When I was a teenager, one of my favorite uncles introduced me to Steven Curtis Chapman. Since that time, I have become a faithful listener and admirer of Steven Curtis Chapman. I started following his blog off and on about 2 years ago when his youngest daughter tragically died in an accident at their home. Listening to this family reel from their heartache yet continue to believe in a Savior that seemed confusing yet faithful has been both heart wrenching and inspiring.
I was listening to one of his CDs (All Things New) in the car the other day and heard this song. A beautiful song. Take a listen and ponder some of these thoughts.
Many times off and on, in large and small ways, I have felt the anxiousness and desperation of the enemy closing in on me. Trying to find the strength to fight that enemy seemed impossible. Depression that was mind consuming with a family falling apart. Constant tears with no one who could truly understand and no idea of when that depression or the darkness that caused it might lift.
God knows that feeling. He has felt it.
When going through darkness such as this and worse, it is important to make ourselves remember His goodness and faithfulness in our lives. Remembering that He kept me breathing through that crippling depression - that he protected parts of me to not be damaged through that process are important in hindsight. It is impossible, at least it was for me, to remember those things in the midst of those experiences and to believe He is going to continue to be faithful. In hindsight, I can see parts where He was present. I can see times in my life before and since where I felt His abundant faithfulness. I believe that making a list, journalling and concretely remembering His faithfulness is what will get us through those times of darkness. Isn't that what the Old Testament record is about? The authors continually remind the Israelites who God is and what He has done for them as they are wondering about the wilderness, enduring persecution and even in their disobedience. They need reminded to look up and see the One who is consistent despite our and life's inconsistencies.
If you are in a space of relief right now, of experiencing and knowing His faithfulness, remember with me those things and keep them for when it doesn't seem so clear.
If you are in a space of darkness, focus on having enough faith to stand, dear one. He is with you and He will not waste a "single hurt you endure". He is for you.
Believe Me Now
I watch you looking out across the raging water
So sure your only hope lies on the other side
You hear the enemy that's closing in around you
And I know that you don't have the strength to fight
But do you have the faith to stand and...
Believe Me now
Believe Me here
Remember all the times I've told you loud and clear
I am with you and I am for you
So believe Me now
Believe Me now
I am the One who waved my hand and split the ocean
I am the One who spoke the words and raised the dead
And I've loved you long before I set the world in motion
I know all the fears you're feeling now
But do you remember who I am?
Do you..
Believe Me now
Believe Me here
Remember all the times I've told you loud and clear
I am with you
And I am for you
So believe Me now
Believe it's true
I never have, I never will abandon you
And the God that I have always been
I will forever be
So believe Me now
I am the God who never wastes a single hurt that you endure
My words are true, and all My promises are sure
So believe Me now
Oh, believe Me now
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Fabulous Blog Finds - Craft Hope, The Pioneer Woman and Lysa TerKeurst
Craft Hope is a fantastic blog and website designed to give you opportunities to help people and even animals that need it. This blog has only been in existence for a year and a half but has had tremendous success in part because it gives you practical and easy to get involved to help others but because it brings you in with a community of others who want to do the same thing. Each project lasts about a month and a half and they tell you what to do and how to do it. The current project is making washclothes and towels to give to the clean up workers in the Gulf who are helping clean the animals that have literally been coated with oil. In the past they have dresses and bean bags to children in orphanages. They are really doing wonderful things for so many in such a short time. You can check out their blog/website here.
The Pioneer Woman is a very popular blog that you may have heard of already. In case you haven't, you might want to check out Ree's blog. She has quite a conglomerate of features on her blog including fabulous recipes, incredible photography as well as easy and brilliant photographic tips and photography contests, elements on homeschooling and home and gardening. I'm a fan of her dog to tell you the truth! Charlie is always up to something adorable in my opinion. My mother in law would strongly disagree since she is not a fan of basset hounds, but how could you not think this was adorable? Her photography is truly incredible and inspiring. If you're interested in any of these things, check her out here.
Lysa TerKeurst is a fantastic writer and blogger. I have been enjoying her blog for about a month now. I just finished reading her book The Bathtub is Overflowing but I Feel Drained. This book literally sat on my bookshelf for 6 years because I'm not a girlie, mommy kind of person, even though I am a mom and was afraid I'd be so girled out by it that I wouldn't be able to take it. Not so. This book really helped attune me to my children and look at how I'm behaving with them and my husband as well as my Creator. I'm now following her blog. She is genuine, heartfelt and lays it all out on the line. It's a place you can go when you're having a bad "mom day" or just "being alive" day and feel encouraged. You can take a look at her blog here.
Share your favorites here and let me know what you think of these!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Friday Flip Out - Taking Time Off
For the last week, my family and I have been on vacation. I think it took me until Wednesday to start relaxing.
The last six months can only be described as a self propelled rollercoaster in my mind. After prayer, consideration, counsel and affirmation from my husband, I decided to start my own business. It is amazing how much I did not consider or think of when deciding to do that.
It seemed like such a simple concept and the pieces started falling together quickly. But then reality started to set in. A friend of mine told me there are over 250 million websites out there...and I'm in competition with them? Me, an occupational therapist, is attempting to run all aspects of a business and blog with no prior experience except I know how to take pictures, I like to organize and do research and I have dabbled in Quick Books a little. Oh, and I like to shop. That's my experience.
When I was a teenager I worked in a family run petting zoo. I watched my aunt and uncle leave church early, stress out, argue with one another and miss important functions all in the name of their business. After watching them I vowed I would never own my own business.
Guess what? I own my own business. I have learned since becoming a mom that every single thing I said I would never do, I will absolutely do. This is one of them.
I want to talk about the experience of starting a business/blog more here, but for the time being I think it is sufficient to call it a man made rollercoaster of an experience. I decided to do it and now I'm on a rollercoaster.
Terrific ideas, the drive to tell others and develop community and even to help others, yet getting off the ground is not easy at all, nor is it guaranteed. In my small part of the canvas, I'm not sure I have even wobbled off the ground yet. I think many bloggers and small business owners feel that way.
It is a mind and soul consuming process and it's important to take a break. It is nearly impossible for me to take those breaks but intermittently they have happened over the course of the last week. It is indeed something to flip out about. It eases the guilt of the time it takes to develop these things. It refreshes the soul and in my case, my family. It reminds me of the peace that existed before "the business".
When I'm in my "good place" I KNOW that this blog, this business is NOT to be about ME. So much, so much I'm ashamed to say and even admit to myself, is about me in my life. I consider myself first almost always; a great character flaw of mine. I want to and need to remember that this and all I do and all that happens around me is to communicate to others how wonderful God is, to glorify Him, not me. I want to be wonderful. I want other people to think I'm wonderful, but that is a temptation. It is true that I still need to work hard and I need to focus myself to pray that His will would be done and what I do would glorify Him. Ultimately He is in charge of what happens here. That's a fact. When I remember that, I can take a break.
Are you starting your own blog or business? Let's relax together for the moment, taking a deep breath, saying a quick prayer and remembering, it's not about Him.
The last six months can only be described as a self propelled rollercoaster in my mind. After prayer, consideration, counsel and affirmation from my husband, I decided to start my own business. It is amazing how much I did not consider or think of when deciding to do that.
It seemed like such a simple concept and the pieces started falling together quickly. But then reality started to set in. A friend of mine told me there are over 250 million websites out there...and I'm in competition with them? Me, an occupational therapist, is attempting to run all aspects of a business and blog with no prior experience except I know how to take pictures, I like to organize and do research and I have dabbled in Quick Books a little. Oh, and I like to shop. That's my experience.
When I was a teenager I worked in a family run petting zoo. I watched my aunt and uncle leave church early, stress out, argue with one another and miss important functions all in the name of their business. After watching them I vowed I would never own my own business.
Guess what? I own my own business. I have learned since becoming a mom that every single thing I said I would never do, I will absolutely do. This is one of them.
I want to talk about the experience of starting a business/blog more here, but for the time being I think it is sufficient to call it a man made rollercoaster of an experience. I decided to do it and now I'm on a rollercoaster.
Terrific ideas, the drive to tell others and develop community and even to help others, yet getting off the ground is not easy at all, nor is it guaranteed. In my small part of the canvas, I'm not sure I have even wobbled off the ground yet. I think many bloggers and small business owners feel that way.
It is a mind and soul consuming process and it's important to take a break. It is nearly impossible for me to take those breaks but intermittently they have happened over the course of the last week. It is indeed something to flip out about. It eases the guilt of the time it takes to develop these things. It refreshes the soul and in my case, my family. It reminds me of the peace that existed before "the business".
When I'm in my "good place" I KNOW that this blog, this business is NOT to be about ME. So much, so much I'm ashamed to say and even admit to myself, is about me in my life. I consider myself first almost always; a great character flaw of mine. I want to and need to remember that this and all I do and all that happens around me is to communicate to others how wonderful God is, to glorify Him, not me. I want to be wonderful. I want other people to think I'm wonderful, but that is a temptation. It is true that I still need to work hard and I need to focus myself to pray that His will would be done and what I do would glorify Him. Ultimately He is in charge of what happens here. That's a fact. When I remember that, I can take a break.
Are you starting your own blog or business? Let's relax together for the moment, taking a deep breath, saying a quick prayer and remembering, it's not about Him.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Fun Blog Finds
While working on this blog and doing research for my business, I have found some great blogs that I'm so excited about. I want to start introducing you to them.
First......disclaimers.....
1. I want to mention that these bloggers do not know that I am introducing their sites to you. I do not receive compensation of any sort for introducing them to you or the Flip Out Friday features either. Just so you know.
2. I have absolutely no control over what is posted on this blogs. If they offend you, I apologize, but I just want you to know I didn't tell them to, nor do I endorse their offenses! :)
Now that the disclaimers are out of the way, let's find some really cool blogs!
My Giveaway Today - I just found this cool blog today. For free you enter their giveaways, which happen at least a couple times a week. Everything from scrapbooking materials to marker boards sets to trout clothing, this site has given away and offered discounts on many great products. They offer several ways to enter including commenting on their blog, "liking" the featured business on facebook, etc. and it's all explained in detail with each entry.
The Junk Drawer - This particular blog makes me laugh out loud almost every day! Kathy is hilarious - honest about her quirks and mishaps and random stories in her life. Last week she was featured on NPR for a story she has been doing over the last 2 years about Windy the plastic bag. It's about a plastic bag that got stuck in a tree outside her office window and has been stuck there for that length of time. She just celebrated Windy's 2nd birthday. I have been subscribing to this blog's RSS feeds for over a month now and it's one blog I never get tired of. I really enjoy it and hope you do too!
From An Igloo is a great creative and crafty blog where Christine talks about new projects she is doing and how to do them yourself. As someone who has no conceptual abilities whatsoever, I am even able to follow her directions! She also does Fabulous Etsy Finds in which she shows pictures of and highlights fun things she has found on Etsy during the week which is a lot of fun too. You'll get the creative juices flowing with this blog!
Hope you enjoy the features of the week. Favorite blogs you want to see posted here? Let me know!
First......disclaimers.....
1. I want to mention that these bloggers do not know that I am introducing their sites to you. I do not receive compensation of any sort for introducing them to you or the Flip Out Friday features either. Just so you know.
2. I have absolutely no control over what is posted on this blogs. If they offend you, I apologize, but I just want you to know I didn't tell them to, nor do I endorse their offenses! :)
Now that the disclaimers are out of the way, let's find some really cool blogs!
My Giveaway Today - I just found this cool blog today. For free you enter their giveaways, which happen at least a couple times a week. Everything from scrapbooking materials to marker boards sets to trout clothing, this site has given away and offered discounts on many great products. They offer several ways to enter including commenting on their blog, "liking" the featured business on facebook, etc. and it's all explained in detail with each entry.
The Junk Drawer - This particular blog makes me laugh out loud almost every day! Kathy is hilarious - honest about her quirks and mishaps and random stories in her life. Last week she was featured on NPR for a story she has been doing over the last 2 years about Windy the plastic bag. It's about a plastic bag that got stuck in a tree outside her office window and has been stuck there for that length of time. She just celebrated Windy's 2nd birthday. I have been subscribing to this blog's RSS feeds for over a month now and it's one blog I never get tired of. I really enjoy it and hope you do too!
From An Igloo is a great creative and crafty blog where Christine talks about new projects she is doing and how to do them yourself. As someone who has no conceptual abilities whatsoever, I am even able to follow her directions! She also does Fabulous Etsy Finds in which she shows pictures of and highlights fun things she has found on Etsy during the week which is a lot of fun too. You'll get the creative juices flowing with this blog!
Hope you enjoy the features of the week. Favorite blogs you want to see posted here? Let me know!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Friday Flip Out - Washable Jellybean Rugs
When visiting our local nursery a couple of weeks ago, I stumbled upon a rack that had the cutest rugs ever on it! They were Jellybean rugs and advertised themselves as washing better than your jeans. I didn't get one that day, but the next time I went back I did! I love this rug!
I never wanted to get rugs before because they always ended up looking so dirty and that frustrated me. If I washed it, I all of a sudden had a ruined rug because they shrink or have the rubber backing and can't take it or whatever. Lack of rugs in our home has lead to a cold feeling for me. People walk in our home and the statement is "Just get in here and take your flipping shoes off!" Now the statement is, "Hello. It's bright and sunny in here. Welcome!" I like that better.
This rug is designed for machine washing!
This rug is a little pricier than what I normally want to spend on anything since it's above the $10 mark, but I think it's worth it this time. I already have my eye on the next one I want to buy! You can find the jellybean rugs and the many cute and warm designs they offer in these places...
1. Madison at Main $29.95
2. Amazon $31
3. Linen Locker $24-29
Check them out and let me know what you think!
I never wanted to get rugs before because they always ended up looking so dirty and that frustrated me. If I washed it, I all of a sudden had a ruined rug because they shrink or have the rubber backing and can't take it or whatever. Lack of rugs in our home has lead to a cold feeling for me. People walk in our home and the statement is "Just get in here and take your flipping shoes off!" Now the statement is, "Hello. It's bright and sunny in here. Welcome!" I like that better.
This rug is designed for machine washing!
This rug is a little pricier than what I normally want to spend on anything since it's above the $10 mark, but I think it's worth it this time. I already have my eye on the next one I want to buy! You can find the jellybean rugs and the many cute and warm designs they offer in these places...
1. Madison at Main $29.95
2. Amazon $31
3. Linen Locker $24-29
Check them out and let me know what you think!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Kids Connect - God Hears
Sarah Turns Against Hagar (Genesis 21)
Reading with your child.....
One of the people that lived with Abraham and Sarah was Hagar. Hagar and Abraham had a son named Ishmael. One day Ishmael was making fun of Isaac and this made Sarah very angry. It made her angry enough that she went to Abraham and told him to make Hagar and Ishmael leave and never come back. Abraham was very upset about this and didn't know what to do. God told Abraham to listen to Sarah and have Hagar leave because God had promised Abraham would become a great nation through Isaac. God also told Abraham that Ishmael too would become a great nation one day. Abraham listened to God and the next morning and prepared a meal and water for Hagar and Ishmael and sent them out of the camp. Hagar didn't know where to go so after she left she wondered around in the wilderness of Beersheba. When all their water was gone, Hagar set Ishmael under a tree and went across from him and knelt down beside a different rock because she thought he was dying and she couldn't stand to watch him die.
Both Hagar and Ishmael were crying when God spoke to Hagar from heaven. He told her to not be afraid because He had heard Ishmael crying. He told her to get up and take Ishmael's hand because He would make Ishmael into a great nation. Then He opened Hagar's eyes to see a well of water and she went with Ishmael, filled up the water canvas and gave him a drink. God was with Ishmael after that and Ishmael grew to be an archer and the father of a great nation.
Your child's insights......
- Do you think that Sarah was right to say that Hagar had to leave?
- How do you think Abraham felt when he asked Hagar to leave?
- Why do you think Hagar and Ishmael were crying?
- Explain the potential life Hagar and Ishmael had had in the camp with Abraham compared to the potential life in the wilderness.
- What do you think of what God said to everyone?
Ideas for prayer with your child.....
- Pray that they would be comforted when they are in the wilderness of life.
- Pray that they would turn to God when they don't know what to do.
- Pray that they would be patient when it seems like nothing can become right again.
Random thoughts for your consideration.....
This story is heartbreaking. Adultery is a nasty thing. I know that in that time period, men had multiple wives, but I don't remember God ever saying that was the way it should be or endorsing it in any way. I can't imagine living with your husband's mistress and resulting son, even at the hands of your own direction. And then seeing that child making fun of your son would be extremely anger provoking. Sarah just decides Abraham needs to throw them out. Her temper and impulsiveness in action.
Abraham's passivity is interesting. He just does as she directs him almost all the time. To his credit, I guess, he didn't just do it this time, but was torn about what to do.
God shows up relieving Abraham's turmoil and telling him to go ahead and ask Hagar to leave and he promises Abraham that Ishmael will be protected and become great as well. Can you imagine? Hagar had more than likely NEVER been on her own. She is thrown out into the wilderness on foot!, to fend for herself and her child. They would have had no idea how to exist or provide for themselves in the wilderness. But God shows up and comforts her. God keeps His promises. He takes the sin that we all create and redeems it. Abraham never saw Ishmael again that we know of. Ishmael lacked a father and a means to survive. God protected him. God showed up.
Previous kids connect - Isaac is Born
Next kids connect - In between Stories
Reading with your child.....
One of the people that lived with Abraham and Sarah was Hagar. Hagar and Abraham had a son named Ishmael. One day Ishmael was making fun of Isaac and this made Sarah very angry. It made her angry enough that she went to Abraham and told him to make Hagar and Ishmael leave and never come back. Abraham was very upset about this and didn't know what to do. God told Abraham to listen to Sarah and have Hagar leave because God had promised Abraham would become a great nation through Isaac. God also told Abraham that Ishmael too would become a great nation one day. Abraham listened to God and the next morning and prepared a meal and water for Hagar and Ishmael and sent them out of the camp. Hagar didn't know where to go so after she left she wondered around in the wilderness of Beersheba. When all their water was gone, Hagar set Ishmael under a tree and went across from him and knelt down beside a different rock because she thought he was dying and she couldn't stand to watch him die.
Both Hagar and Ishmael were crying when God spoke to Hagar from heaven. He told her to not be afraid because He had heard Ishmael crying. He told her to get up and take Ishmael's hand because He would make Ishmael into a great nation. Then He opened Hagar's eyes to see a well of water and she went with Ishmael, filled up the water canvas and gave him a drink. God was with Ishmael after that and Ishmael grew to be an archer and the father of a great nation.
Your child's insights......
- Do you think that Sarah was right to say that Hagar had to leave?
- How do you think Abraham felt when he asked Hagar to leave?
- Why do you think Hagar and Ishmael were crying?
- Explain the potential life Hagar and Ishmael had had in the camp with Abraham compared to the potential life in the wilderness.
- What do you think of what God said to everyone?
Ideas for prayer with your child.....
- Pray that they would be comforted when they are in the wilderness of life.
- Pray that they would turn to God when they don't know what to do.
- Pray that they would be patient when it seems like nothing can become right again.
Random thoughts for your consideration.....
This story is heartbreaking. Adultery is a nasty thing. I know that in that time period, men had multiple wives, but I don't remember God ever saying that was the way it should be or endorsing it in any way. I can't imagine living with your husband's mistress and resulting son, even at the hands of your own direction. And then seeing that child making fun of your son would be extremely anger provoking. Sarah just decides Abraham needs to throw them out. Her temper and impulsiveness in action.
Abraham's passivity is interesting. He just does as she directs him almost all the time. To his credit, I guess, he didn't just do it this time, but was torn about what to do.
God shows up relieving Abraham's turmoil and telling him to go ahead and ask Hagar to leave and he promises Abraham that Ishmael will be protected and become great as well. Can you imagine? Hagar had more than likely NEVER been on her own. She is thrown out into the wilderness on foot!, to fend for herself and her child. They would have had no idea how to exist or provide for themselves in the wilderness. But God shows up and comforts her. God keeps His promises. He takes the sin that we all create and redeems it. Abraham never saw Ishmael again that we know of. Ishmael lacked a father and a means to survive. God protected him. God showed up.
Previous kids connect - Isaac is Born
Next kids connect - In between Stories
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Words of Encouragement - Your Beauty
Last night I decided to do my hair.
I have obnoxiously wavy hair that likes to be either short or shoulder length. Anything inbetween is just impossible. Curls Rock is my friend. Throw a little of that in there and waves become curls...the end.
When I was younger I had a friend who had a lot of experience with hair styling do my hair. Wow, was that a good day! I should have been on Oprah because I had the makeover experience she always talks about. I sat down in Erica's chair with frizzy crazy hair and stood up with sleek, straight, totally different hair! I was thrilled! After my children were born, my hair decided that no matter what amount of product I put in it, it would never become sleek and shiny again. Man!
I had my hair cut last week and things looked promising. Mind you, the cut length is between the two lengths of manageable hair I described to you earlier, so it's pretty bushy right now but I was optimistic because of the picture in the magazine Emily modeled my hair cut after. Why can't I look like that? If her hair (the woman's in the magazine) can look like that then there is no reason why mine can't! I decided to take the 15 minutes and try to straight iron my hair. With gel and iron-in spray and shine gloss and more hair spray, low and behold, it became straight again! I couldn't believe it! I stepped back to admire myself and got a surprise I was NOT expecting.
I don't look like I did the last time my hair straightened out like that! My face is a little more wrinkly, under my eyes are blacker, my eyebrows are bushier, my hair is grayer. I am older!!!! Take it back!! I was so disappointed and no amount of lipstick and make up can cover that up.
I do not enjoy the bodily effects of getting older. Here's the thing though. God does. He knows that maturity and growth are far better assets than keeping incredibly straight smooth skin and hair and this is what He says about it.
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30
"Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life." Proverbs 16:30-32
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3:3-4
Feel better? Me neither.
Try this.
"He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him." Isaiah 53:2
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." Isaiah 46:4
Jesus, beautiful Jesus, was nothing spectacular to look at. He was simply a man, yet holy God. He wanted to be sought after because of His words of truth and wisdom, because of His love for us, because of His Father, not because of His beauty. He could have chosen any form to take, but He chose to take the cloak of humility and humanity.
Secondly, what is important to recognize when I look in the mirror and see my gray hair is that God has sustained me. Through good and bad circumstances, He has been there. He has carried me. He has made me just as I am and that's what He sees. Over and over through the course of the Bible, God reminds us that outward beauty passes and inner beauty is what remains. He reminds both women and men to focus on that beauty, true beauty.
It's all about focus. When I look in the mirror and am disappointed by the disappearance of my youthfulness, I must look again and see what He wants me to see. Maybe the verses I first listed don't make me feel immediately better, but they are truth. Even if they don't change my heart right away, with His help they will.
Beautiful one, delight in your beauty today.
I have obnoxiously wavy hair that likes to be either short or shoulder length. Anything inbetween is just impossible. Curls Rock is my friend. Throw a little of that in there and waves become curls...the end.
When I was younger I had a friend who had a lot of experience with hair styling do my hair. Wow, was that a good day! I should have been on Oprah because I had the makeover experience she always talks about. I sat down in Erica's chair with frizzy crazy hair and stood up with sleek, straight, totally different hair! I was thrilled! After my children were born, my hair decided that no matter what amount of product I put in it, it would never become sleek and shiny again. Man!
I had my hair cut last week and things looked promising. Mind you, the cut length is between the two lengths of manageable hair I described to you earlier, so it's pretty bushy right now but I was optimistic because of the picture in the magazine Emily modeled my hair cut after. Why can't I look like that? If her hair (the woman's in the magazine) can look like that then there is no reason why mine can't! I decided to take the 15 minutes and try to straight iron my hair. With gel and iron-in spray and shine gloss and more hair spray, low and behold, it became straight again! I couldn't believe it! I stepped back to admire myself and got a surprise I was NOT expecting.
I don't look like I did the last time my hair straightened out like that! My face is a little more wrinkly, under my eyes are blacker, my eyebrows are bushier, my hair is grayer. I am older!!!! Take it back!! I was so disappointed and no amount of lipstick and make up can cover that up.
I do not enjoy the bodily effects of getting older. Here's the thing though. God does. He knows that maturity and growth are far better assets than keeping incredibly straight smooth skin and hair and this is what He says about it.
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30
"Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life." Proverbs 16:30-32
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3:3-4
Feel better? Me neither.
Try this.
"He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him." Isaiah 53:2
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." Isaiah 46:4
Jesus, beautiful Jesus, was nothing spectacular to look at. He was simply a man, yet holy God. He wanted to be sought after because of His words of truth and wisdom, because of His love for us, because of His Father, not because of His beauty. He could have chosen any form to take, but He chose to take the cloak of humility and humanity.
Secondly, what is important to recognize when I look in the mirror and see my gray hair is that God has sustained me. Through good and bad circumstances, He has been there. He has carried me. He has made me just as I am and that's what He sees. Over and over through the course of the Bible, God reminds us that outward beauty passes and inner beauty is what remains. He reminds both women and men to focus on that beauty, true beauty.
It's all about focus. When I look in the mirror and am disappointed by the disappearance of my youthfulness, I must look again and see what He wants me to see. Maybe the verses I first listed don't make me feel immediately better, but they are truth. Even if they don't change my heart right away, with His help they will.
Beautiful one, delight in your beauty today.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Kids Connect - Isaac is Born
Isaac is Born (Genesis 21)
Reading with Your Kids.....
At the time God had promised, Sarah gave birth to a baby boy and Abraham named him Isaac, which means laughter. Sarah was so excited that she and all of her friends laughed with joy that Isaac had been born. Isaac grew and become older and Abraham had a great feast to celebrate him.
Your Child's Insights.....
1. If you gave your child their name for a particular reason, share that with them.
2. Share with them the story of your name.
3. Talk to them about how God fulfilled the promise to Sarah even though she doubted.
4. Talk to them about how you celebrate you child's birth and how you have in the past.
5. Do you ever feel like God's promises might not happen? Do you think it is okay with God to question Him?
6. Have you ever been so excited that all you could do was laugh?
Ideas for Prayer with Your Child.....
- Pray that they would keep going to God even when they doubt.
- Pray that they would have lots of times in their lives that they are so excited they can only laugh.
Random Thoughts For Your Consideration.....
I find it interesting that Sarah "bookended" her pregnancy by laughing. Laughing with disbelief at the announcement that she would become pregnant and then laughing with joy when her pregnancy came to its fulfillment. I also love that even though Sarah doubted God, He still kept His promise to her.
At times in the past, I have doubted a lot. I can't say those times are all over because they aren't. Faith and trust are not easy and relying on Someone You can't see to take control over Your life and the lives of your loved ones is pretty scary when you think about it. When hard things happen and they don't make sense....doubt. When things aren't happening as quickly as we think they should....doubt. When it seems as though we're hearing nothing from God....doubt. I truly think that God is okay with doubting. I know He wants us to trust in Him, but I think He's okay with the questions. I think asking those questions to Him draws us nearer to Him. I read something though that helped clarify this issue for me. I think Philip Yancey is the one who said it....It's okay to question God as long as there is a stopping point when you realize that there is only trust left. We can't answer all the questions. As long as we stop the doubting long enough to acknowledge His power, strength and wisdom and that He has a good plan for us, the questions are okay.
What are your thoughts?
Previous kids connect - Sodom and Gomorrah
Next kids connect - Sarah turns Hagar away
Reading with Your Kids.....
At the time God had promised, Sarah gave birth to a baby boy and Abraham named him Isaac, which means laughter. Sarah was so excited that she and all of her friends laughed with joy that Isaac had been born. Isaac grew and become older and Abraham had a great feast to celebrate him.
Your Child's Insights.....
1. If you gave your child their name for a particular reason, share that with them.
2. Share with them the story of your name.
3. Talk to them about how God fulfilled the promise to Sarah even though she doubted.
4. Talk to them about how you celebrate you child's birth and how you have in the past.
5. Do you ever feel like God's promises might not happen? Do you think it is okay with God to question Him?
6. Have you ever been so excited that all you could do was laugh?
Ideas for Prayer with Your Child.....
- Pray that they would keep going to God even when they doubt.
- Pray that they would have lots of times in their lives that they are so excited they can only laugh.
Random Thoughts For Your Consideration.....
I find it interesting that Sarah "bookended" her pregnancy by laughing. Laughing with disbelief at the announcement that she would become pregnant and then laughing with joy when her pregnancy came to its fulfillment. I also love that even though Sarah doubted God, He still kept His promise to her.
At times in the past, I have doubted a lot. I can't say those times are all over because they aren't. Faith and trust are not easy and relying on Someone You can't see to take control over Your life and the lives of your loved ones is pretty scary when you think about it. When hard things happen and they don't make sense....doubt. When things aren't happening as quickly as we think they should....doubt. When it seems as though we're hearing nothing from God....doubt. I truly think that God is okay with doubting. I know He wants us to trust in Him, but I think He's okay with the questions. I think asking those questions to Him draws us nearer to Him. I read something though that helped clarify this issue for me. I think Philip Yancey is the one who said it....It's okay to question God as long as there is a stopping point when you realize that there is only trust left. We can't answer all the questions. As long as we stop the doubting long enough to acknowledge His power, strength and wisdom and that He has a good plan for us, the questions are okay.
What are your thoughts?
Previous kids connect - Sodom and Gomorrah
Next kids connect - Sarah turns Hagar away
Monday, June 14, 2010
Priority Challenge Wrap Up
So, it's been 2 weeks. How did your priority challenge go? I hope you found your participation to be worthwhile and I hope that participating in the challenge helped you to clarify some priorities in your life that may have become cloudy.
I have decided to make a change in my lifestyle as a result of this challenge and from now on I will be an early bird instead of a night owl, even though my body fights against it! In keeping my physical balance, my husband is own board with this and has agreed to help me out by giving me one night a week to stay up late and get up late the next morning, which I am thrilled about and feel very grateful for! I think that will help get me through those mornings when it's hard to get up.
Let us know how your challenge went and if you'd like to see this happen again in the future!
I have decided to make a change in my lifestyle as a result of this challenge and from now on I will be an early bird instead of a night owl, even though my body fights against it! In keeping my physical balance, my husband is own board with this and has agreed to help me out by giving me one night a week to stay up late and get up late the next morning, which I am thrilled about and feel very grateful for! I think that will help get me through those mornings when it's hard to get up.
Let us know how your challenge went and if you'd like to see this happen again in the future!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Fabulous Find - Allrecipes.com
Have you heard of this fantastic site?
When I was pregnant with our first child, I all of a sudden became hungry for seafood potato salad. Never had it before, but I was hungry for it! I googled it and allrecipes.com came up and I became addicted. Since that time I have found many many delicious recipes on this site. If I decide I'm hungry for something on a whim but have no idea how to make it, I go on this site and there it is!
The site was designed for people who want to upload recipes that they have created themselves. Other users rate, comment and attach their own pictures if they like. You can start your own recipe box for free, adding your favorite recipes, changing the ingredients based on the amount you want to make and customizing the size and look of the recipes you want to print out. They feature new recipes every day and gorgeous photos of some delicious recipes! You can search by name of recipe and then narrow it down by ratings or relevance. Check it out. I bet you'll like it!
Here are some of my family's favorite recipes for summertime that we've found here:
Easy Strawberry Lemonade
Easy Oreo Truffles
Antipasto Pasta Salad
Fruit Dip
Clone of a Cinnabon
Bacon Wrapped Hamburgers
Notice all the ones with "easy" in the title?? I hope you enjoy this site as much as we have!
Do you have favorite recipe sites? Share them here!
When I was pregnant with our first child, I all of a sudden became hungry for seafood potato salad. Never had it before, but I was hungry for it! I googled it and allrecipes.com came up and I became addicted. Since that time I have found many many delicious recipes on this site. If I decide I'm hungry for something on a whim but have no idea how to make it, I go on this site and there it is!
The site was designed for people who want to upload recipes that they have created themselves. Other users rate, comment and attach their own pictures if they like. You can start your own recipe box for free, adding your favorite recipes, changing the ingredients based on the amount you want to make and customizing the size and look of the recipes you want to print out. They feature new recipes every day and gorgeous photos of some delicious recipes! You can search by name of recipe and then narrow it down by ratings or relevance. Check it out. I bet you'll like it!
Here are some of my family's favorite recipes for summertime that we've found here:
Easy Strawberry Lemonade
Easy Oreo Truffles
Antipasto Pasta Salad
Fruit Dip
Clone of a Cinnabon
Bacon Wrapped Hamburgers
Notice all the ones with "easy" in the title?? I hope you enjoy this site as much as we have!
Do you have favorite recipe sites? Share them here!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Kids Connect - Sodom and Gomorrah
The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18 and 19)
Reading to Your Kids
As soon as the Lord finished talking to Abraham and Sarah, Abraham walked with Him and the two men He was with as they prepared to leave. From where they were, the were able to look out over the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Lord told Abraham that the cries from the people of those towns were so great and their sin was so great that He was considering destroying both of the towns. The two men with the Lord went to visit Sodom after the Lord said this, leaving the Lord and Abraham alone.
Abraham came close to God and said, "Lord, would you destroy both the good and the bad? If there are 50 people there who do what is right would you please not destroy it? You are so right and holy that You would be too just to do something like that!"
The Lord answered Abraham and said, "If I find 50 people in Sodom who are right then I will not destroy it."
Then Abraham said, "I know I am made out of dust in talking with You Lord, but if there are 45 would you please not destroy it?" And God assured him that He would not destroy it if there were 45.
So Abraham said, "What if there are only 40? Would you please not destroy it if there are only 40?" The Lord again assured him He would not.
Again Abraham spoke. "What if there are only 30? Would you please not destroy it?" God agreed to this as well.
And again Abraham asked, "What if only 20 are right who are there?" God agreed to 20.
One final time Abraham says, "Lord, please don't destroy it if there are only 10!" And God replied to Abraham, "I will not destroy it if only 10 are found there who are right before Me." After that Abraham went back to his tent and the Lord left.
While this was happening the two men who were with the Lord and Abraham went to visit Lot, Abraham's nephew, who lived in Sodom. Lot invited them to his home and prepared a big feast for them. While they were visiting, many people surrounded Lot's house and demanded he send out the visitors so that they might hurt them. Lot told them no but the people outside were so determined that they tried to force their way into his house. The angels inside rescued Lot from the angry crowd, brought him back inside the house and shut the door and caused the men outside to be blind so they could not force their way into Lot's home. They then told Lot to get all of his family together and leave Sodom because the Lord was going to destroy it.
Lot got his family together and when the angels told him it was time to go he waited because he didn't want to leave, so the angels grabbed his hand, his wife's hand the hands of his 2 daughters and made him leave. Then the Lord caused fire and stone to fall on Sodom and Gomorrah and everything in those towns was destroyed, but the Lord remembered His promise to Abraham and saved the only righteous people who were in those towns.
Your Child's Insights....
1. Why do you think Abraham asked God so many times to save the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah?
2. What do you think of how God answered Abraham all those times?
3. What do you think the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah were like?
4. What do you think it was like for Lot and his family to live there?
5. Why did God have to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah?
6. How did God fulfill His promise to Abraham?
Ideas for Prayer with Your Child.....
- Pray that your child would go to God as many times as he/she wants.
- Pray that they would have the strength to be separate from the evil in this world.
- Pray that they would never get used to the evil in this world.
- Pray that they would remember that God always keeps His promises.
Random Thoughts for Your Consideration......
As this story is being introduced in Genesis the Lord says to the 2 men, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed? For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about it." God answers His own question and explains to us the answer.
I find it difficult to read stories to my kids about the crucifixion and things like this because they are brutal, horrifying in their reality. Its important that they know these things in an age appropriate way though. I'm not going to discuss in detail exactly how brutal these events were, but that they happened. In prayerful consideration, that is why I included this kids connect. Our children need to understand the reality of God's word and we teach them stories such as this one so that they may command their children and their households some day to keep the way of the Lord and do righteousness and justice. This is the only way toward blessing them and in turn helping them to bless others.
What do you think?
Previous kids connect - The promise of Isaac
Next kids connect - Isaac is born
Reading to Your Kids
As soon as the Lord finished talking to Abraham and Sarah, Abraham walked with Him and the two men He was with as they prepared to leave. From where they were, the were able to look out over the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Lord told Abraham that the cries from the people of those towns were so great and their sin was so great that He was considering destroying both of the towns. The two men with the Lord went to visit Sodom after the Lord said this, leaving the Lord and Abraham alone.
Abraham came close to God and said, "Lord, would you destroy both the good and the bad? If there are 50 people there who do what is right would you please not destroy it? You are so right and holy that You would be too just to do something like that!"
The Lord answered Abraham and said, "If I find 50 people in Sodom who are right then I will not destroy it."
Then Abraham said, "I know I am made out of dust in talking with You Lord, but if there are 45 would you please not destroy it?" And God assured him that He would not destroy it if there were 45.
So Abraham said, "What if there are only 40? Would you please not destroy it if there are only 40?" The Lord again assured him He would not.
Again Abraham spoke. "What if there are only 30? Would you please not destroy it?" God agreed to this as well.
And again Abraham asked, "What if only 20 are right who are there?" God agreed to 20.
One final time Abraham says, "Lord, please don't destroy it if there are only 10!" And God replied to Abraham, "I will not destroy it if only 10 are found there who are right before Me." After that Abraham went back to his tent and the Lord left.
While this was happening the two men who were with the Lord and Abraham went to visit Lot, Abraham's nephew, who lived in Sodom. Lot invited them to his home and prepared a big feast for them. While they were visiting, many people surrounded Lot's house and demanded he send out the visitors so that they might hurt them. Lot told them no but the people outside were so determined that they tried to force their way into his house. The angels inside rescued Lot from the angry crowd, brought him back inside the house and shut the door and caused the men outside to be blind so they could not force their way into Lot's home. They then told Lot to get all of his family together and leave Sodom because the Lord was going to destroy it.
Lot got his family together and when the angels told him it was time to go he waited because he didn't want to leave, so the angels grabbed his hand, his wife's hand the hands of his 2 daughters and made him leave. Then the Lord caused fire and stone to fall on Sodom and Gomorrah and everything in those towns was destroyed, but the Lord remembered His promise to Abraham and saved the only righteous people who were in those towns.
Your Child's Insights....
1. Why do you think Abraham asked God so many times to save the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah?
2. What do you think of how God answered Abraham all those times?
3. What do you think the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah were like?
4. What do you think it was like for Lot and his family to live there?
5. Why did God have to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah?
6. How did God fulfill His promise to Abraham?
Ideas for Prayer with Your Child.....
- Pray that your child would go to God as many times as he/she wants.
- Pray that they would have the strength to be separate from the evil in this world.
- Pray that they would never get used to the evil in this world.
- Pray that they would remember that God always keeps His promises.
Random Thoughts for Your Consideration......
As this story is being introduced in Genesis the Lord says to the 2 men, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed? For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about it." God answers His own question and explains to us the answer.
I find it difficult to read stories to my kids about the crucifixion and things like this because they are brutal, horrifying in their reality. Its important that they know these things in an age appropriate way though. I'm not going to discuss in detail exactly how brutal these events were, but that they happened. In prayerful consideration, that is why I included this kids connect. Our children need to understand the reality of God's word and we teach them stories such as this one so that they may command their children and their households some day to keep the way of the Lord and do righteousness and justice. This is the only way toward blessing them and in turn helping them to bless others.
What do you think?
Previous kids connect - The promise of Isaac
Next kids connect - Isaac is born
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Words of Encouragement - A Man's Steps
Do you need encouraged today? Take some time to hear God's Word this morning.
Psalm 37:23-24 "The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand."
I have always wrestled with understanding how God could allow horrible things to happen to those He has created. It never made sense to me. I know He has a plan and has ordained all our steps. I also know that man is sinful and we indeed have self will that God allows us to exercise. A conflict existed in my mind because God knows how it's going to work out - He knows what is going to happen and He allows it to happen. How can that exist with a loving God? How can He watch the evils of this world? Along with that, how can I not proceed through life and not feel tremendous guilt that I haven't messed up God's plan? I am sinful and step outside of His will each day through my sin. Some days in my life resonate greatly in ways I have stepped out of His will - directly disobeying and defying Him. Have a missed His plan for me? Days also resonate in which the pain others have caused me feels crippling. Has the resulting pain caused me to miss His good plan for me? Does it mean He doesn't protect me?
"The steps of a man are established by the Lord" - God has a good plan for me. He has a way in which He wants me to walk.
"He delights in his way." God delights when I follow His will. When I act in obedience to Him.
"When he falls" God KNOWS we are going to fall. It's not if we fall, it is when we fall. He knows when those around us are going to fall and hurt us.
"he will not be hurled headlong" We will not be destroyed - physically, emotionally or spiritually no matter what we have done or what has happened to us.
"because the Lord is the One who holds his hand." He still holds my hand, no matter how hard I fall.
Dear one, are you struggling with the pain of life today? The pain from your actions or those of others around you? Feel free to stand. He holds Your hand.
Psalm 37:23-24 "The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand."
I have always wrestled with understanding how God could allow horrible things to happen to those He has created. It never made sense to me. I know He has a plan and has ordained all our steps. I also know that man is sinful and we indeed have self will that God allows us to exercise. A conflict existed in my mind because God knows how it's going to work out - He knows what is going to happen and He allows it to happen. How can that exist with a loving God? How can He watch the evils of this world? Along with that, how can I not proceed through life and not feel tremendous guilt that I haven't messed up God's plan? I am sinful and step outside of His will each day through my sin. Some days in my life resonate greatly in ways I have stepped out of His will - directly disobeying and defying Him. Have a missed His plan for me? Days also resonate in which the pain others have caused me feels crippling. Has the resulting pain caused me to miss His good plan for me? Does it mean He doesn't protect me?
"The steps of a man are established by the Lord" - God has a good plan for me. He has a way in which He wants me to walk.
"He delights in his way." God delights when I follow His will. When I act in obedience to Him.
"When he falls" God KNOWS we are going to fall. It's not if we fall, it is when we fall. He knows when those around us are going to fall and hurt us.
"he will not be hurled headlong" We will not be destroyed - physically, emotionally or spiritually no matter what we have done or what has happened to us.
"because the Lord is the One who holds his hand." He still holds my hand, no matter how hard I fall.
Dear one, are you struggling with the pain of life today? The pain from your actions or those of others around you? Feel free to stand. He holds Your hand.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Kids Connect - God Keeps His Promises
The Promise of Isaac (Genesis 18)
Reading to Your Kids
Soon after God changed Abram's name, He came to visit him again. This time He brought 2 angels with Him. God brought great joy and heartache to this visit to Abraham. We'll learn about the joyful part today. Let's see what happens.
One day Abraham was sitting outside his tent when he happened to see 3 men standing across from him. When he saw them, he jumped up, ran and bowed to them and said, "Please don't go past your servant! Please stay and have some water, let me wash your feet, rest under this tree and let me serve you bread before you go." The men accepted so Abraham ran back to the tent and said, "Sarah, make some bread!!" and he ran to his herd of cows, picked out the best one and gave it to his servant to prepare it for the men. After everything was ready, he gave all the food to the men and stood beside them as they ate.
As they were eating they asked him, "Where is Sarah?" and he told them that she was in the tent. Then the Lord, one of the 3 men, said to Abraham, "This time next year I will come back to you and Sarah will have a son." Sarah was listening through the tent door behind them and laughed to herself because she was so old and didn't believe his words. So God said, "Why did Sarah laugh? Is anything too hard for the Lord? This time next year I will come back and Sarah will have a son." Sarah argued with God and said, "I didn't laugh" and God said back "Yes you did."
Your Child's Insights......
1. Do you think Abraham knew one of the men was God?
2. When else has God shown up as a person?
3. How old do you think women are when they have babies?
4. Why do you think Sarah laughed?
5. Did Sarah laugh out loud?
6. What did God say when He knew she laughed?
7. What did Sarah say back?
8. What do you think about Sarah arguing with God?
Ideas for Prayer with Your Child.....
- Pray that God would help them to have the faith to do things in life that might look impossible.
- Pray that they would accept your and God's authority without arguing.
Random Thoughts for Your Consideration.....
- This passage always makes laugh. I can just see the swirling thoughts of Abraham as God asks him why Sarah is laughing as she argues with God. Can you imagine what he must be thinking? Here some men show up and Abraham literally jumps up, runs to them and bows, no easy task for a 99 year old! He goes out of his way to serve them and even stands while they are eating. God reveals that the time has come for His promise to be fulfilled through Abraham and his wife laughs! Having a husband, I can imagine he becomes frustrated with Sarah for 2 reasons....1. She laughs to herself saying, "After I have become old, shall I have pleaseure, my lord being old also?" She laughs because she can't believe they are going to have sex! According to her words, who knows how long it has been! I bet any man would appreciate that. 2. In addition to that, she laughs to herself. Abraham never even heard her laugh, it sounds like. He has gone completely out of his way and offered his best to these men, one of which is God! and all of a sudden, after God tells him the long awaited promise of an heir is finally going to come true, out of the blue to Abraham God says, "Why did Sarah laugh?" Can you imagine what he was thinking? What??? I didn't even know she laughed! Don't ruin this for me lady!!
- I always shake my head at Sarah when it talks about her arguing with God. Not out of judgment but because I know what's going to happen! Let me explain. When I was a teenager, my mom and I went to the grocery store. It had rained earlier in the day and there were huge puddles in the parking lot. For some reason, she decided to walk right through one. Facing it head on she must not have seen how deep it was, but standing off to the side I knew it was at least 6 inches deep. I'll never forget her walking straight through that puddle, so confidently, as she soaked not only herself but the bags of groceries as well! A head shaking moment. You can just see the future! Anyway, I don't know if Sarah initially knew that this was God she was actually dealing with since the passage says 3 men appeared, but she had to have known when one of them knew she was laughing to herself and what she was thinking. I have a feeling she knew simply because she laughed to herself and not out loud. I can imagine someone saying to my grandmother who, if she was alive would be close to 99 right now, "Hi, you're going to have a baby." She'd laugh out loud and tell them they were crazy, at least! Anyway, when God calls her on her laughing doubt, she argues with Him and then He argues back! I don't see God as much of an arguer. Usually what He says pretty much goes and when people question Him He either has a solution or that's just the way it is. Sarah must have needed a pride check or something because He argues back with her and then supposedly that's the end of the conversation. I know God doesn't work this way, but I wonder how bad her morning sickness and back labor were after that!
What do you think of this passage of Scripture?
Previous kids connect - Becoming Abraham
Next kids connect - Sodom and Gomorrah
Reading to Your Kids
Soon after God changed Abram's name, He came to visit him again. This time He brought 2 angels with Him. God brought great joy and heartache to this visit to Abraham. We'll learn about the joyful part today. Let's see what happens.
One day Abraham was sitting outside his tent when he happened to see 3 men standing across from him. When he saw them, he jumped up, ran and bowed to them and said, "Please don't go past your servant! Please stay and have some water, let me wash your feet, rest under this tree and let me serve you bread before you go." The men accepted so Abraham ran back to the tent and said, "Sarah, make some bread!!" and he ran to his herd of cows, picked out the best one and gave it to his servant to prepare it for the men. After everything was ready, he gave all the food to the men and stood beside them as they ate.
As they were eating they asked him, "Where is Sarah?" and he told them that she was in the tent. Then the Lord, one of the 3 men, said to Abraham, "This time next year I will come back to you and Sarah will have a son." Sarah was listening through the tent door behind them and laughed to herself because she was so old and didn't believe his words. So God said, "Why did Sarah laugh? Is anything too hard for the Lord? This time next year I will come back and Sarah will have a son." Sarah argued with God and said, "I didn't laugh" and God said back "Yes you did."
Your Child's Insights......
1. Do you think Abraham knew one of the men was God?
2. When else has God shown up as a person?
3. How old do you think women are when they have babies?
4. Why do you think Sarah laughed?
5. Did Sarah laugh out loud?
6. What did God say when He knew she laughed?
7. What did Sarah say back?
8. What do you think about Sarah arguing with God?
Ideas for Prayer with Your Child.....
- Pray that God would help them to have the faith to do things in life that might look impossible.
- Pray that they would accept your and God's authority without arguing.
Random Thoughts for Your Consideration.....
- This passage always makes laugh. I can just see the swirling thoughts of Abraham as God asks him why Sarah is laughing as she argues with God. Can you imagine what he must be thinking? Here some men show up and Abraham literally jumps up, runs to them and bows, no easy task for a 99 year old! He goes out of his way to serve them and even stands while they are eating. God reveals that the time has come for His promise to be fulfilled through Abraham and his wife laughs! Having a husband, I can imagine he becomes frustrated with Sarah for 2 reasons....1. She laughs to herself saying, "After I have become old, shall I have pleaseure, my lord being old also?" She laughs because she can't believe they are going to have sex! According to her words, who knows how long it has been! I bet any man would appreciate that. 2. In addition to that, she laughs to herself. Abraham never even heard her laugh, it sounds like. He has gone completely out of his way and offered his best to these men, one of which is God! and all of a sudden, after God tells him the long awaited promise of an heir is finally going to come true, out of the blue to Abraham God says, "Why did Sarah laugh?" Can you imagine what he was thinking? What??? I didn't even know she laughed! Don't ruin this for me lady!!
- I always shake my head at Sarah when it talks about her arguing with God. Not out of judgment but because I know what's going to happen! Let me explain. When I was a teenager, my mom and I went to the grocery store. It had rained earlier in the day and there were huge puddles in the parking lot. For some reason, she decided to walk right through one. Facing it head on she must not have seen how deep it was, but standing off to the side I knew it was at least 6 inches deep. I'll never forget her walking straight through that puddle, so confidently, as she soaked not only herself but the bags of groceries as well! A head shaking moment. You can just see the future! Anyway, I don't know if Sarah initially knew that this was God she was actually dealing with since the passage says 3 men appeared, but she had to have known when one of them knew she was laughing to herself and what she was thinking. I have a feeling she knew simply because she laughed to herself and not out loud. I can imagine someone saying to my grandmother who, if she was alive would be close to 99 right now, "Hi, you're going to have a baby." She'd laugh out loud and tell them they were crazy, at least! Anyway, when God calls her on her laughing doubt, she argues with Him and then He argues back! I don't see God as much of an arguer. Usually what He says pretty much goes and when people question Him He either has a solution or that's just the way it is. Sarah must have needed a pride check or something because He argues back with her and then supposedly that's the end of the conversation. I know God doesn't work this way, but I wonder how bad her morning sickness and back labor were after that!
What do you think of this passage of Scripture?
Previous kids connect - Becoming Abraham
Next kids connect - Sodom and Gomorrah
Monday, June 7, 2010
Priority Challenge Check In
A week ago I explained to you that I was issuing myself a priority challenge, which you can learn more about here if you don't already know. In sum, I challenged myself to change my priorities to reflect what they are and not what they have fallen into. Today I wanted to take some time to check in with you to hold myself accountable and encourage you in your journey in challenging your priorities too.
I told you how I struggle with getting up early because I'm a very happy night owl. My challenge is to get up earlier for 2 weeks to spend my God time before my family gets up and going to bed earlier at night.
God has a sense of humor. In my devotionals during the week I read this verse: "It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep." (Psalm 127:2) In the actual context of this verse, Solomon is saying that anything built outside of God is vanity. In the context of my challenge it was quite ironic. I had to read that one to my husband. I said, "See, it's okay if I go to bed late and don't want to get up early! He can minister to me in my sleep!!" He thought it was funny......
Anyway, I have felt very good about getting up early and have enjoyed spending my God time and spending time with my family first thing in the morning. I have not had nearly as hard of a time as I thought I would in getting up early which is was a very pleasant surprise. On the other hand, it's hard. I love staying up late and spending time reading blogs and researching fun things on the internet. I love watching Fox News and hearing what is happening in our country and watching reruns of comedies I enjoy. I am missing that and feeling frustrated about that. I am also exhausted!!!
However, I'm learning that the things God wants from me are not necessarily easy things. I have always known that in my head, but I have also had the opinion, I guess, that if something was God's will, and not concretely described in His word, it should be smooth and easy. I know always telling the truth and remaining faithful and pulling the log out of my own eye, etc. were very hard things to do. Other things, like pursuing a particular path in life, I have always viewed differently. A challenge has always represented God not approving of what I'm doing. I have thought I should have complete peace if I'm doing God's will and not struggle with it. Holding this belief has made it difficult to stick with things and not become easily frustrated. Starting the business has been an emotional rollercoaster for me because of this belief. I think God is showing me the beauty of perseverance - that even though it is hard to change this priority, it is the right thing to do.
How is your priority challenge going? Let us know and be encouraged. God sees your efforts.
I told you how I struggle with getting up early because I'm a very happy night owl. My challenge is to get up earlier for 2 weeks to spend my God time before my family gets up and going to bed earlier at night.
God has a sense of humor. In my devotionals during the week I read this verse: "It is vain for you to rise up early, to retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors; for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep." (Psalm 127:2) In the actual context of this verse, Solomon is saying that anything built outside of God is vanity. In the context of my challenge it was quite ironic. I had to read that one to my husband. I said, "See, it's okay if I go to bed late and don't want to get up early! He can minister to me in my sleep!!" He thought it was funny......
Anyway, I have felt very good about getting up early and have enjoyed spending my God time and spending time with my family first thing in the morning. I have not had nearly as hard of a time as I thought I would in getting up early which is was a very pleasant surprise. On the other hand, it's hard. I love staying up late and spending time reading blogs and researching fun things on the internet. I love watching Fox News and hearing what is happening in our country and watching reruns of comedies I enjoy. I am missing that and feeling frustrated about that. I am also exhausted!!!
However, I'm learning that the things God wants from me are not necessarily easy things. I have always known that in my head, but I have also had the opinion, I guess, that if something was God's will, and not concretely described in His word, it should be smooth and easy. I know always telling the truth and remaining faithful and pulling the log out of my own eye, etc. were very hard things to do. Other things, like pursuing a particular path in life, I have always viewed differently. A challenge has always represented God not approving of what I'm doing. I have thought I should have complete peace if I'm doing God's will and not struggle with it. Holding this belief has made it difficult to stick with things and not become easily frustrated. Starting the business has been an emotional rollercoaster for me because of this belief. I think God is showing me the beauty of perseverance - that even though it is hard to change this priority, it is the right thing to do.
How is your priority challenge going? Let us know and be encouraged. God sees your efforts.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Fabulous Find! - Borax!
What a crazy thing to flip out about right? Well, I'm pretty excited about borax this week and here's why.
I entered my kid's bathroom to see a most disgusting site this week and spent the next 45 minutes cleaning it! I usually use Clorox Clean Up to clean the bathrooms but I was out so I decided to use the borax I had bought to kill my ants a few weeks ago because the box said I could. I couldn't believe how well it worked! My sink and toilet and bathtub became clean again! I typically use Comet to clean the bathtub because of the grittiness of it and the fact that that seems to be what most effectively cleans up whatever that film is that stays after bath time. I never understand how something you use to get clean can become so dirty itself! I used the borax this time and it was white and cleaned up very well with less time and without me passing out! Its all I can do to not pass out from the fumes of Comet, but it has always been worth it (every six months I clean the tub!). Not so with this, and I didn't have to worry about the kids getting baths afterwards because it's safe to use as long as you don't eat it or give it to your plants to eat! I was excited about that too because as I said earlier this week, I'm not partial to using chemicals and items that could potentially kill my family.
Anyway, in light of the amazing job it did cleaning, I looked up some other uses for this $2.49 box of pure genius I bought and here's what I found. Borax is a.......
So let's see. What all can I stop buying now? Clorox Clean Up, Comet, Bar Keeper's Friend, Raid, Round Up, Bar Keeper's Friend, Drano....... Think of all the money I'm saving!
Any other ideas? Share them here!
*1, *2, 3
I entered my kid's bathroom to see a most disgusting site this week and spent the next 45 minutes cleaning it! I usually use Clorox Clean Up to clean the bathrooms but I was out so I decided to use the borax I had bought to kill my ants a few weeks ago because the box said I could. I couldn't believe how well it worked! My sink and toilet and bathtub became clean again! I typically use Comet to clean the bathtub because of the grittiness of it and the fact that that seems to be what most effectively cleans up whatever that film is that stays after bath time. I never understand how something you use to get clean can become so dirty itself! I used the borax this time and it was white and cleaned up very well with less time and without me passing out! Its all I can do to not pass out from the fumes of Comet, but it has always been worth it (every six months I clean the tub!). Not so with this, and I didn't have to worry about the kids getting baths afterwards because it's safe to use as long as you don't eat it or give it to your plants to eat! I was excited about that too because as I said earlier this week, I'm not partial to using chemicals and items that could potentially kill my family.
Anyway, in light of the amazing job it did cleaning, I looked up some other uses for this $2.49 box of pure genius I bought and here's what I found. Borax is a.......
- Flea killer - Sprinkle on carpet, leave overnight and vacuum the next day. Not for use on your pet though. Fluffy will NOT like it! Fluffy might die.
- Removing heavy sink stains and rust in porcelain or stainless steel sinks -1 cup borax + 1/4 cup lemon juice - mix into paste and scrub the stain. Rinse away.
- Removing mildew from fabric - "soak a sponge in a solution of 1/2 cup borax dissolved in 2 cups hot water, and rub it into the affected areas. Let it soak in for several hours until the stain disappears, then rinse well. To remove mildew from clothing, soak it in a solution of 2 cups borax in 2 quarts (2 liters) water." *1
- Removing rug stains - "Thoroughly dampen the area, then rub in some borax. Let the area dry, then vacuum or blot it with a solution of equal parts vinegar and soapy water and let dry. Repeat if necessary. Don't forget to first test the procedure on an inconspicuous corner of the rug or on a carpet scrap before applying it to the stain." *1
- Cleaning your garbage disposal - "To maintain a more sanitary disposal, every couple of weeks pour 3 tablespoons borax down the drain and let it sit for 1 hour. Then turn on the disposal and flush it with hot water from the tap." *1
- Removing urine odor on mattresses - Wet the area (no pun intended). Sprinkle borax, let dry and vacuum.
- Make professional looking dried flowers - "Mix 1 cup borax with 2 cups cornmeal. Place a 3/4-inch (2-centimeter) coating of the mixture in the bottom of an airtight container, like a large flat plastic food storage container. Cut the stems off the flowers you want to dry, then lay them on top of the powder, and lightly sprinkle more of the mixture on top of the flowers (be careful not to bend or crush the petals or other flower parts). Cover the container, and leave it alone for 7-10 days. Then remove the flowers and brush off any excess powder with a soft brush." *1
- Removing ants and weeds from around your house - Just sprinkle around the parameter of your house to keep ants away and sprinkle directly on weeds you don't want. Just a small amount will do and don't go crazy unless you want to kill ALL your plants!
- Restoring china shine - Wash in a sink with water with 1/2 cup borax dissolved in it.
- Cleaning aluminum pots and pans
- Drain cleaner - Dump 1/2 cup borax down drain. Let sit for 1 hour. Chase with hot water.
- Cleaning tile and grout.
- Removing grease.
- Clean cutting boards - Just make sure you rinse thoroughly afterwards.
- Make your bedding smell fresh and boost your laundry cleaner - Add 1/2 cup to detergent.
- Removing odors from refrigerator/coolers, etc. - Dissolve 1 tablespooon borax into 1 gallon of water.
- All purpose cleaner - Mix 1 teaspoon borax with 1 cup very hot water. Put in spray bottle.
- Wash diapers and baby clothes - "Flush out dirty diapers and soak as soon as possible in a diaper pail filled with warm water and 1/2 cup borax. Pre-soak for at least 30 minutes before washing in warm water. Wash linens, bibs, slips and cotton crib liners in hot water, adding 1/2 cup borax and detergent. Borax helps get rid of odors, reduce stainign and make diapers more absorbent." *2
- Wash delicates - "Dissolve 1/4 cup borax and 2 tablespoons detergent in a basin of warm water. Soak hand washables for 10 mintues. Rinse in clear, cool water, blot with towel, lay flat or hang to dry away from sunlight and direct heat." *2
- Make slime for kids - Place all of 4 ounce bottle of Elmer's glue in a bowl. Fill empty bottle with warm water and empty in same bowl. Add a few drops of food coloring if you'd like your slime to have color. In another bowl, mix 1 teaspoon borax with 1 cup water and stir until borax has dissolved. Pour glue solution into borax solution. Mix. The more the resulting slime is handled and kneaded the drier it will become making it more moldable and easier to handle. Store in airtight container or ziplock bag. Kids love this stuff!
So let's see. What all can I stop buying now? Clorox Clean Up, Comet, Bar Keeper's Friend, Raid, Round Up, Bar Keeper's Friend, Drano....... Think of all the money I'm saving!
Any other ideas? Share them here!
*1, *2, 3
Thursday, June 3, 2010
How to Remove Ants
About a month ago we had these tiny little ants in our kitchen. We didn't just have a few, we had hundreds! I had no idea how to get rid of them all effectively and I felt like my kitchen was so dirty even though it really wasn't! Here's what I learned about ants and how to get rid of them. Oh, these aren't "natural". I am not against using ant killer or anything else that would kill them. I'm only afraid to use things that might kill my family. And this is not for huge infestations of ants either. Professionals have the keys to that one!
A Few Facts You Never Wanted to Know About Ants
1. The queen is in charge. You want to kill her.
2. The workers are sent out by the queen and then bring back food to feed her. You want to give them the bad stuff.
3. The queen knows when her workers aren't showing back up and will get stressed out and start dispersing her remaining workers in several different directions. You'll want to plan your strategy and attack!, doing it all at once and not doing what I did and suck them up with the shop vac every time you see one because you're grossed out!
4. Ants leave scented trails behind them so they can find their way back to their nest and so other ants can find the trail to the good stuff. Get rid of the trails not leading to the ant killer of your choice and keep the ant trail leading to the stuff that will kill it.
5. Ants like protein related foods (peanut butter) or sweet foods (honey), in my case my mom's strawberry jelly. Figure out what that is and use it against them as part of your strategy.
6. Ants do not like mint, vinegar or white gravel, so use that as deterrents in and around your home.
Planning the Attack
1. Do your prep work. Not necessarily fun, but just necessary. Make sure your floors and counters are clean. Use soap and water to clean or bleach. I used Windex with Vinegar. Strangely enough that killed them on contact, which morbidly I was very intrigued by! Keep your sinks clean and dry and vacuum and clean any areas you think might have spilled food, even in your kitchen cabinets and drawers.
2. Figure out what kind of ant you have. Great article here.
2. Look for the ants in and around your home. Some ants like moist areas and wood (carpenter). Others like dirt in the ground (really?) and wooden stumps and areas like that. Listen for crunching and crinkling sounds for carpenter ants. Dark areas are favorites too.
4. Buy and gather your killing supplies. My favorites are Windex with Vinegar as mentioned or just a spray bottle with vinegar should work too, Terro ant baits (I tried the Raid and the ants could have cared less), and borax (this little beauty I'm going to talk about later this week!). :)
Attack
1. Set out traps as close to their nest as possible, where they seem to be coming in your house and along baseboards, etc. Don't put them in the middle of your living room carpet because you don't want them there.
2. Mix up your own ant killer with 1 cup water, 2 cups sugar and 4 teaspoons boric acid (borax) and disperse that in the aforementioned areas.
3. Kill any ant colonies you find with ant killer spray or boiling water. (That one would be hard for me but hard times call for hard measures sometimes.)
4. Wait. They should be gone in a week. If they aren't, you may need to try other measures that I don't know about (that helps, right?) or call a professional exterminator.
Additional Articles
1. Killing carpenter ants
2. Killing sugar ants
3. General ant help
Good luck and happy any killing!
Any disgusting ant facts or killing ideas you want to share? Post them here!
A Few Facts You Never Wanted to Know About Ants
1. The queen is in charge. You want to kill her.
2. The workers are sent out by the queen and then bring back food to feed her. You want to give them the bad stuff.
3. The queen knows when her workers aren't showing back up and will get stressed out and start dispersing her remaining workers in several different directions. You'll want to plan your strategy and attack!, doing it all at once and not doing what I did and suck them up with the shop vac every time you see one because you're grossed out!
4. Ants leave scented trails behind them so they can find their way back to their nest and so other ants can find the trail to the good stuff. Get rid of the trails not leading to the ant killer of your choice and keep the ant trail leading to the stuff that will kill it.
5. Ants like protein related foods (peanut butter) or sweet foods (honey), in my case my mom's strawberry jelly. Figure out what that is and use it against them as part of your strategy.
6. Ants do not like mint, vinegar or white gravel, so use that as deterrents in and around your home.
Planning the Attack
1. Do your prep work. Not necessarily fun, but just necessary. Make sure your floors and counters are clean. Use soap and water to clean or bleach. I used Windex with Vinegar. Strangely enough that killed them on contact, which morbidly I was very intrigued by! Keep your sinks clean and dry and vacuum and clean any areas you think might have spilled food, even in your kitchen cabinets and drawers.
2. Figure out what kind of ant you have. Great article here.
2. Look for the ants in and around your home. Some ants like moist areas and wood (carpenter). Others like dirt in the ground (really?) and wooden stumps and areas like that. Listen for crunching and crinkling sounds for carpenter ants. Dark areas are favorites too.
4. Buy and gather your killing supplies. My favorites are Windex with Vinegar as mentioned or just a spray bottle with vinegar should work too, Terro ant baits (I tried the Raid and the ants could have cared less), and borax (this little beauty I'm going to talk about later this week!). :)
Attack
1. Set out traps as close to their nest as possible, where they seem to be coming in your house and along baseboards, etc. Don't put them in the middle of your living room carpet because you don't want them there.
2. Mix up your own ant killer with 1 cup water, 2 cups sugar and 4 teaspoons boric acid (borax) and disperse that in the aforementioned areas.
3. Kill any ant colonies you find with ant killer spray or boiling water. (That one would be hard for me but hard times call for hard measures sometimes.)
4. Wait. They should be gone in a week. If they aren't, you may need to try other measures that I don't know about (that helps, right?) or call a professional exterminator.
Additional Articles
1. Killing carpenter ants
2. Killing sugar ants
3. General ant help
Good luck and happy any killing!
Any disgusting ant facts or killing ideas you want to share? Post them here!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Kids Connect - Becoming Abraham
Abram becomes Abraham (Genesis 17)
Reading to Your Kids......
The last time we talked about Abram he was 86 years old. God had promised him that he would have a son and have many descendants - as many stars as are in the sky. Well, the next time we hear about God talking to Abram was when he was 99 years old! That's a long time to wait and have nothing happen that God promised! When Abram was 99 years old, God appeared and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before Me and be blameless. I will make a promise to you and I will multiply you exceedingly." Abram fell down the the ground and hid his face when God was talking to him. God said, "You will the the father of many nations. No longer will your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham for I will make you the father of many nations. Kings will come forth from you. I will make an everlasting promise with you to be your God. As for Sarai your wife, you should not call her Sarai anymore, but Sarah will be her name."
Your Child's Insights....
1. Do you think it was hard for Abram to have not heard from God for 13 years?
2. Do you think Abram might have felt like God forgot about him?
3. Do you ever feel like God has forgotten about you?
Ideas for Prayer with Your Child.....
- Pray that your child would have the patience to wait when it feels like God isn't close.
- Pray that your child would have patience when it feels like God isn't keeping His promises.
- Thank God that He keeps promises in ways that show that He is in charge.
Random Thoughts for Your Consideration.....
- I wonder why God didn't say anything about the fact that Ishmael had even been born and the interactions between Sarai and Haggar and Abram's passivity in that.
Previous kids connect - Abram
Next kids connect - The Promise of Isaac
Reading to Your Kids......
The last time we talked about Abram he was 86 years old. God had promised him that he would have a son and have many descendants - as many stars as are in the sky. Well, the next time we hear about God talking to Abram was when he was 99 years old! That's a long time to wait and have nothing happen that God promised! When Abram was 99 years old, God appeared and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before Me and be blameless. I will make a promise to you and I will multiply you exceedingly." Abram fell down the the ground and hid his face when God was talking to him. God said, "You will the the father of many nations. No longer will your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham for I will make you the father of many nations. Kings will come forth from you. I will make an everlasting promise with you to be your God. As for Sarai your wife, you should not call her Sarai anymore, but Sarah will be her name."
Your Child's Insights....
1. Do you think it was hard for Abram to have not heard from God for 13 years?
2. Do you think Abram might have felt like God forgot about him?
3. Do you ever feel like God has forgotten about you?
Ideas for Prayer with Your Child.....
- Pray that your child would have the patience to wait when it feels like God isn't close.
- Pray that your child would have patience when it feels like God isn't keeping His promises.
- Thank God that He keeps promises in ways that show that He is in charge.
Random Thoughts for Your Consideration.....
- I wonder why God didn't say anything about the fact that Ishmael had even been born and the interactions between Sarai and Haggar and Abram's passivity in that.
Previous kids connect - Abram
Next kids connect - The Promise of Isaac
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Priority Challenge
I have been fighting for a long time now. You know that feeling of guilt you feel convicted by but at the same time overwhelmed by. The one that leads to inaction. Let me tell you about one of mine.
Since we moved into our home about a year ago I have been late for everything. I mean EVERYTHING. I don't know why. It's very frustrating. I feel like I'm behind with everything all the time and am powerless to do anything about it. I keep trying, but the tasks keep piling on.
I was talking to my husband about my frustrations last week and told him I haven't spent any time with God lately because I am too busy working on the business. As soon as those words exited my mouth I knew something had to change.
I'm a night owl all the way. Morning time holds no interest to me. I stay up late after the kids go to bed and work, watch TV, whatever. I love it. There are several problems that have arisen from that. It is hard to get up in the morning. In all honesty, I have missed out on a lot of precious time with my husband and children because of this. Being a night owl isn't bad, but it's bad for me at this stage in my life.
So, I issued myself a priority challenge. For the next two weeks I am going to get up an hour before my kids usually do and spend my God time first thing. I'm also going to go to bed around 10 so that I get enough sleep. I am a few days into my challenge so far and I'm looking for joiners. Will you join me in challenging a priority that needs to move up or down the totem pole in your life? Let's encourage one another!
Since we moved into our home about a year ago I have been late for everything. I mean EVERYTHING. I don't know why. It's very frustrating. I feel like I'm behind with everything all the time and am powerless to do anything about it. I keep trying, but the tasks keep piling on.
I was talking to my husband about my frustrations last week and told him I haven't spent any time with God lately because I am too busy working on the business. As soon as those words exited my mouth I knew something had to change.
I'm a night owl all the way. Morning time holds no interest to me. I stay up late after the kids go to bed and work, watch TV, whatever. I love it. There are several problems that have arisen from that. It is hard to get up in the morning. In all honesty, I have missed out on a lot of precious time with my husband and children because of this. Being a night owl isn't bad, but it's bad for me at this stage in my life.
So, I issued myself a priority challenge. For the next two weeks I am going to get up an hour before my kids usually do and spend my God time first thing. I'm also going to go to bed around 10 so that I get enough sleep. I am a few days into my challenge so far and I'm looking for joiners. Will you join me in challenging a priority that needs to move up or down the totem pole in your life? Let's encourage one another!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)