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: Uh-Ohs and No-Nos ~ There is a Difference

~ Today I have the honor of sharing my dear, real-life friend Rachel Coltharp with the precious mamas here at LABB.  She has been one of those rare gems who continually mentor, encourage, and inspire me to live a better life for Him.  I just love her and I think you will, too! ~ 

Baby G is a great blessing to his three older siblings and to us. He is a bundle of energy that actually rocks the house with his laughter and mischievous ways. He is sweet and loving. He is also about to turn two.

You KNOW what I mean.

We have for the past year been using gentle correction methods with him. Like when he drops his food off the highchair onto the floor. But lately, the uh-ohs have mutated into something altogether different. The dropping became a game, not an accident. It then morphed into throwing. The accidents were treated as such. The disobedience has consequences. Not because I am a dictator, but because tiny seeds planted early grow into hulking habits later.

While not yet fluent in English, he has mastered manipulation and deception. Every time he intentionally breaks a rule, he tries to pass it off as an accident. After flinging a noodle or piece of oatmeal through the air to watch it smack with a thud against the cabinet then plunk down on the floor, he looks up at me with those huge baby doll eyes and says sweetly “Uh-oh, mom-mom.” But we BOTH know what it was: deliberate. And consequences follow.

Isn’t that just the way we humans like to play it? 

No one “sins” anymore, everyone just “makes mistakes.” A mistake is when you accidentally fall into a hole you did not see, that you were not warned about. But when you read the warning sign, ignore it, and THEN fall into the hole, that is no accident. That is choice. Sin has a payday, and that payday is death.

It is our duty as mothers to help our children learn the difference between mistakes, which are part of being human, and willful disobedience, which is a choice. Sin, in its seed form, does not always look evil, but planted in the heart and allowed to grow it produces the fruit of death. Don’t let little things go, in your heart or in theirs.

It is easier to pluck out a seedling than to uproot an oak.

Rachel Coltharp is a wife of one and mother of four. She is fluent in 4 languages: Infantese, Toddlerspeak, Teenlingo and Husbandism. She is a writer and public speaker who shares from her real life experiences, mostly mistakes and do-overs. She is a passionate follower of Jesus Christ and an avid disciple of the the Apostolic doctrine. She may be contacted at rcolt92@bcglobal.net or followed at rachelcoltharp.blogspot.com.

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[also shared at Women Living Well Wednesday]

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

Moments that are Holy

[scroll to the bottom of this page and pause the music player first, and if you cannot view the video, please click here]

Moments. 

What are you doing with your microscopic, fleeting moments?

Moments that are holy.

"This is how you spend your one life well..." she says.

If you watch nothing else today, please watch this, dear mamas, and embrace your precious little ones a moment longer, sweeter, closer.  I know I did.


            Warmly,




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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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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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Daniel Fast Meal Plan and Recipes, Week of 1/3/11

Monday marks the beginning of this year's Daniel Fast at our church.  Are you familiar with it?  It's intended to simulate a fast that Daniel did, as mentioned in Daniel 10:2-3 ~

In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks.  I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

We will be abstaining from all meats and animal products, as well as from sweeteners, baked goods, and leavened breads.  Last year, my husband and I personally permitted a nominal amount of honey and pure maple syrup in our fast, but this year we will completely go without.  There will be no artificial preservatives, processed foods, deep fried foods, etc.  Our diet will consist mostly of fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, and nuts.  Our only beverage will be water.

Here's our meal plan for this week:

Breakfasts ~
Fresh fruits, natural peanut butter
Creamy toasted rice porridge with coconut oil, raisins, and almonds
Oats groats with raisins, nuts, and almond paste

Lunches ~
Leftovers, salad

Dinners ~
Veggie chili
Southwestern black bean tacos on toasted Ezekiel wraps
Lentil soup (without the turkey bacon or wine), whole wheat chapatis
Roasted vegetables over short grain brown rice
White bean soup with greens, whole wheat chapatis
Curried winter vegetables over long grain brown rice

Snacks ~
Fresh fruits
Veggies and my easy garlic hummus
Nuts
Raisins
Roasted sweet potato "fries"
Popcorn

***I plan to be sharing a few more of these recipes this week and next as we go along, so please subscribe for email updates if you haven't already... that way you won't miss a post!***

The Daniel Fast closely resembles a whole foods cellular cleanse we do each year for health purposes, and we've really needed to cleanse after all the holiday treats we've enjoyed the last six weeks or so. As difficult as it is, I'm looking forward to this fast! We need it, both physically and spiritually!

It's a big year, there's much to do, and grand plans are ahead of us. Through it all, I'll be praying for you. Some of you really struggled through 2010, and I'm believing 2011 will be a year of breakthroughs in your homes, marriages, and families. I want this site to be an oasis of hope, healing, and truth for you, a place where you can find inspiration and encouragement and feel Him stir your soul and tug at your heart.

My heart's desire is to be in tune and connected with Him throughout this year and every year He graciously gives to me.  

I'm so glad you join me here, and desire to be connected with Him, too.

           Warmly,



Linked with Menu Plan Monday


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Commit to Bible Reading in 2011, and Five Tips to Help You Begin

"The Bible was written not to be studied, but to change our lives."

- Dr. Howard Hendricks

On Monday, I shared my heart about the importance of reading the Bible, and I asked if you'd join me in making an increased commitment to Bible reading in 2011.

Today, I'd like to share something with you that made reading the Bible from cover to cover much easier for my husband and I, and that is the 90 Day Bible:

 One year it took me four months to complete this Bible, and another year it took me six months.  Some actually do complete it in the advertised 90 days, but sometimes being a mama means that days aren't perfectly planned out. By reading only twelve pages a day, it is possible complete this entire Bible in 90 days.  Most days, I can read the twelve pages in about 45 minutes time.  I usually do it in the morning, but you can break it up and do six pages in the morning and six pages at night, or whatever works for you. If you don't want to purchase the Bible, you can find a similar reading plan available here and here, and you can simply print it from your computer (for free) and use it with your own Bible. The objective is to read the Bible. Some will complain that reading it through this quickly doesn't give you a chance to really study it, absorb it, meditate on it.  I know.  I've heard the arguments, and I beg to differ.  I enjoy the "big picture" aspect of reading it through this way, and then pausing to study in more detail when I come across an intriguing passage. Reading the Bible through, whether you're reading it in 90 days, one year, or five years, will change you.  Period. You will learn and you will grow; you will become a student of the Word and not merely a spectator.  You will be a participant in the Word and no longer a passive observer.  You will discover firsthand the truths that He has revealed in His Word.  Your spiritual life will grow and mature.  You will begin to crave that special time in the Word each morning! Five Tips To Help You Begin: 1.  Choose a reading plan, and then set a time aside each day to read.  Do not say that you will read here and there as you can find the time.... the time will never come.   2. Commit to waking 45 minutes earlier each morning, and set your alarm.  3.  Get the coffee or tea ready the night before so it's easier to grab a cup and stumble over to the armchair.   4.  Do not do a "quick" check of your email before you complete your day's reading, and don't open Facebook, either.  Stay focused!  No computer time until you are done! 5.  If you are unable to finish your reading goal that morning (perhaps the children awoke earlier than normal), then commit to finishing the reading during naptime or just before bed.  Don't put it off until the next day; it will quickly become overwhelming. In twenty years, will you still be wishing you had done it?  Or will you make this year the year? I'm praying for you - I know you can do it!  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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How (and Why) We Paid Cash For Our Home

I'm guest posting over at ChristianPF (Christian Personal Finance) today, sharing our story about how (and why) we paid cash for our home.  Won't you join me there?

When you are done perusing the ChristianPF site, which I highly recommend, pop back over here and read how Crystal and her family paid cash for their home recently, and also how God prompted Smockity and her family to downsize their home and expenses so that she could be home to raise their children.

I think you'll find their stories inspiring!

If you are popping by Like a Bubbling Brook from ChristianPF, then welcome!  I'm so glad you are here.  Please consider subscribing via email or facebook before you leave, and you'll never miss a post!

            Warmly,


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Spending Mornings With The One Who Made Them

We are an active family.

We love to be outdoors enjoying God's beautiful creations, and that works well for us, because my little men have quite a bit of energy.

But, lately I have been feeling a bit pricked in my heart about how my little ones spend their wee hours of the morning.  With all of their energy, they want to just get up and GO.  Busy play and much to-do, right from the start.

Although we have devotional time together as a family in the evenings, perhaps now is the time to inspire our six-year-old to pause in the mornings and pray, to read the Word, to spend quiet time with THE Creator of all these beautiful places we enjoy.

So this morning, when my sleepy-eyed little man bounded into the living room just shy of 6 a.m., this mama prompted him to sit with his children's bible and peruse.  As his reading improves, we'll become more disciplined in blocks of time for specific passage readings and study.

Are your children spending morning-time in prayer and the Word?  At what age did you begin to encourage it?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments section.


           Warmly,


{Also shared at Finer Things Friday}

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Pausing to Pray

Dear Precious Mamas,

Would you please pause and pray for the precious family and friends of this young couple?

I ache for them and their terrible loss over the holiday weekend.

May God bathe them in His love and comfort their hurting hearts. 

           Kindly,


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Filled With Gratitude



~ my family ~

 My day thus far has been spent baking breads and pies, preparing for this evening and tomorrow, and I can't help but to be filled with gratitude for the blessing of a family that I can bake for, spend time with, and enjoy completely ~

My husband.

My children.

My parents, my sister, and her family. 

All of my extended family.

My church family.

God is so good.  Truly He is, even when we don't always understand His ways.

And so, this Thanksgiving, I am reflecting - yet again - on the words to one of my very favorite songs:

"Send some rain, would You send some rain?

'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again

And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade

Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?

Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down

Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid

But maybe not, not today

Maybe You'll provide in other ways

And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You

With gratitude

For lessons learned in how to thirst for You

How to bless the very sun that warms our face

If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread

Bless our bodies, keep our children fed

Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight

Wrap us up and warm us through

Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs

Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time

Or maybe not, not today

Maybe You'll provide in other ways

And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You

With gratitude

A lesson learned to hunger after You

That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead

And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between

What we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace

Move our hearts to hear a single beat

Between alibis and enemies tonight

Or maybe not, not today

Peace might be another world away

And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You

With gratitude

For lessons learned in how to trust in You

That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream

In abundance or in need

And if You never grant us peace

But Jesus, would You please . . ."

"Gratitude" by Nichole Nordeman

{Remember to scroll to the bottom of this page and pause the music player first}

May each of you precious ladies have a blessed Thanksgiving, and your homes be filled with love ~

           Warmly,


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A Gift from my Mother and an Heirloom for my Children: My RL Allan Bible

Over the summer, my sweet mama ordered the most beautiful bible as a birthday gift for me, one that I have admired for quite some time ~ it looks slightly antiqued; Victorian, perhaps ~ and is bound with a fantastic goatskin leather ~

It has been on back-order ever since she placed the order, finally arriving last week.  I jumped and twirled in sheer joy when my father brought it over that day!  Yes, I was quite a sight, I am sure :)

It is my intent to use this as my "carry around" bible, to church and bible study, etc ~

Made in Scotland by a small family owned company (and distributed by Evangelical Bible in the USA), R.L. Allan pays superior attention to detail, crafting bibles that easily become heirlooms within families.  This particular bible was printed at Oxford University Press, on India paper ~

This is my second R.L. Allen bible (my other, the Reader's ESV, I use for morning reading) and it will be a joy to pass these on to my children one day, well-marked and tenderly worn, with all the richness and care than a mama can possibly pass down a bible with ~

I especially love the full yapp that my bible has; not only is the full yapp especially elegant, it also serves to protect the gilded pages inside.

This bible will be treasured for years to come; not only because it is the inspired word of my loving Lord, not only because of its enduring elegance and craftsmanship, but because it was a thoughtful gift from my precious mother.

Do you have a bible that you intend to make a family heirloom?

            Warmly,



{Linked with Finer Things Friday}

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