I Shall Return

Just wanted to let everyone know I will be back - after the first of the year. The month of December has been hectic and I haven't posted since Thanksgiving Day.

Return in the new year and I'll be back at it.

God's blessings on you all.
Diane

Teachable Moments

Today is traditionally a day of feasting and football, family and friends. As you worked in the kitchen preparing that feast or sat around the table sharing your meal with your loved ones, did you take that opportunity to teach your children? Did you show them the love that can go into preparing a meal for others? Did you teach them how to be thankful for the bounty of blessings we have?

Children are little sponges and they see a lot. What are they learning if they see you fussing over fixing the meal, snapping at your family as you stress to make everything perfect? Do you want them to learn that holidays are stressful and family gatherings are a time to gripe and complain? Or do you show them that God has blessed us with so much and we are forever thankful for these earthly blessings? Do they see you pray and give thanks every day, not just this one day a year. In this amazing country, even with its many problems, we are so blessed far above most people of the world.

Remember what the Lord told the children of Israel about teaching His precepts to their children? Deuteronomy 11:19 (ESV) "You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." Structured Bible study is necessary and profitable, but you must take those opportunities of teachable moments throughout every day. When you are in the kitchen cooking your meal, talk to your children about the abundance of food we have today. Tell them about ways they can help others who are less fortunate. Show them the joy of sharing a meal with family and friends and how to cherish their loved ones.

Today's holiday is the beginning of the busiest season of the year. We will all be rushing around trying to get our houses decorated, our shopping done, our baking finished . . . We each have our own list. Don't let this season of stress take away the teachable moments you can have with your children. Talk to them about who you are buying gifts for, get them to see the joy of giving. Help them focus on sharing with others, not just what they want. Take them to buy gifts to give to the poor and needy. Have them help you bake cookies to take to the elderly and shut-ins from your congregation. These are all teachable moments, times when you can take the opportunity to teach your children how to be a servant, caring for others, not just themselves.

One Chance - Special Thanks to Brent Moody

Yesterday, Brent Moody, one of our preachers, talked about our one change to influence our children. It was an AMAZING lesson. A great beginning to all the discussions that we need to have about raising godly children. Take a few minutes out of your busy day and listen to this wonderful lesson.

http://kleinwood.com/sermons/all-sermons/2014/11/16/one-chance

Then let's continue our discussions about ways we can influence our children. We have just one chance to raise the kind of children we want to leave to this world. The kind of people we want to see grow up, live their lives for God and spend eternity in heaven with. 

Education is a good thing. Having children who are good at their schoolwork, who go to a good college and get a good job is a good thing. But . . . if your children grow up not knowing God, or not caring about the One who created them, the One who loves them and wants what is best for them . . . well, that is failure.

Don't fail your children. You have one chance, just a few years, to teach your children. But you have years and years to regret not teaching them. Now, speaking from experience, you can try your hardest to teach your children and still have regrets. None of us are perfect. But imagine the regrets if you don't do your best to teach and train your children.

Please listen to this lesson and then check back in a few days for more discussion about how to influence your children.

Thanks, Brent, for a wonderful lesson!!!

I Know What That Means . . . I think (Part 1)

Note: I've read this and read this. I apologize in advance if it sounds condescending. I absolutely did NOT mean it that way. But if it helps even one person, who didn't know what a word meant, then I'm happy I wrote this.


The English language is an amazing thing. Words have meanings and we use those words to express thoughts, emotions, ideas.

It can get kind of confusing, though, if you don't know what words mean. And some of the words in the Bible, especially in some of the older versions, are not words we use today. Its easy to read a verse and say, ok, I'm good there, never done that. But if we really don't know what the listed sins are, we may be sinning and not realize it.

I want to share some definitions with you. Some things you know, from scripture, are wrong. But maybe you don't know what these things actually are.

So, here goes.

Let's start with some of the sins listed in Galatians 5.

Adultery - this one may not be as misunderstood as some others. Adultery is voluntary sexual activity between a married person and someone other than his or her lawful spouse. And the Bible calls it a sin.

Fornication is voluntary sexual activity between a married person and someone other than his or her lawful spouse. In other words, fornication is any sexual activity outside of marriage. And that includes sexual activity between two people who are not married or who may be engaged. Engaged is not married. And the Bible calls it a sin.

Uncleanness means morally impure, evil or vile.

Lasciviousness. Now that's a word we use in everyday language, right? Not! But it is sinful so. . . lasciviousness means arousing sexual desire, or indicating sexual interest or expressive of lust or lewdness. Examples? Pornography, suggestive jokes, stories or movies. Attire can be lascivious, as well. Clothing that is too tight, or that draws attention to certain body parts is lascivious. And the Bible calls it a sin.

That's enough for today. I'll be following up with more definitions in a later blog.

Now, I have a question for you all. If you don't mind, shoot me a quick email and let me know - was this helpful? Were these words you have heard a lot before but maybe didn't really understand? Or am I "preaching to the choir," so to speak?




  

Who is watching you?

Proverbs 8:20 (ESV)
I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice,

Have you ever seen a child walking behind an adult, trying to match their footsteps to the adult's? Have you seen your daughter dressing up in your clothes, carrying an old purse and trying to act just like you? Have you watched your little boy trying to walk around in his daddy's shoes?

Children are little imitators. They watch our every move. They try to be like us. They want to be just like us when they grow up.

The problem is, they see the good and the bad that we do. Words or sayings that you don't think twice about using sound absolutely horrible when they come out of your child's mouth.

Even if you don't have children, there is someone watching you. Children at worship services, children in the grocery store, children at the mall - there are children everywhere. Those children are watching people everywhere. They see things that most adults miss.

Now remember that we are to be like little children and we are to be imitators of Christ and God. So imagine the wonderful influence you can have on children who watch you if you are imitating our Savior. Proverbs 8:20 is God saying that He walks in the way of righteousness and in paths of justice. He is our example and we are examples to others, children and adults.

Who is watching you? And what are you showing them? Are you being an example for good or for evil?

I'm praying for all of us, mothers or not, who are being examples to others, whether we realize it or not. I'm praying we will be imitators of our Father and by doing so, we can be a good example for others to follow.

Galatians 2:20 (NASB)
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Bad News?

Psalm 112:7 (ESV)
He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.

We all, in our lifetimes, will receive bad news. Someone you love is ill. Your job is being downsized. A loved one has died. A friend has betrayed a confidence. You find out you are seriously ill.

We all face these things, they are common to man.

So how do you respond? Do you ask, "Why me?" Do you get angry? Do you give up hope?

If your heart is firm, trusting in the Lord, you won't fear those times of bad news. You will remember that He is in control of everything. He has us in His hand. Things may not turn out as we wish during this lifetime, but God is faithful and has promised us eternity with Him if we are faithful to Him.

Feel your faith wavering at times? Look back through the Old Testament. Think of all the promises that God made and then see how He fulfilled every one of them. Promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and so many others.

Then remember Matthew 10:30-31. The very hairs of your head are numbered, and you are worth far more than the sparrows and He knows every one of them.

Grabbing For Everything You Can Get

Ephesians 5:21 (ESV)
submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

We often miss this verse, because it comes right before Paul telling wives to submit to their husbands. But we are supposed to submit to one another. All of us.

This is an interesting concept to me. My entire life, I have heard it stressed that wives are to submit to their own husbands. But a deeper study of scripture shows that we all submit to someone.

Wives are to submit to their husbands.
Husbands are to submit to Christ.
Christ even submitted to God.
We all submit to the laws of the land.
Children submit to their parents.
Members of a congregation submit to the Elders.
Every Christian is to submit to Christ.

We are all supposed to submit to one another. My desires are to take second place to what my brother or sister needs.

1 Peter 5:7 (ESV)  Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

"But if I don't look out for my needs, who will?" I've heard this question before. And the answer is, "God will." If I am looking out for others' needs and they are looking out for my needs, then all needs will be met. Isn't His plan beautiful??  Remember Matthew 6:30 - 33 "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?  Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

The same goes in a marriage. I'm focused on meeting the needs of my husband. And he, loving me as his own body, is focused on meeting my needs. And ultimately, God has promised to provide for our needs. Not for every single thing we want but for our needs.

That is such a freeing thought to me. I can quit frantically scrabbling to grab hold of the things I think I need because God has already promised He is taking care of it. That means, in marriage, I can focus on what my husband's needs are, because I know God is taking care of me. I can devote my time and energy to caring for my husband and children, for fellow members of the body of Christ, because I can have complete confidence in the fact that God has promised to take care of my needs.

Now the interesting thing about all of this is that what I think my needs are and what God knows my needs are could be two completely different things. God created me, He knows what I need and my job is to let Him take care of it. My job is to do the work He has given me to do, caring for and looking out for my fellow brethren.

It seems so sad to me to see women of the world who are frantically grasping for everything they can, because they believe if they don't take care of themselves, no one will.

Isn't it a comforting thought to realize that God cares for you and, if we follow His plan of submitting to one another, everyone's needs will be met without all that grasping and struggling for what "I want."

Be Not Afraid!

Psalm 27:1 (ESV)
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

I heard recently (haven't confirmed for myself) that there are 365 instances in the Bible where God tells us to not be afraid. That's one verse for every day of the year. Maybe He's trying to tell us something??

Life on this earth is uncertain at best. We have no guarantees of tomorrow, of health, of good fortunes. We do have God's promise that He will never leave us or desert us.

In the United States today, I believe there is a mentality that says "I deserve this." We think we are entitled to good health, good fortunes, lost of stuff and the ability to do whatever we want. We are always concerned about our "rights."

As Christians, we give up our rights and we trust God to care for us. John 12:25 (ESV)
"Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."  Don't be afraid! God is your light and your salvation. He is the stronghold of your life. Give up the fear and let God handle it.

Easy to say but how do we do that? Prayer, constant reminders, more prayer. I think as women, as mothers, as wives, we tend to be more afraid, more concerned about all the people in our lives. And I think we need to be constantly reminded to turn it over to God, to give Him complete control.

God is the Creator. He made us. He knows what we need before we know ourselves. And He has provided for us. The things in this life that we think are so important will be burned up at the end of days. All things here rust and break down, even our own bodies. But God has given us a soul, a spirit, that longs to be with Him. We have been given the opportunity to spend eternity with our Creator. That should be our goal in this life.

So. . . when we are faced with the trials of this life, how do we handle them? Do we fret and stew about the things that "aren't right" or do we remember God's promises to us? Be not afraid!

Are You Mary or Martha?

Luke 10:38-42 tells us about the two sisters from Bethany, Mary and Martha.

Martha, the ultimate hostess, was very concerned with making sure everything was just right for the Master's visit. She wanted the meal to be perfect, her home spotless. You know, the kinds of things most of us are concerned about when we have company in our home.

Then there's Mary. To some of us, she seems like a slacker, a lazy girl who doesn't care anything about her home.

But I'm not sure we are seeing each of these women for who they really were.

Martha was concerned about the physical things, to the exclusion of the spiritual. Jesus reminded her that the spiritual, learning at His feet, was "the better." And if we look at Martha in later scriptures, we see that she learned the lesson Jesus was teaching her. She mellowed, as we might say today. She learned to not let the urgent overshadow the important.

And Mary - Mary wasn't really lazy, she just saw an opportunity to study at the Lord's feet. She was neglecting some things, the physical things, but she was choosing the better, the more important part of life. I may be reading too much into this, but I think, from the fact that Martha was so shocked and outraged by Mary's lack of help, that Mary knew how to do the things that needed to be done for guests. If she never helped, would Martha have been so outraged?

Mary understood the lesson that Martha learned from Jesus that day. We all have urgent life matters to attend to. If you are a stay-at-home mom, you have children to care for, groceries to buy, a house to try to keep neat and clean with little ones running around. If you work outside the home, you probably put in 40 hours a week and then still have to feed and care for your husband and children. Or if you are still single, you may be working or going to school or both, which means you have a full to-do list as well.

The urgent always seems to try to blind us to the important. This life will pass away and the earth and all its things will be burned up. Then how important will it be to you that you always had your house spotless or your children were always immaculately dressed?

The most important thing in this life is a relationship with the Father through His Son Jesus Christ. And that relationship takes some effort. God loves us as we are but He loves us too much to let us stay where we are. He wants us to grow, to learn more about Him, to develop a close relationship with Him.

Mary spent her time sitting at Jesus' feet. Are we doing the same thing? Are we spending our time in study of His word, in prayer and in service to Him? The urgent can often blind us to the opportunities to serve Him, to learn from Him, to worship Him. It takes a conscious effort to build your relationship with the Father and the Son. Maybe it means giving up some sleep to have some quiet time in study and prayer. Maybe it means the house isn't spotless or your entertaining isn't "Martha Stewart" perfect but you took advantage of the opportunities to serve others.

I'd like to let you in on a little secret - when people come to your home, they aren't there to see your perfect house or eat at your perfectly set table. They are there to see YOU! If they are there to see your perfect home, that is their own problem, not yours.

So here's my advice to you - invite people over but don't stress about what you will serve or how the house looks. Pay attention to the fact that you are welcoming others into your home, your heart, and this is a time for fellowship, for learning to love others.

Some of the best times, the most memorable times I have had at my fellow sisters' homes have been when we ate sandwiches and chips and spent our time (in between chasing down children) to pick up the Word, to share our spiritual joys and concerns, to draw closer to my sisters in Christ. Those times when I was with my sisters either at my home or theirs were also times where I had the opportunity to teach my children what is most important.

I believe we can all be part Martha and part Mary. Let's choose the better things, the things that draw us closer to one another and to our Savior. I'm praying for you all!

What Do You See in that Mirror?

3Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

4But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

 

We all start out as babies, cute and adorable. We grow up and life has a way of affecting us. But we are determined to look our best. Hair, makeup, clothes - we put so much emphasis on them.

 

But let me clue you in on something - we all get old, we get wrinkles, our hair turns grey or white. Sure, we can cover some of those things with make-up and hair color. But these bodies of ours all decay. We get old, eventually we all die. Yes, even you 17 year olds some day will be old. I speak from experience - I used to be 17. I thought it would be ages before I was old. Seems like just yesterday.

 

This could be very depressing. But it doesn't have to be. Because we all get old and we all die. But we will live forever after this life. So the real question is, where do you want to live forever. You can spend all your life worried about this life and then you can spend eternity realizing that what you worried about all your life was nothing, no importance whatsoever. Or you can live your life looking toward that future life - working on those things that are incorruptible.

 

The wise woman will spend her life working on those incorruptible qualities of a meek and quiet spirit. God sees the value of that, and I pray that each of you will see the value of that, as well. A life lived for Him is of great value. Choose the more valuable path.

Bite Your Tongue

Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

So often I forget this verse, and say things I shouldn't say. I think we are all guilty of this at times.

Sometimes the best thing to say is nothing at all. Colossians 4:6 reminds us " let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."  Or as Thumper used to say, "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all." How many times have I opened my mouth, said the first thing that came to mind, and then regretted it for days.

Mark and I have been married for 37 years. We had some rocky times and we have had some absolutely wonderful times. I can say with certainty that the rocky times were either caused by or exacerbated by me saying things I shouldn't have said. James tells us the tongue is a wild thing and must be tamed. Oh, that is so hard. In the heat of the moment, we feel we MUST give that person a piece of our mind. They need to be straightened out.

But is that what they really need? And is that what I need to be doing? So many times, we give of our best to those of the world, and then have nothing left to give our families but the worst of us. I've been guilty of having the thought that my family should love me, no matter what, so I can be angry and say whatever I want. But God tells us to be angry and sin not (Ephesians 4:26).

So, how are you talking to your husband and your children? Do your children think you are always angry? Do they think you don't know how to give a kind word? How about your husband? Has he quit talking to you like he used to when you were dating? Maybe it is because your responses to him have made him shut down. He is afraid to talk to you because he thinks you will respond with anger or frustration. Constant criticism is something that will tear down anyone and will hurt the receiver as well as the giver.

I'm praying for you all as I pray for myself. May God put kind words in our mouths, sweet words that are encouraging and uplifting.



 

Empty Yourself

Philippians 2:5-8  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

 

Jesus Christ emptied Himself. He didn't just give up a few things He wanted, but emptied Himself. He completely gave up the things He wanted for himself. He took the form of a servant and humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death. Jesus was the Son of God, yet He humbled Himself completely.

 

We as Christians, and as mothers, wives, sisters, children of God, are called to the same mindset. This section of scripture starts by telling us to have this same mind. We are to become servants; to our families, our fellow brethren and our fellow man.

 

I can hear you saying but what about me? What about my needs? What about what I want to do? I understand your concern. If I don't look out for my own needs, who will? Well, I think God has promised that He will! He has promised us so many things. He has promised to never leave or desert us. He has promised to fulfill every need of ours. Not every want, but every need.

 

I think you will find, if you empty yourself for the sake of Christ Jesus, God will fill you back up, with His presence and with His love.

 

I'm not saying this is easy. I think Jesus made it look so easy, but even He had some concerns. Just look at His prayers in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus put His trust in God, the Father. And we can do this, too.

 

The older I get, the more I realize that the things that are of this world, the physical things we are so worried about at times, are of no consequence when we look at what is to come. We are physical beings but we are also spiritual beings. Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

 

God calls us to be more spiritually-minded, to put aside the physical and serve Him gladly, to empty ourselves. If we quit worrying about making sure we have what we need/want, and spend our time fulfilling the needs of others, God will fill our needs. I'm continually amazed at how God takes care of me. I think you will be, too, if you just trust Him and empty yourself.

 

Definitely not easy but something to strive for. I'm praying for each of you, that you can learn to empty yourself and take on the form of a servant, as our example, Jesus Christ, did. And I'm praying that He will help me do the same.

 

Do you pray for your kids?

Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.

The word for continue means to persevere earnestly. To be continually praying.

We have been entrusted with the care and education of our children. They are little sponges. They learn so much in their first 5 years. So what are you teaching them? Are you teaching them how important prayer is? Do they see you pray regularly? Do they hear you pray for them? For their Daddy? For yourself?

You want your children to grow up with a knowledge of God and a close relationship with Him. Do you pray for that?

You want your children to grow up and find a strong Christian to share their life with - someone who will help them get to heaven. Do you pray for that? I'll share a little secret with you. I started praying for my children's mates before my children were even born. I can honestly say God answered my prayers with a resounding YES! My children chose wisely. They chose Christians. They chose someone who would help them, compliment them, strengthen them on the road to heaven. That is really all that is important in a spouse. If they find someone who strengthens them and helps them to heaven, what more could you ask for??

When your children are young, it is hard to imagine them all grown up and looking for a spouse. It is hard to imagine them as teenagers, struggling with the things Satan is bound to throw in their way. But we have to make sure we do all we can to let God know what we want for our children. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much!!

Now the second part of that verse in Colossians. Do you pray with thanksgiving? When you see your children growing, do you thank God? When you see them making wise choices, do you praise Him for His guidance for them? I believe we are a country that has forgotten how to be grateful. And I am afraid this is rubbing off on Christians today. Be thankful. Things are not great but be thankful. You are sick, tired, weak, worn - but be thankful God is there and is ready to help you. You just need ask. Count your blessings. I guarantee, even in the darkest of times, there are blessings from God you can be thankful for.

Pray without ceasing. Pray for your children. Pray for your husband. Pray for yourself. Pray for your sisters in Christ who are struggling with the cares of this world.

I'm praying for all of you!

Is Your Husband Living on the Housetop?

Proverbs 21:9 (ESV)
It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

Time to be honest with yourself. Have you ever driven your husband to the rooftop? Solomon tells us it is better to live in a corner of the housetop (roof) than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

World English Dictionary defines quarrelsome as "inclined to quarrel or disagree; belligerent."

"Oh, that's not me!" we tell ourselves. But remember we are trying to be honest with ourselves here. And if we are honest, I think we will all admit we have sometimes slipped into this mentality. We feel we have something to contribute and everyone better listen up. We think we know better than our husbands about some things, like running the home or how to teach the children. We may very well have some excellent ideas that would be helpful, but how we give our input makes all the difference in the world in how our husbands receive it.

Remember that man you married (or the one you are planning to marry). Remember how you felt about him when you were first dating. You wanted to please him. You wanted him to think the best of you. That's the way we should all still feel. This isn't a war we are in here. This is a partnership. You both have the same goals, headed in the same direction. Let's quit pulling and fighting and trying to go a different direction. It just isn't worth it.

Now I'm not talking about if your husband is doing something sinful. We all know that we must, in love, point out spiritual errors to those we love. That's not easy either. But if it is a matter of judgment, how best to do something, we have to remember that we are "subject" to our husbands. We can give our input (hopefully in a loving, positive manner) but the ultimate decision is his. The ultimate responsibility is his, too, which should be a relief for most of us.

My husband counts on me to give him constructive criticism. He expects me to tell him if he messed something up. Your husband may not be there yet (after all we've had 37 years to get to this spot). The way I tell him, though, can make all the difference in the world. If your husband is ready for your constructive criticism, be sure to tell him with love in your heart and kindness in your voice. Difficult words are much easier to hear when surrounded with the gentleness of a "meek and quiet spirit."

When my husband makes a decision, though, he expects me to support him and be the helper I'm supposed to be. You won't always get your way, but if you show your husband that you support him in his decisions, your life and his will be much smoother, much happier and much more peaceful. Chances are, in the future, he will consider your preferences more. After all, the same Bible that tells us wives to be submissive also tells our husbands to love us as themselves.

I think, honestly, there are some people that just like to argue. They aren't happy unless they are arguing, complaining or fighting with someone. I think this goes back to the "gentle and quiet spirit" again. Those two images just don't mix well, do they?

If you are one of those folks that is always fighting, arguing and complaining, take a step back. Think about our example, Jesus Christ. Think about how He responded to those who beat Him, spit in His face and hung Him on a cross. If we are to be like Him, how can we not respond as He did? How do you respond when your husband asks you to do something? How do you respond when he makes a decision? Is your marriage a peaceful joint effort or a battleground?

I guess what I am really trying to say is, the things we often fight about are not really worth it. They are not that important, they will pass in time. In 5 or 10 years, we won't even remember what all those little arguments were about. Choose your battles carefully or you may just win the battle but lose the war.

We are to be helpers for our husbands, not quarrelsome, argumentative wives who make our husbands wish they lived alone on a rooftop. I'm praying for all of you, and for myself, that we can all learn to have that "meek and quiet spirit" that will make for much more peaceful, joyful marriages.

Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord

I've had a song stuck in my head all week long. Sunday evening, we sang Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord.

TEACH ME THY WAY, O LORD

Teach me thy way, O Lord, teach me thy way;
Thy guiding grace afford—teach me thy way.
Help me to walk aright, more by faith, less by sight;
lead me with heavenly light, teach me thy way.

When I am sad at heart, teach me thy way;
When earthly joys depart, teach me thy way.
In hours of loneliness, in times of dire distress,
in failure or success, teach me thy way.

When doubts and fears arise, teach me thy way;
When storm clouds fill the skies, teach me thy way.
Shine through the wind and rain, through sorrow, grief and pain;
make now my pathway plain, teach me thy way.

Long as my life shall last, teach me thy way;
Where’er my lot be cast, teach me thy way.
Until the race is run, until the journey’s done,
until the crown is won, teach me thy way.

 

The last two lines have been repeating in my mind. Until the race is run, until the journey's done, until the crown is won, teach me thy way.

 

Learning, particularly learning God's word and God's will, is a lifelong pursuit. Whatever part of your walk you find yourself in, still single, newly married, raising small children, raising teens, or empty nester, learning God's word is something that must take priority over trivial, worldly pursuits. I know, I know - if you are raising small children or your house is full of teens, it is hard to find that quiet time to spend alone with God in His word. It is essential, though. You see, those little ones will grow up. They will move off (sometimes a long way away, like to Chicago!!). They start their own lives and their own families. You are no longer the center of their universe. And that's the way it should be.

 

Your relationship with God is something that will stay there through all those stages of your life. Please, please, don't put off your time with God until "things quiet down," or until "there isn't so much to do." Remember that He tells us that if we love anything more than we love Him, we are not worthy of Him.

 

So how do you find the time? Here are just some suggestions. Get up 15 minutes before your day should start and spend that time in the Word. Set your alarm to get up at 2:00 am (I know it sounds crazy) and spend some time alone with God. At the end of the day, while you are washing your face before bed, open your Bible and read a Psalm. Use the time you are in your car (driving kids to whatever activity they are involved in or sitting in traffic on your commute to work) to sing praises to Him, or to listen to His Word on DVD, or to just spend a few minutes praying. Pray for that person who just cut you off, for the cashier at the drive-through who seems to be taking forever to check the person out in front of you or for that co-worker who has been on your mind lately.

 

God is with us every moment of every day, and He wants us to spend time with Him. Even if you can only find a few minutes to read a chapter or look up one verse that is stuck in your head, do it! You are learning, you are allowing Him to teach you. We must have humble and malleable hearts that God can mold and form to His purpose.

 

Are you letting Him mold you and teach you?

My Best Friend

Titus 2:4 (NASB) tells the older women to "encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children."

Today is my 37th Anniversary. I married my best friend 37 years ago today. I was and am still "in love" with him. What has kept us going for 37 years, though, is the love that Titus 2:4 speaks about.

The Greek word for love in Titus 2:4 is phileo, which is brotherly love, often exhibited in close friendships. Paul isn't telling us women to love our husbands in a romantic or sexual way, although that is important. He is telling us to be friends with our husbands. Romantic or sexual love will fade over time. The cement that binds a marriage together is the friendship, the partnership, the sharing of experiences that through the years become so precious.

No one understands me the way Mark does. He knows when I'm down and discouraged. He knows when I'm excited and happy. He understands what I need, sometimes before I know it myself. I would like to believe I am the same way toward him. I can tell when he's excited about something and when he has been beaten down by the world. My job as his wife, his helpmeet, is to be here to encourage him, support him, share the good times and the bad, even give him a nudge in the right direction when it is called for.

My job is NOT, however, to be the boss, or to tell him what to do. I am his helper. I was created to help him in his work as God's servant. As such, I am to be supportive of him, encourage him, be honest with him. Even when I may not think his decisions are the best way to go about things, I am to support and encourage him. In all marriages, you must find the balance, of course. Learn when to tell him your honest opinion about something and when to just be quiet and listen. He needs to know that you are there for him, that you love him and will do whatever it takes to help him. Is this always easy? Of course not. But it is absolutely necessary to weather the bumps in the road that Satan is sure to throw your way.

We've had our share of bumps and we've weathered them together. Please don't misunderstand - things weren't always rosy, and they won't be for you either. Expect the hard times, the trying times and remember through them all, that this man you married is your best friend. He knows the worst about you and still loves you. Even our closest girlfriends don't know ALL the bad stuff. Thankfully!!

My advice to young women not yet married - marry your best friend! Build this lifelong relationship as husband and wife on a mutual friendship and allow God to guide you both in your relationship. And then enjoy the ride, the ups and downs, the sadness and the happiness, the mourning times and the joyful times!! Those difficult times will come, but together you can face them and know God is drawing you even closer together.

1 Thess. 5:16-18  Rejoice always; Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

These verses have always made me stop and take account of how I'm living my life. Its interesting to me that some of the shortest verses in the Bible can have the biggest impact.

Rejoice always - just to clarify, joy and happiness are not the same thing. Happiness usually comes from external things while joy is an inner quality, coming from the heart. Joy is not dependent on circumstances.

The verse doesn't say rejoice when things are good. And life can really throw us some curves, can't it? We are told to rejoice always. That means when the kids are healthy and happy and when they aren't, when the husband is easy to get along with and when he isn't, when the job is going well and when it isn't. The things that happen in this life are temporary. We all deal with sick kids or sick parents or sick spouses. Kids don't always mind(hey, sometimes they can go for days without cooperating). Every couple has problems, some more than others. Life can be hard. Honestly, life is often hard, but 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us that no temptation that comes our way is unusual, they are all common to man. We all deal with problems, illnesses, unhappy marriages, you name it. Some folks deal with more difficulty than others and I'm not trying to downplay whatever your circumstances are. I am trying to point out that we all have problems, concerns, fears... 

But we are His children. We have a hope, an anchor for our souls. And that is cause to rejoice, even in the bad times. Is this easy? Not always. But this is what we are to strive for - rejoicing in every situation. Keep reading. I think you will soon see how these verses go together.

Pray without ceasing - this doesn't mean that every word out of your mouth has to be a prayer. But if  you are going days or even hours without talking to your Father, there may be a problem. It is natural to share your day with your family, your spouse, your friends, whoever you spend your time with. Let's say you are married - would you go days without talking to your husband if he were right next to you? And God IS right next to you. He's there, just waiting for you to talk to Him. Share your burdens. Tell Him about your heartaches, your temptations, your fears.

But tell Him how thankful you are, too. In everything give thanks - good times and bad, happy times and sad, healthy times and sick, abundant times and wanting. Because in everything, He is still there and He still loves you. He still gave His Son to die for your sins.

When you spend your time in prayer giving thanks, I think you will find your burdens lifted, your load lightened. When you are thankful, it is easier to be joyful, even in the bad times. A thankful heart is a joyful heart. How can we not be joyful when we think of all the wonderful blessings God has poured out abundantly on us??

My God will supply every need of yours

Philippians 4:19 (ESV) says, "And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." But what are your "needs?" Do you fully appreciate the "need" you have for God's presence in every aspect of your life? There is a place in my heart, my soul, that can only be filled by God. When I try to fill that spot up with another person (yes even a husband or boyfriend), or things, activities or emotions, it just leaves me feeling unfulfilled and unsatisfied. Like eating an apple when what I'm really craving is ice cream.

 How about letting God fill you up, letting His peace complete you? Philippians 4:7 (ESV) "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." God's peace is so perfect, filling up what we are lacking. It has the ability to guard our hearts and minds, too. If you are seeking to fill that empty place in your soul with physical things or people, there is the strong possibility that someone or something is going to try to lead you away from God. Don't let that happen! Don't let a person or an activity or interest lead you astray. Stay on that straight and narrow path that leads to God and His perfect peace. And He has promised that His peace will guard your heart and mind.

Can I challenge you to let go of striving after what you think you need and let God's peace fill you up? Let Him show you how much He loves you. 

Psalms 61:2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto You, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Welcome to Rock of My Heart Blogpost. This blog site is to help, encourage, teach and mentor young women. You, the reader, can decide on the definition of "young." After all, you are only as old as you feel, right?

As we journey together in this blog, we will talk about God's wisdom for single women, newly married women and women raising children. I've been married to the same wonderful man for 37 years and together we have raised three children who are all faithful Christians.

Our eldest daughter is married to a preacher and songwriter. He wrote the song Rock of My Heart, which is where I got the title for this blog.

I pray that as we walk this road together, you will be encouraged and uplifted, as I know I will be as well.

I look forward to our journey together and will always welcome your comments. Stay tuned for my first post shortly.

In His Presence,
Diane