For God So Loved

For God- The Greatest Lover

So Loved- The Greatest Degree

The world- The Greatest Company

That He gave- The Greatest Act

His only begotten son- The Greatest Gift

That whosoever- The Greatest Opportunity

Beliveth- The Greatest Simplicity

In Him- The Greatest Attraction

Should not perish- The Greatest Promise

But- The Greatest Difference

Have- The Greatest Certainty

Everlasting life- The Greatest Possession

John L. Davies

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10 Ways To Be A Content Mother

Contentment is HARD.  Satan eagerly waits for our weak moments to convince us our efforts as mothers aren't worth it.  He prowls, he waits, and he destroys our perceptions of our family and our self-worth simply with seeds of discontentment.  Being discontent shapes our view of our family's and can poison our minds and hearts.  

Discontentment is like admitting in your heart you don't like the path you are on, the path that God has chosen for you.  It's one thing to desire a better future, but you can't live in the future only the present.  No matter what your goals or desires, contentment in the present is incredibly important.

Women tend to set the tone in their home.  If Mama ain't happy ain't nobody happy.  So how exactly do we strive to be content?  Here are 10 simple ways to get you started.

10 Ways To Be A Content Mother

1) Allow God To Shape Your View of Motherhood

We must be in the Word of God and in prayer as often as possible as Mothers.  His Word is our source of strength and wisdom, and our prayers allow us to commune with the Great I AM.  There is nothing more powerful that we can do as mothers.  The wisdom of God's Word will help shape your expectations better than anything else ever can.

Before you get too depressed about not being able to spend as much time in the Word and in prayer as you'd like, keep in mind there will be seasons of motherhood where you simply will not have the time to spend in prayer like you would like.  It's hard to find quiet time with little children but making the effort is well worth is and will shape your whole method of mothering.

2) Manage Your Home The Way You Want To

When I first got married I desperately looked for the perfect way to run my home.  Home management binders, shining my sink, putting on my shoes, organized chore charts, and scheduling my minutes down to the half hour all became ways I tried to manage my home.  Do you know what all of those "methods" had in common   I hated them.

Don't feel like you need to live by someone else's chore list. I enjoy Freezer Cooking so that's a BIG way I save time and simplify cleaning in my home.  Other than that when I wake up in the morning I write a to-do list of the chores that need to get done.  No fancy schedules, no daily tasks, just a to-do list.  That's how I prefer to do things.  Life is to short to live by someone else's standards.

3) Don't Compare Yourself To Other Moms

Whether they're "real" friends, online friends, or virtual strangers don't compare yourself to others.  When you count someone else's blessings you're not counting your own.  Which brings us to..........

4) Turn Your Heart To One Of Gratitude

Look for God's blessings in everything.  Get into the habit of choosing thankfulness.  

5) Enjoy Your Children 

I realize there are extremely overwhelming moments in motherhood when you just don't feel like getting out the finger paints or play dough.  Try to take time every day however to truly enjoy your children.  There will be messes, chores will be put on hold, but this time is short.  

6) Pray The Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.

There will be things in life that simply cannot be changed, and there will be things that need to be changed.  Contentment begins in accepting which one is which.

7) Reach Out To Other Mothers

Be a cheerleader for other mom's in your life.  Make an effort to spend real time with other women who you can encourage and who can encourage you.  Even if it's once a month for coffee good fellowship refreshes the soul.

8) Tune Out The Teachings Of The World

Television tells us that romance is always exciting and children play happily in the other room while mom sips coffee and listens to a baby monitor.  Magazines define a homemaker's worth by their decorating and cooking abilities.  Whether it's the models in magazines, romance novels, or the stories on television, turn down the volume on things that will allow discontentment and negative thinking into your heart.

9) Seek Out Things That Encourage

The Bible should be our first source of comfort and encouragement, but there are fabulous resources out there that can uplift a discontent spirit.  Seek out the things that encourage contentment.

10) Choose Contentment

Ultimately contentment is a frame of mind that you often need to seek and choose.  Our lives can get over-whelming and hard, but we can choose contentment.

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5

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2 Arms Are Enough

On days like today when I need a shower, I'm recovering from a nasty little virus, and I'm still in my pajamas at 11:00 am it just seems like two arms just aren't enough.

With a 2 year old dead weight on my shoulder who is too sick and too sad to be put down and a whimpering one year old toddling after us, it just seems like 2 arms aren't enough.

With everyone sick, and me trying to sanitize the "important" things and wash down everything that I'm able, it just seems like 2 arms aren't enough.

Breaking up squabbles, while trying to get everyone fed, praying to the Lord that they'll all keep down whatever I feed them, it just seems like 2 arms aren't enough.

If only I had one more hand to clean, to hold, or to help.  If only I was able to do a little more.  "Mommy needs both hands right now," has been a reoccurring phrase in our home this week and each time it's met with sobs from little hearts that just need comfort.

If I had an extra arm maybe I'd win the biological warfare that's being waged in our home, maybe I'd get the carpet vacuumed, maybe I'd get the furniture dusted.

But 2 arms are enough to hold and help the children who need me.  They're enough to take care of the little ones who just need a little comfort.

2 arms are enough, because I have a God who helps in my time of trouble.  I have a God who I can turn to when I need strength.

2 Arms are enough because  I have a God who I call Lord, who is more than enough.

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God's Strength: 32 Verses To Highlight in Your Bible

God doesn't expect you to live your life on your own strength.

He wants you to depend on his.

Grab your bible and a crayola crayon, colored pencil, or unique colored highlighter.  Go through and highlight these verses about the Lord's strength.  He can truly be your help in times of trouble.  (I put my favorite verses first, the rest are in chronological order.)

Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. 

Colossians 1:11

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

1 Chronicles 16:11
 Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually. 

Ephesians 6:10-11
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

2 Timothy 2:1
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 


Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. 

2 Samuel 22:33
God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. 

Psalm 18:12 
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 

Psalm19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. 

Psalm 21:21
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! 

Psalm 27:1
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. (Psa 28:7 KJV)

Psalm 28:8
The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. 

Psalm 29:1
A Psalm of David. Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 

Psalm 29:11
The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. 

Psalm 37:39
But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. 

Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 

Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. 


Psalm 59:9
Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence. 

Psalm 59:17
Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy. 

Psalm 62:7
In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. 

Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 

Psalm 84:7
They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. 

Psalm 93:1
The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved. 

Psalm 140:7
O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. 

Isaiah 12:2
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. 

Isaiah 26:4
Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: 

Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 

Habakuk 3:19
The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments. 

Mark 12:30
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 

Mark 12:33
And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. 

Revelation 5:12
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 

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How To Change A Nation

Innocent happy children.  I see the news, then look at my own babes, playing, fighting, squealing with glee.

Is there hope for the next generation, or will things just keep getting worse?  One of the many questions that have been swirling around in my brain since seeing the news yesterday.  

There will be those who blame the Sandy Hook tragedy on a lack of mental illness care and the closing of institutions in this country.

There will be those who blame the slaughter of innocent life on the ease of obtaining fire arms.

There will be those who blame the loss of precious souls on not having someone armed and ready to protect the school.

There will be those who blame the unnecessary carnage on violence in video games and movies, someone close to the edge being pushed over because he was desensitized to death.

There will be those who blame the shooting on the disrespect for human life in general in this country because  people are turned into objects and the unborn into cells.

The president called for "change" others have called for petitions, we all want to fix what is broken so something so evil will never happen again on our shores.  "What can we do?" has become the cry of the broken hearted nation.

Christ is our only healer.  If we want our nation to be healed we must start with our neighbors, our friends, and our families.

We must tell, as many people as we can about the love of Christ and that he came to save.  We must tell, who is the author of destruction, and what is the true cause of pain.

This nation will change when individuals turn their hearts back to Jesus.  And the only way the nation will come to know is if someone tells them.

Who will you tell?
 

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Family Devotions At Christmas

(Photo Source)

For the next few posts I'm going to be sharing some ways to share Christ with your family this Christmas. It contains tips on having special family devotional or reading time, and I'll be pulling some seasonal readings together as well.

There are few things that will bring a family together like prayer and devotion, if it’s not a habit in your home already the Christmas season is the perfect time to start. It is a wonderful way for everyone in the house, not just the kids, to focus on Jesus in an otherwise busy and overwhelming time of year.

The commercialization of Christmas makes it imperative that we direct our hearts to the Savior on a daily basis. But can I be honest with you for a moment? I love the commercialization of Christmas! I love the radio stations that just play Christmas tunes starting in November, I love the decorations in stores that go up before Thanksgiving, and I absolutely LOVE all the cartoon Christmas specials. I love spoiling my family with gifts I’ve been buying for them throughout the year, and I love seeing my kids get excited about their toys on Christmas morning.

 Yes I love the commercialization of Christmas, but there is another part of Christmas I love too. I love the Savior part of Christmas. I love singing carols in church, I love playing Christmas hymns for my family on our piano, I love the kids’ Christmas Pageant, and I love the quiet moments I am able to spend by the light of our tree simply thanking God for the amazing gift of His son in Flesh.

 The commercialization aspect of Christmas is fun, but the Savior part of Christmas is most precious to me, and sharing the Savior part of Christmas with my children most important.

Short of banning all gift giving and celebration in your home, chances are your children will be eager for the Christmas parties and the presents that they bring. Is it wrong for kids to get excited about presents? Of course not, and let’s be honest that’s why most children, and adults for that matter, look forward to December 25th.

 The commercialization of Christmas isn't going anywhere; it’s as much part of the season in this culture as the baby in the manger. The challenge for the Christian is getting our family’s to focus on the baby while there is so much other excitement going on.

 What grieves my heart isn’t the commercialization of Christmas, it’s the person who doesn't know the truth about Christmas. The joy of the Savior and the salvation he brings with Him will last year round, but the tinsel gets thrown away and the lights get taken down after December is over. Gifts will break, and family will return home. The commercialization of Christmas is fun, but it only leads to despair without the Savior that we celebrate.

We needn’t feel guilty about our children getting excited about presents, decorations, and parties, it’s going to happen! The joy of the Christmas season is the moments that allow you to share the truth of Jesus with your family in a way they’ll treasure for a lifetime.

So when Christmas morning comes around and your children are leaping out of bed at 5:30 a.m. to open their stockings, will you be content knowing you've spent the rest of December pointing your children to Christ?  Will your children and family have joy in their heart long after the tinsel is taken down?

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Was Jesus Beautiful?

I know I'm not the only woman who deals with appearance issues.  If I was then there would be absolutely no market for those glossy magazines that "grace" the checkout lines at super markets.

Like most women there are a hundred little things that add up to my present insecurity:

-The little girl in elementary school who would call me fat (even though I certainly wasn't)

-Overhearing a table of boys in eighth grade say there weren't any hot girls in the room

-Having my hair break apart and literally fall out of my head because of a failed straitening treatment

-Not being able to wear any makeup except lipstick because of my cystic acne

-Having an online anonymous commenter harass me about a pregnant picture, calling me a host of names (fat being one of them) and insinuating my husband didn't desire me.

But external beauty doesn't matter.  Although it's not a sin to primp and polish, the beauty of our hearts are far more important.

Think about this: If external beauty was truly important, wouldn't Jesus Christ have been beautiful when he came to earth?  I realize artistic depictions of Christ tend to be of a tall, slender, muscular, wavy haired man, but that isn't how scripture describes him.  In fact according to Isaiah Jesus was probably average height, not muscular, and wasn't handsome at all.

"For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him." Isaiah 53:2

And yet, there will never be another man who did a greater work while on this earth.  Savior of the world, born in a barn, and nothing special to look at.  A preacher who drew thousands with His truth, but didn't have the flashy smile and perfect hair of the tele-evangelists.

No, beauty isn't important, no matter what the magazine covers say.  No matter what the voices of the past or present tell us.  It's not that important, or else the Savior of the world would have been fairest of them all, and yet what he did while on earth was the most beautiful thing in all of humanity.

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What Exactly Is a Cult?

I'm talking about cults today over at the King James Blog Directory.  This is a post I've been meaning to write about for awhile and I've finally gotten around to it.  I'd love for you to join me and let me know what you think.

But while I've got you here remember when you buy American this season, it needn't be a manufactured item.  There are wonderful artists and authors that would be incredibly blessed by your purchases.  Take a minute and visit my mother's etsy shop if you haven't already.  You'd bless her socks off if you made a purchase.

Wonderful Words of Art Etsy

Customized Name Art and More

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Should Christians Exchange Christmas Gifts?

Black Friday is upon us.  Giving gifts is part of the season, it's a tradition that has been ingrained in everyone when it comes to Christmas.  Black Friday is of course one of the best days to get gifts because of all the door busters and sales.  So I'm not going to go against the tide today and grouse about materialism and all the sins that go with it.

Christmas is about Christ, but we also celebrate by giving gifts.  If we make a vested effort to make the rest of the season, and year, about living for our Savior we needn't (and this is just my opinion) feel guilty about indulging our loved ones with presents on one day.  I want to just share a few things as we enter into the "shopping season."

1)  Buying a present may not be sinful, but spending more than you ought probably is.

2) God promises wisdom (James 1) if we ask.  So ask before you buy gifts pray for wisdom, especially when it comes to the amount of money your budget can handle.

3) Try to buy gifts that will be blessings to others.

4) Buy your presents, wrap them, then be done with it.  Make the most out of the holiday season by staying away from commercialism, and go out of your way to celebrate Jesus every day.

5) Give generously to the cause of Christ.  Statistically speaking my generation is incredibly anemic when it comes to giving.  I'll probably write a post sometime in December specifically about giving but for now I'll say this.  I'm sure your Aunt Mable will love that $100 widget you buy her, but would she also like the $25 widget that would enable you to give $75 to a missionary in her name?

What other guidelines do you think Christians should follow when it comes to buying Christmas presents?

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O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing, Lyrics for a Hymn of Praise and Thankfulness

Charles Wesley wrote this hymn for the first anniversary of coming to Christ.  There is no greater thing we can be thankful for than our salvation.  Desperately lost, bound for eternity without God, Jesus stepped in and worked a miracle.  Thanks be to Almighty God for His forgiveness offered to who believes.

O for a thousand tongues to sing

My great Redeemer’s praise,

The glories of my God and King,

The triumphs of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God,

Assist me to proclaim,

To spread through all the earth abroad

The honors of Thy name.

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,

That bids our sorrows cease;

’Tis music in the sinner’s ears,

’Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin,

He sets the prisoner free;

His blood can make the foulest clean,

His blood availed for me.

He speaks, and, listening to His voice,

New life the dead receive,

The mournful, broken hearts rejoice,

The humble poor believe.

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,

Your loosened tongues employ;

Ye blind, behold your Savior come,

And leap, ye lame, for joy.

In Christ your Head, you then shall know,

Shall feel your sins forgiven;

Anticipate your heaven below,

And own that love is heaven.

Glory to God, and praise and love

Be ever, ever given,

By saints below and saints above,

The church in earth and heaven.

On this glad day the glorious Sun

Of Righteousness arose;

On my benighted soul He shone

And filled it with repose.

Sudden expired the legal strife,

’Twas then I ceased to grieve;

My second, real, living life

I then began to live.

Then with my heart I first believed,

Believed with faith divine,

Power with the Holy Ghost received

To call the Savior mine.

I felt my Lord’s atoning blood

Close to my soul applied;

Me, me He loved, the Son of God,

For me, for me He died!

I found and owned His promise true,

Ascertained of my part,

My pardon passed in heaven I knew

When written on my heart.

Look unto Him, ye nations, own

Your God, ye fallen race;

Look, and be saved through faith alone,

Be justified by grace.

See all your sins on Jesus laid:

The Lamb of God was slain,

His soul was once an offering made

For every soul of man.

Awake from guilty nature’s sleep,

And Christ shall give you light,

Cast all your sins into the deep,

And wash the Aethiop white.

Harlots and publicans and thieves

In holy triumph join!

Saved is the sinner that believes

From crimes as great as mine.

Murderers and all ye hellish crew

In holy triumph join!

Believe the Savior died for you;

For me the Savior died.

With me, your chief, ye then shall know,

Shall feel your sins forgiven;

Anticipate your heaven below,

And own that love is heaven.

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Leaving Amish Paradise, Trusting and Thanking God

My husband and I watched an interesting BBC documentary last night about 2 families who were leaving the Amish community.  Unlike some American shows that have highlighted the same thing these families weren't leaving the Amish out of rebellion they were leaving the Amish out of religious conviction.

Ephraim, whose family the documentary centered on had a deep desire to preach the Gospel message and evangelize to others.  Unfortunately the Amish saw this type of behavior as proud and shunned he and his family for this.

The doccumentary followed Ephraim handing out tracts and sharing the plan of salvation to people on street corners.  They showed him challenging the notion that people could get to heaven simply because they were "good".

What was most amazing to watch however was the families unfailing trust in God, as they embarked on service for him.  Ephraim and his family had recently given their entire life savings to another family in desperate need.  They felt lead by the Lord in the spirit of Luke 12:21, but now they were penniless.  As we watched the show, I hoped that God would demonstrate his provision for the family who had put their trust wholly in Him.

Over and Over again God provided.

He provided them with inexpensive good running vehicles twice, He healed their daughter of Leukemia, He lead their family to a home where they could live RENT FREE for the summer and spring months, He provided benevolence so Ephraim could continue to spread the Gospel without the need to work full time, and when their period of free rent had ended God immediately provided work for the family.  (Which is a miracle in and of itself considering how long some people will wait to find jobs.)

This family could have grumbled about their situation.  They were shunned by family, friends, and the community they grew up in.  They could have become heart broken. But they didn't.

They blessed God, they thanked God, and they served God.

I'm not saying that this family is perfect, or an example everyone should follow.  But I am absolutely amazed at their ability to remain thankful in the hardest of circumstances.

As we watched the documentary the narrator would say, "Ephraim prayed that God would send them a place to live rent free."  My husband looked at me and said, "oh I hope he get's it."  Sure enough within 3 days they were moving into a home where they could stay rent free.

God is Amazing.  The family could have chosen to see the previous 3 years as the worst years of their life, but they didn't.  They saw God's blessings, they saw God's provision, and most of all they were thrilled to be serving Him.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

 Galatians 6:7

I'm announcing a big eBook sale tomorrow I hope you'll be sure to stay tuned.

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Dangerous Doctrines, eBook Sale, and a Link Up

I recently started getting very frustrated about the subtle doctrines that were slipping into many of the Christian books I'd been reading.  From salvation through works, to compromise on the book of Genesis, all the way to pantheism, more than one "Christian" book I've read recently has deeply disappointed me.

In one of my doctrine courses I took in college our professor stressed how important solid doctrine is in the lives of Christians.  There are seasons in each of our lives where our emotions will take center stage, where we question God and wonder where he is.  If our doctrine is strong and we have scripture to combat our doubts and fears then the seasons of pain needn't derail our faith.

By far the worst doctrine I've seen pop up in some Christian books is that "God CAUSES pain for a purpose."  THIS IS NOT TRUE! God did not cause sin, therefore he doesn't cause the pain, death, or suffering that sin brings.  God does not CAUSE pain, but he can USE pain for a purpose.

I don't pretend to have all of my Doctrinal t's crossed and i's dotted, but this is one of the main reasons why I write.  My greatest desire is to walk alongside other women in their faith and be a blessing.  This is one of the reasons I always make my eBooks free before I put them on sale (also one of the reasons why you should be a subscriber  : )  )   

I encourage you to grab my newest eBook that will be free through the month of November.  And stay tuned for a sale announcement!


I've decided while this blog hop is still growing, just to add on to the link up from last week.  So please link up again and link up as many posts as you'd like!

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God is Always Good, and A Must Watch Video

A heart of thankfulness is hard when there is pain.

It's hard when a heart is filled with loss, grief, and confusion.

And yet, in all things God remains good.

This world is marred by sin, so not everything in the world is Good, but it doesn't change the fact that God is.

Sometimes we forget in this country how blessed we truly are.  As we turn our hearts to thankfulness this week, we don't need to understand why God allows pain into our life.  We don't even need to be thankful for the pain.

We just need to be thankful for the good.  Our good God, our marvelous salvation  and the hope of a perfect restored home in heaven one day.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." 

Philippians 4:6

Ever American Should Watch This Video This Week.

We Are Truly Blessed.

 

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God Can Do Miracles and Link Up

I wrote some posts a few months ago that really seemed to raise people's ire.  Normally this would be where I would link back to the old posts but I don't feel like reliving the drama.  That's one of the reasons why my comments on this blog have kept changing.  I've been looking for a commenting system that offers me more control when people start hurling painful insults.

It feels sometimes that what I write is merely noise is a vast expanse of post modern thought.  I wonder how my words can be used or if they'll even be of any use to God. I wonder if people will be blessed by them, or if people will even read them.

I'm not the world's best writer or most innovative blogger, all I desire is to be used by Him.  Sometimes it feels like I'm toiling without results.  No matter what I do however, it's not my effort that will bring fruit to this ministry.  It's not me who blesses, it's God.  I just want to be available to be used by Him.

I feel like Simon Peter after a long night of fishing and empty nets.  And yet the master bids me to keep fishing.  I can only hope he'll use a willing heart to do miracles.

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.  And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

Luke 5:4-6

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How to Have Quiet Time When Your Children are Little

I remember in college I used to spend hours a day just reading the Bible.  This isn't to brag, I was a theology student so it was required if I wanted a passing grade.  When I got married and started a "real" job I no longer had the leisure to read the Bible as much as I did in college.  Then when I had babies, one, two, three all within 37 months, my prayer and devotional life changed greatly.

One of the reasons why I wrote "Devotions for The First Few Days" was because of how drastically my "spiritual walk" changed after having a baby.  It's been a process accepting the fact I just can't sit down, read the Bible, and pray for hours upon hours anymore.  My littlest is barely one and my oldest is four.  These kiddos need their Mommy, constantly.  I've been really busy!

It would be easy to say that I'm simply stretched too thin for daily quiet time, but parenting on my own strength simply isn't an option.  There's no way I can raise my children for God if He isn't central in my life.  I'm not saying I have a perfect devotional and prayer life, but this is how it looks in the trenches.

1) I try to read my Bible daily even if it's just a few verses.  Sometimes all I've had time for is to read the verses I've written on index cards.

2) My husband and I also strive to pray twice a day together, that way we generally almost always pray once a day together.

3) I attend Sunday School, Sunday Morning Worship, Sunday Evening Worship, and Wednesday Night church.  Spending 4 hours in church every week, certainly doesn't make me a super Christian.  In fact most often I'm in the nursery just listening to the lesson/sermon.

4) Listening to sermons while doing housework, or computer work also helps me learn God's Word.

5) Part of growing my blog (which is part of my work at home business  means reading other blogs and developing relationships with other bloggers, mostly via comments.  I am therefore very selective in the other blogs I read, I try to make sure the posts I spend my time on will edify me spiritually.

6) I've written prayer requests on index cards and hung them around the house.  As I see them I try to remember to pray.  Eventually they just become part of the background and seeing them doesn't trigger the reminder to pray.  When this happens change where they're hanging.

8) I play hymns and sing at my piano.  I'm firmly convinced every home needs a hymnal, and I'm not just saying that because I'm a hymnology teacher either.

7) Sometimes the only scripture I get a chance to read is to my children.  Reading them actual scriptures rather than stories is something I'm trying to get better at.

I definitely don't have the whole "quiet time" thing figured out, but drawing close to God has been refreshment for those weary moments in motherhood.  What do you do with your quiet time? (My comments are working again, so be sure to leave one).

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Making Your Home a Haven From The World

Even though I've finally got a fancy new Kindle (which I love by the way) I've been reading my big, black, better not fall asleep and let it hit you in the face copy of "Lord of The Rings" again.  There's just something about slipping into a story, with characters you already know and love, which is why every few years I re-read this favorite of mine.

For those of you who are non-geeks stay with me, I won't bore you with a ton of nerdy details, but I do want to share one thought. In the portion I read last night the characters were about to embark on a very dangerous journey, and yet none could feel worry because they were staying in the "house of Elrond", where cares just seemed to dissipate.  As I came to this part in the book, that I've read many times before, this portion simply jumped out at me.  This is what I want for my house!

I want my house to be so filled with the Holy Spirit and so peaceful, that no matter what is going on outside our home, you lose your cares when you come through the door.

What's going on in the world right now sometimes terrifies me.  I'm not just talking about natural disasters and wars either, I'm talking about a culture that has so turned it's back on God and His teachings.  The world seems so far gone I wonder if there is any hope for revival.  Thinking about my children growing up in a culture that spits upon the Word of God, scares me to death.  And yet, my home needn't be a house of fear.

The journey my children are being prepared for, the journey my husband and I walk every day is very real and filled with peril.  Satan would love to give us plenty of opportunity to stumble, and would love our faith to weaken.  Our home however can be a sanctuary.

A sanctuary is a Holy thing.  It is a place where one meets God and can feel His presence in a real way.  That's what I want for my home.  I want the Lord's presence to be felt so keenly that my family is drawn to home like a moth to a flame.  I want them to say this is a house of peace, not worry and strife.  I want them to feel Jesus here.

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places; Isaiah 32:17-18

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Is LOVE a Want or a Need?

What happens when you ask a room full of children if love is a want or a need?  My mother did last night at church and one little girl (who this blog happens to be named after) had a very special answer.

I invite you to bounce over and read. Wonderful Words of Art: Is LOVE a Want or a Need?:

Oh and if you're reading this and haven't gotten your free copy of "Choosing Thanks and Contentment" be sure to snag it and share the post with your friends.

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God is Still Good

A few weeks ago as my husband was preaching at another church, I couldn't take my eyes off  the family sitting just a few rows in front of us.  I knew this family's story quite well because they were friends of my parents and grandmother.

Just a few rows in front of me sat several children, and their parents.  The two fathers were brothers.  In the same row with these 2 young families sat the children's grandmother, great grandmother, and great grandfather.

The only person painfully absent in this family's four generation pew was the children's grandfather, a man barely in his 50's taken suddenly by cancer less than a year before.

And yet the rest of the family continued to worship.

How is it that a young widow can turn her eyes to Jesus, and even lead the congregation in song, in the midst of her grief?

How is it that 2 parents who lost a beloved son can continue to bless God.

How is it that 2 sons who lost a father and grandchildren who lost a papa can continue to come to church.

How are they able to praise God when their hearts are breaking?

Even when times are the hardest, God is still good.  Even when our situations aren't perfect, God is still good.  Even when we are in the depth's of grief and pain, God is still good.

Rejecting God's peace and grace in the midst of life's trials is the worst thing we could ever do.  While this world is marred with sin, life will never be perfect, it will never be fair, but God is still good.

How is it that a family struck by grief can continue to serve God?

It's because that family knows, that God is still good.

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