Reflections...

Spiritual Circumcision: “Cutting away everything from life, but the will of God.” - John MacArthur

I can't even find the words but I will try

Learning:

Lord Help me

To Love instead of judge

To Yell STOP when my brain is saying to freak out

To accept people the way they are w/o wanting them to change

To live in the moment and not worry about the next hour

To trust God knows the future

To be OK with failing (ummm this is hard to even type)

To listen instead of talk

To be thankful for the day God gave me despite the circumstances.

Thoughts

Why is it that as Christians we feel the need to condemn rather then to LOVE.

Jesus loved us ...knowing we are sinners...he accepted us knowing we are sinners.

I think of the Samaritan women who came to get water.

This women had no idea what she would encounter that day. She had 5 different husbands the Bible tells us. She had searched for love and acceptance and found it not. On that day when Jesus approached her, I can imagine her thought was that she would be cast more judgment for the way she had lived. She could not understand why Jesus would ask her for a drink. She knew that Jews did not speak or associate with Samaritans. In their conversation the Samaritan women asked if Jesus was a prophet, He knew she had been with 5 husbands. Jesus loved her, he knew her sin and knew all of her shortcomings, yet he chose that day to be at that specific place with her.

Everyone wants to be accepted, everyone wants to be loved.

I want to help reach the lost and share the good news of Salvation! Look people are not going to respond when we condemn and judge them. They will only respond out of love. How do we love them? Well we love them where they are at. Jesus called us to love.

In many of my relationships including marriage I have been guilty of judging and condemning before loving FIRST. I feel so foolish for not seeing this sooner in my life. But I am thankful God is showing me now some reaping of showing LOVE. It works. After all, I fear judgement and I want acceptance. I know the one who KNOWS me, accepted me and died for me...even with every sin I will ever commit!

Waiting for the Lord in a season of darkness should not be a time of inactivity. We should do what we can do. And doing is often God’s appointed remedy for despair.

John Piper

I really like this quote and it sure fits for this season in my life. I feel like nothing is stable these days.

Life seems on hold. We moved here to Texas 5 months ago. I had prayed for months over the decision . My husband was convinced that this was what we were suppose to do. Well, 5 months later we are moving back to Washington. I ask why? Why would God just bring us here for 5 months? We have built new relationship and new starts here in Texas. i love the warmer weather. I seem to do so much better with my Fibromyalgia here.

But I know I need to follow my husband and be supportive of his leading.

It will be interesting to see where God is leading. I am willing as God wills to go. I just pray for his perfect will. If we are in Gods will then the peace will follow.

Grandma and Grandpa will be here to visit for a week and then we will be making the long 4 day trip back home.

Great Quote!

"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not
only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do.
Expect unexpected things, 'above all that we ask or think.' Each
time, before you Intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His
glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the
prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege
in Christ, and expect great things!" - Andrew Murray

Verse.....Thought ....Quote

Verse For Today......

1 Chronicles 28:20

And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do [it]: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, [even] my God, [will be] with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

Thought For The Day.......

Unlike God, people will disappoint you. They will let you down. They don't know how you feel sometimes or what's going through your head. They don't always know the right thing to say, or when to say the right thing. But if you have God, that's okay. Let people be people, there are things God can do that they can't. Humans aren't perfect, not even Christians. That's why God is so awesome. Because He is!

Written by Yuliya Kononova, age 17

Quote for the day....

The average person in the world today, without faith and without God and without hope, is engaged in a desperate personal search throughout his lifetime. He does not really know where he has been. He does not really know what he is doing here and now. He does not know where he is going. The sad commentary is that he is doing it all on borrowed time and borrowed money and borrowed strength; and he already knows that in the end he will surely die! Man, made more like God than any other creature, has become less like God than any other creature. Created to reflect the glory of God, he has retreated sullenly into his cave; reflecting only his own sinfulness. Certainly it is a tragedy above all tragedies in this world that man, made with a soul to worship and praise and sing to God's glory, now sulks silently in his cave.

A.W. Tozer

Weekend Ramblings...

Summer seems to be going quick! Austen has been in drivers education almost 2 weeks. He should be able to get his permit next week! I finally have some quiet time to blog a bit. The boys went with Wayne riding. It has been very warm here, but I sure enjoy sitting under the patio cover out back with the misters running. I got a surprise this am from a neighbor...a dozen roses...so pretty! It is good to live in a neighborhood where you feel safe and people are friendly.

We are looking forward to having family visit the next couple months. My SIL, MIL, niece and nephew are coming in August. Then my grandparents are coming September 5th for a week! The kids are so exited.

Last week I learned so much in the class. We talked about parenting and how our children really need us to encourage them. The gal who runs the class is super sweet and loves the Lord...I have been gleaning so much from her talks. My walk has been a bit shaky lately . I think just getting settled in a new church and not having the Christian friendships and accountability has weighed on me. The verse that keeps ringing in my ears is "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly" (Prov 18:24). The neat thing that has happened here is that we have really come together as a family! The time together has been so good!

There have been some relationships here I have really questioned, it is so hard to know how other people feel and at times I drive myself crazy worrying about it. People back home knew me and here it is starting all over. Fear can cause so much frustration and other emotions. Aww well learning and growing!

Smells like my brownies are almost done. I will be wrapping them up and we will send out a few dishes tomorrow to the neighbors.

Blessings,

Spiritual Emotions

Spiritual emotions result in Christian practice because their object is the loveliness of spiritual things, not our self-interest. People have a defective Christianity because they are seeking their own interests in it, not God’s. So they accept Christianity only to the extent that they think it serves their interests. By contrast, a person who accepts it for its own excellent and lovely nature, accepts everything which has that nature.

Jonathan Edwards

Daybook

Outside my window... SUN glorious sunshine
I am thinking... summer and some things we are planning to do while school is out.

From the learning rooms... The boys did one math sheet today

I am thankful for... Agnes Baptist Church...the great services and the closeness these people have amazes me!

From the kitchen... BBQ burgers tonight

I am wearing... shorts, flip-flops, and T-shirt

I am reading... Psalm 139 & Book "The Ministry Of Motherhood"

I am hoping......A fun, peaceful evening with my family.

I am creating... New Bible Verse Tags

I am hearing... Austen telling me about a movie he wants to see

Around the house... cleaned kitchen & both bathrooms today

One of my favorite things... sitting on my back porch hearing the birds

A few plans for the rest of the week... Tomorrow we are going to a lake with our neighbors, the kids are really exited.

All the way my Savior leads me...

All the way my Savior leads me;

What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy,

Who through life has been my Guide?

Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort,

Here by faith in Him to dwell!

For I know, whate'er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well,

For I know, whate'er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me,

Cheers each winding path I tread,

Gives me grace for every trial,

Feeds me with the living bread.

Though my weary steps may falter,

And my soul athirst may be,

Gushing from the Rock before me,

Lo! a spring of joy I see,

Gushing from the Rock before me,

Lo! a spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me;

Oh, the fullness of His grace!

Perfect rest to me is promised

In my Father's blest embrace.

When my spirit, clothed immortal,

Wings its flight to realms of day,

This my song through endless ages:

Jesus led me all the way,

This my song through endless ages:

Jesus led me all the way.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/701#ixzz1Rd31LOb4

Are You Planted By The Water.....

~PLANTED BY THE WATER~

Are you planted by the water

In this world of sin and strife?

Have you surrendered to the Savior,

The one who gives everlasting life?

As we travel through this world

There are many dangers along the way,

We have no reason to fear or falter,

If we know the Lord, who hears us, as we pray.

Though the trial be great or small

We have one who always cares,

Jesus will be there, when you call,

Your every burden, our Savor will bear.

When we are planted by the water of life

Jesus will keep us safe in Him,

One day, if we follow on with the Lord,

With joy, we'll leave this old world of sin.

In all eternity, we shall be with our Lord

on heaven's golden shores.

Keep the faith and trust fully in Him,

We'll behold the Master's face, forevermore.

Blessings In Christ, Jo Ann Kelly © 2006, 2005 J. P.'s Inspirations http://www.my.homewithgod.com/jpinspirations/

This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits intact, for non-profit ministering purposes.

Blake's 8th Birthday Party Begins Early

The boys making a slide in the back yard.

River Valley MX with friends (Texas)

Austen & Layne

Layne

Blake on his new KLX 110 L

One thing the boys love about Texas is all the motocross tracks. The neighbor kids (Cameron & Layne) came to the track with us.

Sunday Reflections 6-12

Sunday Morning

Scriptures

Eph 5:15-18

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

God has a plan for each of us. We were created for a purpose in Him. We need to be wise, and seek out what the will of God is for our lives. Personally I ask God daily because I don't really know long term what his will is. However what really spoke to me is that God has a specific plan. He will use what we have been through, and even our mistakes if we allow him too. There were many trials in my life that I almost did not think I could bare! When I was in the mist of them the tunnel seemed so dark. I would have times where I would feel so alone and ashamed that these things were happening.

Is 64:8-9

But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.

God will bring us to points in our lives to realize that without Him we can do nothing! He will break us, only to bring us out better then we started. In order for God to use us for his specific will, He must teach us. Much like a potter who has a lump of clay and molds that ugly lump of clay into a beautiful masterpiece.

( Our ways are Not His ways)Is 55:9

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

It is so difficult being humbled through those things. Life has many lessons and in those lessons we can not escape . Knowing that God is making and molding us for His perfect will gives me a peace that I will continue to fall, but as long as I seek God and try to obey His commandments He will guide and direct my life. He has the path already made out.....now it is up to me to live it. When I make mistakes God will allow a way for me to escape (if I seek His will not my own). He can even use those mistakes, even though it was NOT the perfect will of God, he can use them to help others.

Jeremiah 29:11-14

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Texas Storm Season and Info

Definition: Tornado -- 1. A violently rotating column of air, in contact with the ground, either pendant from a cumuliform cloud or underneath a cumuliform cloud, and often (but not always) visible as a funnel cloud.

Compared with other States, Texas ranks number 1 for frequency of Tornadoes, 1 for number of deaths, 1 for injuries and 1 for cost of damages. Based on data from 1950 - 1995. Between 1950 and 1995 the state had 7,554 injuries involving tornadoes. This ranks the state number 1 among the States for injury.

Tornados are rated by severity and wind speed using the Fujita scale of F0-F5:

F-1: (73 - 112mph) - Moderate Damage - Roof surfaces are peeled off, windows are broken, some tree trunks are snapped, unanchored manufactured homes are over-turned, attached garages may be destroyed. This house experienced partial roof removal, only on the windward (near) side; therefore, this damage site was rated F1.

The primary tornado season in Texas is from March through June, but tornados can occur in any month of the year.Tornados often form in the southwest part of thunderstorms - next to the part of the storm where heavy rain or hail is falling.

Opening windows will NOT equalize pressure and prevent an explosion of the house if hit by a tornado.

Tornados are not the only weather killers in Texas: Lightning, tornados and high winds take an average of 15 lives each year in Texas alone. 51 people died as a direct result of tornados in the US in 2003.

The latest 4 large killer tornados in Texas:

• May 27, 1997: A twister hits Jarrell in Central Texas, killing 30. Two other deaths from other storms are confirmed in nearby Travis County.
• May 22, 1987: A tornado hits the small West Texas town of Saragosa during a kindergarten graduation ceremony, flattening the community center and church, killing 30 people and injuring more than 100.
• April 10, 1979: Forty-two people are killed and more than 1,700 injured by a tornado in Wichita Falls. More than 3,000 homes are destroyed and 20,000 people left homeless.
• May 11, 1953: A tornado hits Waco, killing 114 people and injuring 597. An estimated 150 homes and 185 other buildings are destroyed.

The word tornado comes from two Spanish words: tronado meaning thunderstorm and tornar meaning to turn.

On the average, a tornado's path is 4 miles long and 400 yards wide but can be as long as 100 miles long and a mile wide

The average tornado travels at a speed of 25-40 miles per hour, but tornadoes have been known to reach speeds up to 70 mph. Winds inside a tornado can swirl at close to 300 mph. They stay on the ground for an average of 4-5 minutes, but they can touch down several times.

Most tornados:

• move from southwest to northeast
• rotate in a counterclockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere
• occur between 3 and 7 P.M.
• are reported to occur most often in the United States

http://tornadostormshelters.com/Facts.htm

Homeschool Happenings ~ Texas History

We are finishing up the year with some History lessons on Texas

Our View ...Stormy Skies