What Are We Doing With That Gift He Gave Us?

I’m horrible.

I have been in a rut. If any of you know me… you can probably tell that I am in a rut by my facebook posts. I go through these stages where I am a good mom/wife/housekeeper – bad – good  – bad.

And by ‘bad’ – I mean lazy. Out of control. My household has been full of chaos lately & I don’t know how to calm things down.  I don’t know how I get in these lazy/chaotic ruts.

God speaks to me & tells me,

“GET UP and stop being lazy!”

“Get organized!”

He NEEDS to YELL at me though, haha.

He is telling me,

“These children are a gift I gave you! I gave you your husband! You have a roof over your head & food on the table! What are you doing with these blessings I gave you?”

Am I the only one that God needs to yell at & scold? I sure feel like it!

So there is a lot on my mind as a sahm. As I go to look up verses for different reasons, somehow God keeps making me stumble upon verses like these below… and even when I see these verses for husbands/fathers -  I am feeling like this is God speaking to ME, not men. Really all these verses apply to me too.

I really have some shaping up to do!

Psalm 127:3
Children are a gift from the Lord; babies are a reward.

Psalm 113:9
He gives children to the woman who has none and makes her a happy mother. Praise the Lord!

Proverbs 13:24
If you do not punish your children, you don't love them, but if you love your children, you will correct them.

Proverbs 20:11
Even children are known by their behavior; their actions show if they are innocent and good.

Proverbs 22:6
Train children to live the right way, and when they are old, they will not stray from it.

Proverbs 23:13
Don't fail to punish children. If you spank them, they won't die.

Proverbs 29:15
Correction and punishment make children wise, but those left alone will disgrace their mother.

Proverbs 29:17
Correct your children, and you will be proud; they will give you satisfaction.

Proverbs 31:28
Her children speak well of her. Her husband also praises her,

Ephesians 6:1  Children, obey your parents as the Lord wants, because this is the right thing to do.

Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not make your children angry, but raise them with the training and teaching of the Lord.

Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in all things, because this pleases the Lord.

Colossians 3:21
Fathers, do not nag your children. If you are too hard to please, they may want to stop trying

1 Timothy 3:4
He must be a good family leader, having children who cooperate with full respect.

1 Timothy 3:12
Deacons must have only one wife and be good leaders of their children and their own families.

1 Timothy 5:10
She must be known for her good works—works such as raising her children, welcoming strangers, washing the feet of God's people, helping those in trouble, and giving her life to do all kinds of good deeds.

Titus 1:6
An elder must not be guilty of doing wrong, must have only one wife, and must have believing children. They must not be known as children who are wild and do not cooperate

Titus 2:4
Then they can teach the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

Proverbs 12:4
A good wife is like a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful wife is like a disease in his bones.

Proverbs 19:14
Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a wise wife is a gift from the Lord.

Proverbs 31:10
It is hard to find a good wife, because she is worth more than rubies.

Ecclesiastes 9:9
Enjoy life with the wife you love. Enjoy all the useless days of this useless life God has given you here on earth, because it is all you have. So enjoy the work you do here on earth.

1 Corinthians 7:3
The husband should give his wife all that he owes her as his wife. And the wife should give her husband all that she owes him as her husband.

1 Corinthians 7:4
The wife does not have full rights over her own body; her husband shares them. And the husband does not have full rights over his own body; his wife shares them.

Ephesians 5:23
because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church. And he is the Savior of the body, which is the church.

Ephesians 5:28
In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they love their own bodies. The man who loves his wife loves himself.

I just hope I am not totally displeasing the Lord in every single way. I hope He sees  my desire to please Him… and I hope I am able to climb out of my rut!!

I want to be a better wife & mother.

I hope I can get better control of my household.

I want things to calm down & the chaos to end & I want order back.

I want to run my home in a way that pleases HIM.

Friday Hopping!

Happy

Friday

Everyone!!

Come & meet me :)

Join me in these BLOG HOP’s

I love finding new blogs & meeting new people, don’t you?!?

Visit one or all of the blog hops below…

Leave a friendly comment…

Follow them if you like their blog… and maybe they will like you back :)

 {aka 5QF}Rules:You answer 5 questions & then link up!So here I go…

1. How many pets do you have? None right now. In the past we have had 3 dogs, a ferret, a ton of hermit crabs & some fish that I killed on purpose. I can’t wait to  get another dog, but we need to fence in our yard first. We are going to get a Lab & an English/American Bulldog mix – both puppies – at the same time. I can’t wait!!

2. If you could switch places with anyone in the world for one day, who would it be? I do not think I can answer that one. Really. I guess I would pick someone who doesn’t have a busy schedule, and who doesn’t have any stress, or who has enough money not to stress, and someone who lives on the beach in a warm climate, who is super healthy & feels great! WHO IS THIS PERSON?

3. What is your favorite money saving tip? Don’t let your hubby keep cards in his wallet. Or cash. Seriously.

4. What do you want your kids to be when they grow up? Happy

5. What is your favorite quote? Well duh, “We Don’t Have It All Together… But Together We Have It All” – I do not know where this quote came from though. At the moment I am also liking, “If the kids are alive  at the end of the day, I’ve done my job” – Rosanne

 

So that’s me! I am looking forward to reading about all of you now. It takes me all weekend to pick a handful of blogs to visit (and/or follow)… so eventually within the next 3 days, you should see me :)

Happy hopping!

Have a great weekend! 

OH!!

Please head over to my post from yesterday… I am taking up donations for a family in need. Please Help If You Can! 

Find Details Here

Thank You!

Friday Blog Hops!

Happy

Friday

Everyone!!

BLOG HOP WITH ME!

I love finding new blogs & meeting new people, don’t you?!?

Visit one or all of the blog hops below…

Leave a friendly comment…

Follow them if you like their blog… and maybe they will like you back :)

 {aka 5QF}Rules:You answer 5 questions & then link up!So here I go…

1. Have you ever visited another country? Nope. I’ve only been to a few states. Lame. I know. But I am afraid to fly. Unless I am jumping out :)

2. Where is the strangest place you have ever been? This house. Sad but true. Very strange house. This place always needs a lot of explaining!

3. What is your favorite season? SUMMER!!! No need to bundle up to stay warm… better yet – strip down!

4. What one song will always cheer you up? Well that is a tough one. It depends on what mood I am in. I LOVE so many different types of music… so depending on what mood I am in – it would be Christian,  country, rock… and a few more. I guess if you check out  my YouTube Channel – that would give you a good idea of what I like.

5. What Disney character do you resemble most?  I think I answered this not too long ago. I chose Nala from The Lion King. She was fun, playful, tomboy-ish when she was young & wise when she was grown. 

So that’s me! I am looking forward to reading about all of you now. It takes me all weekend to pick a handful of blogs to visit (and/or follow)… so eventually within the next 3 days, you should see me :)

Happy hopping!

Have a great weekend!

Disappointed in Myself

FYI - this post will be boring to most (similar to all the rest, lol). It is church stuff. This is more of a 'dear diary' for myself. So skip over this one people.

I am disappointed in myself. I am so busy during the day, and when I do get free time what do I do? I get on the computer! Why? Sadly I am addicted. I am the gossipy type. Not the type to gossip behind someones back - but the kind that just likes to talk too much. I want to know what's going on in the world. I like knowing what's going on w/all my mommy friends across this earth. I like reading up on all my sites & blogs. I don't know why I can't pry myself off of the computer. I keep telling myself, "There is so many other things that you could be doing"... but I stay glued to the computer.

So. What should I be doing? Well that list could go on & on... What I have slacked on is reading. Reading God's Word. Praying. And my kids. I have been putting the blame on church. (I still am) But I know I need to suck it up and accept the fact that I have also become lazy.

I am not happy at church. Haven't been in a really long time. That in itself is a really long story. I'll try to make it as short as I can but y'all know it won't be short... 'Our' church is the church that Mike grew up in. His father & step-mother are the pastors. Mike started preaching back in 2001 (or 2002). That church is 'home' to him. We both have been teaching for a few years too. I started teaching the pre/kinder Sunday School class while Mike taught the teen Sunday School class. Then after a couple years, I moved into the teen class with Mike. We made a great team teaching together! Back a few years ago as Mike & I were studying we realized half of the message being taught is not what we believed. The other half of the message the church taught we did agree with, but it was not good enough. We needed more. We needed to grow. We needed to be fed by someone other than ourselves. We were studying for hours each day & learning sooo much & it was great! But we knew we couldn't stay at that church. Over time & alot of discussion with Mike's parents, we left. We went to a church that taught what we believed to be truth. And finally we were being fed! We would leave church and go home to continue studying what we had learned that day in service. It was great! Unfortunately we only stayed there for one year. Mike's 'home' church was losing a co-pastor. Mike's dad asked him to come back. He needed the help. He needed another preacher. Through alot more discussion... we went back. *sigh* And slowly, slowly, slowly... I am bored. The church is very small as it is. The people are set in their ways. They don't want to learn more. They don't want to do more. They are satisfied with what they have. They only want to be seen on Sunday & make their presence known. There is no praise & worship. People are dead. They sit in their pew's and look like they are zombies. Where is the joy? Don't we all have so much to praise God for? Doesn't He deserve our praise & worship? He died for us! Why can't we stand up and show Him how much we love him? I don't understand. All I know is I miss praise & worship in the other church. And other churches that we have visited. People have issues with each other & they let it show. Certain people will not come to church depending on who is preaching that day. Why? Are we coming to church to lift up man? Or The Man? A certain music person refuses to sing if he finds out a certain person is preaching. How is that possible? So we have changed things around a little. We have started bringing in music. Really good praise & worship music. Music that will invite the Holy Spirit to our service! Not bluegrass songs about 'mama dying or daddy working in the coal mines'. Songs about Jesus! Songs about His Amazing Grace! It is a slow process. I know God is going to separate the wheat from the tares. And when this process is done... God will send people IN! But Wow.Is.This.A.Slow.Process. And in the mean time, I am dying. I feel almost lifeless. I am bored.

I stopped reading. I pray. But most of my prayer is repenting & thanksgiving. I sure don't feel worthy enough to ask anything of God! My prayer life is not what it used to be. I guess I should say, my 'relationship' is not what it used to be. I never thought I would let myself slip like this. I thought I was strong enough to not let this happen! I used to study all week long to prepare for my teen class. I did recently quit teaching do to my Gracie. I gave it my best shot... but Gracie missing her morning nap makes it impossible to teach a class over her screaming! But before that - for the past 6 months or longer have not even studied for Sunday School class! I would think in my head of a good lesson... arrive at church Sunday morning & flip through my bible to find the book to teach out of. Horrible! Just horrible! I have not taught or discussed anything with my kids in just as long! That makes me mad! I have a bunch of books I ordered months ago that I really wanted to read along with my kids... have I? No. Why? I am so lazy! And dried up! It doesn't even cross my mind until some time like the very end of my night after my kids are in bed. I haven't prayed with them in about a month. We pray every night before bed. They will still ask. But I say, "I'll be there in a minute"... and I forget. I even started this blog for all my bible studying - kinda like a place to jot down all that is in my head. I always had so much on my mind & wanted to learn so much more. But since I started this blog...I've become bored. It is sad! I only have a few posts. There is so much more on my mind that I want to put in it. I just haven't 'gotten around' to it yet. So I won't even share my blog with anyone yet until I get it built up. Embarrassing! What is wrong with me? I need to get myself back on track with God.

I just don't know where to begin. I am kinda lost. My life with Jesus right now reminds me of the song "Slow Fade" by Casting Crowns:

Hello! Who am I & what am I thinking?!?

I have a TON on my mind so I HAD to create this blog... It is currently going on midnight here and I need to be up at 6am. So on that note - I will probably post my "real" first entry some other day.

I am not 'religious'. I am a Christian. Religion is man made. Christianity is God made. Religion is man's way to reach God. Christianity is God's way to reach man. In religion man shouts, "DO!" The cross of Christ shouts, "DONE!"...which leaves man with only with FAITH!

I have been studying on 5 of the Levitical Offerings and it one of the best studies EVER!! These 5 offerings (The Most Holy Offerings) back in Old Testament times looked to the Cross of Christ & it amazes me! Every little detail about the sacrifices looks towards Jesus. I love it! I can't wait to share!

Some topics I can't wait to 'blog' about? Where do I begin?

First of all... When someone says they 'believe in God' - what does that mean? The bible says even the demons 'believe'. Does that mean the demons are Christians? NO.  And so the word 'believe' needs to be examined first.

I want to express what the term, "Jesus and Him crucified" means. If you take a general poll... the answer you will get is, "Jesus died on the cross for our sins". This is true. BUT it only the begining of what He did for us!!!  Most of this will come from Romans chpt. 6 & 7.

I want to express what it means to BE IN CHRIST. This is one of the most important things I learned in the last couple of years. NOT knowing this makes a Christian... a miserable Christian. Most of this will come from Ephesians.

I also want to write about the differences between justification and condemnation. HUGE difference. Not understanding the difference makes a saved individual... a miserably saved individual. Many Christians have no joy and no peace because they do not understand this very important doctrine of justification! Romans 4 & 5.

I am eager to write about false doctrine since there is SO MUCH out in the world today. SO many false teachers & preachers leading people down the wrong path, it's sad. I believe this: If there was a hole in the main highway that lead down to a bottomless pit of fire... people would warn eachother!! "DON'T take highway '123'... You will fall in the hole & DIE!!"  This is how we Christians should deal with false doctrine. WARN others! We are to be "watchmen". (Ezek.)

I believe that the reason we see souls get saved, and then walk out the door of the church...never to see them again - is because they don't understand what it means to be JUSTIFIED -IN CHRIST-!!

There is sooo much more on my mind. I have been wanting to do this for soooo long. I am doing this for me, so if I have no followers - that is okay. I just have to get this all out of my head! Warning though: This is going to be an informative blog... but I regret to say, it will also be personal & opinionated & possible sarcasim might overflow from time to time. I LOVE reading & studying, however I am human and I do have issues with life... so this blog will also contain bits & peices of my daily life pleasures & struggles.

I will end this first entry with one of my favorite scriptures: 

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that are unsaved- foolishness; but unto US WHICH ARE SAVED- it is the POWER OF GOD"....Paul, inspired by the HOLY SPIRIT(1st cor. 1:18)