A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

I have been listening to a series by Nancy Leigh DeMoss entitled, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, based on Psalm 46.  The following link is one of the messages taken from that series. 

http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/revive-our-hearts/when-you-are-battered-fear/

It has been such a blessing to me and I know that it will be to you as well. 

 

Update Part 1

I don't even know where to begin with this update!  We have been on a wild ride of life for the past 8 months or so.  I don't recall signing up or purchasing a ticket for this roller coaster life event, but nevertheless we found ourselves climbing slowly up the rails and hanging on by a thread suspended in mid air! 

God has a way of getting our attention...and He got my attention, quickly.  Did I tell you that I have never...no never, liked roller coaster rides, not even as a fearless teen!  And this ride that I now found myself strapped in came complete with all those infamous sensations...increased heart rate, rising blood pressure, shakiness, disorientation, weak kness, blurred vision, and an inability to stand on my own. 

What on earth is the Lord doing?  What is He trying to teach me?  Why is this happening?  At this very point,  the tempter began whispering in my ear, filling my heart and mind with lies and distortions until I found myself in a pit.  I don't like pits...they're nasty, dark, cold, ugly places...but I was forced to face myself in that pit...and I didn't much like what I saw.

This wild ride...where everything in life seemed to be turned upside down and inside out was by the Lord's design.  I needed to be reminded that He is my Rock and my Salvation, Alone.  My security and joy does not depend upon my circumstances, finances, situation, relationships, convictions, ability, or feelings.   My security and joy can only be found and kept in Him Alone. 

More updates to follow...  

I came across this book during my roller coaster ride...I highly recommend it!

{Week 9} Ministry of Motherhood Chapters 13 & 14 Commentary

I love the Good Morning Girls Blog and I really love Sally Clarkson's Ministry of Motherhood book!  I encourage moms of all ages to visit this blog and participate in the study of this wonderful book!

{Week 9} Ministry of Motherhood Chapters 13 & 14 Commentary

The Body and the Blood

 I read Beth Moore's blog this morning and thought that I would share the link.  May we never forget the sacrifice that our Savior made on that day! 


 The Body and the Blood

Waiting on My Turn

Sharing...one of the most resisted of the childhood lessons.  Over the last few months I have had much experience in the art of sharing...after my computer crashed!  I have spent the last few months waiting on "my turn"!!  Bring back memories??  So I had to learn to prioritize "my turn" usage...business, school, and then personal time.  I will share (no pun intended) with you that although I have missed the wonderful world of blogging, it has been a time of refreshing.  

Refreshing...

Quiet Time with my Savior
Prayer with my husband
Corporate Worship
Read-A-Louds with my boys
Sweet conversations with my girls
Hearing the voice and seeing the face of a dear friend
A good book and a good cup of coffee
Ladies Bible Study

Thank you Lord, it's just what I needed!

                      

Multitude Monday

 151.  For my crazy life...my computer died, the dryer is making very loud strange sounds, but we are all healthy!  (I have no pictures at the time because I am using a borrowed computer)

152.  A weekend with my girls...book shopping, dinner, and lots of laughing!

153.  Being a mother to boys...it sure has helped me be a stronger woman! :)

154.  A good conversation with my older son...his smile still gets to my heart!

155.  Read alouds with my boys.
 

156.  Dinner and a show with Paul...it's so good to still date!

157.  A weekend of history with the gang!

158.  An afternoon with a dear friend!

159.  My second son now has a driver's license....not sure about this one!!

160.  My sister...wish she lived closer!

Multitude Monday

141.  Andrew's quick recovery after a severe allergic reaction.

142.  The quick response of the medical team.

143.  The prayers of friends and family.

144.  Prayer with my husband, Paul.

145.  Getting back to a schedule...however crazy it may be!!

146.  Bible Study...this is a wonderful book!

 
147.  Catching up with a dear friend over supper.

148.   Chatting with Megan on the phone.

149.  A day out with Lauren.

150.  Cooler weather....so ready for it!

SWEET SUMMER TIME

Our summer has been a busy one!!  I had so many grand plans of all that I would accomplish during this first long break in several years!!  I must admit that my to do list hasn't got many checks on it!  We are all ready to get back to a more normal school schedule...so maybe that is worth a few missing checks on my list! 

The great thing about summer activities is that often the activity may provide one or more of the following: art, nature, science, history, worldview, and physical activity!  And that is music to the home school mom's ear! 

  

We have sipped more than a few glasses of sweet tea over good conversation with friends and family...what could be better than that?   How's your summer been?

Louie Giglio - Laminin

A wonderful, encouraging message!! 

Happy Birthday Caleb!

Happy Birthday Caleb!

We celebrated Caleb's birthday this month...I can't believe that our baby is 7 years old!!  Of course he thinks he is just as big as the other boys!  We enjoyed a day full of celebration...beginning with chocolate chip pancakes with a whip cream smiley face!  Caleb was so excited that Megan was home for his birthday...so we were all together!

We enjoyed supper out at a local restaurant and returned home to a chocolate chess board cake (yummy) and various flavors of ice cream as well.  He had a blast opening the cards and gifts he received.  We gave him a darda power loop pyramid...so all the boys joined in to help put that together...and then the race was on for the next hour or so!

C  cutie, cuddly, character

A  acrobat, active, angel :)

L   loveable, lively, loyal

E   energetic, enjoyable, enthusiastic

B   boy, brother, brave, bold

We are so thankful for the gift of our Caleb...you are such a blessing!

Multitiude Monday

131.  Quiet Time with the Lord...a great start to a new day!

132.  Hugs and kisses at bedtime...a wonderful end to my day!

133.  Working together to accomplish the task(s) at hand....and there always seems to be lots of tasks!

134.  Good Movies...


135.  An afternoon with a dear friend!

136.  Visiting with a second cousin...who happens to be a kindred spirit!

137.  A wonderful day to run out a little energy...so thankful for the breeze!

138.  All of us together!

139.  Ma & Pa (my grandparents in heaven) Mama & Daddy (in heaven) Brothers, Sisters,  Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and everyone that married into our big family!

140. Family...the house that built me...my great grandparents house. It began as a log cabin just after the civil war.  My grandpa was one of 16 children and he and my grandma had 16 children.  I am so blessed!

Wordless Wednesday

Multitude Monday

121.  My daddy...so thankful that he came to know the Lord in the last years of his life...I miss you, Daddy.

122.  Paul, a loving husband and father!

123.  The little boys picked flowers for me!

124.  Safe travel for Lauren, Paul, and the older boys this weekend!

125.  So thankful that the van's air is working once again!

126.  My younger boys surprised me by making my bed...sooooo sweet!

127.  An afternoon at the theater....cute movie!

 128.  A visit via phone with my niece and Megan during the week...nice to catch up!

129.   A weekend with the little guys...they waited patiently while I was getting my hair done and then on to shopping!  We enjoyed game time when we finally got back home!

130.  Lightning bugs...they bring back wonderful memories!

Happy Father's Day!

 When I think of my daddy, the word strength comes to my mind.  It was not by means of stature that provided this strength; for he would not be considered a big man.  But he was a strong man, a protector, provider, and defender.  He did not have to express in words...it was by his actions that proved it true.  I am thankful for all that he did for me and I honor his memory today...how I wish I could say these words to him.  I love you Daddy!

My husband also brings the word strength to my mind...and his stature brings it to those around him as well.  But it's not because of his height or size that I think of strength...it is Christ within him.  He exhibits the love of Christ in our home and there is nothing on earth stronger than that!  I am so thankful for you, Paul!  Happy Father's Day!  

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.      Ephesians 6:4

Oh God, who art our Father, take my human fatherhood and bless it with thy Spirit.  Le me not fail this little son of mine.  Help me to know what thou wouldst make of him, and use me to help and bless him.  Make me loving and understanding, cheerful and patient and sensitive to all his needs, so that he may trust me enough to come close to me and let me come very close to him.  Make me ashamed to demand of him what I do not demand of myself; but help me more and more to try to be the kind of man that he might pattern after.  And this I ask in the name and by the grace of Christ.

 Walter Russell Bowie

What gift has Providence bestowed on man that is so dear to him as his children?

  Cicero

Douglas Macarthur: By profession I am a soldier and take pride in that fact. But I am prouder – infinitely prouder – to be a father. A soldier destroys in order to build; the father only builds, never destroys. The one has the potentiality of death; the other embodies creation and life. And while the hordes of death are mighty, the battalions of life are mightier still. It is my hope that my son, when I am gone, will remember me not from the battle field but in the home repeating with him our simple daily prayer, 'Our Father who art in Heaven.' 

Anonymous: Small boys become big men through the influence of big men who care about small boys. 

For unflagging interest and enjoyment, a household of children, if things go reasonably well, certainly all other forms of success and achievement lose their importance by comparison.
Theodore Roosevelt

May God bless all the Fathers today! 

Multitude Monday

111.  Being welcomed back home by many smiling faces and hearing about their adventures!

112.  Lauren and the boys for taking good care of the younger ones while we were away!

113.  Andrew who took his two little brothers on a few errands...how they love going with him!

114.  My hydrangeas are blooming...I started with a cutting from mama's bush so every time I look out my back window, I think of her!

115.  Cowboy boots...and the little boy that loves to wear them!

116.  Living in the south...AIR CONDITIONING!!!

117.  Answered prayers for a friend...so wonderful to see what God is doing!

118.  Movie night...we love Roy Rogers!

119.  Iced Tea with lemon....mmmmm!

120.  Plenty of help with my Sams run on Friday!

Wordless Wednesday