. They give because they want to and nothing within them holds back. The needs of others are considered above their own desires .

As a wife, I ask myself : Do I give without expectation? Or are my expectations of him so great that he is always falling short leaving me to grumble? Do I give willingly? Or are seeds of resentment, distrust and bitterness still buried deep within my heart. Are his needs really more important than my own desires? Do I care for his needs more than I would my own? Or are his needs ignored because they are simply inconvenient?

I have been blessed with a kind husband who does not ask for much. In many ways, it would be easy to live selfishly, he rarely complains. As a fallen daughter of Eve, it is also very easy to sneak thoughts around in my mind...will I really be happy if I live my life as a simple helpmate? How could I possibly be happy serving someone else ALL DAY? When is it my turn? When will someone care for me?

Thankfully, the Lord has been gracious to me. I have asked Him for wisdom in this area and He does not disappoint. Therefore, He has not only shown me ways in which I can improve as a helpmate to my husband, but He has also shown me how I can actually ENJOY this life of servant hood.

I came across a little pop quiz in a book I'm currently reading and I found it to be very helpful. There are many wise, older woman out there who are willing to teach the younger. These are some of her questions:

Do you make some time each day to focus on your husband alone, talking to him about his day, his needs, his joys, his frustrations?
Do you focus on your role of helpmate, rather than thinking of your husband as someone to help you?
Do you communicate with him admiration and respect, and verbally praise and encourage him?
Do you try to learn more about the things that interest him, so that you can be more fully apart of his world?
Do you encourage him in his role as leader in your family, and are you willing to follow him when he does lead?
Do the two of you go out by yourselves sometimes, even just for coffee?
The author continues to write,

"At the end of the day, we won't always feel like serving our husbands, but the good news is this: Our success in this area DOES NOT depend on us, our strength, or our feelings. (2 Corinthians 9:8 - And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.)

We serve a Great God! He is willing and able to strengthen us that He might be glorified through us. He is willing to teach us through His word what it means to surrender our lives to Him so that others may be blessed by us. He is willing to lead us in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake so that He will receive all the glory. We receive the joy of pleasing our Heavenly Father.

As I look at these roses my husband gave me, I pray as they are pleasing to my eye that I might be precious in God's sight.

A Wife as a Rose:

"A true wife makes a man's life nobler, stronger, grander, by the omnipotence of her love 'turning all the forces of manhood upward and heavenward.' While she clings to him in holy confidence and loving dependence she brings out in him whatever is nobles and richest in his being. She inspires him with her courage and earnestness. She beautifies his life. She softens whatever is rude and harsh in his habits or his spirit. She clothes him with the gentler graces of refined and cultured manhood. While she yields to him and never disregards his lightest wish, she is really his queen, ruling his whole life and leading him onward and upward in every proper path. -JR Miller

A Servant of the Lord must...

2010-05-04T04:55:00.000-07:00
My boys are sleeping longer than normal this morning.(Three straight hours of playing outside last night must have exhausted them.) This quiet morning has been a blessing. It has given me some extra time to think and consider things. This morning I read a verse that perfectly applies to motherhood. I will post this verse near my bed side table. Each morning I can be reminded of my purpose and continue on faithfully with perseverance.

"And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth." 2 Timothy 2:24-25

What a joy in serving the Lord! Making beds, laundry, preparing breakfast, laundry, cleaning bathrooms, playing with little boys, laundry, reading bedtime stories, scrubbing floors, talking with my boys, laundry...the most important of all these is love. In the midst of a growing to-do list, I must take the time to love. And there is no better way to show love then to teach and correct my children in gentleness, patience and humility.

I find it interesting how in this particular verse Paul goes on to describe how a servant of the Lord behaves, not what a servant of the Lord does.

By the strength and power of the Holy Spirit working within me, may these qualities mark my behavior today.

Questions of Interest

2010-04-29T04:12:00.000-07:00
In our church group we have been studying Ted Tripp's book, Shepherding a Child's Heart. I have learned much from his wise and godly counsel concerning child rearing.

Last night we looked at the difference between children who follow rules to stay away from trouble or children who respond from changed hearts to honor and glorify God. The Pharisees in the Bible were great at following rules, but their hearts were wicked. Matthew 12:34, "You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the outflow of the heart the mouth speaks." The words of Jesus go straight to the issue, our words reveal our heart.

In parenting our children, we must expose the heart. They are to see that the heart is deceitfully wicked and in need of redemptive change.

In his book, Tripp takes us through a series of questions in order to do so.

The questions we should ask our children point them to the deceit and sin naturally occurring in their hearts. These are the good pointed questions. But first of all, he takes us through some negative questions.

Negative Question 1 : Why did you hit your brother? Why is your toy in the toilet? I have asked these sort of questions before. In my haste, I want a quick answer and a quick response. I'm busy with other things of seemingly more importance and so their bad behavior is having an effect on my time, etc. Its bothering ME. But I never get the right answers when I ask these questions. " I hit my brother because he hit me." But more sadly than not getting the proper answers, they do not see how their behavior is dishonoring to GOD. I do not help them explore the reasons behind their actions because I just want their actions to stop. This sort of parenting does not produce positive results. Instead my focus must be on the sickness of their hearts and its need for healing. They must understand their diagnosis.

These are questions Ted Tripp suggests asking our children instead in order for them to see their need for healing.

What were you feeling when you hit your sister?
What did your sister do to make you mad?
Help me understand how hitting her seemed to make things better?
What was the problem with what she was doing with you?
In what other ways could you have responded?

These questions definitely take more time, but in the process your children learn that they can talk to you honestly about what is going on. They understand you aren't rushing them into forced obedience but that you are willing to take the time to understand their thoughts and feeling. These questions get to the heart of the issue. These questions reveal to them the deeper problem that must be dealt with.

The whole point of these direct questions is to encourage our children to look at their actions as God sees them.

Mothers must do our part.

My prayer is that we would take the time to nurture these eternal beings.

That they may become men and women who seek after the heart of God and that we would counsel them in this way.

"Discipleship means adherence to the person of Jesus, and therefore submission to the law of Christ which is the law of the cross." (Bonhoeffer 1906-1945)