Random Reminders

Okay,
So remember from last post that I sense God working on me again?  One of the ways I know this is that my heart and brain are more in tune to the Spirit's promptings.  Usually in the form of everyday, mundane, random things.  The Holy Spirit will interrupt my sinful thoughts of selfishness or judgementalism with whispers of Truth.

I don't like seeing my sinful self through God's Truth mirror!  I would like to go on thinking I am a good person.  I would like to go on selfishly aquiring more junk to "satisfy" my covetesness (anyone find out yet if that is a word?)  rather than think about starving children or homeless women or modern day slaves!

Like today.  I was rinsing out 3 empty yogurt cups that had been sitting around for a few hours (for recycling).  I thought how hard it was to rinse out hours-old yogurt from tiny-mouthed yogurt cups.  Then I had a flashback to when several years ago, as a then Mom of one,  I judged a single Mom of three for daring to bring non-rinsed Yoplait yogurt lids for the church collection! (Yoplait "save lids to save lives") Couldn't she take the time to rinse?! 
Yep.  I felt a pang of guilt.  I am judgemental.

And earlier in the day I was daydreaming about someday becoming a famous author and what I could spend all my gobbs of money on.  Suddenly my spending was rudely interrupted by thoughts of how much my extra income could benefiit people in need!  (It doesn't matter this was daydream money - it was still my money!) (yah, yah, I know - it's all God's money - different topic for another day)

You want to know what Bible story God has been laying on my heart? (if not - don't read further ;)
Look up  Luke 12:15-21  (Use the side bar gadget if you don't have a Bible handy)

I've been wanting bigger and bigger house barns.  I need more space for more stuff. 
Like that Diamond Rio song, "Stuff"

          Stuff (stuff) stack it on stack it on up



         (Stuff) never gonna ever get enough (stuff)


           Oh it's treasure till it's mine then it ain't worth a dime


          It's stuff (stuff) spreading like weeds


          Dragging me under in an endless sea of stuff


          (Stuff) There ain't no end


         Got to get a bigger place so I can move in


         More stuff

Well, even though I still would like some more stuff, I sure don't want to end up like Jesus' parable rich man!

Okay, I think I've wandered enough for this posting.  What was the point?
Oh yah - The Holy Spirit sure is good at random reminders of how to live this whole Christian life thing.  I just need to take the time to listen.... and then take the time to look in God's Truth mirror. 
For as painful as it may be, a richer spiritual life lies on the other side of the looking glass.

Interactive:
Do you have any stories of how the Holy Spirit has used everyday, mundane, random things to prick your conscience?

Spiritual Teeth Cleaning

So this morning I was thinking I needed to update the blog, but nothing came to mind.  Then throughout the day, God popped ideas into my brain.  Now to decide which one to choose!

Remember back a couple weeks ago when I challenged myself to read the Bible and spend time in prayer every M-F before breakfast?  Update:  God is faithful and every day, except Thanksgiving, that happened.
I needed it to happen.  I had been in a bit of a spiritual rut.  My lack of communication with God was rearing its ugly head in the form of covetesness (word?).  Basically, I wasn't happy with what I had and I wanted more.  (I still struggle with this, mind you, but the covet monster lost its grip on my every waking thought.)

Well, Praise God, I didn't even realize He kept kicking me out of bed in the morning well into December!
And even though the record isn't spotless, at least there is a record.

Anyway, this brings me to my post idea:
Can you relate to when you are God is refreshing your relationship with Him?  You are a little rusty and have somehow managed to re-cling to old ways of living or old ways of thinking.  You know God wants to clean off that muck and form an even deeper bond, but you are leary?

It's like going to the dentist.  I don't want to sit in that chair, have my teeth/gums poked and proded, have grit ground into my mouth and have a stranger run string through my teeth!  Yet afterwards I feel all nice and clean and shiny.  (granted, this analogy only applies for teeth cleaning.  I believe God would perform miraculous pain-free root canals.)

Well, that is where I am now.  (No, not the dentist, silly)  Experiencing spiritual teeth-cleaning.  Both eagerly awaiting it, and dreading it at the same time.  I know I will love, love, love the "end"  (spiritual growth is life long process) result, but I dread what may be reaquired of me.  Both now and the future.

Be on the lookout later this week for those other "ideas".
And FYI - The whole  "dentist" thing?  Wasn't even one of them.  God literally popped that one in as I was typing.   Wow!  See? God is working on my spontanaity!  (I'm a planner)  :)

Interactive:
Am I alone in dreading the dentist?  (Literal or Spiritual - take your pick)  (ha ha - "pick" - I'm punny)

New Links

If you share a passion for Homeschooling, Food, or Writing, check out the new links at the top of this blog.
They are still blogs in progress, but I have recently updated "Homeschooling".
I may add other blog links in the future, but I think these 3 are enough to launch for now!  ;)
Enjoy!
PS - Have you checked out my sidebar gadgets?  Beauty Tip of the Day, Bible Reader (read what is playing or type reference you wish to read), and Funny Points to Ponder (comic relief).
ALSO - please click on the "The Hunger Site" icon in the top left corner. It is quick and painless.  Just by clicking you provide over 1 cup of food to a starving child!  And you can do it every time you visit this blog!  Thanks :)

Top 5 - Holiday Foods

Ok, there are two things compelling me to write this post:
1) It is FRIDAY!
2) Within a 24 hour period, two different people have mentioned the word "cinnamon roll" (thank you, Ping and Dan)
So without further ado, Here is my list of favorite holiday treats.

1) My Grandma Werner's Danish Puff  (almond flavored pastry)(1 thing of hers that, thankfully, I can make)
2) Christmas morning traditional breakfast of Grapefruit and Cherry Turnovers (yes, I know that is an odd combo, but it's a blend of 2 families and the kids love it!)
3) Cinnamon Rolls (My Mom's caramel ones)
4) Our annual Christmas party food  (summer sausage /cheese/crackers and all the candies - Choc Cherries and MMs)
5) Chic-fil-A - any  (Ok that last one is for anytime, but I thought maybe for Christmas someone could figure out a way to mail me some!)  ;)

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 5 HOLIDAY FOODS YOU LOOK FORWARD TO?

P.S. -  Prayer today is needed.  I'm thinking about sneaking in a little shopping this afternoon before the weekend super-crazy rush.  I will be hitting the Christian bookstore and Barnes and Noble.  (with kids)
You know how some women should not enter a shoe store or home decor store? 
Yah - for me it is a book store.  So the prayers are for me to not overspend today :)  Thanks!

Tis the Season

Tis the Season of shopping
from black Friday not stopping
until Christmas Eve
When finally we breathe
And we muse,  "Oh Joy"
What a deal on that last toy.

One last time we check our mail
But sadly to no avail,
Dear friends from Atlanta
Forgot about Santa
And no gifts from them arrive...
Oh dear, we forgot cousin Clive!

Will what we bought be enough?
Will the turkey be tough?
Will I gain five pounds, maybe eight?
Must I wear the sweater I hate?
All these questions we ponder
But seldom stop to wonder.....

At the wonder of HIS birth
The whole reason for myrth
Why we even buy gifts
Why we even make lists
Why the 25th is special - a holiday
Maybe I should take a moment and pray

Father in heaven,  thank You for,
the money I have to go to the store,
For all of my family - near and far,
Even ones not sending a card.
For sending your Son
to be the One
Who came on Christmas morn' .....
A Savior is born!

Merry Christmas Season!
Enjoy the shopping and parties and time with family and friends!
I'm just trying to remember the true reason behind why I do all this extra stuff in the first place!
(So I keep my priorities straight ... and keep my sanity!)


Interactive:  
What is a favorite Christmas tradition you have? 
or
What is the most stressful portion of the season for you?

Bad Mom???

Last night I let my children stay up until midnight, watching movies and eating junk food.
Today I let them eat as much candy as they wanted for "lunch".

Am I a bad Mom?

Before you judge me, let me explain:
Dan and I host a couples Christmas party every year.  On that evening, we let our kids have their own party upstairs with goodies.  They get to stay up as long as they are being good.
Another annual tradition is getting together with friends to decorate graham cracker houses with candy.
It just so happened these 2 traditions fell back to back this year.

So no, I do not normally let my children stay up until midnight or eat as much candy as they want.

This scenario brings a couple of thoughts to mind. 

1) It would be really easy for someone to read the first two sentences of this post and judge me as a bad Mom.  It made me think, how often am I judgemental of other Moms based on what I see at first glance?  Or on what she may allow her children to do that is different from what I do as a Mom?  Heaven forbid another Mom sets different bedtimes or food choice allowances or TV watching times from my holy standard!
Lord help me not be so judgemental.  May I look at the plank of bad Mom moments in my own eye before judging the specs in another Mother's eye!  May I be quicker to offer genuine assistance and support to other moms, rather than condemning thoughts.  Amen.

Interactive Segment:
2)  I was curious what Christmas traditions you ladies may have with your kids? 
        (Especially if they involve something that could be considered "bad Mom")   :)