There are so many wonderful promises in the Bible. There are also many cautions, judgments, tribulations, and just plain consequences to the actions of generations upon generations. We need to be careful and prayerful as we study and decide which ones we want to claim for ourselves and our families.
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
This verse is only one example of how people can end up disappointed. We often don't want to look at the different variables and conditions surrounding promises like this.
We can't just pluck a promise out of the Bible and expect God to follow through no matter what we do. |
Promises in the Bible: Relationship in Context to the Whole Scripture vs. Holding God to His Word9/15/2023
Our Creator is a Lord of covenants. Like a wedding covenant, these are never a one-way deal. They are a partnership that relies on a continually growing, two-way relationship.
I know I have definitely been guilty of trying to hold my Savior to a promise that I wasn't understanding all of the "fine print" on. It's not that HE doesn't want to spoil us in every possible way, but because of free will, He is also held to a standard and consequences. Personally, I can't wait to get to Heaven and get past this fleshly side of myself. What about you?
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The more I learn about frequency research, the more I realize information is being directed around it. Good research is being suppressed. Behind every new FDA approval or USDA regulation is a money trail leading to someone's profit. It's unfortunate that is the day we are living in.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2
References:
Needless to say, I've always been drawn to and had an appreciation for the natural beauty of stones and crystals. I've had a lot of questions lately about crystals and frequencies.
Crystals, Gemstones and Amber from a Biblical perspective
“O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun." Ecclesiastes 1:9 Social media has been a buzz with conversations and speculations about AI this year. There are so many questions. I attempted to put some things into perspective for Bible believers with this video. "And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all." Luke 17:26-29
Controversy
Ever since I've had a website (the mid-90s) my most popular content has always been the controversial stuff. (And even before that, my letters to the editor in our little local paper.) The only problem with that is it can take a lot of energy to mold such content into something people can understand and engage with. Let's face it, it takes a lot of research to talk halfway knowledgeable about a controversial topic. It's often not all happy-go-lucky information to sift through. Controversy is also naturally contentious and does not encourage kindness or consideration, something the newer generations have very little of, to begin with.
Contentiousness
While I'm by nature very outspoken and opinionated and I surely don't mind a good debate, I also like to feel like it's productive and of use to people.
It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. Proverbs 21:19
Annnnddd.... As these verses suggest, being contentious should never be our goal, no matter how profitable it might be financially (cough, Rush Limbaugh & others...).
All this to say, (Yes, I actually do have a point I'm getting to!) I've been pivoting in my online business until I'm nearly dizzy but I finally think I'm settling into a routine and have a general gist of what people want without wearing myself out or becoming something I don't want to be. So, on youtube I'm enjoying a collaborative project with a few other ladies called Tin Hat Talks where we're having fun exploring some fringe ideas. I'm also adding some sewing shenanigans and will be sprinkling a few interviews here and there. Most interviews will be saved for the podcast where I'm hoping to start concentrating more on agriculture, homeschooling, book reviews and such. While keeping up with these things, I'm enjoying seeing the new magazine grow and working on writing some small books on the Feasts of the Lord. Leaving Bitterness BehindAnd grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:30-32
I've seen bitterness eat away at women. It's sad and hurts everyone close to them. Wonder & Grace Life Coach Patricia Pitonyak joined the Real Life on the Prairie podcast sharing how to have healthy relationships after divorce. Divorce does NOT have to be toxic. While it's undoubtedly hard on everyone, God provides for healing when hearts are willing to soften and forgive. Patricia's testimony and heart to serve and teach is heartwarming.
Myrna Buckles joined me from Nicaragua to discuss putting legacy in action. She's taking the legacy of strength passed down from generations of Southeastern Oklahoma women and helping impoverished women in Central America create thriving businesses. Some of these women have been working over open fires off the side of a shack through hot weather making tortillas to sell. They are now confidently supporting their families while serving their communities and praising the Lord along the way. Watch the video below or hop over to the Prairie Dust channel on YouTube to hear her story.
If you've made it this far through the blog post, Thank You!!! And please comment or email me what you are looking most forward to seeing more of as the year progresses. Also, what do you look for most when buying a magazine?
I've struggled for about the past year with "who am I" thoughts.
If you begin listing all the things you "do"... do you get lost and overwhelmed in all the things that need to be done under each 'persona'? I do. I tend to feel like I need to give "equal time" to each thing. But that's not how things work. Like the Proverbs 31 woman, we don't do ALL the things ALL the time. Different things prevail over others in different seasons of life. Wondering what to do this summer?
Creation Dietitian Mom has a TON of pintables available over at TeachersPayTeachers. Debbie Hanyon has become a good friend. I've even had her on the Real Life on the Prairie podcast. She knows her stuff and is very thorough with her resources.
Debbie's Creation Dietitian Monthly Membership Library is amazing and would be a great thing to work through during the summer. It includes recipes young children can make, guides them through menu planning, grocery shopping and more. Our oldest, Kathryn, recently submitted a guest article on Debbie's blog called, "Were Dragons Ever Real?" You'll need time to read the whole thing, because Kathryn does NOT know how to write something short... The Desecration and Disrespect of Femininity
As the definition of a woman has come up and so many people are trying to redefine their preferences, or lack there of... Our family has been discussing where this is all coming from and how people are being so hurt by it.
We use to have three categories; straight, sodomite and celibate. All the acronym letters fall into one of those categories. We used to call the outdoorsy and sporty girls, tomboys. The less athletic boys were usually labeled nerds. Today, there are so many reasons, mentally and physiologically for people to be confused about who they are.
I would also say, society has encouraged a toxic masculinity on boys. Pictures of men through the ages have them in robes, fluffy frills, high heels, and very ornate and fancy clothing. I've always thought the cowboys look so nice when they wear pink western shirts. Speaking of western shirts... Roy Rogers... Did anyone question his masculinity for being short, slight and duded up so snazzy? Probably, but they shouldn't have.
We need to think before we speak and realize we are all struggling through a RAPIDLY changing world. Give love, encouragement and appropriate support.
Who am I?
Now to get back to the original question. I am a growing individual, a child of the Living God, who is constantly learning to become the best me I can be. I fill many roles and enjoy many things. I am me.
Sewing is my therapy, and I've used it to create new memories with family and friends throughout the past 30+ years.
Now I'm a Meemaw and I'm feeling a bit lost since I left the full-time job. THE JOYFUL LIFE magazine recently shared an article, 5 Traditions to Start with Grandchildren for Making Lifelong Memories which really struck a cord with me.
Grandmother-hood is not what I expected
I've really looked forward to grandchildren, but it's not been quite what I anticipated.
I really don't know what I was expecting. The babies are precious. As par for the course around here, they think their grandfather is awesome and I just seem to be that crazy lady he lives with. I'm okay with that. He's so good with children. I've noticed a tendency in myself to concentrate on beholding our daughters as mothers. They're both doing such an amazing job with their little ones. They handle motherhood completely different from one another, like they have with every thing else in their lives. They are such completely different personalities. Their babies are happy, healthy and relatively well behaved for their ages. I can't ask for more. When they come over, I steal my kisses and tickles. Yes, they are stolen. They look at me like, "Oh it's Meemaw's thing. Let's get it over with so I can go play." Then they run off to one of the aunts or uncles and start dragging toys out. Memories aren't always the same as reality
I've noticed even the children I use to babysit remember things very differently than you would expect. I never thought I was much fun. I'm a fairly serious, get'r done type person. I have checklists and routines and I get caught up in making sure things are safe and in order. But the children remember the fun. They remember the trouble as fun. They remember the mundane and seemingly boring things as amazing. Even traumatic events tend to be remembered more as an adventure, in many cases. It amazes me how a child's mind works.
Soaking it in
For the moment, I'm just basking in the beauty of our family. Toddlers have such a short attention span, so baking with them is momentary fun before they're off to explore something else. They aren't ready for activities or tea parties yet.
I have matching outfits cut out for them out of fabrics I made a scrappy skirt from and patterns are out for more projects. I'll be in my happy place, they'll have cute outfits to play and get dirty in and it'll make cute pictures for preserving these memories. In the meantime, I'm taking some ideas from the article I shared above, remembering some of the fun things my grandparents did with me and that Paul's parents did with our children. One of these days, these little ones will have at least a few special memories of their Meemaw. What are some special memories you have of your grandparents? If you're in that season of life now, what are a few traditions you do with your grandchildren? I'd love to know!
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A. Growing up
I'm a child of God for eternity.
"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3-4
As a survivor of childhood abuse and neglect, I grew up way too fast. I've decided I'm going to enjoy as much 'childhood' as I can now. I told this to the last person who said this to me and after thinking about it for a moment, they agreed. Let's enjoy this life with the zeal of a little child as much as we can!
B. The fantasy worldJesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world..." John 18:36
There are so many things in this world that are horrible and terrible. Living in the Kingdom helps me see it all as it truly is. I can love the people and deal with all the issues as the realist I am and as a light.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14
...while still being inspired toward things I can't even imagine...
But, as it is written, C. Looking in the mirror
My mother once told me that people accuse others of things they are guilty of. As she said it, I saw the light dawn in her eyes... She was an over-achiever, fighting laziness. She was an enabler, fighting her own selfishness.
Don't get me wrong, I always admired her work ethic and generosity. She was amazing in so many ways that she often did not see herself, because of her own inner struggles. So often, we accuse others of our fight, projecting rather than accepting our own shortcomings. She never accused me of being lazy or selfish again. I didn't say a thing, she just let God work in her heart, as we should all do. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for HIM; fret not yourself... Psalm 37:7
My body needs more rest than a lot of people. My dear husband loves to encourage me to sleep in and take naps. He knows I tend to push myself and overdo. He also knows I have an overly generous nature and he encourages me to support people through their experiences.
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to HIS eternal glory in Christ, will HIMself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10 D. Sense and Sensibility
The more I learn, the less I realize I know...
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 1:25
Common sense is like a muscle grown through the exercise of learning. We all have a natural sense of some things and not so much of others. Let's give ourselves and others grace as we learn while we pray for discernment.
E. You are amazing!
So many struggle with this, but you know what? Our Creator knit you in your mother's womb.
For YHWH formed my inward parts;
HE made you better than 'good enough.' If you lean on HIM, HE will continue to grow you into the best person HE knows you to be. It's a process, but only HE really knows your potential, therefore only HE can judge your worth and HE thought you were worth dying for.
“Whoever believes in HIM may have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only Son, that whoever believes in HIM should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send HIS Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through HIM." John 3:15-17 I understand
Sometimes we just need to know someone understands. We always need the truth. The truth is so often the opposite of what we think. Let's renew our minds with the Word of Truth.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
A debate (noun) does not have to be an argument. It can be, and in the since I’m touching on here is dialog, commentary, discussion, or powwow.
Debates are a historical way of educating and informing people. It’s more fun than a lecture by just one person. Listeners get the benefit of multiple perspectives. Good debates tend to encourage people to think for themselves, rather than telling the listeners what to think. A debate is over a topic that is of mutual concern to the speakers. Their ideas concerning the topic or solutions to a problem differ because of the speakers’ backgrounds, education and perspectives. If speakers can remember they are both concerned about those whom the topic touches, they can more easily stay civil and professional.
It has become harder and harder to have a productive debate. Public debates are often more about the speaker than the subject matter anymore. Sides take turns verbally throwing mud back and forth, rather than legitimately trying to inform and educate their listeners.
Preparation for a debate should be more about the audience than the speaker. Too often, speakers have a prepared propagandized topic they are paid to push rather than actual education or productive information. This is actually true with many public speakers anymore. I actually heard one speaker bully his audience, making fun of anyone who dared think differently than the propaganda he was pushing. He was so good at it he insulted the audience and they were excited about his false narrative. This particular speaker is so good at what he does, he is paid by different agencies and organizations around Oklahoma to spread whatever propaganda they’re pushing. I get literally sick to my stomach every time I hear him speak, no matter the topic. I’m convinced a debate can be an enjoyable experience for both the audience and the speakers. Some basic guidelines would need to be set first. Speakers should keep in mind:
How it should be conducted:
Bible verses to keep in mind:
It’s important to remember, when debating someone who is not a Bible believer that we are not to hold them to the same standards we are held to. We are to treat the lost with compassion, mercy and tender care. While we do not approve, entertain or excuse evil, we also need to see the hurt and manipulation that the enemy uses to ensnare and lead individuals astray. There are times to debate and there are times to keep quiet. (Ecclesiastes 3:7) Discernment is important. I’ll admit that I am still learning discretion. Some people are not open to other ideas. (Proverbs 14:7, Psalm 1:1) In this day and age, with the severe split in society worldwide, honest and open debate can be a useful tool in finding innovative solutions to real dilemmas. If you are a non-confrontational person, consider it encouraging and motivating thought. If you are confrontational by nature, pray for discernment and discretion. Creating a Legacy Facebook Party
The party was hosted by the members of the Blog Well Mastermind, a group of female entrepreneurs who meet weekly for business growth, trainings and accountability. The group will be open to new members in the near future, if you'd like an invite when we open registration please visit here for more details.
Here's an introduction to a few more of the Blog Well Mastermind members:
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