Thursday, March 09, 2006

Facts About Women



You were created for a purpose. There is a perfect plan for your life. Never forget God created you for a specific assignment.

He loves you.
He planned you.
He scheduled your birth.
He is forever linked to you.

In fact, God loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to help you. Jesus wants to help you fulfill all the dreams God created you to accomplish on this earth. All you have to do is ask Him. "...Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16:24).

Your purpose is not your decision but your discovery.

When I was a teenager, I heard a story about a farmer whose son went off to college. The father was a bit concerned over the exposure his son would have to atheistic teaching. He knew how articulate and seductive these skilled communicators could be in spreading their own disease of doubt.

His fears were eventually confirmed. His son returned home for a visit, obviously grappling with his faith inGod.

As they were conversing one day under an old oak tree, the son suddenly blurted out. "Dad, I just can't believe God anymore. Why, look at those pumpkins over there on the ground. They are big and heavy, yet have small and tender vines."

"But, this big oak tree, capable of supporting the weight of the pumpkins, only produces tiny acorns. If there was really an intelligent God of this universe. He would have placed the pumpkin on this oak tree, and the tiny acorn on the fragile vine."

Suddenly, an acorn fell from the tree, bouncing lightly off the top of the young man's head.
As the truth slowly dawned, he sheepishly spoke, "Dad, thank God that was not a pumpkin."

Throughout your lifetime, you, too, may question the existence of your Creator. Your logic will always compete with your faith. Your mind will compete with your heart. Just think again.

A book is proof of an author.
A poem is proof of a poet.
A song is proof of a composer.
A product is proof of a manufactor.

Creation is proof of a Creator. Only fools think they arrived first. The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God" (Psalm 14:1a).

The proof of God's presence far outweighs the proof of His absence.

God exists.

The world is arranged...therefore, an Arranger must exist.

You see, someday it will hit you like a bolt of lightening - your Creator is a Planner...incredibily organized...meticulous with detail...and, like any successful manufacturer, He is totally committed to the success of His product...YOU.
~ Preface "One-Minute Pocket Bible for Women

Further study Rev. 4:11; Deut. 28:1, 2; 1 Jn. 3:22; Rom. 12:6-8

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Cultivating Mother's Heart Pt 8


I've been reading more slowly lately, so I haven't changed my book list. I believe I will start reading on a quarterly basis, sort of a 3-4 term yearly reading plan. Yes, I will continue to draw from the reading plan that I outlined in my previous posts, but allow myself to read more slowly one or two of the options instead of trying to read six. I want to spend more time reading some of my dc school books too and there only so many things I can do in a 24 hr day. So, I am prioritizing my day.

I'm always looking out for a wonderful little book to add to my collection and recently I found this little gem: One-Minute Pocket Bible for Women: The New King James Version (One-Minute Pocket Bible Series). I haven't read past the preface, which is incredibly powerful and uplifting. It is titled "Facts About Woman," and it gave me much to think about. I realized that cultivating my heart was another way of restoring my relationship with my heavenly Father. In the midst of all the sadness and sorrow this past, I am able to rejoice in knowing my Lord loves me and is there for me and all His dc. I'll share this preface in another post.

~ Mini Update ~

CMs Vol 1 - it is rich in meaning and instruction. I am enjoying the discussions and the slow reading of this book. I am starting to understand more about myself and I how learn as well as the best approach to training my dc. It isn't overwhelming and I realize it isn't too late to make changes in self so that I can assist in making changes in them.

CMs Vol 4 - I haven't been keeping up as I would like, though what I have recently read gave me some hope for my future and direction on self. Need to read more.

Teach Me to Pray - I've been reading this but not posting ~ oops! I have been applying the principles of prayer that is outline and seeing the results that were promised. I have a closer and more intimate relationship with the Lord and I am learning to be patient with myself.

That's about it for now. I am still trying to read "A Christmas Angel" and "Making All Things New." Not sure if its my time to read either, so I will be putting them aside for now. I have picked up another book that I would like to finish "Sense and Sensibility." I started listening to this last spring and never finished. I plan to pull out the crochet needles, some yarn and the cd player and give it a go. I do hope to finish this time and a blanket too.

Have a great week!

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Reflections ~ I Will Never Be the Same Again


The funeral was today and I sensed such peace just about the time the family were returning from the funeral. I know it may sound strange, but I did. It was a sense of knowing that the Lord had taken them up into His loving arms and was holding them close. That is so wonderful ~ that our heavenly Father loves us so much to want to come near and hold us close and that we truly mean that much to Him.

These past few days have been hard for me. I didn't know Missey personally but she spoke into my life through her words of wisdom and sharing her family on her blog and yahoo groups. The family's suffering and lose of her is felt very deeply because of the way in which it occurred for one reason, and because she was such a vital asset to the homeschool community and the Body of Christ. A friend from home also died similarly a few months ago and I don't think I actually grieved for her. I haven't been able to share with the family my sympathy and as a mother, I feel the lose deeply of neither of them ever knowing their precious gifts in this life. Yes, they will meet them in glory but its the now that makes my heart break.

I have been doing a lot of praying for the saints, realizing again how much we need to hold each other up ~ stand in the gap ~ be there for one another spiritually. Its not an option either, we are commanded of God to do this for one another. Its amazing how many christians don't realize its their responsibility to pray for their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ or they choose to be like Cain and say "am I my brother's keeper," as if they didn't know the answer was yes.

I haven't been keeping up with my daily devotions since the news, I've been living it instead. I choose to stand in the gap, to be the armour-bearer for my fellow sisters and brothers. I choose to intercede on their behalf ~ to go to the throne of grace so they might receive mercy. No, this hasn't always been my stand, nor have I been very diligent at it of late, but know it is my heart's desire and I have had experience doing so in the past. I did truly miss the sweet fellowship with the Great Intercessor that spending time in this type of prayer brings. Well, its back and I am ever so glad I opened my heart and made room for Him to enter in. I've got a long way to go still, some purging and re-acquinting myself with Him, but I look forward to it. As scripture indicates "He will make in me a new heart" and "I'll be white as snow" and "live in the newness of life" because of His purging. So, the new me is on the horizon, the me that is changing from glory to glory in His perfect law of liberty. I am being made new and whole again, which I am very grateful for and desperately needed. Its been a longtime coming ~ oh, how patient He truly is. He's been waiting for me to come, what a loving Father. Thank you, Lord.

Well, I must go now, it is getting late and I would like to update my other blogs and try not to cry. I've been doing a lot of that lately, I first thought it was hormonal then due to the death, but now see it is part of the closeness with Him and seeing His heart ~ His love for His dear children.

Know that you are loved beyond image and that He has and will continue to go through great lengths to reach you. To bring you close, draw you into His arms and love on you. Please let Him in your heart, let Him mold you and make you the lovely, usable vessel you are created to be. You'll never be the same again. Umm, reminds me of a song we sang at my home church, I'll write the some of words below. Have a blessed week!

I will never be the same again
I can never return, I've closed the door
I will walk the line, I will run the race
And I will never be the same again (repeat)
*I believe this is a worship song by Hillsong

Thursday, March 02, 2006

In Honor and Memory of......


a child of God, wife, mother, dear friend
and fellow homeschooler and mentor.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
Psalm 91:11 (kjv)

Missey, you are loved and will be missed.
May the Lord continue to richly bless her family until they meet again, face to face.

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

~ Devotion ~ Mar


1st
The Sense of Inadequacy
"Don't bother me. The door is locked for the night, and we are all in bed. I can't help you this time."
Luke 11:7

We often speak of the power of love. In one sense this is true, and yet the truth has limitations. The strongest love may be utterly inadequate. A mother might be willing to give her life for her dying child but still not be able to save it. The host at midnight was most willing to give his friend bread, but he had none. It was this sense of inadequacy that sent him begging, "A friend of mine has just arrived. . .and I have nothing for him to eat." This sense of inadequacy gives strength to the life of intercession.

"I have nothing for him to eat." As we are aware of our inadequacies, intercession becomes the only hope and refuge. I may have knowledge, a loving heart, and be ready to give myself for those under my charge, but I cannot give them the bread of heaven. With all my love and zeal, still "I have nothing to set before them."

Blessed are you if you have made "I have nothing" the motto of your ministry. You think of the judgment day and the danger of those without Christ and recognize a supernatural power is needed to save poeple form sin. You feel utterly insufficient--all you can do is to meet their natural need. "I have nothing" motivates you to pray. Intercession appears to you as the only thing in which you rlove can take refuge.

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