The families and people here in Tennessee have welcomed us with open arms. For that, we all are very grateful to God, our Father in Heaven!
Even the folks who do not truly 'know' The Lord Yeshua have been very gracious and friendly to us, as we share with them how they can know for sure that, when they die, they will go to Heaven, to be with God, with Yeshua the Messiah and with The Holy Spirit of God, the Ruach ha Chodesh. I have been amazed at how willing to listen most people here are, when we tell them of our Lord and Redeemer, Yeshua!
It can only be that God is making more folks 'more open' to spiritual topics, because they do continue to 'appear' in the newspapers and through other media sources. We get our "news" only from the internet and through emails others write or send to us. So, since we are not hearing all of what those folks (the lost souls, who are not aware of how much God has done for them and how much He dearly Loves them) are hearing or seeing, in what they call 'the news,' we can only figure that God may be using all the disasters in weather, all the war stories, the horrible failure of our government, of companies, of banking systems and of the government educational system in the USA ... to cause them to realize that, if God exists (and He does!), maybe they 'should' begin to be 'willing' to listen to what He wants them to hear.
We miss our beloved, long-time friends we had to move away from, in Texas, and elsewhere!
However ...
The home educating families we have met in person, since we moved, have also welcomed us with open arms!
Just this week, we have counted 5 other families who use the same home education curriculum / program we use! For us, that is a very encouraging answer to prayer! When we first moved here, we were only aware of two families. Then, when we first visited the Bible-believing, soul-winning, prayerful, faith-filled congregation where we are now members, we met one more family.
The lady through whom we met the folks we now rent this property from ... has a son whose family also use the same materials we use, to educate "their" children! We knew of her several months ago. But we only learned a few days ago, that her grown son and his wife educate their children with the same materials we are glad to be using.
And we owe our learning about those materials to some very dear friends whom God let us meet, over 16 years ago, when they invited us to attend our first Basic Seminar (formerly the Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts), in Dallas, TX -- the DelMuls! Thank you, Mary Lou and Daniel! You all have been such a blessing to us, to know!
And now, the Lord has let us learn, through another kind mom who contacted me, who also home educates her children, in a city not far from us, about two more families, who use the same materials we use! wow!
And a group of home-educating families, who meet in the city where we live (just outside of), also care enough to be using some booklets to teach and encourage their young people and children with ... which are part of a program called the Keepers of the Faith. It is a bit like a Biblical alternative to Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Many home-educating families like this program!
So, once again, God has blessed us with one more thing that I had prayed God might, if He wanted us to, allow our younger children to use, to learn some good and fun skills through using the booklets of the Keepers of the Faith, Keepers at Home and the Contenders for the Faith 'clubs.' The link for this ministry is at: http://www.keepersofthefaith.com/
Besides all that, one group of home-educating families allowed several of us to go along, on a field trip, not long after we moved here, to a waterfall, ... actually we saw two waterfalls. They were not far from the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. Nestled in among the mountains, they were just there, flowing down from high hills, and then continuing to flow on and on, over larger and smaller rocks ... on down, following gravity's path to the lowest point, a river in the area.
Mini-Geography Lesson:
Am learning more and more about the rivers in this area, since we moved here. They all, on this west side of the Appalachian Mountains, flow into the Tennessee River, at some point. And that flows into the Mississippi River. It surprises me the path that the Tennessee River follows. Would have thought that the creeks, streams, small rivers and larger rivers, would flow south into the Gulf of Mexico. But there are hills far too high, south of this area, to allow for that. So, to the west, the further the Tennessee River carries water and its supply of fish and all else, the elevation continues to go down, until the water reaches the Ohio River, at Paducah, Kentucky, before the Ohio flows further west, for a short distance, and dumps its contents into the wide, old Mississippi! We sure have a lot to learn! Geography is so fun to look at, and think about. God has made this world so very interesting to study about. And He keeps us asking questions, doesn't He?!
Isaiah 57: 15 reminds us
"For thus saith The High and Lofty One (Who) inhabiteth eternity, Whose Name is Holy; I dwell in the High and Holy Place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." !!
God is so generous!
He has used other folks He already knew before we came to this place, to live, to want, freely, to share with us their abundance of vegetables, as well as their time!
He has moved the hearts of folks who live in this area, and love The Lord, to gather food and other material things we can use, and pass those things on to us, to use as we are able.
Hallelujah!!!
And The Good Lord Who rules over all has seen fit to allow us, as a family, soon to share about the new ministry called the Life in the Bible Institute!
Please pray that The Almighty, Who orchestrates all the good that goes on, and allows the evil for His good purposes He can bring about, after it occurs, to use our family to do the good, in teaching, and in passing on to others the Knowledge of him and of His Word, that He has been teaching us, to turn the hearts of men ... to their Maker, Redeemer and best Friend!
The Lord YHWH bless you in all you do, as you seek His Face and as you will to do His Will, for His glory, praise and honor!
... more later ....
-- keep in touch!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Update for the Up Hill-ies
We are still here! ;o) (big smile) Thank you for waiting for an update on what we've been doin' ... up on this hill in the mountains of northeastern Tennessee!
Here is a list: (for those who are engineers I've worked for, businessmen I've worked for, doctors I've known, former public school teachers who only wanted to be listened to, and who often were mathematics educators, as well as many who are ... non-artists, non-musicians, and otherwise prefer things to be ordered (which is a good thing!), listed (related to orderliness, and that is good!), not "conversational" (sorry guys, but some of you are that way; other men are the opposite of that way) or ... who like to listen more than they talk, and are known by some as deep thinkers. Yes, I am one who prefers to talk (only when possible and only when it is the preferred mode for relaying very important information!), rather than listen. But that comes because I have just finished reading over 2 hours' worth of information and facts from human sources, plus truths and amazing and miraculous "doings" of God Almighty, from His Word! So, I am "ready to talk!" ... now)
1. visiting congregations of true believers ... who are all quite serious about what they believe, Who they believe in, and how they plan to live out what they believe
2. ... and we found one. But that is not to say that the other choices were not also good. We just chose one, because that one will surely keep us quite busy, as one outlet for serving God and reaching out to the community as well as sharing our life testimonies of how The Lord Yeshua The Messiah brought us to the knowledge of The Truth -- that He bought our Redemption and has made full atonement for our sins, and for our sinful lives (of the past).
3. we've been singing as a family of 8, at times when others have asked us to sing, before a church congregation. We are willing to sing elsewhere. Just need to find time, during a week coming soon to a city near you, ... when one or more of us can contact "other organizations" that might be receptive to us coming to sing. I believe it may be that our dear Lord, Who bought us, and owns us, is awaiting us becoming "more professional" and "more together" as a singing family, ... so that our "sound" (overall) will show we are "ready" for singing for groups other than just churches where we are already members.
4. we've been helping with the bussed-in children's ministry, that Harvest Baptist Church has, for children who live in a nearby city, near where we are, as well as children in the city where we live. There is an outreach program that ministers to at least 30 to 40 families, and several of us have been involved in the Sunday morning "worship and Bible lesson time" with the children who are a part of this program. Our own children are also involved in it.
5. we have helped in door to door, one on one, evangelizing in neighborhoods as well as other areas. We usually pass out Gospel tracts, when we can, during the week. We meet with others, weekly, also, to go out, door to door, to share The Message of how anyone can come to "Peace" and "Reconciliation" with The Lord God and with His Son, Yeshua the Messiah, through knowing "their spiritual condition" before God, and then, through accepting the free gift, through Grace, of "redemption" and "rest" through trusting and believing in the atoning sacrifice made by The true Lamb of God, Yeshua the Messiah, Who voluntarily gave His Life, on the Roman execution stake, for our lives. Now, all we need to do is (after we have accepted His free gift, through Grace) live our lives for Him, Who loved us, when we did not love Him!
6. we have helped with the Vacation (summertime) Bible School (learning time and craft time and enjoyment time) that Harvest Baptist Church organized, during June of this year. We volunteered to:
a. plan for, and offer a list for food donations among members of the congregation, and ... then buy and prepare food for the children (and some for workers) at the VBS.
b. teach (two of us) classes of children, from age 4-5 up to age 11-12, about The Six Days of Creation ... and about Dinosaurs living at the same time as man, and being created by God Almighty on the same day as man was created (day 6) ... and about The worldwide Flood during Noah's lifetime. At least 20 children accepted Yeshua's free gift of salvation! (out of almost 60, who came) We pray God will give each one a desire to know Him better, in the days to come. And we pray their parents will allow these children to attend a Bible-believing church in this area, or ours, so they can continue to grow in their spiritual life in The Lord, each child.
c. help decorate (be in charge of decorating, as much as was desired) the classrooms, as needed, and ... to decorate any other areas used for VBS
d. help with sound during the song singing time, in the sanctuary, during VBS, as well as passing out refreshments, during class time, and to help with game time on Saturday afternoon
... more later. Time to go "share the Gospel." (out in the community)
... stay tuned !
We have, so far, been made aware of 5 other home educating families who live in this same nearby area of His world, who ... have basically the same standards as our family has become convicted of, by The Lord. We rejoice in this news! God likes His children to be encouraged! And strengthened in Him and in His Word ! And He likes His children to know all they can, that will enable their "spiritual battling" to be done effectively, through His Holy Spirit and through His mighty dunamis Power! Hallelujah!
Here is a list: (for those who are engineers I've worked for, businessmen I've worked for, doctors I've known, former public school teachers who only wanted to be listened to, and who often were mathematics educators, as well as many who are ... non-artists, non-musicians, and otherwise prefer things to be ordered (which is a good thing!), listed (related to orderliness, and that is good!), not "conversational" (sorry guys, but some of you are that way; other men are the opposite of that way) or ... who like to listen more than they talk, and are known by some as deep thinkers. Yes, I am one who prefers to talk (only when possible and only when it is the preferred mode for relaying very important information!), rather than listen. But that comes because I have just finished reading over 2 hours' worth of information and facts from human sources, plus truths and amazing and miraculous "doings" of God Almighty, from His Word! So, I am "ready to talk!" ... now)
1. visiting congregations of true believers ... who are all quite serious about what they believe, Who they believe in, and how they plan to live out what they believe
2. ... and we found one. But that is not to say that the other choices were not also good. We just chose one, because that one will surely keep us quite busy, as one outlet for serving God and reaching out to the community as well as sharing our life testimonies of how The Lord Yeshua The Messiah brought us to the knowledge of The Truth -- that He bought our Redemption and has made full atonement for our sins, and for our sinful lives (of the past).
3. we've been singing as a family of 8, at times when others have asked us to sing, before a church congregation. We are willing to sing elsewhere. Just need to find time, during a week coming soon to a city near you, ... when one or more of us can contact "other organizations" that might be receptive to us coming to sing. I believe it may be that our dear Lord, Who bought us, and owns us, is awaiting us becoming "more professional" and "more together" as a singing family, ... so that our "sound" (overall) will show we are "ready" for singing for groups other than just churches where we are already members.
4. we've been helping with the bussed-in children's ministry, that Harvest Baptist Church has, for children who live in a nearby city, near where we are, as well as children in the city where we live. There is an outreach program that ministers to at least 30 to 40 families, and several of us have been involved in the Sunday morning "worship and Bible lesson time" with the children who are a part of this program. Our own children are also involved in it.
5. we have helped in door to door, one on one, evangelizing in neighborhoods as well as other areas. We usually pass out Gospel tracts, when we can, during the week. We meet with others, weekly, also, to go out, door to door, to share The Message of how anyone can come to "Peace" and "Reconciliation" with The Lord God and with His Son, Yeshua the Messiah, through knowing "their spiritual condition" before God, and then, through accepting the free gift, through Grace, of "redemption" and "rest" through trusting and believing in the atoning sacrifice made by The true Lamb of God, Yeshua the Messiah, Who voluntarily gave His Life, on the Roman execution stake, for our lives. Now, all we need to do is (after we have accepted His free gift, through Grace) live our lives for Him, Who loved us, when we did not love Him!
6. we have helped with the Vacation (summertime) Bible School (learning time and craft time and enjoyment time) that Harvest Baptist Church organized, during June of this year. We volunteered to:
a. plan for, and offer a list for food donations among members of the congregation, and ... then buy and prepare food for the children (and some for workers) at the VBS.
b. teach (two of us) classes of children, from age 4-5 up to age 11-12, about The Six Days of Creation ... and about Dinosaurs living at the same time as man, and being created by God Almighty on the same day as man was created (day 6) ... and about The worldwide Flood during Noah's lifetime. At least 20 children accepted Yeshua's free gift of salvation! (out of almost 60, who came) We pray God will give each one a desire to know Him better, in the days to come. And we pray their parents will allow these children to attend a Bible-believing church in this area, or ours, so they can continue to grow in their spiritual life in The Lord, each child.
c. help decorate (be in charge of decorating, as much as was desired) the classrooms, as needed, and ... to decorate any other areas used for VBS
d. help with sound during the song singing time, in the sanctuary, during VBS, as well as passing out refreshments, during class time, and to help with game time on Saturday afternoon
... more later. Time to go "share the Gospel." (out in the community)
... stay tuned !
We have, so far, been made aware of 5 other home educating families who live in this same nearby area of His world, who ... have basically the same standards as our family has become convicted of, by The Lord. We rejoice in this news! God likes His children to be encouraged! And strengthened in Him and in His Word ! And He likes His children to know all they can, that will enable their "spiritual battling" to be done effectively, through His Holy Spirit and through His mighty dunamis Power! Hallelujah!
Monday, May 5, 2008
Elisabeth Elliot Gren's website, with updates
Friends,
If you are like me, each day keeps you challenged, as to what to try to do today, to uplift someone else, or to get as many of the tasks on your TO DO list completed. Well, today, the Good Lord reminded me that someone had recently said that Elisabeth Elliot (Gren) does, indeed, have a website online now. Apparently, Lars (or she) began setting one up, quite some time ago, but I (alone ?) did not find it, until now.
Here is the link to it. http://www.elisabethelliot.org/index.html
Please click on the link in the box on that "page" that begins "Update! ..." That link will take you to the Ramblings from the cove ... pages, and those are the "news-y" newsletters, that will share with you some things they are "up to."
I deeply regret not living near her. I know that may sound silly to some. But I do believe she and I have quite a few things in common, in how God designed us. hee hee! From all her writings that I have read, so far, she just seems to be wired somewhat as I am:
She says things I tend to say something similar to, but she does it with much more God-given wisdom!
She thinks in much the same way as I do, but with very different life experiences to draw from, and (as a result) with much more life experience leaning more fully on God, and in trying to make the most of one's time for the glory of God and for choosing, beyond the circumstances of life, to trust more fully in God, as much as her faith, understanding and determination, are able to reach to.
Hats off to Elisabeth Elliot Gren! She has learned much and has shared much, in her books (!), and on her former radio broadcasts, which one can read the transcripts of, on "Back to the Bible" 's website, under her name.
I will dearly miss her, when she is home in Heaven. But I will hope that that will still be some time in the future! In the meantime, you can visit with her and Lars on their site, online. Hope it encourages some of you ... and that you take time to listen to, or read the transcripts of, her former radio broadcasts! I gained much wisdom from those! And I believe you will, too.
Elisabeth, thank you for sharing what God has taught you!
May God bless you all (my friends) abundantly, in all you do, and as you continue to lean on His strong shoulders, and come to know His Loving, Kind, Merciful, Humble and Meek heart, more intimately!
If you are like me, each day keeps you challenged, as to what to try to do today, to uplift someone else, or to get as many of the tasks on your TO DO list completed. Well, today, the Good Lord reminded me that someone had recently said that Elisabeth Elliot (Gren) does, indeed, have a website online now. Apparently, Lars (or she) began setting one up, quite some time ago, but I (alone ?) did not find it, until now.
Here is the link to it. http://www.elisabethelliot.org/index.html
Please click on the link in the box on that "page" that begins "Update! ..." That link will take you to the Ramblings from the cove ... pages, and those are the "news-y" newsletters, that will share with you some things they are "up to."
I deeply regret not living near her. I know that may sound silly to some. But I do believe she and I have quite a few things in common, in how God designed us. hee hee! From all her writings that I have read, so far, she just seems to be wired somewhat as I am:
She says things I tend to say something similar to, but she does it with much more God-given wisdom!
She thinks in much the same way as I do, but with very different life experiences to draw from, and (as a result) with much more life experience leaning more fully on God, and in trying to make the most of one's time for the glory of God and for choosing, beyond the circumstances of life, to trust more fully in God, as much as her faith, understanding and determination, are able to reach to.
Hats off to Elisabeth Elliot Gren! She has learned much and has shared much, in her books (!), and on her former radio broadcasts, which one can read the transcripts of, on "Back to the Bible" 's website, under her name.
I will dearly miss her, when she is home in Heaven. But I will hope that that will still be some time in the future! In the meantime, you can visit with her and Lars on their site, online. Hope it encourages some of you ... and that you take time to listen to, or read the transcripts of, her former radio broadcasts! I gained much wisdom from those! And I believe you will, too.
Elisabeth, thank you for sharing what God has taught you!
May God bless you all (my friends) abundantly, in all you do, and as you continue to lean on His strong shoulders, and come to know His Loving, Kind, Merciful, Humble and Meek heart, more intimately!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
new location for ministry and home ed
from a message on April 13, 2008
We have arrived in northeastern Tennessee !Friends,
The good Lord has allowed us to arrive all safely and well. We drove four vehicles here, and only in one was there an extra driver. Yet, God in His Mercy, enabled us all to drive all the way, with brief breaks, and even allowing us enough time to pick up Aaron's belongings he already had at No Greater Joy's ministry (where he has served and worked for the year before our move). We arrived just after midnight, on Thursday, April 4. That night, we drove all 4 vehicles up a very wet gravel-covered dirt driveway, from the heavy rains on April 3 and 4. The hillside driveway is an incline at about 30 to 35 degrees ... rather steep, for two medium- to large-size rental moving trucks. hee hee! We prayed all the way up. And we were quite concerned, when we could not direct the larger truck, especially, to a place that was very level, for the unloading the next day. But we trusted the Lord our Heavenly Father, Who reigns over and directs all things, would take care of it through the night, and would help us move it just a bit on Friday. So, we went to sleep in the living room area, on the floor, with our sleeping bags, quilts and blankets, and pillows. The water and electricity was on, so that was a wonderful answer to prayer. (the landlords had told us about that, so we had all we needed, that night) Oh, the heating and cooling is off, and was off when we moved in, due to the landlord needing to install new heat pumps. They would have been in, when we arrived, but the folks he ordered them from sent the wrong size ones, so we're waiting until the new ones arrive. In the meantime, the landlords provided us with space heaters, which we use only when it's below about 60 degrees in here, at night. During the day, it's pleasantly cool, up on this hill, so we just open the windows, turn on the ceiling fans, and we're fine.
Unloading Day: Arriving late Thursday night gave us Friday to unload the first, big truck. We gave ourselves the morning to rest up a bit, taking a break to enjoy a "slow morning," before all the "lifting and moving uphill" began. We only had phone numbers to use to contact those who had said to call them, once we arrived. I called. One was available. Another family had plans for Friday. So, one family was able to come help us unload quite a few boxes, and ... we were enabled by the Lord, "El," The Strong One, Who is our Strength and Buckler and Shield, to unload things such as washers, dryers, our oven / stove, our furniture and our ... piano. Yes! We laid it on its side, on our metal cart, and rolled it up the hill, guarded on all sides by all of us, ... up about 4 steps or so, and then into the house, through what seemed like narrow doorways, and in through the kitchen into the living room area, which is like a great room. God did it! We even got the large refrigerator we brought out of one truck and outside, covered it, from rain that was falling very lightly, all evening, ... and the next day, we moved it onto our smaller truck, to be taken to the storage place we rented, nearby.
Will have to continue this later. The sun won't wait. We're going to our second church to visit, in a short while. ... see you later ! ....
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Moving ! -- ? To Tennessee we go !
Friends,
Our family is ready-ing for a move of all our "stuff and junk" (our best things, you understand; I call everything on the earth "stuff" and "junk"!) to a new place to place it all, for another little while. ... we're moving to Elizabethton, Tennessee. Look for Johnson City on a map of Tennessee, and you'll see Elizabethton just to the east of it. ;o)
It is a city with along history. It is in a lovely location, nestled in among some mountains and hills, with the Cherokee National Forest practically out our back door. ;o) It is about 25 miles from Virginia's border, and even closer to North Carolina's border! It is in an area where there are annual festivals such as Highland Games, and Bluegrass singing fests, and historical re-enactments, and nature centers with educational events, and historical homes from when there was a state called Franklin there ... and more. It is in an area where there are hundreds of families who home educate their children! And it is in an area where we can get to at least 4 large cities, within about 2 hours' driving time. That last fact will enable our men to "gather in" the work they hope to work on, in the months to come. ;o)
And our children think it will be wonderful to be in a place where we can drive about 10 miles away and be camping at a large lake, surrounded by mountains, and down the road another 5 miles (?) is Roan Mountain, which is over 6,200 ft. above sea level. ;o) Roan Mtn. has an annual rhododendron festival we hope to go to -- with historical crafts, local artists, and many learning opportunities there, throughout the year. And ... if we decide to "holler," some day, the local folks will feel like we fit right in, I hope -- with "hollows" among the "rows" of mountains within a minute or two from where we will live. ;o)
We will live at or almost at the top of a hill, from photos we've seen -- quite a few. I'll be enjoyin' hanging our clothes out to dry, just waiting for a good, strong breeze to blow on them. ;o) We will be borrowing this place, for a while, ... and still lookin' around, for the next place where God may want to plant us, for a while.
We hope to find some folks who like to listen to regular folks singin' God-honoring songs in harmony, all eight of us, together. And maybe we'll find some college or high school students who like a good debate -- creation science? intelligent design? Mathematical principles and concepts inspired by God's Word ?!! -- yes! Medical discoveries inspired by God's Word ?!! -- yes! Inventions designed based on principles or descriptions shared by God in His Word ?! -- yes! Quotes that are commonly used in the United States of America ... originated in or were derived from God's Word ?!! -- yes! ... and more.
We hope to find some folks who want to lose weight, ... or just keep what they like, and get rid of "the rest." We hope to share some ideas other experts have made us aware of, to enhance energetic, and rejuvenated living. We will be listening for opportunities to teach women and young ladies how to prepare food so that it provides the maximum nutrition, per ounce -- that's called *nutrient dense.* Yum! We hope to share how to use "soaked grains," and "condiments" made in a new and fresher way, to enhance our bodies' ability to use what God originally designed grains and vegetables to nourish us with. I might even get to lead a ladies' cooking class, sharing some (or all) of these ideas, which were taught to me by Mrs. Eric (Nancy) Wesson and Mrs. Mike (Connie) Hale. They live in Texas. { oh well. ;o) }
We hope that, if anyone plans to get married in northeastern Tennessee, they might want to test us out, in taking photographs of them or during their wedding, ... or perhaps they would like us to make a video of their special event. This could also help those who are celebrating special wedding anniversaries, or having a special birthday celebration, or a very special dinner. ... we are open to other suggestions, within reason. ;o) (we will be glad to help with truly Christian-theme events)
If anyone has a need for someone to play piano for a special event, or for a wedding, or at a special restaurant, or ... Aaron is ready to help fill that need. If anyone has a need for specially-designed artwork and brochures for advertising their business, of any size, ... Elizabeth is ready to help fill that need. If anyone has a need for a lovely quilt, Amy is ready to help with that special gift.
If anyone has a need for a word quote (Scriptures from God's Holy Word, and any very-closely-related verse, with approval), Kathy is ready to help meet that need. You choose the frame. I'll write the quote. You choose either Old English lettering -- either more Gothic in lettering style or else more like book hand, or black-letter, style. Or you may wish to use my version of Chancery cursive, or Italic lettering, with either italicized (slanted to the right) or upright letters. Or you may wish to have your wedding envelopes hand-addressed, with a calligraphy pen or marker, for *that special touch* of "Love." We have two lettering styles we use, for that -- just ask. ;o)
And we will be ready to share DVDs and, in some cases, printed information we are now working on, real soon, for those who want to learn more about, and ask their pastor about Michael coming to speak about the *Life in the Bible Institute,* and what it is able to do, to enhance to and build upon what your pastor's ministry is already trying to achieve.
If you are interested in learning more about how to restore Faith in the Foundation of all Knowledge, contact us at our website (a link is below). Anyone wishing to donate to this IRS-approved, 501(c)-3 non-profit charitable organization, may inquire about it by visiting our website at: http://www.lifeinthebible.org We accept donations through PayPal, so it is quite easy. Any amount will help us "get the Word out!"
We do very much appreciate anyone who wishes to help us, in any way, especially by praying for us, for safety, protection, for provision, for wisdom and spiritual understanding, and for new friends who "might" be nearly as Godly, loving, kind, thoughtful and caring as you, our "best" friends have been to us all. We will miss everyone we've known in Texas, so dearly, that our eyes tear up, when we think of how we will miss you all so much. ;o( We do not take helpful kindness (in praying for us) lightly -- we ask God to richly bless you! And He is so rich in mercy, Love, kindness and help, that He will repay you, in His manifold, creative ways! He does it so well! Praise His Name!
Those who know me may email me at my usual email address. For others who know us but do not have my email address, please email us at: michael@utmost-way.com
We pack and leave our place here in TX on March 31. We unpack the moving truck there in TN on April 3. Please pray all goes well and that God's amazing provision, once again, comes through in time for every need. Having a full-time ministry does give us (all of you, too) plenty of opportunities to demonstrate to those around us, whether or not we truly DO trust God and obey His Word! ... and His Holy Spirit's promptings! (oh, stop it! conviction time!)
He is able! Nothing (!!) is too hard for Him! -- Jeremiah 32: 27
... God bless you all with His Strength for your day, his Love for your particular need and your healing of soul and body, and His Shalom Peace to surround you with the restfulness, health, and prospering in your soul that you desire, in the midst of any storms going on around you!
... in His agape Love .....
~ me ~ (K)
... trusting in His Faithfulness!
http://soulstirringmusic.wordpress.com
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Our family is ready-ing for a move of all our "stuff and junk" (our best things, you understand; I call everything on the earth "stuff" and "junk"!) to a new place to place it all, for another little while. ... we're moving to Elizabethton, Tennessee. Look for Johnson City on a map of Tennessee, and you'll see Elizabethton just to the east of it. ;o)
It is a city with along history. It is in a lovely location, nestled in among some mountains and hills, with the Cherokee National Forest practically out our back door. ;o) It is about 25 miles from Virginia's border, and even closer to North Carolina's border! It is in an area where there are annual festivals such as Highland Games, and Bluegrass singing fests, and historical re-enactments, and nature centers with educational events, and historical homes from when there was a state called Franklin there ... and more. It is in an area where there are hundreds of families who home educate their children! And it is in an area where we can get to at least 4 large cities, within about 2 hours' driving time. That last fact will enable our men to "gather in" the work they hope to work on, in the months to come. ;o)
And our children think it will be wonderful to be in a place where we can drive about 10 miles away and be camping at a large lake, surrounded by mountains, and down the road another 5 miles (?) is Roan Mountain, which is over 6,200 ft. above sea level. ;o) Roan Mtn. has an annual rhododendron festival we hope to go to -- with historical crafts, local artists, and many learning opportunities there, throughout the year. And ... if we decide to "holler," some day, the local folks will feel like we fit right in, I hope -- with "hollows" among the "rows" of mountains within a minute or two from where we will live. ;o)
We will live at or almost at the top of a hill, from photos we've seen -- quite a few. I'll be enjoyin' hanging our clothes out to dry, just waiting for a good, strong breeze to blow on them. ;o) We will be borrowing this place, for a while, ... and still lookin' around, for the next place where God may want to plant us, for a while.
We hope to find some folks who like to listen to regular folks singin' God-honoring songs in harmony, all eight of us, together. And maybe we'll find some college or high school students who like a good debate -- creation science? intelligent design? Mathematical principles and concepts inspired by God's Word ?!! -- yes! Medical discoveries inspired by God's Word ?!! -- yes! Inventions designed based on principles or descriptions shared by God in His Word ?! -- yes! Quotes that are commonly used in the United States of America ... originated in or were derived from God's Word ?!! -- yes! ... and more.
We hope to find some folks who want to lose weight, ... or just keep what they like, and get rid of "the rest." We hope to share some ideas other experts have made us aware of, to enhance energetic, and rejuvenated living. We will be listening for opportunities to teach women and young ladies how to prepare food so that it provides the maximum nutrition, per ounce -- that's called *nutrient dense.* Yum! We hope to share how to use "soaked grains," and "condiments" made in a new and fresher way, to enhance our bodies' ability to use what God originally designed grains and vegetables to nourish us with. I might even get to lead a ladies' cooking class, sharing some (or all) of these ideas, which were taught to me by Mrs. Eric (Nancy) Wesson and Mrs. Mike (Connie) Hale. They live in Texas. { oh well. ;o) }
We hope that, if anyone plans to get married in northeastern Tennessee, they might want to test us out, in taking photographs of them or during their wedding, ... or perhaps they would like us to make a video of their special event. This could also help those who are celebrating special wedding anniversaries, or having a special birthday celebration, or a very special dinner. ... we are open to other suggestions, within reason. ;o) (we will be glad to help with truly Christian-theme events)
If anyone has a need for someone to play piano for a special event, or for a wedding, or at a special restaurant, or ... Aaron is ready to help fill that need. If anyone has a need for specially-designed artwork and brochures for advertising their business, of any size, ... Elizabeth is ready to help fill that need. If anyone has a need for a lovely quilt, Amy is ready to help with that special gift.
If anyone has a need for a word quote (Scriptures from God's Holy Word, and any very-closely-related verse, with approval), Kathy is ready to help meet that need. You choose the frame. I'll write the quote. You choose either Old English lettering -- either more Gothic in lettering style or else more like book hand, or black-letter, style. Or you may wish to use my version of Chancery cursive, or Italic lettering, with either italicized (slanted to the right) or upright letters. Or you may wish to have your wedding envelopes hand-addressed, with a calligraphy pen or marker, for *that special touch* of "Love." We have two lettering styles we use, for that -- just ask. ;o)
And we will be ready to share DVDs and, in some cases, printed information we are now working on, real soon, for those who want to learn more about, and ask their pastor about Michael coming to speak about the *Life in the Bible Institute,* and what it is able to do, to enhance to and build upon what your pastor's ministry is already trying to achieve.
If you are interested in learning more about how to restore Faith in the Foundation of all Knowledge, contact us at our website (a link is below). Anyone wishing to donate to this IRS-approved, 501(c)-3 non-profit charitable organization, may inquire about it by visiting our website at: http://www.lifeinthebible.org We accept donations through PayPal, so it is quite easy. Any amount will help us "get the Word out!"
We do very much appreciate anyone who wishes to help us, in any way, especially by praying for us, for safety, protection, for provision, for wisdom and spiritual understanding, and for new friends who "might" be nearly as Godly, loving, kind, thoughtful and caring as you, our "best" friends have been to us all. We will miss everyone we've known in Texas, so dearly, that our eyes tear up, when we think of how we will miss you all so much. ;o( We do not take helpful kindness (in praying for us) lightly -- we ask God to richly bless you! And He is so rich in mercy, Love, kindness and help, that He will repay you, in His manifold, creative ways! He does it so well! Praise His Name!
Those who know me may email me at my usual email address. For others who know us but do not have my email address, please email us at: michael@utmost-way.com
We pack and leave our place here in TX on March 31. We unpack the moving truck there in TN on April 3. Please pray all goes well and that God's amazing provision, once again, comes through in time for every need. Having a full-time ministry does give us (all of you, too) plenty of opportunities to demonstrate to those around us, whether or not we truly DO trust God and obey His Word! ... and His Holy Spirit's promptings! (oh, stop it! conviction time!)
He is able! Nothing (!!) is too hard for Him! -- Jeremiah 32: 27
... God bless you all with His Strength for your day, his Love for your particular need and your healing of soul and body, and His Shalom Peace to surround you with the restfulness, health, and prospering in your soul that you desire, in the midst of any storms going on around you!
... in His agape Love .....
~ me ~ (K)
... trusting in His Faithfulness!
http://soulstirringmusic.wordpress.com
~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Friday, February 1, 2008
"Action Alert" from The John Birch Society
| Support the Abolition of the Federal Reserve System! | |
There has been a lot of talk recently about preventing an economic recession through a combination of fiscal and monetary stimulus. The politicians and bureaucrats in Washington would have us believe that pursuing such a policy would ward off a recession by stimulating consumer spending, which makes up around 70% of U.S. economic activity. But it wouldn't really matter whether the stimulus came from tax rebates, increased government spending, or lower interest rates, because the end result would be inflation of the money supply by the Federal Reserve System.
In fact, it is the inflationary policies of the federal government and the central bank (the Fed) that have brought us to the brink of a recession in the first place, if we are not already in one. The present problem revolves around the fact that creating money out of nothing distorts price signals in the economy, which causes investments to be misdirected in ways that would not be justified in the absence of monetary inflation. Obviously then, creating more inflation would only serve to exacerbate the problem, because more inflation would simply lead to another round of misdirected investment. And yet, that is precisely what is being advocated as a solution!
History shows that fiscal and monetary stimulus hurts more than it helps, and we don't have to look too far back for proof of that. A policy of tax cuts, increased government spending, and lower interest rates was implemented during 2001, in response to the economic downturn that began with the bursting of the stock market bubble the year before. But those stimulus measures did not prevent a recession and, instead, created the massive real estate market bubble whose bursting is contributing mightily to the present crisis. Allowing the Fed to create more money out of thin air would merely put off the day of reckoning, and ensure that day would be even worse, when it finally arrived.
Ironically, former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan himself once called the idea that the Fed could prevent recessions a "puzzling" notion. As for inflation, Greenspan is on the record as follows:
In the absence of the gold standard there is no way to protect savings from the confiscation through inflation. There is no safe store of value without gold. This is the shabby secret of the welfare statists' tirades against gold. Deficit spending is simply a scheme for the hidden confiscation of wealth. Gold stands in the way of this insidious process that stands as a protector of property rights.
As pointed out in G. Edward Griffin's classic exposé, The Creature from Jekyll Island, the Federal Reserve System was created, in order to protect the power of the banking cartel and expand its wealth. Since the Fed extends credit to the U.S. government, it profits handsomely from the ever-increasing national debt. As a result, there is every incentive for the Fed to support profligate federal spending.
Fortunately, Congressman Ron Paul has introduced legislation to restore financial stability to America's economy by abolishing the Federal Reserve. Use the alert below to contact your congressional representative and ask him/her to co-sponsor H.R. 2755.
Please use the following message as a guideline to contact your representative. You can edit it, in order to make it more personal and original. Please take advantage of the editing function, to avoid the appearance of a form letter, which experience shows to be less effective.
___________________________________Since the creation of the Federal Reserve, Americans have seen the purchasing power of their money steadily eroded, thanks to Fed-induced monetary inflation.
Given the present economic crisis, it is time for Congress to put the interests of the American people ahead of the special interests and their appetite for big government.
Abolishing the Federal Reserve will allow Congress to reassert its constitutional authority over monetary policy.
I am therefore asking you to co-sponsor H.R. 2755, introduced by Congressman Ron Paul, to repeal the Federal Reserve Act.
The U.S. Constitution does not give Congress the authority to delegate control over monetary policy to a central bank.
I am counting on you to abide by your congressional oath to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States” and to “bear true faith and allegiance to the same.”
____________________________________
** Please use the above "article" to give you the information you need, to make the decision to "take action" that you need to make. It is up to you. Your children's and grandchildren's futures depend on you (and me) making the right choices now! Please visit the link for The John Birch Society, below, to use the form they have there, to contact your U.S. House of Representatives member (your Congressman). He or she will be glad you contacted them, because it is their duty to respond to every constituent, showing that they do listen and that they do care, about what we think and believe they should be taking action on, and to "vote" their own consciences, using our letters and emails to give them ideas about what we think on important issues.
http://capwiz.com/jbs/issues/alert/?alertid=10887821&type=CO
Monday, January 28, 2008
New Ways our Lord is upholding us as we journey
The Lord upholds His children, as you all well know. ;o) He carries us along in His loving, everlasting Arms! He fights all our battles "for" us!
As you know, we have begun a ministry, full time, called Life in the Bible Institute. We still have "the vision" for that, as shared by Michael Dante, "the President." We are a non-profit (no kidding!), charitable organization, approved by the IRS, as a 501(c)-3 "teaching" ministry / charitable organization. We depend completely on God, to provide, uphold, enable and qualify us all, who contribute to this ministry.
The latest "news" is that, after we all gleaned what our understanding hearts could glean from "the President's" reading (this week) of the book _Prayer: Asking and Receiving_ by John R. Rice, and after we prayed specifically about some needs our family and ministry have, God proceeded to do three things:
1. He enabled us to believe, beyond sight, for the upcoming financial needs of this ministry and family, and He began the next morning providing, through one widow we know, a gift that has already helped us,
2. He then allowed us to meet another home educating family who, later that evening, called to ask if we could help them with a banner for the church where the dad is an associate pastor. We trust that that could provide some ... financially, though we can only arrange these banners through a local printer, who gets most of the benefit from us offering the service to design the banner on our computers, and then pass the "work" onto him.
3. The Lord then had a man at church who works as a contractor ... ask "the President" if he was available to help him do some remodeling work, in someone's residence, not far from where we live. We trust that that will also provide some ... financially.
We consider all of these God's provision, in a special way. Bills come due. God provides!
He is amazing! He is awesome! He fills us with "wonder!" He is truly The only One we need!
Hallelujah! Praise to His Holy Name! He always comes through, and when we pray specifically, He does mighty wonders that even the skeptics have to admit could only have been done by Him!
He is God Almighty! The Provider! The Protector! The All Sufficient Saviour! He is The Lord!
We are thanking Him for this new provision.
... one more:
4. The next morning, after all of that other stuff happened, a businessman called to ... see if he could "connect" *our President* with some companies that have "jobs" he can do from home.
We will see. We are already clearing out as much of our stuff as we can, to get ready for an upcoming move. We may soon live elsewhere. Stay tuned, for what God will do next.
He has given us an amazing amount of "financial backing," let's say, through gifts and donations from those who know us, in the area, over the past several months, especially in December... when it was needed most. I won't list each amount, or who gave us gifts and donations. But God has them all on His list! And He has some big rewards for those folks, because we happen to know that they gave like the Macedonian congregation (the believers) who gave sacrifically to Paul, to take their gifts to the poor believers living in Jerusalem, ... long, long ago. And God abundantly rewards those who give out of their lack of abundance! And they gave cheerfully, saying to us that God had prompted them to give.
The Lord likes us to give to those who are in need, and we must do that, even if we think we are in need. Right? He loves to provide extra, to each of us, just so we can do that. God is so good!
... keep looking down! ... from your position up in Heaven, since you are seated in Heavenly places in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ)! Dr. Timothy M. Warner put that phrase in a book he wrote, along with Neil T. Anderson, entitled _The Beginner's Guide to Spiritual Warfare_. It is available through the ALERT bookstore, if anyone wants to read and learn from a copy of it. It's very helpful and enlightening. You may know of someone who is not as aware as you are, of "things" that come as a result of "spiritual warfare." If you do, please pass on the title of that book to them, so they can begin to learn more. They will thank you for it, later. And God will do the work in them that He may already be doing in you! Hallelujah! God is pleased, I believe, when we pass on to others the helpful advice or information we have been given, by others!
Let's share God! He is generous! He wants everyone to come to Him!
Have a super-great day, asking and receiving from our Heavenly Father, all that He has in mind for us to receive! Ask, seek, knock ....
... going back to asking now ......
As you know, we have begun a ministry, full time, called Life in the Bible Institute. We still have "the vision" for that, as shared by Michael Dante, "the President." We are a non-profit (no kidding!), charitable organization, approved by the IRS, as a 501(c)-3 "teaching" ministry / charitable organization. We depend completely on God, to provide, uphold, enable and qualify us all, who contribute to this ministry.
The latest "news" is that, after we all gleaned what our understanding hearts could glean from "the President's" reading (this week) of the book _Prayer: Asking and Receiving_ by John R. Rice, and after we prayed specifically about some needs our family and ministry have, God proceeded to do three things:
1. He enabled us to believe, beyond sight, for the upcoming financial needs of this ministry and family, and He began the next morning providing, through one widow we know, a gift that has already helped us,
2. He then allowed us to meet another home educating family who, later that evening, called to ask if we could help them with a banner for the church where the dad is an associate pastor. We trust that that could provide some ... financially, though we can only arrange these banners through a local printer, who gets most of the benefit from us offering the service to design the banner on our computers, and then pass the "work" onto him.
3. The Lord then had a man at church who works as a contractor ... ask "the President" if he was available to help him do some remodeling work, in someone's residence, not far from where we live. We trust that that will also provide some ... financially.
We consider all of these God's provision, in a special way. Bills come due. God provides!
He is amazing! He is awesome! He fills us with "wonder!" He is truly The only One we need!
Hallelujah! Praise to His Holy Name! He always comes through, and when we pray specifically, He does mighty wonders that even the skeptics have to admit could only have been done by Him!
He is God Almighty! The Provider! The Protector! The All Sufficient Saviour! He is The Lord!
We are thanking Him for this new provision.
... one more:
4. The next morning, after all of that other stuff happened, a businessman called to ... see if he could "connect" *our President* with some companies that have "jobs" he can do from home.
We will see. We are already clearing out as much of our stuff as we can, to get ready for an upcoming move. We may soon live elsewhere. Stay tuned, for what God will do next.
He has given us an amazing amount of "financial backing," let's say, through gifts and donations from those who know us, in the area, over the past several months, especially in December... when it was needed most. I won't list each amount, or who gave us gifts and donations. But God has them all on His list! And He has some big rewards for those folks, because we happen to know that they gave like the Macedonian congregation (the believers) who gave sacrifically to Paul, to take their gifts to the poor believers living in Jerusalem, ... long, long ago. And God abundantly rewards those who give out of their lack of abundance! And they gave cheerfully, saying to us that God had prompted them to give.
The Lord likes us to give to those who are in need, and we must do that, even if we think we are in need. Right? He loves to provide extra, to each of us, just so we can do that. God is so good!
... keep looking down! ... from your position up in Heaven, since you are seated in Heavenly places in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ)! Dr. Timothy M. Warner put that phrase in a book he wrote, along with Neil T. Anderson, entitled _The Beginner's Guide to Spiritual Warfare_. It is available through the ALERT bookstore, if anyone wants to read and learn from a copy of it. It's very helpful and enlightening. You may know of someone who is not as aware as you are, of "things" that come as a result of "spiritual warfare." If you do, please pass on the title of that book to them, so they can begin to learn more. They will thank you for it, later. And God will do the work in them that He may already be doing in you! Hallelujah! God is pleased, I believe, when we pass on to others the helpful advice or information we have been given, by others!
Let's share God! He is generous! He wants everyone to come to Him!
Have a super-great day, asking and receiving from our Heavenly Father, all that He has in mind for us to receive! Ask, seek, knock ....
... going back to asking now ......
Monday, January 21, 2008
"A Quiet Heart Journal" thought: Blessings ...
Jan. 20, 2008
Blessings The Lord Adonai Jehovah has been workin' on ...
________________________
Is He yours?
Jeremiah 33: 3 John 15: 4-5, 7-12, 14-17
I Corinthians 13 Ephesians 1: 15-21 and
2: 1-10 and 3: 14, 16-21 Colossians 1: 9-14
____________________________________
...I bow my knees unto The Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah,
of Whom the whole family in Heaven and earth is named, that He
would grant you, according to the riches of His Glory, to be strengthened
with Might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Messiah may dwell in
your hearts by Faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in Love, may
be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length,
and depth, and height; and to know The agape Love of Mesiah, which
passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God
. ...He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to The Power (of The Spirit) that worketh in us, unto Him be
glory in the believers by Messiah Yeshua throughout all ages, ....
Ephesians 3: 14-21
God our Father, Almighty, sure is a busy One! He has been workin'
overtime, on behalf of our family, recently. Since our family began a
full-time evangelistic and teaching ministry early in 2007, God has been
workin' in the hearts of every member of our family. Our oldest son,
while serving with No Greater Joy's ministry since January of 2007,
is soon to return to Texas, and even he has been well aware of what
urgings and pullings God has been doin' in all of us.
The Good Lord works in each one of His children the specific will
He has for that one, and He urges each one to do certain things
according to the giftings He has put within each of us. He also pulls
at our hearts at various times and in various ways, according to how
He has wired each of His children.
He teaches each one differently, because some of us catch
"facts and information," while others of us catch "dramatic
moments" or "paintings God paints in the sun-setting western sky.
He teaches each one a different story to tell, about Him.
Each struggle we go through tells a new part of our story. God
is using some very special people in our family's life to share God's
generous Heart with us, in recent months. Here is some of the rest
of the story I began telling on another blog at:
http://kasayeshua.multiply.com If you are interested, please read
more about it there.
While my husbad was in a large city for a while, applying
for full-time work for ministries or corporations, not long ago, and
though he was qualified for every one he applied for, and though
he applied for many, many job positions, it became quite clear that
The Good Lord had a plan to use that time to confirm to him and to
us that he is to put his time into full-time evangelistic and teaching
work, for this season of our lives.
God has been, before that time, and since then, bringing generous
help to our family, through close friends and relatives, who have all
made some sacrifice to give to us. Some of them understand all that
we do, as home educators, because they also home educate their own
children. Others who gave to us have never homeschooled their
children, so they wonder what, exactly, we are up to, in beginning
an IRS-approved 501(c)-3 non-profit, charitable organization, called
Life in the Bible Institute.
We all have been watching, daily and weekly, seeing God meet all
our needs, and often so much more! When yet another loving child
of God gives us food, or helps us in some other way, we see it as a
very real answer from God to prayer. God has, in a way that only He
could do (and by that, it gives Him, alone, the glory for what He has
done), paid all our family's expenses (trust me, they are not small,
though we have no financial debts and we hope we owe no debts to
anyone in any other way). The rent we pay at this house where we
now live (though temporary; we trust God will be moving us on from
here in about 2 to 9 weeks from now) is much higher than what we
used to pay to the old mortage, before 2001 ended, when we got to
throw away our mortgage papers, when God sold the last house we
had a mortgage on, late in 2001. After that, we paid cash for a
house, ... and later sold it. Then, The Lord lent us a house to use
while we served full-time at the International ALERT Academy,
from late in 2003 until April 1, of 2007. Now, we live in a lovely
house in east Texas, ... but it is not ours. All we have is God's own.
We stand amazed at how God can pay all our bills each month,
no matter how much they are. Higher or lower, He still comes
through, and provides just enough for them all to be paid. We
have seen Him provide the money (as we Americans say) "just in
time." More than twice! Over and over!
During recent holyday times, and recent birthday celebrations,
God has been teaching us some lessons that hit us hard. We felt
quite inadequate and humbled by our dear Father in Heaven, when
we were unable to do what we "used to do," to share our own
generosity with others, in our family, who were generous with us.
God has shown us that we do not have to spend lots of money
on gifts for our children to know that we do love and appreciate
them, ... on special occasions. We can show them we love and want
them to know how special they are to us, by writing them personal
notes and letters, painting pictures, or by drawing something they
like as a gift for them.
We can make them a special meal they choose, or do
a puppet show to make them laugh, or sing a special song they
like, together as a family, or as a "performance" given by one of
us, especially for them. We can act out a skit that shows them
we had been thinking about a way to show them "love" for days
and days! We can make a shadow play, with paper characters,
behind a sheet, with a light from the back, so it makes the paper
figures appear real large on the 'sheet screen.' Three of our
children have done this, as a special treat for us. It always
brightens our days!
God has done so much to encourage our hearts (!), during this
time of waiting on Him, while He shows us each new peek into His
window of direction and leading, on the pathway He has chosen
us to travel on, with Him. He has used His Word, His children /
His followers, our own children, His true ministers, and His true
missionaries on foreign fields and on the home front, plus many
who home educate, to edify us, pray for us, help us, give generously
to us, and to encourage us. As we begin to sing more, in public,
as a harmonious family of singers, in any place where folks ask us
to come, we will remember all those who gave to us, shared with
us, and loves us ... all the way there!
God is so good to us! When His children think they have a
lack in one area, God makes up for it in another area. When any
of God's children think they do not have enough, all they need do
is look at all that God has so richly blessed them with, and then
try to find someone else who has "less," ... and willingly give to
"their new friends" something they realize they really could do
without. And it will bless the receivers, as well as the givers!
Without giving all the specifics, I hope this has given those
who read this blog some idea of what God has been up to, in our
family, as we travel this home educating journey, down The Path
of Life, with Yeshua our Lord, Redeemer, Deliverer, and our
Mighty One, our Strength, our Joy, our Refuge and Help in
"trouble," and the High Tower to which we run, for safety from
danger, and the Safe Haven of Rest, where we can lie down and
sleep in Peace! No worries! No anxiety! Only Rest and Shalom
Peace! He is our Haven of Rest and our Shalom Peace!
In Isaiah 26: 1 b - 4, The Lord shares this: "... in the land of
Judah; We have a strong city; salvation (Hebrew, Ye'shua)
will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates,
that the righteous nation which keepeth the Truth may enter in.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect (real) peace, whose mind is stayed
on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in The Lord
YHWH forever: for in The Lord (YHWH) Jehovah is everlasting
Strength:"
And verse 7 shares this: "The way of the just is uprightness:
Thou, Most Upright, does weigh the path of the just." God always
has you on His mind, if you are just. We are made just through
believing in and trusting our lives to the Lamb of God, Ye'shua,
Who suffered, taking the punishment for our sins, on the Roman
execution stake. Our Father in Heaven, Who pities us as a father
pities his children ... cares for us, provides for us, and loves us
more than we know .... He does so much for us, while we are busy
doing all we know to do, trying to let Him live His Life through us.
Isaiah 30: 15 reminds us: "For thus saith The Lord YHWH
God, The Holy One of Israel; In returning (to where God wants
us to go or be) and rest (in Him, in Ye'shua) shall ye be saved /
delivered; in quietness (trusting hope) and in confidence (in
YHWH) shall be your Strength: ...."
Isaiah 32: 17, He continues to encourage us by saying: "And
the work of Righteousness shall be Shalom Peace; and the effect
of Righteousness quietness and assurance forever." God is able
to bring good out of every "bad" circumstance. He just wants us
to stick to Him like glue, and keep listening to Him at least as
much as we talk to Him. He wants us to worship Him in spirit and
in Truth. Let's learn how to do that more and more!
He wants us to remember that He "is able to do
exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according
to the (His) power that worketh in us. Unto Him be glory in the
believers (church) by Messiah Ye'shua throughout all ages ...."
-- from Ephesians 3: 20-21
In Jeremiah 32: 27, the Lord YHWH said: "Behold, I AM
The Lord YHWH, The God of all flesh: is there any thing too
hard for Me?"
While our family walks through this time in what may
appear to be a wilderness time of testing and proving our hearts
and souls, ... He is showing us that He will remain The Faithful
One and The True One, Who always keeps His promises and Who
will never leave us nor forsake us. We need only examine our
selves, and continue letting Him purge from us all our ill manners
toward Him, and our unholy attitudes.
He wants us to give Him all our rights, expectations,
hopes, dreams and plans, and rededicate our lives to Him
every day. That is a big price, we think, at times. But
once we give those to Him, He pays us with so much
more than we could imagine: riches that no moth can
destroy or pestilence take away! Riches that last for
eternity! Treasures that are worth more than rubies
and diamonds, and gold and silver have no value next
to the value of living forever with Him in our Father's
House in Heaven, for ever and ever! Hallelujah!
Home education gives us the chance to live "outside
the box," that so many never get to try to do, or else just
don't realize they could, if only they would choose to.
It is a great adventure! Families are some of the hardest
things to break apart... though I've had a hard time breakin'
open some nut shells, before. And geodes are quite a
challenge, ... unless you are a growing boy who has his
Dad's hammer (with permission), and Mom is teachin' him
geology. hee hee! I am so glad God is letting us learn
how to learn, better than our first time around (when we,
as parents, attended public school). Learning can be lots
of fun! It is up to what we are willing to try, right?
Hope your journey today will bring you back home with
a big smile on your face, after some "real learnin'" has
gone on, around your family's home front. ;o)
... from east Texas, where there still isn't any snow on the
ground. Anyone up north, who is finished using your snow,
will you please send us some that is still cold enough to
last for at least a few hours. That's about how long snow
lasts in our area of Texas, anyway. God is good! ... even
when He does not choose to have snow fall where we live.
;o)
Modest Clothing Links ...from Jan. 8, 2008, & Feb. 1, 2008
Below are some great links to sites that have "modest clothing" information or products. It was shared on "A Quiet Heart Journal," not long ago (a now-deleted blog I used to write on). Hope you can find a link to a site you will recommend to someone you know and care about, who may be having a rough time of finding retail clothing stores that offer "modest" clothing, in the truest sense of that "term."
**************************
Jan. 8, 2008
Modest Clothing Links
_________________________
Is He yours?
Jeremiah 33: 3 John 15: 4-5, 7-12, 14-17
I Corinthians 13 Ephesians 1: 15-21 and 2: 1-10
and 3: 14, 16-21 Colossians 1: 9-14
_________________________
As you can see below, there are quite a few "modest clothing" links, as shared from the Biblical Womanhood website of Crystal Paine, shown below. !!! She has done a great job gathering them, and I asked her if it was okay to share them with you. Please visit her site at: http://www.biblicalwomanhood.com/modestclothing.htm And leave her a note of "thanks" to let her know that you do appreciate all the work she did, to pull this list together!
I will add some, in a separate post, but these are so good; it is hard to add to them. I do have some more saved, elsewhere. So ... hope to look through those, check them against this list, and will then "post" those, for you all.
Dressing *modestly* (that "term" must be defined more specifically), is what our Lord wants us to do, both men and women. Each of us has acquired a specific viewpoint, due to various things in both our upbringing, and our spiritual convictions our Father God has added to what we learned while growing up. I will include my own definition of clothing oneself modestly, in a separate post.
Many of us were raised by parents who, for some reason, moved into the realm of what many of us would now call "a secular worldview" of life, and of how we should live. I was raised that way. They were raised right, I have discovered (according to those I asked, of their sisters). At least, as well as it appears they could have been, in their various farming families. Though I do not know enough specifics to be able to figure out just "when" and "how" my parents came to their own, very different conclusions, of how they should dress, what kind of music they should listen to, and what kinds of more modern ways (and goals) of life they should strive to achieve or follow, I do see, in retrospect, that they must have rejected some standards and values their own parents had taught each of them.
I can only find that each of my parents were interested in the way "others" did things, ... others who were outside their own family's sphere of influence and love, and outside of the Biblical teaching they were given by their parents (some of whom were born before 1880!). They were very interested in "modern conveniences," partly due to the many "new" items that began to be produced, in the U.S., during their growing-up years ... in the 1920s and 1930s. There were so many things, and if one were to listen closely to the advertisements, and believe anything said in them, then one might ... if one did not already have a close and serious spiritual relationship with God and with His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ ... be deceived into thinking that, to be happy, one should at least "try" some of these "new" products. I use this as one example of the influence of one's culture on what one may come to accept, over time, through indoctrination of sorts. (if I may say it that way; it came through advertising, magazines, newspapers, movies & in the 1950s, through tv)
Knowing that at least one of my parents grew up in a large family of 13, which also was not middle class, but would be considered rather poor, I can only imagine that this one may have figured that, to be happy in life, one must strive to "overcome being poor." I know that one of them worked, when it was not truly necessary, but to "get ahead." They both chose to work hard, in their early married life, which did work for them, as far as they seemed to understand. And I am not saying that 'hard work' is wrong or bad. I only mean that I do wonder if it was truly necessary for my own Mom to work outside the home, while my sister and I were still quite young. Was there a real need, financially, for her to do that? Or was it her or my Dad's desire for "more," or to not end up "in a bad financial situation," due to them watching their own parents go through the Great Depression in the U.S.?
They were taught some "worldly" ways of thinking, after they "had grown up" and were not living near their parents. You must understand, though, that when my parents married, they were both over 34 years old. That does make a difference. They did not meet while one of them, or both, was living with their own parents, at their family's home! They had both been out working, and in different places from their parents' state of residence, for a number of years, before they got married. They had received some strong influences from the world, before they met. My Dad had served in the military, in at least part of two wars, before they met, so in his life, this also influenced his thinking. They both, as adults, listened regularly to music that is worldly, and builds up the human flesh, more than it builds up the believer's spirit. God designed music to be used to glorify His Name and to be used while worshipping Him (The Lord Almighty, The God of Israel).
But, as I have learned from many who are wiser than I am about finances, and about living for God first, I now know that several of the principles my parents lived by, and that they used to try to "get ahead" (so as to be enabled, when older, to live on a cash basis), ... and to live "very comfortably" ... were not Biblical. They were taught, I suspect, some time before or during the 1950s or 1960s, that using credit cards and "taking out loans" to make large purchases would build "good credit." They were told that this would be quite desirable, to help in buying a nice home, etc., etc. Most of us who are married have heard these words!
But have we been taught that this is against what God teaches all through Proverbs, and elsewhere in His Word? Hasn't God gone even further to teach us, in His Word there, that we should also not sign or make a promise to co-sign any "note" (made by a borrower, to pay back one who lends to him), to pay the debt owed, in case the borrower, somehow, cannot do it, later? We are forbidden to do this. We are also forbidden to borrow, ourselves. That is a hard concept to "not fall into the trap of," when one is newly married, and many expenses seem to come up so quickly.
So, credit and debt, we are told by our Lord and God, is not desirable at all. It only makes us a slave to the one who lent us the money, ... if he has not given it to us freely, without any expectation to be repaid. In that case, it would be a "gift." But that is not what my parents were learning from the world. They were learning that it is okay to go into "some debt," .... A mortgage, perhaps? But can that be called "some" debt? That's quite a large amount of money to try to pay back, very quickly! More about this, later.
About the "Modest Clothing Links" :
Dressing modestly will be the subject of my next post here. It is so important, that I can tell you from personal experience, in my years of life before age 20, and even in my life experience -- through observation of young people within the past 10 years and less -- that one only "asks for" and "gets" much trouble, from not listening to God's Holy Spirit's urgings or promptings, about clothing oneself with enough of our body covered to not, in any way, cause any man, young or old, to think immoral or lustful thoughts.
We are responsible for how we are seen, in the eyes of any man! Yes, they are wrong to allow their eyes to dwell on how any woman or young lady looks. But why are they looking at the woman / lady that way? Because she is probably not dressed in a way that truly pleases God, her Father, The One Whose temple she is (as a true believer in The Lord).
As you see, I mention here that she is a temple of God, of His Holy Spirit. So, you see I am referring to ladies, young and older, who would call themselves true believers. Not those who are in darkness. Why would they (true believers in The Lord), of all women, dress in a way that would be called provocative or that would excite a man's senses or hormones? Why would a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ dress in a way that would make Him (The Lord God) ashamed to see her? ... in a way that He would say makes her look like a prostitute? ... like the 'heathen'?
Some may say: It is quite hard, these days, to find clothing that looks as modest as we moms would like our daughters to wear! Yes, I do understand! But have we put it to prayer? Is our heavenly Father able to meet that need? Does He want to protect our daughters in this way, from "danger"? If it is so "difficult" to find modest clothing, then how important is it that our daughters not be approached by a man who has immoral thoughts in his mind, because of how she is dressed?
Do we realize that some have been raped, or nearly raped (a man who thinks for a while, willingly, about what his mind leads him to think about, due to how a young lady is dressed, "has" raped her, in his mind and heart, as Yeshua -- Jesus -- has taught us), honestly, due to being dressed, day after day, in a way that causes young men who daily see them, to have such a hard struggle overcoming their own lustful desires for immorality, that the young men can hardly hold themselves back from doing what even they know is wrong? What is it worth, to us as moms and as dads, to work along with God, to protect our daughters from such awful memories, that satan wishes to use to try to plague them for the rest of their lives, possibly?
How do I know this is truly an important issue? Because of the lack of high-enough dress-code standards at the junior high / middle school and the high school, where I attended, for six years. Because of my parents' misunderstanding of the results, in my generation, of my dressing in a way that is (as I now know) Biblically wrong and does not give honor and glory to God. It was quite worldly! And provocative! Because even my own church family did not hold us young ladies accountable for how we dressed, while at youth activities, either !
Because of our own parents' lack of knowledge about what God's Word taught, ... through some lack of spiritual understanding on their part, maybe along with their choice not to daily walk as closely alongside Jesus as they could have, if they had had the desire to, ... I was tempted to do things I should have realized were dangerous, morally. Because, though I did not realize how much "in danger" I was, I did not honestly realize what I was doing wrong. Should have. Did not like being looked at so much by young men whom I thought were just being so "rude" or immature.
No one taught me what I was doing, which was causing them to say what they were saying to me, in passing. I had no idea what problems I was causing! And I was supposed to be a young believer! I had, just before this, surrendered my life to The Lord Jesus Christ, trusting in Him as my Lord & Savior! This did not set a good example as one who wanted to protect Jesus' reputation, in the eyes of those who were unsaved!
I was so blind, spiritually, back then!! I wish I had been mentored, spiritually, by someone who feared God as I now do, someone who took God very seriously! But God knew all of that would happen. He knew those who were teaching me also lacked knowledge, sufficient knowledge, to help all of us (back then) as young ladies, to do what we should have done, to give God glory, in how we clothed ourselves. And, yet, He also knew He would teach me, over time, what was right in His sight. ! And He would want me to pass on to others what He has taught me ... not as a "legalistic reaction" to what happened in my life after age 12, but a more spiritual, "Christian worldview," of God's perspective, in wisdom, on how we should clothe our bodies.
It actually "frees us" to live for Him, and concentrate on doing more effective "good work" for His Kingdom, when we are not pursuing a lifestyle or worldview that keeps us locked in to a corrupting system of thought, that only leads to disaster and destruction of what "matters." In other words, "clothing ourselves modestly" actually frees us! If we dress "like the world" urges us to, then we are actually "bound" to a belief system the devil (the deceiver) has been promoting for years.
I will share with you more about that, in a separate post. You can find many other believing ladies and moms who have shared about this topic online, and in books. I hope to share more links to the sites the Lord has led me to (later), on the subject of clothing our bodies modestly, to please the Lord, and not ourselves. ~ blog owner's notes ~
______________________________________________________
The Modest Clothing Links below can be found, by you, at the site link here
Jeremiah 33: 3 John 15: 4-5, 7-12, 14-17
I Corinthians 13 Ephesians 1: 15-21 and 2: 1-10
and 3: 14, 16-21 Colossians 1: 9-14
_________________________
As you can see below, there are quite a few "modest clothing" links, as shared from the Biblical Womanhood website of Crystal Paine, shown below. !!! She has done a great job gathering them, and I asked her if it was okay to share them with you. Please visit her site at: http://www.biblicalwomanhood.com/modestclothing.htm And leave her a note of "thanks" to let her know that you do appreciate all the work she did, to pull this list together!
I will add some, in a separate post, but these are so good; it is hard to add to them. I do have some more saved, elsewhere. So ... hope to look through those, check them against this list, and will then "post" those, for you all.
Dressing *modestly* (that "term" must be defined more specifically), is what our Lord wants us to do, both men and women. Each of us has acquired a specific viewpoint, due to various things in both our upbringing, and our spiritual convictions our Father God has added to what we learned while growing up. I will include my own definition of clothing oneself modestly, in a separate post.
Many of us were raised by parents who, for some reason, moved into the realm of what many of us would now call "a secular worldview" of life, and of how we should live. I was raised that way. They were raised right, I have discovered (according to those I asked, of their sisters). At least, as well as it appears they could have been, in their various farming families. Though I do not know enough specifics to be able to figure out just "when" and "how" my parents came to their own, very different conclusions, of how they should dress, what kind of music they should listen to, and what kinds of more modern ways (and goals) of life they should strive to achieve or follow, I do see, in retrospect, that they must have rejected some standards and values their own parents had taught each of them.
I can only find that each of my parents were interested in the way "others" did things, ... others who were outside their own family's sphere of influence and love, and outside of the Biblical teaching they were given by their parents (some of whom were born before 1880!). They were very interested in "modern conveniences," partly due to the many "new" items that began to be produced, in the U.S., during their growing-up years ... in the 1920s and 1930s. There were so many things, and if one were to listen closely to the advertisements, and believe anything said in them, then one might ... if one did not already have a close and serious spiritual relationship with God and with His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ ... be deceived into thinking that, to be happy, one should at least "try" some of these "new" products. I use this as one example of the influence of one's culture on what one may come to accept, over time, through indoctrination of sorts. (if I may say it that way; it came through advertising, magazines, newspapers, movies & in the 1950s, through tv)
Knowing that at least one of my parents grew up in a large family of 13, which also was not middle class, but would be considered rather poor, I can only imagine that this one may have figured that, to be happy in life, one must strive to "overcome being poor." I know that one of them worked, when it was not truly necessary, but to "get ahead." They both chose to work hard, in their early married life, which did work for them, as far as they seemed to understand. And I am not saying that 'hard work' is wrong or bad. I only mean that I do wonder if it was truly necessary for my own Mom to work outside the home, while my sister and I were still quite young. Was there a real need, financially, for her to do that? Or was it her or my Dad's desire for "more," or to not end up "in a bad financial situation," due to them watching their own parents go through the Great Depression in the U.S.?
They were taught some "worldly" ways of thinking, after they "had grown up" and were not living near their parents. You must understand, though, that when my parents married, they were both over 34 years old. That does make a difference. They did not meet while one of them, or both, was living with their own parents, at their family's home! They had both been out working, and in different places from their parents' state of residence, for a number of years, before they got married. They had received some strong influences from the world, before they met. My Dad had served in the military, in at least part of two wars, before they met, so in his life, this also influenced his thinking. They both, as adults, listened regularly to music that is worldly, and builds up the human flesh, more than it builds up the believer's spirit. God designed music to be used to glorify His Name and to be used while worshipping Him (The Lord Almighty, The God of Israel).
But, as I have learned from many who are wiser than I am about finances, and about living for God first, I now know that several of the principles my parents lived by, and that they used to try to "get ahead" (so as to be enabled, when older, to live on a cash basis), ... and to live "very comfortably" ... were not Biblical. They were taught, I suspect, some time before or during the 1950s or 1960s, that using credit cards and "taking out loans" to make large purchases would build "good credit." They were told that this would be quite desirable, to help in buying a nice home, etc., etc. Most of us who are married have heard these words!
But have we been taught that this is against what God teaches all through Proverbs, and elsewhere in His Word? Hasn't God gone even further to teach us, in His Word there, that we should also not sign or make a promise to co-sign any "note" (made by a borrower, to pay back one who lends to him), to pay the debt owed, in case the borrower, somehow, cannot do it, later? We are forbidden to do this. We are also forbidden to borrow, ourselves. That is a hard concept to "not fall into the trap of," when one is newly married, and many expenses seem to come up so quickly.
So, credit and debt, we are told by our Lord and God, is not desirable at all. It only makes us a slave to the one who lent us the money, ... if he has not given it to us freely, without any expectation to be repaid. In that case, it would be a "gift." But that is not what my parents were learning from the world. They were learning that it is okay to go into "some debt," .... A mortgage, perhaps? But can that be called "some" debt? That's quite a large amount of money to try to pay back, very quickly! More about this, later.
About the "Modest Clothing Links" :
Dressing modestly will be the subject of my next post here. It is so important, that I can tell you from personal experience, in my years of life before age 20, and even in my life experience -- through observation of young people within the past 10 years and less -- that one only "asks for" and "gets" much trouble, from not listening to God's Holy Spirit's urgings or promptings, about clothing oneself with enough of our body covered to not, in any way, cause any man, young or old, to think immoral or lustful thoughts.
We are responsible for how we are seen, in the eyes of any man! Yes, they are wrong to allow their eyes to dwell on how any woman or young lady looks. But why are they looking at the woman / lady that way? Because she is probably not dressed in a way that truly pleases God, her Father, The One Whose temple she is (as a true believer in The Lord).
As you see, I mention here that she is a temple of God, of His Holy Spirit. So, you see I am referring to ladies, young and older, who would call themselves true believers. Not those who are in darkness. Why would they (true believers in The Lord), of all women, dress in a way that would be called provocative or that would excite a man's senses or hormones? Why would a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ dress in a way that would make Him (The Lord God) ashamed to see her? ... in a way that He would say makes her look like a prostitute? ... like the 'heathen'?
Some may say: It is quite hard, these days, to find clothing that looks as modest as we moms would like our daughters to wear! Yes, I do understand! But have we put it to prayer? Is our heavenly Father able to meet that need? Does He want to protect our daughters in this way, from "danger"? If it is so "difficult" to find modest clothing, then how important is it that our daughters not be approached by a man who has immoral thoughts in his mind, because of how she is dressed?
Do we realize that some have been raped, or nearly raped (a man who thinks for a while, willingly, about what his mind leads him to think about, due to how a young lady is dressed, "has" raped her, in his mind and heart, as Yeshua -- Jesus -- has taught us), honestly, due to being dressed, day after day, in a way that causes young men who daily see them, to have such a hard struggle overcoming their own lustful desires for immorality, that the young men can hardly hold themselves back from doing what even they know is wrong? What is it worth, to us as moms and as dads, to work along with God, to protect our daughters from such awful memories, that satan wishes to use to try to plague them for the rest of their lives, possibly?
How do I know this is truly an important issue? Because of the lack of high-enough dress-code standards at the junior high / middle school and the high school, where I attended, for six years. Because of my parents' misunderstanding of the results, in my generation, of my dressing in a way that is (as I now know) Biblically wrong and does not give honor and glory to God. It was quite worldly! And provocative! Because even my own church family did not hold us young ladies accountable for how we dressed, while at youth activities, either !
Because of our own parents' lack of knowledge about what God's Word taught, ... through some lack of spiritual understanding on their part, maybe along with their choice not to daily walk as closely alongside Jesus as they could have, if they had had the desire to, ... I was tempted to do things I should have realized were dangerous, morally. Because, though I did not realize how much "in danger" I was, I did not honestly realize what I was doing wrong. Should have. Did not like being looked at so much by young men whom I thought were just being so "rude" or immature.
No one taught me what I was doing, which was causing them to say what they were saying to me, in passing. I had no idea what problems I was causing! And I was supposed to be a young believer! I had, just before this, surrendered my life to The Lord Jesus Christ, trusting in Him as my Lord & Savior! This did not set a good example as one who wanted to protect Jesus' reputation, in the eyes of those who were unsaved!
I was so blind, spiritually, back then!! I wish I had been mentored, spiritually, by someone who feared God as I now do, someone who took God very seriously! But God knew all of that would happen. He knew those who were teaching me also lacked knowledge, sufficient knowledge, to help all of us (back then) as young ladies, to do what we should have done, to give God glory, in how we clothed ourselves. And, yet, He also knew He would teach me, over time, what was right in His sight. ! And He would want me to pass on to others what He has taught me ... not as a "legalistic reaction" to what happened in my life after age 12, but a more spiritual, "Christian worldview," of God's perspective, in wisdom, on how we should clothe our bodies.
It actually "frees us" to live for Him, and concentrate on doing more effective "good work" for His Kingdom, when we are not pursuing a lifestyle or worldview that keeps us locked in to a corrupting system of thought, that only leads to disaster and destruction of what "matters." In other words, "clothing ourselves modestly" actually frees us! If we dress "like the world" urges us to, then we are actually "bound" to a belief system the devil (the deceiver) has been promoting for years.
I will share with you more about that, in a separate post. You can find many other believing ladies and moms who have shared about this topic online, and in books. I hope to share more links to the sites the Lord has led me to (later), on the subject of clothing our bodies modestly, to please the Lord, and not ourselves. ~ blog owner's notes ~
______________________________________________________
The Modest Clothing Links below can be found, by you, at the site link here
____________________________________________
* NOTE added January 31, 2008: This blog owner does not endorse every image, every clothing style, or how every model used to demonstrate how clothing looks on a real person, used by the owners of any of the ministries or companies that Crystal Paine originally listed, in the list of links below.
* I have removed several of the links she had, due to at least one company contacting me, which alerted me to the lack of understanding of what is a true soul (heart) attitude of Biblical modesty, in the clothing styles and designs for ladies' clothing offered on at least one of the sites.
* Thanks to those whose actions God uses to work in us to remind us that we must be very careful what we have on our blogs, as "sites" we say we want you to "go to" for finding truly modest clothing you may be looking for, to purchase! ( aagh!! )
* I will have to be much more careful, next time, before listing websites others have approved of! God holds each of us responsible for the good or evil we "cause" in the lives of others, who trust us to show wisdom and Godly discernment in all we do.
* God my Father in Heaven (as January changes over to February) now has me studying more about the history of clothing and the specifics that The Lord YHWH God taught in His Word, that give His children particular direction and knowledge about what pleases Him, about how they clothe their bodies. He does give us specific information, but we must dig, study, and do enough research to know assuredly what our Creator wants us to know, in order to honor Him and bring glory to His Holy Name, by properly (and in the attitude Yeshua demonstrated) and sufficiently covering our bodies, the temples (now) of His Ruach ha Kodesh, The Holy Spirit.
And He teaches each of us at our own level of understanding, so whatever I share only reflects what level of understanding I am at, right now. It does not mean I think I am further along than anyone. Am just "where" I am at. I can't know more than I know. But He is continuing to teach me more, week by week, day by day.
* In my next "post" related to this topic, you can look for some thoughts I'll share with you on "what we should think about as we consider how to clothe our bodies, the temples of the Holy Spirit," that is, if we are true believers in the Lord Yeshua the Messiah (the Lord Jesus Christ). They include some questions we can ask ourselves, about who has the right to choose the kind of clothing they wear, even as adults, but also as young ladies who live with our parents. These thoughts will include how our thoughts affect us and lead us to make choices we can ask God to guide us in. (or not) Please, ladies, seek God's advice (counsel)!
* I do hope the links below will lead you to sites you can find "truly modest" clothing designs on, for sewing garments you wish to wear, or for buying ready-made or custom-sewn garments, that you can use to reflect the Light of the glory of God, through your face, and body, and life. Our inner attitude, however, is what our dear Lord is looking at. He looks at our heart attitude.
* Our clothing should draw attention only to our faces, ladies! Our faces are designed to cause others to think about God, our Creator and Redeemer, whose Light should shine through our faces. (our countenance)
If you are a believer, you may remember the story of the first martyr, Stephen, whose face looked like that of an angel (the book of {The} Acts {of the Apostles} 6: 15), even to his false accusers, who had him stoned to death.
If our clothing does not do this, then where are the eyes of those around us directed to look, on our bodies? You can learn more in the next post on this blog.
_____________________________
* NOTE added January 31, 2008: This blog owner does not endorse every image, every clothing style, or how every model used to demonstrate how clothing looks on a real person, used by the owners of any of the ministries or companies that Crystal Paine originally listed, in the list of links below.
* I have removed several of the links she had, due to at least one company contacting me, which alerted me to the lack of understanding of what is a true soul (heart) attitude of Biblical modesty, in the clothing styles and designs for ladies' clothing offered on at least one of the sites.
* Thanks to those whose actions God uses to work in us to remind us that we must be very careful what we have on our blogs, as "sites" we say we want you to "go to" for finding truly modest clothing you may be looking for, to purchase! ( aagh!! )
* I will have to be much more careful, next time, before listing websites others have approved of! God holds each of us responsible for the good or evil we "cause" in the lives of others, who trust us to show wisdom and Godly discernment in all we do.
* God my Father in Heaven (as January changes over to February) now has me studying more about the history of clothing and the specifics that The Lord YHWH God taught in His Word, that give His children particular direction and knowledge about what pleases Him, about how they clothe their bodies. He does give us specific information, but we must dig, study, and do enough research to know assuredly what our Creator wants us to know, in order to honor Him and bring glory to His Holy Name, by properly (and in the attitude Yeshua demonstrated) and sufficiently covering our bodies, the temples (now) of His Ruach ha Kodesh, The Holy Spirit.
And He teaches each of us at our own level of understanding, so whatever I share only reflects what level of understanding I am at, right now. It does not mean I think I am further along than anyone. Am just "where" I am at. I can't know more than I know. But He is continuing to teach me more, week by week, day by day.
* In my next "post" related to this topic, you can look for some thoughts I'll share with you on "what we should think about as we consider how to clothe our bodies, the temples of the Holy Spirit," that is, if we are true believers in the Lord Yeshua the Messiah (the Lord Jesus Christ). They include some questions we can ask ourselves, about who has the right to choose the kind of clothing they wear, even as adults, but also as young ladies who live with our parents. These thoughts will include how our thoughts affect us and lead us to make choices we can ask God to guide us in. (or not) Please, ladies, seek God's advice (counsel)!
* I do hope the links below will lead you to sites you can find "truly modest" clothing designs on, for sewing garments you wish to wear, or for buying ready-made or custom-sewn garments, that you can use to reflect the Light of the glory of God, through your face, and body, and life. Our inner attitude, however, is what our dear Lord is looking at. He looks at our heart attitude.
* Our clothing should draw attention only to our faces, ladies! Our faces are designed to cause others to think about God, our Creator and Redeemer, whose Light should shine through our faces. (our countenance)
If you are a believer, you may remember the story of the first martyr, Stephen, whose face looked like that of an angel (the book of {The} Acts {of the Apostles} 6: 15), even to his false accusers, who had him stoned to death.
If our clothing does not do this, then where are the eyes of those around us directed to look, on our bodies? You can learn more in the next post on this blog.
_____________________________
Modest Clothing Links:
www.FashionablyModestPatterns.com - Modest and fashionable patterns. Including a signature swimwear pattern for girls and ladies.
www.NewCreationApparel.com - Women’s apparel, classic but modest, quality fabrics, exquisite tailoring, reasonably priced, 100% satisfaction guarantee.
www.SierraBrooke.com - New and used women's clothing that is classic, modest, and affordable.
www.ModestApparelUsa.com - A wide selection of beautiful dresses and more - ladies, girls, maternity, nursing wear, and more.
www.TheKingsDaughters.com - Custom-made, high quality clothing for women, girls, babies, and little boys.
Fashionable Designs for Today's Ladies - Seamstress who has come highly recommended to me. Lovely patterns.
The Rabbit Hutch - Thrift store treasures, homemade creations, and more - all very reasonably priced.
www.DressingForHisGlory.com - Skirts, culottes, skorts, swimwear.
www.ForModesty.com - Nice selection of fashionably modest clothing.
www.CozyCollectionsInc.com - Good selection of skirts.
www.WorksoftheHeart.com - Modest clothing and fabrics.
www.TaylorsScarletThread.com - Beautiful dresses and high quality work. I have personally received four of their products and been very impressed. - Crystal
www.MadewithTLC.com - Modest clothing, heirloom items, formal attire, and more!
www.SimplyModest.com - Casual to formal, all priced $9.99 or under!
www.PracticallyPrettyDesign.com - Gorgeous feminine dresses for little girls.
www.LittleTouchofElegance.com -Very lovely things which are modest and not "frumpy." Skirts, blouses, maternity wear, a girl's swimsuit and more!
www.LiliesApparel.com - Modest clothing and modest bathing suits.
www.Daddys-Little-Princess.com - Modest clothing, prairie dresses, nightgowns, and more.
Biblical Garden Clothing Collection
www.ModestHandmaidens.com - Custom-made, ready-made, and gently used modest clothing. Patterns and fabric also available. Very nice selection and well-laid-out website.
www.7SistersSewing.com - Custom-made clothing for ladies and girls by, you guessed it, seven sisters. Bloomers, maternity wear, quilts, and aprons, too.
www.SeamsLikeYesterday.us - Maternity wear and baby things.
Modest Slips at Gehmans Country Fabrics - modest slips for ladies, teens, girls and toddlers
www.JumpinBloomers.com - Jumpers, bloomers, aprons, nightgowns, and more.
Handmade by Cole - Bloomers and more.
Plainly Dressed - Amish and Mennonite clothing
AdornedWithModesty.com -Used modest clothing
www.PaulinaCarmel.com - Comfort, style, modesty.
Modest Swimwear:
Check out our modest swimwear pattern here.
www.DressingForHisGlory.com - Skirts, culottes, skorts, swimwear.
Swimwear Solutions - Modest swimwear pattern and ready-mades.
Patterns and Fabric:
www.Sensibility.com - Modest, authentic, period patterns available for women and girls.
www.CommonSensePatterns.com - Large selection of modest patterns.
www.CandleontheHill.net - Large selection of patterns, cloth diapers, homemaking and crafting books, and more.
www.BakerLane.com - Patterns for mothers.
Embroidery Treasures - Fabric, quilting notions, embroidery supplies, and more!
www.GehmansCountryFabrics.com
www.PaisleyPincushion.com - Dress and apron patterns.
www.WorksoftheHeart.com - Modest clothing and fabrics.
www.VintageSewing.info
-- "Vintage Sewing Reference Library, Inc. offers free online access to public domain sewing books."
Other Companies Which Often Have Modest Selections:
_____________________________________________
Websites The Lord Has Led Me To / Dec. 2007
Below are quite a few websites the Lord has led me to,
over time. They were shared on "A Quiet Heart
Journal." Hope they will help you, also.
*************************
Dec. 1, 2007
Websites The Lord Has Led Me To
____________________________
It's a great day ... in Yeshua! He is my Life!
Jeremiah 33: 3 John 15: 4-5, 7-12, 14-17
I Corinthians 13 Ephesians 1: 15-21 and
2: 1-10 and 3: 14, 16-21 Colossians 1: 9-14
______________________________
Websites the Lord has led me to:
Below are websites the Lord has led me to find, through other sites,
or through someone's recommendation, or through another home
educating mom who recommended them: Not all the sites I have
bookmarked on my computer are listed here.
If you have a question, please contact me. I will try to help you find
what you are looking for, if you ask. ~ Kathy ~ kasayeshua@gmail.com
Okay, here we go:
Had hoped for a long time to type up a list of websites the Lord
has led me to find. They are both helpful and also inspiring for
moms who home educate (and all moms) ... and some have
fun games, online, for children to play. (educational games:
... educational in some way; good for practice at quick thinking,
and responding with answers) Some websites are also
especially for young ladies or young men.
Hope to continue to add to this list, so if you do not find
something that helps you, or that you did not already know
about, then please return here, and look again, to see if
I have added any new posts with new websites that might
fill a need you have in your family or life.
*******************************************************
Grace and Truth Books
http://www.graceandtruthbooks.com/
Creation Evidence Museum, Glen Rose, TX
http://www.creationevidence.org/
Answers in Genesis
http://www.answersingenesis.org
Crown Financial Ministries (Larry Burkett's former ministry)
http://www.crown.org/
Solve Family Problems (Dr. S. M. Davis' site)
help for families and for relationships
http://www.drsmdavis.com/
National Home Education Network
http://www.nhen.org/
Teach Magazine
http://www.teachmagazine.net
The Utmost Way Magazine
a home education online-only magazine
(our family's main website)
with many links to other sites, a research library,
articles on What They Don't Want You to Know,
links to modest clothing sewing ministry,
links to Utmost Ministries,
to a Biblical Approach to better Health,
links to Frameable Media,
links to Utmost Designs website design business,
links to an International On-line Homeschool Book Fair
open all year long, no entry fees, no parking fees,
just lots of websites to go and find what you need
to meet your home education needs
http://www.utmost-way.com
Bold Christian Living (Jonathan Lindvall)
http://www.boldchristianliving.com
Anne's School Place (Anne Elliott's webpage with
many links and helpful materials)
http://www.annesschoolplace.com
Home School Enrichment Magazine
http://www.homeschoolenrichment.com
Home School Digest
quarterly journal for family discipleship
http://www.homeschooldigest.com
An Encouraging Word (magazine)
An Encouraging Word is a quarterly publication
designed for Christian women of all ages.
http://www.anencouragingword.net
The Wisdom's Gate (a resource for home education
materials by the publisher of The Home School Digest)
The Wisdom's Gate Catalog offers many great
resources (books, dvd's, cd's, and mp3) on
Homeschooling, Preparing For Marriage, Character
Building, Biblical Worldview, Revival, and more!
http://www.wisgate.com
Crowned With Silver (magazine for moms, and
older daughters, at home) "for the modern
Christian woman with an old-fashioned heart !"
http://www.crownedwithsilver.com
Young Ladies Christian Fellowship
http://www.ylcf.org
No Greater Joy (than that my children walk in Truth)
Michael and Debi Pearl's ministry site
http://www.nogreaterjoy.org
Devonshire Apothecary
Nancy Levy
Texas "herbal" for over 30 years
many wonderful and health promoting products
books, essential oils, bulk herbal teas, dried herbs
teapots, tea cup and saucer sets
tea infusers, tea balls, tea spoons
too much to list here
email: devapoth@austin.rr.com
or call (512) 442-0019
Bulk Herb Store
http://www.bulkherbstore.com
Phil and Linda Yoder's Kitchen Specialties
and Granary site
http://www.kitchenmixers.com
Eagle Forum (Phyllis Schlafly)
supports American sovereignty, American identity,
the U.S. Constitution, opposes radical feminists,
supports traditional education
http://www.eagleforum.org
The Foundation for American Christian Education
http://www.face.net
Ornament Publications
http://www.ornamentpublications.com
many good materials for teaching Godly
character and games that are wonderful!
We love all that this lady offers!
Visual Manna (an art and teaching ministry
of the Jeffus family)
http://www.visualmanna.com
Mister Art
They call it: The World's Largest online discount
art and craft supply store
http://www.misterart.com
Five In A Row
(Jane Claire Lambert)
http://www.fiveinarow.com
The Home School Mom
http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com
Homestead -- Rural Living Principle and Practice
http://www.homestead.org
The Family Homestead
http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com
Heart of Wisdom Publishing
a Biblical, more Hebrew method of education,
using the Bible as the foundation
http://www.heartofwisdom.com
Titus2 ministry (Steve and Teri Maxwell)
http://www.titus2.com
Keepers of The Faith (Nancy Zakula)
http://www.keepersofthefaith.com
Brothers and Sisters
http://www.brothersandsisters.net
Grace Notes -- Mally family blog of conferences
they do for home educators and families
http://www.tomorrowsforefathers.com/gracenotes/
Brothers and Sisters site
http://www.brothersandsisters.net/brothersister/index.htm
Mally family ministry to brothers and sisters
Bright Lights (Mally family ministry to young ladies
ages 10 to 13)
http://www.brothersandsisters.net/bright_lights/index.htm
Tomorrow's Forefathers
(Mally family ministry to families and fathers)
http://www.brothersandsisters.net/forefathers/index.htm
Graham Family Ministries blog (for families who are
discipling their children, keeping a home, building
relationships, and much more) -- a link the Mally's like
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/school4jesus/Discipling+Our+Children/
Majesty Music / Ron Hamilton's and
Patch the Pirate's music and
character-building stories
http://www.majestymusic.com/
His Grace Works
Planners for Christian women and young ladies
http://hisgraceworks.com
The King's Daughter
Encouraging the young woman to be "all glorious within"
http://www.thekingsdaughtermag.com
Home Educator's Family Times
http://www.homeeducator.com
The Christian Homekeeper (trademark)
Sylvia Britton (her blog)
Has some good links on it
http://christianhomekeeper.com
The Urban Homemaker
Good site for helpful ideas on homemaking
http://www.urbanhomemaker.com
Ladies Against Feminism
http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com
Wonderful resource for information and advice for
moms and older daughters at home
Biblical Womanhood
http://www.biblicalwomanhoodonline.com
Noble Womanhood
http://www.noblewomanhood.com
Homeschooling Family to Family
http://www.homeschoolingfamilytofamily.org
A network of those who are ready to help those
who are new to home education
Institute for Excellence in Writing (Andrew Pudewa)
http://www.writing-edu.com
Systematic Mathematics
http://www.systemath.com
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
http://www.theoldschoolhousemagazine.com/
A great resource for home educators -- with a way
to have a blog so you can share what's going on
at "your schoolhouse" !
Homeschool World (Bill and Mary Pride's online magazine)
http://www.home-school.com
Articles, help, advice, many good links to get
information you need for your home education
efforts
Education PLUS (Inge Cannon)
http://www.edplus.com
Many helps for home educators, and help with
high school transcripts
The Sycamore Tree
"making home education easy since 1981"
http://www.sycamoretree.com
Cindy Rushton's (for homeschooling subjects
''teaching made easy'' books)
Rushton Family Ministries
http://www.cindyrushton.com
Institute for Creation Research
http://www.icr.org
Dinosaur AdventureLand
and Creation Science Evangelism (Pensacola, FL)
Dr. Kent Hovind's ministry
http://www.drdino.com
The Link -- Your Source for Homeschool News
& Information
http://www.homeschoolnewslink.com
Homeschool Gazette
An encouragement to home educated youth, and
a way to provide families a place to share and learn
from one another
They share creative writings from many talented young writers.
http://www.homeschoolgazette.org
Home Education Magazine
homeschooling information, support and resources
http://www.homeedmag.com
Homeschool Central
They call it: "all the resources you need"
many links there
http://www.homeschoolcentral.com
In Balance Music (online radio you can download
to play daily on your computer)
http://www.inbalancemusicradio.com
Mantle Ministries (Richard "Little Bear" Wheeler)
http://www.mantlemin.com
Vision Forum (Doug Phillips)
good articles and audio teaching CDs
http://www.visionforumministries.org
Mike McGroarty's Gardening Newsletter and site
http://www.freeplants.com
organic gardening ideas -- great site!
The Dirt Doctor, Howard Garrett
advice on organic gardening
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/
Texas Gardener (if you happen to live in Texas)
http://www.texasgardener.com
... many generally helpful ideas
Miracle Mountain Ranch Missions
http://www.mmrm.org
Lew Sterrett's ministry to youth and adults
Information on his "Sermon on the Mount" video series
that relate to our walk as believers and our relationship
with our Lord Jesus Christ
Poppa's Hook
an indispensable tool for those who cook or grill or fish ...
http://www.poppashook.com
Living Waters (Ray Comfort)
http://www.livingwaters.com
Hell's Best Kept Secret (Ten Cannons of God's Law)
Revive Our Hearts (Nancy Leigh DeMoss)
http://www.reviveourhearts.com
over time. They were shared on "A Quiet Heart
Journal." Hope they will help you, also.
*************************
Dec. 1, 2007
Websites The Lord Has Led Me To
____________________________
It's a great day ... in Yeshua! He is my Life!
Jeremiah 33: 3 John 15: 4-5, 7-12, 14-17
I Corinthians 13 Ephesians 1: 15-21 and
2: 1-10 and 3: 14, 16-21 Colossians 1: 9-14
______________________________
Websites the Lord has led me to:
Below are websites the Lord has led me to find, through other sites,
or through someone's recommendation, or through another home
educating mom who recommended them: Not all the sites I have
bookmarked on my computer are listed here.
If you have a question, please contact me. I will try to help you find
what you are looking for, if you ask. ~ Kathy ~ kasayeshua@gmail.com
Okay, here we go:
Had hoped for a long time to type up a list of websites the Lord
has led me to find. They are both helpful and also inspiring for
moms who home educate (and all moms) ... and some have
fun games, online, for children to play. (educational games:
... educational in some way; good for practice at quick thinking,
and responding with answers) Some websites are also
especially for young ladies or young men.
Hope to continue to add to this list, so if you do not find
something that helps you, or that you did not already know
about, then please return here, and look again, to see if
I have added any new posts with new websites that might
fill a need you have in your family or life.
*******************************************************
Grace and Truth Books
http://www.graceandtruthbooks.com/
Creation Evidence Museum, Glen Rose, TX
http://www.creationevidence.org/
Answers in Genesis
http://www.answersingenesis.org
Crown Financial Ministries (Larry Burkett's former ministry)
http://www.crown.org/
Solve Family Problems (Dr. S. M. Davis' site)
help for families and for relationships
http://www.drsmdavis.com/
National Home Education Network
http://www.nhen.org/
Teach Magazine
http://www.teachmagazine.net
The Utmost Way Magazine
a home education online-only magazine
(our family's main website)
with many links to other sites, a research library,
articles on What They Don't Want You to Know,
links to modest clothing sewing ministry,
links to Utmost Ministries,
to a Biblical Approach to better Health,
links to Frameable Media,
links to Utmost Designs website design business,
links to an International On-line Homeschool Book Fair
open all year long, no entry fees, no parking fees,
just lots of websites to go and find what you need
to meet your home education needs
http://www.utmost-way.com
Bold Christian Living (Jonathan Lindvall)
http://www.boldchristianliving.com
Anne's School Place (Anne Elliott's webpage with
many links and helpful materials)
http://www.annesschoolplace.com
Home School Enrichment Magazine
http://www.homeschoolenrichment.com
Home School Digest
quarterly journal for family discipleship
http://www.homeschooldigest.com
An Encouraging Word (magazine)
An Encouraging Word is a quarterly publication
designed for Christian women of all ages.
http://www.anencouragingword.net
The Wisdom's Gate (a resource for home education
materials by the publisher of The Home School Digest)
The Wisdom's Gate Catalog offers many great
resources (books, dvd's, cd's, and mp3) on
Homeschooling, Preparing For Marriage, Character
Building, Biblical Worldview, Revival, and more!
http://www.wisgate.com
Crowned With Silver (magazine for moms, and
older daughters, at home) "for the modern
Christian woman with an old-fashioned heart !"
http://www.crownedwithsilver.com
Young Ladies Christian Fellowship
http://www.ylcf.org
No Greater Joy (than that my children walk in Truth)
Michael and Debi Pearl's ministry site
http://www.nogreaterjoy.org
Devonshire Apothecary
Nancy Levy
Texas "herbal" for over 30 years
many wonderful and health promoting products
books, essential oils, bulk herbal teas, dried herbs
teapots, tea cup and saucer sets
tea infusers, tea balls, tea spoons
too much to list here
email: devapoth@austin.rr.com
or call (512) 442-0019
Bulk Herb Store
http://www.bulkherbstore.com
Phil and Linda Yoder's Kitchen Specialties
and Granary site
http://www.kitchenmixers.com
Eagle Forum (Phyllis Schlafly)
supports American sovereignty, American identity,
the U.S. Constitution, opposes radical feminists,
supports traditional education
http://www.eagleforum.org
The Foundation for American Christian Education
http://www.face.net
Ornament Publications
http://www.ornamentpublications.com
many good materials for teaching Godly
character and games that are wonderful!
We love all that this lady offers!
Visual Manna (an art and teaching ministry
of the Jeffus family)
http://www.visualmanna.com
Mister Art
They call it: The World's Largest online discount
art and craft supply store
http://www.misterart.com
Five In A Row
(Jane Claire Lambert)
http://www.fiveinarow.com
The Home School Mom
http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com
Homestead -- Rural Living Principle and Practice
http://www.homestead.org
The Family Homestead
http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com
Heart of Wisdom Publishing
a Biblical, more Hebrew method of education,
using the Bible as the foundation
http://www.heartofwisdom.com
Titus2 ministry (Steve and Teri Maxwell)
http://www.titus2.com
Keepers of The Faith (Nancy Zakula)
http://www.keepersofthefaith.com
Brothers and Sisters
http://www.brothersandsisters.net
Grace Notes -- Mally family blog of conferences
they do for home educators and families
http://www.tomorrowsforefathers.com/gracenotes/
Brothers and Sisters site
http://www.brothersandsisters.net/brothersister/index.htm
Mally family ministry to brothers and sisters
Bright Lights (Mally family ministry to young ladies
ages 10 to 13)
http://www.brothersandsisters.net/bright_lights/index.htm
Tomorrow's Forefathers
(Mally family ministry to families and fathers)
http://www.brothersandsisters.net/forefathers/index.htm
Graham Family Ministries blog (for families who are
discipling their children, keeping a home, building
relationships, and much more) -- a link the Mally's like
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/school4jesus/Discipling+Our+Children/
Majesty Music / Ron Hamilton's and
Patch the Pirate's music and
character-building stories
http://www.majestymusic.com/
His Grace Works
Planners for Christian women and young ladies
http://hisgraceworks.com
The King's Daughter
Encouraging the young woman to be "all glorious within"
http://www.thekingsdaughtermag.com
Home Educator's Family Times
http://www.homeeducator.com
The Christian Homekeeper (trademark)
Sylvia Britton (her blog)
Has some good links on it
http://christianhomekeeper.com
The Urban Homemaker
Good site for helpful ideas on homemaking
http://www.urbanhomemaker.com
Ladies Against Feminism
http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com
Wonderful resource for information and advice for
moms and older daughters at home
Biblical Womanhood
http://www.biblicalwomanhoodonline.com
Noble Womanhood
http://www.noblewomanhood.com
Homeschooling Family to Family
http://www.homeschoolingfamilytofamily.org
A network of those who are ready to help those
who are new to home education
Institute for Excellence in Writing (Andrew Pudewa)
http://www.writing-edu.com
Systematic Mathematics
http://www.systemath.com
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
http://www.theoldschoolhousemagazine.com/
A great resource for home educators -- with a way
to have a blog so you can share what's going on
at "your schoolhouse" !
Homeschool World (Bill and Mary Pride's online magazine)
http://www.home-school.com
Articles, help, advice, many good links to get
information you need for your home education
efforts
Education PLUS (Inge Cannon)
http://www.edplus.com
Many helps for home educators, and help with
high school transcripts
The Sycamore Tree
"making home education easy since 1981"
http://www.sycamoretree.com
Cindy Rushton's (for homeschooling subjects
''teaching made easy'' books)
Rushton Family Ministries
http://www.cindyrushton.com
Institute for Creation Research
http://www.icr.org
Dinosaur AdventureLand
and Creation Science Evangelism (Pensacola, FL)
Dr. Kent Hovind's ministry
http://www.drdino.com
The Link -- Your Source for Homeschool News
& Information
http://www.homeschoolnewslink.com
Homeschool Gazette
An encouragement to home educated youth, and
a way to provide families a place to share and learn
from one another
They share creative writings from many talented young writers.
http://www.homeschoolgazette.org
Home Education Magazine
homeschooling information, support and resources
http://www.homeedmag.com
Homeschool Central
They call it: "all the resources you need"
many links there
http://www.homeschoolcentral.com
In Balance Music (online radio you can download
to play daily on your computer)
http://www.inbalancemusicradio.com
Mantle Ministries (Richard "Little Bear" Wheeler)
http://www.mantlemin.com
Vision Forum (Doug Phillips)
good articles and audio teaching CDs
http://www.visionforumministries.org
Mike McGroarty's Gardening Newsletter and site
http://www.freeplants.com
organic gardening ideas -- great site!
The Dirt Doctor, Howard Garrett
advice on organic gardening
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/
Texas Gardener (if you happen to live in Texas)
http://www.texasgardener.com
... many generally helpful ideas
Miracle Mountain Ranch Missions
http://www.mmrm.org
Lew Sterrett's ministry to youth and adults
Information on his "Sermon on the Mount" video series
that relate to our walk as believers and our relationship
with our Lord Jesus Christ
Poppa's Hook
an indispensable tool for those who cook or grill or fish ...
http://www.poppashook.com
Living Waters (Ray Comfort)
http://www.livingwaters.com
Hell's Best Kept Secret (Ten Cannons of God's Law)
Revive Our Hearts (Nancy Leigh DeMoss)
http://www.reviveourhearts.com
A Note About our Old-er Family Photo / Nov. 2007
Below is a Note Shared from "A Quiet Heart Journal," to explain
that the photo "posted" here is not "up to date." But that can change.
*************************
Nov. 30, 2007
About our "older" family photo on my latest blog entry ...
About the photo of our family: it was taken by a good friend, late last autumn.So, yes, it is one year old. ;o(
Will try to have someone take a new one of us all, soon.
Our younger ones here will have changed. The rest of us ... well ....
Just thought someone might want to know. ;o)
Grace and Peace be with you, from our Lord Yeshua the Messiah,
and from God our Father!
God Is At Work, Part 1 ... from Nov. of 2007
Below is another entry from "A Quiet Heart Journal" that I call "God Is At Work." Hope something here inspires you!********************************
Nov. 29, 2007
God is at work. Part 1
_______________________
It's a great day ... in Yeshua! He is our Life!
_________________________
Jeremiah 33: 3
"Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."
John 15: 4-5
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in The Vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I AM The Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me, ye can do nothing."
John 15: 7-12
"If ye abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples (disciplined ones; followers).
As The Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My Love. (agape)
If ye keep My Commandments, ye shall abide in My Love; even as I have kept My Father's Commandments, and abide in His Love.
These things have I spoken unto you, that My Joy might remain in you, and that your Joy might be full.
This is My Commandment, that ye Love one another, as I have loved you."
John 15: 14-17
"Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father, I have made known unto you.
Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of The Father in My Name, He may give it (to) you.
These things I command you, that ye Love one another."
I Corinthians 13 (What an inspiration to read through this daily! How convicting to our hearts! A good "check-book" for us, as moms, to read through each morning, before we begin to work with our young ones.)
Ephesians 1: 15-21 and
Ephesians 2: 1-10 and
Ephesians 3: 14, 16-21
Colossians 1: 9-15 (here is a "powerful blessing" we can pray over our children or others we know)
"... (The Lord bless you to) be filled (by His Grace) with the knowledge of His Will in all Wisdom, and spiritual Understanding; That ye might walk worthy of The Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the Knowledge of God; (The Lord strengthen (you) with all Might (Greek "dunamis"), according to His Glorious power, unto all Patience and Longsuffering with Joy-full-ness; [ ;o) ]
(The Lord bless you to) Give thanks unto The Father, Who hath made us meet (appropriately fitted and prepared) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in Light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into The Kingdom of His dear Son: in Whom we have redemption through His Blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the Image of The Invisible God, the Firstborn of every creature:"
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God is at Work in all our Lives, every day, as you can see demonstrated by the challenges that come to we moms who home educate our children, imparting to them (along the journey of home education and family living) the life stories we have been given by God to share with them, so that they know the heritage they have come from, for them to see God's mighty, delivering Hand, healing Hand, protecting Hand, and loving Hand that He has used to work "good" for us, who are "the called according to His Purpose."
In our family, in recent weeks, God has been honing us down, with His loving file, as one smooths steel on a sword's blade edge. He has used iron to sharpen iron, as other believers have given us advice and exhorted us.
He has brought praise to His Name, through other believers being a part of something wonderful He is doing, in our family, to "provide" when there was no other provision, despite all the constant efforts of my husband to earn money for our family.
God is bringing glory to His Name in the way He is working through others to bring about the ministry work He is leading us to do, as home educators whom others are watching (as God allows others to watch each of you, as you go through each day, week and month, before their eyes -- when you are in public, or they cross paths with you in some way) and as those who are moving, at God's pace (in His timing) and with His direction,
as we have begun a teaching ministry in areas that include
(a.) creation science ("design" in science),
(b.) nutrition for improved health and energy (to lessen allergies, how to eliminate degenerative diseases from your life and from your children's lives, through spiritual, emotional, physical healing God brings about through correct knowledge and understanding, along with applying the new information you learn from those who have proved these "goals" are achievable and probable, since they have occurred in thousands of others' lives; we do not "sell" anything; we only share information that's been proven to be effective, through seminars we are offering to anyone; the positive effects of consuming more, purified water and proper, positive lifestyle changes),
("b." above will very soon also include: demonstrations of food and meal preparation, in an in-person "class format" either in homes or in church fellowship halls)
(c.) the truth about why the way I am clothed reflects my beliefs and my "walk" with God,
(d.) the truth about how everyone is affected by music with one kind of beat in it, as opposed to music with another kind of beat in it (a spiritual focus vs. a physical focus),
(e.) some creative ways parents can teach their children, and ideas for using God's Word for much of the education of their children (all the sciences, literature, spelling, phonics, grammar, language studies, health / hygiene and cleanliness and healing herbs and oils (medicine), character studies (God's character), civic studies, legal studies, government, logic, archaeology, geography, music, art, good communication skills / speech / debate ....
(f.) sharing ways in which God has used "problems" and "bad circumstances" that come along in life to bring us closer to His Heart, and give us opportunities to humble ourselves in His Sight, and
we get to show that when we are weak, He is able (then) to show Himself strong on our behalf, because we trust in Him and we "have to" put our faith in Him and His Faithfulness, and
we get to demonstrate that we are choosing to "abide in Him" more and more.
And, along with all that, God has somehow taught all 8 of us, in our family, to sing together in harmony, so that others who hear us are receiving encouragement, blessing and are giving the glory and thanks to God. We just love good music, thanks to God our Father. And we love to sing, making harmony together with the instruments God has provided for us to use -- our voices. Some of us do play "instruments," but we have not yet added those to what we offer to others who homeschool or to churches, to edification and encouragement.
Humor seems to be a "given" with our family, so if you are in a church that appreciates the humor in daily life, and of each of us seeing the funny side of ourselves or our children, or the different ways folks "speak," (we come from a background of more than one culture, neither of which are American, so maybe that is why we all seem to like imitating "accents" especially of some of the countries in our family's heritage ...) or the humor (the effects of) in our responses to those we relate to, ... if any of this sounds like it is something you think someone you know would like hearing, then you might wish to ask us to "come by" to your homeschool group or your church, to "inspire someone" to make sure they include "humor" in their day to day teaching at home. If we can, we will "be right over." If you'd like to see what our family looks like,
The good Lord has been presenting to our family some very unique (to us) opportunities to show Himself strong on our behalf, and He has been putting us "back to a wall" financially, which can indicate several areas of lack in our character, but it could also be considered a form of an attack of God's enemy on a family whose leader is the president of a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization, the Life in the Bible Institute, that seeks to inform both unsaved folks and believers of all the things I have listed above (and more, if the Lord leads us in that way).
Will hope to elaborate on some of this, as time allows, in "Part 2" ... and I will also hope that, if any of you wish to write me about anything I have written here, or in any of my former posts on this blog, you will feel free to email me at: kasarhema@gmail.com
You may also visit: http://www.utmost-way.com if you wish to learn any more about anything I have spoken of, above, since you can get to most of the information we "offer" to everyone, through links on that site.
May the Lord of all good, Who is the God of all comfort, and The Father of mercies, fill you with His Strength and Mighty power of Love in your inner being and with the knowledge of His Will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. !!! The Lord rejoices over you with singing! Keep rejoicing over Him! He is "Mighty to save!" (deliver you from any and all troubles; though we must be willing to apply patience during the "trial") I know all of life can present challenges we think are "hard" or "nearly impossible to recover from," but God seems to see things from a much higher perspective -- He is all-wise. He will carry you through!
~ blog owner ~ in east Texas (the trees grow higher, seems like, and the oil runs richer over here) ;o)
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