Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Wedded Wednesday:Visionary Wives


 
I once thought marriage took
Just two to make a go
But now I am convinced
It takes the Lord also.
And not one marriage fails
Where Christ is asked to enter
As lovers come together
With Jesus at the center:
But marriage seldom thrives
And homes are incomplete
Till He is welcomed there
To help avoid defeat.
In homes where God is first
It's obvious to see
Those unions really work,
For marriage still takes three.
 
-Perry Tanksley
 
**Thank you Mama Joyce (as she is called by many women in our church) for giving me this poem!  You are truly an encourager and a Titus 2 role model in my life.
 
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12  Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.  For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.  But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.  Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.  And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
 
 
Part of what I am about to share, I had prepared to teach at our Ladies Conference a few weeks ago.  The Holy Spirit had other plans that day, so I thought I'd share it today.  This is the short version, and it is still pretty long.  Imagine if I had not condensed it! LOL!
 
 
We need Godly vision in our marriages and in our homes.  Proverbs 29:18 says, Where there is no vision; the people perish: But he that keeps the law, HE IS HAPPY.
 
Vision- a mental picture of what the future will or could be; an idea of what you are working towards
 
We need vision in our homes!  When we aim for a goal without making a plan, we are setting ourselves up for failure.  You can't build a house without a blueprint, and you can't build a Godly legacy without a God-given vision.
 
Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds her home, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.
 
First and foremost, we must maintain a very close relationship with the Lord.  We grow to know Our Savior the same way we get to know anyone else: by spending time with Him.  I can not stress enough the importance of reading our Bible and praying everyday.  If we don't, we will never have to the strength or the tools to take on the tasks God has set before us as a wife.
 
Secondly, we must prioritize our life.  After Christ, our husbands come first.  PERIOD!  If something is keeping you from being the wife and/or mother that you know God intends for you to be, it needs to be examined.  The relationships in our home need to be the first priority in our life.  These are the scriptures that help me maintain vision in my relationship with my husband.
 
1 Corinthians 11:3  But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
 
Ephesians 5:22-23  Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.   For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
 
1 Peter 3:1-4  Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,  when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.  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 Corinthians 7:2-5  Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.  Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.  The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.  Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
 
I also suggest reading through Song of Solomon.  I recommend reading it with your husband!
 
As part of the testimony and legacy we build for our husbands and ourselves, we need to raise Godly children who will know the Word and Will of God and will carry His image throughout the earth.  We need a Godly vision to see children the way God sees them: as blessings!  Bring on the babies!  Lots and lots of babies!  ☺  We need an ARMY of Soldiers who are equipped to take dominion for the Kingdom of God!  The scriptures below help us have vision for our children.
 
Genesis 9:7  And as for you, be fruitful and multiply; Bring forth abundantly in the earth and multiply in it.
 
Psalms 127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.  Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate
 
Exodus 1:7  But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them.
 
Deuteronomy 6:4-9   Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.  “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.  You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

 
Isaiah 54:13  All your children shall be taught by the Lord, And great shall be the peace of your children.
 
Proverbs 22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
 
**Psalms 144:12  That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; That our daughters may be as pillars, Sculptured in palace style.
 
We have to be willing to allow God to use us to bring life into the world, and then we have to be willing to lay down our lives to train these children up as disciples of Jesus Christ.
 
Why?  Psalms 78:7-8  That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments; And may not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not set its heart aright, And whose spirit was not faithful to God.
 
In all of our doing, Wives, our husbands heart has to safely trust in us! (Prov. 33:11)  They have to know that we can be content and joyful in little or abundance.  They have to know that we are able and competent to handle their affairs.
 
I am studying Proverbs 31:10-31 which you can read here.  This gives us a picture of how a Godly woman handles the business of the home for her husband.
 
I would like to share with you a  few things I have been seriously examining in how I handle the business of my home.
 
-Am I wise with our finances? 
 
Study the Word and see what God has to say about your money.  It is His anyway!  Find ways to prove to your husband that you are trustworthy and able to help him.   Find ways to make cuts in your spending!  Ladies, I truly believe that WE CAN DO THIS!
 
-Am I hospitable to those around me? 
 
A  warm smile and simple, "Hello.  How are you?" goes a long way!  Everywhere we go, we represent our husbands.  If you are more introverted, and your husband likes to have guests frequently, remember your hospitality is honoring to Him.  Be cautious against bitterness creeping in about how much work it creates for you, but be thankful you have a husband who loves and cares for people. 
 
Just the other day, Billy Joe told me I had walked by one of his friends without even acknowledging them and it embarrassed him for me to be so rude.  Of course, I did not even realize I had done it because I was on a mission to do something, but it made me realize that I needed to slow down and take more time for people.  I made a mental note to work on being more courteous and friendly and making sure to speak to people even if I think they don't see me.  Since it does not come naturally to me, I really have to work at it.  But for him, I'd do just about anything!
 
-Is my home inviting?   
 
Be a keeper of your home.  Make your home a place that your husbands wants to come home to!  I like to run through the house about 10 minutes before Billy Joe gets home and just make sure the house is straight.  We used to do much better about making sure our greeting to him was most welcoming.  (I said I will not pretend on this blog....)  I do think it is very important, and am working to get everyone back in the habit of making it a celebration for Daddy to be home!
 
These scriptures give us a vision or idea of what we are working toward!  What we want our homes to look like!  With Jesus Christ at the center of our marriage and our home, we can make that vision a reality!  My prayer is that we will all become VISIONARY WIVES!
 
This is my favorite excerpt from Secrets of Happy Home Life, 1874, by J.R. Miller.
 
“Home is the true wife’s kingdom. There, first of all places, she must be strong and beautiful. She may touch life outside in many ways, if she can do it without slighting the duties that are hers within her own doors. But if any calls for her service must be declined, they should not be the duties of her home. These are hers, and no other one’s. Very largely does the wife hold in her hands, as a sacred trust, the happiness and the highest good of the hearts that nestle there. The best husband—the truest, the noblest, the gentlest, the richest-hearted—cannot make his home happy if his wife be not, in every reasonable sense, a helpmate to him.

In the last analysis, home happiness depends on the wife. Her spirit gives the home its atmosphere. Her hands fashion its beauty. Her heart makes its love. And the end is so worthy, so noble, so divine, that no woman who has been called to be a wife, and has listened to the call, should consider any price too great to pay, to be the light, the joy, the blessing, the inspiration of a home.

Men with fine gifts think it worth while to live to paint a few great pictures which shall be looked at and admired for generations; or to write a few songs which shall sing themselves into the ears and hearts of men. But the woman who makes a sweet, beautiful home, filling it with love and prayer and purity, is doing something better than anything else her hands could find to do beneath the skies.”



Friday, May 16, 2014

The Words Come Alive!

I am a reader!  I like to read more than I like movies.  As I read, the words just come alive in mind.  I had one of these amazing moments yesterday.  Seriously, my girls probably thought I was crazy, and yes, I know I am easily amused!☺ 



We were reading 2 Samuel 12.  It is the chapter following David and Bathsheba's affair.  (I'm sure you know the story, I am just going to do a quick, or not so quick, recap!) 

David sent his army off to wage war against the people of Ammon.  Normally, the King would have gone as well, but for some reason David decided to stay behind.  One day, David got up from a nap and was looking out from the top of His palace.  He sees a beautiful woman, asks about her, and calls her to the palace.  (You know the rest!)

Bathsheba finds out that she has conceived and sends word to King David.  David knows he is in a jam, so he calls for Bathsheba's husband, Uriah, to come home from war.  David talks with Uriah about how the war is progressing, and then sends Uriah on his way to his wife.  Uriah, however, had other plans, and slept at the entrance to the palace instead of going home.  (What a loyal soldier!)

David hears that Uriah did not go home to Bathsheba, and knew he had to take drastic measures to cover his scandal.  So he invites Uriah to dinner, and gets him drunk.  Still, Uriah will not go home.  What to do?  What to do?  Well, Uriah has to be put out of the picture!  King David writes a note to Joab, the commander of his army, and asks for Uriah to be put on the front lines, and then pull back so he will be killed.  David sent the letter containing this death sentence by Uriah's own hand.  (Right about now, I have some great mystery music playing in my head! LOL)

Indeed, Uriah was killed in battle.  Bathsheba mourns her loss, but goes to live in the palace as a wife of the king and bares him a son.  BUT THE LORD IS VERY DISPLEASED!  (This is where we were yesterday morning, and we read chapter 12!  You are probably not near as excited as I am, just wait!)  

It has been about a year, since Bathsheba became David's wife (one of them anyway!).  Nathan the prophet comes to David and tells him a story.  (Go read it here.)  Through this parable, David comes to find out that Nathan knows what he has done and that the Lord is angry.

David is repentant.  Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin.  Nevertheless, because you have shown utter contempt for the Lord by doing this, your child will die.” ( vs. 13-14)  The Lord sends an illness on the son of David and Bathsheba.  David fasts and prays for the life of his son.

Here is where I got so excited!  (I will understand if you think I'm kind of weird.) I glanced at my footnotes as I was reading this to my girls, and noticed that during this tragedy, King David wrote Psalms 51.  So I couldn't help myself and flipped over to the passage.  When I begin to read this chapter that I have read many times, it came alive to me.  I could imagine what grief David was feeling.  I could imagine the thoughts going on in his mind.  "If only I had not...", "Punish me, not my son."  Now I don't have to wonder.  I have his very own thoughts RIGHT HERE! 



Psalms 51

Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight—
That You may be found just when You speak,
And blameless when You judge.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear joy and gladness,That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.
14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.
18 Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion;
Build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness,
With burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.


This is reading King David's personal diary containing his very private thoughts and prayers.  I don't know about you, but revelations like this make me hungry to spend the rest of my lifetime trying to discover all the wonderful and interesting details of God's Word!

After reading this, one of my girls asked why David was called a man after God's own heart if he was such a bad man.  I had to think of a good answer for this one.  The thing that makes David stand out to me is that when the Lord spoke, he was quick to listen and quick to repent.  You can generally tell a parent has won their child's heart by how quickly their children obey.  The child doesn't doubt their parents instruction or ability to know what is best for them.  David's desire to quickly obey His Father demonstrated who had his heart!  I hope that when I am gone to be with the Lord, the testimony of my life will be the same as David's. 
 
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7 

As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man. Proverbs 27:19 

Thanks for coming on this journey with me!  I hope you have a great weekend! 


Thursday, May 15, 2014

Food with Friends:Crock Pot Ravioli



Is it just me or do you get in a rut using the same recipes over and over until your whole family is sick of them?  I have been searching high and low for some new recipes, preferably that require little work and if I'm lucky, can just be thrown in the trusty ol' crock pot!

This recipe for ravioli is my latest find.  I'm planning on making this for my family tomorrow night!  I know you're wondering why I don't make this tonight (You're probably not, but we'll pretend).  I want you to try it first and let me know how it is! ☺ NOT REALLY!  I have a birthday party for my nephew, Konnor, who turned 5 today, so someone else gets to cook me pizza for supper! 

A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Konnor and my nephew, Isaac!  He turned 7 today!

Birthday Boy, Isaac!

Birthday boy, Konnor, and my beautiful sister, Amanda!

 


Crock Pot Ravioli

25 oz. bag frozen ravioli
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce (We love Prego!)
1 cup mozzarella cheese

Dump your bag of frozen ravioli into the crockpot.  Pour your jar of sauce over the ravioli.  Stir the ravioli to evenly coat with sauce. Cover and cook on high for about 3 hours. Depending on how fast your crockpot cooks, you may notice they are done closer to 2.5 hours. You could also cook on low for a longer period of time.  About 20 minutes before you are ready to serve, sprinkle the top of the ravioli with finely shredded mozzarella cheese. Pop the lid back on and let it melt- about 20 minutes.

A random picture of ravioli!  Can you tell I am hungry?

A cheerful heart is good medicine according to Proverbs 17:22.  Knowing that you take a few minutes out of your day to visit with me here, well, it makes my heart cheerful.  Every now and then, I just have to take a minute and thank you for your love and friendship.  You will never know what it means to me.  Hugs!

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

The Praying Wife!


"I used to pray that God would feed the hungry, or do this or that, but now I pray that he will guide me to do whatever I'm supposed to do, what I can do. I used to pray for answers, but now I'm praying for strength. I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things." Mother Teresa



 
Prayer changes us.  I have heard several women give testimonies that they were praying for their husband's attitude or decision to change about a situation, and the wife realized she was the one who needed to change.  The Holy Spirit did an amazing work in their heart and the marriage was better for it!  It is amazing how God reveals His will to us when we are humbled in prayer.
 
 
 
Wives, there are tough decisions our husbands will face (jobs, finances, etc.), and they need our prayers a lot more than they need our advice.  This is especially hard for me because by nature I am a doer and fixer, as I assume most wives are.  My greatest joy in life is helping my husband, but sometimes, the greatest help I can give him is to withhold my opinions and advice and get on my knees and ask God to reveal His will and His plan to my husband.  (I know how hard this is, but it is possible!)
 
The task God has set before our men is not easy.  They are to love, lead, protect, and teach our families the statutes of God.  They are to provide and be good stewards of all that the Lord has given them.  They are to know God's will for our family and direct us.  What a responsibility has been placed on them!  But I believe this, God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Cor. 1:9) He will lead our husbands if we will get out of the way and let Him!
 
Here are some scriptures to pray over our husbands.  These are helpful to me when I am not sure what direction to pray, and when I simply don't have the words.  I originally found this list about 6 months ago at Unveiled Wife.  This is a great website that has a lot of great resources for wives!
 
25 Verses To Pray Over Your Husband
  1. That he lives in accordance with God’s plan for his life {Ephesians 4:1-2}
  2. That he would continue to lead and that God would be glorified in our marriage {Ephesians 5:25-29}
  3. That the Lord would bless his work {Proverbs 22:29}
  4. That he would lean on Christ in his trials {Psalm 46:1}
  5. His integrity {Proverbs 11:3}
  6. His temptations {1 Corinthians 10:13}
  7. That he would have a giving heart {Proverbs 28:27}
  8. For discernment in handling finances {Luke 16:13}
  9. That he would trust in God’s plan, not his own { Jeremiah 29:11}
  10. That he would give everything to the Lord in Prayer {1 Thessalonians 5:17}
  11. That he would seek wisdom {James 1:5}
  12. That God would give him discernment {Philippians 1:9-10}
  13. That the Lord would teach him how to be a good husband & likewise me a good wife {Ephesians 5:22-33}
  14. That he would submit his fears to God {Psalm 118:6}
  15. That he would fully grasp his purpose in Christ {Romans 8:28}
  16. For his health {1 Corinthians 6:12}
  17. For strength {Psalm 28:7}
  18. That he would be surrounded by people who bring him up {Proverbs 13:20}
  19. That he would boldly declare the Truth of the Gospel {Acts 28:31}
  20. That he would grow spiritually through reading, studying and prayer {2 Peter 3:18}
  21. That he would have a humble, teachable spirit {Proverbs 15:33}
  22. That he would be full of patience and peace {Romans 14:19}
  23. That he would be quick to forgive {1 Corinthians 13 , Ephesians 4:32}
  24. His Heart {Proverbs 4:23}
  25. His Future {Psalm 119: 105}
 

 


Monday, May 12, 2014

My Hope is in You!

I woke up this morning feeling like someone really needed encouragement.  The Lord did not give me a specific person to contact, so I'm going to share this here in hopes that the person who needs this will be reading today.
 
 
 
A few weeks ago, I went through a time of discouragement.  I have been praying about something very personal and dear to my heart for about a year, and I just began to have this overwhelming feeling of doubt that God was listening or would answer, let alone give me the desires of my heart. (Ps. 37:4)   
 
It came out of nowhere and hit me like a ton of bricks.  I needed encouragement, and not just a "I'm sorry you're feeling this way", but a "Where is your faith?  Pull yourself together, and trust in God!"
 
I wrote a precious friend of mine, one I consider to be a Titus 2 mentor to me, and she had some encouraging words for me.  Here is just a excerpt from her email.
 
 
There are hard places in life where we have to fight for contentment, when God answers "no"
to our heart's desire.  And while we can't always know or understand why He has withheld something that seems so *right* we can still trust in his goodness.  We can know He WILL work out His purposes and plan for our lives.  You may be in one of those places.  But God may be using your circumstances to display his glory and power in a way that you would not think about.
        Praying you will delight yourself in The Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart...and that you will find contentment in the circumstances he places you in.
 
 
Sometimes we just need to be reminded that God is in control.  It is His plans and His purposes that are at work in our lives.  He sees the "whole" picture and knows what will bring Him the most glory. 
 
How desperately I needed this reminder.  God knows every desire of my heart.  He knew me before I was formed (Jer. 1:5) and knit me together (PS. 139:13) in my mother's womb.  He fashioned my days before there were any (Ps. 139:16) and knows my thoughts. (Ps. 139:2) 
 
Our God hears our prayers (1 John 5:14).  He is faithful(1 Cor. 1:9) and all His ways are just(Deut. 32:4).  He is more compassionate than any of could ever hope to be (Ex.34:6).  He is a loving Father and longs to give us good gifts. (Matt. 7:11)
 
We just have to trust Him and know He is always at work in our lives!
 
Thank you, Wonderful Savior, for being patient with me, as I learn to "lean not on my understanding, but in all my ways acknowledge You, as You direct my path!" (Prov. 3:5-6)  Lord, my hope is in you! 
 
 
“We should ask God to increase our hope when it is small, awaken it when it is dormant, confirm it when it is wavering, strengthen it when it is weak, and raise it up when it is overthrown.” 
- John Calvin 
 

 




Saturday, May 10, 2014

To My Mom!

This is my mom, Penny Jones.
 
 
And this is our family!
(And yes, because I am awesome and couldn't get our picture to upload, I took a picture of a picture.  LOL! Don't judge!  I just love this whole bunch and wanted to show them all.  )

Dear Mom,

Where could I possibly begin?  I have so much to thank you for I could probably write for days and not cover everything! 

Thank you for making going to church a priority in our household.  Because of you (& Dad), I was raised to know Jesus and have a relationship with him.  There is nothing more important any parent can give a child than this!

Thank you for staying home with us until we started school.  I did not understand then how lucky I was to spend everyday with you and my siblings.  I got to enjoy laughing, singing, and playing with those I love most.  That time is priceless in my eyes, and you made the choice to make that a priority. 

Thank you for showing me that it is possible to accomplish anything we desire with faith in Our Savior and hard work.  Going to college, working on your days off as a substitute teacher, getting us to all our extra curricular and church activities, and running a home all at the same time was no easy feat.  I took your tireless work for granted when I was young, but now I see that you were demonstrating your love to us through one of my love language: acts of service.  She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27 

Thank you for showing me how to make sacrifices for my children through your own selflessness.  When I was young, I just expected that it was your responsibility to give, give, give.  I "expected" you to pay for cheerleading, drill team, Church camp, outings with my friends, new clothes, or whatever I thought I deserved to do or have without ever wondering how you would make that happen financially with three children. (I realize how selfish I was and can not apologize enough!)   Now that I have my own children, I know how hard that can be sometimes.  I see that you thoughtfully planned inexpensive meals and found ways to make cuts in your budget to account for the money you would spend on us.  I realize that you did without new clothes, getting your hair done, and things that you needed so that we could have what we wanted.  Seeing that in you, has helped me learn to make sacrifices for my family.  (And the time was not even mentioned here.  Countless hours of watching sporting and musical events and competitions.  I may have just expected it of you when I was younger, but just know that I do not take that precious time and support for granted.)   

Thank you for showing me that we can walk through fire and come out changed for the better because His grace is sufficient for you, for His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).  I have seen you go through some hard things, Mom.  You know the situations, and I thought my heart might break.  But you have come through, exhibiting great strength.  I am reminded of Proverbs 31:25.  She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.  This is who you are, and because of that, I strive to be that as well.

Thank you for having a love for children.  You have demonstrated your love for children through countless Vacation Bible Schools, Children's Choir Programs, Refereeing and coaching Upwards Basketball & Youth Sports softball, and teaching school for years.  Mark 9:36-37 says, Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”    

Thank you for showing me how to honor my parents.  You took care of both of your parents as they were sick, and going to be with the Lord.  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise:  “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3) I am ashamed that when I was younger, I did not honor you as I should have.  I pray that I will learn to honor you the way you have honored your parents. 

Were you perfect?  No.  It is your imperfections that made you perfect for the role as my Mom, well, because I most definitely am not perfect either, and I needed a lot of grace and forgiveness from you.  You could not have given that to me if you had never experienced it yourself.  In your inadequacies, you learned to trust in the Lord for strength and wisdom.  (And I know you needed a lot of strength to deal with such a stubborn daughter!)        

As a Mom, I learn from the example you have set for me.  I know I am inadequate in my calling to raise and nurture the gifts the Lord has given me.  But like you, I will do the best I know how to do to raise Godly young women so that one day they too will have the same testimony I do......I have a wonderful Mom who loved and cared for me and deserves so much more than a simple gift and card on Mother's Day. 

Happy Mother's Day!  I love you!

Love, Tera

My sister-Amanda, my brother-Andy, and me! 

 
All my mom's grandkids!  This picture is a little old as you can tell, but it's all I could find quickly!
From left to right: Kethan, Kera, Kat, Kyler, Konnor, Kelanie, and Kati holding Kynslie!
 
 
 
 
Happy Mother's day to every Mom!  My prayer is that we will realize the great honor it is to be called Mommy, and what a blessing our children are!  I hope you have a great weekend! 
 

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Food with Friends:Buffalo Chip Cookies



As you know by now, we are DIE-HARD Houston Texans fans! 
 

 
 
Today is NFL Draft day which is considered a holiday at our house.
 
 
In honor of such an occasion, I am making Billy Joe's favorite cookies and
getting all our Texans gear on! 
 
 
Buffalo Chip Cookies
 
2 cups sugar                                  
2 cups brown sugar
 2 cups melted butter                    
4 eggs
 2 tsp. vanilla                                
4 cups sifted flour
2 tsp. baking soda                          
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt                                    
2 cups oatmeal
2 cups Post toasties, crushed        
2 cups nuts, pecans or walnuts
1 large package chocolate chips   
1 small can Angel flake coconut (optional)
 
 
Mix in a large pan or pot.  Drop by tablespoons or ice cream scoop (I actually use my coffee scoop) on greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350° for 12 minutes.
 

(All mixed up in a stock pot.)
 
(Just put them in the oven.)
 

(Oh yeah!  I know you want a bite!)
 
 
The girls and I are busily cooking up fajitas and homemade queso for our 2014 Draft party!  What is your menu?

 

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

The Humble Wife!

I long to accomplish great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty and joy to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble.  -Helen Keller
 
 
Easton’s 1897 Bible Dictionary defines “humility” as: a prominent Christian grace. It is a state of mind well pleasing to God; it preserves the soul in tranquility and makes us patient under trials.  It is the opposite of pride.
 
 
The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He teaches His way.
Psalms 25:9 
 
 
 
I believe that if we desire to be a humble wife, we must first fully understand what it means.  Sometimes we try to make "Spiritual things" more complicated than they are, at least I know I have in the past.  These godly characteristics that we desire to be ARE attainable through the power of the Holy Spirit!  Being humble is putting others before yourself and never building yourself up at the expense of someone else. 
 
Here are some ways the Lord is helping me to become a humble wife. 
 
1.  Don't be quick to blame your husband when there are problems in your marriage, but be ready to examine your own heart.  Admit to your husband when you are wrong, even if it was unintentional.     
 
2.  Accept advice and/or correction from your husband.  Humility leads us to have a teachable spirit. (This has not always been easy for me, but now I understand that there is wisdom in counsel.)
 
3.  Don't gloat when you are right.  Consider your husband's feelings before your own. (It rarely happens that I am right anyway, so this is not a hard one for me! ☺) 
 
4.  Give and accept forgiveness from your husband quickly and freely.  (A wise woman once told me, It is easy to continue in anger, but it is so freeing to give it to God, and forgive.   Though she was not talking about marriage, it has come to my mind several times about my spouse.  He has been very patient these last 13 years as I learned this!) 
 
5.  Learn to give a wise appeal.  (I first learned about this in Created to Be His Help Meet.  If  something is important and it needs to be addressed (for ex. financial stresses or other situations you hate to discuss), with much prayer bring it before your husband.  Be humble and considerate in your presentation.  Consider the weight of your words and how they might affect him.  Then, trust his decision even if it was not the outcome you were hoping for.)    
 
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders.
Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility,
for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
1 Peter 5:5
 
By becoming humble, we receive God's grace.  Don't we desperately need it!