Perfection

I am a perfectionist...wanna-be that is! 

I would love to have a "Martha Stewart" home where EVERYTHING is neatly organized and sparkly clean; creatively decorated and fresh.  But...I have children.  Four of them to be exact; a five-yr-old girl who has a passion for art and all things paper, a three-year-old boy who is very much a BOY and loves to rough and tumble, an extremely cute little girl who is a spittin' image of her mama and can't help the fact that she is TWO, and an up-and-coming crawler, our six-month-old baby girl.

All of my "pretties" are still packed away, my raggedy, old couch is secure in its position, because we can't chance ruining a newer one.  There are pencil marks and marker marks on the wall still waiting to be scrubbed off by Mr. Clean Magic Erasers.  Every window and mirror has finger-prints, the fish-tank too, from curious little hands.  Though we eat in just one room of the house, crumbs are quickly transported all over the house by the two-year-old who escaped before her hands were wiped clean.  And then there's the occasional catastrophe, like this morning.  My two early-birds decided to have a cupcake party on the couch.  The cupcakes were on TOP OF THE REFRIGERATOR! 

Life around here is just like the game;  I work really hard to get all the pieces in the right place and then, POP!  Everything tumbles back out everywhere.  Please know, I am not a slob.  I work very hard sun-up to sun-down, and yes, I do get frustrated at times.  I am also actively training my children to be neat and clean up after themselves.  Perhaps you know the key to keeping a perfect house while raising four children under the age of six.  If you do, I would LOVE to know some of your secrets!  I will not give up my quest of keeping my house clean and tidy, but it will NEVER be spotless.

It may sound like I'm complaining, but I'm NOT!  I know there are hundreds of women out there who cannot have children.  I personally know a few!  My heart aches for them and I pray the Lord will give them children to love and hold!  Honestly, I wouldn't trade places with Martha Stewart for the world!  I wouldn't trade places with ANYONE for the world, for you see, my house is PERFECT!  Perfect for me.  My husband loves to quote, "Where no oxen are, the crib is clean..."  I'm sure I'd have a beautiful home if I didn't have children, but I'll take the children!

I remember when I was in Bible college I passed two of the maintenance men in the hall and I overheard part of the conversation.  One said, "You see this," gesturing to the bricks, floor, the windows, "this is man's idea of perfect, all straight lines and perfect angles."  Then he gestured outside toward the trees and beautiful pond.  "God's perfection has no straight lines."

Our idea of perfect for our homes, may not be God's idea of perfect.

"Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price."  I Peter 3:3-4

Just as God's idea of a beautiful woman is not in her appearance, but in her spirit, I believe that God's idea of a perfect home is a good spirit.  This should be our focus!

So things may be a little "dusty" around here, but I have happy kids!  And I'm striving to be a happy mama, even while vacuuming the cupcake crumbs off the couch! 

Hit Between the Eyes: Again!

I thought this picture was funny!  This is exactly the way I felt as I studied my Bible last night!   Have you ever struggled with something very basic in your Christian life?  I mean something so simple and you wonder "What in the world am I doing wrong?  This should be easy!"  Then, hopefully you pick up your Bible and begin to read and, BAM!  The answer hits you upside the head! 

I've been at the Christian walk for what seems like a very long time, but sometimes I forget the basics.  Right now I am teaching my two oldest children phonics.  The reading program I use starts off teaching each letter and focusing on the sound it makes.  As my children learn, they will soon be recognizing the words more than seeing each individual letter.  So it is in the Christian life.  Bits and pieces make a whole.

Last night I read, "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."

heartily=sincerely, warmly, cordially, vigorously, eagerly, earnestly, zealously


I'm afraid I've been acting more like a drill sargent lately.  Sometimes I take care of my children's needs in the same un-caring, un-loving way as I would feed the cat, or dump water on a houseplant.  I have been VERY BUSY, but my work has been lacking in heart and soul!  No wonder my wheels have been spinning, but I feel like I'm stuck in the mud!  I've been forgetting some of my "ABC's."


Also, I do not work for my husband, or my children, or for myself.  I work for my Saviour, Jesus Christ!  My Boss is ALWAYS watching!  I must forever be working to attain a new height of excellence.

I thank God that He hasn't given up on me yet!  He is SO patient!  He is SO kind!  He is my Saviour, and I love Him!

The Sea and the Waves Roaring

I heard about the Japanese earthquake and tsunami on Saturday afternoon.  Not having a television nor being a big radio listener, I'm usually pretty behind on the news.  Amazingly, my brother was in Tokyo for a layover just hours before it hit!  I am so thankful the Lord kept him safe.


Yesterday I watched a video clip online of the tsunami.  It was INCREDIBLE.  The man with the camera was up on a hill and filming the street about fifteen feet below.  In seven minutes I watched the water flow up over the street.  A few cars float by, a semi, a boat flips over and rushes on down the street.  The water gets higher and higher and soon the cars parked at the bottom of the hill float away.  The camera zooms in on a white vehicle and I wonder if that might not be the camera man's car.  A minute later an entire BUILDING floats down the street.  The camera man moves higher up the hill as buildings crack and crumble.  I could actually hear the buildings caving in!  AMAZING!


I am hurting for the Japanese people and I do hope the Lord sends them the Gospel in their time of sorrow and devastation.  I believe the Lord is coming back SOON!

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:25-28

I believe the Lord is coming back, but to be honest with you, I am not always looking up.  Often the cares of this world and the duties and responsibilities I have come crashing over my head like a mighty wave.  Often I feel like I'm sinking just as Peter did when he was walking on the water, and the Lord looks at me and says, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"  This old life is not in vain!  There is a Purpose, and that Purpose is Christ.  Our whole duty is to bring honor and glory to him.  We cannot do that if we are fearful and unbelieving!

Christ is telling us in these verses to "look up, and lift up your heads."  I got excited after seeing that video!  HE IS COMING BACK SOON!  I don't know when exactly, but I'm anxious to leave this old sin-sick world and sin-cursed body and get my new body, white robe, my white horse and my mansion!  Let's get up out of the mully-grubs and look unto Jesus!  Let's do something today that matters for eternity!

Wanted: Your Thoughts

I had a Bible verse hit me between the eyes today!  Has that ever happened to you?  I began to throw myself a little pitty party and began to think negatively about certain things.  As I was murmuring and complaining (in my mind) I heard that still, small voice say,

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"  2 Corinthians 10:5 

I don't suppose that I've ever thought of my mind as a prison before, but the Bible states that I am to be in control of my thoughts...ALL of my thoughts.  Now, sometimes I feel like saying, "I can't help it!  It's just the way I feel."  But I CAN help it!  God never commands us to do things that are impossible, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Matthew 9:26 b.  It is so easy to just let my thoughts roam free over the grassy meadows of indifference, or trudge through the valley of despair, or climb the mountains of self-will.  But that should not be!

I.  Cast down imaginations.

   As a young girl I was very much a day-dreamer and my school-work definitely suffered because of it.  I would much rather spent time in an imaginary world of fairy-tales and make-believe than to think about cold-hard facts.  On into my single years I still loved to day-dream about the future and imagine what I wanted my life to be like.  You know, this has been a very hard lesson for me to learn in my married life.  I have arrived!  This is it!  This IS what I always dreamed of for my life.  I should no longer be day-dreaming about un-obtainable goals or wishing for things that are different.  I need to be content with what I've been given, focus on today, and keep my eyes on the Prize, which is Jesus Christ.

II.  Cast down high things.

   I think that high things are anything that takes the place of godly thoughts.  Our minds should be filled with Scripture. 

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."  Joshua 1:8

Have you ever gone a whole day and realize that you have not once thought of the Lord or His Word?  Ouch!  I know I have!  Let's try to fill our mind with Scripture!

III.  Put your thoughts in prison.

   A.  Take command!  You are the warden and You are in charge!  Why are our thoughts so important?  Because God sees our thoughts!

"And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever."  I Chronicles 28:9

   B.  Reform your thougths.  It is always a wonderful thing to see a prison inmate get out jail and begin to live his life for God.  It is also a wonderful thing to take a bad thought and turn it around into a good thought!  I know that we cannot always keep ourselves from thinking negatively, but if we find ourselves thinking critically about someone, we should stop ourselves and replace the critical thought with a positive one.  I have found that this helps me to keep my heart soft and loving!  If you start to feel self-pity about different circumstances in your life, start counting your blessings and you will find that you have SO MUCH to be thankful for!  I know that I do!

   C.  Obey Christ!  Did you know God tells us EXACTLY what we are to think about?



"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."  Philippians 4:8

Use this verse as a filter and run all of your thoughts through it!  Pure thoughts make a pure mind.

There are so many more great verses on thoughts.  Why not do a word study on thoughts?  It has surely helped me!

"I Can Speak Four Languages"

Recently my mother and I took my children to a wonderful little city park.  It was a beautiful spring day, the sun was shining and the children got to enjoy playing with other boys and girls.

I was pushing my little boy on the swing when out of the corner of my eye I young boy, about six or seven years of age, come running top-speed for the swing-set.  He was gangly as most boys that age are and his ears stuck straight out.  He looked up at me and I smiled at him.  Immediately he began talking and it was soon evident that he quite enjoyed doing so!  Talking, that is!

"Do you know what?  I am an animal specialist..." he continued with a steady stream  of other titles he had somehow obtained in all his years of study, ending with, "...and I'm also an animal c-c-communicator."  I smiled and listened as this young child uttered all his mind.   I was envisioning my kids reaching this age soon enough.

"What is your name?" I asked him.

"I am John Clark."  He said importantly, carefully pronouncing each syllable.  "My dad lives with us.  He is a veterinarian."  I thought it very interesting that this young boy so proudly announced that his dad lived with them.  In this day and age, that IS something to be proud of!  John Clark spoke of his father for several more moments.  I noted that he had a self confidence and a very well-cared for appearance and manner.  I very much enjoyed my rather one-sided conversation with him!  I did manage to ask him if he got to go to church.  He nodded and told me that he did and that he knew Jesus!  I was very glad!  He is a very blessed little boy indeed!  To have two parents who love him and care for him, plus take him to church.  Praise the Lord!

My mother informed me later that she also had a conversation with John Clark.  He walked up to her and said, "I can speak four languages."

"Sprechen sie Deutsche?"  She asked him.

"No, but I can speak four other languages.  I'm speaking one right now."

"Oh, that's English!"

"Yes!  And I also speak British, Irish, and Australian!"  He said with all seriousness!  What a special young man!

Not Always Black or White

Recently a facebook friend (acquaintence) posted that he wanted reference and verse from the Bible on a whether or not it is okay to drink alcoholic beverages in your own home.  He said, "I don't want guideline verses such as 'abstain from all appearance of evil.' Give me something solid."  He claimed that he really wanted to know, and I hope that he really did want to know.  It was very interesting to me some of the responses he received and the argument that ensued...I was very tempted to throw in my two cents. Since it was men I didn't want to step in.  So, I'll get it off my chest here! 

But this post is not about whether or not drinking alcohol is okay.  I think that anyone who would chance to read my blog already knows the answer to that.

At this point in my life I sure like things that are basic.  I like directions to be simple.

   Step one: Open the box

   Step two: Pull out the contents of the box

   Step three: Open the individually wrapped packages

Wouldn't it be easier if the Bible was like that?  If God would just list the "Thou shalt's"  separately from the "Thou shalt not's" and give us five point outlines and of course put it in large print with spacing between each line for those of us who have a hard time focusing!  Some parts of the Bible are very basic, such as, the ten commandments, the Lord's Prayer; Proverbs is pretty simple, but God has reasons for not doing that.

God likes to test people to see where their heart is.

"The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men."  Psa 11:4

We were created to bring honor and glory to God and to have fellowship with him.  God WANTS our love, but he does not demand it.  The best way to show our love to God is to obey!

John 14:21  He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.


If you really want to KNOW how God feels about something:
 
   1.  Is your heart open?
        I mean are you really searching for His heart on the matter or are you just trying to prove your own views?  If you have just "decided in your heart" what is right and what is wrong, then you have set yourself up as your own god and God will not be willing to give you His input on the matter.  If you are not seeking, you will not find.  If you are not knocking, the door will not be opened.
 
   2.  Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you.
           Of course, if you have quenched Him, He won't be much help.

   3.  Search the scriptures.

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

       This fellow did not want guideline verses, but that's exactly what he needs! THERE ARE NO GREY AREAS WITH GOD!  He has a DEFINITE will about EVERYTHING!  There are guidelines in scripture to all sorts of "controversial" issues.  Such as:

Drinking alcohol
Women's dress
Length of hair on men and women
Makeup
Spanking children
Divorce
Head coverings

I could go on and on!  Study your Bible!  I recently found a great online concordance.    Its a FREE download!  http://www.e-sword.net/  It is so awesome to just type in a word and have every verse with that word in it brought up for you!  We sure have it easy in this computer age! Get in there and study, study, study!


   4.  If you still have questions, go to your Pastor. (Not your facebook friends)

       The word pastor means shepherd.  It is his job to feed the sheep, guide and protect them.  A good pastor will not seek you out to give you his counsel, you must be willing to draw it out of him.

Pro 20:5  Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

The Bible is an Amazing book!  As the preacher I heard this week said, "I believe it, cover to cover.  Even where it says Genuine Cow Hide!"