Entitlement and Marriage by Shalene
2007-09-11 14:59:00
There is a plethora of advice out there for marriages these days. We are all aware of just how important a healthy marriage is, especially in light of the high divorce rates in both Christian and non- Christain marriages. We learn about "Love Languages", we learn about "seasons" of marriages, we learn about "promises" we can make to one another, but I'm going to go out on a limb here, and say that the only advice and wisdom we need to have healthy marriages can be found in the Bible, if we will but apply it in our lives, and apply it consistently.Mutual Submission- Having a Servant's Heart Ephesians 5:18-29 NKJV These verses tell us how we are to behave towards our spouses. Women are to submit to their husbands, as they do to the Lord. Knowing that a faithful man will be mutually submissive in his love for her. It's not difficult to be submissive to a faithful man, but what if he's not, or not enough? What then? Well, to be blunt: You still have to do it. Just because one person do
Tuesday Mornings
2007-09-11 09:04:00
Hello All,My post this morning is just an FYI. I will not have time to post on most Tuesday
mornings for a while. I am starting a study of Beth Moore's book "A Woman's Heart God's Dwelling Place." I look forward to my weekly sessions, but that means very little time on the computer in the morning. So, that said, I may have something for you later in the day, and sometimes, I may not. Love you all, and prayers for all of you. May the blessings of the Lord be upon you.In Him,Shalene Subscribe in a reader
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Who Said Nice "Guys" Finish Last?
2007-09-10 10:51:00
Whoever said that, didn't know my blogging friends! I was recently given the Nice Matters Award by my sister in Christ and blogger friend Michelle from In The Life of A Child. I am sincerely humbled by the award. Thank you, Michelle!THE NICE MATTERS AWARDThis award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends & those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you’ve been awarded please pass it on to 7 others who you feel are deserving of this award. Now I get to pass the award on. Hmmm. Who to choose. I know so many good "nice" bloggers, but I'm thinking that perhaps this award is meant more for women (it's kinda pink.) :) So I think I'll go with my women blogger friends.Linda, at Laced With Grace blog (just one of the many talented and wonderful authors of this blog.) I am nominating her because of a poem she wrote that I thought was so wonderful, I just had to use it, and because she is
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My Beautiful Blue by Shalene
2007-09-10 09:32:00
I met her 2 years and 2 days ago, on the day of her birth. Her name is Syanne Jolie, and loosely translated it means "Beautiful
Blue" (cyan is a shade of blue and is how her name is pronounced.) She is my youngest daughter. And one of the beauties of my life. I am writing this post today as a birthday gift to her, though she can't yet read, or work a computer (though she does try.) :) Happy Birthday, my Beautiful Blue!! I love you so much! You are my little lifesaver! You came along at a time when I needed you so much! The Lord blessed me with you, and used you to strengthen my faith when I needed it so badly. He used you to help heal my grief, and to help make me whole again. He used you to help me see what a blessing all of you children are to me. Thank you for being my little lifesaver. You are as sweet as the candy! May the blessings of the Lord be upon you, my little one! I pray for your continued growing in the Lord, that you continue to say your "Amens" (that's
If We Are the Body
2007-09-06 10:01:00
Just a song to carry the remainder of the week. Blessings to you! My prayers will be with you.but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 1 Corinthians 12:24-27 NKJVIf We Are The Body by Casting CrownsThere is no "MORE" to this post. Subscribe in a reader
Song Recommendations
2007-10-01 13:30:00
Newsboys- You Are My King (Amazing Love)Matt Redman- Dancing Generation (none of the videos was great but here's the best of the videos. None of the videos does the song justice because of the sound quality, but anyway.)Jared Anderson- Hear Us From HeavenMatt Maher- For Your Glory (about the first 3 minutes of this video is Matt talking about the song. This video is the acoustic version of the songand only about a minute is the song. The rest teaches how to play the song on guitar.) Subscribe in a reader
Don't Blow My Heaven by Shalene
2007-10-01 10:35:00
Hubby and I were having a discussion the other day about Heaven
and what it's like and what it'll be like and how we'll be when we are there. I was telling him that there will be no more tears, no one will be given in marriage....and that's where he stopped me and told me "Don't Blow My Heaven!" (He really didn't like the idea that we wouldn't live in our own little houses with our own little families like we do here, only in perfect harmony all the time.)Also, he said he's not ready to go there because he hasn't reached his brother or his father or a host of other people that mean alot to him, and neither have I, and we both want that. Also he said that he would be sad for the people that aren't there. I said "No you won't. There is no more sorrow in Heaven." So for those of you that feel this same way....quit reading now. You won't like what I have to say, or better yet, what the Bible has to say on this subject. And for those LDS friends of mine, you may not agree with
Turning the Other Cheek and Forgiveness by Shalene
2007-09-29 12:03:00
You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. Matthew 5:38-39 NKJVHave you ever felt wronged by someone, and had difficulty allowing the transgression to go, and forgive the person? Has their words or their actions wounded you so deeply, that you felt unable to forgive? Have you ever been certain that the harm they did was intentional, only to learn later that it was not? I've been in this position a time or two, and seen it even. It's hard to know what to say to someone when you know what they're feeling. It sounds so trite to say, "Forgive and let it go. It's not worth it." But Jesus tells us the same thing, in His Holy Word.Though it was once said, and eye for an eye, love teaches us to forgive. God is love. To be a true Christ follower, you cannot allow the deceiver to speak lies into your life and to fill you with hatred or even
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Halloween- To Celebrate or Not by Shalene
2007-09-28 11:24:00
What is your view of Halloween
? If you are a Christian, you probably know some of the origins of this "holiday." Let me say here and now, I DO NOT consider it a holiday, as the root of holiday is Holy Day. This day is far from that! If you are a Christian, perhaps you discourage your children from wearing bloody, gory or evil costumes, but you may allow them to participate in "Harvest Festivals" in your church, as a substitute for the "evil" practices of Halloween. I ask you now, Why?Why do you not spend the evening in prayer, fighting "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." For we are "not fighting against flesh and blood".Ephesians 6:12 NKJV My view is not a popular one, even in my own household, but this year, I will stand my ground, as much as I am able. I will not participate in this day's festivities (or any that happen just prior for the same purpose.) I do no
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He is Everything
2007-09-27 16:48:00
I found this video over at Mirrored Grace blog. Thank you for sharing it, Mirrored, but I just had to share it over here on my blog too. It's absolutely beautiful.The song is Everything
by LifeHouse, but the video is what you really need to pay attention to. Praise God that He is here for us. Subscribe in a reader
Don't Worry Be Happy by Shalene
2007-09-27 10:46:00
Most of you probably remember the song by Bobby McFerrin- "Dont' Worry Be Happy
" from the late 80's (am I showing my age here?) And in it, he doesn't give us any Scriptural basis for this, per se. But did you know that there is a Scriptural basis for these words?I was recently ministering to a friend of mine who was worried about some health issues she is having and I asked her if she would like me to share some scriptures with her that she could meditate on, while she was awaiting the results of some tests she had done. This is what I shared with her.Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God Philippians 4:6 NKJVTherefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body.......... Matthew 6:25 NKJVTherefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day [is] its own trouble. Matthew 6:34 NK
Don't Blow My Heaven by Shalene
2007-09-26 16:06:00
Hubby and I were having a discussion the other day about Heaven
and what it's like and what it'll be like and how we'll be when we are there. I was telling him that they're will be no more tears, no one will be given in marriage....and that's where he stopped me and told me "Don't Blow My Heaven!" (He really didn't like the idea that we wouldn't live in our own little houses with our own little families like we do here, only in perfect harmony all the time.)Also, he said he's not ready to go there because he hasn't reached his brother or his father or a host of other people that mean alot to him, and neither have I, and we both want that. Also he said that he would be sad for the people that aren't there. I said "No you won't. There is no more sorrow in Heaven." So for those of you that feel this same way....quit reading now. You won't like what I have to say, or better yet, what the Bible has to say on this subject. And for those LDS friends of mine, you may not agree w
The Bronze Laver by Shalene
2007-10-13 10:47:00
I have gotten a little behind in a bible study I am doing of Beth Moore's study "A Woman's Heart God's Dwelling Place. However, I realized this morning that I have spent entirely too much time in self pity, and not enough time in His Word. So I began studying again. I came upon a powerful truth today, that I would like to share with you.How many of you, that are believers, choose to say a repetitious prayer "God, forgive me of all my sins"? Have you ever thought that perhaps that is not nearly enough? I have, but today it was brought home fully. I am reading about the bronze laver that was placed between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar, for the Israelites that God brought out of Egypt. (Exodus 30:18 NKJV) This bronze laver was for washing the hands and feet of the priests before they could enter into the tabernacle of meeting. If they did not they would die.Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, P
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Sometimes I Feel Angry
2007-10-12 09:16:00
I'm a Christ follower, but sometimes I get angry. Sometimes
I get really angry! I do know that anger isn't of God, though, unless it's righteous anger; but I can't always say that it mine is. I'm ashamed of that, but I am only human. Back before I was a Christ follower, I listened to heavy metal music when these moods hit me. They seemed to feed my feelings. Now, though, when I feel angry, I've found something that may seem like a bit of an oxymoron: Christian Heay Metal. Yes, you read that right. Christian Heavy Metal. The music is rocking and driving and hard, but the words are God fearing and God loving. I'd like to share one of my favorites with you today. It's songs like these that actually stem my feelings, and yet, still give me the satisfaction of letting go of the anger, in a positive way.Red- Breathe Into Me There is no "MORE" to this post. Subscribe in a reader
Joy In Mourning by Shalene
2007-10-11 09:40:00
THE LORD is my shepherd;I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures;He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul;He leads me in the paths of righteousnessFor His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil;For You are with me;Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with oil;My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow meAll the days of my life;And I will dwell in the house of the LORDForever. Psalm 23 NKJVMost of us have heard this Psalm, but I wonder how many of us really stop to consider what King David meant when he penned these words. All day yesterday, this Psalm was in my head. It comforted me, when I needed comfort."The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want." Is the Lord your shepherd? Do you allow Him to lead you in everything you do? Do you allow Him to be Jehovah- Jireh in your life; providing for all y
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We Know For Sure Now
2007-10-09 18:37:00
First, I want to thank everyone for their prayers and well wishes, and ask that you continue to pray for us. This pregnancy is not viable; and in fact, there is no baby in my womb. Only the gestational sac. I will be taking medication tonight to help my body to flush it out itself, so that prayerfully, I won't have to have another D&C. I also ask for your prayers for next time. We will be trying again in a few months. Until then, thank you again for your prayers for this pregnancy, and know that my faith has not been shaken at all. Though I'm not happy, I know that God's will is always what is best for me. I may not always know the reasons, but I don't have to. I don't know whether I'll feel up to posting tomorrow or not. I'll either be in pain or drugged up from the pain killers. So we will see. Blessings to all of you. Jesus loves you and so do I. Subscribe in a reader
Praying for A Miracle by Shalene
2007-10-08 10:34:00
And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:30-31 NKJVWe are doing a sermon series in church right now, called the Miracles of Jesus. (You can find the message here, in the next few days, if you care to listen to it.) Yesterday was the first of the series, and our pastor challenged us to believe that miracles do still happen. He also gave us some of the reasons that he believes causes many of us to refrain from asking for miracles. He really made me stop and think.You see, I have been refraining from asking for a miracle, not because I don't believe it can happen, but for fear that God will say no. Because you see, if I ask, that doesn't mean it's what's in God's will for me. And if I ask, I will hope for it, and any disappointment will be that much worse for me. It reall
Sunday Song Recommendations
2007-10-07 12:57:00
Today at church, they sang a song called God of Life by Mark Schultz. That was the first song I wanted to post for you, but apparently, the song is too new for there to be any videos of it. Just let me say, that one is definitely one for the recommendations list. However, I have found these below, also by Mark Shultz. Blessings to you!Until I See You AgainDo You Even Know Me Anymore Subscribe in a reader
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Prayer One Day at A Time
2007-10-05 10:56:00
It's so difficult not knowing the future, sometimes. It's so difficult to let go and trust God. I sit here and I contemplate this truth, and I wonder, "Why?" Why is it so hard to trust in Him to provide that which is good for us? I realize that it's not hard to trust in this, but hard to trust that we will be happy with what is good for us. Because frankly, not all that is good for us, makes us happy (at least not initially.) So why is it that some things have to painful, or at the least- unpleasant, to be good for us? I shall be contemplating this today, but more importantly, I shall be praying. Praying for comfort, praying for health, and praying for strength and serenity. Please pray with me. Not just for myself, but for all those that need my prayers and yours as well. I am sharing a devotional with you today, that was sent to me by a friend. I hope you don't mind. Blessings to you and yours today.AN EXTRA DAYby Marilyn Ehle"You are worried and upset about many thi
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We Need Your Prayers Please
2007-10-04 18:47:00
I'm afraid (a little.) I'm trying not to be. You see, we just came back from our first ultrasound appointment, and our calculations are either a little more than a week off, or the pregnancy is not viable. The reason I'm a little afraid is this is not the first time that has happened with me. The not knowing is the worst. I know that all things work to the good of those that love Him, and that fear is not of Him. So I ask this of you, please pray for this baby, that if it be His will, that the pregnancy is just off by a week, and that the baby is healthy. If it is not His will that this pregnancy continue, that my anxiety about it would be eased, and that we will find our comfort in Him. I also pray for my anxiety and that I keep my eyes and heart on Him at all times for the next 5 days. We go back in 5 days to find out for sure. I thank you all for your prayers. Subscribe in a reader
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Forgiveness Part 2 by Shalene
2007-10-03 10:45:00
I received a request yesterday by an Anonymous commenter on my article Turning the Other Cheek and Forgiveness
: Anonymous said... The article is from the perspective (predominantly) of 'past transgressions'.... It is Very difficult continuing to forgive, when an onslaught of transgressions, including pathological lying, barrages each encounter.... Said mathematically, these are not Points in time, the transgressions continue. If they were water, they would not be an isolated pool, they would be a river! :) It is true that Jesus suffered.... but he Knew that the end would occur... and at this moment, he can look back on it, as others can.... Please comment on the continuing transgressions and How To Handle Them on a daily basis.So I am going to attempt to address this comment here today. First, let's address when it's OK not to forgive. In what circumstances are we allowed to say, "Enough is Enough. I cannot forgive anymore"? "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly F
Wordless Wednesday- The Place of My Ancestors
2007-10-03 09:58:00
Images from PicturesofPlace
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Women in the Role of Ministry
2007-10-02 12:12:00
There are many who believe that women should not be ministers. I for one, do not believe that. You can probably surmise that from the fact that this blog in itself is a ministry that I, as a woman, perform. I am aware of the Scriptures that are used to support this mind set.Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 NKJVLet a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 1 Timothy 2:11-12 NKJVHowever, after closer scrutiny, these passages being used as a support for this mind set, just don't hold up.Before I go into all that, let me say this. I have always been of the belief that man is the head of the wife. This has never been in doubt, and still is not. Howe
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, Ministry
Sunday Funnies from Reverendfun.com
2007-10-14 09:08:00
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, Funnies
Sunday Song Recommendations
2007-10-21 08:42:00
Everything Glorious- David Crowder Band (the first verse has a mistake in the written lyrics. It should say "the night is lighter than it's HUE, which leads me to believe.")There is another song I wanted to share with you, but there is no video for it yet. Apparently, it is still too new. The song is by Matthew West and the title is "You Are Everything" off his newest album coming out January 2008 Something to Say. You can hear it here. (There is a video on the site, but not of this song.) I love the verse that states "you're the one that sees what I was meant to be, more than just a beautiful mess."Image courtesy of Kimmie at JustOneLily. Thank you Kimmie! There is no "MORE" to this post. Subscribe in a reader
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Lost in Translation by Shalene
2007-10-19 10:08:00
I had some interesting dialogue with my husband last night (as we do most nights) and I wanted to share it with you, because it led me to some profound thoughts. I was in the kitchen last night and my husband was in the living room with our two youngest children. I could hear the baby running around like a wild child, and asked my husband from the kitchen: "Are you letting her be active and rambunctious?" He said "huh?" and so I turned my head towards the living room, and said a little louder and a little slower "Are you letting her be active and rambunctious?" He said "Another yak on the bounces?" I lost it! I started giggling uncontrollably. Unfortunately, it really isn't all that funny.You see, the reason for our issue was that my husband has a partial hearing loss that causes him difficulty in hearing the exact decibel level that my voice happens to be in. Too many years of listening to loud music and working around loud machinery has caused this. (Yes, I did see the report from h
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The Old Testament- My Confession by Shalene
2007-10-18 14:39:00
I have a confession to make. I was one of those Christians that tended to steer clear of the Old Testament
, due to a belief that it was outdated or outmoded for life in today's society. I thought so long as I spent time in the New Testament of His Word, that that should be sufficient. I was woefully mistaken! I never realized just how pertinent the Old Testament is to us, even today, and how much of it is continued or expounded upon in the New Testament. In one of the bible studies I am doing right now, this fact has been brought home to me very strongly. Learning about the tabernacle that the Israelites built in the wilderness, has been very enlightening.I think I mentioned before that unbeknownst to me, the tabernacle that they built was a "copy or a pattern" of that which is in Heaven, as shown to Moses on the mountain. How awesome is that?! A replica, if you will, of something that existed in Heaven, and we can "see" it just by reading the words in Exodus that describe it. I'd li
Warm Hands and Warm Heart by Shalene
2007-10-18 10:52:00
I'm a little cold blooded. Now, by that I don't mean that I am mean to people. I mean that I am always cold. Especially my hands and feet. I am especially cold when my red blood cell count is low enough that I am anemic. Which, because of my medical issues this past week, happens to be the case right now.So last night, to combat the chills, I placed socks on my feet like I always do. It doesn't matter what I'm sleeping in, you will find socks on my feet. :) When I gave my husband a hug and kiss last night before I went to bed, he said "Your hands are like ice! Do you need socks on your hands too?" I thought he was joking and said "maybe so" as I laughed. He wasn't joking though, and got out a pair of his warmest wool hunting socks and placed them on my hands. I thought it was funny, but I left them on, because they WERE warm. :) It got me thinking while I was falling asleep too.I got to thinking: How many times do we, as the hands and feet of Christ, warm them up, before reaching
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, Heart
The Theory of Relativity--I Mean Relativism By Shalene
2007-10-26 13:54:00
No, today's article is not about Einstein's Theory
of Relativity. Please visit the provided link, if that is what you were looking for. For those of you that know what my writings are really about, or those just visiting and wanting to learn more about what it means to live as Christ follower, I invite you to read on.Today's article is about moral relativism. "What is that??!!", you ask? Moral Relativism
is defined by Wikipedia as In philosophy, moral relativism is the position that moral or ethical propositions do not reflect objective and/or universal moral truths, but instead make claims relative to social, cultural, historical or personal circumstances. Moral relativists hold that no universal standard exists by which to assess an ethical proposition's truth; it is the opposite of moral absolutism. Relativistic positions often see moral values as applicable only within certain cultural boundaries or in the context of individual preferences. An extreme relativist position might
Cracked! Like an Egg- A Beautiful Mess Part 3 by Shalene
2007-10-24 10:42:00
Matt Redman- You Never Let GoBe strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:6, 8 NKJV"No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you." Joshua 1:5 NKJV At the tender age of 8, I cracked for the first time. I had never been exposed to God, or to church as of yet, and so had no idea of a God out there that cared about me. You see, by this age, I had already endured abuse, heaped upon abuse, and yet I functioned normally until that fateful day that my brother died.He may not have been my biological brother, but he was family, and the closest thing to a brother I had. His mother was my father's cousin, and she was our caregiver
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