So this is my last time meeting with my classes before Thanksgiving since we are out of school next week! YEPPIE! So, I decided to write a lesson plan centered around Thanksgiving and tried to incorporate on of our problem-solving themes : PERSPECTIVE. It my opinion, it is a great lesson because it works for ALL ages. I changed the end products per the grade level, but the assignment was the same.
I did this lesson for myself (I will show my answers in a moment), and I thought that some of you might could use this tool to take inventory of your "thanks" this time of year.
Perspective: The way you view the people, places, things, or events in your life.
Activating Activity: Quickly, list the top 10 things you are thankful for...
ME: 1) my husband
2) God's grace
3) my children
4) my job
5) my home
6) my church family
7) forgiveness
8) stuff - car, clothes, gadgets
9) DVR
10) God's Word/Holy Spirit
Discussion: There is NO one on earth who lives a life without pain, sorrow, or some type of negative things in their lives. The above list is filled with things that it is easy to be thankful for. There are other things in our lives that we must deal with pain, sorrow, grief, personal growth, sickness, loneliness and many more! However, the way in which we deal with this problems (problem solving) and to what degree these things affect our lives, depends very much on our perspective of these things.
Activity: MARK OUT YOUR TOP TEN LIST. It is easy to be thankful for those things. Lets see how you do being thankful for things that are not so easy...List the top 5 negative things in YOUR life - right now.
ME: 1) Sin
2) messy house
3) busy schedule
4) paperwork
5) Cancer - all things cancer related
Challenge: We are going to practice changing our perspective. For each negative thing you listed above complete the following sentence...
I am thankful for (the negative thing),because (give a reason.)
ME:
1) I am thankful for SIN because it is a reminder of the fact that I MUST depend on God's grace to make it in life - and death:)
2) I am thankful for a MESSY HOUSE because it reminds me that I have three wonderful mess-makers who God has given me to care for!
3) I am thankful for a BUSY SCHEDULE because it reminds me that I have a life FULL of friends and family who love me and want to spend time with me!
4) I am thankful for PAPERWORK even though it is not by favorite part of my job, it reminds me that I do HAVE a job!
5) I am thankful for CANCER because it reminds me that life is short, and that we should enjoy and be thankful for EVERY moment - even the tough ones!
So here you have it! The Thanksgiving Lesson. Hope you like it!
God Bless
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Appalling...to me.
I am almost speechless...which is a rarity.
Did you guys know that the American Cancer society is backing the current healthcare plan before congress???
Read this article from the Tuscaloosa News concerning the need for yearly mammograms for women in their forties...
Mammograms
I hope everyone understand that the phrases "Government Task force" or "Government Panel" take on a whole new meaning IF the government is is total control of the healthcare system! They will no longer be able to look at things in an objective manner, but everything they do will be tanted by the money they will (or will not) spend - at the very least it will be in the back of their minds!
Think of it this way. If you were going to buy a car. Your budget (if you are smart) would have to be on your mind when deciding which model and features you wanted. Does that mean it is the BEST car on the market? NO! You may only be able to afford a clunker. But some of you might be able to buy a Hummer. Should there be a law stating that all car manufactuers bust make clunckers becuase SOME cannot afford the Hummer?? This is how governement reports will work from now on! They will tell us what is "best" but it will really be what they THINK THEY can afford.
When it comes to healthcare, I want the BEST for my family. I work hard, pay my taxes and my insurence premiumes; I think they deserve the BEST.
Sorry to rant and rave...
I hope the ACS did not spend my Relay for Life money on backing this bill!!!!! Soon they are going to tell me that yearly check-ups for Carys are not "really" necessary...think about that! I would have to wait for a symptom to appear before taking her to get a scan!! SCARY STUFF people!!!
Did you guys know that the American Cancer society is backing the current healthcare plan before congress???
Read this article from the Tuscaloosa News concerning the need for yearly mammograms for women in their forties...
Mammograms
I hope everyone understand that the phrases "Government Task force" or "Government Panel" take on a whole new meaning IF the government is is total control of the healthcare system! They will no longer be able to look at things in an objective manner, but everything they do will be tanted by the money they will (or will not) spend - at the very least it will be in the back of their minds!
Think of it this way. If you were going to buy a car. Your budget (if you are smart) would have to be on your mind when deciding which model and features you wanted. Does that mean it is the BEST car on the market? NO! You may only be able to afford a clunker. But some of you might be able to buy a Hummer. Should there be a law stating that all car manufactuers bust make clunckers becuase SOME cannot afford the Hummer?? This is how governement reports will work from now on! They will tell us what is "best" but it will really be what they THINK THEY can afford.
When it comes to healthcare, I want the BEST for my family. I work hard, pay my taxes and my insurence premiumes; I think they deserve the BEST.
Sorry to rant and rave...
I hope the ACS did not spend my Relay for Life money on backing this bill!!!!! Soon they are going to tell me that yearly check-ups for Carys are not "really" necessary...think about that! I would have to wait for a symptom to appear before taking her to get a scan!! SCARY STUFF people!!!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Weekly Post - Relying on God - not ourselves
____________________________________________________________________
This is the scripture today~ At the Well!
Our society as a whole is always in pursuit of more. More stuff. More money. More clothing. More food. More, more, more. When is enough enough? When will we be satisfied with what we have been given? We are going to spend today looking at how God, because He is El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One, is all we will ever need.
Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10:
In what areas of your life are you not allowing God to be your Soul Provider, the All-Sufficient One? What problems do you need to hand over to Him? Do you find yourself in a place of weakness right now? Is your soul thirsty?
First, I would like to say that I love this topic. I suppose because God placed cancer in our lives He put is in a position to minister to those who are dealing with life situations that with out the love of Christ, seem dismal. So, I have spent a lot of time (on my on behalf) reading about how God intents for us to rely on Him during all phases of our lives -good and bad.
Perspective - is everything to a Christian. We should be thankful that when God the Father looks upon us He views us through the blood of Jesus. In this same manner, when we look upon life's various phases, we should view everything - every situation - with Him as our Lord (leader.)
In verse 7 above, Paul admits that the affliction he is dealing with has purpose from God's perspective. It was to keep Paul humble. Try and look at life circumstances from God's point of view. Seek to find the purpose is whatever you are dealing with. Where will you find these answers? Prayer and God's Word is where we find the evidenced of God's unchanging character and therefore where we will find purpose. Look in Verse 9 - God answered Paul's cries for help. God clearly revealed the reason for his affliction. "My strength is made perfect in weakness."
God needs us to be willing to step aside - push our plans aside - and let Him take control. If we believe that he in fact has the best plan for our lives, what would stop us from letting Him guide us through these times?
Verse 10 is my favorite ...10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Amen! I believe that finding a way to take pleasure in our infirmities (which can be anything that is weighing us down) that is a mark of spiritual maturity.
People still look at me funny when I talk about what a blessing it has been for our family to go though dealing with childhood cancer - but I is so true. God has worked miracles - true miracles - in front of our eyes. He has taught us to depend solely on Him for our every physical, emotional, and spiritual need.
There are some questions at the top of this post from At the Well... I think they serve as a great measuring stick for us to see to what degree we are allowing God to be El Shaddai - all sufficient. Think about what stresses you? Have you given that up to Him? I believe that if it worries you, you are still holding on to it. Read, Pray, and reflect over this topic today.
This is the scripture today~ At the Well!
Our society as a whole is always in pursuit of more. More stuff. More money. More clothing. More food. More, more, more. When is enough enough? When will we be satisfied with what we have been given? We are going to spend today looking at how God, because He is El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One, is all we will ever need.
Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10:
7) And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8) Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9) And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.2 Corinthians 12:7-10, NKJV
The All-Sufficient One
_____________________________________________________________________
For discussion:
In what areas of your life are you not allowing God to be your Soul Provider, the All-Sufficient One? What problems do you need to hand over to Him? Do you find yourself in a place of weakness right now? Is your soul thirsty?
First, I would like to say that I love this topic. I suppose because God placed cancer in our lives He put is in a position to minister to those who are dealing with life situations that with out the love of Christ, seem dismal. So, I have spent a lot of time (on my on behalf) reading about how God intents for us to rely on Him during all phases of our lives -good and bad.
Perspective - is everything to a Christian. We should be thankful that when God the Father looks upon us He views us through the blood of Jesus. In this same manner, when we look upon life's various phases, we should view everything - every situation - with Him as our Lord (leader.)
In verse 7 above, Paul admits that the affliction he is dealing with has purpose from God's perspective. It was to keep Paul humble. Try and look at life circumstances from God's point of view. Seek to find the purpose is whatever you are dealing with. Where will you find these answers? Prayer and God's Word is where we find the evidenced of God's unchanging character and therefore where we will find purpose. Look in Verse 9 - God answered Paul's cries for help. God clearly revealed the reason for his affliction. "My strength is made perfect in weakness."
God needs us to be willing to step aside - push our plans aside - and let Him take control. If we believe that he in fact has the best plan for our lives, what would stop us from letting Him guide us through these times?
Verse 10 is my favorite ...10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Amen! I believe that finding a way to take pleasure in our infirmities (which can be anything that is weighing us down) that is a mark of spiritual maturity.
People still look at me funny when I talk about what a blessing it has been for our family to go though dealing with childhood cancer - but I is so true. God has worked miracles - true miracles - in front of our eyes. He has taught us to depend solely on Him for our every physical, emotional, and spiritual need.
There are some questions at the top of this post from At the Well... I think they serve as a great measuring stick for us to see to what degree we are allowing God to be El Shaddai - all sufficient. Think about what stresses you? Have you given that up to Him? I believe that if it worries you, you are still holding on to it. Read, Pray, and reflect over this topic today.
~God Bless~
Bibb Makes History
This (number 11) is one of my former students Jaquail Rutledge on a bug run against Anniston Friday night!
And this (7) is our cousin Darren! We are so proud of you, he fought through a hospitalization with the flu to get back to lead the team!
I wanted to be sure that all of our out-of-towns friends new that Friday night the BCHS Choctaw football team made school history. With their win over Anniston, they secured the schools first ever trip to the 3rd round of the State Playoffs. They are still undefeated! This week, they will travel to Jackson, AL for the 3rd round. I am so proud of all of these guys.
I know many of you may not care about HS football, but it is hard not to when you work around it. So many of those guys are student's of mine which makes their accomplishments even more meaningful to me! Click below for the full story from the Tuscaloosa News!
Bibb County Results
Even more exciting that the big win, was reading about a wonderful young man. I have not had the privilege of teaching him, but I have worked with his parents. He also spoke to our entire church early this fall of Youth Sunday. He did a wonderful job then, and he lives out his faith everyday in front of his peer. He would probably hate that I am blogging about him, that is how he is. But he is a star in my mind. Take it from me, not everyone who is faced with difficult circumstances in their lives, can take the kind of stand that the Morton family has taken a let God gain all the glory from their lives. It is an honor to know them all!
Click below to read the COVER STORY from the Sports section!
Even more exciting that the big win, was reading about a wonderful young man. I have not had the privilege of teaching him, but I have worked with his parents. He also spoke to our entire church early this fall of Youth Sunday. He did a wonderful job then, and he lives out his faith everyday in front of his peer. He would probably hate that I am blogging about him, that is how he is. But he is a star in my mind. Take it from me, not everyone who is faced with difficult circumstances in their lives, can take the kind of stand that the Morton family has taken a let God gain all the glory from their lives. It is an honor to know them all!
Click below to read the COVER STORY from the Sports section!
Taylor Morton Story
(P.S.. the author of this piece did a wonderful job! Thanks for promoting such a wonderful story!)
(P.S.. the author of this piece did a wonderful job! Thanks for promoting such a wonderful story!)
Monday, November 9, 2009
Praying Together
It is time for my weekly post in response to a discussion question from my favorite blog At the Well...
The topic for today is Praying as A Couple:Do you pray together?
First my answer to this question: YES!!! But it has not always been that way.
We came into our marriage both as Christians who prayed independently. Surely, as I think back some 12 years ago, we prayed together over many things. However, we did not experience the joy of really praying together, hearts as one, till a few years ago. Certainly God granted us the blessing of Carys's illness to teach us that united together under His power - we can see all sorts of things come to pass.
We are so blessed. Recent events in our family and with our friends have taught us the true blessing it is to have the type of closeness that we share. Not many people these days who claim to become one in marriage, succeed in allowing the Father to transform their hearts to the point they can understand what that type of love he really intended for husbands and wives to share.
The Benifits!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~Unity ~
Justin and I pray over everything. But something special happens when we begin praying over things together. Now, not only can we experience the joy when God reaches down ans directly answers a prayer, but we get to do that together! I think about when our kids were born. We were blessed to be in the same place, at the same time, to experience that joy together. It is the same sort of thing when we pray together. Lets say we are praying for a certain friend to come to know Christ, or simply join us in church for worship. When God sees fit to grant that request we get to reap the fruit of our labor (being prayer) together.
Before, when I prayed completely alone, there were times when I was so excited that God had answered my prayers. But, because I had not shared those request with Justin, and he had not taken those on as his prayers, it was difficult for him to get excited over what God has done - maybe because it was for me. But now, when we discuss our prayers and join one another in those request we have a valued interest in the outcome or results - because now it is for us!
Couples who pray together present a more united front to satan. If Justin and I prayed independently, it would be possible for me to be praying for something to happen while at the same time, he was praying it would not happen! See where that is an open invitation for satan to get right in your business!?! However, if we pray together, we know the truw feelings of one another and can be more united in prayer. A husband and wife on a praying mission is NO match for satan!
-------------------------------------------------------
~Intimacy~
Praying together creates closeness and intimacy between husband and wife. Who are you most honest with. I would like to say Justin, but I know that the truth is that I am most truthful with God beacuse He already knows my thoughts and desires. If I open up myself before Justin in that same way and allow him to expereince my prayers - the truest desires of my heart - how much closer would we be?
It is clear in God's Word that He designed the married couples to expereince things about each other and with each other that did not share with others. (There is one thing you are ALL thinking about!) But I believe that our conversations with God are one of the most personal things about us. Being able to share things in prayer with Justin that no one else even knows exists in me (this could be faults or hopes) is a wonderful thing to share. I also find that I am more honest about how I feel about Justin in my prayers, and he gets to expereince that as well. Things (good or bad) that I might not tell him but would talk to God about, I find myself sharing with him.
Toghter prayer creates an intamicy between us that no one can share in. We could be in public and a topic come up that we have been praying about - he already knows how I feel. Maybe we have been praying for opportunities to witness to others and I have shared a fear that I have. When that opportunity comes, if he is with me he can begin praying without a word from me beacuse he alreay knows what I need. If he is not with me, I can rest assure that he has been praying for me in this exact situation.
When we married, we promised each other that we would walk together no matter what life brings our way, knowing God would guide us. I cannot think of anything in life that I want to experience without Justin. Heartache or joy, we believe that the Bible teaches that He formed us in our mothers' wombs to be as one. However, we have to work to make that happen. Pray- it is just one of many verbs that God gives to work together to become one heart!
The topic for today is Praying as A Couple:Do you pray together?
First my answer to this question: YES!!! But it has not always been that way.
We came into our marriage both as Christians who prayed independently. Surely, as I think back some 12 years ago, we prayed together over many things. However, we did not experience the joy of really praying together, hearts as one, till a few years ago. Certainly God granted us the blessing of Carys's illness to teach us that united together under His power - we can see all sorts of things come to pass.
We are so blessed. Recent events in our family and with our friends have taught us the true blessing it is to have the type of closeness that we share. Not many people these days who claim to become one in marriage, succeed in allowing the Father to transform their hearts to the point they can understand what that type of love he really intended for husbands and wives to share.
The Benifits!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~Unity ~
Justin and I pray over everything. But something special happens when we begin praying over things together. Now, not only can we experience the joy when God reaches down ans directly answers a prayer, but we get to do that together! I think about when our kids were born. We were blessed to be in the same place, at the same time, to experience that joy together. It is the same sort of thing when we pray together. Lets say we are praying for a certain friend to come to know Christ, or simply join us in church for worship. When God sees fit to grant that request we get to reap the fruit of our labor (being prayer) together.
Before, when I prayed completely alone, there were times when I was so excited that God had answered my prayers. But, because I had not shared those request with Justin, and he had not taken those on as his prayers, it was difficult for him to get excited over what God has done - maybe because it was for me. But now, when we discuss our prayers and join one another in those request we have a valued interest in the outcome or results - because now it is for us!
Couples who pray together present a more united front to satan. If Justin and I prayed independently, it would be possible for me to be praying for something to happen while at the same time, he was praying it would not happen! See where that is an open invitation for satan to get right in your business!?! However, if we pray together, we know the truw feelings of one another and can be more united in prayer. A husband and wife on a praying mission is NO match for satan!
-------------------------------------------------------
~Intimacy~
Praying together creates closeness and intimacy between husband and wife. Who are you most honest with. I would like to say Justin, but I know that the truth is that I am most truthful with God beacuse He already knows my thoughts and desires. If I open up myself before Justin in that same way and allow him to expereince my prayers - the truest desires of my heart - how much closer would we be?
It is clear in God's Word that He designed the married couples to expereince things about each other and with each other that did not share with others. (There is one thing you are ALL thinking about!) But I believe that our conversations with God are one of the most personal things about us. Being able to share things in prayer with Justin that no one else even knows exists in me (this could be faults or hopes) is a wonderful thing to share. I also find that I am more honest about how I feel about Justin in my prayers, and he gets to expereince that as well. Things (good or bad) that I might not tell him but would talk to God about, I find myself sharing with him.
Toghter prayer creates an intamicy between us that no one can share in. We could be in public and a topic come up that we have been praying about - he already knows how I feel. Maybe we have been praying for opportunities to witness to others and I have shared a fear that I have. When that opportunity comes, if he is with me he can begin praying without a word from me beacuse he alreay knows what I need. If he is not with me, I can rest assure that he has been praying for me in this exact situation.
When we married, we promised each other that we would walk together no matter what life brings our way, knowing God would guide us. I cannot think of anything in life that I want to experience without Justin. Heartache or joy, we believe that the Bible teaches that He formed us in our mothers' wombs to be as one. However, we have to work to make that happen. Pray- it is just one of many verbs that God gives to work together to become one heart!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Biblical Hospitality
I have become a daily reader of a blog called At the Well - Pursing Titus 2. Its has been a simple step for me that has taken my relationship with my Heavenly Father to a new level. I am learning, through God's Word, how to find the balance in life I have been seeking lately. I feel very confident that am currently in God's Will. So, I knew I could find a solution to the internal problem I faced: "How can I be an effective Christian (1st calling), Wife (2nd calling), Mother (3rd calling), and Teacher (4th Calling) - and do them all at the same time.
I struggled with growing in my own salvation WHILE helping others to grow. I know some of you do not read my blog for this, but I feel a strong calling that this is where I need to begin writing.
Each week the blog At The Well has a discussion section. I am going to start participating with the expectation that God will bless us both~
First, I should say that this IS a Biblical issue. To understand my perspective, you must first understand that I believe the Bible to contain ALL of the wisdom needed to run your daily life, It gives advice on everything!! We must not view having people into our home as a "social" thing and start viewing it as a God or ministry thing. God commands us to SHOW our faith to others. If you have friends who need to see Christ, what better place to do this than in your own home. Despite all of these benefits, we still hold back on entertaining and receiving guest in our home. Why? I am going to list my personal excuses and you can feel free to ad your own.
1) The house is too messy.
2) I have too much to do.
3) The house is too small.
4) I don't have the time.
5) I don't have the money.
6) It might mess up my schedule/routine.
I have been very convicted lately about the state of my home. Yes, I said convicted. I feel that God's Word outlines my duty as one of homemaker - even though God has given me an outside job as well. I should still be the director and one in charge of keeping our home. It is usually clean, but rarely tidy. So, we have been working on a routine and chore rotation that motivates everyone in the family to take part in caring for our home. I, of course, am the director of this program.
I realized that I have let my need to control certain things contol me and that has added presure to - yes, ME! So, I took as step back to see what tasks I might delagate to the kids. Carys usually takes showers by herself. I have taught her to bathe, but I still wash her hair. I do this beacuse I have been too cheep to buy tear-free shampoo and therefore I must help her - time I am waisting. Justin has been working with Sawyer on bathing on his own so that one of use can be getting ready or cleaning in the bathroom with him, therefore saving time! I have also been working with Carys on making the bed, sorting laundry, folding laundry and putting it away. Why did I not do this before??
So, these are some steps I have taken to help eliminate the idea that our home is not tidy for company and make better use of my time. (excuse one, two, and four-gone)
I realized that all of my other excuses have to do with my attitude.
The house is too small - we are takling about enteratining a FEW people in order that they might see God in our home. There are millions of people who do not have a home at all right now. I need to change the attitude of my heart to one of thanksgiving and using what He has blessed me with, to serve others.
I don't have the money - again, I am BLESSED! I just received a new job with a significant increase in pay. But besides that, the money is God's anyway so I should use it for His service. And, this type of entertainment is not to show off my culinary skills with four complete courses! I am trying to show off my GOD to these guest so a good pot of soup will do just fine. I decided to buy extra ingredients for a pot of chili to keep in the cabinet for entertaining purposes only!
It might mess up my schedule/routine - Are you kidding? It is perfectly acceptable to carry on our daily routines with company there. In fact, that might be why God sent them my way. To see my family pray together, read our Bibles, do our chores, love each other, etc. Would you be offended if you were at my home and I asked to be excused to move a load of laundry, help a child with homework, or pray with the kids before bed. No, you might even be blessed by this sight!
So, lets all stop making excuses, lets take action to prepare our homes to be used for God's purpose and begin to pray for help with our attitude problems, and for God to send us someone to minister to!
~Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me Ps 51:10~
I struggled with growing in my own salvation WHILE helping others to grow. I know some of you do not read my blog for this, but I feel a strong calling that this is where I need to begin writing.
Each week the blog At The Well has a discussion section. I am going to start participating with the expectation that God will bless us both~
For discussion:
- What excuses have you used lately to justify not "entertaining" in you home?
First, I should say that this IS a Biblical issue. To understand my perspective, you must first understand that I believe the Bible to contain ALL of the wisdom needed to run your daily life, It gives advice on everything!! We must not view having people into our home as a "social" thing and start viewing it as a God or ministry thing. God commands us to SHOW our faith to others. If you have friends who need to see Christ, what better place to do this than in your own home. Despite all of these benefits, we still hold back on entertaining and receiving guest in our home. Why? I am going to list my personal excuses and you can feel free to ad your own.
1) The house is too messy.
2) I have too much to do.
3) The house is too small.
4) I don't have the time.
5) I don't have the money.
6) It might mess up my schedule/routine.
- What are some steps you can take to prepare your home to have others over?I
I have been very convicted lately about the state of my home. Yes, I said convicted. I feel that God's Word outlines my duty as one of homemaker - even though God has given me an outside job as well. I should still be the director and one in charge of keeping our home. It is usually clean, but rarely tidy. So, we have been working on a routine and chore rotation that motivates everyone in the family to take part in caring for our home. I, of course, am the director of this program.
I realized that I have let my need to control certain things contol me and that has added presure to - yes, ME! So, I took as step back to see what tasks I might delagate to the kids. Carys usually takes showers by herself. I have taught her to bathe, but I still wash her hair. I do this beacuse I have been too cheep to buy tear-free shampoo and therefore I must help her - time I am waisting. Justin has been working with Sawyer on bathing on his own so that one of use can be getting ready or cleaning in the bathroom with him, therefore saving time! I have also been working with Carys on making the bed, sorting laundry, folding laundry and putting it away. Why did I not do this before??
So, these are some steps I have taken to help eliminate the idea that our home is not tidy for company and make better use of my time. (excuse one, two, and four-gone)
- What are some steps you need to take to prepare your heart for an attitude?
I realized that all of my other excuses have to do with my attitude.
The house is too small - we are takling about enteratining a FEW people in order that they might see God in our home. There are millions of people who do not have a home at all right now. I need to change the attitude of my heart to one of thanksgiving and using what He has blessed me with, to serve others.
I don't have the money - again, I am BLESSED! I just received a new job with a significant increase in pay. But besides that, the money is God's anyway so I should use it for His service. And, this type of entertainment is not to show off my culinary skills with four complete courses! I am trying to show off my GOD to these guest so a good pot of soup will do just fine. I decided to buy extra ingredients for a pot of chili to keep in the cabinet for entertaining purposes only!
It might mess up my schedule/routine - Are you kidding? It is perfectly acceptable to carry on our daily routines with company there. In fact, that might be why God sent them my way. To see my family pray together, read our Bibles, do our chores, love each other, etc. Would you be offended if you were at my home and I asked to be excused to move a load of laundry, help a child with homework, or pray with the kids before bed. No, you might even be blessed by this sight!
So, lets all stop making excuses, lets take action to prepare our homes to be used for God's purpose and begin to pray for help with our attitude problems, and for God to send us someone to minister to!
~Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me Ps 51:10~
All Dressed Up
Just for the record, I hate H-ween! I hope next year we can come up with a better alternative or plan that allows the kids to dress up and have fun (which I am not opposed to) without all the fuss. I am not one that does not let the kids do things because they are too much work for me, I think that would be lazy parenting. However, getting them all dressed up- driving miles between each stop, loading them up with candy only to tell them they can only have a few pieces seems insane to me! And I refuse to spend money on a costume when we could "do it ourselves!"At least we got an extra hour sleep Saturday night.
But I must say, they were darling...
We appreciate everyone who gave us candy and apologize if we did not make it to your house! Grammy was dressed up too but my camera was dead at that point! Sorry that you did not make the blog this post, but I WILL find a picture of you for the world to see! :)
But I must say, they were darling...
Sawyer the Pirate!
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