Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... snow, snow and more snow. I think we got over 12 inches since yesterday. The sun is shining and it looks so beautiful out.

I am thinking... oh how I could use a nap!

I am thankful for... a warm home, a snowblower, hot chocolate with whipped cream, my new cozy crocs.

From the learning rooms... we are on a break. The kids enjoyed playing in the snow today and playing with their new toys.

From the kitchen... hot chocolate. Not sure what is for dinner... maybe pasta and sausage or chicken pot pie.

I am wearing... black yoga pants, a light blue long sleeve shirt, and my new brown crocs with a plaid trim.

I am going... to acupuncture Wednesday.

I am reading... the Bible.

I am hearing... my kids playing Mario Cart on Wii.

One of my favorite things... my new crocs. Oh did I mention that already?! LOL. Really these are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. I think I will have to get a few more pairs :)

A picture for sharing...


Click here to visit Peggy and The Simple Women's Daybook

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

Eighteen Ways to glorify Your Husband (Taken from “The Excellent Wife” by Martha Peace)

1. Ask your husband, “What are your goals for the week?”
2. Ask your husband, “How can I help you accomplish these goals?”
3. Ask your husband, “Is there anything that I can do differently that would make it easier for you?”
4. Be organized with cleaning, grocery shopping, laundry, and cooking. As you fulfill your God-given responsibilities, your husband is then free to do his work.
5. Save some of your energy every day for him.
6. Put him first over the children, your parents, friends, job, ladies’ Bible studies, etc.
7. Willingly and cheerfully rearrange your schedule for him when necessary.
8. Talk about him in a positive light to others. Do not slander him at all, even if what you are saying is true.
9. Do whatever you can to make him look good, to accomplish his goals. Some examples are to offer to run errands for him, organize your day to be available to help him with his projects, pray for him and make good suggestions. Give him the freedom not to use your suggestion, and do not be offended if he does not follow it.
10. Consider his work (job, goals, hobbies, work for the Lord) as more important than your own.
11. Think of specific ways that you can help him accomplish his goals. Examples are get up early in the mornings to help him get off to work having had a good breakfast, take care in recording telephone messages for him, anticipate any needs he may have in order to attain a specific goal, and keep careful records of money spent to keep up with the budget.
12. Consider the things that you are involved in. How do they glorify your husband? Ask his guidance.
13. Be warm and gracious to his family and friends. Make your commitment to him obvious to them.
14. Do and say things that build him up instead of tear him down.
15. Dress and apply your makeup in an attractive way that is pleasing to your husband.
16. When your husband sins, reprove him privately and gently, always giving him hope and pointing him to the Lord.
17. Encourage him to use his spiritual gifts in ministry.
18. Realize that just as God is glorified when man obeys Him, your husband is glorified when you obey your husband.

Which one is the most difficult for you? What can you do this week to try to change that?

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... it is dark and cold. It was in the 30's today, sunny and very windy.

I am thinking... I still want to do more baking. What is wrong with me?!

I am thankful for... this time of year when we reflect on the birth of Jesus.

From the learning rooms... handwriting practice and lots of reading.

From the kitchen... more baking for Christmas. Today I made thumbprints, another batch of M & M's and peppermint bark. I am still thinking of doing some more tonight.

I am wearing... black pants a lime green t-shirt and bright green flip-flops (yes it is December in NY, but I am indoors :)

I am going... to have to do some last minute shopping this week.

I am reading... the Bible and advent stories.

I am hearing... my husband and kids playing Wii, the refrigerator humming.

One of my favorite things... peppermint bark. Something about peppermint and chocolate.

A picture for sharing...




Click here to visit Peggy and The Simple Women's Daybook

Cookie Recipes!

I am so excited that my blog friend, Rachel, is hosting this Christmas Cookie Recipe Swap! I was hoping to host a Cookie Exchange this month, but couldn’t pull it together. Last year I had one with some friends from church and it was a great time. I would love for you to share your favorite recipes too. You can link up by clicking here.

I started my Christmas baking this week. So far I have made Chocolate Chips, M & M’s, Raspberry Bars and Sour Cream Cookies. I plan on making Wedding Cakes, Maple Walnut Balls, and Thumbprints still. I will add those recipes as I bake them.



Chocolate Chip Cookies (adapted from Nestle Toll House Milk Chocolate Morsel Cookies) Makes about 5 dozen cookies

2 1/4 cups unbleached flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup (2 sticks) softened butter
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 12 ounce package Trader Joe's semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. In large mixing bowl beat butter with both sugars and vanilla until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 9-11 minutes.




M & M Cookies

1 cup butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/4 sifted flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups M & M's Plain Chocolate Candies

In a large bowl mix butter, brown sugar and sugar. Beat in vanilla and eggs. In another bowl sift flour, baking soda and salt. Add dry ingredients to the sugar-egg mixture. Blend well. Stir in 1/2 cup of M & M’s. Drop by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Decorate tops with remaining M & M’s. Bake on center rack of 375 degree oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Sour Cream Cookies (will try to add picture later)

2 cups sugar
1 cup butter
3 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
4 cups flour

In large mixing bowl cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla, beat well. Mix in the sour cream. In a separate bowl mix the dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Drop by teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Decorate with colored sugars or non-parells. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.

Raspberry Bars (will try to add picture later)

3 cups flour
3 cups powdered sugar
3 cups ground walnuts
1 1/2 cups butter
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 cups raspberry preserves

Mix first three ingredients together. Add butter until crumbly. Take out 2 cups and put aside. Press mixture into a 9 X 13 baking dish. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Spread raspberry preserves over top. Spread remaining 2 cups of mixture over the top. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Cool completely. Cut into bars.

I hope you enjoy these recipes. I will be posting more as I do more baking. I am excited to read all of your recipes. Happy Baking!

Truth for Thursday

I am continuing “Truth for Thursday” here at Being Refined As Silver.  We are on the last chapter of “Lies Women Believe”, chapter 11: “The Truth That Sets Us Free”.  It will take several weeks to review this chapter, so I hope you will continue to come back each week. 

Nancy Leigh DeMoss encourages her readers to take time to savor these liberating, life-changing truths.  She suggests saying each Truth aloud, again and again until your thinking becomes aligned with God’s way of thinking. 

Here is the nineteenth truth:

God is more concerned about changing me and glorifying Himself than about solving my problems.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”  Romans 8:28-29

When faced with a problem, is our first reaction to look for, or even demand a solution?  For most of us the answer is yes.  What if we actually stopped and meditated on the verse above?  If we truly believe God’s Word we can rest in the truth that all things (problems and trials included) are working together for good.  “If we do not recognize and embrace God’s purposes and process in our lives, we will become obsessed with finding a way out of our problems.  We will become despondent and angry when God does not “cooperate” with our agenda.” (DeMoss, page 263)

The things that matter most to us most be secondary to what matters most to Him, which is that we reflect His glory.  We may not always understand how our trials can bring Him glory, but we can trust that His Word is true. 

If you are in the middle of a trial right now, may I encourage you to seek what God has for you to learn through this.  Don’t be so focused on “when it is over” that you are missing the lessons God has for you right now.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”  James 1:2-3

How has God tested your faith?

~Theresa

 

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... it is dark. We had tons of rain yesterday so everything is soggy. I did hear there were some snow flurries tonight although I haven't seen them.

I am thinking... The Sing Off is on. I love this show. I hope the Gospel group wins!

I am thankful for... my mom coming home from rehab. after her knee replacement.

From the learning rooms... sshh..but we didn't do much in our schoolbooks today. Lots of real life learning though. The kids decorated Gingerbread Men and Women.

From the kitchen... M & M cookies and chocolate chip cookies. I started my Christmas baking.

I am wearing... gray yoga pants and a turquoise t-shirt.

I am going... for another acupuncture treatment this week.

I am reading... the Bible and my new cookbook from 1942!

I am hearing... my daughter playing the keyboard, my son playing cowboy and the TV in the background.

One of my favorite things... hot tea with milk. Yum, going to make some soon.

A picture for sharing...






Click here to visit Peggy and The Simple Women's Daybook

Truth for Thursday

I am continuing “Truth for Thursday” here at Being Refined As Silver.  We are on the last chapter of “Lies Women Believe”, chapter 11: “The Truth That Sets Us Free”.  It will take several weeks to review this chapter, so I hope you will continue to come back each week. 

Nancy Leigh DeMoss encourages her readers to take time to savor these liberating, life-changing truths.  She suggests saying each Truth aloud, again and again until your thinking becomes aligned with God’s way of thinking. 

Here is the eighteenth truth:

Personal holiness is more important than temporal happiness.

“…that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”  Ephesians 5:26-27

Some believe that when they become a Christian they will not have any problems.  They think that their life will be a bed of roses and they will not have any trials or hardships.  It is not long before they realize that this is not true.  Becoming a Christian does not guarantee you a life free of trials, sickness or unhappiness.  Actually if you are a Christian you can expect various trials.  

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”  James 1:2-4

Paul doesn’t write count it all joy IF you fall into various trials, but rather WHEN.  We can know that the trials will come because God’s Word tells us.  Is that encouraging to you?  If not, look further.  Trials test our faith and produce patience.  Patience makes us perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 

The world around us today tells us otherwise.  It contradicts God’s Word.  We are bombarded daily by various ways to avoid trials or unhappiness.  If your husband doesn’t make you happy anymore, divorce him.  If your kids aren’t behaving perfectly, send them to the specialists.  If you are not getting what you want from anyone or anything, move on.  There is no reason for you not to be happy.  You deserve to be happy.  And the same thing is taught to our children. 

I am hesitant to say it… but is the same thing going on in some of our churches?  If you are not happy with what your church offers, disregard your commitment and move on.  I am not speaking of theological differences or other valid reasons for leaving a church.  However, I do think that sometimes we find it easier to move on somewhere else than to stay and work on a problem we see.  For example, if you would like to have more women’s activities in your church, why not start one yourself?  Many times we sit around waiting for someone else to do it and all along we could be doing it instead. 

“God did not save us to make us happy in a temporal sense--- He saved us to ‘redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.’ (Titus 2:14)”  Nancy Leigh DeMoss, page 262

Sometimes the choosing holiness will require sacrifice.  But that sacrifice is temporary and can’t be compared to the joy and fulfillment we will gain in eternity.  One through seeking to  be holy can we ever experience true happiness.  (DeMoss page 263)

Are you eager to do good?  Willing to sacrifice your happiness to do what is right?  Seeking to be holy? 

~Theresa

Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom

The following is taken from the book “Womanly Dominion [more than a gentle and quiet spirit]” by Mark Chanski:

“Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him” Genesis 2:18

“Why,” asks the woman, “am I here?”  What am I supposed to be doing with my time?  How am I to go about my business?  Womanly Dominion seeks to provide answers- answers at a critical hour when misguided voices from both sidelines, and even from inside her own head, are shouting at her all kinds of foolishness."  Page 20

Are you allowing foolishness about your purpose as a woman to fill your head?  May it not be!

~Theresa

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... it is dark. The drapes are all closed for the night. We did have a few snow flurries today :)

I am thinking... I am tired and going to bed soon.

I am thankful for... my mom's recovery going so well after her knee surgery, good results from my dad's scope, my father-in-law's tumor on his kidney has not grown, good news from two pregnant friends.

From the learning rooms... quotation marks, measurements, telling time, learning to read.

From the kitchen... ham and cheese calzones (just cheese for the kids) and salad for dinner, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies for dessert (I know I mentioned them last week but only got around to making them today).

I am wearing... black yoga pants and a light blue long sleeve t-shirt.

I am going... to my second acupuncture appointment tomorrow.

I am reading... the Bible and "Overcoming Fear,Worry and Anxiety" by Elyse Fitzpatrick.

I am hearing... the dishwasher running.

One of my favorite things... Christmas decorations. I did my indoor decorating this week. Now we have to put up the outdoor lights and buy a Christmas tree.

Click here to visit Peggy and The Simple Women's Daybook

Truth for Thursday

I am continuing “Truth for Thursday” here at Being Refined As Silver.  We are on the last chapter of “Lies Women Believe”, chapter 11: “The Truth That Sets Us Free”.  It will take several weeks to review this chapter, so I hope you will continue to come back each week. 

Nancy Leigh DeMoss encourages her readers to take time to savor these liberating, life-changing truths.  She suggests saying each Truth aloud, again and again until your thinking becomes aligned with God’s way of thinking. 

Here is the seventeenth truth:

In the will of God, there is no higher, holier calling than to be a wife and mother.

“the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things- that they admonish the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husband, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.”  Titus 2:3-5

“Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her…”  Proverbs 31:28

By  God’s design, the woman is made to be a helper to her husband and to bear and nurture children.  Marriage and motherhood are God’s norm for most women.  Is being a wife and mother valued as it should be these days?  We may expect to see that it is not in the “world” but what about among Christians?

As Christians, do we take seriously the responsibility of being a wife and mother?  Of course many of us would say yes.  Our actions speak louder than words.  Do we mock the role of husbands and make jokes about the leadership of our husbands?  Often it can be heard of women complaining about their God given roles.  I have heard women, as they are cleaning up after a meal and their husbands are sitting down talking with other men, being bitter and resentful that they are “working” while the men are enjoying themselves.  It is difficult to not join in the negativity in these situations.  We have to remember by complaining like this we are fighting against God’s plan.  The sad part is that many times children are watching.  They are learning that serving is a miserable thing and not to take delight in their roles. 

Do we talk with other women about how we can’t wait for our children to be old enough to go off to kindergarten or to go to college or get married and be out of our home?  I vividly remember a woman saying that she will be doing cartwheels when her child gets on the school bus for the first time.  How sad!  She was more concerned with having free time for herself that cherishing the wonderful opportunity she has to be with her child during their early childhood.  As mothers we are given the awesome responsibility and privilege of raising the next generation for Christ.  Are we living like it?

“…to make a home, to be united with a man in glorifying God on this earth, to nurture and tend the lives of children and grandchildren, to train and mold the next generation, to deny oneself and lay down one’s life on behalf of others- there is no higher calling and no greater joy.”  Nancy Leigh DeMoss page 262

~Theresa

Welcome December!

I hope you enjoy the new Christmas look on my blog. I also added some of my favorite Christmas songs to my playlist. I spent way too much time today updating my blog so this post will be short.

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom today come from the book of Proverbs.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
But fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 1:7

Are you fearing the LORD today?

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... it is dark. The drapes are all closed for the night.

I am thinking... I really should put these baskets of laundry away. Oh yeah- and go downstairs and put the last load in the dryer.

I am thankful for... my mom's recovery going so well after her knee surgery.

From the learning rooms... catching up from the days off for Thanksgiving.

From the kitchen... pot roast, mashed potatoes for dinner. I made the pot roast in the crock pot with onions and carrots on the bottom and then made gravy from the juice. It was so good. The whole family loved it!

I am wearing... light pink lounge pants and a gray v-neck (Lands' End- they are so comfy). And yes these are the same pants I had on last week- I told you they are comfy!

I am going... to the doctor tomorrow for a follow up and to get my test results.

I am reading... the Bible and "Overcoming Fear,Worry and Anxiety" by Elyse Fitzpatrick.

I am hearing... bowling (the kids are playing Wii), my computer humming.

One of my favorite things... pumpkin chocolate chip cookies (I have been thinking of making them all day).

Click here to visit Peggy and The Simple Women's Daybook

You Have To See and Hear This!

Wouldn’t you just love to hear this in the mall while you were shopping?!  Praise God!

~Theresa

I am Thankful For…

A- autumn

B- birthday celebrations

C- children

D- drives out east

E- embraces

F- family and friends

G- God’s Word

H- homeschooling

I- ice cream

J- Jesus dying on the cross to pay for my sins

K- kites flying in the sky

L- Land’s End

M- my salvation

N- naps

O- oceans (The Atlantic is my favorite of course!)

P- Port Jeff Village and Dock

Q- quiet time

R- raspberry lime seltzer

S- sunrises and sunsets

T- telephones

U- unconditional love

V- vanilla almond tea

W- waves beating on the shore

X- xylophone (my kids still have the plastic one)

Y- yards (I just love our backyard)

Z- zippers (must faster than buttons)

Psalm 100

A Psalm of Thanksgiving.

¹ Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
² Serve the LORD with gladness;
         Come before His presence with singing.
³ Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
⁴ Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
         Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
⁵ For the LORD is good;
         His mercy is everlasting,
         And His truth endures to all generations.

Happy Thanksgiving!

~Theresa

Happy 9th Anniversary

 Today is our 9th Wedding Anniversary!  It is hard to believe it is nine years already.   At times it feels like we have been married forever, yet at other times it feels like it was yesterday. 

Our Wedding Day was perfect.  I could not have wanted anything more.  We were married the Saturday after Thanksgiving so that family members from out of state could be there.  It was a wonderful Thanksgiving, having all of Tom’s brothers and sisters together at their parents’ home.  So this whole Thanksgiving season reminds me of my wedding and that special time back in 2001.  I just love this time of the year. 

Can you tell I was happy?  Well of course I was.  We were just pronounced husband and wife!  Actually in this picture I just saw my fellow teachers who were friends of mine.  Also two of my second grade students were there to see me.  I was so happy to see them there!  I can’t believe how young we look in this picture, and we weren’t.  

Here we are getting into the car (a beautiful White Rolls Royce).

 

Here is a picture of me at Jones Beach, the breathtaking Atlantic Ocean is in the background.  And yes it was November in NY, it was around 50 degrees.  The bridal party was cold, but not Tom and I.  We were determined to get some beach shots.  (I wanted to post a picture of both of us, but this is the only one I had scanned.  Sorry about the numbers on the bottom, they are my proofs.)

 

This is another one of my favorites.  It reminds me of the Frank Sinatra era for some reason.  It was taken outside of the country club where our reception was held. 

Our first dance together!  I think I am asking him to not get me too dizzy with spinning me.  LOL.  We actually had two wedding songs.  The first one was “Every time I Close My Eyes” by Babyface.  We danced to that one alone.  The second one was “Love of My Life” by Jim Brickman.  For that one we had our family and friends join in . I have included that one at the beginning of this post.  I don’t know how to add music to my post without YouTube yet.  I couldn’t find one for the Babyface song without video of people in it, and didn’t want pictures of other people in my post!

Thank you, my blog friends, for sharing some of my wedding day memories with me. 

And to Tom, thank you for the past nine years, every moment of them.  I rejoice in knowing that you are the one that God chose for me to spend my life with.  Happy Anniversary!  To God Be The Glory!!!

Here is the verse that Tom chose for our marriage and I agreed. “ But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”  Matthew 6:33

~Theresa

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... it is dark. Beautiful night though.

I am thinking... time for the kids to go to bed.

I am thankful for... my mom's knee replacement surgery going well today.

From the learning rooms... my son is learning to blend sounds, my daughter is doing measurements.

From the kitchen... tacos for dinner. Trader Joes makes the best taco shells! Tomorrow night I start making my pies for Thanksgiving- pumpkin, sweet potato, coconut custard and apple.

I am wearing... light pink lounge pants and a pink top (Lands' End- they are so comfy).

I am going... to go read to the kids. I hope to go see my mom tomorrow.

I am reading... the Bible and "Overcoming Fear,Worry and Anxiety" by Elyse Fitzpatrick.

I am hearing... my husband playing Wii.

One of my favorite things... the quiet of the early morning.

Click here to visit Peggy and The Simple Women's Daybook

Operation Christmas Child

Today we are packing our shoeboxes. We have been collecting goodies and will go to the store to pick up a few more things. It is an easy, fun way to bless a child and share the love of Jesus! Are you participating in OCC this year?

Truth for Thursday

I am continuing “Truth for Thursday” here at Being Refined As Silver.  We are on the last chapter of “Lies Women Believe”, chapter 11: “The Truth That Sets Us Free”.  It will take several weeks to review this chapter, so I hope you will continue to come back each week. 

Nancy Leigh DeMoss encourages her readers to take time to savor these liberating, life-changing truths.  She suggests saying each Truth aloud, again and again until your thinking becomes aligned with God’s way of thinking. 

                            Image from ChristArt.com

Here is the sixteenth truth:

The greatest freedom I can experience is found through submission to God-ordained authority.

What, freedom through submission?  Many people believe that submission means a loss of freedom.  After all you are submitting to someone else, and not putting yourself first.  How can that lead to freedom?

“…submitting to one another in the fear of God.” Ephesians 5:21

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.  Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.”  Ephesians 5:22-24

Nancy Leigh DeMoss writes, “When we resist authority, we become more vulnerable to Satan’s attacks and to sin, even as Eve sinned when she acted apart from the authority of her husband.” 

God’s word tells us to submit to our husbands.  By doing so we are placing ourselves under God’s protective covering.  When we say that we don’t need that covering but not submitting we are stepping out of that protection and opening ourselves up to more sin.  The world may mock at the idea of a wife’s submission; many even change the traditional wedding vows to take out the word “obey”.  They don’t understand true biblical submission.  Biblical submission brings blessings.  Doesn’t everyone want to be blessed? 

Another area of submission is in regards to our spiritual leaders.

“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give an account.  Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable to you.”  Hebrews 13-17 

Are you a joy or a grief to your pastor?  Do you seek Godly counsel?  Or do you ignore it because you are not ready to make the changes needed?   Do you strive for the truth and seek to live your life for Christ?  Or do you turn to the world for its advice on how to live your life?  Remember that your pastor will have to give an account one day for what they did for your soul.  What an awesome responsibility that is!  What are you doing to bring them joy?

As Christians, submission is a beautiful thing.  Don’t let the world’s philosophies choke that beauty out.  If you desire to learn more about a wife’s biblical submission, I strongly recommend the book “The Excellent Wife” by Martha Peace.  I know many of you may be thinking “what about the husband?”  Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church.  You can read more about the husband’s responsibility in Ephesians 5.  There is also a book called “Manly Dominion in a Passive Purple Ball World” by Mark Chanski which addresses man and his role in this world. 

This was not an easy post to write.  Actually as I read the truth for this post, I was not happy.  My heart was telling me that I needed to apply this truth more diligently in my own life.  If you asked me if I thought I am a submissive wife,  I would say yes.  And if you asked those around me, they would probably agree.  But I know my own heart and how the desire to rule and have things my own way still wars within me.  My prayer is that I would submit not out of pure obedience but that I would find joy in it and desire it.  What about you?

~Theresa

Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom

“To fear God is to know Him,

{“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10}

to trust Him,

{“Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.  The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.” Psalm 34:11,22}

to obey Him

{“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.” Proverbs 8:13}

and to show Him reverence.”

(New Geneva Study Bible, page 664, commenting on Nehemiah 1:11)

~Theresa

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... it is a rainy, cloudy day. Our driveway is covered with beautiful red leaves.

I am thinking... I hope I can nap this afternoon.

I am thankful for... a wonderful family.

From the learning rooms... we watched a live webcast from Plimoth Planation.

From the kitchen... not too much today. It is not my treat day so I am trying not to bake.

I am wearing... gray t-shirt, black Old Navy pants and green flip flops (I'm not planning on going anywhere)

I am going... to make a cup of tea soon.

I am reading... the bible and "Overcoming Fear,Worry and Anxiety" by Elyse Fitzpatrick.

I am hearing... my kids talking to each other while they do their work.

One of my favorite things... snuggling with my kids.

Click here to visit Peggy and The Simple Women's Daybook

Song for Saturday

I heard Carrie Underwood sing this great hymn on this blog yesterday and just had to share it.  I found Katie and Ben’s blog a few weeks ago and have added their button to my sidebar.  Please go read their story and add them to your prayers.

~Theresa

Truth for Thursday

I am continuing “Truth for Thursday” here at Being Refined As Silver.  We are on the last chapter of “Lies Women Believe”, chapter 11: “The Truth That Sets Us Free”.  It will take several weeks to review this chapter, so I hope you will continue to come back each week. 

Nancy Leigh DeMoss encourages her readers to take time to savor these liberating, life-changing truths.  She suggests saying each Truth aloud, again and again until your thinking becomes aligned with God’s way of thinking. 

Here is the fifteenth truth:

The pathway to true joy is to relinquish control.

Who doesn’t want true joy?  We all do.  There is something that gets in the way, especially for us women.  CONTROL.  It is a consequence of the fall.  Didn’t God tell Eve not to eat from the tree of knowledge?  What did she do?  She thought that she knew better than Him.  She ate from the tree.  Then she hid when she heard God.  When asked about what she had done, she started trying to pass the blame.  She said that the serpent deceived her.  Are we much different?

We try to control people, our environment, and different situations that we find ourselves in.  We manipulate, worry, and dominate in a vain attempt to control what we can’t control anyway.  The only way to experience true freedom and peace is to let go of the reins- to relinquish all control to God, believing that He can be trusted to manage all that concerns us.  (DeMoss, page 261) 

What are we saying when we try to control?  We are saying that we know better than God and He can’t be trusted so we have to intervene.  The problem is we don’t know God well enough.  God loves us (John 15:9).  He has a plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11).   He knew us before we were born (Psalm 139:13).  He sent His Son to die on the cross to pay for our sins (John 3:16).  He sent His Holy Spirit to be our helper (John 14:16).  He who began a work in us will complete it (Philippians 1:6).

“The pathway to freedom is to relinquish all control of our own lives, of our families, and of every circumstance in our lives.  Not until then will we see Him do what only He can do.”  (DeMoss, page 261)

As I was writing this post, the whole screen on my computer went blank.  The program shut down and sent me to my home page.  Everything I wrote was gone.  I didn’t save as I was writing.  I was tempted to get upset and start having a fit, but then I reminded myself God is in control.  We can trust Him that everything thing that comes into our life is for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).  Praise God!

~Theresa

It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

I love the fall and winter.  Well, I just love the whole holiday season.  I am big on holiday cards.  I wait anxiously for all the Christmas cards to come.  I am always excited to hear from old and new friends.  I especially love to see pictures of them and how the children grow year to year. 

Since having children, we have started sending out Christmas cards with photos of the kids.  Some years it is easier than others.  LOL.  A couple of years I waited until December to take the photos and managed to get some snow in the background.  Other years we went to the photographer or dressed the kids up and took it ourselves. 

This year I am happy to say that we will be ordering our cards from Shutterfly.  And we are getting 50 cards for free.  Isn’t that a great deal? 

Here are some of my favorite styles that Shutterfly offers:

 

 

Which one should I pick?

Last year we gave calendars as gifts to the grandparents.  We included photos from throughout the year.  Their eyes lit up as they saw the beautiful photos on each month of the calendar.  If you need a great present, you can’t go wrong with this one.  Here is a sample of what Shutterfly offers.

You can even have a photo made into a canvas wall art.  What grandparent or parent wouldn’t love that?  This is a sample from the Shutterfly website.

Best of all, Shutterfly is offering 50 free holiday cards to bloggers.  To find out more click here: http://bit.ly/sfly2010

Can’t wait to see your favorites!

~Theresa

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... it is really dark.

I am thinking... how nice of my husband to put the kids to bed so I could relax.

I am thankful for... a warm home on a cold, windy day.

From the learning rooms... The French Revolution, learning letter sounds.

From the kitchen... the smell of crockpot pork chops with apples that I made for dinner.

I am wearing... gray Old Navy sweats (so comfy), a pink v-neck t-shirt, and brown Lands End slippers.

I am going... to make a cup of tea and try to take photos of the items I want to list on ebay.

I am reading... the bible!

I am hearing... my husband singing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" to my kids, the neighbor's dog barking, my computer humming.

One of my favorite things... fall.

Click here to visit Peggy and The Simple Women's Daybook

Truth For Thursday

 I am continuing “Truth for Thursday” here at Being Refined As Silver.  We are on the last chapter of “Lies Women Believe”, chapter 11: “The Truth That Sets Us Free”.  It will take several weeks to review this chapter, so I hope you will continue to come back each week. 

Nancy Leigh DeMoss encourages her readers to take time to savor these liberating, life-changing truths.  She suggests saying each Truth aloud, again and again until your thinking becomes aligned with God’s way of thinking. 

Here is the fourteenth truth:

I will reap whatever I sow.

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Galatians 6:7-8

“The choices we make today will have consequences down the road, not only in our own lives, but in the lives of others for generations to come.  Every selfish, sinful, or indulgent choice I make today is sowing a seed that will reap a multiplied harvest.  And every act of obedience is a seed that will produce a multiplied harvest of blessing in my life and in the lives of those I love.  The harvest is rarely immediate.  But it will come.” (Nancy Leigh DeMoss page 260)

This post today is really convicting me.  I don’t have much to say, except that I want to see a multiplied blessing in my life and in the lives of those I love.  Don’t we all?

~Theresa

Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that is may impart grace to the hearers.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:31-32

“Filthy words proceed from corruption in the speaker, and they corrupt the minds and manners of those who hear them: Christians should beware of all such discourse. It is the duty of Christians to seek, by the blessing of God, to bring persons to think seriously, and to encourage and warn believers by their conversation. Be ye kind one to another. This sets forth the principle of love in the heart, and the outward expression of it, in a humble, courteous behaviour. Mark how God's forgiveness causes us to forgive. God forgives us, though we had no cause to sin against him. We must forgive, as he has forgiven us. All lying, and corrupt communications, that stir up evil desires and lusts, grieve the Spirit of God. Corrupt passions of bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, evil-speaking, and malice, grieve the Holy Spirit. Provoke not the holy, blessed Spirit of God to withdraw his presence and his gracious influences. The body will be redeemed from the power of the grave at the resurrection day. Wherever that blessed Spirit dwells as a Sanctifier, he is the earnest of all the joys and glories of that redemption day; and we should be undone, should God take away his Holy Spirit from us.”                     Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

What proceeds from your mouth?  Is it good for edification?  Does it impart grace?  I pray that my words will.

~Theresa

 

Fall Challenge- Week Five

Last week’s challenge was a fun one.  I spent more time playing with the kids and being silly.  Usually that is my husband’s job.  He still is better at it than me, but that’s okay.  We are the perfect balance.  I played checkers with my son one morning when I really just wanted to get started for the day.  Another morning I just sat (without my computer or phone) and watched cartoons with my daughter.  One evening we were watching “The Sound of Music” and I was dancing with them.  We were laughing and having a ball.  Those are just a few of the things I did to try to have some fun with the family.  Generally we are a pretty fun family.  There is lots of laughter and silliness in our home.  I thank my husband for that. 

Here is this week’s challenge from Courtney:

Week #5 Challenge: Focus on the kitchen, the heart of the home. Cook things with pleasant aromas. Pick a meal the family can cook together - include everyone in a task and take pictures so everyone can remember moments in the kitchen together - test tasting, being creative, laughing and loving. Remove discontentment with your home or family and give thanks to God.

First - let's focus on the spiritual side. Give thanks! In Luke 11:3, Jesus says to pray like this "Give us each day our daily bread." Do we pray and ask God for our daily bread? In America - we are so blessed we rarely have to ask. We should be abundantly thankful for the food we have! Give thanks! Give thanks for your food and give thanks for your family you share it with.

Well, this is another fun one for me.  I just love cooking and baking although it is difficult to do when you are trying to lose weight.  Today I am making homemade hamburger rolls for dinner.  They are so good.  On Wednesday, which is my treat day on my eating plan, I plan on making a crumb cake and caramel apples with the kids.  This Saturday I would like to make Sauerbraten (I’ve never made it before) and potato balls (yum) and have my Mom over.  She loves it and doesn’t make it just for herself.  I already bought the pickling spices, now need to read the family recipes she gave me.  If anyone has any tips, I would love if you shared :)

~Theresa