Sad Dolls

Remember when you were a little girl and played with dolls?  I have fond memories of treating them like they were my real babies.  When I wanted a bunch of kids, I included my stuffed animals!



I had a crib and blankets and bottles.  You know the kind; the ones that you tip over and it looks like the liquid goes away.

Here is the sad part.  I saw these dolls.  I guess they are the new thing.  I don't really know since I don't have little girls!  They are dressed pretty cute but their faces... their sad little faces...

The dolls are sad and their eyes have a zombie look to them.  I'm going to have to say that if I had little girls, I wouldn't be encouraging these sad dolls... :(

I still like dolls!  I will probably be one of those old ladies who go around holding a baby doll.

I wan to be like Him

I am so glad that God gave.  That's right! You know what else He did?  He tithed.  Yeah, you know that BIG money issue that is a huge debate among Christians.

Some say, "I don't have to tithe.  It's not commanded in the New Testament."  Others say, "Yes yes! God rewards obedience and the Bible says to tithe!"

But I say, God is my loving Father who... gave.  Not only did He give, He... tithed!  Tithing is the giving of your "firstfruits" correct?  God gave His "firstfruits" ~ Jesus!  (1 Cor 15:20-23)

I am thankful for tithing.  Even more than that, I'm thankful that God tithed.  Without it, where would I be? My desire is to be like my Daddy.


Proverbs 3:9 (NLT)
Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.

Our Santa vs Jesus Story

I mean to encourage you to just think things through before you make a decision ~ Even pray about it! :)

(How I keep Christmas Meaningful ~ Part 1)
(How I Keep Christ In Christmas ~ Part 2)

Do you tell your children that Santa is real?  When our boys got old enough to understand Santa stuff, we struggled with the idea.  We didn't want to seem like weirdos so we went along with well meaning relatives and friends with one difference.  We didn't actually speak the words that Santa is real or coming, BUT we did allow our kids to be led in that direction.

Every year at Christmas time, we struggled with the idea of continuing to let the boys "believe."  We both felt so guilty allowing Santa into their lives while we were trying to lay a good foundation of Christ. How were we going to tell them one day that, no Santa isn't real but Jesus is?

The day finally came and our oldest figured it out. That was a very hard day.  He cried and cried and demanded an answer.  When he finally got his answer, he wanted to know why we had lied to him all of those years.  Wow, that was a tough one.  Busted.

But we still want you to believe in Jesus! Smile...

So, that's how it all went down.  Would I do it again?  NO.  For all of you young mommies out there, no, I would not let my child believe that Santa is real.  Not even for a minute.  I wouldn't want to live with the guilt of lying every single Christmas, nor with the guilt after the big reveal.


Jesus and Santa Comparison


JESUS                       vs             Santa

1. Has white hair like wool (Rev 1:14)	1. Has white hair like wool
2. Has a beard (Isaiah 50:6)	2. Has a beard
3. Comes in red apparel Isaiah (63:1-2)	3. Comes in red apparel
4. Hour of His coming is a mystery (Luke 12:40; Mark 13:33)	4. Hour of his coming is a mystery
5. Comes from the North where He lives (Ezekiel 1:4; Psalm 48:2)	5. Comes from the North where he lives: North Pole
6. Is a carpenter (Mark 6:3)	6. Is a toy carpenter
7. Comes as a thief in the night (Matthew 24:43-44)	7. Comes as a thief in the night. Even gains entrance to homes as a thief.
8. Omnipotent -- all powerful (Rev 19:6)	8. Omnipotent -- can deliver all the toys of the world in one night
9. Omniscient -- knows all (Hebrews 4:13; 1 John 3:20)	9. Omniscient -- knows if you have been good or bad, for the entire year
10. Omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-10; Ephesians 4:6; John 3:13)	10. Omnipresent -- sees when you wake or sleep. Has to be everywhere at once to be able to deliver all the toys in one short night.
11. Ageless, eternal (Rev 1:8; 21:6)	11. Lives forever
12. Lives in men (1 Cor 3:16; 2 Cor 6:16-17)	12. Lives in the hearts of children
13. Giver of Gifts (Ephesians 4:8)	13. Giver of Gifts
14. Absolute Truth (John 14:6)	14. Absolute Fable - (1 Tim 1:4; 4:7; 2 Tim 4:4)
15. Sits on a throne (Rev 5:1; Heb 1:8)	15. Sits on a throne
16. We are told to boldly go to the throne of Grace for our needs (Heb 4:16)	16. Children are bidden to approach his throne to ask for anything they want
17. Commands children to obey parents	17. Tells children to obey parents
18. Wants little children to come to Him (Mark 10:14)	18. Bids children to come unto him
19. Judges (Rom 14:10; Rev 20:2)	19. Judges whether you were good or bad
20. Everlasting Father (Isa 9:6; Heb 12:2)	20. Father Christmas
21. Christ Child (Matt 1:23; Luke 2:11-12)	21. Kris Kringle (means christ child)
22. Worthy of Prayers and Worship (Rev 5:14 Hebrews 1:6)	22. Prayers and worship to "St. Nick" by children
23. Lord of Hosts (Mal 3:5; Isa 8:13; Psalms 24:10)	23. Lord over a host of elves - (In Druidic religion, elves are demons or tree spirits
24. God says, "Ho, ho ... (Zechariah 2:6)	24. Santa says, "Ho, ho, ho ..."
25. Prince of Peace, the Image of God (Isa 9:6; Hebrews 1:3)	25. Symbol of World Peace, the image of the Christmas Season

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Are you interested in some beautiful jewelry that is based on Scripture?
Check out my store: Everything Beautiful ~ Jewelry by Janet Powers on Etsy

Meditation

How to meditate on the Word of God

Psalm 1:2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

We are told to meditate on the Word of God.  Some Christians instantly think that the word "meditate" is New Age religion BUT the Bible tells us to meditate on it's words.  (The enemy always tries to copy what originated with God!)  Don't let the world change what God has already spoken!

The words in our Bible are Jesus.  John 1:1, John 1:14

So, if meditating isn't sitting cross legged on the floor and saying, "Aaaahhh ooooommm..." while thinking of nothing and clearing our mind, then what is it?  How do we do it?

1.  Ponder the Word ~ think about it.  Let it go through your mind.

2. Muse it ~ Take in the Word, let it settle down inside of you, and at appropriate times you bring it back up again. (Maybe at night before bed.)  Let it stir in your heart and in your mind again.

3. Mutter it ~ You actually say it. Say it quietly to yourself. Mutter the truth that God is trying to plant into you.  (For example: a verse or part of a verse that pertains to your situation.) Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

We must change on the inside, not just our outward appearance.  Meditating on God's Word changes us on the inside.

Jesus is ALL powerful! God's Word is powerful; it WILL change your life!

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The Most Awesome Day!

I had the most awesome day yesterday.  I received a call from a friend to see if I could run some shopping errands with her.  Sounds "normal" enough, doesn't it?  

This was far from normal.

When I was a little girl, K through 3rd grade, I had a best friend.  In kindergarten, we discovered that we shared a birthday!  That is most exciting to two new friends! As we talked with our mothers, we discovered that we were born on the same day, in the same town, at the same hospital, with the same doctor, at the same time!

Not only that, but our mothers remembered each other!  No doubt because it was my mother's first baby so the doctor delivered me.  It was her mother's 8th child so her father and nurse delivered her!

After 3rd grade, my mother moved me to the local public school. Many years had gone by and I hadn't heard from my little friend.  One day, my mother got news that my friend was going to leave the country to go to the mission field full time!  She got my friend's phone number for me and I made the call to say a long lost "hello" and "good-bye."

We talked as if no time had passed!  Her voice even sounded the same to me.  It was bitter sweet but the beginning of a life-long friendship.  Since then, we have seen each other several times when she comes back on furlough, and she has even spoken in our church.  Of course, we keep in touch through email!

So, the phone call from a friend to run some shopping errands was no ordinary call.  It was a blessing from the LORD that we both serve, to spend some time together even though we are normally worlds apart.

Marriage Challenge

Marriage is a journey.  It has ups and downs and the ups need to start somewhere.  Would you like to begin to have more ups?

A good place to start:

1. Pray that God will put the spark back into your marriage.
2. Read what the Bible has to say about being a good wife and begin to apply it.
3. Start by respecting your husband.  Give him praise and honor him even if he is not acting honorable.
4. Do the 30 Day Challenge (click the link below and print the document) and pray for your husband.

30 Day Challenge

I'm a Bride!

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Psalm 45:11

The Message (MSG)

 ^10-12 "Now listen, daughter, don't miss a word: 

      forget your country, put your home behind you. 

   Be here—the king is wild for you. 

      Since he's your lord, adore him. 

   Wedding gifts pour in from Tyre; 

      rich guests shower you with presents." 

I'm a bride!  Are you?

Where is she now?

I posted this little story about "Pat" in July of 2009.  I am pleased to say that she is still at our church, growing tremendously in her faith, stepping out in faith like God says to, and she is on our praise team.  Hallelujah!

NO ONE!  Do you hear me?  No one can take your testimony away from you!  It is yours; use it!

Your story for HIS glory!

I am so privileged to know my new friend at church. I'll call her "Pat". She has a son and I'll call him "Jose".

My husband had been praying for people to come to the church. More specifically, he wanted people to wander in and not know why they came in; just to be drawn in by the Holy Spirit.

One Sunday evening, church was about to start and this girl (Pat) and her son came in through the side door. My husband just happened to be standing there so he welcomed them. He said that she looked kind of confused. She told him that she saw the lights on and wanted to come in to see what was going on. He told her that church was about to start and showed them around. They stayed for church and have been coming back ever since.

Pat had just accepted Jesus as her Savior a few weeks before. She was in her car listening to Christian radio and heard the good news. She also called 1888needhim and was told that she needed to find a church now.

Pat continued to grow in the Lord, got baptized and joined the church. Her son, "Jose" is such a good boy. The 2 Espressos are so excited to be his friend as am I. You see, I had prayed for God to send Double Espresso a good, Christian friend. The next thing I new, in walked Pat and Jose.

Yesterday after Sunday school, Jose went to my husband and said that he had some questions and wanted to know what it meant to be saved? My husband took the time before church started, to speak the truth of the gospel to this boy. By the time they were done talking, Jose had clasped his lips together with his fingers and his eyes were welling up with tears. My husband said, "you know what you need to do now, don't you?" He said yes and ran out of the room to the bathroom, and the Lord did the rest.

Pat called right after church and said that Jose would like to be baptized. Praise the Lord for them!

Pat's family, her siblings and her parents all went out to eat last night. Her brother and Jose got into quite a heated debate during dinner about God and church. He was so filled with the Holy Spirit! Jose was quoting Scripture and preaching to his tio (uncle).

These two have grown in the Lord so much in just a couple of months. They are more vocal and passionate about Jesus than some Christians that I know that have been born again for decades.

I am so encouraged by my new friends.

The Kingdom

This quote would make a great base for a prayer over your children...

"Give me 100 men who fear nothing but sin in their own lives and want nothing but God and God alone; I care not whether they be clergymen or laymen, they will shake the gates of hell and set up God's kingdom upon the earth."   - John Wesley

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window… absolutely beautiful... woods, sunshine, basketballs sitting still in the driveway.

I am thinking... about how good God has been to me. He is revealing a path for my life and I can't wait to know more! (Hint: speaking ministry)

I am thankful... for my beautiful marriage, loving family, my crazy boyz that make me laugh.


From the learning rooms… Espresso is loving his new Algebra 1 online curriculum, Double Espresso is loving his italics cursive presidential quotes curriculum (mouthful!), I am loving learning about the Jewish betrothal process and how that relates to the Scriptures, husband is loving learning about taking faith to a miraculous level.


In the kitchen… cutting up and freezing the green peppers and mushrooms that are on sale at Aldi this week.  GP $1 for 3 big ones, Mush $0.79 per pack.

I am wearing… right now, black sweats and black T, I plan on looking... real good... for hubs later!

I am creating… a night of worship for Friday Night Praise at church.

I am going… to praise team practice... that's about it!  It takes a lot to get me out of the house. I like it here...

I am reading… the book of Mark with a college girl.  I am mentoring her through the Bible. Her fiance has decided to go into ministry.  Wow... responsibility!

I am hoping... for soooo much!  ...and my God is soooo good!  Ok, time for transparency.  I am hoping to find a like-minded friend. ;) 

I am looking forward to… our beautiful family dinner, complete with fancy dishes, table cloth, and candles.  For what? Because we love each other.  That's it...

I am hearing… silence for now...  DE is using the computer and E is reading his Bible.

Around the house… I am always trying to decorate and make this house more cozy. :)  Looking for ways to re-arrange!  

I am pondering… thoughts on how God works. His thoughts are not ours.  His ways are not ours.

One of my favorite things… doing laundry on my tall bed while watching Joyce Meyer.  God speaks to me through her lessons.  Joyce is my hero!

A few plans for the rest of the week: to enjoy it!

Here is picture I am sharing…

photo credit: I encourage you to go see her blog!

Some day, I will have a special, shabby chic room all of my own.  A quiet place with fluffy pillows, a chandelier, books, tea cups, and lace.  A place where I can feel feminine.  A place to sit and hear from God...  Until then, I will relish in this place of boyz, dogs, dirty hands, and wrestling matches.  I do LOVE my boyz!

Be Careful!

Just because God has convicted you of something doesn't mean it is a sin for others.  Be very careful not to push your convictions on others and label them as sin!


Everyone is on a different Spiritual level, and God must have time to work in their lives like He did yours. 

I Am Thankful

I am thankful that after being a born again believer in Jesus Christ for 35 years, I am STILL growing spiritually at a tremendous rate!  Verses that I've read over and over in the Word jump out at me "anew."

They go down deep.
They change me.
They change the way I think.
They make me excited!
They give me passion!

Jesus IS the Word!

John 1:1 (NAS)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 (NAS)
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

What are you thankful for today?

I'm just curious.  I know that there are a lot of people out there going through all kinds of different situations from all different walks of life.  ...so... I'm just wondering, what are you thankful for today?

What's Your Specialty?

Everyone has something special about them that they are known for and that they do for others.  Some people make quilts, some cook, some hug, some always have a kind word, some throw awesome parties, etc.

I think I have several specialties.  First, I like to make my house a home.  You know... nest!
I want people to feel cozy and comfortable when they come to our house.  If they come for a dinner, I set it up buffet style so they can feel at ease getting things out of the kitchen.  If they come to stay, I provide everything that I think they may need for their stay and show them around the kitchen so that they can help themselves if need be.

I want our home to be a place of refuge for my husband and family.  Of course, it first starts with me (that's the hard part) and then it can transfer to the actual house.  Love, no yelling, no name calling, kind acts, and blessings are all things that my family tries to give to each other.

If I am out of the house (I said IF), I like to give.  I give kind acts, cards that say "God loves you", extra tips, and of course, a smile goes a long way!

Someday, I'd like to learn to quilt and give them to people.  Quilts are just cozy!

So, what's your specialty?





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repost from Dec 2010

Steppin Out

Have you ever been in a place where you have such doubt and fear, and then you felt convicted for your doubt?  That happened to me.

So, what did you do?  I reached out, grabbed hold of faith, and... the result comes in a couple of days!  I'm actually in the middle of it all.

For me, life just goes on... I homeschool the boys everyday, lead worship at church, worship the LORD, learn... etc.  Kinda boring actually!  Then, God speaks.

God spoke to my spirit I guess.  He led me to step out and do something out of the ordinary for me.  It's a big step ~ to go someplace I've never gone, a BIG someplace, with people I've never met, doing things I've never done, etc...

I'll let you know how it goes.  But for now, here is a quote from Joyce Meyer's sermon from Sunday:

"The only way your faith is gonna grow is if God puts you in a place where you have to use it."

That's where I'm at.  Groping in the dark, in a place I've never been, doing something I've never done.  All while being led my my loving God.




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It's Monday! Rise and sing!

This song is getting me goin for the week!

My husband preached up a storm yesterday.  I'm full of faith, steppin out in faith, and ready to walk on the path that God has placed before me.

Rise and sing!

Just Ask!

The Favor of God

You have not because you ask not!

What are you asking for?
What have you asked for?

Ask your Father in Heaven... Yes!
Ask people here on earth.... Yes!

God didn't give me a big mouth for nothin!  I ask!

Yes, I have to get over it... set my pride aside, open my big mouth and ask!

Matthew 7:7-77 (NLT)
⁷ “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 

 ⁹ “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? ¹⁰ Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! ¹¹ So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

Luke 2:52And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

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BFOW - What?

Ever hear that one? 

It stands for:  My Best Friend on the Web!

Do you have a best friend on the web?  

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The Anointing of the Holy Spirit

"The anointing of the Holy Spirit is given through people to demonstrate God's love and power. Christ means the "Anointed One". Because Christ is in us the same anointing that He had on earth we also have."


My husband has a special anointing.  He does all of the following and I'd like to give a testimony of that.

Yesterday, I woke up with a shoulder pain.  I don't know what I did, but it felt like the front of the inside was out of place.  As we sat on the couch with our morning coffee, watching a "preaching show" I told him about my pain.  He said, "Well let's pray right now!"

He touched my shoulder and prayed a prayer of healing over me.  A few hours later I noticed that the pain was gone.  Not only was the pain gone, but I could move my arm all around my head.  (Normally, this same pain will last me for weeks.)

I don't usually need a prayer for healing.  I know many people who have had my husband pray over them for healing, jobs and other situations and it was done just as he asked.  I know one person who was healed from cancer, one was going blind, one had a shattered hip... and the list goes on.  One person needed a job and after prayer, walked out of my husbands office, crossed the street and got TWO jobs at the same time.

(Luke 4:18-19 NKJV) "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; {19} To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD."
1. The anointing is given to preach the gospel to the poor2. The anointing is given to heal and restore people3. The anointing is given to proclaim freedom to the captives4. The anointing is given to open blind eyes5. The anointing is given to set people free6. The anointing flows in God's timing and proclaims God's timingQuotes from: Seek God Ministries

I thank God for my husband and for the anointing on his life.  He is an awesome man of God.  Our home is blessed.  Our children are blessed.  Our marriage is blessed.

There is hope in Jesus Christ.  Because of Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, there is healing.  There is peace.  There is prosperity.  There is HOPE!

(Re-post)

Compliments From Above

My dear son (12) came to me the other day.  He gave me one of the biggest compliments I think a kid can give.

We were talking about the different "parenting styles" of the mothers at church.  Even at the tender age of 12 he understands the verse,

Proverbs 13:24 (NLT)
"Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.
      Those who love their children care enough to discipline them."

So then he said, "Mom, you should get all of the mothers together (at the church) and teach a class on how to be a good mom!"

When I have one of those moments I just thank God that knows what we need to hear, when we need to hear it!  Praise the Lord for speaking through our kids!

How to Keep Christ In Christmas ~ Part 2

That has been a struggle and a debate for years!

Find Part 1 here: How I Keep Christmas Meaningful 

Our Santa vs Jesus Story here

I can tell you, with FULL assurance, that I have discovered the answer to the question, "How do I keep Christmas meaningful?"

People get offended if the cashier says, "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas."  Others purchase buttons and bumper stickers that say, "Jesus is the reason for the season."  Often, there are huge fights, offences, and battles to keep a nativity scene in a public place like a court-house.  Oh, and the upside-down Christmas tree... not even going there!

Slowly but surely, America is divorcing God.  So how do we as Christians, Jesus followers, disciples of Christ, keep the momentum going in the right direction?  Well, that's a bigger question than the one that I am going to tackle today!

Don't you wonder... 

• When was Jesus REALLY born? 
• How do I keep Christ in Christmas?  
• Ever wonder, where did Christmas come from?
• How do I keep our kids focused on Jesus and not gifts? 
• How do I not get stressed out?
• How does our family have peace in the midst of hustle and bustle?

Well, the short answer is... 

Read the rest of the story:



...we don't!  Now before you click me off, hear me out!

I have discovered the true meaning of "holiday festivities."  Where did I turn to find it?  God's Word!  I discovered the "feasts of the LORD."  I discovered the "holidays" that Jesus not only celebrated but fulfilled!  

Let me say this.  People often make the mistake of calling the feasts of the LORD "Jewish holidays."  That is incorrect!  The feasts are for believers in Jesus.  They are for God's people and I am one of those people!

It's really amazing!  I am so excited to have found this treasure that was there all along.  I'll be honest, when I first discovered the "Biblical holidays" I felt ripped off.  How could I go to church since I was 3 days old and not know about this?  Why am I just now learning this at the age of... 30 something? (I'm now 40.)

Once you learn some basics about the feasts, you will find mention of them all over the Old and New Testaments.  You will discover that God intended for His children to celebrate them!  You will discover that Jesus is in them.  You will find that Jesus fulfilled them!  He is "the feasts."

Jesus is the Passover Lamb.
Jesus is the Unleavened Bread.
Jesus is the Firstfruits. (Passover)
Jesus is our atonement. (Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement.)
Jesus "Tabernacled among us."  (Feast of Tabernacles or Booths also likely His BIRTHDAY.)
Someday, Jesus will fulfill the Feast of Trumpets!


I will tell the rest of my story later.  But for now, here is some information on the basics of the Biblical Holidays:  Finding Jesus (Yeshua) in the feasts

Information from Robin at "The Heart of Wisdom."  She explains it all and has books to help you understand.  She is a kind, loving, Christian lady who gets it!

Biblical Holidays ~ Exploring Our Hebrew Roots
Hebrew Roots ~ Passover
Hebrew Roots ~ Fall Holidays
Free Downloads


photo credit: (From "The Nativity Story," Paramount Pictures, 2006)