Monday, February 29, 2016

Marriage Moment Monday-Not Enemies





A great thing to remember when you are your spouse are in disagreement and having a fight--he is NOT your enemy!  Scripture tells us, 

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. ~ Ephesians 6:12

Satan would like nothing better than to ruin your marriage. Marriage is God ordained. Satan would love to ruin marriage because if there are not sound marriages, then society falls apart. He is out to,

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. ~John 10:10

Satan wants to destroy, but Christ wants to bless. Focus on God and He will bless your marriage!


Friday, February 26, 2016

Be Refreshed

Isaiah 55 

 1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
 2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
 3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
 4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
 5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
 6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
 12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
 13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

When we are weary we can go to God and be refreshed. He will fulfill our needs and grant peace to our souls. We do not need to work hard as it is a gift of grace!

Seek Him! When we search for God, we will find Him. He is in our baby's smile, in the flower that blooms, and in the sun that shines. We can find Him everywhere if we look!

We need to remember that God has a way of doing things that we may not understand and that is okay. He has a reason and a purpose for everything.

Listen to Him.

Read His Word. It will do it's work in you.

Hide it in your heart and it will bring forth fruit in abundance.

We can take joy in what He is doing in our lives.

Even the snow is beneficial to the earth and so can the hard times in our lives be if we rest in His plans for us.


Monday, February 22, 2016

Marriage Moment Monday-Covenant

When you said, "I do!" you entered into a covenant relationship not only with your spouse, but also God. As a noun, covenant means,

an agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do or not do something specified. (dictionary.com)

A covenant of marriage (a verb with an object) means, 

to promise by covenant; pledge. (dictionary.com)

You promise to love each other for better or for worse. You promise to love each other for richer or for poorer. You promise to love each other in sickness and in health. You made a promise and promises are not to be broken. 

If you say to each other that divorce is not an option, you will work harder at fixing whatever problems you may have.

You also need to remember that the covenant you entered also involves a third person-God. If you are having problems, go to Him and His Word. There is much wisdom in how to have not only a good marriage, but an abundant marriage within the pages of the Bible.
Ecclesiastes 5:4-6
When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?
Never forget that covenant. Never make divorce an option. Work as hard as you can to make your marriage better. Follow God's commands for life and marriage and He will bless your union.


Sunday, February 21, 2016

Fear of Man vs. Fear of God

Sermon from 2-21-16. He says that the past few sermons have been for himself, but I'm pretty sure they've been for the whole congregation (and probably you, too)!






Friday, February 19, 2016

A Good Word

Maybe it's because one of my top love languages is words of affirmation, but I have always felt that speaking words of encouragement is something that everyone desires and needs. Scripture even tells us that a  good word makes people feel better.



Thursday, February 18, 2016

Adult Coloring and Prayer

I have been enjoying coloring while praying. Usually I choose an adult coloring page that has scripture or a faith saying and then meditate on that while praying. I have also joined a coloring group on facebook that suggests challenges so I have been using those and still praying while coloring.

Currently I am using colored pencils that my daughter brought back from Romania for me. I like colored pencils the best and these pencils color very nicely.

Heart Mandala from a challenge. I prayed about God's love for me and that I would share His love with others. I used the colors of the rainbow since the rainbow is a symbol of His great love for all of mankind.

I colored this for my husband. I prayed for him while I colored.

As I have mentioned before, this is my verse for 2016. I framed this and hung it on my bedroom wall.

This was from another facebook group and part of a devotional that I did before Christmas. I enjoyed reminding myself of the true reason for celebrating Christmas.

Do you enjoy coloring? If so, what do you color? What do you use to color?


Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Handmade Gifts

We make a lot of handmade gifts around here. Partly out of necessity due to lack of funds and more importantly due to creative minds and talents. Here are just a sampling of the gifts that showed up at Christmas time.

apron

doll dress

hotpads

dress

pajamas

pajamas

blanket

crayon roll

doll pajamas

rice pack

apron

quilt

crocheted hat

spark plug hat rack

pen holder and book wrap
quilt

Some of my girls would like to make items to sell to make money to start saving for the future. What do you think would be good items to make to sell? Ideas of what we've already made or new ideas? We would love some input!



Tuesday, February 16, 2016

What About Today?

Here is Chad's sermon from 2-14-16. It was a great sermon and very thought provoking.


Monday, February 15, 2016

Marriage Moment Monday-Communication





Communication

A good marriage is one where the spouses communicate with one another. You can't force your husband to talk to you, but I bet you will find that the more you communicate with him, the more he'll communicate with you. Of course, I am talking about pleasant communication, not yelling.

Something that took me a while to understand is that your husband can NOT read your mind! You need to voice your thoughts. It might get to a point (years later) where he is  better at knowing what you are thinking, but even then, he won't always know. 

706
http://highexistence.com/images/view/how-do-we-communicate/
Good communication also involves good listening. You must listen to what your husband is telling you through his words and non-verbal cues. Pay attention. When he speaks, look at him. Watch him. You will learn a lot about him and he will appreciate your attention and most likely will respond likewise. 

Never stop communicating!


Friday, February 12, 2016

God's Ways


We may not always understand why things happen the way they do, but we can rest in knowing that God's ways are not our ways. We may never understand or comprehend His ways and that is okay. We can trust that He is good and wants our good.

Please join me in prayer today praying for a young couple who lost their unborn child. I can not begin to understand the grief of carrying a child almost to term and then not hearing a heart beat. I pray this couple feels God's love envelope them and that we listen to God's calling to be His hands and feet.


Thursday, February 11, 2016

Lilla Rose Sale!



41 Hour Retail Sale


For Customers & Guests Only
25% Off Select Heart Themed Styles
10% Off Returning 2015 FOTM & OTMs added to permanent line
PLUS: Free Shipping on Retail orders over $50

Starting Friday, February 12th, 2016 at 7am PST*
Sale ends Saturday, February 13th at 11:59PM PST


Tuesday, February 9, 2016

McGuffey Readers

We use McGuffey Readers in our school. We use them to teach reading as well as just reading the
lessons. We have a set of the original McGuffey's as well as a set of the revised McGuffey's.  I have chosen McGuffey readers for a few reasons.

1. This nation was built with people who learned with McGuffey's. They excelled so I don't see why we would need to change.

2. The McGuffey readers are filled with scripture and godly principles. We do a Bible study as a class, but I love how they continue to hear His Word and His principles in other subjects as well.

3. The McGuffey readers are great for teaching many aspects of learning. My children learn about proper use of words by reading content where words are used properly. They learn how to write by seeing correct use of words and grammar; they are great sources for copy work. They learn reading comprehension by comparing to what they understand from the reading to the picture on the page. There are even lessons where they learn aspects of science and mathematics.

4. They are flexible. There are so many different ways to use the McGuffey readers that I can adapt how they are used for each student.

We also have a set of Christian Eclectic Readers that we use. These were based on the McGuffey's and come with a study guide which includes questions for each lesson as well as projects and grammar lessons. I first used this set as it had more structure as was easy for me, a former public school teacher, to understand and follow. I then saw the benefit in the McGuffey's and using them as how it best fit myself and my students. While we all use the McGuffey's, each student uses them in slightly different ways.

I just want to share part of one of the lessons that one of my girls read and wrote yesterday. It is from lesson 18 of the First Reader from the original McGuffey series.

"All that live get life from God. He made the poor man, as well as the rich man.
He made the dark man, as well as the fair man. He made the fool, as well as the wise man. All that move on the land are His, and so all that fly in the air, and all that swim in the sea."
If you homeschool or even if you just want to supplement the education your children are receiving in the public school (or a private school), then I suggest checking out McGuffey Readers.

I do have the two books pictured for sale as I have multiple copies of them as well as a parent/teacher guide. If you are interested in them, please contact me.


Monday, February 8, 2016

Marriage Moment Monday-Prayer

I want to start something new. On Mondays I will be posting things that deal with marriage.


This week's Marriage Moment is . . . .

Prayer

Pray that you would be the wife God has called you to be. Pray for your husband-that he would be a man of integrity and honesty. Pray that the two of you would draw closer to God; thereby, closer to one another.




Saturday, February 6, 2016

Peacemakers

Matthew 5:9 
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Is being a peacemaker a good thing?

Yes!

God calls us to be peacemakers.

Philippians 2:13-16
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

God works in us! He helps us do good. He helps us to do all things without grumbling or complaining.

What does grumbling or complaining look like? It obviously can be verbally voicing our negative opinion, but it can be more than that as well. When we roll our eyes, huff and puff, etc., we are also grumbling and complaining. Stomping our feet as we walk away, slamming doors or drawers or shoving our way past others are also other ways of complaining.

We should also realize that peacemakers must be problem solvers. The Bible helps us here as well.

Matthew 18:15-17
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

When you go to your brother to tell him his fault, you should discuss the problem calmly and encourage him to make the correct choice. You should probably speak using "I" statements such as, "I felt hurt when you . . ." or "What I heard you say was . . ." By using "I" statements, you avoid attacking the other person while explaining your point of view. You should always remember the golden rule as well.

Matthew 7:12 
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.



Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Learning Contentment

Philippians 4:11
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

I have to be honest.

I am struggling.

I am struggling with contentment

I have always thought that God puts dreams in our hearts. He speaks to us through dreams we have for our future. However, that, in some ways, contradicts with being content.

If we have dreams, we have plans to achieve those dreams. Yes, I understand that God's plans may be different from ours, but does that mean we sit and do nothing? NO. We must be working towards fulfilling our dreams as much as we are capable. For example, if my dream is to be debt free, then I need to work at paying off debt. I can't just sit and wait for God to fix the situation with a quick fix. Or, if I desire to be a teacher, I need to study and earn my degree.

I think my lack of contentment is coming from things now following the time table I desire for my dreams. I know that if it works out in God's timing, the fulfillment of my dream will be even better, but that still isn't easing my disappointment in the waiting. The slower time table is also causing me to doubt whether or not it truly is a God-given dream. Is it REALLY what He desires for me? Am I still falling prey to the world's desires? Am I just being selfish?

I don't have the answers. I will be studying on contentment and I hope God opens my eyes to this truth. I would appreciate your prayers on the topic. I pray He shows me His true desires for my dreams and shows me how to be content in my current circumstances while not giving up on dreams.


Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Healthy Cookie Dough

dark chocolate w/coconut & coconut sugar
A few weeks ago I came across a pin for grain free, egg free, dairy free dark chocolate cookie dough. Of course, I had to check it out!

It uses maple syrup as a sweetener so I knew I had to change that, but other than that, it sounded good.

I made it the first time using 1/3 cup coconut sugar (the only sweetener I can use while I'm nursing this time around). It was a little sweet so I have since switched to using a little less than a 1/4 cup. I also added a dash of vanilla.

I decided to experiment a little more with the recipe.

lemon cookie dough w/coconut sugar
I now sometimes make it without the cocoa and instead use a few drops of Young Living Lemon Essential oil to make a lemon cookie dough.

I have also put in a few tablespoons of unsweetened, shredded coconut to the chocolate and I'm sure it would be tasty added to the lemon cookie dough as well. I will probably continue to experiment.

I figure that once my little one is done nursing, I will continue to make this but switch to stevia as my sweetener so it will be Trim Healthy Mama approved.

I love how quick and simple it is to make and it gives protein as well as a sweet treat.

Any suggestions on flavors I should try?