Thursday, March 31, 2011

Proverbs 31:29


Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.


Christian woman, do you want to be the best of the best? Here is a very exceptional woman! There have been many good and virtuous women, thankfully. But there have not been many like the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31! This description, composed by a queen mother to identify the kind of woman her son the king should marry, is a detailed list of the marks of a perfect wife. This kind of woman earns the praise of God and men.

Both children and husband laud such an extraordinary woman (31:28). This verse has the glowing and tender words of her husband, as this is the only verse in the lengthy description in the second person. Having known this woman intimately and personally for many years, he praises her for the wonderful companion and helper she was and continued to be. He rightfully exalts her to a place of preeminence over all other women.

This woman is no average virtuous woman – she is overwhelmingly exceptional! The standard here is not a low bar: it is very high! This is a woman fit for a king! Remember, King Lemuel’s mother drew this portrait (31:1-2). What a glorious sketch of the perfect woman! For ambitious women, your goal should be to learn all there is to know about this woman and copy her in your life. Why settle for less? Being second best is losing!

The detailed picture of this wife overwhelms most women. They see her amazing daily diligence, tireless industry, domestic foresight, business savvy, sartorial skills, decorating finesse, creative planning, sweet spirit, moral integrity, satisfied husband, spiritual zeal, and happy family … and they forfeit! It is impossible to do all that, they say. But it is possible, if a woman were totally committed to the goal, with the strength of Jesus Christ!

Rather than resent it, women should thank the Lord for such a clear description of the perfect woman. You cannot match her in one day, week, or month. But diligent efforts will accumulate quickly. Her reputation is achievable. But you cannot even get close with less than all-out effort! The sleepy life of leisure of the average loser is out the window!

Why not be the best? Athletes run to win a prize (I Cor 9:24-27). Who runs to lose? Why be an average wife? Second place is like third place, or last place. Only one wins, so run to win! Crowns are won by temperance in all things – and the virtuous woman is a temperate woman – highly disciplined in self-denial, diligence, graciousness, etc., etc.

Christian woman! Your Creator and all men and women are watching. Your husband and children are watching. How do you approach your day? There is hardly anything more beautiful and praiseworthy than a great woman, especially today. How will you respond?  received from proverbs@letgodbetrue.com

Proverbs 31:10-31
10. Who can find a virtuous wife?  For her worth is far above rubies.
11. The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
12.  She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13.  She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.
14. She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar.
15.  She rises whil it is yet nights, and provides food for her household., and a portion for her maidservants.
16.  She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard.
17.  She girds herself with strength and strengthens her arms,
18.  She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night,
19. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle,
20.  She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy,
21.  She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household is clothed with scarlet,
22. She makes tapestry for herself,  her clothing is fine linen and purple,
23.  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.,
24.  She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants,
25.  Strength and honor are her clothing, she shall rejoice in the time to come,
26.  She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness,
27.  She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness,
28.  Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her,
29.  Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all,
30.  Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised,
31.  Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

I truly believe the Lord has given each wife and mother a special "mission field"
right at home.  Taking care of our husbands, children, our own homes,
providing food for our families (either gardening or grocery shopping),
making sure everyone is adequately clothed, etc. is a huge opportunity
for us each day.  I know many women whose personal homes and lives
are falling apart but they are great room moms, committee chairwomen,
Sunday School teachers, workers in the secular world.
They don't want to take care of and "serve" their own families but they
willingly do it for others.  I think thats a backwards way of living.
Take care of your household first and then "if" there is time,
you can go outside your gates and help with others.

Many say they don't have time to do everything they need to do.
The Lord gives us all the same 24 hours in a day, its how we choose to
spend that time that matters.  In our home, we are busy all day.  I've got 3
fantastic apprentices that are learning all it takes to run a home, take care of it,
garden and work in the yard, plan menus, make a grocery list and comparison shop,
make crafts for gifts/sale/fair entries, etc.  If we were gone all day long, every day ~
these things couldn't get done. 

I read on a blog once, that a woman sits down with her husband when
she is feeling stressed and relates her day and activities to him.  He is usually able
to figure out what is causing her the most stress and offer solutions to help. 
Usually its when she and her children are involved in too many "outside" activities
and they aren't home.  Just something to think about when the stress hits!
(and it will to everyone)

27. she watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.






Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Cake Decorating ~ 4 weeks of delicious fun

 Amy and Katie wanted to take a Cake Decorating Class.  So we headed to our local Michaels Store to sign up for the Wilton Classes.  Little did we know ~ they would be the only ones in the Level 1 class.  They had a wonderful, messy, creative, yummy time.

Lessons that aren't covered in the book...
1.  pull your hair back
2.  If 2 sisters take the class ~ make each class cake 1 layer (we did not need 2  ~ 2 layer cakes at our house for 2 weeks!)
3.  the photographer should make sure the battery is charged before she gets to class (oops)
4.  Have fun!!!!!
5.  Raising 2 future homemakers is a lot of fun!  Amen!
class 1 - decorated sugar cookies



class 2 - decorated 1 layer cake

class 2- decorated 1 layer cake

class 3 - cupcakes

class 3 - cupcakes

When A & K are unsupervised with their icing coloring -bright, bold things happen.
Guess what Katie is decorating her "grad" cake with ~ to you it may look like a leafy vine but to me...

its poison ivy!  THEN she told me I couldn't eat any of her cake cause of my p.i. allergy.  HA, I ate the roses section!
Amy's "grad" cake.  She is taking hers to Bible Drill tonight to share!
The proud Level 1 graduates!!!!!

Katie's Official Certificate
. Amy's official Certificate      



Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Daybook

for today.....

Outside my window...cloudy, may get lots of rain this afternoon and tonight ~ it'll be great to wash away some of this pollen
I am thinking...about how complicated life can be sometimes ~ its really sad when a young man has to spend many, many hours in school to get a decent job to support himself and a family. I think simpler lifestyles and living would be better for all of us.

I am thankful for...open-ness in talking, shared laughter
From the kitchen...honestly...right now, I don't have a clue

From the learning room...Spanish, Algebra, lots of Bible Drill practice, Language, History
I am wearing...lavendar top, black skirt

I am creating...smocked dresses, hand quilted wall hanging (my first)
I am going...to live a God-centered, home centered life

I am reading..."The Children Trap, Biblical Principles for Education" by Robert Thoburn, Psalms, "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby
I am praying...for my children to have the desires for a God-centered life

I am hearing...Bible Drill practice, puppy paws, fingers typing, cars driving by
Around the house...school, crafts, starting seeds for the summer garden

One of my favorite things...fun times with my girls
A few plans for the rest of the week...dance lessons, bible study, Associational Bible Drill, 1 day missions trip to a small Miss. church~ painting, recarpeting,community-wide cookout

Pictures to share...
springtime in Mississippi

Apple Blossom

the girls Marigold Flowers

My camellia bloomed late this year, but has blessed us with gorgeous flowers

"Swinging" girls

Greg and his chipper provided us with lots of mulch for our trees and bushes

A future mighty Pecan Tree "twig"  

I would love to post pictures of my flowering wisteria but mine isn't flowering.  In fact, it never has ~ I got ripped off in the wisteria dept., mine goes from vines to leaves ~ argh!  3 years and not a single lavendar blossom.  Greg suggested I stop on the side of the road and get a "cutting" to root but I would probably get poison ivy. 

Monday, March 28, 2011

Multitude Monday 937-960.

Blessings.....

937. lunch date with friend

938.  a girlfriend I can talk to

939.  a daughter wanting to learn how to smock

940.  new fabric

941.  finding the sizes in the pattern I wanted

942.  tax refunds

943.   a son who cheerfully accompanies us to the sewing store

944.  3 dates in one weekend!!!!!

945.  delivering the smocked dresses for my twin friends

946.  babies wobbly first steps

947.  full Sunday School class

948.  rain to wash away some pollen

949.  competed weekend chores

950.  starting a new quilting project  (Log Cabin in red, blue, green yellow)

951.  having the tv off

952.  family discussions

953.  prayer

954.  the Father's incredible love for His children

955.  knowing that we don't deserve HIS love but He loves us anyway

956.  the joy of worshipping together

957.  hymns of praise

958.  Re-consecrating ourselves to the Lord

959.  prayer burdens for the lost

960.  the blessing of Salvation

Pictures

Beautiful Babies!  You can't tell really well in the pictures, but they are getting red hair just like one of their big brothers!  

Love these babies!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Smocking

My fingers have been busy again...
people read, work crossword puzzles, watch tv, stare at the wall...
I craft.  (ok, I read alot too!)
Right now, I am on a smocking jag.
I learned how to smock when Amy was 3.  
I love the old fashioned look of smocked dresses.
These are for my little twin friends who will be a year old next month.




I fell in love with this polka dot fabric at Hobby Lobby and knew it was for my little buddies!  The pink and white is for Coralea.  The brown with ice cream colored dots is for Lilyann.  

Amy has informed me that I need to get more polka dots fabric and smock a dress for her future daughter!  She will let me add it to the collection of little dresses in my "future grandma" box.

Just out of curiosity and because I have never "timed" myself, I kept track of the pink/white dress.  I started the smocking on Sunday ~ the dress was completely finished, including buttons & hem by Thursday night.

I am working on another one for my great niece to be, who will make her entrance in April.  
Then I've got 4 more I want to do for little friends.

I don't know what is going in the fair yet but I've got to start thinking about this also.  I would like to do another newborn dress for an entry ~ I haven't entered one of those yet.

Happy Crafting!!!!!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Do You Know What 1 Billion Means?

I've been getting some great emails lately!  Here is something to think about....do you know how much a billion is?  Please keep reading...I think you will be amazed!

 

$1,000,000,000
How many zeros in a billion? This is too true to be funny.

The next time you hear a politician use the
Word 'billion' in a casual manner, think about
Whether you want the 'politicians' spending YOUR tax money.

A billion is a difficult number to comprehend,
But one advertising agency did a good job of
Putting that figure into some perspective in
One of it's releases.

A.

A billion seconds ago it was 1959.

B.

A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive.

C.

A billion hours ago our ancestors were Living in the Stone Age.
D.
A billion dollars ago was only
8 hours and 20 minutes,
At the rate our government
Is spending it.


While this thought is still fresh in our brain...
let's take a look at New Orleans  ...
It's amazing what you can learn with some simple division.


Louisiana Senator,
Mary Landrieu (D)
Is presently asking
Congress for
250
BILLION DOLLARS
To
rebuild New Orleans .  Interesting number...
What does it mean?

A.

Well .. If you are one of the 484,674 residents of New Orleans  
(every man, woman, and child)
You each get $516,528.

B..

Or... If you have one of the 188,251 homes in New Orleans , your home gets $1,329,787..
C.

Or... If you are a family of four....
Your family gets $2,066,012.


Washington  , D. C
HELLO!

Are all your calculators broken??
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax (Fed)
Federal Unemployment Tax  (FU TA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
       IRS Interest Charges           (tax on top of tax)
IRS Penalties(tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service charge taxes
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax (Truckers)
Sales Taxes
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge
Tax
Utility Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
(And to think, we left British Rule to avoid so many taxes)


STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago.....
And our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt....
We had the largest middle class in the world.....
And Mom stayed home to raise the kids.


What happened?
Can you spell:

'POLITICIANS!'


And I still have to
Press '1'
For English.


I hope this goes around
the
 U S A
At
least 100 times

What happened???



 


=

Monday, March 21, 2011

Multitude Monday 911-936

blessings abound.........

911.  10 new friends
912.  first meetings

913.  awkward moments & shy smiles
914.  realizing just how much we have in common

915.  long conversations
916.  chaperones

917.  continuous games of pool
918.  family prayers

919.  unexpected gifts
920.  fellowship

921.  extending the visit
922.  visit to the new Childrens Museum

923.  drippy ice cream on a warm spring day
924.  man to man talks

925.  expectations discussed
926.  sweet baby kisses

927.  little girls & dolls
928.  big girls & giggles

929.  games of Apples to Apples
930.  anticipation of future visits

931. Bryant & Katie enjoying Apple Crisp

932.  the Cutler/Jackson invasion of the Childrens Museum

933. our future engineer ~ makes a Mom proud!  Love the "official" hat.

933.  coloring fun at the museum

934.  sweet new friendships ~ Amy & Brittany

935.  young men looking for adventure ~ Brady, Breagan, & Will

936. Apple Crisp picnic in the living room

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Stop the Disrespect

I received the following in email form.  I've sent it to many on my email contacts and am posting it here.  Please copy and send to everyone you know.  This is a disgusting portrayal of a man who knew NO sin.  Not only will I be praying for theaters to ban the film but I will be praying for the repentance and salvation of the sick individuals who were in any way connected with this movie.
  
Going beyond DISRESPECT

Abraham asked the Lord to spare 50 righteous people. God responded to Abraham's plea "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all  ....Genesis 18:16-33

The movie " Corpus Christi " is due to be released this June to August. A disgusting film set to appear in America later this year depicts Jesus and his disciples as homosexuals! As a play, this has already been in theatres for a while.  It's called " Corpus Christi " which means "The Body of Christ".  It's revolting mockery of our Lord. But we can make a difference. 

That's why I am sending this e-mail to you. If you do send this around, we just might be able to prevent this film from showing in America .  Let's stand for what we believe in and stop the mockery of Jesus Christ our Savior. Where do we stand as Christians? At the risk of a bit of inconvenience, I'm forwarding this to all I think  would appreciate it, too. Please help us prevent such offenses against our Lord. There is no petition to sign, no time limit, or minimum number of people to send this to.. It will take you less than 2 minutes!

If you are not interested and do not have the 2 minutes it will take to do this, please don't complain when God does not have time for you because He is far busier than we are. Hey it's worth a shot! 
Apparently, some regions in Europe have already banned the film. All we need is a lot of prayer and a lot of e-mails.

JUST GET THE WORD OUT

....will God be able to find at least 50 righteous people who are willing to express their concern and voice their opinion against this act of blasphemy


 

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Daybook (a day late!)

Daybook!.....

For today...

Outside my window...sunny, temps in the 60's, pollen

I am thinking...how "modern medicine" doesn't seem to be helping our friend Shelby ~ she is still sick, worse than ever, may have Lyme Disease

I am thankful for...prayer

From the kitchen...bread is rising, homemade pizza for dinner tonight

I am wearing...denim skirt, flowered blouse

I am creating...working on 23rd Psalm cross stitch ~ got lots of projects waiting in line to get started on

I am going...to continue counting my blessings

From the learning room...reading, Algebra, Biology, spanish, language

I am reading...the Psalms, gardening books, "Surviving Off Grid" by Michael Bunker, and "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby

I am praying...for wisdom for Shelby's dr.;s, and for treatment that works to begin healing her body

I am hearing...cars driving, girls talking, hopefully a lawn mower starting soon

Around the house...springtime activities ~ garden bed cleaning, ground tilling, bush snipping, plant moving, porch cleaning,  And sneezing ~ its pollen season

One of my favorite things...anticipation

A few plans for the rest of the week...bible studies, another CLEP test for Katie, more outside work, and Bryant and his family are coming to visit ~ more on that visit next week!!!!!

You can visit with other Daybookers at ...
                                             http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

                                 

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Proverbs

Proverbs 15:20


 
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.
 


You can make your parents very happy by being wise, and God will bless you for it. Your future depends on pleasing your parents. God ordained parents, and He expects you to reverence them for their office and what they have done for you. God also chose your specific parents! The earth has over 4 billion parents, but God chose the two He knew would be best for you, regardless of what you think of them or wish for yourself.

Consider this proverb. It is in the indicative mood, stating facts without clear advice. Its full value, intent, and force must be discovered. Since wise sons make glad fathers, is the lesson (1) for sons to be wise, (2) for wise sons to make their fathers glad, or (3) for fathers to train wise sons for their own future gladness? All of these lessons are good.

How does a foolish son despise his mother? “A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother (10:1). “A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him” (17:25). A foolish son despises his mother indirectly by being a source of heaviness and bitterness to her through his foolish living.

Young men should be wise, because wisdom is the principal thing, and it brings many benefits (4:5-9). Wisdom also leads to favor with God and men (3:4; Luke 2:52). But the lesson of this proverb is the effect it has on parents! If you choose to be foolish, you offend God, you hurt yourself, you offend other men, and you hurt your parents. Beware!

How important is it to please your parents by being a wise child? Very! Consider it positively and negatively. If you obey and honor your parents, God will bless you with a good and long life (Ex 20:12; Deut 5:16; Eph 6:2-3). But God required capital punishment for insolent children; and He will do it Himself, if the nation neglects its duties (20:20; 30:17; Ex 21:15,17; Lev 20:9; Deut 21:18-21; 27:16; Matt 15:4)!

Why waste time, money, or effort to live longer by the questionable factors of nutrition, exercise, medicine, or supplementation? The God of heaven, Who gave you your life, told you through this proverb that He will add to your life, if you will live wisely. How? By fulfilling His promise to give a good and long life to those who honor their parents.

What is wisdom? The power of right judgment! Wise men fear God and learn His word to know and do the perfect will of God in all situations. They are diligent, gracious, just, merciful, noble, prudent, righteous, and virtuous. Parents see such children living wisely, and it gives them great joy (10:1; 17:21; 19:13; 23:15-16,24-25; 27:11; 29:3).

Rather than think you have done your duty toward your parents by getting them a card or taking them out to eat, make the fear of the Lord and Bible wisdom the most important things in your life. This will give godly parents much greater joy than any gift. It is a win-win-win proposition! God will be pleased and bless you for it; wisdom will bring you prosperity and save you from trouble; and your parents will be thrilled.

Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God. He grew in wisdom and stature as a boy (Luke 2:52). His Father in heaven greatly loved Him, and He pleased Him well (Matt 3:17). His mother also was pleased, and she stayed faithful to His religion through His death and resurrection (Luke 2:19,51; John 19:25; Acts 1:14). He practiced this proverb perfectly by being wise for His Father and not despising His mother. Follow His example!

I pray my 5 sons (and 2 future sons-in-law) will make Godly, wise decisions that will please the Lord. 

AMEN!

Forward email

Monday, March 14, 2011

Multitude Monday 891-910

More & more blessings.....

891.  springtime

892.  pollen (only because it brings beautiful flowers and trees)

893.  allergy medicine (see #892!)

894.  willing helpers for the Lord

895.  good fellowship during Mission Time

896.  "I Love You's" at the end of phone calls

897.  completed tax forms

898.  tax refund

899.  another CLEP test this week

900.  100 more blessings to count before I reach 1000 ~ WOW!

901.  anticipation

902. excitement

903. a little anxiety

904.  many prayers

905.  an anticipated visit

906.  the Lord's Will

907.  fun times

908.  warm weather

909.  yummy cookouts

910. spring fever

Friday, March 11, 2011

Quilt Blocks

I've officially met a quilt block that I DO NOT like.  The more I sewed on them, the stronger the dislike.  Actually, hate may be a more appropriate word.  I am tremendously glad that I wasn't doing a full size quilt.  I chose to do 4 blocks with the intentions of making them into a tote bag.  But, once I put the sashing pieces in between, its too large for a tote, so now its going to be a small wall hanging (at least its versatile).  As I was grumbling and gritting my teeth throughout the process this afternoon, my lovely daughters are stating how much they liked sewing this block.  And they each did 6.  Everyone has different likes and dislikes, and I can live with that.  I cannot ever see repeating this block in my life.

With all that being said...I love butterflies!  I think it turned out great.

Here is a picture....

To my dear friend Marie....don't let Izzy see this post ~ she would never finish hers!  Amy and Katie can help her ~ and I can quietly iron for them or something!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

A Proverb about Anger


Proverbs 29:22



An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.



Anger ruins men. It is a curse on their lives. Anger causes fighting and sin. It is blinding and dangerous. An angry man cannot ignore offences (19:11). He reacts without thinking, which leads to fights (15:18). There is little peace to those around him, because he has either blown up recently or is likely to blow up soon. He reacts without thinking and says and does sinful things in the devilish heat of his foolish passion. He is a fool (14:29).

If you want peace and righteousness in your life, stay away from an angry man. His profane way of responding to life will corrupt your good manners (22:24-25). God have mercy on the poor woman who married an angry man, and God have mercy on the poor children born to an angry man. Their lives are cursed with the devilish heart of their husband or father, who is just as likely to lash out and hit them as love and hug them.

An angry man will lose his wife, children, and reputation. An angry man has little self-control, like an infant or a defenseless city (25:28; I Cor 3:1-3). His children wait for the day when they can leave home to find the peace and security he never gave them. Of course, angry men are too stupid to figure this until it is too late. Their children will not give many warnings, for they fear his wrath and blows. They nod and submit, despising their father in their heart, until they can leave and have a pleasant life without fear.

Before women think this proverb is not for them, remember that Solomon in Proverbs, like the rest of the Bible writers, often refers collectively to both sexes as a man. This proverb applies with at least equal force against angry women, for anger should be viewed as even further beneath a woman’s dignity and nature than those of a man. A member of the gentler sex known for anger and fury is surely a perversion of humanity.

Are you an angry man? Do you speak impulsively? Do you strike impulsively? Do you yell at your wife or children? Do you say harsh things that others question or condemn? Do others crave your presence? Are you known as a gracious or a difficult man? Do your wife and children tell you all they are thinking? Do you rule by intimidation or affection? Does your wife stay with you because she has to or wants to? Do your wife and children ever steer clear of you due to fear of your foul mood? Are you an angry man?

Are you an angry man? Do you get worked up over minor things? Does your intensity match situations or exceed them? Let others be the judge. What do they think? We can seldom see ourselves as we truly are. Are you able to ignore offences easily and quickly? Or are you prone to bitterness? Do you get emotionally involved where emotion should be strictly ruled? Do you flare up against criticism or correction? Can you thank a person quickly for calling you down for overreacting? Do you enjoy confrontations and look at them as projects? Do you turn minor differences into conflicts? Are you an angry man?

Are you an angry man? Measure by the number of close friends you have, for most men will avoid an angry man. Measure by the stability and duration of your past associations and relationships. Measure by how much your children desire to be with you, whether young or old. After all, they know you best, and they are the most forgiving. Measure by whether others consider you a critical person or a gentle and meek person? Measure by whether you are often at strife with others or never? Are you an angry man?

Anger has no virtue, except for those rare and holy occasions when righteous indignation erupts legitimately against ungodliness. Not all anger is sin, but the vast majority is sin (Eph 4:26)! And the horrible passions of most anger give place to the devil in your life (Eph 4:27)! The blessed God of heaven, Who is holy in all His ways, is angry and furious against His enemies (Nah 1:2-6). He burns in hot wrath against sin (Rev 19:15). The very meek Moses became angry (Ex 32:19). And even Jesus was angry (Mark 3:5).

However, anger without a just cause is a violation of the sixth commandment – “Thou shalt not kill” (Matt 5:21-22). It does not matter that you could not stop your anger; many murderers have tried the same excuse. It does not matter that you have a temperament prone to quick wrath – you are a weak man. Grow up! Stop being a child that throws temper tantrums! Get strong and rule your spirit (14:29; 16:32; Jas 1:19-20). “Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous” (27:4). Learn to love the wisdom of peace (Jas 3:14-18)!

The proverb teaches, “An angry man stirreth up strife.” Anger causes fighting (15:18). A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger (15:1). The angry man does not think before speaking or reacting, so he provokes anger and fighting where a conflict could have ended. Solomon’s son Rehoboam answered Israel harshly and lost ten of twelve tribes, for he provoked them to anger and enmity by his foolish conduct. It is impossible to fight with a pillow, and the man who defers his anger is a holy pillow.

The proverb teaches, “A furious man aboundeth in transgression.” Speaking or acting impulsively generally leads to sin. Angry men are too confused and enraged to examine and check their words or actions by wisdom. They merely react with the profane instincts of their depraved hearts, and sin is the certain result. Even Moses, generally a meek and patient man, allowed Israel to provoke him to speak unadvisedly with his lips and strike the rock God had told him to address (Ps 106:32-33). It is cool and calm reflection that leads to wisdom and prudence, not the passion and fury of anger.

Anger seldom works the righteousness of God (Jas 1:19-20). Therefore, you must learn to check its first risings in your soul. If you know of persons or situations that provoke you to anger, then either avoid them or prepare your defenses in advance. Learn to wait before allowing anger any expression. Let the fear of losing your wife, children, and reputation teach you the precious value of kindness, mercy, and patience. It is a glorious man that can defer anger (19:11). It is a great man that can rule his spirit (14:29; 16:32).

Parent, you must train this curse out of your children. There is no room for anger in how your children deal with each other, their friends, or with you. Require meekness, kindness, service, and reverence at all times. Do not allow that proud and selfish rage that destroys souls and families. And neither can you allow that sullen and withdrawn fury that burns deeper and longer. All bitterness and grudges must be found and destroyed.

God has ordered you to reject all bitterness, wrath, anger, and malice (Eph 4:31). These sins are totally unacceptable to the blessed God and the Christian religion. They will lead to fighting, strife, and other sins that have no right in your life. In their place you are to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving of others. And what is the motive and standard for this unnatural behavior? God’s treatment of you in Christ Jesus (Eph 4:32)!

 

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Happy Birthday to Will!!!!!

Will loves to be outside ~ even sledding with his sisters in Virginia!
Will & Dad are our protectors in the "Wild West"
Will like playing pool (when the garage is clean!)
Will had the honor of "discovering" out 1st egg!
Will absolutely loves children ~ and they love him!


HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY TO WILL!

He is our hard working,  tender hearted, chicken whispering, dog feeding, model building, Dad helping, pressure washing, primer painting, branch clipping, grass cutting, Bible reading, Godly youngest son!  And he has awesome trash taking out skills.

We love you Will!  Hope you have a great day!