On my mind....

I want to please the Lord with my life. I want HIM to be pleased with ME. So often, I think, we want it  the other way around, or we live our lives the other way around. Are we trying to squeeze the Bible into our already established life? Or are we living by God's Word, every moment, consulting with the Holy Spirit? I think American Christianity has missed so many things, but this might be one of the GREATEST. We have become humanists. We take Jesus and all of his benefits and that is WHY we become Christians. Not because He is worthy of our lives, but because we KNOW he can make our lives better. We serve ourselves. We wait for the next moment of instant gratification. We make decisions based on what "we feel is right", rather than what God truly wants. We go through the motions of being seemingly faithful in our outward lives- all the while living unto ourselves on the inside. How can this benefit me, or my kids, or my relationship??? What about Him...what about what we ACTUALLY deserve? We wear what we want, we watch what we want, we go where we want, and dare our Holy and Heavenly Father to tell us "No!". We act like if it is a "good" thing, it cannot be wrong for us to partake. But doesn't that actually make it more dangerous? Doesn't that mean the line just becomes more grey and indistinct? What happened to God's people having convictions about living holy lives? About being separate? Why is there no line anymore? Did it disappear when God left schools? I don't think so...that would be too obvious. Or when they threw out prayer and starting cramming evolution and post-modernist theology down our throat? I don't know about that either. I think it started in the home. I think the mom and dad said, "Well, that's not a big deal, we can do that....just this once." I then think it translated into the House of God, because God's people were dull of hearing. We did not fight for God to stay in schools, nor did we fight for prayer. What we are left with is anemic Christians, who barely deserve that title. We have forgotten who God is and what He represents. Isaiah 6:1, 3-5- "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the Temple. And one cried unto another and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts."  Doesn't God's Word say serving him is our "reasonable service"? It is REASONABLE, not ridiculous. And it is necessary for true worship. I hope this helped encourage you. It is something that has been on my mind lately. Living unto God, not unto myself. Bringing my body under subjection and obeying the voice of the Lord. God help us all as we strive. I want to finish my course with joy and the best way I know to do that is to have no regrets. I will never regret living my life for God. But I will definitely regret living my life for self.

Kids say the darndest things...

Abby- "Mommy, can you teach me how to be saved?" Me- Yes, Abby I can teach you how to be saved!" Abby- "Mommy, can you also teach me how to raise from the dead?"

Ministry Moment

I always keep a frozen lasagna on hand, just in case I come in contact with a family in need, someone who just had a baby, or we have someone over for an impromptu visit. If none of that happens within a few weeks I bake it on a Wed. because it takes about 2.5 hours which is a little longer than the church service. So, If you think this would be convenient for you to do as well, just buy double ingredients and make 2 at the same time. Put one in a disposable pan and then if you give it away, no worries about getting it back! It is just one more way, I can, as a stay at home mom, be hospitable to others. Hope this was helpful!

My Moment as a Makeshift Decorator

I designed this through a decal shop on etsy and it came out perfect! I wanted this space of our church nursery to feel separated from the rest of it. I used a very, shaggy brown rug (representing a nest) and then I had some pillows made shaped like eggs for the kids to hold when being read to. I hope you enjoy this idea and pass it on!!!

My Moment as a Make Shift Decorator

I was searching for just the right fabric to have curtains made for our "jungle-themed" room. I had looked online and in stores and was feeling very discouraged until I found something that matched perfectly and it was a shower curtain! So, I took it home, shortened it, and found matching shower rings to hang it from the curtain rod. It looks awesome and I can wipe it down with clorox wipes. Definite plus in a kid's nursery room :).

From the Pages of My Journal...

9-24-2011

          We just received word that baby Elise has passed away. She's almost 2 years old and has undergone 2 heart transplants in the last 8 months. I have been weeping all night for her mother. I cannot imagine burying one of my precious, little girls. I just keep praying that God gives me wisdom, as far as, how to comfort this family. Sometimes, we struggle with the "why?" and geting answers, but I think God just wants us to trust Him. Romans 8:28 is still apart of God's Word and He is still our hope, joy, peace, and life. I got up out of bed hoping to get something from God's Word to comfort my own heart and the Lord gave me this,
 Luke 20:35, 36, and 38- But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world and that resurrection...Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. For He is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto Him.
Elise is equal unto the angels and is a child of God now. I am just praying that the Lord lets the family know that she is with Jesus now, which is far better (Philippians 1:23- For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ which is far better:). Maybe she will get to meet my mom?...:)

The name was changed of the baby to protect this family in our church.

ThRiFtY NiFtiEs idea #3

        Vintage Windows are one of my favorite decorating pieces because they are so versatile. I found this one at Goodwill for 9.00. It had a hideous gold mirror attached to it when I bought it, but a hammer is handy for removing nails ;). This is hanging above my couch and I have tried to keep the decor on it simple and rustic. For Christmas we hang our stockings from the top because we don't have a traditional fireplace mantel. I get so many compliments on something so simple!
         If it does not come with a sill on the bottom, I would add one so it can be used for holding things. If you like the look without the sill, there are other ways to use these types of windows. You can print off your favorite family photos to the size of the individual windows. Then take the window and pics to a custom frame shop. They will put the photos in properly, but you will only be charged for the backing and hanging hardware, at the most, 10.00! It looks great too!!!