When I was shopping the other day, I couldn't help but notice a family with small children shopping together. Their littlest one was screaming...very loud. He kept throwing a toy out of the cart and would then scream for it. Finally the dad said, "If you stop screaming, I will pick it up for you." The battle was on! :) The kid screamed all the more...louder and louder! The mother was getting very agitated. Scowling at her husband, she said, "Why is he crying!" The father, who was pushing the cart and waiting for his wife to find what she needed, explained the situation. She rolled her eyes and grumbled.
All this time, I was pretending not to notice. And I kept saying to myself, "Dad, don't give in! Don't give in!" As the kid continued to scream, the dad shouted even louder, "Stop crying and I will give it to you!" Then suddenly the kid stopped and the dad got the toy and gave it to the boy! Victory!!! :)
Then he said, "If you throw that again, I will not buy it for you. We will leave it in the store. Do you hear me? Look at me! Do you understand?" This boy knew that his father meant business, and he was learning to obey his father. This was a wise father.
As I walked past the family, I just smiled, but I wanted so badly to encourage that man and tell him what a great dad he was. He certainly wasn't getting any encouragement from his wife! But his little boy will grow up to respect him. Men need to be leaders and children need to obey their parents. It is in God's plan! And God's ways always work best!!! :)
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Friday, July 6, 2012
A Prayer For Protection
This morning as Ben was heading out to mow, he mentioned that he needed to mow the large dog pen that Princess and Captain are in. He said he hates to mow that area because there are so many bones, and as much as he tries to watch out for the bones, some usually end up getting mowed which is not good for the mower and is also very dangerous. Last time he mowed that pen, he watched a bone go sailing through the air and up and over the house! So this morning I told him, "You need to remember to pray that nobody will get hurt while you are mowing." He said he would do that.
Later I called Ben in while he was mowing that pen. I had made his favorite snack - a kefir shake! :) After he finished his shake, he headed back out to finish the pen. Then Mike and Jonny came in for their shakes. As Mike, Jonny and I were in the kitchen drinking our shakes and talking (Emily had just gone out to pick peas) suddenly there was deafening sound! It sounded like a shot gun went off in the kitchen. I immediately cried out to the Lord and hit the floor. As the three of us looked around, we realized what happened. Something came flying through the bay window in the kitchen. There was glass EVERYWHERE! We all felt glass spray our faces and arms. Jonny was closest to the window, and felt his whole head get showered in glass. I had a little burning on my chest and noticed I was bleeding a little. It was just a very small cut. We all had glass in our hair and in our clothes. Mike and Jonny were sitting on the bench at the table directly in front of the window and I was standing in the kitchen beyond the table. As Mike looked around he found a dog bone on the floor by the window. I couldn't believe it!! I thought to myself, "Ben must have prayed...he had to have prayed!"
As the bone came through the window, it hit one of the metal grids that is in between the panes and as it ricocheted off of that, it headed to the corner of the kitchen...where there was nothing and nobody! All I could do was thank the Lord!! Every surface of my kitchen and much of the living room was covered in glass pieces and yet NOBODY was hurt!!
As Ben was making another pass with the mower, he looked up and saw the window. Then he came in. I immediately grabbed him by the shoulders and said, "Ben, I gotta know, did you pray before you got on the mower?" He said, "Yes, I did." Then we hugged each other and cried. Ben was so upset about the window and the mess it had made, but I didn't care a bit. All I could think about was how the Lord had protected us all...and answered Ben's prayer!
It took Mike and I two hours with two shop vacs to clean up the glass. EVERYTHING needed to get vacuumed! My floor, rugs, furniture, piano, desk, computer, bowls, counters, pans, stove, sink, benches, chairs, and baskets were all covered with glass pieces...it was a mess!!
So what are the odds that Ben and I would have that conversation only hours before that bone came flying through the window? God used that situation to teach us all a lesson...well, maybe a few lessons. In my opinion, the cost of a broken window is nothing compared to the value of my children seeing God clearly answer a simple prayer. Ben will never forget what the Lord did for him today! None of us will! I was not the only member of my family that was teary-eyed today. We serve an awesome God!! Nothing happens by chance and everything is in His control.
The Lord tells us in His Word to pray without ceasing. And I was thinking today how at times those simple prayers for protection can seem so insignificant, but we need to resist those thoughts and pray anyway. Once we pray, we commit every situation to the Lord and trust Him for the outcome. We don't need to worry because He hears every prayer and answers according to His will. Praise God for His protection! :)
Later I called Ben in while he was mowing that pen. I had made his favorite snack - a kefir shake! :) After he finished his shake, he headed back out to finish the pen. Then Mike and Jonny came in for their shakes. As Mike, Jonny and I were in the kitchen drinking our shakes and talking (Emily had just gone out to pick peas) suddenly there was deafening sound! It sounded like a shot gun went off in the kitchen. I immediately cried out to the Lord and hit the floor. As the three of us looked around, we realized what happened. Something came flying through the bay window in the kitchen. There was glass EVERYWHERE! We all felt glass spray our faces and arms. Jonny was closest to the window, and felt his whole head get showered in glass. I had a little burning on my chest and noticed I was bleeding a little. It was just a very small cut. We all had glass in our hair and in our clothes. Mike and Jonny were sitting on the bench at the table directly in front of the window and I was standing in the kitchen beyond the table. As Mike looked around he found a dog bone on the floor by the window. I couldn't believe it!! I thought to myself, "Ben must have prayed...he had to have prayed!"
As the bone came through the window, it hit one of the metal grids that is in between the panes and as it ricocheted off of that, it headed to the corner of the kitchen...where there was nothing and nobody! All I could do was thank the Lord!! Every surface of my kitchen and much of the living room was covered in glass pieces and yet NOBODY was hurt!!
As Ben was making another pass with the mower, he looked up and saw the window. Then he came in. I immediately grabbed him by the shoulders and said, "Ben, I gotta know, did you pray before you got on the mower?" He said, "Yes, I did." Then we hugged each other and cried. Ben was so upset about the window and the mess it had made, but I didn't care a bit. All I could think about was how the Lord had protected us all...and answered Ben's prayer!
It took Mike and I two hours with two shop vacs to clean up the glass. EVERYTHING needed to get vacuumed! My floor, rugs, furniture, piano, desk, computer, bowls, counters, pans, stove, sink, benches, chairs, and baskets were all covered with glass pieces...it was a mess!!
So what are the odds that Ben and I would have that conversation only hours before that bone came flying through the window? God used that situation to teach us all a lesson...well, maybe a few lessons. In my opinion, the cost of a broken window is nothing compared to the value of my children seeing God clearly answer a simple prayer. Ben will never forget what the Lord did for him today! None of us will! I was not the only member of my family that was teary-eyed today. We serve an awesome God!! Nothing happens by chance and everything is in His control.
The Lord tells us in His Word to pray without ceasing. And I was thinking today how at times those simple prayers for protection can seem so insignificant, but we need to resist those thoughts and pray anyway. Once we pray, we commit every situation to the Lord and trust Him for the outcome. We don't need to worry because He hears every prayer and answers according to His will. Praise God for His protection! :)
Monday, June 18, 2012
The Lord, He is God!
With everything going on around the farm in the summer, it is really hard to find time to write on my blog. But today is unusual in that I actually have some time to write AND have something on my heart that I want to write about. :)
As I was reading my Bible this morning, I was getting really worked up. :) I just wanted to jump and shout...God is such an awesome God!! If you happen to be reading my blog, and you don't know the Lord, I have some questions for you...
If what you are doing in life is not working...if you are miserable much of the time...always searching for answers...unhappy with relationships...worried and fearful...why don't you turn from your ways to the One who has the answers you are looking for.
In 1 Kings chapter 18, Elijah said basically the same thing to all the people following after Baal (a false god).
Elijah continued to challenge the people. He decided to have a contest to see which God was really the true God.
We are like that...we like to continue in the same foolishness (false gods) that we started with, instead of admitting that what we are doing isn't working. We think... maybe if I just get a better psychologist, or maybe I just need a longer vacation. We think that if we just keep trying, we are sure to find the answers to life's problems in this world....somewhere. Wrong! Jesus Christ is the only answer!!
Elijah was so confident in his God that he told the people to drench the sacrifice and the wood in water...not once...not twice, but THREE times!! Then he cried out to God and asked Him to send fire to consume the offering that the people may know that He was the One True God. And the Lord did!
And what did the people do? They came to their senses and cried, "The Lord, He is the God! The Lord, He is the God!" (vs. 39)
If I were standing in front of you right now, I would grab you by the shoulder and shake you and say (loudly)...once you know His forgiveness from sin, once you see Him working in your heart, your life, your marriage, your children, you too, like me, will want to shout, "The Lord, He is the God! The Lord, He is the God" There is nothing too hard for Him and no problem that He cannot solve! You may be "soaking wet" in sin, but God's love can still burn it up! Stop wasting your life away trying to find what you are looking for in this world. This world belongs to the devil, is full of wickedness and has nothing to offer you! Jesus is what you are looking for! He loves you and has an awesome plan for your life! Repent and trust Him!
As I was reading my Bible this morning, I was getting really worked up. :) I just wanted to jump and shout...God is such an awesome God!! If you happen to be reading my blog, and you don't know the Lord, I have some questions for you...
If what you are doing in life is not working...if you are miserable much of the time...always searching for answers...unhappy with relationships...worried and fearful...why don't you turn from your ways to the One who has the answers you are looking for.
In 1 Kings chapter 18, Elijah said basically the same thing to all the people following after Baal (a false god).
"And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him." 1 Kings 18:21If you are finding the peace you need by doing Yoga, practicing breathing techniques,and taking antidepressants, great! Follow that! If the love novels you are reading and the soap operas you are watching are helping your marriage, wonderful! If you are finding that month after month, year after year, your marriage just keeps getting better and better, great! If the vacations, coffee with the girls away from the kids, and a busy life, full of events, are filling you will joy unspeakable, then by all means continue on! But, I know something...they aren't enough for you! How can I know this when I don't even know who you are? I know because I know the One who made you, and He made you to need Him. There is nothing in this world that will satisfy all the desires of your heart...except Him! The "things" of this world that we put our hope in and use to replace God in our life, are all false gods.
Elijah continued to challenge the people. He decided to have a contest to see which God was really the true God.
"And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God." 1 Kings 18:24So the contest was to see which God would send fire and burn the offering. The prophets of Baal called on their god from morning until noon, but nothing happened. Then Elijah began to mock them and tell them that maybe they should cry louder. Maybe their god was on vacation, or maybe he was sleeping. So they cried louder and cut themselves, gushing blood all over, hoping to prove their god was the true god. But evening came and still nothing happened.
We are like that...we like to continue in the same foolishness (false gods) that we started with, instead of admitting that what we are doing isn't working. We think... maybe if I just get a better psychologist, or maybe I just need a longer vacation. We think that if we just keep trying, we are sure to find the answers to life's problems in this world....somewhere. Wrong! Jesus Christ is the only answer!!
Elijah was so confident in his God that he told the people to drench the sacrifice and the wood in water...not once...not twice, but THREE times!! Then he cried out to God and asked Him to send fire to consume the offering that the people may know that He was the One True God. And the Lord did!
And what did the people do? They came to their senses and cried, "The Lord, He is the God! The Lord, He is the God!" (vs. 39)
If I were standing in front of you right now, I would grab you by the shoulder and shake you and say (loudly)...once you know His forgiveness from sin, once you see Him working in your heart, your life, your marriage, your children, you too, like me, will want to shout, "The Lord, He is the God! The Lord, He is the God" There is nothing too hard for Him and no problem that He cannot solve! You may be "soaking wet" in sin, but God's love can still burn it up! Stop wasting your life away trying to find what you are looking for in this world. This world belongs to the devil, is full of wickedness and has nothing to offer you! Jesus is what you are looking for! He loves you and has an awesome plan for your life! Repent and trust Him!
Saturday, May 26, 2012
The Sugar Creek Gang
Before our boys fall asleep at night, they listen to a CD. The "Sugar Creek Gang" is one of their top picks. So for those moms who need to have a little quiet time during the day or something to listen to during a long car ride, pick up a set for your kids. You won't regret it! There are six sets - over 100 hours on 72 CD's!
You can find the CD's at the JM Cremp store in Dassel or on their website.
http://www.jmcremps.com/Sugar-Creek-Gang-Volume-1-Audio-Book/productinfo/15001/
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Teach Your Children to Yell and Tell
One in three girls and one in six boys are molested by the age of eighteen. The perpetrator is usually someone you and your children know well. Make your children aware of these evil people and teach them how to respond. If you are not sure what to tell your children, the Yell and Tell series by Debi Pearl is a helpful tool for parents. These books are written very well and help children to clearly understand what a sexual predator is. The books are fun to read and there is one for boys and one for girls. Buy them both. Buy lots! Give them away! Make others aware! Let's protect our children! Yell and Tell Books
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Could You Give It Up?
How do we know what the Lord really wants from us, especially in areas that are not specifically pointed out in scripture? One Christian might have a strong conviction in an area and another may not. I have told my children, the only way you will be able to discern the Lord's will for you when you are at a fork in the road, is to be willing to go down either path. If the one path seems easier and more pleasurable to you, and you are really leaning towards that path, you will never be able to hear from the Lord. You MUST get your heart to a place where it is willing to follow WHEREVER the Lord may lead.
I remember years ago, a friend was convinced that it was wrong to celebrate Christmas. I personally had never had that conviction, but I wanted to see if maybe the Lord was trying to tell me something through her. So I asked her for all the information she had on why Christians should not celebrate Christmas, and Mike and I went through it and prayed. During this time, I had to get my heart in a place where I was willing to celebrate it or willing to give it all up - to get rid of all my wonderful decorations and family traditions. Then Mike told me, after reading through the information, that he felt there was value in our family celebrating Christmas. So that was that! But I would not have known the Lord's will in that area if I had not been willing to give up. And now, I celebrate Christmas with a totally clear conscience, full of joy!
In the same way, the subject of wearing a head covering came up once. Again, I had to get my heart in a place where I was willing to wear one, if that was what the Lord wanted me to do. I had never in my life desired to cover my head, but I wanted to be open to the Lord's will, so I prayed and again got my heart in a place where I was willing. Then the Lord showed Mike through His Word, that He did not want me to wear a head covering.
There are so many areas in life where we need to discern the Lord's will. But the question is...Are we willing? Most of the time, we just dream up the kind of God we want to serve. And then we live our Christian life based on a false God that we created with our mind. True Christians have been bought with a price, and our life is not our own. We should not be making decisions about our life based on our knowledge, emotions or what other people do. We need to search His Word and pray for wisdom. He wants to use us; He has a plan! But if we don't let Him have His way in us, what good are we to the Kingdom of God?
Ask Him what He wants from you! How does He want you to treat your husband, your children, your friends? How does He want you to dress? What does He want you to put before your eyes? What does He want you to listen to? What does He want you to invest your time in? Are you willing to let God have His way in your life? To make yourself of no reputation, to become a servant, and follow Him? That's what it takes to truly walk with Him. Anything else is just a false form of Christianity! Surrender it all to Him!!
I remember years ago, a friend was convinced that it was wrong to celebrate Christmas. I personally had never had that conviction, but I wanted to see if maybe the Lord was trying to tell me something through her. So I asked her for all the information she had on why Christians should not celebrate Christmas, and Mike and I went through it and prayed. During this time, I had to get my heart in a place where I was willing to celebrate it or willing to give it all up - to get rid of all my wonderful decorations and family traditions. Then Mike told me, after reading through the information, that he felt there was value in our family celebrating Christmas. So that was that! But I would not have known the Lord's will in that area if I had not been willing to give up. And now, I celebrate Christmas with a totally clear conscience, full of joy!
In the same way, the subject of wearing a head covering came up once. Again, I had to get my heart in a place where I was willing to wear one, if that was what the Lord wanted me to do. I had never in my life desired to cover my head, but I wanted to be open to the Lord's will, so I prayed and again got my heart in a place where I was willing. Then the Lord showed Mike through His Word, that He did not want me to wear a head covering.
There are so many areas in life where we need to discern the Lord's will. But the question is...Are we willing? Most of the time, we just dream up the kind of God we want to serve. And then we live our Christian life based on a false God that we created with our mind. True Christians have been bought with a price, and our life is not our own. We should not be making decisions about our life based on our knowledge, emotions or what other people do. We need to search His Word and pray for wisdom. He wants to use us; He has a plan! But if we don't let Him have His way in us, what good are we to the Kingdom of God?
Ask Him what He wants from you! How does He want you to treat your husband, your children, your friends? How does He want you to dress? What does He want you to put before your eyes? What does He want you to listen to? What does He want you to invest your time in? Are you willing to let God have His way in your life? To make yourself of no reputation, to become a servant, and follow Him? That's what it takes to truly walk with Him. Anything else is just a false form of Christianity! Surrender it all to Him!!
Friday, March 30, 2012
Keepin' a Schedule
Disciplining myself to plan out my day took years of training. I would get a good schedule written down, and I'd follow it for a few days. Then I would get distracted, so I'd try again! I tried to follow a schedule and failed over and over again for years. But I knew it was what I needed, so I just kept trying. Now my life is so scheduled I can hardly believe I used to forget to do school. :)
Scheduling isn't just good for homeschoolers. In his book, The Teenage Years of Jesus Christ, Jerry Ross quotes a pastor who said, "The longer I live, the more convinced I am that the key to a successful Christian life is living by schedule." Mr. Ross says, "To become a disciple of Christ requires discipline - the discipline to do, not just hear. Without a specific schedule and the character to follow that schedule, you will soon forget what you have learned... The desire to live like Jesus cannot be just a fad or a phase. It must be the most important goal of life, a goal that will only be reached when we discipline ourselves to live on purpose and on schedule"
I know for myself, if I don't plan to read my Bible, it won't happen. If our family doesn't schedule a time for praying together and memorizing scripture, other things will suck up all our time. The important things in life will always get pushed aside by what seems necessary at the moment. Then we will look back and wish we had lived our life differently. How does the Lord want us to spend our time? Let's make a list of things that the Lord has put on our hearts to do and to teach our children, and then let's figure out what time of day we are going to do those things. At first, it will be painful and laborious, but over time we will adjust to the schedule. Then when we look back over our week, we won't have regrets, which becomes the motivation to keep on keepin' on! :)
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