Resolution to Care

With having 4 kids currently under foot, I have no time to blog. Today however is different. One of the reasons I blog is for myself to keep a record of the things in life that tug at my heart and are worth remembering. This morning on the way home from taking one of the four for blood work I caught a piece of the below radio broadcast from www.focusonthefamily.com. I almost changed the channel seeing I am not the biggest fan of the speaker but I heard enough to be intrigued. The segment is 28 minutes long and while many do not have an extra 30 minutes in their day to spare, I listened to it twice for good measure.

 With being a foster parent and having the nature of wanting to "save the world" this immediately spoke to my soul. I have also been wrestling with the fact that we have to say no to a precious baby in need of a foster home...can't I take one more? Again, this spoke to my soul.

 For now, I will go deep and long with whom God has allowed in our home and I will "Do for one what I wish I could do for everyone."

Decree for America

After watching the 1st Presidential debate the other night, I came across this website the next morning.  The song strikes a cord in me.  Here is the song alone...

Our Decree - Performed by John Waller and Mike Weaver by Decree for America

Here is the video for the website...makes you really stop and think about what you stand for and if you are willing to stand in a world so fastly turning from God.

Decree For America from Iron Kite Films on Vimeo.

Book Review: Faith Training

I snagged this book super cheap with a CBD order. If you check the title link it is $2.99 right now. Faith Training: Raising Kids Who Love the Lord by Joe White caught my eye simply based on price and topic. I love reading so why not another parenting book?

When you read as much as I do, many points are repeated book to book. However, I notice God uses these to drive home a point in an area I am struggling with or being lazy about.

This book clearly spells out the high calling we have as Christian parents. It is our job to Faith Train our children. "Faith does not get passed along genetically like brown eyes or freckles. It must be handed from runner to runner, generation to generation. Every child of God must receive it, grasp it tightly, and run the race that cannot be run by anyone else" (pg 4).

The author parallels our raising of children now to war. I appreciate his acknowledgement that everyday is a battle and as parents we must be prepared for hand to hand combat.

A little over half the book is full of tools to use. There is a section of devotionals to use as a family. World religion comparisons. Quiet time reading plans. The list goes on.

The encouragement I received from this book is found on page 44...

"Custom-make your commitments to move you as far from the Jonses as you can stand. Their kids are the statistics in tomorrow's USA Today. Your kids will rise up and call you blessed."

Book Review: Six Ways to Keep the Little in Your Girl

A friend of mine read the book, Six Ways to Keep the Little in Your Girl by Dannah Gresh and asked me if I'd pick up a copy to read. As moms of girls in that "tween" stage we often bounce things back and forth as we both enter this season for the first time.

I happily agreed to pick up another good book to peruse. I have heard much of the author, Dannah Gresh but somehow I haven't realized that I really am heading into this bracket of mothering with our oldest.

The gist of the book is that as Christian moms we have to take the opportunity to teach our girls the truth in relation to their changing bodies. If we as moms don't do this then the world will. While that concept wasn't new to me, her timing was. Dannah recommends that the best time to talk to today's girls is 9 years old! Now that I wasn't ready to hear but she has a good argument as to why.

She talks about how our relationship with our girls is the key factor to being open and able to share with us. She talks about modest dress and the importance of monitoring friendships. She covers the medias influence on our kids. She shares research studies that correlate media exposure to sexual activity, drinking, and the like. All sorts of good nuggets but I really found value and new information in what she had to say about sharing the (physical) developmental years in a timely and exciting way.

Here is a quote from the book...

"The most sensational scenarios are not what's robbing our little girls of their innocence. It's the slow drip of value-ingraining shows where girls dress up and go on dates, and our little girls are pressed to identify with older more mature characters and life scenarios. It's what culture has deemed the "norm"- that probably shouldn't be if you want to keep the little in your girl" (pg 93).

So, for any more out there looking to take their daughter into the "tween" years I highly recommend this book.

David Platt

Great message from David Platt...

Check it out.

Exodus 32:1-10, 1 Corinthians 10:6-13 from Southern Seminary on Vimeo.

Book Review: 20 and Counting

I just finished reading a friends copy of The Duggars: 20 and Counting! by the Duggar family. As someone who didn't have cable and couldn't watch the show, I was interested to read the book. I LOVED it. I have so much respect for them for choosing to allow God to determine the size of their family. God has clearly blessed them for their faith in Him.

I can't really dissect the book here but wanted to say that it was an inspiring read to see a family who loves each other, who works together, and who loves the Lord. Way to go Duggars!

Book Review: I Still Believe

Another book I asked for this Christmas....books were my thing this year. I STILL BELIEVE by Jeremy Camp sparked my interest simply due to my love for music. After reading this book what I have learned is that I absolutely LOVE the stories of musicians. So often the lyrics they write and sing stem from a deep place as they walk with the Lord. Haven known pieces of Jeremy Camps testimony, it was a treasure to read.

As you read of his parents battle as they came to Christ, his poor upbringing, his marriage and death of his first wife, the taking off of his music career and the marriage of his second wife and birth of his daughters, you can not help but see God's hand. He walked by faith alone. I have a deep respect for Jeremy and his willingness to have his yes on the table even in the valleys of life. An inspirational read of a brother in Christ who only wants what God wants.

This review would not be complete without mentioning his second wife, Adie (from The Benjamin Gate). What a devoted woman to know that though she is now his wife that the testimony God gave him involves his first wife. To embrace that testimony shows you her heart for Christ as well.

Lastly, a quote from the end of the book. "As for me and my house, that is our heart: to love Jesus more each day and to share his faithfulness wherever we go. I can't love anyone unselfishly if I'm not spending time with God and in the Scriptures. That can only happen through and by the Holy Spirit at work in my life. When we spend time with the Lord and let Him speak into our lives we can't help but then go out and love our neighbor as ourselves. And all of us living this out would make the world such a different place." (pg. 122, 123) Oh, how this speaks how we feel. Everything in the Christian life comes from knowing Jesus intimately. That must be first before we can love anyone else...we must love our God.

One of the songs written by Jeremy during the death of his first wife...

Will I believe you when you say, your hand will guide my every way.

Will I receive the words you say, every moment of every day.

I will walk by faith, even when I can not see.

Because this broken road prepares your will for me.

Book Review: Raising a Daughter After God's Own Heart

I asked for Raising a Daughter After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George for Christmas. I've never read her books before but heard good things about her materials. I enjoyed the book. Her are my take away nuggets:

• We become what we love
• We can not impart what we do not posses
• We are to do battle through prayer on behalf of our precious children
• Your human efforts might raise a daughter who will be an okay person. But prayer contributes to your raising an exceptional person.
• Your daughter's friends are key. There are 3 types: those you will pull her down, those who will pull her along, and those who will pull her up.
• Psalm 23 is a beautiful picture of what we are to provide for our daughters:

1. 23:1 Provide care for your daughter (everything they need NOT want.)
2. 23:2 Provide rest and peace
3. 23:3 Provide healing and guidance
4. 23:4 Provide presence and comfort
5. 23:5 Provide friendship and protection
6. 23:6 Provide hope and a home

None of these nuggets were a new revelation for me but timely reminders that our parenting is a direct correlation to our relationship with the One and Only Living God.

Where are You?

Over the weekend, we finally watched Courageous. The movie coupled with some thoughts rolling around in my head have led me to this post. I like blogging because I can get the thoughts from my head and heart onto "paper". Even if no one reads or comments it is therapeutic to me.

I've been struggling lately with how much the Church looks like the world. How "seeker friendly" the Church is becoming. When I say Church, I mean the big "C" church. American Christianity. I know I have mentioned this before so it is no surprise but why are we watering down the gospel? Why are we making church "fun" and "entertaining"? Why are our kids not opening he Word of God on Sunday morning? Why does worship time have to be so loud and contemporary? Why do kids need rewards to come with a Bible? Why do they need to play xbox and wii while parents talk? Why do we have to use secular influences and media to win our kids to coming to church? Why do we look like the world?

I've had parents tell me that as my child(ren) grow, I will allow them to watch all "those" movies, listen to secular radio, go to "those" dances...the list can go on. Really? Why? I'm told we can't keep them away from all of that forever. Really? What about being in the world not of the world? What about not conforming to the pattern of this world (Rom. 12:2). What about hating what is evil and clinging to what is good (Rom. 12:9)?

All those thoughts coupled with the movie this weekend as well as an awesome Sunday sermon (2/5/12 Kenmore Alliance Church - Ephesians) has led me here.

The movie wakes up dads to the role they have in the family. Of the role God designed for them and them alone. Dads are vital in the role of the family. They are the head of the Christian home. The tag line is, "so where are you men of courage?" It's a wake up call to the men and dads to love God, love their wives, and love their kids by being active and leading them in the way they should go.

The question spinning in my head today is "So where are you families of Courage?" Where are you? Won't you stand firm, be set apart, and look different than the world we live in? Won't you choose God's standards over mans? Will you set your eyes on things above and not on this earth (Col. 3:2)?

Are you willing to be a family of courage and choose the narrow road over the broad road traveled by many?

Book Review: Radical by David Platt

I had an interest in reading the book, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt when I finally connected the dots of who the author was. You see, for the last 2 years I have been using material from The Church at Brook Hills in my homeschooling.

So, on to the book. I personally loved it! I love that David Platt not only calls us to live a sold out life for Christ by winning souls to him but that he doesn't do so by looking like the world. I love chapter two where the question is asked if God's word is enough. No "extras," no "fluff". In 2012 so many churches look just like the world we live in. Complete with entertainment systems, xbox games, and a spread of coffee and snacks. If we took all this away, is God alone enough?

David clearly has an understanding and heart for global missions. For spreading the gospel to the ends of the Earth. I totally agree that this is the command of God...to go into the world and make disciples. He has a heart for the orphans, for starving and dying children...my heart is their with his.

But still, what I really like, is the fact that David Platt not only makes the calling clear but he equips his church to meet that calling. As I said, I have used materials of theirs for 2 years. The Bible material I use with my daughter is stronger than the material I have seen at many churches. I love that he is an expository preacher. He shares the Word of God so that his congregation knows the Word of God.

In 2012 it is refreshing to see a young paster on the scene both equipping and sending.

Book Review: One Thousand Gifts by Voskamp

I'm sad to say this book has been listed on this blog as one sitting in my to read pile. I picked it up after someone from church mentioned it. The only thing I knew at the time is that she wrote one of the history books my homeschool curriculum asks for.

That said, I stumbled across some reviews of the book and could not believe what I read. I went to my room, grabbed the book and opened it up for myself. I could not believe what I was reading. This book is awful. I will not finish reading it. I'm not one of those people who can just take the good and leave the bad. If there is teaching that is unbiblical the entire book becomes tainted for me. So, it is in my pile of books to burn in the fire this summer...

I am copying in 3 quotes that really are blasphemous....read with caution....

“I fly to Paris and discover how to make love to God.”

“God lays down all of His fullness into all the emptiness. I am in Him. He is in me. I embrace God in the moment. I give Him thanks and I bless God and we meet and couldn’t I make love to God, making every moment love for Him? “To know Him the way Adam knew Eve. Spirit skin to spirit skin.”

“The intercourse of soul with God is the very climax of joy.”

What is this generation doing? Sexualizing God? Where is reverence, awe, and honor? What happened to the days when you dare not say his name? Not gaze at his presence? We have lost all understanding of the greatness of our God, of his holiness, and his righteousness.

You can read one review here: The Berean Library » ANN VOSKAMP

Let me save you from making a painful mistake...don't buy the book. Flee from all kinds of evil instead.

Book Review: On Earth as it is in Heaven

I picked up this book at the discount store. I tend to browse for sound authors and grab some cheap reads. This is the first book I have read by Warren Wiersbe, On Earth As It Is in Heaven: How the Lord's Prayer Teaches Us to Pray More Effectively.

The book takes each section of the Lord's Prayer from Matthew 6 and explains what is REALLY being said and how it applies to us as Christians. Do we know what we are saying? Do we really believe what we are saying? Do we really want what we are saying? The book interested me as Abby just finished memorizing the Lord's prayer a few months ago. I can not do the content of this book justice so I am only going to bullet point my little nuggets.

• Prayer isn't an option; it's an obligation and an opportunity for us to glorify God's name.
• Prayer isn't a luxury; it's a necessity.
• The people of this world look at heaven from earth's point of view, but God's people look at this world from heaven's point of view.
• Biblical worship should begin with transcendence, affirming that the Lord is above us and is in control. Then we should move to immanence, thanking the Lord that he is with us as we leave his sanctuary. The current "buddy-buddy" approach to the Lord is definitely unbiblical. "Abba, Father" is fine for personal devotions but not always for corporate worship. We must first see the Lord "seated on a throne, high, and exalted" so we can truly say, "Woe is me" and "Here am I. Send me."
• Our task as a chosen people is to advertise by our words and deeds the glorious virtues of Jesus Christ.
• How can he church advertise the virtues of Jesus Christ if the church is imitating the world? We have been called to shine as lights, not reflect as mirrors.
• If we pray "your kingdom come" while at the same time compromising with the world, we are hypocrites and our prayers will not be answered.
• The unconverted person wears a heavy yoke of sin that grows heavier every day. The outwardly religious person wears a yoke of rules and rituals that bring no relief. But the children of God are united with Christ and wear a yoke that is easy. They carry burdens that are light, because "his commands are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3). This is the summary of true discipleship.

Just some nuggets that struck a cord with me either as conviction or an Amen. It was a good read and a good reminder that the Lord's prayer is not just a prayer we memorize as kids but one that should truly be our daily model.

How will we go down in History?

The lyrics to this song have been echoing in my head for some time. I thought I would share them here.
How will we go down in History?

Oh little town of Bethlehem

Looks like another silent night

Above your deep and dreamless sleep

A giant star lights up the sky

And while you're lying in the dark

There shines an everlasting light

For the King has left His throne

And is sleeping in a manger tonight

Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping

For God became a man

And stepped into your world today

Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history

As a city with no room for its King

While you were sleeping

While you were sleeping

Oh little town of Jerusalem

Looks like another silent night

The Father gave His only Son

The Way, the Truth, the Life had come

But there was no room for Him in the world He came to save

Jerusalem, what you have missed while you were sleeping

The Savior of the world is dying on your cross today

Jerusalem, you will go down in history

As a city with no room for its King

While you were sleeping

While you were sleeping

United States of America

Looks like another silent night

As we're sung to sleep by philosophies

That save the trees and kill the children

And while we're lying in the dark

There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky

For the Bridegroom has returned

And has carried His bride away in the night

America, what will we miss while we are sleeping

Will Jesus come again

And leave us slumbering where we lay

America, will we go down in history

As a nation with no room for its King

Will we be sleeping

Will we be sleeping

United States of America

Looks like another silent night

Serving...or is it?

A friend and I were talking the other day about "serving." You know, giving of your time and talents for the good of others. We were talking about how there seems to be "levels" to service. I don't know who invented these imaginary levels but it drives people like me nuts. When you are leading a ministry, at church 3 days a week, and running ragged that is SERVING.

Then there is me. I'm back in baby mode. No ministry leadership, no being at church 3 days a week, and a different kinda ragged running is occurring here. I'm asked often how I am "serving" or if I am serving...I speculate it is because I am no longer at the visible level of service.

So, me and this friend were talking about this very thing. Who defines what equals service? Who is judge to whether we are serving "enough." What is enough? Isn't that between the Lord and I? Why are moms who are home with their children not considered serving? Isn't that our most important mission field?

My friend sent me this link about 100 Ways for Your Family to Make a Difference. All of this made us recount how we have "served" over the last month. Here is what we have done:

*made blankets for the homeless

*bought groceries for a needy family

*delivered a stove to a needy family

*packed an Operation Christmas Child box

*donated used clothing

*sent money to Haiti to help with a boys funeral expenses

Is that serving? I didn't work in the nursery at church or lead a Bible Study. I did what a could with where I am at in this season of life. I serve my husband and kids every time I pick up dirty clothes, wash dishes, iron, pack a lunch, cook a meal, and teach a math, phonics, and Bible lesson. That is serving.

So, who came up with these man made levels of service? I for one have decided to stop letting man tell me when I am serving "enough."

"She did what she could...." Mark 14:8a

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are at." T. Roosevelt

TOADY Awards

One of the websites I follow is Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. This is the 3rd year of voting for the TOADY (Toys Oppressive And Destructive to Young Children) awards. You will be amazed at some of the toys targeting our kids. I'd love to hear what you vote for. I voted but will share my choice later. Cast your vote today!

CCFC 2011 TOADY Award

Book Review: Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman

I'm not sure what inspired me to pick up this book at Ollies. I can't say I was a die hard Steven Curtis Chapman fan..I mean his music is good but I wasn't a groupie by any stretch. I knew some of their story and I don't normally like to read things that are sad; especially pertaining to our kiddos. The price tag even at Ollies was $6.99 so it wasn't a $2 deal I couldn't pass up. So, that leads me to the fact that it must have been a God thing. Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope by Mary Beth Chapman was by far one of the best books I have read in a long time. Let me explain....

When I realized I loved this book and couldn't put it down I wondered what was wrong with me. It's sad. Heartbreaking actually. Why was I captivated? There it was staring me in the face....Authenticity. Something we see so rarely in todays Church. No mask, no fake smile, no sugar coating. Truth. Pain. Grieving. God.

I was drawn in from the beginning of Mary Beth's story. Her desire was to have a neat and orderly life but God had a different plan and path for her to walk. From chaos as a struggling musicians wife to unexpected pregnancy, to depression just to get her journey started. As one who thrives on order and can't deal with chaos and who has struggled with anxiety and depression I felt like I got her struggle.

Her story moves into the season of being called to adopt, start a ministry for orphans and adopting families, adopting again, and then again...and no adoption is a "neat and orderly" process!

A chunk of the book is about the accidental death of their daughter and the days, weeks, months, and years that have followed. The details are intimate and the pain so real. The journey through grieving is honest. Again I asked why I liked this book so much and not only was it authentic but it gives hope.

No mom would choose the road the Chapman family has journeyed down. However, as Mary Beth writes, she will do Hard because God has called her to that road. She faithful clings to God and God's faithfulness to them is so evident in this book.

So, I loved it. I recommend it. I admire this family more now than ever before having read their story, seen their hearts, and heard them testify to God's faithfulness even in the Hard.

Please VOTE!

Vote for God's Littlest Angels

I blogged this back in August but am reposting it seeing the deadline is next week.

Seriously, this takes 30 seconds of your time. I voted, registered and blogged this in 2 minutes flat....

God's Littlest Angels is an orphanage in Haiti that I follow by blog, pray for, and hope some day to adopt through. We know people who have adopted through them. Here is their website/blog:

God's Littlest Angels

God's Littlest Angels in Haiti

So, what's being asked?

1. Go to God’s Littlest Angels Haitian Baby Ministry :: Giving of Life

2. Vote for GLA to receive a grant

3. On the top of the web page register to receive 2 more votes

4. Return and vote again, and again

5. Spread the word by email, Facebook, or whatever method you can

Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the leastof these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

More food for thought....

The Gospel

Raising Unselfish Kids Book Review

I picked this book up at Ollie's for $3. Raising Unselfish Children in a Self-Absorbed World by Jill Rigby. It was a good read. My critique is that again multiple translations are used including The Message which I do not endorse. As always, I will highlight the key parts that jumped off the page for me.

The book is broken into three parts.

1. Reassessing the Goal of Parenting

• We have become so self-absorbed that we've lost the ability to give without expecting something in return. (15)
• We yearn for newer, bigger, faster. We get it ans still want more, because newer, bigger, faster can never fill emptiness. We replace blouses, houses, and spouses with the same regularity. (pg. 16)
• Americans generate 230 million tons of garbage every year. (pg. 17)
• The average cost of a luxury kitchen remodel is $57,000. That is $10,000 more than the cost to build a Habitat for Humanity home. (pg. 21)
• Companies like "Hello Kitty" have created debit cards with a target audience of 10-14 year olds. (pg. 24)

2. Bumping your Child off Self-Center

• We must intentionally, rationally, emotionally, and wholeheartedly seek to raise unselfish children, or it won't happen. (pg. 41)
• Three types of parents: Deflector (asks kids to make decisions they aren't capable of), Depriver (either do too little or too much for kids and deprive them of doing things for self), and Developer (devloop children by giving them what they need when they need it). (pg. 54)
• Meet all their needs, not all their wants (pg. 71)
• Our self-absorbed society says, "Do something and be somebody!" God says, "You are somebody; now do your something!" (pg. 93)

3. Rebuilding our World

• If we Christians did a better job of living the Gospel, we wouldn't have to spend so much time and effort telling the Gospel. Rather than standing out as different, we look and act much like everyone else. (pg. 206)
• If you strive to be number one, you'll compete with others. If you strive to be the best, you'll only compete with yourself. If you strive to be number one, you'll give up when someone beats you. If you strive to be the best, you'll persevere until you reach your goal. (pg. 212)

There is a section in part three that addresses our lack of involvement in politics and how we are paying the price for that. I loved the multiple quotes from former Presidents of the United States such as this one from John Quincy Adams. "The highest glory of the American Revolution was this: that it connected, in one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government and Christianity."

President Calvin Coolidge said,

"We do not need more material development; we need more spiritual devvelopment.

We do not need more intellectual power; we need more moral power.

We do not need more knowledge; we need more character.

We do not need more government; we need more culture.

We do not need more laws; we need more religion.

We do not need more of the things that are seen,

We need more of the things that are unseen."

How is that for being a nation that is said to not be founded on the principles of God Almighty.

Overall, the book was good. No real new ideas for me but a good $3 read and reminder. Some good statistics, quotes, and ideas through out the book.