Book Give Away at "Growing in Godliness" Check it out!

Go to link below and comment on Growing in Godliness's post Resurrection Day Book Giveaway for a chance to win a bible study book... http://www.growingodliness.com/2011/04/resurrection-day-and-giveaway.html 

So excited I won a book at http://surviving-motherhood.blogspot.com/ written by Leah at http://www.leahadams.org/2006/01/point-ministries.html  

So Excited During Christmas! A Devotion I wrote was published!

I was so excited during Christmas break to receive the Jan/Feb issue of Home School Enrichment Magazine and to see my name in the table of contents section!  To my surprise a devotion I sent in a while back made it in the magazine.  It was a full page (not the article) but large title, beautiful  picture and then there it was my name in print!  I know I'm not the best writer in the homeschooling or blogging world but it was such a treat to see something I had written in my quiet time end up in a national magazine!  Picture below: 

Not such a great picture but who cares!

Parenting is Like Panning for Gold

Proverbs 2:1-5 - My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, Make your ear attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding; For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will discern the fear of the LORD And discover the knowledge of God.

Have you ever thought that parenting is a lot like panning for gold?

When my oldest daughter was in 1st grade we took a field trip with her class to pan or "mine" for gems. The kids wore plastic smocks and were handed a sifting screen with wooden handles. They worked diligently looking for something of value. Most of their time was spent sifting through the sediment and sand to find only a few pebbles or stones, but by the end of the field trip, many of the children came away with a few pieces of ruby, emerald or topaz! Their patience, practice and perseverance paid off!

The memory of that field trip was tucked nice and neatly away, until a recent phone conversation with a dear friend retrieved it from my memory file. We were catching up, sharing the struggles and joys of parenting. I shared with her something my oldest daughter had said, that was full of wisdom. My friend made the comment, "You have received a gold nugget!". She went on to explain, that one day her mother told her,"Parenting is just like panning for gold or gems. Most of our days are spent sifting through sediment and only to discover a few pebbles or stones. Then there are those days, when you least expect it, your child says or does something that just blesses your heart. God has just given you a gold nugget!

What perspective! I know so many parents today who have given up on panning for anything of value in their children's lives. If we are not careful we get so busy looking at the sediment, sand, pebbles and stones that we overlook the gold nuggets! In a world that demands instant gratification and quick results, parents must learn to be patient, through the practice of parenting. If we diligently persevere through the sediment, sand, pebbles and stones we will find a few gold nuggets along the way.

Keep on panning,
Renee

Are You A Friend of God?

James 4:4 - You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.


I have been thinking lately about why so many in this generation can claim Jesus as their Savior but not live for Him. To live year after year with one foot deep in the world and the other in the church. Many have been raised in Christian homes, gone to church all their lives, know the language and music yet, there is no change in lifestyle or behavior; nothing to set them apart from the world. Other than the fact that they attend church on Sunday morning. I am afraid that many in this generation have believed a lie from the enemy of their soul disguised as an angel of light. The lie that they can "accept Jesus as Savior", say a prayer, walk down an aisle, bend a knee and they are good to go, heaven bound! Still embracing the same lifestyle as before, because after all, "Jesus is my friend", right?

Could it be that many churches today are preaching and teaching a one sided Jesus? A "Jesus is your friend", all inclusive Jesus? A Jesus that is accepting of us no matter what? Don't misunderstand what I just said. Jesus is all inclusive, He does accept us when we come to Him, "just as we are", but part of as we are is with an understanding that we have remorse over our sinful condition, we are not just sorry we are caught in our sin or that our "poor choices, or mistakes" have been found out, NO we are truly sorrowful over our sin. We realize that Jesus is God, He is Holy and we deserve death, not mercy or grace. We realize what He did on the Cross of Calvary was for our personal sin not just the world's. We enter into a personal relationship with the true and living God. It doesn't stop with a get into heaven "Free" card!

The problem with seeing Jesus as only our friend is we leave out the biggest side of His character and person. He is STILL HOLY! He does have a standard of right and wrong. He does have moral absolutes. Truth is not "relative" to each person's situation or morals. He is TRUTH and His Word is Truth! He does require some things of those who say they love Him. So maybe we have done this generation a dis-service by teaching them that "Jesus is their friend"?

The truth is we are the ones who need to do the accepting of HIM! Maybe we just haven't taught them about the Jesus of the Bible. The Jesus in John Chapter 8 who told the woman caught in adultery..."woman where are your accusers?...they are gone she told Jesus, to which he replied, "neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more". He didn't embrace her sinful behavior or excuse it, nor did he condemn her...he did have an absolute about her sin, "don't' do it again". This same Jesus of the bible said in Matthew 7:12-14 "Wide is the gate that leads to destruction, many there will be who find it ", "Narrow is the way that leads to eternal life, few there will be that find it". Again, the Jesus of the bible told his disciples in John 8:30-31 "If you are truly my disciples, you will continue in My Word." This same Jesus talked alot about denying yourself, picking up your cross and following Him. What happened to teaching the Jesus of the Bible?

God's word tells us that to be a friend of the world is to be an enemy of God. So maybe what we should be teaching them is that they need to be "a friend of God". We teach so much about Jesus accepting us "where we are", but what we should be teaching is that we must accept Him completely. If we are a friend of God we will spend time getting to know Him, talking to Him, sharing our life with Him. We will go the places He wants us to go. We will live a life set apart unto Him. We will understand that to be friends with the world would betray our friendship with God. We will follow the Jesus of the Bible, not some watered down, Jesus made in our image version!

So, is Jesus our friend? I guess that depends on where you stand with Jesus? He told the disciples after they had walked with him for three years and witnessed His miracles, heard His teaching, believed in HIM, left all to follow Him, that they were indeed His friends, so yes He can be our friend, but I believe a much better question to ask is...AM I A FRIEND OF GOD?

A Must Read Blog Post from a Fellow Blogger....

Cultivating a Friendship with Your Husband

This year I have seen many Christian marriages fall apart and it has made me take a long  hard look at my own marriage.  It's made me ask myself some important questions like: am I my husband's friend or simply his wife?  Do I take the vows I made before God serious?  Do I work at making my marriage good or do I simply just let it happen.  Am I intentional in loving my husband or just hope he knows I love him?  How much time do I spend cultivating a friendship with my husband compared to the time I spend cultivating my relationship with my children or girlfriends?



I think of my husband as more than just my "significant other", my "spouse" or "husband"; he is also my closest friend and he tells me I am his closest friend too.  We enjoy being together whether we are sitting on our deck drinking a cup of coffee, catching up after a long day or taking a walk through our neighborhood.  We don't feel the need to spend lots of money and go "do" something.  Just being together is enough for us.



I've often told my girlfriends that I'd rather be with Lynn than with any of my other friends. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the friendships God has blessed me with.  I have a few really good and godly friends in my life and I know if I ever needed them or they need me we are there for one another.  I enjoy time away with a friend as much as the next woman; but my marriage comes first after my relationship with Jesus. 



God's word has called me to be a "help meet" according to Genesis 2:19-22 I was made to be a "helper suitable for him".  Wow!  Made suitable to my husband.  We are complete in Christ and also we complete one another in our marriage.  His strengths compliment my weaknesses, and visa versa.  It's amazing when we take the time to invest into our marriages how rich they become.  Marriage was  meant to be enjoyed! Funny in today's world even well meaning "godly" women have flipped it to the point that their husband's are their "help meet".  Totally contrary to God's word, yet we can justify it by adding a "spiritual" twist to it.

I wonder what would happen if  we would cultivate a friendship with our husbands.  If we would accept them for who they are and pray for those areas where they need to "step it up" or maybe areas they need to be more tender in?  Instead of trying to change them or dictate to them how it's gonna be, what if we took God's word seriously and did what scripture clearly teaches a wife to do.  To have a gentle and quiet spirit.  To submit to our husbands as is fitting in the Lord.  To without a word "win" our husbands over to God and to us (Peter 3:1 - In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives).






What if we quit trying to be in control of everything and everyone around us.  What if we quit manipulating the situations and began to truly trust in our Sovereign Lord?  If marriage is a picture of Christ and the Church, He being the bridegroom and the church being the Bride shouldn't we be more well, "bridely" (made that one up).  More pure in our hearts, more pure in our behavior, more purely devoted to our God and husbands? 



A pastor once said, "Marriage was not meant to make you happy but to make you holy".  Unfortunately, if we are not in love with Jesus allowing Him to meet those deepest needs that ONLY He can meet marriage is not very happy.  It is down right miserable.  Assuming that my husband knows how I'm feeling (like he's God or something) how crazy is that?  We've heard it said, " communication is the key".  That pertains to any good marriage, but it has to be kind communication, not ridicule or belittling communication.  Believe me after 22 yrs. of marriage I know what I'm talking about.  I used to belittle and demean my husband ALOT, of course most of the time I didnt' realize I was doing this, but then there were those times when I knew exactly what I was doing.  All it did was put distance between us and make him feel like less of a man.   If I'm honest my flesh liked being able to put someone in their place and I could wrap it all up in scripture to top it off.  I spent lots of time reading books on marriage, written by people who were just as "dysfunctional" as we were.  I bought all the books for him to read and would end up reading them myself, which only made me more discontent which led to more arguments, more belittling and more negative communication. 



As I have thought about what marriage can be I wondered if most of us go into marriage thinking our relationship with our husband will fulfill our deepest needs?  Or we don't see the whole meaning of marriage from a biblical perspective.   For years after I was saved I truly thought if I did what a   wife is "supposed" to do: provide nice meals each and every night, a clean and organized home, make sure his laundry is done and folded, hung up and put away, make time for him in the bedroom, that I was being a "good" wife.  What I missed for many years was he needed me to be his companion and friend! Friends encourage one another, want God's best for their friend.  Care about what is going on in their life.  Prays for their friend.  Spends time with their friend building a solid relationship.  Friendship takes time, energy and effort.  Husbands want someone to listen to them.  Someone to appreciate how hard they work to provide for their families.  To be respected for who they are, not who we are trying to make them.



So I ask you today; are you and your  husband friends?  If not, what steps can you take today (without saying a word) to begin cultivating a solid friendship with your husband? 

THE HEARTBEAT OF CHRIST         


When Mikayla my 11 year old was a toddler, almost every morning she would come into the living room where I would be having my quiet time with the Lord. She would crawl up in my lap, lay her head on my chest, look up at me with those big brown eyes and say “Mommy, I can hear your heart beeping.” As I was thinking back to those mornings it was as if God whispered in my ear…That is my heart’s desire for my children, that they would get so close to me they could hear my heart beat.



One of my favorite names of God is Abba Father, Abba means Papa, He is my Daddy God and if you know Christ as your personal Lord and Savior He is your Papa, your Daddy God and you are I are his daughters. You are a daughter of the King! A princess! He loves You so much and He desires for his daughters to crawl up in his lap, put their head on his chest and listen to his heart beat.



We can crawl up in his lap through prayer and tell him all our hopes, dreams, desires and also our fears, worries and sorrows. We can also lay our head on his chest and hear his heart beat by opening up his word. For it is in His word where he reveals his heart to us. His word is like love letters to us.
I have asked myself over the past few months, do I know the Heart of Christ? Can I hear the heart beat of my Father? Am I carving out a special time every day to spend time alone in his word away from distractions, and the demands of the day?



Are you aware that Christ desires to be your First love? He wants first place in your heart. In the book of Revelation Chapter 2: 1-4



"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:



The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this: [2] 'I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot endure evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; [3] and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary. [4] 'But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.



We must guard, cultivate and protect that intimacy with our Lord. We can’t allow even our “service” for him to take first place. We must put our worship and fellowship with him first and then our service for him will flow from there.
I believe He wants us to be consumed by His love.



If you are married or have ever been in love. Think back to when your love was new, Remember how you felt? Consumed is a good word. We wanted to spend all of our time with that person. We desired to please them and bring a smile to their face. Thought about little things we could do to make them happy. We wanted to know everything about them, their past where they had been and their future hopes and dreams. We paid attention to their likes and dislikes. We spent lots of time on the phone when we had to be apart. Do you love Christ like that? Do you desire to be in His presence, to spend time with Him? Do you know what pleases Him? Do you know what will bring a smile to his face? Do you know what thrills his heart? Do you know what breaks his heart? Do you know the heart of Christ?



Valentine's Day can bring on awide variety of feelings in a woman's heart: expectation, anticipation, eagerness, but also feelings of loneliness, sadness, disappointment, discouragement. But I have good news, whether you are happily married, unhappily married, divorced, widowed, single and hoping, single with no prospects for the future or single and content.  Whether you get a Valentine's Day card, or NOT!



NO ONE CAN LOVE YOU LIKE JESUS CHRIST! Husbands can disappoint and hurt us, friends sometimes betray us, kids will graduate or get married and leave home, even our service for Him will change, end, and begin again. But the Heart of Christ is Forever Faithful and True.



God gave me an Acrostic for the word HEART that only scratches the surface of His heart…



H - holy, honorable, humble, healing

E - extravagant, excellent, exalted
A - affirming, affectionate, abiding
R - redeeming, restores, rescues, rewards, his is our refuge
T - true, trustworthy have you been hurt and lost trust in someone? You can



Trust the heart of Christ. His love is total. He is enough.



Choose today to crawl up in your Heavenly Father’s lap, lay your head on his chest and listen to his heart beat and ask Him to help your heart beat in time with His…

Our God Given Personal Trainer!

Have you ever considered how wonderful it would be to have your very own Personal Trainer?

The Wikipedia states “A Personal Trainer is a fitness professional hired for private instruction to help a person achieve fitness goals. The emphasis on personal training should come from the personal trainer's understanding of what works best for their client and an understanding of human movement. It is not just about pushing someone hard, but more about working out at an effective level to achieve their goals. A few people need only one session to get them on the right track, ensure their program is balanced, and answer their questions. Others prefer to work with a trainer for several months to get in the habit of exercise and to see actual results. And still others who can afford the price prefer to work with a trainer indefinitely because they feel that they will get better results and have more fun working with a trainer then working alone.”

I have good news for you the Holy Spirit is your God given Personal Trainer.  He knows exactly what level each member of the body needs to be working out at to effectively achieve His goals. To get the body of Christ in shape requires the Holy Spirit to train us indefinitely, because we will get better results and have more success working with a trainer than working alone.

A friend of mine who has been in the role of personal trainer shared with me what a personal trainer does. A personal trainer: plans your workouts, give you encouragement, works alongside you, helps you reach physical success, motivates you to try strive harder, shares your vision on the person you want to be, listens to you, laughs with you and helps you through the muscle soreness.

I just recently started an exercise program and I am learning that physical exercise takes effort, energy and exertion; but I am blesssed enough to have a running partner (my neighbor) by my side.  It has been an incredible thing!  She motivates me to go the distance and "to keep keeping on".  Her help, encouragement and commitment remind me of how the Holy Spirit works in our lives.  We must partner with the Holy Spirit in every area of our lives. Are you partnering with the Holy Spirit (your personal trainer) following His workout plan, allowing Him to encourage, comfort and motivate you through the word of God and prayer? Are you relying on Him as your helper as you reach forward and press on to the prize and strive against sin? (Philippians 3:12-14, Heb. 12:1-4)

Like physical fitness, spiritual fitness is hard work We will experience “muscle” soreness as we are called into places that will be uncomfortable and sometimes down right painful! The Holy Spirit is doing a work and He will continue to put us in those uncomfortable and unfamiliar places to stretch us and teach us to use new “muscle groups” so we will learn to wholly trust and rely on the Lord Jesus. If you are in an uncomfortable or unfamiliar place right now, just listen to your personal trainer, partner with the Holy Spirit and work through the muscle soreness.

DO IT NOW!

Today I began my 2nd week of couch to 5k! 

You have to understand I HATE exercise! I especially detest running.  I have often said, "the only time you will see me run is when someone is chasing me in order to kill me!" 

I kept hearing a friend of mine talk about couch to 5k, she was also not a "runner" by choice and had done great!  So, I thought what do I have to lose, except all these unwanted inches and pounds?   

Over the years, I have tried many different types of exercise, from aerobics, step aerobics (hard on my knees) to the EXTREME P90X (sorry but too Xtreme for someone w/injuries and health issues).  I've enjoyed walking more than anything. 

A neighborhood friend saw my status on facebook about starting "couch to 5k" and came to my door one morning offering to be my partner.  I was amazed, it is much easier, (well if you can even say exercise is easy)  to exercise with a partner, especially if you are someone like me in need of LOADS of motivation and encouragement.  I am so thankful for her willingness to keep me moving. 

Now,  I'm only a little over a week into the program and can't believe that I am actually running for more than a few seconds and no one is even chasing me!!  If you are looking for a "do-able" exercise program that will challenge you each week.  I suggest that you check out this link http://www.coolrunning.com/  If I can do it, YOU can do it! 

Have a great run! 

Check out Disciple Life Ministries

Check out Disciple Life Ministries



AUGUST 2010 FAMILY BEACH VACATION
IN CAROLINA BEACH, NC
ONLY ONE MISSING MY OLDEST SON

MY HUBBY AND OUR FAMILY DOG ANGEL
ANSWER TO MY DAUGHTERS PRAYER OF TWO
YEARS FOR A DOG...SHE'S BEEN WITH US
FOR 6 YRS. NOW




VIEW OF OCEAN



LYNN (MY SWEETIE) AND ME WATCHING THE MOON AND CLOUDS OVER THE OCEAN

VIEW FROM PRIVATE WALKWAY

OnePrayer - Francis Chan

Cheering From the Sidelines: Lessons Learned Through Volleyball Part 3

1 Corinthians 12:26 - If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Sunday Mikayla my 11 yr. old broke her wrist while playing with a friend in the yard. This is her first year playing volleyball with our local home school team the Lighthouse Eagles so, needless to say she was very disappointed. She has been practicing harder and getting better at her serves and returns. Her eyes filled with tears as she knew she would not be able to finish out the season. After the tears stopped flowing she asked me if we could still go to the games, she would wear her uniform and sit with her team to cheer them on. What a great attitude, even though she is on the "sidelines" she is still willing to go and support her team!

This experience has really made me ask myself some pretty hard questions. For the past several years I was part of an awesome ministry. Through this ministry I was privileged to go into the women's prison and lead a small group, teaching them how to dig into God's word and apply His truth to their lives. I also had the opportunity to be part of the prayer team, where I made some life long friends and prayer partners. God pulled me out of this ministry for a season and I am missing it. My intentions were to continue praying for them diligently, even though I was on the "sidelines". To my shame, I have dropped the ball of prayer more times than I would like to admit. Even though, I am on the sidelines my heart should be like that of my daughter's. My attitude should be to cheer them on, even if it is "from the bench", for now.

God has used my daughter's attitude of commitment from the sidelines to encourage me to get back "into the game" of praying for my sweet sisters in Christ and also for those they are ministering to. We've all had seasons in our "game of life" when we were benched either by sickness, finances, our own choices or God just said, "no".

What about you? When was the last time you were let down by circumstances beyond your control. Maybe, like Mikayla you have been working hard, practicing your "serve" and preparing for your game, but someone else is called to teach that class, lead that bible study, sing that solo. Maybe it is a work situation, you have put in long hours, done extra work, taken on more responsibility, yet someone else gets the promotion you were hoping for. How will you respond? Will you be wiling to cheer your team on from the "sidelines" or will you choose to give up on the game all together.

The church needs a few more cheerleaders today. We are not competing with one another to be the star player. We are the family of God! A family supports one another. God's word tells believers in Romans 12:15 - to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. There is no room for pouting, doubting or giving up on God's team.

So, a challenge to all us "adults"..the next time you are disappointed, let down or looked over. Remember Mikayla's response and "Cheer from the sidelines"!

A Friend Loves at All Times or Do They?

Do you have "friends" that call you when they need prayer or someone to vent to? I guess we all do maybe more than one. God's word tells us in Proverbs that, "A friend loves at all times". That's hard! Sometimes I know it may seem childish, but truthfully there are times when you wonder if they are really your friend or not! They never ask about your family, how you are doing, what you've been up to. It's always about them! You never get invited to any celebrations or outings, yet when they need a "listening ear" you are the one they call. Maybe not the only one they call but still they do call.

Sometimes it just hurts, makes you feel used. I've had a relationship like that...well, if you can even call it a relationship! Someone I prayed for a long time about a particular situation, we talked on the phone and would even meet for coffee from time to time. I really thought we were building a good friendship. God answered our prayers and boy did He deliver! I understand how busy life can get...after all, I am a mother of four children myself BUSY is my middle name. Things just stopped with this "friend". No phone calls, no comments on my fb page. Not even a quick chat when we are both on.

I can't help but feel hurt by it all. It's perplexing! I don't know if I did or said something that offended her? I am bewildered by the whole thing really. My friends like my family are very important to me. Women were made for relationships. Men are too, but they don't seem to have so much of their selves invested in their "buddies". I tried talking to her (not wanting to seem "needy"), but her response is always "adjusting has been hard";yet I would see her going with other friends and doing things. Inviting others out on special occasions. I fervently prayed for her and her family during the time when they were waiting on God to deliver. Doesn't that mean anything now?

Proverbs - "A friend loves at all times" is a two-sided thing. Would it hurt to just send a note or pick up the phone once in awhile? I have other friends who are just as busy...but somehow, we manage to make time for one another, not often as we would like after all we all have families and commitments. But, we are there for each other when it counts and do try to get together once in awhile. Maybe there is a reason why this friendship hasn't grown....

In the meantime, God has called me to be a true friend no matter how the other person responds. So hard as it may be it is another chance to die to self, to love by His grace and His power, to know when to let go of something that is not producing fruit.

Several years back I lost a very "good" friend. We had been friends for 10 years. It was over something that should have been fixable. It was very painful. I grieved over that friendship for a while. It was like a death! It was so hard I would see her out and it was as if she had just met a stranger and was being polite, how odd? Someone, I spent lots of time laughing, crying, praying and sharing life with all of a sudden was no longer there. They were cold and far away. God helped me to recover from the blow, even being sweet enough to show me some of the "why" behind it. He is so good!

Maybe I just care too much? I don't know. I know I think too much and at times can over analyze things. Just wish people would be honest in their relationships and not leave people hanging. To speak truth with your neighbor is more than just speaking the truth of the gospel..it is in everyday dealings. God has called us to be truthful in our relationships.

All this has made me ask myself a few questions: What kind of friend am I? Am I a self-centered friend? Am I consumed with me and mine? Do I care about things that are going on in my friends lives? Am I willing to die to self in order to let them know I am thinking and praying for them? Do I make time for them? Will I make time to build healthy relationships? Or, do I like surface, shallow relationships that the world or the carnal christian offers? Or do I desire to be like Proverbs says - "A friend that loves at all times"?

Something to think about.

Learning to "love at all times"...even when I don't "feel" loved back.

Following His Lead,

You Never Know What a Day Might Bring

Last Friday we were all having a great day shopping for Alyssa's 15th birthday party. We made our usual trip to Wal-Mart and the Dollar Store. We had just walked in the door to our house when Mikayla came into the kitchen panicking, she had something stuck in her throat. It was a "Gobstopper" a hard, round candy that you can't bite and it doesn't dissolve very quickly, to say the least!

We yelled for Alyssa, she is very calm in an emergency, she tried to do the heimlich, but nothing was coming. I immediately called 911 and Jessie ran to our even "calmer" neighbor, Gina Smith. She also tried to help still, nothing was moving. Mikayla was gurgling, spitting up saliava, face red and she was terrified.

The first responders got to the house and because she was breathing, they couldn't do anything. The paramedics were next. They immediately put her on the gurney and I jumped in the front seat. We thought it was stuck in her wind pipe. The driver told me if the gobstopper moved we were in trouble. I learned later, the reason I was asked to move to front seat was due to the fact that they might have to go into action. So glad I didn't know that part while on route to hospital. I prayed. All I could think of was that I didn't want to say goodbye to my baby girl. I prayed the whole way there, knowing the God who created her body, each intricate detail, had her in His hands. Everything that comes into the life of a believer has to first be filtered through the hands of God. All year He has been asking me, "Do you trust me with your children's lives?" I didn't know He meant their literal lives.

Once at the hospital they did x-rays and found that the "gobstopper" was in her esophagus and wasn't budging! The ENT surgeon informed me they would have to perform surgery, hopefully going through her mouth if all went well, if not possibly through her throat. Needless to say, I was calm but very alarmed. As they prepared to make all the arrangements to get her ready to go upstairs to pre-op we sat and talked to her, assuring her she would be just fine, telling her she was in the best hands. She would simply nod and stare straight ahead.

20 minutes later she began talking, she had stop salivating and spitting up and even cracked a smile. I knew it had either dissolved or moved into her stomach! The Dr. came by and was so relieved. They ran another set of x-rays and just as everyone had suspected the gobstopper was gone! A few minutes before and she would have been wheeled up to surgery. God's timing is PERFECT. He strengthened my faith and trust that day. You never know what a day might bring, but you certainly can trust the ONE who holds each day in His hands!

Reposted after the Proposition 8 California ruling recently

Monday, March 31, 2008

Is America becoming a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah?
　
Thoughts on the things going on in California and spreading across our nation... In Genesis 13:12 - 13 God's word states: Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

Read these words spoken by the father of the children in question from the case in California. These words were taken from World Net Daily. "We just don't want them teaching our children," he told WND. "They teach things that are totally contrary to what we believe. They put questions in our children's minds we don't feel they're ready for. "When they are much more mature, they can deal with these issues, alternative lifestyles, and such, or whether they came from primordial slop. At the present time it's my job to teach them the correct way of thinking," he said. "We're going to appeal. We have to. I don't want to put my children in a public school system that teaches ideologies I don't believe in," he said.

Also taken from World Net Daily's new article: It's because the California Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger worked together to establish Senate Bill 777 and Assembly Bill 394as law, plans that institutionalize the promotion of homosexuality, bisexuality, transgenderism and other alternative lifestyle choices. "First, [California] law allowed public schools to voluntarily promote homosexuality, bisexuality and transsexuality. Then, the law required public schools to accept homosexual, bisexual and transsexual teachers as role models for impressionable children. Now, the law has been changed to effectively require the positive portrayal of homosexuality, bisexuality and transsexuality to 6 million children in California government-controlled schools," said Thomasson.

As I was reading the above article in World Daily Net about the ruling that came against a homeschooling family in California by the court system and all that implies. God brought to my mind the story of Lot whom the bible calls a "righteous" man.

My words: Alternative Lifestyle is just that an "alternative" according to Merriam Webster's definition : different from the usual or conventional: as a: existing or functioning outside the established cultural, social, or economic system. The Homosexual community has made a choice that is different from the usual or conventional, established cultural, social and (may I add) religious system in our nation. They have "chosen" an alternative lifestyle and are in the process of forcing our children and our nation to embrace and accept this alternative lifestyle. Not only do they want civil rights but, far more. They want the same rights and privileges that apply to a married couple (oh, for those of you who have been deceived by the media that is: one man married to one woman).

If they want to choose to live in direct opposition to what scripture teaches that is up to them, that is their "choice".

What I oppose is their aggressive and hostile approach in imposing their choice on the rest of us, especially our children! If they want free choice "go for it" but, please allow the rest of us (usual, conventional, tradition, those who live in established cultural, social and religious systems) to also have the choice to decide what we will teach our children and don't force us to conform to their alternative way of thinking and living!

As I was upset by all this....God led me back to read about Sodom and Gomorrah....we are there people, wake UP! Listen to the words of God.... Genesis 19:4-9 Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter; [5] and they called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them." [6] But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him, [7] and said, "Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly. [8] "Now behold, I have two daughters who have not had relations with man; please let me bring them out to you, and do to them whatever you like; only do nothing to these men, inasmuch as they have come under the shelter of my roof."(I guess his daughters were not under "the shelter of his roof"?) [9] But they said, "Stand aside." Furthermore, they said, "This one came in as an alien, and already he is acting like a judge; now we will treat you worse than them." So they pressed hard against Lot and came near to break the door.

Read that again…”So they pressed hard against Lot and came near to break the door” I saw this picture in my mind as I was reading the article about what is going on in the public school system in California and by the way there are other places this is happening
The militant homosexual activist are "pressing hard" against the doors of our courthouses, legislatures, networks, schoolhouses, neighborhoods, churches, and our homes demanding to have their way, just like in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. America is becoming more like Sodom and Gomorrah everyday. We were once a nation built upon the very Word of God. Our forefathers came seeking religious and economic freedom. The closer we get to Christ's return the more accepting we have become of a lifestyle that GOD Himself calls an abomination! Yes, "sin is sin" but, to force your sinful choices on others is not right. My heart is burdened for our nation. America is a baby nation compared to other nations that have come and gone over time. God has been merciful and so patient with us. How long Lord will you wait?

So, what's the solution? It's not what but WHO! Jesus Christ is our only HOPE. We must love ALL men but not as the world loves. Love is first truthful love does not lie. We must share our hearts, lives and most importantly the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ and the truth of His word no matter what the cost.
　　　　　　
Could that mean persecution? YOU BET. Jesus promised not only eternal life but much more. He promised those who pick up their cross and followed Him would suffer persecution, it's a given. We in America are spoiled and pampered Christians(I know I am). Our generation has known little if any real persecution like we see described in the Sudan, China and other countries. We must be like Abraham and plead for our nation as he did for Lot and his family. Will you join me? Will you set aside one day each week to fast and pray for the souls in our nation?

Alert and sober,

Are You a Friend of God?

James 4:4 - You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

I have been thinking lately about why so many in this generation can claim Jesus as their Savior but not live for Him. To live year after year with one foot deep in the world and the other in the church. Many have been raised in Christian homes, gone to church all their lives, know the language and music yet, there is no change in lifestyle or behavior; nothing to set them apart from the world. Other than the fact that they attend church on Sunday morning. I am afraid that many in this generation have believed a lie from the enemy of their soul disguised as an angel of light. The lie that they can "accept Jesus as Savior", say a prayer, walk down an aisle, bend a knee and they are good to go, heaven bound! Still embracing the same lifestyle as before, because after all, "Jesus is my friend", right?

Could it be that many churches today are preaching and teaching a one sided Jesus? A "Jesus is your friend", all inclusive Jesus? A Jesus that is accepting of us no matter what? Don't misunderstand what I just said. Jesus is all inclusive, He does accept us when we come to Him, "just as we are", but part of as we are is with an understanding that we have remorse over our sinful condition, we are not just sorry we are caught in our sin or that our "poor choices, or mistakes" have been found out, NO we are truly sorrowful over our sin. We realize that Jesus is God, He is Holy and we deserve death, not mercy or grace. We realize what He did on the Cross of Calvary was for our personal sin not just the world's. We enter into a personal relationship with the true and living God. It doesn't stop with a get into heaven "Free" card!

The problem with seeing Jesus as only our friend is we leave out the biggest side of His character and person. He is STILL HOLY! He does have a standard of right and wrong. He does have moral absolutes. Truth is not "relative" to each person's situation or morals. He is TRUTH and His Word is Truth! He does require some things of those who say they love Him. So maybe we have done this generation a dis-service by teaching them that "Jesus is their friend"?

The truth is we are the ones who need to do the accepting of HIM! Maybe we just haven't taught them about the Jesus of the Bible. The Jesus in John Chapter 8 who told the woman caught in adultery..."woman where are your accusers?...they are gone she told Jesus, to which he replied, "neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more". He didn't embrace her sinful behavior or excuse it, nor did he condemn her...he did have an absolute about her sin, "don't' do it again". This same Jesus of the bible said in Matthew 7:12-14 "Wide is the gate that leads to destruction, many there will be who find it ", "Narrow is the way that leads to eternal life, few there will be that find it". Again, the Jesus of the bible told his disciples in John 8:30-31 "If you are truly my disciples, you will continue in My Word." This same Jesus talked alot about denying yourself, picking up your cross and following Him. What happened to teaching the Jesus of the Bible?

God's word tells us that to be a friend of the world is to be an enemy of God. So maybe what we should be teaching them is that they need to be "a friend of God". We teach so much about Jesus accepting us "where we are", but what we should be teaching is that we must accept Him completely. If we are a friend of God we will spend time getting to know Him, talking to Him, sharing our life with Him. We will go the places He wants us to go. We will live a life set apart unto Him. We will understand that to be friends with the world would betray our friendship with God. We will follow the Jesus of the Bible, not some watered down, Jesus made in our image version!

So, is Jesus our friend? I guess that depends on where you stand with Jesus? He told the disciples after they had walked with him for three years and witnessed His miracles, heard His teaching, believed in HIM, left all to follow Him, that they were indeed His friends, so yes He can be our friend, but I believe a much better question to ask is...AM I A FRIEND OF GOD?
Renee

Lessons Learned at Volleyball Practice...Lesson 2

I thought when I signed my youngest daughter up to play volleyball with our local home school team that the practice times would be for her learning, not mine! I never imagined God would use the time there to teach me some valuable life lessons!

Lesson #2 - "If You Move Your Feet Commit"

Another phrase I often hear the coaches say during volleyball practice is "move your feet, commit". Ok, so maybe it's just me but these phrases just stick in my head and begin to connect to my spiritual walk. So here goes....

So what does it look like to "move your feet - commit" in your spiritual walk? It looks like serving. Whatever spiritual gifts God has given you, it is your responsibility to develop the gift within you. Ask God where He wants you to "move your feet", then move in that direction and commit and follow through.

As I have watched the girls during volleyball practice there are times when they know they have a good shot at returning the ball, so they move their feet, call out "mine" and follow through with the return. Then there are other times when they are not so sure, but they move their feet, whisper a weak "mine", hesitate to follow through and the other team gets the point.

It's the same way in our commitment to use our spiritual gifts. Sometimes we "know" we have a good shot (with Christ's help) and so we step out in confident faith to use our spiritual gift and the "return" is great! Then there are those times when we step out in wavering faith, hesitant and reluctant, knowing we are called to take the shot but not sure how it will end up. That's why it's called stepping out in "faith". God just wants us to listen to His coaching, practice what we have learned, shape and sharpen the gifts within us and then "move our feet - commit".

Lessons learned During Volleyball Practice.....

I thought when I signed my youngest daughter up to play volleyball with our local home school team that the practice times would be for her learning, not mine! I just figured it would be a time for me to sit and watch; maybe learn about the game, catch up on some reading or talk to friends. I never imagined God would use the time there to teach me some valuable life lessons!

During the volley ball clinic I heard one of the coaches say, "focus on your target". She repeated this phrase all week. I don't know if it stuck with the players, but I can tell you it stuck with me. I kept hearing it in my head all week. The following devotion is what came from that little phrase:

Today was my youngest daughter's first day at a volleyball clinic. She thinks she might be interested in playing on our local homeschooling volleyball team in the fall so I thought doing the clinic first would give her a chance to see if this was her thing or not. She loved it!

While I was listening to the coaches instruct the girls on their passes, I heard one say, "Focus on your target, if you don't focus on the target you will miss it everytime." I thought to myself....what an excellent lesson to teach these young girls, so practical and yet so profound! A lesson not only for sports but for many things in life. Whether it's for setting personal, professional, educational, financial, or relational goals you must focus on your target.

For me it was a spiritual lesson today. As a believer in Jesus Christ in order for me to achieve victory in my spiritual walk I must "focus on the target". God's Word tells me in Philippians 3:12-14 -"Not that I have already obtained it or have become perfect, but I press on that I may lay hold of that, for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus, Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." In other words Jesus is at the finish line and He is my target. I must focus on my target.

So, what is your target? Or maybe a better question would be, is it one worth focusing on?

Focusing on My target, (more to come...)