Luke 13: 6-9
6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’
8 “‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”
There are times in life when we feel like we aren't accomplishing much for the Lord. Maybe we feel we don't even know what we are supposed to be doing to serve the Lord. We can pray and pray and seemingly receive no answer and so feel discouraged and heavily burdened. As a mom, often stuck at home with six small kids, this isn't a hard place to find myself. I know my service to the Lord begins with my care for my family and that's a good thing. But it's sometimes not a very fulfilling job. You don't get a thank you very often. You don't see results quickly and the day to day can get pretty mundane. It's not hard to try to look outside of where I've been placed to see if anything else might fulfill me and pretty soon my days are filled with activities and assignments that end up stressing more than fulfilling.
Jesus is reminding me, and you, that he takes care of us in those times where we feel a lack of productivity. He is not willing to cut us down quickly but instead, fills us, prunes us, and feeds us, so that we might produce fruit for his kingdom. He is patient and tends to us with utmost care and tenderness so that instead of feeling discouraged or weighed down with worries we can experience hope and anticipation in a time of drought. In those places in our lives, he is not leaving us alone or making us figure it out under our own power; he is spending more time with us than ever, molding and shaping us to produce the fruit he intended us to produce.
When we feel discouraged or heavily burdened we can lift those confidently to the Lord, knowing he is able and willing to take it from us. For he has promised his yoke is easy and his burden is light and we should carry his burden, not the world's. We need to be willing to allow the pruning and molding, surrendering all that we can't handle, which is everything. And when we humble ourselves and surrender, then he is made strong and will do wonderful things in our lives.
And when we feel as though he isn't hearing our cries for help, we need to stop and look closer. If we cry out to him that we feel alone and then a friend calls to chat, he has just answered that prayer. If we cry out that we feel burdened by things of this world and then read his word and he gives you a verse like this: Luke12: 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well, realize he just answered that prayer. They may seem like small answers and won't necessarily solve everything all at once, but he's reminding us that he loves us and hears us and is working something in our lives for his glory and good. So, trust him whether your days are light and filled with joy or difficult and filled with worry, because in trusting we acknowledge that he is stronger and greater and knows better. And by doing that we can allow him to dig around us and fertilize us, preparing us for bearing fruit sometime in the near future.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
If You Give a Kid a Spring Day
If you give a kid a spring day, they will want a bike to go with it. So, they will rummage around in the garage and take out every wheeled thing (minus the van). They will ride up and down the streets. Riding to the top of the hill they will see the weeds they used to hike around in before there was snow. So they will drop their bikes somewhere in the neighborhood to be collected later and head into the weeds. Wandering around in the weeds will make them remember all the snow that used to cover everything. Remembering the snow will remind them that it has melted leaving huge puddles. So, they will come inside to shed their tennis shoes and don their rain boots. They will head back outside to jump in the puddles until they are soaked from head to toe and laughing happily together. Laughing and having this much fun will remind them of how fun it is to swing. Now that the swings are no longer frozen to the ground and have been rehung they will quickly head over to the swingset. All four big kids will hop on a swing and get as high as they can all at the same time, causing the beam to sway and bow as they laugh and enjoy the butterflies in their stomachs. Getting butterflies in their stomachs will remind them of how much fun it is to ride their bikes as fast as they can down the hill so they will quickly run through the house dropping rain boots and putting on tennis shoes and head out the front once again. They will make sure to take a different wheeled item from the yard because they all need to be ridden in one day. Riding as hard and fast as they can down the hill with the wind blowing in their faces will make them forget completely that they were ever stuck inside for five long months waiting for this perfect spring day.
And that's what happens when you give a kid a spring day.
And that's what happens when you give a kid a spring day.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Provision
These last couple of months have been very difficult financially for us. We used up our savings in January to help pay for our mortgage. We've always used savings as a sort of second income, drawing from it each month to make it by. Well we had some unexpected expenses and found ourselves a couple months short, before the tax return would come in.
As we pondered this issue and realized there was no possible way to make that amount of money before our next payment in February was due, we started to pray. Not just simple prayers, but heartfelt cries to God. We found scripture promising he would take care of us and meditated on that as we prayed. Each moment of my day was filled with quiet prayers, asking God to provide just what we need. We also asked a few close friends to pray with us, knowing they would lift us up to Him.
Within a week of praying we received a monetary gift, more than half of what we would need for February. A week later we received another, the exact amount left that we needed! I was on my knees when that check came, crying, laughing, and praising Him from whom all blessings flow. My kids wondered if I'd gone off the deep end. "You okay, Mama?" "Don't worry", I told them, "Mama's happy not sad, these are happy tears."
I called Andrew to tell him what happened and he was completely speechless. We were in awe of God's greatness. He, who made the heavens and the earth and everything on the earth, cared enough about our little problem to show up big time and provide in a great way! He cared so much he provided down to the very last dollar.
As we praised him and thanked him, we continued to pray for our March payment. Once again we were short, but this time it was a different sort of prayer. I wasn't crying out to God in my fear and nervousness, my stress level high and constantly wondering what was going to happen. This time I prayed with a sense of contentment and assurance. I knew, just knew, that He would do it again. Maybe not the same way, but I had complete confidence in my Lord. In fact, I often just said, "Thank you for providing what we need for March" even though he hadn't yet done anything.
Although I knew he would give us exactly what we needed, I was still surprised when yet another anonymous gift came to us. Half of our March payment! What a great God we serve! And just this week, we received the last half that we needed.
Not once did we have to borrow or ask others for money. Not once did we have to get behind on payments! Our God did exactly what He is so good at doing. He took care of those who love him!
These last two months haven't been easy. Our emotions and our doubts have at times taken over. But standing in this place, looking back, I can say it was well worth the trial. Our faith has been dramatically deepened, not because of anything we did, but all because of our great God and his works!
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
As we pondered this issue and realized there was no possible way to make that amount of money before our next payment in February was due, we started to pray. Not just simple prayers, but heartfelt cries to God. We found scripture promising he would take care of us and meditated on that as we prayed. Each moment of my day was filled with quiet prayers, asking God to provide just what we need. We also asked a few close friends to pray with us, knowing they would lift us up to Him.
Within a week of praying we received a monetary gift, more than half of what we would need for February. A week later we received another, the exact amount left that we needed! I was on my knees when that check came, crying, laughing, and praising Him from whom all blessings flow. My kids wondered if I'd gone off the deep end. "You okay, Mama?" "Don't worry", I told them, "Mama's happy not sad, these are happy tears."
I called Andrew to tell him what happened and he was completely speechless. We were in awe of God's greatness. He, who made the heavens and the earth and everything on the earth, cared enough about our little problem to show up big time and provide in a great way! He cared so much he provided down to the very last dollar.
As we praised him and thanked him, we continued to pray for our March payment. Once again we were short, but this time it was a different sort of prayer. I wasn't crying out to God in my fear and nervousness, my stress level high and constantly wondering what was going to happen. This time I prayed with a sense of contentment and assurance. I knew, just knew, that He would do it again. Maybe not the same way, but I had complete confidence in my Lord. In fact, I often just said, "Thank you for providing what we need for March" even though he hadn't yet done anything.
Although I knew he would give us exactly what we needed, I was still surprised when yet another anonymous gift came to us. Half of our March payment! What a great God we serve! And just this week, we received the last half that we needed.
Not once did we have to borrow or ask others for money. Not once did we have to get behind on payments! Our God did exactly what He is so good at doing. He took care of those who love him!
These last two months haven't been easy. Our emotions and our doubts have at times taken over. But standing in this place, looking back, I can say it was well worth the trial. Our faith has been dramatically deepened, not because of anything we did, but all because of our great God and his works!
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
Monday, February 14, 2011
Out of the Mouths of Babes
I recently started reading a book called "How to Really Love Your Child". I only made it through the first chapter before I had to stop and pray. I didn't want to just read this book like many others I've read and then forget the content shortly after. I wanted to really let it sink in, absorb, so I could make it useable. So, I just asked the Lord to help me really show love to my kids.
We know we love our kids. We probably say "I love you" everyday. But do we really show that we love them. Do they know without a doubt that we love them no matter what they do, no matter how they act, no matter how bad they mess up? This is my hearts desire. That my six children would know they are loved unconditionally and I know I need the Lord's help to accomplish that.
Well, the morning after this prayer we sat down for school as we do most mornings. And, as often happens, I got frustrated with my boys. I don't remember what it was about but I do remember snapping at them. The other children were in the room, coloring and playing. As I snapped at the boys, Olivia raised her head from her coloring page and sweetly said, "Mom, you're not supposed to yell at the boys."
She had no idea I'd prayed to the Lord to help me show love to my kids. She also had no idea the impact she made on me. I know in that moment the Lord spoke to me through a little six year old girl. One who often causes me more frustration than the other five combined! She struck a chord in me with that simple sentence. I had to stop and apologize to the boys and thank her for reminding me to show love to my kids.
I won't remember what made me angry. I won't even remember what I said, but I will always remember my little girl speaking words of wisdom to me in a moment when they were desperately needed.
Thank you, Lord, for your gift of intuition and unquestioning faith to young children. And thank you for answering my prayer so quickly and fully!
On this "love" holiday, don't just say, "I love you", show it. Happy Valentine's Day!
We know we love our kids. We probably say "I love you" everyday. But do we really show that we love them. Do they know without a doubt that we love them no matter what they do, no matter how they act, no matter how bad they mess up? This is my hearts desire. That my six children would know they are loved unconditionally and I know I need the Lord's help to accomplish that.
Well, the morning after this prayer we sat down for school as we do most mornings. And, as often happens, I got frustrated with my boys. I don't remember what it was about but I do remember snapping at them. The other children were in the room, coloring and playing. As I snapped at the boys, Olivia raised her head from her coloring page and sweetly said, "Mom, you're not supposed to yell at the boys."
She had no idea I'd prayed to the Lord to help me show love to my kids. She also had no idea the impact she made on me. I know in that moment the Lord spoke to me through a little six year old girl. One who often causes me more frustration than the other five combined! She struck a chord in me with that simple sentence. I had to stop and apologize to the boys and thank her for reminding me to show love to my kids.
I won't remember what made me angry. I won't even remember what I said, but I will always remember my little girl speaking words of wisdom to me in a moment when they were desperately needed.
Thank you, Lord, for your gift of intuition and unquestioning faith to young children. And thank you for answering my prayer so quickly and fully!
On this "love" holiday, don't just say, "I love you", show it. Happy Valentine's Day!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
The 12 Schwab Days of Christmas
Version 2010
12 days of sickness
11 boxes of Kleenex
10 bags of garbage
9 hundred hours of movies
8 piles of new toys
7 cases of pneumonia
6 kids, sick and bored
5 hours of sleep
4 throwing uppers
3 canceled parties
2 exhausted parents
and a totally destroyed house!
And there you have the Schwab family Christmas vacation. I won't even ask, could it get worse, because it probably could!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
12 days of sickness
11 boxes of Kleenex
10 bags of garbage
9 hundred hours of movies
8 piles of new toys
7 cases of pneumonia
6 kids, sick and bored
5 hours of sleep
4 throwing uppers
3 canceled parties
2 exhausted parents
and a totally destroyed house!
And there you have the Schwab family Christmas vacation. I won't even ask, could it get worse, because it probably could!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Monday, October 11, 2010
The Big Day
We last left my mom with a new baby and a wondering thought of, will this guy stick around. She slowly came to realize that he wasn't going anywhere and wanted to be a part of our lives. But, things were about to change.
He was an American, don't forget. And he was about to be stationed elsewhere; Texas, to be exact. When he brought it up to my mom, she had a very difficult decision to make, one that would change her life and mine forever.
The choices were clear enough, just not easy to make. Should she say goodbye to him and watch him leave the country, maybe to never return? It would leave her a single mother, she knew, but Germany was all she'd known. Her family, her friends, her job, everything was right there and it was good. But if she said goodbye, where would that leave her daughter? Without a dad, for sure, one she would probably never see again.
Should she follow him to the US? A place she'd only heard about in school and in movies? It wasn't just that it was a new place, but she hardly knew the language, knew little about the culture and knew no one besides this one American. And her family did not want her to leave and let her know it. But, if she went, her daughter would have her father, and she would have the man she'd come to love.
Well, you know what she decided, don't you. It's a dead give away, since I'm sitting here writing in English and not traveling the country looking for a dad I never met. What a hard decision to make though. I commend her decision and think it was the right one, even though for her, it was the more difficult one. They married on January 31st and by Easter were ready to head for the states.
I had been living with my Oma and Opa for a while now, with my mom visiting on the weekends. I had formed a bond with my Oma so deep, that neither of us still fully understand it. The last time I was in Germany visiting, we looked at old pictures and my Oma pulled out a photo of her and I on Easter. She just started to cry. Then she told me, it was the last weekend I was with her and she'd had to say goodbye to me. It still hurt her deeply to even talk about it. I could tell she never really thought it was the right choice. I cried along with her for all the lost weekend visits, the relationship that had only just begun and hadn't had a chance to mature, and the memories that were never made.
Though it's sad to think of this, I believe the Lord was guiding my mom to the states. He had a very specific plan for her life as he does for all our lives. I know he knows best and I do believe she made a good choice. I can say confidently that I wouldn't know my Lord if he hadn't directed her steps to the states.
Almost daily we are faced with hard circumstances and hard choices. Often we know the right choice just because our 'conscience' is telling us. That little voice in our heads is saying, "choose this way". I believe that to be the Holy Spirit. And all too often we ignore his prompting, because it's the harder choice and we like things to be easy. But if we are willing to make the right, albeit more difficult, choice, we are opening ourselves up to all kinds of blessings from the Lord.
In my mom's case, she wasn't consciously choosing the choice that the Lord wanted her to make, she was just listening to that little voice in her head. Later in life, when she knew the Lord, I know she would have said he led her to the states, but at the moment she wasn't aware of his leading. He was still leading, she just wasn't acknowledging that part of the situation. She still chose the harder path, setting aside her self and her worries for the concerns of her new family.
So, the day after Easter, we flew to the United States, to our new home, and a new life, leaving behind all my mom and I knew for the unknown and the adventure that awaited.
He was an American, don't forget. And he was about to be stationed elsewhere; Texas, to be exact. When he brought it up to my mom, she had a very difficult decision to make, one that would change her life and mine forever.
The choices were clear enough, just not easy to make. Should she say goodbye to him and watch him leave the country, maybe to never return? It would leave her a single mother, she knew, but Germany was all she'd known. Her family, her friends, her job, everything was right there and it was good. But if she said goodbye, where would that leave her daughter? Without a dad, for sure, one she would probably never see again.
Should she follow him to the US? A place she'd only heard about in school and in movies? It wasn't just that it was a new place, but she hardly knew the language, knew little about the culture and knew no one besides this one American. And her family did not want her to leave and let her know it. But, if she went, her daughter would have her father, and she would have the man she'd come to love.
Well, you know what she decided, don't you. It's a dead give away, since I'm sitting here writing in English and not traveling the country looking for a dad I never met. What a hard decision to make though. I commend her decision and think it was the right one, even though for her, it was the more difficult one. They married on January 31st and by Easter were ready to head for the states.
I had been living with my Oma and Opa for a while now, with my mom visiting on the weekends. I had formed a bond with my Oma so deep, that neither of us still fully understand it. The last time I was in Germany visiting, we looked at old pictures and my Oma pulled out a photo of her and I on Easter. She just started to cry. Then she told me, it was the last weekend I was with her and she'd had to say goodbye to me. It still hurt her deeply to even talk about it. I could tell she never really thought it was the right choice. I cried along with her for all the lost weekend visits, the relationship that had only just begun and hadn't had a chance to mature, and the memories that were never made.
Though it's sad to think of this, I believe the Lord was guiding my mom to the states. He had a very specific plan for her life as he does for all our lives. I know he knows best and I do believe she made a good choice. I can say confidently that I wouldn't know my Lord if he hadn't directed her steps to the states.
Almost daily we are faced with hard circumstances and hard choices. Often we know the right choice just because our 'conscience' is telling us. That little voice in our heads is saying, "choose this way". I believe that to be the Holy Spirit. And all too often we ignore his prompting, because it's the harder choice and we like things to be easy. But if we are willing to make the right, albeit more difficult, choice, we are opening ourselves up to all kinds of blessings from the Lord.
In my mom's case, she wasn't consciously choosing the choice that the Lord wanted her to make, she was just listening to that little voice in her head. Later in life, when she knew the Lord, I know she would have said he led her to the states, but at the moment she wasn't aware of his leading. He was still leading, she just wasn't acknowledging that part of the situation. She still chose the harder path, setting aside her self and her worries for the concerns of her new family.
So, the day after Easter, we flew to the United States, to our new home, and a new life, leaving behind all my mom and I knew for the unknown and the adventure that awaited.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
My Story
I have this plaque sitting on my desk that says "Home is where your story begins." Annie Danielson.
We all have a story don't we? Whether it includes laughter and joy or heartache and anger or both, we all have a story of where we've been, who we were, and where we're going.
When I started going to school as a kindergartener I developed this habit of hiding my hands behind my back. My mom noticed it and asked me why I was always keeping my hands behind me. I told her that kids were teasing me about my hands, calling them grandma hands. You see, I have extremely deep creases in my hands and always have. I've had people tell me, "you need to put lotion on those things!" But they aren't dry or cracked, they are just wrinkled. Well, she told me, "Oh don't you be ashamed of those hands. Wrinkled hands just mean you'll have an interesting life."
Isn't it amazing how a mom always has the right words. I felt better right away. Looking back, who knows if she just made it up or had heard it somewhere, but whatever the case, she gave me the boost I needed.
Turns out, I think she may have been on to something. I have had a pretty interesting life thus far, and Lord willing, I have a lot of life left to live.
My story begins in a home other than here, my mom's home. 33 years ago my mom met my dad. She lived in Ulm, Germany and he was there with the US airforce. He was walking through town and went into a park and couldn't find his way out. He asked her for directions, which she understood little of, and he followed her out of the park. It could end there, but he didn't just say thanks and leave. He followed her home. He was obviously taken by her. Who wouldn't be? She was a captivating woman, with long, thick, flowing hair, and a rather serious and thoughtful expression.
Months later, he was still dropping by and they began to enjoy one anothers' company. It wasn't long before she found she was pregnant. And here's where I must pause and reveal a wonderful truth in this story. She chose life. She wasn't married, knew her family would be saddened by it, wasn't sure what to do with a child when she worked nights all week at the hospital, didn't know where to put a child in a one bedroom apartment, and had no idea if my dad would stick around. And yet, despite the odds stacked against her, she chose life. And I thank God for that often.
On a hot summer day, two days after my due date, I finally made my entrance into this world. My mom had been in labor for two days and had not even told my dad, so she had me without him knowing about it at all! He had to find her through some friends. Turns out he stuck around.
My dad, being the gentleman, offered to marry my mom as soon as he had found out she was pregnant. Well, she didn't want to be hitched until she knew he would stick around and it took another 1 1/2 years after my birth to convince her.
During that time life wasn't easy for her. She remained single and worked a lot. She had me at a woman's house for daycare and my Oma (grandma) went to pick me up there one day. As she walked into the room where I was supposedly sleeping she saw me shut my eyes quickly when the door opened, pretending to sleep. She knew then and there that she couldn't leave me with that woman anymore. The daycare lady had told my mom before this that I slept all the time. So, I went to live with my grandparents during the week and my mom would come on weekends when she didn't have to work. As hard as that was for my mom she knew I was safe and I built an immensely strong and fierce bond with my Oma that has carried on to today.
It's amazing how as I think about this time in my life, a time I can't remember and know only from stories told me, how others so strongly influence and change the course of our lives. Parents, grandparents, siblings, spouses, even our own children rock our world and turn us around and change us forever. What a great privilege to have these relationships, even if they aren't the healthiest or best for us. They still influence us. Home truly is where our story begins, but it's just that. The beginning.
When I was a year and a half, my mom had to make an extremely hard decision that would affect my life forever. But that's another story for another day.
We all have a story don't we? Whether it includes laughter and joy or heartache and anger or both, we all have a story of where we've been, who we were, and where we're going.
When I started going to school as a kindergartener I developed this habit of hiding my hands behind my back. My mom noticed it and asked me why I was always keeping my hands behind me. I told her that kids were teasing me about my hands, calling them grandma hands. You see, I have extremely deep creases in my hands and always have. I've had people tell me, "you need to put lotion on those things!" But they aren't dry or cracked, they are just wrinkled. Well, she told me, "Oh don't you be ashamed of those hands. Wrinkled hands just mean you'll have an interesting life."
Isn't it amazing how a mom always has the right words. I felt better right away. Looking back, who knows if she just made it up or had heard it somewhere, but whatever the case, she gave me the boost I needed.
Turns out, I think she may have been on to something. I have had a pretty interesting life thus far, and Lord willing, I have a lot of life left to live.
My story begins in a home other than here, my mom's home. 33 years ago my mom met my dad. She lived in Ulm, Germany and he was there with the US airforce. He was walking through town and went into a park and couldn't find his way out. He asked her for directions, which she understood little of, and he followed her out of the park. It could end there, but he didn't just say thanks and leave. He followed her home. He was obviously taken by her. Who wouldn't be? She was a captivating woman, with long, thick, flowing hair, and a rather serious and thoughtful expression.
Months later, he was still dropping by and they began to enjoy one anothers' company. It wasn't long before she found she was pregnant. And here's where I must pause and reveal a wonderful truth in this story. She chose life. She wasn't married, knew her family would be saddened by it, wasn't sure what to do with a child when she worked nights all week at the hospital, didn't know where to put a child in a one bedroom apartment, and had no idea if my dad would stick around. And yet, despite the odds stacked against her, she chose life. And I thank God for that often.
On a hot summer day, two days after my due date, I finally made my entrance into this world. My mom had been in labor for two days and had not even told my dad, so she had me without him knowing about it at all! He had to find her through some friends. Turns out he stuck around.
My dad, being the gentleman, offered to marry my mom as soon as he had found out she was pregnant. Well, she didn't want to be hitched until she knew he would stick around and it took another 1 1/2 years after my birth to convince her.
During that time life wasn't easy for her. She remained single and worked a lot. She had me at a woman's house for daycare and my Oma (grandma) went to pick me up there one day. As she walked into the room where I was supposedly sleeping she saw me shut my eyes quickly when the door opened, pretending to sleep. She knew then and there that she couldn't leave me with that woman anymore. The daycare lady had told my mom before this that I slept all the time. So, I went to live with my grandparents during the week and my mom would come on weekends when she didn't have to work. As hard as that was for my mom she knew I was safe and I built an immensely strong and fierce bond with my Oma that has carried on to today.
It's amazing how as I think about this time in my life, a time I can't remember and know only from stories told me, how others so strongly influence and change the course of our lives. Parents, grandparents, siblings, spouses, even our own children rock our world and turn us around and change us forever. What a great privilege to have these relationships, even if they aren't the healthiest or best for us. They still influence us. Home truly is where our story begins, but it's just that. The beginning.
When I was a year and a half, my mom had to make an extremely hard decision that would affect my life forever. But that's another story for another day.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Give it all away
Yesterday my boys and a neighbor girl spent the day doing a lemonade and cookie stand. They had helped bake cookies the day before and were excited! They decided at the beginning of the day to donate all the money they made to Do:Living Water, an organization that builds fresh water wells in Africa for villages that are without.
For about the first twenty minutes cars just kept going by and the kids started getting disappointed and discouraged. They were complaining that they weren't going to make anything at all. I told them to just wait a little longer and I started praying the Lord would come through for them and show them what their efforts could produce. Boy, did he ever come through!
During the stand when customers would come up, the kids would tell them, "50 cents for a cookie, 50 cents for lemonade or a dollar for both." Then they would politely get out a cookie or fill a cup of lemonade and take the money. At that point they would say, "Thanks. All the money goes to build wells in Africa." Often the customers would tell them to keep the change and offer more money. It was so fun to watch and very fulfilling for the kids.
At the end of the day they had made $40. It was a great accomplishment for the kids since their goal was $30. They were counting it up and started talking about what they could buy with $40. Then they started talking about each keeping just one dollar. They were tempted by all that money there.
I just listened quietly, wondering if I should step in and say something about their original plan, but I felt the Lord telling me to stay quiet. As they talked on about it, it came around to one of them saying, "No, I'm not taking any of the money. I'm giving it all to wells just like we planned." Quickly they all came to that consensus and I was thrilled to see the Holy Spirit work through three 9 year olds to make a good decision.
I can't begin to describe how proud I am of my boys and our neighbor. They did an awesome job and made a God honoring decision! But even more than that, they learned that they can accomplish God's work with a little ambition, some team work, and a lot of fun.
What a faith builder for me, to see how the Lord worked in them, and brought about a victory for His kingdom work.
For about the first twenty minutes cars just kept going by and the kids started getting disappointed and discouraged. They were complaining that they weren't going to make anything at all. I told them to just wait a little longer and I started praying the Lord would come through for them and show them what their efforts could produce. Boy, did he ever come through!
During the stand when customers would come up, the kids would tell them, "50 cents for a cookie, 50 cents for lemonade or a dollar for both." Then they would politely get out a cookie or fill a cup of lemonade and take the money. At that point they would say, "Thanks. All the money goes to build wells in Africa." Often the customers would tell them to keep the change and offer more money. It was so fun to watch and very fulfilling for the kids.
At the end of the day they had made $40. It was a great accomplishment for the kids since their goal was $30. They were counting it up and started talking about what they could buy with $40. Then they started talking about each keeping just one dollar. They were tempted by all that money there.
I just listened quietly, wondering if I should step in and say something about their original plan, but I felt the Lord telling me to stay quiet. As they talked on about it, it came around to one of them saying, "No, I'm not taking any of the money. I'm giving it all to wells just like we planned." Quickly they all came to that consensus and I was thrilled to see the Holy Spirit work through three 9 year olds to make a good decision.
I can't begin to describe how proud I am of my boys and our neighbor. They did an awesome job and made a God honoring decision! But even more than that, they learned that they can accomplish God's work with a little ambition, some team work, and a lot of fun.
What a faith builder for me, to see how the Lord worked in them, and brought about a victory for His kingdom work.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Little Girl Lost
Not long ago around 9 in the evening, a young girl stopped by our house. She looked to be 15 or so. She was wearing pajamas and walking barefoot. She asked to use a phone and we let her. She tried a couple numbers and then handed back the phone. As she walked away the phone rang and it was someone she was trying to reach. So, she talked for a few minutes, handed back the phone and turned to walk away. My husband asked her if everything was all right, and she said, "yeah, fine". Then she took off running down the street.
Around 10:30pm we got a call from her sister asking if she was here. We told her what we knew and she informed us that she had had a fight with her dad and ran away. We started to pray for her and felt burdened for her. Around midnight her family was still out looking for her and came through our street. Andrew was still in the garage and saw them drive slowly down the street, so he stepped out and talked with them.
What he found out, scared us to the core. This young girl was trying to meet up with a man she'd met on the internet. A much older man who I'm sure did not truly want to help her.
We found out the next day that she returned home in the middle of the night and was safe. Praise God! But in the midst of this situation we thanked our God above that we knew where our daughters were in the middle of the night. I had to give them all big hugs in the morning. Not only that, but we realized the importance of the relationship between father and daughter.
A father needs to love his daughter so much and show it to her, so that she won't have any reason to turn to an outside source to fill that need. And there is an innate need in a little girl to be doted on and loved and cherished by her father. That's not to say discipline and rules are set aside, but that there is a balance. That need doesn't disappear with age. In fact I think it grows stronger in the teenage years when life is confusing at best.
In light of it all, give your daughters a big hug, and love them with all you've got. It will be what keeps them from running and leaving you wondering if your little girl is lost.
Around 10:30pm we got a call from her sister asking if she was here. We told her what we knew and she informed us that she had had a fight with her dad and ran away. We started to pray for her and felt burdened for her. Around midnight her family was still out looking for her and came through our street. Andrew was still in the garage and saw them drive slowly down the street, so he stepped out and talked with them.
What he found out, scared us to the core. This young girl was trying to meet up with a man she'd met on the internet. A much older man who I'm sure did not truly want to help her.
We found out the next day that she returned home in the middle of the night and was safe. Praise God! But in the midst of this situation we thanked our God above that we knew where our daughters were in the middle of the night. I had to give them all big hugs in the morning. Not only that, but we realized the importance of the relationship between father and daughter.
A father needs to love his daughter so much and show it to her, so that she won't have any reason to turn to an outside source to fill that need. And there is an innate need in a little girl to be doted on and loved and cherished by her father. That's not to say discipline and rules are set aside, but that there is a balance. That need doesn't disappear with age. In fact I think it grows stronger in the teenage years when life is confusing at best.
In light of it all, give your daughters a big hug, and love them with all you've got. It will be what keeps them from running and leaving you wondering if your little girl is lost.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Taming the Tongue
James 3:7-8
3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
How often do the words that emit from my mouth "curse men"? When was the last time I spoke ill of someone? Yesterday? A couple hours ago? All too often I justify our ungodly and hurtful words of another with all kinds of reasoning. I'm right and they're wrong so I can speak of it to another. I want to share the issue to have others pray. I want to help the person so we're getting advice from another. They all seem like good reasons, yet I am still using my tongue to "praise our Lord and Father, and curse men".
A house divided against itself cannot stand. Verse eleven says,"Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?" It can't. It wasn't created that way and it's impossible for it to happen. Why then do I think it's okay to let praise and cursing come from the same spring? It is a house divided against itself and will not stand long. It will come back to bite me in the butt.
If I are to live the life Christ intends for me and be who He calls usmeo be, I need to tame the tongue. But, you say, how can you tame the tongue when the Bible says it cannot be tamed by man? Only by allowing the Holy Spirit to lead me and prompt me can the tongue be tamed. It's through His good work in me that I can overcome the evil that is the tongue.
Ultimately, because men were created in God's likeness, if I speak ill of another person, I am speaking ill of God. Now that's convicting.
3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
How often do the words that emit from my mouth "curse men"? When was the last time I spoke ill of someone? Yesterday? A couple hours ago? All too often I justify our ungodly and hurtful words of another with all kinds of reasoning. I'm right and they're wrong so I can speak of it to another. I want to share the issue to have others pray. I want to help the person so we're getting advice from another. They all seem like good reasons, yet I am still using my tongue to "praise our Lord and Father, and curse men".
A house divided against itself cannot stand. Verse eleven says,"Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?" It can't. It wasn't created that way and it's impossible for it to happen. Why then do I think it's okay to let praise and cursing come from the same spring? It is a house divided against itself and will not stand long. It will come back to bite me in the butt.
If I are to live the life Christ intends for me and be who He calls usmeo be, I need to tame the tongue. But, you say, how can you tame the tongue when the Bible says it cannot be tamed by man? Only by allowing the Holy Spirit to lead me and prompt me can the tongue be tamed. It's through His good work in me that I can overcome the evil that is the tongue.
Ultimately, because men were created in God's likeness, if I speak ill of another person, I am speaking ill of God. Now that's convicting.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Anniversary
Today we are celebrating 12 years of marriage. I woke up this morning thinking about what I was doing 12 years ago today. Getting up early, eating on a nervous stomach, getting my hair done, lunch that my wonderful German aunts made, then pictures, ceremony, and party! It was all such a blur, moving so fast.
There are two moments when I remember time standing still. The first was when my bridesmaids had finished helping me get ready and left to find Andrew. He came in to see me for the first time and it was just the two of us. I just remember the look on his face, one that I still see often today. His expression told me how beautiful I was and how much he loved me. It did seem like time stood still for a little while there.
The second was when the party was over and we finally had made it to the hotel. We plopped on the bed, utterly exhausted and stared at the ceiling. We both said, "Can you believe it, we're married!"
Now, 12 years later, we often don't say, "can you believe it, we're married!". Now we often say, "Can you believe it, we have six kids!" Boy, what 12 years can do!
We got married young. I was 18 and Andrew was 21 and there were people who were sure we wouldn't last more than a year. And, unfortunately for a lot of people that's the case. They get married young, think they have it all figured out and then realize, it's a lot more work than they first thought. We went through that too. Thinking, no problem, this will be easy. Then realizing that marriage is actually hard and takes work. In fact, we're still trying to figure it all out.
But the difference is this: we went into marriage without the word divorce. We had promised each other, ourselves, and God that we would never use the word divorce and we've stuck to it. We have had our fair share of arguments and being angry with each other. But we've never even thought of throwing in the towel. No matter how hard it is, we stick it out together. And we've had more good times than bad in our marriage.
So now, 12 years later, we love each other more than we did on our wedding day, we know a little more about how to get along, and we are enjoying our crazy, chaotic, life together!
Thanks be to God for his glorious riches and abundant love and wisdom that he so willingly pours out on us so that we can glorify him and make it through this life victorious.
There are two moments when I remember time standing still. The first was when my bridesmaids had finished helping me get ready and left to find Andrew. He came in to see me for the first time and it was just the two of us. I just remember the look on his face, one that I still see often today. His expression told me how beautiful I was and how much he loved me. It did seem like time stood still for a little while there.
The second was when the party was over and we finally had made it to the hotel. We plopped on the bed, utterly exhausted and stared at the ceiling. We both said, "Can you believe it, we're married!"
Now, 12 years later, we often don't say, "can you believe it, we're married!". Now we often say, "Can you believe it, we have six kids!" Boy, what 12 years can do!
We got married young. I was 18 and Andrew was 21 and there were people who were sure we wouldn't last more than a year. And, unfortunately for a lot of people that's the case. They get married young, think they have it all figured out and then realize, it's a lot more work than they first thought. We went through that too. Thinking, no problem, this will be easy. Then realizing that marriage is actually hard and takes work. In fact, we're still trying to figure it all out.
But the difference is this: we went into marriage without the word divorce. We had promised each other, ourselves, and God that we would never use the word divorce and we've stuck to it. We have had our fair share of arguments and being angry with each other. But we've never even thought of throwing in the towel. No matter how hard it is, we stick it out together. And we've had more good times than bad in our marriage.
So now, 12 years later, we love each other more than we did on our wedding day, we know a little more about how to get along, and we are enjoying our crazy, chaotic, life together!
Thanks be to God for his glorious riches and abundant love and wisdom that he so willingly pours out on us so that we can glorify him and make it through this life victorious.
Monday, July 19, 2010
A Kid's Perspective
One afternoon last week as I was preparing supper, I heard Olivia and Elliot coaxing Evelyn and Madelyn up the stairs. I started to listen in and they were saying, "Come on girls, do you want to read the Bible in Mom's room?" This got me intrigued so I watched as Olivia, carrying the big hardcover Bible, led the pack down the hallway into my room. I crept around the corner to listen to the conversation. Olivia and Elliot were helping the little girls get up on my bed, then they all sat together and opened the Bible.
Olivia started telling the story. "We're going to read a story about Jesus today,"she said.
Elliot: "There are bad guys in the story too."
Olivia: "You're right. What did the bad guys do to Jesus?"
Elliot: "They punched him."
Olivia: "You're right. What else did the bad guys do to Jesus?"
Elliot: "They took all his clothes until he was naked."
Olivia: "Yeah, so he was naked. Okay, now it's time for bed."
At that they all cuddled up under the covers together and pretended to go to sleep.
I laughed so hard I cried. It was all so sweet and sincere. And totally a kid's perspective of the whole Gospel. Amazingly, they understand so much already at 5 and 3. It doesn't take much and these small children start to grasp the truth.
Olivia started telling the story. "We're going to read a story about Jesus today,"she said.
Elliot: "There are bad guys in the story too."
Olivia: "You're right. What did the bad guys do to Jesus?"
Elliot: "They punched him."
Olivia: "You're right. What else did the bad guys do to Jesus?"
Elliot: "They took all his clothes until he was naked."
Olivia: "Yeah, so he was naked. Okay, now it's time for bed."
At that they all cuddled up under the covers together and pretended to go to sleep.
I laughed so hard I cried. It was all so sweet and sincere. And totally a kid's perspective of the whole Gospel. Amazingly, they understand so much already at 5 and 3. It doesn't take much and these small children start to grasp the truth.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
I am not a patient person
I hear that a lot when I talk to people about home schooling. "I'm not patient enough." "I clash too much with my child." The excuses are endless, but all along this theme of patience.
Let me tell you, I am not a patient person. In fact, I'm one of the least patient people I know. I have a short fuse and a big temper. I get frustrated easily and snap. I get frustrated when someone doesn't get a concept right away. I get annoyed when another child interrupts. I get irate when someone cries over having to do a difficult task. In short, I am not a patient person.
And yet, strangely, the Lord has not let me use that as an excuse. In fact, I think part of the reason I've been called to home school is to learn patience. What better way than to be thrown into every possible situation in one day that would make me lose my patience! Believe me I have a lot to learn. I may never get to that place where I can even say "I am patient". But the Lord keeps working on me and teaching me through home schooling. I wouldn't miss this refinement for the world.
When you look at this statement as an excuse from people, in light of reasons to home school, it really seems quite lame.There are endless reasons to set yourself aside and let the Lord work through you. We have to realize it's not about me, or even my kids, but about Kingdom work and eternal life.
I'm not patient, but I want my kids to know their Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. I'm clash with one of my kids, A LOT, but I don't want to conform to the pattern of this world or allow my kids to do so. I get frustrated easily, but it's teaching me how to sincerely say sorry and teaching all of us how to relate to one another. My days are filled with stress, annoyance, impatience, but they are also filled with victories, joy, and unity. Those outweigh impatience.
In my humble opinion, home schooling is not the easy way, but it's the best way. Maybe I'm a little biased. So I'm a biased, hot tempered, impatient home schooler. Yet for some reason, the Lord picked me to do it, and not only to home school, but with six kids! Guess you don't have to be perfect or even patient to do the Lord's work.
Let me tell you, I am not a patient person. In fact, I'm one of the least patient people I know. I have a short fuse and a big temper. I get frustrated easily and snap. I get frustrated when someone doesn't get a concept right away. I get annoyed when another child interrupts. I get irate when someone cries over having to do a difficult task. In short, I am not a patient person.
And yet, strangely, the Lord has not let me use that as an excuse. In fact, I think part of the reason I've been called to home school is to learn patience. What better way than to be thrown into every possible situation in one day that would make me lose my patience! Believe me I have a lot to learn. I may never get to that place where I can even say "I am patient". But the Lord keeps working on me and teaching me through home schooling. I wouldn't miss this refinement for the world.
When you look at this statement as an excuse from people, in light of reasons to home school, it really seems quite lame.There are endless reasons to set yourself aside and let the Lord work through you. We have to realize it's not about me, or even my kids, but about Kingdom work and eternal life.
I'm not patient, but I want my kids to know their Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. I'm clash with one of my kids, A LOT, but I don't want to conform to the pattern of this world or allow my kids to do so. I get frustrated easily, but it's teaching me how to sincerely say sorry and teaching all of us how to relate to one another. My days are filled with stress, annoyance, impatience, but they are also filled with victories, joy, and unity. Those outweigh impatience.
In my humble opinion, home schooling is not the easy way, but it's the best way. Maybe I'm a little biased. So I'm a biased, hot tempered, impatient home schooler. Yet for some reason, the Lord picked me to do it, and not only to home school, but with six kids! Guess you don't have to be perfect or even patient to do the Lord's work.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Who do you work for?
Hebrews 10: 35So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised
All too often I fall into the mindset of being under appreciated and just plain forgotten about. Here I am at home, serving little people all day who rarely say thanks or clean up after themselves and have no idea how many minutes I spend cleaning up after them. I don't get paid and don't get regular vacation time. The last time I was too sick to take care of the kids, I still had to do it, because hubby couldn't leave work to come home! I spend my days wiping dirty faces, playing referee in arguments, reasoning with those who can't reason, cleaning a house that finds itself trashed minutes later, cooking meals everyone hates and complains about but I know are good for them, and finally falling exhausted into bed to start over the next day.
Not only that, but I have a very, very determined and headstrong child who has a quota to fill each day of testing and pushing the limits, which makes for a very crabby mommy. And I'm pretty sure that most of the time my six kids don't speak English, or they have a very tuned and finely exacted gift of ignoring!
The list goes on and on. In the midst of it all it's a wonder I haven't gone completely insane! Some days I feel close to it. But there is one thing that keeps me going. The Lord has been impressing on my heart lately to persevere and endure. Over and over in my quiet times He has been saying, keep going, don't give up, there is a reward at the end, persevere! And I have been slowly hiding that away in my heart to change and refine my perspective on this life.
Maybe no one appreciates me, but if I persevere, there will be rewards much greater than anything on earth. Maybe my house is a disaster, but if I persevere, I won't be. Maybe my kids get an A+ for disobeying, but if I persevere, they will walk in the truth and follow hard after their God.
There are days when this concept is lost in the chaos of this house! But as the Lord works on me and continues to refine me, it is becoming more and more of the central theme of this house. Persevere and there will be rich rewards at the end.
So, who do I work for? It's not my kids, my husband, my friends. It's my great God, the only true God, and the only one who can offer eternal rewards.
All too often I fall into the mindset of being under appreciated and just plain forgotten about. Here I am at home, serving little people all day who rarely say thanks or clean up after themselves and have no idea how many minutes I spend cleaning up after them. I don't get paid and don't get regular vacation time. The last time I was too sick to take care of the kids, I still had to do it, because hubby couldn't leave work to come home! I spend my days wiping dirty faces, playing referee in arguments, reasoning with those who can't reason, cleaning a house that finds itself trashed minutes later, cooking meals everyone hates and complains about but I know are good for them, and finally falling exhausted into bed to start over the next day.
Not only that, but I have a very, very determined and headstrong child who has a quota to fill each day of testing and pushing the limits, which makes for a very crabby mommy. And I'm pretty sure that most of the time my six kids don't speak English, or they have a very tuned and finely exacted gift of ignoring!
The list goes on and on. In the midst of it all it's a wonder I haven't gone completely insane! Some days I feel close to it. But there is one thing that keeps me going. The Lord has been impressing on my heart lately to persevere and endure. Over and over in my quiet times He has been saying, keep going, don't give up, there is a reward at the end, persevere! And I have been slowly hiding that away in my heart to change and refine my perspective on this life.
Maybe no one appreciates me, but if I persevere, there will be rewards much greater than anything on earth. Maybe my house is a disaster, but if I persevere, I won't be. Maybe my kids get an A+ for disobeying, but if I persevere, they will walk in the truth and follow hard after their God.
There are days when this concept is lost in the chaos of this house! But as the Lord works on me and continues to refine me, it is becoming more and more of the central theme of this house. Persevere and there will be rich rewards at the end.
So, who do I work for? It's not my kids, my husband, my friends. It's my great God, the only true God, and the only one who can offer eternal rewards.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Growing Up
I remember when my mom turned thirty. I was about eight and I thought she was soooo old! I couldn't believe anyone could be thirty. I also couldn't see myself ever getting that old!
Now, I'm thirty and last summer when I turned thirty my boys, who were eight, told my I was soooo old! How the tides have turned. I thought to myself, it's not that old.
Often I think, I'm not old enough to have six kids! I have a friend with teenagers and she said she doesn't feel old enough to have kids that old! I guess it just sneaks up on you whether you're ready for it or not.
This summer my youngest are about to turn two and my oldest about to turn nine! I don't feel old enough for that either. It's bittersweet too, watching them grow up so fast. People often told me, enjoy it, it goes by fast. And, especially when the oldest were really little, I'd think, it sure isn't going by fast right now! And yet, look at it now. There aren't any babies in the house anymore and my boys are moving close to double digits!
Last night I gave my two year olds haircuts and bangs. It instantly made them look so much older and I realized they aren't babies anymore. They've somehow, under the radar, turned into little girls. I feel I missed it somewhere, with everything that goes on here. Right under my nose they are all growing up.
Last week my five year old got glasses and boy, did that make her look grown up, and adorable. But again, I thought, I still have vivid memories of rocking her as a baby and now she's going on six and about to start kindergarten.
So, whether I'm old enough or not, that's life! It is true, that it goes by in the blink of an eye and you look back wondering where did the time go? You and I have heard it before, but I'll say it again, better enjoy it, it goes by way too fast.
Now, I'm thirty and last summer when I turned thirty my boys, who were eight, told my I was soooo old! How the tides have turned. I thought to myself, it's not that old.
Often I think, I'm not old enough to have six kids! I have a friend with teenagers and she said she doesn't feel old enough to have kids that old! I guess it just sneaks up on you whether you're ready for it or not.
This summer my youngest are about to turn two and my oldest about to turn nine! I don't feel old enough for that either. It's bittersweet too, watching them grow up so fast. People often told me, enjoy it, it goes by fast. And, especially when the oldest were really little, I'd think, it sure isn't going by fast right now! And yet, look at it now. There aren't any babies in the house anymore and my boys are moving close to double digits!
Last night I gave my two year olds haircuts and bangs. It instantly made them look so much older and I realized they aren't babies anymore. They've somehow, under the radar, turned into little girls. I feel I missed it somewhere, with everything that goes on here. Right under my nose they are all growing up.
Last week my five year old got glasses and boy, did that make her look grown up, and adorable. But again, I thought, I still have vivid memories of rocking her as a baby and now she's going on six and about to start kindergarten.
So, whether I'm old enough or not, that's life! It is true, that it goes by in the blink of an eye and you look back wondering where did the time go? You and I have heard it before, but I'll say it again, better enjoy it, it goes by way too fast.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Left-over sin
2 Kings 10:28-29 So Jehu destroyed Baal worship in Israel. However, he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commi - the worship of golden calves at Bethel and Dan.
This struck me today as I was reading. Jehu worked so hard at getting rid of Baal worship. He even used deception to get all the Baal priests in one temple to kill them. He spent time on this and energy and money. Yet when all was said and done, it wasn't really all said and done. For some reason he was okay with the golden calf worship and didn't see the need to rid Israel of that. At one point before he killed all the Baal priests, he said to someone, "Come, see my zeal for the Lord". His zeal was obviously not that full of zeal.
It made me think, though, about myself. How many left over sins do I have? Do I spend time and energy getting rid of one sin and then think, good, that's done? What or who am I truly worshiping?
I don't like to dwell overly on sin because I know I'm forgiven and Christ has paid for those sins. I don't need to beat myself up over them continually, but I do need to confess them and move away from them. I also need to ask my Lord what I'm hanging on to that needs to go.
Thankfully, He is gracious and forgiving and will reveal what I need to purge and give me the strength to do it. He doesn't want us to have left-overs anymore than we do!
This struck me today as I was reading. Jehu worked so hard at getting rid of Baal worship. He even used deception to get all the Baal priests in one temple to kill them. He spent time on this and energy and money. Yet when all was said and done, it wasn't really all said and done. For some reason he was okay with the golden calf worship and didn't see the need to rid Israel of that. At one point before he killed all the Baal priests, he said to someone, "Come, see my zeal for the Lord". His zeal was obviously not that full of zeal.
It made me think, though, about myself. How many left over sins do I have? Do I spend time and energy getting rid of one sin and then think, good, that's done? What or who am I truly worshiping?
I don't like to dwell overly on sin because I know I'm forgiven and Christ has paid for those sins. I don't need to beat myself up over them continually, but I do need to confess them and move away from them. I also need to ask my Lord what I'm hanging on to that needs to go.
Thankfully, He is gracious and forgiving and will reveal what I need to purge and give me the strength to do it. He doesn't want us to have left-overs anymore than we do!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Victory!
This whole week I've felt just down, kind of blah. I couldn't really pinpoint it but everything had me discouraged. Nothing big, but just little things all week. Last week we went to the eye doctor and my eyes got worse and I'm still trying to find contacts that will work right. And Olivia needs glasses. Our van had just broken down and needed major repairs, and it's been raining for what feels like a month!
Well last night I was supposed to go to Bible study and every thought I had was against going. But I picked myself up and grabbed my stuff and fought the urge to stay home. Let me tell you, I'm so glad I did. It was exactly what I needed. I spent two hours with people I love, talking about the Lord I love and laughing hard, which is great medicine for a down-trodden spirit.
As I got into the car to drive home the perfect song came on the radio. I thought, Thank you, Lord, for bringing me to group tonight, thank you for this song. It's exactly what I needed.
When I got home I was feeling a little better and as I laid down in bed it dawned on me. This is spiritual warfare. Satan wants me to feel discouraged and cut off from friends. He wants me to feel alone in this world so that he can get at my heart. I don't know why it took me four or five days, but hey, I'm a little slow, okay!
I prayed in the name of Jesus for Satan to leave and took away all his power over my thoughts, emotions, and feelings, and relinquished every burden I'd been holding on to, to my all powerful God. And an amazing thing happened. I felt amazingly better and not only that but light as a feather as if a huge weight was lifted from me.
I hope next time I feel down and discouraged I remember a little quicker that I can call on my Lord and he will rescue me. There's nothing better than knowing we can have victory every time over Satan because of our great God! Thank you, God, that you are an all powerful, ever present God, who knows my needs and how to rescue me!
Well last night I was supposed to go to Bible study and every thought I had was against going. But I picked myself up and grabbed my stuff and fought the urge to stay home. Let me tell you, I'm so glad I did. It was exactly what I needed. I spent two hours with people I love, talking about the Lord I love and laughing hard, which is great medicine for a down-trodden spirit.
As I got into the car to drive home the perfect song came on the radio. I thought, Thank you, Lord, for bringing me to group tonight, thank you for this song. It's exactly what I needed.
When I got home I was feeling a little better and as I laid down in bed it dawned on me. This is spiritual warfare. Satan wants me to feel discouraged and cut off from friends. He wants me to feel alone in this world so that he can get at my heart. I don't know why it took me four or five days, but hey, I'm a little slow, okay!
I prayed in the name of Jesus for Satan to leave and took away all his power over my thoughts, emotions, and feelings, and relinquished every burden I'd been holding on to, to my all powerful God. And an amazing thing happened. I felt amazingly better and not only that but light as a feather as if a huge weight was lifted from me.
I hope next time I feel down and discouraged I remember a little quicker that I can call on my Lord and he will rescue me. There's nothing better than knowing we can have victory every time over Satan because of our great God! Thank you, God, that you are an all powerful, ever present God, who knows my needs and how to rescue me!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Not Really Home
Lately I've been craving Germany. It may sound odd, to crave a place. But to me Germany is my second home. It's, first of all, my birthplace which makes it special in my heart. There are memories built there over the years and the many trips back and there is family there that I see once every two or three or four years.
These days everything has been reminding me of Germany. I'll smell a flower and think, oh, that fragrance is right on the street where my Oma lives. Or I'll taste a food and it will bring my back to Oma's dining table. A sound or a sight of rolling hills will spark images in my mind of places I've seen and visited there.
Of course, when I'm there, I miss Minnesota and all my family here. There's never a true contentment in either place. I often wish I could mold the two places together side by side and have the best of both worlds.
As I thought about this and was missing Germany I was reminded of something a friend told me. As she was moving from one state to another and was having a really hard time with it, a friend of her's told her something so simple yet so profound. "You know," she said, "neither place is really home."
Isn't that the truth? If we truly love our God and know our place after death, no where on this earth is truly home. We will never feel a true contentment because our hearts know where home is and we aren't there yet. It helps close the gap of over 3000 miles on days when I miss Germany to remember that it's not really home, nor is Northfield, Minnesota. My true home is heaven and while I wait anxiously to go there and be home, I will serve my Lord here for as long as He'll let me.
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
These days everything has been reminding me of Germany. I'll smell a flower and think, oh, that fragrance is right on the street where my Oma lives. Or I'll taste a food and it will bring my back to Oma's dining table. A sound or a sight of rolling hills will spark images in my mind of places I've seen and visited there.
Of course, when I'm there, I miss Minnesota and all my family here. There's never a true contentment in either place. I often wish I could mold the two places together side by side and have the best of both worlds.
As I thought about this and was missing Germany I was reminded of something a friend told me. As she was moving from one state to another and was having a really hard time with it, a friend of her's told her something so simple yet so profound. "You know," she said, "neither place is really home."
Isn't that the truth? If we truly love our God and know our place after death, no where on this earth is truly home. We will never feel a true contentment because our hearts know where home is and we aren't there yet. It helps close the gap of over 3000 miles on days when I miss Germany to remember that it's not really home, nor is Northfield, Minnesota. My true home is heaven and while I wait anxiously to go there and be home, I will serve my Lord here for as long as He'll let me.
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
Friday, May 28, 2010
So True
It's so easy to get wrapped up in the day to day and get tired of it, especially, I think, as a mom of young kids. Will this ever end, we cry?
These lines from an unknown author gave me a much needed reminder:
One of these days you'll shout, "Why don't you kids grow up and act your age?" And they will. Or you'll say, "Kids, get outside and find yourselves something to do, and don't slam the door!" And they won't.
You'll straighten the boy's bedroom neat and tidy - bumper stickers discarded, spread tucked and smooth, toys displayed on the shelves, hangers in the closet with clothes attached, animals caged - and you'll say out loud, "Now I want it to stay just like this!" And it will.
You'll prepare a perfect dinner with a salad that hasn't been picked to death and cake with no finger traces in the icing, and you'll say, "Now there's a meal fit for company!" And you will eat alone.
You'll say, "I want complete privacy while I'm on the phone. No dancing around. No pantomimes. No demolition crews. Silence. Do you hear me?" And you will have it.
No more plastic place mats stained with spaghetti. No more spreads to protect sofas from damp bottoms and dusty shoes. No more gates to stumble over in the doorway of the baby's room. No more Hot Wheels or Barbie dolls under the couch. No more playpens to arrange a room around.
No more anxious nights under vaporizer tents. No more cracker curmbs on the sheets. No more wall-to-wall water in the bathroom. No more iron-on patches. No wet, knotted shoelaces, pants with knees out, or rubber bands for pony tails.
Imagine a lipstick with a point on it, not having to get a baby-sitter for New Year's Eve, family washing only once a week, seeing a steak that isn't ground, marketing with only groceries in the basket. No more PTA meetings. No more car pools. No blaring radios or Sesame Street three times a day. No more washing hair at 9 o'clock at night. And no more wondering, "Where is the family car!" Imagine having your own roll of Scotch tape.
Think about it. No more Christmas presents made out of construction paper and will-hold glue. No more sloppy oatmeal kisses. No more tooth fairy. No more giggles in the dark. No knees to heal. No responsibility! Only a voice crying, "Why don't you grow up!" And the silence echoing, "I did!"
Hope this encourages you today.
These lines from an unknown author gave me a much needed reminder:
One of these days you'll shout, "Why don't you kids grow up and act your age?" And they will. Or you'll say, "Kids, get outside and find yourselves something to do, and don't slam the door!" And they won't.
You'll straighten the boy's bedroom neat and tidy - bumper stickers discarded, spread tucked and smooth, toys displayed on the shelves, hangers in the closet with clothes attached, animals caged - and you'll say out loud, "Now I want it to stay just like this!" And it will.
You'll prepare a perfect dinner with a salad that hasn't been picked to death and cake with no finger traces in the icing, and you'll say, "Now there's a meal fit for company!" And you will eat alone.
You'll say, "I want complete privacy while I'm on the phone. No dancing around. No pantomimes. No demolition crews. Silence. Do you hear me?" And you will have it.
No more plastic place mats stained with spaghetti. No more spreads to protect sofas from damp bottoms and dusty shoes. No more gates to stumble over in the doorway of the baby's room. No more Hot Wheels or Barbie dolls under the couch. No more playpens to arrange a room around.
No more anxious nights under vaporizer tents. No more cracker curmbs on the sheets. No more wall-to-wall water in the bathroom. No more iron-on patches. No wet, knotted shoelaces, pants with knees out, or rubber bands for pony tails.
Imagine a lipstick with a point on it, not having to get a baby-sitter for New Year's Eve, family washing only once a week, seeing a steak that isn't ground, marketing with only groceries in the basket. No more PTA meetings. No more car pools. No blaring radios or Sesame Street three times a day. No more washing hair at 9 o'clock at night. And no more wondering, "Where is the family car!" Imagine having your own roll of Scotch tape.
Think about it. No more Christmas presents made out of construction paper and will-hold glue. No more sloppy oatmeal kisses. No more tooth fairy. No more giggles in the dark. No knees to heal. No responsibility! Only a voice crying, "Why don't you grow up!" And the silence echoing, "I did!"
Hope this encourages you today.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Saint, not Sinner
Have you ever thought you were the absolute worst person in the world? You had a rough day and yelled at everyone around you, or cut off some guy on the road because he was making you angry. You harbored thoughts of jealousy or resentment towards a friend, or blatantly caused them hurt because you were upset.
I have often thought that I must be the worst mom there is. All too often, I am too harsh with my kids over silly little things and am completely impatient. Everyday I can count numerous offenses against my kids and by the end of the day, I think God can't possibly look on me with joy or pleasure.
I'm sure you've heard the phrase 'sinner saved by grace' before. I know I've heard it a lot. And it's true, is it not? We were spiritually dead, slaves to sin, before we accepted God's free gift. Because of amazing grace we are saved from our sins. And so, I've always just thought of myself as a sinner struggling along to do the right things and please God. I'm reminded from time to time that the Holy Spirit is there to help us past that sin, but mostly I just think of how many things I've done wrong in a day and have to ask forgiveness for and the fact that I'll probably do that many wrong tomorrow.
Have you ever thought about yourself differently? Last night I started a new book The Seduction of Our Children by Neil T. Anderson and Steve Russo. I only made it a few pages before something struck me. "But we have confused ourselves and our children by calling ourselves "sinners saved by grace" when the Bible calls us saints who occasionally sin. The difference is profound. If your child (or you) still thinks he's a sinner, he will easily be convinced to do what sinners do: sin. Rather, every born-again child of God is a saint who has been transferred out of the domain of darkness into the kingdom of Christ (Colossians 1:13). The more your child (or you) believes that he is a saint because of his faith in Christ's death and resurrection, the more he will live like a saint." (pg 19, items in parenthesis mine). Wow!
I had to stop and think that one over awhile. I think it'll take me a long time to fully process it. You've all heard of these psychologists toting the notion of "positive thought", right? Well I think when that positive thought is focused on God and His will for our lives it really does work.
This morning, just to drive this point home, God revealed this in His Word to me. Romans 6:18 says, "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness" and Romans 6:22 says, "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life." How does this relate? It means that we used to be slaves to sin and are now slaves to a most holy and righteous God that views us as holy and righteous. He doesn't look at us and see all we've done wrong, He looks at us and sees us through Jesus who is holy and righteous. I almost imagine Jesus as a filter that God looks through to see us. That filter removes all the bad and God sees us as saints.
The next time you start berating yourself for all the wrong things you've done, remember to ask forgiveness and then not dwell on it any longer. God isn't. He's forgiven you and doesn't look at you as a sinner but as a saint. What an amazing God we have!
I realize as well that the more I desire to love like He loves, the more He is showing me how much He loves me. If He can look on me and not see my sin, should I not do the same for those around me, especially my kids?
I have often thought that I must be the worst mom there is. All too often, I am too harsh with my kids over silly little things and am completely impatient. Everyday I can count numerous offenses against my kids and by the end of the day, I think God can't possibly look on me with joy or pleasure.
I'm sure you've heard the phrase 'sinner saved by grace' before. I know I've heard it a lot. And it's true, is it not? We were spiritually dead, slaves to sin, before we accepted God's free gift. Because of amazing grace we are saved from our sins. And so, I've always just thought of myself as a sinner struggling along to do the right things and please God. I'm reminded from time to time that the Holy Spirit is there to help us past that sin, but mostly I just think of how many things I've done wrong in a day and have to ask forgiveness for and the fact that I'll probably do that many wrong tomorrow.
Have you ever thought about yourself differently? Last night I started a new book The Seduction of Our Children by Neil T. Anderson and Steve Russo. I only made it a few pages before something struck me. "But we have confused ourselves and our children by calling ourselves "sinners saved by grace" when the Bible calls us saints who occasionally sin. The difference is profound. If your child (or you) still thinks he's a sinner, he will easily be convinced to do what sinners do: sin. Rather, every born-again child of God is a saint who has been transferred out of the domain of darkness into the kingdom of Christ (Colossians 1:13). The more your child (or you) believes that he is a saint because of his faith in Christ's death and resurrection, the more he will live like a saint." (pg 19, items in parenthesis mine). Wow!
I had to stop and think that one over awhile. I think it'll take me a long time to fully process it. You've all heard of these psychologists toting the notion of "positive thought", right? Well I think when that positive thought is focused on God and His will for our lives it really does work.
This morning, just to drive this point home, God revealed this in His Word to me. Romans 6:18 says, "You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness" and Romans 6:22 says, "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life." How does this relate? It means that we used to be slaves to sin and are now slaves to a most holy and righteous God that views us as holy and righteous. He doesn't look at us and see all we've done wrong, He looks at us and sees us through Jesus who is holy and righteous. I almost imagine Jesus as a filter that God looks through to see us. That filter removes all the bad and God sees us as saints.
The next time you start berating yourself for all the wrong things you've done, remember to ask forgiveness and then not dwell on it any longer. God isn't. He's forgiven you and doesn't look at you as a sinner but as a saint. What an amazing God we have!
I realize as well that the more I desire to love like He loves, the more He is showing me how much He loves me. If He can look on me and not see my sin, should I not do the same for those around me, especially my kids?
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