Spring again!
I love the colours, the extra warmth, the extra light.......

New life!

''Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.'' Jam 1:17

Contentment

There's nowt like encouraging books, and Sally Clarkson always encourages me, even though I don't always think I need any encouragement. One of her recent quotes struck home to me:
''We do not always need what we think we do in order to be happy; rather, God's ways lead to contentment.''
This is so true. Over the years I have realised this truth. So many of us, especially in times of discouragement will ask why, and why theirs/our circumstances are so different. If only we had what others seem to have. Whatever that happens to be. Children, house, situation, location, material things......etc, the list goes on. Maybe even, Oh, if only I was as patient as such and such, or as happy go lucky.
The thing is, as in the last post, I mentioned faith, and trust in God, and that He forces us to exercise our spiritual muscles in order to grow. Every one of us has different needs, strengths, weaknesses, so what God does for us, will not look like the way He deals with our best friend, Christian neighbour, whoever. God didn't design us all the same, as we are meant to compliment each other, as a body of believers, not only in the church visible, but the church invisible.
The only way we are going to be content in this life is to passionately seek the Lord and his will for OUR lives, and to follow it, while seeking the Lord in prayer as often as possible, reading and studying his word. Remembering the only one who we please is God. Yes, others will sometimes try to discourage us, even when we are following the Lord. We need to bear this in mind with how we treat others, as yes, it is right to admonish at times, but often people will admonish in criticism, and not Biblically, and constructive. Also, our ''giants'' are nothing to God, and sometimes they are from the devil to discourage us. Being a realist, it is amazingly easy for me to succumb to this!
Yes, I would recommend Sally's latest book, ''own your Own Life.'' I downloaded for Kindle. I am currently around half way through it.

Trusting God

Why is it so hard sometimes to trust in the Lord, to not lean on our own understanding, and to not worry about things which may, or may not happen?
I think also, that some areas are easier than others. People will probably differ on which area they find easier.
However, if we really want to loose unnecessary burdens, we need to trust him in every area of our lives.
I am reading, 'The Christian in complete Armour,' again, by William Gurnall. I had the book given to me by my husband on our second Christmas together, our first as three, as our first daughter was only a few months old. Never managed to read it all the way through, so starting again. At the beginning he gives some very helpful, and very chewy insights on trusting God. Here are some of the gleanings:

The most important, is that we are regenerated, that is true believers, as he quotes, ''The state of unregeneracy is a state of impotency.''
What does it mean to be strong in the Lord, and trusting in him?
1) A settled, firm persuasion that the Lord is almighty in power.
2) That the almighty power of God is engaged to bear up in trials, and temptations undauntedly. Leaning on the arm of God as if it were our strength.
How can we strengthen ourselves in faith? By reading God's word, praying to Him, really seeking to understand the whole counsel of God. We shouldn't be leaving this to our Pastors, it is every Christian's duty.
Sometimes it can feel that God is afar off. However, Gurnall gives the illustration of a child, who is not yet walking, but the mum encourages him to walk to her, and stands back. He may fall, and stumble, but it is part of the learning process.
Thus, if we are given too much by God, it can tempt us to pride, and God wants us to be dependent on Him, not boastful about what we have supposedly done! Think Peter, he ran into the mouth of temptation, bearing himself up on the confidence of his grace received.

When Satan accuses us, we can say it is God who justifies. When we feel our burdens too heavy, we should run straight to God. ''Rely upon God, and make daily application to the throne of grace for continual supplies of strength.'' When Jacob wrestled, it was considered his strength.
He warns against running to a person, or a thing for encouragement. So true! Even if the person is Godly, we need to seek the Lord, and His counsel first! Do we sometimes try to find comfort in things? It is so easy to do that, and just what the devil intends us to do!
''Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.'' Eph 6:11
The armour is Christ, and to be without Christ, is to be without armour. Are we being fooled by the world's promise of protection?
I strongly recommend reading the book yourself. It is encouraging, but very meaty, so you can't read a lot in one go.

Dirty Washing Poem

Dirty washing is a chore.
All that washing on the floor.
Skid marked pants and blackened socks.
Shall I chance the weathered crocs?

Pop it in the tub with nuts.
No, I don't want any buts.
Watch it dance, watch it swirl.
Then it does its final whirl.

Hang it on the line and sniff.
Nope, not a single, smelly whiff.
Lavender, and scents galore,
the warming sun.
Ah, back for more!!

Give Thanks to the Lord for He is Good

''Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,'' is the Bible verse for this month's calendar, and reminds me that God is always good, all of the time. We should be thankful.
Thankfulness has been lost in today's society, rather more a, 'what can I get?' attitude.
Many say How can a loving God send people to hell, or how can a loving God do this to me, or allow that? The fact is, God doesn't send anyone to hell. He is not willing that any perish. (2pet 3:9) we are on an automatic ticket to hell for rejecting God. He is a holy God, and that is why Jesus died, becoming an advocate, and taking the due reward which WE deserved. Sin came into the world through Adam, and corrupted mankind. The only remedy is repentance and faith in Christ. Bad things happen to everyone, it is part of nature, however, if we are Christians, all things will work together for good,even if they seem bad at the time unless of course we being sinful, then the Lord WILL correct us. That gives us a cause to rejoice, even trials. Without trials, we would stagnate. Trials work by exercising spiritual muscle, and you know what happens to muscles that are neglected. They become flabby, and weak. There is a danger of them becoming absolutely useless, unless they are in use.

This month, I am thankful for a new study Bible, it is the Reformation Heritage Study Bible KJV.(the Joel Beeke one) What is great about it, is it isn't just a good bible to read, and study, every chapter has a reflection for personal, and family devotions. Hence making it very valuable in using with the children. I have started reading through the whole Bible with them. It may take some time though! However, a great start. The more difficult words are explained in the footnotes, and there is a complete section on church history, creeds, and confessions, including the 1689 Baptist confession of faith, which we adhere to. All in all an excellent tool.

Attitude!

One of the worst things you can probably say to a mum of many, or any mum for that matter, is, ''How do you cope?!''
For one, it implies that babies, or children in general are some sort of punishment, and of course it must be a punishment if you choose to have many!
There are so many negative images regarding mothers, and mothers of young children especially. However, just when you think you have got past that, it is, ''Oooh, enjoy them now, you wait till they are teenagers!'' Leaves you wondering, just what horror can they be talking about. Not exactly encouraging. Though, as the mum of 5 teenagers, I can say, actually they are probably a bit easier now than they were when younger. Remember, no one has perfect children.
Changing our attitudes is a big thing. There is nothing negative in the Bible about children. Everything is positive. Abraham was promised a son as a blessing, ''Happy is the man who has his quiverful.'' Jesus said, ''Suffer the children to come unto me.''
We are told by so called marriage gurus, that we are to have time away from our children, or our marriage, won't survive. When our children are gone, we will somehow not be able to connect with our spouse. Nonsense! Marriage usually involves children, and marriage is about the family, working together to serve each other. Only when we become selfless, and put others' needs before ours, will we realise this. I am a great advocate for teamwork, and families are a team. We need to all learn to work together. Now, my children often find that a certain character trait in a sibling really annoys them. However, they can't run away from it, they have to deal with it. That helps them in later life. I have had so many people who were from larger families tell me just that. Who says home educators never deal with conflict resolution?
Another issue is churches. Too often they split families up. Segregating for creches, and sunday schools in morning services. I am an advocate for keeping the family together, and I really don't believe other people should miss the service to look after/teach my children. I am not saying Sunday school is a bad thing, but I think it has its place. It is the duty of Christian parents to teach their children, not the church. Originally, it was intended for children of unsaved parents. It should be God first, family second, and church last. Always! What good is a pastor, if he neglects his own wife and children in the process of tending the flock?
Back to attitudes, how about, ''Wow, what a blessing!'' Something positive, instead of something negative. Always, always better to say something positive to someone, especially when there is no need for negativity. ''Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.'' proverbs 17:24

My Review of Mary Pride's, 'The Way Home' 25th Anniversary Edition

Excellent. Mary Pride examines the role of women in Titus, and gives a biblical argument, as to why women should be workers at home. Workers at home incorporates the nurture, and education of children. She says charity begins with our families, and nothing less. Also, care for the elderly, hospitality, etc, and all as laid out in the Bible.
She dissects the idea of 'biblical feminism', and the equality movement, (which is even more prevalent, since she wrote this book.) She warns us not to go the way of popular humanism, and follow the world.
In this book she discusses marriage, too, and attacks the ''intimate marriage'' movement of books which is so popular. She calls it;''a watered down version of the original sex manuals.'' She gives much to think about here, in our craving counselling culture. Marriage, she says, should be God centred, not man centred.
She discusses family planning, and runs through the abortive forms of birth control, and gives her arguments, as to why we should trust God, and dispels the fear argument. In fact, she challenges our whole view of children, and goes on to say;''Women who push for careers are the most negative about children.''
She mentions Deut 6:4-7 as being the only basis for shaping children's values. ( Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.)
She gives the examples of Jonathan Edwards, Matthew Henry, how godly parents were a great influence on them.
The danger of socialism, and how it seeks to take over the family's functions.
I don't agree with everything she states, and she can come across as a little too dogmatic at times. However, there is much food for thought. I believe every woman should read this, and pray about the issues it raises. Sadly her reason given for writing the book is that there were no godly women teaching her. I can concur, even now, 25 years on there is still a great lack of teaching on this area, and instead, especially in my experience, older women in the churches are too quick to encourage young women to embrace the Godless values of the world.
There is an additional section, which she has written since, to ''update'' the book. She clearly distances herself from any association with The Patriarchy movement. She says she had no idea, that she would be implicated with that and the popularity of ''quiverful.'' She dissects the unbiblical notions of patriarchy by saying that God is in charge, not the father, and it is not biblical for fathers to micro manage every aspect of their wives lives. Also the idea of dating daughters as disturbing. I have to say, I totally agree, and I thought she put it well.