A friend sent me this article called, Preschoolers and Peace. I found a lot of encouragement from it even though  I don’t have any preschoolers left at home. I haven’t had much to say lately (imagine that *S*) so I hoped that her article would bless you!

(I am not recommending the author she mentions since I’ve never heard of him. Please use caution and search him out first if you’re thinking of purchasing the book).

Apparently a friend had written and asked her a question. Here is her response…

2 June 2007 My Dearest Friend- You asked me to write how I am managing to stay above the emotional line of raising these children and so tonight I am setting to the task of at least beginning to do so. It is difficult to sort out; so many facets, so many things coming together at once, but I will try to allow the Holy Spirit to use my words to bless you, too. This has been years in the making, years of struggling with my own selfishness, my own drive toward accomplishing tasks rather than building relationships, years of sighing about the interruptions each child brings to me each day rather than embracing them as the most important features of my life. Somewhere at some point, I came to believe that life must be smoothly run and annoyance free, filled with daily conveniences. But that has never been nor will it ever be my reality. It will never be your reality, nor any other human being’s reality. I had heard and nodded in agreement at great quotes like, “Life wouldn’t be so hard if we didn’t always look for it to be easy”, and “Be hard on yourself and life will be easier”, and I had even repeated them in my talks to MOPS and other moms. But daily, I wasn’t living those truths. I was still being dictated by what actually lay in the back of my mind unacknowledged but looming like an elephant in the parlor: If only (insert name, situation, annoyance, interruption) would stop interrupting me, I could get (insert task, project, list, accomplishment) done. The fruit of my constant annoyance and frustration was a loss of joy in the journey, a loss of relationship with the children (oh! my poor children), and worst of all, a great chasm between God and me. The really pathetic thing is that all of those tasks, projects, and lists don’t ever go away. 14 years into parenting, I am still doing laundry, still knitting, still cooking, still picking up after people. And 14 years from now I will still be doing laundry, knitting, cooking, picking up after people… But isn’t it just like our patient, loving, shepherding God to throw me several lifelines? First, He kept me ever aware of my sin. You know how I have cried out to God over the years to just take this sin from me? To free me from my snippiness and outbursts of anger? He has not lifted that struggle, but He has kept it ever in front of me. He has not allowed me to stuff it away and pretend it doesn’t exist. He has forced me to fall down before Him every single day and confess my struggle, before I even roll my body out of bed. Secondly, He sent mentor after mentor, godly woman on the path after godly woman on the path, either in person or via the internet or CDs. He has faithfully brought me to the very place I am now, but it has been a slow and painful process. Still, I am so very, very thankful- really utterly speechless over this one when I realize how many women there are like us who would give anything to sit at just one godly woman’s feet. And then as you know, several months ago He sent me Cathy Arndt. I have never met her but watching her mother her children struck a huge chord in me. We’ve talked about this- she manages her household, she doesn’t get emotionally involved, which means she doesn’t allow the frustrations and annoyances and interruptions to waylay her day. Bingo! I felt like the answer had somehow miraculously been given to me. And it had, because our great God is ever faithful. Before I get into how I am putting “management” into practice, I don’t want to miss the last tool God has used in me to help me change my whole approach to life. Six months ago my brother Jeff sent me Mike Mason’s book Champagne for the Soul: Celebrating God’s Gift of Joy. He didn’t send it for my birthday or for any other reason than that I mentioned I was lacking joy these days. And while I’ve always been a Mike Mason fan, I have literally wept while reading this book. Here’s the key for me: “Happy times may come to anyone haphazardly, but if happiness is to be a part of the character, one must resolutely take hold of it. One must choose joy, and keep on choosing it under all conditions, until gradually it becomes a habit, a self-sustaining reality. Lives change not through having some colossal experience but rather by making small, hard, daily choices.” So, here we are! Choosing joy! Every single day. And these are the “small, hard, daily choices”: 1. As mentioned above, I am laying my sin area at the foot of the cross every single day. I remember learning in BSF once that we don’t have to die to sin all the time, but I don’t believe it. I need to approach the throne of grace every single morning of my life and acknowledge my weakness or else I find I don’t have the strength to fight it. I lay it there at Jesus’ feet, and then I go on with the day. 2. I am not a natural smiler- not because I am unhappy, but because it isn’t a habit. So I am retraining myself to smile all the time, even when no one is watching. At first I felt silly, but now I am happy to say that not only is it becoming a habit for me, it changes my entire outlook. In the midst of some crazy circumstance that would have formerly been a joy-robber for me, I am smiling. 3. I am making a conscious choice to eliminate anything from my life that interferes with the daily joyful management of my family. If organizing an event for church pushes me back into my old habits, then that activity must go. If answering the phone or checking my email comes at a bad time in the day, then the answering machine picks up and the email waits. If commitments, classes, and activities outside of our home mean that I am unduly stressed or that I can’t even get the kids in the car without raising my voice, then I seriously evaluate whether or not those activities and commitments are worth it. Our summer classes for the boys will be a huge test in this area for me, so I’ll keep you posted. Feel free to ask me how I’m doing because I can always use the accountability. 4. I am actually thinking to myself at any given moment of the day, “Manage them.” I literally picture myself staying “above” the circumstances. 5. I am making a conscious effort to look each child in the eye when they talk to me or ask me a question. There is nothing deep about what I am doing from day to day, but perhaps that’s why I am finding some success in changing what has been ruling me for far too long. I cannot, will not allow the tyranny of the urgent to dictate my relationships with each child. I want them to want to be in this family, I want them to know they are each loved uniquely and that no matter what they do, they still make me smile and still have intrinsic value, assigned to them by God. But most importantly, I want them to want to be in God’s family, forever. I want them to know joy in the journey, too. And you, too. I’ll be praying for you! Love you always,

My pastor has been preaching  verse by verse from the book of Luke. It’s been SO rich and full of good stuff to encourage us in our daily walk with God! (I can’t wait for Sunday’s!) Today’s sermon was exceptionally interesting. He is preaching from Luke 2:39-50. Pastor Mike is pulling facts out of the text that I had not noticed before which speak about the devotedness of Joseph and Mary to the things of the Lord.

Here are just a few of the points he mentioned today and the previous Sunday..

He emphasized that Joseph was the head of the family therefore it was his responsibility to make sure his family attended the feasts and sacrifices each year. Mary also followed her husband’s leadership and the laws of the Lord by completing the ‘days of purification’ described in Lev. 12:2-8. Once she had completed these days they were to bring the male child to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord and to offer a sacrifice. (Luke 2:22-23) They also attended the Passover each year in Jerusalem.  

Pastor Mike pointed out that it was not an easy trek to Jerusalem. First of all, Jerusalem was uphill and it took 3 days and approx. 60 miles to get there. It meant that the family had to take time off of work which may have caused a financial strain. If the wife went (which Mary did) then the other children also made the trip. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to walk or ride for 20 miles a day, uphill, with children and then no hotel to stay in each night? Her meals had to be cooked alongside the road, no bathrooms. They were dusty and dirty with no place to rest during the day from what we read. Mary and Joseph did this at least several times a year out of their devotion to God. They sacrificed their comfort in order to serve God. Romans 12:1 Their devotion to God cost them something.

This is the couple God chose for His Son to be born to. A couple that was full of devotedness to God and His law! They were selfless in their devotion to the things of the Lord.

I thought this morning how little I sacrifice for the Lord in comparison to this couple. I grow weary just in the small amount that I try to do at church (and it’s only 2 minutes from my house!). Shame on me!

 Have I piqued your interest?  Would you like to hear the whole message?  If so, you can listen to his sermon online:  

 http://www.stevinsonchapel.com

 

Click Audio Downloads. Then click 2007/ Gospel of Luke and then wait will it changes pages. Then look for the title, “When God was a Boy, Pt. 1″.

Enjoy!

 

I read this morning that Ruth Graham (87) has left this earth to be with her Savior eternally. As I was reading the article below and thought of the books I’ve read by her I was reminded of what a godly example she has left us to follow as a helpmate for her husband. Ruth wrote quite a few books in her time but I never saw her push herself forward ahead of her husband. She was ‘Billy Graham’s wife’… end of subject. Billy Graham testifies to the fact that he would have been unable to evangelize to the extent that he did it were not for her faithfulness at home. Ruth knew she was created to ‘help’ her husband and that is the legacy she leaves behind.

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Billy Graham’s Wife Ruth Dies at 87
By MIKE BAKER
AP

RALEIGH, N.C. (June 14) – Ruth Graham , who surrendered dreams of missionary work in Tibet to marry a suitor who became the world’s most renowned evangelist, died Thursday. She was 87.

Graham died at 5:05 p.m. at her home at Little Piney Cove, surrounded by her husband and all five children, said a statement released by Larry Ross, Billy Graham’s spokesman.

“Ruth was my life partner, and we were called by God as a team,” Billy Graham said in a statement. “No one else could have borne the load that she carried. She was a vital and integral part of our ministry, and my work through the years would have been impossible without her encouragement and support.

“I am so grateful to the Lord that He gave me Ruth, and especially for these last few years we’ve had in the mountains together. We’ve rekindled the romance of our youth, and my love for her continued to grow deeper every day. I will miss her terribly, and look forward even more to the day I can join her in Heaven.”

Ruth Graham has been bedridden for months with degenerative osteoarthritis of the back and neck and underwent treatment for pneumonia two weeks ago. At her request, and in consultation with her family, she had stopped receiving nutrients through a feeding tube for the last few days, Ross said.

The family plans a private interment ceremony and a public memorial service. Those arrangement had yet to be made on Thursday.

As Mrs. Billy Graham, Ruth Graham could lay claim to being the first lady of evangelical Protestantism, but neither exploited that unique status nor lusted for the limelight.

Behind the scenes, however, Ruth Graham was considered her husband’s closest confidant during his spectacular global career – rivaled only by her father, L. Nelson Bell, until his death in 1973.

Bell, a missionary doctor, headed the Presbyterian hospital in Qingjiang, China, that had been founded by the father of author Pearl Buck. Ruth grew up there and spent three high school years in what’s now North Korea .

I’m in LOVE with God’s Word!

Think about this for a minute… there is no other book on the face of this earth that can claim it is God’s actual words! God’s Word (the Bible) is the only book that is ALIVE!  Imagine that for a moment. Think of the greatest book you’ve ever read! It was a mere man’s words… it had no life changing power to change your thinking or your motives or your life unless it had taken scriptures from the LIVING BOOK. There is no other book that has the power that God’s Word does.

I remember the first scripture that ever came ALIVE to me. An older Christian woman wrote it in a note concerning a trial I was going through. The scripture was Romans 8:28.

Rom 8:28 – And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

I can remember that day as if it were yesterday although it was nearly 28 years ago. I remember standing there, looking at the verse she had written, and suddenly it dawned on me (God’s Word illuminating itself to me) that God was speaking directly to me through those words. Those words had something to do with my life TODAY. My trial didn’t change but the words written on that paper had their perfect work in me and I had peace for the first time in a very long, long time. It was one of those life-changing moments.

God’s Word..

* equips us to do good works (2 Tim. 3:17)

* teaches us  (2 Tim. 3:16)

* reproves us (2 Tim. 3:16)

* corrects us (2 Tim. 3:16)

* trains us (2 Tim. 3:16)

* discerns our thoughts (Heb. 4:12)

* discerns our intentions (Heb. 4:12)

* helps us not sin against God. (Ps. 119:11)

* strengthens us in times of sorrow (Ps. 119:38)

* makes a simple person wise (Ps. 119:7)

* brings conviction (1 Thess. 1:5)

Oh, my! The list of what God’s Word does in our lives goes on and on!How I thank God for His Word to me!

Nina over at Ninasblog shared a great link that offers a FUN and EASY way to memorize God’s Word. It is sent in your email every day. Check it out   http://www.biblememory.us

This would be GREAT for homeschoolers, too! I signed up and I’m loving it! Let me know what you think. If you’ve had a hard time memorizing Scripture or feel like you don’t have time then I think this would be your answer.

 

1 Thess 2:13 - And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

2 Tim 3:16-17 – All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Heb 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

I listened to this short (2 minute) excerpt from John Piper this morning and wanted to share it with you. I took notes in case some of you can’t listen to it online. I thought it was awesome and it has me thinking of how I can maximize my time in the evening for the glory of God! I tried my hardest to copy most of it but I’m sure I didn’t succeed 100 percent.

“The fact that Christ has come, died, risen, reigns,  beckoning me to spend eternity with Him, makes me very much want to NOT buy into Netflix. (John Piper told his wife, Noel, that he was afraid for his family and the church to buy into these deals on the internet where you can download unlimited movies, songs, computer games). Everyone is thinking – maximize entertainment- how many things can I download? We wake up and realize that Christians are just like EVERYONE ELSE in the world. Every night we eat, put our feet up and watch ‘clean videos’ while the world goes to hell.

I just don’t want to be a part of that. I have a tiny, little life to live and only what is done for Christ will last. So, what’s driving me is the lostness of hell. I really believe in hell and I’d rather not people go there if I can have any influence on them at all. I want to maximize my joy in God and I know that happens through service. It’s more blessed to give then receive.

 So, driving me is … hell is horrible, eternity is long, Christ is beautiful and my heart is designed for Him . I want to maximize my joy and take as many with me into that everlasting pleasure as I can.”

Here is the audio excerpt if you want to listen to it personally.

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/MediaPlayer/2178/AudioExcerpt/

So, what do you ladies think?

 

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or WHATEVER you do, do ALL for the GLORY of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31