Today Is The Day.....

A Strong Woman -Vs- A Woman Of Strength

A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape...
But a woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape.

A strong woman isn't afraid of anything...
But a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of fear.

A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her...
But a woman of strength gives her best to everyone.

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future...
A woman of strength realizes life's mistakes can also be God's blessings and capitalizes on them.

A strong woman walks surefootedly...
But a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls.

A strong woman wears the looks of confidence on her face...
But a woman of strength wears grace.

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey...
But a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong.

By Cathy Berry

Watch Out!

Watch your thoughts--they become words.

Watch your words--they become actions.

Watch your actions--they become habits.

Watch your habits--they become character.

Watch your character--it becomes your destiny.

Weenie Dog Wonder

Here is the oldest member of our family, Fletcher. He is 91 in human years! I only hope I can live that long.............

Wisdom

You can take the man in and feed him the fish or you can teach the man how to fish so he can provide for himself.

Daddy

“Walk a little slower daddy,”

said a child so small.

“I’m following in your footsteps

and I don’t want to fall.

Sometimes your steps are very fast,

Sometimes they’re hard to see;

So walk a little slower, Daddy,

For you are leading me.

Someday when I’m all grown up,

You’re what I want to be;

Then I will have a little child

Who’ll want to follow me

And I would want to lead just right,

And know that I was true;

So, walk a little slower, Daddy

For I must follow you.”

What Kind Of Home Do You Have?

Here are some characteristics of the children in the Child-Centered home:

1. Interrupt adults when they are talking.

2. Use manipulation and rebellion to get their way.

3. Dictate family schedule. (include meal times, bedtimes, etc.)

4. Take precedence over the needs of the spouse.

5. Have an equal or overriding vote in all decision making matters.

6. Demand excessive time and attention from parent to the detriment of the other biblical responsibilities of the parents.

7. Escape the consequences of their sinful and irresponsible behavior.

8. Speak to parents as though they were peers.

9. Be the dominant influence in the home.

10. Be entertained and coddled (rather than disciplined) out of a bad mood.

Now contrast that with children in the God-centered home:

1. To joyfully serve others.

2. To cheerfully obey parents the first time.

3. To not interrupt parents who are speaking to each other.

4. To understand they will not always get their own way.

5. To work their schedule around their parents' schedule.

6. To have input into family decisions but not necessarily an equal vote.

7. To understand that God has given their parents other responsibilities in addition to meeting their needs.

8. To suffer the natural consequences of their sinful and irresponsible behavior.

9. To not speak to parents as though they were peers but honor them as spiritual authorities.

10. To esteem others as more important than themselves.

11. To fulfill various household responsibilities (chores).

12. To protect themselves from certain bad influences.

13. To not divide parents over disciplinary issues.

(List from 'The Heart of Anger' by Lou Priolo)

Chore Sticks!

Trinity and I made some chore sticks today. We both decided on 5 chores that she needed to complete each day and then we painted 5 popsicle sticks yellow and 5 stars pink, of course! I wrote the chores on each star and then glued them to each stick. I put them in a glass and they sit on our kitchen counter. After a chore is done, she turns the stick over into the glass and it reveals the words "DONE!" on the opposite side of the stick. Once all 5 have been turned over, she gets money to spend at CVS or the grocery store. She is at the age where she loves helping me with things around the house so I expect her getting very rich, lol!

Words To Remember

Hang these words on a closet door.
Take up the whole armor of God. (Ephesians 6:13)

Write on paper cut like a dove. Hang over each child’s bed.
This is my child, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased. (Matthew 3:17)

Post these words on the door you most use as a family to enter your home.
Today salvation has come to this house. (Luke 19:9)

Write these words on paper and place by the family table.
Day by day, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts. (Acts 2:46)

Random Quote

"It's not how busy you are, but why you are busy. The bee is praised. The mosquito is swatted."

Where Did The Time Go?

Do you ever feel like you have a billion things to do but not enough time to do them? (Just for fun, let's put a "billion" in perspective: One billion seconds ago it was 1959. One billion minutes ago...are you ready for this one? Jesus walked the earth!)

I always say, If only I had more time! There are so many things in life I need and want to do, but I feel stifled by the restraints of time. I know I don't use my time wisely. I am a slave to time and I have allowed it to be stolen from me more times than not. What a waste!

"So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

We are never going to "find" more time, which is why we are commanded to use it wisely. (Ephesians 5:15,16) God has given you...sufficient time in each day for you to fulfill His perfect plan-including the interruptions!

"Those who make the worst of their time most complain about its shortness." La Bruyere

I need to manage my time better so I can be more efficient in concentration on the important things in life.

12 Sins We Blame On Others

It started in the Garden. Adam said to God, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate." Genesis 3:12

The first man, caught in the first sin, turns to blame his wife and then he extends the blame to God as well. He implies that he would have remained innocent if God hadn’t put Eve in the garden with him.

The blame-shifting in the Garden continues today. Our proud hearts send us desperately looking for someone else to point to every time we’re confronted with our own sin. There must be someone else—our spouse, sibling, parent, boss, co-worker, friend, or God himself. We are so desperate to justify ourselves that we become irrational.

Here are 12 examples:

1) Anger
I wouldn’t lose my temper if my co-workers were easier to get along with, or if my kids behaved better, or if my spouse were more considerate.

2) Impatience
I would be a very patient person if it weren’t for traffic jams and long lines in the grocery store. If I didn’t have so many things to do and if the people around me weren’t so slow, I would never become impatient!

3) Lust
I would have a pure mind if there weren’t so many sensual images in our culture.

4) Anxiety
I wouldn’t worry about the future if my life were just a little more secure—if I had more money and no health problems.

5) Spiritual Apathy
My spiritual life would be so much more vibrant and I wouldn't struggle with sin if my small group were more encouraging, or if Sunday school were more engaging, or if the music in the worship service were more lively, or if the sermons were better.

6) Insubordination
If my parents/bosses/elders were godly leaders, then I would joyfully follow them.

7) A Critical Spirit
It’s not my fault that the people around me are ignorant and inexperienced.

8) Bitterness
If you knew what that person did to me, you would understand my bitterness. How could I forgive something like that?

9) Gluttony
My wife/husband/roommate/friend is a wonderful cook! The things they make are impossible to resist.

10) Gossip
It’s the people around me who start the conversations. There’s no way to avoid hearing what others happen to say. And when others ask me questions, I can’t avoid sharing what I know.

11) Self-Pity
I’ll never be happy, because my marriage/family/job/ministry is so difficult.

12) Selfishness
I would be more generous if we had more money.

Making excuses like this is arrogant and foolish. It’s a proud way of trying to justify our actions and pacify our guilty consciences and it keeps us from humbling ourselves before God to repent of our sins and seek his forgiveness.

We have to accept the humbling truth that “each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” This will end the blame game, and it will send us pleading for Christ’s mercy and grace.

12 Rules to Live By - Robert Louis Stevenson

Make up your mind to be happy. Learn to find pleasure in simple things.

Make the best of circumstances. No one has everything and everyone has something of sorrow.

Don’t take yourself too seriously.

Don’t let criticism worry you. You can’t please everybody.

Don’t let your neighbors set your standards; be yourself.

Do things you enjoy doing but stay out of debt.

Don’t borrow trouble. Imaginary things are harder to bear than actual ones.

Since hate poisons the soul, do not cherish enmities and grudges. Avoid people who make you unhappy.

Have many interests. If you can’t travel, read about places.

Don’t spend time brooding over sorrows and mistakes.

Do what you can for those less fortunate than yourself.

Keep busy at something. A very busy person never has time to be unhappy.

The ABC's Of Prayer

Helping children talk to God can be as easy as A-B-C. Use this simple guide to add some spark to your family's prayer life.

Adore God. Start the day by showing God love and honor. Greet God in prayer with words that show you love him and know he is wonderful. Talk about words that describe God, such as all-powerful, loving, and creative, then use those words in adoration.

Believe in God's abilities. Before we ask for God's help, we must believe he can help. Over breakfast, talk about God's ability to solve problems. In prayer, tell God you believe he can do everything!

Confess sins. Get your hands dirty, then wash them. Talk about how God washes our hearts when we confess sins. Have each person think about something he or she did that hurt someone, then ask for forgiveness.

Delight in God and his creation. Romans 1:20 teaches that when we look at what God made, we learn about God. Take a nature walk and thank God each time you stop to look at something he made.

Express the need for God. In humility seek the truth of Christ's words in John 15:5: "Apart from me, you can do nothing." Talk to your child about why you need God. Ask your child why he needs God. Together thank God for always being with each of you.

Focus on one need. There is no need to rush through a wish list of all the problems you want God to solve—he already knows. A mind crowded with problems will feel stressed. For today, think of the need weighing on you the most. Let God give you peace about that one problem.

Give thanks to God. Help your child think of the blessings in her life and thank God for each one. Write them in a journal. This helps develop an attitude of gratitude.

Humor lightens the heart. Tell God the funny things that happen, too. Look back and find the funny side of frustrating moments and laugh. God, who created monkeys and cuckoo birds, likes to laugh with us.

Invite the Holy Spirit to guide each of you. Take your child on a blindfolded walk, guiding him around obstacles. Discuss how God sent the Holy Spirit to guide us around problems, including ones we may not even see.

Journal as a form of prayer. Let your children write or draw a prayer. Encourage them to write whatever God puts in their minds. Have younger children tell you what they want to say and record their words for them.

Keep knocking. Read about the poor widow who kept knocking in Luke 18:1-8. Make a doorknob hanger with a prayer request on it and tell your child to pray about that request every time he sees the hanger.

Love God and express that love in words. Expressing love for God and remembering his love helps us look beyond our problems and hold on to his promises. As you pray, fold your arms across your chest as though you are hugging—and being hugged by—God.

Mean what you say. Honesty is important in any relationship, especially your relationship with God. Read Psalm 102 and talk about how it's okay to tell God how we feel, even when we are sad or angry. Practice being honest with God as you pray.

Never give up, but persevere in your prayers. If you've got an unanswered prayer, continue taking it to God. If you're dealing with a difficult situation, ask God to give you the strength to deal with it. Trust that God will answer your prayers in his way and in his time.

Offer yourself and your talents to God. Make a list of your child's talents, from a great smile to a nice singing ability to being a fast runner. Then pray with your child, asking God to show her how to use these abilities to serve him. Use one of those talents for God today.

Praise the Lord. Rejoice for what God has done and will do. Sing or listen to a praise song as part of your prayers.

Quietly listen and wait for God's response. Read Psalm 46 and then sit still and let your heart feel God's love. Listen for God to speak to your hearts. Share anything God may have told you, reflect on memorized verses, or read a passage from the Bible. Help your child discover that God speaks through his Word.

Repent. Repentance is an act of regret and turning away from sin. To stop doing the same bad things takes strength. Help your child make a "God can help me" sign and post it in her room as a reminder to ask for God's help to resist sin and repent of wrongdoing.

Seek God's help for others. Our concern for others touches God's heart. Write the names of people who need God's guidance and comfort. Pray for each.

Trust God and expect answers. Read the words on a penny about trust. Talk about how trust grows just like a pile of coins can grow, a little at a time. Post a paper on your refrigerator to jot down answers to prayer, and watch the paper fill up!

Unite your will with God's. God knows what is best. Talk about your prayer requests and why they might or might not be in God's will, then pray for God to show you his will and to help you accept his plans for you.

Value yourself. As you end your prayers today, realize that God values you. Read Psalm 139 as a reminder of how much God loves you.

Worship God. Think of worship as blowing kisses to God. Take turns saying something great about God. Blow kisses toward heaven after each praise.

X-ray hearing; that is, listen intently. Prayer is a two-way communication, so stop and listen for God's voice in your heart. Read about how Elijah listened and heard God whisper in 1 Kings 19:11-13.

Yearn to learn from prayer and be changed by it. Even as you end today's prayer time, yearn for the next time. Think of God as a friend you can't wait to talk with again. Make a plan to pray again soon.

Zealously share. Share joy by sharing love with others. Share answers received, telling others of God's greatness in providing answers.

Prayer is a continuous adventure in drawing closer to God and developing a relationship with him. It involves the desire to know, listen, and serve God, as well as sharing experiences and needs. Master these basic skills and make your family's communication with God a joyful celebration of his goodness.

This Weeks To Do List

Monday: Wash Day
Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.

Tuesday: Ironing Day
Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have collected through the years so that I may see the beauty in others.

Wednesday: Mending Day
Lord, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others.

Thursday: Cleaning Day
Lord, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.

Friday: Shopping Day
Lord, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love.

Saturday: Cooking Day
Lord, help me to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it with sweet bread of human kindness.

Sunday: The Lord's Day
Lord, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.

Mommy Guilt

How do we make the decisions that are right for our families and then stand behind them after we've made them without the added pressure of Mommy Guilt?

TV - This is my number 1! I feel guilty every time I turn the TV on for the kids. They're not supposed to watch more than an hour a day. Yeah, right!

Cleaning - A stay-at-home mom should have lots of time to keep her house neat and tidy, right? Ugh! What about Trinity who tears behind me tossing off her dirty clothes to make more laundry and Abel dropping snacks on the floor to cover up that last inch of visible carpet?

Working - Working moms feel guilty about leaving their children, stay-at-home moms feel guilty about not contributing to the financial stability of the family.

Cooking - Does macaroni and cheese count? I've heard the stories about how grandma used to cook something for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for her family of 6. No dried cereal, no frozen entrees.

Children - Did I play with them enough today? Did I teach them anything new? Were they polite? When we went to the store, was their behavior reflective of my parenting abilities?

Anyone else feel the same way I do?

God Has Changed Me!

Two years ago I would have never been moved to tears while watching a video of people helping other people. Today at church, a video was re-played from our Life Giving Weekend back in November 2007. Though I did not participate, just watching the video welled up emotion that I never felt before I became a Christian.

Part of our walk as Christians is to be of service. Christ taught and demonstrated this time and again. It's not about pleasing yourself, it's about loving others.

Before I was selfish and lazy, but today I am compassionate and giving. God has changed me.....there is no other way to explain it!

"In every way I showed you that by working hard like this we can help those who are weak. We must remember what the Lord Jesus said, We are more happy when we give than when we receive." Acts 20:35

Frugal Friday

Top 10 Ways To Start Living The Frugal Life

Ready to give the frugal life a shot? Here are ten simple ways to get started:

1. Befriend the Library
Buying books and movies gets expensive, and even renting can add up. Take a trip to your local library; you'll find all of the latest books and movies available free of charge.

2. Clip Coupons
Take the time to clip coupons for the grocery items that you buy regularly, and shave an easy 25 percent off of your weekly grocery bill. Want to save even more? Find a grocery store in your area that doubles coupons and make that your store of choice.

3. Eat Out Less Often

Eating out is fun, but far more expensive than eating at home. Challenge yourself to eat at home more often.

4. Switch to Online Bill Pay
Save yourself a stamp and avoid late fees by paying your bills online. You can pay direct to your creditors, or set up automatic bill pay with your bank.

5. Group Errands
Reduce your gas bill by grouping your errands and only driving when you need to. For even more savings, consider biking or walking when you don't have far to go.

6. Make Your Own Cleaners
Homemade cleaners work just as well as store-bought cleaners and at a fraction of the price. Stock up on basic cleaning agents like vinegar and baking soda.

7. Seek Freebies
Freebies are fun and budget-friendly. Look online for a wide-array of free offers and enjoy a mailbox bursting with goodies. Like to try new products? Then, this is a particularly good savings strategy for you.

8. Wash in Cold
Cut your electric bill substantially by washing your laundry in cold water. Your clothes will still come out clean, and your hot water heater won't have to work nearly as hard.

9. Flip a Switch

Reduce your electric bill even further by turning off lights and other electronics when they aren't in use. It may seem like a small thing, but you're sure to see the difference on your next electric bill.

10. Change Your Own Oil
Skip the quick lube, and change your own oil. You'll reduce your tab to the price of oil and a filter, and maybe even save time too – quick lubes aren't always as quick as the name suggests.

REST

"He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul."

Psalm 23:2

I always key in on the "He makes me lie down…" part in that verse. Maybe it’s because I make my kids lie down in their beds for a nap. My kids need to rest and they would never go take a nap voluntarily. So..... they need me to enforce this much needed down-time.

What Does This Phrase Mean To You?

LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME

Living one day at a time is important to me because I tend to always look ahead and never experience "the now". Sometimes I rush through things instead of just slowing down to enjoy them.

This is what LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME means to me:

• Living in the moment
• To not be concerned about the past or the future
• Bringing my attention to the things at hand
• To control my wandering mind that gets pulled away from today by worries about the future or regrets over the past
• Getting rid of anticipation and preparation that keeps me from enjoying the moment
• To approach today's tasks as if they were the only difficulties I will ever face

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." Matthew 6:34