My Thoughts On Forty Something...Draw Near...

My birthday is this Sunday.

 I have been pondering my age this week. It is hard to believe that I am going to be 42 this year. Oh, where has the time gone? Mentally I don't feel as if I have aged much, yet the physical side of me has certainly felt it. Visually it is setting in as well. Just in the last year I have noticed a lot more gray hair coming through. I am so not ready to go fully gray yet. I color my hair. I try to think of my gray as wisdom... I am not totally sold on that. I am not sure I am all the more wiser because the silver is coming through. But, probably am seasoned a bit. I have been through quite a bit in my life so far, with much hardship, pain, hurt, health issues and loss. Yet, the blessings in my life have fully outweighed all that. 

My youth may be running from me, but it will never steal away the important stuff.  I have noticed more lines on my face. My complexion has changed so much, sometimes I don't recognize myself....At least the young self. Then I start thinking, hey! that's just what happens. Embrace it! It doesn't matter what is on the outside but what is on the inside. Is my heart in the right place? No, probably not. It is something I struggle with daily. As well do many others, I think upon what God says about that...Like in Proverbs.

 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:30

God does not glory in the outward appearance of man, He looks at the heart. It is man who is concerned with the outward appearances. This can be found in 1 Samuel 16:7.

So yes, I am getting older, my body has changed a lot in the last 13 years, I have gained some pounds, my hormones are off, and sadly I have become discontent in my skin. And I think to myself. Is this it? But then I go to the word of God and see, that these things are foolish thoughts. My heart is not in the right place. That place should be trusting in God, drawing near. I am here for a purpose and it is certainly not to focus on my flesh. I am tired of it. I have grown to putting myself down, not only to myself but even to others. I will be the first to make fun of my big bottom. As I was reading God's word I realized that I am really just offending God. He made me in the image of Himself. I shouldn't tear myself down like that, because really I am tearing God down like that. I have also come to realize that I am not treating myself the way I should.

 We should be good stewards of ourselves.

 Why? Because we are His. I need to change and change is about to happen. I have been a Christian now for 18 years... You would think I would have this down. But really people. None of us do. We are by far perfect. This is a fallen world where our bodies will breakdown, we sin, and we deceive ourselves.

 So yes, now in my forties I am seeing a lot more clearly. My worth is not in how I look, where I live, what I drive or what others think of me etc. But I can be a good steward of what I have. Take care of the things I have been given. My family, my home and myself, our physical selves yes.  but more importantly our spiritual selves and our relationship with our Heavenly Father who created us.. I need to focus on caring for myself better and that will start with my heart.

For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

1Timothy 4:8

Sometimes it may take years to see certain sins in our life. I guess that is the wisdom that comes with age.

 Ha Ha.

 I pray that He will continue to open my eyes and give me that wisdom. My life may possibly be half over and I don't want to waste it on worrying that I am not young anymore, and accept the fact that I will get older. And God knows what is best.  I want to embrace that. Embrace every crinkle, bulge and sag. I pray that from here on out for the remainder of my forties and onward that my trust and faith will grow and that I will only Draw Near to my Savior.

I am blessed and thankful beyond measure for the family and this life I have been given. I pray for the strength to move on and persevere through the depression that oppresses me and change for the better. My life here is to glorify Him in all my ways and to be here for my family who needs me to be whole. There is a lot of work ahead of me.. I'm gonna strive to make these upcoming years, yet the best of years. 

And I just can't do that without Christ.

Draw Near~Draw Near~Draw Near

Be Still....My Mug Swap Goodness...

Last month I joined in on A Cuppa Kim's 2nd annual mug swap. My Muggy Sender (new friend) is
 Katy from Goodness Gathering
She is fairly new to the bloggy world and a fellow believer & home schooler, lover of thrifted stuff and loves her family ( My kind of gal). It was truly a blessing that her mug to me made it to my front porch when it did. It was a downer day for me...I opened the box and pleasantly surprised by
 the pretty mug with a sparrow on it....
It was the verse that really tugged on my heart...
As it reminded me of God's love for me, and to know He is in complete control.
 " Be still and know that I am God"
 Psalm 46:10.
Katy wrote me a sweet card and sent a few extra goodies.....( handmade bookmarks), she had mentioned how she tried to find a red mug of some sort for me (since I love red) But this particular mug jumped out at her, she felt she just needed to get it. Though it is not red...I am ever so thankul, grateful and blessed she sent such a lovely mug with a message I love and needed. So, every time I drink from this mug,
I will think of my new friend Katy
and praise God for His many blessings.
 
My assignment was to send a mug out to someone else.
Kim assigned me to Jill
I thought I would send her something fun and colorful.
 I found this cute Dick & Jane mug and made her a patchy Mug Rug.
 I have yet to hear from her to see if she liked it..


I hope she liked it. It was a fun swap...
I love mugs.

Sunday.....

 
Today I am thankful for:
66. Church
67. The Bible
68. The Lord's Day
69. Singing Hymns
70. The Lord's Supper

Good Morning....

Today I am thankful for:
61. Giving God all the Glory
62. A nice cup of hot tea
63. Brisk Autumn mornings
64. Happiness
65. Beautiful colorful flowers

Project Touch...Reaching Out To The Homeless Community...

 
Our Churches Youth Group has pulled together to serve in our own community, reaching out to the many homeless souls, blessing them with a meal once a month while other community churches also come forth to give a gift homemade comfort food. I love the idea of our young to serve....Especially in our own community. Several families teens got together and pitched in various food items and helping hands to make a dinner for 70 homeless people. It was surly a blessing to our family to be a part of something that is meaningful...Which will also plant seeds of giving, sacrifice, serving and humbleness in my children.
  
 "In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said,
'It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Acts 20:25

  
If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests,
 but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:1~4


 
I know for me it has been a struggle with trusting people I don't know and hearing the stories of homeless people taking advantage of good hearted people and the system...Some may be true...Yet there are other circumstances that we may not know or realize that people are going through..Hard times, no work, no family, those with children. Perhaps some of them like you and me had homes and jobs, a car, and money..But lost everything due to the economy or other things we couldn't even fathom. I know that not all people are scoundrels...there are people really in pain, suffering and lonely..There are many without a Saviour. My heart goes out to them...Even in the Bible you find Jesus Himself sat and feasted with the homeless, the less fortunate, the tax collectors...Because they needed a Savior. And the Pharisees just didn't like it or get it. I have sympathy and empathy for those who are in hurt and in need....I have only tasted a little of what that would be like...When I was at the tender age of 13 my father left my mom, my siblings and myself...From that moment of heartache...our lives were ripped apart...a family broken and no home to go to. We had to live in a Motel room for a season until my mother could get on her feet...We then stayed with a friend living in a drug/gang fested neighborhood for about a year...It still wasn't our home, a place to call home..In many ways...we were homeless. It was terrible...we were poor yet grateful we had a roof over our head. Things then eventually turned around with my mom remarrying, we had to start over. That I pray for these many homeless folks in our community.That they would seek the Lord and be able to find work, a roof over there head and be able to support themselves.
   
You look at these faces and think...They are just like you and me...They are broken, they are lonely and many times they are hungary.This lady here has a name and a story which I don't even know...and she showed up this day for a warm meal and people who care. It humbles me and reminds me of the provisions God gives many of us..some don't ever have to worry about it at all. And so many take it all for granted. I need to remind myself too, to be thankful, especially that I am a child of God.These are BIG life lessons I hope and pray to instill in my children..To seek to serve and give all the love they can out...For that is exactly what Christ did for us.
 
As Each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1Peter 4:10~11
***
P.S.
"There are more shelters for animals than for people"
pretty sad. Please pray for your homeless community and encourage your family to reach out and give your time, make a meal, give them a blanket this coming Winter...For Heavens sake...They are people too!Blessings to you...

Bible For Breakfast...

Source
My husband always says...Just like we need to eat breakfast in the morning to fill us...all the more we need the Bible for Breakfast to feed our souls. So true! I will be honest...There are mornings I don't feed my spirit...for whatever reasons be it I am undisciplined. Thank God for the husband I have for always encouraging me/us to fill our minds and bodies with the word of God with our children at breakfast time.
"People need more than bread for their life:They must feed on every word of God"
~Matthew 4:4

Every most mornings Freckles and I read from our 6 month track...It has taken longer than 6 months...But happy to report we are almost done with it. We will have read scripture in every book of the Bible. These days...we have been a lot more diligent in reading the Bible for breakfast...Because I know that I need it and my kids need it and because God calls us to read the word. It really has been a great way to start the day. My dear husband also says...
You wouldn't starve yourself from food right?, so why would your starve yourself of the word?"

Now since school will be starting back up our family won't have the same schedule.BOOOO!!!! Mr. Darling has classes during the week which will take much of the day and Maestro has started a couple classes in college which will keep him from a normal morning routine. My hubby though, as disciplined as he is reads the word every morning over coffee...As our son and a few friends who are also attending college with him have pulled together to read and discuss scripture as their devotions. This gives me complete joy.
"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. ~3 John: 4
 So looks like it's just me and Freckles most days...
I feel very strongly our mornings with God and Bible for breakfast
 is a priority we need to focus our day.

Not only do we read the word...We also pray. Mr. Darling wrote up a whole little prayer booklet for Freckles to use as prayer guides for morning prayer, meals and night prayers as well. It is so neat. So each morning we read the morning prayer together and pray for others and the goings on.
"Pray without ceasing"
~1 Thessalonians 5:17

"The family that prays together stays together"

Another part of our devotion time is reading from this devotion. I read it to Freckles and she looks up the scripture verses and reads them aloud. Then we talk about it. We also got her a Faith Journal where she can write down her thoughts, joys, fears and take it to the Lord in prayer.

When we walk by the Spirit the fruit of the Spirit will be evident in our lives:
 love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control
-Galatians 5:16, 22-23
****
I pray you too will start your day of with your Bible for breakfast...It will keep you going all day long!
Blessings!

Dressing Up For The Lord's Day

 

Good day... I am linking up with
 Homemaking link up!
It has been our tradition to dress up for the Lord's day. Setting aside Sunday like no other day of the week. Because it is not just an ordinary day. Our children look forward to Sunday morning where Maestro will put on his tie and vest with a nice pair of pants and Freckles looks as cute as can be. Today she wanted to dress up in a 40's style, which represents her love of the period and the Narnia movies with Susan and Lucy. They looked really classy this morn...I just had to take a few pictures of them before we left for church.

 

My son's friends will call him the night before and plan for all the guy's to either be a vest Sunday, a suit with coat day or the day they will all wear fedoras... So when we arrive all the teen boy's look really sharp. It is quite phenomenal really that these boy's really care to look nice for Church.

 .

Little Freckles  follows suit, with a cute little skirt and blouse or a nice dress.
 Her newest Christmas gift was a sweet hat reminiscent to the 30's~40's.
 How sweet she looked in it this morning with her Bible carrier.
 There are days she will go prairie girl in a sweet calico dress or even Victorian.
 So darling! With that... Dressing up for church is appropriate
 on every special occasion and wouldn't you agree
 that the Lord's day is a special occasion? I am sure the Lord delights in you caring
 about a nice clean appearance. For God is a God of order, surely we would care for ourselves not by vanity but by modesty and cleanliness.. I am not saying that appearance is that important for certainly outward appearance is not what is important...It is what is inside the heart.
 Your faith in Him is more important than anything.
 Reading your Bible daily and praying with your Heavenly Father.
 Yet, God made us in His image and He didn't make junk,
 so why not dress your best for Him? We make it purposeful
 to make that day like no other....We dress our best.
 We have also decided for this year as special family
time that we would set aside Saturday for a fancy dinner
 and games with a special devotion time to prepare our hearts for the Lords day.
 What a perfect way to start the beginning of each week.

It Is Finished......

Resurrection Day is a day for honoring the living.

Jesus Has Risen! 

He is living!

It is the day we celebrate the fact that Jesus Christ,

having been in the grave for three days, 

walked out, not just alive but vindicated.

Resurrection Day is a day for those who have been raised 

up into the heavenly places with Christ to 

rejoice His victory over the grave.

It is that day each year when we rejoice

over the most pivotal event in all history!!!

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
*****

May the spirit of hope
That Easter brings
Help you find
Contentment in little things

And restore your faith
In the Lord above
Who gave His life
For the ones He loves

Be Still......

"Be still and know that I am God"

Psalm 46:10

As much as I think or feel I can do it all myself!
I must remember to
be still.
I have worked non stop for the past
month and a half trying to prepare for our move.
It is almost finished.
( the unpacking part)
Meanwhile my little family ended up ill,
my hubby sprained his ankle, which left me with
minimal help towards the end.
Oh no, But God is good.
Our dear friends called me out of the blue and said
they were coming to help me get things done!
I didn't even have to ask.
They came and helped us out...
And now there's light at the end of the tunnel!

Until I ended up sick this last week too!
It was a rough, miserable week.
Until this little voice in my mind repeated
"Be still".
I opened my Bible.
And was lovingly reminded to
be still
and know that God is in control.
Never to worry, never to fret.
He is in control!
I needed that gentle reminder.
It truly was a better day for me...
I was able to put our daughters room together!
I know I cannot do things all on my own.

A Valentine Blessing

In our house, Valentines Day is everyday.
We truly wouldn't know
LOVE
if it were not for what Christ did for His people.
It puts me in awe when I think of how much God
LOVES
those who believe in Him.
Our faith is in Him alone and for that we are blessed.

Though we are still trying to settle in our new home
with no time to bake Valentines this year,
we just picked up some scrumptious soft
sugar cookies with frosting and oodles of sprinkles from the bakery.

Oh, and what is Valentines without these little heart candies.
These have been around for like ever since I can remember!

We are spending our Valentines Day with our Church family.
A delightful day at Church,
filling our hearts with
LOVE
and our souls with the Spirit.
May you have a blessed day filled with
LOVE
With those you
LOVE!
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

Teaching Our Young Children How To Pray....

Here is a great way to help teach your young child how to pray.
A prayer glove.
Each colored finger represents something meaningful and beneficial for a healthy prayer life and will surely provide a wonderful foundation for their personal prayer life in later years.

A. The thumb represents ( red ) "Praise" because the thumb is the part of the hand that is closest to your heart. The thumb is the most important and strongest finger on your hand.
What do you pray for?
Praise is how we tell God how awesome, mighty & wonderful He is. Praise should be the strongest and most important part of your prayers.

B. The index finger represents ( orange ) "Thankfulness to God" because that is the finger you point with.
What do you pray for?
We should thank God for all that He provides.

C. The middle finger represents ( yellow ) " Forgiveness" because the middle finger is the most prominent.
What do you pray for?
Forgiveness is needed everyday. Even as Christians we commit sin. We should ask God for forgiveness and tell Him we are sorry for disobeying Him.

D. The ring finger represents ( green ) "Others" because this finger is generally considered to be the weakest finger.
Who do you pray for?
Praying for others and bringing their needs before God is a very important part of prayer. The ring finger can usually do nothing alone. It needs help from all other parts of the hand in order to work. we know people who need help , one way is to pray for them.

E. The pinkie finger represents ( Blue) " ME " or "Self ", because it is the last and smallest finger.
We should put others before ourselves and humble ourselves before God.
Pray for yourself last.
Our prayer life is weak when we focus on ourselves.
Hold your Bible with just your pinkie finger & palm and you will see how weak it is.
Add one finger at a time starting with the ring finger all the way up to the thumb.
Our prayer life is strong when we include all of them.

F. Your Fist represents protection from the evil one and power to advance against him.
" Because God holds us tightly in His hands".
With His protection & His strength we can successfully "fight" back and advance against the evil one.
Remember to close your fist...
Always close in prayer in the name of Jesus.

Memorize :

Philippians 4:6

Don't worry about anything.
Instead tell God about everything.
Ask and pray.
Give thanks to Him.

Giving Tidings Of Great Joy...

Tonight was our Home School Groups talent show for a local Retirement home. My son & his friend Jonah played a few of their pieces together for the elderly in our community. What a gift it was to them. There were many families that participated. It was beautiful. All the while we had the opportunity to share the good news with them through song, reciting scripture and spending time with them.

The Lord has surely given these children wonderful talents that truly was used as a ministry to these people tonight. It was a blessing and a gift back to see their hearts fill up with joy as they watched our children perform. My son was able to share his piano, guitar & singing talents which brought a few to tears, even myself.

The little children made a BIG Christmas card and signed it for the Retirement home.

The group brought cookies & punch to share

As well as homemade Christmas cards which were passed out to every one there.

Even little packages were given to each person... just a sweet sentiment to wish them the Merriest Christmas this year.

My daughter served a few ladies their packages... which tickled them down to their toes and straight up into their hearts. My daughter just smiled.

If you ever have an opportunity to give someone the gift of Christ... this is a delightful way to make people feel the joy and the presence of Christ weather they realize it or not. What a gift this was just to give.