Wordless Wednesday - A View of Homeschooling

A Song for Saturday

Practical Advice for Homebuilders

I've mentioned before that I really appreciate the ministry of Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church. This sermon is a few years old now, but that doesn't lessen the quality of it in the least! The topic is "Woman as Homebuilders". I have heard and read many things on being a homebuilder and the ministry that is in the home, but I especially appreciated this message. Not only does he get straight to the point about the fact that women are called to be homebuilders (as it says in Proverbs 14:1), but he gives actual, practical advice as to what that means, and how women can and do conduct their ministry at home, all based on Biblical examples and precepts.

This message is one in a series on Proverbs, several of which are for women ("Women and Femininity", "Women as Wives", and "Women as Mothers" in addition to this one), several are for men, and many are just based on living out a Christian walk in general. I highly recommend it! The message is a little over an hour, but well worth the time! It gave me alot to think about and put into practice, in a very encouraging way.

Also, I've mentioned this before, but make sure to check out his series called "The Peasant Princess" - an expository look at Song of Solomon, with alot of Godly insight into maritial intimacy!

Wise Words

These words from Elizabeth Elliot were in my email devotional this morning, and they painted such a picture of the gospel to me. They go straight to the heart.

...That new order is a far cry from the notion of self-acceptance which has taken hold of the minds of many Christians. Any message which makes the Cross redundant is anti-Christian. The original sin, pride, is behind my "poor self-image," for I felt that I deserved better than I got, which is exactly what Eve felt! So it was pride, not poor self-image, that had to go. If I'm so beautiful and lovable, what was Jesus doing up there, nailed to the cross and crowned with thorns? Why all that hideous suffering for the pure Son of God? Here's why: There was no other way to deliver us from the hell of our own proud self-loving selves, no other way out of the bondage of self-pity and self-congratulation. How shall we take our stand beneath the cross of Jesus and continue to love the selves that put Him there? How can we survey the wondrous cross and at the same time feed our pride? No. It won't work. Jesus put it simply: If you want to be My disciple, you must leave self behind, take up the cross, and follow Me.

(If you would like to receive daily devotionals from Elizabeth Elliot, this website is where you can sign up for them (scroll down a bit to find them). I have been so blessed by her insight and thoughts on the Word of God, and would highly recommend them!)

Wordless Wednesday - Just for Fun

Like a Child

The joy of a 21 month old is so contagious! He wakes up every morning thrilled that he still has his bellybutton. He yells "Da-ye" and runs with glee for Michael everytime he sees him. He is so proud when he can see the scribbles he's made on a piece of paper with a marker. He does a dance around the room when he gets his shoes on and can play outside with his brothers. All of life is joyous to him - exciting, something to be celebrated, lovely.

This is probably just a small glimpse of why Christ said "...Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 18:3) Each day is new to us, a wonderful gift from our creator, to cherish and worship Him for. I pray that we find joy in the childlike things, and rediscover our wonder at God's great majesty. Let us treasure the beauty of our children's innocence, and enter into it with them!

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing...
Romans 15:13

My Work

I came across this sweet poem on "A Wife and Mother by His Grace and for His Glory..." and wanted to share!

My Work

I have the greatest work in the world;
The job of rocking a baby to sleep,
That of guiding his tottering feet,
A baby's clothes to launder and fold,
A precious life to shape and mold,
A drink to give from a little cup,
At night his toys to gather up,
Hurts to heal and fears to quell,
A baby to keep clean and well,
A stack of diapers to put,
Oh, what a happy worthwhile day!
I am a "Mother."

I have the greatest work in to world;
A husband to encourge when things go wrong,
When he comes from work to greet with a song,
Denims and shirts to wash and mend,
A helping hand, when needed, to lend,
Three times a day is meals to cook,
To strive to be my best to look,
His back to rub at the close of the day,
For his faithfulness to God I pray,
When hubby's in the field I take lemonade,
for all these tasks his love has Paid.
I am a " Wife."

I have the greatest work in the world;
A home to keep happy, clean and bright,
Make things go smooth and strive for the right,
Jams to cook and jellies to make,
Cookies and pies and bread to bake,
Washing, ironing, and sewing to do,
So many tasks, will I ever get though?
Lettuce to wash and peas to pick,
floors to scrub, lost items to seek,
Dishes to wash and windows to shine,
These and many more tasks are mine.
I am a "Homemaker."

Help me, Father, to faithfully work,
Forgive if I unconsciously shirk,
give me the patience and love I pray,
To keep myself in duties way;
With all the hustle that each day brings
May I not neglect the needing things;
Each day to spend time alone with Thee
That Jesus Christ be seen in me.
Thank you for husband, our home, our boys;
Thank you for love which brings me much joy.
Thank you , Lord.

-Mary Lou Burkholder

The Heart of Things

I have confessed before how homemaking is a struggle for me. I am not, naturally, nor was I taught to be, a "Susie Homemaker". I have had to learn the large majority of my domestic skills (the few I have) through "on-the-job training". I know how to clean... but the motivation is often lacking. I know the basics of menu planning, frugal shopping, cooking, and time management, but could devote myself to doing much better. I don't know much at all about decorating, sewing, or other activities that could serve to make my house much more homey and welcoming, but often think it wouldn't be worth the effort to learn. Much of the time, I do simply what needs to be done to get by, instead of understanding that this sphere of home is part of my ministry to my family and others.

The Lord is always faithful, however, in gently leading His sheep where He wants them. Over the past few weeks, He's been showing me the areas in which I've been lacking. Not through crippling condemnation, but gentle tugs here and there on my heart, struggles that pop up occasionally caused specifically by my lack of organization or cleanliness, comments from my sweet ones, through His Word, and through the words of other Godly women, as well.

One of these that really hit my heart was a recent broadcast on the topic of being a Titus 2 woman by Nancy Leigh DeMoss at Revive Our Hearts. The entire transcript can be found here, but these are the parts that really stood out to me and convicted me. It started out with Nancy speaking about an email she received from a friend who had been through some struggles directly related to her lack of having a heart for home, so the first part is quoted from that. The words in red the ones that went straight to my heart! Oh, the truth of them was stinging! But the change His truth brings about in the heart is worth the humbling. While my flesh so often fights against it, it really is so freeing to surrender and grab hold of God's vision and purpose for me as a woman!

...

I have to tell you that even though I have been at home now for over a year, I am again struggling with the homemaker’s role. I am ashamed to say that I am not doing as well in this area as I should be. I have sensed the Lord’s tug at my heart on this issue for quite some time, and your call has finally bought it to a head.

I see the issue is not about any false thinking I was led to believe as a young girl, or my lack of a proper role model, or any criticism I received. The issue is my heart toward my Savior. My heart has stopped desiring to serve and please Jesus.

That is the crux of the issue, ladies. When it comes to homemaking, it’s not how skillful a cook you are or how skillful a seamstress you are. It’s the heart for serving and pleasing Jesus—and doing that in the context of a home so that you can bless and encourage primarily your own family, but also others from the base of your home.

...

This is not to say you have to love cleaning toilets, and making lunches for your family every day of the year. Anything that is that routine can get old. In the next character quality we’re going to look at, we’re going to see what helps keep that joy fresh and alive. What helps keep the heart alive in the midst of so many routine and mundane aspects of homemaking?

I don’t want to romanticize something that is just plain hard work and being faithful. The same thing is true of your husband’s job in many points. In my experience, any job has about 70-80 percent grunt work. And then you get the rest of it, which is the glory, the benefits, and the happy moments.

It’s the shaping of character. Since Genesis 3, we work—and we work with thorns, thistles, and hard labor because of the fall. But we do these things in light of a redeeming God who makes work something of worth and an act of worship.

...

Now I want to paint for us in very broad and brief strokes a portrait of a woman all of us are familiar with, a woman who is working at home. You know her as the Proverbs 31 woman.

I want to take just a few moments to read through a portion of that passage and then to make a few comments about it. Those of you who’ve been with us for a while know that we’ve taught through Proverbs 31 and taken several weeks to do that in the past. That series, called The Counter-cultural Woman, is available through our resource center.

But I want, in just a few minutes here, to give you a bird’s-eye view of this passage—and for us to see some of the qualities and characteristics of a woman who is faithful in working at home.

...

So let me read this passage, Proverbs 31, beginning in verse 10:

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life (verses 10-12).

The rest of the passage is a description of how she does that. How does she do him good and not harm every day? What is it that she does to live out her life in such a way that he knows he can trust her? What is it that makes her an excellent wife? How do you flesh out the details?

As I continue reading beginning in verse 13, note what are some of the enduring qualities—not so much the specific tasks, but the enduring qualities that they represent in this woman?

She seeks wool and flax and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it (verses 13-16).

By the way, some of these phrases are such that the evangelical feminist movement has made the Proverbs 31 woman an icon for the evangelical feminist position. If you’ll get our Proverbs 31 series on The Counter-cultural Woman, you’ll hear me go phrase by phrase though this passage, and you can see that this woman is primarily a domestic woman. She is a keeper at home. She’s a worker at home.

Verse 16: “With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.” Then skip down to verse 18: “She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle” (verses 18-19). There’s a lot in this passage about her working with her hands; it’s an honorable thing.

She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant” (verses 21-24).

Look down at verse 27: “She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.” That’s really a key verse here; that’s at the heart of this. In doing these tasks, she’s not trying to win the “homemaker of the year” award. She’s looking well to the ways of her household. In order to do that, she has to be diligent.

Verse 30: “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain”—it’s fleeting; it’s empty; it’s shallow; it doesn’t last—“but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates” (verses 30-31).

Just a few observations—and these are things you’re familiar with, but let me restate them. I think they matter for us, as women trying to be Titus 2 women.

Notice, first of all, where is her husband? He’s in the gates among the elders in the land. He is the one who is involved—and you can read this in the first part of Proverbs 31—in justice issues, in the making of laws, and as a breadwinner for the family. He is in the gates.

Where is the woman primarily? Where is her focus and her base of operations? It’s in and around her home and the family estate. This woman assumes responsibility for the practical care and needs of her husband and her children.

Now that doesn’t mean that the husband is not engaged at all in those things. It doesn’t mean if he uses the vacuum cleaner or puts the dishes in the dishwasher that there’s anything wrong with that. But it means she assumes primary responsibility for the management of the home and its affairs.

You see in this woman—and I think this is one of the things that makes her so beautiful—that she lives an others-centered life. She’s got a servant’s heart.

You see a woman who plans ahead. She knows winter is coming, and she doesn’t get caught off-guard. By the way, there’s a beautiful picture there of women preparing their children for the ultimate winter of God’s judgment and making sure that they are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ—that they are spiritually prepared for hard times, for suffering, and for the ultimate judgment of God.

But just practically speaking, she doesn’t get caught off-guard. Her family is going to have clothes to take them through that season. You moms know that takes time. You see a woman here whose priorities are in order, whose life is in order.

You almost wonder if this is too perfect a picture. Did she ever have days when everything was off-kilter? Of course she did. But her priorities and her life were in order, and that made things fall together better.

You see a woman who has time-management skills, who knows how to use her time wisely. You see a woman who is not lazy. She’s working long days, long hours, late at night and early in the morning. She’s willing to do that because it’s part of her calling.

It was part of my calling last night to be up late and to be up again early this morning getting ready for this session. I don’t love going on four and a half hours of sleep, and I don’t think that’s a thing that God intends for us to do on a regular basis.

But there are seasons of a woman’s life when—whether it’s a newborn, a nursing baby, sick children, or studying for Revive Our Hearts—you do what it takes. And you can do it with a glad heart, with a surrendered heart, and without resentment if you know that this is part of God’s calling for your life. If it’s God’s calling, then you know He gives you grace for whatever He calls you to do.

She’s a woman who is diligent, not lazy. She’s organized. This can make women who are known as “messies,” as we’ve heard it said, feel very defeated, very discouraged.

Let me just say that some women are more naturally wired to be administrative, to be organizational, and some are more creative and artistic. There are different personalities; there’s no sin in that.

But if you need help becoming more orderly and organized and fulfilling these responsibilities, don’t be too proud to ask. Go to an older woman or a woman who has those particular gifts and say, “Would you help me in getting some of this mess in our house organized, or my time structured?”

There are people who’ve been further down the road and can give hints and tips—not so you can have a perfectly ordered life, but so your life can represent the order and the beauty of who God is and of the gospel.

Here’s a woman who has financial management and budgeting skills. She’s not going to drive her family into debt. She’s thrifty; she’s frugal. Her work in the home is generating income as a result of her creativity, her diligence, and her hard work. She looks for good deals. She doesn’t spend money she doesn’t have, and she’s content with what God provides.

What a huge difference would that make in many of our lives. What’s it all rooted in? She’s a woman who fears the Lord. She has a reverential awe of God. She does this for Him. This is not for self. This is not for looking good. This is not for comparison.

Don’t we women tend to compare? We look at others and think, “Oh, she makes it look so easy, and my life is so . . .” Don’t compare your life to somebody else’s. Just say, “Lord, I want to be a woman who fears You, who loves You with all my heart, and who lives out the mandate of the gospel for me to be working at home and fulfilling my home responsibilities.”

Particularly women who are wives and mothers, but all of us need to say, “Lord, how can I reflect Your creativity, Your skill and orderliness, and Your beauty in the way that I practice this virtue of domesticity?”

It’s a privilege, and it’s a way that we as women can serve the Lord and others.

A Wonderful Surprise!

My birthday is still 12 days away, but this morning I had an absolutely wonderful, unexpected surprise on my front porch from my delightful husband (much to his surprise, as well, as the shipping estimate was still a few days away!)!

Isn't it beautiful?!?! I don't think I've ever owned an appliance that I've been so giddy about, other than when I got a dishwasher after 3 years of doing without ;-) I cannot even express how EXCITED I am!!! Of course, I did promise Michael that if I ever got a mixer, I'd make his favorite bread all the time... and I look very forward to living up to that promise! Yummm... quick and easy homemade bread!! Tonight we're trying it out with pizza dough - Isaac's almost as excited as I am! What a blessed woman I am - I am so, so grateful!

A New Song

Search me, know me
Try me and see
Every worthless affection
Hidden in me
All I'm asking for
Is that You'd cleanse me Lord

Create in me a heart that's clean
Conquer the power of secret shame
Come wash away the guilty stain of all my sin

Clothe me in robes of righteousness
Cover my nakedness with grace
All of my life before You now
I humbly bring

-Kathryn Scott

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
Psalm 51:17

"Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.
Isaiah 1:18

Whole Wheat Bread Update

Last week I posted the recipe for whole wheat bread that my husband (and children) LOVE. The only problem I mentioned I had with it was the texture not being "formed" enough to make into rolls. Last night, I made the recipe again, and played around with it a bit until I got the right texture. The secret? 1 extra cup of flour! Nice and easy :-) So, for me, the recipe works better with 6 cups of flour rather than 5, especially since I knead by hand. Both amounts, however, produced excellent flavor and texture of finished bread!

Also, since I did add extra flour, instead of using flour to dust my hands and countertop while I kneaded, I used cold water to make sure the bread stayed moist instead of accidentally overdosing on four and drying out. Anytime I felt the dough getting stuck on the counter or my hands, I just ran my hands under cold water and the dough freed itself just fine.

One thing I love about kneading whole wheat bread by hand is how I can feel when the kneading is done. The dough stays stiff and heavy for what seems like the longest time, but when that magic moment is reached, it suddenly springs into something light and airy feeling. There's a total difference! It takes a bit of perseverance - I think yesterday it took me a little over 10 minutes of kneading, but it really is the neatest feeling!

Wordless Wednesday - A View of Homeschooling

Olympus Mons erupts!

Passion and Vision

Recently, in Michael's online college course on US History, the procession of the women's rights issue came up. While members of his class discussed the benefits of the feminist movement and how wonderful it is that women can be more than "babymakers and housewives", a student asked "Would you say that a woman who does decide to just stay at home is actually a disservice to the women's movement?" To which, of course, my darling husband replied, "NO! Absolutely not!" (He is the best, if I hadn't mentioned that already) ;-) Michael was shocked that someone would actually suggest that - however, I, unfortunately, have run into that mentality more than once in my conviction to be "at home".

Later on, I came across this post, entitled "Strange Disappearance" from Ann Voskamp at "Holy Experience". It was so moving to me, to see the vision the Lord has imparted to me from the beginnings of our family, expressed in such beautiful words. Here is a portion, please make sure to go read the rest, along with ALL of her wonderful posts!

If I identify myself as the culture does, as a “stay at home Mom”, one who has no intellectual contribution, gross-national product contribution or status symbol contribution, I become just that: a woman who sees herself as one who has grunted and groaned out another human being and now stays behind her four walls, in self-imposed seclusion. Not much of a vision there---it actually sounds strangely psychotic.

If I deem myself as a woman employed by the Creator of everything ever created, as on work assignment in a sacred domain for the sculpting of souls that will exist forever and forever without end, I have a burning passion of purpose. And a paycheck that is said to be beyond what eye or ear can even comprehend!

Miracles

Want to hear the story of a wonderful, beautiful, breath-taking miracle? Check out this blog:

At 24 weeks gestation, his family was told he would not survive. They preserved his life, not "choosing" any other option other than to pray and trust in the Lord. Their sweet baby boy was born a week ago - perfectly healthy! Please spend some time over on their blog and rejoice in the awesomeness of our Lord!

Trials

Lately, my life has been one of many various trials. Personal, emotional, physical... it sometimes seems like they've all come at me at once. And during this time, it has been tempting to let my faith waiver. It gets discouraging, frustrating, overwhelming, depressing... when I look at things through my own feelings and flesh.

Thankfully, the Lord has had His hand on me, reminding me that He is my comfort and my strength, despite whatever my feelings and my flesh try to tell me. One thing about the Word of God that I love so much is how alive it is. I can read a verse one day, and not much will stand out to me, but suddenly another day, its a verse I cling to for dear life because of the wisdom and encouragement it holds. On such a verse I came across yesterday, while I was crying out to the Lord for wisdom regarding what's been going on in my life.

Romans 8:18-31

18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

19For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.

20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope

21that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

22For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.

23And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

24For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?

25But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Our Victory in Christ

26In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

27and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

29For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

30and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

What encouragement there is in these words! Yes, this life will have troubles, trials, sickness, difficulties. But we don't have to be dragged down by those things - we have hope! Hope in Him who has redeemed us, and hope in His kingdom to come. In all of eternity, these struggles will seem small compared to the glory we will know when we are finally united with Him.

Until then, I will trust in Him, knowing that He is working in me, as difficult as it sometimes is, to mold me into His image. I surrender myself to Him and wait with excitement and hope for His return! I am so grateful for His love and forgiveness.

Wordless Wednesday - A View of Homeschooling

"E" Day

I've been so disappointed by our political choices this election that I've had very small desire to talk or blog about it. However, "the day" has come upon us, and while I prepare to go do my civic duty and vote, I am still praying very much about it. I don't take the privilege of voting lightly, so I don't cast my vote lightly, either.

There have been SO many blog posts everywhere about this political season. I've really enjoyed the majority of them, and they've all given me food for thought. However, "In God We Do Not Trust", by Mark Driscoll from Mars Hill Church, really hit the nail on the head for me about why this campaign has had me so troubled. I see this attitude in so many people, in every party (yes, even third party!). So I wanted to share because I appreciated so much how to-the-point and accurate his thoughts are.

Speaking of Mars Hill Church, while you're there, check out some of the sermons and blog posts. While Pastor Driscoll is a little "unconventional" in ways, his theology is sound and his teachings are excellent. I'm working my way through "The Peasant Princess" series which is on Song of Songs... he does a wonderful job of really diving in and looking at what the Bible says about marital intimacy, and also sex in general. I recommend checking it out!

Also, even if there is a line... please do get out and vote! Its an awesome right we have in this country, and no matter how disenchanted you may feel with the process or the people, please be thankful for our country and our freedoms and be an involved citizen!

Introducing...

After some thought, Michael and I decided to grant Isaac his request for his very own blog! It will be well monitored by us, naturally, but the content and writing is up to him. We think it will give him good practice of expressing himself through writing, as well as typing and computer skills. I'm very excited to see what comes of it! If you get a minute, feel free to check out Isaac's Blog! He'll be updating as much as he's allowed - he's very excited and has already shared with me some topics he'd like to write about. Of course, please be forgiving of typos and grammatical errors - he knows how to use spell check, but the rest we'll be using as a spring board for sharpening writing skills! Enjoy the musings of an almost 8 year old!

A Song for Saturday

The lyrics of this song are so meaningful to me. Please take the time to really think about them and thank God for His amazing sacrifice. He is an awesome God!