Friendship & Giveaway

It's a good, good, good, good, good, good morning!!!  Okay, in case you're wondering, that's a song!  I'm singing along as I type it!  Do you have big plans for Labor Day weekend?  Right now, I have a prayer meeting to go to Saturday evening, church on Sunday, and IF I'M LUCKY, holding a new nephew! (Hurry up Benjamin and make your appearance!)  So sorry Helen, (my pregnant sister-in-law), there is no pressure!

So the question sent in for me to answer today was in two parts: Do you have a lot of friends? (This is one that really cracked me up!  I was just imaging someone reading this blog thinking, "Man, she must really be a weirdo!" LOL  To the one who sent this in, I'm just kidding and I know you didn't mean it that way.  It gave me something to laugh about though.)  What do you consider to be a 'good friend'?  Hmmm....here goes!

I heard a song one time that said something like, "I'm so much cooler on line" and  I hope I am too because I am so not cool in real life!  I'm not really sure how to answer this.  I think I have a lot of friends. (Awkward pause....)  I must be honest with you, I don't make new friends easily.  I'm a little nervous to talk to new people.  (I hate that about myself!)  I have a lot of people I would consider my friends and then I have people who are my close friends.  Those that are kindred spirits and my bosom friends! (Do you know what movie that is from?)  These friends know almost every detail of my life.  These are my friends I can ask to pray about anything and I know they really are crying out God for that need!  They know my faults (the multitude of them) and love me anyway.  These are the friends you might not talk to in a week, but when you do, it is like you just spoke yesterday because you just pick up where you left off!  Friendship is so wonderful! 

What do I consider to be a 'good friend'?  Someone who passionately loves the Lord, loves her family, and loves me, warts and all!  I believe the Word of God says that wisdom should be a prerequisite for friendship.  A good friend will give you wise advice even if it's not what you want to hear!  They in return will allow you to do the same thing for them!  Here are some scriptures about friendship!    

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

 

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honor.

Proverbs 13:20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 22:24-25 Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

 

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

I hope I can consider you my friend!!!  I love and appreciate everyone who stops in and takes a few minutes to read my blog!  Y'all make me feel so loved!  I appreciate you so much that I want to try something fun today.  What's more fun than getting something for free?  Yay for giveaways! 

Because I love my good friends at Mathis Family Farms, I want to share with you a 40 oz. jar of their fantastic honey!  It's so good and good for you!  Also, I am giving away a gift set of homemade soaps from Ashlie Renee (Nerron).  You will not be disappointed!  The scents of the bars shown are vanilla lavender, fruit basket turnover, and oatmeal cinnamon!  Two of the big bars have loofahs made into the bar of soap!  You can find her on Facebook under Ashlie Renee!  She also has really unique jewelry!

All you have to do is follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter to win!  The winner will be notified by email within 48 hours after the giveaway has ended.  If you don't live close by, then I will ship the goodies to you.  Good luck, friends! Have a great weekend and we'll catch up on Monday!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Homemade Yeast Rolls

Happy Thursday, friends!  Where did the week go?  Just a quick reminder that tomorrow is Friday and I would love to write about a topic your interested in or answer a question you might have.  I have been lucky that the last two weeks someone has sent me a message with something for me to write about.  Hopefully that will be you!  Please and Thank You!  I'll keep my fingers crossed!

So what would a blog be without a recipe every now and then!?!  And a scripture to meditate on while you cook it!

But he answered and said, It is written,

Man shall not live by bread alone,

but by every word that proceedeth

out of the mouth of God. 

Matthew 4:4

This is one of my favorite scriptures because I love the Word of God, but I'd be lying to you if I told you I didn't love bread too!  This is one of my favorite recipes and is posted by friend Janet Stinson.  She makes homemade breads and rolls look easy! 

Janet is the wife of Donnis, and  homeschooling mother to two grown daughters, two daughters at home, and one son.  She loves all things antique, as you will see evident in her post!  She lives in the country and enjoys baking and good coffee.  She loves 'the little details' in everything! (Trust me, I know!  She tells me a million of them everyday! LOL)  I hope you enjoy this recipe!  If you try it, will you please comment and let us know how it turns out. 

Homemade Yeast Rolls

In less than an hour!

Ingredients: 

 

2 ½ Cups all purpose flour

1 Cup whole wheat flour (or skip the wheat and use 3 ½ Cups all purpose flour total)

½ Teaspoon salt

1 egg

1 Cup, plus 2 Tbsp. water ( heated to a comfortably warm temp) I use warm tap water.

1/3 Cup vegetable oil

¼ Cup honey (or sugar)

1 Tbsp yeast

 

Directions:

 

Preheat oven to 400° F.  In a large mixing bowl, combine water, oil, honey and yeast. Cover and allow it to rest for 15 minutes.  After resting, add egg, salt and flour. Stir until well incorporated. Add more flour, kneading the dough, until it is soft, smooth, and pliable.  Divide dough, and loosely form into 12 balls. Arrange in a greased 9 x 13 pan, cover and allow to rest for 20 minutes. Finally, bake for 12-14 minutes @ 400 deg. or until golden brown. 

  Here is the cast of characters.  I use honey, but you may use sugar. 

Any all purpose flour will do fine. 

Mix the water (I use warm water straight from the tap), oil, honey and yeast together.  In that order.  No reason for it, except I would like for you to do it the way I do.  Actually, as I think about it, the water left in the measuring cup helps the oil to release, when pouring...the oil left in the cup helps the honey to release....and the green grass grows all around.  Then, I stir with a whisk to get all the yeast wet.  Again, no technical reason for it; I just feel compelled to do certain things in the belief that it is the better way.  Just follow me. 

After mixing, cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let rest for 15 minutes.  This is to let the yeast proof.  Which means "get all bubbly" and prove it is still alive.  The way we live now, our houses are usually kept really cool and can hamper the yeast's efforts.  Here is a little trick when working with yeast:  Turn on your oven to 350 deg. for 30 SECONDS, then TURN OFF.  Next, turn on your oven light.  This will create a nice, warm nest for your yeast to do its thing and the oven light will continue to keep it a warm environment.  So, at this point, your covered bowl is in the nest.

Because I have three kids vying for my attention, I can forget ingredients after being interrupted a bazillion times.  To avoid this, while my yeast is proofing, I get a medium sized bowl, measure out my flour and salt and give it a stir.  For absolutely no reason, I like to incorporate the salt into the flour.  Just keep following.  I spray my pan with cooking spray.  I then get out my nifty 1950's Taylor Smith and Taylor Chateau Buffet shallow (cinnamon colored) custard cup. I pray you have one since it is an integral part of the process.  (Not really.  It just makes me incredibly happy to use vintage kitchen items and I wanted to share that with you) I crack my egg into it and set it in front of the bowl of prepared flour.  Hopefully, I won't forget to add the egg, this time.

After the 15 minute rest period, remove from the oven.  See how fluffy and bubbly it is?  Very good!  If you don't see this in your bowl....very bad!  You'll have to throw it out and start over with another little packet of yeast you already have, or go back to the store.  Sorry, it can't be helped.  Your yeast has officially given up the ghost.  Your bread will not rise.

After proofing, add egg and flour.  Dump it all right in.  Get a spoon that you can get a good hold on, and stir till it's all mixed together.  It will be stiff and sticky.  Now it's time to get dirty.  With your really clean hands, scrape the dough off the spoon and pitch the spoon into the sink.  It's time to knead the dough.  We can do that right in the bowl!

Simply, start adding flour and kneading with one hand, using the other hand to dip into the flour bin.  Add flour in small portions so you won't over-do.  I initially just grab a handful and throw it in to get the kneading started.  Don't be shy about it, since the dough is really sticky.  Disregard the fat, little fingers in the picture.  They're mine!  Then I continue sprinkling/dusting about a tablespoon at a time (just grabbing with my hand), working it into the dough as I knead, to keep it from sticking to my hands and the bottom of the bowl.  Throw some into the bottom of the bowl whenever it starts to stick.  You should only have to knead for a minute or so.  Just enough to make the dough soft and smooth.  Stop adding flour, and kneading, when the dough no longer sticks after about two pushes, but is soft and pliable.

 Here is what it looks like at the bottom of the bowl after my last lil push.  For those of you who don't know how to knead, simply push the dough down with your fist a few times, then turn it a quarter turn and fold the top edge over to the bottom  edge.  Continue to repeat the action.

Here is your beautiful, smooth, soft dough after turning out of your bowl onto a lightly sifted board/countertop.  The flour is just to keep it from sticking to the surface.  The rolls don't need to be floured.  Isn't it glorious?  Lightly run your hand over it.  It feels so good!  Now breathe in and smell that wonderful yeasty aroma.  Heaven.  Simply heaven...

Now you want to divide it into 12 pieces.  You can simply pull/pinch it apart.  I have a really, really old Tupperware pizza cutter that I use.  Well, it's not really Tupperware brand; I refer to all plastic containers and utensils as Tupperware.  However you do it, just try to get them about the same size.  I've never managed it, but have high hopes for you.  I do make sure I put the little ones between two big ones.  All things must have balance.

Here they are after I formed them into rough balls.  No need to overwork trying to make them perfectly round. 

Here they are after resting, covered, in the oven nest.  Notice how they've spread.

Here they are after baking.  Lovely, golden brown.

Nice, soft and warm...

Butter and enjoy!

 

Wedded Wednesday:My Soul Loveth

It is my privilege to host guest writer, Naomi Chance.  She is wife to Dale and homeschooling mother to Jonah, Jenna, and Jane.  Naomi is the Director of Ladies Ministries at our church and a very dear friend of mine.  I can not remember one time that I have seen her without a smile on her face.  And even though it has absolutely nothing to do with what she wrote on the blog today, I must share with you that she is one of the best cooks I know!  You will be definitely be encouraged and blessed by her words today!!!!

  

We took a last minute family trip to the beach this weekend before the bustle of a new school year began. As I sat in the sand watching my 3 children play and my husband relax with a look of peace on his face, I was reminded of what the psalmist David wrote in Psalm 139:17-18:

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How great is the sum of them!  If I should count them,
 they would be more in number than the sand;

When I awake, I am still with You.

 

Who do you know that could count the grains of sand in even a handful? But God’s precious thoughts for me are MORE than the number of them all. God has shown me His faithfulness and goodness through many things over the years, but mostly through opening my husband's blinded eyes. I, along with a few other trusted sisters in Christ, have prayed for him for several years. I wish I could say I always trusted the word of God and known He would bring peace in every storm, but I can’t. I doubted, I questioned and I wanted to give up. I am human…I wanted to give up a lot. The enemy would have delighted in that.

 

If you’re praying for your husband's salvation (or anyone for that matter)  DO NOT GIVE UP!!!! Joshua 1:9 tells us not to be afraid or dismayed because He is with us wherever we go. God knows we are but dust. He is patient with us. His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses (2 Cor 12:9) The only thing you need to give up is control to the Holy Spirit. Let Him show you His strength.  Quit trying to figure out the right words to say or the best way to fix things yourself.  Don't you know God is big enough to fix ANY problem?  He doesn't need our help. 

 

These are some promises that God has shown true to me while praying for my husband:

~~GOD LOVES ME!! There is nothing that can separate me from that fact. (Romans 8:38-39) Not even my failures. He forgives them daily.

 

~~GOD HEARS MY PRAYERS!! In fact, His ears are open to my cries. (Psalm 34:15) He desires a close, intimate relationship with me. If I want results I have to diligently ask. (1 John 5:14-15)

 

~~GOD WANTS GOOD THINGS FOR ME!! The Word says that all things work for my good because I love God. (Romans 8:28) It also says His plans are to prosper me and not to harm me.(Jeremiah 29:11)

~~GOD WANTS TO BRING SALVATION TO THE LOST!!  The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.~2 Peter 3:9

~~GOD’S TIMING IS PERFECT!!  For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

~Habakkuk 2:3    I wanted results in my marriage and my husband’s life immediately. God, however, had to teach me some things and ultimately show me how mighty He truly is through it all.

 

The simple fact is when we face trials in our life, we either choose to believe the promises God  has for us or we choose to do things our own way. Keep in mind…I learned through every trial and

tribulation in my life.  It built faith hope, and trust.  My husband had a personal experience with

Jesus at a youth camp about a year ago. God has taken his heart and completely changed it. What a miracle!!! I tell people all the time God gave me a new husband, the man of my dreams. Our

marriage is far from perfect.  The Lord is still molding us both into the image of Christ.  And believe me we have a long way to go. The presence of Jesus has made it so much sweeter though.

 

This passage in Song of Solomon 3:1-4 sums up my search for the man of my dreams:
 

By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets,

and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth:

I sought him, but I found him not.

The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said,

Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?

It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth:

I held him, and would not let him go.

 

My marriage is a reflection of God’s ever present love for me. Every time I hear my husband call me his “sweet bride” I immediately feel the love the Lord has lavished on me through him. I am, after all, the bride of Christ as well. When you find the one your soul loveth, hold onto it, do not let it go! Do not let go of all God has promised you. He is faithful in all things. On that I can stand sure!!!

Psalm 139

 Our first tomatoes for fall!

 From our back porch last night! 

This is Salty!  Who can resist taking pictures of horses!?!

 

My blog is acting crazy and posting when I am not done! I had something all typed up and it only posted my pictures!  Not sure what it going on but enjoy reading Psalms 139 with me this morning and join me tomorrow because you will not want to miss my guest writer.  It is so good I cried when I read it!  You are going to be blessed by it.  Have a great day!  

 

 Psalm 139

 

1 O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

² Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
³ Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
⁴ For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
⁵ Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
⁷ Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
⁸ If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
⁹ If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
¹⁰ Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
¹¹ If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
¹² Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.¹³ For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
¹⁴ I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
¹⁵ My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
¹⁶ Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them¹⁷ How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
¹⁸ If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee¹⁹ Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.
²⁰ For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
²¹ Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?
²² I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
²⁴ And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  

All Worth It

It's MONDAY!  I was in desperate need of a quiet, beautiful morning with a cup of coffee and The Word.  I got quiet but maybe not so beautiful.  How about you?  It's Monday, so I'm sure you are right there with me! I also have Monday brains so this is going to be a collage of scattered thoughts! (Just fair warning!)

We had a good but busy weekend.  We went shopping at a local Goodwill and found two skirts, 3 shirts, and two pairs of dress shoes (for the little girls) for a super great deal.  It is only my third time to go, so I hope I get a knack for it.  (Being frugal is a lot of work!)  I am hoping to learn the art of garage sales and couponing!  If you are an expert, please leave me some tips in the comments.  I could use all the encouragement I can get.

I am trying with all that is within me to not get over excited, but any day (Any day being within the next two weeks!) we're going to be meeting our newest nephew (nephew #16), Benjamin.  I love babies!  I love how cuddly they are.  I love the way they smell!  I love the sweet sounds they make!  I LOVE BABIES! (Did I say that already!?!)     

 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
Psalm 127:1

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
    and knit me together in my mother’s womb.  Psalm 139:13 NLT  

From the time girls are little they love baby dolls.  When they get a little older they want to hold a real baby if they can possibly get their hands on them.  I believe it is a God-given desire within girls and women to love babies.  It is the desire to nurture.

A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. John 16:21

So true!  It is amazing how quickly you forget the woes of pregnancy and the pain of child birth when they place your newborn into your arms.  You know at that moment it was ALL WORTH IT!

The job as Mother requires long hours.  To do it well and enjoy it you must learn J.O.Y.  (Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last.)  The world would have you believe that you are missing out on life because of your children.  IT IS A LIE!  You are embracing the life that God has blessed you with!

God's Helpers

God could not be in every place
With loving hands to help erase
The teardrops from each baby’s face,
And so He thought of mother.

He could not send us here alone
And leave us to a fate unknown;
Without providing for His own,
The outstretched arms of mother.

God could not watch us night and day
And kneel beside our crib to pray,
Or kiss our little aches away;
And so He sent us mother.

And when our childhood days began,
He simply could not take command.
That’s why He placed our tiny hand
Securely into mother’s.

The days of youth slipped quickly by,
Life’s sun rose higher in the sky.
Full grown were we, yet ever nigh
To love us still, was mother.

And when life’s span of years shall end,
I know that God will gladly send,
To welcome home her child again,
That ever-faithful mother.

-George W. Wiseman

 
Don't you want to go call your mother now!!!!  

Yesterday was my Grandmother's birthday (Hugs and kisses to my Nannie! And no, I won't be telling you how old she is, SHE'S A WOMAN!).  As I was wishing her Happy Birthday at church, I was thinking what an awesome fact that four generations of our family are serving the Lord!  That thought made me realize that everything I do as mother is ALL WORTH IT!  I want to be in her position one day, and see the next 3 generations of my family loving and faithfully serving Jesus.   

   

Raising Pillars

I am happy for my girls to play with baby dolls as long as they want to.  I love it that they dress up and play house.  It makes me happy that their dream would be to have a pioneer dress to ride their horses in.  It makes me smile that my twelve year old loves beautiful antiques.  I love it that the highlight of their year is going on a birthday date with their daddy.  They are crazy about their daddy!  Our whole day is centered around daddy's arrival from work. 


I think that teaching our daughters to love and serve their father is hands on training for a lifetime of contented service.  (Trust me, that is really not popular these days!)    Our precious little girls will grow up one day. (And time really flies!)   More than likely, they will all be married and have families of their own.  It is not good for girls to have 18 to 25 years of thinking only about themselves to be thrown into a roll as mother and wife where your main task is serving and nurturing other people.  I think that it is unfair to the girls and hard on marriages.

That our daughters may be as pillars,
Sculptured in palace style.   

Psalm 144:12

 If you want to raise your daughters to be "pillars, sculptured in palace style", you want them to be strong, elegant, and full of beauty.  Not beauty as the world would define it, but modest and pure of heart.  It takes great diligence to accomplish this in a culture that would immerse them in feminism and ungodliness.  YOU MUST GUARD THEIR HEARTS!

For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.   A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.   Matthew 12:34b-35

If your daughters are getting a steady diet of worldly things, then that is what will come out of them.  Be cautious what they watch on television and listen to on the radio.  Be sure you know what books they are reading.  Give them books with good morals that teach character and how to be a woman of God.  Make sure you know your daughter's friends and their mothers.

"Don't be fooled by those who say such things, "For BAD company corrupts GOOD CHARACTER."

1 Corinthians 15:33 NLT

 

Train you daughters to be modest.  I do not need to elaborate on this because there is just too much to say on this in the Word.

In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing. 1 Timothy 2:9

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—   rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 1 Peter 3:3-4

 

 

Teach your daughters to serve their family along side you.  And not just to serve, but to do it with a joyful attitude!  Teach them that the line of authority God has placed over us is not bondage but safety and blessing.  It will make the transition to their own family so much easier.  

 

     

   

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire!

If you woke up one night and your neighbor's house was on fire, what would you do?  Let's hope you would run over and beat on the door to alarm them!  You wouldn't stop and think, "Oh my!  It might upset the Joneses if I wake them up at 3 a.m.!"  Why is it then, as Christians, we see people in a spiritual house that is burning down around them, and we are too afraid of offending them, that we won't alarm them of the coming danger?

"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the House of Israel; therefore hear a word from my mouth, and give them warning from Me." Ezekiel 3:17

I feel such a warning in my Spirit for women today. I hope I can convey in a way that will help us all get victory!

If you talk to very many women it won't take you long to find that most of them deal with some form of anxiety, depression, discontentment,  and/or doubt of self value.  How many women do you know would tell you that they believe they are beautiful?  Or that they feel they have done a good job as mother and a wife?   How do many describe themselves?  Overwhelmed, burned out, emotional, lonely, fearful, or ashamed.  Ladies, I would like to tell you the truth!  We don't have to be this way.  The enemy has lied to us and we have believed him.

"When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: FOR HE IS A LIAR, and the father of it. "  John 8:44b

From the first time sin entered the world in the garden, Satan has been lying to women.  He is not really sneaky or cunning because he doesn't have to be.  If he can make you believe lies about your self or keep you depressed and knocked down, he keeps you from being effective for the Kingdom of God.  I think it is time we fight back!  Jesus fought the lies of Satan with the Word of God. (Matt. 4)  This is our tool to victory!

In my distress I cried to the Lord,
And He heard me.
Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips
And from a deceitful tongue.

What shall be given to you,
Or what shall be done to you,
You false tongue?Sharp arrows of the warrior,With coals of the broom tree!

Psalm 120:1-4

 

 

 I believe that our warrior is Our Creator God and the sharp arrows are the Word of God!

 

 





-You are beautiful!  "For you formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.  I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well. "  Psalm 139:13-14

-You are not alone!  "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Heb. 13:5

-You can have peace!  "The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace. "  Psalm 29:11

-You do not have to be afraid!  "For I, the Lord Your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you,
'Fear Not, I will help you.'  " Is. 41:13

-You do not have to let your emotions rule your life!  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13

-You are not unloved! "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. "  Jeremiah 31:13

-You do not have to be anxious!  "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved."  Psalms 55:22

-You do not have to stay brokenhearted.!"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. " Psalms 147:3

-You do not have to be confused!  "For God is not a God of confusion but of peace." 1 Cor. 14:33

-God is good!  "For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations." Psalm 100:5

-He is faithful!  "But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. "
2 Thessalonians 3:3

-He does forgive you!  "If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. "   1 John 1:9

-You are not who you use to be!  "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold; all things have become new. "  2 Corinthians 5:17


God loves us and wants us to have an abundant life (John 10:10) with peace, joy, and love! Quit listening to Satan!  He wants to kill, steal, and destroy.  He is a liar, liar, pants on fire!

Well it's almost Friday again so I would like to try answering questions from the readers.  What do you have for me?  It can be about any topic.  Leave it in the comments or private message me on Facebook!  I hope y'all have a great day! 

  

Wedded Wednesday

Every Wednesday will be dedicated to blogging about Marriage.  There is a wide variety of topics that will be covered on different aspects of being married and what the Word of God has to say about it.  Hopefully, this will work out the way I have planned and we will have guest writers!  Keep your fingers crossed.

Our first guest writer today is my mother-in-law, Julia Kilpatrick.  She has been married for 44 years to her husband, Shannon. Together they serve as the Senior Pastors of our church.  Julia has home schooled her 7 children, with the youngest graduating from high school this year.  Julia plays the role of Titus 2 Woman to many who have been encouraged by her wisdom and teaching. 

   

For A Lifetime!

Wedded-Joined in matrimony. To be wedded is to make a commitment to one another for life. It should be a commitment as strong as steel and as tender as kid leather. The two must remain committed through ups and downs, through thick and thin. There will not always be "candlelight" romantic love. Feelings will ebb and flow, but the commitment must remain. In Genesis the Lord said, "You will leave your father and mother and you two will be one flesh."

As a home school mother my time was dedicated to feeding, schooling, bed-time, discipline and everything else that goes with raising  and attempting to educate seven children.  Even though we teach that Daddy should come first, most of the time he got the dregs of my time. Now that the children are grown (The last one graduated in May.) I have time to spend with Daddy. This is a hard transition. It's hard to stop worrying about what the "kid" needs and shift over to doing whatever Daddy wants to do. I have to begin to give Daddy his time.

It's going to be great! (Whenever I can cut the "apron string" and let go of the responsibility of the "grown son".  He's 18.)  Daddy and I are already having fun, going fishing, staying at our camp, spending time together.   

 

"That they (Older women) may teach the young women to be sober , to love their husbands..." Titus 2:4

The parent-child relationship is eternally important! The Lord admonishes us to train our children in His ways. This is so true but don't neglect the husband-wife relationship! Your responsibility to raise, nurture, and train your children is temporary.  Your relationship with your husband is for a lifetime. Nurture that relationship so that when the last child leaves the nest you will know him you will know him and  enjoy spending time with him and he with you. 

The Ugly Truth about Home Schoolers!

Well, I had great intentions of posting a deep, theological post on Calvinism today but THEN I WOKE UP!    When I awoke I realized a couple of things.  I know very little of Calvinism or how it related to anything I have posted.(I'm not really sure why I dreamed I wrote about it.)  I am not feeling very smart today. (Sigh, typical day!)  Worse than that, I woke up late and my morning turned straight to chaos as I rushed to cook breakfast and start school.  Since my thoughts were turned directly to homeschooling, that is what my post will be about today. 

When my girls and I are out and about during school hours, someone always asks us, "Did school get out early today?"  These people are always extremely nice to us until we say these words, "Actually, we home school!"  Weird pause.....look of disgust......as they step back like we have leprosy....and the TYPICAL questions come flying out of their mouth. 

1.  WHAT ABOUT SOCIALIZATION?
2.  ARE YOU QUALIFIED TO TEACH THEM?
3.  HOW WILL THEY GET IN TO COLLEGE?
4.  WHAT ABOUT PROM?
5.  DON'T YOU THINK THAT SHELTERING YOUR KIDS WILL MAKE IT HARD FOR THEM IN THE REAL WORLD?

Of course my initial thoughts are to respond something like this. "Oh, you are so right!  Why have I never thought of these things?  Thank goodness we chanced upon meeting you on our one outing to Walmart this month.  Although, I do wish we had not forgot to wash our matching blue jean jumpers and Keds so we could look the part for you.  Let me run out to my 15 passenger van, where I left my other 10 kids doing school and grab some recycled paper and a feather pen so I can get your name and number.  I wouldn't want to forget anything you have to say."  But, I realize that would not be a good example to my kids nor would it show the love of Jesus.  So I politely smile and hope for grace filled answers.

1.  Homeschoolers have many opportunities to socialize and make friends.  We go to church.  We happen to have a large family with a lot of cousins to play with.  Our kids can participate in sports, dance, and music lessons just like any other child.  They have plenty of opportunities to socialize with people of all ages. 

2.  If you can read, you can learn.  If you can learn, you can teach.  If you come to a subject that is difficult for you to teach, you can get a tutor or turn to the Internet where there are several free resources for home educators.  Do you think Abe Lincoln's mother was qualified to teach?  What about the parents of C.S. Lewis, Theodore Roosevelt, or Thomas Edison?

3.  Because most people are not educated on homeschooling, they don't know that most homeschoolers who test for college entrance, on average, test higher on their SAT and ACT than students from public school.

4.  I know missing Prom is so sad!  NOT!  I do not care to send my precious daughters off half naked in a prom dress with a boy so they can go to a hotel (where most proms are) to rub against each other dancing in a dark room to filthy music.  Your kids will not be scarred for life if they have to miss this!

5.  I don't even know how to answer this.  If teaching my children to make wise decisions about who they are friends with, what they watch on television, or listen to on the radio means I am sheltering my kids, then I guess I am.  If not letting my children spend the night with people I do not know very well is sheltering my kids, I am guilty.  The thing about this is that ALL Christian parents, regardless of educational preference, should be doing this.   Shelter your children and guard their hearts.  And what do people mean by the 'real world' anyway?  Do homeschoolers live on Mars until they are old enough to get out on their own?



     

   

Multigenerational Faithfulness

GOOD MORNING! 

 Meet Big Daddy!

(Randomness on the farm!  I just love my chickens!)

I love learning new words and what they mean.  (It really helps when you're playing Scrabble!)  As we can all tell from my writing, I forget about 75% of my new vocabulary words before I can actually use them.  That's okay!  It makes me feel smart while I'm learning them!!!

  "We will not hide them from our children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength, and His wonderful works that he hath done!"  Psalm 78:3

One of my new favorite words, actually term, is MULTIGENERATIONAL FAITHFULNESS.  That means within your family you have many generations of believers who are faithful servants of Jesus Christ.  Isn't that the legacy we all want for our family?  To see our children's children faithfully serve our Savior? 

It doesn't just happen because you love Jesus.  Just bringing your children to church will not give assurance that they will not turn to the world.  As a matter of fact, the statistics are staggering. 

"They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. "  1 Jn. 2:19

A recent study by the Barna Group from Los Angeles shows that 60 % of children raised in church leave the Faith by the time they are college age.  A main stream denomination saw these statistics and did a study within their own denomination.  They found the numbers to be closer to 80-90%.  Are you serious?  What is happening?

 

"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk about them while you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."

Deuteronomy. 6:6 

 

 

Notice the YOU, as in the parents, at the beginning of the scripture.  Why is it that these days we want to put the responsibility on someone else?  Just because your kids attend youth group every week does not mean they love the Lord.  Just because your children love VBS does not mean they will be serving in it when they are older.  Children and youth ministries are great, but the spiritual well being of our children rest on us as parents.  If you depend on someone else to guard the hearts of your children, you are leaving them open to the enemy. (Just a note, I love all of the children and youth workers in our church!  As a matter of fact, most of them are my very dear friends whom I would trust my children with anytime.  PLEASE HEAR ME....I am not bashing these ministries.  I am saying they are there to AID you, not to take your place!) 

 

Here is the simple fact.  If we do not want our children to become one of the statistics, we better purposefully and intentionally disciple our own children.  Teach them the Word.  Teach them to pray.  Teach them characteristics of God so that they might have them also.  Teach them why you believe what you believe.  Show them in the Bible so there is no room for doubt.  Don't assume they know because you know!   Teach it to your children diligently.

"Concerning the spiritual state of his family; the father ought to be very diligent and cautious, doing his utmost both to increase faith where it is begun, and to begin it where it is not.  Therefore, he must diligently and frequently bring before his family the things of God, from His Holy Word, in accordance with what is suitable for each person.  And let no man question his authority from the Word of God for such a practice."  -John Bunyan

  

If you would say to me, "Tera, we just can't squeeze the time in to read the Bible together everyday.", my response would be that you should cut something out.  Your child's spiritual well being should take priority!  Sports and music practice will not give your kids what they need for eternal life. 

If you are a new Christian or you have just never spent much time in the Word until now, you can do this!  My suggestion would be to read through the book of Genesis a chapter a day.  If your children have questions you don't know the answers to, ask someone who is knowledgeable of the Word.  When you are done there, read the Gospel of Matthew.  Proverbs is also a great one to read through by reading the chapter coinciding with day of the month.

Allow each of your children to pray everyday with you.  If they don't know what to pray for, give them suggestions.  We actually have a prayer list we keep up with.  My girls are always amazed when something we are praying for happens.  It builds their faith! 

If you are curious what we are using right now, here it is.

  The top picture is the guide we are using to study Genesis.  The bottom picture is a catechism book.  Don't have a heart attack!  The definition of catechism is a summary of principles of Christian religion in the form of questions and answers.  Here some examples.

#1.  Who made you?  God made me. (Gen.1:26,27; 2:7; Ecclesiastes 12:1; Acts 17:24-29)
#2.  What else did God make?  God made all things.  (Gen.1; Acts 14:15; Rm. 11:36; Colossians 1:16)
#23.  What is sin?  Sin is any transgression of the law of God. (1 Jn.3:4; Rom. 3:20; James 2:9-11)
#24.  What is meant by transgression?  Doing what God forbids.  ( Sam. 13:8-14; 15:22-23; Hosea 6:7; Romans 1:21-32)

It has 135 questions with answers that children can comprehend.  I especially love how it takes words like regeneration, atonement, covenant, and justification and gives definitions children can understand.

Every couple of weeks we go over characteristic we have learned about God and the scripture that we memorized to go along with it.  I made a notebook full of them.

You don't have to have any of this, just read The Bible to your kids.  I am passionate about discipleship when it comes to my children because this is what I want my children to be able to say.

The law of his God is in his heart; HIS STEPS DO NOT SLIP!  Ps. 37:31

Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  Ps. 119:105

I delight to do your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.  Ps. 40:8

 

 

 

          

 

 

Faith and Holding on to it by a Thread

"NOW FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR, AND THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN.  HEBREWS 11:1"

Some days my posts will be light and full of humor and then there will be days like today.  A weighty matter is on my mind.  It is pressing on my heart.  Bad things happen to good people all the time.  Our loved ones get sick and die.  Marriages fall apart even when one of the spouses fight to keep it together.  Young people lose their lives unexpectedly.  Precious, innocent children are abused or go hungry.  The list could go on forever.  We live in a fallen, sin filled world.   

But imagine with me for a moment, that a man is standing beside his wife, the mother of his three beautiful children, and watches as cancer ravages her body.  The sight is truly heart wrenching.  What if the story is intensified a little!  A man (whom you believe to be A Man of God) told her after her initial diagnosis that the Lord said He was going to heal her before the end of the week.  Well, that was 8 months ago and she is not healed.  The doctor says she doesn't have much time left.  This man feels defeated and his faith in God is shattered.  Why didn't God heal her?  Why did that man of God say she would be healed?  

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO HIM?  

What about the young boy in a wheelchair who has asked to be on every prayer list.  He gets prayed for at every prayer meeting.  He believes that he will be healed.  He has faith that most adults never know in their lifetime.  Then, exactly what he has been waiting for happens.  A man tells him that God is going to heal him.   He is going to get up out of that wheelchair and walk before the end of the week.  It has been 2 weeks and he is not healed.  He feels defeated and he is hanging on to his faith by a thread.  Why can't God just let him walk like the other kids?

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO HIM? 

What about that woman who has been married for 10 years to the best husband in the world.  She desperately longs to give him the greatest gift any woman could give to her husband, a child.  Every Sunday she sits in church hearing babies cry as their mother takes them out to nurse.  Her arms are aching to hold her own sweet baby.  Then it happens!  A woman tells her that God has given her a word that is just for her......God is going to give her baby before the end of the year.  Oh the joy that floods her soul!  Fast forward 5 years to the same woman, still without a baby, trying to fight bitterness and jealousy.  She is struggling to hold on to her faith.  Did she do something that changed God's mind?

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO HER?   

One of my readers, presented me with a similar scenario yesterday when I asked for questions that I might write about today.  I was really hoping for something easy to start with like, "Why do you home school?" or "What's the best marriage advice you ever received?"  But this was it.  What would you say to someone who is holding on to faith by a thread because someone told them God would do something that He did not do?  I have really thought about this and prayed fervently for wisdom, but I am no theologian or scholar.  I don't have a degree in Biblical counseling.  All I have is my Bible and my limited comprehension of a God who is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent.  So please, read on at your own discretion.  

There is one common factor in all of these scenarios, a PERSON told them God would do something.  As in a human being, that sins, who sees through a glass darkly (1 Cor. 13:12).  Humans, even the most spiritual, can be led by self because they are made up of flesh.  IF GOD HAS A DIRECT WORD FOR YOU, HE WILL TELL YOU!  (Note: There are times when someone may speak a word to you that will confirm what the Holy Spirit has already shown you, or that may yet come to pass.  Be warned though, adding the words "God says" to something you tell another believer is a very weighty matter, and hearing the words "God says" does not always mean it is truly his word.)  His Word is full of promises for you.  He longs to tell them to you everyday.  When your faith is shifted because of a man's words rather than God's Word, you are headed for heart ache.

If I could look into the face of a precious brother or sister in Christ who has found themselves in this place, I would say Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.(Heb.13:8)  He is the Lord and doesn't change.  (Mal.3:6a)  God is not a man that he should lie.  (Num.23:19)  IT WAS NOT GOD WHO LIED!  GOD DOES NOT CHANGE HIS MIND!  The same mighty Savior who sent his only son to die on the cross for our sins, endured our shame, died, rose again, and sent us The Comforter will never leave us or forsake us. (Heb.13:5)  He has not left you in your grief.  He has not left you in your sickness.  He has not left you in your bareness.  A man's word may have failed you but Jehovah God's promises never fail! 

There is an epic battle waging for your heart.  You see, my friend, if people see your joy in the midst of your trial, they will want what you have.  They will want to meet this Jesus who gives peace, comfort, and strength.  Satan knows this and he will do whatever he can to keep you from being a walking, talking, testimony of God's goodness in a world of tribulation.  If he can plant seeds of doubt, he will.  If he can plant seeds of bitterness, he will.  If he can make you believe the lie that God must surely not be good because he has allowed you to go through this, he has won.

The only way to combat the lies of the enemy is with the Sword of the Spirit.  God's Word is what will get you through.  His promises provide strength and security no ones counseling ever could.
You might be holding on to your faith in God by a thread, but You are engraved on the palms of His hands.  (Is.49:16)  His grace is sufficient for you. (2 Cor.12:9)  God has plans of hope and a future JUST FOR YOU! (Jer.29:11)  Before you were even formed in the womb, HE KNEW YOU! (Jer.1:5)

Something I have taught my children is that we were made for one reason: to bring God Glory.(Is.43:6-7)  He chooses how we will best bring him glory.  Every believer will have tribulation. (Jn.16:33)  Can we praise Him in the storm?   I heard it said one time that God allows things to happen the way they do because that is how he will receive the most glory.  We can't always see it, but then again, we aren't on a throne in heaven looking down at the big picture.

I am not always as good with words as I am with music so I will leave you with this song.  Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer.  My prayer for us today is at the end of our heart's testing with His likeness let us wake!

 

 

  

 

The Real Me

Yesterday, I received a private message from an acquaintance of an acquaintance that stumbled across my blog on Facebook. This nice gentlemen informed me that my posts were well written but my ideas were a little backwards for the 21st century. (What, I had no idea!?!)  The reader felt like I wanted everyone to think that I was the ideal woman .  Perfect people should not blog because they are annoying and unrelatable.  I am really shocked to have "hate" mail on my first week blogging.  (Ok, or not, because my lifestyle is foolishness in the world's eyes.) All joking aside, I hope that this is not the general consensus. I know my failures better than anyone.  The enemy tries to remind me daily because he is the Accuser of the Brethren! 

"For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. Romans 3:23" 

And some of us, namely myself, fall A LOT, and sometimes with the same struggle repeatedly.  (Gasp......)  It reminds me of the lyrics to a song I heard my mother sing many times as a child. 

"I'm only human.  I'm just a woman.  Help me believe in what I could be and all that I am.  Show me the stairway that I have to climb. Lord for my sake teach me take one day at a time.  One day at a time sweet Jesus that's all I'm asking from you.  Give me the strength to do everyday what I have to do.  Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus and tomorrow may never be mine.  So for my sake teach me to take one day at a time."

One day at a time the Lord refines me.  Through each trial he changes me from "glory to glory".  It's a process.  The fire hurts.  Correction is not fun but it is necessary for growing.  I'm pretty sure He'll still be working on me till the day I die. Hopefully, over time, I will learn a little faster!

I have thought and thought about what could make me seem more real and much less than the picture of perfection I have painted, so I have decided to confess some things to you.  (Please fasten your seat belt!) 

Daily I have to ask for my children's forgiveness for acting unkind to them.  I can be impatient, sometimes I yell, and sometimes I get bent out of shape over something that should not be a big deal.  I say "I'm sorry" frequently to my husband because I am oversensitive and I don't always agree with a decision he has made.  (I am a work in progress with many flaws.  I love submission....THERE,I said it!  I love the safety in spiritual authority!.......but it doesn't always come easy for me!)  Sometimes when a lady walks by without acknowledging me at church, I have vain imaginations of all the reasons she doesn't like me or is mad at me. (I know none of y'all do that!)

I find loads of mildewed clothes in the washer that has been there for days and start it again. (And again, and again...Oh, I think you get the picture.)  When my dishwasher is full and I still have dirty dishes, do I hand wash them and be done?  No, I wait till the washer is done, unload, reload, and run it again.  Every now and then I find pots of leftover food in my refrigerator that looks like it might have been a science project.  (We haven't had spaghetti in a week, a month,.....oh, I don't even know when!)

I talk obnoxiously loud when I am really excited.  I get splotchy rashes when I am nervous or anxious.  Whatever I think about the subject being discussed is written all over my face, and there is no way to hide it.  (I desperately wanted to overcome this by practicing my Jane Eyre look, but it didn't work!)

I am real!  I am just a woman on the search to find out what pleases my God and sharing it as I believe he shows me.  I do a lot of laughing along the way.  I love laughing!  I love it when people snort or slap their knee when they laugh! (I know I'm weird.)  The Bible says,

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22"

"He will fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting! Job 8:21 "

Like I said in my first post, I'd be happy for just a few friends and family to stop by and read every now and then.  I know everyone will not find this blog to their liking.  I am okay with that! 

I was thinking about trying something out on Friday(tomorrow).  If you have a question that you would like to know my thoughts on or you have a suggestion about what I should write about tomorrow, post it in the comments or send me a private message on FB @ Tera Jones Kilpatrick. 

 

The Mission Field of the Home

Have you ever heard a woman express that she felt like she had never done anything important or with real value?  She hasn't changed the world with a high powered career or helped the multitudes turn to Christ in some mission in a foreign country.   Her house and yard will not stay perfect like the Cleaver's and her children are not always little angels.  The closest she got this year to volunteering at an outreach was donating clothes to Goodwill and giving a little extra money to the local Women's Shelter.  She had every intention of attending that Pro-Life Rally but as usual one of the kids got sick as she was about to walk out the door. 

She feels like the mundane tasks in her life like washing clothes, cooking dinner, reading lessons, bedtime stories, and building tents in the living room have no eternal value. I know that this is simply a lie from the enemy to keep Christian women defeated.  Satan knows if seeds of discontentment in what God originally created us to do are planted, we lose our joy, our purpose, and our effectiveness for the Kingdom of God.

I have been this woman, and not just once, several times over the course of the last 13 years.  As I was cleaning up yet ANOTHER spilled drink, or loading another load of dirty clothes that came out of nowhere, (These clothes look like the ones I just folded and told one of the girls to go put away, but they are in the hamper, so surely these are dirty right?!?) and kissing one more boo-boo that miraculously healed as I placed that Dora Band-Aid on it, I would be longing to be one of those women who "really" made a difference in the world like Mother Theresa, Darlene Zschech,  or Beth Moore.  Anyone could be a wife and mother, but not every body could reach the world for Christ!  Turn your television on for two minutes and you feel it weighing down on you.  The world is screaming for women to be liberated and make something of themselves. (I will save my thoughts on Feminism for another day!!!)

Does any of this sound familiar?  Of course it does because the enemy does not have to be very smart, he just has to know what works.  The truth is that EVERYDAY wives and mothers have an opportunity to make a huge impact for the Kingdom of God in a mission called the home.  It goes against what the culture tells us.  It definitely is not popular with the feminists!  Sometimes the trenches of raising a family can be a lonely place but Oh the taste of sweet victory when you start seeing Godly character in your children!  The joy of knowing that your husband truly is your best friend and that serving him is a great joy in your life, not a curse as the world would have you think.  What greater mission field than telling your children, those you love most,

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am a follower of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1"

If you have struggled with this, I would encourage to do what the Lord has shown me to do.  I got a journal (which can be just a spiral notebook) and made different categories that I needed encouragement or a statement of purpose for, and began writing scripture I found for each one.  In my journal I have sections such as homeschooling (Deut.6:4-9; Jer. 10:2; Prov.23:26), children (Ps.127:1-3; Matt.18:5; Prov.22:6), being a Godly wife (Prov. 12:4; Prov.31:10-31; Titus 2:3-5;
1 Peter 3), how to achieve multi-generational faithfulness (Ps.78:4, 7-8), sufficiency in scripture
(2 Tim. 3:16-17; Ps.119:1,9), modesty (1 Tim 2:9-10; 1 Pet.3:3-4; 1 Cor. 6:19-20) and then more personal things I have dealt with like anxiety, death, unforgiveness and so on.  It is an easy go to when I am discouraged or find that I have started feeling discontentment in my role as wife and mother.

"Her children rise up and call her blessed: Her husband also, and he praises her.  Proverbs 31:26"

There are many ways our children can call us blessed without saying it in these Biblical terms and many ways for our husbands to praise us for our efforts.  A "Thank You" for dinner is a child calling you blessed.  Your husband making that extra effort to put his clothes in the hamper and not beside it is him thanking you for your effort.  Find it in the little things, they are there.  I guarantee you the world has nothing to offer women that will ever compare to those moments of blessing and praise from your family.  So with that, I am off to change the world right now.......one math lesson at a time!!!!!