Wordless Wednesday - or not so wordless today

I was inspired by Melanie's post on Saturday at
The Fruits of the Spirit

She posted this song and the words ... I long for this to be true of my life, that I may testify to His love. Thanks for posting this Melanie!





Testify to Love
sung by Avalon

All the colors of the rainbow
All of voices of the wind
Every dream that reaches out
That reaches out to find where love begins
Every word of every story
Every star in every sky
Every corner of creation lives to testify

For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love
I'll be a witness in the silences when words are not enough
With every breath I take I will give thanks to God above
For as long as I shall live
I will testify to love

From the mountains to the valleys
From the rivers to the sea
Every hand that reaches out
Every hand that reaches out to offer peace
Every simple act of mercy
Every step to kingdom come
All the Hope in every heart will speak what love has done

Book Study - Assignment 4 Discussion

Karen over at the T.A.G blog is hosting this book study/discussion on Nancy Leigh Demoss's book Lies Women Believe And The Truth That Sets Them Free. Please feel free to come join in if you'd like! http://www.homesteadblogger.com/tagblog

Memory Verses we are learning:

"Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free"
John 8:32

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free"
Galatians 5:1


Assignment 4 Discussion

For this week we read only part of Chapter Three
pages 63-73.

Questions
This week's questions are taken from The Companion Guide for Lies Women Believe.


1. "Read Psalm 139:1-18. What do you learn from this psalm about God's heart and thoughts toward you?" (pg. 34)

I really love Psalm 139! Here are two great youtube link to check out:






He knit me together ... He knows all I'm going to say, before I say it ... He sees everyplace I go and knows my every thought ... yet he loves me anyway!!!! There is never a place I can go where God Will not be with me!


2. "Some people live as victims all their lives. What effect does it have on them? Who controls their lives?" (pg. 36)
If they (or we) live all their lives believing they are victims of someone else or some circumstance then its like believing that person or circumstance is greater than God ... a lie I'm sure satan would love us to believe. The truth is nothing is bigger than God.



3. "Read Colossians 3:1-17. On the basis of who Christ is and what He has done for us (Colossians 1-2), the apostle Paul tells us that we are responsible to make godly choices in every area of life, including our attitudes, our behavior, and our relationships. What are we to 'put off'? What are we to 'put on'?" (pg. 36)

Put off:
whatever belongs to your earthly and sinful nature

Put on:
as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, we are called to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and above all love. We are to set out hearts on tings above, not things of this earth. We are called to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts



4. "In Galatians 5:22-23, what does Paul promise that the Holy Spirit will help to do in our lives?" (pg. 36)

Galatians 5:16-23 says:
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

If we live by the Spirit, the Holy Spirit helps us to produce fruit ... fruit of the Spirit and to turn away from the sinful nature.


Quotes for Assignment 4


"What we believe about God is crucial because it affects what we believe about everything else. A distorted or damaged view of God will distort the way we see everything and everyone around us. Frequently we fail to realize that what is causing the irritation and turmoil within our souls is not the people or the circumstances we think are annoying us; rather, the problem is that we are seeing things through a damaged lens." (pg. 64)


"What we believe about ourselves determines how we live. If we believe and act on lies, we will end up in bondage..." (pg. 67)




"We see things about ourselves we wish were different or that we know are not pleasing to the Lord. But rather than accept personal responsibility for our own choices, attitudes, and behavior, we have 101 reasons for why we are the way we are...The Truth is that we do have a choice. We are responsible for our own choices. We can be changed by the power of God's Spirit. Once we know and embrace the Truth, we can break free from the chains of our past, our circumstances, and even deeply ingrained habit patterns." (pgs. 71-73)

I have comments to post about each of these but a little two year old is waking, so I'll come back and post those comments later

A Slightly Belated Thankful Thursday

I know I'm a few days behind, but I wanted to post how thankful I am for:


Our church family, their prayers and helpfulness

Our medical team, their kind and compassionate care,

And The CaringBridge website ... Thank you for making my life easier!
Here is our link http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/zeke

I have oh so much more to thank God for but these three really stand out this week!

Please click on this button to visit more Thankful Thursdays

Wordless Wednesday - Our first try at applying Henna

If you would like to visit Wordless Wednesdays on other blogs check here




My dd put turtels on my feet





I put flowers on her feet.

We had fun!

Book Study - Assignment 3 Discussion

Karen over at the T.A.G blog is hosting this book study/discussion on Nancy Leigh Demoss's book Lies Women Believe And The Truth That Sets Them Free. Please feel free to come join in if you'd like! http://www.homesteadblogger.com/tagblog


Chapter 2 is titled Lies Women Believe ... About God

the author discusses 6 lies she believes are at the root of much of the bondage that affects christian women today.

There were several places I underlined and starred in this chapter, but I think the one that means the most to me or caught my attention most was on page 58. Actually there are two places

In the middle of the page the author starts a paragraph with this sentence: "The Truth is, life is hard."

And the bottom paragraph on the page says "We want God to fix all our problems. God says instead, 'I have a purpose for your problems. I want to use your problems to change you and to reveal My grace and power to the world.' That is the Truth - and the Truth will set you free."

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Assignment 3

Read: Chapter Two (pages 45-62)

Questions Karen asked us to answer:

1. How is what we believe shown in our lives? (see pg. 46)
After we listen to something, we dwell on it, think about it, and that leads to believing it ... once we believe we ACT. So, how we act, priorities we set, choices we make and what we do in everyday life really shows what we are believing.


2. What are two important questions we need to ask ourselves as we read about these lies? (see pg. 46)
"Do I believe this lie?" and
"Do I live as though I believe this lie?"


3. Have you ever found yourself thinking God isn't good? Explain.
I want to say No, but I'm sure I have to some degree. I know that this last month, having attended 2 cancer funerals and now knowing another life lost to cancer and today a friend lost her baby at 24 weeks ... I'm just sad and aching. I KNOW and I BELIEVE that God is good, but man this is just hard!!! (I think that was mentioned on pg.58) I just don't understand ... I just can't see the good in the loss of these lives. But then the people who I now miss are in heaven ... I doubt they would want to be here again, now that they have stood in God's perfect presence.

And one way I've tried explaining these events to our kids is to consider Joseph of the Old Testament ... its a story that kids learn early and are very familiar with. Joseph knew God had great plans for him, he had seen it in his dreams ... but suddenly here he was being tossed into a well by his own brothers and then sold into slavery and as if that were not enough then he wound up in jail, even though he was innocent. How he must have wanted to scream "This can't be right!!! God, you made a mistake!!! You told me you had great plans for me ... whats so great about a well and jail???!!!" I'm sure he spent a lot of hours going over and over what was happening and HOW ... HOW could God turn this around into something good? But we were not there with Joseph, we don't know exactly what his thoughts were, but it is obvious he clung to God. He continued to trust and believe in his great God. And God did indeed bring something good from Joseph's experiences in the well and jail. Not just good, but wonderful ... because of where Joseph ended up, he was able to save many many lives from starvation, including his own family.

In moments like I'm in now, I try to say "ok, I'm in a pit or my own jail ... but I know that God is good. His word says so, so it must be true" And then I cling to Him and pray and pray and pray. I'm not God, I'm not in control, I don't need to understand why these lives were only here for such short times. But I do need to trust and cling to My Lord, My God. Its the only way!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For next week we will only be reading part of
Chapter 3 (pages 63-73)

*Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss published by Moody Publishers, Chicago, IL ©2001.

Haiku Friday - 100th post time

My one hundreth post
Could it really be today?
I've written that much?

I enjoy blogging
And reading other's blogs too
Welcome to my blog



It seems to be a bit of a custom or tradition to post 100 things about one self when you reach your 100th blog entry. I've seen many of my blogging friends do this. And enjoyed reading their lists of 100 things. About the time I posted my 79th post I strated thinking about how I would come up with 100 things about me. But when I arrived on that date (and my list was surprisingly complete) ... it just was not an appropriate time for me to share this list. I certainly did not feel like celebrating my 100th post (you can read what I posted instead by clicking here) So here we are at post number 110 and I'm ready to share my list! Hope you enjoy learning a little bit (or a lota bit) about me:


1.I was born in Iowa

2.Moved from there to NC

3.Moved from there to IL

4.Moved from there back to Iowa

5.Moved from there to Argentina (when I was 6 years old)

6.We lived in B.A. for several months, then moved to a smaller town on the Atlantic coast, Necochea

7.I have great memories of riding horses and days on the beach. We could walk to the beach from our house

8.When I was nine were moved back to the US, but that was one year earlier than planned, due to the Falkland Island War ... sad time for Argentina

9.Then we moved to MN ... all my grandparents and most of my aunts and uncles lived there. Being near family was nice.

10.In MN I went to the same elementary school, Jr High and High School that my hubby went to ... we did not really get to know each other till high school, but we were in the same schools all those years (I'm so greatful for the way God had my life planned out!)

11.My family traveled a ton during my childhood, not just moves, but vacations too. I still love to travel

12.I love the smell when you first walk into an airport ... I told you I love to travel

13.Disney World still tops my list of places I love to travel to ...even though I've been there 20some times in my life

14.Hawaii and Argentina are tied for second/third favorite places I love to travel to.

15.I remember attending Vacation Bible School as a child at my grandma's church. We were home visiting from Argentina.

16.Bible stories and songs we learned drew me into God's presence even then, but I knew nothing of having him as my personal savior

17.I remember my mom reading me stories from the story bible that my grandma bought me.

18.While we were living in Argentina my dad sent my grandpa money to buy a horse ... we named her Bonita (Beautiful) before we ever saw her. My grandpa kept her at his farm for us, with his horse.

19.Once we moved back to the US, we really enjoyed every time we visited grandpa's farm because we got to ride Bonita.

20.Another thing I really enjoyed about visiting my grandparents is that my longest ever friendship formed there. Mary has known me all my life, because her parents were good friends of my grandparents.

21.My parents met in Jr High and their parents still live in that same town, in the same houses that my parents grew up in. All four have had health issues, but are generally healthy and very active.

22.When I was born I still had 2 great-grandfathers living, but before I turned two one of them passed away.

23.My other great-grandpa lived until I was a freshman in college.

24.I took ballet and tap dance classes from 3rd-6th grades ... had fun, but not sure I learned very much :-)

25.I was a girl scout from 3rd- 6th grade ... they had great camps when I was that age. And I still LOVE those girl scout cookies with peanut butter in them ... yumm!

26.My favorite classes in school were social studies and history.

27.Math and science made my head hurt :-)

28.I don't really remember liking or not liking elementary school, just liked seeing my friends.

29.But beginning in 7th grade (Jr. High) I hated school!!!

30.My grades were not always straight A's, but I was on the honor roll most years

31.I liked to learn, but hated all the other "stuff" that went along with being a teenager trapped there with other teenagers.

32.I enjoyed choir all my years in Jr. High and High School. I'm not a talented singer, but I do enjoy choir singing.

33.I was in band from 5th through 11th grade, but really should have quit that much sooner ... I was often frustrated and confused in band, but its what my friends were doing so being the typical teen I was, I just "stuck it out"

34.As a senior I made some terrible choices, but I also realized a few things about me ... and finally had the guts to quit band.

35.I hope my kids never ever hear what I was like in Jr. High ... parties, drinking ... its not a pretty picture.

36.But my God, my Savior met me right where I was and continued to pursue me.

37.When I was in 8th grade a family moved to our town, their girls invited me to their youth group ... I learned so much that I had never before heard about Christ.

38.Their older sister became a great mentor of mine and helped me learn how to study the bible and helped me work on memorizing bible verses.

39.It was on a winter youth retreat with their church I committed my life to Christ and invited Christ into my heart ... that changed so many things for me

40.I can't say it made things rosier or easier ... but I had God ... that changed how I saw things

41.As I grew apart from certain "friends" I grew closer to the Lord, but felt a great attack of depression.

42.I often thought of running away or killing myself while I was in high school

43.But Our God is Faithful!!! My future husband and I continued to cross paths in high school. His friendship and several others helped me deal.

44.I'm glad God met me where I was back then, I'm glad He never gave up on me and I'm grateful for all those people He put in my life to show me His love.

45.I graduated High School, but was terrified to think much about my future.
There was just so much to consider, I was so overwhelmed.

46.I spent a year at Hamline University, really glad I did, too, because Mary was attending there (remember the friend who lived near my grandparents)

47.The month before I started college dh and I got engaged. I thought plannng to spend the rest of my life with him was the greatest thing that ever happened to me ... I was only partly right, because actually living it now ... it gets better and better everyday. I am so blessed to be his wife.

48.My life long friend Mary seemed to be the perfect choice to be my maid of honor.

49.I'm glad I spent that year at Hamline, but it was the longest year of my life!!!
I missed my hubby-to-be so very much

50.After that year at Hamline, we were married, on July 17th.

51.Then we moved to where he was stationed in the Navy, near Seattle, WA

52.Pretty scary thing to move halfway across the country from all my family, but I was so excited to be with the love of my life!

53.Until he shipped out an a 2 1/2 month patrol ... then I was so lonely

54.I attended a year and a half of classes at Olympic College in WA, I had finally decided to major in early childhood education

55.I also worked part time at a church daycare and preschool, I enjoyed that job very much.

56. Then, one January evening I was on my way to choir practice at church and the truck I was driving was hit from behind.

57.That was my first ambulance ride ... very very scary

58.At the hospital I waited and waited for some pain meds, but was eventually told that the "bad news" was that according to my blood work, they could not give me anything stronger than Tylenol, the "good news" was the reason: I was pregnant!!!

59.My poor hubby was in shock for at least a day. Just imagine: he got a call saying his wife was in the ER, his truck had been smashed up, and when he came to pick me up he found out I was pregnant! But I give him credit, he did not pass out!

60.I was in major pain for weeks, but nothing was broken and baby was doing fine! I was unable to drive or make it to my classes, though.

61.Realizing I was missing too much school to catch up I decided to take off that quarter of college, but by the next quarter I was way too sick from the pregnancy to start back up.

62.Unfortunately dh had to be out to sea on a submarine when our baby was due, talk about heartbreaking for both of us! So once he left on his patrol I flew home to have our baby in MN, while staying with my parents.

63.But before flying back to MN I stopped in CO to be my friend's maid of honor in her wedding. Six months pregnant and still able to wear a bridesmaid dress. That can only happen in a first pregnancy ;-)

64.During that pregnancy I was diagnosed as having a didelphic uterus (or uterine didelphys) ... basically I have two (yes two!) half uteri. Preterm labor is often a problem for women with two uteri. I had some complications around 34 weeks and then got very sick with 104 degree fever when I was 36 weeks.

65.I ended up needing a c-section, it was probably my most traumatic experience ever.

66.But I had a beautiful and healthy baby girl, who never had a moment's trouble nursing!!!

67.And 5 weeks after she was born we flew home to WA and to her daddy ... Oh! I was so glad to be in his arms again!!!

68.We had a great time parenting, learning how to care for new little girl and learning more about ourselves, too.

69.I'm forever grateful for the friend who gave us a book that suggested an Attachment Parenting type of parenting style.

70.Dr. William Sears became my favorite parenting author.

71.By the time our little girl was 6 months old I was getting all kinds of questions about when I was going to wean her "to a bottle, instead of nursing so much". My mind just could not fathom that!

72.It was then that I discovered La Leche League ... what a wonderful blessing those ladies were!

73. Our little girl continued to nurse past 3 years old, but was suddenly "All Done" one day. She told me then that it was because she was a big girl and was going to start preschool soon :-)

74.I might have been highly emotional to hear my little girl tell me that, but by then I had had her little brother (who was due on her 3rd b-day, but arrived 10 days late)

75.Dh's commitment to the Navy ended the same month our ds was born, so with a three week old baby, and a 3 year old we packed up and moved back to MN

76.While we were thrilled to be back by family in MN, it was a terribly difficult adjustment and very stressful time for us

77.After living in a terribly small and drafty townhouse for 7 months we finally found a house that we loved and could afford to buy! We still live there today!

78.As dh settled into the new job and we moved into our new home and as our little baby boy approached turning one, life seemed to mellow out and we even found a church home and new friends ... what a blessing!

79.My sweet little girl started preschool at a church nearby, we had thought of homeschooling but decided against it at that time (all things in God's timing)

80.The wonderful christian ladies who ran the preschool turned out to be such a blessing and our dd met one of her best friends that first year in preschool. Our families both homeschool now and still spend time together.

81.Just before our little boy turned 3 we found out we were pregnant again! Funny thing was we had just booked a cruise for Thanksgiving break (still several months away) ... even though I was 25 weeks pregnant by Thanksgiving Break we really did enjoy the Disney cruise experience, as did our kids who were then 6 and 3 years old.

82.Our third baby was born in Feb. That was a nice change since the other two were both born in Sept.

83.I remember wondering which of his sibling he would be most like because our dd and ds were totally opposite personalities... Imagine my surprise when I realized this third child was a third opposite!!! How is that even possible???

84.After all three of those pregnancies I had some pretty rough depression issues and LOTS of anxiety. Drs. suggested anti-depressants each time but I never agreed to it because they told me I'd need to quit nursing.

85.Then we lost baby #4 to a miscarriage ... certainly one of the hardest things I've ever lived through. But God did teach us much in that time.

86.Again due to all the hormonal imbalances and stress my depression spiraled and this time there was no baby to nurse. (I was still nursing a two year old but hardly at all) My Dr., DH, and friends urged me to give the meds a try.

87.The deciding factor for me was one day at our homeschool co-op meeting ... a mom I bearly knew came up and said "for some reason I need to tell you about my experience with Prozac" That was the preferred anti-depressant my Dr. wanted me to take and this woman knew NOTHING of my history or even that I was considering starting Prozac. She just felt the Lord move upon her to share her story with me. I guess God knew I'd need a big push ... and that was a big push ... I just could not believe it.

88.So I started my journey with Prozac Jan 3rd of 2005. My dh was able to tell a difference in me, my attitude, and my moods at exactly two weeks ... I can't say I felt the difference till 3 or 4 weeks, but WOW! what a difference it was.

89.After one month on Prozac, I found out in Feb. that we were already pregnant again! My family practice doctor and my O.B. both advised me to stay on the Prozac, they had both seen plenty of women and babies do just fine on it. I am truly glad I took their advice, and so is my family.

90.Pregnancy #5 turned out to be my MOST difficult ... I was so so so sick, hyperemesis, dehydration, and a liver condition. Plus, our house was being remodeled, I ended up on bedrest at 31 weeks(living in a hotel), and at 35 weeks tripped on my way home from a Dr. appointment and broke my foot ... I swear that is all true!

91.We did not want to find out if we were having a girl or a boy, but God gave us the name Ezekiel as a boys name ... its much too long of a story to include here ... but when I looked up the meaning of Ezekiel I learned it means "whom God strengthens". Well, that sure fit that pregnancy! We only survived by God's grace and God's strength.

92.Our little Ezekiel is now 2 and has a few of his own medical challenges ... But God continues to strengthen both him and us.

93.Since he was born we have experienced another miscarriage, and again may I say God was our strength!

94.We are now in our 7th pregnancy and expecting a baby girl in May. She will be our fifth blessing here with us, and we'll always remember the two who are waiting for us in heaven. Even our older three kids talk about "our babies in Heaven" from time to time and that makes my mommy heart smile.

95.God has marked some of the most significant moments in my life by giving me verses to cling to ... During my first pregnancy I often repeated these verses:

I lift up my eyes to the hills-
where does y help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

The Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121:1-2, and 8


96.God blessed my life with this verse during my second pregnancy and it has been a sustaining thought in my life since then:

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness

2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV


97.While pregnant with out third child I read the following verses and was truly blessed with His peace:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV


98.During our last pregnancy when things seemed to go wrong almost daily and I was so sick the Lord taught me to praise Him with my whole heart and this is just one of the verses He used to do that:

Teach me your way, O LORD,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.

I will praise you, O Lord my God,
with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.

Psalm 86:11-12 (NIV)



99.Just over halfway through this pregnancy, while I was sitting in my OB's waiting room I opened up my pocket bible and saw I Chronicles 16:8-12 was already underlined, although I can't quite remember when or why I underlined it, but I read it that day, because it caught my attention and has certainly become my verse for this time in my life:

Give thanks to the Lord and pray to him.
Tell the nations what he has done.

Sing to him; sing praises to him.
Tell about all his miracles.

Be glad that you are his;
let those who seek the Lord be happy.

Depend on the Lord and his strength;
always go to him for help.

Remember the miracles he has done,
his wonders, and his decisions.

I Chronicles 16:8-12 NCV
The NIV version is good too, but I posted the NCV version because that is the version I first read it in ... though I came home and looked it up in 5 different versions.


and 100. I can not imagine life now, without My Savior. I'm eternally grateful for his gift of salvation and the many ways He has guided and blessed my life. If you want to know more about Our Great God and Savior, then please click here to read more.

Thankful Thursday

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Wordless Wednesday

My worless Wed. involves an Esty store, but she also happens to have one of the cutest W.W. photos ever today! Click here to see her her W.W. post


Click on the button below to see her Esty store:

Book Study - Assignment 2 Discussion

Karen over at the T.A.G blog is hosting this book study/discussion on Nancy Leigh Demoss's book Lies Women Believe And The Truth That Sets Them Free. Please feel free to come join in if you'd like! http://www.homesteadblogger.com/tagblog

I guess before I answer some of the discussion questions that Karen gave us for Ch. 1, I wanted to ask if anyone else has felt a sort of spiritual attack this week? Every time I sit down to work on this study ... something goes wrong ... child cries, child gets injured, melt down argument between the children ... phone calls about a relative that just died ... it just feels never ending and today has been about the worst! Trust me, NO schoolwork has been accomplished in weeks. I honestly do "feel" overwhelmed and defeated. I know rationally that how I "feel" has nothing to do with it ... we truly are not defeated! Christ Rules and he has conquered death and the enemy on our behalf ...

But today I had to ask "Lord WHY all these emotions? ... Why did you make us this way???" Now, I know that any of you who know me IRL are laughing at that because ... like yeah ... imagine me without all my emotions ... funny, ha? And still that is part of what I brought before the Lord today. And then I prayed about how selfish I sound ...

I did manage to finish reading and studying chapter 1 and even answered some of Karen's discussion questions (praise you, Lord, for small miracles!)
If you think of us this week, please pray that I will make my time with God and study of His Word a real priority ... we will now have a visitation and a funeral near the end of the week, so I'm tempted to try cram all the weeks stuff into just Tues and Wed. I know that won't work, and on weeks like these I need to let go of certain things ... Help me Lord! So now that I've rambled and ask for prayers here are some of my answers (Questions are taken from The Companion Guide for Lies Women Believe, pages 13-22):


2. Satan knows that you will be more vulnerable to deception if you are not regularly meditating on God's word. What 'good' things keep you away from consistent study of the word?

Hmmm, there is always something happening here, homeschooling, dishes, laundry, boob-boobs & owies to kiss(just did that as I was typing), meals to make, grocery shopping, my hobbies like card making, scrapbooking, reading, blogging ... I think this list could get really long, but it comes down to putting God first, if He is first in my life, He'll get my time each day. But trust me that is much easier to type or say than to actually do ... but I keep trying. And one of the great things about our Great God is that each time I mess it up and let my time with Him end up on the back burner, He reminds me and He always takes me back.


5. From pages 37- 40 in Lies Women Believe, what are the four steps that take us from initial deception to bondage?

1 - Listening to the lie.
2 - Dwelling on the lie.
3 - Believing the lie.
4 - Then acting on the lie, because what we believe comes out in our behaviors.



7. Read Philippians 4: 8- 9. Why is it so important to be selective about the input we allow to come into our minds and to consciously choose to expose ourselves and listen to the Truth

Because what we input into our minds, is what we tend to think on and dwell on and eventually act on. We make the time for what is most important to us.




9. What are the three steps that will help us move from spiritual bondage to freedom?

First, identify the area(s) of bondage or sinful behavior
Second, identify the lies that are at the root of that bondage or sinful behavior
Third, replace the lies with Truth, God's Truth


10. A popular theme in our culture is that there are no absolutes. 'All truth is good. Whatever truth works for you is good for you, and what works for me is good for me.' While on the surface that appears very tolerant, where does this kind of thinking ultimately lead?" (pg. 21)

SIN!



11. Read together Acts 17: 10 -12. What did the people in Berea do in order to discern the Truth? How can we avoid being deceived and become more discerning about the input we receive?

The people in Berea searched the scriptures daily to see if what Paul and Silas were teaching them was true. I believe I need to do more of this ... just because I hear something from a pastor or read something by a well published author, does not make it truth. It becomes easier to just trust that what they are telling is truth, thzt might be easier than but we grow much more in the Lord when we search for our selves.


Great big thanks to Karen for hosting this study ... the timing for this in my life is such a God thing! And its a blessing to read everyone else's post at their blogs. May God bless your week!

Haiku Friday at 30 weeks!!!!

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My Baby Belly
Getting Bigger And Bigger
My Baby Belly








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Thankful Thursday!

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In some ways this is a tough Thursday for me to be thankful and yet in other ways I'm drasticly aware of all I have to be thankfull for.

* I'm eternally grateful to my wonderful merciful Lord, and Savior. He has carried me, comforted me, and blessed me beyond waht I could imagine. Praise Your Name Jesus!

* I'm so thankful to be 30 weeks pregnant and according to todays ultrasound her heart looks great, amniotic fluid looks great, "she might become a gymnast based on all those moves she can do in there", and she is measuring about 3 1/2 lbs.

* I'm thankful to be where I can receiver great medical care for my difficult pregnancies and that my children have all been born healthy, thanks to our Drs. and their great staff!

* I'm thankful that our two year old son has a team of doctors (6 so far) who are trying to figure out his symptoms, and just what is wrong in his little body and being kind and compassioante all at the same time.

* I'm thankful for my older kids who are being so incredibly understanding that mom is pregnant, sick and exhausted. They pitch in so much and almost never complain. Please Lord bless them ten-fold for their loving kindness.

* I'm so thankful for the friends and family who continue to cover us with their prayers. You are truly a blessing from God!!!

Word Filled Wednesday

Again, I'm amazed at God's timing ... this week we studied John 10:10 in our book study of "Lies Women Believe" and this morning I saw this print at DaySpring Online




LIFE to the Fullest

I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full.
JOHN 10:10

Your future is full of…

JOY because God has a plan for you.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, plans to give you hope and a future.”
JEREMIAH 29:11

PEACE because God will be with you wherever
you go.
"I am with you always."
MATTHEW 28:20

HOPE because God is working on your behalf.
"In all things God works for the good of those who love Him."
ROMANS 8:28

LOVE because God deeply loves you.
"How wide and long and deep and high is the love of Christ."
EPHESIANS 3:18

STRENGTH because God gives you everything
you need.
"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
PHILIPPIANS 4:13

CONFIDENCE because God made you who you are.
"God saw all that He had made, and it was very good."
GENESIS 1:31

COURAGE because God can do more than you can imagine!
"With God all things are possible."
MATTHEW 19:26


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Book Study - Assignment 1

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Here is part of what Karen has to say about our first assignment in our book study of "Lies Women Believe" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss:

Let me just say that I am really excited about this study. One of the things that stood out to me in the introduction was how the author takes Eve's decision to eat the fruit and show the progression that led to her action. The progression she points out is that Eve first listened to the lie. Then she believed the lie. Finally, she acted on the lie.

Listened - Believed - Acted

The author discusses this progression again in Chapter One.



Question #1
As you begin this book study, where do you see yourself in relation to living in freedom? Do you feel like you are walking in total freedom? Explain.

I think I'm much freer than I've been earlier in my life. I spent many years believeing so many lies, lies about my worth, about what God thought of me, about why things happen in life ... But God is so faithful to continue showering us with His truth. Still, I know that I have a long way to go and much to learn about His Truth that sets us Free. I still stumble, I listen to thoses lies, even believe and act on them sometimes ... which is one reason this book and this study intrigued me so much.

Someone sent me a prayer request for this family today and when I read today's entry (Monday April 7th) ... my jaw hit the floor becuase the way she describes her early years ... all her fears and worries almost exactly describes how I was, but I was never hospitalized. God has made amazing changes in my life, but I think as long as we are ths side of Heaven there is more to learn and more to work on in Christ.

Question #2
Write out John 10:10 in your favorite translation. After you've written it out, personalize it.

I'm not sure I have a favorite so I'll write three:

John 10:10 (Message)
A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.


John 10:10 (Amplified)
The theif comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)


John 10:10 (NAS)
The theif comes only to steal andkill an destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Honestly I'm not sure how I would "persoanlize" it ... but am going to stick my neck out here and ask a loaded question:

Does anyone else struggle with the idea that He came to give us "a better life than we ever dreamed of" or that He came so we might "enjoy" life? I do believe that God wants to give us good things, as every parent wants to give to thier children ... but it seems that God id God! He has a plan and whole world to order ... how could he be concerned with me "enjoying" my life?

Is it perhaps that we can really only "enjoy" life if we are completely committted to Him? Or am I just hung up on that word "enjoy" ... I don't think He means to give us one big long happy party of a life and I've yet to meet anyone who would describe thier life that way :-)

I hope that makes some amount of sense ... it just what is running through my brain as I consider this.


Question #3
What do you think living abundantly in Christ means? What do you think it looks like?
Wow ... thats a hard question! I'm not sure I really have adeffinition for living abundantly in Christ yet. I guess being totally consumed with God's will and being free of fears, of worrying what other think of our choices. To be truly living God's plan/God's will for my life.


Our Memory Work

"'Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"
- John 8:32 (NIV)

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free..."
- Galatians 5:1a (NIV)

God's timing ... amazing!

"'Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'" - John 8:32 (NIV)

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free..."
- Galations 5:1a (NIV)

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I say that God's timing is amazing a lot these days! But He never ceases to amaze me. Speaking with a few other moms of the 6th grade girls at church this morning I learned that two of them are hoping to organize a summer bible study for the girls based around the book "Lies Young Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

I have picked up and then put back down the original version for us older women ;-) several times ... wanted to read it but did not really have anyone to discuss it with, or I was already doing another study, that sort of thing. Well, I decided that I better order both "Lies Young Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free" and the original "Lies Women Believe: And the Truth that Sets Them Free" both by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I figured if my daughter is going to do the study this summer I wanted to read it ahead of time and what better reason to finally buy the book.

The first thing I did (even before making lunch) after church was to get online and order the books ... even paid for two day delivery because I was in a slightly impatient mood. Then this evening as I'm browsing around online and reading more Thankful Thursday posts I stumbled across a blog where this study was mentioned. Praise the Lord!!! His timing is amazing ha? Dh just left to get my list of things I need from Target this week. I added spiral bound note cards, so I'll have them when the book gets here :-)

I can't say I have read for assignment #1, since I just ordered the book today, but I am joining the study. If you want to join us please go check it out at T.A.G. blog

I just have to say this one more time:
God's timing amazes me!!!

Posting about Anna - also my 100th post

Today marks my 100th post to this blog, but I can not say I feel much like celebrating. Like many of you who blog I have been working on a list of "100 Things About Me" for this day ... but I'll save that for another day ... today just does not seem the day to post that list as we are recovering from attending the funeral of our little three year old friend, Anna.

You can read more about the beauty of Anna and her amazing family on her CaringBridge Site at www.caringbridge.org (then enter annameg where it asks which site you would like to visit.)

This was Anna just before she was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma:



Her cancer may have changed some things about her ... but
not that precious smile:



Please join me in praying for her family and friends who miss her so very much:

Haiku Friday

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For Wiggly Baby Girl (at 29 weeks)

Baby Baby Mine
Seems you wiggle all the time
Up, down and around

I love you so dear
Blessed to feel and know you in here
Wiggly Baby Girl

Can't wait to hold you
To see and kiss your sweet face
You hold my heart, dear

Thankful Thursday

In the bible you can find many verses on being thankful ... thankful in all circumstances.


1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Chronicles 16:8
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

Psalm 118:29
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

That is what we are trying to do this week, as we really do have many things to be thankful for ... but there are also difficult situations we just don't understand... moments where I struggle to find a thankful attitude, but if God has told us to be thankful in ALL circumstances then that is what I want to learn how to do.

* I'm ever so thankful for a Wonderful Savior!

* I'm thankful for the wonderful husband he gave me

* I'm thankful for the ever growing family he has blessed us with

* I'm thankful for our loving church family.

* I'm thankful for His great comfort in the midst of grief and sadness.
We will be attending the funeral of our three year old friend, Anna,
who was called home to heaven this week after a year of battling
cancer. Please join us in praying for her parents Nate and Lisa.

* We are also thankful that God knows the plans he has for us ...
and that he created each one of us. He knit us together (Psalm 129)

* We are waiting to hear from Children's Hospital to schedule more
blood work and an MRI for our two year old. His orthopedic, his
rehumotologist and his endocrinologist, are consulting together
to try find us some answers. We are very thankful to be where
such medical knowledge and technology are readily available.

* We are constantly amazed and thankful at all the daily reminders
that we truly do serve an awesome God! He is wonderful, powerful,
kind. and merciful. He has blessed us with comfort and peace and
great joy ... even when the day or circumstances are not going as
we planned.

Wordless Wednesday - beach then snow

We arrived home in MN on Sat. afternoon and by Sunday evening it was snowing and snowed all day Monday. Kids were plaing in the waves on Friday in Hawaii, but playing in the snow on Monday!


FRIDAY:









MONDAY:









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