Seeking The One Who Really Loves



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I want to know more of Him, His Word, His truth, His love. 

His truth - born of love and proven by our love toward each other.  

 Truth that has been discovered by spending time with Him as He teaches me how to grow in love.  

I must spend the time; invest it into my relationship with Him, with others, with His church.

Time spent in prayer, in conversation, in intimacy.  Time hungry for Him, desiring Him, pursuing Him and His kingdom.  Memorizing Him and His likes and dislikes.  Reading His Word.  Singing His praises.  Serving Him by serving others. Offering my heart and surrendering everything I am, even my way of thinking, my mind. 
   
I want to be bathed in His presence daily, in His Word, fragrant prayers ever on my lips, learning to lean and growing in love, prepared to share truth as He leads.
 
And may each of you, dear mamas, find truth born of love - His love - when you visit here as well.  May your time here be well spent.  May you find little treasures of truth and love here that inspire you to live deeper, fuller, closer to Him.  May your families be richer for it.
 
May we hear Him louder than the cries of our flesh or the culture around us.  

Precious mamas, I pray that each of you experiences His unfailing love, daily, as you continually seek Him.
 
            Warmly,
 

***We are celebrating our 1st birthday this week and giving away the Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition, which includes a full audio CD set... won't you celebrate with us and enter to win?***

[also shared at Women Living Well Wednesday, Raising Homemakers, {Titus2}sdays, and Gratituesday] If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to Like a Bubbling Brook via email - it's free!

"A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so must you love one another.  By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another."  John 13:34-35 

Guest Post: 5 Ways to Begin a More Self-Sufficient Lifestyle, Part Two

[image: Kendra's home-baked bread]

~ Precious mamas, my family is off on an adventure this week, and the very talented Kendra from New Life On a Homestead has graciously agreed to share her thoughts with you here today.  This is Part Two of "5 Ways to Begin a More Self-Sufficient Lifestyle."  I'll be back with you all next week to share some exciting news! ~

***If you missed Part One, you can find it here.

4.  COOKING FROM SCRATCH

Nowadays, it seems almost counter-cultural to cook food from scratch at home. I’m talking, from scratch people… and no, hamburger helper doesn’t count! Think of all of the money you’ll save, all of the health benefits you will reap, and the comfort you’ll have knowing that you can prepare a nutritious meal for your family.

Stop depending on fast food chains and the deli to feed your family. Cook it yourself! Learn to make pizzas from scratch (dough and sauce included), home-baked bread, and even condiments like mayonnaise, ketchup, BBQ sauce, salad dressings, vanilla extract, spice blends… anything you’d normally buy already made for you. You can learn to do these things yourself! And I think you’ll be amazed at how easy it is once you’ve given it a shot.

5.  NATURAL HEALTH CARE

Another thing we are entirely too dependent upon is the pharmaceutical industry. If our kids have a cold, we are quick to pump them full of the first syrup we can reach off the shelf.  If we have a headache, we just cover our pain with a few pills. And if we aren’t feeling well, most of us won’t think twice about swallowing a week’s worth of antibiotics. Do you realize that there are natural, healthier alternatives for our most basic health care needs?

I’d strongly encourage you to learn basic natural remedies to treat your family with. Ear infections can be quickly remedied with an easy garlic and olive oil treatment. Urinary tract infections can be relieved with lots of water, vitamin C, and garlic tablets. Pink eye can be cured with breastmilk, or eyebright and chamomile tea bags.

The next time you find yourself reaching into the medicine cabinet, stop for a moment and turn your focus toward finding a natural treatment to try first. Taking your health care into your own hands will save you time, money, and most importantly, the well-being of you and your loved ones.

Of course, these are just a handful of ideas to start with when beginning your own journey to self-sufficient living.  There are so many things you can do to break free from dependence on others, but these are important starting points, and anybody anywhere can do them!  Be encouraged, pick one or two of these skills, and get them under your belt. Then work your way to a more self-sufficient lifestyle!

Kendra is a full time, homeschooling stay-at-home mom to three little ones, with a fourth on the way! Her and her husband moved to the country two years ago, and have been working hard at learning how to live a more self-sufficient lifestyle.  You can follow the ups and downs of their journey at New Life On A Homestead. 
  If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to Like a Bubbling Brook - it's free! Or, follow along on Facebook.

Guest Post: 5 Ways to Begin a More Self-Sufficient Lifestyle, Part One

[photo: Kendra's pear preserves...yum!]



~ Precious mamas, my family is off on an adventure this week, and the very talented Kendra from New Life On a Homestead has graciously agreed to share her thoughts with you here today.  This is Part One of "5 Ways to Begin a More Self-Sufficient Lifestyle."  Be sure to check back on Friday for Part Two.  I'll return next week and will share some exciting news! ~

The idea of learning to do more for your family and depend less on others to survive can seem like a daunting task. Where do you begin? Some people imagine the self-sufficient life to mean hauling water from a nearby creek in a bucket and using the bathroom outdoors. Doing more on your own doesn’t have to begin so dramatically (although, I think being prepared for off-grid living is a worthy goal!). Starting slowly is the best way to prevent yourself from being overwhelmed and burning out quickly.

Here are five easy ways anyone can begin living a more self-sufficient lifestyle, and learn to survive without having to depend on others for the most basic necessities:

1.  FOOD

The most important thing you can ever learn is to do is to grow your own food. You don’t have to have a huge yard to have a garden, either. Container gardening can be just as productive, and even more productive, than a traditional garden plot in the yard.

If you are new to gardening, and a little intimidated by the idea, start off by purchasing a few of your favorite vegetable plants from a local nursery. Don’t go crazy and buy a bunch of stuff though; you don’t want to overwhelm yourself! Ask the nursery worker for advice on planting your seedlings at home, borrow a few gardening books from your library or look up info online, and get those beautiful veggies in some soil!

2.  WATER

Another most basic necessity you’ll need to learn is how to harvest water. Even if you are on city water and don’t think you’ll ever need to worry about finding it for yourself, it’s an extremely important skill to have under your belt. You don’t have to use it every day, but knowing that if you had to, you could provide clean water for your family, will definitely be a comfort to you and your loved ones.

If you are on a private well, consider installing a hand pump on it, if you can afford to do so. Or, you can learn to make a small emergency well bucket, like this one, to have on hand, so that you can access your well water when power isn’t available.

Installing rain barrels is another important step toward self-sufficient living. Not only can you water your plants and animals with this precious resource, you could also wash your clothing, dishes, and filter it for drinking water, if you had to. If you’re planning on collecting water from either the rain or from a stream, you’ll need to filter it before it’s safe to drink. You can make a homemade Berkey style water filter for a fraction of the price of the real thing.

3.  CLOTHING

Learning to sew your own clothing is a huge step toward becoming more self-sufficient. Think of all of the money our culture spends on fashion! If you could learn to make simple clothing items for you and your children, what a blessing that knowledge would be to have. If you are new to sewing, start off small by learning to hem, mend, and attach buttons.


...to be continued in Part Two this Friday!  Be sure to subscribe for free email updates of new posts so you don't miss it!

Kendra is a full time, homeschooling stay-at-home mom to three little ones, with a fourth on the way! Her and her husband moved to the country two years ago and have been working hard at learning how to live a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

You can follow the ups and downs of their journey at New Life On A Homestead.


 
 {also shared at Simple Lives Thursday, Raising Homemakers and WFMW}  If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to Like a Bubbling Brook - it's free! You can also easily follow along on Facebook.

~ Have you entered our 1st birthday giveaway yet? ~

Guest Post: 5 Lessons I Learned From My Children



[isn't this little ruffled hoodie adorable? you can buy one today at evy's tree!]

~ Precious mamas, my family is off on a little adventure this week, and I'm honored to have special guests sharing with you in my absence.  Today, the lovely Jasmine from Far Above Rubies shares with us some lessons she's learned while raising her six little blessings. I'm excited about introducing her to you!  I'll be back with you all next week to share some exciting news! ~

Five Lessons I've Learned From My Children:

1.  Do not share family plans with small children in advance.

If I share thoughts of a trip to the park, a visit to a friend’s house, or a walk around the corner in advance, I’m bombarded with questions before the actual event.

Numerous little mouths going a hundred miles an hour is not fun, so it is best to keep quiet until the moment you are ready to do what you set out to do.

2.  Relationship triumphs over religion.

I can preach and teach God until I’m blue in the face, but if my children do not sense love, mercy, and forgiveness I sound like noise (1 Cor. 13).

Children respond more readily to a gentle and quiet mother who is also firm and consistent. Mom seeks to know and shepherd her children while maintaining authority and respect.  Religion can be harsh and driven while relationship is developed and nurtured.

3.  Let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no.

When you say you’re going to do something, do it. Follow your words with actions. It gives a sense of security and stability to know mommy and daddy mean what they say.

4.  Give children what they need.

It’s incredibly easy to give into our children’s pleas for toys, gadgets, and sweet treats, but if they do not need it - then don’t give it. For example, if your child is cranky and overly stimulated give them a nap, not food.

When I give my children what they need, the family experiences greater peace and order.

5.  No lectures.

When I see a glazed look in my children’s eyes I know I’ve talked too long. The phrase “No lectures or speeches allowed” should be hung up in capital letters somewhere in your home; that is, if you’re like me, and prone to drag the point home!

Short and quick works much better than a long and drawn out speech about bickering with brother.

Use reinforcement if needed, but be quick, firm, and loving.

Jasmine is happily married and a full-time homemaker and mother of six. She is the author and founder of Far Above Rubies, a ministry dedicated to equipping women in their roles as wives, mothers, and homemakers.  Be sure to visit her there!


 


[also shared at Raising Homemakers, Making Your Home Sing Monday, Domestically Divine, and {Titus2}sdays]




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One Way to Love

This past weekend we witnessed the union of

two lives,

two loves,

two sweet friends

that now exist as

one.

"For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and the two shall be one flesh." Ephesians 5:31

Since then, I've been pondering the familiar "passage of love" found in 1 Corinthians 13:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking..."

My mind keeps pausing there, my heart hurts, and I linger on this portion for awhile: It is not self-seeking.

{Inwardly I groan, because it pains me, pierces me; I know I wrestle with this}

Not self-seeking.

How many times have I sought after my own wants, my own little luxuries, my own time away, my own accomplishments?  "Me.  Me.  Me."  I have times like that.  But it's not about me, not at all.  How could I forget?
  
Love is not self-seeking.   It's right there, in the Book.   He's talking to me, to you, to each of us.  I will listen; I want Him to teach me.  I need Him to teach me. 
And so, precious mamas, for the remainder of this week (longer?), will you come alongside and practice seeking to serve others more?  Seek to serve them graciously, lovingly, faithfully, as you would if you were serving Him?  Do it unto Him?  Prayerfully?

Serve your husbands, your children, your church family, your neighbors? Will you find a way, make the time?
 
What will it look like when you do?  What will you do?  How will you do it?  What will happen?  Will you be changed?  Will they? And then, when we practice it, perhaps even make a lifelong habit of it, in His strength, we can rejoice in the words to follow, that love  "always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 
   Serving unto Him,



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*Participating with Women Living Well Wednesdays, Walk With Him Wednesdays, Homemaking Link-Up, Domestically Divine, and {Titus2}sdays

Be a Better Help Meet: 5 Things You Can Do Today

Are you a young wife or mother looking for ways to be a better help to your husband?  Here are five simple, practical things you can begin to implement today:

1.  Pray for him.  Do it this morning during your prayer time, or while the children are napping, or while they are busy at play.  Even if it is only five minutes, spend that time in prayer for your husband.

2.  Have dinner ready when he gets home.  It sounds cliche, but he's likely to be hungry when he gets home from work.  A carefully prepared, hot meal will be a blessing to him, especially if you all sit down and enjoy it peacefully together.  Use that time to ask him how his day was, and really listen.

3.  Freshen up before he gets home.  Smooth your hair, be sure you are dressed, clean, feminine, and welcoming in your appearance and demeanor.  Take a moment to freshen up the children, too.  Wash their faces.  If their clothes have peanut butter smears from lunch, change them :)

4.  Quickly clear out any mess from the day.  Ten minutes before your husband gets home, have the children pick up all of the toys that may have ventured into the living room.  Wipe down the coffee table.  Clear the mail and any papers from the kitchen counter or table. 

5.  Create a peaceful atmosphere.  Sit the children down and instruct them how to behave when Daddy arrives.  No arguing, no yelling.  Show your excitement about Daddy coming home, and ask them if they'd like to give Daddy a big hug when he walks in the door.  Do not bombard him with requests and complaints right away.  Greet him with a smile and a twinkle in your eye; then really kiss him.  Make coming home a pleasant time, something he looks forward to, and let your home be an oasis from the stresses of his daily career.  I like to light a candle and keep it burning throughout the day.

Precious mamas, what are some practical things you do each day to be a better help to your husband?


           Warmly,




 If you enjoyed this post, subscribe to Like a Bubbling Brook - it's free! Follow along on Facebook. 
*I've been inspired recently by the book Created to be His Help Meet, resulting in my version of this list of "Be a Better Help Meet."  There is a similar one shared in the book, taken from an old home economics book if I remember correctly.  You might enjoy looking into it!  It's a wonderful book!

Personal Reading Goals For The First Quarter Of 2011



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When I was a child, much of our quiet time in the evenings was spent playing family games or reading books.  I remember spending countless hours sitting on my bedroom floor, my back flat against the sideboards of my old and very high wooden bed, with my knees drawn up and a book propped on them.  Nothing was too long or too difficult for me back then; I loved to read, and was good at it. 

As a mama, I still appreciate a well-written book, but now I find myself searching out ones that will help me grow and will ultimately add value to my family or spiritual life.  And, although I read quite often, this year I desire to be accountable, scheduled, and more intentional with my reading. 

I'm hoping to read a minimum of two books per month in 2011, with the exception of this first quarter since I am reading my Bible through and it is requiring a significant time commitment. 


My Reading Goals for 1st Quarter of 2011:

*Read through the entire Bible - I'm using my ESV Bible along with the 90 day reading plan that I shared in this post.

*Read Created to be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl - I began this one already and am really looking forward to getting further along in it!

*Read What Did You Expect: Redeeming the Realities of Marriage by Paul Tripp - My husband is reading this book now and has really been enjoying it.  We'll be going through this one together.

*Read Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt - I'm hoping for some inspiring words regarding the process of learning and possibly tools for homeschooling in this one.  I love the subtitle of the book: "The Imaginative Use of Books in Family Life."  Doesn't it sound like a wonderful resource?  Have you read this one already?

And, if I finish ahead of schedule, I may begin Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours or perhaps Organizing Your Day and attempt to get a head start on the second quarter :)

For some of my absolutely favorite books of all time, be sure to visit the Bubbling Brook store.

What books are you reading this year, ladies?  Do you have any recommendations for me?

            Warmly,


*Shared at {Titus2}sdays and Domestically Divine


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Divinely Knit Together: Another Year To Celebrate

"There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage."  ~ Martin Luther

This weekend, I count it a joy and a blessing to be celebrating yet another year of marriage to my dearest and best friend and the love of my life.

We first met fifteen years ago, and little did we know then that it wouldn't be long before God would knit our lives and hearts together into this beautiful tapestry of a family, with two precious babes gifted to us by God.

We have grown together, laughed together, cried together, and prayed together.  We've been breathless and elated on mountaintops and struggled and cried out to God in the valleys.  We've been through major career changes, job loss, infertility, financial pressures, heartaches, and health scares.  God has walked with us, even carried us, as we've forged ahead together. 

He's a Godly man, wonderful husband, and devoted father.  I am honored he chose me to be his wife. 

I love and respect him more today than ever. 

           Rejoicing,



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Advice About Life From An Old Widowed Woman

William Law's book A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life is one that I've had for many years, one that I often find myself going back through for inspiration.  My husband and I read it together when we were dating, so it has a soft spot in my heart.  My maiden name is penned inside the front cover.

I've had it pulled out the last few weeks, and keep going back to it, savoring a paragraph or two here and there.  Today, I was struck by a passage in the book where Mr. Law recounts the wise words of a widow he once knew, named Eusebia, who had raised five daughters on her own:

"All of us are like two beings who have, as it were, two hearts within us; with the one we see, taste, and admire reason, purity, and holiness; with the other we incline toward pride, vanity, and sensual delights.  This internal war we always feel more or less.  If you would know the one thing necessary, it is this: to preserve and protect all that is rational, holy, and divine in our nature, and to mortify, remove, and destroy all that is vain, prideful, and sensual in our nature."

A page later, Mr. Law quotes Eusebia again:

"Never allow yourselves to despise those who do not follow your rules of life, but force your hearts to love and pray for them.  Let humility be always whispering into your ears that you yourselves would fall from those rules tomorrow if God should leave you to your own strength and wisdom."

This is what convicts my heart today, dear ones; those very words, from an old widowed woman, shared in a book written by a devout theologian back in 1728.  Powerful words that still speak.

My heart is listening and soaking in their wisdom.

            Warmly,




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When Your Bible Is Dusty



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"Dusty bibles lead to dirty lives."

I've heard this - read this - a dozen times or more.  To me, it's one of those thoughtful, impacting little nuggets that makes reading a whole book just to stumble upon it, well... worth it.

Sometimes the book I'm reading may not be spectacular, but there's one thought in it that changes the way I think, and this is one of those thoughts.  It convicts me.

Is your Bible dusty?  Is is reflected in the way you live?  In your relationship with Him?  With others?

Ouch.

As my dear husband and I begin planning next year's Bible reading, I stumble upon this, from Dr. Hendrick's book Living by the Book: The Art and Science of Reading the Bible:

"You see, a lot of people nowadays are making all kinds of claims about what the Bible supposedly teaches - claims that are simply not true.  A closer inspection of Scripture reveals that the Bible doesn't, in fact, teach what they say it does.  Likewise, there are a lot of things that the Bible does teach that many people don't even know about, because the truths are deemphasized or ignored altogether."

Dear friend, beautiful mama, do you know what the Bible teaches?  Have you read it for yourself?  Studied it?  Poured over it? 

Have you felt His love, His story in it?

Have your tears ever washed over its pages?

It is for you.

Many of us want a word from God, but not the Word of God.  We may own a Bible, but the Bible does not own us, it's not in us, not in our hearts and minds.

If you were without face-to-face communications with your husband for many years, and he carefully wrote you a book out of His  tremendous love for you, and you longed to be reunited with him again someday, wouldn't you read that book over and over again, savoring every sentence? 

Surely you would.  How could you not?

"Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the Word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation." - 1 Peter 2:2

Later this week, I'll share some tips and a tool that we use in reading our Bible through, cover to cover.  We've done it in years past, and plan to do it again this upcoming year. 

Would you prayerfully consider reading the Bible through with us in 2011?  Or perhaps at least one testament? 

It will change you.


   In Passionate Pursuit,



{You can read part two of this post here.}



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This post is also shared at WFMW, Gratituesday, Domestically Divine, and:

What I Think I Deserve

I'm thinking of Mary today.

How, just a few days before Christ's birth, she must have been feeling stretched and sore, not only from being so heavy with child, but from her time of distant travels.

How I might have felt, in her place, after such a journey.

How, in my humanity and utter imperfectness, I would have felt when my husband could not find an inn with room for us.

No room?  In any inn?  Can they not see that I am in desperate need of a warm room, midwife assistance, a soothing hot drink?  My child is coming.  How could you not make room for me?  For my little one?  Sir, what about you, would you give us your room, if even for one night? 

My flesh cringes.  I'm ashamed.  Any ounce of righteousness I think I have is truly... filthy rags.  They cling to me, and I want to rip them off.

Oh, who am I to think I would deserve such things, such luxuries, such compassion? 

And yet sometimes we go about life that way.

I deserve that nice car, or that big house, or steak for dinner.  Or.... my children deserve more toys, an ivy league education, or the latest video game.  After all, everyone else has it, right?  Are they any better than I am?  Worse yet, who are THEY to have it, and why shouldn't I?

Yet Mary, about to give birth to the Saviour of the world, did not even have a proper room to give birth to him in.  Did that mean she was not special, not loved, not anointed for His purpose?  No!

We know this about Mary: "Hail, thou that art highly favored... blessed are thou among women" (Luke 1:28).  Highly favored!  Blessed among women!  No, her circumstances were not ideal, but she was right in line with the divine will of God.

What we have - or do not have - it not a measure of our worth.  And what others appear to have can be deceiving.  We are in grave danger when we begin to compare ourselves to others and think we deserve more than what we have, more than what He has provided, more than what we can comfortably afford.

Sometimes what we think we deserve is not the plan God has for us.  And, even when it's hard, even when we can't see why, His plan promises to be better than ours.  When we live life outside of His plan, believing we somehow deserve more, we lose our peace, sometimes we lose our families, some even lose their relationship with Him.

Born in a manger - a feed trough.  Yes, this was the King of kings and the Lord of all lords.

In our pride, our ambition, our ignorance, we continue to think we somehow deserve more, deserve better, that we have a right to "it," whatever "it" may be.

I lie prostrate, with my face to the floor.  Help me to be content with what You've provided.

He gives me the greatest of gifts: abundant life, salvation, grace, His Word, hope, real peace.

Teach my Thy ways, even when they look different than the world's ways, even when it may be hard or unpopular, even when I don't understand, even when it's uncomfortable.

Give me a Mary heart.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10


           Humbly,



Also shared at WFMW, Raising Homemakers, Domestically Divine, Gratituesday, Made by You Mondays, Make Your Home Sing Mondays and Marriage Mondays





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The Divine Plan For Bringing Up A Family

Where every day the Bible is read in a home in the ears of children, and its lessons simply and prayerfully taught, the effect is incalculable.  It was thus that God himself commanded his ancient people to do - to teach the truths of his word diligently to their children when they sat in the house and when they walked by the way, when they rose up and when they lay down. (Deut. ver. 6-9)  This was the divine plan for bringing up a family - not a lesson now and then, but the incessant, uninterrupted, and continuous teaching of the Holy Scriptures in the ears of the children.  Such teaching unconsciously assimilates the character to divine likeness.

~ JR Miller, 19th Century Preacher

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Beware of the Thorns!

Matthew 13:22, a verse from the parable of the sower, is one verse that often convicts me, piercing right through my heart: “He that also received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.”

How can we live a holy, transformed life among those thorns, among our fleshly desire for more worldly goods, for increased wealth, for “just a little more”?

We can’t.

They will "choke" the anointed words of promise that have been spoken into your life, the Word that God wrote out of His magnificent love for you and I, and we ultimately will not bear fruit for His kingdom.

Oh, that our families would gather their children near and plead with them, “Watch out for the thorns, little ones!” May we teach them that loving God is more important than increasing their material wealth or choosing the right career. May we plant in their hearts that they must find a spouse that loves God above all else.  May we be the Godly examples they desperately need set before them.  May we daily disciple them in His word and pray over them with prayers that will shake the very gates of hell.

May we once again cry, “Take this whole world, but give me Jesus!”

  Passionately Pursuing,


{Linked with Women in the Word Wednesdays and Making Your Home Sing Mondays}






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~ With New Eyes ~

It happened quickly, effortlessly, perhaps almost thoughtlessly, but the prayer slipped out of my mouth: "Help me see them with new eyes."

And then I did. 

It was miraculous, really, but suddenly I felt a love for them that I had never felt before.  It washed over me.  It was instantaneous.

It amazed me. 

God sometimes does that, you know, especially when it comes to Love.

Often, when I am around difficult people, I pray that the Lord will "help them" or "change them" or "move me"... but this time a different prayer crept out, perhaps one I should have been praying all along, but had forgotten about.  A prayer as simple as "Help me see them with new eyes."

I was the one that needed to change.  That doesn't mean the difficult people in my life are right, or that they don't need to change some things, but I am not the one to change them.  God has to do that.

I just need God's help in seeing them with new eyes.

Eyes filled with grace, and love, and compassion.

Through His eyes.

With love.

Has God ever shown you something that was this amazingly simple, but so powerful?

           Warmly,

{Linked with Women in the Word Wednesdays}

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A True Christian Home ~

 

(photo credit) Last week, I heard a minister reference the scripture above (Joshua 24:15) and make this statement, "Many of us in the 21st century forget the 'and my house' portion of this verse." How many of us have witnessed families that are in disarray - for a multitude of reasons - and parents that are too tired and discouraged to spend the necessary time (in person *and* in prayer) to train their children to walk in truth?  How many of us have struggled with it ourselves? And then today I stumbled upon a similar and very convicting devotional:

"Nothing in this world means more to God than a beautiful home of love and prayer.

Each member of the family has a share. There is the husband's part. He must love his wife and give himself to her, as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it. This is a high order of love. The wife has a part. She is to love her husband and live for her home. There is a part also for parents. They live for their children. They care for them. They train and teach them. They show them how to live. They are the revealers and interpreters of God to them. There is a part also in the home-making for the children. They are to obey their parents.

People sometimes say facetiously that in these days the commandment runs, "Parents, obey your children." Where this is the interpretation, it is an unhappy reversal.

The true Christian home is one in which love rules, and where each one fills his own place."

{from J.R. Miller's devotional Morning Thoughts for Every Day of Life}

I love that last sentence, especially the thought that a true Christian home is one in which LOVE rules, because I know that God is love.  Oh, that my home would be one in which love rules, one that brings honor to Him!  Not a home of strife, or vanity, or the pleasures of this world, but of love.  Love that requires commitment, and action, and truth, but is also quick to offer grace and compassion when we fail miserably, like God so quickly and lovingly offers to us time and time again.

This is one of my most passionate prayers; how about you?

Have a lovely day, my friends ~

{Linked with Raising Homemakers, Women in the Word Wednesday, Making Your Home Sing Monday and Marriage Monday}



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Thoughts on Biblical Modesty ~

This six minute video clip discusses biblical modesty; not only are we to "keep it covered," but we also have a responsibility to be careful of "costly array."  Oh, how easy it is for materialism to creep in and pride to grow in our hearts!  I have been guilty of this myself, and am so thankful that I can take it to the Lord in prayer.  He is always quick to offer grace when I so desperately need it.

Two statements from this clip that really spoke to me:
"Modesty is humility expressed in dress."
"Immodesty is pride on display by what you wear."

Some food for thought on this afternoon. 

       By His Grace,


{Linked with Gratituesday and Women In The Word Wednesday}


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Thanks for taking the time to visit Like a Bubbling Brook. As another busy mama, I understand that your very few spare minutes are precious. If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to receive free updates via email. Thanks for visiting!