What do you do when evil seems to win?

 This past week has been HARD.  I've spent time crying, praying and questioning how we as believers respond when horrific things happen in our world.  The truth is that we cannot expect goodness, truth and compassion in a world living in darkness; following the "murderer from the beginning" and  "father of lies" (John 8:44), the one who only seeks to "devour" (I Peter 5:8) and to  "steal, kill & destroy" (John 10:10). 

We in the US are blessed to have freedom to practice our faith, to serve Jesus and to share the Gospel openly with others.  But, I fear we've also been lulled by these freedoms, taking for granted the benefits we've been given.  We've become so focused on politics, on our "rights", on arguing with other believers about things that have no eternal value, and about protecting ourselves and staying safe.  And in the process we've lost sight of what DOES matter.  We have not been called to a life of protectionism...we've been called to lay down our lives for the Gospel (Mark 8:34-35).

These are things I wrestle with.  As a mom, I want my kids to be safe; it's easy to think that it's all on us to keep them safe.  As Christian parents our responsibility is to raise them to know God!  A friend often says "there is no junior Holy Spirit"; it's a great reminder as parents.  God knows the maturity of our kids but when they accept Him as Savior they receive the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11).  God's got them, they can NEVER be snatched from His hand (John 10:28).

So what do we do when we hear about an 18 year old taking the life of his grandmother and then head to a school and taking the lives of 19 elementary children?  Or another church denomination plagued by those in power taking advantage of the vulnerable in their own congregations..and more...being protected by others in those organizations? Or when we see a madman decide that he wants to rule more of the world and bomb maternity hospitals and other civilian sites?  Or when those in our own government try to pass a law stating a woman can kill her child on her due date? You can certainly contact your government officials about these things; I'm not here to argue politics, because again, that's just a distraction.  Here are three steps that are supported by Scripture on how we are to live our lives.  

When we feel helpless we can:

1. Pray!  The world mocks prayer because the devil knows it is the most powerful weapon we have.  We have access to the God of the Universe; we are told we can boldly enter the throne room of the King of Kings (Hebrews 4:16) and He will NEVER cast us out! (John 6:37)  While we can't completely fathom this; just a glimpse from Scripture gives a window of what a privilege this is; and lest we think God doesn't care...He tells us that He holds every tear!  (Psalm 56:8)

2. Faithfully teach our children!  Our kids need to be taught from an early age that there is truth, there is a God who is the definition of Truth (John 14:6, John 17:7).  That they need Him (John 3:16) and any good gifts come from Him (James 1:17).  We also need to teach them that there is a God given authority and instructions for this life (Ephesians 6:1-4).  We cannot solve all the problems in this world but we are each called to be faithful with where and who God has put us. We are to keep our focus on Him!

3.  Be the light! (Matthew 5:14-16) An attitude I have noticed within the US church is one of protectionism and pride. We see evil in the world and instead of reaching out to minister and share the hope & peace of the Gospel we shrink back into our corners and wrap ourselves and our kids more tightly into our "Christian Cocoons".  I get it!  Often that's exactly how I feel, I want to run away with my family, keep them from having to deal with all the evil in this world. But that is NOT what we are called to do!  We are called to share the Gospel and make disciples (Mark 16:15) and we are to go out because how are people to believe if they never hear the "word of Christ" (Romans 10:14-17). 

I don't have the answers, I struggle with these very things but here are a few questions I've been asking myself lately:

- How can the world ever change if we never share Jesus?

- How would the atmosphere and culture of our public schools change if MORE Christians sent their kids to them?  If we as Christian parents were on the PTO, school committee, volunteered?  How would this change our communities as we became more involved?

- How do we discuss these events with our kids; keeping them informed but not living in fear?

- Is this all a sifting and a wake-up call?  To pull us out of our lulled, sleepy state; to show the wolves in sheep's clothing within our midst?  To show how desperately those around us need the love, hope and peace of Jesus?  

- What CAN I do to follow God's call on my life better? 

Bluey! And a couple parenting tips.

 If you have littles, by now you've most likely heard of the show Bluey.  The show centers on a family of Blue Heeler dogs; Mum - Chili, Dad - Bandit and their daughters Bluey and Bingo.  The family live in Australia.  The family dynamic, relationship between the parents, Bandit & Chili, and the overall feel of the show is just really wholesome.  It's one that I enjoy watching with the kids and I've seen Maisie mimic the positive lessons from the show; she's also picked up some Australian phrases which is really cute.  I thought I'd share a fun clip with a great parenting tip and also a second parenting technique that I've found to be very helpful

The other day someone online commented on the episode titled Wagon Ride; specifically the technique Bandit uses to help Bluey when she's impatient.  It's a technique that we have used for years with our kids so I thought I'd share the clip from Bluey.  Our kids aren't always perfect in using this method but it's been a huge help and usually with a quick reminder they do it.  As an aside, if they do forget and interrupt we do ask them to apologize to the person with whom we were chatting. 

The specific technique is from 0:59-1:20 of the video.

The second technique we've used, is one to keep the kiddos safe when in a parking lot.  When they are young we teach them to put their hand on the car when they get out and keep touching the car until we take their hand.  This way they can't go further than their arm's length.  Again, we are still cautious and aware in case they forget but for the most part they have been very good about following this instruction.  As we had more kids this was very helpful for when I was getting a baby out of the car or grabbing something I needed from the car.  

What kids shows do you actually enjoy watching with your kids?

Are there any quick tips that you've found to be simple yet extremely useful with your kiddos?

April Showers Bring May Flowers

 After a few cold and somewhat cloudy days here; we are welcoming in May with a gorgeous warm, sunny day.  Over the past week the flowers in our yard have really started blossoming.  

One of my favorite Sunday School lessons to teach is on Matthew 6:25-34; which speaks of how, when we are tempted to worry, we can look to creation and see God's care for the birds and flowers.

 "And why are you anxious about clothing? 

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,
yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like
one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which 
today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not
much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"
Matthew 6:28-30

The activity for this is to have the kids glue paper clothes onto flower pictures to see how silly it would be for flowers to try and wear clothes.  Getting out in nature and seeing the truth of these verses is always a great reminder: 

Tulips

Crab apple tree in full bloom

Rhododendron

Ornamental Cherry 

Rhododendron (close up)

Crab apple blossom (close up)

This picture is for Maisie.  She gets so excited when she sees

dandelions in the yard. 

Daffodil

3 Questions that have transformed my decision making

 While there is no formula for life; I've found there are things that can help along the way.  A few years ago our church's Mom's Night Out group worked through Beth Moore's book and study title The Quest.  In this study there were five questions from Scripture; posed by Jesus, that are examined.  It was one of the most transforming studies I've done in my life and to this day I still have those five questions posted on my mirror and often ask them of myself.  

Recently there are three more questions that I've added to my mirror.  The first is a question my husband often asks our kids when they are contemplating a decision.  The other two are from the most recent study we did in Mom's Night Out, titled Jesus Over Everything by Lisa Whittle.  

In my recent blog post titled When Stepping Forward Seems Like Moving Backwards I mentioned that my daughter had asked me about how to know when you're stepping out in faith versus running ahead of God.  My answer to her was "I'm still learning."  These three questions are a large part of that learning process and have been a great help. 

Questions to consider: 

1) What is your goal?  As I said, this is one that my husband often asks our kids and one that I have been asking myself more and more.  When I want to say something; what is my goal?  Is it to inform?  To clear up a misunderstanding?  To encourage?  To hurt as I've been hurt?  This question has helped me not only clarify what my goal is but also to evaluate if asking that question or having that conversation will actually move toward or accomplish that goal. 

There are some situations where you can have a right motivation, you can do things Biblically and people will still not respond right.  Some will choose to never try and understand who you truly are or what you are truly trying to say.  I'm a fixer and I also get frustrated when I'm misunderstood.  This question has helped me to realize when a conversation is just me trying to fix something that will never be fixed and to leave it in God's hands.  

This question has also challenged me to step out of my comfort zone to say or do something, knowing that it will help me to move toward or accomplish a goal. 

2) Is this a Jesus-first choice or a me-first choice? I've really appreciated this question as there are many good decisions you can make but some are decisions to advance ourselves and not necessarily Jesus.  This has also helped for those times when evaluating what I say or how I spend my time; even in my service to others.  This question has been helpful to assess why I'm choosing to serve in a particular way (hello, to all my fellow people-pleasers out there!).  Ultimately, what is my motivation. 

3) Will this decision make me more Christ-like? This question may be the most important out of the three.  We are told in Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 2:5-8 and 1 Peter 1:16 (these are just a few of many verses).  We, as God's children, are to live our lives seeking to be more and more like Christ.  

Asking these questions has helped me to take a step back, take a breath and pray about my goals, motivations and relationship with Christ before making a decision.  Now, I'm not perfect at this and this is very much a learning process but I'm always thankful for the times when I do work through these questions.  

Saturday Snapshots

 I don't do a lot of picture-heavy posts but I thought it would be fun to share some snapshots from our day.  When we moved into this house four years ago there was a lot of beautiful, mature landscaping.  Most of it we have kept but the longer we live here the more we realize that some of it has just gotten too big for where it was planted.  Today we did a lot of spring cleanup and started thinning out some of the landscaping to improve the flow & function of the different areas in our yard.   So, I thought I'd share some of the fun! 

Oldest girl thought the wagon with the branches and flowers was a pretty picture.

He was a huge help.  Was squishing the leaves, but made a funny picture too.

The fun tire swing that Matt hung for them.  Definitely the hit of the day.

They are ALL really great helpers.

Over grown holly bush torn out.

So much open space.

The roots & rock, before we dug them out.

More swing fun!!

A springtime use for the sled.

That opening is where the holly bush was.  

The stones are pulled out so we can put in steps from the 

patio to the side yard. 

Closer picture.  I love that you can see the fountain now from the side yard.

Once the stairs are in I'm planning to put a small table with

two chairs here.  Looking forward to a useable patio space.

Easter Recap

Easter is always a special time; we start on Good Friday with a special church service.  Each year the pastors and worship team put together a poignant service to remember the day Jesus was crucified. This year the theme verse for that service was John 12:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."  

On Easter we have a brunch at church and then, during the service, we have a baptism service.  This year there were two people baptized.  A beautiful picture of our new life in Christ; the fruit borne thru His death and resurrection.  

This year I had two of my kiddos "lament" the fact that we don't celebrate Easter with egg hunts and baskets.  We certainly do not have anything against these fun traditions but, having not grown up with them, celebrating that way has just not been on our radar, to speak.  So, I thought I'd share how we do celebrate (and yes, our kiddos got chocolate bunnies this year) 😊.

Each year the kids; especially the girls, get new dresses or new outfit to wear Easter Sunday.  I "torture" them twice a year for a nice picture (first day of school and on Easter).  Here is this year's:

It's nice that the magnolia tree in our yard blooms at Easter time.  

Another tradition we have is to make Easter story cookies.  I love that not only are these delicious but each ingredient has a tie-in illustration to the death and resurrection of Jesus.  The recipe I use is from Allrecipes. You can follow this link for the recipe and Scriptures.  Easter Story Cookies  

Another fun treat that we made this year were "empty tomb" rolls.  This is very simple and we made them with the nursery kids at church.  You simple buy cresent roll dough.  Wrap a marshmallow in each triangle and seal well.  As you do this you explain how that just as the marshmallow is white; Jesus was pure and innocent from sin.  Then he was wrapped in clothes (wrap the dough around the marshmallow), sealed in a tomb (seal all edges well; I roll them in my hand a bit to make sure).  After baked and cooled a bit have the kids open their "tombs".  The inside is hollow and the marshmallow gone.  Discuss how that the stone was rolled away to show that Jesus wasn't there.  Then as they eat their treat discuss how the rolls are sweet, and that the sweetest thing ever done for us was the death and resurrection of Jesus so that we could be forgiven of our sins and live with Him.  

One last thing that I've found to be helpful to explain Easter to the littles is the book titled God Gave Us Easter; we love the "God Gave Us" books and have found them to be a fun resource for explaining concepts and traditions in an easy, positive  way. 

What are your favorite traditions or treats?

Do you have books that have helped your kiddos understand Easter a bit better? 

The "Good"? side of social media

 As I've mentioned before, I shut down my Facebook account.  It has definitely been a positive thing.  While I believe that social media needs to be used with great discernment; I'm certainly not against all social media and am very thankful for the technology we have. For example,  I do still have an Instagram account and enjoy seeing the pictures and thoughts shared there.   Not only do I have Instagram but I use the YouVersion app all the time and appreciate that you can go through a plan with other people.  When you set up a group, YouVersion adds a page at the end of the plan where group members can share their thoughts and can have discussions.  

Over the past couple months there have been a couple Instagram posts that have caught my eye and the thoughts have stayed with me so I thought I would share.  The quote on faithlessness is a comment someone made in the YouVersion discussion in one of the current plan I'm reading with others.  

"Rest is a test of trust.  When you're tempted to overwork to control an outcome, trust God and REST."

~Amanda Pittman~ 

"There are two mindsets that you can live with.  "I wish others would do that for me."  "That's something I can do for others."  The first fosters resentment, the second fosters joy.

~Anneliese~ 

"If you ask, "Why is this happening?" no light may come, but if you ask, "How am I to glorify God now?" there will always be an answer."

~ J.J. Packer~ 

What are some social media "gems" that you have found?