Thursday, November 5, 2009

Heart Attitude


According to the Bible, our speech is an accurate barometer of our heart attitude!

Our speech exposes our true character as much as it does our individual personality. It reveals who we are, what we think, what we really desire, and what we believe. We are known by such things as the kind of jokes we tell, what we like to talk about, what we say when we are angry, what we complain about, or what topics inspire our most animated conversations. God warns us " By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Mat 12:37)
What a marvel that our own words are able to conemn us as hypocrites or justify (validate) us as true followers of Christ.

Read Luke 6:45

What is your speech like?

May we take heed to the scriptures and ask the Lord to identify an area we are failing at so that we can be more effective for Christ.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Forgiving Others Brings Joy



Practicing Biblical forgiveness is foundational to a peaceful marriage, home, and church life. The act of openly asking for forgiveness and graciously forgiving has the following effect.
*Keeps us humble and unselfish
*Promotes intimacy among family members
*Provides the right atmosphere for developing tolerance and understanding between family members.
*Promotes a loving, safe haven for growth and acceptance.
*Provides divine healing which is available in no other context
Mat 6:14-15

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Who is the leader in your home?

Respecting a husband's need and responsibility to lead is a way to demonstrate love and obedience to God (Eph 5:22, Colossians 3:18, 1 Peter 3:7)
A woman's refusal to submit to her husband's leadership stems from her desire to please
herself rather than to please the Lord. Only as a woman commits herself to living to please the Lord will she be able to submit to a imperfect leadership of her husband and encourage him to become all he can be in Christ. Both love and submission are based on the love of God for us. Women need to understand that God rewards a woman who honors her husband's right to lead, whether her husband deserves the honor or not.

My Thoughts
This has not been an easy area in my life, but I am learning to be as I grow in the Lord. I think the neatest thing is when we see our husbands lead. A lot of the time I know I hindered my walk with the Lord by not submitting to my husband. The truth be told.......he feared my disapproval and thus held back from leading our home. Let me ask you friend......are you critical when your husband says "No" on an issue or something you want? Do you pout or get upset because he disagrees with you? Do you ask his opinion, or do you just go ahead and do what you feel is right? The lesson I am learning is that when I go against my husbands wishes, or try to manipulate a situation....ummm I reap the consequences of doing so. However when I encourage my husband to lead by submitting to the God given authority, the blessing are endless! I have never been disappointed when I have let my husband lead.....NEVER! God is so gracious and loving. He has the perfect plan, the one that brings true happiness.....we must just believe it and OBEY it!!!

Friday, October 30, 2009

When Dreams Become Demands



Demands are anything we believe we must have in order to be happy and fulfilled. To say we prefer a good husband or wife is healthy. God prefers that too. However, we don't have to have an ideal spouse to be happy and we don't have to have an ideal spouse to enjoy a happy marriage. Couples who enjoy a lifetime marriage of joyful companionship do so in spite of
faults and failures. They are people who choose to overlook faults rather then find them.
The BIBLE tells us...........
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love (prov 17:9)
Hatred stirreth up strife; but love covereth all sins (prov 10:12)
Dear sister, may we realize how precious our marriage is and stop bickering and tearing our husbands apart. Do we realize what we have?
Today:
List 5 things you love about your husband, and then write him a note today telling him what you love about him.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Selfishness~ Marriage

Marriage
Problems arise when the eyeball does not wish to function as part of the body but wants to operate independent of the body. A married woman who is bent on pursuing her own interests and autonomy apart from her husbands either does not understand or willfully refuses to cooperate with God's design for her life.
Question
How are you specifically helping your husband achieve his goals?
Today's Challenge
List 5 ways you believe you can be a help to your husband.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Monday, Moday....

Well, today is the beginning of a new week!
Kids are very much into a routine for school. The only thing is we have been getting up later then I would like. The fibromyalgia has been rearing it's ugly head, but,....if I get my rest I do pretty well most of the day PTL!!
This week we are reading scripture about JOY and how we obtain JOY in our life. Love the verses we looked at today:

Nehemiah 8:10b
Psalm 16:11
John 15:11
John 13:17
Proverbs 15:13
Proverbs 16:20
Phil 4:4
James 1:1-3
1 Pet 3:14
We receive JOY by OBEDIENCE to God right? I encourage you to look up these great verses and share with your children this week! It was a blessing to read God's Word today together :)

I had to say goodbye to a wonderful e-mail group this week, I just have to much on my plate with the homeschool year starting. Blake is doing so well, and is reading chapter books. I really like using the 'Rod and Staff' curriculum because it is VERY Bible based :)

Austen is coming along on his school work, he really enjoys History! We have a field trip coming up at the end of this month, so both kids are really looking forward to that. Austen has been attending a writing class on Friday's with Mrs. Thompson. His writing is getting better :)

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Revival Week 2009




Longview Bible Baptist Church

Monday Evening
Main Text
2 Corinthians 7:8-12

"The difference between godly and worldly sorrow"

Being sorry.....Is it worldly?

~Worldly sorrow focuses on what it's going to cost you
~Worldly sorrow is selfish
~Known as Jail House Repentance
~Worldly sorrow is self centered....(wants out of consequences of sin)
Biblical Example: King Saul 1 Sam 15:30

Being sorry......Is it godly sorrow?

~Godly sorrow turns from the sin
~ Godly sorrow changes direction
~ Godly sorrow changes actions
~ Godly sorrow has fruits of repentance
~ Godly sorrow accepts consequences and the person realizes he has coming what he deserves.
~ Godly sorrow has a broken and contrite spirit.

Biblical Example: King David
King David was called a man after God's own heart and yet he sinned as we do. The difference though is King David's RESPONSE to his sin.

Verses given: Mat 5:5, Ps 34:14, Ps 51:17, Is 57:15, Is 66:2

Great message, spoke to my heart! I am ever so thankful that God showed us through this last trial and that we did the right thing with the sin that was involved, God blesses when you REPENT and do the right thing, getting right with others involved and confessing your sin before God, changing your direction, having accountability, accepting consequences....ect.
Can't wait for tonight's message

Friday, September 11, 2009

Homeschooling Price



(****This devotion spoke to my heart today, how true it is, may the Lord speak to us and help us stay focused, not on the worldy aspects, and our own selfishness, BUT on our calling as a homeschhol mom)

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me”
(Galatians 2:20a).

I’m feeling selfish today. I look at the schoolwork waiting to be corrected and this week’s lesson plans still waiting to be finished, and I want to escape somewhere. My life seems like it’s not my own, and I resent the fact that I can’t do what I want, when I want. Homeschooling requires me to be so disciplined, and I’m starting to feel trapped. I want to take a break from housework, diapers, schedules, and endless questions, but I’m the one in charge. I feel like a huge burden is on my back.

Does the above scenario describe you today? Do you wish you could experience the wonderful benefits of homeschooling and escape the responsibilities? Sorry, but it doesn’t work that way. If you want your children to achieve academic, as well as spiritual success, you have to give yourself 100% and commit to homeschooling. Like the man who calculated the cost in building a tower or the king who assessed his army before he went to war (Luke 14:27-33), following the Lord’s call to homeschool your children requires giving your all. Yes, God knows when you need to rest and will show you how to catch your breath, but He also asks His disciples to carry their cross. So who will you follow today, yourself or the Lord? “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23b).

Lord, forgive my attitude and help me refocus on the call You gave to homeschool. Teach me again that Your will and Your way is better than any life I can conceive. I love You and thank You for my family. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

AOP, homeschool devotions
You can help save a homeschool! Learn how today by visiting aophomeschooling.com!

Monday, September 7, 2009

Making My Home Sing....Meme




Well....finally I think I will join in to this meme, I really enjoy being able to share and also learning from others as well :)

This will be our first week of school after summer break, the kids are both anxious about the new year, wondering what it will bring. I have to be quite honest, I am really nervous about it, because I will be teaching Blake along with Austen all week. Austen tends to like things very quiet and orderly, where as Blake is at the age where he needs to move around and have activity while he is learning. This can make it tough, and Austen gets a bit irritated, so I try and separate them as much as I can.

I think though in order to make my home sing, we must begin each day in prayer, with positive attitudes! You know what ladies, we SET THE TONE in our homes.
Proverbs 31:26
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness

If we are dragging out of bed, unorganized and frazzled, not giving our cares to the Lord and asking his help to get us through, we can make a big mess.
Proverbs 27:15
A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.

May we remember to wake up in the morning and start our day in prayer and ask God to lead and guide us to teach our children.
Psalms 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct [my prayer] unto thee, and will look up.
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak. Mat 26:41

Friday, September 4, 2009

What Is Your Calling?





Titus 2:3-5
The aged women likewise, that [they be] in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, [To be] discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Lets Look at these portions of scripture and see what our role is as a women
It amazes me just how far we have came today AWAY from the God given calling we have!
May we look at God's Word here with a willingness to DO what he calls us to do.
Before I became a Christian I had no clue what I was suppose to be as a wife. I had it all wrong. But I am thankful there was a godly woman in my church would took the time to teach me, thus fulfilling Titus 2. This study has been a great reminder......I pray it will be for you also!


1.Behavior as becometh holiness~ befitting men, places, actions or sacred things to God
2.Not false accusers~prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely; A calumniator, false accuser, slanderer,
3.Not given to much wine~
4.Teachers of good things~teaching that which is good, a teacher of goodness
5.Teaching young women to be
a. To Be Sober~
1) restore one to his senses

2) to moderate, control, curb, disciple

3) to hold one to his duty

4) to admonish, to exhort earnestly

b. To love their husbands~loving her husband
c. To love their children~loving one's offspring or children
d. To be discreet~
1) of a sound mind, sane, in one's senses
2) curbing one's desires and impulses, self-controlled, temperate
e. To be chaste~
1) exciting reverence, venerable, sacred
2) pure
a) pure from carnality, chaste, modest
b) pure from every fault, immaculate
c) clean
f. To be keepers at home~
1) caring for the house, working at home
a) the (watch or) keeper of the house
b) keeping at home and taking care of household affairs
c) a domestic
g. To be good~
1) of good constitution or nature
2) useful, salutary
3) good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy
4) excellent, distinguished
5) upright, honourable
h. To be obediant to their own husbands~
1) to arrange under, to subordinate
2) to subject, put in subjection
3) to subject one's self, obey
4) to submit to one's control
5) to yield to one's admonition or advice
6) to obey, be subject

Monday, August 31, 2009

Be Careful.....





The Christian life is very much like climbing a hill of ice. You cannot slide up, nay,
you have to cut every step with an ice axe; only with incessant labour in cutting and
chipping can you make any progress; you need a guide to help you, and you are not
safe unless you are fastened to the guide, for you may slip into a crevasse. Nobody
ever slides up, but if great care be not taken they will slide down, slide back, or in
other words backslide. This is very easily done. If you want to know how to backslide,
the answer is leave off going forward and you will slide backward, cease going
upward and you will go downward of necessity, for stand still you never can.

Spurgeon

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Daily Focus Devotional





In the Limelight



Did you imagine your role as a homeschooling mother to be quiet and obscure? Did you
picture yourself being behind the scenes and working as a support person only? Nothing could be further from the truth! Every time someone asks, "Where do your children go to school?" you are immediately thrust into the spotlight and find yourself facing an endless barrage of questions.



Many great women of the Bible also faced the same challenge. They had to stand up or speak up for the cause God had placed in their lives. Abigail was led by God to save her family by going ahead of her husband's foolishness and providing a meal for King David and his men. Ruth braved danger in gleaning the wheat from Boaz's field in order to save Naomi and herself. Rahab believed in the God of Israel and put out a scarlet rope to save her family from Joshua and his army. Deborah the prophetess went to battle because Barak didn't have faith to fight without her.

Take courage and know that the God of the universe is with you. Just as He went before Israel as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, He will go before you and give you the words to say when you are confronted. Matthew 10:19b-20 says, "Take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." Trust the Holy Spirit to lead you and be not ashamed of the wonderful opportunity God has given you to homeschool your children.

Lord, make me courageous today and not afraid. Give me the words to say to represent You to a lost and dying world. Lead me today so I can guide the children You have given me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Judgement





Romans 14:13


Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in [his] brother's way.

Life Changing Moments.......




It is not a question of God allowing or not allowing things to happen. It is part of living. Some things we do to ourselves, other things we do to each other. Our Father knows about every bird which falls to the ground, but He does not always prevent it from falling. What are we to learn from this? That our response to what happens is more important than what happens. Here is a mystery: one man’s experience drives him to curse God, while another man’s identical experience drives him to bless God. Your response to what happens is more important than what happens. –Chip Brogden


God is allowing a HUGE life changing trial in my life, but as we take steps by faith I can see God's hand. There has never been a time I have felt closer to my God then NOW! Ever so thankful for his GRACE!!!

Friday, July 24, 2009

Blog Hop 09'



Hello There,
I saw The Blog Hop and thought wow, I have to be a part of that....do I have much spare time.....No......Oh I mean...YES, always time to fit in a quick post right? I am a challenged blogger, that is right. If you visit me you will find that, I am not the best at it( I know NO Grammar can you tell? )....but The Lord works through us right? Here at my blog you will
hopefully feel relaxed and want to sit back and read a bit about how the Lord is working in my life!

'His Grace Is Sufficient For Thee'

I am a child of God, saved in 1998 :) I am married to my perfect husband, well not perfect but who am I to talk.....I am by far the chiefest of sinners. One thing I love about God is he can take the most lost, hardened, messed up person and completely change them for HIS glory!!! I can say that from experience as God has worked in my heart...continues to everyday, as I allow Him too!

I also have 2 sweet boys....(yes, boys can be sweet and boys at the same time!)lol.
Austen is my caring, and handsome 13 year old and Blake my happy, smiley pants boy....is 6!

There are many special people in my life that I am ever so grateful for! The Lord has truly blessed me. I especially am thankful for my Pastor, His Family and my beloved brothers and sisters at church!

I have struggled with pain a good part of my adult life, I don't say that to complain but to tell you this.... it has made me rely on the Lord more then ever before. I see God's grace !! I have learned (learning) not to take my Salvation lightly.......It is a GIFT! I was diagnosed with FMS Fibromyalgia and CFS Chronic Fatigue Syndrome about 5 months ago now. I am so thankful God gave me a name for my pain. I am learning to be thankful, and to rely on God to see me through. It has made me stronger, and certainly gave me a compassion for others in pain that I never had before!!

I think the 1 things you can count on here at my blog is ...To Be Encouraged!! Ya you may get your toes stepped on and may even have different opinions...that's OK to.
I do however pray that the Lord uses me to be an encouragement to you, and to let you know you are never alone on this journey! The Lord talks about the aged women teaching the younger women.....that is my goal to please my Lord and for Him to use my experiences,and even mistakes to help others!

Please feel free to comment any time and HAPPY Blog Hopping!!

Ps ...I LOVE to make KJV scripture Tags, they are FREE please feel free to snag any here or over at www.branmadetags.blogspot.com

Brandie

Wholesome Tongue?





As I have been reading my Bible I felt conviction of going back through some specific verses on our tongue. The Lord knew we needed direction in this area sisters!

There are time for me that life just gets hectic, and it's rush, rush, hurry...hurry. I just absolutely seem to always BLOW it in those difficult times!
And guess who gets the brunt of it??? Ya, you know it.....My family. It is so sad that we can be so kind to our friends but we can treat the ones we love the most like dirt.

Proverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
Proverbs 15:4
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
the word ' wholesome' here means health-healing-cure, also refreshing, deliverence .

Do you have a wholesome tongue that is a tree of life....that is refreshing?
Or do you have a tongue that is a breach of spirit?

' breach' means....breaking, fracture, crushing, breach, crash, ruin, shattering

Let us be reminded of God's Word today, let us pray we open our mouth always with kindness..... To our children and husbands especially!

Proverbs 31:26
She openeth her mouth with wisdom ; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness.

Let us pray...
Lord,
aJob 6:24
Teach me, and I will hold my tongue : and cause me to understand wherein I have erred .

In Jesus Name, Amen

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Youth Camp Coming




Greeting fellow Bloggers!

Hope you are having a good Thursday afternoon.
I am preparing for youth camp. To be honest, I really didn't want to go, for fear of the stress of preparing and getting there(motor home drive & All), so many obstacles. But the Lord has opened the doors and I believe we are suppose to go. I just fight the flesh....I am weak!!! We will just be going for a few days, but the kids are exited! I don't think we can go wrong being with brothers and sisters in Christ, under the preaching, and away from these awful worldly influences!

I am praying God will work in each child that is attending and that they would be ready to hear and accept what God has for them. It is always a blessing to see God work in their life! Austen really needs this too!!

I will be sad to leave my dear hubby behind.
I will be driving my grandparents 30ft Motor home........That otta be a sight to see ugh
::::gasp::::: ya!

Ya all have a good day!
Off to do more laundry.... (ha my life story)

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Ever Wonder?





EVER WONDER ...

Why the sun lightens our hair,
But darkens our skin?

Why women can't put on mascara
With their mouth closed?

Why don't you ever see the headline
'Psychic Wins Lottery'?

Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word?

Why is it that doctors call what
They do 'practice'?

Why is lemon juice made with
Artificial flavor, and dish washing
Liquid made with real lemons?

Why is the man who invests all
Your money called a broker?

Why is the time of day with the
Slowest traffic called rush hour?

Why isn't there mouse-flavored
Cat food?

Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?

Why do they sterilize the needle
For lethal injections?

You know that indestructible black
Box that is used on airplanes? Why
Don't they make the whole plane out
Of that stuff?!

Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?

Why are they called apartments
When they are all stuck together?

If con is the opposite of pro, is
Congress the opposite of progress?

If flying is so safe, why do they call
The airport the terminal?

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Attitude~Joy Restored







This is a personal experience I am sharing of How the Lord is working in my life,
it may just be for me but, possibly you are going through the same thing and the verses God gave me will help you too! We do not have to stay in a miserable state because of our circumstances!! We need not blame others for our unhappiness either!


1 Tim 6:6
But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:
but a broken spirit drieth up the bones.

Being content takes God's work in your heart! Our flesh is so weak that way. It would always ceased to amaze me how some children of God were so full of JOY? I know sad that it amazed me, but It has been a very long while since I have had the true joy of Christ in my heart!

As I lie in bed last night and pondered how the Lord is working in my heart, tears of repentance rolled down my cheeks. I have been miserable for the past few years in my Christian walk. I sometimes wondered........why, why, can't I get out of this funk? I would look at my situation and say well my life is just not what I wanted it to me...ie...my children, my marriage, my health? Complain and murmur is what I would do....... some of you know you kindly listened to it.......ugh sorry this is part of the healing for me of repentance, it is a sin. We are to be thankful in EVERYTHING. Lord help me in this area where I am terribly weak!

God had prepared several key messages for me to hear that started this turning point. We are such a pitiful people who want our own way and seek it in the wrong way? Well maybe you think your not? I tell you speaking from experience...Pride can be a HUGE stumbling block, don't fool yourself as I did!
The Lord tells us in his Word, Our ways are NOT his ways (Isa 55:8.).........so why are we not dying to self daily? We struggle because we don't ask God to help? It saddens me that I have wasted so much time idle!! Oh friend I missed out on so many blessings!

Oh Lord let me not wonder from thy path! For your will is the perfect place to be.

A long while ago when my husband and I did some marriage counseling my Pastor gave a
verse to us that, I really didn't grasp until now. Yes, I knew what it meant but I really didn't apply it in my life!

Ponder thy path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Prov 4:26
*that word Ponder here mean to 'make way, make level, even'

Prov 4:18
But the path of the just is a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
God says here that the path of a true Christian shineth MORE and MORE until we get called home.

Are we molding to Christ character or are we going our own way? Are we becoming more godly or more worldly? Do we know God's precepts but do not apply them? DO WE HAVE an attitude of gratitude? I sure have not, but Lord help me to change my wicked ways!

Oh boy, growing pains are hard but man they are so worth it! Remember he is the Potter, we are the clay.

I want to be a light for Christ in my life, I want my children to see that MY ONLY HOPE IS IN CHRIST ALONE! Oh to many times I have herd my children act the same way I do!! OUCH!

Lord,
I thank you for this devotion that you have laid on my heart to share, this is a very personal lesson I needed......sometimes the path of life is so difficult and we want to know why? This is where we lose the JOY, You have given us many examples in your Word one that comes to my mind is where Paul writes 'For I have learned for whatsoever state I am in therwith to be content' Lord we KNOW it is possible. I pray that you would continue to help me purge that ugly sin in my life called ungratefulness!! Restore my joy so I can be a testimony.
Help me to see the blessings and not look upon my circumstances. I can not see 'why' but I can trust you that you are preparing your perfect will in my life as long as I submit to you.
In Jesus Precious Name,
Amen

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Confessions Of A_____________.




confessions of a __________.

Ha.... you, guess what that missing word is when I am finished with the blog post. And please due forgive me for typos because folks I left my brain at the supermarket! Ya, Umm... the day started off well, but all was lost at the grocery store. I know that those of you who know me are snickering right now! Why is it I always forget to bring my list of things I need?

I am slowly....I mean slowly walking down the first isle in the store, thinking Ok Brandie,you didn't bring your list, you did not eat before you came and, you have not had Doritos in a WEEK!!!! BAD COMBINATION!!

I tried ever, ever so hard to stop myself, I even prayed, Dear Lord you KNOW me, I am weak, I am craving Doritos and those chocolate donuts would go so good with that chocolate milk I just through in the cart! So I ran from the isle like 60 (hey you would have thought I was a professional runner). I said .............GET THEE behind me Satan!! I can not have the JUNK!
Well who do you think won that battle?? I am sitting here at my computer eating a nutritious banana...OOOPS TyPo I mean chocolate donut, trying to muster up the energy to shut off my alarm that is telling me to get off the computer. Now you know I confessed!!! So much for those hard earned, sacrificing 9 lbs that I lost!!! Sheeesh! Oh and the computer thing if you are wondering (I put a timer on so I can be reminded that umm sitting is not getting your housework done!) Ya call me childish, but it works for me.

All RIGHT, I will not tell anymore of my secrets because you may be judging me at this very moment...Ya you are, either you are thinking man she blew it, or your thinking........Brandie has done lost her mind!! LOL.naaa hope you had a laugh today ::::grins:::::

On a serious note. The Lord has been so good to me lately and is giving me peace about the fibro. I ask God daily to restore my peace, it can be difficult when your in pain. But the Lord is answering my prayers and I have a joy I didn't have before this all. Ya, I do feel misunderstood alot but I know my Lord knows just where I am, and He will give me the mercy and grace to get through it! I am learning to have some humor with this all. I am learning to live in the simple things, not to be so uptight about life. Praise God...man I was uptight !!!Well, the Lord is not finished with me there, I got a long ways to go!!!
Can you guess what that missing word was in the title LOL

Hugs, Have a blessed Day!!
Brandie

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Attitudes



What is your attitude today towards your trials?

Do you see opportunities in difficulties or difficulties in opportunities?
Do you know every trial we have there is a choice, an opportunity?
We need to ask ourselves, how can I honor and glorify God through this?

Who is watching dear friend? Is it your children, is it your family?
Do they see a difference in you? As I sit here and type my husbands family
is dealing with a whole lot of finacial stress. How will I react when they come to me with
these burdens? They are not saved, and this stress, is really bringing them down. But there should be a difference in the Christian that has hope, shouldn't there be?
I don't have time to type out all these and for some reason I am not able to copy and paste these but if you are stsruggling in this area these are great verses to remind us!

Psalm 31:24
Psalm 33:18
Psalm 78:7
Psalm 146:5

Proverbs 10:48

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Train Them Up.........



The Home A Place of Rejoicing, Fellowship, and Forgiveness


Home ought to be a place where love is recieved and given, a place for caring and developing sensetivity to others and learning to forgive and be forgiven. (Luke 17:3)


There is a huge difference between a relaxing, stimulating atmosphere and a place of tension and disorder. We need to teach the wisdom which comes from God (James 3:13-18)

More Next Time :)

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Hello

 
 
 

  You Are In My Prayers Friend

www.gracefromhim4.blogspot.com

 Your Sister In Christ,

Brandie

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Home Is A.......




This is an introduction to the series we will be doing.


The Home is a place to teach and saturate with Biblical principles.


1) That they understand the Doctrines. (Isaiah 28:9-10)

2) That we might secure the future.(Deut 4:9-11, 4:40; 5:28-29; 31:12-13, Psalms 78:5-8)



The Home is a place of refuge and protection:


We must build a' hedge of protection ' for our families sake. This means sacrificing to have them in a Christian school or homeschool (if God Leads), seeing that the TV and the music in the home are fully and totally controlled, and seeing that our children have the right kind of friend.


The Home should be the place we establish a heritage:


Children are an "heritage from the Lord" (Psalm 127:4)


The Home is a place to teach the fear of the Lord:


Psalms 34:9,11 Proverbs 2: 1-11



We will go over more tomorrow :)

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Basic Character Traits~Children




For the next 6 weeks or so I want to do a series on Training Children.....the Character Traits that are vital in their Christian upbringing.


Character development must become a most important, and prominent goal in our homes if we are to mold our children for the Lord. You will be able to impliment these traits in your childs life through daily devotions and memorizing scripture with them. We will pick a verse a day to memorize and the we will review at the end of the week we can share our progress.


Please join me in this journey, if you can take a button and place it on your blog I would really appreciate it, as we are in this journey together.
Some Traits We Will Go Over From Birth To Age 6
To Be Attentive
To Be Obedient
To Be Content
To Be Neat
To Be Reverent
To Be Forgiving
To Be Grateful
To Have Faith
To Be Truthful
To Have Right Values
To Be Meek
To Be Unselfish

After going over each of these clearly we will move into the youth to teen years.
Looking forward to it :)
Brandie

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Train Them Up.........




ATTITUDES.....

OH boy, the Lord has a sense of humor....or does he?

Have you been at the place where you just are tired of going through the same ole trials, and you finally say 'OK LORD.....what is I need to learn to STOP this cycle?
I am so there with my oldest right now. I feel like he just does not get it. Why is it I have to remind him 50 times to take out the trash, do is school work OR quit picking on his brother, or STOP with the attitudes?
Proverbs 29:22
An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
I found myself today sitting on his bed today trying to get through to him why he seems to always be in trouble? I think for me the biggest issue is respect. I explained again that what is in your heart WILL come out and sometimes it does not even matter if you have spoken, but it can be all over your countenance.

Psalm 10:4

The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek [after God]: God [is] not in all his thoughts I explained to him, it was my job as a parent to teach him in the ways of the Lord and it is like unto being under an umbrella...we all have an umbrella of authority in our lives.
Hebrews 13:17
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.
1 Peter 5:5
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

We also talked about the tongue and how wicked it truly is and how much it can get us in trouble when we don't let the Holy Spirit lead. Austen has done studies on the tongue this past year but we needed to go back over some of those verses.

I guess for me, I can take parenting very personally.....it breaks my heart to see him walk away from the truth. But here is where I also get into trouble. I must remember it is my JOB as a parent to teach him, and lead him in the right direction. That my friend takes TIME and sometimes we moms are just to busy to stop to teach and we just get aggravated and dish out the discipline. These dear children of ours need to KNOW the Fear of the Lord and the only way they are going to be taught is through our instruction, guiding them back to the Cross. Yes, there is forgiveness..but there is always a penalty for our sin.

I did get through it, and it was a good reminder that I need to stop to teach and instruct instead of just dishing out the discipline.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Happy Father's Day~ Prayer



Father’s Day Prayer


Lord, please bless our fathers,
these men who mean so much to us,
who are greatly responsible
for who we are and who we are becoming.
Bless them for having the courage
to do what’s necessary to keep us out of trouble,
for making us do the right thing,
for helping us build our character,
even when it makes us angry;
and bless them for pushing us to do our best,
even when they just want to love us.
Bless our fathers for being our protectors,
for leading us through stormy times to safety,
for making us believe that everything will be all right
and for making it so.
Bless our fathers for quietly making a living
to provide for those they love most,
for giving us food, clothing, shelter
and the other material things that really matter,
for unselfishly investing time and money in us
that they could have spent on themselves.
Bless our fathers, Lord,
for saving some energy for fun,
for leading us on adventures
to explore the outer reaches of ourselves,
for making us laugh,
for being our playmates and our friends.
Bless them for being our secure foundation, our rock,
for holding on tight to us...until it’s time to let us go.
Lord, bless these men we look up to,
our role models, our heroes,
our fathers.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.


By Joanna Fuchs

Friday, June 19, 2009

New Scripture Tags I just made :)

FEEL FREE TO SNAG AND POST IN YOUR BLOG :)
Hugs.Brandie







Thursday, June 18, 2009

Room Mates VS Soul Mates



How much do you really want to have a great marriage? Do you want it enough to take God at His Word and place your confidence in His plan for love and marriage?
So many today are miserable in their marriage. For me I struggle in my own. But thankfully I have a God who restores if I trust and obey him. This ole' flesh want to be pleased but I must choose to die to my own wants!

Would you say you and your mate are soul mates OR room mates? Why is it that there are so many broken families these days? It is pretty simple.......They dismiss God's plan for a marriage.

Today's views are such a contrast from God's! It is all about 'Self' what pleases me. Do you want your marriage enough to STOP demanding your "rights". We must stop believing that we will be happy if only our mate changes something.

Are you motivated by LOVE or by what you want? Love is sacrificial, it does NOT depend on what you mate does or says. Love seeks to meet the true, legitimate needs of others, not the whims and destructive demands of others.
A wife is to obey her husband willingly as an act of faith in God. Are we pleasing our own agenda or God's?

Romans 13:10a Love worketh no ill to his neighbor
This means that every decision or action should be for no other reason than the good of one's husband and always to the honor of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We tend to say..."But Lord you don't understand, my husband doesn't show me that he loves me, he doesn't do anything for me...why should I do for him? This is the worlds thinking. "Love is Sacrificial", it does not depend on what the other person does!

The bible says in 1 John 3:18 'let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth'. Mathew 7:12 records "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." Notice how love is an action involving a deliberate decision.

Do you want your soul mate back? God has a PERFECT plan for our marriages IF we will follow his blueprint, and not our own.

Lord,
I pray today that you would help us stay focused on your plan and not our own. I don't want my own desires......they do not bring me happiness, I want your desires!
Help us love sacrificially as you do. May we remember what you did for us on the cross. help us in our marriages.
In Jesus Precious name,
Amen.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Your Spiritual Garden





Isa 58:11

And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.


Plant Three Rows Of Peas - For The Garden Of
Your Daily Living;
1. PEACE Of Mind
2. PEACE Of Heart
3. PEACE Of Soul

Plant Four Rows Of Squash;
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness

Plant Four Rows Of Lettuce;
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another

Now No Garden Should Be Without Turnips;
- So Plant 3 Rows Of Turnips;
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip to help one another

Finally Dear One, Your Garden Must Have Thyme;
1. Thyme for each other
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends
4. Thyme for prayer

Water Freely With Patience & Cultivate With LOVE.
There should be much fruit in your garden, after all "We Reap
What We Sow." Therefore "Happy Gardening!"



Pastor Scott

Thursday, June 11, 2009

The Holy Spirit




You know we always here the saying..
If Life deals you lemons, make lemonade!
Well lately things have been a bit array in my life.
It is so hard when times like that come to walk in the Spirit.
However I think we make things so much worst on ourselves by the way
we react to what life throws our way, don't we?
Do we stop to reflect to ask God to help us, or do we go about
our way being frazzled and worried?
As I am looking back over the past oh..... few weeks,
I have to say I failed at letting the Holy Spirit lead in my life.
The Bible tells us.............
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Galations 5:16
[This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Instead, I looked at the situation in utter disbelief, and let my mind wonder as just how
I would handle these situations myself. .
God has taught me many lessons, ... and also gives me unmerrited grace!
What happens to us when we DON'T walk in the Spirit?
THE WORKS OF THE FLESH

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

Gal 5:20
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

Gal 5:21
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the Bible does say I can have victory.
How?
Philipians 4:8
I am to think on THESE things
1> What is TRUE
2>What is HONEST
3>What Is JUST
4>What is PURE
5>What is LOVELY
6>What is of GOOD REPORT
So we need to judge our thoughts on these things above, and if they don't measure we then throw them out!
Now let's also take a look at the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
When we yield to the Holy Spirit these are the FRUITS of it!
Galations 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance
:
against such there is no law.





Dear Lord,
Forgive me for turning my back on the most valuable tool you have given us as Christians.
Help me to listen carefully to your way, so that I may not have my own way!
I thank you for your love and mercy that is so undeserved. Help me to serve you today 100%
In Jesus Precious Name,
AMEN

Monday, June 8, 2009

Sunday's Blessing

It is ALWAYS refreshing to be in the House of God!
Yesterday was full of blessings: Great sermons that I can ponder this week, great people to be around, and spending part of the afternoon with my grandma and grandpa.
It was so nice to see Carey(which I didn't get a chance to visit with) was able to be there because her mom and Travis are both out of the hospital, Praise God for answered prayer.
I have so much more to share but today is going to be very busy, as Monday's are always busy for us. I am meeting some sweet ladies from our church to walk at the lake, and then I will swim for just a bit., and then it's off to the dreaded Dr's appt! I probably won't be home until around 3:00 or so.
Blessings,
Brandie

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Homeschool~












"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8).





Just like other school children, homeschoolers also use excuses for not completing their schoolwork on time. As my children grew older, they learned several pat answers to justify their procrastination, including their favorite, "Don't worry. It's no big deal." Of all their excuses, this one probably annoyed me the most. Failing to acknowledge their wrongdoing and to take responsibility for their actions, this glib remark downplayed the importance of planning ahead and the significance of keeping a promise. I quickly realized if I didn't hold them accountable in small things, my children would also not be accountable in larger things later in life.





When dealing with the matter of sin, we also attempt to downplay its significance in our walk with God. Justifying ourselves, we consider character flaws and little white lies "No big deal." After all, who's going to notice or pay attention? In Psalm 5:4-5 we read the answer, "For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity."





God is holy and the standards He sets for those who walk according to the light are measured by that holiness (1 Peter 1:15).Obviously, God doesn't mess around with sin and neither should we. If you find yourself in opposition to God's Word and ignoring the Holy Spirit's promptings to abstain from an "insignificant" activity, be careful. You may think that it's no big deal, but it is to God. "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death" (James 1:14-15)





Father, I know there's no such thing as a small sin in Your eyes. Cleanse my heart today and help me to walk uprightly in the strength and power of Your love. In Jesus' name, Amen.





AOP devotional

Friday, May 29, 2009

Prayer Request~

Updates:

Thanks so much to those who prayed!

Travis

Travis came through surgery well, now he needs our prayers for comfort and healing. He will have to wear a brace for 4 months, and it is extremely uncomfortable for him. The whole family needs our prayers. Careys mom (Roxanne)came to help her at the hospital with Travis and she became very ill and they have hospitalized her. Carey is going back and forth to be with her mom and then to be with Travis. I am sure this is exhausting for her.

Braveheart

Yae, good news! He is out of the hospital and recovering well! Fever is gone. They will start back on Chemo now, so please pray for him to feel good through his treatments and for his counts to stay normal.

My Grandma

I went with her Monday to see the Cancer specialist. He is going to run more test including a sample from her bone marrow and then we will know more, next week.

I have had a few prayer updates.

Braveheart

As you see in my side bar, I have been asking for prayer for these dear children. I received an update on Braveheart who has cancer, he is in the hospital with a fever and his counts are very low. His mom said he will have at least a 4 day stay to try and get him better, and for his counts to go back up. Pray also for his family please.

Travis

Travis as some of you know is near and dear to us. He is our Pastors youngest boy, and best friends with my son Blake. After his last surgery(he broke the growing rod in his back) he had a check to make sure he was healing ok, and everything was in place. Well come to find out 2 weeks after surgery, the hooks from his spine had come undone. They told mom and dad to take him home, keep him down and in a brace with minimal movement until they can get him in for surgery (surgery date 6/3). He is doing ok but is having a hard time being down. Well what child would at his age, bless his heart! Blake was able to go stay the night with him and keep him company last weekend, it was a good thing :)

Please continue to pray for this family and Travis. They are truly a blessing to us and have been a HUGE testimony to those around them through this incredibly tough time with their son. We can see God through this, because of their FAITH in our God who's mercy and grace carries us through. I can not even imagine, but I know our God is there by their side, and the prayers of ours can help them through this!

My Grandma
My granmda has been going in for tests because they suspected one of her kidneys were shrinking? Well, come to find out through all the blood work and tests, her kidneys are OK, but her blood work indicates something wrong in her bone marrow. The next step is to see the blood specialist which is in the cancer unit at the hospital. I am praying for this visit that is on 6/4, that God would give wisdom to the doctors and whatever the outcome is ........we would all have peace. They did mention that there is a possibility of cancer, but they have to run more tests to see. God is in control :)
Thanks Friends,
Brandie

Do you see conflict as an opportunity?

To refuse to submit our life to God and be content with His provisions and work in our life is to be spiritually unfaithful to the God Who is sovereignly working in our life. We worry about what people are doing to us and zero in on injustices and mistreatment as though God does not see and deal with offenders who wrong us.

We become agitated when others around us fail and excuse ourselves what we are so readily condemn in others. We do not see conflict as an opportunity to demonstrate faith in God and see God work miracles in our life- we only see the problem and scream and protest as though God doesn't know what He is doing.

In times of conflict we tend to project the worst and predict our doom rather than anticipate the intervention of an all-powerful God whose desire is to BLESS us beyond our imagination!

Did God not show us this in His Word through the children of Israel?

1 Corinthians 10:11-12

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Eph 2:1-5

And you [hath he quickened], who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Happily Married~ Debi Pryde

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Busy Times......





Hello ,


I want to blog, but I have a few chores to do this morning. Life has been very eventful , and a bit stressful as well!


We are wrapping up the school year. I am pushing Austen to get finished by June 17th.

He has Math, English, and a bit of History to finish. I am so ready for summer break.


Yesterday was difficult for Austen and I. I am praying today will be better! Blake has a half day today, so he gets home at 12:00 today. The weather has been beautiful lately. We had company all last weekend. It was good to see family! The kids spent a couple days with my MIL, and had fun over there playing with their cousins.


Wayne and I finally got the headset. We had bought one a few months ago, but it was the wrong set so we had to take it back. This headset is way better, and it was a good deal too:) We were able to take off on the bike and ride, it was good to be able to talk while we rode. Wayne's job has been extremely stressful, so he really needed those 3 days off. I was some what disappointed that he didn't go to church Sunday, but I am going to press on and pray.


My FM has been better since the weather has been nice, I thank the Lord for that :) I do need some treatment but I need to be patient to see what comes of our medical bills first.


Silly me, I love collecting PSP tubes for making my tags, but my goodness, I have an over ABUNDANCE of mail!! It has been taking way to much time to go through.... That is why I have not blogged, but I plan to get back to it, as I enjoy sharing, and participating in some of the memes out there.


I need to also update you all on Travis.....he and his family needs our prayers....that post will come in a while.


Psalm 3:2-3
Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

Siggy Test


Thursday, May 21, 2009

I needed some funnies

A father was reading Bible stories to his young son. He read, "The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city, but his wife looked back and was turned to salt." His son asked, "What happened to the flea?"
A Sunday School teacher asked her class, "Does anyone here know what we mean by sins of omission?" A small girl replied: "Aren't those the sins we should have committed, but didn't?"

One day a space shuttle crashed to the ground in the yard of a preschool. When he finally struggled out of the wreckage, the astronaut shouted, "I'm free! I'm free!!!" At this point, one of the little children standing there shouted back, "Big deal, I'm four!"





Six-year-old Angie and her four-year-old brother Joel were sitting together in church. Joel giggled, sang, and talked out loud. Finally, his big sister had enough. "You're not supposed to talk out loud in church." "Why? Who's going to stop me?" Joel asked. Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, "See those two men standing by the door? They're hushers."