What Do You Say When You Talk to Yourself?

The concept of this entry comes from the book, "Self Talk, Soul Talk," by Jennifer Rothschild. For several weeks, I've been reading it. Last night I finished my first read-through.  For you see, my journey isn't complete. This time, I am taking notes and working through the questions to ponder at the conclusion of each chapter.

The timing of this book has been incredible. You know how it is, a friend gives you a book.  You either read it immediately or place in on your coffee table or on a bookshelf.  I must confess that I didn't immediately read it. Around the time it was given to me, I was attempting to work through another book.  I would read some from one book and then bouncee back-and-forth to this one.

Finally, sensed the Lord's leading to concentrate on one book at a time.  You know I'm glad that I did.  Some of my most precious time with the Lord has been reading my Bible and this book, while waiting for Christine to complete piano lessons each Thursday afternoon.

As I conclude, may I ask you a question, "what do you say when you talk to yourself?" Are you speaking the truth?  Or listening to the father of lies?

We all are guilty of that, are we not?  If the enemy can keep us in a tailspin regarding our thoughts, he will.  Let's ask the Lord to help us take every thought captive.  Stop and read 2 Corinthians 10:1-6.  We're in a spiritual war.  And the battle oftentimes begins with and in our minds.

Let's ponder what the Lord says about us and we find that in His Word!  He loves you with an everlasting love.  Think on that, dear ones!  Philippians 4:4-9

A Thankful Tree

* Small tree branch

* Flower pot
* Pebbles, rocks or marbles
* Card stock or colored paper
* Hole Punch
* Twine or string

* Clear holiday lights (optional)

Time needed:  Under 1 Hour

1.  To make the tree, insert branch in a flowerpot filled with pebbles, rocks, or marbles. 

2.  Cut leaf shapes from card stock or colored paper, use a hole punch to make hole in each, and attach a loop of twine.

3.  At your gathering, have guests jot down a note of thanks on a leaf and hang it from the tree.

4.  Another idea.  Have family members write down one thing they're thankful for each day leading up to Thanksgiving, and hang it on the tree.

Introducing "Easy Clicks!"

A nifty and quick way to access links and resources on particular subjects.  Our first focus is "Music Education." Scroll down my side bar. Its located directly under my profile.

Gizmo and Gadgets!

Hey, what can I say? You can take the girl out of her home state, but Texans so appreciate and love their bluebonnets. You'll notice I'm found of our state flower and have scattered pics of them throughout my blog. Enjoy!

Back to the purpose of this entry. When I initially started this blog I was very excited. Received some initial feedback and thought, I'm off to the races. Then I hit a wall and for a long while, didn't blog. I've heard this is quite normal.

I've toyed with perhaps quitting. Through prayer and an encouraging husband, I have resumed. Rob even suggested recently that I get a "Facebook," page. Wow! Wouldn't that be fun? I guess he's right and we'll see how the Lord leads.

For those who have visited recently, you'll discover my blog site has been revised and revived. As to how the Lord will use this adventure, I do not know but I believe He does have a plan for it. In His power and strength, I'll press forward.

Recently, I came across a site called, "Christian Women Online." Within their site, there are excellent resources for ladies. I particularly found their calendars, scripture tags and other blog resources quite helpful. Now I am able to add flair to my blog. One of my favorite expressions is, "cool beans."  Indeed, this is very cool!

Yes, dear ones, if we can utilize tools that others have, one need not reinvent the wheel. Last Friday, Christine gave an oral presentation during her Classical Conversations class on "Why Johannes Gutenberg Is Important?" He invented the printing press and guess what? He adapted wine presses into printing presses. His philosophy was to utilize items that were already working well and not reinventing the wheel. Sound familiar?

With this said, each you can utilize some of their blog trinkets to add more pzazz to your blog. Click here.

Kay Arthur's Response To The Email

In recent days there has been an email circulating as to what Kay Arthur shared at Lifeway's Deeper Still Conference in Atlanta, Georgia back in June. We went to her website to check its validity and this is what we discovered.

Here is her response in her own words. Click here to read it.

Voddie's Exhortation To The Saints

As Christians we are instructed to pray for those in authority.  This morning, Rob shared with me this excellent article that Voddie Bauchman had written on his blog.  If you are not familiar with Voddie's ministry, I have his link on Favorite Blogs.

To read his latest posting on the election, click here.

A Heart Replete With Praise!

Have been working on my blog for the past week.  In doing so, I have been blessed to visit other blogs of Christian moms who homeschool.

This particular picture touched my heart in that it so reminded me of my childhood.  My brothers and I were blessed to have our grandparents living with us when we were children.

I have fond memories of my Mom and Grandmother Bell working together in our kitchen.  As we approach the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, these memories literally flood my heart and mind.  I often share them with our precious daughter, Christine.  This afternoon, all this personal reflections prompted me to pause and thank our Heavenly Father for all the godly women who have touched my life.

In particular, my heart is full as I ponder my sweet Mom's influence in and upon my life.  I can truly testify that she has been the most influential lady in my life.  I miss her a lot.  Particularly as I am a Mom now.  Yet, the investment she put into my life has paid and continues to pay great dividends.  My heart's desire is to be that kind of Mom to our precious Christine.

The hymn, "Oh To Be Like Thee," comes to my heart as I am sharing these thoughts.  When we are like Him, He works out all things for our good.

Desiring to Reflect God's Joy!

Stand Firm In The Power of Our Lord!

Last night as we listened to some of the election returns, I was downhearted.  Even as I awoke this morning and checked on line, I was disappointed with the outcome of the election.  Indeed it demonstrated how much this election was about a "TRUTH WAR."  

Between Rob gently listening to me, giving godly counsel and pointing me to two articles on his blog, "The Real Issue."  One,  an "Open Letter to President-elect," by Dr. Richard Land.  Then the other was written by Dr. Al Mohler, the President of Southern Seminary.  The Holy Spirit used Rob and these men to remind me that as believers we are called to be different in our response to the election results.  

This morning we had prayer as a family and talked about our thoughts and feelings about the election.  Christine cried and shared her thoughts as to why she was sad that Senator McCain and Governor Palin lost.  Perhaps it is the fact that our sweet daughter is growing up and is more aware as to what is at stake now in our country.

We recommitted ourselves to the Lord and asked Him to use us individually and as a family.  We reminded Christine as well as ourselves that God is still in control.  It is He that sets kings in places and takes them down as well.  

We also reminded Christine that this world is not our final resting place.  Rob reminded both Christine and myself that in many respects, we are living in an incredible time in history by which to live out the Christian faith.

This evening as Christine and I prayed before she went bed, again through Scripture, she and I were once again reminded of who is in control of our world.  Man is egotistic enough and proud to think that he is the one who is in charge.  

Will there be hard days ahead?  Let's pray for our President-elect.  Christian, let's be vigilant. We can take an ostrich approach or we take to be holy and be ready ourselves for this TRUTH WAR.  I want to be ready and not to faint.  Now is the time to recommit ourselves to hiding God's Word in our hearts.

Also, take time to scroll down my side bar to the heading, "Worshipful Praises @ You Tube."  I have added 15 songs that will encourage you immensely.  

In Him Alone!

Our Sacred Honor

Remember to VOTE today!

Finishing What You Start

Perhaps you can totally relate. We start various projects only to abandon them for something more exciting, loose interest or find ourselves distracted with the cares of life. If you're like me, perhaps you have bookcases full of books that you may started, yet never completed. Recently, I've been revamping my blog and noticed all too quickly on my sidebar under the heading, "Current Study," I had listed 2 books. Immediately I sensed the prompting of the Holy Spirit to delete one and focus on one book at a time.  

May I get personal? What have you started that needs your attention to carry it through to completion? Spend some time with the Lord and ask Him to pinpoint those areas and get back on track.  I want to be like the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:24 and 26, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain [win] it. . . Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air."

Isn't it wonderful to know and experience God's mercies fresh every morning, noon and night? Can you say a hearty amen with me?  The enemy would have us to remain in a constant spin cycle of not completing tasks, but "we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength." 

A final thought, I am not speaking of those moments that God brings, "Heavenly interruptions into our lives." Those times can serve eternal purposes and we should be flexible enough to go another direction should the Lord direct. What I am talking about is perhaps setting unrealistic goals or over scheduling your life. God desires for us to have balance and seek His mind in everything we do.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Menopausal Moments

Recently, I have been experiencing pain in my right hand. A week ago Sunday, I went to church with a pain patch on my right hand. My sweet husband asked, "Did you whack yourself?"  I immediately retorted, "You're asking a menopausal woman if she remembers!"  Needless to say, about midnight I recalled that I had fallen on Thursday and gently tapped Rob on the back around midnight to share.  Of course, he has no recollection of my revelation.

This past week, I shared with him a solution that I was seriously considering.  "As a menopausal woman, I would arm myself with Post-it Notes and a pen so whenever I whacked myself accidentally, fell or had a foggy moment, I could write myself notes. Rob just hooted. I must confess that I'm a visual person and had a flash (not a hot one) and vision of me all decorated with the Post-it Notes truly made me LOL. Seriously, I think I might be on to something, aye?

Since then I have shared this idea and have had positive feedback as well as many chuckles.

Just like the season of Fall right now, with the myriad array of extraordinary and exquisite colors that remind us of the beauty and the majesty of our Creator God and our Lord Jesus Christ, Himself.  Each season has purpose and duration. So whatever season you are in, celebrate it. Continually run to the Lord Jesus Christ, rely on Him and rest in Him. Yes, as my late Mom and Grandmother Belle lived out before me, "discover or rediscover a sense of humor and keep it close by." Remember, there is nothing in our lives that takes Him by surprise.

A Must See Movie -> Come What May

One has only to watch the evening news, read the newspapers and read online headlines to see how far the liberal media has hoodwinked the American public.  God has used ordinary men and women through the centuries to accomplish extraordinary and tasks for Him even when the odds look unfavorable.  

For such a time as this, God is using George Escobar, a homeschooling Dad who is a Christian filmmaker to make a huge difference in the lives of Christian young people and for them to impact our culture NOW.  So is Patrick Henry College.

 

The actual link to the movie is www.adventfilmgroup.com.  One can purchase the actual DVD at this particular site.  Let's support such films as "Come What My," God's Truth will prevail!

Remember God is still on His throne and He's in control not man!

One of those days . . .

Have you ever had one of those days?  Earlier my day was not going the way I would desire.  After a shower and in God's Word, He has redirected and corrected my thoughts. 

Oh I'm thankful for His Word and for my copy of "Streams in the Desert, #2."  God uses a myriad of tools by which to get our attention.

Then the most precious thing occurred, Christine asked to pray over me.  Umm.  Wonderful where she learned that?  This is one of those times, you want your children to repeat what they heard you say.

Asking the Lord to remind me of the "whatsoevers," found in Philippians 4.

Basking in His Love!

Thankful for God's Mercy To & In My Life!

I am in awe of our Heavenly Father who has such great love for me that He gently corrects and reproves me. Today in church, Pastor Craig continued his series, "Fingerprints of Faith, Part 4."  The emphasis was on "Meekness," from Matthew 5:4.  You know how it is when the Holy Spirit is at work and you feel like there must be some huge spot light or neon sign, "God is working on me right now, caution!"  Interestingly enough, prior to today's message, He's been gently pricking my heart in this matter.

Pastor Craig said something profound, "when we are easily offended or want to defend ourselves, it's likely because we have a high opinion of ourselves."  Ouch! But isn't that so true?  If we seek to say with Paul, "we've been bought with a price, therefore glorify God in our bodies and that we are no longer our own." Then it should not surprise us or even bother us whenever a man of God speaks the truth.  Yet in our sinfulness and own personal rationalizing, we find our excuses.  Instead, we can say with Isaiah, "woe to me, I am of unclean lips."  I'm right there with the prophet Isaiah.  The Apostle Paul stated in 1 Timothy 1:15, "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."  Can you so relate?  Indeed I can!

  

After church, I visited with a dear friend and shared how tempting it is to explain away the verse, "The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression."  Or perhaps in some translations, the word "offense," is used.  Regardless, we both concluded that it is very easy to do so when we think we've been offended or wronged.

So when tempted to allow my feathers to be ruffled when a situation arises or if I'm misunderstood, with the Holy Spirit's help and His power, I want to surrender my thinking, attitude and action.  Whereby, allowing meekness to emerge and joy to overflow.

Pastor Craig shared that the beatitudes are progressive in their placement in Scripture.  When we understand just how bankrupt we are before a Holy God and mourn over sinfulness, we are not so easily offended.

A particular praise song comes to my mind, "I Stand in Awe."  Please allow me to share the words of this song.  And by chance if you already know it, please feel free to sing along with me.  

You are beautiful beyond description,

Too marvelous for words:

Too wonderful for comprehension,

Like nothing every seen or heard.

Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom?

Who can fathom the depth of Your love?

You are beautiful beyond description, majesty enthroned above.

Chorus

And I stand, I stand in awe of You,

I stand, I stand in awe of You; 

Holy God, to whom  all praise is due,

I stand in awe of You.

And I stand, I stand in awe of You,

I stand, I stand in awe of You;

Holy God. to whom all praise is due,

I stand in awe of You.

As I conclude this posting, I am so reminded of my late parents when it comes to the subject of meekness and the beatitudes.  My Dad used to say, "well Kath, if folks are misunderstanding you or saying things are not true, then rejoice, my little sister in Christ, you're in good company, for so persecuted the prophets that were before you.  Just get happy in the Lord."  

Then my Mom shared lovingly but firmly, "Kathy, you would make a good lawyer, because you feel the need to defend yourself.  If what was said is not true and you do not sense the conviction of the Holy Spirit, then count it all joy, my little sister."  

Truly I want to grow in Christ and allow Him to work His will and way into the fabric of my heart, mind and total being.  Please pray for me as I will pray for you as well.

Amazed by His Love!

The Princess Who Wanted To Be Beautiful

Once upon a time there was a little Princess who was very unhappy because she was not as pretty to look at as she thought a little Princess should be.

She sat in the garden and was sorrowful and cried a great deal of the time, because she felt quite sure that no one would ever make her a queen.

One day she sat by the wall of the garden with her hands in her lap, and was looking very sad. An old woman, very bent and gray, and carrying a bundle, passed along the road outside and looked over the wall.

"Why do you cry, little Princess?" she asked.

"Because I am not beautiful," the little Princess replied, "and so I shall never be made a queen."

"Why do you not go out into the world and find someone who can make you beautiful?" asked the old woman as she started again on her way. And this seemed like such a new adventure that the little Princess went out through the garden gate and started down the road.

The old woman had disappeared as if the road had taken her into its gray dust, but before the little Princess had gone very far she overtook a boy. He was stumbling along the road as if it were hard for him to find his way. He put out his hand and touched the little Princess' silken sleeve.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"I am going to find someone who will help to make me beautiful," the little Princess said, "I am not pretty enough to be a queen."

"Wait a while and help me," said the little boy. "I am blind, and I cannot find my way home."

So the little Princess took the blind boy's hand in hers and walked along with him, leading him very gently, until they came to the cottage by the side of the road where he lived.

Then the little Princess went on, hurrying, for she felt that she had lost a great deal of time.  But before she had gone very far, she saw a little girl standing by the edge of the woods and crying. When the little girl saw the Princess, she looked up and asked, "Where are you going?"

"I am going to find someone who will help me to be beautiful," the little Princess said, "I am not pretty enough to be a queen."

"Wait awhile and help me," said the little girl. "My mother is ill, and I went to the dairy to fetch her some milk and eggs, but I have no money, and they say that I must pay."

The little Princess pulled from the silk bag at her side a bright gold piece. She had but two of them to buy herself food on her journey, but she gave one to the child. "This is to pay for the milk and eggs," she said. Then this little girl laughed with happiness. Her smile was as bright as the sunshine that came down through the trees and lighted them both.

"Now I must make great haste," thought the little Princess. "It is getting on in the day and I am no more beautiful than when I started." But she had gone only a little way when she came suddenly upon the same old woman, who had spoken to her in the morning.

"Did you do as I bade you?" asked the old woman.

"Yes," said the little Princess. "But I am still ugly to look at," she added, dropping her head.

"Oh no, you are not," said the old woman. "Look!" And she held a mirror before the face of the Princess.

A strange thing had happened. The little Princess's eyes, in leading the little blind boy, had grown as bright as stars.  Her hair was as shining as the gold piece which she had given away.  "Shall I every be a queen!" asked the Princess.

The old woman took a small gold crown from the bundle she carried and set it upon the little Princess' head.

"You are a queen, my dear!" she said.

. . . In the end, there are a few things more beautiful than a kind heart.

Source:  The Moral Compass, William J. Bennett, pages 365-66.

Back In The Saddle Again!

What an appropriate title from a Texan. Although my residence is in Virginia, I'm a Texan at heart. Back in May, I shared that there was going to be an interlude in my blogging action. Now three months have passed and I'm back!!!

I have missed this particular outlet and know that God's timing is always perfect and there are seasons in our lives as well. Much has happened during this time and as the Lord leads, I'll share some of these experiences.

Monday, we did some fine tuning with our computers. I must confess that I had many floppy disks that needed to be copies to our desktop. You may be thinking, "wow, they still have floppy disks." Yes, we do and God has blessed us with new systems by which to be able to do ministry in a more efficient manner. I digress. The point is that sometimes, the direction the Lord leads us may seem strange and unusual. Yet He has has a plan and He promises to work it out for our own good.

Monday afternoon into the evening as I copied folders and organized them, it was as if the Lord allowed me a quick overview of the past 12 years. He used the information in the various folders as a gentle reminder of His grace in our lives and how He has and will continue to work out His plan for our family. Although a tedious process computer wise, it was spiritually refreshing.

Now we can utilize the information we actual have. For you see 12 years ago, when Christine was first born, it was a very stressful time in our family's life. As a mom of a premature baby, it was a growing time for me personally. Now these many years later, I can look back in such gratitude and rejoice in God's protection, His faithfulness and His great love for me and my family.

For you see even the most difficult situations God uses for our good and for His kingdom work. The peaks and valleys we each have in our lives are never wasted. God can and oftentimes, brings such beauty from ashes. I know many of you can testify of this wonderful reality.

The Christian walk "is what it is." To borrow a popular phrase that Keven Garnett (Boston Celtics) used when he was interviewed during the NBA Finals. It's a walk, a process not a sprint. I am afraid in the American church in particularly, we want shortcuts and everything yesterday. No where in the Bible do we read that our conformity to the image of Christ is instantaneously. Yet we easily become impatient and try to second-guess our Heavenly Father. In Isaiah 55, we read that "His ways are great than ours." easy for us to live in a spiritual lah-lah land. We sort of tune out that still small voice of the Holy Spirit and attempt to do everything our way rather than God's way. This occurs when we allow the enemy to deceive us or we just turn disable the discernment button.

My challenge to each of us, is that we ask the Lord to give us a fresh perspective and a hunger for Him alone. That we will read God's Word first and foremost before trusting man's opinions. There's lots of good resources available to us but if we neglect the main course . . . God's Word, we err.

My heart is full and I am excited to see how God will use Oikodemeoo Ministries. Please join me and pray for me as we resume this journey together.

To God be the glory!

Kathy

Romans 12:10