As I was at lunch with my husband today, I became overwhelmed in thinking about and experiencing how God has blessed my family. Greg has 2 jobs -first blessing. I get to stay home full-time - next blessing. AND Greg is home during the day A LOT because of being able to work from home at his second job. Wow! Roof over our heads . . . that we love, cars that are paid off, money in our wallets, food in our pantry and fridge, clothes in our closets, family close by, church and friends. I am utterly humbled and know that we, I, do not deserve these things; none of them.

I have a friend who has struggled lately with not understanding why God blesses some and not others. Although it appears that way on the surface, I know that is not God's intention. His intention always is to draw us closer to Himself. I have to be ready to give up all of the above at the drop of a hat. God requires of His followers full surrender. If my house and everything in it burned down tonight, how would I handle it? Would my life seem to be at its end? Would I blame God? I must be ready to let it all go. But until then or unless that happens, I will praise Him and thank Him for the undeserved material blessings He's given me. I also will prepare myself by drawing closer to Him each day. And if it does happen, I pray that I will react in a way pleasing to Him.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

1 John 2:15-17

I love Photoshop!

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There is a small detail that is different. The second and last are the same picture minus 2 little exceptions! Hint: Look at the faces.

I DON'T THINK SO!

Read this article and tell me if this doesn't scare your socks off! Parents of kids in public school - WAKE UP! If you are not involved, know your child's teacher well, and don't know what's going on, here's your wake up call!

Greg and I have already decided that our children will be pulled out on the days that they discuss sex ed in class. We will be teaching them ourselves (as we see necessary and fitting - discussion about babies has already reared it's head and been discussed on their level!), and will prepare them for what they may hear at school, even from adults. This may seem radical to some, but unfortunately this is the world in which we live.

"We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield."

Psalm 33:20

Halloween

Just some pictures to share of our fun evening. Can you guess who I was?

And I must give kuddos to Daddy who would NOT let Wes out of the house without being an OFFICIAL firefighter, outfitted with the appropriate gear on his helmet. This required a run Lowe's, velcro, and the use of the table saw and sandpaper. I hope you can appreciate all the work that went into that helmet! And Daddy's "helmet" was a fun time too putting together!

I never realized that firemen put the flashlight on their helmets . . . or the "door wedges!"

Also, take note that Gracie was not "Super Girl" or "Super Woman" but was
"Wonder Woman" despite the large "S" on the front of her outfit! :-) Fun times!

Weary

I am finding it more difficult to post on my blog because I always stop myself from putting too much of myself out there. And I really don't want it to be a place where I vent or get too emotional.

However, I am dealing with something I know all people deal with, and that is weariness. Weariness can come from many different avenues. It could come from simply being up too late, having a full and eventful weekend, or taking care of a newborn or lots of children at once. But weariness can also come from a deeper place. A place of emotional instability in losing a loved one, changing or losing a job, or relationship uncertainty.

The weariness that I am feeling, as many Christians do, is a spiritual one. And right now I am trying to figure out how long it's going to last for me personally. And the battle is not just one particular thing; it's relational, it's transition, it's change, it's the tongue. Bottom line, it's simply making sure I am following the will of God in ALL that I say and do.

"Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." Ephesians 6:13

"Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. be angry, and yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity." Eph. 4:25-27

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear." Eph. 4:29

"Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." Eph. 4:32

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." Gal. 5:16

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Phil. 4:8

These verses that God commands of us are so difficult! And of course those are just the VERY tip of the iceberg! To those who think becoming a Christ follower makes life easier is naive! There are definitely times of peace and rest, but look at David, running from his enemies - his own son! And look at Elijah. God gave him rest, but only for a time; a few short days. When you are with God, asking Him to use you, it is never a dull moment.  But it is a battle NOT to become weary and NOT to became disillusioned and lost in the details of life on earth.  It makes me long for the day I can rest forever in glory with Jesus.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12

"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." Gal. 6:9

And what I am finding is that the battle is harder when it is among the believers than when it is with unbelievers. You realize that you can give the excuse for non-believers that "they know not what they do" because they do not have the Lord's spirit within them to tell them otherwise. You can definitely deal with those whom you know just don't get it. But us within the church (and I mean that as a whole in the sight of the Lord), should know better and do better because we should, and I stress that word should, know what the Word of God says.

More often than not, in our culture anyway, I find that people reject the gospel because of the way they've been treated by Christians.  So sad.  "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35    

The battle is against the spiritual forces of evil.  I must not grow weary of doing good.  I must put on my armor of God EVERY day, every MORNING, because only God knows when that phone will ring, when that child will throw a tantrum, or that your nerves are just a little shorter today.  You must give Him a chance to prepare you for all the "flaming arrows of the evil one" that will be thrown your way.  

And sometimes, we just have to rest in Him and wait. 

 

"My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him.  He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken." Psalm 62:5-6