Our family and youth group

From their earliest ages we have kept our children with us in church. We have taught them how to be respectful by listening quietly and sitting still. Yes, during the toddler days we had to take them out a few times to show them we meant business but it was only a few times. We searched the scriptures and could not find any instruction for Children's Church. As a matter of fact all we could find was families being taught together. That sealed the deal for us, since God's word is our instruction manual for life we decided that our children would worship with us.

We were uncomfortable with youth groups as well. We could not find the purpose in them. We prayed and prayed and searched the scriptures some more. Nothing on youth groups. In fact it looked like young men and women were expected to begin acting like adults. Hmm.. we began to think when our oldest was about 10 that we would probably forgo the youth group as well. Around the time we made that decision I read about this guy and his book.

This was it, everything I wanted to say but could not find the words for. When DH read it he asked if Pastor Baucham had a recording device in our room listening to our words of late. He'd echoed so many of our thoughts.

Recently in our church a new youth group began. My oldest is 13 and in 6th grade now. We were approached a few times with encouragement for her to attend. We really, really thought about letting her try because we trust the leaders. In the end we were not comfortable with it. Then we saw this video. I also had a conversation with a mother who'd homeschooled and let her kids go to youth group. She said her kids were strong in their faith and growing so much that she let them go to the church youth group. She said her youngest who just graduated is the only one still living a life of faith and going to church. She said by the time she saw the damage in her older children she only had time to pull her youngest out for the last few years. Once again our conviction was confirmed.

No, I don't think every child who goes to youth group will wander away. I did not. The argument that slays me is when people tell me that because my kids are not in youth group/children's church they will probably rebel. Really? So, if my kids are in these programs you promise they won't rebel? Sorry, I don't buy that.

If God does not instruct us in youth group why do we think we need to rework God's plan. Plan A (God's plan) so let's revamp it and call it Plan B (Youth Group). We know kids today and they need this.

Not my kids.

Be Blessed!

Give Thanks

This has been a long, trying year for my family. I am ready to see it go. Illness, loss, death, divorce... the list goes on. As I talk to other Christians I hear the same theme throughout. Depression sneaks in and we loose our joy. Our purpose changes from the "big picture" mentality to just getting through today.
I'll be the first to admit there have been times I have walked away from my Bible reading and daily prayer time. I just did not want to be friends anymore. But as I look back through my prayer journal I see that when I came back I came back broken and repentant. I found God waiting for me with arms held out. I would just cling to His awesome grace and mercy for a time, then something would happen and I would sulk off again.
But something else was happening. I was noticing that we had food to eat, money to pay our bills and a few extras. I noticed that each trial brought me to a new place with God. The Bible became more than just a daily reading to me. It became a lifeline between me and God. My spirit was confirmed and convicted appropriately as I read through the crinkly onion skin pages.
Through it all life began to really make sense. Make sense in the way that I realized this world is so very temporary.
I realized that I was reading my Bible and praying as a ritual to get me through the day. Surely if I read my Bible and jot down my thoughts to God then my day will go smoothly. No. What I found was that on days that did not go smoothly if I spent some time with the Lord I could handle it better.
There is no promise of happiness and comfort. Only of peace and joy. Two very different things.
Peace in the midst of discomfort because I know God is by my side perhaps even carrying me through. Joy in the midst of unhappiness because I know that this too shall pass. Joy because Jesus is my heart and soul not this world and her pleasures.
The girls and I are keeping gratitude journals. Each morning we write five things we are thankful for and each night before bed we write five more things. We plan to share these with the family on New Years Eve.
Do I know for sure that 2010 will be a better year? No. I sure hope it will be, but the one thing I do know for sure is that God will never leave me nor forsake me.
Right after we started the gratitude journals I read these verses in Psalms 77.

Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?

Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth [his] promise fail for evermore?

Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.

And I said, This [is] my infirmity: [but I will remember] the years of the right hand of the most High.

I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.

I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

Thy way, O God, [is] in the sanctuary: who [is so] great a God as [our] God?

Thou [art] the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.

Thou hast with [thine] arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.

When I think God has forgotten me or is just cutting me off I can go back to my gratitude journal and realize that He has given me so much more than I deserve.

Be Blessed!

Preachers I enjoy hearing

My preacher's wife told me sometime back that when her kids were growing up they listened to preacher's on the radio a lot. They are both grown now and both have relayed to her how much they learned from that.

I decided to make that a habit around here as well. First was the quest to find good solid preaching. WOW! There is a lot out there.

Sermonaudio is my favorite place on the web.

Especially since... this guy joined! WOOHOO!

Another favorite, when I am wanting to get hit between the eyes with a 2x4, which is often a lot more than you would think... LOL is this inspired man of God

I am sad to say that even as a Southern Baptist born and bred I was not very familiar with this man until my favorite preacher Voddie Baucham began to talk about him. Now, I am just thrilled with his sermons.

I like this man, and this man, and this man as well.

The great thing about sermonaudio is the awesome line up of preaching from classic preachers that they have.

George Whitfield

E.M. Bounds

C.H. Spurgeon

and so many more! We put someone on while we clean or for our quiet times in the morning. I like to listen some more at night while I am buttoning up the house. When it's quiet time in the afternoon I will often play a sermon or two.

So many ways to get in the good preaching. I hope you all can find some time to enjoy them as well.

Be Blessed!

Tribute to an amazing Daddy!

His vision for our family: Father, grant my request that the number of my descendants in heaven is equal to the number I have on earth.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth it's fruit in it's season whose leaf also shall not wither and whatever he does shall prosper.

Psalm 1:1-3

Therefore, now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue forever before thee: for thou, O Lord God, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed forever. 2 Samuel 7:29

So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household."

Acts 16:31

For thou shalt eat the labor of thine hands; happy shalt though be and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house; thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord. Psalm 128:2-4

The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.

Proverbs 20:7

A Psalm For Every Season

In the morning before my prayer time I read through three chapters of Psalms. At Psalms 119 I split it up into about four days. They have been such a blessing on my life. When I was going through this I read Psalms about God's protection and His vengeance on those who came against His people. So, comforting.

Psalms 91:9-10, "Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling."

Psalms 140:4-5, "Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings. The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah."
When I am at my wit's end with Children who I just don't understand God gives me Psalms about his grace and mercy. Words that I can apply to my children and pray over them.


Psalms 144:12-15, "That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets: That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD."

Psalms 128:2-4, "For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD."

Psalms 112:1-3, "Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever."

Psalms 103:17-18, "But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them."

Psalms 32:8, "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."

Some days are just days of worship. The Psalms are full of worship. Praise to God. Glorifying His name and who HE is, it's a wonderful time.

Psalms 16:8, "I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved."

Psalms 62:1-2, "Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved."

Psalms 89:1, I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations."

Psalms 139:13-14, "For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."

Some Psalms are Psalms to call me to repentance. Psalms that touch me so deeply that I can't help but cry out to God for forgivness and renewal!

Psalms 139:1-6, "O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it."

Psalms 119:9-16, "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word."

Psalms 51:2-17, " Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."

And oh, so many more. May the Psalms bring you whatever you need in this season of your life.

Be Blessed!

Guarding your mind.

Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Through all the trials and tribulations of the last few months one thing has become abundantly clear to me. People don't give up on their marriages over night. Spouses don't turn to someone else to fulfill their needs on the spur of the moment one day. We don't turn our children over to the enemy on a whim. No one has ever become an alcoholic after one drink. A junkie just because they were in the car with someone who was lighting up. These are all things that happen gradually. Especially in a believer's life. A Slow Fade if you will.

How should we avoid the Slow Fade? BE ON GUARD! If I think my husband is not happy about something in our marriage we need to talk about it now. If some man is trying to get my attention I need to notice it for what it is and let my husband know. If I see one of my kids heading down a dangerous path I need to stop them. We must, must, must be on guard. To be on guard we HAVE to be aware of what's going on around us. To be aware of what's going on around us we need to be in CONSTANT fellowship with the Father.

Some people scoff at me but I pray all the time that if my kids are getting away with something that I will catch them. This has led to many instances where I have caught my children in lies, stealing, cheating, anger.. whatever. I have to be aware of what's going on in my family. One lie could lead to many. One day my child will be an adult and not know how not to lie if I don't stop it now.

To be on guard means to be aware of what we are putting into our minds. What are we allowing in? I watched a video the other day on the homosexual agenda in America. In 1989 a book came out about how the homosexuals were going to turn America around. The first thing? Desensitizing. They got into Hollywood. Homosexuals on movies and television shows were like able buddies. Characters you grew to love and empathize with. Even in the Christian church we don't so much condemn the sin anymore because that would be too close to letting our buddy down.

What about something not quiet so dramatic. Language. Some of the language you hear just running errands now a days would have been thought completely wrong just a few decades ago. Now, some kid says a bad word on T.V. and America laughs. Because we heard it so much on television and in the movies it's ok to say it now. Desensitizing.

Our preacher gave us a list of how to renovate your mind. I am going to share it with you now.

1. Take all reading, listening, and viewing materials not good, pure, helpful, just, lovely.. and throw them out.

2. Replace the above materials with God's word. Practice meditating on God's word.

Psalms 1:2, "But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."

3. Pack your mind full of God's word. Read it, study it, meditate on it, memorize it. Read books by Christian authors. Elizabeth George, Charles Spurgeon, Voddie Baucham, George Whitfield, Matthew Henry, Elizabeth Elliot, Billy Graham.. there are so many great Christian authors out there.

4. Put a picture, a full size portrait, of Jesus in the front of your mind. Keep it there. I also walk around just saying Jesus' name out loud to keep him front and center in my mind.

5. Be aware of His presence, purity, and power. This will cause wrong thoughts to move under His control.

I hope, my friends, that you understand that this is just something I am working through in my own life. If it helps someone else out thats great! I appreciate you letting me share this journey with ya'll.

Be Blessed!

When the doubts creep in...

I have been listening to Paul Washer on Sermon Audio lately. I have enjoyed his straight forward style of preaching. I have also enjoyed the fact that he does not apologize for preaching God's word.

A while back I struggled with some doubts in my Christian life. Looking back it was during a time when I was living a lot like the world, focusing on things of the world. I always thought it was the enemy trying to destroy me. In some ways it probably was. But for the most part I now think I was having those doubts because I was not living a Christ like life. After hearing Paul Washer's shocking message I believe that to be true.

Matthew 7:13-24, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

If you have time. Go to Sermon Audio and listen to Paul Washer's shocking message on Matt 7. I will be blogging more on this subject in the coming days.

Be blessed.

THE BEST!!

Just a note before starting. These pictures have nothing to do with today's blog, but they are so darn cute! I love teddy bears! Ahem, carry on!

Matthew 16:21-27, "From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works."

So my children and I were reading through Matthew the other day and we came upon the verses above. We stopped to talk about them and God granted me an insight into something. Happiness. Our mission from God has nothing to do with our being happy. There I said it. Let me say it another way. Our happiness.. well frankly, it does not matter. Jesus was not happy about having to die on the cross but look at how He rebuked Peter for even mentioning that He would not have to. See, Jesus was on a mission from God. Come to earth as a man, teach, heal, preach, and then be crucified, buried and rise again all to save the people from their sins. Jesus rebuked the thought that he would not have to complete his mission from God. He would let nothing stand in the way.

Why do we as Christians think our happiness matters? Sure Jesus promised us abundant life. I think we are supposed to be joyful. But joyful and happy are two different things. Joyful is a choice you make. It's praising God through the storm. Happy is an emotion you feel when things are going your way. We were never put on this earth with the mission to be happy. We have all of eternity to be happy. Jesus was never happy on the cross. Why do some Christians think they get to end a marriage because they are not happy? Why do some Christians think they get to split a church because they are not happy? Why do some Christians think they get to compromise their families because they are not happy?

YOUR HAPPINESS DOES NOT MATTER! DOING WHAT GOD PUT YOU ON THIS EARTH TO DO IS THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS! This is the truth that God impressed so heavily on my life and told me to give to my children that day. I told them, sometimes being obedient to mom and dad does not make you happy, but guess what? Do it anyway! You were not placed here to make yourself happy your were placed here to make God happy. How do we make God happy? By loving Him and doing what He commands. Ask my three year old. It's part of our catechism and when he answers that question with confidence in his gleaming eyes it makes my heart swell!

Good, better, best! Does God ask us to do things that make us unhappy because He enjoys seeing us sad? NO! See God has this amazing thing going. Everything He asks us to do is the best thing for us. We could choose to take our kids to church every Sunday. That's good. We could choose to take them to church and say a prayer with every meal. That's better. We could choose to take them to church, pray with them all the time, and read, study and teach the scriptures with them and to them. That's the best! God wants to give you the best. As a parent of a young child don't we know whats best for them right now? Three square meals of candy is not best for them. They expect us to know what's best for them. How much more does our Heavenly Father know what is best for us?

If we could see our hard times and tribulations as God giving us the best we could endure them a lot more, I think. No, the hard times and tribulations are not the best, but the refining and the drawing closer to God, and obtaining more faith...that's the BEST!

When God asks you to walk away from a friendship, or a relationship (not your children or marriage!!), or a hobby, or tv show,... or whatever. He does not do it to make you unhappy. He does it because it's the best!

I hope this makes a little sense. I was so excited about it and could not wait to share. Please feel free to comment with questions or for clarification. :)

Be Blessed!

Our Kids, Our Decision

About a year ago I had a conversation with some ladies that resulted in me being defensive and flustered. I realized then that I'd better convince myself that what we have planned for our children is the best. Thankfully I'd gotten my husband a book for Christmas called Family Driven Faith. By now most of you should have figured out my deep respect and admiration for Voddie Baucham the author of that book. The book really helped me get a handle on the "why" of our convictions.
You see, we have decided that no matter how mainstream it is our kids will not be in the youth group. It was not an easy decision. It is one we prayed over and researched to the end. Youth groups just don't line up with the values and visions we have chosen for our family.
One of our goals is to raise our children to be biblical men and women. When my son is an adult I want him to act like an adult. We tell our kids that when they hit thirteen they become young ladies and young men. Implying that they are turning into ladies and men, not just overgrown teenagers.

I have heard all of the reasons why this is a dumb decision. Surely, my kids are going to rebel. Yeah. I can count on one, maybe almost two hands all the kids still in church and faithful to their walk with Christ that were in my youth group. Somehow I don't really think kids not being in youth group is why they rebel.

I think that when we neglect teaching kids straight from God's word right from wrong, the law seasoned with grace that we start the downward spiral. When we teach our kids that they have to be entertained every time they learn about God we err. Learning about God can be fun, but life serving God may not always be fun. Joyful and abundant, sure. But not always fun.

But it's our decision. I brought it to Dh and he prayed over it and read all the research I accumulated. We read Family Driven Faith with tears in our eyes. Yes, it can be done and needs to be according to Rev. Baucham. Just because someone does not agree with our decision does not make it wrong.

I have a friend who did not let her child eat anything with sugar as a baby. People disagreed with that decision, but it did not make it wrong. Some people don't let their kids watch certain movies or television programs. Others might not agree with that decision, but it does not make it wrong.

Proverbs is full of admonitions to listen to your mother and father and heed their wise council. If we put them under someone else's authority then we give that person the right to change our values and goals for our family.

My oldest is in fourth grade. In just two short years we will have to face the music. We will have to stand up and answer the tough questions. It's ok. Dh is strong. Whoever comes against us will have to have good biblical doctrine for why we HAVE to put our kids in the youth group. I don't think it's there.

If we are going to believe the Bible is God's infallible word to man then we have to accept the whole Bible. We can't pick and choose which part we think is good and toss the rest out as being cultural.

I love this guy!

Can I just say that I was so amazed at how he stood up for the Bible. I have seen Christian leaders get on these programs who would backpeddle and pansy out. Not VB! He rocked.
And please tell me what kind of argument was Ms. Feinberg trying to make with Ephesians 5? It was a little weird to me.
One day I will meet Mr. Baucham and ask him if I can give him a hug. I hope he says yes! :)

Psalms

I have been spending time the past couple of months in Psalms. I have read through this book many times, but this has been one of those times when its like the words jump off the page. I can't believe how awed I am by the words in the book of Psalms. Especially as I look at the verses through the eyes of my family life.

As I wrote about before I am going to be doing something around my house called Faith and Family walls. Since I last posted that I have been really turning my eye to the scriptures every morning praying for God to send me the ones for the walls. My cup overfloweth just from Psalms.
As I read through Psalms 119 I copied and copied until I finally made a note to just frame the whole chapter for one of the walls. *Smile*. The whole chapter just really spoke to me.
Here are just the first 24 verses. The whole chapter is like this. What a great path for our lives!

Psalms 119:1-24, "ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times. Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments. Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies. Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors."

When my kids ask me how many times I have read the whole Bible I tell them truthfully quiet a few times. Not bragging but because I want them to know that no matter how many times you read it does not get boring. It only gets better. I don't know of any other book I could read as much as I have read the Bible and still long to read it again and again!

I love sharing with my babies new insights that I have gleaned from God's word. My oldest has gotten to where she enjoys sharing with me what she has read in her Bible.

What are you reading in the Word?

Be Blessed!

GREAT NEWS!

Are you sad that this is the best happy face pic I could find??? I am.. LOL

Anyways, great news. Tuesday morning my BFF, Mel, called to tell me she had my Bible. Our preacher's wife found it and gave it to her Monday night. We have Bible study at Melodie's house on Tuesday so I as able to get it then. Isn't that wonderful?

By the way, my heart broke for all the stories of treasured Bibles lost forever. My parents house burned down a few months after we got married. I was able to get into my old room and get my Bible I'd had from my youth. It was my favorite Bible and I used it for the next 7 years. I just got this new one last year. I still have the Bible from my parent's house. Its lovingly sitting by my bed. I still use it occasionally. :)

I am so lost...

I walked out of church yesterday without my Bible. It will be next Sunday before I can get it back. That's a really long time! I feel like my right arm is missing. Where did I read last? What about the prayer requests written on the notebook I keep in the Bible? How am I supposed to start this new Bible study without MY Bible to mark up? Why can't I remember the quotes I wrote in the front to inspire me? *Sigh* It's going to be a long week. I am reading my old Bible which has so many great memories, but I miss my new Bible.

Be Blessed!

Our Vision

Here is our vision as described in the post below. I gave this to DH on Valentine's Day 2005. It's not fancy or pretty but he still tells me to this day its his favorite present. *Blush*
It sits on our mantel in the living room.

Does your family have a vision? Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he."

Be Blessed!

Faith and Family

I have been planning something for awhile. It's called our Faith and Family wall(s). It used to be one wall now I'm thinking it will be one wall in all the rooms of our home. On it there will be pictures of our family and friends as well as Bible verses, our family vision, quotes to live by... anything that inspires our family to press on toward the mark!

I have heard time and again how important it is to have scripture around your home. For a long time I have wanted to write, Deuteronomy 6:5, "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." , on the wall around my front door. You know from the rest of the verse... Deuteronomy 6:6-9, "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. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates." I will do that as well.
As I read through my Bible I find more and more verses to include. I want everyone who lives here and who enters our home to know what our family is about. To know who we are and where we are going. DH and I have a vision for our family. It's on our mantle. I will post the picture of it after I finish this post. Mainly we want our children to love God and be more obedient to Him than we are. Someone once told DH, if you want to know how much faith your children have look at your grandchildren. That blew him away. Oh that our family will live on in Heaven with us for many, many, many generations.
Here are just a few of the verses that we are going to use..

1 Peter 3:15, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"

Deuteronomy 5:32-33, "Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess."

Deuteronomy 7:9, "Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;"

Joshua 1:8-9, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

1 John 2:6, "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."

1 John 2:15, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

1 Samuel 16:7, "But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."

2 Samuel 7:29, "Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever."

These are just a few of the verses we have chosen. I will share more later. It will probably be at least a month before I can start on our walls. I need to repaint and do some other things around here first, but the wall is always on my heart and mind.
The very first verse I choose, except for the Duet. 6:5 was 2 Samuel 7:29 (see above). It matched our vision perfectly.

What verses would you put on your faith and family wall? What would your faith and family wall look like?

Be Blessed!

JULY!!

It's July! That means summer is almost over, right? RIGHT? Ok I confess. I do not like the summer. It's just too hot. You walk outside and your breath is taken away (and not in a good way!). You get sweaty from the house to the car. Three steps! But it is a torture I will endure... I suppose! :)

Our July is jam packed with fun, sun, excitment! We are probably staying home for the fourth of July. We might go to the beach with family, but that is our big plans.
July 11 and 12th is our local homeschool convention. On the 13th we leave to go to Orlando for the week. We are staying in my mom's condo. We don't do much down there. See my above thoughts on the heat. :) We try to do one or two cheap or free things while we are there. Last year we went to Downtown Disney. That was awesome. They have a Lego store there and the kids spent lots of time while it rained under the covered area where the lego tables were. They also had this cool toy store. You could dress My Little Pony or design a Mr. Potato Head. All for free. It was fun and free! LOL
We also went to Wonderworks last year. That was fun and fairly cheap. Handicap people get in free. They let my mom in free. They also had a book that you could use for educational purposes.
One year we did a dinner theatre. That was pricey but fun.
On my mom's condo site they have free putt-putt and they are supposed to have a free water park this year. They also have crafts in the activity area for $1 or $2 dollars. You can rent paddleboats or bicycles. There are pools all over the place. All in all it's not a bad vacay.

We are planning some fun family stuff this month as well. We are going to try to take a weekly trip to the beach for a picnic and a little fun before the sun goes down. It's a lot less crowded on weekdays. Our church is going to a water park in St. Marys, Georgia later on in the month.

I am also thinking we will get Museum passes again this year. We do zoo passes for about October to April, maybe May, sometimes June. Museum passes from June through September. Remember, the heat?

I am taking July off from academics. We will be doing Bible study this month. I got How to Study Your Bible for Kids by Kay Arthur. I have already studied the first week and it looks great. I will have to modify it a little for the younger kids but the older ones should get it just fine.

We have been reading through Matthew and the kids illustrate it so we will continue doing that. We are memorizing Proverbs and will continue with that. We are still on chapter 1. I checked out a lot of books from the library to read to the kids. I got some ABC books for Jonathan and Tamara and Adrian. I will read one a day to them. I also got some fun math books to read through. Its all on the preschool/kindergarten level. With a story book or two my kids are ready. I am also upping my teaching them to read. God has impressed it on my heart lately that reading is one of the most important things I can give my kids. When they can read they can read the Bible.

Kelsie has to finish up some of her work from June but for once Karly is all caught up and loving it. She got some drawing books from the library and has been having fun with that.

At night we are going to be working on History/Science, Latin, Bible and catechism, studying Martin Luther, and reading. Rotating nights and weeks.

Tonight for instance we have Bible, catechism, and science. I am using Christian Kids Explore Biology and a lot of living books. This week is the creation so I have a bunch of books about the creation ready to read. I'm also going to read some Dinosaur books I got from Answers In Genesis. The only place I get my dinosaur books. :)

We decided to pick a different Hero of our faith to study every quarter. Dh picked Martin Luther for this quarter. We have had a lot of fun reading through his stuff and learning about him. I found quiet a few reasonably priced kids books from CBD about him and ordered those.

For catechism I found A Baptist Catechism For Boys and Girls online that we have been using. It works perfectly for us. We are reading through a story Bible right now. I think once we get through the Gospels we are going to lay it aside and work on a book that teaches salvation and the true meaning of it to little ones. It's called Leading Little Ones To God. We have one or two who are ready to make the decision and we want to make sure they know what they are committing to.

I am excited about all the things going on this summer. I am hoping we will make it more of a routine. And it will continue on past summer. That's my prayer at least.

Speaking of routines, I have been working on mine since I posted about wanting to. I will show you my notebook so far. Slow and steady. Right now I am working on my morning routine and menu planning. I have some great ideas I'm implementing to save me time and money. I will share it all with you this week.

We are having Home Ec day this week so be on the lookout.

Be Blessed!

Courtship An Alternative Part One

I used to know a family whose son was not allowed to date. In my know it all teenage style I thought that was just absurd. Now in my know nothing parenting style I think its a great idea. I have tried to arrange marriages for all of my kids but people just look at me funny. I have stopped doing that...kind of. Im still on the lookout for great kids for my children to associate with in hopes that maybe...well you get the picture.

On one my new favorite message boards lately we have been talking about Dating Vs. Courtship. Interestingly enough, I was in the courtship chapter of an excellent book I am reading called The Family: God's Weapon for Victory by Robert Andrews. I volunteered to outline his method of courtship, which is one of the best models I have seen so far. Then I remembered... I dont really do well with outlines. *Sigh* So bear with me as I try to get the gist of what Mr. Andrews is saying into written format without copying him to much.
He starts with some examples and verses from the Old and New Testemants. I will not go into that right now as I don't need to be convinced that courtship is the way we will go with our kids. Maybe in another post I will talk some about why we believe courtship is the better alternative and share some of his examples. For now I just want to talk about the actual model of courtship.
The first and most important part of courtship is the father's responsibility. The father must be consistent in his involvement.
His first area of involvement begins with his sons. "A father should realize when his sons are young that he has the awesome task of training them to be godly men with a vision for the Kingdom." Mr. Roberts goes into the whole family dynamic and Kingdom vision in his book. It's definately worth looking into. He goes on to say about sons, 'They should be protected with moral fences until they have adopted the family standards and vision for themselves. " Now here is something I thought was very important. "They are ready to marry when the father knows that his standards and his vision belong to them, and they are mature enough, in his estimation, to take on the responsibilities of a family" Sounds right to me. I have told my boys and girls both that they should not even think about a relationship with someone of the opposite sex until they are old enough and mature enough to marry . Now we have an idea of what that should look like in our sons.
Sons should be taught to protect a girl and treat her like a sister in the Lord until the proper time. They should understand the proper time to capture a young ladies heart is not until he is mature enough and has permission from his father and the girl's father.
As for daughters, the wife will do most of the training as the older woman. She will teach the girl to have a gentle and quiet spirit. To keep the home and care for children. Mr. Andrews says of the father, "He will give oversight by encouraging his wife, and being sure that she is communicating what he desires that his daughters should be learning." He goes on to say that the father's main responsibility with his daughter is protection.
Here is where he says something that made my heart soar. It was so true. "Girls are always eager to give their hearts away. That is the way they were made by God, the way they find fulfillment, but often they do not have the maturity to delay gratification until the proper time."
YES! YES! A thousand times YES! I am a girl. I know lots of girls. Anytime a guy smiles at you or winks or tells you your pretty....you melt! How many times was I "IN LOVE" before I met my husband. I mean soul shaking, earth shattering, in love! The numbers are limitless. One time I swooned because a guy gave me a hastily written note on Valentine's day that said he was sorry he had a wrestling match and could not spend the day with me. He really wanted to and would call me later. I swooned! Pathetic. How I wish someone had stepped in to protect my heart.
Mr. Andrews understands. "Because she is a relational, emotional, creature-of-the-moment, a girl is easy prey for a boy who is able to communicate with her, romance her, and who attempts to capture her heart. A father's job is to insure that that does not happen. Rather than teach her how to resist a boy's advances, and try to encourage her not to give her heart away, a father should never let her be in a situation where that is a possibility." WOW!
Little girls should be taught when they are young that there daddy will protect them. They need to understand that that means he will protect them even unto making sure she marries a godly man.
Now, that we have talked about the father's responsibilities we are ready for the courtship model.
I will use another post a little later to talk about the friendship-courtship-engagement model that Mr. Andrews outlines for us.
Until then, what are your thoughts on dating? What about a girl who does not have a father to stand in the gap for her?

Be Blessed!