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!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
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!
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!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
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.
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?
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?
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
We walk by faith and not by sight
We all remember the story of Peter coming to the believer’s house and Rhoda answering the door, was so shocked that she left him standing there. She ran to tell the other Christians that Peter had been freed.
How did they respond? They were astonished.
Remember, Herod had thrown Peter into prison, fully intending to kill him. The only thing he was waiting for was Passover to be finished, then he was planning to put an end to this church leader’s life.
The Christians had prayed and waited all week for Peter. Perhaps if Jesus had freed Peter, or changed Herod’s mind in the beginning of the week, they wouldn’t have been so astonished.
Many are the times that I have prayed for a specific need. Prayed and waited. Prayed a little more anxiously, waited a little less patiently. Prayed with desperation, chewed my nails while tapping my foot, and tried to call it “waiting”.
Then, at the last possible moment there is the Lord.
Calm (the term for this is the Prince of Peace), totally in control (the term for this is Sovereign), and He didn’t need to be informed of my “urgency” ( the term for this is Omniscient). I think you get the idea…
And I didn’t even mention His Mercy, Faithfulness, Grace, and the way He forgives us.
There really isn’t such a thing as a “last possible moment” to the Lord. All the moments are His.
This hymn has corrected my thinking more than once, and I would like to share it with you.
I sing through the shade and the sunshine, I’ll trust Him whatever befall;
I sing for I cannot be silent, My Father planned it all.
There may be sunshine tomorrow, Shadows may break and flee,
Twill be the way He chooses, My Father’s plan for me.
He guides my fal’tring footsteps, A–long the weary way;
For well he knows the pathway, Will lead to endless day.
A day of light and gladness, On which no shade will fall;
Tis' this at last awaits me , My Father planned it all.
How did they respond? They were astonished.
Remember, Herod had thrown Peter into prison, fully intending to kill him. The only thing he was waiting for was Passover to be finished, then he was planning to put an end to this church leader’s life.
The Christians had prayed and waited all week for Peter. Perhaps if Jesus had freed Peter, or changed Herod’s mind in the beginning of the week, they wouldn’t have been so astonished.
Many are the times that I have prayed for a specific need. Prayed and waited. Prayed a little more anxiously, waited a little less patiently. Prayed with desperation, chewed my nails while tapping my foot, and tried to call it “waiting”.
Then, at the last possible moment there is the Lord.
Calm (the term for this is the Prince of Peace), totally in control (the term for this is Sovereign), and He didn’t need to be informed of my “urgency” ( the term for this is Omniscient). I think you get the idea…
And I didn’t even mention His Mercy, Faithfulness, Grace, and the way He forgives us.
There really isn’t such a thing as a “last possible moment” to the Lord. All the moments are His.
This hymn has corrected my thinking more than once, and I would like to share it with you.
My Father Planned It All
What though the way be lonely, and dark the shadows fall,
I know wher’er it leadeth, My Father planned it all.
What though the way be lonely, and dark the shadows fall,
I know wher’er it leadeth, My Father planned it all.
I sing through the shade and the sunshine, I’ll trust Him whatever befall;
I sing for I cannot be silent, My Father planned it all.
There may be sunshine tomorrow, Shadows may break and flee,
Twill be the way He chooses, My Father’s plan for me.
He guides my fal’tring footsteps, A–long the weary way;
For well he knows the pathway, Will lead to endless day.
A day of light and gladness, On which no shade will fall;
Tis' this at last awaits me , My Father planned it all.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Genesis 3:9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him,
"Where art thou?"
God asked Adam a question. Not for information. God knew where Adam was. God asked Adam this question, because Adam needed to know he was lost.
If a person never knows they are lost, they will never be found.
This same question is asked of a believer- when we allow sin, when we allow compromise into our lives.
It is a question that only the Spirit of God can ask- and already know the answer.
He asks in love. To reveal to us our hearts. Not just to reveal, but to draw us back to Himself.
Where art thou?
Psalm 139:23-24
"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Our God not only reveals, He restores.
Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean,
In it's fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me,
Is the current of thy love.
Leading onward, leading homeward,
to my glorious rest above!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus.
Spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o'er His loved ones,
died to call them all His own.
How for them He intercedeth,
watcheth o'er them from the throne!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
love of ev'ry love the best!
'Tis an ocean vast of blessing,
'tis a haven sweet of rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
'tis a heav'n of heav'ns to me.
And it lifts me up to glory,
for it lifts me up to Thee!
God asked Adam a question. Not for information. God knew where Adam was. God asked Adam this question, because Adam needed to know he was lost.
If a person never knows they are lost, they will never be found.
This same question is asked of a believer- when we allow sin, when we allow compromise into our lives.
It is a question that only the Spirit of God can ask- and already know the answer.
He asks in love. To reveal to us our hearts. Not just to reveal, but to draw us back to Himself.
Where art thou?
Psalm 139:23-24
"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Our God not only reveals, He restores.
Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus,
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean,
In it's fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me,
Is the current of thy love.
Leading onward, leading homeward,
to my glorious rest above!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus.
Spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o'er His loved ones,
died to call them all His own.
How for them He intercedeth,
watcheth o'er them from the throne!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
love of ev'ry love the best!
'Tis an ocean vast of blessing,
'tis a haven sweet of rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
'tis a heav'n of heav'ns to me.
And it lifts me up to glory,
for it lifts me up to Thee!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
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