Where We’ve Been

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 A good friend and I were talking today on the phone. In the midst of our conversation we started discussing past mistakes. Who hasn’t made mistakes in their marriage, in training their children, with finances, and such? We have all made poor decisions throughout life. This was the subject of our discourse. At one point in our exchange, I shared with her something that Jim Sammons once said to my husband and I. “God’s blessings are not based on how much we have done right but rather on which direction we are going.” I have carried around this little piece of encouragement for sometime, recalling it when the Enemy tries to remind me of my past failures. 

 Think about this for a moment. God is concerned with the path we are currently on. Those times we have walked upon the pathway of poor decisions and sin should only serve as a reminder of where we’ve been. It should not define who we are now. I can truly thank the Lord for those times in my past. Why? Because I have learned from them. I tell my children often that the best lessons are the ones learned. Would I make the same decisions again if I had it to do over? Of course not. But I have become stronger in my faith because of it. I have been shown the light of victory and I have been given a testimony. I can thank God for that.   

Think about this as well.  God desires us to use those poor decisions in our past to help teach others the truth and to point them to God. After King David repented of his sin against God of adultery, murder, lies, and covetousness he wrote in Psalm 51: 

  “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”  

 

But he didn’t stop there. In verse 13 King David said, “Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” How easy would it have been for King David to simply say, “I’ve messed up. I’ve made poor decisions. I’ve sinned greatly. God can’t bless me anymore. God will never use me.”? I believe this is what the Enemy wants us to think. But remember God’s blessings are not based on how much we have done right but rather on which direction we are going. Does that mean that there will not be consequences for our past mistakes? No! There are always consequences. But God is good and His merciful kindness is great toward us. 
 

So, my prayer is simple. Lord, lead me in paths of righteousness, for Your name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3)

Living with regrets

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It was Martin Luther that said, “If you want to change the world, pick up your pen.” While “changing the world” is too lofty of a goal to attain, I do desire to make a difference in the lives of those who have ears to hear. My prayer is that in picking up my pen, or grabbing my computer in this case, my story will be received with open hearts. More than that, I pray that lives will be altered and that God will get glory through it all. When my husband and I were first married he asked me one simple question, “What do you want to do?” I responded that I wanted to be able to stay home and raise our children. He told me that he would do everything in his power to make that come true. From the time our first born was just a few months old I have been able to stay home. This journey of being a stay-at-home mother has taken us from owning and selling our own embroidery business to homeschooling our three children. This choice we made has been one that we have never regretted. It has been such a blessing to our family and one that I believe is God’s will for every mother with small children. I realize that my children will not stay young forever and I am so thankful that I have a husband who not only understands this but leads as he should. He takes on the full responsibility of providing for his family as God intended. While this is one decision we will never regret there have been many decisions made that we do sorrowfully lament over.

The first regret was having the mind-set that debt is acceptable for a believer. I grew up in church. My husband did not. But God saved him at 19 years old and from the beginning of our marriage we attended church faithfully. We read our Bible. We prayed together. We taught Sunday school. It was what we did. But deep down, we did not believe that the Holy Inspired Scriptures were all-sufficient. For if we had believed that glorious truth we would have lived our lives very differently. The Bible has given us every godly principle to live by. And the Bible is clear. To be in debt is to place yourself in bondage. The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. (Pro 22:7) God does not intend for His children to be enslaved by this world. Which is why Paul wrote in Romans 13:8, “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another”. Because of our worldly thinking we made decision after decision that put us in debt. Large mortgages, car payments, student loans and consumer debt have all brought about unnecessary burdens. Society will tell you that debt is perfectly acceptable but God’s ways are always contrary to this world. It was the fallacy of our thinking on debt that led to the second and even greater regret we are now living with.

 This regret was based on our view of having children. A few months before our third child was born my husband surrendered into ministry. He knew that going into full-time ministry would bring many changes into our lives. He was thirty years old and would be attending Bible College full-time. He also knew that being in ministry that there was a good chance we would lose our insurance. So, after the birth of our third child we made the decision to stop God’s blessings upon our lives. While debt is a curse we ignorantly embraced, having more children from the Lord was a blessing we refused. “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it..….. Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them.” (Psa 127:1-5a) We had decided that we would not let the Lord build our house. By our decision we said to God, “We’ve had enough of your blessings so we are going to take it into our own hands to reject Your rewards.” Why is it that Christian believers can be so blind to the Truths in Scripture that they will cling to that which God hates – materialism and debt, and despise the richest blessings that He can give – children?

If someone asked me if I would take a million dollars for one of my three children I would laugh them to scorn. Most mothers would probably do the same. But give a woman in today’s society the choice between a million dollars or another child and I would submit that most would say that they would take the money. I know this because I, like many others, believed that we just didn’t have the money for more children. Isn’t it sad that we have allowed the love of money and material blessings to rob from us the blessings that God has intended for our lives? The sad thing is that we did not give this life changing decision that much thought. We certainly did not pray about it. We had three children, therefore; it was the next logical thing to do. We did seek some counsel but instead of being pointed to God’s Word and His plan for Christian families we were given personal advice. In spite of that we do not cast blame. The decision was ours to make. We had God’s Word. And, even though it took a few years to realize it, God placed other resources in our path prior to this mistake. For example, a friend had given me a book called, A Mom Just Like You, by homeschooling mother of ten, Vicki Farris. In this book she describes the blessings of motherhood from God. I, sadly, did not fully recognize it. Not only did we have God’s Holy Word to guide us and not only did He place other resources of truth in our path but God had already given us three children as a witness of this truth. Each of our precious children is a living testimony of God’s goodness in our lives.

I have a friend that has nine children. She has lived with ridicule and mockery for having such a large family. However, the other day she said to me, “I cannot imagine my life without one of these children.” Each of them is special not only to her and her husband but to God as well. Each of them has a God given purpose for their life. Had they followed the unspoken rules of society and given into worldly pressures then part of their family would be missing.

Families are important to God. When Christian families are strong, churches are strong. When the churches are strong, our nation is strong. Therefore, the enemy attacks the structure of the families. Unwed birthrates are at an all-time high. Abortion is responsible for thousands of murders each year. Divorce rates are over 50%. Consequently, this number would be even higher if it were not for the number of people who now reject the idea of marriage and simply live together. All of these things bring about the destruction of families. The Christian society has accepted the warped view of families for so long that it does not even recognize God’s plan anymore. Why is it that a teenage girl can have a baby or two out of wedlock and no one is saddened by the disgrace? But, take a Christian father and mother, who have many children raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and see how many negative comments they receive. Do you see how far we have come from the Biblical model for families?

I will not stand in judgment of the decisions others may make, for that is between them and God. But, this I will say. A wise man learns from the mistake of others; an ordinary man learns from his own mistakes; and a fool learns from neither. While it is clear I have not always been wise, I have learned from my own mistakes. And if by chance there is a child of God who has considered putting a stop to His blessings, please consider learning from the mistakes we have made.

I guess what saddens me the most in this whole learning journey is the realization that we were just as blind as the rest of the world. And while my husband and I have come to repent of the sin we committed, the consequences are ever before us. Yes, we are very thankful for the children we do have. We thank the Lord daily for His goodness. And we pray that God in His mercy will someday give us more children. Should He bless us again it will be for His glory alone. Should He choose not to, we will be content with the precious blessings we already have. And through it all we will strive to teach others the truth.

SpellQuizzer Review and Giveaway!

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 The month of June at the Williams home is a time for swimming, basketball, popsicles, VBS, grilled food, vacations, and lots of visiting. Our computers and schoolbooks are put away for a season as we enjoy the summer months. That is why when Dan Hite, founder of Tedco Software, contacted me about a review for his software program, SpellQuizzer, I was somewhat apprehensive. I was not too sure about how my children would respond with coming in from the pool to work on spelling and vocabulary words. However, my fears were quickly put to rest. All of my children love this program. It is fun, easy to use, and very beneficial. Let me explain…  

 
 SpellQuizzer is an educational program developed for Windows that help children learn their spelling and vocabulary words. With SpellQuizzer,  you enter the child’s spelling words into the software making a sound recording of each word. SpellQuizzer then quizzes your child on his or her words. The program was so user friendly that in a few short minutes I was able to explain to Andrew, my 7 year old, how to create his own spelling list himself. He loved being quizzed by his own voice.   
 
In addition to being extremely easy to setup, my favorite feature of this software is that it is not designed with any one spelling curriculum in mind. I will use this program with my 2nd grader, 6th grader, and 8th grader.    From kindergarten to high school, this program will compliment virtually any spelling curriculum. In fact, a program like this would have been quite valuable to me two decades ago when I was in college taking medical terminology classes.    

 The software has a built-in spell checker that warns the user when entering a word that appears to be spelled incorrectly. And there is a community area on their web site with discussion forums.  Also on the web site is an area where users can easily export and import SpellQuizzer spelling list to share with other SpellQuizzer users.  

  As a home schooling parent, I am very selective in my curriculum choices. Not only does it need to be a good value for my money but also must have practical value. This program is both and is one that I would recommend for those in home education.

However, it is not just for those who homeschool. I will recommend this to anyone with children who might struggle with spelling or just want to have fun learning new words.    

Let me suggest that you go to the website, view the video demonstrations, and download your free trial version of the SpellQuizzer. Dan Hite at Tedco Software has been so kind to offer a free license ($29.00 value) to one of my blessed readers. To register drop me an email, kimberlyw1@wildblue.net with the subject line SpellQuizzer. I will announce the winner on July 1st!   

And be sure to tell your friends!     

Homeschooling – An Offensive Lifestyle!

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Take a journey, back in time, to America a few generations. How easy would it be to offend a person thirty, forty, or fifty years ago? The older generation voices of an era when the majority of people would not only be offended to hear a crude word spoken but would not even tolerate it. Not too many years ago people would be offended to see open sin paraded around in public. At one time people would be offended to see children speaking disrespectfully to an elder. Our country and flag was greatly honored and to show disrespect to either was offensive. And the thought of someone openly condemning Christianity in America was unthinkable. The generations of the past were easily offended by insulting behaviors, filthy language, open immortality, anti-patriotism, and a blatant disregard for spiritual matters. Oh, how the times have changed! It seems as though this deliberate decay of our culture is not only tolerated but joyfully embraced. And yet, through the eyes of the world, there are still plenty of offenses which must not be tolerated. Today the offenses come in the form of Christianity, absolute truth, holy living, the name of Jesus Christ, submission to authority, and of course, the Christian homeschool movement.

I remember the first time I realized that there were people who were offended by our family’s lifestyle. It was the summer after our first year of homeschooling. I was sitting with a friend in a ladies Bible study class, who had introduced our family to home education. We were discussing the benefits and joys of the year. I had commented that I was so thankful the Lord opened our eyes to our responsibility as parents to educate our children. During the discussion, others joined in asking questions. After the class was over a lady approached me who had been very offended that we had so openly discussed homeschooling as a valid option for Christian parents. She had been a public school teacher for 20 years and in her own words, “had never seen anything taught to the detriment of Christians in public school.” She was adamant in that public schools were safe and unmistakably the best option for all Christians. Although I was new to homeschooling and could not clearly articulate my position, it had not been that long ago that I was in public schools myself. I distinctively remember all the evil that I was exposed to at an early age from teachers and peers alike, not to mention the anti-God philosophy.

That was 8 years ago. While it was the first time that I have viewed such opposition to home education, it certainly was not the last. There once was a lady in our church who showed apparent disdain toward our family. I remember asking my husband one day after services, “What have I done to her? She obviously does not like me. I’ve gone out of the way to be kind and friendly to her and her family.” My husband, who knew how hard I had been trying said, “Sweetheart, it is nothing you have done. Our lifestyle is offensive.” Over the years we have come to realize that the choices we have made regarding our family is contrary to the world. At its foundation we believe that Scripture teaches a very distinct way of living as a child of God. As a woman, I believe that part of my high calling is to be a help meet to my husband (Genesis 2:18), to live in subjection to him (I Peter 3:5), and to be a keeper at home (Titus 2:5). We believe that the husband, as the head of the family, will be responsible to God for the education and upbringing of the children (Ephesians 6:4, Proverbs 4:1-7). He is to oversee all their learning about God and His world. And daily, he is to teach God’s Word to his family (Deuteronomy 6:5-9). As his help meet, I play a major role in the daily teaching of our children. At the heart of all we do lies biblical truth. Therefore, we really should not be surprised when the world is offended. Jesus said in John 15:18-19, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

While we expect this opposition from the world, it is disheartening when it comes from other Christians. One could argue that there are those who simply claim the title yet bear no fruit of righteousness. Many times it is these types of people who are antagonistic to those trying to live their life according to the Bible. However, that is not always the case. Many simply have never been taught the truth. For several generations, our society has believed that families should pursue the American dream at all cost. In this pursuit, the foundation of the biblical family has been cracked. Sadly, many churches have lacked in biblical teaching necessary to rebuild the family. So now, when a family pushes against the flow of society, by holding to their convictions from the Word of God, they often experience a backlash. Perhaps, you have experienced such criticism from family, friends, church members, or even pastors. It seems that a few months cannot pass without hearing a testimony from a family to this extent. They are homeschooling because of biblical conviction and due to the amount of criticism they receive one would think that they have purposely set out to destroy the lives of their children.

  • “You shelter your children too much.”
  • “Your children will rebel.”
  •  “Your children will not know how to deal with the ‘real’ world!”

I, and many others, have heard these comments before. Dear friend, do not let the world dictate to you lies from the enemy. It is a good thing to shelter your children. Gods shelters us and I am so glad He does! When the storms of life come, His children run into His arms of safety. As far as children rebelling, perhaps they will. But I know that children will often do exactly what they are trained to do. Parents have believed the lie that all children will always rebel against the teaching of their parents. When a parent believes this and expects his child to rebel he will not be disappointed. That child will rebel. Parents should be realistic enough to know that children might rebel but should never expect them to rebel. My husband and I will bring our children up in the way they should go and hold on to the promise that they will not depart from it. What about our children knowing how to deal with the “real” world? Let me be very clear. The objective in Christian homeschooling is not teaching children how to “deal with the real world.” I do not want to teach my children how to merely survive this life. As believers in Christ we are called to be overcomers! “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith,” (1John 5:4). As children of God, not only do we overcome this world but we overcome the wicked one (I John 2:13-14). We overcome his servants (I John 4:4). We overcome sin and death (I Corinthians 15:54-57). And we overcome evil (Romans 12:21). This is what we desire to teach our children. “You are an overcomer!”

Dear homeschooling family, do not be discouraged when you face opposition. Do not be surprised by the world’s criticism. As you probably have learned by now, one does not have to be on the front lines of the homeschool movement to be attacked. You do not have to be publicly declaring the truths found in Scripture from every mountain top to offend the world. All you have to do is live your life quietly and simply in holiness. Raising your family according to God’s standards is enough to have the world hate you. Your very lifestyle is condemning to those around you. Consider the story of Noah. “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith,” (Hebrews 11:7). I have heard this story my whole life. I have been taught that Noah, being a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5), preached to the world the coming judgment of God. In my mind I always assumed that it was his preaching that condemned the world. But this passage in Hebrews does not tell us that the world was condemned by his preaching, but by his life. Noah moved with fear, prepared an ark to save his family and by that he condemned the world. It was his obedience to God that condemned the wicked.

Now, move forward a few thousand years. Consider a faithful father called of God to lead his family. He reads in the Bible of the coming judgment. He sees the warnings from his Heavenly Father. He is moved with fear and works hard to build an ark of safety for his family. He rejects this world and does that which is necessary to save his house. He toils and labors to teach and train his children the ways of the Lord. And in doing it all, he condemns the world around him.  But unlike Noah, who knew only his family would be saved (Genesis 6:17-18), we are not alone. There are many other families who are striving to follow the Lord. There are many fathers who take their God-given responsibility seriously and seek to save their homes from worldly destruction. There are many mothers who are coming along side and fulfilling their God-given role. There are many children who are being brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. There are families who still stand strong. Do not give up. Do not be discouraged. Know that your work will not be in vain! “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain,” (Philippians 2:15-16).

(Clipart courtesy FCIT, http://etc.usf.edu/clipart)

A Lesson in Loyalty

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I was blessed this weekend with a visit from some like-minded friends. Our family enjoyed three days of sweet fellowship with this dear couple, five precious children, and one adorable Daschund puppy. Some might think that a home filled with 4 adults visiting, working, and cooking; 8 children laughing, swimming, and playing; and 3 dogs barking, running, and whining might be loud and disorderly. But that was not the case. Our home was peaceful. The children were polite and well behaved. And the dogs were…….well; the children were polite and well behaved.

Speaking of the dogs, I was amazed as I watched “Bobbie” the Daschund with his 8 year old owner. Never before have I seen such loyalty in a dog. Wherever this little girl went her dog followed. If she went in a room and closed the door, he would be at the door whining. If she went outside to play, he would pace the floor and whine at the door. When she was in the house, he was in her lap or at her feet. It was as though she was ALWAYS on his mind. The other children or adults could pet him or hold him but his eyes were always fixed upon his little owner.

As I observed all of this, I could not help but think about my Master and my loyalty to Him. Are my eyes always fixed upon Him? Am I anxious when He seems afar off? Am I always looking to sit at His feet? Am I as loyal as this little dog is to his master? These are good questions to ponder. And, as I consider these, I will meditate upon Psalm 123:2 “Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.”

Well Digging

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Seven years ago our family began a remarkable journey.   Being called into the ministry, my husband felt led to finish his college education.  He was 30 years old.  At the time we had been married 10 years and our children were small.  During this journey we have moved 6 times in three different states, sold two homes, sold our embroidery business, and homeschooled our three children.  Dana has been a wonderful husband, devoted father, spiritual leader, sole-provider, protector of his family, pastor and friend to many.  Today, after 7 years, the children and I sat proudly as we watched him received his Masters in Ministry degree from Tennessee Temple Seminary in Chattanooga, TN.  I thank the Lord for giving him the grace and strength to finish the task that was set before him.  Our family recognizes that it is our Heavenly Father who deserves all the glory. 

Dr. Ken Ham, from Answers in Genesis, was the commencement speaker this morning.  He blessed our hearts as he spoke on digging wells.  “For all the wells which his father’s servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth…. And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them.  (Gen 26:15, 18)

Dr. Ham made a striking comparison to today.  Our founding fathers built this country upon the Word of God.  They dug deep wells that sprung forth life-giving waters.  This water is Jesus Christ himself.  Over several generations, the “Philistines” have stopped these wells using public education, secular colleges, the media, Hollywood, and false preachers and teachers.  They have filled the wells with lies and have stopped the flow of water.  Dr. Ham charged the audience to go out into the world and, like Isaac, re-dig the wells that have been stopped.  In addition, we need to be about digging new wells that bring forth life-giving water.  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14)

 So dearest husband, I want to thank you for working so hard all these years.  And while your degree is quite an accomplishment, it is nothing compared to the work you have done “digging wells” all these years.  Your family has seen it.  Many times we have been there right along with you, handing you a shovel, wiping the sweat from your brow, or fixing you a refreshing drink of water while you work.  And we look forward to many more years of well digging with you.

With all our love, Kimberly, Aaron, Abigail, and Andrew

The Dogwood

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Living in the middle of a national forest has its advantages. Driving home from town the other day my husband stops the car. He gets out and walks over to a dogwood tree, jumps up, pulls a flower off, and brings it to me. The children and I take turns smelling the fragrant aroma and discussing its beauty. During the drive we were able to enjoy the sight of several dogwood trees. I commented that I would love to have one in my yard. Later that evening my boys rushed into the house and said, “Mom, come here! We have something to show you!” They brought me over to my bedroom window and opened the shade. To my surprise there was a tiny dogwood tree planted right outside my window. It was beautiful! Of course, it was just a large branch that they stuck into the ground. We all knew that our “tree” would not last. But the motive behind my boy’s action was that of eternal splendor. My boys wanted to please me and the desire came from their love for me.

Last night as I was reading in I John, I came across a verse that made me think about this story again. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous,” 1John 5:3. God’s commandments are not burdensome! Our obedience to our Lord should be from a heart’s desire to please Him, not because we have to obey but because we want to! Just as it was in no way burdensome to my boys to show their love for me in action, so should it never be grievous or burdensome for us, as God’s children, to show our love in obedience. Will I always obey with pure delight? No! But I will say this. The only time the commandments of God become grievous to me is when I am doing them in the flesh. When I am walking in the Spirit, His commands are joyous. My obedience flows from a love I have for my Father because of His great love for me. So the next time I look at a dogwood tree it will serve as a reminder of God, His love, and His blessed commands.

The Joys of Homeschooling

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The weather was beautiful today so we gathered outside to read history and science. This year we have been doing a study of American history. Today we concluded the book by Peter Marshall, “Sounding Forth the Trumpet”. It took us from the years of 1837 to 1860 bringing one of the most crucial times in America’s past to life. I try to remind my children often that we study history so that we can learn from the past mistakes of others, gone on before us, as well as from their successes. The following is the last passage I read to my children today:

As 1860 drew to a close, men and women of spiritual vision could see armies of angels and archangels gathering for the coming struggle of the soul of America. They could hear the sound of distant trumpets that would never call retreat. War was close at hand. Now, as this century closes, men and women of vision are again seeing signs and wonders. These indicate that God’s judgment is close at hand. Each of us is familiar with the problems troubling our country: divorce, drug abuse, the murder of unborn children through abortion, children killing children, public officials lying, cheating, and stealing. It is too late for a human solution. But with God, nothing is impossible. The only hope for America is a national revival. Even now, pockets of genuine spiritual awakening are springing up around our country. But at best America has a case of “revival measles,” with spots of spiritual awakening popping up here and there. However, before a revival can spread from coast to coast, more than a few of us will have to take God’s promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 to heart. Each of us must repent, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. And we must do it so at once. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote this: “O Church read the signs of the times! A day of grace is yet held out to us…for just as surely as a millstone sinks in the ocean so surely injustice and cruelty shall bring on nations the wrath of Almighty God.” Heaven only knows what disaster awaits us in our time if we do not, as a nation, turn back to God! One thing is certain: We can hear the sound of distant trumpets.

Just as spiritually thought provoking as history, we reviewed the 1st and 2nd Laws of Thermodynamics today in science. The laws of nature itself exposes the lies of the evolutionist and the fallacy of uniformitarianism. As we dealt with the wonder of our planet earth, my children’s assignment was to make a list of what they have learned in their study of geology that demonstrates the truth of the Bible and reveals God’s design. Then they were to read Psalm 139:8-10 and pray and thank God for these revelations.

As the end of the school year approaches I am reflecting upon the true joys of teaching my children at home. I wonder how many children are privileged enough to learn about true history and true biblical science? I’m afraid however that most will be taught lies, global indoctrination, and satanic evolution. But as I see small spots of spiritual awakening throughout the Christian community I hold to “that day of grace that is yet held out to us…” And, as I teach my children at home, I cannot help but thank the Lord for this awesome responsibility!

A few knives and a “mazooka”

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A few weeks ago we were sitting in the car waiting on my husband to come out of a store. Our next stop was to have pictures made for our passports. The children were talking about them and our upcoming trip out of the country. They were asking if we would be fingerprinted. I told them, “No, we just need pictures taken”. To which Andrew responded with, “I don’t care if they take my fingerprints. I have nothing to hide!” He paused for a moment and then said, “Well, maybe a few knives and a mazooka…”

This statement made me think. How many people go through life with things to hide? How many things do I try to hide? As a child of God, I believe in being sincere and true in all that I do. But even then, there is a part of me, deep within, that I want no one to know about. There are thoughts, worries, fears, and sins of my heart that only God knows. Like the Psalmist I often pray, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” Psalm 139:23-24. I am so glad that I can go to the Lord, for He is more forgiving than mankind. “O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee,” Psalm 69:5. There is great peace in knowing that nothing is hidden from God. Even with all my faults and failures, God knows my motives. He knows my heart. He knows my deepest desire to please Him in all I do. In confidence I can truly say to Him, “I have nothing to hide!” Thank you Lord for that!

By the way, the “mazooka” my seven year old owns is made by Nerf and “the few knives”…well, that’s another story.

Faith – a verse-by-verse study through James

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The second book in my Living Out the Word series is finally finished!  Faith – A verse-by-verse study for women through the book of James.  The proof copy is on its way.  If all goes well we can expect it to be available to the public within a month.  I thank the Lord that He has allowed me to finish this and I pray that He receives all glory.  Below is an insert from the introduction.

 You could summarize the book of James in one word, “FAITH”.  Just what does it mean to have faith?  Every day you demonstrate great faith.  Even now, wherever you are sitting, you have placed faith in your chair to hold you.  Chances are you sat down without a bit of fear or worry that you would be held up.  You are relaxed and confident in the ability of your seat.  We demonstrate faith when we ride in an elevator, when we get in a car, when we fly in a plane.  We demonstrate faith in our doctors and the medicines they give us.  We even demonstrate faith in our own bodies when we first place our feet on the floor each morning to take a walk.  We demonstrate faith in restaurants when we eat food someone else has prepared. We demonstrate faith in our husbands, in our children, in our friends and family. If you pay attention you will find yourself demonstrating great faith throughout any given day.  Faith means to believe in something or to have trust.  But, what does it mean to have faith in God?  Is it enough to just say, “I believe in God”?  No, for we will find out later in James that even the devils believe and they tremble.

Hebrews 11:1 tells us that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  And in verse six it tells us that, “without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  Jesus spoke of faith often.  He spoke of those with little faith and those who had great faith.  He said that it was because of their faith that many were healed, that they were made whole, and that they were saved.  Faith moves mountains. 

In the book of James we will learn that faith endures trials, faith understands temptations, faith gives us wisdom to pass the tests given, faith obeys the Word, faith produces doers, faith harbors no prejudice, faith displays itself in works, faith controls the tongue, faith acts wisely, and faith gives us the ability to resist the devil and draw nigh to God.  

So, what exactly is faith?  My husband often gives a very simple and easy definition of what faith is.  It is simply having confidence in the trustworthiness of God.   As you study through the book of James remember that simple definition of faith.

                     Faith is simply confidence in the trustworthiness of God.                          

In other words, faith is having complete assurance that God will do what He says He will do.  So the only way to build our faith is to know God and His Word.  It is through His Word that we learn of His trustworthiness and through His Spirit working in our lives that our confidence is built.  As we study the book of James, that will be our goal – to study His Word, verse by verse and line by line in order to know Him better.  By doing this, our faith will continue to grow.