Jesus loves mums

Kindness

2010-08-04T07:49:00.001+01:00

³⁵For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Matthew 25:35-36 NIV.

Please take a few moments to pray for our Church community week, http://www.townheadchurch.com Thanks.

Patience

2010-07-31T15:19:00.001+01:00

1 Timothy 1:16 (New International Version)

¹⁶But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

Peace

2010-07-30T11:51:00.001+01:00

“There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace.” Proverbs 12:20 NIV.

Love

2010-07-29T08:18:00.001+01:00

“ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘love your neighbour as yourself’. Matthew 22:37-39. NIV

J.O.Y.

2010-07-26T21:38:00.002+01:00

“Be Joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 NIV.

J. - Jesus

O - Others

Y - Yourself.

herrey.wordpress.com

Head covering again!

2010-07-20T08:28:00.004+01:00

This morning I got an e-mail with this lovely little video about head covering and why this person thinks we should do it!

I don't cover my head at Church at the moment except when breaking bread. I have never fully made my mind up on this issue but the arguments for covering at every Church service are really stacking up and I feel more moved to doing so after watching this video.

I am not saying everyone should do so but I just enjoyed reading the scripture in this wee video and the music! So have a watch and tell me what you think!

Spiritual attacks

2010-07-19T19:29:00.003+01:00

I have never been sure what to think of the idea of Satan at work within us and against us however, lately this has been quite apparent in our lives here.

My husband is very sure that he is being attacked in some way and myself also. The result of an attack of the mind by the devil in our lives appears in many ways.

Resentment, criticism, negativity, pride (as if we know it all!!!! lol), division, self doubt, paranoia and so on and on!!

Tonight we nipped it in the bud. It is a horrible feeling to be under attack and fully aware of it but to feel yourself slipping away and allowing the devil to get a hold of your mind.

These are the verses that I read tonight which helped immensely;

1 Corinthians 3

"Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly- mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?". verses 1-3. NIV.

Ephesians 4

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. " verses 29 - 32. NIV.

Submission is not easy!

2010-07-17T11:40:00.007+01:00

Lately I am finding that submission is not at all easy! It is easy for me to quote scripture and talk about how I want to follow this but in reality it is hard.

All is fine and well if there is something I am not wanting to participate in or a decision I am unhappy with in our household and I get my way. I can act a little spoilt at times and use my feminine wiles to have my hubby change his mind. (totally wrong I know and something I am working on!).

However, when there is something my husband is really not happy to do, or a decision he doesn't agree with and I am tugging the other way then I find myself rebelling even more!!

I think I know best, try to convince, offer compelling arguments and sometimes go in the huff (wrong I know and another thing I am working on!!). Why would he not be right? How can I be a good submissive wife when I am doubting his decision and even if it is wrong, not supporting him in this???

So whether right or wrong I should be obedient towards my husband and what he ultimately decides is best for our family and lives. He does allow me to have an opinion of course and quite often takes this on board and even changes his mind. After all wives and husbands are commanded the following;

"Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Saviour. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Husbands,love your wives , just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself asaradiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself." (Ephesians 5:22-28 NIV, emphasis mine).

I don't think real biblical submission means that I should try to convince and put my own selfish motives above his. I think that I should be obedient even when I think my husband maybe is wrong (of course that may just be my opinion and ultimately he could be very right!).

Small talk.

2010-07-12T14:05:00.001+01:00

Last night Jacob and I sat on the sofa together and read a few pages of his little bible. While discussing the little questions at the end of each section, Jacob asked why we need to tell others about Jesus. So I went on to explain about what Jesus commanded us to do. He then said that if you don’t believe in Jesus then you will go to hell. He also mentioned a few people who have not had their hearts opened yet to Jesus.

This really hit me hard listening to my wee boy being so factual about it. He has spoken of heaven before and how he is going there one day but never really about the other side of the coin. From this short but meaningful conversation I felt an urge about the following;

the absolute necessity and urgency to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to everyone. People need salvation now as we just don’t know the minute of when our lives may end or when the Lord may return.

the total harsh reality of what is at stake here. When I was living steeped in sin I never thought about where I was headed. Now as a Christian I am utterly thankful to God for Jesus and forgiveness. Last night my little boy heightened my awareness of the need to not be afraid and to share about Jesus. I find it very difficult to tell others and pray God gives me opportunities and the words to use and even Jacob said he would find it hard telling his school friends what he believes.

The conversation served to be a sobering reminder of all that is at stake and how we need to use the strength God gives us to talk to people about the wonderful gift available to them.

Come Lord Jesus, come.

2010-07-08T09:43:00.001+01:00

Lately I have been really wanting Jesus to come again and quickly. I am tired of this life. I am tired of struggling, fighting children, monotony, just getting by. I find it hard to be joyful in all my circumstances. I want to have more of the attitude Paul had but I am just not very good at it.

The Bible talks about how we should be joyful but on the other hand how we suffer. I would gladly leave this world and all it has to offer behind. I dislike trying to live in the world and not be of it. It is just too hard!

Today I am praying for God to show me the way. I know the truths of the Bible and all that God has promised us. I pray for clear direction on what my husband and I should be doing with our lives.

John 3:16

2010-07-06T08:38:00.001+01:00

^{For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. NLT.}

Back from Sunday school camp 2010. Our last year at this wonderful house. Next year?? Who knows? Only God knows what He has in store for us!

Jeremiah 29:11 (New Living Translation)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Holiday time!

2010-06-25T15:06:00.001+01:00

I will not be around for the next 7 days as our family are off to Sunday school camp. Each year our church head off to camp and my kids can’t wait! A week worth of fun, Jesus and friends!

So I am sure I will have plenty to write about on my return. In the meantime feel free to check out last years posts on our last camp!

See you soon,

Collette x

Worry?Me? Nah!

2010-06-18T08:02:00.005+01:00

²⁵"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Matthew 6:25 NLT.

How many of us have heard the above verse and related passages? How many of us read it and think, yes, I will apply this to my life, I need to and will no longer worry.

Then several hours later, there I am sitting down, furrowed brow, worrying about the kids, or something at Church, or money, or anything!

How difficult is it not to worry? Is it a female thing?

Recently our Church studied Philippians.

God gives us an answer of how to deal with worry here too.

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NLT.

We are to pray and petition. We are to be thankful. And God will give us PEACE. Yes PEACE which guards our hearts and minds. If we believe these verses then surely it makes sense that these promises will be fulfilled.

So I am going to try and think on these verses today. I need to! I have spent the last few weeks worrying about everything. The children, school, nursery, sickness, holidays, life in general! This is not what God wants for me. So join me in claiming these promises from the Lord and share with me how you combat worry.

Things I have been working on!

2010-06-14T11:36:00.002+01:00

While Colin watched the England vs. USA football match on Saturday night I decided to try making a quilting star from a tutorial at V and Co. I am very pleased with the way it turned out and it wasn’t really that hard!

I have also been trying to keep my hands busy when the kids are playing or I am just watching TV by hand sewing these cute little hexagons. I honestly cannot remember the blog that inspired them so apologies to the person who inspired me. I have found a link at Sew Mama Sew with an explanation from someone else. The only thing I don’t do is glue the fabric to the hexagon. I manage fine without doing this.

I find them therapeutic and when you can’t get the sewing machine out they are ideal to keep yourself busy while watching the kids at the same time!

Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well. Ecclesiastes 11:6. NIV.

I also urge you to have a look at this blog. Like a warm cup of coffee. Sarah Mae is taking a look at some huge questions about our obedience and walk with God. Something I have been seriously thinking about lately. Some of the topics she is going to discuss are;

Does God command that women be homemakers? (What does it mean to be a “worker at home?” Does God in the scriptures ever call men to be “workers at home?”)
What does it mean to “defile (or blaspheme) the Word of God?”
Did the Proverbs 31 woman really work outside the home in a job?
Does God have anything to say about a woman who has to work to provide for her family?
Should a woman who is married but doesn’t have children be a homemaker? What about a single woman?
Where is the line between obedience and grace? Is there a line?

How does a sin-saturated world affect all of the above topics?

I urge us all to have a look at what is said and pray about this in our own lives.

My wee Jacob

2010-06-11T08:46:00.001+01:00

Poor Jacob! He has the chicken pox and quite badly compared to Emma. Last night he couldn’t sleep for the itch and ended up in a bath and then covered in calamine cream. This gave him enough relief to enable him to fall asleep.

This morning he woke up feeling sick. At the moment he is lying on the couch with a quilt and nurse Emma to tend to him! I still haven’t decided if that is good or bad!! He watched some Tom and Jerry this morning and the belly laughs were funny. It is so good to hear him laugh.

I found a great little tutorial on how to make ohio star blocks for patchwork. I fully intend to give this a go when all the sickness is over at our house.

I discovered this cd by Songs for Saplings at Sarah Mae’s blog, Like a warm cup of coffee. This is an excellent resource for answering all those tricky questions little ones ask you about God! You know the ones; Where is God? Can you see God? and such like. The answers are biblical and beautifully put to songs which kids enjoy. I am planning on purchasing these for my kids.

Amazing Grace!

2010-06-09T10:44:00.004+01:00

Last night I was at our Bible study group for the slightly younger women in our Church. It is a house group and there were around 8 of us. The study we are doing is called Knowing Christ Crucified.

So far we have studied the topics of Christ's death as Sacrifice, Substitution and Reconciliation. Our studies are challenging, stimulating and at times heated debate takes place!

What struck me last night was the gracious way in which we all respect each others opinions. We all have opinions on how to lead our lives, to parent, to spread the Gospel, and what we hear from the Bible but we still respect each other.

There is unity.

Lately I have been reading a blog or two in which one post can orchestrate a huge debate on topics very close to peoples' hearts. Comments are usually sensitive but some are not at times.

It saddens me that women get so caught up in these debates and defensive and condemning. It isn't always explicit and sometimes a subtle message. We can be so passionate and enthusiastic about the path we have chosen for our lives or our children that we don't think about our readers or friends or approach things in a balanced way.

I am so thankful to God for Grace. God has laid out a way for us to lead our lives in His book and we can do so. However, we need to mindful of becoming legalistic about the truths in the Bible.

For example, the woman who has to work outside the home. The Bible seems to suggest women are to stay at home (although it doesn't out and out say this, it is all interpretation in my opinion). So will God not bless the woman who goes to work and loves the Lord with all her heart? It could so easily be the case that a woman staying at home could not be right with her walk with the Lord.

In my humble opinion it isn't the outward actions it is our hearts that matter to the Lord. It doesn't mean we have free reign to disobey the Lord and sin. But God has given us, through Jesus, the gift of Grace. God wants our hearts to be obedient to him and then our actions and life will follow suit.

Terri Lynne at Pleasing to you has written an excellent post on idolatry among Christians. Please have a look and be challenged! I know I have been!

A trip to hospital

2010-06-08T06:27:00.006+01:00

Yesterday was a funny old day! Emma fell off her very safe 3 wheeled scooter on our way to our Church Toddlers group. She banged her head on a wall and took a very small gouge out of it.

It became clear later that day that treatment at home wouldn't work so her Gran and I took her to A and E at hospital to get her checked out. Well she was a brave little girl and was very interested in the whole business of course.

The doctor used some steri strips which are like paper stitches to help close the small wound. She said it should heal fine and advised a helmet to an embarrassed mum :( .

Thank the Lord it wasn't worse and she suffered no concussion!!!!

Last night I had the privilege of hearing my son read God's word from his own easy reader Bible! Together we chose the story of Jonah. What an absolute blessing to hear him read this!

There is something very special about hearing your child reading but even more so for it to be God's word.

The little Bible has excellent questions at the end of each section which really gets discussion going with him. We are having many issues with Jacob at the moment over sleep and behaviour. I pray that this time with him and in prayer will resolve these.

Matthew 21:15-17

But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, " Hosanna to the Son of David, " they were indignant.

"Do you hear what these children are saying ?" they asked him.

"Yes", replied Jesus, "have you never read ,"'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?".

And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

Fail parenting

2010-06-05T14:15:00.017+01:00

My two little tikes! No signs of the earlier morning sibling fights and mum freaking out with first born child and getting angrier than she should have done. Then retreating to the shower only to be interrupted by;

" Mum, Emma's put a toy in the fish tank!"

So I emerged from the shower covered in soap and a towel and delved into the fish tank to rescue the toy and the fish! I did not flip and gave Emma a look and finished off the shower.

Spoke to Emma about the dangers of toys swimming in the fish tank and then dressed and put them out in the garden!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!

My point here is that I find parenthood a series of failures and successes. I could have just posted the lovely picnic photo telling of how we had a lovely picnic in the garden together and a peaceful, friendly time.

But that wouldn't have been real! I fail daily as a parent. I want to be even tempered, loving, patient, kind and demonstrate all the fruits of the Spirit to my children but I don't!

I thank God for His wonderful Son and the grace he has given us. That through Jesus I can ask for forgiveness of my sins each day and start afresh. I should not harbour guilt about how I parented yesterday or the minute before. I need to move on and seek Him.

I don't do that nearly enough.

How to make those coasters

2010-06-03T16:20:00.007+01:00

Hi there! Here is a quick how to on making those cute quilted coasters. Really not hard at all and you can make lots
I use charm squares at 5" by 5", a fleece middle of same size, and white cotton backing fabric.

You need to put your two cotton pieces of fabric right sides together and then top off with the fleece layer. I have recycled an old baby blanket!

Pin together.

Sew round the square with a 1/4" seam allowance. Please make sure you leave a 2 " opening for turning the coaster round the right way.

Turn the sewn square round the right way and then hand stitch the opening.

Iron your new coaster flat and then quilt as desired!

Quilted funky coasters

2010-06-02T16:57:00.020+01:00

Today I am trying something new! I am linking up my latest make with Whatever goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts. This is an excellent source of ideas and way to share our makes with each other.

These little beauties are called Quilted funky coasters. Funky fabrics and quilted in a modern way! I love them. They are so easy to make. The fabric is by Moda.

You can even throw them in the washing machine and iron flat again! My husband likes them as they catch all the drips from a cold glass of juice and your glass doesn't slip all over the place!

Excuse the crumb on the table. The kids always leave their mark ;-).

Please join me tomorrow for a mini tutorial on how to make these little cuties.

Collette x

Chicken pops!

2010-05-31T09:24:00.003+01:00

Emma has full blown chicken pox! All over her little body. They began appearing on Saturday morning and have multiplied. She is feeling fine but is a tad itchy.

Her small friend Heidi had them recently and called them Chicken pops! Love that.

Yesterday at Church we had 3, yes 3 Baptisms! The happy fellows are pictured below.

Last night I have been finishing off this quilt. I love the spotty binding, a bit like Emma and her spots!

Matthew 28: 19 - 20 NIV.

19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

new things

2010-05-29T16:18:00.007+01:00

Hi everyone,

I have been working on these little lovelies for the last few days. Experimenting and perfecting! What do you think?

Quilted coasters. My hubby loves them! He thinks I should sell them. I don't know? I lack confidence but I think they are v cute!
Well what do you think?

Jesus' death.

2010-05-26T09:19:00.002+01:00

A question for us all to ponder and look into today! Last night at our young women's Bible study the following question was asked;

"Did Jesus endure a spiritual death, or was it only a physical death?"

We were discussing the topic of Jesus death as 'Substitution'.

So what do you think? One of the main questions that cropped up was, where did Jesus go between death on the cross and resurrection? Some think Jesus was with God, others that he was in Hell.

One of the passages that was mentioned was found in 1 Peter 3; 18 - 22.

Please share any thoughts, Bible references, books on this theological question. It will certainly help me form a clearer understanding of this topic!

Too long!

2010-05-15T14:48:00.005+01:00

Hi all! It's been too long since I have posted some photos of my little ones, although they aren't so little now!

This is a photo taken on my phone by Jacob at Church last Sunday. Emma had been ill that week with what we think was a mild form of chicken pox or a virus. This is why she is sporting some gorgeous pimples on her chin! (This was before they scabbed over, eugh!).

This is Jacob playing a Cbeebies online game called Alphablocks or Zingzillas I think? Emma loves to watch and he even lets her press the odd button! Excuse the bombsite of a desk and the computer lives in the cupboard under the stairs. That isn't my lounge!

It's been too long since I have blogged about our daily life so I hope, Lord willing, to do more of that! I have been working lots in the garden over the last month so I plan to share plenty of pics of that among other things!

Swagtastic

2010-05-15T09:57:00.003+01:00

Hey there! I don't know if any of my fellow bloggers have heard of Swagbucks but I have decided to try it out for a while. Basically you get points for searching the web, signing up for things, shopping and so on. The Happy Housewife saved enough point to purchase an I Mac for her kids and do the Christmas shopping!! So I have 114 points since yesterday without having to do a great deal. So have a look at this link and give it a go!! Swagbucks. Oh and it is free!

Are our lives different?

2010-04-30T08:23:00.002+01:00

As Christians are our lives any different to the world around us?

Where should we as Christians draw the line about how much we are in the world? How do non believers view us? Do they really know what we believe by looking at our lives? Yes we may go to Church on Sunday but is that as much as we show of our faith to those who do not share it?

More and more I (and I include myself in this!) see Christians (not all) in the Western world failing to step out in faith and share their faith with others, doing all the "Christian things" but still leading their lives as we are of the world. Getting caught up in materialism, big homes, cars, filling our minds with rubbish and so on. Paul spoke of this in Philippians.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things." Philippians 4:8. NIV.

I have been challenged to do this no more. To lead my life according to Biblical principles. So many say that the Bible is God inspired and if that is so should that not scare us into wanting to obey it wholeheartedly? God is our heavenly Father and we should want to obey and please Him in everything we do and how we lead our lives for Him. Like a child wants to please his or her earthly Father in an eager, keen, unquestioning way.

I have read and heard people interpret the Bible and what it says in such different ways and I honestly think that we cannot choose scripture we wish to adhere to and some that we don't. For example, it clearly states the following in the New Testament -

"A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve." 1 Timothy 2 11 - 13 NIV.

With scripture such as this ( and most know the above verses ideas are mentioned in other books of the Bible by Paul), we can't use the excuse that it is old Testament law. This is new testament and while we would whole heartedly embrace most of the letters in this section of the Bible and apply these principles to our Churches and lives, many don't.

I personally think that feminism has caused many female Christians to sit uneasily with these parts of the Bible. Because of scripture like above I do not believe we should have women leaders in Church, that women should pray aloud at public Church meetings. The reason is because of what the Bible teaches. I can't possibly agree with all that Paul sets out in his God inspired letters and yet miss out the bits that don't suit me. Even if I don't agree with them!

As a woman I know that we are emotional creatures. I suffer terribly with severe PMT each month and am very hormonal. This renders me inconsistent, moody and so on. Not at all compatible with the position many women would like to be in at Church. Even regarding prayer, I could not be confident I would be praying in the best way or asking for the right things if I participated in public prayer at Church. So as a woman, I am quite glad God has given me this role and not the burden the men have at Church. I embrace my God given role as a home maker, mother, serving the Lord in the home as well as outside but primarily with my children.

Eyjafjallajökull chaos

2010-04-20T10:16:00.005+01:00

Well this volcano is still causing major disruption around the world isn't it? On Sunday afternoon I was involved in a conversation about this with some fellow Christians at Church. One wise lady said that the recent disruption serves to remind us who is in control in the world. It isn't man but God who has control. Another friend said that she heard a politician commenting that these phenomena remind us that we are only residents here on planet earth.

Of course it is causing great disruption for many people and if I was stranded somewhere I am sure I wouldn't be happy. But there is a much bigger picture here isn't there? A great deal of the locals are being greatly affected by this eruption. We don't see many pictures of them on BBC headlines or Sky etc at the moment do we? All we seem to hear about is how much money the airlines are losing, the economic cost to business worldwide and to individuals.

Doesn't this just highlight the sickening greed that is rife in our society? That airlines are prepared to put money before safety?

1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. 2 Timothy 3. NIV.

What I have been working on lately.

2010-04-17T16:52:00.010+01:00

Hi everyone! It has been a bit busy around here as Jacob has been off school. My time has been consumed with conjuring up new and exciting structures to our days here to ensure he is occupied.

This hasn't been easy! However, thank you Lord for some beautiful weather. The first week was a bit of a washout but this last week has been glorious. The kids have been out in the garden most days and played happily. Fantastic.

I have been working on quilting projects when the mood takes me.

The promised pinwheel blocks from ages ago, the points aren't perfectly matched but hey it's all a learning curve isn't it? Any advice on perfect point matching greatly appreciated!

And another quilt. Not finished at all and needed a little pressing but almost there. I am hand quilting it in a simple way and will bind in polka dot fabric.

Hope you all like these and feel free to offer any helpful advice or hints as I need them!!

To be content?

2010-04-04T20:19:00.007+01:00

I was reading some articles on the Noble Womanhood site which is full of wonderful advice on homemaking today. I came across an eye opening article by Laine in which she discusses being content with what we have. I wanted to share this excerpt and verse from the Bible with you.

"Be content with such things as you have."
I lived for three months when I was seventeen in a Muslim household in Tunisia, North Africa without a place to bathe in the house, without a washer and dryer, without a car, without a refrigerator, without a phone, without screens on the windows (flies everywhere), without a flushing toilet or toilet paper, without a dishwasher or even a nice sink. The cooking was done on a little hot plate. The weather was hot, hot, hot. The milk came in a horse drawn cart with flies all around it. If we needed some tomato paste, we bought it in tablespoon increments. Nothing was wasted, because money was scarce. In America we would have considered this family so very poor. But in their country they were middle class. I think about my living conditions there a lot. Especially when I am taking a nice, hot bath. I have so much to be thankful for. So much to be content about. It was the hardest summer of my life. But it was one summer that I learned the most, which has served me well in marriage. My husband says I'm one of the most contented women he knows. I only have to think of my stay in Tunisia, and I am totally content.

Hebrews 13:5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

I am so thankful to God for the roof over my head, the running water, the warm house, the food in my cupboards, the two bedrooms above my head in which my husband and I and the children sleep cosily. I have found myself discontented at times lately with my home and my life. I felt ashamed when I read the article above. I have been unhappy with the size of my home. Yet in comparison to the conditions mentioned above I have so much to be grateful for. God doesn't want us to be discontented with what he has given us. The picture above reminds me of how it used to be for my parents and their parents. Their children didn't have to have a bedroom each, they frequently had to share the same bed with many other siblings and quite often in the same room as the parents. These days we have become so aspirational and desire larger homes, more rooms and so on and it is such an easy trap to fall into.

I want people to see my family as Godly and different. I don't want to fall into worldly traps and appear just the same as the bloke next door trying to better themselves and keep up with the Joneses. As Christians we should be different and we can show this by not allowing ourselves to get caught up in materialism. Who cares what size TV you have? God certainly doesn't!

Chocolate and the cross.

2010-04-02T07:16:00.004+01:00

Well it's Good Friday again and Easter weekend and guess what? Chocolate! Now I love chocolate in all it's wonderful forms and so do my kids but I get disheartened at how Easter has become another season of things. The kids get Easter eggs, mini eggs, chocolate bunnies, Happy Easter this and Happy Easter that. But when do we actually stop and think about what it really is all about?

The resurrection is a hard thing for little ones to grasp but there are plenty of ways in which we can teach them the basics of what happened and get the message across that Jesus is alive.
The chocolate, while fun for the kids (and us!), takes away from the reason why we use this time of year to remember. Of course, we should as Christians remember this every day and not just become religious at these special times of year. If our children see us worshipping and remembering what Jesus did on the cross for us every day of our lives then what a wonderful example to set them. So much better than bombarding them with eggs and a message once a year.

Women in the Church

2010-03-28T14:21:00.003+01:00

At the moment I feel very undecided about so many things which people would view as obedience to God. Mainly head covering in public worship and women praying in public worship.

I certainly don't take a legalistic, all or nothing stand. I know what the Bible says about both issues and I worry greatly about blurring the lines by using Grace as our excuse for interpreting the Bible the way we want to use it to suit us.

I know that in 1 Corinthians ch 14 33-35 that it clearly states women should not speak in Church. I think this refers to praying aloud and preaching, correct me if I am wrong!

In 1 Corinthians 11: 2-16 the head covering is discussed. To me it is quite clear that women should wear a covering during public worship services at Church. Again correct me if you think I am wrong! I know some people argue that hair is a covering.

What I am confused about is that if people say they believe the Bible is the God breathed, inspired word of our Lord then why would people then take important instructions such as these and interpret them as they view them?

There is inconsistency all around. Women pray aloud in some meetings and not others, heads are covered in some and not other public meetings. It is more common to go to a Church in which women do take a leading role and do not cover their heads nowadays. I worry that the roles of men and women become confused and hazy.

People also say it is a personal thing between God and your relationship with Him but are we not asked to admonish each other in love? Colossians 3:16.

Covering your head is also such a public act and very visible in Church and I wonder if it sometimes can create divisiveness in Church between those who do and don't. At the moment I do not cover my head. I did for a very little while but then questioned my motives and stopped. Of course my salvation is the most important issue but if I want to live my life in obedience to God then surely I should be doing this?

What are your views on these issues? I would be interested to hear from women and men on these issues. My main worries are watering down Scripture, division in Church and changing for changes sake.

bus stop blasphemy

2010-03-17T07:09:00.002Z

Jacob, Emma and I were waiting on the school bus yesterday morning with a few of the other kids that get the bus. They are comical and quite sweet. However, I was shocked when one of the Primary 3 children shouted "Jesus" in a cursing way. Now when I say shocked, I don't mean to be naive, I just am surprised that a kid of around 7 or 8 would do this.

Jacob didn't see what was wrong with this so I had to explain to him how we shouldn't use Jesus' name in that way and that it is really not nice to say or hear. The wee boy was listening as well. I think the wee lad has probably heard someone else say it and is just copying but it just made me really aware of what I say to my kids and everything they pick up round about them.

So how do fellow parents deal with these kinds of things? How do we ensure our kids don't copy behaviour and language that is undesirable? How do we make them strong in their faith at such a young age without brainwashing them?

To be honest I find it a bit of a minefield!

Let me know your thoughts.

forgive me please

2010-03-11T07:28:00.002Z

I hope you can forgive my absence. I have been feeling quite unmotivated lately and can't quite pinpoint why but I have let a lot of things slide including blogging.

I am annoyed at this because my blog used to be an exercise in documenting my daily walk with God and to be brutally honest, my walk lately hasn't been daily. My prayer life is not what it should be, I haven't been reading my Bible as I should and I just haven't been thinking about God as I should. I am embarrassed to say these things but I need to be honest.

These are horrible habits to fall into and a nasty reminder of my life and what is what like without God. I haven't been turning to God as soon as I need Him lately and that is wrong. I need Him more than ever and every single minute, hour and day of my life.

I am sure that I can look at this as an attack from Satan. He sees my weak spots and homes in on them. However, I have to accept some of the blame also. I can't use the devil as an excuse for my laziness and falter into bad habits.

On another topic, does anyone have any advice on dealing with 5 year old boys? Mine has become an angry (not all of the time), cheeky, disrespectful, tantrum throwing monster. He is excelling at school and behaves very well there but at home he is making my life very difficult. I am beginning to despair and am unsure how to deal with this. It is almost like he doesn't like being at home just now and I have no idea why.

We have withdrawn privileges as punishment, smacked his bottom, dad has disciplined and nothing seems to change his behaviour.

I just don't know what else to try! Any ideas would be greatly appreciated or just similar experiences.

I am setting a goal of posting at least once a week at the moment as I am sure I can manage that and motivate myself to do so. Anything more will be a bonus for me!

sorry for absence

2010-02-26T07:04:00.002Z

Hello dear friends!

I want to apologise for my absence over the last week. Colin and I were away for a few days on our own. Yes that is right, alone, with no children! A dear friend looked after them and we stayed at a wonderful bed and breakfast courtesy of a wonderful couple from our Church who happen to own and run one! It was a lovely, restful few days!

I missed the kids so much but I also enjoyed the sleep and long lies. I enjoyed being able to just go and do what we wanted and not rush back for school and nursery and all the day to day chores we have.

So today I am thankful for a lovely break, dear friends, my kids, my hubby and most of all my God who sustains all of us.

I will be back to normal with our Bible study At the Well next Monday!

God who are you? Study.

2010-02-15T07:36:00.003Z

Today I am joining the ladies over At the Well for our Bible study time on God and who He is. This is an exciting journey into learning more and new things about the Great I Am and how God works in our lives. Please feel free to join with us in this study.

So today Jennifer Jernigan from By His Grace has posed two discussion questions for us all to think about;

What does it mean to you to know that you are precious in God's sight?
Can you think of a time in your life when you've experienced, first hand, the LORD'S faithfulness?

For the first question I want to turn to Psalm 139; v 13 -16.

13. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (NIV).

I find it hard to believe that I am precious in God's sight. I don't think I deserve it because of my sin and wickedness. And yet look at the verses above! God knew me even before my own mother did! Becoming a mother myself helped me understand just how God loves us and views His children as precious. My love for Jacob and Emma is totally unconditional. They misbehave, disobey me, and I am often not pleased with what they do and yet I love them with all of my being. I accept them as they are, try to train and discipline them because I love them, and still treasure these little people.

I am precious in God's sight in a similar way. I am humbled by my God who treasures me. He loves me warts and all! Yet because he loves me and treasures me He also seeks to train me, mould me, discipline me and know all of the days that lie ahead!

I am going to think about the second discussion question over the next day or so otherwise this is going to be one looong post.

Feel free to join in the discussion and link up over At the Well and join our study also.

Thankful Thursday

2010-02-11T06:36:00.004Z

Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey is taking a break from blogging but I decided to join another Thankful Thursday group for the time being.

So for now I will be joining Iris at Grace Alone to give thanks to our Lord.

This week I am thankful to God for sustaining me even when I feel completely shattered. Emma has been getting up a little bit too early this week and with Colin at work I don't get a rest really during the day. It is hard going but God is sustaining me!

On Sunday we finished a study of the book of Ruth at Church. It has been excellent! Insightful, enlightening and encouraging. Thank you Lord for the opportunity to study these books of the Bible and that you use our men at Church to speak through.

I am finally finished with the anti depressant chapter of my life! I was on these for post natal depression for around 4 and a half years!!! It has been quite hard at times but I threw out my last few last week and am so thankful to God for helping me on this journey. There are still good days and bad days but overall I feel better and ok!

So just a few things I am thankful to God for this week! What about you?

Who is God to you?

2010-02-08T13:49:00.004Z

Today sees the start of a new bible study over At the Well. I hope you can join us as we discover more about God and what he means to us.

My name is Collette, I am 34, have two kids, a hubby, 2 cats and some fish! The fish are my hubby's though. I became a Christian in my mid twenties not long after my husband found God. I stay at home although it is a financial sacrifice at times but I am glad to be at home. I am really excited about being part of the team of women At the Well.

So today the people linking up with this study have been posed the question;

'Who is God to you?'

To me, God has been different things to me at different seasons in my life.

Before I was was a believer God was not important, almost mythical to me.

As a new believer God was exciting, caring, faithful, very apparently there through answered prayer.

During my post natal depression God seemed absent to me. I thought God was punishing me, gave me a burden and more than I could handle.

As I turned the corner God showed me that He was there all along. God felt like a loving Father. Loving me unconditionally despite my anger towards Him sometimes. Disciplining through my illness.

God is a challenger, always faithful even when we are not and fail miserably, (which I often do).

God is creative - just look at this beautiful planet!

God is my ultimate comforter through His word when the world is crumbling all around me. He welcomes me with open arms because He loves me.

These are just some of my little thoughts about who God is to me. It is an evolving list!

So who is God to you? If you would like to know what others think then please feel free to join us in this study At the Well.

what do we believe?

2010-02-03T07:02:00.002Z

Recently Colin and I have been flicking through the various 'religious' channels on Sky TV. We approach the programmes on these channels with discernment and do not blindly accept what they stand for. Some are better than others.

What I am confused about are the channels which show large crusades by people who claim be able to heal. Mr Hinn in particular springs to mind. I am not wanting anyone to think this is an attack on what they believe or specific individuals because I really do not know enough and that isn't the right thing to do.

It just doesn't add up to me. When I hear what these individuals speak of it certainly all sounds according to God's word. They acknowledge our Lord and do things in His worthy name. I just can't accept the falling down on a stage by a touch of a hand, the weird voices, the idolising of one individual who can apparently do this. It just doesn't make sense. Are these individuals really healed? Are they really feeling the Holy Spirit upon them? My understanding of the Bible was that this was exclusive to Pentecost?

Or are we being deceived in some way? Are people deceiving themselves? I just don't know. I would love for it to be all above board but the showmanship also worries me.

Why is such a huge spectacle made of it all? Why so many on stage? Why so lavish?

So what are you thoughts on this? Please feel free to share them with me.

Quilting fun!

2010-02-01T06:11:00.029Z

Well as promised I have the photos of some of the things I have been working on over the last few months. I am joining Nan at Moms the word for the first time in a long while!

I feel really shy about putting my handiwork on display but I do want to share with you all. I want to encourage others to try their hand at something completely new! It really gives you a sense of accomplishment! I hadn't used a sewing machine for years. The one my mum gave me was damaged in the flood in our house so I was thrilled when Colin allowed me to buy a very small machine. I love my Janome sew mini! It is small but cute and perfect for piecing together fabric. It won't do much with heavyweight fabric but I don't work with that just now anyway!

After making a few gift quilts Colin demanded a large quilt of his own! So I have been working on this since December. The hand quilting is the time consuming part but I really enjoy quilting by hand. I used the machine to piece the blocks together and then decided on a pattern and began hand stitching. My template for the pattern was very hi tech! A plate for the circle and a paper leaf shape drawn round with chalk! It seems to work fine for me! The blue and brown backing fabric is much darker, my camera plays up lots and the flash wouldn't turn off!

I made this Amish star block just to try something more complicated! I followed the instructions found at McCall's quilting, an excellent site with many blocks and instructions to try at all levels.

And finally this is the charm pack that I am desperate to start on with lots of crisp white and printed pinwheels! This fabric is gorgeous and will look great against white.

If I can quilt then anyone can! I encourage you to give it a go! If you are interested in the process then I am happy to share it with you (mistakes and all), as I tackle my first pinwheel quilt. Let me know if you want me to share the process? Hope you enjoyed looking!

hormones and crafting

2010-01-29T06:58:00.003Z

Why did God have to give women raging hormones? Not to be sexist but men don't know the half of how hard it can be being a woman. This is my pre menstrual week and my mood has been kind of flat since Sunday. I hate feeling this way. I try to be positive, pray about it, and fight it but it is so all consuming. I become jaded, cynical, sloth like and unmotivated. I do know that it will pass thankfully!

Thank you Lord for great friends who understand! In the words of Tammy Wynette, " Sometimes it's hard to be a woman"!.

Thankfully we have a God who understands mood swings and depression. There are so many characters in the Bible who had a hard time in their lives. Way harder than mine is ever going to be. Job springs to mind. Abraham's Sarah longed for a child for many, many long years. Paul and his thorn. There are many more. I should be more grateful that my feelings of lowness will pass with my change in hormones again. It is not a persistent state of affairs and I am glad of that.

I have decided to include my quilting efforts on this blog. I think you guys are so wise and have offered me good advice. To set up another blog would be too much work right now and why not just use this blog more! So I am hoping that I can do a post tomorrow with the some photos of my recent quilting endeavours. They are total beginner quilts so be warned!

I then hope to begin a new quilt project and display the process step by step as I complete each part of the project. I will photograph each step and share it with you all. I am going to be tackling my first pinwheel quilt and am quite excited about it!

Take care and have a lovely day everyone!

Change is good

2010-01-27T10:06:00.002Z

Lately I have been thinking about change. There are things I want to change about myself and my blog. I am thinking of changing the look of this blog and starting up a craft blog.

I am in love with quilting just now and really want to focus on the craft a little more and share what I am doing. So I am going between setting up a separate crafty blog or incorporating the craft element into this existing blog? What's a girl to do ?

What do my fellow bloggers think? I am leaning more towards the idea of inclusion rather than a separate blog. I am open to ideas though!

Today I am pretty tired. Emma decided it would be nice to wake up at 4.15am this morning bright and breezy. I have managed to get her to go for a nap just now otherwise she wouldn't have lasted the day. I am hoping that by getting her off to bed a little later tonight that she will sleep later in the morning!

I am just thankful that God always seems to give me just enough strength to get through the hard days when sleep is lacking.

Thankful Thursday

2010-01-21T06:22:00.006Z

Hi everyone and welcome to another Thankful Thursday. I am happy to be joining Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey and listing 5 things which I am thankful to God for over this last week. So here goes!

Answered prayers. Emma has settled into nursery really well. Much better than I could have expected. I am thankful to God for this one. He heard my anxious prayers about how she would do and knew better than me!

My mum is beginning to feel a little better. She has been so ill since around November. Unable to get out of the house, little energy, breathless. Since getting the Doctor out this week she has received some more medication and is turning another little corner.

The snow and ice has gone! I am thankful for this as walking to school was treacherous. It was like ice skating and the kids and I are not ice skaters. The walk to school is at a much quicker pace thankfully!

God is patient with us and forgiving. Lately I just haven't had my Bible out much at all. Life has become quite busy with Emma starting nursery. We get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life and don't give the Lord his rightful place. I long for the day when I get to rise before the kids (they are up with the larks so I couldn't do that just now) and spend some time with my Bible.

This is quite personal and hard to share but I have to because it is all down to God. Before Christmas I began reducing my dose of anti depressants. I have been on these since having post natal depression after Jacob's birth. I am now down to one a week! I was on the lowest dose anyway so over the next fortnight I plan to stop this one and then I will be done! I am so thankful to God for getting me through the days where I have felt a bit down. I feel great and am grateful to be at this point.

A change of pace.

2010-01-18T10:22:00.004Z

One thing I have learned from blogging is that life is full of seasons. The reason I started blogging was to keep an online journal of my daily walk with God and my life as a mother, wife and woman. My recent season has been a drought!

Life has changed again though. We are now in a new season. Colin used to work back shift but has now changed to days. This means I no longer have the car for transporting Jacob to and from school. Not a bad thing at all as I need the exercise. I am in the middle of applying for a place on the school bus for bringing Jacob home from school.

The other big change is that Emma has started nursery for 2 and a half hours a day. Today will be her third day. Emma is a very clingy girl so I have been very apprehensive about how she would do. The first day she let me leave her for the last 45 mins and the second day for the last 2 hours. There were tears but I was assured after them she was fine.

So today we have another afternoon at nursery. I don't know how she will be after the weekend. I am praying that she will be settled after a short while.

So that is the latest! Life has become hectic but I am trying to find God in the wee moments of peacefulness. Walking with Jacob to school was lovely this morning as we spotted birds and he said he loved the sounds of nature!! We walk by a main road so I am surprised he heard them!

I will post on how Emma gets on in the next few days!

Thankful Thursday

2010-01-14T19:01:00.003Z

Well it has been too long since I have taken part in Thankful Thursday!!! I am thrilled to be able to do this again today. If you wish to be involved then please join us and Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey.

Firstly I am thankful for Hope. As a Christian I have a great hope for the future. That death is not the end and in some ways is only the beginning of an eternal life with Jesus.

God is moving in my Church and community and I am thankful for this. There have been several Baptisms over the last year, professions of faith over the last few months, and the return of people to the Church who have been away for a long time.

Isn't the Bible something to be truly thankful for? I am grateful that I am able to turn to my Bible or an online one if I need words of encouragement, hope, comfort, discipline or just need to read something good.

I love that God has placed me in a Church within which I feel very much part of the family and totally at home. I am so thankful for my Church family and the support we receive and give each other.

Finally I am thankful that God loves me. A sinner such as me. I will never fathom why at times. I am so imperfect and fail daily.

So what do you have to be thankful to God for today?

Loss

2010-01-13T07:22:00.004Z

¹⁷For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:17 NIV.

Our Church is grieving for the loss of a dear, precious brother in Christ. This song was sung by two young people who loved their Uncle George dearly. George loved to preach from the book of Revelation. I will miss his preaching, his passion for the Bible and Jesus, his smile, friendship, and his Godly example of how to be a Christian and live for Jesus - 'Well done, good and faithful servant! ' Matthew 25;21 NIV.

Thank God for hope and His faithfulness to us.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV.

May we all cling to this verse and others like it that remind us of the amazing hope we have in Jesus.

Hi again

2010-01-06T09:30:00.003Z

Hello again everyone! A Happy New Year to all as well. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year.

We had a cold, white Christmas and still are experiencing a big freeze here! I have posted some pics of the scenery.

So much has happened over the last few weeks I just don't know where to begin. One of our dear, dear brothers in Christ was called home unexpectedly on Sunday night. George was one of our Church elders and had been ill for several months. He wasn't an old man and up until this point had been full of life and joy. So right now his family and Church family are hurting.

I am finding it hard to understand as are many others. I take comfort in knowing that he is now with our Saviour.

" ⁴He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Revelation 21 NIV.

So could those of you who pray please remember our Church in prayer and George's family. He was a dear friend and we loved him and love his family so much.

A wee break!

2009-12-16T06:57:00.003Z

I am sorry that I haven't been blogging much lately but life has gotten really busy of all of a sudden. With the onset of Christmas and many issues going on around us just now, blogging has taken a backseat for the time being.

I will be back into the swing of regular posts after the New Year but think it is wise to take a break while things are so hectic.

So I wish everyone a lovely Christmas time and pray that Jesus is at the centre of it all. See you all in the New Year.

faithfulness

2009-12-12T05:56:00.002Z

¹Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

'Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.' Proverbs 3:5-8

These are just some of the encouraging verses people have been sharing over the last week. As you know our Church has a dear brother in Christ who is ill in hospital at the moment. There has been such an outpouring of love among our Church fellowship it is unbelievable. God is truly working at the moment among all of us and the family are feeling the power of everyone's prayers.

These weeks are hard for many different reasons but God is faithful and will answer prayer.

¹Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

Prayer needed

2009-12-07T06:04:00.003Z

Revelation 21:4 (New International Version)

⁴He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

At the moment there are many people suffering in our Church. One of our dear dear friends is very ill and has cancer of the liver. This news has devastated him, his family, Church family and friends.

We know that many of the people that read this blog pray and believe in the Lord. Please can I request prayer for this family. They really need it.

How we look forward to the day when God brings the promise quoted above to be.

Psalm Saturday

2009-12-05T06:37:00.007Z

Psalm 148 NIV

¹ Praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD from the heavens,

praise him in the heights above.

² Praise him, all his angels,

praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

³ Praise him, sun and moon,

praise him, all you shining stars.

⁴ Praise him, you highest heavens

and you waters above the skies.

⁵ Let them praise the name of the LORD,

for he commanded and they were created.

⁶ He set them in place for ever and ever;

he gave a decree that will never pass away.

⁷ Praise the LORD from the earth,

you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

⁸ lightning and hail, snow and clouds,

stormy winds that do his bidding,

⁹ you mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars,

¹⁰ wild animals and all cattle,

small creatures and flying birds,

¹¹ kings of the earth and all nations,

you princes and all rulers on earth,

¹² young men and maidens,

old men and children.

¹³ Let them praise the name of the LORD,

for his name alone is exalted;

his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

¹⁴ He has raised up for his people a horn,

the praise of all his saints,

of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Praise the LORD.

Are we praising God this Christmas? What are we teaching our children about the meaning of Christmas? It is so so easy to get caught up in the excitement of it all and neglect to teach the real reason we celebrate this time of year. It is hard not to get carried away with the myth of Santa Claus and talk of what you are buying for the kids this year.

Each year I try to make sure the kids know exactly what it is all about but I get carried away as well! What do you do when your kids mention Santa, as they all do??? I can't help but think we are lying to our kiddos when we reinforce this. However, he is a good fun character who adds to the magic of Christmas!

I wonder what God would think about our celebration of the birth of Jesus? Of course we don't know! Christmas has just become a large worship of consumerism. Children compile lists of things they would like from Santa and set themselves up for disappointment when they don't get everything or worse still get every thing on their list!

Our children are such little consumers and it is hard not to get caught up in this aspect of Christmas. I never want to go down the road of wish lists from the kids because they will be sorely disappointed!! Also this isn't the attitude I want to instill in my kids. Christmas isn't just a time for receiving the latest toy. Of course it is nice for kids to receive gifts and we can use this as a lesson to teach them about the greatest gift of all.

I sometimes wish we could just strip Christmas down to the bare bones of what it is truly all about. Maybe then people would all be a little happier, less stressed, less financially burdened and praising the Lord that created them.

Thankful Thursday

2009-12-03T07:20:00.002Z

Hi and welcome to another Thankful Thursday. I get to join with Sonya and friends at Truth 4 the Journey and list 5 things I am thankful to God for this week!

I am thankful for all the great advice I have received from people about Emma and her sleep habits. I am unsure which approach I am going to take just yet but I appreciate all the different ideas and advice from everyone so much.

I had a hold of a gorgeous wee new baby boy on Monday and am thankful to God for this. It did leave me feeling a little broody but the feeling wore off the next day! It was lovely to have a wee snuggle with a newborn again though.

On Tuesday a friend at Church told me they had become a Christian. Praise God for this wonderful, amazing news!

A great turnout at the Toddlers group on Monday. We are having our Christmas party soon and I am looking forward to a busy day that day!

My mum's health is improving over the last few days. The doctor has prescribed her some stronger medication which appears to be working. Thank you Lord.

advice appreciated!

2009-11-30T06:23:00.003Z

My Emma! I love her to pieces! She will be 3 on December 19th. I am so thankful to God for my beautiful little girl. She is affectionate, shy, kind, helpful, loves singing and loves painting!

She has been a terrible sleeper from around 6 months old. She is very very clingy with me. Recently she was ill and ended up sleeping in with me and now this is a habit which is proving hard to break. She literally has to cuddle right into me to get back to sleep when she wakes at night and it is beginning to take it's toll. I do enjoy snuggles with her but it is beginning to get a bit suffocating.

What do I do? I am at a total and utter loss. She likes space to sleep and move about and I am sure this is why she likes our bed! I tried putting her in her own bed recently in our room but she wouldn't have any of it! Leaving her to cry isn't an option as she will just come downstairs or wake Jacob.

Has anyone else had a terrible sleeper? What did you do to resolve the problems? I would appreciate any help or advice at all as I am desperate!

Psalm Saturday

2009-11-28T07:02:00.004Z

³ Trust in the LORD and do good;

dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

⁴ Delight yourself in the LORD

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in him and he will do this:

Psalm 37: 3-5 NIV.

We are to TRUST, DELIGHT and COMMIT ourselves to and in the Lord! Are we doing this? Am I doing this? Never is it harder to trust in the Lord when I am struggling with my day. Do you delight yourself in the Lord? It is easy to take great pleasure in our Lord at Church but do we do this every day at home, in our day to day mundane lives? I find this hard!

Are we committing ourselves to the Lord? Do we entrust God with our lives and devote ourselves to serving Him? When we pray do we ask for God's will to be done or are we asking for all the things we want? Doing God's will isn't always easy and especially if it challenges you!

So some questions for us all to ponder on this Saturday.

Thankful Thursday

2009-11-26T05:05:00.002Z

It is so great to be able to participate in Thankful Thursday again this week! Last week we were plagued by illness so I couldn't blog at all really!

So here is my list of 5 things I am thankful to God for this week.

I am thankful that we are all recovered from the horrible flu type illness we had. Colin had it the worst and had to take a week off work to recover! Thankfully the kids didn't have it as bad as we did. Anyway all better now!

When Colin takes time off work he doesn't get paid for it, (he is a taxi driver), so we had no income for the week he was off ill. I was very worried but he did say that there should be enough in the bank. Nevertheless I still worried! However, Colin has discovered he has received a tax refund! Praise God for providing this tax refund at the perfect time! I am so thankful for this!

The winds have been howling and blowing a gale here lately. There has also been severe flooding in parts of England. I am thankful for a roof over my head and a comfortable home to stay cosy in this winter.

Thank you Lord that I have one child who is a good sleeper! Emma is still up at night despite sleeping all night recently. I am at a loss as to why this happens but am thankful that Jacob loves his sleep and doesn't rise too early in the morning.

The miracle of Jesus' birth! I am thankful for this time of year and the opportunity it presents to share more with the kids about what Christmas is truly all about.

God is everywhere!

2009-11-23T05:55:00.002Z

Hello everyone! Finally I am able to return to a normal blogging schedule. We are all well again and over the worst of illness thankfully.

During this time God has spoken to us as a family so many times and it has been lovely. Jacob was off school most of last week which meant he and his sister spent a lot of time together. There were the inevitable fights of course but some sweet moments as well!

I brought Jacob's duvet downstairs for him to cosy under and he and Emma snuggled together at one end of the sofa. They just chatted together and Emma began asking Jacob why did God give us eyes, hair, chins, mouths and so on!! He answered most of her questions and it was just adorable to see them chat together this way!

Last night Emma decided it would be fun to wake at 2am and start singing. She was singing Thank You God for Snails and it was lovely! I wasn't happy that she wouldn't go back to sleep but I was touched to hear her sing her heart out!

At Church on Sunday both my kids go off to their own Sunday school classes now. Emma is in the toddlers class and loves this wee class. Jacob was so enthusiastic about his lesson yesterday and was desperate to tell me all about it when I went in to collect him. It is so encouraging to see your kids loving God and enjoying all that they are learning about him. We have such a wonderful group of friends at Church who all love Jesus and our children can see this in them.

God has truly spoken to me during all this illness and I am thankful to Him for these moments.

we are all sick!

2009-11-21T06:18:00.004Z

Hello dear friends! I am so sorry I have not been posting this week at all. On Tuesday I woke with an aching body and sore throat and cough. Jacob woke with the same. Colin ran around after me all day but then the next day he woke with the same! Basically we have been in the house since Tuesday and unable to do much at all. Jacob has been off school all week and is better but still sounding hoarse.

Emma seems to be about the best out of all of us! I thought I was better on Thursday but woke yesterday feeling bad again. It has been one of those weeks when the days all blur into each other and you can't remember which day it is. We are all going a bit stir crazy being stuck in together. Colin hasn't been able to work either and it doesn't look hopeful for the rest of his working week.

So that is why I haven't been blogging this week. I hope to be back a normal routine on Monday(surely Lord????). We haven't felt this bad for a long while and just wonder if it has been the dreaded swine flu.

Well I better be off to check on some of my patients who are still in bed! Even when mum is ill the work just doesn't stop.

Take care and missing you all!

Still here!

2009-11-17T06:43:00.003Z

Sorry I haven't been posting very regularly lately. Things have been pretty hectic around here over the last few days. On Sunday we had a very busy day at Church with a fellowship meal in the afternoon. Yesterday we had our parent and toddlers group at Church which was quite busy!

Last night I was looking into gifts for the toddlers Christmas party and nursing a sore throat and cough at the same time! I have, of course, woken this morning feeling pretty naff so I don't think I will be blogging much this week if I continue to feel this way.

I just wanted to share my most recent quilting project with you. I made this one for my mum and it was a hard one for me. The quilting is machine stitched and I done a kind of freehand Baptist fan design on the main part of the quilt. I am not 100% happy with it but then whoever is with their projects?

My mum loves it and it is just the right size for her lap. My mum hasn't been well the last few weeks. She has had a chest infection and has a chest condition which causes her difficulty exerting herself. She gets out of breath really easily. This has been caused by smoking and she has really really tried to stop but struggles with it. I worry about her so much. I love her dearly and worry about how much time she will have with the kids because of this condition. She can't do a lot physically so I worry about this too.

So anyway I am happy to be able to do small things like making a quilt for her to brighten her day hopefully!

Psalm Saturday

2009-11-14T07:30:00.006Z

Psalm 14
For the director of music. Of David. 1 The fool [a] says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
3 All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
4 Will evildoers never learn— those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the LORD ?
5 There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous.
6 You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge.
7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
Footnotes:
Psalm 14:1 The Hebrew words rendered fool in Psalms denote one who is morally deficient.
Psalm 14 NIV.

Doesn't this sound like the world today? There are plenty who deny God's existence. There are people with no moral grounding or boundaries.

Much of our society just doesn't have time for God or doesn't want to know God. Yet He wants to know us!

2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Psalm 14, NIV.

I find it interesting how this Psalm can be applied to society today as well as way back then. It would seem not a great deal changes regarding people!

As a Christian we can pray that people will see that they need God and indeed call upon Him. It is our great commission to tell people about Jesus and what He done for us on the cross. Our society is crying out for a remedy to it's moral deficiency and only Jesus is the answer to this.

I know that before I became a Christian I was looking for something to answer the questions I had about life. I sought this in the wrong places. How glad I was when I found the answers in the Bible. It all just fell into place and made perfect sense!

Many others seek answers in other religions, such as Islam, or through mediums, meditation, science and so on. To believe in Jesus just isn't cool in our society. It is looked down upon, we are ridiculed and many suffer because of these beliefs. Society is so caught up with rights and political correctness that we all have to tolerate each others religions and lifestyles. So as Christians if we do not agree with a certain way of living your life then we are persecuted for our opinions. Our society is Godless so doesn't understand when we use the Bible as our barometer for right living and morality. We are then labelled as 'fundamentalists'!

I pray for the day when people return to the Lord, bow on their knees to Him in fear and when Jesus returns.

12"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
14"Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Revelation 22:12-14 NIV.

Thankful Thursday!

2009-11-12T07:05:00.002Z

Today I join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey for Thankful Thursday. I get to list 5 things I am thankful to God for over the past week.

On Sunday we had a wonderful praise service at Church. It was great to just spend an hour singing to God and thanking Him for all that He has done for us. All the kids were really well behaved too!

At our 4pm meeting on a Sunday our Church has been doing a Bible study. The next book we will study is Ruth. We have just finished 1Peter. I am really looking forward to studying Ruth.

Lately, dare I say it, I have been getting much more sleep at night thanks to Emma sleeping much more soundly! I am VERY thankful to God for this as many of you know, this has been a major issue with Emma since she was around 6 months!

On Monday I wrote a post about not being in God's word enough. Later that morning I arrived at our Toddlers group to help set up very early with Emma. I decided to grab a Church Bible and sat down with it and read Proverbs 9, Psalm 9 and the book of Ruth. God really does hear our prayers!!!

Finally, I am thankful that each Thursday I can come here and think specifically about what I am thankful to God for. It is so easy to get carried away with the busyness of the week and forget to stop and ponder!

So what do you have to be thankful for today?

Making your Home sing Monday.

2009-11-09T06:31:00.002Z

This Monday I am back on track and joining Nan at Moms the word for Making your Home sing Monday.

I have an admission to make. I have not been in prayer or God's word very much at all lately. There, I said it!! Life has been busy over the last few weeks and this has meant that any Bible reading or regular prayer has fallen by the wayside. I know this shouldn't be the case.

The problem I have is getting 'quiet time' with God. The kids wake at ridiculously early times in the morning so I have no way of doing it then. In the evening, once the kids are in bed I often get my quilting projects out and spend time on these.

I don't feel proud of myself when I go through these 'episodes'. Some weeks I can throw myself into the Bible and pray frequently, but then other weeks such as recently I experience a self imposed drought.

This is one of my weaknesses I hate about myself. It is almost cyclical and I don't like this side of myself one little bit!!!

SO; This week, to make my home sing, I need to pray about all of this! Either that I accept it for what it is or make changes to my life that will be consistent and not erratic.

Psalm Saturday

2009-11-07T06:15:00.006Z

⁴ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4 NIV.

When I read this verse I am comforted. I feel safe and protected by God no matter what. In our world there is so much evil and destruction it is easy to become overwhelmed. Watch the 24 hour news channels and you can quite easily become paranoid, bolting the doors, thinking that there are murderers and terrorists round every corner.

Is it that the world is worse now than say 20 years ago? Or is it that we have more access to up to the minute, breaking news reports which report every minute detail? I agree to an extent with the saying; 'ignorance is bliss'.

Christians are not supposed to live their lives in fear. We are to fear God, yes. We should not fear man and the world around us.
I think this means we shouldn't close ourselves away from the world either. God wants Christians in the world to tell others about Jesus and share the Gospel. If we live our lives fearing the world then how can we witness to the world? I have seen fear of the world in many Christians, (myself included), a desire to protect our children from worldly influences. It is natural to want to protect our kids but if we want their faith to grow then they do need to learn to cope with defending it in the world and also they can then be witnesses to others.

⁶So we say with confidence,
"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?"^b]">[b]
Hebrews 13:6 NIV.

I do still feel fear though!!! Even though God tells me not to. And I can't even begin to think of the fear Christians living in persecuted areas must feel. The point here is that when we feel fearful then we should remember God's promise in Psalm 23. We should pray and seek God in the fearful situation. Quite clearly the verse says to fear no evil and that God will comfort. This is a wonderful promise to cling to when fear sets in all around.

Thankful Thursday!

2009-11-05T06:37:00.002Z

Hi there! Apologies for not posting much recently or commenting but I have had a hectic few days. It was my birthday yesterday and the day before that I went out shopping and for lunch with Colin.

Today I join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey for another Thankful Thursday. We list 5 things we are thankful to God for.

I am thankful for a change in Jacob's behaviour. He has been quite cheeky and aggressive lately but since Sunday there has been a definite calming down. He still has his moments but it is not as bad as it was at the weekend.

I had a lovely lunch out on Tuesday and trip round some shops with my husband. The kids were at their Grandparents. It was so nice and relaxing to spend some quality time together.

Last night I helped prepare a Sunday school lesson with my friend. I wasn't sure about being involved this year but I am glad I am. We have a lovely wee group of children and a fantastic team of teachers all aiming for the same goal. God is planning big things!

Our Church has a podcast of teachings from our 4pm Bible study hour. This is a blessing and really practical if you miss any of the study. I missed several recently due to the kids being sick, so I am very thankful for the ability to use this.

My lovely children singing happy birthday to me yesterday! So precious.

Are you authentic?

2009-11-02T07:31:00.003Z

"Jesus wept."

John 11:35 NKJV.

I was reading last night that this is the shortest verse in the NKJV Bible. In context this is the reaction of Jesus to the death of His good friend, Lazarus.

Here is a dictionary definition of the word 'weep';

to express grief, sorrow, or any overpowering emotion by shedding tears; shed tears; cry: to weep for joy; to weep with rage. (Dictionary.com).

Not just a few tears in the eyes but proper crying, grief, mourning for the loss of a dear, dear friend.

What struck me about this was that Jesus was authentic. He was real. He experienced the array of emotions we have. He felt sorrow, grief, anger, joy, happiness and love.

So if Jesus, our Saviour and Son of God can be real then why do we find it difficult as Christians? I certainly don't want to be seen as a complainer or bitter by fellow Christians but I do want to be real and feel that I can share my problems with my friends. When I feel overcome with emotion I want to be able to unashamedly be real about it with fellow Christians. I don't want to put a mask on and pretend that life is wonderful, I am full of joy and oh so blessed when I am struggling to see this.

I think that sometimes we (myself included) are scared of bringing others down, appearing weak in our faith, and being judged as not having as strong a faith as others. This is very wrong among Christians. Paul spoke about weakness and how God shows His strength through our weakness.

I am thankful that I am in a Church where I know that there are people I can be real with, and they with me. However, there have been times when I felt I just couldn't share anything that was going on in my life. Specifically when I had Post Natal Depression. I was so ashamed of how I felt and scared of being judged that it took me a looooong time to share this with friends at Church. Of course I wasn't judged and had lots of support.

It isn't easy to share how you are really feeling but God wants us to be real among each other. Being a Christian doesn't mean your life will be free of suffering and you have a permanent smile and feeling of joy. Christians are only human and experience trials like anyone. I think sometimes we are not being real by brushing our true feelings under the carpet and not sharing these experiences with others.

Anyway, just a few of my thoughts on being authentic and how wonderful that we have Jesus as our great example of how to live our lives.

2009-10-31T06:51:00.004Z

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

¹⁶ your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139: 13-16 NIV.

Yesterday Colin and I were discussing when the latest babies of our friends are due. Our Church is being blessed by many, many young children just now and it is fantastic. This discussion made me reminiscent of my own pregnancies and babies! Hence the photos above!

I said to Colin how pregnancy never ceases to amaze me and how wonderful and strange it is that only God knows what that little life inside a woman's womb looks like; the colour of the baby's hair, the colour of his or her eyes, the tone of their skin and the personality of the child to be. This made me think of the verses from Psalm 139 above. Certainly there are scans which are so detailed you can see the baby quite well but I think that the air of mystery that surrounds pregnancy is precious.

God is "knitting " these little ones together inside their mummy's wombs and it is so exciting to think of what they will be like. God has the days of their lives planned ahead of them already! What a thrilling thought! That God knows what He wants for our children. We have hopes and dreams for our children but it is such a comfort to know that God also has His plans for our little ones and their best interests at heart.

When we think of these verses we should indeed praise our wonderful maker! He knew you in your mother's womb because He made you! I am in awe of Him.

Thankful Thursday!

2009-10-29T07:21:00.003Z

Today I join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey for Thankful Thursday. I need to list 5 things I am thankful to God for this week.

Jacob was back at school yesterday and feeling much better. I am praying that the illness is over for now in our family!

My mum! I had a bad morning a few days ago when Jacob was ill. He was very grumpy and Emma was annoying him so they just kept fighting. I phoned my mum for some common sense advice. Mums always tell it like it is and don't hold back with their advice and I love her for this!

Friends! I couldn't go to our Church Toddlers Group on Monday as Jacob was off school. A lovely friend who goes offered to take Emma along for me. I am so thankful for this help as the kids were arguing that morning and not getting on at all. This meant Emma didn't miss out on the group!

I am thankful that God is everywhere! I have missed Church over the last fortnight due to all the children's sickness! I missed the singing, Sunday school and good atmosphere. Thankfully God doesn't just "live" in Church and we can experience Him everywhere!

The Bible! Our ultimate guidebook and self help book in life.

Stitch ripping!

2009-10-28T07:43:00.002Z

A few days ago I made a mistake with part of my binding on the new quilt I am making for my mum. So out came my seam ripper and I set about the tedious task of carefully ripping out stitches. I could have left the mistake and just carried on with the quilt. However, I want this quilt to be just right and as flawless as possible.

And they do say we learn from our mistakes! This reminds me of how God works in our lives. It is inevitable that we will make mistakes along the path of life. I will make the wrong choices, go against God's will and continue to do sinful things. However, I will strive to learn from these mistakes so that I do not make them again.

Like the mistake with the binding, I am certain that I won't do that again! It has added to the time taken to complete the quilt and caused me extra work. I find that God works like this too. When I get it wrong He shows me and then I need to work harder to not make the same mistake or act sinfully again. I want my walk with God to be as good as it can be. I want to be obedient to Him. It doesn't just happen all by itself. I need to be conscious of how I am leading my life and striving towards a Godly life.

I am learning from my mistakes in quilting and also my mistakes in life! Thank you God for forgiveness and patience and Love.

Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
Isaiah 64:8 NIV.

Are you content?

2009-10-26T06:46:00.003Z

Today I read this encouraging article by Michelle from She Looketh Well. If you are experiencing discontentment in any areas of your life today then I would urge you to read her article written over At the Well.

Michelle asks her readers to think about areas in their own lives which they are not content with, how God is revealing this and how do you turn these feelings around.

"Contentment, then, is the product of a heart resting in God. It is the soul's enjoyment of that peace which passeth all understanding. It is the outcome of my will being brought into subjection to the Divine will. It is the blessed assurance that God doeth all things well, and is, even now, making all things work together for my ultimate good. This experience has to be "learned" by "proving what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Rom. 12:2). Contentment is possible only as we cultivate and maintain that attitude of accepting everything which enters our lives as coming from the Hand of Him who is too wise to err, and too loving to cause one of His children a needless tear." A.W. PINK

Upon reading this I think God is showing us that contentment needs to be learned and prayed for. I was dissatisfied with some things before I was a Christian and still today as a Christian. I did not automatically become deeply content with life. It is part of our sinful nature to want, envy, and covet. These elements of our nature do not just disappear overnight. To be content is a state of mind we strive towards and actively endeavour to achieve.

There are many things which leave me feeling less than content in my life. I always think I could do with a larger house, maybe I should be working outwith my home for extra money, I compare myself to other "better" Christians, I need to be a better, more Christian mum and so on! I am sure we all share many of these feelings of discontent!

I wonder sometimes if Satan stirs up these feelings inside of us? Feelings of envy and bitterness can lead to divisions in Church. Materialistic wants can lead to debt problems and this can then lead on to marital trouble.

So how can we learn to be content with what we have?

God's word directs us and we should read this and pray for his enlightenment. I actively look for the blessings in my life to distract myself from what I don't have. I have two healthy, beautiful children (although one is a little sick today!). I have my health. I have a perfectly adequate home with room for us all. I think we get way too caught up on the size of our homes. When you look to under developed countries and the conditions many people have to live in then I think I should be ashamed of myself when I am not happy with the size of my kitchen or how many bedrooms I have. At least I have a bed to sleep in and a roof over my head. So many people don't.

I sacrificed working and having extra money to stay at home and raise my children and keep my home. My children are never without clothing, footwear or food despite money being very tight some weeks! God always provides! It is not always easy to be content as a stay at home mum. Often I think I could be working and earning some money to contribute to the bills however, the effects this would have on my family would just not be worth it. They are used to having me at home and this is the way God wants my life to be just now. I am learning to be content with what God wants for my family at this moment in life.

So what areas of your life are you not content with? How do you work on this?

Feel free to link up with us At the Well.

Humility

2009-10-24T07:32:00.003+01:00

⁴ For the LORD takes delight in his people;
he crowns the humble with salvation.

Psalm 149:4 NIV

⁶ When I felt secure, I said,
"I will never be shaken."

⁷ O LORD, when you favored me,
you made my mountain ^c]">[c] stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
I was dismayed.

Psalm 30:6-7 NIV .

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 11:2

Today for Psalm Saturday I wanted to talk about how God has humbled me over the last few days.

I have been experiencing difficulty with Emma at night time. This hasn't made me a very nice person to be around the last few days. I have been tired and frustrated at not being able to make her do what I want her to. I have felt bitterness, anger, and complained about my lot as a mum.

Do you ever feel like you have it all together? I did for a while there and was beginning to feel quite proud of myself as a mum! How wrong was I? In a matter of minutes these feelings crumbled around me as I quickly learnt that I am really just a sinner saved by the grace of God. My sinful nature will never go and boy has God reminded me of this recently!

I have learnt a few home truths about myself over the last few days thanks to God. The lessons He teaches us aren't always the easiest or pain free but they are for our own good. I am grateful to God that He wants to shape and mould me into the Christian He wants me to be.

My prayer today is that God continues to humble me, teach me, discipline me and in all of this I am thankful that He still loves me despite my failings.

Thankful Thursday!

2009-10-22T07:35:00.002+01:00

Today I join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey. The aim is to list 5 things which you are thankful to God for!

I am thankful to God that Emma feels much better. She has been ill but yesterday we even managed out for a walk.

Forgiveness - quite simply I feel I don't deserve it. Last night I had a very rough night getting Emma to bed and then she was up a lot during the night. I feel very drained and beaten. I got annoyed with Emma, despite my best efforts to remain calm. I am just so tired of this continual pattern of waking at night and wish someone could just fix it all. Thank you Lord that you forgive our sin. I do not deserve your mercy or gift of Grace. I do not like who I am when I am sinful and feel like a fraud. Today I am thankful for the love you show me and new mercies each day.

I am going to leave my post at that today. I am feeling a little sore from my night with Emma and am struggling today already!!

Homemaking

2009-10-20T08:27:00.006+01:00

I discovered this today and it really encourages me as a stay at home mum! I hope it encourages others!

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

"Homemaking, if pursued with energy, imagination, and skills, has as much challenge and opportunity, success and failure, growth and expansion, perks and incentives as any corporation, plus something no other position offers—working for people you love most and want to please the most!

In the words of Scripture, I have found a worthy challenge:
Teach them [God’s words] to your children, talking about them
when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you
lie down and when you get up. . . so that your days and the days of
your children may be many in the land that the Lord swore to give
your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the
earth. (Deuteronomy 11:19, 21)

Homemaking—being a full-time wife and mother—is not a destructive drought of usefulness but an overflowing oasis of opportunity; it is not a dreary cell to contain one’s talents and skills but a brilliant catalyst to channel creativity and energies into meaningful work; it is not a rope for binding one’s productivity in the marketplace, but reins for guiding one’s posterity in the home; it is not oppressive restraint of intellectual prowess for the community, but a release of wise instruction to your own household; it is not the bitter assignment of inferiority to your person, but the bright assurance of the ingenuity of God’s plan for complementarity of the sexes, especially as worked out in God’s plan for marriage; it is neither limitation of gifts available nor stinginess in distributing the benefits of those gifts, but rather the multiplication of a mother’s legacy to the generations to come and the generous bestowal of all God meant a mother to give to those He entrusted to her care."

(Dorothy Patterson, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, 1991)

Making your Home sing Monday.

2009-10-19T07:30:00.000+01:00

On Monday I like to join the lovely Nan over at her blog, Moms the Word. We all link up to discuss how we are going to make our homes sing! "It can be an attitude or an action. Motivation, our attitude, baking, encouraging our husband or children (if we have either one), organization, cleaning, saving money....the opportunities are endless." (Nan).

This weekend I have had a sick child. Emma has had a temperature, sore throat and cough. She has been a wee lamb. So yesterday I didn't get to Church, Jacob went with a lovely friend and then his Dad later in the afternoon. I am hoping Emma begins to pick up today!

When my two are ill they sleep lots so I have been taking advantage of this and got ahead with my latest quilt project below. I got this fabric on sale! £5 for 40 Moda Charm squares! This is for my dear mum. She turned 60 on Friday! We had a lovely day where I made her and Dad lunch, a birthday cake and just a nice time. So this quilt top is small just now but I intend to add quite a wide border. I just need to get out to get some more fabric. I am pleased with how each block turned out. I decided to cut them all up and sew together to make new blocks from triangles of fabric. I am keeping it simple though because I am no seamstress!

So how am I going to make my home sing today? My home is quite a prayerful one at the moment! I have an ill child to pray for, Colin was a bit down yesterday and had to take the night off work, so I have to pray for my husband. I am thankful to God for this new hobby I have. It is so relaxing and keeps my hands busy and from just sitting in front of the TV. I don't even switch it on in the evening now! Jacob is back at school on Wednesday, so I will be praying for safety for him. So this week I hope that I continue to use my home to bring glory to God in everything that goes on here!

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

Psalm Saturday

2009-10-17T07:13:00.007+01:00

⁴ Show me Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
⁵ Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.

⁶ Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your loving kindnesses,
For they are from of old.
⁷ Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD.

Psalm 25 :4-7 NKJV

I chose to use the New King James version for today's Psalm Saturday because I think it offers a richer translation of the verses I wanted to share with you.

As a Christian we should look to be in obedience to the Lord at all times in everything we do.

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
2 John 1:6 NIV

As a believer in Jesus Christ I naturally want to do as he asks. It is like the child eager to please his mum and dad. I want to please God by obeying Him. This doesn't mean that I have a set of rules I need to follow every day. It is an obedience of the heart. There are specific commands in the word of God that as a Christian I should follow. However, my heart needs to be in this obedience too.

Out of my thankfulness for God's forgiveness I want to please Him by living my life in a way that is faithful to Him. So I think obedience comes out of faith and love for Jesus. It is the least I can do for Him when I think of everything he has done for us!

Jesus is such a great example of obedience! He obeyed God's will for his earthly life.

³⁹ He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
Matthew 26:39 NKJV

Even when faced with the prospect of a painful death Jesus desired to do as God wanted.

So today I want God to show me His ways and lead me in His truth. I want to delight God in all that I do. I want to be obedient to Him because of his mercy.

Thankful Thursday!

2009-10-15T08:07:00.004+01:00

Today I join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey to give thanks to God. We list 5 things we are thankful to God for over the week. It is a great way to focus on being thankful at all times.

Last night Emma slept from 9.30pm until 6am. This is unheard of! She was terrible to get to bed. It was a real struggle but thank you Lord that she did not wake up at night. I have no idea what we done differently. I am just thankful for the rest as I cannot remember the last time she slept like that!

Answered prayer. A wonderful lady from Church who is a good friend received very good news regarding her health on Wednesday. There were concerns that something was not quite right but this is not the case and this lovely, Godly lady can continue to live life to the full!

God has recently placed the topic of head covering on my heart. I posted about this earlier and you can read more here.

I am thankful that God speaks to us in ways we don't always foresee! This prompting came
after a conversation with a friend from Church.

School holidays! The schools are off for their October week! Jacob hasn't complained about being bored once. He is enjoying just relaxing at home and getting out and about. Life is at a more leisurely pace! We visited some pigs on Tuesday afternoon and fed them! The kids really enjoyed this. We are also hoping to get to a Wind farm once we get a dry day!

My lovely hubby! He is hard working, supportive, encouraging, loving, and funny! Thank you Lord for protecting him when he is out working.

So what do you have to be thankful for this Thursday?

The perfect child for one day only!

2009-10-12T20:34:00.004+01:00

I love this photo of Jacob and Emma cunningly hiding behind the curtain! They are masters at playing hide and seek with mum as you can see! You can almost hear the giggles can't you?

Today I visited my mum and dad with the kids. As I was strapping Jacob into his car seat he proclaimed - "I am never going to be bad again!". I thought to myself, "can I have that in writing please!".

Jacob was terribly behaved over the last few days. I have no idea why. So as I got up out of bed this morning I wondered what lay ahead of me. I had a terrible night with Emma last night. She thought it would be great fun to wake mum (who had tried to get an early night!), and then proceed to repeatedly tell me that she wanted to go downstairs. This went on for ages and I just turned my back on her and told her to go to sleep! Of course she didn't and I eventually had to give her some milk and then she settled!

Jacob has been really well behaved all day today and I am so thankful that he has! Isn't it funny how God knows when you can't take anymore? He never gives us more than we can handle!

And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV.

I know that Jacob's exemplary behaviour won't last! After all he is a 5 year old wee boy. However, I would do well to remember that God gives me days like today when I am reminded that it isn't all a struggle. I admit that I haven't been too great at handling the stress of disciplining a 5 year old lately. It is such hard work and I find cheekiness and lack of obedience intolerable. I have looked lately and thought this is not the character I want for my child! Today though he was great and we heaped praise upon his lovely little head for being such a great boy! He looked very pleased with himself!

So long may it continue, but I am sure it won't. When the bad behaviour appears again I shall remind myself of the good days God gives and remind Jacob of these too!

Any discipline advice and character building advice would be most welcome !

Love Collette x

Making your Home sing Monday.

2009-10-12T07:04:00.000+01:00

Today is when I join with the lovely Nan at her blog, Moms the Word. If you wish to join in then please take a look at her blog for instructions on how to do so.

My first quilt is finished!!! It is far from perfect but it is cute and I love it! The head and feet in the first photo are Emma's! She loves it and I was going to put it at the end of her bed until I feel confident enough to tackle a large quilt. I just wanted to keep the first one small as it has been years since I have sewn and I didn't want to make a mess of it!

Excuse the washing hanging on the clothes horse in the first photo! Oh and the books lying on the floor!

This is how I will make my home sing today. By not getting hung up on the lived in condition of it. My home will never be perfectly tidy but at least it is clean! I used to get so stressed and still do, sometimes about toys lying around, clutter and so on. I don't want to have a tip of a home but I have two children and I cannot expect perfection!

God has given me a home to be lived in and children to live in it! I am thankful for a home where God is at the heart of it and I have a family to fill it.

********* added Monday 12/10; please can everyone pray for one of our Church Elders and a good family friend, George. He was taken into a+e on Saturday in severe pain. They thought it was a kidney stone but it appears it is not. Please pray for him and his lovely family and that they get to the root of the problem soon. ****************************

Psalm Saturday

2009-10-09T20:00:00.006+01:00

³ Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,
who, O Lord, could ever survive?
⁴ But you offer forgiveness,
that we might learn to fear you.
Psalm 130:3-4 NLT.

How amazing is it that we have a God who knows every last detail of our horrible sinful existences but forgives us? If God kept a running total of our sin then none of us would survive!

I am in awe of the forgiveness he offers us. Words fail me when I think of what Jesus done for us. It is indescribable.

I don't deserve it but He gives it if I confess my sin and follow Jesus in my life.

There is truly power in the blood that Jesus shed on the cross for YOU and for I.

Headcovering??

2009-10-08T21:55:00.003+01:00

Do any of you women out there who are Christians cover your head at Church? What do you think about the topic? Is it disobedient to not cover your head in Church or is it just old fashioned?

Is it OK to cover for a breaking of bread service and then to remove it for the rest of the Church services? What about those who disapprove and think women should have their heads covered? Or is it up to the individual?

Is it important? It doesn't affect our salvation and it is our heart that matters to God and what we believe. But I can't help thinking it is one of those areas we interpret to suit our needs. Some argue that is was a tradition of the times, a custom. Others argue that the woman's hair is given to her as a covering. There are those who contend that the woman is covered by her husband.

I would wear my covering to a Lord's Supper service but removed it for the family service and wouldn't wear it to our bible study service. This is generally the same for the women at our Church. So why is it important to wear it in one service and not any other if the Lord is in our midst always?

I believe that the Bible is the word of God. So how can I obey the Lord in some ways and not others? In Titus 2 women are expected to do the following;

These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, ⁵ to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,^b]">[b] to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.
Titus 2 : 4-5 NLT.

To be obedient to God I really should be striving for the above. However, I have not always been submissive to my husband. I have been very willful and argumentative and not giving him the respect he deserves in the past. Upon reading more in the Bible about submission, I came to realise I should be obedient in this area because the Lord wants me to.

So why would I not do the same with head covering for public worship? I can't use the excuse of ignorance as I am fully aware of the scripture. I suppose it comes down to how you interpret this scripture. If we use the argument of tradition and customs I think we delve into dangerous territory. It is an argument that could be used to justify all sorts of behaviour in the world today.

There is a great history of Christian women wearing head coverings in Church. Have these women been wrong all along? I just don't know?

⁹He wasn't created for her. She was created for him. ¹⁰And so, because of this, and also because of the angels, a woman ought to wear something on her head, as a sign of her authority.
1 Corinthians 11:9-10 CEV

These verses quite clearly describe what is required to me. We can't put our hair on our hair!!! It is all too confusing!! So what do you think? Please feel free to comment with your opinions. I do think it is a very personal thing depending on your hubby, your Church and God. I would never judge anyone on this topic since I am a tad confused myself!!!

Just a mum?

2009-10-07T21:01:00.005+01:00

Do you ever feel like you are "just a mum"? That you don't serve God enough at Church and feel guilty about it?

I remember feeling like this not long after I had Jacob. All around I saw people serving God in many ways and felt guilty for not doing the same. I made the mistake of comparing myself to all those around me.

Colin reminded me that serving God as a mother was one of the ultimate ways of obeying God. During that time of my life being "just a mum" is all that God wanted for me. To commit to anything else just wasn't possible. Raising a child is one of the most challenging things you will ever do in your life! God blesses you with this little being who is helpless at first and utterly dependent upon you for EVERYTHING. As they grow they become a little more and more independent but still you are there to train, discipline, love and give them that little push when necessary.

Of course we should aim to serve the Lord in all we do and it is not just about how much we do at Church and for the Church. This is very important but we have a responsibility to our homes and families also. It is only over the last few years that I have felt finally able to take on a whole lot more at Church. I no longer feel overwhelmed at the prospect of serving God in the Church and at home. I think I have a healthy balance between the two.

I remember reading something about missionary work and how your first job as a missionary should be with your children and teaching them about the Lord. I really understand this and agree that it is vital we teach our own children wholeheartedly about Jesus. This should not be neglected.

So today if you feel that you are "just a mum" and unhappy at the prospect of this, please remember that this is where God wants you to be right now. He blessed you with a child or children and you have a God given role to nurture and protect those little ones. It is the most amazing, challenging thing you will ever do in your life. You are a mum so be proud of yourself!!!

Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.
Psalm 127:3

Little children

2009-10-05T18:18:00.004+01:00

Today was another successful morning at our Church Toddlers group. We had a great turnout, no accidents, and lots of happy children!

We have a lovely bunch of regular parents who come along week after week and it is a real blessing. I remember 2 and a half years ago when discussing the idea, we worried so much that no one would come and it would just be Church members with toddlers only! God proved us wrong though!

Our group has been blessed with a reliable team, regular toddlers and parents and a close knit group who show a genuine care for each other and the group.

Looking around at all the small children today reminded me of the following verses;

When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Mark 10:14 NIV

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

PSALM 139 :13-14 NIV

Clearly God wants these little ones to know about Him. This year in the Toddlers group we have introduced weekly crafts with a biblical theme. This has gone down really well with the children and the parents. We have a relevant Bible verse on the crafts for the kids to take home. This is our way of trying to communicate God's love to everyone who comes along including our own children.

The little ones are so precious and display such wonder at new experiences in life they really are an example to us all. God made every one of them, he knows how many hairs are on their heads;

And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Matthew 10:30

My prayer is that each of these little ones that comes along can come to know God in a very real way in their lives as they grow and move on into the world. Lord help them remember the group and the things they have learnt about your wonderful works and world you created. I pray that our work is always done with your glory in mind and done in your will.

Psalm Saturday

2009-10-03T06:58:00.009+01:00

^{Photo credit: Wallpaper sites - BEN NEVIS, SCOTLAND.
1} The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Psalm 19:1 NIV.

When I was wakened by Emma this morning the wind was still howling from last night. It has been a very stormy night and it is still here this morning! I had a look out the window (it is still dark at 6.50am here!) and the rain was pouring but being blown sideways by the strength of the wind. It was quite scary but what a sight to look at!

For Psalm Saturday this week the verse above from Psalm 19 seems appropriate. Watching a storm is like watching God in action. He controls the seasons as he controls the seasons in our lives! The world is in his hands.

Have you ever visited some beautiful area of your country or the world and felt tiny and insignificant standing within it? I often feel like this when I look at the sea or am amongst hills with not much else around. It is a reminder that His hands made it all! We are meant to feel slightly fearful and in awe of His wonderful creation.

Thankful Thursday!

2009-10-01T07:13:00.002+01:00

Today is when I join Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey to give thanks to God. We list 5 things we are thankful to God for over the last week or so. If you would like to join in then please click on the link above!

A God who provides and knows our circumstances! Last Friday I took Emma shopping for new shoes. I really didn't want to pay the prices in Clarks, £30 upwards, so we tried several cheaper shops but nothing was suitable. In the town centre we discovered a lovely shoe shop that looked v expensive but had a sale rack. The lady was very sweet and Emma had her feet measured and needed new shoes! There were a suitable pair on the sale rack which fitted Emma perfectly. And the price? My ultimate bargain of the year so far! Reduced from £39.99 to £10!!!!!!!! How cool was that! Colin was pleased and they are gorgeous, leather, sturdy and she loves them!

I am thankful for a beautiful crisp Autumn morning. On the way to school Jacob and I spoke about what season it now is and how God changes the seasons. I can't believe it is the 1st October already and Autumn!

Last night Colin and I had a lovely visit from two of our Church Elders. The Elders like to visit Church members every now and then. It was really encouraging for both of us and we really appreciate the time taken over these visits. I am thankful to God for encouraging words, great Bible teachers at Church and a loving, caring Church family.

The power of prayer. At our toddlers group on Monday a lovely friend who helps was talking about how she gets frustrated because she can't help physically as much as she would like with our children at Church. She said that she always prays for them though! I was so touched by this because it is even more important that people are praying for our children than whether or not they can run around after them!

Finally I would like to thank God for sending Jesus. I thank Him for the promise that one day Jesus will return to this earth.

¹²"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. ¹³I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

Revelation 22:12-13 NIV

¹⁷For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Revelation 7:17 NIV.

zzzzzzzzz!

2009-09-30T07:07:00.003+01:00

Have you ever felt so tired you doze off at the computer? This morning I keep doing it!! Last night Jacob had a few bad dreams and ended up in our bed. This doesn't make for restful sleep for Colin and I but it makes Jacob feel secure.

Emma decided it would be fun to wake at 5.45am and then proceeded to wake her big brother! So today I feel exhausted and I am not long out of bed! I keep staring at the screen then nodding off! I closed my eyes to pray and nodded off! Not good really but once I get going I will be fine!

Who would be a mum? It is the most challenging 'job' I have ever done in my life! We receive no training, no salary, you don't clock off at the end of the day and you can't take a sick day off!

I know that I have a hard day ahead of me if I am already tired and unrefreshed from sleep (or lack of it!). However, I know that I have a wonderful Lord who hears me and knows my circumstances. The Lord hears the prayers of mothers all over the world. He wants to restore us and gives us the strength to face the day ahead. In the darkness of night, when you feel like the only person awake with a child in the world, God is close to you and hears you.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

Are you perfect?

2009-09-27T21:51:00.006+01:00

Why do we women heap so much pressure on ourselves and each other? Even among Christian women!

When I became a ' Christian mum' I had high expectations of myself!

I would breastfeed easily and naturally as "God intended".

I would display the fruits of the Spirit at ALL times; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5: 22-23.

I felt that I should NEVER feel angry towards my child, NEVER feel sad and alone, ALWAYS be in control of myself, faithful to God, patient with my child, loving towards everyone.

Just where do these stereotypes and expectations come from? Ourselves, other Christians around us, we compare ourselves to what we perceive to be 'perfect' Christians around us.

If I am comparing then I failed miserably at being a new Christian mum! Breastfeeding did not come naturally at all to me or my newborn Jacob. It was agony, tearfilled, fumbling around in the dark of the night not knowing if he was getting any nutrition at all. The guilt I felt when switching to bottle feeding was awful. The midwives made you feel bad enough about it!

My fruit had gone bad!!! I felt ANGRY towards my baby, lonely, out of control, angry with God, avoided others and Church. This was how I felt in the midst of Post Natal Depression. I felt as if I was being judged by others as a mum and that my baby would be better off with someone else as their mum.

Women are fed images, ideas, and opinions of others on what a mother should be. It is the same as a Christian mother. Even in the Bible there is scripture which paints a scenario of a Godly woman, Proverbs 31. Something which I have discovered I should aspire to, but is used by some Christians in an all or nothing kind of way. I am not criticising God's word here just showing how it can be misused!

In the thick of mental illness I felt as far away as possible from a Godly woman! Did this make me less of a Christian than those around me? I don't know. I do know that God still loved me! Even when I felt far from Him, angry, and faithless He never stopped loving me. God knows that Christian mums come in all shapes and sizes. We are not Stepford wives. Our relationship with God is the key. I clung to God with my fingernails during this time. I still believed in my head even though my heart was aching.

There is no such thing as a 'perfect' mum. I think we actually need to remind ourselves of this fact. Even the most Godly mum makes mistakes! We mums beat ourselves up too much and place immense pressure on ourselves to be 'perfect' and Godly. While we should aspire to obey God, I think we need to be wary of getting bogged down in legalism about the ins and outs of playing the Christian mum. Surely it is our relationship with God through Jesus that is important.

Psalm Saturday!

2009-09-26T07:28:00.002+01:00

¹ May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine upon us,

² that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.

³ May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you.

⁴ May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples justly
and guide the nations of the earth.

⁵ May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you.

⁶ Then the land will yield its harvest,
and God, our God, will bless us.

⁷ God will bless us,
and all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Psalm 67 NIV.

Lord let this Psalm be my prayer for the nations in our world. Nations that become increasingly secular, those that deny God, and those that persecute Believers.

Thankful Thursday!

2009-09-24T06:53:00.003+01:00

Today is when I join Sonya over at Truth 4 the Journey to give thanks to our wonderful Lord for all the blessings in our lives. If you would like to participate then please click on the link and list 5 things you are thankful for!

Thank you Lord for the forgiveness of sin. The sin in my life occurs daily and I am sickened by it. Lord, thank you that I can seek forgiveness at the foot of the cross, in your precious, worthy Son, Jesus Christ.

Thank you God that Jacob still continues to do well at school! He is still very happy to go and very keen to complete his homework! I am making time in the morning (most mornings) to read from the children's Bible they have and always pray over him for safety.

A husband who loves me and accepts me as I am. I can be poor company sometimes, especially if I have been up at night with Emma! I don't always look my best and yet Colin loves me regardless! I don't know how he does it!

I am thankful that God provides! Our car had been making strange noises and the local garage said it would probably be the brake pads and power steering. Colin and I were worried because this would cost money! Thankfully the man Colin drives a taxi for is also a mechanic and he fixed the problems on Tuesday free of charge!!! Thank you Lord!

Emma continues to remain well toilet trained. This was not hard at all and she responded very well to it. I am grateful that God gave me this gift. You may know that Emma has sleep problems at night (not any better!) so I dreaded toilet training. We started in July and she was using the toilet very quickly after that. Now she trots off and manages fine herself most times!

The older generation. So many of our elderly are forgotten or not given the importance they deserve. I think of my Gran in Glasgow and all the life experience she has had! I learn so much from her. I thank God for the elderly in our Church. They have a wealth of wisdom and experience to share with us if we would only communicate with them and be open to their advice.

God's discipline

2009-09-22T06:45:00.007+01:00

December 2004 Jacob and mum!

Appearances can be deceiving can't they? Don't I look so happy! I probably was at that precise moment but you don't know the half of it!

I felt anxious, scared, down, cried all the time, avoided people, couldn't cope and that I was the only mum who felt like this. I felt like a bad mum and a failure as a Christian and a mum.

I am writing this today for everyone out there who looks at each other and thinks they have it all together. No one knew I had Post Natal Depression. I didn't have a huge label stuck to me warning people off. On the outside I looked "normal" but inside I was aching and oh so confused.

6 When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken."
7 O LORD, when you favored me, you made my mountain [c] stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.
8 To you, O LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy:

Psalm 30:6-8, NIV.

I was so proud! I never thought I would become ill, I never thought that I would need to admit I couldn't cope with things. I could not be shaken!!! What a humbling I received from the Lord.

I learnt first hand that there is an awful stigma attached to mental illness. I felt ashamed to admit that I was ill. People tend to look for outward, physical signs of illness and it can be hard to understand someone who is ill in this way. I remember being told to "get a grip of myself" and it will be better in the morning. Those who said this meant well but just didn't get it.

I hid my illness for months. Only my hubby knew really and then the Doctor. I hid it from friends at Church. Of course, hindsight tells you that you shouldn't have but in the midst of the suffering you just can't admit it.

I think I want to say more about this to help others. If you are feeling far from the Lord, ashamed, depressed, or anxious as a mum or as a person then don't be afraid to tell someone, anyone you can trust. Speak to God, even if you feel far from him. God still hears you even when you are angry with Him. I felt very angry toward God for "giving me this illness" but I still talked to Him. He was still faithful to me when I wasn't faithful to Him.

I believe God guided me through this period of suffering and disciplined and matured me.

I would not have wished it upon myself. God humbled me, He did not let go of me even though at times I had let go of Him, ministered to me through a wonderful older friend, and has made me rely on Him in EVERYTHING.

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.

Hebrews 12:11 NIV

I will finish here for now but I think I may write a little more on this experience. I found that as a Christian especially there was a lack of understanding among fellow Christians about mental illness. It is hard if you haven't experienced it directly or indirectly. I read some awful literature about demons and possession and such like. This did not make me feel good at all! And this was Christian literature!

I will leave it at that but am thinking right now I want to write more on how I felt pressured as a Christian mum once I have gathered my thoughts!

Make your Home Sing Monday.

2009-09-21T06:45:00.006+01:00

Our home is the white one with the red roof on the left.

Today I am joining Nan over at Moms the Word for Making your Home sing Monday.

32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 12:32-34 NIV.

Lately I have been very discontented with my lot! I have a lovely home but I have been looking for ways to improve it and change it. Now don't get me wrong, I don't think there is anything wrong with redecorating and making your home look it's best. However, this has been getting me down lately. As a mum don't you just have to accept mess as part of life ? I do let this get to me and am always looking for ways to store toys, keep things tidy etc.

There are areas in my home that need new decor (mostly upstairs!), new furniture, ceilings painted and so on and on. We aren't in a position to do it all just now at all. The problem for me here is that I have been allowing myself to become unhappy about it all and am constantly looking at what is wrong with my home instead of what is right!

We have a roof over our heads! We have two spacious bedrooms, one of which the kids can share for several years to come, then we need to rethink! We have a beautiful bathroom with a shower I have always wanted! I have a downstairs toilet which is a blessing with toilet training kids! We didn't have central heating when we first bought the house and now we do!

A few years ago, the downstairs of our home was flooded as a result of local flash floods. It was a terrible mess which resulted in us all having to live with my lovely in laws for 5 months. The bottom of our home was ripped out and redone. Thankfully our home insurance covered all of this! We were richly blessed with a kitchen we would never have been able to afford while I stayed at home. A lovely living room and fresh decor all over the bottom of our home. Floorboards were replaced, a new stove, new plastering and so on.

I have included some before and after pictures of the work that went on in our house.

So I have no right whatsoever to be unhappy with my lot! Today I am making my home sing by remembering what is good about it and all the happy memories and trying to enjoy even having a home I can call my own!

Psalm Saturday

2009-09-19T08:01:00.010+01:00

Hello! Welcome to another Psalm Saturday. Today I want to think about Psalm 22. This is what is often called a "Messianic" Psalm. A Psalm which speaks of Jesus. Psalm 22 is amazing because of how it speaks of Jesus suffering on the cross.

We think we suffer in our lives! Our suffering is nothing compared to that which Jesus encountered on the cross.

6 But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.

7 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads:
8 "He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him."

16 Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced [c] my hands and my feet.

17 I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me.
18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.

Psalm 22 NIV.

I am blown away when I read this Psalm. Isaiah 53 also foretells the death of Jesus. If you have never read it then please do so because this will blow you away too! Reading these passages from the Bible cements my faith in Christ Jesus completely.

I also have a heavy heart when I read the details of the Lord's suffering anywhere in the Bible. The suffering I experience in this world is nothing compared to that of Jesus. Has anyone noticed how nowadays we are all so hung up on our "rights"? We don't like it when someone offends us, criticises our faith, or wrongs us in some way. What does Paul have to say ?

9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Cor:12 NIV

As Christians we cannot shut the door on the world and not expose ourselves or our children to such things. It will make them stronger!!!! It says so! These verses confirm my decision about sending the kids to school even more. Life as a Christian isn't an easy ride. It isn't meant to be! We are meant to suffer, and we are supposed to delight in our weaknesses and sufferings because of Jesus. For his sake!

Today I want to thank God for showing me Psalm 22 and reminding me of what Christ suffered on the cross for YOU and ME! When someone criticises me for my beliefs then I shall rejoice, when I find things so so hard, I shall give thanks to God, when I suffer I shall think of Jesus.

Will you do the same today?

I just have to talk about this!

2009-09-16T09:33:00.006+01:00

Lately I have been reading lots of posts about Biblical Truths, obeying God, how we should be raising our children, homeschooling vs public schooling and a woman's role in the home according to God.

My heart has been saddened by some of what I read. Shouldn't we as mums be united in motherhood and supportive? Instead we judge and are opinionated very openly about what WE think the Bible tells us. Some are very dogmatic about this and will not budge.

I agree that the Bible is our textbook for living. I examine everything using the scriptures. I want to obey God with all my heart in the big and small things.

I don't think that because I send my child to public school that I am disobeying God. I don't think that because I am going to send my daughter to pre- school that I am disobeying God. I have thought long and hard on this and prayed so much and these are the conclusions I have come to.

The whole home school issue is just not as much of a hot potato here in the UK as in the US. People do it here but just not to the same extent. Does that mean that all Christians who don't are being disobedient?

These issues remind me of the head covering issue. I remember struggling with the idea of this when I first became a Christian. However, that is for another blog post!

I just wish that as Christians we would have more understanding towards each other. We should be united not divided.

The main thing is that parents stay engaged with their children, immerse them in God's word, pray with them and for them, love them immensely, are part of a thriving, vibrant Church of fellow Believers passionate about the Lord!

The influence of other friends and family cannot be discounted. Church fellowship is so vital to our children as well. They need others they can go to as well as mum and dad. My friends are so important to me and I would confidently allow any of my kids to talk to any of our Christian friends knowing that they would receive sound advice and counsel.

How can you learn to defend what you believe if you have never been put in that position? I know for kids that being a Christian in the world can be hard. However we need to trust God to protect them and strengthen our kids. For a while I was so so worried about this with Jacob. However, through the advice of people wiser than myself ( you know who you are ;) ) I have come to realise that it really is all about trust and prayer.

Jacob will learn that being a Christian is not always easy and accepted in the wider world. Paul speaks so much about suffering and how ours is nothing compared to that of Christ. I think we forget this and try to wrap our little ones up too much. How can they grow in faith if they are not able to discuss why they believe what they do with others? It is good to be challenged because this makes you really think about your faith! I remember being challenged very directly about my faith by some work colleagues not long after I became a Christian. It was scary and I felt very shaken by it but I was so proud that I had obeyed God and stood up for what I believed in!

I hope I haven't offended anyone in discussing these issues! It's just that they have been running around my head for several weeks now and I felt really moved to say something about how I feel about it all. Especially since I live in the UK where there is such a different climate about schooling. I think that families who home school are fantastic and gifted! It is a lovely thing to do with your children if that is what they want.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Romans 8:18 (NIV)

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

Romans 5:3 (NIV)

Please feel free to comment on what you think and what your experiences are of obeying God!

Resist the Devil!

2009-09-16T07:13:00.002+01:00

I am sorry if it seems that I have been neglecting my blog and my bloggy friends! Why is it that I now have one at school and only one at home but I feel busier than ever????

During the day Jacob is not around to entertain Emma so this job falls to me! Emma is loving having me around and to herself. Yesterday we made necklaces from beads I had left over from jewellery making. She totally loved this and did it for over an hour!

I am enjoying all this time with her. God is showing me the joys of having a little girl! I am able to do girly things with her and will be able to do more and more as she gets older! It is great fun.

Getting ready for school in the morning takes at least an hour. I have the two to get organised so it can be time consuming. Especially when they dawdle. Jacob takes ages to get dressed and then Emma plays the chase me game! She loves coming down to drop Jacob at school though! Even if it is only for 5 mins.

On Monday some of the girls from our Church (and two guys!), visited the school's assembly to tell them all about our Sunday school, The Good News Club which starts again Sep 27th. The kids seemed keen and Jacob was happy to see his friends from Church visiting the school. I am thankful that God gave the girls from Church this opportunity. The UK is fast becoming secular but it is fantastic that the local schools were welcoming to our Church people and their invitation to the kids to come along to Sunday school. I know there are schools out there that just would not have this at all!

I got to look after a gorgeous baby on Monday afternoon while on of my friends visited the school. It was great fun and this baby is going to be a big sister!!!! More wonderful news we received last night!

God is doing amazing things in our Church just now. Families are coming and growing all the time. Church is such a vibrant mix of young and old. There are two new babies due now!! Our creche just grows and grows!!

People are feeling drawn to return to our Church and are bringing their family with them. It is such an exciting time and we need to ensure we protect every inch of it.

We need to remain united and not let the Devil steal any of our joy or unity. I know that he will try to destroy what we have built and as Believers in the Lord Jesus we cannot allow this to happen.

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

Psalm 133:1(NIV)

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,

Romans 15:5(NIV)

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:3 (NIV)

7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 (NIV)

JOY!

2009-09-14T15:34:00.002+01:00

Today I am linking up with Teri Lynne at Pleasing to You. She is celebrating her 100th post and is talking about Joy!

When I think of the word Joy I think of the acronym ; -
J esus
O thers
Y ourself.

I remember reading this in a new Believers Bible when I had only been a Christian for a short while.

How easy do we find it to live out our lives in this way? How hard is it? I find it difficult in the ordinary day to day. When I am at our Toddlers group, Sunday school or Church I am better at this. However, at home I become selfish all too quickly. Wanting to do what pleases me, wanting "me time"! I forget that Jesus is everywhere and I should not resort to laziness and selfishness even in the home.

At home I am there to serve my kids, my hubby but ultimately Jesus. I can do this by opening my home to others, reading my Bible and honouring God in all I do. Easier said than done though!! This is my aim, to always put Jesus first and foremost.

This is my prayer for today!

Psalm Saturday.

2009-09-12T08:42:00.002+01:00

Wow this is my 100th post! I must talk too much! Today is Psalm Saturday, when I share what I have been reading from the Psalms. Feel free to join in! My friend Deb at One Single Minute has written a wonderful post on one of the Psalms today. Please take a look!

3 Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.

Psalm 141:3 NIV.

I often wish God would do this! That he would make me bite my tongue or put up a guard to stop my lips from uttering pointless, hurtful words. This week I haven't been the most pleasant wife to be around. Poor Colin has suffered! I have been impatient, snappish and just not the nicest of people to be around.

It seems like no matter how hard I try I just cannot hold my tongue. It feels terrible to be so out of control in this area. Thankfully I have a loving husband of 7 years (on Monday!!!) who knows me warts and all and loves me regardless. I honestly don't know how he puts up with me sometimes!

So today may it be my prayer that God guards my big mouth and I truly think before I speak!

Never forget.

2009-09-11T09:23:00.002+01:00

Colin and I watched this programme about 9/11 on Tuesday evening; 102 minutes that changed America.
This eyewitness account of what happened on the ground 8 years ago today was disturbing but insightful. I was at work in a Stockbrokers call centre in Glasgow when it happened. We had large TV screens in the office and I remember seeing the scenes. I thought it was a movie or some kind of sick hoax. We all soon realised it was for real and were stunned into silence.

Watching this film about that terrible day was very hard. I wondered why God would allow so much suffering. My heart goes out to all those who have suffered as a result of such a horrific act of violence towards fellow humans. It is a dreadful reminder of how our world can be such an evil place and the fight we face. I am glad I watched it however. It is so vital to remember these events and the people who were victims of this tragedy. The footage served as a timely reminder of an event that changed lives, history and the world.

Today I pray for those families who have to get through today and the rest of their lives without loved ones. I thank God for his faithfulness to all those who believe in Him. Even in the midst of confusion God is there for us. We may not understand all that goes on in this world but we have Him to rely upon.

He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.

Deuteronomy 32:4 NIV.

Thankful Thursday!

2009-09-10T07:10:00.002+01:00

Today is when I list 5 things I am thankful to God for over the last week or just generally. If you would like to participate then please pop over to Sonya's blog, Truth 4 the Journey.

I am thankful for some dry weather! The last few weeks seem to have been permanent heavy rain. This has meant very few walks for Emma and I. Yesterday was lovely, sunny and dry. Emma and I really enjoyed a dry walk round to visit friends.

God has answered my prayers about Jacob and his first few weeks at school. He is really interested in his school work. He is very keen to practice his new writing skills, letters, numbers, and words that he has learned at home. I am noticing how diligent he has become and am discovering this is one of his qualities.

My mum! There is no one like a mum for telling you like it is! I can always rely on a truthful answer to any of my questions. If I ask for advice then she isn't wishy washy with it. I love my mum dearly and am so so thankful to God for giving me such a great mum.

God's patience and love. I have not been very faithful this week. I haven't read my Bible as much as I would like to. I haven't prayed as much as I would like to. My attitude hasn't been as it should be. I don't like me very much this week!!! BUT we have a wonderful, loving Father in heaven who loves his children so much. I said to Colin last night how undeserving we are of this love. What does God see in us worth loving? Thank you for Jesus and his great sacrifice to allow us to be free from our sin.

Another Bible study beginning soon at Church. We will be studying 1 Peter this time and I can't wait!

So what are you thankful to our wonderful Lord for?

3 rows done!

2009-09-08T07:14:00.004+01:00

Well I have finally got some photos of the beginnings of my first ever quilt! I am hand sewing and only managing an hour here and there, hence the slow nature of my work! I am quite pleased with it so far. Only 4 rows to go and then need to seam them all together. My sewing isn't the neatest in the world but it is secure and the more I practice the better it gets.

I am finding the method very relaxing and sitting in the quiet is really pleasant. I pray and talk to God and sing choruses in my head. It is a lovely contemplative way to spend a few hours in the evening.

² He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

³ he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

Psalm 23: 2-3, NIV.

Second Chances!

2009-09-07T07:45:00.002+01:00

This is our favourite veggie tales song in the house at the moment! Jacob got this movie as a birthday present and watches it daily just now! Isn't it amazing how our God is indeed a God of second chances?

We have finished studying the book of Jonah at Church and all have learned so much from it. This film has really brought the story alive to the kids, Colin and I !!!! Of course it can never replace reading the story from the Bible. I just think it is wonderful for the kids to get excited about God and this is one way to help them get it.

If Jonah, a Prophet of God got a second chance then so can we!! We don't deserve it in our eyes. When we look at how we continually sin again and again and yet God forgives us for that, it is hard to fathom why he would forgive us. But he does because he wants to have a relationship with us. As a mum I love my kids even when they do bad things repeatedly. But I don't love their sinful behaviour. They are learning all the time and to an extent so are we! Being a mum has given me a new perspective on the way God loves us and forgives us. Dads will experience this too.

So this is how I am going to make my home sing today! Literally sing about God and His second chances.

Psalm Saturday

2009-09-05T07:43:00.002+01:00

Today is when I share a Psalm that has spoken to me this week. Feel free to do the same!

¹ Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.
Psalm 127:1 NIV.

I came across this verse while reading the Psalms and it reminded me of how our homes should be God centered. I remember when Colin and I were due to be married, the pastor who was marrying us told us that there should be a third person in our marriage. God. It is the same for our homes also. All things come from this. If we live in a God focused home then our children will be influenced by this. If we love the world and live in a worldly home then this impacts on our kids too.

I posted recently on this topic here.

I am praying and striving to make my home one which is built upon the love of the Lord. I thank God for reminding me about this!

Have a wonderful weekend!

O Happy Day!

2009-09-03T20:50:00.003+01:00

This Sunday at Church we have a Baptism of a lovely lady who has given her life to Jesus. I am so excited about this because it is always a celebration. The kids at Church are fascinated by the pool and the whole process as well. It is a great way for them to learn practically about being a Christian and publicly declaring your faith.

I remember clearly the joy I felt after being baptised at my Church. It was amazing and is so hard to put into words. It's not always an easy thing to do however. If you don't have the support of your family or come from a non Christian background (I do ), then it can make things difficult when explaining why you are doing this and even whether or not family attend.

¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in^a]">[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Matthew 28:19 NIV.

I decided to be baptised because Jesus said that I should do this. I made the decision in my head and heart to ask Jesus to forgive my sins and that I would follow him and give my life to him. However, I always knew I had something else to do and this was it. It is not the Baptism that makes us a Christian. That is a decision between our self and Jesus and he knows our heart. Baptism, to me, is a public display to all gathered that you have made this decision and are now obeying Jesus, as your saviour. The washing away of sin and coming up and out of the water clean, new, changed, full of joy, hope, brimming with love of the Lord.

It is a powerful form of witness to anyone who doesn't know Jesus. It is the start of a wonderful journey with God. A memory that stays with you forever.

If you don't believe in Jesus but read this blog, please think about it. I did not become a Christian until later in life. I lead what I thought was a "good" life. When I was lead to the Bible and God's word, it was like I could finally see things clearly. I am so thankful to God for allowing Jesus to die on the cross. All you have to do is ask God to forgive you for your sins. All the bad things we do, have done and continue to do. God forgives us if we just ask and accept Jesus as our saviour. God really wants to be in your life if you would only let Him. He loves you so so much and has so many wonderful things in store for you if you would only accept Him.

It's up to you.

Love Collette xxx

Thankful Thursday!

2009-09-03T14:29:00.002+01:00

Time for another day of thankfulness to our Lord and Saviour and all he has done for us! To join in with Sonya and the others click here for Thankful Thursday.

My list of 5 things this week are;

Time to spend with my daughter Emma. Jacob is at school all day now and although I miss him terribly this does mean that I get to spend quality time with Emma.

Answered prayer! Do we give thanks enough for God's answers to our prayers? It is easy to forget! This week I am thanking God for watching over Jacob at school and that he is answering these prayers.

Friends you can rely on who will pray for your situation.

God prompting me to open my home more to others. I am not a natural hostess but the more I open my home the easier it becomes.

I am thankful that God continues to use his word to speak to me. We have recently completed a study of Jonah at Church. Thank goodness we have a God of second chances!!!

So what are you thankful for this week?

Seasons in life

2009-09-02T21:08:00.002+01:00

I have been a little confused this week! Hence the lack of posts! You see this has been Jacob's first week of full days in at school. The hours are 9am until 3pm. I have found this very strange to say the least. Emma and Colin and have too! Jacob is loving it and has settled in fine. No falling asleep in the classroom for my boy! However, I have been finding it unsettling.

Oh how I longed for the day when I got a little more free time with one at school! How foolish of me because now I just miss him dearly. Emma misses him too. The house is too quiet without him. Although Emma is trying to make up for that! The good thing is that I am getting so much quality time with my wee girl and she is actually blossoming because of it. I can see that already.

I think it will just take some time to get used to. When Jacob comes home from school he gets the best of us all. We have been spending time as a family and just having fun together. Coming home at 3pm is great because he still has lots of the afternoon and early evening left to be with us. He also rises early in the morning so I get to spend time with him then also. Emma is so excited to see him and today he had homework and got on great with it! He has learnt so much in such a short space of time and is taking it all in like a little sponge!

In the morning I have been reading from my Bible to the kids. I have also been praying before taking them down to school. We have been reading Bible stories at bedtime as well.

I suppose the confusion I have been feeling is just a requirement to adjust to a new routine. Just having one small child around during the day is a breeze compared to two. When Emma naps I am actually able to have a nap if I need one now!! I am not enjoying this sense of loss I am feeling but he has to learn and at the moment school is the best place for him to do this. I just need to enjoy this chance to spend more time with Emma. She really doesn't get much of a voice when Jacob is around. He is so demanding and she really has to shout to get her voice heard when Jacob is here. So I think this will do her a great deal of good.

I have rambled on here but these are just my thoughts on things at the moment! I think I will return to some degree of normality in the next week or so!