Family...the Joy of my Heart

     What is it that brings you joy? What lifts your spirit and energizes you? For me, family does that...especially spending time away from the day to day routine with my family all around me. I recently had the opportunity to spend time in a wonderful, colorful, city in the south where my son and his wife live. My younger son came to join us from college and, of course, we had our teenage daughter with us. It was a fabulous, fun weekend even though we did nothing too extraordinary.
     A crucial part of our "family fun" recipe is...playing board games. We all love a little bit of friendly competition and have such fun laughing, talking, and strategizing around the table as we play. Of course, every now and then "someone" (me) gets a little irritated at "someone else" (my hubby) for taking the game a little too seriously. But it's always fun to kiss and make up at the end!
     We also enjoy sharing meals together, whether at a favorite, familiar restaurant, or a newly discovered one. Again, this is another opportunity to converse and catch up with one another now that we have grown kids who are not living at home. It's time away from television, computers, IPods and phones where we can look one another in the eye and really talk.
     Doing something active outside is another thing we, as a family, like to do. This weekend, as is often the case, it was playing tennis and going on moped rides. Yes, that hereditary competitive drive kicks in a bit during our tennis games, too, but, we have fun  anyway! Don't they say, "The family that plays together stays together?" We'll, I believe that's true! There's nothing like riding on the back of a moped with your son as he flies over bumps and dips maneuvering through heavy traffic while you "hang on for dear life" to bring you close.
     It doesn't take a lot of money to enjoy some family fun and to reconnect with each other...and it is so important to parents and kids alike.
     I am so proud of my children for all they have accomplished so far in their young lives, but, the thing that makes me the proudest is that they are doing their best to walk with God and to give him glory for their accomplishments. They know to whom they owe their lives and their
salvation...JesusChrist himself.
     Of course, my children have a long way to go as they grow into  maturity and gain experience in this life and they will certainly stumble many times along the way. But we have raised them to know and love Christ and to stay close to his people, the church. We have done our best and have placed them in His worthy hands to do the rest. We will always pray for our children, of course, and will love and support them the best that we know how. But Jesus Christ will finish His work in them in His time.
     Right now, I'm just thankful for little things, like weekends away with them playing tennis and board games and laughing our heads off at each other and moped  rides over bumpy roads...

The Master Gardener

My mother is a passionate gardener. She has lovingly tended her flowers and plants for more than 50 years. It is one of the joys of her life. During that time she has won many ribbons and awards for her lovely plants at various fairs and competitions. She has also been a faithful member of the local garden club for much of her life. If  you were to ask her to what she attributes her glorious bounty of blooming buds each and every year, she would probably say: good soil, lots of attention, and a great climate... as these are definitely essential elements of a successful garden.

 I believe we as Christian parents, can learn a lot from these basic gardening principles as we think about how to raise children who will love and honor God when they reach adulthood.

What do I mean by that? Well, I see our job as parents as being very similar to that of a gardener. We have these little sprouts that God has given us to take care of, to nurture, and to protect for a while. We are sort of like his junior gardeners. There are certain things we must do if we are to end up with beautiful, flowering, healthy plants. First, we must:

Prepare the soil

 If our children are to have the proper nutrients they need to blossom and grow then we need to plant in fertile, nourishing soil. How can we best accomplish this? We can:

 Take our children to church.

Not just any church, but a Bible-believing, gospel-preaching, people-loving church, where they can hear the Word of God, learn godly principles and surround themselves with others who love Jesus. They will learn to love the church and it's people and will most likely continue that legacy with their own children. We can also:

 Make sure our home is a loving and supportive place where our children know that they are special to God and that he has a plan for their lives.

 Is prayer and Bible reading a regular part of life in your home? Do you use spiritual principles to navigate life's unexpected and difficult moments? When your children come to you with issues and problems do you go with them to God's Word for the answers? Do you live out your faith in an upright and honest way in front of them? Children will do what you do ...not necessarily what you say. We can:

Surround ourselves with Christian friends who have the same values and desires for their own children.

Who are the people that you like to "hang out" with? Are they people who share and respect your spiritual values and goals? Having a larger network of Christian friends is so important for children. Invite families over that have children the same age as yours and help them to nurture those friendships. A support system of godly friends will serve to enrich the soil in which your children are growing. Another thing we can do is to:

Place our children in an educational environment that supports and upholds a Christian worldview.

Have you considered the environment...or soil...in which your children spend most of their time? That would be their educational environment, where they spend hours upon hours soaking up the  philosophies presented in the curriculum and the worldview and values of those who have a huge influence over them...their teachers and peers. This educational choice shouldn't be taken lightly but should be prayerfully and earnestly considered. Today we, as parents, do have choices in this matter. Whether your children attend a traditional school, a Christian school or are home schooled, they should be in a place where their Christian values are supported and encouraged. Next, we must:

Water, fertilize and weed

 What else is needed to grow a beautiful garden that will bring glory to God? Water, fertilizer...and frequent weeding. We can water our children with words of love and encouragement and with time on our knees praying for them. We can fertilize with calm, loving discipline and consistent training. And we can weed by rooting out bad attitudes and behaviors as they crop up, before they become habits. And lastly, we should:

 Sit back, relax and enjoy our garden

 There's no need to fret over giving just the right amount of water or applying a bit too much fertilizer. We all mess up! We are not perfect. But you see, God, the master gardener is the one ultimately in charge of how our garden turns out. He is the one who sends just the right amount of sunshine to warm our garden. He is the one who provides just the right amount of rain to water it. And he is the one who sends the storms and wind to blow against the fragile stems to strengthen them for what lies ahead.

There has to be a certain amount of faith and trust on our part, as there are things in this life that are out of our control. Fortunately...everything is in His control! We will all fail, time and time again, but the master gardener knows our hearts. He sees our faithfulness to him. He will reward parents whose hearts are turned toward Him, for he loves our garden even more than we do.

If we are faithful, someday we will look out of our window and see a garden in full bloom, having reached it's full potential, spreading it's beautiful blossoms before the world. And all the glory will go to...

The Master Gardener!

This Old House...God's Special Gift

Every house where love abides

And friendship is a guest,

Is surely home, and home sweet home,

For there the heart can rest.

Henry Van Dyke

Recently, during a conversation with my daughter, she reminded me that we had lived in our current home for 13 years, nearly all of her life. We moved into this house when she was just a baby and our two boys were 5 and 11 years old. That started me thinking about what a great house it had been for us and how God is such a genius at orchestrating our lives for our own growth and spiritual development and, ultimately, for His glorification.

You see, over the years, this house ( built in 1983), has at times been a source of aggravation for us. As it is an older home, there are quite a few things that have gone wrong and needed repair. And, we have periodically fallen into a state of discontent, wanting to move to a pristine, new home with a manicured lawn in a neatly organized, lovely neighborhood.

However, the truth is, God led us to the perfect house for us at that time in our lives. I remember talking to my Dad, a realtor, when we were thinking about purchasing this home. He said, " If you want a home that will be a great place to raise your children, then this is a great home." He was right.

Our house is safe, sturdy and warm. It has protected us against the wind, rain, and even hurricanes! As we have traveled to other places around the world and have seen people in countries like Guatemala who have so little, we have developed an appreciation for how wealthy we really are here in America. While on the trip we watched a woman weep as our team built a 10x10 metal shed-type home for she and her children. It was life-changing for her...it meant shelter and safety and ultimately, hope. Our home is a mansion in the eyes of many people in depressed areas around the world. We are grateful.

My Testimony in 10 Words

Born  Sinner,

Redeemed by the Lamb,

 Rebellious,

Restored,

Living Victoriously!

Growing Into my Spiritual Shoes...Roadblocks to Spiritual Maturity

It has taken me many years to really grow into my spiritual shoes...to begin to be transformed into the woman I was meant to be in Christ. Over the years, my life, like the lives of many Christian women today, has been filled with distractions and pitfalls that have caused me to veer off the path of spiritual maturity and centeredness. Therefore, although I was saved at a young age, I spent much of my life as an ineffective and somewhat unfocused Christian. I was distracted, as many women are, by selfish pursuits and a worldly mindset.

My Story

 

I was nearly in my 40's before I began to settle into and fully embrace my purpose and mission as a woman. There were several events and circumstances that God used to bring my life into focus and to prepare me for the road ahead. One important event was our church's group study of Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life.  His book helped me to understand how my gifts tied into his purpose for my life and gave me a new appreciation for how important those gifts were to the body of Christ. It kind of gave me a jump start...a renewed enthusiasm for service and ministry.

In addition to that book study, I really began to dig into the Word in a new way and to re-engage in women's Bible study groups at our church...eventually fulfilling a desire and burden God had laid on my heart to teach younger women. Through those Bible studies, God opened my eyes to many of his biblical truths in new and exciting ways.

Another very impactful event in my life at that time was the death of my sweet father, who had been a faithful Christian servant for all of his life and a loving and involved presence in our home. I was very close to my father, in fact, he was the most spiritually influential person in my life. During the last ten years of my father's life, before he passed away of lymphoma, he was truly on fire for the Lord and passionate about spreading the gospel everywhere he went. He even traveled to Columbia on a mission trip at 70 years of age, handing out Bibles on the streets of Bogota. When he passed away I almost literally felt the passing of the baton of faith to me. I actually took my first mission trip to the Apache Indians in Arizona the very next year and have taken several mission trips since then. My father's passing impressed upon my heart the urgency of living a purpose-filled life and accomplishing the work he has for us to do during our brief time on earth.

Beware of Distractions

 

So how does the world, or Satan, sidetrack us from effectively ministering and impacting the world for Christ? Well, for one thing, he keeps us focused on ourselves. We want to be liked, admired and accepted by our friends, family and acquaintances. That means we must strive to achieve the world's standard of beauty and worth so that we will be attractive, interesting and loved. This takes lots of time, effort and money and certainly can take our focus off of serving others and growing in relationship with Him.

In addition to focusing on ourselves and trying to fit in, we are distracted as women by striving to prove that we are valuable...that we can do everything a man can do...that we can " bring home the bacon, fry it up in the pan, and never let you forget you're a man!" I don't know about you, but, at this point in my life I am perfectly happy and content to be fulfilling my honorable and high calling as my husband's helper, supporter and encourager. In fact I count it a privilege and it gives me great joy, as well. I no longer feel like I have to dig my heels in and demand my rights. As a matter of fact, the message of the Bible is all about yielding our rights!

Another way that Satan distract us and derails our spiritual growth is by sowing discontent in our hearts and making us want more and more "stuff". Many women are constantly striving to "keep up with the Joneses"...often forgetting that we will not be able to take anything with us when we go. ( to heaven, that is ) If God has blessed you financially...wonderful! Don't keep it to yourself...use it to further his kingdom. And learn to be content with and grateful for what you have.

And lastly, Satan distracts us from our mission by keeping us so busy that we neglect our time in the Word and in prayer. We cannot live a victorious and effective Christian life apart from Him.

Some Practical Tips

 

Don't waste years of your life focusing on yourself or on trying to "be somebody" in the eyes of the world. You already are somebody...a precious and unique woman of God...and he has a job for you to do.

Get back into the Word of God...daily. There you will find help with prioritizing, finding balance, living in peace, accepting and extending forgiveness, and discovering your purpose as a woman of God.

Begin to be others-minded...look outward and open your spiritual eyes and ears to the needs around you. God wants to use you and to bless you as you selflessly meet the needs of those he will put in your path.

Stop worrying about being taken advantage of...try yeilding your rights and see what God will do in your life and in the lives of those around you.

Forgive those who have let you down or hurt you. Don't wait for them to ask for forgiveness...it may never happen. Love them anyway, as God loves you. It is freeing to let go of  grudges, bitterness and malice and to let the Lord deal with those who have hurt or disappointed you...in his own time!

Here are some wonderful books that have helped me to understand God's plan for womankind and his unique purpose and plan for me:

The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
Finding Your Purpose as a Mom by Donna Otto
Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss



How to Have Inner Peace in a Stressful World

Peace...a mind at peace...a heart at peace...a life at peace. Isn't that what we all want? Perhaps you know someone who walks around with a smile on their face and a spring in their step. Even during difficult times in their lives, they rarely seem depressed, worried or angry. There's something about them that says, "I'm at peace and all is right with the world." It may be a friend, a relative or an acquaintance of yours who just seems to have it all together. How does one achieve that inner peace that is so elusive in this fast-paced, competitive, materialistic world in which we live?

                                                   What is the answer?

I believe the answer lies in truly knowing who God is and in realizing who we are in relation to him as believers in Jesus Christ. Most of us tend to live such a defeated existence, not understanding the power and hope we have in Jesus Christ. Another key element is living with a heavenly mindset...embracing the truth and glory of our eternity with God. We have an earthly and temporal mindset as we go about our lives day to day...trying to get by on our own resources and thinking that the outcome is all on our shoulders. The humanistic idea of ourselves being in control of our destiny begins to creep in. We forget that we should be living in light of eternity...what matters is only what will matter then...when we face God himself and he asks us what we did for his kingdom with the time we had on earth.

                                  What does the Bible say about peace?

The Bible has much to say on the idea of peace. In John 16, Jesus is painting a picture for his disciples of his impending death.He wants them to be prepared for all that they will face once he is gone. They seem to finally embrace and understand who he is when they say in verse 30, "This makes us believe that you came from God!". Jesus then tells them in verse 33, " I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."  Do you understand, fellow believer, that he has overcome the world?! This world...the one in which we struggle, stress and worry. And...in the end...he wins! We win!

There is a passage in Romans, as well, that speaks to the hope, grace and glory that we have in Jesus Christ. It also addresses another important point about how the trials that we go through in this life are God's way of refining us, growing us up spiritually, sanctifying us...making us into who he wants us to be. The passage is Romans 5:1-5:

Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

A Daily Spiritual "To Do" List

1) Pray

2) Spend time reading, studying and meditating on God's Word. 

3) Minister to my husband and strive to be a joyful  helper, encourager and supporter to him.

4) Take care of my children to the best of my ability and model God's love, patience and grace to them.

5) Do what I can to make  sure that my home is a clean, orderly and peaceful place where my family can feel safe and comfortable and where guests will feel at home.

6)  Open wide my spiritual eyes and ears so that I am ready to meet the needs of those who God places in my path today,  whether those needs be physical, emotional, or spiritual.

7)  Take care of my body, the temple of the Holy Spirit, by eating right, getting some physical exercise and resting, so that I will
have the health and energy to do your work.

8) Pray!

Are you Making Excuses for Spiritual Stagnation and Apathy?

We humans are masters of excuse. We have an excuse for everything from why we don't exercise to why we lose our temper or why we can't stop smoking. Sometimes we are vocal about our excuses and other times we just rationalize them in our own heads. We often blame others for our faults and issues.

One thing we often make excuses about is why we are not actively participating in God's plan for our lives and for the redemption of the earth. In other words, why we have no desire to grow spiritually or to participate in sharing God's message of salvation to the world.

Let me give you some examples here about what I am talking about:  Maybe you are so focused on making ends meet and assuring the comfort of your own family unit that you haven't in any way considered how you can help spread God's message of hope to your wider community or around the world. Perhaps you are a member of a church but have not really fully engaged in it's ministries by using your gifts within the body of Christ. You are not willing to sacrifice any time, money or your own convenience to do so. How about spending time in the Word of God, the Bible? Is it still sitting on a shelf in your home collecting dust? Have you gotten serious about learning what God has to say about life and his purposes for you? Do you have a desire to grow spiritually?

So many of us waste years of our life on vain and fruitless pursuits that have no eternal value. We are content to stay right where we are spiritually...content to remain as babes in Christ and to never go any deeper. We never take that extra step to engage in God's mission by teaching, serving, leading, studying. We prefer to just show up in church as much as possible and to soak up what we can to improve our lives during that hour on Sunday morning.

Your Home as Holy Ground

Have you ever considered the fact that your home is actually a holy place? A place specifically designed for carrying out the plan and purposes of God?

Remember in Exodus 3 when Moses was in the desert tending to his father-in-law's sheep and he came upon the burning bush? It stopped Moses is his tracks because the bush was burning and burning and yet, did not burn up. Then, God spoke to him from the bush and told him to take off his shoes because the place where he was standing was holy ground. God wanted him to understand the reverence and honor required when in the presence of God. But he also wanted Moses to be prepared to hear the important mission that God had for him to do. God told him he wanted him to go back to Egypt and lead his people, the Israelites, out of captivity. It was a high and holy calling!

Well, I believe God has a holy calling for us as women today. He wants us to view our own homes as centers of ministry and spiritual training...as God's vehicle for doing his work in the world...as a place that reflects the attributes of God himself...as holy ground!

Homes have always been important to God.

He created man and woman to live together in a specific place and raise a family. (Gen.1:27-28)

He intended for the home to be a place where God's ways are taught.
(Titus 2:3-5, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Proverbs 11:8-9)

He even placed his own son, Jesus Christ, in a home setting, with Mary and Joseph, where he could "...grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man." (Luke 2:39-40, 51-52)

In fact, homes are mentioned more than 600 times in the Bible!

Women are uniquely gifted to create a home environment that reflects the attributes of God.

Attributes like: love, peace, mercy and forgiveness. Moms can be a stabilizing influence.They can bring peace to chaos, be a listening ear, and love away the hurt and disappointments of the world.

Your home is a place that can and should be modeled after God himself. God is our refuge...your home should be a refuge. God is comfort and strength...your home can provide comfort and strength. God is relationship ( by his triune nature)...your home is a place to build and strengthen relationships.God is love...when we love our husbands and children, we are helping them to understand the depths of the father's love.

Your home is a place where you can develop your marriage into one that reflects Christ's relationship with the church. A relationship of selflessness, love and sacrifice. A relationship of encouragement and support.

Help! My home is a mess and is nothing like this!

The problem with most homes is that sinners live there...that's you and me! You may be thinking, I could do that if all those little (and big) people in my house would just cooperate! I know where you're coming from. Homes will never be perfect places. They will always be in the process of becoming what God intends for them to be, just like our lives. You may have made a lot of mistakes in the past but God wants you to start right now to see your home as holy ground. If it is the desire of your heart to make your home a reflection of God in the world and a place to train the next generation to carry on the torch of faith, then God will honor that desire.

This week as you are cooking, cleaning, organizing, nurturing, rocking and refereeing...remember to take off your shoes. The place where you are standing is holy ground!

Christians Stand Up and Get Off the Fence!

What is it about Christians today that makes us throw our values out the window in order to: go along with the crowd, preserve a friendship, have a chance at fame, make a lot of money, or be popular.

I believe Christians need to take a hard look at who and what they are supporting. We are supposed to look different from the world! No, this won't make you the most popular person in your circle or on the Internet or at work but, it will mean you are living in light of eternity and striving to please the Lord, Jesus Christ and to honor him with your life. 

Are you supporting and praising someone who is double-minded? Someone who is compromising their beliefs for the sake of popularity, attention or glory? Friendship is a blessing, but, it cannot be more important than godliness.

Sometimes we may need to call people out if they are claiming to love Jesus but are disparaging his name in a very public way. 

Some may say that: losing a friend, feeling like an outsider, being excluded from things, being called "holier than thou" or whatever the current insulting term may be, are forms of persecution and are too difficult to handle. I say, "You call that persecution!?"

Think of all of those from days gone by who were jailed, tortured, beheaded and burned at the stake for believing in Christ and preaching the gospel! And not only in days gone by....today, there are hundreds of missionaries and believers around the world who are putting their very lives on the line to possess a Bible or teach the Word of God. That is persecution!

We are soft Christians in America today. We think we are persecuted because we aren't invited to happy hour with the rest of our coworkers or because someone curses at us for having a Christian bumper sticker on our car. If someone is professing to be a Christian and promoting sensual, crude or profane behavior, language or attitudes...call him out on it! We need to hold each other accountable. If you lose them as a friend, at least you will have been obedient to God in defending his name and reputation. 

"Facebook" is a prime example of this. There is a lot of ungodly behavior, dress and attitudes that show up on this site among Christians. There can be a sort of "look the other way" mentality. Let's not be afraid, ashamed or too apathetic to stand up for what 's right!

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."  Ephesians 4:23-24

Also see all of  Ephesians Chapter 5!

Raising Your Children to Love and Honor God.

Raising children is not a task for the faint of heart...if it is to be taken seriously, that is. It is a heavy responsibility and requires much prayer and intentionality. Children cannot be raised appropriately in a vacuum. There must be a plan of action... a conscious decision made, as to the atmosphere, structure and worldview in which you will bring them up.

Our goal was (and is!) to raise our children into young adults who would follow Christ faithfully by walking in his ways, sharing him with others and passing on the torch of faith to their own children. We are in the midst of this plan as I write this post. We have a son who has recently married a beautiful Christian young woman who is such a blessing to us. They are very involved in their local church and are living for the Lord. We have a teenage son who is about to graduate from high school and who loves the Lord and uses his gifts and talents to serve him. And...we have a daughter who is just entering the teenage years and is watching our every move to see if we are genuine in our faith.

How can we raise our children into adults who will love and honor God with their lives and build their own families on the solid rock of Jesus Christ? I believe there are several key elements involved:

1) Pray for your children...daily! Prayer is powerful, effective and life-changing. Our children need that supernatural protection and we need wisdom...through prayer God will provide these things.           ( James 5:16b , James 1:5 )


2) Become engaged in a local Bible-believing, gospel-preaching, people-loving, scripture-driven, church. The Bible says we are not to "forsake the assembling of ourselves together" as a body of believers. In other words, go to church, take your children, get involved in Sunday school or Bible study. Make sure your children are an active part of the church youth group. Does this guarantee success? Of course not! But, you will have a greater chance of success ( raising a Christ-honoring kid) if your child develops friendships among other Christian teens whose families have the same goals and values and if he/she has a youth leader who takes an interest in them and becomes a godly mentor to them. Begin early taking your children to church activities and programs. They will develop a real love for the family of God that will continue through life. As Christians, church life should be a huge part of our life.


3) Do not be a hypocrite! Live out your faith at home. Make your home a place where kindness,  grace, love and forgiveness are practiced. Our children are always watching us as we try to teach them Christ-like behavior. They want to know if we really believe it. Children will not grow up and be the way you told them to be...they will mimic the way you actually lived!


4) Be sure to make your home a place of intentional spiritual training. Read the Bible as a family. Memorize scripture together. Pray for each other. As your children get older, discuss current events in the light of scripture. Help them to see life's issues and challenges from a biblical perspective. ( Deuteronomy 4:9 and 6:5-9 )


5) Prayerfully consider the educational choices you will make for your children and try not to default to the easiest or closest choice. Your children will come out of their school experience with a particular worldview, be it a Christian or a secular one. You have a choice as to who will have an influence over your child for 150 hours a month for 13 years. I suggest you study up on the development of a young person's worldview as related to modern education and of course, look intently over the curriculum that is being taught to your child. Look for contra-biblical ideas and values that are woven throughout the educational program. Understand what an important decision this is, pray about it, and follow God's leading.

Hopefully, this post gives you a few helpful tools to use as you try to raise your children to love and honor God and to further his kingdom in the world. I hope it was helpful.

Classical Conversations: The Adventure Begins!

Today my daughter and I and several other friends attended an open house for our new home school program...Classical Conversations. I can't tell you how excited I am that the Lord led us to this wonderful Christian based educational program and this new (to us) educational philosophy.

According to the Classical Conversations handbook, the program is: a mission - to know God and make Him known, a model - to combine a biblical worldview and classical tools and, a method - to equip parents and encourage students.

Classical Conversations is based on the classical tools of learning: grammatical, rhetorical and dialectical skills in particular.

The students go to a specific location one day a week to have lessons and concepts presented by an experienced Classical Conversations tutor. They will have opportunities to discuss literature, share their writing, learn Latin (!) and explore creationism vs evolution. The parent is still the child's primary teacher and works through the assignments with them during the week.

Our tutor is a godly, perky, former missionary, Mom who is definitely gifted and passionate about teaching. She actually seems to ooze the love of Jesus from every pore, if that's possible. I'm thrilled that we will have the opportunity to get to know this amazing woman as the year progresses.

My expectations for this program are that my daughter come out on the other side as a more independent learner, a more impassioned and skillful communicator and, that she will be moved to a closer walk with God as she begins to understand the power, genius and creativity of the God of the universe.

I am constantly amazed at how God orchestrates our lives as we seek to please and honor Him...opening up new avenues to fulfill the desires of our hearts. In this case, the desire of my heart to raise a godly young woman who will walk in the ways of the Lord and pass on the legacy of faith to her own children.

Another very special blessing that God showers on us at the most unexpected times is the gift of new friends who are in the same phase of life with the same heart for their children. It's an awesome thing to be in such a community. This is another facet and benefit of Classical Conversations.

For my daughter and I, this year will signal a change in the pace as well as the content of our previous homeschooling efforts. It will be a challenge  but we will embrace it and "work at it with all of our heart as unto the Lord".

I will keep you posted on our progress as we journey through this year of new friends, new material and new challenges. I can't wait to see what God has in store!

Not Your Grandmother's University!

I recently returned from a college scouting trip with my 17 year old son and what an eye-opening, informative and exciting adventure it was. It has been many years since I graduated from college but I still remember how certain I was about what college I wanted to attend. As a Florida girl, I was determined to go to a place where I could experience cooler weather and a little snowfall in the winter. I was also drawn to the beauty of the mountains. Even though I had a wonderful, loving relationship with my parents, I really wanted to go a good distance away from home. I was ready to spread my wings.

Even so, I was still caught a little off-guard when my son expressed that same determination to go to a college out of state. After a few early, futile attempts to get him to attend college closer to home, I realized, he is his mother's son...a little stubborn and independent. Therefore, I eagerly began helping him to sort through college information and to plan a college road trip to several colleges in the southeast that seemed to fit his needs and our goals for him as a college student. After much prayer, planning and anticipation, we headed out... SAT scores, G.P.A. and class rank in hand.

We visited seven colleges in 5 days, listening to admissions presentations and taking tours at each location. We explored both Christian and secular universities, from very small to quite large. I quickly realized that we were hearing many of the same "buzzwords" at nearly all of the schools we visited. Needless to say, they were all new ideas since my days in college nearly 30 years ago. Some are big ideas, others are smaller innovations. Here is a partial list:

honors college
undergraduate research
extensive data bases
freshman seminar
test optional  admissions process
weighted GPA's
completely wireless campus
laptops
club sports
laundry web site ( you can go online and see when a washer is available! )
green campus
microwave-fridge combination ( for saving energy )
study abroad ( we had this at my college but it is much more wide-spread and available now )

As I said, these terms are now the norm on college campuses. We heard them again and again.

The most awesome moment for me was visiting one-on-one with the admissions counselor at a medium sized Christian college. She exuded the joy of Christ and of course, talked to my son about praying about his decision and following the Lord's leading. She said, "If the Lord leads you here, we would love to have you."

It was at that same college where I was fighting back tears during the viewing of the admissions video! My son and I were the only ones in the room at the time and the Christian message and vision that were put forth by the college president in the video just got to me. It was inspiring...and I am quite sensitive when it comes to spiritual things anyway. My son, of course, was horrified that someone would walk in and see me crying...he said, "Mom! No one cries during admissions videos!" That made me laugh and I quickly dried my tears before the admissions counselor reappeared.

The colleges we visited covered a somewhat wide range from very conservative to more liberal, as evidenced by their dorm rules, types of clubs and organizations on campus, and the content of the classes offered. As I said, it was an eye-opening trip, to be sure.

We will continue to pray and plan as my son begins his senior year of high school and considers God's will for his life and occupation. I know that God intends to do something special through him in the world in whatever mission field he chooses to plant him.

What do you think about whether Christian kids should ever go to a secular college? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Help! I Can't See the Forest for the Trees: A Vision for Your Home.

As I sat by the lake this afternoon watching my nearly 13 year old daughter (the youngest of my brood), and her friend swimming and jumping off of the dock, I began to think about how much my life had changed since my children were small. I began to thank God for this wonderful phase of life when my children are independent and do not require quite so much day to day care. It's truly a blessing.

 If a parent looks carefully during this teenage phase, they can begin to see glimpses of the young adults that are sprouting forth. The fruit, that we spent so much time cultivating and on which we sacrificed  so much blood, sweat and tears, is beginning to show. It's an exciting and rewarding time.

I do remember well, however, the days when "I could not see the forest for the trees". The memories of being in the trenches: diapering, feeding, correcting, nursing, training...are still very fresh in my mind. I recall being so tired and frazzled, often frustrated, and perpetually running behind. During those days, it's often hard to see the vision that God wants us to have for our home...his vision for our home.

Our home is meant to be a place that echos our heavenly home -- a place of peace, comfort, love, fellowship and security. A place where God lives. Sound too good to be true or even to strive for? Just take it one step at a time and say "Today, I will do what I can to make my home a comfortable, nurturing, restful place for my husband and children."

And...I am here to tell you, there will come a day when your children will amaze you. They will actually contribute intelligent and thought provoking conversation at the dinner table. They will surprise you with a statement like, "Let's do something as a family tonight." They will offer to go and do errands for you. ( Yes, I know that's just so they can practice their new driving skills! But, still...) They will want to go and help a friend move or do a service project at church. They will come out with some amazing, profound statement and want to discuss it with you. They will tell you, through a note or verbally, how much you have meant to them in their life.

Thanks to God's grace, and your own heart and vision for raising your children in the Lord, (which was instilled in you by God, himself, ) you will someday be able to see the great forest in which they are a strong and mighty tree. God's forest...where they will go on to impact their world for the gospel of Christ.

The Note: A Father's Loving Legacy

As I was searching through my jewelry box today for a pair of favorite earrings, I came across a small, faded slip of paper, yellow with age, in the very bottom drawer, partially obscured by several old necklaces and broken pieces of jewelry. My heartbeat quickened as I realized what it was and began to resurrect the poignant memory connected to this tiny, aged treasure .

It was shortly after my 10th birthday and my family and I were at our church for a Sunday night service. We were standing up with hymnals in our hands a few rows back from the front of the church. My mom was to my right and my dad to my left with my brothers a little further down the pew. I remember happily singing the words of the hymn as the piano and organ played along. It was a typical Sunday night in every way.

Suddenly, I began to feel the weight of my dad's body leaning on me. I thought at first that he was trying to get my attention or just playfully teasing me. But, then, his weight was so great on my shoulders and side that I almost fell down. Before I knew it, he had fallen to the ground between the pews. The singing stopped and people rushed to my dad's side. I was quickly pushed away as friends from the congregation attempted to assess the situation and lay my dad out on the floor to better attend to him

I was confused, shaking and terrified, wondering if I would ever see my dad again. I ran to the hallway and into the bathroom, sobbing quietly and praying that God would let my Dad live. Soon, a lady friend of my Mom's came and found me in the bathroom. Taking my hand in hers, she led me out to her car. She had gathered my brothers, as well, and came to stay with us at our house for the night.

My father was taken to the hospital for tests to determine what had been the cause of the sudden and severe chest pains he had experienced that evening. Of course, I did not sleep much that night and remember waking up crying several times, wondering if my dad was going to be all right.

The next morning, my mom returned and told us that Dad would have to stay in the hospital for a few days until the doctors could find out what was wrong with him. I was devastated. Nothing like this had happened in our family before and my dad had never been gone from our home overnight that I could remember.

After Mom placed her purse on the table, she reached into her coat pocket and pulled out a little note that had been folded in half and then in half again. As she opened it, I noticed the handwriting and knew it had been penned by my dad. My mom handed the note to me and I began to read:

Dear Beth,

How is my sweetest little girl in all the world? Be good in school and how about being in charge of our morning Bible reading? I would like you to do it until I get home.

Love, Daddy

Of course, I cried when I read the note, but then got right to the task of planning the morning devotional as my dad had asked. I was so proud that he had chosen me for this important task.

In one simple, handwritten note, my dad had shown me the love, trust and respect that he had for me, his only daughter. He made me feel like the princess of the kingdom by trusting me with what I saw as a royal duty. Not only did he make me feel like the most important girl in the world...he also showed me the importance and priority of spiritual matters in our home. All in one small, handwritten note. A note I have saved for nearly 40 years. A note I could never bring myself to throw away. A note that has traveled from home to home and from one jewelry box to another. A note that I have treasured more than diamonds.

They eventually determined that whatever had occured, it was not my dad's heart. He was given a clean bill of health and returned home a week or so later. I was so glad to see him again and exuberantly reported that I had been faithful to the task of leading our family devotions.

My dad went on to live a long and productive life, serving the Lord faithfully until he died of cancer at the age of 80.  I continued to benefit from his unconditional love, his support and his encouragement for as long as he lived.

Dads...it's the little things that mean a lot to your children. It's the pat on the back, the gesture of faith and trust, letting them know they are important to the family and most of all, modeling for them the unconditional love of our heavenly father. You never know what small bit of encouragement or gesture of confidence will impact your child for the rest of their life.

"...As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24-15

You know...those Israelites sure seemed to be quite hard-headed at times, didn't they? As they wandered through the wilderness under the leadership of Moses, and then took possession of the "promised land" under Joshua, they couldn't get it through their heads that they were to worship only the one true God. Time and time again they were enticed by the practices of the pagan people groups that surrounded them and would find themselves once again worshipping idols.

This led to disaster for them over and over as God removed his hand of blessing from them. Had they  forgotten the miraculous way God had delivered them from Egypt, parted the Red Sea, provided daily manna and delivered them from their enemies?

Shortly before Joshua died, he proclaimed to the people, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord". He asked them to do the same- to recommit themselves to the Lord God and to turn away from idols for good.

As I read this account and reflected on the history and journey of the Israelites, I began to think about the idols in my own life and how I, too, have turned to them time and time again for fulfillment and temporal happiness rather than turn to the one true God. No, I don't bow and worship a golden calf or a statue of Baal...but, when I look to something other than God to fill up my soul, give my life meaning, bring me peace, or complete me, I am worshipping an idol.

What are some common idols in today's world that have many women in bondage?  Well, the list might include: our spouse, our kids, food, our career, exercise and health, movies and T.V., the "eyes" ( Ipod, Iphone, Ipad ), shopping, perfecting our image or physical appearance or even a volunteer position that we may have. These things are not bad in themselves, however, if they are what you turn to when sad, depressed, frustrated, feeling lonely, etc., that can be a clue that a particular thing is an idol to you. If you are looking to something on this list for your fulfillment, it is an idol. Another clue is when all of your time, energy or money is expended on a particular thing with nothing left for the things of the Lord.

The Bible says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength" God wants our total devotion, dependance and allegience. We are to worship him and only him with our entire being.

I believe that putting away a particular idol in our lives, especially a strong one, requires a daily recommitment and prayer for strength, asking God to break the bonds that this idol has over us.

Just as the Israelites should have remembered all that God had done for them, let's remember what the Lord has done for us. He created us and this beautiful world in which we live, he sustains us to live and breathe another day, he forgives our sins and rains blessings down on us; out of his great love, he sent his Son to die for us. He is mighty and worthy to be praised!

The Joy of...God's Creation!

I've just come home from a beautiful day at the beach with my kids...the first beach day of summer! The beauty of God's creation never ceases to amaze me; whether it be the gentle swells of the ocean rolling onto the sun bleached sand, the mesmerizing sight of a full moon, the cascading power of a mountain waterfall or even the beauty of a backyard garden filled with colorful birds and butterflies. God made this vast and varied earth for us to explore and enjoy as we reflect on his amazing handiwork and give him glory.

If one truly looks with a discerning eye at the complexity and splendor of the world around us, there is no denying the existence of a creator God. In fact, the Bible refers to this innate and undeniable understanding of one greater than ourselves in Romans 2:20. It says: " For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." In other words, no one can see the awesome beauty of God's creation and not know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that there is a God and that he designed this amazing and intricate universe. And in Psalm 19:1 it says: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands". Even creation itself trumpets God's omnipotence and glory.

I have had some of my most reflective and meaningful times with the Lord when outdoors enjoying his creation in any number of  beautiful, peaceful settings. There have been times when something as simple as a walk around my neighborhood under a clear, unclouded, deep blue sky has given rise to tears of gratitude in my eyes. I often praise him for his creation and the ability to enjoy it.

What do I mean by "the ability to enjoy it"? Well, there are many who are so hard at work, either by choice or by necessity, that they do not have even a moment to pause and enjoy the beauty around them. There are many who live in crowded, treeless, big cities where "getting close to nature" takes enormous effort. And, there are those who are physically unable to venture outside or travel too far away to see some of the glorious sights in this great land. Those of us who can, are truly blessed.

Take time to go outside this week and look around you. Take a walk. Go for a bike ride. Work in the garden. How about a trip to the beach, the springs, the lake, or...your own backyard? Try to really see the artistic genius of our God. Meet with him...praise him...thank him.

I'm so thankful today for my family members who have served in the military; both those who have served in the past, and those who are currently serving. I thank God for their sacrifice, honor and patriotism and for the part they have played in securing our freedom here in America.

Thank you to my grandfather, who served in World War II. Thank you to my father (1927-2008) for his service in the U.S.Marine Corps. Thank you to my son, Nick, who has recently joined the United States Navy and will be in the Naval Dental Corps. I am so proud of you for choosing to serve. Thank you to my older brother, Mike, who served in the United States Air Force; and thank you to my younger brother, David, who has been serving in the United States Marines for 27 years and received a purple heart for injuries sustained while fighting in Iraq.


I am so proud of my heritage of patriotism and service...and of my country... the land of the free and the home of the brave.


Unfortunately, patriotism does not seem to hold the value that it once did in our country and  that saddens me. I want my children to know the sacrifices that have been made for the freedoms that we hold dear and to respect and honor those who have fought for those freedoms. I want them to understand how blessed they are to live in the United States of America and to know the faith and values of our Founding Fathers. I want them to honor and respect our flag that has flown in victory and honor in war torn areas all around the world, inspiring the men who fought under her stars and stripes.


I hope you will join with me in honoring all veterans and fallen heroes around our country who have fought and died for us, as well as those who are valiantly serving today. Sometime today, please pause and say a prayer of thanks and protection with me for those brave men and women who serve.

Someday Soon: A Heavenly Perspective on Aging

Someday Soon

by Beth Blamick

Someday soon...

the words will blurr...

and my eyes cover with mist as I struggle to read.

    But, I will have hidden your Word in my heart to call forth with only the effort of a thought.

Someday soon...

I will be alone...

 in crushing solitude and stillness; my soul mate having gone ahead to rest in the arms of Jesus.

     But, I know I will see him again as I burst through the gates of heaven in blessed joy and anticipation.

Someday soon...

my body will fail me...

 as my movements become slow and labored and I cringe with every step.

     But, one day I will leap for joy and run again in fluid perfection when I receive my new glorified body in heaven.

Someday soon...

my memory will fade...

 and my speech become unsure as my mind draws towards rest.

     But, my children will gather near, recounting stories of our splendid adventures and poignant memories.

Someday soon...

my wisdom and advice will no longer be called forth...

 as I have passed all that I could on to the next generation.

     But, as I enter heaven, I will be met with all of those whose lives were enriched and whose eternity was changed because of my godly counsel.

Someday soon...

I will see my Savior face to face...

and my glorious "forever life" will begin!

" Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth...And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!' Then he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'"

Revelation 21:1-5

The Narrow Road...Are You On It?

In the beginning, before the foundations of the earth, God created you and I for this journey called life. His desire was that we would walk side by side with him in fellowship and love. However, he created us with a free will and therefore, we do not all choose to walk the path of life with him.

The fact is...there are only two paths to follow in this life. The path of faith and trust in God and the path of self, apart from God. The Bible calls them the wide and the narrow paths.

Jesus says in Matthew 7: 13-14;

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."




What is so different about these two paths and why is our choice so important? Well, let's first look at the broad path. This path is the one that most choose to follow. It is the easy path because..."everyone is doing it". You will have much company on this path and will not feel different or ostracized in any way. You will fit right in with the world. The people on this path would follow the old adage, "I'm O.K.. You're O.K." The wide path is a very comfortable path.