“Believe it or not, all this busy-ness

in the midst of busy-ness

is what you need in your life right now

(just trust me on that). 

I can completely relate though.

You are blessed with a pretty positive outlook in general,

and know how to see the beauty in life. 

You have a husband to go to

for help and counsel.  

 Just keep doing the next right thing.”

~Taming of the Shrew, a Christian woman on xanga,
commenting on my woes from yesterday’s post.

I am so glad I shared my frustrations yesterday because the encouragement you all left gave my thirsty soul some much needed refreshment.  How can I thank you all?  I’m so glad that God has brought us together by our computers, so that we can edify and lift each other up. . .pretty neat, I say!

When I read the above comment, I had an aha! moment.  As soon as I read it, my mind started reciting Titus 2:3-5

(I started the day today in the Word, reading Psalms)

The aged women likewise, that they be
in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers,
not given to much wine,
teachers of good things;

That they may teach the young women
to be sober,

 
(Ethan and Jacob made breakfast)

to love their husbands,
to love their children,

 
(the pancake Ethan made for me)

to be descreet, chaste,

(Caleb has a bad cough, he sounds like a seal)

keepers at home, good,
obedient to their own husbands,

(after breakfast they made forts on the couches)

that the word

of God

be not

blasphemed.

yes, my friend, this busyness is what I need in my life.

Thanks for the reality check.

Titus 2 is written on my heart but I needed the reminder.

It was quite liberating.

Here’s to a better perspective today!

There is quite the show going on outside my windows.  Our house is up on a hill and the land goes down from the house and then gently up so that all in front of us is the woodline.  The sun is shining brightly and right now, as I type, all the snow that came the other night is dropping off the trees.  I opened a window and leaned way out to try to hear it, but I couldn’t!  I’m sure if I was there I could hear the soft drops of snow, but from the house all I could hear was the rushing of the stream.  And the noice of the children.  (Caleb is playing the piano and singing!) By the end of the day the snow will be gone from the trees and I’m sad about that.  Thanks to all of you who enjoyed the snow pictures from my walk yesterday, reading your comments actually increased my own pleasure in it.  Just another reminder of what pleasant words do!

This is a photo I took this morning, when the sun was coming up and starting to shine on the tops of the trees:

Caleb woke up and came downstairs at 6:25 this morning, it was still dark outside.  Rich had left for work already.  I sat down in the recliner as Caleb played and read from these books:

Here are some quotes from each one that stood out to me today.

In my Bible, I read John 1-3.  

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ”

“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world” ~John the Baptist

“He must increase, but I must decrease” ~John the Baptist

*********************

In Streams I read these beautiful words:

“You must rest, O soul, to receive your heart’s desire.  Slow the beating of your heart over concerns for your personal care.  Place the storm of your individual troubles on God’s altar of everyday trials, and the same night, the Lord will appear to you.  His rainbow will extend across the subsiding flood, and in your stillness you will hear the everlasting music.”  George Matheson

*********************

“Do you really desire the things for which you pray,

 is your heart set upon them so that you say,

“I will not let Thee go except Thou bless me”? 

~Daily Meditations for Prayer

*********************

In the excellent book, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, I read:

“God expects that every day you should spend some time in blessing his name for what mercy he has granted to you.  There is not one of you in the lowest condition but you have an abundance of mercies to bless God for, but discontentedness makes them nothing.  The Spirit of God extenuates evils and crosses, and magnifies and amplifies all mercies; and makes all mercies seem to be great, and all afflictions seem to be little.”  (this whole book really challenges me, I was convicted today about how when something goes wrong in my life, it seems to negate the amazing blessings that God has given me.  I need to be careful to always count my blessings.  Just like Joanna wisely emailed to me last week, when I sent her an S.O.S. to pray for my depressed state, “MAKE A LIST OF THINGS YOU ARE THANKFUL FOR.”)

********************************

In Words to Live By, (which I found and bought it this weekend), I found this quote:  (It reminded me of something I wrote in a blog entry last week, some of you may remember what I’m referring to)

“What a state we have got into when we can’t say ‘I’ll be happy when God calls me’ without being afraid one will be thought ‘morbid.’  After all, St. Paul said just the same.  If we really believe what we say we believe–if we really think that home is elsewhere and that this life is a ‘wandering to find home,’ why should we not look forward to the arrival?  There are, aren’t there, only three things we can do about death:  to desire it, to fear it, or to ignore it.  The third alternative, which is the one the modern world calls “healthy,” is surely the most uneasy and precarious of all.’  CS Lewis

(I do all three of those things sometimes, which I think is only natural, but the healthy, general way of the Christian should be to desire “going home”.)

********************************

Well, if you read all this I will be amazed.  But, thanks for letting me share what I read and meditated on this morning.   “In the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14) and that is why I like to read a variety of books.

I also wanted to share some mischief that happened today at my house.

While Caleb was in the bathtub, David threw our cat Patches right in with him and Caleb got scratched!  I could not believe that David did that!  Patches is still grooming herself, trying to get dry.  Caleb is fine.  Poor boy.

Also, Caleb went up in the bathroom (this is why I gave him a bath) and poured the majority of a bottle of bubblebath all over one of his trains and the floor. (“This is what comes of watching too many Thomas episodes.  Today on the show, Thomas was covered in “stinky cheese!  I should be happy that Caleb settled on bubblebath!) While I was on my hands and knees washing it away, David came running in to tell me something and slipped and fell. 

CRAZY!

Have a great day my friends!

“My friend, if you think of your Christian

life in any shape or form with a

sense of grudge, or as a wearisome task or duty,

I tell you to go back to the beginning of your life,

retrace your steps to the wicket gate through which you passed.

Look at the world in its evil and sin,

look at the hell in which it was leading you,

and then look forward and realize that you are set

in the midst of the most glorious campaign

into which a man could ever enter,

and that you are on the most noblest road

that the world has ever known.”

~D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

*****************

I came across the quote this morning (as I sat on the bathroom floor, reading, while Caleb had a bath) and it was like a breath of fresh air to me!  I hope that you are blessed by it as well.  I was saved when I was 6 years old, and I would love to read your testimony, it’s so encouraging to read how God works in lives. . . . . .

Today is Saturday, and like I mentioned last week, my goal for Saturday is to PREPARE the house and family for a God-glorifying Sunday.  Some of you said you would pray for me in this endeavor and I do covet those prayers today!  Thank you friends!

Much love, Shanda

The following list is something I read recently and found convicting.

Cultivating Home Peace

Begin each day by taking note of, and appreciating, the blessings that are currently in your life.  (I love this idea, and at times I do write in my journal “things I am thankful for”)

Be the guardian of your words.  Words are powerful and can destroy in seconds what may have taken years to cultivate.  (ouch!  very convicting! and, very true!)

Make it a habit to look for and praise positive behavior and attitudes of your family members.  By recognizing and building up the positive traits, they become stronger, leaving less room (and little time) for negative qualities to take root.  (I love this idea!  So often I nit-pick my husband or my kids)

When your partner and /or children are speaking to you, look up from what you are doing and offer your full attention to their words.  (I practiced this as I typed, David brought me something that he found and I looked right at him while he told me all about it.  He didn’t seem too startled, LOL)

Make every effort to master a quick temper.  Seek to consciously check anger and impatience in yourself, as these are the streams from which negative words flow.  (Amen!)

Keep in mind that bad moods are contagious.  Try to differentiate between a sour mood and a true dilemma (your own as well as others’).

Never underestimate the power of an apology.  Be prepared to look at yourself with complete honesty and admit and apologize when you have snapped unnecessarily.  (I try to make sure I do this w/the children during the day, too)

Pride and stubbornness are inhibitors to happiness and will negatively influence your life.  Always accept a sincere apology, avoiding the habit of unforgiveness.  (ooooh, ouch!  thank you Lord, for showing me why it’s hard to accept apology at times. . .because of my own pride and stubbornness!!)

The human family is a precious thing.  In is within the family circle that we conduct our apprenticeship to life and make our first social contact.  Each of us is alive for a purpose.  It is our responsibility to find the gifts that were bestowed  upon us.  Once found, it is our joy–as well as our obligation–to cultivate and make use of them.  (so so true)

~Tracey McBride, in Frugal Luxuries by the Seasons

(Spot was in a box this morning, playing, so I took his picture.  Cats make me feel peaceful)

“God the Father is called the ‘God of peace’ (Hebrews 13:20).
God the Son, the ‘Prince of peace’ (Isaiah 9:6).
God the Holy Ghost the ‘Spirit. . .of peace’ (Ephesians 4:30)”
Thomas Watson

“. . . .seek peace, and pursue it.”  Psalm 34:14

Happy New Year!    I looked up some verses on being “new” and thought I would share some.  As Christians, we have the glorious privilege of becoming NEW when God saves us.  It’s a great day to remember that, don’t you think?  (If you don’t know if you are a Christian, please message me and I will help you the best I can, but reading the gospel of John, particularly the 3rd chapter, would be a good place to start).

This is just a small sampling of the many verses I copied down in my journal this morning.

Revelation 21:5 (this one brought tears to my eyes)

“And He (Jesus) who sat upon the throne said,

Behold, I make all things new. 

And He said unto me,

Write, for these words are true and faithful.” 

New~  Different from one of the same

which existed before; made fresh.

11 Corinthians 5:17 

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold all things are become new.”

Galatians 6:15

“For in Christ neither circumcision

 availeth anything; nor uncircumcision,

but a new creature.” 

(“It is easy to get caught up in the externals.  Beware of those who emphasize actions we should or should not do, with no concern for the inward condition of the heart.  Living  a “good” life without an inward change leads to a spiritual life that is shallow and empty, What matters to God is that we be completely changed from the inside out.”  ~Life Application Study Bible)

********

We had such a fun time last night.  Amanda and Jason came over with the girls and stayed until about 9.  We had dinner and then Rich and Jason took the kids out to go sledding in the dark (using the headlights of the 4-wheeler to see).  They had to walk on a trail through the woods to get to the hill, and I stood on the porch, smiling as I listened to them laugh and talk as they walked along with a flashlight.  When they came back the kids watched part of a movie (The Incredible Journey) while the adults sat at the table and talked.  Then, we had cake and ice cream to celebrate Jacob’s birthday.  After Jason and Amanda left, Rich stayed up with Jacob and Ethan to “watch the ball drop.”  I had absolutely no desire to join them, so I went to bed to curl up in the covers and read a book.  Rich told me this morning that Ethan gave up at 11 and went to bed but that Jacob would have stayed up all night if he let him. 

It’s become a tradition for Rich to take Jacob, Ethan, and Grace to his office on New Year’s Day.  So, that is where they are now.  The kids love to go, no one else will be there, and Rich likes to rearrange his office, clean, and organize for the New Year. 

Caleb is napping and David is impatiently waiting for his turn at the computer.  And I am in the midst of doing a mountain of laundry. . but, going to go eat lunch now before I continue with that project.

And, by the way, it’s snowing!  I look out the windows and feel like I’m in a giant snow globe!

Have a great day, friends, and a very Blessed and Happy New Year. . . .

Being a Mom of five children (ages “almost 11” to 2), my life is filled and busy.  I am constantly performing household duties. . trying my best to do God’s will in my home by providing the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of my little ones.  By God’s grace, this duty, along with being a helper to my dear husband, is my high calling and my number one priority.  In this busy season of life, I need to take every opportunity to allow God to refresh my soul and fill my cup to overflowing. . . . . . . .

Lately, the Lord has pressed upon my heart the importance of resting on Sunday.  I must confess, my typical Sunday is usually much much busier than even the weekdays!  I’ve been thinking lately, that this should not be the case.  My heart and soul yearns for a deeper relationship with God, and I hope that by working harder on Saturday, by preparing and organizing the house, that I can truly rest on Sundays and focus on God even more.

This morning, I got up at 6:30, set the table for breakfast, got the children to the table to eat, ironed 2 dress shirts, 2 pairs of pants, made one dirty boy take a bath, cleaned up the kitchen, got David and Caleb dressed, checked emails, took a shower, got dressed, put on my make up, and got in the van to go to church.  Once at church, we spent about 3 hours under the teaching and preaching of God’s word, and catching up with our dear brothers and sisters in Christ.  On the way home, we stopped at the local grocery store to buy app. 100 dollars worth of groceries.  I made the kids sandwiches, which we ate on the way home.  Caleb fell asleep in his carseat.  We arrived at home and I put the groceries away, and put the kids to bed.  I checked emails while drinking a cup of coffee.

Then, I went to bed for about three hours.  I read my book and slept.

Boy, did that feel good!  After naps, Rich came in with his book, then here came Caleb. . . then Ethan came in to visit, then David came in, too. . . .we stayed right in bed, in one spot, and the kids liked it. . it was cozy.

We didn’t go to church tonight because the kids are getting over their colds.  However, our typical routine on Sunday evenings involves 4:30 choir practice, in which I have to drive myself (church is a half hour drive). . .and then Rich joins me at church with the kids at 6 for the sermon.  After Christmas was over, Rich and I prayerfully came to the decision that choir needed to be put on the back burner for a little while.  We are hoping that this will help us slow down on Sundays.  It’s a small sacrifice, but I hope that the extra hour will be used for God’s glory.

All this to say, one of my New Years Resolutions is to SLOW DOWN ON SUNDAYS in order to focus my mind on God. . . . . .

I found this quote on an internet site:

“Part of the Sabbath command reads, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work…” God tells us to take care of our ordinary work and concerns on the other six days, leaving our time and our minds free to properly worship and obey Him by observing the Sabbath. When we are free to focus our minds and thoughts on God’s way and purpose, the Sabbath truly becomes the blessing and delight God intends it to be (Isaiah 58:13, 14).”

Has Sunday been a blessing and a delight to me?  Hmmmmmmmmmm

I’m not saying that I need to go off in the other extreme and form all kinds of new rules for myself. . .I’m just saying that some rest on Sundays will do my heart, soul, and mind a world of good.  A lot of those things I mentioned that I did this morning could have been done yesterday.

Also, I plan to study my Bible for more information on the Sabbath. . . . . .I’m sure it will be a great study for my quiet times.

Will you pray for me in this area, please?  I need God’s help and grace so much!

PS.  The kids are eating the gingerbread house today. 

may you be filled with. . . . .

worship-extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem

“Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name:  bring an offering, and come before Him:  worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”  1 Chronicles 16:29

contentment-feeling or showing satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”  1 Timothy 6:6

  joy-a state of happiness or felicity

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”  Isaiah 61:10

  peace-a state of tranquillity or quiet

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 
Romans 5:1

love-warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion

“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour.”  Ephesians 5:2

We are spending Christmas here, with a trip to church this afternoon.  My dear sister and her husband are coming tomorrow, along with my little niece.  Our house has been a place of fun, excitement, and love, as we prepare ourselves for Christmas day.  Yesterday evening, we were busy in the kitchen making caramel popcorn and peanut butter candy.  There are a few more presents to wrap, a few more hymns to sing, a few more Bible passages to read, and a lot more praise and thanksgiving to God for this beautiful time of year to remember our precious Savior’s birth.

To you, my dear friends, I wish much happiness and love this Christmas, with an emphasis on Christ and the bond we have in our heart toward each other, in Him.  O come all ye faithful, let us adore Him together.

“The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.”

The angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them.  Luke 2:9

The Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him.  Isaiah 40:10

There was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God.  Luke 2;13

The Lamb. . is Lord of lords, and King of Kings.  Revelation 17:14

He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Philippians 2:8

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  Luke 2:14

O come, let us worship and bow down:  let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.  Psalm 95:6

When the wise men saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.  Matthew 2:10

And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at His birth.  Luke 1:14

Unto you is born. . . a Savior. . Christ the Lord. . . wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
  Luke 2:11-12

She brought forth her firstborn Son. . .and laid Him in a manger.  Luke 2:7

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  Luke 2:14

The gospel shall be preached in the whole world.  Matthew 26:13

Thou, Bethlehem. . out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be Ruler in Israel.  Micah 5:2

And they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them.  Luke 2:18

Cry out and shout. . for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.  Isaiah 12:6

Now when Jesus was born. . there came wise men from the east. . to worship Him.  Matthew 2:1-2

The angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them.  Luke 2:9

My soul doth magnify the Lord,
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
Luke 1:46-47

I hope and pray that each one of you has a blessed Christmas season.  I will be taking a break from blogging (I will still visit your sites though and check messages), and  will be back after the holidays are over.  I hope that as you listen to “Silent Night” and look at the pictures that you will remember that you are special and loved very much.  God gave His Son for you!  Only true LOVE could do that.  May you think of Jesus much during the next few weeks, and find some quiet moments to meditate on His earthly ministry and great sacrifice on the cross during the hustle and bustle of the season.

Merry Christmas!