Blazing a Trail

Have you ever tried to cut a new trail? Many, many times we have endured that toilsome process here on the farm. Through swamps, weeds, and trees amongst the elements of freezing cold or scorching heat we have been known to be out working on new fences or repairing the old ones or winding our way out in the woods to design horse trails. There are the old barbwire fences and posts to pull out or trees to be removed. New ground needs to be travelled over again and again to stay ahead of the weeds so that we can travel the new trails with the horses. Sometimes even the big equipment has had to come in to remove large trees or chunks of earth. I have come to see this journey of Motherhood to be much like blazing a new trail in my life. As a Christian mother besides, one who was saved shortly after becoming a mother, this path also has had many obstacles to go around, forge through, prepare in advance, or endure all for the sweet reward of hopefully watching my children one day walk in the ways of the Lord.

One of my revelational thoughts lately has been how as much as I am training my children up in the Word of God I am at the same time trying to conform them to the world so they are seen as acceptable to others. Entering the teenage world has been as much of a learning experience for me the second time around as it was the first. After over a decade of mothering you would think you would be ready to watch your little children start to soar on their own but I am realizing it is as scary as when they first let go of your hand and went to Sunday School by themselves, or were finally old enough to play in the yard by themselves without you. Growing up in the public school I only know public school ways. Be the popular one, do what others do, don't look different or act different and by all means don't be a God freak. Maturity has slowly transformed some of those thoughts, but our foundation is still our foundation. I heard the other day that people rarely change their world view after they are 20 years old, just past the time one would graduate. How fast those first 20 years go and how little we really knew when we thought we knew it all. Now I'm rambling.... my point is this teenager.

This teenager who, since the age of 2, has been challenging me in the ways of the Lord versus the ways of the world. This teenager who has chosen to not conform to the ways of the world but rather be transformed by the Word of God. This teenager that does not strive for social acceptance by giving in to her peers' opinion of what is cool and what is not but rather has her goals set on her Lord and His calling in her life. This teenager who is addicted to the Word rather than the worlds opinion of her. This teenager who longs to be trained up to be a servant to one day serve in a higher calling. I am humbled. I repented. I gave her back to God and His plans in her life, not my plans.

May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice! Proverbs 23:25 I am glad; I am rejoicing!

Just Some Thoughts

Just some of my God thoughts for the week because some of you ask and actually really want to know.

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James 1, especially verse 2 "Consider it PURE JOY my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds...." and verse 5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." PURE JOY in trials of many kinds. PURE JOY means no more whining, fussing, whimpering, pity parties. Suck it up buttercup. PURE JOY! And how many things do I take into my own hands, thinking I know how to handle them, rather than asking the God of the universe for His wisdom? He's already started implementing that in my self focused heart.
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James 4, particularly verse 5 "Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?" And just what is the Spirit envious of? He is envious of anything that is anti Christ. Anything that is not glorifying to God that we harbor and coddle in our hearts. He envies intensely. Hmmmm..... which side do I lean to mostly, and am I making his struggle to conform me to the Word easier or harder? How subtle these "little" things are that we allow to rule us, rather than the Spirit Himself.
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Isaiah 31:1&3a. "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord. But the Egyptians are men and not God, their horses are flesh and not spirit." How easy it is to trust in our own created horses and chariots rather than God alone. Trying to define mine and destroy them, looking rather to God for His wisdom and strength and provision.
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Isaiah 32:17 "The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever." Hmmmm.... righteousness, peace, quietness, confidence. Forever. Forever. Forever. A little Michael and Debi Pearl for some conviction this happy morning. Conviction is good stuff my friends:
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"The first and the most important thing you will ever do as a mother in training your children is to reverence your husband, delight yourself in him, love to obey him, feel honored to be married to him, joy in his presence. In doing so, you are building up your house, you are creating a home, you are establishing a foundation. This is the first and most important ingredient in raising happy, obedient, creative, respectful children, children who delight to be part of the family. This kind of atmosphere in the home causes your children to love each other, to enjoy being with their own brothers and sisters...... Ladies, we have in our grasp the opportunity to reverence our husbands, thus teaching our children how to reverence God. I can change eternity by choosing to delight myself in my husband, obeying him, loving him, and causing him to stand before God free from the shackles of domestic condemnation. As Mike once said, "When a wife suggests that her husband take the lead, any leading he does after that is just following her suggestion."" Taken from page 89 of their fabulous book No Greater Joy, Volume One, in the article titled Carnal Husbands, Cranky Wives and Cantankerous Kids. Read the whole article here, along with many other good ones.
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And one last thought, after watching my older children start their early limited venturing into the world without mom this summer is the realization that their foundation has, for the most part, already been built and established in our home. They are now starting to build their own lives on the foundation we have layed for them. I can see faults in it, but also so, so many strengths (Praise the Lord!). I see them maturing and glorifying their Lord, not only their mother's Lord. I also see the hard work I need to commit to the younger ones as their day will soon come too.
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So.... what's God doing in your life??? And How's your Heart???
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I've got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy

I've got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy
Down in my heart!
Where? Down in my heart!
Where? Down in my heart!
I've got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy
Down in my heart to stay!
And I'm so happy, so very happy
'Cause I've got the love of Jesus in my heart!
~
Do you remember that song from Sunday School? It's one that we sing quite often here. Alot of times when somebody is not so very happy. It really is a heart check moment. Do you have friends who make frequent heart checks just to see "how's your heart"? I do. And she gets me every time. But back to the song. It's been a topic that God has been weighing on me to consider the past few weeks. Maybe it's because I'm getting older and the world has failed to promise all that it dangled before my younger eyes and every time I go to Walmart it is more a disappointed feeling than that old high of getting something new. As people and circumstances continually refuse to fill that joy spot I realize that they were never meant to fulfill it in the first place. All over in scripture God keeps bringing me to joy verses. And your joy will be complete; for the joy of the Lord is your strength; with the joy of your presence; the joy of your salvation; Shout with joy to God all the earth; gladness and joy will overtake them; that your joy may be complete; their overflowing joy; consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds.

There is a difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is a feeling~ it is temporary. It revolves around something that happens and is not meant to last. Joy, on the other hand, is deeper. Because it revolves around God it is not based on circumstances. As I look around I see everybody consumed with trying to be happy, trying to replace joy in God for something that feels the same way. It hasn't worked so well in my life. How about yours? So the journey continues that God has me on to rid myself of all the false notions that anything but Him will bring me joy. I am learning really what that simple Sunday School song means, day by day, as I seek the Savior who it is all about. That pure joy really is found down in my heart, in Jesus' love, even in trials of many kinds as James says, not in an aisle of Walmart. To God be the glory forever and ever my friends!

Bible Bingo

A long ago pastor called it Bible Bingo. I call it talking with God. I have fond memories of my Dad mentioning conversing with the Almighty through His word in much the same way. What am I talking about? Simply asking God what He has to say to you today and patiently waiting for His answer. Waiting for God's direction to lead us in His word. Aside from daily being immersed in Scripture God speaks profoundly to His children from passages we wouldn't even consider going to on our own little scheduled sanctification plans. Places like Revelation 13, where He again reminds His children to beware of the schemes of the evil one. Warns them of the days to come, where deceit and lies will rule. Encourages them to patiently endure and hold faithfully to His word. Reminds them of who wins in the end, and that He really will be with them and will come riding in on his mighty steed to save them. This calls for wisdom. Wisdom from above. People get ready, the days are getting shorter according to my understanding. Are you ready for eternity?

It's All About Me

Or.... maybe it's not, but it sure seems like it in our consumerist world.

Just a little rant/observation/pondering I have been noticing for quite some time now: while listening to or reading anything Christian related (sermons, songs, books, articles, conversations) I have started to put things through my own little filter test. The simple questions that I base this test on are 1) Who is this about~ God or me? Easier defined by asking "Did I learn something about myself, or about God?" 2) Is scripture the central teaching point, or is the teaching based on just another theory that is popular? Pay attention the next time and see for yourself.

And, after some self examination on my continuing stingy conservative stands on scripture, God reassured me with these sweet words this morning. So true! So true!

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. Psalm 84:10b

Blessed

Blessed is the man you discipline, O Lord, the man you teach from your law; Psalm 94:12When I read these words this morning it was as if God was speaking directly to me. This is for you, Terri, He said. As I was struggling with some of my own issues due to my lack of discipline, enjoying the pity party thank you very much, it really put a lot of things into perspective. It made me think first of all of God's love for me and how He shows that. In provision, comfort, consolation, salvation, joy, peace, but also in discipline. God disciplines those He loves Hebrews says, so I took comfort in His discipline to realize that indeed He does love me.

But who likes discipline? Grace certainly didn't when she had to receive a spanking session for her bad attitude the other morning. Did I enjoy spanking her? No, not on the level of the actual act, but did I enjoy the sweet repentance and joyful heart afterward? Absolutely. Do I have a daughter who quickly learned that it is a lot easier to smile in the morning and be a joy to her family rather than cause a scene and disrupt the whole household? Absolutely. Will she fall again? Absolutely.

Now, believe it or not, but I am really a rather lazy, self indulgent person. Left to myself I would flit from one thing to the next, not really getting anywhere. I definitely lack discipline in my life, so these words were like honey to me to realize that God's discipline is proof of His love. And notice that this discipline is taught from His law. Hmmmm.... interesting. And why does He give us His law and then expect us to hold to it? To grant us relief from the days of trouble (verse13). The little bit of pain that I have to experience now to learn to love, follow, and obey His word will save me a heap of trouble in the days to come. It only makes me all the more steadfast to continue for myself and for my children's sake in immersing ourselves in the word and striving to obey until the day of the Lord's return. Go fight the good fight Christian!

God Stuff

The days are going by so fast and so often it seems that I don't take time out to really stop and see what God has been doing in my life and heart, and also in the lives He has chosen to put around me. In my quiet time this morning I was pondering so many things of the last few weeks and it made me rejoice in my Lord all over again. It is so easy to be discouraged, but when we really start counting our blessings it puts our hearts right.

Some of my bigger God moments from the past few days:

I love how God takes my broken, sinful nature and somehow has used that to nurture these 5 beautiful children He has entrusted me with for all these years. To see one certain young man repent and become right with God has caused me to be in total awe. Another certain daughter has so surpassed me both in her love for her Lord and her knowledge and desire to know Him more that I can only sit back and wonder what God will do with the rest of her young life. A husband who holds so strongly to the Lord and His word has been my steady rock for so many ups and downs.

I love when God is so gentle in my disobedience. Rather than giving me what I deserve He so gently wraps His arms around me in my disgruntled state and leads me ever so gently to His word. Unmistakeably leading me to just the scripture He ordained to be wrote hundreds of years ago that He might whisper it into my ear now and bring repentance. When I put my feelings before His words He forgives even that.

I love watching how God puts people right smack in the middle of my life when I am not even aware of it, and then takes such person and allows me to watch Him transform them. How he grows me right along beside them and allows them to watch the growth in me as well. To rejoice in their joys, and wrap my arms around them in their repentance.

I love how God reunites people after hurt and allows rejoicing in the works of His hand. When His time has finally come to bring things to completion and together we can anticipate what He will do next. Bring home those babies God!

I love how God used His son Jesus to remove the sting of death, even from a too-young-mothers early homecoming. How, somehow, in the midst of cancer and death a family can rejoice that she is now with her Savior and long for their own meeting with their maker.

I love it when God uses something as simple as a few quiet moments and lots of questions in the midst of a 30 hour weekend shift to share the gospel with a friend whom He has continued to bring into every area of my life. I love it even more when He gives me the words to say.

I love knowing that therefor there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. That for an eternity I will keep learning how wide and how long and how high and how deep is the love of Christ for me.

Claiming the Promises

The word of God truly is living and active. I love it while I am in it how God reveals, grows, deepens, and makes me hunger for more. I have been soaking up the promises and praises, as well as the lamenting and pleading, in Psalms for a few weeks now. This morning it really struck me how the claims of the Bible are ours to claim as a child of God. They are not just for David or Paul, but for every child that the Lord has marked with his seal.

They cried out to the Lord in their trouble and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest; he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased, and he did not let their herds diminish. But he lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks. (from Psalm 107)

I have been reading the biography of Nelson Bell (A Foreign Devil in China), the father of Ruth Graham Bell. He was a medical missionary in China for several years, including during the beginning of World War II. Daily he watched atrocities around him, but his walk was so close with God and his understanding and belief in God's sovereignty and His promises that he felt safer in a foreign country under daily sniper attacks and threat of kidnapping doing the Lord's work because he knew that this was where God wanted him to be.

It has really made me ponder my walk with the Lord. My trust, obedience, faith, desire to follow Him rather than my own desires. I find myself coming up lacking in the prayer department. I long to walk that close walk with God but find other pleasures that rule my life more~ like sleeping rather than forming a disciplined prayer life. Nelson held prayer and spending time with God above all else. He had set aside time daily for private prayer and family and hospital prayer a minimum of 4 times a day. It has reminded me of the story of Daniel and how he set aside time for prayer daily with the windows open for the world to see. As a result he walked with God so closely that he felt his presence. Can you say that in your life? Do you walk with God as a friend? Those promises are yours to claim from your Heavenly Father. He promises good for his children. He promises all that He does is because He loves them. He promises eternity with Him.

You don't know Him you say? He is the God of the universe. The creator of all. Because of the sin of all mankind he sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price for that sin. He became the bridge back to God. Scripture says that all have sinned. All are separated from God because of our sin. Ephesians 2 says that mankind is actually dead in our transgressions and sins. But because of God's great love for us he made us alive in Christ and what he did on the cross to pay the penalty for us. By grace he has promised to take away all our sin and guilt and shame and cover them with Christ's righteousness. What do we have to do you say? There is nothing we can do my friend. We are dead, remember. It is Christ who has done it all. He is the one who causes us to see our own sinfulness. He is the one who causes us to repent. He is the one who opens our eyes to salvation and begins the work of righteousness in us. As we continue on the journey He is faithful to see us to the end where we will ultimately see Him face to face. Take the time to ponder where you are with God today. Is He beckoning?

Be On Alert

1 Peter 5:8Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.~I had a very "A-ha!" kind of moment this morning as I was spending time with the Lord. Again I woke up discouraged. Rather than being able to focus on all the things that God is ordaining for his glory I found myself again only seeing the devil's handiwork. It appears that he is working overtime in his role as ruler of the kingdom of the air. I don't tend to give the devil any more credit than he is due as I know whom he has to go through to achieve any of his work, I know who really has everything under His control and I know that we as sinful beings do a mighty fine job of messing things up ourselves. But it is still so easy to only see short sighted what is happening around us. He seems to be on overtime around here.

As I was having my little pity party I realized what I was doing. I have responded, finally, to God's prompting to hide his word deep in my heart by taking the challenge to memorize Ephesians this year. For the past 2 1/2 months I have spent time nearly daily in Ephesians focusing on God's word in a very different way~ writing it, memorizing it, reciting it, letting it sink in in a way like never before. No wonder the devil did not like it. No wonder I have been feeling so attacked in my very soul. We as Christians, God's elect, live as strangers here. This world should not be our comfort, nor should we look for our comfort from it. We live in enemy territory, and as Trent has been reading about King Solomon it is easy to get sucked into the lifestyle of a foreign land. King Solomon had 700 wives whom he longed to please by building temples and idols to each of their Gods, little-by-little forsaking his God and losing his soul along the way. (1 Kings 11)

What is Peter's answer? Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:9-11)

Stand firm in the word. Watch for the attacks~ the wedges that cause division, the bitterness that causes years of pain, the discouragement that takes our focus off of Christ and what He did on the cross, the little justifications that lead us astray from the Word of God. Finally be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:10-13)

And to you, Laura and Maddie my partners in this challenge, and Alexis who has taken on her own challenge, I will remember to keep you in my prayers a bit more as the challenge continues. Now, after all that encouragement....... anybody else want to join us??? Go deep, you only live once, and we have an eternity to look forward to of telling our stories of what Christ did in our lives when we were obedient to the good works which he prepared in advance for us to do.

Chronic Pain

I'm going to whine a bit here, just because this is my soap box and I am in a whiny kind of mood. Maybe if I whine I'll get it out of my system. I'm not looking for sympathy, just sharing my journey in the hopes that somebody else out there may not feel so alone. For the past 10 years or so I have lived my life in near constant pain of some varying level daily. This thorn in my side that God has allowed has taken on many different levels in my spiritual growth. Due to ongoing health issues I started out hoping for a quick doctor/miracle cure. After all this time, and all this pain, I am learning to submit my poor, getting old, hurting body into God's hand for his plan. I have to admit, some days it takes all I've got to keep doing and going and being somewhat happy about it all. I am too stubborn to stop, and feel that I can't miss out on all the things that God has laid before me to quit doing things. I am not the type to sit, and to go back to bed and cry is just too far from my nature. So I go on. Day after day, pain or not. I try not to be a grumbler, but the state of my heart is so often far from that. It's myself that I grumble too. I have come to realize that God is forcing me to seek Him for all of my joy. None of this outside stuff matters. Everything we have, our health, our spouse, our livelihood, our children, can be taken away. God is the only stable. In Him I am learning to rejoice, no matter what the outside is. I will admit~ it is a long, hard struggle some days, but one that will ultimately glorify Him and bring me great joy. Like Alexis said yesterday, it makes us long for Heaven all the more.

Want A Challenge?

Go check out Alexis' last post for a challenge from a young lady. My, oh my, what a way to start a God honoring life. I'm just a smidgen proud, being her mom and all:)

Be Still my Selfish Heart

Before my feet hit the floor this morning I found myself thanking God for the hot chocolate in the cupboard to make on this cold morning for all my sweet little dumplings. I found myself thinking about how much I appreciate these gifts, but long for them more than the good gifts sometimes. The hard work involved in God growing his fruit in me is not always appreciated. How much do I really long to be made patient? For the umpteenth time to have to practice kindness, only to lose my temper, again. Practicing joy when everything around you seems to be falling apart, or you are in pain, or the cupboards are running low, or the work hours are short, or it is still cold and snowy outside. Who wants to practice self control when the sin is so enjoyable to indulge in? Peace? In an old farmhouse with 5 children, 3 of them noisy boys? Gentleness when the picky little fights are about the same issue day, after day, after day? To display love and goodness to people you would rather scorn because of the hurt involved. Faithfulness to stay in the word, keep fighting the good fight, stick to your guns, when the world keeps spinning so fast and the chores need to be done, and breakfast made, and school started. I find it's easier to just long for the hot chocolate in the cupboard.

But what is God's agenda? To stretch me and grow me into the image of His Son. To be different than the world. To reflect Him. To hold to His statutes. Because He loves me, He keeps disciplining me. The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure, and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Galatians 5:22 and Psalm 19

Still Gonna Praise God

Though the fig tree does not bud,
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop failsand the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior
.........Habakkuk 3:17-18
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And, may I add my own sorrows from this past week~
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Though I struggle with the shock and the hurt of watching our friends deal with the unexpected death of their teenage son,
Though the transmission goes out on the new-used van with the claimed rebuilt transmission only 1 month after buying it,
Though the hot water will still not stay hot in the next to new hot water heater and I am tired of sponge baths and my husband insists we dig up and replace the water line this spring (if we can wait that long) rather than building that entry way,
Though after spending 2 days watching and worrying about Belle in a delivery that did not seem right to me and she delivered a dead little doe kid without me,

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
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The Lord is in His holy temple;the Lord is on his heavenly throne........ Psalm 10:4

Monday Morning Fight

Often times when I need a bit of encouragement I enjoy reading through the book or sermon notes that I have recorded. Printed words have always had a great impact on me. As much as possible I try to take notes or write lengthy blog posts about God's word in my life. It becomes a map of the way that God has been shaping me and leading me, as well as a reference to go back to the truths that have impacted me. It gives me a way to process and ponder something that so often is heard or read, then nearly immediately forgotten because of all the other demands of life.
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When I had nearly a whole week to myself in a hotel room while Rob was at the World Dairy Expo in September I had read a book of Alexis' called Battle Cry for my Generation, by Ron Luce. The book was as powerful the second time around as it was the first time I read it. It is mainly directed at a teenage audience and is a wake up call to what shapes the minds and decisions of this generation. It is a battle cry to the Christian teen to wake up and look around at what is happening right in their midst. It reveals the subtle yet immense power of media in our lives, and especially the lives of young people as they grow up with the messages always being heard and seen on TV, movies, radio, and magazines, not to mention the Internet.
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As conservative as we are in our home with these outside sources I realize just how much the scales are still off when we balance the influence of scripture verses computer and movie time. Think of it... how many days a week do you sit down with your children (or by yourself) and read the Bible for 1 1/2 hours straight, the duration of a normal movie? Ron Luce states in his book that "When we exalt someone, we allow them to influence us and give them authority in our lives." So when we see Ariel swimming around for the umpteenth time in nothing but a bikini top, then she trades her whole species for the promise of a ring, what does that say to my girls? When the radio blares "You've got me and Jesus!", what kind of theology does that teach my children? Or when they hear again that Little Foot lived with his fellow dinosaurs millions of years ago, how does that shape their beliefs on creation and evolution?
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The subtleness is, well, so subtle. "Satan is not able to force you to sin, instead he goes to work on your mind, introducing tiny deceptions, one at a time. Then, little by little, when he has enough influence in your life, you begin following through on temptation. He is successful because he has been invited to do it. Media, TV, Internet, video games, and movies have provided him with more than enough means to dupe us a little at a time." "You may be surprised to find that you have become desensitized to what's out there- just because it is so common."
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While reading the Bible do you try to justify your life by it, or do you let it be God's measuring rod, taking it at face value for what it really says? It is His word. Unbelievable effort has been taken in translation to keep it true to what was originally written by inspired men of God. Countless tests have been run to test it's authenticity and accuracy. It is the heart of man that has insisted on changing it's meaning.
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After pointing out the enemy and his tactics, Ron Luce calls us to decide how we are going to fight this battle that is waging right outside our doors. The battle that longs to consume our children and our very souls, all for the exchange of a few trifling moments of pleasure. He says "It's time to wake up and realize there is a war going on for your generation. Your enemy is not playing games. It's time for us to take a stand and fight back." Do you believe that? That there is a war going on? Do you feel the pull? Do you see the battles? Do you see how easy it is to be sucked into this culture and it's beliefs, rather than draw near to God? It is very subtle, and we are experts at masquerading a Sunday Smile and justifying our very own sins and complacency. "If we have that attitude we will lose out and pay the price for our inactivity. You have a lot more influence than you know. It's time for us to take a stand and fight back. While the enemy hates us with every fiber of his being, he is not so strong, nor the battle so large, for us to be defeated. We have the living God on our side~ If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31"
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"The question is, what will you do? Are you ready for a fight?" He encourages us to know our enemy, and even more to know ourselves. The fight within us, Christian brother and sister, will not end until death. Even though we are saved, the battle for sin still rages right within our very own soul. The sin of the devil, pride, is so deep and so subtle that we easily overlook it in our own lives. Our first desire is not to glorify God ultimately but to make ME happy. Praise the Lord, we do have the Holy Spirit to guide us on that walk, but it is a practiced art to allow him to guide us. "If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle. What are my weak points? Do I see the enemies attacks coming? 2 Corinthians 11:14 Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. We become easy prey because we voluntarily let Lucifer into our minds. After seeing and listening to so much bad stuff... what's right and what's wrong start to become a little hazy. 83% of this generation believes that truth is relative to the situation!" Those are our children lumped into that percentage mark, unless we choose to fight. "Almost like a herd of cattle, so many just fall in line and allow themselves to be led into the fuzzy world of moral relativism. The devil's offers look freeing, but they always lead to bondage." God wasn't kidding when He wrote the Bible, my friends.
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"It is time to wake up and stop playing into the devil's hands by pretending everything's okay. Col 3:2 Set your hearts on the things above rather than earthly things. Romans 12:9 Love what is pure, hate what is evil, cling to what is good. And let's stop telling ourselves that we are not being affected. You must wake up and fight. God never creates someone with a small destiny. To finish we need: devotion [to the word], defiance [to sin], courage [to live it], and endurance [to finish the race]. Where is God calling [you] to live more courageously? If it is in God's word, we need to uphold His code."
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And, more encouraging words from my notebook by Todd Friel, "People are sick of silly, they want serious, holy, deep." In the direction that everything is headed people are seeing that these lies of peace, joy, happiness, and comfort are crumbling right before their eyes. There has to be something more; there is something more, and it's found in God. And... "If you question whether something in scripture applies to you~ if it is wrote in scripture, it applies to you.
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So what does all that look like in practice? In my life it has encouraged me to go deeper in the word, both myself and with my children. To memorize that word, uphold it against all else, teach it where possible, live it as best I can. Another area in my life that I am trying to develop is regular, purposeful prayer for my husband and children, as well as myself. I long to see God's hand work to grow them deep in the word, to have a desire to obey that word, to love their God, purity, future spouses, opportunities for growth, for Godly teachers who will encourage them. In my own life that God would change the areas of my heart that are not yet submitted to Him, to know His word more, and to love it, that I would be quick to obey, to be joyful, to constantly seek the Lord, to be so passionately in love with Jesus that it is contagious. I have to admit, it has brought both condemnation and joy as we hold unswervingly to His word.
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Again, in the words of Ron Luce "There will be times when you may have to endure personal turmoil while God is changing you. You will have to endure the attacks of the enemy as he becomes more and more irritated with you and the damage you are doing to his shrinking kingdom." In the end, I want to stand before my savior and hear Him say "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Coffee and a Bible

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. ~ 3 John :4

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And like RedGateFarm just recently posted, children don't just happen to start walking in the truth all on their own ~ they follow their example and respond to the teaching of dedicated parents. Although I am far from perfect, or even close to fully resembling Christ, I always find it great joy when God allows the kids to witness nearly every morning my quiet time with a cup of coffee and a Bible. Our primary relationship with Christ is through the word. To walk in the truth we have to know the truth. My prayer and my goal is that I, too, would have no greater joy as I hear that my children are walking in the truth. For there is no greater joy than walking in the truth with your Savior.

More Minor Prophets

The Lord will care for them; the Lord will be awesome to them; the Lord is righteous; the Lord is mighty to save; the Lord has taken away your punishment; the Lord is with you.
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The Lord will punish those who are complacent; the Lord will bring great distress on the people; the cry on the day of the Lord will be bitter; the Lord will sweep away everything from the face of the earth; in the fire of the Lord's jealousy the whole world will be consumed; the great day of the Lord is near~ near and coming quickly. ~ The Prophet Zephaniah
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Happy Monday Morning! The coffee's strong and the Lord is good! Whew! I have to say, working my way through the minor prophets has been challenging. It is hard to wake up every morning knowing that, again, I have to see myself in the very same place as many of the nations that these prophets warned. She obeys no one, she accepts no correction, she does not trust in the Lord, she does not draw near to her God (Zephaniah 3:2). In the depths of my soul that is still me.
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How many times do I cringe at obedience, even (especially?) to the word; how many times do I refuse to accept correction (from my husband, pastor, loved ones); how many times do I whine, worry, and complain rather than just trusting God for even the small things (like toilet paper, let alone my salvation); how many times do I let the world (the internet) consume me rather than drawing near to my God?
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My immediate justification is to only focus on God's goodness to me. Yes, yes, yes, I know, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, but I do not want to forget who I am, lest I leave a legacy of apathy to my children. This great salvation of God came to even me. Throughout all the ages He has required His children to walk in His ways. He has given us numerous prophets and warnings, and yet we stray. Like the Israelites in Exodus we claim "Just tell us what to do God, and we will obey!". Yet, at the first test, we fail Him. In the easy things, we fail Him. It's not about saving the world, signing up for every project at church, or following the law to a T. God requires that we act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. Proclaiming his statutes by our lives and obedience.
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Let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows [the Lord].

Loving the Word

Working my way through the Minor Prophets has been a bit depressing. It is hard to see the continuous rebellion in the Lords people (maybe it hits a little too close to home??) and the constant hurt this brings to them and God. I have started to balance things out a bit by spending time in the Psalms. Today, Psalm 119 was such an encouragement to me in so many ways. The 176 verses of this long Psalm reflect on the truth of God's word. It is thought that Ezra wrote the psalm, honoring the God whose word He loved. It resonates with my struggles today, thousands of years later.

In my life, as a Christian, I love the Word. The Bible is a daily part of my life. Either by reading it, hearing it, or meditating on the promises of it. Scripture is the only perfect revelation that God has left to his people until He returns. It is His love letter to His future bride. I read it in longing for Him to come. I love it because I love Him. I strive to obey it, because He wrote it. What encouragement He gave me today to stay steadfast in it.

Don't take my word for it. Read it for yourselves, and see what God has to say to you.

Would the Real Christian Please Stand Up?

I can look back over the past few years and really see where God has been leading me; removing my grip on this world and the things of it, and looking to Him for my joy, provision, comfort, and satisfaction. In many ways it has been a journey that I would not have chosen to go myself, but do we ever really seek and long for spiritual growth that is hard aside from the Lord bringing it? One of the things that I have noticed over the course of this time has been the various distinctions between people who are truly seeking God, and those who are just going with the flow of the Christian heritage of our culture. The "nice" people who really have not been transformed, but don't want to offend you. Or the one's who have sat in the same church pew for years, but have not been touched by God. The one's who make up their own God, and insist I follow him. It has caused me to evaluate, from the point of Scripture, just what the true Christian would look like. Not to judge outwardly, but to judge myself inwardly. Do I know, that I know, that I know that I am saved? If so, then what should my life look like, not work based, but heart based.
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John points out in 1st John 4:7 that those who love have been born of God. Which, in my brain, only tends to confuse things more. Our society has deemed love as making people happy, primarily ME! We have been taught by commercial adds, psychiatrists, even churches, that if I am not happy, then somebody doesn't love me. But what is love? Love is not making somebody happy at any cost, but rather seeking the good for that person at any cost. Is it greater love to let a child go undisciplined and let him have his way, or is it the greater love to discipline them for their own good? Is it greater love to watch somebody go astray in the name of love, or is it the greater love to share with them your concerns? And what is the greatest "good" for a person? Scripture tells us that we are all sinners, and apart from Christ we are all headed to Hell. Therefor, the greatest good of a person is to tell them of the saving grace that came from the shedding of blood on the cross, for their very own sins. But who wants to hear that? And who calls that love?
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John points out in 5:1 that everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. This is a continuous belief, an ongoing belief that never ends. It comes with an understanding that not only do we profess Jesus is the Christ with our mouths, but with our whole lives as well. It does not imply just mouthing the words, but living the words. The life that is transformed because they know that Jesus is the Christ, born of God, and all that implies.
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John says in 5:3 that to love God is to obey his commands, and His commands are not burdensome. This love is an action word. It is not mearly a mushy, gushy feeling deep down in our hearts, like when we see the Folger's coffee commercials, but it has an underlying depth that does not come without sacrifice. It will cost us to love God, but it will not be burdensome, but rather a joy to serve our King. To obey the commands, tho, the Christian would need to know the commands. If we reveal that we love God by obeying His commands, and we do it with joy, then we reveal that we are truly His.
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God has used the passage of Acts 10, the story of Cornelius and Peter, as a measuring rod in my life the past few weeks. Both of these men were devout and God fearing, and that is when God spoke to them. As we claim revelations from God without the first part, we best be checking where these revelations come from. Is our life devout and God fearing? Do we commit ourselves to Scripture, the reading of it, the true interpretation (not our hearts desire of what we want it to say) of it? Are we in a constant battle to rid ourselves of the sin that longs to rule, and seek to live righteously in honor of our King? Are His commands burdensome? Do we know His commands? Do we know Him?
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As the kids and I have been reading through Exodus we see again and again the Israelites' grumbling and unbelief against God. In chapter 18 Moses' father in law, Jethro, pays a visit. His wisdom and instruction to Moses is to teach the people the decrees and laws of the Lord, to show them the way that they are to live. Back in chapter 16:4 God tells Moses that He will test them and see whether they will follow His instructions. In a home with several children it is easy to see this "testing" around here; not so easy to always follow His instructions. As we know His decrees and laws, and if we are truly saved, then the Holy Spirit will begin to cause our hearts to gladly obey Him; and His commands will not be burdensome. As we learn to obey Him in the small things, it becomes easier to obey Him in the big things. Check your heart! What commands are burdensome in your life? Are you willing to take Scripture for whatever it says and just obey?
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But, how many people do we truly see living this way? How many churches are preaching salvation, sin, obedience, knowing the word, heart transformation rather than outward conformity? As we have gone through a couple of Bible studies lately I have taken a role of mostly observing. I find it interesting to see what peoples beliefs really are, and am saddened to see some of these young people, who were brought up in the church, with so little knowledge and desire for God and His word. Satan's first deceit in the Garden of Eden was to twist the word of God enough that Eve questioned it. Have we not become masters at twisting the Word ourselves, so it pleases us, rather than glorifying God in it's entirety?
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I don't think that God was kidding when He said one day He is coming back to judge the nations. The hearts and lives of everyone will be revealed. God says in Amos 7 that He is setting a plumb line among His people [Israel]. He is the plumb line, His word is the standard, His people will follow it and gladly obey it. Oh, that He would raise them up to be bold and courageous in a time such as this.

The Glorious Role of Woman

I have been itching to get my thoughts down about this subject ever since that quilting retreat I went to. A girls weekend full of crafting, drinking lots of coffee, and talking about God is a good inspiration. Real life and home school and a farm often get in the way, tho, of having 5 straight minutes to put coherent thoughts down on paper. My journey through the minor prophets (plus that convicting bathroom book) has reminded me again of this glorious role of woman, some of the pitfalls, and the opportunities it holds to glorify God.
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In this day of women's lib, equal rights for women, and throw in some post-modernism for an extra boost, our culture seems to have created the kind of women that God was talking about in Amos 4:1. Women who are so busy climbing the corporate ladder that they oppress the poor and crush the needy (their own children? hurting neighbors?their husbands?) in their greed to get to the top of the proverbial hill in a futile attempt to gain all this world claims to offer. Women who have belittled men and their positions along the way, including their own husbands and their positions as men. It is pretty hard to ignore a verse where God calls these women "cows" and not take a serious look at what He was trying to make clear to them. I know from experience. Once buying into the lie that women can and should have it all- a job, children, thinking that fancy cars and clothes and houses will make us happy, and not having to submit to a man's authority along the way to get there. Throw in a new baby, a home in disorder because of my rebellion, and a sovereign God, and I realized a little of what God was saying.
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We as women long to rule. It was a curse handed down long ago in the Garden of Eden. It runs deep, and even after salvation is a temptation that continually needs to be bridled. Our generations' role models in society have not been primarily of Godly women caring for their homes, but more of scantly dressed females in positions of power on the stage, in politics, and particularly over men. Am I wrong in my assessment? To take a good, hard look at ourselves is the first step in seeing just who we are. Knowing our weaknesses helps us to be aware of them. Breaking free from what the world calls a successful woman and what the Lord calls a successful woman is a long, hard journey. One led by the Holy Spirit, and one worth pursuing. We, as Christian women, owe it to our daughters to leave a legacy and a role model for them to follow.
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God's first role for woman was to be a help mate for her husband. Primarily, after our relationship to God, our first concern should be for the well being of our husbands. As a prayer warrior, encourager, and homemaker we can assist our husbands with the duties that God has given him, which (in Genesis) God says is to bear the image of God, subdue the land and provide for his family. God has set man up as the head of the household, and called women to respect him as such.
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I find the verse in Amos 4:1 to clearly reveal some of the women of our times. Women who have bought into "equal" roles of men and women. We are all equal in God's sight, but He has given us different roles. Not better, not worse, just different. God does not call the husband to be the helpmate to his wife, but the other way around. Yes, the man out of simple love for his wife helps her with duties, but the Godly wife will not request consistently that her husband steal her joy in serving him and their home by completing her tasks. He should not have to come home after a long day and take over her home-making jobs as well. He has enough work to do on his own without having to come home and think about what is for supper. A Godly wife handles those sometimes mundane, behind the scene jobs with joy so that her husband can focus on his work (primarily leading the family spiritually, providing for them, advancing the kingdom). Scientifically God has created women to be much better at multitasking and handling those little details than men. Do we despise this role that God has given us? I admit, I often times buy into the attitude that he should just cook supper sometimes, or sweep the floor, or pick up the dirty clothes. But why would I deny myself the joy of fulfilling my God given role, bringing great happiness to my husband, and simply honoring scripture by complaining?
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A submissive wife also allows her husband to protect her. I have found that by placing myself physically in my Godly role of serving my husband, it is easier to place myself spiritually under his Godly headship. Women have an overwhelming tendency to let their emotions control them. Our poor husbands have to face women who have been taught to belittle men and their positions in the first place, then have their wives try every emotional tactic to control them (tears, anger, etc.), and then they have the hard job of trying to shape these wild tigresses into submissive, God honoring women who are raising the next generation. Outside of an act of God they have a huge job on their hands. As Christian mothers we owe it to our daughters to set a better example to follow so that our daughters can immediately enter marriage as help mates to their husbands, rather than potential home destroyers because they insist on their own ways. And, we owe it to our boys to raise strong Godly men who can handle leading a Godly home.
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God's next role to woman was to be a mother. This precious gift of bearing children and nurturing was given to her alone. Again, a great distinction in the roles of men and women and how God created them. To the woman he gave the overwhelming maternal instinct to love and protect her child. He gave her only a few short years to nurture these little lives and shape and mold them into adults who will go out to make their own decisions. What a tremendous opportunity we have been given!
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Women are called to be keepers of the home in Titus 2:4-5. In our day and age a full-time, working mother is the norm. Our God given role is to take care of the home first. Understanding that some women have no choice but to work, others do have a choice. The choice may be giving up a lifestyle, but it is still a choice. God is glorified when moms stay home and be moms. It is the way He designed it. Think back to your childhood. I cannot think of hardly one time when I came home and my Mom wasn't there. Often with good food to eat, or a project she was working on, or just simply being there. There is a great sense of comfort in knowing that Mom will be there.
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Mothers play a huge role of training their children in righteousness in the home as well. Are we setting an example for our daughters to follow in marriage? In our dress, talk, actions, attitudes? How about for our sons? Would you want your son to marry a woman like you? That is exactly the kind of woman he will be seeking in just a few short years. She will be the kind of woman that is raising your grandchildren. Do our children see us following and honoring God in all we do? Do they see us in the Word? Do they see us serving? Do they see our hearts?
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The last, and final thought, is in women in leadership, primarily in the church. I have been accused of having too high of opinions and even being judgemental on a few certain topics that I feel the Bible is clear on. Women in ministry is one of them. I see clearly in scripture that God has called men to be the leaders in the home and in the church. It does not mean that women don't hold specific roles as well, or that they cannot minister or teach in other ways. 1st Timothy 2:12-14 clearly states that a woman should not be in a teaching position in authority over a man. He goes on to clearly explain that it is because the woman is easily deceived. Ouch! How can we glorify God even in this? By accepting what He has said, understanding that His way is the only way, trusting and praying that God would rise up Godly men who will stand up and teach. If you have followed any of the falling away of the church, then you are clearly aware of the movement to accept women as pastors and leaders in the church. How many other "little" things have we denied in scripture to get to this point? Are we willing as women to accept even this, without calling it denying our rights as women, and trust God to again glorify His name as we honor it? Has he really withheld anything from us in putting men into this position? I often tell my girls when they try that tactic that that is just a "woman's excuse". Remember Eve in the garden? Satan deceived her by tricking her that God was withholding something from her by not allowing her to eat from the tree.
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Stand up Christian woman and rise to the mighty calling that God has for you! It is a time in history, a pivotal time, to decide just who you are in Christ. Go to the word. Cling to it, and obey it. It will cost you your life, all your preconceived ideas of what will make you happy, and bring eternal rewards. God created woman, and He called it good!

Words of the Wise

God gives us pain because it is the only way we can see the times He catches us when we stumble. God gives us hardship and suffering because it helps us understand His true love.
~Alexis, age 13