The Love Dare

Day 31 -

Ok, so I know I'm starting to blog about this experience pretty late in the game. However, overall it has been a good experience. Just the fact that the CableMan has agreed to do this with me is a HUGE leap in our relationship. Today we are to be sure that our marriage is given top priority over every other human relationship. I guess that includes my relationship with self doesn't it. I've been really into myself lately and I have to get over it.

Distraction

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Revelation 2:4 (NIV)

Isn't it amazing how little it takes to distract us from our first love? I'll be the first to admit that I have been distracted these past few months. My prayer life has suffered, my church life has suffered and my devotion has suffered. It is so easy to get off track, to suffer from the "I'll do it laters" of life. Perhaps that is why I have been so terribly exhausted lately.

What do you do?

What do you do when faced with a decision and there is no clear leading one way or the other? Do you continue to wait? I suppose I just answered my own question.

Charlotte Mason to the rescue

I have been swimming around trying to keep my head above water. I knew that I wanted to give my kids a home education with substance. I looked at the ABeka curriculum, the Bob Jones curriculum, etc. The ones that are used in our local Christian schools. I'm just not really a fill in the blank kinda of girl. I wanted a curriculum that would make my children think. One that would be well rounded with art and music, latin and so much more than these curriculum offered. Don't get me wrong, we are going to be using the ABeka math and I'm still looking for a handwriting program that I love, but I wanted more than just reading, writing, and arithmatic.

Enter Charlotte Mason and http://amblesideonline.org/. I am really praying that this is what I have been looking for. So far it looks very promising. I am super excited.

Does anyone else use Charlotte Mason?

Farms Questions Part 1

I want a farm. I want to be able to raise chickens and cows and grow enough vegetables and fruits to almost sustain us. So my question is what is the right size for a farm to be able to do that? Should it be 10 acres? 20? 30? I have no experience with this sort of thing but I know it is something I want very much. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Still Painting

We are still at it, I can't wait to show you all pictures of my beautiful new kitchen. On another note, we had another miracle. Yesterday, when we got home my husband's car wouldn't go out of park, we were devastated. We spent the whole rest of the day, praying, and lamenting over what we would do since my van is parked and undrivable. Later in the evening my husband saw a neighbor who has the same make and model of car was pulling into her driveway. My husband walked over and asked her if she had ever had this problem. She said that she had and showed him how to fix it. Praise the Lord. The car is fixed, well at least it will go into drive. Thank you Jesus. Again for being the one who provides for all our needs.

I am overwhelmed!!!

We had a financial emergency this afternoon. A large check that was supposed to be here didn't come and they said that it would be next week before it was processed. This threw us into an unimaginable tail spin. I put out an email requesting prayer. Within in one hour our short term needs were met. The God we serve is AWESOME. Don't get me wrong. Even if He hadn't provided for my short term needs, He is still AWESOME!! I can't imagine life without the Lover of my Soul.

The Lord's Prayer

I received this in an email and I thought it was very good.

Our Father Who Art In Heaven.

Yes?

Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.

But -- you called ME!

Called you? No, I didn't call you. I'm praying.

Our Father who art in Heaven.

There -- you did it again!

Did what?

Called ME. You said, "Our Father who art in Heaven" Well, here I am.What's on your mind?

But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer.

It makes me feel good, kind of like fulfilling a duty.

Well, all right. Go on.

Okay, Hallowed be thy name .

Hold it right there. What do you mean by that?

By what? By "Hallowed be thy name"?

It means, it means . . good grief, I don't know what it means.

How in the world should I know? It's just a part of the prayer.

By the way, what does it mean?

It means honored, holy, wonderful.

Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what 'hallowed' meant before. Thanks.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done,on earth as it is in Heaven.

Do you really mean that?

Sure, why not?

What are you doing about it?

Doing? Why, nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control - of everything down here like you have up there. We're kinda in a mess down here you know.

Yes, I know; but, have I got control of you?

Well, I go to church.

That isn't what I asked you. What about your bad temper? You've really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend your money -- all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read?

Now hold on just a minute! Stop picking on me!

I'm just as good as some of the rest of those people at church!

Excuse ME. I thought you were praying for MY will to be done.

If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it.

Like you -- for example.

Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups.

Now that you mention it,

I could probably name some others.

So could I. I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things.

I would like to, you know, be really free.

Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together -- You and ME.

I'm proud of You.

Look, Lord, if you don't mind, I need to finish up here.

This is taking a lot longer than it usually does.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

You need to cut out the bread. You're overweight as it is.

Hey, wait a minute! What is this? Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups.

Praying is a dangerous thing. You just might get what you ask for.

Remember, you called ME -- and here I am. It's too late to stop now.

Keep praying. ( . . pause . . )

Well, go on.

I'm scared to.

Scared? Of what?

I know what you'll say.

Try me!

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

What about Amy?

See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up!

Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories.

She never paid back the money she owes me.

I've sworn to get even with her!

But -- your prayer --What about your prayer?

I didn't -- mean it.

Well, at least you're honest. But, it's quite a load carrying around all that bitterness

and resentment isn't it?

Yes, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with her.

Boy, have I got some plans for her. She'll wish she had never been born.

No, you won't feel any better.You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet.

You know how unhappy you are -- right?

Well, I can change that.

You can? How?

Forgive Amy.

Then, I'll forgive you;

And the hate and the sin will be Amy's problem -- not yours.

You will have settled the problem

as far as you are concerned.

Oh, you know, you're right. You always are.

And more than I want revenge, I want to be right with You . . (sigh).

All right . all right . . I forgive her.

There now! Wonderful!

How do you feel?

Hmmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all!

In fact, I feel pretty great! You know, I don't think I'll go to bed quite as uptight tonight. I haven't been getting much rest, you know.

Yeah, I know.

But, you're not through with your prayer are you? Go on.

Oh, all right. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Good! Good! I'll do that.

Just don't put yourself in a place where you can be tempted.

What do you mean by that?

You know what I mean.

Yeah. I know.

Okay. Go ahead. Finish your prayer.

For Thine is the kingdom,and the power,and the glory forever.

Amen.

Do you know what would bring me glory --What would really make me happy?

No, but I'd like to know.

I want to please you now. I've really made a mess of things. I want to truly follow you. I can see now how great that would be.

So, tell me .. . . How do I make you happy?

YOU just did!

Christian Service Ideas

Say Thank You to Someone who has ministered to you. Pray. Listen. Visit a sick friend. Visit someone in the hospital who has no family. Pray. Clean a neighbor's walk. Mow a single Mom's lawn. Open a door. Send an anonymous gift. Give a gift certificate from a grocery store. Pray. Tip generously. Help someone learn a new skill. Babysit someone's children for free. Share a smile. Pray. Show up on sick friend's doorstep and clean their bathroom. Read to a child. Help carry a load. Share a smile. Buy yarn for a single person who knits or crochets. Invite someone to Sunday School. Pray. Get a group together and do a mini makeover of someone's yard. Take a boy hunting. Visit a nursing home. Financial Counseling. Tell the truth in Love. Pray. Buy a cashier a soft drink. Write a letter to someone overseas in prision for their Christianity. Sponsor a child. Host a yard sale and donate the profits. Take tapes of worship services to the elderly or shut-ins who can't attend worship. PRAY!!! Adopt a missionary. Come along side a busy mother. PRAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Count it ALL Joy.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

James 1:2-7 NIV

Last night at Bible Study so many of my friends had so many burdens. My heart was very heavy for them. I spent a fitful night of concern for them. Perhaps it is because I have been there, in great pain and need. I know the feeling of struggle. I also know that I would not trade my struggles for all the money in the world. They have made me who I am, what I am. The season of pain and heartache may seem long, but oh, it is so beautiful on the other side. To have a heart that has been refined by the fire, to NEVER be the same again. No, I would not trade that for anything.

Don't misunderstand me. I am sinful and my heart is not pure or perfect, but it is softer than when my journey began. My faith is stronger than it used to be.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Hebrews 12:1-12 NIV

No, trials are not easy. They are not meant to be. My giants haven't always been laundry and dishes. There used to be a saying in strength training, "No pain, no gain." Well without pain our souls cannot gain either. It is not for "no reason" Jesus is called the perfecter of our faith.

I have learned this though, the sooner you recognize the trial and the sooner you put yourself on your face before God, the sooner He comes along side of you and helps you in the trial. Notice I did not say the sooner He removes the trial, which sometimes He does, I said the sooner He helps you in the trial.

Who would you rather have helping you? God? Or yourself?

I do NOT have all the answers, but I serve a God who does.

Hebrews 12:11 says, No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

It produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. This is so true.

Kim and the Giants.

Well the Lord and I knocked down a couple of those little giants today. I wouldn't have been able to do it except for Him. So many times I wanted to sit down and "rest". But I remembered something I read here. http://www.cmomb.com/the-sin-of-sloth/.

James 4:17 - Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

I know the good I ought to do. And if I don't do it simply out of laziness or being overwhelmed then I am sinning.

I was also inspired by Claudia O. at http://teenytinycabin.blogspot.com/who commented on my blog entry. Thank you so much for your encouragement.

So with the Lord's help I knocked out all the laundry, and cleaned my own bedroom (I am forever griping at the kids to keep theirs clean, time to practice what I preach.) and I cleaned the bathroom. And He motivated me to fix dinner for tonight, since I'm going to fellowship night with some ladies from ABF class.

Maybe just maybe I can get the Living Room done before I leave.

Blessing to all of you from the One who gives us strength.

Off to slay more little giants.

People to Pray for. . .

I wonder what would happen if we prayed for those who curse us?

In that vein I'm gonna pray for these people.