Below is a preliminary post, just to let you all "check these out," friends!
However, until I have fully "looked over" these websites, I cannot fully
endorse all that is on them.
They "were" recommended to me by others who liked them very much.
So ... you "check them out" and I will, also! ;o)
Thank you very much (!) for coming to my site, for "help" in finding home-educating "help sites" to use while educating / training your children,
... and, if you came for "help" regarding information on modesty (of the heart, for ladies), I trust you found something "truly helpful" here;
... and if you came to read (a few) "helpful articles" related to American sovereignty, what others are doing to try to change our nation's citizens from being God-fearing to being fearful, I trust you found some that will help you learn more of what you need to know "to be informed" of the truth;
... and if you are visiting this site to read "articles" to learn more about safety (physically and emotionally) and "protection" and "help" for children and Bible-believing, Son-of-YHVH-God believers in Yeshua (Jesus, The Messiah).
I also share, here, "helpful articles" regarding the coming threat of "things going on in the world" such as the threat of sharia law (yes, there are those who would like to see it become "law" in America! Let's not close our eyes to what is being
planned. Let's seek The Lord Almighty, The One, True God -- Adonai Echad. He knows what He has planned for us to do, for Him, in Love & in Peace, and what He wants each of us to do, as His children, to bring glory to His Name.)
I do not live in fear. I serve The One, True God, Who is Sovereign over all (people in the universe), Who rules over all, & Who loves all who honor & believe in Him and in His Son, Yeshua (Jesus). I do not fear any violent terrorists or political elite, or any who wish to wield their power over me or anyone else who professes belief and faith in The Lord Yeshua The Messiah (Jesus Christ, The Anointed One of YHVH God, Adonai).
I only hope, in my small way, to help others become informed about information they are not aware of, or that they do "need" to become aware of. That way, we can pray for effectively!
The Lord is in the midst of us! He is Mighty to save (deliver)! (Zephaniah 3:17)
He is The Victorious Warrior!
He is the Jealous Lord God, Who wants "all" your Love, & life, & service!
So, trust in Him, because He is can only tell The Truth, can be trusted implicitly (and completely) and He is The Only Redeemer there is. His Son, Yeshua (Jesus), *is* The Truth, The Way and The Life!
He is your All in all (Yeshua is). (Colossians 1:12b - 23)
Keep thinking!
Keep reading and learning!
(things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report)
"...if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise (or anything worthy of praise, of being honored), think on these things." (from Philippians 4:8)
The Lord has put you here (on this earth) "for such a time as this."
Keep looking to Him, for your inspiration, and for your deliverance!
He will keep you! He is your Best Friend!
No one can love you like He can: He is your El Shaddai, El Elyon (The Most High God),
YHVH Sabaoth (The Lord God of hosts), YHVH Tsidkenu (The Lord our Righteousness)!
He alone knows all things and only speaks The Truth!
So, read His Word -- it contains the highest & best "reading" you could ever find.
Amen! Hallelujah!
_____________________________
These websites are listed, below, for your careful consideration:
They cover many areas of learning, and need.
Please use Godly discernment while perusing the pages of these websites.
Thank you for "stopping by" here.
http://homeschoolace.ning.com/
_______________________
http://www.booksshouldbefree.com/
__________________________
http://www.genevabible.org/files/Geneva_Bible/6_Version_Comparison.pdf
_______________________________________________________
http://infinitelearninglab.org/
_____________________
http://kids4truth.com/home.aspx
_________________________
http://homeschoolusa.com/
____________________
http://frugalabundance.com/links.htm
____________________________
http://www.theheartofthehome.org/
__________________________
http://www.mindwareonline.com/
________________________
http://www.alliancechildhood.org/
________________________
Jerry Ray's "video" report re: the unConstitutionality of the Census Bureau's
illegal "ways":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsDhkPym01k
_____________________________________
help for those with ADHD, in children & adults:
http://www.simplesolutions4.com/about
_____________________________
Alaska Center for Coastal Studies, in Homer, Alaska
http://www.akcoastalstudies.org/teacherresources.htm
________________________________________
a collection of lessons, calculators, and worksheets created to assist students and teachers of algebra:
http://algebrahelp.com/
_________________
Friday, May 14, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
a Homeschool Audio you should listen to
... it blessed me!
Robin Sampson, of Heart of Wisdom, is sharing a blessing of a message, on audio, that you can learn about, through both links below.
The second link will take you directly to her Homeschool Audio.
The first link will take you to a blog post she wrote that shares a "contest" she is having. As part of that contest, she shares about what she feels is "the most important advice" she "could share with Christian homeschoolers." And that "advice" she shares on the Homeschool Audio, which you can listen to using the second link, below.
It's a blessing! (what is? What you will find at both these links will bless you!)
http://heartofwisdom.com/blog/homeschool-warning-and-blog-contest/
http://www.sendspace.com/pro/1d3ktt
Robin Sampson, of Heart of Wisdom, is sharing a blessing of a message, on audio, that you can learn about, through both links below.
The second link will take you directly to her Homeschool Audio.
The first link will take you to a blog post she wrote that shares a "contest" she is having. As part of that contest, she shares about what she feels is "the most important advice" she "could share with Christian homeschoolers." And that "advice" she shares on the Homeschool Audio, which you can listen to using the second link, below.
It's a blessing! (what is? What you will find at both these links will bless you!)
http://heartofwisdom.com/blog/homeschool-warning-and-blog-contest/
http://www.sendspace.com/pro/1d3ktt
deception as part of a religious system of belief
For those who may wish to learn some more about 'the Muslim faith' of a man who claims to be qualified to be in a position that most, in America, would say he is in (living in The White House), but whose numerous "wordings" and seeming "mistakes" when speaking in public, give him away as being (definitely) a Muslim (one who is of the Islamic faith), and not truly a Biblical believer (he does "claim" to be a "practicing" Christian), as he wanted voters to think "before" the 2008 election for U.S. President, ... well, the article link, below, should help you learn what you need to know -- the truth.
http://carylmatrisciana.com/x2/content/view/72/108/
As with everything in life, please read it with discernment and spiritual understanding.
I don't hate this man! I pray for him!!
He has been deceived, as we all were, at one time, ... that is, if we are now true, Biblical believers in The One, True (and Only-begotten) Son of The Almighty, The I AM, YHVH (Jehovah) God, The God of Israel, The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Avraham, Yitzhak and Yaakov).
He needs our prayers!
(He does not even use his legal name! And he will not prove that he legally changed his name to the one he now uses to sign legislation that, when enacted, affects every citizen living in the U.S., as well as those who are living in the U.S. illegally.)
Once again, Caryl Matrisciana has done a thorough job of pulling together many facts! I thank God for this woman! She does not have to share all this information for free. But she does. She just wants other people to know the truth.
When we know The Truth, it will make us free!
But "The Truth" (with capital letters) is a Person -- The Lord Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ). He is The Way, The Truth and The Life. Those are not just words. They "are" the truth!
(but my readers should know that)
If you do not know that to be true, then please do a search, online, using the word "Bible" (using a capital letter). When Blue Letter Bible comes up, as a site to choose, choose it. Then, go to the "book" of John, and read chapter 14, verse 6. Then, read as much around it as you wish.
The Lord wants everyone to know He loves them and is ready to accept them as His children, His followers, His friends, if they will learn about Him, then respond to His offer of the free gift of deliverance from the penalty and punishment for their sins and iniquities, and from the power of sin ... to a new, free life "in Him."
That new life will lead them into realms of glory and Joy (beyond our imagination) that we can only say we will get to enjoy for eternity! He will share His inheritance with us all! But only with those who will call upon His Name, in faith and in truth (genuinely, sincerely), believing in Him as the True Son of YHVH God, Who was born of a virgin, in Bethlehem, Israel, of the tribe of Yehudah (Judah), and lived and suffered and died a cruel, shameful death (He was innocent of all charges; He never sinned!) on a Roman execution stake.
Yet, He said "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do," while He was dying on what most call "the cross." Then, He rose again the third day after He died (yes, he was fully dead). He appeared to more than 500 people, at once (one day, at one time).
He met with His 12 disciples and others, over a period of 40 days, after He arose from the dead. Then He ascended into Heaven, into a cloud, from the Mount of Olives, and ... that is where He will return, again, one day.
If you have any questions about what I have shared here, about this Man and His Life He lived on earth, or about His Resurrection from the dead, ... in fulfillment of the prophets' words that are in the Old Covenant (some call the Old Testament), ... please visit http://www.lifeinthebible.org/
You may read what is there, and contact the owner of that site. You should, soon, receive a very helpful reply.
May The Lord Almighty fill your days with His Grace and Peace!
He loves you!
Will you return His Love? His Love is unconditional.
http://carylmatrisciana.com/x2/content/view/72/108/
As with everything in life, please read it with discernment and spiritual understanding.
I don't hate this man! I pray for him!!
He has been deceived, as we all were, at one time, ... that is, if we are now true, Biblical believers in The One, True (and Only-begotten) Son of The Almighty, The I AM, YHVH (Jehovah) God, The God of Israel, The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Avraham, Yitzhak and Yaakov).
He needs our prayers!
(He does not even use his legal name! And he will not prove that he legally changed his name to the one he now uses to sign legislation that, when enacted, affects every citizen living in the U.S., as well as those who are living in the U.S. illegally.)
Once again, Caryl Matrisciana has done a thorough job of pulling together many facts! I thank God for this woman! She does not have to share all this information for free. But she does. She just wants other people to know the truth.
When we know The Truth, it will make us free!
But "The Truth" (with capital letters) is a Person -- The Lord Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ). He is The Way, The Truth and The Life. Those are not just words. They "are" the truth!
(but my readers should know that)
If you do not know that to be true, then please do a search, online, using the word "Bible" (using a capital letter). When Blue Letter Bible comes up, as a site to choose, choose it. Then, go to the "book" of John, and read chapter 14, verse 6. Then, read as much around it as you wish.
The Lord wants everyone to know He loves them and is ready to accept them as His children, His followers, His friends, if they will learn about Him, then respond to His offer of the free gift of deliverance from the penalty and punishment for their sins and iniquities, and from the power of sin ... to a new, free life "in Him."
That new life will lead them into realms of glory and Joy (beyond our imagination) that we can only say we will get to enjoy for eternity! He will share His inheritance with us all! But only with those who will call upon His Name, in faith and in truth (genuinely, sincerely), believing in Him as the True Son of YHVH God, Who was born of a virgin, in Bethlehem, Israel, of the tribe of Yehudah (Judah), and lived and suffered and died a cruel, shameful death (He was innocent of all charges; He never sinned!) on a Roman execution stake.
Yet, He said "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do," while He was dying on what most call "the cross." Then, He rose again the third day after He died (yes, he was fully dead). He appeared to more than 500 people, at once (one day, at one time).
He met with His 12 disciples and others, over a period of 40 days, after He arose from the dead. Then He ascended into Heaven, into a cloud, from the Mount of Olives, and ... that is where He will return, again, one day.
If you have any questions about what I have shared here, about this Man and His Life He lived on earth, or about His Resurrection from the dead, ... in fulfillment of the prophets' words that are in the Old Covenant (some call the Old Testament), ... please visit http://www.lifeinthebible.org/
You may read what is there, and contact the owner of that site. You should, soon, receive a very helpful reply.
May The Lord Almighty fill your days with His Grace and Peace!
He loves you!
Will you return His Love? His Love is unconditional.
please read this & pray for this young lady, now!
This link, below, should take you to a very helpful article about the now-endangered life of a young believer we have all become aware of -- Rifqa Bary. Her life is more in danger than it was before! Her parents lied. CAIR lied.
And if you would please pray for this young lady, for God's special protection on her physical, mental, emotional life, as well as asking God to use whatever He allows to happen to be used to bring the most glory to His Holy Name, I sure would appreciate it.
http://carylmatrisciana.com/x2/content/view/163/1/
I trust this source. Caryl Matrisciana is a trustworthy source of informative and educational information on many topics.
For now, I hope this might direct you in how to pray for this young lady.
I know she will thank you, when we all meet in Heaven, one day.
I trust that for her ... that she will get to meet The Lord in the air,
with the rest of us. (well, me, anyway)
God bless you all !
And if you would please pray for this young lady, for God's special protection on her physical, mental, emotional life, as well as asking God to use whatever He allows to happen to be used to bring the most glory to His Holy Name, I sure would appreciate it.
http://carylmatrisciana.com/x2/content/view/163/1/
I trust this source. Caryl Matrisciana is a trustworthy source of informative and educational information on many topics.
For now, I hope this might direct you in how to pray for this young lady.
I know she will thank you, when we all meet in Heaven, one day.
I trust that for her ... that she will get to meet The Lord in the air,
with the rest of us. (well, me, anyway)
God bless you all !
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Beware! -- a telephone "scam!" Don't call 809 area codes!
The link to the Snopes.com website should take you to their webpage that shares about a "telephone scam" (as I call it) that you need to be aware of!
Please go there and read about it.
Do "not" reply by email or call back any phone messages on your answering machine, or that you answer yourself, to any "809" area code!
Thanks to Snopes, we know this is a scam.
http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809.asp
May God bless the folks at Snopes.com !
Please go there and read about it.
Do "not" reply by email or call back any phone messages on your answering machine, or that you answer yourself, to any "809" area code!
Thanks to Snopes, we know this is a scam.
http://www.snopes.com/fraud/telephone/809.asp
May God bless the folks at Snopes.com !
my version of persevering, for now
Below is my post related to Sarah Joy Albrecht's "January Giveaway: Learning Perseverance From Making Tamagoyaki" -- Please go to Sarah's website to enter her January giveaway! You only have one day left! I only just found out about it, today! Hurry! ;o)
http://www.sarahjoyalbrecht.com/2010/01/20/january-giveaway-learning-perseverance-from-making-tamagoyaki/comment-page-1/#comment-3349
The Lord has been teaching me perseverance in many ways. He has allowed our family to be pruned by Him, for good and for God's glory (I trust; whether or not we give glory to God depends on whether or not we choose to show an attitude, and actions, of submission to our Lord's and Redeemer's Will). He has richly and generously blessed us. His riches are not of this world. They last into eternity. Souls last. His riches include wisdom, spiritual understanding, and the knowledge of His Will, and the knowledge of "The Holy."
The Lord has allowed us the opportunities He knows He can enable us to endure and overcome, by challenging situations that most would call "impossible." He likes to show Himself strong on our behalf. So, though I see my response to these "opportunities" as perseverance, He wants me to learn, by them, to trust Him more than my mind may understand how He can deliver me (or us) out of them.
We have had to change some priorities in our lives and, yet, have been learning, for quite a long time, that life is about serving others, and by that, serving The Lord. I was not born to "enjoy" life on earth. It is a journey of mine, as a stranger on earth, ... on The Lord's Way (for me) to Heaven, my true Home. Hallelujah!
We have chosen to walk the narrow-er road some call ministry. Our Lord, Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ), lived a life of serving others, ... teaching, healing, helping, delivering, encouraging, inspiring, leading, ... then, being rejected, despised, hated, ignored, ... then, suffering (horribly; He was innocent!) and a shameful death on a Roman execution stake (for "my" sins!!!! He had nothing worthy of death. I had! He took my sins upon Himself, and took the punishment I deserved!), ... then, He rose again to new life in His spiritual Body. So, I'd suppose that what we do (as a family) could be called following, or serving-while-training. We are learning how to live as our Lord lived. He did without some things, yet was rich in so many ways that could not be counted with a thousand fingers!
We do not depend on corporations, any longer, to provide a way for bills to be paid. A believer, who loves us, ... helps us with that. Praise The Lord! Persevering in serving is a lesson I'm learning. If I get my focus off of the serving part, I begin to wonder about some things that God has not commanded me to wonder about. He wants me to trust Him above all!
We have no regular financial support for a teaching ministry we began, over 3 years ago. God has provided a means of support, but I believe God wants us to continue seeking His Will for how He wants His Name glorified through the provision He'd like to bring forth. ;o)
If we're doing God's work in God's way, as Hudson Taylor said, a good while back, it will not lack God's provision. (my wording)
God wants us to continue doing the work He has put before us to do. He continues to give us ideas for many things, some of which He will bring to fruition, if those will bring glory to Him, by drawing others to His Son, Yeshua (Jesus).
That might include serving local folks through a food pantry we've been asked to take charge of. It might include ministering to older folks whose health is not as good as they wish it was.
It might include ministering to folks whose lives have been forever altered, through no fault of their own.
It might include encouraging other believers through singing music, in harmony, without musical accompaniment, as a group of 7 (or 8), ... and we know that if the sound uplifts the hearers, it could only have been accomplished by God Himself, the Master Maker and Glorifier of all music.
(I mean, music was first designed by God, Elohim! He made it to be used to glorify Him and praise His Name! Music that does not do that is worthless.)
Whether we get paid a regular income, or not, for what we do, each day or week, is more important to God, my Father, than it is to us. He is more concerned and busy about us having "enough" than we are! It is His responsibility to provide for His children, so ... I need not worry or fret. (though I forget and do that, at times)
Persevering, while living this way, can be a challenge. My emotions can take turns in the wrong direction. (!) But God's Word, that He has stored in my "heart," steps in and replaces my wrong thoughts, and brings me up out of the low place that the enemy of my soul would like to hold me. Satan cannot hold me. I am The Lord's! He says I am His child! He loves me with an everlasting Love and no power anywhere can overcome His Love for me! (Nothing can separate me from The Love of God, which is in Messiah Yeshua, my Lord! -- from Romans 8:35-39)
God's help, hope, peace and provision never ends!! He supports us as we choose to do what pleases Him! He has unlimited resources! He uses other believers who befriend us and relatives who show their care and love for us in many ways. The Lord has upheld us through many times of "my wondering...." God, alone, has enabled us to continue! He is faithful to remember. We are learning He alone can sustain us. We are still looking for ways to support a ministry such as ours. Doing this on a human level can be quite a challenge! We choose to focus on the serving part, rather than on the support-seeking part. That way, we're not thinking with our fleshly minds, trying to figure out "how to get money to do the next step," but working with our hands and hearts, as we believe God wants us to do. We're trying to live by faith.
Our Father in Heaven has done miracles! He has brought new, Godly friends to help us along, encouraging and praying for us so kindly and faithfully! He has shown us ways to stretch our food provisions as we never had to, before. But this has been good! Now, we can help others to do the same thing. God wanted to improve our health and used what I called "a lack" to do some good work in that direction. ;o) He also helped me learn to be more grateful to Him, for whatever He lets us use or have, to eat and otherwise.
When I wondered how we would get through the coming week or month, in a way that I believed would glorify The Lord's Name, God would come through in a way I had not thought of!
When I was not trusting Him for all things (temporarily) and was letting my emotions get the best of me, He was right there to comfort, and then renew me with His Word, and by His Spirit bringing to my mind verses He had enabled me to store in my mind / heart. He gave me lots of hugs! I need lots of hugs!!
When I was ungrateful for what He was allowing to occur, He reassured me that He still loved me and wanted me to remember that He would bless me as I submitted my will and thoughts to His, and that He would restore what the enemy was trying to destroy.
When I did not keep my focus on Him, and what He had shown me through multiplied evidences of His protection, His care, His deliverance, His healing, His blessings and His provision, He brought my spiritual eyes back to see things from His perspective! How humbling!!
Though we are still unemployed (from the world's perspective), He has enabled me to overlook that, as often as possible, and to look forward to the many ministry duties (to help our pastor) He has us doing, each week, throughout this long period of time, ... while He provides just enough to get us to places where we are sharing His Love, in action. He is faithful! Will I choose to be faithful, also?
We have seen Him provide what's needed to reach out to others who are in situations they also cannot change, medically, physically, financially, and ... He is persevering in showing me mercy, lovingkindness, patience and His faithfulness.
What can I do but thank Him? ... and persevere through the things He allows to happen.
They're all lessons to prepare me for further service! I've seen Him do things that show me I need only "ask" or "cry out to God" for what is (truly) needed. He *does* answer!
And He begins bringing the answer to our "cries" immediately, as we pray. The manifestation of answers to my prayers may take awhile. But He has to send forth His angels to do the battling in the heavenlies, before I see the results, on earth. (see Daniel 10: 9-21)
Praise The Lord, He has done this for me! And I know He is doing it for so many believers, who are crying out to The Lord for deliverance, help and healing! He did it for our childrens' granddad, their aunt and their other aunt! (and more)
His mercy endures all that I've put Him through!
I can let Him enable me to endure all that He will use for His glory, that He lets me go through!
His longsuffering and patience with me has been used by The Lord to teach me good lessons He has wanted me to learn for a good while! Thanks be to God! His patient Love for me will continue forever! Hallelujah!!
Persevering? Is He the only One persevering? Or will I persevere, ... for the glory that is due to His Blessed Name? Baruch haShem Adonai Elohenu! Baruch ha Shem Adonai Yeshua, Melech ha Olam! (Blessed be The Name of The Lord God! Blessed be The Name of The Lord Jesus, King eternal, The King of the universe!)
The Lord is Mighty, indeed!
I will persevere! He is re-making me into the image of His Dear Son! He cannot fail!
(see Romans 8:29)
Colossians 1:12-23a is a blessed passage that God has used to help me get through some trying times, while He's teaching me perseverance.
Ephesians 1:5 and Galatians 4:4-7 shares that we are sons (children) of God, also, by adoption. Hallelujah! What a great reason to persevere! (for Him only!)
http://www.sarahjoyalbrecht.com/2010/01/20/january-giveaway-learning-perseverance-from-making-tamagoyaki/comment-page-1/#comment-3349
The Lord has been teaching me perseverance in many ways. He has allowed our family to be pruned by Him, for good and for God's glory (I trust; whether or not we give glory to God depends on whether or not we choose to show an attitude, and actions, of submission to our Lord's and Redeemer's Will). He has richly and generously blessed us. His riches are not of this world. They last into eternity. Souls last. His riches include wisdom, spiritual understanding, and the knowledge of His Will, and the knowledge of "The Holy."
The Lord has allowed us the opportunities He knows He can enable us to endure and overcome, by challenging situations that most would call "impossible." He likes to show Himself strong on our behalf. So, though I see my response to these "opportunities" as perseverance, He wants me to learn, by them, to trust Him more than my mind may understand how He can deliver me (or us) out of them.
We have had to change some priorities in our lives and, yet, have been learning, for quite a long time, that life is about serving others, and by that, serving The Lord. I was not born to "enjoy" life on earth. It is a journey of mine, as a stranger on earth, ... on The Lord's Way (for me) to Heaven, my true Home. Hallelujah!
We have chosen to walk the narrow-er road some call ministry. Our Lord, Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ), lived a life of serving others, ... teaching, healing, helping, delivering, encouraging, inspiring, leading, ... then, being rejected, despised, hated, ignored, ... then, suffering (horribly; He was innocent!) and a shameful death on a Roman execution stake (for "my" sins!!!! He had nothing worthy of death. I had! He took my sins upon Himself, and took the punishment I deserved!), ... then, He rose again to new life in His spiritual Body. So, I'd suppose that what we do (as a family) could be called following, or serving-while-training. We are learning how to live as our Lord lived. He did without some things, yet was rich in so many ways that could not be counted with a thousand fingers!
We do not depend on corporations, any longer, to provide a way for bills to be paid. A believer, who loves us, ... helps us with that. Praise The Lord! Persevering in serving is a lesson I'm learning. If I get my focus off of the serving part, I begin to wonder about some things that God has not commanded me to wonder about. He wants me to trust Him above all!
We have no regular financial support for a teaching ministry we began, over 3 years ago. God has provided a means of support, but I believe God wants us to continue seeking His Will for how He wants His Name glorified through the provision He'd like to bring forth. ;o)
If we're doing God's work in God's way, as Hudson Taylor said, a good while back, it will not lack God's provision. (my wording)
God wants us to continue doing the work He has put before us to do. He continues to give us ideas for many things, some of which He will bring to fruition, if those will bring glory to Him, by drawing others to His Son, Yeshua (Jesus).
That might include serving local folks through a food pantry we've been asked to take charge of. It might include ministering to older folks whose health is not as good as they wish it was.
It might include ministering to folks whose lives have been forever altered, through no fault of their own.
It might include encouraging other believers through singing music, in harmony, without musical accompaniment, as a group of 7 (or 8), ... and we know that if the sound uplifts the hearers, it could only have been accomplished by God Himself, the Master Maker and Glorifier of all music.
(I mean, music was first designed by God, Elohim! He made it to be used to glorify Him and praise His Name! Music that does not do that is worthless.)
Whether we get paid a regular income, or not, for what we do, each day or week, is more important to God, my Father, than it is to us. He is more concerned and busy about us having "enough" than we are! It is His responsibility to provide for His children, so ... I need not worry or fret. (though I forget and do that, at times)
Persevering, while living this way, can be a challenge. My emotions can take turns in the wrong direction. (!) But God's Word, that He has stored in my "heart," steps in and replaces my wrong thoughts, and brings me up out of the low place that the enemy of my soul would like to hold me. Satan cannot hold me. I am The Lord's! He says I am His child! He loves me with an everlasting Love and no power anywhere can overcome His Love for me! (Nothing can separate me from The Love of God, which is in Messiah Yeshua, my Lord! -- from Romans 8:35-39)
God's help, hope, peace and provision never ends!! He supports us as we choose to do what pleases Him! He has unlimited resources! He uses other believers who befriend us and relatives who show their care and love for us in many ways. The Lord has upheld us through many times of "my wondering...." God, alone, has enabled us to continue! He is faithful to remember. We are learning He alone can sustain us. We are still looking for ways to support a ministry such as ours. Doing this on a human level can be quite a challenge! We choose to focus on the serving part, rather than on the support-seeking part. That way, we're not thinking with our fleshly minds, trying to figure out "how to get money to do the next step," but working with our hands and hearts, as we believe God wants us to do. We're trying to live by faith.
Our Father in Heaven has done miracles! He has brought new, Godly friends to help us along, encouraging and praying for us so kindly and faithfully! He has shown us ways to stretch our food provisions as we never had to, before. But this has been good! Now, we can help others to do the same thing. God wanted to improve our health and used what I called "a lack" to do some good work in that direction. ;o) He also helped me learn to be more grateful to Him, for whatever He lets us use or have, to eat and otherwise.
When I wondered how we would get through the coming week or month, in a way that I believed would glorify The Lord's Name, God would come through in a way I had not thought of!
When I was not trusting Him for all things (temporarily) and was letting my emotions get the best of me, He was right there to comfort, and then renew me with His Word, and by His Spirit bringing to my mind verses He had enabled me to store in my mind / heart. He gave me lots of hugs! I need lots of hugs!!
When I was ungrateful for what He was allowing to occur, He reassured me that He still loved me and wanted me to remember that He would bless me as I submitted my will and thoughts to His, and that He would restore what the enemy was trying to destroy.
When I did not keep my focus on Him, and what He had shown me through multiplied evidences of His protection, His care, His deliverance, His healing, His blessings and His provision, He brought my spiritual eyes back to see things from His perspective! How humbling!!
Though we are still unemployed (from the world's perspective), He has enabled me to overlook that, as often as possible, and to look forward to the many ministry duties (to help our pastor) He has us doing, each week, throughout this long period of time, ... while He provides just enough to get us to places where we are sharing His Love, in action. He is faithful! Will I choose to be faithful, also?
We have seen Him provide what's needed to reach out to others who are in situations they also cannot change, medically, physically, financially, and ... He is persevering in showing me mercy, lovingkindness, patience and His faithfulness.
What can I do but thank Him? ... and persevere through the things He allows to happen.
They're all lessons to prepare me for further service! I've seen Him do things that show me I need only "ask" or "cry out to God" for what is (truly) needed. He *does* answer!
And He begins bringing the answer to our "cries" immediately, as we pray. The manifestation of answers to my prayers may take awhile. But He has to send forth His angels to do the battling in the heavenlies, before I see the results, on earth. (see Daniel 10: 9-21)
Praise The Lord, He has done this for me! And I know He is doing it for so many believers, who are crying out to The Lord for deliverance, help and healing! He did it for our childrens' granddad, their aunt and their other aunt! (and more)
His mercy endures all that I've put Him through!
I can let Him enable me to endure all that He will use for His glory, that He lets me go through!
His longsuffering and patience with me has been used by The Lord to teach me good lessons He has wanted me to learn for a good while! Thanks be to God! His patient Love for me will continue forever! Hallelujah!!
Persevering? Is He the only One persevering? Or will I persevere, ... for the glory that is due to His Blessed Name? Baruch haShem Adonai Elohenu! Baruch ha Shem Adonai Yeshua, Melech ha Olam! (Blessed be The Name of The Lord God! Blessed be The Name of The Lord Jesus, King eternal, The King of the universe!)
The Lord is Mighty, indeed!
I will persevere! He is re-making me into the image of His Dear Son! He cannot fail!
(see Romans 8:29)
Colossians 1:12-23a is a blessed passage that God has used to help me get through some trying times, while He's teaching me perseverance.
Ephesians 1:5 and Galatians 4:4-7 shares that we are sons (children) of God, also, by adoption. Hallelujah! What a great reason to persevere! (for Him only!)
from the heart (my "right" heart, my renewed mind, my humbled soul)
The Lord has really been "working" on my heart! -- By the word "heart," I am referring to my "right" heart (my terminology, again), that He has renewed and is delivering, daily, from its old ways of thinking (my soul: which includes my mind, my will and my emotions). Realizing my terminology contains errors, if you're still with me, you may read on at your own risk. (Maybe, Noah Webster would not have appreciated a dictionary I might have put together, had I lived, as he did, in the 1700 to 1800s -- 1758 - 1843; he worked as an educator, who had studied law at Yale University, first. And he is known also as America's first lexicographer, as well as a journalist, textbook author and spelling reformer. Do you know what was the year in which Mr. Webster published his first dictionary of the English language? I didn't. But you can do an online search and learn this!)
To explain a bit, ... using the word "heart" to mean, in my case, more than just what motivates me to accomplish a task or speak a thought, ... I would say my use of this word would include the concepts of the believer's mind. I'd consider my will to be my "choose-r." And I'd consider my emotions to be my feelings, my impulses, my passions, my affections, ... though I'd consider my attitude to come from my spirit, but it being affected by my heart and what it is motivated to "compel" me to do.
If you're still with me, let's move on to the next thought from my "heart." My "right" heart, motivating me to learn more, and grow closer, to my Lord I love and am drawn toward, to obey and serve Him, ... urges me to focus, as I begin my day, to praise Him, in both song and prayer. It also urges me to think thoughts that are about things which are "true, ... honest, ... just, ... pure, ... lovely, ... of good report," and which are virtuous and worthy of praise. (taken from Philippians 4:8) Right away, as my day begins, I become aware that wrong thoughts and wrong motives try to sidetrack me from reaching God's best for the day. As soon as I am aware of those derailing engines, as God has taught me to do, I'm (learning to be) choosing to speak a verse that my Lord brings to my mind, to resist the wrong thought and replace it with a thought that pleases my Lord. It works! Hallelujah! (spoken with an enthusiastic shout!)
As God works on my "heart," He keeps tugging at the part of my heart that still wants to motivate me to worry, or become anxious, regarding meeting the demands of a world system of thinking that proposes that women are the ones who tend to worry, or get upset, or anxious, ... or fearful. But as a true believer in my Lord, Who made heaven and earth, and controls and maintains all things in His creation (which includes the entire universe and all that is required to keep it going, enable the wind to blow properly, the rocks to hold together and not suddenly burst apart, and continues to provide water to come from springs under the ground layers, and ... provide water that flows down brooks, into streams, from creeks, into rivers, and then into larger rivers, and then, in the ocean. Do we run out of water? No! He renews it, and brings it forth, again, so that those He loves will have access to water they need to water crops, give to their children, and give to their animals, besides its other, many uses), ... as a believer, ... my Father in Heaven has given me all (I need) to live for Him, with Him and "in" Him.
Ephesians 1:3 shares this: "Blessed be The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Yeshua the Messiah), Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Heavenly places in Christ (Messiah):"
(verse 4) "According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in Love:"
II Peter 1:3 shares this: "According as His Divine Power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto Life and Godliness, through the Knowledge of Him that hath called us to Glory and Virtue:"
Though there are many good verses related to us noticing things like worry, anxiety or fear trying to "creep in" to our thoughts, or attitudes, each day, I'm citing these for now.
What I may be tempted to overlook, in those is this: The verse, just before Ephesians 1:3 and II Peter 1:3 shares this -- (Ephesians 1:2) "Grace be to you, and Peace, from God our Father, and from The Lord Jesus Christ." (Yeshua the Messiah) -- (II Peter 1:2) "Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you through The Knowledge of God, and of Jesus (Yeshua) our Lord."
What blessedness, to read these verses, altogether!
I don't mean I always skip through the Bible, not usually reading verses "in order." But if we read Eph. 1:3 or II Peter 1:3 without first reading the "verse 2's," we've missed the Power God is ready to give us, each moment of each day, if only we will submit our "hearts" to His Holy Spirit's leading and promptings. He is ever with us! He "is" Emmanuel! He promised to ever remain with us, to enable us and help us "not" to worry, become anxious or fearful.
II Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of Power (dunamis), and of Love (agape), and of a sound mind." ("mind," here, in the Greek, means discipline, self-control)
Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yes, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with The Right Hand of My Righteousness."
The verse just before this shares: "Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art My servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away."
(also, please read & pray, asking God to bless you with what is in Ephesians 3:16 and any verses around that one!)
Seeing that verses we seem to remember are preceded by verses that remind us of more thoughts God thinks toward us (as He mentions in Psalm 139) for our good, He seems to be reminding us that we need not worry, or wonder what next week, or next year, might bring. We need only to rest in Him. (it's a great study to read through the verses, in God's Word, that contain the word rest, when used in regard to people needing to rest in God, our El Shaddai).
He may be putting those preceding verses there to remind us He has chosen us and called us to be His, because of His Love for us, ....
Or He might have put those preceding verses there to remind us He has gone before us, to make the way He is asking us to walk in, or travel along. Since He has "made the way" for us to "walk in," He surely has worked out things so that our "walk," along that pathway, be filled with an attitude, a "heart," resting (as fully as we are able, by receiving His enablement, that I call "grace") in The One Who loves us more than we truly understand.
If He truly has not given us a spirit of fear, ... then do we realize why we are "feeling" fearful? (at times) Have we let ourselves, in the thinking we've allowed ourselves to embrace, or to ponder for awhile, slip into a trap that the enemy of our souls (satan) set for us to fall into? Have we let ourselves choose "not" to receive what God has been holding out toward us, in His Gentle, Loving Hand? It's His Grace and Peace.
Have I begun my day without stopping to thank The One Who made me and to Whom I belong for His Grace and Peace I'm receiving, at that moment, ... simply because He has offered it to me, to help me to get through that day's responsibilities (duties) ... which will include challenges, mess-ups, interruptions, distractions, and struggles? Have I "heard" His Voice? (as I begin my day)
Have I remembered that He is not the one who is trying to get me to think anxious thoughts? or to worry? My Lord has given me His rest! I must simply accept it! He smiles, I imagine, whenever I just reach forth the hands of my heart toward His open Hands, to receive the Grace and Peace He is ready to give to me.
He rejoices! (when we obey and receive the blessings and the help He offers us, each moment)
I leave you with these two verses that are separated by at least one chapter, but they have blessed me, and do seem to have a strong connection in the ideas they share:
Isaiah 30:15 "For thus saith The Lord God, The Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength:...."
Isaiah 32:17 "And the work of Righteousness shall be Peace, and the effect of Righteousness quietness and assurance for ever."
The Joy of The Lord truly "can be" our strength. (from Nehemiah 8:10c) But will we allow it to be? My "will" is my "choose-r." "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is Mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with Joy; He will rest in His Love, He will Joy over thee with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)
I close this post with this truth that also inspires me and brings me back to the thinking my Lord wants me to think like: Isaiah 26:3-4 "Thou (O Lord) wilt keep him in perfect Peace, whose mind is stayed (focused) on Thee : because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in The Lord for ever: for in The Lord JEHOVAH (YHVH) is everlasting Strength:"
(by the way, please also read through the verses just before and just after these two!)
;o)
hee hee!
Let's rejoice in our Lord, to Whom nothing gets in the way, nor upsets Him in a way of causing Him to become anxious or worried, ... nor slows Him down from reaching His goals, nor makes Him wonder if He will be able to help us when we seem to be in an impossible situation, on earth.
If He is The One Who is re-making us in the image of His dear Son, then we are becoming more and more confident (in Him alone), "keeping a quiet heart," instead of a worried one, and trusting (in Him) more, and less and less in ourselves or anyone else on earth.
He is able! He can deliver you! (from anything evil) Evil cannot touch you. (your truest self -- your spirit where God's Holy Spirit indwells your spirit; it is not the same as your soul, in my understanding) (from I John 5:18)
He has all power in heaven and in earth! Nothing is too hard for Him. (Jeremiah 32: 17, 27) He holds all things together, and in Him all things consist. (from Colossians 1:16-17) Since this is true, He is able to alter any circumstance, if it will bring glory to His Holy Name. If He chooses not to do what we think or hope He will do, then He has a greater reason and a higher purpose for that suffering, or that delay, or that lack of something we thought we had to have, .... He knows.
He is listening to our cries! He is hearing our yearnings! He's been teaching me that He works when I can't see "that" with my human eyes, on bringing about the good He has intended, from the beginning, to use to bless His children, to deliver them from evil, to accomplish the salvation of all those who He knows will "love" Him back, willingly, and to heal those whose healing will bring Him glory and praise.
He has given us all the reasons we need to fully trust Him. He has proved Himself to be trustworthy.
Then, why don't I trust Him at all times? Have I received His Grace and Peace, today?
He offered them to me. (ouch!)
My Lord, and Redeemer, thank You for offering me your gifts, your blessings, your enabling power and your Loving Might! Help me, today, to receive all that You are giving me, freely! Show me what I have, in my soul, in my thoughts, in my motives, that is blocking me off from receiving Your Grace and Peace, my Father in Heaven! Thank You for hearing my prayer! You are awesome and generous! Help me keep my mind on Your Truth! Hallelujah! In Yeshua's Mighty Name. Amen.
To explain a bit, ... using the word "heart" to mean, in my case, more than just what motivates me to accomplish a task or speak a thought, ... I would say my use of this word would include the concepts of the believer's mind. I'd consider my will to be my "choose-r." And I'd consider my emotions to be my feelings, my impulses, my passions, my affections, ... though I'd consider my attitude to come from my spirit, but it being affected by my heart and what it is motivated to "compel" me to do.
If you're still with me, let's move on to the next thought from my "heart." My "right" heart, motivating me to learn more, and grow closer, to my Lord I love and am drawn toward, to obey and serve Him, ... urges me to focus, as I begin my day, to praise Him, in both song and prayer. It also urges me to think thoughts that are about things which are "true, ... honest, ... just, ... pure, ... lovely, ... of good report," and which are virtuous and worthy of praise. (taken from Philippians 4:8) Right away, as my day begins, I become aware that wrong thoughts and wrong motives try to sidetrack me from reaching God's best for the day. As soon as I am aware of those derailing engines, as God has taught me to do, I'm (learning to be) choosing to speak a verse that my Lord brings to my mind, to resist the wrong thought and replace it with a thought that pleases my Lord. It works! Hallelujah! (spoken with an enthusiastic shout!)
As God works on my "heart," He keeps tugging at the part of my heart that still wants to motivate me to worry, or become anxious, regarding meeting the demands of a world system of thinking that proposes that women are the ones who tend to worry, or get upset, or anxious, ... or fearful. But as a true believer in my Lord, Who made heaven and earth, and controls and maintains all things in His creation (which includes the entire universe and all that is required to keep it going, enable the wind to blow properly, the rocks to hold together and not suddenly burst apart, and continues to provide water to come from springs under the ground layers, and ... provide water that flows down brooks, into streams, from creeks, into rivers, and then into larger rivers, and then, in the ocean. Do we run out of water? No! He renews it, and brings it forth, again, so that those He loves will have access to water they need to water crops, give to their children, and give to their animals, besides its other, many uses), ... as a believer, ... my Father in Heaven has given me all (I need) to live for Him, with Him and "in" Him.
Ephesians 1:3 shares this: "Blessed be The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Yeshua the Messiah), Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Heavenly places in Christ (Messiah):"
(verse 4) "According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in Love:"
II Peter 1:3 shares this: "According as His Divine Power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto Life and Godliness, through the Knowledge of Him that hath called us to Glory and Virtue:"
Though there are many good verses related to us noticing things like worry, anxiety or fear trying to "creep in" to our thoughts, or attitudes, each day, I'm citing these for now.
What I may be tempted to overlook, in those is this: The verse, just before Ephesians 1:3 and II Peter 1:3 shares this -- (Ephesians 1:2) "Grace be to you, and Peace, from God our Father, and from The Lord Jesus Christ." (Yeshua the Messiah) -- (II Peter 1:2) "Grace and Peace be multiplied unto you through The Knowledge of God, and of Jesus (Yeshua) our Lord."
What blessedness, to read these verses, altogether!
I don't mean I always skip through the Bible, not usually reading verses "in order." But if we read Eph. 1:3 or II Peter 1:3 without first reading the "verse 2's," we've missed the Power God is ready to give us, each moment of each day, if only we will submit our "hearts" to His Holy Spirit's leading and promptings. He is ever with us! He "is" Emmanuel! He promised to ever remain with us, to enable us and help us "not" to worry, become anxious or fearful.
II Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of Power (dunamis), and of Love (agape), and of a sound mind." ("mind," here, in the Greek, means discipline, self-control)
Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yes, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with The Right Hand of My Righteousness."
The verse just before this shares: "Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art My servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away."
(also, please read & pray, asking God to bless you with what is in Ephesians 3:16 and any verses around that one!)
Seeing that verses we seem to remember are preceded by verses that remind us of more thoughts God thinks toward us (as He mentions in Psalm 139) for our good, He seems to be reminding us that we need not worry, or wonder what next week, or next year, might bring. We need only to rest in Him. (it's a great study to read through the verses, in God's Word, that contain the word rest, when used in regard to people needing to rest in God, our El Shaddai).
He may be putting those preceding verses there to remind us He has chosen us and called us to be His, because of His Love for us, ....
Or He might have put those preceding verses there to remind us He has gone before us, to make the way He is asking us to walk in, or travel along. Since He has "made the way" for us to "walk in," He surely has worked out things so that our "walk," along that pathway, be filled with an attitude, a "heart," resting (as fully as we are able, by receiving His enablement, that I call "grace") in The One Who loves us more than we truly understand.
If He truly has not given us a spirit of fear, ... then do we realize why we are "feeling" fearful? (at times) Have we let ourselves, in the thinking we've allowed ourselves to embrace, or to ponder for awhile, slip into a trap that the enemy of our souls (satan) set for us to fall into? Have we let ourselves choose "not" to receive what God has been holding out toward us, in His Gentle, Loving Hand? It's His Grace and Peace.
Have I begun my day without stopping to thank The One Who made me and to Whom I belong for His Grace and Peace I'm receiving, at that moment, ... simply because He has offered it to me, to help me to get through that day's responsibilities (duties) ... which will include challenges, mess-ups, interruptions, distractions, and struggles? Have I "heard" His Voice? (as I begin my day)
Have I remembered that He is not the one who is trying to get me to think anxious thoughts? or to worry? My Lord has given me His rest! I must simply accept it! He smiles, I imagine, whenever I just reach forth the hands of my heart toward His open Hands, to receive the Grace and Peace He is ready to give to me.
He rejoices! (when we obey and receive the blessings and the help He offers us, each moment)
I leave you with these two verses that are separated by at least one chapter, but they have blessed me, and do seem to have a strong connection in the ideas they share:
Isaiah 30:15 "For thus saith The Lord God, The Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength:...."
Isaiah 32:17 "And the work of Righteousness shall be Peace, and the effect of Righteousness quietness and assurance for ever."
The Joy of The Lord truly "can be" our strength. (from Nehemiah 8:10c) But will we allow it to be? My "will" is my "choose-r." "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is Mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with Joy; He will rest in His Love, He will Joy over thee with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)
I close this post with this truth that also inspires me and brings me back to the thinking my Lord wants me to think like: Isaiah 26:3-4 "Thou (O Lord) wilt keep him in perfect Peace, whose mind is stayed (focused) on Thee : because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in The Lord for ever: for in The Lord JEHOVAH (YHVH) is everlasting Strength:"
(by the way, please also read through the verses just before and just after these two!)
;o)
hee hee!
Let's rejoice in our Lord, to Whom nothing gets in the way, nor upsets Him in a way of causing Him to become anxious or worried, ... nor slows Him down from reaching His goals, nor makes Him wonder if He will be able to help us when we seem to be in an impossible situation, on earth.
If He is The One Who is re-making us in the image of His dear Son, then we are becoming more and more confident (in Him alone), "keeping a quiet heart," instead of a worried one, and trusting (in Him) more, and less and less in ourselves or anyone else on earth.
He is able! He can deliver you! (from anything evil) Evil cannot touch you. (your truest self -- your spirit where God's Holy Spirit indwells your spirit; it is not the same as your soul, in my understanding) (from I John 5:18)
He has all power in heaven and in earth! Nothing is too hard for Him. (Jeremiah 32: 17, 27) He holds all things together, and in Him all things consist. (from Colossians 1:16-17) Since this is true, He is able to alter any circumstance, if it will bring glory to His Holy Name. If He chooses not to do what we think or hope He will do, then He has a greater reason and a higher purpose for that suffering, or that delay, or that lack of something we thought we had to have, .... He knows.
He is listening to our cries! He is hearing our yearnings! He's been teaching me that He works when I can't see "that" with my human eyes, on bringing about the good He has intended, from the beginning, to use to bless His children, to deliver them from evil, to accomplish the salvation of all those who He knows will "love" Him back, willingly, and to heal those whose healing will bring Him glory and praise.
He has given us all the reasons we need to fully trust Him. He has proved Himself to be trustworthy.
Then, why don't I trust Him at all times? Have I received His Grace and Peace, today?
He offered them to me. (ouch!)
My Lord, and Redeemer, thank You for offering me your gifts, your blessings, your enabling power and your Loving Might! Help me, today, to receive all that You are giving me, freely! Show me what I have, in my soul, in my thoughts, in my motives, that is blocking me off from receiving Your Grace and Peace, my Father in Heaven! Thank You for hearing my prayer! You are awesome and generous! Help me keep my mind on Your Truth! Hallelujah! In Yeshua's Mighty Name. Amen.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
websites you will like (to help you)
Below is a list of websites I trust will bless you or someone in your family, in some way.
I cannot say I fully endorse all that is on these websites. (That's true of any website I share a link to.) But some of these have really blessed me!
And I know the young man who "owns" the business on one of these sites.
One endorsement: I highly recommend Salem Ridge Press!
Some of these websites have been shared with me by another home-educating mom, or on another website I was on. What a blessing when folks "network" and share about websites of others they learn about!
Others have been found as a result of someone speaking at a special event, like a homeschool bookfair.
Hope some site in this list will be "new" to you, so you can find another helpful resource you did not know about, before. To me, that's a special blessing.
___________________________________________
http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/gettingorganized/planner.php#monthly
This link takes you to only one page on a good website. I like this page, among others here, because it has planning pages on it, ... showing the entire month at one glance. ;o)
http://specialneedshomeschooling.com/?page_id=161
This is a website for homeschoolers who have children with special needs.
http://www.freechristianaudiobooks.com/
This has Christian audio recordings of such men as Andrew Murray and Charles Spurgeon, among others. What a blessing this site is!
http://www.homeschool.com/articles/top100-2009/default.asp
This is a link to only one page on a great website! This page shares the top 100 websites for 2009.
http://www.salemridgepress.com/index.html
This site offers some great books that you, or your children, can read and enjoy!
http://www.backtothebible.org/index.php/Table/Gateway-to-Joy/
Elisabeth Elliot (Gren)'s "old" radio program -- transcripts only, I think -- called Gateway to Joy. This is a real gem! Am thankful this ministry has saved these archives from Mrs. Elliot Gren's former radio program. Our family was so blessed, when we used to get to hear her share lessons God had taught her, as well as special stories around holiday times like December (birth of Yeshua / Jesus) and March-April (Crucifixion / Resurrection).
http://creation.com/
Look for "the Homeschool Corner" on the main page of this website
This website is filled with wonderful, educational material! Please check this out!
http://www.jonesgeniuses.com/
We know the man whose site this is. He has figured out some wonderful things to help parents help their children learn much in a short time!
http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/
This site shares recipes & their ideas about putting together a mix to make bread dough, and then putting it into the refrigerator, and taking some of it, each day, to bake some bread that's tasty and healthy, too.
________________________________
I cannot say I fully endorse all that is on these websites. (That's true of any website I share a link to.) But some of these have really blessed me!
And I know the young man who "owns" the business on one of these sites.
One endorsement: I highly recommend Salem Ridge Press!
Some of these websites have been shared with me by another home-educating mom, or on another website I was on. What a blessing when folks "network" and share about websites of others they learn about!
Others have been found as a result of someone speaking at a special event, like a homeschool bookfair.
Hope some site in this list will be "new" to you, so you can find another helpful resource you did not know about, before. To me, that's a special blessing.
___________________________________________
http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/gettingorganized/planner.php#monthly
This link takes you to only one page on a good website. I like this page, among others here, because it has planning pages on it, ... showing the entire month at one glance. ;o)
http://specialneedshomeschooling.com/?page_id=161
This is a website for homeschoolers who have children with special needs.
http://www.freechristianaudiobooks.com/
This has Christian audio recordings of such men as Andrew Murray and Charles Spurgeon, among others. What a blessing this site is!
http://www.homeschool.com/articles/top100-2009/default.asp
This is a link to only one page on a great website! This page shares the top 100 websites for 2009.
http://www.salemridgepress.com/index.html
This site offers some great books that you, or your children, can read and enjoy!
http://www.backtothebible.org/index.php/Table/Gateway-to-Joy/
Elisabeth Elliot (Gren)'s "old" radio program -- transcripts only, I think -- called Gateway to Joy. This is a real gem! Am thankful this ministry has saved these archives from Mrs. Elliot Gren's former radio program. Our family was so blessed, when we used to get to hear her share lessons God had taught her, as well as special stories around holiday times like December (birth of Yeshua / Jesus) and March-April (Crucifixion / Resurrection).
http://creation.com/
Look for "the Homeschool Corner" on the main page of this website
This website is filled with wonderful, educational material! Please check this out!
http://www.jonesgeniuses.com/
We know the man whose site this is. He has figured out some wonderful things to help parents help their children learn much in a short time!
http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/
This site shares recipes & their ideas about putting together a mix to make bread dough, and then putting it into the refrigerator, and taking some of it, each day, to bake some bread that's tasty and healthy, too.
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Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Website Links You can Look at & Listen to
Elisabeth Elliot's former radio program messages (to read; these are typed transcripts): her radio program was called Gateway to Joy. These great messages are available on Back to The Bible's website:
http://www.backtothebible.org/index.php/Table/Gateway-to-Joy/
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Kevin Swanson: articles shared from his radio program:
http://generationswithvision.com/resources.aspx?p=articles
__________________________
about "surviving, teaching & appreciating boys" --
http://www.raisingrealmen.com/
__________________________
Professor Carol's website podcasts, on which she (an SMU university Music History Professor) shares about instruments and musical compositions, plus more: (very interesting!)
http://www.professorcarol.com/podcast/
__________________________
http://www.backtothebible.org/index.php/Table/Gateway-to-Joy/
__________________________
Kevin Swanson: articles shared from his radio program:
http://generationswithvision.com/resources.aspx?p=articles
__________________________
about "surviving, teaching & appreciating boys" --
http://www.raisingrealmen.com/
__________________________
Professor Carol's website podcasts, on which she (an SMU university Music History Professor) shares about instruments and musical compositions, plus more: (very interesting!)
http://www.professorcarol.com/podcast/
__________________________
Saturday, December 26, 2009
a note about the season
I must share something from my heart, below. Am not "a writer," so please bear with me. This is not intended to be offensive, or to be taken wrongly, by anyone who misunderstands my intentions or my heart. Will trust that anyone who reads this will read it with an attitude of a believer in The Lord, and with good, spiritual discernment and understanding "in" The Lord.
Though I do not personally believe ( personal conviction ) that our Dear Lord Yeshua (Jesus), the Messiah (the Anointed One; Christ), was born during a time of year when the shepherds, in the hills around Bethlehem, could have endured the very cold winds and more harsh weather conditions, late in a month such as December, ... I do hope you all had a very joy-filled time, with your families (together again, during your special holiday time), enjoying doing things together as a family, as you remember that God, our Loving Father, thought of all that was needed, and planned far ahead, and made everything happen just as it needed to happen, ... down to the details (which I, if I had tried to arrange it all) would have "royally" messed up, ...
... to bring His willing, obedient, and servant-hearted Son, Yeshua (Jesus), to earth, conceived by power of The Holy Spirit, the seed of YHVH God, to be born of a virgin, born in humility and poverty, in a town whose name brings to mind "house of bread" and also, using the other way to pronounce "-lehem," as "la Chaim," it could even refer to Him as our "Life," as we know Him to be, in truth. He was welcomed with the heavenly host, a multitude of angels, and also by poor shepherds, but not in late December!
Though, to me, Yeshua, my Lord & Redeemer, was born closer to the end of September, or early October (on "our" calendar), according to the time of John The Baptist's time of conception and birth, as told in the Bible, ... we "can" celebrate that our Loving Father in Heaven loved us so very, very much (more than we know, or fully understand), that He made the way for His Son's Birth to occur, arranging everything perfectly, fulfilling all the prophecies perfectly.
... He brought His Son, to earth, to live as Emmanuel, "God with us," so we could see that God did, indeed, choose, freely, to "tabernacle with us," as Emmanuel, as Yeshua. Amazing! He came to die for our sins, and for the sins of all people who would believe in and trust in Him, as God's only-begotten Son, and our Deliverer, and kinsman Redeemer.
Though to me it does sadden me to know that so many, in America (as I have, myself, also, for most of my life), have been deceived into thinking that near the end of December our Lord could have been born and would not have frozen to death, in an open stable, or even in a more closed-in cave of some sort, being used as a stable, ... outside of, or near to, or on the edge of, Bethlehem, in Judaea, ...
... I "do" know that so many who love The Lord Yeshua (Jesus) dearly, and have trusted Him as Lord & Redeemer, "do" wish to celebrate His Birth, because we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory in Him, because He has bought for us (who believe) eternal Life!
Yet, I must share that I have, bit by bit, come to know this information, about our Lord's actual time of Birth not being even possible near the end of December. But more serious than that is the utter deception so many of us (Americans) have "fallen for," out of lack of knowledge, which is so very changed from what the Puritans, and most likely, the Pilgrims, knew. The Puritans knew that they must, to be true to our Lord, welcome our Hebrew roots, and that we must not mix paganistic or "traditional" (as we'd call them) ways of celebrating the first coming to earth of Emmanuel.. with The Truth. We must be true to our Lord, Who is Truth! At least, for me, now this is an even stronger conviction than it was during the past several years of my life!
So, if anyone wants to learn more about this, I will try to find some online sources for others to read about ways we can celebrate the coming of Emmanuel. And, after I've done more research on this topic, I will try to share here what I find. Did not realize (before) the Puritans rejected the celebrations of birthdays and of our Lord's birth (especially as it was being done, in their era, in late December, to replace a pagan festival known as Saturnalia; many symbols we Americans think are "Christian" or are "okay" to include in our family's celebrations of our Lord's Birth, are also pagan in their roots, and I was revolted and repelled by learning more about this recently). I guess that shows how little I know or have been taught while in "government schools," many years ago. hmm.... Wonder if "they" did not want me to know about this. But ... now I do. And for me, this is important (to know). I'd like to explore this topic more. So, I will....
That is one reason I am writing this: sometimes, we get to a point in each of our lifetimes, when we just see we need to change something, and tell others about our new-found "discovery." For me, this is one of those times.
*And I just trust you will not be offended by my sharing this here, with you all.*
I care very much about you all, who come here to read something helpful, who are looking for encouragement, and for helpful website recommendations, or for information on home educational materials we've found to be useful and good for our family.
I care very much about those of you who come hoping to find advice or help on some topic you seek information on, and hope that I will share what wisdom I have learned from others, and especially from God our Father in Heaven!
And I don't want anyone else to miss out on knowing something that might prevent them from doing something they'd regret, later. So, am sharing this, now, for that reason.
Am not young any more. Am over 50. This time in my life, with the world looking to be so much closer than it ever was to our Lord's "call" from the clouds for us, to take us to be with Him for ever, ... I want to share what I can to help a younger mom, though am already quite behind at doing that, on some other topics, ....
Will do more research and see what I can find that will better explain what the reasons are that so many, in previous centuries, did not celebrate, in late December (and some never did at all), ... our Lord's Birth. They, instead, rejoiced in and celebrated His Death ... as He said to do ... until He comes.
He *was* born to die, to take away our condemnation and to be the Propitiation for our sins! He willingly did it all for us -- He paid it all !
Thanking God for the Gift of "salvation" in Yeshua (Jesus), by His Grace, ... is our daily joy!
I want to live as if I am as thankful as I can be, ... to Him, ... for the awesome gift of deliverance Yeshua bought for me with His Body & Blood He shed in my place, to deliver me from my deserved punishment, for the redemption He paid to clear me of the sin-debt I owed to God, my Father.
He has put our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. -- from Psalm 103:11-13
Maranatha! Come, Lord Yeshua!
He comes soon for us! Let's rejoice in Him every day!
He has come to be Emmanuel, God with us! What a huge blessing that continues on, for ever!
Hallelujah! Let's praise The Lord, for He is Good, and His Mercy endures for ever!
meant with Love to you all....
Though I do not personally believe ( personal conviction ) that our Dear Lord Yeshua (Jesus), the Messiah (the Anointed One; Christ), was born during a time of year when the shepherds, in the hills around Bethlehem, could have endured the very cold winds and more harsh weather conditions, late in a month such as December, ... I do hope you all had a very joy-filled time, with your families (together again, during your special holiday time), enjoying doing things together as a family, as you remember that God, our Loving Father, thought of all that was needed, and planned far ahead, and made everything happen just as it needed to happen, ... down to the details (which I, if I had tried to arrange it all) would have "royally" messed up, ...
... to bring His willing, obedient, and servant-hearted Son, Yeshua (Jesus), to earth, conceived by power of The Holy Spirit, the seed of YHVH God, to be born of a virgin, born in humility and poverty, in a town whose name brings to mind "house of bread" and also, using the other way to pronounce "-lehem," as "la Chaim," it could even refer to Him as our "Life," as we know Him to be, in truth. He was welcomed with the heavenly host, a multitude of angels, and also by poor shepherds, but not in late December!
Though, to me, Yeshua, my Lord & Redeemer, was born closer to the end of September, or early October (on "our" calendar), according to the time of John The Baptist's time of conception and birth, as told in the Bible, ... we "can" celebrate that our Loving Father in Heaven loved us so very, very much (more than we know, or fully understand), that He made the way for His Son's Birth to occur, arranging everything perfectly, fulfilling all the prophecies perfectly.
... He brought His Son, to earth, to live as Emmanuel, "God with us," so we could see that God did, indeed, choose, freely, to "tabernacle with us," as Emmanuel, as Yeshua. Amazing! He came to die for our sins, and for the sins of all people who would believe in and trust in Him, as God's only-begotten Son, and our Deliverer, and kinsman Redeemer.
Though to me it does sadden me to know that so many, in America (as I have, myself, also, for most of my life), have been deceived into thinking that near the end of December our Lord could have been born and would not have frozen to death, in an open stable, or even in a more closed-in cave of some sort, being used as a stable, ... outside of, or near to, or on the edge of, Bethlehem, in Judaea, ...
... I "do" know that so many who love The Lord Yeshua (Jesus) dearly, and have trusted Him as Lord & Redeemer, "do" wish to celebrate His Birth, because we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory in Him, because He has bought for us (who believe) eternal Life!
Yet, I must share that I have, bit by bit, come to know this information, about our Lord's actual time of Birth not being even possible near the end of December. But more serious than that is the utter deception so many of us (Americans) have "fallen for," out of lack of knowledge, which is so very changed from what the Puritans, and most likely, the Pilgrims, knew. The Puritans knew that they must, to be true to our Lord, welcome our Hebrew roots, and that we must not mix paganistic or "traditional" (as we'd call them) ways of celebrating the first coming to earth of Emmanuel.. with The Truth. We must be true to our Lord, Who is Truth! At least, for me, now this is an even stronger conviction than it was during the past several years of my life!
So, if anyone wants to learn more about this, I will try to find some online sources for others to read about ways we can celebrate the coming of Emmanuel. And, after I've done more research on this topic, I will try to share here what I find. Did not realize (before) the Puritans rejected the celebrations of birthdays and of our Lord's birth (especially as it was being done, in their era, in late December, to replace a pagan festival known as Saturnalia; many symbols we Americans think are "Christian" or are "okay" to include in our family's celebrations of our Lord's Birth, are also pagan in their roots, and I was revolted and repelled by learning more about this recently). I guess that shows how little I know or have been taught while in "government schools," many years ago. hmm.... Wonder if "they" did not want me to know about this. But ... now I do. And for me, this is important (to know). I'd like to explore this topic more. So, I will....
That is one reason I am writing this: sometimes, we get to a point in each of our lifetimes, when we just see we need to change something, and tell others about our new-found "discovery." For me, this is one of those times.
*And I just trust you will not be offended by my sharing this here, with you all.*
I care very much about you all, who come here to read something helpful, who are looking for encouragement, and for helpful website recommendations, or for information on home educational materials we've found to be useful and good for our family.
I care very much about those of you who come hoping to find advice or help on some topic you seek information on, and hope that I will share what wisdom I have learned from others, and especially from God our Father in Heaven!
And I don't want anyone else to miss out on knowing something that might prevent them from doing something they'd regret, later. So, am sharing this, now, for that reason.
Am not young any more. Am over 50. This time in my life, with the world looking to be so much closer than it ever was to our Lord's "call" from the clouds for us, to take us to be with Him for ever, ... I want to share what I can to help a younger mom, though am already quite behind at doing that, on some other topics, ....
Will do more research and see what I can find that will better explain what the reasons are that so many, in previous centuries, did not celebrate, in late December (and some never did at all), ... our Lord's Birth. They, instead, rejoiced in and celebrated His Death ... as He said to do ... until He comes.
He *was* born to die, to take away our condemnation and to be the Propitiation for our sins! He willingly did it all for us -- He paid it all !
Thanking God for the Gift of "salvation" in Yeshua (Jesus), by His Grace, ... is our daily joy!
I want to live as if I am as thankful as I can be, ... to Him, ... for the awesome gift of deliverance Yeshua bought for me with His Body & Blood He shed in my place, to deliver me from my deserved punishment, for the redemption He paid to clear me of the sin-debt I owed to God, my Father.
He has put our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. -- from Psalm 103:11-13
Maranatha! Come, Lord Yeshua!
He comes soon for us! Let's rejoice in Him every day!
He has come to be Emmanuel, God with us! What a huge blessing that continues on, for ever!
Hallelujah! Let's praise The Lord, for He is Good, and His Mercy endures for ever!
meant with Love to you all....
Saturday, December 5, 2009
my thoughts on modesty, part one
Modesty is a topic that includes several areas to explore, in thought.
I am a lady. I see things from a believing female point of view, and was raised by certain parents, in a certain area of this country, & came to believe in The Lord Yeshua as my own Redeemer & Lord, some years ago, through understanding that I was much in need of a Saviour / Deliverer from the penalty I deserved, from The Lord, for my sins and iniquities. So, this is written from what I have learned, so far, in my “walk” (life path) with The Lord, through some side roads I’ve taken, though not knowingly, at the time each ‘turn’ was taken. This is also written from my own personal convictions which I believe God’s Holy Spirit has given me, to apply to my own life.
This is not written to condemn anyone, or to sound as if I know more than most, or many. It is also not written as if I were some authority on this topic. It is merely my understanding, from the level of understanding I am at, now, … on the topic that most (in general) call “modesty.”
Modesty is a matter of the heart. Our hearts motivate us. I would generally refer to ‘the term’ *heart* as my mind. It can refer to other areas of my soul, in some cases, but for this article (which may be written in several portions), I am referring to “the mind” when I used the word “heart.”
Modesty is something most children naturally have. Some demonstrate this in appearing to be somewhat shy, in what they do in public, or among strangers. Some demonstrate it even among their own family members, when they are dressing or … bathing.
Some ways most ladies (and men) demonstrate modesty are seen in:
(1) how they clothe themselves, and
(2) how ladies use “accessories” such as jewelry or make-up, as well as
(3) how they adorn or arrange their hair, including how long it may be worn.
Much of the language I will use will refer mainly to ladies, women. That is because this is my focus, for the sake of this article.
Modesty is something The Lord has been teaching me about over many years. He began when I was around age 5 or 6, when I first became aware that my dresses my mom had sewn for me … as I wore some to the government school I attended, … had to pulled down, to keep them “long enough” to cover my knees while sitting down. The short length of my dresses and skirts or jumpers made it difficult to sit, for long, in a school-desk type chair, without feeling like someone was looking in my direction.
I did not realize it, at the time, but these were (I believe) some of the first signs of God’s Holy Spirit making me aware that how I dress does, indeed, have an effect on others. He was making me aware that I should “do something” about making the whole experience “decent” and "honorable" for both them and me.
While young, I was not the one choosing my clothing. (just so you know)
When I was 11, my mom began letting me learn to sew, a little at a time. Soon, I was able to read a sewing pattern well enough to sew some of my own clothes. It became easier, over a few years’ time, so I sewed a good number of clothes for myself, during that time, being allowed by my mom to choose patterns (styles of clothing I liked), fabrics and colors I liked, at the time.
As I was choosing patterns to use to sew garments to wear, I was becoming aware of what “covered the body” more and what did not. I believe, though am not sure I was aware of all that The Lord wanted me to learn from this process, that He was teaching me, in it, … to choose more modest clothing, as the years progressed.
After I finished high school, and began some college training, I continued to sew garments for myself. Once I had met my future husband, and our parents gave their consent for us to be married the following year, I decided to sew my own wedding dress. That was fun to do. It cost only about $50 for the entire garment! (I really like "a great deal," financially speaking. Am a frugal thinker.) Found out it is not very hard to sew a wedding dress. I had chosen a design I liked very much, and yet, I kept things simple, in how I wanted the final wedding gown to look. So, perhaps others would spend much more in sewing their own wedding dress, nowadays, but I believe I could show a young lady how she could spend much less, and still be happy with what she wanted. But the final decision is hers, as it was mine, over 30 years ago. (by the way, my parents gave me permission to make these choices myself)
After some more years went by, and God, each day, was still faithfully teaching me more and more about dressing more modestly, … the styles of clothing I was wearing began to change, again. I had been raised to think that girls and young ladies wearing “pants” (girls’ style pants, they were called) was okay, even approved. I’d wear dresses, or jumpers, or skirts & blouses to church, or ladies’ style “suits,” with jackets and skirts, plus a blouse, to church, … but we were allowed to wear pants to middle- and high-school, and we might wear shorts in hot weather, in public places, or while riding bicycles on neighborhood streets and public roads (for all to see). Yes, I could hear The Holy Spirit talkin' to me, at times. Did I always listen and make the right response? No. (... I regret to say)
Though a parent may approve of a certain style of clothing as acceptable, or even okay, or good, or “just fine,” that does not mean that our Heavenly Father fully approves of it. My Lord was building within me a different, set-apart understanding of what “modesty” means.
I have left out a lot of details, so (if you want more details, I plan to write more about this topic in a second article, on this blog / journal / newsletter to ladies) please bear with me. Am speaking somewhat in general, just to introduce this topic, of modesty, because I must make you aware of at least some of my background, to help you better understand “some things, from my past,” that had an affect on my thinking, and influenced me, even as The Lord was at work, in my spirit, teaching me about modesty, by His Holy Spirit’s methods.
God is able to use most anything to teach us, His children, what important truths He wants us, each, to know, and live by. He knows how to do it in a way that He blesses and will benefit us, by how He does it. He has been amazingly merciful, loving and patient with me!
In my own life, He used my family, my relatives, school “dress codes,” fashions being promoted during my years of life from age 11 to 18, and the media, as well as my own heart, to let me learn lessons He wanted me to learn. I must say that not all "those" things I have named had a positive effect on me. Not all of those influences in my life led me to do what glorifies God. And that is why I write this. To help someone else, so they will make wise decisions, and not have regrets, later in life. And some would say even my personality profile affected the choices I made, in clothing.
But God is so rich in Mercy, and so Patient in teaching us, … He helped me along, on His Path of Life in a Loving and Gentle way, never pushing me, or fussing at me. Just talkin' with me in my heart and working in my spirit to lead me along to a better "place" of understanding, which has brought me much Peace. Thank You, Lord!
He wanted me to learn to do things in a way that *He* calls modest, as it relates to how a lady clothes / covers her body, both in public and at home! He wanted me to learn it well, so I could pass on the truths He was teaching me to my own daughters, after He let me get married. And He has used the lessons, mistakes, disasters and good examples He provided to guide me, so I would be prepared to help my daughters along, … once they were born. And He has been faithfully continuing to teach me more lessons, since then.
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The link just above here will take you to an “article” I wrote on a blog (not this one; I copied it here, though) I began before this one, for another purpose — it is meant to benefit moms who home educate their children, for The Lord’s purposes. The dates on it may seem a bit odd, but I had copied it from another blog I had shared this article on, … when I chose to delete that other blog. You may wish to read more using this link, on the topic of modesty, before reading any more here.
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If modesty is, indeed, an issue (a matter) of the heart, then each of us, as ladies, must decide what kind of “heart attitude” we want others to “see” when they see us. This includes our own personal family members.
Our decisions will also be somewhat affected by our age, and our weight, and our body “type.” But I am speaking only of the overall issue, topic, of modesty.
If I wish to give others the impression that I am a happy-I-belong-to-Jesus (The Lord Almighty, God’s Son), then I should dress my body in a way that I truly believe He would be pleased to see, with His Pure, Holy Eyes. That’s my personal belief. No one had taught me this, on earth, while I was growing up. I was, however, taught that when we “are getting ready” to go to our family’s congregation we fellowship with, for worship, each week, we should “dress in our best” for The Lord. Maybe that was one lesson along the road my Lord put me on.
If modesty is important enough that parents do discuss it, and dads care about what their daughters "dress like," especially when children are moving from being “little children” to “older children” to being “young adults,” then some moms may, before their children reach that age, wish to learn from other, older moms, some reasons “why” those older moms may dress more modestly than some other, younger moms dress.
This is an important issue. The next generation will be affected by our example leading the young ladies to dress in a way that covers them “more modestly,” or in a way that does not. I was very much affected by all the influences in my life — home life, and standards, friends, “school life,” ladies at churches I attended, and relatives, as well as printed & visual media and images in books I was exposed to, or that I chose to read or look at.
What influences do we want our young girls, our older girls, and our young ladies / young adults to have in their lives, as they grow as believers in The Lord Jesus (Yeshua)?
What kinds of thoughts do we want men, young or old, even boys, to be thinking when they see us, in public, at a fellowship meeting of believers, or at home?
Do we realize how men and boys are affected by how women clothe, and cover, themselves?
Do we have to dress like ladies from another century, or like frumps, to be clothing our bodies modestly?
Do we have to look like we're wearing sacks, or we're fat women, or wear loose clothing that looks too large for us, in order to be dressing in a way that pleases The Lord?
Does it make sense to study the culture in the time of Yeshua, or before that, to get ideas about what God seemed to approve of, among His people Israel, … as far as what we can find, to learn from? Would that mean we should dress like women dressed in Bible times? Or can we find ways to adapt that mode of clothing oneself to our day and time?
Are there ways I can clothe myself modestly, without looking “olde-fashioned?” Do I need to fit in with the culture in which I now live?
What will my husband think? my dad? my brother(s)? my friends? (ladies) my casual acquaintances? (men, if I am single) my pastor? his wife? my neighbors? (yes, they do look at ladies when they are at home and can be seen) other folks who see me in public? my business associates? (if I am in business of some kind)
How should I approach changing how I clothe my body? Can I make changes gradually? Will my family think we have to dress like Laura Ingalls and the ladies / girls in her family dressed, in the late 1800s?
How can I wisely discern the best way for me to clothe myself modestly??!
God does have plenty of answers and wise guidance for us to glean from. Ultimately, each of us must decide how we should clothe ourselves in modest apparel. We will each be held accountable, responsible, for how we did clothe ourselves, when we see Jesus (Yeshua) face to Face. We are wise, now, to learn about ways we can deal with this issue of modesty, so that we can “get on” with our lives, and not be “caught up” in the world’s plan to pull us toward its magnet of “fashion” and “style.”
Fashions change, according to what fashion designers wish to achieve, and according to styles and trends they want to "bring in" or have an affect on. Their designs and styles and trends these influential people develop come from their basic beliefs and values about life, and about God. What they believe will affect the standards they use as they develop clothing designs, that you may later see in clothing stores in the U.S.
If you do not sew, you will be limited to which pre-made clothing is available in stores in your area, or online. It will help you to learn to sew, first of all. That offers you more choices that will be modest, by design (your design). Even if you use a pattern company’s patterns / styles, for sewing your own clothing, you still have much freedom, with some sewing experience, to alter the style so that it is modest, and meets the standards you believe The Lord would have you live by.
For those who do now sew clothing for themselves, take heart. God has provided modest clothing through others who sell it at consignment shops and at thrift stores, as well as through church clothing giveaways, and yard sales. (in the U.S.)
Rest assured: God has your best benefit in mind. He knows you. He knows what you want, and what you like. (in clothing) He also knows what He wants and likes. He will guide you. He won’t take anything good from you. He will offer you more options than you may have imagined, when you began pondering this topic! Just follow Him. You can trust Him. He is the first clothing designer — in the Garden of Eden. He made clothing for Adam and Eve, when that became necessary.
I will continue this in the second part of “my thoughts on modesty.”
a website link you can share with others
Please go to the link I share, below, to view a most wonderful, truthful documentary, expose' about the plans of radical Islamists (though it warns you it has images that are both disturbing and violent, and not appropriate for anyone ... under age 21, according to parents' discretion [my wording]).
http://obsessionthemovie.com/
It is quite long, but over two days' time, I did view it all.
Yes, it is explicit. It has much violence, shouting, hateful (very hateful!) and racist words that are shared by Islamists, who are leaders among their fellow adherents.
However, this is truth we all need to make ourselves aware of, if we have not yet done that. (I am referring to we who know The One, True God YHVH {YHWH; Jehovah; The I AM}, The God of Israel, and The God of Abraham, whose true son was Isaac {Yitzhak}, and not Ishmael (the son of the bondwoman; not the son of promise, as Isaac was).
Please view it alone or with your wife or husband.
But it needs to be passed around to all you know and love.
Americans must make themselves aware of this, not to spread fear; not at all.
But to inform ourselves, so that we can see The Lord may be calling many of us to learn ways to share, to reach, those who now live among us, in our country, but whose beliefs are that "global jihad" is "their goal," and they are working to find ways to kill us (Americans), kill the Israelis (in Israel and wherever else they live), and kill the British (in the UK).
I consider myself a sister, spiritually, to Hebrew & Israeli people, and by God's Grace, am an engrafted child of YHVH God, The I AM, The God of Israel.
I consider myself to be regenerated, a true believer in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ), who was of the tribe of Yehudah (Judah), and was born in Israel, in Bethlehem, the city of David, as the Only-begotten Son of YHVH God, our Father in Heaven, the Maker of the universe and of all people who have ever lived, The One, True God.
I consider allah as the moon god, the false god, the demon spirit, that met with Mohammed (Muhammad), in a cave outside Mecca, many years ago, ... as "an angel of light." We true believers know that that is how satan can appear. We are not deceived by what Islamists say is true. It is false. Islam is a false religion, a lying, hate-filled, propoganda-pushing, dictatorial, oppressive, murdering belief system, that needs its leaders to be filled with the devil's (his name means deceiver; therefore, those who follow him are truly deceived by satan, into believing that what they think is "right to do," is truly right, to the one whom they call god. But it is a lie. Satan is the father of lies.
It is interesting that, once Mohammed (Muhammad) met with that "angel of light" in that "cave," he tried to convince the nearby clan leaders in his area that "his (new) god" was the true god that they should worship. They ran him off, because allah was simply his own tribe's / clan's (false) god. They rejected this false god. They had their own gods, already. And that is what happened, leading to him going about killing, trying to subjugate (which is what the word Islam means -- submission; surrender, in my dictionary) everyone, trying to force them to believe in and submit to his (new) god. He had a lot of folks who rejected his ideas and plans. But, after a while, those who were afraid of him, and his violent ways, ... did (not sincerely, I believe) "submit" themselves to him, only to avoid death. But this is not how to gain followers! (if anyone were to ask me, personally)
Anyway, ... Islam is a lie. The Koran (Qu'ran) teaches its adherents to tell lies, to get what the Islamists want. They lie on camera. They lie to those who follow them.
They are like their father -- satan, who himself believed the lie that he could be God (YHVH), but he only wanted The True God's (YHVH's) power, and not His Compassionate Heart, His agapa Love toward all people, His Servant's Heart of long-suffering & patience, and the other facets of God (Adonai's) pure character that we know YHVH "is," in essence.
Anyway, view the movie, and ... share it with others, as The Lord leads you.
Subjugation, submission, surrender, from an Isalmist perspective only mean that if they don't submit to allah, they will die, and will deserve death, ... not in a heroic sense (like the suicide bombers think they are attaining -- a hero's death; that is also a lie; a true hero, from YHVH's perspective, will not blow himself up or hate people of other religions! YHVH is Truth, just as Yeshua is Truth!), but in a shameful sense. They'd be traitors to their (false) god.
Islamists want all other nations, especially the US, and the UK and Israel, to submit, surrender, to the Islamic god, allah.
It will never happen willingly.
But they will be glad to maim, murder, rape violently (gang rape), and perform many other hideous, hateful crimes, against anyone who is American, British or Israeli, or who speaks against the Koran, or against Islam, or against allah.
The measure of a true belief system, that stands the test of time is this: how many people in it can say they are truly free and you can tell they are "filled" with a Love that is beyond human Love. True believers do things that Islamists do not understand; they forgive their offenders & those who attack and try to kill them. That is not something a human can do, on their own. Only those who are filled with, and know, The Love of God, and The Peace which passes all (human) understanding, can forgive someone who has tried to kill them, or a relative of theirs. True believers know (as a fact) that, when they die, they will be united, once for all, with their Maker, their Redeemer, their Lord and King. Islamists only have promises, but look at their eyes, and the pain on their faces -- they have no assurance, because their "leader" is buried in a grave (Muhammad), and they can only hope in the promises made to them, by those who tell lies, even to them. They do not value human life. They are unwilling to show tolerance toward anyone who believes in any other God, even The One, True God, YHVH. And they scream / yell "death to America!" and "kill the infidels (Jews and Christians)!"
Their plan is global.
If we do not make ourselves, as parents and grandparents, aware of the real threat & crimes these terrorists have planned to impose upon Israel, and on the UK, and on the USA, then we will find ourselves quite regretful (as people in Europe and in England were, when A. Hitler "came into power" in Germany, long ago, ... and should The Lord allow us to remain longer than some of us believe we will be, here on earth, before He calls us into the clouds, to meet The Lord (Yeshua) in the air.
... keep thinking ....
and learning what The Lord would have you learn.
http://obsessionthemovie.com/
It is quite long, but over two days' time, I did view it all.
Yes, it is explicit. It has much violence, shouting, hateful (very hateful!) and racist words that are shared by Islamists, who are leaders among their fellow adherents.
However, this is truth we all need to make ourselves aware of, if we have not yet done that. (I am referring to we who know The One, True God YHVH {YHWH; Jehovah; The I AM}, The God of Israel, and The God of Abraham, whose true son was Isaac {Yitzhak}, and not Ishmael (the son of the bondwoman; not the son of promise, as Isaac was).
Please view it alone or with your wife or husband.
But it needs to be passed around to all you know and love.
Americans must make themselves aware of this, not to spread fear; not at all.
But to inform ourselves, so that we can see The Lord may be calling many of us to learn ways to share, to reach, those who now live among us, in our country, but whose beliefs are that "global jihad" is "their goal," and they are working to find ways to kill us (Americans), kill the Israelis (in Israel and wherever else they live), and kill the British (in the UK).
I consider myself a sister, spiritually, to Hebrew & Israeli people, and by God's Grace, am an engrafted child of YHVH God, The I AM, The God of Israel.
I consider myself to be regenerated, a true believer in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ), who was of the tribe of Yehudah (Judah), and was born in Israel, in Bethlehem, the city of David, as the Only-begotten Son of YHVH God, our Father in Heaven, the Maker of the universe and of all people who have ever lived, The One, True God.
I consider allah as the moon god, the false god, the demon spirit, that met with Mohammed (Muhammad), in a cave outside Mecca, many years ago, ... as "an angel of light." We true believers know that that is how satan can appear. We are not deceived by what Islamists say is true. It is false. Islam is a false religion, a lying, hate-filled, propoganda-pushing, dictatorial, oppressive, murdering belief system, that needs its leaders to be filled with the devil's (his name means deceiver; therefore, those who follow him are truly deceived by satan, into believing that what they think is "right to do," is truly right, to the one whom they call god. But it is a lie. Satan is the father of lies.
It is interesting that, once Mohammed (Muhammad) met with that "angel of light" in that "cave," he tried to convince the nearby clan leaders in his area that "his (new) god" was the true god that they should worship. They ran him off, because allah was simply his own tribe's / clan's (false) god. They rejected this false god. They had their own gods, already. And that is what happened, leading to him going about killing, trying to subjugate (which is what the word Islam means -- submission; surrender, in my dictionary) everyone, trying to force them to believe in and submit to his (new) god. He had a lot of folks who rejected his ideas and plans. But, after a while, those who were afraid of him, and his violent ways, ... did (not sincerely, I believe) "submit" themselves to him, only to avoid death. But this is not how to gain followers! (if anyone were to ask me, personally)
Anyway, ... Islam is a lie. The Koran (Qu'ran) teaches its adherents to tell lies, to get what the Islamists want. They lie on camera. They lie to those who follow them.
They are like their father -- satan, who himself believed the lie that he could be God (YHVH), but he only wanted The True God's (YHVH's) power, and not His Compassionate Heart, His agapa Love toward all people, His Servant's Heart of long-suffering & patience, and the other facets of God (Adonai's) pure character that we know YHVH "is," in essence.
Anyway, view the movie, and ... share it with others, as The Lord leads you.
Subjugation, submission, surrender, from an Isalmist perspective only mean that if they don't submit to allah, they will die, and will deserve death, ... not in a heroic sense (like the suicide bombers think they are attaining -- a hero's death; that is also a lie; a true hero, from YHVH's perspective, will not blow himself up or hate people of other religions! YHVH is Truth, just as Yeshua is Truth!), but in a shameful sense. They'd be traitors to their (false) god.
Islamists want all other nations, especially the US, and the UK and Israel, to submit, surrender, to the Islamic god, allah.
It will never happen willingly.
But they will be glad to maim, murder, rape violently (gang rape), and perform many other hideous, hateful crimes, against anyone who is American, British or Israeli, or who speaks against the Koran, or against Islam, or against allah.
The measure of a true belief system, that stands the test of time is this: how many people in it can say they are truly free and you can tell they are "filled" with a Love that is beyond human Love. True believers do things that Islamists do not understand; they forgive their offenders & those who attack and try to kill them. That is not something a human can do, on their own. Only those who are filled with, and know, The Love of God, and The Peace which passes all (human) understanding, can forgive someone who has tried to kill them, or a relative of theirs. True believers know (as a fact) that, when they die, they will be united, once for all, with their Maker, their Redeemer, their Lord and King. Islamists only have promises, but look at their eyes, and the pain on their faces -- they have no assurance, because their "leader" is buried in a grave (Muhammad), and they can only hope in the promises made to them, by those who tell lies, even to them. They do not value human life. They are unwilling to show tolerance toward anyone who believes in any other God, even The One, True God, YHVH. And they scream / yell "death to America!" and "kill the infidels (Jews and Christians)!"
Their plan is global.
If we do not make ourselves, as parents and grandparents, aware of the real threat & crimes these terrorists have planned to impose upon Israel, and on the UK, and on the USA, then we will find ourselves quite regretful (as people in Europe and in England were, when A. Hitler "came into power" in Germany, long ago, ... and should The Lord allow us to remain longer than some of us believe we will be, here on earth, before He calls us into the clouds, to meet The Lord (Yeshua) in the air.
... keep thinking ....
and learning what The Lord would have you learn.
encouraging posts you might like
Below are website links to take you to two “posts” on the site known as *Stablishing Hearts.*
I must say both of these “posts” support modesty of heart and moderation, both in matters of clothing and in spiritual matters.
You may reach your own conclusion, but I happen to agree with what is shared by the posts’ author.
Since I consider the two topics educational, am sharing these with you here:
“An Evaluation of Culottes”
http://sh.obeyingthetruth.com/2009/11/an-evaluation-of-culottes/
“The Christmas Spirit”
http://sh.obeyingthetruth.com/2009/12/the-christmas-spirit/
The Lord wants an attitude of moderation, a pure heart and Biblical (worldview) attitude & spirit, working in each of His true children. Philippians 4:4-5
If I allow a worldly attitude any open door into my soul (mind, in this case), I will be affected by what “comes in.” I must stop the enemy at the door, & resist the temptation to follow the way of least resistance (from the world, or friends, or relatives who do not walk closely with The Lord, and who do not understand that a worldly attitude can turn our hearts from The Lord, before we realize it has happened, if we are not vigilant and alert and attentive “enough.”).
If we “work” (not a works-based religious attitude; but if we “make an effort”) to follow The Lord as closely as we can, though we do make mistakes in life, The Lord will give us the spiritual Discernment He wants us to have, to keep us from building up satan’s kingdom, though we would (in our will) desire to build up God’s Kingdom of His Son, Jesus Christ (Yeshua the Messiah).
By “work” I also mean we lie down at night (and awaken) thinking about The Lord, verses we are learning from His Word, and in a prayerful attitude. The Lord’s Spirit dwells in those who are YHVH God’s true children, through faith (belief & trust) in The Lord Jesus Christ (Messiah Yeshua), by Grace. He is our Teacher! He guides us (believers) into all Truth; He is The Spirit of Truth. — John 16:13 The Holy Spirit uses the Bible verses we are studying, reading, learning, to teach us what our Father in Heaven wants us to know, to guide us and help us “along” on our journey on earth, until we come Home to Heaven.
It is good to read posts in which other believers share truths that all believers need to think over seriously. These are not preferences. In my case, they are convictions, personal beliefs.
May The Lord richly bless you as you walk with Him each new day!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
"news" & "views" links re: various topics of interest
http://europenews.dk/en/node/28004
( an article re: Rifqa Bary -- Looks, to me, like she's being treated worse than a criminal ! )
--------------------------
http://thenewamerican.com/index.php/usnews/health-care/2439-senate-healthcare-debate-begins
( re: Senate healthcare debate )
Is it just me? "Healthcare," as such, is not "in" our Constitution. Therefore, it is "not" the business of our legislators to do "anything," about "healthcare," at all, period. ... it is their business to do what the citizens of this country want them to, or tell them to do! That is what the writers / composers of the Declaration of Independence, and our U S Constitution have written about. The idea of "big gov't" was mistrusted and rejected. The states and the citizens "do" have rights, under our U S Constitution!
Hear, hear, legislators!
-------------------------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSgFypiHRBk
(re: this is a Ron Paul video related to health care -- Operation Health Freedom)
==================
http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/
People need to look under "Take Action On The Issues" to find what they want to read about on this main webpage.
(above is the general website, for folks to go to)
( H1N1 info., here, is usually on pages with the word "CODEX" on them; see the right side bar for that word )
Please read and decide what you think.
==================
http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/?p=2287
(title for this seems to be--) "HR 2749 (HR 875 / S 425 Farm to Fork Food Fascism Comes to America")
Please read and decide what you think.
=====================
These 3 links, here, have to do with "global warming" -- it is truly a hoax, and that has been revealed. Too bad not everyone reads "news" from "trusted sources" on the internet.
http://www.jbs.org/jbs-news-feed/5695-the-bogus-science-of-global-warming
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703499404574558070997168360.html
http://targetfreedom.typepad.com/targetfreedom/2009/11/global-warming-hoax-perpetrators-and-dupes-.html
======================
http://www.classicalastronomy.com/news/anmviewer.asp?a=327&z=9
This is a link to a page about the "Mars spectacular," as she calls it. (the author)
A very interesting "event" to be sure to "watch" for.
Be sure you are willing to go where city lights cannot reach. or else you will need a decent, though not fancy, telescope to really enjoy seeing this night-time "display."
The planet Mars.
Many have written about it.
Now, we will get to see it a bit more closely, if we can.
-----------------------
http://www.prisonplanet.com/troubling-reports-out-of-iowa-and-north-carolina-raise-fears-that-deadly-h1n1-swine-flu-mutations-have-already-reached-the-united-states.html
( This one is regarding the mutating of the virus that some are calling the swine flu virus. This was all part of "the plan," I am sorry to report. Have read enough truthful reports about all of this to know that this is not only something demonic, but that this virus is being used, and will be used, to try to "wipe out" as many people as possible, by the one-world-ers. Then, who will they rule over? Only those who will go for "their agenda?" I doubt it! If they only wipe out 4% to 6% of the world population, then they will still have quite a few to try to subjugate. )
You decide what you think about this issue.
The Lord, alone, knows all the Truth.
-------------------------
http://thenewamerican.com/index.php/economy/commentary-mainmenu-43/2406-federal-reserve-has-become-a-focal-point-of-public-anger
( re: "The Fed" )
( re: Ron Paul )
--------------------------
http://www.mpwhi.com/200_diseases_caused_by_substances_like_aspartame.htm
( re: 200 diseases caused by substances like aspartame )
Very informative article!
Please read and decide for yourself.
--------------------------
http://www.cuttingedge.org/articles/db125.html
( title: "The Rising Darkness in Children's Games" by Berit Kjos )
--------------------------
http://www.cuttingedge.org/articles/db127.html
( title: " Giving Thanks to an Unknown "God"? " by Berit Kjos )
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