A Gift to Receive

I have never been one to accept gifts very well.

If you know me, you already knew that.

I absolutely LOVE to give things to people... love to be a help.... love to be a service.

BUT it is very hard for me to take those things from someone else. I feel like I might be inconveniencing someone or that they may not be being sincere. Maybe they might feel like I'm taking advantage of their kindness if I say "yes" to what they are trying to give. I find it hard to just accept what they give and say thank you.

Am I the only one?

A few years ago, someone told me that when we don't accept someone's offer of service or a gift that they are willing to give, we may be robbing them of a blessing. Just like I want to be a blessing to someone else, when they want to be a blessing to me, I may not be allowing them to do that ... thus, I am "stealing" their blessing AND maybe even a blessing from God. Ever since that time, I have tried to say "yes". Even so, it is still hard for me to comprehend that someone may truly want to do something for me and to just allow them to.

I was sitting in church today and the thought occurred to me that many, many people are like that.

Maybe this is why so many can't or won't really accept God's gift of Eternal Life. They feel like they have to do something in return ... or maybe that they don't deserve it. Maybe this is why there are so many religions that have good works attached.

A FREE gift.... So unworthy... All of us! ...

Can we just accept this gift of Salvation and just love Him all the more for it?

Such an Encouragement

Do you need encouragement? I do! So many times we take for granted how much we really do need it. How do you find encouragement? From a friend? From a book? From the Lord Jesus Christ? From your husband? From your children?

I am so thankful for the many ways that the Lord encourages me.

• I find encouragement when I read His love letter to me, the Bible. I fail in reading it enough!



• I find encouragement when I am a blessing to someone else. It takes my mind off of ME!



• I find encouragement from my children when I see them needing me, trusting me, and obeying me. Even when they test me, I see encouragement in the wisdom that only God can give me.

Lately, I have found encouragement from a blog.... yes, a blog! I happened upon her site a couple months ago and ever since, I keep going back to see the many ways that God is encouraging her. She encourages me in the way she trusts the Lord, in the way her sweet attitude shines in the face of adversity, in the way that she loves people. She now has over 500 followers! Do you think these people find encouragement in her blog as well? Seems like people flock to that because of how much each of us needs love and encouragement. It is a sad thing when we try to find encouragement in all the wrong things. It makes me want to be a blessing and encouragement more and more.... to point people to Jesus instead of all that other junk!

Maybe you'll want to go and visit her too? Someday, I hope I have the opportunity to meet this dear lady in person. I can just picture her smile! What a testimony she has!

Am I living in such a way that people see Jesus shining in my life?

Have you told Him lately that you love Him? I love Him and that love grows sweeter everyday as I learn to trust Him and live for Him.

Today I went to visit a lady in our church who suffers from depression. She is in the hospital now because she wasn't able to cope. As I left her today, I cried. Not because she was doing poorly, or because she was to be pitied. She was actually doing much better today than the last time I saw her.

I cried because I let my circumstances get me down way too much. I forget how much I need to trust the Lord. Why should anyone be down who has Jesus? He loves us so much, He died for us. Can't I trust Him much more than I do? Someone who gives His life for you should be trusted.

Thank you, Lord, for that reminder!

A Ride to Church

I was visiting a few of my favorite blogs and came upon this blog entry that just encouraged my heart. I hope that you will take the time to go and visit....


Homemakers Cottage



You will surely be blessed!

He Giveth More Grace

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater. He sendeth more strength when the labors increase. To added affliction, He addeth His mercy. To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

His love has no limit. His grace has no measure. His power has no boundary known unto men... For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance, when our strength has failed ere the day is half done, when we reach the end of our hoarded resources, our Father's full giving is only begun!

His love has no limit. His grace has no measure. His power has no boundary known unto men... For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

A Quote For Mothers ... and Father's too

The Teacher

Lord, who am I to teach the way
To little children day by day,
So prone myself to go astray?

I teach them knowledge, but I know
How faint they flicker and how low
The candles of my knowledge glow.

I teach them power to will and do,
But only now to learn anew
My own great weakness thru and thru.

I teach them love for all mankind
And all God’s creatures, but I find
My love comes lagging far behind.

Lord, if their guide I still must be,
Oh, let the little children see
The teacher leaning hard on Thee.

- Leslie Pinckney Hill

I'll Tell the World That I'm a Christian

Many of you know that our family is about to leave for Rome, Italy and live there for nearly three months. Our goal in going to Italy is to share Jesus Christ with those who live there and also those who will come to visit for Easter. Many will come seeking some spiritual guidance from a religion that tells them they must work for salvation.

I don't know all of my reader's spiritual backgrounds. I don't even know if I have many readers!

I'm learning that God can use me any way I'm willing to be used... even through some silly blog. So, I thought I would share my spiritual background and maybe it will give you a little insight in to why God has asked our family to go to Italy.

I grew up going to Sunday School and church. My parents weren't perfect by any means, but they knew we should be in church. I grew up singing all the Sunday School songs and hearing all the Bible stories. I knew about God and His Son, Jesus. I was taught that He was someone who loved me and cared about me. At nine years old, my parents divorced. I, being the oldest child, was a devestated wreck. I remember crying so much and not understanding any of it. How could my dad leave us like that? Why was this happening to our family? I began turning to the only thing that I knew of that was Solid and Sure. Even at that young age, I knew that the only ONE that could help me ... be there for me ... never leave me ... was God. He was as real to me as anything I ever knew and by trusting and believing in Him, I knew that I could have Him as a real part of my life. In understanding that I was a sinner and then believing that His Son, Jesus Christ, died for that sin in my life, I was saved from hell and a life of seperation from Him. As time went on and I grew in my understanding of who Jesus really is and the blessings that He has for me, I wanted to live my life for Him. Sure, I have gone through some pretty rocky times. I haven't been perfect, nor will I ever be, but through it all, Jesus has been my Solid and Sure.

I often think about those who don't have Jesus Christ as that Solid Rock. This world is so full of sin and sorrow. I often wonder how people can cope without Jesus. How can they live life without the kind of hope that Jesus offers? Everything else seems so superficial.

I'll tell the world that I'm a Christian, I'm not ashamed His name to bear.
I'll tell the world that I'm a Christian, I'll take Him with me anywhere.
I'll tell the world how Jesus saved me, and how He gave me a life brand new.
And I know that if you'll trust Him, all He gave me, He'll give to you.

The Bible

Majestic, eternal, immutable BOOK,

Inspired, inerrant, complete.

The Light of my path as I walk on life's way,

The Guide and the Lamp to my feet.

Its writings are holy and verbally true.

The unalterable Stature of Light,

For profit, for doctrine, for correction, reproof

Infallible Guide to the right.

My Treasure, my Comfort, my Help, and my Stay,

Incomparable Measure and Rod,

Each page is replete with its textual proof,

The Bible, the exact WORD OF GOD.

- Gertrude Grace Sanborn

Gratituesday -

Ok, I'll be honest... last week was not a good week for me. I was depressed and lonely most of the week. My circumstances were getting the best of me and I was allowing them to determine my attitude. Bottom line ... I wasn't trusting the Lord to take care of things!

Oh, but then came the man of God, speaking of the word of God. How humbled I was! Through the Holy Spirit speaking through him, I realized that I was not surrounding my heart and my will to what God wanted. I wasn't trusting Him to take care of my circumstances. I was worrying and fretting over things and wanting someone to play the world's tiniest violin on my behalf!

What am I grateful for today? I'm grateful for the man of God that is willing to preach whatever God lays on his heart, I'm grateful for God sending the Holy Spirit as a Comforter and a Convicter, and I'm grateful that my loving, Heavenly Father gives new mercy every morning to a sinner such as I.

Have you claimed His mercy in your life? What are you grateful for today?

Gratituesday - The Music Please

I love music.... Not just any music though.

I really like music that is encouraging, uplifting, and true.

I don't like the sad and mopey stuff... you know the kind where the dog dies and the wife's gone and life just isn't perfect. I don't like the fast and hard stuff where you can't even enjoy the words.

What I really like is a song that you can sing and brighten your day, or maybe somebody elses.

I have listened to a lot of music over the years, and some may say that I'm just getting old, so my tastes have changed, BUT... I like to say that I'm just getting wiser!

God has really shown me more and more the kind of music He enjoys. I love going to church and being refreshed by the music, just as much as the preaching. Have you ever really listened and understood, maybe even meditated, on the words of the songs we sing in our hymnals?

Today I am just grateful for good, Godly music. I'm thankful for the music that God uses to teach me and to encourage me. What is your favorite song to sing?

Gratituesday - 100 years of Family

We just had the wonderful opportunity of attending my husband's grandmother's 100th birthday party. Just about all the family was there... 5 of her children... umpteen (is that a word) grandchildren, and even more great grandchildren. Her surviving brother and sister were there as well as other distant family and some friends. We all had a great time visiting with each other and celebrating her life. She really enjoyed it too.

After all the festivities, I got to thinking about this lady and the life that she has lived the last 100 years. It's just amazing when you think about all that she has lived through and the changes that have taken place during her life span. What I truly was grateful for was the testimony of her family, especially the morals and upbringing that she gave her daughter (my mother-n-law). Her daughter has passed these on to her children (my husband) and I'm blessed to be a part of it. This grandmother has passed down a legacy of hard work, doing right, and a love for life... just to name a few. I hope I can pass this same legacy down to my own children. Thank you for the example, Grandma!

Gratituesday - A Friend

I have had the privilege of meeting lots of people as we travel around and move from place to place. I have to be honest and tell you that sometimes I am guarded against building too deep of a friendship though because, chances are, I won't be around for too long. I never intentionally leave, but the Lord has had us move more times than not! It has strengthened my faith and as I meet people, sometimes you just can't help but reach out to someone you "click" with. Each friendship has added something new to my life and encouraged me in ways that sometimes I didn't even know I needed encouragement in.

I've just had to leave that sort of friend. It breaks my heart, because it was breaking hers. I really hate that. She was kind enough to tell me how I had encouraged her in several areas and strengthened her life in ways I never knew I was doing. At the same time, this was encouraging ME to continue to walk with the Lord and live my life with Him as my guide, never knowing what kind of ways I was impacting someone else. I'm glad that the Lord can use me. If that means making friendships that I may not have forever here on earth, than I guess I'll have to take that chance. I rather be an encouragement and have others be an encouragement to me, than to live my life in a shell.

Thank you, Heather, for your friendship. I pray you'll be blessed as you serve Him.

In Necessities

We have been bit by the flu bug at our house. I've had a very unusual morning! Our schedule has gone out the window and the two older children have had to make do without my supervision. They are being very responsible though and getting their school work done.

This brings me to a verse that God has layed on my heart again lately. How many of you are moms or wives with responsibilities and more importantly, how many of you count that as your greatest ministry? Allow me to share a verse that could encourage your heart as you carry on this ministry in your home...

II Corinthians 12:10 says " Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

What a joy that could be ours when we learn to take pleasure in those necessities that we moms and wives face, knowing that as we do them, we are doing them for Christ's sake.... I'm reminding myself about this as I write!

Bountiful Blessings - Part 2

You'll have to forgive me for not writing anything the last couple days. Time has gotten away from me and some things just HAD to be done. They say pictures say a thousand words, so I'll let this picture do the talking!

There are four more five-gallon buckets, FULL of apples, waiting in the garage to replace these. We have been so blessed! My husband works on a golf course, so Monday night we loaded up and went and picked from the apple trees that are on the golf course. What fun! My only regret, is that I didn't bring my camera! We had ladders and poles and golf carts surrounding us and children running around... some even driving golf carts! (Yes, I think I have a few grey hairs mixed in with this blond) We had a fun time though and now the fun continues at home! Stay tuned for some great apple recipes, after I've experimented with them myself. Happy Harvest from our Home to Yours!

Just Making Noise

I was sitting today, in a room and alone. I was enjoying it because it was quiet! As I sat there, I asked the Lord to show me how I could be a better parent. Lately, I have been feeling that my job as a mother, is to nag my children (among other things). The exact words that echoed through my head was "a resounding gong and clanging cymbal". Ever heard those words before? 1Corinthians 13 mentions them. As I thought very quickly about that, I realized that if I wasn't giving love to my children in the way that they needed, that was all I was... a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. You understand that I needed the Lord to give me something quick, because any moment there was going to be at least one of my children knocking at my door. I really thanked the Lord for His wisdom right there. It was quick and to the point and something that I needed to be reminded of. Will you join with me in asking the Lord to give us hearts of love for our family and for those around us so that all of our words are not just a bunch of noise!?

A Slow-Paced Day

I'm thanking the Lord today for a Slow-Paced Day. We take some time off of school on Wednesdays and just have a mid-week break. I need it and I think the kids need it too. Right now they are playing and pretending. My kitchen table chairs are set up to be a fire truck and the kids have all been very creative in finding a costume. They are all four playing together and each one has their position. What a blessing to see them having fun with each other and playing so nicely.

I, on the other hand, am just enjoying a slow start. I still have plenty to do, but time is NOT of the essence today. I will be canning some plums and applesauce as time allows. I will also be making bread and pizza and, hopefully, some banana bread. All of this is fun for me though! I can just take care of my family in a way that I really enjoy.

So, on with my day....

Beautiful Bounty

Enjoying the bountiful goodness of the Lord!

I will sing unto the Lord, because He hath dealt bountifully with me. Ps 13:6

Reminiscing

Today, my husband and I have been married 13 years. I really can't believe that it has been so many years. Now, I realize some of you may be thinking that we are just "babies", but think back to when you first got married. Does it really seem like all that long ago? Time has flown by faster than I imagined and it seems to only be getting faster!

In honor of this special day, I'd like to share some special things about my husband that I've learned over the last few years...

1. He desires the Lord's will in His life.



2. He is not lazy and provides for his family well.



3. He enjoys his children and wants the best for them.



4. He does not settle for the world's view of life or religion, but desires to take that narrow path described in Scripture.



5. He loves me by showing me his love through special acts (i.e washing dishes, doing laundry, checking on the children at bedtime even when he is sooo tired, allowing us to have a dog! and so much more)



6. He is bold for Christ.



7. He is thrifty and finds special and different ways to pay for the "fun" things in life.



8. He desires to learn and grow, not just settle for ho-hum.

I can continue, but you get the picture. I am so thankful God brought him into my life. Even though we do not always agree, and I must admit, life has not always been enjoyable, my husband has taught me more about Christ, more about myself and more about what true love is. If asked again, I would still say "I do".

Make New Friends... One is Silver, the other Gold

Remember that song? My mom use to sing it to us growing up and I've already started it with my children. Well, today I have been officially interviewed by Deborah at Songs From My Journey. You can read all about her "Friendship Friday" post here. I hope to make a few friends through the process.

Now, I am off to celebrate 13 years of marriage to my dear husband. Has it been that long? I still feel like a teenager sometimes! Enjoy your weekend.

Thankful!

Can I just tell you how tired I am!? I have had SUCH a busy day and I can't even begin to tell you how I feel right now. Words just wouldn't describe it very well, but I have to say that I did get a lot done... but not quite all that needed to be. Instead of dwelling on that though, I want to tell you how grateful and thankful I am that tomorrow is Sunday ...

GRATEFUL that God created Sunday to be a day of rest... that regardless of all the other things going on in our life, we can take a break from it all and truly focus on Him alone. I won't be working to get the house any cleaner, trying to finish any projects or paying any bills. You'll find me...

THANKFUL that I have a church to go to where the Bible is taught, prayer is priority and the music is worshipful... THANKFUL that this is the day that the Lord has made. I will REJOICE and be GLAD in it!