Monday...Learning-Living-Loving

I need motivation! We are almost 6 months into the school year and I am wore out! There are days I want to just call it quits and put the boys back in school. Today as I was going through Blake's Bible lesson (Character Traits-Diligence), this is his verse:

Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Some days I get lost in the monotony . Then I remember that I am doing what God called me to do! The Bible tells us that whatever we do to do it with all of our might. A great reminder...and I needed it!

Austen is doing better in math! I love the fact that his teacher will not hesitate to STOP and pray for wisdom when we hit bumps in the road with Austen. She really seems to care about the small details too! God is so good, neat that he paired us with her on our journey through highschool. I struggle here too because we don't have a support network or group to do activities with. She encourages me to keep at it!

Blake is learning multiplication, geometry, fractions, and division this year. I have really slowed down to make sure he masters multiplication. I want him to enjoy it. Next year I will be doing teaching textbooks for sure. I absolutely LOVE the curriculum. I spent 6 years doing Saxon with Austen and it was very painstaking! He is now having to learn to LIKE math, because before Teaching Textbooks he hated it!

We are in a new Bible study on Wednesdays at church! It is a series on Life's Healing Choices. As I go through the 8 week study I will try and put my notes in my blog. Pastor is also in a series on Sundays called The New You. It really goes hand in hand with Wednesdays Bible study.

It was great news last week to hear God had answered our prayers about Grandma and her cancer! We serve a healing God!

Blessings,

The Battle...Week 1

Romans 7: 15-21

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that [it is] good Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Matthew 5:3-10

Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

How we play God..

We try to control our image by wearing masks, playing games, and hiding the truth about ourselves.

We try to control other people by manipulating each other through guilt or shame or praise or even through silence.

We try to control our problems by saying things like " I can handle it; it's not really a problem. I don't need any help. I can quit any time"

We try to control our pain by avoiding it, denying it, escaping it, medicating it, drowning it, or postponing it.

Consequences of Playing God

1) FEAR

2) FRUSTRATION

3) FATIGUE

4) FAILURE

Three Important facts of life

1) I am powerless to change my past

2) I am powerless to control other people

3) I am powerless to cope with my hurts, hang-ups, and habits

good intentions are not enough, willpower is not enough, we need another source of power... WE NEED GOD!

James 4:6

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

A Fresh Start...2012

I am looking forward to the new year, in hopes I will grow more and give back what I have been blessed with. This past year was quite a transition moving over 2000 miles away to Texas. It came with many emotions and anticipation. The boys seem to be adjusting really well. Wayne is content working and enjoying this Texas weather. I can't believe he made it through one of the hottest summers here. I went through summer feeling pretty good, with a few migraines but my pain level was very low! The exiting news is that the Lord has helped me get off all my meds for fibromyalgia. Of course, I have high pain days where I am down but I have way more good days then the bad days. I am learning how to change my outlook on pain and try and roll with it instead of fighting it. I have had one trip to the doctor since we moved for a sinus infection. That is such a blessing!

God is good, all the time..

more later

Growing..A search through Ephesians

Ephesians 4:17-24

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness But ye have not so learned If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts And be renewed in the spirit of your mind And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

In this message so many things came to my mind. I do remember a time where I walked as the Gentiles and did what the world does. After I got saved I began to put on the NEW man....As I grew I was convicted about certain areas in my life that didn't match up to Gods Word. The struggle with sin was very difficult but I felt the Holy Spirit guiding me and convicting me to change old habits. The only way I was really going to learn how to walk uprightly was to read my Bible. I could trust that it was Gods Word and not mans. It was not about conforming to what the church believed or pleasing my fellow brothers and sister in Christ. I remember early on learning some very important life changing things from the Word of God.

The first thing God worked on was my marriage, then my parenting. It started with changing ME. There were such hard lessons in the first 3 years of my Salvation. But as I grew in the Lord and I walked in the light, there was that peace that is UNFORGETTABLE.

In this portion of scripture Paul is talking to the church, he was telling them that these things are going on amongst this church. There were those who were struggling with immorality. They had been making money off of it! So many in churches today think they can live behind the curtain of the "Christian".

But they are not fooling God. Paul gives us these examples in Scripture telling us to walk in the light. Gentiles walked in the vanity of their mind. We do not have to go back to old sin, we are a called out people, not to walk as the World does.

I just struggle and wonder why sometimes if we call ourselves Christians...why do we do some of the same things the world does? There were things in my life as a new Christian that I immediately put away.

To name a few...drinking, cussing, smoking. As I grew there were other areas God helped me get out of my life. I still struggle with sin as everyone does. I guess as long as I am growing, changing, transforming then God is pleased. We will always fight the flesh but the question is are we letting sin control us or are we dealing with it and asking for Gods help to get it out of our lives.

Do you think after years of Salvation and knowing the truth, we should be still known blatantly sinning?

Special Times, with Special People

Blake & Alexis

Family ;) Aunt Kimmy & Cousins

Zoro

Cousins ;)

Grandpa Dale

Best Friends forever....Lanphears

Grandma Lillie

More to come ;)

Grace! 'tis a charming sound

Grace 'tis charming sound

Grace! 'tis a charming sound, Harmonious to the ear; Heav'n with the echo shall resound, And all the earth shall hear.

• All sufficient grace! Never powerless! It is Christ who lives in me, In His exhaustlessness.

'Twas grace that wrote my name In life's eternal book;

'Twas grace that gave me to the Lamb, Who all my sorrows took.

Grace taught my wandering feet To tread the pilgrim road;

And new supplies each hour I meet While pressing on to God.

Grace taught my heart to pray,

And made my eyes o'erflow;

'Tis grace which kept me to this day, And will not let me go.

Grace all the work shall crown Through everlasting days;

It lays in love the topmost stone, And well deserves the praise.

Oh, let that grace inspire My heart with strength divine;

May all my powers to Thee aspire, And all my days be Thine.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/312#ixzz1cToesx7E

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

In my life this week…

School, church, grocery shopping, and answered prayer

In our homeschool this week…

It has been a difficult week in Math.

We are spending about 6 hours a day on homeschool this year.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Quote for us this week..

Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.
Thomas Jefferson

I am inspired by…

The strength of a friend who's son is going through a battle with cancer at the age of 14

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

The boys are planning on riding this weekend if it does not rain. I will be catching up on laundry and grades.

My favorite thing this week was…

Wednesday night's church services

What’s working/not working for us…

We are working on how our attitudes effects our behavior

Questions/thoughts I have…

I am really looking forward to this next week!

Things I’m working on…

Forgiveness, and Love

Because LOVE never fails, and forgiveness changes lives!

I’m reading…

Who Switched Off My Brain?

Dr. Caroline Leaf

I’m cooking…

Roast for supper

I’m grateful for…

A caring church and a group of teens that are seeking the Lord in their life.

I’m praying for…

Bryce Campbell & Family

He is battling Lymphoma at the age of 14

http://www.magfam6.blogspot.com

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Bits & Pieces

I am just so exited about how God is working in our lives here in Texas.

I have been able to reflect over the past 6 months and really see God's hand.

No...It has not been easy but it has been so worth it! Growing is always a hard thing.

We had lived in Washington our whole life. We just had never thought we would leave that far away from home. As we prayed for the Lords will, we began to see him open up the doors. I never imagined how hard it would be to leave my family.

We have been here in Texas now for 6 months. Wayne is settled in his job. We have made some new friends. The church we are going to feels like home. I had planned on making a trip back home in November, but we are going to have to wait until March of next year when things settle here. It will be nice that all of us can go back together.

School is going well this year. Blake is in 3rd and Austen is in 10th grade. It seems like time is just going so fast. Austen will be 16 next month!

Well that is all ...short and sweet.

I do miss my family and I am so looking forward to our trip in March.

Peace...

Quote

Going forward when the going gets tough is not a test of how tough you are but how strong your faith is.

Saturated In The Light

Title “Saturated in the Light”

Illustration on marinating meat

We need to seek and follow the light.

True worship is in Spirit and Truth

Worship is an everyday thing…it is a life style

The way of saturation

A. Worshipping John 4:21-24

B. Abiding John 15:4-5

C. Fellowship 1 John 2:8-10

D. Serving John 13:12-17

The Effects:

A. Right Living

B. Joy

C. Peace

Personal Reflection:

To be saturated in the light I need all the ingredients.

I need to be

1) In My Bible

2) In Prayer

3) In Church

4) In Fellowship

5) Serving

These 5 ingredients will bring:

1. Right Conviction

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