You probably thought that there wasn't going to be a post in February. I didn't think that there was either. It's just that God has been so busy in our lives! Like a whirlwind, there has been much learning going on.
We've been busy! He has been showing us so much as a family. So much is going through my mind right now and I want to share it all with you. The hard part is going to be organizing my chaotic thoughts so that it makes sense.
I'll start with books. I love books! Mostly I love my Bible! But there are so many books and so little time. I try to read only the best. Here are a few that I have been reading or am reading right now.
If you know me very well at all, you probably know that I am usually reading two or three books at one time. Not as hard as you think it is. I have one that I am reading out loud with my kids, one that I am reading for pleasure, and one that I am reading for information and will share with my children later, maybe sooner...
Out loud - What is the Gospel - by Greg Gilbert God has been teaching us apologetics.
(Apologetics - (n) the branch of theology concerned with the defense or proof of Christianity)
Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 1 Peter 3:15
For information - What He Must Be if he wants to marry my daughter - by Voddie Baucham
As my daughters reach an age where they will be ready to marry, I am realizing that there is so much more that I want to teach them. Yes, they have learned to cook, and clean and have certain social graces, but I worry that I have not trained them enough in their walk with our Lord and Saviour. They are all grown up now and Yea, I know it's probably late in the game for that, but we never stop learning. As long as I have them I will continue to teach. When they move out and begin their own lives I will continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will teach them. God despises divorce, He wants us to raise up a generation for Him that is grounded in His truth. ( Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Eph. 6:4) I hope that you will check this book out of your local library, borrow it from a friend or buy it. Teach your daughters what to look for and train your sons what they need to be.
In the meantime, God has shown me some amazing things about my daughters, that I wasn't aware of. ~ i.e. one of them is writing down tons of scripture as she reads her Bible daily, one has shown me that she has such a heart for God and His creation that I get overwhelmed sometimes, and all of them have such tender hearts for family that they lift up their brother, sisters and other family memebers in prayer regularly. All of these things have been going on in the background with out my being totally aware of them. (But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6) I am constantly amazed at the maturity and love that each of them possess for Christ. As much as I would like to take credit for this, I can not. I have to give the credit to God, for I have prayed daily for each of my children, (along with many other children that I love like family) that God would hold them close and that He would be glorified through our family. We are not a perfect family, although one new friend recently called us the marshmallow family, saying we were too nice, but not in a bad way. I had to laugh at this, because we have our faults and sometimes we fall down and are dysfunctional. But we pray all the harder and place those times in God's hands. (But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Cor. 12:9)
For pleasure - One Thousand Gifts - by Ann Voskamp
Oh, to be thankful daily for the precious gifts that God has given to us. The smallest things sometimes are the most powerful. Thank You God for each moment that we have to learn of your grace. To see your beauty, and to hold your hand.
Just finished reading a book by Francine Rivers - Her Daughter's Dream and the one before it that I read before Christmas Her Mother's Hope , Both of these books were courtesy of my precious Sister-in-love.
God has not only been speaking to us through reading, we just finished watching a video at church that is called, AGENDA - the grinding down of America
Oh my the 'ism's and 'ist's ( Marxism/ist, Socialism/ist, Communism, Feminism, along with a few other ism's and ist's that I haven't mentioned) that we have come to accept as the way things are supposed to be. While what we have today isn't called these ism's they are here none the less. They've been given fancy new names, but they are the same. I recommend that you see this video and I pray that if you do that God will open your eyes and your hearts and use this to bring us to our knees as a nation, and that we will humble ourselves and pray. Trust me folks, we can humble ourselves or in the end He will humble us. Your choice.
Also check out this website - Faith Facts
Another video that we have watched and God has used in our lives is Time Changer The movie is funny, but the message is wonderful. You can be raised with morals, but if you don't know the foundation of those morals you can be easy prey for the world and it's ways. ("Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. Matthew 7:13)
My prayer for each and everyone this morning as I write this is that all will come to an understanding that they need a Saviour. Don't be fooled that just because you are in a church that you will one day be in Heaven or that just because you believe in Jesus. Corrie ten Boom commented ~"Just because a mouse is in the cookie jar does not make it a cookie." My friend just because you are in a church does not make you a Christian. Ask God to examine your heart and to show you. Just simply believing in Jesus isn't it either, satan (I didn't capitalize on purpose.) believes in Christ! Trust me, he will not be in Heaven either. It is a relationship with Jesus that makes you a Christian. I am a sinner, I need a Saviour.
One last thing. I know that this is lengthy, but as I said there are so many thoughts running through my head that I just have to share. It is time to vote in this country that we call our home. America! let your voices be heard. Look at the candidates. Do they align themselves with God and have Godly principles? How can you tell? You will know them by their fruit ~ watch closely and do not be deceived. Many look good, but are used to further an 'ism, whether knowingly or not. Be careful who you align yourself with. You will be held accountable. Again there is forgiveness, but we reap what we sow my friends. Yes, I know that these are controversial subjects. But, the bottom line is that we, (those who are Christians) need to be praying, for those that God has allowed to be in authority. Regardless of party affiliation, race or gender.
(I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim. 2:1-4)
Praying that your day is Blessed, that you hear the voice and heart of Jesus and know of His Grace and Mercy.
Forever in Christ ~ S~
P.S. I'm not a great writer but I put down my thoughts, if I have confused you, I'm sorry. Feel free to ask questions. But if I have made you think or research Gods word for the truth that is contained within. YaY! I pray that God will use this blog to bring one more to His kingdom.
