A Wise Woman Builds Her Home: Tornado Destroys Home of Kelly Crawford of Generat...

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home: Tornado Destroys Home of Kelly Crawford of Generat...: "Dear Readers, we need you to pray for Kelly Crawford of Generation Cedar . We have heard that they just lost their home, and their parent..."

31 Days to Clean -- Having a Martha House in a Mary Way

When I first heard about this e-book, I knew that I would have to read it some day! The more and more I hear about it, the more I want to read it. I've heard that a bunch of women are going to be doing it together during May so they can discuss the challenges incorporated in each day (a Mary challenge and a Martha challenge). I don't think that will be possible for me (with a new baby and all), but that doesn't stop me from wanting to get the book to the challenges at another time.

I am not a natural when it comes to cleaning. In fact, sometimes I think my DNA is allergic to it! However, I know that if I am to care for my home, and more importantly my family, I need to persevere in creating a clean, peaceful home environment (not a perfect one!).

 If 31 Days to Clean sounds like a good book to you, purchase the download and you can get started May 1st as well.

Living Financially Secure Ever-after

Living Financially Secure Ever-after

Earth Day Norwex Special

While celebrating Earth Day the way the majority of the world celebrates it gets under my skin a little (I'm definitely not into the whole "mother earth" thing), I do believe God calls us to take care of our resources; therefore, being "green" is good.

Not only are we to take care of the earth (Genesis), but we are to be good stewards of our money and time. Norwex products help us accomplish all three tasks! Norwex products are chemical free with is good for the environment and our bodies, they save time, and they definitely save money!

To celebrate this day, I am offering 22% off any one Norwex item if I receive your order by Monday, April 25th at 6 p.m. When figuring out your order, don't forget there is a $4.95 shipping charge as well as state taxes.

Statements & Actions Don't Match

People are always mentioning how important education is. I am not debating the importance of education, but these same people don't put their money where their mouths are (but money isn't always the answer either).

If you look at the people who make the most money in our society, the majority of these are athletes and celebrities. Why would we throw our money towards "careers" that have nothing to do with education if education is so important? What message do you think children walk away with when they see that disparity? I think that if people want children to get better educations, they need to be willing to support that education, truly show that they feel it is important and take a good look at how the money is being spent.

How much money do Americans spend on the lottery? Wouldn't that money be better spent on the education they say is so important? The excuse that the lotteries support education is weak because only half (or less) actually go to education and I'm sorry, but I would think that just giving the money to the schools so they receive 100% would be far better. Also, the majority of people who play the lottery are the same ones who take advantage of the "social programs" of the government. If they have money to spend on lotto tickets, they shouldn't need assistance (more about that in another post).

Why is it the government's responsibility to provide education in the first place? Why is it that parents balk at having to buy school supplies, but think nothing of buying cigarettes, alcohol, or even concert tickets or sporting events? Why is it the government's job to provide food for students when that is the parent's responsibility? The parents need to suffer some consequences for not providing for their children. The government has taken over for those neglectful parents for far too long. People are not going to learn if they don't suffer the natural consequences of their choices. Besides, the children who qualify for free/reduced lunches are the same ones whose families qualify for food assistance. Those parents are already being given money to feed their children (more about food assistance in another post).

Yes I know there are some cases where parents are trying their best (but in all honesty, most of even these could be doing more, but that is for another post), but the government is allowing more and more people to neglect their children with all its "social programs".

I attended public school. I've worked in public schools. My girls attended public school at one time. And now I homeschool, so I know a bit about what it truly takes to educate children. You don't need a lot of money to do it well. There is a lot of waste in public schools. I saw it as a child. I saw it as a teacher. I saw it as a parent and now as a homeschooler. I truly believe there needs to be major reform in the public schools.

The Real Problems of America (IMHO)

I have been involved in a number of debates lately about the economic state of America. It seems like many people think that taking money away from programs is only going to make our issues worse. They accuse me of not having compassion because I don't agree with them.

I've felt led to share my opinions on the topic because I think many people are disillusioned about the issue. America has been a blessed nation and people have become accustomed to the many things that make life easier and they now feel they are entitled to them regardless of whether or not it is truly an entitlement or a privilege.

This will be a series of posts as I can't write everything at one time. I pray that these posts will open up a healthy debate on the issues discussed and no one will take to derogatory attacks.

My hope is to post every couple of days, but we'll see when God actually provides the time and words.

Psalm 113

Psalm 113

The Majesty and Condescension of God

 ¹ Praise the LORD!
         
         Praise, O servants of the LORD,
         Praise the name of the LORD!
 ² Blessed be the name of the LORD
         From this time forth and forevermore!
 ³ From the rising of the sun to its going down
         The LORD’s name is to be praised.
         
 ⁴ The LORD is high above all nations,
         His glory above the heavens.
 ⁵ Who is like the LORD our God,
         Who dwells on high,
 ⁶ Who humbles Himself to behold
         The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?
         
 ⁷ He raises the poor out of the dust,
         And lifts the needy out of the ash heap,
 ⁸ That He may seat him with princes—
         With the princes of His people.
 ⁹ He grants the barren woman a home,
         Like a joyful mother of children.
         
         Praise the LORD!

Shepherd the Flock

"Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;"       ~ 1 Peter 5:2-3

This is one of the verses that our Pastor read and spoke about today in his sermon. While he was talking about a Pastor's and elder's job to lead the church, the Holy Spirit spoke something else to my heart. As he was breaking down the verses and explaining what it meant, I began to see myself as the shepherd and my children as my flock.

What does a shepherd do? A shepherd leads his flock. He doesn't drive the sheep in front of him, he walks in front of them and leads them. We are called to take care of our flock (children). We lead our children by feeding, protecting, and guiding them. We have a responsibility before the Lord to tend a flock that ultimately belongs to Him. We must do everything within our power to make certain that our children are living according to God's Word. We are to train them, teach them, and guide them. We are to feed them both physically and spiritually.

We are not do so out of compulsion, but do so willingly. We don't take care of our children because we have to, we do it because we are eager to do so. We lead them, guide them, and take care of their needs because we take joy in doing so and do so with a loving heart. We don't do it for gain of any type; we don't do it for monetary gain or even prideful gain. We do it to see them come to know the Lord and grow in Him. We do it to raise warriors for Christ. We do it because we want them to experience the fullness of the Lord and the joy that only He can bring.

How do we shepherd our flock? We do it by being servants, not lords. We are not their masters, but the servants that God has placed in authority over them. We teach by serving. We train by serving. We guide by serving. Remember, Christ came to serve, not be served (Matthew 20:28). By serving, we are leading by example. We become a godly role model to our children and show how to live as Christ lived. Christ set the example for us and we are to set the example for our children.

Are you a shepherd of your children? Last month I had started, but never finished reading Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp. Having the Holy Spirit speak to me about how I am a shepherd for my children has renewed my excitement about reading that book. I will start over from the beginning in case I have forgotten anything.

I urge you to think about yourself as a shepherd. Are you leading or driving them ahead of you? Are you teaching and training by example or are you lording over them? Take some time to study these verses for yourself and see how the Holy Spirit speaks to you.

Getting Down to the Nitty Gritty of Life!

Are we training our children for a career or for living life? What is our ultimate goal? Do we want them to be successful in the everyday or only in a career?

Getting Down to the Nitty Gritty of Life!