So thankful to the Lord for all the little things!

Lemon Cupcake Yankee candle...house-warming gift

A good cup of hazelnut coffee...just like my mom, I try to have a cup of coffee

with the Lord in the morning!

Reading 1 John 4...how precious to fellowship with the Lord

Good morning kisses... from my little children

Sweet chats...with my older children

A kitchen cleaned to perfection...by my 11 year old daughter!!

How Deep the Father's Love For Us

How vast beyond all measure,

That He would give His only son,

To make a wretch His treasure;

How great the pain of searing loss,

The Father turns His face away,

As wounds which mar the chosen One,

Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the Man upon a cross,

My guilt upon His shoulders,

Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice,

Call out among the scoffers.

It was my sin that held Him there,

Until it was accomplished,

His dying breath has brought me life,

I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything,

No gifts, no powr's, no wisdom,

But I will boast in Jesus Christ,

His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer,

But this know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom!

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine...Pr. 17:22

Years ago, my husband and I decided to not use fairy tales with our children, we just felt like they were unnecessary (at best)...
Anyways, yesterday my son was chatting with me and said, " Mama, I remember that story you told me when I was younger about a mom that prayed that every time her son told a lie, his nose would grow an inch longer!"
"I told you that??? "
It was a lie.
Seriously, I don't remember ever telling him such a thing, but it sure gave me a good laugh!
I just love being a mom!
Now, I'm off to read the Bible to my kids!

Shall I call it "Comfort Sins"???

The past few months I have been thinking about our life, how it has changed physically, emotionally, and most of all spiritually.

What I mean by that, I'm not sure I can put into words- totally- but, something happened this week that put a lot into perspective for me. Sometimes when circumstances in our lives dramatically change, we allow "changes" (maybe slips would be a better word) to come into our walk with the Lord. Justifying the little spiritual "slips", with arguments such as, "if only..." or "when this happens, then I'll...".

In my experience these small changes are not big, bad, ugly sins. The things that I am thinking about are just things we do or attitudes we have that feel comfortable to us, at the time. The downward trend is barely visible- and certainly "excusable".

Praise the Lord for the Holy Spirit! In His tremendous faithfulness, the Lord opens our eyes of understanding and points out our sin. We are faced with a choice to confess and repent, or hang on to our "comfort sins". (yes, I am thinking about something in particular :) )

This past week I was being burdened...is that just a nice way of saying convicted? This one little thing was really troubling me. You see, if I were to give up this "comfort sin", it would affect far more than just myself. It would affect 10 other people. My children. I wrestled with the Lord in prayer, asking if it was really that important of a matter. The thought He brought to me was this: "Do you want to wait to see what the consequence is, or would you rather obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit?" One problem I was facing, was that it seemed like there would be a this void- a sense of loss- (yeah, Rachaelle...it's called death to self!)

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:36

I gave the whole thing to the Lord and surrendered to what I knew He wanted of me. The things I feared, i.e., reaction from the children, a void to fill with something else- was totally unfounded! We serve a Merciful, Forgiving, Abundant Life Giving Savior! Lamentations 3:22-23 Within the next two days, the Lord showed Himself strong in my behalf in such special ways! Each touch from God was a LOUD confirmation that He is sufficient!

Is there something in your life that may be hindering your walk with our Lord and Savior?

He is worth any sacrifice.

II Chronicles 16:9a "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him."

Love is...

If I could speak with any language to share the Gospel with any people group, and didn't have the love of Jesus- I might as well clang some pots and pans together, for all the good it will do.

If I cannot speak in love- then just keep my mouth shut!

Or, if I had all the understanding and knowledge there was to have, and could solve every mystery...and didn't have the LOVE of Jesus- it is useless. How about if I could pay the bills of every poor person in the world, but had no LOVE- it would profit me NOTHING.

Sound a bit extreme? Keep reading, it gets worse.

Love will suffer- be in pain- and still be kind to others. Love will see things or situations that are much better than my own, and not wish that I could have those things, or change my little set of circumstances.

Love is not constantly trying to get attention, or always making sure "all my bases are covered".

Love doesn't get offended by every little thing.

Love does. not. think. evil. of. others.

Love bears the MOST!

Love believes ALL!

Love hopes the LONGEST!

Love endures the WHOLE WAY!

This love, this AGAPE love, can only come from God.

It continues, because it sees through faith, the things that God sees.

I write this after sitting under six weeks of preaching from 1 Cor. 13~ not thorough, but just a few things I have gathered...from my Father to me.

Praying

O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home.

2. Under the shadow of thy throne,
still may we dwell secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defense is sure.

3. Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting, thou art God,
to endless years the same.

4. A thousand ages, in thy sight,
are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night,
before the rising sun.

5. Time, like an ever rolling stream,
bears all who breathe away;
they fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the opening day.

6. O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come;
be thou our guide while life shall last,
and our eternal home.

Chore Time

In past posts I have deliberately kept away from posting about daily happenings- But- this is so funny to me that I had to share it!
Our family has had its share of trouble with chore time. Well, not so much chore time per se, but the dividing of all the chores.
During a recent conversation with my oldest daughter, she was sharing how, um, sick and tired she was of kitchen duties EVERY DAY!!!
Wanting to connect with her heart and make strides in our mother/daughter relationship, I cried out to the Lord for a new idea for our family. Something that would fit our needs.
By this time you are wondering what is so funny...patience is a virtue, and reading is good for you too.
The next morning I sat at my computer and typed into a nice, orderly, two column format, a list of all jobs that must be done on a daily basis.
After printing this, I cut out each job into little strips. Then, I took envelopes and wrote each child's name on it, took a deep breath, and called ten children to my side!
They came arunnin'. Carefully, I handed each child their envelope, told them we were going to auction off the chores for the day. No money involved, just work!
I held up the first job and read it off, asked who wanted it! You should have seen them! Eager, (read LOUD) voices clamored for the first job to put in their "chore pack" envelope!
We finished "auctioning" off all the chores for the day and the children let out a whoop and ran to do them! They had the privilege of choosing their work for the day! (in case you were wondering, the big girls chose jobs other than kitchen duty)
The next day went as well as the first. Everything was going wonderful, until today came along...
My third born child decided to throw a monkey wrench into our plan. He got up this morning and raced to do the chores that used to be "his". Oh, the howls of dismay that went up, when the other children found out that some of the jobs were already done!
I listened as my oldest son threatened his little brother, "If you make that bed again, and clean up that room...I'll do all your jobs tomorrow and you won't get ANY JOBS to do!!! "

Now, this is the sound of success!

A quote for you...

There is a book written by George MacDonald originally published in 1879 as Sir Gibbie. It is now titled "The Baronet's Song". When I was a little girl my mom read this book to my sister and myself, oh, how we loved it!
Now, as an adult and mother, I've been reading it to my children. What a joy it has been to make this precious story come alive for them, and listen to them grasp the deep truths!
Sir Gibbie is a mute boy, who loves the Lord Jesus. This is a little quote that blessed me last night as I was reading to the children.
"In obedience to the suggestion of his wife, Mr. Sclater did what he could to show Sir Gilbert how mistaken he was in imagining he could fit his actions to the words of our Lord.
But in talking thus to Gibbie, the minister but rippled the air. He was too familiar with truth. The unseen Lord and His reported words were to Gibbie realities. He had never resolved to keep the words of the Lord; he just kept them. The effect of it all upon Gibbie was to send him to his room to his prayers, more eager than ever to keep the commandments of Him who had said, "If ye love me...." Comforted then and strengthened, he went down to go to Donal."

As I live from moment to moment, am I "resolving" to obey the words of the Lord? Or, am I simply KEEPING them? A verse we quote often around our house is James 4: 17.
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
Allowing the Word of God to change me, instead of trying to fit it into my preconceived ideas of right and wrong, good and bad. Not my way, but His way! Not my will, but His will!

Ah, yes, a new year has begun.
Since new year resolutions and myself have never seen eye to eye, I have a new approach this year.

New Year Revolutions!!!

I am asking the Lord to give me a revolution in compassion on people.

A revolution in submission...(this is personal folks...just between my patient husband and me)

These are a couple of my heart's desire. So, just what does revolutionize mean? Glad you asked.

Taken from my favorite dictionary, Websters 1828

REVOLUTIONIZE, v.t.


1. To effect a change in the form of a political constitution; as, to revolutionize a government.

2. To effect an entire change of principles in.

The gospel, if received in truth, has revolutionized his soul.

Probably, one of the most important things in my life I ask the Lord to revolutionize is in the area of my thoughts.
II 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;"

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 of these things."
How incredibly beautiful! Only the Lord could come up with such a word picture, taking captive EVERY THOUGHT, and then making a complete list of what He wants in our minds.

Can you think of anything God should revolutionize in your life?