God wants to bless your family

I'm excited! I'm fired up! 

It can be a wonderful thing to let the kids go spend time with the grandparents. It is hard to leave them, but it's also important for them to have the special time with Grandparents and. . . . . .  who knew it could be so awesome for me to spend a little mommy time without them?

I don't like being away from my kids, but this weekend was really good for me and good for them as well. 

This past week has been a whirlwind of activity. We plowed through our homeschool as I prepared to attend the BEECH Retreat. The boys have had special time to spend with grandparents and with daddy, so I could go and learn, grow, and renew. I am coming back to them a better woman. I return refreshed and renewed.

Although it has been hectic, getting it all done, it has been so worth-while! I cannot express how grateful I am that God provided the opportunity for me to participate. I've learned much in the process and believe whole heartily that He intends to bless my family through it. 

God wants to bless my family. He wants me at home teaching my boys, and He has been faithful in providing financially for me to do so. 

God wants to bless your family too. He wants us to have life and have it abundantly!!! 

Gods love for us is so great, so deep, and so wide! We cannot comprehend the depths of His love for us. As much as we love our children, as much good as we want to see for their lives - He loves us even more than we are capable of understanding. We are His children. 

#1000 Gifts and counting: 

* privilege of seeing God's plans come to fruition
* inspiration to Go forth and do what I am called to do 
* Grandparents & making special memories 
* One on One time with my little guy 
* physical strength to do what I need to do (and healing) 
* God's amazing provisions! 
* fun with new friends 
* time with old friends
* opportunity to share my heart 
*  BEECH Retreat!!!!

linking with:  Bigger Picture Miscellany Monday  Better Mom  Modest Mom  God Bumps Welcome Home
 The Wellspring - Hear it on Sunday  Gratituesday   Soli Deo Gloria    From My Mountain View     Titus 2's Days   Raising Mighty Arrows -Good Morning Girls - 1000Gifts   Thankful Thurs  Works-4-Me   Thursday Quick Tip   What Works Wed

What does biblical giving look like today? What can we do?

Matthew 25:45
 "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'







We participate each year in helping local children by stuffing stockings full of toys with our local homeschool group. It's a wonderful way to teach our boys to think of others instead of themselves (especially, this time of year). 
We have spent time buying toys and clothing for children who need them.

 But, is it enough? 

The local children certainly need to enjoy a toy or two for Christmas. I'm glad we have participated and believe it is a worthwhile cause, but there are needs that go far beyond a few items in a Christmas stocking. 

Last year was the first year we got involved with Compassion. Although our budget is limited, we are a self employed family and we are making huge sacrifices so that I can stay home to school our children, we felt the call to do more. 




(photo credit Marilyn Moss Whitten who organized the homeschool project) 

As gifts for family members, we purchased chickens for families. Yes, chickens. 
Turned out, my mother was far more moved by the gesture of providing for a Compassion child than by yet another pair of earrings. We made hand made cards letting our family members know that a gift in their honor had been made to Compassion providing much needed support to children and families in need. 

A gift of just $13 can help a malnourished child receive emergency feeding. 
I may even print a few pictures from the Compassion web site to insert into the cards this year. Looking at those eyes and a full plate of food is about as heart warming as it gets. 

A baby and mother can be fed for a mere $14. Or, you can opt to feed them for 6 months with a gift of $84, a year of food and nutrition for $168 for both mother and baby. 

The medical needs of a baby can be met at $55 for an entire year. Most Americans spend more than that on the family Christmas tree each year. 




Even a gift of $4 can treat a child for parasites - a very real danger for those living in less than sanitary conditions. There are gifts available - which you can specify and gift in the name of a loved one - in every imaginable price range. 

As we go about our busy schedules, taking care of kids, balancing life and the Christmas season, making sure all the bases are covered - let's remember to be grateful for the clean water coming out of the faucet today, for the light bulb that comes on when we flip the switch, the medicine we distribute before the hot meal we feed the family.

 As we put the final touches on our Christmas list this year, perhaps we can find a way to reach across the miles and change the life of a child today. 

The Compassion catalog is the perfect place to start. You can be certain your money truly goes to provide for the Compassion children. 

Learn more about giving with Compassion here. 

My goal is to raise a mere $100 
I am asking for 10 of my readers to give just $10 
Or 5 people to donate $20 to the gift of their choice from Compassion. Perhaps there is someone reading who is looking for the perfect $100 gift to give Aunt Millie, who has everything. If you are one of the readers who plan to do this - please let me know - either in the comments below or in a private message. Our efforts will go a long way with this program! 

Please use this link to donate and make a real difference in the life of a child. 

~Merry Christmas! 


Counting #1000 Gifts I'm grateful for today: *clean water, hot food, Christmas tree, washing machine, fresh food, medicine, soap, shampoo, family, healthy children 

linking with: Miscellany Monday  Better Mom  Modest Mom  God Bumps Welcome Home  The Wellspring #ifellowship Seeds of Faith - Thought Provoking Thursday - Hear it on Sunday  Gratituesday   Soli Deo Gloria    From My Mountain View     Titus 2's Days  
Raising Mighty Arrows - Good Morning Girls - 1000Gifts   Thankful Thurs Kids in the Word  

The walking wounded - Recovery after major attacks within the body of Christ

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2 Timothy 2:14 Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

Have you ever met anyone who has been terribly wounded by a fellow Christian? Have you been in a position where you have had a friend or loved one striking out at you either in secret or in the open? Was it an isolated incident or repeated behavior? 

The world holds many walking wounded - the Christian community is not immune.  I'm not talking today about people who do not know the love of God in their life - I mean the ones who do, or are supposed to - yet they go on harming others; Intentionally. 

I grew up in a Christian home, and school. I learned a lot about the Lord, and a lot about human nature. I recognized, even as a child that something was amiss when someone was speaking words of love and Jesus from one side of their mouth, and then striking out at others - using words to intentionally cause harm - forming opinions that had not come from godly wisdom, but from a hollow place inside themselves - and using them to hurt. Somehow the pain seems doubled when  someone uses the name of God to inflict it. 

Thankfully, our home was a stable, loving environment - and that ultimately helped me reconcile the other. "The other" would be those who seek to do harm in order to build themselves up. There were some who were not so lucky. Some who rejected church, and ultimately Christ because of the experience. There are some who never will trust another Christian. 

When you carry the name of Jesus - especially in a position of authority - you bear a much larger responsibility. Unloving, nasty behavior can and will be used against you. More importantly - your behavior reflects on your God in the eyes of others- particularly new believers or unbelievers.

• None of us are perfect.
• All will make mistakes. 
• We will each act wrongly and sometimes be hurtful. 
• We aren't talking about isolated incidents - but about repeated patterns of behavior. 

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? James 4:1

These people suffer from great chasms of insecurity. Their actions are the result of the enemy at work in them. We all stumble, but I'm talking about people who have formed repeated habit patterns - leaving a trail of destruction - problems with relationships - wherever they go. 

There is a big difference between hurting someone, and continually, intentionally, repeatedly inflicting harm on others within the body of Christ. The difference is as far and wide as that chasm they are stuck in. 

What do you do with that? 

We know the right answer. You forgive. You pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. When you are dealing with repeated habit patterns - and you've tried and tried to restore, forgive, reconcile - yet the walking dead keep biting off chunks of flesh; Then what? 

Joseph forgave his brothers, Paul forgave those who persecuted him just as Jesus did. There is no question about the fact that we must forgive (or there shouldn't be).

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6: 14-15 

When you are dealing with those who repeat such habit patterns and go to great lengths to strike out, spend time searching for ways to do harm - perhaps dealing with mental illness or narcissistic behaviors - the best thing to do is to step away and let God handle it. 

Forgiveness does not mean your interaction with them is required. 

Do not feed into the games. Do not respond. Do not fuel the fire. 

I have a friend who has continually been subjected to repeat emotional abuse at the hands of her "Christian" family. They have spitefully sought to hurt her. They have judged her. They aren't trying to help - they are seeking to harm. It's gone on for years and even though they've been asked to stop - they continue with their mean spirited behavior. Years. 

My advice to her is to stay AWAY from them. They are hurting her immediate family. They have shown no true remorse for pain they have inflicted and they continue to hurt her. In these situations, a little distance may be the only way you can maintain godly character yourself. 

This does not mean you aren't acting in love or that you are harboring unforgiveness. It means you are not going to allow their crazy behavior to keep you from the things God has for you to do. It means you are acting wisely. You cannot make them understand, so get out of the line of fire and let God help them. 

Whosoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

Proverbs 21:23

We find these behaviors even in church. I believe it's one of satan's biggest tricks. There are people, sadly, who actually spend time working at it. Forgiveness should be given freely - but we are warned against spending time getting caught up in such an unworthy fight. 

So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. Psalm 81:12
 (a theme repeated by God throughout the bible - it IS a godly choice) 

• What if they talk about me? 
• Why should they get away with it? 
• How can I stop them? 

He is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions.  1 Timothy 6:4 

Release them!
Forgive them - then release them to God. 

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.  Exodus 14:14 

Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

 Proverbs 30:5 

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  Psalm 27:1 

If you are among the walking wounded today - please know that you are not alone. Many,  have been hurt within the body of Christ and many more will be.  If you have witnessed this behavior among Christians and it's made you want to run from the church or refrain from fellowship with other believers - YOU are NOT alone! 

There are a lot of us limping around. Please don't let your bad experience keep you from the fellowship God has for you. A godly friendship with Christian sisters is possible. I can't promise you'll never be hurt by another Christian, or that you won't come across judgemental, petty people. But God will heal if you allow Him to. You can forgive, let go of old hurts and know true godly fellowship if you will simply hand it all over for Him. Lay it at His feet. 

Summary: 
Forgive readily, so you can walk in the fullness of God's love. Always try to make amends.  Keep an eye out for repeated patterns of behavior and release those for God to deal with. Be wise. Pray for those who harm you.  We cannot trust others not to hurt us - but we can always trust God! 

Thank you Lord for your peace and healing for all who choose it. 

Linking with: Bigger Picture God Bumps Welcome Home  The Wellspring #ifellowship Seeds of Faith - Thought Provoking Thursday - Hear it on Sunday  Gratituesday   Soli Deo Gloria    From My Mountain View     Titus 2's Days   - Good Morning Girls -  Thankful Thurs   Thursday Quick Tip   What Works Wed   Works-4-Me  

7 Tools Book Club - Preparing the way

 Our Mission is to prepare them (our children) to fulfill the God-ordained places in this world – their occupational calling, their calling as future spouses and parents, their calling as citizens, and their callings as Christians.” -pg. 20

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” Isaiah 30: 21

“And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness…but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isaiah 38:8-10

In our family - we've decided that time is one of the main factors in training and preparing our children to lead the life God has for them. Each of them has special gifts and character traits God intends to use for good in this life. It's our job to nurture and encourage them. 

God puts families together in various ways - through birth and through adoption are the ways He chose to put ours together. As parents, we need to believe that He gives us the resources and abilities we need to nurture and train our children to serve Him. 

  “Train up a child in the way he should go,

 and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 

We lead by example. Our children are ever watching and listening to the way we handle life's challenges. When the going gets tough . . . they see to Whom we turn for direction. When others don't see . . . they do. Our children know our hearts and they follow our lead. 

By investing time in our children, by leading a good example and continually turning to the Lord - by listening carefully to their needs, thoughts, and desires - and loving unconditionally  we can show them Jesus. 

We prepare and teach them in many ways including discipline, responsibility, accountability to God. We teach obedience to God, and personal relationship with Him. We lead the way by digging in and sharing the Word with them. 

We can't be afraid to admit when we are wrong, and to ask them for forgiveness. We must be quick to forgive and quick to point to Jesus. We must open our hearts and share our failures, not be (or appear to be) something they can never live up to. 

We must remind them in word and deed that God has a plan for their life and expect them to live up to that potential. We must encourage and build them up. 

God has placed our children in our homes because we have what it takes to train them. If we only lean on Him - seek His truth for them and rely on God's Word and the Holy Spirit to  guide us- His plan will be fulfilled in our families.  

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3: 5-6

Linking with #ifellowship Seeds of Faith - Thought Provoking Thursday - The Better Mom
From My Mountain View Titus 2's Days  Raising Mighty Arrows - Good Morning Girls

   

                            

Week 8 - Strength and Dignity

I'm teaming up with Amanda Pelser @The Pelsers to bring you the Prov 31 study group

for the ebook from Good Morning Girls

Proverbs 31: 23

"Her husband is respected at the city gate, 

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land" 

We don't have a city gate these days - but it is my job to support my husband in his endeavors so that he has the freedom and encouragement to be all he can be. I am to encourage him as a husband, father, as a man, and in his business and interactions with others. 

I want to make a difference in his life - to be good enough to him and in a way that makes him want to be the best man he can be. You know what? I can see how my attitude towards him effects him on a regular basis. The more I honor him in our home the more I see it in him. 

I don't want to pretend that I, my life, or that my husband is perfect. We are human and each come with all  that entails - life's bumps and bruises and such. I do want to encourage others (as I learn and grow along with you) to be the women God has called us to be. It isn't my job to point out the faults of my husband - but to focus on and see the good in him. 

He is a caring, gentle man who puts his family first. He is a hard working, intelligent individual who seeks God's will for his life - and I am blessed daily by having him as my husband. 

There was a time in our marriage when I could only see the negative. I was angry and hurt and I am certain I was making him miserable. God convicted me of this and I began to focus on the good. It was difficult at first to find it, so I started simply "thank you God that my husband doesn't beat me" (um, yeah - I was that far gone). Then it got easier, as I sought daily to thank the Lord for him. Gradually, I forgot what had been so terribly upsetting in the first place. 

Our husbands aren't perfect. If we are not there to lift them up - to encourage them - who will be? 

As I focus daily on my blessings and on the positive in my husband - it becomes much easier to live a joyful life. My relationship with the husband God intended for me is blessed, and all that is reflected in our life throughout the community - hopefully in a way that will encourage others. 

I want to be the crown for my sweet husband. I want to bring him strength and dignity. I want to be the woman God has called me to be. How about you? 

Proverbs 12: 4

"A wife of noble character is her husband's crown" 

From GMG site:

Week 8 Challenge: Ask yourself this question this week “What can I start doing that will help my husband be the man of influence, God is calling him to be?” Also focus this week on giving your fears over to God. Mentally pray each time a fear pops in and give it to God. Instead of focusing on the fear, thank God for something instead and realize that YOU have a bright future with God…..one that will bring you joy and laughter “at the days to come!” Remember whose daughter you are and allow God to cloth you in His strength and dignity!


counting to 1000 Gifts and beyond- #340 - #349: 


* A husband who loves me - really loves me
* A husband who cares about what God wants from him 
* A fine example of a man - for our sons 
* God's conviction in my heart and life 
* Opportunity for improvement in myself 
* Family time 
* Open communication
* Beach blessings 
* Powerful sunsets 
* Sharing our home and our beach with special friends 

Linking with #ifellowship Seeds of Faith - Thought Provoking Thursday - The Better Mom
From My Mountain View Titus 2's Days  Raising Mighty Arrows

   

                            

Mundane and Beautiful - Proverbs 31 Woman

Psalm 54: 4 " Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me." 

I gather my energy to begin the day. It's no easy task. My body doesn't want to co-operate with me and my list of things to do is ever growing. Before I can begin for the day - I must finish those tasks left undone from the day before. There are dishes in the sink. Abandoned cereal bowls - spilled milk - crumbs discarded,  have been left to rest where they lie as the children blissfully ignore the destruction they've left in their wake. 

I see the mountain of laundry waiting for me. Some of it is clean and simply needs to be put away. It won't happen without my asking - demanding even -  that the boys carry their freshly laundered clothing to their rooms. I'll need to follow up to be sure it is placed carefully in the drawers.

Sometimes I wonder if these children of mine walk around with their eyes closed.

How can they not see the mess they create?

When I say this out loud - I'm met with blinking blue eyes and vacant stares. Who me? What mess? 

I'm weary, overwhelmed, broken down. There isn't enough time in the day - or energy to even put a dent in the tasks at hand. I often wonder how long it would take for them to notice if I just stopped doing the everyday things that must be done to keep the household running. 

Would they see? Would they begin to pick up the slack, lend a hand without being told?  

My brief experiment with this notion did not bode well. 

A mother's work is never done. 

Although I love my family - I must remember it is not them I serve daily. As I sweep up the floor, put away dishes, and start more laundry.  I put on some praise music to lighten my load. My spirits lift with the voices and the music.

 I serve a living Savior. 

Col 3: 23-24 

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: 

for ye serve the Lord Christ."

Suddenly the mundane doesn't seem so irrelevant. I begin to see the beauty around me. I smile as I see the pride on the face of my little one because he put his clothes in the drawer all by himself. We check off the list together - and I know that they are learning to care for our home, to appreciate hard work. 

On our list today is to bag up clothing that the boys have outgrown. We will take it to the shelter to share with those in need. We are blessed to have extra clothing. We have running water, air conditioning and food in our bellies. The children are learning to appreciate what they have and to care for others.

I hear this as we bow for lunch and they pray - thanking God for His provisions. God is good. 

As I clear away the lunch dishes and remind the boys not to run in the house - my cup runneth over and I love knowing that we will do it all again tomorrow. 

This mundane life God has blessed me with is beautiful. 

Isaiah 66: 12

"For the Lord says, See, I will make her peace like a river,

 and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream,

 and she will take her children in her arms, gently caring for them on her knees."

*and I count to #1000 and beyond: 

#320 - #329 

- praise music lifting my spirits 

- more crumbs means we have food to spare

- little boy prayers at the table 

- clothing we need

- growing boys because they are healthy 

- hard working daddy providing for us

- summertime at the pool 

- ocean breeze and time to enjoy it 

- air conditioning in the tropics! 

- finding the beauty in what seems mundane 

Linking with #ifellowship Seeds of Faith - Thought Provoking Thursday - The Better Mom
From My Mountain View Titus 2's Days 

   

                            

Join Amanda and I and link up your Proverbs 31 Woman posts about home and family!