A few words for 2011

I’d make a New Years Resolution if I thought I would remember throughout the year and keep it. But I know myself better than that. So I’m going to set myself up with a couple of guidelines for the year and if I can stick with those, I know I will be all right. I’m going to share with y’all in case you need to see them too for inspiration for your New Year!

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” – Matthew 6:33

“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice!” – Philippians 4:4

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” – Romans 12:9

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2

“Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” – Galatians 6:10

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” – Ecclesiastes 12:13

May your New Year be blessed and may we all strive to serve God to the best of our abilities in 2011!!

 

And a prayer request:

Please pray for my family this coming week. My Great-Granddaddy died yesterday (he was 95 years old) and we will be traveling down to South Georgia for the funeral early this coming week. Also, we’re going to be moving in exactly one week. So please remember us in prayer! Thanks!

a hope and a future

"For I know


the plans I have for you,"


Says the LORD,


"Plans to prosper you,


and not to harm you,


plans to give you

a hope

and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

laying up for myself

This evening, there are a few things on my mind. I've had a pretty relaxing day, a productive day, a blessed day. I've spent time with my mom and my son and my dad. And "my" dog. And my camera. And my Lord. And it's been a good day.

But, I miss my husband. Do you get that from my recent posts? I really do miss him. Tonight is Lost night, and usually we watch it together with our friends, but tonight... tonight is the first night in a long while that we haven't watched a new episode together. This may seem silly to some of you, but we enjoy spending this time together. Or, at least I do. {ha ha}

And I think about Hubby all day long because I spend all day with Benjamin, who is exactly like Hubby in so many ways. His curiosity, his wildness, his spontaneity, his blue eyes.



Sigh.

Yeah, I miss him. Kinda a lot.

Anyway, I'll stop boo-hooing and show you a few of my favorite things:



Oh, if I had all the money in the world. I'd have all the bright and colorful things my heart desired! And then some.

You may not know it, but I am rich. I may not be so rich to buy all the little extras, but I'm pretty rich.

"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:" Matthew 6:20

That pretty much sums up my thoughts this evening.

Clean

Happy Friday!

Today has been a busy day for me so far. Right now Mariah is napping. Benjamin was in his crib earlier until I started hearing delighted squeals and raspberries coming from his room, so I retrieved him {so he wouldn't wake up Mariah}. Now he is sitting here at the table with me eating his fruit snacks and ritz crackers. Me, I'm eating a Special K protein bar, which doesn't taste too bad, to be honest. I'm also thinking about the Daily Scripture.

Did you see it?

“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” - Deuteronomy 6:6-7

One of the reasons I added the daily verse was not only to share a verse a day with my friends, but because they are often thought-provoking for me. I like to take the verse and meditate on it throughout the day. On days where I do this, my day always seems brighter.

I love that verse, Deuteronomy 6:6-7. It puts in perspective the real, true responsibility we parents have. There are so many parents who make the biggest fuss over the littlest things, like having the perfect appearance, having nice cars, having a pristine home, doing exciting, fun things all the time. I'm not saying any of those are sin - but sometimes we prioritize and forget what should be at the top of the list: God.

Benjamin loves his Bible Class. Whenever we go to church, he always runs into his classroom before we've even started, before anyone even gets to the building. He loves to see my Bible and to turn the pages. He is all smiles when we sing his favorite Bible class songs. He loves to look through his animals and hear about creation.

I love that he loves Bible class. There are some days when he is a bit too cranky to really love anything, but usually Bible class is very fun and exciting.

But, Bible class will not be the main source of Bible learning. There are so many teachable moments throughout the day, and I need to make it a priority to take advantage of this. I can spend all day cleaning and doing laundry and organizing, or I can spend the majority of my time teaching my son about God and the Bible and Jesus and the Church. I did this for a while yesterday when Benjamin and I were in his playing with his toys. We listened to his Bible Song CD, and Benjamin enjoyed it.

This is something that is always on my mind. I was fortunate enough to have been taught from a young age to love God and the Bible, and I want the same for Benjamin. I might go a day without folding a piece of laundry or picking up the living room, but as long as I don't go a day without teaching my son, I'm perfectly okay with this.

Clean or not clean, my house isn't going to last through eternity, but Benjamin's soul will - and whether or not his heart is clean in the end is what matters.

Standards.

This is a post for Christian mothers or parents.

Ever since I had a child I have become more aware of what has been going on in the "motherhood" community. I've learned a lot of wonderful things concerning cloth diapering, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, homeschooling, and many other things. However, I've also come across a lot of different things that sort of incense me. Perhaps you have noticed as well and agree with me. Perhaps you don't agree with me. But I've been thinking a lot lately on a specific subject and since I am able to speak my mind on my blog, I'm going to.

I want to talk about nursing in public. It is such a hot topic now days because of the controversy. I believe breastfeeding is the best way to nourish your child. I believe God created our bodies so that we could take care of our children the best way we can. I am all for spreading awareness and all for it becoming more accepted. I am not, however, all for women doing so in public with no discretion whatsoever.

This to me is not an issue of Rights. It is an issue of Modesty, and an issue of God's Standards.

When I recently shared my views about nursing in public discretely, I was told that just because I was comfortable nursing "modestly" did not mean everyone else had to. I was told that my "standard" of modesty was not the same as others and should not be held to others. I was absolutely flabbergasted, because I had stated that as a Christian, I could not justify nursing in public and being immodest in so doing.

It isn't My standard.

It's God's standard.

My standard of modesty means nothing if it isn't aligned with God's standards. God's standards are perfect and all are subject to them. I know that this is sometimes debated, whether those who aren't Christians are held to the same standards, but consider the book of Jonah. Jonah was sent by God to Nineveh to preach to them and call them to repent or God would destroy the nation. This nation was not a nation which followed God. They worshiped their own gods and all in all they were extremely immoral. And yet God held them to His standards, even if they did not worship Him. Just because they worshiped some other gods did not make them immune to the God of Heaven's standards.

God's standards encompass all. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says we will ALL stand at the judgment seat of Christ.

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."

Consider this passage concerning God's standards for us women:

To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Titus 2:5

We are to be discreet, which means to show good judgment, and chaste, which means to be morally pure in thought and act - also meaning modest.

While I do support breastfeeding and stand behind any woman who chooses to nourish her child in this way, I do believe that God's standards even encompass nursing mothers and we should all make sure we are doing so in a manner that is pleasing to God. So many people also say that it is impossible to modestly nurse a child in public, but I disagree. I nursed Benjamin for a little over 12 months (he's just been weened this week - which is very emotional for me so I'm not going to talk about that) and I have never flashed anyone while doing so! And Benjamin is even one of those children who won't keep a blanket over him. It's possible, with practice.

Next time you start getting worked up about your "rights" as a nursing mother, think about God's standards and whether or not your "rights" fall under His standards.

As I usually say when posting a 'spiritual post', you might not agree with me. But this is what I believe.

Praying Just to Pray

Every day it seems that someone new is requesting prayers for some difficulty a friend or family member is having in their life, or maybe even for themselves. I love to pray for other people. I know God has commanded us in His word to pray for the sick (James 5:24) and to pray for God's people (Philippians 1:9-11) by Paul's example. I like to remember to pray to God for our daily needs (Matthew 6:11), and especially for forgiveness when it's needed (Acts 8:22-24). I pray for strength and to resist temptation when I'm faced with one (Matthew 6:13, 26:41). I even try to remember to pray for my enemies (Matthew 5:44), even though I really don't like to call anyone my enemy. We always pray when we sit down to eat, too!

But I was just thinking today... when do I ever pray just to pray?

I have reasons to pray every day. There are so many hurting people out there. And there are also so many reasons to be thankful and to rejoice! But when do I ever just sit down and pray just to pray to my God? Just to talk? Just to let Him know what's on my mind? Sometimes I just feel like venting and sometimes I go to my husband and let him know what's on my mind and what's got me so riled up. Why don't I go to God like that? When something's upset me, how come I don't just sit down and talk through it with the Father?

I think about Daniel, who three times daily knelt down in his home (while in captivity!), to pray to God. Three times daily! Daniel made time to talk to God, and I just pray when we're about to eat or when I get to thinking about those who have asked for and need prayers. I sing the song to Benjamin in Bible Class "Read Your Bible, Pray Every Day" - Listen to God and Talk to God every day - yet I find that I don't do that half the time! Isn't that awful?

It's something I need to work on. It's something I am going to work on. It's something so crucial to my walk with God, and it needs my attention! God needs my attention just as those I pray for need His.

So, the question for you is, how often do you pray just to pray?

Perfection.

I wouldn't say that I am a perfectionist in many ways. I've already shared my thoughts on why my house is not clean, and many other things just aren't at the top of my priority for being perfect. There are a few things that I will put extra effort into because I feel like it should be perfect, and more often than not it's just me having standards much too high to be realistic. In fact, so many times it seems that whatever it is I am stressing over perfection about, it happens to be something that I have no control over, or perhaps only partial control. Relationships - I want them all to be perfect, but nobody is perfect.

Well, except God. God is perfect. The Divine Trinity. Father, Son, Holy Ghost. All perfect. And everything they do is perfect. I am so very thankful to have that knowledge. To know that whatever God does, it is always perfect. He has perfect wisdom and perfect power. Everything He has done, and everything He will ever do.

God's Word? Perfect.

His scheme of redemption? Perfect.

His requirements for repentance? Perfect.

And while we sometimes try to 'fix' these to our own liking, try to force other requirements into the equation or take some away, God's standards do not change. I take a lot of comfort in the fact that God does not change. There's no reason for Him to change: He is perfect, and all He has done... well, you get the picture.

I am so thankful that we don't have to submit to man's requirements in order to gain Salvation. I am so thankful that we don't have to submit to man's requirements in order to gain forgiveness.

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
(Galatians 1:8-9)

God's way is the perfect way, God's standards perfect, God's judgement perfect. While I am not perfect, I take great comfort in knowing that God is. While those surrounding us are not perfect

God IS.

And I am thankful.

TTYVDKFQTJTV

awe-struck.

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
James 5:16b

Our prayers have been answered.

Our prayers to strengthen the Gray family have been answered in a tremendous, incredible, amazing way! Praise be to God!

Brian told Kristy tonight that Helen had not survived the crash. I got a few texts from my good friend Reagan recapping for me, and I was so encouraged and in awe of Kristy's reaction that I needed to share with you.

Kristy said that she felt like God was trying to comfort her because she felt like Helen was gone, but was waiting on Brian to tell her. Our God is good! Her first words to Brian after he told her were, "And you've been dealing with this all by yourself?"

Wow.

I have the greatest desire to go embrace my Sister in Christ, for her example, her strength, her courage. For facing something that no parent should ever have to face, with such an attitude. I am amazed. Kristy Gray is such a wonderful example!

I just had to share this with you all this night! Hopefully it will help you all end the day with a smile on your face and hope in your heart! Please continue praying! It is quite obvious to me that there is power in prayer!

Glory be to God!

Benjamin's First Thanksgiving

A total success! Although we were unable to spend it with blood family, we spent it with God's family! We had such a wonderful, meltdown-free, tummy-filling, thanks-giving, laughter-sharing, volleyball-playing (for some), friendship-strengthening Thanksgiving day!

We ate...




And ate ...




And acted really cute at the table, showcasing our new skill (raising and waving arms when we say 'Ta-Da!'), and laughing if anyone even chuckled as if he had just heard the best joke...




Those who could muster up the energy (aka: not me) played volleyball. Benjamin and I sat on the swing for a while and watched...



And we also watched the Gibbs' adorable puppy, who occasionally came to nibble on Benjamin's toes. I don't blame her. Benjamin is so very edible!




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When we got home, Benjamin conked out, and so did I. I expected him to sleep longer, but he woke up after about an hour wanting to eat... and then realized he was still sleepy, so he crawled on top of me and laid his head down, and after I had rubbed his back for a while, he slept again. While it is very hard to breathe and sleep with a twenty pound baby laying on top of you, I also slept, and I loved all two hours of it. It is very rare that Benjamin will even stay still to cuddle with us, much less nap with us anymore. It brought back so many memories of his first few months after birth. I am so Thankful for moments like those.

We woke up sweaty and sweet, and ready to eat leftovers.

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Looking back over this past year ... I have so many things to be thankful for. I am thankful for my husband, who is ever helpful, who goes out of his way to help me out around the house and with dinner and with Benjamin. My husband, who does what he can to make things easy for me, who listens when I need someone to listen to, who holds me when I need someone to hold me after a long day of holding a baby (or sometimes babies). Who is my rock, my biggest fan, my loving spouse... I love you, Carl! Thank you, and I thank God for you!

I am thankful for being blessed with a child, the sweetest boy I could ever ask for, who amazes me daily with his curiosity and love for knowledge (and cookies!). I am thankful for the moments he seeks me out for comfort, for snuggles. I am thankful for the numerous kisses he showers upon me, even the sloppy ones. I'm even thankful for the four AM wakeup calls so I can snuggle my baby and help him go back to sleep (even if I don't feel so thankful at the time). I'm thankful for the messy floors, the dirty laundry, the lost socks and pacifiers. I'm thankful for all the moments I'm able to catch with my camera, and the moments that are much too sweet to interrupt with a camera.

I am thankful for my mother and father, and my brother. I am thankful for the support they have given me, the love and care they have shown me. I am thankful for they love they have for Benjamin. They have always been there and I love them more than they could ever know! I love you! Thank you!

I am thankful for one of the best friends I could ever imagine, my future Sister-in-Law, Melanie. She has been closer than a friend, closer than a sister. I love her so much and can't wait until she is part of our family! Thank you, Melanie, I love you!

I am thankful for my Kindred Spirit, Autumn, and her wonderful family, who have always loved my family, and have always been wonderful family to me! Thank you!

I am thankful for our best friends out here in middle Georgia, Chris and Kayla and Mariah. They have made us grow to love this area with their friendship! Thank you!

I am thankful for the congregation here in Fort Valley, for our friends in Middle Georgia, for our Preachers Family friends, for God's family! To the Gibbs, the Paces, The Duncans, The Johnsons, the Ruckers, The Burnettes, the Adams, and so many more - to many to even think of individually - Thank you!

I am thankful for my blogging friends! You all have been so encouraging to me during this journey as a young mother! Thank you!

Most of all, I am thankful for God, for His Son, for the Holy Spirit, for the Word. I am thankful for my salvation, which I do not deserve. I am thankful for His Church, His comfort, His love, His protection, His blessings!

I am so thankful.

I am so blessed.

"Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."
- Psalm 100

"I just want what is best ... "

You may not agree with me or my views in this post. This is just something that has been on my mind lately. Facebook friends, you may have already read this!

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I do not know any parents who do not strive daily to make sure they do what is best for their children. As soon as Carl and I learned that I was pregnant, we began immediately doing what was best for Benjamin (even as we did not know he was Benjamin yet!). I took prenatal pills, got my rest, ate healthier, got more exercise, and refrained from harmful medications and the like. When Benjamin was born, we made it a high priority to make sure we made the best choices for Benjamin since he could not make choices himself. We choose healthy foods for him to eat, safe toys for him to play with. We put baby gates up to keep him from playing with dangerous electronics and from climbing the stairs, and we put covers on our unused electrical outlets. We chose to use cloth diapers and hypoallergenic baby wash because of his sensitive, rash prone skin.

While all of this is good, while all of this remains a priority for us in the way we raise Benjamin, none of this even comes cloes to the importance of the decisions we have made concerning Benjamin's spiritual upbringing.

It baffles me how some parents say they are so concerned with doing what is best for their child or children, and yet they forget completely the most important thing they could ever do for their child. That is - teaching them about God and His Son and His Church and His creation! How to be a faithful Christian and how to love our neighbors and our spouses and our family and friends and enemies. Most importantly, how to resist the devil so that he will flee from them (James 4:7), and how to gain eternal life with our Father in Heaven. Parents who know better, who know what's right, and yet they concentrate on the earthly vessel that will one day be nothing but dust in the ground.

You can feed your children organic foods, healthy foods. You can make sure they never eat a bite of fast food, never eat a piece of junk food, never take in too much fat or sugar or salt - but are you feeding your children the bread of life (John 6:35)?

You can provide every safe toy to fill your child's heart with joy. But are you teaching your children about the abounding joys and blessings found in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3)?

You can teach your children that touching the hot stove is dangerous. You can teach your children that they could get hurt or killed if they played in the street. You can keep your babies from danger using baby gates and socket covers. But are you armoring your children with the armor of God against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:4)?

If you're not, can you honestly say that you are doing the best for your children in the long run?

If you're not taking your children to Bible Class and Worship on Sundays and Wednesdays and whenever else the Saints meet, but instead taking your children out to the park or over to Grandma and Grandpa's house, or to the store or just staying at home to play and relax - can you honestly say you are doing what is best for your child, spiritually?

Parents are commanded in the Bible to teach their children. Are you willing to risk your soul, along with your child's?

Is that really what is best?

Just something to think about...

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." - III John 4


Benjamin all ready to go to Bible Study at 9 days old.

Outstanding and Everlasting

Precious lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious lord, lead me home

When my way grows drear precious lord linger near
When my light is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand lest I fall
Take my hand precious lord, lead me home

When the darkness appears and the night draws near
And the day is past and gone
At the river I stand
Guide my feet, hold my hand
Take my hand precious lord, lead me home

Precious lord, take my hand
Lead me on, let me stand
I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm lone
Through the storm, through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious lord, lead me home.


I find so much comfort in the fact that I am never alone in my trials and problems.

"...and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:20

Comforting. Amazing. Christ's words, His teachings, His love. Outstanding and Everlasting. Christ is with me, and my soul is at peace.