Somebody's Watchin' You

You know, I've always been told by my parents that the way we conduct ourselves as Christians is so important, and one reason is because people are watching.  We may not realize it, but claiming to be a follower of Christ automatically sets us up for scrutiny by others.  They want to see how we react to difficult, unfair or simply every day circumstances.  They want to know if we are truly different than others who don't claim to have a walk with Christ.

I was thinking about this last night as I was going to bed--about the importance of maintaining and demonstrating Godly character even when you feel that you have the right to be upset.  In a way, I feel like times such as this are good, because it really helps to beef up the "character" muscle.  In other words, there are times when we can look at our hurt or angry feelings as an opportunity to grow in our faith.

Ashlyn is almost 8 years old (I can hardly believe that) and her little ears pick up on so many things that we probably don't even think about half the time.  As husband and wife, Jason and I discuss many things that we wouldn't talk about with anybody else.  There are even times when we "vent" to each other about a hurt that we have towards someone else or when we feel that we have been treated in a way that is unfair.  But little ears are listening and little eyes are watching the way we handle such issues.  We are helping to shape the character of our children.  So imagine if our children always heard us talking down about someone or simply complaining all the time...that is probably going to play a huge role in the way they handle difficult circumstances as well.

It doesn't matter if it's about the president or the neighbor next door, my kids are watching, listening and looking up to my words and actions.  I feel a great responsibility to be extra careful of how I react to various situations and people.  The best way to appear to have strong character to my children is to actually have strong character.  How is that produced?  Romans 5:3-5 tells us,

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 

People are inevitably going to do things that either make us upset or that disappoint us.  But one of the greatest lessons my mother always taught me is that we are only responsible for our own actions.  We cannot control others, nor do we have to answer for them, but we can control ourselves, and we will have to answer for our actions.  God will use even the smallest trials to help build character within our own lives, as well as anyone else who might be watching, when we choose to follow His instructions to love Him with all our hearts and then our neighbor as ourselves.

Home Sweet Home

Well, it's been awhile since I've been on here, but we had a great time on our trip to Texas, and I feel like we've been going non-stop ever since we arrived home Saturday!

It was so good to be with our family down there, and it was great to have a break from the every day routine, you know?  The trips there and back were long, but they really weren't bad.  The kids DID ask several times, "How many more minutes?" but overall they did so well.

The trip also provided plenty of opportunity for me to step back and kind of evaluate the goings on of my life and re-evaluate my priorities and perspectives a bit.  I found myself reflecting quite a bit on several things, although I must say I didn't come to any definite conclusions.  There are many things about which I am still praying and seeking God's direction.  

But, as for the trip itself, we saw lots of animals, ate lots of good food, and had a ton of fun!!  The highlight for me was the night we went to Rodeo Austin...that was a great time!  Laura and Will were extremely hospitable and patient (we invaded their home for a week!)  I'm so thankful that we were able to go, but now we are home, unpacked, and getting back into the swing of real life.  Of course, that's not a bad thing.  There's just something about sleeping in your own bed...even if it is cram packed with kiddos by the time morning rolls around!  :)

Happy Days in Austin

After approximately 19 hours on the road and then the flurry of activity that surrounds a happy reunion of sisters, cousins and in-laws, we are HERE! Well, actually we've been here for a few days, but I haven't been able to find the time to sit down long enough to post updates or anything else for that matter! But it has been great. The kids have been playing and having the time of their lives, and we've enjoyed just being together, loving the warm weather, and feasting on good stuff like Texas barbeque and Tex-Mex.Sunday night we let the cousins have a movie night, so this is a picture of them all piled on the bed. Jacob stayed in bed long enough for the picture to be taken, but as soon as the movie started he felt he'd had enough. He didn't last long!!

For A Reason

This morning I was reading a Scripture passage that I've read before about one of the people that Jesus healed.

The story is found in John 9:1-11, and starts with Jesus and His disciples walking by a blind man.  Do you remember?  The disciples ask Jesus, basically, why the man is blind--was it his sin or his parents'?  They assumed this because the man had been blind from birth.  Jesus' reply touched my heart,

It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.  We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.  While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.

And then, after He said those words, Jesus healed him.

The reason this passage touched me is because it made me realize (again) how sovereign God is over all things.  Jesus is saying that this man was born blind so that "the works of God might be displayed in Him".  It doesn't mention the age of the blind man, but I wonder how many times in his life he had questioned why this had happened to him?  Think about that, and then think about how many times we question things that we (or others) may be going through.  Could it be, in some of those cases, that it's because God wants to reveal His glory?

You know, sometimes we may not understand why things happen, but God knows.  In fact, He either purposes or permits it for a reason (Romans 8:28).  There are things that happen as a result of sin, but then there are things that happen because God has a greater purpose, even though we may not understand right away.  When this world (or your life) seems out of control, remember that the Bible says that our days were ordered for us before even one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16).  God knows our circumstance, and our job is listen to Him, trust Him, obey Him and pray that, as in the case of this blind man, God's works might be displayed in us.

Emily's Clarification

Okay, first of all, this time change is about to do me in.  Anybody with me?

I was so tired this morning that it was all I could do to fix breakfast.  I thought I might try to sneak in a few moments of "nap" while the kids were doing their chores, but of course that was a ridiculous idea.  So I decided that I ought to be responsible and take care of my duties as well.  I also prayed that God would rejuvenate me today so that I might be able to accomplish what I needed to without dragging about.  I praise Him because He absolutely did that!  I still feel much better, and I really do credit God for helping me because I didn't do anything different...I simply felt a boost of energy.  I thank Him that He cares about even the small details of my life!

Anyway, I want to share this little tidbit that kind of spoke to my heart today.  As I was gathering the plates off of the table this morning, I heard Emily screaming at Ashlyn, "I'm not going to play with you at all today!!!!!"  I just listened to hear what would come next.  I expected a retort from Ashlyn.  But instead, as if she realized the gravity of what she had just said and what it would mean for her later in the day, Emily softly said, "Well, I might play with you a little bit--but not very much!"

I had to laugh.  I thought it was so funny that she would make such a bold threat, and then immediately back down when she figured out that she just might want to play together later.  If only we could be so humble!  I thought about how many times we make bold (obnoxious) threats or speak before we think out of anger.  I loved that Emily had the innocence and honesty to clarify her words.  She didn't take it back completely, but she is only four years old after all.  Still, even though I'm sure we all say things we don't mean from time to time, I can't help but wonder how much better off many relationships would be if that sort of humility was present!

The Narrow Way

I have lots on my mind today, and I feel antsy to write, but honestly, I don't even have it all together in my head.  All I know is that lately (well, for some time now), I have been burdened by all of the lies that are swirling around in the world today.  I am burdened particularly by the fact that so many people--even "Christians"--are buying into lies about spirituality and about God.  

I suppose the reason for much of this is two-fold.  Number one, many of the lies are worded so closely to the truth, even quoting Biblical references (though out of context), and number two, there is a lack of spiritual discernment among many believers, possibly in part because the busyness of life tends to so easily detract from time that is spent in God's Word.

Have you ever felt so burdened but you don't know what to do?  That is the way I feel.  I love the Word of God, and I believe every word of it.  I have so much to learn and God is so faithful to reveal truth to me so that I can grow.  I just want to do more.  I want to share His truth, as well as what God has done in my life.  

The Bible is clear that in the last days there will be many false teachings.  The danger is, as I stated earlier, that many of these tend to sound so much like truth.  If a person is not completely devoted to the Lord, then they are in danger of falling for many of these lies.  Knowing this makes it clear why Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14,

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.  For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

I've said this before, and I'll say it again.  We live in urgent times, and there is no time to mess around.  I feel a call to urge people to get off the fence and be completely devoted to the Jesus Christ.  His grace is available and welcoming, and we would be fools to live our lives with indifference.

Living Among the Animals

I can't go into any room of my house without seeing wild animals.  

No, I'm not talking about my kids (hee hee), but rather a menagerie of the stuffed sort, lying here and there and everywhere.  I have to admit that it sometimes drives me crazy!!!  Every morning after breakfast, I walk back into my bedroom to get ready for the day, and there on my bed are piles and piles of stuffed animals.  They are hiding in tents (made by the kids with blankets and pillows) or peering out from under the covers.  

Then after (and during) lunch, I find these animals on the table, each with its own bowl of plastic food.  In the afternoon, many of the animals are brought to the vet's office (aka our living room) for a routine checkup or maybe a minor surgery.  Then before bedtime, the animals are swept away, back in their proper places for the night.  

But there are always lingerers.  

A puppy on the edge of my bathtub.  

A tiger underneath the end table.  

A flamingo that has been left on the window sill.  

Sometimes I grumble silently when I see these animals that were, for whatever reason, left behind.  I guess I figure that if they are putting all the others away, why leave just a few here and there?  But then yesterday, as I was staring at a pig sitting on the back of the chair, I realized something.  I realized that there will come a day when my floors will be free of stuffed animals.  Someday my living room might just be a plain old living room instead of doubling as a veterinarian's office.  And I have a feeling that when that day comes, I will surely miss my little animal friends, not to mention the whirlwind days of my kids being little.  Time passes so quickly it seems, and I know that each moment that passes is one moment closer to that day.  

So, I guess the next time I see these random critters making themselves at home in my "space", I'll simply pick it up...and smile (I'm going to be doing a lot of smiling).  :)

Too Much of Myself

Well, today I have confession.  Lately I've kind of gotten stuck in this rut of comparison.  It's nothing unfamiliar--I've been here many times before.  And it's funny how it never gets to be any more fun than the time before.  It starts with a little comparison here, a little envy there, and before I know it I'm in a downward spiral that leaves me completely empty and miserable.  

I realize I'm at my end when I start to feel down on myself and weary.  Then the all-out-no-doubt-about-it-cardinal-sign-of-the-end-of-my-rope appears--that ugly beast....self-pity.  I start to think about how much better off I'd be if this.  And if only I could do that.  And then I label myself a complete and utter failure before God and man.  Ughhhh.

You're probably thinking that this happens over the course of a long period of time.  But this go 'round it seemed to happen overnight.  Literally.  I don't know what triggered it.  Maybe something dramatic?  Not that I remember.  Maybe someone did something really mean to me?  Not that either.  I'll tell you where it started.  My thoughts.  And little episodes like this are poignant reminders of my need for God to control my thoughts as well as my actions.  

I confessed my self-absorption and self-pity and just plain selfishness to my Father today, because it doesn't take long to realize what a barrier "self" can be to my walk with Christ and my work for Him.  I confessed it because I want to be in good fellowship with Him, not living according to my flesh.  And what I realized (again), is that at the end of the day (and in the morning, and in the afternoon, and every time in between), it really comes down to who I am before God alone.  It is He alone to whom I answer.  And it is He alone for whom I live.

Field Trip!

We had the opportunity to take Ashlyn skiing for the first time the other day.  It was homeschool day at Paoli, so we, along with many other homeschoolers, had a great day skiing and/or snowboarding.  There were lots of instructors there for first-timers, but Ashlyn had a really good private teacher--her daddy.

She had so much fun that she did not want to come home.  By the end of the day, she and her friend Victoria were riding the lifts and skiing the slopes together, without us!  It was a great time!

Taming the Tongue

I was talking to a friend the other day (she has a newborn), about the joys of being a new mom.  We laughed when we started discussing how much laundry just one little person can create!  I think we both agreed that the job at least doubles, what with all the clothes and cloths that get soiled as a result of an upset tummy or those infamous newborn diapers.

You know, the Bible speaks of a very small part of our body that has the potential to create much more serious problems than additional laundry.  Can you guess what it is?  That's right, our tongue.  I was introducing Ashlyn to some of the Bible verses on the tongue the other day, and she was quick to point out that our tongue was very important and started trying to talk without using it.  We laughed about that, but truly, it seems like sometimes we would be better off without it, doesn't it?

Nearly all of James 3 is dedicated to explaining the dangers of this small but destructive muscle inside our mouths.  In fact, verse 8 calls it "a restless evil and full of deadly poison."  James describes the tongue as a bit inside a horse's mouth or a rudder of a ship.  He is referring to the power that the tongue has over a person's influence and how controlling it can be.  According to John MacArthur, James' epistle consistently stresses "that a person's speech provides the most revealing glimpse of his spiritual condition."  That's a heavy statement, but then you can't really deny what the Bible says about this subject.  James 1:26 is just one example, "If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless."  

So how do you tame this "restless evil"?  We can't.  The Bible is clear that only God can tame the tongue.  It goes back to Jesus' commandment to love God with our whole heart and to love each other.  Love, as well as self control, is listed as a fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life (Galatians 5:22).  It is a result of loving God with all of our hearts and minds and loving others the way He desires.  It is a result of letting the Holy Spirit be in charge of our words instead of our own inclinations.  When we do that, then our tongue can be used for His purposes.

There is so much to be said about this, and there is so much about this in God's Word (which means that God takes this very seriously).  I challenge you to do your own research on this.  Go to the book of Proverbs and see how many verses you can find on speech.  For now, I'll leave you with these verses to think about:

He who restrains his words has knowledge

And he who has a cool spirit is a 

man of understanding

Even a fool, when he keeps silent,

is considered wise;

When he closes his lips, 

he is considered prudent.

Proverbs 17:27-28

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21