Light / Darkness

We went to the mall yesterday to buy some winter wear for our kids. On the way we saw witches hanging here and there, skeletons just sitting around, the devil peeking around many corners. We get to the mall, and wouldn't you know it the same thing was going on there. Not to mention the music playing in the background matched the scene around us. As we were in line to pay our things, I had ghost and goblins watching my every move. I began thinking about the situation around me. I thought wouldn't it be beautiful if the display of darkness could be replaced with a display of light. I could picture a display of Jesus holding young children on his lap and telling them stories of heaven. Flowers, birds and sheep in the background. Praise songs for our Lord playing throughout the store.The sad part is that a Jesus scene would be considered offensive for many and you know I think Zellers (the store) would likely receive complaints that they had such a thing in their store.

Well, The images I see at this time of year are offensive to Christ and I avoid them as much as I can. I cannot expect the world to see this or expect them to even care that I feel this way. (I myself use to not give it much thought) As Christians though we can stick together and be a light in this dark world. It is these dark places that are in need of light. It's the children that are deing dressed as the devil himself that need to hear the wonderful stories of Jesus. Light can not take part in the darkness but it can shine the way and help those who are trapped in it and can't see the way.

(We are not missing anything that is good by not taking part in these Halloween events)

A few new pictures

We went to a park last Sunday and took some pictures. These aren't as clear as I hoped they would be. My sister -in -law took some as well. Hopefully her camera did a better job. Not sure what Emily is doing on this one with her hands but thought it was sweet.

I have a new nephew

Congratulations to Garnet and Lisa on the birth of their new son, and to Nathan and Teresa on another little brother!

"Carson"

Born: Oct. 21st

A Mother's Prayer
"I washed the dirt from little feet, and as I wash I pray, "Lord, keep them pure and true, to walk in Your way!"I wash the dirt from little hands, and earnestly I ask, "Lord, may they ever willing be, to do the humblest task."I wash the dirt from little knees, and pray, "Lord, may these be the places where victories are won, and guidance sought from Thee."I scrub the clothes that soil so soon, and pray, "May they be dressed throughout eternal ages in Your robe of Righteousness."Before many hours shall pass, I know I'll wash these hands again; And there'll be dirt upon their clothes before the day shall end.But as they journey on through life and learn of want and pain, Lord, keep their precious little hearts cleansed from sin and stain!For soap and water cannot reach where You alone can see.Their hands and feet, these I can wash --- I trust their hearts to Thee."

"Yes, I get to hold him too! "

A Mother's Walk

A Mother's Walk
The young mother set her foot on the path of life. "Is this the long way?" she asked.
And the guide said, "Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning".
But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way, and bathed them in the clear streams. As the sun shone on them, and the young mother cried, "Nothing will ever be lovelier than this".
Then the night came ... the storm ... the path became dark. The children shook with fear and cold. The mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle. The children said, "Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near. No harm can come to us."
Then morning came. There was a hill ahead, and the mother and her children climbed and grew weary She would frequently tell the children, "Keep your patience because we are almost there."
So the children continued to climb. When they reached the top they said, "Mother, we would not have done it without you."
When the mother laid down at night, she looked up at the stars and thought, "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage. Today I have given them strength."
The next day, strange clouds appeared which darkened the earth ... clouds of war, hate, and evil. As the children groped and stumbled, the mother said, "Look up! Lift your eyes to the light!"
The children looked. They saw above the clouds, an everlasting glory, and it guided them beyond the darkness. That night, the mother said, " This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God."

Not sure where or when I got this, but came across it today when I was looking for something to encourage a new mom.

Learning from families

I was at church this evening to learn from another christian family, as they share their gift in music and also share from their experiences in walking with God, marriage and raising children. This is their website if you are interested in seeing who they are and their resources. http://www.titus2.com/blog/ . I plan to go back tomorrow for a few of the studies yet.

A few weeks back we also had the Wissmann family come as well. I think we can learn a lot from big families, and they are a real blessing. Here is also the Wissmann's site. http://wissmanns.blogspot.com/ .

Here are a few verses that I think are very important to remember:

Matthew 18

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them,

3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
Jesus Warns of Offenses

6 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Some, I know are not able to have their own children, but I believe even if that is so, they too have children in their lives who need them.

Something to Think About

Have you ever studied the shapes of the continents? If you look at this world map you can see how some of the parts could be put together like puzzle pieces. Some believe South America and Africa were at one time a single landmass. The continents could have been divided during the days of Peleg. ( Noah's great-great-great grandson) This would explain a lot of things and I find it very interesting!

Biblical data:
Two sons were born to Eber: One was named Peleg, because in his time the earth was divided… (Genesis 10:25)
Scientific Data:
Land bridges covered by rising oceans ~11,000 ya

Some however believe that the scripture here is only talking about the division among the people not the earth. God at that time confused the languages and yes people split up.

Knowing exactly what happened is not that important. Only God has all the answers.

Thinking about it all really makes me think about what an awesome God we have!

* The Bible has all the answers we need.

Encouraged

I am greatly encouraged today to keep on serving God. This is not because it is easy or that I am so good at it, but because it is so wonderful to walk with Jesus. I realize that when you give your life to Him and you maybe do things that don't make any sense to the human mind, you will be persecuted. Sometimes people will try to hurt you and even falsely accuse you. That is exactly what happened to Jesus. It is hard when what God has so clearly shown you, you see how much it annoys some. And not because you have said something about it to someone but because of the choices you make in how you live it out. You might even loose close friends and family will try to avoid you. I know this last while, have noticed things in that area I wouldn't have exspected.

Today, I press on and I am so excited about having Jesus as the savior of my sinful self. There are so many areas, I have a lot to learn and need grace and strength everyday.

Jesus said, to let our lights shine before man so that they will see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. There is no light within me unless Jesus lights it. I pray He will brighten the light within me a little brighter each day.

Happy Thanksgiving

I don't always realize how much I have to be thankful for everyday. God is with us and cares for us... That alone is reason to be thankful, no matter what the circumstances. As I am writing, I realize how many prayers God has answered in my life. I need to remember where I was just a few years back yet and what God has done since then. Many times I was broken and my faith seemed so weak . I believed in Him though and He heard. God answered and took over, when I let go and allowed Him do the work.

I want to continue to rely on Him for all things and serve Him. Everyday is a new day and each day I must let go and let Him.

I thank God for being so faithful and loving us.

An Update and "why blog?"

First of all, I thought I'd let you all know... I do have my licence again. It 's a relief!


I know I don't have a lot of time for blogging, and I ask myself why continue? Is there a point to it? I decided to make myself a list of reasons why blogging here has a point:


-it encourages me to learn from God's word

-it is a source of fellowship and also accountibility

-get to know other people better

-learn a lot from other friends who blog

-helps me open up and be real

-a chance to share what God is doing

-maybe when my children are older they would like to read it

-enjoy photography- a place to share photos


There are some of the things I thought of.


I couldn't really make a list of negative things. One thing I thought of though was what if something I wrote has a negative impact on someone? I definately want to be careful not to offend anyone but at the same time I want to be honest with what God is teaching me.

God cares about every area of our lives. He cares about the things we say and do. I want to bring glory to Him in what I do, including what I share here. May He be the instument in my writing.