This has been another bizarro type weekend.
Poor baby J... he has been so under the weather. At first I thought it may be just teething, since he's teething too, but sadly, he's also sick. And so is Jack... and Molly... and Dave... and Caitlyn. Caitlyn not so badly tho, praise the Lord. I need her help!!
However, we've had one of the most productive weekends in a while. We moved furniture, cleaned through desks, drawers, cupboards, raised the dust, dusted.. I baked 3 loaves of bread, a dozen rolls, 3 banana breads, made curtains for my bedroom (after finding my curtain book in an obscure drawer), talked to my mom and Dave's mom, and made a huge stew all while taking care of one very sick baby. Mrs. Wilt would be proud!
Now its Monday. I'm trying to type while instructing children in scripture memory and english grammar. The kitchen is not as neat as Saturday. When my Dave crashed and burnt it kinda hurt the momentum in the house. Big men fall hard.
I'm so pleased with my curtains. I really have no idea how to sew. I bought a machine when we first were married thinking all wives needed a sewing machine. Then I bought books on how to make pillows, curtains and things for the home. Now when I sew, I pray and go for it. Amazingly everything seems to work out. A few more little touches and my room will look good!
I'd better get back to work here. I need to check my precious little baby.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Friday, January 26, 2007
I Timothy
This was one meaty book!! First of all, it made me wish I had a Paul... a mentor... a humble, godly person who would write me a letter telling me how to do everything I need to do!! And then I realized that I do! In fact, I have more than a Paul... I have Paul's God. Guess what? He even wrote me an amazing letter outlining everything I need to know in order to live a life honoring to Him. I'm overwhelmed... by the fact that He wrote this book to ME and that I take it for granted and don't do what it says. Ouch!
The first couple of days, I was very caught up in the roles for deacons and overseers. God is very patient with me as I will never be a deacon or overseer as I don't fit the criteria. In thinking about the deacons in our church I realized only one of them actually fits the criteria. No wonder our church is in a mess, the leadership is not qualified to lead. God then pointed the way to where Paul instructs Timothy on the women in the church. Some of it was pretty hard to read, esp the part where we are to be silent in the church! We had a church business meeting this week. Here was my chance to see if I learned anything. There were a few times when I wanted to jump up and say, "Hey, this isn't right!! Haven't you read 1 Timothy?" But I was silent. To my amazement one of the things I so desperately wanted to say and didn't came out of the mouth of an older man. God doesn't want me to go against His word, even if the words I speak are technically correct. I would still be disobeying. I did notice that the only heated discussion occurred because one woman opened up a can of worms that didn't need to be opened. If she had been silent in the church that little fiasco would have never happened. Gotta love those object lessons.
I watched as a man without the qualifications of a deacon was voted into office. Again, I kept my mouth shut... this time no man spoke up. I did not get upset with my husband for not saying anything! Our votes were the only nays...
Its very hard to read sometimes what the Lord has in mind for Ladies Ministries. Chapter 5 vs 9 & 10 sum it up like this... "... been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds." Somehow I missed leading a Bible study, helping in AWANA, running kids to soccer and music lessons, taking a weekly/biweekly day with the girls for r&r, singing in the choir and hosting couples get togethers. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with any of those things, but even these good things can become a distraction for what we are supposed to be doing.
vs 14 of ch 5 continues.. "So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander." I know this is about widows, but I'm thinking the same applies to the younger women. Get married, have kids and stay home. You will stay out of trouble, and not cause trouble for others. There are several women I know who stay at home and still seem to have time to call and want to talk for hours.. I don't have that time and don't want it! How many women can talk for hours and not say anything bad about anyone. I'll be honest. I can't. I'd rather have short meaningful conversations and remain busy at home. There sure is enough to keep me busy. I'm looking forward to seeing the floors in my kids bedrooms, having the curtains made for my room, being able to do projects like this and not feeling guilty because my husband is in the kitchen doing MY job...
I'm still not impressed with ch 2 vs 14 "and Adam was not he one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner." Ouch, ouch, ouch!! On the radio, one of the preachers today was saying that we all have a blind spot. Think ya don't?? You do... its a BLIND spot!! Ask someone to point out yours and try not to be offended.
Women are so easily deceived. How do we know when we are deceived?? We don't! We are deceived... UNLESS we are so entwined with God and His word, we are so drenched in the truths found within this Book we have copies of all over our houses, that any lie will stand out as such. Only knowing the truth can keep us from being deceived. I love the book "Lies Women Believe, and the Truth that Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I read it thinking that I had the entirety of truth already established in my life and there was no way that I believed any lies. Ha ha ha Talk about bursting my bubble. I had believed many lies that were hurting my relationship with Christ. Lets back that one up... I'm sure that I believe many more lies that I don't know about yet. As a daughter of Eve, I am easily deceived. Its best that I keep my mouth shut, unless I know for sure that what I believe is in full accord with God's word. Its best that I keep my mouth shut and not take it upon myself to share what I know better(!) to my husband or any other man. Do I think that God needs me to take the place of His Spirit? Can we share and teach with and to other women? Of course we can! God has gifted some women and given them a special anointing for that purpose! But never to have authority or teach a man.
How does this truth cover up lies in the church? A woman is never to be a pastor, deacon, adult sunday school teacher (unless its a women only group), let her opinion fly in a church business meeting, etc. Does this mean our opinion doesn't count? Of course not. My husband and I discuss many things together and we do influence how the other thinks. Dave asks my opinion a lot... more now that I just don't give it to him like I used to!! And he values how I think. Sometimes I even hear my thoughts coming from his mouth... Cool.
One more thing and then I am closing this epistle. Its almost as long as 1 Timothy itself!! Godliness with contentment is great gain!! How I long to be content. I don't want to be eager for money and wander from the faith. I want to be generous and share with what I have and not be always wanting more. What we have here is so much more than most of the people on earth. We have food, clothing (too much even), a warm home, wonderful kids, cars with working heat and airconditioning. Who wants to think of AC today?? brrrr We have so much. Why am I always looking for more? I am not content. Still praying about that one!! God is good and will help as He so sloooowly works in me to make me more like Him.
Oh yeah! One MORE thing... wouldn't you love to know what it was that was prophesied over Timothy?? See, I am a nosy gossip at heart... wanting to know what is none of my business... aren't you just a little curious??
The first couple of days, I was very caught up in the roles for deacons and overseers. God is very patient with me as I will never be a deacon or overseer as I don't fit the criteria. In thinking about the deacons in our church I realized only one of them actually fits the criteria. No wonder our church is in a mess, the leadership is not qualified to lead. God then pointed the way to where Paul instructs Timothy on the women in the church. Some of it was pretty hard to read, esp the part where we are to be silent in the church! We had a church business meeting this week. Here was my chance to see if I learned anything. There were a few times when I wanted to jump up and say, "Hey, this isn't right!! Haven't you read 1 Timothy?" But I was silent. To my amazement one of the things I so desperately wanted to say and didn't came out of the mouth of an older man. God doesn't want me to go against His word, even if the words I speak are technically correct. I would still be disobeying. I did notice that the only heated discussion occurred because one woman opened up a can of worms that didn't need to be opened. If she had been silent in the church that little fiasco would have never happened. Gotta love those object lessons.
I watched as a man without the qualifications of a deacon was voted into office. Again, I kept my mouth shut... this time no man spoke up. I did not get upset with my husband for not saying anything! Our votes were the only nays...
Its very hard to read sometimes what the Lord has in mind for Ladies Ministries. Chapter 5 vs 9 & 10 sum it up like this... "... been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds." Somehow I missed leading a Bible study, helping in AWANA, running kids to soccer and music lessons, taking a weekly/biweekly day with the girls for r&r, singing in the choir and hosting couples get togethers. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with any of those things, but even these good things can become a distraction for what we are supposed to be doing.
vs 14 of ch 5 continues.. "So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander." I know this is about widows, but I'm thinking the same applies to the younger women. Get married, have kids and stay home. You will stay out of trouble, and not cause trouble for others. There are several women I know who stay at home and still seem to have time to call and want to talk for hours.. I don't have that time and don't want it! How many women can talk for hours and not say anything bad about anyone. I'll be honest. I can't. I'd rather have short meaningful conversations and remain busy at home. There sure is enough to keep me busy. I'm looking forward to seeing the floors in my kids bedrooms, having the curtains made for my room, being able to do projects like this and not feeling guilty because my husband is in the kitchen doing MY job...
I'm still not impressed with ch 2 vs 14 "and Adam was not he one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner." Ouch, ouch, ouch!! On the radio, one of the preachers today was saying that we all have a blind spot. Think ya don't?? You do... its a BLIND spot!! Ask someone to point out yours and try not to be offended.
Women are so easily deceived. How do we know when we are deceived?? We don't! We are deceived... UNLESS we are so entwined with God and His word, we are so drenched in the truths found within this Book we have copies of all over our houses, that any lie will stand out as such. Only knowing the truth can keep us from being deceived. I love the book "Lies Women Believe, and the Truth that Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I read it thinking that I had the entirety of truth already established in my life and there was no way that I believed any lies. Ha ha ha Talk about bursting my bubble. I had believed many lies that were hurting my relationship with Christ. Lets back that one up... I'm sure that I believe many more lies that I don't know about yet. As a daughter of Eve, I am easily deceived. Its best that I keep my mouth shut, unless I know for sure that what I believe is in full accord with God's word. Its best that I keep my mouth shut and not take it upon myself to share what I know better(!) to my husband or any other man. Do I think that God needs me to take the place of His Spirit? Can we share and teach with and to other women? Of course we can! God has gifted some women and given them a special anointing for that purpose! But never to have authority or teach a man.
How does this truth cover up lies in the church? A woman is never to be a pastor, deacon, adult sunday school teacher (unless its a women only group), let her opinion fly in a church business meeting, etc. Does this mean our opinion doesn't count? Of course not. My husband and I discuss many things together and we do influence how the other thinks. Dave asks my opinion a lot... more now that I just don't give it to him like I used to!! And he values how I think. Sometimes I even hear my thoughts coming from his mouth... Cool.
One more thing and then I am closing this epistle. Its almost as long as 1 Timothy itself!! Godliness with contentment is great gain!! How I long to be content. I don't want to be eager for money and wander from the faith. I want to be generous and share with what I have and not be always wanting more. What we have here is so much more than most of the people on earth. We have food, clothing (too much even), a warm home, wonderful kids, cars with working heat and airconditioning. Who wants to think of AC today?? brrrr We have so much. Why am I always looking for more? I am not content. Still praying about that one!! God is good and will help as He so sloooowly works in me to make me more like Him.
Oh yeah! One MORE thing... wouldn't you love to know what it was that was prophesied over Timothy?? See, I am a nosy gossip at heart... wanting to know what is none of my business... aren't you just a little curious??
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Happpy Birthday, Justin!!
Happy Birthday, Justin!! Our baby boy turned one last week on the 17th. We are so thankful God entrusted us with the care of this precious boy. He is just the right type of cuddly kid, while at the same time becoming more boyishly independant. He loved having his birthday cake and 2 fisted it faster than any baby I've ever seen!! Thankfully he well slimed his hands with frosting, because he put out his candle with his finger. He moves MUCH faster than his Momma!!! The sugar high lasted about 4 days and he has become more little boy and less baby this week. By the time this next wee one arrives, Justin will be quite the mature toddler!! 
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Let it snow and snow and snow some more!!
Wow!! Just when we thought we were safe... Winter hit with a vengeance!! Has it ever been this cold before?? I'm sure it has sometime, but not for awhile! Yesterday Dave didn't even go to work it snowed so hard. The plow was called, kids were outside playing their little hearts out... And then we realized... The boys did not have the proper gear for winter. Matthew didn't even have a heavy winter coat let alone ski pants. Connor's coat was a little small and he was wearing purple ski pants. Ok, he likes purple, but c'mon!!! We live in Canada, how could our kids be so not ready for winter?
Then I got the call...
"Hi Martha, its Wes calling. Diane is working at Sears today and says to get in there!! All the kids snowsuits are half off the lowest ticketed price AND she has a coupon for a further $20 off for you."
How fast could we get into Sears? Scarily not that fast as I was still in my jammies and robe and had bedhead at 11:30 am. I was talking on the phone at that time and my friend whose name will not be mentioned completely (G--n McQ----ie) was as dressed as I was! We did manage to get into Sears 20 min before Diane was off shift and was able to get Matt, Connor and Jack all really nice jackets and skipants. Jack's even included a hat and scarf. Matt's suit was originally $109 before taxes. We got all 3 suits for $102 after taxes. They will all fit next year too. Hopefully Matt will be able to pass his down to Connor.
Moral of this rather long winded saga?? God provided what we needed, when we needed it, in a really nice way without us having to go nutso worrying about it. We haven't had any snow until now so we didn't need these items before. Today was even too cold to go out to play. Tomorrow is the first really good snow day and those kids will be ready for it.
It really helped to remind us of God's provision for us one day after hearing we will have to wait another 3 months to find out if Dave gets a really amazing job!! We were pretty sure it was a sure thing, but then were told it was on hold until April. I hate waiting. I'm the kind of person who would rather be told and out and out NO than to be told to wait. God gives me many, many chances to improve my attitude about waiting, and this one is a real stinker. But y'know, I'm almost enjoying the wait. Notice I said almost. Its a challange of whether I can win over the old nature of impatience and be excited about living the life God has given us NOW.
Now, I have curtains to sew, kids closets and dressers to clean through, linen closet to sort through, babies to feed and clean up after, children to train, a husband to take care of!, quiet times to have, Bible characters to know better, rooms to rearrange, budgets to make and stick too, books to read, Bible studies to do, lots of math to correct, a gazillion doctors appts to get to... and so on and so on...
I think God has given me enough to keep me busy for NOW that waiting for what might never come should be a cinch!
I'm reading Anne Ortlund's trilogy "Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman", "Disciplines of the Heart", and "Disciplines of the Home". If there were ever an encouraging book (or set of books) on living a beautiful, feminine, gentle life... this is it. I am inspired to grab hold of the reins of this house and really make a difference in it. There are even study guides in this thing. I would love to actually do this as a group study with some like minded women. Thanks to Joy for giving me this book!!!
This was rambly! I feel rambly tonight. I am so thankful there are no rules for blogging. I can ramble all I please!!
Then I got the call...
"Hi Martha, its Wes calling. Diane is working at Sears today and says to get in there!! All the kids snowsuits are half off the lowest ticketed price AND she has a coupon for a further $20 off for you."
How fast could we get into Sears? Scarily not that fast as I was still in my jammies and robe and had bedhead at 11:30 am. I was talking on the phone at that time and my friend whose name will not be mentioned completely (G--n McQ----ie) was as dressed as I was! We did manage to get into Sears 20 min before Diane was off shift and was able to get Matt, Connor and Jack all really nice jackets and skipants. Jack's even included a hat and scarf. Matt's suit was originally $109 before taxes. We got all 3 suits for $102 after taxes. They will all fit next year too. Hopefully Matt will be able to pass his down to Connor.
Moral of this rather long winded saga?? God provided what we needed, when we needed it, in a really nice way without us having to go nutso worrying about it. We haven't had any snow until now so we didn't need these items before. Today was even too cold to go out to play. Tomorrow is the first really good snow day and those kids will be ready for it.
It really helped to remind us of God's provision for us one day after hearing we will have to wait another 3 months to find out if Dave gets a really amazing job!! We were pretty sure it was a sure thing, but then were told it was on hold until April. I hate waiting. I'm the kind of person who would rather be told and out and out NO than to be told to wait. God gives me many, many chances to improve my attitude about waiting, and this one is a real stinker. But y'know, I'm almost enjoying the wait. Notice I said almost. Its a challange of whether I can win over the old nature of impatience and be excited about living the life God has given us NOW.
Now, I have curtains to sew, kids closets and dressers to clean through, linen closet to sort through, babies to feed and clean up after, children to train, a husband to take care of!, quiet times to have, Bible characters to know better, rooms to rearrange, budgets to make and stick too, books to read, Bible studies to do, lots of math to correct, a gazillion doctors appts to get to... and so on and so on...
I think God has given me enough to keep me busy for NOW that waiting for what might never come should be a cinch!
I'm reading Anne Ortlund's trilogy "Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman", "Disciplines of the Heart", and "Disciplines of the Home". If there were ever an encouraging book (or set of books) on living a beautiful, feminine, gentle life... this is it. I am inspired to grab hold of the reins of this house and really make a difference in it. There are even study guides in this thing. I would love to actually do this as a group study with some like minded women. Thanks to Joy for giving me this book!!!
This was rambly! I feel rambly tonight. I am so thankful there are no rules for blogging. I can ramble all I please!!
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