Dusting off this blog . . .

I am dusting off this blog . . . not for any other reason than sheer obedience.

God has been prompting my heart to begin writing again. Not that I ever completely stopped - I've been journaling for years and have the stack of journals to prove it! 😉 But I haven't often shared my thoughts in writing because I've believed the lie of the enemy that there are others who are more gifted with words than I am, who can communicate more elegantly than I ever will . . .

But no one else can record my journey - no one else can share the things that God is speaking to me and teaching me. So I will begin again, cautiously and timidly, but obediently. Nothing profound or earth-shattering. Just the thoughts, reflections, and ponderings of one God-seeker who is married to another God-seeker and together with him is raising up three young ones to seek God too.

Word for 2010

Happy New Year! I can't believe that it's 2010 already! It seems like only yesterday we were beginning 2000 . . . anyone remember Y2K??? I was a newlywed, celebrating our first New Year's as husband and wife. Ten years and two children later, our lives have definitely changed -- for the better!

Anyway, for the past couple of years, I have chosen a word to focus on throughout the year -- something to give me a direction as I seek to grow in my relationship with the Lord as well as in the relationships I have with other people.

This year, the word that God really impressed on my heart is ADORE. The week before Christmas, Brent preached a message about what it means to adore Christ. As He was preaching, God spoke that He wanted me to focus on adoring Him in the upcoming year. I know that when my focus on the Lord is where it should be, other things in my life will fall into place.

So, what does it mean to ADORE? According to the dictionary, to ADORE is to regard with the utmost esteem, love and respect. It can also mean to worship. One of the things Brent said in his message is that true adoration is a product of the heart; it's not just doing things out of obligation. It's so easy to find myself doing things . . . even good things . . . out of a sense of obligation. Whether it's spending time in the Word, serving at church, even caring for the needs of my family, I want to learn how to do all things flowing out of my adoration of the Lord.

Okay, enough rambling for now . . . but I will be revisiting this word again and again this year. I'm looking forward to all that God will teach me about adoring Him!

More Monday Motivation . . .

. . . for homeschooling from Steve and Jane Claire Lambert. Jane Claire is the author of the Five in a Row curriculum that we use here at God Seekers Academy.

We're not trying to do ‘School at Home’; we're trying to do homeschool. These are two entirely different propositions. We're not trying to replicate the time, style or content of the classroom. Rather we're trying to cultivate a lifestyle of learning in which learning takes place from morning until bedtime... seven days each week...

Monday motivation!

Here's a quote I just love:

Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire.

~ W.B. Yeats ~

This is what I want to always remember as I homeschool my children . . . my goal is to kindle a love of learning that will last them a lifetime!

Monday musings . . .

Here's a quote to ponder . . .

When God shows up, things get expensive.

I must continually ask myself -- Am I willing to pay the price?

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."

Matthew 10:37-39

Think on this!

I received this in an email today -- it's a good reminder:

Don't tell God how big the storm is;

tell the storm how big your God is!

I'm so thankful that we serve such a BIG God, aren't you?

Monday meditation

We had a missionary couple as our guest speakers yesterday at church. As the wife was sharing, she read these words to us from the Message version -- it really spoke to my heart, and I pray it blesses you as well:

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?

Come to Me. Get away with Me

and you'll recover your life.

I'll show you how to take a real rest.

Walk with Me and work with Me—

watch how I do it.

Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.

Keep company with Me and

you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Matthew 11:28-30

What has God been speaking to you?

Here are a few excerpts from my journal of late . . . with some of the things that God has been speaking:

When we understand that we are in partnership with God

in all of His power, we will live differently --

we will walk in boldness, strength and authority.

Hell's foundations quiver

At the sound of praise!

(from the hymn "Onward Christian Soldiers")

God often uses pain to get us to change . . . .

We change our behavior when the pain of staying the same

becomes greater than the pain of changing.

(from The Emotionally Healthy Church)

God always prepares His people for the fresh move that He is bringing.

If you don't let go of your past, it will hinder your future.

You can't carry your yesterday into your tomorrow.

Transformation leads to reformation, which leads to a spiritual revolution

that spreads far beyond us!

So what is God speaking right now? Get ready . . . something is coming . . . God is going to do a new thing! I'm not sure what that new thing is, but I want to be ready for it when it comes!

Quote to ponder

Life is like riding the bus . . .

it requires change.

So embrace it!

Another homeschool mom shared this today (thanks, Kelly!) . . . such a good reminder!

Life is short . . .

Break the rules . . .

Forgive quickly . . .

Kiss slowly . . .

Love truly . . .

Laugh uncontrollably . . .

And never regret anything that made you smile.

Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.

Everyday moments

A homeschool friend issued a challenge to capture the "ordinary moments" of our children's lives. Here's one of ours . . . Jaden is forever making forts or hideouts, and he loves to hide from us. Last night Lael was at ballet. Jaden decided to make his secret hideout under the dining room table, but he did let me visit briefly to take a couple of pictures:

Thanks, Ami, for the reminder to treasure the everyday moments with our kids!

Monday musings . . .

I was listening to a preview chat for the Ultimate Women's Expo with Cindy Rushton recently, and the speaker gave a new definition of trust that I've been pondering ever since:


Total
Reliance
Under
Stress and
Trial

She encouraged us to study and discover the richness of the names of God, reminding us that "you can't trust what you don't know!" This was an incredibly timely word for me, since we've been going through some "stress and trial" recently. Do I totally rely on God, despite what my circumstances are saying . . . because of what I KNOW of Him?

When I stop and consider what He has revealed to us about Himself through His names, I can draw so much strength and comfort from that knowledge. He is:

• Jehovah Jireh - my Provider
• Jehovah Shalom - my Peace
• Jehovah Rophe - my Healer
• Jehovah Nissi - my Banner
• El Shaddai - the Strong One who is tender with me
• El Roi - the One who sees

He is sovereign and in control -- nothing is outside of His notice. He's never caught off-guard by the things that try to "rock my world" . . . He knew everything about me before I ever existed. He is my Savior, Messiah, Redeemer and Friend. And He is the same yesterday, today and forever! If there was ever anyone worthy of my trust, it is Him!

Before and after

Okay, I'll admit it . . . I am organizationally challenged. I don't want to be . . . I'm not sure why it's so hard for me to maintain order. I mean, I'm a fairly intelligent person (or so I've been told). It just seems that clutter finds me wherever I am.

But I am determined to tame the clutter this year . . . one bookshelf at a time! To this end, I attacked this particular area yesterday. Here's what it looked like before I started:

It's a great piece of furniture -- one of the first pieces I bought for myself waaaaay back in my single days (which seem like another lifetime ago). I think I paid $15 or $20 for it at the rescue mission thrift store -- I was a preschool teacher for the mission at the time. I had an efficiency apartment back then, so my living room was also my bedroom. So, other than a twin bed, a glider rocker, and a dresser that I think I kept in the closet, this was the only other piece of furniture I owned. (It held a CD player back then, too!)

Even though it didn't cost much, it's solid wood and in great condition -- except for the word "Dillow's" that is written or burned on the inside in a couple of places. I'm not sure who the Dillows are, but I'm glad they decided to get rid of their bookshelf. I love it and can't imagine getting rid of it. However, I did need to get a better organizational system in place . . . okay, any organizational system would be better than what I had (which was NONE)!

Enter these wonderful fabric bins from Target. Each bin has a particular task -- I know what belongs in each one, and they are all items that are used in our living room on a regular basis. So now I can easily find what I'm looking for, and clean up when I'm finished with something! Yay!
I know, I know, it's not a big thing. It's just one small corner of my world -- but what a wonderfully organized corner it is now! ;)

Real mothers

I received this in an email from my sister -- a mother of three (including a TEENAGER) -- it made me smile . . . but I had to add a bit of commentary found in brackets:

Real mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it. [I actually do make quiche, and my husband eats it, too! ;)]

Real mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox [or being used to create playdoh sculptures].

Real mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens [don't even look in mine; the microwave could use a little work right now too] and happy kids [at least most of the time].

Real mothers know that dried play dough doesn't come out of carpets [which is why we don't use playdoh anywhere NEAR carpet].

Real mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up. [Fortunately, we have a bagless that we can recover any "treasures" that were inadvertantly vacuumed up].

Real mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?' and get their answer when a little voice says, 'Because I love you best.' [Jaden is famous for saying, "I love you, you're special and you're precious!"]

Real mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade . . .

It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

The years pass so very quickly, and they are growing up so fast. Some days I'd like to crawl back into bed and pull the covers over my head -- or at least change my name for a couple of hours -- but I'm so thankful to be a mommy. I can't imagine my life any other way! It just doesn't get any better than this!

Election Day 2008

I have a jumble of thoughts this morning -- Election Day. I've been praying for today for weeks, and now it's here. My greatest comfort is knowing that God is sovereign; my trust is in Him and not in a political candidate.

I am, however, a one-issue voter -- and I'm not ashamed to say it! Now, before anyone leaves a not so nice comment about Christians who only focus on one issue, let me share a couple of my observations.

First of all, most people, no matter their religious convictions (or lack thereof), are one-issue voters in that there is one issue in particular that they are passionate about and that guides their political choices. That one issue may be the economy, foreign policy, the war in Iraq, the environment, abortion, the sanctity of marriage . . . and the list goes on.

Secondly, when it comes to your "one issue", it's very hard to understand why anyone would choose a position other than the one you hold on that issue.

And finally, what makes this election so unique is the number of pressing issues facing our next president. Who really is best suited to take the helm of our nation come January? I know who I am voting for, and here's why . . .

As I have prayed about this election, the Lord led me to a couple of Scriptures that confirmed my choice of candidate. The main one is in Proverbs 14:34, which says, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people." Another version reads, "Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people."

Our greatest need as a nation is not economic stability or victory in the war on terror. What we really need is the restoration of our great nation. We were founded as a nation under God. I realize that for those who don't believe in God, those words are grating, but it does not change their reality. Our pastor (who is also my husband) read a prayer from George Washington's prayer journal this past Sunday -- he was asking God to continue working in his life to help him to walk in personal holiness as he carried out the responsibilities before him.

The reality is that we deserve judgment as a nation because we have strayed so far from righteousness. But as I vote, I will be voting my one issue -- righteousness. Which candidates have shared that they take a stand for the value of human life, the sanctity of marriage and family? Does that mean I agree completely with any one candidate? No. My faith is not in a candidate or a political party, but I do take God at His Word that if we as a nation choose first to exalt righteousness and turn from sin, that He will hear from heaven, forgive our sin and heal our land.

So, it's okay to be a "one-issue voter" -- but if you are a believer in God Almighty and Jesus His Son, remember to check your "one issue" against His "one issue". How does it measure up? But by all means, make sure you vote!

Remember....

If you are thinking of not voting...
If you are thinking the line is too long...
If you are thinking you are too busy...
If you are thinking your one vote will not matter...

Remember...

Just 300 years ago, you would have had no vote.You would have had no say.You were told what to do.You were controlled by someone thousands of miles away.You had no freedom.

Thankfully, a large group of men and women decided itdid not have to be this way. They made the sacrifice sowe could choose who we wanted, what we wanted, and have an influence over our country.

Regardless of party, regardless of political affiliation, let's join together today as Americans and do the #1 right our Constitution gave us...the right to vote.

I read this on a homeschool message board . . . and would add that as believers we have a responsibility to involve ourselves in this process and let our voice be heard!

Faith is . . .

Here's a quote I read today by Oswald Chambers:

Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God

whose ways you may not understand at the time.

Praise God that we can have faith in Him, even when our circumstances don't make sense! We can be confident in His character -- His love, righteousness, strength, goodness, mercy, power . . . all of who He is! And that is a comfort in uncertain times!

I don't like politics!

I had a revelation as I cleared the table after supper tonight -- I don't like politics! (I know, probably the only person in the world who doesn't!) But I started thinking about why I feel that way. It seems like every time I hear news commentators analyze the upcoming election I feel sick to my stomach. Political advertisements result in me changing the channel or turning off the television. Listening to people passionately defending their candidate of choice usually leaves me speechless. Yet it's not because I don't care . . . in fact, I care a lot.

So why the extreme reaction to politics? As I pondered this question while washing my crockpot, I came to a conclusion. It seems like so many times when people discuss political issues, they focus on matters of opinion rather than standing on principles of conviction. And that's where we get into trouble.

It's extremely rare to find even one other person with whom you agree on everything 100% of the time. My husband (whom I love dearly) and I often see things differently. Many of our friends and family have made different decisions in their lives regarding jobs and parenting than we have. The beauty of having a genuine relationship with another person is that it allows me to see past the differences between us so that I can truly appreciate what that person adds to my life.

If, as Christians, we spent less time expounding on our opinions and more time standing on our convictions, this world would be a different place. There are so many people across our nation that claim to be followers of Jesus -- so why do people have to depend on our government's social programs for food, housing, education and disaster relief? If we, as Christians, allowed our lives to be governed by the question "What would Jesus do?" what differences would be seen?

You see, I think God has some pretty clear ideas about foreign policy, domestic policy, the economy, marriage and the family, human life, education, energy . . . basically everything that candidates are discussing. And God's principles probably don't fit perfectly in either party's platform -- because God is not about campaigning for change . . . He IS the only agent of change! He is about transforming lives, communities, nations and our world. But it starts with each individual believer as we are willing to stand up and do what He tells us to do:

• Humble ourselves
• Seek Him
• Repent

This is what I am purposing to do every time I get that sick feeling in my stomach this election season . . . I'm focusing on 2 Chronicles 7:14, which says, "If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land." Will you join me? Our country does need change . . . but true change won't come from a political party; it only comes through the transforming power of Almighty God.