Profound Quote

I read this on someone else's blog and it struck me as quite profound and worthy of some though.

"Custom,
as I said before,
is the thing that sways much with the multitude;
and they who first break a destructive custom
must bear the brunt of their indignation.
Now, somebody must do this.
If we do it not, it will lie upon our successors;
and how can we expect that they shall be more
hardy,
and resolute,
and faithful, than we?
… But if they do prove better than we,
the same odium and opposition must
befall them which we avoid,
and that with some increase,
because of our neglect; for the people will tell them, that we,
their predecessors, did no such things."
Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor, Page 271

Food for thought...

I recently read this blog post called "Fashion Slave" and thought it was thought provoking! Fashions are eternally changing and can often be impractical. (I recognize that practical is a relevant term and the application varies from person to person based on the dictates of their chosen lifestyle and calling.)

I am NOT saying "trendy" is inherently bad or evil (Obviously there's nothing intrinsically wrong with wearing dog tags or lime green tennis shoes!). But, constantly striving to keep up with the way the world(or Hollywood or the fashion designer...) looks wastes time and effort and can possibly feed our own vanity and self focus; at least that my imperfect opinion. :)

There is wisdom in the blogger's suggestion that we should aim for a look that doesn't age out so quickly, that is good for our body type, is modest, good colors for our skin... practical! I'm NOT against cute and pretty etc., but may I suggest practical pretty?!

The point is just to not be consumed by (anything other than loving the Lord and our neighbors) the fickle fashions and trends. Defy our current culture; don't be like everyone else; "if everybody does it we don't"; don't be a lemming! Be who God made you to be, not who everyone else is! Take our freedom in Christ and properly apply it to be free from the dictates and traditions of men! And that is definitely an area of life that I can always use the Lord's work in!

We should use some common sense and "good" taste in our clothing, but just let's not allow ourselves to be consumed and enslaved to the latest and greatest fashions and trends! Hope you enjoy and are encouraged by the blog.

Romans 12:1-3

I beseech you therefore, brethren by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly,

according as God that dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Act for Eternity

"Whatever be your condition

and calling in life,

keep in view

the whole of your existence.

Act not for the little span of time alloted you in this world,

but act for eternity."

Unknown Wise Man

Trusting God, Together

I just read a book review on one of my old time favorite sites, LAF, and it reminded me of the overwhelming peace and blessing that comes from trusting God, together.

While my Love and I were still just brother and sister in Christ (ie, before we were engaged) we discussed all kinds of things and soon knew that we were in agreement regarding who should control of the womb. But once betrothed, some topics are destined to be discussed again when you see the bright possibility of becoming a parent glowing in the seemingly near future.

So one evening we discussed it together.

The thought of controlling, planning, tracking, and stressing about having children was… stressing me out! We exchanged a few phrases trying to... I don't know... just discuss it. Then, he said it, the words that set me free!

“Why don’t we just trust God with it.”

Pure. Simple. No words can fully describe the immense swell of peace that I was lifted upon after he said that! Exactly what was busting to get out of my heart came lovingly sweet out of his mouth. I smiled at him and quietly gave my wholehearted agreement! No matter what other's thought, we stood together under God. And the peace of standing under the shadow of His wings is entirely immeasurable!

We bring so much misery (fear, stress, selfishness, anxiety, guilt, frustration…) upon ourselves when we try to take the control of something away from God. It’s an understatement to say that God knows what He’s doing! We open ourselves up to so many blessings (peace, oneness, rest, increased faith, freedom, unity…) when we quit fighting God and acknowledge that He is Sovereign and will work it all (many children, few children, or no children) for our good and His glory!

Just voicing my thanks for the leading of our Lord

in the leading of my Beloved

in the oneness of our hearts and life as we

trust God, together.

Bearing Reproof

Today I was doing a little reading regarding child training and read the verse "The rod and reproof give wisdom" Provers 29:15. The article I was reading pointed out that "Reproof is delivered in words. Reproof is designed to impart wisdom and understanding. Reproof corrects the child's perspective and give him a reason to ovey that is higher than fear. " This made me wonder what exactly "reproof" means, and there with the definition was this quote from Pope:

"Those best can bear reproof, who merit praise."

I only have one young child so I don't know a whole lot, but I've been observing other parent-child relations for 20 years, so I've learned a smidgen. ;) I read once that our words of correction should be very few in comparison to the kind words of encouragement and love that we speak to our children. But I thought, "It seems I say so much in the ways of training and correction!" Well then, start talking to her more!!! When she's playing contentedly go to her, look her in the eyes and smile really big and say I love you randomly throughout the day. When we catch each other's eyes, smile, if I'm not smiling already! Increase the number of words I speak so that the majority will be joyful and encouraging words!

Picture an "older" child, say 4 years old. Think how much better he would receive reproof if it was just the sprinkles on a whole cupcake of praise and encouragement!

Just a thought that encouraged me that I thought I'd write down...

P.S. WE'VE BEEN IN THE NEW HOUSE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS NOW!!! WOOHOO! I'll give a more substantial update later.

A thought and a choice...

"If we're going to laugh at it later

we might as well laugh at it now."

~Enjoying lots of love & laughter & life... ;)