Thanksgiving Prepares for Rest

I don't feel this is my best writing, not even sure it's coherent, but I want to share these thoughts anyway.

Fear is unsettling. Fear keeps me from rest. Fear keeps me from being thankful because I am focused on what has or may go wrong.

Thanksgiving, actually giving thanks, speaking it out, displaces fear. Giving thanks brings rest. Expressing gratitude refocuses my heart where it should always be, my God. There are no circumstances, however catastrophic or dark, that can keep me from Him. Even death itself only brings me to His presence.

Looking around there are things that common sense would say to fear, worry, fret. God says, “Fear not”. The economy is unstable, people are afraid. God says, “Put me first and I will supply all your needs.” People are sick and suffering, afraid. God says, “Come to me and I will give you rest. I will wipe every tear from your eye.” People are inconsiderate, forgetful, even mean. God says, “I will never leave you”.

I will practice thanksgiving for all the good He is, all the blessings He bestows.

Question: How do you practice giving thanks?

Challenge: Go beyond being thankful and practice expressing attitude to God and others.

Learning to Rest

Preparing for the first show of the season I had huge lists of things to be done. I was trying very hard to figure out the ideal, display, advertising and the like. And I did not like myself. I did not feeling like I was failing because I could not in good conscience get it all done. To come near accomplishing it all I would have needed to neglect my homeschooling, house and husband, more than I maybe was.

I decided to practice what I was preaching, Rest. I didn’t even bother to try whittling down my list. I started over completely. This time only what HAD to be done went on the list. I needed a display with updated prices. I did not need to completely recreate everything because it would possibly be better. I wanted to have a brochure to hand out. I didn’t need it. I had materials already.

It was another lesson of the same sort. Rest. I can’t do it all. More over God doesn’t expect me to. Thankfully neither does my husband. It’s only me that thinks I can or at least should be able to do it all, and maybe more. The voice of my Savior saying “my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” was drowned by my expectations. Many of these expectations I had projected on myself from others opinions – most of who I don’t even know. See instead of going to my Savior to pick up the yoke and burden he held for me I was going to the “experts” with their lists of things one “must do” to be successful, to sell books. That’s only one area of my life. Then there all the opinions about what a good Christian homeschooling mom is to be about, not to mention house keeper, cook, blogger, mom, Christian and wife. My lists are long in all these areas.

I’m trying to rest. Each day this week I have taken 15 minutes to sit with God and ask for his yoke for my day. I saw from preparing for the show that I have way more ideas than I can pursue. I’ve seen this before, too. I have decided to record my ideas, but I don’t get to act on them unless God puts it on my to-do list. The list is much shorter and less demanding when I write it with him.

I’m still behind. Things neglected while I chased other ideas. I’m working on how to corral my thoughts, prioritize my time and tasks. I am learning to rest.

Question: Do you take on others expectations as your own?

Challenge: Ask God for his expectations. He is so loving and gracious they will always stretch you enough to depend on him but never enough to break you in two.

What About Halloween - Repost

 I am re-posting from last year. I'm also adding a link to Jim Daly's post,

An Open Letter About Halloween. He shares some good thoughts.

Original Post:
Well, this may be more risky that saying we don’t do Santa Claus - yet here I go!

To begin I am sharing what I know, what I do and why. I am not telling anyone else what they should do.

The Short Version: Be sure people can see Jesus in whatever you choose to do or not do for Halloween. Ask about each activity: Does God receive glory for this?

Maciah's

The Longer Version:

Through years of Christian radio programs, Christian school and a great church youth group I have gleaned information about the roots of Halloween and the reality of the occult.I would love to include a bibliography, but I don't have one. Maybe by next year. We Kids has a helpful article with links to more information.

Wyatt's Mountain

Halloween is a very old festival rooted in superstition at best and pure evil at its worst. The traditions of wearing costumes and trick-or-treating were devised in an attempt to protect people from the evils they believed to be most active on October 31. Some traditions come from ancestor worship, some from various forms of Satanism and Wicca (witchcraft). The hideous costumes were to blend in and not being recognized by the evil spirits believed to be about. The treats were gifts to the dead or the evil spirits so they would be nice to the household, not play any bad tricks. What we know as a jack-o-lantern was also to ward off evil spirits. There is also a legend of someone making a deal with the devil and then wandering forever with their jack-o-lantern lit by a coal from hell. Some cultures observed Halloween as a night for mayhem, anything goes. For some it is a night of sacrifice- produce, animal and even human sacrifice – to appease the spirits and their gods.

In light of such dark beginnings it’s not too hard to see why some decide to have nothing at all to do with Halloween.

I am all for redeeming things, bringing light to something dark. I do not believe that everything can be redeemed. By Jesus blood everyone can, but not every event or activity.

Karissa's Monkey

The Pumpkin Patch Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs is a wonderful example of redeeming something that once was dark. Using a pumpkin as an object lesson it teaches about Salvation. God chooses us, cleans us up and gives us his love to share with everyone we meet. We carve pumpkins some years. We refer to the parable while we work on our creations and we carve whatever we want, nothing scary or gross.

We have chosen to not dress up for Halloween. My children can and do dress up for theme parties and for fun.

We do not go to any Halloween parties or haunted houses. The idea of intentionally going to get scared is quite strange to me. Jesus died to give us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. He conquered fear. Why would I invite it back into my life? Or give it permission to enter my children? The enemy is already a thief trying to steal, kill and destroy me and my family. Why help him out?

Wyatt's face

We live in an area where people do not come out trick-or-treating; it’s too far out, too cold and too dark. It sort of defeats the purpose of a costume if it’s under your snow suit! I have never had to decide what to do with people coming to my door. If I lived where people came to my door I would not hide. What I would do I can’t say for sure. I think I would have treats, be kind and find a way to share Jesus. My house sometimes has fall decorations, sometimes cheery carved pumpkins but no spiders, witches, bones, ghosts, etc.

Centuries ago the church attempted to redeem Halloween by declaring All Saints Day on November 1. If people are going to celebrate give them something worth celebrating. Martin Luther chose October 31 to nail his 95 Theses to the door of the church. This challenge to the church’s teaching contributed to the Reformation. Some hold Reformation Day celebrations teaching church history in a festival type setting. There are churches and groups today that choose to provide a God honoring alternative to Halloween, often called Fall Festivals or Harvest Parties. Kids do think its fun to dress up and get candy. There are many fun things to do. I grew up in a church that hosted a “Harvest Party” complete with haunted house. Doing all the same activities as Halloween under a different name is not really redeeming anything.

Maciah's Design

I know there are those who say “It’s just for fun”. Remember Satan is a thief, opportunistic. He doesn’t care if you meant anything by participating in his traditions. He’ll take it. In a way I think the “fun” as well as all the very cute ghosts and witches help feed the cultural idea that Satan and evil aren’t really real. What better way for Satan to operate? How much opposition are you going to have from people who think you don’t exist or at least are not a threat? If dressing scary or haunted houses are “just for fun” what’s to say that séances or Ouija boards aren’t? Satan is real, and though defeated, he still has power in this world.

I am cautious of the “not wanting to be left out” attitude. “Everyone is doing” it is a poor argument in any situation. Is this a reasoning you want your children to live by? We are called to be different, set apart. We can’t do that by looking and acting like them. I want to be living a life that leaves the world feeling left out; in a way that draws them to my loving God.

Mom's Attitude & Gratitude – Gabby Mom Review

This month’s Gabby Mom's review is a sneak peek at a new audio bundle Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragement is putting together. 

 I really like audio products because I find more time to listen than to read. I may not glean as much from listening while I do chores, but I am far more likely to listen again, where I may not sit down to read at all. Lorrie also included a pdf with outlines and some helpful exercises in implementing what you heard. 

The sneak peek focused on the power of a positive attitude. Being a ministry to mom’s the first session focuses on mom’s attitude and how it sets the tone for the home. I have listened a few times and hope to listen more. She is right in her teaching, but there are so many areas where I need work. It’s a little like being scolded, hard to take, but very needed. It’s a short session so I hope listening frequently will remind me of the changes I am trying to make and remind me of why it is so important for me to be a good example.

The other sessions in the preview focus on gratitude. Gratitude is such an important character quality. Lorrie does a great job of presenting not only why it is worth cultivating, but also ideas on how to cultivate gratitude in you and your children. 

Beginning the holiday season with new lessons or a refresher on gratitude would be easy with this new bundle from Lorrie Flem.

Lorrie’s team is hoping to have this bundle ready November 1, 2012. Here's where you'll find the details after November 1: http://www.attentionmoms.com/

As always my review is my honest opinion and the product sent to me for review because I’m a Gabby Mom.

Managing My Minutes, Do I really Need To? Gabby Mom Review

The Gabby Moms review for September is part one of Lorrie Flem’s new Scheduling bundle. Since it’s new, with new content the links are still on their way. I’ll add them here when it’s ready. As always I'm giving my honest opinion.

Managing My Minutes, Do I reallyNeed To? Explains why scheduling is important, what God’s thinks of managing our time, and points to more resources for creating schedules. It outlines the benefits of having a schedule, compares routines and schedules, and deals with many common objections to creating or following a schedule. 

Included are:

Why scheduling is a valuable investment

Difference in routine and schedule

Insights from Nehemiah: Know your resources, prepare, get help

Recommendations of more of Lorrie’s resources on scheduling

Admonition to pray and seek God 

My favorite section was Nehemiah: Rebuilding Walls, Restoring Lives. It’s a brief study through Nehemiah that is really about preparing your heart for scheduling, evaluating your life and taking action.All things I'm in the midst of doing right now, I suppose that's why it spoke to me.

If you are not sure a schedule is worth the effort, or if you could ever make one work for your family this may help you out. If know how to schedule and just haven’t done it for real in your family this may give you the boost and encouragement you need.

Check out more at http://www.eemagazine.com/

Do you have a schedule? Routine? How are they working?

Exercise and Feed to Rest

Why is something I want so much so hard to do?

My neighbor who left Alaska not knowing Jesus is suffering through cancer treatments. The treatments are awful – stopping is a death sentence without miracles.

A friend lost her perfectly healthy baby in delivery this week.  More friends are on bed rest to keep their babies safe.

A friend much too young has died and left behind two young children.

A boy from our church family had a horrible accident and will lose his foot unless Jesus gives him a new one.

Things are wrong and I found myself worrying or obsessing instead of praying. No rest.

I’m starting school next week. I’m filled with excitement and dread. I love schedules and learning. Not all of my children share that love. Questions –will it go well? Have I chosen the right materials? Have I planned enough? Right?

I guess I’m was trusting in my choices and plans instead of the One to whom I asked wisdom when I made those plans. Faith in Him is easier, safer, and more sure than faith in me – always. Faith in me is stressful. Faith in Him is rest.

I think my faith needs exercise. It needs food, too. I must exercise my faith so I can rest. To exercise my faith I must choose to trust Him. He has promised to work all things for my good because I love Him, because He has called me.

To feed my faith I must read and meditate on His Word, His blessings.

Exercise and feed to rest.