Vote for God's Littlest Angels

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 least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Book Review: The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan

Again the last few books I have read lead me to this one. The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath by Mark Buchanan. I was not familiar with the author at all but found him to be biblically accurate. The book was different than many I have read. I have tried explaining why but can't draw on the right words. The writing is "artsy," very descriptive, very wordy. It took me a bit to get use to it and then I enjoyed his use of big words and description.

There have been several seasons in life when I have felt that we as a family need to have a Sabbath rest. This book was not a how to necessarily but a why you should and what it means kinda book. Here's my break down:

• Psalm 46:10, Exodus 20:8-9
• Sabbath is both a day and an attitude
• Sabbath is time sanctified, time betrothed, time we perceive and receive and approach differently from all other time. We are more intimate with it, more thankful for it, more protective of it and more generous with it.
• 8 of the 10 Commandments are written in the prohibitive "Thou shalt not." The Sabbath command is written in strong imperatives: remember, observe, keep, stop.
• Two things keep us from true Sabbath: busyness and legalism. (Trust me I have fallen ill to both)
• We are to embrace that which gives life, and cease that which is necessary. We need to know not just what to avoid but what to pursue.

These are just a few nuggets on Sabbath. I'm working on cultivating a Sabbath heart and attitude. As a doer I always struggle with slowing down, ignoring the to do list, and being still. This past years health issues have forced me into a more restful life and for that I am thankful.

Here are 3 quotes from the book that resonated with me:

• "My whole life I have been complaining that my work was constantly interrupted until I discovered the interruptions were my work" (Henry Nouwen)
• "We can be very busy for God and still not know Him....."
• "Without a fast it's hard to recognize a feast" (Dorothy Bass)

Since slowing down it has been so much easier to see the feast, hear God, and know the work to be done.

Book Review: The Blessing by Trent & Smalley

I finished reading Shepherding a Child's Heart and Instructing a child's heart by Tedd Tripp which lead me to pick up this book, The Blessing by John Trent & Gary Smalley. When the same theme is presented over and over to me, I take that as the Lord's Sacred Echo and pursue that topic.

The concept of The Blessing is providing our children (could be spouse/friends as well) with genuine acceptance and love.

• 5 parts of the Blessing:
• Meaningful Touch: Kissing, hugging, laying on of hands
• A Spoken Message: Verbal, silence communicates confusion
• Attaching High Value on the One being Blessed: Honor, bless, respect
• Picturing a Special Future for the One being Blessed: Affirming the traits they have God will use in the future (ie. my oldest likes to/wants to cook, teach, organize, protect and work with animals = I share how all of those things are a part of my job as a mom and how God will use those as she is a mom/wife)
• An Active Commitment to Fulfill the Blessing: doing everything possible to help the one being blessed be successful

What I liked about the book is that each element is covered thoroughly. The real life stories hit you to the core. The authors discuss those who missed the blessing of their parents like many hurting people today have. The end of the book gives a list of 100 ways CHILDREN said their parents blessed them (oh so much simpler than we think). Also, scripture blessings are written out and are so powerful to pray over your children (check out Psalm 1).

I recommend the book and found it Biblically accurate. A lot of the material wasn't new to me but a great refresher. For me personally, I was reminded of the need to watch my tongue. It can be used to build up or tear down. To be intentional about speaking words of blessing to my kids and husband. All of us have (at least) one area of the five elements of the Blessing that we can work on. What's yours?

Go to theblessing.com to sign up for The Blessing Challenge.

Helping Haiti

My heart has always had a soft spot for Haiti ever since visiting the country in 2007. We have friends who have adopted from Haiti through an orphanage and I keep my eye on them, knowing that someday the Lord may call us to adopt from there as well. The orphanage is God's Littlest Angels.

I receive their prayer emails and feel a strong connection to the work they do and the precious children they help. This past week one of their own workers died and has left behind children of her own. You can read the story here: God's Littlest Angels in Haiti under July 18 & 19ths postings.

The staff at GLA is taking donations to help the kids receive an education, food, and cover the funeral costs. The thing that struck me is that if every person who is on the prayer list gives $4.13 the need is met. So, I thought I'd spread the word. Do you have $4.13? Can you skip a trip to Tim Horton's? I chose not to put money in my clothing envelope this month because really, the future of these kids is way more important than a new top. So, if you feel the Lord leading you, it's as easy as clicking a button to submit a donation....God's Littlest Angels in Haiti » Blog Archive » Exilia’s Children – How Can You Help?

Book Review: Roaring Lambs by Bob Briner

I've been trying to gather my thoughts on this book for well over a week. I think I have a love hate relationship with it. I totally get what the author is saying yet at the same time I totally disagree. So, I'll try to share my thoughts....

The overall premise of the book is that we as followers of Christ, born again Bible believing Christians, we need to go into all the world and preach the Good News, be a light, and make a difference. I totally agree.

The premise that we are all salt is solid. The pastor is no more salty than the gardener. The teacher no more salty than the mechanic. The Elder no more salty than the garbage collector. As Christians we are all salt. I totally agree.

The premise that Christians are missing from the scene of voicing their opinion and beliefs in todays society I agree with also. So often we don't speak up for truth when it isn't in our comfort zone.

Okay, that takes me through the beginning of the book. This is where I start to struggle. The author continues to go through the areas of society where there is no salt; movies, tv, literature, and art. Briner practically blames the current state of media & the arts on Christians for removing themselves from these arenas. He also states that Hollywood does not have an anti-Christian/liberal agenda. And this my friends is where I wholeheartedly disagree.

Briner says we need to encourage our children to be christian movie writers, authors, artists, ect. I would agree that Christian movies, literature, and art would be wonderful. As a mom, I could not in all wisdom direct my daughter to Hollywood to act or write. Briner says there is no hidden agenda so our children aren't in harms way in Hollywood but again I disagree. I see a liberal agenda, I see drugs, alcohol, sex, and ungodliness.

Because I believe that there is an agenda, I believe that a few Christians in Hollywood will not restore morality and purity that God so desires for His people. I also believe that as people living in a time closer to the return of Jesus, we are going to continue to see these arenas grow darker.

Briner also talks about the negative effect boycotting has. Now, those who know me know I am an activist at heart. I don't shop at Ambercrombie and the like due to immodesty, Old Navy & Home Depot due to supporting homosexuality...my list can go on. I do not give the money God has entrusted to me to places that actively oppose Him. I believe in fleeing from evil and standing for what is morally pure and right. I believe in voicing truth through boycotting, letters, petitions, ect so clearly Briner and I disagree here.

Lastly, I feel Briner many times offers up options to water down our stances. To compromise. Briner talks about writing books that secular audiences would publish and read and the need to be well rounded and read secular books so our children see us balanced. Personally, I don't want to be balanced. I want to be like Jesus.

Love it and hate it all at once. I won't compromise. I won't fill my mind with the secular ideas and agendas of this world. I won't steer my children into an environment that is without doubt anti-Christian.

Those are my thoughts on Roaring Lambs ...I am a roaring lamb just not as Bob Briner would ask me to be.

Book Review: Confident Parenting by Jim Burns

The summer days have allowed for some of my favorite activity...curling up in the hammock with a good book. The peace and quiet and beauty of nature just relax me every time. I'm finishing books faster than I can blog them so maybe I'll catch up today.

I picked up Confident Parenting by Jim Burns at Ollies...oh, how I love cheap books at Ollies! My overall opinion of the book was that it was good. A lot of what was said I have heard before but some if it is always worth a repeat.

Before I get into the nuggets I liked I have to make the point that I disagree with the author on his take of generational sin. I do not believe in generational sin. I do however agree with inheriting sin-tendencies. If you come from a family of alcoholics there is a risk associated with that family legacy. I do not believe in punishment for the previous generations sin. I believe Christ died for our sin and cleared the slate of previous sin from previous generations.

That said, here are my nuggets:

• Parenting takes perseverance, endurance, and intentionality.
• Caring for your family is your highest calling on earth. This is huge for someone like me who struggles with pleasing the demands of everyone around me. I have been called to a season of raising kids for God, of schooling them and being home. This means I can't be "in ministry" and running all over. The reminder that this is my high calling was needed.
• Implement a Sabbath: a lot spoke to me here...again...because I didn't do it the first time I learned it!
• The lesson of the Sabbath is to ruthlessly find a rhythm in your life to rest and restore your soul, and the soul of your family.
• Have the courage to go against the grain of the culture and find time for replenishment.
• We tend to neglect our own need for solitude and replenishing relationships, then we wonder why we are so burnt out.
• When couples are overcommitted, they become unconnected.
• When it comes to the climate of our homes, we set the emotional thermostat. (hmmmm, two books in a row with that message??)
• Our goal as parents is to create a grace-filled home where love and grace reign but discipline is unswerving.
• Begin with the end in mind. This was huge for Drew & I when we had Abby. Setting character goals up front has helped us make decisions along the way.

The book is set up with questions at the end of each chapter to help you analyze and implement what you learned. One of the action steps I really liked is that the author and his wife get together every 6 months to discuss each child and where they are at and what they need to work on to reach their goals. Our best friends do this yearly and I think it is so wise and intentional.

So, my goals are:

1. A more consistent Sabbath rest

2. Make more time for replenishing relationships/activities to avoid burn out. Especially during the long months of a homeschooling winter!

3. Make time with Drew to analyze were the girls are at, what we need to work on, and see how far they have come.

And you?

Book Review: A Woman After God's Own Heart

I've never read anything by Elizabeth George before. I grabbed this book at a garage sale too. I struggled getting into it but maybe it was just because in the end, I realize how far I have to go in the wife and mother departments. Granted, I've come along way but God's ways are so much higher than ours. If I truly want to be a Woman after His heart, I have to follow His ways as a wife and mother.

Here are some nuggets and reminders that penetrated my heart as I read this book. I'm being real as I share the struggles of real life and if we are all honest we all struggle with some of this stuff. So, here it is:

• Biblical Order: God, Hubby, Kiddos. Oh how often I scramble these up. The kiddos are always right there and so easy to give your first fruits to but this is not biblical. I have nothing to give my kids if God has not been my first priority.
• As a wife I need to meet my husbands needs. She mentions: Committing to being a helper, submit, respect, respond positively, pray daily, kind actions, physical intimacy, prepare for his arrival home. I always try to straighten up and freshen up and have the kids ready for Daddy to come home. I always ask how I can help and do believe it is my job (biblically) to lighten his load. However, I don't pray consistently enough for my husband, I don't always show respect or respond positively. I let the stress of the day change my mood. I'm working on this. I also think the kind deeds, you know, sweet notes in the lunch kinda stuff gets crowded out by motherhood....again backwards.
• Our role as mother is to teach our children God's word. Memorize, read, model, pray, provide. With homeschooling this has become so much easier. As long as I keep my eyes on the goal this area isn't a huge issue. I have also improved in this area over the last month as I have begun to pray literally a million times a day when I felt the frustration rising in me. God has graciously given me grace for my kids so I can be a better mom.
• We are the thermostat of our homes. We control the mood by our mood and responses. Ok, so this one got me. This past year my mood has been less than steady. With struggling with anxiety and depression you never know what you'd get from me. As I am doing better, I am trying so hard to improve in this area. I really do let my husband get the short end, the tired mom at the end of the day. Other nuggets in this area were to remember to be home, plan ahead, and don't waste time. Planning is not an issue for me and with homeschooling we are home and make it a point to be home for the evening family time.

So, those are some nuggets from this book that struck me. Would love to hear by email or leaving a comment what ONE thing you are going to work on. We can all improve at something. Sharing makes you more accountable to do it.

Thanks to my girlfriends who hold me accountable and lead by example...keep loving God, loving your hubbies, and loving those babies...in that order!

Book Review: The Air I Breathe

I just finished a quick little read by Louie Giglio called The Air I Breathe: Worship as a Way of Life. Here are some points from the book:

• We all worship something. Where your time, attention, and money are spent there you find the object of your worship.
• We exchange worship of our Creator for worship of created things.
• Whatever you worship, you imitate; whatever you imitate, you become.
• Worship is something you enter into with all your might. Worship is a participation activity in a spectator culture.
• True worship is simply catching sight of the greatness, majesty, splendor, glory, and grace of an infinite God.
• Church is a lot better when our meetings are filled with people who have been pursuing God for six days before they get there.
• Corporate worship works best when we arrive with something to offer God, as opposed to coming only to get something for us.
• Think about the words you sing and who you are singing them to. Sometimes we would be better off saying nothing rather than standing there lying to the face of God. Our worship would honor Him more if we stopped singing and realigned our hearts with His.

There is truth in all these points. So often we walk into corporate church feeling the weight of the week pulling on us instead of a having a heart ready to praise our Creator and King. At least I know I have walked in that way. For me, the trials of my life have allowed me to see the greatness of God despite my circumstances and that is what has caused my worship to go deeper than before.

This past week I stopped the person who had led corporate worship and told her how I loved it....not because of a good song or specific instruments but because as she sung, I saw her heart. I saw her love for Jesus and her passion to worship Him. it was a beautiful thing see and really, it was something I experienced. I could feel that overflow of love from her. When I told her this, her response was so humble and again reflective of her heart....she said, "I just want people to see Jesus."

I pray each of us is living a worshipful life that glorifies our King so that people can see Jesus.

Book Review:Spiritual Warfare

I've decided when I finish a good book to highlight it on here. It's a good way to document the points that stuck with me and give others food for thought.

I just finished A Parent's Guide to Spiritual Warfare by Leslie Montgomery. I picked it up at CBD on clearance for $3. I am new to this author and while I did not agree with her theology on generational sin, the rest of the book was very good. Here are some highlights that struck me....

• If your children see that life's challenges are overcoming you, rather than your overcoming them, they will gravitate toward the world's way of coping.
• What our world truly needs is for couples to choose God's way instead of the world's way.
• Satan attacks believers and it normally includes confusion, accusations, feelings of rejection, condemnation, discouragement and hopelessness.
• God's testing is different from an attack as there is no confusion but rather clarity. We may not see clearly the choice to make but we walk by faith.
• When our kids respond or act in a repetitive, negative pattern there is a negative core belief behind that area that needs to be replaced with truth.
• We'd never dream of withholding food from a developing child, and yet that is exactly what we do spiritually if we don't give them the Word of God.
• Training our children in spiritual warfare focuses not on the Devil and his methods but on the genuine power and promises of Christ. Only after knowing the truth can our children spot from afar the Devil's counterfeit.

There was a great section in the book that really went through Ephesians 6 and explained the armor of God.

Overall, anytime God's kingdom is moving forward, Satan attacks. Every time a child enters a Christian home, as parents we must be equipped for battle because an attack will come. As a parent, I need to pray more for the covering over my husband, children, and home.

You are My Shepherd

To my bestest girlfriends....

lifting you up this morning and praying this is continually the prayer of your heart.

I could not have asked for better friends than those God has planted in my life and in my heart. I Love you girls!