Sunday Sing-Along

Exercise, Men, Respect

This morning while listening to the HOTM conference the speaker, Maggie Hogan from Bright Ideas was giving us great ideas on 7 Highly Effective Habits of Happy Homeschool Moms.  One of the points she made was the importance of getting exercise. She was talking about that it's important to get exercise even if you homeschool and don't have a lot of time.


 After speaking about it for a few minutes, the next thing she talked about was respecting our husbands.  She said, "There's only one thing our husbands need. Respect. Well there are two, but perhaps we'll have to talk about that privately some other time."  LOL...I responded, "Well that's where you can get your exercise!"  ;)

???? for Dummies

Have you seen the hundreds of books titled "???? for Dummies"?  They have all kinds of titles.  "Cooking for Dummies", "Internet for Dummies", etc.

I have a problem with this.  I may not be educated in a certain subject, but does that make me a dummy in it?  The BIBLE says I have the mind of CHRIST. 

"Yeah, but those are just titles for a book, they don't mean you are dumb."  My response to that is, "Life and death are in the power of our tongue."  Proverbs 18:21. 

We as Christians are suppose to speak GOD things, good things over ourselves.  It's all part of learning to change our mindset.  (which I posted about the other day, in case you missed it) 

So it may be trivial to you, but I don't like the title of those books, and avoid them.

Blessings!

Sunday Sing-Along

One of my all time favorites...

Developing the mind of Christ

How do we develop the mind of Christ?  Actually I think it's pretty simple.  I think the problem is we are humans tend to get in the flesh, and not remain in the spirit.  (What do I mean by that...we tend to do what the flesh desires instead of doing what our spirit tells us.)

Here's how I've learned:

• Read the WORD.
• Meditate on the WORD...some people get freaked out by the word meditate. It simply means to think about, to ponder.
• Realize you are developing the mind of CHRIST.  (this being a key point)
• Memorize, learn key verses for every situation
• Develop faith...remember faith comes by hearing and hearing by the WORD of GOD...sometimes your flesh, your physical ear must hear the WORD of GOD out loud to go into your spirit man, and get in deep inside you!

Learning to get the mind of CHRIST, I believe, is a key element in our walk with the LORD.  Without it, I would still be in doubt, insecurity, lack-physically, financially, spiritually, and mentally. 

I Corinthians 2:6-16
6Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

Blessings!

Receiving Part II

This is the comment I left Susan on her blog the other day:

"A good reminder that Pastor Hallam has always taught us when someone wants to give is...'Don't deny your brother/sister of a blessing.' :) It's easier to receive when we know we are blessing them too!

Great post, Susan!"

This is true, our Pastor has always taught us this.  How often we forget that maybe, and most likely, GOD placed it on the giver's heart to give to us.  If we say no, who are we really saying no to?  Ultimately, it's GOD!  Why would we deny GOD the opportunity to bless us?  There are only a few reasons I can think of.  We are prideful or we think we are undeserving. Either is not the right mind set!  We must get to the point that we KNOW that we have the mind of CHRIST!  Therefore, we must have the mindset of CHRIST!

Also, when we deny our brother/sister of a blessing we might be taking away something GOD is trying to teach them about giving.  We don't know what GOD is doing in the lives of our brethren.  We need to learn to be sensitive to the HOLY SPIRIT, and listen and obey in all things.  I don't want to get in GOD's way!  I want my brothers and sisters to receive all GOD has for them.  If I'm to be the tool that is used by GOD to help my brother or sister, why would I say no to a blessing?  (For that matter, why would I say no to GOD?)

Just something to thing about the next time we are about to say no...

Blessings until next time!

Receiving

Please go read my friend, Susan's blog before reading this. She wrote a great post about receiving on her blog yesterday.  She and a group of people are doing a Bible study on  Kenneth E. Hagin's book, "The Holy Spirit and His Gifts". 
"The main point of the chapter last night was 'receiving' what God has made available to us."~Susan

I know we've been taught "It's more blessed to give than to receive".  We as humans usually can receive quite easily.  We like getting material gifts.  When we become Christians, our perspective changes.  We realize the world doesn't center around us anymore, it centers around the ONE that created us, and because of that we want to give freely as HE has given freely.  In that though, we often forget that HE gave to us, and in order for us to get that understanding, we must receive first.  But receiving is more than salvation, GOD has so much to give us.  We must learn how to receive.

It's been very humbling to my husband and I to learn how to receive.  I believe it's a process.  :)  I also believe it doesn't come easy for givers.  :)  (My husband is, and always has been as long as I've known him, a giver.  He would give you the shirt off his back if he knew you needed it.  That's the way he is.  I love him for it!  But on the otherhand, I was not as much a giver, and learning took time.  Once I learned, which is also a process, :D  then it was time to learn to receive.  I think giving was an easier lesson.  :D)

GOD put us in a position to receive.  (Have you ever had GOD position you?  It can be very humbling...) Here is just one example of GOD putting us in a position to receive.

Dh had been unemployed.  It was Christmas time.  We didn't have money for gifts.  We had given our bonus (that we were going to use for gifts) to GOD for a church in Nicaragua.  We felt led to do it from the LORD so we know it was the right decision.  On the otherhand, I was upset with the LORD, because HE knew that that was our Christmas money and our living expenses until dh got another job.  I didn't want to put up the tree!  I did not want to celebrate Christmas!  The LORD told me to put up the tree, and every time I walked by to confess, "This will be our best Christmas ever".  I didn't want to do that, but I obeyed.  I put up the tree, Every time I walked by the tree, I confessed, "This will be our best Christmas ever."  My dh told me to make a list of all the things I was planning on buying the kids for Christmas.  I did. 

We went to church the Sunday before Christmas.  An usher walked up to dh and told him after church he would need his help getting packages to he car.  After church dh asked the usher, "Where do these packages go?"  The usher replied, " Brother, they go to your car.  Someone left them for your family."  Apparently dh had misunderstood earlier.  To make a long story short, all the items on the list I made were either provided for from those packages from someone at the church or our family and friends provided them for our children.  GOD is SO faithful.  We need to learn to listen to position ourselves to receive all HE has for us.

I think I might continue this tomorrow.  I'll have to ponder on it some more. 
Blessings until next time!

Forgiveness

Matthew 18:21-22 (King James Version)

21Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

I've often heard, "I can't ever forgive that person for what they've done!" 

Forgiveness is a choice.  It's not a feeling. I might still feel mad, but I have to choose everyday to forgive someone that has hurt me.  When that person is brought to my mind and that hurt, I say, No, I choose to forgive that person and what they've done to me.  The pain of what they have done lessens with time, and often times I can extend grace to them remembering perhaps they aren't saved, they were going through something at the time, etc.

Back when we were in Alaska, dh helped a "friend" get a job there.  This person and his wife turned out not to be "friends".   It was a very difficult situation.  We had spent time together previously in Disneyland on vacation together along with other gatherings, etc.  When we left Alaska, one of the many reasons we left was because of what took place with this "friend".  We hadn't heard from them since.

The other night dh was on FB.  He found this "friend".  He sent him a message expressing some thoughts of what took place.  He got a reply back asking to call.  Dh contacted our "friend" last night.  He was truly repentive of what took place, and has been through some very difficult situations since. (without going into lots of details, divorce, drugs and prison are involved) Currently, he is going through many health issues, that could be life threating. 

I knew at that moment that dh told me about his health issues, that I had forgiven them.  All I wanted to do was pray for them and ask GOD to heal his body and to help the situations that they have gone through. I didn't remember the hurts of the past, I remembered the fun times we had.  I remembered sharing the LORD with them at breakfast in Disneyland. All I've been doing is thinking about them and praying for them since dh told me what's going on. 

I would ask that you would pray for them too.  GOD knows the details, so please pray as your heart leads.

Blessings until next time!

Barnes and Nobles Discount Card

Yesterday the kids and I went to Barnes and Nobles.  Both of them wanted a book.  Joe bug wanted "Sherlock Holmes" and Bella wanted "Nancy Drew".  Anytime Bella wants a book, I'm likely going to buy it!  She doesn't like to read much. 

As I went up to purchase I remembered that Barnes and Nobles has a homeschool discount card.  The one I had expired in 2006!  LOL  (that's how often I buy books?)  I asked the checked out gal about a discount card.  She got me some paperwork and explained I could only purchase books with my discount card for homeschooling. 

My thought was anytime I can get my kids to read is an opportunity for homeschooling!  Funny how people don't understand every opportunity for my kids to read is a opportunity to learn!  :)

Blessings until next time!

Going for the Gold

I was watching the couple's figure skating last night on the Olympics, when I thought of Jamie Sale' and David Pelletier.  If you recall they were the Canadian figure skaters that lost out to the Russians in 2002 for the Gold.  (Later they were awarded the Gold medal, due to unfair judging.)

As I thought of Sale' and Pelletier, and could only imagine their disappointment, I thought about how many times I've been disappointed because things didn't turn out the way I wanted or expected.  I thought about how many times I've felt left out or overlooked.  I was reminded of something.  I'm not overlooked or leftout. GOD has a purpose and a plan for me.  The things I want or expect may not live up to HIS expections and desires for me. 

GOD has so many desires and expections for me.  Often times because I've lean on my own understanding, I've become frustrated  and disappointed.  I need to remember to keep my eye on the gold-GOD's best.  It may not come the way I expected, but it's coming.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (King James Version)

5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Philippians 3:14 (King James Version)

14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.


Blessings to you today!

 

Sunday Sing-Along and Happy Valentine's Day

What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than to tell the one that gave us life I love you! 

A little woodpecker's persistence

This morning I woke up with a headache and needed more sleep.  As I laid there, with my pillow over my head-lol, starting to go back to sleep, my husband picked up the pillow, pointed out the window, and said, "Look, there's a red headed woodpecker out on the tree."  At first I didn't see it, so dh described which branch it was on. 


As I watch the little bird, I noticed his persistence knocking at the tree to get bugs.  Knock, knock, knock. Knock, Knock, knock.  I asked the LORD to reveal some of HIS TRUTH through this little bird.
Then this passage came to me:

Luke 11:5-13 (KJV)
5And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;

6For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
7And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
8I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
9And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
11If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
12Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? 

Just as the woodpecker was persistent in knocking on the tree to get the bugs out, we are to be persistent in our prayers!  The LORD is faithful!  HE may not answer them in our time, or in the way we think fit, but HE will answer them.  It is our job to continue to be faithful in asking, seeking, and knocking.

Blessings until next time!

PS.  I did try to get a picture of the little fellow, but by the time I decided to get up and got my camera, he flew away.

Winter Olympics studies

Here's some websites for some unit studies for the winter olympics!


http://a2zhomeschool.com/homeschool/unit-studies/winter-olympics-2010-unit-study/

http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-2010-information/education-programs/useful-resources/

http://www.unitstudy.com/winter_olympics_2010.htm

http://www.scribd.com/doc/26224841/Winter-Olympics-Unit-Study-Plan

http://www.olympicschool.ca/default.aspx?PageID=1000&LangID=en

The Winter Olympics

The Winter Olympics start tonight! Yay! I love the winter Olympics! I love them more than the summer Olympics! (funny how I'm sick of snow though...lol)

As I think of the goal of winning the gold, I'm reminded of a few verses:

1 Corinthians 9:24 (King James Version)

24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

2 Timothy 4:7 (King James Version)

7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Hebrews 12:1-2 (King James Version)

1Wherefore 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,

2Looking 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.

We as Christians are like the Olympian going after the gold! We can do it, if we keep our eyes on the prize!

Blessings!

MY OPINION on snow...

Here's my opinion on living in the snow:
I think I would like to pass. It's expensive. You have to spend money on hats, mittens, scarfs, heavy coats, long johns, propane, getting towed out of the ditch, extra supplies in case your snowed in, snow plows, shovels, maintence on roads-plowing, salt and sand.
The list could go on and on.

Yes, the snow is pretty to look at for about a day, and then it gets old-very quickly. 

For my southern friends that might not know this...do you know what causes ice to build up on trees in the winter?  Fog...interesting.

Blessings until next time.

FB/Computer MY OPINION

Since my 3 day sabbatical from the computer, my desire of using the computer has diminished greatly, but since the controversy on FB (I had it posted yesterday for awhile on here) and the new layout, I have very little desire to be on FB. Probably a good thing.



I see the LORD pulling me away from the computer more and more from homeschool sites and now fb too. I have for years been involved with the homeschool community through the internet. For several years, I used these sites as support and to offer support-kind of a ministry to newer homeschool moms. My kids are older now, and my need for support has lessened over the years. There are so many people homeschooling now, support is found all over. It's time for me to move on.


Yesterday, I got the new FB layout. I hate it. It's not very appealing to look at in my opinion. Not only that, but with the saga of a "friend" giving me a tongue lashing on something that was my personal opinion, I have no desire to even post an update. Will I offend her or someone else? Will I tick someone off? Some of the thoughts that have been going through my head. Many people say, "Well, it doesn't matter, it's your fb page." It does matter...we shouldn't purposely try and tick people off. Now if we are stating GOD's truths and they are offended, that's totally different. Of course, I wasn't trying to offend or tick anyone off the other day. I was giving my opinion about something. As many of you know, my opinion is something I like to share.


Recently, I've been accused of many things because of my opinion.


1.Recently I received this from a family member in a FB private message over my thoughts on Pat Robertson's statement about Haiti:


"you refuse to accept any opinions but your own and other people who agree with you. this is why you should include on your friend's list only those who agree with your opinion and the reason why i should not be included".


2.I should keep my opinions to myself.


Among some other things that I can't remember off the top of my head to post.


I would like to address both of those statements.


Up until recently, I would have agreed with that first statement. I would have been guilty as charged. Over the past couple years the LORD has shown me it's okay to have a differing opinion than someone else and still remain to be friends. HE is showing me that I can love outside of my own opinions. In the past I thought if someone didn't agree with me, they didn't love me. Obviously, that is a lie that satan used against me for a number of years, and won up until I realized it wasn't true. Now, I try to respectfully disagree, and when I don't agree, try to say, "I respectfully disagree with you."


I have deleted things or removed them sometimes to avoid more conflict, not because I think another person's opinion isn't valid.


There are some circumstances, that even if I love the person and disagree with them, I have had to let go off on FB because they continually want to argue with me. I am learning it's not always worth the fight. Not all of us determined people learn these things quickly. I have not learned quickly from my previous mistakes, but thank GOD I am learning. :)


On to the second point....hmmm, keeping my opinions to myself. Maybe that's true, maybe I should. I don't think it's likely going to happen anytime soon to be honest though. Often times my opinion isn't even my opinion. It's the word of GOD, and people get offended by it. In which case, I cannot help, nor stop-especially if I am to obey the HOLY SPIRIT. I will say this, I will try not to express my opinion on FB anymore, and if I do, I will try to remember to say this is my opinion before I spout off. On the otherhand, I will not stop expressing my opinion on my blog. I will delete opinions that are solely meant to hurt people. If you do not like that, you may stop reading my blog. You have control of what you read or don't read-If you don't like the way something is headed, stop reading it. It's that simple, but DO NOT leave nasty comments on my blog.


To sum it up: My blog is here, for me. For me to express MY opinions, MY thoughts, MY revelations...if YOU don't like it,please feel free to leave! I do my best to keep an open mind, to minister the WORD of GOD, and to encourage others. I am human, I make mistakes. I won't always be right, and often the LORD will reveal that to me in HIS time, NOT yours. I am a work in progress-please remember we all are.


Blessings until next time

Motivational DNA test

My friend Susan had this on her blog today. Here's my results: 

B’s Motivational DNA Type is: PVI
(Production-Variety-Internal) The Visionary


Visionaries are persistent, energetic and confident. They are able to organize people and projects. Visionaries exhibit strong leadership potential and react quickly to crisis. Creative thinkers, Visionaries have the ability to craft a vision and get others excited about it. They enjoy working on multiple projects at the same time and like to be involved in exploring alternative concepts. Farsighted and imaginative, Visionaries are good at finding original solutions to difficult problems. Visionaries enjoy change and thrive under pressure. They have the ability to shift gears and turn on a dime. They are confident in their ability to master new skills. Visionaries enjoy challenge and desire personal growth. Visionaries want to know that their work matters and desire to “go where no man has gone before.”

PVI Motivators: Inspiring work environment, opportunity to originate and initiate ideas, peer respect, credit for work accomplished and a strong sense of mission.


PVI De-Motivators: Rigid structure, routine, delays, time-consuming details and bureaucracy.


1. Options are vital for your motivational style. Make a list of a dozen ways to accomplish your goal. Then mix it up. Do a little of everything on the list. PVI Visionaries get bored with the same old, same old.


2. Create a customized plan for achieving your objectives. If something doesn’t work for you, don’t force yourself to do it—eliminate it. Find a better way—something enjoyable that works.


3. Make a detailed record of why your goal is important to you. How will you (and others) benefit if you achieve the goal and what are the consequences if you don’t?

Sunday Sing-Along

Another Rich Mullin's songs...this time Third Day, singing Creed. (because I like their version I think even better than Rich's)  Hope you have a blessed Superbowl Sunday!  We're going to make some gumbo and root for the colts...how ironic is that?  lol (I'm also going to do about a week's worth of cooking.  Got a new crock pot last night...6qt for $10...so going to put a roast in it that I thawed out the other day. Also, going to fry some chicken I thawed out and make a pot of chicken and dumplings)

Sabbatical and prayer requests

I'll be on a 3 day sabbatical starting today at noon.  If you have any prayer requests please post them before then or email them to me.
I have a few:

• I've been having a pain in my stomach and back. It  usually wakes me up at night (for about the past week or so) and then after a couple hours disappears again. 
• My friend, S, she having some health issues.
• My friend is going through a divorce.
• My friend, T and her family.  Job situation and some health issues with family members.
• Our cousin is recovering from ankle surgery.

Thanks everyone!
Hopefully in 3 days I'll have something inspiring to share.  :D
Blessings until then~

Doritos and church???

Found this interesting...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_rel_super_bowl_ad_megachurch

Here's the link to the video:
http://www.crashthesuperbowl.com/#/video/4374

I liked it!  I think it shows that Christians have a sense of humor.  I hope they win.  Like our pastor says at home, Let GOD give inventive ways to make money.  Hopefully they'll win and use the money to further the kingdom of GOD.  :D