Friday, May 25, 2012

Wimpy Theology Makes Wimpy Women

OR ...


Why ladies should know their theology .....


       "Theology - the study of God and of God's relation
                         to the world; the study of religious faith,
                         practice and experience."

Several years ago I attended a True Women Conference where John Piper gave a message 
about what a true, godly woman was.


He started off with the phrase, 


"Wimpy theology makes wimpy women."

That phrase got everyone's attention. It has been on my mind since the conference.  Nobody wants to be a wimp!  

 John Piper, from the 2008 True Woman Conference
Wimpy theology m akes wimpy women. That’s my assumption that I bring to this evening. Wimpy theology simply does not give a woman a God that is big enough, strong enough, wise enough, and good enough to handle the realities of life in away that magnifies the infinite worth of Jesus Christ.
Wimpy theology is plagued by woman-centeredness and man-centeredness. Wimpy theology doesn’t have the granite foundation of God’s sovereignty or the solid steel structure of a great God-centered purpose for all things."

If we, as ladies, want to weather the storms of

temptation and discouragement;

 the storms of suffering and trials;

we need to know our theology. 


We need to know our God. 

If we have a messed up idea about who God is 

we won't be able to understand why He would allow temptations,

suffering, discouragement and trials in our lives.


We must be able

to stand ... unshakably ... on the Word of God.

We must be firmly and totally convinced 

of the character of God.  

His Sovereignty ~ 

that He is in control of all things.

That there is NEVER a moment 

when I 'inform' Him of anything.

That I was in His mind before the world's were made.

That MY NAME was written in the Lambs Book of Life

before the foundation of the world.

That He chose to set His love upon me ... 

and drew me unto Himself 

without any help from me. 

That His love for me is amazing and deep.

That I exist to bring HIM honor and glory.


The more you know and study your God,

the more you will love Him and be 

--- oh so grateful --- 

for all He has done for you.



Be sure of what you believe and why you believe it.

As one sister put it, 

"put the milk away, pull out a 

knife and fork and dive 

into the meat of our Creator God".

Be amazed over and over and over again 

of the wonder of 

His great love for you ... 

it will change your life, 

He promises!

" ... That I might know Him ..."

Philippians 3:10

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

How Does Your Garden Grow ....?

Jeshanah watering after the 'plant'
Lois is working on a garden.

and I'm trying to help. 

When I was young ..... 

I loved gardening.  Think I got it from my

"Gramma Green" who lived in Sabin, MN and

had the absolutely most wonderful 

garden around. She taught me how to weed.

How to thin the carrots and how to

put "dried blood"  (YUCK) around the plants

to keep the rabbits out!  But it works ~ and is not a pesticide!
.


Samuel was a big help in making 

and then pounding in all the stakes for the rows.

Can you tell which vegis he is going to eat???

Chloe was a big help too by covering up

all those tiny seeds after they were

placed gently in the ground.

And Lydia ... this sweet girl, without being told,

went in and got ice water for us all ... it was a hot afternoon.

Jeshanah helped too ... maybe she will be the 

daughter that shares my love of gardening ?!?!  

Maybe not!


I use to always plant 'Big Boy' tomato

plants.  Was looking for them and found

'Better Boy'.  OK I'm game.  Technology

has progressed ... why not tomato plants.

We will see how they do!






Sam and Chloe went to the lake with us

to help mow and trim the bushes by the door.

Love to see these kiddos working ~ and having fun doing it!!









Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Briann runs the mile ...

Here is Briann running her mile!

She started out cheerful and happy ...

and expended all her energy ...

to do her best!
 
Each time around

the track her mom,

dad, Sydney

 and I encouraged

 her to keep on

some with words ...

"faster Briann, faster"!!

Some with smiles!


Cody somehow got 

out of his Math class

and ran on the inside of 

the track with her to 

encourage her on!


Her time was 8:22,

which is a GREAT TIME!

She ran hard

and did her best 

and

that is what counts!





Was she tired

when she finished??

You bet she was.

But she finished well

and I'm SO proud of her!









Monday, May 21, 2012

My Three Girls



So thankful for the children

the LORD has blest me with.

To bear them, 

change their diapers,

teach them to walk 

and then to read,

teach them to ride bike 

and then to drive a car,

teach them to know what the

Word of God says and then

watch the Word change their lives ...

Indeed it is a great thrill and a great privilege ...

to have and to raise children ~~~

For now they are more than my children  ... 

they are my friends!

Special Celebration


 Josiah Philip

was born to 

Shane and Isenija

on May 5th. 

He weighed in at

6# 7 oz  and was 21 inches long.


We celebrated with them 

at a fun baby shower.


Kumrija shared some 

very good, practical thoughts

from the Word of God.

Including a gentle reminder ~~~

to remember to dress up nice

and put your make up on ....

for your husband ... even if you're tired.






Sam made these dipped pretzels

and Jill made these 

sweet cookies!


I am blest to know these sisters

and to have them a part of my life.

They are a reminder to me of the Grace of my God.

" ... He has mercy on whomever He wills ..."
Romans  9:18

I am so thankful that they know the LORD Jesus

as their Savior and pray that they will continue

to live their lives for HIS honor and glory.



6.46 may not mean to much to you ...




But to this guy

it means tons ! !

Cody wanted to beat a record

of 6.59

and

he 

did.



He has lots of

grit and determination.

And when he sets his mind

to do something ...

he gets it done.

Kinda like his __________ .

(you fill in who you think!)








Here he is

CROSSING  THE  FINISH  LINE

A  well run mile!


 And here is 

faithful "little" sister, Sydney,

telling him, "Good job, Cody,

you beat it!"

Here's gma saying,

"great job Cody, you are

one strong and determined guy."

Reminds me of some verses

in Hebrews chapter 12 

verses 1 and 2.





"... let us also lay aside every 
weight and sin which clings so closely,
and let us 

run with endurance the race

that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus the Author
and Finisher of our faith ..."

When Cody got ready to run he didn't 
put on a parka, heavy work boots
and weights around his arms and legs.

Nope, he dressed in lightweight clothing
ready for the race.

So how are we doing with laying aside the weights and sins 
that cling so closely .... and running with ENDURANCE????




Keep up the good work Cody.








Saturday, May 19, 2012

Recital ...

... a musical entertainment 

usually given by a single performer.

Lindsey and Alyssa

performed their annual Spring Recital on Friday.






















They played their pieces beautifully.  I could listen to them all day!!

Lindsey played "Fandango" and "Little Brown Jug" and

Alyssa played "Alpine Polka" and "Greensleeves".


















Here they are with their 

piano teacher, Hannah.

Jill plays too ... 

maybe she will give me  ... 

"a musical entertainment by

a single performer" ...  privately ... someday!



Some of the cousins.

Selah had to sit quiet long enough.

Now it was time for her

to be running free.








Eddy was
such a 
gentleman
and held
the door open
for us all.

Way to

go Eddy!!








"And whatever you do, in word or deed, 
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, 
giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Colossians 3:17



"So, whether you eat or drink, 
or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31


I pray whatever talents and

abilities the LORD gives ... 

would be used for HIS honor and glory.

A life lived for HIM is a joy filled life.

Not one without suffering,  For suffering 

reminds us of our nearness to our Father.

But joy for the journey. 

Which HE promises in abundance!