Growing up this was one of the sayings my Dad always told us as kids that we should "love people and like things." Well, as a child I remember hearing it but never truly putting it into practice. Of course a new bike took preface over any person in My book for just about anything when I was a young child, and then as a teenager getting my first car was the most important thing possible! It was more important than going to see my grandma (spending time with her), it was important than studying (and being a good student), and it was more important than spending time with my parents on the weekends. Now all of that time is gone! Looking back I see that there was so much wisdom in those words. In Children's Church right now we are studying about creation. In Noah's homeschool right not we are studying creation (think God is teaching me anything?) God made everything and then he saw that it was good. He liked what he saw. He enjoyed his creation, and he made man to be in HIS likeness! God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature." Genesis 1:26 (MSG)
He made all the other things; Sun, Birds, Flowers, Dirt; THEN he made man. He made man to be in His own image that is how very much he thinks of his creation! Listen to this: Psalm 139: 13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous -- and how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. 17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! This is out of the Message Bible, it's really great to read several versions to get an idea of what the text it really saying to us! Did you hear that? He thinks of us all the time! He thought about us in our mother's womb, when he Knitted us together with such precision and beauty.
God loves the creation he made. He made the beautiful oceans and in the summer (and winter) there is no place I would rather be! God loves all the animals he made from the smallest to the tallest he loves them all! But above all, God loves People. He chose to only give US a soul. He gave US a choice to serve him! Will we choose to do that today?
When you look at others, what do you see? Do you see the widow who has lost her husband and feel compassion? Christ has compassion on you: it says we are not consumed because of his great compassions in the book of Lamentations in the Bible. The widow you see might have lost her husband 3 years ago, but she still might be struggling and hurting every night. Did you take the time to talk to her? I know I am very guilty of not paying attention sometimes to others when they are crying out that they need to talk.
Love People and like things. Do we put our "things" above people in our lives. I know it is so easy to get on my phone and just get lost in what is going on online, but who am I shutting out in the waiting rooms at dr's offices; at other places I go and have to "wait"? Why did God give me that time to "wait?" Maybe it was because he wanted and foreordained me to talk to someone at the dr's office. People are the most precious of all of God's creation to Him, and if you have Christ in your life PEOPLE should be the most precious thing to you as well! (I'm telling myself the same thing!)
God, Please help me to Open my eyes and see the people that you want me to reach right in front of me. Help me to see with your eyes! I don't have to go to Montana, Japan, or Central America to see people that need you. There are those right here in Morrilton, AR that need Jesus' comfort, healing, and salvation. God, please help me to lead them to you. Lord, thank you for your thoughts toward me while I was in my mother's womb. Thank you for the thoughts toward Cody while he was in his biological mother's womb. Thank you for your protecting hand and loving heart toward me each and every day!
Your Girl,
Jamie
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Taking Time to Teach
So, I don't know if any of you read the post before last one with the pictures. The one I am talking about is titled "provision" and, the topic of that day was being worried that something bad was going to happen when it might not ever happen. This particular blog post goes back to that idea. I have been thinking lots about what my tests or trials are in my life right now. As a housewife/manager, mother of 3 beautiful little children I have lots of things that happen throughout of the course of one day. From when I wake up at about 7:00 ish to when I go to bed which is sometimes 12:30-1:00 ish I am faced with all kinds of tests, most of which are not multiple choice but TRUE/FALSE tests! I used to hate multiple choice in college. I would make 100%'s on essay tests, but multiple choice tests, well those were a different story. So, back to present day. I'm at home all day everyday with my 3 gorgeous children, whom I love, but drive me insane at times!! So, my husband might not have died, my kids might not have cancer (not that those things couldn't happen at any time), but I still have tests/trials at home! What am I doing with these hours that I have at home with them?
Most of my hours "feel" like I am cleaning up messes being made. I try to make them clean up a lot of their messes, but sometimes it's simply easier to get the 'do it yourself' mentality. But, does that type of mentality teach them anything? I think there has to be a balance between the extreme of slave labor (LOL), and not making your children do anything. I can let the times that my kids are moving slow, or simply don't want to pick up as a disappointment or HIS appointment. I can either choose do it myself to save the time/energy of talking and doing, or I can show them how to do things the right way. This is so much more difficult in practice than in thought! Just like most other things are in this life!
Next, I can let those opportunities slip, and then I become somewhat "bitter" at my kids for making the messes to begin with. Then, what usually happens is that we often have an explosion of frustration! These are what the trials in my life are right now. I know this might be a "duh" moment to most of you, but to me it is as though Satan has been blinding my eyes so that could not see these everyday issues as trials/test from God. God does not tempt as stated in James (chapter 1), but he does tests our spiritual muscles to see how strong we are. I have to admit and be honest to you, I fail my tests and reveal my weak muscles much of the time. This is because when presented with the option of teaching my kids to pick up or doing it myself (which is JUST ONE example), I usually just do it myself which is quickly followed by my explosion later because there is YET another mess. I was listening to a sermon on oneplace.com the other day by John MacArthur. Excellent sermon about the Model prayer. It was explaining that when it says "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" it is asking God help you "pass" those tests so that we won't be tempted to react to our situations, but act.
Let me say it like this: Say, for example Noah & Elijah make a mess in their room. I go in there and instead of getting upset with them I nicely (calmly) ask them to pick up the mess they have made, supervise them until they do (they're only 3 &4, sometimes I have to remind myself), and don't NAG them to keep picking up but ENCOURAGE them to pick up and put the toys exactly where they go. Then, I have passed my test/trial God has sent me. However, let's give the other scenario that happens far too often around here; the kids make a monstrous mess, I go in there and tell them very sweetly to pick up their mess. I walk away to go do something else that needs to be done (most of the time), and then I go back to find that they are still playing with the toys and haven't picked up at all, so I get a little more upset his time. I might even raise my voice! I tell them again, PICK UP the MESS! I get even more specific, and then walk away and come back in another 5 minutes to find that guess what? It is still there!!! I'm furious by this time and my test has now been taken by Satan and turned into Temptation to which is succumb to with OPEN ARMS. Why? All because I didn't take the time to Teach.
This applies to all areas of life, not just with children. I just used this because it is what I deal with most of the time! However, I have other areas of my life where I have examined and found the same thing to be true! How Deceitful, How Monstrous can one person be? Satan is the author of LIES. He is the Ruler of the this World that we can see is getting worse and worse daily! Why should we be surprised when he does things like this to us? He is trying to ruin our reputation. No, they might not be the executives of a big corporation, but they could be the NEXT NOAH (found Grace in God's eyes), THE NEXT ELIJAH (cast down the Baals), THE NEXT KATE( Kate = PURE Girl). Wow. We wonder why our influence won't go out our doors when we do, this is why. I struggle more with this than anything else. How do I react to my husband? Do I get mad at him right away when he does something that frustrates me or do I take the time to consider what God is teaching me through this. Because just was we (women) are tyring to TEACH our children, God is trying to TEACH us! Are we willing to listen? Are we willing to be corrected (hard one for me!!!)? Are we willing to try to change? A hard challenge for us all.
My struggles may not be a child with cancer, losing a husband, or even battling an illness of some type myself, but my battles are loneliness, impatience, bitterness, resentment, etc. And, how I handle those are going to be a good indicator of my relationship with God in others' eyes!
Thank you, Lord, for all you do for me! You are so good to me I am unable to write everything good that you have done. Lord, I love my 3 children that you have blessed me with. They are wonderful, creative, and so willing to learn. Help me to be willing to teach them the lessons they need to learn in this life so that they may grow up to be prepared for the next life to come with worshipping our Almighty Savior and King, YOU!
Couldn't leave without posting these verses: "2 Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. 3 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything"
Your Girl,
Jamie
Most of my hours "feel" like I am cleaning up messes being made. I try to make them clean up a lot of their messes, but sometimes it's simply easier to get the 'do it yourself' mentality. But, does that type of mentality teach them anything? I think there has to be a balance between the extreme of slave labor (LOL), and not making your children do anything. I can let the times that my kids are moving slow, or simply don't want to pick up as a disappointment or HIS appointment. I can either choose do it myself to save the time/energy of talking and doing, or I can show them how to do things the right way. This is so much more difficult in practice than in thought! Just like most other things are in this life!
Next, I can let those opportunities slip, and then I become somewhat "bitter" at my kids for making the messes to begin with. Then, what usually happens is that we often have an explosion of frustration! These are what the trials in my life are right now. I know this might be a "duh" moment to most of you, but to me it is as though Satan has been blinding my eyes so that could not see these everyday issues as trials/test from God. God does not tempt as stated in James (chapter 1), but he does tests our spiritual muscles to see how strong we are. I have to admit and be honest to you, I fail my tests and reveal my weak muscles much of the time. This is because when presented with the option of teaching my kids to pick up or doing it myself (which is JUST ONE example), I usually just do it myself which is quickly followed by my explosion later because there is YET another mess. I was listening to a sermon on oneplace.com the other day by John MacArthur. Excellent sermon about the Model prayer. It was explaining that when it says "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" it is asking God help you "pass" those tests so that we won't be tempted to react to our situations, but act.
Let me say it like this: Say, for example Noah & Elijah make a mess in their room. I go in there and instead of getting upset with them I nicely (calmly) ask them to pick up the mess they have made, supervise them until they do (they're only 3 &4, sometimes I have to remind myself), and don't NAG them to keep picking up but ENCOURAGE them to pick up and put the toys exactly where they go. Then, I have passed my test/trial God has sent me. However, let's give the other scenario that happens far too often around here; the kids make a monstrous mess, I go in there and tell them very sweetly to pick up their mess. I walk away to go do something else that needs to be done (most of the time), and then I go back to find that they are still playing with the toys and haven't picked up at all, so I get a little more upset his time. I might even raise my voice! I tell them again, PICK UP the MESS! I get even more specific, and then walk away and come back in another 5 minutes to find that guess what? It is still there!!! I'm furious by this time and my test has now been taken by Satan and turned into Temptation to which is succumb to with OPEN ARMS. Why? All because I didn't take the time to Teach.
This applies to all areas of life, not just with children. I just used this because it is what I deal with most of the time! However, I have other areas of my life where I have examined and found the same thing to be true! How Deceitful, How Monstrous can one person be? Satan is the author of LIES. He is the Ruler of the this World that we can see is getting worse and worse daily! Why should we be surprised when he does things like this to us? He is trying to ruin our reputation. No, they might not be the executives of a big corporation, but they could be the NEXT NOAH (found Grace in God's eyes), THE NEXT ELIJAH (cast down the Baals), THE NEXT KATE( Kate = PURE Girl). Wow. We wonder why our influence won't go out our doors when we do, this is why. I struggle more with this than anything else. How do I react to my husband? Do I get mad at him right away when he does something that frustrates me or do I take the time to consider what God is teaching me through this. Because just was we (women) are tyring to TEACH our children, God is trying to TEACH us! Are we willing to listen? Are we willing to be corrected (hard one for me!!!)? Are we willing to try to change? A hard challenge for us all.
My struggles may not be a child with cancer, losing a husband, or even battling an illness of some type myself, but my battles are loneliness, impatience, bitterness, resentment, etc. And, how I handle those are going to be a good indicator of my relationship with God in others' eyes!
Thank you, Lord, for all you do for me! You are so good to me I am unable to write everything good that you have done. Lord, I love my 3 children that you have blessed me with. They are wonderful, creative, and so willing to learn. Help me to be willing to teach them the lessons they need to learn in this life so that they may grow up to be prepared for the next life to come with worshipping our Almighty Savior and King, YOU!
Couldn't leave without posting these verses: "2 Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. 3 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything"
Your Girl,
Jamie
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Falling back on Fall
It seems that my ministry pages have neglected my family's pics pages so I have to do some catching up on pics before its nearly irreversable!!! So, here we go!
We went to Chick-Fil-A one day and they had the best time. Just me and the kids. The same day we picked out the pumpkin stuff in fact. The ONLY picture I got was of Ellie!!! I hate how it ends up sometimes! The boys were too busy at the top of the play tunnel
We went to the Pumpkin Patch with Bethel and had a great time!
They had so much fun picking out stuff from Hobby Lobby to make their pumpkins with! I never knew it would be so fun for them! It was just one of those off the cuff ideas!! We still have them outside the door, I ust don't have the hear to get rid of them yet!
 |
| Ellie Kate playing by herself :( There were no more little kids in there then!! |
 |
| Ellie Kate & Grace Windham at the Pumpkin Patch in Mayflower |
We went to the Pumpkin Patch with Bethel and had a great time!
 |
| Ellie being the "scarecrow" with NOah's head poking through the other side |
 |
| Noah driving the "tractor" at the PUmpkin Patch. |
 |
| Mama & Eli on the hayride. I don't think he really wanted me, but he didn't have a choice! |
We Went Camping with the "Little" family from Clarksville in October....I think it was. We had a great time. We camped at Dardanelle State Park, and it was perfect. The weather wasn't too cold, and the kids had the best time playing together. Cara is 1 month older than Ellie Kate; and Clayton is in between Noah & Elijah. Cody and I had a great time just visiting with Matt & Judi! We only get to see them once a year usually at Family Camp. I think we're gonna try and do a longer Spring Camping trip...I wonder which STate Park will be next? Arkansas is so blessed! :)
 |
| Eli loved riding the toys...in the dark |
 |
| Of Course, Ellie Kate had to "climb" the tree too!!! |
 |
| We were at the Visitor's Center looking out @ the beautiful lake! |
 |
| Blurry, I know, but it was Eli & Daddy all cuddled up |
 |
| The adults had the most fun putting the glow sticks in the fire....they explode...really fun the green are the best! Mature, I know! |
 |
| Matt stoking the fire after a glow stick and Noah watching on.... |
They had so much fun picking out stuff from Hobby Lobby to make their pumpkins with! I never knew it would be so fun for them! It was just one of those off the cuff ideas!! We still have them outside the door, I ust don't have the hear to get rid of them yet!
 |
| We call her "Her Majesty's pumpkin" - Ellie Kate's :) |
 |
| Elijah's pumpkin - he wanted a cowboy pumpkin |
|
| We Made cookies one day...It was really messy, but we had lots of fun, in case you coudn't tell!!!! Well, I still have pictures, but this covers a lot of them!!! I love these kids so much! MY life wouldn't be the same withou them. Thank you, Lord for the wonderful blessing of my children. Even if it does mean changing stinkie diapers, breaking up fights, cleaning up mess after mess. I wouldn't want to do it for anyone else!!! Your Girl, Jamie |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
