tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54418452560789771782024-03-12T23:17:44.912-05:00answer honestlysarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-87181742837914022642012-01-23T15:56:00.001-06:002012-01-23T15:56:39.781-06:00over here<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">when i started this blog, my husband was the primary writter on our family blog. after his cancer battle seemed to have ended, he stopped posting there. since then, i have commandeered that blog for my own personal use and have lately found myself posting of my personal spiritual growth there instead of here. i'm not sure why. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">maybe it's because i start posting about my personal life and my spiritual life is such a part of that, that i find myself moving from conversation about my boys and everyday life into what God is teaching me through those things. it is a good change, but one that finds me moving away from this blog. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">not saying i will never post here again. but it may simply be left untouched for immense amounts of time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">if you do want to read about how my Father has been growing me, feel free to stop by.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.snickjake.blogspot.com/">Proverbs 17:22</a> </span>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-10549127183919025742011-08-11T15:13:00.000-05:002011-08-11T15:13:56.709-05:00the power of prayer<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i know i shouldn't be, but once again, i've been surprised at how prayer will open doors. not just my going to God, but with the company of others. i have been praying about it myself for sometime, yet after sharing my burden with a few friends i feel the Lord answering, blessing me in this trial. how wonderful to know that our Father hears us!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">at our church in Henderson NV, we often sang a hymn with the chorus... "we should ask, and seek, keep knocking at the door at Jesus feet. we have not our needs because we do not lean on Jesus." a good reminder to continually lift up our requests. to go to God over and over and over. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">i feel like that song is a reflection of Matt 7:7-8</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and look at Luke 18:1-8</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">1</span></sup></strong> Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, <sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-25691"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">2</span></strong></sup> saying, <span class="woj">“In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man.</span> <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-25692"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">3</span></strong></sup> There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’</span> <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-25693"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">4</span></strong></sup> For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man,</span> <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-25694"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">5</span></strong></sup> yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’”</span> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-25695"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">6</span></strong></sup> And the Lord said, <span class="woj">“Hear what the unrighteous judge *said;</span> <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-25696"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">7</span></strong></sup> now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?</span> <span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NASB-25697"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">8</span></strong></sup> I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">to have others praying for you is such a blessing! yes, i think there is a time and a place to share prayer requests and also it is wise to take into account your company when you share these petitions. but oh, how great the result can be when another is lifting you up to the Lord! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">and i want to be that blessing to my dear brothers and sisters in the Lord. i want them to feel the Lord answering their requests because i took the time to lift them up and petition the Father. for me to go knocking on their account and both of us to be blessed by drawing near to our Savior.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Psalm 145:18 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">"The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth."</span><br />
sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-76028144939514314982011-07-13T15:08:00.000-05:002011-07-13T15:08:32.001-05:00oh, wednesday...<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">today is a hard day. i'm trying to stay relaxed and spend lots of time soaking up my sons this week. but today has turned into an uphill battle. they fight, they are destructive, i can't seem to get the bare minimum accomplished, and i'm emotionally beat this week already do to some more follow up to Nick's health (nothing the dr. is concerned about at this point but we will be waiting and watching and checking up in 3 months). and tonight i'm supposed to go minister to more kids at our "Wednesdays in the Park" program. how???</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">only by the grace of God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">that's all there is to it. not saying that makes everything else. not in the least. but it does make everything do-able. i can trust that He will get me through the day. the trials will not diminish, no, they will persist even after i fall asleep; i will have the grace to be able to walk though them. the children may not behave better, in fact, they may get worse; but my peace and joy will be enough. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Psalm 139:23-24</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"Search me, O God, and know my heart;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> Try me and know my anxious thoughts;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And see if there be any hurtful way in me, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> And lead me in the everlasting way."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i have assurance that He knows the battles in my heart today and is more than capable of holding me together as i battle though this day. and in those thoughts, i find a little bit of peace...</span>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-37998052724899662192011-07-06T14:45:00.000-05:002011-07-06T14:45:57.499-05:00spiritually assaulted...<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">yesterday i determined to get in some good study time. i carved it out and spent a wonderful couple hours in the Word of God. the boys were good (minus a couple squabbles) and the house was reasonably quiet. i got done feeling refreshed and so excited at having time with my Father and even a little time to share with you here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and then the assault hit. it caught me totally off guard. Isaac decided to have a one sided fist fight with his brother for no apparent reason. i calmly asked Isaac to come upstairs and a furious meltdown dissolved my little man resulting in 45 minutes of handing out judgement and helping him learn to get control of his emotions and talking through his decision to sin and the consequences of choosing sin over righteousness. (have i ever mentioned that biblical parenting is very time consuming????) that put me very behind on making treats for Bible study & Christian felt that he was completely neglected and so spent the next hour crying, begging to be held and screaming at his brother while i tried to pull together supper. the rain prevented grilling our meal like i had planned and because my oven was preoccupied with affore mentioned treats, supper was late. thus, no shower for mommy (sigh...). after changing into clean pants (that were way to big 6 months ago) and pulling my greasy hair into a pony tail, we headed out into the rain for Bible study. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it might not get to some people. i know that not everyone would feel bad serving supper late or being reminded that they have gained weight. and on another day, it probably wouldn't have bothered me either. but yesterday, after such an amazing high, i was emotionally crushed. how could i have spent so much time eating up the words of my Lord and end the day feeling so defeated? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">as we sat in the kitchen, my loving husband reminded me that when we seek to live an active christian life, that is when we are so viciously attacked. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">once we reached Bible study, Kyle shared <strong><u>Ephesians 6:10-17</u></strong> with us...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>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 first. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>And take the helmet of salvation, and the sward of the Spirit, which is the word of God."</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">notice a theme? STAND FIRM. the devil will attack and he is not alone and he is strong. do not take lightly the task of standing firm. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">God has given me so many tools to use for this defensive position. the armor of God is everything i need in order to maintain a strong place, here where my Father has put me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">yet, i neglected to prepare for the attack yesterday and was overtaken. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">today, in order to have time in the Word, i <a href="http://answerhonestly.blogspot.com/2011/07/trade-off.html">traded</a> sleep and woke at 6:40 with Nicholas. my brain was tired, but it was still wonderful to have some quiet time before the business of the day set in. and today, i was more prepared for attack. not completely prepared, but more than yesterday. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> Lord willing, tomorrow i will be more prepared than today. </span>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-470988533869790502011-07-05T15:26:00.000-05:002011-07-05T15:26:54.833-05:00the trade off...<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i've had some mom's ask me lately if i have any good tips for getting into the Word daily. As a mommy this can be more difficult than anything else you do in your day. it often feels like every time you try to crack the cover on this precious book there is something or someone practically screaming for your attention. even now as i have sat down to write of spiritual things, my boys are yelling my name from the basement. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i have had to admit to these mommies that i have been floundering with this for quite a while. feels like you are making ground until life happens and before you know it, it's been a week and <strike>you I</strike> suddenly realized i've missed my devo's again. and why? i can't remember what was so important that it stole all my time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i know there are things i must do. i must cook if we want to eat. and that takes prep work, planning, etc. i must do laundry if we want to go out without smelling funny. that takes effort, many trips up and down the stairs, and oh, the folding... and i must spend time with my boys! i want to make many memories and have lots of smiles & loves on a daily basis with them. and that takes more time than any of the others! in fact, godly women in the Bible are commended for working hard. look at the </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2031:10-31&version=NASB"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Proverbs 31 woman</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">. she is constantly working & providing the things that her family needs & in verse 29 it says "Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but i also know that i will not grow, in fact, i might indeed regress in my spiritual walk if i continue to neglect time in the Word. i know from personal experience that when i neglect the scripture, i have less patience, i forget the wisdom i knew & i find it so much work to show love to others, just to name a few things that make living life less joyful. and like "they" say "<em>if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy</em>." oh, there is more truth to that than "they" realized! Proverbs 17:22 says, "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">so now i come back to the question i have been hearing... how do you make time for the Word? i've been praying and thinking about this a lot lately. and when it all comes down to it, <strong><u>it's a trade off.</u></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i wish i could say i just add it in there, like a multivitamin that i can pop in the morning and will just fill in the gaps though out the day. but it's not. it's so much more than that. <strong>the Word of God needs to be my sustenance, not just a multivitamin! </strong>i have to plan to eat and take the time to do it, so it should be with the Word. i'm not going to tell you how much, but only that it needs to be daily, just as you eat daily! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">so what do i give up? what will i be trading to afford time spent learning of eternal things? well i can tell you, for the sake of my family, it can't be cooking or laundry. and i cannot ignore my children as they are my charge from the Lord. it's got to be something else, so what's it going to be? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">this can at start to feel like a painful question. but then i'm reminded of the lesson i have been hearing over and over again for months, and for some reason, not absorbing until these past couple days. <strong><u>remember your salvation!</u></strong> (</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2010:9-11&version=NASB"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Romans 10:9-11</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">) remember that Christ gave up everything to save you. remember the eternal hell you have been saved from, and the life of wickedness & evil that you have been saved out of. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">now, think again about the trade off. what are you willing to deny yourself in order to spend time in the letter from the One who did all that for you? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">are you willing to trade tv time? are you willing to trade sleep? are you willing to trade a hobby? are you willing to trade time with other people? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i know that we have more time than we think, if only we remember our salvation and look for time in the Word in light of that beautiful blessing. and i know that if you pray & ask, He will show you where the trade off is in your life. so look carefully. pray hard. this will still be hard. but more than just worth it, can i assure you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Proverbs 16:20 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">"He who gives attention to </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">the word shall find good,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">And blessed is he who </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">trusts the Lord."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i usually ask for no comments (as i've wanted this to be a place to start you thinking and talking to the Lord, rather than men) but today i need help with this as well. when do you find time in the Word? what have you had to trade in order to have that time? tell me what has worked for you. perhaps we all might find some encouragement and help in this area through the sharing of thoughts here.</span>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-83063300434028121772011-06-06T14:15:00.000-05:002011-06-06T14:15:08.224-05:00may i just say...<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">... humility is a hard lesson to learn, but one full of joy in learning a right attitude before the Lord. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">(started "Adorned with Humility" by Kris Goertsen. i'm on day 2 and, well... ouch and praise God!)</span>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-45420893652756451762011-05-13T14:46:00.000-05:002011-05-13T14:46:39.331-05:00waiting for something or nothing...<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i have a lot of emotions and thoughts swirling around inside me lately. things have been happening in the most resent today's that has been throwing me back to many yesterdays. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">some throwbacks are good. they remind me that God has been most blessed and loving to me when i least deserved it. Words from my Lord's letter have been reminding me of times in the past when the black and white seemed to lift off the page and become stamped on my heart. i claimed these words as meant for me. and still to this day return to those lines again and again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">some remembrances come with dread and memories of times when those i love most were almost like strangers. when i was powerless to do anything at all and yet it was required of me to be the strong one. to be the leader. to be the mover of events and the net holding my little family together, yet my heart was a crumbled mess tumbling around inside me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the two types of memories have been coming to me in a tangled mess. it is impossible to remember the hard days without recalling the lovingkindnesses of my Father. yet also, it is burden to bring back the blessings in times past because they are riddled with pain and grief. grief and pain that has felt more fresh lately due to possibilities that are minuscule; yet, not impossible. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Psalm 105:1-5</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> Make known His deeds among the peoples.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> Speak of all His wonders.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Glory in His holy name;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Seek the Lord and His strength;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> Seek His face continually.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Remember His wonders which He has done, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth,"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">words i read today by "coincidence", but meant the world to me almost exactly 2 years ago. these were my chemo verses, for the days when my husband felt like someone else. these were my laboring verses, while i waiting 3 days for my body to bring me the little one i was carrying. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">and today i'm running back to these verses. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">history may repeat it's self. then again, it may never happen again. and both of those statements are bringing me to my knees in tears. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">today is an average day in events, but within my emotions it is filled with tormenting waves of possibilities that hang over my head and threaten to break me into a million little shards. the waiting feels as though it may strangle me, day after day, just waiting for something or nothing to happen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">we wait for the test results. the follow up to routine check up that was a hair weird. and even though the doctor is 99% sure it's nothing, we can't ignore that 1% that threatens to be something.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">i wait month after month for that little stick to give me 2 lines instead of 1. they told us that we won't have any more. but i still get my hopes up every month, second guessing nothings and counting days and crossing my fingers. and yet every month the answer is the same. 1 stupid line. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">i am frail and weak and simple. my God is strong and powerful and complex. He knows my inner struggles. He knows that some days i do not have the strength to smile in front of others because my heart is so heavy. He will give me His Words; and listen closely to my confessions; and bring my heart into His own and comfort this little child who has wound herself up into a tizzy over things that might or might not be. and whatever comes, it will be from Him. and it will be good. because He is Good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He will give me songs to sing... (Psalm 104:33) "I will sing to the Lord as long as i live; I will sing praise to my God while i have my being." ... and with that, i think words to speak as well. those words will be full of thankfulness to Him so that others will not hear about my hard days, but will continually hear about my great God!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">He will guide my thoughts... (Psalm 104:34) "Let my meditation be pleasing to Him; As for me, I shall be glad in the Lord." ... the 2 go together. when my thoughts are right about the Lord, my heart will be glad. it will be very glad because i will remember how faithful my God is, how enormous His power is, how loving He is to me day in and day out, how much patience He shows me, how merciful He continues to be, and how perfect He is in every aspect of His character. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">so i will live my life for the glory of my Father. there will be hard days now and then, but the over whelming theme of my life shall be the gladness that He gives me. so forgive me while today i hide away and grieve these things that might or might not come to pass. tomorrow will be a new day, and i will be glad. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">"Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad." </span>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-49000297056200982542011-03-23T20:27:00.000-05:002011-03-23T20:27:04.921-05:00dear heart...<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZJHkXfhjJ0s" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Dear heart,</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Do you belong to me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Or do I belong to you?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Just look at all the trouble </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">You dragged me into.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I’ve heard it said</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">To follow your heart</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">But I’m starting to wonder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">If it’s gone too far.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Oh heart, you let me down</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Chasing love, when it can’t be found.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Heart, we’ve fallen out</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">All of your emotions have led me to doubt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Tell me who’s gonna save us now?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Dear heart</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">You’re in the wrong place</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Looking out for yourself</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">No matter what I say</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And I know </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">That you’re holding me back</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And it’s time for a change</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">So I’m giving you away</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Oh heart, you let me down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Chasing love, when it can’t be found.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And heart, we’ve fallen out</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Cuz all of your emotions have led me to doubt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Tell me who’s gonna save us now?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Heart, you let me down</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Chasing love when it can’t be found.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And heart, we’ve fallen out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">All of your emotions have led me to doubt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Only Jesus can save us now.</span><br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a sore throat has kept me home from choir tonight. i love choir, but time at home by myself is also a good thing. i was making some waffles for the freezer (our homemade version of egos) and was listening to this cd for some motivation (music helps me keep going and not just sit on my butt when there are things to be done). and do to the fact that there was no little men stampeding around, i actually caught the lyrics to this song. and boy, were they convicting. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">i've always been an emotional girl. ever since i was little (ask my mom, she has plenty of stories). and now that i'm a mom, i've leveled out a little bit on the little triggers (i don't burst into tears over commercials quite as much). but, i still have to be very careful not to get caught up by my emotions. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Back in high school, God was very good and gave me a verse to help me with this...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Psalm 57:7</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">"My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast..."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">i naturally paired this verse with so many others that speak of Him being our Rock, and i knew that i could put my faith, my future, my life, and my heart (speaking of my emotions and feelings), in His very capable hands. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">various trials in my life over the years have required me give my heart to my Lord over and over and over again. yes, i was still emotional and i still cried and got angry and got hurt every time. those things are natural to major life tragedies. but i wasn't ruled by them. the feelings would come and go, but through the surgeries and hospital stays and job searches, </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i could have peace & joy & even bits of happiness and laughter do to my gracious God. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but i must confess, i have been failing to give Him my heart lately. in the midst of these days of... everyday life (times when we have good health, we have income, we have a place to live) i find myself struggling with all the little bumps and getting wound up in a tizzy over the difficulties that nobody else would even bat an eye at. i have allowed myself to pitty party over stupid stuff, and i have felt my anger beat the insides of me when things don't go my way. it is a foolish & exhausting way to live! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">God has been working on me for about a month now, to get this point across. things like Titus Tuesday Bible studies about self-control & discipline have been convicting beyond words. conversations have lead me to thoughts that take me to prayer over my attitude. and even some very mild, but very attention getting, physical crud in my body has been extremely effective in forcing me to turn over all of me, both physical and emotional, to my Blessed Savior once again. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Savior... i love that Name. He saved me from eternal damnation in hell. He saved me to a glorious home in His presence. He saved me from a life bound to sin. And even now, He saves me, once again, from myself. how merciful He is!</span>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-28122210569011883742011-03-01T12:51:00.000-06:002011-03-01T12:51:47.067-06:00<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Psalm 105:1-5</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> Make known His deeds among the peoples. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> Speak of all His wonders.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Glory in His holy name;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Seek the Lord and His strength;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> Seek his face continually.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Remember His wonders which He has done, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">These verses are very special to me. God showed them to me about 2 years ago and has brought them to mind several times since. i love the constant praise to our Lord and the reminders throughout to seek Him and remember Him constantly. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">i have a confession to make. i have been struggling with my self-control/self-discipline. the lesson at Titus Tuesday a couple weeks ago really brought that to my attention. not that i'm an out of control fly off the handle type of person, but i have been failing to manage my time & home to make the best use of it and not denying myself in order to serve my Lord better. and that is very selfish . </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">this revelation has been very hard to come to grips with as i'm also struggling with some crazy emotions and weird physical trials. so, through much prayer, i'm seeking balance. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">i'm not going to be staying up til midnight every night to try and get things done, my body just won't allow it. but i will be getting up a little earlier in the morning to seek some quite time with my Lord before the kid-o's arise. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">i will not be doing an overhaul cleaning/organizing this week to correct everything at once. but i will be implement a better weekly cleaning schedule that i came across <a href="http://time-warp-wife.blogspot.com/2010/09/home-maintenance-schedule.html">here</a> and organizing one closet at a time (3 down, 1 closet & a storage room to go).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">i will not be perfect at this. but i will be trying to cut out distractions (ex. computer time, little errands that could be done all at once), plan my meals better (i'm really bad at this), limit my creative crusades (ex. starting a dress when there is supper to cook) to the proper times, and mixing more scripture and prayer throughout my day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">through the power of the Holy Spirit, things will change in a God honoring way. i already know that if i try to do it by my power, things fall apart, don't get done, and i'm a wreck. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">again, Psalm 105:4</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">"Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually."</span>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-11114510514467389992011-01-31T16:14:00.000-06:002011-01-31T16:14:17.460-06:00the painful truth of Proverbs 29<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">2 verses that i read on Saturday that stuck with me all weekend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Proverbs 29:11 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"A fool always loses his temper,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">But a wise man holds it back."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Proverbs 29:15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"The rod and reproof give wisdom,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">But a child who gets his own way </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> brings shame to his mother."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">both are kind of a slap in the face for me. i have been losing my temper with the boys from time to time. even once a day is too much (kind of ties back to my whole idea of "daily" this year. i must daily have fresh patience.). i must remember that when i lose it, i'm being a fool. point blank. no beating around the bush. that's just the fact. and since my boys copy everything, the last thing i want them trying to be is a temper losing fool. not the best english there, but hopfully you understand my point. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i want to be like <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2031:10-31&version=NASB">the Provers 31 woman</a>. (which is what i read today). she is constantly characterized by wisdom and grace. and i'm sure you will agree that wisdom & foolishness cannot co-exist. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the second one is convicting on 2 levels. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1) wisdom doesn't come through lectures or warnings or second chances. it comes through the rod and reproof. if i do use words, i pray God gives me His Word, because mine are not perfect or divine like His are. but i have to remember that if my boys are to grow in wisdom, it's going to come though consistant discipline. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">2) it struck me how the verse speaks of the mother. the father is the spiritual leader in the home & he will be held accountable for that before the Lord. but it's to my shame if my kid get's his way all the time. i'm the one with him all day long, so God calls on <strong>me</strong> to be consistant in training and disipline (here's that theme of "daily" again). i know all too well that it's easier to just give in. and while i try to pick my battles (i don't want to be a dictator), if he doesn't listen in the little things, why on earth will he listen in the big things? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but it's not really about me getting my way either. it's about me giving him guidance and taking care of him while he lacks the discretion needed to make good choices. it's about treaching him to love and obey the Lord! and that starts with him learning to obey me. so how do i teach this little unbeliever to love the Lord? i must be willing to teach by example. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Matt 5:16 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">so it's not about me winning the battle of getting my kids to listen. it's about teaching them to glorify the Lord. it's about ME glorifying the Lord. even if they try my patience, & even if they whine and want their way. if i take care of what i'm called to do, then God will take care of them. </span>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-45961650650143346982011-01-26T13:30:00.000-06:002011-01-26T13:30:08.416-06:00Psalm 71:8<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>"My mouth is filled with Your praise</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>And with Your glory all day long."</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">if my mouth is full of this all day long, then everything I say either needs to be in line with that or there is no room for it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">James 3:8-12</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce olives? Nor can salt water produce fresh."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">even in the same chapter, the author repeats this thought of praising God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">vs. 14 & 15</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"But as for me, I will hope continually,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And will praise You <strong>yet more and more</strong>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And of Your salvation all day long;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">For I do not know the sum of them."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">vs. 23 & 24</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"My lips will shout for joy when i sing praises to You;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And my soul, which You have redeemed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">My tongue also will utter Your righteousness <strong>all day long</strong>;"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Even look back to some of the commandments given to the Children of Isreal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Duet 6:6-9</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">You shall teach them diligently to you sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">You shall bind them as a sign on you hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> not saying that we need to be like the Pharisee's who would liturally put little boxes of scripture on their foreheads to appear holy. but do people hear you praise the Lord? the praise of our God, the Word of the Lord, should be so much on our mind that it's always coming out of our mouth. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Even Isaac's Bible verse for church reflects this.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> Psalm 104:33</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"I will sing to the Lord all my life..."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">think about what comes out of your mouth. focus on not just cutting out the bad things, but even the neutral things that don't line up with these verses. i was convicted today about telling Christian to "take a chill pill." not bad, but the attitude behind it is sassy and irritated and not God honoring. that is a personal conviction. it is all between you and God what you do and don't say. but maybe, we need to take it a step farther than we did in the past. maybe, we need to demand more this day. maybe, we need to require a higher standard, so that we might honor God more today than we did yesterday. that is the goal... right?</span>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-71608921796587422011-01-12T13:03:00.000-06:002011-01-12T13:03:46.402-06:00change of plans...<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">ok, so i have a confession to make. i have utterly failed with the whole read through the Bible in a year plan. like... disastrously... yeah... </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">i was completely frustrated with myself. then, i had coffee with a friend on monday night. we talked through my difficulty and she shared some tips with me (that had been shared with her by a very VERY wise woman) that i will be implementing in my daily reading.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it seems that with the period of life i am in at the moment, i need something more flexible. especially because i don't just want my reading to be about covering ground, but rather soaking in the Word. i may have days where 4 or 5 chapters is totally doable. and then i have days where i sit down to read and am constantly interrupted by screaming boys, poopy pants, throw up, phone calls, etc. so any reading that does get done is in one ear and out the other. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the new plan:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>a-</strong> i will continue through the Psalm as i have been doing ever since we moved back to NE in June. i'm only just into the 70's, so i have a bit to go. but i have found that often i need to re-read a chapter and stew over it for a couple days before moving on. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>b- </strong>i will be picking a "theme verse" as God so directs. i'm hoping this will be about one a week. this verse will go on an index card and hang next to my kitchen sink (a place i find myself many times throughout the day). i will read this verse throughout the days and really chew on it, find other scriptures that support it & parallel it. i will not go to commentaries or other "christian" books, because at this point in time i don't need more things to do & a bunch of opinions of man... i need the WORD! and in bit size pieces. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">now i'm not wanting to stick with "milk" when i should be eating "meat." i'm not looking for something less offensive or that makes me feel better about myself. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">rather, i'm hunting for a way to get daily doses of my Lord that will not make me dread sitting down with my Bible. i'm looking for a way to tuck in bits of God's wisdom to help me grow. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">soon enough, i'm sure my boys will get bigger and become more able to help themselves potty, get a drink, or play quietly for a reasonable amount of time. but until that happens, i must get more creative about consuming the Word. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">i think of it kind of like how right now, i'm coming up with tricks to get my boys to eat the veggies they aren't so fond of. i know they will ignore big chunks of steamed carrots sitting on their plate. however, they will munch away on spaghetti sauce that has those carrots pureed into it. not that i turn up my nose at the Bible like i would cauliflower... but i know i need it, so i'm cutting it down and tucking it in throughout my days.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">and so, this is the new plan. who knows. in another couple months, the plan may change again. and, Lord willing, i will do my best to roll with it and still get some Bible in every day. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">questions for you to think about:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">are you getting the Word daily? why not? is there a way to change up your daily plan to make it more manageable?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">are you allowing other things to take priority over the Word that you really just need to set aside?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">praying for you guys as well. </span>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-83506218441137470662011-01-03T10:34:00.000-06:002011-01-03T10:34:47.816-06:00word for this year...<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a friend of mine wrote a post about the word she hopes will characterize the next year of her life and i found it inspiring. the idea of summing up your year in one word before it has even happened... what a wonderful goal. i wanted to do this myself, so i thought through various things that i would like to work on this year. i could copy Janna and go with "patience" cuz i've been sorely lacking in that area. or i could try for something like "joy" or "peace" both fruits of the Spirit and would be lovely to have more of. but none of those seemed quite right. yet once i thought about it, there was one word that just fit...</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">Daily - occurring, made, or acted upon daily; reckoned by the day</span></div><div align="left" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">because...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;">that's how often i should be reading the Word.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;">i'm only given the grace to deal with each day as it comes, so i will not worry about the next.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;">i want to lift up my husband in prayer each and every day.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;">i can be a slacker when it comes to cleaning, so i'm determined to do a little bit each day to avoid it's ability to become overwhelming. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;">all 4 of us need to laugh that often.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;">my sons grow so quickly, i have to stop and enjoy them daily, i must train them up daily, and i must read them the Word of the Lord DAILY!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;">and so i hope to take the next year of my life, daily. i have a goal of reading thorugh the Bible in a year and although i have failed on day 1 & 2, i will not stop and wait until next year. nope, this year i will daily read my Bible, even when i hit the geneologies and the measurments for the tabernacle. because...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">2 Timothy 3:16</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;">i'm praying that this year might be slightly less eventful than the past several years. and yet, that God will work mightily in my life over the next year. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;">and so, here we go 2011...</span></div>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-87484202554383494502010-12-29T15:32:00.001-06:002010-12-29T15:33:41.125-06:00shared post<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">you might be able to see from some of my posts recently, i've really been struggling with my thoughts/words towards my husband. this is my sin and has nothing to do with his actions. it's between me and God. and since beginning to pray about my attitude, God has been bringing me to scripture that i've been ignoring. stupid girl. so he's using the words of women in my life to drive home the truth of <u>His Words</u>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a friend shared this post with me and i found it beyond convicting. </span><br />
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<a href="http://time-warp-wife.blogspot.com/2010/12/your-marriage-problems-are-all-in-your.html"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Time-Warp Wife - your marriage problems are all in your head</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">if your married, engaged, dating, or if there is the possibility you might be someday, you may want to read this.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">Proverbs 15:1</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Courier New;">"a gentle answer turns away wrath, while a harsh word stirs up anger."</span>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-28674038455496988562010-12-28T16:15:00.002-06:002010-12-28T16:15:21.321-06:00amazing quote<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"We're not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">C. S. Lewis</span>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-23565144448025450812010-12-28T15:59:00.000-06:002010-12-28T15:59:14.547-06:00confessions of a floundering mama...<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">let me offer these words of comfort for any other mommies who feel like their house is eating them alive, like they are failing at training up their children, and have nothing left to give their husbands at the end of the day...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">... i only managed to get 7 pictures this christmas. i am in none of them (which i am ok with being in pictures, it just didn't happen). the lighting stinks, the angles are funny, and there are none remotely nice enough to even post on facebook. </span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Christmas is a time to remember the birth of my Savior.</span></strong><br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rGUniKg-xmQ/TRpcGi5d-zI/AAAAAAAAAXY/0CuUZvb4YyI/s1600/mess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rGUniKg-xmQ/TRpcGi5d-zI/AAAAAAAAAXY/0CuUZvb4YyI/s320/mess.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">... this is what my kitchen table has looked like for the past 6 days. my husband smiles and deals with it graciously, but will be appalled when he finds that i have posted this for the world to see. but other mommies need to know, we all have these times. and it's ok.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Jesus has still covered me with His blood and washed me white as snow.</span></strong><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">... i got claustrophobic today when Christian was climbing on my lap. i had to set him down and find my own seat. he gave me a look like he thought i was crazy. i probably am.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Blessed be our Lord who holds us close and never let's go.</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">... Isaac is watching his new curious george movie for the 2nd time today. he didn't take an afternoon nap so this evening will be ruff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>Praise the Lord for He is Good! ... and p.t.L. for dvd's.</strong> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the point is <u>not</u> that i'm making a list of excuses for bad behavior. on the contrary. i try to work hard within my home for the glory of God, for the honor of my husband, and for the good of my sons. but sometimes things can become a bit very overwhelming. and whether my home is spotless or not, God is still God! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">my family can function in a messy house for a couple weeks if the need is there. they cannot deal with a mama who is have a mental breakdown. it just doesn't work. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">so here are a couple suggestions to try and help save mamma's sanity...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">... do something with your kids that will make you all laugh. sit down and watch a kids movie, or have a game of tag around the piles of laundry. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Proverbs 17:22 "A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">... throw half of the toys in a box, seal it & throw it in a storage place for a while. if your kids are little, they won't even notice and less stuff means less to clean up later. (plus, when you get it out again it will be new and exciting toys for free!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">... mix 1/4 white sugar with a tablespoon or 2 of lemon juice and a tiny bit of water by shaking it all up in a little container. use it right away as an amazing body scrub that is super refreshing and CHEAP! (note: you will not be sticky as all the sugar rinses clean in the shower. trust me, this is a favorite of mine.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">... sing something! children love to sing and mine love to dance. they don't care what you sing or how it sounds. plus, i heard that singing releases endorphins (those are the happy hormones in your body).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">... before bed, read some chapters from the Song of Solomon, <strong><u><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130;">pray</span></u></strong>, brush your hair, and put on some pretty pj's. i don't want to embarrass anyone, but, a husband who is satisfied is more understanding and patient with all the stuff around the house.</span>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-15743196443158070472010-12-24T14:22:00.000-06:002010-12-24T14:22:00.883-06:00this earthly body...<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i've been thinking and convicted...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i follow the blog of an unbeliever (several actually, this is just one of them). she writes about some fashion. you know, clothing & shoes & accessories & etc. she also writes about... how do i sum it up... "body image" i think is the term i heard her say. the name of her blog is already pretty. and today she had </span><a href="http://www.alreadypretty.com/2010/12/repost-the-big-secret.html"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">this</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> post. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">now, i don't agree with everything she says. she is obviously very convinced that self esteem is important and we know that all men are sinners and thus are nothing good without the Lord in their life. i'm not having a pity party, i'm simply being honest and accepting what God has said in the Bible. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">But i did find it interesting that she has a good outlook on disregarding the worlds standards of beauty. it's interesting that an unbeliever is more content with her flaws than many believers i know. and that makes me a little bit sad. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we know that God formed us ever so carefully. that His sovereign power brought us to where we are in life. that everything we are is because of Him. and yet we bemoan the state of our body. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">please don't be confused. there is nothing wrong with wanting to be healthy and lose weight to feel better. i'm not talking about that. i'm talking about the complaining & the comparing. You are not Heidi Clume because God didn't make you her, so stop comparing yourself to her. what difference does it make what number is printed on the tag of your jeans. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">let us have speech that is seasoned with salt. let us not compare ourselves to the girl sitting in the pew in front of us. and let us make sure we aren't moaning about what we look like. remember, child of the Most High Lord...this is a temporary body. :)</span>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-43392095965928112232010-12-15T14:58:00.002-06:002010-12-15T15:22:49.659-06:00Complete In Thee<span style="font-family:verdana;">lyrics by Aaron Roberts Wolfe & James Maritn Gray</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Complete in Thee! No work of mine</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">May take, dear Lord, the place of Thine;</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Thy blood hath pardon bought for me, </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">And I shall stand complete in Thee.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">Yea, Justified! O blessed thought!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">And sanctified! Salvation wrought!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">Thy blood hath pardon bought for me, </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">And glorified, I too, shall be!</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Complete in Thee! No more shall sin,</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The grace hath conquered, reign within;</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Thy voice shall bid the tempter flee,</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">And I shall stand complete in Thee.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Complete in Thee each want supplied,</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">And no good thing to me denied;</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Since Thou my portion, Lord, wilt be,</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I ask no more, complete in Thee.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">There is something amazing about simply reading the lyrics of old hymns. no melody to follow, no accompaniment to distract, no harmonies to tune. simply words. </span><span style="font-family:Verdana;">They are by no means as important or as powerful as the Word of the Lord. but there are days when scriptures i have had memorized since i was a child, loose their edge due to time and my own stupid insensitivity. Yet, God uses the words of a man to remind me of His infinite love. to remind me, that He is enough and i don't need the earthly possessions i'm so preoccupied with today. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Hopefully, i will stand as convicted & content tomorrow as i feel today. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"I ask no more, complete in Thee."</span>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-28427491113353905952010-12-09T16:27:00.001-06:002010-12-09T16:31:44.719-06:00Psalm 1271 "Unless the Lord<br />builds the house,<br />They labor in vain who<br />build it;<br />Unless the Lord guards<br />the city,<br />The watchman keeps<br />awake in vain.<br />2 "It is vain for you to rise up<br />early,<br />To retire late,<br />To eat the bread of<br />painful labors;<br />For He gives to His<br />beloved even in His sleep.<br /><br />3 "Behold, children are a<br />gift of the Lord,<br />The fruit of the womb is<br />a reward.<br />4 "Like arrows in the hand of<br />a warrior,<br />So are the children of one's<br />youth.<br />5 "How blessed is the man<br />whose quiver is full of<br />them;<br />They shall not be<br />ashamed<br />When they speak with<br />their enemies in the gate."<br /><br />(verse 5 King James Version<br />"Happy is the man that hath<br />his quiver full of them:<br />they shall not be ashamed,<br />but they shall speak with<br />the enemies in the gate.")<br /><br />i post this chapter because it has been on my heart. i have a bit of a soap box when it comes to the timing of bearing children (i.e. birth control), and i don't want to get on it. but i do have a burden on my heart lately to share with my beloved friends about the joys of God's little blessings, those souls that we call our children. i say simply this...<br /><br />Consider the Lord. read His Word (not just the part i've put here, but read more/all of it). pray and ask for His wisdom. <br /><br />Proverbs 19:2<br />"Also it is not good for a<br />person to be without<br />knowledge,<br />And he who hurries his<br />footsteps errs."<br /><br />consider the Lord. look for His timing in all things. especially babies.sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-256534247543729912010-12-09T14:34:00.003-06:002010-12-09T15:41:20.927-06:00fears...<span style="font-family:verdana;">What are your fears? Dark alleys at night? heights? ok, but think a little deeper. are you fearful of financial hardship? family turmoil? false rumors/ruined reputation? think about the things that make you lose sleep. you know, the things that make you argue with yourself when no one else is around. the events and happenings that cause tears. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">take a minute and write some of the big ones down. maybe a few of the little ones too. they are all fears and we are going to talk about dealing with them biblically, but before we start i want you to have a hard copy in front of you. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">got it? really? did you actually write them down or are you just ignoring me? remember, answer honestly. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">ok. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">look at Psalm 56:3-4</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">In God, whose word I praise, In God I will put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?"</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">there are 3 things i really want us to draw from these verses in relation to dealing with our fears. 1) an active purpose, 2) the order, 3) thank God.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">1) an active purpose</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Whenever i read these verses i think of the song that i knew as a child with the same words. well, almost. the difference being "i will put my trust in You." do to the melody they picked, they left out the word "put" and i think that word is very important. so let me start there. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"put" is a very simple word that even the smallest child knows. "put that back" "put your shoes on" "put your book away." it involves action. really doing something. not just thinking about it. there is movement and purpose behind that word. so when i apply that to this verse it strikes me that i must actively purpose to put my trust in God. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">while our God is omnipotent, and His will is the final word on everything, He is no dictator. He will not pry our fears out of our clenched hands. He doesn't demand that you fork them over. no, He waits for us to give them over to Him. and putting something in God's hands is not a long drawn out process of labor and learning how. you simply put it there and (as long as you don't snatch it back so that you can worry about it some more) it's done. God has it and He will take care of it. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">is there a reason that you hesitate to put it with God? do you really think that you can handle them better? do you think that He won't take care of them? that He won't take care of you? these seem to be fairly rhetorical questions, but if we really are honest, a lot of us still struggle with just giving it to God and leaving it there. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Psalm 55:22</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"Cast your burdens upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">what about when i have given it to the Lord one day, and the next day i break down and grab it back? when i was at peace about it for a whole week and then couldn't sleep last night because it consumed me again? </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">don't fret about it. our God is one of infinite patience and mercy. He wants what is best for us. and while He does allow us to feel the affects of our sinful choices, He will never show us attitude because we messed up. remember the prodigal son? if we have trusted in the sacrifice of His Son for atonement of our sins, we are His child. adopted into the family of God. He's not going to tisk His tongue at us because we gave into fear about something we had previously given to Him. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">So don't feel bad, don't hide from Him, just put it with God & trust that He will most wisely deal with it. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">2) the order</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">see the difference of wording in verse 3&4? look at that difference and the contrast is creates. it's beautiful!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"<strong><span style="color:#330033;">When</span></strong> i am afraid, I will put my trust in You."</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">In verse 3, fear comes first and they use the word "when".</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"In God I have put my trust; I <strong><span style="color:#330033;">shall not</span></strong> be afraid."</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">But in verse 4, the "put" comes first and now it's a "shall not".</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">when fears come into your life, you don't have to live with them. You can take them to God and, as we've already talked about, He will take care of them. But if you prepare, when you work to trust in God <strong>first</strong>, while the road is smooth and things are fairly easy, then when things get hard and all those things on your list come into your life, you shall not be afraid. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">do you remember the verse i mentioned on Tuesday?</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Hebrews 4:16</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">when we are drawing near daily, reading the Word and in prayer with the Lord, then when all the crud comes into your life, or the life of someone you know, you will be prepared with the scriptures you need and the wisdom to apply them. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">i know the order of things doesn't sound easy. but if God says it, i believe it! if i trust Him first thing, then i won't even have to fear. i hope i remember that with the same confidence in the next valley of trials in my life...</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">3) thank God</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">smooshed right in the middle of all that is a little comment that we might miss. "In God, whose word i praise," we often use praise to describe the worship and joyful adoration we give Him. we praise the Lord for answered prayers. we praise Him in song and even sometimes in dance (gasp! lol!). there is often joy when we praise our Maker. but it isn't limited to that. so many of the Psalms speak of praising the Lord, even when the writer is grieved and in sorrow. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">so in the midst of our fear, yes, right in the middle, in of the thick of it, just like it's right in the middle of all the talk about fears, we can praise God. we can have joy and happiness because of His Word and the promises there found. or we can adore Him while in mourning. we can thank Him for His love and compassion even in the hard times. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">But we do not have to live with these fears. you can pray down your list, asking Him to deal with these fears as He sees fit. you might still have to live with the difficulty. Your family may still be in turmoil or there may still be less money than bills. but my God is bigger than money, and He is closer than a brother and loves me more than even my father or my husband. so to quote the '90's cliche...</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">No fear! </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-70092367232008180382010-12-07T16:51:00.002-06:002010-12-07T17:09:04.261-06:00this is a happy day...<span style="font-family:verdana;">hooray! thanking the Lord for the little blessings today, like internet! that's right. after a couple months without, we finally have internet again. :) i have been learning lots over the last few weeks (hmmm, maybe something to do with the fact i haven't been on the computer at all...) and can't wait to share many things with you. but it's 4:53pm on tuesday. so it will have to wait for a time not so close to supper on a non-Bible study day (we have EDGE Bible study on tuesdays. if <strong>anyone</strong> is interested in coming, let me know and i'll fill you in on the details.)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">just a couple quick things for now...</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">ever had someone say, "oh, don't pray for patience, or God will give you a reason to need it! hahaha!" ??? i politely, and firmly, disagree! i don't think praying for patience will result in trials. That's like saying praying for good health will result in you getting sick. it's just silly. our God doesn't work that way. No, we pray for patience when we are already in need of it. and by asking God, He more quickly convicts us. it's not that the trial thickens. your eyes are simply opened to when you need to apply the patience He readily gives out. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="color:#006600;">contentment is not the absence of desire, but joy in the current, and a willingness to conform any hopes and dreams you have to the desire & will of the Lord God.</span> </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Proverbs 19:14</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"House and wealth are an inheritance from fathers, </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">But a prudent wife is from the Lord."</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Heb 4:16</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">~May we always be drawing near, daily coming to God in prayer & listening to His Word. Then, when we reach that time of need, we will already be equipted with the wisdom and the grace to handle it in the most God glorifying way.</span>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-2348542195332601472010-11-12T14:31:00.003-06:002010-11-12T15:41:19.641-06:00short on patience?<span style="font-family:verdana;">i'm not sure how to put all of my thoughts into order on this, but i will try. (to the single ladies, this post will talk a lot about parenting, but can be applied to all relationships.) </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">God has been convicting of how i react to my sons. i know that 3 year olds and 1 year olds can be a handful and are still learning what is good, though they seem to know all the bad already. as a parent, i have been commanded by God to train up my children </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2022:6&version=NASB"><span style="font-family:verdana;">(Proverbs_22:6)</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> and there will great blessing and joy from teaching him God's ways </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2023:15-16&version=NASB"><span style="font-family:verdana;">(Proverbs_23:15-16)</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">God blessed me with this verse that is actually written to the young pastor Timothy in reguard to his church. However, i do think that it can also be applied to parenting.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">2 Timothy 4:2</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">"preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction."</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">(note: instruction should be godly, so, use the Word of God)</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Great words to take to heart and apply within our homes. read it again and absorb the multitude of instruction in that verse. isn't it fantastic and yet terrifying at the same time? Yet, we have no need to get ourselves in a tizzy. Our great and awesome God supplies not only the command, but also the strength and Spirit to help us obey it. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">But what about when i fail to obey? especially in the patience part? Because you fail that one and pretty quickly all the others will go flying out the window. i mean, i've never heard a parent screaming scripture at their children. yeah, just doesn't fit together. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">So when i have no patience, what do i have? </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">well first of all, i am practicing this...</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Galatians 5:19-21</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">"Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which i forewarn you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">firstly, a clarification for all who might be confused. these verses are not saying that people who do bad go to hell and people who do good go to heaven. we know that our God does not save on the basis of works <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph%202:8-9&version=NASB">(Eph_2:8-9)</a> because everyone deserves an eternal stay in hell <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%206:23&version=NASB">(Romans_6:23)</a> were it not for the death of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, God's Son, who paid our penalty on the cross and demonstrated his victory over sin by rising from the dead. As a result, all are offered salvation by simply repenting from their sin and turning their life over to the true God of all <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2010:9-11&version=NASB">(Romans_10:9-11)</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">that being said, Galatians 5 does contrast what the life of an unbeliever looks like and the life of a true believer <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%205:22-25&version=NASB">(Gal_5:22-25)</a>. <strong>so if strife and outbursts of anger are characteristic of an unsaved person, why am i partaking in them? and why do i make excuses for doing them?</strong> don't sit there like you don't. we all make excuses for losing patience. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><em>-i'm tired. they kept me up late/woke me up early today!</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><em> </em></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><em>-i don't feel well. this headache is killing me!</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><em>-they have been so naughty today, this is just the straw that broke the camels back!</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><em>-the day has been crazy! i've had so much to do and nothing is going like i planned.</em> </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><strong>just like when we were first saved, we have to admit our sin and take it to God.</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">so just like i asked before, when i don't have patience, what do i have?</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">i have anger</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Proverbs <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=prov%2019:19&version=NASB">19:19,</a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=prov%2016:32&version=NASB">16:32,</a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=prov%2017:27&version=NASB">17:27,</a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=prov%2019:11&version=NASB">19:11</a></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">i have selfishness/pride</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Proverbs <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=prov%2018:1&version=NASB">18:1,</a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2016:18&version=NASB">16:18,</a> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=proverbs%2018:12&version=NASB">18:12,</a> Phil <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=phil%202:3&version=NASB">2:3,</a> </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">all wrapped up in those i found that i personally also have self pity due to my bad day, lack of joy in my heart and in my house, envy of single individuals or newly weds, discontentment with my stage of life, the list goes on and on as sinful actions snow ball. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">let me leave you with a quote & a verse...</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><em>"Righteous indignation leads to right actions. Unrighteous indignation leads to unright actions."</em> - Andy Thompson</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">When blatant sin makes you upset, it will lead you to remove that sin from your life, motivate you to share the gospel with the one sinning, or drive you away from a possibly compromising situation. that is right action from righteous anger.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">When your anger is not godly (note: i didn't use the word justified because we misuse that word) it will lead to actions that are not godly (refer back to Galatians 5 if need be).</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">1 John 3:18</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">"Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth."</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">as always, answer honestly... </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;">have you really repented from your sin and turned your life over to Christ, making you a child of God?</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;">if you answered yes, are you acting like it??</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;">how can you remind yourself to be more patient with others? </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;">how can you cool down a situation that you are quickly loosing patience with?</span></strong>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-14144010551506126752010-10-28T07:46:00.002-05:002010-10-28T08:30:39.250-05:00Who it is against...<span style="font-family:verdana;">Psalm 51:1-4</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Be gracious to me, </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"> O God, according to </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"> your loving kindness;</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">According to the greatness</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"> of Your compassion</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"> blot out my</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"> transgressions.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Wash me thoroughly</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"> from my iniquity</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">And cleanse me from my</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"> sin.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">For I know my </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"> transgressions,</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">And my sin is ever before</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"> me.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Against You, You only, I </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"> have sinned</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">And done what is evil in</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"> Your sight,</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">So that You are justified</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"> when You speak</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">And blameless when You judge.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I am a sinner washed clean by the blood of the Holy Lamb, Jesus Christ. I am not bound to sin any longer, yet i still desire it. I still do it. and yet, who is it against? </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">It is against my God, not men. though my sinful choices may hurt the people I love, it isn't against them. God is the One who has bought my soul with the price of His Son. I am His alone. Yet i turn to sin for comfort, for joy, for ease, for whatever reason. Now I need to take it up with Him. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Flip side: when i feel wronged and hurt by the sin that someone else chose, i have no right to hang on to the hurt i am feeling. why? because they are not mine. They need to take up their decisions with their Creator. i have no claim on them other than my choice to love them (and perhaps some physical blood similarities) but we are both the creatures of an Almighty & Just God. it is up to <strong>Him</strong> as to how the sins we choose are to be dealt with or punished, not up to my emotions that have been wounded. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">So i need to forgive the wrong that has been done. I may still feel pain over it. i may still be sad because of what they chose. I may have been directly affected. But i have no right to feel that this sin was against me. I need to let it go!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Q~ when my children choose to disobey me, do i remember that they have sinned against God, not me? (after all, i am flawed sinful man, just as they are.)</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Q~ when my husband has sinned in some way, and i feel hurt, do i remember that i need to forgive and let it go even if he does not ask for my forgiveness? (I can & should pray that he will repent and <strong>turn to God</strong>, not me.)</span>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-43406827856512715262010-10-26T21:05:00.003-05:002010-10-26T22:00:26.262-05:00a book...<span style="font-family:verdana;">so i love a good book! preferably something fictional with great characters and a resolved ending. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">i'm not usually into the books that claim they will help me get more done or get/stay more organized. where are they when clothes need to be folded or closets need to be sorted? i'm not really sure, but they definitely aren't here where i need them! </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">that being said, i've finished the book, "Peanut Butter on my Pillow" by rita w. kramer and found it refreshing and motivating, to the point i would like to share a little about it. not because of her grand ideas, but because she simply took every idea before the Lord. every concept she presented was compared before scripture to make sure it was in line. every suggestion she made seemed to be prayed about before putting it out there for me to try. so much scripture packed into a book has be to a good thing! </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">it's an older book i picked up off a used book sale at church (a big thank you to whoever donated it!). she puts many verses from the Bible, a few poems and quotes and her own confessions though out. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">if you decide to give it a look, be sure to pray first that God will use this book in your life for His glory and your good. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">i wanted to share a few things that hit me...</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><strong>my inspiration for getting up a little earlier to pray</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><em>I didn't have time to pray</em></span><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I got up early one morning</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">and rushed right into my day; </span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I had so much to accomplish</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I didn't have time to pray.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Troubles just tumbled about me</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">and heavier came each task.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Why doesn't God help me, I wondered.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">He answered, "You didn't ask."</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I tried to come into God's presence,</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I used all my keys at the lock.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">God gently and lovingly chided,</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">"Why, child, you didn't knock."</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I wanted to see joy and beauty,</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">But the day toiled on grey and bleak.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I wondered by God didn't show me.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">He said, "You didn't seek."</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I woke up early this morning</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">and paused before entering my day.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I had so much to accomplish</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">The I had to take time to pray.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-Author unknown</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></em><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><strong>a comforting thought about the state of my home</strong></span><br /><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></em><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">(i'm paraphrasing here) the whole idea of "cleanliness is next to godliness" is not in the Bible. in fact it was the idea of Phinehas ben Yair who thought that religion is a bunch of acts (he includes carefulness, vigorousness, abstemiousness [which is a big word for sparing or abstaining]) in and of themselves that become godliness. now i'm not about to take this guys advice! </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">John Wesley is the one who actually spoke this "treasured creed" in a sermon on dress. and John got it from Francis Bacon who actually said "cleanness of body was ever deemed to proceed from a due reverence to God," the whole idea was that keeping your body clean is out of respect for your Lord God who made it! </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">rita also quotes the Living Bible in Proverbs 14:4 (i'm not usually a big fan of the Living Bible, but i kind of like this one) "An empty stable stays clean - but there is no income from an empty stable." </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">life is messy. between kids, husbands, cooking & eating, playing & learning, there is going to be some messes. praise the Lord, He looks at my heart and my stewardship in all areas of my life, not just how much dust is on the piano.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;">little notes about her house that made me smile</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">This is NOT Treasure Island.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Please find a more appropriate place for your valuables. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Relax. God loves you.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;">This, too... (by rita) hit me off guard</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Diaper changing became so routine and automatic that i couldn't remember doing the last one.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Brothers, surrounded by a yard full of toys, fought over a battered tennis ball.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Sleepless nights during flu season were followed by long, headachey days.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Little hands reached into the cookie jar for "just one more?"</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">We didn't go to "buck night" at the drive-in movie because of insufficient funds.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I stiffened in the passenger seat while my student driver first-born practiced her left turns.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">We sat elbow-to-elbow around the supper table, everyone talking at once.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The afternoon schoolbus dispersed a half-dozen chattering Kramers, and from the first one thought the door i heard, :i got a hundred in spelling today, Mom!"</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">My husband and I came home to a quiet house after an evening out and peeked in on our offspring sleeping peacefully in their beds.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family:Verdana;">a verse that reminded me to pray more</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I love the Lord, for He heard my voice;</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">He heard my cry for mercy.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Because He turned His ear to me,</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I will call on Him as long as I live.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">-Psalm 116:1,2</span>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441845256078977178.post-72979343957450971492010-10-19T14:35:00.002-05:002010-10-19T14:40:08.139-05:00peace to you...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Sunday morning and time has gotten away from me. Nick has to leave for church so that he can take care of announcements for Sunday School & has to take the little car because it has been needing a jump to start, so it has to be the first one out the driveway. that leaves me with the boys to finish getting ready. craziness ensues and we make it out the door an hour & 20 minutes later. i'm 4 blocks down the street and remember that i didn't take time to eat anything and my stomach is complaining about it, my mascara was put on in a hurry and now is flaking off into my eye and little boys are yelling in the backseat simply because they think it's funny. and come the tears...<br /><br />"Lord, can't i just get a moment of peace?!"<br /><br />"Daughter, peace doesn't come from a moment. Peace comes from Me."<br /><br /> God's direct revelation to man is finished and complete. He does not speak to people verbally anymore. Yet there are moments in my life when things are impressed upon my heart and i know that there is no way this wisdom has come from anywhere within me. it can only be from Him. This is one of those moments.<br /><br /> Peace. a big term when applied to some situations. but in my situation?<br /><br /> Real lasting peace only comes from God. and starts in peace WITH God. <br /><br />Colossians 1:19&20<br />"For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him [Jesus], and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; thought Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven."<br /><br /> You will not know true peace in any area of your life unless you first come to God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ. </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:16&version=NASB"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">John_3:16</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2010:9-11&version=NASB"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Romans_10:9-11</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /> So as a child of the Lord who has come to Him though the gift of salvation He has provided, I have peace with the Judge of the world. how amazing and humbling to know when I leave this earth i will forever be in His presence. but then... what about peace today? what about peace within my emotions? or within my household? <br /><br /> Ahhh, but He has provided for that as well!<br /><br />within my emotions~<br /><br />Philippians 4:4-9 (read the whole thing!)<br /> "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!<br /> Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.<br /> Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.<br /> And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprhension, will guard your hearts and your minds, in Christ Jesus.<br /> Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. <br /> The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."<br /><br /><br />rejoice- resisting the impulse to get upset and get angry will help you stay on track for peaceful emotions. also notice that he purposefully repeats it, so it must be very important.<br /><br />gentle spirit- gentle spirit = gentle voice, gentle actions, gentle facial expressions<br /><br />anxious- opposite of peaceful. don't stew about it, don't worry if it's going to come together in the right manner or time. leave these things in God's very strong & very capable hands. <br /><br />prayer, supplication, thanksgiving, requests- all of these terms are about talking with God! not complaining to a person in your life, or even ranting to yourself (yes, i am a major culpret of this one) but take it all to God. pray about it! ask Him for help. thank Him in advance for the way He will provide for this, because He ALWAYS provides. ask again and again and again, as often as you need to in order to get through.<br /><br />guard- don't worry, He's got you covered. if i will let go of my own anxiouty, He will protect me from my own stupid emotions that are trying to run away with me. that's right, He is guard over me. trials will happen, crud will come into my life. He's not a body guard that chases it all away. My emotions are His prisoner, and He will keep me from getting away. as it says, He will guard my heart and mind. <br /><br />dwell- live, abide, be in that place, in all the good things that are listed. focus, not on what is going wrong and all this is falling apart. focus on all the amazing things God is doing in this moment and how He will work everything out. <br /><br />practice- not a trying to get better type of things, but more the putting into practice type. implament what you already know!<br /><br />John 14:27<br />"Peace I leave with you; My peace i give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."<br /><br />Jesus spoke these words about His death, resurrection, assention and the sending of the Holy Spirit. I have the Holy Spirit given to me to help me, now that i am saved. He will impart peace to me, peace unlike anything the world knows of (</span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%205:22-25&version=NASB"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Galatians_5:22-25</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">)<br /><br /><br />within my household~<br /><br />Titus 3:1-2<br />"Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed,<br />to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men."<br /><br />God brought me to this verse for the last statement, "showing every consideration for all men." i need to be considerate of my family. when times are stressful and i feel like my peace is fleeing, let me first consider them, and not myself! think through...<br />...are they tired? are they hungry? am i being short with them? all these things will cause little boys and husbands to be cranky and less agreeable. even if i can't do much about it at the moment, being contious of it will help me to be less offended and ruffled by their actions. <br /><br />along with that, i need to be considerate of my childrens age. they are 1 & 3. i am still </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2022:6&version=NASB"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">training_them_up</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> in the Lord and it will take time for them to learn and remember and impliment what i teach them from God's Word. <br /><br />However, i am 27. if any of us knows how they are supposed to act, it is me! i have to be constantly applying what i know the Lord requires of me. He has already asked me to be patient, kind, loving, and a careful worker at home. these are things i know how to do and can do them. <br /><br />John 14:15<br />"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If i am doing what i'm supposed to be doing (showing love and patience, not nessesarily having perfect hair), then i don't need to be worked up about the situation. that is peace. a God given peace!</span>sarah j.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10323355956831326166noreply@blogger.com0