No, Virginia, There's NOT a Santa Clause

This is a repost from 2010. Thought it beared repeating.

See these?

 

image credit

They're important to us.

And my husband and I take them very seriously.

I think (in my very personal opinion) the one thing most Christians take for granted is lying. God says lying is just as bad as killing! (please don't send me angry comments for saying this) And one of those lies is something that continues to be perpetuated with every generation... telling our children the lie of Santa. 

image by Norman Rockwell

Not only would WE be sinning by telling a lie, but we would be teaching our CHILDREN to sin and we would be taking the focus of CHRISTmas away from CHRIST.

Why would we discipline our children for lying to us and then turn around and lie to them? It makes no sense, but Christian parents everywhere are doing it. 

YES - we want our children to have the "Spirit of Christmas"... but not through a lie. We want them to rejoice in knowing that at that time of year God sent Christ into the world and made a way for all of us to receive eternal life. Doesn't that sound a little more magnanimous than getting presents from an old, overweight man? 

If our children see a movie about Santa we take the time to explain to them (as many times as it takes) that he is a fictional character, just like other movies. That it is based on a real man but that he went to Heaven a long time ago. We give presents, but it is done to remember the gifts that were given to Christ.  

For those interested, here is the origin of "Saint Nick" from http://www.stnicholascenter.org:

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th (December 19 on the Julian Calendar).

There is also the story of the Christkind (or Kris Kringle) that comes from Martin Luther, which is celebrated in Eastern Europe.

I cannot help but look at both of these men - Bishop Nicholas and Martin Luther - and think that they would be gravely disappointed in us in knowing that their sacrifices and earthly works (meant to bring glory to God) are overshadowed  by Jolly Old Saint Nick.

So please join me in overcoming myth to celebrate Christ. Let's put our children on a road to recovery and teach them what we would have them live by

I Wear a Cape

Superheroes are something from our imaginations... they are fanciful imaginings of indestructible beings we have always wanted to believe in - people of unmovable morals and an endless depth of caring for the human population.

And the super powers aren't that bad either.

We create these amazing, impossible creatures because we truly want someone that can protect us from everyone and everything without ever betraying an ounce of exasperation or lack of love.

This want begs the question: who is your child's super hero?

 image credit

Do they only believe in graphic novels and comic illustrations? Or do they tout Mommy and Daddy as the force du jour? 

I believe that we look to God for all of these qualities, but you cannot only assume that your child will do the same. God created the family structure in the same way we, Christ, the church and God are structured. We're told that a wife is married to her husband the same as Christ is married to the church. So what are the children? They are the unsaved of the church and they need to know that Christ will allows be there for them. What they learn from us determines how they will respond to Christ.

When they're truly hurt and in pain, do you comfort them and let them know everything is still right with the world? When their big sister/brother wallops them with a bat, do you jump right up and discipline the antagonist so that your child knows you will always protect them? When their Sunday School teacher insists that your child did something wrong, do you defend them without remorse (and then discover the truth in private/discipline as necessary)?

Do you set right the wrongs? Do you have an impenetrable moral code that never falters with laziness? Let your children believe in you and never doubt that you will come to their rescue.


Are you your child's real-life superhero or are they blindly searching comics for a pretend one?

Your child wants you to believe in them and defend them in every possible way. You are their GUARDIAN - trusted with the protection of their minds, hearts and bodies.

Put on a cape and let them know that a pretend superhero on paper could never compare to the HERO they have in life. Then be tickled to Georgia when you hear them telling their friends that you change into a costume every night and go save the world.

And be content in your heart with the knowledge that they'll have an understanding of how God can have an eternal and infallible love for us.

A Free Donation

I often wish that I could do more for those that do without.

We pray plenty (also free by the way)... but we normally don't have any extra money to donate or goods that we can spare to give away.

And yet I still want to show my children that we don't just talk the talk. Action means a lot and lends a lot to your testimony. And a giving heart is precisely what God wants us to have.

Believe it or not, there is a solution for a us women.
  
Our hair.

Yes, you heard that right. Our HAIR.

 now you see it

There's an organization called Locks of Love that accepts donations of hair for those that have none.

 now you don't!

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. We meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers.

They require a donation of 10 inches or more - other requirements can be seen here.

I was able to visit a salon (Great Clips) that cut and styled my hair for FREE and then sent my donation to Locks of Love for me. Talk about full service! Try calling ahead to your salon and see if they also offer this service! Who's going to turn down a free haircut???

Please consider giving this one small thing that costs you absolutely nothing. Join me in helping these children regain a sense of normalcy and dignity.

I'm Not a Keeper of My Friends, the Neighborhood, or my Church

I'm a Keeper of the Home. MY home.

Which is why I've been absent.

I've been focusing on MY family and taking a break from the internet. Facebook updates were relegated to my tablet or phone when I had the opportunity. I haven't been reading any blogs (unless they came in email format). I haven't read the news in over a month. No funny youtube videos. And certainly no perusing Target or Amazon online for sales.

The result is that after a short break for summer (and my stepson visiting) we're back into our homeschool schedule, the house is finally clean (on a somewhat regular basis), and I feel a lot calmer and well organized at the end of the day (very certain those two go hand in hand).

God didn't direct me to be a keeper of anything outside of my home and I needed a reminder of that. And yes, I believe that the internet is a way for us to leave our homes (and responsibilities). Now the beast is tamed and I'm thankful that the Holy Spirit worked so hard on me to see this.

God has a perfect plan for us women and the family structure - if we just follow it, everything will perfectly coalesce.

Have you taken an internet fast?

What Your Doctor Won't Tell You About the Pill

In a slight deviation from my normal topics, I'm writing about something that I consider very serious.

First, none of this will carry any weight with you unless your definition of a living child is not the exact moment an egg is fertilized in the fallopian tubes. I have several verses and pure science to back that up but that's another post. If you do not believe this to be true, you will get absolutely nothing out of this post. Go about your day.

Second, yes, I'm aware that the birth control pill has several other horrendous side effects and that there are tons of other types of birth control, but today I'm focusing just on the pill.

 

Image Credit

Like salvation, before I could believe, I had to have a clear understanding of the facts. I was a bc pill user for quite some time before finding out the facts that not one single doctor had given me. As with everything in life, I'm the only one to blame for accepting something without finding out the facts first. And the second I discover facts that do not coalesce with my beliefs, it is my own fault if I don't implement change.

So here's the deal... There are four types of pills:

Combination
   Monophasic
      Alesse, Beyaz, Brevicon, Demulen, Desogen, Levlen, Loestrin, Norinyl, Ortho-Cept, Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho-Novum, Yasmin, Yaz
   Biphasic
      Jenest-28, Mircette, Necon 10/11, Ortho-Novum 10/11
   Triphasic
      Ortho-Novum 7/7/8, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Tri-Levlen, Tri-Norinyl, Triphasil
Minipill
   Micronor, Nor-QD (norethindrone), Ovrette
Extended Cycle/Continued Use
   Seasonale, Seasonique, Lybrel
Emergency Contraceptives (not the "day after" pill)
   Plan B, Plan B One-Step, Ella

EACH AND EVERY ONE of these pills uses three methods to prevent "conception":


1) Preventing release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation)
2) Increases cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus
3) "Alters" the lining of the uterus, making it less "receptive" to an embryo.

My issue is with #3.

And no, you don't need to take my word for it. These are from the websites of a pill from each category (mircette did not have information on their website, theirs was taken from emedtv.com):

Ella 

Mircette 

 Nor-QD

Ortho Tri-Cyclen

Ovrette

Seasonique

 Yaz

 You may see some vague and/or scientific words to confuse the subject, but make no mistake - a fertilized egg is being prevented from attaching itself to your uterus. What all of these are saying is that if the first two don't work, you assuredly won't get pregnant because your uterine wall (endometrium) will be thinned and unreceptive to a fertilized egg. A fertilized egg requires a thick lining to attach to and that lining also becomes a part of the placenta and provides nutrition to it. 

Those that would argue against this would say that if "breakthrough" ovulation were to occur, that your reproductive system would kick into action and thicken up the uterus lining. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this and as far as I'm concerned, the risk is simply not worth the "reward".

That's my two cents. Now go have some common sense, do your own research and make up your own mind.

The Military, Living Overseas and a Failed Marriage (AKA Part One)

I visit a lot of blogs and often get frustrated that there simply isn't enough information to judge what kind of people they are... or even what kind of Christians they are (not that I'm JUDGING... but I do like to know who I'm talking to).

As I was recently having this thought, I realized that I'm a little sparse in the info area.

So here is the slightly stylized, very abbreviated story of me.

I apologize if it seems like you're reading the exploits of a mentally deranged person (these are supposed to be uplifting and encouraging, after all!) - it gets better I promise!

ADULTHOOD

 A year after graduating from high school (in Panama City, FL!) I joined the Air Force, following in my father's footsteps. I was immature, immodest, conceited, arrogant, stubborn (that one may still be in the house), and generally just not very educated about the world at large. In short, I was a teenager. 

After finishing basic training in San Antonio, TX my dad said I had a mouth like a sailor. But I had finally learned how to properly run (after throwing up a few times) and follow orders (after crying a few times).  I hear the Air Force basic training is pretty nice compared to the other services.


Then I went to technical school in Biloxi, MS where I almost didn't learn how to work on computers. Did but almost didn't. Halfway through I became much more concerned with my social life than I should have been. Just to give you a picture of how very self-focused I was.

When I completed tech school, I was assigned to Kunsan (koon-sahn) Air Base in South Korea. WHAT?!?! Yep. South Korea. I was shocked too. And I quickly found out that if you do not have a solid moral system in place, you won't keep your head above water.


Suffice it to say that I don't remember most of my first year there. Or adequately recall the names of all of my "boyfriends". I am not proud of that year and I deeply regret how I spent it... drinking, smoking and much worse stuff. I cannot ever take it back but I can and have learned from it. It's very obvious now that I was not at all prepared to be in charge of my own life... Parents: take this as a warning to prepare your children and not shelter them! (I still claim complete responsibility though)


My second year in Korea was much calmer after I became completely disillusioned with these vices (except smoking) when I witnessed my friends' drunk cavorting while I was on call (could not drink). Someone licked a floor. It was not funny. It was gross. And like me, they probably didn't even remember what they did. (that's only one example... much worse things happened).

I may have stopped all of the idiocy but everyone remembered it and, to them, I WAS still that person.

Mind you - I still dressed scantily, smoked, and hung around the same people. I spent more time in the gym, at work, and volunteering but mistakes cannot be erased just because YOU say they are.

REAL ADULTHOOD

Towards the end of my tour there, I met a complete stranger, had a handful of dates with him and felt very loved because someone treated me nicely without wanting more. He asked me to marry him and I said yes. 

Can we collectively slap our hands to our foreheads? *SMACK* Annnd done.

We came back to the states, got married, had a horribly honeymoon (don't ask) and he went back to Korea for the rest of his tour while I went to my next assignment at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, TX.

It did not go well from there. 

Apparently, you cannot actually get to know someone in a matter of weeks. The older me can look back and see that I was just at fault as he was. The younger me is wanting to make a list of everything he did wrong. He left and I have not seen him since. It took a year to get a divorce because I could not find him. Divorced.

I am forever going to be a divorced person now and I am grieved that I am a horrible example to those who know me on  how to resolve marital issues. I cannot express enough how much that distresses me. I don't want people to believe that if at first you don't succeed at marriage, try try again. If I had been this person then, it may have worked out. It's not about who they are - it's about who you are! (this does apply to abuse, obviously)

This concludes Part One, but stay tuned for Part Two... it gets really steamy. 

Kidding! But don't worry, it's only uphill from here!

A Hard Truth for the Moms

The highlight of every modern woman's life...

The fully planned calendar.

Hmm...
 

I did an in-depth study of Titus 2 women recently and learned something new.


Titus 2:4-5
 ⁴That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
 ⁵To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 

"Keepers at home" originates from the Greek oikouros. This is a compound word from oikos- house, household, family; and ouros- a guard, be “ware”, guardian, a watcher, a warden. 

 We are meant to make our home our NUMERO UNO PRIORITY. In our husband's absense, we are to watch over it just as he would. Can we do that if we are always over at friend's houses, chatting and gossiping? How about endless playdates? I'm pretty sure they didn't have extra-curricular activities back then either. Every note in every study I'm reading only has the exception: Whenever they are not called out by works of necessity, piety, and mercy.

Now, don't get your panties in a wad yet. I DO think our children need some socializing (though I'm sure our definitions are a little different). But if we're choosing quantity over quality, something is amiss.  A balance should be made here - but with the home as the PRIORITY.


Do you really believe that any home could flourish if it's keeper is not in it?



Here is another gem in Timothy on keeping the house as well...

1 Tim 5:14  
  ¹⁴I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house (oikodespotein), give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

Oikos , meaning “house” and depostes, meaning "master" unite to form the word oikodespotes. Now the Apostle Paul makes use of a verb corresponding to this noun oikodespotes, namely, “to master the house,” oikodespotein. He says, 1 Timothy 5:14, “I will that the younger women marry, bear children, oikodespotein, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” The woman has been appointed master over the home. (loosely taken from Katherine Bushnell's study)

Does this mean that a woman is free to master over those IN the house? Nope. Sorry, ladies.

I like to think that this means I have free reign over choosing wall colors and picking out rugs. (shh. don't tell my husband I said that... he likes to have a say in me not getting to "artsy")

What it may ACTUALLY mean, is that we are the Managers. Not the owners or CEO... but the down-in-the-dirt MANAGERS.


We wake up every morning (no off time for us) and punch in as on duty, the second our feet hit the floor. This is our paid-for-by-God sunrise-to-sunset JOB. 

We wipe noses, wash dishes, fold laundry, prepare meals, push swings, teach math, vacuum carpets, spoon baby food, clip coupons, potty train, break up fights... and it's all right there in the job description.  

And I thank God every day that there aren't any Powerpoint slides. = )

I've recently discovered that, if I put tennis shoes on in the house, I actually feel more like getting everything done. I suppose that's akin to people putting on a uniform or suit to go to work. Just a side note.

Welcome to your first day at work...

Today is the Day...

I've been reading a lot of blogs lately where people are complaining.

It's SOOOOO easy to complain.

I know, because I'm in that boat too.

I'm tired. The kids are getting into everything. The baby won't stop crying. I have appointments to make. The house won't stay clean. We don't have enough money for new glasses. I can't get my bible study in. The laundry piles are eating me alive!!! 

That's not hard at all. I typed those in about two seconds.

It's even more easy to let the complaints swallow you whole and sink down into the mire of just trying to survive each day. (I'm really picturing the house collapse around me and sink down into the ground)


I was getting swallowed alive by the monotony and the endless struggle I have in racing towards my pillow.

So God started leaving me clues on how to climb out.

First, our pastor talked about Christ's 1000 year reign and how we wouldn't have to struggle with our flesh anymore - it really got me to thinking about how I'm struggling directly against my flesh and the devil every single day.

Then I started coming across verses about my days.


Colossians 4:5 (KJV) Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. (seizing every opportunity)


Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (the song has been on my mind as well)


James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

 We have only been given ONE life to live. And as Christians, we should WANT (besides being required) to live it FOR God. 


All we have is today. Tomorrow is not a certainty (though eternity is). 


If I don't live this very second for Christ, I can never get it back to do over. All of my seconds before this that were wasted on me are gone now. When I was googling this morning, I was NOT spending time with my kids.

The dishes don't matter. (trust me on this one)

Worrying won't get me anywhere.

What I can do is bring glory to God with my actions.


A little less time on the computer. A little more play time with my children.

A little less time trying to keep the house clean (it just aint gonna stay that way). A little more time praying and reading God's Word.

A little less time watching tv. A little more time teaching my daughters some life skills.

See a pattern here?

A Giveaway

Giveaway: Eternal Life.

 

Mandatory Entry: Salvation.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Okay, I'm saved... What next?

 

We are told that once we are saved we will begin to live our lives for Christ. That we love Him so much that we WANT to obey. Romans12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

What can happen if you don't live your life for Christ? Jesus himself tells us that HE NEVER KNEW YOU. Meaning, if you don't love Him enough to live your life for Him, then you have not been saved! Matt 7:15-23  Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?  And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”  

How do we live our lives for Christ and show the fruit that He wants? 

We let the Holy Spirit work on us. 

Television/Music

Am I watching a tv show or listening to music that is a stumbling block to me? Does it send the wrong message to my children? Does it depict people breaking a commandment? Does it have murder, homosexuality, promiscuity, deceit...? The more we watch these things, the more desensitized to them we become. And if our children are watching them with us (even if their eyes are not on it, they take it in!) they will never believe us when we tell them these things are wrong.

Media

Am I revolving my life around the tv, internet, facebook, blog, twitter, e-mail, smart phone? We're told not to put anything before God and that is just what our media-centered culture has us doing!

Children

Am I telling my children about God throughout the day and everywhere we go? Did you know that you're supposed to? When you daughter/son asks why it is raining, do you only tell them that water evaporates into clouds and falls when heavy enough? Or do you also explain that God created that system? Do I show my children a giving, kind and patient spirit that they will grow old and display the same? 

 

Church

Do I only go to church when I feel like it or when I can? We're told not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together and to hide God's words in our hearts that we might not sin. God also established the pastor and the missionary that we might LEARN. Am I serving in church? Am I exhorting  my brothers and sisters in Christ?

 

A Christly Woman

Am I being a Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 woman? Am I modest? Do I keep my home? Do I talk about my husband to other women? Am I sober minded or have I given in to the modern, loud and boisterous woman? Am I idle or do I help where I can? Do I help add to my husband's reputation?

There are so many ways that we can evaluate our lives and ask ourselves these questions... 

I don't think there should be a checklist for living for Christ...

But if we could just apply our love for God into every area of our lives, we would start seeing that fruit.

OMG, You $*!#%!!!

Sorry for the title : )


Many Christians believe that the bible holds no guidance on using "bad words."

In fact, it's all over the bible!


I've always heard that cursing makes you look unintelligent... how true that is! Our culture has begun losing words and replacing them with the most debase and immoral form of communication known to man.



Just a funny video. I do not endorse replacing foul words with not-as-foul. The emotion is still there.

Let's start with Matthew 5:22 "... and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca (lit. vain fellow or empty head), shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool (moros, lit. stupid), shall be in danger of hell fire."

Bet you didn't think that was cursing, did you? I take this to mean that if we make light of someone, we're in danger of slander... but when we make a malicious, bitter, damning statement, we are in danger of hell ourselves. I do not believe that we can lose our salvation, but I do believe that if you can be so bitter towards your fellow man, there is a chance that you are not saved.

The ten commandments themselves tell us not to take the Lord's name in vain, and yet all over the country (world, even) people are joining pop culture in o.m.g. Did you really think it meant something else? I go to the store and hear Jesus Christ... but not because they're Christian. I hear little kids with their OH GAWD. And apparently now people can order God to damn things. I've gone a step further by trying not to say Oh My GOSH because it's so easy to slip and say God.


Cursing itself (using a profane word as an exclamation), in my humble opinion, gradually wears down the spirit of the person saying it (not to mention the testimony of said person). 


Foul language tears down, destroys, and desecrates the dignity of the person saying it and that of the person it is being used against. Over and over again, the bible refers to the tongue as the culprit... the flesh is our weakness! If you can see that as the truth, then realize that cursing (and the owner thereof) are motivated by SIN.


Bring on the proof!
If you need more than this, then you don't really believe that God governs your life... I do recall that there need be only two-three illustrations for it to be considered fact, yes?

Psalms 10:7 "His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity." (cursing is aligned with liars and cheats!)

Psalms 59:12 "For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak." (again aligned with lying)

Psalms 109:17 "As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him."


1 Peter 2:1 "Wherefore laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and cries and all evil speakings."

Proverbs 15:4: "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness therein is a breach of the spirit."

Matthew 12:36-37: "I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." 

Luke 6:45 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." (what's in YOUR heart?)

Romans 3:13-18 "¹³Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: ¹⁴Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: ¹⁵Their feet are swift to shed blood: ¹⁶Destruction and misery are in their ways: ¹⁷And the way of peace have they not known: ¹⁸There is no fear of God before their eyes." (look at the kinds of people God is comparing cursers to)

Romans 12:14 "Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not."

Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."

Colossians 3:8 “But now you must put away anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths."

2 Cor. 10:10 “For someone will say, "His letters are severe and forceful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.” 

Titus 2:6-8 "⁶Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. ⁷In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, ⁸Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you."

1 Peter 1:15 "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;"
 
1 Peter 3:10 "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:"

James 3:6 "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell."

  James 3:9-12 "⁹Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. ¹⁰Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. ¹¹Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? ¹²Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
There is a way to stop, if you don't know how!

One of the sweetest verses in the bible:

1 Corinthians 10:13 ¹³There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

This is not a step program, it's God's program. Lean on Him and you can do it 

Pray unceasingly

Hide these verses in your heart

Repent immediately when you fall

Praise God for milestones of success in quitting

The Harried Mother

That's me. The Harried Mother.

Don't get me wrong - we have our good days. Today was not one... I cleaned the family room twice today. The girls also cleaned it once. There are dishes in the sink. There are clothes in the washer and dryer that have no hope of seeing daylight today. There is flour on the counter. The toddler is not wearing clothing. There are generally toys littering every surface. I'm pretty sure that's a piece of brownie on the floor. *sigh*

I read in Debi Pearl's Created to be His Helpmeet that we need to prioritize. If the children are fed, healthy, schooled and dressed (not so much in this case) then you need to stop worrying about the house being clean and just let it go for today. If you don't, the kids will have an angry, worrying, clean off-the-rocker mama on their hands. I decided awhile ago that I can just give my frustration over to God and change my standards a little.

I'm not talking about doing this every day or letting everything go - usually I'm *mostly* organized. But if you know that you're going to have a melt-down if you try to do everything, just take a break. Call your husband before he gets home to warn him of the destruction that awaits. "Please, honey, just pretend like a tornado did not rip through our house."

Christian women are NOT perfect. Hence the reason for needing Christ. We shouldn't pretend to each other that we are - the ONLY solution I have for not going crazy at the end of the day is to lean on God. Little organizing things I do might help but ultimately, that is the only answer.

Turning to God is not easy when you don't do it all of the time. It took our roof falling in, our son AND daughter almost dying and a slew of small problems before I started saying a prayer with every breath and asking God for help with EVERYTHING. We need to trust in God's plan and accept when it doesn't line up with ours. 

After that, some dirty dishes just seem a little insignificant.

Do You Wear Your Underwear in Public?

Do you?

Why not?

Because it would be inappropriate? Because there are laws against public nudity? Because only your husband/wife should see you in your underwear? Because you don't want anyone to see your fat?

If you wouldn't wear your underwear in public... why would it be okay to wear a swimsuit to the beach?

I have, in fact, seen swimsuits that are MORE revealing than underwear... so why are people wearing them? 

Here's what God has to say about modesty: 1 Tim 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

Considering those instructions for women, is a swimsuit in ANY way modest?

I was saved for around a year before our pastor made a comment that got to me... he said "If you wouldn't wear something in church, why would you wear it elsewhere?" 

My first response was "But the BEACH is different" as I'm sure someone else is thinking right now. You wear the appropriate dress for a location, right?

So who says it has to be practically naked? 

Everyone's definition of modesty is different... to swim, I would wear a one-piece swimsuit (with no chest showing) and board shorts.

I just try (put some pots out to catch the sarcasm here) not to worry about my tan lines... And as for my three girls, they wear rashguard now - not "cute" little baby bikinis. They're going to have plenty of time to fight off the world trying to sexualize them... I think I'll give them a break for now.

I couldn't post of picture of the little girls in the bikinis... it just makes me sick. Go here if you're trying to convince yourself it's cute. It's not. It's exploitation and sexing up BABIES. The porn industry has enough business without our contribution. Trust me.

In addition to modesty, worry about the example you're setting for your children, the stumbling block you would be to other Christians and the testimony you're giving to the unsaved.

No, Virginia, There's Not a Santa Claus

See these?

 

image credit

They're important to us.

And my husband and I take them very seriously.

I think (in my very personal opinion) the one thing most Christians take for granted is lying. God says lying is just as bad as killing! (please don't send me angry comments for saying this) And one of those lies is something that continues to be perpetuated with every generation... telling our children the lie of Santa. 

image by Norman Rockwell

Not only would WE be sinning by telling a lie, but we would be teaching our CHILDREN to sin and we would be taking the focus of CHRISTmas away from CHRIST.

Why would we discipline our children for lying to us and then turn around and lie to them? It makes no sense, but Christian parents everywhere are doing it. 

YES - we want our children to have the "Spirit of Christmas"... but not through a lie. We want them to rejoice in knowing that at that time of year God sent Christ into the world and made a way for all of us to receive eternal life. Doesn't that sound a little more magnanimous than getting presents from an old, overweight man? 

If our children see a movie about Santa we take the time to explain to them (as many times as it takes) that he is a fictional character, just like other movies. That it is based on a real man but that he went to Heaven a long time ago. We give presents, but it is done to remember the gifts that were given to Christ.  

For those interested, here is the origin of "Saint Nick" from http://www.stnicholascenter.org:

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th (December 19 on the Julian Calendar).

There is also the story of the Christkind (or Kris Kringle) that comes from Martin Luther, which is celebrated in Eastern Europe.

I cannot help but look at both of these men - Bishop Nicholas and Martin Luther - and think that they would be gravely disappointed in us in knowing that their sacrifices and earthly works (meant to bring glory to God) are overshadowed  by Jolly Old Saint Nick.

So please join me in overcoming myth to celebrate Christ. Let's put our children on a road to recovery and teach them what we would have them live by.