For more Wordless Wednesdays check out 5 Minutes for Mom.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Wordless Wednesday
I promise I'm going to catch up on my Proverbs 31 posts, but for now I leave you with a Wordless Wednesday!
For more Wordless Wednesdays check out 5 Minutes for Mom.
For more Wordless Wednesdays check out 5 Minutes for Mom.
Monday, May 24, 2010
I Heart Faces: Yellow
I couldn't pass up entering a photo at I Heart Faces this week . . . the theme is yellow, and I love yellow on Ella.
Be sure to check out all the yellow entries this week!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Ella and Fun with Water
Ella has loved taking baths pretty much her entire life (except when she was a newborn). It should be no surprise then that she loves playing outside in the water whether it be with her sprinkler or a simple water hose! The water hose video is pretty funny, if you ask me! :)
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Happy Mother's Day!
I wanted to take this opportunity to say Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers reading this! Even now, as I am celebrating my second mother's day (where did the time go???), I can only barely grasp the work that mothers put in, and the love that they have for their children. I am so thankful for my own mother - I love her so much!
Happy Mother's Day!!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Getting Back in the Groove of Things
A little over two weeks ago, I vented about my frustrations with not being able to keep my house in the condition that I wanted. At that time, I also mentioned Flylady . . . and her methods have really changed my way of thinking! When I started with shining my sink, I instantly felt better - like I was starting something that was really going to change how I kept up with my house, as well as my attitude about cleaning in general. The next week I spent time clearing out some hot spots, and doing general cleaning around the house. Then we got really busy, and by really busy, I mean really, really busy! We were so busy that I felt like I barely had time to breathe after I took care of Ella, worked, ate, and went to the workshop. I complained to my husband that while I was so thankful for why we were so busy that week, that I felt like I had lost my groove and my energy that I had been so excited about the week before.
Ah, but now I have no more excuses. That busy week is past, and it is time to get back into the swing of things. It is time to get that great energy back and get busy with Flylady's suggestions. While I have yet to read anything specific about laundry on Flylady's site (although I'm sure it is there, I just haven't gotten to it yet), I did spend the day doing LOADS of laundry. It sure did feel good to get through that laundry - it is amazing how much laundry can pile up in a week. And even though I still have quite the pile of laundry, I did make a BIG dent in it today!
So, speaking of Flylady's suggestions, I'm going to attempt to do one tomorrow that I have resisted for a long time (the idea in general anyway): getting dressed to the shoes. The idea is to get up and get ready (all the way to the shoes) before you do anything else. I have been known (cough . . .cough) to hang out in my pjs all day. After all, I'm working from home, so no one sees me right? Well, first off, my husband sees me, and I'm sure he'd appreciate it if I wasn't always just lounging around. Secondly, I think it is really a general attitude change I need to make. With all that said, I know for a fact I won't have my shoes on tomorrow during the day. BUT I do plan to be ready otherwise! :)
Ah, but now I have no more excuses. That busy week is past, and it is time to get back into the swing of things. It is time to get that great energy back and get busy with Flylady's suggestions. While I have yet to read anything specific about laundry on Flylady's site (although I'm sure it is there, I just haven't gotten to it yet), I did spend the day doing LOADS of laundry. It sure did feel good to get through that laundry - it is amazing how much laundry can pile up in a week. And even though I still have quite the pile of laundry, I did make a BIG dent in it today!
So, speaking of Flylady's suggestions, I'm going to attempt to do one tomorrow that I have resisted for a long time (the idea in general anyway): getting dressed to the shoes. The idea is to get up and get ready (all the way to the shoes) before you do anything else. I have been known (cough . . .cough) to hang out in my pjs all day. After all, I'm working from home, so no one sees me right? Well, first off, my husband sees me, and I'm sure he'd appreciate it if I wasn't always just lounging around. Secondly, I think it is really a general attitude change I need to make. With all that said, I know for a fact I won't have my shoes on tomorrow during the day. BUT I do plan to be ready otherwise! :)
Proverbs 31:12
Continuing in the study about being a godly woman . . . .this week the discussion is about Proverbs 31:12.
Proverbs 31:12 (NKJV): "She does him good and not evil all the days of her life."
What does it mean to do "good"? Dictionary.com defines good as morally excellent, virtuous, or righteous. Conversely, what does it mean to do "evil"? Dictionary.com defines evil as morally wrong or bad; immoral; wicked; or harmful. There is a clear contrast between actions that would be classified as good and actions that would be classified as evil.
Although this verse specifically speaks to the relationship between the husband and wife, couldn't we consider how this verse should apply in all situations? After all, we should seek to do good and not evil all the days of our lives. While this list isn't exhaustive, here are some additional verses to consider when we study about doing good rather than evil.
Proverbs 11:23: "The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wrath."
Proverbs 12:2: "A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of wicked intentions He will condemn."
Romans 12:9: "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good."
Romans 12:21: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Galations 6:10: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."
Ephesians 2:10: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
Phillippians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praisworthy - meditate on these things."
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22: "Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."
Although simple, Proverbs 31:12 can sometimes be very difficult to put into practice. How will I, as a Christian woman, react when my husband forgets to take out the trash? And even beyond how I will react in situations like I just mentioned, what actions will I take to proactively do good to my husband? These are things that I must continually meditate on in my own life.
What does it mean to do "good"? Dictionary.com defines good as morally excellent, virtuous, or righteous. Conversely, what does it mean to do "evil"? Dictionary.com defines evil as morally wrong or bad; immoral; wicked; or harmful. There is a clear contrast between actions that would be classified as good and actions that would be classified as evil.
Although this verse specifically speaks to the relationship between the husband and wife, couldn't we consider how this verse should apply in all situations? After all, we should seek to do good and not evil all the days of our lives. While this list isn't exhaustive, here are some additional verses to consider when we study about doing good rather than evil.
Proverbs 11:23: "The desire of the righteous is only good, but the expectation of the wicked is wrath."
Proverbs 12:2: "A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of wicked intentions He will condemn."
Romans 12:9: "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good."
Romans 12:21: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Galations 6:10: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."
Ephesians 2:10: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
Phillippians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praisworthy - meditate on these things."
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22: "Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."
Although simple, Proverbs 31:12 can sometimes be very difficult to put into practice. How will I, as a Christian woman, react when my husband forgets to take out the trash? And even beyond how I will react in situations like I just mentioned, what actions will I take to proactively do good to my husband? These are things that I must continually meditate on in my own life.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Exhausted Yet Uplifted
Last week was one of the most exhausting weeks I have had in a long time. I was running constantly and getting very little sleep, and even though I'm still trying to catch up on my rest, I'm not complaining! This past week my family had the opportunity to be involved in Focal Point (a workshop for preachers and their families), and the corresponding Gospel Meeting.
I am absolutely blessed to have been able to be involved in such a wonderful work. I am blessed because I had the opportunity to hear many studies in God's Word throughout each day of the workshop, as well as in the lessons at night. I am blessed to get to fellowship with Christians from across the country, and even from outside the country. I am blessed by friendships founded on Christ that allow for a deeper bond than I could have with a friend outside of Christ. I am blessed by the discussions that resulted from the lessons that were presented. I am blessed by the members of our home congregation who helped take care of the needs of the workshop from the food to housing attendees. I have tried to put it into words, but itt is hard to describe how encouraged and uplifted I am from the week of Focal Point!
I am absolutely blessed to have been able to be involved in such a wonderful work. I am blessed because I had the opportunity to hear many studies in God's Word throughout each day of the workshop, as well as in the lessons at night. I am blessed to get to fellowship with Christians from across the country, and even from outside the country. I am blessed by friendships founded on Christ that allow for a deeper bond than I could have with a friend outside of Christ. I am blessed by the discussions that resulted from the lessons that were presented. I am blessed by the members of our home congregation who helped take care of the needs of the workshop from the food to housing attendees. I have tried to put it into words, but itt is hard to describe how encouraged and uplifted I am from the week of Focal Point!
Proverbs 31:11
As I've mentioned before, I'm participating in a blog discussion of sorts that Kristen at Bringing Up Benjamin started a few weeks ago. Each week we are discussing a verse about to become godly women. Last week (well, almost two weeks ago now) we discussed Proverbs 31:10, and this week we are discussing the next verse, Proverbs 31:11. I know I'm a week behind, but I had a good reason (I'll write about that tomorrow). For now though, here are some thoughts about Proverbs 31:11.
Proverbs 31:11 (NKJV): "The heart of her husband safely trusts her, so he will have no lack of gain."
This verse brings out an important quality in the marriage relationship: trust, and more specifically, trust with financial dealings. The virtuous wife is trustworthy with financial matters - her husband does not fear that she will cause him "spoil" (KJV).
Financial matters seem to cause major issues in so many marriages in the world today whether it be from a lack of communication regarding financial matters or poor financial handling or even an ungodly desire for more money. As a godly woman, I should be wise in my financial dealings and my husband should not have any concern for how I handle financial matters; in fact, he should be able to trust me completely. I should be wise and responsible in how I spend money, and there should always be communication between me and my husband with financial dealings. I should not put pressure on my husband to spend money unwisely or unnecessarily. I know I have been guilty of this in the past, and I certainly hope that I can improve on this in the future. I also should not have an ungodly desire for money that could possibly cause my husband to be pressured into taking a job that requires him to spend too much time away from our family or from faithfully attending services.
One way I'm trying to do a better job handling finances is through my shopping. I have been working hard over the past few months (although I admit I've been slacking a bit lately) to find ways to reduce the amount of money we may have carelessly spent in the past by not planning or simply paying attention as we should. Couponing has gone a long way to helping us reduce the amount of money we spend on everyday items like groceries and toiletries. I don't claim to be a couponing expert - I'm still learning myself - but I have certainly come a long way in reducing the amount of money we spend on those items.
On a slightly different note, I wanted to mention a great Bible resource I used while working on this lesson. E-sword is a free Bible program that you can download to your computer. Several versions of the Bible are available for free as add-ons, although there are a few you have to pay a small fee to add to the program (I think it is worth it to pay to add these on).
This verse brings out an important quality in the marriage relationship: trust, and more specifically, trust with financial dealings. The virtuous wife is trustworthy with financial matters - her husband does not fear that she will cause him "spoil" (KJV).
Financial matters seem to cause major issues in so many marriages in the world today whether it be from a lack of communication regarding financial matters or poor financial handling or even an ungodly desire for more money. As a godly woman, I should be wise in my financial dealings and my husband should not have any concern for how I handle financial matters; in fact, he should be able to trust me completely. I should be wise and responsible in how I spend money, and there should always be communication between me and my husband with financial dealings. I should not put pressure on my husband to spend money unwisely or unnecessarily. I know I have been guilty of this in the past, and I certainly hope that I can improve on this in the future. I also should not have an ungodly desire for money that could possibly cause my husband to be pressured into taking a job that requires him to spend too much time away from our family or from faithfully attending services.
One way I'm trying to do a better job handling finances is through my shopping. I have been working hard over the past few months (although I admit I've been slacking a bit lately) to find ways to reduce the amount of money we may have carelessly spent in the past by not planning or simply paying attention as we should. Couponing has gone a long way to helping us reduce the amount of money we spend on everyday items like groceries and toiletries. I don't claim to be a couponing expert - I'm still learning myself - but I have certainly come a long way in reducing the amount of money we spend on those items.
On a slightly different note, I wanted to mention a great Bible resource I used while working on this lesson. E-sword is a free Bible program that you can download to your computer. Several versions of the Bible are available for free as add-ons, although there are a few you have to pay a small fee to add to the program (I think it is worth it to pay to add these on).
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