Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Why God Made Mothers

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?

1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

Why did your mom marry your dad?

1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?

1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?

1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?

1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?

1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it, not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

Day 19 - 60 Day Photo Challenge

Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little.








Monday, May 30, 2011

God Sees My Swimsuit

A strange thought, isn't it? We typically do not think of the Lord when we shop for this summer's swimsuit. I'll admit, I haven't in the past. But swimming season is here and so all the stores have their bright and colorful and "nothing-left-to-the-imagination" swimsuits on display, ready for the eager swarm of girls to grab them up!

But let's take a moment and think about this.

God sees my swimsuit. God sees YOUR swimsuit. He sees the color, the pattern....and the style. He sees the amount of fabric that covers our bodies. Now, let's ask ourselves this question: Is He pleased?

I know this is a touchy subject and I am well aware that I seem to always tackle the "taboo" topics. But this is something all of us, as Christian women, need to dwell on. And, for the men reading, this is an area that is in desperate need of the men of God to stand up, be pure, and encourage your sisters to live a life of purity and modesty. YOU, as soldiers of the living God, need to stand guard over your sisters and protect their innocence instead of seeking to conquer it or to devour their physical beauty up like a pack of hungry lions.



We, girls and women, have an obligation because of our freedom in Christ to honour the Lord Jesus and our brothers in the LORD by our behavior and by our dress. We, as Christian ladies and daughters of God, have the heavy duty and great responsibility to protect our brothers in the LORD by refusing to be any form of a stumbling block. We have an obligation to our Father to avoid the appearance of evil. Evil, you say? Yes, indeed! If you or I disregard what the Word says, if we are careless about the message of the cross, then this is evil. How frequently and easily we apply this to "drinking" and how acceptable it is for a Christian to not "drink" so as not to cause a brother to stumble, but how seldom this is applied to the area of modest dress. We forget that if a man looks upon us and lusts after our body, then he has committed adultery in his heart. If WE cause this sin by dressing immodestly, then we are equally to blame for his adulterous sin. This is so serious, girls!

I believe the LORD has called me to minister to girls and women and to share the 'hard things' that many are unwilling to do. Though I dislike having to say "negative" or hard things, God's word isn't always easy. And hey, IT MATTERS what a Christian woman looks like. It matters what she wears and doesn't wear. She is a representative of the LORD. She is an "advertisement," if you will, for the LORD. And as such, she should wear His name proudly, boldly...and decently. Not in skimpy bikinis.

I appeal to you, sisters, friends, strangers....please honor our Holy God by your attire. Not just this summer, but all year around.

1 John 2:16
"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."


Genesis 3:7
"And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons."


1 Corinthians 6:19-20
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."



Day 18 - 60 Day Photo Challenge

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity.



I'm going out on a limb here and making myself vulnerable, but since I was a teenager, God has had to continually remind me that beauty comes from HIM. No make-up, haircare products, or anything of the sort can make one truly beautiful. Only Jesus can.

Monday Meanderings - 05/30/2011




Bible Study... Proverbs 31

Memory Verse... Proverbs 31:24
"She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant."


Husband Encouragement...
♥ Wash his clothes
♥ Keep all snacks and goodies out of sight
♥ Pray together more

Train Them Up...
* Make " Bible Story Time" a routine
* Have playtime more often
* Work on sleep training a bit more diligently

Personal Goals...
* Relax and trust the Lord in everything.
* Smile.
* Study more this week than last week.

New Habit of the Month...
* Try to rid out clutter

MUST Do...
* CLEAN HOUSE!
* Get things ready for Camp. Only 1 week!!!!
* Go grocery shopping Thursday
* Bring craft stuff to folks

Zone...  the whole house

Menu

M - Church food!
T - Church food!
W - Church food!
Th - TBD
F - Potluck at First Friday camp meeting
S - TBD... maybe steak?
Su - TBD

FUN THINGS!
* Revival this week!
* Planning and packing for camp next week!
* Seeing friends this Friday!
* Cleaning house!

3 things I'm thankful for today...
1. Sunshine
2. Freshly mowed grass
3. Laughter

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Day 17 - 60 Day Photo Challenge

Day 17 - A picture of something that has
made a huge impact on your life recently.



Birth. Motherhod. Yep.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Memorial Day Crawfish Boil

Memorial Dya weekend. Family....friends....food. Fish, chicken, potatoes, corn, hot wings, potato salad, pies, cakes, pudding, ice cream.... and 250 lbs of crawfish. Needless to say, I am thankful every day isn't like today or I will never fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans again. :) Here are some pics of the day!



Let the cooking begin!

Wooohooo!

Grab it up, people!

Kiddo fun!

Nathan at the end of the day.... he was pretty tired.



Day 16 - 60 Day Photo Challenge

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you.




I'm gonna cry, but oh well. My little sister, Melody, inspires me. She is the most kind, gentle, servant-hearted girl I know who, also, isn't afraid to declare truth without apology. She is literally stunning on the inside and out. She has a heart to reach people. She has a passion to see people know Jesus. And although I'M the big sister, I look up to her in so many ways.


Friday, May 27, 2011

Idols

I cringe every time I see that word - idol.

Though I am passionate about my Jesus and about sharing His Word, sometimes it is really hard to tell the truth only to be ignored or invited to a full-blown, heated debate about how wrong it is for me to say anything negative. But I am willing to be scoffed at for the sake of the LORD. I am aware that whenever hard issues come up, there will be accusations and the word "judging" will most likely be tossed in the mix as well. I have to admit, though, that the whole "judging" thing is overrated and has been overworked and overused.

I want to, first, appeal to you as you read this blog post to not fall into the defensive trap. Can we please all embrace Paul’s attitude of being the “chief sinner” (1 Timothy 1:15) by recognizing that we all should be huddling around the “chair” he vacated at his death? That will make a difference. I am the biggest sinner I know. Sadly, I now sit atop Paul’s Chief Seat! How about you? Do you really believe you sit with me? Your humility will affect how you respond to this post.

Season 10 of American Idol just ended. With all the hype, I'm sure the whole world knows who won. Scotty McCreery; a young country singer. I must say that it is sad to see so many young people full of talent waste it on singing songs about drinking, sexual escapades, and broken relationships. My goodness, why not sing about Jesus? There's nothing greater to sing about! You can sing about love...but there's no greater love than the love of God. You can sing about passion, but there's no greater passion than the passion Jesus Christ has for the souls of the world. I'm all for "God and Country" but country music isn't all about "God and Country" anymore. Most often than not, it's about touchy-touchy, who-left-who and what kind of alcohol you're going to drown yourself in. Not exactly a "David song"....

Psalm 34:1
"I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth."


Psalm 35:28
"And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long."


Psalm 45:17
"I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever."

Psalm 57:9
"I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations."



Now, I was brought up around music. I LOVE music! And if Satan is going to tempt me with anything, it's going to be music. Alcohol and drugs were never the slightest temptation to me growing up. Sexual promiscuity wasn't a huge temptation as long as I kept my eyes focused. Violence was never an issue. Foul language, not an option. But music? Oh, that was (and still is) my biggest struggle. So please don't think I am sitting on top of a self-made throne. I am down at the bottom with everyone else. Surprisingly, though, watching "American Idol" hasn't been that big of a deal to me.

My husband and I have a pet peeve about the show. First of all, it is prohibited to sing Christian music on that show. That's a fact. It isn't welcomed. Hmm... I wonder why that is. Secondly, the girls act like pin-up dolls with seductive clothing and actions. Thirdly, the songs sang often have ungodly messages. And finally, our biggest pet peeve - the literal "idol worship." The crowd goes crazy; the boys giving cat calls and the girls reaching to touch the hand of some male singer. And the title itself sends the message loud and clear - "America! Here is your IDOL!" Have we become so lax that the suggestion of "idol-ship" is okay? Have we become so wrapped up in our culture that we have allowed the world to desensitize us? Far too many have said, "It's just a word! It's no big deal!" Is it? Is it really?

Have you watched a rock or country concert? Do you see the way the fans behave? Girls tearing off their clothes and tossing them on stage. Fans holding up signs with plenty of suggestive phrases. Fans hurting others to touch the performers on stage. Screaming....crying....reaching....fainting. I may be wrong, but it LOOKS like worship. And, of course, we know that anything put before the Lord is an idol.

All throughout the Old Testament, Israel (the chosen people of God) seemed to make the same mistake over and over again. They kept serving the gods of their enemies. They would make thunderous claims about worshipping ONLY the Lord God (read Joshua 14-15) and then become lazy. Eventually, you would find them tolerating the enemy instead of driving them out. Then they would be "hanging out" with them. THEN - horror of horrors - they would be worshipping the same gods as their enemies! They would build up idols and sacrifice to them. They would turn their backs of God and just "have innocent fun" with the pagan nations around them.

2 Kings 17:12
"For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing."


Psalm 106:36
"And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them."


...want to know something? We do the very same thing.

How? Many times in Scripture, what the Israelites do physically, WE do spiritually. In this case, the Israelites (God's people, mind you), forsook God and literally bowed down to other gods. They didn't drive out the Ammorites and Moabites (and the other "-ites") and, soon, began acting just like them. Loving what they loved. Serving what they served. Well, we (the Church, the Bride of Christ, HIS people) do the same thing. We forsake God when we care more about what the world thinks of us than what He thinks or when we care more about what "they" say than what He says. We forsake Him when we spend more time on Twitter or Facebook or watching "American Idol" than we do praying to Him or reading His Word. And idol worship? Yes, we do that too. No, we don't literally bow down to a god of stone, but we definitely bow down to the gods of money, people, fame, and.....get ready....self. That is idol worship. We refuse to drive out sin completely, hanging on to some of the "fun and harmless" stuff. In reality, we are no different than the Israelites. In fact, I personally think we are all worse. In the Old Testament, God's Spirit would come and go. Now, if we are in Christ, HE lives IN us! We are HIS temple, HIS dwelling place.

Do I think watching "American Idol" is sinful? Oh no. However, I think we ought always to be very careful about what we watch and what we promote and what we stamp our approval on. Many have told me that I should go and audition for "American Idol."  I do take that as a great compliment, but I will never do it. Why? I don't want bright lights and fame. I don't want the temptations and the snare that can (and most likely will) easily come from it. But most of all, I do not want to be looked at as an idol of any kind. Call it crazy. Call it overreacting. Call it what you will. But I won't have it. No form of "idol-ship" will I seek out, even if it appears harmless.

1 Corinthians 10:14
"Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry."

I don't blog to ruffle feathers (unless they are the devil's), but how I wish God's people would take a close and guarded look at what they love and defend. Many will smile and nod when you speak of God's abundant grace and unconditional love and redemption, but when you speak truthfully and firmly about a touchy subject or small sin they don't want to give up, they yank out their swords and are ready to defend their "idol." Let it not be so!

I, for one, want to be more passionate about Christ, who is the ONLY God and "idol" that we, as His followers, should have.

2 Corinthians 6:16
"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."


1 John 5:21
"Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen."




Day 15 - 60 Day Photo Challenge

Day 15 - A picture of something
you want to do before you die.




Get over my fear and ride a rollar coaster. *gulp*


Thursday, May 26, 2011

Nathan, Daddy, and the Bumbo!

Six weeks old and already growing too fast! My cute little boy is breaking in the Bumbo!



P.S. By the way, I totally recommend the Bumbo seat! It's excellent and Nathan loves it!

Day 14 - 60 Day Photo Challenge

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could
never imagine your life without.



 
My baby boy, Nathan James. I can be having the most horrid day and one smile from this little one makes everything disappear! :) He is my sunshine and he totally has my heart. A life without him? Impossible. I don't know how I spent 25 years without him! :)


Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Day 13 - 60 Day Photo Challenge

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist.


Keith Green. A great singer-songwriter of the 1970's and early 80's. He was killed in a plane crash in 1982. If you have ever seen him perform, then you have, no doubt, felt the Spirit of God. His songs are written like prayers. His heart for Christ was SO evident and that is what I want to be like, as a singer. A great artist!



Baby Acne

If any of you Mommies have little ones, then you have no doubt seen baby acne. Those sad little red blotches and blemishes on their tiny face. Nathan has had baby acne since his first week but last week, it was redder than usual. When I brought him to the Pediatrician for a check-up, his doctor mentioned his face and gave me a reccomendation.

Want to know what it was?  Selsun Blue Shampoo.

Yep, that's correct. Who would have thought, right? Ironic that the baby care products actually irritate a little one's face more, while adult dandruff shampoo actually helps. Odd.

So, curious, I went and got the shampoo and after only two uses (with one day in between), I saw a difference! Now, Nathan's face isn't near as red! So, feel free to try it out, Moms!



Tuesday, May 24, 2011

The Layering Method

Yesterday I blogged about modesty; an attribute and choice that is, sadly, diminishing in today's culture. However, some genuinely desire to dress and act modestly and that thrills my heart and gives me an urge to shout out "you-go-girl!"

Some may desire modesty yet are unsure of exactly how to put it into action.

So, I want to please God with the way I dress. But how do I do that? Their are so many clothes in the stores that are completely immodest. How do I make it work? What articles of clothing can I not wear?

I understand this question. I've wondered the same thing. And I sympathize. When I walk into a store to buy a blouse, it seems like EVERY blouse on the rack has a plunging neckline; Or a shorter bottom that will expose my tummy if I were to raise my hands. With jeans, it's hard to find a good fit that doesn't cling to my my legs like it's actually a part of my skin. What about modest shorts? Where are they?? Seems like bathing suit bottoms are all I see. And what about modest dresses and skirts? They are nearly non-existent!
So what's a girl to do? Skimming the racks for clothes that fit the "modest" criteria isn't always a simple feat.

Well here is one easy tip that my sisters are amazing at! There have been times when we have been given clothes that are...well....revealing. So we came up with what we call "the layering method." Got a tank top that shows too much skin? Stick it under - or even over! - a short sleeved blouse. Got a skirt that is a little too short? Wear it over some pants (provided they are lose-fitting). Add cardigans and sweaters to your wardrobe. Wear several shirts. It can be done stylishly and easily! That way, you can make good use of the clothes you have while bringing a pleasing smile to the face of our God.

P.S. Then again, there is always the "cut-it-to-shreds-and-make-something-out of-it" method!

Day 12 - 60 Day Photo Challenge

Day 12 - A picture of something you love.




Ice cream. Mmm. Tell me, who doesn't loooooove ice cream?!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Summertime Modesty

My family and I just returned from southeast Louisiana last night (or, well, early this morning, actually). It was a whopping 90 degrees! Eeeeek!

Hello Summer, eh?

While there, I began to think about the typical summertime attire for girls. Oh dear. As much as I love summer with the sunshine, the swimming, the summer camps, and the summer rains, a part of me dreads this time of year because it forces me to face immodesty. Of course, immodesty is an issue all throughout the year, but as the heat of summertime increases, the temptation to take off more....and more...and more increases. It is in the summertime that bikinis are donned and mini-shorts and skirts are worn. It is in the summertime when pictures of barely-clad girls and women are plastered all over blogs, Facebook, and the like. It is in the summertime when many girls lose respect because of the way they dress... (or undress!)

So, why all this fuss about clothing? Why should we dress differently from the world?

First of all....Did you know that what we choose to wear affects others?
Romans 14:13 says, ‘…judge this rather, that no man [or woman] put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.’

Men struggle with their eyes. Period. This is a known fact. Many women will justify their clothing choices by putting the responsibility solely in the hands of the guys. "Well, they need to practice some self control!" they say. We forget that when we cause them to lust after us by the way we act, speak, or dress, then WE are held responsible...and that is serious!


Let me ask you this. Is your clothing designed to draw eyes to your body? Do your clothing choices hug your curves and show them off? Does your clothing invite people to look at you in the wrong way? If you cause someone else to sin – won’t it also be your sin? (Matthew 5:28) Are you a stumbling block to your brothers in Christ? God wants us to be a help to the young men around us – not a hindrance. And, as Christian women, WE are representatives of Jesus Christ and should dress in a manner that pleases, honors, and glorifies HIM, not ourselves. When the world looks at us, they should see women who dress differently; peculiar.

Women’s clothing styles have only in very recent history changed dramatically. In the ‘old days’ the ideal traits of womanhood and femininity were gentleness, grace, cheerfulness and the like. The fashions reflected this in their styles of beautiful, feminine simplicity and elegance. In our recent history, the popular ideas of what a woman should be have radically changed. Now, traits such as aggressiveness, sexiness, and independence are the supposed ideal to what a young woman should aspire. This is also reflected in modern fashions. The styles of today are becoming increasingly brash, revealing, and downright sinful. And I am sure it breaks the heart of God as He watches His precious girls flaunt their bodies in a wardrobe that causes others to sin.


So I ask... What does your clothing say about you?


As the summer heat bears down on our backs this year, will you endure it in order to bring honor to your God and protect the eyes of your brothers, while also bringing dignity to yourself? Or will you roll your eyes, say "it's no big deal," and strip down to the bear minimum all in the name of staying cool and physically attractive to watching eyes? Let me encourage you to cover up.

1 Timothy 2:9-10
"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works."

Day 11 - 60 Day Photo Challenge

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate.


Ew...


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