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Friday, October 31, 2008

Children Make Us Crazy


I'm convinced of it.

Why else would I...


-hide band aids and tape?
-sing the ABC's in the shower
-pretend to eat plastic food
-scream the word "because!"
-let a child eat ice-cream for breakfast just so I have time to check my email
-call my husband "Daddio"
-take a 3 minute shower and feel clean
-ever-EVER say...'don't wipe, let me do it'


But also, I know that being a Mom is truly the most important job I have ever had. It may be exhausting and seem thankless at times, but the rewards are insurmountable!
I'm so thankful for my kids, and especially thankful that I get to see my oldest today! Matt is flying in from NYC for the weekend.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Time to Simplify Your Holidays

Lauren is on this new kick of asking me about the time. She walks up and serious as can be asks, "Mom, what time is it?"
It always makes me laugh because she knows nothing about time yet, but apparently she has figured out that this is something enquiring minds need to know.


That leads me to my post subject. Let me ask you, what time is it? If you guessed, time to prepare for Christmas you are correct.
I know, I know it seems to come earlier every year, but once Halloween is over, it's really time to get moving.
This was impressed on me even more as I read a post over at my friend Susan's place.
I want to share it with you and encourage you to start early, take you time and enjoy the true reason for the season.

While you're over there, hang out a while, Susan is a great hostess!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Two shall become One ~ We Reap What We Sow

It's harvest time...well maybe a little past...but work with me here.

It's that time of the year when farmers gather up their harvest and enjoy the fruits of their labor. They've spent the spring-time planting seeds, then the summer watering, fertilizing and weeding.

Autumn is the time to reap the benefits of sowing healthy seeds.

In that same way, the current harvest in our marriage is the result of the seeds we have sown and cultivated in the past.

We are reaping today, the seeds planted last season (could be hours, days or months).
Is your harvest a strong and healthy marriage or are you struggling and feeling alone?
Could it be that we're not reaping love from our husbands right now because we were sowing seeds of disrespect?

I'm going to go out on a limb with my own experiences and say uh-huh, uh-huh (nodding furiously).

Heb 12:10-11
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
NIV

A harvest of righteousness in a marriage requires sowing healthy seeds, watering, fertilizing and pulling up the weeds! It's not easy, we have to discipline ourselves to do things that we may not want to do.

James 3:18
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
NIV

Sometimes it's hard to sow the right seeds...but let me ask you- what kind of harvest do you want?
Don't wimp out and take the lazy way out- there's too much at stake.

It's going to take radical obedience to lay down your own wants and needs for your husband.


It will take way more than being the status-quo wife to live like this. In fact...it will be a direct contradiction to the pattern of this world.

The natural inclination is to sow condesending words and attitudes, but God calls us as wives to sow respect.

Eph 5:33
...and the wife must respect her husband.
NIV

Ok, so the farmer who wants corn in the fall, plants corn seeds early June.
If he wants carrots, he plants carrots.
If he wants pumpkins, he plants pumpkins...
You get the picture.


We reap what we sow.

Gal 6:7-9
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
NIV


I am living proof that this verse is true. Everytime I sow seeds of anger, bitterness and unforgiveness, I reap a level of destruction in my marriage. But when I sow forgiveness, mercy and respect I reap a happy home. (Ladies, sometimes just try smiling more...it really does make a difference!)

The Lord wants to rebuild marriages and strengthen the bond between us, but He needs our co-operation. We need to plant seeds that will bring life to our marriages.

First plant respect, it is your husbands #1 need. From there, look at the fruit of the Spirit that as women of God we should be producing:
Gal 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence).

AMP

Let's pray,
Father, thank you for every women reading this today that has a desire to honor You as the wife You've called her to be. Empower us by Your Holy Spirit to walk in the fruit of the Spirit in our homes. Help us to respect our husbands, even those who aren't walking in obedience to Your Word. I pray that You would heal broken hearts and bind up the wounds that no one else sees.
I pray for complete restoration of marriages that some have counted as lost.
Nothing is impossible for You God!
In Jesus name we pray, amen.

I would love to hear testimony of how God is using these TSBO Tuesdays and highlight them from time to time in my posts. Please email me what God has been doing in your marriage and let me know if I can share it (indicate if you would prefer it with or without your name).
Thank you!

Friday, October 24, 2008

Are you lucky?

"Good luck!"
"You're so lucky."
"I'm having a lucky streak."

We hear these things every day, but how true are they?
Interestingly enough, the word is not found anywhere in the Bible.

Here it is in Webster's dictionary:


Luck: 1 a: a force that brings good fortune or adversity b: the events or circumstances that operate for or against an individual 2: favoring chance
As you can read, it is based completely on chance.

The definition of chance is:

Chance: something that happens unpredictably without discernible human intention or observable cause b: the assumed impersonal purposeless determiner of unaccountable happenings.
Did you see that? "The assumed impersonal purposeless determiner of unaccountable happenings."

In other words, there is no one that determines or has purpose for things that happen.

To believe in luck is to say that there is no God.
It is to believe that this life is a series of random happenings void of a Creator.

Here's another one that I hear quite often these days.
When someone deserving faces trials and struggles or good fortune.
"It's karma"

Websters says:


Karma: 1 often capitalized : the force generated by a person's actions held in Hinduism and Buddhism to perpetuate transmigration and in its ethical consequences to determine the nature of the person's next existence.
That says it all!

God's Word says:
Gal 6:7-8
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
NIV

If we believe in the God of the Bible, than we know that there is no such thing as luck or karma.

I think it's important for us to think about the meaning of these words, certainly not to police everyone around us, but to be aware of the depth of things that we might casually say.

Please don't use this information to become the obnoxious Christian in your workplace correcting everyone else's speech, most people have no idea what these things mean.

Instead, walk in wisdom and love as we all grow up in the Lord. And pray for opportunities to share the truth of God's Word everyday.

Eph 4:14-16
14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
NIV

God Bless!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Captivate Him With Holy Beauty

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I can not tell you how many wives I have cried and prayed with that are believing God for their unsaved husband. Such a heart-wrenching place to be. They love their husband but can’t share the most important part of their life with them.

Sometimes the husbands even go to church and confess to be Christians, but are not living a Christian life and the woman feels that she is alone in her walk. She longs to have her husband take the lead spiritually, to pray with the family and teach the kids to love the Lord and His Word.

Each time I sit with a women in this position, I share a verse that I feel is the key to a woman walking this path.




1 Peter 3:1-2
3:1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the Word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.
NIV

The key phrase here: “without words.”

So often we feel it is our job to convince them to follow the Lord - with our words.

Preaching at him every opportunity we get will not draw him to God, unfortunately it will probably push him to the point of wanting nothing to do with our church or our God.

Read it in the Amplified version:


1 Peter 3:1-2
3:1 IN LIKE manner, you married women, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate yourselves as being secondary to and dependent on them, and adapt yourselves to them], so that even if any do not obey the Word [of God], they may be won over not by discussion but by the [godly] lives of their wives,

2 When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him — to honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband].
AMP

Well there you go. We have quite a list to keep us busy:
* to respect him
* defer to him
* revere him
* to honor
* esteem
* appreciate
* prize
* to adore him
* to admire
* praise
* be devoted to
* deeply love
* enjoy your husband

Seriously, let’s go through this list, one by one and really ask ourselves where we can improve in these areas.

Do we respect them? In front of the kids? In front of others?

Do we defer to him as the leader in our home? Really???
Like when we know that he really does not want us to do _____________, do we do it anyway??? Or do we choose to defer to him and his position?

Do we honor and esteem him?
Let me ask it this way, how does your husband know that he is honored and esteemed in his home?
I challenge you to ask him….

Do we prize them? How do you treat something that you prize?

Adore? Admire?

PRAISE, are we praising them?
I have often said that it is our job to be they’re biggest cheerleader in this life. What do they get the most accolades for? If we are not their biggest cheerleader who/what is?
They will gravitate to that person or thing, ie: job, sport, etc.

Are we devoted to them? Another spin on that…what do we devote ourselves to, is it them…or could it be “good” things such as church/kids, etc. that come before our husbands?

Do we deeply love and enjoy our husbands?
Maybe the idea of enjoying them is absolutely foreign to you, I’ve spoken with many women that feel that way. Let me just tell you, it’s not too late to deeply love and enjoy them –and enjoy your marriage.

That’s God’s plan for marriage! Enjoyment and pleasure.
Our marriages can be a little bit of heaven on earth.

Let’s look at one more version of that verse out of The Message Bible:



1 Peter 3
1-4 The same goes for you wives: Be good wives to your husbands, responsive to their needs. There are husbands who, indifferent as they are to any words about God, will be captivated by your life of holy beauty.

I love that, what a picture it paints. “Be captivated by your life of holy beauty.”

That radiates true womanhood!

Captivate him.

I would love it if you would share (in the comments) how you have already applied this in your life or how you plan to.

I’m praying for our marriages.

Monday, October 20, 2008

The Power of Love

1 John 2:15-17
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world.
17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
NIV

Love should be reserved for people, not stuff.

1 John 4:7-8
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.
Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
NIV

Saturday, October 18, 2008

The time is always right to do what is right

I want to share with you an email that I received from Alveda King, niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It is a timely message that will encourage you to focus on the things that really matter in this life.

October, 2008
Friends, I’d like to share a recent dream with you.
This is October 2008, early in the morning. I am away on a spiritual retreat. While sleeping, I dreamed of two converging streams. One stream was the economy, the other stream was a deep, dark, stream with a powerful current. This stream was the spirit, whether of God or man, I could not see. This stream was a mystery. As I woke up, I realized that the streams represented today’s dilemmas, the economy being the problem, the spirit the solution.

The economy stream was heading towards a huge vortex, where other streams were converging; broken marriages, drug abuse, AIDS/STD, failing school systems, sexual abuse and sexual dysfunctions, houses, businesses. I looked for abortion, knowing it had to be somewhere in the mix, but it was hidden. Major institutions were whirling in the vortex too, Wall Street, Planned Parenthood, banking systems, political systems, and sadly, what appeared to be religious institutions. I looked for the Body of Christ, and found her in the spirit stream. Marriage, Life and Family are in the spirit stream, guided and guarded by Love.
I have a dream, it is in my genes. My Uncle Martin, my grandfather, Daddy King had dreams too. Martin’s dream was for the nations, one of Granddaddy’s dreams saved me from abortion, another saved my son from the same fate.

This particular dream about the streams comes in the wake of a growing discontent in my heart with our present times. The Body of Christ is in the spirit stream. The spirit stream is more powerful than the vortex, yet it is dark and mysterious, and most people don’t trust what they can’t see. Yet, those who are investing their prayers and yes, their money into the spirit are seeing something amazing, their efforts are staying afloat, not sinking, not converging into the vortex. The spirit stream converges somewhere too, it flows steadily into a river.

There is a river whose streams gladden the city of God, the holy habitation of 'Elyon. (Psalm 46:4)

So, this is a time to trust the Spirit of the Living God, to communicate with God in spirit and in truth. Our spirits can converge with His, if we are prayerful and wise. This could be a time to invest in the spirit and not in flesh and material things. But seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33) End of the dream.

By building on things which are eternal, we can find hope in this present time of trouble. The thing is, we must not lose sight of moral priorities in the face of economic stress. Yes, these are troubled times, times of trouble, we need to anchor our faith in Jesus, through His love, so we remember what’s important. What the current economic meltdown should teach us is that our hope is not in the things of this earth, but in God. If financial pressures cause us to stop loving our neighbors, to think only of ourselves, we will lose much more than money. If we stop giving to charity, cease donating our time to help others, or, in the extreme, abort a baby for financial reasons, we literally sacrifice the eternal for the temporary.

Ultimately, what brings us the greatest rewards or the worst scars are the choices we make that have spiritual consequences. In the end, we don’t look back at our lives and think of refinanced mortgages or stock trades, but of those we loved. Let us trust God and love Him by loving others in good times and bad.

As my uncle, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The time is always right to do what is right.”
God bless you.

Blessings and prayers,
Dr. Alveda King
Pastoral Associate,
Priests for Life and Gospel of Life Ministries
Niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

You can find out more about Alveda and her powerful ministry at:
King For America

Friday, October 17, 2008

Here's Sam

We have a new member in the Cramer pod. She's black, with sharp little teeth and a tad on the naughty side. But her sweet temperament and the fact that she's not had any accidents in the house, make her a keeper.

Samantha, Sam for short, met the cat yesterday. I'm thinking she's never seen a cat. She howled and screamed louder than Hillary after Obama won the nomination. It was pathetic and now the cat thinks he's big stuff. Oh just wait Simba, just wait. Sam is full blooded shepherd and I have a feeling she'll change the pecking order within a couple of months.

Here is Lauren causing sibling rivalry as she hands the pup Macy's ball.

Ok, let me explain. I was trying to blog and Lauren crawled into Sam's kennel to play. I promise that I had nothing to do with it, and it is not locked!


~sigh~ You can clearly see, as could Lauren, that Sam does not like her kennel. Once again, it was the Hillary howl.


Gotta love kids and dogs.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Where does our help come from?

Just a gentle reminder.

Psalms 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the hills —
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
NIV

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Two shall become One ~ Is it really beneficial to stay married?

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YES!

Here's a couple of links relating to the benefits of staying married.

Link: Reasons to Stay Married
Titles include:
*Family Structure and Expulsion or Suspension from School (you must see the chart)
*Seperation from Mom, Dad Linked with Learning Trouble
*Children of Divorce Twice as Likely to be Put on Ritalin
*...and many more.

Link: Sharon Hughes
Excerpt:
"Yes, marriage protects children. And yes, marriage therefore protects taxpayers and society from a broad and deep set of costs, personal and communal. But there is another case for marriage, equally significant, that you probably haven't heard. Marriage is a powerful creator and sustainer of human and social capital for adults as well as children, about as important as education when it comes to promoting the health, wealth, and well-being of adults and communities. For most Americans, this is news."

There is lots of valuable info on her site.

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

I was 33 years old when my parents divorced and it was difficult, I can't imagine what it is like for younger children. Even as an adult, so much of what I counted on in life to be stable, fell apart. We faced changes and challenges and it would be years before we established a "new normal." My kids really struggled as the holidays and birthdays came around. Suddenly, people that they loved, didn't like each other any more. It's not supposed to be like that.

I hear people say that you shouldn't stay together for the kids...really why not?
They need you to. They need you to try with all your might to make your marriage work. In an atmosphere of disdain for Godly marriage, our homes need to be like lighthouses that show people around us- it CAN work, it's not always easy, but it's worth it. The benefits we will reap are worth it!

I feel like I am very specifically speaking to some people (and I don't know who you are) that need someone to say...work it out! Do everything in your power to make your marriage not only survive, but be strong. And yes, I do believe that the kids are good enough reason, and maybe even for the GRANDKIDS.
But hopefully later, you will come to realize that you will benefit too.

If that is you and you don't know where to start, go to this website, read it and then order their book, Love and Respect.

If you are reading this and someone popped into your mind, click on the little envelope at the bottom and email it to them.

I'm praying for our marriages,
Sue

Friday, October 10, 2008

Signs of the Season at my House and The October Winner!

Welcome to the Cramers...


This was the other day when Lauren's buddies from across the street came over to make pumpkin cookies. Aren't you lovin' that sassy hair?! Had to keep it out of the frosting. :)
And yes, there IS a cookie under there.
My sweet Stephie brought me home roses the other day, just because! I love that girl.

Looking off the deck.

The whole family!


And now what you've all been waiting for...

Photobucket


The Winner of the October Praise and Coffee Giveaway is:
Sunny Susan
Congrats and thanks to all of you that entered!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

The Fundamentals

Frankly, I’m tired of this word. It is over-used and under-needed.
The word is: fundamentals. And let me say that this pet peeve is completely non-partisan.

John McCain says: “The fundamentals of our economy are strong.”
Barack Obama says: "After this immediate problem, we've got the long-term fundamentals that will really make sure this economy grows."

If they stopped there it wouldn’t be so bad, but if you watch the debates and hear these men talk, you know that they repeat this word over and over.

It made me think...there must be someway I can turn this around for God's glory... I wonder what the actual definition of that word is, so I looked it up and here is Webster’s definition.

Fundamental:
a: serving as an original or generating source
b: serving as a basis supporting existence or determining essential structure or function

Well there you go, now I can stomach it because obviously the word is another reflection of my God.

Revelation 4:11
"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things,
and by your will they were created and have their being."
NIV
How are you doing fundamentally?

Are you leaning on the original, the generating source, the One who serves as the basis supporting existence?

If we have Jesus, our fundamentals are strong!

Now everytime you hear the word used, you can think about the Lord being fundamental in our lives.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Where's the beef?


Actually, you could use chicken, pork, whatever you like, this stuff is great!

"Country Bob's" sent me some of their All Purpose Sauce to taste-test and blog about if I liked it.
Well, I did. We did. The whole family thinks this stuff is great!

I have to tell you, my husband is as picky as can be. He likes (a certain well known) steak sauce and (another well known, not to be mentioned here) barbeque sauce and that is it- no changing, no switching...he's set in his ways. UNTIL he tried Country Bob's, and now he has a new favorite.
I can highly recommend this on it's flavor alone, but there is another great quality about it. They are a Christian company, here is a quote from their site:


It would be nice if we could claim responsibility for the success of the company, however, credit must be given where credit is due. Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." We have placed true ownership of Country Bob, Inc. in the hands of God. "Christ is our CEO" and He is an Awesome Boss!
So check them out, it would be great for your family or a very nice unique gift to give during the holidays. They offer barbeque sauce, all purpose sauce, seasoning salt. spicy all purpose sauce and they also do private label products for stores and restaurants.
Now we return our regularly scheduled blog....:)

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Two shall become One ~ Super-Mom!

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Would the woman who has it all together....(and still remembers how to use it) please stand up.

How many of us think that everyone else has it going on?
In theory we know that no one does, but that does not stop our insecurities from believing that no one else struggles like we do.

She is so spiritual...
She prays so much, I'll never be like her...
She doesn't yell at her kids...
She doesn't hate her hair sometimes and think she's ugly...
Her husband is always so nice to her...
She is always so sweet to him...
She teaches and leads, she's such a Godly woman...
I'll bet she never blows her top like I do...
She's Super Wife & Mom!


WRONG!

None of us "has it all together." We are all workin' the thing out.

This week I want to encourage you not to compare yourself to other wives and moms.
It is dangerous for 2 reasons.
2 Cor 10:12

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.
NIV



1. It can make us feel "less than" those around us. It can bring up insecurities that we need not battle. The verse is clear, don't compare yourself with others.
You have to be who God called you to be and not who someone else is.

2. It can make us feel really good about ourselves because we think that we are doing a better job than they are.
Can you say-pride?
Dangerous ground when we start elevating ourselves.

Both of these things, God calls un-wise.


How do any of us know what goes on behind closed doors?

I don't know the tears that a mom may shed about a child she is struggling with when I see them out in public and the child is acting up.

If her house is cleaner than mine, maybe she has spent less time blogging :P...or maybe she has a struggle with perfection and she has no peace until everything is perfect (and even then doesn't have peace). Whatever the reason, it is no concern of ours.

If you want to know where you stand, start by searching your heart.
What are your priorities and WHY?

Check out this verse, it's not just for men.

Psalms 112:1-9
Praise the LORD.
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who finds great delight in his commands.
2 His children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
and his righteousness endures forever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.
5 Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
6 Surely he will never be shaken;
a righteous man will be remembered forever.
7 He will have no fear of bad news;
his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
8 His heart is secure, he will have no fear;
in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
9 He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor
NIV

There is something for us to "compare" to.
It is far more important for us to fear the Lord and find great delight in His commands than to meet up to the standards of this world.

God loves you and has a purpose for your life, don't try to fulfill someone elses purpose. Don't compare, instead walk in wisdom and love. Ask the Lord what He wants of you and look to His Word for direction.

PS: Don't forget to enter this month's contest from October 1st!

I'm praying for our marriages,

Saturday, October 4, 2008

She's Changed Our Lives Forever


Sometimes I look into her beautiful brown almond-shaped eyes and imagine.
What would her life have been if she had never left China?

What would she be doing today.

Would she be playing?

Would she have friends?

Would she trust anyone?

Would anyone hug her?

Would anyone hurt her?

Would she be smiling?

Would she laugh?



It brings me to tears.
What would her life be like without her Mommy and Daddy?



And then I think, what would my life be like?

How many smiles wouldn't have crossed my lips?

How much laughter would this family have missed?

How many hugs would these arms have ached for?

How often would I sing and dance in my living room without her?



We have forever changed her life, and she has forever changed ours.

I'm so thankful.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Friday Fluff and other random happenings


So here's my conversation with Lauren the other day...
Lauren: I haf to poop!
Me: Ok, go to the bathroom.
Lauren: Mom...I at school...I say, "I haf to go baf-room"...I at home I say, "I haf to go poop!"
Me: (giggling) yes, that's right...we don't say poop at school (we have worked on this one after some very embarrassing moments in Walmart)
Lauren : (big smile) poop...poop...poop! (as she runs to the bathroom).

Hey, poop happens.


***

Oh, did I ever tell you (if I did please stop me) about the time that Lauren was "helping me" clean up the house? She was so proud to be wiping down the tables with her little swifter. It was pre-pronoun days for her, so she would say "help Mommy" ie: "I am helping Mommy." And she repeats it over and over...kind of like the poop thing.

She was so pleased with herself that she ran down the stairs to tell her brothers. I did not realize this until one of them came racing up the stairs to see what was wrong with Mommy.

***




Word is getting out girls! I was sitting at Lauren's gymnastics class and this sweet woman who I see every week but have never spoken with, says, "I heard about your Praise and Coffee Night."
She was at the coffee shop and they gave her one of the postcards and told her about it. She checked out my blog and recognized me. She is a woman's director at a church that I planned to invite. Isn't that cool?

Also, there is a special guest coming...well, you're all special...but this one will be sharing some encouraging words with us.

She's a blogger, she's an author, she's a friend and sometimes she can be a bit irritable...any guesses??? Give a guess in the comments, Ali- not you, you already know. :)
So, I was thinking about how fun it is to get together with women. I've led women's ministry for so long and always been a facilitator of women's get-togethers. I've hung out with some fun women.

They are not only fun , they are funny. I've learned that if there are more than 4 moms in a room...for any reason...somehow the conversation always turns to child bearing. One women mentions the birth of a child and it's ON. It brings up story after story of water breaking, pain, lots of DRUGS, and gory details of things that should not be spoken of in public.


This is especially cruel if done at a baby shower...the poor mommy-to-be. She has to sit and listen while fear builds in her heart. And then without a doubt someone will look at her (sweat beading down her face) and say...'oh but I'm sure yours will be nothing like that'. The mommy-to-be indulges in a little more spinach dip and chocolate covered strawberries. Why not, according to these women, she's about to encounter a fate worse than death.

But if talking abour birth brings us together for some laughs, game on. I'm sure we'll have all kinds of girl-talk on November 20th at the Plainwell Coffee Mill.
I'm looking forward to meeting some of you and hanging with old friends.

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

October Giveaway and "Titles"

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This month the CD is ....

And of course you will also be receiving a bag of coffee from a local coffee shop here in Michigan.


I also have a special surprise for you, Bayview Cards wants to bless you too!

They've sent me boxes of beautifully handmade cards to give you every month with our Praise and Coffee! Check out their website...I'm not kidding these cards are so well done, you will be proud to send them out!

To enter the contest: leave a comment to this post! OH, and please tell me if you have my button on your blog, you will be entered 2 times!

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And now a few words from this sponsor...

Do the kudos keep you going??

I was talking with someone recently and they were excited and proud of an accomplishment they were about to earn. I don't want to be specific and say what it was because I want this to relate to all of our accomplishments and titles.

This person said, I am a wife and mom but now I can add _____________ to my title.

I am happy for her. She has worked hard to achieve this goal and there is nothing wrong with the satisfaction she's gained from that.

But what concerns me is the need for a title. The need for the acknowledgement of others.
There's nothing wrong with having titles, I've had my share and still do. I've led groups and people and sat on community boards.

But several years ago now, the Lord exposed my heart and the need for such titles. He showed me how important it was to me that people knew all that I had done and respected me for it. Unfortunately, it was the stripping away of titles that laid my heart bare.

Now I am so thankful that the Lord exposed my heart. I can have titles, but they don't define me. Being a daughter of the Most High God is my most precious title now.


I find it so interesting that the men who built the Tower of Babel had this in mind:

Gen 11:4
Then they said,
"Come, let us build ourselves a city,
with a tower that reaches to the heavens,
so that we may make a name for ourselves
and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."
NIV

Are you working hard to make your name great, or working hard to make His name great?

Psalms 135:13
Your name, O LORD, endures forever,

Your renown, O LORD,
through all generations.
NIV

God loves us enough to 'wake us up' sometimes and when He does, we'd better pay attention. He only does it because He has wonderful plans for our life that He does not want taken off course by pride.

Here is an example of a woman who did not set out to make her name great. This video says it so well, it is a beautiful tribute to Ruth Graham.



You can have all this world, give me Jesus...

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