Merry CHRISTmas to All!!

2010 Thanksgiving Tree

One of our holiday traditions that we love is making a 'Thanksgiving Tree". Lots of families do this, so I know it is not unique but it has made its way into the "absolute musts" of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Today is December 1st so we dismantled the tree that we began a month ago and completed on Thanksgiving Day. For the past several years, we had "deleafed" the tree on Thanksgiving Day to take the leaves down to Grandma's for the meal. This year we had the meal here so we left it intact until today. Here are the items on the leaves (no particular order):
tape
computer
monkeys
snow
Jesus dying on the cross for our sins
Mom and Dad
Dr. Jones and his family
Men at Franklin Jail
His love
Honey
Israel
A good brain for school and things
Mom, Dad, Gran, Russ, Matt, Katy, JoJo, Ethan, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins
My son Eeff
Oxygen
Family
John Wieland & Co.
A free country
Plants
Friends & Animals
My sister Wanda & her family
The lovely, gracious and talented Miss Em
My son Russ and His wife Katy
Uncle Carl
My son Matt
Brooke
Craig Custer
My daughter Joanna
The Holy Spirit
Jesus
Cars & Trucks
Fruit
Kirsten :)
Emma Kate - bff & ss
Jesus
Gentleness, self-control
Faith
Jesus
Chocolate
mercy
Miss Emma's short bread
Love, joy, goodness, kindness, patience and peace
The cross
Love
GOD!!!!
a house
The chickens
Birds
heaven
Pumpkin pie
Legos, nerfs, star wars and other things
Ramein noodles
Prayer
Flowers
Everything
creating me
our pecan trees
Matt, Russ, Katy, JoJo, Emma and Ethan
Hope
Food
Pecan Pie
Emma, Jojo, Matt, Russ, Aunt Wanda, Uncle Craig, Mom, Dad, Gran, Brookie, Beanie, Barbie, NeeKee
Art
Wind
Chocolate Pecan Pie
Flowers
Love, Faith, Kindness, Gentleness, The Holy Spirit, Bible, Jesus and everything good in the eyes of God
Pumpkins
An awesome family
Turkeys
Books
Grits
Friends
Rain
Silly, crazy, hyper, lovable NeeKee
Eyes, ears, legs, arms, healthy bodies
No cavities!!
Pineapples
Peace
Tools
Snow
Eggs
Electricity
hair
Time together
Sunshine
Crackers
Prayer
Syrup
Bread
GRACE
A loving family
Bacon
Water
Animals
Vegetables
Lions
My family
A Godly church
Men's Bible study
Salvation
The Bible
Home
Friends
Emma, Ethan, Mrs Faye, Derwin, JoJo
Smiles
peanut butter
Wii
Grapes
YOU
Thanksgiving
batteries
Acorns
My Mother Gran
Ice Cream
My loving wife Faye
My parents, Nana and Grandaddy
Ninjas

Random acts of kindness - really??

"Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty." This quote (bumpersticker/fb sticker/etc) has always irritated me. It sounds good on the surface. But I don't want to practice random acts of kindness. As a Christian I should long to practice consistent, meaningful, acts of kindness. Not for my own "I'm OK because I do something good once in a while" emotion. In quiet, humble, often unseen ways I want to practice consistent kindness because I am NOT good. In spite of my selfish, glory-seeking deceitful heart I want to be kind to others because Christ has showered kindness and mercy and love and grace on me anyway. I want my acts of kindness to be so natural and numerous that people don't even notice them because they come from the heart of God, not from my own desire to feel better about myself.

And "senseless acts of beauty"? Really? Are there such things as "sense"less acts of beauty? Can beauty be seen or appreciated without using senses? Doesn't the Creator Himself use all senses to show us the organized order of beauty such as the stars in the universe and petals on a flower?  Or if by senseless you mean without a purpose or no real depth (or even foolish), then are they beautiful?

Now before you jump and say I am too harshly criticizing this quote, I will say it for you. Yes, I am being overly critical of probably what started out as a simple off-the-cuff well-intentioned remark. But the reason this quote rubs me is because I often follow it myself. My acts of kindness are often self-seeking and random rather than Christ-glorifying and consistent. Acts of beauty on my part are often senseless, meaningless, and probably pretty far from being beautiful in the eyes of the One who created true beauty. I think that's the real problem I have with this bumper sticker. It sticks too close to my own heart.

What is Sin?

Our pastor is beginning a series on a very unpopular topic - sin. We actually left a church a few years ago that voted out the pastor because "he just wanted to preach about sin" ! If you went to a concert would you try to kick out the musicians because "they just want to play music"? The church should be the place we hear about sin. If you do not think you are sick you won't go to a doctor. If you do not think you have sinned you don't need to go to church or read your Bible or look for a solution to a problem you do not know you have. So here D and I are reading/listening to some books/tapes by Ray Comfort and the topic - knowing you are a sinner. I was in the middle of reading "Christ Among Other gods" by Lutzer and got to the section about other religions and yep, whether or not they describe us as sinners. And I was listening to an old cassette tape from Miss Bertha about how we want to rank sins so that we don't have to face the ugliness of our own sins. (I think I'm getting a message here.)
Well, what is sin? Murder? yes... Adultery? yes... Drunkeness? yes
But what if I am "better" than these? What if I don't struggle with these? Aren't my "good" actions better than my bad ones? Nope. Never.
Because GOD is Holy. And HE abhores sin. Not just a little distaste, but absolute disgust and horror at even a sinful thought in our heads. That's why He doesn't forgive our sins. Yes, that's what I said - He doesn't forgive our sins. He looks on HIS righteous Son who paid the penalty for us and He sees HIM - not us. For years I thought I was a "forgiven sinner" but I'm not - I'm a dead sinner because sin always, always causes death. But I am a "Covered Sinner" - covered by the blood of the sinless Christ and when God looks at me he sees Him instead - the "propiation" for my sins. Not me forgiven. Christ's blood. I don't know about you but it's an amazing thought to me....

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal. 5:19-21

For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. Titus 3:3

being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:29-32

What is the same to GOD as murdering someone? How about coveting? being untrustworthy? undiscerning? unforgiving? approving of wickedness? whispering and backbiting? boasting? being proud/foolish/hateful?

Hmmmm... pretty much covers all of us doesn't it? Looking forward to learning more and leaning more (on Christ, His blood and the Holy Spirit!). Stay tuned as we study....

A Night Without Chickens

We really thought we would be home earlier. But, no worries, they would just go into the coop when it turned dark. When we had left to share dinner with out-of-town relatives earlier in the evening, we had left the puppy on the porch and the hens outside still "grazing". They always go back into the coop at dusk and then we close them up for the night and let the puppy run more before bedtime. Tonight we were late. It had been completely dark for over 2 hours when we got home to find out that somehow the doors to the coop were closed - both of them. The hens had left lots of "signs" just outside both doors to show us they had faithfully waited to get in. Now they were nowhere in sight. All eight - including the two chicks we had hatched ourselves - were gone. No sight of them and the only sound we could hear anywhere was the barking of a stray fox at the bottom of the pecan orchard. Ugghhh. Ugly visions ran through my head and ugly words spewed from my mouth. WHO did not make sure the doors were propped open? WHO didn't double-check? WHO did this??! My children cringed in fear of my rant. As I tucked them in shortly afterward, I was overcome with guilt and shame. WHO was me. They were children who had done what I told them earlier in the day - let out the chickens as always. WHO was me - that did not tell them to be sure the doors were propped. WHO was me - that did not double check. WHO was me visiting and forgetting my responsibilities at home until late into the evening. Second Uggghhh. Fortunately my children are better at one thing than I am - quickly and wholeheartedly forgiving. So we went to bed. But I didn't sleep well. It could have been the double espresso with dessert but it also was my guilt that kept me tossing and turning. First I felt guilty about getting so upset with my children and with what I imagined had probably already happened to the hens by now. (We could name our little plot "Fox and Hawk Hill" as it is very well populated that way!). Then my guilt shifted. Here I was tossing and turning over the fact that I had lost my cool - but my children and God had already forgiven me for it. I was guilty over what might have happened to the lost chickens - but I was helpless to do anything to change their fate. Then I really was convicted. Chickens will live a few years. They are God's creatures but they are just creatures that we try to care for. People live for eternity. In heaven or hell. And how many nights had I tossed and turned over the lost souls of my loved ones? How could I lose sleep over chickens and sleep soundly when there are those who are lost for all eternity?

My son had prayed, "God, keep the chickens safe but if they're not, we know you have a reason for them to be hurt. Maybe the fox was starving." Oh, the faith and trust of little ones!! The next morning they were all 8 on my side stoop perfectly safe. They've never been there before but it was as if God led them there waiting for us to rise and see. And I thought of how God desires ALL - from the oldest to youngest, fastest to slowest of us to be safe in HIS arms. And how HE wants us to trust Him whether things turn out like we want or not. But most of all I thought about God wants me to have a heart that is ready to lose sleep over the lost souls of men. Lord, help me to never forget the night without chickens.

It's summer so that must mean....

.... fresh tomato sandwiches, ice cold watermelon,
hot days jumping into cool water
and best of all... summer reading ;) !





Small group women's Bible study in "Experiencing God's Presence" (not the same as "Experiencing God")






Reading "Ivanhoe" with the children at lunch or evening.







Two books about evangelism and how to implement what I know I should be doing but somehow find anything and everything else to do first!

Update on "Gardening Proverbs"

A friend asked me to re-post my "gardening proverbs". Since the Lord has continued to grow me through farming and gardening, I have added some new ones, too. Enjoy!!

Little weeds (sins) are easier than older, bigger ones but both need to be pulled out all the way to the roots.

Some weeds get so entwined with the flowers that you have to take extra time and care to gently pull them.

Nothing will grow without daily nourishment of food (God's word), water (God's Spirit) and nutrients (fellowship with others).

A flower bed of many varieties and colors is more beautiful than one of all the same flower (the church).

Flowers are faithful to follow the light - am I?

Some weeds pop up and seed out quickly, reeking havoc of all within a short while if not dealt with quickly.

Some trees grow slowly and are tender for a long time but produce amazing amounts of fruit later and longer.

Some plants are beautiful but do not have a sweet fragrance or produce fruit or seeds.

Seeds need lots of loving care to grow into production.

Only God can bring rain and sunshine, warmth and soil to the earth. Our imitations are never as good as the real thing.

It is not ours to choose which trees produce early and which late, which ones grow quickly or slowly, which ones are more hardy in drought or resistant to disease. It is ours to choose whether to water and nourish and care for all of them daily, carefully, lovingly, diligently and with hard work and sweat of brow.

We can complain about the weather or production or problems or we can praise the Lord for the harvest both now and to come.

During the early years the trees need to be staked and tied to a secure post.

Sometimes you have to dig out the old stump before you can plant a new tree.

Fruit is sweeter when it is watered with the sweat of your brow.

A Master Gardener can tell the difference between a weed and a flower. He will teach you to tell the difference, too, if you will listen.

Weeds grow best in flower beds.

Talking about gardening is easy. Chopping, hoeing, weeding, watering and tending to the garden in the heat and rain and wind and sun is hard work.

Some plots have better soil than others but with care each can produce something.

The sweetest melons and grapes are grown when they have been put under stress.

There is an amazing joy in sharing your seeds or young plants with someone who will grow them.

Hybrid plants do not produce viable seeds.

For best flowering, cut off the dead parts.

Everything needs pruning sometime.

Only a miracle can turn a weed into a fruit-bearing plant.

One thing

Not long ago several of us were talking about the "one thing" in life that is our dream, our goal, our priority. It's harder than you think to narrow it down to one thing. Two, three or ten things, yeah, no problem. But just one? I could be all spiritual and righteous sounding and say my one thing was to be closer to the Lord, or be His servant or do everything in His will and in a way that would be true - I do desire these things. Every day, though, I don't spend my time seeking these wonderful things and how we choose to spend (or not spend) our time is really where our heart lies. My mother-in-law often says "People can say what they want but what they choose to do really tells the story" and she's right. So honestly I can't say my one thing is any of the above, although I wish I could. And of course I could tell you my one thing was being a Godly, submissive, loving, wise wife but my husband could quickly unravel that myth. Since I spend lots and lots of time with my children you might think my one thing was being a great Mom. I do love my children and desire them to grow in the love and reverance of the Lord with a great deal of my heart but I am certainly not the Mom Timothy must have had. And although my desire is to see them walk with the Lord and use their lives fully for Him, I can only do my part as a parent in that and encourage them as they grow and make their own choices. So what is the "one thing" I dream about, spend my time on, desire? I have to say it is to try to learn in the many things how Christ must love us more than we can understand. In the tiny bluebirds learning to fly in the backyard, in the satisfaction of weeding a flower bed, in the joy of hearing my children talk about God's love, in the washing of dishes or any everyday tasks the one thing I desire is to see and understand Christ in all things. For only when I see HIM can I understand how badly I need Him, how far I am from who I think I am, how unbelievable His love is for me. To see Him in all things small and great, morning and night, day after day. That is my desire.

What good is short-term missions?

Recently I had a great conversation with someone who has never been on an international missions trip and has only participated in one local mission trip during her wonderfully extensive life. She was being very open and honest when she asked me why she should consider supporting church members who went on short-term missions - was it really worthwhile? I really appreciate her deep consideration and her honesty. We need more of it in the church! We should never - I repeat never - assume that any church body, any church leadership, any church tradition is automatically Biblical because it is under the "roof" of the church. That assumption has led to so very many cultural mistakes, completely false teachings, and unnecessary divergence from God's absolute truth.
So yes, I DO appreciate her honesty and her questioning. In fact, at one point earlier in my life I had wondered the same thing but did not verbalize it! Why should we spend time, money and energy on short-term missions? Why not simply focus on evangelizing our neighborhoods and supporting missionaries in other cities and countries?
When Jesus wanted to teach people he used parables. There is nothing more permanently thought-provoking than a good parable. Why? With it we change lenses in our worldview glasses, swap out our prejudices for new ideas, and end up right back at home re-evaluating ourselves and our actions in a different way. Short-term missions is, in a way, a "reality parable". Yes, hopefully we will encourage career missionaries. Yes, we have the opportunity to reach people simply with the curiosity factor invoked who might not otherwise come to hear the one and only true life-changing Good News story. But more importantly, I think, is the fact that the trip is a parable that we bring back home with us. A new way of looking at familiar surroundings that might, and often does, bring us to the realization that we need only to open our eyes as far as the mirror before we see someone who needs a Savior. And then we can see our families, our next door neighbors, our coworkers and fellow church members as mission fields, too - fellow sinners in need of Christ. We often set out to be used by God for others in a new place and find out that He has used His own love to change our hearts. Then finally, maybe, we will see that the whole idea of missions is not about us, or missionaries, or even the lost of other places, but about Christ. And if we can see HIM at the center, it will not matter where we are, where we go or what we do. Anything and everything with Christ alone at the center is always worthwhile.

Book Update

A friend asked me to post on facebook what our family had been reading. Well, if you are on fb or other social network, you know the limited space for a status update. And if you know me you are laughing aloud already knowing that the books we have been reading in the past few weeks would never fit in that small space :) ! I could post it as a "note" on facebook but prefer to do it here and add pictures. Plus, this blog is a more "permanent" recording for the family.

So without further ado and in no particular order:
Beautiful Girlhood and Before You Meet Prince Charming - with Emma Kate - our discussion springboard for how to become a young lady and not a "tween"

Swiss Family Robinson - read as a family

King Arthur - (Howard Pyle version) - family reading

The Lamplighter - wow - you need to read this one! Great as personal reading or as a read aloud for the family

True Stories of Great Americans for Young Americans We are reading only one or two stories a week to go along with our Social Studies. I highly recommend this book to anyone teaching American history to elementary or junior high ages. It's a reprint from previous generations when students were taught Biblical character

Storm Warning - Billy Graham - an older book but still very appropriate

Desiring God - John Piper - always a great challenge

Do the Right Thing - Mike Huckabee

In Plain Sight (Elizabeth Smart Story) this fills my "mystery" quest. I like to be reading at least one amazing true story along with everything else.

How the Spirit Filled My Life - Bertha Smith - I know, I just keep rereading it! Somehow I understand it with my head but have a hard time carrying it out in my actions so I keep rereading it.

Peep Behind the Scenes - another great book from Lamplighter and somewhat shorter than most others

Instructing a Child's Heart - by Ted Tripp - great companion book to Shepherding a Child's Heart but good to read alone as well


I think that's all for now... probably missed a few we have already finished and returned to the library. By the way, we LOVE inter-library loan option. We have been able to get some amazing books that way. Read on!!