I got sick. Really sick. Like, I-am-going-to-be-praising-God-if-I-survive-the-night sick.
No kidding, I was sure I was going to drown in my own mucus, my head has been that full. I've been sleeping the last two nights with 4 pillows, so as to be semi-upright so I can breathe.
It's always the way. Anytime I make plans to make some headway on the house I get sick, or the baby has a clingy day, or I need to spend most of the day in the car running around after people or something.
Always something.
I know who does it. And I know why.
The enemy knows it frustrates me. He knows it drives my husband crazy. He knows we don't function well in a messy house. He knows the kids are always naughtier, and we argue more. He knows it stresses us out. He knows it impedes hospitality. He knows it keeps us too busy to do anything else. He knows it makes me feel guilty, overwhelmed, belittled and a failure. He knows it makes me even more OCD and he knows the battle I struggle with to keep it at bay and not to let it take over (which results in the most bizarre outcome, but never mind that). He also knows it's a way to isolate me, as I'm too proud and embarrassed to ask for help. He knows it's the best way to keep me uncontented.
He knows it is the best thing to keep us unproductive for the kingdom.
I will get it done. I know I will. As soon as I kick this illness somewhat I'm just going to have to get in there. Write me another list, and set to work crossing it off. I need to find some scriptures to pray first thing in the morning that will help me get motivated, and know that God is on my side, cheering me on, and carrying me through. I'd really love to get a big poster with Colossians 3:23&24 on it and stick it somewhere prominent.
So I'm going to ask all of you something.
What are the scriptures that help you in your mothering/wifing life? What words encourage you, motivate you and help you feel less alone? What should I have scattered around my home in certain places for me to read and lift my spirits and my flagging momentum?
Feel free to bombard. Ask your friends and family, and help a sister out.
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Enchanted Door
I love these. I think they are adorable.
It's a little tiny "Fairy Door". You put them in your house so the Faeries can come in.
I'd love one. I love the magical-ness of it...
But at the same time, it seems another way to let the demonic easy access to our homes. Their very own door?
What are your thoughts? Harmless charming fun? Or a gateway to trouble?
"Keep on, then, with your magic spells and with your many sorceries, which you have labored at since childhood. Perhaps you will succeed, perhaps you will cause terror. Isaiah 47:12
But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." Revelation 21:8
It's a little tiny "Fairy Door". You put them in your house so the Faeries can come in.
I'd love one. I love the magical-ness of it...
But at the same time, it seems another way to let the demonic easy access to our homes. Their very own door?
What are your thoughts? Harmless charming fun? Or a gateway to trouble?
"Keep on, then, with your magic spells and with your many sorceries, which you have labored at since childhood. Perhaps you will succeed, perhaps you will cause terror. Isaiah 47:12
But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." Revelation 21:8
Sunday, July 13, 2008
The Faith of Children
It is interesting to see the way my children perceive God, and are coming to their own conclusion as to who He is and journey towards relationship with Him.
Troy is going to be our Spiritual Warrior, I believe. From a very young age, he has been keenly aware of the spiritual world; he can see demons, and God has displayed Himself to Troy in ways we know he could not have heard about elsewhere. He is musical in such a way that he picks up a song in no time flat, and you can hear him singing praise songs throughout the day. He will sit and watch a praise and worship dvd for it's entirety, singing along very quickly with the words. He actually, at the tender age of 7 got up on the platform at church and sang a whole song (into a microphone) with the worship team with no embarrassment or fear. Interestingly, his name, Troy Alexander, means Foot-soldier, Defender of Men. I believe this to mean that here on earth, he will be on the ground, fighting the battle at the front lines, defending mankind from demonic influence and oppression. I pray this for him, and that God will help him live up to the name He gave him.
Bethany, I think, is going to be the quiet, yet firm believer. Her faith will not waiver, and her God will never be questioned. Her name, Bethany Alana, means House of God and Rock respectively. My prayer for her is that she truly will be the house of the Holy Spirit, and that he resides in her fully. I also pray that she will stay as solid as a rock in her faith, and that people will know that when she speaks, she speaks the Word of Truth.
Amy is our worshiper. She can pick a christian song from a secular song in a heartbeat. From the age of 8 months, she was lifting her hands in worship during church. She still does it now, even at home, when we have music going. She claps, and dances and cheers. It makes my own heart sing to see her so free in her love of worship at such a tender age (2)
Eli's life was prohesyed by God Himself. I was driving one day, when the twins were only really little, and I heard, clear as day "You will have a son. His name is Eli Benjamin". That was all. I never heard it again, but it burned it's way into my heart so profoundly I can still hear the voice of my God, even though Eli is now here. I've done a little bit of research, and correct me if I am wrong here, but I believe that in the Bible, whenever the Lord spoke to a parent about the birth of a son (and named him in some areas) that child has always grown up to become a prophet. If I am correct- how exciting! What a huge burden for me, as a mother, to make sure I parent him in a way (with the help of the Lord) that this becomes a reality. Eli Benjamin means Highest Son of My Right Hand. That floored me completely when I read that. This small baby of mine has a huge name to live up to.
However, of all my children, it seems that Drew is the one who will have a deep, abiding love of Christ and the gospel that is unparalleled. God saw fit to name him Drew William: Manly, Strong Warrior. I am strongly inclined to think him our evangelist, teacher or preacher, as just today, I overheard him talking to Bethany saying "Jesus is coming back, but not yet""Why?" questioned Beth"Because He died, but he's alive again, but He's not here yet""When?""Don't know... just not yet."
Oh, you have no idea how it warms my heart to hear my child have that surety that not now, but sometime! He doesn't mind when... he just knows He will.
Somedays, it just hits you, the overwhelming, heavy task and burden we have placed upon us to raise these children for God.
Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. Malachi 2:15
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4
For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him. Genesis 18:19
God is very specific that we should rear children in the faith of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and in the Lord Jesus Christ and his saving, atoning Grace. Parents' failure to raise and teach their children in the fear of the Lord is a sin of ommission for which we will be held accountable at judgement.
At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family—from beginning to end. For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them. Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli, 'The guilt of Eli's house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.' 1 Samuel 3:12-14
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:21
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Revelation 2:4
How humbling. How devestating! Not only do we have their earthly lives as our responsibility, but also, to an extent, their eternal lives as well. We are not alone though! We have promises to cling to...
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6
It is exceedingly comforting to me that I have the Lord, the Father God to help me raise his children, the next generation of worshipers and warriors. Daily, I can lean on HIm, and have Him guide me. He knows my children more intimately thatn even I, and He knows what penetrates to them, that resounds to them... what will guide them what will nurture them, what will raise them up as disciples.
And He is also the One that quiets my soul, stills my temper, and guides my tongue. He who checks my spirit when I fail, is also the One who forgives me with open arms when I come, broken, dejected, weary and, quite frankly, over it. He is the lifter of my head, all the strength I require on this path He has placed me.
Oh that I will prove worthy! That my children will be pillars of strength in His Church. That they will go forth with the Sword of the Spirit, the sword that is a double edged sword that penetrates to the depths, that it's held high and with pride. I pray the helmet of salvation will be firmly on their head, protecting their minds and ears from the arrows of the Enemy. That the that the belt of truth be tightly fastened around their waist, securing the breastplate of Righteousness in place. That the breastplate is so thick that there is no way the arsenal of Satan can wound or scar their heart or soul, and that the knot on their belt is so tight that the Truth cannot fall away from them. And that on their feet are the sandals of the peace of the Good News in preperation for battle and the journeys they take the non-believing on towards Saving Grace. And, of course, that they have in place the Shield of Faith to go before, to be the first thing that takes the onslaught... that it will be solid and inpenetratable... and that they have the strength to lift it and keep it in front of them.
In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. Acts 2:17-18
*All emphasis mine
Troy is going to be our Spiritual Warrior, I believe. From a very young age, he has been keenly aware of the spiritual world; he can see demons, and God has displayed Himself to Troy in ways we know he could not have heard about elsewhere. He is musical in such a way that he picks up a song in no time flat, and you can hear him singing praise songs throughout the day. He will sit and watch a praise and worship dvd for it's entirety, singing along very quickly with the words. He actually, at the tender age of 7 got up on the platform at church and sang a whole song (into a microphone) with the worship team with no embarrassment or fear. Interestingly, his name, Troy Alexander, means Foot-soldier, Defender of Men. I believe this to mean that here on earth, he will be on the ground, fighting the battle at the front lines, defending mankind from demonic influence and oppression. I pray this for him, and that God will help him live up to the name He gave him.
Bethany, I think, is going to be the quiet, yet firm believer. Her faith will not waiver, and her God will never be questioned. Her name, Bethany Alana, means House of God and Rock respectively. My prayer for her is that she truly will be the house of the Holy Spirit, and that he resides in her fully. I also pray that she will stay as solid as a rock in her faith, and that people will know that when she speaks, she speaks the Word of Truth.
Amy is our worshiper. She can pick a christian song from a secular song in a heartbeat. From the age of 8 months, she was lifting her hands in worship during church. She still does it now, even at home, when we have music going. She claps, and dances and cheers. It makes my own heart sing to see her so free in her love of worship at such a tender age (2)
Eli's life was prohesyed by God Himself. I was driving one day, when the twins were only really little, and I heard, clear as day "You will have a son. His name is Eli Benjamin". That was all. I never heard it again, but it burned it's way into my heart so profoundly I can still hear the voice of my God, even though Eli is now here. I've done a little bit of research, and correct me if I am wrong here, but I believe that in the Bible, whenever the Lord spoke to a parent about the birth of a son (and named him in some areas) that child has always grown up to become a prophet. If I am correct- how exciting! What a huge burden for me, as a mother, to make sure I parent him in a way (with the help of the Lord) that this becomes a reality. Eli Benjamin means Highest Son of My Right Hand. That floored me completely when I read that. This small baby of mine has a huge name to live up to.
However, of all my children, it seems that Drew is the one who will have a deep, abiding love of Christ and the gospel that is unparalleled. God saw fit to name him Drew William: Manly, Strong Warrior. I am strongly inclined to think him our evangelist, teacher or preacher, as just today, I overheard him talking to Bethany saying "Jesus is coming back, but not yet""Why?" questioned Beth"Because He died, but he's alive again, but He's not here yet""When?""Don't know... just not yet."
Oh, you have no idea how it warms my heart to hear my child have that surety that not now, but sometime! He doesn't mind when... he just knows He will.
Somedays, it just hits you, the overwhelming, heavy task and burden we have placed upon us to raise these children for God.
Has not the LORD made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. Malachi 2:15
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4
For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him. Genesis 18:19
God is very specific that we should rear children in the faith of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and in the Lord Jesus Christ and his saving, atoning Grace. Parents' failure to raise and teach their children in the fear of the Lord is a sin of ommission for which we will be held accountable at judgement.
At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family—from beginning to end. For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them. Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli, 'The guilt of Eli's house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.' 1 Samuel 3:12-14
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:21
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Revelation 2:4
How humbling. How devestating! Not only do we have their earthly lives as our responsibility, but also, to an extent, their eternal lives as well. We are not alone though! We have promises to cling to...
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6
It is exceedingly comforting to me that I have the Lord, the Father God to help me raise his children, the next generation of worshipers and warriors. Daily, I can lean on HIm, and have Him guide me. He knows my children more intimately thatn even I, and He knows what penetrates to them, that resounds to them... what will guide them what will nurture them, what will raise them up as disciples.
And He is also the One that quiets my soul, stills my temper, and guides my tongue. He who checks my spirit when I fail, is also the One who forgives me with open arms when I come, broken, dejected, weary and, quite frankly, over it. He is the lifter of my head, all the strength I require on this path He has placed me.
Oh that I will prove worthy! That my children will be pillars of strength in His Church. That they will go forth with the Sword of the Spirit, the sword that is a double edged sword that penetrates to the depths, that it's held high and with pride. I pray the helmet of salvation will be firmly on their head, protecting their minds and ears from the arrows of the Enemy. That the that the belt of truth be tightly fastened around their waist, securing the breastplate of Righteousness in place. That the breastplate is so thick that there is no way the arsenal of Satan can wound or scar their heart or soul, and that the knot on their belt is so tight that the Truth cannot fall away from them. And that on their feet are the sandals of the peace of the Good News in preperation for battle and the journeys they take the non-believing on towards Saving Grace. And, of course, that they have in place the Shield of Faith to go before, to be the first thing that takes the onslaught... that it will be solid and inpenetratable... and that they have the strength to lift it and keep it in front of them.
In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. Acts 2:17-18
*All emphasis mine
Friday, July 11, 2008
And the moving continues... sort of
We've moved out of the old house, and now we just have to sort out the new one, to fit us all in.
My body ACHES. Today, I am doing absolutely nothing, save going to the shops to pich up a layby and redirect mail and turn off power. Tomorrow, we get stuck in.
On the upside, cleaning gives one a bunch of time to ponder things upon which to study. So many interesting things went through my head, I only wish I had a pen handy to write them down, because I'm sure I've forgotten most of them.
One that stuck in my head though, was about King David. I love him. He is so... normal! I love how he writes about every gammet of emotion. I think we'd get along alright, ol' Dave and me.
I was listening to my Sons of Korah c.d... if you have not heard of them, they sing the psalms. They put them to the most beautiful music, and it is the best way to learn the psalms, and have the Word permiate your home. My eldest, Troy, thinks it is the most awesome thing, to sit down with the Bible and follow along with the words.
Anyway, so I was listening to Psalm 35 and I remembered my pastor saying once that when praying for your enemies, it shouldn't be one like "Oh Lord... Please, make them die a long and painful death, and please let me be there to see it" and then I heard this part of the psalm...
May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame;
may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay.
May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away;
may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.
Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me,
may ruin overtake them by surprise— may the net they hid entangle them,
may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay.
May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away;
may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.
Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me,
may ruin overtake them by surprise— may the net they hid entangle them,
may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.
Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation.
Psalm 35:4-9 (emphasis mine)
Don't you just love it?
Of course, theologically, there is probably something very righteous about what David is feeling, but I'd like to think it was his poetical way of saying "long and painful, please. And if You could work it that I could watch? Ever so grateful, thanks!"
You know, like the rest of us mere mortals.
(I don't know why my paragraphs aren't coming up. Please excuse the difficult to read mess)
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Are You getting What You're Asking For?
Before a girl's turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics. And this is how she would go to the king: Anything she wanted was given her to take with her from the harem to the king's palace. In the evening she would go there and in the morning return to another part of the harem to the care of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and summoned her by name.
When the turn came for Esther (the girl Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.
Esther 2:12-17 (emphasis mine)
It crossed my mind today, that Esther was one smart girl.
While other girls asked for (I'm presuming) jewelery, clothes, perfume and all other things that they liked and thought beautiful (and wanted to keep if they were sent to the Harem), Esther sought the council of someone who knew the king and his preferences, and then asked only for those things that would please the king.
And then it struck me... when I'm presenting my never ending lists of things I 'need' (read: want) are they things that I find pleasing, or that I think God wants me to have, or do, or whatever; or things that I know that the Lord finds perfect and beautiful and needful? Am I asking for empty things of no worth, or things that are everlasting and fully satisfying? Things that I can store up in Heaven? Or things that will perish away here on eath at the End? Do my requests please Him, or grieve Him?
How I long to only ask the Lord for the desires I have that I know are placed there by Him! So that when I arrive in Heaven, I am crowned as one who pleased Him, and sought to be thought beautiful by only Him.
When the turn came for Esther (the girl Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.
Esther 2:12-17 (emphasis mine)
It crossed my mind today, that Esther was one smart girl.
While other girls asked for (I'm presuming) jewelery, clothes, perfume and all other things that they liked and thought beautiful (and wanted to keep if they were sent to the Harem), Esther sought the council of someone who knew the king and his preferences, and then asked only for those things that would please the king.
And then it struck me... when I'm presenting my never ending lists of things I 'need' (read: want) are they things that I find pleasing, or that I think God wants me to have, or do, or whatever; or things that I know that the Lord finds perfect and beautiful and needful? Am I asking for empty things of no worth, or things that are everlasting and fully satisfying? Things that I can store up in Heaven? Or things that will perish away here on eath at the End? Do my requests please Him, or grieve Him?
How I long to only ask the Lord for the desires I have that I know are placed there by Him! So that when I arrive in Heaven, I am crowned as one who pleased Him, and sought to be thought beautiful by only Him.
Friday, June 20, 2008
1 Peter 3:3-6
Hey God.
Hey Jen.
How's things.
Fine... What is it?
How'd You know?
I know everything
Yeah... read that. Don't You do small talk?
That would be evading the issue.
Is it really that obvious?
You've been doing it for the last 28 years; there are tell-tale signs
I've been pondering something.
Yes, I know
About what Peter said about true beauty?
I like that passage. My daughters should heed it more
You know the gentle and quiet spirit part?
Yes
I don't have one
No, you don't
I want one
Really?
You know I do. But You did not give me one up front
No, I didn't
You could have
That is true
But You didn't
No, I didn't
Why not?
So you could cultivate it
Why can't you just give it to me? You could You know.
But then what would you learn?
It also would have been a lot easier if true beauty did come from pretty hair, jewelery and fine clothes
But then what would your worth be?
But it's the desire of my heart! You said You give us those
Even your desires must come with a lesson, dear heart. I do not give gifts that are less than perfect for you
Why is this what you find of great worth?
I like Myself to be easily found. Where the gentle spirit is, there I am. Where there is quiet, I can speak. Outside adornments are loud, and I cannot be heard over them.
It's not exactly glamorous though, nor obviously beautiful
For whom else but Me do you need to be beautiful?
Gentle and Quiet aren't the norm, You know
I don't ask you to be of the world
Yeah, about that... I don't want to be a doormat. The world says quiet and gentle get walked over and have no voice
Sarah had a voice. You are her daughter. I do not ask you to do things that are impossible with Me
But it's hard!
I will help You. All you need to do is ask
I'm thinking asking for a gentle and quiet spirit is a dangerous thing to do. It's in the same category as Why I Don't Pray for Patience.
Then you will not grow. I cannot use someone unwilling
It's not that I'm unwilling, Lord.
Then what would you call it?
... Lazy. Cultivating that spirit requires me to pay attention and watch myself. Watch my tongue.
Stubborn. I want to be right all the time. A gentle and quiet spirit does not argue the point.
Disobedient. You have asked this of me. I am choosing to say no.
Lord?
Yes?
I'm sorry. I have not cultivated that which You find great in worth. Please, forgive me
It is already done.
Lord?
Hmmm?
That spirit was in there form the beginning, wasn't it? That's why I want it to be better.
Yes, daughter Mine. You are truly beautiful to me, and you will only grow more so.
You're so clever. Will I ever make it?
I started a good work in you. It will be completed. You will grow and mature and nurture that spirit. You will be a beacon to young women who desire My Love. They will want what you have. They will see that you are who I called you to Be without fear or anxiousness. They will see My face in your gentleness. They will hear My voice in your quiet. You will be Sarah; a spiritual mother to many... encouraging them in their beauty.
Lord, I have so far to go before then
It will be done on time
I fear I will disappoint You
All you need do is start
I should get a wriggle on
You have taken the first vital steps
You'll come with?
Always
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
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