My First Post of 2010!

I have had a lot on my mind! MAN O' MAN! So for me to try to put my thoughts on paper (well computer) is going to be difficult to say the least. I will give a summary and hopefully fill in all the details throughout the year.
1. My passion for marriages has increased, so much so that I will be talking about the things most "Good Southern Christian Woman" do not talk about openly. We will be open here this year. We will be challenged in our marriages to step up to the plate. Why does our culture portrait marriage like a death sentence? I think it is because we have problems at the core and don't talk about them! Christian pornography?!?!? Why is it easier to get a married person to purchase pornography then to support a missionary, or the local church, or the homeless person???? Something is wrong and we need to talk about how to get it right! Marriage particularly amongst Christians should be what the world desires! Single people should want to be married because of the joy that married Christians have around them. It should not be the other way around. So this year we will deal with that WAKE UP CALL!

2. The believers joy in serving the poor! The poor are mentioned in scripture over and over and over again. Yet, they are still overlooked by the large majority of Christians today. What is up with that? We need to live out the gospel not just attend church? What good is attending church without a transformed life living out the gospel?

3. I am increasingly drawn to the simple life. Someday I want to purchase a huge plot of land and call all my friends to live there and create a garden, raise goats, chickens and live off the land. Then other days I just want to go to Kroger and buy what I need or even sit down at the restaurant and have them bring it to me. So I am conflicted. I pray this year I will make some changes toward a more simplistic lifestyle.

I think that is enough for right now. I am excited to get moving and talking about the things I have grown passionate about.

Blessings to you this year as you discover the truth of scripture and the direction the Lord is leading you to serve for His glory and Kingdom! AMEN and AMEN

We've been married 12 years now!

So today was a blessed day. Phil and I have been married for 12 years. I can say with the utmost confidence..."there were days, weeks, and months that caused me to believe we would not make thus far". However by God's grace foreknowledge and purpose for our lives we are standing together strong, with great joy, and completely in love!


I just want to add this little note. We went to a Christmas party with some friends it was all couples and adult only (that was fun!). Anyway a question was put on the table for all to answer. What has your spouse done for you that you will never forget, or was super cool, something you loved etc etc? I answered the question but when I got home I realized I missed the thing my husband has done for me that has meant the most. He preached a sermon to me and me alone when I was struggling through some biblical understanding. In the moment I did not realize all the effort he put into explaining through scripture. But afterwards, like an hour and a half later I realized he put as much effort into helping me as he would a congregation of 1,000 people. My walk with the Lord is that important to him. Not only that, he was not able to study for the week and then come back with a layed out message. God just used him as a willing vessel to speak truth and understanding into my heart. For that I am so very grateful.

I am enjoy the rest of this evening reflecting on God's grace for both my husband and I. It would be normal to spend time with your spouse but my husband is sick in the bed (in sickness and in health right!). Gotta love the gift of marriage!

Here are some recent pictures we took. ENJOY!

MARRIAGE

1. How do you and your husband work together?
2. What is your conflict resolution method?
3. What does submission look like in your home?
4. What are things that you as the wife do and what are the things that you as the husband do?
5. Who leads family bible study? Do you have family bible study?
6. If you are going on a long trip who drives and why?

Here are my answers...
1. I am the social network lady (as my husbands says..."the social butterfly" while he is the overall visionary...in most areas. You could say I am the Captain and he is the Commander.

2. We talk things out almost to the death! Of course after we internalized our own position. I think we try to not speak out of pure fiery anger.

3. We make decisions together however God has given my husband the authority to make final decisions and I submit to that. We don't function like barbaric cave people, "YOU Woman, Get Food!" as some would suppose submission to mean. My husband loves me and seeks to honor God with the gift (me) that he has been given. In fact my role in submission is pretty easy because God called him to be a sacrificial servant leader. Really, who wouldn't want to submit to that type of leadership.!?!

4.I do most of the interaction with people and lots and lots of administration stuff. Phil works, helps around the house, pays the bills and he gives our family its style, tone and direction.

5. Phil normally leads family bible study. I will lead if it is just the kids and I but if the whole family is together usually Phil leads.

6.Phil drives on a long trip almost 100% of the time. Why??? because I will go to sleep in the car usually after 5 minutes on the freeway. Remember we are talking about long distance trips. If figure if I go to sleep we will get there faster and avoid arguing about his driving technique. It is a win win. He listens to sermons and delights in the Lord!

What is your marriage like?

HOMEMAKER MOMENTS!!!!

visit: http://www.homemakerchronicles.com


So many things to share where do I begin....
How did I fulfill my role as wife, mother, and worshipper of the True and Living God?

As wife I took time to look outside myself an view a disagreement with my husband from an outsiders perspective. I spend a lot of time counselling, mentoring, and walking other women through struggles and joys in their life. What I have found is that an outside perspective is usually much clearer and more accurate because it is not based out of emotion or personal baggage. So that is what I applied to my own life. I was able to understand why I felt the way I did, but I needed to evaluate the way my husband was feeling and why. As women we often take the "he doesn't understand, or he doesn't care about me" route. When more than likely he understands what he needs to and he cares above what we think. I know for my husband in particular he looks at the BIG, LLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNGGGGGG term picture. While I am pretty much the small (I want it now), and quickly picture. As a result I (with the power of the Holy Spirit) have and are choosing peace, and patience. I praise God for that....evidence of the work of Christ in my heart, mind, and soul.

As a mother I have decided to STOP NURSING MY CHILDREN! I have a 10, 8, and 7 year old. I cook all the food (most days), I clean all the rooms (most days), I wash all the laundry (most days), I clean my own car...van actually, and on occasion I do the yard work. Now as I read scripture there was a King who was 8! As I look at other countries kids are holding it down in labor. When I went to Tanzania, Africa there were children younger then mine carrying the five gallon bucket of water on their head. Now why are they able to do this and not mine? Oh, it is because of expectation. These children are expected to help in their home...in fact they have to. While I work to the bone and allow my children all kinds of freedom and privilege. This week I have STOPPED NURSING MY CHILDREN! Have you seen a woman breastfeeding a 4, 5, or even 6 year old? Trust me it happens and is completely ridiculous. There is some twisted fulfillment the mother gets out of that because there is not real need for the children to breastfeed at those ages. So it is with me. What twisted fulfillment am I getting out of nursing my children in regards to laboring around the home? Maybe the thought of I am really doing this, or some appreciation from them or others that I am freeing you and I will be SUPER CHRISTIAN MOMMA....who takes care of home, husband, and children. The thought of my husband and children not have to lift a finger around my house. Those thoughts are sinful, prideful, and arrogant. The reality is I do need them to help. Not just for me but to help them capable functioning adults, and children who are respectful and grateful, and know how to take care of things. I gave assignments, instructions, and I stepped back to watch. We also added this....You how when Jesus was on the cross and He cried out "It is finished", well that is a statement of a servant returning to the master that the job is complete. We talked about that and I explained that they need to follow Christ example and let me know when the job is done.

As a worshipper of the Most High God I really spent time seeking the Lord and being thankful for Christ on the cross! Christ was mangled for me! Christ took on my sin! Christ is in all ways wonderful. Words fail to express how thankful I am to God who revealed Himself through Jesus Christ. I Love HIM!

PRAY for your man!

The Lord opened my eyes to a truth on Tuesday and completed it on Wednesday. I need to be faithfully praying for my husband. Why haven't I been faithful in that area? I just felt like he has it together (with the Lord).

Well after the Lord revealed to me that I pray faithfully for my children and not so much for my husband... I had to do something about it. Then I realized I am not the only woman who seems to neglect to pray for her husband. It seems we expect them (our hubands) to know how to love, care for, and nurture us. When in fact it is as difficult for them as it is for us to submit or be respectful.

So, as the Lord would have it I will be opening my home on Monday nights from 6:30-7:30 for the specific purpose of women coming together to pray for their husbands and marriages. This will not be hang out time but very specific and purposeful prayer. I know many of you would not be able to attend based on location. I would encourage you to open your home to a few ladies to faithfully pray for your husbands as well. If you need more info. holla at me.

Another Song of Song!

I had to post this one. I am personally convicted by what was revealed in this text. I would encourage couples to listen to this message together. If you can't then listen to it and discuss it with your spouse.

Song Of Songs

I have been listening to Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church preach through the Song of Songs. This message addressed some very familiar concerns within our Christian community. So I posted the full sermon that you may hear and view this message. Feel free to comment and create a dialogue about what was spoken.