Blogs To Go (1.12.12)

Yes, it has been a while. I usually post a bunch of random links on FB, but I've decided the old-fashioned-and-a-little-more-work way is much better. (More traffic to my blog. Yes, I'm selfish. Muahahaha.)

10 Reasons Why Your Kids Might Think You're No Fun

Haiti's Slow Recovery (The Big Picture)

For All Those Who Worship Tim Tebow

It is Possible to Disagree Online and Not Be a Jerk

Fat Bottomed Girls Come Together Mash-up

Joyful Diligence?

So this is me. In my natural state. I would sit and rot my life away with a book or sleeping or eating. I do not kid myself that I'm inherently diligent or self-motivating or any such nonsense.

Also, I spend most of my time feeling guilty and beating myself up. Not a fun ride.

Sit. Read. Sit some more. Nap. Feel fat. Need to get up. No, I don't feel like getting up. Sit some more. Feel worse. I'll try again tomorrow.

Wake up. New day! Well, I'm always lazy, so why even try. Thus begins the cycle. Again.

This is life for me. Allow me to confess some sins to you: I'm excruciating lazy and selfish and feel quite entitled to do whatever I want. (Being a SAHM makes for a comfortable breeding ground for these sins.)

But God is a good Dad. He doesn't just sit by and let His children live in the filth they've always known. God is love, and that is not loving.

After some "coincidences" recently, I'm convinced that God wants me to step up and fight to be diligent in all areas of my life. (Yes, this is something that should be a given. For me, it hasn't been. Now, stop judging me.)

So here they are: my goals for 2012. They're big, but I've spent some time writing down how to practically live them out. (Those details would be different for everyone, so I won't give them.)

• Personal: Eat healthy, sleep responsibly and exercise daily.
• Walk with God: Seek satisfaction in God alone and fight for joy.
• Family: Love and serve my family with joy.
• Home: Work diligently, as for the Lord and not my hubby.
• Ministry: Joyfully pour my life out for the women and children I serve. 

Yes. They sound like your average Christian To-do List, but none of these things are easy for me. I have to fight to do them. I want to do them, but I just don't.

Here's to a new year and a hope in God's sufficient grace that produces change.

P.S. Please note that I'm seeking to all of this with joy, another attribute that doesn't come naturally. Like, at all. 

Joseph, Planning and God's Will

I'll propose. She'll say, "yes!" Then, I'll head back to my parents' house to add on some rooms for our own home. She'll prepare whatever she needs to prepare to be my wife. We'll be married. I'll continue my carpentry business here in town. She'll be a great little Homemaker and hopefully SAHM soon. Perfect! I've got it all worked out. 


{Okay, I know Joseph probably didn't think exactly like that, but I'm sure he had some kind of plan in mind. Scripture says he was a just man who "considered" things, so I'm sure he was prudent and thoughtful in his decisions. Getting married is a pretty big decision.}


Joseph has his plan all thought-out, and then: "...before they came together she was found to be with child..." 


{Oh dear. I'm not a historian, but I'm sure that was frowned-upon in his culture, but after a night of divine visitation, he decides to keep Mary and the growing baby.}


All right. So, the girl I'm about to marry is pregnant. Not only is she pregnant, but she's carrying the Messiah, the Savior we've been anticipating for thousands of years, the Son of God! No pressure. I can handle this...I need to go chop something...


{If I had been Joseph, these would have been my thoughts: I can't believe you'd put all this on us! We can't handle something this! Why have you done this? Everything was going fine, and now, what are we suppose to do?! Still, God isn't done. Joseph's plans are crumbling to pieces, and God is still pounding into them.}

"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child."


{My first thought when I read this was, "Seriously, Lord?!" Then I wondered if Joseph complained or got frustrated with this new situation. Not only was he about to marry a pregnant girl and be the adoptive parent of God's Son, he's also go to pack up and journey 70 miles on foot with a super-pregnant fiancé sitting on a donkey.}
_______


We don't know for certain what Joseph was thinking and feeling through all of this, but we do know a few things:

• He was a just man. (Matt. 1:19)
• He wasn't hasty in decision-making. (Matt. 1:20)
• He believed Gabriel's message. (Matt. 1:24)
• He obeyed the message. (Matt. 1:24)

May Joseph be an example to God's children. Christians, we must be thoughtful and patient in making decisions, and when God says to do something, we must obey. 

No matter how random and arbitrary or terrifying and humiliating God's will may be, He is a good and loving Father. He only calls us to what is most glorifying to Him. Strangely enough, what glorifies Him is always good for us, whether we believe it or not.

This post was inspired by today's Advent reading, Luke 2:1-7. This and other readings are chronicled here. 

Props to Single Parents

Sitting outside on the front porch. Weather's perfect.

Heard a car door slam.

Saw my neighbor a few doors down, walking to his house with his little boy. He put his hand on his son's head.

He smiled down at him. Made my heart happy and sad.

He's a single dad with a three year-old son.

Works long hours. Works a second job some nights. His parents help out.

Reminded me of my daddy. He was a single dad off and on.

Having a little girl was really difficult at times. At least now there are changing tables in men's restrooms.

From the Lord to Us to Caleb.

There is a hierarchy of obedience in the Bible.

• God is at the top. 
• He gives commands to His children. 
• Believing parents must obey them. 
• Those same parents, in turn, give commands to their children.
• Their children, in turn, must obey them. 

All these commands are given in love and filled with grace. Both God and parents know their children will not always be obedient and must always go to the Savior for grace.

"...the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus..."
(Paul, Romans 3:22-24 ESV)

(Also, since God reigns at the top, both parents and children are responsible for obeying Him above anyone else.)

All this said, I'm quite the hypocrite.

I do not obey God, and then I become angry when He disciplines me. At the same time, I do not hesitate to expect obedience from Caleb and discipline Him when he is disobedient.

Becoming a mom has revealed so much about myself. Mostly, I've seen the great deal of sin in my heart and my own great need of a Savior. (Both of which are incredibly humbling but so, so good.)

No matter what Mormons or Muslims or moral atheists say, we can't ever be good enough. We may be squeaky clean on the outside, being good and polite and nice, but our hearts are always stained with the dirt and grime of sin.

“Woe to you...hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."
(Jesus, Matthew 23:27-28 ESV)

Is there any hope? For parents? Children? Any of us?

"Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! ...There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."
(Paul, Romans 7:24-8:2 ESV)

Blogs-To-Go (7.12.11)

Gecko drinking from its eyeball.
Yummy!

My Heroes Live in Southern Sudan
The world truly is not worthy of them.

Family Games that Avoid the Screen
Put down that iPad and enjoy your family!

A New Nation Rises
I love Boston Globe's Big Picture! Today, we see Southern Sudan, a nation only a few days old.

Parenting Reminder to Self
If you're a mom who loves Jesus, I encourage you to follow this blog.  This entry is quite convicting.

There is a devil!
Yes, Christians he is real, and he is more powerful than you alone. Promise.

Oh, and Hell?
Yes, that's real, too.

Now, That's a Good Daddy.

I could make a long and fancy list explaining why my hubby is a wonderful dad. However, here's the (current) most important reason my great husband is also a great father.

He works three jobs, so that I may be a Stay-at-Home-Mom for Caleb. 

Some may think being a SAHM is old-fashioned and lowly and lazy, but my hubby and I are convinced it is a high calling and one to be valued and honored.

My husband goes to the office every morning at 8:00 a.m. Then, he comes home at 5:00 p.m. and begins his second job. (BTW-He can fix most iOS devices, PC's and Mac's. In case you were wondering.) On Saturday and Sunday mornings, he's at his third job. Altogether, I have no clue how many hours he works, but I know it's a lot.

The Bible calls husbands to lay down their lives for their wives, just as Christ laid down His for the church. My hubby does this every day.

I may never become the "Proverbs 31" wife and mom, but I know I have a husband who may make it possible. I am blossoming and growing and learning and enjoying this life because my hubby makes it possible.

Happy Father's Day, Hubby. I love you so very, very much. Thank you for being the husband and dad that you are. You bring glory to the name, Daddy.

Daddy--A Worthy Name

It is a high calling to be a Christian Father. All dads have huge responsibilities, but Christian dads have even more...

"You shall teach [my commandments] diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (Deuteronomy 6:7 ESV)

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4 ESV)

"For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior." (Ephesians 5:23 ESV)

Not only are dads to teach their children about fishing and motorcycles and sex and martial arts and not hitting girls, Christian dads have the added responsibility to teach God's Word to their children.

To teach it, they must know it. To know it, they must be in it and living it. No pressure?!

Let's see. That would include...purity, loving God, sacrifice, submission, authority, freedom in Christ, loving others, defining "others," character, prayer, humility, finding joy in sorrow, fearing the Lord, taking care of nature, studying the Bible, making a "joyful noise," worship...

Wow. Daddies who love Jesus have some big shoes to fill. Wives, they need us. They desperately need us.

I write to myself as I make this list.

Ladies:

• manage your household and children well. 
• spend time with the Lord each morning. 
• make your hubby the next priority beneath God. 
• free your husbands to be godly leaders for your family. 
• do NOT usurp his role, even if he's isn't leading. 
• pray for him. 
• love him. 
• cherish and serve him. 

Our husbands have a seriously intimidating role, and they need to know we're next to them, loving and encouraging them all the way.

Happy Father's Day to all the daddies! Lead us well, because we will follow you!

Blogs-To-Go (6.3.11)

Oh, Pluralism.

Logic. Smogic. 

Considering Adoption?

The hubby and I are hoping to adopt the rest of our little ones, so this book will be purchased soon. 

"Getting to the Heart of Parenting"

I'm challenged by pretty much anything this guy or his brother Ted say or write. 

How to Make Strike-Anywhere Matches

These are hard to find, so maybe we'll make our own.

100 Web Apps
The best of the best apps for the Web. 

I know these Blogs-To-Go posts can be random, but random is fun. One can't be serious and solemn or funny and silly all the time. 

Psychologists Call It "Patterns." Sociologists Call It "Cycles."

The Bible calls it generational sin. Name Game aside, "doing what your parents did" is alive and active today.

I've been reading through the Bible this year, and I'm in the book 2 Kings right now. This is definitely not a book about a joyfully obedient Chosen People doing all the right things. (Aside: One reason I'm convinced the Bible is inspired by God. If the Bible was "written by man," as I hear sometimes, we would have made ourselves look better--all clean-cut and spiffy.)

So far, each chapter has been, "King So and So started reigning in Judah or Israel. He did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD. He made Judah or Israel sin greatly. Then, he died and the next King did the same thing." Yes, there are some Kings who followed King David in worshipping the LORD alone and not chasing after other gods, but they were the minority. (King David, by the way, was far from perfectly obedient.)

Today I finished reading chapter 17. After generations and generations of idolatry, here's where God's people find themselves: "So these nations feared the LORD and also served their carved images. Their children did likewise, and their children's children—as their fathers did, so they do to this day." (vs. 41)

Usually a kingdom went from Father to Son. "Daddy always did this, so it's normal. I don't know any different. May as well keep doing it." Whatever we see our daddies doing, we do. No matter how destructive.

Mommas were influential in the lives of their children, as well. (see 2 Kings 8 & 15) "Momma always said..." A mother's words and how they're said will lead her children somewhere. They'll either guide her children toward or away from the LORD. Whatever our mommas say, we trust. No matter how misleading.

There's a sort of jumbled mixture of "fearing the LORD" and "serving their carved images."

The following we hear and see:

• Go to church but don't talk about it too much. It makes others uncomfortable, even other church people. 
• Don't worry what people think, but be sure to wear this outfit or have that car or go to this club. 
• Money isn't everything, but I want you to be successful and have more than I did.
• Marriage is a sacred union between a man and a woman, but you're probably going to have sex before marriage, anyway. Just be safe and don't get pregnant or get a disease. 
• Treat others the way you want to be treated. Well, except for homosexuals and liberals and minorities and foreigners...
• You have to believe in God if you look around at creation. However, this is your life. Live for yourself. Do what you want. Sleep with whomever you want. Buy whatever you want. Worship yourself, your body, your desires. 

“Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin." 

(Deuteronomy 24:16)

Parents cannot take responsibility for their children's actions. My addictions were my own, not my dad's. My lack of self-control is my sin, not my mom's.


"The LORD passed before [Moses] and proclaimed, 'The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.'" 
(Exodus 34:6; Exodus 34:7)


However, parents must not be ignorant to the effects our behaviors and words have on our children. One parent's addictions were lived out in front of me my whole life, and then I stepped right into those same shoes. One parent's lack of self control shows itself in words and actions, and then I step right into those shoes.

Parents, be wise and godly in your life. Church won't influence your children, you will. Children, be wise and godly in your life. Trust the holy God, not a sinful people.