HOME DESTROYERS
Part 1
1 Timothy 6:8, "Having food and clothing, with these we shall be content."
Reading through Proverbs recently I noticed that it mentions five things that destroy the home. I prefer not to write about negative things, but, on the other hand, we can't wipe any of God's Word under the mat. And God's negatives always turn to positives. When we read His warning signs which mean, ROAD BLOCK, WRONG WAY-GO BACK or DEAD END we know that it is not the road to take, even though it looks beautiful and such an easy road. We must swerve back on the road God has planned for us from the beginning of time. God has never changed his plans. His ways are still the only ones that work effectively. Jeremiah 6:16 says, "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."
Let's look at some of these WRONG WAY signs.
1. GREEDINESS
Proverbs 15:27, "He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house."
No wonder one of the Ten Commandments is "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house... thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife... nor any thing that is thy neighbor's." (Exodus 20: 17) When we see friends with things that we don't have it is easy to hanker after them too. Most people like to be like everyone else and have everything that their associates have.
How can this negatively affect the home?
a) By becoming despondent and full of self-pity because we can't afford what we want. This takes away our joy of living and being "content with such things as we have." (Hebrews 3:5-6)
b) As we crave a better house and more things to put in the house we start to plan how we can get these things. Ideas take shape. That's it! I could do what everyone else is doing who has more things. I could go out and get a job! Yes, that's the answer. But is it? To go out and get a job you have to leave the home behind. You have to vacate the very place where God wants you to be--in the heart of the home. (Psalm 1228:3) You have to put your children in daycare or leave them with someone else. God didn't give your children to you to give them to someone else to look after! He gives the responsibility to you. You are the only one who can truly nurture and nourish your baby and children.
c) The home becomes a show piece of material riches rather than filling it with the true riches of children. When you get your eyes on material riches, children become a nuisance.
May God save us from a greedy spirit.
Love from NANCY CAMPBELL
Prayer:
"Father, I pray that you will take every spirit of greediness from me. Give me a contented spirit. Help me to enjoy the riches you have given me - my precious children and the (little) house you have provided for me. I thank you for the blessing of food and clothing. Amen"
Affirmation:
Content in my home, that's for me,
With coveting gone, I'm now free!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
a good challenge
HOME DESTROYERS
Part 2a
Jeremiah 4:22 RSV, "For my people are foolish, they know me not; they are stupid children, they have no understanding."
Today we continue talking about things that destroy the home.
2. FOOLISHNESS
Proverbs 14:1, "Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish plucks it down with her hands."
What does it mean to be foolish? Simply, it means to do it my way rather than God's way. God's way, although different to my way always ends in blessing. My way, although it may look good, always ends in destruction.
If we are not building our home, we are pulling it down. How do we pull it down?
We pull it down by vacating the home. God wants the mother in the home--nurturing, nourishing and training her children. We can't do everything successfully. We either build up a business (usually someone else's business) or we build up our home. God has given us a full time job to tend our little flock. God gives a warning to the mother shepherdess when He says in Zechariah 11:17, "Woe to the worthless shepherd, who leaves the flock!" Notice that this Scripture has an exclamation mark!
We pull it down by our words. Negative words. Critical words. Reactive words. Spiteful words. Angry words. And on it goes.
We build our home with words or
we destroy our home with words!
When God allowed Satan to get at his servant Job, he smote him with terrible boils from the top of his head to the sole of his feet Job was in agony and pain. Instead of encouraging him, Job's wife said, "Do you still hold on to your integrity? Curse God, and die." Job replied, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" (Job 2:9-10)
Do you speak as one of the foolish women, or one of the wise?
Sometimes it may not be negative words. It may be wasteful words. Proverbs 15:2 says, "The mouth of fools pours forth foolishness." Often we speak unnecessary words when we should keep out mouths shut. I am always challenged by Proverbs 10:19, "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise." The more we blab on about anything and everything, the more opportunity there is to sin with our mouth. The NLT makes it clearer, "Don't talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!"
We pull it down by spending frivolously and unwisely. The foolish woman buys according to her whims and what takes her fancy. She buys groceries without thought for nutrition or without reading the ingredients. She fills her cupboards with devitalized packaged foods instead of cooking from scratch. She purchases unnecessary "things" to fill her home which could be used for wiser needs.
Proverbs 21:20 says, "There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man (or woman) spendeth it up." The foolish woman spends more than her husband can afford. The wise woman lives frugally within her means. I often have to remind my new adopted daughters that we don't have to eat what we want whenever we want. We must learn to live thriftily rather than extravagantly.
We pull it down by wasting. Many women not only waste time but waste products. They throw out everything. It is not wise to be a hoarder and clutter up your home, but there are many things that can be re-used to save re-spending.
Many mothers allow their children to pick at their food and leave it on their plate without teaching them to eat what is in front of them. Good food is thrown in the trash. This is wasteful.
May God deliver us from being in the "foolish women category" that pulls down their home.
Love from NANCY CAMPBELL
PRAYER:
"Father, please touch my lips with coals from off the altar. I don't want to speak negative words. Fill my mouth with encouraging and life-giving words that will build up my husband and my children. Amen."
AFFIRMATION:
Building up my home with uplifting words,
To do anything else is utterly absurd!
Part 2a
Jeremiah 4:22 RSV, "For my people are foolish, they know me not; they are stupid children, they have no understanding."
Today we continue talking about things that destroy the home.
2. FOOLISHNESS
Proverbs 14:1, "Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish plucks it down with her hands."
What does it mean to be foolish? Simply, it means to do it my way rather than God's way. God's way, although different to my way always ends in blessing. My way, although it may look good, always ends in destruction.
If we are not building our home, we are pulling it down. How do we pull it down?
We pull it down by vacating the home. God wants the mother in the home--nurturing, nourishing and training her children. We can't do everything successfully. We either build up a business (usually someone else's business) or we build up our home. God has given us a full time job to tend our little flock. God gives a warning to the mother shepherdess when He says in Zechariah 11:17, "Woe to the worthless shepherd, who leaves the flock!" Notice that this Scripture has an exclamation mark!
We pull it down by our words. Negative words. Critical words. Reactive words. Spiteful words. Angry words. And on it goes.
We build our home with words or
we destroy our home with words!
When God allowed Satan to get at his servant Job, he smote him with terrible boils from the top of his head to the sole of his feet Job was in agony and pain. Instead of encouraging him, Job's wife said, "Do you still hold on to your integrity? Curse God, and die." Job replied, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" (Job 2:9-10)
Do you speak as one of the foolish women, or one of the wise?
Sometimes it may not be negative words. It may be wasteful words. Proverbs 15:2 says, "The mouth of fools pours forth foolishness." Often we speak unnecessary words when we should keep out mouths shut. I am always challenged by Proverbs 10:19, "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise." The more we blab on about anything and everything, the more opportunity there is to sin with our mouth. The NLT makes it clearer, "Don't talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!"
We pull it down by spending frivolously and unwisely. The foolish woman buys according to her whims and what takes her fancy. She buys groceries without thought for nutrition or without reading the ingredients. She fills her cupboards with devitalized packaged foods instead of cooking from scratch. She purchases unnecessary "things" to fill her home which could be used for wiser needs.
Proverbs 21:20 says, "There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man (or woman) spendeth it up." The foolish woman spends more than her husband can afford. The wise woman lives frugally within her means. I often have to remind my new adopted daughters that we don't have to eat what we want whenever we want. We must learn to live thriftily rather than extravagantly.
We pull it down by wasting. Many women not only waste time but waste products. They throw out everything. It is not wise to be a hoarder and clutter up your home, but there are many things that can be re-used to save re-spending.
Many mothers allow their children to pick at their food and leave it on their plate without teaching them to eat what is in front of them. Good food is thrown in the trash. This is wasteful.
May God deliver us from being in the "foolish women category" that pulls down their home.
Love from NANCY CAMPBELL
PRAYER:
"Father, please touch my lips with coals from off the altar. I don't want to speak negative words. Fill my mouth with encouraging and life-giving words that will build up my husband and my children. Amen."
AFFIRMATION:
Building up my home with uplifting words,
To do anything else is utterly absurd!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Sometimes Life Hurts
How do we naturally respond if someone curses us?? ......Well I know how I respond!
And yet, God blesses those who curse Him. This leaves me wondering....What is God like? What are we suppose to be like? He clearly tells us in His Word that "if we love Him we will obey Him." My desire is to obey Him even when life hurts me and my feelings!! Consider this in Luke 6:27-31 " Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise."
I've highlighted the part of this verse that really hit me this time I read it!
Yes, it's easy to talk about loving your enemies (especially if you don't really have any, or are unaware of who they may be). But what about people who are close to us and are suppose to be our friends but feel like enemies? That is what challanged me this time I read this verse. I am challanged to love these people and be merciful to them.
Luke 6:35-36
" But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father is also merciful."
Woah, I have a long way to go.....please help me Lord!
And yet, God blesses those who curse Him. This leaves me wondering....What is God like? What are we suppose to be like? He clearly tells us in His Word that "if we love Him we will obey Him." My desire is to obey Him even when life hurts me and my feelings!! Consider this in Luke 6:27-31 " Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise."
I've highlighted the part of this verse that really hit me this time I read it!
Yes, it's easy to talk about loving your enemies (especially if you don't really have any, or are unaware of who they may be). But what about people who are close to us and are suppose to be our friends but feel like enemies? That is what challanged me this time I read this verse. I am challanged to love these people and be merciful to them.
Luke 6:35-36
" But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father is also merciful."
Woah, I have a long way to go.....please help me Lord!
Our recent trip to the pumpkin patch left us with fantastic photos and great memories! It was a lovely day and we got to see animals, took a apple box train ride and tasted lots of yummy samples! We picked the perfect pumpkin and had the best fresh made apple juice you'll ever taste! The only thing missing was Jay, but we hope to take him there next year!
SISTERS
Sisters really play a big role in my life....I'm so thankful for these women who encourage me, inspire me, and love me. It's so fun having sisters!!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
One gift of many....
The BIG blessing!
Family is a wonderful blessing that God gives us. The more the better! More people to love you, and stretch you. It's a true treasure to have people in your life that will stick with you in ALL the ups and downs of your circumstances and character. Thank God for our family who has faithfully stuck it through. Not only that, but people who are willing to be molded into all God wants them to be! He is faithful to complete the good work that He has started!
an inspiration
I'm so excited to celebrate shelley's birthday! 21!! Shelley has brought joy to my life since she was a tiny little tot! I can't believe she is 21 now. I remember all the fun times we had growing up. Even though I was much older, I was always fascinated by my little sisters. Shelley and Terri were always providing some sort of entertainment. I am thankful that we can all be close, even though there is clearly an age difference. Some people think that because their kids aren't close in age, they won't like to 'hang out' together. This is certainly not the case with my sisters. Shelley has made me smile right from the beginning of her time here on this earth and I am well aware that she will continue to do so ---always.Our little Stang family has been so blessed by her love and all that she has given of herself. I feel so honored to call her my sister and so thankful that she's my friend. Happy Birthday!!
I am so excited to celebrate shelley's birthday!
Monday, September 8, 2008
"mommy , feed me!"
my kids are endlessly hungry!
I have realized over the years that it is important for them to eat healthy, nutritious meals!
Not only does this help them get through the day, but it helps me to feel good about what goes into their little bodies!
I've learned that this in itself is a full time job and perhaps a very important way to faithfully care for our children! I don't want to take this role for granted, although it's seemingly, endlessly redundant!
I'm happy that my kids ate all their dinner tonight! -- sure sometimes they're forced to sit there until they are done, but in the end, they are better off for it! I can see how it takes a child 15x before they actually acquire a taste for that food. No wonder parents give up so easily on making their kids eat healthy!
Children will never starve themselves -- that's for sure.
Hopefully mine get less and less picky and more and more thankful!
I have realized over the years that it is important for them to eat healthy, nutritious meals!
Not only does this help them get through the day, but it helps me to feel good about what goes into their little bodies!
I've learned that this in itself is a full time job and perhaps a very important way to faithfully care for our children! I don't want to take this role for granted, although it's seemingly, endlessly redundant!
I'm happy that my kids ate all their dinner tonight! -- sure sometimes they're forced to sit there until they are done, but in the end, they are better off for it! I can see how it takes a child 15x before they actually acquire a taste for that food. No wonder parents give up so easily on making their kids eat healthy!
Children will never starve themselves -- that's for sure.
Hopefully mine get less and less picky and more and more thankful!
borrowed from a friend
I'd like to post this next quote that I took from my friend Ruth's blog.
It is something I wanted to have on here to remind myself how to slow down in this absolutely non-slow society.
I hope it speaks to you too...
"~Sabbath is taking a day a week to remind myself that I did not make the world and that it will continue to exist with out my efforts.
~Sabbath is a day when my work is done, even if it isn't.
~Sabbath is a day when my job is to enjoy. Period.
~Sabbath is a day when I am fully available to myself and those I love most.
~Sabbath is a day when I remember that when God made the world, he saw that it was good.~Sabbath is a day when I produce nothing.
~Sabbath is a day when I remind myself that I am not a machine.
~Sabbath is day when at the end of it I say, "I didn't produce anything today," and I don't add, "And I feel so guilty."
~Sabbath is a day when my phone is turned off, I don't check my email and you can't get a hold of me.Jesus wants to heal our souls, wants to give us the shalom of God. And so we have to stop. We have to slow down. We have to sit still and stare out the window and let the engine come to an idle. We have to listen to what our inner voice is saying."
It is something I wanted to have on here to remind myself how to slow down in this absolutely non-slow society.
I hope it speaks to you too...
"~Sabbath is taking a day a week to remind myself that I did not make the world and that it will continue to exist with out my efforts.
~Sabbath is a day when my work is done, even if it isn't.
~Sabbath is a day when my job is to enjoy. Period.
~Sabbath is a day when I am fully available to myself and those I love most.
~Sabbath is a day when I remember that when God made the world, he saw that it was good.~Sabbath is a day when I produce nothing.
~Sabbath is a day when I remind myself that I am not a machine.
~Sabbath is day when at the end of it I say, "I didn't produce anything today," and I don't add, "And I feel so guilty."
~Sabbath is a day when my phone is turned off, I don't check my email and you can't get a hold of me.Jesus wants to heal our souls, wants to give us the shalom of God. And so we have to stop. We have to slow down. We have to sit still and stare out the window and let the engine come to an idle. We have to listen to what our inner voice is saying."
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
back to school
today the kids were excited to get to school...the morning ran smoothly and it is going to be nice to be back in the routine again.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
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