Appointed by God

A Guide for the Herbal Medicine Closet (Emphasis on Respiratory Ailments)

2011-03-30T20:40:00.000-07:00

There comes a tremendous sense of confidence when you know how to find and grow your own “medicines”. I have to begin with my very favorite herb and actually most common “weed”; though, weed is a dirty word in my vocabulary! You will find that most of the plants we consider nuisances are some of the most beneficial herbs for healing! So let’s begin.

Herbs You Will Find

Plantain can be found virtually anywhere in the United States and every continent except Antarctica. And no, I’m not talking about the banana. :-) Over 200 varieties and all equally potent. Long-leaf is the most common in the US. Plantain is a powerful astringent. Used by our ancient ancestors to heal--the bites of mad dogs, staph infection, snake bites and venomous creatures, bee stings, abscesses, boils, congestion in the lungs, the list goes on forever! We had what we believed to be a breakout of MRSA over a year ago, and using only plantain (external and internal), tea tree oil (external), and clove (internal) we were able to completely eradicate it! NO antibiotics, NO topical creams….and not a single breakout since. I would never want to be without plantain! Can also be used for earaches, and has been said to restore quite decayed hearing when it’s infusion is placed into the ears.

It’s Uses: expectorant, astringent, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, anodyne, styptic, diuretic, the list goes on.

How to use it: Direct Poultice: If you’re outside and you get stung by a bee, spider, snake, anything you want to pull the venom out immediately, grab a few leaves (it usually grows anywhere, though you may have to walk around a while to find it) chew them up in your mouth until they are nice and juicy :-) and then place on the area you want to draw the poison out of. You will be amazed at how quickly this helps with pain!! I am highly allergic to bees, and every year somehow I get stung. If I apply plantain asap, usually there is very minimal swelling, and very little pain.

Infusion: You have a chest cold and you need help getting rid of lung congestion. Gather a large handful of leaves and pour boiling water over. Let sit at least 30 minutes…the longer the better. Drain the liquid-this is what you drink. Sweeten if you need to. It also helps with lung congestion to make a poultice from the leaves and place on your chest for as long as you can bear to leave it on.

Tincture: Winter is coming and you want to store some plantain in your cupboard for that upcoming cold/infection. Of course you can dry the leaves if you want. However, a tincture is much more potent. Fill an entire mason jar full of the leaves, seeds, roots, and pour vodka until they are completely covered. Let macerate for 5 weeks, shaking the jar once a day, and keeping it out of sunlight in a cool place. Drain liquid out. For just external uses you can do the same thing with olive oil. And if you don’t want to use alcohol, you can substitute it for apple cider vinegar.

For identification, go here.

Elderberry can be found throughout North America. It prefers moist ground, so you will usually find it alongside creeks, rivers, and streams. An infusion made from the berries is an excellent remedy for cold and flu season. An infusion made from the flowers is a wonderful eyewash for conjunctivitis. Elderberry is absolutely wonderful for the respiratory system! A powerful immune-booster. Every time I feel a cold coming on I go straight to elderberry tea! Typically within a few hours I feel myself again!

It’s Uses: Leaves: emollient, vulnerary (topically), strong purgative, expectorant, diuretic, diaphoretic. Flowers: diaphoretic, anti-catarrhal, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory. Berries: Diaphoretic, immune-building, laxative, anti-rheumatic.

How to use it: Syrup: Place around 5 oz. Fresh berries, or 3-4 oz. dried berries in a mason jar, cover with boiling water. Allow to sit over-night. Drain out the liquid, and reheat slightly. Add about ½ c honey. Now you have your infusion. If you have it I add about 15 drops of grapefruit seed extract (GSE). It adds many benefits in aiding your immune system as well as preserving your infusion longer. Adults take 1-2 tablespoons every few hours, children around 2 tsp. Store in your refrigerator. Will last at least a month.

For identification, go here.

Honeysuckle If you can’t find Elderberry near you, or the birds get to the berries before you can, Honeysuckle can work quite nicely as a substitute. The flowers are traditionally used for bacterial dysentery, urinary disorders, eliminating toxins from the body, colds, fevers, flu, asthma, coughs, chest congestion, and laryngitis. It can be used as an external wash for boils, infected wounds, swelling, scabies, tumors, and rheumatism. The flowers have components that help to lower blood cholesterol, as well as being anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-tuberculostatic.

How to use it: You can make a tea from the flowers. The berries, however, are toxic. So stay away from those. The leaves are fine as well, however the flowers are much more potent.

Tincture: Fill a mason jar with flowers, cover with brandy. Shake once a day, keeping in a cool, dark place, for around 5-6 weeks. Strain though a cheesecloth or old T-shirt, and you can add (but not necessary) 10-15 drops of GSE.

Syrup: The same way as the elderberry syrup, only fill the entire jar with flowers.

Mullein Is another of my favorites. It grows throughout the Northern tier and Eastern half of the United States. It is a strong, self-sowing biennial. You will find it particularly on road sides (though I wouldn’t gather mine here), waste grounds, pasture fences; it typically grows in poor soils, and even sandy soils. The leaves are used for asthma, allergies, bronchitis, coughs, croup, pulmonary diseases, mild sedative, antihistamine, swelling, pain, and the list goes on. The seeds rapidly pass through the intestines and have been used successfully in intestinal obstructions. However, some say that with repeated use they can be toxic. They have a pretty strong narcotic effect as well. Dr. Christopher states that it is the “only herb known to man that has remarkable narcotic properties without being poisonous or harmful. Great painkiller and nervous soporific, calming and quieting all inflamed and irritated tissues.” They are also used in asthma and infantile convulsions. The Flowers are excellent for earaches and ear infections.

How to use it: Poultice from the leaves. Tear a few leaves pretty finely, pour just enough hot water to barely wet. When it cools enough to touch, apply to affected area.

Tea: Put one or two leaves in hot water and allow to steep for around 20 minutes. Remove the leaves, and sweeten if you need to.

Infusion: Gather the flowers every day (there will be new buds each day) and place in olive oil. Place in a warm spot, but not to where the sunlight is hitting it directly. What I do is place it either in the sun under a cardboard box, or in my car under a blanket or cardboard box. Shake daily and allow to infuse for about 3-4 weeks. Strain though a cheesecloth or old T-shirt. This is what you use for ear infections. Works like a charm!!

Preserve the leaves by allowing to dry. Just KEEP THEM OUT OF SUNLIGHT. I cannot emphasize this enough. It applies to all herbs, and it is very important because the sun creates oxidation, which eventually leeches out all the minerals and nutrients in the herb.

For identification, go here.

Red Clover is absolutely powerful. It relaxes the nerves, and the entire nervous system. Can be used as a sedative. It has also been used quite successfully to fight cancer. It is a marvelous preventative for health problems, and a great wash for sores. It is especially good for pertussis (whooping cough), and it can be drunk freely. It is also wonderful externally for burns, sore, athlete’s foot, and ulcers. An anti-spasmodic and expectorant, also good for asthma.

How to use it: Tea: made from the blossoms. Place 4-5 blossoms in a cup of hot water. Steep for 20 minutes. Sweeten if desired.

Tincture: Fill a mason jar with only the blossoms (the other parts are not harmful, however, it is the blossoms that are the most potent), cover with vodka. Let sit in cool, dark spot for 4-6 weeks, shaking daily. Strain through cheesecloth or old T-shirt.

Preserve the flowers by drying.

For identification, go here.

Blackberry Is known to prevent fluid loss during dysentery. It is also well known for stopping gastric bleeding. Regular consumption of the berries (can make a tincture) can aid in killing off the free radicals that are linked with the development or heart disease and cancer. However, the leaves and roots are wonderful too! Absolutely wonderful for colds and flu. It is also used for fever, arthritis, gout, pain, and infections.

It’s Uses: Astringent, tonic, alterative, anti-emetic, hemostatic, anti-abortive, parturient (leaves).

How to use it: Tea from the leaves and woody part of the bramble is wonderful for diarrhea. Tea from the berries is wonderful for colds and flus.

Leaf Tincture: Fill jar with leaves and roots, cover with either cider vinegar or vodka. Process goes as all other tinctures. Used for fever, arthritis, gout, and diarrhea. Used topically for pain. 1 tsp./hour until fever drops.

Berry Tincture: Same as above, only with berries instead of leaves and roots. Used for colds, flu, and infections.

Herbs You Should Be Growing

Not that you shouldn’t be trying to grow any of the others. Red Clover, for example is an easy, important herb that you can and should be growing now. It’s in the other list, however, because it can easily be found in the wild.

Oregano is used for coughs and colds, degenerative arthritis, rheumatism, upset stomach, urinary tract infections, sore throats, infections, fever, vomiting, jaundice, and asthma attacks. It is an antiseptic, antiviral, and anti-microbial. Strong anti-oxidant.

How to use it: Tincture made from the leaves for coughs, rheumatism, bronchitis, asthma, infections, and sore throat.

Tea 3 cups of boiling water over 1 cup fresh leaves (or half cup dried leaves), steep 20 minutes. Take ½ cup three times a day.

Infusion Made with olive oil from the leaves is a powerful antiseptic externally.

Lobelia is probably the most vital plant that you should be growing. Especially if you or your child, or someone you know, has asthma. I know what a down hill slide asthma can be when you have nothing to treat it. Lobelia can be balanced by taking it with cayenne.

It’s Uses: Anti-asthmatic, anti-spasmodic, expectorant, emetic, bronchodilator, nervine (Stimulant, in small doses; Relaxant, in large doses), diaphoretic, diuretic, cathartic, and astringent.

How to use it: Tincture: Fill jar with herb, and cover with APPLE CIDER VINEGAR. Lobelia’s components work the absolute best with apple cider vinegar. It is important that you don’t allow it to get too warm, either. The structure of lobelia is lost when it is heated even slightly, so take care. It only needs to macerate for 2 weeks.

The tincture can be used for such a wide variety of ailments. Such as asthma, croup, infections, boils, sedative, lockjaw, ringworm, hepatitis, and convulsions. It is excellent for convulsions. Can be rubbed on the body or placed in the mouth and the body will absorb it quickly, relieving convulsions. Rubbing the tincture on the shoulders of a restless child is wonderful for helping him calm down and go to sleep. It also helps to rub on the gums of a teething baby. Especially good for croup and respiratory ailments.

Preserve through drying.

Comfrey I would not want to be without this marvelous herb! A powerful allantoin and traditional healer. About a year and a half ago I had a complete humeral spiral fracture. Needless to say it was extremely painful, and I had been told that it would take at least 10-12 weeks for it to heal enough to have moderate use out of it. Everything I read, most sufferers from this break never had 100% use of their arm even after 2 years of healing and therapy. Not to mention the lingering pain they had on cold or wet days. After 1 week of healing I was able to begin applying comfrey poultices to the break (I had a removable cast). After only 7 weeks I was able to remove the brace that supported my arm, and I had no pain! I didn’t even do physical therapy (other than daily push-ups in my workout regime). My arm is now stronger than it ever was, and I have NO pain from it whatsoever!

It’s Uses: Mucilaginous, vulnerary, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, anti-psoriatic, astringent, expectorant, anti-tumor, anti-mutagenic, cell proliferant, nutritive, and hemostatic. Amazing healer.

How to use it: Poultice made from the leaves applied to cleaned wound. Will heal extremely quickly. Even better if combined with plantain. The plantain removes the toxins, while comfrey heals.

Neither of the lists is by any means exhaustive. There are so many herbs I would love to talk about, but these are some of the top of my list. Remember, when dealing with herbs, you are being your own doctor. RESEARCH. IDENTIFY. And when making tinctures, make sure you LABEL.

Red Clover Identification

2011-03-30T09:37:00.001-07:00

Short-lived perennial, usually abundant on pastures and meadows. The green leaves are stalked and each has three oval leaflets. each leaf contains a distinct "V" marking. You just can't miss it! Globe-shaped flower heads, ranging from pink to purple in color.

Mullein Identification

2011-03-30T09:33:00.001-07:00

Tall and wooly. Base leaves are oblong, usually 8 to 12 inches long and 4 to 5 inches wide, and covered with thick, velvety hairs. Leaves get progressively smaller towards the center of the plant. In its second and last year, it sends up a dramatic stalk that is also covered in down. Blossoms at the top.

Elderberry Identification

2011-03-30T09:26:00.001-07:00

A small shrubby tree, grows to around 5-12 feet high. Blooms in June and July with large flat-topped masses of 1/4 in. creamy white, star shaped blossoms. The blossom heads are followed by large drooping bunches of purplish-black berries. The central stems are smooth while the branching stems are covered with rough, gray bark. The leaves are compound, with 5-11 leaflets (usually 7), pointed at the tips, toothed, mostly smooth on top and slightly hairy and lighter underneath.

Plantain Identification

2011-03-30T09:19:00.000-07:00

Long leaf is the most common in the United States, varying in size. All varieties are equally potent. Leaves dark green, long and slender, usually not much more than an inch wide. Long veins that run longitudinally down the leaf. The flowerstalks stand predominately above the leaves. Broad leaf plantain has oblong, roundish leaves that are usually more crumpled in appearance. Same characteristic veins running down entire leaf.

The Lord Continues to Transform...

2011-02-24T04:33:00.000-08:00

(One of our traditional date-night picture spots...)

It's been quite a while since I've posted. However, this does not signify that there has been a lack of noteworthy moments in the past year! On the contrary, God has done so much in my life and I am thankful! I would say that He has taught me most what love is. I am thankful He doesn't leave us to ourselves! We would forever be lost. It is through my husband that God has shown me what HIS love is all about. The way Josh has loved, forgiven, exemplified patience, shown kindness, throughout our married years has opened up my eyes to so much.

1.) How little I love...I hadn't realized, but much of the way I loved was dependent upon actions. Very much a work-based love. Josh has loved me in times when I have been most unlovable :-)

And 2.) How MUCH God loves! He loves enough to reprimand us when we are wrong or heading in the wrong direction. My darling husband does this often for me :-)...

There have been times he has felt the need to "reprimand" me, taking me to scripture to show me how my attitude, discouragement, etc...is not from the Lord. How thankful I am for a husband who loves me and who cares enough to tell me when I am not doing/thinking right! And how thankful I am for a God who cares about every thought and action of His children, and how willing He is that we walk rightly that He will scold us when necessary!

A few things I am thankful for in my husband:
1) How much he loves God and desires to serve Him
2) The way he loves me and shows me God's love
3) How he loves the children
4) He works hard to provide for us
5) He is a command man :-)
6) How he leads our family in God's word
7) He enjoys giving to others in need
8) He loves to play the guitar with me
9) His laugh :-)
10) His hugs

I love you! xoxo

Will "Moo" for Food...

2009-07-10T20:52:00.000-07:00

We thought it might be fun to dress up for a free meal...

And we thoroughly enjoyed Chick-fil-a's annual cow appreciation day. Yeah, Josh and I dressed up too...I think Noah really enjoyed that part of it ;-) Thanks, Chick-fil-a!

Playing Catch-up

2009-05-20T12:22:00.000-07:00

I realize it's been quite a while since I've updated anything, so here's a little catch-me-up...

With the beautiful weather we've had lately, we've been able to get out and work in the garden, which has needed some work ;-)

And as always, taking care of the animals, one of Noah's favorite jobs, I do believe!! He absolutely adores yoyo, our Nigerian Dwarf, who is actually expecting her first baby/babies in about a month.

(Noah feeding yoyo)

Milking Bella, our Pygmy, is quite the challenge, and not because she is so small, but because she does NOT like to be touched! But with my wonderful command-man husband, we've gotten her in-line, and she's gotten a lot better.

(The kiddos helping mommy with the animals)

Josh's brother Jared was in town this past week from Utah, so we were able to enjoy some time with him. We went to the lake, and of course Noah was in heaven! He's my little water-baby...Mercy is NOT...

(Noah with his uncle Jared)-I have one with Mercy, but she wasn't really cooperating.

In the midst of all this my little boy turned TWO! Can't believe it, except for the testing phase he's going through right now...We had Noah's great-grandpa (papa) and great-grandmother (mema) over for dinner that night, and the next day had a surprise visit from his Nuna (my mother) and aunts bringing him a police car...(his daddy is a deputy so Noah has thoroughly enjoyed his "daddy car"). After that we were able to celebrate his birthday with his nana and papa and aunts and uncles!

(Noah enjoys his car from his nuna and pops)

(Do I need to mention that he loves cake?)

We try to go on walks whenever we can. Josh and I love to spend time together outside, and the children love to go on walks! It's a family activity that we really look forward to!

Picture post

2009-03-30T20:10:00.000-07:00

I love his "smile"

The last day the snow was on the ground

The classic Mercy pose

We babysat our Friends' daughter, Ana, this weekend

I love my man!!!

His sweet, gentle side shining through! He loves his baby!

What God Has Put Together...

2009-01-07T00:35:00.000-08:00

In the amount of life I have experienced so far I have come to realize that marriage can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding of relationships in life. Josh and I just celebrated our 3rd anniversary. And while, yes, it may seem as though we should still be newly-weds (we're quite a ways away from our silver anniversary!;-), in many ways it feels as if we've been together our whole lives. I'm sure those of you who are so blessed to be married can agree that after only a few years together, it's rather hard to remember what it feels like to be single. We have definitely had our ups and downs...at times it feels as though there have been more valleys, and other times more mountain-peaks. These seasons come and go with life. Some are more welcomed than others, yet they all serve their purpose. A christian cannot expect to have a life without trials. Let me rephrase that...A christian who is seeking to become more like Christ in every aspect of his life cannot expect for life to be easy. Trials and tribulations are part of the package. It's unfortunate. But God is God. And we did not create this world. This is how He has chosen to refine us and to strengthen and polish our faith. Marriage is tough at times. But Guess what!! God is on our side! He DESIRES for us to stay together! Christ will never leave the church. He will never forsake us. And once we have been bought with His precious blood it is impossible for us to be completely lost again........To ourselves, the world, or to satan. God will pursue His children because He has promised that "He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it..." (Phil. 1:6). What a beautiful picture of what marriage is and should be! No husband is perfect, and while we wives are a little closer...KIDDING!!...no one is perfect. We are all lacking. And that is definitely what makes this beautiful relationship so difficult! But this is how God's love is demonstrated here on earth. Through an imperfect man and an imperfect woman loving each other, REALLY loving each other despite those frustrations and annoyances. The wife beautifully submitting to her husband, respecting him in a way that helps him become all of the man that God intended for him to be. This is hard! Really hard. A woman has so much influence on how her husband is going to view himself and the world. How are we helping our husbands? Or are we hindering them? I have so much to learn about being a wife. Throw that on top of already being overwhelmed with being a good mommy and you have a total train-wreck! Dirty diapers all day long, nursing baby around the clock, cleaning up after toddler, developing relationship with little ones, training little ones in the way they should go, training little ones in the way they should go, training little ones in the way they should go ( ;-) there's a reason I mentioned that thrice! ), laundry laundry laundry, (I don't have school added yet!!...but God's grace will be sufficient then! ) rush to get dinner on the table for when darling hubby walks in, straighten house real quick before darling comes home......It may seem monotonous, but isn't that what it's all about? Yes, I am inadequate to be the wife God wants me to be. Yes, I am inadequate to be the mother He desires me to be. Yes....I am one inadequate person. PRAISE THE LORD!! Because if I were adequate, then why did Jesus die? If I were perfect, His life and death would have been wasted. SO, rather, my day should look like this: talk to God while I change diapers, talk to God while I make dinner, talk to God as I straighten house, talk to God anytime I can. Prayer is one thing that will NEVER BE WASTED. Though my life may at times be monotonous, and the things I accomplish throughout the day may seem minute, if I carve them in prayer, I am dwelling with my Savior, and every day is holy. Every day, and every action is an experience with God. Every diaper change and every nose-wipe is holy, bound in prayer, and that I can offer up to my Lord. Prayer cannot be burnt in flames.

Sense and Sensibility Patterns

2008-11-07T09:59:00.000-08:00

For all of you who enjoy sewing, you might want to check out Jennie Chancey's online pattern store. She has recently converted most of her patterns to ePatterns! So it's pretty much an instant download! I just checked it out myself, and she has some really neat patterns including regency (Jane Austen), titanic, edwardian (one of my favorites!), swing, and doll clothes! She even has online sewing instructions in case you need guidance. What a talented woman! Just click here or on the image above to check out her store! Enjoy!

What is a Woman's Role Anyway?

2008-11-02T17:26:00.000-08:00

My husband wrote this paper regarding the Biblical role of women in reference to Sarah Palin. He has been working on this for about a month now. I know elections are super close, but we wanted to post it anyway! We must remember God and repent if we truly want a change in our society. Putting the "most qualified" person in office won't do us much good if that person that we put in office isn't godly, seeking God's face for guidance. What we need is God! And please, in no way think that we are saying that we are perfect or that we "have it all together." He and I both know that God has a lot of work to do still in our own lives. As Romans 3:10 says there is "none righteous, no not one"...we know that it is GOD who does the work in our lives...we must stay in constant prayer that He will work in our lives, forgive us of our daily sins, and grant us the grace we need and the courage to do what is right. Without Him it is impossible for us to do any "good". Josh has broken it up between the Old Testament and the New, so take an intermission! I know this article is long, but I think he did a very good job putting it together. Enjoy! ;-)

When you look at a position from Scripture, we all agree that you must interpret it in light of the rest of Scripture. So I don't think it is wise at all to only look at the example of one magistrate (Deborah) in the old testament and say that it is ok. I believe we all would agree that, although the old testament is very important (for telling us Who God is, and what He has done – God's nature and actions) the new testament "rules and regulations" is what we live by (what God requires of us). Of course, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…" (2 Tim. 3:16-17), but when Jesus came, he did fulfill and change the law (Matt. 5). We do not live any longer by the old testament law and sacrificial system since Jesus came. We do however still look at the old testament to see God's nature, to see things God hates and things he loves (since he does not change – Mal. 3:6, Jas. 1:17). We also look at the OT because it is history, it is promise, and it is the beginning of Jesus (prophesies and lineage). The only point I am trying to make here is that yes, we do look at the OT, but if Scripture in the NT changes or does away with OT laws or principles (i.e. a comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption ) then we need to let that govern our lives… not try to make an excuse for what we want to hear, see, or feel (as do many christians).

Old Testament

I am going to look at the OT as well as the NT in reference to the role of women. One Biblical principle, OT or New, is a focus by women on their homes (not career or other passions or desires) and a submission to their husbands. When looking at this Biblical principle, we need to start by looking back to the very beginning in Genesis. We first see Adam created by God in Gen. 2:7. Then, all of the animals were created and named by Adam, but Adam did not find a suitable "helper" for him (Gen. 2:20), so God created woman out of man. The Hebrew word for "helper" used here is `ezer which is used 2 times in Genesis, and 21 times total in the old testament, 20 of which it is used in cases referring to help from a superior. Adam then asserts his authority over Eve by naming her "woman" (Gen. 2:23). Then in Gen. 3:16 when God is cursing Eve, he states," I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you." Not only was the authority structure given at creation, but here God also mandates that the husband shall rule over the wife. The word "rule" here is also translated "to master" or "to dominate." Eve's job and life was designed to be focused on Adam and their family. Even during God's curse on Eve (in verses 15 and 16) he mainly speaks about the family (Adam and their children).

In looking at the complete role of women in the OT, we also see that a man could marry as often as he desired. This is a way in which the OT reveals that during that time, women were inferior to men (and I am not saying that in any way they are, just pointing out the totality of women's roles). In Genesis 4:19, Lamech became the first known polygamist when he took two wives. Subsequent men who took multiple wives included: Esau with 3 wives; Jacob: 2; Ashur: 2; Gideon: many; Elkanah: 2; David: many; Solomon: 700 wives of royal birth; Rehaboam: 3; Abijah: 14. Jehoram, Joash, Ahab, Jeholachin and Belshazzar also had multiple wives.

Many evangelicals today are quick to point out the story of Deborah in the OT, but I wonder how many of them remember the story of Sarah and Abraham. Sarah's focus was also Abraham (her husband) and her household. She even wanted children so bad (which was seen as a blessing, not a curse as it is today) that she encouraged Abraham and Hagar to commit adultery to have a child. Then in Genesis 18, the Lord and 2 other men come to visit Abraham in his tent. So Abraham hurried into his tent (where Sarah already was – not out working a job or being a busy body) and told her to quickly make some bread (here again, Sarah is the one preparing the meals in the tent and opening her husband's home to these men at his request). Sarah also even called Abraham her "lord" or "master" (1 Pet. 3:6, Gen. 18:12). In 1 Peter 3:5-6. We read, “For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.” This passage in Peter tells us 2 things. First, Peter there is tracing out the roots of a wife’s wise submission to her husband. He says that it belongs to her very womanhood, as given by God. In the OT, God is giving tangible, concrete examples of what it means to live by faith through grace. Peter is commendating women who act as Sarah did in the OT, by being in submission to their husbands. He is also secondly saying to us that when he sets before us the call of the wife to submit to her husband, he is not setting forth a novelty. When the Scriptures call the wife to submit to her husband, this is not something of a particular culture. Peter is saying that the Christian life is the same in all ages. The Christian life is not determined by what a society will bear, what an age will accept. But it is determined by the will of God in Holy Scripture.

I would also like to point out that several verses in Gen. 21 refer to the wife and daughter being property, this as a command from the Lord. I am just referring to this (and the story of adultery between Abraham and Hagar) to point out as an example that the Jesus in the NT does change things.
In Gen. 24 we see the account of Rebekah, and in the consequent chapters, Isaac’s and Rebekah’s story of their family. The story of Rebekah is a wonderful OT story of submission. As Abraham’s servant is near at well in Mesopotamia, waiting on a sign from the Lord to provide a wife for Isaac, he sees Rebekah approach as she was retrieving water for her father’s house. Her gentle and servant heart is seen here as she gladly serves… drawing water not only for Abraham’s servant, but also for his camels. When she invites him and his men to stay at her father’s house, he accepts. Upon arrival, he meets with Laban (Rebekah’s brother) and her father (Bethuel) and informs them of his quest. Then Laban and Bethuel say this(Gen. 24: 50-51): “ Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, ‘The thing comes from the LORD; we cannot speak to you either bad or good. Here is Rebekah before you; take her and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as the LORD has spoken.’” And when they ask her if she wants to go or not, she accepts, packs, and leaves with these strange men who she has never met before to marry an unknown husband (given, they were family, but very distant). She submits to her father and brother’s decision as they exercise headship over her.

Moving on to Exodus, we see that women are not qualified to be priests – Ex. 28:4 etc. ( I know this is a "church" position, but am still looking at the complete role of women). In Numbers 30, the Lord tells the Israelite people through Moses, that an oath given by a man is binding, but an oath made by a woman can be revoked by her father or husband, which is very interesting – shows the headship and authority of man over woman (this is one more passage which shows the Biblical family structure as a principle laid out all through scripture – this one pointing out that a woman needs to be under the authority of a male figurehead).
There are many other examples of how women are viewed in the OT in general, and more specifically in reference to the home and being under a man's authority (Esther, Ruth, etc.)…. But as we keep reading, we eventually come to the story of Deborah in Judges 4-5, which I have really been wanting to address. I want to first make it clear that the example of a woman like Deborah cannot be considered normative because it contradicts the explicit teaching of the law of God in Exodus 18:21 and Deuteronomy 1:13 (where God instructs the people for men - 'enowsh in hebrew – to be civil leaders). The example of Deborah no more proves that we ought to vote for a woman for civil office, than the example of Abraham proves that a man should take his son to a mountain to sacrifice him to demonstrate his devotion to God, or the example of David proves that a man may have more than one wife. We already agree that when scripture seems to contradict scripture (which I don’t think that is the case here) we must look the entire Word of God to interpret and understand the paradox. The example of the prophetess Deborah, though set in a time of more severe judgment than ours, gives interesting insights. She was living in a time when “the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord” (Judges 4:1), “Village life ceased” (Judges 5:7), and the leaders had not been leading (Judges 5:2). Despite the desperation of the time, Deborah clearly did not become a civil magistrate or “judge” in the modern sense of the word, nor did she run for any kind of office, nor did she sit in the gates (Judges 4:5). She was appointed by God because men weren’t leading (Judges 2:16-18, 5:2) Even when pushed toward positions of leadership, Deborah never actually took the reins of authority, but rather extended them to Barak and stood supportively behind him (Judges 4:6, 4:14). Deborah succeeded in bringing a man into leadership, rather than take the leadership herself. I don’t understand where Gary DeMar thinks that Deborah leading is never spoken against in scripture. In Judges 4:9 she tells Barak clearly,“ I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman…” this is because he would not lead the troops to battle without her! Actually in Isaiah 3 (read whole chapter) verse 12, Isaiah is prophesying and judging Judah and states, “As for My people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths.” It is a judgment from God when women rule and children rebel and oppress their parents. How amazing… isn’t that what is happening today?

Really though the “Deborah” issue should be null and void according to most evangelical argument for Sarah Palin today. It seems okay to use Old Testament examples to establish the propriety of female rulers, but it is not okay to use Old Testament instruction from the law of God to disprove the propriety of female rulers (again, Ex. 18:21, Deut. 1:13) – this is a contradiction in this argument. If Old Testament law is off limits in this debate, then so are Old Testament examples. Those who reject the authority of the Old Testament on this issue, should appeal only to New Testament examples of women rulers.
In the Old Testament the office of priest was limited to men of the priestly line (Ex. 28:1; Num. 18:1-7), and the office to civil ruler was limited to men as well (Ex. 18:21, Deut. 1:13). No women among the Levites were involved in the priesthood. However the office of prophet in the Old Testament was not limited to men, there were a few women that were called to be “prophetesses,” God’s spokesperson, as were the prophets. Miriam (ca. 1400 B.C. Exodus 15:20) was the first prophetess to the nation Israel, then Deborah (Judges 4:4-7); Isaiah’s wife was also a prophetess (725 B.C.) (Isaiah 8:3). There were female prophets in the early New Testament times, we see this with Philip, “Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses” (Acts 21:9). The role of a prophetess was to encourage the people to obey God. Prophets and prophetess did not necessarily predict the future, although they definitely did sometimes. Their main purpose was to speak for God, proclaiming His truth and judgment. This “office” of prophetess is completely different from that which Sarah Palin is seeking (and as far as I know, the OT never states that they sought out that position) today as leader of a nation.

Moving on to Proverbs 31, which is another issue that really needs to be addressed. I have heard several people make mention of Proverbs 31 to argue for a woman having a career, but I have to disagree. In fact, I believe that, if you actually read the complete text (instead of just using verses 16 and 18), you will find the opposite to be true.
“The Proverbs 31 woman was certainly entrepreneurial. She also brought income into the home and made it more productive. However, there is nothing in this passage that even hints at a career. She didn’t punch a clock. She didn’t have a nanny. In fact, the cultural context renders such a reading implausible. Old Testament Israel was not a culture in which ‘career women’ flourished. But what about the other truths in this passage that were the norm for women in Old Testament Israel? “ - Dr. Voddie Baucham. It is interesting, that “Christians” would point to a couple verses to attempt to prove a point, but not look at the rest of the SAME passage! When you look verse to verse, you actually find the following:
· Verse 12 states that “ She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.” She could not do this, if she were another man’s (or corporation’s) help meet… again, this is established in the creation order in Gen. 2 and referred to all throughout scripture.
· Verse 15, “ She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household…” Where is her focus? Her household - not a career, not making money or materialism.
· Verse 16, “She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard.” She grows her own food (ie. Grapes).
· Verses 18-19, “ She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle.” She is very diligent, and even (to some extent) makes or repairs clothing for her family (also vs. 22). She also sells clothing that she makes to the merchants (vs. 24).
· The emphasis in verse 23 is on her husband, “ Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.” She is not the one sitting in the gates or known by the people.
· A key verse that many overlook is verse 27, “She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.” This verse points out that the virtuous woman’s primary focus is her household, and she is not lazy in watching over this responsibility. You cannot watch over the ways of your household (i.e. family) when you are not with your children! (i.e. children are in public schools or you are never home).

It is funny to me, why we use this passage to push for careers, but then don’t want to read the rest of it and push a woman to be a true “ virtuous woman” as listed above. “The ‘career woman’ argument is an absolute stretch. Especially when we recognize the irrefutable hermeneutical principal that Scripture interprets Scripture. Thus, we cannot use Proverbs 31 to negate Titus 2. Whatever the Proverbs 31 woman teaches us, she cannot teach that which would contradict the direct command for women to be “keepers (or workers) at home.” (Tutus 2:5, cf. 1 Timothy 5:14)” – Voddie Baucham. We will get into the NT passages next.

New Testament

If anything, when Jesus came, he changed the cultural view of women… from one of property-like subjugation to one of value and intrinsic worth (Jn. 4, Luke 7:11-15,8:26-56).
I would like to point out that at least twice in His sermons Jesus used the example of a woman to rebuke the faithless men of His generation: the widow of Zarephath to the men of Nazareth, Luke 4:25-26, and the Queen of Sheba to the Pharisees, Luke 11:31.Men have a great responsibility before God, as the leaders he has appointed them to be.

When looking at the role of women in the NT, one of the first major passages we come to, is 1 Corinthians 11. The Bible is clear that man’s headship over the woman is an essential and all-encompassing part of God’s plan and part of His established order of government in the world. This fact is made explicit in 1 Corinthians 11:3: “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” By its very nature, this order must apply in all areas of life; it is an essential order that knows no exceptions. Complementarians would agree that in every area of the divine government God is the head of Christ, and in every area of life the head of man is Christ. But, incredibly, they argue that the order of male headship has only limited application, and that there are many areas of life where it does not apply, and one of them is the civil sphere. This is a contradiction. Paul goes on to say in verses 7-9,“ For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man is not from woman, but woman from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man.” We are continuing to see the OT reiterated here in the new, and the authority structure (i.e. headship) the same.

We then see in Eph. 5:22-33, “ Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” This is a continual theme throughout scripture. This passage also confirms the headship of men over women.

It is interesting, when we look at what Paul writes to Timothy in 1 Tim. 2:11-15, “ Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.” Here we go back to Genesis, and the story there. Paul points out that “Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression,” teaching us that women are more easily deceived – this is one reason for them needing to be under the authority of male headship. Paul also says that she will be “saved in childbearing.” Here, when Paul is discussing the public ministry of the church, he says that women are not to teach but be in silence. However, he quickly points them to the place of ministry God has called them to — “childbearing.” This is not indicating that women are eternally saved through having babies, which would be a clear contradiction of scripture (in which salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, Rom. 3:19-20/Eph. 2:8-9, sustained forever, Rom. 8:31-39). This verse could be referring to a few different things. 1. He could be saying that the woman will be saved through childbearing, because the Messiah was born of a woman. 2. Paul also may be saying that, even though a woman led the human race into sin (because she was deceived first), women have the privilege of leading many out of sin to Godliness (i.e. their children). And we know that children are a blessing from God (Ps. 127:3, Ps. 139:13-18). Paul says in Rom. 5:12, “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned…” I would like to clarify this verse in reference to what we are talking about. The word in Greek here is “anthrōpos” which is defined as mainly pointing to “a human being, whether male or female.” This is a general term used for the human race in general. 3. Paul could be saying that a woman is sanctified through childbearing (one of the three step process of salvation – justification, sanctification, and glorification – another whole study in and of itself.) Regardless of which one of these viewpoints one takes, one emphasis Paul makes here in verse 15 is on salvation coming through women having children, and continuing in “faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.”
Over and over again in the OT, lineage and major events were primarily recorded through males, not females. This, and the afore mentioned verses, point to male leadership and responsibility. I would, however, argue that sin did actually enter into the world primarily through Adam, because he was head over Eve, and therefore accepted full responsibility as her husband. Not only this, but we also know that he was present while Eve was being deceived, but remained passive! - which could actually possibly be considered the first sin.

Gen. 3:6 “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”

In 1 Tim. 5:10, Paul says that the church should not let a widow under 60 years old to be taken into the number, and not unless they are - “ reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.” The Scripture is definite in regard to the motherly responsibilities of the woman. “When Paul speaks about the qualifications for those widows who will receive support from the church (above), he gives a list of “good works” that should be present in the report concerning her. The first good work on the list is “if she has brought up children” (1 Tim. 5:10). The Greek word translated “brought up” (tropheo) is extremely important. It means not only to raise, but also carries with it the idea of personal attendance, that of being with the child to care for and to train. Furthermore, the word “brought up” indicates that the rearing takes place in the home. The noun form of “brought up,” trophia, means “brought up in the house, reared at home.” In other words, the good work of the widow in view is that she stayed at home to raise her children!” - William Einwechter. This also shows how Paul relates having children to “every good work.” Paul actually says in verse 14 that he desire’s for younger widows to “marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully,” which implies that if these things do not occur, an opportunity will be given to the adversary to speak slanderously or reproachfully of them!

After this letter to Timothy, Paul instructs Titus to “… speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine,” and then he gives a list of these things in verses 2-8. “ That the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.” Here again, Paul points out that a woman’s focus should be her home. There is nothing at all in the above passage that allows, or even indicates it is ok, for a woman to have a career! I am afraid, that not only are Christian women having careers today, but they are another man’s (i.e. their boss’) help meet, and not their husbands.

The word “homemakers” or “keepers at home” is oikouros in Greek, which literally means “caring for the house, working at home; the (watch or) keeper of the house; keeping at home and taking care of household affairs.” This word is derived from two Greek words. The first, oikos, means a house, a dwelling, or, by metonymy, a household or family. The second, ouros, refers to a keeper, watcher or guardian, i.e., one who has the oversight and responsibility for something. Thus, the basic significance of oikourous is that of a “housekeeper,” that is, one who watches over a household and family, seeing to it that all members are cared for, and all things maintained in good order. This term has generally been understood by the church to mean that the sphere of a married woman is her home. A simple look at history will reveal as much. One look at a Puritan commentator (Matthew Poole) shows how Christians viewed this concept, when he interpreted this phrase to mean: “housewives, not spending their time gadding abroad, but in looking to the affairs of their own families.”

Now, many in the church have rejected the earlier understanding of “homemakers.” Instead, it is interpreted to mean that a wife and mother is “to be busy at home” (NIV), i.e., she ‘should not be idle or derelict in fulfilling home duties.’ In other words, “homemakers” does not define the married woman’s calling or the sphere of her work, but is simply an admonition not to neglect her domestic duties. Therefore, a wife and mother may pursue a career outside of the home — as a lawyer, teacher, sales clerk, etc. — as long as she fulfills her responsibilities in the home.

“Oikouros is used only in the New Testament in Titus 2:5; therefore, in seeking to accurately discern its meaning we must look to the Greek literature of the New Testament era. There, the word oikouros meant watching or keeping the house. It was employed in reference to a watchdog and to a rooster, but more germane to the context of Titus 2:5, oikouros also meant keeping at home, and was employed as a substantive, 'housekeeper', to indicate the mistress of the house. Furthermore, it was specifically used in praise of a good wife. Interestingly, oikouros is utilized contemptuously of a man who refused to go out to war, designating him a 'stay-at-home' man. The verbal form, oikoureo, meant to watch or keep the house. It was used of women to indicate those who were at home to watch over the affairs of a household, and of men to designate those who stayed at home to avoid military service. Other closely related words such as 1) oikourema, meant keeping the house and staying at home, and was used to refer to women as the 'stay-at-homes'; 2) oikouria, referred to women as those employed in the work of housekeeping; 3) oikourios, meant the wages or rewards for the work of keeping the house, but also designated, significantly, keeping children within the doors of the house, i.e., keeping them at home. On the basis of this word study, it is concluded that oikouros was primarily used in the positive sense to indicate both the nature and sphere of a married woman’s work. The nature of her work is to manage the affairs of her household, and the sphere of her work is the home. It is important to note that oikouros and its cognates all included the idea of staying at home. Therefore, we can see that the 'keepers at home' or 'homemakers' are those who stay at home for the purpose of managing their households. Paul’s admonition is definite: Let the older women teach the younger women to remain within the sphere of their own households so that they might properly attend to their duties of caring for their family and managing its everyday affairs.” - William Einwechter.

“My heart breaks for her husband. Mrs. Palin is not even supposed to be the head of her own household (Eph. 5:22ff; Col. 3:18; Titus 2:5; 1 Peter 3:1-7), let alone the State of Alaska, or the United States Senate (The VP oversees the Senate). He should be shepherding her, but instead she is ruling over him (Rom 13:1-7; 1Pet 2:13-17). How difficult it must be for him to walk the fine line of bowing to the culture that is stealing his bride while still trying to love his wife and lead his family.” – Voddie Baucham.

Women competing with men in the workplace is actually Marxist ideology. Karl Marx was a German philosopher, who lived from 1818-1883. He was an atheist who stated that his goal was to “dethrone God and destroy capitalism,” (Karl Marx cited in “Erasing Christianity” by Judson Cox). Although his ideas were largely ignored by scholars in his own lifetime, after he died in 1883, his social, economic, and political ideas gained rapid acceptance.

“ In the early 1920’s a group of his [Karl Marx’s] followers launched a project that continues to weaken and bury the last remnants of Christianity. The Frankfurt School was organized in 1923 by dedicated Marxists who were determined to win a war they called ‘The Revolution.’ By this they meant the non-violent overthrow of every nation in the name of Communism. Russia was the first nation to fall in 1917. It fell violently. The next two targeted nations were resistant, and this wasn’t expected. When communist agents met to identify the problem, they found they were in complete agreement. The problem was Christianity. They said ‘The Revolution’ would be stalled until Christianity was destroyed, not by guns, but by an alternative theology. They concluded that, once a nation was socialized with this new theology, The Revolution would proceed smoothly and without resistance. Christendom would be dead, and international Communism would be the dominant religion of all nations. The Frankfurt School was set up as a ‘think tank’ in Frankfurt Germany to develop and teach this new theology as a clever social science. They dressed it up as behavioral psychology and used ingenious methods of public relations to get the new ideas into every school, every movie studio and every university in the west. Their non-violent approach was simple. They identified each main element of Biblical Christianity, and then invented it’s opposite. They preached a strategy called ‘the Great Inversion,’ which was nothing more than the replacement of truth with error, then making error politically correct. Thus, if the Bible taught a family-based education model, they insisted on forced state schooling (with a curriculum of their own design.) If the Bible taught male leadership, they insisted on forced cultural changes to place women over men in every area of society. If the Bible instituted marriage, they insisted on it’s removal. If the Bible placed high value on children, they insisted on developing a culture of widespread abortion and birth control practices.” – Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin in So Much More.

When looking at the Marxist agenda to destroy the Bible-based family, we see what Karl Marx’s close colleague, Fredrick Engles, stated, “ The first condition of the liberation of the wife, is to bring the whole female sex back into public industry, and this in turn demands the abolition of the monogamous family as the economic unit of society.” ( The Origins of the Family, Private Property, and the State – Fredrick Ingles).
On one pro-Marxist website (http://www.newyouth.com), Ana Muñoz and Alan Woods write, “ The employment of women is, in itself, a progressive development. It is the prior condition to the liberation of women from the narrow confines of the home and the bourgeois family, and their full and free development as human beings and members of society.” When looking at Marxism, we see that they want to remove the woman from the traditional role she has held in the home, as a mother and wife. They want to do this because they see that, when she is in the home, she fulfills her role as a transmitter of culture… thereby effectively passing on beliefs and traditional culture to her children. The Marxist’s know that the family and socialism do not mix. We are moving towards a communistic culture, and most people don’t even realize it.

We see that, even “In Marxist terms, socialism is generally regarded as the period of transition between capitalism and communism” – (http://www.newyouth.com). Make no mistake, we are moving (even if slowly) towards communism - in this aspect, Karl Marx may be correct. He thought that it was inevitatble. This Marxist thinking has completely permeated western culture and even Christianity. This thinking is even preached from many pulpits, and Christians don’t think twice about sending the wife or mother off to work while placing their children in public schools ( which is also Marxist ideology).

In conclusion, I believe that Christians – in the world we live in today – have been extremely deceived. We have been deceived by placing our women in the workplace instead of the home. We have been deceived by placing our children in public school and letting the State disciple them, instead of the parents fulfilling their God-given responsibility. And we have been deceived by the world, thinking that children are a burden! We have already seen some consequences (USA going "down hill" in many ways- our children falling away from the Faith by college, etc.). The Bible is what dictates truth. Not culture and not feelings. If a Christian wants to come back to a Biblical view of the family, then it must be done no matter the sacrifice. There is no place, Biblically, that a woman should be other than the home, and this includes civil office.

I Love Shopping!!!

2008-11-01T11:03:00.000-07:00

Sidewalk sales, that is!! Can you believe I got all this for $7.00? And since I have a limited grocery budget this month, I'm totally thrilled!

Camping!!!

2008-10-27T11:24:00.000-07:00

We decided to go camping this past weekend before it gets TOO terribly cold to go......although it did rain half the time we were there :-) We still had a lot of fun, sweet fellowship!!!!!!!
My favorite man in the whole world!!!!!

Nana gave Noah the rest of the bag of Cheetos...I think he liked them!!

I couldn't get her to look at the camera for all it was worth!!

Papa reading to Noah

Noah being thrown in the air by his uncle Jamin!

Daddy loves his little girl so much!

(this little girl doesn't like to look at the camera, if you hadn't noticed!)

Mercy Jael

2008-09-01T16:25:00.001-07:00

Our precious new addition to our family!!! Born August 20th, weighing 5 lbs, 13 oz., and 20 inches long. We are so blessed by God to have this precious little girl entrusted to us! Mercy girl, we pray that you will grow to be a woman of grace, that the Lord will shine His saving light upon you, and that you will not be lost, but be found by our Savior's grace and mercy! We love you so so much, dear daughter!!!

Working in the Garden!

2008-07-27T22:33:00.000-07:00

We love getting to spend time together working in garden! Although Noah does gets a little fussy at times!! As long as he has Mr. Owl to talk to, he's happy! ;-)

We Love You, Daddy!!!

2008-06-13T13:30:00.000-07:00

Josh, thank you for the precious father you are to Noah! You are such a wonderful example of a godly man striving to please God with his life. I am so thankful for the way that you lead our family! I truly thank the Lord for you every day! And I am so glad that our children have such a godly man who will guide their lives, thoughts, visions, and desires. I love you so much, darling! Thank you for the man that you are! We are looking forward to welcoming you home!!! ;-)

More diapers! YAY!!

2008-06-02T13:57:00.001-07:00

God is so good to us!! We were about 3 diapers away from a little diaperless bottom, but I kept putting it off because I didn't want to pay full price. Perfect timing, CVS!! Actually, I know it's all the Lord's time, so I truly have Him to thank. All this for under $4.00!!! AND I got $14.00 back! I was really happy!!!!

Noah was really happy too!!!!

Getting into Mischief

2008-06-02T13:50:00.000-07:00

So one day, as I was folding laundry, I went to check on Noah (I had only left him for about 2 minutes), and I walked in to find this!!! What fun! I think he's going to get along with his aunts WELL!!!!!!! :-)

Splashing Fun!!!

2008-05-22T17:31:00.001-07:00

It was so beautiful outside today that I decided to get out the pool that Nana :-) gave Noah last year....he had a BLAST!!! He loves water, so he stayed in for quite a while! Thanks, Nana!!

"Obedient to their own husbands"-Part One

2008-05-22T01:49:00.000-07:00

I recently started going through one of my favorite books again, and last night, this was the chapter that I read, and the phrase of the verse that it covers.

Titus 2:4-5 "That they may teach the young women to be sober,
to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet,
chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands,
that the word of God be not blasphemed."

Our culture tells us that a woman who is independent and equal in position among men, meaning that "she can do anything a man can do, and probably better at that", can "make her mind up for herself" or "know her own mind", intelligent and lucrative according to the world's standards, outwardly beautiful and not too humble, chaste, reverent, loving, and serving of others, is a success. This is a direct lie from satan that even the church has accepted in many ways. In times like these we must come back to scripture and ask God what HE thinks a successful woman looks like....what HE thinks a beautiful woman looks like. This is one of the passages that He so clearly tells us what He wants His christian daughters to look like. I am focusing on the 8th commandment that He gives us women because this is the one that He has been laying on my heart lately.

Obedient: Yielding, willing and eager to accomplish injunctions or desires, abstaining from that which is forbidden.

It is sad that our culture, and yes, even the majority of christians today, look at a woman who is obedient or submissive as weak. We look down on someone who gives up their "rights" to the benefit of someone else..."She doesn't know her own mind, or stand up for herself. She's so quiet and meek, so 'uncool' " we think or say. But what does God's word say? He tells us that we are to be obedient to our husbands...."that the word of God be not blasphemed." This isn't just a suggestion. It's pretty scary to think that we as wives can blaspheme the word of God if we do not obey our husbands!!! And what does it look like to obey your husband?

"According to God's very words, apart from any cultural context, it is a woman's nature to place her full attention and interest upon her husband, and she is to be under her husband's rule. That is the will of God," (excerpt from Created to be His Help Meet)

"But I would have you know, that the head
of every man is Christ; and the head
of the woman is the man; and the
head of Christ is God" (I Cor. 11:3)

"There can be no cultural context that nullifies this verse, for it says that the basis of a man's headship is rooted in the very essence of the woman's created nature. Just as God is the head of Christ and Christ is the head of the man, so the man is the head of the woman (his wife)" (CtbHHM).

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands,
as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of
the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church:
and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the
church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be
to their own husbands in everything" (Eph.5:22-24)

"Here again-a second witness in Scripture-we wives are informed that our submission to our husband should be viewed with the same love and fervency as our submission and love for Christ. The text says that we submit "as unto the Lord," as if we were submitting to the Lord. Since my husband's authority is delegated by God, when I submit to my husband, I am recognizing God's authority, and I am indeed submitting to God" (CtbHHM).

One Year Old

2008-05-20T06:03:00.001-07:00

Josh had to work on Noah's birthday, but we still wanted to celebrate it on his actual birthday, so Noah and I made cupcakes and blew up balloons, and got everythingd ready so that when daddy came home, we could still have a party!! Noah loved the balloons, but I think he liked the icing best! That was pretty much the only part of the cupcake that he ate!! Happy Birthday sweet boy!!!

Daily Reminders from God

2008-05-16T13:17:00.000-07:00

How do you respond when people treat you rudely? Today I was out running errands and I had a MANAGER of all people treat me with such contempt for using coupons! As if they were illegitimate or something! I've never even shopped in this particular store but once. She was so mean and demanded I tell her where I got them from so she could put a stop to it all...she wouldn't even try to scan them for me. My first response, and second, and third, and fourth (upon pondering later) was to hope that she would fall flat on her rear when headed for her car at the end of the day. My conversation with God went something like this.. "Lord, why do people have to be so mean?? I just don't understand what her problem is! It's not like I've done anything illegal! Is it that wrong for me to try to be frugal with my husband's money?" "My dear daughter, you say she is being so mean, and yet you wish her evil for the way she has treated you. Isn't my command that you love those who do not love you, and bless those who curse you? She knows no better, you do. Did you show her my Son by the way you responded to her coldness?" "Yes, Lord, you are right. I do know better. I should have reponded in sympathy rather than anger, hurt, and frustration in my heart. Please increase Your love in me! Why are the fruits of the Spirit SO HARD to live out? I'm beginning to think that I will never bear these fruits in my life! " "My child, that is what the christian life is all about...allowing me to bring those fruits to bear in your life. Without me it IS impossible. But you will reap what you sow. Keep sowing the seeds of my desires in your heart and life, and you will bear. It won't be easy, but that was never a promise that I gave."

After talking with God I was completely humbled. I had once again allowed my flesh to get in the way of the sanctification that He wants so desperately to increase in my life. It is easy to allow such inconveniences to callous our hearts against those who don't know Christ, or who treat us wrongly. That is our natural response. But God has called us to be different, to be a light, and to love those who are unlovable. This is an impossible task without Christ, without the example of the way he loved those who were unlovable and unworthy....you and I. So....the next time I am treated in such a way, I will try to respond only in love, the way Christ responds to me every time I sin. And I will endeavor to see every human being as created in the very image of God himself.

$0.25 OOP for all this

2008-05-13T03:42:00.000-07:00

I know that "all" these laundry detergents look pretty small, but 24 loads of laundry for free? I'll take it! ;-)

$6.00 OOP for all this

2008-05-13T03:37:00.001-07:00

I truly love sav-mor....ALMOST more than cvs!! ;-) But I wouldn't go quite that far :-)

My Weekend

2008-05-13T03:32:00.001-07:00

praise, Praise, PRAISE!!!

2008-05-10T03:21:00.000-07:00

"All you who fear the Lord, praise Him!" (Ps. 22:23a)

"Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name." (Ps. 30:4)

"But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' they were indignant and said to Him, 'Do you hear what these are saying?' And Jesus said to them, 'Yes. Have you never read,
"Out of the mouths of babes and
nursing infants
You have perfected praise"?'" (Matt. 21:15-16, emphasis added)

Wow!!! I'm starting a study on praise, and I'm beginnning to realize how MANY verses there are on praise! Almost overwhelmingly! Lately I've been getting frustrated easily with the many unwanted inconveniences in life, and this morning, as I lay in bed, the Lord revealed to me that it's because I have allowed satan to steal my joy. And he didn't even steal it with something big and "life-threatening" to me, but with the tiny little details of life.....dirty dishes in the sink, bad hair day, baby crying, complete exhaustion....you know, the whole list! How I have not been on my guard! The devil loves to get us where we are most vulnerable, and many times that's in the areas we don't think to guard over....every day menial tasks. But the Lord has given us a way to be on guard and to glorify Him all at the same time! AND to have a good time while we are doing it! Praise!! This isn't just a suggestion that He gives us, it is a command. And not only to the saved, but to all creation (ps. 148:1-10). How amazing! Even nursing infants praise our Lord (matt. 21:16)!!!! I am resolved that since this is such an important issue to our Savior, I want my life to be characterized by praise. Morning, noon, and night. No room for thoughts of myself or how "bad" my day is going.....constantly turning my affection to my Lord and Savior, in gratitude that He has chosen me, that I am breathing in a new day once again, and that He loves me. I will praise the Lord, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made!!!

The Love of My Life

2008-05-08T17:20:00.000-07:00

When I first married, I didn't realize how much molding, shaping, chiseling, and carving God had to do in my life. I guess you could say that I was one of those who married more for selfish reasons , and not with the sole intention of furthering my husband's visions and goals. God has opened my eyes to the purpose He has for me in being Josh's wife, and how fulfilling my life will be if I will endeavor to make my husband's goals my goals, his visions mine, and his pursuits and dreams to be my every day aspirations. In doing this I pray that my sons will see the kind of wife that they need, and my daughters (hopefully :-) ) the kind of woman they need to be. Only by God's grace will this be possible....

2008-05-08T17:15:00.000-07:00

My darling son

2008-05-08T16:54:00.000-07:00

When your daddy and I brought you home almost a year ago, wrapped so tightly, I remember thinking that I would have forever before your first birthday came, and now it is upon us! I am amazed at how fast your first year has gone by! It is joyous and saddening all at the same time! As I make preparations for your birthday, I cannot help but think about how soon it will be a celebration for your becoming of a man, and then a wedding celebration. All these thoughts only increase the depth of the realization of how important my responsibility is to train you to be a man who knows and fears God. A man who is strong with the word of God against the powers of this world, a man who knows how to be a leader, to stand strong in the midst of a weak society who scoffs at the strong, a man who desires to be a husband, a father, and a leader, and who rules his home with a multi-generational vision. All this your father and I must teach you in the few years that you have been entrusted to us! What a wonderful and mighty calling! I love you, my son! I love, love, love you!!!!