The Well Planned Day has a great giveaway going on. Check it out at this link here:
http://www.wellplannedday.com/contest02.php
I shall return soon to finish up that book and settle down for a bit again. It's been crazy spring/summer with all the gardening, craft shows and keeping product stocked up.
Check out http://www.blossomsbarn.com/ to see what we have been up to. Lots going on and gorgeous luxurious soaps and lip balms for sale.
Have a blesses summer, what's left of it!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Titus 2:4 Chapters 7 & 8
I've been busy with starting up a home business that I've not been keeping up here. So sorry. The Lord has put on my mind the element of time. I don't know why, but time has been showing up everywhere lately. Not extra time, mind you, but reminders about time, too much time, not enough time, wasting time. I don't know if it's a spring feeling or what, but it's always close by reminding me it's there. I've been praying He shows me what it is I need to learn.
Anyway, back to this wonderful book A Woman After God's Own Heart. These next chapters are going to focus around Titus 2:4 loving our husbands. I find it interesting as does the author that this is the first thing God teaches us wives, to love our husbands. We older women are to teach the younger women how to love their husbands. We first and foremost need to make our husbands our first human relationship a priority over other human relationships, even over the children. Children are temporarily with us, then we are to set them free to have their own homes. We are still with our husbands after they are gone so this is why we need to maintain our relationships with our husbands during the child rearing years. It would be an awful feeling to all of a sudden you are really an empty nester and that would include no relationship with your husband. We have made a commitment to this man adn we need to work on it all the time. Never go lax on this one.
What I have learned in my studies and it is outlined in this book, is that God loves us with agapeo love, unconditional love and we are to love this way. But here's the interesting thing, God tells us to love with a phileo kind of love. A cherishing and enjoying kind of love. The kind of love where you actually like your husband. He should be our best friend. So how do we do this. The author gives some suggestions.
1. Decide to make your husband number one
2. Begin to choose your husband over all other human relationships - this is where we tend to over invest in our children and under invest in our marriages.
3. Are you spoiling your husband rotten? - you should be!!
Here are some ideas to shower your husband with friendship love:
1.Pray for him daily
2. Plan for him daily such as special deeds of kindness, special dinners, special time alone, special dinners alone, ealry bedtime for kids and go to bed at the same time (ok, I'm really bad on that one, I admit)
3. Prepare for your husband daily such as prepare the house. Pick it up, clean it up. Let's make his home a castle he enjoys coming to. Prepare your appearance. Boy, I've been failing in this area lately. Ugh. Prepare your greeting. Turn on some lights if it's dark. Make your words sweet. Don't immediately start complaing about your day or what needs to be fixed. Let the man have some dinner and relax first. make sure the kids greet their father also. Set the table for dinner even if it's not ready it at least looks like something will be ready. Get rid of guests and friends before his arrival. He's been working all day and the last thing he should have to deal with is a house full of other people and commotion. And for heaven's sake, get off the phone!!!!
4. Please your husband by paying attention to his likes, wants and dislikes and try to accomodate these things. Even if they are small, do them. It makes a huge difference in a home.
5. Protect your time with your husband. Here is a good rule to follow and I am pretty good at this one. When your husband is home, you should be home. Being home in the evenings when he is home is very important.
6. Physically love your husband.. I don't need to go any further on this one :-)
7. Positively respond to your husband. Remember to be gracious and positive.
8. Praise your husband. Do NOT speak critically of your husband to anyone. If you catch yourself becoming critical do these three steps: Search your heart, Seek a solution and set a goal. Bless your husband in public and in private.
9. Pray always.
I hope this book is an encouragement in your marriages, it has been for mine. Next chapters deal with being a mom. Stay tuned and I promise I will get back to this sooner. I'd like to be done before planting season which is just around the corner.
Anyway, back to this wonderful book A Woman After God's Own Heart. These next chapters are going to focus around Titus 2:4 loving our husbands. I find it interesting as does the author that this is the first thing God teaches us wives, to love our husbands. We older women are to teach the younger women how to love their husbands. We first and foremost need to make our husbands our first human relationship a priority over other human relationships, even over the children. Children are temporarily with us, then we are to set them free to have their own homes. We are still with our husbands after they are gone so this is why we need to maintain our relationships with our husbands during the child rearing years. It would be an awful feeling to all of a sudden you are really an empty nester and that would include no relationship with your husband. We have made a commitment to this man adn we need to work on it all the time. Never go lax on this one.
What I have learned in my studies and it is outlined in this book, is that God loves us with agapeo love, unconditional love and we are to love this way. But here's the interesting thing, God tells us to love with a phileo kind of love. A cherishing and enjoying kind of love. The kind of love where you actually like your husband. He should be our best friend. So how do we do this. The author gives some suggestions.
1. Decide to make your husband number one
2. Begin to choose your husband over all other human relationships - this is where we tend to over invest in our children and under invest in our marriages.
3. Are you spoiling your husband rotten? - you should be!!
Here are some ideas to shower your husband with friendship love:
1.Pray for him daily
2. Plan for him daily such as special deeds of kindness, special dinners, special time alone, special dinners alone, ealry bedtime for kids and go to bed at the same time (ok, I'm really bad on that one, I admit)
3. Prepare for your husband daily such as prepare the house. Pick it up, clean it up. Let's make his home a castle he enjoys coming to. Prepare your appearance. Boy, I've been failing in this area lately. Ugh. Prepare your greeting. Turn on some lights if it's dark. Make your words sweet. Don't immediately start complaing about your day or what needs to be fixed. Let the man have some dinner and relax first. make sure the kids greet their father also. Set the table for dinner even if it's not ready it at least looks like something will be ready. Get rid of guests and friends before his arrival. He's been working all day and the last thing he should have to deal with is a house full of other people and commotion. And for heaven's sake, get off the phone!!!!
4. Please your husband by paying attention to his likes, wants and dislikes and try to accomodate these things. Even if they are small, do them. It makes a huge difference in a home.
5. Protect your time with your husband. Here is a good rule to follow and I am pretty good at this one. When your husband is home, you should be home. Being home in the evenings when he is home is very important.
6. Physically love your husband.. I don't need to go any further on this one :-)
7. Positively respond to your husband. Remember to be gracious and positive.
8. Praise your husband. Do NOT speak critically of your husband to anyone. If you catch yourself becoming critical do these three steps: Search your heart, Seek a solution and set a goal. Bless your husband in public and in private.
9. Pray always.
I hope this book is an encouragement in your marriages, it has been for mine. Next chapters deal with being a mom. Stay tuned and I promise I will get back to this sooner. I'd like to be done before planting season which is just around the corner.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Part 3 - A Woman After God's Own Heart
Beginning in chapter 6 titled, A Heart That Follows, the author describes what it is to follow your husband's leadership. Boy, that's a tall order. How many of us kick and scream over that one? First I have to submit, now I need to follow his lead. They go hand in hand. You can't do one without the other. Let's clear up some misconception on what these mean. The term submission or hupotasso, is mainly a military term meaning to rank yourself under someone else. An attitude of leaving things to the judgement of another person and yielding to their opinion. This in no terms means a man is to crush a woman or lord over a woman. He cannot make her obey him or follow him. It is a HEART issue, a choice to make. If I wish to follow God's word in what He has to say about my action and the role I must play in my marriage, I need to change my heart.
In the Christian walk we are called to be submissive on many occasions. We are to submit ourselves to one another and other authorities. The Word says this:
"submit...to everyone who works and labors with us" - 1 Corinthians 16:16
"be submitting to one another in fear of God" - Ephesians 5:21
"obey those who rule over you, and be submissive" - Hebrews 13:17
"submit to God" - James 4:7
"submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors....for this is the will of God" - 1 Peter 2:13-15
"be submissive to your master" (employers) 1 Peter 2:18
"all of you be submissive to one another" 1 Peter 5:5
It is an act of selflessness and humility to submit to who God says to submit to. It's part of our Christian character that we need to work on. I think the hardest one to submit and follow though, is our husbands.
"Wives submit to your own husbands" Ephesians 5:22 and Colossians 3:18. God has put the man in the head of the family body and he has to answer to Christ. All that happens in the family, the husband has to answer for. So we thought we had it rough. All we have to do is submit and follow, but the husband is held accountable for the whole family. Yikes. Since we are the helpmeet to our husbands, we are allowed to discuss and ask questions for clarification on decisions, but ultimately it's the husbands final decision. This is God's order and it's perfect. If I would just allow my husband to lead, what a transformation that could take place.
What are we to do if our husbands are not believers. God's Word doesn't change. These precepts are for ALL marriages. So here is where a great ministry opportunity awaits. Like I said in a previous blog, our first ministry is in the home. Just think of the possibilities when you submit and follow your unbelieving husband. By doing this, you are fulfilling God's Word on marriage and a blessing will be yours.
Here's another one. "Let the wives be subject to their own husbands in EVERYTHING" Ephesians 5:24. There's no "buts" allowed. In Everything. Enough said.
The author goes on to talk about why we hesitate to follow our husbands. It's out of fear. We are to have faith, not fear. We are afraid of what will happen if we allow our husbands to do things their way instead of our way. God says to submit and follow. We need to have faith that God knows what He is talking about. It is by faith that we know God works through our husbands. It is by faith we trust God and His sovereignty.
The next topic, motivation for submission, is a clincher for me. "Admonish the young women to...be obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed" Titus 2:4-5. Ouch. Do I want God's word blasphemed? No, absolutely not. So here's where my feet need to meet the road. I want to be pleasing to God and if that requires me to submit and follow my husband, then so be it. I love my God and I want to be pleasing in His sight. I want to portray and excellent picture of marriage to my children. I'm a sinner, I fail on a regular basis, but I get up and try again for it is my calling, my job assignment from God.
Here I will list the author's ideas of following your husband:
1. Dedicate your heart ot honoring your husband - This requires a decision, a change of heart
2. Remember to respect - You don't have to feel respect, but you must show respect.
3. Respond to your husband's words and actions positively
a. Phase one - Say nothing! No nagging, picking on, or disagreeing with him in public. Don't correct, cut off or interrupt or finish sentences for him.
b. Phase Two - Respond with a single positive word. If your husband has a request for you, respond in a positive happy manner with one word, like "Sure!"
4. Ask of each word, act and attitude, "Am I bending or bucking?" If you're feeling tension or resistance in your heart with your husbands direction, ask yourself "Am I bending or bucking?" Your answer will point to the problem.
I pray with each passing day I grow in this area. I'm still a long way off, but I can also see how far I've come. I do notice that things seem to go better when I'm quiet and allow my husband to be the leader. I cringe when I remember those earlier days. I'm one of the women who is a fall-out from the feminist movement. I thought I was to be all to everyone and that I was in control. Boy did I mess things up with this mindset. I can see now that God knows what is best, not me. He's my creator, and He created me to by my husbands helper/meet.
In the Christian walk we are called to be submissive on many occasions. We are to submit ourselves to one another and other authorities. The Word says this:
"submit...to everyone who works and labors with us" - 1 Corinthians 16:16
"be submitting to one another in fear of God" - Ephesians 5:21
"obey those who rule over you, and be submissive" - Hebrews 13:17
"submit to God" - James 4:7
"submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors....for this is the will of God" - 1 Peter 2:13-15
"be submissive to your master" (employers) 1 Peter 2:18
"all of you be submissive to one another" 1 Peter 5:5
It is an act of selflessness and humility to submit to who God says to submit to. It's part of our Christian character that we need to work on. I think the hardest one to submit and follow though, is our husbands.
"Wives submit to your own husbands" Ephesians 5:22 and Colossians 3:18. God has put the man in the head of the family body and he has to answer to Christ. All that happens in the family, the husband has to answer for. So we thought we had it rough. All we have to do is submit and follow, but the husband is held accountable for the whole family. Yikes. Since we are the helpmeet to our husbands, we are allowed to discuss and ask questions for clarification on decisions, but ultimately it's the husbands final decision. This is God's order and it's perfect. If I would just allow my husband to lead, what a transformation that could take place.
What are we to do if our husbands are not believers. God's Word doesn't change. These precepts are for ALL marriages. So here is where a great ministry opportunity awaits. Like I said in a previous blog, our first ministry is in the home. Just think of the possibilities when you submit and follow your unbelieving husband. By doing this, you are fulfilling God's Word on marriage and a blessing will be yours.
Here's another one. "Let the wives be subject to their own husbands in EVERYTHING" Ephesians 5:24. There's no "buts" allowed. In Everything. Enough said.
The author goes on to talk about why we hesitate to follow our husbands. It's out of fear. We are to have faith, not fear. We are afraid of what will happen if we allow our husbands to do things their way instead of our way. God says to submit and follow. We need to have faith that God knows what He is talking about. It is by faith that we know God works through our husbands. It is by faith we trust God and His sovereignty.
The next topic, motivation for submission, is a clincher for me. "Admonish the young women to...be obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed" Titus 2:4-5. Ouch. Do I want God's word blasphemed? No, absolutely not. So here's where my feet need to meet the road. I want to be pleasing to God and if that requires me to submit and follow my husband, then so be it. I love my God and I want to be pleasing in His sight. I want to portray and excellent picture of marriage to my children. I'm a sinner, I fail on a regular basis, but I get up and try again for it is my calling, my job assignment from God.
Here I will list the author's ideas of following your husband:
1. Dedicate your heart ot honoring your husband - This requires a decision, a change of heart
2. Remember to respect - You don't have to feel respect, but you must show respect.
3. Respond to your husband's words and actions positively
a. Phase one - Say nothing! No nagging, picking on, or disagreeing with him in public. Don't correct, cut off or interrupt or finish sentences for him.
b. Phase Two - Respond with a single positive word. If your husband has a request for you, respond in a positive happy manner with one word, like "Sure!"
4. Ask of each word, act and attitude, "Am I bending or bucking?" If you're feeling tension or resistance in your heart with your husbands direction, ask yourself "Am I bending or bucking?" Your answer will point to the problem.
I pray with each passing day I grow in this area. I'm still a long way off, but I can also see how far I've come. I do notice that things seem to go better when I'm quiet and allow my husband to be the leader. I cringe when I remember those earlier days. I'm one of the women who is a fall-out from the feminist movement. I thought I was to be all to everyone and that I was in control. Boy did I mess things up with this mindset. I can see now that God knows what is best, not me. He's my creator, and He created me to by my husbands helper/meet.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Part 2 - A Woman After God's own Heart
I will be continuing on here with my comments and observations about the book A Woman After God's Own Heart, by Elizabeth George. I've been leading a small group using the Precept course In and Out, A Marriage Without Regrets and the book I"ve been reading goes along with it very nicely. I love when God hands me other materials that are consistent with what I'm studying. I also love when authors are true to God's Word.
I will continue on here with Chapter 5 and this also starts the section on marriage and a woman's role in marriage. This chapter is titled A Heart That Serves. Here, the author goes on to say as she studied the Bible for ways to please God being a wife and mother, she used a pink highligter marker and highlighted every passage that spoke to her about being a woman. I love this idea! What a way to have the Word of God jump out at you, for you! You will be able to see exactly what God has to say about every area of your life. The first thing God says and it's right in Genesis, is that God created woman to be a helper to man. This isn't just any man, but your husband only. You answer only to him (and the Lord, of course). Here is where some men get out of control and abuse the Word for their own purpose, but I won't be talking about that here. We should desire to serve our husbands. Our first and foremost ministry is in our OWN homes. I also love that the author uses this term, "I am on assignment from God to ...." in this case she uses the terms, help my husband. A helper comes along side and helps. You are not to dominate or "rule" over him. He is to be the leader and you follow. Oh, how wonderful our homes would be if we ladies would just sit down and be quiet! We are to be behind and supportive of our husbands, not competing in a race. We should be eager to promote our husbands and stay in the shadows, to be the woman behind the man. In all this, this is the beginning of having a servant spirit.
Here are two questions the author gives for helping your husband each day.
1. "What can I do for you today?"
2. "What can I do to help you make better use of your time today?"
Don't panic over the answers you may get. Make your husband your number one priority. If you're asking yourself, "Well if I have to cater to his needs, then my day will be ruined!" Then you need to check your servant heart, dear sister. Remember, God created you to help your husband. He is your first priority. Oh, and don't forget, slap on a joyful heart while you are being the helper! Do you think you're really being a helper when you don't have joy in your heart. Your actions show what's inside. And, also remember, your husband is your FIRST ministry.
I will continue on here with Chapter 5 and this also starts the section on marriage and a woman's role in marriage. This chapter is titled A Heart That Serves. Here, the author goes on to say as she studied the Bible for ways to please God being a wife and mother, she used a pink highligter marker and highlighted every passage that spoke to her about being a woman. I love this idea! What a way to have the Word of God jump out at you, for you! You will be able to see exactly what God has to say about every area of your life. The first thing God says and it's right in Genesis, is that God created woman to be a helper to man. This isn't just any man, but your husband only. You answer only to him (and the Lord, of course). Here is where some men get out of control and abuse the Word for their own purpose, but I won't be talking about that here. We should desire to serve our husbands. Our first and foremost ministry is in our OWN homes. I also love that the author uses this term, "I am on assignment from God to ...." in this case she uses the terms, help my husband. A helper comes along side and helps. You are not to dominate or "rule" over him. He is to be the leader and you follow. Oh, how wonderful our homes would be if we ladies would just sit down and be quiet! We are to be behind and supportive of our husbands, not competing in a race. We should be eager to promote our husbands and stay in the shadows, to be the woman behind the man. In all this, this is the beginning of having a servant spirit.
Here are two questions the author gives for helping your husband each day.
1. "What can I do for you today?"
2. "What can I do to help you make better use of your time today?"
Don't panic over the answers you may get. Make your husband your number one priority. If you're asking yourself, "Well if I have to cater to his needs, then my day will be ruined!" Then you need to check your servant heart, dear sister. Remember, God created you to help your husband. He is your first priority. Oh, and don't forget, slap on a joyful heart while you are being the helper! Do you think you're really being a helper when you don't have joy in your heart. Your actions show what's inside. And, also remember, your husband is your FIRST ministry.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
A Woman After God's Own Heart
I started reading a book called A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George. I picked up three books by this author, actually. Now I typically don't pick up books like this. I'm more of a non-fiction resource kinda gal with the occassional Christian fiction thrown in and some classics now and then. So this was a new genre for me. I have the desire to go through this book with you and I will be utilizing what the author has said, but I won't copy. I promise.
As I started to read, I wasn't sure I was going to get into what the author was trying to say. Was I going to turn into this super woman of God by reading this book? Was this going to make me feel guilty if I don't have my schedule filled to overflowing with "good works"? Not sure yet, so I kept reading.
The first four chapters are talking about what our hearts should be devoted to. God, His Word, obedience and prayer. I agree. I want more. I've been in the desert for a small bit lately, so I'm kinda parched for His Word and better/more prayer time with Him. Chapter One simply states that if you are a woman of God's, you are to love Him fervently with a whole heart and that it's our sole desire. wow. Examples are the Mary and Martha story. Mary discerned the one thing needed and then she chose it. It's not that she was lazy and didn't want to help her sister, but at that moment, the Lord was in her home and she chose to sit at His feet and listen to what He had to say. It's not like it was a daily thing that he entered their home. Good choice on Mary's part. So how do we become a woman of God? Start first by choosing God's ways at every opportunity. This includes your decisions, words, thoughts and responses. We should want to reflect that God is our ultimate priority. This is in Proverbs 3:6. We need to recommit ourselves to Him each new day. Then we need to check the temperature of our heart. Are you hot or cold. Please don't say lukewarm! (Revelation 3:15-16) God wants our hearts to be on fire!!
Chapter 2 describes the Word as being like a vine. Abide in the Word and you will be fed. A broken branch can't get nourishment from the vine. Also roots are unseen, they are for taking in nourishment and they are for storage. The roots are developed by being in the Word and gaining strength from it. What people see in you on the outside will reflect what you have stored up for yourself on the inside by spending time with the Lord in prayer and study. If our roots are collecting the life giving water, we will not be afraid and we will bear fruit faithfully. Our roots are also for support. We need strong roots to stand solid for the Lord!
Chapter 3 tells us how to have a heart for prayer. These are listed as blessings. Blessing #1 is a depper relationship with God. We get that through prayer. Prayer increases our faith by us seeing prayers being answered. It gives us a time to unload our burdens on Him and lets us know He is near. Prayer teaches us not to panic for God is in control of all things and we should not faint under troubles. Finally, prayer changes lives. Not just other people's lives, but yours. Blessing #2 tells us about prayer giving us great purity. This is when we repent of our sins to Him who forgives and loves us anyway. His grace is poured out on us when we repent. Blessing #3 prayer gives us confidence in making decisions. Go to the Lord in prayer for all decisions. He will not steer you wrong. Take the time to listen for His voice. Blessing #4 Prayer improves relationships. This was a short piece but very effective. So how does prayer improve our relationships? You cannot think about others and yourself at the same time. You can't hate the person you are praying for and you can't neglect the person you are praying for. All these ideas of the author's were wonderful. I never thought of it like this before. And what's more, it's true! Blessing #5 is contentment. Give it all to God and be happy with what He gives you. Blessing #6 God-confidence. You get God-confidence as the Holy Spirit works inside of you. When we pray and honor God the Holy Spirit fills us to the brim and gives us the power to ministry. And finally, Blessing #7 The ministry of prayer. Intersession prayer is powerful. don't overlook its power to change lives.
Chapter 4 describes a heart that obeys. There are two kinds of hearts that obey. The first is a heart like Saul. He thought only of himself. He thought he was good to go for doing what was prescribed by God for worship. Something was missing. He didn't have a heart for God and God dealt with him. Next up is David. Now David was a sinner, but the difference was he saw his sin and repented his whole heart back to God. He was a man after God's own heart. I want to be like that. I want my heart wholly for God. So how do we do this? Start by concentrating on what is right and cease doing what is wrong. Confess your wrongs in prayer and clear things up with other people. Confession cleans the soul. Finally, continue on as soon as possible. Satan loves when we stumble and then wallow in our mistakes. We need to repent, pray adn get back on our feet and continue on in God's ways.
This is my summary of the first four chapters of this book. I hope you enjoyed it for I will return to continue on in the book. It gets better. Stay tuned.
As I started to read, I wasn't sure I was going to get into what the author was trying to say. Was I going to turn into this super woman of God by reading this book? Was this going to make me feel guilty if I don't have my schedule filled to overflowing with "good works"? Not sure yet, so I kept reading.
The first four chapters are talking about what our hearts should be devoted to. God, His Word, obedience and prayer. I agree. I want more. I've been in the desert for a small bit lately, so I'm kinda parched for His Word and better/more prayer time with Him. Chapter One simply states that if you are a woman of God's, you are to love Him fervently with a whole heart and that it's our sole desire. wow. Examples are the Mary and Martha story. Mary discerned the one thing needed and then she chose it. It's not that she was lazy and didn't want to help her sister, but at that moment, the Lord was in her home and she chose to sit at His feet and listen to what He had to say. It's not like it was a daily thing that he entered their home. Good choice on Mary's part. So how do we become a woman of God? Start first by choosing God's ways at every opportunity. This includes your decisions, words, thoughts and responses. We should want to reflect that God is our ultimate priority. This is in Proverbs 3:6. We need to recommit ourselves to Him each new day. Then we need to check the temperature of our heart. Are you hot or cold. Please don't say lukewarm! (Revelation 3:15-16) God wants our hearts to be on fire!!
Chapter 2 describes the Word as being like a vine. Abide in the Word and you will be fed. A broken branch can't get nourishment from the vine. Also roots are unseen, they are for taking in nourishment and they are for storage. The roots are developed by being in the Word and gaining strength from it. What people see in you on the outside will reflect what you have stored up for yourself on the inside by spending time with the Lord in prayer and study. If our roots are collecting the life giving water, we will not be afraid and we will bear fruit faithfully. Our roots are also for support. We need strong roots to stand solid for the Lord!
Chapter 3 tells us how to have a heart for prayer. These are listed as blessings. Blessing #1 is a depper relationship with God. We get that through prayer. Prayer increases our faith by us seeing prayers being answered. It gives us a time to unload our burdens on Him and lets us know He is near. Prayer teaches us not to panic for God is in control of all things and we should not faint under troubles. Finally, prayer changes lives. Not just other people's lives, but yours. Blessing #2 tells us about prayer giving us great purity. This is when we repent of our sins to Him who forgives and loves us anyway. His grace is poured out on us when we repent. Blessing #3 prayer gives us confidence in making decisions. Go to the Lord in prayer for all decisions. He will not steer you wrong. Take the time to listen for His voice. Blessing #4 Prayer improves relationships. This was a short piece but very effective. So how does prayer improve our relationships? You cannot think about others and yourself at the same time. You can't hate the person you are praying for and you can't neglect the person you are praying for. All these ideas of the author's were wonderful. I never thought of it like this before. And what's more, it's true! Blessing #5 is contentment. Give it all to God and be happy with what He gives you. Blessing #6 God-confidence. You get God-confidence as the Holy Spirit works inside of you. When we pray and honor God the Holy Spirit fills us to the brim and gives us the power to ministry. And finally, Blessing #7 The ministry of prayer. Intersession prayer is powerful. don't overlook its power to change lives.
Chapter 4 describes a heart that obeys. There are two kinds of hearts that obey. The first is a heart like Saul. He thought only of himself. He thought he was good to go for doing what was prescribed by God for worship. Something was missing. He didn't have a heart for God and God dealt with him. Next up is David. Now David was a sinner, but the difference was he saw his sin and repented his whole heart back to God. He was a man after God's own heart. I want to be like that. I want my heart wholly for God. So how do we do this? Start by concentrating on what is right and cease doing what is wrong. Confess your wrongs in prayer and clear things up with other people. Confession cleans the soul. Finally, continue on as soon as possible. Satan loves when we stumble and then wallow in our mistakes. We need to repent, pray adn get back on our feet and continue on in God's ways.
This is my summary of the first four chapters of this book. I hope you enjoyed it for I will return to continue on in the book. It gets better. Stay tuned.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Ringing in a New Year
I'm so glad Christmas and all the holidays are over and done. Nothing like getting back to a normal schedule and the activities that go with it. Keeping this family on somewhat of a schedule is comforting for all and there's always plenty to do. There's always plenty to do anyway, but when we are 'on break', it seems like all falls apart and everyone forgets how to amuse themselves in a productive way, myself included. So tomorrow we get back on that proverbial horse and start riding. I'm looking forward to the new year.
We will be starting chapter 7 of Volume 3 of Weaver. This will be a fun chapter (aren't they all?). We'll be diving into a part of history I'm totally unfamiliar with (again, aren't they all, what did I do when I was in school anyway?) learning about the presidency of George Washington and the setting up of the nation according to the Constitution. How about that. We'll also be looking at the other presidents that follow him and how things will change as time marches on till we get to Abraham Lincoln and here we will change gears again. Included in this study will be the Louisiana Purchase, Oregon Trail, Santa Fe Trail, Daniel Boone and everything in between. There will be lots of books that will get read and I can't wait! I foresee a beautiful timeline being produced from this. So much happens in this time frame of our history that I'm hoping we get the most of it all.
We will also be starting the Learning to Love Literature book in a couple of weeks after we get some other work out of the way. I think this will be a great warm-up to future literature study. I will be so glad to have the Constitution class out of the way. I really disliked that whole program. Great information, poor program and how it worked. It was improving as we went, but it still was a cumbersome class to use and maneuver. One son has this week to finish it and we should be good to go. I'll just have to print off some papers for their binders and print off a grade report and call it good. I think out of all the lessons we've done since we began to homeschool, I think they learned the least with that class. It was set up like a typical classroom style way of learning, you know, just git er done and get it over with. I had no hand in presenting the information and I didn't like that either. Plus, I couldn't learn anything that way! I wish I had done this information a different way and there's nothing saying we won't go over it again. I pray it will be to every one's liking.
Farm News:
Nothing really to report much. I've made two batches of soap and I have to admit, they are pretty terrific. I used goat milk and rolled oats for these batches. The next batch will be more of an herbal creation. I enjoy making them. Why is it that all the home craft things to do require special equipment? It's so frustrating sometimes. If we want nice soap, you need to buy the nice ingredients. Then there's the molds and cutting tools needed. My hubby made me this very nice mold which is great. Now I need a miter box for cutting nice looking bars. I have a pattern for that, but no knife long enough to get across it.
I had to quit making goat cheese since I let my goat dry up for her pregnancy. In the spring we should be loaded down with kids and lots of goat milk! I love milking my goats. I have experimented with making soft cheeses with cows milk and they have been inconsistent, but I'm still trying. We have LOTS of milk to play with. The best part is that we now have fresh organic, grass-fed butter for our use. The last two batches of yogurt have turned out also. Yum. My next project is to make kefir, which I've never even tried before. We'll see how that one goes. Again, another home craft that requires additional equipment to make different kinds of cheeses. The list can be endless.
The seed catalogs are starting to roll in. One of my favorite times of the year, dreaming about next seasons garden. Of course my dreams are never reality, but I strive each year for a better garden. This year will bring for the first time a large herb garden. I've started using herbs for medicinal purposes in teas and I would also like to make salves and more tinctures. So part of the dream is to create raised long beds through the garden just for the herbs. I also want to get elderberries started. I will be transplanting raspberry bushes into the vegetable garden since where I was trying to grow them was not working out. I think my garden will be a better place. Safer anyway. Here at least the chickens and turkeys can't eat all the berries. I'm giving up on most squash and melon vines. The squash bugs and beetles are too much to deal with. I've found certain squash are ok and can tolerate those nasty little critters. I also can't wait to see how my garlic turns out. I planted a large patch for the first time this fall and I've got it all protected for the winter so I hope I have a nice crop this summer. I use LOTS of garlic and this would be such a blessing.
The orchard seems to be doing well this winter. I will have to go out and do my winter pruning soon. Those blasted rabbits have been gnawing on my grape vines again, but at least they grew enough this past season to grow up the fence, so those vines for now are safe. It was the stragglers that have been chewed off. Hmmm, I wonder what rabbit tastes like?
The cattle seem happy that all the snow has melted for now. Today I saw them out and about chewing on who knows what, but at least they seemed happy to be doing it. I feel sorry for them in the winter not having nice green grass and eating hay instead. At least we get the funny show of them kicking up their heels in the spring when the weather breaks. Our dairy cow, Blossom, has been keeping us well supplied with milk. The funny thing is that it's not enough really to sell, but too much for our family. If I had just one or two customers a week that came and bought two gallons, that would be ideal. I'll keep praying for that to happen.
We had a great 2010 year. I'm praying God is as gracious to us this coming year and to you, too.
We will be starting chapter 7 of Volume 3 of Weaver. This will be a fun chapter (aren't they all?). We'll be diving into a part of history I'm totally unfamiliar with (again, aren't they all, what did I do when I was in school anyway?) learning about the presidency of George Washington and the setting up of the nation according to the Constitution. How about that. We'll also be looking at the other presidents that follow him and how things will change as time marches on till we get to Abraham Lincoln and here we will change gears again. Included in this study will be the Louisiana Purchase, Oregon Trail, Santa Fe Trail, Daniel Boone and everything in between. There will be lots of books that will get read and I can't wait! I foresee a beautiful timeline being produced from this. So much happens in this time frame of our history that I'm hoping we get the most of it all.
We will also be starting the Learning to Love Literature book in a couple of weeks after we get some other work out of the way. I think this will be a great warm-up to future literature study. I will be so glad to have the Constitution class out of the way. I really disliked that whole program. Great information, poor program and how it worked. It was improving as we went, but it still was a cumbersome class to use and maneuver. One son has this week to finish it and we should be good to go. I'll just have to print off some papers for their binders and print off a grade report and call it good. I think out of all the lessons we've done since we began to homeschool, I think they learned the least with that class. It was set up like a typical classroom style way of learning, you know, just git er done and get it over with. I had no hand in presenting the information and I didn't like that either. Plus, I couldn't learn anything that way! I wish I had done this information a different way and there's nothing saying we won't go over it again. I pray it will be to every one's liking.
Farm News:
Nothing really to report much. I've made two batches of soap and I have to admit, they are pretty terrific. I used goat milk and rolled oats for these batches. The next batch will be more of an herbal creation. I enjoy making them. Why is it that all the home craft things to do require special equipment? It's so frustrating sometimes. If we want nice soap, you need to buy the nice ingredients. Then there's the molds and cutting tools needed. My hubby made me this very nice mold which is great. Now I need a miter box for cutting nice looking bars. I have a pattern for that, but no knife long enough to get across it.
I had to quit making goat cheese since I let my goat dry up for her pregnancy. In the spring we should be loaded down with kids and lots of goat milk! I love milking my goats. I have experimented with making soft cheeses with cows milk and they have been inconsistent, but I'm still trying. We have LOTS of milk to play with. The best part is that we now have fresh organic, grass-fed butter for our use. The last two batches of yogurt have turned out also. Yum. My next project is to make kefir, which I've never even tried before. We'll see how that one goes. Again, another home craft that requires additional equipment to make different kinds of cheeses. The list can be endless.
The seed catalogs are starting to roll in. One of my favorite times of the year, dreaming about next seasons garden. Of course my dreams are never reality, but I strive each year for a better garden. This year will bring for the first time a large herb garden. I've started using herbs for medicinal purposes in teas and I would also like to make salves and more tinctures. So part of the dream is to create raised long beds through the garden just for the herbs. I also want to get elderberries started. I will be transplanting raspberry bushes into the vegetable garden since where I was trying to grow them was not working out. I think my garden will be a better place. Safer anyway. Here at least the chickens and turkeys can't eat all the berries. I'm giving up on most squash and melon vines. The squash bugs and beetles are too much to deal with. I've found certain squash are ok and can tolerate those nasty little critters. I also can't wait to see how my garlic turns out. I planted a large patch for the first time this fall and I've got it all protected for the winter so I hope I have a nice crop this summer. I use LOTS of garlic and this would be such a blessing.
The orchard seems to be doing well this winter. I will have to go out and do my winter pruning soon. Those blasted rabbits have been gnawing on my grape vines again, but at least they grew enough this past season to grow up the fence, so those vines for now are safe. It was the stragglers that have been chewed off. Hmmm, I wonder what rabbit tastes like?
The cattle seem happy that all the snow has melted for now. Today I saw them out and about chewing on who knows what, but at least they seemed happy to be doing it. I feel sorry for them in the winter not having nice green grass and eating hay instead. At least we get the funny show of them kicking up their heels in the spring when the weather breaks. Our dairy cow, Blossom, has been keeping us well supplied with milk. The funny thing is that it's not enough really to sell, but too much for our family. If I had just one or two customers a week that came and bought two gallons, that would be ideal. I'll keep praying for that to happen.
We had a great 2010 year. I'm praying God is as gracious to us this coming year and to you, too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)