multiplying miracles {day 22}

Today I read in Luke 8 of the man of the Gadarenes that was possessed of many devils and whom God healed. 

 After Jesus cast the demons into the swine feeding nearby and the animals died in a lake, the people talked about it. There was likely a frenzy of wondering what just happened?! 

But when the people found out that Jesus had made this maniac to be sane, they were afraid... of Jesus.

I am sure they were not pleased that Jesus had killed their pigs [I am assuming they were part of someone’s lively-hood]. It is not normal for animals to wildly run down a ravine and into a lake.

But it was not until they saw a crazy man sitting sanely that the Bible says they were afraid. It is a fairly normal occurrence for a man to sit, clothed, speaking calming to other people. And yet, this is what made them afraid.

And the city asked Jesus to leave.

One of their own was made whole, sane; and they were afraid of the Healer.

The Bible records that He came back later and was received gladly.

What made the difference?

Jesus told the man: shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him. [v 39]

The man told the people of the city his first-hand account of Jesus power. He told them Jesus was God... or at least, the man realized Jesus was God, and that influenced his story. And then, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him. [v 40]

And after this was when Jarius’ daughter was raised from the dead. It seems to be a man from the same town.

All this... led me to realize, yet again, that when the name of Jesus is elevated to GOD in our conversation... when we actively think of Him as God, thus changing our manner of life... people believe {maybe not all, but it is noticed!}, hearts are changed, and miracles continue! How marvelous. 

the seed, the Word {day 20}

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear...But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. from Luke 8:4-15, the parable of the Sower

These verses, this story, was in my scheduled Bible reading for today. I intensely wish for my own life to bring forth fruit, and I know it requires patience to see it. 

But just as fiercely I wish for my own children to receive the Seed of the Word of God [become saved] and also bear fruit.

Only on the "good ground" is the Word received AND fruit is born. As a mother, my prayer is for my children's hearts to be good ground... I am not a farmer, but I do know a few things about the general type of soil needed to grow good crops.

First it must also be rich in nutrients. All plants of the earth require different minerals to produce their various fruits. We must allow God to prepare the soil of our children's hearts through consistent Bible reading [family devotions are a wonderful way to do this!], Bible memorization, and Scripture verses displayed where they can read them [when they can read!] Only through the principles learned thus will an honest and good heart be produced. [Mark 10:18]

It must also be moist. A dry heart is less likely to hold onto a seed. Moist soil is soft and pliable. We must ask for and then allow the Spirit of God [rivers of living water- John 7:39] to regularly and consistently pour water into our children's lives. Our children need to see the Spirit's work in our own lives. We must teach and exemplify the truths and principles found in Scripture to help their hearts to remain tender until such time as they understand their personal need for accepting Jesus.

It must also be able to receive sunlight daily. As saved parents, we are light to our children. [Matthew 5:14-16] Our testimony affects how our children receive God. This is a scary thought. My children see me at my absolute worst and know if I strive to allow God's love to shine through me even during the frustrations and difficulties or if it is an act. And we must also be diligent to surround our children, as much as possible, with others' whose lights shine brightly for the Lord.

And last of all, it needs to be in a good location to receive nutrients and water and light. When we neglect to take our children to church or read the Bible at home or speak of the Spirit leading us throughout the day, how can they know?

a crown for old men {day 17}

Today is my youngest daughter's 4th birthday.

this picture is a couple months old

She is  HOOT... and a whirlwind. 

She has the energy of my entire life in her pinky.

And today, while reading the Proverb, I came to this verse:

Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their 
fathers. Proverbs 17:6


And it made me stop and think {as it has before} that MY children... are my parent's "children's children."

with my grandparents

And I want them to be a "crown" to their grandfathers, and to their great-grand-parents!
And of course, I was reminded of another Proverb: Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 

And that reminded me of a post I read yesterday... about "the way." 

Jesus is "the way." 

So, while rules give boundaries that are necessary, and we should expect rules to be obeyed, our main focus should be on pleasing Jesus... making Him our life.

And that in-between relationship... I know my husband {and I do too!} desires to live such a life that his children would see his heritage/legacy as a thing of glory, as something to desire to pass on to their own children one day.

compared to oxen {day 15}

Well, this is not from yesterday's message. 

It is from the Proverb for yesterday. 

Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. Proverbs 14:4

I heard this verse preached several times while in Bible College. I had never actually understood it before that.

It has become a motto of mine since becoming a mother of 4. {lol}

While I strive, regularly, to put things in order and keep things clean and straightened, it is not a possibility at this season of my life for my home to be perfectly "kept" at all times each day.

And yes, I realize I am comparing my children to oxen. {smiles}

But while they are yet small and in-training... and until they leave, my home will have some measure of chaos. I realize there are those ladies who have several small children and their home never seems to look like it {I applaud them!}, but I am not one of them. And while I hate tripping on blocks and slipping on books, I cannot compare myself to them. 

I must compare myself with what I am asked to do and how diligently I try to do it. I do not have the ability to keep all the plates juggling {pick-up toys, clean laundry, wash dishes, fold laundry, vacuum, put laundry away, etc} at all times every day. And some days, all the plates simply crash and stay there. {oh yes, they do.}

And besides all the "house-keeping" responsibilities, I am also trying to teach my children how to keep a house... as well as to love God and obey His Words. While my example is paramount, I must take time to speak to them also. And we must have hands-on discussions at times... either in actual chores being done over and over or in discipline-both apply.

And I also have several responsibilities outside of 'home-keeping' that I do from my home.

But my point is, people are messy. Life is messy. But when I loose site of the goal: my children being grown, functioning, responsible Christian adults, the messy makes me feel like I am not accomplishing anything. So I have to remind myself....

when my "oxen" are gone... my crib may be a bit neater... but I pray Christ's work is stronger because my children are active in it!

I pray this is an encouragement to someone today!

having answers {day 13}

For nearly 2 weeks I have posted each day of things the Lord has shown me either from personal Bible reading to in the simple day-to-day of being at home with my children.

Today, I have read several familiar passages {as was in my scheduled reading} and 1 of my usual "daily devotionals" and there has not been one particular thought or lesson that has made itself shareable. Several previous posts have been brought to mind though.  {smile-ever learning...[being a more faithful witness of His Love] ~ [personal responsibility] ~ [how I can have strength] ~ [seeing my own faults in my children’s needs] ~ [learning to live as His child from my own children] to name a few}

Often the Lord shows me things that simply are not meant for me to share with the world, because my desire for this blog is to not be divisive. I do realize there are some who do not agree with 100% of what I share, but my prayer is that nothing I write can be taken and turned on the Lord to say: Look, she claims to be following Jesus and yet she is constantly having other Christians criticize or rebuke her for this or that. That makes my testimony of no effect for God’s glory.

Some things the Lord shows me personally are quite controversial, such as with dress standards or music our family will listen to or even how I plan to vote...I have personal, God-directed, husband-approving {yes, that is important to me!}, philosophies and opinions about all of those areas.

And there are blogs out there where the blogger’s simple desire to to share everything... and that’s fine!

But that is not my blog’s purpose. I strive to only speak of how God is changing my own heart.

Some posts I hesitate to publish because I am uncertain of the reaction, and I must be sensitive to my family’s place of influence in our church. I do not want to come across as pointing a finger at anyone. The “followers” number often fluctuates and I wonder... was it something I wrote or did they just really not understand what this blog was about when they first started following? [I don’t actually write to grow a “following,” but I do notice those things.]

Most of my posts are first read by my husband. A few posts have been read by close, Godly friends before I hit “publish.”

One verse in my reading today that perhaps prompted these thoughts was in Proverbs 13:10- Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well-advised there is wisdom.

While I wish to speak only truth, and I strive to do it in love, I also wish to do so with a visible humility so as to avoid contention due to my personage.

My heart’s desire is to not come across as someone who gushes that she has found all the answers because even though the principles I do find and share come from Scripture, I will never have ALL the answers [and neither will you {smiles}].

And aside from salvation, there is much of our life as Christians that is simply to be governed by the two great commands Jesus shared in Matthew. I wrote a little about that on {day 1}. But I do praise the Lord that I know where to FIND the answer to anything I need.

I suppose that is it for today. I was still... the Lord showed me things I have already written about that need more attention in my own life. 

And He reminded me of my need to be peaceable and show humility in all things I write.

 

the fulness of life {day 11}

I read recently where someone was saying that [one of] the problem with the church is that she is not teaching us about how to "work." One commenter dubbed it the "doctrine of vocation."  

Here is a quote which nearly sums the article: 

"Christianity is given (sold?) to us, in the main, as a life of evangelism, morality and church activities. [yet] Our lives are made up of finely drawn details. Each day is full of countless ones. We do all these 'little' things at home, at work, and in the marketplace and they just don’t get a lot of sermon time." [you can read its entirety here]  

{And I believe this man is honestly speaking from a sincere heart. This is no attack on him or his thoughts. I do not even know him!}

This got me to thinking... and wondering:
Are we supposed to learn how to "act Christian" at work? Is there a different way to express our faith in the workplace as opposed to in church on Sunday?

and that made me be still... to listen and know.It is almost cliche among Christians {especially those who are faithful to church and church activities} to say: Let Christ have preeminence...  

{this is the first verse that popped in my head after reading the blog post: Colossians 1:18, And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence} 

It seems to be often preached: Put Jesus first... and you will have peace, you will know joy, life will have meaning, etc.

Often, both phrases are used interchangeably.

But they are not the same.

And I am not actually supposed to put Jesus first.

I am to put Him only.

Preeminence implies that nothing else can compare.

There is no list for Him to be "first" on because He IS "the list."

In the beginning of my Christian journey, He was the "first one" that I reached for/called out to in certain situations... but because He is always enough, I ended up realizing that He is the only anything that I need in any situation.
The problem, as I find in the Bible, is not that the church does not meet this supposed need of teaching us how to live in our different compartments: church, work, play, with friends, with family, in a store, in a restaurant, at a church function as opposed to a work function, with church friends as opposed to unsaved colleagues, etc.

The problem is that: WE LIVE IN COMPARTMENTS.

If I could just realized {and convey through example and testimony} that Christ is to simply be my life... I would see how He permeates [fills] every aspect... without special training or doctrines.

Further reading in that same passage reveals: For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; ....by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him... whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. Colossians 1:18-20. {He is the fulness of all things... in heaven or on earth.} [emphasis mine]

and further still...
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled ... through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith ... and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, ...even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:  to whom God would make known ...the glory of this mystery... which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: whom we preach, ... whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. Colossians 1:21-29 [selected, emphasis mine]
 
If I remember correctly, Paul, though a traveling missionary... worked. He had a "vocation" outside of being a minister of the Gospel. And yet, when speaking of Christ, Paul never mentions anything apart from Jesus is the fulness... of... well, of life. Jesus is the fulness of life-all life. He is not just the fulness of going to church or of witnessing or of having family devotions.

  

If the Spirit whispers within me to speak to a perfect stranger about the Gospel, Jesus is being the fulness "in the store." 

If I realize that I have not given a true effort in a particular area of my secular job, then I know that I have not allowed Jesus to be the fulness in my "vocation." 

When I rest in His strength and find joy in His contentment, He becomes the fulness of any area/compartment I may have in my life.

Thus, Jesus becomes my life; and I do not need to blame my church for not teaching me how to live in my compartments.

noticing a mote {day 10}

One of the passages I read this morning was in Luke 6... where the Lord Jesus says:

Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? ...why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? ... Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye. [select from verses 39-42]

Usually I hear this passage preached or spoken of as a reason for "not judging" your brother... And I like this quote I have seen recently: "Don't judge me because I sin differently than you." which implies that we all sin, because we do!... but there ARE appropriate times and places to give judgment.

And I don't think I'm going where you think I'm going... {smiles}.

I am turning the tables on myself here.

Often, I find myself disciplining my children... for acting: just-like-me! 

Not - how I acted when I was a child {that's another post!}, but how I acted... - yesterday.

I see the mote in my brother's [child's] eye but NOT in my own, until it has driven me crazy... in my child's life! 

Recently, and again this morning, I have purposed to asking God to help me see the beam/mote/problem in my own life before the same thing in my children causes me frustrations. 

Because- while I can punish them for doing wrong and teach them about what is appropriate and kind, etc. {as I should!} -until I actually acknowledge [that's the hardest part] and change these situations in my own life, all the teaching and disciplining and punishing will be counter-productive!

And then the Lord gives grace and wisdom for me to deal with the same in my children's lives. {It is always a lesson in patience.}

{Being a mother is one of the 

most rewarding things I have ever done, 

but it is also quite humbling! :)}

soul rest {day 9}

Do you know when your children just really need some extra rest?
The fussiness, crankiness, general irritability--that just screams at you, “Please put me in my bed and let my body rest!”

yep, that's a pouty face...

Some days, my spirit is like that. The children’s fussiness grates on my nerves; the mess that accompanies 6 people in a small space... clothing, toys, school papers, mis-matched socks,  lost cups [found days later], remnants of “teachable moments” {let’s see how well you can put your own clothing away. hehe}, etc.; and then they all want to eat-3 times a day... all work together to make my soul weary. And yet, I am not to be weary in well-doing.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  

Galatians 6:7-9.

And I realize that...

I am trying to do good... in my own strength {again}. 

{I am reaping weakness... because I am sowing in my own strength}

And I must lay down my burdens with the Lord and let Him take over!

Come unto me...and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me... ye shall find rest unto your souls. 

Matthew 11:28,29

dangers of being "strange" {day 5}

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

{{before I begin this post, I feel I must say this.... I realize that some of the thoughts I am sharing during this 31 days may seem a bit strong. I apologize if I come across that way. I am truly only sharing things the Lord has shown me about my own life, about the lives of my children and what to teach them. 

I totally get it that some people may not see or understand the same thing I do. I do not always see a passage the same as another, but we can edify each other that way.

That is the beauty of studying Scriptures on a personal level. That is the beauty of our God! I pray you are blessed and encouraged!}}

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Now... on to what is growing me today!

Proverbs chapter 5 gives warning to a young man about the dangers of the "strange woman." 

I would like to think that there is not a whole lot for me, a Christian, trying-to-be-Godly woman to really get out of that.  

But, there is much there for me. There is an example, several explicit illustrations, of what I should not be as well as character traits I need to guard my own daughters against developing and principles I need to teach my son.

I know that, in general, people can be a little touchy about the subject of the "strange woman." Many people have used her as a launching point for dwelling on dress and "modesty." I am not going there!

A totally different thought struck me this morning as I read this chapter.

...the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: but her end is bitter as wormwood... [Proverbs 5:3,4]

How often do I speak as honey purely with the intention of getting my own way-which in turn often has results that are bitter as wormwood...? 

... ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them. Hear me now ... depart not from the words of my mouth. Remove thy way far from her...Lest thou give thine honour unto others... [Proverbs 5:6-9]

Are my ways moveable? Do I allow my "mood" to affect {move} how I treat my family? Sadly, that is something I struggle with at times-to the point that my husband canst not know [my ways]. When I allow how I feel to so deeply affect how I act, I am a detriment to the Lord's ministry in my husband's life as well as my own testimony to my children {and others}... and the honor of our family is harmed.

Now, I know that this "strange woman" spoken of here is an harlot, and I know that the Bible is teaching young men not to seek out a woman with these traits as she will lead them to ruin; but as a Christian, trying-to-be-Godly woman... I need to guard my own heart against those tenancies.

...because I cannot forget that I have 3 little girls and a sweet baby-man looking at ME to see what a Godly woman should act like.

thine own path {day 4}

Let thine eyes look right on [on your own path], and let thine eyelids look straight before thee [literally, right in front of you]. Ponder the path of thy feet [think about where you are going], and let all thy ways be established [this will strengthen what you are doing]. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left [don't be looking around while you are walking your path]: remove thy foot from evil [that will protect you from evil].

Proverbs 4:25-27 [added]

Something that is often a difficult lesson to learn, whether by child or adult, is that of keeping our eyes on our own path.

The lesson in these verses is something we are working on in our children's lives. It is natural enough for them {all of us} to notice when others do wrong. I do not discourage them to gently and only one time tell a friend if they think they are doing wrong. That is friendship and kindness. After that, it is the authority's responsibility to notice and take care of it {with the exception of violence-that is always to be made known to an authority, immediately}.

But because noticing others' faults is so very natural, this lesson is necessary to learn. It is for children to learn that they must be responsible for their own path. Us too!

Often, when there is a "sight to behold" of something or other, one or more of my girls will literally walk into a wall in order to keep gawking. Turning around to see another child be scolded, straining the neck to watch some activity that seems strange... all these distractions are too much for them to watch AND know where they are headed! To carefully see something, they must stop. and not continue on their path.

The same is true spiritually. We must all learn to look at our own path. I must teach my children by example to keep my own eyelids straight before me, lest I be straining to see another's fault and slam into a spiritual brick wall.... it is just as painful spiritually as it is physically! And if I am to take time to notice something in another's path, I must stop. I must stop my own forward progress to see someone elses' path. This often leads to evil {my judging unrighteously of another}.

So, for today, I am re-focused on keeping my eyes on my own path {which includes my children's paths :)} and teaching them by example that our first and most important responsibility is our own path {actions}... not someone elses.

deliver me {day 2}

...to deliver thee from the way of the evil man,  from the man that speaketh froward things;

Proverbs 2:1-12

We must seek after God's Words and hide them in our heart in order to acquire knowledge and wisdom

But just having God's Words in our head {memorized}  does not automatically make us wise. I am sure most of us know examples of that. 

We must incline our ear and apply our hearts... which indicates a heart issue of even wanting to have God's wisdom.

Only when my heart is right in applying God's Words will discretion preserve me from the evil man and from the man who speaks frowardly [to lead astray, be stubborn or disobedient]. 

My desire for today is to allow God to work on my heart so that His Word can be applied... and my ear will be inclined to hear His leading so that I may teach my children also to hear God's voice for themselves.

a mother's law {day 1}

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, 

and forsake not the law of thy mother: 

For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, 

and chains about thy neck.

Proverbs 1:8, 9 

When I read these verses this morning, I was struck by them from a different angle than I have been in the past.

Normally, I think: these are for me as a child--I should not forsake the spiritual upbringing my parents gave me. I think of children in general, even my own children, and how they need to learn to listen and obey-and I must teach them this.

But this morning, I noticed the words the law of thy mother-not that children should listen and obey but what they should listen to and obey. 

As the "mother" here, what is my law? 

Law means regulations, standards, rules, guidelines, doctrine.

And my law as mother should line up with God's Word in principles and doctrine. 

My law should be the same as Jesus command in Matthew 22:36-40: Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Many of my 31 days will probably come from the Proverb for the day because I decided that this month I wanted to get back into the habit of reading a Proverb-a-day. But we also have special services this month in our church... and the Lord often speaks to me through situations that arise with my children!

{31 days} be still and know

Just last evening I found out about a challenge called 31 days of writing on one topic. 

 I thought: I should do that! It might get me back in the groove of posting more frequently... but, everyday? Can I do that? I mean, if I could, would I not already be?

But I have been contemplating recently that I really need/want to get back to why I started this blog: sharing how God is working in my own heart about being the woman God has created me to be!

So maybe... maybe it's the jump-start I need! I never planned to blog every.single.day. But that doesn't mean I can't every once in a while.

I have had several different ideas of what/how to do devotional thoughts every day for a certain period of days, except I don't blog on Sundays and rarely on Saturday-but I can get in a Saturday groove... and schedule for Sundays.

So I have decided to do a 31 days of be still and KNOW... because when I'm listening,  God touches me each and every day-right where I am in my ordinary life. My goal is to have something posted just after lunch each day.

different perspective

on those trials we face.

{from the archives}

Isaiah 55:8

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

 neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.   

I read the evotion from Christian Womanhood yesterday and could not get away from this thought. So, I will share it in my own words (the actual content is copyrighted).

Do you ever just grab your child and give him or her a bear hug? You know. One of those 'squeeze so hard 'til they squirm' hugs that are usually reciprocated with 'aw, Mom, please let go!' 

As mothers, we enjoy having our children in our arms - this particular squeeze is often more of a pouring out of our intense-mother-love feelings. Children, when faced with these embraces, find them restricting and annoying. They just want to be free to continue their play. 

These hugs don't last long to us, but to our children they may seem to go on f.o.r.e.v.e.r. They want to feel our love through sitting down to read a book or getting a new toy. We want them to feel our love in the {sometimes breathtaking} embrace of our hugs.

What if the trials that grow us (not the chastisement that comes when needed) are God's BEAR HUGS? God's ways are so far above ours. We feel His love when we look around us and see physical things. a house. a loving husband. sleeping children. a car. But God is not materialistic. He wants to know we need Him {really,  He wants US to know we need Him}... this is how He feels our love. And He feels our love when we cry out to Him during times of growing trials.

And, just as our children eventually {hopefully} learn to just be still and 'take it' when we grab them, may we learn to be still and know that He is God. No matter what is going on, He loves us. And the times of God's bear hugs are not really as long as they seem when we're in them.

Psalm 46:10a, Be still, and know that I am God.

{previously posted on September 28, 2010}

faith education

This past weekend one of my Pastor's messages was on the School of Faith, and one comment that stood out to me was: 

A faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted.

photo source

In his text in Genesis, the story of Abraham, he pointed out many of the times that Abraham's faith was tested [and the times he failed as well as the times he triumphed]. 

But one thought that really stuck with me was that quote.

Can my faith be tested? I believe there have been many times that it has been. And I know there have been innumerable times my faith failed a test. But I want to think there have been times I have triumphed also. for His glory. And there are many avenues through which this testing approaches.

Life-events have tried my faith. When my husband and I were first married and we moved here to work in this ministry, I left everyone I knew. We moved into a new home within weeks and then, days later found out our first bundle of blessing was coming. I had just started a new job also. I had not even unpacked all our things into our home, and I was sick. For the next 7 months I was ill. I did not pass all the tests that arose from those situations. [not by a long shot. but I sure did learn a lot!] That was 8 years ago.

The general populace, including family and friends, have tried my faith. and tested my patience {smiles}. [I am sure I have tested theirs also.] I have learned much about God, His love and mercy and graciousness, from interacting with people. I have learned more about God from interacting with my children. Sometimes I lose something {ahem, temper}, and have to go looking for it. and apologize. My husband has taught me much about dealing with people. and all of it stems from a root of humility. {But that's another post.}

The temptation of more. having. wanting. going. doing. has tried my faith. But God is always faithful and has always provided more than we could ever [TRULY] need. way more. and, while there are days this becomes a struggle again, the Lord has taught me to be content with the what. who. where. & when of our life.

So, can my faith be trusted? can yours? I know God has tested. I have seen areas of testing generate ministry opportunity. I believe when that happens, I passed the test. that one - not all of them! [note to self: watch out! just because I passed it once doesn't mean the same test will not come around again. for a refresher course!]

Which leads me to this thought.  

Our perspective in the day-to-day is determined [solely] by our relationship with Christ in the day-to-day.  

Perspective can and will change as often as our relationship with the Lord changes. and perspective fashions the attitude with which we face our faith tests. which in turn influences whether we triumph or fail.

My prayer today is that our relationship with Jesus is genuine, faithful and daily. For only then will our faith be ready for the tests. and only then will triumph even be possible. 

 Can the Lord "trust" me? 

[My humble thoughts could never do justice to the study my pastor brings to each of his messages. These main points were from his sermon but put into my own words and applications] 

linked up: raisingmightyarrows/proverbs 31 thursdays

lights out. goodnight

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Dueteronomy 6:6,7---we must teach our children God's Word.

{This is the way we do this. it is not the "perfect method" for everyone. not what every family must do. Just what we do. and I pray it can be a blessing and an inspiration to someone seeking for a place to start.} 

Our family's evening devotion time centers around preparing for bed. The older 2 can get their pjs on by themselves. though I do have to check to see if they picked up after themselves. They are often silly during this time and I love to hear their conversations. so serious. so pretend grown-up. except Mikalah. she loves to ROAR. and be 3.

We have our set time that we start. with the goal of them being in bed by 8:30. We have two different routines. one for evenings we have been at church and one for all the other evenings. As a family, we do our best to not schedule our time to be out late on nights that are not church simply because our children are still young and need the stability of a set bedtime. I am so thankful we are able to do this.

Our non-church night devotions begin with each of us saying something we are thankful for and then read a story with a Biblical principle and a Bible verse. During this last month [December] we simply read our Advent verses each evening instead of our story. Then we work on a Bible verse for memorization. We end with our quiet song [God Is So Good] and then have prayer. 

On church nights we skip the story and memory verse. We talk about one thing to be thankful for as a family. then our song and prayer.

After prayer, everyone kisses Daddy [and the baby-man], and Mommy trails them off to bed. covers and kisses. lights out. 

Good-Night.

**family notes

entropy:

the gradual decline into disorder.

sometimes, not so gradual [toddlers anyone?]

the struggle against decay.

The constant upkeep of home, family, friends [life] is, at times, staggering.  The weight of it causes my feet to stumble. My path becomes broken and I fall. sometimes so very hard. to my knees. where I should have been to begin this journey. every day. on my knees before the God of this universe. who deigns Himself to love me. 

He reaches down. not to grasp a hand or push me onward. but to pick me up. soul and spirit. and brush me clean with tender Forgiveness. 

He sets me on my feet. holding me steady until such time as I am ready to try again. this time with my hand firmly grasping His. Only His steps can make my path straight again. So I will follow. There are no stumbling ridges when I simply hide in His shadow. walking this path under the cover of His wing. 

And Gentleness reminds me 
of Goodness every. time. I. fall.