So last night I did my reading and was about to blog but Thad needed the computer for work. Here is yesterday's reading:
Saturday night I was out with some friends and being pregnant I fielded all the breastfeeding, etc questions. I am the youngest of the group so it was odd to have the most knowledge then I remembered something that I had read once or twice before that made it even more odd.
"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." Titus 2:3-5
I love historical fiction especially that of the "pioneer days" of the late 1800s. One of the things that strikes me when I read those novels is the sense of connection that all women have with one another. It was custom then for the older women to be the support and education system for the younger women. It is still the custom in many tribes across the world.
The older women taught the younger women what it meant to be adult, married, and a mother. The demonstrated the character required of respectable women. It saddens me that we have this disconnect now. As a nation we fret about a 16 year old girl not being ready for marriage when just over a century ago she would be nigh onto an old maid. Then marriage past the age of 20 was nearly unheard of and now its almost required.
If we took our daughters, nieces, and granddaughters under our wings to teach the what wifery and birth and mothering and running a household were all about a 16 year old would be fully equipped to take on the job. I think as a whole we fail our young women. They don't understand the character it takes to be what they need to be to succeed in these areas.
I am going to pray for our young women. I am going to share as much as I can with the next generation of wives and mothers. I am going to be passionate about demonstrating the character it takes to be what a husband and children need. I am going to look to the older women around me for counsel. I am going to pray to follow God in all of these areas. I hope you do the same.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Today's Reading....
Today was a difficult day to be a mom. Long story so I'll just leave it at that. I decided to go back to a verse that was read to me time and time again when we were struggling with what we thought was infertility.
"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." Psalm 127:3-5
We couldn't understand why if God had all these great things to say about having children we couldn't get pregnant. Then my dad said the Holy Spirit directed him to send us to 1 Samuel chapter 1. We read about Hannah and her struggle. What we understood from that was that we weren't really in charge of if, when, or how many children we would have.
So we prayed like Hannah. We promised that child, even before conception, to God. He answered quickly. By quickly I mean within a week or two we had conceived. In addition to promising that child be dedicated to God we promised to raise him as God would have us to. We don't really read parenting books, except one, Creative Correction, by Lisa Whelchel. Its the only one we have read because its the only one we have felt release to read. Otherwise the decisions we have made have all been directed by the Holy Spirit. We didn't feel the need to gather advice from people when we had the direct line to God.
I do find myself, especially after today's big thing, desiring to seek an immediate piece of advice from others because its readily tangible. I get impatient to fix a problem and want the quick solution. Rarely is that solution compatible with what God would have us do.
I thoroughly love deeper than I ever though possible this heritage that God has given us. It is even more special because the advice of man was that it would never happen for us. Again that wasn't compatible with what God promised us. I'm glad we didn't listen.
We are on our 3rd miracle child due in July. We just bought a used car that seats 7. Thad keeps telling people that soon we are going to have to buy a church bus for all the arrows in our quiver. I saw a T-shirt on the Internet that I wanted to buy. It read:
"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." Psalm 127:3-5
We couldn't understand why if God had all these great things to say about having children we couldn't get pregnant. Then my dad said the Holy Spirit directed him to send us to 1 Samuel chapter 1. We read about Hannah and her struggle. What we understood from that was that we weren't really in charge of if, when, or how many children we would have.
So we prayed like Hannah. We promised that child, even before conception, to God. He answered quickly. By quickly I mean within a week or two we had conceived. In addition to promising that child be dedicated to God we promised to raise him as God would have us to. We don't really read parenting books, except one, Creative Correction, by Lisa Whelchel. Its the only one we have read because its the only one we have felt release to read. Otherwise the decisions we have made have all been directed by the Holy Spirit. We didn't feel the need to gather advice from people when we had the direct line to God.
I do find myself, especially after today's big thing, desiring to seek an immediate piece of advice from others because its readily tangible. I get impatient to fix a problem and want the quick solution. Rarely is that solution compatible with what God would have us do.
I thoroughly love deeper than I ever though possible this heritage that God has given us. It is even more special because the advice of man was that it would never happen for us. Again that wasn't compatible with what God promised us. I'm glad we didn't listen.
We are on our 3rd miracle child due in July. We just bought a used car that seats 7. Thad keeps telling people that soon we are going to have to buy a church bus for all the arrows in our quiver. I saw a T-shirt on the Internet that I wanted to buy. It read:
Yes, I'm pregnant again.
Yes, we know how it happens.
No, we don't think its too many.
No, you can't touch my belly.
I couldn't have said it better myself! Cherish your children and seek God for their growth and development. He really does know best how to raise them, after all He made them who they are. He also knows you are capable of raising them otherwise He wouldn't have given them to you.
Sorry for the length. This is something I am very passionate about. I also thought I would make up for missing last night. Love to all and goodnight!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Today's Reading....
I continued on with Joshua 4. This journey of the Israelites is beyond arduous and thoroughly interesting to read about.
"And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:" Joshua 4:21-24
These last few verses demonstrate for us something we should be doing every day. Joshua instructed the Israelites that the 12 stones they laid should stand as a reminder. Not one of what they did but what God did for them.
Wouldn't our children see God, His promises, and our faith as their parents in a different light if we drew their attention to every time He has fulfilled His promises to us. If we had something to say, "Look, God said He would heal me and He did." Or how about, "See, God said He would never leave us. He has brought us through this hard time just like He promised!"
I think their faith would benefit as much as ours would. So I'm going to concentrate more on relating to my children just how often God has been there for me individually and our family. I pray you would spread the word of His work in your life, too.
"And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over: For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:" Joshua 4:21-24
These last few verses demonstrate for us something we should be doing every day. Joshua instructed the Israelites that the 12 stones they laid should stand as a reminder. Not one of what they did but what God did for them.
Wouldn't our children see God, His promises, and our faith as their parents in a different light if we drew their attention to every time He has fulfilled His promises to us. If we had something to say, "Look, God said He would heal me and He did." Or how about, "See, God said He would never leave us. He has brought us through this hard time just like He promised!"
I think their faith would benefit as much as ours would. So I'm going to concentrate more on relating to my children just how often God has been there for me individually and our family. I pray you would spread the word of His work in your life, too.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Today's Reading....
Joshua 3. This is quite an adventure. To have lived in these days would have been remarkable.
"And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan." Joshua 3:10 & 17
Joshua begins his announcement by telling the Israelites the sign of the very presence of God. by the end of the chapter in verse 17 we see that his pronouncement and instructions which God undoubtedly gave him had come to pass.
How often does God give instructions and grand gestures that go ignored? How often does God's Word not come about exactly as He states it? He's never wrong. That is how we know it is His voice. He is right 100% of the time.
Lets all test our sources of guidance by this measure. If they aren't correct 100% of the time then they cannot be God's voice. Somehow we tend to place our faith in people who don't get it right all the time. Sylvia Brown has a huge following even though she cannot claim a perfect record. Perhaps we lay our faith in things and people merely because we can see them.
As the saying goes, "Seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing!" He'll always do as He says, just wait and see.
"And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan." Joshua 3:10 & 17
Joshua begins his announcement by telling the Israelites the sign of the very presence of God. by the end of the chapter in verse 17 we see that his pronouncement and instructions which God undoubtedly gave him had come to pass.
How often does God give instructions and grand gestures that go ignored? How often does God's Word not come about exactly as He states it? He's never wrong. That is how we know it is His voice. He is right 100% of the time.
Lets all test our sources of guidance by this measure. If they aren't correct 100% of the time then they cannot be God's voice. Somehow we tend to place our faith in people who don't get it right all the time. Sylvia Brown has a huge following even though she cannot claim a perfect record. Perhaps we lay our faith in things and people merely because we can see them.
As the saying goes, "Seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing!" He'll always do as He says, just wait and see.
Today's Reading....
Continuing on in Joshua I read chapter 2 tonight. It details the story of the 2 spies finding and being hidden by Rahab. That wasn't what stuck with me though. This was....
"And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath." Joshua 2:9-11
In this heathen land, in the heart of this harlot woman dwelt fear of Jehovah God. The Canaanites had heard of all the miraculous victories and deliverances that God had performed for His Chosen People and they were faint of heart. They knew nothing of Jehovah personally yet they feared and understood His Majesty.
This is often the case with non-believers now. when someone on the brink of death recovers with no medical reason behind it even the heretics and scoffers must acknowledge something, really Someone, was at work. When the Holy Spirit delivers and touches a dissenter there is no excuse they must acknowledge God's mighty hand. It is invigorating to serve a God whose very presence commands attention even among those that deny His existence. Someday they will not have that option anymore.
It is interesting to note that a conversion must have happened in Rahab's life because she become the great-great-grandmother of David. She gave birth to Boaz who married Ruth. Ruth bore Obed, the father of Jesse. Jesse was King David's father. See Matthew 1:5-6
Its wonderful that forgiveness and grace (even in the Old Testament) are such that a harlot is not only converted but becomes a pillar in the lineage of our Lord!
"And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath." Joshua 2:9-11
In this heathen land, in the heart of this harlot woman dwelt fear of Jehovah God. The Canaanites had heard of all the miraculous victories and deliverances that God had performed for His Chosen People and they were faint of heart. They knew nothing of Jehovah personally yet they feared and understood His Majesty.
This is often the case with non-believers now. when someone on the brink of death recovers with no medical reason behind it even the heretics and scoffers must acknowledge something, really Someone, was at work. When the Holy Spirit delivers and touches a dissenter there is no excuse they must acknowledge God's mighty hand. It is invigorating to serve a God whose very presence commands attention even among those that deny His existence. Someday they will not have that option anymore.
It is interesting to note that a conversion must have happened in Rahab's life because she become the great-great-grandmother of David. She gave birth to Boaz who married Ruth. Ruth bore Obed, the father of Jesse. Jesse was King David's father. See Matthew 1:5-6
Its wonderful that forgiveness and grace (even in the Old Testament) are such that a harlot is not only converted but becomes a pillar in the lineage of our Lord!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
What's going on in our world?
I am sure by now that we have all seen the vicious beating of a teenage girl by her fellow classmates that has been broadcast repeatedly over the news. The premeditated attack is said to be motivated by the girl's negative comments on the Internet about her attackers. How do words become the impetus for this?
I can't even begin to understand the mindset of the girls. What has gone on in their lives that this behavior is not atrocious to them? The investigating officer even commented that they joked about spending spring break in jail and wondered if they would make it to cheerleading practice. What has gone so terribly wrong that this is laughable to them and not a tragic event that should mar the rest of their lives?
Obviously my first hope is that they find a real relationship with God. I do however hope that they are prosecuted as adults and to the fullest extent of the law. There is little doubt of their guilt as the attack was videotaped by a reported 4 video cameras, a phone camera, and a digital camera. At their age there is limited culpability of their parents. These young girls and the two young boys who served as look-outs at the door are more than old enough to understand that brutally beating another person to that degree with that level of forethought is completely unacceptable and criminal.
I am going to pray that they all find Jesus and are held accountable. I believe that consequences are necessary and should be severe. I hope you will join me. I fear, though, that they will receive minimal consequences and learn even less from them. I am also going to pray for the victim and her family that all physical, mental, and emotional wounds are healed and that this event leads to their own relationship with God.
I can't even begin to understand the mindset of the girls. What has gone on in their lives that this behavior is not atrocious to them? The investigating officer even commented that they joked about spending spring break in jail and wondered if they would make it to cheerleading practice. What has gone so terribly wrong that this is laughable to them and not a tragic event that should mar the rest of their lives?
Obviously my first hope is that they find a real relationship with God. I do however hope that they are prosecuted as adults and to the fullest extent of the law. There is little doubt of their guilt as the attack was videotaped by a reported 4 video cameras, a phone camera, and a digital camera. At their age there is limited culpability of their parents. These young girls and the two young boys who served as look-outs at the door are more than old enough to understand that brutally beating another person to that degree with that level of forethought is completely unacceptable and criminal.
I am going to pray that they all find Jesus and are held accountable. I believe that consequences are necessary and should be severe. I hope you will join me. I fear, though, that they will receive minimal consequences and learn even less from them. I am also going to pray for the victim and her family that all physical, mental, and emotional wounds are healed and that this event leads to their own relationship with God.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Today's Reading....
I decided to go random tonight and just chose a book I had never before read completely through to start reading. I chose Joshua. Here is what I landed on to write about.....
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Joshua 1:8-9
Wow, what promises God presented Joshua! Just after Moses died and Joshua was to lead the Jews into an unknown land God hands Joshua this precious gift. I see no reason why these things don't apply to us today.
If we meditate on God's Word day and night we will be better equipped at all we do. We also have the assurance of never being without His presence. That is a very real aspect of Hell. Eternal and complete separation from God. Not like before we were saved but complete and total alienation from our Creator. Thankfully, we have been given the gift of escaping that end. Praise the Lord!
Don't forget to meditate on the Word tonight and every night. The benefits far outweigh anything that might be sacrificed.
Goodnight.
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Joshua 1:8-9
Wow, what promises God presented Joshua! Just after Moses died and Joshua was to lead the Jews into an unknown land God hands Joshua this precious gift. I see no reason why these things don't apply to us today.
If we meditate on God's Word day and night we will be better equipped at all we do. We also have the assurance of never being without His presence. That is a very real aspect of Hell. Eternal and complete separation from God. Not like before we were saved but complete and total alienation from our Creator. Thankfully, we have been given the gift of escaping that end. Praise the Lord!
Don't forget to meditate on the Word tonight and every night. The benefits far outweigh anything that might be sacrificed.
Goodnight.
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