So, I began writing the first chapter yesterday and am working on it right now, but I was so surpsied by this revelation that I had to share. I said in a previous post that Salvation was going to be the easiest and hardest subject I tackle, but it is crucial because every relationship in a Christian's life reverts back to this one. I had no idea how right I was going to be. Yesterday, I started writing about Salvation and realized that Sin is the reason why we need Salvation, so I should back track and write a quick definition.... I've been trying to write this "quick defintion" for two hours now! The wording needs to be right.... The Biblical support needs to be there..... I wish I could skip ahead to a later chapter, but everything builds on this. So, I'm off to work on it.....again.
Less than a half an hour after I posted the above paragraph, I think I've got a workable definition. "Sin
is disobedience of God. Disobedience was the first sin and is the
core of all other sins as illustrated in Romans 5:19, 'For
as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one
Man's obedience many will be made righteous.'"
It's amazing to feel God lead you to the verse you need.....
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
And the Research Begins!
So tonight Ariah and I had a really fun bath time :) I made her some soap paint (1 bar Ivory soap fluffed in the microwave+food coloring+ enough hot water to make it the consistency of cream) and then put it into squirt bottles. She's a bit young to be able to squeeze the bottles, but she had fun swirling it.
After Ariah went to bed, I got started on my first hard-core research session for my book. A couple of things I have decided: 1. I will not be using other articles or books, except for concordances and dictionaries, outside of the Bible. I want to find out what the BIBLE says about the woman's role, not what other people think. 2. ....There are a lot of verses in the Bible. LOL! I've done a cursory glance through the New Testament and have found a LOT of verses to use. It's exciting and overwhelming at the same time.
So the first topic, like I said, will be salvation. Luckily, although it's the easiest and hardest topic, I'm confident that I have found the verses I need to adequately illustrate the need for salvation. The next topic has me a little nervous because it's a very hot topic: divorce. My audience is women and in today's society many women have experienced divorce first hand. Again, it's an easy and hard topic. Easy because divorce is wrong. It is a sin; plain and simple. Remarriage after divorce while the ex is still alive is also a sin. Now comes the hard part that is so simple: If a divorce occurs and a subsequent remarriage, the members of the new union must recognize that without forgivness they are living in sin and must claim that forgivness Jesus provided with His death on the cross.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9
This does not mean that we are allowed to do whatever we want as long as we confess, but I'll cover that under the "Salvation" section later and more in depth. It does mean that the new union can now have a strong foundation.
Like I said, it's a touchy subject. I pray God gives me the guidance to use the right words when interpreting His Word.
And with that, I'm signing off. Have a good weekend!
After Ariah went to bed, I got started on my first hard-core research session for my book. A couple of things I have decided: 1. I will not be using other articles or books, except for concordances and dictionaries, outside of the Bible. I want to find out what the BIBLE says about the woman's role, not what other people think. 2. ....There are a lot of verses in the Bible. LOL! I've done a cursory glance through the New Testament and have found a LOT of verses to use. It's exciting and overwhelming at the same time.
So the first topic, like I said, will be salvation. Luckily, although it's the easiest and hardest topic, I'm confident that I have found the verses I need to adequately illustrate the need for salvation. The next topic has me a little nervous because it's a very hot topic: divorce. My audience is women and in today's society many women have experienced divorce first hand. Again, it's an easy and hard topic. Easy because divorce is wrong. It is a sin; plain and simple. Remarriage after divorce while the ex is still alive is also a sin. Now comes the hard part that is so simple: If a divorce occurs and a subsequent remarriage, the members of the new union must recognize that without forgivness they are living in sin and must claim that forgivness Jesus provided with His death on the cross.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9
This does not mean that we are allowed to do whatever we want as long as we confess, but I'll cover that under the "Salvation" section later and more in depth. It does mean that the new union can now have a strong foundation.
Like I said, it's a touchy subject. I pray God gives me the guidance to use the right words when interpreting His Word.
And with that, I'm signing off. Have a good weekend!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Crossing tasks off my to-do list
So yesterday I mentioned that I was transforming an old dresser into a set of shelves (more practical for the room). I'm really happy with how it turned out :)
Now, it's not exactly finished; it's just functional now. I'm taking a sample of the color to get a paint match. Then I need to sand and repaint it, but it'll do for now :)
My next project is to make Ariah a light table, but that's going to have to wait till tomorrow. I'll make sure to explain how to make the table and some activities Ariah can do with it. Ariah's going to flip when she sees it.
Alright, before I close, I want to share some of my first thoughts on the women's Bible study I will be writing this year. I started to pick up my commentaries, concordances, and Bibles when it hit me. I don't know where to start! My goal is to discover what the Bible says about our role as wives and mothers, but I can't begin there. I can't say "This is what a wife should do" without discussing marriage, a divine institution. An institution that is based on vows made to and before God. To be the best wife and mother I can be, Christ must be the center of my life as well as the center of my relationships with my husband and child. So, the first chapter will not be about wives and mothers, it will be about women and our role as Believers. Salvation is a critical part in the role of a godly woman, wife and mother so it only makes sense that the opening and foundation of this study begin there.
Wish me luck....I have a feeling this will be the most important and complicated topic I tackle. Salvation is so easy, and yet it is so difficult. The Holy Spirit must work in a person and make them relaize their sinful nature and their need for a Savior. After that realization, the person must submit to God's will and power in their lives. Saying the words is so easy, but letting go isn't.
Well, I guess that's a pretty good starting point. I obviously need some Scripture and more explanation, but it's a start.
And with that, I'm leaving you all for a date with my pillow. Good night!
Now, it's not exactly finished; it's just functional now. I'm taking a sample of the color to get a paint match. Then I need to sand and repaint it, but it'll do for now :)
My next project is to make Ariah a light table, but that's going to have to wait till tomorrow. I'll make sure to explain how to make the table and some activities Ariah can do with it. Ariah's going to flip when she sees it.
Alright, before I close, I want to share some of my first thoughts on the women's Bible study I will be writing this year. I started to pick up my commentaries, concordances, and Bibles when it hit me. I don't know where to start! My goal is to discover what the Bible says about our role as wives and mothers, but I can't begin there. I can't say "This is what a wife should do" without discussing marriage, a divine institution. An institution that is based on vows made to and before God. To be the best wife and mother I can be, Christ must be the center of my life as well as the center of my relationships with my husband and child. So, the first chapter will not be about wives and mothers, it will be about women and our role as Believers. Salvation is a critical part in the role of a godly woman, wife and mother so it only makes sense that the opening and foundation of this study begin there.
Wish me luck....I have a feeling this will be the most important and complicated topic I tackle. Salvation is so easy, and yet it is so difficult. The Holy Spirit must work in a person and make them relaize their sinful nature and their need for a Savior. After that realization, the person must submit to God's will and power in their lives. Saying the words is so easy, but letting go isn't.
Well, I guess that's a pretty good starting point. I obviously need some Scripture and more explanation, but it's a start.
And with that, I'm leaving you all for a date with my pillow. Good night!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
So many Projects, so Little Time
Yay! I made it back here....two days in a row!
Alright, so my garage and spare room have become catch-alls for projects and items that will be used in the future. The later are specifically things like sauce jars and yogurt cups that I'm using with Ariah. She pours and scoops, having a ball and working on fine motor skills.
Alright, so my garage and spare room have become catch-alls for projects and items that will be used in the future. The later are specifically things like sauce jars and yogurt cups that I'm using with Ariah. She pours and scoops, having a ball and working on fine motor skills.
Here, she's pouring potato flakes
The problem is, it looks like garbage when it's piled everywhere. So, I have projects in the works to help :) I'll post a picture of one tomorrow (hopefully I can get it done after I finish this post....well, except for the paint). I have the typical sorting, getting rid of true junk, and setting up store-bought shelves in the garage, but I'm really proud because I am turning a 50ish year old dresser into a set of shelves I can use! I'm so excited!
I'm also very excited because I'm making Ariah a light table :) In the stores they run for $300 or more. Well, as much as I love my little girl, that's not happening. Instead, I'm using some oak from a project that never got finished (Hubby thought he'd make four baby gates and only got one completed lol), a piece of plywood, a piece of plexi glass, some frosted spray paint, and rope lights. Ariah loves playing with flashlights so I can't wait to see her face when this is all done!
Well, I better go get it done if I'm going to show you pictures :)
Oh! one other project I'm finishing up: flashcards with Bible verses. I know, Ariah is a little young to read... ok, a LOT too young to read, but I came upon a site where a mom chose verses that started with a letter of the alphabet. So, the child recognizes the letters and learns verses! Brilliant :) While I liked her concept, I wanted to use my own verses and translations. I wrote them by hand on plain index cards (making sure the first letter was big and in color) and now all I have to do is a mock lamination using contact paper. I thought I'd share the verses I found:
A- “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,
rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness;” 2 Timothy
3:16 NIV
B- “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's
command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”
Hebrews 11:3 NIV
C- “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit
within me.” Psalms 51:10 KJV
D- “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31 NIV
E- “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to
become angry.” James 1:19 NIV
F- “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 NIV
G- “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. And there
was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.” Genesis 1:31
NIV
H- “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1
John 4:8 NKJV
I- “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will
forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John
1:9 NIV
J- “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 NKJV
K- “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.”
Psalms 34:13 NIV
L- “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal
truthfully are His delight.” Proverbs 12:22 NKJV
M- “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud
noise, and rejoice. And sing praise.” Psalm 98:4 KJV
N- “Nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:42
NKJV
O- “O my God, I trust in Thee; Let me not be ashamed, let not mine
enemies triumph over me.” Psalm 25:2 KJV
P- “Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.” Psalm 106:1 NKJV
Q- “A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked
intentions is hated.” Proverbs 14:17 NKJV
R- “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”
Philippians 4:4 NKJV
S- “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all
these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 NKJV
T- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own
understanding.” Proverbs 3:5 NKJV
U- “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3 NKJV
V- “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath
everlasting life.” John 6:47 KJV
W- “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if
anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8 NIV
X- “”Examine me O Lord, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart.”
Psalm 26:2 NKJV
Y- “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm
119:105 NKJV
Z- “Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice
because of Your judgments, O Lord.” Psalm 97:8 NKJV
I'm so thrilled with this list! Ok.....now I'm going. Those shelves won't build themselves! :)
Monday, January 2, 2012
New Year. New Goals....kinda
Alright, so "new" goals is probably not the right description.
I am determined to write more, but that's been a goal for a while now. Ariah is growing up so fast that I know if I don't write it as it happens, I'll forget. For example, yesterday she started saying "uh oh," except she says "oh ho" and on Christmas she said, more like whispered, "wow" repeatedly at every present she opened.
I am determined to get my house organized by the time classes start next week so that I can keep up with classwork and still give Ariah plenty of "mommy time." We've been having a blast with that and she's learning so much! Crafts, sensory bins, play dates, and practical activties (ie: cooking and cleaning. Yes, my 16 month old helps in the kitchen. She kind of demands to be apart of it).
I have one more goal that I have been toying with, and I think I'm going to go for it. I have been searching for a book/Bible study on how to be a godly wife and mother, but each one I found has had major problems. So, I'm going to start my own study, make notes here, and possibly look at publication (but since the research is in the baby stages, that's a little too far away to worry about).
Other than that, I'll be finishing my degree this Spring.
So, like I said, not necessarily "new" goals, but a new determination to see them completed. And since writing is one of them, I'll "see" you tomorrow!
I am determined to write more, but that's been a goal for a while now. Ariah is growing up so fast that I know if I don't write it as it happens, I'll forget. For example, yesterday she started saying "uh oh," except she says "oh ho" and on Christmas she said, more like whispered, "wow" repeatedly at every present she opened.
I am determined to get my house organized by the time classes start next week so that I can keep up with classwork and still give Ariah plenty of "mommy time." We've been having a blast with that and she's learning so much! Crafts, sensory bins, play dates, and practical activties (ie: cooking and cleaning. Yes, my 16 month old helps in the kitchen. She kind of demands to be apart of it).
I have one more goal that I have been toying with, and I think I'm going to go for it. I have been searching for a book/Bible study on how to be a godly wife and mother, but each one I found has had major problems. So, I'm going to start my own study, make notes here, and possibly look at publication (but since the research is in the baby stages, that's a little too far away to worry about).
Other than that, I'll be finishing my degree this Spring.
So, like I said, not necessarily "new" goals, but a new determination to see them completed. And since writing is one of them, I'll "see" you tomorrow!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Fall is here!!!
Fall is here :) And with it has come some really fun projects for Ariah and I to do together. Cornstarch paint, leaf hunts, and making applesauce! At least an hour every morning and every afternoon has been "mommy and me" time. No cleaning (although Ariah did a very good job of cleaning up her paint mess; no joke!) just fun time. She is getting so independent! Still a baby at heart, but she doesn't believe it. I'm excited for what we'll be doing next!
Monday, September 19, 2011
Where has the summer gone?
Well, I was determined to post every day or at least every other day, but, since it is now AUTUMN that has obviously not happened. Oh well. I'll catch you up a little bit :)
Ariah is now walking! She spends very little time on her hands and knees anymore and is trying to bounce:) She said "kitty cat" once (and I have it on video to prove it! lol) but other than that, she talks in her own way. She crawled out of her crib a few weeks ago so it has been transformed into a toddler bed (toddler???? NO!!!!). She's still nurses even though she has ten teeth (she learned early that biting was not an option lol). I can't believe it's been more than a year!!!
We are going to start a little bit of a school of sorts where we will be actively working on body parts and colors as well as some autumn vocab words. I know it sounds like a lot to expect from a one year old, but she loves the one on one time with mommy. I've also started classes up again and there have been many days where I can't think of more than a few minutes where she and I really played together. I HATE that. So, I've decided to come up with a special activities every day for an hour or so where we do a learning activity together that's fun, messy, or active.
Ariah is now walking! She spends very little time on her hands and knees anymore and is trying to bounce:) She said "kitty cat" once (and I have it on video to prove it! lol) but other than that, she talks in her own way. She crawled out of her crib a few weeks ago so it has been transformed into a toddler bed (toddler???? NO!!!!). She's still nurses even though she has ten teeth (she learned early that biting was not an option lol). I can't believe it's been more than a year!!!
We are going to start a little bit of a school of sorts where we will be actively working on body parts and colors as well as some autumn vocab words. I know it sounds like a lot to expect from a one year old, but she loves the one on one time with mommy. I've also started classes up again and there have been many days where I can't think of more than a few minutes where she and I really played together. I HATE that. So, I've decided to come up with a special activities every day for an hour or so where we do a learning activity together that's fun, messy, or active.
These are some magnets I made out of wallet sized picture frames. Cute huh?
Well, we've had a fun summer. Trips to Kansas City, Virginia, and Salt Lake, but that's A LOT to recap (I'm having a hard enough time doing it for my journal lol). Sufice to say we've had a great summer with our little princess. I'm really looking forward to autumn with her and all the activities we have planned. We've already gone apple picking (which she LOVED) and have so many projects to look forward to! Hopefully I'll be better at blogging, but hey, I'm a busy mommy! (and I love every minute of it!)
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