'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

A couple of quotes that resonated recently:

From Joy & Strength:

WHAT we should do is really, very often, to be still. And if we want something to make us more active and energetic, watchful and holy, I know but one thought, that is faith,--faith producing love. More trust and confidence and joy in God would be the secret--the only true or successful secret--of more goodness. And this should come quietly and calmly, not in great effort; this kingdom of God has come not with observation. Rest and quiet growth are what you want.
JAMES HINTON

From Central Covenant Affirmations:

WE know that by nature we have no good in us. If there is to be any good in us, it must be brought about by God. To this end the word of God is the powerful means, since faith must be enkindled through the gospel.. . .The more at home the word of God is among us, the more we shall bring about faith and its fruits.
PHILIPP JAKOB SPENCER

Worth Repeating:

The More at Home the Word of God Is Among Us,
The More We Shall Bring About Faith and its Fruits.

my chair

I've found a chair that my living room claims it can't live without. My living room tells me that it is the *perfect* chair, a beautiful chair, and one that will be amazingly practical for holding two full grown babies on my lap for story time (much better than squeezing onto a toddler bed, don't you think?).

It's going to float out in the middle of the room, facing our couch so when we have company, I won't have to sit sideways on my couch in order to see their lovely faces. It doesn't have arms, which make the floating abundantly more flowing, allowing your eye to skim right around the room without being rudely interrupted by bulky, overbearing arms.

Obviously the design of my living room with this added chair is only speculative, seeing as I come no where close to being all that great at interior designing (that's why I read Mark Cutler's blog, who, by the way, answered my question about wicker for me *in a post of it's own*). And the buying of this awesomely cool chair is only wishful thinking, of course, because wanting and having are two distinctly different "ings."

Honestly, it was one of those things that you didn't know you needed until you saw it. But I saw it. Now I want it, and I need to bury the idea until the time is right.

Easier said than done.

an innovative solution to the "sneaking food" problem

My babies...the ones that can walk, talk, and throw fits, have been sneaking food on a daily basis. They'll wake up at 5 am, open the fridge, and take out whatever their little hearts desire. Lately it's been the (buy one get one free) all natural hotdogs from Wild Oats. These puppies are delicious, expensive, and do *not* under any circumstances belong on the floor half eaten.

It's one thing for them to get food out because they are hungry and eat what they find, but they take food and play with it. Yesterday it was the buns, all torn up into little pieces. Last week it was chocolate muffins (eaten, yes, but with a million little crumbs all over the bed, floors, pillows, etc). One morning they got a new pack of hotdogs out, the three year old cut the pack open, and then proceeded to cut the dogs up into 1 inch pieces and throw them behind her bed. Why? Only Heaven knows. We *do* follow the recommendations of the If-Then chart if you are concerned that we don't adequately discipline our children. We do. Begrudgingly sometimes, but we do.

So last night, after disciplining sweet number two for the millionth time for this repeat offense (this time it was a scoop of sour cream...with her hand), my husband devised a plan. Have free gun locks? Don't have a gun? I bet you have a refrigerator!

Elizabeth Elliot on Fashion

In response to the fluffiness of the last two posts about fashion I present to you what made it's way to my inbox this am:

The Right Clothes

Only certain costumes suit Christians. To be otherwise dressed is inappropriate.

"Put on the garments that suit God's chosen people, his own, his beloved: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience" (Col 3:12 NEB).

"Put on the Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom 13:14 RSV)

"You have all put on Christ as a garment." (Gal 3:27 NEB)

"You must put on the new nature of God's creating." (Eph 4:24 NEB)

"You have discarded the old nature with its deeds and have put on the new nature." (Col 3:10 NEB)

"Put on love." (Col 3:14 RSV)

The clothes we wear are what people see. Only God can look on the heart. The outward signs are important. They reveal something of what is inside. If charity is there, it will become visible outwardly, but if you have no charitable feelings, you can still obey the command. Put it on as simply and consciously as you put on a coat. You choose it; you pick it up; you put it on. This is what you want to wear.

Do you want to dress like a Christian? Put on Christ. The act of honest obedience--the fruit of love for Christ--is your part. Making you Christlike through and through is his part.

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Click on the picture above to sign up for this (and other) devotionals to come to your inbox. I personally enjoy "Joy and Strength" even more than Elizabeth Elliot's. It is very bible centered, short, and almost always speaks to the character of the Christ follower.

Tanks

It gets hotter and hotter everyday here in the desert, and while doin' what I do in my house during the day, I wear as little as possible (which is usually a skirt and a tank). I picked up these higher cut tanks at the mall today for $6 each! Now I have one for every (casual) day of the week (although I really got the white one to wear as an under-tank). Hurray for great prices :)

A New Dynamic

My seven-year-old has flown out of the coop and been gone for a week (which gives me more time to blog), and the dynamic in our house has changed dramatically! Before, there was bickering, boredom, and blues, but with the oldest gone, my two middle children are happy to creatively play with each other for long periods of time.

One of the goals I listed to complete before his return was to get at least four weeks of lesson planning done. I mentioned our new curriculum, and I have been so excited to have daily plans that will keep him busy. Too busy to bother the babies. Too busy to interrupt their special "we're-only-16-months-apart" dynamic. Not doing "busy work," of course, but we are finally stemming away from the three 'R's and getting into more lengthy lessons. Hurray!

Team work! I'm a proud mama.