While I'm Waiting

I’m waiting 

I'm waiting on You, Lord 

And I am hopeful 

I'm waiting on You, Lord 

Though it is painful 

But patiently, I will wait 

I will move ahead, bold and confident 

Takeing every step in obedience 

While I'm waiting 

I will serve You 

While I'm waiting 

I will worship 

While I'm waiting 

I will not faint 

I'll be running the race 

Even while I wait 

I'm waiting 

I'm waiting on You, Lord 

And I am peaceful 

I'm waiting on You, Lord 

Though it's not easy 

But faithfully, I will wait 

Yes, I will wait 

I will serve You while I'm waiting 

I will worship while I'm waiting 

I will serve You while I'm waiting 

I will worship while I'm waiting 

I will serve you while I'm waiting 

I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

by John Waller

"I waited patiently for the LORD; 

And He inclined to me and heard my cry.  

He brought me out of the pit of destruction, 

out of the miry clay,

And He set my feet upon a rock 

making my steps firm.

He put a new song in my mouth,

a song of praise to our God;

Many will see and fear

And will trust in the LORD."

Psalm 40:1-3

Redeemed with the precious blood of Jesus

The last blog post would not put this scripture on with it so I begin another post today  :oD   May you be blessed because of my computer's quirks.

"...Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver and gold from your futile way of  life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ."
1 Peter 1:18-19

Our Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world is Jesus. (John 1:29)  

When you accepted Jesus as your Saviour, your payment for your sins, it was His precious blood in which the Father saw you through.  Jesus was our atonement, our covering. 

The Father no longer sees us,  our filthy rags~~~all our sins, all our works, everything that we may think has merit. (Isaiah 64:6)  

When we have Jesus' blood covering us, the Father sees a new creation.  Brand new.  Clean.  Holy through Jesus' holiness.

Your value goes from zero to priceless because of Jesus' precious blood redeeming you.  The precious blood of the Lamb of God shed for you.

We can not take this lightly, and we must remember even in our darkest day to what extent Jesus' work on the cross did for us.  Even our newest sins do not keep us from our salvation~~~but they sure can point us to Him in a more poignant humbleness as we can truly begin to understand the depths of His sacrifice for us, the depths of His love for us.

Truly we have reason to glorify the LORD every moment.  Do this with your lives, dear ladies.  Find joy in what you do~~~especially the every day things you do.   Live in a humble, thankful way and even the angels will marvel at how you glorify Him.

What is your Value?

Gentle women, what have you done?   Can you explain everything you have ever done in your life and not be ashamed?   And with this confession, at least to yourself, can you assess your value?

How can any of us stand up to these questions?

Don't you know that you have been remade?  He did this for you and for me!

"This is love;  not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."
1 John 4:10

You are More by Tenth Ave North

There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide

She says, "How did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love"

But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

Well she tries to believe it
That she's been given new life
But she can't shake the feeling
That it's not true tonight

She knows all the answers
And she's rehearsed all the lines
And so she'll try to do better
But then she's too weak to try

But don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

'Cause this is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to

This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved.

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

From the commentary under the You are More utube:
Don't let your past, your wrong decisions, your shortcomings define your worth or who you are, let them be tools in the loving, caring hand of God to refine you. You can always come to God as you are, but believe me- He won't let you stay as you are, He will love you, care for you, heal you, restore you, lead you out into freedom, He will transform you into greater likeness of Christ. Tomorrow is past, today you can bring before God, He will plant in your heart the hope of a better tomorrow.

So what is your value?  

If you are His child.....your are priceless!   

Jesus' precious blood covers you!

SAFE

by Phil Wickham

To the one who's dreams are falling all apart
And all you're left with is a tired and broken heart
I can tell by your eyes you think your on your own
but you're not all alone

Have you heard of the One who can calm the raging seas
Give sight to the blind, pull the lame up to their feet
With a love so strong he'll never let you go
oh you're not alone

You will be safe in His arms
You will be safe in His arms
'Cause the hands that hold the world are holding your heart
This is the promise He made
He will be with You always
When everything is falling apart
You will be safe in His arms

Did you know that the voice that brings the dead to life
Is the very same voice that calls you to rise
So hear Him now He's calling you home
You will never be alone

These are the hands that built the mountains
the hands that calm the seas

These are the arms that hold the heavens
they are holding you and me

These are hands that healed the leper
Pulled the lame up to their feet
These are the arms that were nailed to a cross
to break our chains and set us free

Don't give up, dear ones!   You are safe in Him!

I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth

Voice of Truth
by John Mark Hall and Steven Curtis Chapman

This song has ministered to me more times than I could ever count. 

Lies can fill your head.   People can lie and lie and lie to you and this fills your head.  

You can know what the truth is, but they have lied so much and so long and loud that your head is so full of lies that the truth is muffled.  The truth is muted.  The truth is morfed into not the truth any more.

But the Voice of Truth!  God is Truth!  He will tell you the Truth!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep telling me
Time and time again, 'Boy, you'll never win!'
"You'll never win"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again "boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me...

...Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe
I will listen and believe the voice of truth...

...I will listen and believe
Cause Jesus You are the Voice of Truth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Do you not know? 
Have you not heard? 
The Everlasting God,
the LORD,
the Creator of the ends of the earth
does not become weary or tired. 
His understanding is inscrutable. 
He gives strength to the weary,
and to him who lacks might He increases power. 
Though youths grow weary and tired,
and vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength; 
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary."
Isaiah 40:28-31

All because of God  :oD 

Your Name
by Paul Baloche

As morning dawns and evening fades
You inspire songs of praise
That rise from earth to touch Your heart and glorify Your Name

Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
'Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your Name

Jesus, in Your Name we pray
Come and fill our hearts today
Lord, give us strength to live for You and glorify Your Name

'Til the Storm passes by

Are you in a storm of life right now?

This morning as we drove to town it was just beautiful with crystal blue skies and the crisp air of autumn. Soon enough we approached the river and we saw looming up ahead of us dense ground fog. Up against the blue sky it was awesome to see. When we became engulfed in the fog we couldn’t see much around and definitely we could not see the sky. Once in a while a touch of bluish sky or a dull ray of sun would peek through, but mostly it was just dense grey fog. Our only knowledge that the sun was out in all its glory was that we had seen the beauty of it moments before. We knew the blue sky was just beyond our sight.

If you have been in a storm of life, you can become so blinded to what life use to be or can be. You can forget what normal life is like. It is easy to become bitter, disillusioned, or fall into hopelessness. You forget that just like the dense fog there is the bright sun and blue skies still out there, but only beyond your reach.

Don’t give up!  God is with you.  He is your strength and your comfort.  He will be with you through it all.  Even if you think and feel that the storm will never be over, some day He will rescue you~~~either here or in glory.

‘Til the Storm Passes By

In the dark of the midnight
Have I oft hid my face,
While the storm howls above me,
And there’s no hiding place.
‘Mid the crash of the thunder,
Precious Lord, hear my cry,
“Keep me safe ‘til the storm passes by.”

‘Til the storm passes over,
‘Til the thunder sounds no more,
‘Til the clouds roll forever from the sky,
Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand;
Keep me safe ‘til the storm passes by.

Many times satan whispered,
“There is no need to try,
For there’s no end of sorrow;
There’s no hope by and by.”
But I know Thou art with me,
And tomorrow I’ll rise
Where the storm never darkens the skies.

When the long night has ended,
And the storms come no more,
Let me stand in Thy presence
On that bright, peaceful shore.
In that land where the tempest
Never comes, Lord, may I
Dwell with Thee when the storm passes by.

Written by Mosie Lister

Lessons from the cat

In this upside down world which insists we came from goo and then also encourages us to be different, so we can be like everyone else, it is good to hear encouragements to be ourselves.  Check out lessons learned from the cat and let's work on being happy and thankful being ourselves. 

God knows you.  He knows every part.  He loves you.  Cry out to Him.  He will lift your head.

"Submit yourselves, then, to God.   Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and He will come near to you."
James 4:8

Persistence

Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.   He said:  "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men.   And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea,  'Grant me justice against my adversary.'

"For some time he refused.   But finally he said to himself,  'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' "

And the Lord said,  "Listen to what the unjust judge says.   And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him all day and night?    Will he keep putting them off?   I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.   However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Luke 18:8

Being persistent has a way of waning as time relentlessly marches on.  Jesus encourages us to not give up crying out for justice to him in our sorrows.

As your sorrows mercilessly nag at you, remember his words and carry on. Continue to cry out to him and he will incline to you and hear your cries. Along with him hearing you, he will draw you to himself.

Gentle ladies, let us be found faithful when he returns!

An exercise in mercy over judgement

Thank you, Answers in Genesis, for the perfect comment to showing mercy over judgement.

Mercy Triumphs Over Judgement

Recovering Grace is worth the read on their Judging 101.


I have greatly grieved with this person since reading this article, and also for mankind as I read this account.   We all judge others in some way, but to think of blatantly teaching children to hypocritically and legalistically judge others is off the icky scale.


I've witnessed certain people who have their own legalistic rules as they routinely judged everyone else.   For me, it laid the ugliness of this sin out in front of me where I was sickened by it.  


My greatest shortcoming was not confronting them during the time we knew them.   My only feeble effort was trying desperately to change the subject each time or to leave the room.   I have certainly learned from those experiences.


Thank you, LORD.


Unjust judging, like any sin we feed, will lead each of us into deeper sinning.   When we begin to judge others by our own standards we are way out of line--God's line.   One of the next steps to unjust judging will be separation and shunning  of the beloved...


from Standards that Divide Believers:

The early church encountered similar standard-related strife. In Galatians 2:11-21, Paul opposed Peter to his face because he had bought into the wrong “standard.” Peter believed that both Jews and Gentiles were equal in Christ, but in a moment of weakness, he was swayed by the Judaizers in separating themselves from their fellow brothers in Christ who did not share the same “high standards” of circumcision and dietary laws as they did. The Judaizers knew that this method of ranking Christian commitment and shunning believers who didn’t measure up to their own standards was both powerful and effective, and they were able to use it to sway many to their side. Paul warned, “Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them.” [4]

This type of alienation is unbiblical at best. Any form of shunning fellow believers with “lower standards” flies in the very face of the gospel, which makes all equal before God through faith in Christ. Philip Graham Ryken puts it this way, “We must have fellowship with anyone and everyone who is in fellowship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. If we refuse to have fellowship with them, then our actions deny the gospel. We are making a distinction that God himself does not make. We are adding some qualification to the only thing God requires, which is faith in Jesus Christ.” [5]

Scripture calls us to unity within the body of Christ, not to unnecessary divisions based on human commands and teachings. There is never any justification for alienating other believers based on lower standards.  As believers, we are called to love each other and work for the peace of the church. “Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” [6]


I have always been disturbed that the church is its own worst enemy.   Those who claim the precious name of Jesus can be the meanest, cruelest people out there.  In the Name of Christ they can cut each other down worse than any pagan ever could.  All while singing hymns...

 “So speak and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.  For judgement will be merciless to the one who has shown no mercy;   mercy triumphs over judgement.”

James 2:12-13


Let each of us take a good, hard look at ourselves often.   If we are working on ridding ourselves of our own sins, then we will not have the idle time to find unrighteous things to do.   And while we are at it, let us put on the beautiful robes of mercy to glorify our God, the author of mercy.

Fleeting memories

Early this morning I remembered back to a sweet and precious day 33 years ago when our first child was born.  I wanted to call my mother and reminisce~~~but in the same instant I remembered that she is with the LORD.  Oh, my, do I miss her friendship.


Thirty Three years ago was the first time she flew on an airline just to come from Ohio to Oklahoma to see her second grandchild.  


Thank you, LORD, for my precious mother.  And Happy Birthday to our beloved daughter.

communication

PEANUTS by Charles Schultz

Precious Gifts are all around us

Sometimes the most simplest thing can be a blessing.  

I am a cat person and so kitties easily can show me God's mercies and grace.  I see His hand everywhere.  I can be so touched by a sunset, a rain storm, a single flower, a chipmunk, buffalo,or even a spider web~~which is YIKES! for me. 

Look around you.  His precious gifts are all around us waiting to point us to the One and Only who created them, and it is Him who is holding them together.

Let us Praise God together!

Colossians 1:15-20

How Long?

"And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true..."
Revelations 6:10


The signs of His soon coming multiply, yet we still wait. Nevertheless, He has promised to return, and His Word is true and sure. He will come--perhaps today! "For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry" (Hebrews 10:37). HMM

From Institute for Creation Research.  By Henry Morris

left overs

PEANUTS by Charles Schultz

Romans 12:9-13

MIRACLES

Blinded

This world is upside down.  It is easy to become overwhelmed in our circumstances.  We are sometimes blinded and we lose sight of trusting and hoping in our great God and how He is able to do far more than we can imagine.  Sometimes life seems too much and too difficult.

I can’t see it any more.  I can’t see how things will turn around.  I can’t even see how God can mightily move and work things out.  The time has been too long.  The evil perpetrated too deep.  The LORD desires willing repentance and so He will not force people to repent.  I just can’t see it any more.  My hope is fading.

Blinded

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1

"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."
Hebrews 11:6

Thank you, LORD.  You lifted my head.  You used one of Your dear handmaidens to remind me.  I was again lost in a sea of fear and hopelessness, but You touched me with Your gentle hand.  You lifted me up to remember.  I remember now that You are the One and Only.  You work behind the scenes.  You do Your best work in private.  You work miracles.  Someday we will look on in awe, and glorify Your name.  But right now I will lift my banner of praise in Victory of things I can not see and wait again for Your perfect timing.

"The LORD will give strength to His people;  The LORD will bless His people with peace."
Psalm 29:11 

Orange Juice Goes to War

1940s

OJ was just a seasonal treat until WWII, when the government charged the Florida Citrus Commission with finding a way to ship vitamin C-packed juice overseas to prevent scurvy among the troops.  Their solution, frozen concentrate, was literally created in a vacuum---and gave rise to a major new U.S. industry.  By the war’s end, reconstituted juice had reached the front lines.  And by the 1950s, housewives across the country were stirring up OJ for breakfast year-round.

An interesting bit of trivia from Parade, August 2011

Thank you, LORD, for Oranges!

God's creation

PEANUTS

                                                   by Charles Schultz

Thank you, LORD, for Your creation. In easy times or difficult times we can see, enjoy, and be reminded that You are in charge and we can trust in You.

Psalm 148 

Now that we have all gone numb...

This says it all.  A Culture Gone Coarse. 

May the LORD find us faithful.  May we be a light to the world.  May the world see a reason in us to listen.  May the reason be the love of Jesus in us. 

Seeking God's Truth

This comic has fascinated me.  I knew I wanted to use it, but how? 

I see this comic from a Christian perspective where a person has claimed the name of Jesus, but when things get tough they abandon the faith which they may never have really accepted.  We need to come along side each other, and encourage each other in the LORD throughout life. 

God made us to fellowship.  I think the Body as a whole has forgotten what fellowship really is.  Fellowshipping is not just the twenty minutes on Sunday morning between services or a potluck every few months.  Fellowshipping is coming alongside, caring about each other, praying for each other, following up with each other, noticing each other's needs, being there for each other.  As a Believer we need to make commitments to truly fellowship.  

The second way I see this comic portrayed is as a person beginning to escape a legalistic group.  Having personally been caught up in a groups' legalisms for a few years, I see myself  jumping with a safety net because I am not trusting or believing the legalistic group any longer, but I am still going along with them so as not to get in "trouble".

In any controlling and manipulating group there may be people who are finally seeing and knowing the group is wrong, but they are afraid to leave.  Just the thinking of truth could be the beginning of their escape from the group.   In this comic I can see beyond this picture where the one who is not completely following the legalisms any longer is eventually thrown out of the group and then cruelly shunned because they are no longer worshipping the legalistic leaders 100%.

The world is full of deception.  The Christian community is not excluded; in fact, it may be even more dangerous because tricksters use enough of God's word to make their falsehoods sound good.  You must pay attention to what is taught.  Even people's behavior or their traditions can be red flags of danger. 

 Let's not forget the big picture. We are to seek and worship the God of the Bible in truth.  It is His truth so we must be always alert for falsehoods or twistings of His words into falsehoods.  Becoming a Christian doesn't mean you "made it" and the work is over.   Being a true Christian means you've just begun being a Berean.

Do you want to follow the LORD or a person's wrong teachings in which they misuse His words?

Be on the alert!

I will be your shield

My child, are you discouraged
By the sorrows of the day?
Does it seem that life is crumbing,
The skies have turned to gray?

Don’t forget I gave you promises
To guide you every hour.
In the moment of your heartbreak
Let Me show you My great power.

And I will be your shield
When the battle rages on,
And I will be your light
When the way ahead is dark.
I will be your strong tower
And guide you every hour,
Just place your life
Completely in my hands.

I know it won’t be easy
I never said it would,
But My grace will always be there,
My plans for you are good.

Remember that your weaknesses
Are perfect in My sight
Only when you hand them to Me
Can I turn them into might.

And I will be your shield
When the battle rages on,
And I will be your light
When the way ahead is dark.
I will be your strong tower
And guide you every hour,
Just place your life
Completely in my hands.

And someday you will understand
Why I sent this trial,
And someday you will see the end
And know it’s overcome.

Sometimes He lets us stay broken

Sometimes He gives us what we need rather than what we want.


Sometimes He lets us stay broken in ways we may not feel comfortable or what we expect, as He uses us as broken vessels so His light can beam through us.

from Laura Story

her offering in song, Blessings

Run to the Strong Tower of the LORD our God

PEANUTS

                                                                  by Charles Schultz

There is a Hope

"There is a hope that lifts my weary head,
A consolation strong against despair,
That when the world has plunged me in it's deepest pit,
I find the Savior there!
Through present sufferings, future's fears,
He whispers, "Courage!" in my ear.
For I am safe in everlasting arms,
and they will lead me home."

verse 2, by Stuart Townsend and Mark Edwards

Don’t miss the Grace of God

I know what it is to be so very, very hurt.  It is easy to be angry at certain people and also everyone else----and sinfully angry at God for not stopping it or saving you out of this pain.  I also I know what it is like to be jealous or even worse----the feelings of hatred because people have what you desire because it was truly yours before it was stolen.

I recently heard a Christian radio lesson in which I am so thankful.  The message dealt with this very issue (jealousy, anger, hatred in the situation of being wrongly slighted to whatever degree).

These are two parts which I remember:


1) Comparing ourselves to others:  Read John 21.  Peter was at the beach with our resurrected Jesus.  In verses 18-22 Jesus has just finished asking Peter if he loves Him.  Jesus then tells Peter pretty much what will happen and even how eventually he will die.  Peter begins comparing himself to John.  "What about that guy?"  Peter wanted to know if John was going to have the same thing happen. 

(After all it won't be fair-----I can certainly see myself asking this question)

Jesus' answer is profound,  "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?  You follow Me!" John 21:22

In other words~~~~it isn't any of our business.

We know that John did not remain on earth until Jesus' second return.  But this wasn't the point.  The point was that it wasn't Peter's job to know about John's future and to compare himself to John.  Peter's job was to FOLLOW JESUS.

And this is our job: to follow Jesus.

Life has not been fair to most of us, but our job remains the same----to FOLLOW JESUS. Thankfully, we are not the same as other people, and so we should never compare ourselves to others no matter what the circumstances or no matter how difficult it is for us to control our thoughts.

To follow Jesus we need to keep our eyes on Him (PRAY and READ HIS WORD ) and do what He wants us to do no matter what anyone else has of ours or does to us.

2) Capturing our thoughts:  God doesn't want us to be going down wrong roads of thinking, especially if these thoughts are feeding our desire to hate, become more jealous and go deeper into anger.  If we do not stop ourselves now when the pain is so very great--------then when we are finally blessed with a solution from the LORD, we will just continue with that ugly sin cropping up EVEN when we finally get the blessing of what we have  really desired.  This ugly sin will overshadow our joy in some way----because we will have fed this sin over time, practicing it so very often that it has become an incredibly ugly habit.

Let's choose not do this any more.

"Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy."
Proverbs 14:10

"See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."
Hebrews 12:15

".....taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."
2 Corinthians 10:5

As handmaidens of the Lord Jesus Christ, you have the Holy Spirit in you to help you choose the right response to whatever happens in your life.  Some of our hurts are true agonies, and it will not be an easy road for us to choose rightly because the pain is so great~~the loss is so profound, but your efforts with the Spirit will glorify God when you begin to capture your thoughts and Follow Jesus.

May you see the incredible blessings as you choose rightly.

The Beauty of Home Education:

Snow days:  you can still learn no matter what the weather 

Gym class:  no stress

Extracurricular activities:  use your imagination; the sky is the limit!

Calmness at home:  worth more than pure gold

Father’s work schedule:  schooling and family time can make a better fit

No deprograming time:  you will notice the difference!

Spending as much time as possible on what counts

Great field trips to interesting places anytime of the year

Reading good books which are also are good for you

Learning true history

Melding a family together

Learning to be cohesive with all ages

No school food

Learning how to make breakfast, lunch, or dinner

The family pet sits with you while you do your work

Everyone receives more in all the learning

No government indoctrination

Vacations anytime of the year

The principal, dad, puts the kabosh on any disrespect to the teacher, mom or dad, in a timely manner

Imagination is cultivated

Individual curriculum tailored to each student


Do you have any ideas to add to the list?

PEANUTS

by Charles Schultz

Joy comes in the morning

Weeping may last for the night,
But a shout of joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5b

"Til the Storm Passes By

In the dark of the midnight
Have I oft hid my face,
While the storm howls above me,
And there's no hiding place.
'Mid the crash of the thunder,
Precious Lord, hear my cry,
"Keep me safe 'til the storm passes by"

  'Til the storm passes over,
  'Til the thunder sounds no more,
  'Til the clouds roll forever from the sky,
  Hold me fast
  let me stand
  In the hollow of Thy hand;
  Keep me safe
  'til the storm passes by.

Many times Satan whispered,
"There is no need to try,
For there's no end of sorrow;
There's no hope by and by."
But I know Thou art with me,
And tomorrow I'll rise
Where the storm never darkens the skies.

When the long night has ended,
And the storms come no more,
Let me stand in Thy presence
On that bright, peaceful shore.
In that land where the tempest
Never comes, Lord, may I
Dwell with Thee when the storm passes by.

by Mosie Lister

Romans 12:9

Love must be sincere

How many times should we say "no"?

As mothers we need to say "no" a lot.  There are many safety issues we must deal with, and many things that the answer must just be, "no".

Our world is crazy and kooky and just down-right fallen.  Life is not like when we grew up or even like when my own children grew up. 

Still~~~~we want to allow childhood to be as free and open as possible.  Sometimes we need to think creatively at what can be safe and fun for our little ones where the answer to the question, "can we...?"  will be a "YES!".

Years ago we lived on a fairly quiet street.  Not much traffic, no side walks or curbs, although there was the grassy indent next to the road which filled with rain with any downpours.  My children were little, but not toddlers.  They were not allowed to play near the road.  They knew the trees they could not go past which would put them in the "no" zone.  I would sit on the concrete steps of the house and they would play happily.  

One day we had a big downpour, the indent was filled and I was asked if they could play in the "lake" by the road.  My son had just received a simple wooden sail boat that year and they wanted to let it sail!  The answer was "no," but as I contemplated how it would be so fun for them, I brought them back and talked about how the "lake" is by the road where they can not play.  I then explained the new special rules of playing in the "lake".

Those days will never be forgotten by me.  They played so joyously, as well as followed every rule.  It is good to say , "yes" at times.

Five years later we were in another home, this time on a hill with curbs.  They were now older, the move had been okay, and the season very hot and dry.   The summer days were full of fun at the new home.  Then the day came when we had a wonderful thunderstorm.  It rained and rained as we watched from the windows.  After a while the thunder stopped, but the rain continued.  I said "get your flip flops on!"  as I ran to get the big umbrella.  They walked and stomped up and down the road along the curbs, with rain gushing down the gutters.  Eventually the umbrella was just a prop as they were as wet as their feet.  So many laughs and giggles.  I am sure the neighbors wondered about us, but another memory was made that will never be forgotten.

As mothers we can be creative to be able to say, "yes" more often even if it is not what they expect.  Life is full of "no," so let's keep thinking how we can make memories with "yes".

He Is the Light

Fighting Temptations

A good blog post for any kind of temptations:

Prepare for Temptation

Thank you, Marie.

Blessed Assurance

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchased of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight!
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above,
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission---all is at rest,
 I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Fanny Jane Crosby (1820-1915)