So you want to be a Supermom?

Over the last few years I've heard many moms vent their woes as to why they feel like they are terrible wives and mothers. They usually digress that they are unable to juggle all that life requires of them on top of the fact that they haven't completed projects X, Y and Z before week's end.

The vast majority of these moms have been reading other moms blogs, comparing their own actions and inactions in light of this wonderful supermom who is portrayed on the screen in front of them as having it all together.

Is reading inspiring blogs wrong? No. So, what's the real issue here?

There are a few reasons that these moms usually feel overwhelmed at their imperfections.

1. They feel convicted because of a lack of motivation or lazy attitude


2. They are setting their expectations too high


3. They are over-committed to outside interests and activities


4. They are letting opportunities take over while their so-called priorities are put on the back burner


5. They are comparing their lives to another mom's life, instead of letting the blog properly motivate or encourage them in their calling


6. They are spending too much time on these blogs, instead of digging into God's Word for instructions on how to become a better wife and mom

Because of the many homeschooling blogs out there these days, many people, I'm sure, assume most large family, homeschooling moms must be supermoms. While I believe that raising a large family does indeed take dedication and organization, it does not mean that all dedicated and organized women are born superheroes! While each of those women might have natural abilities and giftings, each are probably working hard to tweak areas of shortcomings in their lives. As women we must remember that each woman who appears successful on her blog struggles herself with her own set of inadequacies. We ALL face the fact on a daily (if not hourly) basis that we are imperfect creatures!

Homeschooling

We ALL need to stop comparing ourselves to another family or friend. It is tempting...especially in homeschooling circles. However, the BEAUTY of homeschooling is that everyone is supposed to be different from the next. If we're all using the same cookie cutter approach, we'd all turn out the same type of child. Pretty boring!
We do need to make sure, as homeschooling mamas, that we stick to our set priorities when making a schedule for our homeschool year or our summers! If we commit to all these wonderful activities just to find that we've abandoned what is truly important to God and our family, then we have failed. Prioritize and stick to the plan!

Housekeeping

As far as keeping one's house up to par. Well...see some of us (ahem, ME!) are borderline OCD with the house. We [I] can let it take over with how we want it. While you might look at my house on a visit and comment on how orderly and perfectly kept it is, I know that my weakness in this area is to let the perfection of my house take over my priority list. That's about when my flesh starts to envy you for being more relaxed.

If you are struggling with laziness, take heed that ALL humans are lazy at times. Commit to God to work harder and earn your keep, so to speak, as wife, mother and homeschool teacher! Don't let the ways of a sluggard sneak up on you. Instead, surround yourself in God's Word and memorize Scriptures that will rid you of a lazy attitude and lifestyle.

Join the Club!

I know that sometimes people have commented on how our family has it all together. Bwahaha! Nope. I don't think so! Nobody has it all together...we are ALL only human! No matter what you might see, hear or read about such "together" families, I can guarantee you that if you look a little deeper or ask what struggles they face as a family, we would get an earfull as to what brings them down a notch or two!

When we get down to it, we're really all a mess in some way, shape or form! We're ALL imperfect! It's LIFE!

So, join the club...we're all imperfect moms and most of us are just trying to do our best! Don't be fooled...we're all human; none of us are true supermoms! We all just rely on the fact that we can "do all things through CHRIST who strengthens" us to be all to all that He gave us to manage and care for!

Cheap Date Nights!

Mark and I have made it a priority to have a weekly date night for years now! It is something we look forward to every week. If you are anything like us, you get a "high" off of a good deal and are always looking for cheap date nights. Admittedly, we are addicted to Restaurant.com and we use them EVERY single week, as the deals are too good to pass up...we can eat a 3 course meal for $20 and we get to try new restaurants. Fun, fun, fun!

After years of using Restaurant.com and loving it, I just discovered that on top of the already great deal you can get 15% CASH BACK through Ebates! Wish I'd known sooner. Click this link (pretty please) to sign up under me so I can get credit! Wow...I already liked Ebates, but now I LOVE them! Hello, even-cheaper date nights! Oh,and you get $5 in cash just for signing up! Love it!

Enjoy!

The Homekeeper's Woes - If Only I Could Keep This House Clean for 20 Minutes!

Do you ever wish that you could keep something in your house clean for more than 2 minutes?

Do you ever wonder why the kids can't keep their sticky hands off of the walls or their muddy shoes off of your newly mopped floor?

Are you ever incredulous as to why your husband has to rifle through the neatly organized sock drawer looking for a pair of socks that were on top to begin with?

I know that we have all thought these thoughts, as homekeepers, at least twice every day! I've been there myself many times. However, how can we think like that if we realize what we have and what rewards we are reaping in the process of this entire homekeeping experience? Think of Proverbs 14:4 "Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox."

Labor has its rough, unpleasant side, yet it ends in profit. So also, the life of contemplation may seem purer, "cleaner "than that of action. The outer business of the world brings its cares and disturbances, but also "much increase." There will be a sure reward of that activity in good works for him who goes, as with "the strength of the ox," to the task to which God calls him. (from Barnes' Notes)

What if we had no "oxen"? Yes, our homes would be neat and clean. We'd be able to sit down with our cups of coffee or tea and read a good book for hours each day. The floor would only need to be mopped once a month. And, come to think of it, sock drawers would never again have to be organized because we would always keep them the way we had so meticulously arranged!

What if the Lord had not given us a husband or children? What would our lives be like anyway? They would certainly be much different. Would you really trade all that for a clean floor, clean walls and a bit of simple organization? I wouldn't dream of it!

I know that someday I will wake up to find that God has closed my womb. My children will have grown up and gone to raise their own families. Yes, my house will be clean and tidy. Yes, I can take a coffee break any time I choose. Maybe I'll still be taking care of my husband and meeting his needs in the area of keeping our home, but maybe he will have gone to Glory ahead of me.

We never know what the future holds. We need to appreciate the tasks set before us NOW by God! We need to take pride in our God-given roles of wife and mother! When we get discouraged, we really need to focus on what life would be like without our precious children and husband. I doubt that any of us would truly be willing to sacrifice all that we have for a little relaxation and ease. Think of our reward when we have raised Godly children for Jesus and helped our husband, as God had called us to do! How great is our reward!

Remember...."Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox." Proverbs 14:4

Nagging Your Children About Chores?

Solution: "Inspect what you expect"! - Large Family Logistics

After your children know what's expected and can properly accomplish their chores, INSPECT WHAT YOU EXPECT....and do so DAILY! Wow, what a novel idea!

Love that book! Click on the image below to order your copy....great instructional book for moms of large [or small] families!

Great Vision Forum Deals!

Homemaking Resources

Homeschool Resources

Family Resources

The Obedience of Scripture vs. The Obedience of Selfish Desires

The obedience of Scripture should be the first and foremost of our goals as single women, wives, mothers, and homemakers. Whatever we do in life without the confines, direction, and obedience of Scripture makes our roles ineffective and unproductive. Ultimately, it destroys the Lord’s plan for our roles and fails to bring Him the Glory. If we set out to make up our own rules and goals for our lives – ignoring Scripture – because in our weak flesh we cannot or will not hold to that biblical standard, we will destroy all that God has intended for us to do. We will miss out on all that He planned because we steered our own course and maintained our own selfish desires. Read the rest of my post here on At The Well...

Welcoming Home Daddy!

• How can we lay a welcome mat of love for our husbands after a long day of hard work?



• How can we make our homes inviting places where Daddy longs to be at the end of a long day?



• How can we involve our children in this process and teach them to show reverence to their Daddy?
  
  A Titus 2 Wife’s Jobs When Welcoming Home Daddy!
  
  “…so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled and pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.” Titus 2:4, 5 (NAS)
  
  Homes are a wife’s responsibility and domain, according to Titus 2. Making our homes a welcoming place for our husbands, when they return home from a hard day of work, is just one way of fulfilling our duties that are laid out clearly in God’s Word.
  
  As “workers at home” we should be striving to have our homes be places of refreshment and rejuvenation for our husbands. All must be done while being self-controlled. We must be diligent in what we do, not complaining about our God-given jobs.
  
  We are to do all for the Glory of God. If we choose to disobey God, we are showing the world a very poor example of what Christian wives and mothers should be. This causes criticism to abound and, therefore, God’s Word is dishonored. Keeping our homes and laying out a welcome mat of love for our husbands are just two ways to make sure that the Word of God will not be dishonored.
  
  Homemade Hospitality
  
  Why do we consider hospitality to be shown only to guests and strangers? Shouldn’t we also be showing hospitality to the provider and king of our home? Show your husband that you appreciate him and all of the hard work he does in providing for your family. Demonstrate your appreciation by looking forward to his homecoming. Show homemade hospitality!
  
  To better understand what hospitality truly is, let us look more closely at the definition and antonyms [opposites] of the word.
  
  Hospitality is a “cordial and generous reception; an act or service of welcoming; hospitable treatment, reception, or disposition; hospitality constitutes a key ingredient of family life.” Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Hospitality [is] a little fire, a little food, and an immense quiet.”
  
  The opposite of hospitality is “hostility; inhospitality; unfriendliness; nneighborliness or unsociableness.”
  
  As the manager of your home, you need to consider whether or not you and your children desire to demonstrate and live out hospitality when welcoming home Daddy?
  
  The first thing that needs to be done in order to properly meet the needs of your husband is to find out what those needs are, as they can be different with each man. Generally, men have a need for honor, love, respect, quiet atmosphere and FOOD!
  
  Seek out your husbands desires and needs. Ask him what he would like to happen upon his arrival; in what order would he prefer things like the meal, clean wife and kids, clean home, time to rest or change clothes, etc. This will make him feel so loved, respected and included in the planning of your day!
  
  Look at this beautiful passage.
  
  “Be kindly affectioned one to another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.” Romans 12:10-13 (NKJV)
  
  Ask yourself if you and your children are showing the specific biblical traits found in this passage to your husband and father.
  
  1. “Be kindly affectioned one to another…” This word affectioned is used nowhere else in the New Testament. It means “tender affection”. Are you showing your devotion and tender affection to him? Are you teaching this to your children?
  2. “…give preference to one another in honor…” Are you giving him preference and honor?
  3. “…not lagging behind in diligence…” Are you showing diligence in cultivating new habits that convey honor, respect and godly hospitality?
  4. “…fervent in spirit...” Are you doing all for the Glory of God? “Do nothing at any time but what is to the glory of God, and do everything as unto him; and in everything let your hearts be engaged. Be always in earnest, and let your heart always accompany your hand.” (from Adam Clarke's Commentary)
  5. “…serving the Lord…” All must be done in an attitude of servitude to the Lord!
  6. “…rejoicing in hope…” Are you grumbling or complaining about the workload (especially in front of your children)? “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” (1 Peter 4:9) Put on a spirit of rejoicing, renewing your mind (Romans 12:2) throughout the day!
  7. “…persevering in tribulation…” Are you persevering even when it’s difficult to make sure you give your husband a warm welcome?
  8. “…devoted to prayer…” Are you praying for your husband throughout the day? Have you taught your children to pray for him?
  9. “…contributing to the needs of the saints…” Are you contributing to his needs of food, drink, and quietness? Have you asked him what his needs are in order of importance?
  10. “…practicing hospitality…” Are you practicing hospitality by welcoming the king of your earthly home?
  
  Why not commit that passage of Scripture to memory or hang it, along with those questions, in a place where you will see it often? This will help you to shape your attitude and to mold your children’s attitudes when preparing for your husband’s arrival at the end of the day.
  
  A Quiet Resting Place
  
  “And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places." Isaiah 32:18 (NKJV)
  
  What are some ways to make your home a peaceful and quiet resting place? Why not let Daddy unwind or relax after dinner? Could the children wait to come to him until after the kitchen and dining area are cleaned and they are ready for bed? Maybe after this time of relaxation he will feel rejuvenated enough to lead everyone in family worship! This can really produce a peaceful atmosphere, as well as have Daddy take the role as spiritual leader and priest in his own abode.
  
  Meditate on these verses about peace, rest, righteousness and sure dwellings.
  
  "Righteousness and peace have kissed each other." Psalm 85:10b (NAS)
  
  "In returning and rest shall you be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be your strength." Isaiah 30:15 (NKJV)
  
  "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
  
  An Inviting Palace for the King of Your Home
  
  What is a home?
  
  o Shelter – Something that provides cover or protection
  o Haven – a harbor or anchorage or sanctuary
  o Refuge – a comfort in times of trouble
  o A place providing security and happiness
  
  What should a home provide?
  
  o Love
  o Peace
  o Safety
  o Fellowship or friendship
  o Acceptance
  o Comfort
  o Health
  o Healing
  o Rejuvenation
  o Refreshment
  
  One important aspect of a home is cleanliness and orderliness. Shouldn’t we want Daddy to arrive home to a clean and orderly palace? After all, clutter causes stress and the home should be a place of peace, and cleanliness provides an optimum environment for health and healing. Now, don’t get me wrong, this does not mean that your home needs to look like a contender for the feature article in Better Homes & Gardens, but it should be somewhat neat and orderly upon Daddy’s homecoming.
  
  Put the Plan into Action!
  
  Prayer
  
  Have you taught your children by example the importance of praying for Daddy? Praying for your husband is a sweet example of how much we care for and love him. What a display of godly affection for your loved one who works so hard all day for his family!
  
  So you want to begin cultivating this daily routine, but don’t know quite where to start? Begin by having the children hear you pray for your husband. Pray, using his actual name (not Daddy) and let your children see what a praying Titus 2 wife really can be. This will really influence your sons and daughters to do this when praying for their spouse someday! What a generational impact this could have for some time to come!
  
  Teach your children to pray for their Daddy on their own. You can start out by having each child can take turns praying for one thing concerning Daddy. It is okay to prompt them as they pray when they are learning how to pray. As you continue to make this a habit, each child might move on to have their own day each week praying for their father. Can you imagine what kind of things you are able to battle on behalf of your family’s husband and father through this intercessory prayer?
  
  Godly Attitudes
  
  As you work toward making Daddy’s homecoming precious each day, teach your young ones about a true servant’s heart. Show them by way of demonstration and verbal instruction that Jesus told us that to be great in God’s Kingdom we must be a servant of all [Mark 10:44]. No task should be carried out with a grumbling spirit or mouth. All things must be done to the glory of our God!
  
  Quick Pick Up
  
  About an hour before Daddy gets home you and all the children should start getting ready for Daddy’s homecoming! Each child should have set chores or tasks to complete in order to ready the home and their spirits for Daddy! Children as young as 1 year old can have jobs to do.
  
  There should be a quick pick up of the house. Toys put away, things straightened, etc.
  
  Children should all help in setting the table for the evening meal while you get dinner completed either on your own or with children who are ready to start learning the art of cooking. It would be extra nice for the children to have something in which they can take pride in, such as learning to fold napkins in a special way, making place cards, or arranging a special centerpiece! They should also all learn the basics of setting a table properly.
  
  The children and you should be washed up with clean faces and hands. A husband desires a wife who does not look frazzled, even though she might feel like it at times. Seek to please your husband by your personal appearance. At the very least, have your hair combed and have fresh breath!
  
  When the door opens, Daddy should be greeted and welcomed with smiles and warm attitudes! Consider having the children put away his briefcase or hang up his coat for him. Make him feel like the king that he is!
  
  Give Daddy the opportunity to get comfortable before dinner. Let the dinnertime conversation be relaxed. Be sure to instruct the children to first ask Daddy about his day before sharing their stories. Mealtime rules and manners should be established and enforced in order to ensure the tranquility of dinnertime.
  
  Last, but not least, if the children are old enough (I’d say have at least one child who is 8 or older – although any age can help), let them clean up after dinner while you talk one-on-one with your husband. This can prove to be the finishing touch to the gracious reception of your prophet, priest and king! It can also refuel and encourage you to keep fighting the good fight and persevering in your job as a Titus 2 Wife and Mother!
  
  Work on One Thing at a Time
  
  Now, don’t expect results overnight. Work on mastering one of these things at a time. Daddy will appreciate the obvious efforts of you and the children and, most importantly, the Lord will be pleased with the intentions of your hearts, as you learn to grow and walk in Him as a Titus 2 Wife and Mother!
  
  “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever." Isaiah 32:17 (NIV)
  
  May you seek to be a righteous wife and mother, finding peace through working diligently in Welcoming Home Daddy!

Weekly Community Outreach Day in Our Homeschool!

The children prepare to take diapers, formula and other supplies to a new mom in need!

The upcoming fall season sparks all kinds of planning and organizational ideas from a homeschool mom! This is the time of year for planning extracurricular activities & school work schedules, choosing curricula, making clothing need lists, fall cleaning, etc., etc., etc.! Our family's homeschool and activity schedule changes each year. Because we school year-round, we have the opportunity to tweak and "re-tweak" our schdule just about any time during the year, but fall definitely calls for a overhaul of what we had planned over the summer or even from last school year. Here is our family's plan for the 2010-2011 school year!

The children reading one afternoon (very typical...as they all LOVE to read!)

Academic Studies

Our curricula vaires for each child's needs, but usually only from 6th grade upwards, as the foundation I lay for each child is consistent from K5 - 6th grade. Our curricula is located under the tab "Our Homeschool Tools". We do combine both history and science from pre-school through 6th grade, and each child is only required to retain what is required for their age. This works very well for our family, as they are all able to share their excitement with each other about the content, while retaining only that which is necessary for their age.

Extra-Curricular Activities

The children LOVE choosing their extracurricular activities for the school year. This year their MAJOR activity is the local 4H group. Here they will learn about multiple subjects, such as horses, farm animals, horticulture, aerospace, small engines, computers, entomology, entrepreneurship, sewing, cooking, citizenship, photography, theater arts, woodworking, babysitting, soil and water, wildlife, healthy lifestyles, career exploration and SO MUCH MORE! They are PUMPED about 4H....and so is mommy! Another activitiy in which all of our children (ages 5 & up) will be participating is in piano lessons.

Kaitlyn auditioned for and was chosen for the CHEA (Charlotte Home Educators Association) Choir, where she will learn music theory and vocal parts. The CHEA Choir desires to produce skilled musicians who seek to serve others and glorify God through singing. The choirs rehearse one afternoon each week and perform 2 joint concerts each year, one in the Fall and one in the Spring. The choir also does smaller concerts on their own at neighboring retirement communities and various community functions.

The boys will be studying robotics and working on projects through that class.

All the children will also randomly participate in homeschool clubs and a P.E. class at the area Recreation Center.

This year will be SO MUCH FUN!

Jake (and Julia) at an area abortion mill, ministering to moms

Weekly Community Outreach Day

This year, we plan on schooling 4 days a week and making Fridays our COMMUNITY OUTREACH DAY! We have really been doing it all summer (here and here and here), but are really just now starting to plan something more than what we've been doing.

We, as North Carolinian homeschoolers, have such freedom to conduct school as we see fit, as long as it complies with NC homeschool laws. Now, we are required to school 180 days each school year, to record attendance, keep immunization records on hand and to have our children take annual tests. Easy enough! We would test whether it was required or not, so we could tweak their education to improve their weaknesses and emphasize their strengths. We also EASILY meet the requirement to school 180 days each year, since we homeschool year-round. Schooling year-round prevents children from having that after summer brain freeze that most students have, so stopping to review is rarely needed. Since all our children are 1-2 years ahead of where they are required to be age-wise, it allows us the freedom to take days off when we can enjoy the outdoors OR donate our time to helping others - through community service!

Galatians 5:13 says, "You, my brothers, were called to be
free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature;
rather, serve one another in love."

Just as the above verse says, we have the freedom in our method of homeschooling to do much. We could waste our time on selfish desires OR we could spend one day a week serving others in love. We have chosen to donate one day a week for the Lord's work....to serve others as He served others on earth!

Our Plan This Year

School will be "as usual" using the various chosen curricula Monday through Thursday. Because of our yearly schedule, we usually finish our seatwork (worksheets) by noon, as well as our history/science lessons. This frees our afternoons for reading, projects, outdoor explorations and fun...or chores that call for our attention and mastery! :)

Since our academic school work is completed by Thursday afternoon, each Friday morning we will spend the morning at our local abortion mill ministering to mothers who are either not aware of the truth of abortion or just feel alone, as if there is no other way out. We plan to show up and show Jesus and the truth and hope that He offers us all! This particular ministry is also our family's ministry, as we also serve this way on some Saturdays with Mark.

This particular community outreach fulfills these verses:

Psalm 82:3-4 "Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."

Proverbs 24:11-12 "Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?"

We have been blessed to see babies saved this summer through this ministry, as we simply stood on the sidewalk praying, handing out literature and talking to these moms. Our children have benefited much (more here and here). They have learned to speak and sing publically on a microphone, to have compassion on those being led astray, etc. The list goes on and on...

After our ministry on Friday mornings, we will break for lunch and then either do another activity out in the community or go back home to work on a project. These projects and activities will include:

• Making Linus Blankets
• Purchasing and delivering baby supplies to moms in need
• Bell ringing for the Salvation Army
• Volunteer at a friend's mission service for Guatemalan orphans (helping organize local soccer clinics to raise money for the orphans)
• Canned Food drive donation - Collecting and Donating
• Picking up trash on the road or at parks
• Volunteering at the Operation Christmas Child Packing Center
• Assembling boxes for Operation Christmas Child
• Donate to Samaritan's Purse's Gift Catalog to save lives and end suffering around the world
• Tree/flower planting in the community
• Salvation Army Angel Tree collections and donations
• Angel Tree Prison Ministry collections and donations
• Toys for Tots collections and donations
• Making and deliverying cookies to the EMT, fire and police departments
• Writing letters and sending care packages to the military
• Making a schoolyard habitat in our yards for community beautification and science projects
• Donate Stuffed animals for emergencies
• Cards, cookies and songs to nursing home patients…between our family and the other family who plans on doing the same, we have enough kids to put on a program!
• Make table decorations for nursing homes
• Collect children’s books for children’s hospital
• Volunteer at JAARS
  

This list is just the beginning of our project ideas! If you have a community service idea that would work for families and multiple age groups, please do leave a comment, as our list is not complete!

Summary

We are very much looking forward to this year! ACADEMICALLY - Our plan is to learn above and beyond what is required academically, applying ourselves to our school work and to develop our strengths and improve on our weaknesses! EXTRACURRICULAR - Our plan is to participate in all activities to which we have committed, while making every opportunity to apply ourselves to learning the most we can from each activity. COMMUNITY OUTREACH - Our plan is serve our community for JESUS, remembering that we are witnesses for Him in all we do! 1 Peter 4:10 "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."

What do YOU have planned for this academic school year? Have you thought about adding regular community service outreach to your schedule?

Beautiful Quote by Florence Nightingale

"If I could give you information of my life, it would be to show how a woman of very ordinary ability has been led by God in strange and unaccustomed paths to do in His service what He has done in her. And if I could tell you all, you would see how God has done all, and I nothing. I have worked hard, very hard, that is all; and I have never refused God anything."

Florence Nightingale

She never refused God ANYTHING! Wow! That's what I want to do. My life is but a vapor. Why shouldn't it be devoted entirely to HIS PURPOSE for my life? To submit to Him is to surrender my body and my will for His Will!

One area I surrender is my womb. God never creates mistakes, so I will trust in Him to create eternal souls at His discretion. After all, who can know me better than my own Creator? I do not know what's best for me. Only God knows and so I will leave the creation of new little ones in my womb to God, and GOD ALONE!!!

Response to "Anonymous" on the Oprah Denies Christ Post....

I recently received an anonymous comment from someone on my post about Oprah and her denial of Christ being the ONLY way to Heaven. I would like to respond to this person, hoping and praying that he/she will read this and then see the TRUTH that Jesus gave us in His Word.

Anonymous said, "It's really quite amazing how your blindness keeps you from seeing the wonderful things that people who don't believe in your god do. I'm ashamed to know that ignorant people like yourself are so self-righteous, so blind, and unfair towards those. Your god of love asked you to love "thy neighbor" as yourself... to love your enemies... to be kind and caring toward any human being. But you tweak your bible the way you need to it, just so you can discriminate against anyone who doesn't fit into your little shoebox christian views. "

John 14:6 says, "Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

Matthew 7:13-23 "Enter through the narrow gate ["shoebox"]. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them......"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"

That is or should be a scary thought for those who do not believe in Jesus being the ONLY way! Many will believe that they are on the road to Heaven, but many will not make it.

Like Oprah, many APPEAR to be godly, but sadly they will not be with us in Heaven someday unless they decide to believe that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. 2 Timothy 3:2-5 says, "In the end times....People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. "

Oprah is one who has that form of godliness, but she vehemently denies the power of God and eternal life through His Son, Jesus. Many will appear to be godly, but many do not know the one TRUE God.

Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic or Lord! Which one is He if He told us that HE is the only way to God? I pray that everyone who reads this will make the right decision and believe! Acts 16:31 "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved."

PLEASE take the time to watch this. It is long, but it is SOOOO good! You can listen to it in the background while doing something else!

Have I "Arrived" Yet? Is this Perfection?

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you [Greek - reveal; disclose]. Only let us live up to what we have already attained." Philippians 3:12-16

Whew! Now I can relax. No need to be perfect quite yet, although I should have that as my goal. I have not arrived, nor will not arrive until I get to Heaven. What I must do now is:

• Keep running the race


• Focus on what's ahead


• Pray that God will make all things clear to me, so that I might strive to live up to what I know to be true, according to His Word!

Beware of Oprah's Lies! Christians, Wake Up!

I know there are a quite a few Christians who watch Oprah regularly or semi-regularly. The problem with this is HUGE, because when you surround yourself with this kind of "teacher" you will become like them, even if the intention is not to do so. Remember what Jesus said and PLEASE be forewarned by what Jesus says in Luke 6:40, "A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher." Oprah is not a Christian and she is leading MANY down a road of spiritual darkness. If you watch Oprah at all, please do not continue! Immerse yourself in GOD'S HOLY WORD and flee this type of darkness! ~ Lisa

Oprah Denies Christ

You Mean Its Not All About Me?

I just finished reading Passionate Housewives Desperate for God and I just LOVE what it has to say! I highly recommend it. Vision Forum has it on clearance now, so if you don't have it, click HERE to get your copy!

"The enemy of our souls knows that if he can't convince us that God's ways are wrong, he can at least try to convince us that we've misunderstood what God has said....Biblical motherhood means sacrifice, selfless love, and faithful dedication....To recognize our purpose in motherhood, we must see the godly generations beyond our own children....we must die to ourselves on a minute-by-minute basis...Do you feel like you've been losing your life lately? Perhaps you've made the mistake of trying to save it." ~ Passionate housewives Desperate for God

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers." 2 Timothy 4:3

".....they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." John 12:43

"BEWARE lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. " Colossians 2:8

Embracing Your Sacred Calling

Below are excerpts from Passionate Housewives Desperate for God. Click here for your own copy! It will challenge and bless you! ~ Lisa

"What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustomed ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow." ~ Martin Luther

"Of course, much of the work would agree that being a housekeeper is acceptable as long as you are not caring for your own home; treating men with attentive devotion would also be right as long as the man is the boss in the office and not your husband; caring for children would even be deemed heroic service for which presidential awards could be given as long as the children are someone else's and not your own." ~ Mrs. Dorothy Patterson

"Even those of us moms who have chosen to go against the grain can still be filled by feminism's lies. We can be lured by the insidious notion that being separated from our home and little ones is a good thing.....[they go on to mention that this can even mean a "mothers morning out"]" ~ Passionate Housewives Desperate for God

"When we recognize and fully embrace our calling, we are finally free to truly enjoy it; we're able to experience contentment in the uniqueness of our role and achieve overwhelming victory in our homes and lives!" Passionate Housewives Desperate for God

"He [God] had a heavenly plan for the expansion of His Kingdom that would include generations and generations of fruitful families continuing from the godly one-flesh union of one man and one woman [Genesis 1:28]" Passionate Housewives Desperate for God

"The text of Scripture is straightforward and unequivocal:a woman's duties are to be home-centered....As families shrink...we also see the breakdown of the family and the disintegration of the God-ordered home - yet too often we don't see the connection...her ministry is her family...being a keeper at home is a holy mission....women are to passionately undertake it." Passionate Housewives Desperate for God

"The household is the God-ordained seat of education...The home has always been the God-ordained primary focus for daily worship." ~ Doug Phillips

"Using our gifts and talents to glorify God in our role as helpers to our husbands...imparts a quiet lesson to a watching world and communicates true contentment in the loveliness of womanhood." Passionate Housewives Desperate for God

"We must daily sculpt our children into Kingdom treasures (Psalm 144:12)" Passionate Housewives Desperate for God

"[children] are probably the only gift (Deuteronomy 7:13-14) that we no longer desire in abundance....Imagine the blow to the enemy if all Christian families were to embrace the sanctified reward that is theirs and welcome more children into their families - faithfully training them up for His glory - multiplying godly families who 'Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvelous works among all nations' (1 Chronicles 16:24)" Passionate Housewives Desperate for God

Thoughtful Thursday

Think on this......

"If we find ourselves in a position where we feel that serving our families gets in the way of serving Christ's Kingdom, then we should fall on our faces and repent, because, chances are, if we're not serving the Kingdom, we're serving ourselves instead.....living for self will only keep us further from that true joy we're after as women" ~ Passionate Housewives Desperate for God

What does Matthew 24:45 have to say about this? "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?"

What about Matthew 25:45? "Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' "

"What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the word and faith from which the obedience of the work flow." ~ Martin Luther

Please share your comments!

~ Lisa

Following God's Commands Brings PEACE! Passionate Housewives, Desperate for God!

I was reading "Passionate Housewives Desperate for God" last night and this verse popped out on the page.

Isaiah 55:3 "Listen that you may live." The word, live, is translated literally, meaning "enjoy life; rebuild; be preserved and live anew."

If we simply LISTEN and PUT INTO ACTION what the Word says, we will find the peace that passes all understanding. We will enjoy life. We will rebuild ourselves and our family. We will be preserved. And we will live anew! Wow!

Now, will that spur you into ACTION! READ the Word, LISTEN and DO what He commands! Is that so hard? Yes, but the reward will be GREAT!

~ Lisa

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