Music Adjustment

After a discussion with Michael and some friends, it was decided that the music on my blog should be voluntary instead of automatically on. So from now on, if you would like to hear some songs, just go over to the right sidebar, scroll down a bit until you find the playlist, and hit the play button! If the music was more intruding to you, please enjoy the quiet! :-)

Mighty to Save

This week, on our church's website, we were asked to think about what our favorite Bible verse is and why. I couldn't come up with just one... and even after I answered, more verses just kept coming to mind! One that I really, really love is Zephaniah 3:17:

"The Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”

Each aspect of this verse is so amazing!

That the Lord God, creator of everything, comes to be with us, longs for us to be intimate with Him - amazing!

He IS mighty to save - He has given us His precious Son Jesus so that we can be ransomed to Him, even though we had turned away from Him in our sin and do not deserve His salvation.

The next few are so beautiful - He takes delight in us! Sometimes I think "Really?!" but really, He does - His Word says so! He quiets us, gives us peace, with His unfailing love... and He rejoices over us with singing! There is no other verse that speaks of God singing, and I cannot wait for the day when I can hear His voice, lifted in song! What a humbling, exciting thought! What a day that will be.

Of course, after pondering that verse for awhile, the song "Mighty to Save" by Hillsong got stuck in my head. Its really good! Enjoy! (but turn off the playlist to the right, first!)

Wordless Wednesday

"Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 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. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Ephesians 6:13-17

Of Course!

We finally had a great morning of some serious rain. We had been hoping since Fay last week that it might affect us, even a little. Last week all we got was some pretty awesome wind, but yesterday and today we were blessed with rain! What do little boys do in the rain? Play, of course! It all started out so innocently... but soon got, well... messy... to say the least! It was so much fun!

Clarifications

I wanted to discuss more of what I mentioned in the below post (Promises), regarding the Christian "self-help" mindset. Why does it bother me so? Well, first, because it so clearly imitates the world (Romans 12:2), but also because it is so self-focused. As Christians, we are to be others-focused. Jesus said the greatest commands (the whole Torah summed up, actually) are to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:28-31). Some might say "well, you can't love your neighbor until you love yourself" but that's not what Scripture says. Loving ourselves is inherent - we do it naturally. Even those with "low self-esteem" still have self-love - in the times when I have felt as if my "self-esteem" was "low", my pride and self-focus were still high - in fact, those two things often contribute to "low self-esteem" - thinking about yourself too much, even if it is in negative ways! Our flesh is constantly searching for ways to more love itself.

I will say, however, that as Christians, there is one true way to really "love" ourselves. Not in the fleshly, worldly ways that are usually suggested - (usually in the form of indulgences) but in something that seems so contrary to the idea of "self-love". How is this? Self-sacrifice. Submitting ourselves to the service and obedience of Christ. It seems that the very formula he laid out (to love God and love others) is indeed the very formula for loving ourselves!

However, I hesitate to make it that simple, because, in that, the end result is still "self". And, again, I assert, that our focus and goals in life are not to be self-oriented. They are to be God-oriented, and others-oriented. If we do things for the ultimate purpose of feeling "fulfilled", "satisfied", or even "righteous"... those are all the wrong reasons and our focus is still on ourselves. Our purpose should only be to glorify our magnificent creator, to say "less of me" and "all of You, Lord". To demonstrate His love for the world to the world - through praying, giving, reaching out, serving, showing hospitality, sharing His truth, and on and on...

Everything we do should be based in these thoughts - am I loving God by my thoughts, actions and speech? Is this glorifying Him? Am I loving others by my thoughts, actions, and speech? If there is confusion, use the Word to confirm! How do we love God? By obeying Him (John 14:15)! How do we love others? By obeying Him! He makes it very clear how we are to love others, and no where in His teachings does He ever say "focus on yourself first". His own life demonstrated a life of complete obedience to the Lord and service to others, even His enemies.

Once we get into the mindset of asking ourselves those questions about our life and the decisions we make, following the Lord loses many of its struggles and confusions. For example, let's look at the issue of modesty. The Word tells us to be modest, but not exactly what the standards of modesty are. So when we dress, instead of asking ourselves "Do I feel good in what I am wearing? Do I think I look pretty and attractive?" Instead, what we can ask ourselves are things like "Is what I am wearing harming my witness? Am I loving others by respecting my husband and other men out there by not being too tempting to outsiders by what I am or am not revealing?" and, on the other side, "Am I honoring my husband and showing the blessing of motherhood by making sure I am not going out looking like a frazzled, tired housewife all the time?" Also, in concern to issues of how we spend our free time. Is what we are watching or listening to uplifiting to the Lord and respectful and beneficial to others around us? Is how we spend leisure time helping to promote the Kingdom of God, or only fulfilling our fleshly desires and wasting the precious time God has given us? How does this benefit Him and others?

Putting our lives into the perspective of serving Him and others rather than "what's in it for me?" really makes us have to think and pray about every aspect of our lives and the decisions we make. When we are so focused on improving and serving ourselves, we limit the way God can use us to help others and we harm our witness. It sounds contrary to what the world wants us to believe, but God's way is not the world's way (Isaiah 55:8)!

11 Years Ago

Michael and I met 11 years ago, today! We met our Freshman year of college. Members of the cross country team had to arrive at college earlier than regular students, because our coach was going to take us to the mountains in Boone, NC for some training. My mom and I pulled up right behind Michael's family's car, and our coach introduced us. I was the first person Michael met in college! By the end of the training weekend, we were inseparable - and have been ever since. I don't have many pictures from that time on the computer, but here are a few!


We were so young! I was 17, he was 18. It was Michael who lead me to the Lord - how could I not marry such a wonderful man?! ;-) He told me before we ever started "dating" that he didn't "date" for fun - he was looking for someone to potentially marry. I thought it over, and knew that would be the case, even early on. Just a little over a year later, it came true! I am beyond thankful that the Lord brought us together.

Promises

This has been something on my heart for a long, long time, and I just didn't have the words to write it... but, thankfully (again!) someone else has. It seems more and more Christianity has fallen prey to a worldly "self-help" mindset. Everywhere we look, people promising that following Christ will automatically lead to more happiness, money, power, prestige, self-esteem - the "perfect" life... and if you are a Christian without these things, then obviously your walk or faith must be out of whack.

But WHERE in scripture are these things promised? Christ Himself promised that Christians would face persecution, and hatred from the world! He did not live a life of "happiness", "wealth", "prestige", he had no "self-esteem" - He was abused, despised, persecuted more than any man. The only one He esteemed was the Father. King David struggled with sin, despondency, and exile from his own kingdom. Paul and other apostles were imprisoned, tortured, and at times went without monetary wealth and possessions, while considering it all gain for the Lord!

We are promised that the Lord will provide our needs for us. That He will conform us to the image of His son, and that at times, it will hurt - a refining fire. That we will have peace beyond understanding, joy unspeakable - despite trials, persecution, mistreatment. In the mundane and the miraculous. That our lives will ultimately serve to glorify Him, and Him alone! In whatever purposes He sees fit, even if no man ever sees or recognizes. Oh, let us pray for Him to remove all desires of "self" from our hearts!

Happiness and joy are two different things - happiness is temporal, an emotion that comes and goes, and is based on situations, self-esteem, and outside surroundings. Joy is the steadfast peace the Lord gives, regardless of situation, surroundings, and emotion. Our confidence needs to rest in Him, not ourselves.

It is despairing to see how much of the world pop-Christian culture has tried to imitate through all of its methods, steps, secrets, and purposes. May we be like the Bereans (Acts 17:10-11), not just running to what tickles our ears and emotions, but clinging to what the promises of the Word are and God's ultimate Truths, promised through faith in Christ and Christ alone.

Here's the post that really spoke to and for me, from "Lisa Writes":

While eating my bologna sandwich at lunch the other day, I glanced through a Christian book and retail catalog. As I flipped pages, I noted the following assertions:

Live the life of your dreams
A groundbreaking journey of self discovery
Experience the uncommon life
A no-regrets life
Find the fulfillment you're missing
Power and purpose and true happiness can be yours!
Keys to improving my life to become a better me
Seven secrets, ten strategies, thirty days, 40 minutes, ten steps, etc.

I'm not picking a fight with a particular title or author. I'm just amazed at how easily the Christian life is boiled down by some to a series of secrets and steps. So many titles promise so much: happiness and fulfillment, power and purpose.

It seems to me I have little of those things.

Rather, my life seems messy, and I'm not just talking about the state of my home (though certainly an apt description). I find myself in a place I had not planned on. This is not (necessarily) the life I've always wanted. I'm not living the life of my dreams (who is?). I'm not where I thought I was going even six months ago.

Listen, the life of my dreams would include a perpetually clean and organized home, beautifully decorated with a pool in the backyard, children who obey readily and rarely watch tv, a growing and vibrant ministry, and maybe even a book deal or two.

Instead, I am an exhausted mom who yells too much and struggles with melancholy, a mediocre housekeeper, occasional blogger, and Bible teacher currently without a class.

What does that mean for me? For my faith? Did I read the wrong books and somehow miss the secrets that aren't really secrets if they're published for all the world to purchase and read?

Do I sound cynical? Maybe I am. But surely you would agree life is not always "fulfilling" as we wish.

Just the other night, I heard a Bible teacher speak of the implications of missing our callings. Our calling is where we find fulfillment, she insisted. You may think me mincing words (and you would not be the first!), but I do not think it is our callings that fulfill us. It is the Lord Jesus.

Our callings may in fact lead us through the fiery furnace of refining or the deep water of doubt. Look in the Bible; how many of the Lord's chosen lived the life they always wanted? Check out Hebrews 11:35-40 just for an example.

Yeah, so I am a bit cynical. But I see that life is not simple. It is complicated. And hard. And messy. And more than 7 steps or 5 secrets. It will not always be the life I wanted or the dream I desired. It may be more; it is often less, particularly if I define my dreams in terms of ease and comfort, prosperity and accomplishment.

As believers, our hope stretches far beyond the confines of this world. We hope in Christ, believing His promises of an eternal weight of glory to which nothing else--nothing else!--compares. Let us persevere, whether we soar with the eagles in the life we always dreamed of or whether we trudge through the life that is messy and hard and complicated. Truly the best is yet to come!

Wordless Wednesday

The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens. By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew.

Proverbs 3:20-21

Be Still...

After spending a busy week at VBS last week, I was left wondering how other moms do it - stay "on the go" all the time. My house was a wreck, meals were only partially planned, bedtimes and naptimes were all over the map! It was hectic, to say the least. I've seen a bumper sticker that says "Why is it called HOMEschooling when we're never at HOME?" as a joke to how involved and busy homeschool families can be. Now, I do see a place for some "extracurricular" activities - but for our family, they are best when we are very selective and the activities add obvious value to our learning and character. Helping someone, for the majority, almost always trumps "school" because loving our neighbor is the most important witness we have, especially if we are able to do so as a family. But things like various groups, co-ops, classes, athletics, etc. are few and far between here. There is more peace in our home when we are actually in it, together, the majority of the time.

I recently came across a blog post at A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, called "Cultivating the Rich Christian Home", and there were several quotes from it that really stuck out to me, and say how I feel about staying at home, better than I can:

The rich full life that can consist only in a Christian home is available to me and everyone else with Christ as its center. As a Christian home we should be the role models to this perishing world and NOT imitate it. The world fills its time with empty pursuits and busyness to fill the void that only Christ can fill. Our homes should be the model of the beauty, rest and joy which radiates from our Saviour!!!! What is your home radiating today? Believe me, it matters to Christ.

A haven for the weary, a hospital for those in need of nursing. Open arms to those without family. A place of comfort, blessing and peace. Every need is met here, whether it be a meal, a smile, or a prayer. A place that reflects Christs heart. A warm loving environment that cannot be found anywhere else. A place people are drawn to knowing their souls will be refreshed. Does this sound like our homes? Can we create this type of environment while we are on the go? God has shown me all the ministry that can be poured out of my own home and that it can be overflowing!

And our children. Tell me at this very moment who has the HEART of your children? Is it their peers, the television, nintendo? Or, parent, do you have that sacred treasure? Turn your hearts to them and reap the blessings of this unworthy gift~the heart of a child. Can we obtain their hearts if we are rushing hither and tither to
every moms group, sporting event and pot-luck? It wouldn't leave us much time at all especially if we had to manage, keep a house and care for our husbands.

...

A rich home is what we desire. Hearts turned to one another. Family members being the best of friends and peace, love and joy flourishing in the face of the world outside its doors. Children being raised in the fear and the admonition of our glorious Father. You can't do that on the run.

I love it when I find blog posts that say what my heart believes but my words can't express as beautifully!

And, this might be a controversial thought... but I would say the same applies to various ministries. Are we "so involved" in our church lives or ministries that our home lives are suffering? Believing that we are furthering the cause of Christ, when the very causes He has blessed us with primarily, our husband and children, go neglected? A great resource on this is a CD by Beverly Bradley at Family Ministries, called "Keeper at Home" - she gives her testimony about how she "came home" from being very active in several outside ministries (all while being a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom), and how much her family has been changed and blessed because of it. One reason I appreciate our church so much is because while it does offer some quality ministries, it is not "programs-driven" and believes that members' priorities are to first develop a personal relationship with the Lord, then to minister to their families, and then the church, fellowship, and community.

Let's always remember that as women, the Lord has given us some very clear and very important priorities in serving Him - our husbands, children, and home - first and foremost. We can't take care of any of these effectively if we're just too busy, distracted, or not there! Let us continue to keep the Lord's priorities ahead of whatever our flesh or the world might feel is more important.

Ezra Climbs

When VBS is over for the day, the kids have decided a fun challenge is to see who can climb the big pole in the middle of the room. There was a lot of excitement in the room when Ezra accomplished the goal!

Memory Verses

Over the past few days at VBS, they've been learning and trying to memorize several scriptures. At the end of today, they wanted to see who could remember all of them so far. Isaac did! Here's him up on stage - the video quality isn't the best because it was zoomed, but the audio is good enough! I'm thankful the Lord has given him a desire to know and remember His word!!

Still Here

This is the longest I've gone without blogging in a long time! Thank you to everyone who offered up such nice words of congratulations in my pregnancy announcement below!! All is going well, we have seen the heartbeat, and I am feeling the affects of the first trimester, which accounts for my lack of writing. Thankfully, I don't struggle with throwing up, but nausea and sheer exhaustion are my constant companions. So I spend most of my day trying to get through the bare basics and get a good nap! ;-) But I am thankful for the cause - the suffering is more than worth it (and I know it could be alot worse, so I'm thankful for that, too!).

We've also been spending the past few days at VBS, being hosted at our church and put on by a local homeschool group. Its been alot of fun to meet new homeschoolers and the kids have been having a great time learning about Creation. The best part is that the entire thing is family integrated, so the entire family stays together in a group, and we parents are fully involved with our children as they learn.

Also this week my sister is coming in to town, back from a trip to Scotland! I can't wait to see her and hear all about her trip. We have some pretty decent Scottish heritage, so it will be fun to see her pictures and hear her thoughts about the country.

I've had lots of blog thoughts running through my head, but no energy or words to write them. Hopefully I'll be back on my feet soon enough and can get the ball rolling again!

Look Who's Six!

Six years ago yesterday, Ezra Cole joined our family - catching us quite by surprise, 12 days early! The very night before he was born had been my baby shower, and I had joked that he'd probably go 2 weeks overdue - so much for mother's instinct ;-)

Here are some pictures of our beautiful boy over the past 6 years:

4 months old:

1 year old:


2 years old, with a broken leg!


3 years old:


4 years old, playing tennis with Isaac and Joel:


5 years old


And now!

Its amazing how much he's grown in just 6 short years!

Wordless Wednesday

"...My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my savior..." Luke 1:46b-47

May God be Glorified

Michael and I met through our college's cross country running team - he was the best runner, and I, the, well... not so best ;-) My dad was a runner, and now my husband is a runner, so you can imagine that we really love running around here. Someone who has really been on our hearts lately is the marathoner Ryan Hall, about to debut in his first Olympic Games in Beijing. Besides being a beautiful runner, this young man loves the Lord and is so open about his faith through his running career, its really awesome to watch him. We are praying for him as he travels to China - praying that whether he win or lose, that he is used as a light to the lost there, and an encouragement to the persecuted church, who will be able to see him worship openly, and that the love of God be poured out. May God be glorified!

Here's a video of him running and sharing his story:


Here's an interview - no running, but a more in depth look at his testimony:

A Virtuous Woman

I love the Revive Our Hearts website! While browsing it a few days ago, I came across this "Becoming a Woman of Virtue" list of questions. Very thought provoking and inspiring - and best yet, it is a list of God's ideals, rather than man-made or worldly ideas and traditions.

“Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands” (Prov. 14:1).

1. Am I building up my house or tearing it down?

2. Am I investing in my marriage? Am I nurturing the heart of my marriage?

3. Do I frequently express admiration and gratitude to my husband?

4. Am I reserving the best of my physical and emotional energy for my family?

5. Am I creating a climate (through words, actions, and attitudes) that makes my husband want to be at home?

6. Am I content to be “at home”? Am I finding my “fulfillment” through reverencing and serving my husband and family?

7. Do I reserve intimate communication, looks, words, and touch for my husband? Am I giving of my emotions, attention, affection to a man other than my husband?

8. Am I meeting my husband’s sexual needs?

9. Am I trustworthy? Is there any behavior or relationship I am involved in that I am keeping from my husband? Have I been totally honest with my husband?

10. Does my husband have the freedom to be totally honest with me?

11. Am I fueling sensual thoughts and desires through books, magazines, TV programs, music, or movies that are not morally pure?

12. Have I become a “refuge” for a man who may be struggling in his marriage?

13. Am I looking to a man other than my husband (pastor, counselor, colleague) to be a primary source of counsel or to fill an emotional vacuum in my life?

14. Do I have a more intimate relationship—physically, emotionally, or spiritually—with any man than I do with my husband?

15. Does my demeanor tend to be “loud and defiant,” or do I communicate a meek, quiet, and submissive spirit?

16. Am I a “wall” or a “door” (Song of Songs 8:12)? Am I a “loose” woman? Do I communicate to the men around me that I am “available”? Does my demeanor invite them to “partake” of intimate parts of my body, soul, or spirit? Do I engage in flirtatious speech, looks, or behavior?

17. Is there anything about my speech, actions, dress, or attitudes that could defraud the men around me?

18. Am I discreet and restrained in the way I talk with men at work? Is my conversation ever loose, crude, or unbecoming for a woman of God? Am I expressing admiration for a man that should more appropriately come from his wife?

19. Does my dress help men to keep their thoughts pure and Christ-centered? Is my dress feminine and modest?

20. Have I erected (and am I maintaining) adequate “hedges” in my relationships with men? What are those hedges?

21. Am I currently in a situation that is (or could become) compromising? Am I in a situation that could appear to others to be compromising?

22. Would my husband, as well as other men and women who know me, say that I am a woman of moral virtue and purity?

23. Have I purposed in my heart to be morally pure? Am I making myself accountable to my husband and to another godly woman for my walk with God and others?

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” (Prov. 31:10).

© Revive Our Hearts. Taken from Becoming a Woman of Discretion by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Available at www.store.reviveourhearts.com www.ReviveOurHearts.com Info@ReviveOurHearts.com