Children's Museum

After the girls first violin lesson this year, we took the afternoon and took the kids to the children's museum. They had a blast as you can see below.
Ezekiel playing in the house we built

Kara building a house
Lydia and Andy helping to build the house
Andy our little tree frog
Lydia a little monkey

It's a Dog's Party

Thank you everyone who let me know who you are. Our curiosity has been partially satisfied :)

Ok, I will be having lots of posts in a short amount of time.

Back in August, our small community had a special day dedicated to dogs called Bark in the Park. They literally had several vendors dedicated to selling doggy treats, apparel, and other doggy services. They also had paw painting, hot dog diving, and the opportunity to swim in the pool with your dog (obviously this was the last day before they drained the pool).

Shalom had an interesting day and while she enjoyed the bobbing for hot dogs, she did not appreciate swimming in the pool with JA.

Who Are You?

Ok, This is going to be a strange post. A couple months ago I added a live feed to my blog which told me where I was getting visitors from. However, I still don't know who you are. Can you do me a favor and leave a comment on this post letting me know: Who you are, What the feed says you are from -- just scroll down and look on the lower right part of the screen, And how you know me or if you just stumbled on my blog. Thank you. This will be a help because my husband is always asking me who visited the blog :)

I promise I will get some more posts up (at least one or two before I leave the country).

It's been awhile

Ok, I know it's been awhile, and I promise I will catch you up to speed soon (if I get a chance before we take our vacation). Life has been a bit crazy around here.

I did want to give you the opportunity to enter this great giveaway over here on my friend Trisha's blog Spend Freely

The computer isn't letting me upload the image, but trust me it's a great snack pack giveaway. Check it out HERE

Works of God Monday

I am so thankful for how God has worked in our lives over the past two weeks. Two weeks ago, I was discouraged and overwhelmed. Last week I was excited to participate and enjoy Vacation Bible School, and this week I have the opportunity to reap the harvest from our garden.

I praise God for the bountiful harvest he has given to us. I have an abundance of peppers and tomatoes on my plants. Hundreds of flowers blooming on my beans, and today was able to harvest and freeze most of my corn from my garden in only three hours.

At 9:30, I tackled the garden with two crates and my clippers. I trekked through the corn and pulled all the corn that was ready to be picked and cut down all the stalks that were not bearing ears (or no longer had ears because I took them all). I also cut down any stalks that were showing ear fungus (so that it wouldn't spread to the remaining corn).
We then came inside and put Ezekiel in the jumper while Kara, Lydia and I husked the corn washed and blanched it. When JA and Andy came home, JA cut the corn off the cob while I bagged it for the freezer. I praise the Lord for 20 bags of corn (2 cups each bag).
Also, last night I was able to cook and can nine jars of salsa. Two weeks ago I canned three jars of banana peppers.

However, the greatest harvest I observed this past week was not in the harvest of my garden. As a result of Vacation Bible School we had the opportunity to see two first graders come to know Christ as their Savior. No bounty from my harvest even begins to compare with that of reaping souls for eternity. The Lord blessed our ministry of Vacation Bible School, and while we did not have great numbers, we had a very profitable week of reaching out and getting to know the kids that attended.

I don't understand our World

I have to tell you that I do not understand our world. When there are so many couples in our country longing to hold a baby in their arms, how can we as a nation justify allowing a baby to die just because it was born during an abortion.

There is no question in my mind that abortion is wrong, but I can't understand how even those who are for abortion can stand by and watch a helpless child be MURDERED because he wasn't supposed to be born.

We serve a righteous God who cannot look upon sin.

Mr 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

God will judge us as a nation. For those of you believers who think that because you are not partaking in such gross sins you will be spared judgement, BEWARE. We are partakers of this sin as much as our country is for we are responsible for who we allow to make our laws. Please take time to repent of complacency and step up and take a stand for the Righteous Living God demands of us.

If you disagree with me about being a participant, please examine Daniel 9. While Daniel was not an idol worshiper, he still accepted the responsibility and prayed for his nation as a collective whole (including himself).

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

And the Winner is . . .

Alecia

Okay, I confess, the giveaway is a bit more than the $30 I promised, but I don't think I'll hear anyone complaining about that. As I started putting it together I was getting excited to draw the name.

Here are the products that Alecia has won, and believe me these are some of my favorite:
Lotus and Bamboo Nourishing Body lotion
Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover (If you wear eye makeup, this is a MUST have)
Timewise 3-in-1 Cleanser
Cellu-Shape Daytime Body Moisturizer Travel Size
Cellu-Shape Nightime Body Gel Travel Size (Alecia, I am NOT saying you need this)
Ultimate Mascara - Black
Eyeliner - Taupe
Eye Color Quad - Simply Neutral
Lip Color Duo - Garnet/Gold
And two perfume samples - Belara, Tribute
Purple Make-Up Travel Bag


Again, I want to say congratulations to Alecia for winning my Birthday giveaway. I had so much fun doing this, I may just have to try this again -- Maybe I'll bring back something from Africa to giveaway in November :)

Works of God Monday

Wow, God has done so much in my life this week. This week has been a difficult week for me emotionally, between weaning Ezekiel, preparing for VBS, and turning 30, my sensitivity, stress, and mood was pulling me down to the bottom. Yet, I praise God for always knowing what we need when we need it. Friday morning I logged onto Facebook, and a friend had posted in her status a quote that read "Don't tell God how big your mountains are, tell your mountains how big your God is." Bamm, I got hit right in the head with that one. I had spent most of the week dwelling on how tired and discouraged I was instead of focusing on how great and awesome my God is. Really, now that I look back on last week I don't quite understand why I was so down and out. We truly had an amazing week.

I am thankful that JA was able to make it and be at the hospital for two of our church family that were having serious surgery this week (one a knee replacement and the other heart surgery). I'm thankful for a pastor we never met before being willing to open up his home so JA could spend the night in Lincoln and be at the hospital for a friend's surgery at 6:00 in the morning.

Yesterday was a wonderful time of fellowship with our church family as we decorated the church for VBS with decorations we didn't have to make (Thank you Fairview Baptist and Bible Baptist churches for the amazing decorations).

I even praise the Lord for Ezekiel's high fever yesterday that left him drained of energy and tired. Had he not been sleeping most of the day yesterday I wouldn't have been able to be as helpful with decorating.

I also want to praise God for the opportunity we have to have VBS this week. We don't have any kids registered yet (other than my own), so I am praising God for the kids He is going to bring us and the opportunity to reach out to our community.

My God is So BIG and GREAT. HE IS FAITHFUL! As we studied in Lamantations yesterday, God is always the same. If their is a change in my relationship with God it is because I have turned my focus away from him. I pray as Jeremiah did "Lord, turn my heart to you."

Growing Up

Ok, I know that four isn't a big milestone year for most people, but to me every birthday is a big deal, and shows that another year of life has flown by. This morning I sent Lydia off to VBS without mom and dad for the first time. She's finally old enough to go without mommy and daddy right there. I say finally, because last years she has attended VBS but wasn't old enough to stay alone.
Lydia has been a blessing. She is my sensitive one, but she is also my girly girl. She loves to put on makeup and wear necklaces and rings. But, she also loves to go out and roll around in the mud. While Lydia is still not the easiest child to understand (she's a mumbler), she is always quick to say I love you.
Lydia is a bouncer. She is always bouncing and jumping in the house, and usually hurting herself because she will bounce into the table, a chair, the dishwasher (yes you read that right). She is always good at making you laugh, although you better make sure she knows you aren't laughing at her or she will burst into tears.
Lydia is also my quiet one. She is so used to standing in Kara's shadow, that around people she can become quite shy. However, once you get to know her she warms up to you and becomes one of the most loving children on the planet.

Well, My little girl turns four today.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LYDIA!

No Longer in my Twenty-Somethings Giveaway

Since I am turning 30 today, I wanted to host a giveaway (thank you Jenny for the wonderful idea). If you are interested in winning $30 worth of Mary Kay beauty products, please leave a comment in the comment section of this post what you like or think you will like after reaching the age of 30 (if you are posting as anonymous, please include your e-mail address so I can contact you if you are the winner). Since I am so late in putting this post up, I will leave this giveaway open until 12:00 noon on Monday.

The products will consist of an assortment of beauty products which may include makeup and facial care. This giveaway will be limited to the United States since I cannot legally ship makeup outside of the country (per my consultant agreement).

Kids and Death

Wow, I can only say this last week I have felt almost every emotion I can imagine. Last Sunday as we traveled out to Springfield, IL I debated how much I should shield my kids from what was happening with grandpa. When we arrived in Springfield, JA dropped me off at the hospital and I was able to sit with grandpa (he was in a stage 4 coma) for awhile.

The next morning we brought the kids in to meet grandpa and they sang some songs to grandpa. Then JA and Joel took them out to the park, and later they were in and out of grandpa's room. Tuesday was very similar to Monday.

Wednesday morning my grandfather died, and other than telling them that grandpa was no longer in the hospital, but he was now in heaven I wasn't going to expose them to more. But then, Friday night was the wake at the funeral home. JA and I took the kids, but we really didn't know what to expect from them. I am amazed at how much the girls were able to pick up on. I think Kara started to understand when my little brother came back from viewing grandpa and was bawling. Kara started crying, and I left her with someone while I took Lydia up to go see grandpa. In front of grandpa I asked Lydia where grandpa was, and she said right there. I took that opportunity to explain that grandpa's body was right there, but that he was now in heaven singing to Jesus.

I wasn't going to push Kara. I decided to let her go at her own rate. After she saw her cousin Corbyn went up to talk with grandpa, Kara decided she wanted to go, and she literally dragged me up there.

Kara stared at grandpa and said "Grandpa's not there"
Mom : "Where is grandpa?
Kara: "In heaven"
Mom: "What is he doing in Heaven?"
Kara: "Singing"

Later during the wake, I was sitting up front by my mom, and Kara came up to me. (She had colored a picture for Grandpa at the hospital and Dorothy wanted it to be put in the casket with Grandpa). I told her that we were going to put it in the casket and she responded "I want Grandpa to take it with him to heaven." I then had to explain to her that when we die we can't take things to heaven with us. Then she replied "When Oma goes to heaven will she take gobstoppers with her if they are in her pocket?"

Some other fun things the kids said were:

Daddy to Lydia: God called Grandpa home to heaven
Daddy the next day: We are going home
Lydia: Are we going to heaven now? How to we get to heaven?
Lydia on the way home: God told us to go home. Daddy, did Jesus say we have to go home?

Lydia: I miss my grandpa. Can I go to heaven and see my grandpa? How do I go to heaven?
Kara: "One way God says to get to heaven, Jesus is the only way" (singing)

As we walked away from the gravesite, Lydia exclaimed "Mommy, we forgot to plant grandpa in the ground." -- I had explained earlier to the girls that we were going to plant grandpa's body in the ground so that when Jesus comes back grandpa's body would go up to Jesus.

Last night after I put them to bed in their own beds for the first time in a week, Lydia woke up and came crying to me "I miss my grandpa" As I tried to calm her down and explain that grandpa was happy in heaven, Kara called out. I'm going to go to heaven when I die and see grandpa.

The Last Mile of the Way

As my grandfather reaches the end of his time here on earth, and I sit at home waiting for the news, my mom called and asked me to find a song that was sung and several funerals in my grandfather's family. I was able to find the song in an old hymnal, and a friend came by to play it for me so that I can learn it.

I find the words to this song very refreshing as I think about my purpose here on earth. I hope you also find the sweet reminder of death not being the end refreshing to your spirit.

If I walk in the pathway of duty,
If I work till the close of the day,
I shall see the great King in His beauty
When I've gone the last mile of the way.

Chorus:
When I've gone the last mile of the way,
I will rest at the close of the day,
And I know there are joys that await me,
When I've gone the last mile of the way.

If for Christ I proclaim the glad story,
If I seek for His sheep gone astray,
I am sure He will show me His glory
When I've gone the last mile of the way.

Here the dearest of ties we must sever,
Tears of sorrow are seen every day,
But no sickness, no sighing forever,
When I've gone the last mile of the way.

And if here I have earnestly striven,
And have tried all his will to obey,
'Twill enhance all the rapture of heaven,
When I've gone the last mile of the way.

A New Carrier

Ever since Kara was born, I have been carrying my children in a ring sling called a Maya Wrap. I love my ring sling, and have gotten a lot of use out of it. However, as we prepare to go to Africa, I don't have the same confidence of being able to carry a wriggly one year old in it. Plus, I have never felt comfortable carrying my kids on my back in the ring sling.Ezekiel about two months old

So, as we get ready for our trip I have been looking for all sorts of back carriers. One problem. All of the ones I seemed to like cost well over $100. Then we went to the Homeschool convention in May. While we were there I saw a woman carrying two kids -- one on her back and one on her front. For both of them she was wearing a Mai Tai Sling that she had made. She let me look at it (when I later ran into her and her kids were sleeping in the stroller). It really seemed quite simple and easy to use -- and definately lighter weight than any of the expensive ones I had been looking at.

When we got home from convention I remembered that my friend Jenny had purchased one of these when her first born was born. After contacting her I was able to get in contact with Dream Haven Baby. I absolutely love it. Erin even went out of her way to find me a lighter weight material to work with my carrier so that I wouldn't overheat when we were in Africa. The price was also very reasonable -- just about the cheapest carrier I've used and very versitle.

Ezekiel at 11 months old

Today I tried it out for the first time, and while my back is a little sore after carrying Key for two hours, I'm sure as I get used to it I won't even notice any pain. Ezekiel certainly loved it

The Twelve Dancing Princesses

Back in March, Kara and Lydia participated in a community theatre production of The 12 Dancing Princesses. It's taken me a while to figure out how to edit the videos, I hope you enjoy.

Works of Monday

We have had several blessings this past week. JA and I were able to have a wonderful date on Thursday -- the first we've had alone since Ezekiel was born. I am so thankful for a wonderful friend who I can swap babysitting with.

Another praise is all of the VBS decorations we were able to borrow from my parents church. We also have another church that we are borrowing decorations from, so this means very little work for us in regards to decorating the church -- All I have to do is figure out where to put everything :)

A huge praise regarding Ezekiel -- Both of his tests last week came back clear. That means he does not have a kidney reflux. So hopefully this will have been his only staph infection in the urinary track. We are still waiting to get the results to find out if the infection is gone.

I am constantly finding my children to be a source of joy and a great reminder of God's goodness and His truth. Yesterday afternoon while he was waiting for lunch, Andy was singing "I've got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy." Kara is constantly singing about God and Jesus -- she is making songs up, and I am thrilled to hear her sing about what she believes about God. Lately she has been singing about God always being with her. We occasionally have to correct her theology, but usually she is correct on truths that many adults struggle with believing. Isn't it awesome to have the childlike faith!

One of these days I will try to record a video of one of her made up songs, but until then here is a video of her singing this morning.

For love of God and Country

As we celebrate America's Independence today, my thoughts were drawn upwards to God. Two hundred and thirty three years ago, men were willing to sacrifice their lives to establish a country where men and women could be free to live and worship without a distant country governing us when they didn't even know how we lived.

I have to admit that as a believer in America, the future seems very dim in regards to our freedom to preach the gospel and live in a way that pleases God. And while in my heart I want to leave and teach in a foreign land favorable to the preaching of Christ, I know for a fact that God has placed me here and this is where I must live and serve my Lord.

The other day I was talking with my mom and patriotic lessons for Sunday School, and I mentioned the passage of Scripture where Christ is approached about not paying taxes. What does Christ do? He sends Peter off to go fishing. The amazing thing about this fishing trip is that when Peter caught a fish, he discovered a coin in the fishes mouth with which they paid the taxes. Christ concluded this lesson with the message "Render unto Cesar what is Cesar's."

How does this apply to me? Quiet simply, as an American citizen, I need to obey and honor the laws that I am governed by. This means I pay ALL of my taxes and don't attempt to cheat the government. This means I need to support my senator's and congressmen with prayer and encouragement to make wise and Biblical decisions. This means that no matter how much I may disagree with our president, I must have respect for his office and not make accusations or talk badly about the man himself.

And yet, this is not all that Scripture has to say about my loyalty to America. You see, there are some laws that are already in place and others that are soon to be in place that are anti-biblical. They stand for everything against God's holiness.

In Acts 5, Peter and some of the other apostles were thrown in prison for preaching. When they were released from prison, they were given the order to no longer preach Christ. Their response to this command is found in verse 29 "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." In dealings with America, my loyalty and support must be for my country, but wherever American laws go against Biblical commands, I must take a stand and obey God first.

The Bible has established a very clear pattern of Authority -- "God first, government second." God established government to help establish order.

I hope and pray everyone has a wonderful Fourth of July

Happy Birthday America

Dating my Husband

Marriage is such a blessing, and God has given me the priviledge to be married to the most amazing man. J.A. is also a very godly man.

Yesterday JA and I had our first date alone since Ezekiel was born. We had so much fun, and enjoyed every minute of our time alone without having to stop fights, change diapers, or even listen to complaints about being hungry. For the most part our date wasn't all that exciting. We did do a bit of shopping. For a really fun part of our day, we decided to go to Sears and get portraits taken of just the two of us. We haven't had professional pictures of just us since the wedding. After seven and a half years, we figured it was about time. We had some fabulous pictures taken which you can view here

We had a fabulous photographer, and she was so kind. She gave us some recommendations as to where we should go out to eat. She even gave us the biggest complement about our marriage that we could receive after seven years and four kids. She asked us if we were newlyweds. She even asked us if we were a blended family (since we were so happy together and already had four kids). What an incredible testimony of our love for someone to think we were newlyweds.
One of the best parts of this date was that we had a ton of fun, received some fantastic pictures, and I paid less than $5.50. Now I won't tell you how much we spent on our supper because that was not the most frugal of meals -- but than again, someone had given us $20 a month ago to do something special just the two of us, so maybe it was frugal for us :)

I'm always on the look out for fabulous, fun, and frugal dates. Please take some time to share with me what you and your husband do for dates, or how do you keep the newlywed spirit in your marriage.

Boutique Style Wipes Case Giveaway

Tired of the typical baby wipes travel case? Want something to perk up your diaper bag? Check out Spend Freely to enter to win a Boutique Style Wipes Case.

Don't have a baby? Don't worry, enter to win it for a great baby shower gift.

Works of God Monday

I have so many things to be thankful for today. The biggest praise is how God has been working in Ezekiel's life -- He started to crawl yesterday (see previous post here ).

Some other praises include Vacation Bible School is coming together. Some good friends of us even volunteered their family to do the puppets.

Another exciting praise last night, JA was moving our car over into the church parking lot so that it would appear that we have service (most people show up right at the start of service or a bit late, so we decided to park our car in the parking lot so people wouldn't drive by and assume we are not having services). Anyways, Our car only made it out of the driveway. However, after church several of the men came by to try to fix the problem, and a neighbor man came by and spent quite a bit of time visiting with the church people. This is a praise not because of the car breaking down, but the fellowship with our neighbor as a result of the breakdown.

God has been working mightely in our lives, and we are excited as He is DAILY showering us with blessings and strength and continuously conforming us to the image of His son Jesus Christ.

Just a side note: Please be praying for Ezekiel this morning and tomorrow morning. This morning he has a sonogram on his bladder and tomorrow morning he has a more invasive x-ray in another city. Thank you for your prayers.

Update 6/29/09 10:53 a.m. Ezekiel did very well on his sonogram today, and Penny explained in a little bit more detail what Ezekiel will go through tomorrow. They will be sticking a catheter in him and filling his bladder with dye and watching to see if it backs up into his kidneys. I'll give you another update after the test tomorrow and when I've heard the results. Thank you for your prayers!

Ezekiel Learns :)

With Ezekiel's therapy, we are having to teach him a few different things. One of the things we have been working on is learning to crawl forward instead of rolling to his destination. Today he crawled forward for the first time (although it's a bit more like jumping forward!).

Another thing we are having to work on is teaching Ezekiel how to pull himself up to a standing position.

Boojiboo Flirty Apron GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Boojiboo Flirty Apron GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

My Favorite is this the BELLA Vintage Inspired Red Cherries on Black Full Apron. Check it out here

Cumbered about with Serving

Lu 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

Most of you are familiar with the Martha complex. One who is so busy serving and trying to make sure everything is in order that one forgets to sit and visit or listen and learn.

I am very much like Martha. When I have something that needs to be done, I focus on that one thing and make sure it gets done. I forget about the people around me, and fail to sit back and listen to them. It constantly amazes me how some days I can go through the day cooking, cleaning, and everything else that needs to be done and yet I can neglect those things that are most important.

I need to make a point to spend time with my God each and every day. To sit at my Master's feet and hear what he has for me to learn. One of the Awesome things about God's Word is that I can read a passage I have read hundreds of times before, and still discover something new, or a new way to apply it to my life. God Word is alive and powerful, and it is working in me.
On days where I get caught up in those things that need to be done, I have to make a point to get down or get out and play with my kids on days that are consumed with what needs to be done. Saturday was one of those days. I was tired and worn out. I took the kids outside to the backyard, put Ezekiel in his swing, and went over to my garden and began weeding. No sooner did I start to pull weeds that the sky began to weep. I continued to pull weeds until Ezekiel began to fuss about getting wet. As I was preparing to pack all the kids up and go inside, I realized Ezekiel wasn't fussing about being wet, he just wanted someone to hold him and play with him. The kids were having a blast playing in the rain, and I was already wet. So, instead of going inside, we walked over to the church and invited Daddy to take a break from his studying to come out and play with us in the rain. We had a wonderful time together. I'm sure all the cars that drove past us thought we were crazy -- me carrying a baby, and three kids running around in the rain with their daddy chasing them. When we came home, we did it just in time because about a minute after we cleared the door, the sky's opened up and pelted the ground with water.

Question for you: How did you take time to get down and play with your kids today?

Fearless Service

Luke 1:74-75
That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered
out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without
fear, In holiness and righteousness before him,
all the days of our life.

These verses tell us how we are to serve God. God has delivered us from our enemies, so we are able to serve without fear. Our service to God is also to be holy without spot of sin.

My children occasionally like and want to obey. However, there are frequent times when they obey but continue to argue or complain the entire time they are doing it. I frequently catch myself reminding them that they are not obeying if they don't have a good heart attitude about obedience.

I have very little problem identifying when my kids have the wrong attitude about obedience. But, I have to admit I don't always catch my own bad attitude towards serving God. When I am serving God (which should be 100% of the time), I need to guard my thoughts and my motives that they are glorifying to God. I cannot say I am serving God and submitting to my husband if I am grumbling in my heart about the task I am performing. I cannot say I am serving God if I resent that I have to make a meal for someone. All of this should be a blessing and a joy to serve.

Failure to Thrive

Please continue to be praying for Ezekiel. I do thank all of you who were praying for us last month as we went to the pediatrician. The doctor diagnosed Ezekiel with a mild form of cerebral palsy. Right now all that we need to do in regards to the CP is a monthly therapy session to help set goals and show us new things to work on and then our working with him on a daily basis.

In addition to the CP, Ezekiel is struggling with a few other minor health problems. He is fighting a staph infection in his urinary track, as well as something that is causing blood in his urine. He is also far below weight and has been labled with Failure to Thrive.

For the next month, we are going to be working with teaching Ezekiel how to sit up, how to crawl, and hopefully a little of how to cruise around the furniture.

Today at Ezekiel's therapy session I discovered that the doctor we saw last month labeled Ezekiel as Failure to Thrive. Those of you who spend any time with us at all would understand why this shocked me. Ezekiel eats and eats and eats, but for all that he eats, he is no longer on the charts for his growth.

As I was considering this on my way home with Ezekiel, I started thinking about my Christian Life. Looking back through the years, I can see times where I struggled with a failure to thrive. Not because the food was not available, but because I did not partake of the wonderful spread God laid out before me. There are many times over the course of my life where I can see how I starved myself spiritually. Oh, I still attended church, read spiritual books, and talked like a good Christian ought to, but spiritually I was dying because I was not sustaining myself with God's Word and Prayer. No matter how much I read, unless I make the Word of God personal in my life and take time to have a relationship with God, I will fail to thrive. My whole being must be grounded in God's Word or I will lose my footing.

Contradictory Master's

Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one,
and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise
the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Do you recall as a child asking one parent a question and they said no? What did you do next? Typically, the child will turn around and ask the other parent the same question to see if they will give permission. I know I can remember doing this. And in essence I was serving two masters. I was asking both my parents the same question, and then obeying the one who gave me the answer I wanted.

Here Christ warns us against such behavior. Every person has the opportunity to serve one of two masters -- God or Satan. If we attempt to divide our loyalty between the two, then we will seek to serve Satan only because Satan will always appeal to our fleshly desires. This will then turn our affections away from God until we despise Him for the heavy restrictions we perceive have been placed upon us.

However, if we serve God and God alone, then we will come to despise Satan and sin. We will then realize that God has not placed heavy restrictions upon us, but that it is indeed Satan who makes us a slave to our flesh. Only in serving God can I find true freedom as I learn that I do not have to give into my fleshly wants. Sin destroys the soul, but service to God and God alone can give me peace and joy.

God and God alone created all these things we call our own
From the mighty to the small the Glory in them all is God's and God's alone

God and God alone is fit to take the universe's throne
Let everything that lives reserve it's truest praise for God and God alone

God and God alone reveals the truth of all we call unknown
and the best and worst of man wont change the Master's plan it's God's and God's alone

God and God alone will be the joy of our eternal home
He will be our one desire Our hearts will never tire of God's and God's alone

What does it mean to serve?

Matthew 4:10
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan:
for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God,
and him only shalt thou serve.

At the end of Christ's time of fasting in the desert, we see Satan comes to him and proceeds to tempt Christ. Here Satan has offered Christ power over all kingdoms if He would bow down and worship Satan. Christ replies that only God is to be worshiped -- not Satan.

Satan, the prince and power of the air, seeks to deceive people into believing that he can offer them anything they desire. And to an extent he does -- at the price of their life and soul. The price to worship and serve Satan is far to great. To spend an eternity in the Lake of Fire is not worth the short time we can enjoy sin. And even if you look at the pleasure sin gives now, even in this life it can destroy your life.

Far better it is to serve God and God alone. Service to God brings joy and peace. Service to God brings blessing -- not the physical blessing of riches, but the blessing of knowing that God will not forsake me and that I will never want for food or other necessities in life. God will provide and take care of me. I can also have the confidence of knowing that where God does not provide, He has a greater plan for my life than I can imagine. I will choose to serve God not Satan. My prayer for you is that you will choose the same.

God's Goodness

I just want to take a few minutes today to share some of the blessings God has provided for us.

The first one is of God's incredible mercy and protection. I had the opportunity this past weekend to take all four kids down to my mom and dad's for Elizabeth's engagement party. While at the party, the kids were playing on a swingset and the swinging was causing the leg of the swingset to lift off the ground. When it came back down it landed on Andy's toes. I praise the Lord that Andy had kept his shoes on -- I am confident that had his shoes been off he would have lost two of his toes.
Another blessing was the amazing weather we had all weekend. The weather forecast was showing storms for the whole weekend, and I was praying that the weather would be nice so that we could all go to the zoo on Monday. God answered my prayers and stayed off the rain until after we were well on our way home from the zoo.
I am also very greatful for the strength and alertness God gave me as I drove home. I was exhausted on the drive home, by God's grace we were able to make it home without any problems -- and very little fighting among the kids which is amazing since they stayed awake the whole trip home.
Then of course the greatest blessing God has given me besides His amazing gift of salvation is the wonderful and amazing husband I have. JA was willing to let me be gone for the entire weekend, and he kindly let me sleep in on Tuesday to catch up on the lost sleep from the weekend.

Purposeful Slander

Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the
workers of iniquity: Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows
to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: That they may shoot in secret at the
perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not. They encourage
themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they
say, Who shall see them?
Psalms 64:2-5

Just like a warrior is purposeful in sharpening his sword, or preparing his bow for battle, the malicious person is purposeful in planning slander so that it will hit and destroy with great accuracy.

While there is very little I can do stop and prevent others from slandering me or my husband (other than live a blameless life), I can take great care to ensure that I am not slandering others. Once again, the tongue is very powerful, and can destroy a person much more quickly and painfully than any gun or knife. I must be careful that my words only edify and encourage rather than destroy and maim.

Psalm 64:8
So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon
themselves: all that see them shall flee away.

Bathtime at Our House

My kids love bath time. Here are some fun pictures of the kids at bathtime while I was cooking dinner yesterday.

Andy Feeding Ezekiel

Yummy Orange Ginger Porkchops

Lydia and her rubber duckie

Kara loves sinking below the bubbles

Andy attacking the bath monsters with the squirt gun

Psalm 57:4
My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that
are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are
spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

Have you ever felt as though you have been thrown into the lions den like Daniel. There have been a few times in my life that I felt like I was surrounded by hungry lions who were out for blood. The Psalmist here is fleeing from Saul, and he sees the passion with which Saul is pursuing him. Saul's passion is all consuming, it has been set on fire. And their mouths speak slander about David. The use their words to fuel a hatred for him.

What about me? Do I use my passions and my words to destroy others? A perfect example of this is the recent death of Abortionist George Tiller. The man who shot Tiller had a consuming passion against Tiller so much that it brought him to the point of murder. Let me be clear -- I do not agree with what Tiller did. I believe he was a murderer of children. However, according to the laws of our country he deserved a fair trial -- not to be murdered in cold blood. Murder is always wrong!

Passion is a good thing when we are passionate about the right thing -- God! But if I allow a passion for worldly things to consume me, then it will consume my spirit and push God away. My passion for God should drive me to serve and to minister and to speak words of love and kindness and not words of hate.

Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this
present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all
iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people,
zealous of good works.
Titus 2:12-14

Words that can Kill

Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man?
the goodness of God endureth continually. Thy tongue
deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to
speak righteousness. Selah. Thou lovest all devouring words,
O thou deceitful tongue. God shall likewise destroy thee for ever,
he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place,
and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
Psalms 52:1-5

David saw it necessary to quit Saul's court for his own safety, for fear of Saul, who had once and again attempted to murder him. Without provisions, he deceived Ahimelech the priest into furnishing him with weapons and food. Doeg an Edomite went and told Saul that Ahimelech was knowingly helping David and convinced Saul that Ahimelech was a traitor. Upon which accusation Saul issued a very bloody warrant, to kill all the priests; and Doeg, the prosecutor, was the executioner. (Matthew Henry)

Woe to the person who delights in seeing others pained and harmed. The Edomite Doeg was just such a man. For some reason he was against Ahimelech, and decided to use David's deceit as an opportunity to get rid of the priests in this area. Doeg used his tongue to devise evil against a man of God. And, as David proclaims, God will destroy him.

Like Doeg, we have an option. I can use my tongue for good, or for evil. The tongue does not need to speak many words to destroy a person. In today's day, accusations are continuously made about pastors, and others who work with children (I'm not saying that some of those accusations are not factual -- while some are valid, many others are not). I have known women who sought to physically entrap a pastor, and when unsuccessful they declare a false accusation in order to destroy him. As a woman and a child of God I must guard my tongue and take heed that my speech is used only to edify.

Let me make this passage even more personal. Let's look at a marriage. I have a wonderful husband who loves to shower me with affection, and helps, and gifts, and just about all of the love languages that a woman can ask for. Yet, when he does or says something I don't like, my words can turn my strong and loving husband into a wounded puppy. In truth, I don't want a wounded man as my husband, so I must guard my words to that they uplift and encourage my husband rather than destroy his spirit. Guarding my tongue is a daily and minute by minute challenge.

Ephesians 5:33
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife
even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

I Need Recipies

We have been blessed to have a mulberry bush growing in a corner of our yard. Now, with this blessing comes a few negatives such as a purple slide and purple splotches all over the patio. For the most part we enjoy have such a ready source of berries in our yard.

While the kids absolutely love the taste of these berries (I think because they can pick them themselves), I find them to be more bitter for my taste. Do any of you have any wonderful recipies that I can use these berries in? Please either post in the comments, or if you have a blog, leave me a link to your site.

Thank you for your help as I try to make the most our of our free source of fruit.

Psalm 51:14
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation:
and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

David's heart is heavy with guilt from the murder of Uriah. Here he cries out in pain begging God to mercifully forgive him and remove this heavy lode of guilt. With the forgiveness and mercy, David turns around and sings praises to God and declares His righteousness.

Guilt is a very heavy burden. So heavy it can actually cause physical and emotional pain. The longer one holds onto guilt, the heavier and more consuming it becomes. Individually we cannot remove guilt from ourselves. Only God can offer the forgiveness that brings freedom.

I rejoice in the forgiveness of sin that God has granted me. His precious blood has washed me white as snow. I'm reminded of a song Kara loves to sing

My heart was black with sin
until the Savior came in
His precious blood I know
Has washed me white as snow
and in God's book I'm told
I'll walk the streets of gold
To grow in Christ each day
I will read my Bible and Pray.

Today I walk with a peaceful heart knowing that God has forgiven me of my sins. I know that I am not perfect, and that I will struggle and battle daily against temptation, but God will give me the strength to withstand, and when I do fall into sin, I can rejoice because of God's forgiveness and love.

A Seething Fire

Psalm 39:1-3
I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my
tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the
wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence, I held my
peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. My
heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned:
then spake I with my tongue,

Have you ever had your thoughts so consumed that the more you tried to be silent about them, the hotter they became, and the greater your desire to lash out? Oh, I can so relate to these verses right now. This morning I was told something, that since I heard it has been consuming my thoughts and tempting me to think some very un-Christlike thoughts. The more I try to force my attention away from the thoughts, the more they consume me. They are so that I want to call someone and complain about it.

And then I set down to do my Bible reading. Oh, the Lord knows the needs of my soul. I was refreshed and convicted as I realize I had permitted my flesh to take hold of my thoughts and seethe. But oh how refreshing to be reminded that "And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee." (v.7) My hope is in God, not in my physical situation or discomfort. The struggle I perceived as too great to handle is not so. The struggle is an opportunity for God to strengthen me and reveal Himself to me. Regardless of the result, my God is in control. He has my steps ordered and He will work all things out for His own glory.

Instead of seething about this situation, I can freely give it up to God and trust Him for the outcome. Thank you Lord for your wonderful peace. You and you alone have calmed my heart and quenched the fire of my thoughts.

Spilled Milk

Yesterday, JA came home with a gallon of milk. The milk had leaked in the van, but as occasionally happens we assumed the leak came from the lid. However, we were drastically wrong. The milk was rinsed off and placed in the fridge right away. Seriously as hot as it's been lately I don't want to leave it out any longer than necessary.

This morning we awoke to an unpleasant surprise. The kitchen floor had a puddle of milk directly in front of the refrigerator. Opening the fridge we discovered a shelf and three drawers with milk accumulation. As you can imagine, the first part of our morning was spent cleaning up milk. I am hoping we were able to get all of the milk cleaned up, because in our current 90 degree weather, it won't take long to discover if we missed any.

As I was cracking the milk covered eggs into a dish this morning I was reflecting on trying to see God in this situation, and immediately I thought about sin. Sin is a lot like a drop of milk. You can be a very good person -- never cheating, never committing murder, never committing adultary, never stealing, or any other big sin, but one little sin is enough to mar you. Look at it this way. If my kitchen and refridgerator were completely clean, I mean not even a speck of dirt to be found, and yet I allowed a small puddle of milk to remain in the hidden spot under the fridge, what would happen to my kitchen within a few hours of this 90 degree weather? It would stink -- HORRIBLY! Now, God and heaven are absolutely perfect -- not a single speck of sin. To allow even the most kind and loving, and good person into heaven would mar its holiness.

Yet, just like a cloth of soap and water can cleanse my kitchen of the milk before the stink occurs, God has also offered a remedy so that we can join Him in His home. The remedy is quite simple -- Jesus Christ. You see, Jesus made a sacrifice -- a perfect sacrifice. Because Jesus walked this earth without commiting a single sin, He willingly gave up His life on the cross to die. His precious blood was spilled and the blood has covered and cleansed my sins. However, this is not just a blanket cleansing. We must come to God and confess our sins -- apologize for our disobedience to Him and ask for forgiveness and cleansing of our hearts. This is not an easy step because it requires us to reject our pride and come before Him in humility. Just like my fridge could not clean itself, we cannot cleanse ourselves of our sin. We must turn to Jesus Christ.

I urge you, don't allow your sin to cause you to stink so that you are rejected at heaven's gate. Confess your sins today and ask Jesus to save you. He loves you, and He wants you to join Him in heaven someday. We can never be good enough because sin stains. Only after we have been cleansed can we see the Kingdom of God.

How are believer's known?

Psalm 37:30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom,
and his tongue talketh of judgment.

When people are hurting, where do they go? Having grown up in a pastor's home, and serving now as a pastor's wife, I can confidently answer this question -- they go to the church for help. Whether it is to ask for a meal, a place to stay the night, a ride to a job interview, or to conduct the farewell services of a loved one, many hurting people turn to the church. The question is why? Why the church and not their neighbors and friends?

The answer is simple. God gives true believers wisdom to answer, to comfort, and to give hope to the lost. Until presented with the gospel, man has no hope. Evolutionists believe that the present is all that is sure. After death, there is nothing. I have to say if this life is all there is, then man is in a state of hopelessness. Without heaven to look towards, what is the point of living in pain and suffering? -- there is no point. Without heaven to look towards all man has is today and what little happiness material things offer.

But, with heaven to journey towards, I have a hope that no one can take away. I have a reason to endure all pain and suffering -- because tomorrow I will meet my Savior. With heaven to look towards, life has a purpose -- to tell others the good news and train my children in the way.

The true believer has a character that defines him/her. They are known for wisdom and righteous judging. Now what about me? What about you? As a believer, how do people know you? Are they able to approach you seeking answers to their problems - or are you the last person they would want to ask.

As believers we must be ever studying the precious Word so that we can give an answer, so that we can direct the unbeliever to the answers in God's Word. People are seeking the answer to the economic troubles, to family struggles, and to facing harsh medical diagnosis. As believers, we have the answer and the hope -- make sure you are sharing it and not hoarding it to yourself.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:
and be ready always to give an answer to every
man that asketh you a reason of the hope
that is in you with meekness and fear:
1 Peter 3:15

Once a Month Cooking Day

For several years I have been enamored with the idea of spending one day cooking for the entire month. However, when I've looked at purchasing the cookbooks, I've always balked at the price and told myself that realistically I would probably never do it. However, about a month ago I stumbled across a website of someone who just finished her shopping for a once a month cooking day, and her total spending was only $250. I thought that was a great budget for groceries for a month's worth of meals, so I headed over to the website where she received her menu.

After browsing her menu, grocery list, and recipes I thought it was doable. However, I did know it wouldn't work unless I had some help. So I approached JA and asked if he would be willing to take a day and spend it helping me prepare several meals in one day. He agreed (I think the thought of having lots of Yummy meals on hand is kinda what drove him to agree :) ).

So last week when I had to take Ezekiel to the doctor in Salina I went armed with a three page grocery list and hit Aldi's and Walmart. I did end up spending more than the $250 (about $300), but by the end of the cooking day I ended up with more meals than I was supposed to, and some leftovers (instead of packaging according to her system I packaged according to what our family would eat -- for example instead of four bags of six pork chops I made five bags of 4-5 pork chops).We cut up all the veggies the night before after the kids were in bed while we watched a movie (we also shredded a bunch of cheese since I bought the brick instead of prepackaged shredded -- to save money).I admit it, the day of the cooking day we hired a very CHEAP babysitter. We put a movie on for the kids, and then allowed them to sample different foods when they came up (We discovered Kara likes eating red and yellow peppers). JA chopped up the mushrooms very small so that the kids won't notice them in the food. In the above picture you can see Kara trying to drink the chicken broth through a huge oversize green onion (I admit it I have a strange daughter!) Kara was very helpful. Now let me clarify, the kids did not spend all day in front of the TV. We did take some time to read to them, and they spent a lot of time outside playing in the back yard.

Since my cooking day last week we have tried five of the meals that we prepped, and all of them have been a huge success with the kids. I have to admit that I was very leery about their reception to the pork chops, burritos, and the chicken cordon blue. Yet they love it.

And I will definitely be doing this again -- We are eating much healthier meals than we normally do (I enjoy cooking, but I hate prepping meals, so to have done it all in one day gives me the best of both worlds). Thank you Once a Month Mom for your fabulous menu and organization!

I'm not going to show you my freezer full of food because it is quite unorganized!