I've been reading through the Bible in a chronological order which I have truly enjoyed. It has unraveled more as a story of God rather than a confusing jumble of events for me. Once I finish I think I'm going to start it again because I know each time I will learn more and more. Yes, I have grown up in the church and my faith became my own in high school but 15 years later I am still learning more about my God. It's a testimony to the depth of God's personality.
Right now I'm working my way through 2 Chronicles, 2 Kings and the prophets as they all go hand in hand chronologically. I'm constantly amazed at the apparent stupidity of Israel and the chosen people God made them to be. They would hear directly, audibly from God and his prophets yet they continually, constantly, and without hesitancy turned their backs. Today people think if they actually heard God's voice they'd believe. I'm not so sure about that. But I digress.
The point of this particular blog is to focus on God's judgement seen in the Old Testament. Time and again when Israel turned away from God he would send prophets to tell them they were going to be wiped out, a plague would come to ravage their towns, their soldiers would be handed over to the enemy, you name it God would send his wrath to remind them he is their God.
So my question. Does God still do this to us today? I know with Jesus came a new covenant and grace but I can't imagine consequences and judgement are no longer a part of God's character. Do we have natural disasters, diseases, death as a result of God's wrath? Sure some of that is a natural consequence of sin. I have a feeling I've heard the answer to this at some point, which is no, God does not still send his wrath and judgement on us with Jesus' sacrifice. Thus the whole point of Judgement day.
Thoughts?
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Repurposing My Habits
Repurposing is very popular now with furniture and antiques. Taking something old with a specific purpose and refinishing and even remodeling it for a whole new purpose. This is what I plan to do this new year with my habits. I'm not going to drop bad habits (as noble as that is) and I'm not going to create better ones, I'm going to take the good habits I have and do them with a better purpose.
I don't really make New Year's resolutions. It seems weird to me to wake up one day, which happens to be like most, just a different date, and vow to live better or do things differently. Why didn't I do that every day of last year? Each new day is a day where I should be saying, "Today I will live better. Today I will do things differently." I guess I don't place that much importance on New Year's resolutions because I know I might have days or weeks where I fail miserably and I don't want that to make the entire year a failure. I try to take one day at a time and if the next day is a little better than the previous I've succeeded.
Anywho, that said I do take some time to reflect and think about how I can be a better person and glorify God more. This year I want my habits to be repurposed. It's easy to say I'm going to eat better but my purpose is to lose weight. Perhaps if I repurposed my eating habits to be more healthy for my children I'd be more likely to work through the change. I'm going to repurpose my habit of relaxing (a.k.a. being lazy) not in order to accomplish more but to be a better steward of the time God has given me. I'm going to repurpose my prayer habits not because God invited me to pray but because I want to know Him more intimately.
I have a few other things in mind but it's a catchphrase I want to hold onto this year.
Did you make some resolutions? Do you keep them?
I don't really make New Year's resolutions. It seems weird to me to wake up one day, which happens to be like most, just a different date, and vow to live better or do things differently. Why didn't I do that every day of last year? Each new day is a day where I should be saying, "Today I will live better. Today I will do things differently." I guess I don't place that much importance on New Year's resolutions because I know I might have days or weeks where I fail miserably and I don't want that to make the entire year a failure. I try to take one day at a time and if the next day is a little better than the previous I've succeeded.
Anywho, that said I do take some time to reflect and think about how I can be a better person and glorify God more. This year I want my habits to be repurposed. It's easy to say I'm going to eat better but my purpose is to lose weight. Perhaps if I repurposed my eating habits to be more healthy for my children I'd be more likely to work through the change. I'm going to repurpose my habit of relaxing (a.k.a. being lazy) not in order to accomplish more but to be a better steward of the time God has given me. I'm going to repurpose my prayer habits not because God invited me to pray but because I want to know Him more intimately.
I have a few other things in mind but it's a catchphrase I want to hold onto this year.
Did you make some resolutions? Do you keep them?
Monday, November 19, 2012
Taking Your Thoughts Captive
Something someone said on Facebook recently brought this verse to mind. Sadly, there has been a lot of negativity floating around Facebook what with the election and all. It gets so wearing to be around and even more so to constantly read about. Unfortunately, a lot of it is from Christians.
I understand negativity. We can't be happy all the time and to be honest I've often thought I was a glass half empty kind of person myself. I've lately been striving to look at things in a more positive perspective and working even harder to remind myself daily that God is faithful.
That's not to say it won't take a lot of work on my part. In 2 Corinthians 10:5 it says, "we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." That's powerful and difficult. It's very easy to allow our emotions to control us, our thoughts, our actions and our outlook on life, but emotions are unreliable. So we are told to take them captive, we need to control them, and make them obedient to Christ and his reign.
I've learned quickly when I give in to my emotions and thoughts, more often then not I wind up focused only on myself and what I do not have. Becoming very discontent leads to anger, sadness, self-righteousness, bitterness....it's just unhealthy. It's more clear and urgent to me now because I have a husband and kids who are also affected by it.
I hope during the holiday season you and I can learn to control our negative thoughts and feelings and align them with Christ's, where they are full of joy (not happiness but at peace knowing Christ is in control). But even more I hope we can make this a daily occurrence throughout the year. Our actions and words reflect our heart attitude. What's yours like today?
I understand negativity. We can't be happy all the time and to be honest I've often thought I was a glass half empty kind of person myself. I've lately been striving to look at things in a more positive perspective and working even harder to remind myself daily that God is faithful.
That's not to say it won't take a lot of work on my part. In 2 Corinthians 10:5 it says, "we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." That's powerful and difficult. It's very easy to allow our emotions to control us, our thoughts, our actions and our outlook on life, but emotions are unreliable. So we are told to take them captive, we need to control them, and make them obedient to Christ and his reign.
I've learned quickly when I give in to my emotions and thoughts, more often then not I wind up focused only on myself and what I do not have. Becoming very discontent leads to anger, sadness, self-righteousness, bitterness....it's just unhealthy. It's more clear and urgent to me now because I have a husband and kids who are also affected by it.
I hope during the holiday season you and I can learn to control our negative thoughts and feelings and align them with Christ's, where they are full of joy (not happiness but at peace knowing Christ is in control). But even more I hope we can make this a daily occurrence throughout the year. Our actions and words reflect our heart attitude. What's yours like today?
Monday, September 24, 2012
Nailed it!
I saw this on Pinterest and showed it to Jon. We laughed pretty hard for a few minutes and then I thought, "This is a great image of life sometimes."
We can have the best of intentions, with great ideas and seemingly beautiful results but when put in to practice, things turn out awful. I find this happening with parenting most often.
And when those moments happen I hope I can be the kind of person who can take a step back for a moment, humble myself and then laugh saying, "Nailed it!" Sarcastically of course.
Things happen and don't often work out the way I intend but I can't allow that one thing gone wrong to ruin my day or make me feel guilty. Life's too short for that. I must learn and move on.
We can have the best of intentions, with great ideas and seemingly beautiful results but when put in to practice, things turn out awful. I find this happening with parenting most often.
And when those moments happen I hope I can be the kind of person who can take a step back for a moment, humble myself and then laugh saying, "Nailed it!" Sarcastically of course.
Things happen and don't often work out the way I intend but I can't allow that one thing gone wrong to ruin my day or make me feel guilty. Life's too short for that. I must learn and move on.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
4 Months
When Hadley was born I was doing a blog a month for those interested, mainly family, in her development.
I feel as though Emma is just getting short changed all around. She doesn't get the one-on-one time Hadley got with us. I stayed home more with Hadley to keep her on a good schedule and it worked SO WELL. Poor Emma gets trucked around with some semblance of a regular eat-play-sleep routine.
One thing I can say for Emma is she handles things like a champ. She hardly ever fussed in the NICU, except for when they were sticking her with needles. She really didn't cry much at home. When she woke up or was hungry she'd whine a little and we usually knew exactly what she needed. Just in the past three weeks she's started her "fussy evening" time. So we can expect at about 6:30-7:30 she'll cry and not much will make her happy. I know she's tired but she won't go to sleep. I seriously believe she feels left out with Daddy home and Hadley playing in the evening. So we just deal with it. We take turns walking her around if that's what we need to do. I know it's just a phase that will pass as she gets used to staying awake a little longer.
She had a great 2 month check up. The Dr. went over her stats, she was long and lean but growing great! She got her two shots which I think effected Hadley, Jon and I more than her. We had been working hard to at least get on the eat-play-sleep routine and for the most part stuck to it. I'd like to think that hard work of being consistent helped her sleep longer and longer at night but who really knows.
At about the 3 month mark she really started having long stretches of sleeping at night but her naps during the day were only lasting an hour, maybe. We started officially letting her cry herself to sleep. Here's the real kicker, we also started taking the pacifier away. We did not want her to be dependent on us helping her get it to fall asleep. I realize eventually she'd be able to get it herself but we just didn't want to even start that. I'd say it took about a full 4 days to be able to put her to sleep without any help from Jon or I or crying. I HATED LISTENING TO HER CRYING. I think it was even harder the second time around. Don't think for one second that we enjoyed this but we knew it would help her, all of us for that matter, in the long run.
At this point Emma had been sleeping in her crib for a few weeks. Her naps were still a struggle and I knew 1 hour was not enough for her as she would not eat well upon waking, she'd just fall right to sleep. I read another mom's blog where she said for just one week she fed her baby twice in one hour before laying her down for a nap and that extended the nap time, so we tried it. And it worked. I'm not sure why. Emma never seemed like she was more hungry but I suppose that could have been the issue. Anyway, naps are going well now. She generally takes 3 a day. If we're home she does a 2-3 hour one in the morning, a 1 hour one around lunch time and then a 3 hour one in the afternoon. This means a combo of 2-4 hour stretches for feeding. I feed her about 7:30 at night, then do a "dream feed" again about 10 before I go to bed and Emma will sleep until 6 or 7am.
We moved Hadley into her room about a week ago and really overall things have been going great. I've been able to keep both the girls on the same nap schedule. I know we'll have a few rough days but they're doing well.
We'll take Emma for her 4 month check up this week. I'll admit, because of what we went through with Hadley not gaining weight when she was this age, I'm worried the Dr. will tell us the same thing with Emma. Especially now that we have her on a routine. I have checked her weight a few times at home and she's almost 13 lbs. if our scale works correctly which means she is in fact gaining weight.
She has laughed a few times which is so fun. Her eyes are still blue, she's sucking two fingers, just like her daddy did, with an occasional thumb for sleeping, she LOVES her big sister, and she just rolled over back-to-front today while laying on her play mat. I was in the kitchen making lunch and turned around to see her on her stomach.
We love her so much and are so blessed to have her!
I feel as though Emma is just getting short changed all around. She doesn't get the one-on-one time Hadley got with us. I stayed home more with Hadley to keep her on a good schedule and it worked SO WELL. Poor Emma gets trucked around with some semblance of a regular eat-play-sleep routine.
One thing I can say for Emma is she handles things like a champ. She hardly ever fussed in the NICU, except for when they were sticking her with needles. She really didn't cry much at home. When she woke up or was hungry she'd whine a little and we usually knew exactly what she needed. Just in the past three weeks she's started her "fussy evening" time. So we can expect at about 6:30-7:30 she'll cry and not much will make her happy. I know she's tired but she won't go to sleep. I seriously believe she feels left out with Daddy home and Hadley playing in the evening. So we just deal with it. We take turns walking her around if that's what we need to do. I know it's just a phase that will pass as she gets used to staying awake a little longer.
She had a great 2 month check up. The Dr. went over her stats, she was long and lean but growing great! She got her two shots which I think effected Hadley, Jon and I more than her. We had been working hard to at least get on the eat-play-sleep routine and for the most part stuck to it. I'd like to think that hard work of being consistent helped her sleep longer and longer at night but who really knows.
At about the 3 month mark she really started having long stretches of sleeping at night but her naps during the day were only lasting an hour, maybe. We started officially letting her cry herself to sleep. Here's the real kicker, we also started taking the pacifier away. We did not want her to be dependent on us helping her get it to fall asleep. I realize eventually she'd be able to get it herself but we just didn't want to even start that. I'd say it took about a full 4 days to be able to put her to sleep without any help from Jon or I or crying. I HATED LISTENING TO HER CRYING. I think it was even harder the second time around. Don't think for one second that we enjoyed this but we knew it would help her, all of us for that matter, in the long run.
At this point Emma had been sleeping in her crib for a few weeks. Her naps were still a struggle and I knew 1 hour was not enough for her as she would not eat well upon waking, she'd just fall right to sleep. I read another mom's blog where she said for just one week she fed her baby twice in one hour before laying her down for a nap and that extended the nap time, so we tried it. And it worked. I'm not sure why. Emma never seemed like she was more hungry but I suppose that could have been the issue. Anyway, naps are going well now. She generally takes 3 a day. If we're home she does a 2-3 hour one in the morning, a 1 hour one around lunch time and then a 3 hour one in the afternoon. This means a combo of 2-4 hour stretches for feeding. I feed her about 7:30 at night, then do a "dream feed" again about 10 before I go to bed and Emma will sleep until 6 or 7am.
We moved Hadley into her room about a week ago and really overall things have been going great. I've been able to keep both the girls on the same nap schedule. I know we'll have a few rough days but they're doing well.
We'll take Emma for her 4 month check up this week. I'll admit, because of what we went through with Hadley not gaining weight when she was this age, I'm worried the Dr. will tell us the same thing with Emma. Especially now that we have her on a routine. I have checked her weight a few times at home and she's almost 13 lbs. if our scale works correctly which means she is in fact gaining weight.
She has laughed a few times which is so fun. Her eyes are still blue, she's sucking two fingers, just like her daddy did, with an occasional thumb for sleeping, she LOVES her big sister, and she just rolled over back-to-front today while laying on her play mat. I was in the kitchen making lunch and turned around to see her on her stomach.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Menu Monday
This week's theme: Turkey and Chicken
Monday: Turkey Meatloaf (One of Jon's favorite dishes so I hope this one turns out ok!) with garlic mashed potatoes and corn.
Tuesday: Crock Pot Chicken a la Criolla with rice
Wednesday: Turkey and Black Bean Enciladas with chips and salsa
Thursday: Baked Chicken Parmesan with sauteed zucchini and salad
Monday: Turkey Meatloaf (One of Jon's favorite dishes so I hope this one turns out ok!) with garlic mashed potatoes and corn.
Tuesday: Crock Pot Chicken a la Criolla with rice
Wednesday: Turkey and Black Bean Enciladas with chips and salsa
Thursday: Baked Chicken Parmesan with sauteed zucchini and salad
Thursday, August 23, 2012
But What About God?
I've been in a mode where I start to think about something, like "I'd like to move in to a bigger house where the kids each have their own room, I could have my own sewing room, and there's a place for Jon to brew his beer." And then I think, "but what about God?"
"I'd like to spend more time quilting and sewing." Then comes the voice, "But what about God? Doesn't He deserve more time?"
"I'd like to take the kids to________ when they get older.....but what about God? Shouldn't we be spending more money and time toward serving those in need?"
I spend time reading over blogs about organizing all our JUNK or spend time looking for new recipes and this voice inside me starts screaming, "BUT WHAT ABOUT GOD?"
I see people on Facebook and hear other Christians spout off the same ideals and desires. It's not that I think the two can't coexist. We need a change of scenery, a change of pace, so it's all about balance.
Ding! There's that catch phrase....we need balance in life. Yes, we need balance in life when it comes to a diet or we need balance in life when it comes to exercising or working or......since when do we need balance in life when it comes to God? Isn't He able to work through us at our weakest moments? Can't we find our rest in Him?
It's not like we need God half the time and then the other half we don't. While God gave us the sabbath and commands us to rest (thus taking a break from anything and everything) it seems to be a cultural thing that we take week long, even month long sabbaticals. I'm not saying we do away with those. What do I know? I've never been in ministry full time or on the mission field full time. Doesn't it seem like perhaps we've become too sensitive and easily overwhelmed when doing the work Christ has commanded us? Are we not relying on the Holy Spirit to be strong when we are weak?
Most of what I'm writing here are things I need to think through and examine but I do know that when we take our kids on vacation, we need to include God (as corny as that may sound). IF we move in to a bigger house, we need to use it to glorify God. God should not be put on the shelf when I'm not involved in a planned ministry event or at church.
Duh, Cara. I'm sure most readers are saying, but we certainly don't LIVE that way!
I've read the book of Ecclesiastes. I know there's a season for everything, but boy, how I love to use that as an excuse and throw around the idea of balance.
I'm not afraid to credit satan for his role in making me feel guilty, that's not what God is about. I know that. Perhaps it's God's way of getting my attention to spend more time with Him as I know I'm not.
What takes away from your time with God? How are you going to fix it?
"I'd like to spend more time quilting and sewing." Then comes the voice, "But what about God? Doesn't He deserve more time?"
"I'd like to take the kids to________ when they get older.....but what about God? Shouldn't we be spending more money and time toward serving those in need?"
I spend time reading over blogs about organizing all our JUNK or spend time looking for new recipes and this voice inside me starts screaming, "BUT WHAT ABOUT GOD?"
I see people on Facebook and hear other Christians spout off the same ideals and desires. It's not that I think the two can't coexist. We need a change of scenery, a change of pace, so it's all about balance.
Ding! There's that catch phrase....we need balance in life. Yes, we need balance in life when it comes to a diet or we need balance in life when it comes to exercising or working or......since when do we need balance in life when it comes to God? Isn't He able to work through us at our weakest moments? Can't we find our rest in Him?
It's not like we need God half the time and then the other half we don't. While God gave us the sabbath and commands us to rest (thus taking a break from anything and everything) it seems to be a cultural thing that we take week long, even month long sabbaticals. I'm not saying we do away with those. What do I know? I've never been in ministry full time or on the mission field full time. Doesn't it seem like perhaps we've become too sensitive and easily overwhelmed when doing the work Christ has commanded us? Are we not relying on the Holy Spirit to be strong when we are weak?
Most of what I'm writing here are things I need to think through and examine but I do know that when we take our kids on vacation, we need to include God (as corny as that may sound). IF we move in to a bigger house, we need to use it to glorify God. God should not be put on the shelf when I'm not involved in a planned ministry event or at church.
Duh, Cara. I'm sure most readers are saying, but we certainly don't LIVE that way!
I've read the book of Ecclesiastes. I know there's a season for everything, but boy, how I love to use that as an excuse and throw around the idea of balance.
I'm not afraid to credit satan for his role in making me feel guilty, that's not what God is about. I know that. Perhaps it's God's way of getting my attention to spend more time with Him as I know I'm not.
What takes away from your time with God? How are you going to fix it?
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