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2 Comments» Continue ReadingSome seasons of life effervesce with adventure, anticipation, and lightness of heart. They are the days filled with many friends, and much time for frivolity. Telling your story to others flows naturally, and your camera captures the seemingly endless moments of a luscious life. Then there are the seasons of life when standing firm, keeping the faith, and perseverance in joy IS the adventure. Days are filled with baskets of laundry, incomplete projects, difficult decisions, and the burden of responsibilities. The only story to tell may be the story of a Great God writing a big story with a family of weak beings, awaiting the next chapters that only He can tell. That’s where I’m at today. My heart is warm with love for the Lord, and there is joy even in unpleasant tasks of the everyday; and yet: Life on earth, in the body, this side of heaven…is hard. […]
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» Continue Reading17th century Puritan, Jeremiah Burroughs offers this: …the peace of God is not enough to a gracious heart except it may have the God of that peace. A carnal heart could be satisfied if he might but have outward peace, though it is not the peace of God; peace in the state, and his trading, would satisfy him. But mark how a godly heart goes beyond a carnal. All outward peace is not enough; I must have the peace of God. But suppose you have the peace of God, Will that not quiet you? No, I must have the God of peace; as the peace of God so the God of peace. That is, I must enjoy that God who gives me the peace; I must have the Cause as well as the effect. I mus see from whence my peace comes, and enjoy the Fountain of my peace, as […]
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» Continue ReadingIt’s been busy around here lately! With each thing that is going on, there is also a realization of God’s greatness and faithfulness in all circumstances… Our family’s been: Hosting a dear friend who is visiting with a baby :: ”It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 Getting over some illness :: He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.” Isaiah 4:29 Researching and purchasing a new (to us) family vehicle to replace our totaled one :: “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’” Matthew 6:31 Confessing impatience and unkindness towards one another in family meetings :: “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” James 5:16 …and soaking up the brisk, but sun-soaked Fall days. :: “For everything there is a season, […]
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» Continue Reading10 phrases that breed discontentment: 1. I deserve… 2. why can’t I… 3. …I’m so tired of… 4. If only… 5. Someday… 6. …you never… 7. …why not now? 8. I can’t do this anymore… 9. …why me? 10. …why not me? 10 phrases that cultivate contentment: 1. In spite of me… 2. Because of His faithfulness… 3. …nevertheless… 4. …rejoice in the Lord always… 5. I’m so thankful… 6. …better than I deserve… 7. Today is the day that the Lord has made… 8. …Thank you… 9. …and you? 10. …because He’s always good. As one who is weak in my flesh, but triumphant in the Grace of God: I encourage you, friends, to let your lips direct your course toward contentment this day. Have a blessed Monday!
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» Continue ReadingLast night, the women of my church met to discuss the first of nine chapters in Carolyn Mahaney’s wonderful book, Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother. It’s the second time I’ve lead the study, but the encouragement is still as applicable for me now as it was the last time. There is nothing easy about the high calling of biblical womanhood. While happy marriages, obedient children, organized homes, and graciousness in character may be lovely and blessed byproducts of this high calling, it is not to this end that we grow and labor. The seven virtues expressed in Titus 2 are ultimately about the gospel working in us and displayed through us. It is for Christ! I’m so very thankful for Paul’s admonition in Titus 2 for older women to train up younger women to: love [our] husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive […]
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» Continue ReadingOur family woke up thankful this morning; very thankful to be alive and to have all 7 of us. While on our way to dinner with my brother’s family, who was visiting this weekend, we were involved in an accident that miraculously didn’t injure any of us, save a few backaches. Upon having a green arrow to turn left, we and the car next next to us began to pull into the intersection to turn. A gentleman ran a red light (he was driving into the blinding sunset, and could not see the light, he said) and took out the front end of our vehicle. The man driving the other car is fine as well, thanks to the fact that The Preacher hit the breaks when he did. A moment later and my husband and baby boy #5 would not be with us. It’s humbling. Life is so fleeting and […]
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» Continue ReadingI am so enjoy reading each and every one of your comments. Occasionally, I receive questions and specific emails regarding certain posts. I recently received this question from a new reader regarding this post. I thought through my response to the question, and thought it may be encouraging to share it with you: Ruth, I have recently discovered your blog, and I must say it has blessed my life in many ways! I love reading back through all your past posts. I have a question for you sparked by this particular post: given what the bible says about money and possessions, how do you balance using money as a means to meet the needs of this fallen world with viewing it as blessing for yourself and your family. It seems that your family has a beautiful home and you speak often of shopping (finding deals!), so I just wonder what […]
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» Continue ReadingI could reflect today on what fun it is to celebrate my birthday. I could reflect today on what I have accomplished…or not accomplished in 36 years. I could reflect on how loved I am by friends and family in my life. I could reflect on how thankful I am to be alive. I could reflect on how it feels like time is speeding up, and the slow half of my life is over. I could reflect on all my hopes and dreams for the future… But, instead, I’ve been reflecting on this: 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect […]
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