Hospitality, Homes and Great Bargains...

 As we prepare our homes for spring, we also are getting our homes ready to open for hospitality! Here are some pretty plates to serve guests with--The Life to the Full Collection!  Today is the LAST DAY to get your Life to the Full Collection for 30% off for the month of March! To get the discount you must use coupon code LIFE30 at checkout!

 These joyful plates are gorgeous and a great way to share your faith with John 10:10 inscribed as the theme:

"I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.... "

Can't you just see this festive looking pitcher on the patio in the summer by the pool ready to pour some nice cold lemonade?

These cozy mugs are great for a heart-to-heart conversation with two...some how hearts are just more open over a good cup of java or tea. Wouldn't you agree?

And while you are having guests over, why not share a good movie with them?

I remember one year having a HomeBuilder's meeting and having a large group of daughters watch 'The Return of the Daughters' and later discussing it and sharing their thoughts. We love to do this from time to time and these excellent movies are on sale right now until April 2nd.

 This is one of my all time favorites and chock full of wisdom. When I first watched this I was overwhelmed with all the wonderful information that I watched it again the next night and wisely took notes. What Is Biblical Femininity? is now on sale at 55% off and only $6.80! So is Training Dominion -Oriented Daughters!

And Tea with Michelle Duggar only $3.00 (80% off)
you can click the link to view the trailer.
....psssst--get your Mother's Day shopping checked off early this year!
Yes, it's only a few weeks away! And at this low price you can pick up several
and encourage that mom you have been meaning to bless~

And while you are busy cleaning your home for company, our family tends to like to listen to good music or a good sermon. Here are some GREAT deals-- SM Davis CD's for only $2.80 each!

I still love to have my children listen to What to Expect From a 12 Year Old when they are washing the dishes--it is SO convicting even to me as a mother of how I should raise them and the ones below. You can click on any of these images to listen to a sample.

Why Satan Wants Your Firstborn and What To Do About It--Is your oldest a rebel or a servant? This wonderful teaching on how the firstborn affects and influences the household and younger siblings. I love SM Davis and know many others who do as well.

And who doesn't need more wisdom in developing character in their children?
At only $2.80 these CD's are a steal--I paid much more for mine!





**Click here to see more phenomenal deals under $5.**



Hospitality and ministering to your family and others at a true bargain!

But hurry because as I said before the Life to the Full Collection ends today and Vision Forum spring sale ends on April 2nd.



Happy shopping!


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Wise Woman Tip:

The mystery product that VF are promoting today at their site at 80% off is:

**UPDATED**

Tea with Michelle Duggar as pictured above
only $3.00!



 (they are promoting a new 80% off bargain product every day of this week!)

Be Alarmed

If you find yourself loving any pleasure more than your prayers, 

any book better than the Bible, 

any house better than the house of the Lord,
any table better than the Lord's table,

any persons better than Christ, 

or any indulgence better than the hope of heaven--

be alarmed.

-Thomas Guthrie

Hat tip to Mrs. Pamela Leding

(this is Miss Jen's mom and we will feature an interview 
with her in the near future!)


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The Incalculable Impact of One Woman

Love this!

Ladies, know that your work is not in vain, and remember the Lord is pleased with your sacrifice to Him and He knows all your trials, pain and suffering.

Do not grow weary in serving our Mighty King!



If you haven't read Pastor Voddie Baucham's book
Family Driven Faith: Doing What It Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk with God,
it is full of wisdom in helping to raise a strong godly family.
You can also find other resources from him here.



-Hat Tip to Don and Shelly for the clip

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Encouraged here? Then subscribe and never miss a post!

Please Don't Read This Blog!

Please don't read this blog if you...

have neglected to care for your husband, children and home today in order to read it.

Please don't read this blog if you...

think that I am perfect, my home is perfect, and my children are perfect and that you would do well to emulate me, because we definitely are not.

Please don't read this blog ...

if you look to it to be your spiritual guide and not the Bible.

Please don't read this blog...

if you value what it has to say over your husband.

Please don't read this blog...

and look at it as a final authority on God's Word.
Search the Scriptures yourself and be like the Bereans.

Please DO read this blog if are encouraged here

and growing in the Lord
and in your ever important role of helpmeet, wife and homemaker.

We are so happy to have you along for the journey~

You are truly a blessing to us

we are so thankful for you

and we hope you are blessed here!

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Visit our sister site to view a new vlog on homeschooling!

Don't Be Robbed

Don't be robbed today of the simple joys of life...

Don't be robbed of your home---or angry with those in it, unhappy that things are not going your way or that your husband and children are not how you want them to be. Don't let Satan rob you of your happiness there, making you think that you don't have this or that. Don't compare yourself to others but be grateful for what you have and know they are a gift from the Almighty Himself.

Don't be robbed of your time---don't waste excessive hours with frivolous pursuits such as watching TV, being online, always being away from your home or other idleness that can spring up in a woman's life keeping her from truly caring for the very ones that you love. Guard your time carefully.

Don't be robbed by lies...the world will tell you that  you are wasting your time, that you need to look outside God and your home for true happiness. They will put you on 'their' path and lead you down the wrong paths. Keep yourself immersed in truth at all costs.

Love your children.....

Their smiles, their laughter, their questions, their hugs, their innocence, their smell, their thoughts, their health, their presence, their everything. They are God's gift to you. Care for them and educate them and raise them up in His ways. Enjoy life and share it with them, they are learning about the world through your eyes. What an honor we have been given! You are making memories today---rejoice in your special moments!

Love your husband...

Remember that he is not perfect, he is not  you and thinks differently than you do. He is God's gift to you. Love him in spite of his failings, love him wholeheartedly, extend to him the same measure of love, respect and forgiveness in the strength that has been given to you in Christ Jesus. Do something special for him today. A word of praise or encouragement, a massage, a gift, bake his favorite treat. Most men would die for their women, and we need to love them as our heroes (even when they might feel at their lowest). A noble wife rises up to the occasion to bless her husband with all her heart.

Care for your home...

Only a mother truly knows what is needed in the home. Perhaps the special meal, the socks that need darning, the gesture of love to cheer up a sad heart. Cleaning, decorating, planning, and reading to learn more about homemaking. Busy yourself with these things, and don't think that being home is boring!!!! There is so much to do and your are only limited by your own mind.

We have the blessed opportunity to start the day off as a clean white palette--new, fresh and clean, as we look forward to painting loveliness, creating order and putting our all into the our homes and our families. 

Guard yourselves, dear wives and mamas, 

from being robbed

and live your life serving

the Lord...





"I have come so that they may have life

and have it to the full."


John 10:10

Defending Biblical Truths in the Face of Adversity and Titus 2 Link-Up

Defending biblical truths are mandatory for this day and age--there is a surreal amount of pressure to walk away from or make light of the scriptures. Titus 2 clearly states that older women are to teach the younger women to love their husbands, love their children, be self controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind and be subjects of their husband so that no one will malign the word of God. The Bible warns that there will be those who will come and teach things that our 'itching' ears want to hear, but we must resist and stand firm on the foundation that will not be shaken.

My favorite mentors have always been the ones who were bold and  unafraid. They were usually the ones who were saying things that were not always 'politically correct', although they were biblically correct and did not try to blend in with what everyone else was doing. They were like trumpets sounding their truths from the rooftops. The voice of truth in the wild jungle of falsehood shining light in the empty darkness. They knew from wisdom what the word of God said and knew we needed to hear it in order for real change to occur in our lives. Sometimes sharing that truth brought a price--but like great heroes of the past, they plowed forth with all their might, their faith unwaivering.

This blog has always been a place that has defended biblical womanhood, taught on the glories of motherhood and encouraged the role of helpmeet and homemaker. I believe it was God using His word, mentors, and even blogs that had sound teaching that helped me to be a better Christian, wife and mother. We need to test all things (1 Thess 5:21) and make sure we are not like infants that are tossed to and fro (Eph 4:14). We will continue to do that zealously for the Lord, and by His grace we will not compromise His Word to fall into the fleeting pressure to conform to the world.

People might not understand why we do these things---sometimes these well-meaning people might be our very own brothers and sisters in Christ, who might also need to hear the truth themselves. Dear friends, while this can be discouraging, I encourage you not to lose heart and cling fast to what you know is true. The truth of God will prevail and will stand even after this world is gone and the scorner and mockers have passed.

Now if you believe in defending biblical truths (in mercy, humility, and in love) and are not afraid or ashamed to stand up for them, please link up below and share a post. You can post about anything regarding biblical womanhood, blessed motherhood, being a helpmeet or homemaker---this is a Titus 2 link up, where we would like to share, defend, encourage the biblical truths on roles regarding women and the Christian family. So please join in and share with thousands of women around the world who desperately need to hear the glories and beauty of Titus 2! I am looking forward to reading your posts!

Inward Appearance

I've been thinking a lot about the inward appearance of a woman. Often times we get caught up in legalism and performance, and forget that which is most valuable and eternal to God.

What are you wearing today? Is it anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, gossip, rebellion, or hate?

While you put on your pretty dress, is there resentment disfiguring your body? As you line your lips with gloss, does your mouth dabble in curses and gossip? Your hand automatically covers your eye with shadow to bring out those beautiful baby blues, but what are those baby blues coveting?

Look in the mirror today, but instead of your usual morning routine cry out to God and ask Him to give you that which is most precious in His sight - a gentle and quiet spirit.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

I Peter 3:3-4





This encouraging post is by Jasmine of Far Above Rubies~
Thanks so much for sharing!





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If you are looking resources to help you with the above, you might want to consider the Godly Woman's Adornment Collection-a four  book set or Putting On a Gentle And Quiet Spirit: 1 Peter (A Woman After God's Own Heart).

A Nugget of Wisdom

 "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, 

so that you may know how to answer everyone."

Colossians 4:5

We are witnesses of Christ wherever we go---

in person, 

when we travel, 

on our blogs 

or on social networks.

We need this great reminder because we represent and are ambassadors for Our King.

We never know who is watching and reading.

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Choose The Better Things

I have been thinking alot about how valuable our time is and how oftentimes as women, we get caught up in things that do not matter and are wasteful that could be used for serving the Lord and building up our homes instead. We are well meaning, but sometimes 'meaning well' can lead to our demise! I  believe we truly need to protect ourselves from this and ask the Lord to direct our days.

My wise friend, Robin, has written two excellent posts on Raising Homemakers that you should read to challenge you for the upcoming week in how you can build up your home:

Choose The Better Things, Part 1

Choose The Better Things, Part 2

This year is full of hope as:

we embrace the mercy and grace from God to do these things through His strength and not in our flesh. 

Our hope is in Him and not in what we can accomplish alone.

We can achieve these things because we are following His direction and not other 'voices'.

May the Lord abundantly bless you as you choose the better things, guard your time and build your home to His glory!

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Being Still

Yesterday I shared about hearing His quiet voice.

Today I am over at Far Above Rubies sharing about

Being Still

Being still is so important otherwise

we oftentimes cannot hear His voice.

Enjoy!

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A Quiet Voice

Today I am thinking about all the 'voices' that surround us as women.

That distract us, beckon us and tell us what to do.

They lay burdens on us unnecessarily and cause us to feel guilty.

Telling us that we are not good enough mothers,wives, homemakers, or teachers to our children.

Whispering lies to us as we faithfully try our best day after day.

Christian women need not concern themselves with such bequiling distractions.

But we only need to listen to one quiet voice.

Have you drowned out the other voices today?

And listened for His voice?


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"Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord,

but the Lord was not in the wind.

After the wind there was an earthquake,

but the Lord was not in the earthquake.

After the earthquake came a fire,

but the Lord was not in the fire.

And after the fire came a gentle whisper."

 -1 Kings 19:11


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A Wise Woman's Vision for Home Life

 The beauty and power of homelife is hard to overestimate when "a wise woman builds her house" (Proverbs 14:1).

She builds investment and beauty and stability that would make a family say, "There's no place like home." God has appointed a home to be a center of the ministry of the church; a source of peace for all who enter there; a place of hospitality.  The home is the fountain of society, and the spring from which flow the members of the church, the ranks of business and the citizens of the realm.

Please understand how important home life really is.

O daughters of Zion, see what a piece of heaven you  can provide to the weary and lost of this world by making your home a rich and overflowing fountain of the love of Christ. See the importance of  a rich home life that sends out happy children to the ends of the earth. See how being a keeper at home make you a key players in raising the next generation. Understand how you will be filling the earth with worshippers and providing the churches and towns and nations with the knowledge of God.

-Feminine by Design: The Twelve Pillars of Biblical Womanhood,

Pastor Scott Brown

The Wise Woman's Guide To Blessing Her Husband's Vision--Free Download!

Who is the wise woman?

She is the woman who will find out what her husband's vision is for their family and seeks to bless it!

Vision Forum is offering a FREE download of these powerful CD's--The Wise Woman's Guide to Blessing Her Husband's Vision, that offers wonderful teaching on being a wise helpmeet to your husband. All you need to do is click here to read how.

It is one of my favorites and even though I had bought it years ago I still try to listen to it occasionally to remind myself of what is important! Here is a description from their website:

"The Christian community is full of dear ladies discouraged because their husbands lack vision to lead the family with gusto. In some cases, the men are simply overwhelmed with present responsibilities. In other cases, they lack a biblical framework for household leadership. It certainly does not help when men have poor role models in their own lives, which is the case for a growing majority of husbands. Often wives cry out, “Help, my husband just doesn’t get it,” or, “I want more children, but my husband says ‘no,’” or even, “My husband is nervous about home schooling.” For more than ten years, Doug and Beall Phillips have spoken with hundreds who share these sentiments. But, too often, wives contribute to the problem through a wrong response. The great news is that the Bible anticipates this crisis of leadership in the home and provides crystal clear direction for wives. Wise women will desire to bless their husband’s vision by embracing the specific affirmative and negative biblical commands given to them for this very purpose. Those who do will become a sanctifying influence on their household, grow in spiritual maturity, and become God’s vehicle for their husband’s spiritual revival. This series is meant to encourage both wives and husbands with the principles and the practicalities for men and women growing in family vision for the Lord. "

Listen to a sample here.

If you enjoy it and would like to buy this encouraging teaching for a friend or family member as a gift for Christmas

you can purchase it here. 

It is 50% off now--so it is only $6.00 for the set of 2 CD's!

Have a blessed day!

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Invest In Your Family This Christmas

Every year when we buy gifts we try to make sure we include gifts that will sharpen the character of our children, teach them something new or grow in their spiritual walk with the Lord. I love Vision Forum because their products are family centered and help me to accomplish many of my goals in strengthening my marriage, family, and homeschool. I love what they have out this year for our daughters:

Heroines of Christ's Kingdom Paper Doll Set (Set of 6) now 50% off
 That is the ENTIRE set that is regularly priced at $78

--is NOW ONLY $39!!!!

 We own these and my daughter's absolutely love them!

“Daughters of His Story” is a new series of beautiful, full-color paper dolls that will entertain your girls and strengthen them in biblical femininity, character, and love for history. The women of God featured in these collections were dedicated to serving the Lord through their missions as wives and mothers. Each set comes with two women from history, along with a short biography and three outfits, two dolls inside a keepsake folder, two stands, and six dresses.

The Sewing Answer Book 
just marked down to $10.50!
A great way for our daughter's (or ourselves) to learn the domestic skills they will need one day for their future homes.They also have books for baking, knitting, crocheting and beading that you may find here.

What Our Father Taught Us About Boys
just marked down to $7!!

How can young ladies keep their hearts pure? What responsibilities do they have toward young men? Is it possible to be “just friends?” Listen to practical advice on navigating the tricky waters of relationships with boys, and how these relationships—properly conducted—can be edifying and strengthening to a civilization that honors marriage and family life.

My daughter really enjoyed this one and so did I! Believe me, I am very picky about teaching regarding the opposite sex, and this was worth the investment! Listen to a sample here.

The Godly Woman's Adornment Collection-50% off-
 now only $22!!
This accessible and hard hitting series addresses four Biblical fruits which are not some fleeting ideal, but a reality that God enables women to live out daily. Perfect to meditate upon throughout the day, each short devotional looks to Scripture for words of encouragement, correction, wisdom, and guidance to help direct women toward a true, enduring satisfaction in Christ. Books include the virtuous topics of Joy, Contentment, Trust and Purity.

For the dads:

Fathers and Daughters: Why Every Father is Leaving a Legacy-$10
now marked down to $5!!!
Every father leaves a legacy for his daughter whether good or bad, whether by design or by default. Daughters watch carefully what dads prioritize as well as what they neglect, and then form their own ideals—including the kind of man they look for in a mate—in response to this. Dr. Voddie Baucham explains this powerful influence that fathers have on their girls as well as the destructiveness of male abdication. His charge: Dads must set aside selfish pursuits and lovingly lead their daughters. Listen to a sample here.

Feminine by Design- only $9
just marked down to $6.30!

Feminine by Design - The Twelve Pillars of Biblical Womanhood, is written for teenage girls to help them understand biblical femininity. Here, Scott Brown explores some of the major passages of Scripture that explain it. You will find the biblical texts that he used to teach his own daughters as he sought to “bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

Oh, I couldn't help but throw this cutie-pie in! Isn't she adorable?

Lady Jocelyn Leigh Dress now 19% off

and we can't forget the lace parasol:

and I will throw this one in here for me---I mean for the moms! :)

Building a Winning Curriculum-only $10
was just marked down to $4!!!

Written by a homeschool mom with twenty years of experience teaching her three children, this handy guide combines the majority of Vision Forum’s resources into a single, easy-to-use handbook. Each product is placed into overarching categories, such as Creationism and Science, the History of Christianity, Western Civilization, etc., and recommendations are provided on how you can use Vision Forum’s resources to develop and enhance your own unit studies. Also included are tips on ways to use these materials to encourage your children's growth in the Lord.

They are currently offering a flat shipping rate of $5 only!
With many of their products at 60% off! 
And get a free gift for your $150 purchase-a $95 value

Put gifts under the tree that will help strengthen your family this year and have a wonderful day searching out wise investments for building up your home!


(What are you waiting for??? Go there now and see what other goodies they have!)



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Note: Dear readers,  I am affiliate for Vision Forum--if you decide to make a purchase from them please consider making them through this site through any of the links above or the catalog in the sidebar.  It would greatly bless our family and we would truly appreciate it! I love Vision Forum and am happy and honored to be able to introduce you to their fabulous resources! They also have sales everyday until Christmas!

Discouraging Younger Women

Ladies Against Feminism has a great article called

Discouraging Younger Women

that every women should read. 

Enjoy!

Characteristics of a Meek and Quiet Spirit

I found this wonderful list~ Characteristics of a Meek and Quiet Spirit, over at Revive Our Hearts, a ministry of Nancy Leigh Demoss:

Meekness is calm confidence, settled assurance, and rest of the soul. It is the tranquil stillness of a heart that is at rest in Christ. It is the place of peace. Meekness springs from a heart of humility, radiating the fragrance of Christ.

 

The meek will be at rest in the storms of life …
(Matthew 11:28–30; Psalm 37:7; Hebrews 4:1–11)

The fretful will be fearful in the storms of life …
(Mark 4:35–41; Jeremiah 50:6)

 

The meek will react to circumstances with peaceful trust …
(Isaiah 26:3–4)
The fretful will attempt to manipulate individuals or circumstances …
(James 4:1–3; Proverbs 7:21)

 

The meek will make life choices based on Scriptural principles …
(Psalm 119:105)
The fretful will make life choices based on emotions or fleeting passions of the moment …
(James 3:13–18; Proverbs 19:16)
 
The meek woman’s confidence is in the security of the truths of Scripture and the faithfulness of God …
(Proverbs 3:26, 14:26; Psalm 119:165; Jeremiah 17:7–8)
The fretful woman’s trust is in her own abilities and power to control others and details …
(Proverbs 12:15, 14:12, 16:25; Jeremiah 18:12)
 

“Meekness is the silent submission of the soul to the 'providence' of God concerning us.”
—Matthew Henry

The meek woman finds her worth and value in knowing who she is in Christ …
(Ephesians 1:3–8)
The fretful woman finds her worth and value in her own accomplishments and what others think of her …
(Psalm 49:11–20; Proverbs 11:28, 16:18–19, 29:25)

The meek woman finds her strength of character in Christ …
(Ephesians 5:8–11)
The fretful woman finds her strength of character in her own personality traits …
(Proverbs 28:26)

 

Meekness restrains the stormy tempest of our emotions and passions by commanding them“peace be still” …
(Proverbs 16:32)
Fretting fuels the stormy tempest by venting passions and emotions …
(Psalm 37:8; Proverbs 14:29–30, 29:11, 22)
 
Meekness is the strength and courage to battle and overcome our own sinful anger and passions, by holding fast to peace—through trusting in the providence of Almighty God …
(Romans 12:18–19; Colossians 3:1–17; 1 Peter 4:19)
The fretful woman is too fearful and weak to trust God,but allows her sinful emotions and passions to rule …
(Proverbs 28:25)

“The work and office of meekness is to enable us to govern our own anger when at anytime we are provoked, and patiently bear out the anger of others that it may not be a provocation to us.”
—Matthew Henry

Meekness is constancy and steady composure in spirit and frame of mind, reflecting the consistent stability of our Lord, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
(Psalm 102:25–27; Ephesians 4:13–15; 1 Peter 3:13–16; Hebrews 13:8)
The fretful woman is always on a roller-coaster ride of emotions, continually up and down …the only thing consistent about her is that you never know what mood to expect.
(Proverbs 21:9, 19, 25:24)

Meekness does not allow the mind to run away with vain imaginations and to dwell on thoughts which inflame volatile emotions and passions …
(2 Corinthians 10:3–5; Philippians 4:8–9)
The rash woman is filled with suspicions, doubts, and assumptions based entirely on emotion, and allows these imaginations to determine the course of action …
(3 John 9–10)

The meek woman does not avoid or run from controversy, but walks through necessary confrontations under the control of the Holy Spirit …
(Galatians 6:1–2; Proverbs 27:5)
The rash woman enters controversy hastily and recklessly …
(Proverbs 10:19, 13:3, 14:16–17, 29:20)

The meek woman is at peace because she is master over her passions …
(Proverbs 17:27, 25:28, 29:11)
The rash woman is fretful because she is mastered by her passions …
(Psalm 37:1–8; Romans 6:16; James 1:14–17) 

Read the rest here.

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Dying to Self

When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ.

~THAT IS DYING TO SELF~

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence.

~THAT IS DYING TO SELF~

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any unpunctuality, or any annoyance; when you stand face-to-face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility-and endure it as Jesus endured.

~THAT IS DYING TO SELF~

When you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any society, any raiment, any interruption by the will of God.

~THAT IS DYING TO SELF~

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendations, when you can truly love to be unknown.

~THAT IS DYING TO SELF~

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances.

~THAT IS DYING TO SELF~

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart.

~THAT IS DYING TO SELF~





Are you dead yet?





In these last days, the Spirit would bring us to the cross.

~Author Unknown~

~oOo~

"That I may know Him,
and the power of his resurrection,
and the fellowship of his sufferings,
being made conformable unto his death."
~Philippians 3:10~

Thank you, Michelle at A Quiet, Gracious Life for sharing these valuable words of wisdom! 
This post really ministered to me and I hope it will bless you, my dear readers, if you are going through any difficult circumstances as well!

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Contentment in Our Homes

There are many ways a homemaker can learn to be content in her home. Awhile back my husband and I decided to redo our  kitchen and replace the cabinets (by the way, you can click here if you are looking to find great bathroom wall cabinets). It was an incredible task, my husband pretty much tackled it all on his own in between his hours of working full time with practically only my young sons as helpers.  You moms can imagine what it was like to have 10 people to feed, without a  stove hooked up or sink and just an average size microwave to make it through! It was quite a challenge to figure out the logistics of it all (especially with baby twins) and I don't think I  ever wanted to see another paper plate or piece of plastic silverware ever at that point--but somehow the good Lord brought us through it all! We lived that way for three months.

The entire time I asked the Lord for patience. I knew it would be easy to grumble, complain or have a pity party (yes, even for something that was going to bless us in the long run)---but how would that have helped the situation? Instead I tried my best to make it fun--a journey if you will, and be creative eating healthfully without cooking (which, by the way can be a pretty healthy way to go for many!). I knew I must be thankful and look at the situation with new eyes.

 "Godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6

Do I always choose this in a situation? No, I am human just like you and make wrong decisions sometimes--but the point is to definitely learn from our bad choices.


But June, you say, your story is nothing compared to what I am going through, you had it easy! I chose this story because sometimes as women we tend to focus in on the small details of things in our home or life that we don't like, or when things don't go our way we get discontented and distracted by it.

Believe me, I have many stories like this one--many  even worse! (Now this is a very mild story compared to some that I have  --but at this time I am only sharing this one to spare you! ;)) You are not alone in your struggles, as many women have gone through many hardships, poverty, illness, abuse and neglect and such and have found ways to make it through with a grateful and contented heart. I am thankful, now that I look back and see that with EACH difficult  instance in my own life the Lord was carefully chiseling away at my sinful heart and helping me become more like His Son.

I would like to share this new clip on Choosing Contentment to encourage you by Joy over at The Stay at Home Missionary:

(Remember to turn the music off in the sidebar!)

What challenging situation does the Lord have you in today?

Does He want you to look at your situation with new eyes?

Many times He places these situations in our lives to further refine us. 

How can you choose contentment today?

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The Destructive Influence of the Foolish Woman

The destructive influence of foolish women is readily apparent in the secular world. In recent years we have seen the power of foolish women to tear down and destroy the moral sensitivities and fiber of an entire nation. We can all think of high profile women, entertainers, politicians, wives of public figures--whose philosophies and lifestyles have wielded an enormous, negative influence on our entire culture.

However, what should trouble us even more is the extent to which foolishness among women has permeated the evangelical church. We have followed the world in redefining what it means to be a woman, as well as what is means to be a man. We have blurred, if not eradicated, the distinctions between feminine and masculine character, behavior and roles.

We have lost our moorings, our sense of what is pure and good, true and right. We have little comprehension of the meaning or importance of such old-fashioned words such as wholesome, modest, discreet and chaste.

Nancy Leigh Demoss, Biblical Womanhood in the Home


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When Life Gets Tough

There are those days...

and then there are THOSE days...

You know, when everything seems to be going wrong.

There's not enough money.

The children are not listening.

The housework never seems caught up.

You get more bad news.

You might be swimming in bills and debt.

Your husband, bless his heart, is trying his best and you can only find room to criticize.

You are faaaaaarrrrrr from the Lord.

You might not think you are, but you are.

You might think that because you are talking to Him all the time that you are close---but are you really? 

Where is your heart?

Your heart, my dear sister?

Because I want  you to know that you are not alone.

And there are many of you out there that are sharing the same hurt and pain.

The same struggles and the same fears.

 If I could just reach out through this screen and give you a big hug.

And tell you that everything is going to be okay.

And that it will be.

He has you covered.

Fully covered.

Magnificiently covered.

And He loves you, even when you don't love yourself.

When you are at your ugliest and at your worst.

So 'fight hard and hold fast'.

Don't give up.

Put your faith in the Great Provider.

You are in the Father's arms.

And though you might not realize it....

It is a wonderful place to be.

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