I awoke Friday morning to the voice of my husband declaring, "We are going out on a date tomorrow night." I was surprised at this and commented, "Really?"
He replied, "Yes, it's been a long time since we've had a date night."
This was very true. We have three kids which are homeschooled, they have activities, we lead our Junior High at our church and plus we help take care of my very elderly grandmother. So you can read just from this list that we have not made a "date night" a priority.
We had been talking about our date night during the day on Friday and both agreed how much we were looking forward to it. Then his phone notifies him of a text message.
A friend had an extra ticket for the U of M game for that Saturday as was inviting Tom. Wow! A free ticket to a game at the Big House! What a dilemma for a guy to be in! My husband amazed me as he tossed the idea around and my two sons were witnessing this whole ordeal. My husband texted his buddy back thanking him for the offer; however, he had made plans with his wife. Now for all the women reading this don't go question your husband or go ahead, just don't get mad at his answer.
I felt cherished! He had given up a great deal just for me. I am very thankful for the decision he made, but even more thankful that my two boys could see this. My husband lived out the scripture found in Ephesians 5:28 "In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself."
My husband his love towards me by passing up U of M football tickets.
I would love to tell you that we had a great date night Saturday night; unfortunately that was not the case. I ended up with a migraine that ended my evening in the quiet sanctuary of my bedroom. However, my husband did not hold a grudge. He poured out more love for me by assisting my needs for pain medication and my pick for dinner. I am so thankful for the man I married and his Godly characteristics he has inherited from our Heavenly Father.
I am truly cherished!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Time to Share
Part of our homeschool day involves us reading out of the Bible. Lately, I have been letting my boys pick what scripture they would like to hear from. This has been great because it has given them some freedom in deciding what area they would like to learn and they are more eager to listen since they chose. It has also led to great discussion and this morning was a very good discussion.
My oldest son seems to enjoy the book of Revelation so he chose for us to read Chapters 20 and 21. We had stopped periodically to discuss the chapter and once we had finished Chapter 20 they both had huge eyes and I could tell they wanted to share their thoughts with me.
My middle child, second son, has been attempting to witness to a neighbor teen. He has given him the basics of salvation, but this teen is stubborn. After reading this chapter both of my sons recommend that this neighbor teen read this part of Revelation.
The boys pointed out that God is very clear on salvation and if one does not believe in Jesus Christ and their name is not in the Book of Life then they will be cast into the Lake of Fire.
My sons said, "This would be good to share for those who don't believe."
I couldn't agree more with them. I then realized that I should be wanting to share like my boys and witnessing to those who are unsaved. I would not wish to see my friends, family, co-workers, ect. cast into the Lake of Fire when I could have done something about it.
Let us have that desire to share like my middle child! I admire him for that! He is a good testimony to us all!
My oldest son seems to enjoy the book of Revelation so he chose for us to read Chapters 20 and 21. We had stopped periodically to discuss the chapter and once we had finished Chapter 20 they both had huge eyes and I could tell they wanted to share their thoughts with me.
My middle child, second son, has been attempting to witness to a neighbor teen. He has given him the basics of salvation, but this teen is stubborn. After reading this chapter both of my sons recommend that this neighbor teen read this part of Revelation.
The boys pointed out that God is very clear on salvation and if one does not believe in Jesus Christ and their name is not in the Book of Life then they will be cast into the Lake of Fire.
My sons said, "This would be good to share for those who don't believe."
I couldn't agree more with them. I then realized that I should be wanting to share like my boys and witnessing to those who are unsaved. I would not wish to see my friends, family, co-workers, ect. cast into the Lake of Fire when I could have done something about it.
Let us have that desire to share like my middle child! I admire him for that! He is a good testimony to us all!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Book Review of The Bait of Satan
Recently, the ladies book club I meet with decided to read The Bait of Satan by John Bevere. I have had this book for many years and often refer to it during struggles. I highly recommend this book for all believers!
The Bait of Satan is a well written book that can be of assistance to fellow believers. The book helps believers deal with being offended. Let's face the facts; we all will be offended some time in our life! It is how we deal with the offense that matters most. Do we let the offense simmer into bitterness? Or do we challenge ourselves to grow and not let the offense take hold? Obviously as believers we know what God would desire of us.
I have been offended by others and I admit it is not easy to just let go! Some of the offenses have taken time for me to work through and forgive those who have offended. Both my husband and I have found this book to be very helpful during such times.
John Bevere refers to many scriptural passages to back up his crucial points. He gives great life examples and many are about himself. This is very refreshing to read and encouraging to know that no one is exempt from being offended.
Every and I do mean EVERY believer should read this book at least once. I strongly urge fellow believers to buy a copy, because we all know that there will be a time when we are offended.
The Bait of Satan is a well written book that can be of assistance to fellow believers. The book helps believers deal with being offended. Let's face the facts; we all will be offended some time in our life! It is how we deal with the offense that matters most. Do we let the offense simmer into bitterness? Or do we challenge ourselves to grow and not let the offense take hold? Obviously as believers we know what God would desire of us.
I have been offended by others and I admit it is not easy to just let go! Some of the offenses have taken time for me to work through and forgive those who have offended. Both my husband and I have found this book to be very helpful during such times.
John Bevere refers to many scriptural passages to back up his crucial points. He gives great life examples and many are about himself. This is very refreshing to read and encouraging to know that no one is exempt from being offended.
Every and I do mean EVERY believer should read this book at least once. I strongly urge fellow believers to buy a copy, because we all know that there will be a time when we are offended.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Caregiving moments
I have had the added responsibility of being a caregiver the past five years. My grandmother who will be turning 91 in a week and also my great aunt who has gone home to be with the Lord now. These two sweet (not always) ladies have given me frustrations and blessings. My great aunt was diagnosed with dementia and if you have never dealth with dementia then you have no idea what we went through. I can recall her calling my mom one time and telling her that she had kangaroos in her backyard. We all live in Michigan, so no kangaroos. Dementia is a sad disease, it is hard to watch a loved one lose their mind and faculties. I highly recommend that you need to keep your sense of humor. That worked for all of us as we took care of my great aunt. Our greatest blessing in disguise is that she suffered a horrible stroke and that took her instead of watching her slowly die from the results of dementia. God is good all the time!
My grandmother is my other major concern now. She is a stubborn (wonder where I get it from?) woman. She calls is "determined". She had a fall back in December which left her with a permanently broken shoulder. She refuses to move out of her home and insists that she can take care of herself. She does not see how much we do for her to keep her in her own home.
This has become very overwhelming for me as I am homeschooling my three kids and one of them will now be a freshman in highschool. My plate has become full and I have grown weary from the burden of caregiving. I love my grandmother and want her wishes followed, but I just feel overburdened. I feel like it's only up to me.
This is when God shows me verses and brings me out of my pity parties and lets me know I am not alone and the promises He has given us. I really enjoy the book of Hebrews! I have found many verses to be applicable to my life right now. Hebrews 6:10 says, "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." The following verses after this tell of our inheritance that has been promised.
What a great God we serve! He will give us an inheritance, He is not unjust. He knows what I am going through! He knows my burden and He promises that if I keep up my work I will be rewarded! That definetly snaps me out of my self pity party and puts the focus back on God where it should be in the first place. I encourage you to read through Hebrews as well. Especially if you are in a caregiver moment.
My grandmother is my other major concern now. She is a stubborn (wonder where I get it from?) woman. She calls is "determined". She had a fall back in December which left her with a permanently broken shoulder. She refuses to move out of her home and insists that she can take care of herself. She does not see how much we do for her to keep her in her own home.
This has become very overwhelming for me as I am homeschooling my three kids and one of them will now be a freshman in highschool. My plate has become full and I have grown weary from the burden of caregiving. I love my grandmother and want her wishes followed, but I just feel overburdened. I feel like it's only up to me.
This is when God shows me verses and brings me out of my pity parties and lets me know I am not alone and the promises He has given us. I really enjoy the book of Hebrews! I have found many verses to be applicable to my life right now. Hebrews 6:10 says, "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." The following verses after this tell of our inheritance that has been promised.
What a great God we serve! He will give us an inheritance, He is not unjust. He knows what I am going through! He knows my burden and He promises that if I keep up my work I will be rewarded! That definetly snaps me out of my self pity party and puts the focus back on God where it should be in the first place. I encourage you to read through Hebrews as well. Especially if you are in a caregiver moment.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Cheerleaders
Cheerleaders? You mean those cute perky girls who jump all around and do backflips, splits and all sorts of crazy chants? NO, I just had to use this as a title because it sounds good. The more appropriate word is Encourager.
I ran my 5K Saturday and I hit my goal of making the 3.1 miles in under 40 minutes! I was very happy with myself. But even better was having my "cheerleaders" there watching me and yelling for me to finish my race. One of my sons even ran some of the tail end of the race with me and was coaching me "Come on Mom, you got this!" My family gave me wonderful support and encouragement Saturday morning. I was so nervous; my mouth was dry, my hands were shaking, I was confused on where to go and getting my registration packet. But my calm husband just gently lead me to the right place and helped me with my timing device. He was being a very understanding cheerleader!
I was thinking back of the race and of all the preparation for this 5K and how my friends and family have been my cheerleaders and it reminded me of Ecclesiastes 4:9 - 12, "Two are better than one, because they get a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three starnds is not quickly broken."
Many times during my training runs my children would ride their bikes along beside me and encourage me to keep going. Sometimes they would be out playing in the yard and when I passed by I would get my cheerleaders spurring me on to the next loop. Or having a friend running right along side me; training for the same big event. What a great feeling! To know that I have cheerleaders out there who love me and wish for me to do well in my endeavors! And just think I have an even bigger cheerleader who will never leave me and is always rooting for me! I am truly blessed!
I ran my 5K Saturday and I hit my goal of making the 3.1 miles in under 40 minutes! I was very happy with myself. But even better was having my "cheerleaders" there watching me and yelling for me to finish my race. One of my sons even ran some of the tail end of the race with me and was coaching me "Come on Mom, you got this!" My family gave me wonderful support and encouragement Saturday morning. I was so nervous; my mouth was dry, my hands were shaking, I was confused on where to go and getting my registration packet. But my calm husband just gently lead me to the right place and helped me with my timing device. He was being a very understanding cheerleader!
I was thinking back of the race and of all the preparation for this 5K and how my friends and family have been my cheerleaders and it reminded me of Ecclesiastes 4:9 - 12, "Two are better than one, because they get a good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three starnds is not quickly broken."
Many times during my training runs my children would ride their bikes along beside me and encourage me to keep going. Sometimes they would be out playing in the yard and when I passed by I would get my cheerleaders spurring me on to the next loop. Or having a friend running right along side me; training for the same big event. What a great feeling! To know that I have cheerleaders out there who love me and wish for me to do well in my endeavors! And just think I have an even bigger cheerleader who will never leave me and is always rooting for me! I am truly blessed!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Running with Peace
My big 5K race is coming up quick, it's only FIVE days away! I'm panicking about it now because my run today was not what I expected. A couple of days ago I went out for my walk/jog run of 3 miles and I felt great. My body parts were all in a great sync. I ran the first mile in 10 minutes; I was stoked! I finished my route within my goal time. It was an overall great experience. I felt very prepared for this big 5K race. Then, today I went out again. Unfortunately, I did not have the same feeling of running peace I had felt previously. I got a huge cramp in my side, my calves were screaming at me, my breathing was off and my wardrobe was not cooperating! It was a bad run! I managed to complete my run within my goal time; however, overall I was not at peace with myself.
Then the notion hit me: Isn't our Christian life just like that? We have great moments in our journey with God. Our day is going superbly well and we can just sing a happy little tune while going along our merry way. We have that wonderful peace! Or we could be experiencing a "bad run". Things are not moving along so merrily. We don't have that peace we so desire.
I can recall times in my journey where this applied. I was not walking in the footsteps laid out by my Savior. I did not have peace in my life. I can happily report that I did align my steps correctly and that has made all the difference. The prophet Isaiah states this in 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." What a great reminder for us when we are having those "bad runs". In John 16:33 Jesus says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." When (not if) I am going through trials, then I know I need to keep my focus on Jesus and He will give me peace. He will give me my "good run" in life's journey!
Then the notion hit me: Isn't our Christian life just like that? We have great moments in our journey with God. Our day is going superbly well and we can just sing a happy little tune while going along our merry way. We have that wonderful peace! Or we could be experiencing a "bad run". Things are not moving along so merrily. We don't have that peace we so desire.
I can recall times in my journey where this applied. I was not walking in the footsteps laid out by my Savior. I did not have peace in my life. I can happily report that I did align my steps correctly and that has made all the difference. The prophet Isaiah states this in 26:3 "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." What a great reminder for us when we are having those "bad runs". In John 16:33 Jesus says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." When (not if) I am going through trials, then I know I need to keep my focus on Jesus and He will give me peace. He will give me my "good run" in life's journey!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Goal Markers
I stated in my previous blog that I'm running a 5K soon and trying to get my body prepared for this race. I have started what my friends and I call "wogging", a combination of walking and jogging. I place mental "goal markers" for where I walk and where I resume my jog. The more I have been wogging the longer I make my "goal markers". This helps me to push myself each time I am out wogging. I try to do better than the time before. I have noticed improvement, slight but improved. Do you have "goal markers" for your life? As I was thinking about my goal markers for running I began to ponder on my "goal markers" for my life, my kids, home, school, work, church and spiritual growth. Am I being consistent in all areas of my life? I had to answer truthfully. . .NO! GASP! I know I'm being real here and we all fall short in some area of our lives.
I tend to set "goal markers" for my kids. That seems easy enough because we homeschool and it's a matter of them understanding their work and then moving on to the next level. I really slack when it comes to the home. Housekeeping is not one of my strong suits, I admit it. I struggle with chores and really had to get myself more organized by making a chore chart for the kids and me. Since we have started this chore chart, I have noticed I feel better about my home and that I am slowly working to becoming a better housekeeper.
The area I think I need to set some better "goal markers" for is my spiritual growth. Let's just be honest here, I put aside my spiritual "goal markers" because. . . I am busy, it's not a priority, I have other things to do and the list goes on. This is where I give myself a little talk and say, "Jill, if you're not growing then what are you doing? How do you expect your kids to grow?" Yeah, I talk to myself; another honest moment. I need to be setting spiritual goal markers, these are much more important in my relationship with Christ than me running a 5K! I often think on Hebrews 12:1 ". . . let us run with perservance the race marked out before us." I like to imagine God has "goal markers" for me and that when I am working on my spiritual growth then I am obtaining those markers. Makes me happy to think I am pleasing my Heavenly Father. Let us all run the race God has set for us and let us not grow weary!
I tend to set "goal markers" for my kids. That seems easy enough because we homeschool and it's a matter of them understanding their work and then moving on to the next level. I really slack when it comes to the home. Housekeeping is not one of my strong suits, I admit it. I struggle with chores and really had to get myself more organized by making a chore chart for the kids and me. Since we have started this chore chart, I have noticed I feel better about my home and that I am slowly working to becoming a better housekeeper.
The area I think I need to set some better "goal markers" for is my spiritual growth. Let's just be honest here, I put aside my spiritual "goal markers" because. . . I am busy, it's not a priority, I have other things to do and the list goes on. This is where I give myself a little talk and say, "Jill, if you're not growing then what are you doing? How do you expect your kids to grow?" Yeah, I talk to myself; another honest moment. I need to be setting spiritual goal markers, these are much more important in my relationship with Christ than me running a 5K! I often think on Hebrews 12:1 ". . . let us run with perservance the race marked out before us." I like to imagine God has "goal markers" for me and that when I am working on my spiritual growth then I am obtaining those markers. Makes me happy to think I am pleasing my Heavenly Father. Let us all run the race God has set for us and let us not grow weary!
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