The Screen

The thing that is on my mind…

…the most these days is kids and screens.  I hate them! Screens, not kids… Anyway, hardly a day goes by in the past month that I haven't seen an article about how screen time is rotting kids brains; making them lazy, moody, and unimaginative.  And sadly, I see it first hand…in my own home.  I take them away and all of the sudden it's like a zombie invasion.  They wander around the house moaning, as if they don't know what to do with themselves.  What have I created???? Monsters, that's what!  It all started with the first computer I ever bought. When our oldest was about three I put her on it and introduced her to learning games.  Back then it was just an interactive cd-rom.  It was wildly successful.  She loved it and I did, too…because she was learning!  Win-win, right?! Well, I do believe it contributed to her being a successful reader and even a spelling bee champ.  But what really made the difference was…ready for it…*drum roll*…books!  How about that?  We read…a lot.  Sometimes at night, while tucking her in, I would lay on her bed reading to her and I would even start to doze off.  I read the same books over and over and over again.  Once in awhile, if I was in a hurry to wrap up the nighttime routine, I would skip over a page or two.  She caught on.  She never let me cheat.

But now, it's all about electronics.  iPhones, tablets, computers, smart t.v.'s….so. Many. Screens!  And I just want to get back to good ol' fashion books. I want a trip to the library to be an outing, a field trip, an adventure.  I don't want discipline to revolve around taking away a screen. I had this fantasy that learning could happen naturally and the screen could do the work.  That was lazy on my part.  And now, with a couple of my kids, books are the enemy.  Reading is apparently a punishment. I even heard one say to the other recently, "why are reading a book, it's Saturday".  As if reading was only for school hours!  What the heck????

So, where do we go from here?  They're not going to like it, but the screens are being taken away. Not entirely. I'm giving the older ones more freedom.  I like them to have a phone to contact us when they are away from home.  And we do still have t.v.'s.  I like watching movies just as much as they do.  But today when I saw that our couch has a worn spot from one kid sitting on it TOO MUCH, that tipped the scale just a little bit further.

There's groans, there's anger, there's frustration…but at the end of their childhood, they will not look back with regret and say, "I had a lousy childhood, my parents made took away my screens and I had to read books".

Words Matter

Let God be true but every man a liar... Romans 3:4

In others words, go by what the Bible says and do not cling to what man says.  Recently, I heard a worship leader say in the closing prayer of worship, "Lord, we are desperate for you." I couldn't help but get hung up on the word "desperate".  And why was I suddenly aware of that word?  I've heard it many times.  It's even in some classic worship songs.  But I felt the need to make a note to myself to go home and look up the word in my Bible.  As far as I could tell, the actual word is only mentioned twice. Once in Job and once in Isaiah

Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind? Job 6:26

In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow. Isaiah 17:11

Both verses are written with the Jews in mind, and neither one is used as a positive reference. The Apostle Paul never uses the word when addressing the church. This would contradict the fact that we are "complete in Him" (Colossians 2:10).  Further more, the definition of desperate is this:

des·per·ate

ˈdesp(ə)rət/

adjective

adjective: desperate

feeling, showing, or involving a hopeless sense that a situation is so bad as to be impossible to deal with.

Just because we walk into a church or conference or Bible study or Sunday school, it does not mean we have to turn our brains off and just accept whatever is said.  This is fatal!  We are all without excuse.  The only way to combat ignorance is this:

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15

 And by study, it does not mean reading books *about* the Bible, listening to wrong doctrine, doing "5 minute daily devotions", etc. We must study God's word (pure and simple, perfectly preserved, unaltered) so that we can identify the errors of man! But don't just take my word for it, read it for yourself.

Life inside the NICU

It's a land flowing with breast milk and hand sanitizer. It's where people get excited about bowel movements and weight gain.  It's noisy, yet quiet. The only sound you really hear is the constant buzzing of monitor alarms going off.  

I sit there trying to tune out the conversations that happen on the other side of the curtain. As I feed my baby and marvel at her miniaturized toes I hear phrases like, "morphine drip" and "not going home till after Christmas". My heart sinks. I fight back tears and realize the struggle that so many parents are faced with.  I'm grateful that my struggle is not as bad as some. I'm humbled because my struggle is not as bad as some.

This place is a world all in its own.  These tiny humans have good days and bad, just like the rest of us, yet theirs is all about survival. None of us want to ask the question, "when", we just want to see our babies make it past another test of strength.  We know that day will come. And some of us hope that day will come.  Again...tears at the thought of any parent faced with that.

Tubes and wires everywhere.

Tiny takes on a whole new meaning.

Cecelia's moment in the spotlight.

I have not stepped outside in over a week, so I'm claiming this sunset last night for Cecelia and me!

Sometimes life does not go as planned.

I've been meaning to write this for a while, but life gets in the way. And now I'm forced into putting all that day to day stuff aside.  So here I am...34 weeks pregnant and on hospital bed rest, awaiting the birth of our FIFTH child.  I wasn't planning for my water t break a few days ago, but it did.

As I was saying, life doesn't always go as "planned". I wasn't planning on being a new mom again, while many of my friends are moving into the grandparents' stage. And, I certainly wasn't planning on being a "high-risk" patient, diagnosed with gestational diabetes and preparing for a baby to be sent straight to the NICU. 

I am a planner.  THIS WAS NOT THE PLAN! My daughter had her first swim meet this weekend, my husband needed to go on a business trip, I don't even know if there's food in the house! I didn't finish my "thank you" cards for all those precious ladies who blessed me with a baby shower. And I haven't even begun to prepare for baby! I didn't wash all the windows or shampoo the carpet, I didn't go room to room cleaning out junk and organizing (I realize this all sounds like the thoughts of a crazy person - but these are my crazy thoughts...) Suddenly, my family is left to fend for themselves, I'm strapped to a bed with tubes and wires, and I have no plan....

That's the vulnerable reality.  I've lost control over the situation.  And boy, do I like to be in control! But, as I am being viciously reminded, that's a downfall. And that's where faith needs to take over. There is a plan...and it's Christ's; to rely on His power, His promises, and His peace...and that's all that really matters. Everything else will come together. In fact, it already is. Amazing friends and family have come to the rescue (He is using them - and at the same time, reminding me that I don't have to do it all).  My little family is coming together as a team and pulling through. Yeah, it's uncomfortable for them, but they're doing it. And me...I'm here to decide if I will let my fears and worries take control, or will I sit back (I'm doing a lot of sitting) and just trust Christ, and appreciate the tender beauty that comes from all of this. 

As I write this, I look out the window to see snow gently falling. Christmas music flows through my headphones. It is a time of peace, not chaos.  It is my Savior's reminder that He is here to take over.  

And so I will let Him do just that. 

Tomorrow I will be induced. We will meet our baby girl. We will rejoice in the beauty of life; this gift of God...this early Christmas gift (who we still need to name!!!).

My one and only "bump" photo.

Forced relaxtion. I couldn't help but think of those photos people take of their feet when they're on vacation, with a pool or beach in the background. Well, here's my little "paradise"...puffy feet and these things on my legs to keep me from getting blood clots.

At least someone's happy to get popsicles!

There's a reason they call it "detox".

So, November came and went, and for some reason there seemed to be a whole lot of junk in my diet. It all started with the pie auction at church, then came my birthday, then came my daughter's birthday, then came Thanksgiving...plus eating out more than normal and SNACKING. The intake got to be overwhelming and I knew I needed to get back on track with healthy eating. Yes, I do splurge from time to time. I'm not a health nut freak. But by and large, I've developed a habit of eating way less processed foods and a lot more homemade and natural foods. 

With all that junk came the need to "cleanse", so I went with the Dr. Oz 3-day Detox. There's two sides to this whole detox business. Side one says that the modern day diet (especially in America) is so filled with chemicals and artificial ingredients that we are practically killing ourselves just by what we eat. Side two says that our bodies are designed to naturally rid us of the toxins we ingest and that detoxing is not necessary. I lean towards side one, of course. So, here's how the 3 days played out:

Day 1 - Morning went pretty easily. The drink tasted good; a little sour, but filling. The lunch drink was a little harder to swallow. In fact, there were so many ingredients that went into it that I could barely get it all in the blender. Speaking of blenders...you need a FULL SIZE one, not an individual one like the Magic Bullet. And it had better be a pretty good one, otherwise you'll be consuming chunky, cold soup!  

By midday, I was starting to feel some "side effects". I started to get a splitting headache. That was the hardest part of the day. I also struggled with the fact that it was one of those frigid cold days and I was out and about a lot. Normally, I can handle it better, but since all I was eating were cold smoothies I was a little irritated. By evening, all I wanted was a bowl of nice hot soup!  The detox bath did help and I had another cup of green tea at night. 

Day 2 - This day was the most bizarre day. I had this strange flushed feeling all day and I still had the headache until the afternoon. Also, on this day I figured out that the dinner drink was my favorite, so I had that as my snack, as well. Loved the cayenne pepper in the drink. It gave it a little kick. Also, by this day I was feeling a little extra fatigued. My workout in the morning was a real struggle. About halfway through this day is when the detox really started to kick in, or shall I say...the elimination process. 

Day 3 - The morning was kind of hard. I was a little queasy and definitely felt like I needed to be close to a bathroom. It never did get "ugly" though. Thank goodness! I will say this (without being too graphic)...what goes in must come out! Okay, enough said!  By nighttime, I was really wanting to eat something that didn't come through a straw. I have a new respect for anyone who has to have their jaw wired shut.  A liquid diet gets old pretty quickly. 

So that's the gist of it. I'm glad I did it for the following reasons:

1.  It got me back on track to eating healthy. 

2.  It reminded me of the fact that food in its natural state is really good.

3.  I just felt overall healthier for doing it. 

4. It helped me break the desire for sugar and wheat, two things I want to eat less of and I don't even crave them at this point. 

Although losing weight wasn't my primary goal, I did lose about 4 pounds. But, I don't consider this weight as fat loss. It was more water weight. It did help clothes fit a little better, so that's a bonus! 

Here's something else to consider...credit to Dr. Oz, but I'd like to one-up him on one thing...using the three days to "cleanse" spiritually. It's good to go into this plan with scripture to mediate on through out it. There are moments of weakness during the detox, but letting those moments be a springboard for focusing on Christ builds strength and faith, kind of like a spiritual fast. 

Here are the side effects I experienced while doing the detox: headaches, fatigue, irritability, flushed feeling, and slight nausea. Keep in mind this is an elimination of toxins. Just like with a heroine addict...it's going to challenge the body, but the outcome is worth it. 

Would I do it again? Yes, but with clean eating (hopefully) it shouldn't be a regular practice. 

What do you value, Ladies?

I'm inspired to write this post for two reasons.  First, with my daughters in mind, I see a real social issue that I want to avoid.  Second, the Holy Spirit seems to be nudging me on this topic, and when the Holy Spirit "speaks"...well, it can be like a constant nagging.  But none the less, I feel compelled to write on it...

If there is one thing, in this day and age, that I want my daughters to know it is this:

Your value does not come from how many "likes" you get.  Your value does not come from how many "friends" or "followers" you have.  Your value does not come from posting scantily-clad pictures of yourself on the internet for all the world to "oogle" at.  No, your value comes from the One who created you.  The One who knit you together in your mother's womb.  The One who knew you before anyone in the world knew you.  He created you beautiful in His image.

I know it's tempting to take a picture here, but please....don't!

So, why do I feel the need to share this with you.  Because, my friends, we are living in an era when values are down-spiraling like a meteor headed for earth.  This "look at me" society we have created has forever changed the way many of us live our lives.  And...I know how exhausting, frustrating, disappointing, and damaging it can be to put all our energy into how we look and what others think of us.  Personally speaking, it can feel like a rush when we know that all eyes are on us.  But it's temporary and then it controls us and we want more.  The truth of the matter is that beauty is fleeting and we can only chase it for so long.  The Lord knows that eventually it will escape us, yet He will still love us.  Can we say that about all the Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram admirers (or whatever else there is out there now to showcase ourselves with)?

It saddens me to scroll through Facebook and see posts that clearly scream, "I need approval".  Especially when all God wants us to know is that His approval has far more value in it...eternal value.

You see, I am quite passionate about this.  Not just because I am trying to raise our daughters to a "Higher" standard, but also because I know what it's like to be that woman that's way too focused on her outward appearance.  Ladies!!!!  It doesn't have to be so difficult!  We don't have to starve ourselves.  We don't have to fret if we don't find the right outfit.  (Do you know that it used to be my very first thought if I had any place to go, "WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR?  I HAVE TO BUY A NEW OUTFIT!") We don't have to spend $$$$ on beauty treatments, hair styles, and the latest miracle anti-aging serums. And we certainly don't have to go seeking approval.  Like I said, it gets to be exhausting.  Not only that, but I believe it disappoints God.

Now, this doesn't mean we're to turn in the opposite direction and start shopping at Walmart in our pajamas!  I still believe it is important to exercise regularly, eat healthy, and put an effort into what we wear.  But, with that said, we certainly don't have to be obsessed with it!

So how can we be happy without having to parade ourselves or strive to look "perfect".  Seek God, seek His wisdom (start with the book of Proverbs), and give it up to Him.  Just let go of the pressure!  Saying, "Lord, all I want is You" is so freeing!  The benefit is a richer, deeper walk with Christ, more authentic relationships, and a whole LOT less disappointment!

The Gospel according to Hollywood

The other day I watched a movie about a young woman who was diagnosed with terminal cancer.  It was a sad, tear-jerker of a movie.  Yes, I cried, but not because of the drama that was played out.  I can't help but cry when I think about how wrong the world has it when it comes to death.

The movie focused on a young woman's life and the relationships she had with friends and family.  She was single, successful, independent, strong, and "loose" (for a lack of a better term).  She prided herself on the intention to stay single and be able to "hook-up" when ever she wanted.  She was the picture of what society expects the 21st century woman to be.  I won't even go into how far we've fallen off the morality wagon there. 

In the movie, the woman's view of God was Woopie Goldberg and heaven, of course, was big fluffy, white clouds in the sky overlooking the world below (pretty original, huh).  That's the disturbing part.  People, by and large, want to get their spiritual information from the delusional minds that pump these movies out purely for entertainment.  Newsflash!!! Life and eternal life, for that matter, are not dictated by Hollywood or anyone else for that matter.  Only God Almighty has the true version of it and He gave us a whole book on the matter. It happens to be the best selling book ever, but for some reason, I don't think everyone is reading it.  Huh...go figure...

In this particular movie, there was no question about whether or not there was a God, except for when this woman posed the question to the guy she was sleeping with (oh, and of course, falling in love with).  His response was basically, "I dunno know".  And then she replied, "I admire people who have faith.  They're so sure of what they believe."  (That's not word for word.  I'm just paraphrasing.)  That was the best line of the whole movie though!  Yes, we are sure and YES, it is faith.  But it's also truth, proven truth.  The problem is, most people don't want to accept the truth.

There are only two destinations when we die, Heaven or hell.  There is only one true God, Jesus Christ.  People refuse to believe it because they don't want to give up living life by their rules.  They want their pleasures and don't want to give them up.  They think when they have to give them up then life is no longer fun.  I know I didn't want to give up what I enjoyed.  Then, when I finally let go of it, I realized the freedom in giving up those desires.  I realized the joy in pleasing God.  I realized His love for me was so much more important than seeking ungodly relationships, seeking entertainment in dark and depressing meat-market bars, and living life on my terms.  I realized the true blessing of letting go.

What really had me in tears while watching this movie is that I know so many people like the main character.  They think that they are "pretty good" and they deserve Heaven.  They are not concerned in the least that there might be a chance that they could live in eternal torment...alone...without any loved ones and without God. They think they are okay in thinking that there is a higher power, but they aren't really interested in knowing too much about him.  They'll play it "safe" and pray once in awhile, but don't really know how or what to pray to.  They'll do some good deeds, like volunteer at a shelter or give money to a charity.  They think that will score some points with whoever is in charge "up there".

How do they know this is the way it is?  Because the all knowing minds that produce their entertainment make "feel good" movies.  And if it feels good, it must be right...right???

Here's the thing...it's wrong!  So wrong! I hate that so many people are steered in this wrong direction.  I hate that they don't want to open up a Bible and seek the truth.  I hate that people I love will miss out.  It's as if the Holy Spirit gives me a vision of tormented souls and it shakes me to the core, because I want nothing more than for everyone I know to accept Christ's invitation for eternal life with Him...in paradise.  It's the only way to get there.  Sadly, it's not a very popular idea to sell in the movie industry.  Even sadder, there will still be more movies than will lead people away.  In all fairness, though, we can't blame the "big bad Hollywood" for a person's wrong thinking.  In the end...each person has a choice and no one can make it for them. 

Making Time For Him

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  Romans 12:1

When I first read that verse my mind wants to think of a living sacrifice as simply taking care of myself:  eat right, exercise, get plenty of sleep, etc.  Yeah, yeah....I got that.  But really, what is the sacrifice that God is looking for?  TIME!  That make's me think of the rabbit in "Alice in Wonderland".  "Time?!  Time?!  Who's got the time?!"

Giving Him time is the sacrifice He wants from me.  Time means I give my mind to Him.  I think about Him.  I included Him.  I need Him.  It's the least I can do ("your reasonable service"), considering all that He has done for me.  What does that entail?  If you're like me you might be thinking, "I have so little time as it is!"  Oh yes, we have SOOO much going on in our lives.  Shuttling children around, taking care of our homes, spending time with friends and family, working, exercising, and the list goes on and on and on...  But name one thing on your list that is more important than spending time with God.  I know I can't.  

How do we do it?  Here's a start...and this is a HUGE step in the right direction...TURN OFF THE T.V.!  I believe this is one (if not THE) single biggest problem with American Christians today.  When I gave up secular t.v. programming I freed my mind of the garbage that Satan wants me to focus on rather than God.  Yes, our family still owns a t.v. (eh hmmm...okay, more than one...), and yes, we have satellite programming.  But of all the 300+ channels, we probably watch 10 of them.  Seven are Christian programming, one is PBS (educational children's programming), two are Disney (and the jury's still out on the necessity of that one - quality has gone WAY down in recent years), and then there's the news (which is becoming less and less important because of all the smut stories in it).  I can't even remember the last time I watched the FOOD Channel and I love cooking shows!  But the thing is, even a cooking show can pull me away from time with God.  Instead, if I'm looking for a particular recipe, I'll search for it on Pintrest and then I've saved myself some time.  

I'm not saying that watching something like the Food Channel or a DIY show is a sin, but it's worth asking the question...does it consume time that I can be spending with the Lord?  Do I walk away closer to Him?  Well, there is probably some gray area there.  We can use the knowledge we gain from it to bless others and in turn bless God.  I'm not saying STAY AWAY from it.  Just judge the time spent on it. Everything in moderation.  

And then there is the just, plain darkness of t.v.  That's where things get heavy.  I will NOT waste anytime with crime dramas, murder mysteries, reality shows, crude humor, mindless sitcoms, soap operas, anything that focuses on witch craft, vampires, zombies, sex, fortune telling, or infidelity.  Basically, anything that does not include the Lord and glorify Him.  I just won't do it.  It fills the mind with darkness and is of the devil.  How can I grow closer to God if I'm filling my mind with such oppressive material?  If I truly claim to be a believer in Jesus, but entertain myself with things of the world, I'm not walking the walk.  I'm holding myself back.

I'm also not going to fill my mind with music, movies, books, or magazines that glamorize the above listed things.  They all hold me back.  How can I have the mind of Christ, when I'm filling with songs about "cheatin' hearts" or getting drunk?

Here's the follow-up verse, for the above reference one:

And do not be conformed to this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

You know, it is possible to be entertained without having to give our thoughts over to things of the devil.  As a family, we do enjoy movies and entertainment that includes God; that have an ounce of morality to them.  We come away feeling blessed.  I can't say that about those other "so-called" forms of entertainment.  In fact, I wouldn't even call them entertainment.  I see them simply as the devils hooks.  I won't let him get a hold on me anymore!

 

 

"Love Your Enemies" ...Say what???

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."  Matthew 5:43-48

 I read this passage of scripture and it almost brings tears to my eyes.  Never has it been more needed than at this moment.  When I feel beaten down Christ gently reminds me of what true commitment to Him is.  I love Him more that anything and I want nothing more than to please Him.  I know the price He paid for me; the suffering, the pain, the humiliation, and the rejection.  Every hurt that I have ever known, whether it be physical or emotional, He has felt it...tenfold. So knowing that, and knowing that He forgave His enemies (in fact, He died for them) helps me to move to a place of forgiveness towards my "enemies", and not just forgive, but to love them.

How can we possibly "love" our enemies?  Well, I seriously doubt we are suddenly expected to send roses their way.  No...it's a different kind of love.  It means praying for them.  And I don't think that prayer involves the words, "Lord, please give 'em what's coming to 'em!"  I believe it means praying for their souls, first and foremost, and that the Holy Spirit will shine a light into their dark world.  It also means praying for blessing from God, and that they might see His grace through it.

So why even bother - human nature would really enjoy seeing revenge played out.  Well, for one thing, it frees us.  It lets God be who He is while we sit back as trust Him to do His will, for us and for them.  It also means we believe Him.  Sure, it's easy to say we believe in Him, but what about when we have opportunity to show we BELIEVE Him.  Hasn't He promised He would never leave us or forsake us?  That means He has us in His perfect care even when our enemies strike us. It also proves that our love for Him is authentic.  Like the scripture says, anyone can love those who love them back, but  loving the "unlovely" is a true reflection of Christ and it can only be done through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Again, that means we give it to the Lord and when we do He gives us all the ability we need.

And why am I so emotional about this passage now?  Because I'm given first-hand opportunity to put it into action.  In the month of April my husband and I have been working through the sale of our house and waiting for it to close.  When the title report came in we were saddened to see that two separate parties have clouded our title.  Both of these parties have made it clear that they would like to see the sale of our home not go through.  Plain and simple, they want to harm us.  It is pure hatred and their actions are vindictive. So with that said, we can sit here and cry and ask, "why, why, why?"  Or, we can give it to the Lord and let Him lead us through it.  I can't say for sure how it will all turn out.  I just know (because I have the promise of His Word and it has never failed me) that our faith in His goodness outweighs the outcome of the situation.  One way or another...we will be blessed.

WARNING!!! This post contains graphic images!

6:05 A.M.  - I awake from a restless and painful night's sleep (due to a pinched nerve in my neck) to the sound of a toddle howling in his nighttime prison.  I can't move my neck.

6:10 A.M.  - I ascend the "stairs of doom".  With each step, I become more and more aware of what awaits.

6:10 A.M.  - Seconds later, I remove the crabby toddler from his bed and head to the kitchen.  He's following me.

6:11 A.M.  - My fears are confirmed.  The dog has had a severe case of diarrhea, spreading from one end of the kitchen to the other, and into the adjoining bathroom. (Fortunately, he was gated into the kitchen the night before, so that's as far as it went.)

6:15 A.M.  - I am armed with rubber gloves, bleach, and an industrial size roll of paper towel.  The kind you see in gas station bathrooms.  The coffee maker is now brewing.

7:40 A.M.  - The kitchen and bathroom floors are now sanitized, the pain meds have kicked in, and I'm finally pouring a cup of coffee.

No doubt, it was a rough way to start the day.  There was a time in my life when that would have caused me to burst into tears.  But I've learned something since then (unfortunately, I do sometimes forget what I've learned - but today I remembered it).  Praise, in the midst of trial, combined with a call for the Holy Spirit to take control is what gets me through moments like this.  When I'm on my hands and knees cleaning dog yuck and a whiny toddle is trying to climb on my back, I'm praising the Lord.  I'm thanking Him.  Not necessarily for the mess around me, but for the love, patience, and strength He gives me.  It allows me to handle the whole situation with grace and endurance.

By the way, the only "graphic" picture I decide to post was the one of the crabby toddle throwing a fit on the (sanitized) kitchen floor.  The other one was just too...GROSS!

Love Never Fails...

Those are three powerful words that seem to be etched in my brain right now.  Does love ever fail you?  Do you ever fail at love?  Well, when the question is put before me like that, I can answer "yes" on both accounts.  However, there's a key element that needs to be added.  The love of Christ never fails.  Christ-like love can only come from...Christ.  Through the power of His Holy Spirit, we can love like He does; unconditionally.

I can't love like that on my own.  I fail.  I get rude.  I get impatient. I am unkind.  This all happens when I try to love with my human heart; my imperfect, selfish, deceitful heart.

To some, that might sound like self-abuse.  "Don't be so hard on yourself!  You're a good person!"  Am I?  Don't I roll my eyes at my husband?  Don't I snap at my children?  Don't I get annoyed at the person in front of me at the grocery store checkout?  Where's the love!

Sure we all have bad days, but we can overcome the excuses for our behavior when we just realize that we can't love unconditionally...not on our own.  We need Jesus!  I need Jesus!

I leave you with this:

The Greatest Gift

1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

13And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

A Married Woman's Advice To The Single Young Ladies

This is not your typical advice.  It has nothing to do with "how to land a man".  It's simply a suggestion in what to look for.  Of course, it is not the most important thing, and you may have your own very well thought out list of qualities that you want to see in your Prince Charming.  So, here's the advice:

Make sure he has a good set of tools and knows how to use them, including power tools.  Yes, this is important, in my opinion.  He can work wonders with those tools and save you lots of money.  Plus, when he builds you a big, beautiful walk-in closet with shelves, racks, and plenty of drawers you can throw your arms around him and say, "oh Honey, it's wonderful!"  Sure you can hire out, and for some jobs it's necessary, but he will feel so much more appreciated if you marvel at his work rather than some other guys.

I have a friend who's husband barely lifts a hammer.  If she needs something done around the house she has to call her dad.  How frustrating! 

And don't give him a hard time if he seems to spend a lot of time at the hardware store.  He's thoroughly thinking out his projects; carefully choosing the right supplies and tools. Not only that, but the amount of tools and the boxes that contain them is insignificant.  He knows what he has and it's just the right amount for him to do what he needs to do...unless he needs to do something new (and needs a new tools for it, which is justified).  You don't want him to say you have TOO many shoes, do you?

Why do I feel the need to share this advice?  Because I have grown to appreciate the value of my very handy husband.  It is a gift.  It's part of what makes him special.  Every time he paints a room, puts up a shelf, fixes something broken I love him that much more.  Yes, he loves the hardware stores and can spend many hours in them.  I've been known to give him a hard time for it, but again, it's part of who he is and I love him so dearly.  This love did not develop on its own.  It has grown through the years and through prayer; a prayer that I would see him as Christ sees him; a very special creation to be loved, respected, and cherished. 

Ladies, anytime you go to the Lord and ask Him to help you see your spouse the way He sees him, your love will grow stronger.  I guarantee it!

Oh, and I also recommend that he be able to back up a trailer.  Very handy, indeed!

So, Christmas is over... Now what?

I recently heard someone say, "December 26th is the most depressing day of the year."  What a sad statement.  However, I can see why someone might think that.  Think of all the excitement and activity that happens between Thanksgiving and Christmas: the decorations, the Black Friday shopping, the food, the parties, the fun and festive music, the GIFTS!  All that build up, all that excitement, with the climax coming sometime between the dark night hours of Christmas Eve and the morning hours of Christmas day.  The dust settles…or shall I say, the wrapping paper…  You look around your living room, no more packages bulging out from under the tree, mess and clutter littered about, perhaps your thoughts scan your own personal wish list, "did I get what I wanted", or you might think, "well, time to clean up, it's over…"  That warm and fuzzy feeling of doing "good deeds" and giving fades.  When that infamous day, December 26th hits we know what comes next, and days, weeks, months later the gifts are a distant memory… 

Yes, I suppose that can be a depressing way to look at it.  BUT…it doesn't have to be that way.  Christmas should be more that just a day of the year, or even a "season of giving".  It should be a feeling;  a compelling love that is powered by the very Spirit of God within us.  That is, if we choose to make Christ our Lord.  If we realize we are nothing without Him, if we repent of our sinful thoughts and actions, if we truly have a desire to turn from those sinful thoughts and actions and to turn our hearts to the desire of the Lord.  Then, and only then, can we feel the true Christmas "feeling" ALL YEAR THROUGH!

I have to share this with you…this Christmas season could be classified as one of the worst Christmases we Brauns have had in a long time.  By the world's standard of living (which is very shallow and superficial), I would be quite justified in that claim.  Our family has been house bound for many, many days with illness.  We've missed some pretty special Christmas events; parties, church services, Christmas at Heritage Hill, the Old World Christmas at Elkhart Lake…and the list goes on…  We've also had some pretty challenging times with our business.  "Cutbacks" get made here and there.  But with all that said, I can honestly say this about the Christmas of 2012…it has been one of the BEST!  Why?  Because if it was about trusting God more and relying less on my own ability, then so be it.  Just being together as a family had so much more meaning.   Our focus was on growing…through prayer, patience, and simple trust in God's plan.  In the process, He blessed us with special memories as a family that will forever be cherished.

So with that, would I do this Christmas over if I had the chance?  Yes!  Not because of the decorations, gifts, food, or any of that temporary stuff, but because of the lasting and growing love I have experienced from God.  It's a celebration that lives forever, not just a day!  His love NEVER fades, we just have to turn to Him.

The Family That Works Together...

...Stays together.  It goes something like that.  But there really is something to be said for those times when our whole family is working together on a project.  Today was one of those days.  It was "Family Work Day".  In other words, time to get outside and finish up any last minute yard work before the first snow hits.  Today we worked on the burn pile.  All those piles of leaves are finally gone and that land can welcome in its blanket of snow.


These opportunities to work together really aren't about the job that needs to get done.  That's more of a bonus.  It's about teaching a work ethic and an attitude of "work is fun, especially when we work together."  So with that said, everyone has a job; a purpose.  We are all needed and appreciated.  Well...if you're under the age of two you get to stand around and sip hot chocolate and look cute...and maybe fall into a pile of leaves once in awhile.

But for the rest of us...we get the job done and we work as a team.  It's also an opportunity for Dad and Mom to reflect a positive attitude about work.  These days,  it seems that "work" is a dirty word.  "TGIF" and "oh no, it's Monday again" are the norm.  Hey, I like my day of rest just as much as anyone.  I'm so glad God gave us that day!  But the feeling of accomplishing a good job is so rewarding and it is so important to teach that to our children.

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men."  Colossians 3:23

Hootenannies! A.K.A....Little German Pancakes

It's a Saturday morning tradition in our house to have pancakes, waffles or french toast...but THIS takes it to a whole new level.  And...Oooohhhhhh, the possibilities of fillings are endless...fresh fruits, jams, cinnamon apple sauce, or even a scoop of peanut butter and honey fills them nicely!

1 cup milk
6 eggs
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. orange zest (optional)
1/4 cup butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Blend first six ingredients (milk thru orange zest) in a blender.  Be careful to see that any flour clumps get well-blended.
2. Blend in butter a little at a time in order to temper the eggs.
3. Grease muffin tins well and distribute batter evenly between 24 tins (I did more like 18. Gimme Some Oven’s tins were slightly less than half-full.  I used a 1/4 cup measuring cup and filled it almost full.) Bake for 15 minutes, or until puffy and golden on top.
4. Served with your favorite toppings. 

Recipe from realmomkitchen.com 

What If Everything Was Taken Away...

Is Jesus enough?  If everything else in my life was gone, if tragedy struck, would Jesus be enough?  The only way to know the answer to that is to fully submit to Him now; to give Him my all.  "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you" - James 4:8.  I don't need the things of this world.  I can imagine living without them, but I can NEVER imagine living without my Lord.  Never.



I freely give up the FaceBook, the Starbucks, the Nordstrom, the ungodly TV, the movies that don't edify, the books that take up wasted space in my brain, the music that turns me away from the Lord.  I...don't...need...any...of...it!  And if the loves ones I cherish so dearly were gone tommow, I would still trust Him with my life.  I just need You, Jesus!

The Air I Breathe

Watch "Maranatha - The Air I Breathe" on YouTube

Signing Off Of FaceBook!

Well, I guess that got your attention!

It's true...you won't see me there posting, commenting, liking, etc....at least for the next 40 days.  I'll be using the time for prayer and "fasting" from FaceBook.  To some that might sound silly.  To others, they might be thinking, "Yay!  Jame won't be posting anymore annoying political or religious posts!"  But the truth of the matter is...I've become a bit of a FB addict.  There...I've said it!  It has entered too much of my thought process, especially during this passionate election season. 

Here's what I will be doing:
Using the time to PRAY.  That's it!  Anytime I have the urge to click on that little blue "f" on my browser, I'll be "logging on" to prayer instead.  I've even deleted the app from my phone.  WOW!

What will I be praying for?
1)  A deeper relationship with Christ. You can never go too deep, in my opinion...
2)  My husband; his faith, our relationship, my willingness to be his helpmate (or lack there of sometimes..."eh-hem"...).  
3)  The faith of my children. They NEED me...more of me.  I'm not just their mom, but also their teacher!  And I'm suppose to be an example of righteousness...YIKES!
4)  Our nation and this political season we are in.  I'll be praying for the president (yes, I do pray for him...sometimes...and, no, I don't pray that he get struck by lightning).  I'll be praying that he seeks wisdom from Christ, that he rises up to be the Christian he claims to be, that he turns back to the Bible, and that he leads his administration in doing so.  
5)  I'll be praying for friends and family who do not know Christ yet and do not have that personal relationship with Him that He offers to us all ("I stand at the door and knock" Revelation 3:20)  I'll be praying that those friends repent, put their trust in the Lord, and turn to His Word for the truth.  I'll be praying that lives be changed for the glory of God.

I'll also be praying that this election will be the start of a new revival in this wonderful country.  I'll be praying that we turn BACK to God and that we concern ourselves less with offending each other and care more about offending God.  I will be praying...fervently...  At times, I'll be on my knees, at other times I'll be praying while doing the mundane day-to-day tasks.

So why do I feel the need to do this?  Do I think my little prayers will impact the entire nation?  Well, all I can say is that I am doing this for a deeper faith.  I already know that the Lord's plan is in place.  He appoints the leaders (good and bad).  Remember when the Israelites whined about not having a king?  (1 Samuel 8-9)  Well, He gave them one; not a very good one, but they got what they asked for.  So, I'll use this time to strengthen my trust in Him.  If our country rejects God as a whole, so be it.  I, personally, will keep my eyes on the Lord...not the world.  His plan is good, even if I may not see it right away.  Even if the election outcome isn't what I personally hoped for.  He is faithful to those who trust in Him.

After the last election I was physically sick over the outcome.  I was terrified that this would mean the demise of every hard working small business person, including my own husband.  But you know what?  It wasn't.  Our business didn't shut down.  We didn't lose our shirts.  Our children didn't starve.  We survived and the Lord provided.  I feel a bit convicted now over the way I responded to that outcome.  I certainly didn't portray myself as a pillar of faith.

I'm not saying that I have already accepted that this election will not turn out the way I personally want it to.  I am just preparing myself for what God has planned and the promise that His plan is good no matter what.  His return in imminent and I want to be ready.  There will be struggle and strife, but His faithful followers will rise above it.  In the end we will see Him and that's all that matters.

Why did I choose to do this for 40 days?  Well, 40 is a significant number in the Bible.  It's the number of days Christ fasted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:2).  It's the number of years the Israelites spent wandering in the desert (Exodus).  I believe that will be a significant number of days for personal progress.  And I do want to see progress!  I also believe that the Holy Spirit has placed this on my heart.  I spend too much time on that blasted FaceBook!  I'm looking forward to breaking the "habit", and in the process, turning my attention to spiritual growth and a closer connection to my family. Oh...and it just happens to be 40 days until the presidential election!  ;-)

You are welcome to join me!  I may not be spending time on FaceBook, but I do plan to share whatever the Holy Spirit reveals to me here on this blog, and how this time of prayer is impacting my life.

COUNTDOWN WEBSITE

Tasting Blood

That's what happens when I bite my tongue and I've been doing a lot of that lately.  I go on Facebook quite regularly and I've been known to be a bit outspoken about my beliefs and political views, but lately I seen so much political opinion being shared by others that it would take me all day to respond to it all if I really wanted to.  Truth is...I usually do want to, but there is a still, quiet voice inside of me that says, "don't".  In fact, many times I've typed something out, sat there and read what I typed, and then (a bit begrudgingly) hit the backspace key.  It's not worth it.  I've come to realize that I am not going to change anyone's political view.  I can have a few moments of "touche", but that's fleeting and it's just part of the vicious cycle of bi-partisan politics.

I'm learning all this as I go.  More and more the Holy Spirit guides me in what is "throwing pearls to swine".  The only way to impact the beliefs of another person is to let Christ do the leading.

The most disheartening part of it all is seeing how many people truly are deceived. 

My people perish for lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6  

These are people that develop their views from the world rather than The Word of God.  Sure, they may take the scriptures that they like, the warm and fuzzy ones that get twisted and taken out of context so they "tickle their ears", and then they ignore the real meat that could save them from a fiery eternity.  Denying the scripture is SERIOUS business!  We MUST believe it ALL...or the truth is, we don't really believe it!

I really like the analogy about the path being a straight and narrow one.  We walk a straight line.  If we take our foot off that line it might not seem like a big deal, but as we walk we deviate away from the path a little more, and then a little more.  The next thing we know, we are so far off the path that we can't even see it anymore.  It's too late.  We are then knee-deep in deception!

If only people could really come to realize what is really happening:

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine (that "sound doctrine" is the Bible, by the way). Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers (there's plenty of false teachers selling a lot of books and doing lots of t.v. appearances these days) to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

So what does this have to do with the election season we're in?  Well, it's like this...in one corner you have a man who calls himself a Christian, yet has not proven to be one (that would be the current president).  Then, in another corner, you have a man that is a Mormon.  The problem is, unless you truly know what the Bible says, you vote for the wrong man.  As a Bible-believing Christian, I have to look at who is going to adhere to biblical principles, not at what they say they are.  Who is going to respect God's definition of marriage, rather than try to rewrite it into something that is clearly NOT natural?  Who is going to protect unborn babies, rather than be an advocate for killing them?  Who is going to stand with Israel?  Who is going to encourage people to be self-reliant, rather than put their trust in the government to take care of them?  If you truly see yourself as a follower of Christ, you will know who the "wolf in sheep's clothing" is.  You will have discernment from the Lord.

I write this, not for the person who hasn't accepted Christ as their Savior, but for the person who calls themselves a Christian, yet has not chosen to truly GIVE their life over to Him.  Maybe you think you have.  Ask yourself a few questions...  Do you take the WHOLE Bible as the Truth or do you take bits and pieces?  Do you accept the Truth that Christ is the one and only way to salvation or do you accept the world's view that "all paths lead to God"?  Do you "draw nearer to Him so that He may draw nearer to you" (avoid sinful practices as outlined in the Bible) or do you find yourself being entertained by worldly desires that do not edify you or glorify the Lord? If you answered "yes" to the second half of any or all of those questions then you are just like I used to be...before I accepted the Truth completely AND decided to live my life completely for Him.  It changed my life in so many wonderful ways.  I know that I know 1) who God is, 2) that He is real, and 3) without Him, there is no hope to eternity in Heaven.

Time is short.  We never know when that moment will be when we stand face-to-face with God....

The Choice Is Ours

courtesy of Teen Challenge

 Teen Challenge


I was so blessed to hear testimonies from men with Teen Challenge yesterday at church.  Each one was so encouraging.  However, I couldn't help noticing a trend with all their stories.  The stories all started with the fact that they were raised in Christian homes.  They all went to church (some even on Wednesday - oh, that's when we get really holy, right), they knew Jesus, knew some scripture, etc, etc, etc.  Wow!  That is a wake up call!.  How naive we can be if we think that just "raising" our children in a so-called Christian home seals their future as something righteous and holy.

I, of course, used this opportunity with our 14-year old daughter.  I asked her if she notice something that they all had in common.  I then pointed out the fact that they all grew up as "Christians" yet, they still had to make their own choices (usually around the age of 12 or 13).  It's not up to parents or church or anyone else.  We are all responsible for how we live out our faith, if at all.  We are responsible for the choices we make; for the friends we choose, for the things we fill our minds with (t.v., movies, books, music, video games), we are responsible for our decision to trust the Lord with our whole life.

What a great teaching opportunity we had!