Thursday, February 22, 2007

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....
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

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".

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

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.

Monday, February 12, 2007

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!

Thursday, February 8, 2007

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.

Monday, February 5, 2007

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!

Thursday, February 1, 2007

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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