Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom



"How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word.
With my whole heart I have sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.
Blessed are You, O LORD!
Teach me Your statutes.
With my lips I have declared
All the judgements of Your mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
I will meditate on Your precepts,
And contemplate Your ways.
I will delight myself in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word."
Psalm 119:9-16

What word have you hid in your heart today?

Tuesday, June 29, 2010



This is my first blog award given by Kelli at Sovereignly Sustaining Sanity. Thanks Kelli!

There are only two rules for this award:
1- Thank the person who gave it to you.
2- Pass it on to 12 other blogs that bring a beautiful ray of sunshine into your day.

I am passing the Sunshine Award onto:
1- Janette@ Janette's Sage
2- Cathy@ Full House Mama's Blessings
3- Sara@ Splashin' Glory
4- Elizabeth@ Learning How To Love
5- Angela@ Homemade Wisdom
6- Rachel@ Finding Joy
7- Traci Michele@ Ordinary Inspirations
8- Rachel@ The Cupcake Sprinkles in Life
9- Amy Danielle@ Overweights of Joy
10- Randi@ S Club 4
11- Michelle@ The Sword and The Rose
12- Amy@ Filled With Praise

Thanks ladies for sharing a bit of yourselves and spreading the rays of sunshine in blogworld.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Praying for our Husbands



This week Courtney has challenged us to pray for our husbands. To read more about it click here

I like the suggestion she gave about praying for our husbands whenever we look at our wedding ring. This week I will try to do that in addition to asking my husband how I can better pray for him.

In Elizabeth George's book, "Small Changes for a Better Life", she writes about prayer in the chapter "Developing Your Prayer Life". She gives the following steps for developing your prayer life:

Step 1: Do it!
Step 2: Do it badly. If you are a beginner at prayer -or perhaps getting started again- when you first start praying, you may think you're doing it badly. You may stumble and agonize over your words and concerns. But no prayer is ever done badly in God's eyes if your heart is right.
Step 3: Do it regularly.
Step 4: Do it faithfully.
Step 5: Do it for life.

Won't you join me this week in spending more time in prayer, and praying for our husbands?

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Thursday, June 24, 2010

TRUTH FOR THURSDAY

This week I am continuing "Truth for Thursdays" on Being Refined As Silver. To read the first post on this topic click here.

Recently I have been reading the book "Lies Women Believe and The Truth That Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I thought this may be a good way to share the lies we believe that she writes about, but more importantly the truths of God's Word. This book seems like a good one for a group to do together, but since I am doing it on my own, I would love to hear your comments about it.

THE LIE: "CHILDREN NEED TO GET EXPOSED TO THE REAL WORLD SO THAT THEY CAN LEARN TO FUNCTION IN IT."

THE TRUTH: "AND DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, THAT YOU MAY PROVE WHAT IS THAT GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD."

As parents, do we want to raise children who merely learn how to function in this world? Or do we want to raise children who will shine as lights in the darkness and transform this world for Christ? Children learn from what they are exposed to. Young children are very impressionable. How can we expect them to act differently from that which we immerse them in?

If we have our children around ungodly influences for a majority of the week, should we expect to see different behavior and character traits than that which they are around so often? Do we think that they are okay because they were in church on Sunday? If you are dressed in white clothes and jump into a mud puddle does the puddle turn white? No, the opposite is true. The white clothes get muddy.

I find it fascinating that parents are amazed at the behavior of their children when they don't monitor who they are spending their time with. They say "I don't know where they learned that from; it sure wasn't from me." I know...here comes the arguement. Many say we must teach our children to be witnesses by allowing them to be around those who don't know Christ. I think you must equip your child to be strong enough in the faith so that they can truly stand for what they believe in. I am not saying that they should not be allowed to play with friends who are not from Christian families. I do believe however they will become like who they most spend their time with and as parents we must build a foundation based on God's Word.

Psalm 101 says in verse 3:
"I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart form me; I will not know wickedness."

Romans 16 verse 19:
"but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil."

Do we want to raise children who fit in with the world or who are going to turn the world upside down for Christ? How do we raise children to withstand the secular culture rather than become part of it?

"Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing. To declare the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him." Psalm 92:13-15

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10

Who and what are you fearing? Are you fearing what your children will say when you tell them they can't wear certain things just because everyone is wearing it? Are you fearing your friends and family because they will think you are crazy for not allowing your children to go see certain movies? Are you afraid of standing out because all of your neighbors send their kids to the local public school and you want to teach your kids at home? May we fear God and stand for what is true and right.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

iFellowship


Happy iFellowship Wednesday!
I spent a lot of time posting on Monday, so please check it out. I posted about our wedding day and it is the post right before this one.
Also on "Truth for Thursdays" I am sharing some truths from Nancy Leigh DeMoss' book "Lies Women Believe". I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments there.
Let me know if this is your first time visiting me and I will be sure to visit you back.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Our Wedding


For this week's challenge Courtney has challenged us to simply Remember; to Remember the day you entered your sacred vows. Also to share your story and some photos from your special day. To link up, click here.

We were married on November 24, 2001. It was the Saturday after Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday and season. Autumn in NY is truly breathtaking. Tom and I had become officially engaged in August of the previous year, so our engagement was about a year and 3 months long. We had so much fun planning our wedding. We had been waiting for our special day for a while and wanted to enjoy each and every moment of the planning. We went to wedding showcases, interviewed several photographers, looked at many places for our reception. It was fun.

It had rained the morning of the wedding. As I was getting dressed it was cloudy out. Tom called on his way to the church to tell me he saw a rainbow as he was driving and the sun was coming out. When we left my house for the church, it was as if God had flicked the clouds out of the way with His finger. God is so gracious in giving us little gifts along the way to remind us that He is sovereign over all. My old pastor used to call that "little kisses on the cheek from God".
I rode to the church in an old Rolls Royce with my Dad and Mom. My two sisters and two childhood friends followed behind us in a white limo. They wore platinum dresses. The church was decorated beautifully. The pews were draped with white tulle. There was an archway at the altar decorated with white tulle and flowers and a candelabra. We had two trumpet players dressed in royal fare for the grand occasion. They greeted our guests as they entered the church and played along with the hymns during the ceremony. We sang one of our favorite hymns, "I Know Whom I Have Believed". I had trouble singing because I get so choked up with that song. "I know not why God's wondrous grace to me He hath made known. Nor how believing in His Word brought peace within my heart." Our pastor presented the Gospel and did a wonderful job describing Christian marriage. He gave a charge to each of us as we became one. As we exchanged our vows, my voice was shaking because I was so emotional. My sweet Tom took his handkerchief and wiped the tears from my eyes so my makeup wouldn't run. We were so excited to be pronounce Mr. and Mrs. we wanted to run down the aisle. We didn't though, the photographer wanted to capture some photos along the way.


We went to the ocean for some photos after the ceremony. Remember it was late November in NY, the temps were in the 50's and it was windy at the beach. We didn't care, we wanted pictures on the beach. Some of the bridal party didn't want to get out of the car, so we had photos taken of whoever was willing to brave the wind. I am so happy we did. Those are some of my favorite photos.
Next, it was on to the country club for the dinner reception. We had such a great time. We had about 170 family and friends there to celebrate with us. We had a Christian band playing music and lots of great food. When we danced our first dance it was as if the world around us had stopped; at that moment it felt as if we were the only two people there. Of course when I looked at everyone watching us I saw all the love and support they were giving us. It was such an exciting time!
After the wedding, we returned to the new home we were renting. He followed the tradition of carrying me over the threshold. The next morning we got up early and went to church for Sunday morning worship. We were so excited to be with our brothers and sisters in Christ for the first time as a couple.

We left the next morning for our vacation. Tom had been making our honeymoon plans to a tropical destination where I could swim with dolphins, when 9/11 happened. We were both uncomfortable with leaving the country at that time, since we were not sure what was going on. He surprised me with a beautiful honeymoon in New England. We took the ferry to Connecticut and drove up to Maine. We stayed in a quaint bed and breakfast and enjoyed God's beautiful creation there in Maine. It was snowing on the day we left to drive to New Hampshire. In New Hampshire we stayed at a beautiful Victorian resort in the White Mountains. It was such a great time bonding as husband and wife.

Whenever I remember our wedding day I am overjoyed with God's many blessings. I like to watch the wedding video and see the photos of each of us growing up and then us together. It is amazing to see how God brought us together. I need this challenge to remember this. To remember how exciting it was to become husband and wife and to serve Him and His Kingdom together. To remember our vows and to live them out every day. Thanks Courtney for another great weekly challenge. And as it says on the church in the background "To God Be The Glory"!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

TRUTH FOR THURSDAY

This week I am continuing "Truth for Thursdays" on Being Refined As Silver. To read the first post on this topic click here.

Recently I have been reading the book "Lies Women Believe and The Truth That Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I thought this may be a good way to share the lies we believe that she writes about, but more importantly the truths of God's Word. This book seems like a good one for a group to do together, but since I am doing it on my own, I would love to hear your comments about it.

THE LIE: "MY HUSBAND IS SUPPOSED TO SERVE ME"

THE TRUTH: "And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." Genesis 2:18

"After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded." John 13:5

Many times women are frustrated because they think that their husbands aren't helping them enough. I have heard Christian women demand that their husbands share the household responsibilities such as dishes and laundry even when their husbands are working outside of the home and they are not. Others boss their husbands around, expecting them to do the same things as they do. Some don't say anything but become resentful when their husband doesn't pitch in with the household chores. I am not trying to say that it is wrong for husbands to help with these things. If a husband desires to serve his wife in this way, that is great. If you are being a helper to your husband by working outside of the home, then maybe you both share the household chores.

Unfortunately women have been fooled into believing that their husbands were designed to be their helpers. As we can see in Genesis 2:18, the opposite is true. The women was created to be a helper to the man. When we accept our God given role as the helper we can experience peace and contentment in our roles. When we start dispising the role we were given, we will find ourselves becoming bitter and resentful. Which would you prefer?

In John 13:5, we see just one example of Jesus' serving others. Let us follow His example by seeking to serve others before ourselves. Next time we are doing dishes, or picking up dirty socks let us remember it is an opportunity to serve others. When our husbands are sitting on the couch relaxing and we are still cleaning up after dinner, instead of being resentful, thank God for a family to serve. When your husband chooses to serve you, appreciate it and enjoy. But don't act as if it is something that is owed to you. Accept it as a token of his love for you.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Happy iFellowship Wednesday!

iFellowship

I am still learning how to use my scanner, so I am working on adding photos of my husband and I to my previous post. That was before I had a digital camera, so I will have to see how many photos I can actually dig out. I have so many photos and not all of them found their way into albums. That is a huge project. I am thinking maybe I should just organize them and put them in shoe boxes. Any ideas?

No real post for today, so please read my previous post which is about how I met my husband. Let me know if you are visiting from iFellowship for the first time, so I can be sure to visit you back.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Week One-Completing Him Challenge


Click here to read more about this challenge hosted by Courtney at Women Living Well.

I have been looking all day for photos from our dating days and haven't found too many so I thought I'd write now and hopefully add some photos later.

My husband Tom and I met on January 24, 1997. My friend and I were trying to find something to do on a Friday night. We saw an ad in a Christian newspaper for a Christian Dating Service. Neither of us were interested in a dating service but since they were having a cake and coffee fellowship we thought we would just go to that. We were not sure what to expect, but figured we could make an easy escape if needed. Meanwhile Tom had received a flyer in the mail inviting him to this cake and coffee fellowship. He decided to go although he wasn't interested in the dating service either.
When we got there we sat at a table with a bunch of people, a majority of which were men. Everyone was talking and Tom was keeping the conversation going among everyone. It wasn't love at first sight, but I did feel really comfortable with him. At one point he bopped me on the head with a rolled up paper and I just looked at him. He said something about sorry it just felt right to do that. I laughed. When my friend and I were leaving, he asked if he could walk us out. It was raining and he help the umbrella for us. He knew I was planning on visiting some churches since I didn't have a home church yet, so he gave me his phone number and told me to call if I had any questions.

I did call him to tell him about a church I visited in the city. Before long we were talking for hours and I looked forward to talking to him. This went on for a couple of weeks. He asked me if I would like to go out for something to eat, as friends. I said okay. By this time, I didn't really remember what he looked like but I knew I loved talking to him. On February 8th, two weeks after we met, he picked me up and we went out to eat. After dinner, he told me that although we said we were going out as friends, it didn't feel that way. I agreed. He then gave me a Mikasa crystal heart dish and that was the beginning of our dating.

We knew early on that we wanted to get married. We started looking at rings, but financially weren't ready. We enjoyed each other's company and would do things with the Singles Ministry at church. We would go out to eat, watch movies, take long drives. It didn't matter what we did as long as we were together. On Easter I went to church with him for the first time. I then started attending church there and soon after was baptized and became a church member. My sister became engaged and I felt the right thing to do would be to wait for her to get married. This discouraged Tom a bit and it felt like it was taking forever to get engaged. Finally in August of 2000, he proposed. That is enough for a separate post, so I think I will save that for another time.

We became best friends. I remember when I wasn't with him, I would be thinking of when I would see him next. No matter what I was doing I always wanted him there. I was so excited to have him in my life. We both wanted the same things and had the same goals.

He always did such nice things for me. While we were dating we lived about 30 minutes away from each other. One morning it was snowing out and I had to go to work as a teacher. I drove 1 hour to work each way. When I went outside to clean off my car, I saw Tom there cleaning my car off. He drove out in that snow so when I came out my car would be clean. He didn't want me to see him, he just wanted to make my morning that much easier. Often times I would be running late for work and not have time for breakfast. He would go to the deli and get me ham and eggs on a bagel and meet me on the side of the expressway to get it to me. He always put me first and never complained. He enjoyed doing these things for me and he still does.

One of the things I would like to do again is spend time together alone. We really have not made the effort to get out alone. We have lots of fun with our children, but usually when they are in bed we are exhausted. It is so easy to get caught up in the daily routine of things and not make time to do the things we once enjoyed together. That is something I will be working on.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

TRUTH FOR THURSDAY

This week I am continuing "Truth for Thursdays" on Being Refined As Silver. To read the first post on this topic click here.

Recently I have been reading the book "Lies Women Believe and The Truth That Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I thought this may be a good way to share the lies we believe that she writes about, but more importantly the truths of God's Word. This book seems like a good one for a group to do together, but since I am doing it on my own, I would love to hear your comments about it.

THE LIE: "I DON'T HAVE TIME TO DO EVERYTHING I'M SUPPOSED TO DO"

THE TRUTH: "There is time in every day to do every thing that God wants me to do." (Nancy Leigh Demoss)

"Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered her and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:38-42

"I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do." John 17:4

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

In John 17:4 we see that Jesus did all that the Father had given Him to do. He did not do all that the disciples had wanted Him to do or what everyone else wanted Him to do. Are we doing what the Father has given us to do? When we are feeling frazzled and overwhelmed with all that we have to do could it be that some of those things are not what He would have us to do? Even though those things may be good things, are they taking away from the better things? In Luke 10:38-42 we see that Martha was serving (a good thing) while Mary was listening to Jesus (a better thing).

When we try to do too many things, something ends up suffering. For some of us it is difficult to say no when asked to serve. I once heard a wise older woman say that when she is asked to do something she responds "I will have to get back to you". Then she prays and talks to her husband about it before making a decision.

What good is it if a woman is serving in every ministry at church, but doesn't have time to care for her home and cook nutritious meals for her family? Her family is going to suffer because she is spreading herself too thin. There are different seasons of life and each woman's priorities are going to change. We need to pray for discernment to know what it is that God would have us to do.

For those of us who are married, we can talk to our husbands about what is important to them as well. Maybe we are spending extra time doing something that we think they like and really it is something that doesn't matter to them. For example, I mentioned to my husband that maybe I should look into milling my own flour. I said it half jokingly because I wouldn't have a clue where to start. He laughed and thought that was an outragous idea. He is so happy with an occasional freshly baked bread and the fact that I try to bake from scratch rather than use premade mixes. I was listening to what other women do and thinking that I should be doing it too. When the truth is for me, it would not be wise to do at this time.

Okay, so time for me to apply what I am writing about. I am sitting here blogging and my daughter is up. So I need to get to the better thing of making breakfast for my family. Pray with me for discernment, that we would know what it is our Heavenly Father would have us to do at this season of life.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Wednesday Words of Wisdom


"in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works." 1 Timothy 2:9-10

In "Small Changes for a Better Life", Elizabeth George writes:
"So, what's a woman to wear? The next time you look in your mirror, check yourself out...
...for modesty- "Do I look pure?"
...for propriety-"Is my appearance reflecting a proper image of a woman of God?"
...for moderation-"Would my appearance cause someone to stumble?"

This verse says so much to us women. Elizabeth George writes a lot more about it in the chapter "Tend To Your Appearance". As women we need to be reminded of these things. It saddens me to hear Christian women who are not concerned about how their dress affects others. If what they are wearing may cause a brother to stumble, they say "too bad, that is his problem". Well, they may not come out and say it like that. However, if they are more concerned with being able to wear what they want than a brother in Christ, isn't that what they are saying?
What about Christians saying "that is the style; that's what all the girls are wearing"? God's Word should be our standard, not the fashion magazines or the world around us.
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

The Hidden Gems

This morning as I was doing my book study "Small Changes for a Better Life" I read Phil. 4:8. Since it is a commonly quoted scripture I almost glossed over it. But the next sentence jumped out at me. Elizabeth George wrote, "Honor God by refusing to think otherwise." Wow, I know that we should think about things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtueous and praiseworthy and that should be the filter for our thoughts. But I had to read that again. When I refuse to think otherwise I am honoring God. Isn't that a tremendous thought? I can refuse to think otherwise. We must choose what we think about. We must discipline our thought life as well. Sometimes we hear things several times and then we glean some new meaning or application from it. That is exiciting to me. I thank God for His Word.

Monday, June 7, 2010



I am joining this challenge hosted by Courtney at Women Living Well. Check it out and sign up over at her blog.

Simple Woman's Daybook


FOR TODAY
Outside my window... the sun is shining. There is a slight breeze and the humidity is much better than this weekend :)

I am thinking... time to start a new week. Lots of things I'd like to get done to get ready for summer.

I am thankful for...a fun weekend. Saturday we went to my daughter's dance recital and out for dinner. We went for ice cream and ices afterwards. There is a new "town square" with benches, tables and a big bench swing. The kids loved that.

From the learning rooms...math drills, finishing up Little House on The Prairie and History and Science for my daughter, letter sounds for my son.

From the kitchen... I didn't do much cooking this weekend since we ate out and then had leftovers. I think I'll make pancakes for breakfast.

I am wearing... blue shorts, a blue t-shirt and purple flip-flops.

I am going...no plans for today, unless we can go pick up the new swingset we bought on e-bay. What a deal!

I am reading...the Bible, The Self-Confrontation Manual.

I am hoping...my father-in-law is feeling better. He fell and broke a vertabrae in his back.

I am hearing...birds chirping, the air conditioner humming and my kids playing with my husband.

Around the house...cleaning and more cleaning. I have to do windows next. (I hope I don't keep having this on here every week!)

One of my favorite things...a hot cup of tea with milk.

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

Thursday, June 3, 2010

TRUTH FOR THURSDAY

This week I am continuing "Truth for Thursdays" on Being Refined As Silver. To read the first post on this topic click here.

Recently I have been reading the book "Lies Women Believe and The Truth That Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I thought this may be a good way to share the lies we believe that she writes about, but more importantly the truths of God's Word. This book seems like a good one for a group to do together, but since I am doing it on my own, I would love to hear your comments about it.

THE LIE: I CANNOT WALK IN CONSISTENT VICTORY OVER SIN

THE TRUTH:
"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." Romans 6:14

"...knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." Romans 6:6

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Galatians 5:22-25

As children of God we don't have to sin. We are set free from the bondage of sin through Christ. We can experience victory over sin through God's grace and the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Isn't that good news?

Many times we struggle with the same sin over and over. Even though as believers we desire to obey God, our flesh continues to wage war against the Spirit of God living within us. Each time we choose to obey our flesh, we are setting up sin habit in our lives. Every time we sin in that area, it becomes "easier" for our flesh to continue repeating that sin. We are making a habit of it and we become a slave to that sin. We may do pretty well for a while, but then we find ourselves falling back into that same sin.

Let us not fool ourselves into thinking we are okay if we don't struggle with what some consider big sins like adultery, stealing, murder, etc. What about a sharp tongue, holding grudges, or lack of submission to our husbands? These are sins as well. As Christians, we do not have to obey our flesh. We can choose to yield to The Spirit of God. Don't believe the lie that you can never be free from that sinful habit. Satan would love for you to believe that and keep you in bondage. Run to Christ, determine in your heart to do what is right regardless of how you feel. Walk in the Spirit. Seek to put on love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Give thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 5:20).

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

iFellowship

Seeds Of Faith For The Christian Mom

Looking to find some like-minded bloggers? Head over to iFellowship and join the blog hop each Wednesday. It is a great way to meet new blogging friends! If you are visiting for the first time from iFellowship let me know and I will be sure to visit you back.