Lessons in Joy and Contentment

Is there anyone that doesn't struggle with being content? I'm still working on it, but I never cease to find examples and reminders in day to day life of this struggle I face. Sometimes it hits me when I log into Facebook and see what's going on in the lives of my friends, other times it comes when I think I'm going out on a short grocery trip where I find myself shopping for more than groceries, and yet other moments come from times when I, myself, am teaching the lessons to others. "Gulp!"

In the Bible class I teach at a local Christian school we are discussing happiness vs. joy. Happiness is in the moment, based on emotion, and is often based on what we have (or don't have). Joy, however, is from within the heart, is long lasting, and should be rooted from the salvation we have received.

Like I said, I'm still working on it! As Christmas comes in a matter of a few weeks I have been reminded of how easy it is to search for happiness rather than joy. Where is my contentment? I was amazed by my own children and thankful for the hearts they have and the contentment they display despite me. It's funny to hear people ask my children what they want for Christmas. We don't do the "Santa Claus" thing. He's just fun, but not the one that delivers toys. Of my three girls (12, 8, and 3) none are sure what they want! We actually went to a store one day to look for ideas to give family! My girls are content with what they have and two of the three have joy that comes from knowing the Lord as their personal Savior. We decided to ask more for needs (like clothes to grow into!) and soon they will be requesting our usual trip to drop off a toy for Toys for Tots. I'm sure they'll clean out their rooms and play room that they may donate their old toys to kids that don't have any. I look back and am thankful that somewhere along the line along with all the mistakes I've made, that I've also made some good choices too. Choices to teach my children about those in need and who don't have anything and to care for the needy remembering we are representatives of our Creator.

Christmas Preview

I've rarely had time to get on my blog since returning to work. It's just not easy to work full time and still be a wife and mother. It does teach me more appreciation of our time together at home!

An update on my grandmother:
She is still with us. She is in hospice and still at home. She sounds good on the phone, but she is getting very weak. We feel the end is near, but only God knows her appointed hour. Our family is loading up in a few weeks to be with her for Christmas (but shhhh....it's a surprise for her).

Fall will soon be ending as winter takes over. The leaves have almost completed their shedding process and the temperatures continue decreasing with no promise of "one more" warm day. The stores have already decorated for Christmas neglecting Thanksgiving in the process and even a local radio station is playing 24/7 Christmas music. The kids are excited at the thought of beautiful dresses, Christmas carols, new toys, and time with family. I'm trying to share in that with them, but at times am held back knowing there will be no more for my Grandmother. Actually I feel like I'm trying to pray her through this Christmas!

I'm reminded everywhere I go that God is good ALL the TIME!! We all have to face our mortality yet I am rejoicing as I know that I have an immortal soul and spirit. As for my grandmother, regardless of when Jesus calls her home I can rest assured knowing I will see her again.

Now to figure out what people want for Christmas!! I think I'll wait till after Thanksgiving! :P

New beginnings...

I've never gone this long without posting a blog. As much as I enjoy having a blog, I find it hard to have time to get it done!

So what has been happening? Well, I've spent the last three weeks readjusting to life in the working world again. I am enjoying being in the classroom again, but it is very tiring. It does make me appreciate my evenings with my family and I find myself getting most of my chores done on weekends. The girls are really enjoying the change of schooling. It's a big transition going from homeschooling back into an actual classroom not run by mom. I do still enjoy being very actively involved in their schooling still, especially as I have the two younger ones with me where I teach. The oldest one gets to be with her dad, so I'm very grateful that we are still able to be a huge part of their education.

Hard to believe summer is almost at an end, but I do love fall! We really didn't do anything exciting this summer. We held off on vacations and trips for a couple of reasons this year. We ended up replacing our roof on our house which turned into a bigger job than we originally expected! Our house was built in 1921 and has been wonderfully maintained with various remodels through the years. We did not expect, however, to have the original shingles still on our house under two more labels. I guess previous owners wanted to do the job themselves. :( We are thankful that we have a beautiful new roof. We also held off because of my grandmother. Praise God she is still with us, but she is in a downhill battle with cancer. We wanted to be available in case we had to leave quickly. My family is in the South about 17 hours from where we live. I know in my heart she is dying a little more each day, but I am being thankful for every moment she continues to go on and for the impacts she is having on others.

My sweet little GEM is so exhausted after a day of preschool. She comes home and lays on the couch or floor. It's rather funny. I spend other time going over homework with the other two. HEM is making friends well and getting very involved at her school. EMM is also making friends and adjusting better than I thought she would (she's my dramatic, emotional one).

I don't feel I live a very exciting life, but it is still a very blessed life. I hope to have more to post in the future.

I will treasure each day...

I've been so preoccupied with other happenings in my house lately that I have pretty well neglected my blog. I guess that is a welcoming sign of spring. Tonight seems a good night to blog. I tend to view many of my days as rather bland, however I've come to appreciate what I define as bland.

I am holding up two families in prayer and ask that anyone reading this join me in praying. First, the Mitchell family. I don't personally know them. Their oldest son was in our church youth group and I do know Mrs. Mitchell's sister and brother in law. Mrs. Mitchell was driving with her 11 and 13 year old daughters last week when she was involved in a car accident. All 3 died.

The second is the Bowen family. They lost their son yesterday. He just graduated from high school. Details haven't been released yet, but I can only begin to imagine the details of pain in that family, too.

Each day we have is truly a gift given, not to be taken for granted. I wish it didn't take such sad events to remind me of that. On a positive note, all of these people had given their lives to Christ at some point so what is sad for us is a great rejoicing for them. I shall not worry about tomorrow but delight in today.

When you leave this place who will you serve? (Part 2)

Here's the rest of what I shared at the women's retreat during one of my sessions.

Read 1 Kings 18:13-16
Obadiah tells of his good works and expresses his fear of Ahab. Elijah promises to present himself to Ahab.
“Look at me!” What is your true motivation behind your service to the Lord?


Read 1 Kings 18:17-22
Obadiah finally goes to get Ahab and there is another confrontation between Ahab and Elijah. All of Israel is to be assembled to watch the 450 false prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah on Mount Carmel. The offerings were prepared as Elijah had asked. Verse 21: Elijah confronted the unbelieving people as well.
1 Kings 18:23-40
The prophets called on Baal for HOURS (v. 26 & 29) with (my favorite part) NO answer! The water was used to show there was no trick. The water probably came from a stream if not the Mediterranean Sea. The false prophets were killed according to the Law (Deut. 18:20). Before the rain could return, the fire had to fall. This is a picture of Christ at the cross. God’s judgment was on the sacrifice, not the people. All sacrifices were supposed to be at the Temple in Jerusalem. Elijah was repairing the altar, though not ideal, because God had commanded him to. Sometimes our situations and lives aren’t how God originally intended, but God can still use them.
Grace: Romans 11:6 “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.”
Warren Wiersbe: “We’re not saved by God’s love. God loves the whole world and the whole world is not saved. We’re saved by God’s grace and grace is love that pays a price.”
Grace defined: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense; God dealing with us in a relationship based on His love and treating us in a way we do not deserve!
Romans 3:23-25(Prov. 14:12 & Jn. 14:6)
Challenge: 1 Kings 18:21 – “…How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him.” What are the opinions in your life right now? Israel hadn’t totally rejected God, but were trying to combine worship of God with worship of Baal. Are you doing that?
Romans 12:2 “…do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Wrap-up
What level of commitment are you to God? Ahab, Obadiah, or Elijah?

What can we do to become more like Elijah?
1. Use your spiritual gifts
Romans 12:6 “since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly”
1 Cor. 12:7 “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” V. 11 “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.” V. 12 – 31 lay out the purpose of gifts – unity of the body
2. Mentoring/Being Mentored
Titus 2:3-5 “Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the Word of God will not be dishonored.” Be an example and learn from godly examples. Sin is a daily battle and we do not need to fight unprepared! Obadiah recognized Elijah in 1 Kings 18:7 “Elijah my master”…who do we recognize among us in our day? What can we learn from them?
3. Know God’s Word!!
Jesus gave the ultimate example when He was tempted in the wilderness. Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13 He used the Word of God against Satan. We cannot use what we do not know! Become as familiar with your Bible as many are with their TV lineups!
4. Pray as though it’s up to you!1 Kings 18:37 “Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that You, O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.”
James 5:13 “Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray.”
James 5:16b-18 “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.”
How have you let your time-line define your life?
Have you allowed the events of your life to draw you closer to God or push you away from Him?James 1:2-4, 12 “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing…Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.” Do you believe this today as much as you did the day you received Him? If you’ve never received Him, what’s holding you back?
Does your life reflect your priorities?
Are they in the right order?