Faith and Fear

Proverbs 3:5-7

 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

 I ask, can there be fear in faith?  Does faith mean you are never afraid?

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please him: 

for he that cometh to God must believe that he is,

and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Or is faith the choice to step out despite your fear?

Faith as defined by the 1828 Webster's Dictionary:

FAITH, n. [L. fides, fido, to trust; Gr. to persuade, to draw towards any thing, to conciliate; to believe, to obey.

Can one obey and yet still fear?  Noah obeyed in fear.  Moses obeyed in fear. You see, we hear so many people refer to the "fear of God" as the "respect" of God. But really... think of it.  MY God is mericiful and abundant in loving kindness.  But, he is also a JUST God who punishes the wicked.  Let's think upon it... fear is more than just respect.  People TREMBLED with fear of God.  How often do you TREMBLE out of respect for someone? There is more to "Fearing God" than just respecting Him.

I'd love to hear YOUR thoughts on the issue.  You see, I am at a crossroads in my life where I am seeking what it means to follow Proverbs 3:5-7.  I want to TRUST the Lord, to follow Him, to have ultimate FAITH, and not lean unto my own understanding.  But, there is FEAR there, too.  Where does man's wisdom (which may or may not be of the Lord... James 1:5) merge with faith in the Lord?  And how do you separate the two? How do you KNOW whether the wisdom of man is the work of the Lord? 

Can you have faith and yet still fear?

Song From the Heart

My daughter (who just turned six last month) wrote a song and shared it with me.  I thought I would share it with you as well.  First is what she wrote, next is it translated (for those who can't figure it out!)

Again, I am reminded of the purity of heart a child can have.  Is it no wonder the Lord Jesus says "Unless we come to Him as a little child..."  (Mark 10:14, 15 paraphrase)

AO Glore AO Glore Lord

Pras Yoo Lord

I loev Yoo

Yoo did on th kros fr r sns

I love yoo so mus

Fr God----Frum Josie

Oh Glory!  Oh Glory Lord!
Praise You Lord
I love You
You died on the cross for our sins
I love you so much!

For God--- From Josie



Can I just say how blessed I was in this reminder from my sweet 6 year old!

Going Through the Motions...

Following,  is one of my favorite songs.  It is such a great reminder of how my heart ought to be.  I *know* I am not the only one who finds themselves just "going through the motions".  While life is "smooth" we tend to  let our walk with the Lord slip.  After all, it's easy.  We don't "need" the Lord.  We are doing "just fine" on our own.  How wrong and debilitating is that thinking.  How much we miss when we only turn to the Lord when trials come.  Imagine how YOU would feel if your child only came to you when times were tough.  When they needed something.  When they needed you to "fix" something they already spent time messing up... (especially when their efforts only made the problem worse!)

Sometimes I sit back and am just flabbergasted at the Lord's mercy and love for me.  And then I think of all I have missed by allowing myself to become complacent.  By just "going through the motions".  I pray because it's routine.  I read the Scriptures, and they become simple bedtime stories to me... even stories I normally cherish and treasure.  It all becomes an outward action rather than an inward showing of love.

Well... I don't want to catch myself just "going through the motions".  I want to keep my heart in the fire's of the Lord's goodness.  To continue to refine, and build upon His faithfulness.  I don't want to get to the end of my life and have to wonder what I missed because I didn't "give it everything". 

I hope this song blesses you as much as it does me, every time I listen to it...

Teaching Consideration....

Is it a lost art? Something we no longer teach to our children? Do we remember to be considerate of others?

Philippians 2:3,4

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; 

but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

 Look not every man on his own things, 

but every man also on the things of others.

 We were visiting with a family last week.  A "good" Christian family.  They, too, have six children- all very similar to our own children's ages.  Their children were obedient, and respectful to their parents.  Yet, we walked away from their home perplexed.  My husband was a bit taken back.  It was very blatantly obvious that they lacked something.  Even our oldest child noticed it.

We couldn't pinpoint it at first.  They seemed like a "nice enough" family.  But while discussing our visit again today, we realized what it was.  What was missing from their home?  There was no courtesy.  Of course, our family does not expect to be treated like royalty- and we would NEVER demand such a thing.  But, because we so strongly believe it a mark of character and so believe  in teaching and instilling courtesy to our own children- it is noticeable when we see it lacking in others. In fact, we spend a month teaching the character trait of deference every year in our character training.  (And of course, practicing it throughout the year.)  As, we feel, it is a base for almost all other character traits.  (The greatest command is to love the Lord your God, and then after that, to love your neighbor...  Luke 10:27, paraphrase)

While courtesy expands to many different levels some simple examples that we teach our children are:

• thinking of the feelings of others
• deferring to others when playing with games or toys
• sharing all things, and if it's not something you wish to share... then keep it put away
• allowing OTHERS to choose the activities
• allowing company to always be served first at meal times
• not being hoggish with food, treats, or other, always making sure there is enough to go around (and if there isn't enough, you willingly go without)
• being quiet around others, so as not to be disruptive
• not being obnoxious or annoying in the presence of others

Basically, thinking of others.  We teach our children to ask three questions:

1. How would *I* like to be treated if I were _______  (name of another)?
2. Is what I am doing kind, respectful, deferring to the other?
3. How can I help (this other person) feel loved?

Unfortunately, we find that following the command given in Philippians 2:3,4 is not something people think of doing anymore.  Or teaching.  There is no longer much in the area of being courteous to others, of deferring to others as greater than ourselves... or at least- in believing in treating them as such.  It's a "me first" world.  What can *I* get out of it?  Today, people feel  entitled.  Or at best, don't even think to think of others.

Of course, our children are not perfect.  (Nor are my husband and I, for that matter.)  We are ALL works in progress.  But, our children are trained and taught these values enough, that they are a far contrast from what is in the world today.  Our prayer and hope is that they will one day take these values to heart (and the older ones already show the fruits of such teaching).  One day, we are hopeful that it will become natural for them to show courtesy to others, and ultimately through showing love and courtesy to others,  to show forth the love of the Father. 

It is amazing how deferring to others, thinking of THEIR needs above our own not only blesses them, but gives us a HUGE blessing in return.  What greater joy is there in bringing joy to another? 

If it is not a character trait you try to instill within your family, I would encourage you to consider it... so that one day- someone else does not walk away from your "good", Christian home...  Wondering what is missing...

Woah, Boy! Woah!

We have had some very bad influences around here... and I'm having to learn to adapt!  LOL!

I  *hate* gaming.  I'm talking about video games and computer games.  I feel they are a COMPLETE waste of time.  Well, okay.  I do enjoy playing now and then... but NEVER can I do it for more than 15 minutes or so.  I just get bored and think of all the time being thrown out the window. 

My husband and son on the other hand... LOVE it.  Somehow, they can become totally absorbed in such things.  They view gaming as I view a good book.  And really- what is the difference?  (Even though I'd be tempted to say- a book can be educational, purposeful, as well as pleasurable!)  But, really- you can find "good" games that are just the same.  In fact, the game Intelligent Cube by Playstation is one such game which tests strategy, thought and coordination.

BUT IT'S GAMING!  LOL! 

We have friends who recently bought a Wii.  No big deal, right?  Good for them.  We own a Playstation with 2 games that we take out once a year (at Christmas time), but it faithfully gets put back into the basement until the next Christmas rolls around. Our children are rarely allowed to even play computer games.  They play less than 30 minutes a month... between all of them combined.  (But for the new educational version of Oregon Trail, where they are actually learning history for school...)   I've been perfectly satisfied with that status quo.

Well, NOW my sweet husband is bent on purchasing an XBox 250gig Kinect.  And, knowing him... and knowing me... this is not a gaming system that will go into the basement but for once a year... and this is not going to be an easy pill for ME to swallow.   I am having to keep my distaste for such a notion to myself.  I am having to smile sweetly and not say a word.  I am having to sacrifice my OPINION on the alter of loving my husband. 

And it's NOT killing me!  (I'm not saying it's pleasant or easy... but hey, I must admit... it's NOT killing me! LOL!)  I know that our family will use the gaming system in a responsible way.  However, it still goes against every fiber in my body... simply because I personally don't see it as a worthy way to spend money on, or time on, or brain power on.  (<-- And, I'm not so sure about that brain power being something it uses anyway!)

Well, I know this is a senseless post. I'm just sharing a part of "Me".   LOL!  If nothing else, I would appreciate your prayers that I handle this displeasure in a godly manner.  That I learn to swallow my pride and keep my blasted opinion to myself.  (Because boy, oh boy... do I ever have one on this matter!)

LOL! 

Blessings,

That Silly Ol' Cat and I....

I don't know why in the world my mind went there this morning... I haven't thought about that cat in YEARS!  But, she sure was on my mind today!

Her name was Kiki.  (as in key-key). She was our cat in the late 80s/early 90s.  And, she was the mother of three litters.  I had a "favorite" from each litter... Starbuck, Stripe, and Spotty.  Yeah, I know- real original names, huh?  LOL!  (I was only a child back then!)

Anyway, Kiki was a wonderful cat.  She was very affectionate, sweet, and adorable. She aimed to please.  But she began her parenthood as a HORRIBLE mother.  She had no natural "mothering instinct" that most animals have.  You see, she was the runt of the litter and abandoned as a kitten.  No mother to love her.  We raised her by bottle/syringe. 

When she had her first litter- she left the babies to die.  In fact, in order to get her to feed her babies, we had to lay her down and pet her and coax her with treats so she would stay still.  She didn't bother keeping her babies warm or nurturing their needs.  She just didn't know what to do.

By her third litter, though- she was getting the "hang" of it.  In fact, she went on years later to care for a stray kitten we had found abandoned on the roadside.

What made the difference?  I'm not sure.  I don't know if she just had to be "taught" since she was abandoned as a kitten herself, or if it just took time, or if it all just "clicked" for her one day.

You see, I could very well be called a "Kiki".  I didn't have a lot of mothering "instinct" when my first child came about.  It had been beaten (philosophically) out of me since I was a very young girl. I had been abandoned to the continuing emergent fallacy of glorified feminism. My mother was a "career" woman- and that is what was expected of me... and what I aspired to be...   until I got older and met some Mama's who stayed at home to care for their husband and children and LOVED what they did. But by then, it was almost too late.  I didn't think about learning from them.  I just admired what they did.

And when my first child came... I thought nothing of allowing him to scream for hours on end.  (He *did* have severe colic, and I was told there was NOTHING I could do....)  Sure, I fed him, I clothed him, and I loved him... but there was very little "nurturing" going on apart from basic "needs".  I barely ever held him.  With each child I learned a bit more.  Learned how to truly *love-on* my babies.  I can't help but wonder if the reason why each child tends to be more relaxed and content than the previous is because their Mama has learned a bit more.  Why each child seems to view me more as "Mama" than mere "Milk-Machine" at tender ages.  I'm learning more with each child.  Each one becomes all that more precious to me. It isn't that I don't cherish and love the first one as much as the sixth, for as I've grown, my love for him has grown as well... but I've just learned to love much earlier--- I've realized how precious each child is. 

Then I think ahead to my own daughters... will they, too, be Kiki's?  God forbid!  (And I am NOT using that term lightly--- I *really* mean... may God forbid it to be so!)  My daughters do not need to be destined to be Kiki's.  They can learn from their own Mama.  They can watch and see their own Mama in action.  They can practice being nurturing with their little brothers.  They can learn now, so they are not clueless later.

My prayer is that my daughters grow up not to be Kiki's... but to be Mama's who are very adept at loving, caring for, and nurturing their sweet little babies.  That they will be able to look back and say "Thank You, Mama... for teaching us to love.  For preparing us for our OWN little ones."

Happy Birthday Sweet Husband

Happy 34th Birthday Daddy!  (And no- you aren't still 33!)

The Lord has blessed me with a wonderful husband.  

We've faced hard times and many heartaches.  But we've beat them together!

We've also been blessed with a quiver full of children, health, and love!

I love you so much, and am thankful to the Lord for giving me such a wonderful husband, 

and my children such an amazing Daddy!

May the Lord bless you with many more years!

My God Has My Best

(*Note: This was taken from another blog I have- my weight loss blog.  But I thought I would share it here as well, for the readers who don't see that one!)

Jeremiah 29:11-13

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.

I once heard a sermon speaking about the issue of these verses not being a specific promise to me personally, but to the Israelite people.  However, I can know that I, too, am the Lord's beloved, and He cares for me just the same.  We often hear the first part of this passage.  In fact, it is so overused it almost comes across as cliche.  :(  But even so, Jeremiah 29:11 is a powerful promise.  The thing which strikes me as so much more lovely in this promise though, is not the fact that the Lord has good things for me... but that He has them even BEFORE I call upon Him and seek Him.  Read the 12th and 13th verses again.   His goodwill toward me is something NOT based upon my actions.  His desire for me is something which comes from His love for me.  Not from what I can garner to do for Him first.  It is because He loves me, that I love Him.  My Lord is not a *Re-Active* God, but a *Pro-Active* God.  How then, can I not trust Him to help me to do what is in His best interest for me?

Nothing Else Like It...

Fat cellulite thighs.

Dimpled round cheeks.

Muffin topped waist.

Crinkled sausage toes.

Baby Smiles!

Nothing like "tiny" fat little babies!

Mmmm  Mmm!

 

First Photo @ 8 weeks 14 lbs.

Second Photo @ 11 weeks 16.5 lbs.

(Enlarge images by clicking on them...)

Happy 6th Birthday, Josie!

(I really began this blog a little over a year ago, and one of the first posts was of our daughter Josie's 5th Birthday!  Can you believe she is 6 already!  The time has flown!!!)

Josie, you are 6!  Happy Birthday!

You have grown so much in the last year!  

I enjoy spending time with you, my oldest daughter!

You have become like my right-hand... 

capable of helping in so many ways!

Your love for babies and your servants heart have blessed me time and time again!

May the Lord continue to protect you, 

and may you grow more in His image each day!

We love you!