Missing Another Wedding

Yes, I have a very bad neck.  I landed on my head doing a back hand spring in high school.  I ran into a plate glass window in college.  I was smashed between two semi-trucks when I was thirty.  I had my neck fused three years ago.  I have a very bad neck.  It flares up often causing me a lot of pain.

I just missed Steven graduating from dental school.  I just missed my best friend's son's wedding.  I have missed many Christmas celebrations, weddings, birthdays, etc. in my life.  I lay at home with an ice pack on my neck while everyone else is having fun.

However, don't feel sorry for me {but I do appreciate prayers!}.  I have an amazing husband who I absolutely adore and who would do anything for me.  I have four children who walk with Jesus and God has truly blessed me with them.  I have a wonderful son-in-law and daughter-in-law that I love like my own.  I have the most precious grandbaby, my icing on the cake!

I have hot water to take hot baths in every night.  I have a comfortable bed to sleep in.  I have ice to ice my neck with.  I have the most delicious food to nourish my body.  I have a television with a million stations, an Ipad to read, and great books.

I have a giving mother and father who do everything they can to make my life comfortable.  My mom brings me fresh juice, shops for me, and makes salads for me.  I have two incredible sisters who have amazing families.

Most of all, I have Jesus Christ as my Savior.  I know that there is eternal life after my life ends here on earth.  This life is just a speck in eternity.  Jesus lives inside of me and gives me the strength to endure.  His Word continually renews my mind so I don't fall into depression.  He gives me hope and joy.

We take so much for granted.  We have the best medical care system in the history of the world.  We have the best sanitation anywhere.  We have firemen, policemen, and the military to protect us.  We are blessed.

Even if we were in a jail cell being persecuted, we are commanded to rejoice and be content...We are far from that.  I want to encourage all of you to start being thankful.  I know many of you are in pain physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually.  Start dwelling on all the good in your life.  If you have Jesus, you have everything.

Thank you, Lord, for your many blessings.  You are so good and I am so undeserving of your love but you pour it upon me abundantly and for that, I am eternally thankful.

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

Philippians 4:11,12

The picture is of Tyler and Megan's wedding that I  just missed.

Fake Love And Fake War

This is an incredible article by Russell Moore.  I encourage all of you, along with your husbands and older sons, to read it.  He writes that men are not learning to read and ponder wisdom anymore.  Instead, they fill their minds with visual stimulation to satisfy their need for sex and war.

Pornography satisfies their need for sex without having to pursue and maintain a relationship with a flesh and blood woman.  It is a master deception created by Satan to destroy men and their families.  Video games satisfies their need for war without ever having to sacrifice their lives through working hard or putting their lives on the line for their families.  Both of these distractions are highly addictive and destructive.

He blames a lot of it on the lack of reading men do today.  They no longer read the Bible or inspirational books.  They want to be entertained more than they want to contemplate deep and important truths.  They don't want to grow up and be men.

So how can we, as wives and mothers, prevent our sons from falling into this trap?  Hide God's Word in their hearts so they won't sin against Him.  Have daily devotions with them as they are growing up.  Immerse them in God's Word. 

I homeschooled my boys through junior high and they would spend several hours every day reading.  I had them read biographies of men of deep faith.  They loved these kinds of books the best.  Give them good literature.  Teach them to love reading.  Both my sons love to read to this day.

Don't let them play video games for hours a day.  Set a limit, then tell them to go outdoors and play in the fresh air and sunshine.

I love how he ends this article ~ Let's teach our men to make love, and to make war . . . for real.  Prepare them to be hard-working men who grow up to want to get married, love one woman for life, and be prepared to die defending their family. 

 I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong,

and the word of God abideth in you,

and ye have overcome the wicked one.

I John 2:14

Woman Can't Have It All

Finally, a prominent woman gets it or so I thought.  She worked in Washington D.C. and has two teenage sons.  She realized she couldn't work a high powered job and raise children successfully.  She rarely saw her two sons and one of them was always getting in trouble.

Her solution ~

The best hope for improving the lot of all women, and for closing what Wolfers and Stevenson call a “new gender gap”—measured by well-being rather than wages—is to close the leadership gap: to elect a woman president and 50 women senators; to ensure that women are equally represented in the ranks of corporate executives and judicial leaders. Only when women wield power in sufficient numbers will we create a society that genuinely works for all women. That will be a society that
works for everyone.

When women hold all leadership positions, then and only then will women be able to have it all!  I am not sure how she thinks women in charge of everything will help women have it all.  There is no way a woman can have it all.  No one can.  She lives in a dream world.

Very few women can work a full time job and be home to raise a healthy and happy family with a strong marriage.  Sure, there are some of you out there who say you are doing it and you well may be able to but for the majority of us, we admit that it isn't possible.  Something suffers and it is usually the marriage.

She still believes women need to work towards having careers and maybe even putting off having a family.  Tell me how having a career is so much more fulfilling than raising children, loving your husband, and creating a happy home.  Why is working a 9:00 to 5:00 job suppose to be so much better than that? 

Personally, I think many men do a great job in leadership positions.  I like men to be leaders.  I know that is a very politically incorrect position but I don't care.  God seems to like men in leadership positions also.  Almost everywhere in the Bible, men were in leadership positions {Moses, Abraham, Daniel, David, Solomon, Paul, etc.}.

Most women in leadership positions, unfortunately, have feminists values that I disagree with like abortion, free birth control, and homosexual marriage.  I am not sure why that is but it seems to be the trend.  Maybe it is because women who hold my views enjoy being at home taking care of their husbands, children, and homes.

I have no intention of offending any of you women who have to work outside of the home or choose to do that.  I am simply stating my convictions and what the Bible tells me to do, namely, to teach the young women to be keepers at home. 

To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good,

obedient to their own husbands,

that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Titus 2:5

Hearts 4 Home, Proverbs 31, Natural Living

Sleeping in Separate Bedrooms?

One reader asked me if I thought it was okay for married people to sleep in separate bedrooms. I told her I didn't see a problem with it as long as they had a healthy sex life and marriage.

Many couples as they get older and the children are all gone, move into separate bedrooms for a variety of reasons. I sleep in another bedroom on occasion. When my neck flares up and I have a very hard time sleeping, I need a room to myself. When Ken gets up early for a business trip and I don't want to be awakened at 4:00 a.m., I will sleep in another bedroom.

When all of our bedrooms were occupied with children, I would sleep on the sofa in the family room when I was real sick or in pain. I like to be alone in those cases. For one, I don't want to wake Ken up from tossing and turning and for another, when I finally do fall asleep, I don't want to be awakened.

Sleep is very important for good health. If one spouse snores real loudly and the other can't sleep, this may be a good reason to sleep in separate bedrooms. My sister, Alisa, doesn't mind when her husband snores because she says she is so madly in love with him that she likes listening to him and knowing he is there!

Some may argue with the Bible verse about keeping the marriage bed undefiled because it only refers to one bed. I believe this verse is only referring to sexual sin. Sex should only be between a married man and his wife. If you are a wife that loves, serves, pleases, submits to, and respects her husband, I think it is okay to sleep in a separate bedroom if you feel the need for a good night sleep and you have a spare bedroom and as long as your husband is okay with it.

This isn't possible, usually, when you have a bunch of children at home. I liked my children knowing their mommy and daddy slept in the same bedroom when they were under our roof. When they were all grown up and moved out, it didn't seem to be as important.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic. I don't believe it is a sin issue at all. The Bible clearly spells out sin and this isn't one of them.  We are free in Christ. This means we don't have to make up a bunch of rules to live by that aren't in the Bible. Hallelujah!

Let marriage be held in honor among all,

and let the marriage bed be undefiled,

for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

Hebrews 13:4

Being Selfish And Manipulative

She is an old woman now who has raised a lot of children.  When being interviewed she was asked what is different about today's women compared to her generation of women.  She said, "Women today are selfish and manipulate their husbands."  That doesn't sound too complimentary.

Selfish and manipulative.  I think the reason we struggle with these two characteristics is because when we are growing up we are taught to pursue our dreams, be strong and independent, and don't depend upon a man.  These are completely opposite of what the Bible teaches.

Pursue our dreams.  The Bible teaches us to pursue God and then He will give us the desires of our heart.  It teaches us to become more and more like Him as we are transformed by the renewing of our minds.  It tells us to seek His will for our life, not our own.

Be strong and independent.  The joy of the Lord is our strength.  We are to lean on Him and Him alone.   We know in ourselves that we are weak and fragile.  We can do nothing apart from Him.  We are told that when we are weak, He is strong.  His strength is made perfect in weakness.  We are also called to deny ourselves and serve others.

Don't depend upon a man.  The Bible says that women are the weaker sex.  Accept that.  In Genesis, Eve was created because Adam was lonely and needed a suitable help meet so God created Eve.  Eve was created for Adam, not Adam for Eve.  Men are stronger and are called to be protectors and providers.  Women need protectors and providers.  Accept the wonderful differences between men and women.

Finally, a submissive wife is a strong woman.  It takes strength to not manipulate, control, be selfish and unkind, not fight back, yield your will to his, and serve your husband.  It is much easier to let your emotions dictate your actions and give into them than to keep them under control and do the right thing.  Biblical submission is a beautiful thing.  Being selfish and manipulative is ugly and destructive.

The path of God's blessing lay in following your husband's leadership under God.  I believe this to be true with my whole heart!  God's ways and His blessings are amazing.  They are completely opposite of the world's ways but look carefully at what direction the world is going.  Do you like what you see?

Choose you this day whom you will serve
but as for my and my house,

we will serve the Lord.

Joshua 24:15

Marital Oneness, On Your Heart

Walk As A New Creature

My sister saw a guy running along the beach with the word "sinner" plastered across his chest.  On his back were the words "saved by grace."  Michael Pearl wore a shirt once that said "I am the righteousness of God."  One woman almost spit in his face and asked him how he dared to wear a shirt like that.

What kind of a Christian are you?  God calls you a saint once you believe in Him.  He says you are the righteousness of God.  He calls you His child.  He tells you that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. 

Once you become saved, He tells you that you are freed from sin and dead to sin.  The question is do you believe it?  We are transformed by the renewing of our mind with the Truth.  If you continue to believe you are a sinner that struggles daily with sin, you will act like a sinner that struggles daily with sin.

If you believe who God says you are, you will act like a saint who can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.  Our faith is built upon believing.  God tells us to believe Him and as we believe Him and take Him for His Word, He works a miracle in our life.

Our old man is dead, buried, and gone.  When Jesus died on the cross,  every sin of yours was nailed to that tree with Him and destroyed by His death.  As He was risen, so you too, were risen to a new life.  Start believing God.  Start believing you are a new creature in Christ who has been freed from the power of sin.

Study and meditate on Romans 6 and 8 and all of Ephesians and Colossians.  Who we are in Christ is said over and over again in these chapters and books of the Bible.  Now,  just start believing it.  Start renewing your mind with God's truth and living in the freedom that He died to give you.

Now you are free to fully love your husband and children.  You are free to serve them with gladness.  You are free to forgive those who have hurt you.  You are free from trying to live up to the world's standards.  Walk in that freedom!  It is a wonderful place to walk.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me:  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

Scripture And Snapshot, Inspire Me Monday

Lovers Of Pleasure

The Bible says that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves...lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.

2 Timothy 3:1,4 

Many people preach and believe that we need to learn to love ourselves.  I think all sin comes down to selfishness, thinking about ourselves more than others.  The more we learn to not think about ourselves and think of others instead, the happier we become. 

Yes, we need to understand that we are worthy.  We are children of God.  We are righteous because of what Christ did for us.  We need to comprehend who we are in Christ.  He lives inside of us and loves us so much and then move on with the confidence we have in Christ.  Once we understand who we are in Christ, we can be free to take our eyes off ourselves and give ourselves to others.

Society pursues pleasure.  They think pleasure is in drinking,  having sex with whoever they want, watching filthy movies and television shows that entertain them, essentially, doing whatever feels good. 

The more I have walked with Jesus, however, I find true pleasure comes from doing things God's ways.  Drinking a glass of wine once in awhile in moderation.  Sex with one man in the bonds of marriage.  Watching wholesome movies on gmc and Hallmark.  Dwelling on the lovely, the good, and the pure.

What really brings the most pleasure, however, is learning to love, serve, and give.  This is the way that Jesus taught us to live.  He knows what is best for us.  He made us.

So as society continues down the broad path that leads to destruction with self-love and self-pleasure, let's go in the opposite direction with loving others earnestly and seeking the good and the lovely in life.  Let's continue to be salt and light while it is still considered the day and make a difference in this world.

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

I John 2:15

Is God Good?

Life can cause very heavy hearts sometimes.  Today I read about a young woman who had a wonderful husband and young son.  Several weeks ago, they went out for a canoe ride in the late afternoon and never returned.  The son was probably reaching for something in the water and fell out.  The dad dove in after him and swam towards shore.  The water was too cold so they never made it.

I was reading Ann's book A Thousand Gifts and she told about her little sister.  She was in the front yard and a delivery truck ran over her.  She watched her die in her parent's arms.  Her brother-in-law lost a baby at four months and one at five months from the same genetic disease.

Another young mother of three has been battling cancer.  They just found another lump on her liver.  A good friend's son took his life when he was in the prime of life.  We just found out that our young children's pastor has a tumor over one quarter of his brain.  On The Today Show today they interviewed a mother who lost her three adorable daughters and parents on Christmas Eve from a fire in their home.

I could go on and on about all the sadness going on around us.  Where is God?  Why does He allow so many terrible things to happen?

We all die.  No one will get a pass from death.  Sin entered the world due to man's sin.  God gave man a choice to obey Him or not.  Love is not real love if there is no choice.  Man chose to disobey and the result was sin and death. 

Sin infests this world everywhere.  It's fingerprints invade everything.  We are reaping the consequences of sin and death is the ultimate consequence.  This is where God had a plan.  He sent His son to die and pay the penalty for our sin that we may live again.

Yes, God could have prevented all of the above circumstances, but He didn't.    He can use all of those circumstance to bring people to Him.  He can turn evil into good.  Death causes people to question life and the purpose of life.  Without Him, we would have no hope.  With Him, there is hope.

O death, where is thy sting?  O grave, where is thy victory? 
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 
But thanks be to God, which gives us the
victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

I Corinthians 15:55-57

Is There Anything Good About Secular Universities?

There were some good points brought up in my post titled The Perversion Of Universities.  We are called to be salt and light.  We need godly people permeating all areas of society and often that means getting degrees from secular universities.

Cassi read the comments and responded to one woman's question asking her if there were any good things that Cassi liked about going to the local university.  She said there were some things.  The cost for one.  It is much cheaper than private, Christian colleges.  She said she has enjoyed most of her professors and classes. She has met some very nice friends. 

However, she said it would be difficult if she didn't have a firm foundation in Jesus and didn't come home every night to a home that seeks God.  She thinks the main cause of many people walking away from the faith after attending universities was from living in the dormitories and the partying, sleeping around, and junk that goes on there.  Additionally, a lot of the teaching is completely against her beliefs.

Your children are in danger of walking away from the Lord if they don't have a solid biblical foundation, a strong Bible preaching church, lives that have been transformed, and hopefully, a God-fearing family. 

Steven just graduated from a secular dental school in San Francisco.  {He is officially a doctor now and heading to a two year orthodontic school in Houston in a few days!}  Even though it was a very liberal school with some gay professors he loved this school!  He loved his professors and his classes.  It was a wonderful experience for him.  He found a church that is on fire for the Lord and some Christian friends.  Sure, he was lonely at times, but he is strong in his faith and lives only to please his Master. 

In conclusion, we are called to be salt and light.  If your children are grounded in their faith and have support around them, send them into the universities where they can shine brightly.  This world needs hope and we have that hope. 

My pastor always teaches us that going to church is the locker room and the world is the playing field where we are to reach a lost world for Christ.  Take that call seriously, pray and seek God's will, and He will faithfully lead you and your children holding them firmly in the palm of His Hand.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:13-16

The picture is Steven with his buddies from dental school.

A President With Guts

Did you know that all the old preachers {Luther, Spurgeon, etc.} preached against the use of birth control and that mothers should be keepers at home?  Some of our presidents did also.  Here are a few quotes from Teddy Roosevelt, a much loved president from 1901-1909.  He had six children and a strong marriage.

Our great great-grandparents viewed marriage as sacred and inviolable until death.  They viewed children as blessings from God.  They believed it was a man's duty before God to provide for and protect his family and a woman's duty before God to nurture her children within the home - come what may.  They were raised on the Bible and they knew the Bible teaches all these things.

No piled up wealth, no splendor of material growth, no brilliance of artistic development, will permanently avail any people unless its home life is healthy - unless the average man possesses honesty, courage, common sense and decency, unless he works hard and is willing at need to fight hard; and unless the average woman is a good wife, able and willing to perform the first and greatest duty of womanhood: able and willing to bear, and to bring up as they should be brought up, healthy children, sound in body, mind, and character, and numerous enough so that the rate shall increase and not decrease.

Where are men that are willing to stand up and say these things now?  Even in the church we don't hear this often.  In the political arena, all we here about is income redistribution, higher taxes, more entitlement programs, etc.   What about hard work, integrity, honesty, the blessings of children, and the importance of home life?   These are the things that build a great nation.

When the ruler is a man of discernment, understanding, and knowledge,
its stability will long continue.
Proverbs 28:2

Wifey Wednesday, A Wise Woman

Keeping Children Productive

If you don't want the precious baby to grow up to be into materialism, drugs, sex, violence, or crime - do something!  Rip the TV out by the roots.  Throw it "over the hill."  Move to a farm and make them milk six cows before breakfast.  If you don't have a new baby soon or a gramma to tend, adopt a special-needs child or two. Give your child something real to think about.

Plant a big garden to give him blisters. Teach him how to cut firewood, then use it. Don't wait until it's too late to mend spoiled brats. Catch them quick, while they are young and tender, and sock it to them! Get beehives, rear chickens, make pies to sell to the neighbors, hunt frogs and eat the legs, or do some serious fishing.

Take them to a mission field to live. Don't just stand back and wring your hands, do something to break the pattern and the peer pressure of our culture.

{Written by Mary Rice Somerville}

This sounds like some good practical advice to me. Children have way too much free time on their hands today and a strong sense of entitlement.  It is good to keep them active with productive projects. Long time ago, when most people lived on farms, the children had to work hard and be productive for the family to survive. Everyone had to pitch in.

Today it is much harder to keep your children busy and productive. Don't let them just sit around playing with the computer or watching television all day. This is not good for them mentally, spiritually, or physically.  Be creative and find ways to teach them to be hard-working, productive members of society.

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,
while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
Proverbs 13:4

Dying With Regrets

Let's pretend I never read Created To Be His Help Meet.  Ken and I stayed married until I died at the ripe old age of 82 years old.  We were essentially roommates.  We lived our whole married lives arguing with each other.  I never really showed him respect.  I continued getting upset with him when he ate poorly, drove too fast, or said stupid things.  We never had that intimate marriage we both desired.

When I got to heaven, God asked me why I treated my husband so poorly.  I told him all the things about Ken that bugged me and why he wasn't worthy of respect.  He wasn't the spiritual leader he was suppose to be and he didn't love me like Christ loved the church.

God gently told me that loving our husbands is written all over His Word.  We are told to please them, obey them in everything, be servants of all, and love each other earnestly.  His Word commanded me to respect my husband and that love covered a multitude of sins.  He asked me if I didn't understand that I Corinthians 13 applied to husbands as well.

I told Him I read my Bible all the time.  I was raised in the church.  I always was in a Bible study and even led them.  Then I told him it must have been the church's fault.  There was no older woman who taught me how to love my husband.  I was never modeled a godly marriage.  It must have been my parent's fault.  It sure couldn't have been my fault.  I was too godly.

Then He lovingly told me he forgave me.  Yes, I was completely and totally forgiven.  He told me He loved me so much that He paid the penalty for my sin of not loving my husband.  He would remember my sin no more.  It was dead and buried.

Unfortunately, I never got to experience a heavenly marriage.   I never experienced my husband adoring me and wanting to serve me.  I never experienced him telling everyone what an incredible wife I was to him.  I never experienced long walks holding hands and having fun conversations.  I never experienced deep, intimate love making.  I missed out...

Don't miss out.  I am that older woman admonishing you to start loving your husband today.  Don't live with any regrets.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

I Corinthians 13

Thankful for ~

A God of second chances
A transformed marriage
God working mightily in me
Having no regrets...

Multitudes On Monday, Gratituesday, Encourage One Another, Hearts 4 Home
Marital Oneness, Better Mom, Miscellany Monday, Imperfect Prose, Thought Provoking Thursday
Modest Monday, Metamorphosis Monday, On Your Heart, It's Okay Thursday

Sow Like Crazy

Today--sow. Sow like crazy.

Sow good tips to servers at restaurants or to delivery people or those paid to help.  Sow to good, quality charities. Sow and give generously.

Sow offerings. Sow tithes. Sow a plate of cookies for your neighbors. Sow a meal for friends in your home. Sow snail mail thank-you cards to people who've blessed you. Sow encouraging Facebook or blog posts or emails or ecards or kind words spoken in person.

Sow prayers for strangers. Sow smiles in your supermarket. Sow plants from your garden or sow a ride for someone to downtown or to church. Sow a coffee date with a friend or a movie or a garden walk. Sow an online gift in the mail or a rescued cat or an offer to teach or paint or pack for free.

Sow a favorite YouTube video, song or sermon. Sow birdseed to wild birds. Sow a lovely painting or book.

Sow, sow, sow and you will reap, reap, reap,

especially later in hard times when you are in need:

At this present time your abundance being a supply for their need,
so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need,
that there may be equality.
2 Corinthians 8:14

Some people sit in their homes and expect blessings to race up to their doors and knock.  But that's like looking out your window for a whole summer expecting a vegetable garden to spring up gloriously when you've not planted any seeds.

Plant first. Sow first. Then you will reap whatever you need in the future.

What is the best thing of all to sow?  Sow a close, wonderful friendship with Jesus. Do that and you'll be plugged into the One who knows how to meet every single need you'll ever have upon this Earth.  He is the One who cares about you more than anybody else ever will.  The One who wants to become your everything.

These words were written by a wonderful woman named Debra.  You can check out her blog here ~
As I See It Now

Inspire Me Monday, Hear It On Sunday, Playdates With God

Coming Out Of The Closet

He has been very happily married for ten years.  He has three beautiful daughters.  He has just let everyone know he is gay.  He knew when he was very young that he was attracted to men and not women.  He told his best little girl friend when he figured it out.

They remained very good friends.  She started dating someone when they grew up and he was jealous.  They broke up and she got together with him.  He is Mormon.

He stated that everyone has to give up something in the choices they make.  If you are a doctor, you have to give up family time.  If you watch pornography or read trashy novels, you will harm your marriage relationship.  He realized if he lived the gay lifestyle, he would have to give up having a wife and children.  He didn't want to give that up so he decided to not pursue a gay lifestyle.  He also knew it was against his faith and beliefs.

He has a powerful story to tell.  I encourage you to read it here.  Being gay does not mean you are a sinner or that you are evil.  Sin is in action, not in temptation or attraction.  You don't get to choose your circumstances, but you do get to choose what you do with them.

He has gone on to live a wonderful life.  He has a great sex life with his wife because he knows sex is about love and intimacy over lust and feelings.  He loves raising his daughters.  He came out of the closet to give other gays hope that they, too, can live a normal lifestyle if they choose.  They don't have to give into their temptations.

We all are like this man.  We all have struggles and temptations but we don't have to give into them.  Sin has horrible consequences.  God has given us everything we need for life and godliness.  He works powerfully within us.  He tells us that we can do all things through Him.

This man's story is amazing.  It is inspiring in this day and age where everyone just gives into their passions and pleasures.  He is reaping what he is sowing.  He feels so blessed and loves his life.

There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:

but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be

tempted above that you are able;

but will with the temptation also make a way to escape,

that you may be able to bear it.

I Corinthians 10:13

God's Provision On Our Road Trip

My mom, sisters, and I just took a six day road trip up the coast of California, ending up in San Francisco to see my son, Steven, graduate from dental school and visit wine country.  I was nervous about going because I was still recovering from the pain of the inflamed nerve in my face.

Right before we left, I went to grab my pillow and put it into the back of our car.  I closed the hatch with one arm and immediately my neck flared up.  Within five minutes, I was in so much pain it was hard to talk and breath.   I told my sisters I thought they needed to turn around and take me home.

Alisa suggested we just stop every half hour or so and get frozen peas so I could ice my neck the whole way up.  It would be the same thing I would be doing at home.  So every half hour or so, Alisa would hop out of the car and buy frozen peas.

When we got to the first hotel in Avila {absolutely beautiful!}, they let me have my own bed and made sure to find soft food for me so I wouldn't flare up the nerve in my face again.  They always made sure I had lots of ice and was comfortable.

On Sunday, the day of Stevens's graduation, Ryan and Erin came to his apartment first to go out to lunch with the family but Erin wasn't feeling well. She was so disappointed when Ryan said that he needed to take her back to her parent's home an hour away. We have learned that God's ways are not our ways and we have to rest in this truth.

Unfortunately, I was also unable to attend Steven's graduation because my neck hurt too badly.  While my whole family went to his graduation, I sat in his apartment icing my neck and thinking how awesome God has been to me.

We all had every intention to see Steven graduate but three of us couldn't go.  We know that God is in complete control of our lives and we believe it wholeheartedly.  I thought of how God completely took care of me, even to the tiniest detail during this trip, even though it was difficult.

His provision usually comes through other people.  My mom and sisters did everything they could to make me comfortable.  When I got to San Francisco, Ken and Cassi did everything they could to make sure I had ice and soft food.

God is so good.  He abundantly provides for us.  Through all of my pain and suffering, He has been with me every step of the way.  He has never failed me.  He proves this over and over again to me.

Lastly, I just want to thank my mom, sister, husband, and daughter for caring for me so lovingly.  You will never know how much it means to me.  I am blessed and I love you all very much.

But my God shall supply all your need according to

his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

The picture was taken in Sonoma at a beautiful vineyard.

Alphabe-Thursday

Man And His Critic

In the beginning God created man and his critic. {Dennis Prager} Ouch!  Sadly, it's true in most marriages.  Women, in general, seem to be much more critical than men.  Wives are especially critical with their husbands.  Women are even very critical towards other women

One friend of mine was telling me about her mother-in-law.  She studies the Bible all time and even teaches Bible Study.  She talks about Jesus a lot yet continually is criticizing and scolding her husband. 

This is a common occurrence among women, including me in my past life!  How come we understand Scripture so clearly yet forget the most important part...Loving others?  We are specifically commanded to love our husbands.

Being critical towards and trying to control others is not loving.  How come we think we can treat our husbands worse than we treat everybody else???  I don't have the answer to this question but I am sad that this is true in so many marriages.

The amazing thing, however, is once I can point this out to women, marriages usually improve.   I think most women don't see themselves clearly nor understand that what they are doing is wrong.  It is a very ugly habit that needs to be buried quickly.

Let no foul or polluting language,
nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk
{ever} come out of your mouth,
but only such as is good and beneficial to
the spiritual progress of others,
as is fitting to the need and the occasion,
that it may be a blessing and give grace
{God's favor} to those who hear it.

Ephesians 4:29

Encourage One Another, Works For Me, Women Living Well
 Wifey Wednesday, Homemakers Challenge

Women Raised In Legalistic Homes

She was raised in a "Christian" home.  She was homeschooled.  She had to wear clothes that completely covered her body.  They had no television and couldn't read secular books.  They couldn't be in youth groups or socialize with the secular world at all.  After church, the parents would criticize the sermons and make sure the children knew truth. 

This sounds like a religion composed of legalism rather than a relationship with Jesus.  She ended up leaving the family at 18 years old and rebelled from everything she was taught.  She drank, smoke, and slept around.  Eventually, she turned back to the Lord and found who she was in Christ.  Her worth comes from Him and not a set of rules.

I have read several young women's blogs that have come from this experience.  They have a lot of good things to say now but they are still very young and have some deep scars from their upbringing.  She doesn't believe in biblical submission {none of these younger women seem to because they were so victimized by men when they were younger} and they believe modesty only means to not wear real expensive clothing.

They are still learning.  They seem to have hearts for the Lord and I pray they continue to have teachable hearts.  Their parents made mistakes.  I am sure they did what they thought was best.  Most parents do.  We all make mistakes but from raising my children, the most important thing we wanted was our children's heart. 

We wanted them to love God with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength.  He does have rules for us, however.  He expects us to walk in obedience to those rules.  They are for our good.  Just like we, as parents, have rules for our children to follow for their own good.

We must not throw the baby out with the bathwater.  God wants us to dress modestly.  He wants us to dwell on the good and lovely.  He wants us to reserve sex for marriage.  You must teach your children these truths.

Then you must love them like crazy, laugh a lot, and let them see the joy of the Lord.  They must see you walking the talk.  If they see hypocrisy, it won't work.  Live what you believe.  Be warm, loving, and affectionate with them.  Make sure they know who they are in Christ.

Set boundaries.  Don't ever be afraid of setting boundaries for fear they may rebel.  Only children with rebellious hearts rebel.  Work with your children's hearts.  Jesus transforms hearts.  Help them fall in love with the Lover of their souls.

Finally, pray.  Pray a lot.  Ask God for wisdom and keep seeking Him.  He promises to give wisdom to those who ask.  Ask and you will receive.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find;

knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Matthew 7:7

Hearts 4 Home

Marry A Generous Servant

Marry someone who is generous and a servant and you will have a good marriage, but only if you are generous and a servant.  When Ken married me, I was selfish and not a servant at all.  I wanted him to be generous with me and serve me, then I might be happy, so I thought.

Thankfully, God working mightily within me has taught me that being generous and a servant is what brings happiness.

My two married children married spouses that are generous and serve others.  They are blessed and very happy.  No, they aren't perfect and I hope you never think any of us are perfect because we are not.  I will not ever use this blog, however, to speak negatively about anyone unless they are anonymous. But Jon and Erin are amazing!  Alyssa and Ryan are so blessed that God brought Jon and Erin into their lives.

Jon bought a brand new truck when he lived with us.  Anyone that needed to borrow his nice, new, shiny truck, he let borrow it.  If someone needed help moving, he helped them move.  When Cassi got in an accident and smashed our car an hour away, he drove up to get her.  He is generous with his time and money.

Erin makes every one's birthday special.  She brings balloons and presents and makes yummy desserts.  She did the flowers for Alyssa and Jon's wedding three weeks after having Emma and did an incredible job.  She is sensitive to others, kind, and giving and makes Ryan one happy man.

They both came from strong, Christian families who are generous and are servants for the Lord Jesus.  They were given powerful role models growing up.  I thank God for them.  They all have deep roots in Jesus.  They are oak trees!

Thankfully, God has the power to change anyone.  {God, not you!}  All it takes is to confess your sins, acknowledge them, and get them out in the open.  Ask God to help you become generous and to love serving others.  He is faithful to accomplish what He asks of us.  So work on becoming generous and serving others.  Your life will never be the same.

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Matthew 23:11

Titus 2 Tuesday

Beach Day For Grandbaby

Is she precious or what? 

I absolutely adore this little human being. 

God's gifts are the best!

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

the fruit of the womb a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior

are the children of one's youth.

Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!

He shall not be put to shame

when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.        

Psalm 127:3-5

Gratituesday