She opens her mouth...

...in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26

Ouchie. Kindness; we must be intentional to show it.  Intentional is the buzz word this week.  It was used several times this past weekend at the Sally Clarkson Conference.

I was convicted to intentionally carve out blocks of time for opportunities to praise my children with Godly character traits.  There is the normal "I am so proud of you", "good job", "I appreciate your help", etc.  However, they don't always balance out the, "how many times do I need to tell you to...", "answer the question that is being asked" and "what? really?".

We will discuss Godly character traits frequently.  I will speak more life into my children.  We are going to have daily tea (or some kind of liquid) when we read great stories outloud. We will be diligent about not missing too many of these days. My children will be filled up with the love of Christ and my love.

God is good, He loves me and rebukes me with His word.  He also encourages me with His word.  I need to do that with my words.  I don't want to find my kids in a deficit.  I know how that feels and it is not fun.

Am I willing to give up things to sew into my children's lives? ~ Sally Clarkson

Yes, yes I am. PTK!

Love,

Exceedingly More

This week has been a challenging one in regards to our health.  Luke and Hannah had been running fevers, coughing and complaining of sore throats for a few days before we decided to take them to the doctor.  We don't have health insurance for such visits, so I wasn't looking forward to it.

As I sat in the waiting room, I thought about how much it was going to cost per kid.  It wasn't that we didn't have the money, it was that I didn't feel like giving it to a doctor ;).  I sent a text to a friend asking that she pray that we get a 2 for 1!  Sitting there, irritated, I was humbled.  Who was I to ask that I get a discount???  What nerve I had to ask God for special treatment.  I had already been praying for healing along with everything else.

We went back to see the nurse and I asked if she would just see Luke and then we'd go from there.  The doctor looked at Luke's throat and asked him some questions.  Then he turned to look at Hannah's throat and then asked me some questions about how I was feeling.  "Coincidently", I had started feeling bad that morning and by then was running a fever too.  When we finished up, the doctor gave us a prescription that was large enough to cover all THREE of us and only charged us for a 1 person visit.  Even that charge was less than I had been quoted from the receptionist as a cash price.  God immediately brought to my remembrance Ephesians 3:20, "Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think".

God is good, all the time... even when we don't feel worthy.

Praise His Holy Name!!!

A Righteous Man

The Nativity Story movie is not just for Christmas time.  This movie is a great example of what happened years ago when our Savior was conceived and born.  Every time I watch it, I think of Joseph and how much he loved God and his wife.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.  And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.  Matt. 1:18-19

Can you imagine how Jospeh must have felt when he found out the woman he was going to marry was pregnant (and not with his child)?  This scripture tells us he was a righteous man; he did not want to disgrace Mary.  That is a man after God's heart.  That is the man God chose to raise His one and only Son.  A man who thought more about others than he did of himself.  What a great example to follow.  And a great example did follow, we call Him Jesus!  Praise the King!

In The Storm

On the way home from a Bible study last night, we began to see a BEAUTIFUL lightening show.  My friend and I were talking away as we drove along Hwy 19 when it started to rain.  There had been a storm earlier in the night, but it had passed and the radar had been checked before we left, with no signs of another storm coming.  When the rain and wind got out of control, we pulled over.  The noise was incredible, then came hail, small and then baseball size.  It lasted about 15 minutes, but it seemed like an eternity.  We prayed for protection, rebuked the storm, but were still scared, having a physical feeling of zero control over the situation.  It was paralyzing.  I know the Lord heard our prayers; we are safe today.  It would be awesome to say that we were cool as cucumbers, knowing that whatever happened was the Lord's will.

Brent reminded me today of all the troubles Paul went through and how much more frightening those situations were in comparison.  This is true.  My nerves are just now beginning to receive that. 

Thank you, God.  You were in the storm, protecting us with your mighty arm!

"For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, whom I serve, saying, Fear not Paul;" Acts 27:23-24

Eat!

Eating, we do it all of the time; it's obviously necessary to live.  Did you know the word "eat" appears in the KJ Bible 562 times? That could be a serious word study.  Brent was just quoting one of his favorite "eat" verses to the kids last night at dinner, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat" from Acts 10:13.  "You can't kill a tomato," he likes to say.

I was watching "The Biggest Loser" when one of the trainers took some of the contestants to his house to enjoy a vegetarian dinner.  Bob told them that most of the food we eat today is beige, colorless.  He said we should eat foods that are full of color.  Hmm, good advice, I think.

I used to think that we should eat only vegetables because that is how God designed it in the beginning, in the Garden of Eden.  God has given us LOTS to chew on since then. ;)

Here's one Bob wouldn't like: For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Romans 14:2. Ouch.

God tells us in His Word not to despise others for what they eat or don't eat.  He says all food is good if eaten in thankgsiving, but don't cause others to stumble if they have some reason for not eating something.  He also tells us, more than once, not to worry about what to eat; He will sustain us.  He will feed us.  I believe He means that in more ways than one.  He has dropped meat and bread from the sky; no worries, we'll get fed.  

This verse appears to be really important: Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you." John 6:53. I don't know about you, but I want to LIVE ;).

We eat every 4ish hours.  I wonder if we ate on the Word of God every 4 hours how full up on God we'd be. Most people wouldn't think of going without food.  However, we skip our heavenly meals frequently.  God is good!  He is the best meal!  Pressing into Him helps us to control our flesh.  With Him, we can go without physical food for days.

Let's chew on the Word!

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8

First Visit To The State Fair

I would rate it better than Six Flags.  The Fletcher corndogs were okay.  Within an hour we had already spent a good amount of money; that part my precious husband wasn't fired up about.  However, it was because we brought him, that we spent that money.  I was interested in the free sections.  He and the kids were interested in the RIDES! Next year I may enter one of the cooking contests, spend more time in the shopping areas and watch one of the "Celebrity Chef" spots.  Hannah thought it would be neat to enter a quilt too.  We shall see.  Brent "grew up" going to the fair.  I grew up in Missouri City (basically Houston), so we never attended the fair.  We spent many hours at AstroWorld, which I believe now to be another Six Flags Park.  I do not usually ride carnival rides.  So, as when I was young, once again today I was the junk holder while the rest of the family rode them.  Hey, at least it saved us some money!

We prayed the blood of Jesus over some scary lookin' rides and exhibits.  We were kind of taken back by even the music.  Why would little kid rides blare out Eminem music?  The enemy is SO very prevalent.  It was another great opportunity to show the kids how the devil distorts and perverts innocence and also makes wicked things look fun and innocent.  Of course, even the haunted houses bring in people like it's a road to salvation. Wow, wacky.  I'm thankful for my convictions, for God's Word that sensitizes me and convicts me.  Even though I've been called "on the fringe", I will press on, seeking Him, wanting to be more like Him and asking for forgiveness when I mess up.  Praise the King!  I like being Jesus' fringe!

 

Heavenly Weather With Country Animals

What GORGEOUS weather we were given today!  Just the breeze could have lulled me to sleep.  I walked with Brent to check on all the animals this afternoon.  Running together with the chickens and the dog, the goats are loving their new expanded area in the field; lots of grass.  As we were admiring the young boy goat play with our lab, the goat decided to jump up on my back.  If you think it's gross to feel violated by a dog, wait until a goat jumps on you.  Just another part of country living... at its finest.

Thank you, Jesus for this awesome weather, even with the stinky animals! ;)