Christ-centered Christmas

I was supposed to review this last week or the week before but my back went out on me and made everything a great deal more difficult. Melanie graciously gave me more time to get to it. Thank you by the way. :)

Anyways, it's called "Christ-centered Christmas". I'll have to get Mel to tell me where folks can purchase it. ah no need for that.. amazing what a simple search on Google will net a body.. You can purchase it here for $6. :) A good deal by the way, the sheer amount of information packed into this ebook makes the $6 well spent.

now.. What is this "Christ-centered Christmas" e-book all about?

It is a guide to celebrating Christmas from a Christ based perspective. :)

This guide talks about decorating, food, advent, Christmas, and more. It has songs in it that are good for caroling. I have to admit, I thought it was a nice touch to include links to where you can here the carol played...helpful for those who might not know a given carol. Christmas baking WITH an ingredient list (makes it easier to do that shopping). :) She talks about her families' delight in a big dinner on Christmas Eve, complete with menu and recipes. She VERY briefly talks about Santa Claus and her reasons why her family has chosen what they do in regards to Santa. Have to admit, her reasoning resonates with me and is similar to my approach.

This whole ebook is a sharing on one families Christmas experience with others. It is well-written, it talks about more than just this particular family does things, but the focus is on what they do, and how they work hard at making the Christmas season a meaningful one focused on the real reason for the season.

If you want tons of good recipes, like caroling, and want to see how another person has worked through the Christmas season from a godly perspective, get this book. It will indeed be an aid to you.

Open House Preparations

in Preparation for our Annual Open House on Saturday, December 17, the lad and I did some baking.

we had a good time, and the transformers joined us in the baking. Sometimes they needed to be reminded that flour and sugar weren't so good for transformer joints, but for the most part they kept us well entertained with their antics. We frequently had cat supervisors who would rapidly disappear when the transformers noticed those aliens!

I wanted to make these, but well.. that didn't work so I ended up making logs instead.
see our logs?
the lad had a lot of fun making them.
We also made papernouten (not sure on the proper dutch spelling).

Here's how to make them.

Beat three eggs until frothy
add 1 cup white sugar and 1 cup brown sugar (packed) Beat until very light and fluffy about 5-6 minutes. Set aside.

Mix together the following: (if you don't want them as strong tasting, cut the spice ingredient amounts in half)
2 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp pepper
1.5 tsp grated lemon rind ...or add some lemon juice to the eggs and sugar mix
1/2 cup ground almonds

Mix together the wet and dry ingredients. It is a VERY dry mix.

What I find works best is to ball different amounts together until it kinda sticks together. Then take 1/4 of each ball, dip it in a wee bit of water and play with it until it becomes really pliable. Then form it into a thin rope about 1/2 inch in diameter. Cut into bite-sized chunks (about 1/2 inch) and then cook in preheated 325 degree oven for 15 minutes (until lightly browned)
we made chocolate chip cookies...mommy... I like them!
and last but definitely not least we made gingerbread men!
well okay... let me be accurate here... the only gingerbread men we made are the ones I insisted on..the rest was cats, bunnies and hogs.

in progress,

all cooked

christian carnival is posted

over at beyond belief.

it's not a particularly big one.

Christmas Fun

unscramble if you can...


1. srtee
2. okigncts
3. ldiyaoh
4. kioeosc
5. hrstiasmc
6. sghtil
7. tha
8. wnoanms
9. etsnper
10. fitg
11. lalsbnwos
12. sracd
13. eivg
14.osnw
15. oalrp erab

Love insists not on its own way

From 1 Corinthians 13 we read: 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;6it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8Love never ends.

Love does not insist on its own way.

This is something that we are working on as a family. Learning that love is not selfish.
Love doesn't yell when it doesn't get its own way.
Love doesn't say "I want what I want regardless of what you think about it".
Love doesn't say "I can interrupt you even if you are talking".
Love listens.
Love finds a way to communicate clearly.
Love cares enough to help the wounded.
Love cares enough to do the dishes, wash the floor, mow the lawn without arguing or complaining about it.
Love cares enough to teach one's child at home, this despite the insecurities it brings.
Love cares enough to do laundry at 1000 p.m. at night even if one is tired.
Love cares enough to be the main bread winner in a household.
Love holds, hugs, dies to self, wipes tears, cuddles close, disciplines, and so much more.

Love DEMANDS something of us. If it didn't, would it truly be love?

Love is so much more than we do on a regular basis and needs to be more.

God sent his son to DIE for ME. Me.. a sinner, separated from his holiness. And yet he chose to do this for me.
Jesus willingly died for me. It was NOT an easy decision, not an easy thing for him to do, and yet, he chose to take my place on that cross because I as a sinner, am guilty of all the wrong things that happen. And yet, he DIED for me.

Can I not, extend a bit more of myself for those around me? Is that too much to ask?

Previous in this series
These words keep running through my head..
Love is patient.
Love is kind.
Love does not envy.
Love does not boast.
Love is not arrogant.
Love is not rude.

Christian Carnival ii - October 12, 2011

quite a long list of submissions today. There were two that I didn't include as they didn't seem to fit the profile of "Christian" blogger. I don't see Christ ever mentioned on your site, it's not particularly Christian then.

Annette presents Love is not rude posted at Fish and Cans.

when I think of rudeness I think of someone who says or does something without regard for the other person. For instance: a person the butts into line.

Chelsea Childress presents A Security, A Surrender posted at An Arrow in the Making.W

hat was so hard for her was that the car was out of her control. Something that she typically had full reign over was now in the hands of someone else, someone inexperienced. And that made her fearful.

Ridge Burns presents Preaching posted at Ridge's Blog at InFaith.

Preaching – it is a big deal and a heavy responsibility, but it provides great joy.

David R Wells presents Half-Calorie Christianity posted at Revelation 3:10 - Blog.

It seems to me that these half calorie Christian leaders are treating the Bible like the old saying of “take the good and leave the bad.” That is very dangerous. The Bible is full of instructions and they are all meant to be followed.

Rick Smith presents No Quick Fix posted at InFaith's Mission Blog.

Though these very practical matters may be of help in some cases, I think I’ve been missing the mark.

Sarah presents The Lovebook posted at This is what Sed said.

It's strange that something so small as writing an encouraging post about someone on Facebook has turned into such a spiritual battle for me.

Michael Cooke presents The "Big Business" of Church posted at Michael Cooke.

Living in today's society, we are constantly bombarded by marketing ploys from every business everywhere. It is inevitable. Everything from shoes to jeans to toys to literally everything has advertisement and marketing ploys to try and get you to buy their product. But since when did the House of God become the House of Big Business?

Chris Price presents Perry, Romney, and Mormonism posted at American Church History.

However, this brings up another question. Is there any reason that Mormonism should disqualify Romney from being president?

Rebecca LuElla Miller presents What Are We Saying posted at A Christian Worldview of Fiction.

But someone may well point out that some things, some people don’t deserve to be blessed. Actually that isn’t true.

True Stillwater presents Unanswered Prayers posted at Letters, Messages, and Prayers.

When life is shaky and everything is falling apart, the answers to my prayers always tell me to keep the faith…keep believing… know that I’m not alone

Kaleb presents The Most Important Relationship of All posted at W2W Soul.

In the midst of all our significant relationships, which require a lot of time, love and attention, what is the most important relationship of all? And, how do we nurture that relationship?

Brandon Peters presents Points of Authority posted at INSPIKS.

Prophets and even he whom Jesus was closest to (John), those who had lives probably far holier than any of ours, cowered when they saw God.

Carl presents Do Your Economic Duty: Get Married, Stay Married, and Have Kids! posted at Theological Pursuit.

The report, entitled "The Sustainable Demographic Dividend, What Do Marriage and Fertility Have to Do with the Economy?", give four conclusions from the analysis:

Zowada presents Christians are too desperate for growth. posted at Zowada Blog.

No matter how bad it hurts me, I must be open and honest with where I am at spiritually, even if it means disappointing the leadership over me, because guess what, my desire should be to truly change, not impress.

Dave Taylor presents One thing we lack. OK, there's three or four other things ... posted at Letters from another life.

But it's also working because it works. Being faithful to obey the Lord produces real change, not just a new set of beliefs.

Jennifer in OR presents For by the grace given me posted at Diary of 1.

I’ve always hastened over this verse that begins the introduction to the gifts, but I’d like to take a closer look.

Jeff presents Yom Kippur: A Reason for Christians to Celebrate posted at ReturningKing.Com.

Yes, you read the title correctly. To many, Yom Kippur is merely a foreign word that appears on our Outlook calendar each year. It seems that most believers do not even know what it, where it came from or most certainly what it represents. Yom Kippur is a good reminder of just how much rich heritage of the faith gets lost for modern Gentile believers. Because we do not serve the Mosaic requirements for Holy Days each year, we miss the richness of the Old Testament Feasts; each of which point to and are fulfilled by our Messiah, Jesus, in some way.

Stephen Bagasao presents The Death of Steve Jobs: The Real Story posted at Stephen Bautista Music.

The death of Steve Jobs has spawned numerous stories about his life and legacy, but there's a much deeper, pressing story to tell.

Maryann Spikes presents Questions Jesus Asked posted at Ichthus77.

I love how Jesus used questions to get people to think for themselves.

Michael S. Pearl presents About 'Militant Modern Atheism' and Religion posted at The Kindly Ones.

The submitted blog starts from Philip Kitcher's paper, "Militant Modern Atheism", in a discourse through the vacuousness of militant atheism to the nature of the religious sense. Although dismissed by Kitcher, this religious sense or awareness should not be ignored by secular humanist projects such as Kitcher's where the goal is to make religion redundant.

Melanie Grant presents Is that screen taking over his life? posted at Mel's Mouthful on Mothering.

Boys are getting a really bad rap at the moment - not without cause. Many parents seem to be cultivating a screen-based lifestyle whether it is their intention or not.

Josh presents Words of Encouragement: 30 Short Uplifting Quotes posted at What Christians Want To Know.

Here is a collection of quotes that I hope will encourage you.

Love is not rude

From 1 Corinthians 13 we read: 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;6it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8Love never ends.

Love is not rude.
when I think of rudeness I think of someone who says or does something without regard for the other person. For instance: a person the butts into line.

the free online dictionary says this

rude (rd)

adj. rud·er, rud·est

1. Relatively undeveloped; primitive: a rude and savage land; a rude agricultural implement.

2.

a. Being in a crude, rough, unfinished condition: a rude thatched hut.

b. Exhibiting a marked lack of skill or precision in work: rude crafts.

c. In a natural, raw state: bales of rude cotton.

3.

a. Lacking the graces and refinement of civilized life; uncouth.

b. Lacking education or knowledge; unlearned.

c. Ill-mannered; discourteous: rude behavior.

4. Vigorous, robust, and sturdy.

5. Abruptly and unpleasantly forceful: received a rude shock.

Focusing of course on the interpersonal aspect of being rude

3.

a. Lacking the graces and refinement of civilized life; uncouth.

b. Lacking education or knowledge; unlearned.

c. Ill-mannered; discourteous: rude behavior.

So if Love is not rude, what is it, especially in regard to interpersonal relationships.

Love is refined, not uncivilized. So not like the conan the barbarian thing! Sorry folks that's what comes to mind for me. Love wants MORE from us. We need to think more and act less. To truly check ourselves.

This is something that we are working on with our son.
THINK. Now.. are you acting in a way that shows love?
is hitting mommy because you are angry showing mommy that you love her?
Is throwing the kitten because he was bad teaching him that you love him?

Love learns. In the context of the definition this would be educational learning, but think about it, can you truly show love to someone if you haven't learned abit about them? So learn who your fellows about you are. Learn so that you can love them.

This to is something I am trying to teach our boy.
Son.. I KNOW that you like it when I read to you in a fun voice.
Because mommy knows this she does her best to do it.
Mommy LIKES making you smile because she loves you.

Love is not discourteous, thinking only of itself. Love considers the needs of others.

This is a bit harder to teach a lad.
he is STILL so very self-centered.
It is indeed a continuing work in progress.
But then again, it's a continuing work of progress in myself.

So knowing that love is kind, love is patient, love is content with what they have, Love simply acts without calling attention to itself, and love is humble, what does it mean to say that love is courteous?

is it just a continuation of the theme that Love does not put itself before others?
the love is indeed following the path of Christ? The way to God himself?

Consider this: Jesus showed ALL this love for us when he died for us.
God showed ALL this love for us when he sent his son to die.

God could have been impatient, angry, selfish and what not. But he chose to remain true to his promise to us.

This tells me that as I learn more and more how to be a more loving person, the more and more I am becoming who God wants me to be. A person who follows after his own heart.

I KNOW I have a long way to go to be what he truly wants me to be. But when I see the list of what love truly is... isn't that a better thing?

Previous in this series
These words keep running through my head..
Love is patient.
Love is kind.
Love does not envy.
Love does not boast.
Love is not arrogant.

A pic for a sick church member

the lad drew this for a sick church member.

Yesterday Productive

Yesterday was one of the better days I've had in a spell. As some of you know I've been battling fatigue and feeling frantic in my head all the time. That feeling is still there but it's not as intense currently. It's doing a VERY good job of making me "not feel comfortable in my own skin".

On Tuesdays The lad and I do art and science. We also read. Makes for a relaxing day. We fill in the gaps with other things as well, but for the most part we make it a fairly relaxing day. This is important as Mondays are normally a rather busy, rather long day.

Yesterday we invited Renee and her children over to join us. The plan initially was to do some art science and then go for a nature walk. The children REALLY wanted to play with the bunnies so I had some out on the lawn and told them to go to it. :) We had an excellent time together.

Before they arrived I cut up the apples and got them to stewing for making applesauce. This caused us to become inundated with yellow jackets.

ERGO>>> I built some yellow jacket traps with the lad, hubby and I sprayed my bedroom which was loaded with yellow jackets, and we had a bit of a "ACK!!! THERE ARE YELLOW JACKETS IN THE HOUSE" freak out for a moment. It did give Renee's oldest child the opportunity to practice killing them though. :)

One such trap: here the lad is checking that it is working. it is. there are six of them floating in it.

We have another set up close to where one of the nests is as well... and it has a bunch floating in it as well. I HATE yellow jackets they are dangerous around the bunnies as well.

After we were done school for the day I went out and picked grass for the rabbits and had a visit with our neighbour. They are filling their days with painting right now. The lad came over to bug us and then started stealing my grass! He certainly likes to tease a body.

I got pictures of ALL the bunnies taken...now I need to get them onto my websites. I'm in process of building a new one. Here's the old one and here's the new one. If you have a moment can you tell me what you think? I want to make the new site highly informative and yet keep it as friendly as my old site is. What I like in the weebly one is that I can make drop down menus. What I dislike in weebly is I haven't figured out how I can put multiple pictures into one on "box". So far I can only put one in which I find bothersome. It is SO easy to do with the webs site. Does anyone know how to do that with weebly? put multiple pictures in one 'box"? thanks for helping if you do. :)

I also managed yesterday to get most of the laundry finished and put away. On Sunday I had opened the linen closet and said "oh, something stinks". (and yes I know, not the best way to rest on the Lord's day). Tracked it down to the comforters and what not in the bottom (I had started at the top because that's where it seemed to originate from). None the less the linen closet is now well organized and the smelly linens are washed! Certainly made of a pile of laundry to get through....

Believe God's Promises

This is a poster that is free to download. You can find it here.

HT: to Practical Pages.

Love is not arrogant

From 1 Corinthians 13 we read: 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;6it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8Love never ends.

Love is not arrogant.

When I think of arrogance I think of someone who is coldly full of himself...thinking of himself better than he aught. (using the he in a generic sense).

According to answers.com to be arrogant is

(ăr'ə-gənt)
adj.

1. Having or displaying a sense of overbearing self-worth or self-importance.
2. Marked by or arising from a feeling or assumption of one's superiority toward others: an arrogant contempt for the weak. See synonyms at proud.

So I'm right...it's a "I'm better than you are attitude."

Now I find that arrogance can come off in a snobbish sort of way, but it that all that arrogance is?

Romans 12: 3 tells us

³For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

We are not to be arrogant, doesn't say we can't take pride in what we do, but taking pride in what we do is NOT the same as arrogance unless you think ONLY YOU can do it that well. OR that since you did that so well YOU ARE THE BOMB! You aren't. No one is.

God wants us to be a thinking, caring people. He doesn't want us to be so full of ourselves that there isn't room for others.

This is something we are attempting to teach our son. Why are you screaming? Oh... you want us to do something. Hmm... why? Are you being selfish right now? Only wanting what you want? Why? Have you thought about what mommy and daddy want too?

It is hard you know, to take that time, to work at being a thinking, caring person. To be sober in our judgements. It means that we are stopping to think through our actions. It means that we aren't just running through life but carefully considering it.

But it is important to not just run through life, to realize that we aren't "where it's at". GOD is actually where it is at and our actions need to reflect on him.

Previous in this series
These words keep running through my head..
Love is patient.
Love is kind.
Love does not envy.
Love does not boast.

Mostly a lovely day

If I take away a dead kit, and a doe who had trouble kindling this morning I had a good day.

Out to trivett memorial church's harvest party. The lad went on bouncy air things, rode electric vehicles, built a high building out of blocks with another lad. I got a fair bit of gardening done and killed a whack of yellow jackets. Went back to the harvest party to watch Dufflebag theatre (they did beauty and the beast).

So I spent time with family and was productive as well. That spells for me a good day. :)

will add pics once the lad is in bed. :)

Mac and Cheese

Trying a new recipe tonight.

Homemade Mac and Cheese

Rated: Submitted By: Judy Photo By: Linda Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 30 Minutes Ready In: 50 Minutes Servings: 4

"For rich, warm comfort food start with a simple roux of butter and flour. Add milk and sharply flavored Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses to make a velvety sauce, then bake with macaroni. Buttered breadcrumbs and a dash of paprika make an attractive crust."

INGREDIENTS:

8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 3 cups milk 1/4 cup butter

2 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup bread crumbs 1 pinch paprika

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Cook macaroni according to the package directions. Drain.
2.	In a saucepan, melt butter or margarine over medium heat. Stir in enough flour to make a roux. Add milk to roux slowly, stirring constantly. Stir in cheeses, and cook over low heat until cheese is melted and the sauce is a little thick. Put macaroni in large casserole dish, and pour sauce over macaroni. Stir well.
3.	Melt butter or margarine in a skillet over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and brown. Spread over the macaroni and cheese to cover. Sprinkle with a little paprika.
4.	Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Serve.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2011 Allrecipes.com

Printed from Allrecipes.com 9/23/2011

baking soda and vinegar?

My cousin over at Jazzy Mamma mentioned cleaning her hair with baking soda and vinegar.

Quotes:

The very first time that I used baking soda (about a tablespoon dissolved in 8oz of water) I was totally amazed at how soft and shiny my hair was. And I was able to comb it while wet without any tugging on tangles! I was really impressed.

and

Specifically, apple cider vinegar. Two tablespoons in 8oz of water.

I used it 3 days in a row and now my hair is shiny and clean. And my scalp feels refreshed the way cucumbers make your tired eyes feel refreshed. Awesome.

Go to her post to read the fill between the lines... but inspires me to give it a shot. :) Got to be better than having an itchy scalp occasionally and needing to switch shampoos because my scalp says "nuts to this". Though what I'm using currently works...but I'm starting to occasionally get an itchy scalp again.

Busy busy day

Started off with caring for three sick bunnies. I'm all out of probiotics now so we'll have to see how they deal with life. It will be a spell before I can find new probiotics in a form easily administered to bunnies so we'll have to see how they do. I don't want to lose them but I have learned that fighting with young kits is pretty much a losing battle. So I'll offer all sorts of supportive care and let their systems sort things out.

Had the joy of holding Mr. Snuggle Butt.
This young fellow is the sweetest most in your face little bit of loving that you'll ever meet. In another week or so he'll be ready to start looking for someone to snuggle up with. :)

Did homeschooling with the lad this morning. It went well for the most part though he does like to whine about doing copywork. :) Instead of getting upset about it I went up stairs and chuckled about it.

Then the lad practiced being an archaelogist. I joined him for a while, and daddy joined him for a while. It was all good. I thought it was cute at one point. "Mommy, when I play digging, am I learning anything? Is it like being in school when I'm playing?" I said "yes, buddy, it is like being in school. You are learning to look carefully through the dirt to find the red clay (red brick bits). You are learning not to stab mommy in the hand (so you are paying attention to your surrounding). You are learning to work with mommy at something. AND you are being an archaelogist because you are finding things that got buried!" He was quite happy and content by that. :)that implement... a pick axe!

he is managing to find his red clay treasures.

I got the front lawn mowed. Spent time with the lad. Got the back yard mowed. Dug with the lad. Removed a variety of things from the garden. Dug with the boy. Did more garden clean up. Then discovered we had a HUGE ant problem. So put ant drops on two nests. Hubby was home from visiting so he raided all the visible ants to death. AND THEN I discovered where the yellow jackets were coming from and that killing them required a different sort of weapon than what we had. So off to Canadian Tire to pick up some more insecticide. WOOT WOOT! No more yellow jackets. No more ants coming in the house. I am one HAPPY woman!

Carrots, peppers, squash and tomatoes.
I brought the ripe tomatoes in the house.
The greens will sit out for a bit.

Cleaning the House

A while back I decided I was tired of letting the house get away from me.

NOT being a person who is naturally clean and tidy, and NOT being a person who loves to clean, I decided that perhaps making a list of what needs doing would be a good idea. Flylady proved of some assistance. She has detailed cleaning lists. :) Mind, you need to modify them for your own use though.

Did you know that sometimes making a list is a good idea? Go figure! it is!

I have some daily goals which are always getting met because sometimes life gets in the way.

My daily goals

1. Dishes

2. Kitchen table

3. All toys tidied in living room/dining room

4. NOTHING in kitchen that doesn't belong there

5. Sweep floors

Dishes and the cat box are almost always done.
Now that the kitchen has been well cleaned doing the floors daily should be more possible, the making sure there's nothing in the kitchen that doesn't belong there well...that will take some continued effort. :) Good thing there's three of us in this household so perhaps we can manage it one of these days. :)

I also made household cleaning tasks up.
thus far I've managed to clean...the front porch, the kitchen (mostly), the upstairs bathroom, the guest bedroom (mostly), the garage was given a once over as well as the basement. I got the hall way done but it needs doing again.

I've the living rooms to do, the main bedroom, the bookroom AGAIN, the linen closet and the lad's room. I hope to do the lad's room biweekly but time will tell. :)

AND THEN>>>>
I even made up a list of things to do before winter.

1. Plant lettuces for the fall DONE
   

2. Finish bookroom

3. Patio stones – put in place

4. Dig up the front garden

5. Dig up the side garden – remove as many perennials as possible.

6. Dig up the corner perennial garden - put in the perennials from the side garden

7. Build a shelf/rack for the rabbitry

8. Winterize the trailer

9. Dig up potatoes DONE
   

10. Freeze beets DONE
    

11. Do up some more applesauce and apple butter

12. Make some pie filling

13. Remove TV from basement DONE
    

14. Clean garage DONE mostly tools and bench need cleaning but that's where hubby dear needs to assist to prevent complaints of "WHERE DID YOU PUT THIS". :)
    

15. Clean basement DONE
    

16. Put lawnmower in rabbitry for the winter

17. Get snowblower ready for winter - Hubby's job
    

So I am making progress. Thought I'd put it here so I can keep updating it. Looks good to see that I am indeed making progress. Life is good. Hubby is patient and kind and sometimes helpful in the process. Once I give the house a good going over I'm going to start making a chore chart so that together we can hopefully maintain it. :)

Loves Does Not Boast

From 1 Corinthians 13 we read: 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;6it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8Love never ends.

Love does not boast.

I find this one a hard one... how does Love not boast. I boast about my boy, I boast about my hubby. I love them both dearly. So is that wrong to do?

Hmm... need to think on this some.

American heritage dictionary tells me what it means to boast:
VERB:
boast·ed, boast·ing, boasts
VERB:
intr.

To glorify oneself in speech; talk in a self-admiring way.

VERB:
tr.

1. To speak of with excessive pride.
2. To possess or own (a desirable feature): "[the] capital of a region in the southeast that boasts bountiful coal fields" (US Air).
3. To contain; have.

NOUN:

1. The act or an instance of bragging.
2. A source of pride.

okay... that puts a spin on what boasting is. When I am proud of my hubby or son, that doesn't necessarily mean that I'm bragging on them in an incorrect way. Like with everything there are fine lines to cross, but normal "I'm proud of what they do" type of things isn't a bad boasting type of thing. :)

Love does not boast.

Ergo loves doesn't say "LOOK WHAT I DID? AREN"T I GREAT?" Doesn't do that. What love does is put honour and glory where it needs to be.

Into Thy Word says this:

When God tells us that love does not boast, He means we are not to go around bragging about our accomplishments and abilities.

and

This word in the Greek is used to describe elections won by deceit and manipulations. It is like an elected official winning an election dishonestly and then bragging about it.

Love doesn't require our showing off. It doesn't. People can see what we do, even if they don't mention it. We don't have to say "See what "I" did". It just needs us to act and not call attention to ourselves.

So what does all this mean to me?
It means that when I do something I don't have to say "I DID IT". All I should do is go about living my life quietly and letting others see what they see. It means that I should not expect others to brag on what I am doing either as that's just a delayed type of boasting (I think). It is nice to have people say 'well done". Indeed it is. :) But it is far better for other people to say it rather than to crow about it myself, and that is indeed what I should be doing.

Love does not boast. It merely gets on with doing what needs doing.

What say you?

Previous in this series
These words keep running through my head..
Love is patient.
Love is kind.
Love does not envy.

HOPE and the Western Fair

Yesterday HOPE days started again.

It was fun. The lad learned about dinosaurs, had gym time (played a game called lemonade that made a big impression on him) and did some science. I enjoyed teaching the children science. NOW.. I have learned that even with two helpers that 14 children ages 6-8 in one classroom is a HUGE number of children to try to teach science to so I need to try to arrange that a bit better. smaller groups doing different things.

Then afterwards we went to the Western Fair. We had an enjoyable day. Hubby's knee has been bugging him a bit so that slowed us down a bit. If you could please, pray for healing in that leg. He'll having surgery on it in about a year.

It was rather cool... they have this free children's play area. Tractors to drive, straw to jump into, a duck race, sunflower seed planting, tractor pull and a variety of other events. So the lad had a great deal of fun. We partially watched a cow calving, petted some pigs, ate cotton candy and caramel corn and corn dogs. Typical fair food. :)

We did miss the horse show, and the extreme canine show this year. We watched reptile ray. Man NOT a good show if you don't believe in evolution, but the information just about the reptiles he showed was quite interesting. I would rather he just talk about the reptiles and leave the evolutionary stuff at home.. cause what's the point? Is it to give a history (in his eyes) lesson or to talk about creatures he really enjoys being around?

At the very tail end of the day we caught a bit of the monster truck show. Very exciting for a six year old lad. :)

Love Does Not Envy

⁴ Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant ⁵or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;⁶it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ⁸Love never ends.

Love does not Envy.

Merriam-Webster defines Envy this way:
: painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage

So in other words... envy is wanting what someone else has in a less than positive way.

Just what does that mean in practical living? And what does that mean for me?

I have to admit, I have a hard time seeing this is me... envy. I tend to let others have what they have and not worry about it. Are there things I see that other people have and go...yeah, I'd like to have that. But is that in a nasty way? No. It's just that I have goals, I'd like to have them met, but I'm not going to resent that someone else has what I want. Is wishing you had something the same thing as envy? Without the negative emotions attached I don't think so. Now...when it turns into resentment that God hasn't let you have what you wish for, or anger that it's not yours, then I think it's envy...and therefore not what God wants from us.

And maybe I'm deluding myself, but this is generally not an area that I struggle with.

So where does envy crop up in the bible?
Cain killed Abel over resentment and envy.
Saul killed David over resentment and envy.
Joseph sold into slavery over resentment and envy.

But we are NOT to be envious, the bible has plenty of exhortations about it.

Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, for the Lord detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence.
< - Proverbs 3:31-32

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
- Proverbs 14:30 -

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do it in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the Gospel.
- Philipians 1:15-16 -

But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
- James 3:14 -

For where you have envy or selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
- James 3:16 -

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocracy, envy, and slander of every kind.
- 1 Peter 2:1 -

Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
- Galatians 5:26 -

Envy can turn us into someone that we don't want to be.
Let us guard our hearts and minds so that we are protected from this dangerous thought pattern.

Previous in this series
These words keep running through my head..
Love is patient.
Love is kind.

Love is Kind

⁴ Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant ⁵or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;⁶it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ⁸Love never ends.

Love is kind.

What does the word KIND mean?
The freedictionary says:
kind ¹ (knd)

adj. kind·er, kind·est

1. Of a friendly, generous, or warm-hearted nature.

2. Showing sympathy or understanding; charitable: a kind word.

3. Humane; considerate: kind to animals.

4. Forbearing; tolerant: Our neighbor was very kind about the window we broke.

5. Generous; liberal: kind words of praise.

6. Agreeable; beneficial: a dry climate kind to asthmatics.

Love is kind. What does that truly mean?

I have to admit, when I think of a kind person I think of someone who quietly does nice things for other folks. That's not always an accurate image, but it's the one that often comes in my head.

Now... I am NOT a quiet person. I'm noisy and busy and I can't sit still for long periods of time unless I'm reading a book or sitting at the computer. I do "stuff" all the time. Does that imply that I don't fit my idea of being a kind person? well...yeah basically.

BUT do I see myself in an incorrect manner? Am I kind?

Well...I think that overall I am but I have a long way to go to be the type of person I believe God wants me to be in this regard.

I am friendly - I'll sit next to you and chat with you. Did that yesterday with a guy looking all alone and kept him company for a spell. But would I have done this if he had grumped at me? no, but he didn't. I was friendly, he was friendly back.

I am willing to help folks out if I am able to. I'll give you whatever I can as long as you ASK and don't demand. Not quite fitting with Luke 6:32 which says "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil." I personally find that people who are demanding are ungrateful for what they've already received...but God calls me to be kind to them regardless.

I'm kind to my critters...but I'm also demanding of them. Act the way I want you to! Don't be a snit...I'm in charge remember? BUT when the pigs all escaped the other night the lad and I didn't leave them to their folly but we went out and caught them up. And I do take the time to train my animals to respond in the manner I prefer. BUT I am NOT patient with the kitten when all he wants to do is suck on something. That sound just irritates me...but I could be nicer to him about it. after all "he's just being who he is mommy".

Am I tolerant? well..... yes and no. My neighbours to the right like to run their ATV around and around and around their house. I don't complain to them about the noise, but I do sometimes mutter under my breath at them. Does that negate my kindness? I don't know as what's in my heart is what comes out....and my heart isn't being kind to them though my actions are. And I do have to ask, when is tolerance not being kind? For instance, if I tolerate your bad behaviour am I being kind to you in the LONG run? Does toleration mean being politically correct OR does it mean just tolerating the foibles that make you you? (I tend to think the later not the former).

Generous: am I generous with my words to others? I'm am not sure. seems odd to say that. But seriously I am not sure. I like to think that I am? And I do know that if I focus on it I say thank you to folks for the things that they do. I think it's polite to do so, and acting in a manner that respects their efforts on my behalf.

Agreeable? hmm... how does that fit with being kind? ah.. when I look at this I see that it is talking about how a place can be beneficial. Such as Hubby dear likes biking a lot lately and the warm (not hot) weather is kind to him as he bikes. But it makes me think...do I help create an environment around me that is agreeable to those I meet in life? that puts a different spin on it. and I have to honestly admit...sometimes yes, sometimes no. :) The better I sleep the better I am in this regard. :)

Kindness seems to be an active way of showing love to those around us. It's a doing, whereas patience seems to be more of an attitude. I may be wrong but that's how this is striking me.

Love is patient (as it takes a longer term view of things) but love is kind in how it plays that out. (as in let me lend you a hand because in the long view I want you to know God as I do).

I may not have worded my thinking out processes all the way correctly...but what do you all think? How do you show love in a kind manner?

Previous in this series
These words keep running through my head..
Love is patient.