Let no one look down on you because you are young...

For the past couple of weeks, the "young" people have come to our home after the mid-week bible study to enjoy each other's company and spend time with one another.  They sang songs of praise, played games, and filled our house with laughter.  Here are some things I noticed about their interactions with one another.  These are lessons a person of any age can learn from!

• Enthusiasm of being with one another:  The house was LOUD :), but only because they all enjoy spending time with one another. Parents and the kids made sacrifices to allow interaction among fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. 
   

He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will suffer harm. (Proverbs 13:20 NASB)

• No deceit!  At times we had around 25...and there weren't any "clubs" or "groups" that intentionally left anyone out.  Efforts were made to ensure that everyone found their place in a bigger group.

 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.

Proverbs 12:20

• Shut out worldliness.  The activities they participated in while here were carefully chosen and avoided to make sure that the wickedness stayed out!

The highway of the upright is to depart from evil;

He who watches his way preserves his ^[i]life.

Proverbs 16:17

I can't help but be reminded of   "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example ^[e]of those who believe.--1 Timothy 4:12"  These kids did just what was said above...To them, thank you. Thank you for providing the daily positive influence on my kids and the many others who will be "in your shoes" before we know it.  Keep your eyes on the prize throughout the rest of your life...

 

Like Apples on Trees--For the single girls

 We live in a world where beauty isn't viewed biblically.  Perfect hair, perfect teeth, long legs....what "every" girl wants to look like AND what they think "every" guy wants.  Satan uses this.  He sneaks in and lets an extraordinary girl begin to doubt herself...by letting her think she is too fat, or too tall, or even too skinny.  This beautiful girl begins to tell herself that she isn't good enough...so, she begins to change her ways and adapt them whether in her appearance or her personality, or her language, or even her purity to make her feel accepted.  

But it is empty acceptance.  It won't last. 

There is only one true way to endure your self-worth, and that is looking at yourself the way that your Creator does.  There is nothing that will complete you more than God..no man, no friend, no substance.  Our Lord is the only one who will never disappoint you. 

So, while you are waiting for that "price charming" to come along (and hopefully you made your list--see last week's post for more info), don't allow that roaring lion to get to you!  Use your time wisely.  I love 1 Corinthians 7:34.  And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband.
Use this "season" of your life to be focused solely on God.  The relationship your build now will be the foundation to your marriage later on.

A friend shared this picture with me today and I thought it couldn't be more appropriate.  When there are those times you are feeling down on yourself because you aren't dating anyone, don't lower your standards.  Make that "brave" guy reach to the top!

What to look for...the list

I had a wonderful group of friends when I was in high school.  Being the typical teenage girls we were, we would dream about "wedding' things and our prince charming.  It was then that we began studying together and were guided by a great mentor on making a list of characteristics we would want in a Christian husband.  We would pray for our future "Boaz," knowing that he displayed the qualities of a man we all wanted to marry.  It would be something that I would hold near to my heart until "he" came along. 

With all that said, the story of Ruth and Boaz never ceases to amaze me. Tragedy....a mother losing her husband and two sons, but a daughter-in-law who gives up everything to move with her....which leads to her finding a remarkable man ( I love that 2:3 states "and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz")...and a place in the lineage of Christ. 

Boaz was just a good guy (which is why we would pray for our "Boaz").....When studying this book, several qualities jump out at me...

• He takes care of her every need (Head of the household quality) 2:8-9
• He noticed Ruth's heart, and not necessarily her outside beauty 2:11-12
• The Lord has the stronghold of his life (almost every conversation that we can see in His word revolves around the Lord)
• Very diligent in his decisions and always tries to do the right thing (not full of deceit)  (Chapter 4) 

If you are single and you haven't already compiled a list of characteristics you want your future spouse to possess, I suggest you do it!  Search the Word...find the biblical perspective of marriage, pray about it.  And when you are dating, examine them carefully.  If they do not have the qualities you desire, then move on. 

And if you are wondering....My "Boaz" did come along and I married him 9 years ago.  Did he possess qualities I wanted?  Yes, and so much more!  I am very grateful for him...he is a magnifient husband and father to our two little boys. 

**I want to say "Thank You" to my wonderful sister-in-law for helping me compile thoughts about this topic.  You have great things in store for you :).**

Life Lesson....The Art of Teaching

We were getting settled at a local restaurant and bowed down to pray before the meal.  I don't know how many times my 16 month old had observed this in his short life, but this was the night it clicked.  Out of the corner of my eye I noticed he humbly lowered his head, like he knew what we were doing.  The light switch clicked! For the last few weeks, wherever we pray, he does it too! 


That little act wouldn't have been made possible if we hadn't "taught" him to do that.  Webster defines the word teach as: 
(1) to cause to know something; to cause to know how; to accustom to some action or attitude; to cause to know the disagreeable consequences of some action;
(2) to guide the studies of;
(3) to impart the knowledge of;
(4) to instruct by precept, example, or experience; to make known and accepted
(5) to conduct instruction regularly in

I have a HUGE responsibility when raising my children.....a blessing, but something I do not need to take lightly.  At the point in both of my boys' lives right now, I am their only B-I-B-L-E.  They can't read it for themselves, so I have to really use a combination of definitions 4 and 5:  to instruct by precept, example, or experience REGULARLY (Deut. 4:9, Prov. 22:6).  It will be done by their eyes alone! Seeing me in my personal study, having conversations with them, praying with them.....Even when they are a little older and able to read, I will still be guiding (definition #2) until they fully develop a faith of their own and move out of the house (which will be here before I know it!). 


This HUGE responsibility does come with an example.  The GREATEST teacher walked this earth living a perfectly sinless life.  People flocked to see Jesus. And He taught them...I love how Mark 6 depicts people running there on foot to catch up with Him and because of his COMPASSION for them, HE taught them many things!  Maybe looking at the life of Jesus will help me while I impart the knowledge to my offspring....

And what I want accomplished??
3 John 4  "I have no greater joy to hear that my children walk in truth..."

Life lesson...faith of a mustard seed....

My 4 year old asks around 4 million questions in a day....anyone else's do that?  Thankful for his "critical" thinking skills (there goes the school teacher out in me), but sometimes I have to work on my patience with answering him.

While eating lunch this past week, question number 2,299,012 arose.  "Mommy, how big is God?"  Wow!  That is pretty deep.  I felt like this one needed some careful thinking before I answered it.  I am searching through my brain trying to remember any scripture about what God looks like (we are made in his image), what He may sound like (voice from burning bush).....and then, the buzzer for his wait time must have sounded off.

As sure as he could be and with those big bluish green eyes, he looked up and said, "Mommy, God is REALLY BIG."  He began singing:  My God is so BIG, so STRONG, and so MIGHTY, there's NOTHING my God cannot do!

He was perfectly content with the answer of REALLY BIG.  No fancy statistics to go with it.  I had no need of recalling everything I know to help him understand how big He is. 


My hope for myself:  I want more of the faith of my son displayed. (Mark 10:15; Luke 18:17)


A mustard seed is 1 mm to 2 mm....that is it (if you want to know...the wire to make paperclips is about 1 millimeter thick). Jesus told his disciples that if they had the faith of a MUSTARD seed, they could move a mountain (Matthew 17:20). What a great picture for us to cling to!

Fridays....

Teachers begin the countdown to Friday before students even reach the classroom on Monday morning...

So, since I am one of those, I think I will take that day to publish a blog!  A celebration of the end of a work week for me....  If there isn't one posted....well, CALL ME OUT!  I want the accountability.....


Hope you had an awesome day worshipping God!

Breaking the barrier of being desensitized......

I live in the heart of country music....

And it has always been a favorite genre of mine. Until recently, that was probably the "pick" of radio stations we would tune in on while in the car. My 4 year old has a memory that makes me envious...as we were driving down the road not even thinking about the music that was on, he begins to sing along. My mouth dropped....I realized how "conformed to the world" I had really become. Here, the boy I have been given the priviledge to raise, was singing lyrics that he shouldn't have...language, meanings of songs, using the Lord's name in vain....it was definitely an eye opening experience!!!

Today immorality is found everywhere: books we read, television, songs on the radio, movies...and many more follow! We have been desensitized to most of what is darkness in God's eyes. These are CHOICES though...you can choose what you listen to...you can choose what you want to read...you can choose what movies or television shows you want to watch. You should be filling your mind with heavenly things! It is time to WAKE-UP!

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Do you really think those things are pleasing to Him if your mind is filled with all of that junk?

Remember where your citizenship is...it isn't here on earth...it is in heaven. (Philippians 3:20). Live a life that is worthy of that in ALL areas of your life.

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16

You are salt...you are light...How do those CHOICES set you apart?

Oh be careful little eyes what you see.....Oh be careful little ears what you hear....Oh be careful little hands what you do....Oh be careful little feet where you go.  For the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little.......