HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Happy Mother's Day to all of my readers! I absolutely love being a mother and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!

I love this picture. Some of my favorite memories from my childhood is when we would have family devotions and prayers at night just before bedtime. I did not realize how hard it was for my Mom to try to keep this going until I had children of my own. I find myself so tired at night after such busy days, that it is so easy to say that we'll skip devotions, just for that night. I must confess that I have done this on more than one occasion. Well, I only have two children and my mom had six. I'm sure there were nights when we didn't have devotion time, but I don't remember it being very often.

Prayer and devotion time is important. This is the time when we can talk on a more personal basis with our children about God and His Word. We can help them to memorize scripture. When we teach them to pray for people, we are teaching them to think about others and not themselves. And what an awsome thing when they actually see prayers being answered! It will help to strengthen their faith.

We also don't need to just pray WITH our children, we need to constantly be praying FOR our children. Lift them up to the Lord. Sometimes things happen that we just don't understand or don't know how to handle. Give it to the Lord. Ask for His direction and leading.

Moms, we have such an awsome responsibility to teach our children and raise them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord!
Motherhood is such a high calling from God. It's an experience like no other.
Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Beth :-)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers and mothers-to-be! What a special and awesome calling we have been given!
Have a wonderful and blessed Sunday.
Beth :-)

A MOM'S JOB IS NOT INSIGNIFICANT!

"Moms, never think your job is of insignificance. You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, training them up in God’s fear, minding the house and making your household a church for God as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of Hosts.”

Charles Spurgeon

WE ARE FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE!

"For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mothers womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works;and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." Psalm 139:13-16               

Hallelujah! We are wonderful works of God! He knew us from the beginning. Life begins at conception. The Bible even tells us that!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

MOVING MOUNTAINS

Palm Sunday is quickly approaching. Soon, children will be making "palm leaves" in Sunday School and we will be talking about the "Triumphal Entry" of Jesus into Jerusalem and the events which led to His crucifixion and Resurrection.
The day after He came to Jerusalem, the gospel of Mark tells us that Jesus was hungry. He saw a fig tree and went to it, hoping to find fruit on it. The tree had nothing but leaves. Jesus was upset and the disciples heard Him say unto it, "No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever." Mark 11:14. The next morning, when they went by the tree, it was dead (Mark 11:20). Peter, remembering what Jesus had said the day before, remarked about this.
Jesus said, "Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mark 11:22-24.
Did you know that real mountains CAN actually move? Yes, they can. This is usually due to the movement of the plates in the earth below the mountains. Scientists have found that they can move from a few feet to a few miles. Amazing! These mountains will move at different rates of time, some quickly, some slowly.
Often, we have "mountains" in our lives. We pray, wanting God to answer our prayers immediately, removing these situations so that we can continue on. But God moves in His time, not ours. These "mountains" in our lives move somewhat like actual mountains, depending on how He answers and what He is trying to teach us at that time. We need to pray in faith and believe that God will move that mountain. All prayers are not answered in the same way or in the same time frame. Make sure that you are praying that HIS will be done, and not your own. We should always want to be in God's will for our lives, although it is often hard to do. We will not be happy if we are not, I can tell you from personal experience!
Do you have a "mountain" in your life? What is it? Financial? Your children? Your marriage? Whatever it is, keep bringing it to the throne of God! Do not doubt, but BELIEVE! Yes, it is often hard, so VERY hard,  to keep trusting when your world seems to be falling in around you, but you can do it. Have faith in God. He is there for you, to put His loving arms around you, to comfort you and to uphold you through your difficult times.
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

THE HEART OF HER HUSBAND DOTH SAFELY TRUST IN HER

 

"The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil." Proverbs 31:11

Does the heart of your husband safely trust in you? Our first response usually is, "Of course he can trust me! I would never cheat on him. When I took our marriage vows, I meant them for LIFE."
That's wonderful. I am glad to hear it! I always responded the same way whenever I read this verse. And, yes, that is one of the trusts. But when I really, really read this, I found that "trust" in this verse means SO much more!
Can your husband "safely trust" you financially? Are we a wise steward with our household finances, or do we go out and run up the credit card with purchases that we really can't afford, need or are able to pay off within a reasonable time limit? Is the checking account always low, not because of our income, but because of purchases that really can wait?
How about housework? Yikes! Yes, that is a sensitive spot with me as well. I realize that alot of wives, myself included, work outside of the home. When we come home at night, the last thing we want to do is clean our house! My husband helps out some with the housework, and I am trying to train our sons to help, too. I have found that if I set myself to a schedule, and tackle one room a night, it is not so terrible. Cleaning up as we go along helps tremendously. Wash the dishes (or assign one of the children to do this task) as the cooking is done. Keep a roll of paper towels handy in the bathroom, and wipe down the sink after teeth are brushed or hands are washed.
Another area of "trust" is training up our children. Moms, we are the ones who really have the greatest influence on our children. Let's face it, when one of our children falls down and gets hurt, who do they usually run to? Mom! Can our husbands trust that we won't put our children aside for our own selfish desires? Can our husbands trust in us to take care of and train up our children like the Bible calls us to do? This is a very big responsibility!
Can he "trust" in you emotionally, or does he never know which way you will react? We set the temperature of the home, ladies. Our moods effect our family.
Lastly, but most importantly, can our husbands "trust" us to let them be the head of the household, as we are told in the Ephesians 5:23?
The more I study Proverbs 31:11, the more I realize how much work I have to do in my own life. If you are struggling with any of the above "trusts", ask the Lord for help and guidance. Then, go talk to another Christian lady who can help you and pray with you.
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

COYOTES IN THE WOODS!

The other night, after our boys were asleep, my husband wanted to go outside and try out his "Predator Call" to see if there might be any coyotes in the woods that would answer.  For those who don't know, a Predator Call is an electronic device that has several different sounds imitating an injured animal as well as some actual "predator" sounds (a coyote howl, etc) to attract the animal. 
My husband set the device to a coyote howl. At first, the only answer we heard was a neighbor's dog some distance away. My husband tried again. We got an answer that time. Where? In the woods, RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET from our house! With that, I promptly turned around and said, "OK, I'm going back inside now!". I am NOT one to stay outside with a coyote that close!
Coyotes are actually on an "open season" hunting list all year long in our area as their population has become quite large and they pose a threat to smaller farm animals such as chickens. They are also interbreeding with the Red Wolf population that has been reintroduced here in our county.
I started thinking about this experience. I thought about how Christians often forget just how close Satan is lurking, just waiting for the right moment to attack. We often get a little "slack" and let our defences down. When we do, we are opening ourselves and our family up to an attack that we won't be prepared for. The Bible tells us, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" 1 Peter 5:8.
Be sober, be vigilant! Keep a watch out! You have children to protect. Keep those family devotions and prayer times going. Keep them in church. Constantly talk to them and teach them about the Lord. Be careful about and monitor what your family watches and listens to. How quickly Satan can come in to your home through television, video games or music.
"..as a roaring lion,.." Have you ever heard the roar of a lion? I have, when we have visited the zoo. This roar will literally vibrate and rumble right through your whole being! It is a frightful thing to hear! I can not imagine what it would be like to actually come across one in the wild!
The devil will roar. There will be circumstances in your life that will have you so frightened and shaking right to your inner core. Always remember that if you are a born-again Christian, you have One Who is mightier than Satan on your side! Satan wants you to believe that there is no hope, that you can not make it through. All you can hear is his loud roar. But you can! Romans 8:31 says, "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?". Romans 8:37-39 also tells us, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." That covers everything. The Lord will never leave you, nor forsake you! He is always there by your side.
There are some things to remember when you are going through these troubling times. First, don't stop praying and reading your Bible, even when you don't feel like it. The Lord encourages us through His Word. Second, don't stop going to church. You need the fellowship and prayers of your fellow brother and sisters in Christ. There is strength in numbers! Lastly, don't forget that these experiences usually draw us closer to Christ. You won't be able to see it now, but further on up the road, you will see where you have grown and learned to lean more on the Lord, and not on your "own understanding".
I pray for all of you, my dear readers! I pray that you will have the strength to go through that trial that you are experiencing. I pray that you will keep a constant vigil for your family! With the Lord's help and strength, you can!
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

GOODBYE, 2011, HELLO, 2012!

Ah, so we've come to the end of yet another year! What has your year been like? Did you accomplish anything that you set out to do? Did things happen to change you or your life's path? Can you look back and count all of the blessings that God has bestowed on you this past year?
My year was pretty eventful and full of changes. It started with my surgery in January-a hysterectomy for health reasons. The Lord brought me through wonderfully, although I still struggle now and then with the emotional sadness of the finality of such a surgery.
There have been struggles and trials through the church, but the Lord has seen us through, and I have grown spiritually because of these. I have learned to lean more on the Lord, and not my own understanding.
Hurrican Irene hit us in September with quite a punch. How blessed we were that God took care of us and kept us safe!
The original "First Lady" of our church, our previous pastor's wife, passed away this month. I know that she is now at peace and is in heaven.
When we look back at the past year, we can see how God has blessed us in so many ways. We see all that He has done for us.
 Now, look back again.What have you and I done for HIM? Did we do all that we could? Were we the best witnesses that we could be, telling others about Christ and His saving grace? How about that ministry in the church that you know He is calling you to do, but you keep putting it off with excuses (fingers pointing back at me, too!)? Hmmm.....
Just about everybody makes "New Year's Resolutions". I actually call them goals. This year, I want to definitely work on being more consistent with my personal and our family devotional times and witness more for the Lord. I also want to be more "natural" this year-I am going to try my hand at making my own soaps and lotions (in my "spare" time, ha!) and make more of our snacks that I put into the boys' lunch boxes and for our family snack times. The Lord has been dealing with me for sometime about starting a group for the young girls in our church. Even among the children of our church members, modesty, home skills, etc are quite lacking.
If we are serious, let's start praying that God will use us in a tremendous way to reach others for Him. Pray, then go ahead and get into that ministry that He has been calling you to do. Put some Bible tracts in your purse, and when you go out in public, leave one on the bathroom counter, or leave it on the table with your tip money. When you visit someone in the hospital, place one on the table in the waiting area. Plant that seed! Make this the most fruitful year that you have ever had for the Lord!
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

MAKING TRACKS

The weather Saturday was just SO beautiful that my family and I (our cats came along, too!) took a walk in the fields behind our house.
Nathan and Samuel love to look for animal tracks. The ground is still kind of soft, so the tracks show up pretty well. Among the tracks that we found were tractor tire tracks, deer tracks and, of course, people tracks (ours :-)!).
Some of the deer tracks were old, but my husband said that you could tell from the track how heavy the deer was, along with whether or not it was a buck or doe, as well as if it was running or walking. Boy! I learned alot that day. See pictures below:

BUCK TRACKS
MY HUSBAND SAYS THAT YOU CAN TELL THE BUCK WAS RUNNING BY THE WAY THE FRONT OF HIS HOOF IS SPREAD.

DOE TRACKS
MY HUSBAND SAID THAT THIS DEER WAS JUST WALKING.

PEOPLE TRACKS

TRACTOR TIRE TRACKS

CAT TRACKS
OUR LITTLE "TAG-ALONGS"

When we got back to the house, I started thinking about my life's path and what kind of "tracks" I was leaving behind me.

I have a poem on my refrigerator that reads, "The future lies before you like a field of driven snow; Be careful how you tread it for every track will show." Author unknown.

You know, everything we do, every decision we make, how we talk to and treat people (our families included), all leave "tracks" both in our lives and the people around us.

Our children are like sponges. Whether we are aware of it or not, they watch us VERY closely. Sometimes too closely. Often times, I will see an attitude or action in my child that I know they have seen in me. It's often hard and most humbling to see yourself reflecting back in your child, especially when it's a not-so-pretty attitude.

We as Christians have to be so very careful how we walk down this path of life. We should be a light, a beacon, shining out and showing people the way to Christ, starting with our own families.

Saturday's walk opened my eyes to a few life lessons. I am so very human. I need to rely on the Lord an awful lot. But, you know what? He is there for us. Keep praying, stay in your Bible, attend church REGULARLY.  We will fall, that's the truth. But He is there to catch us and put us to right again.

What kind of tracks are you leaving?

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Beth :-)

A MONTH OF THANKS-DAY 23

"Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name." 2 Samuel 22:50

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I am so thankful today that my son, Samuel, joined me for my morning devotions. He has always been an early riser, but I usually have already had my devotional time with the Lord by the time he gets up (I try to get up atleast an hour before the rest of my house does).

Well, this morning, I told him that I hadn't read my Bible or had my special time with the Lord yet. He was excited to join me in my devotional time. We each took our Bibles, climbed up on my bed (my husband had already left to go deer hunting), pulled the quilt up and read. I read three verses and he read three verses. At six years old? Why, yes! As soon as each of my sons started to learn how to read, I would give them verses to read out of the Bible at our Family Devotion Time. It is VERY slow going at first, I must admit, and takes alot of patience. But they do eventually start doing better and better.

After reading, we prayed. Then Samuel jumped up and said, "Mommy! We have to sing some Bible songs!" So I said OK. He ran into his room and grabbed his little song book. We sang about five songs.

 Let me tell you, nothing, absolutely NOTHING, could have made my morning any better! What a joy and awsome privilege to share Jesus with my children!

Have you shared Jesus with your children today?

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Beth :-)



A MONTH OF THANKS-DAY 14

"Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." Psalm 50:14-15

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I am thankful for a wonderful, Christian mother-in-love. She took me in with arms wide open and accepted me into the family with love.

You know, before my husband and I were married, I heard all sorts of "mother-in-law horror stories".

 My husband and I lived in two different states before we got married-I lived in New Jersey, and he lived in North Carolina. We decided that, when we got married, we would live in North Carolina (much to my Mom's dismay! But that worked out, and that is another story of God's grace to tell!). This meant that I would be moving ten hours away from everything I had ever known, to where I knew absolutely NO ONE except my husband and my uncle, who had introduced us. Alot of my friends and co-workers tried to talk me out of it. They said that was too far away to go where I didn't know anyone. They especially emphasized the "mother-in-law" factor, for , you see, she lived next door.

Well, let me tell you. All those stories were FAR from the truth about my husband's mother. She is a sweet, loving and kind woman. She never intrudes in our marriage, and will not take sides when we have disagreements, unless absolutely necessary, which does not happen very often.

I could not have asked for anyone better for my mother-in-love!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Beth :-)



A MONTH OF THANKS-DAY 13

"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving." Colossians 2:6-7

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Day 13! Wow. The month is really flying by. Next week is Thanksgiving! Well, today, I am thankful for my children's hugs and love.

You know, some days I feel like such an imperfect mom. I make SO many mistakes. Sometimes I fuss and am grumpy when I should have just stepped back, looked the situation over, then reacted. The list goes on and on. I start thinking about it, and I get somewhat discouraged. I love my children SO much, and yet I am always messing up, or atleast that's the way it seems to me.

Then, out of nowhere, I get an impromptu hug from one or both of my boys. How wonderful that makes me feel. But I also think about how undeserving I am for such love! They seem to love me no matter what.

You know, that's the way it is with the love of Jesus. We don't deserve it, but He loved us so much that He came to earth, lived, died and rose again, for you and me-imperfect, undeserving you and me.  

Do you know Jesus as your saviour? If not, why not today? He knows your heart, your imperfections. But He LOVES you. He is knocking at your heart's door. All you have to do is let Him in. Ask Him in today!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Beth :-)





A MONTH OF THANKS-DAY 12

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name." Psalm 100:4

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Today, I am so very thankful for my home. Last month marked our eighth year here in this house, the house that God provided for us.

How so? Well, let me tell you our story.

When my husband and I were first married, we lived in his grandmother's old house (she had passed away several years before) which we were renting from his uncle. My mother-in-law lived next door, which worked out perfectly when our first son was born. She watched him while I worked.

One day, we decided that it was time to look for a house of our own. We started praying and looking and PRAYING! Like everyone else, we were on a budget, had a certain price range we could afford, and we really needed a house in the area that we were living in. My prayer was for a house close to my mother-in-law so that I didn't have to do any extra travelling during the work week.

Every house that we looked at was either way out of budget or just too far. What were we going to do? Time was getting short. We really had to move out of the house that we were in. It was getting pretty discouraging. But, we held on to the promise that Jesus gives us in the Bible that says, "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall as, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 18:19. John also tells us, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:" 1 John 5:14.

The key words in 1 John 5:14 to me is "according to his will". We knew what WE desired in a house, but we also wanted to be in the will of God, and go where He wanted us to go. Well, only two months after we started looking, guess what? A house opened up that wasn't on the market, but was being sold privately. How far do you think it was from my mother-in-law's? About two miles right up the street! Plus, it was definitely in our price range. Glory to God! 

What are you praying for today? If you are a born again Christian, are you praying YOUR will or GOD's will? We need to pray for God's will. Make Him first in your life and decisions, and it will all fall into place. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Lean on God, He knows what is best for you.

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Beth :-)



A MONTH OF THANKS-DAY 10

"O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms." Psalms 95:1-2

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Day 10! Today I am thankful for my mom, who taught me about Jesus from the time I was born. I love you, Mom! You are the best!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)



FACEBOOK OR GOD'S BOOK-WHICH COMES FIRST AT THE START OF YOUR DAY?

Ok, as I have said before here on my blog, my thoughts are quite random. I usually blog about what I am thinking about at the moment. Actually, talking to me in person is kind of the same experience. I often drive my husband crazy when we are talking because I will "jump tracks" several times as thoughts run through my head (maybe it's a woman thing?).
Just a quick question for today-which did you read first: Facebook or God's Book?
I'm asking because, not too long ago, my morning routine had become something like this:
1.) Get up (we all have to do that, yes?)
2.) Turn the coffee pot on.
3.) Throw in a load of laundry.
4.) Pick up my phone, turn it on, start checking Facebook and my emails (just a quick look, I tell myself).
5.) Hopefully get back to my room to read my Bible and spend time with the Lord.
Hmmm....what's wrong with the order? For me, it was picking up my phone and turning it on before I even spent ANY time with the Lord. As I am checking my messages, commenting, answering, etc,  the next thing I know, time has slipped away from me. I then quickly try read a few moments in my Bible and say a quick prayer, because now it's time to get everyone up and running. Whoa! Back up!
The first and foremost thing should be spending time with the Lord-studying His Word and praying. How can we put on the FULL armour of God if we only spend a few minutes (if any) with Him? How can we FULLY serve Him, when our cup is half empty? We need to spend time in His word. There is a saying that goes, "Reading the Bible without meditating on it is like trying to eat without swallowing." Allow yourself time for the Lord to speak to you.
So, when you get up tomorrow morning, open God's Book, the Bible, first. Then read your messages. Perhaps the Lord will give you something to post that will uplift your friends or help someone who is struggling or in need.
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

FIERY SERPENTS IN YOUR CAMP

If there's one thing I don't like, it's a snake. They fascinate yet scare me, even the non-poisonous ones. Since there are irrigation ditches around our house (we are surrounded by farm fields) and woods, it is not uncommon to have an uwelcome visit from a rattlesnake or water moccasin on occasion. We always give our boys strict instructions that if they see one, they ARE NOT to even go near it, but to come and tell us immediately.
Well, not too long ago, I had allowed "fiery serpents" in my house. What? Yes, that's right. Please allow me to explain.
A couple of months ago, I just went on a complaining, mumbling and grumbling spree. I was looking at all of the stay-at-home moms, wondering why the Lord hadn't answered my prayers. I wondered when He was going to move and allow me to be one? I was tired of praying and waiting. I also had some set backs in setting up my small business. Time definitely was not on my side. As I allowed myself to wallow in my self-pity and unhappiness, I became a little bit grumpy with my husband and children. I was finding little ways to bicker with my husband. I just wasn't happy with how my life was turning out because it wasn't the way I wanted it to be. I was, yes, a little angry with God. Hmmm....
The Lord started to deal with me, and let me tell you, when He starts dealing with you, you know it! One scripture reference that kept coming to my mind was Numbers 21:1-9, where the Israelites were whining, complaining, and being VERY unthankful for what the Lord had done and was doing for them. The Lord had just given them a wonderful victory over the Canaanites and they were on their way to "compass the land of Edom". But the verse goes on to say that, "and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way." vs 4. Maybe the way was rough and hard to travel on, I don't know. But the people got discouraged, so they start to murmur and complain against God and Moses. They even started to complain about the bread (manna) that God miraculously provided each day for them. They said that, "there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread," vs 5. How spoiled does that sound?
Well, God had heard enough, so He sent fiery serpents among the people. They bit the people, and many died. You know, when we get a bitter and complaining spirit, we are not the only ones affected. It affects our families and those we come in contact with. It causes strife in our homes. Nothing pleases us.
 James 3:14-17 says, "But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."
Envying and strife are not of the Lord, they are of the devil! The devil absolutely LOVES to attack a Christian home. The Bible says that he, "as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." He wants to devour and destroy your home and family. And, ladies, who better to start with than mom? Who sets the mood in the house, really? Mom does. If we are bitter and moody, our house is unhappy. This shouldn't be, and this is what the Lord was bringing to my attention. I really believe that He kept bringing those scriptures to my mind because He was giving me a warning. He would have to deal with my attitude!
It was hard, but I humbled myself and brought everything to the Lord. I asked His forgiveness. We are told "in everything give thanks". We need to thank God because He sees the end that we don't. If we are letting Him guide us, then we are on the right path. This has taught me to be thankful for my circumstances. There is a reason that I am still working. I can't see it, but He does. There is a reason that I had to slow my business plans down. This I now see, because it really was becoming like a second full-time job, and was robbing me of my time with my family. God is so good to us! And I am exceptionally thankful that He gave me a warning!
How short I fall many times. Lord, please forgive me! Help me to be the wife, mother and woman You want me to be. 
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

PROVERBS 27:2-OUR "I" PROBLEM

"Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips." Proverbs 27:2.
My children and I are getting ready for our annual eye exams this week. All year long, of course, I watch my two boys for any vision changes or eye problems. But when it comes time for the exams, I take an extra hard look and write down any questions or concerns about their eyes, so that I can ask their eye doctor.
As I was doing this, my mind wandered off to people in general; not to "eye" problems, but to "I" problems.
Today's society says that "I" am most important. It's all about me. What a selfish society we live in!
Have you ever been around someone whose conversations mostly consist of what THEY are doing, what THEY have accomplished? The word "I" comes up in every, or every other sentence?
My friends, if you are a true, born-again Christian, then we are called to be a humble people. 1 Peter 5:6 says, ""Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time." Verse 4 just before this stated that, "for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."
We all need to take an "I" exam, not annually, but every day. Look at your life and conversation. Are they centered around yourself, or Jesus Christ and others?
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

AN ORGANIZED MOM (OR A REASONABLE FACSIMILE!) :-)

I was walking in Big Lots yesterday on my lunch hour, just kind of browsing, when I saw this 17-month Planner laying on the shelf in the school supply section. It was not just any old Planner, it was a "busy Mom's" Planner. Yes! Just what I needed. It was the only the only one of it's kind there. It was meant just for ME! Well, atleast, that's the way it seemed! :-)
So I bought this wonderful Planner. Now I am bound and determined to be THE organized mom this year. It starts in the month of August, 2011 (how convenient!). It is broken down by weeks, with spaces for notes, events, and, yes, even a grocery list. Now I can jot down during the week everything that I will need when I go grocery shopping at the end of the week. No more guessing, because I have a LIST.
No more missed homework assignments, appointments or school projects and reports! Everything in one convenient place.
Now, if only I can find where I put that Planner.....Just kidding!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2011-TREASURE QUEST

Wow! What a very busy couple of weeks we have had at the church! And it's not stopping any time soon.
Let's see...between weddings, wedding showers, baby showers, getting ready for VBS, regular church activities, etc, the time has flown by quickly.
Everyone is excited as we gear up for our VBS on Saturday, July 16th. I chose to go with Treasure Quest-Pursuing the Riches of Christ by Bogard Press this year. I have enclosed their link bogardpress.org/vbs2011/ . We always like Bogard Press as they use only the KJV scripture in all of their material.
Everyone always tells me that they wouldn't like to be the director. But, I'll tell you something. Yes, being the director is VERY stressful at times because you have to organize and get everything together and in order. But, when the day of VBS comes, even though I still am going back and forth making sure everything is running smoothly, I get to go to each area and watch the program unfold. I get to watch the teachers and children as they go through their day. I can mingle with all of the classes and talk to everyone.
For the past couple of years, we have done our VBS as a one-day program on a Saturday. Although it was hard at first figuring up a one-day schedule, it is finally at a point where all I have to do is just change the information from year to year. Finally, this year, Bogard Press even had a sample one-day schedule in their material. I believe alot of other churches are finally trying that route.
A one day VBS works out so much better for everyone involved. In today's society (unfortunately!), just about everyone in the church is employed outside the home. It is extremely hard to find volunteers for a whole week. Also, if one would admit it, the children are SO exhausted when it comes to the end of the week. Attendance is usually down by that time.
With our one day VBS, everyone is there for the whole program. The children get to hear all of the lessons. Do they actually learn their lessons? Well, let me tell you. When we do our closing program the Sunday night after, I usually have my teachers do a quick "question and answer" session with the children. You know what? These children can answer all of the questions! And, I might add, with great enthusiasm!
Well, I've got to go for now and start my day. I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed day. Please remember our VBS in your prayers. Please pray for salvation and life changing decisions!
Beth :-)

LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE WILDFLOWERS-LESSON #3 "SEEDS"

You know, the time comes when all cut flowers finally reach the point when they are droopy, drying up and dying. Then we must throw them out. When mine reached that point, I picked up the vase that they were in, and what a mess I found on my windowsill and around my sink! Petals all over the place! As I was wiping them up, I noticed that the flowers had also dropped seeds everywhere.
This taught me my third and final lesson. I thought about my Christian testimony. I thought about the kinds of "spritual seeds" that I am planting each day, not just in my children, but also in my friends, co-workers, other family members, the stranger that I meet. Am I doing my best to win others to Christ? Do I tell as many people as I can about my Lord and Saviour? Does my life reflect the Holy Spirit? When I am gone, will others see the "seeds" that I had planted for Him?
What kind of seeds are you planting? Are they seeds of bitterness, anger, hate? Or are they seeds of love, joy, kindness, hope?
We all need to take inventory of our lives. Talk to your Saviour. Ask Him what He wants to do with your life. If you don't know Him as your personal Saviour, why are you putting it off? Come to Him today!
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Beth :-)