"For Instruction In Righteousness"

I suppose this is a sort of "book review." I purchased the book, "For Instruction In Righteousness" some time ago, but had one of my first chances to use it yesterday. Well, I'm sure it was not my first chance, but I suppose the Lord brought it to my mind, and I just had to share.

The book comes from www.doorposts.net. It is a book that has topically arranged chapters for the "parent in need," as I call myself! It's a quick bibilical reference to subjects such as: Disobedience, Pride, Arguing/Complaining, Shifting blame, Fear, Laziness, Immodesty, Rules for borrowers, Hitting/Biting/Kicking, Unkind Speech, and so on. The chapters are laid out by general information and biblical commandments about each sin, what happens (or should happen) to the person involved in that sin, what that sin is likened to, stories that illustrate the consequences of that sin, and the blessings of those who do the opposite of the sin (i.e..obeying vs. disobeying), stories that illustrate the blessings, and then verses to memorize. They use only scripture for reference, but give practical ideas as how to make the scriptures real to your children.

One example is Selfishness. One verse that gives general information on this sin is Eph. 4:28, which talks about working so you can give to others. The practical advice for this verse is to have children purchase gifts for others from their own earnings.

What happens or should happen to the selfish person? Provervs 28:27 says "He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses." A practical suggestion to apply this verse would be to deny the child the privilege of playing, or deny them thier toys for a time, etc...

On the other hand, one of the blessings of generosity is found in Matthew 23:11, which says, "'But the greatest among you shall be your servant." In this book they encourage you to exalt the generous, unselfish child, to give him a special "honor-the-servant" party, and have the rest of the family serve him for a day.

I have just given you a taste of what this book is about. It doesn't come cheap ($30 spiral-bound), but it is definitely worth your money. These parents came up with this book as a reference for their own family, and we can reap from their hard work! I would recommend any of their books, actually. What a blessing to have God's word at our fingertips to use wisely in situations with our children.

Contentment

Paul said, "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am in." (Philippians 4:11)

Now, if Kari were writing this today, it would read: "Well, sometimes I think I am content, until I start watching too many HGTV shows. I feel content, but then those darn NutriSlim commercials come on TV, and I realize I am not shaped like a pencil like those women. I want to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself in...if only God would put me where I want to be...yes, then I COULD be content." Sadly to say, this is the truth of my heart. I long for contentment, but I can get so caught up in the affairs of this world, so "entagled" is what Paul calls it, isn't it? I feel God is speaking to me about contentment...now, it's not the first time, and I'm sad to say it probably won't be the last. But, I want to keep hearing from Him in this area.

"Contentment is wanting what you already have." (from Thriving on One Income)

"Entire books have been written on the subject [of living frugally], but I think it can be boiled down to two key behaviors: staying home and practicing contentment. Leaving the house costs money and discontentment costs you more than just money." (from www.humblemusings.com)

Missing Shane

I told Lizzie this morning that I missed Shane (he's in Seattle at the Acts 29 Resurgence Conference) and she said, "Me, too, mommy....I miss his beautiful face!" :)

Holding Fast to Sound Doctrine

I am coming to the realization that there is more and more out there to pull us away from truth. From blogging with Emergent church seekers to hearing too many women "love" Joyce Meyers, I am feeling God prodding my heart in the area of "knowing what I know." What I mean is that I lean alot on Shane for answers. Someone asks me something and I say, "I don't know, I'll ask Shane." Although that is one role my husband should play, as head of our household-and a role I highly respect him in-I am feeling that I need to search these things for myself. Not to come up with a different conclusion, but maybe to have an answer more often. I'm not sure if I have enough brain left, after three children, for this venture, but I think God is stirring my heart to study a Systematic Theology book. I have really felt it heavy on my heart this past week. I want to have an answer for why I believe what I believe. Oh, will Shaney be excited (all of you feel free to call him 'Shaney')! He's been wanting me to study this book for some time, but I just haven't been ready. I'd tell you the name of the book, but I can't even remember it! ( I suppose it doesn't look like I'm off to a good start, but at least I'm honest about it!) I'll keep you updated on this.....

A Blessing Journal

blogging from Indiana....

So, I am reading this book entitled, "Thriving on One Income" by Kimberly Eddy. I am always looking for more encouragement in the area of budgeting and finances. It's been a great book so far-I am on chapter10. Chapter 8 is entitled, "The Blessing Journal." At the beginning of the chapter, she quotes Psalm 145:2-5:

"Every day I will bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation will praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honor of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works."

In this chapter, she talks about how when she saw this commandment in scripture, she wondered how she could ever obey since they were-at the time-just "barely scraping by." Inspired by a project her daughter's Sunday school class did, she decided to start a blessings journal. In it she would write down each blessing she received from God and every thing she was thankful for. She says, in her book, "I have learned that my husband may get payed on Thursdays, but my God provides for me everyday." She did this to not only to look back on "what the Lord hath done" on her down days, but also to help her to see all of God's provisions every day!

Well, she has inspired me. I want to share some financial blessings God gave us this past week. I'd love to hear from you, too! ......

1. He gave us 2 tubs of clothes for Nehemiah in size 18 months-which just "happened to be the size we needed for him!

2. He provided for our daughter to go to the Puzzle Dome with a friend who's parents said they wanted to pay since they invited her!

3. We had got a gift card for Christmas to a restaurant, which went out of business before we could use the card. So, the company reimbursed our money and we used it Sunday when we went to eat with some friends from church.

4. Someone gave me a gift card for my birthday to a clothing store!

5. On Saturday, I found a brand new pair of jeans with the labels on them (old navy) for only $8 at a consignment shop, where I also got my daughter a Laura Ashley easter dress for $6!

6. My parents paid for dinner for the girls and I tonight at their church.

7. The Lord provided a hotel room and a car rental free for my husband while in Seattle.

And, I'm sure there are more...but my brain is only so big with three kids!;) It's so good to remember what the Lord has done. He is bigger than our paychecks or our budgets.

"Do you have food and clothing? Thank Him. That's all He says we TRULY need, and yet He provides us with so much more, doesn't He?"

Pursuing Christ

This is a great article by John Piper on counting everything but Christ loss (link here). I was encouraged and know you will be, too:

".. my conclusion is that what Paul is pursuing in Philippians 3:12 is ultimately Christ himself. And the most essential practical strategy of this pursuit is to count Christ himself as supremely valuable (“because of the surpassing worth”) and to count everything but Christ as worthless by comparison... "

Happy Birthday To Me!

It's my birthday! A day of joy, a day of celebration, a day of remembering ALL the MANY, MANY years behind me! :)

Actually, I can say the day is ending good! It didn't start out so well...just have had the "blahs" for a couple days...woke up to a rainy day. I was very tired, which I think was the culprit to much of my moodiness. I was struggling getting where I wanted to be today, emotionally. But, I took a nap, and that helped. And, then my dear friend, Debbie, called me and we talked for a long time.

Debbie was like a second mother to me when we lived in California, and she is such a woman of God. The woman has been through more than most of us can imagine, and still she keeps on keeping on. She continues to trust the Lord and seek Him. She inspires me and encourages me. She puts things into perspective, let's say. I realized...I am truly a blessed woman. I have a wonderful husband, 3 wonderful kids, I have my needs taken care of, I am healthy...and more than that, I serve an amazing God. I have no reason to be down and depressed today. I thank God for her call, and I thank God for His faithfulness to bring me out of myself...why is it so easy to fall into "self" mode?

Anyhow..we were supposed to go out tonight to celebrate the birth day of another friend who's birthday also falls on mine...but my little Lizzie is sick. So, we are home, and Shane is headed out to get a pizza (I'm gonna splurge--it's my birthday!) and breadsticks! That's a treat for us who live out in "no pizza delivery" land! :)

So, happy birthday to me...a very blessed, happy mama and wife.