Seventy Times Seven Times

Her husband has withdrawn from her physically and emotionally.  Everyone told her she should leave him.  He even threatened to move out.  I told her she couldn't leave him.  God wanted her to fight for her marriage.  She started praying for him, fixing nice dinners for him, not arguing, and sending him appreciative notes.  He is softening.  

Many of her friends are either divorced or divorcing.  She is an amazing model to them of what it looks like to fight for your marriage.  They will even put him down in front of her but she continues steadfastly to fight for her marriage.

I am reading a novel.  {It is so good.  I highly recommend it!}  A young woman marries a man who turns out to be an alcoholic and can't even keep a job.  She has finally had enough and runs home to mama.  Her mom told her they are one flesh and she needs to forgive him 70 times 7 times.  She sent her back to her husband.

When Jesus said we are to forgive 70 times 7 times, it includes our husbands.  We are not to leave them or divorce them.  When they are unhappy and distant, they are miserable and need you in their corner praying and fighting for him.  Remember, it is a spiritual battle.

Satan would love to destroy my friend's marriage but she puts on the full armor of God every day ready to do battle.  She wants to keep her family together.  This is what we are all called to do.  

Then Peter came up and asked him, 

"Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me 

and I have to forgive him? Seven times?" 

Jesus said unto him, I say not unto you, 

Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Matthew 18:21,22

Choosing Morsels Or Shadows?

Chuck Swindoll is a great preacher.  He isn't afraid to speak Truth even when it is not popular.  I just listened to a sermon of his about the importance of women being keepers at home.  Very few preachers are willing to preach about this very important topic. 

He gave a great illustration showing what women today are doing.  A dog had a morsel in his mouth.  As he was crossing a bridge, he saw a shadow of himself in the water below.  Instead of being content with the morsel in his mouth, he dropped the morsel and dove in for the morsel the dog in the water was carrying.

He said that women today are losing the substance of womanhood and motherhood {the morsel} while grasping at shadows.  Today's women have so many opportunities educationally, career wise, politically, etc. that they are leaving the choicest morsels of being a wife and mother.

Instead of marrying and a commitment to family, they are chasing lust and a desire for "more" fulfillment.  Instead of staying married and fighting for their marriages, they are divorcing in droves looking for grass that is greener.  Instead of rearing children, they hand them over to day care centers or others to raise while they pursue a career and increased living.

We often say, “As goes the family, so goes all else.” So let us give it the priority it deserves, and return the wife to her indispensable role of helping her husband, nurturing her children, and managing her household. We know that a well-ordered home is one of life’s greatest treasures. So let us act accordingly, and return the jewel that truly makes the home a treasure. Let us obey God’s law when he commands the wife and mother to stay at home so that she can properly care for her family and manage her household. Let us give honor to “keepers at home” for to such much honor is due. Our hope for the future of the church and society rests, in large measure, with the virtuous women who are “keepers at home.” {source}

I will therefore that the younger women marry, 

bear children, guide the house, 

give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 

 I Timothy 5:14

She Refuses To Read It!

As many of you know, Created To Be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl is my favorite marriage book which changed my marriage around completely.  It is the book I use to mentor women.  Once women read the book, they want to share it with every one they know.

Unfortunately, a lot of women don't like that book at all.  The reviews on Amazon for it are terrible.  I have had women give the book back to me and I have even gotten in trouble for promoting it.  It is very sad because there are many women who need to read the book and refuse to.

Here is a comment from my post titled A Sex Starved Husband  ~

I see mostly women commenting here. I am a man, my circumstances are because my wife has a personality disorder, which she will not acknowledge. But a few years ago, a stranger gave me a book for my wife to read. She won't read the full book. But I made all three of my daughters read it because I believe it really captures the heart of a man and it was written by a pastor's wife. I actually was in tears reading some of it, because I could identify with it so much. I believe every woman who intends to get married or is married should read this book. I do think that it is a bit dated for some of the roles of women as far as staying home to raise children, but if you can look past that, there is much godly wisdom backed by a ton of scripture for women and how their man feels and functions. The book is Created To Be His Help Meet.

I think many men would agree with him.  Debi uses some strong language and extreme stories to get her points across but her conclusions are all scripturally based.

So what do you do if a friend of yours needs to read it badly or a wife refuses to read it if her husband gives it to her?  Pray.  This is all we can do.  We need to pray that God will soften their hearts and make them want to hear the truth.  Only God has the power to do that.

We should always have teachable hearts wanting to know truth.  Unfortunately, in today's rebellious climate, few people want truth or seek it out even among Christians.  But never lose heart.  God is still on His throne and can soften the hardest heart so faith can grow.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding 

abundantly above all that we ask or think, 

according to the power that worketh in us.

Ephesians 3:20

A Balanced Woman Of God

How do women become balanced women of God in this unbalanced society we are presently living in?  There is only one way, you must become students of the Word.  The one thing I try to impress upon the women I mentor is the importance of knowing and living God's Word.

For some reason, it is so easy to remember to eat at least three meals a day, take a daily shower, watch some television, etc. but when it comes to spending time knowing God, there is no time.  This is like going out into the world naked.  Every day, you must put on the full armor of God.

Life is a spiritual battle.  Satan would love to destroy your marriage.  He would love to destroy your children.  He would love to destroy you.  If you are not in His Word daily, you will be influenced by the lies of society.

Put down that cheap novel.  Put down that cheap magazine.  Stop watching the cheap reality shows.  They only pollute your mind.  Become a serious student of the Word.  Read it daily.  Meditate upon it.  Pray the words of Scripture over your husband and your children.

This is the single most important thing you can do for your family.  As you study His Word, you become more like Jesus.  Your husband and your children will be drawn to Jesus.  How can you expect to raise children that walk in Truth if you are not spending time knowing Truth?

Don't blame your husband on not being a spiritual leader.  You and you alone are responsible for your spiritual growth.  Have Bibles laying open around your home.  Listen to sermons being preached by godly preachers.  Listen to praise music.  Read the Bible to your children.  Immerse yourself in Truth and not in this forsaken, godless world.

It is up to you women.  Do you want your husband and children to rise up and call you blessed at the end of your life or do you want a shattered marriage and children walking with the world?  Make reading God's Word and knowing Him a top priority in your life.  This is the single most important thing you can do to make a difference in your life.  Please don't drop the ball on this one.

The only way you will become a balanced woman of God is to know God deeply.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;

 teaching and admonishing one another in 

psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, 

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Colossians 3:16

Making Your Home Sing

Cedar Cove

She is a judge.  The young couple wants a divorce.  The judge asked if there are any children.  The young woman said they had a child but it died four days after being born.  The judge said she wouldn't grant a divorce for 90 days.  Through a tragedy, the young couple got back together and renewed their vows.

If you like this kind of story line, you will love the new show by Hallmark called Cedar Grove.  There was a two hour special on Saturday night and it will be a series on Hallmark every Saturday night from now on.  I loved it!   

I shed a few happy tears and it is the type of show that you never want to end.  It has a few good love stories cooking up and I absolutely love the scenery.  I think it is filmed in a small town near Seattle.

It is a very nostalgic town, no one locks their doors and every one knows each other.  It is how we would love to see the world.  So if you want to enjoy a good television series, I encourage you to look it up on Hallmark and begin watching it.  It is good to support decent shows.  {It is hard to figure out why there are not more made...}

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, 

whatsoever things are honest, 

whatsoever things are just, 

whatsoever things are pure, 

whatsoever things are lovely, 

whatsoever things are of good report; 

if there be any virtue,

 and if there be any praise, 

think on these things.

Philippians 4:8

Problems With Manipulation Techniques

The problem with most marriage books and blogs is they often promote manipulation techniques to get a husband to do what a wife wants instead of teaching a wife to have a gentle and quiet spirit that loves, serves, and is submissive to her husband.

I recently posted the above paragraph on facebook and told Ken. He said that a wife should be able to make a request to her husband once a month if she wants something from him.  I told him my life has been SO much better since I didn't expect anything from him.

I have learned to just focus upon becoming the woman God wants me to be, not the man God wants Ken to be.  I have learned not to put any expectations upon Ken about anything.  I have learned to just let him be and allow the Lord to change him.

I use to want Ken to adore me and say nice things to me.  I use to want many things from him and I was miserable.  Now that I just focus upon serving him and trying to please him and just think of ways to change myself, we are both much happier.

I read those blogs that tell you how you can get your husband to be more romantic or help around the house more or treat you better, etc.  There's always some type of formula {manipulation} in order to get what you want from your man.

I prefer to just teach the ways of God and what He expects from godly women.  He wants us to know Him and let His Word dwell in us richly.  He wants us to deny ourselves and think more highly of others than ourselves.  He wants us to be servants and be willing to serve others.

Taking our eyes off of our husbands and what we want from them is a very good thing.  Life becomes so much simpler.  Keep your eyes upon Jesus.  Draw closer to Him and allow Him to make you into the woman He desires.  Then watch how you will reap what you sow.

Let it be the hidden person of the heart, 
with the imperishable quality 
of a gentle and quiet spirit, 
which is precious in the sight of God.
I Peter 3:4

***I am not saying you shouldn't ever let your desires be known to your husband but I bet most of them know all of your desires after several years of marriage!

Of Utmost Concern

The following words were written by Michael Pearl.  You can get a free copy of their bimonthly magazine HERE.

I think most of you feel as I do about many common issues. My most important personal concern is my children.

Even before I was married, my occupation, financial security, ministry, personal fulfillment, all took third place to concerns for my future children. “What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?” Likewise, what does it profit a father if he gains the whole world and loses the souls of his children?

What can be called success if your children turn out to be part of the world’s problem rather than its cure? What satisfaction can there be in the comforts of  material success if your children grow up needing counsel rather than being sought after to give counsel? If your children lie awake at night suffering from guilt and anxiety, being gnawed upon by the demons of intemperance and self-indulgence, how can you enjoy your food or your pillow?

The success of a tree and a man is measured by the fruit that is borne. The fruit of a man or woman is their children; everything else is falling leaves.

If the sun rises and sets and I never cast a bigger shadow, what of it, if my children are growing and flourishing in God’s family?

Let me die poor; let me die early; let me be ravaged by disease; just let my children rise up and call me blessed. Let me not measure my giving by the dollars I spend on them or the educational opportunities that my station in life affords them, but rather, by the hours I spend with them in fellowship.

May they graduate from my tutorship to become disciples of the Man from Nazareth. May they learn good and evil from the pinnacle of obedience rather than from the pit of despair. May they have the wisdom to choose the precious, and the courage to reject the trite and the vain things in life. May they always labor for the meat that endures.

May they be lovers of God, coworkers with the Holy Spirit, and a friend to the Lord Jesus. And when their trail ends, may it end at the throne of God, laying crowns at the Savior’s feet.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

3 John 1:4

A Baby Boy Has Been Born

Wow!  I never remember such pomp and celebration given over the birth of a baby {except for Jesus and I will get there shortly}.  Every television channel was interrupted to tell of this wonderful event.  He is a big boy!  

He will grow up to have every luxury one could imagine.  He was born in the best hospital in England with the best doctors.  He will live in a palace all the days of his life and will go to the best schools.  He will have cameras in his face until the day he dies.  The whole world will know all about this baby boy.

Compare that to another baby born hundreds of years ago.  He was born in a stable to a young woman who was not even married to his father.  He was born in a stable.  Although there was no media, God rejoiced at His birth...the multitude of angels singing and the star.  

The little prince will grow up to be a king some day.  However, what will he accomplish in his life?  The royalty in England are really just for show.  I don't think they do much in the way of politics or anything.  Yes, they are involved in charities and smash champagne bottles against big ships, but nothing that impacts a whole lot of people, except for purely entertainment purposes.

The baby born in a manger was God Himself.  He left His home in heaven, became a man, lived a sinless life, and was crucified as if He was a criminal.  He did this in order to save all those who believe upon His name from eternal damnation.  I would say the contrast is quite stark.  If He was born today, He would still be spit upon, mocked, and crucified regardless of how many people He healed and how many miracles He performed.

We are told in Scripture that this is not our home.  Instead of putting your hope and excitement in a little prince who can do absolutely nothing for you, put your hope in the king of Kings who can save you from your sins, wash you clean, and make you holy.  There is NO comparison.  Thank you, Jesus, for the cross.

For God so loved the world that 

He gave His only begotten Son 

that whosoever believeth in Him 

should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

***A reader just informed my of something that I must add to this post ~
Actually the Queen is the head of the church of England, the head of the Commonwealth of Nations and the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign realms. Her title in some of these realm is Defender of the Faith. This little boy is 3rd in line for the throne, he will be king one day and all the responsibilities that brings.

The Key To Blessing

Many wives spurn their husband's leadership.  Actually, most of us do.  We spurn them regularly, either passively or actively, in the little things and the big, thus losing God's blessing in our home.

God has clearly commanded, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord...let the wives be {subject} to their own husbands in every thing." {Ephesians 5:22,25} 

This has never been easy for women in any age throughout history since our own natures are certainly more inclined toward insubordination than submission.  But I think it is especially difficult in our generation, which seem intent on teaching women to be strong, independent, and stubborn.

However, whatever path the world is on is usually completely opposite of what the Lord commands and what is best for us.

When we walk in disobedience to God, we miss out.  When we are unsubmissive to our husbands, we miss out.  We reap what we sow.  Walking in obedience to God brings peace, joy, and harmony.  Walking in disobedience brings conflict, misery, and disunity.

You know I write about submission frequently and I know many of you squirm when I do.  I know it isn't easy.  I still struggle with it but I want it badly and I am learning because I know that all of God's ways are very, very good.

You don't hear submission being taught today in very many places since women have become so powerful and submission offends them.  This is not God's way.  He wants women of God to have quiet and gentle spirits who don't get offended easily but walk in obedience to Him.

Keep learning what submission looks like.  Begin obeying your husband in everything and then tell me how it is going.  He is our loving Creator and wants our lives to be filled with peace and joy. His ways are the only ways that lead us there.

But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ,
the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.
I Corinthians 11:13

picture source

Turning From The Error Of Their Ways

My dad was at my sister's home the other day.  My sister had several of her childhood friends over.  One of the women asked my dad if she could talk to him.  She sat down beside him.  She then went on to tell him how much she appreciated my mom.  She said my mom kept her from going down a very dark path when she was a teenager.  She wept as she told my dad this.

We will never fully know how many people we influence in this life just by living a godly life and helping steer others from harm and evil.  The greatest witness we have is in the way we live our lives.  Others are watching...

My home was rare when I was growing up.  Most of my friends parents were divorced or the mothers had careers and were away from the home all day.  My dad was the sole provider so my mom could stay home and care for us.

Everyone loved coming to our home.  My mom loved feeding every one and our home was always stocked with good food.  My parents took us to church every Sunday, sent us to Christian summer camps every summer, paid for us to go to a Christian college {which was only $3500 for room, board, and tuition my freshmen year!}, and loved Jesus.  Our faith was very important to us.  My mom truly loved those whom God put into her path.

She has never been verbally outspoken about her faith but she did show her love for Jesus in the way she lived her life.  Her main priority in life has always been people.  She loves people!  God tells us over and over in Scripture that if we love Him, we will love people.

Whenever I write about my home growing up and my mom, I have people comment who remember my home and mom and the love and warmth they felt there in this mixed up, torn apart society we live it.  It was a place of refuge for many, many people, especially our friends when we were young.

If you have a home like that or were raised in a home like that, you are truly blessed.  Thank your parents.  Thank the Lord.  Be eternally grateful for the deep roots your parents gave you in this world that seems upside down.

God sets the lonely in families.

Psalm 68:6

My brothers and sisters, 

if one of you should wander from the truth 

and someone should bring that person back,  

remember this: Whoever turns a sinner 

from the error of their way 

will save them from death 

and cover over a multitude of sins.

James 5:19,20

Making Your Home Sing

The Downfall Of Nations

Sexual immorality causes the downfall of nations.  Most great nations in the past were not destroyed from the outside but from the inside.  "Sexual immorality was the principle cause of the disintegration of the Roman Empire, Greece, Persia, Babylonia, Sodom and Gomorrah, and others.  It is the greatest threat in America today as well as many other countries, and supersedes all other problems."  {Helen Andelin}

Many people, including God's holy people, are playing around with sexual immorality...watching movies with sexual immorality, looking at pornography, deciding homosexuality is okay, etc.  We are called to FLEE sexual immorality.  In fact, we are told in the Bible that it should not even be named among us.

We must pursue chastity in singleness and fidelity in marriage, even with our eyes, for sexual immortality wages war against the soul.  We are commanded to dwell on the good and lovely for a reason. Goodness and loveliness bring peace and joy while sexual immorality brings no peace and no joy.

We, as believers, must obey God in this area.  If God was going to spare Sodom and Gomorrah for only ten righteous people, maybe God will save America with thousands of righteous people.  We are called to be salt and light.  We cannot be salt and light if we are compromising with the world.

Hate what is evil and cling to what is good!  God's ways are holy and just and good.  The world's ways are just the opposite.

For this is the will of God, 
your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 
that each one of you know how to control 
his own body in holiness and honor, 
not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.
I Thessalonians 4:3-5 

Dating With A Purpose

The Duggar daughters were interviewed on their show and asked about dating. They said their parents taught them to date with a purpose, the purpose being marriage. This is pretty much what we taught our children.

The dating that is done today is silly. It is simply a means to satisfy one's own desires at a young age. Two young people get emotionally involved which usually leads to physical involvement with no thought of the future or marriage.

Heartbreak and games ensue along with loss of purity and pleasing the Lord. We encouraged our children to do things in groups in high school. Be friends with members of the opposite sex and use that time to figure out what qualities they wanted in a future spouse.

As they got older, they started dating with the purpose of figuring out if that person was "the one."  They didn't simply just try someone out for fun, playing with their feelings, and leaving a trail of heartbreak. When I think back of my high school dating years, nothing much good came out of them even though I was fairly strict in my principles of conduct.

I dated because it was fun and everyone else was doing it. Whether you break someone else's heart or they break yours, it is no fun. Sure, even when you get older, you may find one you think is "the one" and get your heart broken. We can not escape broken hearts entirely but the older and more mature you are when you begin dating, the less chance you have of breaking hearts or having your heart broken.

When my children were in a position to marry, they usually date someone several times and know quite quickly if they are not "the one" and move on. Watching your grown up, mature, and godly children find their spouse and fall in love is a wonderful thing.  Both of my married children knew quite quickly that they had found the one.

They sought God eagerly for the spouse He had chosen for them. If He can save our soul from death, He can certainly chose your spouse if you ask Him to and they all wanted Him to chose their spouse. He does a much better job than we can possibly ever do.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5,6

Too Much Time In School

When I put Steven into kindergarten, he would fall asleep at the dinner table.  He was absolutely exhausted.  I began picking him up at noon three days a week and brought him home for a nap.  Full days, I believe, are too long for five year olds.

Studies have proven that Children should spend less time in school.  I completely agree with this statement.  So much of time in school is busy work. Also, expecting boys to sit in chairs for such long periods of time is not good for them. 

When I homeschooled my boys, they would read for a couple hours a day, do an hour of math, and play a lot.  I liked my boys moving a lot.  I felt it was good for them.  People in Finland seem to agree with me ~

Children in Finland go outside to play frequently all day long. "How can you teach when the children are going outside every 45 minutes?" a recent American Fulbright grant recipient in Finland, who was astonished by how little time the Finns were spending in school, inquired curiously of a teacher at one of the schools she visited. The teacher in turn was astonished by the question. "I could not teach unless the children went outside every 45 minutes!"

The Finnish model of education includes a late start to academics {children do not begin any formal academics until they are 7 years old}, frequent breaks for outdoor time, shorter school hours and more variety of classes than in the US. Equity, not high achievement, is the guiding principle of the Finnish education system.

While we in America preach the mantra of early intervention, shave time off recess to teach more formal academics and cut funding to non-academic subjects like art and music, Finnish educators emphasize that learning art, music, home economics and life skills is essential. {Have American Parents Got It All Backwards}

Just because society is doing it one way doesn't mean it is right.  Way too many boys are being put on Ritalin since they have trouble sitting still for long periods.  Ryan use to have to miss recess because he was staring at the ceiling too long!  That was the last thing he needed.  He needed to go out and play.

But beyond this, my son, be warned:

the writing of many books is endless,

and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.

Ecclesiastes 12:12

{picture source}

Serving Your Husband Is Offensive?

Courtney from Women Living Well has written a book that she asked me to review.  It will be coming out in October.  I will be writing a longer review on it later but I wanted to tackle this one issue she brought up.

Four years ago, she was on the Rachael Ray Show.  Courtney said the following on the show ~

"I went to college.  I graduated with honors.  I could have chosen to have a career, but once I married my husband, he became my career.  I love taking care of him. I find fulfillment in that...It's hard work to take care of a home.  It is a job, and I do it full-time."

Rachel then asked the crowd, "Show of hands.  Is there anyone here who finds this a little offensive?"

So let's get this right.  You can murder unborn babies, practice homosexuality, send naked pictures of yourself over the Internet, and have sex with anyone you please, but if you dare to want to be at home serving your husband, you are being offensive?

It is amazing how truly offensive this is to so many people.  Whenever I write about women being "keepers at home,"  I get a lot of hateful comments.  Let's just look at the way our bodies were created.

Women's bodies were made to create and nurture children.  Men's bodies were created to be strong, full of testosterone, and able to "slay the dragons."  Even if you don't believe in God, at least look at the way each sex was built and for what intended purposes.

We are led to believe that a woman's freedom is taken away if she has to stay home, raise babies, and take care of her husband.  This is a lie that, we who are believers, must no longer believe.  This is God's calling for the vast majority of women.  We are the ones raising the next generation.

Yes, people will find it offensive if you say these kind of things but don't worry about it.  The only person you need to be worried of offending is God and believe me, He is not offended at all if you want to be at home serving your family.  In fact, He is very well pleased.

He maketh the barren woman to keep house, 

and to be a joyful mother of children. 

Praise ye the LORD.

Psalm 113:9

When Nobody Is Looking

My condiments needed a basket to go in.  I went to a store to find one.  I first found a plastic one but then saw the one above.  I knew it was perfect!  Instead of taking the plastic back to where it belonged, I just stuck it near where I found this one.  Then I thought, "What if someone was watching me?  Was I acting with integrity at this moment?"

I walked the basket back to where it belonged and put it back.  Why should someone else clean my mess?  I have even tried to do this when trying on clothes.  I hang up and fold everything so it will be neat.  I have even been careful to put back the shopping cart where it belongs.

I decided I want to try and be pleasing in all I do, not just when people are looking.  We need to strive for excellence in every area of our life.  We should be known for our honesty and integrity.

The righteous who walks in his integrity—
blessed are his children after him!
Even a child makes himself known by his acts,
by whether his conduct is pure and upright.
Proverbs 20:7,11

Making Your Home Sing

Are Midwives Safer Than Doctors?

During pregnancy, women in Britain are taken care of my midwives.  They greatly encourage natural childbirth.  They believe the less intervention, the healthier it is for mother and baby.  They only like to give Pitocin, epidurals, C-sections, etc. if they are medically necessary for the health of the mother or the baby. I heard this on the news while they were discussing the birth of Princess Kate.

Britain's National Institute for Health and Excellence has found, "It is safer for healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies to give birth under the supervision of midwives than in a hospital maternity wards run by doctors. The reason: doctors are much more likely than midwives to use interventions like forceps deliveries, spinal anesthesia and cesarean sections ~ procedures that carry risk of infection and surgical accidents."

Contrast that to America. Most doctors encourage epidurals. Some women schedule C-sections so having a baby won't interfere too much with their lives. Pitocin is routinely given, etc.  The rate of C-sections is three times higher in America than in Britain percentage wise.

I had my first two babies completely natural and the last two I had an epidural. I recovered much quicker from the first two than the last two.  With any medical procedure, you are taking a risk. Look carefullly at the side effects and warnings for Pitocin, epidurals, and C-sections.

Yes, it hurts. It hurts a lot but the less medical intervention you need, the better.  God designs women's bodies to give birth. Most women can give birth without medical intervention. However, I praise God for medical intervention when needed. It has saved many lives.

When you are preparing for childbirth, you must train yourself to keep your mind focused on the Lord and His strength.  Memorize Bible verses to give you comfort and encouragement.  Billions of women have given birth before and have survived. You can do it also!

Allowing your body to do what it was meant to do without drugs or surgery should always be your first line of action, whether it is having a baby or healing from sickness or disease.

Do not be anxious about anything, 

but in everything, by prayer and petition, 

with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

Philippians 4:6

She's Flying The Coop

My precious daughter, Cassi, is leaving home for somewhere far away.  She wants to experience something new.  She has lovingly cared for me the past five years through all of my health problems.  I will miss her greatly but I definitely want her to go where the Lord leads her.

She has a big heart for the Lord.  She has always loved Him and if you spend any time with her at all, you can tell it is genuine.  All that she is, she gives glory to God.

I was thinking this morning how deeply I love her.  How can you not help but love someone that has served you selflessly for years without complaining?  Yesterday, I posted about being a carnal wife.  On my facebook page, one woman wrote, "I can't imagine fighting with my precious hubby; I just can't!"

She loves her husband too much to argue with him.  Oh, if we could all love each other like that and serve selflessly like Cassi what a magnificent example we would be to the world.  If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you know that my passion is to save marriages and make them strong.

So, yes, I will miss Cassi  and her sweet presence terribly.  My health is still not very good.  I still struggle daily trying to figure out how to get well but I know the Lord will take care of me.  He always has and He always will.

I love you, Cassi, and I know you are in the palm of our mighty Savior's hands.  May He bless you abundantly as you seek to serve and please Him.  

The Lord bless you and keep you;
 The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26