It's not about breastfeeding, cloth diapering, and the like....

I was privileged to hold a good, uplifting conversation with a friend this morning to help ease my hormonal mind and let the glimmering beams of compassion and understanding come flooding into my heart.

Honestly, I am human. I have flesh, just like everyone else. I am prone to take offense, I am prone to see a guilty verdict where none was intended, and I am definitely prone to letting my lips fly before I think about how the other person must be feeling. That being said, I do also have my convictions, and I will share those convictions, and defend them when called for as well. BUT, I have learned enough about the grace of Christ to know that my convictions are simply that: MY convictions. I do not expect ANYONE to live up to my convictions. Sin is a different story, I will unashamedly call out sin all day long, but convictions are a different story. Convictions are areas of life that Christ has called my husband and I to outside of the realm of sins, and it is personal ground.

Some of these convictions include welcoming children into our lives without seeking to actively hinder God's sacred process of timing of conception, wearing modest skirts, covering my head during prayer, and staying home to raise and educate my children.

There are other convictions too, that I believe are a bit "lesser" spiritually, but no less important in my heart. These are mostly research based and include the topics of breastfeeding, cloth diapering, non-vaccination, and non-circumcision.

~*~

That being said: in every waking moment I am reminded that it's not about my convictions. At least not when it comes to others. I stopped trying to win people over to my convictions a long time ago, because it's not about that. God cares only about sin, and where someone is not in sin, it is not my job to attempt to "correct" them to walk as I would walk.

While we are saved UNTO good works by the Spirit working in us for God's glory, it is not our works that God the Father sees when He looks at us. A Pastor once said, in truth I believe, that when the Father looks at us, He doesn't see us or our works; He sees the face of His only begotten Son and His finished work on the cross. The Blood that has redeemed and justified us is the covering of righteousness that our Father in Heaven sees when He looks upon our face.

If that isn't humbling, I don't know what is. It's not about US, it's about Jesus.

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 This does not excuse walking contrary to the Spirit or the love that we are called to bear, thus, fulfilling the Law of Christ, but it gives us rather a new motivation. When we know that it is not our works that the Father sees, it inspires us to work to glorify Christ and uplift Him in our lives, rather than to seek for God to pat us on the back and tell us that we are doing a good job and to keep up the good work.

It's not about us, It's not about ME! It's all about HIM! Christ, our LORD and risen Savior! Our mediator between men and the Father, our sacrificed Lamb to atone for the sins of the world, that whosoever would believe may walk in righteousness and look forward to an eternity in Heaven, basking in the eternal Light of the Father.

So, you see, it's not about who wears pants and who doesn't. It's not about who chooses to breastfeed or to cloth diaper, and the circumcision of the flesh will not be remembered in eternity. Intention of the heart will be, but these temporal things will pass away. They don't matter one iota to God in the long run, only your intent matters: whether you are seeking Christ in everything or seeking to conform to and please the world.

Its not about breastfeeding, cloth diapering, government assistance or skirts. While each have their own issues and benefits, It's not about that at all.

In mothering, it's about loving your child and training them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Whether you choose public school, private school, or homeschool to do that, that is your choice. What you feed your baby or put on his little hiney won't matter one single bit compared to the impression that you will have on his precious soul, and his soul is what matters in eternity, not his flesh.

In feminine modesty, it is about seeking to glorify the Lord in apparel and appearance, as to not tempt others into the sins of the flesh. Whether you do that in pants, skirts, or dresses is relative and matters not in eternity as much as the intention of the heart does.

I would never seek to imply otherwise.

BUT if God is calling you to a conviction, do not deny that calling in favor of the world. Quench not the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:19. ALWAYS seek to rise to the Spirit's call on your life, independent of the world and the opinions surrounding you.

My preacher says a lot that there are commentators in this world, and they have their place, but just remember, at the end of the day, that's all they are: Common Taters. No commentary can replace the Word of God and the calling of the Spirit.

I am nothing. I am no one. I have nothing to offer for my own defense aside from the Blood of Christ that so mercifully and graciously covers my sins, and which has since the moment I first believed.

Never would I consciously seek to condemn another, or make another feel bad about their convictions that are not under sin. I will share my convictions openly, but I will never seek to tell another one how they must live their life. It's not about measuring up to MY standards, but rather about measuring up to God's standards.

It's not about me, and I would never want it to be.

Please forgive me now, if I have ever come across as such that I do not desire to be. It is not my intentions at all.

I implore all to seek to see only what is said, and not any supposed intent behind words. I am honest when I say that I say what I mean, and mean what I say. I will never hind malicious intent behind letters of black and white. That is not my heart, and it is sinful as well. Too many people are hurt daily by people reading more into what is there than there actually is meant to be.

Seek the Lord first, and all else will fall into place.

For his glory alone,

Be Still

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We lead busy lives. We all do. From the working mom, to the work at home mom, to the moms of many young children, the homeschooling mom, and to the "average" mom at home with her kids. There is always something to do, something that needs to be done. A spill that needs to be cleaned up, a fight or argument that needs to be referred, unkind and spiteful behavior that needs to be tended to, laundry that keeps piling up along with dishes and the toys that are scattered around the house. The woodwork needs a good polish, the windows need to be washed (else the outdoors looks like it is enveloped in a continual fog...), the floors need to be swept and vacuumed. Then, by the time that things start to get done, you discover that, not unexpectedly, little ones have made it a point to go along behind you and undo everything that you have made point to do! It is so much more fun to make a mess in a clean room, after all. Some days it just seems like a vicious, never-ending cycle.

We scrub, we clean, we cook, we clean, we wipe, we change, we lecture, we cuddle. We kiss the boo-boos and lovingly apply the all-powerful instant healing band-aid. We teach, we grade papers to some degree. We struggle alongside the "difficult" child who has trouble grasping certain concepts, all the while keeping the "know-it-all" toned down so that they do not discourage the other siblings who are struggling. We seek to instill biblical discipline and worth in our children while still keeping things light and fun.

We carry our blessed babies in utero for nine+ months, enduring every uncomfortable moment with the silent (or not so silent!) peace knowing that it will be so worth it in the end, to welcome an eternal soul into our home with joy, knowing that God is in perfect control. 

We labor over dinner with love and creativity. We do our best to be that soft place to land when our husband's come home from a long, difficult day at work. We encourage our husbands to lead in family devotions, even when he would like nothing better than to fall into bed (don't we know the feeling!), but he perseveres seeking first and foremost the will of God. We make sure that bellies are full and faces are happy, then we send them along to bed with hugs and prayers.

Then those few and far between moments of peace are filled with spouse-time, shower (when we're lucky!), chatting on the phone, and social networking before we finally fall into bed.

Yes, we do lead busy lives.

Yet, somehow I feel as if we are forgetting one simple thing. A key to peace in our hearts, lives, and homes.

We are forgetting, time and time again, to just be still. 

God says to be still and know that He is God.

I mean, sure, we can KNOW that He is God while we're running around each day, but to really stop and be still, that takes time, effort, and a reflection of a heart of worship.

God says in that still, small voice: be still.

Just stop. Put down the pot and sponge, stop the folding for one minute, turn the burner on simmer, turn off the computer, and just be still. 

Stop, a few minutes won't kill your schedule. Stop, empty yourself of your worries and cares at My feet, and just be still and KNOW that I am God. I will be exalted in the nations, and I desire to be exalted in your life as well. Just be still, and reflect on My promise, My presence, My provision, and My faithfulness. 

BE STILL.

In all of the hustle and bustle of the busy days, how often to we forget to just be still, and reflect on the Lord in His glory, goodness, and grace?

Too often, I am afraid.

Let us strive together, to learn to simply be still in His presence, and know that He is our God. All else can wait.

Thou shalt not pratice... birth control?

Conception is not a chance or a risk - babies are an intentional creation, every single one of them.  Acknowledging this is a huge step towards surrender.  It's not such a scary idea when we're not risking something.  And once we surrender Lordship to Christ, and open up our grip on our own plans for life so that we may receive what He has for us, then there is no perceived "loss".  Only gain.  And we gain freedom from feeling torn between desiring babies but fearing it would be irresponsible to have more due to life circumstances; freedom from guilty feelings that come with knowing we're out of obedience with our Lord; freedom from financial fears, because our priorities and values become new and God's provision is perfect.

Read the rest of this amazing post over at Large Families On Purpose

Boldness of Lions

"The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion." 

Proverbs 28:1

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Thoughts on the boldness of lions:

Think of a lion. Stop, close your eyes right now, and picture a lion.
What do you see?

Perhaps a lion watching over his pride with a majestic and intimidating gaze.

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Maybe you see a lion being social with his young cub.

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A lion and his lioness resting in the hot mid-day sun?

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Perhaps you see a lion fiercely defending his pride, his family, with all male gusto and confidence.

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Or maybe you even see them for the quiet, patience, stealthy hunters that they are.

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Either way, whatever you picture is likely true and accurate.

A lion is a great and powerful creature, hence the dubbing as the king of the jungle. They are fierce predators, and very loyal to and protective of their pride. They show great affection, both young and seasoned members, and can often be found playfully rough-housing with other pride members, cleaning one another, and even ushering the pride's cubs around, watching their every move with a protective eye.

Lions are very strong, powerful, and intimidating, and I believe that they inherently know that.
They walk in confidence knowing the source of their strength, and the might of their strength, having no fear of opposition or domination.

Lions do not attack, kill, or maim simply because they know they can, knowing the victim to be weaker than them. They do not compete within their own members simply for the sake of proving who is strongest or best. They will not overtake another pride and seek to dominate or take over them as a show of greater strength or power.

No.

Lions walk in a quiet confidence.

They have no need to display their strength unnecessarily, because they KNOW that they are strong. Everyone else ought to know that too, but lions don't go around making sure that everyone knows, because it doesn't matter if everyone else recognizes it or not. They rest in the knowledge themselves, and they are satisfied knowing the power that resides within.

~*~

As Christians, empowered by the strength of Christ through the Holy Spirit, so ought we to walk.
We know our source of power, we know the strength and depth of it.
We know that our faith can move mountains, God willing.
We have the promise of eternal life.
We are secure.
We rest in that.

We should not walk in ways to display our power simply for the sake of showing it off.
We shouldn't seek out battles that are not ours simply because we have the strength to compete.
We should not seek out other churches and attempt to overthrow them just because we think we have a better way.

No.

Rather, we ought to exhibit the source of our power through love, and through service.

Patiently watching, waiting, listening.
Be fierce and quick in defense, show no fear and stand our ground.
But in everything, rest in the source of our power, in Christ Jesus, knowing that the battle is not ours, that He has already overcome it all.

Just some thoughts

It is easy to judge others based on our own convictions, but not so very easy to judge with the righteous judgment that we are called to exercise in this world by the power and true discernment of the Holy Spirit. That being said, it is impossible not to judge, for any take on any given situation is a judgment call; that cannot be avoided. Throwing the term ‘judging’ around is non-beneficial to say the least, because it is a conundrum, for even stating that someone is judging another is, in turn, to exercise judgment: the very thing most people claim to be against. So, while judging is an unavoidable fact of life on all levels, we, as Christians, are called to righteous judgment.

I do stand firm and unwavering on the Word of God, and everything in it. In that I am unashamed. If God calls it sin, it is sin. Plain and simple, there is no getting around that fact without buying into this new age tolerance doctrine that is a danger to the very essence of what faith is all about. Christ did not die so that everyone could believe what they wanted to believe and do what they wanted to do anytime they wanted to. They would do that anyway. He died to give men another option: The option of eternal life if they would only believe. That is saving Grace. Salvation is not of works, lest any man should boast, but it is a free gift of God. The finished work of the cross and the ultimate sacrifice of God’s only begotten Son, virgin born into this sinful world as a man of flesh, is the only thing we need. No man or woman’s salvation should ever be judged by outward appearances or works. This does not excuse the fact that good works inspired by the Spirit for the glory of God should accompany salvation, but we who cannot see the heart cannot judge the heart, which is the root of salvation assurance.

I am an uncompromising Independent Fundamental Baptist. I am a King James Bible only, modest skirt/dress wearing, prayer covering, submissive to the authority of my own husband type woman who has laid the course of my childbearing years at the feet of the Creator. I also understand the concept of grace and the Law of Christ for those who are born-again by the Spirit, who are under faith instead of the Schoolmaster of old. These are my convictions. I am passionate about my convictions, and I will share them openly, but at the same time I understand that they are exactly that: MY convictions. I cannot force feed my convictions to ANYONE and have them accept them by my own power any more than I can plant a squash seed and cause a watermelon to grow instead. I did not come to my convictions because of anyone simply telling me that this is what I ought to do, it was a total Spirit led process, and I would now have it no other way. I would be quite wary of anyone who would do or accept anything based on the simple fact that someone else told them they should and pointed out a few Bible verses. Many cults and false teachings have begun that way. It HAS to be Spirit led, or it is false, fruitless, weak, and an empty shell of what should be faith. I can share my convictions and why God led me to them from dawn til dusk, but I can’t change anyone. Only God can, through the work of the Spirit. I am forever humbled to know that God may one day use me to help change another person’s life one day, but in the same breath, I know that it’s not about me, it’s about HIM and HIS righteousness alone.

I have noticed over the years that many look on things as sin that are not sin. People see a lack of or weak faith in others and call it sin. People see worry in others and call it sin. People see what I call the non-fruits of the Spirit in others (impatience, a lack of self-control, etc) and call it sin. There is a fine line. It is known that many of these traits can lead people into sin, but honestly these traits in themselves are not sin. I can find no place in which they are labeled as a sin rather than just a weakness that ought to be built up. We need to be careful what we label as sin, and instead of seeking to bring the whole doomsday type attitude to someone if they don’t straighten up fast, we should seek to find the root of the weakness, and then seek to edify the body, to build up and strengthen the person in need of said strength so that they may be equipped to serve the Lord with rejoicing and joy.

As in the case of the prodigal son: The father did not shun his son, nor does it say that he pestered him incessantly about his poor choices, and he didn’t even refuse to sell out early and give his son his part of his inheritance, but rather he acknowledged that his son was an adult, responsible before God for his own choices, and acknowledged that some lessons can only be learned, not taught, and stepped aside, undoubtedly in prayer, and let the Spirit work in His own time. So should our attitude be towards others who do not hold to the same convictions that we hold to. We ought to express our concerns, no doubt about that, and back them up as well, but leave it at that before it escalates into a fire that cannot be controlled. One we learn to accept that the battle is not ours, and that it isn’t about us, or who is right or wrong, many arguments will be extinguished, and many friendships preserved. Trust me, a single kind and compassionate (yet truthful and pointed) word will echo in the spirit longer than any heated debate will ever resound. The prodigal would not have returned if he felt as if he has been wronged or attacked by his father.

So we stand on the Word, the whole incorruptible and faithful Word of God, and we allow the Spirit to work in ways that we cannot. It’s not about us, our efforts to win people, our strengths, or even our smarts or unceasing arguments. It is only about Christ and His righteousness. It is only about the convicting work of the Spirit in the soul that mortal eyes cannot see. The sooner we realize that Jesus doesn’t need us to fight His battles for Him, the better off the Body of Christ will be, and the sooner we can seek to strive together in perfect harmony according to the power and message of our Lord and Risen Savior Jesus Christ. To God alone be the glory, in all things. When we remove ourselves from the picture and seek only to be a vessel through which God can work, without seeking to satisfy the fleshly desire to “win” the discussion point or have the last word, no matter how justified we believe that we are, God then can truly be uplifted and glorified as we silently fade into the backstage curtains in silent worship as we stand in awe of His amazing grace and glorious power.

For his glory alone, I am a faithful and humble servant. Never deserving of His grace and mercy, but God has been good beyond all measure nonetheless and blessed me in the midst of my despicable human state, and caused me to rise in honor by His power alone.