I guess this happens to lots of bloggers- we have great intentions of posting here all the things that are going on in our lives, what we are learning, and what God is doing... and then we get so wrapped up in what is going on in our lives and what we are learning and what God is doing that we forget or don't have the time to put it into a blog! Makes me think about the difference between my sister and I when it comes to cameras: she has an interest in photography and is really good at it and so whenever we go somewhere she always has a camera and takes great shots of her kids and my kids and all the action, and posts the results for everyone to see. Me, I either forget the camera or if I bring it I get all wrapped up in what is going on and talking to people and then I realize when I get home I don't have a single photo to share. Thank the Lord my sister is generous and gives me all the ones of my kids!
I guess what I'm trying to say is I wish that I had had the time, or made the time, to write about what great things God has done in the past 8 months, and what struggles I have gone thru and learned from, and what incredible experiences I have had, just like sometimes I wish I had a photo book of pictures from things I have experienced and done. But truth be told, I have just been too wrapped up in living to put it down on paper, or rather, online. I'm going to try to do better, to be more consistent... but no promises... and it makes me so grateful for the people who are the ones taking the photos and whose fingers fly fast across the keys keeping me updated on all the things they are experiencing in their lives. Now where did I put that camera...
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
"The Day The Locks Were Changed"
I got an email today from a friend of mine who pastors Legacy Outreach here in Spartanburg. He's preaching a series of sermons on addictive behavior and God gave him this poem Sunday morning. It is such a visual of how we get into situations that we never thought possible when we step away from God's grace and try to live a religious life instead of one that is powered by the Holy Spirit of God living within me, when I begin to live in secret instead of in the Secret Place of the Almighty God. I asked him if I could share this with all of you because maybe there is someone out there that could use this warning. Thank God for His grace, His mercy, His restoration and His kindness, which as the Bible teaches, is what brings us to repentance.
"The Day The Locks Were Changed"
I had a place that no one knew
That I would often go.
It all began as innocent;
At least, I thought it so.
It started out an empty room
No furnishings, all swept.
But soon I had it all fixed up
Where secret things are kept.
I could leave at any time
Because I had the key.
But what I didn't realize
The prisoner was me.
One day, when I went inside
Things had been re-arranged.
Something here was different;
The locks had all been changed.
Birthed in curiosity,
Fed by selfish greed;
My secret world had just become
A place for all to see.
This place that used to bring me joy
Where I could slip away
Has now cost me an awful price
That I can never pay.
My family all have broken hearts;
Relationships dismembered.
And now all of the good I've done
Will never be remembered.
If I'd believed the Word of God,
What's written on its pages;
I would have known I'm not exempt
From paying Satan's wages.
Manning Strickland, 2009
***If you would like to share this with someone else, please be certain to give Pastor Manning credit for it! Thanks!
"The Day The Locks Were Changed"
I had a place that no one knew
That I would often go.
It all began as innocent;
At least, I thought it so.
It started out an empty room
No furnishings, all swept.
But soon I had it all fixed up
Where secret things are kept.
I could leave at any time
Because I had the key.
But what I didn't realize
The prisoner was me.
One day, when I went inside
Things had been re-arranged.
Something here was different;
The locks had all been changed.
Birthed in curiosity,
Fed by selfish greed;
My secret world had just become
A place for all to see.
This place that used to bring me joy
Where I could slip away
Has now cost me an awful price
That I can never pay.
My family all have broken hearts;
Relationships dismembered.
And now all of the good I've done
Will never be remembered.
If I'd believed the Word of God,
What's written on its pages;
I would have known I'm not exempt
From paying Satan's wages.
Manning Strickland, 2009
***If you would like to share this with someone else, please be certain to give Pastor Manning credit for it! Thanks!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Watching it all develop...
I am blogging from my comfy spot in my bed with my littlest one beside me- where we have been for a couple of hours recovering from a long week too full of great activities that just wore us out! I was checking out some blogs of a couple of friends of mine and realized that it had been too long since I had posted- not because I have had nothing to say but I have had too much to pin down. God is teaching me and my family so much right now so fast and so intensely that I just told a friend of mine that I feel as if I have been in supernatural bootcamp for the past few months. It's a great place to be, an exciting place to be- but also a place that is hard to describe. How do you put into words what it is like for the God of the Universe to speak to you in a way that you did not know was possible, to open your eyes to things about yourself that you never would want to admit, and to do it all with such kindness and such patience and tenderness that your heart turns toward Him in a way that you never thought it could? So every time I have sat down to the computer to say, "Wow- listen to this!", the words just have not come.
Sitting here, trying to figure out why I have had so much difficulty figuring out what to say (and if you know me, you know that I never have trouble figuring out what to say!), I think it is because I needed to let it sit inside me and develop for a while, kind of like a Polaroid picture. If you take the picture, you know what should show up on the film, but there is so much excitement in sitting there watching that square go from white to a recognizable image. You look at it so intently to see the edge of a surface, or the outline of someone's hair, then you can see the shape of their body, maybe, and next a little color on their clothes, and all of a sudden there is the thing you took a picture of in all of its glory, just like you saw through the little viewfinder. That is how it has been with me and all that God is teaching me. I have heard Him and experienced Him, there has been an "image" placed before me of what message I believe He is writing on my heart. But living it out and really grasping it has been the same as slowly watching the picture show up- and I think I needed that space to see that what He said is not just true in theory but also true in practice, that He can develop His image in my life if I allow Him to.
I am so grateful to be a part of the incredible things that God is doing in the world at this time in history! Come quickly, Lord Jesus- let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, and let me be a part of seeing it all unfold and develop- in me, around me, through me. Blessed be your Name!
Sitting here, trying to figure out why I have had so much difficulty figuring out what to say (and if you know me, you know that I never have trouble figuring out what to say!), I think it is because I needed to let it sit inside me and develop for a while, kind of like a Polaroid picture. If you take the picture, you know what should show up on the film, but there is so much excitement in sitting there watching that square go from white to a recognizable image. You look at it so intently to see the edge of a surface, or the outline of someone's hair, then you can see the shape of their body, maybe, and next a little color on their clothes, and all of a sudden there is the thing you took a picture of in all of its glory, just like you saw through the little viewfinder. That is how it has been with me and all that God is teaching me. I have heard Him and experienced Him, there has been an "image" placed before me of what message I believe He is writing on my heart. But living it out and really grasping it has been the same as slowly watching the picture show up- and I think I needed that space to see that what He said is not just true in theory but also true in practice, that He can develop His image in my life if I allow Him to.
I am so grateful to be a part of the incredible things that God is doing in the world at this time in history! Come quickly, Lord Jesus- let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, and let me be a part of seeing it all unfold and develop- in me, around me, through me. Blessed be your Name!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
I am not a big fan of Valentine's Day. Why? Because back when you could send Valentine's gifts to school I was one of the unpopular girls who did not go home with balloons and ribbons trailing behind me and so many flowers and cards that someone else had to carry my books. Yes- it was jealousy, pure and simple, and so now I just have an aversion to a holiday that, it seems to me, forces people to do something nice for the ones they say they love. Now, if I expected him to, I know that my sweet husband would send me loads of flowers and heart-shaped boxes of candy, but by now he knows me better than that. A handwritten note on March 3 for no reason whatsoever means so much more that an overpriced Hallmark on February 14th!
I wonder if God feels the same way about me? I am in church every Sunday and "lead the worship", which is church language for organizing the music and making sure that the band, who really does all of the work, is on the same page. I listen to the Lord and let His Spirit lead me as to how to lead a congregation of people to His throne so that we can join in with the voices around it and be changed as we are in His Presence. And God is always faithful- I love my job! And then, Monday morning comes. And there is no stage, and no band, and no congregation watching me in expectation. Do I keep the worship coming? Or do I only put effort and thought into it when feel like I have to? To do that is like only professing my feelings for someone I say I love when Walmart puts out the red and white decorations. I don't want to receive something that my husband feels like he "has to" give me, I want to receive something he just can't wait to give me. Don't you think that God feels no differently?
So, Lord, I am sorry for all of the times I have let other people do the talking for me, like going the easy route with a Hallmark card instead of a heart-felt love letter. And help me to listen to the Holy Spirit to have more spontaneous outburts of expressing my love for you and not waiting until some occasion to let you know how wonderful I think You are, how grateful I am for Your grace and patience, and how desperate my heart is to be more like You and to impact this world with the love that You show me- on Valentine's Day and every other day of the year.
I wonder if God feels the same way about me? I am in church every Sunday and "lead the worship", which is church language for organizing the music and making sure that the band, who really does all of the work, is on the same page. I listen to the Lord and let His Spirit lead me as to how to lead a congregation of people to His throne so that we can join in with the voices around it and be changed as we are in His Presence. And God is always faithful- I love my job! And then, Monday morning comes. And there is no stage, and no band, and no congregation watching me in expectation. Do I keep the worship coming? Or do I only put effort and thought into it when feel like I have to? To do that is like only professing my feelings for someone I say I love when Walmart puts out the red and white decorations. I don't want to receive something that my husband feels like he "has to" give me, I want to receive something he just can't wait to give me. Don't you think that God feels no differently?
So, Lord, I am sorry for all of the times I have let other people do the talking for me, like going the easy route with a Hallmark card instead of a heart-felt love letter. And help me to listen to the Holy Spirit to have more spontaneous outburts of expressing my love for you and not waiting until some occasion to let you know how wonderful I think You are, how grateful I am for Your grace and patience, and how desperate my heart is to be more like You and to impact this world with the love that You show me- on Valentine's Day and every other day of the year.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
I Was There
This has been one of those weeks (and it is only Tuesday!) when schooling and mothering is an effort, a real job! I know that all of my friends have weeks like this too, so I thought I would share with you a poem my husband wrote last Mother's Day for me that I have framed and in a prominent place in the house so I can read it as encouragement whenever I need to, which is often. I stand in the kitchen, and read these words and I ALWAYS cry- every single time because they speak to the very core of who I am and the things that I struggle with. Let me say, he is not normally a poet, but this blew me out of the water and is most definitely Divinely inspired!! Hope you enjoy it!
I Was There
When you were awake wondering if you were a good mother,
I was awake with you to assure you that your Father approved of you.
When nobody knew you were folding clothes late into the night,
I was unfolding the plans I have for you and your little ones.
When you were making space to avoid being cramped in your home,
I was making room for you to rest in My lap.
When you felt nobody noticed or appreciated your daily efforts,
I was grateful to you for taking care of what I had entrusted to you.
When you were covered in dirt, snot and food from your children,
I was showing you how I love to shower you with blessings.
When you were exhausted to the point of collapse,
I was there to hold you up and help you carry on.
When you went hungry to ensure your children's lunch was made,
I was there to fill you with My Word you had studied.
When you wept over the distance you felt from your children growing up,
I was there to hold you close to Me.
When you lay down tonight and begin to tell me about your day,
I will tell you to rest well, knowing I was pleased, because I was there.
David Kemp
May 2008
I Was There
When you were awake wondering if you were a good mother,
I was awake with you to assure you that your Father approved of you.
When nobody knew you were folding clothes late into the night,
I was unfolding the plans I have for you and your little ones.
When you were making space to avoid being cramped in your home,
I was making room for you to rest in My lap.
When you felt nobody noticed or appreciated your daily efforts,
I was grateful to you for taking care of what I had entrusted to you.
When you were covered in dirt, snot and food from your children,
I was showing you how I love to shower you with blessings.
When you were exhausted to the point of collapse,
I was there to hold you up and help you carry on.
When you went hungry to ensure your children's lunch was made,
I was there to fill you with My Word you had studied.
When you wept over the distance you felt from your children growing up,
I was there to hold you close to Me.
When you lay down tonight and begin to tell me about your day,
I will tell you to rest well, knowing I was pleased, because I was there.
David Kemp
May 2008
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Smart Investing
David and I were blessed this weekend to have 3 days all to ourselves in Savannah- a trip made possible by our generous church that gave us a gift certificate to a hotel for Pastor Appreciation Sunday back in the fall. We left the kids at home with Nanny and Papa (thank you thank you thank you if you are reading this!) and spent time being a couple instead of mommy and daddy for a few days.
On the way home today we were riding in that wonderful, comfortable silence and all of a sudden I could feel worry settling in on me. Now, I am not a spender- I am a saver and a bargain queen. My husband is the spender and the visionary in this relationship. So I started thinking about the money that we had spent, and although we had it to spend and it had not put a strain on our finances, I began to worry that we should have spent it on something else- what I don't know- but something necessary and practical. With 4 kids there is always something that they need, or want, and if pressed I could name a hundred things we could have bought. And David could tell by the way that I was "soffering" (that is another post for another time) that something was bothering me, so I fessed up. And immediately this man of wisdom stopped me in my tracks, and said he did not want to hear it, in so many words. He proceeded to explain to me that this weekend was an investment in something that was valuable and important and that affected all of the other parts of our lives. That every penny we spent represented the fact that we valued this relationship.
We are reading a book together (read: I am reading it and them summarizing for him) that deals with the subject of honor and what it means to a follower of Christ and in His kingdom. Honor is valuing another person, whether they act honorable or not, because you are honorable. It means making an investment in someone because of how God sees them and not how they look to you. And as we rode along today, I let God help me grasp hold of that truth and how it applies to my marriage and how I treat others in my life.
People invest in companies that they feel are worth something and will give them a return. They take a "gamble", if you will, on the future of that investment, that it will increase and bring them a profit. And they show their trust by putting their money into that company to use and to prosper. I saw that I have been at fault by forgetting to invest in my marriage but still expecting a good return, by giving it the leftovers and yet wanting it to perform like a Fortune 500 company. I'm not suggesting spending money that you do not have on a weekend away- financial irresponsibility only brings more stress into a marriage, and I know that first hand. What I am suggesting is that maybe you, like me, need to start honoring your marriage, valuing it highly because of how God sees it and not necessarily how you see it. Life is busy and the days sometimes go by in a blur, but what I call important to me I will always find time for.
I started thinking of ways that I could invest in David today, in us. And my Investment Counsellor began to give me lots of ideas, which makes sense, because He set up the account between my husband and I. And I thought of the Scripture where Jesus tells us to store up our treasures where they can not rust or be destroyed.(Luke 12:33, 34) There is no cause or company on this earth that can mean more to me than the incredibly handsome, kind, unselfish, God-pursuing man that I have the privilege of calling my husband. So I think that I'll increase my investment in that undestroyable, rust-proof treasure called my marriage- I know the returns are out of this world.
On the way home today we were riding in that wonderful, comfortable silence and all of a sudden I could feel worry settling in on me. Now, I am not a spender- I am a saver and a bargain queen. My husband is the spender and the visionary in this relationship. So I started thinking about the money that we had spent, and although we had it to spend and it had not put a strain on our finances, I began to worry that we should have spent it on something else- what I don't know- but something necessary and practical. With 4 kids there is always something that they need, or want, and if pressed I could name a hundred things we could have bought. And David could tell by the way that I was "soffering" (that is another post for another time) that something was bothering me, so I fessed up. And immediately this man of wisdom stopped me in my tracks, and said he did not want to hear it, in so many words. He proceeded to explain to me that this weekend was an investment in something that was valuable and important and that affected all of the other parts of our lives. That every penny we spent represented the fact that we valued this relationship.
We are reading a book together (read: I am reading it and them summarizing for him) that deals with the subject of honor and what it means to a follower of Christ and in His kingdom. Honor is valuing another person, whether they act honorable or not, because you are honorable. It means making an investment in someone because of how God sees them and not how they look to you. And as we rode along today, I let God help me grasp hold of that truth and how it applies to my marriage and how I treat others in my life.
People invest in companies that they feel are worth something and will give them a return. They take a "gamble", if you will, on the future of that investment, that it will increase and bring them a profit. And they show their trust by putting their money into that company to use and to prosper. I saw that I have been at fault by forgetting to invest in my marriage but still expecting a good return, by giving it the leftovers and yet wanting it to perform like a Fortune 500 company. I'm not suggesting spending money that you do not have on a weekend away- financial irresponsibility only brings more stress into a marriage, and I know that first hand. What I am suggesting is that maybe you, like me, need to start honoring your marriage, valuing it highly because of how God sees it and not necessarily how you see it. Life is busy and the days sometimes go by in a blur, but what I call important to me I will always find time for.
I started thinking of ways that I could invest in David today, in us. And my Investment Counsellor began to give me lots of ideas, which makes sense, because He set up the account between my husband and I. And I thought of the Scripture where Jesus tells us to store up our treasures where they can not rust or be destroyed.(Luke 12:33, 34) There is no cause or company on this earth that can mean more to me than the incredibly handsome, kind, unselfish, God-pursuing man that I have the privilege of calling my husband. So I think that I'll increase my investment in that undestroyable, rust-proof treasure called my marriage- I know the returns are out of this world.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Lesson from a 3rd Birthday
My baby is 3 today. I am sitting beside her while she takes a special "Birthday Bubble Bath", to be followed by a "Birthday Nap," culminating in an exciting Birthday Party hosted by none other than Chucky Cheese himself! So far today, she has had about 5 phone calls, numerous snacks, 3 birthday cards created by her siblings, one of which had quarters taped all over it, a manicure with hot pink nail polish performed by her sister, and a pedicure given by her older brother that included a foot soak and a nail massage. She is definitely the queen for the day! She can not remember how old she is today, but will quickly tell you that she is "not 2 anymore!"
Oh the joy of being 3 years old! I have been fighting tears all day because she is the baby and probably (don't laugh!) the last of the Kemp Clan. But the near tears are also at her joy and happiness over everything this day is bringing her, the simple delight in being celebrated for her life. She has sung "Happy Birthday to Me" at least a dozen times and it includes a little dance choreographed by Lydia herself.
So this has me to thinking, why don't I act this way on my birthday? I have kind of been dreading this year: the big 35 that is supposed to make me depressed and feel old, as some have told me. Lydia has been planning this "pink birthday" since her 2nd birthday a year ago! I have been sort of pretending that mine is not coming in a few months, much less picking out the decor.
So what make me lose that childlike perspective on something I know I am going to face every single year that I am still breathing?
Here is my opinion: Adults don't get gaga over their birthdays because rather than facing the year ahead with excitement about what it could bring, they are facing it with fear and dread, with an expectation of negative rather than positive. Lydia just can't wait to live another year, or actually just another day- she doesn't look any farther into the future than that. But we grown ups are so "mature" that we think because we have experience in this world and know a few things that to feel excitement and joy over another year on this earth is naive. Oh Lord, save us from ourselves!
Jeremiah 29:11 says that God has a great plan for my life, to prosper me, to give me hope and a good future, not to harm me. Now, I have quoted this a thousand times, mostly to people that I am counselling, but do I spout it as a line that sounds good, or do I really believe it for myself? That year # 36 that starts on April 30th for me, will be full of all the good things that God has planned- prosperity, hope, greater and deeper revelations of His love and grace? I want to say that I have hidden that Word in my heart, but I am wondering if maybe I just have let it sit in my mind and go no farther.
Thank God for the lessons our children teach us. Lord, let me be a ready learner and heed the truths that come hidden in birthday cake and brightly wrapped gifts. Now, do I want a "pink birthday" this year, or maybe green...
Oh the joy of being 3 years old! I have been fighting tears all day because she is the baby and probably (don't laugh!) the last of the Kemp Clan. But the near tears are also at her joy and happiness over everything this day is bringing her, the simple delight in being celebrated for her life. She has sung "Happy Birthday to Me" at least a dozen times and it includes a little dance choreographed by Lydia herself.
So this has me to thinking, why don't I act this way on my birthday? I have kind of been dreading this year: the big 35 that is supposed to make me depressed and feel old, as some have told me. Lydia has been planning this "pink birthday" since her 2nd birthday a year ago! I have been sort of pretending that mine is not coming in a few months, much less picking out the decor.
So what make me lose that childlike perspective on something I know I am going to face every single year that I am still breathing?
Here is my opinion: Adults don't get gaga over their birthdays because rather than facing the year ahead with excitement about what it could bring, they are facing it with fear and dread, with an expectation of negative rather than positive. Lydia just can't wait to live another year, or actually just another day- she doesn't look any farther into the future than that. But we grown ups are so "mature" that we think because we have experience in this world and know a few things that to feel excitement and joy over another year on this earth is naive. Oh Lord, save us from ourselves!
Jeremiah 29:11 says that God has a great plan for my life, to prosper me, to give me hope and a good future, not to harm me. Now, I have quoted this a thousand times, mostly to people that I am counselling, but do I spout it as a line that sounds good, or do I really believe it for myself? That year # 36 that starts on April 30th for me, will be full of all the good things that God has planned- prosperity, hope, greater and deeper revelations of His love and grace? I want to say that I have hidden that Word in my heart, but I am wondering if maybe I just have let it sit in my mind and go no farther.
Thank God for the lessons our children teach us. Lord, let me be a ready learner and heed the truths that come hidden in birthday cake and brightly wrapped gifts. Now, do I want a "pink birthday" this year, or maybe green...
Friday, January 30, 2009
Counting my blessings
This is just one of those days when I don't feel like counting my blessings- so I think I will. Indulge me...
I am married to a man who is not too proud to say "I'm sorry."
My kids are healthy and they love their mama.
I have no broken bones.
My bank account is in the positive. Yippee!
I have new tennis shoes paid for by my mother in law and they are comfortable. Really comfortable.
Chocolate is cheap, loads cheaper than therapy.
The sink is clean of dirty dishes. OK, one side is clean of dirty dishes.
God loves me. The Bible tells me so.
My van is clean.
I have the kind of friends that will come when I call them and need them, no matter the hour or how trival the meltdown I am having actually is.
My mama still treats me like I am her little girl.
My little house ( I prefer cottage) is warm, and it is really cold outside.
There is clean running water in all of my bathrooms, all one and a half of them!
I'm not in jail, I live in America, my teeth are all mine, I can pray and worship and read my Bible, and for now, it is still legal.
OK- I feel better and life is good. Sometimes I just need to remind myself.
I am married to a man who is not too proud to say "I'm sorry."
My kids are healthy and they love their mama.
I have no broken bones.
My bank account is in the positive. Yippee!
I have new tennis shoes paid for by my mother in law and they are comfortable. Really comfortable.
Chocolate is cheap, loads cheaper than therapy.
The sink is clean of dirty dishes. OK, one side is clean of dirty dishes.
God loves me. The Bible tells me so.
My van is clean.
I have the kind of friends that will come when I call them and need them, no matter the hour or how trival the meltdown I am having actually is.
My mama still treats me like I am her little girl.
My little house ( I prefer cottage) is warm, and it is really cold outside.
There is clean running water in all of my bathrooms, all one and a half of them!
I'm not in jail, I live in America, my teeth are all mine, I can pray and worship and read my Bible, and for now, it is still legal.
OK- I feel better and life is good. Sometimes I just need to remind myself.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Doctor visit
Went to the doctor today for a sore throat I have had since November and he said what you are probably thinking- why did you wait for so long? Well, I have 4 children and that is enough reason right there. I kept thinking it would get better, and it would for a while, then it would get worse again, you know how mothers just ignore their own health. Anyway, the aggravating thing is not the soreness, it is larangytis- my already low voice is now lower and scratchier, and singing is getting to be more and more frustrating. So I came home with prescriptions for allergies, which is apparently the source of all this, and another "unwritten" prescription to take a break from singing and to cut down on talking as much as possible. Now, this doctor also has 4 children, and he is fully aware that I homeschool them, so even as he was speaking he started laughing, I guess at the ridiculousness of that statement!
So, I have to take a little break from leading the Praise Team, which I love, and have to try to use crazy hand gestures and whispering to talk to my children. Not the news that I wanted, but just something that is annoying to deal with in order to heal and not cause permanent damage.
I love to talk. I love to sing. I need to talk, I need to sing. So I am asking God, while sitting in the cafe at Ingles eating a salad (alone, can you believe it?!), how do I do this?! And here is what I heard, "Choose your words wisely and you won't have to use so many." Very clearly, very simply, those were my instructions. And while I processed them, I started thinking about how so many times I have let my mouth be like a faucet that runs with no shut off valve, and how many times I have prayed "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips." Psalm 141:3 and yet have pushed the guard aside and said, 'This one's OK to get through." It was pretty convicting, and I am praying that while my voice heals, my heart will learn a lesson. If you don't mind, add them both to your list for prayer!
So, I have to take a little break from leading the Praise Team, which I love, and have to try to use crazy hand gestures and whispering to talk to my children. Not the news that I wanted, but just something that is annoying to deal with in order to heal and not cause permanent damage.
I love to talk. I love to sing. I need to talk, I need to sing. So I am asking God, while sitting in the cafe at Ingles eating a salad (alone, can you believe it?!), how do I do this?! And here is what I heard, "Choose your words wisely and you won't have to use so many." Very clearly, very simply, those were my instructions. And while I processed them, I started thinking about how so many times I have let my mouth be like a faucet that runs with no shut off valve, and how many times I have prayed "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips." Psalm 141:3 and yet have pushed the guard aside and said, 'This one's OK to get through." It was pretty convicting, and I am praying that while my voice heals, my heart will learn a lesson. If you don't mind, add them both to your list for prayer!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Looking at the lists
Every year it happens about this time: the routine gets old and the kids begin to wear out of our normal schedule and we need something to spice it up! A normal day for us starts with breakfast, chores from the rotating chore chart, then Bible time and on to core subjects, lunch and then unit studies. Yesterday we mixed it up (and this is big for me!) and went to Ingles for lunch- yes the grocery store. We got salads and fruit and sat in the little cafe area. It's a perfect place to go because it is quiet and cheap and when we finished lunch we did Mystery of History, Phonics Pathways and our current read aloud, Wayside School is Falling Down. Maybe it seems to be a little change, but learning about Ramses II takes on a different perspective in the middle of the supermarket!
So this morning as I was trying to figure out what I could do today to make things a little different, it led me down the road to why I am doing what I am doing anyway. Now anyone that knows me knows that I LOVE a list and I love checking them off. At one time (God has done a work on me!) I would make a list that included things I had already done so that I could check something off! Sickness, I know, and I am being healed! Anyway, it is really easy for me to look at school as an extended list of things to accomplish. Joseph has done writing, check! Miriam is working on grammar, check! Lydia drew 3 red circles, check! Benjamin is riding his skateboard...wait a minute!
But the reason that we are homeschooling our children is more than to make myself feel better by filling in all the spaces in my lesson planner. It is so that they will be life learners, so that they will have a Godly worldview, so that we will be unified as a family, so that they will have a say and an interest in their own education. These are things that are far beyond a checklist and far beyond my own efforts. I need my Savior to accomplish them, I need His wisdom and His grace, I need His guidance and His patience, and I need the people around me He has put there to give me support when I feel like I am failing.
So I don't think I will throw the schedule out of the window, after all, an insane mother does not make a very good teacher. But it's good for me to hold up the things that we do and evaluate them in the light of the purposes for doing them, to take a look at the over all picture and see how they fit. Today: a movie first, then unit studies, and maybe even no chores. Maybe even no spelling! Ok, well, maybe that's a little too much...
So this morning as I was trying to figure out what I could do today to make things a little different, it led me down the road to why I am doing what I am doing anyway. Now anyone that knows me knows that I LOVE a list and I love checking them off. At one time (God has done a work on me!) I would make a list that included things I had already done so that I could check something off! Sickness, I know, and I am being healed! Anyway, it is really easy for me to look at school as an extended list of things to accomplish. Joseph has done writing, check! Miriam is working on grammar, check! Lydia drew 3 red circles, check! Benjamin is riding his skateboard...wait a minute!
But the reason that we are homeschooling our children is more than to make myself feel better by filling in all the spaces in my lesson planner. It is so that they will be life learners, so that they will have a Godly worldview, so that we will be unified as a family, so that they will have a say and an interest in their own education. These are things that are far beyond a checklist and far beyond my own efforts. I need my Savior to accomplish them, I need His wisdom and His grace, I need His guidance and His patience, and I need the people around me He has put there to give me support when I feel like I am failing.
So I don't think I will throw the schedule out of the window, after all, an insane mother does not make a very good teacher. But it's good for me to hold up the things that we do and evaluate them in the light of the purposes for doing them, to take a look at the over all picture and see how they fit. Today: a movie first, then unit studies, and maybe even no chores. Maybe even no spelling! Ok, well, maybe that's a little too much...
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Power of Agreement
Ever wish you had a million dollars? Me too! Many times, especially when the month has been shorter than the money, or my children want something that our budget can not provide. I taught children's church today and used this analogy to explain the power that we release when we agree with God and the thoughts that come from Him. When you have any amount of money, a little or a lot, you release it as a source of power. For example, on the first of every month I release my mortgage payment because I agree with the mortgage company that I owe them the money and I like having a roof over our 6 heads! I also release a tithe each Sunday because I agree with the work of the Church and want to be a part of it in obedience. But there are certain things that I do not or would not release the power of my finances to, like an illegal activity, or something that would harm my children even though they wanted it. ( My Benjamin with a dirt bike at age 6? No!) This is a common sense concept.
But there is an equal spiritual principle. We possess a power that is far greater than the power of our finances in the bank, and as I told the children today, it is the currency of agreement and the bank is our minds. When we agree with God and His Word, when we agree with the things that He is doing and working in us and through us and around us, we release the power for Him to continue to work. And just like with our finances, we have a choice that we release that power to in our lives and the lives of others. If I agree with the thoughts I might have that I am no good, that everyone is better than me, that God is displeased with me and does not care about the situation I am in, that it will never change- then that I release the power for those things to become a reality in my life. But if I begin to reject those thoughts, to refuse to agree with them and instead to agree with God's Word that I am greatly loved, that I am the head and not the tail, that nothing is impossible with God, then I am releasing power for the Holy Spirit to work those things as reality in my life. It is really just another way to explain faith, which is used so often as a "church word" that we forget what it really means.
It was great to see the "light bulb" go off as the kids begin to grasp the concept, and of course we read lots of Scriptures showing examples of this : Moses, Abraham, Noah. I encourage you to look those up for yourself and find out how lives ( including yours and mine!) can be changed as we agree with God and what He says to become a reality in our lives.
But there is an equal spiritual principle. We possess a power that is far greater than the power of our finances in the bank, and as I told the children today, it is the currency of agreement and the bank is our minds. When we agree with God and His Word, when we agree with the things that He is doing and working in us and through us and around us, we release the power for Him to continue to work. And just like with our finances, we have a choice that we release that power to in our lives and the lives of others. If I agree with the thoughts I might have that I am no good, that everyone is better than me, that God is displeased with me and does not care about the situation I am in, that it will never change- then that I release the power for those things to become a reality in my life. But if I begin to reject those thoughts, to refuse to agree with them and instead to agree with God's Word that I am greatly loved, that I am the head and not the tail, that nothing is impossible with God, then I am releasing power for the Holy Spirit to work those things as reality in my life. It is really just another way to explain faith, which is used so often as a "church word" that we forget what it really means.
It was great to see the "light bulb" go off as the kids begin to grasp the concept, and of course we read lots of Scriptures showing examples of this : Moses, Abraham, Noah. I encourage you to look those up for yourself and find out how lives ( including yours and mine!) can be changed as we agree with God and what He says to become a reality in our lives.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Curriculum List
Last nite: Children's Ministry lock in- the usual pizza, snacks, games, movies, deflating air mattresses, and very little sleep! Today: being lazy on a rainy day and lesson planning for the week ahead. This week we continue on our snow theme moving from Snowflake Bentley to finish Katy and the Big Snow and then to Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. That leads us into our big poetry unit- I love it when a plan comes together! I get so excited when I start lesson planning and think of all the fun ways we can learn together. For those of you who homeschool, maybe you are like me and are always looking for what someone else is using to get good ideas. So here is our list for this year:
Bible: reading thru the Living Bible a chapter a day
Growing with Grammar
Sequential Spelling ( Love love love it!!)
Phonics Pathways
Hooked on Phonics- 1st grade
Math U See
Writing Strands
Mystery of History
Five in a Row
KONOS
Homeschool Share website
After 5 years I feel like I have finally " hit my stride" and have found what fits for our family. God is so faithful- this is truly a creative endeavor with Him, as He answers my questions, leads me in the right direction and provides for the things that we need. Sometimes it is as small a thing as going to the thrift store and finding a book for a quarter that fits right in with our unit study that week, or Him leading me to an awesome website with a lesson plan or an activity that will help me teach a topic. Teaching my children is the most difficult and most rewarding thing that I have ever done! So since I need to get back to planning, enough blogging for today! Happy Schooling!
Bible: reading thru the Living Bible a chapter a day
Growing with Grammar
Sequential Spelling ( Love love love it!!)
Phonics Pathways
Hooked on Phonics- 1st grade
Math U See
Writing Strands
Mystery of History
Five in a Row
KONOS
Homeschool Share website
After 5 years I feel like I have finally " hit my stride" and have found what fits for our family. God is so faithful- this is truly a creative endeavor with Him, as He answers my questions, leads me in the right direction and provides for the things that we need. Sometimes it is as small a thing as going to the thrift store and finding a book for a quarter that fits right in with our unit study that week, or Him leading me to an awesome website with a lesson plan or an activity that will help me teach a topic. Teaching my children is the most difficult and most rewarding thing that I have ever done! So since I need to get back to planning, enough blogging for today! Happy Schooling!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Out of the Shallows
Luke 5
Studying this Scripture this morning God opened my eyes to some great truths-hope they challenge and bless you like they did me!
V3- Jesus asked Peter to use his boat to take him out a little into the water so that he could speak to the people. In that moment, Peter's "workplace" became a platform for the Word of God and was elevated from a simple fishing boat to a place where words of power were spoken. What about our workplaces? Will we let Jesus move our cubicle, work truck, classroom, home, from more that just a place to accomplish tasks and get a job done to a place where His Words transform lives and the Truth is spoken? I am saying "Yes, Lord! Get in my boat!"
v4-5- Jesus asked Peter to go out deeper and cast out the nets for a "haul", as the AMP states it. That sounds almost Southern! Peter had his excuses (I am exhausted, I already tried that), but he obeyed and wow what a "haul", just as Jesus had said. Here is the spiritual truth: the Word was spoken in the shallows, but the supernatural event happened in the deep. We have to move out of knee-level faith to see the incredible happen, we have to be in over our heads. The crowd stood on the shore, but Peter experienced the impossible by heading out to the deep. As Stephen Curtis Chapman says, "I'm diving in!" Come with me...
Studying this Scripture this morning God opened my eyes to some great truths-hope they challenge and bless you like they did me!
V3- Jesus asked Peter to use his boat to take him out a little into the water so that he could speak to the people. In that moment, Peter's "workplace" became a platform for the Word of God and was elevated from a simple fishing boat to a place where words of power were spoken. What about our workplaces? Will we let Jesus move our cubicle, work truck, classroom, home, from more that just a place to accomplish tasks and get a job done to a place where His Words transform lives and the Truth is spoken? I am saying "Yes, Lord! Get in my boat!"
v4-5- Jesus asked Peter to go out deeper and cast out the nets for a "haul", as the AMP states it. That sounds almost Southern! Peter had his excuses (I am exhausted, I already tried that), but he obeyed and wow what a "haul", just as Jesus had said. Here is the spiritual truth: the Word was spoken in the shallows, but the supernatural event happened in the deep. We have to move out of knee-level faith to see the incredible happen, we have to be in over our heads. The crowd stood on the shore, but Peter experienced the impossible by heading out to the deep. As Stephen Curtis Chapman says, "I'm diving in!" Come with me...
Suspicious of Grace
Suspicious- "to suspect; a feeling or state of mind; to distrust; to believe to be bad or wrong"
This is how I spent so much of my life viewing grace: can I trust it? My feelings said that grace was too good to be true and did not fit in with my mindset that as long as I did what was right, followed all of the rules and made sure that everyone thought of me as a good little girl, then grace would come my way. But I found that what seemed right is not always right, the rules change, and what one person thinks makes me a good girl doesn't fit for everyone. In short, I could not make grace a part of my life, no matter how many checklists I completed! But Grace found me, and now I am living out the learning of what Grace looks like on a daily basis with 4 children, homeschooling, being a wife, a daughter, a friend, a worship pastor, cleaning toilets, doing laundry, cooking meals, wiping counters, potty training toddlers... on and on! So I am hoping to share with you this journey from "suspicion" to "trust", where sometimes I take several leaps forward, and sometimes I go several steps back, but always am held by His right hand. Blessings!
This is how I spent so much of my life viewing grace: can I trust it? My feelings said that grace was too good to be true and did not fit in with my mindset that as long as I did what was right, followed all of the rules and made sure that everyone thought of me as a good little girl, then grace would come my way. But I found that what seemed right is not always right, the rules change, and what one person thinks makes me a good girl doesn't fit for everyone. In short, I could not make grace a part of my life, no matter how many checklists I completed! But Grace found me, and now I am living out the learning of what Grace looks like on a daily basis with 4 children, homeschooling, being a wife, a daughter, a friend, a worship pastor, cleaning toilets, doing laundry, cooking meals, wiping counters, potty training toddlers... on and on! So I am hoping to share with you this journey from "suspicion" to "trust", where sometimes I take several leaps forward, and sometimes I go several steps back, but always am held by His right hand. Blessings!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)