Anniversaries!

It's been a year now since I started writing "Wren In The Willow"...
When I started writing this blog my goal was for it to express my Christian walk as a woman, wife and mother and to show how the Lord helps me through the everyday things in life. I wanted it to be a witnessing tool to those that are searching for joy and peace... the joy and peace that can only be truly had in HIM and HIS perfect love... 

I remember a good friend told me that I should go back after a couple months and read my first few writings and then see if my 'goal' is holding true...or if I am swaying away from the original purpose.  I've taken that advice several times and I believe that it has held true. I think Wren has grown ... like me... my Christian walk I hope is continuing to grow as I am nurtured in and through His Word.

Like a child, it can only grow when fed and nurtured properly... with milk, fruit and veggies and wholesome food.  Our children can't grow when fed pop and candy and all the junk food that is available.  A child needs it's parents to teach it right and wrong, feed it uplifting and up building things and care for it's spiritual growth... more is caught than taught is a very true saying.
Neither can a Christian grow with the things of the world... we must grow in and through Him... through daily devotions and meditations on His word. 

Wren, like I said in the beginning was my 'new baby'... I personally think she is growing beautifully and I certainly hope that you have enjoyed reading her over the last year as much as I have enjoyed sharing my heart with you...

Until next time,
Jean

The Heart Of A Child

"Father and mother are the most precious jewels to children as children are the most precious jewels to father and mother." Philippine proverb

"I want you to be proud of me..." say's my little Evan as he is working at zipping up his jacket.  You see he just learned this task that we adults pretty much take for granted.  He was so pleased with himself and wanted so badly for me to be as thrilled... and so came those precious, innocent words. His big blue eyes just shining with excitement... then a bit of frustration because it wasn't going so well suddenly, and then back to joy when the thing finally went up... about two minutes of labor!  Now that doesn't sound like a long time but seriously, just sit and look at a zipper for two full minutes... it's a long time...even more so for a five year old.

After all this he scampered outside just as happy as could be to where Neil & Kyle were cutting firewood to help.  He is such a big, cheerful helper... he is not content with just running the lever on the log splitter, no he wants to haul the firewood and stack it!  He want's his dad to be proud of him...

This is such human nature isn't it? We all want to feel appreciated and liked... to have friends that care for us... There is nothing wrong with this, it is natural and well meant.  We are by God's design created to be 'together', not alone.  Even the Bible talks about not forsaking the gathering together... God want's us to be together in our church services... God designed the family... He gave Eve to Adam so he wouldn't be alone...

Today as we look around at the ones we love, let us be thankful for what we have...

"You are the trip I did not take, You are the pearls I did not buy, You are my blue Italian lake, You are my piece of foreign sky." Anne Campbell

Until next time,
Jean

Stumble and Pray

"They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing."  Psalm 34:10

When our children started taking their first steps they would stumble and fall and we would keep encouraging them on... "keep trying... good job... yup, do it again..." are things that we would say.  They would stumble often at first and then before we knew it they were running and we were saying, "Stop running in the house!"  We didn't want them to fall and hurt themselves, yet we knew that was all part of the process... we would be close enough to catch them so they didn't hurt themselves as we guided them along... hands outstretched behind them as they toddled forward.   How time flies and as we look back onto those happy days when they were little and learning we can see other times when they fell... learning to ride a bike and ice skating to name a couple.  Oh how our hearts ached when all of a sudden, THUD! But again... all part of the learning process.

As adults we too stumble and fall... we have days where we fail... days we wish we could erase from time and memories... but that isn't possible with humans... but it is with God. As we repent for our failings and look unto Him for forgiveness He is there... The Bible says that God loves a broken and contrite heart.  Each day is a new day and with that new day we have Christ by our side guiding our way.  How it aches our Heavenly Father when we go THUD! The key is prayer... stumble and pray... stumble and pray... He will lead the way... all part of the learning process.

Do we call out to the Lord when we stumble or do we sit there awhile and wallow in our failings?  The latter is not what the Lord would want from us... He desires us to look up to Him immediately, reaching up for His hand to pick us up.  But you say, there is no hand... Yes my friend there is... the hand is His Word... God's precious promises are all found there... but we must turn to it... feed on it. Then and only then can we have peace... only there can we find it. When we stumble and fall friends, get up! Reach for His word and seek His help.  Oh how precious it is when He presses upon your heart to go to a certain scripture and there is the answer or the hope you were longing for .... only in prayer... only in supplication can it be found...

"Prayer is an indispensable part of our relationship with Jesus Christ." Laurel Oke Logan

Until next time,
Jean

Strenth and Weekness

“For my strength is made perfect in weakness.”  2Corinthians 12:9

"God will have no strength used in his battles but the strength which he himself imparts. Are you mourning over your own weakness? Take courage, for there must be a consciousness of weakness before the Lord will give thee victory. Your emptiness is but the preparation for your being filled, and your casting down is but the making ready for your lifting up."  Charles Spurgeon

With having five sons this is a challenging scripture to impart into their minds... after all they are men in the making.  Kyle and Ethan especially are young 'men' and like to test their strengths against one another. They will often wrestle and challenge one another to races and so forth... very normal 'boy' behavior. 

Teaching this 'weakness' mentality to growing young men as a mom is also a challenge. There is the example thing again... I need to concentrate on being an example to them.  Yesterday  I took Kyle and Ethan out hunting. While we were getting ready to go, I realized that I had 'misplaced' something of great value... I prayed, but I just couldn't find it.  After a bit of looking around and more prayer, I finally came across it.  Suddenly Kyle came in from looking in the truck and said, "Did you find it?"... "Yes," I said, "I did!" with tears almost filling my eyes.  Kyle said, "I prayed Mom!"  Oh the faith of a child... or young man!  So we left then and I dropped off my two young men at the side of the road for them to trek into the woods... we prayed that they would get something and off they went. I watched them go and they turned back and waved... they will never truly know or understand the love of a mother... but I have to focus on the example of showing the love... Christ's love.

Christ was a man with the same like passions the scriptures teach us... yet He never sinned.  Where did his strength lie some may wonder and ask... it lied in His Father above.  He was challenged with every temptation that we know today, yet He never sinned.  Jesus is our example to live by today... He is the one that we can turn to in our times of temptations... we just need to remember to look up as He did... our perfect example.  We do not need to stumble and fall... we just need to be remained focused on our walk with Him and not anyone else... just my own.  To remain focused on that is where the challenge lies, at least for me. I believe though, that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me... and so can you!

Until next time,
Jean








   

Rocking my little boy...

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord." Psalms 127:3

I was rocking Aaron this morning and just cuddling with him. He'd been whiny and just wanted to be held... so up in my arms with blankie we went to mamma's rocking chair... and of course all was well then.  He fell asleep in short order and I told Taylor I didn't think he was feeling very well, after all he had just had the stomach flu a few days before... Taylor laughed and told me I was just making excuses for him! "Well," I thought... "maybe I am."  

Aaron is just two and he is still so sweet and innocent... but he is also very manipulating, as most children are.  It doesn't take long for a new born child to realize that when he cries or screams he/she gets attention... whether it be food, a clean diaper or simply to be held and rocked, they know how to get what they want. As our children grow older into toddler-hood they are still in the process of being trained by parents or training their parents. Either way, some training is going on! Younger children definitely know how to hold onto a parents heart strings and woo with their sweet  smiles or sorrowful tears.

What happens when the child is in control though? I would say much frustration and exasperation are more often felt over the child then feelings of peaceful joy. Children are a job and one not to be taken lightly. We as Christian parents need to prayerfully seek the Lords leading and wisdom in this challenging role.  As many of you know our family you know we are in most stages of the 'parenting game', and challenged we are.  It is difficult to know when to scold and when to overlook... when to punish and when to understand... But God is with us when we seek Him and His wisdom.  We need to remember that these children are not really our own... they are His, loaned to us for a short time... a time to raise them for Him... to train them for His glory.

"Brighten your day and lighten your way and lessen your cares with daily prayers.  Quiet your mind and leave tension behind and find inspiration in hushed meditation."  Helen Steiner Rice.

Until next time,
Jean



   

He Knows

“The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.”  - Psalm 33:13

This was one of my devotions this morning... as always the Lord is so faithful...
Enjoy a few moments with Charles Spurgeon's heart warming thoughts.

"Perhaps no figure of speech represents God in a more gracious light than when he is spoken of as stooping from his throne, and coming down from heaven to attend to the wants and to behold the woes of mankind. We love him, who, when Sodom and Gomorrah were full of iniquity, would not destroy those cities until he had made a personal visitation of them. We cannot help pouring out our heart in affection for our Lord who inclines his ear from the highest glory, and puts it to the lip of the dying sinner, whose failing heart longs after reconciliation. How can we but love him when we know that he numbers the very hairs of our heads, marks our path, and orders our ways? Specially is this great truth brought near to our heart, when we recollect how attentive he is, not merely to the temporal interests of his creatures, but to their spiritual concerns. Though leagues of distance lie between the finite creature and the infinite Creator, yet there are links uniting both. When a tear is wept by thee, think not that God doth not behold; for, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.” Thy sigh is able to move the heart of Jehovah; thy whisper can incline his ear unto thee; thy prayer can stay his hand; thy faith can move his arm. Think not that God sits on high taking no account of thee. Remember that however poor and needy thou art, yet the Lord thinketh upon thee. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him." Charles Spurgeon

As I reflect on the last few sentences in this devotion, I can't help but feel wrapped within the Savior's arms, knowing that He care's for me and longs to comfort me...

Until next time,
Jean
     

More Is Caught Than Taught

"Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.  Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity."  Ecclesiastes 11:9- 10

The message in these two short verses say a great deal and should be heeded even more greatly.  It is true that youth tend to be a bit more on the 'daring' side I venture to say.  They seem to think they have the world by the horns and life will carry on forever... We parents, teachers, ministers and adults 'just don't understand'... 'we have never been through such things'... When we were young we would often hear our elders say that time seems to move by so much more quickly the older they get...  and we just couldn't understand such a statement... as we grow older we realize it is strangely true.  I once heard in a message that as soon as a child is born, it begins to die... the aging process begins immediately. As Solomon of old wrote often in Ecclesiastes, '...all is vanity.'

A children's song admonishes, "Be careful little eyes what you see; be careful little ears what you hear; be careful little feet where you go..."  This concept needs to be diligently taught by parents and adults to our children, as well as lived out.  It is hard to teach something that you do not do yourself or tell your youth not to do something that you do... 'more is caught than taught' as the saying goes.  Our children will use us as their guild and for the most part when they are little keep to those things... they believe  and trust us.  As they grow into adolescence, things become a bit more tumultuous and as I wrote the other day, they are now stretching out their wings and testing the world around.  This time is so crucial in the relationship building and I feel so often I fail... It is hard for me to 'let go'... 'to trust'... But I believe that promise written by David in the book of Proverbs, "Train them up in the way they should go and when they are old, they will not depart from it." 

We all have this promise as we seek His wisdom... even when we fail, He is never failing... even when we lack trust, He is there to cover us... Praise God for His never failing attributes and ceaseless love for his ever failing children.

I cling to so many of these promises and I believe them... I am trusting my children to Him.
Until next time,
Jean

Bluebirds in Fall...

The other day as we were getting ready for market I noticed what looked like a Eastern Bluebird flying around the front garden. I thought surely not, not in the fall... but sure enough there were not one but two~ a pair I imagine! They were going over to the bird house that was meant for them, but get bullied out of each Spring by the sparrows... and again they were being harassed by them. They must have been migrating South and happened by our yard for a rest and bite to eat... either way, it was extremely special to me on such a busy day.  As I stopped to watch them for awhile, they were busily in the garden looking for bugs along with the Gold Finches eating sunflower seeds with the Blue Jays... it was really enchanting... a bit later the Bluebirds, Gold Finches and Sparrows were all bathing and drinking out of the same puddle in the drive way... we got rain all night! I thought about how nicely they were all getting along now compared to earlier with the bird house.  I think the difference was there is just one bird house compared to multiple puddles... (or 'muddles' as Evan calls them)... and food opportunities.   We can be a bit like that too, can't we? 

Everything is going along just fine, we're all getting along famously and then...  There are two friends competing for the same job position... or a family member just got another new car~ (the third in four years) while we drive the same old one we've had for the last eight years... or the neighbor just got a new roof and windows when ours are leaking and drafty... fill in your situation here...  We all can because we are all human and have wants and desires and dreams... we also have needs that sometimes we may not feel are being quite met accordingly by friend, family member or spouse...

What it all boils down to is vanity though... what we want that is.  Sometimes we just have to let go of the wants and understand that if we can't be content with the situation at present, we probably won't be content with the situation we think we want.  That's the way want's go... 'much want's more'.
As we trust Him with our life and allow Him to determine our path the consequences are sure to fit just right... that is with His perfect plan for us...

"The only way I will keep a pliable, obedient spirit in the larger decisions is to look to Him and to obey in the smaller ones."  Catherine Marshall

Until next time,
Jean

     

Life's Lessons...

"A Cheerful smile, a friendly word, a sympathetic nod, all priceless little treasures from the storehouse of our God." Helen Steiner Rice

We all like to be smiled at...frowns make us feel sad and disappointed, while a smile can make a bad day seem better.  Smiles and kind words are what our goal needs to be when we deal with others, including our family members. 

My littlest one Aaron knows when I have a scowl on my face... and he too knows how to make a scowl.  I try not to laugh when he does it, but it is so terribly cute... although the attitude behind it must be dealt with.  When mother scowls Aaron looks sad and usually comes running into my arms for reassurance. He is so little and his heart so tender. Evan too knows when mother scowls it isn't a good thing... his scowls aren't so cute anymore.  We work on these things though. Our children cherish kind words, hugs & kisses, gentle caresses and tender looks... we as adults long for that as well.

God has both smiles and scowls for his children as well. He like a tender, loving parent knows when we need one or the other and never makes a mistake.  Unlike us human parents who are always making them, He does not. We can have faith and trust that the circumstances in our life are just what he is 'allowing'. I have mentioned in times past God has a permissive will and a perfect will.  If we bug Him long enough about something, whether it be the best thing for us or not, He may just allow it to come to be to teach an important lesson on faith and timing.  On the other hand, if we trust and submit ourselves to His perfect will, always praying that way, we can be sure that all things will work together for good to those who love Him...

But we're human aren't we... prone to be like children... a bit demanding and whiny. It's not pretty, but it's true. I remember when our daughter Taylor was about six years old, we were making some chicken noodle soup and I was putting bouillon cubes into it.  She was always begging for stuff not always knowing or understanding what it was she was begging for... well, this day I thought she needs to learn to stop begging... so I gave her a hunk... too say the least she spat it out quickly!  Now some of you may be thinking that was mean, but it wasn't... she begged for things like pepper and other things that would make her sick... I took her then and explained that is why she shouldn't beg... she did learn the lesson. It's funny now though, because she loves to cook and she is the biggest 'taster' I know... life's lessons.

That's the way it is with our Heavenly Father... sometimes we bug and bug and beg and beg... He's gonna let us taste and learn, and sometimes it might not taste good...

Until next time,
Jean

Great Faith

"If my faith, my belief, my confidence are in myself, then they cannot at the same time be resting in God!"  Tozer

What a statement by wise Tozer of old... what a statement to get a mind stimulated in thinking where our faith does rest... in my own imagined strength or in His perfect, unfailing strength...

The other day Taylor was going to get fuel in the truck... it was on fumes... but that is besides the point because I truly do believe that all things happen for a reason... both good and bad.  Well, she calls me to tell me that the truck started to sputter and she was still several miles from the closest gas station and so she prayed that God would just let her get to the gas station... suddenly the truck stopped sputtering and drove smoothly.  She made it to the station with no problems... on the wings of prayer. 

He always hears, especially those cries from His young children... the ones that He is trying to build that trust in... the babes that are still drinking milk... I was so blessed by this... another seed sprouted.

This feeling... when one of your children finds the faith... it's such a joy, an over whelming joy... It's in the keeping of it though... This is the building stage~ faith, trust and belief.  God want's it for each of us... He wants to show us that no matter what, He is there waiting with open arms to carry us through.  "Hold on," He says. "I will never leave nor forsake thee..."  What a precious promise that needs to be instilled in their young, tender hearts... How do we grow this precious seed in them when we fail so often and so hard sometimes?  That is my question in life... how?

By example He says... by example through humility and confession of our wrongs and mistakes... by the seeking of forgiveness and always giving forgiveness, whether sought after or not... by loving unconditionally... to apply all these things in our daily life is a challenge, but it can be done...
In His strength...

Until next time,
Jean

     

Kindness...

     
"And be ye kind one to another..." Ephesians 4:32a

As a professing Christian I believe that it is of utmost importance that I show the love of Christ in my heart through my attitudes, actions and words.  If I want to be a proper witness to my husband, children, friends and strangers, I need to be able to have that love reflecting in all I say & do.  I understand fully that I will fail and that with those failings, repentance and apologies may be required.  I believe this is one way to show that love... admitting when I am wrong. 

Recently Evan has been enthralled with a certain story in one of our Bible story books about a little boy and showing kindness... "Kindness always comes back" is what we are reading.  Sometimes it's not easy to show kindness, especially when we have been hurt or had a wrong done to us... but Jesus teaches us otherwise.  When Aaron takes something away from Evan, and he gets cross, I like to remind him of this story and the kindness that will come back if he just talks to Aaron.  It is hard for this little, almost five year old to understand that statement... especially when his two year old brother just snatches his toy away. But kindness in words and deeds need to be shown so the character can be built while little.  It is a difficult lesson for children and adults alike, but one that will always reap what is sown.  Evan's natural human reaction is to retaliate and get even, it's his toy and he want's it back... but this is not the nonresistant life that we are looking to teach and live by.  I want the children to learn that it is better to give than to receive... that they need to turn the other cheek... to give their coat as well as their cloak... this is what Jesus taught... to love our enemies... to forgive...

Cheerfully showing the Lords kindness, long suffering and compassion will always be returned.
Until next time,
Jean
     

Forgiven!

"Do you believe that your sins are forgiven, and that Christ has made a full atonement for them? Then what a joyful Christian you ought to be! How you should live above the common trials and troubles of the world! Since sin is forgiven, can it matter what happens to you now? Luther said, “Smite, Lord, smite, for my sin is forgiven; if thou hast but forgiven me, smite as hard as thou wilt”; and in a similar spirit you may say, “Send sickness, poverty, losses, crosses, persecution, what thou wilt, thou hast forgiven me, and my soul is glad.” Christian, if thou art thus saved, whilst thou art glad, be grateful and loving. Cling to that cross which took thy sin away; serve thou him who served thee." Charles Spurgeon


We all like a bit of attention, whether we want to admit it or not.  We like to be esteemed and respected whether we are a he or a she. It feels good to the inner person when people say nice things about us... compliment something we  have done... acknowledge a good deed...  we are human and appreciation goes a long way. 

The opposite is true as well...   No one wants to be looked down on or spoken ill of... this not only hurts a persons feelings, but it can destroy relationships to the point of no return... we are human and hurts can take their toll...

But what do we do with unforgivness? How do we respond when we have put forth as much effort as we can and we are not forgiven by 'man'?  Charles Spurgeon puts it quite perfectly in the above quote I believe... When we know we have done the best we can do, with or without our failings... we must move forward in the Love of the Lord and not look back.  We must look to Him for His perfect guidance and trust that He will see us through these times.  God alone knows each our hearts and God alone will be the ultimate and final judge.  We will stand alone before Him and give account for each thing we have done, not our brother or sister, me alone.  We shall hear one of two things when that terrible day comes, but we will hear one... 'enter into to the joy of the Lord' or 'depart from me ye worker of iniquity'...

Be glad you can be forgiven... trust in Him and He will see you through... be glad in Him and His perfect love...
“Thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work.”  Psalms 92:4
Until next time,
Jean
    

Forgiveness is a beautiful thing...

"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12

Forgiveness is a beautiful thing... it is freeing and gives a peace within the heart and mind that no words can truly express. 

When our children, spouse or a friend ask for forgiveness for a wrong done, are we quick to cast it away, leave it behind and move on to pleasant pastures... or do we forgive in word only while deep within their is still a bit of that hurt being held onto...  As humans with a very Adamic nature it can be difficult to 'just let go'... but with Christ's love with in the heart it can be much easier. When we can focus on what He has done for us and have the faith to know and truly understand the depth of His great love, it should be easier.

I often watch our two littlest ones, Evan & Aaron and think how cute & funny they can be. Aaron has a few words yet Evan seems always to understand his jibber-jabber... This morning they were playing in the sandbox under their climber and Aaron was wanting something... Evan quick got it for him and then all was well again.  I told Evan that was very nice of him to make Aaron happy... big smiles from both.  Not too much later the shrills began... now it was a different story... Evan wanted something and Aaron did not want to 'give it up' shall we say.  A few words and all was well again... I am sorry, big hugs & mushy kisses and off they went.  I beleive this is what Jesus meant when he said as Christians we are to be as little children... They are easily entreated, quick to forgive and forget, they have an incredible amount of trust and faith... Children set good examples for us adults in some situations...

Let us forgive and love as Christ, for He gave through death on the cross the perfect example...
Until next time,
Jean

God walking in the garden...

“The voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.”  Gen. 3:8

I was doing my devotions last evening before bed and this was what the Lord gave to me... He is so faithful and always knows just what I need... He knows each of our hearts... better than we ourselves... He has a goal for my life and for yours...

"My soul, now that the cool of the day has come, retire awhile and hearken to the voice of thy God. He is always ready to speak with thee when thou art prepared to hear. If there be any slowness to commune it is not on his part, but altogether on thine own, for he stands at the door and knocks, and if his people will but open he rejoices to enter. But in what state is my heart, which is my Lord’s garden? May I venture to hope that it is well trimmed and watered, and is bringing forth fruit fit for him? If not, he will have much to reprove, but still I pray him to come unto me, for nothing can so certainly bring my heart into a right condition as the presence of the Sun of Righteousness, who brings healing in his wings. Come, therefore, O Lord, my God, my soul invites thee earnestly, and waits for thee eagerly. Come to me, O Jesus, my well-beloved, and plant fresh flowers in my garden, such as I see blooming in such perfection in thy matchless character! Come, O my Father, who art the Husbandman, and deal with me in thy tenderness and prudence! Come, O Holy Spirit, and bedew my whole nature, as the herbs are now moistened with the evening dews. O that God would speak to me. Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth! O that he would walk with me; I am ready to give up my whole heart and mind to him, and every other thought is hushed. I am only asking what he delights to give. I am sure that he will condescend to have fellowship with me, for he has given me his Holy Spirit to abide with me for ever. Sweet is the cool twilight, when every star seems like the eye of heaven, and the cool wind is as the breath of celestial love. My Father, my elder Brother, my sweet Comforter, speak now in lovingkindness, for thou hast opened mine ear and I am not rebellious." Charles Spurgeon

If ever man's words spoke my heart's longing these are them...Be blessed
Until next time,
Jean
    

What a beautiful day

"This is the day the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.." Psalms 118:24
What a beautiful day... I love summer!  Honestly though I can't believe we are already to coming to the end of June... where does the time go?  Soon we will be looking at the beautiful colors that Autumn will bring and then for me the dreaded snow of winter.  But let's not focus on that... I am in my summer and I am happy to be here.
There are a lot of things to get us down in the dumps... but there is so much more if we only take the time to look that will bring joy into every day... Right now I hear the birds chirping away... saying 'good morning' to all who will listen... the sun is shining... the sky is blue... there is a gentle breeze that is making  the tops of all the plants flutter about... and then there is the quiet all around... a simple quiet that allows my thoughts to focus on higher things... thoughts of all I have to be thankful for...
A cheery thought...
"You are never alone... there's truly nothing we need know if we have faith wherever we go.  God will be there to help us bear our disappointments, pain, and care, for He is our Shepherd, our Father, our Guide.  You're never alone with the Lord at your side."   Helen Steiner Rice
Until next time,
Jean

Loving Kindness...

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer" (Psalm 19:14).

We are faced with challenges every day. They can come in many different forms, but yet they remain challenges that we must face and deal with.  I see this real close up in my children's relationships with each other... I think I have mentioned that I was an only child and don't always get the bickering that happens in everyday life between siblings... although with six children I have had to learn to 'get it' as time as pressed on.  It always amazes me how they can be getting along famously one minute and the next be fighting like cats & dogs... ahh, parenthood!  I try to understand that just because they are children doesn't mean they don't have frustrations as well as happiness. They are people too with likes and dislikes...

Loving kindness is the lesson that must be taught though.  This is a challenge in itself as a parent... how to train this in children when you yourself have this struggle... The blessing in all this is that I don't have to do it all alone... I have my Lord and He is there each and every day as I seek His guidance in all life's challenges I face. He is there to encourage me through His word, church messages, through my family and friends.  Life may present those challenges, but I believe that 'I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me'...

"Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth: keep the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3).
Until next time,
Jean

Our Speech...

... is a true reflection of our hearts... the Bible says it is, so it is.

As I reflected on this, I thought deep and hard and sought the Lord and wisdom for myself... for as I have mentioned this is my weakness.  Each day I long for the Lord to 'keep a guard over my mouth...'  Each day I strive to think before I speak... He is faithful even when I am not. 

As I pondered I thought about the truth in this... often times what goes on in our thought's isn't necessarily what we want to come out of our mouths... we don't always think 'nice' things.  Then stresses come along... frustrations...  we get diverted out of our 'positive' thought patterns and... oh no, why did I say that?  happens again.  Sometimes our thought patterns are not what they should be... sometimes we don't want to hurt others with our true feelings... sometimes we are just mad...
How do I find victory in these things is my constant question and longing... I need to concentrate on the Lord and what His word teaches...

Here are some helps that I treasure...

What is Peter’s advice?
"Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing: knowing that ye are
thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile" (I Peter 3:9-10).

Who does the Apostle James say is a perfect man?
"If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body" (James 3:2).

How do our words reflect the condition of the heart?
Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things."

His word is true and will bring life to those who seek it's truth,
Until next time,
Jean
    

"What a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I'd realized it sooner!" Collette

What a thought provoking statement... I wonder how many people at some point or another think this very statement.

There are people out there that have had some tragic things happen to them in their lives... things I can't imagine in my wildest nightmares.  I personally know some folks who have endured such horrible instances that it makes my skin crawl. To think that any human being could do to another person some of the evil things that happen doesn't seem possible... it  doesn't seem real... except to the victims... it is very real to them.  There is a sadness and despair that must be overwhelming at times... life is not so wonderful.

Then there are those who 'seem' to have been born with a silver spoon in their mouths... everything always goes their way, life treats them seemingly fair, there don't seem to be a whole lot of bumps in the road... but there still seems to be a sadness and something missing. 

We hear about healing and therapy and yes all this is well and good and most definitely necessary. Often times I have heard people say that a loving God would never allow these kinds of things to happen.  I always say that it is not His perfect will for such horrific instances to happen but we live in world that is filled with sin; He has given us all a free mind to make choices and act accordingly... unfortunately sometimes bad people hurt good people...

But God is there for each hurting soul... every person that has suffered He is waiting with outstretched arms, waiting to heal and bound up the broken hearted... He is faithful and loving as we cast all our cares upon Him, for He careth for us...  He want's us to be able to say we've had a wonderful life... with Him.  Don't delay, He is waiting.

Until next time,
Jean

My Heart and Soul...

The Lord's day is so special to me... it allows me time to reflect on things... the everyday things of life... what's important and what's not... my family and the time we spend together... where things are going and stalling... to just be...
The other Sunday's sermon talked a bit on the ark... the minister was comparing the raven and the dove... it was quite enlightening to me... I had never really thought about some things that he pointed out.
First Noah sent the raven and it just roamed to and fro but never returned to the ark for safety... Then Noah sent out the dove... it flew and found 'no rest for it's soles...' and it returned to the ark of safety...  then it was released again and this time it brought back an olive branch... life... but it still returned to the ark... then the third time it didn't come back... it was able to survive in the new life found on the earth...

In the New Testament satan is said to roam to and fro across the earth looking for what he can devour... a raven is a 'devouring' bird... it hunts for carnage... dead things. A dove is often a symbol of Christianity, peace and gentleness... like Jesus... the dove went out and sought life.
There is only true life in in living for Jesus and His salvation...
A hymn we sang at church...

Holy Jesus, lovely Lamb,
Thine and only Thine I am;
Take my body, spirit, soul,
Only Thou possess the whole.

Thou my dearest object be,
Let me ever cleave to Thee;
Let me choose the better part,
Let me give Thee all my heart.

Whom have I on earth below?
Only Thee I wish to know;
Whom have I in heaven but Thee?
Thou art all in all to me.

All my treasure is above,
My best portion is Thy love;
Who the worth of love can tell?
Infinite unsearchable!

Nothing else may I require;
Let me Thee alone desire;
Pleased with what Thy love provides,
Weaned from all the world besides.

Until next time,
Jean

Shut down...

Have you ever just stood in front of a piece of machinery or an electronic gadget and just have no idea where to begin?  Well this recently happened to me with my computer...  I didn't know what the problem was and everything I tried failed... but as you can see we got back on track...

Isn't that the way life can be too... we're traveling along, all is seemingly going well and then suddenly we hit a speed bump and go down.  These speed bumps can be a multitude of things... a personal sickness, financial pitfall a broken down vehicle... (or p.c.)... whatever it may be we suddenly find ourselves standing there, mouth hanging open and saying, "What happened?"  Some things are easily repaired while others are a long process to recovery... such is life!  But on to perspective once again, it is how we deal with these bumps in the road... positively or negatively... faith again must be had... we need to constantly look up to Him to lead and guild us on our life's path... I can't imagine how life would be without Him showing the way.  Even when life's way is foggy and I can't see far ahead, I know He is there and He is ever faithful!  With Him there is a peace that passeth all understanding...

"After the clouds, the sunshine; after the winter, the spring; after the shower, the rainbow- For life is a changeable thing.  After the night, the morning, bidding all darkness cease; after life's cares and sorrows, the comfort and sweetness of peace."  Helen Steiner Rice

Until next time...
Jean