I Just Got a Look at Myself

Well, I was brushing my teeth just a little while ago. And for some reason I had my reading glasses on. I need my reading glasses these days more often than not. Holey Moley. I am scarey looking with glasses on. I mean I could see every pore and every freckle, every line and every wrinkle. Yikes!

When I don't have my glasses on my skin looks so smooth and well...I am quite satisfied with it. But I can't really SEE. When I have my glasses on, I want to fix it. It is not as nice as I thought it was. Because I CAN see.

This can be so easily translated to what I have been talking about lately. God has been making me so aware of my need of him. I am constantly reminded of my weakness and his strength. Of my incompleteness and his wholeness. And he is the only way that I can be made whole.

The Word is my set of reading glasses. It allows me to see who I am before the Lord and it convicts and causes me to want to be whole. To strive to be closer and more like Jesus.

James 1:3-5
3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

I desire to be mature and complete. I will continue to view myself in light of God's Word and to ask him for strength and wisdom. It is the only way I will attain what Christ has set before me.

Work is a Blessing

I know I complain about work. Too much of it, it is too hard, I don't feel like doing it, it seems useless - I could go on. But when it comes down to it, it is a good thing. God has ordained work. Back in the garden of Eden it was God's intention for Adam and Eve to care for the garden. The difference being, it would be fun...there weren't the hard things that made it become drudgery - thorns, weeds etc. When sin came into the world is when our attitude toward worked changed.



Work is necessary. And to be honest, it is a blessing. I love my house looking clean and smelling clean. There is nothing so satisfying as looking around and being happy with what I have accomplished. My problem is - there are so many other things that have to be done as well. So I start getting frustrated when what I just did gets undone. UGH...it can really make me cranky (understatement of the year).



But it is good to remember that God created us to be creative and to work with our hands.





1 Thessalonians 4:11

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you

Clean

My husband reminded me the other day of my trip to Albania back in 1992. I went with some of my college kids to do summer vacation Bible schools. The kids ran the streets and it seemed a good idea to keep them busy...and it was. It was a wonderful experience for me. I loved being there and I loved those kids. He saw a truth in something that happened to me over there that I think is very applicable to our lives.

Of course the accomodations there in Albania were not what I thought they would be. We are so blessed here in America but we have no clue. The bathroom was a square tiled area. it had a hole in the middle with two rectangular places for your feet on either side...this is how you went to the bathroom. Squat. Though not what I was used to - it was fine. The shower was positioned above that hole. So you took a bath where you pottied. The water was in a resevoir above the sink. The water came on twice a day. 2:00am and 2:00pm - stayed on for an hour. They had to fill buckets and tubs for what they would need the rest of the day during those times. When you took a shower it was cold...I had to quit shaving my legs because I always had chill bumps - and it hurt to shave. I would say we did what we could to stay clean, though they were certainly short and sweet showers we took. We thought we were getting clean. Let's just say we were doing the best we could.

After a few weeks it was time to come home. We had a layover in Zurich, Switzerland. We stayed in a hotel there and when I got to my room, I went immediately into the bathroom and got my shower. I was amazed. The amount of black dirt coming off of me was unbelievable. I was filthy. I soaped up and scrubbed and when I finally got out I felt truly clean. And I had non-hairy legs... which felt very strange at first!

I thought I was clean. But a hard shower in Zurich proved me to be wrong. There was dirt I could not see and I was not as clean as I could be.

In light of God's Word I am not as clean as I could be. There are things I do that I do not confess. Oh I think I am doing well...sometimes. But when faced with the word of God and the spiritual understanding and conviction that comes from it, I can see that I am not.

Jeremiah 17:9-10
9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? 10 "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve."

2 Timothy 2:19
19Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

We know we are to confess our sins to stay right before the Lord. A contrite heart and repentant spirit is pleasing to the Lord. Confessing our sin is an integral part of a healthy heart. It keeps us close and dependent on God and this is where we want to be as his children. I pray that God will give me much sorrow when I sin.

2 Corinthians 7:10
10Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

I desire to be faithful to stay in the Word and to be in prayer. It is the only way I will be aware of my spiritual climate. And I do feel in these times it is most important. I want to be ready for whatever comes.

Come along side me friends. Let's hold up the Light so that we and all who are around us can see our desperate need of Christ and the Gospel.

Great Idea To Have Around the House

G-baby and I just did a puzzle. We planned our picture and colored it together. It was fun.

I love craft stores. These puzzles come 6 to a package and have envelopes - so not only are they great to entertain kids - they become sweet thank you's or "I'm thinking of you " reminder for grandparents. They really are a great thing to have around the house on days when the kids are looking for something to do. The added benefit is that they are entertained for quite sometime afterwards by taking apart and putting their work of art together again! That is a GOOD thing (I sound like Martha Stewart).

Planning - Getting Ready for the Holidays

As I said, it is almost time. I have added a new link that has some great tips on getting your home organized as well as getting ready for the holidays (on the right, down the page - Organized Home - you'll like it). If you are like me, you can use as much help as possible.

I am having a garage sell in early November to make a little money to help with Christmas. So I am in the process of getting all of that organized and in order. I am having to really cheer myself on though. I get bogged pretty quickly. My intentions are good. I just seem to get overwhelmed with all of my "great ideas".

I am sorting. I have my quilting stuff in a bag ready to go with me wherever. Or if I get the munchies...I grab my bag and start sewing. This is actually quite a good outlet for me. Now I just have to find a way to make exercising something I want to do. Music helps...but not that much! I would appreciate any ideas you have that will help me.

So - basically, I am in the midst of coming up with a plan. I am also prepping the kids. Making sure they remember what the meaning of each holiday is and how we prepare and what we are planning for each. This seems to help them form right expectations. That is a big thing in my book. I have found the reason for disappointment with them is my failure to prepare them well.

I am about to go sit and read to my G-baby. My big boys are at Scouts this morning and I want some cuddle time with my baby - who assures me he is no baby - he is in kindergarten. OH - is squeezed my heart. Just another reality of life though. Must use this time to my advantage!

God bless whatever plans you have today. I hope you all have a happy weekend!

I have a show

I am now working on all kinds of things. I have a show...on October 23rd. Some other things have come to pass as well. I am quite excited. I am still in the process of editing all of these blogs to make a devotional book. Publisher America has shown interest in it and I need to get it done - before they lose interest.

Also I met a lady that suggested I write for the Alabama Baptist. Not big money. But they are looking for people who are willing to report on specific things. I am pretty sure I could do that.

But this show. A party really. I am going to set up and have my t-shirts, caps and some of my quilted pillows (this is new). I am also trying to come up with some calendars and memory cards for moms. These are new extenstions of what I long to do to help out moms who are like me and to continue to find ways to bring in money for college for the boys. Anything that will give my husband peace.

I am excited again and am looking forward to the party. I will post more details about it as soon as I get them.

It's Coming

I know - you probably don't want to go there right now...but it's coming. The Holidays. That's right. All the parties. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. All the work. All the presents. Yep...it is a busy time.

I am trying to get a picture. I did not send out my cards last year. Or my letter. It was too hard. It was a relief in some ways to let it go. But I missed it too. It is the one time of year I can let people know what is going on - in mass....and hope they do the same.

We are thinking presents and how can we help one another enjoy this season more without adding to the already busy-ness of it. I am going to try to post how it is going. Planning the picture now for the card. I think I am going to suggest drawing names for everyone as well. We have everything we need. I want the kids to enjoy the season but I also want the focus to remain on God and his great gift. The greatest gift.

And then there is Halloween....but even that - I need to plan. I love this time of year...but I am thinking that planning a little now may make it a better season. More enjoyable. More focused on the right things. Less about the frivolous.

I'll let you know how I do.

Psalm 46

I am memorizing this whole chapter...the most comforting and uplifting Psalm. I find myself clinging to it right now.

For the director of music.

Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song.
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
8 Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields with fire.
10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

The Importance of Prayer

I am so convicted. I have found myself under a lot of pressure this week. I probably have taken on more than I like to. As I have said many times I am definitely not a "Soccer Mom". Running here there and yonder is not my thing. I never sign up to be room mom and I prefer doing one activity a season. It seems best for my family since I am not good at juggling.

I have had a glich though. Several things have come up this season. Fall Ball...which is normal, the boys begged to start Cub Scouts which is fine, and they are also in communicants class (for church). Then there is more homework this year at school and I got tagged as room mom. It was not my idea. I had said emphatically that I did not want to do that but I would be glad to help whoever did. Well, they got moved to a new class and I was the only one that voiced an interest in helping. It didn't hurt that sweet Mrs. Burritt voiced it as, "this is not going to be good news for you," so that I was sure G-baby had been doing something horrible - I was relieved when she told me the other mom was no longer able to be room mom and accepted readily. Now I am a bit sorry. So, thus the pressure.

So I woke up this morning feeling that panicky feeling that things were pressing on me and I was not going to be able to do it. I knew I had to pray - I needed help. And I received it. I prayed - I I prayed for my boys, for my husband and his job, for myself and the things that are on my plate plus needing to get a job.

How blessed that I do not have to do this job alone. That as a mom I have the help, the support and the wisdom I need at any given time...from my Heavenly Father. I was relieved of my anxiety. I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me...Philippians 4:13 - what a comforting scripture that is.

And prayer is our life line. It is our connection to the strength God promises us. That and scripture will see us through. Our children need it, our husbands need it and we need it.

Ephesians 6:17-18
17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Soup Night

We are starting Soup Night for our neighborhood again this year. It was our way of finding unchurched or those who aren't believers and sharing with them the hospitality and warmth of Jesus. It did not do so well the first two years I attempted. So I took a couple of years off. I am convicted once again.

Upon reflection I do not feel that I prayed enough. I did not request prayer for it nor did I expect God to bring those people. The first two I had brought our friends and it was fun - but it was not the outreach I had so desired. I had that "If you host it, they will come" mentality. Which apparently is not true.

I said something about it at Bible Study one day and my friend said, "Why aren't we praying for this?". Hmmm...good question. Though my heart was right and I do think I wanted to glorify the Lord...I was doing it in my own strength. And really - things just don't work well that way.

So - this time...I am calling on all who know me and hear about it - to pray. Pray that relationships will be formed and hospitality shown and the warmth and acceptance of Jesus would be felt. I pray that we will seek to serve the lost and talk about significant things without casting judgement on opinions. That we will unerringly serve the Gospel as well as soup.

Romans 12:12-14
12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

1 Peter 4:8-10
8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

I do not feel that hospitality is one of my gifts. I can do it...but I have to work HARD at it. And my first inclination is to just enjoy my family, here just us. It's easy and I like it. It is not that I don't want other people to come over and be with us. It is that it is hard. It is hard for both my husband and myself. We are very content with ourselves.

This is not what God called us to though. We will have to step out of our comfort zone and be willing to open our house - even though it is hard.

So, when you think of us - pray that God will bring those who need to hear His Word to us. And that we will faithfully administer his grace. Pray that we keep our focus on Jesus and that we do not worry about the house, the kids, the dogs, the holes in our screen door, or the spots on our carpet...but that we will keep our eyes on our goal...which is to share the Gospel and to love those that God has brought to us well.