"Stay Out of My Sweetpeas!"

  

     A few weeks ago, my wonderful, industrious husband made a rain-barrel out of an old garbage can to help us save a little bit of money when it comes to watering the garden.  I decided to put my unused trellis in front of it and transplant some flowering sweet-peas.  We have a patch of them that grows along the fence in the back yard.  I went back to the patch and sure enough, little green shoots were starting to poke up!  I knew they would be just the thing to climb the trellis and hide the unsightly, although thrifty, rain-barrel.

     I carefully tended my little shoots for a whole week, watering them when it was dry, checking their progress, shooing the kids away, and coaxing them up the trellis.  I was quite happy with how well they were doing!  One day, I went back to see how the big patch of sweet-peas was coming along.  As I got a little closer I burst out with a belly-laugh.  What I had thought were sweet-pea sprouts were in fact a climbing WEED!  My real sweet-peas were just starting to show themselves!  My husband also enjoyed a good laugh at my expense...apparently he had discovered my blunder that morning.  I wonder how long he would have waited to tell me!

     It caused me to think of times in my younger years when I saw something (such as a friendship, or dating relationship) that I thought would be good.  I thought of all the time and effort I spent cultivating those relationships which only served to suck my energy dry, drain my emotions and distract me from the things that were most important; like my walk with God, or pleasing my parents.  There are other types of "weeds" I deal with, even now.  "Weeds" called bad attitudes, discontentment, pride, and others.  Sometimes I plant these weeds in my life on purpose; sometimes they blow in with the wind and catch me unawares.  I am thankful for a Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit who whispers to me, "You need to pull the weeds!"

This is the type of weed I carefully tended for over a week!

Lucky!

Last week our family was rushing out the door for our mid-week church service.  As our oldest daughter, Lillian, age five, ran out the door, the screen door caught her foot and she went flying over the edge of the porch.  My husband said she amazingly regained her footing and landed on her feet almost like a gymnist!  He looked at her and said, "Girl, you're lucky!"

A few minutes later, my husband was buckling the kids in their seats, and Lillian asks, "Daddy, what is 'lucky?'"

He gave her a simple, but profound answer.  "Lucky means God was GOOD to you."

I know that there are many god-fearing people out there who ban the word luck from their vocabulary, but when you state it that way, then yes, I am lucky...and God is good!

"That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:45

Good things happen to good people and bad things happen to good people.  But, don't you find it amazing that good things also happen to the unjust, or unsaved, people?  Why is that?  Because God loves them too! And he is GOOD to all!

I AM LUCKY!  I feel like He has been extra good to me.  He spoils me!  If you stop to look at your life, you'll find he spoils you too!  A few weeks ago I was introduced to this amazing song and I'd like to share the lyrics with you.

I Have Been Blessed
by Michael Compton
 

When He moves among us—all that He does,
All of His mercy—all of His love,
If the pen of a writer, could write everyday—
Even this world could never contain—How I’ve been blessed.

Warmth in the winter—Flowers in spring.
Laughter of summer, the changing of leaves,
Food on my table, and a good place to sleep
Clothes on my back and shoes on my feet
I have been blessed.

I have been blessed, God’s so good to me
Precious are His thoughts of you and me
No way I can count them, There’s not enough time
So I’ll just thank Him for being so kind
God has been good, so good
I have been blessed.

Arms that will raise—a voice that can talk,
Hands that can touch, legs that can walk,
Ears that can listen—eyes that can see
I’ve got to praise Him as long as I breathe
I have been blessed

A mother and father—nurtured and raised
Sisters and brothers—memories made
Our pastor to lead us—this altar to pray
Stripes that heal—the blood that still saves
I have been blessed.

I have been blessed, God’s so good to me
Precious are His thoughts of you and me
No way I can count them, There’s not enough time
So I’ll just thank Him for being so kind
God has been good, so good
I have been blessed.

We live in a country—the greatest on earth
Where the flag stands for freedom and what it is worth
She stands in a harbor—Miss Liberty calls
All have given some, but some gave it all
So we could blessed.

He’s my shoulder to lean on—when I am down
The Rock where He leads me when I’m overwhelmed
The place where He hides me under His wings—He’s not just a song
He’s the reason I sing—I have been blessed.

I have been blessed, God’s so good to me
Precious are His thoughts of you and me
No way I can count them, There’s not enough time
So I’ll just thank Him for being so kind
God has been good, so good
I have been blessed.

 

 

Yes, I'm lucky, I'm BLESSED!

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!