A bump in the road

Have you ever been sitting and reading your Bible when suddenly you hit a bump in the road. I unfasten my seat belt and get out and walk all around the bump. Has this bump been there the entire time? How have I never noticed this bump before? So now  sit down and spend time with the bump and truly examine it because it is on a road I have traveled many times before...

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms" 1 Peter 4:10

What are the gifts I've received from my heavenly Father? My blessings are children. Thus my question to myself is always am I living this, what would this look like in my life? 1 Peter 3:15-16 seems to answer the question as it requires gentleness and respect. Am I gentle and respectfully to everyone and especially to those the Lord has entrusted to me, my children. Am I disciplining and disciplining while gently washing them with the word?

Daily I grasp on to Galatians 6:9 recognizing that these sweet little ones are are my harvest for the Lord and that I should not give up! Some days are admittedly better then others but what a blessing it is to know I can faithfully administer God's grace in it's various forms daily within the walls of my home. 

May God's Grace fill your homes!

I need thee, oh I need thee

This excerpt is shared from the Duggar Family Blog Michelle's Message to Mother's...

It was 1:00 AM in the morning as I stood folding laundry with tears streaming down my cheeks. Feelings of being overwhelmed flooded my mind. I cried aloud, "LORD I NEED YOUR HELP, I can't do it all! I feel so inadequate! Diapers, dishes, laundry, meals, cleanup, school lessons, baths, hugs, kisses, correction..." My list seemed to go on and on.

Then it was as if a still small voice said, "Michelle, it's easy to praise ME when things are going good, but are you willing to praise ME now?" Immediately the scripture that says, "Offer up a sacrifice of praise", came to mind.
I said, "OK Lord, I will praise you even now! It really is a sacrifice!" So through the tears I began to sing, "The joy of the Lord is my strength". ....

I heard Michelle deliver this message at our homeschool conference this year and as she recalled this scene it still brought her to tears. This event occured many years ago in fact at the time she only had 5  kiddos.

But I can tell you now that I can so poingetnly fell the cry of her heart, here in Texas, as this Mama has come to the same conclusion that Michelle did. Because once you hit 5 kiddos there truly is not enough of Mama to do everything that needs doing.

I have also become very aware of our short comings as parents. Frankly, we are now in a season of discipline which is also tiring. But again I hold onto my Lord Jesus, Abba Father and cry out to him  beleiving:"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Gal 6:9 so I daily press on toward the prize (Phil 3:14).This is never done perfectly nor do I think I have fully grasped the message of Gal. 6:9 in my children or me for that matter. I simply understand it more now.   

We are currently reading aloud a book about George Mueller a Prussian missionary in Bristol ,England; this book has been a great encouaragement to me. I am comforted in the knowledge that just as he has answered the most simply prayers of George Mueller that God answers prayers. Our prayers are not to little for him, he does not consider them to be a bother but on the contrary he is egarly awaiting us to come to His throne room and beesech Him in prayer and yet I am the one who tarries not Him .

So just like Michelle I find my self crying out to the Lord but not in my laundry room (where I probably should be) but in my bed at my computer. A broken and contrite spirit now recognizing the simple truth that I need thee every hour Lord!...I NEED HIM daily as a constant companion. His word is not in a book but on my lips and in my heart and it is being engrafted into my mind.

Okay Lord I Need thee, Oh I need thee! 
 
May the presence of the Lord fill you heart and your day!

broken vessel

With the addition of the beautiful twins to our little family we have grown from a family of 5 to a family of 7. What a blessed treasure they are after all the Lord tells us children are a blessing from the Lord and I prayed often during the year that the Lord would bless us with these children.

Please know it is my hearts desire and my hearts longing to become more like Christ walking in 1 Thes 5:23...

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" 1 Thes. 5:23

As more children have come and as we pray for more children, for more blessings, I wonder is His grace sufficient for me?

Before I only thought I was tired when I had 3 little ones. Now, I know exhaustion and my prayer life even consists of prayers to wash dishes, bathe one more child, kiss and encourage a few more times as I feel a wave of exhaustion falling within rising within me like a red yellow sunset in the horizon, I too want to lay down. 

How often I have read His word where it says we are to pour our lives out like a drink offering. It's repeated often througut the Old Testament and New Testament and I remember wondering what was that like? Well, I do not now think I know what it is like to watch your life flow gently from the glass like a stream of pure water into the lives others. I only think I know better what is to be empty broken vessel desperate for HIM to fill me up!

I am currently comforted and encouraged by the sweet old hymns as I go through my day and currently one favorite which says it so well that it is well with my soul! Which to me translates to this is no time for a pity party, your soul is doing well and that is what matters.

It is well with my soul 

Going to the well

For a while now I have been looking sideways at her, him and he and she but not up to the Great I am. I'm dry...

I have lived sideways with concerns about things that truly lack eternal value , instead of the things of eternity.

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is." Ephesians 5:15-17


 It has been a while since I've sat winsomely at the feet of the Father drinking in His word in big gulps instead of hasty sips. 

And as I look back I can see the time has come to sit long and drink slowly. And to let Him fill my cup and be my truly be my all!

"Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." 1 Peter 2:1-3

POSTSCRIPT: I wrote this prior to our trip to the hospital with Bubba during which I truly enjoyed extended time in worship & reading the word. Fill me up Lord, Fill up my cup with love and praise for you! I praise you God for this trip although I wouldn't have chosen a hospital visit but I trust that He knows what is best!

90 Day Bible Reading Challenge

Raising Olives is having a 90 day Bible Reading Challenge that starts April 1st which is in like 2 minutes. If I had not been such a chicken I would have announced it earlier but if you'd like to hop on board I'm sure they'll still take you, hopefully. Although I have read through the Bible several times I usually take about a year to a year and a half to complete it. I have really wanted to try these 90 day schedules but like I said I'm a chicken. A dyslexic (yes it's true) chicken with a garden, chickens, house & 5 kids to distract me I mean take care of! HA! So if you see me ask me how I'm doing and if you join please let me know so we can be brave together. If Sugar Pie was awake she'd Remind me "the Lowrd did not gift you a pirit of fear but of powwew and wuv"
May the Lord bless your time in His word!

Jonathan Edwards on time well spent

"Some diversion is doubtless lawful; but for Christians to spend so much of their time, so many long evenings, in no other conversation than that which tends to divert and amuse, if nothing worse, is a sinful way of spending time, and tends to poverty of soul at least, if not to outward poverty: Prov. xiv. 23. " In all labour there is profit; but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury." Besides, when persons for so much of their time have nothing else to do, but to sit, and talk, and chat, there is great danger of falling into foolish and sinful conversation, venting their corrupt dispositions, in talking against others, expressing their jealousies and evil surmises concerning their neighbours; not considering what Christ hath said, Matt. xii. 36, " Of every idle word that men shall speak, shall they give account in the day of judgment.""

This is from one of Edward's Sermons, Christian Knowledge, that I am reading through and thoroughly enjoying. May this encourage you to make sure that your Monday through Sunday are fruitful!

from http://www.whatsaiththescripture.com/Fellowship/Edwards.Christian.Knowled.html

This came to mind after last Sunday's Sermon....

Re-posted from November 2008
Last Sunday our pastor spoke on Gal. 5:13-15 and this old post came to mind.

What side of the gate are you on?

May the peace of the Lord fill your day!

I sing of my Redeemer

Our church has a hymn each month and I usually try to research it and find out a little more about why it was written.

I Will Sing Of My Redeemer

I will sing of my Redeemer

And His won­drous love to me

On the cruel cross He suf­fered

From the curse to set me free

Sing, oh, sing of my Redeemer

With His blood He pur­chased me

On the cross he sealed my par­don

Paid the debt and made me free

I will tell the won­drous story

How my lost estate to save

In His bound­less love and mercy

He the ran­som freely gave

I will sing of my Redeemer

And His heav­enly love to me

He from death to life hath brought me

Son of God, with him to be

I will praise my dear Redeemer

His tri­umphant power I’ll tell

How the vic­tory He giveth

Over sin and death and hell

Over sin and death and hell

(this portion is not in the original song)

Your love has healed us

Your love has sealed us

You’ve given us life out of death

You redeemed us

Theme: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:7-8.


Philip Bliss only lived for 38 years. He spent approximately 12 of those years writing hymn and hymn tunes.


. . . he wrote both words and music to such hymns as the following: Almost Persuaded, Dare to Be a Daniel, Hallelujah ‘Tis Done!, Hallelujah, What a Saviour!, Hold the Fort, Jesus Loves Even Me, Let the Lower Lights Be Burning, Once for All, The Light of the World Is Jesus, Whosoever Will, and Wonderful Words of Life. He wrote only the words for My Redeemer and wrote only the music for I Gave My Life for Thee, It Is Well with My Soul, and Precious Promise.

Philip Bliss grew up in a poor, but spiritually rich, Methodist family, and he left home at age eleven to make his own living. He worked in the sawmills and managed to attend school some. At the age of seventeen, he completed the requirements to become a school teacher. He ten worked as a schoolmaster and studied music with a friend. In 1859, Bliss got married, and in 1860 he became an itinerant music teacher. In 1864 the Blisses moved to Chicago, and eventually Bliss met evangelist Dwight L. Moody. In 1869, the two men began working together in evangelistic crusades to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost.

A short seven years later on December 29, 1876, Bliss and his wife were traveling on a train, the bridge over which the train was crossing collapsed, and all of the train carriages fell into the ravine below. Bliss escaped unscathed, but as the train caught fire, he went back to try to rescue his wife and both he and his wife died.

Found in his trunk, which somehow survived the crash and fire, was a manuscript bearing the lyrics of the only well known Bliss gospel song for which he did not write a tune. Soon thereafter set to a tune specially written for it by James McGranahan, it became one of the first songs recorded by Thomas Alva Edison, that song being I Will Sing of My Redeemer.

credit: http://www.semicolonblog.com/?p=5351

Let those who have ears hear...Harry*Potter?

*

I usually try to steer clear of controversy however this time I felt I needed to just bring forth some scripture for consideration...

 ⁹ When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. ¹⁰ Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, ¹¹ or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead.  Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD; because of these same detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you.  Duet 18:9-12

When we look at the new testament we see that Lord has not come to abolish the law of the prophets but to fulfill them Matthew 5:17 and he states the following....

 "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’^{[a] 28} But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. " Matthew 5:27-29

The literary term is suspension of disbelief which in lay terms allows the reader/watcher to suspend reality and you may join in the story. So as we watch/read about these things is it not possible we may imagine ourselves as the protagonist as a sorcerer?

Kyle you are being legalistic, I'm not so sure I am in light of this scripture asl Paul reminds us ... “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 1 Cor 10:13

As for the authoress ... Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light
and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Isaiah 5:20

I really feel that the devil has succeeded in marketing witchcraft through this popular book and movies series. Many people, many of my friends disagree with this standpoint.  But I am always brought back to to the truths of Deuteronomy (13:18, 15:5,26:16) and the consistent message that if we love God we will follow his commands and not presume on his grace.

An interesting article on Harry Potter  that uses another sin to creatively draw our attention to what I believe are the issues in Harry Potter please be sure to read all of it.

Finally, I am aware that many theologians and other Christians have come down on the opposite side of me. Still I wonder did they have the same difficulty condemning Broke Back Mountain & do the other books on your book shelves contain spells and incantations. I would truly enjoy your comments and all of them will be published and remain as long as they are in accordance to Ephesians 4:29-32, other comments will be deleted.

May the Lord fill your home and heart with grace & peace as you go through your day!

In Him Alone,
Kyle

BTW...I have not read the Harry Potter Books but several years ago we did watch two of the very engaging movies because so many of our friends were racing to read the books and see the movies. This was foolish we should have just turned to our scriptures.
This is just one Christian Mamas opinion on watching or reading Harry Potter.

Martin Luther on Mothering...

"What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, no on account of the position and the work but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow." Martin Luther

Okay, so it's not just on mothering but that is how I am going to apply it! May the Grace and peace of the Lord fill your home!

Kyle

The Last Week of August .....

We've had a really intersting week here at Rooster Hill. This is the kind of week that if you turned

it into a hollywood screenwriter they would reject it and say sorry it's just not beleiveable. The last week of August.....

On Tuesday (I think) I had a dental appointment to get step 2 in the 3 step process of getting a crown at
the dentist office. I remeber as I was driving It was amazing how I just kept making all the green lights. I think
between my house and the dentist I only had to wait at one green light. If I had I would not have made it to the comfort and safety of the dentist office.

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. "Psalm 123:1

Since I was going to be there any way I also scheduled my cleaning for the same day to kill two birds with one stone. Well as I was sitting in my hygenists chair the Dentists assitant toni pops her head in the room to let me know that I have a flat. Well I had taken the van. The only car that seats the entire family and Wayne was at home with the kids and the truck which seats 3 maybe 4 but it surely cannot handle 4 car seats! I started to panic but thanks to Pearson I know:

 "God did not give us a 'pirit owv fwear" [Pearson Version]

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7 

For God does not give us a spirt of fear but of power and of love This was great I was not afraid or panicing but I still cannot change a flat with my mouth throbbing and my wobbling knee! So I called Wayne and we were kind of at a loss for this one and I asked to see if I could find help that was in town. So I just start calling the Saints ...Glynda Bricker (just left to go somewhere and would not be back for several hours), Steph did not answer phone (I left a detailed message and she called me back several times while I was in the dentist chair), Jessica (swamped at work and calling folks to help or pick me up...so she's my last option ride). Seeing that I was not able to find anyone to help the dental assitant told me to just call the folks next door and they would take care of it for me for only $12.

I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God. Psalm 38:15


Then a revelation call Jeremy, Jeremy is in our LIFE group he's the kind of guy you hope your daughter will marry. He is reliable and he is constantly serving and always read to lend a hand.

"Hi Kyle" it always throws me off that he does that....
"Hi Jeremy, can you do me a favor"
"Yes"....okay he has no idea what he is agreeing to for all he knows I could drop off all five kids and head
to California for a week. This is why we (Wayne & I) love this guy he is an awesome Christian Brother.
"My Car has a flat and Wayne is at home with the truck and he cannot get into town"
"Where are you"
"At ....."
"Okay, I'll be there in 20 minutes" This guy has a real job at A&M he's not a student or a part-time employee somewhere.
"Thanks"

BTW, I dropped my phone in coffee a couple of weeks back and it doesn't work right so I have to have pretty much all of my conversations on Speaker phone. So the Hygentist was listening to the whole thing. This didn't occur to me until later that God can orchastrate a broken phone to to draw His people to Him.

"Wow, most people won't answer the phone if they think you need help." Hygenist

So I took my keys to the front desk and let them know a young guy was going to come by and change the tire.His name was Jeremy and to please give him the keys so he can get whatever he needs to get. So I finished my cleaning and then went and had the second step of getting my crown completed and about 1 hour later emerged from the 2 dental chairs to find my tire changed.

"Your friend came?" spoken with shock and suprise
I am standign there thinking I know he said he would. I had not seen him but I knew he'd come.

Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matt. 5:37



"He got under you car and he was dressed really nicely."
"Yes, he works at A&M he's a direcor or something so he has to look nice for work"
"Well, he changed your tire and then he left, I told him did a good thing, sometimes they need to be told"

She's right it is nice to be told you have done a good thing but this man did not need to be told it's just how he is , he belongs to Jesus.

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.1 Cor. 15:58

 I just want to point out that nothing in my day changed I left at exactly the same time I would of left. But everyone in my dental office got to see the hands and feet of God that day. They stood amazed, I stood amazed.

"Follow me and I will make you a fisher of men."

"That's how he is he loves Jesus he goes to my church he's in my small group."

"What church do you go to?"

Children are always a blessing and sometimes the road to parenthood takes a lot of faith. This video was brought to my attention on LAF. Please watch this video when you have a chance it a wonderful testimony to the sovereignty of God.



Enjoy your Sabbath!

Something to read and two things to make this weekend...

I spend a lot of time feeding babies and reading blogs now so here are a couple of things to make for the family and some interesting  and possibly controversial things to read from my blogosphere this weekend:

Tapeworm's State of the Legion Address this is an article from World Net Daily regarding the successful conquest of America written in a Screwtape Letters style. Loved this well written article...here is a great quote from it: " These reports clearly show our success in systematically destroying the worldview of children from Christian families. "

Hip Skirts by Sew Mama Sew is a pattern to make 3 different kinds of skirts that I am excited to try to make with all of my free time with kids!

The hand that Rocks the Cradle isn't Mama this is by Raising Arrows and discusses the dangers of letting our children be raised by entities other then the parents. I think of the near hour and half a day we spend on focused Bible Study in our home and I know I could not have done that when Peyton was going to school. I want to add that you do not have to homeschool to be a good parent, you have to be very involved and purposeful to be a good parent.

A Prayer for Homemakers from Ladies Against Feminism. If you've never been to this site you may want to plan to spend a little time there. Voddies daughter has written a couple of articles this week on singleness.

We don't love children we love drywall by Generation Cedar she discusses the heart issues that lead us to limit our family sizes. My Husband and I were discussing this and you know the world has 1.9 children per family and since we are in the world and not of the world perhaps we can consider having 3-4 kiddos or more. 

Mexican Lasagna  recipe from Smokity Frock I really want to try looks yummy & simple. It also contains ingredients that I normally keep in stock at home which makes it a real plus during these busy days.  By the way it just happens to be gluten free since it uses corn instead of flour tortillas.

What we fill our minds with by Jason Kinnard at New Life Baptist church he discusses what information we allow to come into our minds.

Let me know what you think especially if you have something else for us all to think about! Have a great weekend! May the grace and peace of the Lord's presence fill your homes.

What Fills Our Minds

Here is a post from Jason Kinnard an Elder at our church who posts about what we allow to enter our minds.

What Fills Our Minds?

From the Blog at New Life Baptist Church
July 28th, 2010

Posted by Jason Kinnard

I lis­tened to a ser­mon yes­ter­day by Tim Keller in which he joked that when he is pre­pared for a ser­mon he quotes from many peo­ple and when he is not pre­pared he only quotes from CS Lewis. Because he has spent so much time read­ing Lewis (and he added George White­field), he knows not just what they said but how they thought and how they would have viewed a par­tic­u­lar sce­nario. His point was that know­ing some­one well means that their char­ac­ter becomes intrin­sic to the point that you are able to make appli­ca­tion based on their per­spec­tives. Because he knows the works of Lewis and White­field so well, when he speaks extem­po­ra­ne­ously that is what comes out in his speech. He con­tem­plated what it would be like for us if we knew Jesus as well and had his per­spec­tive so read­ily acces­si­ble in all of our applications.

It made me won­der what, or who, comes out most con­sis­tently when I speak. There was a time in my life when I had devoted many hours to the TV show Sein­feld. Dur­ing that time and for some time after, I used to mar­vel at how many basic, mun­dane obser­va­tions of life reminded me of a Sein­feld episode. I’d say, “That reminds me of when George and Kramer…” and on I would go in thought if not in words. Though the show has been off the air for 12 years now, except for syn­di­cated reruns which I have rarely seen, I can still not just quote cer­tain episodes, but even think of how a per­son or sit­u­a­tion might remind me of a char­ac­ter in that show. Though decreas­ing in scope, this real­iza­tion of its effect on me was sober­ing and chal­leng­ing, but also promis­ing. It is sober­ing in that I am reminded of how eas­ily worldly triv­i­al­i­ties can occupy my affec­tions. (The show was famously known as the “show about noth­ing”). It is chal­leng­ing because I see that I have the capac­ity, as do we all, to recall and apply spe­cific con­tent to my daily life. Anal­ogy and com­par­i­son are cham­pi­ons of appli­ca­tion. Now if only it could be con­sis­tently the Word of God that I am sat­u­rated with in that way. Lastly, it is promis­ing because I know that it does not rely on me to have the abil­ity to recall or apply these things, but I have the surety of the Holy Spirit, who con­victs of sin and right­eous­ness alike. He is the appli­ca­tor of my affec­tions, which include the con­tent I con­sume and how it relates to my Chris­t­ian life. He is will­ing and able to bring change in our hearts beyond our ini­tial repen­tance that leads to vis­i­ble stead­fast­ness worth modeling.

Charles Spur­geon said this of John Bun­yan, “Why, this man is a liv­ing Bible! Prick him any­where; and you will find that his blood is Bib­line, the very essence of the Bible flows from him. He can­not speak with­out quot­ing a text, for his soul is full of the Word of God.

So, ask your­self along with me today, “what comes out when I speak?” What analo­gies form in my mind based on what I have read or watched? How do these things serve me well in my pur­suit of under­stand­ing who God is and know­ing Him? What comes out when I am under pres­sure? This is not a call to con­dem­na­tion but a chal­lenge for us as believ­ers to see that God has given us all great minds, but more impor­tantly, the Holy Spirit, to bring to mind what and how we are to think, speak, and act. May we, by His grace, be a peo­ple marked by speak­ing words of edi­fi­ca­tion and life to one another, even using seem­ingly triv­ial things to relate greater truths to our hearts for the exal­ta­tion of God.

Okay, this is Rooster Hill again not Elder Kinnard.....
This is why we limit both our (the parents ) and our kids reading, DVD & movie intake. Yes, we are the parents that do not read/watch Harry Potter (rev 22:15) or read the Magic Tree House (Rev 21:8), Junie B. Jones (Eph 4:29) and avoid most Disney movies (Jeremiah 17:9) you were wondering where we were, here we are! :) We believe these things pour into their soul and fill their imagination with things that are not of God(Jeremiah 26:14). Finally, if we are wrong we have done no harm but they can always watch and read all this stuff later but once they've read it we can never remove it from them memory.


I have added this link from Above Rubies to a CD/MP3 that I listen to periodically specifically about protecting our children's mind's called Guard Your Child's Brain space.

Can Natural Living Become an Idol?

Due to the transitional nature of having twins joyfully added into your life and nearly doubling the number of children in our family with less then 24 hours notice I am taking a semi-blogging break and will simply post items from other bloggers that I find interesting and thought provoking. Intermittently I'll post a little something from me about us. So in this post Passionate Homemaking addresses a topic I've given a lot of thought to, I hope you enjoy it too!

Can Natural Living Become an Idol?

credit

Please note: I want to express my heart from the outset of this post to assure my readers that these are musings that the Lord has been working in my heart lately, and I felt compelled to share them with you. I in no way desire to condemn anyone, but my motivation in sharing is to challenge us all to guard our hearts in this matter.


I recently encountered two stories that have challenged me in the motivation and out workings of my pursuit of natural living. The first account began with a friend desiring to throw a baby shower for an expectant mother in her church. This friend was expecting her first little one. The hostess simply wanted to bless and encourage this new mother in her pursuit. When she asked for gift ideas, the new mother stated that she only wanted organic baby clothing, wooden natural toys, organic cloth diapers, and the like. Half of the guests could not afford these products. One lady missed the memo and came with a few plastic toys.

How do you think this made her hostess and guests feel?

The second account took place when I heard a couple share that they had not been tithing for several months and wanted to begin again. They had not been able to afford it. I knew that this family ate all organic and natural foods. This appeared like it could not be sacrificed.

What is more important?

I have had conversations with friends or family members on various occasions when I tried to persuade them of the health consequences or benefits of a certain product. What has resulted? Relationships have been hurt. I have left others feeling condemned or inadequate. Or at a shared meal gathering, when another mom instructs her son not to eat that food item because “it’s not food”, relationships are damaged because we exalt food over fellowship.

Do I consider myself superior to others because we have adopted a more natural lifestyle?

In the past I have skimped on hospitality because I did not want to spend the money to buy good quality food for my guests or when bringing a meal to another. I made the excuse that I couldn’t afford it. In all honesty, I wanted to keep the best of our budget for my family. This is not true generosity. True generosity takes place when I joyfully give the best that I can following the Scriptural command to do unto others as you would have them do to you (Matt. 7:12).

Where is my heart?

The apostle John’s last words in 1 John are, “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts (1 John 5:21).” These last words are significant…He wants them to be remembered.

How often do I turn a good thing into a god thing?
As Tim Keller states in Counterfeit Gods, “Most people know you can make a god out of money. Most people know you can make a god out of sex. However, anything in life can serve as an idol, a God-alternative, a counterfeit god…What is an idol? It is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.”

Natural living can become an idol when we willingly give our emotional and financial resources to achieve it.

Natural living can become an idol when we think that it can give us significance, security, safety and fulfillment.

Natural living can become an idol when we hoard the benefits and not freely offer it to others.

What is my motivation for eating healthy and living naturally? Because I have desired to be a good steward of creation and for the health and wholeness of our family.

Can preserving the safety of my family become an idol in my life? Yes!

When I give my money first towards the purchase of good healthy food prior to giving it back to the Lord in my worship of tithe, natural living has gone too far. When I am more concerned about the safety of my family to the extent that I sacrifice relationships, the service of my brothers and sisters, than natural living has become an idol.

Eating healthy will not guarantee my family a more peaceful longer life. It will not add a single day to my life than God has already determined. Only God knows the number of my days. (Psalms 139:16) He calls me to be faithful to care for my physical body, and this includes being wise in what I put into my body, knowing that it will affect my ability to serve the Lord; but when I raise that to a god-level, it is no longer a good thing. My security must only be found in Christ. He controls my family’s health and wellness.

Eating healthy and living naturally does not make me any more honorable in God’s eyes than any other. We are all in equal standing before Him.

Our first fruit of income should always go to tithe and not food. (Lev. 23:10; Numbers 28:26). Where your money is, there your heart will be also. (Matt. 6:19-21) If I put more money towards my health and wholeness before God and giving unto others, than that is where my treasure lies. It will burn up at the end.

Unity in the body is more important than the safety of our family. (Rom. 14:1-3; Psalms 133)

God calls me to be generous, not to hoard the good stuff for myself. Am I only concerned about my health and not the well-being of my friends, family, and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? God loves a cheerful giver. I am challenged to serve the best to my guests as I possibly can. The more you give the less hold it has on your heart. (2 Cor. 8:9)

I have seen and confess to these evidences of idolatry in my heart. Am I implying that organic food, clothing, or wooden toys are bad? In no way. It is a matter of the heart. What is my motivation? Is that a God-glorifying motivation? My challenge to you all…let’s not raise being a good steward to a god position. Let’s not make others feel guilty, discouraged, or overwhelmed because they cannot afford the natural lifestyle or only in part. It’s about relationships. Let’s keep God first, love one another, and pursue giving generously to one another as we are able. Jesus commanded in Luke 10:27 states, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” I hope you understand my heart in communicating this message. There is no condemnation here. This is just a challenge to go further up and further in in our pursuit of Christ Jesus with me.

“Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them.” - Romans 14:1-3

Parenting Leviticus Style

This was a little jewel I had not noticed previously reading through Leviticus, I feel like I am looking at this wonderful book with new eyes. So how many times have you been somewhere and you hear this....

"Owww, that hurt" cries little Sally in pain
"Sorry it was an accident" says little Johnny
"Oh, I am so sorry he didn't mean too" says Johnny Mom and off they go.

There was no consequence for Johnny and in fact Mom does not believe there should even be a consequence for the child that unintentionally did something to another person. Now I am talking about when it really was an accident, they honestly did not see other person. Normally, the child is not reprimanded and often not told to apologize or anything because it was an accident. Yet in Leviticus it speaks to the unintentional sin as follows:

1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 "Say to the Israelites: 'When anyone sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD's commands- 3 " 'If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the LORD a young bull without defect as a sin offering for the sin he has committed. Lev 4:1-3

The Bible is consistent in this attestation that there is punishment/discipline for unintentional sin as found in Numbers 35 the accidental murderer can retreat to a Refuge city. But if the murderer leaves the refuge city then the family of the victim can pretty much legally kill him.

So really isn't hitting, pushing, running smack into folks, slamming the door on someone,  etc.... these are all things where we are not paying attention to the people around us. In essence they (or we) are not: "lov[ing] your neighbor as yourself [which] is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." Mark 12:33 If we were loving our neighbors we would have looked before we slammed the door on them, ran haphazardly into them, slide down the slide onto them etc... 

In Leviticus (Numbers, Chronicles) the punishment for the unintentional sin is definitely less then the punishment for intentional sin. But there is still a punishment/discipline for the sin.Why? I know as I considered this I thought about how this would help to train our littles to always think of others first and to consider the possible negative (and positive) results of their actions.  I would also like to point out that God has mercy on these sins and thus so should we. The murderer has a place of refuge the accidental sinner has a lesser sacrifice to make.

The Bible points out that we are not to be lovers of pleasures (running full tilt, playing regardless of the danger to others, speaking their "mind" etc...) more then lovers of God. Ultimately, I want to raise kiddos who love their neighbors more then worldly pleasures and who do not make or seek excuses for their actions. How do you handle unintentional sin in your home?

May you be encouraged in your parenting to press forward toward the prize and as you search the word and find out God's will his good and perfect will for us all!

The Savior in you liver & kidneys

Right now I am so blessed to be traveling through Leviticus with our Lord. I do believe I heard a groan from many of you as I even mention any of the books of the Law. Truly, truly I say unto you this study has been wonderful and transformational as the Lord has been so kind to me and has revealed so much to me in his word. As I've been able to use it in my parenting and to grow my relationship with Him. I hope to share a few of my thoughts on Leviticus with you.

One of the reoccurring themes in Leviticus are the sacrifice of the kidneys and the livers of animals (also fat tails but I'm not there yet!). In the class living by the book the I learned its really important to pay attention to reoccurring words, phrases and themes.

"All its fat shall be offered: the fat tail and the fat that covers the inner parts, 4 both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the covering of the liver, which is to be removed with the kidneys." Lev 7:3-4 (guilt offering) 

More References: Lev 3:4-11 (fellowship offering), Lev 4:9-11 (sin offering), Lev. 8:25 (consecrating the priest)

According to http://www.mamashealth.com/ : " They kidneys have a couple of different functions. The main purpose of the kidney is to separate urea, mineral salts, toxins, and other waste products from the blood. The kidneys also conserve water, salts, and electrolytes. At least one kidney must function properly for life to be maintained."

So kidneys separate toxins and waste from the water, salt and electrolytes that we need. My observation is that kidneys wash the blood. 

Mamas Health says the following about the liver: "The liver has many functions. Some of the functions are: to produce substances that break down fats, convert glucose to glycogen, produce urea (the main substance of urine), make certain amino acids (the building blocks of proteins), filter harmful substances from the blood (such as alcohol), storage of vitamins and minerals (vitamins A, D, K and B12) and maintain a proper level or glucose in the blood. The liver is also responsible for producing cholesterol. It produces about 80% of the cholesterol in your body."

So the Liver is also involved in the washing of the blood and also in the removal of harmful substances from our body.

Both of these organs work on cleaning the blood of the animal. They also separate what is good and needed from what is harmful.

1 John 1:6-8 says "If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."

verses on blood from Biblegateway: Jesus & blood

 
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! Romans 5:9


That our God requires atonement for sin through blood and that the blood is required to return to fellowship. My little observation is that the sacrifice of the liver and the kidneys is reflective of Jesus death on the cross for our sin. That the first part of this book has been revealing the need and  foreshadowing  Jeusus' sacrifice for me(us) on the cross.
 
For me I think that the application is found said by  Paul in Romans 6:1-10
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.


If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God."

Just as the kidneys and the livers work to remove the impurities from physical body that I (under the power of the Holy Spirit) work to remove impurities from my spiritual life. I too must hold onto the the salt and the water (Heb 10:22) but the toxins & impurities need to be released back to the devil.

From Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible in regards to the second half of Leviticus 8: The offerings of consecration. "In these types we see our great High Priest, even Christ Jesus, solemnly appointed, anointed, and invested with his sacred office, by his own blood, and the influences of his Holy Spirit. He sanctifies the ordinances of religion, to the benefit of his people and the honour of God the Father; who for his sake accepts our worship, though it is polluted with sin. We may also rejoice, that he is a merciful and faithful High Priest, full of compassion to the feeble-minded and tempest-tossed soul. All true Christians are consecrated to be spiritual priests. We should seriously ask ourselves, whether in our daily walk we study to maintain this character? and abound in spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Christ? If so, still there is no cause for boasting. Let us not despise our fellow-sinners; but remembering what we have done, and how we are saved, let us seek and pray for their salvation."


 I would encourage y'all to stay in the word and wash yourself with the word and see what the Lord has written within its sweet sweet pages to as Matthew Henry said to"maintain this character ...[and do we abound] in spiritual sacrifices?" This is work to be done, it's like training for a game let's play to win! Thank the Lord for opening my eyes to the lessons of Leviticus and that the word does not return void! I love the Old Testament how it constantly brings me full circle and how I get an opportunity to find Risen savior in my liver & kidney!

There is joy at home!

I hope to provide a a review of some of the Above Rubies conference that I attended. We spent almost an entire session talking about being at home.

3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:3-5

Basically, we are suppose to be "busy at home". She talked about how we often get sucked into doing good things that take us away from our home. From kids sports, music lessons, Awanas, church meetings etc... for most of us it is always going to be the good stuff that gets us.

She really just cautioned us against anything that would effect our dinner time schedule and thus effect our family devotional. The one time of day everyone is home and it's time for Dad to lead.

I have to raise my hand and say I am guilty of wanting to do more and feeling guilty that we do not have more activities. I do not want my kids to 'miss out'. But honestly what they are missing is their family growing spiritually, at home training with Dad, healthy meals & less stressed Mama.

I also must encourage the young women in my life to stay at home as much as possible and to plan your days & weeks with growing in Godliness in mind (Titus 2:3-5) . To get their homes in order even when they do not have a family to take care of yet.

Some verses about this:

This one is directed at widows but really could apply to any woman with time on her hands: "Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to." 1 Tim 5:13

"We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies." 2 Thes 3:11 This seems to really speak against "hanging out" with friends. That what we do we need to do purposefully and that while we do it we should be purposeful. After all Ephesians 5:15-17 reminds us "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is."

So what do we do? It seems like we must be wise with our time as married women and if we are visiting a friend that it should not be idle time. Lets get that laundry knocked out, sew, study the word but no matter what do something productive. For my sweet single friends I think it just means the same. I just don't think more freedom translates into idle time chatting, lots of movies or multiple evenings out. Here is the exception (assuming your home is in order) for you single girls you could attach yourself to a family and get some on the job training (Titus 2:3-5). Don't expect Mom to sit instead you can jump right into life and fold laundry, sweep, mop...if you scrub toilets come to my house! Don't wait to be asked to fold just fold (you might ask Mom where the stuff goes :) ). Help us love our family & kiddos in exchange for some OTJT.

Lets go forward encouraged by Mrs. Campbells words and living out Ephesians 5:15-17. Let's strive toward putting God first, getting our houses in order ,our healthy dinners on the table and don't let the enemy rob you of the joy of home.

Ladies there is joy at home, grab it!

Are you getting it all done?

I don't get it all done. I was talking to a friend at church who feels defeated because she does not get it all done. Neither do I!

I did not ....

1. Make anything super cute for advent...we just read
2.  take professional looking photos of my kids! I am happy I can operate my camera.
3. make 3 Easter Dresses each year
4. Although I did this year I normally don't get it together to get pictures of my kids in the bluebonnets!
5. take scraps of fabric and turn them into super cool flowers & rings and other items. (Wish I could!)
6. now nor will I in the future have an etsy shop with my homemade creations!
7. know where everything is, all the time
8. buy super cute shoes
9. not keep my house perfectly clean.
10. I go to all the super sales at the mall
11. Participate in a lot of activities
12. normally have perfectly dressed or clean kids
13. teach my children Latin
14. Homeschool through the summer
15. refrain from all Fast food for 2009 (or 10 for that matter)
16. Memorize the Gospels & the Epistles in a year 
17. have kids who normally wear shoes or for that matter remember to bring their shoes with them into town.

BTW, it's not about this stuff it's, about what our motivation is to do this stuff. Most of these activities are neutral (1 Cor 10:23).

The real question is do I....

1. try to teach what is good.
2. ...train the younger women to love their husbands and children
3. act in a manner that shows I am self-controlled and pure
4. stay busy at home
5. am I kind (to my children, husbands & others?)
6. am I subject to my husbands
7. read God's word and meditate on it?
8. act as the hands and feet of God?

It's kind of like what I tell my kiddos all the time "keep your eyes on the prize!" It doesn't matter if we keep up with what our sisters (in Christ) are doing, we are to "keep our eyes on the prize" which is Jesus! In this pursuit we have set a different standard then what God has set and we often find ourselves falling short. Let's focus on our relationship with God, Family & People instead.  Just like Titus 2:3-5 (see the list of do's  #1-5) and His word (Duet 17:19) Be encouraged, be encouraged. Do not compare yourself to other women but instead let us look to the word and train ourselves to follow it.

Washing in the word...

Oh Dear Saints ,

I pray this for you!

[May].... " ' "The LORD bless you
and keep you;

[May] the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;

[May] the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace." '
Numbers 6:22-26

Victory!
Kyle