Attitude and Actions

I was sharing with my ladies Bible study a couple months ago how I felt like the Lord was asking us to step out of our comfort zones this year and grow. Our focus in 2009 was on our attitude and on two verses in particular. 2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. AND Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. I strongly believe that we have a choice. As Christian women, are we going to choose anxiety, insecurity, irritability, and all the thoughts and emotions that only lead us to focus inward on our "self," or are we going to deny our "self focus," be it self loathing or self loving, and take up our crosses daily.It is a choice. We can take those thoughts captive and think on things that honor our Lord.

This year our focus is on our actions and our theme is taking our salvation seriously. We are talking about the difference between a head knowledge and a heart knowledge. And why we need a personal relationship with God. -What does it really mean to be "born again?" We have already talked about James 2:19-20 You believe that there is one God? Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?

-And we've asked ourselves, "Am I bearing fruit?" "When others look at me, what do I tell them about God in the way I live my life?" "As a Christian, or follower of Christ, do I portray a portrait of Christ?"

Are we consciously taking up our crosses everyday, or are we satisfied with the level of comfort and security we've found in our walk. Because sometimes we can become so comfortable that we don't continue to stretch ourselves and grow, and we become stagnant. Jesus said we are known by our fruit. Are we producing and baring love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. -Galatians 5:22-23 Are we choosing to clothe our selves everyday in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience? -Colossians 3:12

We know we can not know what is in someone's heart. We've talked about how we all have loved ones (maybe that we've lost,)that we hope and pray accepted Jesus as their savior and found the peace that comes from His forgiveness and grace. But, we are not talking about just finding salvation through Jesus Christ. We are talking about making Him Lord of our lives. Because if we are truly taking our salvation seriously, and we want abundant life here, not just the promise of heaven, then that is what our personal relationship with Jesus is all about.

Lately we've been talking about the word Christian. It means Christ-like or follower of Christ. Jesus said He did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. -Mark 10:45 If we are His followers and are patterning our lives after His example then in everything we do we should be serving and ministering to others while we spread the good news of His love. We should be serving one another in love. -Galatians 5:13 And we should serve wholeheartedly as if we are serving the Lord, not men. -Ephesians 6:7

Being a servant can be hard to swallow. Everything about our flesh fights it. And the world tells us we are a simple minded schmuck if we buy into that. But, we are not of this world. We are set apart for His glory. So, with Bible in tow, we are encouraging one another to live it out in practical ways. Because, we all need a little help -from the Holy Spirit, as well as, our sisters in Christ. ~Blessings to you all!

BEVERLY CLEARY BOOKS:
I loved the author Beverly Cleary when I was a child. My favorite was her series about Henry and his dog Ribsy. I read the Ramona series, as well, but I just didn't take to it. I think maybe it's because Henry and Ribsy were my first introduction to Beverly Cleary. Their stories always remained my favorites. I did enjoy Henry and the Paper Route, which was my introduction to Ramona and her sister Breezus, as well as, Henry and the Clubhouse. You would think that as a girl I would connect more with the girls' stories and adventures, but I always went back to Henry and his dog Ribsy. I also read the books around the time that The Wonder Years came out, so that in itself might have had something to do with it.

I could imagine myself right in the whole 1950's era at that time, reading the books and watching that series. I think that's also when I feel in love with

Jackie Kennedy. And I had a very idealistic romanticised view of America at that time. I believed the world was a wonderful place and anything and everything was possible if I just believed and worked hard enough.

These three books were the first chapter books I read to my children, when I started reading to them every night. Not that we didn't read other books at bed time before these. But these three were the first books they layed in bed and just listened to me read to them. Some nights we just need to listen and relax and calm our little bodies down from of our silliness and running around we did during the day. And these three were a perfect introduction when we started implementing that bedtime ritual. And I think they will always have a special place on our reading selves. I'm sure my son will enjoy them more when he is a little older, and can read them for himself. Until then, we are building our vocabularies and enriching our imaginations and having wonderful discussions together. Good stuff! -Blessings!

A Little Late...

but, better late than never...

(a recap of last week.....)
I love having fresh flowers around the house. This was something I bought to brighten up our home and bring a little Spring indoors. And it was only $3.99.
Eye candy~ my guilty reading pleasure right now.
Dino delight for the kids. We have been reading and talking about dinosaurs this month. So, I fixed them a special meal one night of Dino shaped chicken nuggets with fruits and veggies. -I got the place mats, trays and cups for the kids last year at Target.
Sharp tooths and three horns. Well, we have meat for the carnivores, and fruits and veggies for the herbivores. (hee-hee)
And for the adults we have homemade, low fat sloppy Joe's, which were actually more savory than the kind you get from a can. I've never been a fan of sloppy Joe's (too sweet,) but, my hubby loves them, so I tried a recipe from my friend Heidi, who is doing the Livestrong.com with me.
I'm channeling pioneer woman....
ground turkey packed with veggies. I'll have to post the recipe. It was really good, and under 300 calories on a weight watchers bun. Ahh sweet success! You can have your cake and eat it too. -Or should I say sloppy Joe.
Our little learning corner. Art-check, environmental print-check, bible scripture-check, early learning math with patterns and numbers-check.
Hallway and the door to their room where I display a lot of their art work and memory verses.
Watching baby girl play with numbers and letters on her magnetic dry erase board.
This was done in Sunday school...
This I did with the kids here at home.

This was done in children's church. They are so proud of their work, and I am so very proud of them. There is no greater treasure than the little lives God entrusts into our keeping. And to help them grow in the love of the Lord is the greatest accomplishment and reward a mother could ever have. What a joy and blessing!

Joannie Rochette

I have been so touched by her story and her skating. Although I don't think she will win the gold medal, I will be watching her tonight. I admire her strength in deciding to skate after losing her mother only two days earlier. I could feel her grief. I guess you feel a connection with people sometimes through their struggles and loss. -And seeing her face and her father's after she finished so beautifully just broke me. I cried for her and for myself and the loss of my own mom. I miss her so very much everyday. And I hope she is proud of me. -Good Luck tonight Joannie and God Bless.

My very favorite book growing up was The Box Car Children. I still remember walking to the library with my mom the first summer I lived in Indianola. It will always be a special memory for me. I got my first library card that day, and she helped me pick out a book. It was The Boxcar Children.



I fell instantly in love with the story of this little orphaned family. And I loved the black ink pictures. I think it helped me hold more of the story in my own imagination. The story seemed somewhat like an adventure to me, watching them find little treasures, a cup here, and spoon there, in the dump. Things we take for granted they were able to clean up enough to use and decorate their little home in the boxcar. And I loved how they took care of one another. They were family, but they were friends, as well. It is still one of my all time favorite books.

My mom was an avid reader. She visited the library every other week, and always came home with three or four books. She devoured books. I'm glad she shared that with me and passed a love of books down to me. I hope to pass that down to my children. I haven't shared this particular book with them yet, but, it is on my list. It is a wonderful children's classic. Go check it out!

Harvesting Fruit

Last night was the best night our preschool Master's Club class has had all year long. We had eleven children in attendance, and they were all well behaved and very attentive durring the entire hour and a half. And I was so impressed with how well they were able to recall the last four lessons we've covered. Even my two year olds were answering questions. Praise the Lord some of it is actually staying with them and they are learning.

We have been talking about how God can use even little people like them to do great big things. They've been learning about how Jesus used a little boy's lunch of five loaves of bread and two fish to feed 5,000 people. And we have talked about David defeating the giant Goliath, and how God spoke to Samuel as a young boy. And last night we talked about how Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me." They were such a joy to watch. They were on the edge of their seats listening and participating, singing their little hearts out and sharing colors. I can't express what joy it is to hear little voices recite scripture we've been working on. Thank you God for such precious moments. It makes all the work you put into it worth it, when you see them growing in the love of the Lord.

And as we were leaving one of the moms I invited to our ladies Bible study last week stopped me to say she will be coming tonight, and how excited she was because she never has a chance to get out. The Lord provided a baby sitter and she purchased the books and was reading to catch up to where we were in our study. Praise the Lord! I love that kind of excitement. It warms my heart and it's contagious! All the way home I was thanking the Lord because I have been praying for our group to grow in numbers and in strength.

And even better, when I got home, Mrs. Ann called and said she would like to come with me. SHE IS COMING TO BIBLE STUDY! Thank you Lord! I have been praying for Mrs. Ann for over a year now. I pick her up every month for a Christian ladies luncheon here in town. Every month they have a singer, special feature, and special speaker that shares their testimony. After this last month Mrs. Ann told me that maybe she might come to our ladies Bible study, but, she was intimidated because she has never read the Bible. I reminded her that our speaker had just shared that she also had never read the Bible before, and had been in the church her whole life. It wasn't until she accepted Christ as her personal savior that she had the desire to read it and study it for her self. I think that all this got her to thinking more about it. And I'm so happy she has decided to come even if her family is giving her grief about it. This is going to be a wonderful night!

You know this is just a confirmation to me that the Lord knows your heart and He honors our faithfulness to Him. The devil can use others to try and tear you down, but, He knows the motives of our hearts.

A Time of Testing

Well, the devil came at me with both barrels this week. Isn't it just that way, whenever you take a step toward God, the devil seems to come at you full force to knock you down on your rear? Well, I'm there, or was. I've since pulled myself up from the floor, dusted myself off and I'm moving forward.

Bloggyland, facebook and other social networks are great. But, you know how sometimes someone finds you, and you really weren't sure you wanted them to find you. Well, that happened to me this week. And my husband said maybe the Lord is testing you Tiff, to see if you have forgiven them or if you have any bitterness in your heart. Wow! OK, maybe I should pray about that. And I did. And I realized I have truly forgiven this person in my heart, but, I still don't completely trust them. And I wasn't sure why they wanted to be my friend. But, then I thought, well maybe they've changed. I certainly have since I knew them years ago. And they are taking a step toward you, and maybe that is sincere. I guess we will see. So, I'm taking a step out in faith that it is the right thing and that the Lord will honor that.

Then, the same day my sweet friend Mrs. Ann called and wanted to stop by. Her daughter was bringing her home from out of town, and she wanted to meet us, since Mrs. Ann talks about us all the time. They came by for a visit, and she even brought a little bear for Anna Grace. But, the whole visit was very awkward. She kept saying things like, "All I hear is Anna Grace this and Trey that..." or "Yeah, Molly, my daughter, says I know who your favorite gran-kids are, Trey and Anna Grace." As sweetly as she said it, I knew that it wasn't meant in kindness. Every word dripped with sarcasm. And I felt very uncomfortable, even though she was a guest in my home.

And then it happened.... In casual passing our ladies Bible study was mentioned, and I told Mrs. Ann that if she'd like to come this next week, I could pick her up. Well, her daughter immediately turned to me and said, "Yeah I keep telling my mom that if she keeps going with you, y'all are going to make her accept Jesus Christ as her personal savior." Then she looks at Mrs. Ann and says, "They're trying to get you mom." Then she immediately looks back at me and says, "We were raised Catholic."

I was so in shock, I was like is this really happening. Did she really come into my home and challenge me? For a second, I truly was at a loss for words. I smiled at her and was just about to say something, but, I felt like the Lord was saying, "It's not time." After all, she is a guest in your home and anything you say right now will probably offend her, even if you don't mean for it too. And you don't want to offend Mrs. Ann. So, I just kept smiling and tried to be a gracious hostess.

When they were leaving, she had another little snip for me. She said, "I keep telling my mom I don't know what she's going to do when you leave. I mean they're just going to forget her -(referring to my children.) And I looked straight at her and said, "No they won't." She tried to cut me off by saying that you know perfectly well... And I in turn cut her off and said, "No they won't, and let me tell you why. They don't really know their grandparents. They see them once a year, but, from the time they were six weeks old, I made a small book of pictures that I went over with them everyday. I would show them -this is your mimi. This is your paw-paw, and so on. And the first time they met them, they went straight to them as if they had always known them. They felt like they already had a relationship with them. (slight pause~) I will not forget her, and we will keep in touch, and they will know her. This time -she only smiled. But, I think I got my point across. I was quite surprised that she would come into my home and be so bold. But, I know my witness with Mrs. Ann was being tested, and beyond being raised right, I thank the good Lord for helping me to be gracious in that situation.

So, there you ole devil take that!