Communion

Communion. What does communion mean? The definition means to commune with someone or something. What does commune mean? It means to discuss, communicate, or think about someone or something. Okay, with that in mind? What does communion when taken as the Lord's Supper mean? I would like to know what it means to YOU!

Some churches take communion every quarter, some once a month, and others only during certain traditions or holidays. Some churches, like ours, take the Lord's Supper each and every week. Does it get monotous? Not at all! Someone once said that if you feel like it's getting routine then the problem isn't with God or the taking of the Lord's Table, it is with you and your heart. YOU need to examine your heart each week before you take communion. That's why we do it each week.

Now on to the topic that everyone will disagree on. The communion glass. Oh My! What a stir that can cause. Do you use wine or grape juice? Did the Lord drink wine or grape juice? Do you allow your children to drink wine or grape juice? Such a touchy and controversial topic. I dare not speak of it for ruffling someone's feathers but I think I am going to do just that!

There are many ways you can take or receive communion. Our church is a little unique. We have glasses that are for the heads of the households. The head of the household receives the glass and distributes it to his family. Who else knows the hearts and minds of his own family than the fathers? If the father (and on a rare occasion it might even be the mother, if the father is absent from the home or from church attendance) deems that a child has been received into the Lord's grace then that child can take communion. It is up to each individual family to decide whether or not you will use wine or grape juice at our church, as we will have both at all times. Some families do not wish to give their children wine. Others feel that if the Lord used and drank wine at the Last Supper then we will also do as unto the Lord.

When we first started our little church, I bought a Wheat Thins-type cracker and that is what we used for communion. Well, I didn't have a recipe for a communion bread and I tried to search for one but for some reason I couldn't find one that I thought would be appropriate. And since it was just us at the time, it was easiest to just buy the box and use one at a time. Now that we are no longer meeting on our living room and we have grown, I have been given a recipe for a communion bread. I rise early each Sunday morning to make this bread and I wish I had a recipe to give you but as I actually got the recipe and tweaked it a little because it was the blandest tasting "cracker" I had ever tasted and I really am not sure what I put in it, then I cannot possibly give you the recipe.

What I can give you is something to think about? Are you receiving the Lord's Table? Does it seem like just another time to eat bread and drink some "juice"? Then please think about your life. What can you do NOW to prepare your heart for when you take of communion? We have such sweet fellowship with our Lord, please do not think that communion is just another ordinary element of worship. Please put communion where it needs to be. Reverent. Holy. Set apart. Like we, as Christians, are set apart from the world. So is our communion with the Lord!

Proverbs 4

This morning, for our family's Bible time, we studied Proverbs 4. It speaks to children and their responsibility of learning. They are not to forsake the teachings of their parents. Of course, that would be assuming that the parents are even teaching the children. I don't want to harp on those who do not share the same values as our family when it comes to the education of their children but I cannot see how you can read the verses in the Bible that COMMAND us to teach our children. Where does it say we are to only spiritually teach them? Someone please point me to it because I have yet to find a verse that says that the teaching is only of the word. If it says teach, then that means all aspects of their lives: Bible, Math, Science, English, History, etc.

I admit I have lacked in many areas of my children's education but I do want them to learn and I want them to love learning. I want them to look forward to becoming better citizens and Christians so that they may win others to Christ or become great chefs, photographers, homemaker, or whatever it is that God has planned for their lives.

Proverbs teaches that we are to "get wisdom; get understanding." He doesn't say if we want to, He commands it! We are to know light from dark, right from wrong, good from evil. Our Equipping Hour (our version of Sunday School) at church this past Sunday morning was on the subject of discernment. That is what we are to apply to our own lives and to teach to our children. How are they to discern matters concerning what goes on around them or about themselves if we are not guiding them in His Word? They don't just automatically know good from evil although it should sometimes be obvious. But, what is obvious to us is not always so clear for our children. We have to be willing to lovingly guide their paths.

Are you homeschooling your children? Does your husband want you to homeschool but you think you cannot do it? Or maybe it's vice versa? Are you, as the spiritual leader of your household disabling your family from the precepts that God has set forth for us? I would like to plead that you get on your knees and pray over the matter of who educates your children. Maybe you have already been in prayer regarding their education. Is God telling you to home educate your children? If you ever need someone to "talk" to about the matter, I would be glad to share with you my experience or help you get started. Please do not hesitate asking!

We Do It To Ourselves

OK, so I just admitted to you all that I have had one of those kinds of weeks. What I didn't admit (mainly because my selfishness or Satan did not bring it to the front of my mind) is that I neglected reading His Word or spending quiet time with the Lord this week. THAT's why I've had just a "blah" week!!!! Why did it take me so long to realize that?

Why do we do the things we do? If I am not doing what I am supposed to be doing, what the Lord has called me to be doing, then why would we expect happiness or joy? I neglected Him so He has every right to neglect me in a sense.

Dear Heavenly Father, First I want to thank You for bringing to mind my sin. I DO NOT want to sin, truly I don't. I want to do and be what You have called me to be. Please help me to be the better wife, mother, and Christian that I can be. Help me to repent and turn away from my sin and to remember to spend time with You each day, in prayer and in The Word. Help me to teach the children the importance of doing the same. Lord, Please be with me as I am trying to change. There are so many times that I fail. There are so many times that I do not live up to the expectations of others. Help me to learn to do those things not because they are human and I want to please them, but because Lord, I want to please You. Help me to learn that what I do to others, I am doing to You. Thank You for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for the forgiveness of my sin. I pray these things in Jesus' Name, Amen.

In A Rut

You ever had one of those days?  OK, it's really been one of WEEKS, not just days. 

Monday morning I got a call from my uncle that my mother and some people were going to go get the rest of her stuff at the storage building.  They were just going to stop by my house to drop off some home grown okra and peaches.  During that visit, my mother proceeded to tell me some things that I cared not to listen to and I lost my cool.  I got loud and in her face and acted like a lunatic.  Exactly like she would want me to or expect me to.  Not the Christian, loving, Pastor's wife, that I should be.  I felt like crud after I did it but I am still not happy with the words my mother spoke to or about me.  I cannot control HER actions.  I can only control mine and I did not act like I should have that day.  I have felt horrible ever since!

One good thing that happened that day was my husband was late getting home.  No, that's not good but what he had in his hand made my day.  Flowers!  I almost cried when I saw him with them.  He hasn't brought me flowers in quite a while, so it is really special when he does!

Tuesday we went to our L.I.F.E. classes.  Caleb doesn't want to be there really but he is doing his best!  Erin wants to be there but doesn't want or I should say like, the homework.  It will all be fine.  The work is good for them and they will learn much this year.  I am sure we will NOT do this again.  The good thing about this is the grades they get at L.I.F.E. stay at L.I.F.E.  I could care less what grade they get.  Well, I care but it doesn't matter to me if they get an A or D.  As long as they are doing their very best and I see that they are working as hard as they can.  This past week, Erin completed her homework but go to class and got the research wrong.  I ended up calling the teacher and trying to find a way to make sure that didn't happen again.  If it does, and Erin receives a low grade, I don't care!  I know she worked hard and tried and I cannot help what grade the teacher gives her.  We are lucky that I am friends with Erin's teacher and I am in the class with Caleb's teacher.  So, I think we will be fine.  It is not strict and rigid.  Everything will be fine!

Thursday, I went with the lady who runs the Olive Branch Food Pantry to a meeting in Jackson, MS.  I got up at 4:15 and left at 5 am because it takes 3-1/2 hours to get there.  We learned quite a bit from the USDA meeting and while I was there, I kind of got roped into helping her, which I am fine with if my husband is also in agreement.

Today, we had book club.  Feminism.  That's a big subject that many people refuse to discuss but that is what this book is basically about!  Good stuff.  If you haven't already, you should read the book, Passionate Housewives Desperate for God.  I have mentioned this book before.  It was written by Stacy McDonald and Jennie Chancey.  You can purchase it from Vision Forum.  Do a search if you want to read it.

Well, I hope this post finds you doing well.  Gotta go make dinner!  I love being a Housewife and am thankful that God has blessed me with such a great family.  I pray you too enjoy your family and cherish the moments you have with them.

1 Peter 3:1, 2

"(1) Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, (2) when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear."

I want to look at these verses a minute. Notice in verse one that we are to be submissive to our own husbands. Not the neighbors' or our friends' husbands, our own! When you married, it was a commitment. It was a covenant. So many people, Christians included, do not take that covenant seriously. Just because the Bible gives an "out" for some doesn't mean we get divorced because we are no longer "in love" with our spouse.

Does your spouse always "obey the word" as in verse one? Why did God instuct the women or wife to win over the husband without a word? Why wasn't it the other way around? Did God know something we did not? God gave Peter wisdom and inspired him to write these words.

How many times have you quietly won over your husband? How many times have I heard the story of a wife who has actually done that? I have heard it; it can happen!! God wouldn't have put it into His Word if He didn't intend for it to happen!

Our husbands are supposed to witness our "chaste conduct accompanied by fear." Chaste? What does it mean to be chaste? One of the definitions that Webster gives is: 'Pure in thought and act; modest.' Wow!

And we are supposed to behave and think by "fear." Fear of whom? Not of our spouse. It doesn't mean our spouses are to rule our home like a tyrant, nor are we to rule our household to the point that everyone fears us. The fear spoken here, I believe, is of the Lord, not of our spouses. We should not fear our spouse, they should not fear us, and our children should not fear us. We, as Christians, should fear the Lord. Not in a "God-is-angry" kind of fear, but a reverent fear. The kind of fear that allows God to judge on His High Throne. The kind of fear knowing that God can send us to Hell. The kind that also loved us so much that He gave His only Son for the forgiveness of our sins that we might have eternal life.

If you are a believing wife, who is living with either a believing or unbelieving husband I think this applies to us all. We are to be submissive without a word. That is not easy in our society. It doesn't say if we feel like it or if our husbands are obeying the word. It specifically says that they are NOT obeying God's commands. So, it is when our husbands are at their worst that we are to be submissive. Not an easy task, but with the help of our Good Shepherd, it CAN be done! Just lean upon Him!

Psalm 1

This week we have taken on the challenge of memorizing scripture.  The memorization of Scripture verses should be a regular part of every Christian life.  But, the truth of the matter is, most Christians go to church on Sunday and forget about God until they need him.  God isn't about just going to church on Sundays.  He wants us ALL the time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  He wants us when times are happy, or when we are down.  When times are perilous or joyous.

I know you have probably read Psalm chapter 1 verses 1 and 2 but my pastor (who happens to also be my husband) once preached on it and gave a perspective I wanted to share with you.

Psalm 1:1, 2
"(1) Blessed is the man who does not walk in the cousel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! (2) But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night."

Notice the pattern.  In verse one, the man is walking.  Think of it this way: You walk into a room filled with sinners and at first you are just walking around looking at what is going on.  If you are walking, usually you are able to keep your eyes upon the Lord. 

The next progession is "stand."  Now you are standing and listening to what the sinners have to say.  You have stopped walking and you are now contemplating their thoughts and ideas. 

Next, we are sitting.  Their thoughts and ideas have so got us and tickled our ears that we have decided to take a seat.  We are no longer walking or standing but now we are sitting among the scoffers! 

Walk.

Stand.

Sit. 

Are you walking?  Standing?  Have you gone so far as to sit? 

I say get up!  We must walk and meditate upon the Lord today and every day.  We must make the Lord a vital part of our lives.  We must choose to love the Lord daily.  We must delight in the law of the Lord!

Blackberry Walnut Crumble Pie

I wish I could give you the recipe.  But, the truth of the matter is, I made it up.  I combined several recipes for the topping and for the whole pie.  It was a combination of a regular blackberry pie filling and more combinations for the crumble topping.  I basically mixed oats, brown sugar, flour, baking powder, salt, finely chopped walnuts, and melted butter.  I am sure there are/were other ingredients but as I said, I was making it up as I went along. 

It was funny.  My neighbor made a lemon cake and I made this dessert so now the competition is on!  Tomorrow we compete to see who had the best dessert! 

May the best chef win!  I will let you know how I did!

What Had Happened Was....

Well, today is Monday.  That means the weekend has passed and I need to catch y'all up on what's going on.  Friday, two of my uncles and some men came to move my mothers stuff out of my house and my shed.  My mother's brothers have moved her many times and they said, "This is getting old.  I will not do this for you again."  I hope my mother listens to them!  She has some issues that I will not go into and I am glad to finally have all her junk out of my house and my husband is glad to have his storage shed back as that's where he "hangs out."  That's his "man cave."

Saturday we went to Water Valley, MS to the Watermelon Carnival.  It was lots of fun as usual.  Another homeschool family, the Lostritto's, went with us.  They followed us down to Batesville where we stopped at Huddle House to eat a huge breakfast.  Then they followed up further south to Water Valley.  We enjoyed the festivities and we even entered some of the contests.  Caleb's friend, Beau, went with us again this year.  Him and Caleb entered all the contests they could- Seed Spitting, Watermelon Eating, and Watermelon Throwing.  Beau, who's real name is Frank, won the Watermelon Eating.  He chose binoculars as his prize. Neither of them did very well in the other contests.  Mr. Thomas entered the watermelon eating contest.  Got second place!  Prize- a grill set.  David and I, Ms. Kathy and Mr. Thom all entered the seed spitting contest.  David got 1st place with 31 feet!  Way to go, honey!  Get me those stainless steel water bottles!  Next up, the watermelon throwing contest.  The girls, boys, and I entered that one.  Guess who got 2nd place in their age level?  ME!  More water bottles!  I threw an 8-lb watermelon a total of .... 31 feet... same as how much my husband spit the seeds!  I thought it was funny that I could throw a melon as far as David could spit the seeds. 

Today, we went in the pouring rain to pick up the food from Kroger that was to be donated to the Food Pantry.  It wasn't raining when we left the house but man it come a downpour in town.  Glad Kroger didn't have much to donate.  Would have taken longer!

Now we're home and trying to get everything ready for classes that start tomorrow.  What have I gotten myself into?  Money, school supplies, curriculum I can't afford!  Glad God provided for our needs so far.  I am sure He will continue to provide in some manner.

God is Good!

Watermelon Carnival

This picture is from 2009.  We are in Water Valley, MS at the Watermelon Carnival.  We have went 3 years in a row now.  The carnival this year is this weekend, August 5-7th.  We are hoping to attend the carnival on Saturday, the 6th.  The above picture is of the watermelon throwing contest.  To the immediate left of the big guy holding the clipboard is Caleb (in the light blue shirt), to his immediate right is Beau (he's wearing the same style shirt as Caleb- we bought them matching shirts), a friend of Caleb's who tagged along with us last year.  The girl in the red and white is Erin.  I did not even know this picture was on the web until today when I was trying to confirm the dates.  Cool, huh? 

Water Valley, Mississippi is about an hour-and-a-half drive for us.  It is the place where we buy the BEST yellow-meat watermelon we have ever placed upon our taste buds!  No red watermelon has ever beat it!  If you ever get a chance, take a drive down to Water Valley, MS. 

L.I.F.E.

L.I.F.E. stands for Lighthouse Instruction for Enrichment.  It is like a co-op for homeschool students. 

What's a co-op you might ask?  It is where homeschool moms cooperatively agree to teach other homeschool students in a classroom setting, usually in a church building.  L.I.F.E. meets in Southaven at a church.  This will be our first year to attend.  I am going to substitute teach and be the lunch monitor and whatever else I am needed to do.  We haven't done anything like this since we moved to MS, so it is a new experience for us.  We are both excited and nervous!  We are only going to commit to this one year then we will see if we want to continue.  I pray God will bless us and those we are able to serve at L.I.F.E. and also provide for our needs so that we may continue to be a blessing upon others.

Raising Godly Boys

I have spoken quite a bit on raising a daughter who will be a homemaker. But, I haven't spent much time speaking on behalf of those of us who are also trying to raise boys.

I grew up with a sister. My father wasn't around much so I did not relate to boys well in school. So, as you could very well imagine, I had my troubles when I got out into the "real" world after graduation. And, with no real spiritual guidance, I got in trouble. No drugs but there was alcohol involved. And, many more sins that I will not give mention to as I have asked for forgiveness and I would like them to remain in silence for the moment.

God gave me a wonderful man. He sent this man into my life and I knew within a week that I would marry him. Why? Because he had a job and a car! Simply put. I did not care about much else. Yeah, he was cute with his glasses on and his gentle nature. But, I was not taught how to "date" so I went out into the grown up world and lived it how I wanted to.

I had no idea what our lives would hold, but there were plenty of trials and tribulations. Many we put upon ourselves. I became saved young. To tell the truth, I have always known God, who He was, but did not have that "relationship" with him as I should have. I would do as I pleased then ask for forgiveness. That is not what He wants from us. So, after I married David, and God continued to work in both our lives, we knew we were going to church.

God and church have been a very huge part of our lives. We don't just go to church on Sundays. We try to live our lives to the best of our abilities as God would have us. That's how we are raising our children. We want God, His Word, and His Songs, to be a big part of their lives as well.

Caleb has some big shoes to fill. His father is the pastor. What will God call Caleb to be when he grows up? A Spiritual Leader. A Father, I pray. And, he is already getting some practice at it.

Last night, our 2-year old neighbor spent the night. She LOVES Erin and spending time with us and she did not want to go home even after spending the day with us. After dinner, I asked Erin to clean the kitchen. Skye wanted a bath. So, Caleb gave Skye a bath. He spent the whole time in the bathroom with her while she was in the tub, helped her wash up, and then got her out, dried off, AND dressed. Even though, he put her diaper on backwards. :) Afterwards, I thanked him for doing so.

If the Lord so chooses, Caleb is going to make a great father! Just like his father!