Francois Fenelon wrote, "The more we fear to suffer, the more we need to do so." Suffering is part of the Christian life, modeled by Jesus Christ himself, who suffered immeasurable in his service to God.
A quote within a quote from Sacred Marriage
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Marrying Young
Here is a great post at Femina about marring young. I posted a comment and Natalie linked to it, so I thought I might share my thoughts here too. Here is my comment:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My husband and I were 19 and 20 when we got married and I am so glad we did. We have grown up together!
My husband addressed this topic recently and mentioned objection #1 (financial issues). He said that some parents would rather their child struggle with sexual temptation than have any financial struggles. While we both agree that there needs to be a plan financially, it is not the end of the world to have to work hard to make ends meet. I would rather be frugal together than struggle with sexual temptation while trying to wait for cushy finances.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My husband and I were 19 and 20 when we got married and I am so glad we did. We have grown up together!
My husband addressed this topic recently and mentioned objection #1 (financial issues). He said that some parents would rather their child struggle with sexual temptation than have any financial struggles. While we both agree that there needs to be a plan financially, it is not the end of the world to have to work hard to make ends meet. I would rather be frugal together than struggle with sexual temptation while trying to wait for cushy finances.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Prayer
In the last six months or so, I have been reminded of the importance of diligent, ongoing prayer (including making time for confession of sin). I have been working on learning how to be a better "pray-er". So, it is especially timely that I should come across these terrific quotes:
John Henry Newman:
Prayer is to the spiritual life what the beating of the pulse and the drawing of the breath are to the life of the body.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Martin Luther:
As it is the business of tailors to make clothes and of cobblers to mend shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Terry Glaspey:
Prayer is a work to which we must commit ourselves if we are to make sense of our lives in the light of eternity.
John Henry Newman:
Prayer is to the spiritual life what the beating of the pulse and the drawing of the breath are to the life of the body.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Martin Luther:
As it is the business of tailors to make clothes and of cobblers to mend shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Terry Glaspey:
Prayer is a work to which we must commit ourselves if we are to make sense of our lives in the light of eternity.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
I sure love good quotes!
A few quotes I found in Sacred Marriage...
~~~~~~~~~~~
John Owens:
The person who understands the evil in his own hear is the only person who is useful, fruitful, and solid in his beliefs and obedience. Others only delude themselves and thus upset families, churches, and all other relationships. In their self-pride and judgment of others, they show great inconsistency.
~~~~~~~~~~~
J.C. Ryle:
What is the reason that some believers are so much brighter and holier that others? I believe the difference, in 19 cases out of 20, arises from different habits about private prayer. I believe that those who are not eminently holy pray little, and those who are eminently holy pray much.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Dan Allender and Tremper Longman III:
Marriage requires a radical commitment to love our spouses as they are, while longing for them to become what they are not yet. Every marriage moves either toward enhancing one another's glory or toward degrading each other.
~~~~~~~~~~~
John Owens:
The person who understands the evil in his own hear is the only person who is useful, fruitful, and solid in his beliefs and obedience. Others only delude themselves and thus upset families, churches, and all other relationships. In their self-pride and judgment of others, they show great inconsistency.
~~~~~~~~~~~
J.C. Ryle:
What is the reason that some believers are so much brighter and holier that others? I believe the difference, in 19 cases out of 20, arises from different habits about private prayer. I believe that those who are not eminently holy pray little, and those who are eminently holy pray much.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Dan Allender and Tremper Longman III:
Marriage requires a radical commitment to love our spouses as they are, while longing for them to become what they are not yet. Every marriage moves either toward enhancing one another's glory or toward degrading each other.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Some great marriage quotes...
Thanks to Pastor Lusk for these quotes...
Gary Thomas:
A good marriage is not something you find, it’s something you work for. It takes struggle. You must crucify your selfishness. You must at times confront, and at other times confess. The practice of forgiveness is essential….
Christianity does not direct us to focus on finding the right person; it calls us to become the right person…
~~~~~~~~~~~~
James Whitehead:
In our marriage we tell the next generation what sex and marriage and fidelity look like to Christians. We are prophets, for better and for worse, of the future of Christian marriage.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elton Trueblood:
[Family life] has no magic about it. The family can be the scene of wonderful affection and it can also be the scene of debasing friction. The family…is our fairest ideal, but it does not come without effort. Family solidarity takes hard work, much imagination, and constant self-criticism on the part of all the members of the sacred circle. A successful marriage is not one in which two people, beautifully matched, find each other and get along happily ever after because of this initial matching. It is instead a system by means of which persons who are sinful and contentious are so caught by a dream bigger than themselves that they work throughout the years, in spite of repeated disappointment, to make the dream come true.
Gary Thomas:
A good marriage is not something you find, it’s something you work for. It takes struggle. You must crucify your selfishness. You must at times confront, and at other times confess. The practice of forgiveness is essential….
Christianity does not direct us to focus on finding the right person; it calls us to become the right person…
~~~~~~~~~~~~
James Whitehead:
In our marriage we tell the next generation what sex and marriage and fidelity look like to Christians. We are prophets, for better and for worse, of the future of Christian marriage.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elton Trueblood:
[Family life] has no magic about it. The family can be the scene of wonderful affection and it can also be the scene of debasing friction. The family…is our fairest ideal, but it does not come without effort. Family solidarity takes hard work, much imagination, and constant self-criticism on the part of all the members of the sacred circle. A successful marriage is not one in which two people, beautifully matched, find each other and get along happily ever after because of this initial matching. It is instead a system by means of which persons who are sinful and contentious are so caught by a dream bigger than themselves that they work throughout the years, in spite of repeated disappointment, to make the dream come true.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Little School Update
I have moved a few things around a bit in our schooling and thought I would make a "little" post about it. I promise, it won't be out of control like that last one about school was!
We are now in a groove so that on a "normal day" we are done with school by 12:00. I LOVE THIS! I am doing Kindergarten with Alex (which amounts to teaching him to read, a math workbook, and lots of real books) and 1st grade with Aiden.
For Aiden I started using The Story of the World for history and I like it a lot! I still use Sonlight too, and have found that they compliment each other very well. So, the short list of Aiden's first grade is (times are approximate:0)
Leading Little Ones to God (10 minutes- all 4 kids together)
Sing the Word: A New Commandment (Scripture Memory CD- 5 minutes-sing once well and then dance)
Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading (20 minutes)
Singapore Math (15 minutes)
First Language Lessons (10 minutes)
The Complete Writer (15 minutes)
Story of the World Volume 1 and Activity Book (20 minutes-I read a short section while the 3 big kids color a page from the activity book that goes with my reading. I also try to do some of the extra activities in the afternoons sometimes)
Sonlight Core 1-World History part 1 (20 minutes- I just read the books to them. I save the read aloud chapter books to read to them before bed. They love that!)
Daily Geography (5 minutes)
Italics Handwriting (5 minutes)
Misc Art and Music stuff (going on here and there throughout the week)
We are now in a groove so that on a "normal day" we are done with school by 12:00. I LOVE THIS! I am doing Kindergarten with Alex (which amounts to teaching him to read, a math workbook, and lots of real books) and 1st grade with Aiden.
For Aiden I started using The Story of the World for history and I like it a lot! I still use Sonlight too, and have found that they compliment each other very well. So, the short list of Aiden's first grade is (times are approximate:0)
Leading Little Ones to God (10 minutes- all 4 kids together)
Sing the Word: A New Commandment (Scripture Memory CD- 5 minutes-sing once well and then dance)
Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading (20 minutes)
Singapore Math (15 minutes)
First Language Lessons (10 minutes)
The Complete Writer (15 minutes)
Story of the World Volume 1 and Activity Book (20 minutes-I read a short section while the 3 big kids color a page from the activity book that goes with my reading. I also try to do some of the extra activities in the afternoons sometimes)
Sonlight Core 1-World History part 1 (20 minutes- I just read the books to them. I save the read aloud chapter books to read to them before bed. They love that!)
Daily Geography (5 minutes)
Italics Handwriting (5 minutes)
Misc Art and Music stuff (going on here and there throughout the week)
How to be a Good Wife
I was looking at some books in the thrift store last week and I came across a book entitled How to Get Your Husband to Talk to You. Well, Jeremy is very sweet about making time to talk to me and is a great listener, but I picked it up anyway to read the blurb on the back. One little section said this:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Develop thicker skin. (This alone is worth the price of the book. It will be your husband's favorite thing you've ever done...well almost!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That made me shell out the $2.75 for the book and I am so glad that I did. I think the book should actually be called How to be an Amazing Christian Wife! It is chock full of short little chapters (1-3 pages) on different ways to be a blessing to your husband and just be a better christian woman. These authors do not beat around the bush. We are responsible for every look, tone, and word that we use. By making those things positive and kind (instead of frustrated or cold) it lifts a burden off of our husbands and they begin to feel closer to us and...talk.
I highly recommend this book. If you are in a happy marriage or a struggling marriage there is something here for you. And, the short chapters makes it very "mom friendly". Just read a few pages when you have time. There are some cheap used ones on Amazon. I will leave you with the content of one of the chapters.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 41 Introduce Mystique
Just saying the word leaves you with a sense of wonder, doesn't it? A woman of mystique is a rarity, and certainly a bit of mystery surrounds the few who possess this quality. Nothing will quite get your husbands attention or cause him to want to talk to like this will.
A woman of mystique has an allure, and aura that's hard to define. She is open and warm and conducts herself with dignity and poise. She exudes a quiet confidence that isn't dependent on others' thoughts or opinions of her. She seems to know who she is and is comfortable in her own skin. She is positive and accepting of herself and others. Discipline, which often sounds boring and staid, is a cornerstone of her life. Yet she's not rigid or legalistic.
There is a fragrance about this woman that draws you to her. she seems to understand that people talk about what's important to them. Perhaps it is the way that she listens and responds. She has a way of making you feel singled out and special and responds in a manner that is uplifting and encouraging.
She has an unmistakable presence yet isn't brazen or provocative. Her beauty goes beyond the clothes she wears or the accessories that accompany them. A complete lady in every way, you sense by the way that she throws back her head and laughs that there is another side to her that is reserved for a select few.
She is a walking juxtaposition. She seems to be make of tenderness and steel at the same time. She exhibits graciousness at every turn yet is firm in her resolve and is uncompromising. She is not oblivious to problems, nor does she bury her head in the sand. She maintains a calm assurance that all will be well. She doesn't wring her hands in the face of adversity but has an abiding faith that comforts all around her.
Is she perfect? No. Is she fallible? Absolutely. Does she allow herself to be vulnerable? Of course. Does she err? No doubt. But at her core is a woman who wants to please God. This is what makes up the warp and woof of her life, and what sets her apart from those women who simply reflect worldly mystique.
While the daily rut of life can be the comfortable path to take, the magnetism and attraction that once was characteristic of your marriage can be slowly leached a way. Allowing God into your life, and the process of growth as you walk with him, will revitalize and renew you and refresh your marriage. This won't happen all at once, because it is a process that occurs over time as a woman allows God more and more control of her life. When a woman reflects God in her life, her husband may be changed without her every saying a word. This is a work of God. And she will experience a brightened countenance and a richer walk as she journeys through life with the One who made her.
Begin today to become a woman of mystique. Pray, hope, have faith, love. Place your hope and confidence in God, and become the woman he meant for you to become. This will undoubtedly pique your husband's interest, and he will wonder what's happening to you-and he will be thrilled to find out!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Develop thicker skin. (This alone is worth the price of the book. It will be your husband's favorite thing you've ever done...well almost!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That made me shell out the $2.75 for the book and I am so glad that I did. I think the book should actually be called How to be an Amazing Christian Wife! It is chock full of short little chapters (1-3 pages) on different ways to be a blessing to your husband and just be a better christian woman. These authors do not beat around the bush. We are responsible for every look, tone, and word that we use. By making those things positive and kind (instead of frustrated or cold) it lifts a burden off of our husbands and they begin to feel closer to us and...talk.
I highly recommend this book. If you are in a happy marriage or a struggling marriage there is something here for you. And, the short chapters makes it very "mom friendly". Just read a few pages when you have time. There are some cheap used ones on Amazon. I will leave you with the content of one of the chapters.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 41 Introduce Mystique
Just saying the word leaves you with a sense of wonder, doesn't it? A woman of mystique is a rarity, and certainly a bit of mystery surrounds the few who possess this quality. Nothing will quite get your husbands attention or cause him to want to talk to like this will.
A woman of mystique has an allure, and aura that's hard to define. She is open and warm and conducts herself with dignity and poise. She exudes a quiet confidence that isn't dependent on others' thoughts or opinions of her. She seems to know who she is and is comfortable in her own skin. She is positive and accepting of herself and others. Discipline, which often sounds boring and staid, is a cornerstone of her life. Yet she's not rigid or legalistic.
There is a fragrance about this woman that draws you to her. she seems to understand that people talk about what's important to them. Perhaps it is the way that she listens and responds. She has a way of making you feel singled out and special and responds in a manner that is uplifting and encouraging.
She has an unmistakable presence yet isn't brazen or provocative. Her beauty goes beyond the clothes she wears or the accessories that accompany them. A complete lady in every way, you sense by the way that she throws back her head and laughs that there is another side to her that is reserved for a select few.
She is a walking juxtaposition. She seems to be make of tenderness and steel at the same time. She exhibits graciousness at every turn yet is firm in her resolve and is uncompromising. She is not oblivious to problems, nor does she bury her head in the sand. She maintains a calm assurance that all will be well. She doesn't wring her hands in the face of adversity but has an abiding faith that comforts all around her.
Is she perfect? No. Is she fallible? Absolutely. Does she allow herself to be vulnerable? Of course. Does she err? No doubt. But at her core is a woman who wants to please God. This is what makes up the warp and woof of her life, and what sets her apart from those women who simply reflect worldly mystique.
While the daily rut of life can be the comfortable path to take, the magnetism and attraction that once was characteristic of your marriage can be slowly leached a way. Allowing God into your life, and the process of growth as you walk with him, will revitalize and renew you and refresh your marriage. This won't happen all at once, because it is a process that occurs over time as a woman allows God more and more control of her life. When a woman reflects God in her life, her husband may be changed without her every saying a word. This is a work of God. And she will experience a brightened countenance and a richer walk as she journeys through life with the One who made her.
Begin today to become a woman of mystique. Pray, hope, have faith, love. Place your hope and confidence in God, and become the woman he meant for you to become. This will undoubtedly pique your husband's interest, and he will wonder what's happening to you-and he will be thrilled to find out!
I needed this!
I was just telling Jeremy that I needed some fun ideas for things to do with the boys inside. My creative juices were just not flowing! Well, I found this great article in my Google Reader this morning and it is just what the Dr ordered. I hope it helps you out today too! It is 20 Indoor Activities for Kids- besides TV. Enjoy!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Funny Riley
Tonight Riley was throwing a basketball up in the air (a few inches) and then catching it again. He said, “I’m able to do that! I’m a teenager!!” He is 3.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Happy Birthday
Happy 31st Birthday to a husband who makes his wife (and kids :0) very happy! I am so thankful that you are mine.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
An "interesting" thought
Click here to read the full article. What follows is a little tidbit, the the entire short article is worth your time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One of the challenges my wife and I faced in our marriage centered around ice cube trays. Lisa rarely filled them back up, so when I pulled out a tray it might have just two or three ice cubes left. This frustrated me no end. So one time when my wife was talking romantically, telling me she would love me forever, I replied, “I don’t need you to love me forever. I need you to love me for seven seconds.”
“What are you talking about?” she asked.
“Well, I timed how long it takes to fill the ice cube trays and put them in the freezer, and that’s about seven seconds..”
The next morning, however, it dawned on me while I was praying that if it takes my wife just seven seconds to fill the ice cube trays, how long does it take me? Seven seconds, naturally. And the question I believe God placed in my heart was piercing: Is my love so shallow that I would seriously resent my wife putting me out for seven seconds’ worth of work? After all of her love and commitment to me, am I so spiritually immature that I grow angry at seven extra seconds of lost labor?
The sad answer was, “Yes, I am that immature.”
(I skipped a bit at this point for brevity)
With this new approach to marriage, instead of blaming Lisa for failing to refill the ice cube trays, I could see this “intrusion on my time” as a divine spotlight on my own selfishness, a God-given gift designed to mold me into the image of His beloved Son.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ouch!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One of the challenges my wife and I faced in our marriage centered around ice cube trays. Lisa rarely filled them back up, so when I pulled out a tray it might have just two or three ice cubes left. This frustrated me no end. So one time when my wife was talking romantically, telling me she would love me forever, I replied, “I don’t need you to love me forever. I need you to love me for seven seconds.”
“What are you talking about?” she asked.
“Well, I timed how long it takes to fill the ice cube trays and put them in the freezer, and that’s about seven seconds..”
The next morning, however, it dawned on me while I was praying that if it takes my wife just seven seconds to fill the ice cube trays, how long does it take me? Seven seconds, naturally. And the question I believe God placed in my heart was piercing: Is my love so shallow that I would seriously resent my wife putting me out for seven seconds’ worth of work? After all of her love and commitment to me, am I so spiritually immature that I grow angry at seven extra seconds of lost labor?
The sad answer was, “Yes, I am that immature.”
(I skipped a bit at this point for brevity)
With this new approach to marriage, instead of blaming Lisa for failing to refill the ice cube trays, I could see this “intrusion on my time” as a divine spotlight on my own selfishness, a God-given gift designed to mold me into the image of His beloved Son.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ouch!
The Mystery of Marriage
I mentioned The Mystery of Marriage a while back. Well, I just finished it and I have to say I was not disappointed! It was terrific! It is not so much a how to manual or full of *advice*, but rather a book that fleshes out all that marriage IS. I highly recommend this book. I will be posting more quotes soon, but for now I will leave you with this:
pg 153
Rightness, whenever it seeks to dominate, becomes wrongness, no matter how right it may be.
So we give in to God because he is strong and good, and we give in to others because they are weak and sinful (me here: he explained earlier that they NEED our love and support), and in the final analysis there are only two parites to whom we must not give in, and those two are ourselves and the Devil.
pg 153
Rightness, whenever it seeks to dominate, becomes wrongness, no matter how right it may be.
So we give in to God because he is strong and good, and we give in to others because they are weak and sinful (me here: he explained earlier that they NEED our love and support), and in the final analysis there are only two parites to whom we must not give in, and those two are ourselves and the Devil.
We're back!
We are back from a two week trip to Missouri. It was very fun and full! I was in Southwest Missouri with the kids (seeing family) and Jeremy was 3 hours away in St Louis most of the time. He has spent the last semester learning Hebrew. He tested out and got 6 hours of Seminary credit (96% on the test!). Way to go honey!
He also took a week long class at Covenant Seminary and so my friend Meredith drove back to Birmingham with me. We are at the St Louis Zoo in the picture above.
The family picture was taken at a family wedding. The Superman picture was taken in Metropolis, IL; The Home of Superman! The boys were pretty pumped about that one.
It's nice to be back home!
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