Hebrews 13:5 is one of the first verses I memorized. It was spoken often in my home as a teenager by my mother. It is a promise we often found ourselves clinging to. Recently I came across this and it makes it even better (if that is possible):
Hebrews 13:5: " I will never leave you nor forsake you." Sounds good, doesn't it? But it's even better when you understand the full meaning. In the Greek language, in which the New Testament was written, there is what is called a triple negavtive. It is used when the author wants to be extremely emphatic. This is the only verse in the New Testament in whcih this triple negative is used, and literally translated it reads:
"I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless, nor forsake you, nor relax my hold on you, assuredly not."
Now that's what I call a promise! Linda Dillow pg. 30 Creative Counterpart
And that is what I would call a promise too!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
His Greatest Fan
Do you see yourself as your husband's greatest fan? Ephesians 5:33 says, "....and let the wife see that she respects her husband." In the Amplified version it is translated, "And let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband - that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly!"
Do you make your husband a priority in your day? It seems like a silly question. After all he is an adult and I have children who need my attention and many other responsibilities. In Linda Dillow's book Creative Counterpart, She writes, "A man can have everything outside the home, but if the sincere respect of his wife and children is missing, he can be totally emasculated." Just in case you are wondering the word "emasculated" means to deprive of strength, vigor, spirit.
Do you make your husband a priority in your day? It seems like a silly question. After all he is an adult and I have children who need my attention and many other responsibilities. In Linda Dillow's book Creative Counterpart, She writes, "A man can have everything outside the home, but if the sincere respect of his wife and children is missing, he can be totally emasculated." Just in case you are wondering the word "emasculated" means to deprive of strength, vigor, spirit.
This is not a choice based on how we feel. If we are going to walk in obedience to His word than this can't be left out. (the same is true for the verse which talks about submission) It is easy to respect a husband who does what it says at the beginning of this verse, "love his own wife as he loves himself", but notice it doesn't say to only respect your husband if he does what you want him to do.
When he comes home at the end of the day we have the opportunity to see God work in the life of our husband and in us. Cheer him on! Prefer him! Make him your priority! (the kids will be blessed by this) Consider him! Respect him! And watch what the Lord will do in the life of your marriage.
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Some of my favorite things
I hope the title doesn't disappoint you, but some of my favorite things are books. I have a small collection of old books, particularly classic children's literature. The pages are yellow and delicate. I especially love the old "Golden Books". They are so sweet! I even have a book on homemaking written in the early 60's complete with a woman in high heels, a dress and apron on the cover. I love to pull it out once in awhile and see how some things have changed and some things have not.
I thought I would take some time here and go through my own bookshelf and share some of my favorites. When my eighteen year old daughter was about five, I discovered Leading Little Ones to God. It is theology for kids. But don't let that scare you, it is wonderful! It communicates so beautifully in a way that children understand. I have used this wonderful devotional for fifteen years now, and I am getting ready to begin it again with my five year old. But the best part is that everyone loves listening and hearing the stories again. There are simple discussion questions that we have used at mealtime and a hymn which we recite often as a prayer.
It answers questions like, "Has anyone ever seen God?" and "How God's children live and grow". Next to the Bible itself, this has been my favorite children's devotional. It can be used with children and grandchildren of all ages. It is truly timeless and one of my favorites.
I thought I would take some time here and go through my own bookshelf and share some of my favorites. When my eighteen year old daughter was about five, I discovered Leading Little Ones to God. It is theology for kids. But don't let that scare you, it is wonderful! It communicates so beautifully in a way that children understand. I have used this wonderful devotional for fifteen years now, and I am getting ready to begin it again with my five year old. But the best part is that everyone loves listening and hearing the stories again. There are simple discussion questions that we have used at mealtime and a hymn which we recite often as a prayer.
It answers questions like, "Has anyone ever seen God?" and "How God's children live and grow". Next to the Bible itself, this has been my favorite children's devotional. It can be used with children and grandchildren of all ages. It is truly timeless and one of my favorites.
Monday, March 08, 2010
Return to your House
My husband has just finished a series on the first six chapters in the book of Daniel. Lately, I have been painfully aware of how lacking my prayer life can be. In both chapter 2 and 6 of Daniel we saw that when Daniel was faced with a crisis he "returned to his home" and sought the Lord. But there was one more word that struck me this morning in my quiet time.
" 10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
Philippians 4:6 also reminds us to pray "with thanksgiving".
So, I tried something a little different this morning. I first began to thank God for all that He has done in my life, all that He is doing, and all that His word promises. It's amazing how when I begin this way, everything that I thought was so "BIG", all of a sudden seemed so "small" in light of who He is.
" 10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
Philippians 4:6 also reminds us to pray "with thanksgiving".
So, I tried something a little different this morning. I first began to thank God for all that He has done in my life, all that He is doing, and all that His word promises. It's amazing how when I begin this way, everything that I thought was so "BIG", all of a sudden seemed so "small" in light of who He is.
Sunday, March 07, 2010
The Home Project
The very first blog that I read regularly beginning back in 2005, was Girl Talk. I still faithfully visit their website a few times a month. I am always encouraged and usually glean some wonderful biblical wisdom.
They have started something new on their blog called The 52home Project. I love what they share so I am going to repeat it here:
They have started something new on their blog called The 52home Project. I love what they share so I am going to repeat it here:
Ordinary is where we all live most of the time. And yet our mundane, repetitive days are full of enduring work. Homes are being built. Families are being knit together. Little souls are being shaped for eternity.
The tedious is, in fact, momentous—when done for the sake of Christ: “…so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:10).
This truth can get lost in piles of laundry and dirty dishes. We need help to see the glory peaking out from behind the ordinary.
Our hope is that you’ll see your own ordinary, yet glorious life in these pictures. That you’ll glimpse the faithfulness of God that undergirds his faithful ones. That you’ll see reflections of the eternal in the everyday. “So teach us to number our days that we will get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
I love this verse, "...number our days that we will get a heart of wisdom" Too often I am completly guilty of focusing on what does not matter, the temproary. So, I am joining them in capturing the simple things in my life and sharing them here. Life seems to be going by me on a conveyer belt right now and I am trying to grab at things before they get away. I pray this helps me stop for a few minutes each weekday and truly
"number my days".
8:00 pm Sunday March 7th
Big sister just came in from work and was willing to read his favorite library book.
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
A quick thought
When I said I was dusting off this blog, I really meant it. I have spent some time this evening reading through some old posts (while my family is watching a football movie) and found myself pleasantly surprised that I had written certain things down.
My three favorite categories (or labels) so far are Marriage, Family, and Parenting. I found myself listening to my own thoughts. It was kind of fun to look back, kind of like looking at old photos and remembering things I had almost forgotten.
Maybe I should consider it time well spent.
My three favorite categories (or labels) so far are Marriage, Family, and Parenting. I found myself listening to my own thoughts. It was kind of fun to look back, kind of like looking at old photos and remembering things I had almost forgotten.
Maybe I should consider it time well spent.
Monday, February 08, 2010
Dusting it Off
I have let it just sit here for almost a year. Like one of my favorite books, I am picking it up off the shelf, dusting the top, flipping the pages to refresh my memory of why I have kept it for so long and setting it on my desk so that I pick it up and begin again.
I set my blog and even the reading of blogs on the shelf. I felt the need to focus on other things. Recently, I have had the desire to share my thoughts here again.
Some things have changed just like the tattered edges of a favorite book. I am older and it is good! My kids are another year older, three teenagers, one nine year old and one very sweet five year old. My home feels like a revolving door. My kitchen table seems tiny and there is never enough room for everyone. (It once seemed huge) I have had to re figure some of my favorite recipes so that there is enough food. We often have one, two, or several more here who are hungry. I have learned to keep the freezer stocked, so that when four hungry fourteen year old girls show up, I have something they will eat when no one else is around. (I have learned they love pizza snacks) I have kids that stay up later than I do. This has been a hard one for me.
I still love to read! I have always liked to take photos! My husband surprised me at Christmas with a new camera. And I still journal on the Word of God in my Life Journal. I am trying to memorize scripture with greater discipline. I haven't tried any new recipes in a long time. I started walking and It makes me happy. I get to pray with some amazing women who I do not deserve. We started a Life Group in our home for college students. It has brought back memories!
And finally, I am glad Valentines Day is coming up....because I love roses and conversation heart candies!
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