We don't do TV. We don't have cable. We do watch movies. :) We are rather selective, and our favorite rental place is our local library! One new movie we just viewed was FLYWHEEL. It was put out by a church, Sherwood Bible Church (I think).
It is wonderful!
The same church that put this out, also put out FACING THE GIANTS. They both have made it to our top family fun movies. I highly recommend this movie! (both actually) It was a wonderful tribute to God, a wonderful story of redemption, and restitution. My kids loved it! When I was asked by the children who my favorite character was, I could only reply .... GOD was! :) He was the Hero, He was ever glorified, ever present, all powerful and sovereign. You will enjoy this film!
we laughed we cried, what a wonderful story!
check out this movie, and FACING THE GIANTS.Some time next year keep your eyes peeled for the next movie from Sherwood, called FIREPROOF!
Please keep this ministry in your prayers, what a mighty work God is doing in and through them.

drowning out....

Some moments are like water washing over you. Fresh and clear, cold and nearly overwhelming.

Yet He is my Rock. His Word washes over me and makes me new. It is the Holy Spirit that holds me up in the midst of the fall.

We dwell in the midst of the Fall...

Our Lords Word is sure, it is pure, it will wash us. And Upon this Rock, we can stand. Jesus is our Rock. Our eternal hope, what we cling to, what holds us up higher, than we could ever be with out Him. I remember when I took this picture. We were on a business trip in North Carolina, not far from Asheville.. It was so loud, so many drops of water rushing down a mountain side, crashing on the rocks, melting together once again. It was so loud, it was difficult to hear anything but the sound of the water. Oh how I wish I could live out my days hearing Gods word rushing over me like that. O, how wonderful to drown out all the distractions, trials and troubles, with His Word, His Spirit, His presence. I know the day will come... But there are moments. Have you had moments with Jesus, where all else slipped away and it was just HIM?

There is a sweet security in knowing He is my Salvation, My Rock, My Redeemer, a security in knowing that my sins are washed away, that His Word will sanctify me, that I have a Counselor, Teacher, Comforter. There is such a joy, I don't mean "happy happy joy", I mean JOY.. In knowing He is the Way, the Truth, the Life... that I am His; That He picked me; That there was NOTHING I did; That I have His promises, His Word, to hold fast to in times of difficulty, and jubilation.

I am not my own, I was bought with a price. Jesus is my KING. I only hope to serve Him better tomorrow than I did today.

you are loved... May His word wash over you, and drown out the temporal, so you can dwell on the eternal... even if it is only for a moment.

I have been

Tagged.

What does that mean? Well it would seem that it means that we still can be just silly girls, and play silly games. But those games sure were fun. So here goes.. I was tagged to share 8 things about lit'l ol' me... things you may not already know... I suppose. So here it goes.

1. One of my children weighed 10 lbs 6 oz at birth...

2. I briefly attended Culinary Arts School...

3. I took every public speaking course offered at my College at the time, but was going for an early ed degree. Had I switched majors I would have graduated earlier... NO one bothered to tell me till after they had all my $$

4. I was once a nanny...

5. I loved Ronald Regan passionately ! I campaigned for him in my elementary school, and would defend him to anyone, anywhere, regardless of age... I wrote him personal letters about all my concerns about this country. I am still on some kind of Regan Memorial Mailing list.

6. I know virtually all of the Abba songs by heart, along with Neil Diamond,from years of brainwashing in my childhood.

7. I love to wear dresses or skirts. I home school all my kids, bake bread, cook from scratch, and never breastfed my babies who were all born by C-Section. *(this always surprises people)

8. I met my husband when I was fourteen. When he first looked at me, he thought I was the girl he'd like to marry. When I first looked at him, I thought he was terrible. I now adore my husband ! He is a man who loves God, loves me, and loves our children. He is an excellent provider, friend, and leader. There is none I would rather walk with nor follow. I have known him for more than half of my life.

So If I find 8 ladies to tag, and you read mine, just find 8 ladies & tag them to tell 8 things about themselves. This was fun... Thanks Saralyn

Buttons Buttons, more and more Buttons...
There are two new buttons on my side panel.
One is a moms for modesty website. I find modesty to be quite an issue in today's girls apparel. I find immodest hussy wear offensive, and I actively seek clothing that is both beautiful as well as modest. Modest doesn't have to mean frumpy. But some of the girls clothing at stores today are utterly unacceptable. This website is neat, and they even have a petition you can sign, to influence retailers into a more modest way.
The other new button is about TRUE foods. By true it is meant, NO Genetic engineering, or not Genetically modified. When you click on this link, you can also get a list of company's and products that are, and a list that are not genetically modified.
So THAT is what the new buttons are about! Be blessed!

doe ray me fa SEW la tee doe

Sew ....
a needle pulling thread.....

"did she say "sew"...?"
yes. I did.

Yesterday we had our first little gathering of new "sewing" gals... Alicia, Kiah and I all got lessons @ Oma's house today!
Hurray!
We got off to a slightly late start, but that was fine. It was fun!
We watched the introductory video that came with my machine, and Oma made us pause it, and go to our machines and do whatever it told us to do. With each of us having a different Brother Sewing Machine it made it a bit tricky; but NOTHING that Oma couldn't handle. :)

Oma even made snazzy sandwiches for us for lunch! It was terrific.

I was working on a straight stitch, (I am a novice, so we picked something simple) and with the straight stitch, I made 1 valence for my boys' room! :) yippee

Alicia, (I am a tad jealous) started on a beautiful apron. How gorgeous and feminine... Watching her labor away, I really thought it was a great project.. One I will have to try my hand at as well.. but not yet... I have pillows to do next. Pillows that will match the curtains in the boys' room.
Kiah, started on a Christmas stocking for her bunny rabbit. Yes, it is even lined. No one else in our whole family has a lined stocking. but for this fine creation of the Lord.... Only a lined Christmas stocking will do.

Well, I will try to buy some batteries to put in my camera, to take pictures, to download, and upload and all that jazz, to put on the blog for you to see. really.... I will. honest....

We have decided to try again for another "sewing day" next week. We are all, quite excited to learn from Oma. I think Oma enjoyed herself too...

What a blessing family and friends can be. Sometimes it feels easier to ask a stranger to teach you, or to sign up for a class somewhere. But if there is someone who loves you, someone who knows you, why not be willing to open up, and let them, beg them, to teach you. It really is a beautiful thing! It rather makes me want to sing....
Laaa -- a note to follow sew.... (this is that "note")
tea ----a drink with jam and bread..
that just makes me hungry...
it is too late to eat.....

Rejoicing in those moments... They come so often that we take them for granted. They are so fleeting that we often don't notice that we have them, till they are long gone. Gratitude to God for the simple smell of a clean baby, snuggling in your arms rather than wrestling. Thankfulness for songs to sing to a blessing about God, and life, and salvation.

Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine... Oh what a foretaste of glory divine,
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.... I once was....
To God be the glory great things He hath done, so loved He the world that He gave us
Jesus, lover of my soul, I will follow you all of my days....
Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures here below.....
Pass me not O gentle savior, hear my humble cry...
Imortal Invisible God only Wise, In light inassessable hid from our eyes, most blessed most glorious .....
God of Wonders beyond our galaxy... YOU are holy... holy
Holy holy holy, Lord God Almighty, early in the morning our song shall rise to thee....
Blessed be the name of the Lord.... blessed be Your glorious name...

Contentment isn't just being ok that stuff is the way it is... It is being joyful doing, or being right where the Lord would have you right now, knowing that is wonderful, even if right here and right now is so hard.... If it is what He has for you, and He is good, it is good where you are, and better where you are headed... There is such hope in contentment. Contentment is NOT apathy.... Not at all...

This Flag symbolizes FREEDOM. I know it does not carry the same weight of glory it perhaps once did. That the freedom is fleeting, but I stand firm that she is still a beautiful country, once glorious in her grace and freedom. I pray she is robed in such again. I am still proud to be an American.

I am a proud member of HSLDA. While I suppose there will be times, I may not agree with their every position... No one ever agrees all the time. I just really am thankful for this organization.

I am so grieved in listening to parents speak of their own children as if they weren't their own, but the states. It seems wrong for teachers or anyone to think that you don't know what is best for your children, and frankly that you won't do what is best. It is offensive, and arrogant.

I have been blessed since 2002 to educate my children in our home. We have traveled this country, we have brought our school books with us where ever we have been. We have been to countless historical sites, from Plymouth Plantation to the Redwoods of California; from Charleston South Carolina, to Hessel Michigan. From Raleigh North Carolina to the deep North Woods of Wisconsin. We have walked the Freedom trail, and grieved at how little freedom we still have today. We have been to Concord and Lexington to see where brave men fought and died for our right to Liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We could NEVER have seen any of it, had we not chosen to home educate. And with out those soldiers who died for us we would never have had the right to be free. With out the tireless work of the staff at HSLDA, and the many parents and grandparents who have fought for my right to educate my children, We wouldn't be able to do what we do. We wouldn't know nearly as much as we do about freedom. Wouldn't know what it took to give it to us. Wouldn't realize it's great worth.

Freedom is NOT free...
It was bought with a price.

Thank you to those fighting the good fight!

I am posting below a copy of a letter Attorney Christopher Klicka wrote, defending us yet again. Thank you Mr. Klicka! May God bless you....

If you would like to learn more about home schooling for the work of HSLDA (Home school Legal Defence) Please check them out on the web at http://www.hslda.org/

Recently an article appeared in the Lansing State Journal in which columnist John Schneider criticizes homeschooling. Attorney Chris Klicka responded as follows:

Dear Mr. Schneider,
Your article “Lack of oversight for home-schooled alarms educator” indicated that because homeschooling is not supervised by government bureaucrats, homeschooled children are not being well educated. The statement from public school teacher Nancy Head that “nobody ever checks up on these kids” makes it appear that homeschool parents need to be held accountable to the state.
However, this is not what evidence has shown. A national study performed by Dr. Brian Ray, “Is Government Regulation Necessary for High Achievement?” compared and contrasted the performance of homeschooled children throughout the country according to the amount of government regulations. The study shows that the academic performance of homeschooled children in states such as New York, with much regulation, is the same as homeschooled children in states like Missouri, which have little regulation. In other words, more government rules and accountability does not make better students.
There is nothing “broke” with the academic performance of Michigan homeschoolers, and there is, therefore, no need to fix it. National studies have shown that Michigan homeschool students, on the average, score above average on standardized achievement tests. The bottom line is that homeschooling works. [To view a summary of national homeschool achievement click here.]
Furthermore, the United States Supreme Court has recognized that the average parent acts in the best interest of their children. After working for the Home School Legal Defense Association for 23 years, I have found that homeschool parents want their children to not only succeed academically, but in every way. Michigan’s compulsory attendance statute regarding homeschooling both protects the fundamental rights of parents to direct the education of their children as guaranteed through the Fourteenth Amendment, and also upholds the understanding that we need to trust parents more than the government oversight.
Homeschooling has not always been free in Michigan. Thousands of families in the 1980’s and 1990’s felt the oppression from the state when they were hounded as criminals by local school districts and the State Department of Education simply because they chose to homeschool. Many families were taken to court. During those years, HSLDA represented thousands of homeschool families, whose right to home school was being challenged by the state. Fortunately for the innocent homeschool families in Michigan, the state supreme court, in our case People v. DeJonge, 501 N.W.2d 127, (Mich. 1993), ruled in favor of the homeschool families and found the teacher certification requirement an unconstitutional violation of the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.
A few years later, the legislature saw the importance of protecting parents’ rights in the area of education and enacted MCLA § 380.01. “It is the natural, fundamental right of parents and legal guardians to determine and direct the care, teaching, and education of their children.” This reaffirmed the basic fundamental right of all parents, including homeschool parents, to have the right to choose the form of education that they deem best for their children.
There is no need to question the need for accountability for homeschool parents to state bureaucracy. Homeschooling has a proven track record of working best when it is left alone by the government.
Sincerely,
Christopher J. Klicka, Esq.HSLDA Senior Counsel
CJK:kts

Creation Museum

We did it!

We finally went to the Creation Museum!
Friday we packed up the van, loaded up the kids, Auntie and Uncle and drove to pick up my darling husband! We then hit the road and drove for many hours to Kentucky! We used up our hotel "points" to do this great trip. The ride was most comfortable, we packed light (except on snacks), and were ready to hit the museum when it opened. It was FABULOUS... It was so busy but we saw everything. Every exibit, every thing... except outside stuff as it was raining. We even got some fun picture taken with us and a dinosaur... Ahhh, I will try to scan it in. Believe me when I say I HAVE NO pictures... Our batteries ran out, and the museum did too.... any way it was great! A great time was had by all.

Saturday Night Supper was at Montgomery's and the Ribs were a hit all around our boisterous table. Sunday we hit the road early and were home by dinner time.
What an action packed weekend! I highly recommend the Creation Museum!

Click here to plan YOUR trip!

http://www.creationmuseum.org/

Be sure to comment and let me know if you have gone, and what YOU thought!

glazed

So things can get a bit wacky and wild. Yet God in his sovereignty is still totally in control... I am NOT in control, I am OUT of control, but God, He is IN control... so all is well....
I think what is so hard about spiritual warfare on the physical realm, or rather what perhaps adds "spiritual" to the physical is people... yes... I am going somewhere...
Our home is "under attack"... Some Christians would and have told me to walk about my house rebuking Satan and his minions to clear my home of its illness and strain. That all that ails us is wickedness, and evil. Some would tell me, and have, that all I need is herbs and tinctures; this one for this, and that one for that. Some would tell me that my karma is attracting negative energy and I need a shaman to help me find the energy block so that my energy can more freely flow and attract positive energy again, that I am imbalanced. Some tell me to have this surgery or that, take this drug and then take these other drugs to treat me from the symptoms of the first....Some would say all we need is better air filtration, water filtration, hard wood floors, better yet bamboo...not to mention organic EVERYTHING from food to clothing to matress, to shower curtains.... People... and these are the ones who THOUGHT about my plight, and loved me enough to listen a bit before offering their adjenda.....
Then there are the majority of people...
The majority of people ask how you are but Don't really WANT to know. Some are funny because they really think, with all their heart (would argue if you said otherwise) that they do want to know, that they really CARE, but when you begin to talk they learn they don't. What do I mean.... their eyes glaze over....
really?
yep....
See I have done it too...
You know the scenario, a little ol' auntie of someone or other is seating near you at some occasion or other and you decide to make chatter... Be friendly, 'there is no need to see an age gap' you think. 'I can learn a lot from older folks' you tell yourself. So you start chatting, first about the weather, then about how many children she had or grandchildren,' oh dear 17 great grand children', 'Praise the LORD! ' OK, this conversation is going rather well you think, and then it starts.
Words like rheumatism, and incontinence, and discussion of hip surgery, and diseases you thought went out in the last century, words like "gout".... It branches off into discussion of bowel movements and side affects from different drugs, and OH MY all the different drugs she has to take, you are officially GLAZING OVER... yes she can see it, the astute can, only those with feeble eyesight or slower wit won't.... And the subject changes, it's abrupt, she's gone back to the weather, and YOU are thankful...
What do glazed over eyes look like?
a bit like a rabbit.
the eyes begin to dart this way and that, looking for another person, any person. Distraction is the first phase... then verbally come the "oh", " ump hum" " oh my" reallY?" by this point you are making actual eye contact with ol' auntie less and less.... you are searching for a WAY OUT of this dialoge.
She mentions one more symptom and you are gone, glazed, you don't actually hear her anymore, it's a bit like the Peanut's show as a kid. Whenever the adults enter a scene they speak a "blah BLAHblah ha" language and its Very distorted and impossible to comprehend.
"NOT me" you say, "I don't do that." Really? Are you certain you don't? It is rather hard to tell, as our pride doesn't want to admit the level of our caring. We really want to believe we care to know the answer to "how are you?" Maybe you do, maybe you really want to know, then I commend you. You are one of the few, one of the elite.
God's word talks about "bearing one another's burdens"... It's often taught ,or perhaps understood as a "physical" thing we should do. Like bring a meal, or help financially, send a card or give a hug. Yet, sometimes it's spiritual, sometimes more than ministering to the 'person', we are called to minister to the soul. It's listening,all the way through... It is asking hard questions, like... "how do you feel about that? " "How do you remember which medicine to take when?" "Are you feeling overwhelmed?" "did you get a second opinion?" "Are you praying to God about this?" "Can I pray for you?" Sometimes it's just asking the follow up question... "what exactly is gout?" or "endometriosis" or fill in the blank..... :)
The customary "oooh" and the "ahh" and the "uh huh..." are dangerous things to say.. Because you aren't really saying ANYTHING at all. They make auntie feel like a TV show to you, a drama. Maybe she's not into being a drama. Maybe she's just a lady, a real human in the FLESH, that has more burdens than she knows what to do with, and God gave you an opportunity to bear her burden with her because God knows that once you hear her out, feel where she is at it, to know in some detail of what is going on with her, you simply won't be able to KEEP from praying for her. Even if you never see her again, you won't fail to forget her in your prayers for long.
How do I know?
I have learned to listen. Learned the hard way.
HOW? When did I learn about this glazing?
Well, I am fairly young, but I am much like the auntie. My ailments, and all that is going on physically with my family's health, is overwhelming to me. And people ask, and I learn to discern, who wants me to be a drama, who doesn't want to hear anything but the proverbial "fine" in responce to their "how are you?". I have had illnesses, I have had days, weeks, even months, that if I told some people, they would think it were an impossible lie, a made up story, some drama for Monday night television...
I learned when to do a quick wrap up and change of subject to save them the embarrassment of their rudeness, and me, well,save the thread left to my dignity. No, I don't want to be gawked at, gossipped about, the center of any attention, or frankly be disregarded.
Yes, there is more to my life than illness... So I even avoid some health topics, and some peoples questions all together.... Right or wrong, I suppose I do it to protect myself. It hurts, that glazed eye, darting away, hurts and makes you feel lonely. God may choose to heal me this afternoon, and maybe filtered air will help too, I take supplements as well as medications; I am tired of people that think if I say how things are really going, if I say that things are just plain hard right now, that somehow I am complaining. Somehow I am not rejoicing in the Lord, not thankful, must be in sin.... God has allowed, povidentially decreed for me to be right where I am right now, I am thankful, I am rejoicing, but He has me in a hard place. That is NOT ok with some folks. It is ok with me. Jesus promised to NEVER leave me, NOR forsake me. I trust in HIM. I believe HIM. Walking with God is a walk, sometimes it is through a bed of roses, sometimes through mountains, valleys... He NEVER said it was easy, He just said to follow... Follow I will... Jesus wants us to bear one another's burdens.... The world won't, but when we as His followers do, it really ministers to the soul. It honors HIS request... Encourages one on the way. To bear one another's burdens is to BE like Jesus... I don't need to wonder What would Jesus Do... I know what He did, I read the book.
Have you ministered lately?
bore a burden?
have one that needs bearing?
you are loved!

THATS MY KING

Oh this is a gem! click on the Link below for some encouraging words from a great preacher! Just want to be reminded of who Jesus Is???
click away and don't forget to come back and comment! I can't wait to hear whatcha thought!
love ya
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1815999723852888975

bag o marbles....

Remember the olden' days .... when little boys and girls had bags filled with marbles and would play with them at recess, or after school... I don't know the games, I am not that old. But I have seen it on tv shows like little house on the prairie.... :) I have HEARD... that they did this. I even have a son who plays some old game with my father. It is rather in a circle and there is shooting of one marble with another marble or some such thing.
But that bag of marbles....
it comes to mind....
summer days
hot muggy days and nights
and sidewalk games, hopscotch, jump rope, fun games.
This summer most of the children in my neck of the woods haven't been out. Occasionally yes, but for the most part, its been a "ghost town" sort of neighborhood. Video games, movies, day camp have absorbed the summer of the normal suburbanite kid... then there were mine....
It hasn't been a summer of fun and adventure here.
It hasn't been filled with endless days in our pool, or bike rides to the beach, or hopscotch, or cartwheels, or bonfires in the pit at night... nope, there has been little of that here...
Why?
What is wrong?
What happened?
Something major?
Something big?
no....
just a bag full of marbles.... A very big bag....
A naughty adversary,
and a wonderfully sovereign God... who has NEVER left our side or forsaken us...
There is no "elephant" in the room, white or pink or black for that matter....
There is no great Mountain to climb...
just a big bag of marbles...
a silly bag of marbles... child's play really
but then we are children... HIS children;
and someone dumped this bag all over the floor, of our home....
we stumble,
we fall on our rumps,
we struggle to get up,
we walk carefully now,
shuffling our feet...

What do I mean?
Well, we have so many "little" things to trip us up this summer...
No one BIG thing...
just many little things....
Too many to list in entirety...
But here goes a few...
*salmonella (yes it was horrid! over a month of constant disinfectant, and bouts of serious bathroom issues, yes we were reported to the county)
*black algae (all that rain, messes with a pools pH and the heat messes with chlorine and ugh, very little swimming)
*delays and difficulties in my darlings project at work ( a whole bag of marbles just at work)
those difficulties have side effects at home....
*no garden
*behind on yard work
* broken back door that had to be replaced.. (another drama)
* a swing set still not finished (I think it is summer #4)
*one car family for the last, nearly 9 months(that should speak volumes :) God has been gracious in this with gas prices as they are :), and drives to work so I can sometimes have the car ! woohoo!)
oh and we mustn't forget the big increase in property taxes...
or the many health issues facing each child
or mama,
oh the poor children and their sick mama, icky pool, no car, endless chores, rather than endless summer days..
the 6 week head ache... or is it 7 now... hmmm :)
oh and this week
the massive infection in mama's tooth (yes that would be me)(the probable culprit of lengthy head ache) which needs to be pulled... that is a drama if there ever was one. (I am so enjoying sharing with you all this. I am rejoicing!)
Oh the constant illness and events to keep us from regular fellowship at church....
Our church is about 40-45 minutes away....
with illness and various other issues (car issues, family events etc) even attending has been most difficult.
We have on occasion had to attend a different church just to be able to Worship God, this is so hard....
Each time some wonderful occasion has come up at church, we simply can not be there... I don't know how to express how difficult it is to not be able to participate in your church....
these are just the more sightly issues or "marbles" that we trip on...

What is God taught me?
What am I learning...
to be graceful and patient even when I am in pain....
that yelling at someone because they are yelling and it hurts, makes the hurting worse, and quiet words go farther... isn't there a Proverb that confirms this??? hmmm
To be thankful to the Lord for headaches, because He is teaching me so much with it
To go to Him in prayer for everything.
To trust to my husband my self, my health, my whole being, because God is worthy of my trust and He's called me to do this.
That the scriptures say that My Husband should love me as much as he loves his own self, and will care for me as he would care for himself, and I need sometimes, well to LET him.... :0)
I am learning, that I need to go where ever God is calling us, and not stick my feet in the sand and yell and tantrum, like Ben, about what I want. (funny how two year olds can rebuke you just by BEING)
I am learning it is so nice to fellowship with people that look the same, and do life the same, but that God might not always have me there... (this is hard) Because I THINK that God should want me where I am comfortable... but I don't have any scripture references for this... email if you find some :)
I have learned yet again that too often what I am learning, I have already learned, and apparently I don't KNOW it enough to walk it... oi vey)
I am learning (yet again) that two cars is a luxury, and God is refining us with one... thank you Lord.
I am learning to be thankful for fellow gardeners :) Who share their abundance with others...
To trust,
to believe
to walk what He teaches me
to walk where God leads
to walk as He wants me to
with or without the "reasons" for...
I am tired....
I am thankful...
I am overwhelmed.
I am overjoyed with the Love of Christ Jesus....
I have been so humbled this summer...
So broken,
just when I think there is little left of me,
He shows me more,
I wonder when will I ever get to the end of me...
I am so wearying...
I am so glad God is so patient,
that He will NOT tire of refining and sanctifying little old me.

there is so much going on... so little to say... if you think of me, just pray...
pray for our health,
for our spirits to not be weary,
pray we'd continue to rejoice in the Lord
In HIS will
His way
where ever we are...
pray that we'd walk wisely
carefully
prayerfully
seeking to be with HIM...
that we'd never put our works, or ministries, our deeds before our Lord and Savior...
but that with all we say, with all we'd do, we'd run to Jesus and lay it all at His feet and work as UNTO our KING, not putting anything before HIM, but that He would have First place in our hearts, minds, and souls...
It looks the same on the outside.
It is different in the heart...
It is a matter of how we approach our work, or our circumstance .... Is it merely my duty, my job? Or am I running past the duty to the throne of the King, and waiting on Him in prayer, seeking to do whatever it is, HIS way, or mine?
its subtle I know...
as I dissect this more and more
I will share
If you want....
I don't have it all worked out... I am learning...
it's like learning algebra... I am watching, and starting to work out problems with my Teacher, but I certainly don't know enough to get up and teach another.... :)
patience....
some day that too will be a virtue some will attribute to me...
until then...
I am growing in grace...
how about you?
please respond, it'll make my day :)
hugs
<>< anika

MORE more more

oh how sad it is that my heart grows so faint in sharing.... oh how sinful I am that a little encouragements can go so very far... lol... thank you Lord for friends :)

Quiet and gentle spirit....

I confess, this is an area, that I need work on. I have opinions, and I am not always quiet about them. I have passions, and I am not always gentle in them. God has convicted me to be prayerful, and intentional in this area of my life... It is an area where flesh seems to dictate sometimes....
*
With regard to this conviction, I prayerfully attempted (quite successfully praise and glory unto the Lord for His work in that) to be "quiet" this weekend with my husband and children. Not rudely quiet, not shunning quiet, but quiet none the less. I strove with all my prayers to be earnestly quiet, gentle, gracious... I listened, to what they said, and to how they said it. I attempted to be learners of my family. Learn I did.
*
I learned things I knew, but have not for whatever reasons, not walked in the knowledge of. Does this make sense to you. It's rather like knowing that knowing to tell a lie is a sin, verses, telling the truth, because Jesus is truth, and you have been adopted, redeemed, and must represent the glorious one who saved and redeemed you. Because you strive to be more like Christ. There are things we know, but we don't live life based on that knowledge, we often walk about as if we didn't know it.
*
I learned that my eldest son is sincere, and thoughtful, and eager to become a godly man. I learned that he has questions and thoughts, and given some quiet, he will be quicker to inquire. Hush mama... hush. His smile will win you to his side, and hold your confidence.
*
I learned my daughter is very sociable, yet very shy. She has much to say, and many topics and interests to choose from, but she is timid to begin a dialogue, and smiles of encouragement go miles with her. And her smile will warm your heart.
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I learned, that my youngest boy, is PERSONALITY in caps. He can charm the pants off anyone, and by the end of an evening, even strangers want to know him, and address me as his mom, rather than by my name. His smile lights up the room, and have everyone leave happy, and glad to have met him, even at a wake.
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I learned my husband has a lot more on his mind than I ever knew, and sometimes he will think for several minutes before finishing his sentence... I learned that I interrupt him more than I ever knew.. I learned that he is wise, and welcoming, and his humor can lighten a heavy heart in a god honoring way.
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I learned some people I love are frustrated, some are insecure, some are hiding behind degrees, I learned a lot of people have hearts that hurt, but they don't want for you to know it.
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I learned that my words can be like money. If I throw too many of them into the conversation, too quick, they act like inflation. And the words, become worth less. That they'd have more value, if I valued them more. That sometimes LESS is more.
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I learned that when I have a whole lot to say, God is always ready to hear me, and it isn't the end of the world when I ramble, because His Holy Spirit, corrects my sinful thoughts, guides my heart in straighter paths, and comforts me when I am lonely... that when I have much on my mind, much to say, I must go to God in prayer and speak it all to him, first. He shall help me sort. He shall listen, and prepare me to listen and speak in a worthy way.
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And gee that s what I learned in just one weekend. I am a bit nervous to continue in this great experiment. I shared it with a friend at church on Sunday. It felt so good to talk, and boy did I talk. I got into the car, and my face reddened... I was so eager to tell her how I ramble, that I rambled.... she was gracious, and we both were amused later, (gosh I think that was a mutual amusement). But it is funny, how much there can be learned from just a little obedience to the call of God in our lives.
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Glory be to God... May He continue to encourage me, strengthen me, and refine me. That I might grow in grace and virtue, and become a quiet and gentle spirit. Even if I am a Jesus Freak inside. ! ha ha!
Be blessed friends

I don't love my Husband anymore...? article from sister Sarah

This article was passed on to me by Sarah, a sister in Christ. It moved me, struck a cord deep with in me, for I too have had conversations, have known ladies who mirror the one in this article. As always Please feel free to respond. This article contains exercises... I pray you consider doing them. It is an issue of our culture, we often turn aside from, because it is SO uncomfortable...

I Don’t Love My Husband Anymore

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“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure…” Hebrews 13:4 (NIV)
I was saddened by what my friend was sharing. She was tired of her husband so she was leaving him because she found the man she dreamed of being with.

I was shocked by my friend’s decision. I had been in their wedding and heard the lifetime promises made from their hearts. I had been with them to celebrate their first anniversary. I had been with them just after the births of their first and second child. I had shared their laughter, encouraged them through their tears, and enjoyed doing life with them.

While their relationship had not been perfect, they did love one another. But something had gotten broken in their relationship and neither of them knew how to fix it. It led to a stale quietness that seeped into their home and made each feel lonelier and isolated than they ever knew was possible for a “couple.” He had grown distant. She had grown frustrated. Life was busy, finances were stressful, and they stopped making time for romantic conversations they used to enjoy. They used to be a team and felt they could beat anything life sent their way. Now they just fought against each other.

Then she met an attentive, financially secure man who seemed to be the answer to all of her unmet longings. She traded her life for the thrill of something new, the lure of something she perceived would be so much better.

But just two years later I ran into this friend and was stunned by her confession. With tears in her eyes she admitted that she’d discovered fairy tales don’t exist. Every relationship feels exhilarating at the beginning but then real life happens and marriage is hard work no matter who you are married to. When I asked her to tell me about her new husband she smiled shyly and said, “Well, he’s hairy.”

What?

What did she just say? My mind was spinning. Of all the words, all the descriptions, all the romantic terms I expected her to use, “hairy” was no where on the list. How telling that the man that was once so irresistible that she traded everything for him, had now been reduced to one word…hairy!

I’m convinced that in marriage the grass isn’t greener on the other side. The grass
is greener where you water and fertilize it.

Dear Lord, please help me see my marriage as a sacred thing. May I always understand that being married was not meant to just make me happy but make my character more holy. Help me remember being married is less about having the right partner and more about being the right partner. Shape me into the wife my husband needs and deserves. Help me to pause before I speak so I don’t react out of anger, frustration, or selfishness. Show me how to respect, love and give to this man in a way that honors You and brings joy to our home. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Application
Steps:
Write a list of all the things you love and admire about your husband. If
you can’t think of any now, list what you liked about him when you married
him. Find some time today to share the list with your husband. Spend some time in
prayer for your marriage and for your husband. Consider signing up for a
marriage coaching conference call for women with Lysa TerKeurst.
Follow the link
in the resources section above to learn more.

Reflections:
As a wife, is your goal to help your husband become all that God intends him to be, or all that you intend him to be?. Have you bought into the cultural idea of marriage
being some sort of fairy tale Sometimes, being a helper is actually a lot of work. How can you better fulfill your God-given role as a helper to your husband?

Power Verses:
Genesis 2:18, “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’”
Matthew
19:5-6, “’For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united
to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but
one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
1 Corinthians 7:13, “If a woman had a husband who is not a believer and he is
willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.”By Lysa TerKeurst
http://www.Proverbs31.org

Just think friends, usually by the time she shares, it is too late. By this what I mean is, that by the time this sister, friend, lady, has shared her heart with you, it is most often too late to win her back. We are deceptive creatures by nature, she may have been deceiving not only you, her spouse, but herself. I have heard of sisters in Christ even say that Jesus would want this for them, because they are so unhappy in their marriage. That Jesus wants them to be happy... Sisters, I implore you, by this time, it is nearly too late. At this stage, our lady has already made a graven image of a Jesus that does NOT exist. An idol in her heart to suit her own desires. Her new Jesus, isn't the Jesus of the scriptures. He is a creation of her imagination, that isn't seeking to sanctify her, make her holy, redeem her, but a Jesus who is more like a genie in a bottle, giving to her the desire she is craving. You see, she has redefined the "Christian language", so at this stage, speak, implore, reproof, rebuke as you might, be not surprised if she simply does not hear you, is offended by you, distances herself from you. Do these things, yes, but for the glory of God, to be obedient to Christ, not for the response. Who knows you may win back your sister....

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My point is this, as sisters in Christ we must be ever watchful of the flock of sisters the Lord has placed in our lives. After she has abandoned her husband, we will find ourselves recalling a little word here, a slight there, things that cause us to say, "gee, I should have known then."

Let us hold fast to the TRUTH of the scriptures, encouraging one another on to love and good works...
Let there be true accountability... no husband bashing, but rather, honest talk, for the purpose of helping reconcile a marriage in trouble. This is different than gossip, or husband bashing...

Remember if your not part of the solution.... YOU MAY WELL BE PART OF THE PROBLEM... don't let your sisters in Christ slip into this sin with YOU.
If you see her eye wander, tell her that you have seen, and don't let her joke her way out of it. Let her know you care about her walk with God, and about her marriage!
If she's suddenly overly interested in how she looks, find out why, ask the tough questions friend... Who's she getting "dolled up" for???
There are countless signs, we've all known ladies who have been lured away by the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil... Talk about the signs with one another, write them down so you remember, and get with your gals and hold one another accountable....

WATCH, and PRAY the devil is prowling about waiting to devour, and in our sin, even we, can just walk right in to his path, into his trap... or your daughter can...or your sister can...your neighbor can...or the maid of honor at your wedding...
Lets be real, we are all sinners, and we all need the support of REAL fellowship.

I hope you do the assignments laid out in this article. I hope you send friends here to read it. I pray it has been a blessing to you. If so, please feel free to comment! you are loved

Oh, you can check out Sarah's site here http://proverbswomen-ivil.tripod.com/ be blessed

SEPARATION of CHURCH and State

Ladies, recently a discussion was had about the separation of Church and state... About religion in the schools. While our family home educates, the issue is still important, because it is a fallacy in our society, that must be irradicated from the minds of our countrymen, and woman. A good deal of the information gathered here is from my researching, but I would like to call attention to one book in particular. It is called One Nation Under Man. This is an excellent book, full of valuable information, and a solid Biblical Worldview, written by Mr. Brannon Howse. This same man is the leader of World View Weekend. We have been blessed to attend these weekends and frankly hope you might be so blessed by going to one as well. His link is listed as one of my favorites, Check it!

A religion is a set of beliefs....
Therefore religion is being taught in schools...
Just maybe not yours.Or mine.all religions can be wrong, but not all religions can be right.
The founders of major religions were all searching for the truth. Jesus claimed to be the Truth, none of the founders of major religions claimed sinlessness or perfections. Jesus was and is perfect and without sin. They claimed to have found "a way. "Jesus said He was "the WAY. ' They are all deadJesus is Life, and is alive!
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In regards to foundations of this country...and discussion of separation of church and state
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Many of the Founders of this country were the Christian Leaders of their day
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Rev. D. John Witherspoon was responsible for two American translations of the Bible (including our first family Bible)
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Charles Thompson was responsible for Thompson's Bible
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Ben Rush not only published the 1st mass produced Bible in America, but founded our first Bible society & the Sunday School movement
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Francis Hopkins produced the 1st American Hymnbook
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John Langdon and Charles Cotesworth Pickney founded the Amercian Bible Society
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Rufas King founded the New York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society.
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James McHenry founded the Maryland Bible Society
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Alexander Hamilton formed the Christian Constitutional Society to elect people to office who would support Christianity and the Constitution
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John Adams wrote to Thomas Jefferson on 6/28/1813 "The general principles on-which the fathers achieved independence were...the general principles of Christianity...I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God."
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Thomas Jefferson in 1774, while serving in the Virginia Assembly, personally introduced a resolution calling for a day of fasting and prayer. Later, while serving as the governor of Virginia (1889-81), Jefferson decreed a day of "Public and solemn thanksgiving and prayer to the Almighty God."
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John Jay was the original chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and one of the men most responsible for the Constitution, wrote, "Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty- as well as the privilege and interest- of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers."
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George Washington in his Farewell Address argued for the vital role of religion and morality in-our nation: "Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillers." And he also said this! "without such a firm foundation liberties and freedoms were at risk: Let is simply be asked "Where is the security for life, for reputation, and for property if the sense of religious obligation desert?'"
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7/28/1787 At Constitutional Convention, Ben Franklin "If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We've been assured in the sacred writing 'Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.'"
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It is so unfortunate that so many Americans get their education from the TV and movies. The term "separation of Church and state " is not in the U.S. Constitution. LOOK for it you will never find it. you will however find it in the constitution of the former Soviet Union. As known here It originated from a letter that Thomas Jefferson wrote on New Year's Day in 1802 to the Danbury Baptist Association. They had shared with Jefferson their fear that the government might establish a state church...(This was very common through out Europe ) To clarify intent to these clergyman that the First Amendment prohibits the U.S. Congress from establishing a state church, he declared that a 'wall of separation between church and state should be maintained' in order to keep the government from interfering with the free exercise of religion. "I contemplate with solemn reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise,' thus building a wall of separation of Church and State."
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The law is intended to place the restrictions on the GOVERNMENT, NOT upon the people.
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1801 Jefferson wrote " The Christian Religion, when divested of the rags in which they (the clergy ) have enveloped it, and brought to the original purity and simplicity of its benevolent institutor, is a religion of all others most friendly to liberty , science, and the freest expansion of the human mind."
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Every person has a set of beliefs. Therefore even the athiest is religious. Unfortunately people are not quick at understanding this.
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Technically RELIGION is being taught in school, just maybe not yours or mine. But religion is indeed being taught.To avoid "Christianity" in the schools is to avoid the foundation of traditional education in America. I was reading recently how a teacher was banned from reading the Constitution in it's entirety to his class, because of the "religious undertones". How can one understand Shake-spear in his fullest without having studied KJV? It is the foundation which the house stands upon. Imagine a house, this house might be your family, but lets for now consider this house to be society.
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Ours (America) was the great experiment. It was the only time in history that a government was founded upon Christian Principles. EVER. Yes, many nations had Christians in them, claimed to fight for the cause of Christ etc. But when looking at the facts, one will see, this was not their foundation.
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Our Foundation was solid enough to last much longer than any imagined it would. This year actually marks 400 years since the founding of Jamestown. Our founding fathers built this country upon a rock.
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Today america sleeps, she sleeps in her own bubble, media driven, shattered family's, too busy to tired to notice. Much of the "society" living off of sound bites they heard on the news, and lenghthy commentary offered by very "religious" people who may not hold their same views even, but again, America is exhausted, or busy, or just looking to be entertained.
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And so a new "enlightenment" emerges. And chisels away at the foundation, stealing it away. America, "pumps up the volume" to ignore the sound. The enemy then continues more boldly, and begins to hang about the house working night and day, recruiting the children of the house, and it is ok, because the talk is fast, and hey it looks like a good thing. "Restructuring" and all that. America is too tired to think. She doesn't seem to remember how much that house cost to build. How many lives, how much blood was spilt to pay off that mortgage....She's gone in to debt, fixin' it up, making it pretty. The back fill to replace the the rock being mined from beneath our little house is sand and gravel. The babies are playing in it. The kids think it'll be like living on the beach. The people who remember what it was like before, have been stuffed away in homes, and referred to as "out of it", "not with the times".
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Foundation, it matters, the house built upon sand will not STAND.There is nothing new under the sun.*My point is not that we should teach all religions in school. Or that we should teach merely one. My point in this is that we need to wake up to the fact that Religion is being taught, there is no way to avoid it. Which one is the question, and do you want it being taught? The question is a humorous one.
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The ignorance on the topic of separation of Church and state is sad and rather humorous too. Because people will fight for it, but it never existed, it is being created. And that is very dangerous. Grab a cup of Joe, put on your thinking cap, and lets hunt down the truth of the matter.
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"What is truth" you wonder. Pilot wondered this too. Jesus is the Truth & Truth is "fidelity to the original".

Testimonial Poetry

I came across a lovely poem a very nice sister in Christ wrote. I wanted to share it with you as an encouragement. I so enjoy testimonies, and she put hers into poetry. She asked if I wanted to share it if I could share her link... I am putting it here, but havn't had a lot of time to search it out, so it's not in my favorites just yet... :) http://byfaithonly.com/

The Poem" or "My Testimony -

The Condensed Version" by Faith Draper 'March 2004

' For so many years I wandered through life.

Searching for happiness, But finding only strife.

Why was it that others, Found such great joy.

But for me nothing, Seemed to fill that void.

The book with the answers,

Was right there for years.

But I didn't read with earnest

Until the death of someone dear.

My eyes and my heart Were shown the light.

Believe in the Lord Jesus And live my life right.

I asked for forgiveness For all of my wrongs.

I was given new life And helped to grow strong.

The emptiness is gone,

I've found love, joy and contentment.

He's my comforter and protector

My guide and encouragement.

Now my life is full Of the truth from the Bible.

And my Father in Heaven Has no other rival.

To submit, or not to submit....

Recently I was asked about Submission

"Submission isn't completely submission, till you disagree..." I once heard it said that to me early in my walk with Christ.... it has an annoyingly strong ring of truth to it. Don't you think? It is important as a woman to walk balanced with the Lord, in His strength, His might, anchored utterly in Christ. Important to not be tossed about by the waves of life, or rather, often as times would have it, emotion. It is important to stand firm, prepared to submit to Christ unto death if need be! Well, or even a silly boy, that you married, that's a man now, with grey strands in his hair, that you don't happen to agree with. :)
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I say this with a smile on my face, because when I don't agree with my husband, he's suddenly in my eyes, so young again, all of a sudden, he's the boy I married. I must admit, I have moments of standing in silence before my husband (utterly exacerbating him) just standing and reminding myself, that God has sovereignty placed this man as my head, that God has called him out of boyhood, into noble manhood, and that this man, I willingly married, is a man who loves the Lord, but even if he didn't, even if, I would still need to submit to him, as unto the Lord. I obey, to obey, not for a result. I am not an animal that needs to work for a treat, no I am not Pavlov's dogs....
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Most of the time, this "submission" thing is not an issue for us, because most of the time, I don't make an issue of it, or it isn't an "issue" for me to submit, perhaps I agree, or don't even really care, or gosh, it could be that it's not that big of a deal to me. But,( yes there is a but there) there are moments, "issues" we might not be in agreement over, that I have to stop and pray for strength in. For example, When Rob & I were in disagreement over whether or not to have more children. I prayed, I beseech-ed the Lord, to change our hearts, that we would be of one mind, one heart, knowing that He wills me to be a helpmate suitable, that God wills for me to be loving my husband, that God himself would need to take my desire for more away, or change my husbands heart. But that the Lord would make us united in it, I wept bitterly through this, but knew this prayer was a right prayer...a couple months went by, and my heart, was changed. I was suddenly very content, and I could look into the future and not see more than the two blessings we had. Another month went by and Rob came to me and said, he desperately wanted another child. ??? Woo hoo ! right? But my heart was not triumphant, I did not breath a sigh of relief, I was still content. And even though we struggled to conceive for nearly 5 years prior, I was pregnant with in the next cycle. SERIOUSLY ! And what a joy Ben is now at the age of two.
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Another example, though, I do struggle to share this one, lest you think ill of my most wonderful husband, occurred a little over a year ago when I was so sick, I was SO very sick, I knew that I simply must have had a kidney infection, my back ached so bad. I was sure I might DIE! In fact the pain woke me up in tears that night, and I cried and cried, I even struggled to breath. When my wonderful (no sarcasm, for he is indeed wonderful) husband sat up in bed, sleepy, beyond words, and told me it could wait until morning. And he promptly fell back asleep, as if it never happened. WHAT??? I wanted to freak out.
I cried out to the Lord and His Spirit, the Spirit of the Lord, told me, that I was in the hands of the Almighty Infinite Creator God, and no matter what, God works all things for good, for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
"but God, what if I die?" I asked Him...you know what came to me, that I would get to be in paradise with Him forever... "But my children...." works ALL for good for those who love... according... On and on went this dialog with the Lord... In the morning, bright and early Rob got me help, I didn't die...I did however had a kidney infection and pneumonia... but I learned something in the darkness of my room that night, feeling abandoned and alone... I met with God in a desperate way....I learned something that I will carry all my days...
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When I don't want to submit, when I think I know better (regardless if I do or not) my issue is not my husband at all. My issue is that I am not trusting my Savior. I am not laying down MY life for Him as He has asked. I still want it (my life) for ME (it is no longer mine, for I have been bought with a price) In my distrust, in my desire to NOT submit, what's really happening, is this, I think I know better than GOD In those moments, I make an idol in my heart, the idol is me, and I want to serve it, and want my husband to serve me as well... I take God off His rightful place on the throne of my heart, and I replace what Deity with me. O what a wretched sinner I am...(thank you for the Cross Jesus!) It is so very subtle, my sin, it happens in a blink, before I even know I am sinning, I sin my face off !
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Ultimately any issues I might have, that might come up, always end up being a whole lot more about me, than they are about my husband. I need to love this man, even if he is not walking with the Lord, but because Jesus asked me to.I need to love this man, if he is walking with the Lord, because Jesus asked me to. Jesus is my KING, my LORD< my Savior, Redeemer, He is my God, my all in all,what ever my God asks of me, I wish to serve Him, for I am a servant of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, I love Him, obey Him, adore Him....and frankly that is a lot easier said than done.
We should follow for it is right, for we store up treasures in heaven, because it brings glory to our King. We should not do things, to manipulate, to get our way, or because WE are right...
Think of Abraham having to lay down Issac, lifting the knife...We have been bought with a price. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. Thank goodness for grace, His grace is sufficient, thank goodness for the strength He gives us in His Holy Spirit to do His good will, I never could with out . you are loved!

PLEASE PRAY for Vanmala, Lata, Udaya, and Ramita!

Ladies, I received this email from Dr. K.P. Yohannan, of Gospel for Asia (GFA), and I have posted it here because I very much wanted to share it with you. It is rather lengthy, but I so wanted you to have a feel, of what our faith looks like, being walked out in cultures, and in other countries, places other than our own... Please join me in prayer for these ladies, and for their attackers... May the Lord have mercy on their souls, and may His glory reign forevermore. If you want to learn more about the Gospel being shared in Asia, please check out the link I have place for your convenience... or click here www.gfa.org
Remember, JESUS IS WORTHY and you are loved...

02/06/2007: Women Missionaries Beaten by Fanatics Four women serving as Gospel for Asia missionaries in Haryana, India, were severelybeaten in their home on Sunday. Two GFA pastors were also injured in the attack, which was carried out by radical Hindu groups. "Hindu religious fundamentalists have been making every possible attempt to stop all Christian work in this state for some time," said K.P. Yohannan, founder and president of Gospel for Asia. "These fundamentalists routinely target Christians, and now they are even attacking women." Public attacks on women in India are rare, and this incident has stirred the concern of GFA leaders. "This is too much!" said Simon John, a GFA senior regional leader, who has reported it to the minority commissioner. Missionaries Vanmala, Lata, Udaya and Ramita have been working in this area for about a year. On February 4,anti-Christian fundamentalists ordered them to vacate the house immediately. They also told the women to call their supervising pastors, who immediately came to the home. The women and the pastors were still inside when hundreds of people surrounded the house. Then a group of the fundamentalists broke in and accosted the women and the two pastors who had come to their assistance. Reports indicate that one of the leaders of the group, who is also a local police officer, used his police night stick to beat the missionaries during the assault. When the attackers finally left, the missionaries sought refuge in the GFA-affiliated church in that area. News of the attack, including photos of the injured women and the pastors, was published in the leading Hindi-language newspaper. Haryana is one of India's least evangelized Christian states, and the four women have faced fierce opposition since they began ministering to the people there more than one year ago. Their attackers represent three different Hindu
fundamentalist groups, all with ties to the Sangh Parivar, a group of organizations promoting the Hindutva philosophy. Hindutva literally means "Hindu-ness." These organizations are part of a growing Hindu supremacist ideology that has a purely Hindu nation as its goal. "To be Indian is to be Hindu," this dogma declares. Those who hold to this philosophy are part of a small but powerful group of extremists attempting to control the Dalit ("Untouchable") and low-caste majority for their own gain. "When we look at the history of the human race, we see this is not an uncommon occurrence," Dr. Yohannan said in a previous commentary. "In countries ruled by Communist governments, it is not the masses but the minority that holds a totalitarian ideology. Without Christ, the human heart never changes—it is always hungry for power. "The Taliban used force to exert five years of stringent control over the entire nation of Afghanistan. And that is exactly what is happening in India—a radical minority is attempting to Hinduize a nation of over a billion people.
This kind of thinking ultimately leads to ethnic cleansing, such as we have seen
in Rwanda and Bosnia—and also in a mild form in the Indian state of Gujarat."
The three groups represented in the attack include the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (National Volunteer Corps), also known as the RSS, the Sangh's paramilitary force. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council), or VHP, is the cultural mobilization arm of the Sangh. The Bajrang Dal is the group's youth militia, which is known for its violence. The Sangh also has a political party, the Barantya Janata Party, or BJP, which provides political candidates, many of whom have been elected and now serve in various national, state and local offices throughout the country. GFA leaders ask for prayer for the healing and safety of the missionaries involved in the attack as they continue to share the Gospel in Haryana. They also seek prayer for the fundamentalists who carried out the beating, that they would come to know Jesus as their Savior and abandon the pursuit of Hindutva. Read more about Gospel for Asia women's ministry teams. Learn more about the Indian state of Haryana.

Christian Homemakers Conference !!

Ladies, and friends, I am so very excited to be announcing the first online Christian Homemaking Conference! I came across this information by a lovely lady at the church we attend. It is most exciting, and I hope you are able to gather a group of ladies together to have a group viewing in your home or church. How nice to have something that can really even include our daughters! Even if you must go at this alone, GO to your computer and sign up! And find something for the family to do, and enjoy this time of love and encouragement doing what YOU do.! Wherever you can get a high-speed connection, you will be able to log in and join us for a one-day conference (10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CST) on March 17, 2007.

This first ever Christian Homemaking Conference via internet will be featuring
Kim Brenneman of Large Family Logistics;
Jennifer McBride of Noble Womanhood;
Victoria Botkin and her daughters, Anna Sofia and Elizabeth of Visionary Daughters;
Lydia Sherman and her daughter, Lillibeth,
and the very lovely, very fun, LAF editor Jennie Chancey.

Attendees will be able to log in to a special conference site that will include streaming audio in real-time, visual presentations during the talks, live chat, and Q&A with the speakers. No need to spend time on the road or buy plane tickets; you can curl up with a cup of tea or gather with a group of friends and enjoy this special event from the comfort of home! Please click the banner below or in the sidebar for details. We truly look forward to "seeing" you there!

If this is something you want to do, go to my links and click on LADIES AGAINST FEMINISM and enter the site, and you will see the signup information. You'll never go to a more comfortable, affordable conference in all your life!
My dear friend Saralyn and I have sent out some invitations, and hope to host a little gathering for the event. Please share if you are going to go to the conference alone or with your own group of ladies! I know our little gathering of ladies would love to be praying for you..
So far I know of 3 in home gatherings...But as far as I can tell, there will be some all over !
Share this with your pastor, and his wife, with your women's ministry, share it with your church friends, share it with your dearest sisters in the Lord, and make it a day of resting in the Lord, learning about the path YOU are on!

And so begins a new blog in the world wide web, in the land of google, for the glory of the Lord.

May it be a place for you to come for refreshment, encouragement, and a refilling. Grab a cup of tea, and join me in musings, wondering's, pondering's, thoughtfulness, and whimsy!

May here, we breathe, and think, and pause and pray, and learn what it means to wait upon the Lord, and encourage one another to love and good deeds.

May this be, a stop, to rest, and to recall what, exactly, it means to "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." Proverbs 3:5-6

Yes indeed, and "finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Philippians 2:8

So, to your right, you will see links, please feel free to explore these wonderful places that I have found, here on the world wide web. Please expect the lists to grow, for I haven't discovered all, or even finished that which I have discovered. It is merely the beginning. So keep on coming! I also have a recipe blog, please feel free to explore it as well, and enjoy the delicious recipes on DELICIOUS !

I am a Christian, but I rather figure you had guessed that! I home educate, bake bread, cook, clean, adore my husband, and am passionate. The links might give you an inkling as to my passions.

My husband is an amazing man, and leader to our family. We have a strong marriage, and family, because of the work of Jesus Christ in our lives. We believe in a LITERAL six day creation, we believe the Bible, all 66 books, from the 1st verse to the last. We don't believe in relativism, but absolutes. Don't buy into pop psychology, but rather Nouthetic counseling. Believe the biggest problem in the world is sin, and that in order to be saved, repentance must be involved.

We can sometimes offend people with our stands, and apologize for toes stepped on, not necessarily for stands taken. Please realize, we are fallible just like you, so if you are unsure about what we have written, or just have a question, feel free to comment. Rude or disrespectful comments will not be posted. This is a place for truth in love... If it lacks love, or truth, don't be suprised if it doesn't get through.

There is I suppose, quite a lot we do believe, and quite a lot that we do not. I suppose much of this blog will pertain to just that.

As for little ol' me, I'm just a mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, neighbor. Nothing special. Unless you take into account that I have, personally been adopted and redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, and by His blood shed in atonement for my sins, I am now a daughter of the KING most High, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, the sea and all that in them is! It sure makes me feel special !

My children are blessings from the Lord, all three of them. And my husband, well, is my head, my heart, my dearest friend, my darling, and I am blessed to be his bride, and most, yes, most honored.

Well that is all for now!

Be blessed!
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