This is how a dog "meditates" on God's Word...OR...Don't be like a dog!

We have always been given the definition of meditation with the example of a cow...how it chews the cud...four stomaches...and so on. This is how our dog "digests" the Word of God. One of the girl's New Testaments was is in a purse/Awana bag that at one time contained candy or gum. The Bible was not left in the right place today. That "sweet savor" was still present this morning, evidently, and this pile was on the bedroom floor. I hope I do a better job of "chewing on God's Word" this week than our dog...he just spit it out and walked away...and that response caused a mess for another person to have to deal with! What a good object lesson for me to start my week!

I am thinking this mindset...

doesn't really fit in with the "Love Dares" that we heard about last night. I got a new magazine in the mail today and paged through it during lunch. I laughed at first...Ted has always ironed his shirts since the day we were united in holy matrimony. I can count on two hands...well, maybe a foot now too...how many times I have ironed for him. I sit here now and think about that...I am not laughing now. I had time to sit at the computer and time to look at a magazine...but I didn't spoil him by completing the laundry job I started. Am I over-thinking this? Or have I been over-looking (with a ha, ha, ha...He is capable.) a way to spoil someone who takes good care of me?

A reminder of last night...

a pan of assorted "gourmet" brownies that Mom sent home with us. I am finding that every memorable event we share with others always has something to do with food! Last night was no exception! We enjoyed the fellowship and the movie. I sat in the shelter of Ted's arm and was so grateful for the relationship we have. It takes work! It takes humility! It takes God's power to have a God-pleasing marriage relationship! It is not always easy or fun! God has been working in our home and in our relationship in some specific areas for several weeks. It didn't come from watching a movie. It came from studying God's Word...as individuals and as a couple. If I, as a Christian, wait for the next "thought-provoking production" to do what God wants me to do...I am in a sad state. I shouldn't "be moved to action" because of the latest emotional, spiritual trend! I should be moved each and every day by submitting my will to the Holy Spirit! The marriage in the movie changed when the Holy Spirit gained entrance into the lives of each individual. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, our heart changes! We must guard our hearts diligently..."for out of it, are the issues of life." As I watched the movie, I thought of the song...Were It Not For Grace
"Time measured out my days, life carried me along. In my soul I yearned to follow God, but knew I'd never be so strong. I looked hard at this world to learn how Heaven could be gained. Just to end where I began, where human effort is all in vain.
Were it not for grace, I could tell you where I 'd be, wandering down some pointless road to nowhere with my salvation up to me. I know how that would go, the battles that I would face, forever running but losing the race...were it not for grace.
So here is all my praise, expressed with all my heart. Offered to the One who took my place and ran a course I could not start. When He saw in full, just how much His love would cost. He still went the final mile between me and Heaven so I would not be lost."
**So this afternoon I am listening to a cd with songs reminding me of God's grace...and thanking Him that I am under His grace!

Feeling more like what the dog drags in from the yard than a good mommy...

I finally climbed out of my bathrobe and got moving. It does help to take a shower and put clothes on to feel like a productive being of society...not high society, mind you!
The kids enjoyed a little picnic lunch while watching the Tigger Movie. It really is sad to be stuck inside all Saturday while the rain falls.

But we are finding lots of things to do and messing up each room as we go!

There is an upside to rain...growth! We found this little crocus poking its head up through the winter covering at Grammy and Grampy's yesterday. More promises of spring!

Bowtie Chicken Pasta...

with garlic and bacon and asiago cheese! I can hardly wait! Tonight is Couple's Supper and Film at church. Adults only...that just brings a smile to my face...as I listen to some bickering right now. A big thanks to Grampy and Grammy for taking over for us!
These times of fellowship usually seem to come right when we need them...and I am looking forward to it. Many "old" friends will be there and some "new" friends too!
We are watching the Fireproof film after supper. We have been dealing with Husband and Wife relationships in our Sunday school class. We hear this is a good film! Can I call it a movie when it is being watched at church?

Have a fun weekend!

Oh..she is at it again!

It was still on the curb last night after passing it three times yesterday...each time driving slowly and checking it out...all the legs, all the rungs, sturdy, and heavy! Ted stopped in the middle of the road for me and popped the locks and sat patiently. "What is she doing, Dad?" I laughed..."I am getting more junk for our house!" It is either take it off the curb or go buy a flimsy stool for too many dollars than I want to spend. This will complete the dressing table ensemble in the girl's room. The stool that came with it fell apart years ago...no amount of woodglue could improve the safety of it!
I have a small fear of the saws-all...so I will let Ted whack off the back of the chair. I will need to sand and paint...but am carefully considering Ted's suggestion...let the girls paint it! Shabby Chic lesson #5!

Why can't I just be grateful?

BECAUSE...LITTLE THINGS TEND TO IRRITATE ME WHEN I HAVE TO DO THEM OVER AND OVER AND OVER...

It is a simple rule really...take your shoes off on the green carpet by the door. Why? So we don't track dirt, leaves, dog doo-do, grass particles, and teeny, tiny rocks all over the wood floor and scratch it...well, and make our white socks dirty too. This is one sweeping after the kids got home from school and went out, then in, and out again. It is 64 degrees outside...it is sunny...the birds are singing...we have waited for this kind of a day...go out AND STAY OUT! I ask myself...am I ready for spring? For the warm weather and the continual parade of neighborhood children through the gate...trying to come through the door...only to be greeted by me("the mean lady who lives on our street and locks her door on her kids and never seems totally ok with us just trapsing through her house")

AND DON'T DIG IN THE DIRT PATCHES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YARD! (with a stick or your feet or your hands...and not the snow shovel either!!!) Just because it is dirt...doesn't mean it needs to be messed with! Landscaping...ground maintenance...will have to be on our to do list this year. Each year our grass has not been coming back after winter...maybe it is afraid!

Oh, and I forgot about the muddy puddles in the drive way...till Teddy came in totally soaked...but only his backside. I was too bothered trying to keep the mud off the carpet and wall to stop and take a picture of his sister's bike (the one with the training wheels still on it)...perched over the puddle...excuse me, while I go turn the shower on so he can wash off the "mud freckles"! OH, YEA, HAPPY SPRING!!!

He says I wouldn't know what to do without it...

and he is so right! Do you know how many times each day I have to warm up my coffee? I should put it in my insulated cup to begin with! Four times was the magic number today! Ted told me one night, after the microwave "shut down" for awhile after over-use while re-heating left-overs for supper, "You wouldn't know what do to if your microwave stopped working!" He is right! Poor microwave is old and getting tired...sometimes, it won't "go" after 10 or 15 minutes of work till it has a cool-down break. I am alert to the fact that it is always a potential fire hazard, but why buy a new one if the old one can still work!? My Michigan friends bought it for me when I moved away to Illinois in 1996...that makes it...half-way to an antique! Now that's funny...a microwave...an antique! Thank goodness I live in the era of modern technology!

A really good reason not to miss a ladies meeting...

my friend Sarah's homemade, ooey-gooey, fresh from the oven cinnamon rolls! Those clever girls baked them during the last part of our meeting! My only complaint...the little voice in my head that kept telling me to practice self-control! Thanks, ladies, for a lovely time!

What is my example before others?

I watch your life

from day to day,

I hear the words

you have to say.

You live the life

you talk about,

that is why you do

not have to shout.

It is so important for me to guard my heart..."for out of it are the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23 I can say whatever I want to say, but I can destroy it in an instant with my actions! Most of us know the "Christian lingo"...we have learned it well. But what we haven't learned...our actions speak louder than our words! How do I know? We have a shop full of workers who are watching our family each and every day. They notice our words and they match them up to our daily walk. I am tempted...purely for our sake...to put a notice over the door to warn people..."If you are a Christian, keep your mouth shut about it...unless your actions, what is in your vehicle, what is being played in your vehicle, your interaction with our employees...is Spirit led!" We are to be reaching the lost and making disciples...starting in our own families, people around us, and beyond. In the last few weeks, our employees have held our family accountable for our trust and faith in God. In one visit, we have seen that all destroyed by people that announce loudly that "they are Christians and go to church". Why would anyone want to "come to church" or "get religion" after they have "seen" what that "Christian" did out in the world during the week? We looked nice on Sunday. Nodded our head in agreement with the preacher. Sang the hymns by heart. But the other six days...we didn't look nice, speak truthfully or kindly, or even sing the same songs...and it was displayed for the world to see!
How would you answer someone who asked that question of you? Ted had to! "It is not religion! It is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ...that is what makes the difference!" Granted, I am not saying all Christians act that way...but it should make us stop and think! What kind of an example of Christ's redeeming love am I?
If we do not nurture that relationship, we will be weak and not led by the Spirit. It is sad...but many Christians, myself being one of them, do not always take time to study God's Word and allow His Spirit to fill us. There are so many passages of Scripture that instruct us how to live...the problem is...we just aren't reading them!
God knew we would struggle each and every day with "the little things of life" and "the big things" too. He gave us "...all things that pertain unto life and godliness," II Peter 1:3 We have been hearing this for the last few weeks from our pulpit. Pastor preached Sunday night that we are to give diligence to add to our faith...virtue...knowledge...temperance...patience...godliness...brotherly kindness...charity. Not just going through the motions like the Pharisees did, but obeying from the heart as I read God's Word on a daily basis. Yesterday, I read this passage...

Galatians 5:17-25
"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law...But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

"...in my flesh dwelleth no good thing!" As one that is to be living under the control of the Spirit, I can't put that sign up over the door for "everyone else to read", I need to make sure that I continually let the Holy Spirit have control of me!. I need to continue to add to my faith...and practice II Peter 1.

It is coming...

with the help of many people. This poster was put up to start letting the ladies know what is coming. It also included the date...April 25 is not that far away! I am excited to see what the Lord wants to do this year! The spring calendar is filling up with all kinds of fun! Happy cold March 1st!