One Bad Apple...

I was listening to a car show today....geek for a gal, I know...but see, it's my talk radio channel and its the only thing on and if I turn it to the Christian channel, there's a 'hacking preacher' on at that time and I can't - just can't, listen to that. And besides, I don't mind, I kind of like it!

See, I grew up around cars and I picked up some things and well, God didn't give me five boys for nothing, ya know? It helps me stay in the know so I can always have something to tell them about! You know- "hey, did you hear about the new features on the new...?"(That way I always look super smart and super cool! ;)

For the record, it was me who taught the boys; "no, that's a Camaro", "ewww, would you look at that Jag", "that's like a 60 something model" etc. ..and I was able to tell them some things under the hood like; "that's the radiator", "that's the distributor", "that's the battery and if your car won't start you always need to check these first to make sure you have a good connection", etc. You know, all that geek stuff!

Ok, back off the rabbit trail-- On this program he was talking about being in Germany. He had made friends with some fellows there as they were all involved in the latest in auto-motives. He said these Germans were going to come here for a visit to learn things and had invited him back, etc.

I was listening thinking- what a small world we live in now! Isn't it something how we can get along with the Germans, the French, the Brits, etc? Everyone seems to have the capacity to get along and share and glean from one another---except that Ahmadinejad! Why does there have to be one big bad rotten apple? He spoils it all! (Not that he really is the only one- just making a point- keep reading...:)

It only takes ONE-
One person to cause unrest. One person to break the peace. One person to start a war. One person to disrupt a class. One person to cause a commotion in a store. One person- ONE- to disrupt the harmony in a home!


One child can do this, just ONE.

I have seen first hand how one child, with a bad attitude, can ruin everything for everyone in a home. You know how this works- Dad wants to take everyone to the park, everyone gets excited- then one kid- just ONE, says those magic naughty words "I don't want to". Mom makes a new dish at supper and she's worked real hard (and she has the flour on her dress to prove it) and everyone is excited about this new dish and eats it up and is happy and excited and then one-just ONE, says those magic words "I don't like it". One child encourages everyone to play a game. All the kids are excited and gathering things together to play and then one-just ONE, says those magic words "I don't like this game".


My dd and I like to watch the old 'I Love Lucy' shows from time to time. Last night we watched one where Lucy was pregnant and Ricky was so excited and making on over the baby and trying to take care of Lucy....then Lucy (being Lucy) turns on a dime and says "he doesn't love me, he only loves the baby''. So poor Ricky bends over backwards to assure her of his love for her; takes her to dinner and dancing, etc. Then Lucy (being Lucy) starts that famous 'aaaaah' cry of hers and when asked what's wrong she says 'you haven't mentioned the baby all night'.


As adults, I think we often believe we are above this- but I'm not! How 'bout you?


We have the maturity to feel things but not act on them.


But children-
Children have to be taught this tough lesson. It does not come natural! (I remember being young and dumb and thinking that it would..ha!)


I have found that story books and taking time for 'lessons in life' have been one of the best ways to deal with this. No one is pinpointed at the time and often it is a good opportunity for the Holy Spirit to speak to their heart. It can take away the defensiveness that we can automatically feel and help the child to see "that isn't good is it?"

Storybooks are good for this, but often I have to do a Bible study of my own and even go so far as to print up mini-lessons for these types of things. It is well-worth the trouble!

It needs to be noted too, that often a little slight of this can be over-looked. May I be blunt here and say that it is often one child, often a teenager, who will have just enough of a bad attitude- that the other children will be prone to a grumpiness and grumbling of sorts and not even know why?!?!?

As mothers, we have to stay on guard and 'nip it' as Barney Fife says. We often have to make mental notes to ourselves to stay on top of a certain behavior so our busyness doesn't side track us. It is hard work.

There are times when we may have to ask our husbands how to deal with certain things because we may not know exactly how to correct a behavior. Sometimes it is as simple as "don't act like that'' or "you are not allowed to be grumpy for no reason"; but other times it may be something a mother feels and senses but may not be so obvious.

Do ask, do seek, do act, do something! :-)
We can correct the outside but sometimes we must beg for God to deal with their hearts!
He can also give us wisdom and guidance on how to reach their hearts.

One bad apple-
Hmmm- let's work to get those bad spots out! :-)

Think It Not Strange....

When children suffer from nightmares, any loving parent will do their best to comfort them.

When a child repeatedly gets into trouble, and gets caught multiple times, any loving parent would deal with this disobedience.

But-
think it not strange, when these things happen over and over.

I heard a preacher deal with this many years ago, and now, with 6 children of my own, I've seen it first hand.

A child who gets up repeatedly asking questions about sin, death, and hell- is often under conviction. The Holy Spirit is drawing him to come to our Lord. That is a GOOD thing! However, easily missed and dismissed by a parent who wants to sincerely offer comfort. Comfort is a good thing but false comfort can be given. A parent once told me that they regretted the way they dealt with one of their children when he was younger. The parent said the child was afraid of hell for several nights and the parent told them that God wouldn't send a little boy to hell. The parent said they regretted not telling that child how to be saved that night and waiting til the child was in his teens to do so.

A teen who repeatedly gets "caught" in his troubles is a GOOD thing! How so? Well, it means that God has their number. The same parent above said they found great comfort during their child's teen years because it seemed the child got "caught" every single time they did something wrong. They said they knew that God was hearing their prayers and protecting their child. Now certainly it is no time to rest, when a child is acting up; but there's GREAT comfort in knowing that their heavenly Father is not letting them by and His all-seeing eyes are upon them.

2 Chr 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

Have you heard Rush this week?

Rush has been reading over some of the liberal media reports on the lack of happiness in modern women.

I heard 2 different callers on two different days that were of like precious faith.

One lady had 9 children. He was supposed to put her comments up on his site.
One thing she said keeps ringing in my mind, because I LOVED it!
She said something like this: "I left a law firm and walked away from all my education because GOD called me to something much higher. He called me to be a mother to my nine children."
Woo Hoo! Don't that just bless your socks off?!!?! (She had Rush's full support by the way and keep in mind that Rush has 20 million listeners as opposed to like 1 to 3 million as the tv talk-show hosts have. Lots of people hear- and agree!)

The other lady had eleven children! To her words Rush replied something like "I can't disagree with anything you've said." She spoke about why women were not happy and she said something like this; "Women aren't happy today because they are pursuing things outside of God's design for them. God created women to love and nurture children. They should be home doing this and teaching them, educating them, and training them. Women just can't be happy to their fullest potential outside of God's perfect plan". After Rush shared his agreement with her, he then replied; "Yeah, just look at Hillary." ..I was laughing out loud. :-)

It is NO small thing to be home raising your family! YOU- one woman- have so very much in your hands and in your control.

Please encourage yourself as you read the following poem!


Blessings on the hand of women!
Angels guard its strength and grace,
In the palace, cottage, hovel,
Oh, no matter where the place;
Would that never storms assailed it,
Rainbows ever gently curled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Infancy's the tender fountain,
Power may with beauty flow,
Mother's first to guide the streamlets,
From them souls unresting grow—
Grow on for the good or evil,
Sunshine streamed or evil hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Woman, how divine your mission
Here upon our natal sod!
Keep, oh, keep the young heart open
Always to the breath of God!
All true trophies of the ages
Are from mother-love impearled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.
Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky—
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world.

by William Ross Wallace

Is it possible?

Is it possible for our government to be 'conservative' in a day when the church has gone so liberal?

As much as I want 'political revival', I desire 'spiritual revival' even more.

I find it hard to believe that men can stand against the political evils of this day for long, without the help of the Lord. It seems that ignorance truly is bliss, and once that bliss has taken over one's mind- they can't seem to come back out of it! (Those of you who have tried to 'reason' with a liberal know exactly what I mean.)

We live in a day where the spiritual link is often weak, therefore our morals are weak, which makes us susceptible to cave in to political pressures because those weaknesses are the weapons of choice. Here's how it works:nudity is slapped in a man's face on every corner, his religion is liberal, he falls, those in political power use his moral failure against him. He's done! At least he's done standing for anything since he can't "live what he preaches''- so they say.

Now, one could argue, is a man's political views wrong because he had a moral failure? But that is not my point right now.

My point is the doctrines in the modern church right now. They are weak. They are unBiblical and therefore, they cannot stand nor can they hold one up, because they are not truly God's. God's Word- His real Words are the only source of this kind of strength.

Here is what we are hearing in the church today;
"that Scripture doesn't matter anymore"
"oh, that verse was meant for that day and that culture"
"that's not what that verse (chapter) means"
"this is what so and so teaches"
"this is what *book* says"
"well that's not what seminary teaches"
"in college we learned..."
And the quotes go on and on.

...and the leaders! The leaders are people citing new age teachers! Yes, new age teachers= non-Christians. (Blind leading blind.)


The preachers- TBN- of whom even the world knows is corrupt! The world associates TV preachers with people hustling money out of the gullible. (Every few months there's some new song out in the world or a show on TV that just mocks these manipulators!)


The Christian world seems to HAVE to pick a 'top dog' but this dog is in fact a wolf! Wolf- uhmm Warren. You HAVE to worry about a man who wants to buddy up and have peace talks with the U.N. (He promotes growth and numbers above Salvation and Sanctification!)


What's my point to you? To myself even?

God help us, to pull ourselves away from all of this world and into His Word and not fall for a faith of fashion! I don't want a fashionable, trendy faith! I want a real one, grounded in real truth, fed by the Real Word of God!


I want that for my home, my family. I want that for my husband and my children. How can I help them? How can I encourage them?


Jack Hyles preached a sermon entitled something like; "What more could have been done?"
Is there more I can do to encourage Godliness and purity in my family? How can I help my husband live for Christ and promote the Gospel? How can I train five boys to serve the Lord with all of their heart? How can I teach one little girl how to be a Godly servant for Christ?

And that, is what I leave you with:
Is it possible? Possible to do more? Possible to teach them the fear of God? Possible to impact our homes, children, husband, our world?
Phil 4:13

When Children Mess Up...

This is so hard and no parent wants to deal with it, nor admit it, but kids raised 'right' can still do wrong!

I was given a wise warning from a Godly woman many years ago, as we were discussing raising children. I will never forget her words: "Don't fret so much over the child who occasionally gets into mischief, but rather beware of the one who might be thinking 'I may be sitting down on the outside, but I'm standing up on the inside'". Just brilliant words of wisdom!

The Bible even deals with that kind of a spirit that can get on a child;
1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD....
Josh 22:22 The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the LORD,...

I have found all of this true. I have found that the children who are 'rowdy' by nature are not the ones who cause grief later, but rather those that obey outwardly but inwardly are very stubborn.

But what do you do when they mess up? ....Ouch!
Yes, I know, it seems impossible that they EVER would, but what about if and when they do? First, you keep loving them. There can be a temptation to distance yourselves from anyone or anything that causes you any emotional upset- but you would do better to do the opposite. Yes, draw near that child. Talk, listen, and sometimes just sit quietly. ...I heard a story where a father distanced himself so much from his daughter that he became very bitter, even name-calling her. The poor thing grew up and began a very painful 'search for acceptance'- with men. Very sad.

Once the initial shock of offense has worn away, days, maybe weeks- then what do you do? Well, then the child must deal with the consequences AND you must let them! This will be the hard part! Oh to see that child suffer! It will be hard and it will hurt so much, but it will be best.
This is the MOST important Scripture on this:
Prov 19:18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

Don't give in to his crying and don't allow an outward bad spirit from that child. You see, he can be angry but he better SIN NOT! My DH says, its okay to feel certain things but its not okay to act on them! He adds to that: You may not always be able to control how you feel but you can control what you do with your feelings!

In the short, they can't take it out on other people! Nor pout!

Teaching that one can control themselves is the high part of the lesson at this time. If a child has done wrong, his lack of self-control is likely what got him into his or her current state. Therefore, part of the lesson from the mistake needs to be that they cannot act out in spite of how they feel. Feelings must be controlled and brought into subjection and submission. Again, this is the height of the lesson! After all, they will have to learn to obey God, whether they feel to or not.

Sin is still sin- whether it feels like it or not.


1 Cor 15:31 ... I die daily.

Let's Pray for Political Revival!!!

Some would choose to look at current events and be discouraged, but when I look and I see those willing to stand, ask questions, challenge, blog, shoot videos, and voice opposing views- well, I remain hopeful!

Sometimes it takes some dark times to look forward to dawn!

Sometimes the pot needs to boil over before we get up to stir it down! (And then, turn it down!)

Sometimes it takes a Carter to get a Reagan. Maybe it will take an Obama to get a Palin?

Well...mayyyybeeee!

But I can't look at the news and say "oh no"....nope, I look at the news and say "yes"! Stand!!!

Stand up for right! Stand up for truth! Stand up for injustice! Stand against more taxes! Stand against more government control! Stand against more debts and more financial slavery and bondage! Stand up against invasion of privacy!

Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore!...

Michael Savage says...

...Liberalism is a mental disorder. Up until recently, I've laughed at this when I heard it.

But in the last few weeks, I've purposely put myself into some situations with liberals. I have been amazed, over and over, at something that seems common among them.

The one common denominator, in every one of them, is they base their reasoning on how they feel. If they feel sorry, sympathetic, superior, inferior, etc. then they will rule and base decisions on those emotions. If you present facts, evidence, statistics, numbers- they blow a gasket! They will call you names, insult you, and when all else fails they will accuse you of listening to biased news media outlets. (As if they are not being programmed by biased media.)

Now I will admit, trying to think as opposed to ruling with feelings is a difficult thing but it is most important that it be a learned behavior.

Well, for the politically minded person, what if you are on a jury one day where you are faced with judging a terrorist? His mother comes and cries, his wife, his children, and his brothers and sisters. His appearance is clean cut, he speaks well, he seems like a humble person and often makes references to his god. How will you rule? Based on pity for him? Based on the law? Based on his actions and the facts?



As for the Christian person, this must be a little of what Paul spoke of when he made the comment about dying daily and beating his body under subjection. Feelings and emotions will steer you down a wrong path. You may feel like you need 'help' and turn to drugs or alcohol. You may feel like you don't love your spouse and then feel as though you love someone else. Your feelings and what IS RIGHT can be opposed to one another and its vital for the believer to learn to override his/her feelings.

You CAN get up everyday and DO RIGHT! You CAN love others in word and in deed when you FEEL turmoil within yourself. You CAN live right by simply saying NO to temptation. You CAN, you Can, YOU CAN!

You can walk by faith and not by sight- or feelings!

Hard? Yes!
Impossible? NO!

Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.