A Daily Need!

I know how badly I need to stay in the Word of God, daily;my daily victories depend on the freedom of living and abiding in God's Word (John 8). My thoughts, my words, my attitudes, my actions all go incredibly wrong, incredibly fast without the saving reminders and life lessons of God through His Word and through His Holy Spirit.

I'm not asking this question to cause feelings of guilt because heaven knows that we produce enough of that on our own.

I hope simply to encourage you.

I need encouragement and I love to have people to keep me accountable in my relationship with God. So, in case you are looking for some resources to direct your studying in the Word of God these days I thought I would direct you to a few sights that could inspire. If any of you have other links or book ideas pass them along. If they have spoken to you then they will likely be an encouragement to others too.

There are of course a lot of studies in book format by all sorts of authors who love God. The girls and I are on week two of the Proverbs study I mentioned to you a bit back. It is challenging and a complete joy to go through an in depth study with your daughters. The questions are deep and personal and they see and know whether my walk and talk line up. I pray that I am real before them and passionate in growing in my love for God.

Here are a couple of online links to check out - free!!

My Utmost for His Highest

The Soul at Rest

Daily Light on a Daily Path

I also want to make you aware of the audio link at Eastview's site. I have really been enjoying the Joseph sermon series (a little biased I suppose!) You can listen to the first two weeks here.

http://www.eastview.org/media

First Fruits

It is very exciting to be enjoying some of the first fruits of the season. The other day we had our first salad of the season. It has been a few years since growing my own lettuce. After we had enjoyed a few bites of salad and homemade dressing we had a good laugh and then completely grossed out after my daughter said,
"Hey mom, what is this green thing on the lettuce...and this one...?"

"Mom, they're bugs!"

Needless to say I have triple washed the lettuce today for supper.

Some Celebration Pictures

A year end sleepover celebration for my girls. Really roughing it in our backyard.



Going home after a great block party with neighbours.





Max celebrating the end of a school year with a bowl full of lettuce "cores" - not sure what they are actually called? The kids enjoying a celebratory meal also with some lettuce involved!














Getting ready for Canada Day; tattoos.
Yes, they are temporary!
Dave was out with Alexander today and was stopped by a very distraught lady who asked if the tattoos were indeed temporary. She was relieved when Dave said "yes!"

In Celebration Mode

Today marked the official last day of school for us. Everyone is pretty excited around here! We have had a number of celebrations around here to mark the accomplishments of our first school year here. Although the transition hasn't always been easy, it has been good.

God is good and what He does is good.
from Psalm 119:68.

As the summer festivities continue, may you enjoy a wonderful day tomorrow as you celebrate Canada Day with family and friends.

Just Sign Here

Trying to be a responsible parent this morning, I gave my kids a three minute warning till our departure time for school and added in - "Did you grab a snack? Is there anything I need to sign for today?"
It was after the second question that one of my children said, "oh, yah...can you sign this?"
I said, "sure, just bring it here."

Seconds later the child brought it to me and as I glanced over the form gave an incredulous look! It was entitled, "Talking about Changes Interview."

On the form were 7 questions about growing up and puberty.

By now we were down to two minutes.

I said, "Sweetie, we can't cover this now. These are good questions and I would love time with you on this"

...after a bit more discussion we settled by making a date and time for this discussion.

This definitely isn't our first discussion on the matter and won't our last either. We work at being open about these topics taking and making opportunities to talk through them. I pray often for the kids to be surrounded by people they trust so that there are others they can talk to that love them and speak godly words into their lives in a loving way.

Even if I struggle for the courage myself, I don't believe it benefits our kids to be scared of or to ignore "growing up" topics. The Book study group we are a part of right now is going through "The Reason For God." We all have doubts and issues we struggle with in life and the author, Timothy Keller argues that;

Believers should acknowledge and wrestle with doubts - not only their own but their friends' and neighbours'. It is no longer sufficient to hold beliefs just because you inherited them. Only if you struggle long and hard with objections to your faith will you be able to provide grounds for your beliefs to skeptics, including yourself, that are plausible rather than ridiculous or offensive.

What does this have to do with addressing issues of sexuality with ones child you ask? For starters I think about the impact of media on these issues. Our culture fosters an ideal image, it teaches using feminine powers for personal gain, sexuality is portrayed as a casual fling rather than a God given gift for a lifelong commitment. In these issues alone I believe there are doubts and fears and beliefs to be wrestled with not only for our children but for us as well - issues such as what we believe about ourselves, about God's design for marriage, about making the choice to following God resolutely (See *Psalm 119:9, 30, 36, 59 and so many others!). If we are to sympathize with our children and young adults and friends at church and in our neighbourhood as well as our own personal situations we would be wise to take time to struggle through these issues, to find God's way in them and strive to grow in stronger faith in God through them.

I am definitely no expert on this and am thankful for authors such as Vicky Courtney and Dr. Kevin Leman who speak into these issues with godly advice. I do know however, that as inept as I feel about parenting, God has called me to it. I want to be faithful.

*Psalm 119: 9, 30, 36, 59 (NIV)
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to Your Word.

I have chosen the way of truth;
I have set my heart on Your Laws.

Turn my heart toward Your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.

I have considered my ways
and have turned my steps to Your Statutes.

"I Want to be Grown Up!"

Tonight Dave and I were with another couple. The kids had already been tucked into bed. While we were talking my son came up and found a spot in the hallway where he could quietly motion for me to come to him. I quickly got up. I was curious about the glow on his face as I knew he had a loose tooth and thought maybe it was out. When I was very close and leaning in he showed me his mouth and his extremely wriggly tooth and said, "it wants to come out!" I said, "tonight?" "Yes, my tooth is saying, 'I want to be grown up!"
I took him to the bathroom so we could have some space. He wasn't sure what to do next so I asked if he wanted me to try. Just an aside here, the girls NEVER would have let me do that.
So we both wriggled and twisted. It didn't quite seem ready to do the grown up thing yet. I asked several times, "are you sure tonight's the night?" With a big smile, he assured me he would not go to bed until it was out!
He was determined and glowing and so excited for the grown up tooth to make its way in.

As parents we are finding there are many aspects to growing up. Some are very painful and bring us to our knees and others are cause for great celebration. Although we have experienced both this week I am very happy to end my day in celebration. In one situation we are working through it with tears and prayer, learning as much as we can in the midst of a difficult experience and with the other it is a glowing celebration.

Song for the Season?

I think one of the great mental benefits of running is that is allows for one to clear their head and to think through issues. I don't always bring my IPOD with me but happened to today. I was listening to the group Mercy Me. The song "Crazy" came up. It spoke to me on runs a couple years ago and continues to today. Our daily walk with God is filled with so many choices and so many thoughts.

Psalm 119:33
Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees;
then I will keep them to the end.

Here are the lyrics.

Why I would I spend my life longing for the day that it would end..
Why would I spend my time pointing to another man..
Isn't that crazy

How can I find hope in dying, with promises unseen..
How can I learn your way is better
In everything I'm taught to be..
Isn't that crazy

I have not been called to the wisdom of this world..
But to a God who's calling out to me..
And even though the world may think
I'm losing touch with reality
It would be crazy
To choose this world over eternity

And if I boast let me boast
Of filthy rags made clean
And if I glory let me glory
In my Savior's suffering
Isn't that crazy

And as I live this daily life
I trust you for everything
And I will only take a step
When I feel You leading me
Isn't that crazy

I have not been called to the wisdom of this world..
But to a God who is calling out to me..
And even though the world my think
I'm losing touch with reality
It would be crazy
To choose this world over eternity

Call me crazy
You can call me crazy
Call me crazy

I have not been called to the wisdom of this world..
But to a God who is calling out to me..
And even though the world may think that
I'm losing touch with reality
It would be crazy, It would be crazy, It would be crazy
To choose this world over eternity

Isn't That crazy..
Call me crazy
You can call me crazy
Call me crazy