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

OWS Demands in Layman's Terms

With all of the Occupy stuff going on (or should I say "people illegally camping on and destroying public property at the expense of local business owners, while costing local government $$$ in cleanup") there has been a lot of confusion in what they actually want... so I just wanted to break their agenda down into layman's terms for us all.

1) They chose to go to school, knowing full well what the expenses would be, accepting a loan based on the lender's terms, AND NOW WANT THEIR DEBT ERASED.

2) For those that have not taken the time to learn a trade, they want minimum wage to be increased so that they can HAVE THE SAME INCOME AS PEOPLE WHO HAVE STRUGGLED AND PUT FORTH THE EFFORT TO IMPROVE THEMSELVES.

3) After signing all of the papers to purchase a house, reviewing the costs with a lender and completely understanding that if they cannot make payments, their house will be foreclosed on, they want to KEEP THEIR HOUSE IN SPITE OF THEIR IRRESPONSIBILITY. And even though EVERYONE is struggling in this down-turned economy (even business owners who have to layoff a small percentage of employees in order to pay the remaining ones) they want all layoffs to stop, possibly tanking the entire business, but they would KEEP THEIR JOB AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS.

4) Repeal racist and xenophobic English-only laws... I really have no idea what this refers to. Every law in the US is in the best interest of every AMERICAN. The law doesn't care what race or nationality you are - they are simply written FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

5) We are to open our borders completely to other countries, EVEN THOUGH MANY WANT TO TERRORIZE US, KILL US, AND ABUSE OUR MANY GOVERNMENT SUPPORT SYSTEMS. People who are in the US illegally (against the LAW) are to be REWARDED FOR THEIR LAW-BREAKING WITH COMPLETE AMNESTY.

6) Create a universal health care system, EFFECTIVELY RUNNING ALL PRIVATE HEALTH CARE OUT OF BUSINESS (removing most of their business and forcing them to raise their prices so high that no one can afford them) AND EITHER LOWERING THE STANDARD OF HEALTHCARE OR LOWERING THE WAGES OF ALL HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS (why would anyone work so hard and attend school for so long if the end result isn't worth the effort?) SO THE GOVERNMENT CAN AFFORD TO PAY FOR EVERYONE.

7) Regulate campaign financing, so that EVERYONE PAYS FOR EVERYONE CAMPAIGNING, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT WE PERSONALLY SUPPORT THEM.

8) Institute a negative income tax that taxes the very rich up to 90% of their income, SO THAT THEY'RE UNABLE TO SUPPORT THE COMPANIES THAT MAKE ALL OF THAT MONEY (and the workers that come with the companies), REWARDING THEM FOR ALL OF THE HARD WORK, EFFORT, INGENUITY, INTELLIGENCE, AND SACRIFICE IT TOOK THEM TO MAKE THAT MONEY. Oh... and those taxes will support people that have extremely low incomes SO THAT WE CAN CHOOSE TO WORK LOW HOURS OR AT A LOW SKILL JOB AND STILL MAKE WHAT MORE HARD-WORKING PEOPLE DO. Awesome.

9) Pass far stricter environmental protection and animal rights laws BECAUSE WE DON'T ACTUALLY NEED NATURAL RESOURCES AND ANIMALS REALLY ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN PEOPLE. We currently have fantastic laws to protect resources that have been depleted (not to mention we're not allowed to touch most of them that are plentiful) and it's ILLEGAL to harm domesticated or endangered animals - I suppose they want everyone to be a vegetarian... ?

10) Allow workers to elect their supervisors, because WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF MONEY LEAVES AND CANDY RAINDROPS. I only have sarcasm for those who don't choose to live in the real world.

11) Lower the retirement age to 55 and increase Social Security benefits so that WE CAN BE LAZY, DEPENDENT, UNWILLING TO PROVIDE FOR OURSELVES, AND A COMPLETE WASTE OF LIFE (in my humble opinion) WHEN FULLY CAPABLE OF WORKING.

12) Create a 5% annual wealth tax for the very rich. REALLY... AGAIN? SO THAT'S 95% OF THE WEALTHY'S WAGES?

13) Ban the private ownership of land... I can only assume this is out of jealousy. As in, if I can't have it, no one can. Or maybe they just got bored making their demands and decided to get a little creative. Who knows. We own land. JUST TRY AND TAKE IT FROM ME.

14) Make homeschooling illegal. Even though homeschoolers notoriously outperform public school students, have higher moral and familial values, and become more productive members of society "RELIGIOUS FANATICS USE IT TO FEED THEIR CHILDREN PROPAGANDA." WHICH IS NEVER WHAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS WOULD DO... Hello Obama worship. I teach my kids about God. You teach them about everything but. Let's just leave it at that.

15) Reduce the age of majority to 16. BECAUSE WE NEED MORE IRRESPONSIBLE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS SUPPORTING, THE WEALTHY ARE FUNDING, AND OWS APPLAUDS.

16) Abolish the death penalty and life in prison. We call for the immediate release of all death row inmates from death row and transferred to regular prisons. I ACTUALLY AGREE WITH THIS ONE. EXCEPT INSTEAD OF PRISON, LET'S MOVE THEM TO YOUR HOUSE, GIVE YOU A GUN, AND SEE HOW LONG IT IS BEFORE YOU USE IT. Psychopaths and serial killers cannot be reformed with punishment. And unless you're going to give up some of your hard earned minimum wage or taxpayer money to fund them being in prison, to the electric chair it is. If you take lives for pleasure, what right do you have to your own?

17) Release all political prisoners. Where? In China? South America? Oh, the US? I sincerely hope they're not referring to terrorists. Or perhaps Bradley Manning, the traitor. AGAIN, TO YOUR HOUSE THEY GO.

18) Immediate withdrawal from Iraq and Afghanistan. I actually understand this - from the viewpoint of someone who has never served in the armed forces. Taxpayer money that could be going into their pocket is going over to help people in another country that live like heathens and really just keep fighting amongst themselves for a chance at 72 virgins. EXCEPT THAT THOSE BEING FORCED TO LIVE IN THOSE CONDITIONS ARE ACTUALLY ASKING FOR OUR HELP. OWS would know that if they didn't only watch CNN and MSNBC. AND WE'RE HELPING THESE PEOPLE ESTABLISH A WAY OF LIFE IN WHICH THEY CAN BE FREE TO WORK AND PROVIDE FOR THEMSELVES WITHOUT ENDANGERMENT. But they wouldn't care about that, right?

19) Abolish the debt limit. HA! Who cares, right? It's not your money. But how will the government support you if there's no money? SOMEONE'S A LITTLE CONFUSED.

20) Ban private gun ownership. SO THEY CAN TAKE MY LAND AND MONEY? Don't worry - I homeschool, remember? That means we believe in God... so I won't kill you. Shoot you in the leg maybe...

21) Strengthen the separation of church and state. BECAUSE GOD SCARES THEM. THE THOUGHT OF ANYONE BEING SO MORAL AND USING THOSE MORALS TO DETERMINE THEIR FATE WITH A MORAL LAW SCARES THE PANTS OFF OF THEM. But if we're going to really separate ALL churches, they'll have to give up all the other religions they're allowing in schools. JUST TO BE FAIR.

22) Immediate debt forgiveness for all. That sounds fantastic. A clean slate for all. Until a year from now when they're in over their heads again and I'm still debt free. IT'S ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY. WHAT KIND OF PERSON ARE YOU IF CANNOT HONOR YOUR DEBTS? KEEP YOUR PROMISES? Gambling addicts have this problem too... but their loan sharks beat their knee caps in.

23) End the "War on Drugs". Does this mean stop arresting drug dealers? Legalize drugs? Close down the DEA? MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKETS AND FREE-REIGN USE OF DRUGS?

24) And their SHINING JEWEL - Repeal the Taft-Hartley Act (which monitors unions and prevents them from abusing their power) and unionize ALL workers. There really aren't adequate words... but I'll try. For starters, they want to TAKE AWAY THE PERSONAL RIGHT AND LIBERTY OF EMPLOYEES TO CHOOSE FOR THEMSELVES WHO THEY'LL ALLY THEMSELVES WITH. They also want to unions to have the power to make any kind of demand that they want to without any regulation, ESSENTIALLY HOLDING COMPANIES HOSTAGE - NO WORKERS/PROFIT WITHOUT ALWAYS GIVING INTO THEIR DEMANDS.

And that's it. I sincerely hope this helps you have a better understanding of this group of young people and their humble requests.

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?

An End in Sight

It seems like every day I clean up the same messes... I'm always disciplining the kids for the same things... the laundry and dishes are forming mountains on top of me... I only get to eat after everyone has had seconds and my food is cold (and it gets shared with the toddler)...


With all of this... it just seemed never-ending. I've been more than happy to sacrifice my time for my family... but I was secretly hoping that there was an end to it (who doesn't?). I've had several older women tell me that it isn't always like this... but I didn't believe them : )

Finally - there is an end!

 Recently we had Old Fashioned Day at church with a potluck afterwards. There I was in line, juggling and serving three plates, while my husband mercifully controlled our three girls (the baby was asleep)... and all I'm thinking about is how I won't get to eat until after I come back and get plates for my husband and I then go take two trips to get everyone drinks. Thankfully, some kind person offered to get the kids drinks for my husband while I was gone. What a relief to know that my mind won't always be centered on such things.

My oldest is turning 6 soon and is certainly showing signs of getting older. She has started helping (of her own accord) with the dishes, laundry and straightening up. I do give the kids chores and they do help... but they're children and not capable of handling any significant work.

A few days ago, while I was feeding the baby, my oldest opens up the dishwasher and puts away the dishes.  You can imagine my pleasant surprise! Several instances like this have been popping and and wowing me.

It's one thing to hear that things are going to get better... it's another to SEE it. 

 It's been like a second wind to my Mom Hat.

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.

Something Daring

I've done something daring.

I realized that I still had preconceptions about homeschooling.

And I threw them away.

I was still viewing homeschool as the ordered process that "the state" has dictated for children everywhere. And ultimately forgetting our main reason for homeschooling - as parents, we know better than the state.

I spent most of our last school year feeling horribly guilty for missing so many days because of how my pregnancy was going. So guilty in fact that I had lost all motivation by the time we started this school year.

With much praying, talking to other homeschool parents and reading some great homeschool blogs  I started understanding that this is our life. Homeschool is not something you do for a few hours a day... it's a day-long process and a way of life. When I take my five year old shopping, I have her pick out the less expensive toothbrush, my three year old measures ingredients and my two year old is already learning chores (the baby gets to watch all of this). I was thinking that I had failed in teaching if we missed a day after the baby kept me up all night... but I was still teaching them life lessons. 

After coming to grips with this... I did a 180 and cleared all of the dates from our lesson plan.

Now if we're a week behind who's going to know (or care)? If school runs into the summer - GOOD - the kids will have something to occupy their time! 

So this school year will be a little less stressful, maybe a litttle more fun and maybe I'll pay more attention the next time I try making a problem where there wasn't one before...
 

Learning a lesson I already knew

Romans 5:3-5
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

I have been meditating on this verse since I found it in my Romans study recently... isn't it nice how God gives us things to comfort us?  

We had several things happen to us in the last few months...

It started with everything going much better than it had been - we had some tight finances before and were unable to fly my stepson here for the summer and were generally just breaking even.

Then everything started getting better... we started planning more renovations on our house and even wanted to put our 5-yr old in a taekwondo class. (this was just the week before everything happened)

But our plans aren't God's plans.

This is what June alone looked like for us...

1. My husband's job was bought out by another company and he was given a HUGE demotion and a HUGE pay DEcrease. And it was either take this offer or be out on the curb with no prospects at all...  so we took the awful offer. And it was awful...
   
   
2. To the point that we're going to have to sell his motorcycle.
   
   
3. This happened while we're trying to pay medical bills from having our son...
   
   
   
   
   
4. Then our *almost* 2 yr old daughter falls out of the grocery cart at WalMart and suffers a concussion. (Yes I'm still kicking myself over this) We were in the hospital for two days just praying over her while my sister (who by a great blessing was visiting) stayed with our other kids at home. I really do believe that God answered prayers and made her well again. But her hospital stay made more medical bills... Don't get me wrong - we're still praising God that she's okay - but bills that are more than my husband's paycheck make even us falter.
   
   
5. And just after she recovers from this, all three of our daughters come down with hand, foot and mouth disease. We practically quarantined our daughters from our 6 wk old son... and, of course, it's the same daughter that had a concussion that has it worst.
   
   
   
   
   
6. And THEN, just as we're getting ready to take my sister to the airport to go home, part of our CEILING caves in (from a clogged HVAC unit that ran over into the ductwork and drowned the ceiling). Yes, that was  another bill and there are still repairs to be made. At this point, I was just... "Really?" My husband and I were seeing this for what it was BY NOW and right after it happened we got on our knees and were praying with everything we had. 

 I think that was what God really wanted from all of this... to bring us closer to Him. Isn't that amazing that He works so actively in our lives??? Looking back on it, I bet He was smiling over how our first reaction was to take each other's hands and drop down to the floor.

Before all of this happened, the memorization verse on my fridge was James 1:2-3:

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

But I don't think I was seeing the whole picture... 

Which is why it was like a thunderclap when I read Romans 5:3-5

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

I have had this hope all along and I just wasn't employing it correctly. When any Christian goes through tribulations, we have the most awesome contender in our corner... and I should have remembered that through everything that happened. I was praying... but it was more of a "woe is me" praying... you know, "Lord, please get us out of this"... instead of "Lord I have faith that you will see us through this."

God will provide for us and He will comfort us.

I have HOPE because of HIM

If you don't know Christ, I pray that you will see that He is the answer to every question. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (not a one of us is good enough for Him). 24 Being justified freely (because we haven't earned it) by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (the price for sins) through faith in his blood (faith in Christ), to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.

Our Own Little Miracle

On May 4th dh and I welcomed our first son into this world... 6lb10oz of pure cuteness. After three girls with tons of frills, pink, bows, dolls, and no shortage of giggling, you can imagine my awe and trepidation over having a son. I am finally brought up to speed on what my husband has been through - I'm sure he appreciates my long lost empathy = )

While a new life is definitely a miracle, that isn't what my title was referring to. Our miracle (also referred to as PART ONE) from our One True God in the Highest started back in August of 2009 (yes, 9 months before May 4th...).

Dh and I were very happy with our three girls, ages 1, 3, and 5 and had decided all on our OWN to hold off on having any more children. We wanted at least a three year break instead of the two years in between our girls. Well, we should have realized then that we were missing a step... We forgot to ask God for His take on all this. Do you know what Christian means? It's a person who follows the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Now how on earth can we call ourselves Christians if we're not actually willing to follow Him? It was at this, one of our lower points, that God started a great work on us... we found out we were having our fourth child. The miracle at this point was that we were using birth control... doctors would say that I just happen to fall in the 1% that conceives while using bc - but we know better.

After the initial shock wore off (about two weeks later) we realized that we had just been kicked in the behinds by the Almighty Himself. NOTHING is in our control. Just like Job, anything can happen at any time, and we were foolish to believe that we had control over whether or not a new life came into existence. What I came to believe is that the Lord does things to pull us closer to Him.

Can you imagine? You and your husband sit down and logically discuss an important change in your lives and you come to an amiable decision. And then you're both turned out on your backsides. Not only was your decision the wrong one, but you didn't even ask the One who REALLY makes the decisions. Yes, we have free will - but as Christians, we gave God our word that we would ask Him first... and we failed. And did it ever draw us closer to God.

Here comes PART TWO - my husband separated from the Air Force. About half a year before his separation date, he was putting resumes out and talking to job scouts. Everything looked very good for us. And then things started looking not so good. Most of the offers he received were for jobs that payed less than his current job and would not support our mortgage. So he kept putting the resumes out and calling people and going to job fairs... and a big. fat. zip.

About the time we realized that we may be homeless soon, we found out we were pregnant (remember, the kick in the behind?)... and the soul-seeking that God had us doing over that made us understand that we weren't trusting Him with this either. Back to the drawing board, people. We whole-heartedly put our faith in God (even though we DID have to keep giving each other reminders) and played the waiting game. Right down to the wire, just mere weeks before his separation date, dh snags the eye of a great company. Of course, that wasn't the end... they had to go through all sorts of hoops before actually telling him that he was hired. But it was okay. Because we have Jehovah Jireh (the Lord who provides).

*cue the uplifting happy music*

Then we got MORE good news - God had given us a BOY. After three girls, you have no idea how good that news was to hear. Not that we don't appreciate our girls, but your start wondering what a boy would look like after a while.

When we found out that we were pregnant with dd2, we had a girl and a boy name picked out... so we got it out of storage and dusted it off and we still liked it. But then the old globe got to thinking... shouldn't we give him a name to reflect the events surrounding his conception? I don't know... maybe something that means... well, how about God's gift? Yeah, honey, that's a great idea...

Would you like to know which name means God's gift? Nathaniel.

Would you like to know which name we had picked out back in 2006? Nathaniel.

We were happily surprised to still see God's hand at work. And we thanked Him again for being in our lives.

Which leads us on down to PART THREE - the birth. Don't worry, I'm not going to talk about ALL the details. Unless the word placenta makes you nauseous. = ) For starters, my resolve to not use any drugs for the delivery was severely tested when the labor got up to 36 hours. WHAT? Yes, 36 hours. You heard me right. Boys are so ornery, aren't they? He was over a week early and buddy was I ready... Once he figured out where the light was, he came out in one contraction, with a push for the head and another for his body. He actually shot right out and the doc had to catch him. If I had known that was going to happen, I *might* have conceded to a video camera. = )

Here's the interesting part... ever seen a placenta? Me either, three weeks ago. I had never wanted to see one and I can only assume that God wanted us to see it... because I don't think I would have asked otherwise. So I asked the doc if I could have a look and he brings it over. He shows me the backside, the part that attaches to the uterus (me) and it looks like a pink pancake. Alright, no big deal. Then he turns it over and says "And this is the part that the baby is in" *pulls up thin membrane pocket thing* "Oh my word."

Is that really something you want a doctor to say?

Apparently, this is what a placenta is supposed  to look like (don't throw up).

See the cord hanging out? That's attached to the middle of the placenta, where it should be.

And this is kind of what my son's placenta looked like.

The cord was attached to the top of the membrane. This is an abnormality called velamentous insertion. This abnormality only occurs in... WAIT FOR IT... 1.1% of single-child pregnancies. How do we keep ending up in that 1% ? Oh yeah...

Then we got the pants scared off of us - over half of the babies in a placenta with this abnormality (that is not discovered) are stillborn. IF the small veins running to the cord through the membranes had not been adequate, our son would have not developed properly, if at all. IF the cord had been pressed between his head and the birth canal, he would have been deprived of oxygen and died (Thank the LORD that his head didn't engage until the VERY SECOND I pushed). IF the placenta had ruptured closer to the cord than what it did... you get the idea. God meant for our son to be born. We were awed and amazed and completely struck with wonder that God would grace us with another miracle. 

He is truly God's gift and we were fools to ever think we could decide the time he was to be born. God has truly drawn us closer to Him and I can lastingly say - lesson learned.